Bible Comparison

The verses from Galatians 3:26-29 in the New Living Translation tell me that I am so loved by God, our heavenly father.

I am precious in His eyes. Faith in Christ has given me the privilege to be called God's child, a renewed and saved being, no longer differentiated or discriminated by gender, marginalized by religious denomination or alienated by economic status. This passage gives me the courage to face the world with great hope and joyful expectation that I am victorious through faith in Jesus Christ. I even have a different perspective on the trials, disappointment and challenges every child of God goes through because I know that God's covenant with Abraham is also mine to claim as I grow in faith and stature before my Lord, Jesus Christ.

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Name: Marlene Suarez

The verses from Luke 11:9-13 in the New Living Translation tell me about my Father in heaven and His heart toward all of His children.

He desires that we would seek His face, to know Him, to ask Him for what we need and keep on asking. A persistent heart before Him cannot be denied, one that is desperately seeking Him shall find Him.  And if we keep "knocking" on the closed doors in our life, He will open them for us and we will be free.

"For everyone who asks, receives." What a promise! He is not stingy with us, or distant and withholding from us, but says that He will give freely to us because we are His children and He is our Father. Jesus gives the analogy of Fathers and their children, how a true loving earthly Father does not trick, manipulate or play with His children by giving them things that could harm them, but He gives them good things.

In comparison, our Heavenly Father gives us so much more than our earthly Father could. When we ask for anything He pours out His Spirit to give us what we are lacking. "How much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him."

Holy Spirit is the seal of promise to us that we are our Fathers' children and not orphans in this world. He gives us the Spirit of Adoption into our spirits that causes us to cry out to God, "ABBA! DADDY!" Jesus has not left us to struggle through life on our own but live free and abundantly through Him.

To me this passage tells me that my Father's Spirit will always be the one alongside of me, dwelling within me that will lead me faithfully.  My part is to keep talking to Him and believing that He will answer. I have seen this that when I am just ready to give up, the moment that I stop trying to do things on my own and turn to my Father seeking Him, and not looking into myself and ask for what I lack, He fills me with new perspective and His strength in the midst of my greatest weakness.

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Name: Emily Robinson

The verses from Luke 11:9-13 in the New Living Translation tell me that God has tremendous plans for us, and my timing and His timing are not always the same.

My part in God's will for my life is to strive daily to find ways to live for Him and allow His love to shine through me to others.  The more I do this, the more I truly come to know Him intimately.

I have experienced a great deal of turmoil and hurt as a result of a divorce, and I allowed that to cause me to hide, lick my wounds and shrink back from the call of God on my life. I have resolved that as sure as I know God called me to vocational ministry some 26 years ago, I will not allow fear or anything else to keep me from pursuing the call to serve God in full-time vocational ministry.  But until that place and I meet in God's perfect plan I will faithfully and obediently serve Him right here where I am planted.

Get help to deal with life's hurts, check out the NLT Life Recovery Bible, another excellent resource from Tyndale House, publishers of the New Living Translation.

Learn more about modern Bible translation and Bible comparison when you visit the New Living Translation website. 

Name: Tony Parker

The verses from Psalm 133 in the New Living Translation tell me about God's love--that Jesus Christ tells us to love each other.  We have to and NEED to live in love and harmony with our sisters and brothers in the church as the body of the Christ, as one in Jesus.  As a church that is Jesus' body to continue to be a living blessing.

Learn more about Bible comparison and the issues faced by scholars in modern Bible translation when you check out the NLT website, brought to you by Tyndale House, publishers of the Bible, Living Translation. 

Enjoy reading how others are encouraged by these meaningful words from Psalm 133 in the NLT when you check out the NLT Breakthrough to Clarity Bible Contest and Giveaway blog. 

Name: Jenny Antonietta Gentile

The verses from 1 Chronicles 28:8-10 in the New Living Translation tell me to be myself with God. I am to seek to know Him more personally than any human friendship or love. Everything and everyone should pale in comparison to God. I am to worship and serve Him with every fiber of my being.

The Lord knows me far better than I know myself. No matter what thought or plan I make, He knows my intention. If I seek Him, look for Him, call on Him and cry out to Him I will find Him and know Him.

If I neglect to do those things I will be lost for eternity.

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Name: Mary Eva Smith

The verses from 1 Chronicles 28:8-10 in the New Living Translation tell me that knowing God intimately is the most important thing that we can do.  It shows me that through knowing God intimately I will choose to worship Him and serve Him more and more freely.

God knows me in and out and through choosing to know Him just as intimately I will find Him.

God knows my heart and knows if what I feel and say is true.  He knows every thought that crosses my mind and He knows I accept Him which is sooooo important to both Him and me because if I reject Him He will reject me.

