In 1999 my life was changed. For many years I had been
searching for an unknown certainty, trying all sorts of things and never
finding that real peace inside that I had read about.
Although I thought I was a Christian, and knew a lot of the Bible, I did not
really believe it. My study of modern theology had made me disbelieve it even
more.
One evening I wandered into an Anglican Church evensong service, and the prayer
of confession from the Book of Common Prayer hit me hard. The vicar preached on
Ezekiel 37 and I could not stop the tears coming.
After that service I knew that everything would have to change. I suddenly saw
how I had sinned against God in so many ways, how bad I really was, and how
much I needed the Lord Jesus Christ as my Saviour.
From then on I believed the Bible completely, and determined that I would obey
everything it said, as my new reason for living was to please God in
everything, as far as I was able, whatever the cost.
It was not easy to do away with things that were not pleasing to God, but I set
about making that the only goal in my life, and I am learning more every
day.
Obedience can be costly, but the rewards are amazing!
The most amazing thing that I found out was how I had been deceived all those
years when I thought obedience to God's Word would make my life a drudgery,
un-interesting and boring. It was a lie from Satan, God's enemy, and our enemy,
too.
Obedience to God's Word has transformed my marriage and everything else I do.
It has laid a sure foundation in my life, and has filled me with a joy I would
never had thought possible.
If you do not read the Bible at the moment, you might
like a very good reading calendar, to help you read it every day. Lots of
people think the Bible is boring. It is not. Everyone who thinks him/herself
intellectual, should read the Bible at least once. It is the most exciting Book
in the world, because it shows you the purpose of your life, and the only way
to get right with God, through faith in His Son Jesus Christ.
This Calendar was made by Robert M'Cheyne, a 19th century Scottish minister,
who died when he was 29, and who realised the importance of reading the whole
Bible through every year, and not just the comfortable passages.
He said: "Those believers will stand firmest who have no dependence upon
self or upon creatures, but upon Jehovah our Righteousness. We must be driven
more to our Bibles, and to the mercy-seat, if we are to stand in the evil
day."
Israel, the Jewish people, has always had a special place
in my heart. This nation has a central and unique position according to the
purpose of God. They will be fully restored, and through them the golden era of
the world will come about.
One who has said this in a very clear way, is Adolph Saphir, a Hungarian Jew
who came to faith in Jesus (Jeshua) as the Messiah in the 19th century.
Here you can read his very clear exposition of God's
purpose.