It ain't no secret

[toad]

“Exaggeration is truth that has lost its temper.�
KAHIL GIBRAN

“Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.�
PHILIPPIANS 4:11-13 NASB

The New American Standard and the New International Version of the Bible both use the word “secret� in the scripture verses that I study this morning. I went to Strong’s Greek dictionary and I find nothing about the apostle Paul learning a secret. What I find is that the Greek word mueo is used and its meaning is simply to learn, teach or instruct. The King James and the New King James both use the word learn. It ain’t no secret! The word secret reads well there, but I find it to put some kind of mystical hidden agenda into Paul’s revelation that is just not there. I am not against these modern translations, I find them helpful and use them, and, enjoy them very much. It’s just that if, there is a secret, and I want to know what it is. When it comes to Jesus Christ and my walk with Him, don’t keep any secrets from me. Don’t leave me in the dark about something. That is just not scriptural. The Apostle Paul had learned it, just didn’t come to him in some bolt of lightening, there was no secret about it. It was a process of daily living, of going without and having abundance. Many of us in our lives experience ups and downs of various kinds. It is not always food and money that vary. At times it may be our health, and at other times our emotions. At times it may be our relationships with others, and at other times it may be our relationship that we have with our self. The apostle Paul learned and was taught how to deal with the ups and downs of life, and that was to know and be aware of where his real strength came from. It came from Jesus Christ. When I let Jesus come into my life one of the first soothing experiences was to have the high and low points that I experienced, be brought into perspective to the over all picture I had of my life. Last Saturday evening I had the pleasure to attend Max Lucado’s church in San Antonio. I remember him saying that we need to sit in Christ, and he went on to explain what it means to sit. Sitting is when we put our total weight on another object. This is what Paul did and his highs and lows of life were able to be tolerated. Today I am able to apply this same teaching about Jesus to my life, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.� It ain’t no secret, God does for me what I could not do for myself…………………………JRE

“Love and tolerance of others is our code.�
Alcoholics Anonymous, page 84

[Justme57]

I love my King James version, and use a Strongs concordance with it


HUGX
Lee

[BLackshirt]

Those are some great words of encouragement, thanks!

[toad]

Originally Posted by BLackshirt

Those are some great words of encouragement, thanks!

thank you for your response..............1 day @ a X..........toad

[best]

Toad
Each English version of the bible has a slight problem because English doesn't translate well from the Greek or Hebrew.

Some English bibles are translated in a word-for-word format. Some are translated in a phrase for phrase format. That is why you see a difference between them.
A literal translation vs a translation of intended meaning (as best as English can give) It is good that you go back to the root meaning and find what the original says. It is becoming even more so a need for us all to do that because of the even newer translation that have come out over the past 4-5 years. Gender neutral bibles have a tendancy to pull the meaning further from the original then any other main steam translation.

[cmc]

God stays the same!- He does not change... I too, am very wary of anyone or anything that alters the meaning of His Word-It's good to look up the original vocabulary- a great way to study! I use the KJ, but there is another KJ that they use in my church- I forget the name. Anyone know about a revised KJ? I will recognize it when I see it- just can't recall the data in my brain!
Toad, you are on a good path!
cmc

[best]

New KJ Version
NKJV

Wriiten in an English that is closer to todays English then the original KJV

[godsonmyside]

I don't seem to have a problem learning from the NIV, King James was what I had years ago, We speak to each other in English, Many different folks will interperate differently anyway.

King James and when I heard scrpiters being revised during sermons confused me even more. I know the language and keeping it simple, how many times do you think we will read and study this stuff untill we really get the whole idea? It's about God and Jesus, I dont speak Hebrew, so the NIV suits me just fine.

Peace,
Todd J.

[splendra]

I have a Greek Bible that has the english translation I love it! Although I do keep the KJV, NIV and the Living Bible close at hand.. Good ole Strongs... I love Gibran too