Are You Being Taught The True Word Of God or A False Gospel?

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.

kenallen

Active member
Apr 8, 2022
437
92
28
#1
Are you being taught the true word of God or a False Gospel?​


I just got done watching 3 different church program. All 3 clam to be right all 3 had some of the same things to say and all 3 had different things to say. I will not say what shows, what religions, what pastors. One came from the bible but had a denominational twist to it. One was a motivational speech with some scripture thrown in and the last was just a beggar, send me money and be blessed 10 fold.

In my opinion using the discernment that God gives us I would say all 3 are wrong.

Lets start with the beginning. Unless a man be born again he can not enter the Kingdom of God. That is just the beginning the problem is most churches stop right there or they will tell you, you have to be baptized in water. They fail to follow through. Mark 1:14 &15.Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,15. And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel. Entrust yourself in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Luke 4:9-11 And he took him to Jerusalem and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written, “‘He will command his angels concerning you, to guard you,’and “‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.

This is the scripture that Satan tempted Jesus with. Psalm 91:11&12 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.12.They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. Is the verse out of the bible notice Satan left out “ To keep thee in all thy ways” Satan did not really twist The scripture He just left out part of it that changed everything.





We are told in several different places in both the Old Testament and the New Testament to beware of false gods, false religions, Etc.

I am just going to put the whole book of 2nd John in here:

Greeting from the Elder

1The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth; 2For the truth's sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever. 3Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and loveWalking in the Truth4I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father. 5And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another. 6And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it. Beware of Deceivers 7For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. 8Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. 9Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. 10If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: 11For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds. Final Greetings 12Having many things to write unto you, I would not write with paper and ink: but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be full. 13The children of thy elect sister greet thee. Amen.

Please pay attention to verses 7-11 antichrist is not just Satan it is anyone that brings a different doctrine from the one you heard from us. The 3 programs I listened to today brought a different doctrine that what John and the other apostles brought

What is the first job of the church.

Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

1st Peter 2: As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: 3If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

2nd Timothy 2:15. Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
 

2ndTimothyGroup

Well-known member
Feb 20, 2021
5,883
1,952
113
#2
I'd say you're right. No one ever taught me the Gospel. I abandoned the teachings of "men" and depended on God to show me what the Gospel is.
 

Jesusfollower

Active member
Oct 21, 2021
352
197
43
jamaica
#3
I totally totally agree with you! Personally I follow the doctrine and teachings of Jesus Christ son of GOD! I do not follow the teachings of men. I am not part of any denomination or church. I was born a catholic but quickly fell out of this cult as they do not follow the commandments or teachings of Jesus. When I visited the Vatican many years ago I understood that i was standing in a den of thieves. Not to mention also the terrible period of the inquisition.

Really I am still searching for the real church of Christ so far no luck... it is depressing sometimes. At least, we have the Holy bible to instruct us and the word of Jesus Christ the messiah, whom I love beyond measure.


Blessings.

JF
 

2ndTimothyGroup

Well-known member
Feb 20, 2021
5,883
1,952
113
#4
I totally totally agree with you! Personally I follow the doctrine and teachings of Jesus Christ son of GOD! I do not follow the teachings of men. I am not part of any denomination or church. I was born a catholic but quickly fell out of this cult as they do not follow the commandments or teachings of Jesus. When I visited the Vatican many years ago I understood that i was standing in a den of thieves. Not to mention also the terrible period of the inquisition.

Really I am still searching for the real church of Christ so far no luck... it is depressing sometimes. At least, we have the Holy bible to instruct us and the word of Jesus Christ the messiah, whom I love beyond measure.


Blessings.

JF
My level of understanding how lost the "church" is fell into place when I thought to myself, "I'm going to write to churches arcoss America and see what they believe the Gospel is."

So that's what I began to do. I created a spreadsheet to keep track of who I wrote to and what their responses were. So, I got online and picked out several churches and sent them an email asking if they could explain the Gospel. That said, I told them that they didn't need to give me a personal response, but if they had a pre-written article, or a sermon that they could send, that would be great. They all said the same basic things . . . jibberish. They said, "The Gospel is the Good News of Jesus Christ!" Uhhh . . . no, that's not the Gospel. That's a possible title of a chapter in a book.

No one can knock on a persons door and say, "I'd like to share the Gospel with you." The person at the door says, "Ok. What is it?" The person delivering the Gospel says, "It's the Good News of Jesus Christ!" and walks away. What is a person supposed to do with that? Will that save anyone? No, it won't.

