I've sent this poem because it really spoke to me and I hope it does to you also.

Why I Follow Jesus
You ask why I follow Jesus?
Why I love Him the way I do?
When the World's turned away from His teachings
And the people who serve Him are few,

It's not the rewards I'm after
Or the gifts I hope to receive
It's the presence that calls for commitment
It's the Spirit I trust and believe.

The Lord doesn't shelter His faithful
or spare them all suffering or pain
Like everyone else I have problems
And walk through my share of rain.

Yet He gives me a plan and purpose
And that joy only Christians have known
I never know what comes tomorrow
But I do know I'm never alone

It's the love always there when you need it
It's the words that redeem and inspire
It's longing to ever be with Him
That burns in my hearts like fire

So you ask why I love my Lord Jesus?
Well, friend that's so easy to see
But the one thing that fills me with wonder is
Why Jesus would love someone like me

 

I've left the note pages blank so that you can write your own thoughts and prayers in the pages.  Most importantly, I want to thank you with all my heart for what you are doing for our country and for each and every American citizen.  Your heroism and selfless giving is almost beyond description and our /my appreciation knows no bounds.  Take pride in who you are and what you are doing.  No matter where you are, you are fighting and standing up for the greatest country in the world.  Your family and friends are proud of you and are praying for you and so am I.

God always has a positive answer:
You say:                  God Says:                                       Scripture:
It's Impossible              All things are possible                       Luke 18:27
I'm too tired                  I will give you rest                            Matthew 11:28-30
Nobody loves me           I love you                                        John 3:16 & 3:34
I can't go on                 My grace is sufficient                         II Corinthians 12:9
I can't figure it out         I will direct you                                 Proverbs 3:5-6
I can't do it                   You can do all things                          Philippians 4:13
I'm not able                  I am able                                         II Corinthians 9:8
It's not worth it             It will be worth it                                Romans 8:28
I can't forgive myself    I forgive you                                      I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1
I can't manage             I will supply your needs                       Philippians 4:19
I'm afraid                     I have not given you a spirit of fear     II Timothy 1:7
I'm worried                   Cast all your cares on me                    I Peter 5:7
I'm not smart enough    I gave you wisdom                             I Corinthians 1:30
I feel alone                   I will never leave or forsake you         Hebrews 13:5 

The Warrior Is a Child
Lately I've been winning battles left and right but even winners can get wounded in the fight.  People say that I'm amazing, strong beyond my years, but they don't see inside of me.  I'm hiding all the tears.  They don't know that I go running home when I fall down.  They don't who picks me up.  When no one is around, I drop my sword and cry for just a while, 'cause deep inside this armor, the warrior is a child.

Remember that your armor is the best there is! You are always a child of God! God bless You!

 

Dear One Who God Loves,

My name is Brent and I am 13.  I am sending this to you because I want you know that I care about you and that God cares about you too.  He has put this Bible into your hands for a reason.  He loves you!

From,

Brent

Dear Soldier,

I want to start off by thanking you for putting your life on the line to serve and protect our country.  May God bless you for it.  I am sure what you are doing is not easy, but I believe God has placed you where you are for a reason.  "For I know the plans I have for you" is what the Lord said.  Jeremiah 29:11-14 is my favorite passage of scripture.  I have underlined it in Jeremiah so that hopefully you will never forget that God has a perfect plan for your life (sorry if the underlining is a little messy).  Please know that I will be praying for you. God is so amazing that he can love you and me and be with both of us even though we are probably oceans apart.  Sometimes I am completely overwhelmed by His amazing grace and unconditional love.  I hope and pray that even though you are amidst sorrow and pain, you would still see God and be filled with His love for you.  I mean, He sent His only Son to die one of the most horrible deaths so that we can feel His love and His presence in us.  Hallelujah!  I pray that you continue to live out God's plan, and if you don't have a personal relationship with Him, please read this Bible and find someone to talk to that can explain better than I.  God bless you!

In Christ,

Clara

Dear Serviceman or Woman,

As a reading teacher, I tell my students that reading is like having a personal converstaion with the author.  That makes reading the Bible an amazing thing- a personal conversation with God!  I pray for your safety, for beautiful conversations with our God, and for your safe return home.

