Some Truth For Your Days

Math

The Book of Mormon is Correct?

“I told the brethren that the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book” (Joseph Smith, History of the Church 4:461. See also Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 194).

Joseph Smith made this bold claim about The Book of Mormon.  To be fair, if the Book of Mormon is true the way that Joseph Smith translated this book is only with the absolute power of God. 

The way that Joseph Smith translated the book is told in church history is by the method told below:

“The details of this miraculous method of translation are still not fully known. Yet we do have a few precious insights. David Whitmer wrote: ‘I will now give you a description of the manner in which the Book of Mormon was translated. Joseph Smith would put the seer stone into a hat, and put his face in the hat, drawing it closely around his face to exclude the light; and in the darkness the spiritual light would shine. A piece of something resembling parchment would appear, and on that appeared the writing. One character at a time would appear, and under it was the interpretation in English. Brother Joseph would read off the English to Oliver Cowdery, who was his principal scribe, and when it was written down and repeated to Brother Joseph to see if it was correct, then it would disappear, and another with the interpretation would appear. Thus the Book of Mormon was translated by the gift and power of God, and not by any power of man’” (Russell M. Nelson, “A Treasured Testament,” Ensign, July 1993, p. 61. Citing David Whitmer, An Address to All Believers in Christ, p. 12).

So looking over this, it is easy to say that the book of Mormon has to be from God. I mean if God showed easy word/letter to Joseph Smith, then How can it be wrong.

BUT WAIT…

If God helped Joseph translate the Book of Mormon,  then why is there more then 4000 changes to the Book of Mormon?  One would think that God would have got it right the first time.

These changes are not just to fix the grammar issues that was in the Book of Mormon (I guess God can’t spell), But was to also change theology.

One change that we can see is in 1Nephi 11:21 which now says; 21 And the angel said unto me: Behold the Lamb of God, yea, even the Son of the Eternal Father! Knowest thou the meaning of the tree which thy father saw?

But the 1830 version says;  11:21 And the angel said unto me, behold the Lamb of God, yea, even the Eternal Father! Knowest thou the meaning of the tree which thy father saw?

So the new version makes the Lamb of God (Jesus) into the son of god, meaning the first begotten, spirit brother.

The 1830 version says that the Lamb of God (Jesus) is God, God in the flesh, the creator, The Word 100% God 100% man. 

So there seems to be a issue with The Book of Mormon in the changing of scripture. If the power of God really did gave Joseph Smith ever letter and every word then why would it need to be changed so much?  

Also it is important to point out that the Book of Mormon uses 27000 words directly from the King James Bible (1611).  If the Book of Mormon was first pinned between 600BC and 421AD how can it quote the King James Bible that was Written until 1000 years later? If the Book of Mormon was true and only came about when Joseph Smith found the golden plates, then why was the book “view of the Hebrews” so parallel to each other?

When you look at the evidence shown in how The Book of Mormon came to be, you will find that it was made by man and not given from God.  If the Book of Mormon was translated by the power of God then there would not be over 4000 changes.  If the Book of Mormon was pinned between 600bc and 421ad it would not quote the King James Bible word for word. If the Book of Mormon it would not sound like another book that came out 7 years before the Book of Mormon.

Do the math…

King James Bible + View of the Hebrews +Joseph Smith  = Book of Mormon

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Teachings of Thomas S. Monson (part 4)

“The Bible, as it has been transmitted over the centuries, has suf­fered the loss of many plain and precious parts. ‘We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.’ (The A of F 1:8.) Many versions of the Bible are available today. Unfor­tunately, no original manuscripts of any portion of the Bible are available for comparison to determine the most accurate version. However, the Lord has revealed clearly the doctrines of the gospel in these latter days. The most reliable way to measure the accu­racy of any biblical passage is not by comparing different texts, but by comparison with the Book of Mormon and modern-day rev­elations.” (Presi­dents Ezra Taft Benson, Gordon B. Hinckley, and Thomas Mon­son, “Letter Reaffirms use of King James Version Bible,” Church News, June 20, 1992, p. 3)

Now in this post I have used a quote not found in Thomas S. Monson’s book but never less it is scripture because he said it or wrote it.

