God’s News 4~2Day Monday July 22nd 2019
Studied with the King James Bible
 
 
TROY’S  FIRST  PRAYER
 
 
9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man has not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
 
 
 
Troy was desperate. No matter what he tried to resolve the issues causing turmoil between his thoughts, they just didn’t work for him. Troy had tried just about everything folks, he then turned to seeking peace. But his mind rejected everything he tried, whether it was beer, alcohol, pot, you name it, Troy had tried it.
 
 
 
One day at work Troy had an episode during lunch break. All the turmoil had reached its limit, causing him to lash out at his boss and quit his job. Still unable to think clearly, Troy decided to take a walk in the park near his house. After walking a while, he found his favorite park bench under two huge oak trees trying to calm his thoughts.  But the vision of the fatal car crash which took his wife and children away, as well as his life's dreams, kept running through his mind.
 
 
 
Troy had never been a very religious man, he only knew the basics about God, so, it was that the thought of praying struck him odd, but he told himself, “what the hey, why not give this God a try? What do I have to lose?" So, he knelt and began to say this prayer.
 
 
 
Troy’s prayer
"Ah God, I guess that’s your name. You probably don’t know me, but I’ve heard about you. I heard you are a loving God full of peace and joy. And that’s something I need a lot of right now so I’m coming to you sir. I don’t know what else I can do God. I’m not able to think clearly, and I’m not sleeping well. So, here I am now praying to a God I’m no more than a stranger to, asking for a little peace of mind. Do you hear me God? I do believe in you Sir I know your Son’s name is Jesus Christ, in fact aren’t you two the same God or something like that? So, can you, will you help me sir, God, can you?"
 
 
 
A little less than two minutes later, Troy found himself still sitting on a park bench nearly ready to give up on God already. When he stood up, he saw a young couple walking on the hiking trail, they were laughing, smiling, holding hands, all excited and in good Spirits. As they were walking past Troy, he just had to know how anyone could have that kind of peace, so, Troy being who he is, just flat out asked them, “How is it even possible for you to be so happy and in such high spirits?"
 
 
 
The couple were momentarily shocked at this sudden question for a moment but then told him. ‘You mentioned spirits, so I believe you already know sir.’ ‘How’s that', Troy asked?’ The Stranger told him, ‘It’s our spirits sir they replied.’ We have the Holy Spirit inside us. This morning was a sad one for us sir, my wife’s father passed away, and Satan has tried to bring our spirits down in many ways, so, we had to send his ugly spirit away.
We come to the park when we need to hang out with our Lord, and trade off our troubles and burdens to Him for the peace He gives us, because He loves and cares for us.' See> (Hebrews 4:15-16) 15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
 
 
 
Troy told them he needed this peace that they spoke of. "For the first time I just prayed to God, but nothing changed, My mind’s not at peace. I keep seeing my children’s lifeless bodies, I’m just, I’m just all messed up man."
 
 
 
The stranger’s wife told Troy, "there’s a lot more to it than just saying a prayer. First, if you want God’s peaceful Spirit, you need to trust in your faith knowing the peace your seeking comes from God’s Son Jesus Christ." See> (Romans 5:1) 1Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Also see> (Philippians 4:7) 7And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
 
 
 
"Do you know Jesus Christ as your savior sir?  ‘asked the strangers wife. Because you need to seek the peace of mind you need through Jesus Christ, and to do that you must know Him, love and trust in Him through faith.  Once you know Jesus, He gives us peace, a peace much greater than one can receive from the world. All you need to do is accept His peace through faith, then your heart won’t be so troubled. Today my father died, but my faith was strong enough to know and accept that my father is no longer suffering. The devil thought I was weak and tried to keep my mind off Jesus Christ, because He knew Jesus would keep my mind at peace." See> (John 14:27 KJV) 27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
 
 
 
"Yeah that all sounds great and I’m glad it’s working for the both of you. So, how do I come to know this Jesus as my Lord and Savior?" The stranger’s wife answered Him saying, “first you need to know and believe in God and accept that Jesus Christ is God’s son. Then for Jesus Christ to help you, you’ll need to repent and confess your sins to Christ, asking Him for forgiveness.
 
 
"Wow That’s a lot of faith," Troy said.’  Then the stranger told him, ’there’s still a much bigger commitment that our Father God requires of you my friend, the next thing you’ll need to do is ask Jesus Christ to become part of your life. You must ask Jesus Christ into your life as your Lord and Savior. If Jesus sees your heart truly believes in Him, he will become part of you.
So, let me ask you sir if you believe in Jesus Christ enough to let Him help you? Can you trust Him?" ‘Yes, I can, I need this Jesus in my life. I need His Holy Spirit in me so He can stop all this turmoil in my mind, replacing it with the peace Jesus will give me. So yes, I’m ready to give my life to Christ."
 
 
My final thoughts.
The three of them knelt near the park bench and Troy said the sinner’s prayer. That night Troy was born again. Troy was all excited that His mind was already feeling a little peaceful. The young couple swapped phone numbers with Troy and they invited him to Sunday service, as they offered their council to him while he was taking his first steps in his new life in Christ.
 
 
A few weeks later Troy was living his new life in Christ. He got his job back and he was thinking clearly, because for the first time in years he was enjoying his peace of mind that his new friend and Lord Jesus Christ had given him, amen.
 
 
Let us pray together.
Lord, we come to you this morning thanking you for being our Lord, our Savior and our Counselor. We ask that if or when our time comes, that one of us should meet a troubled person such as Troy, that we would know how to lead him to You my Lord. We ask this because if those two strangers hadn’t been ready to lead Troy, then Troy may have never found his peace of mind. We pray in Your name Jesus Christ, our Lord and Our bringer of peace, amen.
 
Rev James Erick.