The Amazing Word of God
by
Rocky Fleming
“For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried
along by the Holy Spirit.” 2 Peter 1:21 (ESV)
When I lived on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, I loved to fish around the barrier islands several miles out in the
Gulf. Once there, we could nail it catching speckle trout, redfish, flounder and all manners of fish, and as
well, the oysters we could pick up. I often camped on these islands and enjoyed cooking and eating the
bounty of the sea. I loved being there. But, getting there was not so enjoyable. It could be calm or rough
boating to the islands in a manner of minutes. The Gulf of Mexico can at times be extremely dangerous for
small boats, and I was always on guard. There was one particular twenty mile stretch of water that really
frightened me. It was because we lost sight of land when we crossed these waters. You see, as long as I
could see land, I was comfortable. But, to cross this particular stretch of water into the deep, dark waters
required me to use only my compass for direction, and to trust that it would lead me to the lighthouse that
would eventually show on the horizon. When I finally saw the lighthouse on the island, both going to the
island or returning to the mainland, brought great relief. There were times that fog encased my boat and
blocked my view until I was almost on the reefs. I had to watch my compass and also pay close attention to
the navigation map or else I would become another shipwrecked victim of the Gulf of Mexico. But, even on
a clear day when you lose sight of land and have no directional aid, anyone could wander in the open waters
until he ran out of gas or became lost at sea. I'm here to tell you as an experienced boater on the Gulf, that I
would not be where I am now, had it not been for these navigational aids that guided me. It is the same with
life, and the Word of God. I speak from experience on both, but most of all with how God’s Word has been
my guide in life.
God sent prophets who were inspired by God to speak to the people. These people were raised up and used
to give direction, to plot a course for the people to follow, or return to God when they lost direction. God
also sent scribes and other talented and gifted people to compile the messages, stories and letters into a single
book called the Bible. This book is our guide. It keeps us safe. It helps us navigate through the dangerous
waters of life. It tells us where the Lighthouse of God's love and salvation is found and it directs us to this
Lighthouse, called Jesus Christ. This Lighthouse gave His life to both make a way, and show the way to a
safe harbor for those looking for it. The Bible is an amazing instrument for guiding us through these
troubled waters of life. That is why Influencers is so adamant about helping Christian men become “selffeeders” on God's word. It guides us around dangers we do not know exist. It guides us when our life is
encased in fog so thick that we don't know where to take the next step. It guides us when we are deceived in
prosperous times and think we can do no wrong, or that things cannot go wrong. It guides us when God uses
us, as those prophets were, to rescue shipwrecked victims who have no means of direction, or who sailed
dangerously into hidden reefs that took them down. God's Word is an amazing, amazing expression of God's
love and redemption. What can I say to convince you that it is our blueprint for building a life, that it is a
love letter from God to His family for our protection and guidance, and that it is was written by men inspired
by God, and not themselves? Maybe some facts will help. Did you know.....?














There were about 40 men over a period of 1,600 years that wrote the Bible from 1500 B.C. to A.D. 100.
The Bible was the first printed book, and was reprinted in 1450.
The King James Version was printed in 1611.
The first English Bible was printed in 1782.
The first Bible printed in this Country was in the Indian language in 1663.
The first English Bible in this Country was printed in 1782.
Noah Webster, author of the famous “Webster’s Dictionary” made a translation of the Bible in 1833.
The Bible is the most translated book in the world. It has been translated into more languages and
dialects than any other book that has ever been written.
The Bible continues to be the best seller in the world.
There is no conflict in the Bible and the facts of science. There may be many conflicts in the Bible and
the theories of so called scientists. But, the true facts of science and the Bible do not conflict. Every true
scientific fact has verified the truth already mentioned in the Bible.
The Bible is the only book that reveals the origin, mission and destiny of man.
The Bible is the textbook on salvation.
Men who were inspired by the Holy Spirit wrote the Bible, and this is why there is no conflict within
itself on anything presented, for He originated it.
Without a doubt, the Bible is the best book in the world, and the most important one we can read, study,
memorize and use as our guide for life.
You have heard me say many times that experience trumps theory all day long. There are many people who
are “theoretical” Christians, in that they know the Bible in theory, but have no personal experience with
living by its truths. They theorize that the Bible is truth, but are afraid to live by it for it puts them at risk.
Therefore, they do not experience the truth of the Bible. These people are easy to discourage, for they
believe one thing and practice another. They carry a great burden in that they say they believe God will
direct their life through any and all circumstances. But, they live as if He has no involvement in their life.
They are looking for answers, but are not absolutely convinced all answers are found in God’s Word. The
theoretical Christian only believes the philosophy of the Bible, but not the absolute truth of it. They are easy
to pick off by other philosophies, especially if the person they face is persuasive enough. This makes them
vulnerable to the “false prophets” Jesus mentioned. It is a dangerous place to be for a Christian who only
believes in theory that the Bible is their life guide.
Like many of you, in past years I have wondered why God would allow difficult trials in a Christian’s life.
The same question could be asked why He allows storms to suddenly come on a Christian boater in the Gulf.
After all, those things could sink his boat and kill him? What good is that? I think God allows it, for storms
are part of the Ocean for a Christian or non-Christian boater, as surely as trials are part of life for all people,
including Christians. We are not exempt from life and living in this world with the trials that come. But, we
are given a navigational aid to direct us while we live in this place called Earth and there is a Lighthouse that
points to our safe harbor when we’ve crossed beyond the open waters of life. It is called Jesus, and His
instructions to us are found in the Bible.
Now the big question is, will you make a commitment to study the Bible and how it leads you to live your
life? Will you prioritize your life around digging for the wisdom that is waiting for you to dig up when you
plummet into its pages? And finally and most importantly, are you willing to try it out and become
experienced with it, and not be satisfied by simply believing it in theory? Jesus is all about commitment and
experience with Him, and you may very well find that many of your trials have been allowed so that you can
experience the truth of how He will lead you when using His Word. Will you commit today to find your
answers there?