Prior to having received the Holy Spirit, I was never able to complete a sentence while attempting to read the Word. I always loved Jesus Yeshua, but I never understood much, basing my belief on one simple aspect of truth, from the sone, Jesus loves me. This had been my "doctrine" up until I was 28.
It was Good Friday, I was walking across the Quadrangle of the U of Il., Champaign-Urbana, the day after a very SPECIAL night of seeking. I was thinking Godward, "Gee, man is terrible, man is really bad, etc, " when in an instant, I realized something, thinking, becoming aware, and said, "hey, I am a man! Wow, YOU are It!" Everything became a beautiful yet, blinding Light, and theLight came into me.
That night I was at a coffee house, practically in a stateof pure wonder, and the Holy Spirit moved upon me to enter a door for employees only. Upon entry I espied a blue book lying opened, face down on a table. I picked it up and began to read, and as I read I was thinking how everything was true written in that particular chapter. I looked at the top of the pace, and it read Isaiah.. I closed the Book and on the front was written, Oxford Study Bible.
As soon as I could I went to the Student Book Store and purchased on for
myself. Although my graduation was but a few weeks away, I could not leave the Book. I read Isaiah first, then Revelation, after which I read everything. Then, for three years I continued with the Book in had in three states, spending my summers camping in the Rockies. I must have read that particular version four or five times, and since have read and settled upon the KJV, however I also read the RSV and several other versions in order to have a decent base.
Life has been wonderful in Jesus Yeshua ever since. May all be as blessed as I have been. In Jesus Yeshua always...
It was not until I was in my late 60's early seventies that I also read the Word in Hebrew, having already read it in part is several languages. None of alll this reading in itself makes me sperior to the most humble of believers, but it has bee a great comfort for when guided by the Holy Spirit.