God wants us to look for Him like we're looking for treasure. Speaking about Wisdom this scripture says:
"4If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; 5Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God." -Proverbs 2:4,5
When I first saw this scripture, I thought of how men in the 1800's would give everything they had to take a horse and wagon all the way across America so they could search for gold by panning or some other method.
If you think about that for a second. These men had to put whatever life they had on hold till they completed their journey and months of hard work. Think about the hard work of just driving a wagon across the rugged terrain through the rain and weather just to get the chance to work hard at finding some gold. I wonder how long it took for them to do the panning before they found anything. And then probably had to fight off robbers. Who in the world would want to go through all that.
This is what God wants from us. To search for Him as men search for treasure.
"And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart." -Jeremiah 29:13
This is one of my favorite scriptures. God is calling all of us closer to Himself. The way to find Him is to search for Him. Pursue God with everything you have and He will more than notice you!
"Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you." -James 4:8 (Nigh means near in King James English)
I love scriptures that deal with getting closer to God. These kinds of scriptures are a light to our path. They are a guide to us, helping us to find the way. This way to God is safe and secure. It is a sure way. You know you could trust in God when He is showing you the safer way to live by seeking Him.
God is the treasure!
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
My Death Experience
The following account is of a thing that happened to me in my earlier 20's. Approximately 20 years ago. It is a true story.
At this time in my life I had been a true Christian believer for only a couple of years. And had much zeal for the things of God. I had volunteered my time and efforts to a ministry outreach program in the inner city of a large city. I did not have much money at the time. In fact I had become jobless and nearly homeless when the pastor of this outreach told me that I could live inside the ministry building. The building now was an old warehouse that was being converted into a place where they could meet for church services, and for reaching out to help the needy in the community. It was a dirty building needing lots of work. I volunteered to do some of that work as well as ministry activities. I slept on a cot that was donated by someone to the church.
One day, I became very ill. I don't know what it was. Maybe it could have been food poisoning. Or,...just poisoning of some kind.
This was not the only time I had been poisoned. In fact I have since had poisoning of some sort a few times since. Not ever knowing what exactly caused it.
Living in such a place I knew there were some strange things going on around me, to other people as well.
Anyway, one night I did not feel well and went to bed. Some time during the night as I was sleeping, I became very aware of my surroundings. I knew it was in the middle of the night as I sat up in bed. Even though the lights were off, I could still see in the dark. I would describe it as night vision the military uses those special night vision goggles they have. Anyway, I felt strange like something was different. I tried to look at my hand in front of my face, but I could not see it. I tried to touch my face, but my hand went right through my head! I looked down at my knees as I was sitting on the side of the bed, but only saw the side of the bed and not my knees. It was as if I was hovering. Then I looked back at my pillow and saw myself laying there! I actually was experiencing being outside my body and seeing my body laying on the pillow. It was scary. I did not see any one else. No angels or demons, or God. No one was there with me. I was all alone. I didn't see any tunnel or heaven or hell, just the room in the natural. I tried to move a pencil laying near by but it wouldn't budge. The pencil seemed to weigh 10 tons!
I became a little more fearful being outside my body. And I didn't like it. I felt that outside my body I had no control. I could not interact with the physical realm at all. All I could do was float.
I became increasingly alarmed and concerned. Luckily I knew some scriptures. I immediately moved my self back toward the bed where my body was laying. I decided that I wasn't going to accept this situation that was happening to me. So I began to fight. I was wrestling against the spirit of death. Even though I didn't see it.
The bible says: "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." -Ephesians 6:12
So I spoke loudly in my spirit. (I couldn't control the lips on my body) I said, "In the name of Jesus, I shall NOT die but live and declare the Word and works of the Lord! I command this body to live and function normally in Jesus' name." I repeated this a few times and in addition I said other things too like, "I command this body to rise up in the name of Jesus! Arise and walk! I command this body to line up with the Word of God! I bind the spirit of death in Jesus name. I command sickness, disease, and death to leave me and leave my body in Jesus name!"
