Life after Death Archives - Life Hope

Is this life all there is?

Ian Denness — Mon, 01 Aug 2022 04:33:46 +0000

It was a surprise to me that in a secular stronghold, most people voted for “No”, “this life is not all there is”…

It was easy to explain why that happened.

Most people in that area are either Atheists, or Western Buddhists/Pantheists. The latter were the ones who voted for recycling/reincarnation.

In the Bible, Paul’s words were clear, that if there is no resurrection for Christians, the whole structure should fall.

Jesus was clear in his recorded words too.

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

“Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”

John 11:25 (NIV) (http://www.laridian.com)

Jesus was clear in his coming back to life too, showing himself to many over 40 days, including about 500 people on one day, most of whom were still alive when the gospels were published starting about 25 years later.

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Is Hell self-chosen?

Ian Denness — Mon, 07 Mar 2022 02:12:56 +0000

Mention of Hell…?

That word can confront!

We know that some think they are already living in it. Strangely enough, such people seem to live in the comfortable West, from my observation.

What if Hell would be just in this life? What we do has consequences, so “yes”, it would be self-chosen, according to the choices we make. Or it could be due to circumstances outside our control, such as sickness, weather or accidents.

If Hell will be a reality in the life following this brief one, then what?

What could we do now to stop that being a personal horrible reality then?

Jesus rebuked Jewish religious hypocrites in front of him.

“You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape being condemned to Hell?

Matthew 23:33 (NIV)(http://www.laridian.com)

Jesus spoke more about Hell in the Bible than anyone else and in a way that shows that he understood it to be a real and specific place of punishment away from God.

Someone told me the following…

Hell – Real, Terrible, Avoidable

Avoidable? By just being “good”, or religious?

Not according to the Bible. The only way is to be forgiven by God for the way we have rejected or ignored him in our lives, as well as rejected or ignored the only way we can be forgiven and brought into happy relationship.

That way is through Jesus, taking our shame, punishment, and God’s wrath against us on our behalf. He did that, rescuing us, but we need to fully accept it and then live it.

What do you think?

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Why Christmas presents?

Ian Denness — Tue, 14 Dec 2021 00:18:11 +0000

“It just feels nice”

That’s what someone wrote for this topic in the market. Another person put up, “The joy of giving people something they need.”

Consumerism

That summarized a comment – “A holiday started by corporations to make money.”

So, what is the reason for presents at Christmas?

The wise men from the east

There were some scholars who came from a country somewhere east of Palestine, according to the detailed narrative in the Bible. They purposely sought out the whereabouts of the baby Jesus, and were eventually led to the actual place in the town of Bethlehem where Jesus and his mother Mary were.

They then bowed down to Jesus, and presented him with very expensive gifts carrying great significance for his future life, ministry, and death.

The gifts were gold (for kings), frankincense (for priests), and myrrh (for the dead).

Good old Saint Nick!

Historically, another explanation is that of the man Nicholas, who lived in south-western Turkey in the 4th century. He had changed his faith from the predominant Greco-Roman paganism and had become a Christian before it had become legal. He then tried to secretly give poor people in his town gifts to help them in their lack. Sometimes he would hide the gifts in clothing, like long socks hung up in front of the fire to dry. People eventually found out that he was the secret gift-giver. Some time later, he was renamed Saint Nicholas, from which many centuries later the name and story eventually morphed into Santa Claus.

The original story is inspiring, and Jesus did say that it is better to give than to get!

In fact, nowadays, many followers of Jesus are leaving behind the consumerism and getting back to the basics, just wanting to thank God for sending Jesus. Why would we do that?

It obviously shows belief, but as well the evidence of his life 2,000 years ago, the depth and detail of descriptions about him in the Bible, and the way we claim he has dramatically changed our lives for the good, now and forever.

Why not open a Bible online and check out the first couple of chapters of the Gospel of Luke concerning the circumstances of his birth?

https://www.esv.org/Luke+1/

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Is suicide ever ok?

Ian Denness — Sun, 05 Dec 2021 12:11:51 +0000

We have all seen the results of suicide in those left behind

When someone loses hope, the consequences for them and their friends and family can be disastrous.

How could they have found hope? Who could have reached out to them? Why didn’t I do enough? In retrospect, these are the questions those left behind continue to ask themselves.

It comes down to the dignity of human life. Each life being precious, and made in the “image of God”, according to the opening chapter in the Bible.

Also, the question has to be asked, “Will the trouble and depression really be over?”. What happens after we die? What if there really is life after death? What if the claim of the Bible proves true that we will all face judgement after we die?

So, as you can see from the votes opposite, I disagree with the majority!

What are your thoughts?

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Does saying “O My God!” misuse God’s name?

Ian Denness — Sun, 05 Dec 2021 11:47:02 +0000

It is so common…

How many times a day would you hear it?

Why do people in the West only use God, Jesus, Christ, Hell, Blood (derivative words) for surprise, emphasis or swearing? We never hear “O Mohammad” or “O Buddha”. As well, in countries where those religious leaders are esteemed, such expressions aren’t heard.

Many think that the expression is simply a fashion, and of no negative value.

However, the Bible does say that God’s name is not to be misused.

