Daily Encouragement for the Family of God by Kenton Cheek
20 January 2025
Reading From Matthew 13:31-58
“Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away. This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteousand throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
“Have you understood all these things?” Jesus asked.
“Yes,” they replied.” –Matthew 13:47-51
The Lord casts the nets wide. We know from other Scriptures that He wants as many people as possible for come into His Kingdom. “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son that whosever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.” God loves everyone and the invitation to become part of His eternal family is extended to “whosoever” believes and receives.
Part of the reason Jesus has not returned yet is because He is waiting for us to prepare the world for Him by sharing His love and message with others. “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”[1] Everyone will be resurrected on the last day, but there are only two destinations for human beings in eternity: eternal life in the Presence of God and eternal death in the outer darkness away from Him. I would rather be on the Lord’s side.
Hell was not created for mankind, it was made for Satan and his demons. If a man or woman goes there, they go of their own accord. Every human being was made by God, but He won’t coerce us into a relationship with Him unless we want it. Heaven is being prepared for us, but we must follow His Way to get there. It’s His house with His guidelines.
“God, please give us the strength and fortitude we need to continue doing Your work upon the Earth. Bless us with patience as we minister to others. Move us to show compassion as You have taught and shown to us. In the Name of Jesus Christ I pray these things, Amen.”
“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’
“They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’
“He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’
“Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”
–Matthew 25:41-46
[1] II Peter 3:9
Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God 
Leave a comment