When Pastor Paul Daugherty lost his Bible 15-years ago – he never dreamed it would be returned to him one day.
After all, it was his middle/high-school Bible – and so much time had already passed.
But in an incredible turn of events – he was stunned when a man named Clayton returned the lost Bible; you won’t believe the incredible story of what happened next.
You see, the Bible Pastor Daugherty lost wasn’t just a typical Bible – it was full of journal notes, highlighted Scripture passages – and truly had a personal touch.
Clearly the marked-up Bible had been read and studied – and the markings throughout were from the heart of someone who loved God.
One day, a man named Clayton stumbled upon the old marked-up Bible while at a shelter.
Clayton wasn’t a believer, but the Bible intrigued him due to the handwritten notes.
Over the next 10 years, Clayton read the Bible, finding comfort in the scribbles and notes Pastor Daugherty left throughout its pages.
After studying God’s Word, Clayton prayed and was free of his bondage — and he came to Christ. Praise the Lord!
Clayton noticed the name “P Daugherty” on the front of the Bible – so he brought the Bible to Pastor Daugherty’s church to see if the Pastor was the owner.
As it turned out, he was!
Pastor Daugherty was stunned to hear that his lost Bible had brought a man to Christ – and had brought the man’s entire family through the church doors.
Christian Headlines reported:
“God used my old messy scribbled in Bible to save this guy’s life who now is saved, set free, and brought his whole family with kids to church tonight!!!! The WORD IS ALIVE AND POWERFUL!!!” he declared.
Amen!
So often we look at our circumstances through our own eyes – forgetting the God is sovereign and always on His throne.
Did Pastor Daugherty know his lost Bible would end up in the hands of a non-believer who would read it and accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior?
Nope.
But God knew.
As others heard the incredible story, they too found comfort – hoping that their lost Bibles would end up in the right hands and bring someone to Christ.
We don’t always see the fruit of our works on this side of heaven, but in His graciousness and goodness sometimes God allows it.
What a beautiful act of grace that God allowed this young Pastor to see the incredible way his teenage faith was used to bring a man to Christ 15-years later.
All glory and praise to our Heavenly Father!
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” – John 3:16-17
(h/t Christian Life Daily)