"THE WAY OF ALL FLESH "

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A BLESSED NEW YEAR TO YOU,

This week we will be looking into death, this is a message that the Lord put on my heart the first week in December. I feel that now is a good time to share it with you, as always it comes from the Word of God. One of my heroes in the faith, Paul, said that he would be confident in dying. He went on to expound that it would be better than living, because in death he would be removed from worldly troubles, and he would see Christ face-to-face.

Now, if you're not ready to die then you're not ready to live. Make certain of YOUR eternal destiny; then you will be free to serve - devoting your life to what really counts without fear of death. How to face death, as Christians, those of us who have a Born Again experience with Jesus Christ are confident. When we are resurrected, God will give us a transformed, eternal body suited to our new eternal life.

Now we all face limitations. Those who have physical, mental, or emotional disabilities are especially aware of this. Some may be blind, but they can see a new way to live. Some may be deaf, but they can hear God's Good News. Some may be lame, but they can walk in God's Love. Now this part is good, in addition they have the encouragement that those disabilities are only temporary. The Word of God tells us that we all will be given "new bodies" when Christ returns and that these bodies will be without disabilities, never to die or become sick. This can give us hope in our suffering.

 " EVEN THOUGH I WALK THROUGH THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH, I FEAR NO EVIL, FOR YOU ARE WITH ME; YOUR ROD AND YOUR STAFF, THEY COMFORT ME."

If our lives aren't the way we would like them to be now, we can't assume that change will come more easily later. When nearing death, we will respond to God the same way we have been responding all along. Coming face-to-face with death only shows us what we are really like. How do you want to face death?

Start facing life that way right now. Lord Willing I'll have part two ready for week.

Until Next time...
Jim

" HOW TO BE A BETTER HUSBAND "

Well hear we are again another week has come and gone. First I want to thank you so much for dropping by. We are in the Holiday Season and I want you to know that I wish you and your family the very best that the Lord Jesus has to offer.

This week we are looking at " How To Be A Better Husband ". According to the Bible, the man is the SPIRITUAL HEAD of the family, and his wife should acknowledge his leadership. Now, Real Spiritual Leadership involves Service. Men, just as Jesus served the disciples, even to the point of washing their feet, so the husband is to serve his wife. A wise and Christ-honoring husband will not take advantage of his leadership role, and a wise and Christ-honoring wife will not try to undermine her husband's leadership. Either approach causes disunity and friction in marriage.

A marriage in the Bible sense is a Holy Union: a living symbol, a precious relationship that needs tender, self-sacrificing care. Men, when a husband fails to be the Spiritual Leader in his family, his wife feels insecure. When a husband praises or admires another woman, his wife feels inferior and jealous. Now listen up; don't ever make this mistake when a husband lusts after another woman... His wife feels inadequate in trying to meet her husband's physical needs.

When a man is not considerate and respectful of his wife, his prayers will be hindered, because a living relationship with God depends on right relationships with others. Jesus said that if you have a problem with a fellow believer, you must make it right with that person before coming to worship. This principle carries over into family relationships. If we use our position to mistreat our wives then our relationships with the Father will suffer.

I've read and I know from experience, talking and praying with men for years that we don't always stand up at the plate. This advice given to young men is very important. In ancient Greek society, the role of the Husband/Father was not viewed as a nurturing role, but merely as a functional one. Many young men today have been raised in families where fathers have neglected their responsibilities to their wives and children. Husbands and Fathers who are good examples of Christian living are important role models for young men who need to see how it is done. Men let's try to do a better job of caring for the vessel (Our Wife) that God gave to each of us. Sometimes we're insensitive to our wives and our vessels crack I confess that I cracked my (Wife/Vessel) years ago. With God's help anything can be put together.

Remember God created the world and everything in it, also in Ezekiel 37:10 you'll see how he can put us back together again, when we fall apart.

Until Next Time...
Jim

" REVENGE CAN BE AN UNCONTROLLABLE MONSTER "

Happy Holidays To You,

 This week we will be talking about " REVENGE." Now, how often have you been tempted to strike back at another for an infraction towards you? Hopefully we will learn just how the Lord wants us to react. I believe that doing the right thing, acting accordingly we'll go far in God's eyes. God judges all sins and punishes appropriately, but not simply out of anger or vengeance. Rather, God's punishment is meant to correct us and restore our fellowship with him. When you're corrected, don't resent it. Instead, renew your fellowship with God. You know sometimes forgiving a personal attack shows more strength than lashing out in revenge. Trying to prove one's power and authority often proves only one's fear and self-doubt. REVENGE IS AN UNCONTROLLABLE CREATURE.

Please understand that each act of retaliation brings on another. It is a boomerang that cannot be thrown without cost to the thrower. The revenge cycle can be halted only by forgiveness. God alone has the right to be jealous and to carryout vengeance. Jealousy and vengeance may be surprising terms to associate with God. When humans are jealous and take vengeance, they are usually acting in a spirit of selfishness. But it is appropriate for God to insist on our complete allegiance, and it is just for him to punish unrepentant evildoers. His jealousy and vengeance are unmixed with selfishness. Their purpose is to remove sin and restore peace to the world. When tempted to return evil for evil, leave revenge to God and spare yourself the dreadful consequences of sin. In God's Kingdom revenge is unacceptable behavior, as is insulting a person, no matter how indirectly it is done. Rise above getting back at those who hurt you. Instead of reacting angrily to these people, PRAY FOR THEM. In our sinful world, it is often deemed acceptable by some to tear people down verbally or to get back at them if we feel hurt. Listen we are told plainly...You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge. " VENGEANCE IS MINE, AND RETRIBUTION, IN DUE TIME THEIR FOOT WILL SLIP " (Deut. 32:35).

 Until next Time...
 Jim,

" ARE YOU LIVING FOR MONEY "

Come on in, it's wonderful to see you today.

Today we are going to be talking about Man's affair with money. I'm predisposed into thinking that our integrity recurrently meets its match in money matters. We are called to be honest even in small details we could easily rationalize away. Please recognize that Heaven's riches are far more valuable than earthly wealth. I'm also reminded of the lottery a few days back, the 500 Million Dollar Power ball Jackpot. I believe that people were not in their right mind(s) and it saddens me that they put their trust in money and not in God.

Listen folks if we're not trustworthy with our money here (no matter how much or little we have), we'll be unqualified to handle the immense riches of God's Kingdom. Don't let your integrity slip in small matters, and it will not fail you in crucial decisions either. God's people should not live for money, because money will be worthless in eternity. And they should keep on guard constantly against greed, a sin that is always ready to take over their lives. " Every thing has a price " seems to be true in our world of bribes, wealth, and materialism.

Please pay attention, the only way to receive God's power is to turn from sin, ask God for forgiveness, and be filled with the Spirit of God. So folks no matter how much money you have, you can't buy the Holy Spirit's power. No amount of money can buy your SALVATION, forgiveness of sin, or God's power. Now these are only acquired by repentance and belief in Christ as Savior. You can tell much about a person's character by the way he or she handles money. The wicked person steals under the guise of borrowing. The righteous person gives generously to the needy. The wicked person, therefore, focuses on himself, while the righteous person looks to the welfare of others.

LAST POINT: To some money can represent pride, accomplishment and self-effort. Ironically, our attitudes just might prevent us from keeping the first commandment, to let nothing be more important than God. What barriers are keeping you from turning your life over to Christ? " THE STINGY ARE EAGER TO GET RICH AND ARE UNAWARE THAT POVERTY AWAITS THEM " (PROV 28:22 NIV).

 Until Next Time...
 Jim,

" DIFFERENT FORMS OF SUFFERING "

Welcome Aboard,

Today I'd like to discuss pain and suffering. Please take a moment and let's see if I can share something new with you. We all have been introduced to pain at some point in our lives. Those who struggle with pain, physical limitations, or disabilities can have wonderful hope in the resurrection. Some people will do almost anything to avoid pain. Now as Followers of Christ however, we should be willing and prepared to do God's will and to suffer for it if necessary. Sin loses its power to defeat us in our suffering if we focus on Christ and what He wants us to do.

When our bodies are in pain or our lives are in jeopardy, our real values show up clearly, and sinful pleasures seem less important. If anyone suffers for good and still faithfully obeys in spite of their suffering,now this person has made a clean break with sin. OK, let's go in a different direction now, how painful are honest words? We must be mindful that words can hurt and sometimes we must be brutality honest. Please understand the point that I'm trying to convey. These are times when it's OK to protect another's feelings, and then times to be point blank about going to Hell. Most of the time it's our sin that leads us to pain and suffering. One may ask when suffering or troubles come our way, is it always from Satan. God allows everything that comes our way and I believe that we must constantly be on alert. If God can oversee the forces of nature, surely he can see us through the trials we face. Suffering is unavoidable in bringing the Good News Of Christ to the world. It is called Christ's suffering, because all Christians are related to Christ. When we suffer, Christ feels it with us. But this suffering can be endured joyfully because it changes lives and brings people into God's Kingdom.

LAST POINT: I'm just saying life without God is senseless. All of life's work: building a home, erecting your career, and bring up a family must have God as the foundation. God is not against human effort. Hard work honors our Father God. But working to the exclusion of rest or to neglect of family may be a cover-up for an inability to trust God to provide for our needs. We all need adequate rest and times of spiritual refreshment. On the other hand, we are not to be lazy. be mindful to maintain a balance: Work while trusting God, and also rest while trusting Him.

 Until Next Time...
 Jim,

" DECEITFULNESS "

OK, this week we will be looking into "DECEITFULNESS "

I believe that this is something that doesn't come naturally but is a learned trait. Please put your thinking cap on and let's really hear what and how the Lord thinks about deceitfulness. DECEITFULNESS: Practicing or tending to practice deceit (2) Misleading, or being Deceptive.

Deception can be traced back to the Garden of Eden. Satan tries to deceive us by making us think that sin is good, affable, and even appetizing. A knowledge of both good and evil seemed harmless to Eve. Now people usually choose wrong things because they have become convinced that those things are good, at least for themselves anyway. Why is it that our sins do not always appear ugly to us, and the charming sins are the hardest to avoid? Now with that being said, we must prepare ourselves for the attractive temptations that may come our way. We cannot always prevent temptation, but their is always a way of escape.