May you be blessed,

Kathi

Just think, you are here not by chance, but by God's choosing.  His hand formed you and made you the person you are.  He compares you to no one else; you are one of a kind.  You lack nothing that God's grace can't give you.  He has allowed you to be here at this time in history to fulfill God's special purpose for this generation.  We are proud of you.  Thank you for your sacrifice!  

Dear Soldier,

As I sit here watching the rain fall, I am thinking of what sacrifices that I have made in my life that could be greatly appreciated as much as the ones that you and your unit are doing for myself and my family right now.  I can think of none.  Away from your family, friends, and dreams, I can only imagine the intensity of your eagerness to return to that which inspired you to believe in yourself.   That you would travel to such a far away place, which is what very few people would do, given so many other choices and opportunities that those of us in the U.S. take for granted each and every day of our lives.  I can only wonder what your thoughts are in the silence of your own mind and in the desires of your heart.  What I am trying to say to you is that there is no greater love, sacrifice, and no greater act of kindness than which you are doing right now.  Your strength and honor will always be appreciated in this soldier's heart.

Love in Christ,

SSGT Clete

2nd Battalion 8th Marines (1979- 1984)

Beirut Veteran; USS Guam   

Beside our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, only one other person has ever willingly given his life for me- the American Soldier.  In loving memory of my Daddy who served his country during World War II and in honor of our servicemen and women.  My heartfelt thanks for your service to our country and the sacrifices you have made for the freedom we share!

 

Dear Soldier,

God bless you as you serve our beautiful United States of America. Thank you for volunteering to fight for freedom! Our country needs good men like you.  Praise God for you...  May God keep you safe and strong!  My church had these Bibles we could buy and write notes to each soldier.  I pray God keeps you in safety as you serve America, this beautiful country we all love.  Thank you for volunteering to go and fight the battle for freedom.  Praise God for soldiers like you!  I am an old lady and widow.  I wanted to do something for our military- our soldiers- and this is it.  I have 11 Bibles to write in, so 11 soldiers will get new Bibles with a little note.  Please read and study and let God's love penetrate your heart and life.  God is LIFE, TRUTH, and LOVE!  God loves you.  I also love you for what you are doing.  May God bless you in a mighty way!  Our God is so good, faithful, and merciful.

God Bless You,

Marie -Reno, Nevada 

   

A special thanks to an honorable American Soldier:

I count this as a special opportunity to be addressing someone like you that is serving in a worthwhile way to all of civilians here in the states.  I hope this gift finds you well.  I pray that you and all those that serve around are blessed in a very big way from God, country, friends, and relatives. There is not a day that goes by where I don't think and pray for you and all those in efforts there.  I will continually remember these efforts and pray that we can have all our troops home as soon as possible.

May God Bless,

Mickey- Roswell, NM

Once a carefree child of God
Until Uncle Sam gave his nod
Running each day into the fray

Praying that you will find your way
Righting the gross wrongs being done
Ever viligant on the Son
Cautious as you try to be
Imperiled to set others free
Ordinance blowing all around
Under the Hummer they are found
Safe in the loved ones here

Praise singing clearly in your ears
Returning to home base to stay
Ordeal for you we pray
Train another to take your place
Every soldier walking in grace
Calming the storm and coming home
Thousands of you no longer loaned
Our Father who art in Heaven
Return our troops from those given

-God Bless!

A Soldier:

- A warrior for freedom

-A strong leader

-A dedicate teacher

-A beacon of truth

-An ambassador of goodwill

-A figure of grace

-A servant of people

-A savior for people

These are the characteristics of a soldier and of our Lord Jesus Christ.  May he be your shield.  May he be your protector.  May you be His to these.  Thank you so much!

Dr. George 

I would like to express my deepest thanks to you and all that you do.  Your courage, strength, and loyalty cannot be measured and is much appreciated.  It's difficult for me to put into words how grateful I am for your service.  I truly believe that my life and this country wouldn't be the same if it weren't for you.  Always remember that God is with you wherever you go... whatever you do.  I hope you find this Bible to be a source of comfort and strength now and always.  My thoughts and prayers are with you and each and every other soldier.  Again, I thank you for your sacrifices that you have made for me and the U.S.A!

In God's love,

Jayna

P.S. I wrote a little poem for you.  Hope you like it!  

On foot, by sea, in the sky, or hum V.  You fight in this war being all you can be. 

The days are hot and long, no 8 hour shifts just you and your gun, climbing sand drifts. 

When faced with uncertainly, feeling angry or sad just know that God is with you when times are good or bad. 

