TRANSFORMATION
TRANSFORMATION
Born in a Christian family, like most of the Christian kids I grew up listening to Bible stories. Genesis tells us the story of creation; it says God took 6 days to complete His work of art, the Creation. It also tells us that it took just a few minutes for a man to destroy this great work of art. Man declares independence from God and parts. A brother kills his own brother taking authority over the life, which is legitimately God’s. And in that sinful world I am born.
And to restore this world, and me God condescended Himself into human form Jesus Christ, who shed His blood to restore that work of art. It took God 32 painful years to make me realize that He is the Lord of all creation and Lord of my life, my resource and my perfect foundation. For those 32 years I lived, as I wanted, without God. Did whatever pleased me, aimless, no map. Jerry says that he doesn’t understand why maps are there in the Bible. But I think maps are important, they help us to know where we are, to locate. The map says, “You are here”. Psalmist says, “thy word is lamp unto my path.” God’s word is our map.
Well, like most of the guys. I felt lost and uncomfortable. I asked myself what am I doing? Where am I going? How did I get here? God answers our questions in many different ways. During those days I was reading interview of Jim Morrison the leader singer of THE DOORS. To one of the questions he answers “there is a door between the known and the unknown and I am looking for that door”. Well, this statement sounded so familiar I recalled something similar somewhere, and I called my brother Steve and asked is there anything like this in any of the statements Jesus made. He asked me to read Gospel of John. I asked for that specific reference he asked me to read the entire gospel. I started reading and came to John 10:9, which says, “I am the door and the person who enter through me will be saved and will be able to come in and go out and find pasture”. I enjoyed reading and it seemed like God was speaking to me. And I came to John 14:6 where Jesus says, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me”. I thought to myself this is the answer. In those days I was kind of lonely depressed, I was on leave just stayed home read chapter 9 and 14 over and over again with cigarette in one hand, tears rolling down. In those chapters Jesus tells us to be obedient He says, “if you are obedient, ask me anything I will do it”. Chapter 9 tells that Jesus is a caring shepherd, my caring shepherd. This made a great impact on my life. All I needed was care, without expecting anything Jesus made that offer.
Thatz where I stopped, and let God direct my path. It’s not that easy to give up the past. Changing and growing into a new person is a slow and painful process. But when God says, I want you “I will never leave you” He means it. He sees you through and He moulds us into His image. I accepted Him as my savior and my Lord. Since that time God ministered to me in various ways. He put me amidst God’s people, gave me a lively church Delhi Bible Fellowship (Central Congregation). Bible studies in small groups, PDL campaigns, God gave me many opportunities to dig into His word and grow closer to Him. Through Cell groups the church helps dig deep into the Bible, cares. Cell group provides an ideal atmosphere for people to understand and make a commitment to Christ through interacting with growing Christians.
2005 I lost my father, whether father does anything for us or not, just the presence of father is great courage and comfort. During that period my cell group and the other church members have been such a great source of encouragement and strength. I owe much of my transformation to my cell group. Hard times and hard answers bring growth. Unfortunately growth can be a slow process. But the result is far beyond what you could ever achieve on your own. Romans 5:3-5 tells us “to rejoice in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance, and perseverance, character and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”
My desire is to help people know Jesus Christ by allowing God to work through me, as He desires.
And to restore this world, and me God condescended Himself into human form Jesus Christ, who shed His blood to restore that work of art. It took God 32 painful years to make me realize that He is the Lord of all creation and Lord of my life, my resource and my perfect foundation. For those 32 years I lived, as I wanted, without God. Did whatever pleased me, aimless, no map. Jerry says that he doesn’t understand why maps are there in the Bible. But I think maps are important, they help us to know where we are, to locate. The map says, “You are here”. Psalmist says, “thy word is lamp unto my path.” God’s word is our map.
Well, like most of the guys. I felt lost and uncomfortable. I asked myself what am I doing? Where am I going? How did I get here? God answers our questions in many different ways. During those days I was reading interview of Jim Morrison the leader singer of THE DOORS. To one of the questions he answers “there is a door between the known and the unknown and I am looking for that door”. Well, this statement sounded so familiar I recalled something similar somewhere, and I called my brother Steve and asked is there anything like this in any of the statements Jesus made. He asked me to read Gospel of John. I asked for that specific reference he asked me to read the entire gospel. I started reading and came to John 10:9, which says, “I am the door and the person who enter through me will be saved and will be able to come in and go out and find pasture”. I enjoyed reading and it seemed like God was speaking to me. And I came to John 14:6 where Jesus says, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me”. I thought to myself this is the answer. In those days I was kind of lonely depressed, I was on leave just stayed home read chapter 9 and 14 over and over again with cigarette in one hand, tears rolling down. In those chapters Jesus tells us to be obedient He says, “if you are obedient, ask me anything I will do it”. Chapter 9 tells that Jesus is a caring shepherd, my caring shepherd. This made a great impact on my life. All I needed was care, without expecting anything Jesus made that offer.
Thatz where I stopped, and let God direct my path. It’s not that easy to give up the past. Changing and growing into a new person is a slow and painful process. But when God says, I want you “I will never leave you” He means it. He sees you through and He moulds us into His image. I accepted Him as my savior and my Lord. Since that time God ministered to me in various ways. He put me amidst God’s people, gave me a lively church Delhi Bible Fellowship (Central Congregation). Bible studies in small groups, PDL campaigns, God gave me many opportunities to dig into His word and grow closer to Him. Through Cell groups the church helps dig deep into the Bible, cares. Cell group provides an ideal atmosphere for people to understand and make a commitment to Christ through interacting with growing Christians.
2005 I lost my father, whether father does anything for us or not, just the presence of father is great courage and comfort. During that period my cell group and the other church members have been such a great source of encouragement and strength. I owe much of my transformation to my cell group. Hard times and hard answers bring growth. Unfortunately growth can be a slow process. But the result is far beyond what you could ever achieve on your own. Romans 5:3-5 tells us “to rejoice in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance, and perseverance, character and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”
My desire is to help people know Jesus Christ by allowing God to work through me, as He desires.
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