Comments on: Upping the Torch Flame

By: Mary Joy

Mary Joy — Mon, 05 Feb 2024 14:46:19 +0000

Hi Pamela, My neighbor asked me last week to come to a study with her which was called Momentum. The scripture used was Hebrews 12:1. As I was meditating on it from the Passion translation the last part said; for the path has already been marked out before us.
The NLT said the race God has set before us, and the message said; keep your eyes on jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. So I’m thinking this race whatever it is to each person is already set in place and it made me think of another scripture that I haven’t thought of in a while which is from Isaiah 41: 10 and 13.
God gave me a picture of him holding my right hand with his victorious right hand and if you actually picture that, he’s facing one way and I’m facing the other way. So then I choose whether to follow him and choose not to see where I’m going or I go the other way and let my hand leave his hand and follow my own path?
It’s interesting how Hebrews 12:1 came up two times in that week and how moving forward showed me clearly that I want him to lead and me to follow not the other way around. So I’m clinging to him and trusting the picture he gave me and believing it has already been marked out before me.

By: Jack Helser

Jack Helser — Sat, 27 Jan 2024 00:14:03 +0000

Hebrews 12:1 in the Message Version is new to me, Pam. With so many free English Bibles available in e-Sword, only 2 are an amplified type of text – rich with synonyms, simile and metaphor – the Passion Translation and the Remedy NT. The remaining 44 versions are somewhat similar in the text. How strange it is to read a text again and again, in a variety of main stream translations (KJV, RSV, NAS, ESV, NIV, et al) that don’t make an impression, then along comes one that ‘paints a picture’ with words and evokes a WOW in my spirit.

That’s quite a contrast with a YT video I watched, where a Christian celebrity pastor was opining on Bible translations, advocating for more of a “word for word” translation and expressing reservations with the “thought for thought” translations – as the former is the “Word of God” (translated) and the latter less a translation and more of a commentary. And yet it’s commentary and relative testimony that often opens the scriptures up to us. Anyway – I like the mental image of a cloud of witnesses watching and cheering us on to run and complete the race. Would that we could hear and see them sometimes – or at least feel their encouragement.

By: Samuel

Samuel — Fri, 26 Jan 2024 13:29:13 +0000

Looking forward to future emails, posts, etc.