I never knew their names, yet they shaped my attitude & my future. Today, one of the most common phrases I hear is,” I just don’t have time now.” or “When I get caught up, I’ll try.” Priorities…Choices. We all have them. We all chose.

God, the great orchestrator of life, brought me into something in 1985 that transformed my heart, mind, my life. I discovered the Bible was not an ordinary book of words with no pictures, but alive. This is the story of 3 ordinary guys that shaped my “chooser.”

As a brand-new Christian, on a Monday night in September 1985, I found myself among 300 guys from all walks of life, colors, ages, religions, with truly one thing in common…Jesus. These were hungry men. Hungry to learn God’s Word. I remember when I heard about my heroes with the “No-Matter-What” Chooser. They were 3 ordinary guys, with jobs & families, who drove from Hooks, Texas to Little Rock every Monday night and returned home the same night to be part of studying God’s Word. That’s 144 miles each way and they were consistently on time! They did this year after year. It was just that significant in their life. I will never know the sacrifices they made but I do know the Joy He must have given them for their choosing Him first. The organization, Bible Study Fellowship, is a tool that God uses for men & women to develop a personal relationship with Him. I have discovered I never knew Him until I began to know Him through His Word…His Love Letter to all people. So, studying God’s Word is not some academic book, but sitting in the quiet, untying the scarlet red ribbon and reading how much He loves us.

Ponder these love phrases.

• “…and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.” Proverbs 2:4-6. Note: The Creator of all life gave us His “Guidebook for Living.”
• “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16,17 Note: the words God chose for who can have a relationship with him, “Whoever believes”. It is a choice available to everyone, no matter who you are or what you have done.
• “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9. Note: there is only one thing you can do to be in a relationship with Him, believe with all of your heart & declare Him Lord (first).
• “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” John 14:26. Note: Jesus gave us the key, the difference maker in the Bible and every other book, the Holy Spirit.
• “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10 Note: Nothing this world has to offer can match this promise…a Promise that is certain and fully paid for.

This is the “why” the 3 guys from Hooks, Texas drove 288 miles each week. They just could not get enough of knowing just how much our Heavenly Father loves us. I can only imagine the conversations as they traveled along. Only Jesus can give you this “Full” measure of life. Only Jesus can provide, “…the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7.

Isn’t it time you found His Peace…His Strength. Choose Him…Choose Him to be First. Call out His Name wherever you are. He is right where you are.

It all comes down to THE priority and having a hunger. Today, BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) offers night, morning & On-Line study options. So, no matter where you are in the world, it’s available, if you want it. Nothing else mattered to my 3 nameless heroes from Hooks, Texas. Like so many people, they appeared in life as just ordinary dudes, but these were Champions for Christ. What are you hungry for?