The young man from South America always came in early to use our wireless internet connection.  He was very quiet and did not interact very much.  One day he asked to speak to me.  “I have a problem with sexual sin in my life.  Witchcraft was practiced in my home when I was a boy.  Some say there is a connection to my sin and a curse from that sinful practice in my home. He said, “what do you think?”  Wow what a question!  The young man said he was a Christian so I kept talking to him week after week about the power we have over temptation as described in 1 Corinthians 10:13 and Romans 6 & 7.  He kept returning to the center with a sad face and a guilty countenance.  We talked and prayed but things stayed the same.  Then one Sunday when I asked about his testimony of salvation he admitted he wasn’t sure what he prayed when he prayed to receive Christ.  We talked some more and I realized that he had never received Christ personally.  A volunteer joined us in the Chapel and we prayed together for our young friend.  It was so encouraging to listen as the seafarer prayed very passionately for Christ to forgive him and come to take total control of his heart.

     The crew member thanked us profusely and then went back to his computer.  Later when chapel services started my friend came for the first time.  Before that day he always had to return to the ship before chapel began.  Now he had time for God’s Word.

     I learned an important lesson from this situation.  It is vital to make sure that  a person has been born again before we try to disciple them.  They will continue to fail in their struggle against sin when they don’t have the indwelling Spirit to empower them.  We might be sending them to battle before they have become a soldier.  We need to confirm that they have the True Shepherd in their hearts to guide and protect them.  Paul wrote, “Examine yourself to make sure you are in the faith.”

Only By His Grace,

Dan

 continued on page 3