Thoughts On A Given Day

PREFACE
A Conversational Gospel is a collection of scripture passages that I use to help me keep the primary message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ fresh in my thoughts and fluid on my tongue. It began some time back with my desire to understand the essential truths as found in the book of Romans, which I had for some time believed to contain considerable doctrine. I searched out the pattern of thought in Paul’s letter to the Romans and found a coherent pattern of thought that proceeded from Chapter 1 through Chapter 12, and I began to memorize these verses. I found that the memorization of these passages led to a more full understanding of the scriptures for me. I also found that it enabled me to have the message of the Gospel more ready to flow off my tongue in normal conversation when the moment was right for it.
After I had mastered the passages in Romans I began to look for other passages in the New Testament which lent themselves to memorization and provided me with an even fuller range of scripture passages to quote from memory. The process of finding and memorizing the scripture passages took quite a long time for me, because I was not looking for random scripture passages, but rather passages that seemed as though they contributed to one another and flowed as one sequence of thought. Having begun this with the belief that the Bible had been inspired by God, I did not find it difficult to believe that God had spoken through various authors at different times and places to give one essential message. I discovered that once I had learned and memorized these scriptures I had a better understanding of the scriptures.
I am not by any circumstances trying to suggest that this small collection of scriptures is all that is necessary to understand the entire message of the Bible. I am, however, suggesting that there is an essential message of the Bible that can be found in these few verses, but by all means, flesh it out with a full reading and thorough study of the entire scriptures. These scriptures that I have chosen and memorized are merely a good place to start.
It should be mentioned that there is no one translation of the Bible that was used for this project of mine, though I would say that I leaned heavily on the World English Bible, which is in the Public Domain. The passages of scripture that are represented here are, however, my own paraphrased version. I have expressed them here in the form that I have memorized them, that is, in the way that I best understood their meaning. I have also included what could be considered parenthetical statements of explanation sometimes. I have also changed some of the tenses of certain passages without, in my opinion, changing their essential meaning. I state this up front for those of you who believe that anything of this sort is sacrilegious. If that is you, please don’t read this. If you are of the opinion that only King James is scripture, don’t bother with this. If you think that only paid scholars can translate or paraphrase scripture, again, don’t bother with this.
This Conversational Gospel was put together by me for me as a tool for my own personal use. It has been available on Kindle for a year or so, but I could not allow it to be free there without giving up the rights to it, which I was not willing to do. I am choosing to share it in this blog now because I have found it to be a valuable tool, and I believe it could be of value to others, and it can be free here. I hope that you will read this, and if you find it useful, memorize the scripture passages that speak to you and to your needs, and then share these truths with others.
The scripture references are at the end of the manuscript. 