God is teaching me the importance of an intimate relationship with Him. Everything we do must be done willingly and with a glad heart.  This passage affects my life because I know that with a glad heart and willing spirit I will become more intimately connected with Him.

Learn more about Bible comparison and the issues scholars deal with in modern Bible translation when you check out the New Living Translation website. 

Name: Elisabeth Laurent

The verses from Galatians 3:26-29 in the New Living Translation tell me what it means to be a child of God.  They remind me of the new creation He makes us and the new covenantal heirship He grants us.

It's so beautiful! I was reared LDS/Mormon, but became agnostic and skeptical on all things God for over a decade.  Then was born again a couple of years ago together with my wife.

I have come to treasure the new relationship God invited (and continues to invite) us all into. I was taught to believe all of God's human creations are His children. While I think there is value in remembering God loves His whole creation, the adoption as children has a special requirement, but not a complicated requirement: to just have faith in what Jesus Christ fully did for us. But what's especially beautiful here is that Paul reminds us of the freedom we have as a new creation, the freedom -- and encouragement -- to put old allegiances and divisions aside. To become united with other true believers in glorifying Him and embracing the new covenantal heirship we are now promised.

Learn more about Bible comparison when you check out the New Living Translation website, brought to you by Tyndale House, publishers of the Life Application Study Bible (Leather). 

Name: Bryan Jensen

The verses from Luke 11:9-13 in the New Living Translation tell me that you have only to ask God for something, and He will answer you. If you ask, you will receive, if you search for truth and knowledge, it will be given to you, and if you ask Jesus into your heart, He will come.

As earthly fathers love their children and desire only the best for them, how much more does God love us? It is a love beyond compare. He wants to give us all we desire to fulfill our needs. He wants to hold us in His arms and love us. He wants us to spend time with Him, in conversation with Him. As we desire, in Christ Jesus, so will God provide.

God is an awesome God, our Heavenly Father who has no failings, no human frailties. He loves us as we are, but desires to change our hearts to conform to His. He sent His Son for us, to die for us. Who among us would sacrifice a child to save another person? God did that for us--for each and every one of us.  If I were the only person on Earth, God would still have sent Jesus. AMAZING!

Read how others are encouraged by these meaningful words from Luke 11 in the New Living Translation when you visit the New Living Tranlsation Breakthrough to Clarity Bible Contest and Giveaway Read Entries page.   

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Learn more about Bible Comparison and check out some favorite verses in three different versions including the New Living Translation. 

Name: Cathy Cocker

The verses from Daniel 3:16-18 in the New Living Translation tell me that God is a God who saves his own from the burning furnace. He looks at the faith of his children and is amazed.

Life is about living in the faith and if we don't walk in the faith we may perish in that furnace we call life. If we have God and are faithful and stand for God we will have our reward in heaven.

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Name: Kayla Serpa

The verses from 1 Chronicles 28:8-10 in the New Living Translation tell me that I am supposed to get to know the Lord better. And what better way is there, than by studying His Word!

Hosea 6:6 even states that He wants us to know Him more, than He wants burnt offerings. (No more burnt offerings, just an example that we are to get to know Him more and more each day, by studying His Word.)  He wants me to do this with my whole heart and a willing mind! Isn't that why He created me in the first place, to have fellowship with Him? As I seek Him I will find Him!   I have found Him, praise the Lord!

And Praise the Lord for the New Living Translation also! For it is clear and easy to understand, but most importantly is that it is true to the original text!

Read about Bible comparison when you check out these helpful pages from the New Living Translation. 

Name: Steve S. Jennings

The verses from 1 John 4:7-10 in the New Living Translation of the Bible tell me that we are created in the image of our Father the Lord.

Because God is Love, we are meant to love one another.  It is more than a requirement, it is our nature to love one another.

This verse teaches me that, if we succeed in doing so, we become more like the Lord, which is pleasing to Him. This verse has never meant more to me than after I had my own son. To think of the sacrifice that the Lord made for humanity, a sacrifice I could never bring myself to do, is to begin to comprehend the immeasurable love that God has for us.

Humanity had constantly turned against the Lord and disobeyed his commands. We showed the Lord so little love, and he repaid us by giving humanity salvation. I love the Lord with all my heart. I think of the joy I feel when my little boy runs to me, arms open, smiling, and calling out "Daddy", then I think that it must pale in comparison to how the Lord must feel when one of his prodigal sons returns to him.

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Name: Brenton Carr

The word "Harmony" from Psalm 133 in the New Living Translation is a very special word.  It reflects what for most of us "can be" or our station in life.

It's a work in progress ... a goal. As we seek to be more Christlike, "harmony" is likely to follow that effort. To achieve that we need to be sure and apply the three strand cord of being like Jesus. That is giving, praying, and fasting. As we strive to do each of these things daily, monthly, and yearly, we will find true harmony and happiness.

