" SEXUAL SIN STARTS IN THE MIND "

Good Day To You, Memorial Day has just passed and we gave tribute to our fallen soldiers here in the good old U.S.of A. yesterday. All who have served and to those who are presently serving THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. With that being said this weeks message is entitled " Sexual Sin Starts In The Mind " In the old testament of the Bible we are told that it is law, for no one to have sex with someone other than his or her spouse (Exodus 20:14). But Jesus said that the desire to have sex with someone other than your spouse is mental adultery and therefore sin. Internet Pornography runs rampant around the world today. My friend said that it's a choice, and that silence about pornography indicates your approval. Pornography has destroyed the lives of men and women around the globe. I've read that experts believe that a pornography addiction may be harder to break than a heroin addiction. Pornography destroys marriages and families. Excessive interest in online pornography strongly contributes to divorce. Sexual desires must be placed under God's control. The temptation to engage in sexual intercourse outside the marriage relationship has always been powerful. God created sex for procreation and pleasure, and as an expression of love between a husband and wife. Sexual experience must be limited to the marriage relationship to avoid hurting ourselves, our relation to God, and our relationships with others. Sexual Sins hurt someone: Individuals, Families, businesses, churches. Besides the physical consequences, there are also Spiritual consequences. " Because sex is perverted, shouldn't we also abstain in marriage? " "If my spouse is unsaved, should I seek a divorce?" Should unmarried people and widows remain unmarried?" Paul answered many of these questions for us today by saying, " For now, stay put. Be content in the situation where God has placed you. If you're married, don't seek to be single. If you're single, don't seek to be married. Live God's way, one day at a time, and he will show you what to do." Sexual Sin is devastating because it's consequences are so far reaching. Remember that sexual sin is just not between two consenting adults. It is an act of disobedience against God. Until Next Time... Jim,

HOW " KIND " ARE YOU ?

Good Morning To You, Welcome aboard,I'm so pleased that you have seen fit to come my way. Before another day comes and goes it will be my honor to share why we should be kind to others. KIND is being considerate as well as loving. Act in love toward your brothers and sisters in Christ, just as God acted in love by sending his son to die for your sins. " Be kind to one another, tenderhearted,forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you " ( Ephesians 4:32). Now if you're asked, have you as of yet tasted the Kindness of the Lord, with out a doubt we can all give a resounding yes. People have tried all kids of ways to please God, but God has made his wishes clear: He wants his people to be just, love kindness, and walk humbly with him. In your efforts to please God, examine these areas on a regular basis. Are you fair in your dealings with people? Do you show kindness to those who wrong you? Are you learning humility? Kindness is a by-product of living for God. A strategy to help you live for God day by day: (1) imitate Christ's compassionate,forgiving attitude; (2)let love guide your life; (3)let the peace of Christ rule in your heart;(4)always be thankful; (5)keep God's word in you at all times;(6) live as Jesus Christ's representative. I'm reminded of a wonderful story about a woman named Dorcas in the Word Of God who is synonymous to KIND ACTS. Dorcas made an enormous impact on her community by " abounding with deeds of Kindness and Charity," by making tunics and other clothing. When she passed,the room was filled with mourners, very likely many of the people she had helped. And when she was brought back to life, the news raced through-out the town. God uses great preachers like Peter and Paul, but he also uses those who have gifts of Kindness like Dorcas. Rather than wishing you had other gifts,make good use of the gifts God has given you. Until Next Time... Jim,

" I WILL SERVE THE LORD "

