Empowered to Make a Difference

Spiritual life is a challenge. There are perceived impossible demands and expectations that weigh heavily on the Christian believer. Moving from who we are to who God wants us to be and from where we are to where he needs us to be is a challenging journey. That journey is made easier when the believer understands that he (God) places his Spirit in us at salvation, and that Spirit transforms us into someone that God can use to advance his kingdom. Empowered to Make a Difference by Les Tripp traces the work of the Holy Spirit from salvation to commitment and on to a deeper life. Tripp developed a passion for seeing believers break free from the mistaken belief that serving the Lord is something they must do in their own wisdom and strength. They fail to understand the power that is available to transform their lives and empower them to become productive members of God's family. That power comes by changing their perspective from "being in Christ" to having "Christ in me." Tripp describes the work of the Spirit in disciple-making and how the Spirit empowers us build the kingdom of God and make a difference in the lives of others. Learn to understand the Christian life in terms of engaging in a spiritual journey-a journey from a self-centered life without God to a productive life that is empowered to make a difference in the lives of others. It is a journey from a self-seeking life to discipleship. It is a journey directed by the Holy Spirit to advance his kingdom. It means knowing God's plan for your life and finding the power within you to carry it out.

Les Tripp is an elder in his church and a certified men's ministry coach. He has led ministry to men in three churches and served for ten years on the men's ministry leadership team of the Christian and Missionary Alliance. He has also served as a regional men's ministry coordinator. His passion is in discipling men. He provides men's disciplemaking resources on www.mensdisciplemaking.org and is the author of Strong and Courageous: a devotional for Men in the Battle and Walls and Gates: a devotional Study of the Book of Nehemiah. Les spent twenty-three years in the US Air Force in the field of information technology. He served in various command and staff positions. He spent another seventeen years working for a defense contractor. Les and his wife, Linda, live in Cantonment, Florida, and have three children and nine grandchildren.