Testimonials

 

1 John 4:12 Love explainedLove and cherish according to God’s holy law. What does this mean?

#royalwedding- Congratulations to the newlyweds! 

Thank you to Reverend Michael Curry for his wonderful sermon.

Love and cherish according to God’s Holy Law

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, (now the Duke and Duchess of Sussex) promised to love and cherish each other according to God’s holy law. What does this mean?

Did Harry and Meghan really say that?

Did Harry and Meghan really make this promise? Let’s have a look.

Prince Harry: I Harry, take you, Meghan, to be my wife, to have and to hold from, this day forward; for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part; according to God’s holy law. In the presence of God, I make this vow.

Meghan Markle: I Meghan, take you, Harry, to be my husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward; for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part; according to God’s holy law. In the presence of God, I make this vow.

Meghan and Harry promised to love and to cherish according to God’s holy law and not only that, but they also called God as their witness.

Meghan and Harry took time to adjust their vows the way they liked. How do we know this? We know this because when we compare the wedding transcript of Prince William and Kate to that of Prince Harry and Meghan we can see that the vows and wedding service aren’t the same but, as one would expect, have been individualised.

We know that the word ‘obey’ was taken out of the vows. Just as with Princess Diana’s wedding and just as with William and Kate’s wedding. All three of these royal ladies decided to equally love and cherish without the word ‘obey.’ What Meghan and Harry decided to do however is,

to love and to cherish,
till death us do part;
according to God’s holy law.

What does it mean to love and cherish according to God’s Holy Law?

Reverend Michael Curry quoted from Scriptures Deuteronomy and Leviticus as well as from Jesus during his passionate sermon,

you shall love the Lord your God, with all your heart,
all your soul, all your mind and all your strength.
This is the first and great commandment.
And the second is like it:
love your neighbour as yourself.

Jesus quoting from the Prophets and summing up the commandments

Reverend Michael Curry went on to explain that,

On these two, love of God and love of neighbour,
hang all the law. All the prophets. Everything that Moses wrote. Everything in the holy prophets, everything in the Scriptures. Everything that God has been trying to tell the world:
Love God. Love your neighbours.

Reverend Michael Curry then said, There’s power in love to show us the way to live.

The choir sang about it during the wedding ceremony as follows,

MOTET
If ye love me,
keep my commandments,
and I will pray the Father,
and he shall give you another comforter,
that he may ‘bide with you forever,
e’en the spirit of truth.
If ye love me, by Thomas Tallis (1505-85)

SQ this is love set SEE 24 72

To show that our love is genuine, we love and cherish according to the holy law and keep the commandments. Which commandments?
The Ten which you can read about here. The Ten Commandments (holy law) explain how to love God and how to love your neighbours,

music courtesy Art of Noise – Moments in Love

God spoke, and these were his words:

I am the LORD your God who brought you out of Egypt, where you were slaves.

I

Worship no god but me.

 II

“Do not make for yourselves images of anything in heaven or on earth or in the water under the earth.  Do not bow down to any idol or worship it, because I am the LORD your God and I tolerate no rivals. I bring punishment on those who hate me and on their descendants down to the third and fourth generation. But I show my love to thousands of generations+ of those who love me and obey my laws.

 III

“Do not use my name for evil purposes, for I, the LORD your God, will punish anyone who misuses my name.

 IV

“Observe the Sabbath and keep it holy.  You have six days in which to do your work, but the seventh day is a day of rest dedicated to me. On that day no one is to work—neither you, your children, your slaves, your animals, nor the foreigners who live in your country.  In six days I, the LORD, made the earth, the sky, the seas, and everything in them, but on the seventh day I rested. That is why I, the LORD, blessed the Sabbath and made it holy.

 V

“Respect your father and your mother, so that you may live a long time in the land that I am giving you.

 VI

“Do not commit murder.

 VII

“Do not commit adultery.

 VIII

“Do not steal.

 IX

“Do not accuse anyone falsely.

 X

“Do not desire another man’s house; do not desire his wife, his slaves, his cattle, his donkeys, or anything else that he owns.”

The Ten Commandments from the Good News Translation (GNT) Exodus 20:1-23

How to love according to the holy law, how to love God and how to love your neighbours is explained in the Ten commandments.
These are the words that the Creator of  heaven and earth wrote on a slab of stone with his own finger,

And he gave to Moses, when he had finished speaking with him on Mount Sinai, the two tablets of the testimony, tablets of stone, written with the finger of God.

