Passed from death unto life
Last post we read how Jesus merely reiterated His Father’s Word. Jesus repeated this many times.
He 
continuously throughout his ministry let his followers know that he spoke His Father’s Word and didn’t make anything up himself.
What follows is another promise by Jesus. He tells us that anyone that hears and lives according to His teachings and anyone that believes in His Father, the Creator of Heaven and Earth, can lay claim to the promise of eternal life.
Out of this world!
That promise of eternal life is just out of this world! Who can wrap their mind around it?
Going to heaven? Sure, when I grew up in a Catholic family we all believed that we’d go to heaven; that is unless we were naughty and then we would end up in hell.
But this is a different thing altogether. This is God’s Word laying it out in detail: Eternal life, everlasting life, living forever … If you want to, you can sign up for it … yeahh! I like it. We’re actually given a choice and this choice is not just for the religious but open to anyone.
Are you comfortable?
I often enough hear people say that heaven … yeah whatever. And I’ve come to understand that this is what some people believe because they enjoy all the comforts that life has to offer and they have no longing for a better place. Why don’t these people long for a better place? Because life is quite enjoyable for them as it is. This reminds me of the following verses,
“There was a certain rich man who clothed himself in purple and fine linen, and who feasted luxuriously every day. At his gate lay a certain poor man named Lazarus who was covered with sores. Lazarus longed to eat the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table. Instead, dogs would come and lick his sores.
“The poor man died and was carried by angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. While being tormented in the place of the dead, he looked up and saw Abraham at a distance with Lazarus at his side. He shouted, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me. Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I’m suffering in this flame.’
But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that during your lifetime you received good things, whereas Lazarus received terrible things. Now Lazarus is being comforted and you are in great pain. Moreover, a great crevasse has been fixed between us and you. Those who wish to cross over from here to you cannot. Neither can anyone cross from there to us.’
“The rich man said, ‘Then I beg you, Father, send Lazarus to my father’s house. I have five brothers. He needs to warn them so that they don’t come to this place of agony.’ Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets. They must listen to them.’
The rich man said, ‘No, Father Abraham! But if someone from the dead goes to them, they will change their hearts and lives.’
Abraham said, ‘If they don’t listen to Moses and the Prophets, then neither will they be persuaded if someone rises from the dead.’” Copyright 2011 Common English Bible(CEB)
Listen to Moses and the Prophets
Once more we’re told by Jesus to listen to Moses and the Prophets if we’re interested in the Good Afterlife. By telling this parable, Jesus even prophesied that people who don’t pay attention to what the prophets had to say, won’t pay attention to someone (such as Himself) who was raised from the dead either.
Don’t worry if you’re comfortable in this life, there is nothing wrong with that in itself. Just make sure that you take care of all the people around you as well.
And then as you take care of those around you, no need to tell the world about it because as Jesus said, the praise you receive for your good deeds will be all the reward you can expect.
“When you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.”
and also
Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.
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ABOUT THIS BLOG – We’re researching the truth of living forever according to GOD’s Holy Word; Sola Scripture. Popular opinion tells us that everyone who ‘believes’ and has ‘faith’ will go to heaven. Is this true? I decided to ask the prophets about the truth of it all.
ABOUT THE CONTENT – All content on this website is copyrighted and you can read more about this here. Please also read the disclaimer about my authority and qualifications.
ABOUT SCRIPTURE CARDS – If you want to send free Scripture Cards to your friends click here and you you want to buy hard copies of Scripture Cards you can click here. To download a free copy of my Story of Survival click here.
How to inherit everlasting life?
On this blog we’re looking into what the Bible has to say about living forever. We’ve examined what the prophets in the Jewish Bible have to say about this and now we’re looking in the Gospels for answers.
Jesus said,
Every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters,
or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake,
shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.
In the Book of Matthew as quoted above, Jesus promises everlasting life to anyone who has left everything ‘for my name’s sake.’ In the Book of Mark this passage is referred to as ‘for my sake and the Gospel’s’ and in the Book of Luke it is referred to as ‘for the kingdom of God sake.’