How many times in our lives do we allow ourselves to be deceived by flattery and give in to temptation and wrong beliefs? Deception can be more powerful than we realize. Avoid falling prey to deceit by asking God to help you distinguish between deception and truth. A life of deceit leads to disaster. New believers need to grow in their knowledge of the Word, because ignorance can make them vulnerable to deception. Remember this as you study God's Word. Seek to find God's truth and will for your life. Satan uses deception in many different forms. This is what Eve did: She Looked, She Took, She Ate, and She Gave; She Shared With Her Husband. Satan knows that the battle is often lost at the First Glance. Temptation often begins by simply seeing something you want.

Question, are you struggling with temptation because you have not learned that looking is the first step toward sin? No matter how good we think our goals are, we should not attempt to achieve them by doing what is wrong. Would God approve of the methods you are using to accomplish your goals? God warns us against deception. Even though deception is a way of life for many people, as God's children we must not give in to it.

Until Next Time...
Jim

" ACCEPTING THE WILL OF GOD "

Welcome come on in.

This week we will be talking about the Will Of God. With that being said strap in and let's all be hearers of the Word.

Are you big enough to accept the Will Of God? I mean really big enough to accept.

" WILL " : Desire; Seeking God's Will means looking for what God wants to be done.

What if it isn't what you expected? Or maybe what you thought might take place. We must trust God in all things and in all ways. He knows what we need as He's already promised to meet our needs. How many of us say your Will be done Lord, but do we truly mean what we're saying or are we just spouting what we think others except of us? Listen it's high time that we take the Father at face value, at His word. When we say " Your Will Be Done, " we are not surrendering ourselves to fate, but praying that God's perfect purpose will be accomplished in this world as well as in the next.

Do you remember when Jesus asked that the cup of suffering and separation be taken away? In fact, He reaffirmed His desire to do God's Will by saying, " Yet Not As I Will, But As You Will. " His prayer reveals to us His terrible suffering. His agony was worse than death because He paid for ALL sin by being separated from God. The sinless Son of God took our sins upon Himself to save us from suffering and separation.

Now turning the page, a prayer for guidance is self-centered if it doesn't recognize God's power to redirect our lives. What is your desire? Is it to be taught to do God's Will and not your own? Maybe we should be asking in prayer for the Lord to restructure our priorities awaken our minds and stir our wills. " SO THEN DO NOT BE FOOLISH, BUT UNDERSTAND WHAT THE WILL OF THE LORD IS " (Ephesian 5:17). The emphasis here is on God's Will, not our will. When we communicate with God, we don't demand what we want; rather we discuss with Him what He wants for us. If we align our prayers to his Will, He will listen; and we can be certain that if He listens, He will give us a definite answer.

START PRAYING WITH CONFIDENCE! No matter what the Lord's Will Be Done.

Until Next Time...
Jim

" HOW CAN WE BE PERFECT "

Good Day To You,

As always it's my pleasure as well as my honor to share with you each week. This time we will be talking about Perfection. What I believe is the Lord's take on it, so strap yourself in and let's get started.

The life that we've carved out for ourselves, I mean those of us who call ourselves Christians takes much work. The Christian life is a process of becoming more and more like Christ. This process will not be complete until we see Christ face-to face, but knowing that it is our ultimate destiny should motivate us to purify ourselves.

TO PURIFY means to keep morally straight, free from the corruption of sin. God also purifies us, but there is action we must take to remain MORALLY FIT. " THEREFORE YOU ARE TO BE PERFECT, AS YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER IS PERFECT "(Matt 5:48).

How often have you pronounced, or have you been told that you were not perfect. Listen, we must be mindful of what we speak, as we can speak it into existence. Perfection is being without fault or defect. Now regarding the title of this weeks message, " How Can We Be Perfect "? (1) BY MORAL EXCELLENCE. Yes in this life we cannot be faultless, but we can aspire to be as much like Christ as possible. (2) IN HUMILITY. Like the Pharisees, we are to separate ourselves from the world's sinful values. But unlike the Pharisees, we are to be dutiful to God's desires rather than our own, and carry His Love and Mercy throughout the globe. (3) IN MATURATION. We can't achieve Christlike character and holy living all at once, but we must grow toward maturity and wholeness. Just as we expect different behavior from a baby, a child, a teenager, and an adult; so God expects different behavior from us, depending on our stage of spiritual development.

LAST POINT: (A) We are perfect because of our eternal union with the infinitely perfect Christ. When we become Hhis children, we are declared " Not guilty", and thus righteous. Because of what Christ, God's beloved Son, has for us. The perfection is absolute and unchangeable, and it is this perfect relationship that guarantees that we will one day be " Completely Perfect ". (B) Fact, we can grow spiritually and mature as we continue to trust Christ, learn more about Him, draw closer to Him, and obey Him. This is how we can be perfect.

Until Next Time...
Jim

" BE ALWAYS JOYFUL "

Good Morning To You,

It's so good to see you today and It's my pleasure to share with you. This week we will discuss " JOY ". The act of being joyful when it's not easy. Joy in the Christian life is in direct proportion as believers walk with the Lord. They can rejoice because they are in the Lord. You see joy is a fruit of a spirit led life. Sin in a believers life robs the person of their joy. Joy in the Lord enables people to enjoy all that God has given. As Christians we should rejoice in family, food, celebrations, and fellowship. They share with other believers the joys and sorrows of life. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, weep with them that weep.

Now, the Word Of God also says that I WILL TURN THEIR MOURNING INTO JOY AND WILL COMFORT THEM AND GIVE THEM JOY FOR THEIR SORROW. You know that it's OK to shout aloud with joy. Have you ever felt motionlessness in your spiritual walk, I mean totally stagnant? If so has sin ever driven a wedge between you and the Lord, making Him seem somewhat distant? The Father wants us to be close to Him and to always experience His full and complete life. But sin that remains un-confessed makes such intimacy impossible. Confess your sin(s) to God. You may still have to face earthly consequences, but God will give back the joy of your relationship with Him.

Synonymous words for Joy: happiness, pleasure, delight, gladness, merriment, felicity, and enjoyment. The word Joy is found over 150 times in the Bible. Now if such words as "Joyous" and "Joyful" are included, the number comes to over 200. OK, joy is the fruit of a right relationship with the Father. My dictionary says: Joy is a feeling of happiness that comes from success, good fortune, or a sense of well-being... pleasure, bliss... rejoice. Listen I'm aware that bad stuff happens in our lives, but TRUST GOD anyway.

FINALLY,BRETHREN, BE JOYFUL, SECURE PERFECTION OF CHARACTER, TAKE COURAGE BE OF ONE MIND, LIVE IN PEACE. AND THEN GOD WHO GIVES LOVE AND PEACE WILL BE WITH YOU (2 Cor 13:11).

Until Next Time...
Jim

" THE COST OF DISOBEDIENCE "

Well here we are again it's Tuesday morning and it's our time to share. I want you to know that I appreciate you so much, and that you are so very special to me.

With that being said this week we will be discussing " The Cost Of Disobedience ". This is a subject that we once discussed back on 7/13/10. It's been put on my heart once again. If you're not aware yet, our God is Holy and hates sin. Therefore He must punish sinners. Disobedience is sin. It breaks our fellowship with God. But, fortunately, when we disobey, God is willing to forgive us and to restore our relationship with him. Now, please understand just how dangerous it is to pretend to obey God when our hearts are far from Him because the Father knows our true intentions. Our actions must match our words. To say that you want to do God's Will, but you constantly disobey, and that makes you phony as you are just going through the motions. When you're at work, and you're given an unlawful order, your faith in God should prevent you from obeying your authority figure. God does not expect us to obey those in authority when they ask us to disobey him or his Word. The Word of God is filled with examples of those who were willing to sacrifice their very lives in order to obey God or save others. So that I'm very clear when ever we are ordered to disobey God's Word, we must " Obey God rather than men ". Don't allow anyone to nag you into disobeying. Persistent nagging may be annoying but persevere and be obedient. Listen, what a pitiful excuse to be disobedient do to the attractiveness of an individual, or their persuasiveness to talk you into doing wrong.

"BUT THIS IS WHAT I COMMANDED THEM SAYING, 'OBEY MY VOICE, AND I WILL BE YOU GOD, AND YOU WILL BE MY PEOPLE; AND YOU WILL WALK IN ALL THE WAY WHICH I COMMAND YOU, THAT IT MAY BE WELL WITH YOU" 

If we're all honest, we've had many of times when we could have been disobedient. We make excuses for nearly every short coming that we have. We often gloss over our mistakes and sins, trying to justify and spiritualize our actions because of our " special " circumstances. Our excuses, however, are nothing more than disobedience. God knows our true motives. He forgives, restores, and blesses only when we are honest about our sins.

Until Next Time...
Jim,

" IT'S OK TO ADMIT IT "

OK here we are again another week has come and gone and as always I look forward to being with you.

This week we will be diving into the word " ADMIT ". Isn't it time that we admit to any of our short comings and fix them? I need a minute or two. Do you make mistakes from time to time? It is often easier to strike out in frustration and accuse someone else than to admit an error and ask forgiveness. How easy it is to excuse our sins by blaming someone else or circumstances? But God knows the truth, and He holds each of us responsible for what we do. 

Admit your wrong attitudes and actions and apologize to God. Don't try to get away with sin by blaming someone else. Disobedience is sin, and it breaks our fellowship with God. But, fortunately, when we disobey, God is willing to forgive us and to restore our relationship with Him. As a Christian you are therefore considered a leader in our faith, which means that you stand out. Now a leader must acknowledge when they are wrong and therefore must be willing to admit when wrong. Also to be willing to bear the blame when confronted. Whether or not we have leadership qualities, we share a tendency to be blind toward our own sin.

