Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Gideons Share God’s Word

“Is anyone thirsty? Come and drink -- even if you have no money! Come, take your choice of wine or milk -- it’s all free!” -- Isaiah 55:1

Did you receive a Gideon Bible when you were in elementary school? I did. It’s one of those little Bibles that fit in the palm of your hand. Mine is red. I still have it. The men who gave them to us were nice and smiling. I have no idea who they were but I remember that day. How about you?

Years later I came to notice that most every hotel room had a Gideon Bible, usually placed in the nightstand drawer. I’ve spent time reading the various ones I encountered in my travels. The Gideons placed the first Bible in a hotel room in 1908 in Montana. I am grateful that these Bibles are there, open to anyone who dares to open and hear God’s Word.

Last year the Gideons distributed more than a million Bibles to American servicemen. They provide Bibles in 93 different languages in 190 countries. Their mission is to reach the lost. And they do a remarkably good job.

Pastor Rob mentioned that one of the men who went with their group on a recent mission trip to Ecuador is a Gideon. The man took Bibles with him to distribute wherever they went.

Oh, the stories the Gideons can tell. The way one Bible can reach so very many people. How one life touched can then multiply outward into the world. Because you never know when someone is going to reach out to God and end up accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

They tell about visiting the country jail last week and distributing Bibles. They tell of the hospital room where one woman shared a Gideon Bible with another. They tell of the signatures at the back of the Bibles, each one a heart given over to Jesus.

The Gideons have distributed more than 1.6 billion Bibles since the organization was founded in 1899. It’s the oldest association of Christian businessmen and professional men in the United States. And, by God’s grace, it’s still going strong.

Last Sunday was Gideon Sunday at our church. It’s the one day of the year where we invite a Gideon to come and tell us about their organization. We are reminded yet again of the dedicated group of men who devote their time and efforts to provide free Bibles to the lost. God’s Word for everyone. What a blessed ministry this is!

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Gideons Spread God's Word

"As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it." -- Isaiah 55:10-11

Last Sunday we had a Gideon speak at our church service. It's a once a year thing, something I look forward to. The Gideon's will always be, to me, the nice men who visited my elementary school and gave us all small red Bibles. I still have mine. I wonder if they still do that or if some judge has put a stop to their wonderful gifts.

That's what the Gideons do. They give away Bibles. It's an awesome job, don't you think? Of course, they don't get paid to do it. Not with money anyway. In fact, they spend their own money to travel and give Bibles away. One hundred percent of donations goes to buying and shipping Bibles. The Gideons are on their own when it comes to expenses.

They don't seem to mind. I've never met a Gideon that didn't have a special spring in his step. They tend to light up when they speak of people they've given Bibles to. They talk about numbers and need. They mention people who came to know Jesus because someone else gave money to buy Bibles. That just spreads and spreads. Just like God said it would.

God's Word lives and breathes throughout the world. It touches hard hearts and innocent ears. It reaches the poor and the rich, the average worker and the tough criminal. It reaches out and brings more and more people toward Him. That was His plan, after all.

We are, as this Gideon said, soldiers in God's army. We volunteered for the job when we accepted Jesus' gift of salvation. God expects us to go forth, to tell others so that everyone might be saved. Sometimes that means talking to people right where we are. And sometimes that means giving money to buy Bibles so that someone else can give them away.

I'm so grateful the Gideons exist. They do God's work. If you're ever looking for a wonderful organization to support, consider giving money to buy a few Bibles. Let God use you to reach others. You might be surprised by the spring in your step.

Sunday, January 17, 2010

Gideons Spread God's Word

"As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth; It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it." -- Isaiah 55:10-11

Every two seconds a Gideon is placing a Bible somewhere on the earth. That was the message delivered this morning at church. It was "Gideon Sunday." The church has a Gideon speak to us about their work. Gideon's are professional men who volunteer their time to give away Bibles purchased through donations. One hundred percent of the money donated goes to purchase Bibles.

Most of us know the Gideons because we received one in school or we've read one in a hotel. In actuality, Gideons place Bibles in 188 countries in 89 different languages. Though many of us have numerous Bibles in our homes, some people have no Bible and no access to a Bible without the Gideons.

God uses His Word to reach people. We will probably never know how many people have come to know Jesus because they picked up a Bible and started to read. The Gideons serve God in such a wonderful way. We can all help with their mission. Support the Gideons and give the gift of God's Word to people who might otherwise never hear it.