HANDMADE BIBLE

2 Timothy 3:14-17
14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15 and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Jamal (not his real name) desperately wanted a Bible. But he had a problem. Living in a country in North Africa-- one hostile to the Scriptures--made it nearly impossible for him to get a copy of God's Word to call his very own.

Then an idea came to Jamal. He realized that he could write down the verses he heard on the daily Scripture reading done on SAT-7. (SAT-7 broadcasts Christian television programs into 21 Arabic-speaking countries.)

It worked! Each day the dedicated believer in Jesus carefully wrote out the verses that he heard and saw on the TV program. In time he compiled his pile of pages into his own handmade "Bible."

Today Jamal can read, memorize, and meditate on Old or New Testament passages anytime he wants. His passion for having his own copy of the Bible has resulted in a makeshift version that he treasures.

When I think about Jamal, I wonder what I would have done if I had been in his place. Would I have had the burning desire to make my own copy of the holy Scriptures?

Fortunately, I've been raised in a country that allows me to study the Bible, and I have many copies at home. Like Timothy, I was raised in a home where Scripture was lifted up and taught to me on a regular basis.

Timothy, raised in the ancient Jewish tradition, was given a steady diet of the Torah: "From infancy you have known the holy Scriptures" (2 Timothy 3:15). But even he needed more training in knowing God and His Word.

Paul exhorted him to study the Scriptures so that he would be "thoroughly equipped for every good work" (v.17). You and I need to pursue the same practice.

Perhaps you've grown accustomed to seeing Bibles lying around. You've heard God's Word taught many times. But just like Jamal, your heart and mind desperately need to feed daily on its truths.

Where's your passion? --Tom Felten

DESTINATION POINTS

* What have I been learning lately in my study of God's Word?
* Why is it so important to spend time in the Bible each day?

LINKS:
How Can I Know God Through His Book?
http://www.discoveryseries.org/q0404

How Can I Understand The Bible
http://www.discoveryseries.org/q0401

bottom line: The Bible--God's present to be opened often.

soul journey