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Monday, August 22, 2011

Just Believe!

Okay, here's the thing that we need to get straight.  GOD doesn't need our help in 'interpretting' HIS Word.  Whether it's the Old Testament, which by the way there are several books out that say just the opposite, we do need to read as a literal truth-filled work, or the New Testament, HE gave it to us with the assurance that we are complete [before HIM] if we'll use it.

'All Scripture is given by inspiration of GOD, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of GOD may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.'  (II Timothy 3:16-17    NKJV)

I can guarantee that this same piece of Scripture can be read in every translation or version, and it will still say the same thing, that the whole Bible is from GOD, and is necessary for the works HE calls us to. The other thing we read here, and this is an absolute truth, is that without HIS Scriptures in your life you aren't complete, or whole. Don't let this throw you, and don't make the all too common, and sometimes [spiritually] fatal mistake of trying to find some hidden meaning here. There is nothing not revealed in what HE is telling us here, that without knowledge of HIS Word, which is from HIM, we aren't complete before HIM.  HE tells us how we should present ourselves, what we should and shouldn't wear, what we should and shouldn't eat, how and how not to pray, how and how not to handle disputes with fellow Christians.  HE's got it all covered.  I get kind of bent out of shape when I find someone 'discovering' some new meaning for Scripture that's supposedly been hidden from man for the two thousand years or so since CHRIST walked the earth.  People are always popping up with some new interpretation, and now we're being told that we shouldn't read the Old Testament in a literal fashion.  Why not, that's how the LORD gave it to those HE inspired to write it.  HIS chosen people didn't have any trouble understanding it when it was given to them through the prophets. I'll promise you that when the Egyptian army saw the Red Sea closing in on them that they didn't stop to try to figure out the figurative meaning of all that water coming at them, they knew that they were done for, literally!

So what am I doing here today? What is the bottom line I'm headed towards? It's really pretty simple, and this is something I've told countless people, and I'll continue to tell anyone who'll listen.  READ YOUR BIBLES! If the Bible says that the Nile ran red with blood, then that is exactly what happened.  If the Bible says that Noah built a really big boat and then it rained for forty days, then that's exactly what happened. If the Bible says that after three days in the tomb CHRIST arose, then that is exactly what happened.  The Bible isn't something we can pick and choose from what to believe, it's an all or none deal.  We don't have the option to believe parts of it that we find believable and not believe other sections we find unbelievable.  Here is a point to spend some time with, HE knew that people would have a hard time with parts of HIS Word.  He also knew that people would find it difficult to understand why some people suffer and are ill.  When we're counseling someone on the suffering and illness issues, Scripture tells us that these things happen so that HIS sovereignty and authority and power and mercy can be not only seen, but claimed when HE heals and/or strengthens those afflicted.  What's so different about having our faith strengthened in regards to accepting every single word of Scripture as Gospel, literally? That's another part of man's relationship with GOD that is an all or none proposition, faith.  HE tells us that without faith there is no relationship between HIM and man.

'Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.'  (Hebrews 11:1    NKJV)

And,

'But without faith it is impossible to please HIM, for he who comes to GOD must believe that HE is, and that HE is a rewarder of those who diligently seek HIM.'  (Hebrews 11:6    NKJV)

Pay real close attention to what the LORD is telling us here, in a very literal manner. I said earlier that faith is an all or none issue for the Believer.  While this first verse is commonly understood to address our future with GOD in Heaven, it also talks about the here and now. When someone lays a petition before the LORD, and prays for something in particular, believing that HE'll grant their petition, and doing all of this strictly on the strength of what they believe, that's faith. The key thing to praying over a certain issue, whatever that issue may be, is to pray, or ask, that HIS Will be done.  This second verse is just about as literal as a person could ask, and there's no mistaking exactly what it's saying. 'Without faith it is impossible to pleas HIM,...'  How can anybody not understand that? I'll tell you how, and that's if it doesn't fit into their desires or plans to believe in HIM.  That's where those who claim to be atheists and agnostics are. 



Oh, one more thing, I know it's been awhile since I mentioned it, but Yeah, I'm A Believer!

Be Blessed brothers and sisters!
Terry

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