English Standard Version Exodus 31:17-18 

The Lord gave me the two stone tablets, written by God’s finger…

Common English Bible (CEB) Deuteronomy 9:9-11

… There’s power in love to show us the way to live… The commandments show us how to love each other by the way we live.

The Bible is all about love. Scripture tells us again and again to love one and other. Reverend Michael Curry deliberately choose those specific Scripture verses in consultation with the newlyweds to bring home the power and beauty of true lovehighlighting how the commandments tie in with this.

What is love according to the Bible?

This is love,
that we walk after his commandments.
This is the commandment, that,
as ye have heard from the beginning,
ye should walk in it.

2 John 6

Scripture tells us that love is being good to each other according to the holy law; Worship Go(o)d and not (d)evil, no idolatry/images, don’t swear nor blasphemy, rest one day a week, honour your elders, don’t kill, don’t commit adultery, don’t steal, don’t lie, don’t covet.

According to Scripture the love of God is that we keep his commandments.

This is the love of God: we keep God’s commandments.
God’s commandments are not difficult.

1 John 5:3 Common English Bible (CEB)

It is not that hard, to love according to God’s holy law. Harry and Meghan decided to do it and so can we.

And this answers the question; Is love the same for us ‘commoners’ as it is for Harry and Meghan? Yes, love is the same for all of us.
We can all love like royalty, according to God’s holy law.

And the how to is clearly explained by the Ten Commandments (holy law).

Love one and other

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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. Occasionally I partner with people because I like their products and you can read about that here.

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.

MY BOOKS AND A FREE VIDEO COURSE – To download a copy of MY STORY OF SURVIVAL click here. For a copy of MIMI’S BOOK LAUNCH PLAN, click here. For a copy of GOD HEALED ME click here. For a copy of THE HOLY GRAIL OF BOOK LAUNCHING click here.  For a free video course on how to write a bestseller, click here. To join my launch party click here.

NEW BOOKS RELEASES, INTERVIEWS, AND REVIEWS – As a member of the Australian Christian Readers Blog Alliance and as a member of the Christian Indie Authors Reading Group and as the current Administrator of  Christian Authors WorldwideThis is FUN! Mimi’s Launch Party and co-administrator of OMEGA nonfiction writers I share new book releases, interviews and reviews with my readers. Stay tuned!

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*NOTE WordPress may put ads on these pages that I do not know about. I cannot actually see these ads, therefore, I cannot endorse them. I thank WordPress for allowing me to use their site to host my blog.

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all rights reserved copyright myemmanuel 2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What is Love? Does the Bible tell us?DISCLAIMER for my religious friends who believe differently- Mark 9-37-39, John 13-34-36 and 1 John 5-2. (2)

Read disclaimer here.

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He interrupted my writing as he was hitting away at my tap. I could see him accidently drop a washer down the gurgler. That’s when he exclaimed;

I HATE RELIGION!-“I HATE religion!”

“Why is that?” I asked, wondering if some of the Scripture verses on my walls could have triggered that comment.

“Because religion is the cause of most of the wars and hatred in the world,” my newfound friend Brad said.

I asked him if he really believed that and without even thinking about it, he shot back at me, “I do not believe it, I’m convinced of it!”

“All religions?” I asked him.

Without hesitation, he responded, “ALL of them.”

I said, “Funny that because my religion tells me that we are to love each other.”

“What religion would that be?” He quizzed.

“I love God’s Word,” I said.“Mmpphh, you’re one of those Christians,” He said.

“Mmpphh, you’re one of those Christians,” He said.

Clearly, Brad was assuming things. What was I to say to that? I did not know what he meant when he said, ‘one of those,’ but I wanted him to like me and not hate me because of my religion. But more than that, I wanted to convey to him that my religion is one of love. And I was not quite sure how to go about that because Brad clearly had preconceived notions about Christianity and what it entails being a Christian or being someone that loves God’s Word.
I didn’t know what his preconceived ideas were, other than that they weren’t positive.

I LOVE GODS WORDSo I repeated what is true for me and said, “I love God’s Word.”

Brad came over and sat down next to me. “You mean the Bible don’t you?”

I nodded affirmatively.

Well, that really got him going. He stood up again and walked up and down my living room with the spanner in his left hand, waving his arms up and down in despair. “The Bible has caused more wars and deaths and calamity than all other religions combined! How anyone can believe in fairy tales like that is beyond me.”

