" APPROVAL "

Come on in, another week has come and gone and I have another message coming your way. We will be looking into " Approval " as our subject matter. Sometimes we avoid what is right because of what others might think. We must always obey God rather than seek the Approval Of Others. Whose praise do you seek? Maybe you live a life of much prestige and you don't put Jesus First In Your Life. Now the Stamp Of Approval that the world gives to those in this group means nothing to Jesus. He was concerned about God's Approval. This is a good principal for us. If God Approves, even though others don't, we should be content. I'm of the mind - set that we should be much more concerned about God's eternal acceptance than about the temporary approval of other people. Again, don't mistake God's patience with your sin as approval of it. History shows us in the Book Of Judges what Israel had to suffer because of failure to follow God wholeheartedly. God was supremely loving and patient with Israel, just as he is today. But we must not confuse his patience with us as approval or indifference to our sin. Beware of demanding your own way because eventually you may get it - along with all its painful consequences. Last Time I'll Make This Very Important Point: In his kindness God holds back his judgment, giving You, Me, People TIME TO REPENT.It is easy to mistake God's Patience for Approval of wrong way that we are living. Self-evaluation is difficult, and it is even more difficult to expose our conduct to God and let him tell us where we need to change. But as Christians we must pray constantly that God will point out our sins, so that he can heal them. Unfortunately, we are more likely to be amazed at God's patience with others than humbled at his patience with us. Until Next Time... Jim,

" MERCY "

I must Confess that this weeks subject is one that I find challenging at times. It is not my job to decide the outcome of any one's Prayer Concern, but to take them all to the Throne Of Grace. Having Mercy is something that must be practiced by me daily. For this reason I pray for The Perfect Will Of God Always. God's Mercy is unbelievable. It goes far beyond what we can imagine. Even if some have walked away from God in the past and ruined their lives, God will still take us back. If we listen God will give inward Spiritual Renewal (Circumcise Our Hearts). God wants to forgive us and bring us back to himself too. I'm afraid that some people will not learn this until their world has crashed in around them. Then the sorrow and pain seem to open their eyes to what God has been saying all along. Time for some honesty, are you separated from God by Sin? No matter how far you have wandered, God promises a fresh beginning if only you will turn to Him. Countless times throughout the Bible we see God showing his Love and Patience toward Men and Women in order to SAVE them. Although he realizes that their hearts are evil, he continues to try to reach them. When we sin or Fall Away From God, we surely deserve to be destroyed by his judgment. But God has promised Never Again to destroy everything on earth until the Judgment Day when Christ Returns to destroy evil forever. Now every change of season is a reminder of his promise. LAST POINT: Jesus tells us to: " Be Kind to One Another, Tender-Heart ed, Forgiving Each Other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you. " If you think for a moment, we see in the Lord's Prayer - " Forgive us our debts as we also have forgiven our debtors." God does not forgive us we forgive others, but solely because of his great Mercy. As we come to understand his Mercy, however, we will want to be like him. Having received forgiveness, we will pass it on to others. Now, those who are unwilling to forgive even those who crucified him. Now, have Mercy on those who hurt you, even multiple times. Until Next Time... Jim,

" CHOOSING YOUR BATTLE (S) WISELY "

Please forgive me as the message usually goes out earlier in the day. Today I was attacked through my computer and I'm just getting back online. We all have choices to make on a daily basis but choosing the right Battle is something that we should be sure about. OK, let's get started, before David went to Battle, he inquired of God, asking for his presence and guidance. Too often we wait until we are in trouble before turning to God. By then the consequences of our actions are already unfolding. Do you ask for God's help only as a desperate last resort? Instead, go to him first! Like David, you may receive incredible help and avoid serious trouble. In this world that we live in, who knows if we will be thrust into another battle. Sinful people will unite to fight against God in a final display of rebellion. Many are already united against Christ and his people - those who stand for truth, peace, justice, and morality. Your personal battle with evil foreshadows the great pictured here, where God will meet evil and destroy it once and for all. Be Strong and Courageous as you battle against sin and evil: You are fighting on the winning side. In Battle and if you're right with God, you may hear that tiny voice saying. " Do not fear or be dismayed...for the battle is not yours but God's. " You know we may not fight an enemy army, but every day we battle temptation, pressure, and rulers... of this darkness who want us to rebel against God. Remember, as believers, we have God's spirit in us. If we ask for God's help when we face struggles, God will fight for us. And God always triumphs. How do we let God fight for us? (1) By realizing the battle is not ours, but God's (2) by recognizing human limitations and allowing God's strength to work throughout fears and weaknesses; (3) by making sure we are pursuing God's interests and not just our own selfish desires; (4) by asking God for help in our daily battles. Until Next Time... Jim,

" TIMING "

OK, here we are again another message only a day after yesterdays. I trust that My Lord and Savior knows exactly what he's doing. From our perspective, God sometimes seems slow to intervene on our behalf. But what might appear slow to us is good timing from God's perspective. It is easy to become impatient while waiting for God to act, but we must never give up on him. When God is silent and you are in deep anguish, follow the method in this Psalm. Please review the the great acts of God through biblical history; then review what he has done for you. Now this will remind you that God is at work, not only in history, but also in your life. God will act when he is ready. Children have difficulty grasping the concept of time. " It's Not Time Yet " is not a reason they easily understand because they only comprehend the present. As limited human beings, we can't understand God's perspective about time. We want everything now, unaware that God's timing is better. When God is ready, he will do what needs to be done, not what we would like him to do. We may be as impatient as Children, but we must not doubt the wisdom of God's Timing. Wait for God to reveal His Plan. Don't take matters into your own hands. LAST POINT: Jesus loved a certain family and often stayed with them. He knew their pain but did not respond immediately. His delay had a Specific Purpose. God's Timing, especially his delays, may make us think he is not answering or is not answering the way we want. But he will meet all our needs according to his perfect schedule and purpose. Patiently await his timing. Don't be like Mary and Martha. Until Next Time... Jim

" NO MORE HIDING "

We are a full day into a new week and I want you to know that you are very special in the eyes of The Lord Jesus Christ. This week we are looking into " HIDING " so strap in and let's get started. It would appear that man still doesn't get it. Allow me to take you back to the garden just for a moment. I chuckle with the thought of two humans covered with fig leaves trying to hide from the All-Seeing, All-Knowing God is truly humorous to me. How could they be so silly as to think that they could actually hide? Yet we do the same, acting as though God doesn't know what we're doing. Have the courage to share all you do and think with him. And don't try to hide - it can't be done. Honesty will strengthen your relationship with God. Job declared that he did not try to hide his sin as men often do. The fear that our sins will be discovered leads us to patterns of deception. We cover up with lies so that we will appear cool to others, please get this, we cannot hide from God. Question, do you try to keep people from seeing the real you? When you acknowledge your sins, you free yourself to receive forgiveness and a new life. I'd like to return to our friends in the Garden. Now, after Adam and Eve ate from the tree, they recognized that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loin coverings. You see Adam and Eve felt guilt and embarrassment. Now a guilty conscience is a warning signal God placed inside of us when we've done wrong. The worst step you could take is to eliminate the guilty feelings without eliminating the course. That would be like using a pain killer but not treating the disease. Be glad those guilty feelings are there. They make you aware of your sin so you can ask God's forgiveness and then correct your wrong doing. Until Next Time... Jim,

" FEAR "

Well hear we are again, another week that the Lord has made is upon us again. This past week we celebrated Thanksgiving and I'm reminded of how blessed I am. This week we will be looking into "Fear." Have you ever hear that we should have " FEAR OF THE LORD. " Well it means to have respect and reverence for God and to Be in awe of his majesty and power. Now, this is the starting point to finding real wisdom. Have you ever felt surrounded by the " Enemy " or faced over whelming odds? God is never intimidated by the size of the enemy or the complexity of a problem. Now, with God there is always an abundance of resources for us to resist any pressure so that we can win the battle. If God has called you to action, then bravely commit what resources you have to God, and rely upon him to lead you to victory. God gave Abram two reasons not to Fear and to have courage: (1) He Promised To Defend Abram (" I AM A SHIELD TO YOU "), and (2) HE Promised To Be Abram's " Reward." When you Fear what lies ahead, remember that God will stay with you through difficult times and that he has promised you great blessings. Fear is a dark shadow that envelopes us and ultimately Imprisons us within ourselves. Once again each of us has been a prisoner of Fear at one time or another Fear of rejection, misunderstanding, uncertainty, sickness, or even death. But we can conquer Fear by using the bright liberating light of the Lord who brings Salvation. If we want to dispel the darkness of Fear, let us remember with the psalmist that " The Lord Is My Light And My Salvation. " LAST POINT: Don't allow FEAR to paralyze you to the fact that you consider running from VS. praying about. When we face a difficult conflict, we can run about frantically or we can pause to pray. Which approach will be more effective. Until Next Time... Jim,

" MAKING WISE CHOICES "

Good Day to you and is all well in your camp, it's my prayer that things will truly start looking up for you. This week we will be looking into CHOICES. We are faced with challenges in our daily choices. We are often more concerned with making the easy choice than making the right one. Yet more often than not, the right choice is clear. Ask God to give you a Special Awareness in your choices today as well as renewed commitment to make the right ones. We must recognize that the little, day-to-day choices we make are very important. They prepare us to make the right choices when the big decisions come. The Wisdom to make the right choices in large matters is a gift from God. Understanding this should make us more conscious of the decisions we make and more willing to include God in our decision making process. Please don't take anything for granted, have you asked for His help with Today's decisions? I believe that we are all acutely aware that there are consequences to any action we take. What we do can set into motion a series of events that may continue long after we're gone. Unfortunately, when we are making a decision most of us think only of the immediate consequences. These are often misleading because they are short-lived. You probably don't know the long-term effects of most decisions you make. But shouldn't the fact that there will be long-term results cause you to think carefully and seek God's guidance as you make choices and take action today? LAST POINT: When you are faced with the choice, always choose to obey God.

