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Post by Rifleman on Dec 23, 2009 5:23:00 GMT -5
I wrote the following for my friends and family this Christmas to hopefully show them something of what Christmas is really all about and to be a blessing to them. It is not a work of fiction, it is all true. This is rather long and so I will post it in several parts. I would ask you all to be patient and kind with me and refrain from any questions or comments until I post the last section. After that I would be very happy to answer any questions that I can and discuss any thoughts or comments. Thank you very much.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Twice Rescued- Part 1
Luke 2:7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. Luke 2:9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. Luke 2:10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. Luke 2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. Luke 2:13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Luke 2:14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
When I was 9 years old I went swimming with my Grandma, Mom and sisters at Shakamak State Park in Indiana. It was a pleasant place with a nice sand beach on Shakamak Lake. It was a place we went to often, and during hot summer days there was nothing I enjoyed more then to go swimming there. The beach was long and had a colored rope with floats that divided the wading area from the deep part of the lake. I was firmly commanded by my mother not to go past the rope as I could not swim much at all and to go past the rope would be dangerous. Out in the deep part of the lake there was a swimming pier and a diving tower. The tower was very high with 3 levels for people to dive off of. I used to watch folks swim out there and dive off that pier. It looked like so much fun and I could not wait until the day I was a good enough swimmer to go out there and dive off that pier. So I practiced my swimming every time we went to the lake. I kept at it until on this one particular day I felt I was good enough to swim out to the pier on my own. I did not ask my mother for permission, as I knew she would say no. My mother was on the beach relaxing and tending to my youngest sister. My grandmother was already out at the pier and I decided now was the time for me to make my big move. Looking around I saw that no one was paying attention to me and now was my chance. I quickly ducked under the rope and with a hard push off the bottom I began to swim out to the pier. I made it several yards when I soon realized I was getting too tired to make it all the way. Thinking I was not that far from the rope I decided I could stop swimming and let my feet down to the bottom, push off and turn around and go back to the safe area. It was a fatal mistake. I stopped swimming and dropped my feet and instantly began to sink. I felt fear begin to grip me. Not being one to give up easily I struggled back to the top, and tried to start swimming again. I soon sank back under the water and several times clawed my way back up to the surface. Finally exhausted and unable to make it back to the surface again I began to sink rapidly. It must have been very deep as I remember sinking and sinking. I knew I was going to die. I remember being somewhat afraid but not terrified. More then anything I was angry with myself. Even to this day, I clearly remember the thought passing through my mind as I said to myself “ Dwight, you have really gone and done it now, because you are so disobedient and stubborn you disobeyed once again and now because of it, you are going to die, and you are only nine years old.” I remember sinking looking up towards the surface as I struggled to hold my breath as long as possible. As I looked up I could see the lighter water as the sky shone down through it. I saw the surface so close but I was sinking fast as the water around me got darker and darker. I realized at that moment I had no hope, no chance of survival, unless somehow someone saved me. I remember thinking, God help me…
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Post by Rifleman on Dec 23, 2009 5:25:09 GMT -5
Twice Rescued- Part 1 continued
It was just then I saw something that was almost too good to be true. I saw a young man swimming down to me from the surface. I am going to make it; I am going to be saved! The strong young man easily swam directly to me and grabbed me up and took me to the surface. It was amazing! This young man, a teenager, was the on duty lifeguard stationed on the pier that day. As I look back I am still amazed that a teenager was actually taking his job seriously and paying attention. He saw me from the moment I left the shallows and watched me try to make it out to the pier. He no doubt could tell I was taking on more then I was capable of from the onset. At the moment I went down he dove from his platform and began to swim with all his might to my location. Even though I never saw him coming, my saviour saw I was going to perish if he did not intercede. By the time he made it to where I was last seen I had already gone under the last time. Taking a big breath he swam down and rescued me. When we got to the surface he pulled me back to the shallow water on the other side of the rope. When we got to where he could stand up, he picked me up in his arms and carried me to the beach. When we reached the shore he told me that he saw me leave the roped off area and somehow just knew I would not make it. He then asked me where my mother was and taking me firmly by the hand, took me to her. When we got to my mother, he told her what had happened. Horror is the only word I can use to describe the look on Mom’s dear face as he told her what had happened. With tears my mother thanked the young hero for saving her sons life. That day I was saved from physical death. I was unable to save myself or even assist in any way my rescue. I was without strength, ability, or anything at all that would rescue me or be of any help what so ever in my rescue. I was saved totally by the efforts of another human being. For this I am thankful. I never learned the name of the young man that saved me that day. I wish that I did and I wish there was someway today I could communicate to him my thankfulness for what he did.
