Message summary: God is still changing lives.

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"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" (2 Corinthians 5:17).

We have visited JR (Jeff) at his place of work for nearly ten years. At first he was cordial but quiet and didn't seem very interested in our visits. Then we found out why. He essentially was a working alcoholic. Key word here is that he was.

Over four years ago he approached Brooksyne and told her he wanted to talk to both of us. We met him in a hallway where he shared that he got saved and was delivered from his addiction. Because Jeff was a working alcoholic we, along with his co-workers, were unaware of his addiction. He now has an active ministry in helping others. For several years now our ministry to him is as a brother in Christ, a new creation, since the old is gone and the new has come.*

Early in his new walk with Christ he shared about a temptation he endured while shopping at his local Giant supermarket which had a package store (selling booze) next door. Every time he entered the Giant he was tempted to go to the liquor store.

I asked him, "Doesn't the Giant store have two doors?" He told me it did and my word of advice was, "Go in the door away from the package store which is on the right side". He took my advice and since then I've followed through numerous times with a twinkle in my eye as I ask,  "JR, are you going in the right door?" By God's grace His answer is always yes!

That reminds me of a story I heard years ago about an alcoholic who complained to his preacher that he was no longer drinking when he was at home but every time he went to town he came home drunk. The preacher asked, "Where do you tie your horse when you're in town?" "To the hitching post in front of the saloon" was his reply. The preacher said, "Next time you go to town find a different hitching post."

We thoroughly enjoy hearing testimonies of how God, in His mercy, brings restoration to a broken condition, but the Lord also calls us to cooperate with Him in this work. God ultimately does the changing but we, as believers, have a cooperative part in teaching, encouraging, serving and there are many other forms where ministry is needed.

The Apostle Paul describes this wonderful change, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" (2 Corinthians 5:17). Paul experienced that change in his own life and he rejoiced in the transforming power of God in the people he ministered to.

Slave-trader John Newton experienced that change and went on to write "Amazing Grace" and became a pastor for many years. Chuck Colson experienced that change and went on to establish Prison Fellowship in 1976 where he has influenced many thousands for the kingdom of God. Just last Saturday at a men's breakfast I visited with Brian, a newer member of our ABF class, who was saved after graduating from the Air Force Academy by reading Colson's book "Born Again".

The list of changed lives goes on and on and is being added to every day. Are you on that list?  Does your testimony influence others who have not yet taken up residency in the kingdom of God? Are you saved?

Be encouraged today!  Hebrews 3:13

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber