God can use anything to get our attention. In my case, a simple chain of events changed the course of my life. I married Doug. Doug served in the Air Force. The Air Force moved us to Missouri. In Missouri we met some new friends. The friends invited us to a movie.
The movie, “A Thief in the Night,” told what could happen in the end-times. Though I attended church all my life, and had read parts of the Bible, the things described in the movie were new to me. Frankly, seeing the movie shook us significantly. We both came away from it wondering, “Is all that stuff really in the Bible?”
We decided to read through the Bible over the next year and find out. It wasn’t difficult. We read about three chapters a day. For me, it became a year of discovery. I learned many often heard expressions originated in the Bible. I saw America’s legal system was based on biblical principles. I saw that some of the things presented in the movie were indeed part of the Bible. But I didn’t understand it all. I had more questions.
So, I kept reading. The next time I read through the Bible, I used a One Year Bible. Each day’s reading included passages from the Old Testament, the New Testament, Psalms and Proverbs. I began to see connections between the Old and New Testaments I had not seen before. Jesus became more real to me. I saw how the truth in the Bible related to my daily life. God spoke to me through the Scriptures as He used something in my daily readings to answer questions on my mind. The Lord began to change me as I recognized sin in my life. For example, I viewed sarcasm as just a form of humor. I let it go when I saw how hurtful words could be.
Subsequent readings kept showing me new things. Even familiar verses I had read many times could reveal something new. The Bible is more than an instruction manual. It gives guidance, reassurance and peace to carry us through difficult personal experiences. It helps us navigate through the chaos of the world around us. The Bible showed me the character of God. I learned to trust Him. The Bible not only answered some of my questions about what is to come, but it put all of the past, present and future in perspective. I learned God is sovereign over all of history. He has a plan, and He is working it out. Earthly rulers come and go. Some of their schemes are evil. But nothing will thwart God’s plans, and His plans are good. That knowledge gives me comfort.
Is all that stuff really in the Bible? Yes, and a whole lot more.
A movie changed my life because it drew me into the Bible. The more I study, the more I realize how much I don’t know. I know God is all-powerful, He is wise beyond our understanding and He is perfect in all of His ways. But I have barely scratched the surface of His depth. Job said it well. After he recounted mighty things God had done, he said, we only see the outer fringe of His works. It is exciting, really. Because God is infinite, we will spend all of eternity getting to know Him better.
And these are but the outer fringe of his works; how faint the whisper we hear of him! Who can understand the thunder of his power? Job 26:14
Blessings,
Phyllis
I would love to hear your thoughts. Please leave a comment below.
Image by Spencer Wing from Pixabay
Copyright 2023 Phyllis L. Farringer
Awesome
Thank you, George
Very meaningful! You helped with the long view of history that nothing will thwart God’s plans. Reading the living Word of God can make a huge difference in our lives. Thank you, Phyllis.
Thank you, Charlotte
Love this Phyllis!
Thank you, Holly
Phyllis,
My husband and I both enjoyed this. Thank you so much.
Thank you, Debby. I am glad you enjoyed it.