The Mind of Christ

I Want to Be Just Like You, Jesus !

 

Our Bible teacher was on her Christmas visit to her family and asked me to teach the Bible Lesson today.  We began by reading several verses from John where many times Jesus said, “I only say what My Father has told Me to say, and I only do what My Father has told Me to do.”  John 12:49,  John 14:10, John 5:19,

Jesus did not speak and act independently of the Father, but was given authority by His Father.

This is the way Jesus expects us to live in relationship with Him: hearing His voice and doing His will.  Acts 22:14-15  (hear the voice of His mouth.)

Jesus expects us to say what He tells us to say and to do what He tells us to do.

John 4:34, My food is to do the will of Him who sent me and to accomplish His Work.

John 6:38  “For I have come down from heaven not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent me.”

Jesus knew God had a plan that included a horrible death for him, but he was willing to accomplish the goal that lay ahead.

John 8:28, Jesus said unto them, When you have lifted up the Son of man, then shall you know that I am He and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father has taught me, I speak these things.

Understanding all this we can conclude that Jesus and the Father were like minded and that Jesus had the mind of God.  This is what He desires of us that we be like minded with Christ. 

Philippians 2:5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus - -

We can do three things to have the Mind of Christ:

1.  We don’t have to think what ever falls into our mind.  We can choose our thoughts and think things on purpose.  Colossians 3:2 says to “Set” your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things.)  For example:  We can decide ahead of time what we will not do and what we will do.  We will not eat four candy bars; maybe one but not four.  We will watch what we drink, and what we look at.  We will not gossip.  When the temptation comes, we have already made a decision not to yield and not to offend the Holy Spirit.

2.  Romans 12:2 “Be not conformed to this world, but be transformed (changed) by the renewing of your mind.”  Every day we will take time to study God’s Word.  I am not saying we will be perfect, but we will progress toward perfection.

3.  Gird up the loins of your mind. (I Peter 1:13)  Basically this means to get the junk out of our thinking and on purpose replace them with Godly thoughts so we are ready to follow God’s plan for our lives.

One practical way to do this is to have a daily “think session.”  Spend time thinking on scriptures that renew your mind with truth.

I remember what Doctor Kenneth E. Hagin used to say.  “You can’t stop the birds from flying over your head, but you can stop them from building a nest in your hair.”

We can experience the fullness of our New Life that we have in Christ.  All it takes is a little more progress one day at a time.

Philippians 4:7-8 (NKJV)  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy - - think on these things.

 

 

A Year of Miracles – Ahead

2016 Will be a Year of Miracles

 

Pastor Allan was encouraging the congregation to boldly step into God’s plan for 2016 and to move forward.  I took notes and present his digested sermon here:

God’s plan may not be what you are anticipating, but he is preparing to do greater things than you can imagine.  Sharpen your Expectations and be encouraged to go deeper in your Relationship with Jesus and with others.

You have witnessed what God has done in the past, and it is time to expect more.  Take the walls down.

First of all, decide who you are going to serve.  Joshua challenged the Children of Israel to choose between blessings and cursing's, between life and death.  He declared, “As for me and my house we will serve the Lord.”

It is time to make this your “Home church.”  What you see is what you get.  Are you going to serve the world and its system or whole heartedly come out for God?  Make your choice and then stick with it.  God will restore those who leave the world and become “sold out,” to God. 

 

Be committed to Christ, to your spouse, to your church, teach your children to commit and support our church. 

 

What is your week like?  Don’t be like Esau who sold his birthright for a bowl of porridge.  No matter what happens in your week; be here on Sunday. 

In our city there are over 100 churches, each with something special going on.  Go ahead and attend if it is a time we are not having service, but come here on Sunday.

You are called to be a part of this church.  Be committed to where God wants you.

Be willing to operate in the gifts of the Spirit, and to be effective for the Kingdom of God.

Understand that you are part of the body of Christ and He wants to use you.  Choices you make will determine who you are in Christ.  We are servants of the Lord.

It is time to decide to pay your tithes.  Don’t misunderstand and think I am begging for money.  We are doing okay, but you are missing out if you are not financially supporting this church.

Be planted and committed here.  Set down roots so you can grow spiritually.

Do not forget how important prayer is to God.  He reminded Jeremiah to pray where he was living.   Jeremiah 29:7 “Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf.”