Here's the thing . . . not one pastor had a pre-written article that explained the Gospel. Can you believe that?! Not one! How is it that not one of these "pastors" had never written a paper, or sermon, that fully explains what the Gospel is?

There you have it . . . this is the condition of today's modern-day "church." And, it doesn't matter what denomination you go to, they're all basically the same thing . . . including the Catholic church. None of them understand what the Bible is about. It is absolutely pathetic.
 

Jesusfollower

Active member
Oct 21, 2021
352
197
43
jamaica
#5
My level of understanding how lost the "church" is fell into place when I thought to myself, "I'm going to write to churches arcoss America and see what they believe the Gospel is."

So that's what I began to do. I created a spreadsheet to keep track of who I wrote to and what their responses were. So, I got online and picked out several churches and sent them an email asking if they could explain the Gospel. That said, I told them that they didn't need to give me a personal response, but if they had a pre-written article, or a sermon that they could send, that would be great. They all said the same basic things . . . jibberish. They said, "The Gospel is the Good News of Jesus Christ!" Uhhh . . . no, that's not the Gospel. That's a possible title of a chapter in a book.

No one can knock on a persons door and say, "I'd like to share the Gospel with you." The person at the door says, "Ok. What is it?" The person delivering the Gospel says, "It's the Good News of Jesus Christ!" and walks away. What is a person supposed to do with that? Will that save anyone? No, it won't.

Here's the thing . . . not one pastor had a pre-written article that explained the Gospel. Can you believe that?! Not one! How is it that not one of these "pastors" had never written a paper, or sermon, that fully explains what the Gospel is?

There you have it . . . this is the condition of today's modern-day "church." And, it doesn't matter what denomination you go to, they're all basically the same thing . . . including the Catholic church. None of them understand what the Bible is about. It is absolutely pathetic.

I feel the same way, not many churches or pastors do understand what the bible is truly about. In very simplistic terms, it is a message of Love, Hope, Redemption through the sacrifice of Christ and importantly, an invitation to the kingdom of God!!! through Jesus Christ the son of GOD! How many churches do preach the coming kingdom of GOD today? all i see is confusion, people and the churches lose the big picture and preach false doctrines.

I too spent a lot of time on web sites to find a proper church. Sometimes i think a agree but then, they say or write things that completely contradict the teachings of Christ for which there is no possible interpretations, such a shame.

Blessings friend, I will keep looking up for the return of Jesus Christ!

JF
 

JaumeJ

Senior Member
Jul 2, 2011
21,412
6,698
113
#6
I totally totally agree with you! Personally I follow the doctrine and teachings of Jesus Christ son of GOD! I do not follow the teachings of men. I am not part of any denomination or church. I was born a catholic but quickly fell out of this cult as they do not follow the commandments or teachings of Jesus. When I visited the Vatican many years ago I understood that i was standing in a den of thieves. Not to mention also the terrible period of the inquisition.

Really I am still searching for the real church of Christ so far no luck... it is depressing sometimes. At least, we have the Holy bible to instruct us and the word of Jesus Christ the messiah, whom I love beyond measure.


Blessings.

JF
All who follow Jesus Yeshi Yah are the Body of Messiah. The Head of course, being our blessed Savior.
 

Beckie

Well-known member
Feb 15, 2022
2,516
939
113
#7
Written by a friend of mine.....Lots of decent folks have been misled in the area of 'end times' at great costs to the church and the culture. It has caused several generations to withdraw from the fight, as they have been told ,as above, rapture is the only way out. Forgetting that Christ's finished work was completed in history , and so His unfinished work, building His church , will likewise be completed in history. The means , seen al through the Scriptures is not by force of power, but rather the power of the gospel , proclaimed . Nothing can stand against it. "I have hewn them in pieces by the prophets I have slain them by THE WORDS OF MY MOUTH . Hos 6;5 The (proclaimed) Word of God is the sword that proceeds from His mouth. From his mouth issues a sharp sword with which to smite the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron; he will tread the wine press of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has a name inscribed, King of kings and Lord of lords. The church ,and only the church is commissioned to realize this in history ; And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age.” Note especially the stated reason for the commission : “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
 

2ndTimothyGroup

Well-known member
Feb 20, 2021
5,883
1,952
113
#8
I feel the same way, not many churches or pastors do understand what the bible is truly about. In very simplistic terms, it is a message of Love, Hope, Redemption through the sacrifice of Christ and importantly, an invitation to the kingdom of God!!! through Jesus Christ the son of GOD! How many churches do preach the coming kingdom of GOD today? all i see is confusion, people and the churches lose the big picture and preach false doctrines.