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Post by Rifleman on Dec 23, 2009 17:41:40 GMT -5
Twice Rescued- part 2
So life went on. I grew up in church as my daddy is a Baptist preacher, and went to service every time the doors were open. I read the Bible all the way through by the time I was 14. I took pre-college courses on the Bible from the Moody Bible Institute via the mail. I had already made what is called a profession of faith when I was 5 years old. I still remember asking my Mom what it meant to be saved and if hell was real. She explained it to me the best she could I am sure. Somehow I still remember going off by myself in a corner and praying a prayer. I recall not being sure if all this was right or not, but I did not want to go to hell and thought if it was good enough for my Mom and Dad then it was good enough for me. So I asked the Lord to save me, but not really knowing if He did or not. I told my folks about my prayer and they encouraged me to get baptized, which I did. As I grew up and continued going to church and reading my Bible, I began to have serious doubts if I was really a Christian or not. I would go to my father and my mother who would dismiss these notions, telling me it was just the devil telling me such nonsense. After all had I not prayed a prayer asking God to save me? As I grew up in church I became more and more disillusioned with the whole thing. It might be all right for some, but how could one really know for sure they were going to heaven? I also became interested in other things such as sports, girls, guns, hunting etc., which are all normal things for a young man to become interested in. I also become more and more rebellious as I saw the weakness and fear of others. I hated both and hated when I saw them in my own life. Finally when I was old enough I joined the Marine Corps. I could not wait to get out on my own and see the world. The Marines taught me a lot. I grew up in the Corps so to speak. When I joined I was 144 lbs and 5’9”. At my discharge I was 175 lbs and 5’11”. I had also learned by experience much wickedness. I had fully given myself over to the lifestyle one would consider to be normal in that culture. Interesting thing though, all this time even though I still had doubts about my salvation and had no peace when I laid my head on my bed at night, I would comfort myself with the fact that I had prayed a prayer when I was 5, and that I must be saved just backslidden. I was very very wrong. Towards the end of my enlistment some things happened that showed me this lifestyle I now lived was not how I should spend my life. I remember one night making the decision that the right thing for me was to go back home, get back in church, and to “live right” for God. Somehow I thought that if I would get back in church and turn my life back over to God, then things would be OK. I came back home and returned to church. I was very faithful in my attendance and participation. I got married and adopted a son. I found gainful employment and bought a home for my family. On the outside life was good. God did bless me in many ways. A wonderful family and all I needed were mine except for one thing. I still had no peace. I still did not know for sure that when I died I would go to heaven. I spoke with many pastors about this problem. Some told me I was all right. But some told me the truth. They told me that not only could one know for sure, but that the truly saved DID know for sure. 1 John 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. This verse and others like it haunted me. I desperately wanted to know for sure that I was going to heaven. I wanted the peace that a few others I met seemed to have. I could not fathom how people through the ages could die a martyr’s death not knowing for sure. How could people serve God so faithfully without a sure knowledge that they would go to heaven? So I decided that I would study the Bible and learn all I could about the doctrine of salvation. I would become a subject expert on the topic. I would do this thing myself. It took me 3 years of intense study to learn a most important thing. One day while reading the Bible I came upon this verse: Revelation 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. Now this was a problem. I knew that deep inside I was afraid. I was fearful. I was afraid to die. I was afraid to face eternity. But why? Why was I so afraid? The answer was clear, because I did not believe. So that day I knew for sure one thing. I was lost. I was not saved, and if I died before I got truly saved I would undoubtedly split hell wide open. But what exactly did I need to believe to be saved? I had already learned there where many different theories/doctrines on salvation. The different religions did not agree. Even the different Christian denominations did not agree on how one gets saved. So again I determined to study, to find out for myself. I knew heaven and hell are very real. I saw one thing, very clearly. If I did not find the right answer, I was doomed.