Maybe it was premature when earlier I referred to Brad as my newfound friend. My daughter had brought him over to fix a couple of leaky taps and a gate that had come off its hinges. I treated him as a friend because I was grateful that he came to fix a few things for a reasonable fee but I do not like it when people refer to God’s Word as fairy tales. At the same time, I recognise that this reference is generally used by people who have never read God’s Word.

I did not want him to go on a rant of no return. For the sake of our now seemingly fragile friendship, I decided to find out what got him going like that.

“You seem pretty passionate about your anti-religion stance Brad. Where is all that coming from?”

He sat down next to me again. “Mimi, come on, you can see what’s going on in the world, -If it weren't for religion...-surely? If it weren’t for religion…”
His voice trailed off and as he was about to take in a breath of fresh air, I noted,

“Religion doesn’t do anything Brad. It’s people and their interpretation of religion that can be a problem.”

He got up again, down. Up once more. He sure was passionate about the subject.

“So Mimi, you’re saying that the Bible doesn’t tell people to kill each other if they don’t believe according to the teachings?” And before I could answer, he continued. “You do know about the Inquisition and all the ‘Holy Wars’ that have been raging throughout the ages?”

You do know about the Inquisition and all the Holy Wars-

“Yes, I do Brad,” I said. And then I asked him, “Do you know about God’s Commandments?”

Brad shook his head as he walked back to the tap. “What do they have to do with anything,” he asked. “Does anyone even care about those anymore?”

“Good question Brad and pertinent too. You’re absolutely right. For all sorts of different reasons lots of ‘believers’ indeed don’t think that these Commandments apply to them. Many are of the opinion that their faith sets them above the law.

To get back to your other questions Brad, yes, I know about the Inquisition and all the GODS COMMANDMENTS‘Holy Wars’ and as far as I’m concerned the Commandments have everything to do with this. And you know why?”

He just stood there looking at me not quite sure where the conversation was going. So I continued,
“I tell you why the Commandments matter. They matter because the Commandments tell us not to kill, not to steal, not to lie, not to commit adultery, not to covet, to honour our elders and so on. This is what God’s Word teaches us right from the very beginning. The Commandments set a moral standard for the whole of society.

We were taught to be nice to our neighbour and to treat foreigners with kindness and the Bible tells us that those simple ten rules constitute love. They are a benchmark, a measure to live by and live up to.”

Brad looked at me and said, “Sounds wonderful. Mimi. Here’s a reality check for you, NO one is paying any attention or listening to any of those rules, nor following them.”

“Exactly my point Brad. It isn’t for me to judge if anyone is following God’s rules; what I notice however is that many believers follow all kinds of rules but not necessarily The Ten.  Wouldn’t it be wonderful indeed if we were to follow those ten simple rules? There’s PEOPLE INTERPRETnothing wrong with those rules, is there? There’s nothing wrong with the Bible either.  What’s wrong is that all through the ages and still today, people interpret God’s Word any way they like to suit their own purposes.

The Bible tells us to love one another. We’re taught that Jesus’ disciples will be known for their love for each other, we’re encouraged to turn the other cheek, bless our enemies and we’re taught that God is love and if we do not love we do not have God in us.

Can you find fault with any of that Brad?”

He looked bewildered. “But Mimi, no one is DOING that ‘loving thing.’ All these so called religious people are killing each other!”

“I know that Brad,” I said.

“Does that make the Commandments wrong or the people?

 

-If it weren't for religion...- (1)Brad scratched his head as he asked; “What are these again, the Commandments?”

So Brad, my friend, this is for you.

God’s Holy Word from the very beginning from Mount Sinai.

Does the Bible tell us what love is? Yes, the Bible tells us what love is.

God is love and He tells us that not lying, killing, stealing etc constitutes love.

https-%2F%2Fliveforeverhowto.wordpress.com%2Fwhat-is-love%2F (1)

This is love according to the prophets with a little help from 'Moments in Love.' Music courtesy of Art of Noise.

I write about this all the time because I am passionate about it. Here is another article that gives you biblical references  and here also for our ‘love’ theme.

And here is a repeat of the disclaimer for my fellow religious friends who believe differently from me; I love you.

DISCLAIMER for my religious friends who believe differently- Mark 9-37-39, John 13-34-36 and 1 John 5-2. (2)

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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. Occasionally I partner with people because I like their products and you can read about that here.

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.

