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Witness: The First Day of the Rest of My Life
After my divorce I was far less than a confident young man full of drive and focus. My life had been turned upside down and was a single Father with my three-year-old son. I was financially strapped, but I still had a remnant of my family and a purposeful life with my very beloved first-born Son. (Note that this occurred before any of the foretelling was revealed.)
I had decided we would attend the church where my wife and I had gotten married five years earlier. It was here that we learned of the foundation of saving Grace through the Lord Jesus Christ. Although I had been a believer since very young, I had never experienced the Word as it spoke to my heart in such a very personal manner. Although I did not know this Pastor personally, while he was speaking it felt that he did knew me and my experiences personally and was speaking directly to my heart. I was alone there in the service as my three-year-old son was in his classroom. But, within this congregation of 200 people I felt he was talking directly to me.
Weeks went by as I continued to attend service as it seemed the Lord was speaking directly to me. As a result, I started reading the Bible again. I started in Genesis. But soon lost interest as I wanted to get to the 'meat' so to speak. I must say that the Gospel of John, Acts and Romans had a profound impact on me. Now knowing who God was, what he accomplished and how finished and complete His sacrifice was put me on a confident path.
At that time, I was in the printing industry and my job took me to the annual trade show in Chicago. There, many printing machines and techniques were on display with printing samples of their wonders. One machine was printing stick-on labels. I gathered a bag full, and I surprised my son with them. How fun it was as we put stickers all over his bike; upon which we recently had taken off the training wheels.
That night, I was woken up by pots and pans being banged together as well as very loud banging on the stove. Once I was awake, I was confronted by a very imposing demon who came near me and spoke to me face to face, “I could kill you right now.” In response I boldly, recalling Jesus’ words and I said, “You can’t hurt a hair on my head.” At that moment he and his gang were gone from my apartment. At that moment I saw the Lord Jesus imposed on in my bedroom wall. All was calm by his standards and his countenance was clearly present.
That morning, being full of the Spirit with Joy and purpose, my beloved Son, who had no question about that night’s ruckus came running into my room with a round sticker stuck on the tip of his finger. It said, “Today is the first day of the rest of your life.” I had never felt such confirming Joy in my heart.
But, through my trials and tribulations I can always look back at the First Day of the rest of my life. It is one of my Faith Anchors. Recalling it always gives me Joy and I’m still in awe of the power of the Word of the Lord. He is the Creator. When He speaks it is what things become. Thank you, Jesus
After my divorce I was far less than a confident young man full of drive and focus. My life had been turned upside down and was a single Father with my three-year-old son. I was financially strapped, but I still had a remnant of my family and a purposeful life with my very beloved first-born Son. (Note that this occurred before any of the foretelling was revealed.)
I had decided we would attend the church where my wife and I had gotten married five years earlier. It was here that we learned of the foundation of saving Grace through the Lord Jesus Christ. Although I had been a believer since very young, I had never experienced the Word as it spoke to my heart in such a very personal manner. Although I did not know this Pastor personally, while he was speaking it felt that he did knew me and my experiences personally and was speaking directly to my heart. I was alone there in the service as my three-year-old son was in his classroom. But, within this congregation of 200 people I felt he was talking directly to me.
Weeks went by as I continued to attend service as it seemed the Lord was speaking directly to me. As a result, I started reading the Bible again. I started in Genesis. But soon lost interest as I wanted to get to the 'meat' so to speak. I must say that the Gospel of John, Acts and Romans had a profound impact on me. Now knowing who God was, what he accomplished and how finished and complete His sacrifice was put me on a confident path.
At that time, I was in the printing industry and my job took me to the annual trade show in Chicago. There, many printing machines and techniques were on display with printing samples of their wonders. One machine was printing stick-on labels. I gathered a bag full, and I surprised my son with them. How fun it was as we put stickers all over his bike; upon which we recently had taken off the training wheels.
That night, I was woken up by pots and pans being banged together as well as very loud banging on the stove. Once I was awake, I was confronted by a very imposing demon who came near me and spoke to me face to face, “I could kill you right now.” In response I boldly, recalling Jesus’ words and I said, “You can’t hurt a hair on my head.” At that moment he and his gang were gone from my apartment. At that moment I saw the Lord Jesus imposed on in my bedroom wall. All was calm by his standards and his countenance was clearly present.
That morning, being full of the Spirit with Joy and purpose, my beloved Son, who had no question about that night’s ruckus came running into my room with a round sticker stuck on the tip of his finger. It said, “Today is the first day of the rest of your life.” I had never felt such confirming Joy in my heart.
But, through my trials and tribulations I can always look back at the First Day of the rest of my life. It is one of my Faith Anchors. Recalling it always gives me Joy and I’m still in awe of the power of the Word of the Lord. He is the Creator. When He speaks it is what things become. Thank you, Jesus