“Those who listen to and follow the counsel of living prophets and apostles will not go astray. The teachings of living prophets provide an anchor of eternal truth in a world of shifting values and help avoid misery and sorrow” (Preach My Gospel, 2004, p. 75).

But in his book I was only able to find one spot that he talks about The Bible and that was in the section about scripture on pages 275-276. Now I do have to say the quote in his book on the bible was a very great quote and one I believe in as well. I know this seems strange that I would be saying this but read the quote and tell me what you think.

The Holy Bible is an inspiration to me. This sacred book has inspired the minds of men and has motivated readers to live the commandments of God and to love one another. It is printed in greater quantities, is translated into more languages, and has touched more humans hearts than any other volume. (“My Brother’s Keeper,” Ensign, May 1990, 46) (“Teachings of Thomas S. Monson,”2011, 276)

See what I mean, that is a good quote but it seems to go ageist the fist quote that I posted today. Anyone who has study the LDS church or is LDS you know that the bible is said to have mistakes and is only good as far as it’s translated correctly. Between the Bible and the Book of Mormon, which one is more reliable?

Let us look at the know manuscripts for the Bible:

Manuscript Evidence for the New Testament

There are more than 24,000 partial and complete manuscript copies of the New Testament. These manuscript copies are very ancient and they are available for inspection now. Bottom line: the New Testament has an overwhelming amount of evidence supporting its reliability.

Manuscript Evidence for the Old Testament

The Dead Sea Scrolls prove the accuracy of the transmission of the Bible.

In fact, in these scrolls discovered at Qumran in 1947, we have Old Testament manuscripts that date about a thousand years earlier (150 B.C.) than the other Old Testament manuscripts then in our possession (which dated to A.D. 900).
The significant thing is that when one compares the two sets of manuscripts, it is clear that they are essentially the same, with very few changes.

The fact that manuscripts separated by a thousand years are essentially the same indicates the incredible accuracy of the Old Testament's manuscript transmission.

A full copy of the Book of Isaiah was discovered at Qumran.

Even though the two copies of Isaiah discovered in Qumran Cave 1 near the Dead Sea in 1947 were a thousand years earlier than the oldest dated manuscript previously known (A.D. 980), they proved to be word for word identical with our standard Hebrew Bible in more than 95 percent of the text.
The 5 percent of variation consisted chiefly of obvious slips of the pen and variations in spelling."

From manuscript discoveries like the Dead Sea Scrolls, Christians have undeniable evidence that today's Old Testament Scripture, for all practical purposes, is exactly the same as it was when originally inspired by God and recorded in the Bible.
Combine this with the massive amount of manuscript evidence we have for the New Testament, and it is clear that the Christian Bible is a trustworthy and reliable book.
The Dead Sea Scrolls prove that the copyists of biblical manuscripts took great care in going about their work.

These copyists knew they were duplicating God's Word, so they went to incredible lengths to prevent error from creeping into their work.
The scribes carefully counted every line, word, syllable, and letter to ensure accuracy (http://home.earthlink.net/~ronrhodes/Manuscript.html)

Now that seems pretty good for the bible not changing. It has also been noted that when changes are found in the manuscripts they are very very small and no significance. Things like “Jesus Christ to Christ Jesus” and so one.

But to be fair let’s take a look at the early manuscripts for the Book of Mormon

Book of Mormon= None

The first printing and sale of the Book of Mormon was in 1830 and before then Joseph Smith calmed that he was shown where some golden plates which had the history written on them in reformed Egyptian. Then he returned the plates to the angel.

1^st No manuscripts/ No golden plates

2^nd there is no languages as Reformed Egyptian

Now I know that Mormons clam that reformed just means changed and that it’s a forum of Egyptians written by the people in the book of Mormon but again there is no other proof of this, just what Joseph Smith claimed.

Mormons would have to agree with me that it would be nice to have some evidence of your book to be true, you know like God gave evidence with the Bible. Cities, people, wars, coins and so one, I’m just saying.

Let me end with this, when looking to see which book is true or translated right it is easy to look at the evidence but you must also believe it as well.

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Are we Different?

