Religious and Lost, to Saved by God’s Grace at 71

Richard, 80 years old, was saved by grace 9 years ago, after 71 years of living for himself. He went to church all his life, lived a decent life, and even served as a deacon in the church. One day his oldest son Rick preached to him saying, "Dad, you're living in sin and you need to repent or you're going to hell." Naturally defensive, Richard reasoned that Rick was attending a cult. Richard was blind to the truth, was proud, and wasn't about to admit that he was a sinner in need of a Savior. Looking back, Richard realized that he was living in secret sins, not being accountable to anyone as long as people can't see his sins. Born again, Richard is convicted of all these things and knows that the Lord has saved him and cleansed him completely and now has a relationship with Christ which he never had before.

Death is Not Dying: A Faith That Saves

Death is Not Dying

Do We Need a Schedule Change?

How can you know God better? Read his word, pray, listen for his voice, worship him. Notice that all of these things require time. In fact, improving any relationship with other people or with God requires time.

However, far too many people find themselves too busy to spend any time getting to know God better. They've filled their calendar with pursuits of money, wealth, success, and status. However, as Solomon discovers in Ecclesiastes 2:1-11, all of these pursuits are meaningless. Solomon built many houses, vineyards, gardens, and parks; he had many, many slaves and countless pieces of gold and silver, and he was the most prestigious man ever to live in Jerusalem. Indeed, he could buy anything his heart desired. However, Solomon comes to the realization that all of these things are worth nothing in the perspective of eternity: Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun (Ecclesiastes 2:11).

Therefore, don't worry about any of these earthly things; instead, seek to know God better (see Matthew 6:25-34).

This poem is a good reminder of what's really important in life.

I had always been taught
to ask God for what I needed
and that he would give me
whatever I ask for in his name.

So, I asked God for
prosperity, power, popularity,
good grades, safety, success,
good friends, health, and wealth.

In all these things,
I asked God for more of what I wanted,
but he gave me more of what I needed:
Himself.

If all these earthly things are hindering your relationship with God, alter your schedule: get rid of some things so that you can spend time knowing God better.

[Weekly Wisdom - ChristNotes.org]

Kairos Prison Ministry

On Sunday, August 9, 2009, I drove to Victorville with a Christian brother of mine whose name is Chris. We met up around 10:00 a.m. and jumped on the 57N to the 60E to the 15N. On the freeway we talked briefly about "before Christ" days and the amazing Christian life that followed. Many Christians will refer to this new life as a walk, or the walk, because God is always at work and calling us to Himself. It begins with the Lord saving us from sin, a self-consumed life which will have nothing to do with God. This life leads to destruction. Once saved from destruction, we are placed on the path of righteousness. On this walk, there are days of rest, days of hard work, days of talking to other travelers about the walk, days of silence and meditation, days of straying from the path, days of confusion, days of darkness, misery, and depression, days of rescue and restoration, days of reflection, and days of exuberant joy and singing.

During the walk God is always present, although seemingly absent at times. There's much learning and growth on this walk, and though it may be difficult, it is the most worthwhile walk anyone can ask for. "Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen." (1 Peter 5:8-11 ESV)

At about 11:15, we arrived at IHOP in Victorville. I had one of the best brunches in years: country-fried steak, scrambled eggs, hash browns, pancakes, and wheat toast. Chris and I started talking about weight-lifting and he gave me some insider tips on getting the most out of a workout session. A few minutes before noon, we headed to our destination -- The United States Penitentiary (USP) - Victorville.

USP Victorville is part of a larger complex called the Victorville Federal Correctional Complex (FCC). My first impression was that the buildings were in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by dirt and fences. It looked like a desert, without the cacti. As we approached the building, a sign read, "No cell phones beyond this point." Once inside, we were told to wait in the waiting room until the chaplain arrives. Driver licenses were collected. Once he arrived, we walked through a metal detector and then through a heavy iron door. I was part of a group of about 15 guests. There were dozens of metal doors and "transition" rooms, which I assume is for the case that a resident (a.k.a. inmate) somehow breaks through one room in the building, he would be trapped in a locked room. There were also security cameras every few yards. The doors were heavy, the keyhole was the width of a few fingers, and the key was something you'd find in a Paul Bunyan's cabin. No one was going to successfully pick these doors.

Finally, we walked into a room with letters, banners, and messages written to the residents there, all plastered on the walls and ceiling. That room led to the main room where 37 residents sat in rows of chairs facing the Kairos leader for that weekend, Steve Spry. I noticed familiar faces from the Thurs. Bible study group. After a few words from Steve, he invited groups of residents to go up to the front and share their experience with Kairos over the four-day event. They shared about what they learned and what they were going to take away with them. Most of the groups talked about the love, peace, and joy that they experienced with the brothers and that it's the Lord Jesus Christ who gives them those blessings. There was also a lot of talk about unity. "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!" (Psalms 133:1 KJV). After all the groups were called up, two residents went up to speak to all the residents. Typical, according to protocol, only one member was allowed to speak. Over the weekend, Jeremy had intended for Adolfo to speak on Sunday, but after pray The two brothers' names were Adolfo and Jeremy. Jeremy is a "graduate" of Kairos and now a member of the "inside" Kairos Team. This brother spoke with a mighty conviction, telling the residents there that they must be the salt and the light of the compound, through Jesus Christ, because there's no other hope of finding anything good. He talked about one main problem that men have, that is pride, arrogance, and self-glorification. All these things get in the way of loving God and one another. And why do we hold on to these things? One reason is fear. Fear of getting roughed up. Fear of being disrespected. Fear of humiliation. Fear of rejection. What conquers these fears?