MANUSCRIPT
The good news of Jesus Christ as given in the Gospel of John – In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through Him were all things made. Without Him nothing was made that has been made. In Him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it nor overcome it. There was a man sent from God; his name was John. We call him John the Baptist. He came as a witness to testify concerning the light, that through him all men might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to all men was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, it did not recognize Him. He came unto his own, yet his own did not receive Him. Yet, as many as did receive Him, to those who believed in his name, He gave the right to become children of God – children born not of flesh, nor of a human decision, nor a husband’s will, but children born of God. The Word became flesh and lived among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only Son, who was with the Father and has appeared to us full of truth and full of grace.
John the Baptist testified concerning him, saying, “This was he of whom I said, He who comes after me has surpassed me because He was before me.” And of the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. The law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only Son, who is at the Father’s side, He has made Him known.1
Now without question, this mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in a body as a man. He was declared righteous by the Holy Spirit. He was seen by angels. He was preached about among the nations. He was believed upon in the world, and He was taken up in glory to heaven.2
When the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of righteous things that we had done, but because of His mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal through the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by His grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.3 For it is by grace that we are saved, through faith—and this is not of ourselves, it is a gift from God.4 God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that we might become His righteousness.5
For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but should have eternal life. God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but rather that through Him the world might be saved. Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because they have not believed in the one and only son of God. This is the judgment that we are under – light was in the world, but people chose darkness rather than the light, because their deeds were evil. Whoever does evil hates the light and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed for what they are. Whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, knowing that what they do can be plainly seen by God.6
Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners—of whom the Apostle Paul said that he was the worst. But for this very reason Paul said, he was shown mercy, so that in him, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might demonstrate his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on Him and receive eternal life.7
The Apostle John, an eyewitness of Jesus Christ here on earth wrote this in which he referred to Jesus as the Word of Life. That which was from the beginning, John says, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. We proclaim to you that which we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We write this to make our joy complete. John goes on to say, this is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you: God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with God yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of his Son, Jesus, cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make God out to be a liar and His word has no place in our lives.8
Now the word of God is living, and active, and sharper than any double-edged sword. It penetrates even to the dividing of soul and spirit and joint and marrow. It judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give an account.9
So then, since we have received Jesus as Lord, let us continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith that we have received, and overflowing with thankfulness. See to it that no one takes you captive through deceptive and hollow philosophy, which depends upon human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ. For in Christ the fullness of God lives in bodily form, and we have received fullness in Christ, who is the head over all power and authority. In Him we were also circumcised, having put off our sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ, having been buried with Him in baptism and raised with him through faith in the power of God, who raised Him from the dead.10
Your attitude should be the same as that of Jesus Christ: Who, being in His very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be held onto, but rather He made Himself nothing, taking on the nature of a servant made in human form. And as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient unto death— even death on a cross! Therefore God has exalted Him to the highest place and has given him a name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus Christ every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.11
Speaking of confessions, let me share with you the confession of the Apostle Paul. I have been crucified with Christ, Paul says, so that I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in this body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.12 Paul goes on to say elsewhere, that if we die with Christ, we shall also live with Him. If we endure with Christ, we shall also reign with Him. If we disown Christ, He shall also disown us. If we become faithless, Christ shall remain faithful, because He cannot disown Himself.13
I want to remind you of the gospel that was preached to you, which you have received and upon which you have taken your stand. By this gospel we are saved if we hold firmly to the word that was preached to us. Otherwise, we have believed in vain. Jesus Christ died for our sins as was foretold by the Scriptures, He was buried. On the third day He was raised from the dead as was foretold by the Scriptures. He appeared first to Peter and John, and then to the Twelve. After that, He appeared to more than five hundred of the disciples all at the same time. Then He appeared to James, and finally He appeared to all the apostles. Therefore, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.14 Continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of.15 Do not fix your eyes on what is seen, but on what is unseen, because what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.16
We preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block and foolishness to this world, but to those of us who are called of God it is Christ, the wisdom of God, and Christ, the power of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.17 As it is written in the scriptures: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has God not made foolish the wisdom of this world? For since in its own wisdom the world did not recognize God, God was pleased in His own wisdom to save those who would believe through the foolishness of what is preached. 18
This message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to those of us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for Jews first but also for Gentiles. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written in the scriptures, “The just shall live by faith.” 20
As we mentioned the law was given through Moses,21 but now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, as is witnessed by both the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.22
Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. And not only this, but we glory in tribulations also, for tribulations produce perseverance. Perseverance produces character, and character produces hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. For when we were yet without strength, at the appropriate time Christ died for the ungodly. Now rarely for a righteous man will someone die; though perhaps for a good man some might dare to die. But God demonstrates His love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Even more so, having been justified by His blood, we are saved from wrath through Him.23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.24
Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ, for those who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit of bondage to fear again, but rather you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, “Father.” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that through this we may be glorified.25
How great is the Father’s love that has been lavished upon us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The world does not recognize us because it did not recognize him.26
It is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him”. But God has revealed it to us by His Spirit. The Spirit searches out all things, even the deep things of God. For who among mankind knows the thoughts of a man except that man’s spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand all that God has freely given us. This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. The man without the Spirit does not accept these things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because these truths are spiritually discerned.27
In the same way the Spirit helps in our weaknesses. For we do not even know what we should pray for as we should, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be spoken. And He who searches the heart knows the mind of the Spirit, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, for those who are called according to His purpose.
What shall we say then? If God is for us, who shall be against us? Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Neither tribulation, nor distress, nor persecution, nor nakedness, nor famine, nor peril, nor sword? In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who has loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall separate us from the love of God through Jesus Christ our Lord.28
If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. As it is written, “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach if they are not sent?29
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. Do not be conformed to this world, but rather be transformed by the renewing of your minds, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.30
As we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.31 The entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”32 The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such as this there is no law. 33
Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. Jesus, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.34 Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm at that time with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take up the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit at all times with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.35
Pursue righteousness, pursue godliness, pursue faith, pursue endurance and gentleness, pursue love.36 This is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another. And this is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought also to lay down our lives for our brothers. Let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and He knows everything.
If our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases Him. And this is His command: to believe in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as He commanded us. Those who obey His commands live in Him, and He in them. And this is how we know that He lives in us: We know it by the Spirit He has given us.37 But do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.38
Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your confession in the presence of many witnesses. Keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which God will bring about in His own time – God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To Him be honor and glory forever. Amen.39
 
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES
1. John 1:1-18
2. 1 Timothy 3:16
3. Titus 3:5-7
4. Ephesians 2:8
5. 2 Corinthians 5:2
6. John 3:16-21
7. 1 Timothy 1:15-16
8. 1 John 1:1-10
9. Hebrews 4:12-13
10. Colossians 2:6-12
11. Philippians 2:5-11
12. Galatians 2:19-21
13. 2 Timothy 2:11-13
14. 1 Corinthians 15:1-7, 58
15. 2 Timothy 3:14
16. 2 Corinthians 4:18
17. 1 Corinthians 1:23-25
18. 1 Corinthians 1:19-21
19. 1 Corinthians 1:18
20. Romans 1:16-17
21. John 1:17
22. Romans 3:21-23
23. Romans 5:1-9
24. Romans 6:23
25. Romans 8:1, 14-17
26. 1 John 3:1
27. 1 Corinthians 2:9-14
28. Romans 8:26-28, 31,35, 37-39
29. Romans 10:9-10, 13-15
30. Romans 12:1-2
31. Galatians 6:10
32. Galatians 5:14
33. Galatians 5:22
34. Hebrews 12:1-2
35. Ephesians 6:10-18
36. 1 Timothy 6:11
37. 1 John 3:11, 16, 18-24
38. 1John 2:15-17
39. 1 Timothy 6:12-17