The Thought for the Day is from Hebrews 4 v 12.
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart
Author Ronald B. Schwartz asked scores of well-known contemporary writers to name the books that influenced them most deeply. Their responses ranged from the novels of Dostoevsky to the popular stories of Mark Twain. The works of Dickens, Shakespeare and Faulkner were mentioned many times. But topping the list was the Bible. Why?
Perhaps because most writers want to deal with the “big questions” of life, and the Bible is the ultimate book for life’s big questions: Who am I? Why am I here? Is there a God? Does life have any meaning or purpose?
The pages of Scripture bring us face to face with ourselves, with God, and with His grand design for our lives. The Bible, according to the late journalist Malcolm Muggeridge, is “the book that reads me.”
I was brought up on the King James version of the Bible. It was the only version we had. I remember one minister started reading passages out of the Message and in our Presbyterian church that was frowned upon by some. Now I use the New International and New Living translations.
How many other books could have lots of different versions? Not many, I think. The Bible is God’s answer book. It can calm or excite us, quieten and strengthen us and be a guide to our daily lives.
Give thanks for God’s words and may they be brought to those who have never heard them.