I have heard people come up with some of the most insane excuses about God and the Holy Bible. Yes, it's true that most of the preachers on television are looked upon as having questionable professions. So many have deceived others by conning people out of money and living rich and extravagant life-styles. Many have been caught in motel rooms with young women committing sexual perversive acts, then go back on television Sunday morning and beg for more money. My mother used to say, "If you took all the money out of religion there wouldn't be many people preaching the gospel." She was right!

There also are other people who are not strong enough to alter their present life-style. Even though they fully believe in the Lord and would like to have peace and love in their lives — they feel the price is "too much" to pay to change it. I say to these people: Consider the short span of time we exist on this planet. Compare the huge span of Eternity. Can you imagine what "forever and ever" really is? Now compare this amount of time with the 80 or 90 years we actually exist as humans on this planet. Why then do we fight so hard for money and power during this short span of time? Wouldn't it be more sensible to concentrate on Eternity and where we will spend it?

Some people complain that they can't study the Bible because it contains too many "thee's" and "thou's." Get a Living Bible that is written in a more modern language. But these same people won't do that because they find the Bible boring and filled with a bunch of old stories. Just start reading Genesis 1:1 with an open mind and see how far you get before you're bored.

Don't read the Bible looking for ways to discredit it. You must have some level of faith in God to begin and grasp the simplicity of his message. Hal Lindsey said it best in his best seller, The Late Great Planet Earth, "There are other places men search for answers; philosophy, meditation, changing environment, science. Please don't misunderstand me, all of these are good if used properly. However, if we are to be absolutely honest, if we are to use our intellectual integrity, let's give God a chance to present his views."

The Bible is actually a very interesting, detailed account of our history and future. It tells you where we came from, where we are now and what's going to happen tomorrow. It's our entire human existence from start to finish in one book that is shorter than War and Peace. Just find a Bible you can read and understand and remember to pray before reading it so God can help you grasp it's meaning. The Bible is such an interesting book that you could read the same chapter everyday and pick up some new information each time.

One of my favorite books is Proverbs, written by Solomon (the most intelligent man that every existed or will exist on Earth). He addresses many questions we still ask today and answers them with infallible truth. For instance: "What good is it for a man to work hard all his life, accumulate a fortune and die? It's like chasing the wind!"

Why is the Bible such an important book to read? Simply because in reading it, you are alone with God. You will learn what is right and wrong for you and your daily life. While going to Church is fine, it isn't necessary to have other people tell you how to live. That's up to you and God — and what greater way to understand him than being alone, one-on-one with him and the Bible?

After reading the Bible you will begin to have many questions. This is good. There are many things in the Old Testament that I don't understand. I used to be perplexed about all the rituals God used to demand of his followers. I couldn't imagine anyone taking an innocent dove or lamb, sticking a knife in it and sacrificing it to God for a sin they committed. I don't think I could have done it with the mind I have today. So I asked God why these acts were necessary.

He replied (by speaking to my mind) and telling me that people that existed in this day and age were accustomed to Baal worship of pagan Gods. Sacrificing was not looked at like we look at it today. In addition, since Jesus had not been born yet and died for our sins (ending all sacrifice), these acts were necessary. Because, without the shedding of blood, sins cannot be forgiven. The act of dying is the ultimate gift of love. If you have a child, wouldn't you freely give your life to save theirs? Most parents would. This is true love. In the same token, killing animals and offering them as a sacrifice was an act of true humility for the sin committed. Now, the Old Testament makes a little bit more sense.

God will answer your questions if you really seek his advice. You can't ask him, then start making up your own answers. You have to wait on him to answer. How do you know when he answers? You just do! There will be no question in your mind because when God does something — you know it!

If you have ever attended a healing service, you may have been exposed to people seemingly to be healed from speech problems, loss of hearing and crippled legs and arms. However, you cannot really say these sightings are all true. But, if you couldn't hear and suddenly you could — you would know beyond a shadow of a doubt that you had been healed. There would be no question in your mind! This is how God operates. You'll know when you talk directly to him.

Some people will claim to have spoken to God and will tell you what he said. I hate to say it, but a lot of these people are not telling you the truth. They may have convinced themselves that they received a revelation from God and actually believe it themselves, but you might feel uneasy about it. This uneasy feeling is a sign of trouble. God does not create uneasy feelings. God is peace and tranquility. When someone tells you something that is real — you will know it. The portion of Holy Spirit within you will fill you with peace. You won't feel uneasy and you'll try and understand it.

One of Satan's traps is to make religion and God look like a confused moron. Some people think that Christians are "nerds" and never have any fun. Contrary to popular belief — we laugh, tell jokes, sing and have a ball together! We might not take our paycheck on Friday night and blow it shooting pool and drinking beer in the local bar; but we don't sit around like scared little "whimps" either! Come over my house sometime and we'll order a pizza, watch a movie, talk and laugh until dawn. I have some terrific friends that love to come over and "party" (if that's what you call it.) We might not spend our entire paycheck. In fact, we might have some left to spend Saturday and Sunday night. Is that so horrible?

The AV 1611 King James Bible

If you are unable to locate a copy of The King James Bible AV 1611 edition in order to compare the verses above to your Bible, click here to view the online version available on this website or click here to download the entire AV 1611 King James Bible in PDF format for reading offline.  You must have Adobe Acrobat reader installed on your computer to view the PDF version. Click here and download this free reader if you do not have Adobe Acrobat reader.