THE ART OF " SATISFACTION "

OK, here we are again another week has come and gone, and I for one am so very grateful to be used by the Lord. Satisfaction is this weeks topic. When I think of Satisfaction or any other emotion, I've trained my mind to seek the Lord's Will. One of the best examples of satisfying our lust or need transpires between Esau and Jacob. Now Esau Traded the lasting benefits of his birthright for the immediate pleasure of food. As most of us do, he acted on impulse, satisfying his short term desire without pausing to consider the long-range consequences of what he was able to do. We can fall into the same trap. As human beings when we see something we want, our first impulse is to get it. At first we feel intensely satisfied and sometimes even powerful because we have obtained what we set out to get. But immediate pleasure often loses sight of the future. We can avoid making Esau's mistake by comparing the Satisfaction with it's long-range consequences before we act. Now Esau exaggerated his hunger. " I am about to die, " he said. This thought made his choice much easier because if he was starving, what good was an inheritance any way? The pressure of the moment distorted his perspective and made his decision seem urgent. We often experience similar pressures. Now, consider this when we feel sexual pressure, a Marriage Vow may seem unimportant. We might feel such great pressure in one area that nothing else,seems to matter and we lose our perspective. Getting through that short, pressure-filled moment is often is often the most difficult part of overcoming a temptation. LAST POINT: Don't be satisfied with your good deeds. Nor should we feel satisfied when our church only rejoices in the Salvation of its members or in the comfort of gathering for worship. We should grow in Love, Faith, and acts of service. Because the times are Critical, we must spend our days Wisely and Faithfully. Until Next Time... Jim,

" TO GIVE OR TO RECEIVE COUNSEL "

Blessings to you and those in whom you care most about. This week we're talking about giving or receiving Counsel. We all need someone in whom we can count on for their wisdom when we are stuck. I personally have a Small Group of Brothers in whom I value their Wisdom and Knowledge Immensely. We all from time to time re-read the Book Of Psalms and glean knowledge. You know, life has two roads, the life of the faithful person which is contrasted by the life of the faithless person. Those who diligently try to obey God's will are blessed. Now, God doesn't judge people on the basis of Race, Sex, or National Origin. He judges them on the basis of their faith in him and their response to his Revealed Will. Recognize that God's Wisdom guides their lives. In, contrast, those who don't trust and obey God have meaningless lives that blow away like dust. There are only two paths of life before us - God's way of obedience or the way of rebellion and destruction. Be sure to choose God's path because the path you choose determines how you will spend eternity. A good leader needs and uses wise counselors. One person's perspective and understanding is severely limited; he or she may not have all the facts or may be blinded by bias, emotions, or wrong impressions. To be a wise leader at home, at church, or at work, seek the counsel of others and be open to their advice. Then, after considering all the facts, make your decision. " The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man is he who listens to Counsel " (Prov. 12:15). Until Next Time... Jim,

SCRIPTURE(S)

SCRIPTURE: A term specifically applied to the Word Of God, which was given by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Christians include both the OT and NT under the term, while Jews refer only to the OT, i.e. the Hebrew Bible. Do you remember the account of when the religious leaders questioned Jesus about the resurrection? Listen it's vital that we understand the Scriptures. These religious leaders as always attempted to trip Jesus up (Matt 22:29-30). But Jesus answered and said to them, " You are mistaken, NOT Understanding The Scriptures nor the power of God. (30) " For the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. Now these so called learner'd men (Sadducee's) asked Jesus what marriage would be like in Heaven. Jesus responded in said fashion, that it is more important to understand GOD'S POWER than to know what heaven will be like. I imagine that in every generation and culture to this point ideas of Eternal Life tend to be based on images and experiences of their present life. Now, Jesus answered that these flawed ideas are caused by ignorance (Lack Of Knowledge) of God's Word. Hear Me, we must not make up our own ideas about eternity and Heaven by thinking of it and God in human terms. But we should employ all our mental powers on our relationship with God than about what Heaven will look like. Eventually we will find out, and it will be far beyond our greatest expectations. LAST POINT: As a Man, Jesus lived a perfect life, and so He is a Perfect example of how to live. As God, Jesus gives us the power to do what is right. It is possible to live a Godly Life - through following Christ. Until Next Time... Jim,

. " HELPING OTHERS "

Well here we are Wednesday Morning and I have one question, what happened to Tuesday? I guess it came and went while I took a moment to blink, talk about a busy day. Any way this week we will be looking into " HELPING OTHERS. " Alright let's get started, Sometimes we must get involved in a messy or painful situation in order to help others. We should be willing to act immediately when others need our help. Are you willing to allow God to help you? Now, when we face difficult or even frightening situations, we must be willing to let God help us. God gave many rules to His people - but not without reason. He did not withhold good from them; He only prohibited those acts that would bring them to ruin, all of us understand God's physical laws of nature. For example, jumping off a ten-story building means death because of the law of gravity. But some of us don't understand how God's Spiritual Laws work. God forbids us to do certain things because He wants to keep us from self-destruction. Next time you are drawn to a forbidden physical or emotional pleasure, remind yourself that its consequences might be suffering and separation from the God who is trying to help you. Why Jesus is qualified to help us. Because Jesus lived as a Man, we know that He fully understands our experiences and struggles. Because He is God, He has the power and authority to deliver us from Sin. Remember this, We can tell Jesus all our thoughts, feelings, and needs. He has been where we are now, and He has the ability to help. LAST POINT: Now, I've been taught that we must be careful to weigh both the words and the deeds of those who claim to offer spiritual help. Remember to ask for Wisdom, we have not because we ask not. Until Next Time... Jim,

" THE HEART "

OK, another week has come an gone, and I have another message for you. This week we are looking into The Heart, now we all have one but are we using it to our full potential. Jesus is knocking on the door of our hearts every time we sense we should turn to him. Jesus wants to have fellowship with us, and wants to open up to him. He is patient and persistent in trying to get through to us - not breaking and entering, but knocking. He allows us to decide whether or not to open our lives to Him. Do you intentionally keep his life-changing presence and power on the other side of the door? The Word Of God says: The intent of man's heart is evil from his youth. Countless times throughout the Bible we see God showing his Love and Patience toward men and women in order to save them. Although he realizes that their hearts are evil, he continues to try to reach them. When we sin or fall away from God, we surely deserve to be destroyed by His judgment. But God has promised never again to destroy everything on earth until the judgment day when Christ returns to destroy evil forever. Now every change of season is a reminder of his promise. THE FOOL HAS SAID IN HIS HEART, " THERE IS NO GOD" (Psalm 14:1). The true atheist is either foolish or wicked - foolish because he ignores the evidence that God exists or wicked because he refuses to live by God's truths. We become atheists in practice when we rely more on ourselves than on God. The fool mentioned here is someone who is aggressively perverse in his actions. To speak in direct defiance of God is utterly foolish according to the Bible. Last Point: Treasuring (Keeping) God's Word in Our Hearts is a deterrent to sin. This alone should inspire us to memorize Scripture. But memorization alone will not keep us from sin; we must also put God's Word to work in our lives, making it a vital guide for every thing we do. Until Next Time... Jim,

" OBEDIENCE "

Here we are again another week has come and gone,this week we will be looking into " Obedience." I believe that at one time or another we all may have had an issue with Obedience. Disobedience is Sin, and it breaks our fellowship with with God. But, fortunately, when we disobey, God is willing to forgive us and to restore our relationship with him. Adam and Eve failed to heed God's warning. They did not understand the reasons for his command, so they chose to act in another way that looked better to them. All of God's commands are for our own good, but we may not always understand the reasons behind them. People who trust God will obey because God asks them to whether or not they understand why God commands it. Have you ever wondered, why would God place a tree in the garden and then forbid Adam to eat from it? Father God wanted Adam to Obey, but God gave Adam the freedom to choose. Without choice, Adam would have been like a prisoner, and his Obedience would have been hollow. The two trees provided an exercise in choice, with rewards for choosing to obey and sad consequences for choosing to disobey. When you are faced with the choice, always choose to obey God. It's not enough to say we believe what is right; we must respond with action, doing what faith requires. " Faith without WORKS is useless (James 2:20). This means acting differently at home, school, and church. Simply talking about Obedience is not enough. Until next Time... Jim,

" COMPLAINING "