I too spent a lot of time on web sites to find a proper church. Sometimes i think a agree but then, they say or write things that completely contradict the teachings of Christ for which there is no possible interpretations, such a shame.

Blessings friend, I will keep looking up for the return of Jesus Christ!

JF
When I read the Bible (in a timeline, chronological order), I read a story of incredible, remarkable Power and control. I read of a God who is in control of ALL things, including people, animals, even rocks and stones . . . creation itself. I read of a Plan that was written into a Heavenly Scroll whereby the mouth of the Spirit calls these writings into action. I read of an executory Plan that is in the process of being executed; finished. The very fact that this Plan is executory, this proves Power and control. And when a person grasps this sense of Power and control, it will cause genuine Fear of the Lord; a Holy, Reverent Fear that causes us to bow to Him and at other times, stand and raise our hands to Him as though we are lowly and at His Feet.

When I read the Bible, I see a Plan of Spiritual Circumcision, the very fulcrum of the Christian Faith.
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
59,815
29,193
113
#9
Please pay attention to verses 7-11 antichrist is not just Satan it is anyone that brings a different doctrine from the one you heard from us. The 3 programs I listened to today brought a different doctrine that what John and the other apostles brought
Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming,
even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour.



1 John 2:19
:)
I say this because many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the
flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist.


This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has
come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This
is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.
 

2ndTimothyGroup

Well-known member
Feb 20, 2021
5,883
1,952
113
#10
Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming,
even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour.



1 John 2:19
:)
I say this because many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the
flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist.


This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has
come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This
is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.
And this is why no one should be sad or upset that "these" are not chosen by Him. They are not "of" Him! They are of the Devil. So, though these creations look like people, they are not "of" God. "Christians" get so bent out of shape that God does not choose these "people," but they do not realize that those who are not chosen by God, they are, well . . . abominations.

I know that these things are hard to understand, but if we read the Bible and we track the Vine of Christ, we will see constant corruption (Israel mating with the Canaanites, Hittites, etc - those from the Seven Nations), and they were procreating with abominations to make more abominations. This means that anyone who belongs to the Vine of Christ, will NEVER be forsaken. Never!
 

kenallen

Active member
Apr 8, 2022
437
92
28
#11
Some one asked me where I found that the apostles did not do administration duties and neither should pastors today.
Many Christians believe the pastor should be an administrator for the church. They fail to realize that God did not give every pastor the spiritual gift of administration. It is common for churches to seek a pastor who is a great people person, an excellent administrator for the church, and an effective counselor, as well as a great preacher. But ten hours a week for sermon preparation and teaching/preaching is not enough. In fact, this church had missed the emphasis of the following two passages.
And the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables. But select from among you, brethren, seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task. But we will devote ourselves to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.” Acts 6:2-4 (NASB)
Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching. 1 Timothy 5:17 (NASB)​
In the first passage the apostles were being asked to do some church administration – to care for some widows. Now that is an important and loving ministry. But they responded by saying that this was not the most important priority for them. I am sure some in that church thought they were unloving and uncaring to these widows. But their greatest priority – greatest expression of love – was to be in prayer for them and to teach and preach the Word to them.
This is the same message in 1 Timothy 5:17. In the early church there were two types of elders. There were elders who were gifted in administration – “rule well” – and those who worked hard at teaching/preaching. In many churches the elders who rule well are called lay elders and the other elders are called pastors. However, Acts 20:17, 28 and 1 Peter 5:1-3 indicate that all elders are pastors even if their vocation and spiritual gifts are different. Some elders will naturally excel in administration and others in teaching and preaching.
 

loveme1

Senior Member
Oct 30, 2011
8,137
216
63
#12
We worship GOD in spirit and Truth. That is what the Lord taught us. Just as the Pharisees did with the Old Covenant the same has happened with the New.. misused to exalt and gain. It is the nature of man since the fall. So no surprises there. Those whom fear GOD are kept from the false teachings. Yes, we wade through the murky water.. but fix yourself on the Messiah’s Testament. The King of Kings did not live a lavish, luxury lifestyle.. the Son of GOD whom could of had all the riches of the flesh.. lived lowly.. hung with the poor and sick. So love nothing more than GOD and your neighbour.. it is hard in this world.. always be ready for His return.. never put it off for a day more in this world. The Light shines brighter the darker it is…. Oh Lord keep us as we abide and so come quickly.
 

