At a meeting in Kitchener Ontario, I was impressed with a Fireman from the KW Fire Department who shared his testimony. He shared about his Christian mother who always encouraged him to read his Bible every day. And like a lot of young men, he didn’t like his mother hounding him every day. When he graduated from high school he went to study at the university of his choice. When his mother packed his suitcase she included his Bible. The last piece of advice she gave him as she said goodbye was, "Remember to read your Bible every day (2 Tim. 3: 16 - 17) and Jesus will supply your all your needs.” He replied, "Oh yes, I’ll read my Bible every day,” knowing that he wouldn't do it. So off he went to university.
After a few months, he ran short of money. He called his mother and asked if his parents could help him. She said, "I’m sorry my son, we don’t have any money for you. But if you will read your Bible every day, Jesus will supply what you need.” (Philip. 4: 19) Tongue in cheek he replied, "Yes Mom, I’ll read my Bible every day.” But he never did.
And every time he needed money, he would call his mother to ask for more. And each time she would give him the same answer, "Son, if you read your Bible every day, Jesus will help you." Continually he lied to her and said, "Yes, I’m reading my Bible every day, but I still need money.” (Ps. 63: 11)
The time came when he finally had to drop out of university because he just didn't have any money left. He got a job as a fireman, got married and then had children. Thirty years went by and his mother finally died. Feeling bad for his loss, he remembered his old Bible and dug it out of his old suitcase to read it. Much to his shock, tucked into one of its pages, was all the money he needed to complete his university education!
He realized that after all those years his mother knew that he had been lying to her! He also realized his disobedience cost him his education! But his mother continued to love him despite of his lies. Knowing this, he fell to his knees asking Jesus to forgive him and to baptize him with the Holy Spirit. (Mk. 16: 17 - 18) When he told his father about what happened, he too asked Jesus for forgiveness and he was baptized with the Holy Spirit too. (Acts. 2: 4)
It is important to be honest, no matter how difficult things may seem to be. Just like this man's mother, we need to follow the encouragement that other Christians give us. Some think that our God is someone we can lie to and yet we expect Him to meet all our needs! (Philip. 4: 19)
We need to stop and say, "Thank you Jesus for our Salvation, the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and for all the "benefits of our Salvation”. (Ps. 103) We need to learn to return to Jesus just like one of the 10 lepers who was healed of leprosy did praising and thanking Him. (Lk. 17: 15 -16)
If you have not received Salvation, the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, healing or prayer for your needs, come to one of our meetings or phone me. I will be happy to pray with you.
