The Living Bible

Have you read from the living bible lately? Oh I know, some don’t believe in reading any other bible but the JKV. Two verses from the writing of Paul got my attention today. He writes about what may be the most important translation of all. I call it the life translation. It is the one translation people read when they don’t know they are reading. It is not confined to a drawer in a motel room. It is not bound in leather. It is not a red letter edition. It can’t be banned from a public building or a secular school. It can look very ordinary or it can be beautiful. I read this bible before I could read and it greatly impacted my life. You too have been influenced by this bible. Just listen to what Paul says, You are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read by all men; clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart. 2Co 3:2-3. An “epistle of Christ,” now that is something to think about. When people read from my life, I pray they are drawn to Jesus. jfs

Rest

Today, I shall rest in God's completed work. "It is finished"

Heb 4:9 There remains therefore a rest for the people of God.

Psalm 36:9

For with You is the fountain of life; In Your light we see light.

Psalm 66

Make a joyful shout to God, all the earth!
Sing out the honor of His name; Make His praise glorious.
Say to God, "How awesome are Your works! Through the greatness of Your power Your enemies shall submit themselves to You.
All the earth shall worship You And sing praises to You; They shall sing praises to Your name." Selah
Come and see the works of God; He is awesome in His doing toward the sons of men.
He turned the sea into dry land; They went through the river on foot. There we will rejoice in Him.
He rules by His power forever; His eyes observe the nations; Do not let the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah
Oh, bless our God, you peoples! And make the voice of His praise to be heard,
Who keeps our soul among the living, And does not allow our feet to be moved.
0 For You, O God, have tested us; You have refined us as silver is refined.
You brought us into the net; You laid affliction on our backs.
You have caused men to ride over our heads; We went through fire and through water; But You brought us out to rich fulfillment.
I will go into Your house with burnt offerings; I will pay You my vows,
Which my lips have uttered And my mouth has spoken when I was in trouble.
I will offer You burnt sacrifices of fat animals, With the sweet aroma of rams; I will offer bulls with goats. Selah
Come and hear, all you who fear God, And I will declare what He has done for my soul.
I cried to Him with my mouth, And He was extolled with my tongue.
If I regard iniquity in my heart, The Lord will not hear.
But certainly God has heard me; He has attended to the voice of my prayer.
Blessed be God, Who has not turned away my prayer, Nor His mercy from me!
NKJV)

God's Song

I just returned from Palcon at Eastern Nazarene College where I taught a class on redefining success. I pray that God used me to encourage pastors as I was greatly encouraged myself. God has His way of touching our lives through His people. I got to spend time with some of my dear friends and shared a room with one of them, Rev. Kerry Willis. What a joy to be with the people of God--reminds me that heaven will be a celebration like the universe has never known.
I live my life looking for seeds of truth which will help me on my journey. Kerry dropped a seed in my heart that I plan on watering and nurturing. For years Mary has awakened every morning with a song in her heart. I often ask her what her song is for today and she never has to think about it, she just starts singing it. I must admit I seldom hear a song in the morning, but an experience a couple of weeks ago has made me rethink the issue. In a time of prayer the Lord sang to me. It has never happen before, but oh how it touched my heart. Then the Lord confirmed it all through my friend Kerry. He took me to Zep 3:17 “The LORD your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing." jfs