A Letter From Hell

What if you had a friend who died without knowing God? What if one day you received a letter in the post from beyond? A letter from hell…

Dear Zack,

I died today. It’s a lot different than I expected. You see, I always thought that dying would bring me to a world that's foggy and hazy. But this place is crystal clear… It’s even more real than my life on earth. I can think. I can talk. I can even feel. Right after the car crash I could feel my spirit leaving my body. It was the weirdest thing Zack. I thought I heard you screaming out to me. I must have been just imagining things.

At first I was just standing in line. They asked me for my name, and began to look for my name in this big Book.

I guess they couldn’t find it though, cause this huge angel grabbed me by the arm and started dragging me away...

I was terrified. I had no idea what was going on. I asked the angel where he was taking me, but he didn’t answer. So I asked him again and finally he told me that only those whose names were written in the Book, could enter heaven and the rest are all banished to the Lake of fire.

I was scared. The angel threw me into some kind of holding cell where I’ve been sitting and thinking for a long, long time. Do you want to know what I’ve been thinking about?

I’ve been thinking about YOU.

Zack you’re a Christian. You told me so yourself.

We talked about it three different times today. Kelly brought it up and you laughed it off. Mark brought it up and you changed the subject. It came up again right before the crash. Well the question I can’t get out of my mind is this Zack, why haven’t you ever told me about God and the afterlife?

You say you’re my friend, but if you were, you would have told me about Jesus, and how to escape this terrible place I’m headed for.

I can feel my heart pounding in my chest. I can hear the angels who’ve been chosen to cast me into the Lake coming down the hallway after me.

I can’t stand it Zack, I’m terrified. The angels are at the door… Oh no… no… they’re coming in and they’re pointing at me. They’re grabbing me and carrying me out of the room. There's this overpowering smell of sulphur and brimstone that's choking me.

My heart’s bursting with fear. Why Zack, why didn’t you ever tell me about Jesus?

Your friend,

Josh,

P.S - Wish you were here.

Surpass

Never say you can't, specially after watching this video.

Take a look.

Dead Sea

The other day I heard a very powerful analogy between some Christians and the Dead Sea. I'm going to explain to you. But before talking about the Dead Sea let me talk to you about the Sea of Galilee.

The Sea of Galilee is the largest freshwater lake in Israel. Springs of water run from its bottom creating a flow of fresh water all the time. The water is never still. It feeds other small lakes, including the Dead Sea.

The Dead Sea is 8.6 times saltier than the ocean. This salinity makes for a harsh environment where animals cannot flourish, hence its name. Once it receives the water from the Sea of Galilee it retains ALL the water. The Dead Sea does not supply any other river, lake or sea. The water is always still. No oxygen. Therefore no life.

What does it have to do with you and me? Simple, the Sea of Galilee represents those who always share with others what God has given to them. They share their testimony. They are not shy neither afraid. They are not selfish or self-centered. They are like a stream of water that flows with freshness. Therefore they are always FRESH in the spirit.

The Dead Sea represents... well, you know.

Be Fruitful

This year, every YPG member has a mission: Bear much fruit.

May God prune and clean each one of us so we can bear more and more fruits.

Let's not get cut off from the tree!

The Rug

Let's Talk About Love

Love on your mind?

Many young people, even in the youth group, spend most of their time wondering, ‘When is the right time to start dating? How do I know so and so is the right person for me? What do I do if I like someone?’ etc. They only have love on their minds.

I get emails everyday from youths who’re unsure, confused and anxious about what to do in their love lives. And despite the advice they receive, they can’t help but look around for a boy/girlfriend and when they see someone they get along with, their heart races out of control and they quickly rush a relationship with that person.

And that’s the problem - not that they like someone, but that they rush. They don’t even consult God in their decision... and regret it later on.

I’m sure you’ve already heard that the decision we make today determines the blessing we’ll get tomorrow. Well, the same applies to our love life. As the most important thing after your relationship with God, your love life is something you have to take care of and not rush into. The key to success in this area of your life is trust; when you place your love life in God’s hands you not only save yourself from disappointments but avoid the heartache that many spend years trying to get over.

"And that’s the problem - not that they like someone, but that they rush. They don’t even consult God in their decision... and regret it later on."

In the book of Genesis, we see Jacob and Rachel (Genesis 30:1-22) and Isaac and Rebekah (Genesis 25:20-21), two couples both living in the same time, believing in the same God and facing the same problem - both couples wanted children but both wives were unable to conceive.

Jacob and Rachel dealt with it by emotion. Jacob was angry with his wife’s constant complaining and because of Rachel’s anxiety to have a child, she was prepared to even let her husband sleep with another woman (something which in those days was acceptable) to see this happen.

Though the maid conceived, the result they originally intended did not materialise because at the end of the day, Rachel still didn’t give birth to her own son. It wasn’t until much later that"…God remembered Rachel, and God listened to her and opened her womb." (Genesis 30.22)

In contrast, faced with the same problem, "Isaac pleaded with the LORD for his wife, because she was barren; and the LORD granted his plea, and Rebekah his wife conceived." (Genesis 25.21)

Though the scenario may be different, the same principal applies. You can either be like Jacob and Rachel when it comes to your love life and follow your heart, which by the way is deceitful above all things, or you can trust in God like Isaac and Rebekah.

Remember, the decision you make in your love life today is what will determine the blessing tomorrow. So don’t be anxious, place your love life in God’s hands.

Work of God

'Then Jesus said to them: "Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men." They IMMEDIATELY left their nets and followed Him. When He had gone a little farther from there, He saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who were also in the boat mending their nets. And IMMEDIATELY He called them, and they LEFT their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and went after Him.'

Mark 1.17-20

These boys showed promptness! They did not waste time. They left everything behind for a noble cause. They were average guys, fisherman, one of the poorest working classes and yet they were chosen to serve God. They responded immediately to the calling.

How many youths are called but take too long to let go of certain things? They care so much for things in this world that though they believe in God they are left behind. Do you think Jesus would have insisted with them? Do you really think Jesus would have gone back and tried to persuade them to follow Him? Sorry to disappoint you. He would have moved on and found somebody else for sure. Note that two of them, the brothers, left not only their job behind but also their father.

Does it ring a bell? Well, if not then ignore this message. It doesn't apply to you. I am sorry to have wasted your time.

Yours in prayers,

Pr Luke Castro.

7th trait: Indiscipline

Our human nature is indisciplined. No matter how hard we try to live a disciplined life, our nature will always oppose it. Think for a moment.

For example, every time you decide to eat healthy and exercise, this indolent 'flesh' complains. Your body refuses to react when you want to wake up early. Does your body respond well when you have to wake up early for church on Sundays or to go to school in the morning? I guess no. That's why the apostle Paul said, 'But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection.' 1 Co 9.27

We have to train our bodies, discipline them. Discipline is one of the traits of a Godly youth. He is organized, clean, neat. In school, at home, at work, in church, everywhere, specially his spiritual life. In spite of still living in this human body, he makes sure it doesn't have the last word.

So, who is having the last word, you or your flesh?