What did Jesus mean by that? He meant that the Gospel is more important than family or wealth or nationality. And there will be a reward for those who recognise this and live accordingly.
Keep the commandments, sell everything, give to the poor, follow Jesus
One person asked Jesus what he needed to do to have eternal life. Jesus told this guy to keep the commandments. When this young fellow said that he had kept the commandments, Jesus responded by telling him that to have treasure in heaven he would have to sell everything, give to the poor and follow Jesus. That was more than the young man could bear because he was very rich. So he walked away troubled, feeling unable to leave his riches behind. Jesus then said that it is near impossible for a rich person to enter heaven. When this surprised his disciples He responded with one of my favourite sayings which is that, with GOD nothing shall be impossible. Or rather, with God all things are possible.
We all like quick fixes and many churches preach that the commandments have been done away with and all we have to do is, ‘believe in Jesus and all shall be well.’ As we’ve seen that’s not what Jesus himself has to say about eternal life.
Leave everything behind and become a follower
There are plenty other references in the Bible where people left everything behind to become ‘followers.’ There is the story of Elisha the prophet when he was called; the story of Levi the tax collector and Simon and Andrew the fishermen. On one occasion ‘one was called’ and asked Jesus if he could bury his father before he would follow Jesus. Jesus responded with, ‘Let the dead bury their dead, but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.’ On another occasion Jesus said, ‘He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.’
In addition Jesus pointed out that He considers people his family only when they do the will of his Father.
Before I started to read the Bible in earnest I didn’t understand how Scripture, which I thought to be mere text, could be more important than ones loved ones and country. I have since come to understand that Scripture is not mere text, but it is The Holy Word of The Creator of Heaven and Earth and therefore to be taken seriously.
What does the Gospel teach us?
The Gospel tells us to love one and other and to do the right thing by each other. The Gospel is our moral compass for when we’re in doubt as to what action to take. Are we to leave people just because they believe different from how we believe? I don’t think so. We just read that when people ‘are being called,’ such as Elisha the Prophet and the apostles, they are not to look back but keep moving forward. Once we have our hand to the plough, we’re not to look back. Remember Lot’s wife.
Do you feel that you’ve been called? Are only ministers and pastors and priest the ‘called ones?’ Or has anyone who claims to follow Jesus and/or The Father been ‘called?’ Scripture tells us that ‘The Father draws people.’
Regardless if we’re ministers or not, the message for all of us is to live according to the moral guidelines we’re given. And if people make this impossible for us to do, we have to make a choice: will we lower our standards so that we can stay with those we are familiar with; ‘our loved ones?’ or will we continue to live according to our moral guidelines, pray for those who choose to ignore those rules and keep moving toward the light?
Stick with the familiar or keep pressing on for what is right?
This can be a hard choice and there have been many cross roads in my life where I had to make this choice. Sometimes the decision of what road to follow is a minor one, but other times these can be major life decisions. For instance will we stick with an alcoholic partner or cut loose? This probably depends on their attitude. If they are willing to change we can work out a plan and stick to it. What if people merely say that they are wiling to change but continue drowning their sorrows despite our very best efforts? How is this affecting our life and our ability to go out into the world and do good?
What about people with drug problems or mental health problems? What about people who just have mean spirits or are abusive? Swindlers and con artists? What about the charmers and the like who continue leading us up the garden path with empty promises and broken agreements? Are they willing to change their destructive habits or are they attempting to drag us down into it? Does it matter if this happens deliberately or subconsciously?
Can we live the life God meant us to live with the people around us or are these people holding us back when we try to share the Good News? Is our ‘loved one’ making it hard for us to volunteer at the old people’s home or is our ‘loved one’ continuously holding us back when we try to get out there and share our talents with the world? Jesus said,
Are you being persecuted because you live in a country where the predominant religion is not Christian-Judaism? Did you have to leave your home because life was made impossible for you because you read the Bible, go to church and love God’s Word? Then Jesus promise and prophesy is for you.