He is there to protect you and those that you love.  Sending strength, courage, and mercy from above. 

Your service is appreciated by me and the rest.  Remember, God has a plan for you, He knows what's best.

I thank God for soldiers like you.  May God bless you and keep you in His Holy Presence always.  I want you to know that my family, me, my school, my friends, my town, etc. are praying for you.  I don't know who you are but I am praying for you.  I have highlighted some of my favorite verses, but one that really caught my eye as encouragement was Psalm 3:1-6.  All of Psalms is great.  You should really read Psalm 27!  Tell God how big your problems are, Tell your problems how big God is!  Be strong in the Lord and His mighty power, Ephesians 6:10.  Count your blessings, not your worries.  Little me, Big Him

Ashlee 

My Dearest Soldier,

It is a privilege and I am honored and delighted to have an opportunity to lift you up before God.  I can't begin to thank you enough for serving and protecting our country.  Freedom is not free contrary to popular belief.  Freedom comes with a price.  God who gives us life, gives us liberty.  We are able to enjoy freedom in our country because of countless servicemen and servicewomen like yourself who lay their life on the front line of battlefields to fight to protect our country and it's freedom!  You are heroes in my eyes.  God did not promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow, nor sun without raim.  But He did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears, and light for the way.  One of my favorite Bible verses that I would like to share with you is; "Be still and know that I am God" Psalm 46:10.  May God bless each and everyone of you and keep you in His loving care. 

Your Sister in Christ; my prayers are always with you,

Debra 

Forgive me for not knowing your name, but Jesus knows your name.  I pray that God the Father, maker of heaven and earth, comes to you daily in such a way that you can feel His presence.  Be encouraged to know that at home, people you don't know are praying for you, your family, and your fellow soldiers.  I pray that you would read this book and allow the Son of God who is Jesus to come into your life as you never have before and that you trust and love Jesus deeply.  May the protection, compassion, mercy, and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ rain down on You, your family, friends, and fellow soldiers always.  May all return home swiftly and safely and celebrate with great joy. You're in the love of Jesus! 

Dear Soldier,

Thank you for your faithful service to our country! I speak on behalf of myself, my family, our country, and wherever you are.  My dad fought in World War 2 and retired after over 20 years of service. So I grew up in a military family.  It was not easy moving so much, but I gained from it in so many ways.  My dad passed away at the age of 83.  A few years before he died, he told me this story, which I want to pass on to you.  When he arrived in France during WWII, he was terrified at the thought of such a war against Hitler.  When the troops stopped in a small town in France to rest, he saw a little church across the way.  He said that he went over and walked into the church.  He asked God to take the fear of battle off of him.  After his prayer , he had no more fear.  He went on through earning heroic honors, metals, and fearlessly crossed enemy lines to save others... by himself (the commanding officer saw his courage and asked for his help).  May God bless you with strength and safety. 

Dear Soldier,

My family wants to thank you & bless you for your gallant efforts in protecting us overseas.  We know you volunteered for this role, but may not know God is watching over you.  In coming to the Lord I have learned to study His Word, His Bible.  I had once made fun of it - descecrated it wuntil I became a believer.  May you take the time to read His Word and allow it to comfort you as it does me.

During WWII Franklin Roosevelt gave the soldiers a Bible as they went off to war.  Here is what he wrote in each one - May you get strength from his message, "As Commander-In-Chief, I take pleasure in commending the reading of the Bible to all who serve in the armed forces of the United States of America.  Throughout the centuries men of many faiths and diverse origins have found in the Sacred Book word of wisdom, counsel and inspiration.  It is a foundation of strength and now, as always, and aid in attaining the highest aspirations of the human soul."

May God be with you,

Dwight & Kathy

 

Hope

Without hope, there is no light,

Without hope, there is no joy

Without hope, there is no love

Hope is our prayer in times of need

Hope is the conqeror of despair

Hope is the feeling that lifts our souls

Withour hope there are no homes, only houses

Without hope there is no peace, only reasons to fight

Hope is what lifts our prayers

Hope is what allows us to dream

Hope is what makes us whole

May God go with you 

Dear Friend,

You are precious in God's sight and an awesome reminder of God's love for us.  We cannot thank you enough for your many sacrifices, big and small.  Please know that we are a few of the many people who hold you dear and pray blessings and protection over you.  May our Lord, Savior, and best friend, Jesus, contintue to strengthen you.

