What is the meaning of life?

[Norman70]

Hi! I am 76 years old and in hospital for some time and beginning to seriously consider this question. I pray to God constantly asking Him what else He wants me to do, after 70 odd years of a wonderfully healthy life, for which I thank God.
I can read, write and talk, but little else. The internet has given me access to a fellowship with many Christians apart from my family and friends, and I wonder that this is part of God's evolutionary plan, such as envisaged by Teilhard de Chardin when he described this as a movement from a geosphere through the biosphere to a noosphere, culminating in the Second Coming of Christ?
That is me to begin, I have lots more but I have to learn my way around this website.

 

[Neogaia777]

Hi! I am 76 years old and in hospital for some time and beginning to seriously consider this question. I pray to God constantly asking Him what else He wants me to do, after 70 odd years of a wonderfully healthy life, for which I thank God.
I can read, write and talk, but little else. The internet has given me access to a fellowship with many Christians apart from my family and friends, and I wonder that this is part of God's evolutionary plan, such as envisaged by Teilhard de Chardin when he described this as a movement from a geosphere through the biosphere to a noosphere, culminating in the Second Coming of Christ?
That is me to begin, I have lots more but I have to learn my way around this website.

To (always/most of the time) contribute (and in a sometimes self-sacrificial way) in a positive way (in)to the world (and people) around us (in which we live), and to always seek to become more than what we (currently) are... Which also happens to be seeking God and doing his will...

That's also what it means to truly live and love, to me...

God Bless!

 

[sunshine100]

Hello and welcome,I have been trying to figure out the meaning of life myself,and all I can tell you is that it is to live a life in God's eyes.

 

[St_Worm2]

Hi Norman, WELCOME TO CF I'm glad that you found us and hope you will find the answers you are looking for (as well enjoy your time here with all of us).

If you know Jesus .. John 17:3, then you have found the most important thing out about this life already

As for a concise, "meaning of life", I've always appreciated what Q & A #1 has to say from the Shorter Catechism (from the Westminster Standards).

Q. 1. What is the chief end of man?
A. Man’s chief end is to glorify God,[1] and to enjoy Him forever.[2]​

cf Matthew 5:16

Praying for you! (particularly for your health)

God bless you! (Numbers 6:24-26)

--David

1 Thessalonians
23 May the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
24 Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.​

 

[DennisTate]

Hi! I am 76 years old and in hospital for some time and beginning to seriously consider this question. I pray to God constantly asking Him what else He wants me to do, after 70 odd years of a wonderfully healthy life, for which I thank God.
I can read, write and talk, but little else. The internet has given me access to a fellowship with many Christians apart from my family and friends, and I wonder that this is part of God's evolutionary plan, such as envisaged by Teilhard de Chardin when he described this as a movement from a geosphere through the biosphere to a noosphere, culminating in the Second Coming of Christ?
That is me to begin, I have lots more but I have to learn my way around this website.

I would suggest reading some near death experience accounts. In my opinion they may be a significant part of the fulfillment of this verse:

John 16:25

These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall shew you plainly of the Father."

I would also say that NDE accounts are like new wine.... and the Bible is like the old wine so......

Luk 5:39

and no one having drunk old wine, doth immediately wish new, for he saith, The old is better.'"

But... that new wine may just work exceptionally well with those who will soon become new believers.....

 

[Anto9us]

Welcome to CF, Norman!!

Life is -- like a beanstalk -- isn't it?

 

[Tigger45]

To bring light into a dark world. We do this through love.

Luke 10:27

He answered, "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"

 

[Norman70]

Many thanks to all who have replied, and for your support and good wishes. I am busy reading the Scriptures given, I am not well read of the Bible. I have been told the KJV is not the best, better to get a modern version. Any recommendations, anyone?

 

[Neogaia777]

Many thanks to all who have replied, and for your support and good wishes. I am busy reading the Scriptures given, I am not well read of the Bible. I have been told the KJV is not the best, better to get a modern version. Any recommendations, anyone?

It's kind of a matter of personal preference, I have used others in the past, and have multiple others (other different translations), right now I am mostly using a NKJV, (cause I have a pocket size of it mostly, and that comes in handy) but I did just get, not to long ago my first AMP Bible, and I think everyone should at least check that one out, as what I would call a revolutionary/evolutionary translation of the Bible to at least check out and preferably, read some it, and have it on hand...

God Bless!

 

[wmc1982]

To live is Christ. We crucify this "self" daily, we follow Him. This life is one inch of an eternal rope. What does man gain if he gains the whole world and loses his soul?

