" A LIFETIME COMMITMENT "

Good Morning To You All,

This weeks subject is one that might just hit a nerve with some of you. Please understand that I am not judging but touching on a subject that has long term consequences. The decisions that some of us make in life are regrettably made when we are in an emotional state of mind. I truly have to work on God being in the decision making process for everything. We are accountable for our every word, action and deed in our life. It's high time that we purposed to truly act like disciples of Jesus Christ. We all have made mistakes and I'm sure that we will stumble and fall in the future. It's vital that we pick ourselves up dust ourselves off and seek the face of God. People divorce for a host of reasons and as I said earlier I'm not here to judge, but I am here to hopefully invest in your life.

Jesus says in no uncertain terms that marriage is a lifetime commitment. Much to often we find that couples enter into marriage with an escape plan. Once upon a time when a man took a wife in marriage, and discovers some indecency in her he was allowed to divorce her. God allows divorce as a concession to people's sinfulness. Now, please take note, divorce was not approved but it was instituted to protect the injured party in a bad situation. Don't enter into marriage with the option of getting out when and if it becomes hard. I understand that living with another can at times be stressful even challenging, just ask my wife of 40 years. We have had our ups and downs, and yes our disagreements, more than I would care to admit. But we've weathered the turbulence of life and marriage. All that to say, your marriage is more likely to be happy if from the outset you and your spouse are committed to permanence. It's been suggested that we should be hardheaded in our determination, with God's help, to stay together. Husbands should not break faith with their wives and ignore the bonding between the husband and a wife that God instills ( the two become one person), as well as his purpose for them (raising children who love the Lord, "godly offspring"). Guys you should not break faith with your wives, and don't ignore the bonding relationship and spiritual purpose of being united with God.

When we know we've done something wrong, we want to downplay the error and relieve some of the guilt we feel. As we minimize our sinfulness, we naturally shy away from making changes, and so we keep on sinning. Sins involving sex are not innocent dabblings in forbidden pleasures, as is so often portrayed, but powerful destroyers of relationships. They confuse and tear down the climate of respect, trust, and credibility so essential for solid marriages and secure children. Let your marriage grow strong by protecting your relationship from too many outside pressures and distractions. Divorce is as hurtful and destructive today as in Jesus' day. When we enter into marriage, people should never consider divorce an option for solving problems or a way out of a relationship that seems dead. Are your actions today helping your marriage grow stronger, or are you tearing it apart? Those who discover that their spouse has been unfaithful should first make every effort to forgive, reconcile, and restore their relationship. We are always to look for reasons to restore the marriage relationship rather than looking for excuses to leave it. Don't be one of those who purposefully abuse the marriage contract, using divorce to satisfy their lustful desire to marry someone else. TO LEAVE YOUR SPOUSE FOR ANOTHER PERSON MAY BE LEGAL, BUT IT IS ADULTERY IN GOD'S EYES. One should not divorce their spouse on a whim. Divorce in most cases is a permanent and final act for a couple.

Let's work on checking with God before we make any decision. " In everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" (1 Thess. 5:18). Even when evil strikes we can still be thankful that the Lord is right their with us as he will never leave us nor forsake us. Please remember that even in the midst of turmoil, God is in control, so rejoice always.

Until Next Time...

Jim

" APPEARANCE vs CHARACTER "

Good day to you all and I lovingly wish you the very best that my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ has to offer. Well the holidays are truly upon us and I believe that we must go the extra mile to share the Word of God with others. Because of commercialism this time of year has truly become stressful for most, when it should be a time of Love and worship.
What do you see when you look at another, I've even heard some say that they can size up another on sight. Then there's another saying out there, that you can't judge a book by it's cover. I believe in learning about one's character.

Now, a person's character is often revealed by how he or she reacts to the unexpected.
But the Lord said to Samuel, " Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." You know God will test us. Is your character one of moral fiber or do you have tendencies to explore the things that are not of God? Are you a person of moral character? A lack of integrity can result into family strife and deception. Integrity and wise choices reflect godly character and I'm a firm believer that one's reaction to the unexpected should be God centered. We should not hate or resent times of inner testing, because through them God can strengthen our character and teach us valuable lessons. Temptation is bad for us only when we give in. How many times have you looked at a person for the very first time and made an instant judgment? God warns us about judging by appearance alone. When we judge by outside appearances we may over look quality individuals who lack the particular physical qualities society currently admires.

People tend to do what ever it takes to be appealing. We diet, hire trainers, join the gym across town, we go under the knife for surgery and we even get total make-overs. News Flash: appearance doesn't reveal what people are actually like or what their true value is! To one's delight, God judges by faith and character not appearances. Maybe it's time to allow the Father to do His supernatural surgery on one's heart.

God will test us, not to trip us and watch us fall, but to deepen our capacity to obey God and thus to develop our character. As purification through fire as fire refines ore to extract precious metals, God refines us through difficult circumstances. When we're going through a time of testing we can complain, or we can try to see how God is stretching us to develop our character. Our faithfulness can be rewarded with blessings greater than you or I might imagine. Remember only you and God know what your heart really looks like. Maybe 2010 will be a great time to work on your character. Just maybe your reaction to the unexpected will change in the upcoming year. MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY " CHRIST-CENTERED NEW YEAR ".

Until Next time,

Jim

" FAITH SHOWN BY A ROMAN CENTURION"

Greetings to you all,

May the good Lord be with you in all you think, do and say. Have you ever wondered why some people can say something and it comes to pass and another nothing happens? Today I have just a word for you and it's about believing or having the same kind of authority in your words, in your prayers and in the way you carry yourself. This man knew that all he had to do was to speak and his words would be honored.

" Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see" (Heb 11:1). Faith is the confidence based on past practical knowledge that God's new and hot off the press surprises will undoubtedly be ours.

A centurion was a career military officer in the Roman army with control over 100 plus soldiers. Now, it was a known fact that Roman soldiers, of all people, were hated by the Jews for their oppression, control, and ridicule. This man came to Jesus not as a last resort of superstition or magic charm, but because he believed Jesus was sent from God. Go figure a man of authority disregarding his own teachings and life experiences. This centurion could have allowed many obstacles to stand between him and Jesus -- self-glorification, mistrust, shekels a means of communication, distance, time, self-sufficiency, power and race, but he didn't. If this man did not let these barriers block his approach to Jesus, we don't need to either. Now, what keeps you from Christ? This man's genuine faith amazed Jesus! This hated Gentile's faith put to shame the inactive duty of many of the Jewish religious leaders.

This Roman centurion didn't come to Jesus, and he didn't expect Jesus to come to him. Just as this officer did not need to be present to have his orders carried out, so Jesus didn't need to be present to heal. The centurion's faith was especially amazing because he was a Gentile who had not been brought up to know a loving God. What's your faith like, is it limited or unlimited. All one has to remember is that all things are possible with God.

Until Next Time, Keep The Faith...

Jim

" PITFALLS OF IMMORALITY "

So how was your day and how did you fair out this past week ? Are you remembering to put on your armor daily, please know how important it is not to get side tracked. When we don't armor up we open the door for unforeseen troubles.

It seems that every time we turn around, we're hearing about some celebrity who has broken his or her marriage vows. They get in front of some networks television camera and or a journalist and apologize, but for what, getting caught? How many times have you heard about someone in your community separating and then divorcing? We are in a world that lacks moral probity, we seem to have no center. My Bible says: " My son, keep my words and store up my commands within you." Are you strong in the Lord? Are you depending on the strength of God? We do this by putting on the full armor of God, we must be able to withstand the schemes of the devil. " The one who commits adultery with a woman is lacking sense; he who would destroy himself does it" (Proverbs 6:32). Listen, Satan may have you believe that nobody gets hurts in sexual sin, but somebody always gets hurt. Spouses are laid in waste, children are frightened and the family security is shaken ed. God's laws are not arbitrary, they warn us against destroying ourselves through unwise actions which can take us off of God's prepared way. Sex is a gift God gives to married people for their mutual enjoyment. We are instructed " To drink water from our own cistern" Translation Faithfulness in Marriage. Proverbs covers many warnings against illicit sex for several reasons. Sexual immorality of any kind was and still is extremely dangerous. It erodes a person's ability to love, It degrades human beings and turns them into objects, and yes it destroys families. The word of God tells us in proverbs 3:6 to " Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding".

Listen we all want to be loved and looked up to by our family and all that we come in contact with. We all must be on sentry duty in life and guard against those who use flattery and smooth speech. Smooth talk can lead us into sin, I mean immorality. Just look around you, it seems that everyone has an excuse for their actions. In the 70's there was a comedian named Flip Wilson and one of his trade mark phrases was " The devil made me do it". Listen, we can't blame the devil for every thing, our Lord God gave US free will. For our every action there is a consequence. God wants us to assist our friends and the penniless, but he does not promise to cover the costs of every unwise commitment we make.

