" SLANDER / DEFAMATION "

Good Day To You, I wish to thank you for stopping by, this week we will be discussing a very hurtful topic " Slander " My Mom always said that if we can't say anything nice don't say anything at all. My God says that Slander is to speak critically and maliciously of another person. So that I'm very clear "Slanderers" are haters of God, per the Holy Scriptures Romans 1:30. Scripture also says " A perverse man spreads strife, And a Slander separates intimate friends " (Prov. 16:28). So we must be very careful with our words as defamation of one's character can be a very serious thing. My dictionary defines slander in this manner: To utter slander against; a false report maliciously uttered and tending to injure the reputation of a person. We should treasure our friendships,yes from time to time there may be a falling out,but absolutely know reason to destroy a reputation. By hating another person you may become a liar or a fool. If you try to conceal your hatred, you end up lying. If you slander the other person and are proven wrong, you are a fool. The only way out is to admit your hateful feelings to God. Ask him to change your heart, to help you love instead of hate. Making up or spreading false reports was and is still forbidden by God. Gossip,Slander, and false witnessing undermined families, strained neighborhood cooperation, and made chaos of the justice system. Destructive gossip still causes problems, no matter how you slice it. Even if you don't initiate a lie, you become responsible if you pass it along. Now, make sure that you don't circulate rumors; squelch them. Question, have you ever been falsely accused or so badly hurt that you wanted revenge? Instead of taking matters into your own hands and striking back, the proper response to slander is Prayer, not revenge, because God says, " VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY." Instead of striking back, ask God to take your case, bring justice, and restore your reputation. Until Next Time... Jim,

" A GOOD REPUTATION "

Listen I sincerely want to thank you for stopping by, as I realize that you can be doing something else. This week I'm instructed to share with you the meaning of a " GOOD REPUTATION. " REPUTATION: is defined as Overall quality or character as seen or judged by people in general (2) in a place in public esteem or regard. A person's life-style and relationships provide a window into his or her character. Those who invest their time and money in serving God often earn a pleasant return on their investment-a good reputation and the respect of others. Your reputation is formed by the people who watch you at work, in town, at home, and in church. A good reputation comes by consistently living out the qualities you believe in-no matter what group or surroundings you are in. Now, each of us is forming a reputation, developing personal qualities by which we will be remembered. How would God summarize your life up to now? Some defiantly claim that how they live is their own business. But scripture teaches that the way you live today will determine how you will be remembered by others and how you will be judged by God. WHAT YOU DO NOW DOES MATTER. I understand that it can be remarkably difficult to be silent when others tear us down because we want to protect our reputation. We find it difficult to do nothing while they assault something so precious to us. But we don't need to lash back in revenge or justify our position; we can Trust God to protect our reputation. Jesus was silent before his accusers (Luke 23:9-10); he left his case in God's hands (1 Peter 2:21-24). Now that's a good place to leave our case(s) too! Sometimes we can pick up a bad reputation just because of the employment we hold. But, you want to know one thing, we can live above it. When God calls us to follow and obey him we must do so with blind faith. We also must decide to leave behind those things that would keep us from following Christ. It can be real difficult to change your reputation, especially if you've been a real pistol in life. Now, new Christians (especially those with tarnished reputations) need sponsors, people who will come alongside, encouraged, teach, and introduce them to other believers. Find a way to stand up for another, who's image may be somewhat clouded. Until Next Time... Jim,

" LOVE AND COMPASSION "

Greetings, It's always my pleasure as well as my honor sharing with you week in and week out. This week I was moved to share on " Love and Compassion ". Real Love is an action, not a feeling. It produces selfless, sacrificial giving. The greatest act of love is giving oneself for others. How can we lay down our lives? By serving others with no thought of receiving anything in return. Sometimes it is easier to say we'll die for others than to truly live for them - this involves putting others'desires first. How do we love others as Christ loves us one might ask. All we have to know is that we are to love each other as Jesus loved us, and he loved us enough to give his life for us. We may not have to die for someone, but there are other ways to practice Sacrificial Love: by Listening, helping, and encouraging.Think of someone in particular who needs this kind of love today. GIVE ALL THE LOVE YOU CAN AND THEN TRY TO GIVE A LITTLE MORE. Love is as strong as death;it cannot be killed by time or disaster;and it cannot be bought for any price because it is freely given. Love is priceless, and even the richest king cannot buy it. Love must be accepted as a gift from God and then shared within the guidelines God provides. Accept the Love of your spouse as God's gift, and strive to make your love a reflection of the perfect love that comes from God Himself. I believe, people are still confused about love. Love is the greatest of all human qualities, and it is an attribute of God himself (1 John 4:8). Love involves unselfish service to others; to show it gives evidence that you care. Faith is the foundation and content of God's message; hope is the attitude and focus; Love is the action.When Faith and Hope are in line, you are free to love completely because you understand how God Loves. Listen with all the sin and sorrow surrounding us we must know that " The Lord's Loving kindness indeed will never cease,for his Compassion's never fail." God willingly responds with help when we ask. Perhaps there is some sin in your life that you thought God would not forgive. God's steadfast Love and Mercy are greater than sin,and he promises forgiveness. LAST POINT: Believers should be ashamed when unbelievers show more Concern and Compassion than they do. God wants us to be concerned for all of his people, lost and saved. Until Next Time... Jim,

TEMPTATION / LURE

Good day to you. I must tell you that I feel so blessed as I just received a wonderful Praise Report from another Christian brother in the faith. Now, I have to ask you, how many times have you been tempted not to trust God.

 " KEEP WATCHING AND PRAYING THAT YOU MAY NOT ENTER INTO TEMPTATION; THE SPIRIT IS WILLING, BUT THE FLESH IS WEAK " (Matt. 26:41).

It's when I'm weak, temptation floods my way. Help me to automatically put on my armor when I open up my eyes. At the moment You allow me to rise up from my bed, may I seek Your face my Savior. Thank You for washing all of my sins away and therefore showing me that, You're the only stimulant that I need. You Lord are the one that I will call upon in times of enticement. You are becoming the coffee that I desire in the mornings, thank You for all You've done. Help me not to be selfish, and it's my pleasure to honor You Amen.

In a culture filled with moral depravity an sin inducing pressures of our world today we must be on our toes to the temptations of today. (1) wrong desires and temptations happen to everyone, so don't feel you've been singled out; (2) other's have resisted temptation and so can you; (3) any temptation can be resisted because God will help you to prevail. Our Father has already promised never to leave us, nor to forsake us. God helps you resist temptation by helping you (A) Recognize those people and situations that give you trouble, (B) Run from anything you know is wrong, (C) Choose to do only what is right, (D) Pray for God's help,and (E) Seek friends who love God and can offer help when you are tempted. Running from a tempting situation is your first step on the way to victory. Watching means being aware of the possibilities of temptation, sensitive to the subtleties and spiritually equipped to fight it. Because temptation strikes where we are most vulnerable, we can't resist it alone. Now prayer is essential because God's strength can shore up our defenses and defeat Satan's power.

 Until next Time...

 Jim,