"ABILITIES "

It is vital for us to discover and utilize the gifts that we have been given.

All of us have been blessed with a specific skill and abilities in life. We must recognize our talent(s) in God and conform them into His will. God wants to fill us with his spirit so we will use them for His glory. How are you using your special talents and abilities? If you just paused it's time for you to think about the ways you can use them for God's work in this world. A TALENT MUST BE USED OR IT WILL DIMINISH. And a talent must be used often so we can hone it and use as efficiently and effectively.

Have you ever pondered about your ability to share the Word of God? Some things come easy to us, while other things we truly must work at. We are responsible to develop the various abilities that we have been blessed with, even the ones not considered religious, and to use them for God's glory. One can hew their skills through study, by watching others, and through practice. Work on your skills or abilities that could help your church or community. Put your best foot forward for Christ Jesus. A friend said to me just this past week that we know the end of the story. Another friend is so secure in his faith, while being tossed and flipped around in an auto accident his only thoughts were on Christ Jesus and his family.

The most important prerequisite for any kind of Christian service is to be filled with faith and the power of the Holy Spirit. My Pals are all spiritually mature and very wise men. All believers in Christ belong to one body; we are all united under the head-ship of Jesus Christ. Under His leadership each believer has God-given abilities that can and will strengthen the whole body. Your special ability may seem small to you but God can make the impossible happen with your talent. Ask God to use your unique gifts to contribute to the strength and health of the body of believers.

Until next time.

Jim

" CRITICISM "

Good morning to you all, I have a question for you which requires total honesty. Have you ever felt truly convicted? I mean has the Word of God ever struck you right between the eyes? While doing my homework and searching my own heart and most importantly asking my wife of nearly 40 years her thoughts, I'm on shaky ground. She reminds me of what she has seen since our marriage in 1969, temperament wise. Now please don't judge me too harshly as I'm still a work in progress, you see, God's not finish with me yet. With each temperament there comes strength and weakness. I'm told that I show "Melancholy" and "Choleric" temperaments. With that being shared, one weakness that stands out on the melancholy side is the art of being "Critical". I'm not making any excuses for my nature it's something that I must guard against. Pray that I win this battle.

"Do not judge so that you will not be judged. (2) "For the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard or measure, it will be measured to you (Matt. 7:1-2)."

Anytime that we feel the need to challenge the deportment of another, or however we justify it in our mind(s) we're finding fault. Jesus warned us to examine our own motives and comportment instead of judging others. When we find the need to criticize, or to give unsolicited censuring, don't.

The traits that bother us in others are often the habits we dislike in ourselves. What seems to be our resistant bad habits and behavior patterns are the very ones that we most want to change in others. Do you find it effortless to magnify others' faults while excusing your own? When you are ready to criticize someone, check to see if you deserve the same criticism. When the urge to judge someone else comes upon you, try looking in the mirror and judge that individual.

Jesus' statement. " DO NOT JUDGE " is against the kind of hypocritical, judgmental attitude that tears others down in order to build oneself up. We should strive to keep our conduct above criticism. Jesus is our example. When we face hardship and discouragement, it is easy to lose sight of the big picture. You know friends, we're not alone. There is help. Many before us have persevered and made it through life, enduring far more difficult circumstances than we have experienced.

The last time a parent or friend rebuked you, were you hurt, angry, or defensive? When you are rebuked for a serious mistake, it is for you to learn from this unfortunate experience. Admit to your error(s), repent quickly, and always ask for prayer.

Always remember to trust in God as man will let you down every time.

Until next time,

Jim

" DEPRESSION "

Good morning to you all , how have you been feeling? Here we are at mid-month of the new year and I for one have heard one word so much that it has truly caused me some concern for some of you on a spiritual level. We sometimes allow the world and the circumstances of life to beat us down. I know because I've been beaten down once or twice before in my life. But I've learned that when I take Christ out of the equation it's very hard to get up, to respond to the bell for the next round. Just as long as we live there's always another round coming up.

This time of year just after the holidays is when most of our population starts to take stock in life, re-evaluate and retrospection. Many things in life can catapult us into low spirits which signals that we're in a Spirit Battle for our lives. Have you felt beaten down by life's situations, or just facing over-whelming odds? It's very important for you to know that God is never overawed by the size of the enemy or the complexity of a problem. With God their is always the right scenario, and there are always enough resources to resist the pressures and win life's battles.

When you are facing a difficult situation that is beyond your control, always ask yourself, " What steps can I take now to work toward a solution? " It's my prayer that you're looking to Jesus for your direction to the solution needed.

Depression is becoming one of the most common emotional ailments in man. I believe that one counter agent for depression is to meditate on the annals of God's goodness to his people. As we reflect on the Word of God, this will take our mind off the present situation and give hope that it will improve. When you feel depressed, take advantage of the Psalms as they can be your antidepressant. The Word of God will focus your thoughts on the Father's ability to help you rather than on your inability to help yourself. Do your own homework, read and meditate on the Bible's accounts of God's goodness, and muse it's contents.

I believe that most of us, when we think of a person who is going through depression, believe that something unfortunately has happened. Severe depression often follows great achievements, so don't be surprised if you feel drained after a personal victory. During wound able times , avoid the temptation to think that God owes you for your efforts.

Always know that it was His strength that gave you victory. Concentrate on God and the things of God when you believe that you have no way to turn. Forget about yourself and concentrate on Him.

Until next time,

Jim

" RETROSPECTION "

Have you had to pause and review one or more events in your past? Have you said to yourself what was I thinking!

Maybe it's time we learn how to let God guide our life and place His Will ahead of our own. I'm reminded of an account in the Word of God, with major consequences. Do you remember the story of Isaac, he inherited all that his father acquired in life including God's promise to make his descendants into a great nation. Isaac pleaded with God for children as his wife Rebekah was barren, and the Lord answered. It's very important that we seek the face of the Lord before we make any decision. When we don't ask for God's opinion we never know what we're going to get.

Isaac's son Esau was born just before his younger brother Jacob, and therefore he received the family Birthright. It included a double portion of the family inheritance along with the honor of one day becoming the family's leader.
I believe that all of us have heard that we must be careful of what we ask for, as we just might get it.

Now Esau seems to be the kind of guy who doesn't think past the end of his nose. One who lives for the moment and then he attempts to adapt to the situation at hand.
I think I mentioned that God allows certain events in our lives to accomplish his overall purposes, but we are still responsible for our own actions. Esau was a skillful hunter, a man of the field, and Jacob is described as a peaceful man living in tents. Esau came home one day from hunting and he was famished, his brother Jacob had cooked a stew. Esau said please let me have a swallow of that red stuff there. Jacob responded "first sell me your birthright." Remember that a birthright was a special honor that was given to the first born son. The oldest son had the right to sell his birthright or give it away if he chose, but in so doing, he would lose both material goods and his leadership position.
Esau traded the lasting benefits that came with his birthright for the immediate pleasure of food. He acted on impulse, satisfying his immediate desires without pausing to consider the long-range consequences of what he was about to do.

We can fall into the same trap. When we see something we want, our first impulse is to get it. Esau showed complete disregard for the spiritual blessings that would have come his way if he had kept it. In effect, "despised" his birthright. Please take the time to include the Father into all of your decision making. How often have you heard me say "TRUST GOD"

Until next time.

Jim