In conclusion, the best time to learn the dangers and weakness of going after forbidden sex (or anything else that is detrimental) is long before the temptation comes. Withstanding sin is easier if the decision has already been made.

Until next Time...

Jim

" INDIFFERENCE "

Good Morning To You All,

I want you to know just how much I care about you and it is my privilege to pray for you when I'm made aware of your dilemma. Last week the topic was "Anger " and one of you was concerned about suppressing anger and how it turned into "Indifference". It is all right to be angry about injustice and sin; it is wrong to be angry over trivial personal matters.

Have you ever shown indifference to anything or in a life situation? As a husband of forty years of marriage I confess that there have been times when I showed indifference. How many times has your wife asked you to choose between this or that for dinner? Indifference is " Of no importance one way or the other ". The Word of God suggests that lukewarm water makes for a repulsive drink. It's vital that we don't become like the church of old in Laodicea . You see they had become lukewarm and therefore unsavory and repulsive. The believers didn't take a stand for anything; their indifference led to idleness. By neglecting not to do anything for Christ, the church had become hardened and self-satisfied, and it was destroying itself.

The Israelites failed to enter the promised land because they did not believe in God's protection, and they did not believe that God would help them conquer the giants in the land. So God sent them into the wilderness to wonder for 40 years. This was an unhappy alternative to the wonderful gift he had planned for them. Lack of trust in God always prevents us from receiving his best. Indifference turned out to be a form of isolation in the desert for 40 years.

God gave his people many rituals and instructions to follow. All the rituals in the book of Leviticus were meant to teach the people valuable lessons. But over time, the people became indifferent to the meanings of these rituals and they began to lose touch with God. Meaningless rituals, try rediscovering the original meaning and purpose behind each. Your worship will be revitalized. Being indifferent truly has no place in life as I believe that we must have an opinion one way or the other. We were also told in Ephesians 4:26 " BE ANGRY, AND yet DO NOT SIN ".

Have a great week in the Lord, until next time.

Jim

" ANGER "

Good Evening All,

Well here we are already fully engulfed into the holiday seasons of 2009. I'm sure that some of you have already started your shopping for the holidays. Listen keep your wits about you and don't fall for the retailers hype. It truly bothers me how we allow ourselves to be lead around by the nose and to be told what to think. I'm a Baby Boomer and I'm not afraid to ask why and I will also share with you my feelings. During the holidays if we're honest most of us will have an angry episode.

Being honest have you ever had a strong feeling of displeasure, in other words anger? We are told in Proverbs that "A fool always loses his temper, but a wise man holds it back." The Bible doesn't tell us that we shouldn't feel angry, but it points out that it is important to handle our anger properly. People tend to become like those whom we spend a lot of time with. Even the negative characteristics sometimes rub off. The bible exhorts us to be cautious in our choice of companions. Now, getting back to anger, if vented thoughtlessly, anger can hurt others and destroy relationships. Some of you allow stuff to build up, If bottled up inside, it can cause us to become bitter, while destroying us within. We ought to deal with our anger immediately in away that builds relationships rather than destroys them.

Listen if we don't deal with our anger, I believe that we're giving place to the devil. It's giving Satan an opportunity to divide us, when we nurse our anger along. We should not become angry when we fail to win an argument or when we feel offended or neglected. Selfish anger never helps anybody. Anger and worry (fretting) are two very destructive emotions. They reveal a lack of faith that God loves us and is in control. We should not worry; instead we should trust in God, giving ourselves to him for his use and safe keeping. By dwelling on your problems, you will become anxious and angry. But if you concentrate on God and his goodness, you will find peace. Where are you focusing your attention?

Are you angry with someone right now? What can you do to resolve your differences? Don't let the day end before you begin to work on mending your relationship.

Until next time remember that it's OK to get angry but we must not sin.

Jim

" THE IMPORTANCE OF FELLOWSHIP "

Here we are again another week has come and gone and it's time for our chat.
The Lord put the importance of fellowship on my heart for this week and I won't keep you long.
We, you and I are connected through the worldwide web and therefore we fellowship weekly.

Can we talk, I'm so very grateful that you are out there, especially those of you whom I hear from. Yes the worldwide web connects us in moments, and I can be made aware of what's on your heart. It's my intention to become woven into your life by praying, rejoicing, caring and sharing especially during your times of sorrow.

I've discovered that true fellowship combines social and spiritual interaction, and it is made possible only through a living relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. To neglect fellowship is to give up the encouragement and help of other Christians. We all need someone to care about us, and to check up on us. I wish to gather with others to share our faith and to strengthen one another in our Lord. Difficulties should never be excuses for missing church services. In fact when ever I've missed church I found out later that the message was for me. So, as difficulties arise, we should make an even greater effort to be conscientious in our attendance. My dictionary defines fellowship in this manner: (1) The condition of friendly relationship existing among persons: Comradeship (2) : A community of interest or feeling (3) : A group with similar interest.

Enjoy your time of fellowship, until next time...

Jim

" ACQUIRE WISDOM "

Good Afternoon All,

Normally I publish on Wednesday mornings but I just have to share whats in my heart with you today. You've heard me share about the wise men whom I fellowship with in prayer and friendship. I'm intentional about gathering Wisdom and having Wise Counsel around me.

Proverbs 16:16 " How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen above silver." Wow, God seems to be speaking loud and clear to me. Earning wisdom is better than being awarded a satchel of gold, now can you wrap your brain around this concept? If you truly aspire wisdom in your life you must decide to go after it. We are told to let the Word of God dwell in us richly, in all wisdom. It takes resolve -- a determination not to abandon the search once you begin, no matter how difficult the road may become. I understand getting emotionally behind a thought or idea of say having wisdom in all things, but not giving up during the process. This is not a once - in - a - lifetime step, but a daily process of choosing between two paths - the wicked and the righteous. Nothing else is more important or more valuable. In the book of Proverbs we're told that the beginning of wisdom is Acquire wisdom; And with all your acquiring, get understanding. It's important that we truly understand why we must have such knowledge.

God says that Wisdom is primary and essential, and it is the foundation on which all life is built. Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning. It is my intention to always make wise decisions. We should make God's wisdom our first choice. We don't have to wait for God to appear to us. We can boldly ask Him for wisdom today through prayer. James 1:5 assures us that God will grant our request. Are you using wise judgment, are you getting to know God better? Wisdom begins with knowing God. He gives insight into living because he created life. " GET WISDOM AND INSTRUCTION AND UNDERSTANDING".

Until Next Time,

Jim

" ACQUIRE WISDOM "

" DORCAS "

Good Day To You,
This week I was reminded of just how good you are. A call for assistance went out in my community, and within hours a very serious need was filled. For those of you out there who may be of the mind set that man is basically selfish, may need to re-think that one. If we seek we shall find there are many of you out there doing really nice things for others. I am very sure that many of you are answering the call of kindness when and wherever there is a need. I'm reminded of how often in the Gospels we are told of the compassion of Jesus Christ. He showed us the way of Love and Kindness, and the Word of God gives us a glimpse of Tabitha also known as "Dorcas". She is only spoke of briefly but is well remembered for her goodness.

I'm sure that we all have a little Dorcas in us. She truly was a loving individual and she was intentional about the gift of love and compassion given to her. Just imagine if you made yourself available to someone or a family in need. The Bible shares that Dorcas made an immense impression on those in her society " by many deeds of kindheartedness and compassion", by making tunics and other clothing. The shares that when she died, the room was filled with grievers, most certainly many of the people she had helped. Hopefully you have put yourself out for others. And just maybe you will have someone other than your immediate family mourning for you when your time comes. Now when she was brought back to life, the news raced through the town. Our Father God uses great preachers like Peter and Paul, but he also uses those who have gifts of kindness like Dorcas. Rather than wishing you had other gifts be grateful of what God has given you. Remember that it's not always about you, we must follow the lead of Dorcas. She continually kept her eyes open to do a good deed for another. I will from here on out check myself, and just maybe you might take a quick look at your scorecard.
Until next Time...

Jim

" ACCEPTANCE "

Today if you allow me I would like to touch on the subject of "Acceptance".
Acceptance is a basic need, we all strive to be liked, to fit in and when among others it's always our desire to be viewed as everyone else.

