February 2, 2015

From Gary.... One

Misleading messages

False Messages

True messages

Inspiring messages

Fact: we live in a world of media overflow. Each and EVERY day we are bombarded with information, MORE information and EXCESS INFORMATION. From information in newsprint to television to computers and smartphones, we are constantly being given messages. A few of those messages are really important, but most are not. Most are misleading or just plain wrong, but a few are true and genuinely worthwhile. And only a select few of them are inspiring. It is to this last "category" that I would like to address my thoughts today. Jesus said...

Matthew, Chapter 7

13 “Enter in by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter in by it. 14 How narrow is the gate, and restricted is the way that leads to life! Few are those who find it.

John, Chapter 14

6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me.

Like it or not, those who own the media DO NOT have a godly agenda. Just the opposite. And their efforts are bearing fruit. Think, just think of the content of the vast majority of TV programs (to take just one medium of that is available). Godlessness has become the norm since the 1960's and the effect is a degradation of the basic structure of society.

Then there is the age-old message of Jesus; HE says that HE is the way, the truth and the life. Most people will just not get this, but it is true. And the thing is- eternal life depends upon what you do with these words.

Be inspired, be motivated, to be that one person who will listen to Jesus and follow the teachings found in the Bible. Follow Jesus- live!!!

From Gary... Bible Reading February 2

Bible Reading

February 2

The World English Bible

Feb. 2

Genesis 33

Gen 33:1 Jacob lifted up his eyes, and looked, and, behold, Esau was coming, and with him four hundred men. He divided the children between Leah, Rachel, and the two handmaids.

Gen 33:2 He put the handmaids and their children in front, Leah and her children after, and Rachel and Joseph at the rear.

Gen 33:3 He himself passed over in front of them, and bowed himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother.

Gen 33:4 Esau ran to meet him, embraced him, fell on his neck, kissed him, and they wept.

Gen 33:5 He lifted up his eyes, and saw the women and the children; and said, "Who are these with you?" He said, "The children whom God has graciously given your servant."

Gen 33:6 Then the handmaids came near with their children, and they bowed themselves.

Gen 33:7 Leah also and her children came near, and bowed themselves. After them, Joseph came near with Rachel, and they bowed themselves.

Gen 33:8 Esau said, "What do you mean by all this company which I met?" Jacob said, "To find favor in the sight of my lord."

Gen 33:9 Esau said, "I have enough, my brother; let that which you have be yours."

Gen 33:10 Jacob said, "Please, no, if I have now found favor in your sight, then receive my present at my hand, because I have seen your face, as one sees the face of God, and you were pleased with me.

Gen 33:11 Please take the gift that I brought to you, because God has dealt graciously with me, and because I have enough." He urged him, and he took it.

Gen 33:12 Esau said, "Let us take our journey, and let us go, and I will go before you."

Gen 33:13 Jacob said to him, "My lord knows that the children are tender, and that the flocks and herds with me have their young, and if they overdrive them one day, all the flocks will die.

Gen 33:14 Please let my lord pass over before his servant, and I will lead on gently, according to the pace of the livestock that are before me and according to the pace of the children, until I come to my lord to Seir."

Gen 33:15 Esau said, "Let me now leave with you some of the folk who are with me." He said, "Why? Let me find favor in the sight of my lord."

Gen 33:16 So Esau returned that day on his way to Seir.

Gen 33:17 Jacob traveled to Succoth, built himself a house, and made shelters for his livestock. Therefore the name of the place is called Succoth.

Gen 33:18 Jacob came in peace to the city of Shechem, which is in the land of Canaan, when he came from Paddan Aram; and encamped before the city.

Gen 33:19 He bought the parcel of ground where he had spread his tent, at the hand of the children of Hamor, Shechem's father, for one hundred pieces of money.

Gen 33:20 He erected an altar there, and called it El Elohe Israel.

Feb. 1, 2, 3

Matthew 17

Mat 17:1 After six days, Jesus took with him Peter, James, and John his brother, and brought them up into a high mountain by themselves.

Mat 17:2 He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his garments became as white as the light.

Mat 17:3 Behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them talking with him.

Mat 17:4 Peter answered, and said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you want, let's make three tents here: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah."

Mat 17:5 While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them. Behold, a voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to him."

Mat 17:6 When the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces, and were very afraid.

Mat 17:7 Jesus came and touched them and said, "Get up, and don't be afraid."

