By F. D. Adkins
I remember when my daughter was in second grade, she would carry her Bible to school every day for independent reading time. But one day she came home upset because her teacher told her that she could not read her Bible during this segment of class anymore. Let’s just say I was not happy about my little girl being discouraged from reading God’s Word, so obviously, I planned to go talk to the teacher. But, as I asked a few more questions, I realized that she had not been told she could not bring her Bible and read it. The teacher had simply requested that during independent reading, when she was trying to assess the reading level of each student, she preferred my daughter choose a book that allowed her to determine a grade for reading comprehension. But I still did not want my six-year-old daughter to lose this enthusiasm she had in reading her Bible. She was developing her relationship with God, and as a new Christian, she was pouring her child-like excitement into her faith. Not only was she carrying her Bible, but she was telling her classmates about Jesus. Once she even asked if we could go out and buy a Bible for her friend.
I share this story because, as Christians, we should express our excitement about knowing Jesus like a six-year-old child. We should treasure our Bible and seek every opportunity to absorb God’s Word. Then we can show and tell. We can show God’s Word in the way that we live and tell others about Jesus with the words of God that we have stored in our hearts. Luke 18:17 says, “Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein” (KJV).
When you hold the Bible in your hands, have you ever really thought about the power of this Book?
According to BibleResources.org, the Bible contains sixty-six books that were written over a period of about 1500 years ranging from 1450 B.C. to 100 A.D. (“Universal Truths & Facts About the Bible”). The Bible gives us the complete story from Creation to the revealing of what is to come when Jesus returns. The Guinness Books of World Records reports the Bible to be the best-selling book of all time with more than five billion copies sold and distributed (“Best-Selling Book”). Isaiah 40:8 tells us “The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever” (KJV). Then, Matthew 24:35 states, “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away” (KJV). And, notably, this book written in a period of time over 2000 years ago is still the best-selling, most widely distributed book ever.
Hebrews 4:12 vividly describes the power of the Bible as it says, “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (KJV). God’s Word helps us discern our desires from God’s will for our lives. God’s Word is compared to a sword which is a weapon. We use a weapon to defend ourselves from enemy attacks. Ephesians 6:17 says, “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (KJV).
The Bible gives us our spiritual nourishment. Matthew 4:4 says, “But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God” (KJV), and 1 Peter 2:2 says, “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby” (KJV).
God’s Word teaches and instructs us. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16 KJV).
Reading God’s Word brings us happiness. According to Luke 11:28, “But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it” (KJV).
Studying and applying God’s Word changes lives. “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free (John 8:31-32 KJV).
So… the Bible teaches us, helps us discern God’s will for us, provides us with spiritual nourishment, gives us a weapon of defense against the enemy, and changes us. However, to receive these benefits and the powers God’s word offers, we have to read it regularly. A study done by the Center for Bible Engagement revealed that people who read the Bible at least four times a week are 228 percent more likely to share the Gospel, 407 percent more likely to memorize scripture, and 30 percent less likely to experience bouts of loneliness.
Corrie Ten Boom knew the power of the Bible and the importance of studying God’s Word. Dan Graves details in his article in the Christian History Institute how Corrie Ten Boom sneaked her Bible past the guards at the concentration camp and then read God’s Word to the other prisoners. Some of those prisoners accepted Christ as their Savior (Graves).
This Thursday, October 7, is Bring Your Bible to School Day. Focus on the Family reports on the “Bring Your Bible to School Day” web page that over 500,000 students participated in this event in 2020. Let’s encourage our kids to show their faith that day. Kids can sign up at https://www.focusonthefamily.com/bring-your-bible/?gclid=CjwKCAjwndCKBhAkEiwAgSDKQVFGtzxQyulKktVOaynSzPUJh3ml-j2rY1ov5ve06sNm0gTR4AM0QBoCXIgQAvD_BwE. But let’s do more than just encourage our kids. Let’s show our faith along with them. In a united act, let us take a stand for Christ and proclaim our faith and love for God.
We live in a country where soldiers have sacrificed their lives for our freedom. As I think of Corrie Ten Boom and how she treasured the power and the importance of studying God’s Word, I ask myself why I would not always have my Bible right by my side. If Corrie Ten Boom carried her Bible into a Nazi concentration camp and read it aloud, what excuse could I possibly have not to carry mine?
“Don’t worry about what you do not understand…
Worry about what you do understand in the Bible, but do not live by.”
—Corrie Ten Boom
Sources:
“Be Engaged Research.” Center for Bible Engagement, https://www.centerforbibleengagement.org/research. Accessed 29 Sept 2021.
“Best-Selling Book.” Guinness Book of World Records, https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/best-selling-book-of-non-fiction. Accessed 29 Sept 2021.
Boom, Corrie Ten. InspiringQuotes.us, https://www.inspiringquotes.us/quotes/pHQG_ZmizR4Eb. Accessed 30 Sep 2021.
“Bring Your Bible to School Day.” Focus on the Family, https://www.focusonthefamily.com/bring-your-bible/?gclid=CjwKCAjwndCKBhAkEiwAgSDKQVFGtzxQyulKktVOaynSzPUJh3ml-j2rY1ov5ve06sNm0gTR4AM0QBoCXIgQAvD_BwE. Accessed 29 Sept 2021.
Graves, Dan. “Clerical “Error” Freed Corrie Ten Boom from Nazi Prison.” Christian History Institute, https://christianhistoryinstitute.org/it-happened-today/12/30. Accessed 29 Sept 2021.
“Universal Truths & Facts About the Bible.” BibleResources.org https://bibleresources.org/bibleresources/bible-facts/. Accessed 29 Sept 2021.