OK, strap in and let's get started with this weeks very important message. How often do you find yourself Complaining about something or someone? Be honest with yourself, I believe that we unconsciously complain as it has become a terrible habit with some of us? We have many examples in the WORD OF GOD of how we should carry ourselves in all situations. Now I'm reminded of the Israelite's when the Egyptian Army was bearing down upon them while their backs were against the sea. After watching God's powerful hand deliver them from Egypt, their only response was fear, whining, and despair. Where was Their Trust in God? By focusing on God's faithfulness in the past we can face crises with confidence rather than with fear and complaining. Complaining and Grumbling can do nothing to improve your situation. If anything we've learned from the Israelite's that the path to open rebellion against God begins with Dissatisfaction and Skepticism, then moves to Grumbling about both God and present circumstances. Next comes Bitterness and Resentment, followed finally by Rebellion and open Hostility. If you are often Dissatisfied, Skeptical, Complaining, or Bitter - Beware! 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. LAST POINT: I have to ask, do you complain about your problems instead of praying? Some problems can be solved by careful thought or by rearranging our priorities. Some can be solved by discussion and good counsel. But some problems can be solved only by prayer. We should make a determined effort to pray when we feel like complaining only raises our level of stress. PRAYER QUIETS OUR THOUGHTS AND EMOTIONS AND PREPARES US TO LISTEN. Until Next Time... Jim,

" GIVING UP "

This week we will be looking into why we should not Give Up. As Christians we should never Give Up on God. If we have a promise from God then it's rock solid. God knows the best time to act. When you feel that God has forgotten you in your troubles, please remember that God has a time schedule we can't see. Giving Up is never an option when you believe in God. I'm blown away by the woman who suffered for twelve long years with bleeding (perhaps a menstrual disorder). Now, in our times of desperation, we don't have to worry about the correct way to reach out to God. Like this Woman, we can simply reach out in faith. He will respond. " Untouchables " and had not been able to lead a normal life. But Jesus changed that and restored her, Glory To God. Sometimes we are tempted to give up on people or situations that have not changed for many years. God can change what seems unchangeable, giving new purpose and hope. Another point to share about not Giving Up. In the Gospels only Luke shares the fact that Jesus' sweat resembled drops of blood. Jesus was in extreme agony, but he did not give up or give in. He went right ahead with the Mission that He was tasked with. I Thank God Daily, in fact Multiple times daily. Our tendency is to want to give up and get out when the going gets rough. To trust God in the good times is commendable, but to trust him during the difficult times test us to our limits and exercises our faith. Now, in your struggles, large or small, trust that God is in control and that he will take care of you. Until Next Time... Jim,

" MAN " Dust From The Ground

Come on in and stay awhile, with the Lords help we just might learn something new about ourselves. In what way are we made in God's Image? God obviously did not create us exactly like himself because God has no physical body. Instead, we are reflections of God's glory. Some feel that our reason, Creativity, Speech, or Self-Determination is the Image Of God. More likely, it is our entire self that reflects the Image Of God. We will never be totally like God because He is our Supreme Creator. But we do have the ability to reflect His Character in our Love, Patience, Forgiveness and Faithfulness. Knowing that we are made in God's Image and thus share many of His Characteristics provide a solid basis for self-worth. Human worth is not based on Possessions, Achievements, Physical Attractiveness, or Public Acclaim, Instead it is based on being made in God's Image. Because we bear God's image, we can feel positive about ourselves. Criticizing or downgrading ourselves is Criticizing what God has made and Abilities He has given us. Knowing that you are a person of Worth helps you Love God, know him personally, and make a Valuable Contribution to those around you. Now, " Dust From The Ground " implies that there is nothing fancy about the chemical elements making up our bodies. The body is a lifeless shell until God brings it alive with his " Breath Of Life. " When God removes His Life-Giving breath, our bodies once again return to dust. Therefore our life and worth come from God's Spirit. Many boast of their achievements and abilities as though they were the originators of their own strengths. Others feel worthless because their abilities do not stand out. In reality our worth comes not from our achievements but from the God of the universe, who choose to give us the mysterious and miraculous gift of life, as he does. Until Next Time... Jim,

" ABILITIES "

" ABILITIES " The quality of being able: Power, Skill. All of us have Special Skills. God wants to fill us with His Spirit so we will use them for His Glory. Please think about your Special Talents and Abilities and the ways you can use them for God's work in the world. A TALENT MUST BE USED OR IT WILL DIMINISH. I love the way that the Word Of God explains things, for some reason many folks are afraid to dive into the Old Testament. Moses asked people with various abilities to help with the tabernacle. Every one of God's people has been given Special Abilities. We are responsible to develop these abilities - even the ones not considered religious - and to use them for God's Glory. We can become skilled through Study, by Watching Others, and through Practice. Work on your Skills or Abilities that could help your Church or Community. Invest your Abilities Wisely: Matthew 13:12 " FOR WHOEVER HAS, TO HIM MORE SHALL BE GIVEN, AND HE WILL HAVE AN ABUNDANCE; BUT WHOEVER DOES NOT HAVE, EVEN WHAT HE HAS SHALL BE TAKEN AWAY FROM HIM." Interpretation: This means that we are responsible to use well what we have. When people reject Jesus, their hardness of heart drives away or renders useless even the little understanding they had. LAST POINT: Please forgive me for being redundant regarding our God Given Abilities. At Salvation we are given Spiritual Gift(s). At birth we are likewise given an Ability or Two. None of us receive more or less than what we can handle. Now, if we fail in our assignments, our excuse should not be that we are Overwhelmed. Sometimes failure comes from just plain laziness. Our Talents represent any kind of Resource we are given. God gives us Time, Gifts, and other resources according to our Abilities, and expects us to Invest them Wisely until he returns. Now, we are responsible to use well what the Father has given us. The issue is not how much we have, but how well we use what we have. Until Next Time... Jim,

" ACCOUNTABILITY "

This week we will be looking into " ACCOUNTABILITY. " It's important that we understand God's thoughts on it. Accountability: 1- Being Accountable; Answerable; Responsible 2- Explicable. We are accountable for many of our problems. Do you remember the account of the Angel Of The Lord who appeared to Gideon? Now, Gideon questioned God about the problems he and his nation faced and about God's apparent lack of help. OK, what he didn't acknowledge was the fact that the people had brought calamity upon themselves when they decided to disobey and neglect God. How easy it is to overlook personal accountability and blame our problems on God and others. Unfortunately this does not solve our problems. It brings us no closer to God, and it escorts us to the very edge of rebellion and backsliding. Now, when problems come, the first place to look is within. Our first action should be confession to God of sins that may have created our problems. It's vital that you are aware that we all are accountable to the Lord Jesus Christ not others. While the church must be uncompromising in its stand against activities that are expressly forbidden by Scripture (adultery, homosexuality, murder, theft), it should not create additional rules and regulations and give them equal standing with God's law. Many times Christians base their Moral Judgments on opinion, personal dislikes, or cultural bias rather than on the Word Of God. When they do this, they show that their own faith is weak - they do not think that God is powerful enough to guide his children. When we Stand Before God's Court Of Justice ( " Judgment Seat " ), We won't be worried about what our Christian Neighbor has done. 2 Corinthians 5:10 " For we must all appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the Body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad." Until Next Time... Jim,

WHY I SHOULD NOT " COVET "

If we're all honest for a moment, we must confess to the fact that at some point in our lives we wanted what wasn't ours. Now, to Covet is to wish to have the possessions of others. It goes beyond simply admiring someone else's possessions or thinking, " I'd like to have one of those. " Coveting includes Envy - Resenting the fact that others have what you don't. God knows, however, that possessions never make anyone happy for long. Since only God Can Supply all our Needs, True Contentment is found only in Him. When you begin to Covet, try to determine if a more basic need is leading you to envy. For example, you may Covet someone's success, not because you want to take it away from him, but because you would like to feel as appreciated by others as he is. If this is the case, pray that God will help you deal with your resentment and meet your basic needs. The Word Of God speaks out against those who planned evil deeds at night and rose at dawn to do them. Now, a person's thoughts and plans reflect his or her character. As Paul was we should learn to be satisfied with whatever we have, as long as we can do God's work. Examine your attitudes toward wealth and comfort. Now, if you focus more on what you don't have than on what you do have, its time to reexamine your priorities and put God's work back in first place. Until Next Time... Jim,

" UNBELIEF AND IT'S CONSEQUENCES "

Good Day to you, it is my prayer that all is well in your home. If you would like me to pray about anything for you just ask and we can discuss it. Prayer and Belief go hand and hand. One may ask why is God angry at sinful people? Because they have substituted the truth about him with some kind of fantasy of their own imagination. They have stifled the truth God naturally reveals to all people in order to believe anything that supports their own self-centered life-styles. God cannot tolerate sin because his nature is Morally Perfect. He cannot ignore or condone such willful rebellion. God wants to remove the sin and restore the sinner - and he is able to, as long as the sinner does not stubbornly distort or reject the truth. But his anger erupts against those who persist in sinning make sure you are not pursuing a fantasy rather than the true God. Don't suppress the truth about him merely to protect your own life-style. OK, some often wonder how could a loving God send anyone to Hell, especially someone who has never heard about Jesus Christ? In fact, says Paul, God has revealed himself plainly in the creation to all people. And yet people reject even his basic knowledge of God. Also, everyone has an inner sense of what God requires, but they choose not to live up to it. Put another way, people's moral standards are always better than their behavior. If people suppress God's truth in order to live their own way, they have no excuse. They know the truth, and they will have to endure the consequences. LAST POINT: But first I would like to propose a question for you: How could intelligent people turn to idolatry? Now, Idolatry begins when people reject what they know about God. Knowing that God exist is not enough. People must learn that God is Loving. They must understand what he did to demonstrate His Love for us. They must be shown how to accept God's Forgiveness of their sins. Until Next Time... Jim,