Listen, we should learn that it is not wise to wait until our errors force us to admit to wrongdoing. It is far better to admit our mistakes openly, to shoulder the blame, and to seek forgiveness. God is in control, far beyond the immediate situation. Procrastination often makes matters worse. Our sin potential: In our enlightened society, it is easy to think we are above gross sin and can control our actions. We think that we would never sink so low. Instead, we should take a more Biblical look at ourselves and admit our sinful potential. Then we will ask for God's strength to resist such evil.

Now until next time, go out and do it, RESIST.

Jim

" A PROMISE IS A PROMISE "

Why are we so cavalier with our words? And why is it that we believe that we can go back on our promises?

The Merriam - Webster Dictionary defines Promise: (1) a pledge to do or not to do something specified (2) ground for expectation of success or improvement.

When the waters of the great flood subsided God had cleansed the earth. Now, when Noah stepped out of the Ark onto the earth, it was devoid of human life. But the Father gave him a a reassuring promise. This covenant had three parts:

1. Never again will a flood do such destruction;
2. As long as the earth remains, the seasons will always come as expected; 
3. Rainbows will be visible when it rains as a sign to all that God will keep his promises. 

The earth's order and seasons are still preserved, and rainbows still remind us of God's faithfulness to His Word. Listen, a long time ago I learned to be very careful what I promised in prayer because in my studies of the Bible I've learned that God may call me up on it. Although we are not in a position to barter with God, He may still choose to answer a prayer that has an attached promise. When you pray, ask yourself, " Will I follow through on any promises I make to God if He grants my request? " It is dishonest and dangerous to ignore a promise especially to God. God keeps his promises, and He expects you to keep yours. A promise is only as good as the credibility of the person making it.

Now, we are told that we have not because we ask not. We are also told to ask for wisdom. In life we must choose between God's Word and another human beings. How quickly we organize our lives around human advice while we neglect God's eternal promises. When choosing between God's Word and anothers, whose will you believe? I can't express this point enough, your promise to God and others must be kept. In days of gone bye a person's word was as binding as a signature. Breaking a VOW meant a Broken Trust and a Broken Relationship. Trust is still the basis of our relationships with God and others. A broken promise today is just as harmful as it was in the day of Moses. Learn to rely on God's promises and Christ's power to help you be content. Please grasp this concept, God's promises bring contentment in every situation. Remember that a Promise is a Promise.

Until Next Time...
Jim

" SEXUAL IMMORALITY "

My very best to you, I feel that it's my duty to have this chat with you today. It's my prayer that you will have ears to hear. Outside of marriage, sex destroys relationships. Within marriage, if approached with the right attitude, it can be a relationship builder. God frequently had to warn people against the practice of extramarital sex. Today we still need to hear his warnings; young people need to be reminded about premarital sex, and adults need to be reminded about sexual fidelity. Sexual sin is devastating because it's consequences are so far reaching. We are to resist sin.

Potiphar's wife failed to seduce Joseph, who resisted this temptation by saying that it would be a sin against God. Now, Joseph didn't say, " I'd be hurting you, " or " I'd be sinning against Potiphar " or " I'd be sinning against myself. " Under pressure, such excuses are easily rationalized away. Remember that sexual sin is just not between two consenting adults. It is an act of disobedience against God. Now please hang in with me, this list of commands against sexual sins includes extremely harsh punishments. Why? God had no tolerance for such acts for the following reasons: (1) They shatter the mutual commitment of marriage partners; (2) they destroy the sanctity of the family. (3) They twist people's mental well-being; and (4) they spread disease.

Sexual Sin has always been widely available. But the glorification of sex between people who are not married to each other often hides deep tragedy and hurt behind the scenes. When society portrays sexual sins as attractive, it is easy to forget the dark side. God had good reasons for prohibiting sexual sins: He loves us and wants the very best for us. OK put your thinking cap on. Why did God include so many laws about sexual sin? Instructions about sexual behavior is vital to our well being. As Christians we must realize the importance of strong rules about sex for believers because sexual sins have the power to disrupt and destroy. Sins involving sex are not innocent dabbling's in forbidden pleasures, as is so often portrayed, but powerful destroyers of relationships. They confuse and tear down down the climate of respect, trust and credibility so essential for marriages and secure children.

LAST POINT: The " Wrath Of God " refers to God's judgment on these kinds of behavior, culminating with with future and final punishment of evil. When tempted to sin, remember that you must one day stand before God. We should consider ourselves dead and unresponsive to sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desires, and greed. Just like diseased limbs of a tree, these practices must be cut off before they destroy us. We must make a conscious, daily decision to remove anything that supports or feeds these desires and to rely on the Holy Spirit's power. Sexual Immorality has tremendous power to destroy families, churches, and communities because it destroys the integrity on which these relationships are built. God wants to protect us from hurting ourselves and others; thus we are to have no part in sexual immorality, even if our culture accepts it.

Until Next Time...
Jim

" HOPE "

This weeks message is on hope and that is something that we all need: hope.

Let's define what hope is:  "HOPE": Is to desire with expectation of fulfillment.

Have you ever thought why hope is a key to the Christian Life? I thank God everyday for being my Father. Hee has shown us the good, the bad, and His Son. Satan seemed to be victorious in the Garden of Eden and at the cross of Jesus. But God turned Satan's apparent victory into defeat when Jesus Christ rose from the dead. Thus death is no longer a source of dread or fear. Jesus overcame the grave, and one day we will also. Death has been defeated, and we have hope beyond the grave. Our day-to-day experiences and hardship are sometimes overwhelming; unless we can see that God's purpose is to bring about continual growth in us, we may despair.

You know how in Jesus we are always rewarded? Take for example the blind beggar who became aware that the Messiah was passing by. All others saw him just as Jesus of Nazareth, but this blind man knew that he was Jesus, Son of David. In those days beggars had little hope of liberating themselves from their degrading way of life. But this man took hope in the Messiah. He brazenly cried out for Jesus' attention and our Lord said that his faith allowed him to see. No matter how desperate your situation may seem, all you have to do is to call out to Jesus in faith and He will help you.

" FOR I KNOW THE PLANS THAT I HAVE FOR YOU; DECLARES THE LORD, 'PLEASE FOR WELFARE AND NOT FOR CALAMITY TO GIVE YOU A FUTURE AND A HOPE. THEN YOU WILL CALL UPON ME AND PRAY TO ME, AND I WILL LISTEN TO YOU'. " TO RETAIN HOPE WHILE WE SUFFER SHOWS WE UNDERSTAND GOD'S MERCIFUL WAYS OF RELATING TO HIS PEOPLE. " (Jeremiah 29:11-12)

We have all done things to which we are ashamed. We live in the tension of what we have been and what we want to be. Because our hope is in Christ, however, we can let go of the past guilt and look forward to what God will help us become. Don't dwell on your past. Instead, grow in the knowledge of God by concentrating on your relationship with Him now. Realize that you are forgiven, and then move on to a life of faith and obedience. Look forward to a fuller and more meaningful life because of your hope in Christ.

Until Next Time...
Jim

" EXPERIENCING REJECTION "

Good morning to you. I want you all to know that you are welcomed as always. Each week it is my joy and absolutely my honor to bring to you " INSIGHTS INTO GOD'S WORD ".  This week we are looking into " Rejection ". So strap in and let's get started. 

The Word of God speaks of rejection, two brothers Cain and his younger sibling Abel experienced first hand the rejection of God. I'm not clear to why the Lord rejected Cain's sacrifice. Now it could be that his attitude was improper or perchance his offering was not up to God's standards. Consider this verse " THE SACRIFICE OF THE WICKED IS AN ABOMINATION, HOW MUCH MORE WHEN HE BRINGS IT WITH EVIL INTENT " (Prov.21:27)! The kind of " sacrifice " described in this verse is no better than a bribe. As people we bribe God in these manners: we may go to church, tithe, or volunteer, not because of our love and devotion to God, but because we hope God will bless us in return. Please understand this, God has made it very clear that he desires Obedience and Love more than religious ritual. Allow me to be crystal on this point, God does not want our sacrifices of time, energy, and money alone. He wants our hearts our complete love and devotion. We may be able to bribe people, but we cannot bribe God. Because God is the King of Kings and the Lord of all, and despite being rejected by his own people he still loved and protected them. God never failed to rescue them when they called out to him in repentance. 

Oh by the way, God never fails to rescue us either. We act just like the Israelite's when we put God outside our daily events instead of at the center of them. Just as a loving parent feels rejected when a child rebels, so God feels great rejection when we ignore or neglect Him. We should strive to stay close to God rather than see how far we can go before judgment comes. When we ask something of God and knowing that our request is good, but God says no, please understand that we are not being rejected by God. The Father just may be telling us that the time is just not right. If you're suffering from unfair rejection, don't blame others and become discouraged. Remember that God can use you even if you feel rejected by some. 

Until Next Time... 
Jim,

" TEMPTATION DOES NOT COME FROM GOD "

Thanks for stopping by, man do I have a message for you today. This week we are taking a hard look at temptation, so let's get started.

Folks we often give into temptation, as it happens gradually. Any person who allows sin to take root in his or her life can find himself or herself in this predicament. Now, temptation entertained today becomes sin tomorrow, then a habit the next day, then death and of course separation from God forever. Are you hearing me?!?!

Sexual temptations are difficult to withstand because they appeal to the normal and natural desires that God has given us. Marriage provides God's way to satisfy these natural sexual desires and to strengthen the partners against temptation. Married couples have the responsibility to care for each other; therefore, husbands and wives should not withhold themselves sexually from one another but should fulfill each other's needs and desires. Temptation is Satan's invitation to give into his way of life and give up on God's kind of life. Remember Satan tempted Eve and ever since he succeeded into tricking her to sin, he realized how easy it will be to go after man in the future. We fall into trouble,when we dwell on the few things we don't have rather than on the countless things God has given us.

 " HOW TO RESIST TEMPTATION " first, we must realize that being tempted is not a sin. We have not sinned until we give in to the temptation. Then, to resist temptation, we must (1) pray for strength to resist. (2) run, sometimes literally, and (3) say no when confronted with what we know is wrong. James 1:12 tells of the blessings and rewards for those who don't give in when tempted.

