She went on to live life as a redeemed child of God, confident of heaven. She was pointed to the Lord’s Prayer and the phrase, “forgive us our trespasses.” If Jesus was teaching his people to pray for forgiveness, it must mean that his people will commit sin at times-and be forgiven. That’s what happened with that future nurse. Crosby (March 24 th 1820-February 12 th, 1915) This hymn first appeared in the collection Bright Jewels for the Sunday School (New York, 1869. He sometimes still comes that way, with simple words in everyday settings-words that whisper hope. Please enjoy another wonderful hymn Title: Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross. But the Holy One was not in the wind or the earthquake or the fire. A wind strong enough to split rocks, or a shattering earthquake, or a raging fire, would fit well with the idea of an almighty God. We think of the first Pentecost with the tongues of fire on people’s heads and the sound of a mighty rushing wind in their ears.īut at other times, maybe most times, he works gently, quietly.Įlijah learned that lesson. There have been times when the Holy Spirit came to people in a blaze of glory that none could ignore. The gospel has the power to bring life to those living in the dungeon of spiritual death. Those who relay the message of the gospel are just his tools. He uses the words he has inspired writers to pen in Holy Writ. The Holy Spirit is the one who works saving faith. Sometimes a child is an effective missionary. It does not require a six-month instruction course before there is a result. We could conclude that the every-day-Christian is not qualified to do mission work-that is, to share the good news of Jesus with someone who does not already trust in him for forgiveness and salvation.Ī degree in theology is not needed to point others to Jesus. We may call to mind powerful sermons which proclaimed the way of salvation with clarity and energy. When we hear the phrase “mission work,” we might think of missionaries heading off to heathen lands. Thinking she was without Christ, she was without hope. She thought this proved her decision for Christ was fake. She knew she had sinned since that altar call. There was one other teaching: Once people accepted Christ into their hearts, they would never sin again. It usually took place following an “altar call.” After a sermon, the pastor would ask people to step forward to dedicate their lives to the Savior. She had grown up in a church that taught spiritual life required a decision to accept Christ into one’s life. I knew enough about her to know that she had been brought up in a Christian family, regularly attended worship services, and was apparently leading a Christian life. When I said I was studying to become a pastor, she made an unexpected comment. She said she was studying to become a nurse.