Mat 17:8 Lifting up their eyes, they saw no one, except Jesus alone.

Mat 17:9 As they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, "Don't tell anyone what you saw, until the Son of Man has risen from the dead."

Mat 17:10 His disciples asked him, saying, "Then why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?"

Mat 17:11 Jesus answered them, "Elijah indeed comes first, and will restore all things,

Mat 17:12 but I tell you that Elijah has come already, and they didn't recognize him, but did to him whatever they wanted to. Even so the Son of Man will also suffer by them."

Mat 17:13 Then the disciples understood that he spoke to them of John the Baptizer.

Mat 17:14 When they came to the multitude, a man came to him, kneeling down to him, saying,

Mat 17:15 "Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is epileptic, and suffers grievously; for he often falls into the fire, and often into the water.

Mat 17:16 So I brought him to your disciples, and they could not cure him."

Mat 17:17 Jesus answered, "Faithless and perverse generation! How long will I be with you? How long will I bear with you? Bring him here to me."

Mat 17:18 Jesus rebuked him, the demon went out of him, and the boy was cured from that hour.

Mat 17:19 Then the disciples came to Jesus privately, and said, "Why weren't we able to cast it out?"

Mat 17:20 He said to them, "Because of your unbelief. For most certainly I tell you, if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you will tell this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.

Mat 17:21 But this kind doesn't go out except by prayer and fasting."

Mat 17:22 While they were staying in Galilee, Jesus said to them, "The Son of Man is about to be delivered up into the hands of men,

Mat 17:23 and they will kill him, and the third day he will be raised up." They were exceedingly sorry.

Mat 17:24 When they had come to Capernaum, those who collected the didrachma coins came to Peter, and said, "Doesn't your teacher pay the didrachma?"

Mat 17:25 He said, "Yes." When he came into the house, Jesus anticipated him, saying, "What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth receive toll or tribute? From their children, or from strangers?"

Mat 17:26 Peter said to him, "From strangers." Jesus said to him, "Therefore the children are exempt.

Mat 17:27 But, lest we cause them to stumble, go to the sea, cast a hook, and take up the first fish that comes up. When you have opened its mouth, you will find a stater coin. Take that, and give it to them for me and you."

From Mark Copeland... The Crucifixion Of Jesus (Mark 15:21-32)

                          "THE GOSPEL OF MARK"

                  The Crucifixion Of Jesus (15:21-32)

INTRODUCTION

1. Thus far in Mark’s account of the passion of Christ, we have seen...
   a. The agonizing prayer in the garden of Gethsemane - Mk 14:32-42
   b. The betrayal of Judas and arrest in the garden - Mk 14:43-50
   c. The beating and mocking at Caiaphas’ house - Mk 14:65
   d. The denial by Peter - Mk 14:66-72
   e. The scourging, beating, and mocking by Roman soldiers

- Mk 15:15-20

2. By this time Jesus would have been physically exhausted...
a. Awake for more than 24 hours
b. Suffering from the beatings and scourging already inflicted

[But the worse was yet to come; condemned to death by crucifixion, the
Roman soldiers led him to the place where He would be crucified (Mk
15:20). With the aid of Mark’s text, let us follow Him...]

I. LEADING TO THE CRUCIFIXION

A. SIMON COMPELLED TO BEAR HIS CROSS...
1. Jesus started out bearing His cross - cf. Jn 19:17
a. Likely the wooden crosspiece (patibulum), weighing 30-40
pounds
b. But it proved too much for Him
2. Simon of Cyrene compelled to bear it for Him - Mk 15:21
a. Mark identifies him as the father of Alexander and Rufus
b. The latter possibly known to the church in Rome - cf. Ro 16:13

B. BROUGHT TO GOLGOTHA...
1. A place near (outside) the city - cf. Jn 19:20
2. Golgotha a modified transliteration of the Aramaic word for
"skull" - Mk 15:22
3. Calvary comes from the Latin word for "skull" - cf. Lk 23:33

C. WINE AND MYRRH OFFERED BUT REFUSED...
1. A narcotic drink was sometimes offered to criminals to deaden
the pain of crucifixion
2. Jesus was offered such a drink, but refused - Mk 15:23
3. Perhaps choosing to experience the ordeal of crucifixion with
His full senses

[Next we read of...]

