Friday, January 19, 2024

Grief therapy the HEALING way

 

2 Corinthians 5:8

King James Version

8 We are confident, I say, 

and willing rather to be absent from the body, 

and to be present with the Lord.


It's something that perplexes me.

This thing about taking out stuff.

Things that belong to someone who've passed on.

You know, like what they do in the movies.

Once a person's gone, you put their stuff in boxes.

And you store it away.

Or give it away.

Others throw it away.

Some even sell it.

Others burn the clothes.

Now, why would you do that?

What superstition could be attached to those?


I don't know about you but I can't take away that person's stuff.

Because I love that person.

I want to preserve EVERY memory of that person.

Why would I throw away what I saw them wear?

At least, their favorite clothes.

Their favorite cups.

Their favorite little things.

The scent they've left in their clothes.

Our favorite pictures of them.

Pictures that depict them as they are.

Pictures that have captured their colors, and personality.


Sure, it's mostly digital now.

Still, I have hard copies.

I'm a tactile person, I like stuff I can hold.

GOD gave us hands, didn't He?

So, what's a few things.

Or even a section of a room to preserve for that person?

How can I say I don't have the heart, or space, to keep them?

How can I ever scrap out such everyday memories?

How can I throw away wonderful memories?

I never look to the big stuff.

I always look to the simple, everyday stuff.

The heartfelt stuff.


It's not an altar.

If fresh flowers and a candle can be called such.

A few pictures to remember them by.

For me, it's just preserving a section of the room that person was in.

The walls that heard their laughter, or tears.

A sacred space reserved for them.

Would I want one for myself?

No.

I want it for them, as I live.

That's how much I love them.

And honor the life GOD gave them.

They were gifted to us by GOD.

Why should I forget them?

We hold the memory forever.


Yeah, but you need to move on, people say.

Move on to what?

To a world that is not of CHRIST?

To a world that is full of illusion?

To a world that belongs to the fallen one?

I'd much rather preserve the sacred memories of my loved ones.

And wait for that glorious day, as I work for CHRIST each day.


We shall all be changed during the Rapture.

I look forward to the Rapture, wherein the dead will join JESUS first.

In our new, changed bodies.

1 Corinthians 15:51-53

King James Version

51 Behold, 

I shew you a mystery; 

We shall not all sleep, 

but we shall all be changed,

52 In a moment, 

in the twinkling of an eye, 

at the last trump: 

for the trumpet shall sound, 

and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, 

and we shall be changed.

53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, 

and this mortal must put on immortality.


1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

King James Version

16 For the Lord himself 

shall descend from heaven 

with a shout, 

with the voice of the archangel, 

and with the trump of God: 

and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

17 Then we which are alive and remain 

shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, 

to meet the Lord in the air: 

and so shall we ever be with the Lord.


With each item preserved, I remember each day with that person.

Of course, that's also if you've spent each day with that person.

I guess others can box things up, if they haven't spent much time together.

Perhaps, the pain is too great?

But in my beloved sister's case, it's all so different.

She was loved, and cared for.

She was cherished.

She was honored.

And she will be remembered forever.

The same goes for my father.

And brother.

And all who have gone on.

Ahead of me.


Related material:

We Shall ALL Be CHANGED

Who Shall DWELL in GOD's Holy Hill?

GRIEF therapy


Image: Clipart Library 


Tuesday, October 3, 2023

Grief therapy the WRONG way

 

Deuteronomy 18:10-13

King James Version

10 There shall not be found among you 

any one that maketh his son or his daughter 

to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, 

or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch.

11 Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, 

or a wizard, or a necromancer.


Many of us have gone through grief.

Many, through inconsolable grief.

Hoping we could find comfort somewhere.

We also need reassurance our loved ones are okay.

But is there a right way to grieve?

And a wrong way?

There sure is.


There was a time seances were in vogue.

Wherein people sought the help of a medium.

But has it brought the dead back?

Or has it caused more grief?

And frustration?

What is a "consulter with familiar spirits"?

Or a "necromancer"?

Many don't realize those are abominations to GOD.

These Bible versions explain more:


Deuteronomy 18:11

Amplified Bible

11 or one who casts a charm or spell, or a medium, or a spiritist, or a necromancer [who seeks the dead].


Deuteronomy 18:11

Christian Standard Bible

11 cast spells, consult a medium or a spiritist, or inquire of the dead.


