Background picture of Fran's Thompson's Chain Reference NIV (some tabs worn off/pages worn) 1st edition June 1983 by Zondervan Cor. Grand Rapids, MI 49506 & B. B. Kirkbride Bible Co., Inc Indianapolis IN 46204 (Al ordered for her in 1982) with fruit bowl Momma kept on our coffee table in Buna Texas.  Lisa in Wichita KS made the Bible cover for me in 1997. Picture taken by Fran 2006 Brandon MS

Intense Bible Study By: Frances M. McCrory-Meservy May 1978-Jan 1982

Al & I decided that we would never get caught up in a cult again if we studied God’s word (Holy Bible) thoroughly. We were in extensive Bible Study from 1978 to 1982. Every Spare minute we had we spent in God’s word. We have no idea what was on TV from 1978 – 1982.

After a year of intensive bible study, we realized we were speaking King James English all the time. We sounded like Quakers and people looked at us like we were weird. We went out and bought New International Version Bibles so we would sound like American’s again. We still used our KJV Bibles but read mostly in the NIV. In 2000 we switched to the New King James Bible.

I came across Ecc. 17:16-18 and understood that scripture to mean: Don’t be so heavenly you are no earthly good nor so earthly that you are no heavenly good. People who speak King James English today sound extremely religious. They don’t even talk that way in England anymore..

We also started taking our Bibles to the Dinner table. After we ate our evening meal we would have a 30-minute Bible study with our children. We figured if they had all of God’s word in them, they would not be fooled by wrong doctrine. We started with Genesis and went through Revelations. After that we did subject studies and then we did word studies. Then we did problem studies.

We did this until they were grown and left home. I know in my heart that they know what God’s word says.

From 1978 to 1990 we wore out 2 NIV Bibles each. We started studding in the NKJ version in 1992 because it is a word for word translation. There are a few promises that are lost in the NIV. Don’t get me wrong the NIV is an excellent translation but it is a thought for thought translation. Sometimes a thought for thought does not render the complete promise.

IE: If you are willing to let go of the anger, etc God will remove it from you.

Eph 4:31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. NKJ

IE: Sounds like you have to get rid of it yourself.

Eph 4:31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. NIV

Both translations tell us to get rid of anger, etc. But only the word for word translations tell us how to get rid of it.

We have never stopped studding God’s Word because every time we pick it up there is something new we learn. God’s Holy Spirit only teaches us what we are able to learn, receive or handle at the time. He knows we can’t absorb it all at one time. It takes a lifetime and that’s just High School. I figure the Millennial Rule is College and then we will be ready for heaven.

2 Tim 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Eph 4:11-15 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head; Christ;

1 Tim 4:16 Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.

2 Tim 3:16-17 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

2 John 1:9-11 Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.

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