We can pray God’s blessing over the situation you find yourself in.  If you are in a shelter, pray that God will bless and prosper the workers.  If you live in an apartment complex or a mobile home park, pray over your neighbors that God will bless them. In doing so you will find that you will in turn be blessed.  If you have a job, pray over your work place, and your co-workers.

Pray for jobs, factories, businesses, and the leaders of our city and county to make wise decisions.
Do not be swayed back and forth by the wind as it blows here and there, but take root and be planted and committed.

We need God’s power, for if we operate in our own strength all will be lost and not successful.

Riches without God is not success; but riches with God will bless you and others.  Pray for our city, and our church to prosper.  When we pray for others to prosper, there is a run off and we too will benefit.

Be willing to fill the need you see:  Be sold out for God and our church, be committed, be willing to volunteer, be grounded and rooted in Christ.  We are not perfect, but we are striving for a closer relationship with Jesus.

May I encourage you to plan now to unite with the 23 cooperating churches on January 9^th at 9:00 am, for a Prayer Walk over our city streets?  We will not come with a personal agenda, but as servants to assist and work together as a team.

Before the Foundation of The World

 

 

It was my privilege to substitute for our Bible Study Teacher Linda who was taking a much needed Christmas Holiday. Since it was Christmas approaching, I wanted to have a lesson about Jesus – but something different than the usual.

Our first look was at God who dwells in eternity.  No beginning, no ending, just everlasting without time as we know it. 

Now if we understand there was no beginning of God, we read in Genesis “in the Beginning,”  and also in John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word and the Word was God and the Word was with God and all things were made by Him.” 

 

What is this beginning?

As we think about it we can conclude that this word beginning is speaking about the Creation of the World, when the sun and moon was put in place there became day and night thus “Time,” began.

Ephesians 1:10 That in the dispensation of the fullness of times, he might gather together in one, all things In Christ -

Even prior to the Creation God planned to send Jesus to become the Lamb of God.  No doubt this was necessary after the rebellion in heaven when the beautiful Arch Angel Lucifer with his huge following decided he would take over and become god. This was no surprise to God, and he made short work of the revolt by casting Satan and 1/3 of the angels out of heaven.

God is all knowing and even as He created Adam and Eve and they enjoyed sweet fellowship every evening – He know what was soon to occur.

The first time the gospel was preached was in Genesis 3:15. Right after Adam sinned, which separated himself and all his descendants from our Creator; God revealed He already had a plan to provide a way of salvation for sinners: “ … And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel.”

God further illustrated His redemption plan when he made clothing for Adam and Eve from animal skins: “… Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.” This was the first blood sacrifice as a covering for their sin—a picture of what was to come in Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, who would die and be raised from the dead to TAKE AWAY our sin.

As you contemplate this truth, I want you to think about the fact that, as God killed these animals to cover Adam and Eve, He knew that this would happen to the Son of God one day—in fact, he knew this before He had created the universe, before there was time, God had predetermined that the Son of God would become a sacrifice for sin so that those who received the gift of salvation could be saved for all eternity.

Jesus understood God’s plan and was a willing volunteer: John 17:5: And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.

Acts 2:23  states: “ Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, you have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain.”

The Old Testaments Prophets knew of this salvation and that it was associated with the birth of Christ of whom they prophesied.  (1 Peter 1:1-10)

We mentioned Psalms chapter 22 and also Isaiah chapter 53 are prophetic chapters.

Isaiah 7:14 King James Version (KJV) ¹⁴ Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Micah 5:2 But you, Bethlehem Ephrata, though you be little among the thousands …

We spoke a bit about Salvation and that it denotes deliverance, preservation, healing salvation for the total man, spirit, body and soul (mind, will and emotions.)

Prior to Jesus birth, his mother Mary experienced a divine encounter with an Angel who announced that she was highly favored among women and the child she would bare was sent from God.  Naturally she was afraid, but realized she must say yes and allow this to happen.  After an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream, he too realized this was of God and he was to protect and care for her and the child.

We know the story how they went to Bethlehem to be taxed (to fulfill the prophesy) where Mary gave birth to Jesus.  Shepherds also had an encounter with angels as they sang and announced the birth of a Savior and instructed the shepherds where to find the baby.

Many other prophesies were fulfilled through out Jesus life.

One prophesy is yet to come and that is the return of our Lord.  May we rejoice this Christmas season that Jesus was born according to a divine plan so that we may chose to spend eternity with him in Glory.

~ ~ ~ ~

As I completed the lesson, I passed out several pages of  Old Testament Prophesies (353) that were all fulfilled in Jesus.  According to the Scriptures.org is where you can find these, and print it out for yourself.

