Serving and ministry of helps a testimony and teaching

I am now somewhat strongly led to do a testimony with some teaching about my own very strong passion to serve others which is something fairly new in my life- only the last a bit over four years of my life and Christian walk, in fact, dating from approximately the fall of 2009 to the present, though I did do some serving things in 2008 and earlier in 2009. First though I am going to give some bible verses dealing with serving and ministry of helps starting with this proverb:

(Proverbs 27:18)  Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof: so he that waiteth on his master shall be honoured.

Waiting on the master- serving this is my passion. In this verse Martha served a supper for Jesus and the disciples and Lazarus

(John 12:1)  Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead.

(John 12:2)  There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him.

Here is the Mary/Martha incident where Mary sat at Jesus feet and listened and was told she had the better part

(Luke 10:38)  Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.

(Luke 10:39)  And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word.

(Luke 10:40)  But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.

(Luke 10:41)  And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:

(Luke 10:42)  But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

Sometimes it can be beneficial to hear the word, I see myself as more of a Martha type now versus a Mary.

Here is a three verse combination from Colossians that says that servants- ministry of helps are to do things as unto the Lord not men. I try to do this, too

(Colossians 3:22)  Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God:

(Colossians 3:23)  And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;

(Colossians 3:24)  Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.

Here is another good verse in 1 Corinthians chapter 10 encouraging all to be done to the glory of God

(1 Corinthians 10:31)  Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

Here is the passage which includes the helps ministry as one of the ministry gifts in 1 Corinthians chapter 12 which indicates that helps and serving is a key thing to do.

(1 Corinthians 12:27)  Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

(1 Corinthians 12:28)  And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

(1 Corinthians 12:29)  Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?

(1 Corinthians 12:30)  Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?

(1 Corinthians 12:31)  But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.

Here is even Jesus serving His own disciples, washing their feet no less, doing it as an example to all as to how we are to love and serve one another as He commanded us to do in this passage of scripture in John chapter 13

(John 13:4)  He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.

(John 13:5)  After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.

(John 13:6)  Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?

(John 13:7)  Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.

(John 13:8)  Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.

(John 13:9)  Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.

(John 13:10)  Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.

(John 13:11)  For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.

(John 13:12)  So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you?

(John 13:13)  Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.

(John 13:14)  If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet.

(John 13:15)  For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.

(John 13:16)  Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.

(John 13:17)  If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.

(John 13:18)  I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me.

(John 13:19)  Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he.

(John 13:20)  Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.

Here is the start of the story of Stephen who would end up being martyred for all that He did, who was one chosen by the apostles to serve the tables so they could continue in prayer and teaching God’s word to the people.

(Acts 6:2)  Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.

(Acts 6:3)  Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.

(Acts 6:4)  But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

(Acts 6:5)  And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:

(Acts 6:6)  Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.

(Acts 6:7)  And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.

(Acts 6:8)  And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.

Stephen’s ministry was very powerful so do not despise things if indeed you are called to the ministry of helps, which is a personal favorite of mine.

Here are some bible verses that have inspire me personally to do more, first passage is in Galatians chapter 6 where the word says we sow what we reap

(Galatians 6:7)  Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

(Galatians 6:8)  For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

(Galatians 6:9)  And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

(Galtians 6:10)  As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

Here is the powerful passage stating that faith without works is dead and that we need to help any brother we see in need, serving them. This is a motivational passage of scripture

(James 2:14)  What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?

(James 2:15)  If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,

(James 2:16)  And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?

(James 2:17)  Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

(James 2:18)  Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

(James 2:19)  Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

(James 2:20)  But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

(James 2:21)  Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?

(James 2:22)  Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?

(James 2:23)  And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

(James 2:24)  Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

(James 2:25)  Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?

