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Elvis Bible
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Elvis Presley's bible sold at a U.K. auction last week for a prodigious $94,600. The Bible was given to Elvis on his first Christmas at Graceland in 1957. He used the Bible until his death on Aug. 16, 1977. The Bible was only expected to sell for around $40,000 but interests peaked in the old Bible because of the many notes and marks made by the famous singer. These notes tell a lot about Elvis' faith and interaction with God.

"To judge a man by his weakest link or deed is like judging the power of the ocean by one wave," reads one quote written in the back of the Bible. Another says, "Every man can be tempted, with God by your side every man can be saved."

Elvis grew up attending the First Assembly of God Church in East Tupelo, Miss., then First Assembly of God in Memphis, Tenn. As he grew into manhood, his church attendance clearly waned but his Bible gives evidence that Elvis continued to wrestle with God throughout his life. One of the verses in his Bible underlined and marked is Luke 9:25, "For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?"

There are few men in the history of the world who have been able to gain the kind of fame and success that Elvis was able to achieve in his short 42 years of life. In many ways, Elvis was able to gain the whole world. He had the respect and admiration of people everywhere. Even today, 35 years after his death, he still has fans all around the world, but what of Elvis' soul? Did he gain life in the eternal Kingdom of Christ? Or did he, as Luke 9:25 says, gain the world but lose his soul in the process? It is interesting that the very next verse, Luke 9:26, says this, "For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels."

It is impossible for us to know the eternal state of the King of Rock n' Roll, but one thing you can know today is your eternal state. The Bible tells us in Romans 10:9-10, "if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved." Now, this verse of course implies a genuine confession and a genuine belief in the Lordship and saving work of Jesus, a confession and belief that is matched by a changed and fruitful life for the Kingdom of Christ. Have you bowed the knee to Jesus? Have you confessed him as the Lord of your life? Do you believe that he died for your sins on the cross and now reigns at his Father's right hand? I pray the answer to all of those questions is a resounding "Yes" for the sake of your soul, and for the sake of the glory of Christ.


Jason Dees is a grateful follower of Jesus Christ, the husband of Paige and the father of Emery Anna. He is also the senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Covington.