What Kind of Bible Do You Have?

By Pastor Mark McAdow
Do you have a personal copy of God’s Word? I am not asking if you have The Bible app on your phone because I trust most of us do. It’s a blessing and a convenience to have, but it’s not enough. Do you have your own Bible that you hold dear and read, mark or highlight, write notes or special dates in? One that you actually engage with every day?

For several decades now, the United Methodist Church has used a catchy slogan in advertising:  “Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors.” It has resonated with many people because who would want the opposite to be true? Closed hearts, closed minds, and closed doors? No one. We all like the word “open” because it signals opportunity. If it’s a store that is open, that means we can hopefully find what we’re looking for and make a needed purchase. If it's closed, we lose that opportunity. Most of us have probably gone out to get something at some time only to discover the store is closed due to a change in store hours or our lack of knowledge of the store hours or sometimes a family emergency or a temporary loss of power or a holiday. We love convenience stores, like Jiffy Trip or On Cue, because they are almost always open. We know we’ll pay more for their products, but we expect to for the convenience. Restaurants and other businesses often display an “open" sign – sometimes lighted and even flashing to draw customers inside.

But my question today is, “What kind of Bible do you have?” Is it red? Oh … wrong word. I don’t mean is it red in color or even has the words of Jesus in red ink, but is it read? Is it important enough to read? Think on? Study? Memorize and meditate on? Does it refresh, renew and revive you? Does it bring you life? It can! Hebrews 4:12 reminds us: “For the Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to diving soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” As I like to say, the Bible is the only book that can also read you. The author knows you quite well.

What kind of Bible do you have? Not what version or translation – there are hundreds – but what kind? A pristine Bible that is a showpiece on your coffee table or desk, or a well-worn copy? It’s been said, “A Bible that is falling apart usually belongs to a person that isn’t.” Think about it for a moment. As a pastor, I have several copies. Why? I can never throw away a Bible. It becomes a part of me – an extension of my relationship with Jesus. It’s the most important book in my life. It’s of immeasurable worth to me. It’s the “tool” of my trade, but it’s also so much more.

What kind of Bible do you have? There’s only one kind that can change your life: an open Bible. That was the one reality painfully missing from the UMC slogan – “Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors.”  Open Bibles make all the difference in this world. They can change the government, our schools, our churches, our homes and us. It’s not enough to have a Bible, it must be open. An open Bible can draw you in to a life-changing relationship with Jesus. Open it today and bring it with you on Sundays, too. When it’s open, the Holy Spirit will use it to change your life and mine forever.

Yours in Christ’s love,
Pastor Mark

P.S.:  Please be in prayer for St. Luke’s UMC in OKC, New Covenant in Edmond and several other churches in Oklahoma that will be voting on disaffiliation this weekend.  My former church, First Church OKC, still hasn’t received permission from the bishop to cast an official vote. Please pray also for them. May God’s truth prevail.