The Mckameys sing a song...
Getting used to the dark.
As a Christian, can that be possible? We have more churches, more Bible book stores, more radio and TV preaching, more Gospel music shows, more Christian internet, more christian books written than at any time in past history.
Did you know...
We have more murders, rape, sexual violence, more divorce, more people worshipping satan, more children killing their own blood kin, more kids threating to hurt parents, more drugs, more alcohol abuse, more abortions, more suicides, more cults rising up, more homosexuals being given their rights, more pastors who have more than one living wife, just to name a few things.
Thank God, Jesus came to deliver and break the yoke of darkness and despair.
He gives light on His truth.
The following story is longer than usual.
It gives a perfect example how Jesus sets free the bound and oppressed, giving them reason to smile and be happy.
Story illustration A man by the name of Arnold Upwall, born in the then, backwoods of Kentucky, had parents that taught him there was no God Almighty.
That this church stuff was only a place for weak minded people who were not smart enough to know better.
Of course, Arnold believed this and became more an infidel than his parents.
On his 16th birthday, he came home from a hunting trip to find his parents brutely murdered.
This sight caused him to shake his fist toward the sky and bitterly curse anything or anyone up there.
For the next 5 years he wandered aimlessly, preaching everywhere he went that the grave ends it all and that God doesn't exist.
His heart was full of bitterness and hate.
On his 21st birthday, while on his way to a freemasonry meeting, in which a mason neighbor had invited him, he took sick and passed out.
He was found by a stranger passing through, and taken into town to the doctor.
He was sent home to die, as the doctor told him he had a rare disease that would kill him in less than one month.
Not any medicine could help him.
So he did go back home to wait it out.
Maragret a fine young Christian woman of 20 years old woke up early one morning and started to fix her breakfast, after reading her Bible and praying.
She began to have a strong urge to take a walk but shrugged it off as she had things she needed to do.
The urge kept coming however, stronger and stronger.
Laying down her iron, Margaret walked to the door, opened it and walked out.
She sensed Gods presence as she walked, somehow knowing Jesus was leading her on a divine mission.
What...
she didn't know.
After walking for what seemed an hour, she saw smoke rising from the other side of a hill.
Making her way down to the clearing, she saw a small log house.
She was afraid to enter so she peeped through a tiny window and gasped.
Lying on the floor was a unshaven man, his clothes appeared to be matted with filth, and he lay quietly.
She rushed into the house and saw dirty dishes all over the room and a smell of death seemed to invade the air she breathed.
Thinking the man must have tried to build a fire before dying, she rushed over to where he lay and looked into his face for the first time.
She was surprised to find him alive though his breathing was like hard labor.
So this was why God was directing her to walk.
If so, God had a purpose and plan.
Going to the wood stove, she managed to stir up a few coals and then putting small pieces of wood on top, got the fire going.
She heated water, and found enough stuff in the cupboard to make a thin soup like stew.
She washed his face, shaved him, and saw that death was not far off.
But, she knew, God had brought her here for a good reason.
(this is Arnold) " Dear Lord, you guided me here, now show me what to do," she quietly prayed.
As if the man heard her, he opened his eyes, and for the first time she realized he was about her age.
She walked back home and her neighbors, the traders, helped get the man to their house where she could doctor him.
Every day after washing him and giving him food, she got her Bible and read to him.
Sometimes, when he had a question on his face, she'd explain what she'd just read.
To everyone's astonishment, he seemed to grow stronger and more alert.
One day, while she was reading the Bible to him, "For God so loved the world...
" he spoke for the first time, "please read that again" and she did.
Three times he ask her to read it again and on the last time he spoke again, "Is that true?"She answered, "yes, all this book is true because it's the Bible, Gods Holy Word.
" Without knowing how or why, he fell down on his knees crying like a baby, asking God to forgive him and come into his life.
God gloriously saved him, healed his heart of hate and bitterness and filled it with the love of God.
Jesus also healed his body.
One year later, the young lady, Margaret and Arnold (yes the infidel who had only one month to live)were married.
God called him to preach, and he and Margaret spent the rest of their lives telling about the love of God how rich and pure.
Wonderful news...
Jesus will bring you out.
Right now, if you really want to, you can learn the easy, and quick steps to looking forward to waking up with Gods arms wrapped around you.
He loves you.
You'll look daily to the joy of praying and studying the Holy Word.
It will not be one bit boring.
You'll wonder why it wasn't this exciting before.
You'll receive abundant joy and peace.
Life will take on new meaning.
Jesus Christ lifts darkness away, like the beautiful spring sun dispels all fog.
He is our golden Sunshine forever.