I will share about Christian books I have read or listened to.
I will be sharing about my life before and after Christ. I will include stories about my pet and other pets I have encountered.
I was sharing a story with a new councilor I have. I have felt stuck with growth and praying. So I became part of I am Second.
Last night was the first time I spoke to the councilor. I shared many things that brought me to this place. But it was one story in particular that I shared. I asked above, What Opened the Gospels to you? I can tell you what it was for me.
I had started to come to Calvary Chapel of Philadelphia back in the fall of 1998. It was about half a year in, that I spoke to one of the assistant pastors. I shared a story of losing a child to a miscarriage back in my 20’s. Even though I knew that Jesus forgave me of my past, present and future sins, I couldn’t forgive myself. (I know, how arrogant of me. But I was coming out of the Catholic faith with that understanding - it was skewed I know but there I was.) But that thought of me being arrogant was not taken by this wonderful brother and pastor in Christ. He started to ask me if I believed that Jesus forgave me. I answered yes. Do you believe that he loves you? Yes. Do you love him? Yes. Then if you cannot forgive yourself, you are calling Jesus a liar. If he can forgive you but you cannot forgive yourself, are you better than Jesus that you will hold onto that sin? No. All of this was done in love. I as shocked by what he said and asked how I can come to a place of peace with forgiving myself. His answer was: Pray and talk to the Lord. But not only that, listen to what he has to say and to where you should read from the Bible.
Now this was a little foreign to me after all I was brought up in the Catholic Church. I knew the gospels for the most part. But I don’t think I would get anything out of the 4 books. So I when home and prayed and for the first time, I listened. I opened my Bible and asked where I should read about forgiveness. I was directed to Isaiah 53. As I read, I started to pray and cry. For the first time, I started to understand the gospels. It was there that the gospels were open to me. As I told the counselor, it is the gospel of the Old Testament.
I would not say that I memorized Isaiah 53 but when some is teaching or reciting the chapter, I can stay the words along with them. I have done this many times with my Pastor in communions where he shared from the chapter. And yes, there are times when it will bring tears to my eyes.
Do you have a verse or book that opened the Gospels for you?
Live Prepared
Pause and think of the people who, at a moment’s notice, have to be ready for anything. Maybe your list includes first responders, the military, athletes, teachers, parents, pilots, surgeons, or pastors.
But does your list include you?
As followers of Jesus, we are called to…
“…Be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.”
1 Peter 3:15 NIV
We can’t expect people to observe what Jesus has commanded unless we are also observing His commands ourselves.
Do we want people to learn about God’s love? Then we need to show God’s love to people. Do we want people to learn about Jesus’ compassion? Then we need to be compassionate. Do we want people to give generously? Then we need to be good stewards of our own money. Do we want people to study God’s Word? Then we need to study it for ourselves.
When you give Jesus control over your life, you allow His ...