So I went on praying like this for a while. It felt like a wrestling match! I had to work at it. I had to fight! Then surely but slowly I could feel my body. It felt like a dead weight. It felt like a million tons of lead. But I kept fighting. Even though I began to feel my body, it didn't move at first. It took a while. But then I forced it to sit up in bed. It was so heavy that I felt literally like I was trying to pick up a dead body.
Finally I stood in my physical body out of bed! I still felt like a ton of bricks. And I also felt extremely ill. I felt like food poisoning or some other kind of poison was in my body. I struggled to the hall way and then collapsed. I opened my eyes to find myself on the floor flat on my back. I struggled again trying to get my body to function.
The next day I was sick in bed all day, but eventually regained my strength and health. And I am now alive over 20 years later to tell the story.
The strange thing is that this was not the only time I went through this. Other times I had similar experiences. I feel that the enemy of my soul was trying to kill me so that I couldn't tell people about the love of Jesus Christ which is the only reason for my existence on this earth. My relationship with God is everything I have. That is why I feel it is my reason for being alive.
I feel this is important to share with people to let them know that if you or someone you know is sick unto death, Do NOT give up! You can make it. Believe in Jesus and pray the scriptures! Some things may seem impossible to us in the natural. But all we have to do is believe in God and fight the situation! God has given those of us who believe authority in His name!
"I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD." -Psalm 118:17
At this time in my life I had been a true Christian believer for only a couple of years. And had much zeal for the things of God. I had volunteered my time and efforts to a ministry outreach program in the inner city of a large city. I did not have much money at the time. In fact I had become jobless and nearly homeless when the pastor of this outreach told me that I could live inside the ministry building. The building now was an old warehouse that was being converted into a place where they could meet for church services, and for reaching out to help the needy in the community. It was a dirty building needing lots of work. I volunteered to do some of that work as well as ministry activities. I slept on a cot that was donated by someone to the church.
One day, I became very ill. I don't know what it was. Maybe it could have been food poisoning. Or,...just poisoning of some kind.
This was not the only time I had been poisoned. In fact I have since had poisoning of some sort a few times since. Not ever knowing what exactly caused it.
Living in such a place I knew there were some strange things going on around me, to other people as well.
Anyway, one night I did not feel well and went to bed. Some time during the night as I was sleeping, I became very aware of my surroundings. I knew it was in the middle of the night as I sat up in bed. Even though the lights were off, I could still see in the dark. I would describe it as night vision the military uses those special night vision goggles they have. Anyway, I felt strange like something was different. I tried to look at my hand in front of my face, but I could not see it. I tried to touch my face, but my hand went right through my head! I looked down at my knees as I was sitting on the side of the bed, but only saw the side of the bed and not my knees. It was as if I was hovering. Then I looked back at my pillow and saw myself laying there! I actually was experiencing being outside my body and seeing my body laying on the pillow. It was scary. I did not see any one else. No angels or demons, or God. No one was there with me. I was all alone. I didn't see any tunnel or heaven or hell, just the room in the natural. I tried to move a pencil laying near by but it wouldn't budge. The pencil seemed to weigh 10 tons!
I became a little more fearful being outside my body. And I didn't like it. I felt that outside my body I had no control. I could not interact with the physical realm at all. All I could do was float.
I became increasingly alarmed and concerned. Luckily I knew some scriptures. I immediately moved my self back toward the bed where my body was laying. I decided that I wasn't going to accept this situation that was happening to me. So I began to fight. I was wrestling against the spirit of death. Even though I didn't see it.
The bible says: "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." -Ephesians 6:12
So I spoke loudly in my spirit. (I couldn't control the lips on my body) I said, "In the name of Jesus, I shall NOT die but live and declare the Word and works of the Lord! I command this body to live and function normally in Jesus' name." I repeated this a few times and in addition I said other things too like, "I command this body to rise up in the name of Jesus! Arise and walk! I command this body to line up with the Word of God! I bind the spirit of death in Jesus name. I command sickness, disease, and death to leave me and leave my body in Jesus name!"
