THIS IS THE AMAZING STORY OF ONE GIDEON BIBLE - Today, atheists and
other non-believers are working to have Gideon Bibles removed from hotel
rooms all across America. How can a Bible tucked out of sight in a
hotel room night stand drawer harm or disturb anyone? Yet, those folks
are trying to have them all removed.
For most of my fifty years working in the computer industry, I traveled a lot - to the point that hotel rooms almost began to feel like home to me. Most of those years I was not a Christian believer. Yet, knowing that the Gideon Bible was in the drawer did not bother me. However, there were many times when I would take the Gideon Bible out of the drawer and try to find some solace in it. Hotel rooms, away from family and loved ones, can be very lonely at times.
But, invariably, during those times, not yet a believer, I would read just a few verses and, not understanding, would give up and put it back into the drawer and go for a walk or watch television. Why could I not understand and discern what I was reading in that Gideon Bible? This Scripture verse explains:
In hind sight, I can see that, even though I could not read and understand the Bible at that time in my life, the Holy Spirit was planting seeds within me. Seeds that were nourishing that inner calling I had but did not recognize, for the comfort of God. I was still very much in the world, but something inside me was longing for God. Yes, I do believe that those Gideon Bibles which I often tried to read on those lonely nights in hotel rooms - were helping plant the seeds which the Holy Spirit, in His time, would use Pastor Sam Lacanienta to harvest and bring me into the family of God.
Is that why atheists are so adamant about having the Gideon Bibles removed from all hotel rooms? It has long been my belief that there is no such thing as an absolute atheist, one who is absolutely sure that God does not exist. But, that is what they fervently want to believe to accommodate their worldly lifestyles.
From the article "What is atheism?" on the GotQuestions web site:
And, from the article "Why are there so many atheists?" on the GotQuestions web site:
Many times, in dialogues with non-believers, they have told me, "I am in total control of my life - not you, not your God, not any sky fairy, no one but me!"
And, in a sense that is true. Because God gave each of us the gift of Free Will - we are each free to choose how we will live in this mortal world, in this secular society. However, the choice we make in this life also determines our eternal destiny: Heaven with God - OR - Hell with Satan. In this life we are all free to choose. But, the moment we breathe that last breath in this life - God takes absolute control and you will either enter Door 1: Heaven - OR - Door 2: Hell, for eternity. Those are the only two options for all people.
So, how do I feel about Gideon Bibles in hotel rooms? Praise God for them!
Many of my Christian Friends have had the pleasure of having The Reuel Tica Family (Reuel, Christine, and their two daughters) come to your local Christian fellowship. In our local Fil-Am churches in Southern California, I have had the pleasure of experiencing their ministry several times.
From The Tica Family Facebook page: "The Tica Family has been called for Church-planting ministries in the Philippines - and to Sing, Speak, and Show ministry presentations in the United States."
And, it all began with one Gideon Bible! Watch this video and see how one Gideon Bible has resulted in the planting of over 600 Christian churches. This is what happens when the Holy Spirit plants that seed in very fertile soil. This blesses my heart and I pray that you, too, are blessed to see such great working of the Holy Spirit within one family, The Tica Family.
If your Christian fellowship has not yet been blessed to have The Tica Family share with you, go to their Facebook page and invite them: https://www.facebook.com/TicaFamily/?fref=ts
God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,
Bill
For most of my fifty years working in the computer industry, I traveled a lot - to the point that hotel rooms almost began to feel like home to me. Most of those years I was not a Christian believer. Yet, knowing that the Gideon Bible was in the drawer did not bother me. However, there were many times when I would take the Gideon Bible out of the drawer and try to find some solace in it. Hotel rooms, away from family and loved ones, can be very lonely at times.
But, invariably, during those times, not yet a believer, I would read just a few verses and, not understanding, would give up and put it back into the drawer and go for a walk or watch television. Why could I not understand and discern what I was reading in that Gideon Bible? This Scripture verse explains:
1 Corinthians 2:14, "But the natural man (the non-believer) does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned."
