The Most Widely Read Book in The World

“The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.”

Isaiah 40:8

Forever Means FOREVER!

The Word of God is always active, always current.

The Bible, the written Word of God, is so much more than a beautifully written book. It’s much more than a history book, beautiful poetry, or wise philosophy; The Bible is completely unique, in that although it was written in its original form thousands of years ago, it continues to remain current and as completely up-to-date as tomorrow’s newspaper.

Historically, powerful world leaders have attempted to subdue and even to destroy The Bible. In countries where it was forbidden, such as ‘Eastern block’ countries during the Cold War, the church was forced to go underground. Believers sometimes had to make do with just one copy of The Bible between many, which they would share, treasure, and hungrily devour when it was their turn to have it. We are so blessed in the modern, Western world, to have the freedom to buy and read the Bible in so many translations, and even read it on our smartphones or tablets.

Many look upon The Bible with derision and scorn, dismissing it as outdated and irrelevant. These same scoffers might be surprised then, to know that today, in 2021, The Bible remains the most widely read book in the world. Though I am not claiming it reaches number one in the ‘Best Seller’ list every year, when we look at sales, distribution and reading of The Bible across the world, down through the decades, no other book has outsold The Bible. It has been repeatedly recorded by the Guinness Book of Records and various other record keeping sources, as the most read book of all time, outshining its would-be rivals.

Do you need answers today?

No matter what answers you might be searching for, your Bible is where you will find them! The absolute permanence of God’s Word guarantees that every generation, past present and future can say with confidence that the Bible has relevant answers to every question pertaining to living here on earth.

“The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.” Isaiah 40:8

God Connects with You through His Word.
The Bible we have today comes from ancient manuscripts, but the miraculous thing is that the words written in the Bible are not archaic, they are as fresh and relevant to us as if God were speaking them to us as we read them.

“The word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”


Hebrews 4:12,

God’s Word has a way of reaching right into the innermost secrets of our hearts, searching; touching every dream, hope, fear, disappointment, joy, anger and silent prayer, to discern, weigh, lay everything bare and out in the open. To teach, instruct and impart wisdom.

In my own experience, this rarely happens if I’m merely “dipping” into my Bible. Daily Reading and studying the Word of God are all a vital part of our Christian life. We study because it is important to understand the context of those well known verses that we quote and cling to in times of need. Otherwise we can become susceptible to what’s sometimes called ‘cherry picking,’ which really just means taking a little part of a verse out of context and applying it where it doesn’t really fit; making it mean something it doesn’t really mean. Most of us have done that at times, if we’re honest.

We don’t read and study the Word of God out of a sense of ‘I must,’ but from a longing to know Jesus better, to follow Him, to obey Him. His instructions for daily living – family relationships, church life, work life – its all there, in the pages of your Bible.

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.
‭‭

(2 Timothy‬ ‭3:16-17‬ ‭NLT‬‬)

Do you need Wisdom?

“If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.”

(James 1:5 NLT)

The pages of the Bible are packed with wisdom. Just ask God to direct you in your reading. His Holy Spirit ‘leads us into all truth’:

“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. He will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me. All that belongs to the Father is mine; this is why I said, ‘The Spirit will tell you whatever he receives from me.’” (John 16:13-15 NLT)

Wherever you are today, mountain top or valley, when you open your Bible with purpose and a desire to meet with Him, you will find that He’s there, just waiting to meet with you too!

Jill 💜

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