II. THE CRUCIFIXION OF JESUS

A. AS DESCRIBED BY MARK...
1. "They crucified Him" - Mk 15:24,25
2. Amazingly restrained, as are the other gospel writers! - Mt 27:35; Lk 23:33; Jn 19:18
3. Especially when it was "the cruelest and most hideous
punishment possible" - Cicero

B. AS DESCRIBED BY A DOCTOR...
1. Simon is ordered to place the cross beam on the ground, and
Jesus is quickly thrown backwards with His shoulders against
the wood. The legionnaire feels for the depression at the front
of the wrist. He drives the heavy, square, wrought-iron nail
through the wrist and deep into the wood. Quickly, he moves to
the other side and repeats the action, being careful not to
pull the arms too tightly, but to allow some flexion and
movement. The cross beam is then lifted in place at the top of
the vertical beam The left foot is pressed backward against
the right foot, and with both feet extended, toes down, a nail
is driven through the arch of each, leaving the knees
moderately flexed. The Victim is now crucified. As He slowly
sags down with more weight on the nails and the wrists,
excruciating, fiery pain shoots along the fingers and up the
arms to explode in the brain--the nails in the wrists are
putting pressure on the median nerves.
2. As he pushes Himself upward to avoid this stretching torment,
He places His full weight on the nail through His feet. Again
there is searing agony of the nail tearing through the nerves
between the metatarsal bones of the feet. At this point,
another phenomenon occurs. As the arms fatigue, great waves of
cramps sweep over the muscles, knotting them in deep,
relentless throbbing pain. With these cramps comes the
inability to push Himself upward. Air can be drawn into the
lungs, but cannot be exhaled. Jesus fights to raise Himself in
order to get even one small breath. Finally carbon dioxide
builds up in the lungs and in the blood stream and the cramps
partially subside. Spasmodically He is able to push Himself
upward to exhale and bring in the life-giving oxygen.
3. Hours of this limitless pain, cycles of twisting, joint-rending
cramps, intermittent partial asphyxiation, searing pain as
tissue is torn from His lacerated back as He moves up and down
against the rough timber. Then another agony begins. A deep
crushing pain deep in the chest as the pericardium slowly fills
with serum and begins to compress the heart. It is now almost
over--the loss of tissue fluids has reached a critical level--
the compressed heart is struggling to pump heavy, thick,
sluggish blood into the tissues--the tortured lungs are making
a frantic effort to gasp in small gulps of air. The body of
Jesus is now in extremis, and He can feel the chill of death
creeping through His tissues His mission of atonement has been
completed. Finally He can allow His body to die. - C. Truman
Davis, "The Crucifixion of Jesus. The Passion of Christ from a
Medical Point of View," Arizona Medicine 22, no. 3 March 1965:
186-87, as quoted in The Expositor's Bible Commentary Vol. 8,
ed. by Frank Gaebelein ([1984] pp. 779-80.

[Even the doctor’s description cannot adequately express what suffering
Jesus endured on the cross for our sins. Before we close, let’s
summarize what else is revealed surrounding the crucifixion...]

III. SUMMARY OF OTHER DETAILS

A. THE GARMENTS...
1. When they crucified Him, they divided His garments, casting
lots - Mk 15:24
2. As foretold by David - Ps 22:18

B. THE TIME...
1. Mark says it was the "third hour" - Mk 15:25
2. This would be 9am in the morning

C. THE INSCRIPTION...
1. Pilate had the charge or accusation made against Jesus posted
on the cross
2. It was written in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin - Jn 19:20
3. Each of the gospel writers record the inscription slightly
different
a. Mark: "The King of the Jews" - Mk 15:26
b. Matthew: "This is Jesus the King of the Jews" - Mt 27:37
c. Luke: "This is the King of the Jews" - Lk 23:38
d. John: "Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews" - Jn 19:20
4. Reconciling the apparent discrepancy
a. The full inscription may have been "This is Jesus of
Nazareth the King of the Jews"
b. Written in three languages, it may have been abbreviated,
and each gospel writer simply chose that which reflected
his purpose in his gospel

D. THE TWO THIEVES...
1. Two robbers were crucified with Jesus - Mk 15:27-28
2. Possibly co-insurrectionists with Barabbas who had been
released

E. THE BLASPHEMY AND MOCKERY...
1. Those who passed by, with the false charge made against him -
Mk 15:29; 14:57-58
2. The chief priests and scribes, taunting Jesus to make them
believe - Mk 15:31-32
3. Even the two thieves, though one later recanted - Mk 15:32; cf.
Lk 23:39-43

