Charlie was a cripple with a severe speech impediment. His mind was sharp and he loved Lord. He especially enjoyed songs. When I first met him, he was a bit grouchy but over years, Lord did a great work in his life. He became a sweet brother in Christ. I got to where I could understand some of his speech. When I would ask those folks to remember my Mama in prayer, tears would roll down his cheeks as I saw his lips move in prayer. He would always ask, "How is your Mama?" One of his favorite songs was "Hallelujah Square", particularly verse, "I'll see all my friends in Hallelujah Square, what a wonderful time we'll all have up there, we'll sing and praise Jesus his glory to share and there won't be a cripple in Hallelujah Square." He knew one day he would be made whole and would be free from his crippled body. Last year, 2002, Lord called him home. I had special mission of preaching at his funeral. He was a dear friend and I'll see him again one day.

Over years of nursing home ministry, I've seen many come and go. Not all died, some recovered and went back home. Some were transferred to other facilities.

Many of these precious people had a really close relationship to Lord. Their hardships had made them draw near to Lord and exercised their faith. I'm glad those people prayed for me.

Isaiah 61:3: "To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, oil of joy for mourning, garment of praise for spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, planting of Lord, that he might be glorified."

Mistake #3: "I better be sure to ask forgiveness for my sins when I do sin because I want to make sure I'm forgiven of them, so God will still love me..."

Why would you ask for something that you already have? Why would you ask for forgiveness of sins you have already been forgiven of?

When Christ died on Cross for sins of world, he died for ALL of them! Right? So when you accepted by faith his gift of salvation, sacrifice that he made for your sins you received forgiveness for ALL of your sins! That is why Christ said, "It is finished".

A common misunderstanding is that he died only for those sins you have already committed, not future ones. That sins you commit from here on out have to be forgiven.

Ponder this for a moment, how many of your sins were in future 2,000 yrs ago?

You are completely and totally forgiven of all of your sins-past, present, and future! You received life of Christ upon accepting salvation, that's why you are a reborn, righteous saint! Instead of asking for forgiveness, give God praise for awesome completed work at cross!

-- Caleb Osborne is a young Christian man that has just authored his first book...

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