This is my first time using a blog site and it's a little bit exciting as well as perplexing. What to write? First let me say that I'm glad to be saved for without God's grace I would still be in prison and not worried about blog sites, email, websites etc.. Next I'm grateful for God using me in His ministry of reconciliation. "Changed Lives Ministries" is a Gospel preaching ministry. It's the Gospel that has the power to change a life. It will change a man's heart; it changed mine!
couple in Ireland - Ireland is a long way from a
prison cell in Marion, Ohio.)
What is "The Gospel"? The word "Gospel" means "Good News! The Bible tells us that all men have sinned, fallen short of the glory of God and that the wages of sin is death, not just a physical death, but a spiritual death as well which will be spent eternally seperated from God in hell. What's so good about that?! Nothing! That's not the good news, silly! The good news is we don't have to die! God sent His Son, who became flesh and lived a perfect life without sin, to die in our place! Why? Because He loves us. Jesus was crucified, but the grave couldn't hold Him! He rose from the dead and now He sits at the right hand of the Father. He is coming again, this time not to save the lost, but to judge. If you believe in Him you'll have life eternally. I've stood before a lot of judges in my time; I've got one more judge to go and that's the Judge of all judges. When I stand before Him (because of what Jesus did) I'll stand there forgiven!!! Heaven is where I'm going! I've never stood before a judge forgiven before! Isn't it great to be forgiven?!
The world teaches that we need to change men from the outside in; "They need to be given an education...". Tell me an educated person doesn't commit crime. You can educate an evil person, but without the change of heart (that only the Gospel can provide) you haven't prevented him from reoffending. You can put him into a better neighborhood, but without the change of heart, you're only upgrading his list of potential victims. You can make excuses for him, but without the power of the Gospel he'll never realize his potential in Christ Jesus.
Excuse me for the long discourse, (I had meant this to be brief) but I get excited about the things of God. I know I've been changed by the power of the Gospel and if the change is real and it is; then the changer is real and He is! I was a man without hope, without a family, I had given that all away, but God has given it all back and so much more!
Today I travel all over the United States, Ireland, England, Africa and share the "Good News!" God changed my life and what He did for me, He will do for you! It's in His written Word and it's through faith in Jesus, "The Word" that became flesh.
If you are in need of prayer, let me pray with you. If you have someone you want me to write, in a physical prison , spiritual prison or both; send me the information and I'll be happy to write.
If you want me to visit your small group, large group or church. Send me the contact information and I'll contact you. The world is a mess, but there's good news for those who believe! Share in the good news by believing in Jesus, then share the good news with someone you love. If you read all this, God bless you! :) I didn't mean to be so long winded!
Sincerely,
Larry Skrant - Director Changed Lives Minsitries
Larry Skrant - Director Changed Lives Minsitries
