Although my childhood had a lot of religion, it didn't
have a lot of "bible".
So as a young adult, when I began to want more than ritualism and
tradition, I didn't know very much about reading God's word for myself. In fact, I didn't even own a bible back
then. The simple process of
purchasing one was rather challenging since there were so many options to
consider. I still remember my
first trip to the Christian bookstore and the clerk who realized exactly how
ignorant I was on the subject. She
had asked me, "Do you want the Old and the New Testament, or just the
New?" I replied "Why
would a person want the old version if it's already been rewritten and
updated?" I was grateful that
she "straightened" me out with gentle, clear words. For that historical purchase in my
life, I chose a Schofield Reference Bible (© 1967) in the King James
Version.
I was at a point in my life where I had discovered that
not everyone believed as I'd been taught about God. I'd seen that some people based their beliefs on what the
bible said, rather than on long-standing church doctrines. So I wanted to learn exactly what was
written in the bible, often called the "word of God", and make my own
choice. And thus began my 24th
year spending every spare moment trying to grasp the truth about salvation as
God speaks it, not as the clergy had been speaking it to me for almost two
decades.
Many verses convicted me of the errors in my prior
religious instruction, but only after I received some wise advice to always
pray to the Holy Spirit for understanding before sitting down to read the
bible. In 2nd Timothy 3: 15, I
found this message: "And that from a child thou hast known the holy
scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which
is in Christ Jesus." I felt
somewhat ripped off in that for all the holy traditions I'd participated in
while growing up...I hadn't been taught the word from the Bible itself.
In Exodus 15:26 it says: “If you wilt diligently hearken
to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight,
and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put
none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for
I am the LORD that healeth thee.”
Many verses told me that just obeying the commandments and being a good
person was not enough for eternal salvation. I accepted instead, a salvation based in grace, undeserved,
which I received by faith in Jesus' death on the cross. What a change for me! Now some thirty years and many bible
versions later...I still know beyond a shadow of a doubt how important it is to
read and understand the words that God speaks in His Holy Scripture.
In my walk with God since becoming a soldier for Him,
I've shared my faith with many other seekers...each of them at different points
along the path to finding the truth about God. I've seen that others also struggle to choose a bible
version and simply know where to start reading. They can be confused about the overall organization of it
before they can start to grasp meaning in the written words. That's why bible study helps and basic
instructions can be so incredibly helpful to those seeking God's voice. The words in scripture are our only
reliable route to the Truth!
In the gospel of John 14:6, Jesus said, "I am the way, and the truth and the life. No man comes to the Father except through me." As a Christian, my work for the kingdom of the LORD is to guide people to Jesus. That's why I promote the reading of God's Word and I encourage people to learn to hear God's voice! Can you imagine a color-coded study Bible and multi-media application that highlights when God speaks to you? Operation Light Force (OLF) is a ministry devoted to equipping people to do what Jesus did, setting captives free, healing and preaching. Richard Mull is both the President and Founder of OLF and is the General Editor of the God Speaks Bible and many other books. He's been featured on TV and in the media. This new study bible is intended to make God's words easier to understand by all who seek Him. Check him out for yourself on Facebook. You can also see a sample of the book of Genesis. Then help us spread the Word... literally.
