US Sports Coachlab Softball: Amanda Wolf-Schramm: Building a Year-Round Softball Culture

Winning programs aren’t built in a single season — they’re built month by month, decision by decision, from June to June. In this course, Coach Amanda Wolfram, Head Softball Coach at Smithson Valley High School, shares the blueprint she has used to restore one of Texas’s premier programs to state championship contention.

With 20 years of coaching experience and a proven record of building sustainable success, Coach Wolfram walks you through a month-by-month roadmap that covers every aspect of running a high-performing softball program.

In this course, you’ll learn how to:

• Grow your program’s future by building strong pipelines through youth camps and community outreach.

• Create summer accountability systems that foster communication, leadership, and team buy-in.

• Implement boot camps, leadership boards, and player evaluations to elevate culture and accountability.

• Run efficient, high-intensity practices that maximize reps, pressure situations, and player development.

• Integrate mental training tools like affirmations, visualization, journaling, and the “think tank” routine.

• Involve parents and the community in ways that build trust, unity, and program pride.

• Develop off-field leadership and service projects that prepare athletes to win in both life and sport.

This isn’t just a practice plan — it’s a comprehensive, year-long system for building sustainable success on and off the field. From culture and leadership to conditioning and competition, Coach Wolfram shows you how to create a program where athletes, parents, and coaches all row in the same direction. Book this course.

The Coach

THSCA Softball

Amanda Wolf-Schramm is the Head Softball Coach at Smithson Valley High School, where she has built one of the most respected and consistent programs in Texas. With more than 20 years of coaching experience, she is known for her ability to blend technical excellence with culture-driven leadership, helping athletes succeed both on the diamond and in life.

Under her leadership, Smithson Valley has become a perennial contender, reaching deep playoff runs and consistently competing against the best programs in the state. Coach Wolf-Schramm’s approach emphasizes year-round development — from summer accountability programs and youth camps to in-season practice systems that sharpen fundamentals and prepare athletes for high-pressure situations.

She is widely respected for her innovative methods that go beyond physical training, incorporating mental performance tools, leadership development, and culture-building systems into her program. By focusing on communication, resilience, and character, she has created an environment where athletes buy in, parents feel included, and the community rallies behind the team.

Admired as both a mentor and motivator, Amanda Wolf-Schramm continues to shape future leaders while cementing her legacy as a coach who develops not just great players, but great people. Book this course.

Want to help kids #GetActive through youth sports? Learn how parents, coaches, and volunteers can get involved in @HealthGov’s National #YouthSports Strategy: https://bit.ly/2lIHPUc

The Rock Almighty Thursday - Powerless - Are You Deceiving Yourself? And The Cure To Loneliness

-John Park

"How can I be powerless over myself ?" Our ways are different than God's ways. We are governed by our pride. We want things that will please our bodies and make our lives pleasant. We want the things of the world. This is our human nature, it's the way our minds work. We lost the spiritual ways of God, God's image, when Adam and Eve sinned or in other words gave into pride. They disobeyed God and lost their spiritual connection to Him. You know yourself better than anybody, but Jesus knows you better than you do. What causes us not to yield our lives with Jesus Christ? "PRIDE" We know that when we give up our lives to Jesus, we will have to conform to the life He wants us to live, which means giving up living for the flesh and the world. I can understand why people don't want to do this, I used to be in the same way, but when you feel your life is still missing something, when no matter what you do and you feel that loneliness and emptyiness within, there's only one place to turn to "Jesus". We constantly look for ways to amuse ourselves, do things to make us happy and bring pleasure to our lives, but if you notice it's only temporary, no matter what you do, it's only temporary. The flesh is very powerful, so powerful that we do not even know that it is deceiving us and preparing us for death. Luke 18:19 Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone." James 1:26, 27 Nobody must imagine that he is religious (pious, devout) while he still goes on deceiving himself and not keeping control over his tongue; anyone who does this has the wrong idea of religion. Pure, unspoilt religion, in the eyes of God our Father is this: coming to the help of orphans and widows when they need it, and keeping oneself uncontaminated by the world. We can be so selfish, because we think about ourselves first and that is why we are powerless over ourselves.