(James 2:26)  For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

Lastly here is the biggest personal motivator for me to serve others is this judgment of the nations parable, verse 40 in it reminding all of us that whatever we do to the LEAST of the brethren, we are doing to the king, Jesus, and also later it reminds us that if we FAIL to do it to the least of the brethren we also have failed to do it to Jesus- and we will be held accountable for either case

(Matthew 25:31)  When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:

(Matthew 25:32)  And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:

(Matthew 25:33)  And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.

(Matthew 25:34)  Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

(Matthew 25:35)  For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:

(Matthew 25:36)  Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

(Matthew 25:37)  Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?

(Matthew 25:38)  When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?

(Matthew 25:39)  Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

(Matthew 25:40)  And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

(Matthew 25:41)  Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

(Matthew 25:42)  For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:

(Matthew 25:43)  I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.

(Matthew 25:44)  Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?

(Matthew 25:45)  Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.

(Matthew 25:46)  And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

Now onto my personal testimony relative to serving. I grew up with a strong willed mother and a lesser degree strong willed father. My mother did everything around the house and generally did not let either myself or my father serve. As I was not saved and commit my life to the Lord until I was forty years old, I did NOT want to help my parents either and tried to avoid serving as much as I could but sometimes I could not do so but never was happy about helping around the house. The Lord started to work with me in the 1980s and 1990s in ways, as I had service related jobs in the supermarket and restaurants, as a bagger and dishwasher (restaurant). These experiences gave me a lot of practice doing the things that I sometimes help with nowadays.

My parents would both die and then and only then I would move out on my own and eventually fully commit my life to the Lord. In 2008, I would start to serve others by making some work trips with a friend in South Carolina and the Lord used this to further break down my resistance to serving. I on occasion dried dishes in 2008 and 2009. Eventually He did get through me and put a powerful passion for me to serve, and then when He let me move in with a Christian woman at her retreat in October of 2009, in western North Carolina. I would serve her off and on all while I was there, doing things like cleaning both inside and outside largely under her direction and also there were several other notable serving opportunities which were intense in 2010 that are noteworthy and worth mentioning here.

1 April 2010 clean up after tenants’ moving she had two tenants move away that spring of 2010 and neither really cleaned up after themselves and left messes to be cleaned up. I was there to help her with all this cleaning up too and I mention this as this is one of the more major things I have done for her. I would also have other cleaning and even a few projects such as painting the benches, and spray painting the mailbox. I was glad to be of help to her and am glad the Lord set this up for me to bless her for she is a lot older than I am and I know she appreciated what I did for her.

2 Operation in as much winter 2010 clean up. During the winter season there were a number of severe storms, the worst of them being a Christmas day ice storm in which at least one inch of freezing rain fell on the retreat where I was living. The result of the massive accumulation of ice on the trees was absolute devastation as tree limbs, even big ones all come down and maybe even some full trees. This destruction was no doubt aggravated by several less major storms through the winter. Then in early May the Baptist church in Spruce Pine organized a project to go there and do other things too. I would volunteer and help out with this thing all day doing things like gathering the chopped wood and feeding things into a wood chipper. It was very tiring and I was totally tired at the end of the day and I would spend the next several weeks stacking and organizing the wood in a shelter to be used the following winter. It is really nice to see people get together for things like that for the Lord’s purposes and the motivation for this project is the very Matthew 25 verse 40 scripture which this church outreach took its name:

(Matthew 25:40)  And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

3 Summer 2010 New Life bible college summer session.

At about the time as this church outreach operation inasmuch, I would find a card in Harrietta’s car which told of New Life bible college in Cleveland Tennessee. At that time, I applied for, was accepted in and enrolled in the summer school program there (little dreaming at that time that in a bit over three years from then I would end up returning). The Lord really used my passion to serve in a powerful way, having me serve in their community (soup kitchen) nearly every day during the four weeks there, and helping with other projects too, such as moving tables and such and whatever was needed, too. They did honor me with that during graduation. The time there was such a blessing, however. I would miss serving at the soup kitchen after I left the place and would think of the time off and on even all the while there,again little knowing God would bring me back in less than three years.

