LAM Newsletter, May 2004

Now before you stone me, please read on with an open mind. I too had to see all this with an open mind, as I wasn't sure why all this was so important. But it is. The Bible says that we are not to add anything to the Word and not one jot or one tittle should pass from the law, until all be fulfilled. (Matthew 5:18 and Revelations 22:18) But in all the translations, that's exactly what they have done! And it's not insignificant words that are being removed, it's words that give hope, healing, salvation, love, peace, relationship, and freedom! All the things the Christian life is based on.

I supposed one of the most important things to see is the fact that the word "holy" has been removed all together. So then the question is, do you have a Holy Bible? See the references below and check them out for yourself:

II Peter 1:21
Matthew 25:31
1 Thess. 5:27
Rev. 22:6
Rev. 18:20
John 7:39
1 Cor. 2:13
Matt. 12:31
Acts 6:3
Acts 8:18

The NIV has left OUT 64,098 words from their text. And, the texts are continually being revised. I personally don't want to read from a Bible that has been alterered so dramatically and continues to change. The Bible says that God never changes, and this is exactly what they are doing.
Interestingly enough, the Authorized King James Version has never been changed, it doesn't need to be changed, because it's complete as it is.

Let me share why I stand so firmly on this. The Lord has been teaching me about leaven. Leaven is sin. A little drop of leaven can leaven the whole lump. Whatever we allow in our lives can affect our whole life. And if I'm reading watered down versions of the Word, then my life in Christ will be watered down as well. We need to "return to our first love" the Word of God to gain the truth, the whole truth. People are memorizing scripture from other versions, and learning "wrongly", no wonder people are confused and feel hopeless. The Holy Spirit teaches us, and that's who we need to tap into for learning, not how others translate the Bible for you.

Check out your Bible and see which version you have. But, how will you know if it's correct or not if you don't have anything to weigh it against. I challenge you to do your own research. There is an audiotape available and a book called "New Age Bible Versions." (The reason it is called this is because all revisions are considered "new age" thinking.) I ordered one for myself and will be sharing this in my seminars. If we are to build a "firm" foundation in the Lord, then we need to build it on right information, and I believe it's found in the King James Version.

I have not been able to share with you 1/10th of what I have learned about the versions, but I have made a commitment to stick with the true Word of God, the Original King James version.

My observation: I am excited about learning about these versions. The Bible says that God's people perish for lack of knowledge and the knowledge they are getting is not bringing them into the truth which is what makes people free. (II Timothy 3:7) People are still in bondage. I am taking a position personally to rid my life of anything that is not pure. And this is one area. I have about 10 different Bible versions (which I will use for making my point in ministry) but will not use to study from any longer. If I don't understand something in the KJV, then it's not time for me to understand. The Holy Spirit is the teacher of the Word. As a matter of fact, I understand most of the scriptures that pertain to my life right now, and I'm getting revelations DAILY on these scriptures. They keep expounding and I'm getting more and more out of them. I never did when I read other versions, the spirit didn't seem to be in them. Anyone can "understand" those versions, but the Bible is not carnal but spiritual and was written for the believer and taught us by the Holy Spirit, anything other than that is deceptive.

When I became a Christian in 1977, I began reading the KJV. I've never had a problem with it, because I was never told it was hard to read. Then as the years went by, I would pick up other versions, but I always seemed to go back to the KJV. Now I know why, that is the "real" truth, and nothing BUT the truth! I'm glad God had his hand on me in this area. After all, if you are learning something from a teacher, wouldn't you want it coming from the original Bible? One thing that I have gained from all this personally is a LOVE for the Word! I feel so blessed to be able to have this wonderful book and wont' take it for granted any longer.

Popcorn

Yes, lets talk "food" again. Last month I spoke on addictions to some degree, but I think we cause our own addictions without even knowing it. One day while driving to work I was listening to my heart as the Lord was conversing with me. And popcorn came to mind. I realized that when we eat popcorn, our arm begins to habitually grab for the bowl then to our mouth. And this happens over and over until the bowl is empty. Now the problem begins. The habit we just formed wants to continue. So now we begin reaching for food in the fridge, a cookie, a chip, candy, anything. That is why smokers tend to gain weight after they quit, that "habit" of putting something in their mouth is still engrained in them. And even though they may not "crave" a cigarette, their "habit" demands to be met, so then food takes the place of a cigarette.

So what I decided to do was break these kinds of habits. So that night as I opened a bag of popcorn, I poured some into a bowl (small bowl) and sat down and began to eat it very slowly. Then between bites, and by the way I chewed longer, I would do something different with my hands. I realized something very amazing. When I was done with that small bowl, I wasn't hungry but the craving was still there. And since I "knew" this, I would focus on something else rather than food, and lo and behold the craving would leave in a matter of minutes. That is what causes addictions. Repeating something over and over until a habit is formed. (I talked about this in my last newsletter under "My Precious.")

I feel better because now I'm overcoming anything that is trying to "control" me. Even the lifting of the hand to the mouth habit! Even Paul warns us about this, not let anything control us.

What am I supposed to DO?

Oh, the all-important question of every believer. Christian's have put so much importance on this one little word "do?" It means so many things to so many people. I believe this one word opens up the greatest possibilities of man-kind. That one word can make or break someone. So let's get a handle on this word, and see what the Bible says:

John 6:28-29 "Then said they unto Him (Jesus) what shall we "do" that we work the works of God? Jesus responded saying, "The work of God is to "believe" on Him whom God sent.

In this example "believe" is the "do" here.

John 15:14, "Ye are my friends if ye DO whatever I command thee."

What does he command?

John 15:17 "These things I command you, that you love one another"

The "DO" here is love.

I found that everything I read that has to do with DO has to do with love. When we "believe" we believe on the Jesus whom is love made in the form of man from the heart of God. I've learned that a person can only truly believe if they are loved by the one whom they believe in. Then when we believe something, we "do" it.

So if you aren't sure of your call on your life and you ask God, "What am I supposed to do?" The answer is and has always been, to Love. John 21:15-18 talks of a question Jesus asked Peter. "Peter do you love me?" Peter said, "Yes Lord, I love you." Then Jesus said, "Feed my sheep." Jesus asked this question three times to Peter, so obviously there had to be some significance there. Obviously Peter really didn't have a clue what this was all about. But to me, it means, we feed others by the love we have for them. And when we love, we are "doing" the works of God.

"I Will"

Recently I was talking with my husband. We were talking about something and he pointed out to me that I was still wanting to be in control of everything. I wasn't sure about that, but then as we continued talking he pointed out that everything I said started with "I will." I thought for a moment and then asked, "Well if I don't use "I" what do I say?" He said, "Nothing, just "do" it."

I began thinking about that and this is what came to me. When I use the word "I" in a sentence, I'm making a declaration. Sometimes I do the thing I said and sometimes I don't. I realized the reason I have done this (without even knowing it) is to establish something I was going to do, and a way to stay in control!

Isaiah 14:12-17 talks of Satan making declarations. "I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the most High."

These declarations have not come to pass YET, but they are going to according to scripture. He is establishing what he is going to do, to be used to control the nations.

Yuck! I want to part of that and so will be cautious of my words from now on, and instead of making a declaration, I'll simply do it. Why do I need to tell anyone what I'm doing anyway? That's also a way to gain "approval" and to get "acknowledgement" of man!

I repent from this now, In Jesus Name!