Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you
as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be
afraid. John 14:27, NIV
Yesterday
we shared the first part of the life story of Maulana the Islamic
terrorist persecutor from Indonesia. Here is part two of his dramatic
conversion story:
Our focused activity on Ambon was how to close
churches. From the persecution, the Christian people did not fight back.
When I see children with no parents running around the church, I feel
guilty.
As time passes, my heart becomes softer, and then love
enters my heart. There’s a change in my heart that I become sensitive
and start to love them slowly. The love becomes thick. One night, I was
fasting and praying, I said, “God, you’re the one who create my heart,
show me your righteousness.” In the middle of my heart-crying, I saw a
man appear to me. There was fresh blood spattered on the bottom of his
white robe, He greeted me with “Salaam Al I Kum,” (Peace be with
you!) I tried to figure out who I had seen in my vision. It could be the
angel of Gabriel, or Mohammed, or could be Nabi Isa, maybe He is Jesus.
To
earn income, I became a distributor of an Islamic magazine in Solo, and
then went to a small town called Desa Mangu. One day I was distributing
magazines, and an old man called to me. He said, “Maulana, come here. I
was waiting for you.” It was Friday at lunch time. He asked me to eat
rice and noodle sarimi together with him. Then he prayed in the name of
Jesus before eating. I was shocked!
After lunch, he brought me to a room, and he picked up a large Bible and opened it to John 14:27.
It said, “I am leaving you with a gift, peace of mind and heart. And
the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled
or afraid.” The mystery of the voice is Isa (Jesus). I confess that
Jesus is God! Jesus is great! And I cry, and I received Him, Isa, as the
people of Ambon whom I’ve persecuted.
Now that I believe Jesus is
Savior, there is a miracle that happens in my life. What I received
from God is an assignment, instead of regrets. My first Christmas
morning as a Christian, I was walking with courage and joy on my way to
church. But all of a sudden there’s a group of young people standing in
front of me. One of them knew me and asked, “Where are you going?”
I
said, “To church.” They said, “Stop! You’re not going there!” Then
punches from all directions come to my body. When I was there in the
hospital, I prayed like Stephen prayed. “God, forgive them for they know
not what they were doing.” Spiritual strength from within!
That
is powerful and gives me strength to be brave and give testimony. I
deliver to the people that this government is under His authority. God’s
authority works in every believer so that we have the freedom to speak.
The authority is from the Lord. God’s authority is in every believer,
so you don’t need to be afraid.
RESPONSE: Today I will submit to the peace Jesus gives that overcomes troubles and fear.
PRAYER: Pray that many more terrorists will have an encounter with Jesus and become His follower.
Scripture from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
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