" WHY RECONCILIATION "

A Short but a very powerful message this week, there must be room in our hearts for Reconciliation. Reconciliation means Reestablishing Relationships. Christ has reconciled us to God and to others. Many barriers come between People - Race, Social Status, Sex, Personality Differences - but Christ can break down these barriers. Jesus Christ can transform our most hopeless relationships into deep and loving friendships. God is Holy, and He will not be associated with sin. All people are sinful and so they are separated from God. In addition, all sin deserves punishment. Instead of punishing us with the death we deserve, however, took our sins upon himself and took our punishment by dying on the Cross. Now we can " exult in God." Through Faith In Christ's work, we become close to God (Reconciled) rather than being enemies and outcasts. LAST POINT: We should be receptive to those who seek Reconciliation, to make peace with us. When God's influence in our lives attracts people - even enemies - we must take the opportunity to reach out to them with God's Love. Until Next Time... Jim,

" WAITING ON GOD "

Well here we are again, another week has come and gone and I'm so pleased that you decided to stop by. I'm of the mind that some of us are not schooled in the art of waiting. Benefits of waiting on God is something that we all should be open to. Waiting for God to help us is not easy, but David received four benefits from Waiting: (1) God lifted him out of his despair, (2) Set his feet on a rock, (3) Gave him a firm place to stand, and (4) Put a new song of Praise in his mouth. Often blessings cannot be received unless we go through the trial of Waiting. When ever you think that it's to hard to wait, think about Noah in the Ark. Occasionally he would send a bird out to test the earth and see if it was dry. But take note that Noah didn't get out of the Ark until God told him to. He was waiting for God's timing. God knew that even though the water was gone, the earth was not dry enough for Noah and his family to venture out. Can we agree of the patience Noah showed, especially after spending an entire year inside his boat! We, like Noah, must trust God to give us patience during those difficult times when we must Wait. WAITING FOR GOD IS NOT EASY. Often it seems that he isn't answering our prayers or doesn't understand the urgency of our situation. Now, that kind of thinking implies that God is not in control or is not fair. But God is worth WAITING for. Lamentations 3:24-26 calls us to hope in and wait for the Lord because often God uses WAITING to Refresh, Renew, and Teach Us. Make good use of your Waiting Times by discovering what God may be trying to teach you in them. LAST POINT: You know that sometimes our plans - even the ones we think God has approved - have to be put on hold indefinitely. We can choose to learn and grow in our present circumstances, whatever they must be. Until Next Time... Jim,

" SHARING "

Good Afternoon All, I wanted to share a word or two with you on the subject of " Sharing." It's truly sad that we don't share automatically from birth. Now the early Church was able to share possessions and property as a result of the unity brought by the Holy Spirit working in and through the believers lives. This way of living is different from communism because (1) The Sharing was voluntary; (2) It didn't involve all private property, but only as much as was needed; (3) It was not a membership requirement in order to be a part of the church. The spiritual unity and generosity of these early believers attracted others to them. This organizational structure is not a Biblical command, but it offers vital principles for us to follow. Do you remember the parable of the Lost Son? " The younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me my SHARE of the estate that falls to me', so he divided his wealth between them. " OK listen to this: the younger son's share of the estate would have been one-third, with the older son receiving two-thirds (Deuteronomy 21:17). In most cases he would have received this act his Father's death, although fathers sometimes chose to divide up their inheritance early and retire from managing their estates. What is unusual here is that the younger one initiated the division of the estate. This showed arrogant disregard for his Fathers' authority as head of the family. LAST POINT: Another type of SHARING , Paul says, " Filling Up What Is Lacking In Christ's Afflictions, " he does not mean that Christ's suffering was inadequate to save him, nor does he mean that there is a predetermined amount of suffering that must be paid by all Believers, Paul, could be saying that suffering is unavoidable in bringing the Good News Of Christ to the World. It is called Christs' suffering, because all Christians are related to Christ. When we suffer, Christ feels it with us. But this suffering can be endured joyfully because it changes lives and brings people into God's Kingdom. Until Next Time... Jim,

" HONORING PARENTS "

" Honor your Father and your Mother, that your days may be prolonged in the land which the Lord your God gives you. " This is the first commandment with a promise attached. To live in peace for generations in the Promised Land, the Israelite's would need to respect authority and build strong families. But what does it mean to " Honor " your parents? Party, it means speaking well of them and politely to them. It also means acting in a way that shows them courtesy and respect ( but not to obey them if this means disobedience to God). It means following their teaching and example of putting God first. Parents have a special place in God's sight. Even those who find it difficult to get along with their parents are still commanded to honor them. There is a difference between obeying and honoring, to obey means to do as one is told; to Honor means Respect and Love. Children are not asked to be subservient to domineering parents. Children are to obey while under their parents' care, but the responsibility to honor parents is for life. " The eye that mocks a father And scorns a mother, The ravens of the valley will pick it out, And the young eagles will eat it" (Proverbs 30:17). Children must be handled with care. They need firm discipline administered in love. Don't alienate them by nagging, or deriding, or destroying their self respect so that they lose heart. Parents should care gently for their children, even if the children are disobedient and unpleasant. Ideally, of course, Christian Parents and Christian Children will relate to each other with Thoughtfulness and Love. This will happen if both Parents and Children put the others' interests above their own-that is, if they submit to one another. Until Next Time... Jim,

" MIRACLE(S) "

Isn't it great that our Lord is still in the Miracle working business? I'm still blown away by the stuff that He does for me, and I'm attempting to make a valiant attempt daily not to take Him for granted. In case you don't believe in Miracles or that they don't still happen, BELIEVE IT. MIRACLE: A Supernatural Event, A Supernatural Intervention by God into the normal and natural course of life. Now Miracles often served as authentication for prophets, Apostles and Others including Jesus as the Messiah and Son Of God. The Merriam - Webster Dictionary defines " Miracles " (N) 1- An extraordinary event manifesting divine intervention in Human Affairs 2- An unusual event, thing, or accomplishment: wonder, marvel. Some people think, " If only I could see a Miracle, I could believe in God. " Think back to the Old Testament Exodus 8 when God gave Pharaoh just such an opportunity. When gnats infested Egypt, even the magicians agreed that this was God's work ( " The Finger Of God " ) - but still Pharaoh refused to believe. He was stubborn, and stubbornness can blind a person to the truth. When you rid yourself of stubbornness, you may be surprised by the abundance of the evidence of God's work in your life. Now, in the New Testament in the Bible the Galatians knew that they had received the Holy Spirit when they Believed, not when they obeyed the law. People still feel insecure in their faith, because faith alone seems too easy. People still try to get closer to God by following rules. While certain Disciples, Bible Study, Prayer and Service may help us grow, they must not take the place of The Holy Spirit in us or become ends in themselves. By asking these questions, Paul helped to get the Galatians to focus again on Christ as the foundation of the faith. Until Next Time... Jim,

" WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE "

Well here we are again, another week has come and gone. It's my prayer that you have already Trusted Jesus Christ to be the Lord of your life. People in Jesus' time, like those in the time of Isaiah, for example would not believe despite the evidence like in (John 12:37). As a result, God hardened their hearts. Does that mean God intentionally prevented these people from believing in him? No, he simply confirmed their own choices. After a lifetime of resisting God, they had become so set in their ways that they wouldn't even try to understand Jesus' message. For such people, it is virtually impossible to come to God-their hearts have been permanently hardened. Other instances of hardened hearts because of constant stubbornness are recorded in Exodus 9:12; Romans 1:24-28; and 2 Thessalonians 2:8-12. Please remember that " Refusing To Believe Leads to a Hardened Heart." BELIEVE: To have religious Convictions (2) To have a firm conviction about something: accept as true (3) to hold as an opinion. Jesus said " WHY DO YOU DISCUSS THE FACT THAT YOU HAVE NO BREAD? DO YOU NOT SEE OR UNDERSTAND? DO YOU HAVE A HARDENED HEART? " " HAVING EYE'S, DO YOU NOT SEE? AND HAVING EARS, DO NOT HEAR? AND DO YOU NOT REMEMBER." How could the disciples experience so many of Jesus' Miracles and yet be so slow to comprehend who he was? They had already seen Jesus feed over 5,000 people with five loaves of bread and two fish, yet they doubted whether he could feed another large group. Sometimes we are also slow to catch on. Although Christ has brought us through trials and temptations in the past, we don't believe that he will do it in the future. Is your heart too closed to take in all that God can do for you? Don't be like the disciples. Remember what Christ has done, and have faith that He will do it again. Until Next Time... Jim,

" WHY SHOULD I KEEP MY PROMISES "

