I love looking at all kinds of Bible questions. "Have you never read..?" or "Have you not read..?"

Jesus asked those questions. 

Want to talk about the most repeated questions of Jesus Christ in the Bible? There are other good questions you and I could also ask. I like to ask..

Early, have you paused to read your Bible today (see Matthew 6:33)?  

Not to get all legalistic or weird, but how often do you regularly read the Bible? I mean, with a heart to apply the truth that you are reading? 

Is there anything that repeatedly distracts you? What typically gets in the way of your reading the Bible.. if something does get in the way of you reading or hearing the Word, or from an intimate relationship with Jesus? 

"Have you never read..?" or "Have you not read..?"

That's what Jesus asked and it wasn't because he didn't already know the answer. 

This question (or a very close variation) appears multiple times, especially in Matthew, Mark, and Luke, and is directed toward religious leaders like the Pharisees, scribes, and Sadducees. It often introduces a rebuke for their ignorance of Scripture — ironic since they were supposed to be the experts.

Need a few examples:

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🔹 Matthew 12:3

“Have you not read what David did when he and those who were with him were hungry?”

🔹 Matthew 12:5

“Or have you not read in the Law that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath, and are blameless?”

🔹 Matthew 19:4

“Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female’...?”

🔹 Matthew 21:16

“Have you never read, ‘Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have perfected praise’?”

🔹 Matthew 21:42

“Have you never read in the Scriptures: ‘The stone which the builders rejected...’?”

🔹 Mark 12:10

“Have you not even read this Scripture: ‘The stone which the builders rejected...’?”

🔹 Luke 6:3

“Have you not even read this, what David did when he was hungry?” (Read more on this topic!)

Here are JC Ryle's 7 Thoughts on Reading the Bible:

1) Read the Bible with an earnest desire to understand it.

2) Read the Scriptures with a simple, childlike faith and humility.

3) Read the Word with a spirit of obedience and self-application.

4) Read the Holy Scriptures every day. (if you miss a day, just pick it up the next day. Easy.)

5) Read through the whole Bible and read it in an orderly way.

6) Read the Word of God fairly and honestly.

7) Read the Bible (prayerfully) with Christ the Lord constantly in view.

I say read the book of Acts again.. not too fast. See how they edified themselves in rhe word! When we believers get back to the Bible basics and wisely apply biblical principles.. in love.. guess what.. we'll see Bible results. It's a faith thing. Do you like what you see in Acts and want to grow spiritually, believer? You can trust God and what His Bible clearly says. God will help you.  

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*Why This Question Is Profound:

• Jesus wasn’t just asking if they’d read the words in Scripture — He was asking if they actually understood them. He asks so we can know because He does. 

• His questions reveal that biblical literacy doesn’t guarantee spiritual insight.

• Jesus' questions underscore His very high view of Scripture — He treated the Scriptures as authoritative and self-authenticating.

• Christ's question often exposed the hardness of heart, the hubris/pride, or the misinterpretation of God’s Word.

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Yes — “Have you not read?” (or its variations) is one of the most repeated questions Jesus asked, especially to those who should have already known. It was Christ's way of calling people to Himself (the living Word). Yes, back to the truth, to the power, and to the clarity of Scripture, showing that many spiritual errors come not from ignorance but from ignoring or twisting what has been plainly revealed.

You and I know there are several respected Christian translations of the Bible, but how many times did Jesus ask: Have you not read or, Have you never read? 

Jesus asked “Have you not read?” (or variations like “Have you never read?” and “Did you never read?”) a total of 9 times in the Gospels:

• “Have you not read” – 6 times

• “Have you never read” – 2 times

• “Did you never read” – 1 time

May we ask you, religious elites of today? Do you need the Word to call out your own failure to rightly understand the Scriptures for the purpose of rightly applying them?

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*What Is The Most Frequently Asked Question Of Jesus In The Bible?

Here are some other common questions that Jesus asked:

• “What do you want Me to do for you?” – Appears multiple times to different people (e.g., blind men, James and John).

• “Why are you afraid?” / “Why did you doubt?” – Frequently directed to disciples.

• “Who do you say that I am?” – One of the most pivotal questions.

• “Do you believe...?” or “Do you want to be made well?”

So while “Have you not read?” is among His most distinctive and repeated questions, there are other frequently asked questions of Jesus. His questions are uniquely targeted, piercing, and doctrinally potent.

• Ambrose of Milan: “We address God when we pray; we hear Him when we read.” 

• Jerome: "When we pray, we speak to God; when we read, God speaks to us." 

• Bernard of Clairvaux: “Spiritual reading and prayer are the arms by which hell is conquered and paradise won.” 

*I've Been Looking For Some Bible‑Reading Statistics. How Many Do That?

• Among Protestant churchgoers, only 32 % read the Bible daily, another 27 % a few times weekly—so nearly 60 % read it several times a week. 

• Only about 12 % of Americans have read the entire Bible, and over half have read little or none of it.

• Worldwide, fewer than 20 % of American adults qualify as “Scripture Engaged”—meaning their choices and relationships are shaped by daily interaction with the Bible.

• More than 45 % of Americans rarely or never read the Bible outside of religious services. 

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*There is huge profit for you and me from simply reading through The Bible alone! 

Grab Hold Of God's Perspective That Emphasizes The Need:

• "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work." - 2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV. Reading the scriptures can lead to personal growth.
• The Bible is described as "profitable for us", "the best gift God has ever given to man", and beneficial for shaping a person spiritually.
• Some believe that reading and studying scripture is "the key to everything".
• Scripture is described as "living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword" (Hebrews 4:12), suggesting its transformative power.
• The Bible is seen as a source of guidance, like "a lamp to my feet and a light for my path" (Psalm 119:105).
• It is also considered spiritual nourishment, as highlighted by "Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God" (Matthew 4:4). 

These perspectives indicate that the Bible is believed to offer guidance and wisdom for those who engage with it thoughtfully.

Christians: though many own Bibles, few live by them. Let this be our remedy:

“Open your heart, pick up His Word—in prayer, receive His voice; in application, let His wisdom shape your life.”

