When we pray and read the Bible we reflect the Lord and slowly are changed into His image. The water in this little river reflects the trees and clouds, but like a camera our hearts keep the images and impressions of the things we read.
2 Cor 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
Ephesians 4:18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: 19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. 20 But ye have not so learned Christ; 21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:
Lake Pend Oreille at Sandpoint, Idaho – Sunset
When people die it helps us connect with eternity, especially when its someone we know, love and respect. Experiencing the death of someone we care about causes us to think about eternity.
The Bible is the book most qualified to tell us about eternity.
There is a day on our calendar when we are appointed to die. The day is printed in invisible ink, but God can see it. God knows the day. He gives life and He takes life. We try to extend life with diets, exercise, and doctors, but life and death is in the hand of God. The day of our birth and death is set by God, not me. The fact is that all of us are born, we die and we all pay taxes. None of us choose when we are born and when we die. Everybody faces God. After death we all face God to determine eternity. Some for eternal rewards some for eternal punishment.Ok, So what happens when I die? When we die, we at some point will face God to give an account for our life.
1. For the believer it is to inherit eternal life.
2. For the un-believer it is to receive eternal punishment.
Here are some verses from the Bible on death and what what happens after we die. As a main point and side point, the Bible is the book most qualified to tell us about eternity.
John 5:24 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.
Daniel 12:2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame, to everlasting contempt.
John 3:36 He that believes on the Son has life eternal, and he that is not subject to the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides upon him.
Psalms 39:5 Behold, thou hast made my days as hand- breadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before thee; verily, every man, even the high placed, is altogether vanity.
When we die, we at some point, will face God to give an account for our life.
1. For Believers, there is the Judgment Seat of Christ.
2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.
Romans 14:10 But thou, why judgest thou thy brother? or again, thou, why dost thou make little of thy brother? for we shall all be placed before the judgment- seat of God.
The judgment seat of Christ does not determine our eternal destiny; that issue is decided the moment we receive Christ. Knowing that in the future we will stand before Jesus Christ and face a personal review of our lives should always motivate us to love the Lord, grow in the Lord, obey the Lord, live righteously and live faithfully in the present.
2. For un-believers, there is the Great White Throne.
The “Great White Throne” judgment described in Rev. 20:11–15 is for unbelievers. This final exam for all un-believers is a picture of God’s holy rule and requirements.
20:15 Only God’s elect, those whose names are written in the Book of Life, will escape the lake of fire. To be written in the book of life is to believe on Jesus for eternal life.
When people die it helps us connect with eternity. When someone we care about dies, this helps us connect with eternity.
Sometimes it is hard to understand why God created man.
In the beginning there was the earth, plants, animals and there was man. What is all this for and why are we here? These are some universal questions. In the beginning God had a purpose in mind for all things, but what is this purpose and what does this have to do with us? When we look at the beginning of the Bible, the first book of the Bible and the first chapter of the Bible the reason why God created man is laid out for us. It says, there, that God created man in His image and in His likeness, and He wanted man to have dominion over the fish, the cattle, the birds, over the whole earth and over the creeping things. In that passage the two key words are “image” and “dominion”. These two words describe the reason why God created you and created me—imagine and dominion.
God Created the Earth
Now what do these two words mean? An image is like a photograph. If I have a photograph of a tree, you see an image of the tree; you see the attributes of the tree. For instance, most trees are green, so you see green. You see the form of the branches, the shape of the leaves and so on. Well, in the same way, you and I were created in the image of God that we might express the attributes of God. For instance, a tree is green, so a photograph of a tree expresses that attribute, the color green. You and I were created in the image of God. Now one attribute of God is love. Others include joy, peace, patience, honesty, telling the truth and so on. These are all attributes of God. When we express these attributes we express God’s nature, and this is why you and I were created.
So this is why God created man.
Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892) was a man of Bible study, prayer, teaching and preaching. It has been estimated that he preached to about 10 million people.
Spokane Sunset
Here is a great quote on prayer from C.H. Spurgeon: Of course the preacher is above all others distinguished as a man of prayer. He prays as an ordinary Christian, else he were a hypocrite. He prays more than ordinary Christians, else he were disqualified for the office which he has undertaken.
So prayer is an important aspect to our life.
From Romans chapter 8, “.., to set the thoughts on the spirit is life and peace”. There is only one pace for peace, that is in God. Everywhere else is only a mirage of peace. In this world you will have tribulations. If you don’t have peace about something, just don’t do it.
Idaho Sunset
The Bible is God’s story written from His side. So when there is an argument between two people, each person has a side. Well the Bible is God’s side of the story. We may have our worldview and opinions, but God has His worldview and thoughts. After all, He created the world and our ability to even have a view. His thought, that is God’s thoughts are recorded in a story book called the Bible. From Genesis to Revelation, God has a lot to say. Look at this verse in second Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
The Beautiful Spokane River
Wow, what a great question – What is the Bible? The Bible is God’s Word to us. The Bible tells us what God thinks, how God feels and why He created the earth and mankind. The thoughts of God about the earth, man, sin, Jesus Christ, righteousness, heaven and hell are all addressed in the Bible. The Bible answers some big questions like, Why did God create me? and How do I become a Christian?
Four Main Points about the Bible:
1. The words of the Bible are God’s words. The words in the Bible are not opinion or human concepts. – 2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching…
2. The Bible makes clear how one can become a Christian, live as a Christian and grow as a Christian. Many others items and things in the universe are just not found in the Bible because they are not necessary for our Christian living. – Psalms 119:130 The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.
3. The Bible is a very necessary book since it tells us about God, man, sin, Jesus Christ, heaven and hell. – 2 Timothy 3:15 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
4, The Bible stands alone as the only book that tells us everything we need to know to become a Christian, live as a Christian and grow as a Christian. In this area the Bible is sufficient. – 2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.
Hopefully this short answer to “What is the Bible” has helped you and me understand more about the Bible. Later we will talk more about what is in the Bible such as poetry, history, teaching, theology, stories and prophecy. In the Bible is also encouragement and warnings for our Christian life.