MY BOOKS AND A FREE VIDEO COURSE – To download a copy of MY STORY OF SURVIVAL click here. For a copy of MIMI’S BOOK LAUNCH PLAN, click here. For a copy of GOD HEALED ME click here. For a copy of THE HOLY GRAIL OF BOOK LAUNCHING click here.  For a free video course on how to write a bestseller, click here. To join my launch party click here.

NEW BOOKS RELEASES, INTERVIEWS, AND REVIEWS – As a member of the Australian Christian Readers Blog Alliance and as a member of the Christian Indie Authors Reading Group and as the current Administrator of  Christian Authors WorldwideThis is FUN! Mimi’s Launch Party and co-administrator of OMEGA nonfiction writers I share new book releases, interviews and reviews with my readers. Stay tuned!

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*NOTE WordPress may put ads on these pages that I do not know about. I cannot actually see these ads therefore I cannot endorse them. I thank WordPress for allowing me use their site to host my blog.

 

 

 

 

BOOK REVIEWS NEW RELEASES

RELATIONSHIP REHAB

And the Lord formed man 

And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul … And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.

 And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;  And the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.

And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.

Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. Genesis 2

And they lived happily ever after … if only. Being in a marriage can be one of the most rewarding things in life … or for some, the worst.

If all is not working out for you, and even if it is, I just bought ‘Relationship Rehab’ by Barry Watson. I thought this to be a fitting gift for my girls on Valentines Day. Don’t laugh because I take relationships seriously and I think this book would be excellent preparation before getting into a long-term relationship.

RELATIONSHIP REHAB by Barry Watson

The Ultimate Roadmap to Rescue and Revive Your Marriage or Dating Life in 90 Days!

HOPE IS HERE…

For the next two days get your FREE copy from Amazon here.

Does your relationship seem miles away from where you idealistically imagined it would BARRY WATSON RELATIONSHIP REHABbe? Have the pleasant discussions you once had together been replaced with silence or continual arguments? Do you feel as if you and your partner have slowly drifted away from the love and romance you once shared?

If this is you, you aren’t alone! Many couples experience times in their relationship where they struggle to get along, and wonder whether the effort is worth the reward. The reality of life is that building a great relationship is a challenge! It takes a lot of skill and work to have a great relationship, and get it back on track when you have difficulties. Skills like this aren’t taught in school. Many times you are sadly left to find your own answers, or worse, learn from the pain of getting it wrong.

In this book “Relationship Rehab,” Barry Watson outlines a very practical approach to rescue and revive your marriage or dating life. This book is filled with many easy to apply tips on how you can avoid many common mistakes, and how to build the type of relationship you want. If your relationship is important to you, then this book will give you the confidence and skills to make it great.

MY REVIEW

This book is filled with wonderful advice for dating and married couples. There’s a free 90-day roadmap and coaching video and the book also includes a practical list of expectations couples can have of each other.

I find this list of expectations super useful and will share this with my children because to be able to find common ground to agree on, we need to be aware of the expectations that happen on a moment to moment basis.

What touched me most in this book is Barry’s eagerness and willingness to make his relationship work and make things happen. I was really moved by that.

I highly recommend this book to anyone in any kind of relationship, pre-during-after marriage because there are so many insights and practical steps given that even the most reluctant spouse may be won over to give it a try.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR BARRY WATSON

I was born and bred in New Zealand and are pleased to be an Amazon #1 Best Selling author. I am a fun loving ‘Kiwi’ who has a dry sense of humor and a contagious passion for life. My go-getter type attitude has helped many people realize their potential and achieve their personal goals. I am married to Nicola, my wife of 23 years, and together we have two children.

It’s the no nonsense and practical skills I’ve learned, that I would now like to share with you, either through my books, social media or in person. Whether the relationship you’re in right now is rocking, or on the rocks, my hope is that we can help you to become stronger and more fulfilled as a person and as a couple.

Please feel free to email me via the contact page on our website; www.agreatcouple.com. You can also sign up to receive exclusive offers on upcoming books and helpful tips on how to build a great relationship. Thank you. :)”

FREE OFFER

Barry’s book is available from Amazon for FREE on Valentines Day and the next two days! So get your copy now!

And whilst you’re at it, check out Barry’s other books ‘Rock Solid Relationship: 7 Ways to Build Lasting Love That Will Take Your Marriage or Dating Life From Ho-Hum to Amazing‘ and, Strong Women In Bad Relationships: Dating & Marriage Advice for the Women Whose Man’s Behaving Badly.’

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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. Be one of the first people to  claim your free kindle at my next book launch.

