Monthly Archives: May 2014

New Features

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I am planning to add several new features to the blog, such as audio studies. I have added a mailing list subscription form which I will use to keep interested readers informed of events via Email. I plan to begin publishing a newsletter, which will be distributed to this list.

For your convenience, here is a link to the
Welcome Page

I invite you to use the form on this page to subscribe to my mailing list.

Remember to submit comments to the blog between now and Pentecost, which occurs on June 8, 2014. I will use your entries to compile a list and draw a winner from the group. One of you will receive a Special Edition hardcover copy of my book!

How To Avoid A Major Pitfall

Posted on by under General

Almost every time I hear a minister teach the following verse, the wrong message is preached. to clarify, I

will show you the same verse taken from two different versions of the bible.

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according

to his purpose.
Romans 8:28 (KJV)

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to

his purpose.
Romans 8:28 (NIV)

Can you see the difference in meaning conveyed by these two versions? The KJV teaches that all things work

together for our good. Most Christians understand this to mean that regardless of the event, God was in

control and ultimately, good will come from it.

In the NIV rendering of the verse, we see a different message. This version teaches us that in all things God

works for good. This does not imply that everything which takes place is intended for good, nevertheless, God

does everything possible to use it that way.

Let’s take a closer look at this verse. If we get this one right, lots of other scriptures will make sense.

There are two layers of understanding involved.
First, we must consider the context. This section of scripture outlines that because God knew who would accept

salvation through Jesus Christ, he arranged things so that they would share in his inheritance. Therefore,

when the scripture speaks of ALL THINGS it refers to those things which God initiates. Many things

which occur in this world are not part of God’s plan. People often say that they want to live according to the

will of God, yet they fail to make the connection that if it is possible to live outside that will, then

someone or something else can be in control of an event.

The second point is that because God is all good, he always works for good in every situation. Therefore, no

matter who initiates an event, God will strive to get something positive and fruitful from it. He may do it so

well, that you may think it was his plan all along.

Part of the deception of Satan is to get people to believe that God initiates evil to bring forth something

good. The acceptance of this lie is what enables the devil to do evil works without opposition. You can read

much more detail on this topic in my book.