So over the weeks I have seen a lot of LDS bloggers and others complain about how Christians say that Mormons “have a different Jesus” or “Don’t have the Jesus of the Bible”. Well as most Christians and pastors and people who look into the difference in the two beliefs, they understand this to be truth. This is one of the reasons Christians are called anti-Mormon, but it’s not anti-Mormon it’s fact. We believe in two different God the father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Also we believe in two different origins of man. In a attempt to make it clear, here is a chart that I have used from the book “Mormonism Unmasked”.

One God of the Bible	Plural Gods of Mormonism
God The Father
Infinite	Finite
Always God	Became God
Absolutely Holy	Achieved Holiness
All Knowing	Achieved Knowledge
Eternal Perfect	Achieved Perfection
All Powerful	Attained Power
Only Creator	One of Many Designers
The Son (Jesus)
Eternal	Procreated by God and Wife
Creator	Our Brother
The Holy Spirit
Eternal	Procreated By God and Wife
Creator	A Spirit Brother
Human
Created on Earth	Same Species as God
Spiritually Adopted Children	Born to God and Wife

When you look at this you can see that there are two different things. That’s why we say the LDS has two different God, Jesus, and Holy Spirit.

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Teachings of Thomas S. Monson (Part 1)

So today I got my copy of “Teachings of Thomas S. Monson” and I know I said that I would read a chapter a week and talk about it but the book is not set in chapters but sections of teaching. 

But as I started to look at the sections of teaching, a section stood out at me and made me think.  The section was on Heavenly Father in which I was to believe that how the LDS called God.  But in the New book there is no section titled Heavenly Father but is found under God the Father.

Now I understand that Mormon teachers and other have called God, God but I was always to believe that the most common name said by most Mormons that I have talked to was “Heavenly Father”.  I could be wrong on this but again the times I have been to temple square and talked with Mormons in Duchesne Utah, one of those been the bishops wife, all never called God, God the Father but called him Heavenly Father.  Even as I write this I hear on the radio a Mormon call God, “Heavenly Father”. (The Bible Answer Man www.equip.org: Just a note, The Bible Answer Man is doing October on the Mormon Faith)

But this also made me think about what has been going on in the LDS faith lately with things like the Mormon Defense League  and even the LDS website.  it is only what I can call a white wash job done by the Mormons.  It seems to me and a lot of other Christians that the LDS are trying to look so much Christianity that the every day person would not notice one from the other. We saw this about 3 years ago with the last presidential election.  I’m just saying. 

I am not saying anything other that this is the first time I have seen this written that Heavenly Father is not called Heavenly Father but God the Father. 

I can’t wait to get more into this book and I will be hitting on this section more and basing it on the bible.

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What does the bible say…

“By obedience to God’s commandments, we can qualify for that ‘house’ spoken of by Jesus when He declared: “In my Father’s house are many mansions. … I go to prepare a place for you … that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:2-3)” (Thomas S. Monson, “An Invitation to Exaltation,” Ensign (Conference Edition), May 1988, p. 54. Ellipses in original).

“God our Father, and Jesus Christ, our Lord, have marked the way to perfection. They beckon us to follow eternal verities and to become perfect, as they are perfect (see Matthew 5:48; 3 Nephi 12:48)” (Thomas S. Monson, “An Invitation to Exaltation,” Ensign (Conference Edition), May 1988, p. 54).

Here are 2 quotes from Thomas s. Monson.  Now the question I have is, if members of the LDS clam to Believe in the Bible then what about these verse?

6 Now if by grace, then it is not by works; otherwise grace ceases to be grace. Romans 11:6 (HCSB)

justification: The act of God as judge that declares sinners (who were in the "wrong") to be "right" or righteous in His sight.  He is just in doing this because Jesus died on the cross to take away their sins and to give them His own righteousness (2 Cor 5:21). The sinner receives this justification by faith and by grace when he trusts Christ's work.

Jesus did the work, we only have to have faith and repent of our sins and we are saved. 

For all who call on the name of the Lord will be saved.       Romans 10:13

If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 One believes with the heart, resulting in righteousness, and one confesses with the mouth, resulting in salvation. Romans 10:9-10 (HCSB)

Looks like the bible says something else.

