What makes the Bible different? That is the question God has led me to this day.

Oftentimes, we can open the Bible and read words, much like we read the words of any book, magazine, or website.  We can pick it up, open to any passage of choice and read, maybe reading for five minutes or fifteen, reading words.  Then, once we finish with our reading, we can lay down “the book” and go our merry way, knowing we have (check mark) read God’s Word.

OUCH!

I have read that way.

I have also picked up the Word of God and truly not known where to read.

The Bible.

• Sixty-six books.
• Thirty-nine books in the Old Testament.
• Twenty-seven books in the New Testament.
• Forty chosen men.
• Over a 1,400-year period.

How in the world does a person know where to begin, how much to read, and where to end?

Where does a person know where to go, what passage is needed for this moment of this day?

When a person does decide to read the Bible, how should a person go about reading the words God has provided?

• Thank goodness, there are many helpful guides, reading plans, that a person can utilize to help.
• Thank goodness, there are many Sunday School & small group discussions that can help a person focus upon particular passages.
• Thank goodness, we don’t ever need to feel alone in our reading of God’s Word.
• Thank the LORD, as HE guides our reading, we are led.

At fifty-five, I am so thankful to say that of the years I have been afforded to live, forty of those years have been opportunities to walk with the LORD and to read His Word.

At fifty-five, I am so saddened to say that of the forty years God has provided, not all years, all months, or all days have been redeemed as opportunities to walk with the LORD and to read His Word.

• I have squandered so much time.
• I have walked in disobedience at times.
• I have walked with God at times.
• I have walked as if on a tightrope suspended over a cavern called “life” where the LORD and all that is good resided on one side of my brain, controlling my life, while the enemy Satan and all that is evil resided on the other side of my brain, controlling my life.

Two sides.  Two ways.  Walk within God’s will—OR—not!

Two sides.  Two paths.  Walk the way God faithfully and consistently leads—OR—not!

“So, what makes the Bible different?”  A young lady asked me that question the other day, and since she asked, I have considered her question and my response to her question.

What makes the Bible different?

So, What makes the Bible different?

I am not sure if my response satisfied her question, but I spoke to her about how the Bible was read so that one could hear the voice of God speak.  I also told her how the Bible records the history of the world, revealing “HIS Story” for mankind.  I said, “The Bible is how the world comes to know Jesus of Nazareth.”  I told her about how the man Jesus was foretold throughout the entire Bible.  Then, I spoke of how the Word of God provides the words, the passages, and the gospel message revealing the way a person can come to know and accept God the Father through His Son Jesus, the Savior of the world.  Truthfully, there is so much we can say when asked the question—What makes the Bible different?

The punctuation of the ellipsis indicates how there is so much more, so many more words of God to come, given to us.

Are we reading every week?

Are we reading every day?

Are we praying, asking God to speak to us through His Word?

Are we praying, asking God to lead us through His Word?

Are we reading?

Are we listening?

Are we hearing the LORD—who has so much to say to us?

When juxtaposed next to every book within the world—What is it that makes the Bible different?  & Who is it that makes the Bible different?