CONCLUSION

1. Thus begins the six hours that will result in the death of Jesus...
a. An excruciating death in of itself
b. Made worse by the beatings and scourging, the mocking before and
during

2. What can we learn from this terrible event...?
a. The terribleness of the guilt of sin - Ro 3:23; 6:23
b. The greatness of God's love for man - Ro 5:6-9; 1Jn 4:9-10
c. The inspiration of Jesus' sacrifice - 1Pe 2:21-25

In our next lesson, we shall consider Jesus’ death and burial that
followed this terrible crucifixion. But as you reflect on what Jesus’
endured, have you considered what you should do...? - cf. Ac 2:36-41

"Radical" Distortion of the Scriptures by Caleb Colley, Ph.D.

http://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=11&article=1319

"Radical" Distortion of the Scriptures

by	Caleb Colley, Ph.D.

The As Good As New version of the Bible, translated by former Baptist minister John Henson, and subtitled “A Radical Retelling of the Scriptures,” was released in June 2004 by an English group of self-confessed radicals who call themselves “One.” As Good As New might have gone largely unnoticed by the religious community, had England’s archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Rowan Williams (the leader of the Anglican church) not given the translation his enthusiastic stamp of approval (see “New Bible Translation...,” 2004). A press release from “Ekklesia,” a London-based theological think tank that supports the “One” translation, revealed the following:

The translation by John Henson from the organization “One” aims at a “new, fresh and adventurous” translation of the early Christian scriptures. It is designed both for mature Christians and for those who have limited experience of traditional Christianity or “may have found it a barrier to an appreciation of Jesus” (“The One Translation,” 2004).

However, it is apparent that Henson’s focus was not on giving his readers an accurate translation, but on making his radical readers feel comfortable, even if it compromises the real meaning of the Scriptures. One retailer wrote of As Good As New:

It also follows the cultural translation, where for instance “demon possession” becomes what it is as understood today, “mental illness.” It follows “contextual translation,” following the sense over longer sections. It is also “inclusive,” following the principles which Jesus adopted in relation to his culture. It is women, gay, and sinner friendly. Other radical departures reflect the need to demythologize in order to translate adequately into our own culture. For instance “Kingdom of God” thus becomes “God’s New World” (“A Radical and Readable...,” 2004).

The archbishop has praised Henson for replacing “the stale, the technical, the unconsciously exclusive words and policies” of the Bible, with modern phrasing (not to mention modern teachings, which differ from the plain teaching of the original Bible authors) [“New Bible Translation...,” 2004]. Few have a problem with those who merely want the Bible to be understandable (though it certainly is understandable in more traditional versions), but after considering the lengths to which Henson went to morph the Bible into something he considers “readable,” reasonable readers will reject it. Keep in mind that a “community” of random religionists, who happened to take interest in Henson’s translation process, provided contributions to this work. Apparently, the group of contributors in translation was not composed strictly of Greek or Hebrew scholars, but of “whoever” happened to contribute.

Henson and company have not given readers merely an English “translation” from the original Bible languages. (As Good As New is a translation only in the sense that “One” calls it a translation. Henson did not seem concerned about the actual original words themselves [see “The One Translation,” 2004], but only the “sense” of various collections of those words, so “paraphrase” would better describe what “One” has produced.) In short, Henson has attempted to rewrite the Bible.

For example, in an attempt to include only what “One” deems to be “the selection of books which were held in the highest esteem by the early Church in the first two centuries,” the book of Revelation has been excluded, and has been replaced by the apocryphal Gospel of Thomas (“A Radical and Readable...”, 2004). In their efforts to eliminate all “big words” from scripture, this vaguely defined group of translators has given modern nicknames to many of the Bible’s characters. For example, the apostle Peter is “Rocky,” Mary Magdalene is “Maggie,” John the Baptizer is “John the Dipper,” Aaron’s name is shortened to “Ron,” and Nicodemus becomes, simply, “Nick.”

