It was at the very beginning where our problems began. The story of man started in the Garden of Eden. It was there that God created Adam. Adam was made in the image of God. God said about him, “It is good”. There were no imperfections in him. The same was true of Eve. Adam and Eve were perfect; they lived in the perfect environment in the Garden of Eden. No sin was to be found anywhere in the garden; there were no imperfections of any kind to be found there. There was nothing that would cause them to turn their backs on God. Enter Satan, the enemy of man and God.
Until then, Adam and Eve had a perfect fellowship with God. It was a fellowship that can only be envied and imagined by us today. They knew who God was and had a good perception of Him. Then Satan entered and sowed a seed of doubt, which caused Adam and Eve to question who God was. Did He really have their best interests at heart? From that moment until now, it has been a downward spiral for mankind, adopting Satan’s agenda: “I will be like the most high.” Since then, mankind has tried to rise above God, replacing Him with their own efforts and high opinion of themselves and their abilities.
Adam and Eve did not have learned knowledge, they had God-given knowledge. Adam would have had to be very intelligent to name all the thousands of animals. Think about it. To name thousands of animals without duplicating any names and to remember them all would be far beyond most, if not all, people’s capabilities today.
However, there was certain knowledge that God did not give them, such as the knowledge of good and evil. God did not want them to experience evil.
When God said that Adam and Eve would die if they ate of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, He was not referring to physical death. Because of sin entering the world, mankind would now have a physical death, rather than live forever. Adam and Eve would have lived forever in the Garden of Eden had they not sinned. God created man in His image. He looked at what He created and said it was very good. He had not created man to die.
While a physical death is bad, a spiritual death is much worse. Because we live in a physical world, we tend to think of everything in the physical, therefore we tend to believe God was speaking of a physical death. He may have been speaking of both.
As hard as it is sometimes, we must always remember that the physical is now temporary, but the spirit is eternal. It is our spiritual souls that will live forever.
It was the spiritual death of Adam that broke the relationship between God and man. God could no longer have fellowship with man because there was now something that hindered that relationship. That something was the sin, the disobedience of Adam. If this had only involved Adam and Eve, that would have been bad enough, but it didn’t end there. Because Adam would be the father of the human race, his descendants would be born into sin. Because of this, we are all born with a sinful nature. One that we can never overcome while on this earth. We can battle it, and we should, but we will always be sinners while in this world. It is only by the grace of Jesus Christ that we will one day be able to leave this earth and our sinful nature behind. What a day that will be!
It is the blood Jesus shed on Calvary that covers our sin, making us pure and spotless, as white as snow, as we stand before the Father.
When we get to heaven, we will be returning to the relationship with God that man had in the beginning in the Garden of Eden. A perfect relationship, without a hint of sin.
Everyone wants to go to heaven. The joy and peace that we will have when in heaven will be far greater than anything we can imagine. Being with family and friends who have gone before us and spending eternity with them. Living in a place of perfect love.
But if we miss heaven — well, it’s not something we want to think about — an eternity in hell.
Thankfully, God has made it easy for us to go to heaven. He sent His Son to die on the cross and redeem our sins with His blood (John 3:16). Jesus paid the price for our sins and redeemed us from the death that we deserve. He made it possible to someday stand before God.
Life’s most important question should be, “Are you going to heaven when you die?” If Jesus returns tomorrow, will you be ready?
It is one of the most common questions people ask. Simple on the surface, yet deeply profound.
If everything has a beginning… then who made God?
Apologist Frank Turek recently addressed this very challenge, a question often raised by skeptics when discussing faith and creation. And his response does not begin with religion, but with something many scientists already agree on.
The universe had a beginning.
Even physicist Stephen Hawking acknowledged that space, time, and matter came into existence at what we call the Big Bang. In other words, everything we see around us is not eternal. It had a starting point.
And that is where the question becomes more serious.
If space, time, and matter all began… what caused them?
Turek explains it this way. The cause of the universe cannot be part of the universe itself. It must exist outside of space, outside of time, and beyond physical matter. Something timeless. Something immaterial. Something powerful enough to bring everything into existence from nothing.
That description begins to sound familiar.
It sounds like what many call God.
But what about the follow-up question?
Who created God?
Turek’s answer challenges the assumption behind the question itself. If God is truly outside of time, then He does not have a beginning. And if He has no beginning, He does not need a cause.
In philosophy, this idea is known as the “uncaused first cause.” It points to a starting point that itself was not started by anything else. A foundation that holds everything, yet depends on nothing.
Because without such a beginning, we are left with an endless chain of causes that never actually begins.
And if nothing ever truly begins, then nothing would exist now.
Yet here we are.
