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The Bible is a book of history, science, poetry, and human behavior. Most importantly, it is a love story that reveals the heart of God through the person of His Son, Jesus

Christ.

The Bible was written over a period of fifteen hundred years by more than forty authors in three languages on three continents. Rather than contradicting one another, the writers maintained complete historical, moral, prophetical, and theological accuracy. They wrote with harmony and continuity from Genesis to Revelation.

The Bible was written by people under the inspiration of God (see 2 Peter 1:20-21; 2 Timothy 3:16). In other words, God used the personalities and characteristics of each biblical author to bring forth His word.

Studying the Bible is an absolute must for Christians. The Bible instructs, "Study to show thyself approved unto God..." (2 Timothy 2:15 KJV). The systematic preaching of the Bible is impossible without the systematic study of the Bible. We are not to skim a few verses in our daily Bible reading, nor are we to study a passage only when we're about to share it. We need to immerse ourselves daily in God's Word, like the Bereans who searched the scriptures daily (see Acts 17:11).

To build a model airplane, we need to follow a set of instructions. Only then will the final product look like its counterpart on the box. In the same way, we need to follow God's instruction manual for life, the Bible. Only then will our life reflect Jesus Christ. The Bible says, "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).

The Bible was "written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope" (Romans 15:4). We find hope through learning about God, His ways, and His plans for our lives. When we discover the promises of God, we recognize there is more to life than merely existing. We discover there is life beyond life. Through the Bible, we obtain hope, encouragement, comfort, strength, wisdom, and much more. Best of all, we gain an understanding of how to know God personally and how to live for him righteously.

To find our way through the dark, we need a flashlight. Only then can we see clearly and avoid stumbling. The psalmist described God's Word as "a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path" (Psalm 119:105). As we allow the Bible to direct our lives, we'll keep from stumbling and falling. If you want to be wise, read the Bible. If you want to be safe, believe the Bible. If you want to be right, obey the Bible.

Unless otherwise noted, a// Scripture references are taken from the Ho/y Bib/e, New King James Version (NOV), copyright@ 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.