Bible

Franklin, Benjamin, 1706–1790: “A Bible in every home is the principle support of virtue, morality, and civil liberty.”

Greeley, Horace, 1811–1872: “It is impossible to mentally or socially enslave a Bible-reading people.”

Henry, Patrick, 1736–1799: “There is a Book worth all other books which were ever printed.”

Lee, Robert E., 1807–1879: “The Bible is a book in comparison with which all others in my eyes are of minor importance, and which in all my perplexities and distresses has never failed to give me light and strength.”

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809–1865: “I am profitably engaged in reading the Bible. Take all of this book upon reason that you can and the balance by faith, and you will live and die a better man. I believe that the Bible is the best gift God has given to man. All the good from the Savior of the world is communicated to us through the Book."

Read the Bible completely like a love letter, Consult it constantly like a road map, Study it carefully like a lesson book, and Obey it conscientiously like an army order.

Books of the Old Testament—39 Books of the New Testament—27 Total number of books—66 Chapters in the Old Testament—929 Chapters in the New Testament—260 Total number of chapters—1,189 Verses in the Old Testament—33, 214 Verses in the New Testament—7,959 Total number of verses—41,173 Words in the Old Testament (kjv)—593,393 Words in the New Testament—181,253 Total number of words—774,646

England has two books, the Bible and Shakespeare. England made Shakespeare, but the Bible made England.  ~~ Victor Hugo

 As Sir Walter Scott lay dying, he said to his friend and biographer, John Gibson Lockhart, “Read from the Book.” “Which book?” asked Lockhart. Scott replied, “There is but one.”

Know it in your mind.
Stow it in your heart.
Show it in your life.
Sow it in the world.

When I spoke to eight hundred students in a state university, I was informed that the Bible should not be mentioned in the school. The same afternoon I was invited to talk to about eight hundred men in the state penitentiary, and the warden asked me to give them the Bible truth.  ~~  Albert E. Aldrich

A noted orator asked Charles Dickens for the most pathetic story in literature, and he said it was that of the Prodigal Son ([tip:Luke 15=11 And he said, A certain man had two sons: 12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. 13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. 14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. 15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. 17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, 19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. 20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. 21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. 22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: 23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.]). Samuel Coleridge was asked for the richest passage in literature, and he said it was [tip:Matthew 5:1–16=5:1 And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: 2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, 3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.  9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. 10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. 13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. 14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.]. Another asked Daniel Webster for the greatest legal digest, and he replied that it was the Sermon on the Mount. No one has equaled Moses for law, David for poetry, Isaiah for vision, Jesus for Good News, Peter for holy zeal, Paul for logic, or John’s statements of divine love.

The holier than thou attitude

We have all; in life came across that person, or persons who have the "holier than thou attitude". At some time in our life we are going to come in contact with "Sister Christian" or "Brother Perfection" and find out that we just aren't quite up to par in our own lives. These are people who are quick to point out every shortcoming of other people - you know the kind, they point out every flaw in others, but never really look at themselves as flawed. Jesus has got a message for people like this, [tip:judge not=Matthew 7:1 - Judge not, that ye be not judged.  KJV] !

If those who have this type of attitude would look a little closer at God's Word, they would find out that the Bible does not condone this type of attitude. Much to the contrary, the Bible instructs us to be humble instead of haughty. A closer examination of the Word of God will show that [tip:we are all sinners=Isaiah 53:6 - All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.  KJV], there are none who is really able to look down their long old noses at any one else. God tells us to [tip:esteem others better than ourselves=Philippians 2:3 - Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.   KJV]. The holier than thou attitude definitely does not esteem others better than our own self - much to the contrary - it's an attempt to raise ones own self above others. Which brings me to another verse in [tip:Matthew 23:12=Mat 23:12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.   KJV], who ever humbles themselves will be exalted, but whoever tries to put themselves above others will be brought down. That is the wrong attitude to have as a Christian, loving others, accepting others as what they really are (sinners), and trying to help them, is the right attitude.

The holier than thou attitude is one of the most offensive attitudes a person can have, and it certainly won't help many people. The Christians goal is to be able to help people - absolutely impossible when talking down to everyone. If you have this type of attitude, it may be time to [tip:repent and believe the gospel=Mark 1:15 - And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.  KJV].