The Bible Made Alive
By Bernie Tarkka 20th April 2016
Being made alive in Christ by the Holy Spirit has made the bible my choicest book.
Early in Christ, I remember the day I watched a video on the book of Matthew and there was a point in the video where Jesus was walking along whilst talking and smiling! I was shocked. I am processing and in wonder at the same time...'Wow, Jesus is smiling, He is smiling!' That was a game changer for me.
At that point I was renting a room from a friend and she would leave me notes about little house things such as we need to buy this or that, and I realised... that I was reading the notes and bible in the voice and tone of how I was spoken to as a child (by a particular person whom I hold no animosity to). It was hard, agressive, negative often and not very encouraging and that I never seemed to do anything right. Like I was always being told off. After I watched the video I remember being so aware that my processing of things written to me had been filtered through an old way of being spoken to.
The next memory was probably from later that evening when I was reading the bible and it was like the words were dancing on the page.
Now the lie had been exposed; that Jesus is smiling when he speaks, the words were coming to me in a whole different light. Although I enjoyed reading the bible before, this revelation brought something new to my reading and I was saying to myself in awe, WOW, the words are dancing on the page, LOOK, the words are dancing on the page. It was like love and grace came and kissed me and made these words alive.
Someone has written a book
called 'Alter Your Perception Transform Your Reality, Smiling Jesus, the book, by Leon Cautillo and a description reads:
Invent a more joyous life by transforming your perception of Jesus Christ by pondering the possibility that Jesus was happy and joyous. Jesus was indeed an all loving, happy messenger honoring the greatest interpretation of the idea "God". His message was simple, live, seeking greater and greater joy each and everyday.
And although there are some tough topics in the bible, remember that it's heart is about Love, Redemption. Love sent in the form of Jesus Christ to save the lost. We are all lost, even from birth due to the nature that was inherited from our ancestors Adam and Eve. We do not need to be taught to sin, the fruit is already there. No one is righteous not even one is a truth in a bible. But when I think of Jesus, His love, His sacrifice ... I just love this book that speaks of Him and I love the Holy Spirit that witnesses to Him and His call for Salvation to His Kingdom for all who believe.
The Bible
“This Book is the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding; its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable.
Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you. It is the traveler’s map, the pilgrim’s staff, the pilot’s compass, the soldier’s sword, and the Christian’s character. Here paradise is restored, heaven opened, and the gates of hell disclosed. Christ is its grand subject, our good its design, and the glory of God its end. It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet. Read it slowly, frequently, prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river of pleasure. Follow its precepts and it will lead you to Calvary, to the empty tomb, to a resurrected life in Christ; yes, to glory itself, for eternity.
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