How many people do you know who are unable to function in the present because of the past?  One wonders how much of the Lord’s work goes undone because His children are bogged down with guilt.  How are we to deal with the mistakes of the past so we can be productive in the future?
 
Why not do what the Apostle Paul did?  Listen to his advice in Philippians 3:13,14, “Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended, but one thing I do, FORGETTING those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
 
Paul was able to prove to others that he had changed and was now on the Lord’s side.  In time no one came to question his commitment to Jesus.
 
A “credible fable” is told of two brothers, convicted of stealing sheep.  They were branded on the forehead with letters “ST.” meaning “Sheep Thief”.  One of the brothers was unable to bear the stigma and tried to bury himself in a foreign land; but men asked him about the strange letters, so he kept on wandering restlessly.  The other brother said to himself, “I can’t run away from the fact I stole sheep.  I will stay here and win back the respect of my neighbors and myself.”
 
As years passed, he built a reputation for integrity.  Decades later, a stranger one day saw the old man with the letters on his forehead.  He asked a native what they signified.  “It happened a great while ago and I have forgotten the particulars, but I think the letters are an abbreviation for “SAINT.”
 
Please don’t let the past keep you from serving your God in the future.
 
Greely Kirkpatrick

Some would answer the above question, “Yes, I know He was born in Bethlehem, grew up in Nazareth and was crucified on a cross outside of Jerusalem.” 
 
This is to know some facts about Jesus, but it is not to have a saving knowledge of Him.  There is a huge difference in having a head knowledge to that of a heart knowledge.  There are many who have a factual knowledge of Jesus but no heart knowledge.  They have never developed a personal relationship with Jesus.  Their relationship is superficial because their lives do not reflect their knowledge.
 
Paul tells us his desire in life was to know Jesus.  He writes in Phil. 3:10, “that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death.”  To Paul to know Jesus was to have a real life changing experience, not simply to quote some facts about Christ.  He makes this clear in Rom. 6 when he describes a person who has been united with Christ in baptism as one who is dead to sin.  Sin no longer has dominion over him.  He is now a servant of righteousness.  This one has obeyed from the heart and has become simply a Christian.  He then begins a journey with Jesus, ever striving to please Him.  Peter says we are to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
 
This knowledge includes a trust that depends upon the blood of Jesus to save us.  It includes a faith that relies on the person and work of Christ at Calvary.
 
Do you have a saving knowledge of Jesus?  Or do you just know some things about Him?
 
Greely Kirkpatrick

Don, Nancy, Shirley and I made the trek to Rochester, Minnesota just fine.  Don is an excellent driver and Nancy is a good co-pilot.  The basket of goodies came in handy and was fun.
 
It was an emotional send off for me and we can’t thank the church at Sparta enough for your love and generosity.  Paul was sure to thank the churches who helped him both financially and spiritually.
 
I appreciate the number of prayers that were sent to the throne of God on my behalf.  James 5:16 says “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”
 
Parkinson’s disease is a degenerative condition that affects the communication of brain cells which tell the body what to do.  It often leaves the victim in a state of physical weakness.  However, the spirit is untouched.  II Corinthians 12:9 “And he said to me, my grace is sufficient for you; for my strength is made perfect in weakness.  Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
 
The best treatment for controlling certain symptoms is DBS (deep brain stimulation).  Electrodes are placed in the brain and stimulated by a device much like a pacemaker.  I will know in a few weeks if I am a candidate for surgery.
 
Mayo Clinic is an impressive place with some 35,000 employees in a number of buildings.  It was voted the #1 healthcare institute in America.
 
Greely Kirkpatrick

Colossians 3:1-3 “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above where Christ is sitting on the right hand of God.  Set you mind on things above, not on things on the earth.  For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”
 
This passage is talking about our baptism and what took place when we submitted.  Christians are raised to walk in newness of life according to Rom. 6:4.  We die to sin when we are buried with Christ in the grave of baptism.  We are a new creation.  Our sins are forgiven and we stand justified in God’s sight.  His Son’s blood has covered our sins and our lives are hidden in Christ. 
 
Now here comes the challenge.  Change your way of thinking.  Stop thinking like one who is consumed with this earth.  Start thinking like a new person who is now spiritual enjoying a new life in Christ.
 
Christians are IN the world, but not OF the world.  There is contact with the world, but not contamination by the world.   Easier said than done, right?  It takes conscious effort every day.  It begins with prayer to begin the day for strength not to be like the world.  Prayer during the day to be more like Christ.  Prayer at the end of the day to be the person God desires for us that His will be done in our lives.
 
Colossians 3:4 says, “When Christ, who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.”  Imagine that!  Paul says that we who have died with Christ, live for Christ and remain faithful to Christ will be with Him in glory.  What an indescribably wonderful promise!  Can you claim it for yourself?
 
Greely Kirkpatrick

Mr. Webster defines “conviction” as, “a strong persuasion or belief; as to live up to one’s convictions.”  If there is anyone who should possess this quality, it is the Christian!  We must have a strong persuasion to stand for what we believe.  Someone has said, “If you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything.”  Jesus said, “…every city or house divided against itself will not stand.”
 
The “wishy-washy” Christian who has no real convictions about Christ is a very poor advertisement for Christ.  Someone has aptly written, “He who floats with the current, who does not guide himself according to higher principles, who has no ideal, no convictions – such a man is a mere article of the world’s furniture – a thing moved, instead of a living and moving being – an echo, not a voice.  The man who has no inner life is the slave of his surroundings, as the barometer is the obedient servant of the air at rest and the weathervane the humble servant of the air in motion.”
 
In one of the great crises of Martin Luther’s life, when he was standing firmly and alone for a conviction that he refused to surrender, he was confronted furiously by a powerful opponent.  “Did he realize, asked that opponent, what he was doing and what power he was defying?  Did he expect any force worth mentioning to take up arms and come to his help?”
 
“No,” said Luther quietly, “I do not expect that.”  “Then where will you be?” thundered the dignitary who had come to challenge him.  “Where will you be?”
 
And to that Luther answered in words that seem to go to the very heart of things, “I shall be where I have always been – in the hands of Almighty God.”
 
Brethren, let’s be sure that our convictions are right, and that we are STANDING on them!
 
Greely Kirkpatrick