Home > Men > Connect with God > Believe & repent
Men of Integrity, Mar/Apr 2001
Back in the Bar
This Week's Theme: Repenting
Friday, March 23
Key Bible Verse: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Bonus Reading: 2 Cor 5:14-6:2
Several years ago, John Wimber, founder of the Vineyard Fellowships, talked with a new Christian about changes in his life. Harry had made a decision for Christ and much of his life was different. For years, Harry had dropped by the same bar every day after work—more for the friendship than for the beer.
The next Monday, Harry walked into the bar as usual and his friends asked, "How is it going?" Harry ordered a beer and proceeded to describe for them how he gave his life to Jesus Christ. Suddenly his friends lapsed into a stony silence, and Harry began to feel uncomfortable and out of place. Over the next day or two, Harry noticed that the cigarette smoke bothered him for the first time, the beer didn't taste as good as it used to, and the coarse language was suddenly foreign to him. By midweek, Harry realized he no longer belonged in the bar. As he talked with Wimber, Harry wanted to understand how everything could change so rapidly and drastically.
"That's easy," John said. "You're a new man, with a new heart and desires. You'll never enjoy the old life again."
—Stephen L. Shanklin in The Book of Prayers
Respond:
How have you seen your life change because of God's work in you? Thank Him for making you new.
Thought to Apply:
It takes a radical break to turn a man from earth's trash to heaven's treasure.
—Vance Havner (preacher and evangelist)
Adapted from: with W. Terry Whalin, The Book of Prayers (Broadman & Holman, 1998).
 |
Prayer for the Week |
 |
Father, You sent Your Son to overcome the power of sin. Please make me clean—and help me to be free from my sin.
Men of Integrity
Connect with God | Transform my Mind | Live by His Power
Relate Better | Make an Impact
Home | Archives | Contact Us
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
Try an Issue of Men of Integrity
Free!
|
 |
|
No credit card required. Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery. Offer valid in U.S. only. Click here for International orders.
If you decide you want to keep Men of Integrity coming, honor your invoice for just $19.95 and receive five more issues, a full year in all. If not, simply write "cancel" across the invoice and return it. The trial issue is yours to keep, regardless.
Give Men of Integrity as a gift
Buy 1 gift subscription, get 1 FREE!
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
| |
|