We see things that we can do to help others, but it seems like we come first. Jesus is the way, the truth and life. The world and everyone living for the world and for themselves hates THE TRUTH. Sad thing is, is that they will never be shown the true way, because their way is of themselves and of the world. Everyday our lives are lived by our choice in how we think and see things that happen moment by moment. How do you see things and how do you let these things affect you? If we walk in the flesh then we are guided by pride (darkness), but if we walk in spirit then we are guided by the light. God's law is so vast that the carnal self cannot even begin to comprehend the things that are evil. We see things that are minor in our eyes but they are evil and wicked in the eyes of God. Because we choose not to see the evil and wickedness that we do on a daily basis, it keeps our spiritual lives empty. The things we do corupt the soul and the heart. No one would jump into an open septic tank filled with waste, so why would you expect God, Jesus Christ or the Holy Spirit to come into heart or soul when it is filled with waste? Where there is darkness there is no light. Ask Jesus with a contrite and sincere heart to show you the way to clean yourself up and ask Him with all your heart to walk with you and show you how to overcome the flesh and the world, so that your life can be made full in the eyes of God. Tell Jesus you want to live and to live the way God intended us to live when He created us in His image. By accepting Jesus and giving ones life to Jesus doesn't mean that you're life is over and it's going to be boring and you're going to have to go to church all the time. If you call on Jesus and put your trust in Him and learn to listen to Him, your life will be anything but boring. Your choice: Be a slave of a world that promises death or be a slave of Jesus Christ who can give you everlasting eternal life, true life, true joy, true happiness and most of all true LOVE. May God Bless You Dearly. I received the following in an e-mail. I hope you find it enlightening. Please pass it on. DID YOU KNOW THESE FACTS? Death is certain but the Bible speaks about untimely death! Make a personal reflection about this. Very interesting, read until the end..... It is written in the Bible (Galatians 6:7): "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man sow, that shall he also reap. Here are some men and women who mocked God : John Lennon (Singer): Some years before, during his interview with an American Magazine, he said:"Christianity will end, it will disappear. I do not have to argue about that. I am certain. Jesus was ok, but his subjects were too simple, today we are more famous than Him" (1966)... Lennon, after saying that the Beatles were more famous than Jesus Christ, was shot six times. Tancredo Neves (President of Brazil ): During the Presidential campaign, he said if he got 500,000 votes from his party, not even God would remove him from Presidency. Sure he got the votes, but he got sick a day before being made President, then he died. Cazuza (Bi-sexual Brazilian composer, singer and poet): During A show in Canecio ( Rio de Janeiro ), while smoking his cigarette, he puffed out some smoke into the air and said: "God, that's for you."He died at the age of 32 of LUNG CANCER in a horrible manner. The man who built the Titanic: After the construction of Titanic, a reporter asked him how safe the Titanic would be. With an ironic tone he said: "Not even God can sink it". The result: I think you all know what happened to the Titanic. Marilyn Monroe (Actress): She was visited by Billy Graham during a presentation of a show. He said the Spirit of God had sent him to preach to her. After hearing what the Preacher had to say, she said:"I don't need your Jesus". A week later, she was found dead in her apartment Bon Scott (Singer): The ex-vocalist of the AC/DC. On one of his 1979 songs he sang: "Don't stop me; I'm going down all the way, down the highway to hell". On the 19th of February 1980, Bon Scott was found dead, he had been choked by his own vomit. Campinas (IN 2005): In Campinas , Brazil a group of friends, drunk, went to pick up a friend..... The mother accompanied her to the car and was so worried about the drunkenness of her friends and she said to the daughter holding her hand, who was already seated in the car: "My Daughter, Go With God And May He Protect You." She responded: "Only If He (God) Travels In The Trunk, Cause InsideHere.....It's Already Full ". Hours later, news came by that they had been involved in a fatal accident, everyone had died, the car could not be recognized what type of car it had been, but surprisingly, the trunk was intact. The police said there was no way the trunk could have remained intact. To their surprise, inside the trunk was a crate of eggs, none was broken. Christine Hewitt (Jamaican Journalist and entertainer): said the Bible (Word of God) was the worst book ever written. In June 2006 she was found burnt beyond recognition in her motor vehicle. Many more important people have forgotten that there is no other name that was given so much authority as the name of Jesus. Many have died, but only Jesus died and rose again, and he is still alive. "Jesus" Jesus said, "If you are embarrassed about me, I will also be embarrassed about you before my father."
"Lord, I love you and I need you, come into my heart, and bless me, my family, my home, and my friends, in Jesus' name. Amen."