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A Challenge for Mormons

For the members of the LDS Church that clam I know nothing of there faith, I want to set up a Challenge.  Last night I ordered a copy of “Teachings of Thomas S. Monson” and I plan to read a chapter and then write a review on each Chapter based on what the bible says and what past LSD prophets have said. 

But as I read this book and take notes and write on them I ask for any Mormon to read a book from a Christian writer and see what we have to say.  (Below is a list of books you should pick from)

• The Mormon Mirage by Latayne C. Scott
• Mormonism Unmasked by R. Philip Roberts
• 3:16 The Number of Hope by Max Lucado
• Doctrine: What Christians Should Believe by Mark Driscoll
• Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
• Vintage Jesus by Mark Driscoll
• The Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke And John) and Romans in the ether the NIV or The Holman Christian Stander Bible

All these books you can find on Amazon. Will you take this Challenge, I am

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Monday Bible Study on Tuesday

look, no hat

The Bible VS Joseph Smith

This is only the trailer, you can get your own copy at www.sourceflix.com

I got this movie Thursday in Salt Lake at Utah Lighthouse Ministry and came home and loved it.  The Question is asked, “How do we know if a prophet is speaking truth?”  A Christian and a Mormon set down and look at each faiths prophets and see if they hold to the test of Deuteronomy 18:20-22;

²⁰ But the prophet who dares to speak in My name a message I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods—that prophet must die.' ²¹ You may say to yourself, 'How can we recognize a message the LORD has not spoken?' ²² When a prophet speaks in the LORD's name, and the message does not come true or is not fulfilled, that is a message the LORD has not spoken. The prophet has spoken it presumptuously. Do not be afraid of him. 

the bible vs joseph smith

Monday Bible Study week 3

Monday Bible Study (week 2)

We are saved by faith, not works

The Happy-Go-Lucky Message

Over the Years I have read, saw on TV, and heard in person the Health and wealth message. These people are false teachers. They preach a message that will only make them rich and famous and grow their churches.

22 For false messiahs and false prophets will rise up and will perform signs and wonders to lead astray, if possible, the elect. Mark 13:22 (HCSB)

If anyone teaches other doctrine and does not agree with the sound teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ and with the teaching that promotes godliness, 1 Tim 6:3 (HCSB)

A lot of people have become lost to these teachers and if do not listen to the truth will be lost to the evil one. As a pastor I am charge with teaching the truth about Jesus Christ and preparing Christians for the life they must live for Him. Now I am not saying that God has not blessed people with money but the problem is that people are being taught that if they accept Jesus, then they will become rich and everything will be great for them. But what does the Bible Say?

The Rich Young Ruler

17 As He was setting out on a journey, a man ran up, knelt down before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 18 “Why do you call Me good?” Jesus asked him. “No one is good but One—God. 19 You know the commandments: Do not murder; do not commit adultery; do not steal; do not bear false witness; do not defraud; honor your father and mother.”

20 He said to Him, “Teacher, I have kept all these from my youth.” 21 Then, looking at him, Jesus loved him and said to him, “You lack one thing: Go, sell all you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.” 22 But he was stunned at this demand, and he went away grieving, because he had many possessions. Mark 10:17-22 (HCSB)

This Young man had a lot of money and he did not want to give up that life. He gave up eternal life for a happy easy life on earth. Some preachers of today have read this and now believe that they can have they cake and eat it too. But if had to give up their money, could they. Jesus went on to say;

23 Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, “How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” 24 But the disciples were astonished at His words. Again Jesus said to them, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” 26 So they were even more astonished, saying to one another, “Then who can be saved?” 27 Looking at them, Jesus said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God, because all things are possible with God.” Mark 10:23-27

Rich people can make it to Heaven but only if they put God before their money. But again the message of God has nothing to do with becoming rich. Jesus tells us that we must give up everything for Him. We must give up our money, jobs, even our lives if need be.

We will become rich but that will come when we get to Heaven and in will not be with money but will be with glory. The joy that we have when Jesus tell us, “Well done” will be better than any money on earth.

The problem is that pastors are not preaching out of the bible. Yes they may read verses but they take those verses out of context and never truly read the bible for the reason that God intended it.