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Post by Rifleman on Dec 23, 2009 17:46:48 GMT -5
Twice Rescued- Part 2 continued So I continued to study. I studied different religions somewhat, but it was clear to me from the beginning that all of them had glaring error with only a cursory exam. They all had no living God among many other problems. But what about all these different doctrines pertaining to salvation among the different Christian denominations? I studied the doctrines of the Calvanists and the Armenians. I study Lordship salvation, and I studied what some call “ Free Grace”. Just about everything one could find pertaining to salvation I studied. Along the way I made professions of faith. I thought I had “got it” but always soon thereafter I would again find I had no peace, no assurance. I still did not know 100 percent for sure that if I died I would go to heaven. But I would not give up, for I could not. I felt that if I did, I would certainly perish into a Godless hell. I stayed in church and continued to live my life the best I could. I learned that this was important as several passages of scripture showed me. Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Psalms 50:23 Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God. I was also encouraged by the account of Cornelius’s conversion found in Acts chapter 10. God continued to bless me in many ways. I was active in church and in different Christian activities. I knew that it was important for my own sake and for my family’s sake to live the best life I could. I had already learned the truth of this verse from my USMC days: Proverbs 13:15 Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard. I bear the scars on my body, my mind, and soul from things I did in my foolishness. No doubt, this verse is true just as the rest of the Bible is. But what was I to do? I finally came to the place where I had learned or so I thought, all there was to know about salvation. I could discuss theology with men who had Ph.D. typed behind their names. Some Pastors I spoke with about my dilemma would shake their heads. They did not know how to help me. I prayed about this matter every day, and yet still no answer from God, or so I thought, but He was teaching me. God did answer other prayers for me though in those days. I had asked Him for many things over the years, and He blessed me. Oh, how he blessed me. He made it clear over the years to me how His hand of blessing was upon me. My wife, who is the most precious woman I have ever known, He provided for me. My very home, was a gift from Him. When I had no job or even prospects for one, He gave me one far beyond anything I could hope for. God’s blessings were so great. In fact, it came to the point where God blessed me so much that it became a burden to me as I considered these verses: Romans 2:4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? Romans 2:5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; I knew that because of God’s goodness He had blessed me. I knew it was not because I was good, for I am not. Romans chapters 1-3 were sufficient to show me that I indeed was worthy of nothing but hell. I also knew that right now in this life God was blessing me to show me His goodness. But that somehow if I did not get saved, all these things that were a blessing to me now would become in the Day of Judgment, evidence against me. I also had learned that somehow, someway, one had to have faith in Jesus Christ. But was that it? How could just believing make up for all my sin? Not just my past sins, but my present sin as well. What about the sins I would no doubt commit in the future? I just did not understand; I could not understand. No matter how hard I tried, I just could not believe. Finally one day I gave up. I just gave up. I figured what was the use. I could go on studying and studying but if I had not figured it out by now, no doubt I never would. This was a very hard point for me to come to. I told God that night when I went to bed this, “God I am not saved. You and I both know it. I have tried to study all I could to figure this thing out, and I could not. I see my self as a drowning man far from shore in the dark and stormy sea. You are on the shore in the lighthouse. You are the lighthouse. Yet I struggle. I am drowning out here. I am soon to go down for the last time. I give up on my studies. I give up trying to figure this thing out. If you do not somehow reach down from heaven and save me, I will surely perish. I will surely die and spend eternity in hell. Oh God, please some how, some way, save me!”