Reflect on James 1:22: “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only…”

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*God's Word And Questions Can Call To Action.. Or To Pausing. "Be Still And Know.."

• Read quietly, even five minutes daily—small, consistent habits matter more than marathon sessions.

• Pray first: “Lord, speak to me through Your Word.”

• Apply it: look for one verse to live out each day.

• Join a Bible‑reading group or community study for accountability and growth 

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*Would You Like A Quick Snapshot So To Speak?

*Encouragement	*Factoids
Hear God when you read	Ambrose & Jerome: Reading is all about hearing His voice--that's important. Crack open the Book!
Reading predicts maturity	Bible reading can be a key signpost of spiritual growth research.
Most Christians are not engaged	Only approximately 30 % read weekly or daily; many rarely touch their Bibles (not audio or online text).

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I hope this helps, encourages and inspire you to read God's word—and other people too. Just pick up your Bible today: pray, read, and let God’s living Word form your thoughts, attitudes, and decisions. In doing so, you’ll grow in wisdom, align with His will, and experience transformation that glorifies Him.

According to George Barna’s research via Barna Group and the Cultural Research Center:

• Roughly 30–35% of U.S. adults read the Bible weekly or more—a rate that has held relatively steady from the 1990s through at least 2023 

• Among practicing Christians, the figures are significantly higher:

  • About 75% read the Bible at least weekly, and 84% do so at least monthly American Bible Society.

• Reading habits vary by denomination:

  • Evangelical Christians and historically Black Protestant Christians report the highest weekly Bible engagement—93% and 87% respectively.

  • Mainline Protestant Christians around 80% read weekly as practicing believers American Bible Society.

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*Good Question: Is Not Reading The Scripture A Sin?

My Own Reflection. Remember when Moses was calling out to God before the Red Sea while murderous Pharaoh was headed in his direction? God simply called him to act. Sure he could prayerfully act, but act an read? Not really, but he could act and meditate upon God's truth.

God to Moses: "Why are you crying out to Me? Tell the sons of Israel to go forward".

Sure, the Aplified Bible says, "The Lord said to Moses, 'Why do you cry to Me? Tell the sons of Israel to move forward [toward the sea].'" Exodus 14:15

God then instructed Moses, "But lift up your rod, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it. And the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea".

What I love about the exchange fouhd in Exodus 14:15-16 is that it shows ys that while earnestly praying to God is positive and appropriate in and through tough situations, there are also times when God expects smart actions based on the direction that He's already given. If you can't hear the Lord's small voice guiding. Ask yourself: Has he told me what to do and I haven't gone and done it yet?

• Sin is defined as anything that falls short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23) and rebellion against His law and nature.

• If Scripture is divinely inspired and preserved, then God desires it to be read.

• Ignoring God’s Word may therefore be sinful omission, especially if driven by apathy, pride, or misplaced priorities (James 4:17; Matthew 6:33; Luke 12:48).

Fortify The Biblical Foundations:

• Psalm 119 portrays the believer’s devotion through verbs like “learns,” “meditates,” “proclaims,” and “keeps” the Word—implying regular reading and internalization (Psalm 119:6–8, 13, 15, 11).

• 2 Timothy 2:15 urges believers to “rightly divide” or accurately handle the Word—impossible without consistent engagement.

• James 1:22 calls us to be “doers of the Word,” not merely hearers.

• Hebrews 4:12 affirms Scripture’s power to judge motives, expose deception, and transform hearts.

Practical Perspective:

• Neglecting Scripture often leads to a hardness of heart and spiritual blindness (See Hebrews 3:7–8).

• By contrast, reading and obeying Scripture equips us to resist sin, grow spiritually, and be ready to share our hope (See 1 Peter 3:15; Psalm 119:11).

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*Got A Decent Summary Table?

*Stat (Barna data)	*Spiritual Insight
~30–35% of all adults read the Bible weekly	World holds the Bible in hand, but few open its pages.
~75% of practicing Christians read weekly	Among those committed, Scripture engagement is robust.
Over 90% among evangelicals & Black Protestants	Highest readership aligns with strong community roots.
84% read at least monthly	Many engage occasionally—but deeper consistency is ideal.

*God Delights To Give You Encouragement From His Word!

God entrusted His Word to us—not merely as a historical document, but as living and transformative (Hebrews 4:12). When we fail to read it, especially with intentionality and reverence, we risk sinning through omission. Let us:

• Pray before reading—“Speak, Lord; Your servant is listening.”

• Commit to consistency—even just 5–10 minutes daily can build spiritual momentum.

• Apply one truth daily—look for Scripture to inform a decision or attitude.

• Share His Word—teach it in love, so that others may see the beauty of Christ.

May this truth stir your heart and expand your passion for Scripture. Reading God's Word is not legalism—it’s life, it’s communion with the living God, and it sanctifies us through His truth (John 17:17).

*Why Should We Prayerfully, Regularly, Insistently Study the Bible?

“This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night… For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.”
— Joshua 1:8

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1. Because It Is God’s Breath on Paper

The Bible is not a dead book—it is “God-breathed” (2 Timothy 3:16), His very breath captured in words. It is not man’s thoughts about God, but God’s revelation to man.

“When we pray, we speak to God; when we read Scripture, God speaks to us.”
— St. Jerome

This is the only book where the Author is present every time you read it.

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2. Because It Answers Life’s Deepest Questions

Scripture boldly speaks where philosophy only speculates:

• Why am I here?

• What is wrong with the world?

• What happens after death?

• How can I be saved?

• How do I live a life that matters?

From the cradle to the grave—and eternity beyond—God’s Word speaks truth to every season and soul.

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3. Because Most Christians Don’t

George Barna's research shows us that:

• Only 32% of professing Christians read their Bible daily.

• Nearly 50% read it rarely or never.

• About 75% of practicing Christians read weekly—but that number drops sharply outside that group.

Yet Jesus said, “To whom much is given, much is required” (Luke 12:48). In a world with unlimited access to Bibles, we may still be starving for truth because we do not eat.

