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Do You Matter? The Answer May Surprise You!

02/26/2012

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Feeling unappreciated? Are you discouraged about where you are in life? Does the rapid decline of America fill you with a sense of hopelessness?

Rude Awakening #14: Everyone feels this way now and then.
Remember Elijah? He was so discouraged he asked God to take is life – and this happened right after fire fell from heaven in answer to Elijah's prayer on mount Carmel! (1 Kings 18-19).

And let's not forget that Jesus called out from the cross, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (Matt. 27:46)

It's important to remember that these feelings will probably pass soon. But maybe we should take a look at why we're feeling this way. David wrote in Psalms 42:11 "Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.”

David reminded himself to hope in God! Our God is mighty, faithful and true. Nothing, and no one compares to him! His promises are real! He is worthy of our trust, and worthy of all of our hope. When we lose sight of his greatness, our problems look bigger than they really are.

How are things between us and God? Have we strayed from regular prayer and time alone with him in his word?

The times I'm most down and feeling that I don't matter, stem from a lack of praising God and time in prayer. I get so easily distracted, putting trivial things ahead of what's really important. Prayer takes a back seat, and soon I feel like I'm in the trunk next to the spare tire. That's a lousy place to be on this great road trip of life. Yuck!
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Don't Travel The Road of Life In The Trunk!
 A soul that continues this way could eventually lose all hope and become bitter. The list of spiritual and physical side effects that accompany bitterness would last longer than a prescription drug commercial. Let's not go there, shall we? Instead, let's hope in God!

Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. (1 Peter 5:6-7)

Sometimes we bring discouragement onto ourselves because we try to do everything our way, in our own strength, without seeking the Lord. It's easy to do. But let's consider this option instead...

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

“Do I matter?” we ask. We matter so much that Almighty God is willing and desirous to
  • exalt us in due time if we humble ourselves under his might hand;
  • take on our care for he careth for us;
  • and direct our paths if we'll trust in him with all our heart.
Jesus Christ didn't only come to earth to die on a cross for our sins. He came to give us life, and that more abundantly. Discouragement, disappointments, and even the end of the world are just part of this life. But let's keep things in perspective...

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)

Psalm 103 is one of my favorites. The first 14 verses are especially uplifting. As soon as you can read those verses out loud to yourself from the King James Version. You can't read that passage without feeling loved and appreciated.

You do matter! Your life does count! Encourage yourself in God today and RSVP to this great invitation personally addressed to each of us...

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (Matthew 11:28-30)

Thanks for sharing this with others!
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Which Bible?

09/13/2010

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 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    
The headlines today are alive with talk about people burning the Koran. Interesting that burning Bibles, removing Bibles, and forbidding Bibles has been going on for quite some time and for some reason it's not news. Apparently it's not a big deal that the foundation of our faith is regularly assaulted. Well, it's not just news; it's a battle. The longest running war on earth has been between the Word of God and Satan.

Remember the scene in the Garden of Eden? The serpent came to Eve in all of his subtlety and got her to question the Word of God. Then he lied to her and told her that she wouldn't die if she ate of the fruit of the tree in the midst of the Garden. The father of lies, lied. Imagine that! She ate, so did Adam, which introduced sin into the world and death that follows sin.

Is there anything Satan won't do to get us to disobey God? I doubt it. I believe he'll do all he's allowed to do. In these last days I believe he's working overtime because the coming of the Lord is near and his time is short.

I've found a repeated command in the scriptures that is pertinent to today. It's a theme throughout the Old and New Testaments. You can find several scriptures on this in the Bible studies here on the site. Here's one of them:

Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar. (Proverbs 30:5-6)

Throughout the scriptures, God commands us to not add to or take away from the scriptures. His word is pure. It is truth. If we change it, it is no longer perfect. If we compromise it, it is no longer God's word.

I grew up with King James Version. After reading the Bible through one year, I decided to go through it using a different version. I noticed slight differences here and there but didn't think much about it. After about three weeks into the new reading, I honestly felt like I was going through the motions of eating without getting fed spiritually. That's the only way I can describe it. I went back to the KJV and got fed again.

The usual claim I hear about different versions is that the newer ones are easier to read. They really say the same thing without the archaic “thees” and “thous.”

I bought that idea until I had Bible studies with people who used different versions. They were not necessarily easier to read and there were clear changes. Disturbing changes. Let me give you one example. Do you know what will happen to those who's names are not found in the Book of Life? It's a little different than a $5.00 fine. Here's the answer...

And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:15).  That's the KJV. Is that difficult to understand?

Now see this for yourself. Compare Rev. 22:19 in the KJV and in the NIV.

Is there a difference?  Is it a "little" difference?
I wrote earlier that I felt a difference using the King James Version. Some would argue back to me that I shouldn't use “feelings” to validate the KJV. Fair enough. Let me ask this: Has God made a real difference in your life? How have you explained that change to your friends?  Did you use a scientific instrument to verify that change or was there an unmistakable change in your heart and mind that became evident in your actions? 

I went back to the King James Version because of how I felt, and what I saw comparing versions. I've also sought God over and over about this. He's answered me time and again. Later, someone showed me a video about a college professor's six-year study into different versions. What Gail Riplinger has uncovered is at least interesting.  For me it was hair raising. I've included portions of interviews she's given to a Christian TV show below. They're short and worth a few minutes of your time.

If you're like me, you'll probably do some more online research about Gail Riplinger. Keep in mind that the internet is a great tool. But since anyone can write anything and post it, it can be as accurate as a bathroom wall. Gail has been highly praised and viciously persecuted. I don't agree with everything she presents, but I believe she does make a strong case. She didn't change my mind on using the KJV. Rather, she validated what God had already showed me. You'll obviously draw your own conclusions.

Have you Asked God about his Word? Do you think he has an opinion on the subject? Take the Bible studies and compare verses. Do you see additions and subtractions? According to the scriptures, how does God feel about that? Ask him. He'll answer!

Enjoy these older, but thought provoking videos...

Here are more videos on this series
Dr. Frank Logsdon, member of the translation committee for the New American Standard Version (NASB), has denounced his work on that Bible and urged all Christians to return to the Authorized Version, commonly known as the King James Bible. Says, "‘I'm In Trouble With The Lord."  Read More Here...

Please share your thoughts and pass this along to others!  Thanks!
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