" ATTITUDES "

This week we are looking into " Attitudes " as we all need to update our thinking from time to time. We have attitudes about everything that comes our way. Now Attitude is defined in this manner: 1- Posture 2- A mental position or feeling with regard to a fact or state 3- The position of something in relation to something else. What should our attitude be like when approaching God? At the Father's command, Moses removed his sandals and covered his face. Taking off his shoes was an act of reverence, conveying his own unworthiness before God. God is our friend, but he is also our sovereign Lord. To approach him frivolously shows a look of respect and sincerity. When you come to God in Worship, do you approach him casually, or do you come as though you were invited guest before a king? If necessary, adjust your Attitude so it is suitable for approaching a holy God. Even when your situation appears dire, we must trust by having a positive attitude toward God. Now, one of the best examples that I can think of is Moses. He was leading his people out of bondage and assuring them all the way that God would provide. The people were hostile and despairing, but Moses encouraged them to watch the wonderful way God would rescue them. Moses had a positive attitude! When it looked as if they were trapped, Moses called upon God to intervene. We may not be chased by an army, but we may still feel trapped. Instead of giving in to despair, we should adopt Moses' attitude to " Stand by and see the salvation of the Lord which He will accomplish for you today. Until Next Time... Jim,

" THE NEEDY "

Boy, how time fly's the weeks seem to be moving as fast as a blink. As always it's my honor sharing the Word of God with you. This week we will continue our focus on the " Needy. " " I was a Father to the Needy " (Job 29:16). Regarding the Needy, God told his chosen people to help the poor among them when they arrived in the Promise Land. Now this was an important part of possessing the land. Many people conclude that people are poor through some fault of their own. This kind of reasoning makes it easy to close their hearts and hands to the Needy. But we are not to invent reasons for ignoring the poor. We are to respond to the needs no matter who or what was responsible for their condition. Who are the poor in your community? How could your church help them? If your church does not have a program to identify the poor and assist in fulfilling their needs, why not help start one? What can you do to help someone in need? God tells us to help the Poor among us. This is an important part of our growth and survival on planet earth. Now again, many people conclude that some folks are poor through some fault of their own. This kind of reasoning makes it easy to close their hearts and hands to the Needy. But we are not to invent reasons for ignoring the poor. We are to respond to their needs no matter who or what was responsible for their condition. Who are the poor in your community? How could your Local Body (Church) help them? If your church does not have a program to identify the poor and assist in fulfilling their needs, why not help start one? Here's a question that you must answer for yourself...What can you do to help someone in need? Until Next Time... Jim,

" POOR / NEEDY "

For the next two weeks we will be looking into what our Lord and God feels about the " Poor and Needy." Throughout the Old Testament God told his people to treat the Poor with justice. The powerless and poverty stricken are often looked upon as incompetent or lazy when, in fact, they may be victims of oppression and circumstance. God says we must do all we can to help these needy ones. His justice did not permit the Israelites his Chosen People to insist on profits or quick payment from those who were less fortunate. Instead his laws gave the poor every opportunity to better their situation, while providing humane options for those who couldn't. None of us is completely isolated from the poor. God wants us to treat them fairly and do our part to see that their needs are met. 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. Right now you maybe feeling that I'm being a little redundant but this is vital that our mindset changes. We need to develop a proper attitude toward the poor. Now the need for believers to care for the poor is a constant theme in scripture. But often we do nothing, caught up in meeting our own needs and desires. Perhaps we don't see enough poverty to remember the needs of the poor. The world is filled with poor people, here and in other countries. What can you do to help? LAST POINT: Now the Bible supports and organized system of caring for the poor. God told his people to use their tithe every third year for those who were helpless, or poor. These regulations were designed to prevent the country from sinking under crushing poverty and oppression. Families were to help other family members, and towns were to help members of their community. National laws protected the rights of the poor, but helping the poor was also an active part of religious life. God counts on believers to provide for the needy. This will help you show your regard for God as creator of all people, share God's goodness with others, and draw them to him. It is a practical and essential way to make faith work in everyday life. Until Next Time... Jim,

" LISTEN TO YOUR CONSCIENCE "

So here we are again, another week is thrust upon us and our subject matter is " Conscience. " Moral obligation; the human awareness that evaluates an action, thought or word as right or wrong in relation to an objective standard. Conscience: moral sense, inner voice, the still small voice; so with this in mind, we should try to steer clear of actions forbidden by scripture, of course, but sometimes scripture is silent. Then we should follow our consciences " Whatever is not from faith is sin " means that to go against a conviction will leave a person with a guilty or uneasy conscience. When God shows us that something is wrong for us, we should avoid it. But we should not look down an other Christians who exercise their freedom in those areas. Now, how can you keep a good conscience? Treasure your faith in Christ more than anything else and do what you know is right. Each time you deliberately ignore your conscience, you are hardening your heart. Over a period of time your capacity to tell right from wrong will diminish. As you walk with God, he will speak to you through your conscience, letting you know the difference right and wrong. Be sure to act on those inner tugs so that you do what is right - then your conscience will remain clear. LAST POINT: I'm reminded of a very wealthy man of upright character who loves God. Now, in the midst of all the accusations, Job was able to declare that his conscience was clear. Only God's forgiveness and the determination to live rightly before God can bring a clear conscience. How important Job's record became as he was being accused. Like Job, we can't claim sinless lives, but we can claim forgiven lives. When we confess our sins to God, he forgives us. Then we can live with clear Consciences (1 John 1:9). Until Next Time... Jim