Message In A Bottle

Here is today's reading, from The Message Bible. Matthew 5:13-16

13 "Let me tell you why you are here. You're here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You've lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage. 14 "Here's another way to put it: You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. 15 If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. 16 Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand - shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.

 

Luke Chapter 2:1-20, from The Message Bible

1 About that time Caesar Augustus ordered a census to be taken throughout the Empire. 2 This was the first census when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 Everyone had to travel to his own ancestral hometown to be accounted for. 4 So Joseph went from the Galilean town of Nazareth up to Bethlehem in Judah, David's town, for the census. As a descendant of David, he had to go there. 5 He went with Mary, his fiance, who was pregnant. 6 While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 She gave birth to a son, her firstborn. She wrapped him in a blanket and laid him in a manger, because there was no room in the hostel. 8 There were sheepherders camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. 9 Suddenly, God's angel stood among them and God's glory blazed around them. They were terrified. 10 The angel said, "Don't be afraid. I'm here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: 11 A Savior has just been born in David's town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. 12 This is what you're to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger." 13 At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God's praises: 14 Glory to God in the heavenly heights, Peace to all men and women on earth who please him. 15 As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the sheepherders talked it over. "Let's get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us." 16 They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. 17 Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child. 18 All who heard the sheepherders were impressed. 19 Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself. 20 The sheepherders returned and let loose, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen. It turned out exactly the way they'd been told!

 

The KJV Bible is the only one I own. When I was able to get around, I would go to the library and check out commentaries to read, about parts I was struggling to understand. Most were a big help.

 

Here is the Christmas Story from Luke 2:1-20,as found in the Message Bible. Merry Christmas!

1 About that time Caesar Augustus ordered a census to be taken throughout the Empire.
2 This was the first census when Quirinius was governor of Syria.
3Everyone had to travel to his own ancestral hometown to be accounted for.
4 So Joseph went from the Galilean town of Nazareth up to Bethlehem in Judah, David's town, for the census. As a descendant of David, he had to go there.
5 He went with Mary, his fiance, who was pregnant.
6 While they were there, the time came for her to give birth.
7 She gave birth to a son, her firstborn. She wrapped him in a blanket and laid him in a manger, because there was no room in the hostel.
8There were sheepherders camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep.
9 Suddenly, God's angel stood among them and God's glory blazed around them. They were terrified.
10 The angel said, "Don't be afraid. I'm here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide:
11 A Savior has just been born in David's town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master.
12 This is what you're to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger."
13 At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God's praises:
14 Glory to God in the heavenly heights, Peace to all men and women on earth who please him.
15 As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the sheepherders talked it over. "Let's get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us."
16 They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger.
17 Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child.
18 All who heard the sheepherders were impressed.
19 Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself.
20 The sheepherders returned and let loose, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen. It turned out exactly the way they'd been told!

 

I like the Psalms, in the Message Bible! Here is Psalm 148:

1 Hallelujah! Praise God from heaven, praise him from the mountaintops; 2 Praise him, all you his angels, praise him, all you his warriors, 3 Praise him, sun and moon, praise him, you morning stars; 4 Praise him, high heaven, praise him, heavenly rain clouds; 5 Praise, oh let them praise the name of God - he spoke the word, and there they were! 6 He set them in place from all time to eternity; He gave his orders, and that's it! 7 Praise God from earth, you sea dragons, you fathomless ocean deeps; 8 Fire and hail, snow and ice, hurricanes obeying his orders; 9 Mountains and all hills, apple orchards and cedar forests; 10 Wild beasts and herds of cattle, snakes, and birds in flight; 11 Earth's kings and all races, leaders and important people, 12 Robust men and women in their prime, and yes, graybeards and little children. 13 Let them praise the name of God - it's the only Name worth praising. His radiance exceeds anything in earth and sky; 14 he's built a monument - his very own people! Praise from all who love God! Israel's children, intimate friends of God. Hallelujah!

 

Today's reading from the Message Bible,is 1st John 1:3-9.

3 We saw it, we heard it, and now we're telling you so you can experience it along with us, this experience of communion with the Father and his Son, Jesus Christ. 4 Our motive for writing is simply this: We want you to enjoy this, too. Your joy will double our joy! 5 This, in essence, is the message we heard from Christ and are passing on to you: God is light, pure light; there's not a trace of darkness in him. 6 If we claim that we experience a shared life with him and continue to stumble around in the dark, we're obviously lying through our teeth - we're not living what we claim. 7 But if we walk in the light, God himself being the light, we also experience a shared life with one another, as the sacrificed blood of Jesus, God's Son, purges all our sin. 8 If we claim that we're free of sin, we're only fooling ourselves. A claim like that is errant nonsense. 9 On the other hand, if we admit our sins - make a clean breast of them - he won't let us down; he'll be true to himself. He'll forgive our sins and purge us of all wrongdoing.