Jesus’ message is for all of us
Ultimately Jesus’ message is for all of us, religious or not. What are you choosing? Are you choosing a life filled with sharing and caring and giving and loving or will you allow the people around you to drag you down into their arguments and disagreements.
The Gospel’s message is one of love and good deeds. Can you live that life filled with good stuff, if there are foul spirits around you continually getting you sidetracked? I find that it is impossible to pursue ones dreams and aspirations if there are people around you demanding all your attention because they refuse to stay ‘on track’.
Sure pray your heart out for those who choose different standards and morals to live by, but you don’t have to get caught up in other people’s drama’s to the point where you are not able to live the good life God intended for you.
This does not always mean physically leaving your house or family behind although at times it may well mean this. But when you’ve been called and respond to this call you have the willingness to do whatever is required of you according to God’s will. It means a change of heart, you’ve changed where your loyalties are. Are you in or are you out?
Inheriting everlasting life
Jesus mentioned ‘inheriting everlasting life.’ He did so in response to a question from Apostle Peter. Jesus told his disciples that it is near impossible for the rich to enter heaven. So much so that Jesus thought it were easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. His disciples were super amazed at this because they thought that riches equaled favour with God.
Peter wondered how this would work out for the disciples who all had left everything they had, to follow Jesus. And this is where Jesus told them that every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for his name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.
Everlasting life for the faithful and loyal followers
Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved? But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible. Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore? And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.
To obtain everlasting life;
follow the right kind of profit Prophet
This blog is called ‘Live Forever how to.’ I go through the Bible to see where references are made to living for ever, everlasting life and eternal life. It is in the first book of the Gospels, in Chapter 19 of the Book of Matthew that Jesus refers to everlasting life. This is because someone plainly asks him what they need to do if they want to live forever. Jesus answers this person with very clear instructions; Keep the commandments, love one another, sell all your stuff, give to the poor, follow me. Jesus makes it blatantly clear that pursuing and enjoying ordinary riches on it’s own won’t get you there. That’s for sure.
If you want to be considered a candidate for the Good Afterlife, make sure that you follow the right kind of profit Prophet.
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ABOUT THE CONTENT – All content on this website is copyrighted and you can read more about this here. Please also read the disclaimer about my authority and qualifications.
ABOUT THIS BLOG – We’re researching the truth of living forever according to GOD’s Holy Word; Sola Scripture. Popular opinion tells us that everyone who ‘believes’ and has ‘faith’ will go to heaven. Is this true? I decided to ask the prophets about the truth of it all.
ABOUT SCRIPTURE CARDS – If you want to send free Scripture Cards to your friends click here and you want to buy hard copies of Scripture Cards you can click here. To download a free copy of my Story of Survival click here.
Everlasting life according to the Gospels
My last blogpost mentioned: God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. This week we’ll see what Jesus has to say about everlasting life in the Gospels.
This morning I listened to a podcast by Nehemia Gordon and Pastor A.J. Bernard. It was lovely to hear a Karaite Jew and Methodist Pastor in agreement about having the same Father walking along together in the journey of life and, for whatever reason, one has met the Son (been revealed to him) and the other one has not (yet?).
No biggie. In the end we’re all children of the same Father and what matters is what’s in our heart and how that manifests in our life. As far as I’m concerned that’s the end of arguments and discussions about different belief systems and world view. There’s a whole bunch of Torah Pearls that Nehemia has created with Methodist Pastor Keith Johnson and they are well worth listening to.
Everlasting Life in the Book of Daniel
Jesus repeatedly said that He came not to speak his own words but the words of His Father, and He always referred to Scripture. What I mean to say here is that Jesus did not make anything up himself. Whatever He spoke about was quoted from the prophets, as mentioned also last week where we quoted from the Book of Daniel,
Everlasting life in the Gospels
In the Book of Matthew
The first reference made in the Gospels to everlasting life is in Chapter 18 in the Book of Matthew,
Yikes, I find that scary. Isn’t the common perception that once we are resurrected, we’ll go to heaven (enter into life) and, regardless of our previous sins, we’ll all look like gorgeous sixteen year olds (minus the acne) and never look back?
