Real Living Translation

Real Living Translation

King James Version, New King James Version, New International Version, New Living Translation, Amplified, Holman Christian Standard Bible, The Message, and on…and on…and on. There are almost too many translations of the bible. The debates rage on over translation validity. “King James Version is the only true version!” I have heard that statement at an excessive level. Numerous times I’ve heard it said any other version can’t be a real version because of the time in history they were translated or the fact that they are not translated from the Dead Sea Scrolls. This is an impossibility since the King James Version was first published in 1611 and the Dead Sea Scrolls discovery process took place between 1947 and 1956. As a matter of fact, as of 2007, two volumes of the scrolls had not even been translated yet. This is one of many misconceptions that are keeping families apart from each other and from God. I’ve heard a couple of discussions recently where long time, strong Christians, that stick strictly to the King James Version, missed certain details because of the fact that it is written in Early Modern English. This means it is structured very differently from how we speak in our era. One of these people actually prides himself on reading the bible through numerous times but has missed things due to translation. However, in these discussions, their knowledge of what they were reading was enhanced as people shared with them from other translations which delivered it more clearly. On the issue of time period: the same Holy Spirit that guided men to translate texts in the 16th and 17th century, was just as powerful for the 20th century translators. Or if someone is convinced that they could not be lead by the Spirit as well in the modern era, that’s more of a testament to their own relationship. Personally, I think if you don’t read multiple translations (King James Version included) you are cheating yourself; but most of all, you are cheating those you share the Word with.

Let’s take the four gospels as an example. Does God need to repeat Himself? No. But in His Word, we have the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. These four books of the bible have the same central theme- the life of Jesus. Each one of the Gospels are telling the same story with a slightly different perspective, yet it’s still the same story. As a matter of fact, Jesus feeding the five thousand is the only one of Jesus’ miracles that is told in all four. So as we see, God uses the different perspectives to best teach us. In that same way we can use different perspectives on individual verses and passages to gain or convey a deeper understanding. Here are a few examples that may help. If you were going to share the Gospel in Nigeria, where English is their second language, it may be a better idea to use the New International Version. It is written in more of a formal English that they would better understand, hence the word international in its name. If you were going to read Paul’s letters to the churches, and you really wanted to read it as a letter, (which is how it is written) you may get more out of the New Living Translation for that. If you wanted to read a passage with the understanding that the original Hebrew listeners would have had, then the Amplified would help you with that. If you were going to share the Gospel with the Zulu people of South Africa, who have only an oral and not a written history, you may want to use The Message. Because of their affection for a story to be told to them, the story-like paraphrase of The Message may help you share the Word with them in a way that reaches them better. You may want to use the King James Version for its poetic nature or at other times for its heavy handed, “thou shalt not” approach, depending on what you are trying to convey. Do they each tell us that God created us for a love relationship with Him? Yes. Do they each tell us Christ died for us to pay our sin debt? Yes. Do they each have a Roman’s Road for us to “follow” to salvation? Yes. They tell us all the same things from creation to the life of Christ to the return of Christ for His bride. But each one gives us an extra piece of the “understanding” puzzle so we can eventually see the big picture God has given us in His Word. I have seen God glorified by people’s salvation under at least four or five of the different translations. Apparently, God can use any translation, because they all have their purpose; He just can’t use silence.