Deuteronomy 18:11

Common English Bible

11 or spell caster; who converses with ghosts or spirits or communicates with the dead.


Deuteronomy 18:11

Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition

11 Nor charmer, nor any one that consulteth pythonic spirits, or fortune tellers, or that seeketh the truth from the dead.


Deuteronomy 18:11

Easy-to-Read Version

11 Don’t let anyone try to put magic spells on other people. Don’t let any of your people become a medium or a wizard. And no one should try to talk with someone who has died.


Deuteronomy 18:11

Expanded Bible

11 Don’t let anyone ·try to control others with magic [cast spells], and don’t let them ·be mediums [consult/inquire of ghosts or spirits] or try to ·talk with the spirits of [consult] dead people [1 Sam. 28].


Deuteronomy 18:11

GOD’S WORD Translation

11 cast spells, ask ghosts or spirits for help, or consult the dead.


Deuteronomy 18:10-11

The Message

10-11 Don’t practice divination, sorcery, fortunetelling, witchery, casting spells, holding séances, or channeling with the dead


Deuteronomy 18:11

Modern English Version

11 or one who casts spells, or a spiritualist, or an occultist, or a necromancer.


Deuteronomy 18:11

New American Bible (Revised Edition)

11 or who casts spells, consults ghosts and spirits, or seeks oracles from the dead.


Deuteronomy 18:11

New English Translation

11 one who casts spells,[a] one who conjures up spirits,[b] a practitioner of the occult,[c] or a necromancer.[d]


Deuteronomy 18:11

New International Reader's Version

11 Don’t put a spell on anyone. Don’t get messages from those who have died. Don’t talk to the spirits of the dead. Don’t get advice from the dead.


Deuteronomy 18:11

New Life Version

11 or uses secret power on people, or helps people talk to spirits, or talks to spirits himself, or talks with the dead.


Deuteronomy 18:11

New Living Translation

11 or cast spells, or function as mediums or psychics, or call forth the spirits of the dead.


Deuteronomy 18:11

New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised

11 or one who casts spells, or who consults ghosts or spirits, or who seeks oracles from the dead.


Devarim 18:11

Orthodox Jewish Bible

11 Or one who casts spells, or one who inquires of a ghost or a familiar spirit, or a doresh el hamesim (a consulter of the dead ones, i.e., a necromancer).


Deuteronomy 18:11

The Voice

11 casting spells, or trying to contact ghosts, spirits, or the dead.


Deuteronomy 18:11

Wycliffe Bible

11 neither any enchanter or tregetour, (that is, he who deceiveth men’s eyes so that a thing seem that which it is not); neither a man take counsel of them that have a fiend speaking within them, neither of false diviners, neither seek of dead men the truth (nor let anyone take counsel from them who have a fiend speaking within them, or from false diviners, nor seek they to learn the truth from the dead).


In SUMMARY, a "consulter with familiar spirits" is defined as one who:

is a medium

converses with ghosts or spirits

consults pythonic spirits

consults/inquires of ghosts or spirits]

asks ghosts or spirits for help

holds séances

is a spiritualist

consults ghosts and spirits

conjures up spirits

gets messages from those who have died; talks to the spirits of the dead

helps people talk to spirits

consults ghosts or spirits

inquires of a ghost or a familiar spirit

tries to contact ghosts, spirits, or the dead

takes counsel of them that have a fiend speaking within them


In SUMMARY, a "necromancer" is one who:

seeks the dead

inquires of the dead

communicates with the dead

seeks the truth from the dead

tries to talk with someone who has died

talks with the spirits of [consults] dead people

consults the dead

channels the dead

seeks oracles from the dead

gets advice from the dead

talks with the dead

calls forth the spirits of the dead

is a doresh el hamesim (a consulter of the dead ones, i.e., a necromancer)

tries to contact ghosts, spirits, or the dead


Why are we not to do these things?

The Bible tells us why:

Deuteronomy 18:12-13

King James Version

12 For all that do these things 

are an abomination unto the Lord: 

and because of these abominations the Lord thy God 

doth drive them out from before thee.

13 Thou shalt be perfect with the Lord thy God.


Further, why should we communicate with the dead?

Don't we realize these could invite evil spirits?