LET NO ONE SAY WHEN HE IS TEMPTED, " I AM BEING TEMPTED BY GOD "; FOR GOD CANNOT BE TEMPTED BY EVIL, AND HE HIMSELF DOES NOT TEMPT ANYONE (James 1:13).

Temptation comes from evil desires inside us, not from God. It begins with an evil thought and becomes sin when we dwell on the thought and allow it to become an action. Like a snowball rolling downhill, sin grows more destructive the more we let it have its way. The best time to stop a temptation is before it is too strong or moving too fast to control. People who live for God often wonder why they still have temptations. Does God tempt them? God tests people, but he does not tempt them by trying to seduce them into sin. God allows Satan to tempt people, however, in order to refine their faith and to help them grow in their dependence on Christ. We can resist the temptation to sin by turning to God for strength and choosing to obey His Word.

Until Next Time... 
Jim

" WHAT ARE YOU THINKING "?

Good Morning All,

I've been thinking and I was wondering just why we allow our minds to get cluttered with things that just don't matter. Anything that commands more of our attention than the things of God is just wrong thinking. The Word Of God says: " FOR AS HE THINKS WITHIN HIMSELF, SO HE IS " (Prov.23:7). Be mindful of what is rattling around in your head. Don't spend your time in chasing fleeting earthly treasures. Instead store up treasures in Heaven, for such treasures will never be lost. 

Now reflect on the things of God, I understand that there is much going on in your life, but you must be mindful of the things that you ponder during the day. Can we agree that a person's inner most thoughts and plans reflect his or her Character. Question, what do you thing about in the evenings when you are reclining? Do your desires involve greed or are they thoughts of stepping on others to achieve your goals? Always remember this, " Evil THOUGHTS LEAD TO EVIL DEEDS ". What we put into our minds determines what comes out in our words and actions. We are instructed to program our minds with thoughts that are True, Honorable, Right, Pure, Lovely, of Good Repute, Excellent, and Praise Worthy. 

Now it's time to be honest, do you have problems with impure thoughts and daydreams? You may want to scrutinize just what you are putting into your mind through electronic games, television, books, conversations, movies, and magazines. Replace harmful input with wholesome material. Above all, read God's Word and pray. Ask God to help you focus your mind on what is good and pure. It takes practice, but it can be done. As Christians, and Children of the King of Kings we truly have no reason to ever worry. 

Here are reasons why we should not worry.

1. Living one day at a time keeps us from being consumed with worry. 
2. Worrying is more harmful than helpful. 
3. Worrying about the future hampers your efforts for today. 
4. God does not ignore those who depend on Him. 
5. Worry shows a lack of faith as well as a deficiency in the understanding of God.  <br><br>

There are real challenges God wants us to pursue, and worrying keeps us from them. Whatever you choose to fill your mind with will affect the way you think and act. Turn your thoughts to God and His Word, and you will discover more and more goodness, even in this world. A mind filled with good has little room for what is evil. To get rid of foolish ideas before they turn into foolish actions requires eliminating our wrong thoughts and motives. 

 LAST THOUGHTS: Everything that we do has consequences. It is vital to think before acting, to consider the effects of our choices. Think of your plans for today and consider what their long-range results may be.

   Until Next Time...

   Jim

" JESUS CHRIST THE MAN "

Good Morning All,

 This week we will be looking at Jesus Christ the Man. Do you think that you would you have the courage to do what Jesus did for his fellow man (that's you and me)? My dictionary defines Manhood as: The condition of being an adult male (2) manly qualities: courage (3) an adult male servant or employee.

OK lets get into it; because Jesus was born of a woman, he was a human being.  But as the Son of God, Jesus was born without any trace of human sin. JESUS IS BOTH FULLY HUMAN AND FULLY DIVINE. Christ alone holds the answers to the meaning of life, because He is Life. Christ is the unique source of knowledge and power for the Christian life. No Christian needs anything in addition to what Christ has provided to be saved. We are complete in Him. Jesus is like us because He experienced a full range of temptations throughout His life as a human being. We can be comforted knowing that Jesus faced temptation and He can sympathize with us. We can be encouraged knowing that Jesus faced temptation without giving in to sin. He shows us that we do not have to sin when facing the seductive lure of temptation. Jesus is the only perfect human being who has ever lived.

As alluded to earlier, because Jesus lived as a man, we know that He fully understands our experiences and our struggles. Because He is God, He has the power and authority to deliver us from sin. It's OK to tell Jesus all our thoughts, feelings, and needs. He has been where we are now, and He has the ability to help. In the garden Jesus was agonizing, do you believe that He was trying to get out of His assignment? It is never wrong to express our true feelings to God. Jesus exposed His dread of the coming trials, but He also reaffirmed His commitment to do what God wanted. The cup He spoke of meant the terrible agony He knew that He would have to endure. Not only the horror of the crucifixion but, even worse: the total separation from God that He would have to experience in order to die for the world's sins.

The Book of Luke tells us that Jesus' sweat resembled drops of blood. Jesus was in extreme agony, but He did not give up or give in. He went ahead with the assignment for which He had come. Please keep in mind that Jesus is fully man and fully God. Now the cup that Jesus was referring to was also the agony of alienation from God, His Father at the the cross. I can't shake the thought of, could I love someone or something so much as to sacrifice as Christ. Jesus' prayer emphasizes the terrible suffering He had to endure, an agony so much more magnified because He had to take on the sins of the world.

I Praise God, for " Jesus Christ the Man. "

Until Next Time...

 Jim

" THE NEEDY "

Good Morning All,

This week has truly been an eventful one. I received many requests for prayer from many hurting people. I sincerely believe that we are in the End Times and therefore we must be prayed up. My heart breaks just hearing of your hurts. I believe that we should be aware of our surroundings and not take anything for granted.

Our responsibility is to care for the needy. Our Father insists that the poor and the powerless be well treated and given the chance to restore their fortunes. As children of the King we should reflect God's concern for the poor by helping those less fortunate than ourselves. My Bible tells me that our attitude when we give is more important than the amount we give. Many times we do nothing, not because we lack compassion, but because we are overwhelmed by the size of the problem and we don't know where to begin. God doesn't expect you to eliminate poverty, nor does He expect you to neglect your family while providing for others. He does expect us to be Christ-Like especially when we see an individual in need. We should reach out with whatever help that we can offer, including our hospitality. GOD SAYS THAT NEGLECTING THE POOR IS A SIN. John 12:8 " YOU WILL ALWAYS HAVE THE POOR AMONG YOU, BUT YOU WILL NOT ALWAYS HAVE ME."

If you're familiar with the Word of God then you're aware that the Bible supports organized system of caring for the poor. Imagine if our country followed the teachings of the Word of God. Now the Lord told His people to use their tithe every third year for those who were helpless, hungry or poor. Now just imagine if we had the courage and love for our fellow man to do the same. I am aware of such men, in fact men in my inner circle. These men care much for their fellow man, their love spills out where ever they go. Now God's directions were designed to prevent the country from sinking under crushing poverty and oppression. Hello, could that be happening in our near future? Imagine if we all accepted the responsibility to care for those less fortunate than ourselves. Families were to help other family members, and towns were to help members of their community. Now back in the day the national laws protected the rights of the poor, but helping the poor was also an active part of religious life. The Father counts on believers to provide for the needy, and we should use what He has given us to aid those less fortunate.

Look beyond your regular giving and think of ways to help the needy. There are some who conclude that people are poor through some fault of their own. This kind of reasoning makes it easy to close their hearts and hands to the needy. Never be ashamed of how much you can give or in what manner. God is concerned about how we give from the resources we have. God gives us resources to use and invest for Him, so remember to listen for that small voice.

Until Next Time...

Jim,

ARE YOU A WORLDLY CHRISTIAN ?

In the 60's one might say "Are You For Real"? In other words are you serious.It's time for us to be transparent about our Christianity. Listen, don't be fooled, the world hates Christians' our values differ from the world's. There is nothing more repugnant than a halfhearted, in-name only Christian who is self-sufficient. We need to be intentional about our walk with the Lord. Don't settle for following God halfway. Let Christ fire up your faith and get you into action. I'm reminded of what the Word Of God says: " I KNOW YOUR DEEDS, THAT YOU ARE NEITHER COLD NOR HOT; I WISH THAT YOU WERE COLD NOT HOT. (16) SO BECAUSE YOU ARE LUKE WARM, AND NEITHER HOT NOR COLD, I WILL SPIT YOU OUT OF MY MOUTH " (Rev 3:15-16).

God's way of living contradicts the world's. If you want to live for God you must be ready to say and do what seems strange to the world. Now as Christians we must be willing to give when others take, to love when others hate, to help when others ill-treat. Listen up, by giving up your own rights in order to serve others, you will one day receive everything God has in store for you. Here's another word from the Lord, now it's up to you to believe or not. Those who are tied to the world's system will loose everything when it collapses. What they have worked for a lifetime to build up will be destroyed in one hour. Those who work only for material rewards will have nothing when they die or when their possessions are destroyed. What can we take with us to the New Earth? Our faith, our Christian Character, and our Relationships with other believers. These are more important than any amount of money, power, or pleasure.

Satan offers the world to us, in fact he offered the whole world to Jesus. His terms were for Jesus to fall down and worship him the devil. Today the devil offers us the world by trying to entice us with materialism and power. We can resist temptations the same way Jesus did. If you find yourself craving something that the world offers, quote Jesus' words to the devil: " Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only." We must learn to defeat the devil by using the Scriptures as our weapon, just as Jesus did.

Until Next Time...

Jim,

" WHAT'S UP WITH YOUR UNBELIEF "

Hey, thanks so much for stopping by, today we are talking about Unbelief. Are you ready, I mean are you truly ready to face the truth.

Now is the time to totally trust God in all things and in all ways. We must not wait for great calamities to drive us to God, but must open our hearts and minds to his direction now. In times of trouble trust in God, and don't look to your own understanding. Unbelief is the root of many sins as well as our problems. When you feel lost, it may be because you're looking everywhere but to God for your help and guidance.

