The Bible: a book for all reasons.
Recently I read a self-help book. It was a best seller, having sold more than 1 million copies worldwide. Published in 2003, it was read by almost everyone in my office and hailed as a masterpiece that dealt with how to live with great courage, balance, abundance and joy. The book is Robin Sharma’s “The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari”. As I was reading that book, I found that it contained quotes from philosophers, psychologists and the ancient books of India. All of them advising you how to achieve happiness and inner peace in ‘x’ number of steps. None of them tells you what happens to the soul after the body dies. Man has devised so many ways to make his life happy but they all ignore the giver of life!

‘There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.’ Prov.16:25.
This line is taken from the bestseller of all times-The Holy Bible. These words written by King Solomon around 970 B.C! The Bible, which is the inspired word of God (Yahweh) (2Tim.3:16) has everything that a man needs to live a happy, prosperous and successful life on earth as well as eternal life?

The Bible is a book for all seasons. It has stories that are meaningful for children. It gives guidance and advice to young people, just at a time when they are choosing their life values. It is meaningful in the early years of adulthood, as marriages take place, families are begun, and careers are chosen. It is also appropriate for the middle years of life. Especially for the golden, later years of life the promises and assurances of God’s love and care are meaningful. Truly, the Bible is a book for all seasons.
It has been the guiding force for every generation. It is really amazing to realize that a message written by God’s prophets more than seventy generations ago is still appropriate in our twenty-first century.
Let us read this book for all seasons in the New Year just beginning. It is an anchor in life’s stormy sea. It is a light house. It is a landmark. It is a solid foundation. The stresses and the strains of our time make it important that we examine its message and apply its principles to our lives.
In your hands at this very moment is a source of divine energy greater than you have ever seen before. It can make you a better man or woman; it can deliver you from your sins; it can give you victory over every temptation; it can enable you to live a noble, beautiful life; it can help you to set an example of Christian godliness before your children, your neighbors, your friends. How can you release this power and channel it into your life? Just open the Book. Begin to read it in a spirit of reverence, humbly seeking after truth. Without your realizing it, the power will begin to flow.

You will have peace: The Bible states that “there is no peace… to the wicked” (Isa. 57:21). At the same time it is definite in declaring that those who put their trust in God (Yahweh) shall be kept in “perfect peace” (Isa. 26:3-4). The reason for this is given in the same passage: “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD Jehovah is the rock of ages”.  Peace is found in God (Yahweh) because He is more durable than the mountains. With Him there is a stability and permanence that creates full confidence. He is always the same, unaffected by forces that work changes in others. Time does not alter His person or His character. He endures “from everlasting to everlasting” (Psa.90:1, 2). Forever and ever all power in heaven and earth belongs to Him (Matt.28:18). That is why peace of mind is to be found through trusting Him. With such a wonderful Friend always thinking of us and caring for us, there no need to worry. If you know you are tense, nervous, short-tempered, it may be because you are not praying enough. Communion with God is brings calmness to the soul.

You will be a new person: The power of the Holy Spirit is so great, so limitless, that it can bring about a complete transformation of an individual’s life. It can change you into an completely new person. As the apostle Paul said: “If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature, old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (2 Cor. 5:17). When a person is baptized he rises to a new life. He walks in the newness of life (Rom.6:4) He is a changed man. Such a change involves nothing short of a total revolution in all his thoughts and actions. It affects his home life, business life, and recreational life. It alters his eating habits, drinking habits, and spending habits.

You can have anything! Some of God’s promises are absolutely breathtaking. They seem to be too good to be true. They suggest that there is nothing He will not do for those who love Him.
If you want to feel like a millionaire, open your Bible and read Psa.84:11. “No good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly.” The same promise is given in Psa.34:10: “They that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing.”  Psa.37:4: “Delight thyself also in the LORD; and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” In Deut.28:1-6, God (Yahweh) told Moses: “If thou shall hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, … Blessed shall thou be in the city, and blessed shall thou be in the field… Blessed shall be thy basket and thy store. Blessed shall thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shall thou be when thou goest out” (Deuteronomy 28:1-6). “The LORD shall open unto thee His good treasure” (verse 12). “Whatsoever ye shall ask in my name,” said Jesus (Yahshua), “that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son” (John 14:13). Notice that word “whatsoever.” It suggests infinite wealth and an infinite willingness to share it with others.

One reason He came into this world was to make us rich. 2Cor. 8:9,’for ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.’ Not necessarily rich in material things, for these count little in the sight of God, but rich in the things of the Spirit, which alone have lasting value. Through Him we can become rich in wisdom, in knowledge, in faith, in mercy, in love.
Jas. 1:5,’If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God (Yahweh), that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not and it shall be given him’.  “Call unto me,” the Lord said to the prophet Jeremiah, “and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not” (Jer.33:3). That is what He wants us all to do-to call upon Him in faith, expecting mighty results from our prayers.
Many people have accepted this invitation, and, as a result, have seen God (Yahweh) work for them in marvelous ways.

You will live victoriously: Not only does God want to make you happy and prosperous, and to bless you with “every spiritual blessing”; it is His plan and desire that you shall live victoriously every day. With head high and shoulders back, you may tread the earth like a conqueror. Not in pride, but in the joy of serving Him. Some indication of His purpose can be seen by reading His messages to ancient Israel. “If you will be careful to do all this commandment which I command you to do, loving the LORD your God, walking in all His ways, and cleaving to Him,” He said through Moses, “then the LORD will drive out all these nations before you, and you will possess greater nations and mightier than yourselves. There shall no man be able to stand before you” (Deut. 11:22-25). Your enemies who rise against shall flee before you seven ways (Deut.28:7).

In Eph.6:10-17. Paul speaks of the armour of God (Yahweh). This armour is not physical but spiritual. It has to do with the mind and the heart. It will preserve you from “all the flaming darts of the evil one.” Truth will give us certainty and keep our thoughts balanced and reasonable. Righteousness will give us confidence and free us from fear of criticism. Peace will give us gentleness and enable us to ignore all slights and slurs upo n our character and way of life. Faith will give us courage and cheerfulness and all disappointments and hardships will be shown in their true light.
The Word of God will supply every weapon we need in our warfare with the powers of darkness. Notice particularly that last piece of equipment suggested by the apostle – “the word of God.” That, of course, is the Bible. This means that the very Book you have in your home can help you to triumph over every difficulty, every sorrow, every setback, and to live victoriously hereafter.