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Hey folks, if you have been with us here at TAG, {The Truth According to God} for the past 50 weeks, congratulations, you just read through the entire book of Genesis. That's right, we wrapped up Genesis last week.
Some people find it truly difficult, and some see it as nearly impossible, to read through The Word of God. They struggle to stay on target and find themselves falling away and failing to complete what they start out wanting to do so badly. There are a few reasons for this.
1 - The Word of God is not natural. It is supernatural. It is alive. It is real and ever working in this world and in people's lives.
"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16-17
We are natural and we crave the things of the flesh, which is opposite of, and even opposed to, the things of God. Sometimes we pick up the Bible and try to read it with our carnal minds. This is a problem.
3 - Offensive content
To elaborate a bit more on the last topic, you may become offended at something you read in The Word. Abortion is murder. Psalm 139:13-18, Exodus 21:22-25, Homosexuality is sin, Leviticus 18:22, Leviticus 20:13, Ezekiel 16:48-51, {Think America} Romans 1: 18-32. Jesus IS the only way to Heaven? John 14:6, Matthew 7:21–27, John 6:63, He promised that those who believe in Him will have Eternal Life John 3:14–15. He is the gate of the sheep John 10:7; The Bread of Life John 6:35; and the Resurrection John 11:25.
It really is simple. It is in the Book. If The Bible tells you it is a sin. It is a sin. It does not matter one iota what you may think about it. What a man says about it. What even the courts say about it. It does not matter what world leaders, the news, or famous people say about it. If the world chooses to ignore The Word of God, it doesn't change sin to good. Rather it heaps up the punishment that will eventually come. If you become offended at something you read, pray about it. Ask God why. Seriously look in the mirror. God is always right and just. His Word is always right and just.
4 - Compassion for others.
Wait. What? Yup. Having a false sense of compassion for others can stop you from reading God's Word. Why? See above. I believe in God. I even believe in Jesus. However, my mother believes in Buddha and my best friend is gay and believes in a loving God where all are welcome and encouraged to just be themselves. There is nothing wrong with that in my eyes. Or you may have something in your past or know someone that you know the Bible will talk against. Well, I just do not believe that this or that is really sinning. I'm just going to live my life and let God sort it out in the end. That is simply judging the Bible based on what others have told you.
In today's society, Jesus would have detractors on every side. Pretty much like He did then. Jesus does not measure compassion in a merely temporal, circumstantial way. His measure of compassion is eternal and transcendent. His goal, His mission, and His compassion are rooted in something deeper than a feeling. It is based on holiness and goodness. Absolute righteousness. Try reading it for yourself and ask God to put it in the proper context and help you to understand. It will change your life.
Book of Mark
We will be diving into the book of Mark starting next week. We will see how Mark has a unique perspective and his way of teaching us who Jesus really is. Join us for the next 16 weeks and let's read the book of Mark together. One chapter a week. That's it. That's all. Not too tough if you choose you really want to do it. Remember, pray. Ask God to show you what He wants you to see as we go through Mark together. You will have a better understanding of who Jesus really is by the end. Trust me on that one.
Until next time. Be blessed, be a blessing, and Jesus IS Lord!
"For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God." Romans 8:5-8When you pick up this book {Holding up the Bible} you should pray about it. Ask God to give you eyes to see, and a spirit to receive His word. Ask Him to give you the Holy Spirit to interpret and to understand what His word is telling you. The word declares that God is willing to give wisdom and understanding to those who ask Him.
"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him." James 1:52 - The Cares for this world.
“Hear then the parable of the sower: When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path. As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, yet he has no root in himself but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.” Matthew 13:18-23Again, when you read God's word, you should pray to Him and ask for guidance and even time to do so. Set a routine. Get up an hour earlier. Go to bed an hour later. Skip that TV show. Miss that next newscast. Make it a priority to read God's Word, ask for His guidance for your understanding, and never forget that God's Word is absolute and just. Therefore, if it says something that offends you, or goes against what the world says, it is true. The world is wrong. It IS just that simple.
3 - Offensive content
To elaborate a bit more on the last topic, you may become offended at something you read in The Word. Abortion is murder. Psalm 139:13-18, Exodus 21:22-25, Homosexuality is sin, Leviticus 18:22, Leviticus 20:13, Ezekiel 16:48-51, {Think America} Romans 1: 18-32. Jesus IS the only way to Heaven? John 14:6, Matthew 7:21–27, John 6:63, He promised that those who believe in Him will have Eternal Life John 3:14–15. He is the gate of the sheep John 10:7; The Bread of Life John 6:35; and the Resurrection John 11:25.
It really is simple. It is in the Book. If The Bible tells you it is a sin. It is a sin. It does not matter one iota what you may think about it. What a man says about it. What even the courts say about it. It does not matter what world leaders, the news, or famous people say about it. If the world chooses to ignore The Word of God, it doesn't change sin to good. Rather it heaps up the punishment that will eventually come. If you become offended at something you read, pray about it. Ask God why. Seriously look in the mirror. God is always right and just. His Word is always right and just.
4 - Compassion for others.
Wait. What? Yup. Having a false sense of compassion for others can stop you from reading God's Word. Why? See above. I believe in God. I even believe in Jesus. However, my mother believes in Buddha and my best friend is gay and believes in a loving God where all are welcome and encouraged to just be themselves. There is nothing wrong with that in my eyes. Or you may have something in your past or know someone that you know the Bible will talk against. Well, I just do not believe that this or that is really sinning. I'm just going to live my life and let God sort it out in the end. That is simply judging the Bible based on what others have told you.
In today's society, Jesus would have detractors on every side. Pretty much like He did then. Jesus does not measure compassion in a merely temporal, circumstantial way. His measure of compassion is eternal and transcendent. His goal, His mission, and His compassion are rooted in something deeper than a feeling. It is based on holiness and goodness. Absolute righteousness. Try reading it for yourself and ask God to put it in the proper context and help you to understand. It will change your life.
Book of Mark
We will be diving into the book of Mark starting next week. We will see how Mark has a unique perspective and his way of teaching us who Jesus really is. Join us for the next 16 weeks and let's read the book of Mark together. One chapter a week. That's it. That's all. Not too tough if you choose you really want to do it. Remember, pray. Ask God to show you what He wants you to see as we go through Mark together. You will have a better understanding of who Jesus really is by the end. Trust me on that one.
Until next time. Be blessed, be a blessing, and Jesus IS Lord!
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