“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it” (Proverbs 4:23).

The Bible translation we use at the Little Church and Lakewoodgrace is the NIV or the New International Version. We use this version of the Bible because it is a good combination of faithfulness to the original text and readability for modern readers.

But the thing about any of the translations is that they are translations. Every translation has to balance faithfulness to the original language and the meaning of the original language.

This verse is a perfect example of that. The New Century Version translates the verse in this way: “Be careful what you think, because your thoughts run your life.”

How can the two translations be so different? Which one is right?

They are both right. Here’s why:

• The NIV translates the Hebrew more literally and faithfully
• The NCV translates the Hebrew meaning more literally and faithfully

The key is in the word translated as “heart” by the NIV and “thoughts” by the NCV. The Hebrew word is heart. But the problem in translating the Hebrew word as heart in English is that for American readers heart refers to emotions and feelings. That’s not what the Jews meant by “heart.” You see, the heart was the place of thoughts and reasoning. Our brain is the same as the way the Jews thought about the heart.

So both are correct. Do guard your heart – the place of thoughts and reasoning. For everything you do flows from the basis of your thinking.

This is what the Apostle Paul had in mind in 2 Corinthians 10:5, “Take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”

What and how you think absolutely matters. If you think that God can’t, your God can’t. If you believe that your God can, you are right. What and how we think matters. So think like a Christian. Think like you believe the God of the Bible. Let the Bible be the basis of your thinking.

Got it? Think like a Christian. Think like a Christ-follower.

“Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it” – Revelation 1:3.

Have you made yours? It’s that time of the year. You know. New Year’s resolutions.

As we come to 2023, I want to challenge you to make a commitment to reading and studying God’s word every day. I am so encouraged by the numbers of you who have shown interest in the Daily Bible Reading project. There are still plenty of booklets to help you read the Bible every day.

What’s the big deal with reading the Bible? Alistair Begg says, “There is a direct correlation between the word of God being proclaimed, believed, obeyed, shared, and lived and the multiplication of the church.” And John Calvin says, “Wherever we find the word of God surely preached and heard, and the sacraments administered according to the institution of Christ, there, it is not to be doubted, is a church of God.”

The word of God read, heard, proclaimed, obeyed is one of the keys to not only personal renewal and growth but the renewal and growth of God’s church.

The psalmist tells us, “Thy word is a lamp for my feet, and a light on unto my path” (Psalm 119:105). If you want to know how to live your life in a that honors Christ, you gotta get into God’s word.

A typical daily Bible reading program will take you about ten minutes a day. It will be one of the best investments you will ever make.

If you are interested in the Daily Bible reading program that many in our church is participating in, give us a call in the office. Another fantastic resource is http://www.youversion.com. There you can find a daily reading program that meets your needs.

Ready? Do it. Join us in reading and studying God’s word and let’s grow together!

The baby born is the Christ who dies on a cross.

The baby crying is the Christ who cries out, “It is finished!”

The baby sleeping is the Christ who rises from the dead.

Christ-mas…Mass on Christ-day.

The reason Christmas is “merry” is because it is through the Christ, the God-anointed One, that the curse of sin and death is reversed. God’s wrath against sin is assuaged by the Christ as Jesus bore the weight of the sin of the world on the cross. Jesus descends into hell to rise again on the third day, defeating death once and for all.

All who receive Jesus as Lord and Savior are saved by the Christ, and share in his resurrection glory.

Christmas and Easter go together. One without the other is incomplete.

On this Second Day of Christmas, take time to thank God for sending his Son for you. For it was you whom God was thinking of when he provided Jesus as a sacrifice for sins.

Thank God!

Merry Christmas!!!