This is not just a debate for philosophers. It touches something deeper in all of us. The sense that life is not random. That existence has meaning. That behind everything seen, there may be something unseen holding it all together.
The Bible describes God in a simple but powerful way. “I Am.” Not “I was created.” Not “I began.” Just eternal presence.
You may agree. You may still have questions. That is part of the journey.
But perhaps the bigger question is not just where God comes from.
Perhaps it is this.
If there is an uncaused source behind everything… what does that mean for our lives right now?
“Bless the LORD, O my soul; all that is within me, bless His holy name.
2Bless the LORD, O my soul,” (Psalms 103”1-2)
“I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.” (Psalms 34:1)
One’s first thought might be, How can I, a mere human, bless God Almighty? God, who is greater than the universe He created. God, who knows everything, sees all, hears all, and knows my every thought. He lavishes His blessings on those who love Him. But, is it really possible that we, in our weakness, can bless God?
God is blessed when we express our love and gratitude for all He is and all He does. When we show our love and thanks to God with no alternative motive, it blesses God. Parents are pleased (blessed) when their children thank them and love them, without asking for anything. True praise comes from a grateful heart that truly wants to glorify and please the Lord.
To bless the Lord means to praise Him, exalt Him, and worship Him. We offer Him our praise and blessings because He deserves them. Unlike God’s blessings upon us, which are wholly undeserved and by His mercy and grace, our blessing God is done out of an understanding that He is the true praiseworthy Creator and our heavenly Father.
The words “all that is within me,’ means that all of our inner being is focused on the Lord – Heart, soul, mind, and strength.
“One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:28-31)
Our Father in Heaven loves us more than we can comprehend. And all He really requests of us to love Him back. Christianity is really that simple. Just love God. If we truly love God, we will automatically worship Him because of who He is, and we will be grateful because of what He does.
No man can bless God unless he is right with God. It is only once we have been truly blessed by God in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 1:3) that we can bless God in return, in a manner that pleases Him.
Do you have doubts about who God is? Does He really exist? Is there proof?
Do you have doubts about who God is? Or if He really exists? What about the Bible? Is there proof that it is divinely inspired? Did Jesus actually die on the cross and then rise from the grave?
Yes! There is evidence for all of this, not only in the Bible, but also in secular documents. Thousands of Old Testament prophecies have been fulfilled, proving the scriptures to be true. For who but God knows the future? The Old Testament contains wisdom and advanced knowledge about nature, prophecy, medicine, sanitation, and science. A knowledge that was thousands of years ahead of its time. It would have been impossible for man to know these things at that time in history. There have been thousands upon thousands of archaeological finds that document the Scriptures. The life of Christ can be documented not only by the Bible but also by all the secular writings about Him. The proof abounds!
Eternity lasts a long time. Don’t take a chance on missing heaven because you have doubts or don’t believe. Why risk where you will spend eternity on what you were told or taught? Learn the facts for yourself.
Isn’t it odd that more people believe in heaven than believe in hell? People would like to believe that a loving God wouldn’t send anyone to hell. But there is a purpose for hell.
Why is there a hell? God created hell because of Satan. Before satan fell from grace, before he decided he wanted to be like God, even greater than God, there was no need for a place for sin. Before Satan rebelled against God, there was no sin.
Initially, Satan was an angelic being called Lucifer, meaning “morning star” or “shining one,” highlighting his original high status, beauty, and splendor. Due to pride and a desire to equal God, he was cast out, transitioning from “Lucifer” to “Satan,” meaning “adversary” or “accuser.”
Where does Satan live? While not explicitly detailed, it is inferred that he was cast down from heaven in verses such as Isaiah 14:12-15 and Ezekiel 28:12-17.
“How you are fallen from heaven, O Day Star, son of Dawn! How you are cut down to the ground, you who laid the nations low! You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God. I will set my throne on high; I will sit on the mount of assembly in the far reaches of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’ But you are brought down to Sheol, to the far reaches of the pit. (Isaiah 14:12–15)
“Your heart became proud on account of your beauty, and you corrupted your wisdom because of your splendor. So I threw you to the earth; (Ezekiel 28:17)
While Satan no longer resides in heaven, it would seem he may have or had some access to heaven. The book of Job presents Satan as appearing before God in heaven, suggesting that, at least for a time, Satan had some entry to the heavenly realm. In Job 1:6-7 it’s written, “Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them. The LORD said to Satan, ‘From where have you come?’ Satan answered the LORD and said, ‘From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it.'”