The Bible says that perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not be perfected in love (1 John 4:18). In this passage, fear has to do with punishment and judgment. Jesus came to remove that punishment from us, and so whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God (1 John 4:15). Then we will know and believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment (1 John 4:16-17). Though we have many fears in this world, the greatest fear is the fear of death and judgment. All of us have been appointed to die, and after that comes judgment. Will we stand spotless before the infinitely holy God, or will we stand guilty and condemned? The reply rests solely on your faith in Christ's finished work on the cross, for He came to save sinners from that day of judgment. Christ's perfect love casts out this fear, and subsequently all other inferior fears.

Jeremy was convicted by the Spirit when he realized that he was guilty of being self-absorbed and now he is warning others the danger of being self-centered. He realized the only way to conquer these fears was to be perfected in the love of Christ. What great hope to those who have come to an end of themselves. No longer do fear and pride control a man, but love. I was convicted by Jeremy's message, knowing that these are the same things I'm battling with everyday. Afterward, the chaplain shared a story about a poor Sunday School teacher who felt like she didn't make a difference in the world. Then one day she received a letter from a former student of hers. It was signed by the evangelist Billy Graham. We are to be the salt and light to those around us, and though our roles may seem insignificant, God uses every little act of faith to the glory of His name. May we learn not to compare our lives to others, but to keep our eyes on Jesus and do the will of Him who saved us. The closing ceremony closed with all the brothers in the room, some sixty to a hundred men, standing in a large circle, holding hands and singing a praise song to the Lord who is mighty to save. Coming back into the room was Jeremy, who stood next to me. As we held our hands high in the air, I could hear the conviction of truth in his voice and the brothers all around as we sang with one voice to the King of kings, the Lord of lords. Afterward, I gave him a hug and a few short words of encouragement. My heart goes out to him, as he is incarcerated with a thirty year sentence. God willing, he will be released sooner. If not, God definitely has plans for this brother within the compound.

I met other residents and blessed them, as I was blessed to see the joy in their hearts. I also had the privilege of meeting other Christian servants and pastors (Pastor Diver Dan and Pastor Ron) who have a heart to reach the lost. I don't know how many of the residents who came forward to receive Christ truly have contrite hearts and professed true faith in Christ. Only time will tell if the Spirit of God is doing a work in each resident's life.

Kairos, the Greek word meaning the right or opportune moment, describes God's intimate involvement in the lives of His children, as He brings men to a moment in time, pouring out grace abundantly in the gospel of Christ, and drawing men to Himself. I don't know if I'll see any of these residents again, but for a few hours on this Sunday afternoon, I was part of something very special. These men will be in my prayers and I pray that you will do the same. I'm amazed that there is not a place that God cannot reach, a crime that cannot be forgiven, and a stone-cold heart that God cannot make alive. What can I say but Hallelujah and all glory and honor and power to the Him who is worthy of all praise. Amen!

Treasuring Him

My Soul Rejoice and Sing

My Soul Rejoice and Sing
Taken from the Gadsby Hymnal #550
Words: William Gadsby, 1773-1844.
Music: Matthew S. Welch, Clint Wells, & Brian T. Murphy, 2005.

My soul rejoice and sing,
Thy Father’s glorious praise;
And let His precious love,
Employ thee all thy days;
To save my soul from hell,
Was His eternal will;
And bless His precious name,
His purpose to fulfill.
He took the Lord, the great I AM,
And as a nail He fastened Him.

When deep calls to deep,
And sins like mountains rise,
And the old prince of hell,
Says all the Bible’s lies,
This nail is fastened, in my heart,
Nor will it e’er, from me depart.

My wicked heart has said,
Again yea, and again,
That Christ my soul will leave,
To perish in my sin;
But though I feel as cold as clay,
He will not, cannot, go away.

© 2006 Red Mountain Music
www.redmountainmusic.com

Sacrifice is the True Measure of Love

The degree of one's love for someone is measured by the degree of his or her sacrifice for that person. When you deeply love someone, you'll do a lot of difficult, challenging, or painful things for him or her that you would never do for anyone else.

Jesus, even before his death, demonstrated his love for others by sacrificing for them. John 13:1 tells us: It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love. In the next 15 verses, Jesus washes his disciples' feet -- a task usually performed by the lowliest servants. Yet Jesus, out of love, gave of himself in order to serve. Love means going out of your way to be a servant.

Sacrifice is exactly how we can measure God's love for us. As Romans 5:8 explains, God let his son, Jesus Christ, die so that every one of us could have the opportunity to be alive: But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. God demonstrates his love for us by his sacrifice for us.

In 1 John 3:16-17, we are presented with this same challenge: This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. How can you love others if you're not sacrificing for them?

In your life, examine what you can do to serve others in order to show them true love -- God's love. Such love requires sacrifice.

[Weekly Wisdom - ChristNotes.org]