By Larry P. Stover
The Selma Times-Journal

I’m still working on the necessary changes to make Valley Grande and all of Dallas County a spiritual place that is changing individuals one person at a time.

I’m praying every day that the Holy Spirit would break in on our churches and especially our residents. If individuals do not seek personal revivals in their lives, and if churches will not lead the way, there will be some difficult days ahead for all of us.

Newspaper headlines remind us every day of the people who have little regard for others or themselves.

Crime keeps growing and people are looking for others avenues of faith rather than a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

My prayer continues to be that all of us would have a “fresh encounter with Jesus Christ.” It’s like we need to fall in love with Jesus all over again.

Sin and disobedience are hardly thought of today let alone the eternal punishment of Hell for those who refuse to accept Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. Francis Chan summarizes this well. He comments, “People don’t want to be saved from their sins; they only want to be saved from the penalty of their sins.” These people don’t really hate sin and want to get as far away from it as they can. Some are not even sorry for what they do. They are only sorry because they got caught.

Somehow, in this postmodern world and post-Christian era, we must convince others that life in Jesus Christ is the most awesome experience that a person can have. It has to be more than a onetime event. It is all about a relationship with Jesus Christ that molds and shapes us into a reflection of our Savior.

This relationship must change us. It must change our understanding of sin. Romans 6:1-2 reminds, “What shall we say then? Shall we go on sinning that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?”

Lukewarm believers all over the area are in a state of sinning complacency. They act like their new life in Christ is no different than their old life of sin and disobedience.

These people rarely share their faith. For the most part, no one has any idea that they are a Christian. There is no visible change.

If we are determined to change our corner of the world, we must do it by being changed ourselves. If God were to open the windows of heaven and pour out a blessing on you based on your relationship with Jesus Christ, what would you get?

For me, I love being a Christian. It’s what makes life “Simply Beautiful.”