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Post by Rifleman on Dec 23, 2009 17:51:36 GMT -5
Twice Rescued- Part 3 That was my prayer for many more nights. I did stop my studies. Shortly there after my dear friend, Ken Johnson from the Rodeheaver Boys Ranch, was at my home. I had spoken with him many times about my futile search for salvation. Always an encouragement to me, he gave me some wise advice. He told me, “Dwight, don’t study. Don’t try to figure it out. You never will. Just take God at His word and just relax. Just read His word. Let the word do what it does.” He reminded me of the promise of these two verses: Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Isaiah 55:11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
So I decided that is just what I will do. I will just relax and I will just read the Bible. Quit struggling to figure it all out, just read it and let God show me what He will. But you know despite all my struggling over the years, God had taught me many things. Now that I had reached the point where I was beginning to trust Him more, He showed me more. So I read my Bible and I prayed. But things were different. I had given up on my abilities to comprehend and figure this thing out. I realized I had no choice but to trust God to show me what it was I needed to see. Along the way there were several important things God showed me from His Holy Word. I cannot even begin to list them all, but here are a few examples: John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:2 The same was in the beginning with God. John 1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. John 1:4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. John 1:5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
John 1:9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. John 1:10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. John 1:11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not. John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: John 1:13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Ephesians 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Romans 3:10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
John 3:14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: John 3:15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. John 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. John 3:19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. John 3:20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
2 Corinthians 4:3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 2 Corinthians 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. 2 Corinthians 4:5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. 2 Corinthians 4:6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
Acts 4:10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. Acts 4:11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
Romans 5:6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. Romans 5:7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
So from the above passages and others like it, I was able to understand several key things. Jesus is God and took an active role in the creation with God the Father. Men are blind to who Jesus is and what He did for them because of their sin and unbelief. Jesus’ death on the Cross was for ungodly men; sinners like me. The Gospel was hidden from me. I was not only lost, but blind. The blood of Christ is what justifies us before God, not our good works. One has to be righteous to go to heaven, and I was not. Heaven is a perfect place and one must be perfect to get in. The debt for sin was death and I had no way to pay this debt.
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Post by Rifleman on Dec 23, 2009 17:53:53 GMT -5
Twice Rescued- Part 3 continued Many other key things God had and was showing me. Some I understood, but most I did not. Despite my years of study and struggling to understand I was still lost. But one day after all this time, I was out driving in my truck. I was thinking about all these things and trying to figure out, despite myself, how all these facts fit together without any success. But then a song came on the radio. I do not remember the name of the song or even most of the words, but the main message of the song was to Consider the Cross. I thought to myself I have done this many times, but then I prayed, “Lord, you know I have considered the cross many times, but if you want me to do it again, I will.” So I began to think of the cross with Jesus nailed to it suffering in great agony. All of a sudden I saw that when Jesus was nailed to the cross, so was my sin. That big, black, ugly mess that I saw when I looked into my own heart, my sin, was nailed to the cross. This verse came to mind: 2 Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
I was in awe! I realized that the only thing that was keeping me out of heaven was my sin. I also realized that that sin was nailed to the cross! Jesus my Saviour had paid for it and had taken it away. I was welcome in heaven. I was welcome to come to God the Father because of what Jesus had done on that cross over 2000 years ago. It did not depend on me. I did not have to do anything! I could not do anything. It was at the moment I was saved. No water baptism, no praying a prayer, no going forward in church, no trying to live better. No doing this, or not doing that. No trying to believe, for I DID believe! Simply my sin, all my sin, was nailed to that cross. I was so happy. I was in shock. My emotions, though I am somewhat stoic by nature ran all over the place. I thanked the Lord so much. Thank you God, Thank you Jesus, thank you, thank you, thank you. After all these years of being so wicked, so proud, trying to do it my way, trying to figure it out, trying to be a good man when in fact I was wicked, God gave me the grace and opened my eyes to the truth. Jesus Christ is the Saviour who died on Calvary’s cross and became my sin and with His precious blood paid my sin debt in full. I was just like a little child. I believed what He had done. I am still so happy and thankful for what my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ did for me that day over 2000 years ago. I saw that just like that day in the lake, a young man came down and saved me from physical death, God Himself came down from heaven and rescued me from spiritual death. I had no hand whatsoever in my rescue either time. God is so good! Praise be to God, and praise be to Jesus his only begotten Son!