So I went on praying like this for a while. It felt like a wrestling match! I had to work at it. I had to fight! Then surely but slowly I could feel my body. It felt like a dead weight. It felt like a million tons of lead. But I kept fighting. Even though I began to feel my body, it didn't move at first. It took a while. But then I forced it to sit up in bed. It was so heavy that I felt literally like I was trying to pick up a dead body.
Finally I stood in my physical body out of bed! I still felt like a ton of bricks. And I also felt extremely ill. I felt like food poisoning or some other kind of poison was in my body. I struggled to the hall way and then collapsed. I opened my eyes to find myself on the floor flat on my back. I struggled again trying to get my body to function.
The next day I was sick in bed all day, but eventually regained my strength and health. And I am now alive over 20 years later to tell the story.
The strange thing is that this was not the only time I went through this. Other times I had similar experiences. I feel that the enemy of my soul was trying to kill me so that I couldn't tell people about the love of Jesus Christ which is the only reason for my existence on this earth. My relationship with God is everything I have. That is why I feel it is my reason for being alive.
I feel this is important to share with people to let them know that if you or someone you know is sick unto death, Do NOT give up! You can make it. Believe in Jesus and pray the scriptures! Some things may seem impossible to us in the natural. But all we have to do is believe in God and fight the situation! God has given those of us who believe authority in His name!
"I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD." -Psalm 118:17
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
The Offensive Gift
As a gift for Christmas last year, my Niece gave me a calendar with pictures of Hot Rods and fancy automobiles on it. I didn't really like it. But because it was a gift from my Niece, I hung it on the wall above my desk.
Then one day God spoke to me about the calendar. He said that the calendar was offensive to him. I said, "why God?" He said, those cars are some peoples idols! Some people actually worship those fancy cars. They spend all of their hard earned money on them. They spend all of their time with them. They work hard on them constantly washing and waxing those automobiles. And they try to fill their hearts with satisfaction from owning those idols.
"For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God:" -Exodus 34:14
So I took the calendar down off my wall and threw it in the trash. At that point it didn't matter that it was a gift. I know my Niece meant well. But I have to obey God.
Something that may seem small to us is not to God! He cares about every little detail in our lives. When we have a close relationship to God, even the small things in our lives are important to Him.
Then one day God spoke to me about the calendar. He said that the calendar was offensive to him. I said, "why God?" He said, those cars are some peoples idols! Some people actually worship those fancy cars. They spend all of their hard earned money on them. They spend all of their time with them. They work hard on them constantly washing and waxing those automobiles. And they try to fill their hearts with satisfaction from owning those idols.
"For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God:" -Exodus 34:14
So I took the calendar down off my wall and threw it in the trash. At that point it didn't matter that it was a gift. I know my Niece meant well. But I have to obey God.
Something that may seem small to us is not to God! He cares about every little detail in our lives. When we have a close relationship to God, even the small things in our lives are important to Him.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Personal Experiences
I am going to begin writing about some of the personal experiences I have had in my life. Some are just small to express a point while others are life-changing, soul gripping impacting situations that I will never forget.
Maybe someday I will compile these stories from this blog and put them into a book. It may sound a little boring right now, but I guarantee it is not!
I just celebrated this blog's 1 month anniversary this past weekend. From the start of it I said that I would write about many things. My life experiences is just another thing to add to the list. At the beginning when this blog started on May 20, I said that I would write about world events, the New World Order, and what is coming on this planet. Well I haven't done very much of that yet. I've really felt pressed to post the important things of Christianity first. This way I'll make sure that the things of Bible truth are available first to who ever reads. I will still write about those things, but now I am adding topics that are more personal.
Some of these personal experiences I had are too incredible to keep to myself. I can get writers block just like any other writer. So maybe this will help. So far I have been posting almost every single day. I'm sure somebody is getting something out of reading this blog because I am getting a fair amount of visitors. Many of them return to read the next post. For that I am glad and I hope the best for these folks whoever they may be.