This isn't about us, it's about Him. And faith that Jesus is God and died on that tree to save our sins is the only hope for any of us. All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Everyone has a final court date and eternity is at stake and all are guilty unless Christ has advocated for us and pleaded our case, justifying us to the Father by His BLOOD. It's all about Jesus. We die to self, we gain everything though. There's pure everlasting treasure in the Word of God, behind those letters is pure treasure. I found that field, it's worth giving up everything for. I still can't believe how real all this is. I never saw it this clearly before. Praying James 1:5 for wisdom works.

I'd highly recommend reading Romans over and over. It's the Systematic Theology of the entire Bible. I depend on 1-2 Psalms a day also.

 

[St_Worm2]

Many thanks to all who have replied, and for your support and good wishes. I am busy reading the Scriptures given, I am not well read of the Bible. I have been told the KJV is not the best, better to get a modern version. Any recommendations, anyone?

The NKJV is excellent. My go-to translation is the NASB however, and I regularly use the ESV and NIV-UK as well (and the KJV, of course).

My favorite Study Bibles are the MacArthur Study Bible and the ESV Study Bible, because of their excellent and extensive commentary notes. The MacArthur is available in many translations, the ESV, only in ESV.

There is also the old Thompson Chain Reference Study Bible, which in some ways in the best of all, IMHO, but it means a lot of digging as you follow the "chain references" and let the Bible interpret itself for you.

You can also read the Bible online here and here, as well have access to many study tools. And you can listen to it for free here (in a number of different translations and formats).

--David
p.s. - you may also enjoy the daily, online teaching that you can find at sites like these:

Renewing Your Mind - Dr. R C Sproul

Grace to You - Dr. John MacArthur

Insight for Living - Dr. Chuck Swindoll​

.

 

[Anto9us]

New Revised Standard Version is a good one

BlueletterBible.org is a quick and dirty tool to compare versions and see Greek Interlinear

 

[Southernscotty]

To live is Christ. We crucify this "self" daily, we follow Him. This life is one inch of an eternal rope. What does man gain if he gains the whole world and loses his soul?

This isn't about us, it's about Him. And faith that Jesus is God and died on that tree to save our sins is the only hope for any of us. All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Everyone has a final court date and eternity is at stake and all are guilty unless Christ has advocated for us and pleaded our case, justifying us to the Father by His BLOOD. It's all about Jesus. We die to self, we gain everything though. There's pure everlasting treasure in the Word of God, behind those letters is pure treasure. I found that field, it's worth giving up everything for. I still can't believe how real all this is. I never saw it this clearly before. Praying James 1:5 for wisdom works.

I'd highly recommend reading Romans over and over. It's the Systematic Theology of the entire Bible. I depend on 1-2 Psalms a day also.

Now how dare you use Phil 1:21 before I got too.... Sigh!!! Phil 1:21 -- To live is Christ and to die is gain and that is one of my favorite verses.
To the OP, I say welcome to the family my friend and we are honored that you are here. May you learn much and know that without a doubt, Jesus loves you

 

[Jesusismyking87!!]

True meaning of life seeking God every day.

 

[BookishGirl]

Welcome to CF.

 

[ItIsFinished!]

Many thanks to all who have replied, and for your support and good wishes. I am busy reading the Scriptures given, I am not well read of the Bible. I have been told the KJV is not the best, better to get a modern version. Any recommendations, anyone?

Welcome Norman.
I prefer the KJV myself.
I am glad that you are busy reading The Word of God.
That always excites me when people read and study The Word of God.
More importantly it really , really, really excites me when those come to the saving grave of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ from reading, studying, hearing His precious Word.
A lot of people have made great posts in here and I see much love towards you.
Stay in The Word brother and always keep your eyes upon Jesus.

Much love friend in our Saviours name.
Amen.

 

[Norman70]

Thank you again to posters who have responded here. I have just read through the whole thread again and this has lifted my spirits. The last few days I have been bordering on mild depression again (I had a spell in hospital last year which hit me really hard shortly afterwards) but this Internet thing has got me going again. And with it I am now able to fellowship with you all here. God bless you all, and thanks again.

 

[St_Worm2]

Hi Norman, I don't know if you like religious satire or not, but if so, there are a couple of sites which have some of the best satire on the internet, Lutheran Satire and The Babylon Bee.

Here are some examples for you to check out from our friends at Lutheran Satire (just FYI, some of this is pretty silly stuff, but there is a LOT of truth mixed in too). Actually, the third video is some college kids watching and reacting to the second video, Frank the Hippie Pope. Enjoy

 

[St_Worm2]

And here are a couple of articles from The Babylon Bee.

Liberal Christian Attempts To Debate Atheist But They Just Agree On Everything

Joel Osteen Sails Luxury Yacht Through Flooded Houston To Pass Out Copies Of 'Your Best Life Now'

Florida Recount Finally Wraps Up, Al Gore Declared President

 

[sunshineforJesus]

Hi and welcome to C F.