" NEGATIVE(S) "

Good Evening To You,

This weeks subject matter will be an important one, we're going to be looking into NEGATIVE OPINIONS. It's my prayer that you and yours are healthy, wealthy and connected to the father. If you're anything like me I'm prone to have negative feelings about something or someone whom has harmed me in some way.

Listen I'm not removed from the same feelings that you have from time to time. I work very hard to fight the natural feeling to strike out at someone in a negative manner. Anytime I feel the urge I truly call on the Lord.

It's human nature to accept the opinion of another as fact, but not Gods. We must be especially careful when voicing our own negative notions. As Jesus Christ is our shepherd we truly are the sheep. Just as sheep who go where they are led, we must only follow our shepherd. Now, what we say may heavily influence the actions of those who trust us to give sound advice. By carrying out Jesus' simple commands, we find ourselves following all of God's other laws as well.

When facing a tough decision, don't let the negatives cause you to lose sight of the positives. Weigh both sides carefully. Don't let potential difficulties blind you to God's power to help and promise to guide. When a cry of despair goes up around you, consider the larger perspective before you join in. Now don't you think that you have better ways to use your energy than to complain, HELLO.

The dictionary describes the word Negative in different ways: A proposition which denies or contradicts another; Marked by denial, prohibition, or refusal. Removal of something positive - Disagreeable, and lacking positive qualities.

We become fearful and sometimes motionless when we focus on the negative aspects of a situation. How much better it is to focus on the positive - God's direction and promises. Listen, I feel that it's very important that we understand this point. When confronted with an important decision and you know what you should do, MOVE OUT IN FAITH. Focus on the positives while trusting God to overcome the negatives. Problems don't have to rob you of the victory. I understand that at times we can and have become
preoccupied with problems when we should be looking for opportunities.

Instead of focusing on the negatives, develop an attitude of expectancy. Now hear this... to say that God cannot rescue someone or that a situation is impossible demonstrates a lack of faith.

Jesus' statement, " DO NOT JUDGE, " is against the kind of sanctimonious and judgmental attitude that tears others down in order to build oneself up. It is not a blanket statement against all critical thinking, but a call to be discerning rather than negative. Words can hurt almost as bad as a 2x4.

Until next time...

Jim

" WHO NEEDS AN ADVISER(S) "

Good Day To You,

I am blessed and highly favored... This weeks message is one regarding the power of wise counsel. It's just possible that some of us never give a thought to, confiding and or seeking the advise of another older and wiser than ourselves.

It's important to have someone or others around whom you can count on for sound advice. Do you have someone whom you can depend on when you call on them for wisdom? Think for a moment, what do you believe the qualities of a good leader are? Just in case you've exhausted your brain power for the moment. Here's what the Bible suggest: diligence; a trustworthy messenger; never penalize people for their integrity; listen before you answer; pray for the ability to discern; listen to both sides of the story; An adviser must also be able to stand up under adversity and you must be able to stand up
under praise.

A good leader needs and uses wise counselors. I hear you, you're thinking that, the life's experience's you've collected have prepared you for future events. It's always wise to hear someone other than your self's perspective, one person's viewpoint and understanding is re markedly limited; now he or she may not have all the facts or may be blinded by bias, emotions, or wrong impressions. I for one don't want to be a know it all, so I have a group of brothers in the faith whom I bounce things off of. To be a wise leader at home, at church, or
at work, please seek out wise counsel. Listen very carefully to what they have to share, and be open to their advice. Then, after considering all the facts, make your decision.

No focus, people with tunnel vision, those who are locked into one way of thinking, are likely to miss the right road because they have closed their minds to any new options. Seek out the advice of those who know you and have a wealth of experience. We need at times the guidance of those who can enlarge our vision and broaden our perspective. Build a foundation, a network of advisers. Then be open to new ideas and be willing to weigh their suggestions carefully. Your plans will be stronger and more likely to succeed.

That's all for now, until next time...

Jim

" WRONG DESIRES BLIND OUR JUDGMENT "

Good Day All,

This weeks topic is on the subject of " Desire ".
We all have wants and desires, but the question is what are
your true aspirations. I believe that it's essential that we
wrap our minds around this weeks subject.
" DESIRE " : (1) to long or hope for: (2) a strong wish: (3)
sexual urge or appetite, craving. eagerly wishing.

" JUDGMENT " : a decision or opinion given after judging;
the process of forming an opinion by discerning and comparing.