So here's to more good writing to come. Check back often! And leave me any suggestions or comments in my BlogFrog community which you can find by looking on the right side of this page. ===>
Maybe someday I will compile these stories from this blog and put them into a book. It may sound a little boring right now, but I guarantee it is not!
I just celebrated this blog's 1 month anniversary this past weekend. From the start of it I said that I would write about many things. My life experiences is just another thing to add to the list. At the beginning when this blog started on May 20, I said that I would write about world events, the New World Order, and what is coming on this planet. Well I haven't done very much of that yet. I've really felt pressed to post the important things of Christianity first. This way I'll make sure that the things of Bible truth are available first to who ever reads. I will still write about those things, but now I am adding topics that are more personal.
Some of these personal experiences I had are too incredible to keep to myself. I can get writers block just like any other writer. So maybe this will help. So far I have been posting almost every single day. I'm sure somebody is getting something out of reading this blog because I am getting a fair amount of visitors. Many of them return to read the next post. For that I am glad and I hope the best for these folks whoever they may be.
So here's to more good writing to come. Check back often! And leave me any suggestions or comments in my BlogFrog community which you can find by looking on the right side of this page. ===>
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Prophets of God ?
Many people like to put titles on their name. There are those who call them selves; Reverend, Pastor, Father, Bishop, Apostle, Prophet, prophetess, and so on. Even though the bible says,
"But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren." -Matthew 23:8
"And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven." -Matthew 23:9
In fact that whole chapter 23 of Matthew is a good read! I wish people would read it. And I wonder why it is that no one listens? I wonder why it is, that none of these exalted religious leaders never really take Gods Word seriously? At least not enough to humble their selves! They like to make excuses saying that our culture understands things in a different way than what Gods Word says!
If they read this post they would laugh at it, and say that this is a small thing. ...But there it is in plain writing in Gods Word! It is NOT a small thing!
There is a point I am getting to. And it is one that especially deals with Prophets and prophecy. Notice that there are a lot of people labeling them selves with this title. They have their nose pointed up above everyone else's. And they like to exalt their selves above the rest. Now, let me make it clear that I am not knocking prophecy at all. Many Christians have prophesied including myself. But I have never declared myself a "Prophet." I think it is dangerous to have these labels. People can get puffed up in their head too much. Besides, what good is a prophecy when God isn't in it?
I know some churches that like to teach their congregations to prophecy. And so they practice it. But it rarely is a true prophecy from the Spirit of God. I've heard prophecies that were negative, hateful, like a curse. And this is in the churches? They will prophecy diseases on people! It is garbage. All so they can falsely make their selves feel like they are powerful and controlling! I am telling you, a lot of it is nothing but flesh and witchcraft!
The way to discern if a prophecy is truly from God is this: 1) It will line up with what the Holy Word of God says about you, or about anything. If you don't know what Gods word says, then you should read it more. 2) A true prophecy from God is spoken in Love! 3) A true prophecy from God is for your encouragement to build you up in Christ, or it is a warning telling you to repent!
This is NOT a small matter!
So many people want these spiritual gifts. And that is fine. But we get into a hazard when we are seeking the gifts instead of seeking the giver of those gifts! People are giving in to false prophets by taking this lightly.
"22Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." -Matthew 7:22,23
"But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren." -Matthew 23:8
"And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven." -Matthew 23:9
In fact that whole chapter 23 of Matthew is a good read! I wish people would read it. And I wonder why it is that no one listens? I wonder why it is, that none of these exalted religious leaders never really take Gods Word seriously? At least not enough to humble their selves! They like to make excuses saying that our culture understands things in a different way than what Gods Word says!
If they read this post they would laugh at it, and say that this is a small thing. ...But there it is in plain writing in Gods Word! It is NOT a small thing!
There is a point I am getting to. And it is one that especially deals with Prophets and prophecy. Notice that there are a lot of people labeling them selves with this title. They have their nose pointed up above everyone else's. And they like to exalt their selves above the rest. Now, let me make it clear that I am not knocking prophecy at all. Many Christians have prophesied including myself. But I have never declared myself a "Prophet." I think it is dangerous to have these labels. People can get puffed up in their head too much. Besides, what good is a prophecy when God isn't in it?