Look to this man, who sought healing from JESUS:

Mark 5:2-3

King James Version

2 And when he was come out of the ship, 

immediately there met him out of the tombs 

a man with an unclean spirit,

3 Who had his dwelling among the tombs; 

and no man could bind him, 

no, not with chains:

(The complete story can be found here.)


GOD is the "living God".

JESUS gives us eternal life.

What have we got to do communicating with the dead?

Time to wake up, and acknowledge Scripture.

Do so now.


Related material:

GRIEF therapy

PEACE through JESUS

The LIVING GOD

Who are ABOMINABLE?

What are ABOMINATIONS to GOD?

The WICKED shall PERISH

Sin AWARENESS


Image: Wallpaper Flare


Friday, February 24, 2023

What happens when WE die?


Ecclesiastes 9:5

King James Version

5 For the living know that they shall die: 

but the dead know not any thing, 

neither have they any more a reward; 

for the memory of them is forgotten.


For the longest time, I put off thoughts about death.

But GOD led me to Bible prophecy in September 2019.

Then JESUS alerted me to the RAPTURE in January 2020.

My beloved baby sister dies in my arms in October 2021.

There was no more evading the issue of death.

If not for the GRACE of GOD, I'd have fallen apart.

This blog is for my healing, and for Scripture's revealing.

Here are verses to help us all, in our moments of grief.

Genesis 3:19

King James Version

19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, 

till thou return unto the ground; 

for out of it wast thou taken: 

for dust thou art, 

and unto dust shalt thou return.


Psalm 6:5

King James Version

5 For in death there is no remembrance of thee: 

in the grave who shall give thee thanks?


Psalm 146:3-4

King James Version

3 Put not your trust in princes, 

nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help.

4 His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; 

in that very day his thoughts perish.


Ecclesiastes 3:19-20

King James Version

19 For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; 

even one thing befalleth them: 

as the one dieth, so dieth the other; 

yea, they have all one breath; 

so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: 

for all is vanity.

20 All go unto one place; 

all are of the dust, 

and all turn to dust again.


Ecclesiastes 12:7

King James Version

7 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: 

and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.


Isaiah 26:19

King James Version

19 Thy dead men shall live, 

together with my dead body shall they arise. 

Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: 

for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, 

and the earth shall cast out the dead.


Daniel 12:2

King James Version

2 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.


Ezekiel 18:4

King James Version

4 Behold, 

all souls are mine; 

as the soul of the father, 

so also the soul of the son is mine: 

the soul that sinneth, it shall die.


Matthew 10:28

King James Version

28 And fear not them which kill the body, 

but are not able to kill the soul: 

but rather fear him which is able to destroy 

both soul and body in hell.


John 3:16

King James Version

16 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.


John 5:24

King James Version

24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, 

He that heareth my word, 

and believeth on him that sent me, 

hath everlasting life, 

and shall not come into condemnation; 

but is passed from death unto life.


John 5:25-27

King James Version

25 Verily, verily, I say unto you, 

The hour is coming, 

and now is, 

when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: 

and they that hear shall live.

26 For as the Father hath life in himself; 

so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;

27 And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, 

because he is the Son of man.


John 5:28-29

King James Version

28 Marvel not at this: 

for the hour is coming, 

in the which all that are in the graves 

shall hear his voice,

29 And shall come forth; 

they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life;

 and they that have done evil, 

unto the resurrection of damnation.


John 11:25

King James Version

25 Jesus said unto her, 

I am the resurrection, 

and the life: 

he that believeth in me, 

though he were dead, 

yet shall he live:


John 14:1-4

King James Version

14 Let not your heart be troubled:

ye believe in God, believe also in me.

2 In my Father's house are many mansions:

 if it were not so, I would have told you. 

I go to prepare a place for you.

3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, 

I will come again, and receive you unto myself; 

that where I am, there ye may be also.

4 And whither I go ye know, 

and the way ye know.


Romans 2:5-11

King James Version

5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart 

treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath 

and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;

6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds:

7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing 

seek for glory and honour and immortality, 

eternal life:

8 But unto them that are contentious, 

and do not obey the truth, 

but obey unrighteousness, 

indignation and wrath,

9 Tribulation and anguish, 

upon every soul of man that doeth evil, 

of the Jew first, 

and also of the Gentile;

10 But glory, honour, and peace, 

to every man that worketh good, 

to the Jew first, 

and also to the Gentile:

11 For there is no respect of persons with God.


Romans 14:10-12

King James Version

10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? 

or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? 

for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

11 For it is written, 

As I live, saith the Lord, 

every knee shall bow to me, 

and every tongue shall confess to God.

