but I may stop because it hurts! I have been thinking about worship styles, true faith, a Loving God, His Word and a bunch of other things. This Christmas season I have found myself doing more soul searching and vision searching then I ever have. Don't misunderstand my ramblings as discontentment. I am happy with where I am, who I am with and what I am doing. I am amazed that God has decided to bless my life. I do have a good one! A great wife and good job, good friends and health. I have just been trying to define things a little better to work of more goals.
I may or may not reveal in future blogs more detail on some of these areas. One thing I will tell you is I want MORE faith. I got a little and want a lot. As I told the youthgroup this week: Sometimes I don't act like God is as great as He really is. If I had true faith in how great God is, I think I would act differently. I think it would be easier to "Love Others" and even tell tell them how great He is and what he has done for us. In the same way I don't have sufficient faith in how BAD being separated from God could be. I once heard someone say that when you die, and see God face to face, experience His presence and then have that taken away because you didn't believe when you were alive, that being separated from Him is worse than all the fire and pain of hell! Have you ever beheld something so precious only to have it taken away from you? That is what I am talking about. Just a million times more.
Tell me, How many people did you potentially let slip into an existence without God this week? Did you tell the lady at Mcdonald's about your hope in God while she served you your coffee? Yeah, me neither. If I truly believed that she was in danger, I would have acted different. I would have told her AND showed her.
Tell me, what did you do this week to make your God valuable to the people you encountered? Maybe if WE CHRISTIANS worked harder to increase God's value to the world, more of them would be listening to us!
I love the Gospel (how can I not) but I think we have way to many people repeating it and even defending it but NOT LIVING IT.
P.S. God loves you, He sent His only Son (Jesus) to pay the price for your sins (the things you think, do and say that separate you from God) by dyeing on the cross, on the third day he rose to life and now sits at God's right hand and has prepared a place for us in Heaven
9 comments:
Beautiful Blog! Thank you and Sheila for making Jordan feel so welcome into youth. It is her first yr in youth, and it means a lot for her to feel so welcomed.
Preach it! Must also have faith that He will give you the faith you want.
Thanks Guys, Yes Joey, I believe our faith comes from God.
Jenn, Jordan rocks and we are glad to have her.
Great post Claude! How delightful it is to see someone who desires exactly what the Apostle Paul gives us as an ensample of prayer in ...Colossians 1:9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;.....for the function of.....Colossians 1:10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
In your post, you stated..."One thing I will tell you is I want MORE faith"....the answer for that is a easy one, and at the same time it involves work, faith doesn't come by osmosis it comes by only one means...Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Not only does it come by hearing the word it requires study as stated in....2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.........notice the word "workman"....it takes work, man. Not only does God bessech us to be workman in His word, studying it, He tells us how to do it...rightly dividing the word of truth....knowing whom Christ has made us and placed us in His body...it's not about us anymore, it's about Christ.....Colossians 3:3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God....I could have also posted Galatians 2:20 there as well as Romans:6:3.
I loved to see your encouragement to others concerning getting out the Gospel in your example of the lady at McDonalds...that is exactly what we are to be engaged in, it is God's will ..1 Timothy 2:4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth......and at the same time you said we should "work harder to increase God's value to the world"...I don't exactly know what you mean by that, but let me take a poke at it. We aren't here to change the world, but rather we are here to build the body of Christ. Paul tells us in....Colossians 3:1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.....again Paul admonishes us in Philippians 3:17-19 to follow his ensample, and warns us against minding earthly things. We aren't preaching a social gospel to change our communities..we are preaching the word of reconcilliation...2 Corinthians 5:20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God......we are beseeched of God through Paul.
lastly, in your last paragraph, maybe by mistake or through misunderstanding,or from a corrupt translation from a corrupt text ie NIV,you said..."He sent His only Son"...Genesis 6 speaks of "sons of God"..John 1:12 speaks to Israel as the sons of God if they recieve Christ as their messiah..Galatians 4:6 tells us that are in the body of Christ are also the sons of God" and Exodus 4:22 refers to Israel as God's son, even His firstborn. I hope you see the confusion caused by dumb downed Bibles such as an NIV, or to that matter, any translation performed after 1851 which come directly from the Westcott and Hort Text of Origen which are the same texts the JW's use to attempt to prove Jesus is not God.....how awful that is.
Jesus is the "only begotten son" of God....He wasn't begotten in the manger...He was begotten when He was raised the 3rd day...Acts 13:33 God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee....
There is alot more that can be said regarding what you meant by "not living it" and the portion concerning what seperates us from God.....I'll leave that for another post....this one is getting big...let me end with this....I am not responding to boast myself in any way...I respond because I care about Christ's body, souls saved, saints edified, the work of the ministry we should be engaged in, and defending the Gospel message that it be not polluted with false doctrine and philosophical blather.....hope this makes sense to you and is recieved in the spirit in which it is sent.
Grace and Peace!