I know some churches that like to teach their congregations to prophecy. And so they practice it. But it rarely is a true prophecy from the Spirit of God. I've heard prophecies that were negative, hateful, like a curse. And this is in the churches? They will prophecy diseases on people! It is garbage. All so they can falsely make their selves feel like they are powerful and controlling! I am telling you, a lot of it is nothing but flesh and witchcraft!
The way to discern if a prophecy is truly from God is this: 1) It will line up with what the Holy Word of God says about you, or about anything. If you don't know what Gods word says, then you should read it more. 2) A true prophecy from God is spoken in Love! 3) A true prophecy from God is for your encouragement to build you up in Christ, or it is a warning telling you to repent!
This is NOT a small matter!
So many people want these spiritual gifts. And that is fine. But we get into a hazard when we are seeking the gifts instead of seeking the giver of those gifts! People are giving in to false prophets by taking this lightly.
"22Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." -Matthew 7:22,23
Saturday, June 19, 2010
WordofTruth blog celebrating 1 month!
This is just a small post celebrating this WordofTruth blog being in existence for 1 month!
I started this blog 1 month after the BP oil spill started in the gulf of Mexico! Looking at all that has been written on this blog in the past month and comparing it to things like the oil spill is astounding.
To look at something like the oil spill that still isn't under control yet and compare it to your own accomplishments gives you a perspective of the size of such a disaster.
Just go to my blog archive and select the top link "2010", and it will show all of the posts since the blog began. In one month, there is a lot. For me as the author looking back at what I've written seems like a long time. And then to think the oil is still gushing!
This wasn't supposed to be a post about the oil spill, but it sure does make a point.
I have recently had to shut off my "comments" feature under my posts because someone tried to preach another false doctrine. I should of had it moderated but I didn't. And I don't know how to delete their comment. So for now that will have to remain a dormant feature. I had a few good comments too though and would like to reinstate them some day if possible. Comments are good because it lets you know who is reading your posts. My traffic counter does show me the visitors who spend a lot of time on my blog which is encouraging to me. I like to see people looking at my important pages and articles like "Jesus Loves You!! How you can be saved".
I hope that I will have many more interesting articles to post in the coming months that will attract people to a closer walk with God. That is my ultimate reason for existing. So please keep checking back.
Thank you for visiting this blog, and for reading. And may God bless each of you!
I started this blog 1 month after the BP oil spill started in the gulf of Mexico! Looking at all that has been written on this blog in the past month and comparing it to things like the oil spill is astounding.
To look at something like the oil spill that still isn't under control yet and compare it to your own accomplishments gives you a perspective of the size of such a disaster.
Just go to my blog archive and select the top link "2010", and it will show all of the posts since the blog began. In one month, there is a lot. For me as the author looking back at what I've written seems like a long time. And then to think the oil is still gushing!
This wasn't supposed to be a post about the oil spill, but it sure does make a point.
I have recently had to shut off my "comments" feature under my posts because someone tried to preach another false doctrine. I should of had it moderated but I didn't. And I don't know how to delete their comment. So for now that will have to remain a dormant feature. I had a few good comments too though and would like to reinstate them some day if possible. Comments are good because it lets you know who is reading your posts. My traffic counter does show me the visitors who spend a lot of time on my blog which is encouraging to me. I like to see people looking at my important pages and articles like "Jesus Loves You!! How you can be saved".
I hope that I will have many more interesting articles to post in the coming months that will attract people to a closer walk with God. That is my ultimate reason for existing. So please keep checking back.
Thank you for visiting this blog, and for reading. And may God bless each of you!
Friday, June 18, 2010
Praise Jesus!
Praise Jesus!
Let everybody start praising Him!
Let us glorify His name! So that everything we do will bring glory to Him.
Jesus is worthy! Look at everything He has done. Can we even see it all? Do we even know?
