A Peculiar Faith

0:00March 20th, a peculiar faith. Have you ever been called weird or strange? For some of us this might bring back memories of being the odd one out, trying to fit in and be accepted by our peers. But whether you can relate to this experience or not, would you believe that as a Christian, you are strange. You've trusted in a peculiar faith and become part of a unique community. As followers of Christ, we are distinct, set apart from every other philosophy, agenda and religion. We no longer seek answers in the usual teachings of the world. We have become unusual. And sometimes this makes us a little difficult to understand. The man will meet today, felt this way, until he too became peculiar. But let's start at the beginning. Here's Masahiro to share with us his true story. On this unshackled, daily devotional.

1:05My father died when I was 11, leaving us somewhat impoverished. Mother opened a small tobacco shop to support us. We live in northern Japan, where the winters were bitterly cold. And I often wondered why my faith was so miserable. I began stealing from mother to go to the movies, which became an obsession. I was determined to work in a movie business someday. While I was in high school, my older sister died while mountain climbing. Her death ended my hope of going to college. After graduation, I worked in an office, imparted with co-workers. But I kept sending applications to movie production companies. Finally, an American movie company in Tokyo hired me as a male boy, low pay, but high expectations. Wrapped in loneliness, I moved to Tokyo. When I knew almost no one, I began listening to radio and discovered a Christian radio broadcast, begun by missionaries. I had never heard about God's love or about sin or the sacrifice Jesus made for us. I listened every night but struggled with these strange beliefs. I read my sister's Bible

2:07and took a Bible study course. First John, chapter 4, verse 10, broke my heart. Here in his love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his son to be the propitiation for our sins. I gave my life to Christ and discovered a peace and joy that has never left me. The Apostle Peter commands Christians in 1 Peter 2, verse 9, but ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, and holy nation, a peculiar people, that ye should show forth the praises of him who have called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Frank, the Gospel message is the one complete truth, and as such, it's unlike anything else in this world. It's strange and it can be difficult to comprehend, but as God reveals his truth, this peculiar faith can become a saving one. So let us never lose courage, hope, and patience

3:11in the face of opposition. Instead, with this gift, let's show forth God's greatness. Will you receive this truth today? Unshackled, the longest running audio drama in history airs on over 3,000 radio stations worldwide, real people, real life stories, and the hope that changes everything. This award-winning program grips the heart with compelling and relevant stories of transformed lives. Without Jesus Christ, we are all shackled by sin, but God is at work, and the power of Christ sets us free of our bondage. Listen to a new devotional every day, and don't forget to tell your friends about unshackled daily devotional.