Thursday, March 29, 2012

Eternal Destination

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. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. John 3:16, 17




Please note:  originally published on this blog 3/29/12.
I attended the funeral for a childhood friend that the Lord called home unexpectedly, and grieved for her family and friends who were closest to her.  I am thankful that my friend had put her trust in Jesus and her family could take comfort that she is indeed in heaven, reunited with her mother, and those who had gone on before her. 


These two verses above, John 3:16, 17 were her favorite passage from the Bible.  My husband had the privilege of speaking at her funeral.   He conveyed so well the message I want to share, that I’m going to use his words below. 





From these verses, one can plainly understand that getting to heaven is based on a belief not a life style.  God judges us by what’s in our hearts and only he knows what we truly believe.  Being a Christian is not based on your behavior, but a faith based belief in Jesus Christ as your Savior. 

Being a Christian contrary to popular belief, is not living a sin free life, but trusting in someone more perfect than ourselves to do for us what we are not capable of doing.  Having a belief not only that Jesus existed, but a belief that he was who he claimed to be, and a belief that he paid the penalty for your sins past, present and future.

The Bible tells in 2nd Corinthians, to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.  All we see in this world is temporal including ourselves; the invisible or spiritual world that we don’t see is eternal.  The life force inside our body or in other words our spirit, departs the confines of a mortal body, and passes into the immortal spirit realm at death, to be with God.

God tells us in His word, death is not the end, but the beginning of a life that goes on forever.  This is the hope Christians cling to, that when this life is over there is something eternally wonderful waiting for us on the other side of mortality. 

In Ecclesiastes 12:7 we read, The dust returns to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return to God who gave it.   I have always liked C.S. Lewis’s concluding words about Heaven in the chronicles of Narnia, he wrote:

Now at last they were beginning Chapter One of the Great Story no one on earth has ever read, which goes on forever: in which every chapter is better than the one before. C.S. Lewis



Thank you dear ones for reading, following this blog, commenting and sharing. You are prayed for and appreciated. 

 





23 comments:

  1. Very precious to the Lord is the death of one of His own... It doesn't change our reality that we miss them, but it is wonderful to know that we will join them one day. I've so appreciated what you shared here today. I'm snagging that line from C.S. Lewis...such a lovely graphic.

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  2. Thank you Abby for sharing! I am sorry for your loss! Isn't it "funny" though, the loss is a TRIUMPH!!!!! Showing us AGAIN, that God sees things differently & we should see them as He sees them! (There are SOOO MANY THINGS going on today in the world, that we NEED to see through Gods' eyes to keep from loosing our sanity! )

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  3. Abby - So sorry about your dear friend. Thankful she is with Jesus - what a wonderful peace in knowing she is in his arms now. Love your blog - it is lovely.

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  4. Hi dear Abby,
    I am so sorry that your lost your childhood friend. What a comfort to know that she is with the Lord. Love your post and your husband's words of wisdom. Thank you for sharing with us.

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  5. Abby, every single word is straight from God's heart, and again, I'm so sorry for your loss. Thank you so much for sharing His message of love, of hope, and of life.
    Hugs.

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  6. So sorry about your friend. What a hope you have though! I don't know how people do it without that comfort.0000's

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  7. A very thoughtful post Abby and thank you for sharing this sad moment with us! We know they go to a better life yet we mourn none the less...
    The CS Lewis quote is beautiful!
    Blessings,

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  8. Sheila Thomas HillMarch 29, 2012 at 5:35 PM

    Simple and Perfect; ie, Simply Perfect. Bill is a fabulous pastor and, in the true sense of the word, he really pastors his flock with grace and caring. We are fortunate to have you both in this particular church family. Plus, he is an awesome Grampa!! Blessings to you both, Sheila in Spruce Head.

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  9. Your husbands words are perfect. Clear and uncluttered. Sorry about the loss of your friend.

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  10. Abby...sorry to hear about your friend but thankful she knew Jesus. It is reassuring to us children of God that death is not the final but eternal life with our Lord is! What a precious thought. Thank you for sharing such reassurance today. :o)

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  11. Great quote from C.S. Lewis. Sorry to hear about your friend. It's good we have the promises in the Word, or else death would be such a terrible dead end! :^) patsy

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  12. Great quote from C.S. Lewis. Sorry to hear about your friend. It's good we have the promises in the Word, or else death would be such a terrible dead end! :^) patsy

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  13. I'm so sorry about your friend. That was a beautiful post. I would love to use the graphics on Pinterest. Would that be okay, Dear?

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  14. Thank you for another wonderful post, my friend! It's always good to be reminded that these bodies of ours are only temporary! lol That's a wonderful quote from C.S. Lewis! I'm continuing to pray for you and the family of your dear friend! Have a beautiful day!...Nancy :o)

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  15. Oh Abby! How the Lord has used you to minister to me this horrible week from across the miles! Such a trial - and your timely letter and scriptures came on Monday - the sleep and safety scriptures cards you posted yesterday - on the very day of my unrest coming to a climax. I'll email you with more details. Just wanted you to know how much your prayers have been needed at this very time. Mentioned you in my devotional post today at http://thewritersreverie.blogspot.com/2012/03/when-captivity-is-turned.html

    Joy in the journey -
    Kathy

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  16. Abby I'm in tears right now reading your post and looking at the picture of the mini-album by Karen.

    The loss of your childhood friend must be such a sad thing to go through. I have had 2 friends pass away so far and the grieving process was definitely tough for me.

    Her favorite scripture is a great one! It touches something within me and I am not sure how to explain it in a blog comment. Thank you so much for what you do here...

    I didn't enter the Scripture Thursday to win a prize, just to get more in touch with scripture and spend more time with it. I'm *delighted* to win, and delighted to have you as a friend. Thanks to both you and Karen for your generosity! ♥

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  17. God is SO GOOD. I needed this today, Abby. I spend a great deal of yesterday CRYING. I went to visit a childhood friend who is in her last week (or so) of life; fighting liver cancer and complications. Although her body was frail and still, I could see such beauty as the light of Jesus shone in her eyes. She knows where she's going because of what JESUS did for her on the cross. Thank you for lifting my heart today, my friend.
    Blessings,
    Karen

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  18. Oh Abby! Hugs to you dear sister and friend! May the Lord comfort your grieving heart and give you the sweetness of His presence. Thank you for sharing the pastor's remarks and the C.S. Lewis quote. . .Lord bless!

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  19. I am so very sorry to hear about your loss. I am sure that you were a great comfort to your friend's family. Thank you for the chance to link up and for being so open with us!

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  20. Hi Abby, I just linked up to Scripture Thursday but i do not see my entry. Do you give approval first?
    Hugs, Linda

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  21. Oops this linky was open one minute then closed the next this business of time zones is so confusing so here is my link in case anyone want to pop over and have a look any Love Shaz in Oz.x
    http://calligraphycards-shazinoz.blogspot.com.au/2012/04/woyww-and-monkey-says-thanks-julia.html

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  22. Ps may be able to do it for the next one when it starts - but love what you have said Abby so eve n if one person comes over from my blog to seek more it is good - I did share a little in it in my post which is read more widely as it is a blog hop and think it is good time to take the opportunity when able.. love Shaz.x

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  23. Thank you for sharing God's precious word with us :)
    Sorry for your loss, but we rejoice as Christians knowing that they are with The Lord Jesus ♥
    Thank you for printables, i saved John 3:16

    God bless
    Marlou x ♥

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