“You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.”
Exodus 20:7 (NIV) (http://www.laridian.com)

The main reason I don’t use the expression is that I want to please God, the God of the Bible. I have been in relationship with him since I was 14, through following Jesus, and I have only found him to be perfect, wonderful and good. Why would I want to say something that makes him seem so ordinary or even less than he is?

What if God holds us to account for not only our actions, but also our talk?

Now that is a really scary thought!

However, that sums up this saying of Jesus in the Bible.

But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. [37] For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”

Matthew 12:36 (NIV) (http://www.laridian.com)

That claim would be a shock to many people. I am so grateful for what Jesus did when he came to earth and lived amongst his creation for those 33 years!

He took the shame and the punishment for our rebellion, our wrong actions and our wrong talk when he volunteerily died for us on the cross. He paid the price, as he did that as our substitute.

I am forgiven and know that my wrong words and intentions have been wiped off the record, and so I don’t need to fear the judgement Jesus mentioned.

What are your thoughts about all of this?

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Do you reap what you sow?

Ian Denness — Mon, 04 Oct 2021 04:44:20 +0000

Negative consequences follow from our negative actions?

They usually do, but not always. For instance, sickness doesn’t necessarily follow, unless we have been adopting an unhealthy lifestyle.

It is to do with the law of cause and effect. You could even say cosmic justice.

Most of us would like there to be such a principle in the universe, so that the Hitlers and the Stalins et al could be held responsible for their crimes.

However, we would rather we ourselves were not hauled up to such a court!

In this life, or the life to come, or both?

This is another level, which really makes us think!

From the Bible’s perspective, it is both. God gives us freedom of choice, since he loves us enough to not just make us robots. We can choose now how to live our lives, and what to do about him, but we won’t be able to choose the eternal consequences.

“… you may be sure that your sin will find you out.”
Numbers 32:23 (NIV) (http://www.laridian.com)

“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.”

Galatians 6:7 (NIV) (http://www.laridian.com)

Karma

Some would say that “Karma” is the same. However, it is part of Buddhism, which believes there is no God. Who or what or how would our actions, thoughts, and motives be observed, recorded, stored, and then brought to justice after death, without God? “What goes around, comes around” lacks the intelligent being…

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Will there be a “Day of Judgement”?

Ian Denness — Sun, 26 Sep 2021 10:38:25 +0000

Many would scoff at such a thought

Most wouldn’t see a ‘Day of Judgement’ even as a threat.

However, Jesus often talked about such an event as real and coming. He didn’t mince his words about it either.

He gives the result for those who are on the wrong side of the judgement like this:

“Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

Matthew 25:46 (NIV) (http://www.laridian.com)

Another part of the Bible gives this prediction:

“…people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment…”
Hebrews 9:27 (NIV) (http://www.laridian.com)

So, according to the Bible, there is no doubt about a judgement for every person ‘being on the cards’.

A reasonable question – ‘What will we be judged on?’

When I look at the Bible, the most reasonable place to look for this, it’s not supposed to be based on

-are you religious, or not?

-do you go to church or not?

-have you had an abortion, or not?

-do you give money to charity, or not, or how much?

But rather,

-are you forgiven by God for your wrongs against him and other people, or not?

Forgiven, or Not Forgiven?

Only two categories of people… Not based on smartness, degrees, colour, finances, or race.

I went for that forgiveness with an open mind when I was 14. Never have I regretted it!

What is your experience?

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What’s the most important item on your bucket list?

Ian Denness — Mon, 20 Sep 2021 11:02:32 +0000

When are you supposed to make a bucket list?

I guess you can never be too young!

To know God better is on my bucket list. That’s the God of the Bible. It is right at the top, followed by less special activities like travel or other priorities.

With that goes not only knowing him better, but also obeying better.

Jesus said:

“If you love me, keep my commands.

John 14:15 (NIV) (http://www.laridian.com)

What about yourself?

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What will happen to me after I die?

Ian Denness — Tue, 31 Aug 2021 07:25:43 +0000

A great question!

Since everyone ends up dying, then it makes sense to ponder the question, don’t you think?

Benjamin Franklin apparently said: “… in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.”

Not everyone pays tax, but everyone gets to die!

So what happens next?

Nothing? Recycling? Come back as a unicorn? Heaven? Hell?

What have you decided? Is it a fixed thought, or waiting for more enlightenment?

I hope to end up in heaven. Not because I am any better than anyone else, but because I am forgiven by God. That happened when I accepted what Jesus did for me on the cross. He then came to life again, so I will be able to also.

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Which big questions of life do we try so hard to avoid and ignore?

Ian Denness — Tue, 31 Aug 2021 05:21:59 +0000

The Big Questions?

Different for everyone I suspect.

Maybe we have some respectable questions that we allow ourselves to mention to others.

And then some we keep nicely hidden and secret for just ourselves to wrestle with and worry about. Maybe that’s because if we admit to having them, and also having them very unanswered, then we would so easily expose our weakness and vulnerability.

However, wouldn’t it be good to get realistic answers, that in the long run, will prove to not let us down, but be truly true?

What are those hidden ones for you?

Try these

1. Where have we come from?

2. Why am I here?

3. How should I live?

4. What will happen to me after I die?

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