Seeking Truth

 

 

When I walked down the church aisle September 1951, and gave my heart to God, I never fully realized how it would effect and change my life. I was a Sophomore in High School at the time and the idea of searching for the meaning of life had not even entered my mind. It was definitely not a priority.

But, as I sat under the teaching of my Pastor, I soon became aware that I was responsible for the choices that I make, and my choices could change the DIRECTION of my pathway in life. The decision that I made that Fall day started me on a journey to SEEK TRUTH. That search has not ended. It is still going on today.

As a teenager, when I first began to study the Word, I began to realize that there are spiritual principles and lessons to be learned to live a Christian life. I studied the Bible all through High School and upon graduation traveled to Missouri to assist my grandparents in church ministry. We preached revivals in churches and in the open and brush arbors, such as you see in the pictures. It was a wonderful experience for me because I got to see the results when the Gospel was preached in the power of the Spirit.

Messages such as "Come unto Me, all ye who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest." touched the hearts of sinners and they repented and accepted the Lord as their Savior.

Over the years, I have seen changes in the Churches. Not so much emphasis on outer appearance but more attention to the inner man. More witnessing about Jesus love, our love toward each other and more emphasis to meet the needs of others.... and that is good.

I too have changed. I am not so concerned about what others think I should do, to be classified a "Christian", and I do not purposely offend them. But I am more concerned about what the Bible says I should do to follow Christ. I desire to love my Lord God with all my heart, soul and mind and to love my neighbor as I should.

GOD IS SO GOOD!

 

 

Including God in Our Plans

 
My thought for the day:
The story of Lot's wife has always fascinated me. I remember, as a child, leafing through the family bible and looking at the pictures that depicted the agony of the Cross, the parting of the Red Sea, the baptism of Christ and many others. One picture, in particular, always caught my rapt attention. It showed a man and woman and their two daughters being pulled away from a burning city by two angels who instructed all of them not to look back as they left. The man and his daughters are walking with determination, with their eyes straight ahead, but the mother has turned to look at the burning city. Her face reflects disbelief as she watches the fire and brimstone fall from heaven. Her city, Sodom, is being destroyed.

The picture always disturbed me because I wanted them all to escape and flee to the mountains, and I wondered why she chose to disobey the angel's instructions to not look back. The woman's name is not mentioned in Scripture. She is simply known as "Lot's wife." Other women in the Bible who became symbols of something are remembered by name. Sarah, Esther, Ruth, Naomi, Mary, and the list can go on and on. But, this woman is nameless.

We don't know why she hesitated to leave her city which was about to be destroyed because of its sinful behavior.. Perhaps she had learned to love the well watered plains or treasured the friendship of the women whom she met daily at the city well to draw water. Whatever the reasons for her glance backward, she paid a dear price for it. Once the judgement of God fell upon her she became a woman who belonged nowhere. She could not return to her city and she could not proceed with her husband and daughters. She could not retreat to the past or move into the future. She was changed into a pillar of salt and became a symbol...of disobedience.

Our times today are no different than those of Sodom. People are marrying, building, planting and planning their lives. Many do not include God in their plans. They don't take time to seek God and refuse to accept the salvation that Jesus offers. How about you? Do you live your life to be pleasing to God,or do you live it haphazardly, thinking that there are no values, no morals, no obligation or responsibilities...no God. Life is short. Don't be careless. Don't be foolish. If you have not thought about the destruction that will come upon this world one day because of sin, it is time to think about it now. God has provided a way of escape if you will simply believe upon His son, Jesus Christ, as your personal Savior. 

John 3:16, says, "God sent his only begotten Son into the world,so that whosoever believes upon Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."