" 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.