Good Day To You, The Lord impressed me to share a little something about myself. This weeks title is " I WILL SERVE THE LORD ". I have a healthy fear of my Lord and therefore I serve him in sincerity and truth. I am a Warrior of God on the front lines, as I am not made to watch from the sidelines. I propose that you join me, as for me and my house we will serve the Lord. We must live what we believe, and be Men of Integrity, Men of Valor and of course we must be first, Servants Of God. " AS IRON SHARPENS IRON, SO ONE MAN SHARPENS ANOTHER " (Proverbs 27:17). We must daily ask for forgiveness, and for our hearts and our minds to be open to the things of God. Now this kind of prayer is one that must be prayed until YOU get an answer. You must decide whether you will obey the Lord, who has proven his trustworthiness time after time in your life. Now, It's easy to slip into a quiet rebellion - going about life in your own way. Now the time has come brother when you must choose whom or what will control - you. The choice is yours. Will it be God, your own limited personality, or another imperfect substitute? Warrior of God once you have chosen to be controlled by God's Spirit, reaffirm your choice every day. A Warrior of God is daring, in taking a definite stand for the Lord, you will be displaying your Spiritual Leadership. I know that He who care most about you will be gratified. The way we live shows others the strength of our commitment to see God.I feel that I have to ask a question, have you strapped on your armor as of yet today? Have you received your marching orders for the day? We have been warned that Satan is roaming earth seeking whom he can devour (Overcome). Talk is Cheap. You know it's easy to say we will follow God, but it is much more important to live like it. Be a man of great faith in God and a powerful leader in the faith. It's vital that you show sagacity in the things of God. We are in a Spiritual Battle to the possible death of you and all whom you care most about. Keep your wits about you, and keep your eyes and your ears open. Until Next Time... Jim,

" LOYALTY "

What are you loyal to, my dictionary defines Loyal as: 1)faithful in allegiance to one's government 2)faithful esp. to a cause or ideal : constant. " YOU SHALL HAVE NO OTHER GOD'S BEFORE ME. YOU SHALL NOT WORSHIP THEM OR SERVE THEM; FOR I, THE LORD YOUR GOD, AM A JEALOUS GOD, VISITING THE INIQUITY OF THE FATHERS ON THE CHILDREN, ON THE THIRD AND FOURTH GENERATIONS OF THOSE WHO HATE ME " (Exodus 20:3,5). Ask yourself a question, are you consistent in your loyalty to God? OK let's take a look back into the Old Testament for a moment. Despite Israel's disobedience, God showed his great mercy by raising up judges to save the people from their oppressors. Mercy has been defined as " Not giving a person what he or she deserves". This is exactly what God did for Israel and what he does for us. Our disobedience demands judgment! But God shows mercy toward us by providing an escape from sin's penalty through Jesus Christ, who alone saves us from sin. When we pray for forgiveness, we are asking for what we do not deserve. Yet when we take this step and trust in Christ's saving work on our behalf, we can experience God's forgiveness. Remember to whom your loyalty is when you are challenged, and therefore in a stressful situation recognize " We are the servants of the God of Heaven and Earth." It is not always easy to speak up for our faith in an unbelieving world, but we must. the way to deal with pressure and intimidation is to recognize that we are workers for God. Our allegiance is to him first, people second. When we contemplate the reactions and criticisms of hostile people, we can become paralyzed with fear. If we try to offend no one or to please everyone, we won't be effective. God is our leader, and his rewards are most important. So don't be intimidated. Let others know by your words and actions whom you really serve. True unity, however, cannot be forced - it must be the free response of willing hearts. If you want the Loyalty of say employees, children, or anyone else in your charge, win their respect through love instead of trying to gain their submission through force. The Lord says: " I DELIGHT IN LOYALTY RATHER THAN SACRIFICE " LAST POINT: Inquiry, what kind of friend are you? There is a vast difference between knowing someone well and being a true friend. The greatest evidence of genuine friendship is loyalty (loving " at all times " ) see (1 Cor 13:7) - being available to help in times of distress or personal struggles. Too many people are fair-weather friends. They stick around when the friendship helps them and leave when they're not getting anything out of the relationship. Think of your friends and assess your loyalty to them. Be the kind of true friend the Bible encourages. I can honestly say that I have some very loyal Friends/Prayer Partners. Until Next Time... Jim,