We as human beings desire to be accepted and yet pleasing to others. Being acceptable is being capable or worthy of being accepted. When we walk into fresh surroundings it is always our desire to be the recipient of everyone's goodwill. God unconditionally accepts us at any and all stages of our lives. Our parents love and nurture us and no matter what we get into we feel accepted by them. As children of God for some reason we don't live up to our full potential in Him. We sometimes reject gifts from the Father or we just don't fully appreciate the magnitude of said gift. We truly must learn to accept others for who they are. " Therefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God " (Rom. 15:7). We are to have the attitude of love toward other Christians as well (have " the Same Mind ").

A man's trust goes along way...And Integrity is what I look for in a man when it comes to me accepting him into my sphere of influence. I have to know that I can trust a man all the way. I also believe that we are to assist the rejected in feeling accepted. As Christians we are we are aware that everyone has a place in God's family. We are not to drive anyone away those who do not fit the norms dictated by our society, neighborhoods, or even churches. Our petty prejudice, our denial to look past the ill-conceived. Embrace those just as Jesus would. The good news about Jesus is that he comes to all, including the plain and the ordinary. Jesus opens his heart to anyone with a heart humble enough to accept him. Whoever you are, whatever you do, you can have Jesus in your life. Jesus excepts you just as you are and likewise we must accept others in the same way. In this world the odds on you coming into contact with someone who looks, thinks and acts differently from you is great. Bottom line we all want to be accepted, and it hurts to be rejected.

Until next Time...

Jim

" KNOWLEDGE "

Do you want to know something? I truly look forward to our time together, my time of preparation is illuminating for me. Because of our time together each week I am continuing to grow. Many of us get to a certain point in our lives and we shut down when it comes to gathering knowledge. There's an old saying that has been around for many years, and it says that you can't teach an old dog new tricks. Between you and me I make it a point to learn something new every day. The Lord has chosen me an ordinary man to share with you, so saddle up and let's get into today's topic.

My dictionary says that knowledge is understanding that is gained by actual experience. Can we agree that many know of Jesus Christ, yet they don't have a personal relationship with him. For example the pharisees and the other religious leaders of Jesus' day made it their business to know a lot about God, but they didn't know God. Listen it's vital that you get this, it is not enough to study about religion or even to study the bible. We must respond to God himself. The beginning of knowledge is the fear of the Lord.
Knowledge is something learned and kept in the mind...

I have 10-15 men in my inner circle, my sphere of influence whom I turn to for knowledge and wisdom. One of the most bothersome types of people to me is a know-it-all, a person who has a authoritarian opinion about everything, is closed to anything new, and frowns upon discipline, and refuses to build one's background. Biblical history refers to this kind of person as a fool. Don't be a know-it-all. Instead, be open to the advice of others, especially those who know you well and can give valuable insight and counsel. It's important that we grasp the art of gathering information from others remember, only God knows it all.
In this age of information, knowledge is plentiful, but wisdom is scarce. Wisdom means far more than simply knowing a lot. It is a basic attitude that affects every aspect of life.
The foundation of knowledge is to fear the Lord -- To honor and respect God, to live in awe of his power, and to obey his word.

Fools hate knowledge in the book of proverbs, the " Simple Minded " or a fool is not someone with a mental deficiency but someone with a character deficiency ( such as rebellion, laziness, or anger). The fool is not stupid, but he or she is unable to tell right from wrong or good from bad.

Last point of the day many of us suffer from a variation of sickness and ailments. Do you remember the accounting of God's man Job in the bible, even though puzzled by the reasons for his suffering, Job affirmed God's superior understanding by asking, " Can anyone teach God knowledge"? The way you respond to your personal struggles shows your attitude toward God. Rather than becoming angry with God continue to trust him, no matter what your circumstances may be. Although it is sometimes difficult to see, God is in control. We must commit ourselves to him so we will not resent his timing. Hey, did you know that I love the Lord.

Until Next Time...

Jim

" EITHER YOU'RE SLOTH OR ANT LIKE "

Good Morning to you, today's thought hopefully will give you pause. As you might think I have the opportunity to listen and to speak with many of you. And I resign that joggling all the critical aspects in one's life can truly be challenging. Even so we must continue to be about our Father's business. I believe in preparation as I get much comfort from knowing that I will be with the Lord when I pass from this existence. I have Heaven on my mind and I am anticipating some of the things that I wish to propose to the Father. Right now it's very important that we make sure that we are on the right path, that we are doing what ever it takes to get home (Heaven).

Every single day has 24 precious hours filled with opportunities for us to grow, serve and to be productive. If we are intentional about serving and getting into heaven then we have to work at it. We should take advantage of God's gift and seize our opportunities to live diligently for him.
" He who gathers in Summer is a son who acts wisely ".
Wise men store up knowledge...it's imperative to consistently en graft the WORD into your soul. Gather up all the scriptural Intel that you can so that you will be able to make a good showing in heaven. Either you're going to be a sloth or ant when it comes to the things of God. Choose you this day as we are not guaranteed five minutes from now. If I were to be likened to the ant or the sloth, I would like to be the ant. I am attempting to be ant like in my quest for Heaven, you see the ant stores up for the harvest in this case heaven. I have my eye on the prize. A sloth is considered worthless, lethargic and he tends to be motionless. A sloth is defined as a spiritual or lack of emotion, neglecting what God has spoken, and being physically and emotionally inactive.

I've read that when the Europeans happened on the sloth, they gave it the name sloth as it reminded them of the Hebrew word atsluwth, which is translated to be idle. Once upon a time a sloth was noted in it's travel and it made a trip of four miles in an unbelievable forty - eight days.
It's crucial that we are ant like in our pursuit of heaven. " Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, lord', will enter the kingdom of Heaven, but he who does the will of MY FATHER, who is in heaven will enter " (Matt. 7:21).
Many are in church every time the doors are open, but still do not have a personal relationship with Christ. Therefore they are not being ant like when it comes to the things of Jesus. I believe that we must not just sit idle in church just listening, but we must be doers of the word and not just hearers. Folks this is our basic training, a sloth sleeps 15 hours per day while the ant toils in it's preparation for fulfilling harvest.

" EITHER YOU'RE A SLOTH OR YOU'RE ANT LIKE " The ant is used as an example because it utilizes its energy and it's resources economically. If laziness turns us from our responsibilities, poverty may soon bar us from the legitimate rest we should enjoy. Endeavor to prepare yourself for ETERNITY.

Until Next Time...

Jim

" BUT IT'S NOT MY FAULT "

My very best to you and yours,

Have you ever been tempted to shift blame elsewhere? I mean that you were willing to do and to say anything that would take the spotlight off of you? What's the very first thing that comes into your mind when challenged or even when asked a probing question in regards to a failed task or responsibility? We look for a credible way to shift blame?

How often have you listened to someone blame another for this or that? Some of us have even blamed God for our dilemma's, but our problems usually can be traced back to our ownselves. Often our troubles result from our disobedience or lack of faith. Accepting responsibilities can at times be difficult, but it also can bring about our dominant quality and faith in oneself, it can also earn the admiration of others as well it can stimulate us to complete our work. As Christians we are taught to look for strength in God and to begin looking for a solution instead of a scapegoat. When facing problems, remember that it is useless to look for someone to blame or criticize. Learn to seek out a solution as blaming others won't solve your problems.

It is easier to strike out in frustration and accuse someone else than to admit an error and ask forgiveness. Why is it that we often attempt to avoid culpability by shifting the blame? In the full scope of things attempting to transfer the blame won't resolve the problem. We also cannot blame God for our sins. Fact, until we face this reality, we will not experience tranquillity and no spiritual growth.
I can't help but to be reminded of Job, it seems that we are still blaming those who are experiencing heartache on themselves. However, on the other hand Job's story makes it positively clear that blame cannot always be attached to those whom trouble strikes.

Why do people complain when often we have only ourselves to blame for our woebegone.

Until Next Time...

Jim

" AGE "

Good day to you, how are you on this wonderful Autumn day that the Lord has made? Yes stand up and take a deep breath as you are here to usher in another day. Many that rose this morning will not see the sun go down and for this reason alone we should thank God. Each day I ask the Lord to use me as to His Will, even if He wishes to change the path that I'm currently on.
I like to think of myself as experienced in the things of God and life and it's always my pleasure sharing with you. The Lord gives me the topics to share with you and I go from there, many times I just don't understand God's reasoning, but always someone or multiple positive comments come in. Thank you so much for your support and as your older brother I'm thinking about your Spiritual Growth.

" You shall rise up before the grey headed and honor the aged, and you shall revere your God; I am the Lord" (Leviticus 19:32).
Age is no barrier to our creator. At any time in our lives we can be called upon to accomplish something in the name of the Lord. Never think you are too old or even to young to be of service to him. Do you remember the young boy who gladly shared his lunch, and it is a miracle which is still read and talked about thousands of years later? That shows me that all we have to do is to make ourselves available. If we offer nothing to God, then in a way we are saying I just don't have the time for you. Please remember that our God can take what little we have and turn it into something of epic proportions.
Older people like yourselves and you are older than someone in your sphere of influence, should teach those younger by words and by our example. This is how values are passed on from generation to generation. An individual's primary work for God may have to wait until he or she is an adult, but no one is ever too young to take God seriously and obey him. Teach your children, no show your children the love of God at an early age.

