My thoughts on "Erasing Hell"

I have just finished reading “Erasing Hell” by Francis Chan.  It is a book on a topic that no one really wants to talk about, but needs to be talked about.  It is amazing that a subject that Jesus talked about a lot, the church or church leaders don’t want to talk about, especially on Sunday morning.  But people need to know and deserve to know the truth.  I can tell you that hell is real and people do go there if they do not have a relationship with Jesus.   I encourage you to read Francis Chan’s book.  It will help you with any questions you have and perhaps bring you clearer insight on some things you have always wondered about.

While reading this book, I came across a blog titled “Why 99% of Pastors are Universalists . . . at Funerals”  by Caleb Wilde.  It made me do some thinking.  I know I have preached some funerals for people I did not know.  To the best of my knowledge I don’t think I ever referred to the deceased person of being in heaven or hell.  I can relate to this article.  I am sure you have sat in the funeral of someone where the minister only spoke of seeing the loved one again someday, or that the deceased is "in a better place", whether that is the case or not.  I have only been to one funeral where the family requested that the minister speak the truth.  That there is a hell.  The minister was very clear about it and then offered a call of salvation which was accepted by a few.  I have never been in a funeral where hell was talked about since then and probably never will.  But it is stark reality, which is why we cannot be quiet on telling people that there is a real hell, and that people really do go there.

John 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Rain!

In Oklahoma and throughout the midwest states, it is hot!  Most of this area is not only hot, but also very dry. Much of Oklahoma is experiencing a drought.  July 2011 has made it into the record books as the hottest summer ever in Oklahoma, and August hasn't been much better.  It is so bad that the Governor of Oklahoma has asked us to pray for rain. The heat has kept many people from doing the things they usually do, trading the outdoors, opting to stay home in the air conditioning.  This extreme heat can also affect your walk in Christ.  The hot weather can make you lethargic, not wanting to go to church or do the other things we are to be doing to further our Christian walk. What we really need is a spiritual rain, a refreshing from the Spirit of God.

So, if you find yourself suffering a drought in the spiritual realm,  then it is time to prepare ourselves as Hosea says in Hosea 10:12.  Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.  Even though we may be experiencing a spiritual drought, we are to continue to sow, reap, break up fallow ground, and seek the Lord.

After a 3 ½ year drought Elijah prayed for rain in 1Kings 18:41-46.  Elijah prayed and didn’t give up and finally the rain came.  When God sends His rain it comes like Hosea says in Hosea 6:3 Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth.

Here is what happens in the natural when it rains:

From Wikipedia:  Many people find the scent during and immediately after rain especially pleasant or distinctive. The source of this scent is petrichor, an oil produced by plants, then absorbed by rocks and soil, and later released into the air during rainfall.

When it rains in the spiritual on you, you will be able to release the scent of the Holy Spirit on those around you.  So go ahead and pray for rain, because I hear the sound of the abundance of rain.