Learn more about Bible Comparison, and the questions considered by scholars when they approach modern Bible translation, when you visit the New Living Translation website.   

Name: Charles Miller

The verses from Galatians 3:26-29 in the New Living Translation tell me that in front of God the Father, my sins are forgiven.  I am covered by Christ Jesus. The Father does not see my failures or my sinfulness, but His Son who died for me and now is my shield and clothing of righteousness.

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Name: James Cox

The verses from Psalm 133 in the New Living Translation tell me that unity in the church and across denominational lines is key.

There is anointing found in unity, there is peace found in unity, there is blessing found in unity. When we walk in God's anointing, His peace, His blessing - when we walk in unity, we are more effective in winning the lost for Him. When we are unified we are stronger - Eccl 4:12 says, "A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken." (New Living Translation)

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Name: Amy Young

The verses from Daniel 3:16-18 in the New Living Translation are very powerful.

These men were in the worst possible situation, and they were there because of their faithfulness to God. Just a little "compromise" and they would be safe. But they were unwilling to compromise their beliefs. They had faith that God would take note of their faithfulness and would save them from a terrible death, but stated that even if He chose not to, He was worth their total loyalty.

I find these men to be wonderful role models. I strive to be faithful in my life, even when it appears that life would be easier if I took the "world's way" of looking out for myself first, but my troubles are minute in comparison.

Read how others interact with these inspiring and encouraging verses from the New Living Translation when you check out the entries in the Breakthrough to Clarity Bible Contest and Giveaway. 

Name: Debbie Lott

The verses from 1 John 4:7-10 in the New Living Translation tell me nothing matters about looks, about background, about plans, about money status, about number of kids you have, your sexual preference, type of job, where you are going, or what you are doing: God loves you. Period.

There is nothing anyone can do to earn that love, He has already given it to us. His son paid the ultimate price for us, for God's love for us, by dying so His love can flow through us on a constant and forever basis upon the acceptance of His love. And that love does not stop within us, but we are living conduits of that love.

I am a mom of a beautiful girl, and until recently, have been a single mother most of her life. Every day of her life she has heard of God's love, how it is there, nothing can take it away once it is given, and it will always be because it is of God and "God is love."

Now, I am also a soldier in the Army National Guard, and when I found out I was going to Afghanistan (2008), my 7 year old daughter (at that time) and I were already prepared. I had 2 days notice. I called my daughter to me when I got the message, crying because in that moment I knew I would miss an amazing year with my girl, my family, my best friend. My daughter looked at me when I told her, wiped my tears, and said, "Momma, from my heart to yours, I love you. God is with us, His love is in us, and we will always be together in our hearts." I replied, "Yes, Baby, we are always together in our hearts, and why is that?" "Because God is in our hearts and God is love. God is everywhere so His love is everywhere and connects us."

Boy, oh boy, if I wasn't crying enough before, I sure was then. Even a child can understand how awesome the power of God's love is for all of us. He is everywhere. He is love. His love connects us. It doesn't stop with us, he tells us to "love one another." To share Love.

I am now home, my daughter is home, and I am married to my life-mate and best friend, Jon. Love--quite unconditional--is a constant in our house, and we are committed to sharing it as often as possible to whoever needs it (and we all do), be it in the form of a hug, a smile, a note of encouragement, and through the best gift of all, sharing God's message of love and salvation.

So many people in this world are confused, judged by skin, background, sexual preference, history and more. In a world so torn by hatred, war, travesty and stress, Love-God's Love must be shared. How easy it is by comparison to God's gift to us! Politics won't fix things, money can't fix things, even if there is enough money. God's love is the answer. And, I am blessed daily by Love, by God's gift to me, and by the return of love on a daily basis. I persuade everyone to reach out, make a difference by sharing God's love at least once a day. The bible says we will be known by our fruits. Our actions will begin speaking so much louder than our words of God's presence in our lives, in this world. Watch and see what changes begin happening around you in response to that sharing. Remember, love is of God; God is love. God is everywhere. God's love connects us and we are one in the love of God. Have a great day!

Name: D Nicole Johnson Starr

The verses from Luke 11:9-13 in the New Living Translation of the Bible describe God as a great Father.

I was lucky enough to have a fantastic father here on earth so I take these verses very much to heart. I know it is difficult for some people who have not had a great earthly father to appreciate the comparison but it just raises my hopes quite high.

I know God will help us to find whatever we seek.  The first time I read the Bible through cover-to-cover, I had many questions. Church was using the Daily Walk that year.  So as I used it each day, I would write my questions along by the sides of the commentary of the monthly books. I am a packrat so I kept the books. About two years later I decided my first read had been the best so I decided to reuse that first annnual guide to see if it was due to it, or if it was my newness to life under my Father's wing.

