FRIEND, FRIENDSHIP

This week we will be looking into Friendship, the Lord this on my heart for this week. "FRIEND" One attached to another by respect or affection 2- Acquaintance 3- One who is not hostile 4- One who supports or favors something. Friends can be torn apart by Jealously. Jealously is a dividing force strong enough to tear apart the mightiest of nations or the closest of friends. It forces you to separate yourself from what you were longing for in the first place. When you find yourself becoming jealous of others, try thanking God for their good fortune. Before striking out in anger consider what you could lose a friend, a job, a spouse. Can you can imagine what the special relationship was like with Moses and God? Do you ever think that something like that happening again is remote? Well my Bible tells me that Jesus Christ is " THE SAME YESTERDAY, TODAY AND FOREVER " (Hebrews 13: 8). God and Moses talked face to face in the tent of Meeting, just as friends do. Have you ever asked yourself why did Moses find such favor with God? I've pondered and I'm certain that it truly was not because he was perfect, gifted, nor powerful. I realize it was just because the Father chose Moses, and Moses in turn relied whole heartedly on God's Wisdom and Direction. Friendship with God would be an honor as well as a true priviledge for me as I'm sure that it was for Moses. It was out of reach for the other Hebrews. But it is not out of reach for us today. Jesus called his Disciples and, by extension, all of his followers - his friends. He has called you to be his friend. Will you trust him as Moses did? LAST POINT: Because Jesus is Lord and Master,he should call us slaves; instead he calls us Friends. How comforting and Reassuring to be chosen as Christ's Friends. Because He is Lord and Master, we owe him our unqualified obedience, but most of all, Jesus asks us to obey him because we Love Him. Until Next Time... Jim,

" KNOW "

This week we are going to look into the word " Know " just maybe we may find out something new. Now, David said make me know your ways... David expressed his desire for guidance. How do we receive God's guidance? The first step is to want to be guided and to realize that God's Primary Guidance System is in his word the Bible. Psalm 119 tells of the endless knowledge found in God's Word. By reading it and constantly learning from it, we will gain the wisdom to perceive God's direction for our lives. We may be tempted to demand answers from God, but David asked for direction. When we are willing to seek God, learn from his Word, and obey his commands, then will we receive his specific guidance. (God) " He Knows The Secrets Of The Heart." War and Destruction are inevitable, but so is God's Final Victory. At that time, all will Stand Quietly before the Lord Almighty. How proper then, for us to be still now, reverently honoring Him and His power and majesty. Take time each day to be still and to exalt God. David asked God to search for Sin and Point it out, even to the level of testing his thoughts. This is exploratory surgery for Sin. How are we to recognize sin unless God points it out? Then, when God shows us, we can repent and be forgiven. Make this verse your prayer. If you ask the Father to search your heart and your thoughts and to reveal your sin, you will be continuing on God's " EVERLASTING WAY. " Until Next Time... Jim,

" ACCEPTABLE "

So another week has come and gone and it's time for this weeks message. This week we will be looking into " Acceptability. " God has good, acceptable, and perfect plans for his children. He wants us to be transformed people with renewed minds, living to honor and obey him. Because he wants only what is best for us, and because he gave his son to make our new lives possible, we should joyfully give ourselves as living sacrifices for his service. " LET THE WORDS OF MY MOUTH AND THE MEDITATION OF MY HEART BE ACCEPTABLE IN YOUR SIGHT, O LORD, MY ROCK AND MY REDEEMER " (Psalm 19:14). Would you change the way you live if you knew that every word and thought would be examined by God first? David asked that God approve his words and thoughts as thought they were offerings brought to the altar. As you begin each day, determine that God's love will guide what you say and how you think. Too often we are inclined to accept only the parts of God's Word that appeal to us and support our own agenda as, ignoring the teachings we don't like. We must accept all of God's Word as Absolute Truth. LAST POINT: Jesus accepts you just as you are... The Good News about Jesus is that He came to all, including the plain and ordinary. He comes to anyone with a humble heart humble enough to accept him. Whoever you are, whatever you do, you can have Jesus in your life. Don't think you need extraordinary qualifications - he accepts you as you are. Until Next Time... Jim,

" PERSEVERANCE "

This week we will be looking into the art of Perseverance. Now God's ultimate triumph should encourage God's people to remain faithful through every trial and persecution. They can do this, God promises, by trusting in Jesus and obeying the commands found in his Word. The secret to enduring, therefore, is trust and obedience. Trust God to give you patience to endure even the small trials you face daily; obey him even when obedience is unattractive or dangerous. Now Persistence,in theology is to remain true to one's faith in Christ, despite persecution and suffering. All true believers Persevere, though they may have a laps in their faith. Synonymous with steadfastness and endurance. In the Word Of God Paul reminds us that those who Patiently and Persistently do God's Will Find Eternal Life. He is not contradicting his earlier statement that Salvation comes by Faith alone (Rom.1:16-17). We are not Saved by our good deeds, please understand this. It took me a while to comprehend this in the beginning, but when we commit our lives fully to God, we want to please him and do His Will. As such, our good deeds are a grateful response to what God has done. Not a prerequisite to earning his grace. Last Point: In God's Perfect Timing, he will relieve our suffering and punish those who persecute us. CAN You Trust God's Timing? Until Next Time... Jim,

" HONOR "

Blessings to you and those in whom you care most about in this world. This week we are looking into " HONOR " and It's my prayer that we learn to Trust and Honor the Father in all things and in all ways. To Honor: to Regard or Treat with Honor; also Honor is having a Good Name; Reputation; Outward Respect and of course having Integrity. " Honor your Father and your Mother, that your days may be prolonged in the land which the Lord your God gives you " (Exodus 20:12). Now this is the First Commandment with a promise attached. To live in peace for generations in the promised land, the Israelites would need to respect authority and build strong families. But what does it mean to "Honor " parents? Partly, 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. " For those who honor Me I will Honor " (1 Samuel 2:30). " For I am honored in the sight of the Lord, and my God is My Strength (Isaiah 49:5). Now, the term hypocrites, as used here, describes people who do good acts for appearances only - not out of compassion or other good motives. Their actions may be good, but their motives are hollow. These empty acts are their only reward, but God will reward those who are sincere in their faith. Until Next Time... Jim,