I've been a glazier for about 29 years. I enjoy writing articles like these. This web site was set up by the grace of God. May God Bless You All. http://www.itrustgodonly.com

Want to help kids #GetActive through youth sports? Learn how parents, coaches, and volunteers can get involved in @HealthGov’s National #YouthSports Strategy: https://bit.ly/2lIHPUc

The Rock Almighty Wednesday-Religion and the Bible: After Life And Wednesday Wake Up Call. He Brought The Life Abundant!

 -Brian Orchard

Mystery and confusion have long surrounded the cessation of physical life. Knowledge that can be established through the five senses provides a basis for assurances about our physical world. There is no scientific or physical evidence, however, to establish what happens to the human consciousness after death. Near-death experiences notwithstanding, no one has ever come back from death to tell us

exactly what it is like on "the other side." Many people, as a result, fear death, and this fear often underpins their belief in an afterlife. The role of religion and the Bible cannot be overlooked in addressing the confusion regarding an afterlife. Do we go to heaven or hell, or perhaps someplace in between?

Death comes in many forms, from the peaceful to the violent. Perhaps we are somewhat numbed by the magnitude of some of the violent or catastrophic deaths that are presented to us on what seems to be a daily basis. Whether it be thousands of Rwandans slaughtered by their fellow countrymen, the drowning of multiple hundreds by floods in Bangladesh, or the shocking reality of terrorist attacks such as those of September 11, 2001, when mass death occurs at a distance, we're able to build a mental wall of protection.

On the other hand, if any of those deaths or others like them is of someone close to us, we are suddenly face-to-face with the awful reality. We learn well from personal experience the pain and anguish of loss. Even the peaceful death of an aged person who has lived a long and fulfilling life raises difficult and emotional questions for those who remain. A loved one is gone from our life. Where is that person? What does happen to a human being at the point of death?

WHICH WAY DO WE GO?

While fewer people adhere to traditional teachings today, there remains an underlying concept in most religions that if we are good in this life, then there is something enjoyable for us after death. Conversely, if we don't measure up, then some kind of eternal punishment awaits.

According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, "the term heaven has come to designate both the happiness and the abode of the just in the next life." It's an idea that provides the hope that the human mind needs while dealing with the material world and the reality of "three score and ten" years.

A Newsweek poll, cited in the August 13, 2002, issue of that publication, claims that 75 percent of Americans believe that their actions on earth determine whether they will go to heaven. It is doubtful, however, that the same 75 percent would claim to be very religious or even attend a church. The same poll indicated that 76 percent of Americans believe in heaven and, of those, 71 percent believe it is an actual place. So the psychological need for assurance and hope runs deep through the American community.

Of course, the Western world does not have a corner on the heaven market. Heaven seems to be one belief that Jews, Christians and Muslims share, albeit in variant forms.

While Judaism allows any number of opinions on the subject, heaven is often referred to as Gan Eden, or the Garden of Eden--Paradise. Jewish scholar Michael Asheri writes, "It is believed that the souls of the righteous have a place there" (Living Jewish: The Lore and Law of the Practicing Jew).

According to Shahid Athar, author of several books on Islam, "Muslims believe that the present life is a temporary one. It is a test and if we pass the test, we will be given a life of permanent pleasure in the company of good people in Heaven."

THE FEAR FACTOR

While heaven is the carrot, hell can be the stick. Whether the mental image we hold of hell was created by Dante Alighieri and his vivid imaginary journey through hell and purgatory, or by the vagueness of contemporary evangelical theology, all seem to agree that it is a place to be feared and avoided.

The Catholic Encyclopedia tells us that "hell . . . in theological usage is a place of punishment after death." It also states that "by derivation hell denotes a dark and hidden place." Not surprisingly then, a cursory examination of Protestant reformer Martin Luther's early life reveals a deep motivation on his part to develop a theology that would relieve his fear of eternal punishment and separation from God.

The concept of hell predates the Christian era by many hundreds of years. Around the eighth or ninth century B.C., the Greek poet Homer portrayed a shadowy place of dreary darkness as a backdrop for his hero Ulysses. Likewise in Virgil's Aeneid, the hero Aeneas enters the underworld, where he encounters numerous terrors. From such pre-Christian sources come many of today's theological concepts regarding the punishment of the damned.

