" IRON SHARPENS IRON "

Top Of The Morning To You, There's an old saying from when I was a boy that says: " Time Fly's When We're Having Fun. " Are we having fun yet, are you being all that you can be in the Lord? Do you have some one that you look up to, someone that mentors you and prays for and with you? OK let's get into the meat of this weeks message which is entitled:"Iron Sharpens Iron." " AS IRON SHARPENS IRON,SO ONE MAN SHARPENS ANOTHER " (Proverb 27:17). Christ says that those who overcome (those who remain faithful until the end and continue to please God)will rule over Christ's enemies and reign with him as he judges evil. As God's representatives we must be faithful and always have a sound mind, a sharpness about us. We are never to rebel against God in our hearts and once again we are able to be truly faithful to God. It's easy to pretend friendship, wicked people often put on a show of kindness or friendship in order to gain their own ends. True believers should be straightforward and sincere in all their relationships. Now as men of God we should be aware of how to handle small problems between ourselves. We're taught that disagreeing Christians should not have to go through the secular system to resolve our differences. You see as Christians, we have the Holy Spirit and the Mind Of Christ, so why should we ever turn to those who lack God's Wisdom? Men there is a mental sharpness that comes from being around good people. And a meeting of minds can help people see their ideas with new clarity, refine them, and shape them into brilliant insights. This requires discussion partners who can challenge each other and stimulate through people who focus on the idea without involving their egos in the discussion; people who know how to attack the thought and not the thinker. Two friends who bring their ideas together can help each other become sharper. " THEN THERE WILL BE A FOURTH KINGDOM AS STRONG AS IRON; INASMUCH AS IRON CRUSHES AND SHATTERS ALL THINGS, SO, LIKE IRON THAT BREAKS IN PIECES, IT WILL CRUSH AND BREAK ALL THESE IN PIECES". Now as men of God we should be vigilant and keep our wits about us, always looking to God for everything. I believe that we should look out for our fellow man and put to good use the gifts that our Lord has given us. Until Next Time... Jim,

" SINCERITY "

Well it appears that another week has come and gone. As always I enjoy the company,and I thank you for dropping by. I want you to know that I'm intentional about my work in God's Kingdom. Remember just let me know of your prayer request and I will get right on it, and you can take that fact to the bank. This week we will be covering a subject that we all should be mindful of " Sincerity. " Sincerity is defined in this manner: freedom from deceit, hypocrisy; or duplicity;probity in intention or in communicating; earnestness. " Sincerity ": is advanced when you are open to having others in your life and when you do not feel a need to compare yourself with what others have and what you do not. There is no substitute for obedience or excuse for disobedience. We are often guilty of trying to make God in our image, molding him to fit our expectations, desires, and circumstances. When we do this, we end up worshiping ourselves rather than the God who created us - and self-worship, today as in the Israelite's time, leads to all kinds of immorality. What is your favorite imagine of God? Is it Biblical? Is it adequate? Do you need to destroy it in order to worship the immeasurably powerful God who delivered you from bondage to sin? Sincerity and truth are extremely valuable because they are so rare. Many people are deceivers, liars, flatterers; they think they will get what they want by deception. When we feel as though sincerity and truth have nearly gone out of existence, we have one -hope the Word Of God. God's words are as flawless as refined silver. So listen carefully when He speaks. OK, please adhere,when you go to church, or have fellowship with other believers, are you doing this from habit or for what you get out of it? God says that an attitude of worship without a sincere desire to know and love him will lead to ruin. " Sincere Love " involves selfless giving,a self-centered person can't truly love. God's Love and Forgiveness free you to take your eyes off yourselves and to meet others' needs. By sacrificing his life, Christ showed that He Truly Loves Us. Please wrap your mind around this concept, that you can love others by following His example and by giving of yourself sacrificially. Until next Time... Jim,

" DEPRESSION "

Good Day To You!

It's my prayer that all is well and right in your world. There is much hurting and despair in the lives of so many today that those of us who know the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior must stay in prayer. This week we will be touching on the subject of " DEPRESSION. "

Depression is one of the most common emotional ailments. Now one antidote for depression is to meditate on the record of God's goodness to His people. This will take your mind off the present situation and give hope that it will improve. It will focus your thoughts on God's ability to help yourself.

