Success and Failure Blog

I hadn’t thought about my grammar school days for a long time, but one day they boldly invaded my thoughts.  I remembered the friends I played with and even recalled the names of my favorite teachers.  My classroom, with the big clock on the wall and the old-fashioned desk I sat in, were as visible in my mind as if I’d seen them just yesterday.

Somewhere along the line, I began thinking of the school’s lost-and-found department. That’s where lost sweaters, lunch pails, broken toys and miscellaneous items were kept until their owners came to find them.

As my thoughts wandered, it occurred to me that, in a sense, there are many people who are like these items in the lost and found.  They’re “lost,” and whether they realize it or not, are very much in need of being “found.”

Although they keep busy each day, deep inside they feel empty and without purpose, wishing for something or someone to bring meaning to their lives.  Even if they’re successful in business or have all “the toys” the world has to offer, they don’t feel satisfied.  They’re confused about the meaning of life, and even wonder why they were born.  They ask themselves, “Is this all there is?”

Does this sound like you?

There is a book we don’t hear mentioned much anymore, but for hundreds of years it has shown people how to be “found.” Years ago, many people believed what it said and lived their lives by its words.  It brought peace to the reader’s heart and gave guidance for their daily living.  In this book, they found instructions for living successfully, now and in the afterlife, as well.  And this book was the first place to which those people turned for help when they were stressed or didn’t know what to do.

Today people think it’s too old fashioned to be any value in the twenty-first century.  How could this particular old book, written so long ago, have all the answers for people living today?

Let’s just say it is unlike any other book ever written, and if you take the time to read it, slowly and thoughtfully, you will see just how pertinent it is to today’s world – and to you!

It’s no secret.  This book is the Bible, and here are things you might not know about it:

            First of all, although it is only one book, it’s really a compilation of sixty-six short books.  It is good to begin reading it, not at the beginning, although that’s okay, but in one of the little books toward the back, called The First Epistle of John.  It talks about the most pressing need of mankind in this or any century, and it tells how to take care of that need.  Another little book to read is called The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Romans.  Check out Chapter 3, verses10-12, and 23.  From there, find Chapter 5, verse 12, Chapter 6, verse 23, and Chapter 5, verse 8.  Then read Chapter 10, verses 9-13. If you read the verses in that order, you’ll learn some pretty amazing stuff, showing both a problem and the solution.  From there, you might want to meet the man who is talked about in the books of The Gospels According to Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

In the middle of this big book is a little book called The Book of Psalms.  It actually contains words to songs written a long time ago.  Chapter 139 tells about you before you were born. Cool, huh?

Do you wonder about the formation of earth?  Then start reading in the very first book, The First Book of Moses Called Genesis.  And if you want to learn about the end of the world, read the last book, The Revelation.  It’s pretty heavy stuff, and it will cause you to think serious thoughts about what it says.

Here are some other places to look:

When you think nobody loves you, read The Gospel of John Chapter 3, verse16 and Chapter 13, verse 34.  You’ll see someone actually does love you – a whole lot.

If you can’t figure things out, consult The Book of Proverbs Chapter 3, verses 5-6. It shows you what to do.

When you can’t forgive yourself, the most important person can. Read The First Epistle of John, Chapter 1, verse 9 and The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Romans Chapter 8, verse 1 to see who it is, and what He has already done for you.

If you’re always worried and frustrated, you’ll love The First Epistle of Peter Chapter 5, verse 7.

When you’re feeling lonely, The Epistle to the Hebrews Chapter 13, verse 5 tells you who is there for you.

Are you in an impossible situation?  See who The Gospel According to Luke Chapter 18, verse 27 tells you to talk to.

            Yes, all this information, and more, is found in the Bible.  Many have read it attempting to prove it is just a myth, full of errors, or at the very least, not pertinent to their lives.  Instead, those who once felt “lost” have been “found,” finding meaning and purpose for their everyday lives. And they have become believers in this book and the man about whom the entire book refers.

            Okay. That was a good book for people long ago, but what about you?  Have you ever read the Bible?

What do you think would happen if you did?