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Christian Short StoriesAdmission Free I'm 57 years old and have written for over 30 years as I believe I'm given an inspiring word to share. I'm presently working on my Masters in Biblical Studies and have been accepted into the Theology Doctoral Program. My desire is to share my writings in hopes of encouraging others in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. I hope as I finish my post graduate work that I will be able to continue writing in the field Bible CourseCurriculum. I have seven grandchildren who are certainly God's blessing and promise as my hair turns a little more every day. www.mikecochran.org It wasn't a typical day in this small farming area. Everyone and I mean everyone had done double duty all week, so they could catch the big show rolling through town. How often is anything free and guaranteed to last a lifetime. The atmosphere was right for something spectacular to take place. Lights of all colors were swirling throughout the venue bouncing against the waves of booming brass as anticipation mounted and expectation grew in the hearts and minds of everyone in attendance. Then suddenly, everything went dark and the reverberating sounds of big time brass went silent. Gracious! it was like your heart stopped beating. A big spotlight circled the arena showing quick glimpes of the many faces to finally rest in the middle of everything. Before their eyes stood the ringmaster attired in a bright red, gaudy topcoat and tails, trimmed with gold. His eyes pierced the crowd and without hesitation, he spoke with a loud boisterous voice, "Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, children of all ages. Welcome one and all to the Greatest Show on Earth.Todayyou will see an ordinary man transformed, spirit, soul and body, before your very own eyes." Awaiting the applause to silence, he broke in loudly saying, "In ring number one we have an unredeemed body, with the same desires that it had in this world. The price has been paid in full for it's redemption, but it will not receive liberation until the future." Phil 3:20-21 says, "Our commonwealth is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will change our lowly body to be like His glorious body. (Phil 3:20-21)." A quick slap of his whip, he announced with much intensity, "In ring number two we have his soul. After receiving the free gift of salvation through faith in the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, and as he matures and grows in the Lord (sanctification), he will notice changes in the way he thinks. His heart (soul) is growing more and more into agreement with God and His law (which is spiritual), but his flesh will still want to go the way of this world." Paul sums it up quite well in Romans. "I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from this body of death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin." Romans 7:21-2 5 KJV He raised his arms, as though, directing a symphonic orchestra and with great enthusiasm said, "Ladies and gentlemen, In ring number three we have the spirit of man. When he was born again, his spirit became alive to God. The old sinful nature was crucified and buried into death with Christ. Romans 6:6 says, "knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him." and Col 3:3 declares, "For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God." "Ladies and gentlemen, the most amazing part of tonight's show is the moment you put your faith in Jesus Christ, your born-again spirit is created just as righteous as Jesus, perfectly holy and glorious, and has the very nature of Jesus Christ! The Father made Jesus to be sin in your place, so you could receive His righteousness as a free gift. May the God of peace sanctify you wholly, and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." First Thessalonians 5:23. (© 2011 Michael Cochran – All rights reserved. Written material may not be duplicated without permission.) |