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Post by Rifleman on Dec 23, 2009 17:59:41 GMT -5
Twice Rescued- Conclusion I am still amazed over two years later. This happened in March of 2007. I am not certain of the exact date, but that doesn’t matter. I know that on that day, I believed the gospel. I have peace now. I know it doesn’t depend on me. It does not depend on how I feel. I know my peace is the peace that Jesus made between me and God that day on the cross. And so that day I got life, spiritual life. Do I still sin? Sure I do, for I am a sinner. But in God’s eyes I am a righteous man. For when He looks at me He sees His Son and the blood on the mercy seat on the altar in Heaven. I get to go to heaven because of it. I still have a lot of learning and growing to do. But I have learned one thing and that is what the definition of a Saviour is. It is someone who saves me. If you don’t get anything else from this message, get this. A Saviour is one who saves those who cannot save themselves, and a Saviour is one who does the saving with no help from those he saves. You may say, as I did at one time, I find it hard to swallow that all you have to do to be saved is believe on Jesus and what he did on the cross. But the truth of the matter is that yes that is all one has to do. We have nothing to offer God of ourselves for we are lost sinners with no hope and no merit. Luke 2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
This is why we celebrate the birth of Jesus, this is what Christmas is all about. To trust Christ alone for salvation is not only all that you have to do, it is the only thing you can do… For you and I need a Saviour, not a helper.
I leave you with these words penned by the great songwriter Phillip P. Bliss. Hallelujah, What a Saviour! “Man of Sorrows!” what a name For the Son of God, who came Ruined sinners to reclaim.
Hallelujah! What a Savior! Bearing shame and scoffing rude, In my place condemned He stood;
Sealed my pardon with His blood.
Hallelujah! What a Savior!
Guilty, vile, and helpless we;
Spotless Lamb of God was He;
“Full atonement!” can it be?
Hallelujah! What a Savior! Lifted up was He to die;
“It is finished!” was His cry;
Now in Heav’n exalted high.
Hallelujah! What a Savior!
When He comes, our glorious King, All His ransomed home to bring, Then anew His song we’ll sing: Hallelujah! What a Savior!
Dwight Scifres -2009
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Post by ET on Dec 23, 2009 21:29:47 GMT -5
Rifleman
This I feel is a special post from you and will not alter the intended message with any comparison or comments. But will simply acknowledge it with “God Bless”.
Ed
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Post by ozark on Dec 23, 2009 21:39:29 GMT -5
Dwight, My experience in life has been so closely related to yours that if I wrote all about mine people would swear that I copied it from you. So, for me it is belevable completely. Thanks for sharing it. Ben
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Post by corvair on Dec 24, 2009 9:40:38 GMT -5
Thank you Dwight for sharing your experiences, your struggles, restoration and faith. I can honestly say I struggle with my sin, but I know that Jesus indeed has nailed it to the cross. Being human, we always try to reflect on our errored ways and it always weighs us down. It is tuff to get re-focused on Christ when life lets us down sometimes.
Your post was very well written and supported by scripture. I loved the swimming story from your youth and can compare it to a time when I was young and hit by a car. Thank you again for the beautifull message and sharing your faith.
p.s. I dont think I ever fully told you how much I appreciated you taking me fishing. When my sister was ill and dying with her cancer I was feeling very low and was really struggling with life. I kept praying for God to help me and he did by making me strong for the rest of the family. Later in the spring when you invited me to fish with you, I know you did that to help me because you knew the struggle I was having. Thank you Dwight for that fun and productive day. We talked about God and his Grace. Your willingness to take me with you and the conversation we had I will always remember!
God Bless you Dwight and have a Merry Christmas.
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Post by Rifleman on Dec 24, 2009 9:41:45 GMT -5
Thanks Ed and Ben for the kind words. Ben I would love to hear about it. You have a talent for writing and I can think of no better subject then to share what Christ has done for you.
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Post by Rifleman on Dec 24, 2009 9:45:06 GMT -5
Jack we must have hit the post button at the same time! I am glad that day was a help to you, I know I sure enjoyed it. I do believe that was the last striper caught in my boat too. I think we all struggle with sin, but I am beginning to believe we might not have too. I read in Romans where Paul talked of his struggle, but it sure does not seem like he stayed there. I do believe there is a higher plane of living in the Spirit. I am counting on God to show me that next.
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Post by petev on Jan 20, 2010 20:07:18 GMT -5
I am glad things are better for you now. I think that you are an honest, down to earth person, and as such was bound to find his peace at some time. One year ago I was getting scared- out of work, nothing really on the horizon, and too much free time, and I actually prayed for help. I got a job building a bridge over a God send of a trout river (as engineer), and thanked God for that, and I prayed that when there were conflicts on the job, that I would use good judgement, and now with the death of my sister last month, I have prayed again for good judgement, and every single time He has answered, and I have thanked Him. I still find it a little hard to believe, but I see so many things going on in the world that I don't want to be a part of, and yet the Bible and God are constant and good. Dwight, thank you for your post.