When I started rereading the original Daily Walks, I noticed my original questions. God honors HIS Word so much,  He had answered each and every question I revisited that year in the two years since I had asked Him!

Yes, if you seek, you WILL find! I broke my ankle a month ago and I am finding myself in a position where I must trust and rely on other people more than I ever have in my life before.  Again, God is a perfect Father, and he gives what is sought. I have found patience I did not know I had (nor did my closest friends) and I know His purpose in all this is being fulfilled.

Pain? I really haven't experieced much, but that is not the lesson He is teaching this week.  Relying on others is much more difficult for me, but He is my Father, my guide in all these new experieces. The most perfect gift He has given me is the knowledge that I am never finished growing and learning.

Due to His knowledge and the fact that all of his gifts are just what we need, whether we know it or not, makes daily life easy to accept. I love God, I have been radical for Him and for His Kingdon for over 30 years, and yet, He is always teaching, always leading, always loving. He indeed is a father who has given me His Holy Sprit and responds to everything I ask of Him.

Name: Nancy Coble

The verses from 1 John 4:7-10 in the NLT tell me that whatever shortcomings and weaknesses I have as a human being, the evidence that I have the Holy Spirit, in my soul, is the love that I continue to have for my brothers and sisters around me. Not the kind of love that the world offers, but that unconditional love the God showed me first, by loving me when I was so far from Him.

He died for all the sins I have and will ever do in my life. When I think of some of things others have done or are doing to me, they seem so petty in comparison to what has been forgiven for me. I realize that a lot of the joy I feel everyday beyond the personal relationship that I have with my savior, is all the folks that He loves through me, and I get to be a part of that.

Learn more from the New Living Translation of the Bible about how every person can experience god's forgiveness. 

Name: Rick Rieger

Listen! It’s the voice of someone shouting, “Clear the way through the wilderness for the LORD! Make a straight highway through the wasteland for our God!  --Isaiah 40:3

What makes a highway rough . . . disuse, misuse, neglect, or overgrowth?

What makes a path crooked . . . weeds, cutting corners, taking short-cuts?

When Scripture says to make straight a highway in the desert, it is an announcement that something of great value is coming in the near future. These are words of comfort to those who are desperate for change, and words of warning for those who have been neglectful and slothful. It is a call to put aside, to cut out anything that may hinder the path from being, clear, smooth, and open for the good that is about to arrive.

The good that is about to arrive and change everything is Jesus. He will make the last first; the first last. The humble will be raised up, and the proud will be made low. Jesus will make all things new and put all things right. Our role is to get ready to receive with open arms this amazing turn of events.

What paths need straightening in our lives? Where is there disuse and neglect? What have we allowed to grow in our lives that cover the clear path of the Holy Spirit? Let us examine our lives and be open to areas where we may need to repent. Repentance clears the weeds, straightens the path, and opens the way for the Holy Spirit to use us and to build in us.

Let us prepare the way for the Lord. When the valleys are raised up, every hill made low, when the rough ground is made level and the rugged places plain, then we will see our Lord face to face.

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Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.
--Matthew 2:2

Astronomers are big advocates of the “dark sky.” Their goal is to get all city lights directed downwards. City lights aimed upwards severely diminish visibility. This is why research planetariums are far from city lights and high up on mountaintops. Remote locations maximize the visibility of each orb, be it planet, star, or cluster, in the universe.

When the Eastern kings came to Herod in search of the new King, Herod read the star as a threat. He made plans to misuse the light that so clearly guided these sojourners. He wanted a different kind of darkness. Through lies, deceit, and treachery, Herod attempted to turn the blazing star into a mere twinkle.

But the light of Jesus could not be extinguished. Jesus was light throughout his walk on earth (see John 1:4-5). He called people out of their self-deception, self-pity, and deepest of sin, and into his presence. His light is still as strong and life changing today as it was two thousand years ago. How can this be? Is the memory of the life of Jesus that powerful? The answer to that question lives in every believer today.
Jesus clearly stated that we are light in a dark world (Matt. 5:14). Paul said that we were once darkness, but are now light (Eph. 5:8). Thankfully, Jesus did not leave us on our own to figure out how to be his light in a dark world. Jesus placed his own Spirit within us to guide us. We need only allow his Spirit to work freely in us, and we will reflect the character of Jesus to others.

Just as the moon reflects the sun’s light, we reflect the character of Jesus through goodness, righteousness, and truth (Eph. 5:9). What about when we fail? Do we defeat God’s will when we sin? We are assured that God’s will is always accomplished and no sin has any power over God’s will. No matter how frail or vulnerable we may be, the Holy Spirit chooses to work through us. We can be assured that God will always provide a blazing light for the world to find him. We are left in humble awe that he continues to use his followers to fulfill his plan.

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