Tragically, there are broken families that could be transformed by God’s healing hand through a caring church fellowship, but remain broken because of a bible translation conflict from within the marriage. The translation that keeps more people out of church is one I like to call the Real Living Translation. That is the life you live in front of the world on a daily basis. We, as the church, are to live a life that is “set apart”. If we do not carry Christ’s light into the world, then are we promoting darkness? Don’t misunderstand me; any Christian can fall. Nearly all of us will, to some degree, fall during our walk with Christ. It’s not a surprise, nor is it permanent. In the event someone falls as we see in Proverbs 24:16 where it says, “For a righteous man may fall seven times and rise again…”. The key phrase after the “fall” is the “rise again” part! Christ did not expect us to be perfect and never fall. Instead, He expects us to rise again after the fall and rejoin the fellowship! This is not a place where I point fingers from behind a “holier than thou” banner. I, myself, have had those days where I did not appear to have any connection to God. I realized that when one of my buddies that I was closest to at the time said “What? You go to church? I would have never guessed that! Are you sure?” I realized at that point that I had gotten as far away from God as is humanly possible. My Real Living Translation was speaking volumes about the sinful life of one who had fallen. But thankfully God extended His hand, full of grace, raised me back up, and walked this lost sheep back into the fold. Just know that no one is above it!

I would be willing to stake the claim that nearly all of us know someone that says they don’t want to go to church because it is full of a bunch of hypocrites. We, as the church, are giving them that excuse by living for God on Sunday and living like the world the rest of the week(side note: the “hypocrites” excuse will not stand when we stand before God. He seeks a personal relationship with each of us, not one based on another person’s walk, or fall. We are all sinners saved by God’s grace). We have to step up and be Christians even when it’s a little uncomfortable, or if we have to make sacrifices (as Christ did for us). You may be the only bible someone ever reads! Do you want to be the reason that someone falls into an eternity without God?

Once, there was a lady who knew a Christian man who lived the Christian life in front of her. Throughout his journey, there was always something wonderfully different about him. He went on to become a preacher and later a pastor. The day finally came that the lady decided she wanted some of what he had. She wanted that same Jesus in her life, because of the Jesus she saw in his. That lady is my mother. I recently heard another wonderful story of how a teenage boy came to know Christ because of the life lived and the love shown to him by an elder pastor. The circumstances that he grew up in would not be considered ideal, but God used that pastor’s life to reach that young man. By the way, that young man has grown up to be my pastor. You don’t know, and may never know the impact you can have on the lives of others if you live the life Christ would have you to live. On that same note, you may never know how many lives you can ruin by refusing to live the life God has ordained for you. We are blessed that God is always watching; but are we being a blessing or a road block to those watching our lives? What is your Real Living Translation saying to a watching world- especially if you go, or went, to church?

You should know this: it is not hard to live the Christian life. God has given you an excellent reference manual with 66 love letters in it. Why would you not want to read the bible if you were viewing it this way? Especially if you accept the fact that it is not designed to limit your life, but to show you how to live like one who has been set free! Now we have a choice; live as the world, weakly…Or live in victory in Christ, weekly!

Spare Change

I recently (finished it Monday) wrote a song that is geared towards believers. It is a celebration of just a few of the things that God has done and continues to do in the life of all believers. I only list a few, but they're definitely some things that I as well as other believers are very thankful for. So this song is written as a way to praise and thank our God for His presence in our lives. I can not wait to hear what it sounds like with music put to it and the voices of my brothers and sisters lifting it up to our King. Enjoy!

Spare Change

Our lives are like water
Spilled out on the ground
Never to be gathered up again
Sands through the hourglass, pouring down

God poured out all of His love
Cracked and broken vessels He fills
Yet His love we could never pen down
With a thousand scrolls and quills

(chorus)
GRACE – though we don’t deserve it
MERCY – for which we’re yearning
SALVATION – though we can’t earn it
FORGIVENESS – keeps us returning
PEACE – far beyond our learning
LOVE – He’s not reserving
God gave us His best
So our all to Him we bring
Sing your praises to the King

All praise to the God who never changes
But who’s always changing me
He changes me from the inside out
With a change the whole world can see
Back to chorus

We push away the Father
Don’t know why He would even bother
To continue to draw me near
And provide peace to replace my fear
Back to chorus

Repeat last 3 lines after last chorus 3 times

loose lips

loose lips sink ships
sometimes those ships are relationSHIPS

This is an old saying with timeless truth to it.

