" I'M DONE "

My very best to you and to all in whom you care most about. I want you to know that I strive to be a person of Integrity. As a Man of My word all of you in whom I promised that I would Stand In The Gap Daily, I still do. This weeks title is " I'M DONE. " How many times have you heard someone say " I'M DONE? " Just as God finished the work of creation and Jesus finished the work of redemption, so the Trinity will finish the entire plan of Salvation by inviting the Redeemed into a New Creation. Then He said to me, " It Is Done, " I Am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give to the one who thirsts from the Spring of the Water of Life without costs " (Rev. 21:6). It Is Finished...until this time, a complicated system of sacrifices had atoned for sins. Sin separates people from God, and only through the sacrifice of an animal, a substitute, could people be forgiven and become clean before God. But people sin continually, so frequent sacrifices were required. Jesus, however, became the final and ultimate sacrifice for sin. The Word " FINISHED " is the same as " Paid In Full. " Jesus came to finish God's work of Salvation to Pay the Full Penalty for our Sins. Now with His death, the complex sacrificial system ended because Jesus took all sin upon himself. I love it that we can freely approach God because of what Jesus did for us. Those who believe in Jesus' Death and Resurrection can live eternally with God and escape the penalty that comes from sin. Now I love the way Dr. David Jeremiah puts it: [ Do you fear the idea of death? A biblical perspective will allow you to embrace it for what it is. Death doesn't begin eternal life, it simply ends earthly life.] LAST THOUGHT: When we know Jesus Christ, we don't need to Seek God by means of other religious, cults, or UN-Biblical Philosophies as Colossians were doing. Christ alone holds the answers ti the true meaning of life, because he is life. Christ is the unique source of knowledge and power for the Christian Life. No Christian needs anything in addition to what Christ has provided to be Saved. We are complete in him. Until Next Time... Jim,

" VICTORY "

Well here we are again, another week has come and gone which means a new message is upon my heart. This week we are looking into " VICTORY. " Those who honor God can be Victorious regardless of the odds. Now, when I think of Victory I'm reminded of Gideon. Victory depends upon obedience and commitment. Gideon's army simply watched as the army of Midian fell into Panic, Confusion, and Disordered Retreat. Not one man had to draw a sword to defeat the enemy. Gideon's small army could never have brought such a Victory in their own strength. God wanted to demonstrate to Israel that Victory depends not on strength or numbers, but on obedience and commitment to him. Temptation often comes after Victory. The devil, who tempted Adam and Eve in the garden, also tempted Jesus in the wilderness. Satan is a real being, a created but Rebellious Fallen Angel, and not a symbol or an idea. He constantly fights against God and those who follow and obey God. Jesus was a prime target for the devil's temptations. Satan succeed with Adam and Eve, and he hoped to succeed with Jesus too. We are very susceptible to sin after great Victories. It is then that we feel Confident, Relaxed, and Ready to Celebrate. If in that excitement, we let our defenses down, Satan can attack with all sorts of temptations. When you win, watch out. After the mountain peaks come the valleys. LAST THOUGHT: Victory can be looked at differently by God Almighty. Now, Saul thought he had won a great Victory over the Amalekites, but God saw it was a great failure because Saul had disobeyed him and then lied to Samuel about the results of the battle. Saul may have thought his lie wouldn't be detected. Saul was deceiving himself. Dishonest people soon begin to believe the lies they construct around themselves. Then they lose the ability to tell the difference between truth and lies. By believing your own lies you deceive yourself, you will alienate yourself from God, and will lose Credibility in all your Relationships. In the long run, honesty wins out. Until Next Time...

" THE WORLD "

This week we are looking into " The World " so please put on your listening ears. So saddle up and let's get going. The Creation Story teaches us about God and Ourselves. First, we learn about God: (1) He is creative; (2) As the Creator he is distinct from his creation; (3) He is eternal and in control of the world. We also learn about Ourselves: (1) since God chose to create us, we are valuable in his eyes; (2) We are more important than animals. " WORLD " Earth, humanity 1- The physical earth; 2- All the people who inhabit the earth; 3- The physical universe; 4- The system of Sin in the world under the control of Satan and the attitude and life styles of those who have not yet trusted in Christ for Salvation, or are opposed to him. Those who are tied to the world's system will lose everything when it collapses. What they have worked for a lifetime to build up will be destroyed in one hour. Those who work only for material rewards will have nothing when they die or when their possessions are destroyed. What can we take with us to the New Earth? Our Faith our Christian Character, and our Relationships with other Believers. These are more important than any amount of Money, Power, or Pleasure. The world hates Christians because Christian's values differ from the world's. Because Christ's followers don't cooperate with the world by joining in their sin, they are living accusations against the world's immorality. The world follows Satan's agenda and Satan is the avowed enemy of Jesus and his people. ****** IF YOU CHOOSE TO RESPOND, PLEASE USE MY g mail email account. ***** Until Next Time... Jim,

" LOVE edifies "

" LOVE covers all transgressions. " God delights to show mercy! He does not forgive grudgingly, but is glad when we repent and offers forgiveness to all who come back to him. Today you can confess your sins and receive his loving forgiveness. Don't be too proud to accept God's free offer. With false teaching and loose morals comes a particularly destructive disease - the loss of true love for God and others. Sin cools your love for God and others by turning your focus on yourself. You cannot truly love if you think only of yourself. " Greater Love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13). We are to love each other as Jesus loved us, and he loved us enough to give his life for us. We may not have to die for someone, but there are other ways to practice Sacrificial Love: by Listening, Helping, Encouraging, and Giving. Think of someone in particular who needs this kind of love today. Give all the love you can, and then try to give a little more. Speaking...Teaching Love... Question, have you lost your Joy? Paul sensed that the Galatians had lost the joy of their salvation because of legalism. Legalism can take away joy because (1) it makes people feel guilty rather than loved; (2) it produces self-hatred rather than humility; (3) stresses performance over relationship; (4) it points out how far short we fall rather than how far we've come because of what Christ did for us. If you feel guilty and inadequate, check your focus. Are you living by faith in Christ or by trying to live up to the demands and expectations of others? Think about it. Until Next Time... Jim,