Satan is described as a roaring lion prowling around seeking whoever he can destroy. So he is busy here on earth. Unlike God, he can only be in one place at a time; however, his demonic legions are everywhere, in the air and on earth. When Satan rebelled against God. One third of the angels rebelled with him. They were removed from heaven along with Satan. They are the demonic forces that are helping the devil in the unseen spiritual battle that is taking place constantly about us. The battle over the souls of men.
What is Sheol? In the Hebrew Scriptures, the word used to denote the realm of the dead is Sheol. It simply means “the place of the dead” or “the place of departed souls/spirits.” The New Testament Greek equivalent to Sheol is Hades, which is also a general reference to “the place of the dead.” The Old Testament doesn’t go into much detail, but it’s pictured as dark, dusky, and gloomy. Sheol is typically viewed under the rule of God’s enemy, Satan. However, God it is still in control. He is still King even there. Sheol is not like Hell. It is not the final place of confinement.
What is the Abyss? The Abyss is a place for the containment of evil spirits. Many Bible scholars believe that this is the same place referred to in 2 Peter 2:4 as “hell,” where some evil spirits are “in chains of darkness to be held for judgment.” The King James Version usually translates it as the bottomless pit.
In Luke 8, Jesus cast the Legion of demons out of a man, “and they begged Jesus repeatedly not to order them to go into the Abyss” (verse 31). The Abyss is obviously a place that the demons fear and try to avoid.
Another reference to the Abyss is when Satan was bound and cast into it. “And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain. He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended.” (Revelations 20:1-3) This is after the battle of Armageddon and before the thousand-year millennium.
Many Bible scholars believe that this is the same place referred to in 2 Peter 2:4 as “hell,” where some evil spirits are “in chains of darkness to be held for judgment.” It is clear from Scripture that God has ultimate power over all evil spirits. Some of the demons have been consigned to the Abyss and held captive there, while others seem to be able to move more freely upon the earth. Ultimately, all evil spirits will be consigned to the lake of fire, along with all unbelievers (see Revelation 20:10–15).
What is The Lake of Fire? The lake of fire is mentioned only in Revelation 19:20 and 20:10, 14-15, is the final hell, the place of eternal punishment for all unrepentant rebels, both angelic and human (Matthew 25:41). It is described as a place of burning sulfur, and those in it experience eternal, unspeakable agony of an unrelenting nature (Luke 16:24; Mark 9:45-46). Those in Hades/Sheol who have rejected Christ will have the lake of fire as their final destination.
Whether hell is literal fire is a subject of debate, with interpretations ranging from a physical place of burning sulfur (mentioned in Revelation 20:15) to a metaphorical state of eternal separation from God. While traditional views often interpret “fire and brimstone” literally as agonizing physical pain, others argue these are symbols representing intense spiritual, mental, and emotional torment. Jesus often used the term Gehenna (a burning trash heap outside Jerusalem) to describe hell, using it as a metaphor for destruction and severe judgment. Whatever hell is, it isn’t somewhere one will want to spend eternity.
Who goes to hell when they die, and why? Hell is a place of justice where the consequences of choices made on earth are carried out. Sin cannot enter heaven. While the thought of hell can be troubling, everyone has a choice. God is loving and merciful, always urging us towards repentance and grace. We are reminded that His desire is for us to choose life, joy, and full communion with Him. God does not send people to hell; they go there because they rejected God while here on earth. Hell is a reflection of the choices we make in life. Our hope is in God’s promise of salvation and the joy of eternal life with Him. Once we accept Jesus as our Lord and Saviour, our place in Heaven is secure.
“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption”. (Ephesians 4:30). This verse emphasizes that believers are marked by the Holy Spirit as God’s possession, serving as a guarantee of their salvation until they are redeemed on that final day.
What is the Great White Throne Judgment? The Great White Throne Judgment (Revelation 20:11-15) is the final, post-millennial judgment where Jesus Christ judges all unbelievers, both small and great, according to their works. Those whose names are not in the Book of Life are cast into the lake of fire, representing eternal separation from God.
At the Great White Throne Judgement, Jesus Christ sits as judge on a pure white throne, signifying absolute righteousness. The judgment takes place after the millennium and the final rebellion of Satan. This judgment is for the spiritually dead—all who did not accept Jesus as Savior—whose bodies are resurrected to stand before God. It should not be confused with the “Judgment Seat of Christ,” where believers are rewarded.
Records of every person’s deeds are opened to determine their sentence, those who’s name is not written in the Book of Life, will be condemned to the Lake of Fire, also known as the second death. The event is viewed as the ultimate manifestation of God’s justice, where every hidden action is brought to light.
It is the last of the Biblical judgments, marking the transition to the new heaven and new earth. It enforces the final, eternal separation between those who accepted and rejected God’s salvation. Satan, the demons, and all those that rejected Christ will be confined in hell for all eternity.
