Post by foxjj on Nov 16, 2019 16:38:55 GMT
Let me tell you about my changed life. I was born into a family where, as children we were taught to be honest and true. Times were hard and money been scarce Dad had to work long hours, leaving Mother to do her best to make ends meet. However, we children were unaware of our families struggles as this was the only life that we knew. As a family we were always in church on Sundays, where we were taught right from wrong.
During my teenage years there was talk of war because of the Cuban missile crisis. This made me ponder the value of this life; why am I here, and what is the meaning of it all? Answers were few - and not always convincing. So I just carried on, hoping that every thing would work out well. Gratefully the threat of war passed, leaving a new sense of values with the young, and also with the more mature. The years passed, and we children grew up and moved on, eager for a new life to begin.
Love came my way, leading to marriage and bringing with it a new sense of responsibility. As our family grew, we looked for pastures new. My wife and I made the decision to cross the ocean to where a new country brought new hope. Filled with anticipation; yet missing those we had bid adieu, we set our course - our lives we would start anew.
In my new life, the greatest change came when I was challenged to read The Bible for myself. Thereby I was convicted of my spiritual need to surrender my life to The Lord Jesus Christ. As with many down through history, I had followed my family's faith for most of my life. When the day came that I was challenged by the message of the Scriptures, there was a decision to be made. My dilemma; do I continue in my traditional faith, or follow what I now believed was God's Word to humanity.
Braking with tradition dose not come easily, especially when family belief's are involved. How will parent’s understand my new desire to follow Jesus by no longer following their faith? After all, because of their religious teachings, they believed that they are truly following God, thereby, making their religion the only true one. Such decisions can only be made after much prayer and soul searching.
The turn around came when the Holy Spirit took away my spiritual blindness. It was He who opened my eyes to the truth. Now I am no longer lost, nor spiritually blind. God's Spirit brought me to the place where I repented of my sin's and confessed Jesus as my Savior and Lord.
What joy filled my heart knowing that my sin's will no longer be held against me. Jesus my Savior has rescued me, and His Grace is guiding me to my eternal home. "Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good." (1 Peter 2:2-3)
Notwithstanding, life still has its challenges. However, even while laying in my hospital bed awaiting surgery for cancer, the peaceful presence of the One who said: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” (John 14:27) was constantly with me, bringing peace and encouragement.
As one approaches the twilight years, the wonderful words of The Savior hold significant meaning. As an example, these particular words of Jesus found in John 14:3, hold a profound promise to all who believe: “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” And so, with eager voices we say: “come Lord Jesus, come.”
Today, let us praise The Lord for changed lives.
During my teenage years there was talk of war because of the Cuban missile crisis. This made me ponder the value of this life; why am I here, and what is the meaning of it all? Answers were few - and not always convincing. So I just carried on, hoping that every thing would work out well. Gratefully the threat of war passed, leaving a new sense of values with the young, and also with the more mature. The years passed, and we children grew up and moved on, eager for a new life to begin.
Love came my way, leading to marriage and bringing with it a new sense of responsibility. As our family grew, we looked for pastures new. My wife and I made the decision to cross the ocean to where a new country brought new hope. Filled with anticipation; yet missing those we had bid adieu, we set our course - our lives we would start anew.
In my new life, the greatest change came when I was challenged to read The Bible for myself. Thereby I was convicted of my spiritual need to surrender my life to The Lord Jesus Christ. As with many down through history, I had followed my family's faith for most of my life. When the day came that I was challenged by the message of the Scriptures, there was a decision to be made. My dilemma; do I continue in my traditional faith, or follow what I now believed was God's Word to humanity.
Braking with tradition dose not come easily, especially when family belief's are involved. How will parent’s understand my new desire to follow Jesus by no longer following their faith? After all, because of their religious teachings, they believed that they are truly following God, thereby, making their religion the only true one. Such decisions can only be made after much prayer and soul searching.
The turn around came when the Holy Spirit took away my spiritual blindness. It was He who opened my eyes to the truth. Now I am no longer lost, nor spiritually blind. God's Spirit brought me to the place where I repented of my sin's and confessed Jesus as my Savior and Lord.
What joy filled my heart knowing that my sin's will no longer be held against me. Jesus my Savior has rescued me, and His Grace is guiding me to my eternal home. "Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good." (1 Peter 2:2-3)
Notwithstanding, life still has its challenges. However, even while laying in my hospital bed awaiting surgery for cancer, the peaceful presence of the One who said: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” (John 14:27) was constantly with me, bringing peace and encouragement.
As one approaches the twilight years, the wonderful words of The Savior hold significant meaning. As an example, these particular words of Jesus found in John 14:3, hold a profound promise to all who believe: “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” And so, with eager voices we say: “come Lord Jesus, come.”
Today, let us praise The Lord for changed lives.