12 So then every one of us 

shall give account of himself to God.


1 Corinthians 15:51

King James Version

51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; 

We shall not all sleep, 

but we shall all be changed,


2 Corinthians 5:8

King James Version

8 We are confident, I say, 

and willing rather to be absent from the body, 

and to be present with the Lord.


1 Thessalonians 4:13-14

King James Version

13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, 

concerning them which are asleep, 

that ye sorrow not,

 even as others which have no hope.

14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, 

even so them also which sleep in Jesus 

will God bring with him.


1 Thessalonians 4:16

King James Version

16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven 

with a shout, 

with the voice of the archangel, 

and with the trump of God: 

and the dead in Christ shall rise first:


Hebrews 9:27

King James Version

27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, 

but after this the judgment:


James 4:14

King James Version

14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. 

For what is your life? 

It is even a vapour,

that appeareth for a little time, 

and then vanisheth away.


1 Peter 1:3

King James Version

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 

which according to his abundant mercy 

hath begotten us again unto a lively hope 

by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,


Revelation 20:4-5

King James Version

4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, 

and judgment was given unto them: 

and I saw the souls of them 

that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, 

and for the word of God, 

and which had not worshipped the beast, 

neither his image, 

neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, 

or in their hands; 

and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

5 But the rest of the dead lived not again 

until the thousand years were finished. 

This is the first resurrection.


Revelation 20:6

King James Version

6 Blessed and holy is he 

that hath part in the first resurrection: 

on such the second death hath no power, 

but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, 

and shall reign with him a thousand years.


Revelation 20:11-12

King James Version

11 And I saw a great white throne, 

and him that sat on it, 

from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; 

and there was found no place for them.

12 And I saw the dead, 

small and great, 

stand before God; 

and the books were opened: 

and another book was opened, 

which is the book of life: 

and the dead were judged out of those things 

which were written in the books, 

according to their works.


Revelation 20:13

King James Version

13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it;

 and death and hell delivered up the dead 

which were in them: 

and they were judged every man 

according to their works.


Revelation 20:15

King James Version

15 And whosoever was not found written 

in the book of life 

was cast into the lake of fire.


Related post:

STRENGTH in the MIDST of GRIEF

Do BABIES go to JESUS?

CITIZENSHIP in HEAVEN

The TROUBLING things

The RESURRECTION

ETERNAL LIFE

The RAPTURE


Video:

What HAPPENS When YOU DIE | Speaker: Dr. David Reagan


Image: Wallpaper Flare


Sunday, December 11, 2022

SAVED from evil


 Isaiah 57:1

King James Version

57 The righteous perisheth, 

and no man layeth it to heart: 

and merciful men are taken away, 

none considering that the righteous is taken away 

from the evil to come.


When my baby sister went home to JESUS in October of 2021, I felt she was being "spared" from something "still to come".

As if GOD secured this precious soul in His perfect time.

Now, I know for sure, my feelings were correct.

Only because the Bible confirms it.

Here's what I found, through other Bible versions, that "the righteous is taken away from the evil to come".


Isaiah 57:1

Amplified Bible

Evil Leaders Rebuked

57 The righteous man perishes [at the hand of evil], and no one takes it to heart;

Faithful and devout men are taken away, while no one understands

That the righteous person is taken away [to be spared] from disaster and evil.


Isaiah 57:1

Amplified Bible, Classic Edition

57 The righteous man perishes, and no one lays it to heart; and merciful and devout men are taken away, with no one considering that the uncompromisingly upright and godly person is taken away from the calamity and evil to come [even through wickedness].


Isaiah 57:1

Complete Jewish Bible

57 The righteous person perishes,

and nobody gives it a thought.

Godly men are taken away,

and no one understands

that the righteous person is taken away

from the evil yet to come.


Isaiah 57:1

Darby Translation

57 The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart; and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from before the evil.


Isaiah 57:1

Easy-to-Read Version

Israel Does Not Follow God

57 All the good people are gone,

    and no one even noticed.

The loyal followers were gathered up,

    but no one knows why.

