A Note from Pastor Rich
January 23, 2000
Scripture tells us that the Word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword. It's good to be reminded of its power to touch people's lives.
A minister visited a nobleman in a Russian prison. He read a passage of
Scripture and prayed, but his words met with solemn contempt. Before leaving,
the pastor gave the man a Bible and urged him to read it. No sooner had the
minister left than the angry prisoner kicked the book into the corner. "The
Word of God, indeed!" he thought. "Why is this God not meting out
justice to the tyrants who are abusing me?"
As the days passed, a terrible loneliness nearly drove him out of his mind. Snatching the Bible from the floor, he opened it. His first glance fell on these words from Psalm 50:15: "And call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver thee." He was surprised and touched by such a pointed invitation, yet pride prompted him to shut the Bible and drop it. The next day, desperation compelled him to seek the only companion of his solitude.
This time he began to study its pages, seeing himself as a sinner, he opened his
heart to Christ. His waking hours, which were formerly spent wallowing in
self-pity and bitterness, were now being given to his newfound Friend. The
shadows of death and injustice gave way to new light from another world.
A policeman gives another example of the influence of the Word. "Last
spring I was called as a police backup unit to one of the most dangerous bars in
our city. I arrived to see over 100 people milling around the parking lot. This
bar is known for its knife and gunfights, so I was surprised to hear a
loudspeaker over the crowd. Someone was reading the Bible over a
microphone.
By the time I got near to the person reading, I realized that it was the bartender saying, 'It's Sunday morning now and you need to get ready for church, so you better get a move on!' When the crowd continued to stare, he began again. 'Now for the gospel of John....' Immediately and peacefully the parking lot was emptied."
Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.
Your Servant,
Rich
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This site is maintained by David Gaddis. You can reach him via e-mail at dwgaddis@teleport.com |