Easy to Read Version

A passage in the bible that has been on my mind over the weekend is Luke 9:23 which reads, “Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.”

When a verse is on my mind for a while it usually means I need to dig deeper because God is trying to tell me something. It’s almost always something that I am struggling with and He has the answer for me, if I really want to hear it. I began to read that passage from several different translations because I like to compare them as I look for the deeper understanding that God wants to show me.

The NIV is the main version I use, but on the BibleGateway site there are many different translations to choose from which makes it exciting to see how they all fit together. It feels like puzzle pieces as I read different versions and begin to piece the message together while praying for my ears to hear what God wants to say to me.

Today I read several versions before I came across a version that I haven’t read before, the Easy-to-read version and here is the same passage from it, “Jesus continued to say to all of them, “Any of you who want to be my follower must stop thinking about yourself and what you want. You must be willing to carry the cross that is given to you every day for following me.”

I don’t know if it was the version name, Easy-to-read, or the simplified verse that caught my attention, but I knew when I read it that I had landed on the words that God wanted me to hear.

I’ve been thinking that there are only 4 weeks left until Easter and it was a timely reminder of the choice I made to give up complaining. I started off well but I’ve noticed that I have been slacking on full dedication. The main reason that I complain is that I’m not getting what I want or that things are not going my way.

This verse clearly states that as a follower of Christ I must stop thinking about myself and what I want. I must be willing to carry the cross that is given to me every day for following Christ.

Another go to resource that I use often is Gotquestions.org. It really helps me to dig even deeper. A quote from that site on this verse said, “Following Jesus is easy when life runs smoothly; our true commitment to Him is revealed during trials. Jesus assured us that trials will come to His followers (John 16:33). Discipleship demands sacrifice, and Jesus never hid that cost.”

There are far greater trials in this life than not getting my own desires. This message brought me to a place of repentance for complaining about meaningless things that are hindering my walk with Christ. Not only did God give me a corrective message, but in the process of seeking for the message, He gave me time with Him. Time with Him always sets my heart on the right path.

One more verse that came to mind while doing this study was Deuteronomy 30: 11-16 which reads, “Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach. It is not up in heaven, so that you have to ask, “Who will ascend into heaven to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?” Nor is it beyond the sea, so that you have to ask, “Who will cross the sea to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?” No, the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it.”

There it is, the last puzzle piece. I want to be a follower of Christ and to do that I needed to be reminded of my commitment to surrender to His will every day. He also added the encouragement that what He is commanding me too do is not to difficult because He is near me. His word is in my mouth and my heart whenever I need it, so I can obey it.

God word is always available to us, if we want to hear it. Every answer we need, every comforting word we need to hear, the correction that needs to given can all be found in His word. He has even given us an Easy-to-read version.

My Prayer

Father, thank you for the much needed correction and for the joy of seeking out Your word for me. I’m so blessed that you have provided so many unique ways to hear from You and thoroughly enjoy the process. Help me to have a passion for Your word and remember that You are the Word. I love You Lord. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Where does my help come from?

Luke 9: 23 (MSG)

“Then he told them what they could expect for themselves: “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat—I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, myway, to finding yourself, your true self.”