"TRUE JOY COMES FROM JESUS"

How are you doing today? Are you feeling a bit weighed down? I've had something on my heart since yesterday morning. It's my prayer that this ministers to you.

As believers do we need to be concerned about our future? I'm glad that the answer for this comes right out of the Bible, go to the book of Matthew and read verses 19-24. These verses speak on storing up treasures. Many believe that this is all about giving money. Well it's not just limited to tithing but can accompany all acts of obedience to our Lord. Their seems to be a sense in which the giving of our money to God's work is investing in heaven.

You know Saints our intentions must be to seek the realization of our LORD'S purposes in everything we do, not merely what we do with our money. For years all I thought about was making and providing for my family and our futures. Then about ten years ago I had major health issues and was not able to get out and work. I gave my life to the LORD in 1982 but I was always getting in His way. Sometimes the LORD has to do an intervention in someone's life as I now totally depend on Him.

Now I will share the verse that's been on my heart since yesterday morning. It comes from the book of Philippians. (Phil 4:19) "And my God will supply all of your needs according to HIS riches in glory in Christ Jesus".

When one thinks of the word "need" you may think of Necessity, Obligation, Shortage, Urgency and maybe even Lack Of. I believe that it's very important that we distinguish between what I want and what I need. We all want our needs to be taken care of but we need a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

As believers we can have extreme contentment, serenity, and peace no matter what is happening in our life. This joy comes from knowing Christ personally and from depending on His strength rather than our own.

We can have joy even in times of hardship, joy does not come from outward circumstances but from inward strength. As Christians, we must not rely on what we have or what we experience to give us joy but on Jesus Christ within us.

We can trust that God will always meet our needs. Whatever we need on earth He will always supply even if it is the courage to face death as Paul did. Whatever we need in heaven He will supply. We must remember, however, the difference between our wants and our needs. Are you hearing me, most people want to feel good and avoid discomfort or pain. We may not get all that we want. By trusting in Christ, our attitudes and appetites can change from wanting everything to accepting his provision and power to live for Him. Always remember that He's an on time God.

Until next time remember that your Joy comes from the LORD...

Jim

"WORRYING IS A WASTE OF TIME"

Just a word, have you ever thought about about the time you've spent on worrying? Take a moment and think about these words that are affiliated with "Worry": Anxiety, Trouble, upset, distress, fret, to shake and mangle with the teeth, ( her poor health worries me).

Because of the ill effects that worry causes, Jesus told us not to worry about the needs that God has already promised to supply. I can't tell you how many times that I have read about the Love of Jesus and his provisions. When we worry we:

1. Reduce our ability to trust in God.
2. Cause the object of our worry to consume our thoughts.
3. Disrupt our productivity.
4. Damage our health.
5. Negatively affects the way we treat others.

Take a moment, how many ill effects of worry are you presently experiencing? Nobody knows you or how your body is affected but you and our Savior. To help you get to the bottom of this last question here is the difference between Worry and genuine Concern- "Worry immobilizes, but concern moves you to action".

• The same God who created life in you can be trusted with the details of your life.
• Worrying about the future hampers your efforts for today.
• Worrying is more harmful than helpful.
• God does not ignore those who depend on him.
• Worry shows a lack of faith in and understanding of God.
• There are real challenges God wants us to purse, and worry keeps us from them.
• Living one day at a time keeps us from being consumed with worry.

"And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life (Matt. 6:27)?" Just think about this verse of Scripture, what positive effect does it have on your life? Well in some cases, nothing happens, while in other situations we gain wrinkles, gain weight, we lose sleep, oh and others turn grey before their time.

It's important for us to realize just how much Jesus loves us. When the Lord God himself tells us not to worry, maybe we shouldn't waste another moment of time doing so.

Until next time stay worry free.

Jim

PAUL, SILAS AND THE JAILER

Greetings to you all. It's very important that we realize that others are watching us, even from afar. " OTHERS JUST MAY COME TO CHRIST BECAUSE OF OUR EXAMPLE."