A PROMISE: 1- a pledge to do or not to do something specified 2- ground for expectation of success or improvement 3- something promised. Moses reminded the people that their promises to God and others must be kept. In ancient times, people did not sign written contracts. A Person's Word was as a signature. To make a Vow even more binding, an offering was given along with it. No one was forced by law to make a Vow; but once made, Vows had to be fulfilled. Breaking a Vow meant a broken Trust and a broken relationship. Trust is still the basis of our relationships with God and others. A broken promise today is just as harmful as it was in Moses day. Oaths, or Vows, were common, but Jesus told his followers not to use them that their word alone should be enough. Are you known as a person of your word? Truthfulness seems so rare that we feel we must end our statements with " I PROMISE." If we tell the truth all the time, we will have less pressure to back up our words with an oath or promise. A person with a reputation for exaggeration or lying often can't get anyone to believe him on his word alone. Christians should never become like that. Always be honest so that others will believe your simple YES or NO. By avoiding lies, half-truths, and omissions of the truth, you will become known as a TRUSTWORTHY PERSON. Last Point: If you tell someone that you will do this or that then do it. Now if by chance you can't, then let them know that you can't but always be a person of your word. Until Next Time... Jim,

" THE FATHERLESS / ORPHANS "

Good Afternoon to you, come on in and sit awhile. Is all well in your world, if not I am willing to pray in the name of JESUS CHRIST for you. This week we will be looking into The " Fatherless / Orphans." Are you doing all you can or just maybe a one time pinch of conscience towards the proper care of the needy? The Hebrew Law Code is noted for its fairness and social responsibility toward the Poor. 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. " Isaiah says: Learn to do good; Seek Justice, Reprove The Ruthless, Defend The Orphan, Plead for the Widow." Only in God is there hope for the Orphans, Widows, Prisoners, and all other lonely people. Now, if you are lonely or disadvantaged, start to Praise God and Discover Great Joy from Loving and Praising God. Back in the first century, Orphans and Widows had very little means of economic support. Unless a family member was willing to care for them, they were reduced to begging, selling themselves as Slaves, or Starving. By caring for these Powerless People, the Church put God's Word into practice. When we give with no hope of receiving in return, we show what it means to serve others. Another hero of the Faith Paul, wanted Christian families to be as self- supporting as possible. He insisted that children and grandchildren take care of the Widows in their families; he suggested that younger widows remarry and start new families; and he ordered the church not to support lazy members who refused to work. Nevertheless, when necessary, the believers pooled their resources; they gave generously to help disaster - ridden churches, and they took care of a large number of 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. Until Next Time... Jim,

" A TIME FOR TESTING "

" YOU SHALL NOT PUT THE LORD YOUR GOD TO THE TEST." In a number of places Jesus intentionally challenged his listeners to test him. He welcomed those who wanted to question his claims and character as long as they were willing to follow through on what they discovered Jesus' challenge clarifies the two most frequent reasons that people miss when encountering him: 1- They never accept his challenge to test him, or 2- They test him but are not willing to believe what they discover. Have you made either of those mistakes? The Corinthians were called to examine and test themselves to see if they really were Christians. Just as we get physical check-ups, Paul urges us to give ourselves Spiritual Check-Ups. We should look for a growing awareness of Christ's presence and power in our lives. Only then will we know if we are true Christians or merely impostors. If we're not taking active steps to grow Grow Closer To God, we are drawing further away from him. " TEST " 1- A challenge or difficult situation imposed by God for the purpose of strengthening faith; not to be confused with temptation to evil (James 1:13). 2- The act of putting God to the test, demanding that we prove Himself and His power in some way, as Satan attempted to persuade Jesus to do. 3- The act of one person's challenging another to prove himself by answering difficult questions etc. LAST POINT: " Beloved,do not believe every spirit, but TEST the SPIRITS to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world " (1 John 4:1). I believe this verse is saying: " Do Not Believe Every Spirit, But TEST The SPIRITS. " That we shouldn't believe everything we hear just because someone says it is a message inspired by God. There are many ways to test teachers to see if their message is truly from the Lord. One is to check to see if their words match what God says in the Bible. Other tests include their commitment to the Body of Believers, their life-style, and the fruit of their ministry. But the most important test of all, says John, is what they believe about Christ. Do they teach that Jesus is fully man? Our world is filled with voices claiming to speak for God. Give them these tests to see if they are indeed speaking God's Truth. Until Next Time... Jim,

" THE BENEFITS OF TEAMWORK "

This week we are looking into the importance of " Teamwork. " If you are anything like me, I need to partner with others especially when it comes to praying for others in some cases. The disciples were sent out in pairs. Individually they could have reached more areas of the country, but this was not Christ's plan. One advantage in going out by two was that they could strengthen and encourage each other, they faced rejection. Our strength comes from God, but he meets many of our needs through our Teamwork with others. As you serve Christ, don't try to go it alone. Team up with those who follow God, and when you come up against what seems to be an insurmountable situation have trust in your comrade's. Never forget that the Father is with us, so we need not be worried as our God is all powerful. I'm reminded of Gideon and his mighty army. Now Gideon's army was 300 men chasing 15,000. They should have realized that victory was certain because God was with Gideon. But they were so worried about saving themselves that they never thought about God's power to save. Because of fear for ourselves, we may not recognize God's presence in other people and therefore miss God's victory. Then we must face the often bitter consequences of failing to join forces with those God has chosen to do his work. Because God will prevail with or without you, be quick to join others who are engaged in his work. Lend support with your time, money, talents, and prayer. LAST POINT: Always remember that the Lord God is always with us. Do you remember the time God rescued Joseph when his enemies attacked him. So often we struggle by ourselves, forgetting that God is able to help us fight our battles, whether they are against men with weapons or against Spiritual Forces. Now Joseph was able to draw closer to God as adversity mounted. To trust God to rescue you shows great faith. Now, can you trust him when injury or persecution is directed at you? Such Spiritual Battles require Teamwork between Courageous, Faithful People and a Mighty God. Until Next Time... Jim,

" BE A CONFIDENT CHRISTIAN "

Is it well with your soul,the weeks seem to have wings? Anyway this week we will be looking into how we carry ourselves. I'm obligated to ask if you know the Lord As Your Personal Savior? Food for thought... A man may go to Heaven without Health - without wealth - without fame - without a great name - without learning - without culture - without big earnings - without beauty - without friends - without ten thousand other things. But he can never go to Heaven without The Lord Jesus Christ! " I Am The Way, and the Truth, and The Life; No One Comes To The Father But Through Me " (John 14:6). Now as Christians we are to be an Ambassador, An Envoy for Christ Jesus. Take the Apostle Paul, once he saw the light he was in 110%. Listen wherever you go, you are expected to be " The Light In A Dark Place. " Do you represent God wherever you go? Are you Bold and Obedient enough to Speak and Minister to Others? Paul spoke and acted Confidently because he had Faith that he represented Jesus Christ wherever he was. Now I'm aware that you and I may be on a different Spiritual Plain, so I want you to know this. If you ask the Father to give You what I call " HOLY BOLDNESS " He will. By God's Power, Believers are Sanctified - Made Holy. This means that we are set apart from Sin, enabled to obey and to become more like Christ. When we are growing in our relationship with Christ, the Holy Spirit frees us from the demands of the Law and from fear of Judgment. Know matter what, you must always Trust God. God had promised safe passage to Paul (Acts 27:23-25), and he would let nothing stop his servant, now the poisonous viper that bit Paul was unable to harm him. I know that at times we are a little thick if you know what I mean. Our lives are in God's hands, to continue on or to come to and end in his good timing. Paul continued to minister to others, even in the worse of times. It is no wonder the Gospel spread like wild fire. Until Next Time... Jim,

" PAIN AND SUFFERING "

Good Day To You, it's my prayer that all is well in your sphere of influence. This week we are looking int Pain and Suffering. Many of us are presently dealing with Pain and Suffering. I'd like to believe that we all have heard the story of JOB. The Suffering and Pain that this man went through was unbearable for the most of us. Job was experiencing Extreme Physical Pain as well as Grief over the loss of his Family and Possessions. Now he can't be blamed for wishing he were dead. Job's grief placed him at the crossroads of his faith. Shattering many misconceptions about God such as:(he makes you rich, always keeps you from Trouble and Pain, or Protects your Loved Ones). Job was driven back to the basics of his faith in God. He only had two choices: (1) He could curse God and give up, (2) He could trust God and draw strength from him to continue. Some of you know, that I Suffer Daily with Chronic Pain. As I shared above and the Word Of God is very graphic of what he experienced even if you are one of our Lords best, great suffering can come your way. To have a right set of doctrines is not enough. To know what to believe is not all that is required to please God. Truth untested by life's experiences may become Static and Stagnant. Suffering can bring a dynamic quality to life. Just as it's said a drought can drive the roots of a tree deeper to find water, so suffering can drive us beyond Superficial Acceptance of Truth to Dependence On God for Hope and Life. When we see a Christian Brother or Sister Suffering today, we can respond in one of these ways. (1) We can say, as Job's friends did, that this is a test to help the poor develop more patience and trust in God.(2) We can help the person in need. Although many governments today have their own programs for helping those in need, this is no excuse for ignoring the poor and needy within our reach. Until next Time... Jim,

" SPIRITUAL REBIRTH "

