I
AM A BELIEVER. Today, I will conclude our
devotional series by sharing one more reason for my decision to become a
Christian disciple. Indeed, there are many more reasons than revealed within
this brief series.
REASON #4
I have personally
witnessed THE SOVEREIGN HAND OF GOD,
moving in and around my life.
Each one of the
redeemed has a powerful personal testimony, whether we know it or not, whether
we tell it or not. With your permission, I would like to share a portion
of my own.
Long before my birth,
“prevenient grace” (John and Charles Wesley’s term) was orchestrating the
conditions for my existence. Godly parents (and grandparents) set the
stage for an early encounter with Christ.
Thankfully, I was bathed in fervent prayer and surrounded by Christian
virtue. To wit, nine siblings and I never heard our parents uttering a
single word of profanity, and never witnessed them smoking a single cigarette
or imbibing a single glass of any alcoholic beverage. In a word, Jesus
Christ was the spiritual head of our home and His Word was our constant companion.
I remember two modest
plaques hanging on our dining room wall: “In all thy ways acknowledge Him and
He shall direct thy paths” – and another, “There is no other name given among
men whereby we must be saved.” I suppose these scriptures were unofficial
Bass family themes. Our father was an esteemed man of God, a hard-working
provider and an exceptional role model. Our mother meticulously cared for
her family and home – cradling us in loving nurture and covering us with daily
prayer. We were never permitted to leave for school without first bowing
on our knees before Our Father and being anointed with holy oil.
Thanks to my parents,
by the tender age of eight, I had more than sufficient knowledge of the gospel
to recognize my personal need for the Savior. By His grace, I accepted
salvation and developed a lifelong relationship with our Lord.
At age fifteen, I was
miraculously called into the ministry. Although I had been saddled with a
profound speech impediment, God has healed and empowered me to do something I
never imagined I could, to speak boldly before congregations large and small.
On a personal level, I
know Jesus Christ as The Great Physician. I am a cancer survivor. I
am still here by the grace of God. Beyond any shadow of doubt, our God is
great, and greatly to be praised!
Jehovah Jireh has come
to my financial rescue more times than I can recall. I know Him to be “a
very present help in trouble” of any variety. (Psalm 46:1) What a mighty
God we serve!
Even while I was a
backslider decades ago, momentarily turning my back on God, His unconditional
love sought me and brought me back into the family fold. Oh, how the God
of grace and mercy loves you and me!
And now, by the grace
of God, I am what I am. My accomplishments may be modest, but daily I
sense His presence and His power; and, I am eternally grateful for an intimate
connection with Jesus Christ. There are no other alternatives for me;
there is no other way that I choose to live. From my heart, I joyously
echo the words of the Apostle Peter, “Lord, to whom shall we go? YOU have
the words of eternal life.” (John 6:68)
Hallelujah…what a Savior!
Sisters and brothers,
be continually blessed and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO
MEET YOUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!
No comments:
Post a Comment