I think this Dean guy is a little messed up. Jesus was the Son of God (by his own admission) BEFORE he was ever crucified and rose again. Don't believe it? Check out John 10:36 where it says
34 Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods? 35 If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken; 36 Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God? 37 If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. 38 But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.
Oh, and if you want to check an "uncorrupted" text, check out the 1550 version of the Textus Receptus - right here (assuming you can read Greek)
http://bible.logos.com/#q=%22son%20of%20god%22/21&ref=Jn%2010%3A36%2Chi%3DJn%2010%3A36&ver=STEPHENS&tab=home
Seems Mr. anonymous has difficulty reading english ( and yet wants to persuade me the Greek textus receptus is the answer). If you will re read Claude's statement,"Jesus is God's ONLY son then my response to him, maybe you will reconsider your reply.,,I would have to repost the entire thing again and that would be redundant. I never said Jesus was NOT the Son of God, but you cannot deny scripture that cleary (in english) states many are called a "son of God",,Jesus is the only "begotten" Son...that is different than merely a son...get it?...but if being so incorrect as calling Jesus God's only son is what floats your boat, so be it. At some point we will have a Bible that says things like "see Jesus run" and "see Jesus walk on water"...we are heading in that direction as we get lazier and lazier in our language. The KJB was written when the english language was at utmost height, since then, we have been on a downhill slope, ( like you know, I mean, like, dude, wassup widdat)
As far as a 1550 version of the textus receptus, does this mean we can only have God's pure words (Psalms 12:6-7) as long as we can read it in Greek? Did you not know, the Greek text also quotes Hebrew and Aramaic words...doesn't that also mean we need to learn those languages as well?....or is God capable of providing His pure words in the English....I will give God the benefit of the doubt and believe He did...in the authorized 1769 KJB. Not as much as one mistake in it, even the jot a tiddle in Psalms is there. The true sign of someone that doesn't believe their Bible is one that runs to the Greek to correct it. I would wager to bet you believe the book of John is a new testament book, disregarding Hebrews 9:15-17 which declares it to be old testament. Toss that one around your frontal lobe a while ok, ok. How about the word "easter" in Acts 12:4...is that in your Greek text? and should it be there?...the KJB is correct in putting it there.
Anyway, I've said my piece, and I confess, I am messed up, if being a Bible believer constitutes the statement of being messed up.....I am guilty as charged...what does that make you?
2 Timothy 2:7 Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.
Since you announced you will no longer be responding...tells me you will not be considering what is said here as well. Isn't that the whole point of blogging?.I am new to this, enlighten me.
Your first point...you believe our language and understanding of it are increasing?..that screams the question...then why are the so called new translations dumbing down the Bible? Isn't the whole idea being propogated in the so called new translations is to make it an easier read? That doesn't sound like an advancement in understanding or knowledge to me.
Your NIV changes so many words I could not begin to list them all here, I don't think the internet is that large...but a few are as follows....they changed "stablish" to "established" in Romans 16:25......they are different words with different meanings...hey, they are even spelled different...establish means the work is in progress...stablish means the work is done, to be stabilized...things that are different are not the same. The NIV changes "alway" to "always" in several passages, Alway speaks to direction...Always speaks to a time element. You cannot even get past the 1st sentence in an NIV without error,...In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. See the error?..God didn't seperate the firmament for another 5 verses...the KJB is right in using "heaven". You see, it's not about what I like, or being easier, it's about accuracy. God promised to preserve His words in Psalms 12:6-7, oh, I forgot..God didn't make that promise in the NIV...what a blunder the NIV so called translators made, their passage isn't even coherent with the context of the passage. I don't think it is necessary to post all the verses which the NIV deletes, you can look those up for yourself I feel sorry for Israel because according to the NIV, their tribulation commission has been omited in the NIV.
Secondly, you seemed to assume my defence of the KJB is related in some way to it's being around longer then the other's...I don't know how you got that from my post...it is not about whether it is older or newer...it is about it's accuracy, ALONE!
Then you posted 2 verses from the OT book of Mathew regarding Israel in their covenant situation demanding performance on their part to obtain salvation, (that is what a covenant is by the way, the if and then command)and attempted use that to make the point I or someone else said the most used is the best defence. again it is not about popularity, it is about accuracy...Then you attempt to make a point about the translation being responsible for salvation. Well, I am not sure where to begin with that one, but I am certain you and your denomination do not, have not, or are able to distinguish that there are more than ONE Gospel in your Bible?..The NIV hides this truth in Galatians 2:7-9 and denominational error hides that fact in order to promote their individual agendas...keep them tithe checks coming! I can with no problem show at least 3 different and unique Gospels in the scriptures, each to different people in different settings at different times with distinctly different doctrines in which they operate. The problem isn't with the KJB your grandpa had...the problem is with the folks not being equipped to do the work of the ministry therefore being capable of presenting the Gospel of the Grace of God with clarity (not combining it with the Gospel of the Kingdom or the everlasting Gospel which are uniquely different and seperate doctrinally and to whom they are concerning.
