If God's Word is the Authority, then no other book can stand along side it.        God says of His Word -

The Man or Woman of God knows that this pertains to them -

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made. In Him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. … The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him. … Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His Name, He gave the right to become children of God-- children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, Who is at the Father's side, has made Him known. John 1:1-18

Jesus says, "The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life." Jn 6:63

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. I and the Father are one." John 10:27-30

The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life--only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father." John 10:17-18

"Father, the time has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son may glorify You. For You granted Him authority over all people that He might give eternal life to all those You have given Him. Now this is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent. John 17:2-3

Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: "Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of His Christ. Rev 12:10

And He was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation. Rev 13:7

Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." Jn 8:31,32

As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:10-11 NIV

The Lord describes How He does this:     For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Heb 4:12

The Law of the Lord is  perfect, reviving the soul.  The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.  The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart.  The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.  The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever.  The ordinances of the Lord are sure and altogether righteous.  They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb.  By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.  Psalm 19:7-11 

Blessed is the man that walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful.  But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law does he meditate day and night.  And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.  Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.  For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.  Psalm 1

Your Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.  Psalm 119:105

How to read the Bible

1. Know who you are talking with:  In order to talk with someone, we need to know to whom we are conversing.  God is all knowing, all loving and all powerful.  Since we know these things, we know that He already knows what we are going to say before we say it.  "The Lord knows the thoughts of man" Psalm 94:11  So we should always be honest with Him, and know that it can only be to our benefit to befriend Him and seek His guidance and Love.  "God is Love.  Real love isn't our love for God, but his love for us." 1John 4:16
2. Know who you are to this person:  In order to talk with someone, we should know who we are to that person.  If we know what we are to that person, then we know if what we say will be accepted and valued or not.  Each of us, and that means you, is VERY important to God.  "O Lord, you have searched me and you know me...For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb...I am wonderfully made; your works are wonderful" Psalm 139:1,13,14  Anyone who would go through that great trouble to have created you in your mothers' womb and know you so well just as you are, and still care for you so much  must love you more than any human person ever can!!   And God does!!  For only He has a heart that big and that capable!!  The person you are talking to knows you and loves you just as you are and you are very valuable to Him.  In fact, you are more valuable to God than you are to anyone else in the world.
3. Unconfessed Sin:   God can hear us always, but He cannot honor our conversation with Him if we purposefully ignore our own wrong doing. when we know that we have sinned and do not face it and ask for God's forgiveness and turn from it and accept God's forgiveness.  Our sin blocks His Love for us.  God's verses will be published later.
4. More reasons will follow later.

Psalm 139 is a great teacher of the Lord and our prayer.  Read this on your own if you own a Bible.  Read it slow and deliberately.  Measure each word against your own heart, and hear God speak to you through His own words, which are the Psalm.   If you need a Bible, contact the American Bible Society.  

Sin is any word, action, thought or emotion that we have done that goes against God's desire for our life.  The ten commandments tell some of the sins.  But as we grow in fellowship, friendship and relationship with the Lord, He will let us know through the Holy Spirit things that displease Him.  When we recognize that pain in our heart of displeasing Jesus, then we can quickly, right then and there, say in the quiet of our heart "I am sorry for what I did! Please forgive me Jesus.  Please help me to not do that again."    "If we confess our sins to God, he can always be trusted to forgive us and take our sins away." 1John 1:9  If we turn away from our wrongdoing, our sin, then we are choosing to walk in friendship with God and we are in His favor.  God's blessings will be upon us, and we will not be walking into trouble. 

How to stay out of sin:  God makes it clear that to not repeat of sin we must first be born again, and then read His Word often, which is the Bible,  remember His Word, pray and listen to Him, and obey and serve Him out of Love for Him.

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          THE BIBLE contains the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding, its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you.

            It is the traveler’s map, the pilgrim’s staff, the pilot’s compass, the soldier’s sword, and the Christian’s charter. Here Paradise is restored, Heaven opened, and the gates of hell disclosed.

            CHRIST is its grand subject, our good the design, and the glory of God its end.

            It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet. Read it slowly, frequently, and prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and river of pleasure. It is given you in life, will be opened at the judgment, and be remembered forever. It involves the highest responsibility, will reward the greatest labor, and will condemn all who trifle with its sacred contents. From The Gideons International, The New Testament, National Publishing Company, 1985, preface.

The Written Word

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Copyright © 2004 Billboards for Christ, Inc. P.O. Box 27, Chester, Maryland, USA 21619-0027  All Bible verses are from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright© 1973,1978,1984 by International Bible Society®. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.   Last modified: October 01, 2009