BrendaHubbard

Why should I read the Best Book ever written? The BIBLE

-Why this book?

-How does it help? 

-How do I read it? Step by step

-I’m Done reading it now what?

-Closing Prayer…

-Why this book?

In our pursuit of answers or reliable information, we embark on a quest to acquire what we previously lacked. All to fulfill a longing in our souls. The number of behaviors and beliefs people tend to develop throughout a lifetime is more than can be counted. Leaving us to ask the following thought-provoking question: Why did my grandmother do that? Who thought about that idea? Why do my parents believe in this? Or why does it seem like everyone in that family is dealing with the same issue?

Remember this: it ran in my family until it ran into me. 

I’ve discovered a Book more powerful than anything a teacher or a parent could ever teach, unless they are following the same book. It is the most powerful and transformational book on Earth: The BIBLE.

Fun Facts:

-The Bible was written on three continents —Asia, Africa, and Europe — over a
1,500-year period. 

There are 8 billion people on Earth, and 2.4 billion are Christians or believers.

-Christianity is the largest religion on Earth. 

-Psalm 119 is the Longest chapter in the Bible. 

-According to The New York Times, the Bible is widely reported as the most frequently stolen book. 

-Psalm 117 is the Shortest chapter in the Bible. 

The Bible is not just a book-it is God’s word given through human authors. Despite being written by different authors, it conveys a consistent message: God’s plan of redemption through Jesus Christ. 

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
John‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬

Below are some scriptures in the Bible that aren’t commonly talked about:

“I gave you empty stomachs in every city and lack of bread in every town, yet you have not returned to me,” declares the Lord.”
Amos 4:6 

No matter what might be going wrong, turn back to God. He will direct and guide you towards what He has planned for you. 

“Many times I struck your gardens and vineyards, destroying them with blight and mildew. Locusts devoured your fig and olive trees, yet you have not returned to me,” declares the Lord.”
Amos 4:9 

Most believers do not believe that God would allow such things, and that it is an attack from the enemy, but that is not always the case based on this scripture. 

“When you cry out for help, let your collection of idols save you! The wind will carry all of them off, a mere breath will blow them away. But whoever takes refuge in me will inherit the land and possess my holy mountain.”
Isaiah‬ ‭57‬:‭13‬

“And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says, “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.”
Hebrews‬ ‭12‬:‭5‬-‭6‬

How does it help? 

As we navigate different seasons of life, we will face tests, trials, and tribulations because we live in a fallen world. Long ago, sin entered our world and it has never been the same. 

“When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.”
Genesis‬ ‭3‬:‭6‬-‭7‬ 

Unfortunately, the woman and man ate the forbidden fruit, which is when the fall began. But it did not end there. Throughout the Bible, numerous stories of redemption and grace are found, all directed towards humanity, with a single overarching purpose. To lead us all to God, to obey and follow instructions on living on Earth. All because God loves us and wants a personal relationship with us. 

“And this is the way to have eternal life—to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth.” ‭‭
John‬ ‭17‬:‭3‬ 

“Now listen! Today I am giving you a choice between life and death, between prosperity and disaster. For I command you this day to love the Lord your God and to keep his commands, decrees, and regulations by walking in his ways. If you do this, you will live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you and the land you are about to enter and occupy. “But if your heart turns away and you refuse to listen, and if you are drawn away to serve and worship other gods, then I warn you now that you will certainly be destroyed. You will not live a long, good life in the land you are crossing the Jordan to occupy.”
Deuteronomy‬ ‭30‬:‭15‬-‭18‬ ‭

Now, before your mind starts to wander and check out, hear me out. We are all programmed to follow someone or something.

Even if your mind deceives you into thinking I make my own rules and follow my direction. Really? Think for a second. Where did I get the belief about ________
(Fill in the blank) from? What book did I read? What video did I watch? Or what did my parents teach me, or did not teach me, that has programmed my beliefs? 

With that being said, allow the Bible a chance to speak to you. If, after reading it, you find it has no value or does not change your perspective, you will now know how to defend your case. However, I am certain that the oppasite will likely be the case. And I pray that the God of the universe shows up while you read it or listen to it like never before, all for His Glory. Christian blog

bible best book

How do I read it? Step by step:

“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.”
Mark‬ ‭1‬:‭35 

“In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.”
Psalms‬ ‭5‬:‭3‬ 

Everyone’s schedule is different, yet we all have choices to make when we first wake up in the morning, regardless of our busy lives and constant life demands. We can intentionally set out to wake up every morning to deliberately put God first. The amount of time spent is up to you and God. However, I do know that our God honors being first in our lives and a genuine heart posture. 

“Later she gave birth to his brother Abel. Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil. In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord. And Abel also brought an offering—fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast.”
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭4‬:‭2‬-‭5‬

“Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.”
Proverbs‬ ‭3‬:‭9‬-‭10‬

If all we have is 15 minutes, and that’s really what we have, he honors that. But if more is the case, he honors that too. The point is, is he first? Is he being thanked for another day? for the breath in our lungs? And the many other provisions. 

“Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”
Mark‬ ‭12‬:‭41‬-‭44‬

bible verses

I’m Done reading it, now what?

God reminds us to do the following daily, as this is the only way to prosper and succeed in all aspects of our lives. 

“Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua‬ ‭1‬:‭7‬-‭9‬

That scripture to me sums up one of the greatest commandments after the Ten Commandments God gave us. It provides you with the day-to-day playbook to navigate life’s journey. God knew we would need to be strong and very courageous because the road ahead would not be easy. He said to be careful not to deviate. He knew distractions and temptations would come to get us off course. Meditating on it means reading and re-reading so that it becomes ingrained, and only then will we be able to navigate life effectively.

So now I charge you in the sight of all Israel and of the assembly of the Lord, and in the hearing of our God: Be careful to follow all the commands of the Lord your God, that you may possess this good land and pass it on as an inheritance to your descendants forever. “And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches every heart and understands every desire and every thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever.”
1 Chronicles‬ ‭28‬:‭8‬-‭9‬ 

Serve only the Lord your God and fear him alone. Obey his commands, listen to his voice, and cling to him.”
Deuteronomy‬ ‭13‬:‭4‬

So, the question about when to stop reading, and the simple answer is…NEVER! 

The Bible is the one book that speaks to you directly in the season you are navigating. The only book that comes to life as you read it, and the only book that will genuinely help you in this journey called life. Please read it for yourself and watch your life transform. 

Closing Prayer…

Heavenly Father, thank you, Lord, for your grace, mercy, and love upon us, your people. I thank you for those who know you and those who do not, and I pray for those who do not know you to have an encounter with you and for you to heal every wound in their being. Father, I thank you that you’ve continually shown them grace despite their wayward ways. Please bring them to you and remove the scales that are keeping them from being in right standing with you.

Lord Jesus, I pray for those who are in a relationship with you to have a renewed mind and a fresh desire to do your will and obey the calling placed on their lives. For them to allow you to use them and lead them as a powerful soldier for your Kingdom. I pray this in the mighty name of Jesus, Amen.