Love and Blessings,

The Tyler Family, WA

With all of my heart, I thank you for what you are doing.  I appreciate the sacrifice that you and your family are making.  I pray that this Bible will encourage you to draw closer to God.  May He protect you as you protect us and bring you safely home. 

God Bless You!

Thank you for serving your country! God loves you and we will be praying for you always!

-Canadian Friends

I am a Marine who finished active duty in 1997 and trust me, when I say when you put your life in God's hands, trust in Him, and read His Word, He will give you peace.  The prayers of my family and I are with you and your brothers.  Put your trust in God and He will give you peace that passes all understanding.

Love in Jesus Christ and Brother in Arms,

CPL Seda, USMC

 

Thank you for everything.  May the Lord in Heaven bless you in so many ways and may He walk with you in the valley hand in hand.

-Cayla

Dear Soldier,

My name is Caitlyn.  I am 11 years old and I am so thankful that you are protecting me (My hero!).  You are the best.

-Caitlyn

Dear Soldier,

Do you know we pray for you?  Do you know we care?  Do you know how proud we are of you?  We are the ones who say your name everyday.  We are the ones who lift you up in praise.  We are the ones who welcome you home.  You are celebrated.  You are appreciated.  You are missed.  You are loved.  I am a mother of a decorated soldier of the Gulf War and a mother-in-law of a celebrated soldier of Operation Enduring Freedom.  I am a proud American.  Thank you for my freedom.  Thank you for the freedom of my children and grandchildren.  Thank you for protecting us.  Thank you for being an American soldier.

Lov In Prayers,

Patty 

We are praying for you all.  Thank you for the sacrifice that you are making for me to have the freedom to even send you this Bible.  I pray that it keeps you company in your time of need and gives you comfort as you are away from your family and friends.  Remember that God is always with you!

God Bless,

Cassandra

Dear Soldier,

God be with you! That is my prayer as I send this note.  When I wore the uniform in the 90s, I didn't really know the living Christ.  Now that He is my best friend, I want to share Him with the world.  Inside these pages you can be comforted as you discover the single most universal truth- God is in control.  I pray the angels guard you, truth surrounds you, and God comforts you until your safe return.

On Behalf of a Grateful Nation,

Chip

Dear New Friend,

Thank you for your service to our country.  I deeply appreciate your sense of loyalty and patriotism.  It's my sincerest hope for you that this Holy Bible will be a comfort and learning tool for you as you continue your journey here on earth and grow in Christian faith.  My father, two uncles, brother, and I all served in the U.S. Navy in WWI, WWII, Cuban Missile Crisis, and Vietnam eras.  I understand the seperation, loneliness, and danger that you are experiencing.  All of us are/were Christian and learned to trust and obey God's will as the answer for our lives and I truly believe it can be that for you as well.  Put your trust in God; He'll never fail you!

God bless and keep you,

Jack 

Dear fellow veteran or serviceman,

I served in the Air Force in the Korean War.  I did not know why I was fighting for people half way around the world.  Today in Seoul South Korea sits the Yoido Full Gospel Church, seating 25,000 people .  The pastor is Dr. David Yonggi Cho.  More than 800,000 people attend the seven services they have in a day.  It was worth every day, every month, every year that I served.  They are free people today.  All you service men are special.  Thank you for serving our Country.

-Chaplain, County Jail

Dear Soldier,

Wherever you are, we pray for your safe return.  May you find comfort and peace by reading this Bible.  Read these Words and share the Word with those that do not know Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior.  You are not only a soldier in a strange country.  You are a missionary in all of the world where you travel.

Your brother in Christ,

Brad, Huntington Beach, CA

To You Who Fight For Our Freedom,

We appreciate your dedication to the cause of liberty.  You and all your comrades remain in our prayers.

"But those who trust in the Lord wil find new strength.  They will soar high on wings like eagles.  They will run and not grow weary.  They will walk and not faint."- Isaiah 40:31

May you always feel the Lord's presence in your life.

Blessings Always!

Thank you so much for being willing to serve God and our country.  May you come to know the Lord in deep ways.  May you experience His presence, love, peace, forgiveness through Jesus, and His guidance through the Holy Spirit.  Please read Joshua 1:9, "Be strong and courageous, for I (the Lord) am with you."

