As I near the 4 year mark of writing “The Journey Continues,” I am asking myself, “Has this column served God?”
I pray that it has for you, the reader, and those I have written about. It certainty has blessed my life.
With this column, I want to share three reasons why I believe in the Good News of Jesus Christ:
Reason #1: I believe because I accept the Bible as the inspired word of God. I find wisdom, encouragement and spiritual guidance when I read the Bible. Most importantly, as local evangelist Erasmo Del Bosque preaches “When I pray, I talk to God; and when I read the Bible, God talks to me.”
Bible truths are for all people as stated in:
“But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people.” Luke 2:10(NIV)
Jesus also gives these words:
“I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble but take heart, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 (NIV)
Jesus is the peace giver to all who confess their troubles and sins and we feel his comfort and peace through the Holy Spirit.
Reason #2: I believe because I have experienced the spirit of the Lord working in my life. I realize that as I draw closer to the end of this life, I have confidence as a Christian about what will happen to my soul when I die. It is a faith issue; but I know I am not saved by what I have done for God; rather, by what God has done for me. I am blessed.
Reason #3: I have observed the spirit of the Lord working in the lives of others. Encounters that have changed lives. Jesus Christ is change. I always ask people I write about to share their "lifeverse" or whatever their favorite verse is. Listening to their response opens the portals to their heart. It reminds me that we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses. For example, a professional football player turned coach turned cocaine addict turned Christian minister shared with me how he found himself in jail without family or friends. Through the Bible he was given, his life was profoundly changed.
“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2 (NIV)
Remember that the Apostle wrote:
“Jesus did many other things as well; if every one of them were written down I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.” John 21:25 (NIV)
This is as true today as it was then — we serve a living Savior.