“The Bible is meant to be bread for daily use, not cake for special occasions.”
— Unknown

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4. Because Not Reading It Is Spiritual Neglect—and Possibly Sin

“Whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.”
— James 4:17

Neglect of Scripture often flows from pride, apathy, or misplaced priorities—heart conditions that God sees (1 Samuel 16:7). If God has commanded us to study His Word (2 Timothy 2:15), then not doing so is disobedience.

Apathy says, “I’m not interested.”
Pride says, “I don’t need it.”
Distraction says, “I’ll get to it later.”

All three break the first commandment by putting self above God.

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5. Because It’s True, Tested, and Timeless

Unlike other religious texts, the Bible proves itself:

• Hundreds of fulfilled prophecies

• Verifiable historical accuracy

• Harmony across 66 books and 40+ authors over 1,500 years

• Scientific statements ahead of their time

“The Bible is alive, it speaks to me; it has feet, it runs after me; it has hands, it lays hold of me.”
— Martin Luther

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6. Because It Guards You from Deception

There’s more false teaching than ever before. The Bible is our measuring stick—the plumbline of truth in a world of counterfeit doctrines.

“If you are not grounded in the Word of God, you will be blown around by every wind of doctrine.”
— Ephesians 4:14, paraphrased

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7. Because It Equips You for Battle and Builds You for Life

• It gives spiritual armor (Ephesians 6:17)

• It sanctifies and grows us (John 17:17; 1 Peter 2:2)

• It convicts and corrects (Hebrews 4:12)

• It prevents sin (Psalm 119:11)

• It brings lasting joy and direction (Psalm 119:105)

“A Bible that’s falling apart usually belongs to someone who isn’t.”
— Charles Spurgeon

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8. Because It’s Your Daily Bread—Not Optional Dessert

Jesus said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). Just as we need food to live, our souls need Scripture to thrive.

We don’t live by opinions, emotions, or social media. We live by the Word.

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9. Because It Teaches by Example

The Bible offers living examples—flawed saints and sinful kings, courageous prophets and cowardly men, heroes and anti-heroes—so we can learn from their mistakes and victories instead of always making our own.

David teaches courage (1 Samuel 17) and the cost of compromise (2 Samuel 11).
Peter teaches boldness and brokenness.
Paul teaches theology and perseverance.

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10. Because Studying It Changes You

Reading without ruminating on it.. like chewing the cud.. it is like swallowing food and spitting it back out before you profit from the nutrition—yes, there’s no nourishment.

“Don’t just read the Bible—let it read you.”
— D.L. Moody

Like mining for gold, if you merely skim, you get dust. But if you dig deep, you’ll find treasure beyond value.

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*Spiritual Growth For Christians Is In Connection With Living God's Word

Don’t wait for a crisis to hear God’s voice.

Open the Bible daily—read it slowly, prayerfully, hungrily.
Ask the Spirit to guide, convict, and grow you.
Then go live what you read.

“Blessed is the one…whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on His law day and night… whatever they do prospers.”
— Psalm 1:1–3

Breathed out by God: Why Only the Bible Is Inspired By Him

Not all words or messages we read today are created equal. There are so many messages out there today vying for our attention--the messages we hear are far from equal. 

Some words can stir a person, others can soothe a person, but only one book was breathed out and can do far more positive—God literally breathed out His Word flawlessly using some flawed writers—yes, with life and absolute authority. He did that as the Almighty God. 

Have faith in God and worship only Him (I'm no book worshiper).

Factoid: There are no inspired Bible writers or inspired verse references; only the written scriptures are.

The Apostle Paul in Timothy 3:16 states this, "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness," (esv)

This isn’t poetic exaggeration or my mere opinion to you; it’s theological reality. The inspiration belongs NOT to the writers themselves, but to those words they penned down under the sovereign, supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit.

This is true, and the Bible writers DID NOT continue to receive divine inspiration after writing the Bible books that are now in the canon. Again, the inspiration was tied to the specific act of writing down God's words. The scriptures are the very oracles of God, not of man. Only the written scriptures are inspired. 

In other words the inspiration only applies to the resulting text itself, meaning that what these writers wrote down as the Scriptures were divinely inspired and that's what represents God's very thoughts and words for every era. 

Let me clarify if I may what I'm saying: the individuals like Moses, Isaiah, David, Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Paul (as well as the other Bible writers) were not at all inspired in and of themselves, but rather they became the tools God used, the vehicles through whom God breathed out His Word.. when they were writing down Scripture. They weren't written to us, but they were written for us as well. Ask who was the original audience? 

I like the CIA method of Bible study: I want to look at the CONTEXT in the Bible, then comes the proper INTERPRETATION of the text, and then comes wise APPLICATION of the word. The Holy Spirit in the believer can give them His proper Comprehension of the Word, and Interpretation, and Application. This CIA Bible study is valuable. It's a widely recognized Christian approach to studying the scriptures. 

Need a basic breakdown of how the CIA approach of Bible study works?:

• Context (C): This involves understanding the setting in which the passage was written. This includes:
  • Literal Meaning: What the passage is literally saying.
  • Historical Setting: The events, timeframe, and audience of the text.
  • Grammar: Examining the surrounding sentences and paragraphs for a clear understanding.
  • Synthesis: Comparing the passage with other parts of Scripture to gain a fuller meaning.
  • It is crucial to understand the surrounding context in the Bible to avoid misinterpretations and to avoid taking verses out of their original meaning. Too many people use proof-texts and twist it all. 
• Interpretation (I): This involves determining the author's intended meaning for the original audience.
  • With the context in mind, the goal is to uncover what the passage truly means.
  • There is only one correct interpretation of any given text, which is the author's intended meaning to his original audience.
  • Interpretation serves as a bridge between observing the text and applying its principles to your life.
• Application (A): This involves determining how the passage and its eternal truths are relevant and applicable to your life today.
  • After interpreting the text, the final step is to ask how God wants to change you through what you've learned.
  • This includes identifying any commands, warnings, promises, or encouragement that God is communicating through the passage.
  • It also involves prayerfully asking for God's wisdom and guidance in implementing the truths into your life. 

