BUTCHER

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The Pen is Mightier than the Sword ~ Edward Bulwer-Lytton (1803-1873)

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A Brief Introduction to Reg

Reg has been a widower for many years and lives alone in his own flat in Bournemouth, a thriving holiday resort on the South Coast of England [UK] – he is as active as he can be in his local church (serving as a deacon) as his health permits. For over seventeen weeks during 2008 Reg was in hospital.

HIS TESTIMONY

So there I was, taking things easy. I was, in fact, being propelled in my pram along the pavement by my Mum. My Dad had gone on ahead on his bike. So, at only just a few months old, where was I heading? Well, to church, of course. CHURCH!!! Did I protest? Not a word! Then, in 1932, I really had no choice. Now, in 2009, I do have a choice – and all because my parents carried out the advice given in the Bible: “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it” [Proverbs 22:6].

I asked Jesus to come into my life when I was seven years old. That time and that decision began for me the reality of Jesus, who as the years came and passed, influenced all that was to follow. Three major things (at least, major to me) happened when I was fourteen years old. My Mum, who was such a wonderful example of Christian living, had a stroke. She was unable to walk after this. The other two? I left school. I started work.

This began for me fifty four years of continuous employment, and I have enjoyed knowing God’s presence and providence during that period. During the two years I spent in the army, I found it difficult to be a Christian. All the teaching I had received over the years, however, enabled me to realise the keeping power of God.

The goodness of God to me as a senior citizen (OAP, if you prefer!) in retrospect has been amazing. To give a detailed testimony of this would take a very long time. So back to my teenage years. The Bible says, “Even a child is known by his/her actions” [Proverbs 20:11]. God spoke to me through an evangelist in a very positive way. As a parent should discipline children, so I felt just like a child who had misbehaved. The Bible also says, “Do not withhold discipline from a child” [Proverbs 23:13].

Because I knew that God my Heavenly Father loved me, I also knew that He had sent His Son to die on the Cross for me. Because of this wonderful sacrifice, I knew that my sins could be forgiven. The next move had to be mine. I had to make an important decision. So I asked for God’s forgiveness, and because of His promises, He forgave me. I knew then, as I know now, that Jesus rose from the dead and became my Saviour. He said, “Behold I am alive for ever and ever!” [Revelation 1:18]. Because of that great truth, I know the assurance that Jesus is mine, and I can serve Him in my retirement with JOY in my heart, knowing His presence through the good and difficult times.

Not so many people come from a home like mine. The church teaching I was to hear over the years has been a rich experience. If you do not know God’s love in your life, please feel free to ask for guidance from this Pen4God Ministries Web-site. This is an experience everyone should know. Make your decision today. Let Jesus into your life now!

God be with you.

Reg has been making a personal Bible study of the letters of Paul and it all began while he was in hospital.

We are happy to feature Reg’s personal studies with his own illustrations here at the Pen4God Global Ministries Visitors Centre, and pray that as they receive global coverage through this site many will be blessed.

There was a reason for writing what follows and it began in hospital. About 2 weeks before my discharge, one morning around 10 am I was feeling down and discouraged. I had been there 10 weeks and because of infection spent this time in my own room although I was able to walk in the ward before returning to my room and chatting with a few patients on the way. This is where you put your imagination in gear. I was sitting in a chair and on my right was my bed; on my left was a therapeutic view of a lake complete with ducks, a heron some times, swans, some fish and rabbits (they were on the bank) pigeons and doves flocking together completes the picture. Nearly every day around 10 am I endeavoured to open my Bible for the day’s reading. The hustle and bustle of hospital is quietened a bit. On this particular morning my Bible first opened at the book of Jude. That this was God’s guidance I was certain. He knew how I felt that morning and I was cheered and encouraged as I read the first 3 verses “Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James, To those who have been Called, who are Loved by God the Father and Kept by Jesus Christ: Mercy, Peace and Love be yours in abundance”. Those words lifted my spirit and put Joy in my heart. Those words were given to me by God and prompted me to investigate Paul’s letters. I had heard them preached many times but I wanted to see as a personal exercise, to whom was he speaking and why he chose to start his letters as he did. What follows is not intended to be another commentary as there are hundreds of those. The sections which I have included, strengthened my faith as I read of God’s power at work.

The importance of looking at Paul’s life before his preaching mission is of paramount importance. We read of this in the book of Acts. Luke wrote Acts of the apostles as well as his gospel. Luke accompanied Paul on some of his journeys. Acts records how the church carried the gospel from Jerusalem to Rome. In planting local churches across the Roman empire was a demonstration of God’s power working through men in their faithful calling.

(Acts 6:7) “ So the word of God spread. The numbers of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith. Acts 6:8 tells us of a man who did miraculous signs and wonders among the people, a man full of God’s grace and power; his name was Stephen. Opposition arose and men from the synagogue persuaded others to accuse Stephen of blasphemy. Filled with the Holy Spirit, he speaks at length to the council. ‘all were looking intently at him and saw that his face was like the face of an angel’(Acts 6:15).

“When they heard this they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. He saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. “Look” he said “I see heaven open and the Son of man standing at the right hand of God”. At this they covered their ears and yelling and screaming they dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. The witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. There Stephen died after praying “ Lord Jesus receive my spirit”. After falling on his knees he cried out “ Lord, do not hold this sin against them” (7:54-60). Saul was there and gave it his approval and may have organised it. Acts 9 tells us that Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He wanted letters from the high priest, to synagogues in Damascus allowing him to take Christians to Jerusalem as prisoners, a journey of about 150 miles.

This was to be a journey of a lifetime.