The Book that Changes Lives

[Steve Myers] It's easy to overlook the power of this book. Until you understand how it shaped the world, transformed entire nations, and most importantly, has the power to change your life right here and now.

Let me show you why the Bible is more relevant than ever, and how people from all walks of life—from kings to commoners, from scientists to social leaders—have found hope, purpose, and truth through its pages.

Did you know that many of the liberties we enjoy today were built on biblical values? Why have nations that honored the principles found in the Bible—such as justice, honesty, and the rule of law—prosperd in unique ways? That is not an accident. Now some deny it, or they want to rewrite history.

But the fact is, America's founding fathers were profoundly influenced by Scripture. George Washington, facing the brutal winters at Valley Forge, found support in Psalm 23 declaring, the Lord as His Shepherd. Abraham Lincoln quoted Scripture in his speeches, using it as a moral compass for the nation during its darkest hours. And think about Winston Churchill in World War II's bleakest moments. He called the Bible a staff for the weary hand and an aid to courage and resolution. You see, they all understood this is more than a book. It was a lifeline that gave them the grit to lead when the world seemed to be collapsing.

But the Bible was never meant to be locked away in history or politics. It was meant to live in you, to shape how you think, how you act, how you relate to God and to others. As the apostle Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 3:16, "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." That's what the Bible does. It shapes your character. It equips you for life. How? It teaches you how to forgive, how to overcome fear, how to deal with grief, how to raise your children, how to handle money, how to build a marriage. Most importantly, how to have a relationship with your Creator.

Now, you're juggling career ambitions and family. This book will give you direction. Proverbs 3:5 says, "...trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not to your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." In marriage, Ephesians 5 calls husbands to love their wives as Christ loves the church. That means with sacrifice, commitment, and faithfulness. And you know, unlike social media influencers or pop psychology, the Bible doesn't change with every new cultural wave. It's constant. It's eternal. Isaiah 40:8 reminds us, it says, "The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands for ever." That means you can trust it. You can depend on it. You can build your life on it.

But if the Bible's so good, why is it constantly attacked? Well, it's because it exposes lies. It reveals sin. It shines light into the darkness. Hebrews 4:12 says, "For the word of God is living, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, discerning the thoughts and intents of the heart."

You see, the Bible cuts deep. But not to hurt, but to heal and to guide your life. It's transformational. And that's why Satan works so hard to discredit it. The Bible even calls him the God of this age. He wants Scripture banned from schools, ignored in homes, and twisted in churches. Why? Because he knows what happens when people begin to read it. I mean really read it and obey it. That's when lives change, families are restored, and hope returns. He loses ground. So you see, this is not just a cultural issue. It's a spiritual battle.

Now let me tell you about a man I know. He grew up in a church. He attended his church every Sunday. He sang the hymns. He gave every time that offering plate passed by. So from the outside, he looked spiritually solid. But on the inside, something felt thin, shallow. So one day he reached out to me, and I felt compelled to say something pretty direct. I looked him straight in the eye and I asked, you've been going to your church for 30 years. Don't you think it's about time you actually read the book? That question touched something deep that he'd been ignoring for years. He told me later that question hit him like a punch. And he admitted, I know about the Bible, but I don't really know the Bible. So he started reading. Not to impress anyone, not to check off a goal, just to see what it really said. That's what he wanted. What does it really say? And you know, that decision changed his life. So page by page, Scripture came alive. Things he had skipped for years suddenly made sense. He began asking honest questions, not to resist God, but to understand Him. And that's when he started realizing that some of the most common teachings in Christianity weren't actually in Scripture at all. He found the true biblical day of worship, the seventh day Sabbath. He discovered God's Holy Days, not as old Jewish customs, but as God's own blueprint for His plan of salvation. And he began to understand the Kingdom of God, not as a vague idea, but as a real coming government that will rule the earth. His faith stopped being inherited. It became personal. All because of one challenge.

Isn't it about time you read the book?

Take a look at another side of the Bible's influence. Not just with our forefathers, not just politics and government, but how it shaped scientific and moral giants. You've probably heard of Isaac Newton, one of the most influential scientists in history. He's the guy that formulated the laws of motion, universal gravitation, and even developed calculus. But did you know he spent more time studying the Bible than he did studying mathematics and physics? He believed the universe made sense because it was designed by a rational, law-giving creator, and he searched the Scriptures deeply to understand that creator.

And consider Rosa Parks. When she refused to give up her seat on that Montgomery bus, she wasn't driven by political ideology. She said her courage came from her faith, specifically from the Bible's teachings about human dignity, justice, and standing firm in what is right.

Two completely different people, different centuries, different vocations, yet both were impacted deeply by the same book. That's because the Bible doesn't just influence policy or science or history. It molds conscience. It shapes courage. It builds conviction. It can do that for you. Even though we all know that life gets busy, deadlines, responsibilities, family, distractions, it's easy to drift, spiritually speaking. It's easy to assume, I already know enough because I've heard sermons for years or I grew up around religion.

But you know, there comes a moment when the question becomes personal. Isn't it time you read the book? For yourself, directly, seriously. Not just to gain knowledge, but to build a faith solid enough to guide your family, to guide your decisions, to guide your future and your purpose.

Because when you begin reading it, you start seeing the world differently. You stop asking what's in it for me and start asking what's God's will for me. And that's when the Bible comes alive.

Jesus preached the gospel of the Kingdom of God. That's a real, literal government that will replace all human systems when He returns. And you know, you don't have to wait. Let God guide your life through His Word.

Romans 15:4 says the Scriptures were written so that through "patience and comfort we might have hope." That's not just a future hope, but a hope for how to live right now. Revelation 5:10 tells us that God is preparing people to be kings and priests to our God and "we shall reign on earth." That's the calling and plan of God.

But how do you prepare for a role like that without reading the training manual?

Now maybe you're thinking, I've tried. The Bible's hard to understand. I get it. You're not alone. That's why I'd like to offer our free study aid, How to Understand the Bible. It will help you with clear, practical keys to unlock the Bible's message. And as you do, you'll learn how to approach the Bible with the right mindset, how to make sense out of difficult sections, and how to apply its teachings in real life. So if you're ready to start seeing the Bible come alive like never before, go to ucg.org/bt513.

You don't have to understand everything at once. You just have to start. So be patient. Be prayerful. Be willing to obey what you do understand. Jesus said in Luke 8:18, "Take heed how you hear, for whoever has, to him more will be given."

So when you act on what God shows you, he'll open even more. So I don't just want to tell you to read the Bible. I want to help you understand it. That's why you'll want our free Bible study aids that will help walk you through the teachings of Scripture step by step. Go to ucg.org/bt513. You'll find all kinds of resources to help you in that walk.

Now when Jesus was tempted by Satan, it's interesting. He didn't quote a philosopher or a psychologist. In Matthew 4:4 he said, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'" He's asking, Are you living by every word?

Before this day ends, open your Bible. Start with just one chapter. Ask God to guide you. Write down what stands out and let the book speak. Because you might just find out that it's reading you in return. And no, the Bible is not outdated. It's not irrelevant. It's certainly not optional.

So let me leave you with this. If this book shaped presidents, guided scientists, strengthened world leaders, and gave courage to everyday people, what could it do for you? Isn't it about time you read the book and let it change your life?