4 fall inasmuch, men’s retreat and also the food gathering and thanksgiving

After returning to North Carolina, there were several service projects for the Lord that He gave me in that fall of 2010 as well as helping out where I was staying. Perhaps the first one was one in a Spruce Pine church where they put meals together to be sent abroad which since I carried around rice and such was also quite tiring. Next I was able to serve in the kitchen of a men’s retreat in late October and another one was a fall version of operation inasmuch where I went about helping others in the community do things, such as moving things and raking. It was a cold day with even snow flurries in early November. Lastly, in this group, was Thanksgiving Day itself where I would find myself helping to put together turkey meals for the poor of that county in North Carolina which were then delivered by a program like meals on wheels. I was looking around also for opportunities to serve and get further education, too, as my time at New Life in the summer of 2010 made me very hungry for God’s word and then God would set me up with a season with Youth with a mission. In January of 2011 then I would end up going to Colorado.

2011

1 winter Discipleship training school lecture phase

The lecture phase of this discipleship training school was 13 or so weeks total, 12 of them were class and lecture and one outreach preparation time, where there were some voluntary opportunities to serve, and some mandatory ones. The mandatory ones were work duties in the afternoon which were outside doing things like shoveling snow and splitting wood. Also mandatory was to be on a kitchen crew every other week which did meal clean up and helped with breakfast. Also all students at one time or another helped prepare a hot breakfast. I enjoyed coming down and helping set up and even a couple times help cook for dinners and even a few lunches. All lunches and dinners during the week were served family style, with serving bowls at each table (usually 3 or 4 tables needed). This was my first real time in community- New Life people usually eat independently of one another. This was from early January to early April of 2011.

2 discipleship training school outreach, which immediately followed the lecture phase, from April to June of 2011. The Lord then worked it out for me to go to a faith based rehab and bible training school for those who had been hooked on drugs and alcohol. This in ways was a second part of training, where I learned much for the took me on as a student/volunteer. They blessed me with a lot of kitchen time there continuing at a more intense manner, perhaps, of the lecture phase. My personal chore was meal clean up for ALL meals taken. The program is community, and all male and very structured because their students were in bondage. I spent 8 weeks there and it grew me a good bit, helping and serving then went back to Colorado for another 2 weeks to help grounds keeping outdoors.  While there in Colorado in June the Lord then opened the doors for going to California and then Mexico to serve that summer of 2011.

3mission building, In Late June to early August, I went from Colorado to Chico California for six weeks of very intense serving known as mission building where people would go to a base and volunteer for a period of time. This service was for 5 days per week 8 hours per day, in essence full time. I was this time with the housekeeping department with a staff member to oversee me in what I did while I worked there. This meant a lot of vacuuming, cleaning bathrooms, windows tables and more. This was a very intense time of serving too. From there the Lord opened the door to go to a Mexican orphanage for almost two weeks.

4 Mexican orphanage outreach/mission trip

In August I drove down to San Diego from Chico and then met the team with whom I rode the rest of the way down to the orphanage in Mexico. This was the first mission trip I have ever done and I stayed at that orphanage two weeks before returning to San Diego again. This also was a 40 hour a week thing just doing thing where I was needed which was a good variety including warehouse, outdoor work and even helping dig trenches for installing the internet for the staff. At the end, I went back to San Diego where I would a couple days later go set off for Tyler Texas which is where the school of the bible would be held.

School of the bible 2011 and 2012 At YWAM discipleship training school, there was a week trip to Tyler and this was where the Lord spoke clearly to me as that where He wanted me to go after my discipleship training school. I applied and was accepted and then this school was for ten months, from late August 2011, into late June of 2012. As before there were work duties, however this time the students could request certain things, as I did, and wanted to be in kitchen help and this I was doing lunch clean up, washing dishes 5 days a week plus an occasional weekend cleanup- maybe one meal every two to three weeks. There were occasional other opportunities to serve such as gatherings, parties and the like. I did find out by trial that I enjoyed things where I served much more than ones like parties where I did not. The busier I was during such a party the happier I would be, too. There were two outreaches of a week or so each, one in November to Florida, and the other in March to Mexico and both had some serving opportunities in them too. In Spring while praying over what to do for the final outreach at summer, the Lord put me in with a number of people and ideas but I in essence would not do anything on that but moved to Florida to help Teresa with her ministry with an evangelical crusade scheduled for that fall.