I was talking with a mother of a newly married couple who were trying to find a church close to their new home in a suburb of the St. Louis area. Over a month or two they finally find a church of a pastor friend of mine. As I was talking with the mother, she told me that they finally find a church were the pastor actually preaches from the bible. How crazy is that to hear that pastors are not preaching from the bible anymore. Well that goes to say that the bible may be too hard for them to read themselves, let alone preach out of it.

The way that the USA has been over the past few year, it has became a land were God cannot be seen. Along with that People do not what to hear about Jesus unless some planes fly into some buildings. I know that’s had to say but what happen to the churches after 9/11, they were filled with people. But just like time after time, they heard something good and then got tired of it.

3 For the time will come when they will not tolerate sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, will multiply teachers for themselves because they have an itch to hear something new. 4 They will turn away from hearing the truth and will turn aside to myths. 2 Tim 4:3-4 (HCSB)

But if you tell the people that they will become rich and health and happy, well that’s what they want to hear.

I remember a time when my dad was feeling “down” and wanted to go with me to church one Sunday morning. I thought that this was it; I could finally talk to him about God and show him the truth. When we left the church he looked at me and said, “Well that made me feel better”, He did not step back into a church until I became a pastor.

That’s what people want, they want to feel good. They don’t want to hear about sin and that they are sinners, but that’s what they need to hear. Pastor care too much about numbers and preaching sin is not going to bring in the people, but fancy lights and cameras and getting their churches on TV so they can become a mega-Church. What faster way to become large if you preach the money news and not the Good News.

For those who are reading this, please understand that I only want all these people who follow the false teachers to come to know what Jesus is really saying. I also want those pastors to see what is right and to start preaching from the bible. I do not write this because I am negative but because I care about the lost. Only Jesus can save man and I ask that you read the bible for yourself and study it. Learn what is says and prepare yourselves for what’s to come. If you live the health and wealth message they when the end comes you will be strongly upset and what Christians have to go through.

It’s in Jesus name

 

 

 

All Things New

So my family and I moved to Roosevelt, Utah at the first of December. We had never been to Utah and at first I did not want to leave Missouri, but we knew that God wanted us in Utah.

I love St. Louis, everything from the Arch to the Blues to Old Downtown St. Charles. (I know, that’s St. Charles but you know what I mean.)  I had a Job, friends, family (an hour away), but I knew God did not want me there anymore. 

God was calling my family and I to Utah where I had no job to speak of, no family, I knew no one, and its cold… Oh so cold. But God said go and we went. 

We did not have the money to go, but again God provided the way.  We packed up and moved to Roosevelt, UT. 

So your asking, “What’s in Roosevelt Utah?” NOTHING THERE IS NOTHING HERE IN ROOSEVELT. Ok there are things here but again remember I came from St. Louis Missouri, The best place in the USA, at lest for me, and I came to a small small small town where the big city, Salt Lake is 2 hours away.  Plus no comic shop for 80+ miles, Oh Steve at New Castle, How I miss thee. 

newcastlecomics.com

But we came to Utah with a truck of stuff, a rental house, my wife with a job, and me with the kids and time.  Now I had been talking to a church in Duchesne Utah which is about 30 minutes from Roosevelt and to be honest everyplace is 30 minutes from everyplace. But I had been talking to this small church who had lost their pastor about maybe becoming their new pastor. 

The first Sunday we were here we went and on the third week I started preaching. As time went on I was voted in as their new pastor.  (1-24-11)

So here is the point to this little tell.  If you trust in God, He will take care of you. If you lesion to Him, He will tell you what He wants you to do with your life.  God has done so many things for my family and I  and I know that He will work through me here in Utah.  God is Great and I can’t wait to see what happens next.

When God Moves

This past Sunday, I was given the chance to preach one last time at Mineola Baptist Church In Montgomery County Missouri.  This is the church that I gave my life to Christ at and turned my life over to the ministry at.  It has been a dream of mine to preach there and i have been able to do that on a number of occasions, but today was very special. 

It started by my wife Shannon giving a very moving testimony about how her life had been changed by this one church and that she would not be a Christian today if not for the people that gave their time and hearts to her. By the end there was not a dry eye in the place. 

