November 20, 2020 (Friday)
A study published in 2014 by The Center for the Study of Religion and American Culture at Indiana University and Purdue University found that Americans read versions of the Bible as follows:
King James Version (55%)
New International Version (19%)
New Revised Standard Version (7%)
New American Bible (6%)
The Living Bible (5%)
All other translations (8%)
MOTHER’S TRANSLATION
There were four clergymen who were discussing the merits of various translations of the Bible. One liked the King James Version best because of its simple, beautiful English.
Another liked the American Revised Version best because it is more literal and came nearer to the original Hebrew and Greek.
Still another liked Moffat’s translation because of its up-to-date vocabulary.
The fourth minister was silent. When asked to express his opinion, he replied, “I like my mother’s translation best.”
The other three expressed surprise. They did not know that his mother had translated the Bible.
But he assured them. “She translated it into life, every day of her life, and it was the most convincing translation I ever saw.”
What do you think of this statement: “If you don’t live it, you don’t believe it.” Is it not the same as saying, “I believe modern airliners are perfectly safe, but I’m afraid to fly.”
Here’s a verse from an old poem that speaks the truth and calls us to live dedicated lives, loving and serving Christ:
The careless world will read;
We are the sinner’s Gospel,
We are the scoffer’s creed;
We are the Lord’s last message,
Given in deed and word;
What if the type is crooked?
What if the print is blurred?
——-by Annie Johnson Flint
Jesus taught us to live our life in a way that honors and glorifies Him. He said, “..let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father” (Matthew 5:16 NLT).
LIVING FOR JESUS
Words, Thomas O. Chisholm, 1917
Music, Carl H. Lowden, 1915
Living for Jesus, a life that is true,
Striving to please Him in all that I do;
Yielding allegiance, glad-hearted and free,
This is the pathway of blessing for me.
Refrain:
O Jesus, Lord and Savior, I give myself to Thee,
For Thou, in Thy atonement, didst give Thyself for me;
I own no other Master, my heart shall be Thy throne;
My life I give, henceforth to live, O Christ, for Thee alone.
Living for Jesus Who died in my place,
Bearing on Calv’ry my sin and disgrace;
Such love constrains me to answer His call,
Follow His leading and give Him my all.
Refrain
Living for Jesus, wherever I am,
Doing each duty in His holy Name;
Willing to suffer affliction and loss,
Deeming each trial a part of my cross.
Refrain
Living for Jesus through earth’s little while,
My dearest treasure, the light of His smile;
Seeking the lost ones He died to redeem,
Bringing the weary to find rest in Him.
Refrain