" NEVER COMPROMISE GOD'S WORD "

Good Day To You,

You are welcomed to share in the Good News that I amabout to impart to you. I'm so very pleased that you areable to join in, this week's message is regarding COMPROMISE. Dangers of compromise can hamper our relationship withGod. When we lay aside the Word of God we suffer in thelong run. God's clear statements of right and wrong and when we make decisions based on the preferences of our audience,we fall into compromise and lawlessness. God promises tohonor those who do right, not those who make everyone happy. COMPROMISE CAN BE DEFINED AS A BLENDING OF THEQUALITIES OF TWO DIFFERENT THINGS OR A CONCESSION OF PRINCIPLES. COOPERATE WITH PEOPLE AS MUCH AS YOU CAN, BUTAVOID ANY ALLIANCE, PARTNERSHIP, OR PARTICIPATION THAT COULD LEAD TO IMMORAL PRACTICES. Now, my dictionary definescompromise as " a settlement of differences reached by mutualconcessions."

We should at all cost avoid relationships that compromiseour faith. Forming obligatory relationships with nonbelievers,can weaken your christian commitment, integrity, and or standards. Whether you're able to admit it this relationshipwould be incompatible on all levels. Now it's vital that we areactive in our witness to our counterparts in this world. Pleaseunderstand what I'm attempting to communicate to you. You shouldnot lock yourselves into personal or business relationships thatcould cause you to compromise your faith. I believe that asChristians we should do everything in our power to avoid situationsthat just might force us to divide our loyalties. Now, I do understand that at times it's OK to compromise but not with Godlyprinciples. Compromising may be an important element in getting alongwith others, but we should never compromise the truth of God's Word. If we feel we have to change our Christian beliefs to match those ofour companions, we are on dangerous ground. Sometimes people urgebelievers to compromise and give only partial obedience to God's commands. But commitment and obedience to God cannot be negotiated. When it comes to obeying God, half measures just won't do.

LAST POINT: In close friendships as well as marriages, it is difficult to resist the pressure to compromise. Our love leads us toidentify with the desires of those we care about. We must take care, because it's very easy for us to want to please and identify with ourloved ones that God asks us not to marry those who do not share ourcommitment to him.

Until Next Time...
Jim

" JESUS RESPECTS FAITH "

Our relationship with God begins with faith, which helps us realize that we are transferred from our pastby the death of Jesus Christ on the cross. Hope growsas we learn all that God has in mind for us; it givesus the promise of the future. And God's love fills ourlives and gives us the ability to reach out to others.This past week I was sharing with a dear brother thatwe should always ask God for an understanding of HisWord. Faith comes alive when we apply scripture to ourdaily lives. You know that we need understanding so wecan discern,and we need the desire to apply scripturewhere we need help. The Word of God is like life'sremedy, it goes to work only when applied to the affected areas. The Bible is our road map in navigatingthrough this life. The Word of God is applicable todayas it was relevant 4000 years ago.

Having an attitude of expectation is how we should beliving our every day life. Nothing regarding the goodLord Jesus Christ should ever surprise us. I'm remindedthat Jesus' inner circle became thoroughly terrified when seeing Jesus walking to them on the sea. I've alwayswondered why they were so surprised especially after allthat they have seen Jesus do. Why would this miracle frighten them to this magnitude? OK, they didn't expectJesus to come, and they weren't prepared for his help.Faith is a mind-set that expects God to act. When we acton this expectation, we can overcome our fears.

JESUS TURNED AND SAID TO PETER, " GET BEHIND ME, SATAN! YOU AREA STUMBLING BLOCK TO ME; YOU DO NOT HAVE IN MIND THE THINGSOF GOD, BUT THE THINGS OF MEN " (Matt. 16:23).

Wow, I don't ever wish to be a stumbling block for anyone. Maybe it's time that we started doing faith exercises, in other wordsliving our lives in a way that it stretches our faith. Inliving out our faith, we may find that rejection, disappointment,or hard work has brought us to the point ofdespondency. But we are still needed. God has important workfor us as well.

