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God fulfilled
promises to me when I was young that I did not recognize at the time. Had I
realized them my life would have been more fulfilling.
From the time
I was a small child, my mother taught me about God, his word, and his son,
Jesus Christ. I have believed in them all of my memory span. When I entered
adolescence I became aware that a few things I did and said were sins
against God. Repentance was explained to me and I repented of my sins with a
determination to quit them, Luke 13:3-5. To anyone who would ask me I would
confess my faith in God and his son Jesus Christ, Matthew 10:32.
At home, in
Bible class, and at the church services I heard Mark 16:16, "He that
believeth and is baptized shall be saved." I was baptized at the age of
thirteen, I was satisfied I was saved from my sins. That was comforting to
know, but I had not expected to be as happy as I was. I wished I could feel
that good always. I felt more peace, joy, love and hope than I had ever
known before.
I had
ordinary peace before but there was a surge of peace with everyone and with
the poverty we were in. Joy that I could not believe was in my heart. Love
stronger than I thought possible filled my being. Hope of a home in heaven
was so real to me. Those strong feelings lasted for weeks.
It was some
time before I began to notice those feelings had ebbed away. Had I
understood why I had the feelings and how to keep them they would have
remained with me all of my life.
During my
sixty-five years of preaching I baptized a few hundred people, and every one
of them experienced more happiness than they expected. Had I known then what
I have learned this year I could have explained to them why they were so
happy. I am glad I have at last found the answer, and I want to share it
with you in my next web page.
In the
meantime keep reading your Bible daily, and you will have more blessings
than you ever expected to have. You can add more joy to what you already
have.
Harvey
Childress, servant of Jesus Christ. |