The attitude of trust and confidence that the Bible calls unbelief of faith is not something we can obtain without help, after all faith is a gift from God. Regardless how much faith we have, we never reach the point of being self-sufficient. Faith is not stored away like money in the bank. Growing in faith is a constant process of daily renewing our trust in Jesus.

Christians are to be on guard, and remember that there is nothing worse than an unbeliever. Almost everyone of us has relatives, family of some kind. Family relationships are so important in the Father's eye's, Paul said, that a person who neglects his or her family responsibilities has denied the faith. Now, are you doing your part to meet the needs of those included in your family circle? It just might behoove you to find out where they stand in Christ. Being an unbeliever puts one on the trail to Hell (the lake of fire, or Gehenna)the place of punishment after death for all those who refuse to repent. Gehenna, or Hell, was prepared for the devil, his angels, and all those who do not believe in God. This is the final and eternal state of the wicked after the resurrection and the last judgment. Now when Jesus warns against unbelief, he is trying to save us from agonizing punishment. How many times have you heard an unbeliever say that he/she is just not ready for the Good News. It's breaks my heart to hear that as we are not guaranteed 5 minutes from now.

Until Next time...

Jim,

" JUST ASK GOD "

Welcome, now it's my desire for you to realize just how much our Lord Jesus Christ loves you. Just imagine all we have to do is ask. Isn't God good, He says to ask and it will be given.

Ask God anything but also expect anything. In the book of Genesis God showed Abraham that asking for anything is allowed, with the understanding that God's answers come from God's perspective. They are not always in harmony with our expectations, for only He knows the whole story. Could it be that you're missing God's answer to a prayer because you haven't considered any possible answer other than the one you want?

Ask and it will be given. Jesus tells us to persist in pursuing God. People often give up after a few halfhearted efforts and conclude that God cannot be found. But knowing God takes faith, focus, and follow-through, and Jesus assures us that we will be rewarded. Don't give up in your efforts to seek God. Continue to ask Him for more knowledge, patience, wisdom, love, and understanding. He will give them to you.

Whenever we need wisdom, we can pray to God, and He will generously supply what we need. As the Kings Kids we don't have to grope around in the dark, hoping to stumble upon answers. We can ask for God's wisdom to guide our choices. Ask Jesus and believe, but know that God does not grant requests that would hurt us or others or that would violate his own nature or will. Jesus' statement is not a blank check. To be fulfilled, OUR REQUEST MUST BE IN HARMONY WITH THE PRINCIPLES OF GOD'S KINGDOM.

God will give to him who ask. Now if you're feeling that you've been wronged, often a first reaction is to get even. Instead Jesus said we should do good to those who wrong us. As Christians we are taught to forgive and to love. This is not natural, but it's supernatural. Only God can give us the strength to love as he does. Instead of planning vengeance, pray for those who hurt you. ASK for the Lords intervention to show the Love of God in you. Remember you have not because you ask not.

Until Next Time...

Jim,

" EXCUSES "

Good Day To You,

Lord knows how easy it is for us to make an excuse for this and for that. This week I was lead to share with you on just how the Lord and my God feels about us making " Excuses ".

To excuse is to make apology for (2) pardon (3) to release from an objection (4) justify or alibi or even as a defense.

I'm reminded of the account of Adam and Eve after they sinned. Now here is the excuse of all time. When God asked Adam about his sin, Adam immediately blamed his wife Eve, whereupon Eve blamed the serpent. Here is were the blame game first began. How easy was to excuse their sin by blaming someone else or circumstances. Please get this God knows the truth, and he holds each of us responsible for what we do. Admit your wrong attitudes and actions and apologize to God. Don't try to get away with sin by blaming someone else.

OK, listen up, Don't look for excuses to leave your marriage. Remember Jesus said that divorce is not permissible except for unfaithfulness. Please understand that this does not mean that divorce should automatically occur when a spouse commits adultery. Jesus also scowls at those who purposefully abuse the marriage contract, using divorce to satisfy their lustful desire to marry someone else. Are your actions today helping your marriage grow stronger, or are you tearing it apart? Now, those who discover that their partner 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 for excuses to leave it.

Don't make excuses to sin, what I'm trying to say is we must not play the word game. Back in Paul's day the beginning of the church, some members apparently had been quoting and misapplying the Word Of God "All things are lawful for me." Some of the believers in Corinth had been excusing their sins by saying that (1) Christ had taken away all sin, and so they had complete freedom to live as they pleased, or (2) what they were doing was not strictly forbidden by scripture. Now the Man Of God couldn't stand by without giving them a true understanding of scripture. Anything we do that hurts rather then helps others is not right.

We are not to make excuses to avoid doing what God calls us to do. If God truly is our Master, we must obey willingly.

Until next Time...

Jim,

" IS IT WISE TO GRUMBLE & COMPLAIN "

OK, another week has come and gone and the Lord has put a tough subject before us today. It's the desire of my heart to open the eyes of anyone who complains and grumble's about anything. Now, sit down and strap in, oh it's time for some of us to put on our big boy pants.

Do you complain about your problems instead of praying to God about them? Why is it so easy for us to complain about our problems, even to God, while we refuse to act, change, and do what he requires? You know we don't even take the advice he has already given us? Do you ever feel as if God has abandoned you? Check to see if there is anything he has already told you to do. You may not receive new guidance from God until you have acted upon his previous directions. Please understand just how vital it is that we comprehend that our problems just might be brought on by our own disobedience.

Those who resort to complaining, in my opinion is telling our Lord we don't trust you. It's important for us to learn that God is able to provide for us. Now, when we focus on the faithfulness of God in our past we can face crises with confidence rather than with fear and complaining. How often do you find yourself grumbling and or complaining? When we do now, I believe that clearly points to a lack of faith in God. So harness your complaining over any inconveniences and discomforts that you may be going through.

At one time many years ago, people were executed for grumbling and complaining against God. You see a negative attitude can lead one to rebellion against our authority figure. While becoming stubborn about our rights we're pushing God further away. The path to open rebellion against God begins with dissatisfaction and skepticism, then moves to grumbling about God and present circumstances. Next comes bitterness and resentment, followed finally by rebellion and open hostility. Now Beware, if you are often dissatisfied, skeptical, complaining, or bitter, take care and keep your wits about you! Be mindful that these attitudes lead to rebellion and separation from God. Any choice to side against God is a step in the direction of letting go of him completely and making your own way through life.

Difficult circumstances often lead to stress, and complaining. Attempt to focus on God's power and Wisdom to help you deal with the cause of your stress. Don't complain about the problem instead seek the face of God. Now some problems can be solved by careful thought or by rearranging our preference's. Some can be solved by discussion and wise counsel. But some problems can be solved only by PRAYER. We should make a determined effort to pray when we feel like complaining, because complaining only raises our level of stress. Prayer quiets our thoughts and emotions and prepares us to LISTEN.

Until Next Time...

Jim,

" A VOW IS A PROMISE "

Good Morning,

I'm so grateful that you chose to stop by and visit. You inspire me to strive to be better at what I do in the Body Of Christ. You make me into a better man than I otherwise might have been. Caring for you is my honor and always my pleasure, lifting you up to the Throne of Grace.

How often do you vow or promise to do something for another,I believe that we should not have to make promises. Has anyone ever asked, do you promise, and if so, how does that make you feel? Are you known for keeping your Word or for being Casual with your words? Oaths, or Vows, were common, and Jesus told his followers not to use them,He said that their Word alone should be enough.

Please recognize the fact that making vows rashly and then reconsidering them does not put you in a very good light. God takes vows seriously and requires that they be carried out. We often have good intentions when making a vow because we want to show God that we are determined to please him. Jesus, however, says it is better not to make promises to God because he knows how difficult they are to keep.

(21) " WHEN YOU MAKE A VOW TO THE LORD YOUR GOD, YOU SHALL NOT DELAY TO PAY IT, FOR IT WOULD BE SIN IN YOU, AND THE LORD GOD WILL SURELY REQUIRE IT OF YOU. (22) HOWEVER, IF YOU REFRAIN FROM VOWING, IT WOULD NOT BE SIN IN YOU, (23) YOU SHALL BE CAREFUL TO PERFORM WHAT GOES OUT FROM YOUR LIPS, JUST AS YOU HAVE VOLUNTARILY VOWED TO THE LORD YOUR GOD, WHAT YOU HAVE PROMISED (Deuteronomy 23:21-23).

Now, if you still feel it is important to make a vow, make sure that you weigh the consequences of breaking that vow. It is better not to make promises than to make them and then later want to change them. It is better still to count the cost beforehand and then to fulfill them. (DON'T EVER MAKE RASH VOWS).

God the Father emphases the significance of always telling the truth. Why is it that we are so nonchalant with our words, we should not be breaking our word to anyone. Keeping oaths and promises is important; it builds trust and makes committed human relationships possible. The Word Of God condemns making vows or taking oaths casually, giving your word while knowing that you won't keep it, or swearing falsely in God's name. You know, oaths are needed in certain situations only because we live in a sinful society that breeds distrust. It's wise to be very careful as to what trickles out of our mouths,it's important to say what we mean and mean what we say.

Until Next Time...

Jim,

" OUR WIDOWS "

Come on in it's wonderful that you took the time to stop by today. This weeks message is regarding the care of our Widows. They are blessed and should be honored by us all. We are to look after them and that's the way the Father wants it.

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines a " WIDOW " as: A woman who has lost her husband by death and has not married again.

Paul stressed the importance of families caring for the needs of widows and not leaving this responsibility for the church so that the church can care for those widows who have NO FAMILIES. We as the Body of Christ should support those who have NO FAMILY and should likewise help the elderly, young, disabled, ill, or poverty stricken with their emotional and spiritual needs.

