February 18, 2008

As in Part One, let me acknowledge that these articles are not written to attack any denomination, church, association, special group or any individual. It is simply trying to equip us as believers so that we are not a stumbling block to the lost or new believers. Too often I see church visitors (lost & saved) leave & not come back to any church because of all the stumbling blocks we place before them. GOD says in Isaiah 57:14, ?And shall say, cast ye up, cast ye up, prepare the way, take up the stumbling block out of the way of My people.? Other translations say remove the ?obstacles?. It is our job as ministers of the Gospel to direct people to the strait & narrow path, (Matt. 7:14) to direct them from bondage to freedom & peace in JESUS CHRIST. But you say that you are not a minister? Well, according to II Cor. 5:18-20, if you are born of CHRIST you most certainly are. The Gospel is the light unto our path so that we can remove all stumbling blocks, not lay them out. So please, as you read this, try to understand, my goal is to equip you with light so that souls can be removed from the lies & darkness of this world.

Now, I know that this is probably the most tender area other than denomination that a person could travel, but it must be said. We make the Bible a stumbling block to many people. That?s right, the Bible. How is this possible? Simple. There are many who claim to use the King James 1611 Bible only. NOW, that is great, I have no problem with that. No one ever told me about JESUS & once I started reading my KJV that is where I found JESUS, not from man, from GODS word in a KJV Bible. So you see, I love my KJV & use it daily. But when we ?order? people that they must use the KJV or not come to this church we become a major stumbling block, & yes this happens today. There are many who claim with anger that the KJV is the only Bible endorsed by GOD. I simply ask, show me the KJV that GOD signed. No takers yet. Then we teach & preach that the 1611 KJV was the first & original English Bible written. Wrong again. It was originally written in 1609, but it has so many mistakes they had to re-do it until they came out with the 1611. And if some one says that they are using an original 1611, ask to see it. All the numbers will be Roman numeral & the text is hard core English that is barely readable by American, it is Old English. What we most have are re-makes of the 1611 which has been transcribed by man to read easier. Now, the first English Bible truly written was the Geneva Bible that was written in 1599 & was also the Bible of choice for the settlers that came to start this wonderful country we call the USA. According to translation studies, they say that the Geneva Bible is a closer translated Bible than the KJV we use today. But it doesn?t stop there. Many people say that all other translations are completely wrong. Like denominations, what does the Bible, 1611 or 1599 or the 2008 translations say in II Timothy 3:16-17 say; ?ALL SCRIPTURE is inspired by GOD & profitable for teaching, for re-proof, for correction, for training in righteousness, so that the man of GOD may be adequate & equipped for every good work.? What were the first two words, ALL SCRIPTURE, not a specific brand of Bible. GODS? word is GODS word regardless what title you place on the book. Now, I must say that there are some translations made that are pointed toward certain groups of people that are not GOD lead. I do not mean the so called bibles written where man has changed GODS word to his word for a certain group or religious order like the book of Mormons & others. I am talking about the SCRIPTURE of GOD that is translated but easier reading & better understanding. Young believers & children have a hard time reading the KJV. We encourage our daughter to always use her KJV with her many other translations. That is what I recommend for everyone. Get you a good KJV study Bible & research other translations to find some that read easier to you. Compare verses from your KJV to the same verse in the other translation & see how they speak. Born again believers have a discerning spirit that will tell them when a translation is not for them & always pray about it before you purchase any Bible. But don?t condemn others when they ask about a translation. Help them find a good Bible that they can read easy. Encourage them to read it daily & pray for guidance from the HOLY SPIRIT for understanding. GODS? word is truth & convicting. But our opinion is not always the truth & then it becomes a stumbling block. Remember, our job to set the highways clear of obstacles. The more we teach others to read & study their Bible, the closer to GOD they will get & every Bible will speak to their souls, regardless of the title. Only GODS? word will set people free from their burdens. May this bless you so that you may be a blessing to others.

Seek ye first the Kingdom of GOD & HIS righteousness. REMEMBER, GOD LOVES YOU & JESUS IS LORD.