Someone Asked, “what is the title of your book?”  The response was, “The Holy Bible: Whats In It For Me?”

“That’s easy”, he said, “Life”!

It was obvious this person had found life fulfilled to the fullest from reading, listening, or studying the Word of God.  Jesus said in Luke 11:28 “Blessed are they that hear the Word of God and keep it”.  And in the Book of Revelation 1:3, “Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words, and keep those things which are written therein....”

We firmly believe that the Holy Bible has within it the answers to the problems of life that concern us as individuals.  While we may listen to the success stories of others, yet we ourselves face unresolved issues which become problems in our own lives on a daily basis.  And so we ask, “what about me?”

We must be made aware that the Holy Bible addresses your personal problem.  The purpose of this book is to answer your question, “What’s in it for me”?  Indeed, it calls our attention to things we need to know about living the abundant life in Christ Jesus – a life of love, joy, and peace in this world and in the world to come.  No matter what your circumstances may be, God’s got the answer, and you will find it in his Word.

INTRODUCTION

When I said “yes” to God, to my call to the Christian ministry I knew that he was calling me to a commitment of service that unsurpassed by anything I had ever experienced.

Along with my response I felt an urgent need for commitment of my life fully to Christ.  I began to say, “Not my will, but thine be done”.  The things of the past, which occupied most of my time now, seemed of no concern to me.  My family was not surprised when I told them the news.  It seemed they had expected this long before.  My most difficult problem was how to break the news to my friends.  What would I say to them?  How would they react?  I had just retired from the teaching profession as a school principal and the celebration seemed to last all summer.  Yet, I was aware every day that God, through the Holy Spirit, was working in my heart.

I prayed for courage and decided to tell my friends and leave the rest to God.  It turned out that most of them responded favorably and wished me well, after the initial shock.  However, one friend I haven’t heard from since.  But, I rejoice in the Lord when I read 1 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore, if anyone be in Christ he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new”.  Indeed, I was a new person.  I had never known such joy!  God had blessed me

already, but the blessing of his call to me to enter the Christian ministry was beyond compare.

Not knowing where this path would lead, I was willing to be led by the Spirit of God, even though I questioned, “Why me, Lord? My call then is first to be in right relationship with God.  When Jesus called his disciples, he called them first to be with him.  He taught them how to share and care for others.  For three years he lived with them and trained them how to be his disciples.  Then, he commissioned them to “go preach, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, heal the sick, and cast out devils in his name”.  I too must be with Christ to learn of him and to fellowship with him.  I can do this through prayer, meditation, reading the Scriptures, in worship and study.  The spirit of love must follow this as Jesus commands his disciples to love one another.

Realizing that he is the Potter and I am the clay, I am to be shaped and molded to conform to his image so that I may live a life “worthy of the calling to which I have been called”.  Jesus’ words in John 15:16 encouraged my heart when he said, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit”.  Thus, I am to bear fruit that will last, as the fruit of the spirit which is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Eva M. Walters, Ph.D. Bachelor of Science Degree in Education from Glassboro State College, Glassboro, New Jersey; Master of Science Degree in Educational Supervision and Administration, University of Pennsylvania; Doctor of Philosophy Degree, Walden University, Naples, Florid.

Dr. Waters attended the Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary prior to her ordination to the Christian ministry.

Having taught in the public schools in New Jersey and < s t 1 : S t a t e > < s t 1 : p l a ce>Pennsylvania for more than thirty years, she is new retired from her position as Elementary School Principal in the < s t 1 : p l a c e > < s t1:PlaceName>Norristown Area School District, < s t 1 :place>Norristown, < s t 1 : S t a t e > P e n n s y l v a n i a < /st1:State>.

Presently, she is the Director of the Community Day Care Center of Norristown, Pennsylvania.  She is the Associate Pastor of the < s t 1 : p lace>Mt. Zion AUMP < s t 1 : P l a c e T ype>Church, of < s t 1 :place>Wilmington, < s t 1 : S t a t e > D e l a w a r e < /st1:State>.

“The Holy Bible: What’s In It For Me”? is the author’s third book.