Teresa Wiggins

In late June of 2012 I did move there where I would help the woman around the kitchen cooking and preparing meals and also to get the visa applications and more out before going in July and August for a bit over a three week missionary type trip to Haiti. It would turn out that the US government would reject all of the applications for visas except for one- by someone in Kenya who had been to the US before and went back(the others who had applied had not been there before and that and other factors led them all to be rejected. I wonder if they were persecuted because they were pastors, too, and knowing the evil this country is now, it would not surprise me.). Still, this crusade would happen in October 2012 for a week and then, little dreaming of that then, I would end up spending about 10 and ½ more months in Florida through August 2013 there continuing to do kitchen dishes, walking the dog 3x a day and even sometimes giving him a bath(the dog was a Dotson). I look back in hindsight and though I sought to go earlier thinking I would, He had it already set up for me to return to New Life I believe and when I found out that they had free tuition for students for the first two years I went ahead and applied for it and was accepted perhaps largely on my experience here in the summer of 2010. I was hungry to learn more of the Lord and to be able to serve in the community kitchen again.

New Life fall 2013

In early September of 2013 the school started up again and then I held back a bit from signing up for some helps but more and more as the semester wore on I would get more aggressive going from three to four days and now ALL five days doing various things, vacuuming, collecting trash (a day each) and at first one, then two, and now three days per week in the kitchen outside of the breaks and all five days in the community kitchen during thanksgiving break and all days again during the Christmas break- 3 weeks of five days each. The community kitchen is my favorite place to serve and I could sign up for all days all the time but still hold back wanting to give the others a chance to have the opportunity to do this themselves, which to some degree they fail to do so. There have been some other opportunities to serve with other activities and more and this is why I signed up for the events committee who is involved with the setup and tear down of events, such as the fall bonfire and a winter banquet. The students here are all hungry to learn God’s word and to worship much more so now than in 2010, or while I was at Youth with a mission but the desire to serve in comparison is very much wanting, which saddens me a little. I was thinking of Kenya for the winter break but the Lord did not provide, saying there was nowhere near enough time during the break to do what He wanted done, and also He did not want me to miss classes during the time. Also the bible college does not allow their first year students to accept speaking engagements as many are not ready for such (some are) so I want to honor that rule myself as an example. When it was found out that I was to more speak than serve(I had wanted to serve at an orphanage in Kenya) I lost a lot of my peace about the trip, and decided to wait until summer- late May where there would be much more time to do God’s agenda for me there in Kenya (and maybe also Tanzania). I figure on staying here to learn and serve and eventually teach here and abroad for at least two years and quite likely the four years here.

Summary and salvation message/prayer

I am writing this testimony and teaching with the purpose of encouraging all people to go out and do things for the Lord like serving and ministry of helps while there is time(for the rapture is really soon, I sense). I myself am grieved perhaps a little less now than before when less mature when I can NOT serve and help with parties and as stated do not nearly enjoy them nearly as much. I would rather be somewhere where I can be of help and use for I myself value that much more so than just merely sitting or standing around fellowshipping with others and not doing anything. In fact, due to the fact that I can be grieved when I cannot serve or help at an event where I am at, in ways I would prefer to not go to that event at all than go to one where I cannot serve. I might not even go on some trips if I knew in advance/sensed that I could not help the team etc preferring to be somewhere where I can be of help (example staying behind at the community kitchen) unless God was to forcefully speak to me that I need to be where I cannot help/serve (this has happened before, too). His ways are perfect and we all just need to trust them even if we never understand why sometimes things are or at least not until the situation ends. Sometimes things like that aren’t discernable from advance wither but I do pray about things for guidance.