Welcome on in, I wish you the very best that My Lord and God has to offer. I believe that it's very important that we stay on target. In this life those of us who are Born Again Christians recognize that we are in a Daily Spiritual Battle. Salvation: Deliverance In General, rescue or deliverance from danger. Now, the Bible is primarily a historical account of how God has provided mankind with Salvation from eternal death, which is the penalty of Sin. Salvation has always been bestowed by the Grace of God through Faith. Now those of OT times expressed their faith by following the provisions of OT law, or by their obedience to God. Since the advent of Christ, those who trust in Him are Saved at the moment of their confession of faith and are no longer slaves to sin. They enjoy the benefit of an intimate relationship with God through the presence of Christ and the Holy Spirit in their lives. In the future, all Believers will enjoy Eternal Life In Heaven. We are " Born Of God " when the Holy Spirit lives in us and gives us Jesus' New Life. Being Born Again is more than a fresh start; it is a Rebirth, receiving a new family name based on Christ's Death For Us. When this happens, God forgives us and totally accepts us; the Holy Spirit gives us new minds and hearts, lives in us, and begins helping us to become like Christ. Our perspective changes too because we have a mind that is renewed day by day by the Holy Spirit. So we must begin to think and act differently. " No one who is Born Of God Practices Sin " means that true believers do not make a practice of sinning,nor do they become indifference to God's Moral Law. All believers still sin, but they are working to gain victory over sin. " His Seed Abides In Him " means that True Believers do not make a practice of sinning because God's new life has been born into them. Now, does your life confirm or contradict what you say you believe? Until Next Time... Jim,

" WHY KEEP PROMISES "

Today's message is one that is necessary to repeat. This is the second or third time that our Lord has challenged me to share this subject with you. Our Word, Oath or Vow which ever way you wish to state it is very important to the Lord God. Now, Jesus also told His followers not to use them - that their word alone should be enough (James 5:12). Are you known as a person of your word? Truthfulness seems so rare that we feel we must end our statements with " I Promise. " If we tell the truth all the time, we will have less pressure to back up our words with an Oath or Promise. In My studies in the Word Of God I've learned that putting a hand under the thigh was a sign of making a Promise, much like shaking hands today. Few things were written in their culture, so a person's word then carried as much force as a Written Contract today. People seem to find it easy to say "I Didn't Mean That." God's people, however, are to speak the truth and live the truth. Let your words be as binding as a written contract. Moses reminded the people that their promises to God and others must be kept. Your word must be as binding as your signature. Breaking a Vow meant a Broken Trust and a Broken Relationship. Trust is still the basis of our relationships with God and others. A broken promise today is just as harmful as it was in Moses' day. Now, I suggest that we Think before we promise anything. Those who know me well are not put off when they hear me respond " WE'LL SEE. " Until Next Time... Jim,

" KNOWLEDGE "

Well hear we are again, another week has come and gone. This week we will be looking into " Knowledge. " We all have 24 hours in a day filled with opportunities to grow,serve and be productive. Yet it is easy to waste time, letting life slip from our grasp. Refuse to be a lazy person sleeping or fretting away the hours meant for productive work. See time as God's gift and seize your opportunities to live diligently for him. " Wise Men Store Up Knowledge, But the mouth of the foolish, ruin is at hands " (Prov.10:14). "A wise man is strong, and a man of Knowledge increases power" (Prov. 24:5). Now, the athlete who thinks - who assesses the situation and plans strategies - has an advantage over a physically stronger but unthinking opponent. and Wisdom, not muscle, is certainly why God has put people in charge of the animal kingdom. We exercise regularly and eat well to build our strength, but do we take equal pains to develop wisdom? Because wisdom is a part of strength, it pays to attain it. One of the most annoying types of people is a know-it-all. A person who has dogmatic opinion about everything, is closed to anything new, resents discipline,and refuses to learn. Solomon calls this kind of person a fool. Don't be a know-it-all. Instead, be open to the advice of others, especially those who know you well and can be valuable insight and counsel. Learn how to learn from others. remember, only God knows it all. A point of Wisdom... Now, in the Book of proverbs, the " Simple - Minded " or a fool is not someone with a MENTAL deficiency but someone with a Character deficiency (such as Rebellion, Laziness, or Anger). The fool is not Stupid, but he or she is unable to tell right from wrong or good from bad. Until next Time... Jim,

" SAINTS OF GOD "

Good Morning to you all, and may the Lord Jesus Christ bless you. This week we will be looking into the " Saints Of God." " SAINTS: " One's Faithful to God ( Holy, Separated From, Set Apart). Those who have been set apart by God for Himself. Now, Psalms 16:3 " As for the saints who are in the earth, they are Majestic ones in whom is all my delight." 'But the saints of the Highest One will receive the Kingdom and Possess the Kingdom forever, for all ages to come.' Now, The " Saints of the Highest One " are the true Israel, the people ruled by the Messiah Jesus Christ gave the Kingdom to the New Israel, His Church, made up of all faithful believers. His Coming ushered in the Kingdom Of God, and all believers are its citizens. Although God may allow persecution to continue for awhile, the destiny of his followers is to possess the kingdom and be with Him Forever. " GOD WORKS IN ALL THINGS " - not just isolated incidents - for our good. This does not mean that all that happens to us is good. Evil is prevalent in our Fallen World, but GOD IS ABLE TO TURN EVERY CIRCUMSTANCE AROUND FOR OUR LONG - RANGE GOOD. Note that God is not working to make us happy, but to fulfill his purpose. NOTE THAT THIS PROMISE IS NOT FOR EVERYBODY. IT CAN BE CLAIMED ONLY BY THOSE WHO LOVE GOD AND ARE CALLED ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE. THOSE WHO ARE " CALLED " ARE THOSE THE HOLY SPIRIT CONVINCES AND ENABLES TO RECEIVE CHRIST. Such people have a New Perspective, a New Mind-Set on life. They trust in God, not life's treasures; they look for their security in Heaven, not on earth; THEY LEARN TO ACCEPT, NOT RESENT, PAIN AND PERSECUTION BECAUSE GOD IS WITH THEM. Until Next Time... Jim,

" REBUKE / CRITICISM "

Welcome,I'm mighty glad that you decided to stop on by. This week we're looking into Rebuke and or Criticism. I've come to learn that we should check the facts and find the truth before doing or saying anything that could prove harmful. Now, there are times, of course, when God wants us to take action - To Rebuke a Wayward Friend, to Discipline a Child, to Reject, False Teaching - but First we must Be Sure we have all the Facts Straight. People may try to discourage you with Negative Comments or Mockery, but continue to do what you know is right. By doing what is right, you will be pleasing God, whose Opinion Matters Most. People often agree over minor disagreements, leaving the real issue untouched. When you are in a disagreement, stop and ask yourself if you are arguing over the real issue or if you have introduced a smoke screen by attacking someone's character. Now, if you are Unjustly Criticized, remember that your Critics may be afraid to face the real problem. Please endeavor not to take this type of criticism personally. Ask God to help you identify the real issue and deal with it. Please listen up, if we are Critical rather than Compassionate, we will also receive criticism. If we treat others Generously, Graciously, and Compassionately, however,these qualities will come back to us in full measure. We are to Love Others, Not Judge Them. LAST POINT: When we must correct others, it helps to begin by affirming what God has already accomplished in them. Until Next Time... Jim,

" FEAR / BEING AFRAID "

If we're honest it's not a good feeling when Fear comes into our lives. I was just sharing with someone the other day about Fear. I'm reminded of when Jesus Calmed the Storm. The Disciples panicked because the storm threatened to destroy them all, and Jesus seemed unaware and unconcerned. Theirs was a physical storm, but we are very aware that storms come in other forms as well. Think about the storms in your life-the situations that cause you great anxiety. Whatever your difficulty, you have two options: You can worry and assume that Jesus no longer cares, or you can Resist FEAR, putting your Trust in Him. When you feel like panicking, Confess your need for God and then Trust him to care for you. FEAR is a dark shadow that envelopes us and ultimately imprisons us within Ourselves. Each of us have been a prisoner of FEAR at one time or another FEAR of Rejection, Misunderstanding, Uncertainty, Sickness, or even Death. But we can CONQUER FEAR by using the bright liberating light of the Lord who brings Salvation. If we want to dispel the Darkness of FEAR, let us remember with the Psalmist that " The Lord Is My Light And My Salvation." LAST POINT: When you fear what lies ahead, remember that God will stay with you through difficult times and that he has promised you great blessings. It's vital that we don't allow fear to stop us from doing what God has called us to do. When we allow our fears to rule us, we make Fear more powerful than God. Is there a task God wants you to do, but Fear is holding you back? God is greater than all your Fears. Recognizing why you are afraid is the first step in committing it to God. Realize that if God has called you back to a task, he will help you accomplish it.