 

 

Jesus is Alive today!

 

 

Today Pastor Allan began by reminding us that many are out there are trying to fill a void with their parties and when the buzz is gone, and the toys are broken, the void is still there.  I write here a digested post on his message.

 

Pastor Allan invited the children to come up front and sit on the floor, as he gave each one a small candy cane.  He wanted them to learn how the candy cane could be a witness tool.

 

Look at the Candy Cane
What do you see?
Stripes that are red
Like the blood shed for me
White is for my Savior
Who’s sinless and pure!
“J” is for Jesus My Lord, that’s for sure!
Turn it around
And a staff you will see

                     Jesus my shepherd
                      Was born for Me!

 

Pastor said Christmas is not all about getting presents, although I like presents and certainly am not against them.  Perhaps we should show our love by giving presents all during the year when we see something we think someone would like. 

 

We get so caught up in the tinsel we must remind our-selves the real reason for the season.  We celebrate the birthday of the King. 

 

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 

 

No man has ever seen God, but God chose a young maiden to become the mother of the Baby Jesus.  And God became flesh to dwell among us, to experience life, temptation, hunger, betrayal and pain yet He never sinned.

 

The Angel Gabriel came to Mary and she was terrified.  Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.  And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus.  He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest."

 

This puzzled Mary for she was not married and was only engaged.  She said, “How can this be?”

 

The angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.”

 

Mary knew that saying yes could bring a lot of problems, but she replied to the angel.

“Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

 

Religion sometimes says that some things just don’t make sense when reading the Bible.

 

If God is giving us a command we should obey and not question God.

 

It didn’t make sense to Joseph her intended husband and he was about to put her away, but instead an angel appeared to him in a dream and told him to protect her as this was all part of God’s plan to provide a Savior for the World.

 

So it came to pass they had to go to Bethlehem to be taxed but there was no room at the inn.  Finally the inn keeper took pity on them and offered the stable where the sheep were kept, and that night the child was born.  Mary wrapped the babe in a blanket and laid him in a manger.

Some shepherds on the hill side were watching their sheep when behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.  

Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.  For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.  And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:  “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.

Friends this is the real story of Christmas, and Jesus grew in stature and in favor with both God and man.  Although much later, cruel men crucified him, but he rose from the dead victorious showing himself to many who were witness of his resurrection.  He is alive today and prays for us. 

 

The Enduring Word

Jesus the Eternal Word

 

At the mall, there are all sizes of stores.  Not one size fits all.  We each have a gift and they are not the same.  There are many different gifting.  Some can give their testimony, while others are called to be intercessors and build the wall. 

God made man in His own image, even if our colors and shapes are different; we are still made in His image – The Word.

We represent Christ and as such we need to draw daily from the water of life.

Peter says in 1 Peter 2:1-8 that we are living stones.  Jesus the stone was rejected and many stumble over Him.  We also are a spiritual house. 

 

Verse 7 says the stone rejected has become the chief cornerstone and a rock of offence.  But you are a chosen generation.

The Christians in Peter’s day were persecuted, and we must remember that we are IN HIM. 

All other religions, people seem to accept but when they come to Christianity, they stumble over Jesus.

Verse 9 reminds us who we are – a people of God called out of darkness into His marvelous light.  We are a Royal and Holy people of God.

We all have personal weaknesses, but God is merciful to me (and to you.)

Where you live, take authority over your area, your land, and your household.

We are in a spiritual battle and this world is evil and would make nil and void our message.

Our teacher showed a video about thousands of Muslims are secretly converting to Christianity.   They meet in secret to worship Jesus.  This is dangerous for if they are caught, they may be arrested and beheaded.  There is serious persecution in our world.

They search for answers to a relationship with God/Jesus.  How do they live?   They look for opportunity to share on TV, in the colleges. 

Verse 12 encourages us to conduct ourselves honorably so when they speak evil of you, they may see your good works and glorify the Father.

We are not to worry about the opinion of others, and simply live to please God. 

Minister where you are!  Put to silence the ignorance and foolishness of men.

Christ Our Living Hope

 

This morning the Sunday Morning crowd was rained out it seemed.  We were glad for the rain, but this weather left many home today.  I took notes as Pastor Allan ministered from I Peter Chapter one.

He noted that in January 2016 a city wide prayer walk with 23 cooperating churches will storm heaven for our city.  God is preparing us for the next wave and it is the season to be faithful.  We will weather the storm of the enemy.

