Have you confessed your sins and believed on the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Savior? You must to this to be saved from eternal loss. Having done so, you have "scored the winning run," in the game of life.
So whoever has God's Son has life; whoever does not have His Son does not have life. -- 1 John 5:12

YOU SIGNED WITH THE WINNING TEAM WHEN YOU RECEIVED CHRIST! 1. Your sins were forgiven (Col. 1:14). 2. You became a child of God (Jn. 1:12). 3. God indwelt you with His Spirit so you may live victoriously over the world (Jn. 15:18-19), the flesh (Rom. 7:15-18), and the devil (1 Pet. 5:8). 4. You began the process of discovering God's pupose for your life (Rom. 8:29). BUT...WHAT'S HAPPENING NOW?

Though our Lord has assured all His children of eternal life (John 10:28) and our position in Christ never changes, our practice may sometimes bring dishonor to God. The enemy rally makes life miserable. The enemy's dugout: --Prayerlessness --No Desire for Bible Study --Loss of love --Legalistic attitude --Jealousy --Guilt This rally must be stopped, for the Bible makes it clear that no one who belongs to God can continually practice sin (1 Jn. 2:3, 3:6-10).

	These two pitchers' mounds represent the two lifestyles from which a Christian must choose:
	Self in control of the game and Christ's Resurrection power waiting in the bullpen -- enemy rally produces discord. For we naturally love to do evil things that are just the opposite from the things that the Holy Spirit tells us to do;		Power of Christ replaces self on the mound -- rally is stopped and peace is restored. ...and the good things we want to do when the Spirit has His way with us are just the opposite of our natural desires. Gal. 5:17a
	SO, WHAT'S THE SOLUTION?

BRING IN THE PERFECT RELIEVER We must step off the mound and allow God to have complete authority by giving control of the game to the Holy Spirit.
Only by giving the Holy Spirit of God His rightful place of authority over our every thought, word and deed, can we consistently overcome defeat and despair. If we are living now by the Holy Spirit's power, let us follow the Holy Spirit's leading in every part of our lives. -- Gal. 5:25

WHAT DOES THE HOLY SPIRIT DO? When you received Jesus Christ as Savior, the Holy spirit indwelt you (Rom. 8:9). Though all who have recieved Christ are indwelt by the Spirit, not all are filled (empowered, motivated) by the Spirit. The Holy Spirit: a) Instructs us in all things (Jn. 14:25-27). b) Always glorifies Jesus Christ (Jn. 15:26, 16:13-15). c) Convicts us when things are wrong in our lives (Jn. 16:7-8). d) Helps us to share Christ with others (Acts 1:8) e) Assures us we belong to Christ (Rom. 8:26). f) Enables us to live above circumstances through prayer (Rom. 8:26). g) Flows from us as the source of an abundant and victorious life (Jn. 7:37-39). HOW CAN YOU BE FILLED?

You can be filled (motivated) by the Holy Spirit right now IF YOU ARE WILLING to step off the mound of your life and give the ball to the Master Coach.
Now your attitudes and thoughts must all be constantly changing for the better. Yes, you must be a new and different person, holy and good. Clothe yourself with this new nature. -- Eph. 4:23-24

The Master Coach will not replace you on the mound against your heart's desire. Just as in receiving Christ, living constantly in His power is a matter of your will. The keys to victory: Rom. 6 (NAS) A. KNOWING THIS, that our old self was crucified with Him, that our body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin; for he who has died is freed from sin! (v. 6-7) B. Even so, CONSIDER YOURSELVES TO BE DEAD to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus. (v. 11) C. But PRESENT YOURSELVES TO GOD as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteaousness to God. (v. 13b) PRESENT YOURSELF TO GOD THROUGH PRAYER

HERE IS A SUGGESTED PRAYER: Dear Father, I confess that I have taken control of my life and therefore have sinned against You. Thank You for forgiving me. I now CONSIDER myself dead to sin and PRESENT this body to You as a living sacrifice. I desire to be filled with Your Spirit as I live in obedience to Your WORD. Thank You for taking control of my life by the power of Your Spirit. Amen.

HOW DO YOU KNOW YOU ARE FILLED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT? And we are sure of this, that He WILL listen to us whenever we ask Him for ANYTHING IN LINE WITH HIS WILL. And if we really KNOW He is listening when we talk to Him and make our requests, then we CAN BE SURE that He will answer us. -- 1 Jn. 5:14-15 Is it God's will that you be filled (motivated) by His Spirit? He has said so (Eph. 5:18). Therefore, based upon the authority of God's word and His trustworthiness, you can KNOW you are filled with His Spirit regardless of your emotions.

WHAT WILL GOD'S PERFECT RELIEVER ACCOMPLISH IN YOUR LIFE? He will retire all doubt, fear, worry and other sins that run the bases of your life. He will substitute love, joy, peace and other fruits (Gal. 5:22-23). His assortment of pitches includes truth, faith, righteousness and other weapons through which daily victory is assured (Eph. 6:10-18). He will turn your eyes to the Master Coach, Jesus Chrsit, and conform you to His likeness (II Cor. 3:18). You can praise and thank God through trials and suffering in the game of life, knowing He has a plan for you (James 1;2-4). The final score will bring much glory to God!

WHAT IF SELF TRIES TO GET BACK INTO THE GAME? The self life is a deadly enemy of the control of the Holy Spirit. Often self will try to return to the game, and when that happens, Satan quickly reloads the bases. If you sense this happening, take these steps: 1) Confess all known sin to God and thank Him. He has forgiven you (1 Jn. 1:9) 2) Trust Christ to again fill you with the Holy Spirit, who will once more take control (Eph. 5:18)

Playing the game of life under His control will become a way of life, and you will experience constant victory! If this webpage has helped you, please pass it on to a friend who also knows Jesus Christ as his personal Savior. He, too, can enjoy walking daily in the power of the Holy Spirit. May God bless you.