ALL THINGS HAVE BECOME NEW…

“…we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord. For we WALK BY FAITH, not by sight…For Christ’s love COMPELS US (sunechō: to hold completely. Paul wrote this to describe the powerful, Spirit-filled motivation that drives followers of Christ to share the gospel in ways that persuade people to commit their lives to Jesus), because we are convinced that one died for all…Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, HE IS A NEW CREATION; old things have PASSED AWAY; behold, ALL THINGS HAVE BECOME NEW.” (2 Corinthians 5:6,14,17)

The day I got saved something wonderful happened to me. One day I was a drug addicted, alcohol addicted, and all the lifestyle ugly practices that go with that mess. I walked into my private restroom at work, closed the door and someone put their arms around me, I could feel them, and said “Bill. I love you!” Those words penetrated me, I was overwhelmed with conviction, given in a manner that just melted my heart. I dropped to my knees by the toilet (a perfect altar for me) and felt great sorrow in my heart and I cried out “I am so sorry.” Amazingly a massive burden was LIFTED OFF OF ME and I felt SO NEW!!! With tears running down my eyes I kept saying “I’m sorry, so sorry.” I didn’t understand it then, but I became a “new creation” in Christ. That was Wednesday, May 17^th, 1972, I was 29 years old.

Two nights later, at the Seattle Church, the Lord sanctified me. He spoke to me and said “Bill, get rid of your drugs and alcohol!” I obeyed and have not partaken now for 52 years! By the way if you should learn to listen carefully, “My sheep HEAR MY VOICE, and I know them, and they follow Me.” (John 10:27) We have trouble with this today because, “The thief (devil) does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.” (John 10:10) He wants to steal our belief in being able to hear Christ, kill our faith in Him and destroy our relationship with Jesus.

How can we be miraculously changed? “I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a LIVING SACRIFICE, HOLY and pleasing to God—this is your TRUE AND PROPER worship. Do not CONFORM (suschēmatizō: to be like everyone else) to the pattern of this world but be TRANSFORMED (metamorphoō:  to be miraculously changed into another form) by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve WHAT GOD’S WILL IS—His good…PERFECT WILL.” (Romans 12:1-2)

Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham