New Life Presbyterian Church of Dresher

A Compass for Life

Looking back it's hard to believe how messed up my life was before God intervened. As a kid I loved athletics, music and fun (not school work). As the parties started-up so did my appetite for alcohol. All through high school and college I partied a lot and got into my share of trouble, but without the demands of work in my life I was able to maintain and even to succeed in my sports and scholastic endeavors. Then came graduation and with it full time "in the office accountability." I was a "late in - early out" guy, and it wasn't long before I was messing things up. Soon I started taking "uppers" to get the energy to maintain my party lifestyle. Trouble abounded-broken relationships, court date for DUI, kicked out of apartments, you name it. Finally, I was let go at work. I had no job, no car, no apartment, no money and nowhere to look but up. At this point a high school friend had invited me to visit a local church and I went to get relief from my addictions. What I got was immeasurably more.

At that point, I was completely powerless to escape all the problems that seemed to imprison me. But in Jesus, I saw that I could be free from these things. I understood that Christ died on the cross for MY sins! All the terrible things I had done were forgiven! Not only that, but Christ had risen from the dead, showing that he was more powerful than even death. I saw that his power was also greater than the things that were killing me, and that he could give me that power if I would trust in him.

When I believed in Jesus' work for me, he changed me in some radical, amazing ways. He removed my desire for alcohol twenty years ago! I soon saw that a truly, deeply happy life which I had never found in the party scene) was only found in relationship with Jesus. The old desires were replaced by new desires, to know God more and more. God also gave me a secure eternal destiny. I took great comfort in knowing that when I died, I would be with God forever, in Heaven! And what could be better than that?
The challenges of life have not changed, but I have. God's faithfulness in all circumstances has taught me to depend on him daily, and his blessings have been a secure family, meaningful relationships, and a moral compass for direction in business and in life. Believe me, I'm not perfect, but I am forgiven. God has this gift for all of us. We can't earn it and we don't deserve it. But it can be ours, through faith in his son, Jesus.

If you've read this much about it, I know God is knocking at the door of your heart. Just open it up and let him in. You can't believe what a difference God makes in your life.

"But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known,
to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes
through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference,
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely
by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented
him as a sacrifice of atonement through faith in his blood."
Romans 3:21-25