"SELECTING THE TWELVE"

Just a thought!

Have you ever wondered what criteria Jesus used if any in the selection process of the twelve. It is written that before every important event in Jesus' life, He took time to go off by Himself and pray. When it came time to choose His "Inner Circle", the 12 Disciples, He spent the whole night in prayer to God.

Jesus selected "ordinary" men with a mixture of backgrounds and personalities to be His disciples. Jesus gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every kind of disease and every kind of sickness. From the hundreds of people who followed Him from place to place, Jesus chose 12 to be His Apostles. The word Apostle means messenger or authorized representative. He did not choose these 12 to be His associates and companions because of their faith; their faith often faltered. He didn't choose them because of their talent and ability; no one stood out with unusual ability. The disciples represented a wide range of backgrounds and life experiences, but apparently they had no more leadership potential than those who were not chosen. The one characteristic they all shared was their willingness to obey Jesus. After Jesus' ascension, they were filled with the Holy Spirit and empowered to carry out special roles in the growth of the early church. We should not disqualify ourselves from service to Christ because we do not have the expected credentials. Being a good disciple is simply a matter of following Jesus with a willing heart. The disciples were sent out in pairs. Individually they could have reached more areas of the country, but this was not Christ's plan. One advantage in going out by two's was that they could strengthened and encouraged each other, especially when they faced rejection. Our strength comes from God, but He meets many of our needs through our teamwork with others. As you serve Christ, don't try to go it alone.

My wife and I go out and while one of us is sharing the Word, the other is standing there in prayer. We should not be afraid to reach out to people who are living in sin - God's message can change anyone. Listen and please understand, we are going to run into those who are sure that they are righteous, can't be saved because the first step in following Jesus is acknowledging our need and admitting that we don't have all the answers.

I like to consider myself as well as any one else who is a student of Christ, a Disciple. A learner, one who is being mentored by another, with a view to assimilating and propagating what is learned. The more we share our faith with others the easier it gets. We all are proficient in something and we can be used by the LORD, all we have to be is available.

Until Next Wednesday....

Make sure that all your important decisions are grounded in prayer.

Are YOU Ready?

Greetings to you all, it's time that we all had a Spiritual Checkup. If we don't challenge ourselves to go to the next level we become spiritually stagnant and aloof.

In Ezekiel 22: 30-31 it says " I searched for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand in the gap before me for the land, so that I would not destroy it; but I found no one. Vs 31 "Thus I have poured out my indignation on them; I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath; their way I have brought upon their heads," declares the LORD God. The wall spoken of here is not made of stone, but faithful people united in their efforts to resist evil. This wall was in disrepair because there was no one who could lead the people back to God.

I can't tell you how many times I've heard a brother in the faith tell me how busy he was. He talks about work and everything else that he puts before the LORD. Understand what I'm saying, we must not put anything before before the LORD. Our God is a jealous God, He demands complete devotion and nothing in between.

Don't be looked upon by God as He once looked at Israel, as worthless dross with nothing good in you.

God loves us so much that He will forgive and or rescue us right on time. Whether we sin once or many times, out of rebellion or out of ignorance, our sin separates us from God and will continue to separate us until God forgives us and removes it. The Word of God records time in our history when the LORD was fed up and He destroyed the earth.

The earth was no longer the perfect paradise that God had intended for man. It is shocking to see how quickly all of mankind forgot about God. How many times have you put God on a back burner in order to satisfy a certain lust. Incredibly, in all the world only one man and his family still worshiped God. This man was Noah, God saved him and his family from a vast flood that destroyed every other human being on earth. While in the wilderness Gods chosen people fashioned a golden calf and worshiped it. Yet again man totally dishonors God and brings Him to the brink. "Therefore He said that He would destroy them, had not Moses his chosen one stood in the breach before Him. To turn away His wrath from destroying them."

"Stood in the breach" means that Moses served as the people's intercessor. This refers to the time when the Lord wanted to destroy the people for worshiping the golden calf (Exodus 32:7-14). Can you be the one to stand in the gap for a loved one, or for your friend or even your Pastor? Can you pass the test, can you be counted as a righteous man to stand in the gap for mankind? Moses and Samuel where two of God's greatest prophets. Like Jeremiah, both interceded between God and the people (Exodus 32:11; Numbers 14:11-20; 1 Samuel 7:9;12:17; Psalm 99:6) Intercession is often effective. In this case, however, the people were so wicked and stubborn that God knew they would not turn to him.

In Ezekiel "O Israel, your prophets have been like foxes among ruins. "You have not gone up into the breaches, nor did you build the wall around the house of Israel to stand in the battle on the day of the Lord." (Ezekiel 13:4-5).

Let's not be like the people in Ezekiel 22, again the wall spoken of here is not made of stone, but of faithful people united in the efforts to resist evil.

