Have Bible, Will Travel

Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are my constant guide.

Psalm 119:98

Constant guide? I take this verse quite literally! When I travel for speaking engagements, I carry with me pages from my paperback One Year Bible, one of two matching paperback copies that I own. This copy that I call my “Have Bible, Will Travel” edition is held together with a shoestring because its pages have been taken out and put back in.

I keep my first copy of this Bible in my “go to” spot at home and my travel copy near my suitcase. I’ve been reading the One Year Bible for years. I love that each day’s reading is dated and that I get Old Testament and New Testament portions, as well as readings from Psalms and Proverbs every day!

When a sweet friend named Kathy gave me my second One Year Bible—my traveling Bible—I began this new practice of tearing out pages whose dates matched the days I was away. The pages are lightweight, and when I get home, I stick them back in the Bible and tie it all together to keep the loose pages from falling out! At first, I was a little hesitant to take my Bible apart, but then I remembered reading that Billy Graham once tore out a page of the Bible to use in his sermon notes, so I exercised my freedom in Christ, knowing God knew my heart.

This well-worn One Year Bible looks like I have literally been chewing on God’s Word. Not only does it keep my suitcase from exceeding the weight limit, but more important, it helps me stick with my three simple, sweet, and salty personal priorities of spending time with God, His Word, and people.

Wherever I am, God’s Word is a constant guide at my fingertips.

Let’s keep God’s Word handy wherever we go. We can get creative to ensure that His Word is constantly close at hand. Consider putting a compact Bible in the glove box of your car or in your purse. Download an electronic version to your smartphone or tablet, or buy a small box of Scripture cards to keep on your windowsill or desk. Commit to a Scripture memory plan so that His Word is hidden in your heart and mind—then you can practice your style of “Have Bible, Will Travel.”