By David Coory
I am a Tauranga writer and book publisher and run a company called Zealand Publishing House.
Over 40 years ago, at age 26, I became a Christian believer and ever since then have studied the Bible and tried to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ.
18 years ago I did what the Bible encourages all believers to do, and that is to turn their lives over to God. (God always does a better job than we can do ourselves.) Since doing so I have been prompted (driven might be a better word) to use my publishing skills to make the Bible available in a more readable form.
So after years of work, I have published this Condensed Bible. It is half the length of the traditional Bible, yet preserves, hopefully (you can be the judge) all the important details, stories, parables, prophecies, psalms, power and spiritual upliftment of the full length Bible. I’ve also included 300 interesting black and white photos of Bible places, objects, etc. There is also a large concordance and many interesting footnotes from the world’s best Bible scholars. It is all non-profit, all income is spent on advertising and making copies available for free or at lower prices.
I think you will find it very interesting, and useful. Perhaps you are unsure that the Bible is completely true. Many who have never read the Bible do have doubts. But I have studied the Bible for over 40 years, intensely during the 13 years it has taken me to produce this Condensed version. I testify that the Bible is true. I have heard all the arguments against the Bible and have investigated them. None of them stand up. You can trust the Bible totally as the Word of God. I have proved it over and over again. You will find it full of wonderful promises from a loving God (I highlight all promises in my personal Bible with an orange highlighter). When we keep his commandments God always honours his promises.
Jesus Christ is the ‘star’ of the Bible, from the beginning to the end. Jesus came into the world saying he was the Son of God and that he had power to forgive our sins, heal our sicknesses and deliver us from the powers of evil. As proof of his words he did great miracles: He walked on water, healed every disease, cast out demons, raised the dead including himself. Who else has ever done such things? Once in the presence of his apostles, his face shone like the sun and his garments became dazzling white and the voice of God our Heavenly Father spoke from within a bright cloud saying, “This is my beloved Son.” I know Jesus is the Son of God. I have no doubt whatsoever.
The peace of the Holy Spirit
I still remember vividly the day I finally accepted Jesus Christ and was baptised and received the Holy Spirit. Everything was suddenly different. A felt joy. I felt a love for everybody, a cleanness, a newness, a desire to share my discovery. And above all, a perfect peace. My initial enthusiasm quietened down, but the peace has remained.
You too can have this perfect peace. It comes through believing and trusting in Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit of God. Jesus says, “Come unto me all you who are heavy laden and I will give you rest.” He is true to his word, but there is a price to pay. We must turn away from all wrong actions and thought. Let’s be frank and call it sin. Turning away from sin is called repenting. Words like sin and repent are not heard much today, but the Bible is full of these two words.
I read the word of God everyday and try and conform my life to what I read. Jesus has said that we will be judged on every word that proceeds forth from the mouth of God, in other words by the scriptures.
If you would like to read more of what I believe Jesus requires of us, please click the link below.