Pastor Ed Bowen was saved on March 24, 1957 at a revival meeting at Horse Branch Church in Turbeville, S.C. at the age of 23. Brother Bowen has been married to his wife, Margaret, for over 54 years. After being ordained in 1960, Pastor Bowen went on to preach in various places until he became pastor of Cherryvale Baptist. Having been there for over 43 years, in 2000, he had to slow down a bit due to prostate cancer.Though unable to do what he used to do, Pastor Ed has just changed venues. For over ten years now, he has been encouraging people via email. He has graciously agreed to be a contributing author to this website. This series of posts entitled, “Heart To Heart” are the fruit of his times with our Lord Jesus! If they mean as much to you as they do me, then EMAIL him and let him know about it!
(Proverbs 25:25) “As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.” (KJV)
Sin has put every person in a far country, far away from God… in a sense. There is good news, however, though there is a distance between the sinner and his Maker. God looks upon the sinner with tender feelings. His heart is filled with mercy and grace and he has made a way for the sinner’s return.
God has sent a message through countless messengers to invite the sinner to come home. He has provided the means for his return. The sinner may return at once, for “all things are now ready.” Some have already returned and are waiting for others to return. This is good news from a far country when it is received. It is like cold water to a thirsty soul.
A wonderful illustration of this truth is given by Christ Himself. In a parable He spoke of the lost son (Luke 15) “And not many days after (the inheritance was divided) the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.” This rebellious son recklessly lived in this “far country” and his money was soon spent. A famine followed and he came to poverty… ending in the hog pen. There, he came to himself and began his journey home to his father’s house. A warm welcome and a great celebration followed when he arrived and was greeted by his loving father.
I recall, with gratitude, the early days when this prodigal came home to the Father’s house. I was welcomed with open arms by God’s wonderful people in the church and by my family. As I became more familiar with the Scriptures, I learned that there had been an even greater celebration in Heaven. Since that time, I have heard of the conversion of some of my friends and relatives and my “thirsty soul (thirsting to hear that the good news had reached my loved ones) was quenched of its thirst. It was, indeed, good news from a far country.
I am thinking particularly now of a young friend of mine, at the time of my conversion. He was at a loss as to what happened to so radically change my life. I knew little about the Scriptures at that time, so did not know exactly what to tell him. A pastor gave me some gospel tracts that related exactly how I wanted to say it. I gave the young man one of the tracts and asked him to promise me he would read it carefully. He promised, but, in a short time, he went out of my life. A wonderful thing happened years later when he sent me a message by a mutual acquaintance. He said, “Tell Ed that I did what that tract said.” That good news was “as cold waters to a thirsty soul” from a far country. This young man died a few years ago and if the news I received was accurate, I will see him in Heaven one glorious day.
Conclusion
The Gospel of Jesus Christ is GOOD NEWS FROM A FAR COUNTRY! Are you sharing this great news?
Would you consider purchasing…
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Life in the SpiritBy A.W. Tozer / Hendrickson Publishers
Hendrickson presents two classic works on the Holy Spirit by A. W. Tozer, together in one volume for the first time. A superb addition to the best-selling Hendrickson Christian Classics series, Life in the Spirit combines Tozer’s How to Be Filled with the Spirit and The Counselor: Straight Talk About the Holy Spirit from a Twentieth Century Prophet. |
