" 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