"Outside Influences"

Hello all,

Have you ever had one of those days that turns into a week in which it seems that you just can't get anything done? No matter how much you tell yourself that you have to buckle down and get it done, nothing seems to happen. I'm grateful that today is Wednesday and it's been like pulling teeth this week as my laptop is on the blink. It's as if my brain said that it's vacation time, time to change the creative juices in my mind. One good thing that I look forward to each week is Thursday morning. Every Thursday morning at 6a.m. a group of dedicated men who care about the souls that they are responsible for (Family) come together to seek the face of the Lord. We believe that "Prayer Changes Things" and we also believe that we must be the Strongman in our families. Sometimes one finds himself/herself praying for others far away and that's OK. I think that it's cool to pray for others especially when they are not even aware of it. Have you ever wondered why you are being so blessed at times and other times you may not feel it? Just maybe someone is praying for you!

Ever since the beginning of time, when the fall of man took place, man needed to be on the look- out for the serpent, Satan. Outside influences seem to creep into our lives. In Genesis three Satan disguised as a crafty serpent tempted Eve by getting her to doubt God. How often have you left your home not fully clothed, not totally dressed for the day? I'm talking about forgetting to put on your armor of protection. Without being Prayed up it's easy for us to get thumped by Satan and his demons. Satan and his crew are intentional about occupying a secure place in our hearts. It's very important for us to fort up and use the weapons that God gave to us. We've been given: The Word Of God, Daily Prayer, Growing FAITH, Hope and Love, the Holy Spirit will open up God's Word to us as never before.

"Keep Your Wit's About You"

"MARRIAGE"

Isn't God good, he thought of everything?

The institution of marriage is so very important to the Father that He wrote about it. As a loving Father He wants to share His heart with us in the same manner that we wish to share with our offspring.

MARRIAGE IS PERMANENT (Matthew 19:6) "So they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate".

If you are married or planning to be married, you must be willing to keep the commitment that makes the two of you one? The goal in marriage should be more than friendship; it should be oneness. Marriage is based on principled practice of love, not on feelings. Ephesians 5:21-33 will open your understanding to this fact. The Word of God teaches there must be lines of authority, even in marriage, there should not be lines of superiority. God created men and women with unique and complementary characteristics. One sex is not better than the other. We must not let the issue of authority and submission become a wedge to destroy oneness in marriage. Instead, we should strive to strengthen our marriages and to glorify God.

Ideally, only death should dissolve marriage (Romans 7:2-3) Unfortunately men and women go into marriage with an escape plan. It's as if some say, if this marriage thing gets uncomfortable or hard work I'm gone. Commitment is essential to a successful marriage (Genesis 24:58-60). My wife and I are still discovering things about each other, going on forty years of marriage. We should take a page from Solomon when it comes to the language of love.

Listen there is nothing more vital than encouraging and appreciating the person you love. Be sure to tell your spouse "I Love You" every day, and show that love by your actions. It's truly sad, just how many married couples are just living together. Christian marriage involves mutual submission, subordinating our personal desires for the good of the loved one, and submitting ourselves to Christ as Lord. I confess that there have been a few times in the past 40 years that I have not been at my best, nor did I always make the best decision. Please listen, this is a significant statement about judging others. We must realize the importance of compassion and forgiveness... When others are caught in sin, are you quick to pass judgment? To do so is to act as though you have never sinned. It is God's role to judge, not ours. Our role is to show forgiveness and compassion. When your spouse hurts you and your feelings it's essential to forgive ASAP.

"Then the Lord God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him".

Being there for your spouse, the love of your "Youth" is paramount.
Proverbs 5:15 "Drink waters from your own cistern and fresh water from your own well". Enjoy the spouse God has given you. Now, in desert lands, water is precious, and a well is a family's most important possession.

We are to look to each other for lifelong satisfaction and companionship. God designed marriage and sanctified it, and only within this covenant relationship can we find real Love and Fulfillment. Life is rough enough with out a partner... DAILY PRESCRIPTION: "Communicating Love and expressing Admiration in both Words and Actions can enhance every marriage".

Have a great day in the Lord, until next time,

Jim

"GOD'S MERCY"

Have you truly ever taken any time to contemplate why God loves you so much? Why would the Lord of Lords and the King of Kings love me so much and have God-like mercy on me? You know, in the New Testament of the Bible we are shown just how much Jesus loves us no matter who we are. Jesus Christ was intentional about His purpose here on earth, and even to this day He's cheering for each of us as the gentleman He is.

We all know right from wrong and hopefully we are doing our best to be Christ-like in all ways. We are shown the compassion of our Savior, and it appears that He healed everyone who asked to be whole again.

"Mercy" Compassion of God in holding back our just judgment also He extends undeserved compassion and forgiveness to man. Our God can do this without compromising His justice, because of the death and resurrection of Christ. Mercy is also a Christian virtue encouraged of believers. If we were given what we truly deserve, the "Cowardly" are not those who are faint-hearted in their faith or who sometimes doubt or question, but those who turn back from following God. They are not brave enough to stand up for Christ; They are not humble enough to accept his authority over their lives. They are put in the same list as the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the liars, the idolaters, the sexually immoral, and those who practice the art of magic.

It's important to become an "OVERCOMER" and as an over comer of this world we must understand that Jesus never promised that obeying Him would be easy. Now the hard work and self-discipline of serving Christ are no burden to those of us who love Him. And if our load starts to feel heavy, we can always trust Christ to help us bear it.

"ASPIRANT TO WISDOM"

It's my prayer that all is well with each and every one of you.

We must store up knowledge in this life, but if we don't seek God's wisdom we are heading for a fall. The Father wants us to be wise and to consistently make judgments showing God's savvy.

If you are not reading and studying the Bible on a daily basis I believe that you will not be able to stand the enticement of the devil. In order for us to walk, we must crawl. Before we start our adult lives we must endeavor to educate ourselves in the things of God. My wife and I found much value in the book of Proverbs when our children were just toddlers.

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction (Prov.1:7)".

The Merriam - Webster Dictionary defines the word fool as " a person who lacks sense or judgment." We should be a 'seeker of wisdom', the knowledge that we possess should be dispatched with confidence. It's important for us not to keep our knowledge of God to ourselves. Don't hide or divide the bedrock of knowledge is to fear the LORD, as we honor and reverence the LORD, be mindful to share. Some of you are aware that one of my favorite books of the Bible is "Joshua". He truly was a wise leader and he set under the pedagogy of Moses, who learned all he could from the Egyptians and then all he could from God. I believe gravitating towards those of wisdom will keep us on the straight and narrow.

I'm reminded of Proverbs 3:5-6 " Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. (6) In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight."

Talk over all your decisions with the Father, spend time in the Word of God as it will never steer you wrong. We should always be willing to listen to and be corrected by God's Word and wise counselors.

Until next time...