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. Occasionally I partner with people because I like their products and you can read about that here.

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 copy of my Story of Survival click here.

NEW BOOKS RELEASES, INTERVIEWS AND REVIEWS – As a member of the Australian Christian Readers Blog Alliance and as a member of the Christian Indie Authors Reading Group and as the current Administrator of Christian Authors WorldwideOmega Writers non-fiction and This is FUN! Launchparty, I share new book releases, interviews and reviews with my readers. Stay tuned!

Love each other!

The Pope just called Christmas a charade because of all the atrocities in the world.

What I have to share in this regard is to remind everyone please to,  ‘Love each other.’

Loving is loving, no matter what your religion is. If you don’t know how to, or have lost track of it because there is so much hatred … here are some guidelines, I don’t know of any better ones.

I pray that you all may be kept safe!

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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,

And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake,
some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.

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,

Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee:
it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed,
rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire.

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,

Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands;
and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side:
and be not faithless, but believing.

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.

Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee:
it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed,
rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire.

And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee:
it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye,
rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.

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.

Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come:
but woe unto him, through whom they come! 

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.

love the brethren

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.

 

 

God’s law is all about love.

What is love? This is love according to the prophets with a little help from ‘Moments in Love.’ Music courtesy of Art of Noise.

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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.

 

 

The Lord said, ‘You have seen that I have talked with you from heaven.’

God spake to us from heaven. wow! As in really, we have all these witnesses. That is an incredible story and wonderful witness account.

The Creator of the universe spake to us from heaven. What did He say?

I looked it up. It’s powerful stuff. He gave his kids some rules to abide by. Really simple. Just ten of them. That’s all. According to scripture these rules link in with living forever. Check it out. See what you think.

With Valentines day coming up I like to share with you what some of our prophets and apostles have to say about love. And this is a mere snippet of what has been said about love in the bible.

From the prophet Moses and other wise men.

What did the prophet Moses have to say about love?

What doth the Lord thy God require of thee, but to fear the Lord thy God, to walk in all his ways,
and to love him, and to serve the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul,
to keep the commandments of the Lord …
to love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul,
that thou mayest live.

Moses said to love Go(o)d with all our heart and all our soul, to walk in all his ways and to keep his commandments, so that we may live.

Moses also said to love the stranger as ourselves.

Other wise men and prophets said the following on loving and obeying God. By Joshua, “Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness.” From Nehemia, “O Lord God of heaven, the great and terrible God, that keepeth covenant and mercy for them that love him and observe his commandments.” From the prophet Jeremiah: “But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you.” Daniel: “O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments.” Micah: “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

All these wise men agreed with Moses that it shall be well with us when we love God, which is akin to being obedient and following his directions.

Jesus repeated what Moses said about loving God and our neighbour

Jesus reiterated what Moses said about loving God, each other and how this ties in to eternal life.

When someone asked Jesus how to obtain eternal life he responded as follows according to the account of his disciple Matthew,

 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

On another occasion, when the Pharisees tried to trick Jesus and asked him to come up with just one commandment, Jesus summed the commandments up as follows:

 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

The following account, on how loving ties in with eternal life, is from the Gospels by Luke,

 And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?
And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength,
and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.

And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.

In addition Jesus told us to not only love our neighbours but also love our enemies,

Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good … Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

Has anything changed with regards to love and obedience?

Around three and a half thousand years ago Moses told us that God said that He will be, shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.

Jesus reiterated this message when he said, if ye love me, keep my commandments. And he added,  He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

A message of love

So what did God say when he spoke to us from heaven? He send us a message of love. He told us how to love each other. I like the commandments because it sets an easy moral standard to live by that we can all adhere to. The commandments are a message of love. It is a standard which was set in heaven for human beings to stick to. Living by this standard guarantees a loving spirit.

I know that there are churches nowadays that teach their followers that they have been made holy simply by believing and having faith. What message does apostle John have for these churches?

Apostle John on love

Apostle John said that he that loveth not knoweth not God: for God is love, and he also said the following,

This is love that we keep his commandments

About love

And more from apostle John on love,

And this is love, that we walk after his commandments.
This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning,
ye should walk in it.

Let me know what you think. Share with me in the comments below.

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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.

If ye love me’ …

 The best piece of marriage advice.

What is the best piece of marriage advice you’ve been given – or have discovered in your own relationship?
Tyler Ward asked me this question after I downloaded his ‘Marriage Hacks: 25 ways to make love last.’ I’ve read through half of the book and come across some great tips; I recommend that you get your own copy. And if you have any thoughts on the topic, please share in the comments.

