Yes, That's The Book For Me

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 perfect, throughly

furnished unto all good works.

II Timothy 3:16,17

It was the sunniest day, a happy day made happier by the fact that I received a box from my Aunt Lee. I couldn't tell from the shape what could be in the box but I was more than excited when I opened it a there was a new Bible. I had been saved for one year and still didn't have a Bible which really wasn't unusual in those days. Most children, age 10 didn't have one. I loved the Bible though without having owned one. I like many of you when very young sang the little chorus below that spoke fondly of the Bible. I'm not sure the words of that little song meant as much to me in my younger years as it does now. Remember??

The B-I-B-L-E

Yes, that's the Book for me.

I stand alone on the Word of God,

The B-I-B-L-E.

Now I'll probably be humming that tune for the next week because it is a catchy little song.

My question though is: “How can we stand on the Bible when we know so little of it?” A lady friend once said to me that she wished she knew as much of the Bible as I do. I had news for her. I told her I would like to know the Bible as well as Billy Graham, Charles Spurgeon or Dwight L. Moody. I would like to know the Bible like most seminary professors know it. However, wishing doesn't make it so.

I wish I could make us all realize a simple fact and I include myself in this realization. The simple fact is this: WE CAN KNOW THE BIBLE AS WELL AS THE MOST KNOWLEDGABLE BIBLE SCHOLAR IN THE WORLD IF WE WANT TO. No one can know any more about the Bible than what is contained in our own Bibles cover to cover. Let's explore how this can come about. Believe me that I don't mean to discount all the wonderful knowledge the most intelligent has accumulated. I do believe there are some things we can do to get us on the road knowing the Bible better.

There are some basic things we need in order for us to know the Bible better than we've ever known it before. First of all, to really know and understand anything in the Bible, we must have had a salvation experience with Jesus, thus having the presence of the Holy Spirit IN us. Jesus told His disciples before He was taken captive by Roman soldiers that He would be leaving but would send a Comforter. This Comforter would be the teacher and interpreter of all Jesus had taught which by the way, includes the Old Testament as well as the new. Jesus is God...God is the author of the entire book.

But the Comforter, which is

the Holy Spirit, whom the father

will send in my name, he shall

teach you all things, and bring

all things to your remembrance,

whatsoever I have said unto you.

John 14:26

Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth is

come, he will guide you into all truth:

John 16:13a

Every time we sit down to read our Bibles, we should invite our teacher, the Holy Spirit, to interpret and teach us what He wants us to know from what we are reading. Our reading can be dull and boring without His guiding us through our reading/study process.

Secondly, we must be literate people in some way. Otherwise, we must be able to read. If we can't read, we can hear the Bible read through CD's or other recordings. If someone is blind, she can listen to CD's or even learn to read the Bible in braille. So we must have the means to take in through eyes, ears or both the written Word of God.

Thirdly, we need a good, personal copy of the Bible. This can be the most confusing thing of all. Let me encourage you to purchase a Bible that will wear well, has appropriate type and is the translation you are comfortable with. In our day, there are new translations and study Bibles coming out almost every week. Please don't fall into the trap of having to change Bibles every time another Bible comes out. When your Bible gets too marked up, get another one. Your Bible isn't meant to be your best friend...it's a tool...and when a tool wears out, another new one is needed but keep to the same translation.

Take notes in a journal if you can do that without losing your train of thought. What you retain mentally is far more important than what you write down on paper.

The Bible is meant to be many things to us, meeting many needs from different angles. In closing, from Psalm 19:7-10.

The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul:

the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.

The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart:

the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.

The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever:

the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.

More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much

fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

All we need to know to live this wonderful life in Christ is available to us on every page of His Word. Whether Old or New Testament, the character and desires of God for us are right there to learn, to know and to put into everyday practical living.

Thank You Lord Jesus for Your precious Word to us. It isn't going to help us if we leave it lay for days on end without reading it. Convict us of our need to be in Your Word that will strengthen in every way. Help me to not only read it but to put it into practice in every day life. Thank You for Your being You and for loving me beyond my comprehension. Amen