p_rehbein

Senior Member
Sep 4, 2013
30,663
6,853
113
#13
In my opinion using the discernment that God gives us I would say all 3 are wrong.
Given the thoughts expressed in your OP, how is it possible that you are "UNSURE" of your spiritual status? That seems very strange to me.
 

kenallen

Active member
Apr 8, 2022
437
92
28
#14
Given the thoughts expressed in your OP, how is it possible that you are "UNSURE" of your spiritual status? That seems very strange to me.
I have grown a lot. 3-5 hrs. a day in the word helps
 

Ted01

Well-known member
May 14, 2022
1,055
447
83
#15
1 John 2:19
:)
I say this because many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the
flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist.


This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has
come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This
is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.
This (bolded text) has always been a confounding Verse for me, personally - thanks for including in this thread.

What do we do when someone is preaching/talking/spreading a Gospel different than the "True Gospel", but also says that they believe that Jesus is from God? (e.g. Gnostics, Judaizers, Mormons, etc.)

Just wondering...
 

kenallen

Active member
Apr 8, 2022
437
92
28
#16
Ted 01
Welcome This is an easy explanation for you I hope.
2nd Corinthians 11
13For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 14And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
There are many other places in the bible that say Satan will come as a wolf in sheep's clothing.
I have not looked at your profile but from your question I am guessing that you are a new Christian. I am going to give you some of the best advise I got not to long go when I started to study Gods Word. Get a good Authorized Version of the Kings James bible. I use a companion bible; the King James is a little harder to read with the old english but has less translation airs than the newer translations and the second thing you want to get is a good Strong's Concordance again look for the 2010 by Thomas Nelson Publishers.
When you do your studies you want to study chapter b chapter and verse by verse so that you get the full understanding of Who is speaking, what the subject is, who they are talking to.
Last peace of information do not take any one explanation for something unless they can prove it from the bible and back it up. That goes for me as well as any other person including a pastor, minister, teacher ect.
KenA
 

2ndTimothyGroup

Well-known member
Feb 20, 2021
5,883
1,952
113
#17
Ephesians chapters 2 and 3 show that Paul speaks of a Mysterious Plan. This Plan remains hidden today, even though Paul spent much time unpacking it. Incredibly, God has kept this Plan a Mystery even though Paul revealed it plainly. Truly, this is a miracle. Therefore, I am telling you that the Gospel is not fully explained in one simple location in the Bible. Rather, it must be pieced together bit by bit (if a person is to Truly grasp it). This is why a person must keep asking, seeking, and knocking. In other words, the asking, seeking, and knocking never stops, for the Mysterious Plan will continue to be revealed throughout a person's life.

As I have come to understand the True Gospel, I have found that it revolves around the Circumcision of the Heart. Therefore, and in my estimation, for a person to acknowledge Jesus Christ in the Flesh, they must acknowledge His Purpose, Work, and Effect.

We must acknowledge:

1) The Purpose of Christ - To Redeem the Father's True Elect by Circumcising the hearts of each of them/us of the Curse that applied to the hearts of all people because of what Adam and Eve had done.
2) The Work of Christ - There are four basic Works of Christ, but the most critical is the Circumcision of the heart. This is the cutting away of the Sinful Nature as clearly described in Colossians 2:9-15.
3) The Effect of Christ - The Effect of Spiritual Circumcision is a changed heart and mind which results in a changed life. Until a person receives the Circumcision of Heart, there can be no Transformation from the mind of the Devil to the Mind of Christ. If this Transformation does not take place, no person can Love as described in 1 Corinthians Chapter 13, the "Love Chapter." No one will be able to forgive as the Bible describes. The entire description of what a True Christian looks, acts, and sounds like, cannot take place (wholly) until Circumcision of the Heart has taken place.

So as you can see, this is how I determine if a person is on the Right path of being a True Child of the Lord. If a person does not acknowledge these THREE aspects of Christ, it is very unlikely that they are not a Child of God.
 