Has everything He has done for you been accounted for? Have you written it down?
What if each of us had a book written about the things He has done for us personally? What if we recorded every miracle and every answer to prayer. ...We would still be writing!
There are His heavenly angels though. They are keeping the record. They have a book of what has been done for each one of us.
And we have a book, that was handed down from those who have testified for us what it is that He has done. We have the account. And it is written...
"Thy righteousness also, O God, is very high, who hast done great things: O God, who is like unto thee!" -Psalm 71:19
"4Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
5But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed." -Isaiah 53:4-5
Praise the Lord!
Thank you Jesus for what you have done for each of us! Let us praise Your Holy name!
Praise Jesus!
Let everybody start praising Him!
Let us glorify His name! So that everything we do will bring glory to Him.
Jesus is worthy! Look at everything He has done. Can we even see it all? Do we even know?
Has everything He has done for you been accounted for? Have you written it down?
What if each of us had a book written about the things He has done for us personally? What if we recorded every miracle and every answer to prayer. ...We would still be writing!
There are His heavenly angels though. They are keeping the record. They have a book of what has been done for each one of us.
And we have a book, that was handed down from those who have testified for us what it is that He has done. We have the account. And it is written...
"Thy righteousness also, O God, is very high, who hast done great things: O God, who is like unto thee!" -Psalm 71:19
"4Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
5But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed." -Isaiah 53:4-5
Praise the Lord!
Thank you Jesus for what you have done for each of us! Let us praise Your Holy name!
Praise Jesus!
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Bible Versions - How to know which version to choose
For a new believer, or for anyone wanting to step up their bible reading, this can be a daunting task. For some it can even seem overwhelming. Don't let this question of choosing a bible version keep you from reading it at all.For those who don't speak English, this task is much easier because most other languages have few versions. So they just have to pick the one that is written in their own language. But for English speaking people there is an untold number of versions and even variations of the bible.
We must be careful! It is important to know a little bit about how we got the bible in our language. It is good to know a little about how God preserves His Word. I don't want to make this sound too complicated. You don't have to be a bible scholar or a seminary graduate to understand this. It is a lot simpler when we ask for Gods help.
Gods Word is perfectly accurate. There is no error in what He said. The Holy Bible is true and can be trusted completely. But there is a problem when sinful people begin to try to interpret it from an ignorant sinful perspective. That becomes a bigger problem when those sinful people begin to make their own interpretations and publish it "as the bible". We are not trusting in men when we read the bible, but are looking to God our heavenly Father.
"20Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
21For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." -2Peter 1:20-21
The most important thing to realize about choosing a bible version, is to be seeking God with all of your heart. 1Thessalonians 1:5 says: "For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake." And look at this scripture...
"It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life." -John 6:63
I spoke about some of this in my post on 6/13/2010 entitled, How to read the bible. It is a good article. If you get the chance I highly recommend reading it.
It takes some effort on our part if we want God to deliver us from the spiritual darkness.
"But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him." -Hebrews 11:6
In this scripture quote, I am placing the emphasis on seeking God diligently. Any one who is really looking for God with their whole heart, regardless of their bible version, is not going to be left out! God rewards those who are seeking Him. If you have a version of the bible that is not considered to be very reliable, that doesn't mean you will not come to the knowledge of the truth. God may eventually lead you to the correct version. I like the King James Bible the best but I am not a KJV only person. I believe that God can use other versions to speak to your heart if you are truly seeking Him. Remember that God is not limited in what He can use. He is not confined to a box like some religions believe. An example of this is the story in the bible where in the book of Numbers chapter 22:21-35 God spoke to the sorcerer Balaam through a donkey! If He did that, then I'm sure He could use any version of the bible He wants to. I do however believe that as you grow as a Christian, and as you allow God to lead you, that you will find there are fewer reliable bible versions. The King James is the most accurate English version for what I have discovered.