Having a high regard for God is not limited to those in the early portion of life as they seem to have unlimited strength and energy. Even in old age, devoted believers can produce spiritual fruits. Seek out an elderly friend or relative to tell you about his or her experiences with the Lord and challenge you to new heights of spiritual growth. If you are struggling with a decision or looking for insight, check with your parents or other older adults who know you well. There extra years of experience may have given them the wisdom you seek.
FYI some societies honor their elders ( "An Older Individual"). They respect their wisdom, defer to their authority, and pay attention to their comfort and happiness. This is how a Christian saint should act. Regardless of your age, God can use you whether you are young or old, don't think of your age as a handicap. Live so others can see Christ in you.

Until Next time...

Jim

" REJOICE "

Good day to you all, have you been well since our last encounter? Are you looking to Jesus in all things and in all ways? This past week has truly been one where I truly had to be intentional about almost every single thing that I accomplished. Have you ever felt like " Why me, or Why is it always me"? Even now I'm fighting my way through our time together, I'm having to stop to call on continuously invite the Lord into my thoughts. I'm thinking how grateful I am to be alive, and I'm Praising the Lord for all He does for me. Yes sometimes life can be challenging for all of us but we must learn to turn to God in all things. I find that when I'm going through a challenging moment in life by thinking and praying for others works for me. " REJOICE IN THE LORD ALWAYS".

Have you learned to rejoice, to feel joy and great delight in all aspects of your life?
many are hurting due to the Economy, Marriage's being tested in all areas, and Financial Concerns now days. It's evident that the powers of darkness are working over time and we truly must learn to rejoice in all things. On the surface things may seem like there's no tomorrow, but if you Trust God he will bring us through. As children of God we are to stay faithful no matter what. We are to remain functioning, cheerful, and somewhat comfortable in the most difficult of hardships. We don't have the luxury to allow circumstances or an other's expectations to control us. I understand that there are days when the last thing we want to do is Rejoice. Our state of mind is down, our situation is out of control, and our sorrow or culpability is overwhelming. When you don't feel like rejoicing, tell the Father how you're feeling. You will find that God will give you a reason to rejoice. God has given you this day to live and to serve him so be glad! Enjoy life now, but don't do anything physically, morally, or spiritually that will prevent you from enjoying life when you are old. Now a word on Suffering...

We are to rejoice in our suffering, now when we suffer, Christ feels it with us. Our suffering can be endured joyfully because it changes lives and brings people into God's kingdom. When we suffer, if we faithfully represent Christ, our message and example affect us and others for good.
Use suffering to build your character. Don't resent it or let it tear you down.

Rejoice always and in all things, from my experience it works. Rejoicing in the things of God takes my mind off of me.

Until next time...

Jim

"LYING"

This week the Lord put it on my heart to share some of His thoughts regarding lying.
Question: Do you ever tell a lie, or have you ever told a lie? Please be careful and take some thought before you answer. You might be thinking that I'm here all by myself, that no one else is here. God is always with us do you remember that He promised " Never to leave us, nor forsake us". Believe me when I tell you there is nothing like " INTEGRITY ".

Can we talk, being untruthful in anyway opens the door for us to become familiar with the art of lying. It's time to be honest, how many times have you entertained the notion to to embellish a noteworthy accounting of your life? Lying only compounds our problems or the effects of sin. Why is it that we feel that we can say what ever we wish, and have the confidence that we don't have to authenticate our statement(s). Lying to each other disrupts harmony by creating conflicts and destroying trust. We should all committ to memory Psalm 120:2 " Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips, from a deceitful tongue".

Fear is without a doubt the most common motive for lying. We are fearful that our private thoughts and the things that bring out our emotions will be exposed or our wrongdoings discovered. Listen, please understand that lying causes much greater complications than what we can imagine. Letting Jesus deal with your fears, as there's nothing like hearing " Take Courage; it is I, do not be afraid". If God can't be trusted with our innermost thoughts and fears, we are in greater trouble than we first imagined. When you want to please someone, it is tempting to lie to make yourself look good.

I get it, obeying God doesn't always protect us from evil consequences. Obedience may, in fact provoke them. I'm from the school of thought that it's better to suffer from man's displeasure than from God's wrath. if you are mocked for being honest, remember that this can be a sign that you are indeed doing what is right in God's eyes. In 1 Samuel we're told to "Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice".

Until Next Time...

Jim

" IN TIMES OF DISCOURAGEMENT "

Today's subject is one that frankly we usually don't have a problem sharing about. Yes I admit that I do find myself getting disappointed in others from time to time. What causes me to be taken back is a flaw in some peoples character. My problem is when another tells me that I will do this or that and they don't. I take what I say and especially what I promise very seriously and when another does not I'm disappointed.

How are you to be around when you're discouraged? Are you your normal sweet self, who puts others before yourself? We all experience discouragement from one time or another. Between you and me the trick is to get over it by looking to God, the author and finisher of our faith. I must be honest and share with you that I'm still a work in progress. Keep your faith in times of discouragement, no matter how many times you attempt to climb that mountain (translation: problem). Is there a difficult conflict that you find yourself facing again and again? Don't give in when you know what is the right thing to do, I find that persistence usually is rewarded.

Listen, when you do experience discouragement pray, bring what's on your heart to God. Each of us must face times of barrenness when nothing seems to come to fulfillment either in our work, service, or even relationships. It truly can become arduous to pray in faith when we feel so incompetent. Please press on through, as you will discover prayer opens the way for God to work. Prayer is the antidote for discouragement, tell God how you truly feel and leave your problems with him. Some of you saints out there just may be feeling sorry for yourselves, you may be lonely and even discouraged. If and when you are tempted to think that you are the only one remaining faithful to a task, don't stop to feel sorry for yourself.

Self-Pity will dilute the good you are doing. You can take it to the bank that others even if you don't know them they are, faithfully obeying God and fulfilling their duties. The only cure for weariness and despair is focusing on God's purposes. If you are overwhelmed by an assignment, tired, and discouraged, remember God's purpose for your life and his special purpose for the undertaking.
Turning a bad situation into a good one in times of indecision, financial burdens, family conflict, church conflict, or even the loss of our jobs. How we act in such situations will reflect what we believe. Look for ways to demonstrate your faith even in bad situations. Whether or not the situation improves, your faith will grow stronger.

Remember, we all have our times of discouragement, but it's how rapidly we think to turn to Jesus.

Until next time...

Jim

" ACCORDING TO OUR MEASURE OF FAITH "

Well today's thought is one were I sincerely pray that you can wrap your brain around. Once again I wish to express my fondness for your zeal to grow in the matter of your love for the things of God. Picture this you have a God who loves you so much that you have been given the option for your faith to grow. Yes, we have all been given the ability to exercise in order to grow in faith. Many of you have no problem rising early to run/jog, or making your way to the gym to get and stay fit. It's very important that we exercise our minds and our faith in God.

Have you ever thought about your "Measure Of Faith" ?
My measure of faith is probably different than yours. I have often wondered why I could believe God for something that you just might think is impossible. I also marvel at the greatness of our God, when I ponder the question of why God didn't give all of us the same level. You know what I mean an equal measurement of faith. Please understand the fact that if we don't exercise our faith it will become stagnant. we must read and study the Word of God daily, our faith grows as we put the Word of God into action. What kind of Christian are you, are you a lazy Christian with a hard time believing anything, unless a very spiritual individual gave you the thumbs up? On the other hand some can believe just because we can believe God for anything. In other words we walk in faith. God has given all of us the ability to effectively share the gospel of Jesus Christ. By sharing our personal story of how we came to know the Lord as our personal savior. You may not be an Apostle, a Pastor or even an Evangelist, but God will give you opportunities to tell others about Christ. Have no fear as He will provide the ability, courage, and power. Whenever an opportunity presents itself, make yourself available to God as his servant. Remember that he will be with you. As you focus on the individual and his or her needs, God will impart your caring attitude.

Your words will be natural, loving, and compelling. Isn't it wonderful to be able to trust God in every facet of your life. Healthy self-esteem is important because some of us think too little of ourselves; on the other hand, some of us overestimate ourselves. The key to an honest and accurate evaluation is knowing the basis of our self-worth our identity in Christ. " For thought the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a MEASURE OF FAITH" (Romans 12:3).

Until Next Time...

