Mine of wealth,a paradise of glory,and a river of pleasure..
My facebook friend just posted the above in her profile status, such depth, I thought to myself. I google it and found that it is describing the Bible, the content and depth of its impact on our lives. Here are some of the google results on what is so precious about the Bible :-
http://www.fromoutoftheblue.com/blogs/peter/a-universal-experience
"It is the traveler's map, the pilgrim's staff, the pilot's compass, the soldier's sword, and the Christian's charter. Here Paradise is restored, Heaven opened, and the gates of hell disclosed" and "It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet. Read it slowly, frequently, and prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river of pleasure."
http://www.wordproject.org/direct/salvation.htm
The Bible contains the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding, its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you.
It is the traveler's map, the pilgrim's staff, the pilot's compass, the soldier's sword, and the Christian's charter. Here Paradise is restored, Heaven opened, and the gates of hell disclosed. Christ is its grand subject, our good the design, and the glory of God its end.
It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet. Read it slowly, frequently, and prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river of pleasure. It is given you in life, will be opened at the judgment, and be remembered forever. It involves the highest responsibility, will reward the greatest labor, and will condemn all who trifle with its sacred contents. [Found inside a Gideon's New Testament]
http://our.homewithgod.com/ewerluvd/hymndevotionals/3_5.htm
~*
THY WORD IS LIKE A GARDEN, LORD *~
Edwin Hodder, 1837-1904
How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
Psalm 119:103-105
For the child of God, the daily reading of the Scriptures is the nourishment of the soul. The Bible's value has been described in many ways as the traveler's map, the pilgrim's staff, the pilot's compass, the soldier's sword, and the Christian's charter. Someone has offered this sage advice regarding the use of the Bible: "Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be holy. Read it slowly, frequently, and prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river of pleasure."
Although just a lay amateur writer in England, Edwin Hodder was also impressed with the miraculous quality of the Bible. So in this hymn, first published in 1863, Hodder paints comparative pictures that both young and old can understand easily. Verse one begins with the thought that even casual seekers can find something from God's written landscape that will beautify their lives merely by "plucking a lovely cluster." Stanza one continues to say, however, that it is not enough to be a casual observer of this garden of beauty. Rather, we must earnestly search and dig into the Holy Scriptures' mighty depths for "jewels rich and rare".
Verse two extends the thought further that God's Word, like the starry host, is fathomless in giving guidance for life's journey. Finally, the hymn reminds us that there is an earnestness confronting each believer in the form of a warfare against sin and unrighteousness. For this battle we require the aid of God's Holy Word.
Thy Word is like a garden, Lord, with flowers bright and fair;
And every one who seeks may pluck a lovely cluster there.
Thy Word is like a deep, deep mine; and jewels rich and rare
Are hidden in its mighty depths for every searcher there.
Thy Word is like a starry host: a thousand rays of light
Are seen to guide the traveler and make his pathway bright.
Thy Word is like an armory, where soldiers may repair;
And find, for life’s long battle day, all needful weapons there.
O may I love Thy precious Word, may I explore the mine,
May I its fragrant flowers glean, may light upon me shine!
O may I find my armor there! Thy Word my trusty sword,
I’ll learn to fight with every foe the battle of the Lord.
For Today*: Psalm 119:105, 130; John 5:39, 6:63; II Timothy 3:16
Allow the Bible's relevance, beauty, and simplicity to thrill your soul.
**This little known hymn so struck me with it's beauty and simplicity that it was the first hymn text included in my first book, No Accident
Music url: The Cyber Hymnal
http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/t/h/y/thywilgl.htm
http://www.christianityrestored.com/
This Book is the inspired, infallible Word of the Living God.
The Bible contains the mind of God, the state of man,
the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers.
Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding, its histories are true,
its prophecies are accurate, and its decisions are immutable.
Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe. and practice it to be holy.
It contains Light to direct you, Food to support you, to comfort and cheer you.
It is the traveler's map, the pilgrim's Staff, the pilot's Compass,
the soldier's sword, and the Christian's Charter.
Herein Paradise is restored, Heaven is opened, and the gates of hell are disclosed.
CHRIST IS ITS GRAND SUBJECT
Our good its design, and the glory of God its end. It should fill the memory,
rule the heart, and guide the feet. Read it slowly, frequently, and prayerfully.
It is a Mine of Wealth, a Paradise of Glory, and a River of Pleasure.
It is given to you in life, will be opened at the Judgment, and be remembered forever.
It involves the highest responsibility, rewards the greatest labor,
and condemns all who trifle with its sacred contents.
Amen
The Bible is our rule of faith...
And Christ alone is Lord;
All we are equal in His sight
When we obey His Word;
No earthly master do we know
To man-rule will not bow;
But to each other and to God
Eternal trueness vow.
The Light Of His Word Dispels All Darkness
"Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgement." (1Corinthians 1:10)
It is only through God's Word and by His Spirit that this will be accomplished. Will you be among those who will search the scriptures to see if ye be in that faith of Biblical Christianity?
