" INFLUENCE(S) "

Greetings All,

It's so great that you took the time to stop by this day. This weeks subject is regarding Influence, so let's strap in and forge ahead.

Don't be influenced by the world or by what you see nor by what life has to offer. I believe that we should influence ourselves to do for others, as we should put others before ourselves. If a spice looses it's flavoring, it's of no value to us. If Christians make no effort to affect the world around them, then they are of little value to God. Please listen, if we are too much like the world, then we are worthless. As Born Again Christians we should not blend in with everyone else. Instead, we should affect others positively, just as we spice up our foods for just the right flavoring. We live in a world filled with evil, and I have to ask you are you influencing others or being influenced by them?

As Christians we must be on guard to to the traps of the devil. Those things that got us into trouble once upon a time can still lead us down a path of trouble and sin.

I believe that looking back in the direction of sinful influences is a slippery slope. Do you remember Lot's wife as they were being lead to safety turned back to see the city that she loved engulfed. Clinging to the past is not always wise. Are you looking back longingly at sin while trying to move forward with God? Readers please understand that we can't make head way with God just as long as we are holding onto segments of our old life. Remember the Word of God says that " No one can serve two masters."

LAST POINT: Negativism can have affects that may last for some time. Negative words can hurt and may have the impact of a violent smack. Because it is human nature to accept opinion as fact, we must be extremely mindful when voicing our negative opinions. Beware; what we say may heavily influence the actions of those who trust us to give sound advice.

Until Next Time...
Jim

" SLANDER AND REPROACH "

Greetings All,

Well here we are again, another week has come and gone. I'm always grateful to see you, those of you who have proven yourselves faithful week end and week out. Today's subject is one that we ought to take a serious look into. How easy is it for us to fight back with our mouth and not engage our brains? Some of us are very good at verbal warfare, but I caution you to be mindful of your words.

" let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with allmalice " (Eph. 4:31). Making up and spreading false information is strictly forbidden by God. Gossip, Slander, and False Witnessing can undermine families, and over all strain community and neighborhood participation etc. Destructive gossip can and will always cause problems. Even if you do not initiate a lie, you will become liable if you pass it along. Don't circulate rumors; squelch them.

Have you ever been falsely accused or so badly hurt that you wanted revenge? Slanderous accusations can possibly make us do or say things that are out of the norm. Instead of taking matters into our own hands and striking out, we might just call out to the Lord for justice.

OK, understand this, the proper response to slander is prayer, not revenge, because God says so, " Vengeance is mine, I will repay " : Listen, Instead of striking back, ask God to take your case, bring justice, and restore your reputation.

When we truly follow God, he rewards our effort.

By hating another person you may become a liar or a fool. If you try to conceal your hatred, you end up lying. If you slander the other person and are proven wrong, you are a fool. The only way out is to admit your hateful feelings to God. Ask Him to change your heart, to help you love instead of hate. " A perverse man spreads strife, and a slander separates intimate friends " (Prov. 16:28). Words are powerful, and how you use them reflects on your relationship with God. Perhaps nothing so identifies Christians as their ability to control their speech-speaking the truth, refusing to slander, and keeping promises. Watch out for what you say.

Until Next Time...
Jim

" FIX YOUR EYES UPON JESUS "

Hello, it's mighty good to see you again, are things well

in your world today? I thoroughly enjoy spending time

with you and sharing what's on my heart.

So we fix our eyes NOT on what is seen, but

on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary,

but what is unseen is eternal (2 Cor. 4:18).

For years I suffered with almost unbearable pain for hours

during the days and nights. My doctors told me that I would

be in a wheelchair very soon, as my body was breaking down.

Now this was just over thirteen years ago, when things aren't

going the way we want them we say " Why Me ". Our ultimate

hope when we are experiencing terrible illness, persecution, or

pain is the realization that my life is not all there is. As a Born

Again Christian I know that there life after death. Knowing that

I/we will live forever with God in a place without sin and

suffering can help you and me live above the pain that we face in

this life.

Saints, those who believe that Jesus Christ was and is the

Messiah will triumph in the end. All of us who are followers

of the Lord Jesus Christ will be brought safely to him. Not

one of us will be overlooked or forgotten in the end. Again

at the end times as we know it will be know more. No

matter what transpires we will be brought to our eternal lives.

Now, even though many believers have to undergo persecution,

as we are not exempt. God will protect us from spiritual

harm. Again, no matter what happens we will be brought to our

reward in God. Yes I suffered for over thirteen years and He

decided to touch my body, I know longer need the assistance of

any device to propel me along. No Wheelchair, Cane or Walker.

Now, go out and make it a God -Centered day.

Keep your eyes upon Jesus.

Until next time...

Jim

" Wisdom " The Balance In Your Life

Well here we are again, you know I was just sharing
with someone this week about how fast this year is
passing. It seems that I just sent my oldest friend Tony
a birthday card in January and now it's September already.
This weeks message is about obtaining Wisdom, just
remember that the Bible says: Fools despise Wisdom
and Instruction.
I appreciate that you've taken the time to stop by so let's
get started.

Wisdom can be achieved in two ways: It is a God-
given gift and also the result of a hard targeted search.
Wisdom's starting point is God and his revealed word,
the source of all " Knowledge and Understanding. "
God gives us wisdom and victory but not for drifting
through life or acting irresponsibly with his gifts and
resources. If we are faithful and keep our purpose in
life clearly in mind, he will keep us from pride and greed.

We gain wisdom through a constant process of growing
first, we must honor God. Second, we must realize that
the Bible reveals God's wisdom to us. Third we must make
a lifelong series of right choices and avoid moral pitfalls.
Fourth when we make sinful and poor choices, we must
learn from our errors and recover. People don't develop all
aspects of wisdom at once. For example, some people have
more insight than discretion; others have more knowledge
than common sense. But we can pray for all aspects of
wisdom and take the steps to develop them in our lives.

Are you known for your sagacity, by looking to God we
can fill our hearts with his wisdom and our hearts with his
love. Now don't be fooled - remember what God says about
you and what you were meant to be. Are you known for
your wisdom, after all wisdom is not limited to one's age.
There is a difference, however between human wisdom and
God's wisdom. Question, are you wise in the world, but not
in the things of the Lord? When one turns up their nose to
the things of God that is mocking Him.
" THE FEAR OF THE LORD IS THE BEGINNING OF
KNOWLEDGE; FOOLS DESPISE WISDOM AND
INSTRUCTION " (PROVERBS 1:7).
Wisdom means considerably more than simply knowing
a lot. It is the primary disposition that affects every aspect
of life. the basis of knowledge is the fear of the Lord; to
honor and respect God; to live in his reverential power, and
and to obey his word. Trust in God, and he will make you
truly wise. " INCLINE YOUR EAR AND HEAR THE WORDS
OF THE WISE " (PROVERBS 22:17).

Can you make wise decisions in all strenuous conditions of
life? Please understand that whenever you need wisdom, all
you have to do is ask for it. Are you hearing me, this is simple
ask God for the wisdom to guide our selections. He is willing
to give us this wisdom, but we will be unable to receive it if
our goals are self-centered instead of God - centered. To
understand God's Will, now that takes time in the Word of
God. Ask Him to show us how to obey it. We must do what
he tells us.

Until Next Time...

Jim