Second Friend Day - Elmer Towns

Reference Bible when she could repeat them perfectly. As she quoted each verse, he instructed
her in its meaning. Halfway through the project, she went to camp. Phoning long distance,
Martha told of conviction that led to salvation because an evangelist quoted the verses she had
been learning.
But God's Word does more than bring children to Christ. It reaches the hardened heart.
Two men struck up a conversation at a Billy Graham Crusade in London. Both were critical of
Graham's methods. The evangelist kept repeating the phrase, "The Bible says . . ." At the
invitation one man said, "I don't know about you, but I'm going forward to get saved." The other
hesitated a moment, then reached in his coat and replied, "Here's your wallet I took; I'll go with
you. "
The Bible will give you assurance of your salvation. John writes, "These things have I
written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God, that you may know that ye have
eternal life" (I Jn. 5:13). Oliver Cromwell had such a conviction throughout life. On his
deathbed he heard Philippians 4:11-13 read, then proclaimed, "He that was Paul's Christ is my
Christ too." If you have trouble understanding your salvation, the Bible will help you grow in
faith. If you are ignorant of the Scriptures you cannot be strong in faith, so apply yourself to
know the Bible. Then, as you know God's Word, you will love God's Son.
The Bible makes you grow in Christian character. Character is the skeleton where you
hang Christian Service. While the world is interested in improving the physical condition, the
Christian should be interested in improving his character. The world seeks happiness, but it is '
not found with better surroundings. Happiness grows out of a person's attitude to his
surroundings. Paul sang in prison; he never prayed for deliverance, he rejoiced in God that's
character.
Peter tells us, "As newborn babes desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow
thereby" (I Peter 2:2). The young Christian may just take a few verses a day and digest them.
Older Christians chew on the meat of the Word (Heb. 5:14). Time, diligence and concentration
are needed to grasp the doctrines of the faith.
There are several symbols used to picture the Bible as food for growth. It is milk for the
body (I Peter 2:2), meat for the growing Christian (Heb. 5:12:14), bread for the hungry (Jn. 5:51),
and honey for satisfaction (Ps. 19: 10).
The Bible will bring peace when your heart is troubled. For many years, the Gideons
have placed Bibles in hotel rooms. Their files are filled with stories of men who have
contemplated suicide, divorce or an act of violence. Picking up the Bible, they have turned to the
guide "When in Trouble" and found the Word of God gave them encouragement and hope.
The Christian hears the Bible with the ear of his heart. God speaks to him through the
Scripture. Chiang Kai-shek testified, "The Bible is the voice of the Holy Spirit." A mother sat
toward the rear of the church auditorium. When a slight noise of children playing came through
the wall, it didn't bother those around her. She got up immediately and went out; it was her child