" VALUES / MORALS "

Good Morning To You,

 Well this week I have the kind of message that just might make you a little uncomfortable. We all know from right and wrong as I'm sure that we all grew up with some kind of value system or another. Now a person's relationship with Christ is more important than anything else. To know Christ should be our ultimate goal.

Have you considered the values in which you live your life by? Do you place anything above your relationship with Christ? If your priorities are wrong, how will you reorder them? " VALUE " (worth) The kingdom of heaven is more valuable than anything else we can have, and a person must be willing to give up everything to obtain it. The man who discovered the treasure in the field stumbled upon it by accident but knew its value when he found it. The merchant was earnestly searching for the pearl of great value, and, when he found it, he sold everything he had to purchase it.

Once you have found that treasure you have to be careful with it. One way to be cautious is to not let your relationships with unbelievers lead you away from Christ or cause your faith to waver. Keeping company with those who deny the resurrection could corrupt good Christian character. We are called to maintain a life-style that shows our faith. This can be a struggle, especially if our Christian life-style differs from the norm. Our lives should prove that we put obeying God before doing what is praised and accepted by society.

 What do you allow to influence your Moral Values? People tend to believe lies that reinforce their own selfish, personal beliefs. Today more than ever, we need to be careful about the input we allow to form our beliefs. With TV, Music, Movies, and the rest of the media often presenting sinful life-styles and unwholesome values, we find ourselves, constantly bombarded by attitudes and beliefs that are totally opposed to the Bible. Be careful about what you allow to form your opinions. The Bible is the only standard of truth. Evaluate all other opinions in light of its teachings. Morals and or Values are the foundation of our authority in this life. Lack of Moral Backbone can be the root of our woes in this life.

You know it takes courage and strength to stand firm in your convictions and to confront wrongdoing in the face of opposition. When you believe something is wrong, do not let yourself be talked out of your position. Firmly attack the wrong and uphold the right.

 Until Next Time...
 Jim,