"That Which Has Been Determined"

 "Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, Today, after so long a time; as it is said, Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts." (Hebrews 4:7 KJV)

  "The LORD says, "Don't harden your hearts as Israel did at Meribah, as they did at Massah in the wilderness. For there your ancestors tested and tried my patience, even though they saw everything I did. For forty years I was angry with them, and I said, 'They are a people whose hearts turn away from me. They refuse to do what I tell them.' So in my anger I took an oath: 'They will never enter my place of rest.'"" (PSALM 95:8-11 NLT)

 Having said these things before, it seems as though they don't need to be repeated; but then again, they are things which should never be forgotten! There is nothing that we do on our own, in order to come into a relationship with Christ; it is the Father, our Heavenly Father, who is the One who draws us to His Son! 

 Jesus was speaking to the people about the manna that came down from Heaven, and who it was that gave it, turning it around saying, "I am the bread that came down from heaven." (John 6:41 NLT) After they complained, Jesus said: "Stop complaining about what I said. For no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them to me, and at the last day I will raise them up. As it is written in the Scriptures, 'They will all be taught by God.' Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me."" (John 6:43-45 NLT)

 This is really pretty easy to understand, but it did take some time for me to put all the pieces I have found together; and I am pretty sure there is much more to find out, once I am with the Lord! It was the Father, my Heavenly Father, that made me jump off of that bunk and head down to that Church Service. He was the One that spoke to me, telling me that I needed to go; almost as if it was something my life depended on, and I couldn't say no! 

 For several years people had asked me to go to church or sit in on a Bible Study, but I never wanted to be influenced or changed from my wicked ways. After I was arrested, that last time, I took my wife and kid to a church down the street from our apartment. No sooner than we sat down and one of the Elders came over and wanted me to fill out a card, giving our names and how much money we would be giving on a weekly basis. We pretty much just walked out! 

 During the trial period, (which lasted a year,) my wife was invited to Calvary Chapel of Downey, by the neighbor across from our home. She tried to get me to go with her, but I would always go to work instead. I could have went, but I had no desire to go to any church. 

 When the trial was finally over, I was sentenced to one year in jail and was sent to a compound that actually had a real Church, with a belltower and pews; it looked like something from the middle of any small town, that you would see somewhere in the middle of the town. 

 I can remember one night when they had a service going on inside, I sat out in the field nearby and started praying for the men inside, as if they were being taken down the wrong road or something. I had a little pocket New Testament and spend most of the day with it my pocket, reading it every chance I would get, so I felt as though I had something going with God. But I started crying, as I say the shadows of the men inside, raising their hands and singing to the Lord.

 I thought I was crying for them; but I found out later, it was me that I was crying for, because I needed what they had: Salvation! 

 Long-story-short; I ended up being sent to another facility and it did not have a church; so, I am pretty sure that my defenses were disabled! And it wasn't long, till that Sunday morning came, when that voice came over the speaker: "Good morning, young men. We have a great group of people that want to share something with you this morning, so come on down and listen to what they have to say!" 

 This Chaplin had to be in his late 90's, and he spoke as if he was speaking with his dying breath. There was no hesitation, I jump off of my bunk and started down to the cafeteria, where I meet Jesus... 

""I tell you the truth, anyone who believes has eternal life. Yes, I am the bread of life! Your ancestors ate manna in the wilderness, but they all died. Anyone who eats the bread from heaven, however, will never die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will live forever; and the bread which I will offer so the world may live, is my flesh."" (John 6:47-51 NLT)