Jim

" WISE COUNSEL "

Well here we are again, it's time for our weekly sharing moment. I truly look forward to our time together, you see I'm very comfortable when you're around. I believe that we all should seek out counsel at times of decision.

Proverbs 11:14 teaches us " Where there is no guidance the people fall, But in abundance of Counselors there is victory".
The word of God tells us that a good leader needs and calls on wise counselors. I believe that we all can agree that one person's perspective and understanding is severely limited; as he or she may not have all of the facts, or they may be vision less do to their bias, emotions, or wrong impressions.
For this reason we should seek the counsel of others and be open to their advice.

People with tunnel vision, you know who and what I mean. Those who are locked into one way of thinking, are very likely to miss the right road because they have closed their minds to any new options. Build a network of Ad visors, be open to new ideas and be willing to weigh their suggestions carefully.
When ever I'm asked for anything I try my best to respond with thought out counsel. Allow God to pilot you as you trust in the word of God, one must realize that every good thing comes from God. As I take stock in my life I can clearly see that my dependence is in Jesus. Evaluate advice, ask if it is realistic, and consistent with biblical principles. Listen, you should seek advice from those more experienced and wiser. ADVICE IS HELPFUL ONLY IF IT IS CONSISTENT WITH GOD'S STANDARDS. We must ask God for wisdom and discernment before we make any decision, even the little ones. I believe that all of us may know from experience, just how making the wrong decision can become detrimental. 1 Thessalonians 5:21 " But examine everything carefully hold fast to that which is good ". Something that I was taught when I first got saved was to check every one's words against the Bible, " EXAMINE EVERYTHING". We should carefully check out what people say, accepting only what is proven through true and rejecting what is false. When you seek advice, listen carefully and use God's word to " EXAMINE EVERYTHING " carefully, hold fast to that which is good.

Don't seek God's advice if you're going to ignore it. Readers it does us no good to seek God's advice if we ignore it when it is given. You see real love for God is shown not by merely asking for direction, but by following that direction once it is given.

One last point with God's guidance we will always succeed. As Christians at some point in our walk we learn that love and kindness is paramount in our lives.
Love is able to give tough advice; it doesn't hedge around the truth. Jesus Christ loved us enough to die for us, and he also loves us enough to talk straight to us. Before we do anything we must learn to talk to God first. When we tend to be self sufficient, with a attitude that I can make this or that decision in my life, a derogatory moment becomes eminent.
Failing to seek God's guidance and rushing into a decision we can often find the opposite result of what we expected. When we are driven by fear, we tend to search every where for comfort, advice and relief, hoping to find an easy way out of our troubles. Instead, we should consult God.
Although he gives emergency help in a crisis, he prefers to be our guide throughout our lives by reading his word and actively seeking to do his will, we can maintain our bond with him who provides stability no matter what the crisis.

Have a great day in the Lord. Until next time...

Jim

" BEING EFFECTIVE "

How are you today, did you get up on the wrong side of the bed? Did your day start out not so good? Well you still have time to have a do over and become effective for the Lord. Take a moment and talk with the Lord and set your priorities for the rest of this day.

Last week the Lord put on my heart, the art of being effective. Effectiveness is producing a decisive or the desired effect. Now the Lord challenged me sometime ago and caused me to wonder if I was ready for service or action in the army of the Lord. I ask myself at times can a total stranger without a doubt conclusively know that I'm a servant of the Lord. Am I an effective Christian? Can I and will I effectively do what the Lord has given me Spiritual Gifts to do? Do I have what it takes to lead an effective life? It's in my mind that an effective life begins with - God's Wisdom - appreciating and respecting who God is. Reverence and awe in recognizing our Almighty God. (2) Requires moral application, trusting in God and His Word. Allowing his word to personally speak to us, and above all we must be willing to Obey. (3) And most importantly it requires practical application and acting on God's direction in our daily devotions. (4) Results in - Effective Living - experiencing what God does with our obedience. Effectiveness is also achieved through organization. it is good stewardship to be well organized. Good organization helps people work together in harmony and ensures that the desired goal will be reached.

Effective living begins with a right attitude toward God. before religious words come to your mouth, make sure they are from your heart. Let respect, humility, and servant hood characterize your attitude toward God and others. Now, go out and become more effective than before.

Until Next Time...

Jim

" THANKFULNESS "

Good Morning All,

I just can't find the words to express the love and affection that I feel from you.
You are so faithful to come back week after week, I truly feel your support, you are the best.

God told his chosen people to bring their peace offerings personally, with their own hands.
You see, they were to take time and effort to express thanks to God. When is the last time that you gave thanks to the creator? Praise and thanksgiving should be a regular part of our routine, and not just reserved only for celebrations. I've come to this conclusion, because I give praise to my Lord and my God continually, I have found that I don't take his blessings for granted.

The ABC's of true thanksgiving (1) Remembering what God has done, (2) Telling others about it, (3) Showing God's glory to others, and (4) offering gifts of self, time, and resources. If
you are truly thankful, your life will show it. I have the best prayer partners ever, these men, each of them I can see Christ in them, in their words and actions. You are the only person who can express your thankfulness to God and to others. I can't imagine you sending someone else to express thanks for what people have done. Do you rely on the one leading the prayer to thank God for you? Take time yourself to express thanks both to God and to others who have helped and blessed you.

Dissatisfaction comes when our attention shifts from what we have to what we don't have. Are we grateful for what God has given us, or are we always thinking about what we would like to have? we should not allow our unfilled desires to cause us to forget God's gift of life, food, health, work, and friends.
Thanksgiving should be an integral part of our praise to the Father. As we praise and thank God for material and spiritual blessings, we should also thank him for our answered prayer. How many times have you made an appeal to God for protection, strength, patience, comfort, love or other special needs, and he supplied them? Don't forget to thank people who help you, but also remember to praise God for His care and protection. Continue to be in an attitude of prayer always.

Until Next Time, Give Thanks.

Jim

" THE STRONGMAN "

How often do you find yourself in combat, facing the choice of right and wrong? Almost every moment of the day we get tempted by someone or something. As Christians we must evaluate our every move, thought and deed. We must take note of our surroundings and we must not be casual about sin. All of you who are head of households must prevent sin from coming into your homes. We must purge sin out of our homes and out of our lives and keep it out.

Many have fallen into the snare of the lion. The Word of God warns us in 1 Peter 5:8 " Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour". To be devoured is to be eaten up greedily or ravenously, that doesn't sound much like fun. Any time we indulge in any behavior that is contrary to the word of God we are in the grip of the lion. A lion is described as a large heavily built cat of Africa and southern Asia with a shaggy mane on the male. The lion will lay in wait for many hours in order to leap upon what they presume as a weak or an easy prey. In times of great stress we can tell Jesus all of our thoughts, feelings, and needs. Always remember that he has been where we are now, and has the ability to intervene.

Lions attack the sick, the young weak and vulnerable individuals; any blood thirsty predator will seek out victims who are alone or not on the alert. We must be on guard for Satan when we are suffering or being persecuted. Those who are feeling the affects of a weak and recovering economy, feeling alone, frail, helpless, and cut off from other believers, turn to Jesus. Don't become so focused on your troubles that you forget to watch for danger, we are especially vulnerable to Satan's attack.

Act like men, be "Strong" be on the alert, stand firm in the faith.
1- Be on the alert against spiritual dangers,
2- Stand firm in the faith,
3-Behave courageously,
4- Be strong, and
5- Do everything with love. Today, as we wait for the return of Christ, we should follow the same instructions.
For a man's ways are in full view of the Lord, and he examines all his paths. It's time that we become robust in our walk with the Lord. Strongman do not swerve to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.

The Merriam- Webster Dictionary defines the strongman as one who leads or controls by force of will and character or by military strength.
Strongman put on your armor daily, armor is described as protective clothing worn in battle, usually made of metal.

So Armor Up, until next time.

Jim

" PARTAKERS "

Good morning to you all, it's my prayer that you're doing well this fine day? I'm praising God that I woke up and that I have another chance to partake in His goodness. Today it's my plan to take full advantage of all that He has for me. With that said as I peer up I see storm clouds above and yet I know that the rain is very necessary. I'm learning to thank God for everything, "Father for what I/we are about to receive I give thanks". Friends if we do that even if we realize that we may not welcome what is about to happen, we understand that the Father knows best and He has a plan.

PARTAKE: To have a share or part, to take a portion (as of food) to take part in something (in a game, etc.). Are you careful to follow all that the Lord has asked of you? I am endeavoring to give the Father my full participation in carrying out His Will. Each day I give Praise and Worship in the pursuance of my duty. After many years it is finally sinking in to Trust God in all things and in all ways. I confess though that there have been times in my past when I have not always been a diligent participator. During my time as a "steely-eyed" missile man while in the U.S.A.F. in the 60's, I learned to give great responsibility to others and then trusted them to do the job. Great leaders encourage participation, and we're talking about the things of God.