Those of you who know me, realize that I think much of Shadrach,Meshach,and Abed-nego. Now, these young men were being pressured to deny God, but they chose to be faithfulto him no matter what happened! They understood that Godhad the power to deliver them, but they were determined tobe faithful regardless of the consequences. We should befaithful in serving the Father whether he intervenes on ourbehalf or not. Our eternal reward is worth any suffering wemay have to endure first. Our faith and the knowledge of ourGod should overshadow any fear that we may have. Faith in God keeps us from losing hope and helps us resist fear. We should be comforted and optimistic because we know that God is greater than anything our enemies can bring against us. To be productive for God, we must obey his teachings, resist temptation, actively serve and help others, and share our faith. How productive are you for God?

Until Next Time...
Jim,

" WHY BE ENTHUSIASTIC "

Good Afternoon to you, I know that you normally receive your update on Tuesdays but here we go so strap in and let's see just what shakes out.

What are you enthusiastic about? Now I'm sure that each of us can come up with a thing or two. We are told in the Bible that Jesus Christ is compassionate about us. He loves healing, and meeting our every need. Are you enthusiastic about sharing the Good News with those around you? Do you shy away from telling others about what Jesus Christ has done for you? I'm speaking to all who have an ear, please hear. If you have experienced Jesus' power, you area living example. Just as we would tell others abouta doctor who cured a physical disease, we should tellabout Christ who cures our sin. I become very enthusiastic when I pick up the Word Of God. Why, because I know that Our Father is about to open my eyes to another promise.

Have you noticed that Jesus is wild about us? Are you an enthusiastic giver? Does your heart skip a beat when it's time to give? Remember that God loves a cheerful giver (2Cor 9:7). Our attitude when we give is more important than the amount we give. Don't ever be ashamed of the amount you're giving especially if it's the amount that our Lord told you to give. Generous people aren't necessarily faithful to God. But faithful people are always generous. God is concerned about how we give from the resources we have.

Now, God gives us resources to use and invest for Him. When we invest what God has given us in His work, He will provide us with even more to give in His service. I have a friend who is very enthusiastic when it comes to sharing and serving in the Body Of Christ, you know who you are.

FINAL POINT: As new believers we rejoice in our new forgiveness. Now as non-believers we were on our wayto eternal damnation. In the first stages of our Christian walk we are so full of enthusiasm, and some may say without knowledge. Do you now have knowledge without enthusiasm? Both are necessary, if we choose to keep our love for the Father intense and untarnished.

Question for you: do you love the Lord with the same fervor as when you were a baby Christian? Don't allow your enthusiasm to wane, stay connected. Do what's required to stay a fit Christian.

Until Next Time...
Jim

" FORGETTING "

Good Morning All,

It's so good to be with you again, I'm enjoying the beauty of the morning while thinking of you. My windows are opened the sun is shining and the birds are singing. This week we are discussing the subject of " Forgetting " so let's get started. How many times have you forgotten your word to another? Or even forgotten why you walked into another room? Now let's be brutally candid this morning; do you tend to forget God? Satan makes us forget what God has blessed us with. How many times have you forgotten to thank God for His mercies? If you're like most you tend to forget that He got you out of your last jam. Satan will attempt to make you forget all that God has given you.

Now we can fall into trouble when we dwellon the things we don't have than on the countless things God has given us. Consider all the things you do have and then praise God. Never forget what the Lord has put in your charge. It is never cool to make demands of God. That shows that you're no longer trusting Him. When you ask the Lord for something, He may grant your request. Always be mindful of how you approach the Throne Of Grace. But if you approach Him with a sinful attitude, getting what you want may prove costly. Sometimes the blessings God has showered on us tend to make us forget Him. We are often tempted to rely on wealth for security rather than on God.

Do your blessings make you thankful to God and drawyou closer to Him, or do they make you feel self-sufficient and forgetful of God? It's easy to get discouraged, thinking that God has forgotten us. But Got is never unjust. We are never out of His mind, nor does he overlook our hard work for Him. Let God's love for you and His intimate knowledge of your service for Him reinforce you as you face discouragement and possible repudiation here on earth.

LAST POINT: Often our troubles exist from our own disobedienceor lack of faith. We cannot blame God for our sins. Until we face this reality, we will have little peace and no spiritual growth.

Until Next Time...
Jim,