The B.I.B.L.E.

Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth

Twenty centuries ago the apostle Paul forewarned us:

"The time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear!" 2 Timothy 4:3

 

The Preface to the Geneva Bible states:

“The Word of God is a light to our path, the key of the kingdom of Heaven, our comfort in affliction, our shield and sword against Satan, the school of all wisdom, the mirror in which we behold God's face, and the only food and nourishment for our souls!”

 

Isaiah 55:8-11 ESV

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

 

“The Scripture is God's love-letter to men. Here the lamb may wade — and here the elephant may swim! The blessed Scriptures are of infinite worth and value! Here you may find . . . a remedy for every disease, a balm for every wound, a plaster for every sore, milk for babes, meat for strong men, comfort for the afflicted, support for the tempted, solace for the distressed, ease for the wearied, a staff to support the feeble, a sword to defend the weak. The holy Scriptures are . . .the map of God's mercy — and man's misery, the touchstone of truth, the shop of remedies against all maladies, the hammer of vices, the treasury of virtues, the exposer of all sensual and worldly vanities, the balance of equity, the most perfect rule of all justice and honesty. Ah, friends, no book befits your hands like the Bible! The Bible is the best preacher. This book, this preacher will preach to you . . . in your shops, in your chambers, in your closets, yes, in your own bosoms! This book will preach to you at home and abroad; it will preach to you in all companies; and it will preach to you in all conditions. By this book you must live. By this book you must die. By this book you shall be judged in the great day! By this book you shall be saved — or by this book you shall be damned! Oh, therefore . . . love this book above all other books, prize this book above all other books, read this book before all other books, study this book more than all other books! For he who reads much — and understands nothing, is like him who hunts much — and catches nothing!”

• Thomas Brooks, "The Crown and Glory of Christianity, or, HOLINESS, the Only Way to Happiness", 1662

 

“When we read the holy Scriptures — let us look up to God for a blessing. Let us pray that God would not only give us His Wordas a rule of holiness — but His grace as a principle of holiness! It is said, that the alchemist can draw oil out of iron. Truly, God's Spirit can produce grace in the most obdurate heart!”

• Thomas Watson, "The Ten Commandments"

 

“Look about you: did you ever yet see Christ to this day, in distinction from all other excellencies and righteousness in the world, and all of them falling before the majesty of His love and grace? Isa. 2:17. If you have seen Christ truly, you have seen pure grace, pure righteousness in Him every way infinite, far exceeding all sin and misery. If you have seen Christ, you can trample upon all the righteousness of men and angels, so as to bring you into acceptance with God. If you have seen Christ, you would not do a duty without Him for ten thousand worlds, 1 Cor. 2:2. If ever you saw Christ, you saw Him a Rock, higher than self-righteousness, Satan, and sin, Ps. 61:2 and this Rock follows you, 1 Cor 10:4; and there will be continual dropping of honey and grace out of that Rock to satisfy you, Ps. 81:16. Examine if ever you have beheld Christ as the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth, Jn. 1:14. Be sure you have come to Christ, that you stand upon the Rock of Ages, and have answered to His call to your soul, and have closed with Him for justification.”

• Thomas Wilcox , “Honey out the Rock”

 

"His delight is in the law of the Lord, and on His law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers."

 Psalm 1:2-3

 

"Your statutes are my delight; they are my counselors." Psalm 119:24 

 

"I delight in Your commands because I love them." 

Psalm 119:47 

 

"The law from Your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold." 

Psalm 119:72 

 

"Oh, how I love Your law! I meditate on it all day long." Psalm 119:97 

 

"Truly, I love Your commands more than gold, even the finest gold." 

Psalm 119:127 

 

"I obey Your statutes, for I love them greatly." 

Psalm 119:167

For more:     The Bible