Now I am worried, you said "I am saved by the power of the Holy Spirit". What did you just say?..Is that what you tell folks? The gospel without the cross?..It is the Gospel that saves anyone in this present dispensation of the Grace of God. If you are saved, it is because you have put your faith in the Gospel of the Grace of God, Jesus died for your sins, was buried and rose the 3rd day according to the scriptures...period! by grace through faith, get it? Power of the Holy Spirit?, what is that?.2 Corinthians 4:3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:..
Moving on....You admonish folks to embrace the "footnotes" in any Bible, and never dismiss them?..wow...embracing error without dismission, how aweful is that? ..this is a sad day indeed and Paul is correct when he says this is a "present evil world" and encourages us to "redeem the time, because the days are evil"...Bible corruption is not a new concept, it was contemporanious in Pauls time as well..he speaks to that issue in 2 Cor 2:17. He also speaks to those that are reprobate concerning the faith, ever learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth in 2nd Tim 3.Never coming to the knowledge of the truth and defending error go hand in hand. But you guys are SBC right?. ..wasn't it your denomination had a special meeting (conference) to discuss whether the Bible is God's word at all?..The same ministry Satan has been engaged in since Gen 3 when he questions Eve saying "yea, hath God said" questioning the authority of God's word right from the beginning...then Eve misquoted what God said, adding to and taking away from the instruction of God,,,,seems that ministry hasn't missed a beat and continues to this day.
You do not have to respond to this comment...but please take the time to consider what is said, ok?
Grace and Peace!
Wow Dean - you certainly don't appear to be edifying my and building me up but rather tearing me down with comments like this "The true sign of someone that doesn't believe their Bible is one that runs to the Greek to correct it."
Funny how your next point does the very thing you condemn me for when you ask "How about the word "easter" in Acts 12:4...is that in your Greek text? and should it be there?...the KJB is correct in putting it there." I'm sure you know this, but the word your "blessed KJB" translates as Easter is the exact same Greek word (pascha) that it translates as PASSOVER a couple dozen other times. In fact, I think it's the only time it's translated that way. Why the sudden change? Does it really matter?
I think we can agree on one thing (at least I hope so) and that is the Bible is God's word to us. KJB is great, Greek, Hebrew and Aramaic are too - and Jesus is still Jesus, still died on a cross for your sins and mine as well as the whole world, still was buried, and still rose on the third day, in the NIV, NASB, ESV, NLT, NKJV and yep, even in the Message the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the same. Not one of them leaves out the "important parts" mentioned in 1 Cor 15:3-4. Why complicate things?
This is my last post on this blog..I am sure everyone that regularly frequents this site will be well pleased. When you throw a rock into a pack of dogs, the one you hit is the one that yelps.
Ask yourself this: Is God's word accessible to you today without error?....If the Word of God is in one book, where is it?...When you read the commands: study the word, preach the word, let the word dwell in your richly. take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word.....what book do you pick up?...If on the originals are correct, why didn't God maintain them?
To the above post from a person named "anonymous"...I didn't go to the Greek to correct the KJB, because as I said, the KJB has it right. By your response, seeking the Greek word, I must ask which Greek text did search?..Let me ask you this, "when is passover"?..is it before or after the days of unleavened bread?.hmmmmmm...maybe Lev 23 has the answer...passover is before and in Acts 12:3, states they were in the days of unleavened bread, therefore Herod could not have been waiting til after passover because passover was already over. The word easter is correct, a pagen celebration of the sun god. The KJB is correct, your Greek text is in error. And by the was, so is the NIV, ASV,NKJB, NLT, the tweedly dee, and even the Message...
As far as the Gospel presentation, it begins in verse 1 of 1st Corinthians 15 and continues through verse 4. None of the above mentioned versions say the same thing in verses 1 and 2 even making salvation a process eluding to a performance oriented Gospel...as far as the "important parts"...doesn't that scream there is more parts that are less important?...what can you add to what Christ has done for us?....I know you already know there is nothing that can be added, but the corrupted Bibles add confusion with that phrase. If any Bible will do, then no Bible is true, because they all say different things. It is not a matter of translation, it is a matter of which text is being translated...If you are happy with the mixture of Greek philosophy and Gnostic thinkers in your Bible, Constantine and the boys are smiling.
As far as tearing you down, either you have taken me wrong or I have failed miserably to communicate the importance of having God's word without error (KJB) and to be a Bible believer. So I apologize. Everything I have attempted to do is for "Christ's sake" and not to boast of myself. I heard a Bible teacher say one time a very true statement.."you will never become a Bible believer if you are taught from someone that isn't"...So, there you....my last comment has been made and I am moving on. Oh, by the way, I live near Farmville NC and may just pop in Discovery one Sunday morning, will I be escorted back to my car?
Grace and Peace!
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