If our numbers dwindle know that God is still in charge and in control.   Look around and see who is missing and pray for their health body and soul.

Things go on in our neighborhood that may discourage you, but claim your family for the Lord.  God can use situations to bring about His plans. We must stand strong. 

1 Peter 1:3-5  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

When I speak of church, I mean the body of Christ, not just our church.  Many churches preach a watered down gospel.  The church is being scattered in their minds and are not in one accord.  Not all are on the same page, but things are changing.  Let us not be stubborn in order to be theologically correct.  Our city is uniting and we are not meeting to argue, but to worship and work for the time is short.  The fact is that although Jesus came 2000 years ago; He is coming again. 

Yes we need to teach and preach the pure Gospel.  The world is teaching freedom of speech and religion, but not for Christians.  It is time for us to stand up and be bold enough to speak up.  Speak up at your work place, your school, and even your home.

Jesus already paid a great price for the message of “Hope.”  They beat Him, and killed Him, but they could not keep Him in the tomb.

He brought us new life, and when we receive Jesus, there should be a change in us.  We must die to self and make conscious choices. 

A Christmas tree decorated with ornaments, is dying, and although the tinsel is still there, the tree is dead.  May our relationship with Jesus produce living fruit and not carnal fleshly adornment.

Do not be conformed to the world’s habits and ways.  Gird up the loins of your mind and be sober, preparing your thoughts for the coming days.  We need clear heads to seek His face and pursue Jesus. 

Notice the Christmas photos where the family is all dressed alike and they look the same.  Who ever you pursue you will become like them.  That is why it is so important to desire the Word of God, and literally chase after Jesus, following Him.

Peter says in chapter 2, “Lay aside all malice, guile and to desire the pure milk of the Word.

We wonder why we are discouraged and depressed.  Perhaps we have cooled off and loosened our hand from His.

It is time to renew our minds and to stir up our faith.  We must enter church reverently and prepare our hearts to receive what God has for you each day.  It is time to enter in and take the “More” that is available.  There is nothing more exciting than to walk with God.

Remember this one thing.  You are a chosen people a Royal Priesthood and have been called for such a time as this.  When you speak to people, remember to smile.  You represent Jesus. 

We are thankful for the Pastors that are coming together where we can worship and work together.  Prepare now to walk the streets with us in January.  May God grant us strength we never had before.

 

Jesus is the Corner Stone

Jesus is the Corner Stone

 

Our Bible Study teacher, Linda was showing us how we can build our lives on Jesus the Rock and Corner Stone.  I took notes and have digested her lesson here.

Matthew 5:12 (NKJV)   Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Many of life’s  problems, are the consequence of our own decisions.  Some spread gossip and we consider it persecution.  We get our feelings hurt and think we are being persecuted.

A Pastor in Egypt continually lives in danger and it is hard to leave.  His children were recently beaten up by those against Jesus.

How do we survive when our family is led away by the police because we are Christians? How do we prepare ourselves?

God is revealing Himself even in Syria and Iraq.

Once you have tasted the sweetness of Christ and His Word, you cannot change, for it is the real deal.

1 Peter 2:1-3 (NKJV)  Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

New born babies can’t eat heavy food.  A source of milk is their comfort.

Parents feed the babies and set up boundaries, and the children say, “Okay.”  As they learn to obey they discover that obedience brings reward.

This is why we as God’s children desire to do what God commands.  When we read the word, do the word, maybe we see something there, that we don’t like and we put the breaks on - - to our BAD.

I Peter 1:22-25   Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart,  having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever, The word of the Lord endures forever.”  Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you.

Christ Jesus is the cornerstone living and precious.  Those that believe shall not be confused, disappointed or defeated.  Those who don’t believe will suffer the results of disobedience.

Jesus became a stone of stumbling and a rock of offence, but you are a chosen generation.

Jesus is the foundation rock, but we are also small stones and we build on Him.  This is a metaphor of Christ.

The first stone in construction determines the position of the entire structure.  It is of most importance, and must be right or the entire structure is off.

Jesus the stone was rejected by the Jews, for they said, “We follow Moses, and stumbled over the stone.  The Word went out to the Gentiles.  We as Gentiles have the opportunity to build our life on Christ.    When situations irritate us, we must remind ourselves that our responses will allow us to grow.  2 Timothy 3:16  (NKJV)  All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,

Hebrews 4:12  (NKJV)   For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Allow the Word of God to change us.  We are not forced to follow, but the offer is there.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Speaking Truth

 

Pastor Allan was ministering as I took notes and present a digested sermon.