 

I have made it a personal goal of mine to read through the Bible once each year. I'm on my 7th time through at this point. When it comes to translations, that's another part of my goal, to make it a different translation each time.

Like a few others here have said, the translation I go to generally is decided due to the purpose for which I'm looking. If it's for seeking God's will, or hearing from Him more "directly" I always choose KJV... not for my regular reading, though. That was done one of my years and I found it more of a strain to "get" it all than some of the easier versions.

I do know that one or two of the newer translations... as I read about it, seem to be getting a bad rap about too much poetic license being taken, and losing some of the accuracy from the original texts because of that. I don't recall what they are, or it is, if only one, but I suspect I'll know it if ever I come across it. Since God said "thou shalt not kill" I really don't want to see a translation saying "be sure not to hurt anyone"...

My first time through the Bible was in the late 70s. It was "The Way" and ya know, I can't for the life of me remember which translation that is, but it was very popular in the 70s, I know. NLT, I guess?

 

Hi Mari. Welcome. "The Way" was the "Living Bible" translation wasn't it? And it was a work bible with extra questions, answers, activities? I remember it. I used the Living Bible as a new Christian and it really helped to get started.

 

Yes, you're right, Lara... The Living Bible. (That's called NLT now, right?) It helped me to get started, too. I do remember questions that it had but I think I may have skipped over that part. Most clear in my mind is the pictures that were scatted throughout the Bible for the sidebars and "extra" teachings... things that were relevant to the era. The pictures are *definitely* from the 70s. Those hairstyles, my my! I'm pretty sure I still have my copy. I should look for where I have it packed!

 

ha…yes, definitely 70's

 

Hi, Mari, and welcome. As I recall, Ken Taylor's Living Bible, was written to help adults read the Bible to children, without stopping to explain everything. It is an interpretive, paraphrased version. I have never read through the Bible, but my Wife has completed it 3 or 4 times, over the last thirty years. She likes the KJV & NIV. It's good to read many different versions. I remember the one with four different versions, side by side...something like the Parallel Bible or something. Glad you found your WAY to our Forum!

 

That's the one for sure! Exactly. You should see some of the pictures on the inside! If anyone would have told me back then that I'd be missing those days in a few decades, I would have laughed them out of the room. But my goodness, do I miss those days. Bad hair and all.

 

Today's reading in the Message bible, is Matthew 20:29-34.

29 As they were leaving Jericho, a huge crowd followed. 30 Suddenly they came upon two blind men sitting alongside the road. When they heard it was Jesus passing, they cried out, "Master, have mercy on us! Mercy, Son of David!" 31 The crowd tried to hush them up, but they got all the louder, crying, "Master, have mercy on us! Mercy, Son of David!" 32 Jesus stopped and called over, "What do you want from me?" 33 They said, "Master, we want our eyes opened. We want to see!" 34 Deeply moved, Jesus touched their eyes. They had their sight back that very instant, and joined the procession.

 

Today's reading from the Message bible, is Psalm 34.

1 I bless God every chance I get; my lungs expand with his praise. 2 I live and breathe God; if things aren't going well, hear this and be happy: 3 Join me in spreading the news; together let's get the word out. 4 God met me more than halfway, he freed me from my anxious fears. 5 Look at him; give him your warmest smile. Never hide your feelings from him. 6 When I was desperate, I called out, and God got me out of a tight spot. 7 God's angel sets up a circle of protection around us while we pray. 8 Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see - how good God is. Blessed are you who run to him. 9 Worship God if you want the best; worship opens doors to all his goodness. 10 Young lions on the prowl get hungry, but God-seekers are full of God. 11 Come, children, listen closely; I'll give you a lesson in God worship. 12 Who out there has a lust for life? Can't wait each day to come upon beauty? 13 Guard your tongue from profanity, and no more lying through your teeth. 14 Turn your back on sin; do something good. Embrace peace - don't let it get away! 15 God keeps an eye on his friends, his ears pick up every moan and groan. 16 God won't put up with rebels; he'll cull them from the pack. 17 Is anyone crying for help? God is listening, ready to rescue you. 18 If your heart is broken, you'll find God right there; if you're kicked in the gut, he'll help you catch your breath. 19 Disciples so often get into trouble; still, God is there every time. 20 He's your bodyguard, shielding every bone; not even a finger gets broken. 21 The wicked commit slow suicide; they waste their lives hating the good. 22 God pays for each slave's freedom; no one who runs to him loses out.