But those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life should have no fear of this terrible fate. By faith in Christ and His blood shed on the cross for our sins, we are destined to live eternally in the blessed presence of God.
WHAT IS GRACE? Grace is us enjoying God’s riches free because Jesus paid the price with His blood on the cross. Grace is God giving us what we cannot earn and don’t deserve. When we come to Christ, we are not only forgiven, but because of His grace, our slate is wiped clean. Our record is pure, it’s as if we never sinned. Because of Grace, we have the unmerited favor of God.
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
“We are washed as white as snow” (Psalms 51:7, Isaiah 1:18).
You are saved, not because of what you do, but because of what Christ did. Christ paid for your sins with His blood on the cross. God’s grace is free to all who will accept it, but it is also priceless. The cost of our sins is far more than we could ever afford to pay, but Christ has taken our sin debt upon Himself and paid it for us.
This may very well be the most difficult spiritual truth for us to embrace. For some reason, people accept Jesus as Lord before they accept Him as Savior. It’s easier to comprehend His power than His mercy. We’ll celebrate the empty tomb long before we’ll kneel at the cross. We, like Thomas, would die for Christ before we’d let Christ die for us. We are justified, not by our worthiness, but because of the worthiness of Christ.
One day, we will all die. There is no avoiding it; we will all face death. That is certain!
“Everyone will die someday. Death comes to godly and sinful people alike. It comes to good and bad people alike. It comes to “clean” and “unclean” people alike. Those who offer sacrifices and those who don’t offer them also die. A good person dies, and so does a sinner. Those who make promises die. So do those who are afraid to make them. Here’s what is so bad about everything that happens on this earth. Death catches up with all of us.” Ecclesiastes 9:2-3 (NIrV
Death is the great equalizer. All the money, status, or fame can’t keep you from dying. When you are dead, you are just as dead as the poorest person on earth. You are just as dead as the least known person on earth.
It is only natural to fear the unknown, but the Bible makes it clear that death is not something to be feared. It is not the end, but the beginning. Life is not the opposite of death. Birth is the opposite of death. Birth and death are merely entrance and exit points to our time on earth. Life continues.
“As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him.” Matthew 4:18-20
I love to fish. I have fished for as long as I can remember. When I was younger, it was all about catching fish. If the fish weren’t biting, I was disappointed. Now that I am older, I just enjoy being out on the water fishing. If they aren’t biting, that’s okay. I just keep on fishing, because I know that in due time, they will start biting again. Meantime it is a relaxing way to refresh the mind and spirit.
When Jesus called Peter and Andrew to follow him and become fishers of men, he didn’t promise them a harvest. It is the same with us. God didn’t promise us a harvest of Christians. Some of us plant seeds, others do the watering, and others may do the harvesting. The important thing is that we keep on fishing.
James Hudson Taylor was a missionary to China for over fifty years. He spent many years laboring in China, seeing few converts. But he kept on fishing. Today, he is regarded as one of the greatest missionaries ever. The China Inland Mission (CIM), which he founded in 1865, became the largest of many missionary organizations in China. By 1910, it had more than 800 missionaries in the country, created 125 schools, and converted more than 20,000 Chinese to Christianity, as well as establishing more than 300 stations of work with more than 499 local helpers based in all 18 provinces. Cim is now known as OMF International.
James Taylor planted and saw very little of the harvest. But one day in heaven he will meet them all. A wise man once said, “ anyone can count the seeds in an apple, but only God can cout the apples in a seed.” When we keep on fishing, planting seeds, we have no way of knowing what the harvest will be generations from now. One seed could produce a harvest of thousands.
It is easy to become discouraged and stop fishing when we don’t see any results. We stop doing what God places before us. I often see it in older people. They feel they done their time, now let someone younger do it. Let someone younger do the fishing. Many others just don’t want to put out the effort; they would rather coast through their Christian life. God didn’t call us to be aquarium keepers; He called us to be fishermen.
Jesus said: “I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. Even now the one who reaps draws a wage and harvests a crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may rejoice together.” John 4:35-36
The Bible tells us that Satan prowls around like a roaring lion.
“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings” 1 Peter 5:8-9 (NIV).
I live in the middle of the Hiawatha National Forest in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula on the northern border of the U.S. It is tens of thousands of acres of wilderness. We don’t have lions, as the Bible is speaking of, except for an occasional mountain lion. We do have bears and wolves. They are predators, and it is at night in the darkness that predators roam about, seeking something to devour. It is the same with Satan; he prowls in the darkness, seeking out those with whom he might destroy their relationship with Christ.
Sharing Jesus 