It is invaluable that we stay in fellowship with other believers, people of like minds encourage each other with love and concern. As partakers in the faith we should be aware of the authority that our Lord has given us. In life we will experience difficulties of all kind, and it's wonderful to have the encouragement of another who partakes in the faith. Some of you like me rejoice in suffering not because we like pain or negate it's misfortune, but as believers we understand that God is using life's difficulties and Satan's attacks to sculpture our character.

Our holding power to take part and to feast on the deeper knowledge of God ("the meat") is determined by our spiritual growth. As we grow in the Lord and put into practice what we have learned, our capacity to understand will also soar. Have you learned to discern? We ought to train our moral sense, our mental faculties, our reasoning, and our bodies to differentiate good from evil.

" For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant". (Heb. 5:13). It's time to get off the milk and time to start chewing on the Word of God.

Until next time,

Jim

" DROSS / IMPURITIES "

Are you ready, are you prepared to pass inspection? When is the last time that you took a long hard look at yourself? Most of us look at ourselves through rose tinted glasses. I also believe that we also tend to excuse our bad behavior and our guilty pleasures. Dross is defined as the impure scum that floats on the surface of molten metals; and is sometimes used as a picture of the wicked. I do not think of myself as wicked, sinful, evil, or even morally bad. But the Word of God uses the word dross, another might use the term waste matter or even refuse. We must at all cost become separated from all the things in life that causes us to stumble.
Is your faith defective, impure, and diluted? If by chance you have fallen into impurity, you need to ask God to restore you. Keep your devotion to Christ, and stand strong and pure always. Listen, let's be honest, we all know when we've sinned, so repent and loss the dross, leave it behind.

Precious metals are refined with intense heat to remove the impurities. When heated, the dross (impurities) rises to the top of the molten metal and is skimmed off and thrown away. You may not wish to admit it but we all need refinement. The refining process may show that people (me and you), are like worthless dross, and have nothing good in us. Wow, now we must see ourselves for who and what we really are. We don't want to get left behind, do we?

Some of you have heard this prayer in the past: " Melt the dross Lord; remove the impurities - all of it, whether in deed, word, or thought. Save me from myself, and establish me in righteousness by your strong right hand. "

Until next time,

Jim

" IGNORANCE / IGNORING "

How have you been doing since our last meeting, it's my prayer that you are growing in the things of God? I feel so blessed when we share the goodness and the Love of God while receiving the wisdom of God.

Ignorance is the lack of knowledge, how often do you hear others misuse this word. Do you wish to be informed regarding the things of God? We are told that we are to be informed, as we are our brothers keeper. A person of wisdom understands the purpose of a meaningful life. I take it very serious the challenge of winning the lost to Christ, and sharing with you as I do. Leading people to God is crucial because it keeps us in touch with God while offering others eternal life. We ought to be intentional about the things of God, as this life is just a prelude before Heaven.

If you are ignorant or ignoring your responsibilities by not knowing God's will, it's time for a change. Those of you who are Pastors and Leaders of God's people, you must know God's word as your lack of knowledge can cause you to lead God's people astray. Our ignorance can be willful and yet tragically inexcusable. How much time do you spend in God's Word daily?

Consequences of ignoring God's voice can be detrimental. I'm reminded of a story in the Bible where a pharaoh in Egypt wholeheartedly, believed only in himself. God gave pharaoh many chances to heed Moses' warnings. But lastly God seemed to say, "All Right, Pharaoh, have it your way", and Pharaoh's heart became permanently hardened. We all know the outcome and how it affected so many others. Did God intentionally harden Pharaoh's heart and prevail over his FREE WILL? No, He merely confirmed that pharaoh freely chose a life of resisting God. In a like manner, after a lifetime of resisting God, you may find it impractical to turn to Him. Don't wait until just the right time before turning to God. Do it now while you still have the chance. Many times I've had people tell me that they're just not ready to give their lives to the Lord at this moment . Folk's, if you continually ignore God's voice, eventually you will be unable to hear it at all.

God doesn't protect those who ignore Him, so don't ask the Lord for His advice if you intend to ignore it. Real love for God is shown not by merely asking for direction, but by following that direction once it is given.

The Word of God is timeless, so until next time.

Jim

" SOUND DECISIONS "

Good Evening,

Well hear we are together again, but this time it's at the end of our day.

Did you make WISE DECISIONS this day, and have you considered the cost of each? Many of us take for granted the freedom that we have in this country, we can pretty much do and say whatever we wish. Imagine if there was a toll on all of the decisions that we made, and most of you definitely would be making more than me. What if you reached your limit, how do you think that your life would be if you couldn't make a little decision? So we'd better start making better decisions.

I read that we make hundreds of choices every day. I believe that all of our decisions should be made in good conscience. Most choices have no right or wrong connected to them - like what you wear or what you eat. But we always face decisions that freight a little more weight. We don't want to do wrong, and we don't want to cause others to do wrong, so how can we make such decisions? In our decision making process we ought to take the time to reason as we have a sane or sound mind. Always remember that nothing we do should cause another believer to stumble. Our decisions may have monumental and yet lasting consequences.

There are three basic principles for making sound decisions: (1) Always get the facts before action; (2) Be open to new ideas; (3) make sure that you hear both sides of the story before judging. These three valuable principles center around seeking additional information. This can sometimes prove to be a very arduous task, but the only way to get the facts.

God has made us complete and we grow into maturity daily. God will not leave us alone with our problems, He has promised to stay close and to help us. Whenever we need wisdom, we can pray to God, and He will generously supply what we need. As Christians we don't have to fumble around in the dark, hoping to stumble upon answers. We can ask for God's wisdom to guide our choices. Hey, in order to learn God's will we need to read his Word and ask Him to show us how to obey it. THEN WE MUST DO WHAT HE TELLS US. When making important decisions we must ask for God's intervention. Set up criteria consistent with the Bible, examine the alternatives, and pray for wisdom and guidance to reach a wise decision.

Don't allow impatience to affect your decision making process when faced with a quandary. Never allow any situation to drive you to disobey the Word of God . When you know what God wants, follow His plan regardless of the consequences. God often uses delays to test our obedience and patience.

So until next time mind your Decisions.

Jim

" DRINKING / ALCOHOL"

Good Morning All,

I find myself thinking about how much I truly love my Lord and God. I'm also reflecting on my past missteps in life and I wonder why the lord has allowed me to share with you. I'm sure that most of you are aware that I didn't give my life to the Lord until I was a man of 34 years of age. I am still a young man in the eyes of the Lord, 61 years on this earth. I've come to realize that their is a consequence for everything, now or later.
Yesterday when I was in prayer with some of my Prayer Accountability Partners I was reminded that the End Times are upon us. I for one believe that it's high time for all of us to account for our past and present actions.

Do you know that your body is a Temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? YOU ARE NOT YOUR OWN (1 Cor. 3:16). I once abused my body, my temple, before I gave my life to Jesus Christ.
I did what ever I was big enough to do. I confess that I smoked cigarettes and drank alcohol. Yes, I admit that in my younger days I was UNWISE and followed what advertisers suggested. In the 60's and 70's everyone smoked cigarettes and drank alcoholic beverages, and I followed suit like a dumb sheep. I thought that was the cool thing to do, people in the 60's believed in living for today. In the gospels Jesus speaks of the rich fool who thought that he had everything, to the point of saying to himself; " take your ease, drink and be merry". We must be mindful that our actions today may have repercussions that affect our families.

Proverbs 20:1 "Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is intoxicated by it is not wise". I have not abused my body/temple in nearly thirty years. The Merriam - Webster Dictionary defines "Alcohol " As a colorless flammable liquid that is the intoxicating agent in fermented and distilled liquors.
Drunkenness might be understandable among dying people in great pain, but it is inexcusable for our national leaders. Go to the book of Ester; and read about King Ahasuerus of Persia who was a very proud and also impulsive individual.
Now, once upon a time King Ahasuerus made a very rash, half drunk decision, based purely on his feelings. His lack of control and practical wisdom were weakened by too much of the vine. Poor decisions are made when people don't think clearly. Always factor the Lord into all of your decisions, with clear thinking, not on the emotions of the moment. Impulsive decision making leads to severe complications.

Alcohol always clouds the mind and can lead to injustice and again poor decision making every time. We tend to think that we're in control and that we can solve our problems by drowning them in alcohol.
The calmative sensation of alcohol is only temporary. Real relief comes from dealing with the cause of the anguish and sorrow and turning to the Father for peace. A word of wisdom don't lose yourself in the bottom of a bottle; find the peace that you seek in the Lord. What you find in the bottle is not real, I would think that one would have better things to do than anesthetize oneself with alcohol.

