There was a story told once of a man at an Evangelistic meeting in South Dakota, USA. He had come to a few nights and missed the next three. Well as any red-blooded Evangelist would do the speaker went to visit the elderly gentleman. When the speaker reached the door of the man's house he was greeted by the old gentleman. The Evangelist gave a warm greeting and it was returned by the man. They both went inside and sat down and started into a casual conversation, then the Evangelist asked the man why he had missed the past three meetings. The elderly man replied, " Pastor, I really have enjoyed your meetings but they are just not for me. As for the others they need to be there, but not me." Puzzled, the Evangelist asked why he felt that way. The old gentleman said, " Well you see, if I were a beginning Christian or maybe a non-convicted man, or even someone that is in the Church but not baptized I might get more out of them. But being that I have been baptized for over 15 years I don't have a need for those meetings of yours. I DON'T SIN!"

How many times do we get comfortable in our Christianity and lose our realization that we are still in need of Jesus no matter how long we have been in the Church. The man above actually thought that he didn't sin. However, the Bible says in Romans 3:23 that "All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." Friends, there is no escaping the word "all". Truth is, there is no one that does not sin in one way or the other. Do you realize that if one says or thinks that he or she does not sin, then they are actually sinning! Often we are quick to look at everyone else and not at ourselves. It is as if we are saying "I DON'T SIN", whether we say it or not. Just the act of condemning another or talking about another says that we think we are better then they are and that is a sin. Oh yes, after prayer and Bible study the old gentleman came back to the meetings and was re-baptized as he found that he does sin just like everyone else and he found again his need for the Divine Leader, Jesus Christ.

Our lives are constantly in a state of growth or re-growth, and many people are experiencing God's blessings in someway. This comes from one thing, and one thing only.....the individual's deep dependance on God! Let us remember the story of the old gentleman as we look at ourselves and others around us. Remember, Jesus knows we have problems and if we are honest with Him it is like the line in a familiar song, " He looked beyond my fault and saw my need". Shouldn't we be that way also?

God Bless,

Pastor Long