" THE BLAME GAME "

Good Morning, I hope that all is well in your camp. I wish Blessings on you and those in whom you care much about. If we're honest we will admit that from time to time we fall back into our Adamic Nature. It is often easier for us to strike out in frustration and accuse another than to admit an error and ask for forgiveness. Why is it that we complain about our adverse circumstances when we have only ourselves to blame. People often try to avoid guilt feelings by shifting the blame. But this doesn't solve the problem. When you face problems, look first at yourself. If you changed your attitude or behavior, would the problem be solved? When I think of blame in the Bible, I immediately think of Adam and Eve and how they blamed another. When God asked Adam about his sin, Adam blamed Eve, then Eve blamed the serpent. Now, how easy is it for us to excuse our sins by blaming someone else or circumstances. But God knows the truth, and he holds each of us accountable for what we do. Admit your wrong attitudes and actions and then apologize to God. Don't attempt to get away with sin by blaming someone else. Often if we're honest with ourselves, our dilemma's, our troubles result from our own disobedience or lack of faith. We cannot blame God for our sins. Until we face this reality, we will have Little Peace and No Spiritual Growth. People continually blame God for their self-induced problems. How do you respond to the unpleasant results of your own choices? Where do you normally fix the blame? Instead of blaming God, look for ways to grow through your failures. Until Next Time... Jim,

" ANGER "

God Bless You, and welcome! It's so good to be alive, Spring is one of my favorite times of the year. Spring and Fall do it for me, well anytime that I can be of service to the Lord I'm pleased. This week we will be looking into " Anger. " Anger is a powerful emotion. Often it may drive people to hurt others with words or physical violence. But anger directed at sin and the mistreatment of others is not wrong. When injustice or sin makes you angry, ask God how you can channel that anger in constructive ways to help bring about a positive change. People tend to become like those with whom they spend a lot of time. Even the negative characteristics sometimes rub off. The Bible exhorts us to be cautious in our choice of companions. Choose people with characteristics you would like to develop in your life. " An angry man stirs up dissension, and a hot-tempered one commits many sins " (Prov.29:22). A quick temper can be like a fire out of control. It can burn us and everyone in it's path. Anger Divides People. It pushes us into hasty decisions that only causes bitterness and guilt. Yet anger in itself, is not wrong. Anger can be a legitimate reaction to injustice and sin. When you feel yourself getting angry, look for the cause. Are you reacting to an evil situation that you are going to set right? Or are you responding selfishly to a personal insult? Pray that God will help you control your quick temper, channeling your feelings into effective and conquering selfish anger through humility and repentance. " Be Angry, And Yet Do Not Sin; Do Not Let The Sun Go Down On Your Anger " (Ephesian 4:26-27). Now, the Bible doesn't tell us that we shouldn't feel angry, but it points out that it is important to handle our anger properly. If vented thoughtlessly, anger can hurt others and destroy relationships. If bottled up inside, it can cause us to become bitter and destroy us from within. Now, Paul tells us to deal with our anger immediately in a way that builds relationships rather than destroys them. If we nurse our anger, we will give Satan an opportunity to divide us. Are you angry with someone right now? Please think, what can I do to resolve our differences? Don't let the day end before you begin to work on mending your relationship. Until Next Time... Jim,

" LEAD BY EXAMPLE "

Good Morning, we're well on our way into another week. This week we are looking into " EXAMPLE. " I believe that each of us must challenge ourselves with that question every now and then. Webster defines " Example ": (1) Something forming a model to be followed or avoided. (2) A representative sample. (3) A problem to be solved in order to show the application of some rule. A righteous person can often affect others for good. James says that the Prayers of a Righteous Person are powerful (see James 5:16). All christian's should follow the example of our hero's of the faith such as Abraham. His example of praying for others to be Saved. We should be a good example to those around us so that others might see your good deeds and and imitate them. If you want someone to act a certain way, be sure that you live that way yourself. Then you will earn the right to be heard, and your life will reinforce what you teach. Now, the Word therefore is a clue that what follows is important! We must not live with only our own survival in mind. Others will follow our example, and we have a responsibility to them if we are living for Christ, as we claim to be. Does your example make it easier for others to believe in and follow Christ, and to mature in him? Or would those who follow you end up confused and mislead? Until Next Time... Jim,

" DON'T WORRY ABOUT DETAILS BEYOND YOUR CONTROL "

Thanks For Stopping By,I'm so pleased that you saw fit to hear the word for this week. Again I must say that the Lord has pressed upon my heart to share what I believe to be a timely message. It is my intention to grab your attention today. Jesus commands us not to Worry, but how can we avoid it? Only faith can free us from the anxiety caused by greed and covetousness. It is truly wise for us to plan responsibly; it is not healthy for us to dwell on all the ways our planning could go wrong. Worry is pointless because it can't fill any of our needs; now to worry is foolish because the Father of the universe loves us and he knows what we need. He promises to meet all our real needs, but not necessarily all our desires. Because of the ill effects of worry, Jesus tells us not to worry about those needs that God promises to supply. Worry may (1) damage your health, (2) cause the object of your worry to consume your thoughts, (3) disrupt your productivity, (4) negatively affect the way you treat others, and (5) reduce your ability to trust in God. How many ill effects of worry are you experiencing? Here is the difference between worry and genuine concern - worry immobilizes but concern moves you to action. If you're looking to and obeying God, then you're most likely doing just as God commanded. Often we do just the opposite of obeying the Holy Spirit. Listen why worry about the details of a task, if the Lord God Almighty has directed you to it. When we Storm Heaven, and Seek The Face of Jesus we will receive our marching orders. So why worry about details over which we have no control, why neglecting specific areas ( such as Attitudes, Relationships, Responsibilities) that are under our control. Concentrate on what God has given you to do, and leave the rest to God. We should always allow God to worry about the small stuff and not us. Until Next Time... Jim,

" THE WAGES OF SIN IS DEATH "

Good Morning. It's my prayer that all is well with your soul. Are you having a good week adjusting to life's twist and bumps in the road? Many are dealing with inclement weather, while others sickness and disease, and the majority of us are faced with pending financial decisions. Every decision that we make in this life has eternal implications.

We are free to choose between Two Masters, but we are not free to manipulate the consequences of our choice. Each of us do have free will which translates into we can only blame ourselves if we choose wrong.

Now each of the Two Masters pays with his own kind of currency. THE CURRENCY OF SIN IS DEATH. Now that is all that you can expect or hope for in life without God. It's time to be real as I believe that we are in the END TIMES. Christ's currency is Eternal Life-New Life with God that begins on earth and continues forever with God. What choice have you made?

Last Point: Eternal life is a free gift from God. If it is a gift, then it is not something that we earn, nor something that must be paid back. Please consider the foolishness of someone who receives a gift given out of love and then offers to pay for it. A gift cannot be purchased by the recipient. A more appropriate response to a loved one who offers a gift is graceful acceptance with gratitude. Our salvation is a gift of God, not something of our own doing. He saved us because of His mercy, not because of any righteous things that we have done. How much more we should accept with thanksgiving the gift that God has freely given to us. Now don't be a lukewarm Christian, please remember that The Wages Of Sin Is Death.

Until Next Time...
Jim                                   

" WALKING A TIGHTROPE? "

So how was last week for you, is all well in your camp?

This week's message is sort of a warning or at least something for you to think about. Our title is " WALKING A TIGHTROPE". Question is: are you doing a balancing act between Sunday to Sunday? Is your Christian walk truly what you portray it to be?

Some of us are quick to slip on our Sunday go to meeting mask(s). When we walk through the Church doors, drive unto Church grounds, or even when we meet another believer when we're out and about do we quickly slip on our ever-ready mask. Per Dr. David Jeremiah: Do you pretend to be devoted to God to impress your family, friends, or church? I love this guy, he says hypocrisy is insincere. It's presenting an appearance of commitment that's not true.

Another thought, how many times per week or month do you pass along some information that you heard? We're told in the Word Of God that " YOU SHALL NOT BEAR A FALSE REPORT; DO NOT JOIN YOUR HAND WITH A WICKED MAN TO BE A MALICIOUS WITNESS." Listen, making up or spreading false reports was strictly forbidden by God. Gossip, slander, and false witnessing undermines families, strains neighborhood cooperation, and makes chaos of the justice system.

Destructive gossip still causes problems. Even if you don't initiate a lie you become responsible if you pass it along. Don't circulate rumors; squelch them.

LAST POINT: How are you walking through this life? Are you married and if so do you have a family? Now, what I'm about to share needs to be mentioned again, and again. As parents we shape the world's future by the way we shape our children's values. Never forget that our children are sponge-like. I'm of the school of thought that the first step toward helping children live rightly is for us, the parent(s) to live rightly. Your actions are often copied (Mirrored) by those closet to you. What kind of example are you setting for your children / grandchildren?

Until next Time...
Jim

" Built On Rock Or Sand "

Blessings on you and those in whom you care so much about. This week's message is real and one that we must take very serious. Question for you: Are You The Real Deal?

 " NOT EVERYONE WHO SAYS TO ME, 'LORD, LORD,' WILL ENTER THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN, BUT HE WHO DOES THE WILL OF MY FATHER WHO IS IN HEAVEN WILL ENTER."

Think about this for a moment, some self-professed athletes can "talk" a great game, but that tells you nothing about their athletic prowess. And not everyone who talks about heaven belongs to God's Kingdom. Jesus is more concerned about our walk than our talk. He wants us to do right, not just say the right words. Your house (which represents your life) will withstand the storms of life only if you do what is right instead of just talking about it. What you do cannot be separated from what you believe.

Now, to build " On The Rock " means to be a hearing responding disciple, not a phony, superficial one. Practicing obedience becomes the solid foundation to weather the storms of life demolish you or not. Listen, to keep ourselves unstained by this world, we need to commit ourselves to Christ's ethical and moral system, not the world's. We are not to adapt to the world's value system, which is based on money, power, and pleasure.