Mmm, that is not what Jesus says here. Although some kind of transformation obviously takes place, having been resurrected.
When Jesus met with his Apostles after his crucifixtion we learn that He said to Thomas,
At that time, just days after His resurrection, Jesus’ wounds were clearly still showing. Mmm.
Everlasting fire.
My Bible teaching Pastor, whom I loved and adored, taught me that there is no everlasting fire.
Jesus said there is; so I looked it up. There’s no getting away from it. Jesus really said and meant everlasting fire.
How do I know that Jesus meant it? I know that for sure because in the Book of Matthew, Jesus did not refer to it just once, but he repeated his warning twice to make sure that we would really get it.
In the Book of Mark
In Book 9 of Mark Jesus gives us three warnings,
And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me,
it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck,
and he were cast into the sea.
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:
Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
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:
Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
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:
Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
What we’ve just established here is that according to Jesus there is hell fire, and that is where you’ll end up if you cause offence. And particularly if you cause offence to a little child or newcomer to the faith.
What does it mean to cause offence?
What does it mean to cause offence? The varying Bible translations have translated as follows, ‘If your hand causes you to stumble,’ ‘If your hand causes you to sin or fall into sin,’ ‘If your hand causes your downfall,’ ‘If your hand causes subverts you,’ ‘If your hand causes you to lose your faith,’ ‘If your hand cause you to fall,’ and finally ‘If your hand scandalises you or serve as a snare to you.’
Don’t do the wrong thing
The first verse in the Gospels that refers to ‘everlasting life (enter into life)’ is immediately followed by a verse which refers to ‘everlasting fire.’
The warnings are very clear and specific. Don’t cause trouble with your hand, foot or eyes. With all your might, restrain yourself and do whatever is necessary to stop offending, even if this causes some kind of hurt or disability in your life. If you don’t restrain yourself and stop yourself from offending others or falling into sin, there’s a really hot place reserved especially for people just like you.
I believe that these verses also throw out of the window the doctrine of ‘once saved, always saved.’
Now what? If I make a blooper, and we all do, then what? Is that the end?
No, that is not the end. Our Father is a forgiving Father. And there are many instances in the Jewish Bible as well as in the Gospels were we are told that, feeling sorry about having made stupid mistakes, accounts for much.
The Book of Luke
In the Book of Luke we’re told that it is impossible to expect never to be offended. All I have to do is make sure that it is not me causing the offence!
This seems like a very hard thing to do. Especially considering that many believers defend their belief with all their might, misguided as we all at times may be. I have, unfortunately, offended people by telling Christian jokes such as the one told by Emo Philips which has been voted the funniest religious joke of all times.
If this joke was offensive to someone why would I give a link to it and refer to it and possibly cause offence again? Because the person who was offended by it, decided because of this joke, not to follow my blog any longer, and therefore won’t read about this again. And the joke simply points out the hypocrisy of certain believers. I posted the joke to say, ‘please don’t push me off the bridge just because I believe differently from how you may believe.’ And guess what? The first person who read the joke, pushed.
Jesus told parables and therefore I believe that it is fine to talk in parables at times to get certain points across. After the warning, about not causing offence, Jesus gives guidelines on how to deal with people who trespass. What does trespass mean? It means doing the wrong thing by people. It means to sin. It means to break God’s law.
It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck,
and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.
Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him;
and if he repent, forgive him.
And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day,
and seven times in a day turn again to thee,
saying, I repent;
thou shalt forgive him.
If people genuinely feel sorry about doing wrong and genuinely ask for forgiveness, we are to forgive them. How many times? A lot of times. Why?
Because we all make mistakes.
In the end it always comes down to just plain old loving each other. What do you reckon?
Here’s another reminder of what Love is all about. I have a huge soft spot for the Commandments because they spell it out so perfectly.