We fear the unknown beyond death because myth, superstition and theological manipulation combine to powerfully intimidate us. Mystery and confusion are compounded by a multitude of ideas generated throughout all societies and religions regarding the future state of man once consciousness has ceased.

On the other hand, the Bible provides a simple explanation of what happens to a person when he or she dies. To understand, though, we must be prepared to open our minds to another point of view.

A CHANGED MAN

If a man dies, shall he live again? This is the question we have all pondered, but how many realize that this very question is posed in the Bible? We are not the first generation to puzzle about this issue. The biblical author Job asked this same question and provided the answer (see Job 14:14). He had knowledge that helped him reach this conclusion, and that knowledge will help us just as positively.

Humankind was created with great spiritual potential. The here and now serves a purpose in the development of this potential, but it is not its object. Job's answer to his own question was that he would wait until his "change" came. He accepted the certainty of death for every human. Physical life is finite and temporary. When we die, our bodies decompose and return to the elements from which they were formed. At that point all consciousness ceases: "For the living know that they will die; but the dead know nothing" (Ecclesiastes 9:5).

The change to which Job referred is spoken of throughout the New Testament. It shows that after death there is a resurrection. Christ stated that "the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth" (John 5:28-29). The Bible speaks of the body as being asleep between the time of death and the moment of resurrection. When we awake in a resurrection, it will be as though we had awoken from sleep, as we do each morning. Clearly, death is a transitional condition.

When does this resurrection take place? "But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. . . . For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. But each one in his own order: Christ the first fruits, afterward those who are Christ's at His coming" (1 Corinthians 15:20-23).

At the specific timing of Christ's return to the earth to intervene in the affairs of humankind, the consciousness of the dead in Christ will be reactivated and they will progress to a new stage in their relationship with God.

Those resurrected are not up in a heaven, nor down in a hell. They stand with Jesus Christ on the earth after having met Him in the clouds. "And in that day [the day of His return] His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which faces Jerusalem on the east" (Zechariah 14:4).

"YOU SHALL KNOW THE TRUTH"

The knowledge that life has a specific purpose beyond the grave is very comforting. Without this understanding, the experience of seeing a loved one die can only produce a profound sense of loss and grief.

After death, a person is asleep--without consciousness--in the grave until empowered in a resurrection. It will be like waking from a long sleep. Consciousness will return and the creative work of God will continue, only now in a spiritual condition rather than the physical. Those who have died are not lost in some kind of nebulous haze of human conjecture. They are not tormented in hell, nor are they floating around blissfully on clouds, playing harps.

We need to free ourselves from the mental anguish caused by false ideas and concepts conveyed by society and culture, which picture God as an angry Judge waiting for an opportunity to punish helpless sinners throughout eternity. Rather, God is a Father who is eagerly waiting to embrace His resurrected children. As Christ said to those who would accept the authority of the Bible, "You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:32).

Author, Brian Orchard, writes articles on current events and ideology for Vision Media. More information about these and other current events and ideology topics can be found at http://www.vision.org.

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The Rock Almighty Monday Evangelism: What's Wrong With It? And Wanted Real Leaders!

 

Four reasons why asking must replace telling and how you can make the change

Every year in America, Christians invest millions of dollars and untold hours in good-hearted attempts to share the gospel and win converts to Christ. But for all the effort and intention, there's little to show for it. In fact, a tide of acrimony is forming against evangelicalism - a label for people who are growingly portrayed as pushy, narrow-minded, and out of step. It can seem that the gospel provides answers to questions that nobody is asking.

How do faithful followers turn the tide and begin reaching this generation with the good news of Jesus? In short, we must learn to be as adapt at asking as we've been at telling.

Here are four reasons why:

Reason #1-Our culture has heard it all

We live in a society drowning in messages and information. There's a real cacophony of noise all around us that makes most messages get lost, ignored or dismissed without consideration. But what few of us hear is our own voice. When you ask me a question, you give me permission to slow down and hear myself - my goals, my values, my disappointments and my dreams.