We must be careful in what we speak with our mouths. Our tongues are the toughest 2.7 ounces we will ever do battle with. Paul tells us in his writings that we are to use our words to lift each other up and not destroy each other. I want to take a look at what God's Word has to say about loose lips:

Proverbs 20:19
A gossip goes around telling secrets, so don't hang around with chatterers.
Proverbs 25:10
Others may accuse you of gossip, and you will never regain your good reputation.
Proverbs 25:23
As surely as a north wind brings rain, so a gossiping tongue causes anger!
Proverbs 26:20
Fire goes out without wood, and quarrels disappear when gossip stops.
Psalm 41:6
They visit me as if they were my friends, but all the while they gather gossip, and when they leave, they spread it everywhere.
Proverbs 16:28
A troublemaker plants seeds of strife; gossip separates the best of friends.
Proverbs 17:4
Wrongdoers eagerly listen to gossip; liars pay close attention to slander.
Proverbs 11:13
A gossip goes around telling secrets, but those who are trustworthy can keep a confidence.
2 Corinthians 12:20
For I am afraid that when I come I won't like what I find, and you won't like my response. I am afraid that I will find quarreling, jealousy, anger, selfishness, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorderly behavior.

The last one here, is Paul expressing his fears about what he is AFRAID he would find when he returned to Corinth. The things listed, were the worst things he could find in the church body, should they be present at the time of his return. Paul, who was stoned, beaten, and improsoned was more afraid of finding these qualities in the church than anything else he faced. Along with all the words of wisdom from King Solomon and King David about the subject, Paul shows the loose lips as one of the worst things he could encounter.

Proceed With Caution: A flaming tongue can be used to burn bridges unnecesarily.

Now what can we do with people who qualify as one with loose lips? Forgive them (forgive our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; Jesus in Matt 6)! Leave their punishment, conviction, and education to God. He's better at it than we are anyway.

What should we do if we are guilty of loose lips? Ask God for forgiveness first and foremost and then seek the forgiveness of those who have been our victims.

Going forward, we should use all of our words to praise God, lift up our brothers and sisters, and teach the world about Him!

Jesus told us in Matt 6:33 33 "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness......
If we are doing this, our words will be what they should be. If we are doing this, as well as following the rest of God's will, we will not be able to have loose lips. We will not be able to have our focus on the affairs of others if we are wholeheartedly focused on our Creator as we should.

Use your words to bless and not curse. Be a blessing to those around you and not a curse. Paul said in 1 Cor 8:13 .....for I don't want to cause another believer to stumble. Don't do things to cause your fellow believers to sin, the enemy does a good enough job at that, that he needs no help from Christ's followers.

I'll leave you to day with what Jesus said was the answer to the question "What is the greatest commandment?" and see how loose lips apply here.

Matthew 22:37-39
37 Jesus said to him, " 'You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' 38 "This is the first and great commandment. 39 "And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'
Selah

WOW! God delivers right on time!

WOW! Yesterday, I said that I felt like God was about to pour out a blessing on me. He did yesterday. He answered a prayer that I have been praying for 14 months. It's step one of three, but it was the big step. Now it's out of the way!

Thank You, Father God! Thank You for counting me worthy to be sifted, grown, and then blessed outrageously! You gave me more than I could ever repay when You sent Your Son to die for me. Then to this you add even more blessings that could only come from You! All praise to Jehovah-Jireh! All of my praise to my Almighty Creator!

Thank You, God! From you're ever unworthy servant blessed to be covered by my Savior's blood, blessed beyond anything I'll ever deserve!

the face of a blessing

What does a blessing look like? Is it a neat and tidy little package, gift wrapped with a pretty little bow on top? It can be, but is it usually? NO!

Now take for example my buddy, Ron. He and his beautiful wife Sarah just received a wonderful blessing in the form of little Miss Chloe (2 1/2 weeks old) which is easy to see as a blessing. She is beautiful and as perfect as a baby could be (crying all night long and everything). But did that blessing come with no pain? No. There is a tremendous sacrifice on the parts of both parents, but the end result of the blessing is worth it.

