Bible is the Holy Scripture book of Christians. Bible is the written account of God’s word for the entire humanity, to know purpose of life, where we came from, God’s plan for us, salvation, forgiveness of sins, judgment, Promises of God for us and Commandments as well as instructions for us to lead a life in accordance to God’s will. Bible is most useful to understand and know the real God Almighty and find answers to every question we have and solutions to every problem we face in our life. Bible provides us encouragement and wisdom to lead a life worthy of God’s blessings. Many a times God speaks to us through this Holy Scripture book called Bible.
Bible may seem a single book but it’s surprising to know that it was not written by single person. Bible was written over centuries by many prophets and servants of God. This also gives us a historical written account ever since the birth of universe and existence of life of earth. Amazing thing which we notice while reading the Bible is that we find perfect correlation and flow of scripture, even though Bible was written over different periods of time, under various circumstances and by different people. The answer to this amazement is that even though many people wrote the Bible, but God Himself has inspired and told these people what they should be writing. Holy Spirit of God inspired all the authors of this Holy Book. Hence often we refer and say God is the author of Bible and this is the message and word of God for us to read.
Even from literature point of view Bible is a diverse and perfect scripture. Bible comprises of History, creation of earth, early human evolution, story of wars, Prophesies, Poetry, illustrations, miracles, parables and many more literature styles are found embedded perfectly in this single book, no wonder when God is the author of this book it is supposed to be perfect since Our God is perfect.
Bible is divided mainly is two parts namely Old Testament and New Testament. ‘Old Testament’ in protestant Bible comprises of 39 books which tell us the history and prophesies before the birth of Jesus especially this History of God’s chosen people from descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob today known as the Israelites and followers of Judaism (Jew people). Apart from these 39 books Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Bible versions have some additional books which are not included in Protestant version. The reason for this discrepancy is that these additional books are considered to be more of historical account rather than being more of spiritual importance. For better and deeper understanding of Jewish culture and history one can surely read up these books as well. But 39 books of Protestant version are sufficient enough to provide background for understanding prehistory for understanding New Testament and Life of Jesus.
‘New Testament’ of Holy Bible comprises of 27 books which include 4 Gospels which tell us about the life, ministry, teaching, miracles and death and resurrection of Jesus. Then we have a wonderful book of ‘Acts’ which tell the history of early church and how message of salvation of Jesus was spread to different parts of the world. Then we have 13 letters written by Paul followed by 8 General Epistles written by other Disciples of Jesus. The last book of Bible is known as Revelation, this was written by favorite disciple John. Revelation provides us prophesy for the end of World and second coming of Jesus. This book provides us encouragement to never lose hope and provides us courage to face persecution and problems we face in our life when we choose to follow Jesus. Revelation provides us hope for the better future in hold for us and to never give up and deny being Gospel Follower and Believer of Christ Jesus.
Bible was originally written in mainly three languages namely – Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek. Fortunately now we need not know these original languages in order to read the Word of God. Bible is world’s most popular and widely read book. Bible is translated in almost every language spoken and read on this planet. You can surely get a copy of Bible in your preferred language at your place. With certain countries that restrict the sale, reading and distribution of Bible, you can access and read online Bible.
Even though there are many Teachers and Preachers of God’s word, but it is more beneficial to grab your own Bible and read and meditate on Scripture yourself. To be honest you cannot have a servant of God at your side in your every trial and temptation that you face in your life. Hence, you make it a habit to read Bible on regular basis and have a greater and deeper understanding of word of God.
Bible is divided into 66 books, each book further divided into chapter and verses to help us properly refer and easy to navigate through this large book. When provide the name of book, chapter and verse number we can easily open and read the specific portion on Bible. As Bible is Holy book it is not meant to be decorated and kept at sacred corner of house, but rather you should read it daily. The Holy Bible itself has many verses which refer to need to read and meditate on word of God.
Joshua 1:8
Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
We should devote and spare reasonable amount of time from our busy lives to read Bible and grow spiritually. And we read here from about Nehemiah. Reading Bible alone at home is not enough, we should also make it a habit to do fellowship with Christian brothers and sisters and make it a habit to go to church, attend Bible studies, Seminars and Spiritual Revival meetings.
Nehemiah 8:3
He read it aloud from daybreak till noon as he faced the square before the Water Gate in the presence of the men, women and others who could understand. And all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law.
When we make a decision to follow Jesus, faith is important to help us grow spiritually and as Paul said Faith increases by reading the word of God i.e. Holy Bible, since by reading Bible we know about God’s mighty power which can save his servant from Fire, Den of Lions, feed 5000 people, heal deadly diseases, cure blindness, all this for sure increases our Faith.
Romans 10:17
Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.
Word of God is powerful and life changing, reading Bible will make us better Human beings and make our souls stronger.
Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
Bible is not meant to read and used only when we have difficult times, we should use our Bibles always, and even in times on happiness we must give thanks to God, Book of Psalms is wonderful collection of Praises to God. Bible Scripture is beneficial for us in every circumstances and situation of our life.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Satan does not want us to read Bible or know more about True and Living God. Satan always disturbs us when we try to make a habit of reading Bible. When Jesus was tempted by Satan, Jesus quoted Word of God from Bible to answer the Satan, so we must also learn and memorize important Bible verses for such challenging situations. Bible is not only meant to be read but also to be implemented in our lifestyle, body language, behavior and personality.
Job 23:12
I have not departed from the commands of his lips;
I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread.
Even though Bible is easy to read and understand, at same time it I would say it is equally difficult as well to understand true meaning of certain portions of Bible especially Prophesies and Parables. It is advisable to be overconfident when you read Bible, thinking you are only chosen person of God with utmost understanding and brilliance. Just be humble and submit to God, never try to put meaning to people based on your own human wisdom misleading yourself away from God also at times such people not only spoil their own lives but persuade and mislead other people as well with creation of new believer’s sect. Please don’t commit such mistake whereby rather than being saved by God’s grace and mercy you call upon yourself the curse of God and become a servant of Satan instead by misleading people. Here is what Jesus said about misleading people.
Matthew 18:6-7
If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to stumble! Such things must come, but woe to the person through whom they come!
Once again I would mention that when Jesus was tempted by Satan in wilderness, Jesus always quoted Scripture to rebuke Satan. Strongest weapon of Satan is misquoting Scripture and hence misleading people away from God. But if you memorize the Word of God (not literal memories but have spiritual understanding of basic idea of God’s word), we have a Bible as most powerful weapon against Trial and Temptations which Satan brings on us. We must have God’s word in embedded in our hearts for surely we need it at every step in our life.
Psalms 119:9-16
How can a young person stay on the path of purity?
By living according to your word.
I seek you with all my heart;
do not let me stray from your commands.
I have hidden your word in my heart
that I might not sin against you.
Praise be to you, Lord;
teach me your decrees.
With my lips I recount
all the laws that come from your mouth.
I rejoice in following your statutes
as one rejoices in great riches.
I meditate on your precepts
and consider your ways.
I delight in your decrees;
I will not neglect your word.
Bible is a really wonderful and amazing book which provides us with Word of God. Make it a habit to read your bible on regular basis. It would be beneficial and a good practice to seek God’s help in understanding Word of God by prayer for the gift of Holy Spirit to provide you the required wisdom and understanding. A short prayer before you open up your Bible as you do your daily meditation would be really nice. So, grab your own Bible, start reading and feed on the word of God, for Bible is the spiritual bread of life.