" SUFFERING "

Alright let's get into it, Suffering is not always a result of sin. Do you remember in the Gospel of John when Jesus healed the man who was born blind? Now a common belief in Jewish culture was that calamity or suffering was the result of some great sin. But Jesus knowing what and how his culture thought of imperfections in ones physical body was due to sin. Jesus believed in teachable moments, he wanted to teach about faith and to glorify God. We live in a fallen world where good behavior is not always rewarded and bad behavior not always punished. Therefore, innocent people sometimes Suffer. If God took Suffering away whenever we asked, we would follow him for comfort and convenience, not out of love and devotion. Regardless of the reasons for our suffering, Jesus has the power to help us deal with it. When you Suffer from a disease, tragedy, or disability, try not to ask, " Why did this happen to Me?" or " What did I do Wrong?" Instead, ask God to give you strength for the trail and a clearer perspective on what is happening. I think that we all have heard of Job and how he Suffered. Although baffled by the reasons for his Suffering, Job affirmed God's superior understanding by asking, " Can anyone teach God Knowledge?" The way you respond to your Personal Struggles shows your attitude toward God. Rather than becoming angry with God, continue to trust him, no matter what your circumstances maybe. Although it is sometimes difficult to see, God is in control. We must commit ourselves to him so we will not resent his timing. Until Next Time... Jim,

" DESIRES "

This week we are once again looking into " Desires." Desire is defined in this manner: Eagerness to obtain or enjoy; Aspiration; a request to obtain; The object of desire; Love, Lust. (desiring, desired). To wish for the possession or enjoyment of; to covet; to ask; to petition. A burning desire for possessions can sometimes point us in the wrong direction. I'm reminded of Abram and Lot now Lot's greedy desire for the best of everything led him into sinful surroundings. His burning desire for possessions and success cost him his freedom and enjoyment. As a captive to chedorlaomer, he faced torture,and slavery, in much the same way, we can be enticed into doing things or going places we shouldn't. The prosperity we long for is captivating; it can both entice us and enslave our desires. Sometimes our desires, immediate vs. long-range desires must truly be thought out. Take for example Esau who traded the lasting benefits of his birthright for the immediate pleasure of food. He acted on impulse, satisfying his immediate desires without pausing to consider the long-range consequences of what he was about to do. We can fall into the same trap. 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 short-term satisfaction with long-range consequences before we act. Now I'm of the mind that Esau probably could have won an Oscar that evening. Anyway he exaggerated his hunger. " I'm about to die," he said. This thought made his choice much easier because if he was starving, what good was an inheritance anyway? The pressure of the moment distorted his perspective and made his decision seem urgent. Call upon the Lord in your decision making process. Until Next Time... Jim,

" TRUTH "

Why it is important to tell the truth, first Jesus taught about vows. ' You shall not make false vows, But shall fulfill your vows to the Lord' (Matthew 5:33). Here, Jesus was emphasizing the importance of telling the truth. People were breaking promises and using sacred language casually and carelessly. Keeping Oaths and Promises is important; it builds Trust and makes committed human relationships possible. Please listen closely and take stock in what's coming now. The Bible condemn's making vows or taking oaths casually, given your Word while knowing that you won't keep it, or swearing falsely in God's Name (Exodus 20:7; Leviticus 19:12; Numbers 30:1-2; Deuteronomy 19:16-20). Oaths are needed in certain situations only because we live in a sinful society that breeds distrust. Prejudice can blind us to the Truth. Jesus was teaching effectively and wisely, but the people of his hometown saw him as only a carpenter. " He's know better than we are- he's just a common laborer," they said. They were offended that others could be impressed by Jesus and follow him. They rejected his authority because he was one of their peers. They thought they knew him, but their preconceived notions about who he was made it impossible for them to accept his message. Don't let prejudice blind you to the Truth. As you learn more about Jesus, try to see him for who he really is. LAST POINT: Jesus himself is the truth that sets us free. He is the source of the Truth, the perfect standard of what is right. He frees us from the consequences of sin, from self-deception, by Satan. He shows us clearly the way to eternal life with God. Jesus does not give us freedom to do what we want, but freedom to follow God. As we seek to serve God, Jesus' perfect Truth frees us to be all that God meant us to be. Have a great day in the Lord.

" THE SHEPHERDING OF GOD'S PEOPLE IN THE MIDST OF SUFFERING "

Come on in and spend a few moments with me, I am here for you. Now there is much Hurt and Pain in The Body Of Christ. Those of us who are a little bit " OLDER " than most are considered " Elders" in the Body Of Christ. Peter said, " Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the Sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, Shepherd The Flock of God among you." Now Elders carry great responsibility, and should be expected to be good examples. Both Greeks and Jesus gave positions of great honor to wise Older Men, and the Christian Church continued this pattern of leadership. Carrying your worries, stresses, and daily struggles by yourself shows that You have Not Trusted God fully with your life. It takes humility, however, to recognize that God cares, admit your need(s), and let others in God's family help you. Sometimes we think that struggles caused by our own sin and foolishness are not God's concern. But when we turn to God in repentance, he will bear the weight even of those struggles. Now allowing God to have your anxieties call for action, not passivity. Don't submit to circumstances, but to the Lord who controls circumstances. LAST POINT: It's vital that we are vigilant always on guard. Lions attack sick, young, or struggling animals; they choose victims who are alone or not alert.Some of you have heard me say that I believe that we are in the Last Days. Watch out for Satan when we are suffering or being persecuted feeling alone, weak, helpless, and cut off from other believers, so focused on our personal troubles that we forget to watch for danger, we are especially vulnerable to Satan's attacks. During times of suffering, just might not be the time for being by yourself. Seek out others of like mind in the faith for support. Keep your eyes on Christ, and resist the devil. Then, he says with confidence " HE WILL FLEE FROM YOU " (James 4:7). Until Next Time... Jim,