Have you ever wondered about the Jailer in the book of Acts? He was probably a long time trusted employee of the city. When Paul and Silas were cast into prison they had already been striped and beaten with rods. You see under the Roman Empire the police attendants of public officials carried bundles of rods, or cane, bound in a circle around an axe, symbolizing the power of the authorities to chastise and even execute. A representation of this ancient device being visible today on the reverse side of our U.S. Dime.

These brothers were beaten only because they were Jewish and not Greeks. They experienced total humiliation, their clothing was torn from them and the actual beating was inflicted upon their flesh. (II Corinthians 11:25) " Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep." Paul experienced difficulties and humiliations for the cause of Christ. Paul was sacrificing his life for the Gospel, would and can you. Friends the trials and hurts that we experience for the sake of Jesus Christ builds character, and demonstrate our faith, and prepare us for further service to the LORD.

The Jailer would sometimes get advance notice of his prisoners nevertheless resisted any humane impulse that might have come to him; and, instead of "keeping them safely" as charged, added the element of torture to their time spent with him. He would subject them to the stocks.

A device normally used for publicly punishing offenders consisting of a wooden frame with holes in which the feet and hands can be locked. This prevented their being able either to sit up or to lie down, and must have been a most painful and unnecessary humiliation imposed upon them by the pagan jailer. God would speak to him, however, before the night was over. I'm amazed that Paul endured pain and much danger as he fulfilled his calling. (II Corinthians 11: 26-27) " I have been on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren; (27) I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure". Understanding some of the suffering and indignities that Paul endured will help us fathom just how he and Silas were able to pray and sing hymns to the Father.

When Praises go up, Blessings come down.

I have to wonder just when they started singing and praising God. At this point in time one might think that Paul was getting some what dubious as to all the suffering he has gone through.

True Riches

We are truly rich and blessed beyond measure. When we look at society and see how rich the average citizen of the United States is, we often over look just how rich each and every Christian is. We all have a treasure in Christ that moth can not destroy and that will never rust. We have a treasure that will last through out the ages to come! We have a personal relationship with God our Father through Jesus Christ whom died for our sins to conquer death and bring us back into fellowship with God. No amount of money could ever come close to purchasing even a single drop of Christ's blood that was shed for our salvation.

So what treasures are we to build up in this world? What are we 'called' to do? In this world we are told not to build up treasures of material worth. In Matt 6:19-21 we are told: 6:19 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 6:20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 6:21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

What are treasures that moth and rust can not destroy? How about a spouse who sticks by you no matter what happens in life? Or children that love and adore you even when you can't afford to throw them the birthday party they want or buy them that special toy that they just think they 'have' to have. It's the non-tangible/material things in life that make life worth living. It is the hug from a child or the hand holding of a spouse. It's the hug you get from a friend when you help them out (or that you give them when they help you up).

Ecc 4:10 - 12
4:10 If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! 4:11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? 4:12 Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

He who has good friends is rich beyond any amount of monetary value that can be deposited in a bank.

That being said, we are not called to be peasants or to live a vow of poverty in this life. Quite the opposite as we see in Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 29:12Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 29:13You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Yes, the verse above is talking about God bringing His people out of captivity, but it is still applicable to the point that I'm trying to make: that God loves us and has the best intentions for us. But it's not until we call upon Him and seek Him that He will truly give to us.

When we are seeking Him first and doing His will then He will begin to shower His blessings upon us. He will give us so much that we can not begin to keep it all for ourselves. He will bless us as we in turn bless others! 3:6"I the Lord do not change. So you, O descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed. 3:7 Ever since the time of your forefathers you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you," says the Lord Almighty. "But you ask, 'How are we to return?' 3:8"Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. "But you ask, 'How do we rob you?' "In tithes and offerings. 3:9You are under a curse--the whole nation of you--because you are robbing me. 3:10Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the Lord Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.