kenallen

Active member
Apr 8, 2022
437
92
28
#18
All who follow Jesus Yeshi Yah are the Body of Messiah. The Head of course, being our blessed Savior.
All who follow Jesus Yeshi Yah are the Body of Messiah. The Head of course, being our blessed Savior.
From the Mouth of our Lord, Jesus Christ, or do you call Him Yeshua?
Mat 7:1 Judge not, that ye be not judged. Are you saying that we are judging because we disagree with being tought the traditions of men that make void the word of God. God has given us His Spirit, His Word, and if we ask eyes to see with and ears to hear with. H has also given us a very easy way to cheek things out. Study His word chapter by chapter and verse by verse and as I just told ted use the tools given us; take the time to find out what a word means in the Hebrew or the Greek. Be like the Brean's in Acts 17 they heard the words of Paul & Sials took them to heart and then went home and studied the scriptures "The Old Testament" to make sure they were so. Let me ask when was the last time you heard a message from a Pastor then went home and really studied to see if what he told you was true. This is not judging it is doing exactly what we have been instructed to do from "The Love Letter Sent To us From God"
 

kenallen

Active member
Apr 8, 2022
437
92
28
#19
Ephesians chapters 2 and 3 show that Paul speaks of a Mysterious Plan. This Plan remains hidden today, even though Paul spent much time unpacking it. Incredibly, God has kept this Plan a Mystery even though Paul revealed it plainly. Truly, this is a miracle. Therefore, I am telling you that the Gospel is not fully explained in one simple location in the Bible. Rather, it must be pieced together bit by bit (if a person is to Truly grasp it). This is why a person must keep asking, seeking, and knocking. In other words, the asking, seeking, and knocking never stops, for the Mysterious Plan will continue to be revealed throughout a person's life.

As I have come to understand the True Gospel, I have found that it revolves around the Circumcision of the Heart. Therefore, and in my estimation, for a person to acknowledge Jesus Christ in the Flesh, they must acknowledge His Purpose, Work, and Effect.

We must acknowledge:

1) The Purpose of Christ - To Redeem the Father's True Elect by Circumcising the hearts of each of them/us of the Curse that applied to the hearts of all people because of what Adam and Eve had done.
2) The Work of Christ - There are four basic Works of Christ, but the most critical is the Circumcision of the heart. This is the cutting away of the Sinful Nature as clearly described in Colossians 2:9-15.
3) The Effect of Christ - The Effect of Spiritual Circumcision is a changed heart and mind which results in a changed life. Until a person receives the Circumcision of Heart, there can be no Transformation from the mind of the Devil to the Mind of Christ. If this Transformation does not take place, no person can Love as described in 1 Corinthians Chapter 13, the "Love Chapter." No one will be able to forgive as the Bible describes. The entire description of what a True Christian looks, acts, and sounds like, cannot take place (wholly) until Circumcision of the Heart has taken place.

So as you can see, this is how I determine if a person is on the Right path of being a True Child of the Lord. If a person does not acknowledge these THREE aspects of Christ, it is very unlikely that they are not a Child of God.
You are a man. women, person, child, not sure just what pronoun to use "we must be politically correct" after my own heart.
Your Brother in Christ
 

2ndTimothyGroup

Well-known member
Feb 20, 2021
5,883
1,952
113
#20
You are a man. women, person, child, not sure just what pronoun to use "we must be politically correct" after my own heart.
Your Brother in Christ
Thank you so much. That is quite a compliment.

As for the Bible, this Book of sub-books and letters is absolutely mind-blowing. The NLT translation uses the phrase, "Mysterious Plan" and I am so glad that I ran across it! When I read of this Mysterios Plan concept, my lawyer/Microsoft mind caught on and I couldn't let it go. So, I began reading the Bible in a timeline, chronological order so that I could understand the Bible in "real-time" so to speak. I read each chapter and verse with this idea of the "Mysterious Plan" in mind. I HAD to know what this Plan was. In short, I was mind-blown by what I discovered. And as I mentioned my Microsoft mind, I actually began to collect and organize Scriptures in an Excel Spreadsheet. I cataloged them, giving subcategories after subcategories, for if I didn't do that, there was no way that I would be able to keep track of the massive plethora of Biblical ideas and concepts that (I felt) needed to be tracked and understood. After many years of collecting these passages, I would be absolutely devastated if I lost this collection of verses (and my personal commentary). Each time that I read the entire Bible, I would do so with a different translation, as each translation expresses the same concept but in a potentially different way. Wow, I am so glad that I did that. In fact, as I am now reading the Old Testament, I am using the Jewish Tenakh . . . oh my goodness! This is my favorite translation of the OT. The way that Jews paraphrase the Old Testament books is just stunning. In fact, their writings emphasize Circumcision of the Heart more than any Christian translation . . . that's pretty incredible.

Anyway, our Bible is Truly a miracle. No human could come up with the contents of this Book on their own. It is a Book of Power and an incredible storyline that boggles my mind to this day. I just cannot say enough how much I love this unbelievable Book.