Then it was my turn to preach. I don’t want to brag, but I think I did a ok job.  Let me say it like this, I preached until 12:15pm and no one seem to care that I kept them a little long.

 

The best part came as I was preaching I could see God working in the hearts of the people and that was really cool.  Seeing God working in the lives of the people is one of the best things in the world. 

This will always be one of my greatest preaching moments in my life. I want to thank everyone for coming out and thank  Mineola Baptist Church for having my family and I. 

2 More Wednesdays Left

Being a pastor one of the biggest days of the week is Wednesday.  This is the day when we have Wednesday night bible studies and for me Wednesday night youth.  I have been the Youth Pastor at Dorsett Village Church for the past 6 years and now I am moving on a new ministry. 

I only have 2 more Wednesdays with my Youth and then I have to leave them. This by far is one of the hardest things about this move.  I have seen these young men and ladies go from just kids to driving and to college.  I have laugh with them and cried with them and so much more. 

I know with facebook, text, and other things like that I will still talk to them but still i just hate to leave them.  God has other plans for me and I know that the staff here at DVC will take care of them. 

So to my youth past and present, I LOVE YOU ALL!!!

Let’s wait for God

So in July i have 3 sermons to do.  i have one for youth camp, the two for Jonesburg Baptist Church on the 11 and 18.  This is great for me because i love to preach, i love to study, i just love everything about my job. 

i decided to get a head start on things and get some of my sermons out of the way but when i started, nothing came out.  i walk around all day trying to come up with something but nothing. 

I hate when that happens.

But i know i have to wait on God to show me what he wants me to say.  all my sermons have to be from God and nobody else, not even me.  i am doing His work and i have to Speak His words. God will give me His words and i will preach them, but until then i will study and pray. 

Sometimes i feel like homer.

When i know something is bad but then i still do it. We as humans live in a world of sin and believe in God (if you do) then why do we sin. Now i know we are just humans and over all we are bad people (Rom 3:10-12) but that's not a way out. If you call yourself a Christian then we should know not to sin when we are faced with. Take speeding, Big problem for me. My family has always been known for having a heavy foot and in my life i have used it. now i know that speeding is wrong, obey the law of the land (Rom 13:1), but i still do it. Not saying I’m some speed demon but i still go 1 to 5 miles over. If the sign says 60 then we should go 60, not 61 not 62 but only 60.

We see sin but we still do it. I feel like crap. Jesus died for me and i keep spitting on him. Sin is ugly and we seem to live in it. i have seen a lot of Christian that try so hard to live in the world that they act and look like it. I love when people tell me that “Jesus would hang out with the sinners”, this is true but Jesus never blended into the group, He stood out. Jesus was the one in the room that people looked at and say, “What's up with that guy?” We too need to stand out. As Christians we need to be the one in the room that people say, “why is that person different?”

So what do we do when sin comes our way. If we love God and want to obey Him we need to be in the Word all day. When sin comes our way we need to turn to the Word of God. I have a bible in every room in my house and when sin comes i grab the Word and read. Christians need to carry their bible everywhere we go.

It drives me crazy to see people not have their bible at church. the question is, if they can’t bring it to church, then will they have it when sin comes. If your not in the Word all day everyday then you will be hit hard by sin. If you don’t have a sword in a sword fight then your dead. If the bible is our sword then we need to use it. We are fighting a war and we have to have our weapon. sometimes we have our bibles but don’t use them. A book is no good if you don’t use it. I love to see people with bibles that have been beaten up by being used. I love to see the notes that people write in their bibles. Not to see what they think but to know that they use it. When we use it we are less a chances to fall into sin. I guess what i am trying to say is if we don’t want to feel like a homer then we need to get more into the Word.

the bible for men

for most people, the bible can be a hard thing to read. i have talked to a lot of people that tell me that they just can't seem to get through it. people think that the bible is a long book of rules, but it's more then that. the bible is a jam packed book of action and excitement. i have been reading the Old Testament and let me tell you, the OT is one of the best actions book ever put together. this is a book that any man that loves actions movies would love. you have war, spies, and everything that makes a good man movie. this year get into the OT men and read and read and read all the action, war, and how God's plan started. but don't stop there, go ahead and read the NT as well and see how the story ends.