Let The Spirit Loose

Jesus said in John 16:8, “The Spirit would convict the world of sin, righteousness and judgment. Paul said Christians were to walk after and be led by the Spirit. Romans 8:1, 14. The question becomes, how can the Spirit convict sinners and lead Christians? Some want you to believe He works in a miraculous way. Others say He convicts people differently, they say He may come to you at a ball game or while driving down the road, or maybe while watching TV. What does the Bible say; Acts 10:34   “So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality.” God does not treat us differently, He is no respecter of persons. So, the question still remains, how does the Spirit convict the world of sin, righteousness and judgment? In order for us to understand how and understand God’s will, we must go to the scripture. Remember the story of the Eunuch in Acts 8:31? Philip asked; do you understand what you are reading? He said; how can I except some one teach me. Also think of Paul, he taught Timothy to teach others, to teach others. If we turn to the Bible with Bible questions, we will receive a Bible answer. God’s Word tells us the only way the Spirit convicts the world of sin is by teaching people the Word. We must teach people about Heaven and teach them about Hell, that’s the only way to strip every excuse away. It’s time to let the Spirit loose and teach others about Jesus.

Our Precious Children

After what has happened in our schools lately the Marine in me wants to gather up all of the retired Marines and stand guard at the doors of our schools. Armed and ready to take out any and all who want to cause harm to our children. The Christian in me understands, God is more powerful than I will ever be. The Word of God is my weapon and it is only the Word of God that can convict the world of sin. Dear God, please stop this senseless killing of our children, and thank you Lord, for my conceal carry license, may my aim be swift and true before an innocent life can be harmed.

Wanted: Dead or Alive

Dead not Lost

As a Marine trained in land navigation, I have never been lost. I have taken a wrong turn every now and then or maybe taken the scenic route but never have I been lost. The world has trained us to define lost as making a mistake and let’s face it, men don’t like to admit when they’re wrong. But lost really has a more definite meaning, it’s the opposite of being found. The Bible relates lost to being Dead. Now that’s definite, and we understand what dead means, it’s permanent, not alive. We all have someone who has died and we wish they were still with us. We don’t like death but we understand it is real. We try our best to prevent death. In some cases, people have even given their own lives to save someone else. Our military men and women risk their lives everyday to protect our freedoms and we are thankful for their sacrifice. We clearly understand the word dead, so when we think about those who are lost in sin, we need to remember the Bible says they are dead. Ephesians 2:1-3 says;  “And you were dead in the trespasses and sins ⁱⁿ which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— ^among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.”

            The world wants to sugar-coat it and make it sound like someone who is lost in sin is just around the corner, or they are not far away, so they don’t have to feel guilty about either turning their life around or they don’t have to feel guilty about not trying harder to share the gospel with their loved ones. The truth is, if you are outside of Christ, you are dead. The only way to live is to be IN Christ. Colossians 2:12 “having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.”

            God’s plan of salvation is clear. In order to have our sins washed away, we must be buried with him in baptism. When the first Gospel sermon was preached in Acts 2, religious people asked, what must we do. In Acts 2:38 the answer was given and it is the same answer for us today. “Repent and be baptized for the remission of sins and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” We are either “In Christ” or “Out of Christ”. We are either Alive or Dead.

What Is That Supposed To Be

 
    A little old lady was among a group looking at an art exhibition in a newly opened gallery.  Suddenly one contemporary painting caught her eye.  "What on earth," she inquired of the artist standing nearby, "is that?"    He smiled and said. "That, my dear lady, is supposed to be a mother and her child."   "Well, then," snapped the little old lady, "why isn't it?"   I've seen some of that "modern art", so I can relate.  But it makes me stop and wonder:  Does the same thing ever happen spiritually in my life?  I'm "supposed" to be a Christian, a child of God, a person whose life is dedicated to serving God.  Peter reminds me:  "You ought to live holy and godly lives." (2 Peter 3:11)  But is there anyone who looks at my life and says, "who on earth is he?" The picture my life presents to the world should more clearly reflect Christ.