Now, children and grandchildren are to take care of the widows in their families; and it's written that the church is not to support lazy members who refuse to work. The church is you and me, and when necessary as believers we are to pool our resources; to give generously to help disaster-ridden churches and above all we should take care of our widows. The church has always had limited resources, and it has always had to balance financial responsibility with generosity. It only makes sense for members to work as hard as they can and to be as independent as possible, so they can adequately care for themselves and for less fortunate members. When church members are both responsible and generous, everyone's needs will be met.

God insisted that the poor and powerless be well treated and given the chance to restore their fortunes. WE SHOULD REFLECT GOD'S CONCERN FOR THE POOR BY HELPING THOSE LESS FORTUNATE THAN OURSELVES. Widows and orphans were among the most vulnerable of all God's people, and both Old Testament Prophets and New Testament Apostles insisted that these needy people be properly cared for.

LAST POINT: I love the illustration of the "Poor Widow" who lacked worldly goods, and who was for the most part enniless. This widow gave all that she had to the church, do you ever give and have you ever given your all? Jesus shares an account of a poor widow. First I'm reminded that Jesus is observing us in all that we do. He watched this woman from across the room as she gave more than all the others put together. Though her gift was by far the smallest, the value of a gift is not determined by its amount, but by the spirit in which it is given. A gift given grudgingly or for recognition loses its value.

When you give, remember that gifts of any size are pleasing to God when they are given out of gratitude and a spirit of generosity. Are you feeling me,it's time to take care of our widows.

Until Next Time...

Jim

" TIME "

This week we are discussing " Time " A period during which an action, process, or condition exists or continues. God created the earth in an orderly fashion (He did not make plants before light), and He created men and women as unique beings capable of communication with Him. Now, take a moment, no other part of creation can claim that remarkable privilege. He created it just the way He wanted it.

OK, in saying " My times are in Your hand," all of life's circumstances are under God's control. Knowing that God loves and cares for us enables us to keep steady in our faith regardless of our circumstances. It keeps us from sinning foolishly by taking matters into our own hands and consenting to God's timetable. Did you know that God's own people were not allowed to work on the Sabbath? They were not even suppose to cook food? Why? They knew that the busy routine of daily living could distract people from worshiping Him. It is so easy to let work, family responsibilities, and recreation crowd our schedules so tightly that we don't take time to worship. Carefully guard your time with God.

We may be tempted to think we should not take time out from our " Important " work for social occasions. But maybe these social occasions are part of our mission. Bring balance to your life by bringing Jesus into times of pleasure as well as times of work. For it is time to seek the Lord. Your time may just be running out, so make sure that you turn to God to forgive your sins. We cannot see the stopwatch of God's patience, and there is no bargaining for additional time. God shows His great patience with us.

You know, I've come to the realization that God will act when He is ready. Children have difficulty grasping the concept of time. " It's not time yet " is not a reason they easily understand because they only comprehend the present. As restricted Human Beings, we can't understand God's perspective about time. We want everything now, unaware that God's timing is better. When God is ready, He will do what needs to be done, not what we would like Him to do. We may be as anxious as children, but we must not doubt the wisdom of timing. Watch and pray for God to reveal His plan. Don't take matters into your own hands.

LAST POINT: Many of us need time for an idea to marinate within us. It takes time to accept something that changes the very foundations of our lives. In taking this time we will be able to hopefully put things together for ourselves. Sharing the gospel will not always have immediate results. When you ask people to let Jesus change their lives, give them time to weigh the matter.

Until Next Time...

Jim

" QUARREL / TO HAVE IT OUT "

Good day To You,

I'm still feeling pretty good physically and I don't mind saying that I am so pleased to be getting out and about. God is so good and I feel so blessed to be the recipient of His love. Now this week we will be discussing " Quarreling " so settle in and let's get this party started.

Quarrel: To find fault (2) To dispute angrily: wrangle or to engage in blows.

How many times have you felt strongly enough about a subject to quarrel with another. PRIDE IS AN INGREDIENT IN EVERY QUARREL, so guard against pride. To say " I was wrong " or even that I need your advice " are difficult phrase to utter, because they require humility. If you find yourself constantly arguing, examine your life for pride. It stirs up conflict and divides people. Now, humility, by contrast, heals and that may be the path to travel. Be open to the advice of others, ask for help when you need it, and be willing to admit your mistakes.

Quarreling has been known to escalate into major conflicts, so be mindful. The Word of God says that quarrels and conflicts among believers are always harmful. We are told that quarrels result from evil desires battling within each of us. We want more possessions, more money, higher standards, and more recognition. When we want badly enough to fulfill these desires, we fight in order to do so. Instead of aggressively grabbing what we want, we should submit ourselves to God, ask God to help us get rid of our selfish desires, and trust Him to give us what we really need.

Ask God for the Wisdom to know when to withdraw and when to stand and fight. A person who is truly confident of his or her strength does not need to parade it. A truly brave person does not look for chances to prove it. A resourceful woman can find a way out of a fight. A man of endurance will avoid retaliating. Foolish people find it impossible to avoid strife. Please grasp hold of this, men and women of character can. What kind of a person are you?

Don't complain about the problems in your life, start to pray about them. You know some problems can be solved by careful thought or by rearranging our priorities. Some can be solved by discussion and good counsel. But some problems can be solved only by prayer. We should make a determined effort to pray when we feel like complaining, because complaining only raises our level of stress. Prayer quiets our thoughts and emotions and prepares us to listen. NOW LISTEN, I DON'T WANT TO FIGHT WITH YOU.

Until Next Time...

Jim

" MUCH OBLIGED "

Top Of The Morning To You,

I sincerely want you to know that I'm obliged that you stopped by. This week we are going to be looking into the art of being thankful. So saddle up and let's hit the trail towards thankfulness.

Thank those who have helped you along the way, but remember to praise God for his care and protection. In all areas of life we should show our THANKFULNESS. THANKSGIVING should be an integral part of our praise to God. As we praise and thank God for material and spiritual blessings, we should also thank him for answered prayer. Remember when you asked God for protection, strength, comfort, patience,love, or other special needs, and he supplied them? Beware of taking God's provision and answered prayer for granted.

Four elements of true thanksgiving are found in the psalms. (1) Remembering what God has done, (2) Telling others about it, (3) Showing God's glory to others and (4) gifts of self, time, and resources. If you are thankful your life will show it. Praise and thanksgiving should be a regular part of our routine, not reserved only for celebrations. Praise God continually, and you will find that you won't take his blessings for granted.

How do we give thanks in everything? Please understand that we do not have to thank God for everything that happens to us, but in everything. Evil does not come from God, so we should not thank him for it. But when evil strikes, we can still be THANKFUL for God's presence and for the good that he will accomplish through the distress. During the Thanksgiving holiday,we focus on our blessings and express our gratitude to God for them. But thanks should be on our lips every day. We can never say thank you enough to parents, friends, leaders, and especially to God. When thanksgiving becomes an integral part of your life, you will find that your attitude toward life will change. You will become more positive, gracious, loving, and humble.

Until Next time...

Jim

" NEGLECT/OVERLOOKED "

Good Morning All,

First of all I'd like to thank you for stopping by on this day that the Lord has made. It's always great to welcome you back as well as any new reader. This weeks subject is Neglect so lets find a good seat and get comfortable.

My dictionary defines neglect in this manner: To leave undone or unattended to, omit, ignore, overlook, to slight, or forget.

Don't neglect your family for ministry, neglecting the responsibilities in your home is totally wrong. I say again don't allow your desire to do God's work cause you to neglect your family. If you do, your mission may degenerate into a quest for personal importance, and your family will suffer the consequences of your neglect. It's very sad many Christians fall into the frame of mind that I must volunteer for everything, and I must attend every meeting etc. Well maybe not so drastic as I've portrayed.

Neglecting Christ is the same as rebelling. Like a house of cards, the fool's life crumbles. Most people do not deliberately seek to build on a false or inferior foundation; instead, they just don't think about their life's purpose. Many people are headed for destruction, not out of stubbornness but out of thoughtlessness. Part of our responsibility as believers is to help others stop and think about where their lives are headed and to point out the consequences of ignoring Christ's message.

We tend to think that doing wrong is sin. We're told in the Word Of God that sin is also not doing right. ( These two kinds of sin are sometimes called sins of Commission and sins of Omission.) It is a sin to lie; it can also be a sin to know the truth and not tell it. It is a sin to speak evil of someone; it is also a sin to avoid him or her when you know he or she needs your fellowship. We should be willing to help as the Holy Spirit guides us. If God has directed you to do it You will experience a renewed and refreshed vitality to your Christian faith. So get it done, whatever, he's leading you to do. " AND DO NOT NEGLECT DOING GOOD AND SHARING, FOR WITH SUCH SACRIFICES GOD IS PLEASED" (Heb. 13:16).

It is easy to say we love God when that love doesn't cost us anything more than weekly attendance at religious services. But the real test of our love for God is how we treat the people right in front of us, our family members and fellow believers. We cannot truly love God while neglecting to love those who are created in His Image.

Final Point: The Word Of God Teaches that a person who neglects his or her family responsibilities has denied the faith. Are you doing your part to meet the needs of those included in your family circle?

" WHERE DO YOU RECEIVE YOUR GUIDANCE FROM ?"

I'd like to welcome you this day, and it's my desire that you truly take heed to these words.

Whom do you look to for guidance? Listen, when you follow God's guidance, you know you are where God wants you. Whether you're moving or staying in one place. You are actually somewhere right now. Instead of praying, " God, what do you want me to do while I'm right here? " Direction from God is not just for your next big move. He has a purpose in placing you where you are right now. Begin to understand God's purpose for your life by discovering what he wants you to do now!

A good leader needs and uses wise counselors. One person's perspective and understanding is severely limited; he or she may not have all the facts or may be blinded by bias, emotions,or just wrong impressions. To be a wise leader at home, at church, or at work, seek the counsel of others and be open to their advice. Then, after considering all the facts, make your decision.