I am delighted that Tyler asked me what I thought. I am a bit of a sucker for tradition, loyalty and consistency myself and after practicing for 39 years with variable results I’ve gone to babes and little children for advice and come back with the following answer.

How to describe love

One of the nicest ways I’ve heard love describe was by a little child. When the seven year old was asked what she thought love was all about, she wrinkled her nose and stated with authority that, ‘Love is when your name is safe in someone’s mouth.’

Love is when your name is safe in someone’s mouth

I’ll definitely go with that one and will do my very best to keep everyone’s name safe in my mouth. Without a doubt that is what Jesus meant when he reiterated His Fathers Word and said that we are to, love each other and not to speak idle words or call anyone a fool.

To get a better handle on the whole loving and relationship thing I decided to find out more in-depth what our Creator and His Son have to say about love.

Love each other

Jesus taught us in many different ways what love was all about. Jesus told us not to say bad things about each other and He repeated his Father’s Word when He stated that we are to love others ‘as ourselves.

Jesus personified love. He said, Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends and Jesus proceeded to do just that when he sacrificed his life for the sake of others. Jesus didn’t just tell us what to do, he showed us in action and then invited us to follow Him.

If ye love me …

Did Jesus tell us what love is?

Yes, He did.

He told us that we shall recognise his disciples by the love they have for each other.  And he spelled out for us what we are to do if we want to follow him, if ye love me keep my commandments. This makes it rather easy to detect fakes.

Jesus told all the lawless ones to stay away from him. After Jesus died, his first hand Peter assured Jesus three times in a row that he loved Him. To which Jesus responded, feed my lambs and sheep and follow me. When we follow Jesus we’re expected to walk as he walked.

Did Jesus say that just faith and believing in Him will do?

No, he didn’t. He said like His Father did before Him, if ye love me keep my commandments. Which commandments? The Ten.

God is love

The bible tells us that God is love and that we either love God or we love the world. But to love both at the same time is not possible. If you love the world you cannot love God and if you love God you cannot love the world. This is according to scripture.

It’s the same with our life. Jesus says that those who love their life will lose it and those who hate their lives will keep it unto life eternal. Hating your life is fine.  Hating your brother/sister however will get you in BIG trouble.

God made me to laugh.

When I read those lines, my life started to make sense to me for the first time ever. And once more God made me to laugh! Hahaha, much as I tried to love all the perks of a charmed life, it just didn’t do it for me. How is it possible to love wealth and riches when there is so much unresolved poverty and suffering all around us? Guess who run in rat races? You are very welcome to the bonuses of privileged lifestyles. It just doesn’t do it for me.
God’s Word however I love with a passion, His Son; I’m head over the heels. Hahaha, too good!

So what is the love of God?

According to scripture the love of God is this; that we keep his commandments and there is nothing terrible about His commandments.

What is love?

The bible is very clear about what love is. It tells us that, This is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, that, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.

The best piece of marriage advice?

One of my wannabe partners told me, ‘I Could Be So Good For You, love ya like you want me to’ and he certainly made a good attempt. Another told me, Love is doing the dishes. I did all dishes always, by hand and the cooking also; it didn’t keep our marriage together. On reflection maybe we should have gone out more for meals or maybe I should buy myself a dishwasher and get together with a cook next time around. On occasion I still play and listen to both the songs though and think they’re pretty sweet tunes and lyrics.

Here’s my answer Tyler.

So here’s my answer to your question Tyler with regards to the best piece of marriage advice. Marriage is all about love, as is every relationship I’ve ever been involved in. What is love? Love is being good to each other according to the directions given to us by our Creator. Quite straightforward really, a child and anyone with a sincere heart can do it.

The Commandments sum up how we are to love.

It is pretty simple, the Commandments sum up how we are to love.

Our name is safe in the mouth of those who love us because loving people don’t lie, kill, hate, steal, covet and so on.

The Commandments done away with? Not by those who follow the Father and His Son in earnest. Maybe by the holier than thou’s and the lawless ones. And we all know what The Father and Jesus had to say about them.

God knows our heart.

God knows our heart and love is love regardless of colour, country or creed and keeping people’s name safe in our mouth is a good start.

all rights reserved prepared for MosaicHouseCo copyright myemmanuel 2012
re-blogged and adapted with permission from thelordspub Posted: 23 Mar 2012 04:54 AM PDT