When you feel depressed, take advantage of this Psalm's antidepressant (Psalm 42:5-6). Read the Bible's accounts of God's goodness, and mediate on them. Look up these verses, as they speak on depression:

• Isaiah 61:1,3
• 1 John 4:4
• Proverbs 42:11
• Matthew 28:18
• Isaiah 26:3
• Philippians 4:8
•  Isaiah 40:29
• Isaiah 53:4,5
• Nehemiah 8:10
• John 14:27

 Depression often follows great achievements. Example in the Word, God tells of Samson's triumph. After a great feat Samson was physically and emotionally exhausted. Now after his great personal victory, his attitude declined quickly into self-pity, " Shall I die of thirst?" Emotionally we are most vulnerable after a great effort or when faced with real physical needs. Severe depression often follows great achievements, so don't be surprised if you feel drained after a personal victory. During these times of vulnerability, avoid the temptation to think that God owes you for your efforts. It was His strength that gave him victory. Concentrate on keeping your attitudes, actions, and words focused on God instead of yourself.

Elijah experienced the depths of fatigue and discouragement just after his two great spiritual victories: the defeat of the prophets of Baal and the answered prayer for rain. Often discouragement sets in after great spiritual experiences, especially those requiring physical effort or involving great emotion. To lead him out of depression God first let Elijah rest and eat. Then God confronted him with the need to return to his mission - to speak God's Word in Israel. Elijah's battles were not over; there was still work for him to do.

When you feel let down after a great spiritual experience, remember that God's purpose for your life is not yet over. You don't have to be alone when you're going through a bout of depression. Always remember that Jesus never fails.

 Trust God in all things and in all ways.

Until Next Time...
Jim

" BITTERNESS "

Good Morning, You know it's really good to see you, thanks so much for stopping by. This week we will be tackling another very important subject " BITTERNESS, " so sit down and strap in. Jesus said that whoever hates another person is a murderer at heart. Bitterness against someone who has wronged you is an evil cancer within you and will eventually destroy you. Don't let a " Root Of Bitterness " grow in you or your church. you know one of the greatest barriers to Salvation for those who put wealth before the Lord Jesus is pride. For those less fortunate, bitterness can often bar the way to acceptance of Salvation. Forgiveness changes bitterness to joy. Don't let anything keep you from forgiving others. If you are refusing to forgive people, you are missing a wonderful opportunity to experience joy and share it with others. Make your joy grow: Forgive somebody who has hurt you. The Word Of God says " LET ALL BITTERNESS AND WRATH AND ANGER AND CLAMOR AND SLANDER BE PUT AWAY FROM YOU, ALONG WITH ALL MALICE." Like a small root that grows into a great tree,bitterness springs up in our hearts and overshadows even our deepest Christian Relationships. A " ROOT OF BITTERNESS " comes when we allow disappointment to grow into resentment, or when we nurse grudges over past hurts. Bitterness brings with it jealousy, dissension, and immorality. When the Holy Spirit fills us, however, he can heal the hurt that causes bitterness. I'm sure that we are all aware that life can bring us some bad situations. We can feel cheated, but we don't have to remain bitter. We can remove bitterness from our lives by honestly expressing our feelings to God, forgiving those who have wronged us, and being content with what we have. Hatred and bitterness are like weeds with long roots that grow in the heart and corrupt all of life. I'm reminded of Hebrews 12:15 which warns us to watch out " THAT NO ROOT OF BITTERNESS SPRINGING UP CAUSES TROUBLE, AND BY IT MANY BE DEFILED." Don't let hatred and its resulting bitterness build in your heart. As others before you, you will find it backfiring against you. Now if the mere mention of someone's name provokes you to anger, confess your bitterness as sin. Ignoring bitterness, hiding it from others, or making superficial changes in behavior is not enough. If bitterness is not completely removed, it will grow back, making matters worse. We may feel bitter about a situation, but we must never despair. Today is always a new opportunity for experiencing God's Care. Until Next Time... Jim,