Here are some points to remember

• The CIA method of Bible study emphasizes a prayerful deep and accurate engagement with Scripture. Let Jesus inside of you help you, believer. 
• Context is crucial for avoiding misinterpretation and understanding the author's true intent.
• Interpretation focuses on discovering the single, intended meaning of the text.
• Application is about allowing the truths of God's Word to transform your life.. right were you live. 

Someone once asked me about telling Bible stories, but I personally don't tell "Bible stories." Why not? Well, it's because children today around the world know of stories as being fairy-tales and fictional, but the whole Bible is accurate history. 

So I say preach the Bible (the Word of God) because it's real history, and do so for decisions, for souls, for edification--yes, for God's glory cuz it really did happen. All His unchanging promises are sure because He is unchanging and sure. 

The Bible is not just a collection of some of God's words, but rather, the entirety of the Bible is the Word of God. All of it is, not the words and messages of flawed men. 

Scriptures are the product of God's breath (2 Tim 3:16 absolutely authoritative) and without error. God supernaturally guided the biblical writers with every word to record His exact message, making the written text His inspired, inerrant Word. The divine inspiration of Scripture is much different than any claim from some flawed Christian (or other) person's decent sermons, books, and teachings today. You know how people call their works "inspired by God" (even if their message is Christian and biblical) but that's NOT in the same way the Bible is inspired. 

The Bible is not the result of enlightened men writing down their impressions of God. It is God Himself, using men as His pens. As the old Puritan Thomas Watson put it, “The Scriptures are the library of the Holy Ghost.” Or in the words of the Baptist preacher Adrian Rogers, “The Bible is not the book of the month. It is the Book of the Ages.” It does not contain God's Word; it is God's Word—living, infallible, and final.

The Writers Were Messengers, Not Divine Muses

We must resist the modern temptation to elevate people rather than the pages. Moses was a man, David was a sinner, Paul called himself the chief of sinners. These men were not superhumans—they were sanctified scribes. As the hymn “Ancient Words” reminds us:

“Words of life, words of hope,
Give us strength, help us cope…”

When they wrote Scripture, they were borne along by the Spirit (2 Peter 1:21). But once the pen was lifted, the inspiration ceased. We do not say Moses or Paul were inspired people every moment of their lives. They were instruments. The music belongs to God.

Why Inspiration Is Reserved for Scripture Alone

To say a sermon, book, or song today is “inspired” in the same sense as Scripture is inspired is untrue, unwise and unbiblical. We may be led by the Spirit, empowered Christians, even blessed, but inspiration—I'm thinking of that term theopneustos, God-breathed (breath out of the nostrils of God so to speak)—is reserved for the sacred writings of Scripture alone.

C.S. Lewis insightfully wrote: “The moment you try to explain away inspiration, you have explained away Christianity.” The canon is closed, this ink of heaven as they call it (even though the ink was from the earth) is sealed. 

As Vance Havner said, “God wrote not a book to be argued about, but a book to be believed.”

Barna Research tells us only 9% of self-identified Christians read the Bible daily. This is not just a discipline issue—it’s a theology issue. If people no longer view and believe the Bible is uniquely inspired, they won’t treat it as authoritative to live by it. They won't see it as relevant or essential for today.

These Are Not Fairy Tales—These Writings Are Sacred History

I never want to tell “Bible stories” ever—not in the sense like Scriptures contain stories among other equal stories that get told. It's not because the Bible content has changed any, but because the word story has new meaning today. It's often been corrupted to children like with movies. In today’s culture, stories are fictional myths, total make-believe. But the Bible is not filled with tales from fairies at all; it's filled with truth. These words have never been bedtime fables. These words tell about blood-soaked, grace-filled, real-time, eternity-shaping events involving real people who were bold and yet had sinnned. Jesus is NOT and was not a myth. The cross was not symbolic. The empty tomb was not metaphorical. Do I feel it's always wrong to use the word story? Nope, but we'd do well to explain and define the words we use. 

As the old hymn “Tell Me the Old, Old Story” pleads:

“Tell me the story softly,
With earnest tones and grave;
Remember I’m the sinner
Whom Jesus came to save.”

Preach The Word It for Decisions, for Souls, for His Glory!

The Bible should not merely be studied and analyzed—it should be boldly and clearly proclaimed. Our purpose in that is not just to inform, but to see God transform people from the inside out. Regeneration is His work--He alone saves. Charles Spurgeon once said, “The Word of God is like a lion. You don’t have to defend a lion. All you have to do is let it out of its cage.” Continue to preach it—straight, bold, and without apology. Not because we are clever, but because it is truth. Not watered down, not in some twisted sort of way. Be straightforward because God and His Scriptures are. 

And because it really happened.

God parted seas, God shut lion's mouths, God raised the decaying dead. He forgives sins, He changes hearts, He heals memories etc, He breaks addictions. We don’t preach about the Bible—we preach the Word. Yes, verse by verse from it expositionally and through all of it, for in its pages are found the terms put together into sentences and passages of life! The Bible says, 

"Simon Peter answered, 'Lord, to whom shall we go? You alone have the words of eternal life [you are our only hope].'" John 6:68 amp

• Abraham Lincoln once said, “I believe the Bible is the best gift God has ever given to man. All the good from the Savior of the world is communicated to us through this book.”

Secular Voices Have Said Much About The Bible

• Voltaire falsely predicted the Bible would be obsolete within a hundred years. Ironically, after his death, his own house was used by the Geneva Bible Society to print and distribute the inspired Scriptures -- Bibles.

• Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, (though not a Christian), acknowledged: “Let the Bible be to thee the Book of books. The influence of the Bible is so great that no man can avoid it.”

You And I Can Choose To Be Different From The Worldly Folk

You and I don't need any "New Revelation" so-called prophesied at us by some Charismaniac. 

I'm not putting any sound Christians down here if your stream is said to have Charisma. 

What even is the Charismatic movement?

Who were the Bereans in the Bible?