Verse 6 is vitally important, this is a scripture from the OT and since we are now living under "Grace" and not strictly following the Mosaic law it's important for us to understand that we are still called to follow God's laws. The Ten Commandments are still applicable. So for verse 6 to state that the Lord does not change means that He still requires us to follow Him and that He will continue to bless us. But He will not bless us if we are outside His will and are not being good stewards of that which He has entrusted to us.

It is in verse 10 that we see that our blessings from God (not just fruits of our own labor) will overflow that we will not have room for it all. This is when we have more and more to share with our neighbors. This is when God will continue to bless and use us. And it is when we are truly good and faithful servants that we begin to build up treasures in Heaven where moth and rust cannot touch them. These treasures are the kind that we will keep with us for all eternity. They can be the jewels upon the crown we shall receive for leading others to a relationship with Christ.

How do we make deposits into our Heavenly "savings accounts"? 2 Corinthians 9:6-9

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: "He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; His righteousness endures forever."

That my friends is when we are truly serving God and allowing Him to work through us. And it is at that point in our lives when we are truly rich.

I hope this helped you as much as I believe it has helped me to realize how truly blessed and "rich" I am as I look over at my children and my wife.

Benjamin

Failing to Pray

OK, Friends this one is truly important please pay attention.

We're instructed to pray in the book of 1 Samuel for others. "Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you" (1 Samuel 1:23). According to Samuel failing to pray for others is a sin. As men and women of Christ it is our responsibility to: (1) To pray consistently for others (Ephesians 6:18), and (2) they should teach others the right way to God (2 Timothy 2:2). How many times have you told someone that you would pray for them and didn't? How many times have you just forgot to keep your vow to pray? It's important for us to understand that we may disagree with others, but we shouldn't stop praying for them.

Husbands, and all who are head of your households, continue to pray a hedge of protection around your families. Satan is limited to what God allows.

Friends we must learn to recognize, but not fear, Satan's attacks because Satan cannot exceed the limits that God sets. Don't let any experience drive a wedge between you and the Father. Friends, we cannot control how Satan may attack, but you can always choose how you will respond when it happens.

How many of us have one or more unsaved relatives? What do you do? You pray continuously and as a result of your personal relationship with the LORD Jesus you will see God bring salvation to your whole family. If you don't pray for your unsaved relatives who will? In this world that we live in one never knows what's coming around the corner.

How many of us have experienced that occasional "BEND IN THE ROAD"? How many of you have a child who is rejecting God and who is in total rebellion? You must stand in the gap for that child or children.

The Bible in 1 Samuel 15:23 " For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and insubordination is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has also rejected you from being king". Most parents think of rebellion as the resistance to authority; And they believe that it's not a very serious thing. Rebellion and Arrogance (Insubordination) are serious sins. When we sin it is an offense against God. They entail far more than being independent and strong - minded. Scripture equates them with divination (Witchcraft) and idolatry, sins deserving of death. Rebellion against God is perhaps the most serious sin of all because as long as an individual rebels, he or she slams the door to forgiveness and restoration with God.

Listen it's so important to "Bind" Satan through prayer, and cast down false reasoning's which Satan has built in the mind of your family member. Do you remember Job? He was tested... His life was filled with prestige, possessions, and people, he was suddenly assaulted on every side, divested, stripped down to his foundation. But his life was built on God, and he endured.

God himself finally answered Job. God Almighty is in control of this world, and only He understands why the good are allowed to suffer. This only becomes clear to us when we see God for who He is. We must courageously accept what God allows to happen in our lives and remain firmly committed to Him. Those of you who are head of households purpose to build a spiritual "Wall of protection" around each member of your family. When I was a much younger man when my children were between 4 and 8 years of age, we would gather the family together for prayer at dinner time. It was important to me as the children grew into their teen years we would gather at 6A.M. for prayer before we all left the house and scattered in four to five different directions.

Husbands, Fathers, and head of Households it's very important for you to pray a 'Hedge of Protection' around your families.

Until Next Wednesday...