I read the paper every day and the Bible every day; that way I know what both sides are up to.
- Zig Ziglar
Psalms of Delight...
Most of the Bible's Psalms give thanks to God on one or more levels. Commanded to do so, Christians aught to make the time to praise God for His glorious nature, creative genius and many gifts to mankind.
Psalms of Delight are written in concert with Psalms in the Night. Both series contain Modern Psalms meant to comfort and inspire those seeking the Omni-God revealed in Scripture.
The Bible's Way Cool Summary
Translated into over twelve hundred languages, six billions copies in print make the Bible the most published book of all time by far. Unique in all the world, the Bible stands out in numerous ways. Amazing historical and scientific insights make for compelling reading. Add Scripture's moral supremacy and prophetic accuracy and it becomes clear why it's the pinnacle of mankind's manuscripts. When it comes to the Bible, mankind doesn't realize what it's left sitting on the shelf. Miraculous on many levels, Biblical illiteracy is at an all time high. Even within modern Christianity. And this when the messages of Scripture are needed most. May God forgive our apathy and rebellion to His Word. May Prophetic Christians arise, capable of understanding and demonstrating the splendor of the Bible's direction and glory to lost and needy generations.
The Bible's Way Cool
Modern Psalm of Delight 11
You've made some cool stuff but nothing on Earth compares to Your Word. You're a mind blower when it comes to creating. Awe-full in aspect, we've never even heard of Creator and Savior like You.
As an Author You're clearly without equal. Over millennia thousands have tried. From every corner of the globe in every genre. From doctrine and prophecy to philosophy an history any honest reader and every serious student can see Your Word has no rival. Were literary awe to equal altitude the Bible would excel best runner up as the Moon does Mt Everest.
The best seller of all time, to this day the scripture guides, inspires and comforts billions. In good times and bad Your Word's stood the test of time. For centuries, even in the most hostile of environments, people have so loved and valued the scriptures as to trade their freedom and even lives for the ideals and promises within it's pages.
The Bible's message is an uncomplicated as it is complex, a reflection of both our nature and Yours. Statistically marvelous, the facts of it's authorship and authenticity remain unparalleled. Not having run the numbers myself, some have noted amazing statistics:
Books:
- Books in the Bible: 66
- Books in the Old Testament: 39
- Books in the New Testament: 27
- Shortest book in the Bible: 2 John
- Longest book in the Bible: Psalms
Chapters:
- Chapters in the Bible: 1189
- Chapters in the Old Testament: 929
- Chapters in the New Testament: 260
- Middle chapter of the Bible: Psalm 117 (KJV)
- Shortest chapter in the Bible: Psalm 117
- Longest chapter in the Bible: Psalm 119
Verses
- Verses in the Bible: 31,173
- Verses in the Old Testament: 23,214
- Verses in the New Testament: 7,959
- Shortest verse in the Bible: John 11:35
- Longest verse in the Bible: Esther 8:9
Words
- Words in the Bible: 773,692
- Words in the Old Testament: 592,439
- Words in the New Testament: 181,253
- Number of times "God" is mentioned: 3,358
- Number of times "Lord" is mentioned: 7,736
- Longest Word in the Bible: "Mahershalalhashbaz" in Isaiah 8:1
Miscellaneous
- The Bible spans 1500 years
- The Bible is translated into 1200 languages
- Number of Bibles distributed in the U.S. every day: 170,000
- Number of promises in the Bible: 1,260
- Number of commands in the Bible: 6,468
- Number of questions in the Bible: 3,294
- Number of writers: 40
Eternal Truth
Of course what really separates the Word of God from the works of men is Truth. While human authors have been known to glimpse and record pieces of truth You remain the sole Source. While often misunderstood and poorly implemented, the Bible's reliability remains intact and invaluable to the human race. Living lives full of fear and wonder it's hardly surprising so many throughout history have treasured Your Word:
- "How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path." Psalm 119:103-105
- "Who has gone up to heaven and come down? Who has gathered up the wind in the hollow of his hands? Who has wrapped up the waters in his cloak? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and the name of his son? Tell me if you know! Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him." Proverbs 30:4-5
- "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away." Matthew 24:35
- "There's nothing like the written Word of God for showing you the way to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God's way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us." 2 Timothy 3:15-17 MSG
What's Really Impressive
Further impressive evidence for the inspiration and authority of the Bible is scripture itself. Sixty six books written by forty different authors over a span of fifteen hundred years make's scripture's cohesive and compelling message a minor miracle in itself. All the more so in light of the rigorous inspection scripture's undergone for millennia by both friend and foe. Given the Bible's comprehensive scope, honest questions arise from such scrutiny, yet on the whole Scripture has not only stood the test of time but has aided and been aided by honest inquiry.
Beyond it's insight into history and human nature, in addition to it's wisdom and directives, the Bible alone offers the unique dimension of revelation. Prophecy. Your Word alone can peel back the veil and allow us to get a look of what has been, is and is to come. From the glory of Your holiness to the schemes of the Evil One, Scripture reveals the very history of eternity, telling the tale of a struggle in heaven and how it has and will continue to encompass our lives on Earth.
Of all Biblical prophecy, the Book of Revelation stands head and shoulders above the rest. It's predictions concerning the coming apocalypse of the Great Tribulation defy description and should be of great concern to all Your people, including those hoping to be Raptured out before the suffering starts. Yet sadly, this Book of the Bible is the least read of all.
In fact, as You are all too aware, readership of Your fantastic Book is at an all time low. Please forgive us for largely ignoring such a phenomenal work and thereby neglecting so great a salvation. In the midst of our current spiritual drought teach us to recognize the wonder of Your Word. Help us re-dig the wells of our faith by studying the scriptures. Cause us to remember to "work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth."
And help us carefully consider Your warning to obey Your Word's commands:
- "So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls. But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it." James 2:21-25
Thanks again for Your awesome Word. Please accept a sinner's thanks for the Bible and remember that even such a glorious Book can never replace our need of You. Please help us to diligently keep asking, seeking and knocking on Heaven's door. Please rend the heavens and come down. Please hurry and bridge the silence and distance between us that we may approach Your very throne humbly yet boldly at this time of great need. Just as Your wonderful Word commands.
More information
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