God's chosen people, Israel, had been promised the land of Canaan. This would be a near paradise on earth. After He had demonstrated His power through numerous plagues and countless miracles, when they got to the threshold of Canaan, they still fell apart on God. They were looking for the gift wrapping and the bow, but instead, they found the land inhabited with giants. God told them that they were to engage the Canaanites in battle and that He would give them the victory in the battle! After He had already parted the Red Sea and allowed them to cross on dry land while crushing the Egyptian army for them right before their eyes, they still doubted. God was going to show the world His power through the victory of the Israelites while growing the character of all of Israel at the same time. Because they couldn't go through the growth phase of receiving their blessing, their blessing was delyed forty years and the ones who were alive at that point would not live through the forty years to enter the land of their blessing, but their children would receive it instead.

There will be times in your life that God will have a blessing that He is wanting to pour out all over you, but you will have some steps to go through to grow your character so that you can handle receiving God's blessings. Just like Israel, when we find out about the blessing to come, we are not quite ready to receive it. We have to grow first and then receive. By the time Israel got into their promised land, they were t hen ready to receive it.

God has been carrying out this principal in my life for quite awhile now. He has revealed to me that there is a blessing that He wants to pour out on me, but He has had to grow my character quite extensively over these months to prepare me to receive. Growth doesn't come from puppies and pillows and everything fun and comfortable! Think of it as a raw piece of iron being turned into a usable tool such as a sword. That piece of iron would be put in the fire and under the hammer NUMEROUS times before it could "grow" into that usable tool. We grow the same way! It is the difficult, the uncomfortable, the unplanned, the seemingly overwhelming, and the usually unwanted events in our lives that generate that increase in character. Not the days that go smoothly according to plan.

Now for the part that comes after the growth has taken place. You are to praise Him for what is to come, because once God has said it, it is so. Then after you have received His blessing, you are not to just sit and bask in the glow of what you have received. You are to continue to praise Him, continue to seek Him, and always look for occasions to bless others as well. You will never fully receive until you have given.

I believe I am in the final stages now. I continue seeking ways to praise Him for what is coming. I am here to declare before the whole world that I thank you Lord for the blessing you have said will come. I believe You when You say that you will provide, so I give all I have to You. All my love, all my appreciation, all of me I give to You, Father. Thank you for being the One who was and is and is to come! I thank you Father for counting me worthy to be grown for use in your Kingdom. Because I know it is not any worth that I have accumulated, but the value placed on me by the shed blood of Jesus Christ! Thank you, Father!

Thank Him anytime He counts you worthy of being grown, even though the growth process will not seem like it..........it is a blessing in itself!

time to catch up

I have been very negligent at posting lately. Hopefully there will be no more long lapses again.

For today I'll leave you with a poem about prayer. It addresses how most of us pray versus how we should be praying. Remember: God isn't just looking for a "to-do" list from you. He wants to hear what is on your heart as well as sharing with you what is on His. So listen closely while you pray to what God wants you to know!

A Parable of Prayer

Our Father which art in Heaven
Hallowed be thy name
We thank you for your blessings
And your son that came

I know that you are God
And I respect you as my Father
I hate to even ask
I don’t want to be a bother

But I’ve got some things
That I need to ask you for
A brand new house for one
And more and more and more

You don’t understand Lord
How hard it is for me
Because of your perfection
My pain is hard to see

I struggle with my house Lord
My kids, their school and such
We have a few nice things
But it isn’t very much

By the way, my Mom is sick Lord
How could you; why ME
This just isn’t fair
How can you not see

And what about at work Lord
The promotion that never came to be
I’m looking for an answer
To the question: why not me

Don’t you understand Lord
I have so many needs
I think that I’m a good person
I believe I do good deeds

Why me, why not me
Do for me and give me more
Now let’s talk about the blessings for me
That you have in store