Now, to receive God's guidance, first we must desire to be guided by the future. We must also realize that God's primary guidance system is the word, the Bible. At this moment I'm reminded of Psalm 119 which tells of the endless knowledge found in God's Word. I always share with the men in my sphere of influence just how important it is to armor up daily. We must be the STRONGMAN in our household. By reading the Word constantly learning from it we will gain the Wisdom to perceive God's direction for our lives. We may be tempted to demand answers from God. When we are willing to seek God, learn from his word,and obey his commands, then we will receive his specific guidance.

God doesn't always work in the way that seems best to us. If God does not lead you along the shortest path to your goal, don't complain or resist. Follow him willingly and trust him to lead you safely around unseen obstacles. He can see the end of your journey from the beginning and he knows the safest and best route, so TRUST GOD.

Until Next Time...

Jim,

" HOW PRODUCTIVE ARE YOU "

Greetings To You,

Well here we are again it's our time to share, are you productive for the cause of Christ?

I must ask you again are you a productive member of the Body of Christ? We are to help others find God, we are to be spiritually productive. If we faithfully practice Christ's teachings and share the gospel with others, we will be able to draw those around us to Christ like a fisherman who pulls fish into his boat with nets.

OK strap in, just in case we're not clear this is how to be productive for God. Many of you may have planted some kind of seed this spring; grass seed;flowers or maybe vegetable seed, and of course you're expecting a harvest. God's people should produce a crop of good deeds. God has no use for people who call themselves Christians but do nothing about it. Are you a Christian in name only, if others can't see our faith in the way we treat them, we may not be God's people at all.

Honoring God is not limited to young people who seem to have unlimited strength and energy. Those who place their faith firmly in God have this strength and vitality. Even in old age, devoted people who continue to have a fresh outlook and can teach us from a lifetime experience of serving God. Seek out an elderly friend or relative to tell you about his or her experiences with the Lord as it just might challenge you to new heights of spiritual growth. The kingdom of God is here and now because the Holy Spirit lives in the hearts of believers.

WE ARE CALLED TO BE ACTIVE. God's message hasn't changed since the Old Testament. People as always will be judged for our unproductive lives. God calls us to be lively in our obedience. In the Gospel John The Baptist compared people who claim they believe God but don't live for God to an unproductive tree that will be cut down. To be productive for God, we must obey his teachings, resist temptation, actively serve and help others, and share our faith. Now take a moment and answer this question, "HOW PRODUCTIVE ARE YOU FOR GOD"? Remember the Word Of God says: EVERY TREE THAT DOES NOT BEAR GOOD FRUIT IS CUT DOWN AND THROWN INTO THE FIRE.

Last Point: I'm of the mind that it is essential that we choose which camp we're apart of. Either you're all out for God or you're all out for Satan. I'm of the belief that we're in the end times. With that being said Christ would say that "I MUST PREACH THE GOOD NEWS OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD TO THE OTHER TOWNS ALSO, BECAUSE THAT IS WHY I WAS SENT". Do you hear the urgency in his words, and the desire to be about his Father's business. Unproductive followers are as dead and they will be cut off and tossed aside.

Until Next Time...

Jim,

" ARE YOU TELLING TALES "?

Welcome to you I truly appreciate you stopping by, this week we are discussing Gossip.

Are you one who is a person who habitually reveals personal or sensational facts about others? HE WHO GOES ABOUT AS A SLANDERER REVEALS SECRETS, THEREFORE DO NOT ASSOCIATE WITH A GOSSIP.

A "Busybody" is a gossip. A person with to much idle time on their hands ends up filling his or her time with less than helpful activities, like gossip. It's vital that we listen, process and think before we pass along hear-say. Rumors and hear-say can be tantalizing, exciting to hear, and make us feel like insiders. But they tear people down. If you are often finding yourself in other people's business, you just may be under-employed. Seek out a task that you and your family can do for Christ, then get to work. I believe that an idle mind is easy pickings for Satan. Keep your mind engaged in the Word Of God daily, now remember that we are instructed to pray without ceasing. Isn't it time that you prove that this can be done to yourself. Praying without ceasing is also staying in an attitude of prayer throughout the day.

" A GOSSIP BETRAYS A CONFIDENCE; SO AVOID A MAN WHO TALKS TOO MUCH " (Prov. 20:19). We are not to associate at all with someone who gossips.

Lying ("False Witness") is vicious. Its effects can be as permanent as those of a stab wound. Now, the next time that you are tempted to pass on a bit of gossip, imagine yourself stabbing the victim of your remarks with a sword. Now, hopefully this image may shock you into silence. Did you know that making up or spreading false reports was strictly forbidden by God? Gossip, Slander, and False Witnessing under minded families, strained neighborhood cooperation, and made chaos of the justice system. Destructive gossip still causes problems. Even if you do not initiate a lie, you become responsible if you pass it along. Don't circulate rumors; squelch them.

KEEP YOUR TONGUE FROM EVIL AND YOUR LIPS FROM SPEAKING DECEIT (PS. 34:13).

LAST THOUGHT: When you realize that you have been involved in gossip repent. Make Confession and Repentance a regular part of your talks with God. Rely on him moment by moment for the cleansing you need.

Are We Clear???

Until Next Time...

Jim

" SOMETIMES REBUKE IS NECESSARY "

My very best to you and yours, I sincerely wish you all that our Lord and God has to offer. Are you seeking after the Lord these days or are you Luke Warm to the things of the Lord? Sometimes we just need someone who cares about us to speak up. Are you aware that Jesus Christ is coming back, yes His Second Coming will be at any moment. Those of us who know the Lord as our Personal Savior and seeking after Him daily our eternity will be secure.

Now, God's purpose in discipline is not to punish, but to bring people back to him. He may discipline to help you out of your uncaring attitude, but he uses only loving discipline. In the Bible, usually correction is given by God the Father to all of his children. Discipline often takes the form of difficulties allowed and or caused by the Father to bring about improvement and maturity in our lives. " FOR THOSE WHOM THE LORD LOVES HE DISCIPLINES.

IT IS FOR DISCIPLINE THAT YOU ENDURE; GOD DEALS WITH YOU AS WITH SONS; FOR WHAT SON IS THERE WHOM HIS FATHER DOES NOT DISCIPLINE " (Heb. 12:7)?

Sometimes Rebuke Is Necessary, but it must be used with caution. The purpose of any Rebuke, Confrontation, or discipline is to help people, not hurt them. METHOD OF DISCIPLINE: Be Firm and Bold; Affirm all you see that is good; Be accurate and honest; Know the Facts; Follow up after the confrontation; Be gentle after being Firm; Speak words that reflect Christ's message, Not your own ideas; Use discipline only when all else fails.

It's never pleasant to be corrected and disciplined by God, but his discipline is a sign of His deep love for us. How do you react to discipline, we all respond to discipline in several ways: (1) We can accept it with resignation; (2) We can accept it with self-pity, thinking we really don't deserve it; (3) We can be angry and resentful toward God; or (4)We can accept it gratefully, as the appropriate response we owe a loving Father.

" DISCIPLINE YOUR SON WHILE THEIR IS HOPE ". Are you responsible for the discipline of a child, a student, or an employee? Three important points will help you carry out your responsibility: (1) Let the punishment follow quickly after the offense; (2) Let the degree of punishment reflect the seriousness of the offense: and (3) don't over do the punishment. Discipline that is swift, just and restrained makes its point while preserving the dignity of the offender.

The Lord says those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. Now those who sit on the fence when it comes to the things of God should expert a rebuking from the Lord regarding any indifference toward him. The pleasures of this world, money, security, and material possessions can be dangerous, because their temporary satisfaction makes us indifferent to the things of God.

It's always a blessing to be disciplined by God when we do wrong. We sometimes give people excellent advice only to learn that it does not apply to them and is therefore not very helpful. All who offer counsel from God's Word should take care to thoroughly understand a person's situation before giving advice.

Now, when God corrects you, see it as proof of His love and ask Him what He is trying to teach you.

Until next time...

Jim,

" WHOM DO YOU TRUST "

The question of the day is who do you trust. Trust(N) a basis of reliance, faith, or hope. Trust(V) To place confidence: Depend; to rely on or on the truth of.

" IN GOD I HAVE PUT MY TRUST, I SHALL NOT BE AFRAID. WHAT CAN MAN DO TO ME " (Psalms 56:11)?

Worry affects our trust in God, so planning for tomorrow is time well spent; You know worrying about tomorrow is time wasted. Sometimes it's difficult to tell the difference. Careful planning is thinking ahead about goals, steps, and schedules, and trusting in God's guidance. When done well, planning can help alleviate worry. Worriers, by contrast, are consumed by fear and find it difficult to trust God. They allow their plans to interfere with their relationship with God. Don't let worries about tomorrow affect your relationship with God today.

We can be confident that God listens to our prayers and answers when we call him. When you feel as though your prayers are bouncing off the ceiling, remember that as a believer you have been set apart by God and that he loves you. Listen, the secret of a close relationship with God is to pray to him earnestly in the morning. I believe that in the morning our minds are more free from problems and then we can commit the whole day to God. Regular communication helps any friendship and is certainly necessary for a strong relation with God. We need to communicate with Him daily. Do you have a regular time to pray and read God's Word?

Trust God for the way out of your problems. Focusing on our human predicament that may paralyze us because the situation may appear humanly impossible. But concentrating on God and his power will help us see the way out. Right now you may feel unable to see through your troubles. Focus instead on God, and trust Him for the way out. That is all He needs to begin His work in you. When the pressures of life come your way, resist the temptation to make a quick escape. Instead, focus on God's power and wisdom to help you deal with the cause of your stress. When faced with a difficult decision, don't allow impatience to drive you to disobey God. When you know what God wants, follow his plan regardless of the consequences. God often uses delays to test our obedience and patience.

LAST POINT: Whom do you trust, how many times in the past were you snatched from the jaws of life's calamities? Don't allow fear to keep you from trusting the Lord in any situation that life brings your way. Why do we trust the Lord to handle the smaller issues but doubt his ability to take care of the big problems, tough decisions, and frightening situations. Don't stop trusting God just as you are ready to reach your goal. He brought you this far and won't let you down now. So continue to trust God by remembering all that he has done for you.

Until Next Time...