Next week we’ll have a look at the second time that ‘everlasting life’ is mentioned by Jesus.
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ABOUT THIS BLOG – We’re researching the truth of living forever according to GOD’s Holy Word; Sola Scripture. Popular opinion tells us that everyone who ‘believes’ and has ‘faith’ will go to heaven. Is this true? I decided to ask the prophets about the truth of it all.
ABOUT THE CONTENT – All content on this website is copyrighted and you can read more about this here. Please also read the disclaimer about my authority and qualifications.
ABOUT SCRIPTURE CARDS – If you want to send free Scripture Cards to your friends click here and you you want to buy hard copies of Scripture Cards you can click here. To download a free copy of my Story of Survival click here.
Thank you for visiting.
My name is Mimi and I am the editor of the Live Forever how to blog. Welcome and thank you for stopping by.
What is this blog about?
There is only one authority on living forever and to find out about eternal life I decided to go to The Authority. This blog is about the truth of it all according to Scripture, God’s Holy Word.
This may turn out to be different from what the different denominations, church doctrine and religious leaders tell us. It may not line up with the popular understanding of ‘everyone [sort of] goes to Heaven.’ Some common myths will be dispelled on this blog and any potential treading on toes will be unintentional. Don’t shoot the messenger, I’ll be merely quoting from Scripture and list together all the occasions where references are made to Living Forever.
There is only One who knows
There is only One who knows, Our Creator, and He wrote a manual. This manual is easily understood by the average layperson who has genuine interest and takes the time to read it, and this book really does not need a massive amount of interpreting. This howto manual is freely available to all of us and I’ll be quoting from this manual, which is also known as the Bible.
To view all posts so far on this topic click in the right column under ‘Categories’ the words ‘Live Forever.’
According to God’s Word
This blog is about living forever according to GOD’s Holy Word; Sola Scriptura. Not according to my own personal opinion or anyone else’s opinion either, but simply looking at what Scripture tells us about living forever. We all have an idea, or more accurately stated; we all have a personal opinion of some kind, of what Heaven is all about. But the intention of my blog is that I note wherever in the bible references are made to the words ‘living forever’ and variants thereof, so that eventually an understanding will emerge of the Truth of Living Forever according to Scripture.
Please don’t get me into trouble and read my disclaimer with regards to my authority on this subject.
Thank you LORD!
Over the past decade I’ve reflected on issues of life and death because of various close calls and because, days before he took his own life, my favourite cousin asked me, ‘How long do you expect to live for?’
I started this blog because … I am still alive!
Praise to GOD, thank you LORD for answering our prayers. Yep, GOD made me laugh alright! My entire life has been rebuild with the help of my faith and specifically GOD’s Word.
I doubt that I need credentials to be grateful and share with the people close to me, but I dug deep and found some just the same to share with anyone who wants to hear about my qualifications. I love nothing better than to share the joy, love and peace which my family and I enjoy because of the blessings of GOD’s Word. I truly am head over heels.
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ABOUT THE CONTENT – All content on this website is copyrighted and you can read more about this here. Please also read the disclaimer about my authority and qualifications.
ABOUT THIS BLOG – We’re researching the truth of living forever according to GOD’s Holy Word; Sola Scripture. Popular opinion tells us that everyone who ‘believes’ and has ‘faith’ will go to heaven. Is this true? I decided to ask the prophets about the truth of it all.
ABOUT SCRIPTURE CARDS – If you want to send free Scripture Cards to your friends click here and you want to buy hard copies of Scripture Cards you can click here. To download a free copy of my Story of Survival click here.
The fifteenth time that the words ‘live for ever’ are mentioned.
The sixteenth time that the words ‘live for ever’ are mentioned.
In context the text reads
Then Jesus said unto them,
Verily, verily, I say unto you,
Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man,
and drink his blood,
ye have no.
life in you.Whoso eateth my flesh,
and drinketh my blood,
hath eternal life;
and I will raise him up
at the last day.