Should Christians judge the teachings of their leaders? We all need to listen to messages carefully, to weigh them against the Bible and properly evaluate.

What does it mean that the Bible is inspired?

How did the Vineyard Movement go from charisma to charismania? Didn't it come out of a sound group?

What are some of the different theories of biblical inspiration?

What are the Apocrypha.. deuterocanonical books?

The Apocrypha Catholic books are not inspired scripture at all, or part of the real Old Testament canon. These books are Tobit, Judith, 1 and 2 Maccabees, Wisdom, Baruch, and Sirach (also known as Ecclesiasticus).

What is verbal plenary inspiration?

How and when was the canon of the Bible put together?

What is the Didache?

Tough job? How did they decide which books belong in the Bible since the Bible?

The canon of Scripture, what even is that?

What is so-called prophetic worship?

Explain more about the Bible being God-breathed out okay?

Did the writers of the New Testament regard their writings as inspired?

Are there still charismatic Roman Catholics?

Come to Christ by faith even today. Repent and believe in Him. Approach prayerfully.. in your own words, He'll understand you. Yes, just as you are now but willing to be changed into someone better.. by Him. He will make you more you than you ever were before. He's not interested in making you religious or like some robot. Come now boldly, unashamed. Come to Him and then go get a Bible. Read all, believe all of it, and wisely apply it (I even like the maps). 

"To say that a mere song (even if it's really good) is the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and therefore should not be dissected or tampered with, is to make the song equal to Scripture. Are we to say, then, that a songwriter who writes a song is inspired in the same way that Luke was inspired when he wrote the gospel of Luke? Or Paul was inspired when he wrote the book of Romans? Or Isaiah was inspired when he wrote the prophecy that is called Isaiah? What do we mean when we say the Bible is inspired? Do we mean it’s an inspiring book because it inspires in us faith, and religious feeling, and understanding? And are people today still inspired when they write songs, in the same way that writers of the Bible were inspired? Are books today inspired? How about sermons? Are they inspired?

The term “inspire” comes from the Latin, to breathe in - to breathe in. And it’s a bit misleading, actually. In 2 Timothy 3:16, it says, “All Scripture is inspired by God.” Really, I think we’ve created a problem here because of that English word “inspire.” The actual Greek term is God-breathed, theopneustos, from which we get pneumatic, pneumonia, those kinds of things related to breath. But the actual word translated inspired in 2 Timothy 3:16, “All Scripture is inspired by God, given by inspiration of God,” is “All Scripture is God-breathed.” It is not us in-breathing, it is God out-breathing. It is God breathing out His words, not breathing into us in some inspiring fashion.

We believe that the Bible came right out of the mouth of God. God breathed it out. He gave it, He said it. Is it right to claim the same thing for a song? Is it right to claim the same thing for a book, for a sermon, for an idea, for a thought, for a ministry plan? Are we really experiencing direct revelation right out of the mouth of God? Well, we know we’re not, don’t we? I have never preached a God-breathed sermon. In that sense, I’ve never been the recipient of divine revelation through the means of divine inspiration, so that God breathed into me a sermon which I then preached to you. What about speaking in tongues? What about people who get prophecies, and words of wisdom, and words of knowledge? Is that God-breathed revelation coming right out of the mouth of God? And is it equal, then, to any book of the Bible?

Well, some are going to say, 'You’re pushing the point a little bit here.' There are degrees of inspiration. Certain preachers can be inspired, and certain songwriters can be inspired, and certain people who receive revelations and words of wisdom and knowledge from God, they’re inspired - and I’ve had this discussion with many people through the years - they are inspired, but they’re not as inspired as the Bible writers. It’s inspiration to a lesser degree. Some things are inspired to the maximum degree, and that would be the books of the Bible, and others are inspired to a lesser degree. But inspired means God-breathed. It means that God said it, and there are no degrees to that. He either said it, or He didn’t say it, which is one reason why you want to be very careful when you say, 'The Lord told me this,' or 'The Lord told me that.'” ~ John MaCarthur

I say go through the whole Book again and again.. prayerfully. I keep learning new insights each time. I say invite the Author inside today. He can help you and illuminate the Scriptures to you. 

Jesus didn't go to the Cross embarrassed about you at all. Be not ashamed of Him or His Gospel message. 

So let us hold up the Bible without any embarrassment—it's not at all like mere literature among other literature, but it is living words from the living God. The whole Bible points people to Jesus Christ, our Savior--the ultimate solution for us sinners. 

Let us not dilute and mix the Bible message for any no matter the pressure from the world. No twisting the divine with the merely human, nor lower God's Holy heavens or standards here. He is holy and His heaven allows no sin to enter. God speaks still—not by new revelation, but by His old Message, by His already revealed Word. 

We hear a lot about spiritual growth and "new revelation" today. I say if it's new it ain't true, and if it's true it ain't new. There is not spiritual growth apart from the word of God. 

How can Jesus and the Bible both be the Word of God?

What is the rhema word?

What do John 1:1,14 mean when they declare that Jesus is the Word?

Is Jesus.. even the mention of His Name.. and the Word, really powerful? Yes!

Is the Bible truly God's Word? Yes!

When men's fickle feelings and opinions change and fluctuate, and their books crack and gather dust, one truth will remain:

“The grass withers, the flower fades,
But the word of our God stands forever.” Isaiah 40:8

When all your circumstances around you change as they will, the living Word of God (Jesus) who loves you won't -- He'll be there for you. 

If you are poor, then God has really good news for you.

If you aren't, then He also has really good news for you.

Ya gotta check it out. The person speaking these words (below) in Isaiah 61 is Jesus Christ—this was seven hundred years before He was even born.

"The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, for the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed. He has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of the LORD’s favor has come, and with it, the day of God’s anger against their enemies." —Isaiah 61:1–2

It's simply a prophecy about the Messiah. The speaker says, “The Lord has anointed me” (nlt), and the term Messiah means “anointed one.”

Seven hundred years later, some people inside a synagogue in Nazareth were treated to a reading of these very same words by the original author of them. Did that audience realize it at that time? No. It sure made them wonder about those words.