The reason they were gathered up

    is that trouble is coming.


Isaiah 57:1

Evangelical Heritage Version

There Will Be Peace for the Righteous Even in Death

The righteous one perishes,

but no one takes it to heart.

Men of mercy[a] are being taken away,

but no one understands

    that the righteous one is being spared from evil.


Isaiah 57:1

English Standard Version

Israel's Futile Idolatry

57 The righteous man perishes,

    and no one lays it to heart;

devout men are taken away,

    while no one understands.

For the righteous man is taken away from calamity;


Isaiah 57:1

Good News Translation

Israel's Idolatry Is Condemned

57 Good people die, and no one understands or even cares. But when they die, no calamity can hurt them.


Isaiah 57:1

International Children’s Bible

Israel Does Not Follow God

57 Those right with God may die,

    but no one pays attention.

Good people are taken away,

    but no one understands.

The people who do right are being taken away because of evil.


Isaiah 57:1

Lexham English Bible

Idolatry is Adultery

57 The righteous one perishes, and there is no one who takes[a] it to heart.

    And men of faithfulness are gathered, while there is no one who understands,

for the righteous is gathered from the presence of wickedness.


Isaiah 57:1

Living Bible

57 The good men perish; the godly die before their time, and no one seems to care or wonder why. No one seems to realize that God is taking them away from evil days ahead.


Isaiah 57:1

New International Version

57 The righteous perish,

    and no one takes it to heart;

the devout are taken away,

    and no one understands

that the righteous are taken away

    to be spared from evil.


Isaiah 57:1

New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised

Israel’s Futile Idolatry

57 The righteous perish,

    and no one takes it to heart;

the devout are taken away,

    while no one understands.

For the righteous are taken away from calamity,


Yeshayah 57:1

Orthodox Jewish Bible

57 The tzaddik perisheth, and no ish layeth it to lev; and anshei chesed are taken away, none considering that the tzaddik is taken away from the ra’ah (evil, calamity) to come.


Isaiah 57:1

The Voice

57 Eternal One: The person who does what is right dies, and no one cares.

        Good people are carted off, and no one understands why.

    For those who are in the right are taken away

        and spared a face-to-face encounter with evil.


Isaiah 57:1

Wycliffe Bible

57 A just man perisheth, and none is that thinketh in his heart; and men of mercy be gathered together, for none there is that understandeth; for why a just man is gathered from the face of malice. (The just, or the righteous, perish, and no one thinketh about it in their hearts, or in their minds; and people of mercy be taken away, and no one understandeth, that the just, or the righteous, have been taken away, before that malice, or the evil, come.)


In SUMMARY, "the righteous is taken away from the evil to come" means:

the righteous person is taken away [to be spared] from disaster and evil

the uncompromisingly upright and godly person is taken away from the calamity and evil to come [even through wickedness]

the righteous person is taken away from the evil yet to come

the righteous is taken away from before the evil

The reason they were gathered up is that trouble is coming.

the righteous one is being spared from evil

the righteous man is taken away from calamity

when they die, no calamity can hurt them

The people who do right are being taken away because of evil.

the righteous is gathered from the presence of wickedness

God is taking them away from evil days ahead

the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil

the righteous are taken away from calamity

the tzaddik is taken away from the ra’ah (evil, calamity) to come

those who are in the right are taken away and spared a face-to-face encounter with evil

a just man is gathered from the face of malice; the just, or the righteous, have been taken away, before that malice, or the evil, come


What evil is expected to come?

We are in the latter times, so this is expected:

2 Timothy 3:1-7

King James Version

3 This know also, 

that in the last days perilous times shall come.

2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, 

covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, 

disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, 

incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

4 Traitors, heady, highminded, 

lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

5 Having a form of godliness, 

but denying the power thereof: 

from such turn away.

6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, 

and lead captive silly women laden with sins, 

led away with divers lusts,

7 Ever learning, 

and never able to come 

to the knowledge of the truth.


1 John 2:18

King James Version

18 Little children, 

it is the last time: 

and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, 

even now are there many antichrists; 

whereby we know that it is the last time.


Related material:

END times


Image: Wallpaper Flare


Grief therapy the HEALING way

  2 Corinthians 5:8 King James Version 8 We are confident, I say,  and willing rather to be absent from the body,  and to be present with th...