For my flesh is meat indeed,
and my blood is drink indeed.He that eateth my flesh,
and drinketh my blood,
dwelleth in me,
and I in him.As the living Father hath sent me,
and I live by the Father:
so he that eateth me,
even he shall live by me.This is that bread which came down from heaven:
not as your fathers did eat manna,
and are dead:
he that eateth this bread
shall live for ever... Doth this offend you?
It is the spirit that quickeneth;
the flesh profiteth nothing:
the words that I speak unto you,
they are spirit,
and they are life.But there are some of you that believe not.
Therefore said I unto you,
that no man can come unto me,
except it were given unto him
of my Father.Jesus, thou hast the words
of eternal life.
And we believe and are sure
that thou art that Christ,
the Son of the living God.
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ABOUT THE CONTENT – All content on this website is copyrighted and you can read more about this here. Please also read the disclaimer about my authority and qualifications.
ABOUT THIS BLOG – We’re researching the truth of living forever according to GOD’s Holy Word; Sola Scripture. Popular opinion tells us that everyone who ‘believes’ and has ‘faith’ will go to heaven. Is this true? I decided to ask the prophets about the truth of it all.
ABOUT SCRIPTURE CARDS – If you want to send free Scripture Cards to your friends click here and if you want to buy hard copies of Scripture Cards you can click here. To download a free copy of my Story of Survival click here.
Identifying goals.
How to identify my mission and vision? I know what I enjoy doing most but I hadn’t quite figured out how to convert that into a well paying gig. At the end of 2013 I stumbled across Michael Hyatt’s goal setting workshop, signed up for it and one thing let to another and before I knew it I was googling and signing up for a stack of free newsletters and downloads from a whole hosts of internet gurus, life style coaches and the like. I never even knew they existed. As they say, we learn something new every day.
Anyway, one sounded better than the other and for a few weeks I was immersed in reading their blogs and promises and course materials and freebies and learned much in the process about identifying what my life is all about, what I want to make of it and where I want to take it.
Very grateful.
This makes me very grateful to each and every person that helped me in the last few months to get more clarity about my life. There are some good people out there. In case you are looking for a life coach or where to take your business next and how to increase your profits and live up to your best potential I’ll tell you about the people I met on my travels as soon as I get the category ‘internet buddies’ up and running.
I am not affiliated with any of them in any way other than that I signed up to Michael Hyatt’s Best Year Ever goal setting workshop and am reaping the benefits of this every single day. I also signed up to another of Michael’s courses but haven’t opened any of these files yet. I have been too busy checking out the competition and signing up to some of their news letters and freebie courses. What links all these people is their motivation and desire to help others live up to their best potential and increase their profits.
A big hug and thank you to all of my internet buddies for providing so much valuable information for free.
You have all helped me realise what kind of profit I am after.
After reading through a tiny tidbit of the information out there I realised that I have no time for any of that marketing stuff at this stage because it is not where my heart is at. Yes my aim is to recover my health, be debt free and financially independent but I am not sure how much I’ll be able to follow any of what these wonderful people are teaching because my heart is after a a different kind of profit.
The kind of profit prophet that I am after.
The kind of prophet I am after has the Words of eternal life. His name is Jesus and He is the prophet that I am following and I cannot wait to share with you what he has to say about Living For Ever.
The other profits will simply have to wait.
all rights reserved copyright myemmanuel 2014
A lawyer asked Jesus, Is it possible to live forever? What do I need to do if I want to live forever?
And Jesus answered, What do you think? What does the law tell you?
And the man said, The law tells me to love God with all my heart and soul and strength and mind and to love my neighbour as myself.
And Jesus said, Well done. If you do this, then you shall live.
Who is my neighbour?
Then the lawyer said to Jesus, Who is my neighbour?
And Jesus answered; a person was traveling from a town called Jerusalem to another town called Jericho. And as he was traveling, a bunch of thieves attacked him; they took his clothes and beat him up so bad that he nearly died.
