Have a Bible

I was recently reminded that we are so very lucky to have Bibles. Not just that God’s word was preserved for so many years when so much else has been lost. We need to give thanks that we live where we can purchase a Bible – or a Qur'an or a Tanakh or Buddha Dharma or the writings of any other religion.

There are so many places in our world today where that is not true. For decades it was true in Russia. It remains true to a great extent in China. Islamic theocracies confiscate Bibles. That covers a lot of territory.

“The Word FM”, KWRD 100.7 in the DFW area has a host that is very well aware of these facts. Over the past few years Scott Wilder’s show accompanied me home from work and I learned of his Bible ministry. He’ll be making this thirteenth trip. On each trip he carries Bibles to those who want them – and brings their stories home to those of us who care.

“There’s nothing in the world that God wants to do that He can’t do without me...I just don’t want Him to.” Wilder wrote this, and I believe this. Just as Mordecai told Esther, God is capable of working without us:

For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this? (Esther 4:14)

I do not wish to consider working without Him.

Several speakers that I’ve listened to in the past have mentioned smuggling Bibles into a number of countries. Once Scott told of an officer in China opening his suitcase, which was packed full with Bibles, not clothes. Ready to be arrested, or at least have the Bibles confiscated, Wilder was surprised when the suitcase was closed and moved down the line. Not even a comment.

My favorite – unforgettable story is The Woman With The Gnarled Hands. And there are more. These are the stories we hear. These are the people who receive Bibles. There are more who do not than do.

Can a Bible bring someone to Christ? If you doubt that, read Luke’s story of Philip:

And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him. (Acts 8:30-31)

The reader was so close to understanding, that God sent Philip to him. Simply from reading from what we know as Isaiah. I wish I knew where that man went. To whom he witnessed. What were the ripples from this conversion.

The same for Scott Wilder’s trips. I am grateful for his sharing the stories of those who received Bibles. I am grateful for his soliciting help in getting more Bibles into the hands of even more people. There’s always a need for more help.

Our own church is supporting such a project. We cannot go into details on the web. The Bible carrier has been condemned and cannot be acknowledged openly. Please pray for his ministry, too. The Holy Spirit knows the needs.