In hind sight, I can see that, even though I could not read and understand the Bible at that time in my life, the Holy Spirit was planting seeds within me. Seeds that were nourishing that inner calling I had but did not recognize, for the comfort of God. I was still very much in the world, but something inside me was longing for God. Yes, I do believe that those Gideon Bibles which I often tried to read on those lonely nights in hotel rooms - were helping plant the seeds which the Holy Spirit, in His time, would use Pastor Sam Lacanienta to harvest and bring me into the family of God.
Is that why atheists are so adamant about having the Gideon Bibles removed from all hotel rooms? It has long been my belief that there is no such thing as an absolute atheist, one who is absolutely sure that God does not exist. But, that is what they fervently want to believe to accommodate their worldly lifestyles.
From the article "What is atheism?" on the GotQuestions web site:
Atheism is the view that God does not exist . Atheism is not a new development. Psalm 14:1, written by David around 1000 B.C., mentions atheism: "The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God.'"
Recent statistics show an increasing number of people claiming to be atheists, up to 10 percent of people worldwide. So why are more and more people becoming atheists? Is atheism truly the logical position atheists claim it to be? ("What is atheism?" http://www.gotquestions.org/atheism.html)
And, from the article "Why are there so many atheists?" on the GotQuestions web site:
The most likely explanation for the continuing rise of atheism has not changed since the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:6; Romans 3:23). The very essence of all sin is self-determination. By denying the existence of a Creator, atheists can do whatever they please without concern for future judgment or eternal consequences (Matthew 12:36; Romans 14:12; 1 Peter 4:5; Hebrews 4:13). (Bill Gray Note: Or, so they think!)
In the twenty-first century, self-worship has become culturally acceptable. Atheism appeals to a generation raised on evolutionary theory and moral relativism. John 3:19 says, "Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil."
If human beings are self-created, self-determined, and self-centered - then there is no moral law or lawgiver to whom they must submit. There are no absolutes and no one to whom they are ultimately accountable. By adopting such a mindset, atheists can focus on seeking pleasure in this life alone.
As long as scientists, professors, and philosophers peddle their atheistic viewpoints as truth and wisdom, people will continue to buy it because the idea of self-determination appeals to our rebellious natures. . . . ("Why are there so many atheists?" http://www.gotquestions.org/so-many-atheists.html)
Many times, in dialogues with non-believers, they have told me, "I am in total control of my life - not you, not your God, not any sky fairy, no one but me!"
And, in a sense that is true. Because God gave each of us the gift of Free Will - we are each free to choose how we will live in this mortal world, in this secular society. However, the choice we make in this life also determines our eternal destiny: Heaven with God - OR - Hell with Satan. In this life we are all free to choose. But, the moment we breathe that last breath in this life - God takes absolute control and you will either enter Door 1: Heaven - OR - Door 2: Hell, for eternity. Those are the only two options for all people.
So, how do I feel about Gideon Bibles in hotel rooms? Praise God for them!
Many of my Christian Friends have had the pleasure of having The Reuel Tica Family (Reuel, Christine, and their two daughters) come to your local Christian fellowship. In our local Fil-Am churches in Southern California, I have had the pleasure of experiencing their ministry several times.
From The Tica Family Facebook page: "The Tica Family has been called for Church-planting ministries in the Philippines - and to Sing, Speak, and Show ministry presentations in the United States."
And, it all began with one Gideon Bible! Watch this video and see how one Gideon Bible has resulted in the planting of over 600 Christian churches. This is what happens when the Holy Spirit plants that seed in very fertile soil. This blesses my heart and I pray that you, too, are blessed to see such great working of the Holy Spirit within one family, The Tica Family.
Fruit Planted Through A Single Gideon-Placed Scripture Includes Over 600 Churches https://vimeo.com/99835118
If your Christian fellowship has not yet been blessed to have The Tica Family share with you, go to their Facebook page and invite them: https://www.facebook.com/TicaFamily/?fref=ts
God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,
Bill
No comments:
Post a Comment