I want to remind everyone in ministry f helps and serving (and all other things) to do things in love or it does not count as Paul tells the Corinthians in the first 3 verses of 1 Corinthians 13

(1 Corinthians 13:1)  Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

(1 Corinthians 13:2)  And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

(1 Corinthians 13:3)  And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

This serving also is fulfilling a command to love one another that Jesus Himself gives in John chapter 15 in these seven verses where He says greater love is nothing other than those who sacrifice their life for one another

(John 15:11)  These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

(John 15:12)  This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

(John 15:13)  Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

(John 15:14)  Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

(John 15:15)  Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.

(John 15:16)  Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

(John 15:17)  These things I command you, that ye love one another.

I will warn you that service alone will not get you into heaven but I will now close this with a salvation teaching to show you what will. We are in far too much sin debt to get out of by just serving and then knowing how imperfect we are if we could do it alone we’d most certainly brag about it so I am including this following salvation teaching:

First the word says none has done right, not even one of us, and he does not respect persons in this at all.

(Romans 3:9)  What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin;

(Romans 3:10)  As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

(Romans 3:11)  There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.

(Romans 3:12)  They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

In Hebrews it is pointed out that Jesus has appointed to put away sin and it is for man to die once and be judged but people can look to Him for salvation

(Hebrews 9:26)  For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.

(Hebrews 9:27)  And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

(Hebrews 9:28)  So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

In fact also all have sinned and have fallen short of God’s glory, however are justified freely by grace through the redemption in Jesus

(Romans 3:23)  For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

(Romans 3:24)  Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

(Romans 3:25)  Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;

(Romans 3:26)  To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.

Here ultimately are the wages of sin that the above verse speaks about- the second death in the lake of fire. Remember that accepting God’s gift of salvation through Jesus WILL enable you to avoid the hell, the white throne judgment and the lake of fire.

Here are some bible verses describing hell, which indeed is where the dead go without Jesus

(Isaiah 66:24)  And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh.

Jesus warns in these verses in Mark 9 that you should want to do anything at all to avoid entering hell.

(Mark 9:43)  And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:

(Mark 9:44)  Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

(Mark 9:45)  And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:

(Mark 9:46)  Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

(Mark 9:47)  And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire:

(Mark 9:48)  Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.’

Here are the verses describing the great white throne judgment are thrown into the lake of fire, as at this stage death and hell are thrown into the lake of fire and  these verses pertain to all those who die without Jesus. Please do NOT be one of them. If you have not already done so, please accept Jesus today.

(Revelation 20:11)  And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.

(Revelation 20:12)  And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

(Revelation 20:13)  And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.

(Revelation 20:14)  And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

(Revelation 20:15)  And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

This warning of the second death is repeated, for evil doers who are unsaved but Jesus also promises those who overcome will inherit all things in these verses in Revelation chapter 21

(Revelation 21:5)  And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

(Revelation 21:6)  And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.

(Revelation 21:7)  He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

(Revelation 21:8)  But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

God is patient with us so none would perish and all come to repentance as stated in 2 Peter 3

(2 Peter 3:8)  But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

(2 Peter 3:9)  The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

These verses of this teaching are from 1 Timothy state that it is important to pray because God does indeed want all to be saved for that is His will for all to be saved

(1 Timothy 2:1)  I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;

(1 Timothy 2:2)  For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

(1 Timothy 2:3)  For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;

(1 Timothy 2:4)  Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

(1 Timothy 2:5)  For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

(1 Timothy 2:6)  Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

These verses in Titus remind us that the grace of God brings salvation to all men and that Jesus gave Himself for us

(Titus 2:11)  For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,

(Titus 2:12)  Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

(Titus 2:13)  Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

(Titus 2:14)  Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

(Titus 2:15)  These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.