Luke explains that post-water-baptism and after Jesus was tempted by the devil, Christ returned to this familiar town of Nazareth. That's the location where Jesus actually grew up. He had a custom at the time, so He went to the synagogue to read Scripture and teach.

Jesus read Isaiah 61:1–2. And then check it out: “He rolled up the scroll, handed it back to the attendant, and sat down. All eyes in the synagogue looked at him intently. Then he began to speak to them. ‘The Scripture you’ve just heard has been fulfilled this very day!’” (Luke 4:20–21 nlt).

Whaaat did he mean by that!? He was basically saying: I am the Messiah you've been waiting for!

The synagogue crowd got it like you get it. No need for a translator with that. And as far as the Jews were concerned, anyone who claimed to be the Messiah was guess what?.. they were guilty of blasphemy. So they pushed and rushed Him like thugs out of that synagogue and toward the edge of the hill on which the city was built. They intended to chuck him off in order to kill this man, or at least seriously harm Him for life.

It didn't happen, because it just wasn’t God the Father’s plan for His sinless Son, so Jesus simply walked. He slipped away, continuing His ministry of sound truth—the work of the Messiah.

You know how Jesus' earthly ministry lasted approximately three and a half years before He was murdered. This is based on the four Gospel accounts, which mention three Passovers, suggesting a ministry of at least three years, with the fourth Passover marking his crucifixion. Throughout Christ's entire ministry here, He fulfilled that very prophecy of Isaiah 61. So glad He did!

When his busy cousin John the Baptizer dispatched some of the JB-disciples to go ask Jesus if he was the Messiah, “Jesus told them, ‘Go back to John and tell him what you have heard and seen—the blind see, the lame walk, those with leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor’” (Matthew 11:4–5 nlt). To who?

What does that mean.. to proclaim good news to the poor (Isaiah 61:1)?

Why did John the Baptizer's followers ask Jesus if He was the Coming One?

What is the acceptable year of the Lord?

What is the gospel?

What does it mean to preach the gospel of peace in Romans 10:15?

Has Jesus really been a good friend for all kinds of sinners? Yes, even of me!

What does that even mean -- the gospel is good news?

You know how preaching (the word) is predominantly for the lost, and teaching the Scriptures is predominantly for the saved.. so what does it mean "to preach the gospel to the poor" in Luke 4:18? It means that God wants poor people and all lost people on earth, to hear the good news, to repent, and to get saved!  Will they all? Sadly no, but God's excellent offer goes out to all people!

The spiritually poor, even that dead-inside tax collector who normally stood at a distance, beating his chest and praying, “God, have mercy on me, a sinner” (Luke 18:13) could indeed be forgiven!

Sure, Jesus taught that the tax collector sinner, who humbly acknowledges his state fo spiritual poverty, could go home completely justified before God.

How wonderful if, like me, you are a needy sinner!

Turn away for your sin to Him. Invite Jesus to live on the inside as Savior and Lord.

But what's it mean.. being poor in spirit?

It's about recognizing one’s need for God’s mercy and salvation. The proud folk, who believe they do not need God’s grace, are very much spiritually impoverished without even realizing it (see Revelation 3:17).

Many poor people tend to be open to hearing the truth about God. Many rich people tend to think, "Hey, I've got other options to deal with these needs." Those who are poor in spirit are open to receiving the gospel message because they know how needy they really are. They know they cannot save themselves. Most people who come to Christ on His terms (instead of on their own terms) have suffered some and they've had a glimpse of their great need for God.

It was n Luke 4:18, we see Jesus beginning to proclaim the good news to the poor. That was a super great time!

For the rest of Jesus' earthly ministry here, He addressed those who saw things as they really were inside -- they recognized their sin and deep need for God’s forgiveness.

So Jesus’ message was received by those who were humble, honestly repentant, and acutely aware of their spiritual bankruptcy before the Father (God). They had “ears to hear” (Mark 4:9).

Q: Do you have ears to hear His words?

The good news is that God’s kingdom is open to all kinds of folk like you and me, offering us free forgiveness of sin, abundant life, regeneration, and eternal life (unending even though our physical bodies die). How good is that! You can be a new creature in Christ and have a new beginning!

The Bible states: "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." 2 Corinthians 5:17 kjv

It really doesn't matter your color or background -- it never did! Jesus loves you and has a good plan if you are willing to receive His indescribable gift! God, I need you. Please forgive me and come inside right now. Rule without rival in Jesus' name. Amen.

By prayer, just take hold of Him! You can come on His terms today -- even now!

Do you consider yourself poor today? Jesus identified closely with all kinds of people in need.

He wants you! He want us to follow Him, His teachings, to love people like He loves, and to do like He did.

Go to Him, pray and get to know Him well so you can make Him well known. Go do the same as He did.

He became one of us -- Jesus entered our world to relate to us where we're at, and to save us.

"For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” Luke 19:10 niv

What did Matthew say on this (see 25:34–40)?: “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’ “Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’” (nlt).

It's for the poor, it's for the rich, it's for you. God is for you! The good news is that our sins are laid on Christ when we believe, and that his righteousness is then laid on us, and that this great exchange becomes ours not by any good works done on our part, but by simple faith in Jesus alone.

“By grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast” Ephesians 2:8–9.

It's by Grace alone (Sola Gratia)

Through Faith alone (Sola Fide)

In Christ alone (Solus Christus)

According to Scripture alone (Sola Scriptura)

For God’s Glory alone (Soli Deo Gloria)

“But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for the just shall live by faith.” Galatians 3:11

That's why the Apostle said, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed." Romans 1:16–17

Small is gate and narrow is the way into eternal life. Jesus is the only way in. That's not merely my opinion. That's based on a much higher authority. 

Some Are Rich In Faith, Even Though Fairly Poor In Material Resources. God Has A Good Plan For Them! 

The Glory of God in the Lives of the Humble Really Makes A Difference!

The worldly folk bows to wealth (so many do), but in heaven God crowns the meek, humble and obedient. See James 2:5 which declares that God has “chosen the poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom.” This is not mere sentiment—it is divine reality. The Kingdom of God is not for sale. It is inherited through love, accessed by faith, and stewarded by grace.

