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I first heard the Spirit of Messiah speak to me through a friend I"
loved from a distance". She spoke of believing in Jesus, and I knew at
that moment I could believe in Him. At the same time I understood
that to experience Him I had to go through the door of belief. I
had experienced divine revelation from the Father though I didn't
understand at the time what had happened. But my state of despair
and the heavy
intellectual veil lifted, and I tasted peace and assurance at that
moment that my life had worth and a future. This was May of 1973
near Rapid City, South Dakota.
On
returning to Southern California I began to read good things and to meet
good people, true friends who cared. There was the Catholic
Charismatic Renewal,
much
reading of the New Testament, a baptism in the Holy Spirit and a
willingness to follow as the Shepherd led. A Kathryn Kuhlman
service gave a big boost into
the
wonders of the God of compassion. A small revival involving
Calvary Chapel and Maranatha Music drew people together and led to a lot
of water baptisms, including my own. And I learned quickly that
perseverance was one basic secret in maturing as a believer. Later
as I read the Book of Revelation my heart grabbed onto the phrase of
John which spoke of his being our "brother and companion in the
suffering and Kingdom and patient endurance that is ours in Christ".
Our road is the narrow road, our path difficult. But it is the
only true walk by the Holy Spirit. We must always persevere even
in times of desert trials and worldly oppression. The Kingdom of life in
Yeshua is encompassed by suffering and patient endurance. The
cross we experience is death to our "self" and new life in Him.
Reality in Messiah is our food and drink. Discipleship found in
separating from the world and joining to Him. There is always joy
in the morning even as we face the final week of seven years written of
by Daniel, God's servant.
Thirty-six years later I am a husband, father, grandfather of two
small boys and have days of treasure in my life. My wife Carol and
I have moved about the country
ending up
for now in Arizona. We live simply and appreciate greatly what we
have.
The
Lord has given us many good circumstances with many genuine people.
I used to think that I was the one who found the treasure hidden in the
field, and sold all I had to buy that field. But now I know that
Yeshua is the one who sold all he had and bought the field with my
family and I as a part of the treasure he holds dear. The numerous
grassroots writings I've done over the years and always freely shared
are but a few bread crumbs offered as encouragement to any honest
seeker. The silver cord binds our body to our spirit-soul.
It is fragile. We are weak. Our God is strong and merciful.
To him be all praise.
Gary
Bertnick
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