God’s love for us is such that Jesus died for us while we were sinners

(Romans 5:6)  For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

(Romans 5:7)  For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.

(Romans 5:8)  But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

(Romans 5:9)  Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

We must believe that He did come as it does say God sent His Son so that people can find eternal life and not hell

(John 3:16)  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

(John 3:17)  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

(John 3:18)  He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

(John 3:19)  And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

Here again in 2 Corinthians chapter 5 this message of all being dead but Jesus died for all and rose so we might live for Him

(2 Corinthians 5:14)  For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:

(2 Corinthians 5:15)  And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.

These two verses in Ephesians remind us that this gift of God is through His grace only lest any should boast

(Ephesians 2:8)  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

(Ephesians 2:9)  Not of works, lest any man should boast.

(2 Corinthians 9:15)  Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.

Here in 1 John 2 Jesus is indeed the propitiation for all of our sins

(1 John 2:1)  My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

(1 John 2:2)  And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

These two verses in 1 John chapter 4 remind us how Jesus did give Himself for us to be a propitiation for our sins:

(1 John 4:9)  In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.

(1 John 4:10)  Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

These ten verses in 1 John 5 speak of those who believe in the Son overcoming the world and having eternal life as a result

(1 John 5:4)  For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

(1 John 5:5)  Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

(1 John 5:6)  This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.

(1 John 5:7)  For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.

(1 John 5:8)  And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.

(1 John 5:9)  If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.

(1 John 5:10)  He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.

(1 John 5:11)  And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

(1 John 5:12)  He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

(1 John 5:13)  These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

And here is the verse in John 14 which reminds us that Jesus is the ONLY way to God and heaven

(John 14:6)  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

This verse in Revelation reminds us that Jesus IS at the door and seeks us to open to Him

(Revelation 3:20)  Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

Here is how to accept the gift of God according to Romans ten, confess by mouth Jesus as Lord and believe in your heart God raised Him from the dead

(Romans 10:9)  That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

(Romans 10:10)  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

(Romans 10:11)  For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

(Romans 10:12)  For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him

Paul reminds us all who call on Jesus (the Name of the Lord) will be saved.

(Romans 10:13)  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved

God did not appoint us to wrath but unto salvation to live together with Him so I leave you with these words in 1 Thessalonians 5 to comfort you

(1 Thessalonians 5:9)  For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

(1 Thessalonians 5:10)  Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.

(1 Thessalonians 5:11)  Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

Here in these verses in 2 Corinthians chapter 5 Paul reminds us when we are new in Christ old things are put away and all things are of God

(2 Corinthians 5:17)  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

(2 Corinthians 5:18)  And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

Here in these first five verses of Romans 5 we now have peace with God being reconciled by Jesus justified by our faith

(Romans 5:1)  Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

(Romans 5:2)  By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

(Romans 5:3)  And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

(Romans 5:4)  And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

(Romans 5:5)  And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

Paul reminds us in the first two verses of Romans 8 that there is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus

(Romans 8:1)  There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

(Romans 8:2)  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

God sent Jesus to die to restore the relationship with man which was severed by sin. There is nothing that can compare or come remotely close to a relationship with God. I am now including a prayer which you can say to invite Jesus in your heart and begin this incomparable relationship with God. Please pray this prayer with me

Heavenly Father I come to You in the Name of Jesus. I confess to You that I am a sinner and cannot save myself. I confess and repent of all of my sins and unrighteousness. Right now I confess with my mouth Jesus as the Lord of my life and believe in my heart that You, God did indeed raise Him from the dead. I thank You for cleansing and forgiving me of all of my  sins and unrighteousness and for saving me. I thank You for sending Your Son to die in my place for my sins, and for the inexpressible gift of eternal life that I now claim through the death of Jesus on the cross. Thank You, Lord, again for saving me. In the Name of Jesus I pray Amen

God bless you and yours