Until Next Time...

Jim

"OUR INTENTIONS"

Well here we go again, we're at the start of another day, and one might call it a "Do Over". Hopefully you thank the good Lord for allowing you to wake up and for the chance to start another day etc. After you commune with our Heavenly Father I would imagine that your intentions for the day would flood your mind.

"Intentions" A determination to act in a certain way.
In the book of Genesis God made a covenant which is still in force, as it is and was a formal and binding agreement. God promised to make Abraham's descendants into a great nation. How many of you indiscriminately allow words, statements and yes promises to flow from your mouth without any intentions to follow through? I believe that every thought and intention that God has is sealed by His Word. He promised to bless and care for the Israelite Nation, and the people promised to obey him. History tells us that the good intentions of the people quickly wore off. Sometimes right actions or good intentions come too late.

I have a confession to make, yesterday morning while at the doctor's a woman passed by with a shade of blue hair like I have never seen before. Lord knows I was fighting every muscle above the shoulders, not to appear startled. I equally was attempting to resist the urge to stare.
Have you ever been proud that you didn't strike out and say what was really on your mind? Discretion is good, but Christ wants us to practice thought-control as well. Yesterday morning I was reminded that we will be held accountable even for our frame of mind.

Wrong intentions are sinful, and can get us into trouble so please read or re-read Matthew 5:27-28 regarding LUST. We all know that it is wrong for a spouse to have sex with someone other than his or her marriage partner (Exodus 20:14). But Jesus pronounced that the desire to have sexual relations with someone other than your spouse is Mental Adultery and therefore sin. Jesus was emphatic that if the act is wrong, then so is the intention. The deliberate and repeated saturation of one's mind with illusions that would be immoral if acted out.
Acting out sinful desires is harmful, sinful desires can lead to sinful actions which is mentally destructive. Nevertheless, sinful desires is just as damaging to righteousness. Left unchecked, wrong desires will result in wrong actions and turn people away from God.

A sincere desire to please God will result in an alignment of your desires with God's desires. You will love what God loves and hate what God hates. If you love the Father, you will hate evil. If you do not despise the actions of people who take advantage of others, if you admire people who only look out for themselves, or if you envy those who get ahead using any means to accomplish their ends, then your primary desire in life is not to please God. Learn to love God's ways and hate evil in every form - not only the obvious sins but also the social acceptable ones.

Until next time,

Jim

"ENDTIMES"

Greetings to you all,

It's my prayer that all is well with you and yours. Do you give much thought to your future? Are you one who sets goals? I'm not thinking about short-term, mid-term, nor long term goals but "Eternal Goals".

" You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end" (Matt.24:6)

What goes through your mind when you hear the words " End Times " ? Does it strike fear in your heart or a totally different emotion. Please do yourself a favor and store up the Word of God in your heart.

By knowing the Word of God, it will give you much comfort. I've heard it said that knowledge is power, do you believe this?

The disciples that were following him asked Jesus for the sign of his coming and of the end of the age. Jesus' first respond was " See to it that no one misleads you. " If we trust in the Lord and live by His word, the word of God, no other can deceive you. The fact is that whenever we look for the signs, we become very susceptible to being deceived. The Bible makes it clear that there are many " False Prophets " yes even in today's world, with counterfeit signs of spiritual power and authority. As mentioned before, the only sure way to keep from being deceived is to focus on Christ and His words. Don't look for express signs, and don't spend time looking at other people. Look for Christ.

Jesus said that before He returns, the gospel of the Kingdom (The message of Salvation) would be preached throughout the world. What do you think, with radio, tv, internet, etc it's close. This was the disciples mission _ and it is ours today. Jesus talked about the End Times and Final Judgment to show His followers the urgency of spreading the Good News of Salvation to everyone.

Christ will return on God's timetable, not ours. Jesus predicted that, before His return, many believers would be misled by false teachers claiming to have revelations from God.

According to scripture, the one clear sign of Christ's return will be His unmistakable appearance in the clouds, which will be seen by all people.

BE BOLD IN YOUR COMMITMENT. HAVE YOUR HEART AND LIFE READY FOR CHRIST'S RETURN.

" TIMES OF TRIAL SERVE TO SIFT TRUE CHRISTIANS FROM FALSE OR FAIR-WEATHER CHRISTIANS ".

Until Next Time,

Jim

"JESUS CONTROLS THE STORMS OF LIFE"

If there was ever a time to communicate with the Father it's now. Praying, talking with the Father should be like talking with a friend who you care about and respect very much. A friend should be someone whom you have much admiration and trust in. A friend should be someone who you can talk over your inter-most thoughts with. A friend is someone that can be contacted anytime, even at 3am in the morning (Per my Good Friend David).

And they came to Him and woke Him, "Save us, Lord; we are perishing! " (Matt. 8:25)

How many times have you felt like you were at the end of your rope, with no where to turn? I'm sure that we all can say that we've felt the pressures of the day. Unfortunately some have even experienced catastrophic loss, due to our countries state of affairs. Debt Crisis in America has caused many businesses as well as hearts to fail. Times of distress and misfortune revisit much to often.

We must purpose to trust God no matter what is happening in our lives. It's alright to tell God about how you're feeling, even if you feel abandoned by God, tell Him. If you're like most others who become impatient with how slowly you feel God seems to be answering your prayers, tell Him that also. The disciples waited until there arose a great storm on the sea before calling on Jesus.

As in our lives sudden storms appear without warning, and if we're not accustomed to talking with the Lord about everything in our lives we will panic and most likely make the wrong decision. Think about it, many believers find find that when they determine to follow the Lord, they almost always encounter great obstacles.
Now, when facing trials, first make sure you haven't brought them on yourself through sin or unwise choices. If you find no sin to confess or unwise behavior to change, ask God to strengthen you for your test. Finally, be careful to follow faithfully wherever the Holy Spirit leads you.

Remember a few weeks back I shared with you that temptation will often come after a high point in our spiritual lives or ministries. Satan will choose the times of his attacks, normally when we are vulnerable. God should be the very first place that we turn when facing struggles or dilemmas. What happens when we choose to go our own way, we get ourselves into a jam. Have you ever wondered , when are we going to get it. Trying to control our own lives without God's help leads to struggle and confusion. Don't feel that your problems will keep you from God. He is always ready to help. We should never allow our fear to keep us from approaching him. FAITH THAT ISN'T PUT INTO ACTION IS NOT FAITH AT ALL.
( Remember that we can always approach the Father).

Until Next Time...

Jim

" EXAMPLE, WHO ME "

An "EXAMPLE" IS WHEN WE FORM A MODEL, TO BE FOLLOWED OR AVOIDED.

We are told that Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his time, Noah walked with God. What kind of example are you and are you being an influence on others VS. being influenced by others? The world that we live in now is pretty much the same as it was in Noah's time, we live in a world filled with evil.
Gen. 17:1 Now when Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, "I am God Almighty"; WALK BEFORE ME, AND BE BLAMELESS.

We are shown in the Word that those you lead will not always follow our example but that, should not effect the way you live for God. The Word consequently is a clue that what follows is important! As Born Again Believers ("Christians") we must not live with our own selfish agenda. Others will mirror our example, as we have a duty to them to live for Christ.
Here is a catechism for you, does your example make it easier for others to believe in and follow Christ, and to mature in him? Or would those who follow you end up disconcerted and misguided?

Friends to rise above the influence of poor models, we must seek better ones. Jesus provides us a perfect model. No matter how you were raised or who has influenced your life, you can move beyond those limitations by taking Christ as your example and consciously trying to live as he did.

Until next time, be the example I know that you can be.

Jim

" IMPURE "

Good morning to you, I was wondering if we could just take a moment to talk? This past weekend as almost every weekend my wife and I have at least two of our eight grandchildren over. We get a second chance to invest in the lives of people that mean so much to us. It matters immensely what kind of men my grandsons grow into. Friends if we don't share our lives, our experiences with those in our Family Tree then shame on us. Remember that the sins of the father will re-visit our off-spring up to three and four generations. Something else to take into account is what we do/allow our children will do/allow in excess.

Today's theme we touch on being not pure; not clean.
How does that make you feel? Picture this it's a beautiful weekend day and you're enjoying the great out doors with your pals. Now, let's say that you're engaged in an arousing athletic competition and it starts to rain cats and dogs, you've heard the expression.
Everyone on the playing field, their clothing from head to toe is saturated with North Carolina mud. This kind of uncleanness/stain can be tolerated, and can be seen as a badge of courage, now on the other hand obscene and moral corruption is something that man, above all attempts to conceal. The book of Ephesians shares with us that we are to be imitators of God, that we should walk in love just as Jesus Christ loved us and sacrificed His life for us. In no uncertain terms God shares in " Ephesians 5:5 For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is a idolater, has an inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ and God."

