It's Personal

Over the weekend we went camping last minute. We left so fast I was glad to have my head! In the midst of the hurried packing I didn't grab my bible. So yesterday at church I didn't have it. I had my phone though so I was good. Or so I thought.

I was sitting there and thought to myself how easy it would be for me to look the scripture that was referenced up and it was easy. I didn't have to flip pages and I'll tell you a secret! When I use my bible I am constantly having to use the table of contents to tell me where the book is in it! That's right I'll admit it! I didn't have to worry about that with my phone! WAY faster.

Soon I realized that I missed my actual bible. I missed resting my hand on the page. I missed running my finger over the words. I missed feeling completed by having it with me. It made me realize that no electronic could ever take the place of the "real deal"! Have you ever experienced this or am I the only one? Well, if you haven't I encourage you right now to grab your bible and open it. Doesn't matter to where. Just open it. Close your eyes and place your hand on the page. Slowly run your fingers across the pages. Close it and hold it in your hand.

What do you feel? Love? Power? Complete? Life? Is it not amazing the power that just holding your bible has? If you actually did it then you know what I'm talking about. What's even more great is when you figure out that you can personalize scripture! Have you ever looked for something in a souvenir shop with your name on it and failed because you have one of those names that no one recognizes? I have one of those and two of my daughters have those names as well. The great part about the bible, the Holy Word of God is that it has our name in it. Try it. I'll give you an example.

My daughter Emmalee is scared at night and has trouble falling asleep so I made her a book of scripture and song lyrics to soothe her on hard nights. The very first one when she opens the book is personalized scripture. I borrowed her book tonight after having some hard thoughts today and I had forgotten what I had put in there. I opened it and found my own personalized scripture. This is how it reads in the bible: "Because he loves me," says the Lord, "I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name." Psalm 91:14. But, this is how it reads to her: "Because Emmalee loves me," says the Lord, "I will rescue her, I will protect her, for she acknowledges my name."

Here's how it reads to me: "Because Kendra loves me," says the Lord, "I will rescue her, I will protect her, for she acknowledges my name."

I felt reassured and protected! I felt the power of the word that God gave me to live my life by. I'd forgotten. So I wanted to try it again. "Kendra, I know the plans I have for you." declares the Lord. "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

Try it! Put your name in there! Say it out loud! By speaking God's truth out loud we claim it as ours! It is yours! Make it yours!

It's fun! Play around with personalizing your scripture! The bible is not just something that you take with you on Sunday mornings or in my case something you forget at home because you are too excited to go camping than you are to remember you need your bible for church. No, your bible is your lifeline. It's your rescue in times of trouble, your defense in times of despair, your hug when you're sad, your comfort when you're lonely, your food when you're hungry for depth, your drink when you're thirsty and so much more than we can even begin to fathom. I needed the reminder tonight that God is personal. Open your bible and let it personalize you!