A Wonderful Book!

God speaks to us in many ways. Preachers speak forth His Word, songs make music of His praise. God sometimes speaks to our hearts by an inner conviction which we learn to recognize as His voice. We do not have to guess about His thoughts and desires toward us. He has given us a great gift to guide us, our Bibles, His Word.

"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path" Psalm 119:105.

Jesus Christ has returned into heaven to prepare a place for us, but He has not left us without direction and comfort. His Word and His Spirit work together to bring us safely to our heavenly home.

There are a few basic facts which will help you use your Bible more effectively. The Bible is divided into two testaments, the old and the new. Each testament contains an agreement God has made with men. There are many books in both testaments. The writings of the Old Testament are placed first.

If you close your Bible and then divide its pages in half you will open to the book of Psalms, which is one of the most widely read books of the Old Testament. If you divide the last half of your Bible evenly you will open near the beginning of the New Testament. Most preaching and teaching is from the New Testament. It is helpful to memorize the names of these books. These books were written by the hand of many people, over a period of many years, yet they fit together beautifully to bring us God's Word.

"For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost" II Peter 1:21.

They all fit together because though they were written by many hands God is the author of them all.

The books of the New Testament can be thought of in four groups. The first four books, sometimes called the gospels, tell us of the life of Jesus Christ. The next book, The Acts of The Apostles, stands alone. This book records the history of what happened to Christ's followers after He ascended into heaven. It is here you read about the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the birth of the Christian church.

The next twenty-one books are letters, long and short, which were written to individuals and churches to instruct them in the Christian life. The last book, Revelation, records a vision given John, one of Christ's disciples. God revealed what would come to pass in the church and also the world events that would lead to His second coming.

Your Bible is a marvelous book. "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." II Timothy 3:16.

A growing Christian desires God's Word as a growing child desires food. Your Bible contains the milk of spiritual life for those who are babes in Christ. It contains meat for the development of mature Christian men and women. Make the Bible a part of your life by daily reading. Memorize its words. Then you can say with King David, "O how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day" Psalm 119:97.