I grew up in a religious home where going to church every Sunday
was the norm. I was thankful my parents believed in God and made sure I went to church
to learn the teachings of the Bible. However, in all my learning and attendance at
church, I never came to understand of God's special love for me through Jesus Christ.
As
I grew to adulthood, I began to realize that I was not a fit subject for Heaven. In
my heart, I knew that I was a sinner as the Bible described. I thought unkind thoughts,
often failed to do what I ought towards God and man, and at times committed acts that
the Bible said were outright sin against God.
As a young adult, through frustration,
I finally gave up trying to be good enough for God, and for the promise of Heaven.
I resigned myself to live my life as best I could, and hoped that in the end God would
somehow review it, and forgive me all my sins. This hope was all I had, although it
was not a sure hope at all.
As the years rolled by, I began to see that everything
I did and sought in life seemed to have no long lasting meaning. The more I sought
to bring myself pleasure, the more it withered and brought me despair. I had come
to a place where life was beginning to have little meaning and value. This disturbed
me greatly, for I was brought up to be one who lived for others, and to keep the work
ethic to the fullest.
At that time, I was married to my childhood sweetheart,
(and still am,) whom I loved dearly. Together we had two lovely children, and
I was employed in a marvelous well paying job in the advertising business. I had everything
going for me, yet deep inside I was the most a unfulfilled, dissatisfied, and lonely
person I thought could have ever lived.
One day I accidentally dialed a Christian
radio program which was playing a prerecorded sermon. The message was given by an
Englishman named Major Ian Thomas. His talk was about Abraham and the fact that he
was a "friend of God." That Abraham talked with God and God with Him. I
longed deep inside for a relationship with the God I was taught about in my youth,
but had never found. As the message progressed, Major Thomas spoke of God's love and
plan to include everyone who was willing to come to Him, to be a personal and intimate
friend of God. A friend who could communicate and speak with God and God with him.
As a result of this message, I came to understand what was wrong in my life.
I
had a knowledge of God and the Bible, but never had I understood the personal need
I had along with everyone else, to grasp I was going to Hell because sin separated
me from God's presence. In order for me to change this perilous state, and to enter
a fellowship of communion with God, I had to acknowledge God on His terms. These terms
were made clear to me and I realized what I had to do if I wanted to know God. I sincerely
did want this, and I responded to God's Word, and as the Bible promised, I received
Jesus Christ into my life and took possession of His priceless gift called Eternal
Life.
Since that time, I have had the privilege for more than three decades of
walking closely with God, knowing personally Jesus Christ and He loving and caring
for me. In addition, I have had the special blessing of also being called into the
Gospel ministry. I can't begin to tell every one, how grateful I am that God sent
a man to preach the GOOD NEWS of Jesus Christ to me, and that God saw fit to offer
me forgiveness of all my sins, a place in Heaven for all eternity, and the joy of
receiving the gift of Eternal life.
Through the years it has provided me with
complete satisfaction in my life and my pursuit of happiness. It has given to me an
inner peace, a deep fulfillment of life's existence and most of all, it has provided
for me the inexpressible joy of having God as my personal friend and companion. I
thank God He saved me that day long ago, and I tell you this that you too might hunger
to experience the same renewal of life.
If God is speaking to your heart, please read the text,"
LIFE'S MOST IMPORTANT QUESTIONS," as it will explain in clear
yet precise detail, what God wants of you and me to receive His full forgiveness
and His forever gift of life eternal.