Wow, now that's as plain as the nose on your face, God does not leave any room for error of interpretation. It is so important that we don't revel in sin. We are to be wise in the Word of God. The Christian life is a process of becoming more and more like Christ. Now, this process will not be complete until we see Christ face-to-face, but knowing that it is our ultimate fortune, and that should motivate us to purify ourselves. Every person has a master either God or sin. As man it's our Adamic nature to sin, it is impossible to be neutral. A christian is not someone who cannot sin, but someone who is no longer a slave to sin. He or She belongs to God.

Friends to be clean is our objective, some of you may not truly understand purification. To purify means to keep morally straight and free from corruption of sin. God needs people who will take a stand for what is right. Christians must lovingly speak out for what is true and right. As you bathe daily with soap and water you must bathe yourself in the Word daily to stay fresh and clean. If we don't keep ourselves clean and fresh we can become lost in the quagmire of life.

I Love you all, until next time...

Jim

"SELF-CONTROL"

Today I wish to speak on the topic of self-control. The Word of God describes self-control as the ability to regulate one's own actions and feelings.

How well are you doing in this department, are you making high quality choices in all areas? May I suggest that it's not enough to disavow sin and evil yearnings; - we ought to carry out aggressive spiritual warfare daily. I myself have always been what one might call an effervescent christian. An athlete works out daily or at lest on a predetermined schedule. We are told in the book of Phil 2:5 " Let this mind be in you, which was also in Jesus Christ".

It's so easy to succumb to temptation, to look at what's not appropriate, or to listen to any conversation that is ungodly. To commit sin and say, I'll ask for dispensation later is wrong headed.

I'm reminded of the apostle Paul when he went up against Felix the Roman Governor or Procurator of Judea. Paul had come before Felix to answer the Jews' accusations. I for one am so overawed at Paul's ability to present the gospel message through his defense. We should always be looking for an opening to present the Word of God at all times. Remember that God uses ordinary people so be prepared. Paul's appeal to Felix became so personal that the governor was feeling trepidation, and rightly so as he had taken another man's wife. It's been my experience and most likely yours that many people will be in full agreement to discuss the gospel with you. Just as soon as the conversation touches their lives on a very personal level, they squirm like a fish to get off the hook. The Bible warns us of these vices, as we neglect God and others when we indulge in: Sexual immorality(Galatians 5:19); Impurity(5:19); Passion(Colossians 3:5); Enmities(5:20); strife(5:20); Jealousy(5:20); Anger(5:20); Disputes(5:20); Dissensions(5:20); arrogance(2 Corinthians 12:20); Envy(5:21); Murder(Revelation 22:12-16); Idolatry(5:20; Ephesians 5:5); Sorcery(5:20); Drunkenness(5:21); Carousing(Luke 5:13; Galatians 5:21); Fraud(1 Corinthians 6:8); Adultery(1 Corinthians 6:9-10); Homosexuality(1 Corinthians 6:9-10); Coveting(1 Corinthians 6:9; Ephesians 5:5); Stealing(1 Corinthians 6:9-10); and Lying(Revelation 22:12-16).
Please work hard on your self-control issues as your life depends on it. Another scripture comes to mind " Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." (James 5:16)

Until Next Time Stay Focused.

Jim

" VULNERABILITY TO SIN "

Good Morning to you, are you prepared for what might be coming around the corner? You may respond and say something like, " I'm always ready, I was taught to be prepared". Some of you may agree with this statement while others such as myself believe in being vigilant.

Isn't it great how the Father Loves, Protects, and Provides for us? We are admonished in 1 Peter 5:8-9 "Be of Sober Spirit, be on the Alert. Your Adversary, the devil, Prowls around like a Roaring Lion, seeking someone to Devour. But Resist him, Firm in your Faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world". We are warned to watch out for Satan always, but most especially when we are going through something. Lions will stalk, attack and most definitely devour the sick, the young and also the struggling as this is their nature. Satan's business is to steal, rob and to kill. Learn to keep your eyes on Christ, and resist the devil. The Bible tells us in the book of James that " he will flee from you " (James 4:7). Just in case you didn't know that, now you do. If you resist, if you are watching out for the things that are not of God, Satan will flee. If you are not alert, you are exposed to anything. By giving into temptation, say by not telling the complete and total truth at all times, we risk turning a piacular act into a pattern.

Make no mistake anything that is sin is a flaw in our characters and can be considered a vulnerable spot in our spiritual armor.
No matter how much we love God, certain temptations can be especially difficult to resist. As we struggle with our weakness, we can be encouraged to know that God is watching out for us just as He did for other believers in the faith.

Stay on the alert, be watchful and it's alright to be offended if and when you hear the Lords name taken in vain.

Until next time...

Jim

" TO HAVE WORDS WITH "

God morning to you all today's message may truly cause some to pause. Have you ever thought to yourself, "Why can't I stop myself from always wanting my own way? Do you fight for everything in life, and then justify it my stating to anyone who will listen that you're just competitive. Have you discovered that you are always having words with someone, also do you always want the last word?

We are told in the Word of God to avoid arguments. Titus 3:9 "But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and disputes about the law, for they are UNPROFITABLE AND WORTHLESS. " You know I just get a kick out of the Word of God, I'm so grateful how straight forward, and how plain it is. I can remember when I first allowed Jesus Christ into my heart I stayed up all evening attempting to understand the bible. Finally the man who discipled me shared that it would get easier as I petitioned the Lord for help. God doesn't pull his punches, He speaks to us all so that if we truly wish to know we will. The bible uses words like UNPROFITABLE: useless, and vain.
He also uses the word WORTHLESS: lacking worth; valueless; useless and low despicable.

We are admonished to keep away from locking horns with others. Foolish people find it impossible to avoid conflict, but people with character can. In fact Proverbs 20:3 "Keeping away from strife is an honor for a man, But any fool will quarrel." Have you ever wondered why you disagree with others? I read somewhere that pride comes into play. Yes pride is a major component in every quarrel. We are told to guard against pride, ergo bickering.
Quarreling spawn's from evil desires battling within us - we seem to want more possessions, more money, superior status, and more acknowledgement. We should agree that Jesus Christ is Lord of all, petty differences should never divide believers. Instead of aggressively seizing what we what, it behooves us to submit ourselves to God. If you ask, he will help you rid yourself of selfish desires and that will reduce arguments and promote harmony.

I confess that God's not finished with me yet, please keep me in prayer.

Until Next Time,

Jim

" CONFORMITY "

Hello all, it's so good to be with you again.

Today's topic is Conformity. I can just hear some of the statements that those of us who are parents and those in authority hear from time to time. Statements like: Everyone is going; The whole class will be there; Everybody's doing it; Why can't I get one like...

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines "Conformity" in this manner: To be similar or identical, to be in agreement or harmony. Now, what are you in total agreement with in life? Before you answer know that the Word of God strongly suggest that we resist the temptation to conform to society's values. We are to withstand the strains of this world by always looking to Jesus. It has been written: "That which has been is that which will be, And that which has been done is that which will be done. So there is nothing new under the sun." It seems to me that we truly have no alternative but to trust God in every aspect of our lives. If we are to be obedient or compliant why not trust in the will of God?

I would imagine that the Lord must just shake His head and say something like, here we go again. The Word of God warns us about conformity, you, shall not follow the masses in doing evil. I continue to say to myself that I get it, I'm finding it easier to understand why we are likened to dumb sheep. We have been asked to stay away from pagan behavior. Romans 12:2 " And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the Renewing of your mind " Wow, are you getting it, are you hearing me it should be obvious as to what the Father is expecting of us by now?

One of my favorite western cowboy stars was John "Duke" Wayne. He would often address someone that he didn't know as Pilgrim. Webster defines a pilgrim as a Foreigner; one who journeys in foreign lands; a wayfarer.

As a Born Again Believer I am just passing through, and I'm not apart of this world. I'm from the school of thought that today's society and it's lack of moral fiber appeals to worldly desires, especially sexually immorality and or drunkenness. Friends, we are to keep ourselves pure of heart and therefore set apart for God.

Follow God, and don't let the culture around you shape your thoughts and actions. Only when the Holy Spirit renews, reeducates, and redirects our minds are we honesty converted, transformed to the things of God.

At this moment Romans 8:5 popped into my head: " For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the spirit, the things of the spirit."

Until Next Time,
Jim