Try this: The very next time you sense an opening to "share the gospel", first share a question. By asking someone an open ended-question about their life, needs, desires, hurts or dreams, you will give them the precious gift of being heard. At the same time, you will learn volumes about where that person is in their life, and in relation to the gospel message. Now, you have a place from which to pray and befriend

Reason #2-I only believe me

Because our culture is bombarded with competing viewpoints on just about everything (from the best soap to the right religion), we've learned to not trust just about everybody except ourselves. The ironic thing is that the average person rarely listens to himself about important matters. So rather than telling me about truth, faith, and life, we are both better served by asking me questions that get me considering my own thoughts on these matters. Eventually I'll come up with my own questions on these matters - and that's where the real fun begins!

Try this: Focus your questions on the layers beneath a person's opinions and viewpoints. This shows great respect and caring for the individual. Practice intentional and gracious curiosity for understanding how people came to their beliefs and how those beliefs are serving them or falling short.

Reason #3-Asking softens while telling hardens

The world is full of salespeople and politicians who have caused us to develop hardened attitudes toward anyone who tries to penetrate our psyche. For this reason, when you try to convince me of something my first response is to put up a defense. But when you ask me an honest question (not a leading question that softens me for the forthcoming sales pitch), I respond by considering and answering. My attitude softens and I allow myself to engage and be engaged.

Try this: Be continually cleansed of a "sales pitch" evangelism mentality. Cultivate your ability to focus on what attracts people to you. Pay attention to when you are drawing someone in, and practice the heart that is at the essence of that ability. It is in that place that you will call to the heart of another.

Reason #4-Questions move us forward.

The root of "question" is "quest." God has laid it in the heart of every person to know and obey God - it is the ultimate quest for each of us. But telling people to obey God often leads to resistance and disobedience. When we ask questions, we invite people to examine their lives, and this ignites their quest for God afresh. For those who are far from God, the quest can look slow and untamed. But with enough questions, the quest draws to the heart of the issue - our need for God.

Try this: Take the position that your time with this person is the beginning of a relationship, not a "sale". Are you willing to take the quest with them, by being in a caring relationship? And even if it is a one-time, chance encounter, will you drop a seed question that God will see fit to water on another day?

Those who are skilled in the use of questions will help others move forward on the journey of life, which is the journey of faith. I have found coaching to be a great way to hone my asking skills because coaching forces me to ask quality questions that lead to discovery. Plus, coaching keeps the questions from being just navel-gazing exercises because coaching pushes for meaningful action as a result of discovery.

Faith Coaching is a powerful method of serving people that is equipping trained leaders and volunteers alike. Are you ready to learn to be a coach, and to coach your volunteers to do the same? Then visit http://faithcoaches.com and download an excerpt of the book: Faith Coaching-A Conversational Approach to helping others move forward in faith.

From Chad Hall/Bill Copper - Coach Approach Ministries @ http://ca-ministries.com

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The Rock Almighty Monday What is the gospel that if responded to will cause an unbeliever to become saved and receive the indwelling Spirit?

-James Rondinone

THE GOSPEL OF LIBERTY

We’ve reached a conclusion to this study. Thanks for hanging in there right up to the end. I don’t believe that anything we accomplish in this life can truly be said that we did this or that on our own. In this case, I thank God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, unto each of whom I’ve gone to throughout this endeavor. I owe many thanks to all of the Bible teachers from Bible school and those who I currently read about and listen to on T.V. And finally, to my wife, who knows where I am most of the time during the day, and my daughter, Renée, who has helped me write the manuscript by providing information about one of the gospels, i.e., the gospel of repentance, belief, water baptism, and good works mentioned in this study that was derived from the church she was attending. I’ll send this over to her for further elaboration.

Thank you for reading and considering these different viewpoints. I recently left a “church” (this word is subjective) I had attended for fifteen years that taught salvation by means of baptism only after participating in approximately 8-10 Bible studies and adhering to several doctrines in conjunction with those studies. Throughout my time there, I’d learned to associate these many doctrines directly with Scripture, believing that one could not be a true Christian – and therefore saved – if these doctrines weren’t believed and adhered to. However, after many hours of thorough study, during which I attempted to separate my prior teaching and belief system to what I was reading in the Bible to reach an unbiased conclusion, I concluded that I could no longer support the viewpoints I shared with this “church.”

