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When it comes to music, I love all types; classical, jazz, old rock and roll and contemporary Christian music. It’s the same about reading; business, personal development and my most favorite book which is on my desk, my Kindle, on my phone and that is the Bible. 

Francis Bacon (English Renaissance statesman and philosopher late 1500’s) says: Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested; that is, some books are to be read only in parts; others to be read, but not curiously; and some few to be read wholly, and with diligence and attention.

What makes the sixty-six individual manuscripts that we call The Bible such a life-altering book? To answer this, let’s first consider what the Bible does,  that other books cannot:

• The New York Times cannot chase away the blues.

• Moby Dick can’t soothe a tired soul.

• The Cat in the Hat can’t provide wisdom for troubled teens.

• Harvard Business Review can’t instill courage for what it endorses.

• Hot Rod Magazine can’t topple temptation.

• Ernest Hemmingway’s prose is artistry, but it doesn’t bring me peace.

• Confucius can give you a theory of humankind, but not a remedy for its grief.

Ah, but when Jesus declares, “It is written,” ears perk up, hearts leap, the devil flees. “It is written” is God’s power unleashed on the parchment scroll, the printed page, the electronic tablet. Matthew 4:4 NIV: But he answered, “It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”

“It is written”

  • Soothes the soul (Psalm 119:28 VOICE) My soul weeps, and trouble weighs me down; so give me strength so I can stand according to Your word.”
  • Restores the soul (Psalm 23:3 NCB) “He restores my soul, guiding me in paths of righteousness so that his name may be glorified.”
  • Saves the soul (James 1:21 ICB) “So put out of your life every evil thing and every kind of wrong you do. Don’t be proud but accept God’s teaching that is planted in your hearts.”

This teaching can save our souls.

“It is written”

  • Makes me wiser than my enemies (Psalm 119:98 VOICE) “Your commands make me wiser than my enemies because they are always with me.”
  • Gives me more insight than my teachers (Psalm 119:99 GW) “I have more insight than all my teachers, because your written instructions are in my thoughts.”
  • Helps me grow in godliness (2 Peter 1:8 GW) “If you have these qualities and they are increasing, then it demonstrates that your knowledge about our Lord Jesus Christ is living and productive.”

“It is written”

  • Warns me of temptation’s ditch (1 Corinthians 10:13 VOICE) “Any temptation you face will be nothing new. But God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can handle. But He always provides a way of escape so that you will be able to endure and keep moving forward.”
  • Keeps me out of the ditch (Psalm 119:9-11 VOICE) “How can a young person remain pure? Only by living according to Your word. I have pursued You with my whole heart; so do not let me stray from Your commands. Deep within me I have hidden Your word so that I will never sin against You.”
  • Encourages me in the ditch (Psalm 107:6 ICB) “In their misery they cried out to the Lord. And he saved them from their troubles.”
  • Pulls me out of the ditch (2 Timothy 3:16 ERV) “All Scripture is given by God. And all Scripture is useful for teaching and for showing people what is wrong in their lives. It is useful for correcting faults and teaching the right way to live.”

“It is written”

  • Is TRUE truth (John 17:7 AMPC)” Now at last they know and understand that all You have given Me belongs to You - is really and truly Yours.”
  • The only “north star” (John 6:68 CEV) Simon Peter answered, “Lord, there is no one else that we can go to! Your words give eternal life.”
  • The map for life (Proverbs 3:6 ERV) “With every step you take, think about what he wants, and he will help you go the right way.”

“It is written”

  • Is eternal (Psalm 119:89 ICB) “Lord, your word is everlasting. It continues forever in heaven.”
  • Always comes true (Proverbs 30:5 TLB) “Every word of God proves true.”
  • Cannot fail (1 Kings 8:56 ICB) “He promised he would give rest to his people Israel. And he has given us rest! The Lord has kept all the good promises he gave through his servant Moses.”

“It is written”

  • Makes one happy (Psalm 119:1-2 ICB) “Happy are the people who live pure lives. They follow the Lord’s teachings. Happy are the people who keep his rules. They ask him for help with their whole heart.”
  • Brings peace (Psalm 119:165 ICB) “Those who love your teachings will find true peace.”
  • Implants courage (Joshua 1:7 VOICE) “Always be strong and courageous, and always live by the law I gave to my servant Moses, never turning from it—even ever so slightly—so that you may succeed wherever you go.”

- Submitted by Tom N.