" PARTIALITY TO SIN "

Good Morning to you all,

Well I guess I'm burning daylight... Have you recognized yet that the Bible is all about making choices? Take note in your personal life and ask yourself, are there things in your life that you maybe showing partiality toward? Do you find yourself leaning toward sin, or to a sinner more than you would like? I wonder are you making excuses for bad behavior especially from those in authority over you? It's very important that we show sound judgment in our decision making.

Proverbs 18:5 "To show partiality to the wicked is not good, nor to thrust aside the righteous in judgment".

The word "Partiality" not total or general: affecting a part only: favoring one party over the other: markedly fond. Do you show favoritism, are you partial?

Proverbs 28:21 "To show partiality is not good because for a piece of bread a man will transgress".

We should thank the Lord for His Mercy and Grace. It's truly fortunate that when God judges us it's by faith, character, and not by the mask that men sometimes wear. Exclusively God can see on the inside, uniquely only He can accurately judge people. Sometimes our thinking, our judgement can be colored by outside influences. Most people spend hours each week attempting to perfect their outside appearance. It's very important that we seek the face of the Lord before we decide on anything. Most importantly we must be sure that we're hearing from the Lord. You know, unfortunately it's easy to rate people on the basis of their official status and to be intimidated by powerful people. We should show respect for our spiritual leaders and those in authority over us, but our ultimate allegiance must be to Christ.

"GOD SHOWS NO PARTIALITY" and we are not to show partiality in judgment as it's not good. Are you showing partiality to the wicked?

Until next time, be blessed.

Jim

" NEEDS VS. WANTS "

Good day to you,

So how have you been since our last visit? Is there anything particular that you require? As Christians our Heavenly Father has promised to meet our "needs" and to give us the desires of our heart. So a body just might ponder what else is left for man to want, one might think: "What do I want"? Another time we can dive into the desires of our heart and what that entails...

My wife was on her way out to run some errands this past Saturday morning. As usual, a tradition of hers is to ask if there's anything special that I want.... Boy does that always start my mind to racing, what a loaded question! I just love to snack on pretzels, of course, with less salt as possible. Why does she ask? Most junk food is off limits to me. This question is like a wife asking "What do you want for Supper/Dinner"? Now, most guys that I know want food that is tasty and food that will just fill us up, and nothing of any true value. Our Heavenly Father promises to meet our needs, and we can trust that our Father is an "On Time God".

Whatever we need on earth He will always supply, even if it is the courage to face death as Paul did. Whatever we need in heaven He will supply. We must remember, however, the difference between our wants and our needs. God gave us a set of rules, known as the Commandments. These Commandments are designed to lead us to a life of practical holiness. God's laws are designed to meet the needs of those who profess to love Him. These commands and guidelines were intended to direct God's people to meet the needs of each other in a responsible and loving manner. Most of us want to feel good and avoid discomfort or pain. We may not get all that we want by trusting in Christ, our outlook and palate can change from wanting everything to accepting His provision and power to live for Him.

"Need" to be in want; to have cause or occasion for; require; to be under obligation or necessity.

"Want" to fail to possess; lack; to feel or suffer the need of; to desire earnestly; wish. One more word comes to mind "Greed" acquisitive or selfish desire beyond reason.

It's very important that we think of the need of others before our want. I've tried to live my life believing that "You Can't Out Give God". So learn to be sensitive to the needs of others and we will truly grow in our faith and become totally satisfied with our provisions. Take a moment to ponder about what you want opposed to your basic need.

Until next time.

Jim

" CHILDREN "

How often do you find yourself thinking about your children? My Bible shares with me that Job didn't take anything for granted. I believe that because of the vastness of his property and the time it must have taken to go from point "A" to point "B" he took spiritual matters into his own hands. Because there were no priests to instruct him in God's laws, Job acted as the priest and offered sacrifices to God to ask for forgiveness for sins he and his family had committed. Obviously Job did not consider himself sinless. It's been said that Job did this out of conviction and love for God, not just because it was his role as head of household. As a modern-day Job, because my children are in their mid to late thirties, I think about my children often and most especially about their spiritual welfare. I think and pray for my children often as I have learned I cannot afford to take anything for granted. Satan is likened as a roaring lion. When is the last time you read (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").

Don't you ever take your children for granted!
Psalms 127:3 - 5: (3) " Behold, children are a gift of the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward. (4) Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one's youth. (5) How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them; they will not be ashamed when they speak with their enemies in the gate."

God places much value on human beings and He has a special love for our precious offspring. Children are an amazing gift of the Lord, a reward. Four of my grandchildren are teenagers and they are truly astonishing. Have you ever just watched how a child or a teen maneuvers through life? They are blessed with magnificent natural abilities from God. We can learn lessons from our children that I would say are as good as gold. I must admit that I'm still bewildered as to how much our Lord and God cares for us. Those who view our children as a distraction or even a nuisance should instead see them as an opportunity to shape the future. We dare not treat children as an inconvenience when God values them so highly.

We are fragile beings, but our Father God's care is eternal. Too often we focus on God the Father as judge and lawgiver, ignoring His compassion and concern for us. When our Father examines our lives, He remembers our human condition. Our weakness should never be used as a justification for sin. His mercy takes everything into account. God will deal with you compassionately.

Trust Him and cherish your babies. See the value in every single person as they are someone's child.

Until next time.

Jim

" ENDURING WITHOUT COMPLAINT "

Are you still asking inquiring questions about God and his character? Why haven't you resolved that he's an on time God yet?

Have you not said to yourself why does God not answer? God may have seemed slow the last time you cried out for his help. But God is not sluggish in any shape or form when it comes to his children. It's time that you put this one to bed for ever, and know that you know that He's always right on time.

Our God in Heaven is not on our time-table (Psalms 90:4), But again I say to you that he's always on time. We are reminded by Moses that a thousand years are like a day to the Lord. God is certainly not limited by time, as we see it.

It's easy to get discouraged when years pass and seemingly the world doesn't get any better. Please a moment of " TRUTH " Have you ever in a low moment wondered if God is able to see the future? But don't presume for an instant that God has our limitations. Our God is completely unrestricted by time, because he is eternal, and we CAN depend on him. " The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance". WHEN YOU PRAY "EXPECT ".

I'm reminded of Isaiah 40:31 " Yet those who wait on the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary". Please know that God is never too tired or too busy to help and listen. His strength is our source of strength. Trusting helps us to be prepared when he speaks to us. Then we will learn to become enduring without complaint when he asks us to wait and expect him to fulfill the promises found in His Word. When you hear that voice suggesting that the Lord is slow when it comes to hearing us and answering our prayer, you know better.

Until next time.

Jim