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BIG CHANGES

Today Angus talks about the turning point in his life, the “bag of cement” moment, the decision that turned out to make all the difference in his life and the ways it changed his interactions with people almost right away. 

Every human story has a turning point. Something that changes everything. Choices come every day, but some choices stand out as significant and one choice turns out to be the choice that shaped your whole life. 

A lesson from Angus 

I want to speak to you today about the conversion experience. As I’m sure you know, Saul became Paul the apostle. He had what is known as a “Damascus Road” experience. Similarly, there is going to be a change in your life when you meet Jesus. 

One Sunday our family was invited to a Lay Witness Mission and I was persuaded to go to church that morning. My wife, Jill, my children and I all went along. I didn’t know that that was going to be the greatest day of my life. It was going to be my spiritual birthday and I can remember it like yesterday. 

We arrived at the church but because it was an outreach service, the church was packed. I wanted to sit at the back but of course there was no room. God really has a sense of humor, doesn’t He? I had to walk right down the aisle to the front. Then I heard a voice say, “Farmer, there is a chair here for you.” By that time everybody in town knew that I was in church! 

At that stage of my life I was going bankrupt. I cried out to the Lord and He heard my voice. At the end of the service they made an altar call. The minister said, “If you want to give your life to Jesus Christ, please come up now.” Jill, myself and our children got up and walked to the front. That day my life changed forever: February 18, 1979. I didn’t see any flashes of lightning or hear a voice from heaven, but I made a conscious decision. I realized that I could not do it on my own anymore and that I needed Jesus. 

Later, a man who had been in the congregation that morning, and who subsequently became my spiritual father and a close friend, drove to our farm. He had seen me make a commitment to Christ in the service and wanted to know if I meant it. “Of course, I did!” I replied. He then told me that the next day I was to tell the first three people I met that I had given my life to Jesus. That was the start of my journey. 

I stood up in public and said that I was not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it’s the power of the salvation of God for those who believe (see Romans 1:16). What about you today? Have you ever personally asked Him to come into your life? Many people say that they love God, but they have never met Him in a personal way. That is why Nicodemus came to Jesus at night – he didn’t want people to find out about what he was doing (see John 3:1-2). 

Your marriage might be in difficulty or you could be having financial troubles at work. Perhaps you feel that no matter what you do, it doesn’t bear fruit. I want to make a suggestion: Give it to God. Give Him your marriage, give Him your business, give Him your vision and your future. I tell you, you will start thinking clearly and that 100-pound bag of cement will fall off your shoulders. That is exactly what happened to me. I gave every aspect of my life to Jesus Christ and in return He gave me wisdom and eternal life. Everything started to change. 

Reflection Question: John 3:3 | Spiritual obstetrics 

What is the one thing you want to focus on this week that expresses your desire to love God more openly? 

Memory Verse - John 3:3

Heavenly Father, I acknowledge that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. I also acknowledge that I am a sinner. I ask You today to please forgive me. I repent of my sin. I promise that I will have no other gods in my life before You. I promise that I will start to implement the Word of God with my actions, starting today in my own life, then in the lives of my family and my fellow man. I thank You, Lord, that as I have prayed this prayer, I believe that I am saved. I believe that my sins are forgiven, and I believe that You have given me a brand-new life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.