Among other topics, I studied the salvation process and discovered that nearly every instance of conversion boiled down to the same simple steps – hearing and believing the gospel, then baptism. This was a far cry from the countless requirements I’d been taught and continued to teach for fifteen years. Conversely, the lengthy doctrines I subscribed to in this “church” included but was not limited to attending all meetings of the church (2-3 meetings per week), “sharing your faith” daily, reading your Bible daily, dating only others within that church, having a set “discipler” with whom you’d meet weekly for additional teaching, getting “advice” (i.e. permission) regarding all life events including vacations and visiting family, giving weekly monetary contributions to that church according to a set sum of which the church leadership had view of and could hold you accountable to, as well as typically quarterly “special missions” contributions that were often 10-25x your weekly amount (again, not optional), living in a household of only members of that church with a designated household “leader” who would make overarching decisions regarding it, required participation in regular fundraises events, including “tagging” where church members would spend their Friday and Saturday nights walking city blocks asking for donations, and obeying and submitting to your leaders in all matters. If any of these doctrines weren’t agreed to prior to baptism, we wouldn’t baptize the prospective convert. And if a church member didn’t continue to adhere to these doctrines and anything else asked of them by leadership, they’d be disciplined and/or kicked out of the church.

Since baptism and remaining in their “church” is contingent on holding to these doctrines – and they believe you must be baptized in their church and consequently be part of their church to be saved (yes, you read that right) – it can be concluded then that for this church, these doctrines are part of the salvation process. To be clear, these are not all bad practices to adhere to; in fact, I believe some of these can have very positive effects on one’s spiritual walk. However, there’s a crucial difference between spurring one another on toward beneficial practices and requiring these practices as points of salvation where the Bible does not designate them as such. Once I recognized the vast separation of church doctrine from Scripture, I promptly left. I believe these Scriptures most accurately describe the core transgressions of the “church” I left:

Galatians 1:6-8 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

Matthew 23:13 But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.

As I’m still newly separated from the doctrines I once followed within this “church,” where I go from here and what exactly I believe is still a learning process (and quite frankly, this will always be the case to some degree for all of us), but I think the most valuable lesson I learned from it all is the importance of not putting words in the Bible’s mouth. I believe likely every good-intentioned church-turned-cult eventually fell into this trap of ultimately creating a “different gospel” than what we have the privilege of referencing at any time. So, whatever your background, your current church, or your personal beliefs, as you explore this “spirituality puzzle,” I urge you to take a step back and take an honest look at the bare-bones-Scriptures in front of you. When you remove all the chatter, what do they say?

I’m back with you. That was quite a story. You, the reader, are very much aware of what this study was all about. It was trying to find out what constituted having a relationship with God and subsequent fellowship with Him throughout each of the dispensations, i.e., of the Gentiles, of Israel, of the Incarnation of Christ, and of the Church Age which is the one we’re currently living in. With that said, I’d like to present a brief summary of what was disclosed in Scripture concerning the protocol for an unbeliever entering into a personal relationship with God in this dispensation. And likewise, what would bring about the reality of having fellowship with Him. The information that will be provided is taken from the gospel of repentance and faith that we found out to be the only one supported by Scripture. Besides this, other doctrinal aspects that were associated and investigated with respect to this gospel will also be included. Are you ready to take a condensed look at what was uncovered? I am.

THE GOSPEL OF REPENTANCE AND BELIEF

What causes an unbeliever to have a relationship with God?

In order for someone to have a relationship with God, they need to repent of their sins and believe in Jesus Christ as to who He is and what He has accomplished.

Acts 3:19; Acts 17:30; Acts 26:20; Acts 15:7-9; Acts 10:43; John 7:37-39

What transpires after an unbeliever responds to the gospel of Christ?

They receive the indwelling Spirit along with a bundle of permanent benefits. John 7:37-39; 1 John 3:24; Ephesians 1:13; 1 Corinthians 6:19

Some of the spiritual realities that have taken place can never be removed under any condition, such as:

Receiving eternal life. John 10:9-10

Being in a permanent and continual state of redemption and forgiveness. Ephesians 1:7

Being in a permanent and continual state of salvation. Hebrews 10:10

What causes a believer to have fellowship with God?

Confess known sin to God the Father. 1 John 1:9

Memorize, meditate upon, and apply the Word of God in respect to areas of human weakness. This is another way of saying having one’s mind renewed. Romans 12:2

Being filled or controlled by the Spirit. As we cultivate the fruit or elements of the character of the Spirit, He provides us with His power, guidance, promptings, etc. Ephesians 5:18; 1 John 2:5; Galatians 5:22-25

What else have we learned that corresponds with the gospel of repentance and belief?

