When I read a book and find a nugget of truth, I highlight it and sometimes write myself a note by it. Sometimes I mark the page with a sticky note.
You can tell quite a bit about a person by picking up the books she reads and flipping through them. Oh, the secrets we leave behind.
I spent time in 1 John this morning. I typically spend time in my NASB Study Bible, but I wanted to compare. I pulled out my Scofield Bible.
I got distracted.
Blessed beyond measure.
My grandmother and grandfather gave me $50 in 1968 (worth about $384 today) for my graduation. I purchased this Bible with that gift and asked them to sign it.
Little did she know the valleys of the shadow of death that I would walk through, but she prayed that God would defend me. God has continued to defend me with His grace and love.
One verse highlighted with a sticky note in this Bible is Psalm 27:1.
“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalm 27:1
On the next page, I underlined Psalm 29:11, “The Lord will give strength unto his people; the Lord will bless his people with peace.”
Strength was the focus. Could these verses have been highlighted when I was in and out of hospitals in the late 60s? I don’t remember.
Our Bibles reveal our relationship with God.
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Grandmother’s Bible
I have my grandmother’s Bible. Notice, she writes that Luke 12:32 is beautiful. Few markings appear within the Scriptures – you just didn’t mark up Scripture then.
She penciled around verses 32 to 34 “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give alms; provide yourselves with purses that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will be your heart also.”
My grandmother and grandfather planted churches. Ma-ma and Pa-pa delighted in God’s good pleasure, and I delight in their love of God.
While she was alive, Ma-ma mentored me in God’s Word. While she is in heaven, she continues to bless me with hints into her spiritual life.
Mother’s Bible
“I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.” Acts 20:32
Another blessing from Ma-ma, a blessing of grace that built her daughter up and showed her everlasting inheritance.
Three red ribbons are attached to Mama’s Bible. One ribbon marks Joshua 6. In Joshua 6:20, the walls of Jericho tumbled down. God fought the battle. God victoriously fought the battles in Mama’s life until she stepped into heaven.
A sliver of paper marks Acts 3. Peter and John healed the lame man at the Beautiful Gate to the temple. I wonder when she marked this and what she was thinking. Sickness frequently visited our family. Daddy and I were the puny ones. Mama was the one who stayed by our sides, serving, and encouraging.
My Study Bible
Isaiah 40:31 is my life verse, given to me by my Methodist pastor when I was 19 and in the hospital. God is good! ALL the time!
I have been blessed to have two generations of women who lived out their faith. Their Bibles are my treasures.
Father, thank You for Your Word and for those who love Your Word. Their Bibles are living legacies to Your faithfulness and love. Draw us near to You. Cause us to cling to You and Your Word. We want to go deeper with You, Lord. Show us the secrets that our Bibles reveal. Amen.
What secrets does your Bible reveal?
Are you blessed to have a parent’s or relative’s Bible?
Please share what you learn about their relationship with God through their Bible.