This wall was in disrepair because there was no one who could lead the people back to God. What the people really needed was total spiritual reconstruction! Don't use religion as whitewash; repair your life by applying the principals of God's Word. God Loves you and so do I.


Have a great day in the Lord, see ya next wednesday...

FORGIVENESS

Today's topic is one of great importance, as it isone that gives the masses trouble. Jesus asked God to forgive the people who where putting Him to death. Roman Politicians, Jewish Leaders, Soldiers as well as Bystanders. The Romans executed people publicly as examples to the rank and file.

God answered the prayer of Jesus by opening up the way of Salvation even to Jesus' murderers. After the crucifixion of Christ many priest were converted to the Christian Faith. The Gospel, The Good News - is that God is gracious. He will forgive us and give new life through His Son.

"THE SEVEN LAST WORDS OF JESUS ON THE CROSS"

1- "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." Luke 23:34
2- "Truly I say to you, today you shall be with me in Paradise." Luke 23:43
3- Speaking to Mary and John, "Woman, behold, your son!
4-"My God, My God, Why have you forsaken Me? " Matthew 27:46, Mark 15:34
5- "I am thirsty."John 19:28
6- " It is Finished." John 19:30
7- "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." Luke 23:46

These last words capture the last moments of all that Jesus went through to gain our forgiveness.

Desmond Tutu, who led the nation of South Africa through a national process of Forgiveness and Reconciliation, put it well: "Forgiveness and being reconciled are not about pretending that things are other than they are. It is not patting one another on the back and turning a blind eye to the wrong."

Forgiveness looks sin in the eye and nevertheless speaks costly words: "I Forgive You."

Keeping a record of sins (or holding a grudge) is like building a wall between you and another person, and it is nearly impossible to talk openly while the wall is there. God doesn't keep a record of our sins; when He forgives, He forgives completely, tearing down any wall between us and Him. Therefore, we fear (revere) God, yet we can talk to Him about anything. When you pray, realize that God is holding nothing against you. His lines of communication are compeletely open.

Being very honest with each other, is there a time when you gave an apology to someone and didn't mean it? Thinking back I can remember a time in my youth, when I had a fight with another boy in school. After the teacher broke up our combat she made us come together again but this time with a apology and a hand shake. Now, at that moment in time all I truly wanted to do was to jump on him again. There was no repentance in my heart nor was my apology heartfelt. Since those days, I've learned to sincerly ask for forgiveness. My Bible says in Ephesians 1:7 "In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace. We truly have an amazing Savior. It truly boggles the mind the things you and I do within our own power, thinking that we are the captains of our own life. How many times have you hurt another and didn't give that incident a second thought? Jesus had compassion, unquestionable love for others, He was very sensitive to the needs of others, He was very sensitive to the needs of others. How does it make you feel when you reflect on the times you did not ask to be forgiven or the many times you didn't forgive someone for hurting you? God graciously accepts us even though we don't deserve it. God forgives us even when we have ignored or rejected Him, we should graciously forgive others. (Genesis 50:20) "As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive."

God brings good from evil for those who trust Him. Do you trust God enough to wait patiently for Him to bring good out of a bad situations?

Never forget that God can overrule man's evil intentions to bring about His intended results.

Until next Wednesday, practice asking for forgiveness and you forgiving others. Thank you so much for allowing me to share the Word with you.

Jim

"UNDERSTANDING SIN"

Can we talk about sin?


"Sin" (N) Transgression Any action which violates God's Law. Before the giving of the Ten Commandments and the many other Old Testament Laws found in the books of Exodus, Leviticus, and the book of deuteronomy, God occasionally spoke directly to individuals about what He required of them (e.g. Gen. 2:17).

The O T Laws later spelled out in great detail what constituted sin, and what to do to atone for sin. In the Gospels, of the New Testament Jesus further expounds sin as including not only actions but also evil thoughts, such as unfounded anger toward others. Man defines Sin (N) An offense esp. Against God (2) Fault (3) A weakened state of human nature in which the self is estranged from God.

Now that we know what God's definition of sin is, ignorance can know longer be used as an excuss for sinning. We are in the fight of our lives, yes as Christians we understand that no weapon formed against us shall prosper. It's important that as Christians you understand that we don't get a free pass from sin.

Now going back to the Garden Of Eden, Sin crawled in as a Serpent. We are going to have to fight and resist sin in every area of our lives. We are told in James 4:7 "Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you." Satan is here now, however, and he is trying to win us over to his evil cause. With the Holy Spirit's power, we can resist the devil, and he will flee from us. It's time to take back ground that we have surrendered to the enemy. It's important that we understand the importants of Ephesians 4:27 "And do not give the devil an opportunity." We must not harbor nor nurture our sin, when we do it's giving the devil a "place" in our lives. As our spiritual and then mortal enemy Satan is scheming for a foothold in our lives.

