The Word Preserved

"The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O Lord, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever." - Psalms 12:6-7

The beauty of the Bible is its timelessness. When we read the Word of God yesterday, then again today, then again in the future - it is still the same. Unchanging. Eternal. God promised that He would preserve His Word forever. 2000 years ago the Word was applicable, and today it is still applicable. It is our guide, our mirror, one of our connections with our Almighty and Powerful God of all the Ages. How incredible is it to hold the Bible in your hand, and to know these are God's very words for us?

I struggle sometimes when people read the Bible and say "Well you have to consider that the culture at the time of this letter from Paul was quite different to now, so what was said then is not applicable to us today." Or when people say "Well the Greek word used here actually means this or that. So the verse doesn't mean what it seems to mean."

Does that mean I have to be an Anthropologist or a Greek scholar in order to understand the Word that God gave to all generations? God's hand was in the translation of the Bible from Greek to English and every other language. He orchestrated it so that we could have the Preserved Word of God forever, no matter how educated or uneducated, mature or immature, young or old we are. God promised His Word would be preserved. He would not try to confuse us with cultural differences or historical accuracy. His Word was written for everyone of every generation. He is not a God of confusion, but He has gifted us with a sound mind. I will keep coming back to that because it is so important to understand that we do not have to be Theologians to understand what God is saying to us. If He had wanted the Greek to be translated differently, wouldn't He have orchestrated it so that happened?  If the Bible was only relevant to a specific historical culture, why do we have it now?

I read the Bible and I feel connected to God. I learn something new every time I open the pages. They convict me, encourage me, educate and equip me. God's Word is a blessing to all generations, ALL generations. The church has lost its passion for the very one who established us. Jesus IS the Word of God (John 1). He is the reason that we gather and worship God. He is the reason we can have eternal assurance.

Next time you read the Bible, sure look up the Greek words. Sure study the cultural significance - but remember one thing. God's Word is preserved. When you read it, read it as if it was written specifically to you, because it was. God wants you to hear Him and learn about everything through Him.

"Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." - Psalm 119:105

Crucified with Christ

"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." - Galatians 2:20

What does it mean to be crucified with Christ? The verse above is so pivotal in the life of a Christian. When we decide to follow Christ, we literally let go of who we were and allow Him to shape us and form us into His image. This doesn't mean that we lose our identity and our uniqueness, but it does mean that we are shedding the skin of the past and becoming a new creation. How exciting to know that Jesus wants to change us into His image? He wants to present us blameless before the Father. This is why He GAVE HIS LIFE. He died, and took on all the punishment of the past, present and future. He suffered and was cut of from the Father - all because of His endless love for us.

I gave my life to Christ in August, 2012. Since then He has been shaping and molding me into His image. It was scary, letting go of my past and it didn't happen all at once. It took months of reestablishing my faith, searching for answers and reaching out to God and begging Him to change me. It hurt. The truth hurts. I used the Word of God as a mirror and I was horrified to see who I had become, what I had become. Then the cleansing power of the Word began to transform me. Slowly, my wounds began to heal.

The scars remain. I remember where I was, I remember how I felt, but that all serves to remind me how merciful Jesus is.

This blog has existed for two years now, but I have started it afresh. It is time to move forward and see where God takes me. I am not the only pilgrim making this journey to giving myself wholly and completely to God. I invite you to join me as I move on and take the path that lies ahead. It will not be easy, but I know that God will reveal Himself more and more as I spend more time with Him and dig in to His Word.

I am confident that Jesus will complete the work He has begun in me [Philippians 1:6] and the Journey will be beautiful, despite the tough times that will come.