“This is why I tell you: Don’t worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Isn’t life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the sky: They don’t sow or reap or gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you worth more than they? Can any of you add a single cubit to his height by worrying? -Matthew 6:25‭-‬27 HCSB

I used to worry, worry, worry all the time! What a sense of freedom and peace I have today from Jesus! When my mind goes there now, I am quickly reminded that worry is a sin and completely self-destructive mentally, emotionally and [most importantly] is an impediment to my walk with the LORD.

For who in the heaven Can be compared unto the LORD? Who among the sons of the mighty Can be likened unto the LORD? God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, And to be had in reverence of all them that are about him. O LORD God of hosts, who is a strong LORD like unto thee? Or to thy faithfulness round about thee? Psalm 89:6‭-‬8 KJV

In all the many false religions of this world, who compares to Him?

Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; 1 Peter 2:11 KJV

Keeping in mind that we are strangers and pilgrims in this world, our thoughts should be captive to Christ. In striving for such a continual relationship with Him, we may avoid the self-destructive path that the lusts of the flesh would take us down. Amen?

I am a stranger in the earth: Hide not thy commandments from me.
Psalm 119:19 KJV

Often the topic of Bible translations arises, especially in online communities of faith. Like most brothers and sisters, I have an opinion on the subject!

I think (first and foremost) that the more literal translations are essential for any Bible student. While all translations can be called “commentaries on the original manuscripts,” the less license allowed, the better. That said, my favorites of the more literal translations include the KJV, NASB, NKJV, ESV and (for in-depth consideration) the Amplified Bible.

Please know that I am not opposed to the more dynamic translations such as the NIV or NLT. They certainly have their place on the shelves. But I think they should be used after a more literal translation us read.

Your thoughts?

But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: that in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. -Ephesians 2:4‭-‬10 KJV