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Post by ozark on Jul 22, 2010 16:47:21 GMT -5
As I look back down the path that I have lived I can find plenty of evidence that I was in the protective hand of God. My mother was a prayer warrior and when informed that I was soon to move the family from Washington State to Arkansas and join my unit for Viet Nam. She wrote back that she had prayed about this and that she felt confident that I would not be going to Viet Nam. Since my departure date was just three weeks away you can imagine how much faith I had in her assurance that her prayers had been answered. On our last day of training before leaving I tore two discs loose in my back. Since I couldn't straighten up I was sent to a doctor. Many others were there with a variety of ailments hoping to avoid going to Nam. I sit bent in pain from 7:30 until after 11:00 before getting called in to see a doctor. He asked my problem and I told him. He went into another room and overheard him say: "Another back problem." His comment plus my severe pain made me blunt to the point of disrespect. He got me on a table flat of my back and with my legs stretched out. He then lifted my left leg straight up holding my heel. I screamed as a sharp pain ran down my right leg. I then got to a sitting position on his table and Said: Doctor, all I want from you is pain medicine. I need to get my family to Arkansas because my unit is deploying in two weeks. His attitude changed to that of compassion and he finally got me to lay back down promising to lift my right leg slowly so I could describe the pain. He was very tender during the rest of the exam. Finally, I again asked for pain pills. He then said: "You are not going to Viet Nam. They don't need you there to take care of. You are going directly to Madigan General Hospital from here. An ambulance will take you from here." I was rolled onto a wheeled table and taken to the hospital. I understand the doctor was tired of people trying to get out of going to Viet Nam but that didn't keep me from wanting to kill him. Going back to the begining of this long post, My Mother was right against more odds than anyone could imagine.
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Post by dougedwards on Jul 24, 2010 20:57:39 GMT -5
Wow.....I felt the Spirit of God shiver through my body as I read that. That one scripture concerning that God made Christ into sin, even though he knew no sin, so that we might become the righteousness of God in him. When I read it my flesh tells me that is just too good to be true. Why would God offer to sacrifice his precious son so that us wicked men could be called righteous??
So many of us question why God would be so gracious to us. Ever since Adam and Eve rebelled and ran and hid from God in the garden you would think that the rest of the history of man would be man seeking after God to make amends. Not so. We have been just too darned wicked and selfish. When we read the scriptures we find God seeking after man.
Thanks Dwight. That was powerful! I needed that tonight.
Doug
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Post by deadon on Jul 31, 2010 16:02:49 GMT -5
Wow.....I felt the Spirit of God shiver through my body as I read that. That one scripture concerning that God made Christ into sin, even though he knew no sin, so that we might become the righteousness of God in him. When I read it my flesh tells me that is just too good to be true. Why would God offer to sacrifice his precious son so that us wicked men could be called righteous?? So many of us question why God would be so gracious to us. Ever since Adam and Eve rebelled and ran and hid from God in the garden you would think that the rest of the history of man would be man seeking after God to make amends. Not so. We have been just too darned wicked and selfish. When we read the scriptures we find God seeking after man. Thanks Dwight. That was powerful! I needed that tonight. Doug What Doug Said!!!
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jaybe
Button Buck
Posts: 17
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Post by jaybe on Aug 16, 2010 15:21:45 GMT -5
Wow, Dwight - you sure are a miserable sinner!
Me too.
Praise the Lord for a Wonderful Savior!
"For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." - Mark 10:45
"Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners-- of whom I am the worst." - 1 Tim. 1:15
"He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world." - 1 John 2:2
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Post by alphaburnt on Jan 11, 2011 20:14:31 GMT -5
great experience and relating it! It is hard to let go and let God. I still struggle with letting him work through me. He hates pride. He wants us humble. We need to put off the old man, break those ties that bind. He talks of child like faith, cannot quote the scripture, but have heard/read it. A little child has no pride and is full of hope and anticipation, as we should be. Thanks for sharing. Never thought I would have a devotion on a muzzleloading forum, God is great!
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