I received a new Bible for Mother’s Day from my husband. You might think that with all the Bibles I have sitting on my shelf that one more would not be the perfect gift, but it was.

My new Bible is the updated version of New International Bible. The first printing of this version was in 1984. Since then, they have made a few changes to their translation of certain words, phrases or concepts. This newer version remains true to the manuscripts while allowing the modern reader a better understanding of God’s Word.

My new Bible is a Thinline. That means it is slender and sleek. It is lightweight (compared to my big blue study Bible that weighs nearly four pounds). It is easy to carry. It feels good in my hands. It is easy to take with me.

My new Bible is also large print. I love the Thinlines that I have on my shelf, but the print is so small they are unusable. I cannot read the words because they are nearly unreadable for me. The solution? Larger print! I can actually read this Bible without strain on my eyes.

It may seem that my 1984 version of the Bible is obsolete, but I can guarantee it is not. It is still very useful for my writing and Bible study preparation. It is always handy. It’s always sitting on my desk ready to be used. It has markings and notes and it’s not very likely that it will be going any place any time soon.

So here are some of my thoughts on God’s Word and the impact it has on my life and those who choose to read it and make changes in their lives because of what they read.

God’s Word is not obsolete

It is still a best seller. With nearly six billion copies sold world-wide, there is little doubt that any other book has sold near this amount. So why is that? Because God’s Word contains hope for the world. Jesus is that hope. It’s only through Him that we find fulfillment in this life. He is the One who offers significance. He is the One who brings us from our despair and provides life. There is nothing obsolete about hope.

God’s Word is timeless

The Bible has withstood the tests of time. It has survived, endured, lasted, and remained. It has been preserved, maintained, upheld and conserved by faithful servants of God. Regardless of what mankind has tried to do to God’s Word, it has survived it all and is still able to speak to those very people who tried to decimate the Bible and its message.

God’s Word is relevant

If you don’t believe me, read through these passages and tell me if it was written for today’s society or for the generation of 70 A.D.

“They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed, and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy.” (Romans 1:29-31 – NIV)

“The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissentions, factions, and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like.” (Galatians 5:19-21a – NIV)

“Do not be surprised, my brothers and sisters, if the world hates you.” (1 John 3:13 – NIV)

God’s Word offers all that we need

As we live as believers in this world, the Bible gives us valuable information so that we are able to withstand the troubles, temptations, and trials that come along with life. I pray that you find comfort from these words and that you will hold tightly to them as you go through your day.

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2 – NIV)

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23 – NIV)

“Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.” (1 John 5:5 – NIV)

Oh how I love God’s Word and what I find between its pages fills my life with such hope and joy that I cannot keep it to myself. I must share what I’ve learned through study with others. That’s one of the reasons I write this blog each day. To share a tidbit of what God has to say through the Bible.

I pray that you are reading God’s Word on a regular basis (daily would be wonderful!). God’s message is too valuable to leave sitting on your bookshelf or coffee table. Pick it up today. Read it. Come to love it as I do and you’ll understand why I do what I do.

I pray that you are also sharing what you’re learning. It may not be in written form, but in some way relaying this message to others. It might possibly be the one thing needed to change that person’s life.

I pray for those who haven’t come to know God as I do too. If you are reading this and fit into this group, please let me share more of this message with you. I would love to point you to God through His Word. Just let me know by making a comment.

Today, I am blessed.

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Donna