Jim,

" WE MUST BE PREPARED "

Welcome one and all, this week we will dive into the art of preparation. You see being prepared is vital to our everlasting life with the Lord Jesus Christ.

We are warned that we ought"to be ready in and out of season". That we should always be ready to serve God in any situation, whether or not it is convenient. Be sensitive to the opportunities God gives you. Christ is coming soon, and he wants to find faithful believers ready for him. It may be inconvenient to take a stand for Christ or to tell others about his love, but preaching the Word Of God is the most important responsibility the church and its members have been given.

Jesus said that his disciples, that's those of us who know him as our Lord and Savior should be less concerned with knowing the exact date and more concerned with being prepared. Living God's way consistently so that no matter when Jesus came in glory, He would claim them as His own.

Jesus' purpose in telling about his return is not to stimulate predictions and calculations about the date, but to warn us to be prepared. Will you be ready? The only safe choice is to obey him today. To put our affairs in order is to get ready before hand.

John the Baptist made ready the way for Jesus. People who do not know Jesus Christ need to be made ready to meet him. As Christians we can prepare them by explaining their need for forgiveness, demonstrating Christ's teachings by our conduct, and telling them how Christ can give their lives meaning. We can " Make his paths straight " by correcting misconceptions that might be hindering people from approaching Christ. Someone you know may be open to a relationship with Christ. What can you do to prepare the way for this person?

LAST POINT: We should take steps now to prepare the way for our children to find and fulfill God's purpose. Sooner or later our children will have to make their own decisions,but we can help by supplying them with the proper tools: Showing them how to pray and study God's word, the difference between right and wrong, and the importance of church involvement.

Until Next Time...

Jim,

" HOW'S YOUR MORALS, VALUES "

Good Morning,

I feel so blessed to be able to share with you again this week. This week the Lord has put on my heart Morals, have you thought about your values lately and how you come across to others.

We must be on the alert, and realize if we're in the furnace, it's easy to catch on fire. We live with neighbors whose values may be completely different from ours. We are called to maintain a life-style that shows our faith. Our lives ought to show that we put obeying God before doing what is praised and accepted by society. Be careful about what you allow to form your opinions. The Bible is the only standard of truth. Evaluate all other opinions in light of its teachings. We need to be careful about the input we allow to form our beliefs. Given TV, Music, and the rest of the media often presenting sinful life-styles and unwholesome values. We find ourselves constantly bombarded by attitudes and beliefs that are totally opposed to the Bible.

No matter who you are, moral laxness will cause problems. Just because you have won a battle with temptation does not mean you will automatically win the next one. We truly need to be vigilant against temptation. Sometimes Satan's strongest attacks come after a victory. Consider carefully the things that you cherish. Now, 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, the source of morals. Many people claim to believe in God while refusing to give up attitudes and actions that God denounces. Now, 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 plans frustrate the " Way of the wicked " because his values are opposite of society's. Don't be surprised when others don't understand your Christian values, but don't give in to theirs. Jesus contrasted heavenly values with earthly values when he explained that our first loyalty should be to those things that do not fade, cannot be stolen or used up. and never wear out. We should never be fascinated with possessions, lest they possess us.

People don't usually fall into immorality and evil suddenly - they slip into it a bit at a time until, hardly realizing what has happened, they are irrevocably mired in their wicked ways. Any person who allows sin to take root in his or her life can find himself or herself in this predicament. Temptation entertained today becomes sin tomorrow, then a habit the next day, then death and separation from God forever. To think you could never become this evil is the first step toward a hard heart. Acknowledge your need to to confess your sin before God.

Until Next Time...

Jim,

" THE GOOD SHEPHERD "

Howdy, This week we're touching on the Good Shepherd, none other than " Jesus Christ " Himself. Have you ever wondered why you keep making the same mistakes in life? Do you seem to be going round and round over the exact same ground? Well it's time for you to start following Jesus. We are likened to dumb sheep and if you're honest with yourself you just might grasp the reality that we are. In the sheepfold, the shepherd functioned as a door, letting the shepherd in and thus protecting them. Jesus is the door to God's SALVATION for us. He offers access to safety and security. JESUS CHRIST THE LORD IS OUR PROTECTOR. Some people resent that Jesus is the door, the only way of access to God. But Jesus is God's son - why should we seek any other way or want to customize a different approach to God? Just as a shepherd protects his sheep, Jesus protects his people from eternal harm. While believers can expect to suffer on earth, know that Satan cannot harm you or take away your eternal life with God. There are many reasons to be afraid here on earth as this is the devil's domain. But if you choose to follow Jesus, he will give you everlasting safety. Jesus came to be the shepherd, the one who can show people how to avoid life's pitfalls. " SEEING THE PEOPLE, HE FELT COMPASSION FOR THEM, BECAUSE THEY WERE DISTRESSED AND DISPIRITED LIKE SHEEP WITHOUT A SHEPHERD " (Matt 9:36). As the Lord Jesus Christ is the Good Shepherd, we better understand that we're his sheep. Not to be passive, frightened animals, but obedient followers, wise enough to follow the one who will lead us to the right places and in the right ways. Those of us who sincerely recognize Jesus for who he truly is, and are fighting the good fight will be with Him in Paradise. Until Next Time... Jim,

" CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM "

Good day to you, I wish to thank you for dropping by. This week we will be discussing criticism and how it should be dispensed. Before criticizing another we must pause long enough to discover our own motives. Failing to do this can bring disastrous results. What is often labeled as " Constructive Criticism " may actually be destructive jealously, since the easiest way to raise our own status is to bring someone else down. Are you willing to question your motives before you offer criticism? Does the critical finger you point need to be pointed first toward yourself? Any time I point I'm reminded that three other fingers are looking my way. To criticize is to judge as a critic: to evaluate; to find fault; or to just express criticism. Have your facts straight before you criticize. Now,if you hear of a friend who has wandered from the Lord or of entire congregations that have fallen away, we should check the facts and find the truth before doing or saying anything that could prove harmful. There are times, of course when God wants us to take action - to rebuke a head strong fractious acquaintance, to discipline a child, to reject false teaching - but first we must always be sure we have all the facts correct. When the need arises and you are very sure of your facts proceed with love face to face. Sometimes sincere Christians,yes even christian leaders blunder. And it may take other sincere Christians to get one back on track. Now if you are assured that someone is doing harm to themselves or the church, try the direct approach. There is no place for backstabbing in the Body Of Christ. When the time comes to rebuke another it must be drawn with caution. The purpose of any rebuke, confrontation, or discipline is to help people, not hurt them. Be affirming let them know that you appreciate them and therefore you feel led to speak up. When we must correct another, it helps to begin by affirming what God has already accomplished in them. Your words may need to be firm but motivated by love - like the love that a good father has for his children, you parents know what I mean. Until Next Time... Jim,

" SELF-CONTROL SHOWS WISDOM "

Top of the morning to you, today I would like to share with you on the subject of self-control. This will only take a moment of your time. First I want you to know that I walk by faith, you see by living in this manner there's no stress. By doing this it's easier for me to be under self-control in all situations. Now with that being said, I know that Satan is real, he is called "the god of this world" and "the prince of the power of the air". We must be vigilant and ask God to examine us, believing that He will forgive our sins and clear our record according to his mercy. Each morning my wife and I approach the throne of Grace, we ask for forgiveness and we give the day to the Lord. Now that's being in self-control to me. God wants to produce his character in us. But to do this, he demands our discipline and effort. As we obey Christ who guides us by his spirit, we will develop self-control. If you want to be self-controlled begin with your tongue. You have not mastered self-control if you do not control what you say. Words can cut and destroy. If you wish to be self-control led, begin with your tongue. Stop and think before you react or speak. " A FOOL GIVES FULL VENT TO HIS ANGER,BUT A WISE MAN KEEPS HIMSELF UNDER CONTROL " (Prov.29:11). When someone irritates or aggravates you, it is natural to retaliate. But this solves nothing and only encourages trouble. Instead, answer slowly and quietly. Your positive response will achieve positive results. Remember that a kind word turns away another's fury. Self-Control Shows Wisdom. Until Next Time... Jim,

" OUR THOUGHTS "

OK, just what's on your mind? Today's thought is on the subject of thoughts. From the very first moment that we open up our eyes we are taking in and processing information. Our next task is learning what to do with the information we're taking in. What we put into our minds translates into what comes out in our conversations and our actions. Now, let's talk turkey, do you have problems with impure thoughts and day dreams? Be acutely aware of what you're putting into your spirit via television, the internet, books,movies and yes even through our conversations. In order for you to be the Strongman in your home, you must replace harmful input with wholesome material. In other words you must read and study God's Love Letter to us daily. We fall into trouble when we dwell on the few things we don't have rather than on the countless things God has given us. The next time you are feeling sorry for yourself for what you don't have, consider all that you do have and thank God. Then your doubts won't lead you into sin. Your thoughts reflect your character so be mindful of evil thoughts at night and as you just might rise in the morning to do them. What do you think about as you lie down to sleep? Do your desires involve greed or stepping on others to achieve your goals? EVIL THOUGHTS LEAD TO EVIL DEEDS. We must always be mindful of where our thoughts go. Have you ever been truly angry with another, that seething, brooding bitterness that we can possess against another, when we've been hurt? Anger is an emotion that can leap out of control, leading to violence, emotional hurt, increased mental stress, and spiritual damage. Animosity can keep us from developing a spirit which is agreeable to God. Self-Control is good, but the Lord wants us to practice thought-control as well. Listen, we will be held accountable even for our attitudes. Everything we do has consequences. It is vital to think before acting, to consider the effects of our choices. Think of your plans for today and consider what their long-range results will be. As we deal with others, we should keep the principles of these laws in mind. We should act responsibly and justly with all people - friends and enemies alike. LAST POINT: Think before you speak; the righteous weigh their answers: the wicked don't wait to speak because they don't care about the effects of their words. It is important to have something to say, but it is equally important to weigh it first. Do you carefully plan your words or do you pour out your thoughts without concern for their impact? Until Next Time... Jim,