Bible Study is Life Changing
My lifestyle revolved around drugs and my drug associates. Totally ignorant of the Bible, of God! Taught as a child never to discuss politics or religion I didn’t. I lived in the country in New Zealand. We were in drought, no rain for 12 weeks; strong hot winds dried the land.
One morning I woke thinking “Something good is going to happen today!” – Just in my mind, stirring in the pit of my stomach. Resisting starting my day with drugs I waited. By 10am I was agitated. My mother arrived unexpectedly I asked her to look after my infant son while I walked to intercept an associate on his way to my place. After 20 minutes I arrived at the main road south. No footpaths, only long dry grass brittle from lack of rain. I stood in indecision – “Should I go back, should I walk on?” I hesitated then something shining brightly caught my eye.
Bending over I picked up a tiny piece of paper, white, reflecting the sun. I read “The Holy Bible” it was the front page of a tiny Bible. I was about to let it go when I saw another page in the grass and as I bent over I could see others – over 30 meters I picked up a little Bible scattered in pieces, the pages were water stained and grass grew through the spine. Holding it I was overwhelmed with the thought “How come this hasn’t blown away? It must have been here for at least 12 weeks” “It’s been wet and we’ve had no rain!” This kept going over and over in my mind.
I didn’t read the tiny print – but as I held it I suddenly knew “There is a God!” then “If there is a God -- He has seen what I have done with my life!” --- Shame, humiliation and remorse washed over my soul. I wept for hours. But as I walked home I was set free from drugs, alcohol and all the other rubbish. I was clean and all I had done was hold the Bible!
I found a pastor who introduced me to Christ and said read the Bible and pray!
I began Bible Study that first night. I just believed that what it said were the Words of God and therefore true. I did not doubt it.
- Bible Study was my education – l learned to read and write from studying it.
- Bible Study began to renew my mind – showing me how distorted my perspectives of life were.
- Bible Study uncovered my weaknesses – the very things I had thought made me strong, the toughness, aggression and violence.
But it was in Bible Study that I began to find Christ and forgiveness and healing – I can still remember 20 years later reading Psalm 103 : 1-5 and especially verse 3 – “Who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases.”
Bible Study has not only changed my life it compels me on towards Him – O to know Jesus Christ in all His Glory!!