Why The Bible?

Day #1: WHAT CAN THE BIBLE DO FOR ME? On this first day let's think a bit about what the Bible has to offer you. Why take your time to learn to read it accurately? Let's allow the Bible itself give you some answers:

Proverbs 14:15(KJV) says “The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going”.

A different version of this same verse tells us that gullible people will believe anything they are told while a wise person will weigh the words they hear. In every category of life, you don't want to be susceptible to just any old theory or doctrine; you want to closely consider what you believe and how you are going to live.

Psalm 119:130(NASB) says: “The unfolding of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple.”

God's Word promises it will give us the understanding we need in life. But how do we understand what God's Word is saying?

I Thessalonians 5:21(KJV) says: “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” God encourages us to test out what is written in His Word, proving to ourselves that it is true. Once we see how good it is, God says "Hold onto it! We have to recognize that it is God's desire that we understand His Word.

I Timothy 2:3-4(NASB) says: “This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, Who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”

God wants every person to not only be saved (born again), but He also wants everyone who is born again to come to the knowledge of the truth. If we believe that God's Word is truth (which Jesus Christ declared it is in John 17:17), then God has certainly made a way for us to understand that Word.

PONDER THIS:
Today take a few moments to think about what you believe are reliable sources of information. Your parents? Teachers? Websites you frequent? Friends? Educational materials? The News? The Internet?

Do you think there is a source of information that you can rely on 100% of the time?

If not, would you like to find such a resource?

Since God is the Author of Life, wouldn't you think He would provide a reliable resource for you?

Think about your willingness to trust the Bible to give you dependable guidance if you can learn to understand how to read it.

Day #31: Have you ever heard sermons explaining why Jesus said "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" while he was hanging on the cross? Did those explanations satisfy you? Jesus feeling abandoned by God on the cross is a disturbing concept. Jesus always did the Father's will even when what was required was more difficult than anything we will ever have to face. If God is love, would Love abandon an obedient Son in his greatest time of need? Let's consider that our traditional translation of this quote may not be accurate….

Day #54: INTRODUCTION TO BIBLICAL TIME PERIODS Does everything in the Bible apply to this day and time? Not only is it important (as we learned on Day #40) to understand to whom a particular passage of Scripture is written (Jew, Gentile or the Church of God), it is also vital to recognize that the Bible covers different periods of time that are governed by different policies and spiritual truths. These different periods of time are called dispensations or administrations by Bible scholars. The term dispensation refers to the way God is dispensing His rules and justice to mankind and likewise, the term administration refers to God administering His rules and justice….