How Do I Know?

The Best of the Feast Jul. 22, 2016 – II Corinthians – 7 How Do I Know? clic aquí en español Dear Saints,   Today we prayerfully continue the Feast in II Corinthians 7.   “9 As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us.” 2 Corinthians 7:9, ESV. I want to pose a question to each of you today!  How do you know Jesus, where does your faith come from?  Let me tell you how I know Jesus and some of what he expects from me.  From my youth I was a Protestant by tradition; I even went to Sunday school on Sunday’s, until I was about 13 years of age.  That was when I figured out that Jesus was a good man and the bible was a book of good rules.  When I was 18 I went to war in Vietnam, think I went into shock the first time I got shot at (the day I arrived) and stayed that way for 2 years. By time I came home I was 20 years old and I saw enough “Big Bangs” to know nothing good ever came out of them.  I married a year after I met my wife; we were both 21 years old.  When I was 27 years old, married with 2 children; I was driving a transit bus in Los Angeles, California USA; that’s when I accepted Jesus as my Savior. About my salvation like I said I was driving a transit bus in Los Angeles; and one day for some reason I started thinking about Jesus.  For some reason I couldn’t get Him out of my mind. After work that night I was stuck in my mind on this Jesus thing. I really wasn’t much of a drinker, but I thought I knew how to get my mind off of Jesus.  I went to a (noisy) bowling alley an ordered a beer.  I figured a beer to relax me and with all the noise in there, I would surely forget about this Jesus thing. Incidentally this was way out of character for me.  I was a dedicated family man, I worked hard and I didn’t have anything to feel bad about.  I certainly wasn’t in a position to need any forgiveness.  So I thought!  To continue; the bowling alley didn’t work.  So I decided that I would squash this problem by reading about Jesus in the New Testament, like I said I did I go to Sunday School long enough to know my way around the bible.  I started to go home when I realized there were no bibles at my house.  So I thought my Mother–in-law would have one, so I went to her house.  When I asked her if I could borrow a bible she replied; “What do you want a bible for?”  I lied (I didn’t look at white lies as being wrong) and said; “I just wanted to look something up!”  She seemed irritated I interrupted her favorite TV show.  She did finally find her bible in a closet.  I took the bible and went into my brother-in-law’s bedroom (he wasn’t home) to read it in private.  I sat down and read the whole book of Matthew that evening. The funny thing is now if someone asked me where to start I’d say the book of John.  To shorten this testimony I’ll just say; “By time I finished It was late and I was crying because I knew Jesus was the son of God and I was a sinner.”  I left my mother-in-law’s by the back door (so no one would see me in tears). I yelled good night and went home.  The next day I accepted Jesus as my Savior and repented of my sins.  I realized that I wanted to know all I could about my faith and I joined a great church and began reading my bible every day.  I was very independent and though I was in a bible believing church I wanted to get the story straight from God.  My faith grew day by day eventually my wife realized I was a better man in Jesus and she accepted Jesus.  Now all my children (who are married and gone) have accepted Jesus and are bringing their children up in the love of Jesus. I’m 70 now and still married to Sandy, 48 years now.  I can say one thing that I understand is a man and woman truly becomes one in Jesus.  Our love for Jesus continues to grow.  I never forgot from that first night over 43 years ago.  If anyone asks me why my faith has lasted so long I can answer; God told me how important it was to read his word.  “4 But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”  Matthew 4:4, ESV.  I’ve been Feasting on the Word of God ever since. Every time I read through Gods Word my faith just grows.  “16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?”  17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Romans 10:16, ESV.  There is a lot more to this story but I will save it for another time. I’m praying that you will all join me first in Jesus then in the Feast!  I’d really like to hear about your salvation or your questions.  I don’t have all the answers but Jesus does. If the Lord is willing I will send and post the Feast again tomorrow.   Jesus wants you?  Do you hear Him calling?  Do you want to love and be loved? If the answer is yes please click the following link;  admenu.com/calling.html.  Today’s Verse; “15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”” Matthew 16:15-16, ESV.  God Bless You, Brother Mike   Links That Inspire Me; |Click Here| http: //www.admenu.com https://admenu.wordpress.com