“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” Psalm 19:14
First story
At the age of 51 I was at a very low point in my life—newly divorced after my 25-year marriage had ended, depressed, and dependent on alcohol to get me through each day.
When given the option by my boss to either stop drinking or lose my job, I would have chosen the latter except that God turned the tables (another story). I enrolled in a treatment program, attended AA, worked diligently on the 12 Steps, and started to feel better to the point that I was once again happy to be alive. Then a question arose within me: “WHY was I feeling better, what had changed or taken place within me?” I set out on a journey to answer the question by enrolling in a university class called Faith and Spirituality.
Through a series of miraculous occurrences (another story), my class was cancelled, and I was enrolled in a class called The Synoptic Gospels. I had no clue what this meant at first, but I soon fell in love with the study of Jesus in God’s Word! God had led me to the narrow road and opened the life gate! Jesus as Son of God and Son of Man intrigued me, and I took two weeks of vacation to write my mid-term and final exam on this topic.
At the end of my university class, the professor stated that we would not be studying the resurrection because it was fraught with too much controversy! Like Paul Harvey, however, I was desperate to know “the end of the story.” I went to the Presbyterian Church and learned in the New Member class that Jesus died for my sins and was resurrected to new life by God the Father, the first fruits for those who would follow. With great joy, I received Jesus as my Lord and Savior. My question had been answered: God had given me new life and that is why I recovered and again wanted to live! That was now 29 years ago.
But the story does not stop there! Immediately, I enrolled in Bible Study Fellowship which would become my life support for the next 17 years. Before becoming a Christian, I had read the Bible, even all the way through, but without understanding. My criticism was that there was very little “factual” information in the Bible about individual people, that most of what it said could apply to all people. And then! God opened my eyes: What is in the Bible can apply to ALL PEOPLE FOR ALL TIME! What an amazing revelation, hitting me from my blind side! For the last 12 years I have been continuously involved with studying The Word through Precept Ministry and Bible study at church. I am constantly in awe of God’s Plan for the Ages and how all 66 books written over 1500 years coherently and supportively reveal His purposes. To Him be the Glory!
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105
Bonnie
P.S. from Rosemary: The best group Bible study available is the Rafiki Bible Study (RBS). If you want to find or start a group call Rafiki (352-483-9131) and ask for Geri. She will help you.
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