Learn more about an international student whose life changed when he discovered surprising information about his name.
“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do good work,” 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NLT).
“So the people went away to eat and drink at a festive meal, to share gifts of food, and to celebrate with great joy because they had heard God’s words and understood them,” Nehemiah 8:12 (NLT).
I know it can be tempting to skim over or completely skip the numerous “bagats” throughout the Bible. However, as someone who has read God’s Word with much scrutiny—both as a scholar and as a believer—I am constantly amazed that even the most tedious sections of the Bible can speak into the depths of our hearts and minds. His Word says it perfectly:
“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do good work,” 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NLT).
Friend, I encourage you to read and absorb all of God’s precious words. You never know what He may reveal to you! Take, for example, this incredible testimony sent in from one of our ministry friends:
“When I first began working with international students at my church, a very shy and quiet young man from Eastern Asia attended every meeting and activity we sponsored. Because we routinely had about 20 students, it took me a while to notice him. But one day, when Christy, a new volunteer came to her first meeting, Peter immediately bonded with the self-described grandmother-figure. She seemed to help him cope with the loneliness for his family back home. One day, after we all wondered out loud where he got his name, Peter told us he made it up. But, when Christy opened up her Bible and went straight to the genealogies of Jesus in both the books of Matthew and Luke, she showed Peter that his ‘made-up name’ showed up in the ancestors of Jesus. This intrigued Peter. He wanted to learn more about Jesus and the Bible. One day, while attending a discussion group led by Christy, Peter told the group that he didn’t feel ‘good enough’ to be saved. After the discussion had ended, Christy and Peter met one-on-one to discuss his fears. Soon, he had tears streaming down his face, as he invited Jesus into his heart. Even after he moved away, Peter continued to turn to Christy for guidance in his Christian walk. I learned that everything in the Bible could be used to reach the unsaved. I will never doubt the genealogies again, as I got to see first-hand how reading his own ‘made-up’ name writing in the Bible inspired Peter to try to learn more about this book. And in the end, he found salvation.”
Let us never skip over portions of the Scripture because we don’t think they apply or are appropriate. May we keep our ears open to hear what God says to us each time we read His Word.
For More Information
Learn more about our M28 Global Discipleship Initiative.
Check out our new M28 mobile app!
“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do good work,” 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NLT).
“So the people went away to eat and drink at a festive meal, to share gifts of food, and to celebrate with great joy because they had heard God’s words and understood them,” Nehemiah 8:12 (NLT).
I know it can be tempting to skim over or completely skip the numerous “bagats” throughout the Bible. However, as someone who has read God’s Word with much scrutiny—both as a scholar and as a believer—I am constantly amazed that even the most tedious sections of the Bible can speak into the depths of our hearts and minds. His Word says it perfectly:
“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do good work,” 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NLT).
Friend, I encourage you to read and absorb all of God’s precious words. You never know what He may reveal to you! Take, for example, this incredible testimony sent in from one of our ministry friends:
“When I first began working with international students at my church, a very shy and quiet young man from Eastern Asia attended every meeting and activity we sponsored. Because we routinely had about 20 students, it took me a while to notice him. But one day, when Christy, a new volunteer came to her first meeting, Peter immediately bonded with the self-described grandmother-figure. She seemed to help him cope with the loneliness for his family back home. One day, after we all wondered out loud where he got his name, Peter told us he made it up. But, when Christy opened up her Bible and went straight to the genealogies of Jesus in both the books of Matthew and Luke, she showed Peter that his ‘made-up name’ showed up in the ancestors of Jesus. This intrigued Peter. He wanted to learn more about Jesus and the Bible. One day, while attending a discussion group led by Christy, Peter told the group that he didn’t feel ‘good enough’ to be saved. After the discussion had ended, Christy and Peter met one-on-one to discuss his fears. Soon, he had tears streaming down his face, as he invited Jesus into his heart. Even after he moved away, Peter continued to turn to Christy for guidance in his Christian walk. I learned that everything in the Bible could be used to reach the unsaved. I will never doubt the genealogies again, as I got to see first-hand how reading his own ‘made-up’ name writing in the Bible inspired Peter to try to learn more about this book. And in the end, he found salvation.”
Let us never skip over portions of the Scripture because we don’t think they apply or are appropriate. May we keep our ears open to hear what God says to us each time we read His Word.
For More Information
Learn more about our M28 Global Discipleship Initiative.
Check out our new M28 mobile app!
RSS Feed