And when this poor man was laying on the road, half dead, a priest saw him there and quickly walked across to the other side of the road pretending not to see the poor man.
A little bit later a minister/pastor (levite) did exactly the same thing. He also saw this poor man who desperately needed help and then this minister also walked over to the other side of the road continuing his journey, without helping the wounded man.
So here were two religious people, possibly leaders of churches and neither one of them helped the person who had been beaten up and robbed by thieves.
But a man called a Samaritan saw the man laying on the road and he felt sorry for him and went over to him. He cleaned up and covered his wounds and put him on his own animal to take him to a motel where the traveler continued to took care of this wounded man.
And the next day when he had to continue his journey the Samaritan went to the person in charge of the motel, gave him some money and said please look after this man. And if you have to spend more money than what I am giving you now, then next time when I visit I will pay this money back to you.
After Jesus told this story He asked the lawyer, There were three people who all passed this poor man on the road which had been beaten up and robbed of everything he had by thieves. Now which of the three do you think was acting like a good neighbour? Was that the priest or the minister who saw the man laying on the road but pretended not to see him and crossed the road so that they wouldn’t need to help him? Or was it the Samaritan who cleaned his wounds and took him to a motel to look after him and make sure that he would recover?
Who was the good neighbour?
And the lawyer who had asked Jesus the question about eternal life answered, The good neighbour was the kind man, the Samaritan, who took care of the poor fellow who had been robbed and beaten up.
And Jesus said, You are absolutely right. Now you go and do the same.
all rights reserved copyright myemmanuel 2014 reprinted with permission
Australian version of the Good Samaritan story Luke 10:25-37
Jewish people are excellent record keepers
Jewish people are excellent record keepers. In fact there is not a nation comparable when it comes to chronicling the history of a people. The bible or TORAH as the Jewish people call it, is this history book. The bible records in minute detail the birth of the Jewish nation within a certain time frame and contains in depth documentation of the genealogy of the Jewish nation. If you don’t believe me check out the Books of Numbers in the bible which lists endless names and lineage of the Jewish people.
Why does any of this matter in the context of living for ever?
I tell you why this matters. It matters because within the first few chapters of the bible we are told why no-one automatically receives eternal life. The bible is the only history book on the planet earth which explains how this happened.
It was not always so. In the days of the garden of Eden, both Adam and Eve took living in paradise for granted as if it were their birth right. When they refused to obey God however they were thrown out of the garden of Eden, so that they would not automatically live for ever. From this we can see, that eternal life is not for free. There is a price. What price? The price is obedience. You have to follow what God commands you to do.
Church heaven
If your church tells you that all you have to do is believe and have faith .. I’m telling them to pull the other one. Maybe you’ll go to church heaven if you follow their doctrine. If you like your church buddies you’re already living in paradise and all is good.
If you’re like me however, and the church threw you out because you decided to follow the bible and refused to sign up for church doctrine, then simple faith on its own won’t get you there. Not according to my bible.
Sorry to be the one to burst your bubble. But I think that eternal life is not something to be mucking around about. It is something I take seriously.
Noah’s Ark
Adam and Eve and Joshua and Caleb aren’t the only people showing us where obedience or disobedience gets us.
The majority of American people believe that Noah’s ark is a true story and literally happened. And up to nearly a third of non-believers agree with those sentiments. What about Noah? Noah also taught us that GOD loves obedient people.
At some stage early on in our history humanity had so lost the plot that GOD decided to destroy his creation altogether. It was only because of Noah that he decided to keep a handful to try again. Eight people were saved because of Noah’s obedience to GOD. The rest of humanity was wiped out because of their disobedience.
GOD loves the obedient
When people say that GOD loves us all no matter what … nah, not according to the bible I’m reading. God loves his obedient children and He patiently waits for the disobedient to (re)turn to Him. From reading His Word as well as personal experience I know that he continuously nudges us in the right direction. But if people don’t want to play by the rules … eventually, He’ll pull the plug.
That is what the bible tells us according to Adam and Eve, Noah and his family and Joshua and Caleb.
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