Running Low?
 
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 
1st Peter 5:7 (NIV)

It would be sad to know that God existed but he did not know our needs. But he does know. It would be awful if God knew our needs but did not care, about our circumstances. But God does care. It would be tragic if God knew our needs but was unable to do anything about them. But God is able. But because God knows and God is able and God cares, we can we assured that God will answer.
                   In Peter’s epistle, it is revealed that believers are undergoing hardships, and despite all the advances in the world, hardships still occur today. What we must understand is that despite all our adversities and problems there is no one excluded from God’s compassion and care.
                            The Bible states that in spite of the willful disobedience of men God allowed his Son to die for their sins. The book of Romans says, “But God demonstrated his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners Christ died for us.” (Rom. 5:8 NIV). This tells us how deep and unconditional his love and care for us is. When we did not care for him, when our backs were turned against him in rejection, he loved us. That is what the cross is all about. We can never go so far that the love of God can not reach us.
            So much in our world is impersonal. To the government you might be just a number. But God still knows who you are. To your co-workers you might be just an outsider. But God still knows who you are. To your classmates you might be someone without any friends. But God still knows who you are. To your family you might be the one they just ignore. But God still knows who you are. In the description of Jesus as the Good shepherd, we are told that he knows his own by name. (John 10:3)
            So before the needle in your tank hits empty you are invited by God to “cast all our cares upon him”. He is available but it is up to you to rely on Him or not. God is ready to bear the burden of your sorrow and sin, all we need to do is just ask.

May God Bless.
Pastor Ben Thomas

The Restoration of NIV 1984 is Needed

After many years of the issue being pointed out by church leaders, it has become apparent that it is necessary for us to get the 1984 edition of the NIV back to the market. For almost 30 years most churches, Sunday schools, and youth groups memorized the NIV 1984 edition. Most Bible Colleges used the NIV 1984 because of the unique nature of the translation. But when we ask for a NIV translation nowadays we are no longer getting the same translation that we loved very much. What we are getting now is a diluted translation that took many good usages that we are very familiar with.

When we read the word “he” it does not necessarily refer to a man, and it can in fact simply address a person. The word “he” was changed in the 2011 edition of the NIV to “they”; the meaning that the original book intended is now altered.

Many other unnecessary changes were made in this version so the intended meaning is changed and the Biblical purpose that one is supposed to follow cannot be completed.

My suggestion to parents is to specifically ask for the NIV 1984 version if you are buying an NIV Bible (the 1984 NIV is one of the great translations of our time). It has vanished from stores and the Internet for some time, but it has now started to come back into circulation.

I encourage parents to specifically ask for the NIV 1984 edition from the store if you are buying an NIV Bible. If you cannot get that version, then ESV is another option. This is a fairly new translation and almost equals the NIV 1984 edition. Either way it is most definitely a more suitable translation than 2011 edition of the NIV.

When our children memorize bible verses, we need them to be able study and learn these verses so that this becomes a blessing in their lives and not a source of confusion. I encourage parents to follow these suggestions when you select a version for your children.

NIV 1984 is available in this link if you are looking for one on the Internet.

http://www.biblestudytools.com/niv/

Some verses are shown below for comparative study:

  NIV 1984 | 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
   NIV2011 | 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

  NIV 1984 | Ps 8:4 what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?

   NIV 2011 | Ps 8:4 what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?

 NIV 1984 | Mark 7:15 Nothing outside a man can make him unclean by going into him. Rather, it is what comes out of a man that makes him unclean.”

 NIV 2011 | Mark 7:15 Nothing outside a person can defile them by going into them. Rather, it is what comes out of a person that defiles them.”

May God Bless You,

Pastor Ben Thomas