However, I believe also that there are dangerous things that some have done to distort the truth of Gods word in these end days. I believe that there are "versions" that are not true translations of the Holy scripture. There are some versions that are known to eliminate certain words or entire verses from the Holy scripture! This is extremely dangerous! Some people take Gods word lightly. There are even churches that quote from paraphrased bibles, making their congregations think they are reading scripture when it is nothing but a twisted rendition. Are they doing it ignorantly? God's Word says: ...
"My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children." -Hosea 4:6
I believe that it is the believers responsibility to honor Gods Holy Word! It is our responsibility to respect God by taking His word seriously. We should be concerned about all of the "new" changes in new translations, commentaries, and transliterations of the bible. The bible says:
"Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you." -Deuteronomy 4:2
If you do a little history check you will see what I am referring to. Here are just a few of the problems:
In the King James Version of the bible (which is the one I use the most), the first edition printed in the year 1611 contained an apocryphal section. These books were removed from all printings in 1885. That is only 125 years ago. Such a short time for something that was existing in scripture since the Septuagint that existed in the Jewish temple since the time of Jesus! Why they took it out is because of the label it contained. The word "Apocrypha" is supposed to mean "not inspired". This label was put on these books by the Catholic bishop Jerome in 300 AD. Note that the Catholics did not put these apocryphal books into the bible, they only labeled them "Apocrypha." It is important to note that these things are too technical for new believers to have to worry about. Like I said earlier, the main thing is to be seeking God for who He is, and to not get hung up on these other technical issues. I am only bringing it out in this article because I think people should be aware of a little bible history, and how we got some of the modern translations. Even though I believe that the King James Bible is the most accurate of all English bibles, I am still curious to know why the changes were made to it. Most Christians don't even know about these things.
I visited a church who uses "The Message" as their main version for preaching. I actually heard a preacher there mock people for questioning him for using that so called version. People will not know there is something important missing from a version until they do extensive research on it. The "Message" is only one mans slang paraphrase that he decided in his own words, "to get playful with it!" This is a dangerous mistranslation of scripture! Why is it accepted by believers? Here again, I think it is due to their lack of knowledge.
The New International Version of the bible actually leaves out entire verses, and changes meanings! There are other versions as well that do the same. A couple examples of this are Matthew 18:11. It is missing from the NIV completely. In the KJV it says, "For the Son of man is come to save that which is lost." Another scripture missing from the NIV is Mark 11:26. In the KJV it says, "But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses." These are just a couple of examples of two scriptures that we can not live without! There is a long list of many more startling changes and omissions from this NIV bible as well as many others.
There are many sites online that will allow you to do version comparisons of the bible. Biblegateway.com has over 100 different versions on line that you could compare. Not all of those are in English though. I think about 21 of them are English versions. biblos.com is another incredible site for studying and comparing different versions of the bible. It includes other languages as well and many study resources.
I don't know how the bible is or was translated into other language versions, but I hope that it is accurate. This blog has a Language Translator widget at the upper right hand side for non English speaking folks to see it in their own language. I wonder when they use it and the KJV scripture quotes I have on this page are translated into other languages, how accurate is that translator. I wouldn't want to be guilty of changing Gods word! I don't know if transliteration and meaning is lost when those scriptures change languages. I wonder if they use the biblios.com site at the above link, if it is the same as using the translator widget. If someone knows the answer I would appreciate you sending me an email to my contact info in my profile. Thank you. I can only pray that those people are able to get an accurate version in their own language.
Another important thing to note is that the Word of God isn't going to change just because a version or language software tried to change it! God's Word is the same yesterday, today, and forever!
"Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away." -Luke 21:33
"For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled." -Matthew 5:18
I keep coming back to this one thing because it is the most important. If you get anything out of this post, remember this one thing. No matter which version of the bible that you use, if you are seeking God with all of your heart, He will never let you down! He will always take care of you. He will always lead you out of spiritual darkness and into His light. He is faithful! Trust in Him to guide you and lead you. Don't forget, your relationship is with your heavenly Father through Jesus Christ. With Him you can never go wrong!
Coming Soon to this blog ...
An article post Coming Soon: How to know which Bible version to choose ...keep visiting this blog!
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