Pastor was saying:  Our responsibility is to speak the truth.  We have lost our boldness and we need to stand up and speak out. 

A lot of people don’t know Jesus and there is that void in their life.  They try to fill the empty void with alcohol and other things. 

Some of us were once in that boat and the things we did yester-year - - we don’t do today.

We are approaching the celebration of the time Christ Jesus was born.  Christmas is not about Santa Claus, but it is about Jesus who volunteered to leave heaven and come down to earth and accept a human body.  Earth a place where there was turmoil, danger, war and death awaiting Him.

Isaiah 9:6  For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Jesus was willing to leave His throne, where there was always peace and submit to God’s plan of salvation for mankind.  The angels sang peace on earth and good will toward man.

The Old Testament prophets proclaimed a Savior, but so many missed it.  Today many are still missing it.

Jeremiah 33:14 ‘Behold, the days are coming,’ says the Lord, ‘that I will perform that good thing which I have promised to the house of Israel and to the house of Judah:

This is the season to expect Revival to flow through our land.  The only way God can restore our schools and work place is if we take Him there.  Our country needs us as Christians to push back and speak out.  God is not dead and His is showing his face. 

As believers we should be producing the same kind of fruit that Peter, John and Paul did.

They walked continually in the Spirit and signs and wonders followed them.

The Old Testament prophets experienced God.  The New Testament disciples experienced Jesus, and we experience the Holy Spirit.

Every time we open our Bible it changes.  The words are the same, but the Holy Spirit shows us something deeper and different.

Be consistent, and take a stand for Christ in this Anti-Christ world.  The spirit of Anti-Christ is already here, for we can’t speak of Christ at school, or the work place, but every other religion and life style is allowed.  Why is it okay for them, but not for us? 

It is time to step out of your comfort zone.  We don’t know the attacks of tomorrow, but we need to trust God and allow His Word to comfort us.

When Stephen was dying, he proclaimed Christ and forgave his killers.  He saw Jesus welcoming him home as he took his last breath.  May we keep our eyes on Jesus.

Kids don’t have a lot of faith, but they are sensitive and they believe what they hear.  We must tell them about Jesus and bring them to a personal experience with Him.  As examples, we must make Jesus our Personal Savior and allow Him to continually change us.

God is alive and is still in the healing and restoration business.  Be bold and give your testimony to those you meet.

Thank you, Father God for sending your son to be born.  To live and die, rising again, with a promise to return someday to receive us into heaven.

The message is; there is Hope for today as we cover our homes, schools, workplace with the precious blood of Jesus. 

 

No more nonsense but let us experience truth and peace on earth.

 

Trusting the Bible

God's Word is Holy

 

The Enduring Word was taught by our teacher Linda at Open Door Church as I took notes and present a digested message.

1 Peter 1:22-23  Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever.

The Word of God is living and abiding.  Peter was speaking to persecuted Christians and the message is vital to us today as it was 2000 years ago.

The Word of God is “Alive.” 

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Prophets in the Old Testament spoke of a Messiah coming.  They prophesied, He would be born of a Virgin, in the city of Bethlehem and He would live in Nazareth after returning from Egypt where his parents hid him for a season.  

We make decisions daily how we do our time and purpose. 

Up until 200 AD there was debate about which of the divine books would be included in the Cannon.  A council was called and determinations were made in the year 382.  1800 people came from all over the Roman empire to discuss criteria and to base on fruit produced by the then known scriptures.

The written words of the New Testament apostles or those in ministry with an apostle were important.  A direct line was the criteria with redemptive inspiration and the testimony of the Holy Spirit. 

All persons had to agree and the 27 books were formalized and accepted by the church and are used by the church.  Many people spent years to present the truth.  Some books were not formalized and were excluded as not redemptive.

Sixty Six books written by forty authors all point to Christ Jesus as the Messiah.  The Old Testament was already in place.  Scrolls were later discovered that verify the Bible.  This may help you to understand how and why we have the scripture today.   

God protected His Word.  The four Gospels mirror each other, and are all saying the same thing.

Be reminded we can trust and stand on the Word of God.   

Jesus is referred to as the Eternal Word - -

 

John 1:1-5  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not put it out. 

The Word of God is to bring us together in unity because we are going to be together in heaven for a long time.