Forty-Eight

2Co 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Yesterday I celebrated forty-eight years as a child of God. In 1960 as a ten year old Sunday School boy I sat in the second row, left side, of the Ashland Avenue Baptist Church, Norwood, Ohio. I listened once again to my pastor, Herstle Mayfield, preach the Word of God. The wickedness of my sin and the fires of hell became a reality to me. The Holy Spirit convicted me of my sin and I thought my heart would burst inside of me. I remember taking the first step into the aisle, but I cannot remember any of the steps that got me to the altar that day. I fell into the altar bench and looked up to see my Sunday School teacher, Mr. Bill Pruit, come out of the choir loft and rush to my side. He opened his Bible and began to read from the book of Romans. My tears fell upon the pages of that Bible as I gave my heart and placed my faith in Jesus Christ. I was gloriously saved by God’s grace that day. My father and mother stood by me as our pastor presented me to the church for baptism. The following Sunday evening I was immersed in water by the pastor in obedience to Christ’s command.

It has been quite a journey over the years and it is not over. I have been overwhelmed as the Word of God burned in my heart and I have had periods of dullness when my ears were deaf to it. I have had the privilege of giving the Gospel to others and see the same miracle work in their hearts. I have baptized some of those as they have followed their Saviour. God’s call upon my life has allowed me to travel this country, preaching and singing. I have preached the Word in Taiwan; on Mars Hill in Athens, Greece; on the isle of Patmos in the Aegean Sea; at Megiddo in the Jezreel Valley; in the jungles of Thailand to lepers; to U.S. soldiers in Germany and a German church; in a train station in Hungary; and, a Bible Institute in Romania. And just about the time I would think the journey could bring no more, the Lord has opened another door of opportunity. How thrilling!

Forty-eight years may seem a long time to man, but it is not even a blink of God’s eye. There is no telling what is in store for the days ahead. To some, politics and war and economy bring a bleak picture. But (to borrow the words of a chorus) “Everyday with Jesus is sweeter than the day before.”

Pr 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.