by Katherine Kehler
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“Save some by snatching them as from the very flames of hell itself�   Jude 1:23
“Mercedes fell in the hot tub!� shouted Zachary as he came running up the stairs.
Our family was celebrating three birthdays that evening and after the food was all eaten and the gifts were opened, the children wandered downstairs to play and the adults continued visiting upstairs.
Then it happened. Mercedes had followed her cousin into the “do not enter� zone and stepped on the lid of the hot tub. It shattered beneath her weight and she fell into the hot tub. That was a big shock to her but it was worse because the thermostat was not working and the water was extremely hot.
Her older brother, Gerry, was nearby and quickly snatched her out of the hot tub. But the damage was done. Mercedes had severe burns and she was screaming in pain. Her parents rushed her to the hospital and Marvin and I followed a few minutes later. We watched the medical staff put the healing ointment and bandages on the blisters. Not even strong painkillers seemed to help dull the pain. We watched in horror, desperately wishing we could take the searing pain upon ourselves.
The next morning during my quiet time, the Lord directed me to Jude 23: “Save some by snatching them as from the very flames of hell itself.� As I read the words, the Lord spoke to me, “Katherine, in a few weeks Mercedes’ skin will be healed and she will be free from pain; however, people who don’t receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior will be in the tormenting fire of hell forever. They will never be free from the searing pain. It will be too late for them.�
After the experience with Mercedes and message from God, my zeal to give people an opportunity to ask Jesus into their lives has greatly increased.
How about you?
Father, thank You for sending someone who took the time to share the gospel with me.  Make me alert to the many opportunities to share with those around me – people whose hearts You have prepared to hear about God’s love and forgiveness. Amen.
You can comment on this devotional online at:
http://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2009/10/09/kk_fell/
God is an awesome God who is worthy to be praised.
Because He is awesome and worthy, He will snatch us out of harms way.
However, those who are not found ready when He returns to redeem us will not suffer in eternal fire. They will be consumed by the fire and remembered no more.
God is wonderful, He would not allow us to live in Heaven and see our loved ones burning in eternal fire, think, how would you feel to know this in Heaven? God’s word states that the wicked will be burned…
An inspiring devotional.
Thank you Ms. Katherine.
Blessings.
thank u so much for ur daily devotional.
still plenty of space on the bus, but as soon as we got in I selfishly rang the bell which the driver took to be his cundactors signal to go and off he drove off leaving his conductor behind with many other passengers.
Many of us christians are like that we come to know the Lord and all we pray for is come soon Lord, not carering for the lost still out side Christ.
Lord help us to be people who care for the lost.
Thank you for this devotion which has reminded me of a silly little thing I did in my early years in marriege.
We had just had our first child and she was only a few months, we were working eight hours five days a week. Every day we looked forward to getting home and take over the care of our daughter from the helper we had hired. This particular cold after noon we were anctious to get home, the que at the bus was very long and slow. Finally it was our turn to get on the bus, there was…
….examine me and search me, so that I can become as fruitful as possible…Amen.
Thank You Ms Katherine for sharing with us your joy in the Lord.
And above all, I do agree, if we don’t cultivate the habits of self-examination, humility, and repentence, we risk being cut off from Him, the source of all life. I am so fortunate that I have the gift of repentance to help me to turn back to the Lord and make me fruitful. It has the power to purify my heart and my mind. With his healings, I am free to move out into the world with hope, with him, and for him. Lord, please…