“One” has subverted plain Bible texts in order to make the Gospel more politically correct. According to London Times religious correspondent Ruth Gledhill, “Instead of condemning fornicators, adulterers, and ‘abusers of themselves with mankind’ [as Paul did, through inspiration, when he wrote 1 Corinthians 6:9—CC], the new version of Paul’s first letter to Corinth has Paul advising Christians not to go without sex for too long, in case they get ‘frustrated’ ” (as quoted in “New Bible Translation...,” 2004). Instead of properly translating Paul’s command (recorded in 1 Corinthians 7:1-2) that, to avoid fornication, every man should have his own wife, and every woman should have her own husband, As Good As New has Paul writing: “My advice is for everyone to have a regular partner” (quoted in “New Bible Translation,” 2004).

The perversion does not stop there. “Heaven” becomes, in the new translation, “a world without time and space.” “Parables” are called “riddles.” In an effort to find favor with women, the contributors to As Good As New chose to render “Son of Man,” a title Jesus often called Himself, as “The Complete Person,” and “Father,” one of God’s scriptural titles, as “All Loving God.” Also in order to please women, Jesus is not called the “Son of God,” but rather “God’s Likeness.”

Such perversion is what one might expect from an organization that lists in its top five priorities, not to teach or defend the truth, but to “challenge oppression, injustice, exclusion and discrimination,” to “accept one another, valuing their diversity and experience” (“Who We Are,” 2003). Members of “One” commit themselves to accepting one another “in Christ,” to “support actively those doing Christ’s workinside or outside this institutional church,” and to combating “poverty, racism, and oppression through social and political action” (“Who We Are,” 2003, emp. added). One does not have to examine much of the “One’s” published material before he realizes that the primary purpose of the group is not to teach people how to be saved, but rather to push a leftist agenda down the throats of religious people. For “One,” a major step toward accomplishing that purpose would be widespread acceptance of As Good As New.

Accordingly, archbishop Williams hopes the new translation will spread “in epidemic profusion through religious and irreligious alike.” However, reasonable people will realize what As Good As New is: a twisted perversion of the Holy Scriptures. Henson, Williams, and the members of “One” and “Ekklesia” should fear for their souls, because they not only are teaching things that are contrary to plain Bible teaching (even though they do so by attempting to deceive people into thinking just the opposite), but also promoting exactly what the inspired apostle John forbade: “For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him he plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book” (Revelation 22:18-19).

The truth is that we can know, without a doubt, what books belong in the Bible (see A.P. Staff, 2003) and that the Bible is understandable. Because of the work of respected Greek and Hebrew scholars, we can understand, in English, just what God wants us to know. For example, the King James Version is on a 12^th grade reading level, the New American Standard Bible is on a 10^th or 11^th grade level, and the New King James Version on an 8^th or 9^th grade level (“English Bible Translation...,” 2004; “Reading Levels of Various...,” n.d.). Religious people do not need a dangerous distortion of the Bible in order to overcome a perceived problem in comprehending the Gospel. People have been reading, understanding, and obeying the Bible for almost 2,000 years, with no help from John Henson or his makeshift group of translators.

REFERENCES

“A Radical and Readable New Translation” (2004), John Hunt Publications, [On-line], URL: http://www.o-books.net/goodasnew.htm.

“English Bible Translation Comparison” (2004), International Bible Society, [On-line], URL: http://www.gospelcom.net/ibs/bibles/translations/index.php.

“New Bible Translation Promotes Fornication” (2004), [On-line], URL: http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=39114.

“Reading Levels of Various Bible Translations,” (n.d.), [On-line], URL: http://www.bridgebuilders.4mg.com/bibles_reading_levels.htm.

A.P. Staff (2003), “The Canon and Non-Canonical Writings,” [On-line], URL:http://www.apologeticspress.org/articles/1972.

“The One Translation” (2004), [On-line], URL: http://one.gn.apc.org/Translation.htm.

“Who We Are” (2004), The “One” Council, [On-line], URL: http://one.gn.apc.org/whoweare.htm.

From Jim McGuiggan... THE SIN HATER

THE SIN HATER

Jesus does more than hate Sin; he does more than condemn it; he does more that preach and teach against it; he does more than live utterly free from it; he does more than travel around, rallying people to a constant renunciation of it and to an unrelenting and gallant war against it--He FORGIVES it! He wipes it away, he drags it to the cross, climbs up on to it and nails it there, twitching, jerking, screeching and dying; he leaves it there without reprieve until it is forever dead!

Tell me why he hates it so? Why do he and his Holy Father refuse to allow it to live?

Well?

Many thanks to brother Ed Healy, for allowing me to post from his website, theabidingword.com.