What if the SATANIC International Version (SIV) existed?

This is purely a thought: What would the SATANIC International Version of the Bible (SIV) look like IF it existed?

Kinda weird to think about I know. I admit it. I’ve had one too many bratwursts today and now my thinking has gone haywire!

My answer is that it would be the exact same version of the Bible that we have EXCEPT that it would be misinterpreted and have wrong commentary notes in it!

Think about it. In Matthew 4, Satan tempted Jesus by MISUSING and misinterpreting the BIBLE to appeal to Jesus’ human nature. It was God’s own words that Satan used to tempt Christ!

How many people today twist the Bible and use it for their own purposes? Sadly, we can all take the Bible and use its meaning to be manipulative and hurtful AND justify our actions & words as the “truth hurts.”

For this reason, as biblical counselors, we must always deliver the truth in love. Not truth and love but truth IN love. There is a difference.

-Mark (glad there is NOT a Satanic version of God’s Word around today)

Book Review of Ken Ham’s Almost Gone

Ken Ham wrote a book called “Almost Gone” that is great though it is a challenging read. It has statistics in it but Mr. Ham is such a good communicator that it is smooth and informative. I highly recommend you read it.

The book challenged me to re-think church because a key finding was that Sunday school attendees as youths were MORE LIKELY to turn away from the faith as young, 20 year old adults. I had to read that finding twice because it goes against our thinking. The finding again was that children who DID attend Sunday School were MORE LIKELY to walk away from the faith as adults vs. children who did NOT attend Sunday School.

Makes you think, doesn’t it. Why is that the finding? Well, Mr. Ham cites evidence that these children were likely taught UNDERMINING lies about God’s Word while in Sunday School which led to a LACK of FAITH in Christ and His Word.

It would have been better NOT to have attended Sunday School which taught contrary to God’s Word, in other words.

I may not be doing a good job of summarizing this finding. Therefore, I recommend you read the book.

Here’s my life application: Teach the Bible and help people to have faith in Christ and His Word as accurate. People need to know about how the Flood fits into history and science, that fossils came from a global flood, that land dinosaurs were created on the 6th day, that a global flood wiped out many of the dinosaurs, etc.  We need to have answers for a dying world that is longing for the truth of God’s Word.

-Mark (grateful to serve Christ with men like Ken Ham who boldly stand for God and lead the way)

ABC 33/40 Video on Christ Health Center

http://cfc.abc3340.com/videoondemand.cfm?id=44819

Please take a moment & watch this video about Christ Health Center

Dr. Shaw on Primetime America today

Make sure to listen tonight at 5:30 on WLJR 88.5 if you are in Birmingham or online at http://www.moodyradio.org/brd_programtoday.aspx?id=11694

The 10 minute interview is focused on Dr. Shaw’s book “The Heart of Addiction” published by Focus Publishing (www.focuspublishing.com)

God is everywhere…. Join in the fun…

Missed writing over the last few months!  Hope everyone is doing well!  Had a few minutes here in a coffe shop/tech trap and thought I would share a few cool pics I’ve run across in the last day or two. Please don’t read this blog and get fired up thinking I’m some type of mystic who looks for God outside of His revealed Word.  I just enjoy collecting tags that point people to God! I have found that these pictures are a great conversation starter in getting people to share about their faith….

Visit the 2 links below to see 90+ car tags that point to God…

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/album.php?aid=6550&id=1374134634

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/album.php?aid=22919&id=1374134634

 

Please feel free to join in the Scavenger Hunt of finding God’s Word in unique places!  Make sure to send me a picture of anything you find and the story behind finding it. Be it car tags, church signs, t-shirts, let your creativity flow and together let’s shout forth the praises of OUR GREAT GOD!

And one called out to another and said, “Holy, Holy, Holy, is the LORD of hosts, The whole earth is full of His glory.” ISAIAH 6:3

 

 

GOD IS REAL!

HE IS!

 

-Jason  (Thankful to be a child of the KING!)

How do you defeat the 3 Lies of Satan?

In Matthew 4, how did Jesus overcome Satan’s temptations to sin?

Jesus used the Word of God – rightly interpreted- to defeat Satan. We must do the same. We must KNOW the Word of God and apply it to the situation correctly always remembering Who God is and that we are to serve and honor Him first – rather than to please ourselves.

Quite simply, Jesus was not interested in the self-promoting lies of Satan but in the long-term, God-honoring PLAN of the Father.

We keep this same mindset and studying and living biblical principles enables us to think, speak, and act for the glory of God.

-Mark (grateful that it’s God’s Word that overcomes Satan and the lies of this world and not my own ideas or strength)

A question counselee’s often ask…

You would be surprised how many people we see who genuinely express a lack of knowledge or know-how on how to get closer to God.  It is not uncommon to hear phrases like “I am just waiting on God to show me what to  do….”  or ” I haven’t prayed about it but I feel like…..”  Most of the intial sessions end with a question…. “WHAT DOES GOD WANT ME TO DO?”

 These people are caught in a deception of the world that God will just “POP OUT OF THE NOWHERE” and grant divine wisdom to the situation, without any action on our part…  Now don’t misread and see me saying that it depends on us, because ultimately God doesn’t depend on anyone!  He is SOVEREIGN, which means HE answers to NO ONE!  But, there is a way that we can take a step of faith towards Him and lay aside the distractions of this busy world…

The Scripture in the photo below is taken from one of the most practical books of God’s Word.  The book of James is full of helpful truth that will assist in your daily walk with God.  Most of you have probably read it, but those who have not, take this week and let God begin to speak to you and unlock some of His most practical, life-giving TRUTHS! The book is only 5 Chapters, but trust me, it has a lion share of Truth available in those pages!

 

WHAT ARE SOME TOOLS WE HAVE THAT CAN ASSIST US IN DRAWING NEAR TO HIM?

 

-Jason (Learning to draw close to God…. daily, hourly, even moment by moment….)