True Faith means nothing if we are contaminated with such values. We all must guard our tongues. No matter how spiritual we may think we are, we all could control our speech more effectively. The Word of God tells us that Jesus exposed those people who sounded religious but had No Personal Relationship with Him. On " That Day " (The Day Of Judgment), only our relationship with Christ -our acceptance of Him as Savior and our obedience to Him, will matter. Many people think that if they are "good" people and say religious things, they will be rewarded with eternal life. In reality, Faith In Christ is what will count at the judgment.

 LAST POINT: Jesus has told us how to live until He comes: We must watch for Him, work diligently, and obey His commands. Such attitudes are especially necessary for leaders. Watchful and faithful leaders will be given increased opportunities and responsibilities. Now, the more resources, talents, and understanding we have, the more we are responsible to use them effectively. God will not hold us responsible for gifts He has not given us, but all of us have enough gifts and duties to keep us busy until Jesus comes.

 Until Next Time...
 Jim

" STRONGMAN OF GOD "

This week we will be looking into why it's so very important for us to be the " Strongman " in our homes.

The " Strong Man " armor's up every single morning. He put's on the whole armor of God. Ephesians 6:11 " Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all the strategies of the devil." 1 John 3:8-9 " The one who Practices Sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning. The son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil.Vs 9 No one who is Born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in Him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God."

Now, if we're honest we all have areas where temptation is strong and habits are hard to conquer. These weaknesses give the devil a foothold. We must deal with our areas of vulnerability. If we are struggling with a particular sin, however, these verses are not directed at us, even if for the time we seem to keep on sinning.

Now, I believe that John is not talking about people whose victories are still incomplete; he is talking about people who make a practice of sinning and look for ways to justify it. Three steps are necessary to find victory over prevailing sin:
(1) Seek the Power Of The Holy Spirit and God's Word;
(2)Stay away from tempting situations;
(3) Seek the help of the body of Christ-be open to their willingness to hold you accountable and to Pray for You.

LAST POINT: " Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a Solitary Place, where He Prayed." Now Christian means " CHRIST-like," Jesus took time to pray. Finding time to pray is not easy for some, but prayer is the vital link between us and God, even if we have to get up very early in the morning to do it! Another thing spending time with God in prayer does is it nurtures a vital relationship and equips us to meet life's challenges and struggles.

DEVELOP THE DISCIPLINE OF SPENDING TIME ALONE WITH GOD. IT WILL HELP YOU TO GROW SPIRITUALLY AND BECOME MORE AND MORE LIKE CHRIST.

 Until next Time...
 Jim

" RELATIONSHIP(S) "

Top of the morning to you. Is all well in your camp? This week we are going to look into " Relationship(s)."

The Word of God shows the Fathers desire to have fellowship with us. The Word also shows why we are afraid to have fellowship with Him. I remember, Adam and Eve hid from God when they heard Him approaching after they committed sin. God wanted to be with them, but because of their sin they were afraid to show themselves. You see sin had broken their close relationship with God, just as it has broken ours. But Praise The Lord, Jesus Christ, God's Son, opens the way for us to renew our fellowship with Him.

God longs to be with us. He actively offers us his unconditional love. Our natural response is fear because we feel we can't live up to His standards. But understanding that He loves us, regardless of our faults, can help remove that dread.

Broken relationships can hinder our relationship with God. If we have a problem or grievance with a friend, we should resolve the problem as soon as possible. We are hypocrites if we claim to love God while we hate others. Our attitudes toward others reflex our relationship with God (1 John 4:20). 

LAST POINT: Meeting another's need for food or shelter was and still is one of the most immediate and practical ways to obey God. It is also a time-honored relationship builder. Hebrews 13:2 suggests that we, like Abraham might actually entertain angels. Now, I believe that this should be on our mind the next time we have the opportunity to meet a strangers needs.

 Until Next Time...
 Jim

" ANOTHER'S ADVICE MUST BE DISCERNED "

This weeks message is one that that you truly need to take heed. How well do you receive " ADVICE?"

I'm positive that your parents have offered and given you advice. Most parents can be a storehouse of good advice, because they have a lifetime of insight into their children's character. You may not agree with everything your parents say, but at least talk with them and listen carefully. This will help avoid hard feelings in the future.

Now, we should evaluate advice, ask if it is realistic, workable, and consistent with Biblical principles. Determine if the results of following the advice will be fair, make improvements, and give a positive solution or direction.

Seek counsel from those more experienced and wiser. Advice is helpful only if it is consistent with God's standards. The following of bad advice can cause disaster. When seeking advice don't make these errors. 1- Give extra consideration to the suggestions of those who know the situation better than you, and ask God for wisdom to discern who has the better option. It is easy to follow the advice of our peers because they often feel as we do. But their view may be limited. It is important to listen carefully to those who have more experience than we do - they can see the bigger picture.

LAST POINT: You know it does us no good to seek God's advice if we ignore it when it is given. Real love for God is shown not by merely asking for direction, but by following that direction once it is given.

 Until Next Time...
 Jim

" HOW IMPORTANT IS PRAYER TO YOU "

My very best to you on this day that the Lord has made. This week we will be looking into the importance of prayer.

PRAYER is a petition, supplication or praise that is addressed to God. Probably the best known from the Bible is the Lord's Prayer, i.e. the prayer which Jesus taught His disciples as an example of how they should pray.

The world defines prayer this way:
1- A supplication or expression addressed to God or a god: A set order of words used in praying
2- An earnest request or wish
3- The act or practice of praying to God
4- A religious service consisting chiefly of prayers - often used in pl.
5- Something prayed for
6- Slight Chance.

If a man is not considerate and respectful of his wife, his prayers will be hindered, because a living relationship with God depends on right relationships with others. Jesus said if you have a problem with a fellow believer, you must make it right with that person before coming to Worship (Matt. 5:23-24). Now, I especially believe that this principle carries over into family relationships. If men use their position to mistreat their wives their relationship with God will suffer.

" ALWAYS OFFERING PRAYER WITH JOY IN MY EVERY PRAYER FOR YOU ALL."

This is the first of many times Paul used the word joy in his letter. The Philippians were remembered with joy and thanksgiving whenever Paul prayed. By helping Paul, they were helping Christ's cause. Now the Philippians were willing to be used by God for whatever he wanted them to do. When others think about you, what comes to their minds? Are you remembered with fondest and joy by them? Do your acts of kindness lift up others?

 Until next Time...
 Jim

" DON'T DOUBT CHRIST "

Do You Believe? If you do, in whom do you believe in? This week's title is " DON'T DOUBT CHRIST."

I often think back to challenging times for me as well as for some of you. My mind also reflects on how Moses witnessed God's power in spectacular miracles, yet at this time he questioned God's ability to feed the wandering Israelite's. If Moses doubted God's power, how much easier it is for us to do the same?

Completely depending upon God is essential regardless of our level of spiritual maturity. When we begin to rely on our understanding, we are in danger of ignoring God's assessment of the situation. By remembering His past works and His present power, we can be sure that we are not cutting off His potential help. Momentary doubt vs. lack of trust unfortunately is a fact of life. Now when you examine your conscience do you always unearth everything? When you're confessing your sin(s) is all the secret sin(s) coming forth? Can you declare your confidence in your integrity and God's justice. 

We are always likely to have hidden sin in our lives. Sin we don't even know about because God's standards are so high and our performance is so imperfect. If we are true believers, however, all our sins are forgiven because of what Christ did on the cross in our behalf (Rom 5:1-8). The Word of God also teaches us that even if our hearts condemn us, God is greater than our hearts (1 John 3:20). His forgiveness and cleansing are sufficient; they overrule our nagging doubts. The Holy Spirit in us is our proof that we are forgiven in God's eye's even though we may feel guilty. If we, are truly seeking God, we can stand up to another's accusations as well as our own nagging doubts. Now, you can take this to the bank: if God has forgiven and accepted us, we are forgiven indeed. No doubt about it.

 Until Next Time...
 Jim

" I WON'T BOW DOWN "

Praise the Lord, here we are at the dawning of another year. I for one am looking forward to doing a better job with my Walk With Christ. Shadrach is the name given to " Hananiah " by the Babylonians who invaded his country and took many captives. Hananiah was one of three companions of Daniel, all of whom were thrown into a fiery furnace for not bowing down and worshiping the golden idol set up by Nebuchadnezzar the king.

They were miraculously protected from the fire by God. Why didn't the three young men Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego just bow to the image and then tell God that they didn't mean it? They had PRE-determined never to worship another god, and they courageously took their stand. The boys did not know whether they would be delivered from the fire; all they knew was that they would not fall down and worship an idol.

Are you ready to take a stand for God no matter what? I'm of the mind that when you stand for God, you will stand out. It may be painful, and it may not always have a happy ending. Be prepared to say, " If he rescues me, or if he doesn't, I will serve only God. "

Now the boys names were changed because Nebuchadnezzar wanted to make them Babylonian. New names would help them assimilate into the culture. " Hananiah " means the Lord shows grace;". The name, Shadrach, probably means " under the command of A K U" (the moon god). The story of Shadrach (Hananiah), Meshach (Mishael), and Abed-nego (Azariah) is told in the Book Of Daniel. They refused to bow down and worship an idol, how about you?

 Until Next Time...
 Jim