I am praying for you,

Mary

May the sacred Word of God bring you comfort and peace.  My grandfather carried his small Bible through WWII and brought it home.  I'll be praying that you can do the same.

In Christ's Love,

Katie

"Do not fear, for I am with you.  Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you, surely I will help you.  Surely I will uphold you with my righteous hand.  Behold, all these who are angered at you will be shamed and dishonored; those who contend with you will be as nothing and will perish. 

-Isaiah 41:10-11

Read the gospel of John and the book of Romans.

Be blessed.

Dear Protector of our Country,

I thank God for you and I lift you up in my prayers to our ultimate protector, God our Father.  I just want to tell you that I appreciate you and all your sacrifices.  Your decision to serve is very honorable and I love you for all you do!  Praise God for you and God bless!

The Thomas Family, Michigan

This prayer is going out to those in war.  Only God knows your pain and struggle.  May His angels watch over you and keep you safe.  Don't lose your faith, because God is the only way.  He loves you and He's always by your side.  Just pray and He'll listen.  God bless you all!

Maxine, Vanessa, and Andrew

Hi!

This is Andy and Emily from Southern California.  First, we would like to thank you for protecting our country, for fighting for our freedom, and for standing up in justice.  We admire and respect you for doing what too many are afraid to do.  We realize the sacrifices you have made... for us... people you have never met, but we know and hope you know that God is holding you in His arms.  He hears your every word, sees your every tear, and knows your every breathe.  He is there, even in the times you feel He is not, He is there to carry you through.  Remember, He will never hand you something too difficult to handle and will always be there to hold you up.  He wants to be you strength, light, and hope.  If you hold your hand out to Him and let Him take it, you will never be lost.

Our Prayer:

Father God,

In a world torn by injustice, raise up these soldiers who are committed to defending your cause.  Rain down your power, Lord, that this soldier may be steadfast in courage, in love, and in truth.  We ask these things in Jesus' name.  Amen.

Bible Verses: 

2 Corinthians 4 (the whole thing)

2 Corinthians 1:3-7

2 Timothy 2:1-3 

 -Andy and Emily 

Thank You for your courage and loyalty for the United States of America!  We are praying for the safe return of you and your troop.  Always remember that God loves everyone and is waiting them to call on Him.  Pray for the enemy to repent.  Anyways, I hear that God loves humor too.  I thought the next page might cheer you up, and up is what it was all about.  There was an atheist walking in the forest.  He was admiring the wonderful sound the wind makes going through the trees and the beautiful flowers when suddenly hears something behind him.  He turns around to find a huge bear.  He runs as fast as he can but but the bear catches him.  "Oh my God," he screams.  Everything stops.  Then God says,"You admire all I have made but you deny me, and you call on me?"  The man says,"Okay, after all these years of me not believing, I don't expect nor deserve your forgiveness.  But at least make the bear a Christian."  God agrees.  As everything returns to normal, the bear bows his heads and says,"Thank you, Father, for this meal."  HAHAHA 

P.S. God forgives everyone because of Jesus dying for us all.  None of us deserve it, but believe in faith and don't worry about "bears".

We love you and God bless you! 

We pray this Bible will be a blessing in your life.  I am pushing 93 (WW-2 B24 pilot, 35 missions) and am convinced that the Bible is the most important book ever written.  We thank you for your service to our country and to hurting people of the world. We pray for you daily. 

God bless and protect you!

Leo and Mickie

Dear Soldier,

I am so proud of you; thank you for honoring our country and for protecting me!  My husband was in Vietnam but now he lives with Jesus, so I need your protection now more than ever.  I know if he were here he would say,"Well done."

Love In the Name of Jesus,

Linda 

Hello There,

Though I don't personally know your name, just the fact that you proudly wear the uniform of our country's forces and are willing to leave your family and put your life on the line if called to, deserves a very warm thank you.  Thank you for your service and sacrifice to keep our country safe and free!  We are very proud of the kind of caring, dedicated person you must be and we honor you for what you do for the rest of us on behalf of our freedom, our most precious asset.  Thank you form the bottom of my heart!

Sending a hug of appreciation and our prayer that God may be your anchor and your constant companion wherever you may be,

Dave and Pam, Oregon 

Dear Soldier,

Thank you and your loved ones for the sacrifices made for our country.  I admire your discipline, courage, strength, dedication and honor. Freedom isn't free.  May this Bible bring you comfort while you are away from home.

Warm Regards,

Laura