What do you truly desire, and are you seeking after
something that will please Jesus Christ? Whether a
" desire fulfilled " is good or bad depends on the characteristics.
It is "appetizing to the soul" to achieve worthwhile goals, but not all
goals are worth pursuing. We desire many things but when we set
our heart on something, you may lose your ability to assess it
objectively. With your desire blinding your judgment, you may
proceed with an unwise relationship, a wasteful purchase, or a poorly
conceived plan. Faithfulness is a virtue, and stubbornness is not.

People with selfish desires often seek to fulfill them in ruthless ways.
Examine your ambitions to see if they are Self-Centered or God-Centered.
Please make certain that you always fulfill your desires in ways that God
would approve.
You know if we rely on our own wisdom, we will make wrong choices. Now,
if we try to follow the spirit by our own effort, we will fail. Our only way to
freedom from our evil desires is through the empowering of the Holy Spirit.

In this life a greedy desire for the best of everything may lead us down a
path that we're truly not prepared for. This type of desire could lead one into
sinful surroundings. This type of burning desire for possessions and success
can cost our freedom and enjoyment of life. The prosperity we long for is
captivating; it can both entice us and also enslave us if our motives are not
in line with God's desires.

Now to sum things up for today:

Our heart - our feelings of love and desire - dictates to a great extent
how we live because we always find time to do what we enjoy. We are told
to " guard our heart above all else, making sure we concentrate on those
desires that will keep us on the right path. Make sure your affections push
you in the right direction. Put boundaries on your desires: Don't go after
everything you see. Look straight ahead, keep your eyes fixed on your
goal, and don't get sidetracked on detours that lead to sin.

Until Next time...

Jim

" IS ANYTHING IMPOSSIBLE "

Good Day to You,

This week it has been put on my heart to share what the Word Of God has to say regarding the word impossible. It's truly something that we all should deal with, after all how many times are we confronted with a situation that we deem an impossibility? Please remember that ............ " Nothing is impossible with God "

Man says that the word " Impossible " is defined: (1) Incapable of being or of occurring. Now that's pretty definite to me, but I'm inclined to side with the Lord. God can do the impossible and he doesn't need much from us to accomplish his plan for our lives. Who could believe that Abraham would have a son at 100 years of age - and live to raise his son to adulthood? I have to wonder just how many times I've talked myself out of a blessing that God had for me and my family. After all nothing is impossible with God, and the sooner this fact sinks into my heart the better for me and mine. You see we all talk a good game and it's time that we all harness the goodness of God.

Listen, doing the impossible is everyday business for our Lord and God. So let go and let God, and our big problems won't seem so impossible if we let God handle them. In our daily lives we face many apparently impossible situations that would be hopeless if we had to handle them with our limited strength. But the father specializes in working through us to achieve the impossible. What God promises, he delivers, and God delivers on time! You can have complete confidence that God will keep His promises. If you are waiting for God to answer some request or to fill some need, remain patient. No matter how impossible God's promises may seem, what He has said in His Word
will come true at the right time.

Do you recall when God's chosen people were trapped against the sea with no where to run? There was no apparent means of escape, but the Lord opened up a dry path through the sea. Sometimes we find ourselves caught in a problem and see no way out. Don't panic;
God can open up a way.

Until Next Time...

Jim

" Morals / Values "

Good Afternoon To You,

I believe that it's time that those of us who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, should take a stand. In order to know exactly where we stand we should be reading and studying the Word of God daily. We should also be conversing with the Lord Jesus Christ before we make any decision. We run into people throughout the day and I have to wonder what kind of impression we are leaving with them. Are we strong and firm in our beliefs or are we willing to except the beliefs of whomever we are conversing with. For this reason we must rely on the morals and values of Christ Jesus.

When is the last time that you had a morals tune up? Do you just take life for granted, do you say to yourself that it's none of my business. Admit to yourself and to God that you fit the human pattern and frequently fail to live up to your own standards (much more of God's standards).

Many people claim to believe in God while refusing to give up attitudes and actions that God denounces. FYI, God cannot be added to the values we already have. He must come first, and his word must shape all our actions and attitudes. God's values are opposed to that of society's, his plans frustrate the " way of the wicked" because his values are a contradiction of society's. Jesus turned organized humanity's values upside down when he proclaimed that " many who are first will be last; and the last first" (Matt 19:30) and that " who ever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it " (Matt. 16:25).

As Christians we are known as an unselfish lot. Now, don't be surprised when others don't understand your Christian values, but don't give in to theirs. The world's values/morals are often the opposite of God's values. This can cause Christians to feel like misfits. Consider carefully the things you cherish. if you value anything more than God, it becomes your golden calf and will one day drag you down. Let go of anything that interferes with your relationship with God.

UNTIL NEXT TIME...

Jim