-----------------

I gave to you my only son
And that was not enough
For YOUR sins HE had to die
Yet you think you’ve got it tough

Even from the beginning
I gave man a garden minus one tree
A life of pure perfection
Still you turned your back on me

I had to destroy the earth with water
Because man’s sin became so
I said I wouldn’t do that again
I promised with a rainbow

Man has been given lots of chances
Still he throws them all away
Yet he has the Father’s love
And forgiveness every day

We live inside God’s mercy
But we put God’s will to the test
And he continues to remove our sins
As far as the east is from the west

-------------------

Now I see that my selfishness
Was not the way to go
I know I serve almighty God
The greatest love I’ll know

Dear Lord I’d like to thank you
For the blessings I receive
For all the help you’ve given me
And the burdens you relieve

You’ve done so much for me already
Despite the way I’m livin’
You died there on that cross
So I could be forgiven

I am asking for forgiveness
For the sins that I have done
I thank you for your power
And the victory you’ve won

I need to do the Father’s work
And do so urgently
Lord I make this offer
Here am I, send me

Father God in closing
I’m so thankful you’re always there
Pouring out your love for me
Speaking and listening, while I’m in prayer

Amen

Prayer is simply a conversation. And since we have two ears and one mouth, I believe we should be listening twice as much as we speak. Selah

Recovery

I took a recovery class through our church last year and I believe it was one of the best things I have ever done. At the beginning of the class, we all had to verbalize what we were there to "recover" from. Mine was: I am looking to lay the past to rest, clean the skeletons out of the closet, and then move on with whatever the Lord had planned for me.

As I went through the class I found out how messed up I really was. I learned a lot about me and about how to "break the addiction", no matter what the addiction is. You must remove yourself from the situation that contains your particular addiction.

I'll use alcoholic for my example because most of us know at least one, not because it is any worse than any other self destructive addiction. They ALL can kill in one way or another.

If you're an alcoholic and you've decided to lay your personal demon to rest, you must live a different life than what you did before. You can't go run around with the same guys and go to the same places and watch them drink and have them offer it to you and ever expect to get away from that demon. You have to change your habits, your surroundings, and yes, sometimes even your friends. Now real friends will respect your decision to change, and understand what you are having to do differently to win the battle over your addiction. Some of your "friends" will not. Those people are not your real friends any way. A real friend is going to want to see you succeed and not hope you'll continue to wallow in your addiction with them. Some friends will say they're helping when they're only feeding the problem. Beware! It is that well intentioned friend that can do the most damage. They are not like the ones who call you names for wanting to change and really let you know they're not interested in helping. Instead they say (and often think) they are helping. ex: I will show you that you can have just one or two drinks and stop. You'll be fine. I'll help you. That is deceptively destructive, and worst of all, they have the best intentions at heart. They don't mean to push you back off the cliff again, they just do.

But there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother that can facilitate change for you.

Now my first (and only) recommendation on life change is to accept Christ into your life (He's that friend). I have never seen anything work like that. He will change you from the inside out and He will provide instructions on your next step and the next and so on. Trying to change yourself just because you woke up with a really bad hangover is not the most effective way to change. That would be like a tiger waking up one day and deciding it wanted to be spotted instead of striped. Through the guidance and instruction of God's word and the Holy Spirit, you will know what is right and wrong. If you want to justify that something is right to yourself, after having Christ in your life, it's real easy; ask Him! He will let you know that what you're doing is right or wrong. JUST ASK HIM!

Now he gave us a wonderful collection of love letters to reveal to us who He is and what He views as acceptable and unacceptable so we would have some guidelines to function by. If you think your addiction is ok, ask Him, He'll let you know. And if you really want to change, ask Him, He'll come in to your life and make changes that you won't even be able to believe you were capable of.

So stop struggling alone! Give your life to God and let Him help you change......for good!

God I would like to thank You for tha changes You have facilitated in my life! I truly couldn't have done it without You and those You provided for me, to come alond side me. Thank You!