Prior Book | Prior Chapter | Prior Verse | Next Verse | Next Chapter | Next Book | Viewing NASB and Amplified 2015 | |
NASB | Ecclesiastes 12:7 then the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Ecclesiastes 12:7 then the dust [out of which God made man's body] will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it. |
Subject: At what moment do we go to heaven? |
Bible Note: Hi Russ, That's pretty neat! I had no idea that NASA, the astronauts, and everyone involved in this whole billion dollar venture would organize and schedule around some school kids so they could say "I talked to the astronaut!", and maybe some of them go on lead the mission to Mars. I wonder how many there are like you, Russ, not who have talked to the space shuttle, but who log on to this forum, and occasionally participate, but feel like "everytime I do I get flamed." I've seen a couple of posts in the last couple of days from people who have indicated that they follow the forum, but don't join in. I checked the stats for this forum. Over 30,000 people have registered since its inception in 2001. If even 1 percent of those were current or occasional observers, thats a lot of people we don't get the benefit of hearing from. And a lot of people we won't receive the blessing of having ministered to. We need you here, Russ. We need all of our Christian brothers and sisters, because God made His Church in such a way that we are to build each other up. You really blessed me today, telling me of your shuttle experience. They took the time for you, and were patient and gracious, and you, and these children, carried something away that continues to bless you even today. But for me, it is a clear picture of God's command to us, to be Christ-like, to receive each other in the Lord, as we would receive Jesus Himself. Even if God has given me all knowledge, and a perfect understanding of scripture with application and footnotes (He hasn't, which you will quickly learn if you let me talk long enough :-) ), but let's say I am flying high in the skies, just like those shuttle astronauts, and here comes a small, ingnorant child just wanting to talk to me. How shall I respond? Shall I receive this child with love, and patience, and gentleness, knowing that I am in fact receiving Jesus, or do I reject and scorn, because I am too important, or am not willing to take the time, or because they should know better. I would say (IMO) anytime I leave someone feeling rejected, scorned, flamed, I have probibly failed as a minister of Christ, and we are all ministers of Christ, to the world, and to each other. I do not speak this against anyone on this forum, as all in all I find a great deal of love here, within this seemingly cold computer environment. On the flipside, however, it behooves us all, when we do feel rejected, etc, to maybe be a little thicker skinned, not so easily put off, and come back with Christ's ministry. Because I truly need to hear from you too. Not to condemn me, I assure you, I have that well covered ;-), but to exhort, and just plain love me, as I am also to love you. But we hear each other better when there is love, and when there are hard sayings to share. Jesus example in II Cor 5 was to not impute men's sins to them, when He was here in His ministry. That's a tough act to follow. When I feel wronged, can I just let it go? And one last word of encouragement for you, Russ, and for anyone else who might be tuned in. When on the forum, or in church, or home, or where ever, following your encounter with a brother or sister who leaves you thinking "what a jerk!", return to them in love, and find a common meeting place, and build a bridge, lest we become separated and alone, and not "fitly joined together." Love in Christ, Mark |