Earlier I made a reference to the Garden of Eden and satan entering as a slippery snake. Why is it that we don't want to admit sin in our life? (Gen. 2:25) "And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed." Once Adam and Eve Sinned they had a reason to be embarrassed, and to feel shame and then awkwardness followed, creating barriers between themselves and God. Do you feel yourself putting on a Fig Leaf so to speak, to cover your sin?

Satan is our enemy!!! He will do anything he can to get us to follow his evil, deadly path. Adam and Eve learned way back in the garden by painful experience that because God is holy and hates sin, he must punish sinners. Adam and Eve's disobedience and fall from God's amiable
presence affected all creation. In Genesis 6:6-7 "The LORD was sorry that he had made man on earth, and he was grieved in His heart. (7) The LORD said, "I will not blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, from man to animals to creeping things and to birds of the sky; For I am sorry that I have made them." It's vital that we recognize when we sin. You may have sin that is out of mind and even forgotten sin. In Psalm 139:23-24 David said "Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxious thoughts; (24) And see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way." Wow, Isn't it comforting to know that if we ask the LORD to search our heart and our thoughts and to reveal our sin, you will be continuing on God's "everlasting way."

"SIN WILL FIND YOU OUT" Gen.4:7 "If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it."

We must grasp the fact that Sin is still crouching at our doors today, and maybe even right now for someone. Please understand that we will be victims of sin if we do not master it. Sin offends our holy God and separates us from him. Because God is holy, He cannot ignore, excuse, or tolerate sin as though it didn't matter. People who die with their life of sin unforgiven separate themselves eternally from God. God wants us to live with Him forever, but He cannot take them into His holy presence unless their sin is removed.

"MY LORD CAN SAVE YOU IF YOU TURN TO HIM".
"But your iniquities have made a separation between you and God, and your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear." (Isaiah 59:2)

Please believe (1 John 1:9) " If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness". When we come to Christ, He forgives all the sins we have committed or will ever commit.

Until next week

Jim

" RESPONSIBILITIES OF A GRANDFATHER"

Yesterday I had the honor and the priviledge of spending some alone time with my five week old grandson Joel. Many memories flooded my mind, like remembering holding young Joels Mother in my arms in much the same way as a newborn. I found myself looking into his face and wondering what his future will be. As a Grandfather I'm concerned about what Mom and Dad don't teach. A Grandparent can be more liberal in what we feel a child is ready to hear or learn. Our oldest daughter the mother of Joel would tell our oldest grandson stories in the Bible and she animated the telling as to keep the attention of a 2 year old. This 2 year old loved 1 Samuel 3 " The Prophetic Call To Samuel" so much that he would recite portions of this chapter on demand this is fact, No brag just fact. When I was a much younger man there was a T.V. Western called " The Guns Of Will Sonnett" starring Walter Brennan. His catch phrase was "No brag just fact" I've borrowed that saying for today. I'm very proud of all my grandchildren.

As a Father and a Grandfather I wish to share the fact that my Wife and I are very instrumental in the teachings of our grandsons.
As the grandparents of five boys and one on the way in April, my Wife and I are staying somewhat up to date with Todays youth,while nostalgia is in our hearts and minds. With the wistfulness of days gone by I sometimes long for the days of not having to lock our doors. My respondsibility for my Son and Daughters will last until I pass. Man says that when we reach the age of 18 we are adults and we are to make our own decisions. (Gal. 4:1,2) " Now I say, as long as the heir is a child, he does not differ at all from a slave although he is owner of everything. (2) but he is under guardians and managers until the date by the Father. "

Our Father God knows that the stability and the soundness of a family depends on the Wisdom and the devotion of the grandfather. Guys it's never to late for any of us to change and to take advantage of the Word of God. (Deut. 4:9) So that you do not forget the things which your eyes have seen and they do not depart from your heart all the days of your life; "but make them known to your sons and your grandsons."

Men have you committed your life to God for Safekeeping? If you have, then you have to understand that God deserves the best we have to offer. We must be willing to change our ways of living and become the grandfathers that the Lord wants us to be. If you haven't already, it's time to consider your legacy. Grandfathers may be older than you, but we're experienced in life and the things of God. It's truly a wonderful thing to look into your Grandsons face and see a part of you. As you gaze into that innocent face and you wonder what kind of man or woman this child will grow into. At that moment you will Vow that as long as their is breath in your body and you're of sound mind you will share your Wisdom and Knowledge of God with this infant, I did.

Fathers it's important that you understand Your role and the Grandfathers role in the lives of you children. Never forget that Believers are God's Treasured possessions, so make sure that you have committed your life to God for safekeeping.
My children were under the age of 10 when they met Jesus as their personal Savior. Please know that children are like sponges and Can and Will absorb what ever is poured into them.

May God Bless You All... "IT'S MY PRAYER TO UPDATE THIS PAGE EACH WEDNESDAY"...LORD WILLING