Read That True Story About The Widow And the Wealth of Heaven

Consider the humble widow in Luke 21:1–4. She dropped two tiny coins into the offering—worth almost nothing by man’s reckoning. But Jesus, watching her heart more than her hand, said she gave more than all the rich. Why? Because she gave her all. She didn’t have wealth, but she had worship. She wasn’t rich in gold, but rich in God.

The 18th-century preacher John Wesley once noted: “Earn all you can, give all you can, save all you can.” But his greatest emphasis was always on generosity that flowed from a heart tethered to heaven—not to a bank account.

Heaven’s Scales Weigh Differently

Horace, the Roman poet, said, “He who is content is rich.” But Scripture goes further: he who is in Christ is rich beyond imagination. Faith is the currency of heaven—and unlike the dollar, it never inflates or collapses. In fact, the Bank of Heaven deals in trust, not transaction. Hebrews 11 lists God’s wealthiest: people who wandered, suffered, lacked earthly stability—but possessed a promise that made them bold.

They could sing, like Helen Lemmel, who wrote in her blindness:

“Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.”

Dwight L. Moody once observed, “The measure of a man is not how many servants he has, but how many men he serves.” Even billionaire John D. Rockefeller admitted, “I have made many millions, but they have brought me no happiness. The poorest man I know is the man who has nothing but money.”

True wealth doesn’t lie in portfolios but in purpose. And when your purpose is to glorify Christ, you walk with the confidence of someone seated in heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6).

Walking in the Spirit by Faith, Not in Status or By Sight.

The righteous walk not by prestige but by the Spirit. They are the ones who, like Paul, “have nothing, and yet possess everything” (2 Corinthians 6:10). Why? Because the presence of Christ satisfies what money never can.

John Bunyan, jailed for preaching the gospel, said: “I will stay in prison till the moss grows on my eyelids rather than disobey God.” What kind of man says that? A man rich in faith. A man whose eyes are fixed on eternity.

Eternity’s Inheritance Awaits Believers!

Imagine standing before Christ someday, not with stocks, assets, or applause—but with hands worn from service and knees calloused from prayer. And hearing Him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.. enter into the joy of your Lord” (Matthew 25:21). That is true inheritance. That is the Kingdom.

Until that day, cling to the cross, carry your faith, and count your riches in Christ. You may not have gold in your pocket—but if you have grace in your heart, you’re already walking streets of gold in your soul.

“I'd rather have Jesus than silver or gold,
I'd rather be His than have riches untold..”
—Rhea F. Miller

If you can't be in your current circumstances, you can be encouraged in the Lord. 

Christian, if you feel overlooked or under-resourced, remember: God sees, God chooses, and God rewards. The world values treasure. God values trust. Let your life preach that faith is worth more than fortune, and that being rich in Christ makes you poor in nothing.

As Corrie ten Boom once said: “You can never learn that Christ is all you need, until Christ is all you have.”

And when He is all you have—you’ll find He is more than enough. He's all you really need. He rightly meets every need spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and physically. 

You know how the Bible identifies individuals as either righteous or unrighteous.

It's true. May I attempt to better explain? You're either lost or saved, unforgiven or freely forgiven by God. You're currently either bound for heaven (via a meaningful relationship with Jesus Christ) or bound for hell.  

Righteousness is all about being in right standing with God, the Father, through Christ, His Son. 

This righteousness-gift is comes to us freely through Grace and by faith in him. It's about justification. When God sees you, believer, he doesn't see your sin anymore. It's just as if you had live Christ's perfect life, and the way Christ was treated on the cross is just as if he had lived your life. The Cross is where God's Love and Justice meet.

Righteous Individuals walked by faith.

Righteousness is about being in right-standing with God cuz of the bloodshed of Jesus, but it's also, for us who believe, about walking right as we follow Christ. Right standing and right living because of the power of God working through us. Yes, we're to walk depending upon the Holy Spirit who gives us God's desires and His power to think and do what glorifies the Lord.

The Bible often highlights individuals who, through faith and obedience, were considered righteous before God. They couldn't earn it so it was a free gift and it still is if you will repent and believe in Jesus. This righteousness isn't necessarily about perfect sinlessness, but rather about being made new (John 3:3) and a commitment to following God's Son..and Bible commands -- trusting in His only ways. Jesus.

• Old Testament:
• Adam and Eve: Sadly introduced sin into the world through their disobedience to God. After Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, this couple learned the consequence of their disobedience to God. Sin would ultimately bring death to humankind, along with the loss of innocence and a sense of guilt. Realizing they were in a fallen condition, now naked and ashamed (see Genesis 2:25), they themselves tried to hide from the Lord and cover their shame with clothing made of fig leaves (See Genesis 3:7). But God did not accept these garments crafted of their own ingenuity: “The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them” (Genesis 3:21). Blood needed to be shed. By faith, they were pointing ahead in time to the Cross of Christ, where our sins were paid in full. We today, point back in time to the Cross and restriction! 
  
• Abel: His sacrifice was accepted by God, implying righteousness.
• Noah: Was found righteous in his generation and was chosen by God to survive the Great Flood.
• Abraham: His faith was credited to him as righteousness, according to Galatians 3:6.
• Lot: A carnal believer? He's described as righteous by the apostle Peter.
• Job: Described as blameless and upright, fearing God and shunning evil.
• Daniel: Called "a man greatly beloved" by God.
• Enoch: Walked faithfully with God and was taken by God without experiencing death.
• Joseph: (Son of Jacob) Displayed wisdom, integrity, and faithfulness even in difficult circumstances.
• Moses: Known for his meekness, his humility and leading the Israelites out of The bondage of Egypt. In the Bible, Egypt is a type of the world that God called us out of. We are to be in the world but not of it.
• Joshua: Faithfully led the Israelites in conquering the Promised Land. 
• David the King: Described as a man after God's own heart, despite his flaws.
• Samuel: A prophet and judge who anointed Saul and David as kings.
• Elijah: A prophet who courageously confronted idolatry in Israel.
• Elisha: Elijah's successor, known for powerful miracles.
• New Testament:
  • Zacharias and Elisabeth: Parents of John the Baptizer, described as righteous before God.
  • Joseph: (the husband of Mary, 2 sinners who believed) Called a righteous man.
  • John the Baptizer: Recognized as a righteous man.
  • Cornelius: Described as a righteous and God-fearing man.
  • Joseph of Arimathea: A rich man and secret disciple of Jesus, described as righteous. (And others)

Unrighteous individuals in the Bible -- who were some of them?: 

The Bible provides numerous examples of unrighteous individuals too, demonstrating lost humanity's propensity for sin, a fallen nature, and disobedience to authority (both direct and delegated authority).

