Go to Christ Church

October 11

"The Lord told him, 'Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying'" (Acts 9:11).

I stepped into the cab to take my first drive to downtown Jerusalem. It was an exciting time for me! My cab driver's name was Moses. "When in doubt, just call out 'Moses!' and there is a good chance someone will answer," he said.

Moses offered to drive me throughout the city and surrounding area. I was a rookie, not sure what I was getting myself into. It was a dangerous time to roam through Jerusalem. My cab driver began to talk openly with me when he discovered I was a believer in Jesus. He was a born again Jew. His father was a rabbi and he had been excommunicated from his family for his belief that Jesus is the Savior. Because of his faith, his marriage was in trouble and holding on only by a thread. His salvation had cost him deeply. He used to work on the family farm for his rabbi father-in-law but now drove a cab. The Jewish - Palestinian conflict had cut tourism by 90% - so as a cab driver, Moses had plenty of time on his hands.

He began to share his story with me. "I'd been questioning my purpose in life. I began thinking there had to be more. My Jewish laws didn't satisfy something in me. I became very depressed. Then one day a remarkable thing happened. I was in my bedroom. Suddenly, I heard a voice in my room that said, "Go to Christ Church!" I thought I was imagining things. Then, I heard it a second time!

I looked in the yellow pages and discovered that Christ Church was located downtown in the 'Old City.' The people there explained to me what happened. Jesus was calling me to know Him. I have known Him ever since. Now I have meaning and purpose. Things are still very difficult but I have a peace inside that I didn't have before."

Friend, Jesus is still reaching out to those who want to know Him. Do you have a faith that is willing to be rejected and ostracized by those close to you? Jesus said we are to follow Him even at the expense of the loss of our father and mother.

For more from Os Hillman and T.G.I.F., visit todaygodisfirst.com