The Baptism or indwelling of the Spirit

It was received by the apostles on the day of Pentecost in the upper room being indicated by the work filled. The indwelling and filling occurred at the same time. Acts 2:4

Baptizes (actually identifies), at salvation, the believer into Christ’s death (in them was understood death to sin, corresponding to His actual death103 having become separated from its power), burial, and resurrection (in them was understood they were given new life by means of the quickening of the Spirit). Romans 6:3-4; Acts 10:43

Baptizes each believer into the body of Christ, giving each of them at least one spiritual or leadership gift that produces harmony and usefulness for all. 1 Corinthians 12:13

Water baptism

It’s symbolic of the believer being baptized into Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. Romans 6:3-4; Colossians 2:10; Acts 22:16

It’s illustrative of being baptized in the name of Christ, the ground of which is justification by faith. Matthew 28:19; Romans 5:1

Illustrates that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are one in essence, deity, have the same divine attributes. Matthew 28:19

It doesn’t forgive sin. Acts 2:38 All sin was forgiven at the cross. Luke 23:33-46; Colossians 2:13; 2 Corinthians 5:19; Hebrews 9:24-26; Ephesians 1:6-7

It isn’t necessary for the salvation process but should be administered. John 3:5; 1 Peter 3:21

2 Thessalonians 2:13; Romans 10:9-11, Mark 16:16; 1 Corinthians 1:14-17

Good works

Aren’t the evidence of salvation but of godliness. They should characterize the fruit or graces of the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 2:10, 1 John 2:3, Hebrews 5:8-9, Galatians 5:13-21, and James 1:22-25; 2:14-26

Obeying Christ in respect to inheriting eternal salvation has nothing to do with good works but putting one’s faith in Christ or responding to the gospel. Hebrews 5:9; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-8

Other aspects

The two ingredients for salvation are the gospel and the Holy Spirit. The word water is figurative. John 3:5; 1 Peter 1:22-25; 2 Thessalonians 2:13

The baptism that saves us is the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. 1 Peter 3:21

The receiving of the Spirit follows repentance and faith. Acts 10:43-48

I think that covers it. Now we both have something to consider when any of these aspects of salvation are talked about from the pulpit.

Before we depart, I’d like you to consider this. Whether you are an unbeliever reading this or someone who believes in God, but the avenue taken to get to know Him was water baptism or good works or some other way, then I’d like you to consider an approach to God that isn’t earned in any way shape or form. If you’d like God to change you into an entirely new person, then here’s the opportunity for this to happen. Just repeat the following words either silently to yourself or out loud.

God the Father, I acknowledge that I’ve sinned in many areas, such as slandering; having sexual relations outside of marriage; being jealous; having participated in alcohol or drug abuse; having sex with others of the same gender; committing adultery; taking money from others in a deceitful manner; committed rape; engaged in pedophilia; etc. I don’t want to continue in these mental, verbal, and overt sins. I need a new nature.

I believe in your Son Jesus Christ as one of the members of the Trinity, who, as God preexisted time; came to the earth and took on the form of a man, being born of a virgin (no sin nature); lived a sinless life; listened to and obeyed the directives of his Father; went to the cross and paid for the penalty of and forgave the sins of the whole world; rose from the dead after three days, never to die again, walked the earth in His resurrection body for forty days witnessing to over five hundred people, and ascended into heaven to be seated at the right hand of God the Father.

And according to your promise, send the Holy Spirit to come and indwell my body, thus imparting to me a new nature. Thank you, I’m now a new spiritual creature.

Now, begin to assist me in helping me to overcome whatever areas are in my life that has brought about misery so that I can learn how to be set free from them. Again, thank you.

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New Covenant Ministries - Ministerios NuevoPacto - Harbor Church, Block Island

Sunday & Thursday Worship - Domingo & Jueves 7:00PM

My name is James Rondinone. I am a husband, father, and spiritual leader.

I grew up in Massachusetts and began my own spiritual journey early on in life.

I attended Bible college, having completed a two-year Christian Leadership Course of Study and graduated as valedictorian (Summa Cum Laude).

Studying and teaching the Word of God has been a passion of mine for over 20 years.

All kids deserve a chance to play #YouthSports – regardless of their ability. Help expand inclusive programs as part of the National Youth Sports Strategy from @HealthGov: https://bit.ly/2lQ85f6