• Old Testament:
  • Cain: Murdered his brother Abel.
  • Many of the generation destroyed by the flood: Demonstrated wickedness and corruption.
  • Sodom and Gomorrah's inhabitants a few got out God like Lot: Known for their wickedness and ungodliness.
  • Pharaoh: Oppressed the Israelites and refused to let them go.
  • Many kings of Israel and Judah: Led their people into idolatry and disobedience.
  • Gomer: The unfaithful wife of the prophet Hosea.
  • Delilah: Betrayed Samson for money.
  • Jezebel: An idolatrous queen who persecuted prophets of God.
  • Potiphar and His Perverse and Lustful Wife: She was a liar who blamed him after she was rejected. Falsely accused Joseph. Of hitting on her cuz he he wouldn't lay with her sexually.
  • King Manasseh: One of Judah's most wicked kings.
• New Testament:
  • Herod Antipas: Imprisoned and beheaded John the Baptist.
  • Herodias: Instigated John the Baptizer's death.
  • Judas Iscariot: Betrayed Jesus.
  • Ananias and Sapphira: Not really sure about these two, but they lied to the Holy Spirit and died as a result.
  • Many of the Pharisees and religious leaders: Jesus criticized their hypocrisy and legalism.

Need some more considerations?:

• Each of us humans have sinned DUH..  really need the Savior more than any other need that we have. We've been born into sin due to the disobedient decisions of Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden. Each huma being here has a fallen nature and needs God's free forgiveness along with a new nature inside: The Bible emphasizes that all humans are born into sin and are inherently unrighteous in God's eyes. We weren't born right the first time and that's why we need to be born again.
• God's Grace and Righteousness cones through Faith plus nothing added to it: It's a free gift. Get one must receive and that calls for a decision. It is given because of Christ's cross at Calvary, his death and physical Resurrection; we each can come to know the Father through him. (Read John chapter 3). Yes, the Bible also offers hope and highlights the possibility of inner regeneration / salvation and righteousness through faith in God and Holy Spirit's redemptive work of Jesus Christ in the believer.

Previously (below this article) I've given you lists of rich people, both lost and saved.people. In relation to biblical faith, here are dome people in the Bible who were monetarily poor but righteous and in reality ..rich spiritually.

So who in the Bible were monetarily.poor and yet rich spiritually?

Having not so many resources here, and yet these believers were trusting in God. Yes, despite their lack of material wealth here, these believers were rich in faith and righteousness. Jesus talked about laying up your treasures in heaven believer. You can actually do that through obedience to him.

Here are some prominent examples of believers that were not so wealthy down here: 

Old Testament

• Ruth: A Moabite woman who, after the sad death of her husband, chooses to remain with her believing mother-in-law, Naomi, demonstrating some unwavering loyalty and faith even in her God despite her poverty as a widow. She had to go to work and glean in fields for food, but God blessed! 
• Elijah and Elisha: One seemed to be more a loner type, while the other was more a people person. They were prophets of God who lived by faith. Yes simply, as they depended on God for His guidance and provision (even in miraculous ways at times) during those times of scarcity.
• Jeremiah: The "Weeping Prophet" who faced persecution and hardship, yet he also faithfully delivered God's message. 
• Amos: A shepherd and fig farmer was called by God to prophesy against the sinful injustice of the wealthy and the "powerful."

New Testament

• The Poor Widow: Jesus observes a poor widow giving up two small copper coins as an offering at the temple, commenting that she gave more than the wealthy who gave out of their surplus because she gave all she had. It's good to obey even when it might appear really hard to do. Pray! God will help you know for sure.. His will and then enable you to obey.
• Lazarus: In Jesus' parable of the rich man and Lazarus, Lazarus is a poor beggar who finds comfort in the afterlife while the rich man suffers torment.
• The Apostles: Many of Jesus' disciples, like fishermen Peter, Andrew, James, and John, left their livelihoods to follow him and relied on God's provision as they preached the Gospel.
• Jesus Himself: Jesus' life on earth was marked by humility and, in a sense, poverty, as he "emptied himself" of heavenly glory and privileges. This is according to the Bible. 

God gives ya growing friends you can relate to! I've got several friends who are now born-again Christians. These individuals practice what they preach and they demonstrate that true wealth in the biblical context is not measured by material possessions here, but by one's meaningful relationship with God. Yes, having expressed saving faith in Christ, with God's free righteousness, and a commitment to do God's will. Our goal is to know him (Jesus) well and and make him well known. We want to win the rich and the poor so all can become rich throughout eternity. Come to Cheist today!

No matter your current income bracket, ya gotta get right with God while you can! 

Over 60 million people die annually. As of the early 21st century, the number of deaths per year is estimated to be around 56 million. In fact according to the World Health Organization, there were approximately 68 million deaths worldwide in 2021. In 2024, Our World in Data estimates that 62 million people died. Of course, this number of deaths can fluctuate year to year. We all need to be ready and know the Lord today. Will you repent of your sin and choose to believe in Jesus? Come as you are cuz he can forgive and change you. 

Nothing is more important. Both the rich and the poor die physically, so it's important to get right with the Lord even today. Don't put it off. It's also important to gain assurance inside that you are now right with God. We want to go the distance, walking righteously with the Lord, Jesus. The adventure of a lifetime can start today!