" VISION(S) "

Well here we are once again another week has rapidly come and gone. This week the subject of " Vision(s) " is on the table. " Vision " refers to words from God received by prophets. Where there is ignorance of God, crime and sin run wild. Public morality depends on the knowledge of God, but it also depends upon keeping God's laws. In order for nations as well as individuals to function well, people must know God's ways and keep his rules. " VISION " Dream, Foresight a supernatural view of an event or a messenger, etc. given by God to someone whom he momentarily puts into a trace - like state. Un-like dreaming, the person receiving the vision is awake. Examples include Paul's vision of a Macedonian man (Acts 16:9), and the visions John recorded in Revelation. Now, we all are aware of Joseph and Mary's escape to Egypt. This was the second dream or vision that Joseph received from God. Joseph's first dream revealed that Mary's child would be the Messiah. His second dream told him how to protect the child's life. Although Joseph was not Jesus' natural father, he was Jesus' legal Father and was responsible for his safety and well-being. Divine guidance comes only to prepared hearts. Joseph remained receptive to God's guidance. Now in Genesis chapter 15 we learn something about Isaiah's vision. Isaiah's vision was his commission to be God's messenger to his people. Isaiah was given a difficult mission. He had to tell people who believed they were blessed by God that instead God was going to destroy them because of their disobedience. We are to inspire others with our visions from the Lord. Spiritual Renewal often begins with one person's Vision. LAST POINT: Often God will use one person to express the Vision and others to turn it into reality. When you encourage and inspire others, you put teamwork into action to accomplish God's goals. Until Next Time... Jim,

" DEVOTE / DEVOTION "

As believers, we should take advantage of the opportunities we have and and do what we can for Christ, instead of worrying about what we cannot do. Now I have a question, and please think before answering, are you loyal to God only when other believers are present? We tend to follow the same cycle-remaining loyal to God as long as we are near those who are devoted to him. But when we are on our own, the pressure to be drawn away from God increases. Determine to be faithful to God despite the difficult situations you encounter. Get rid of anything that hinders your devotion to God. God is not content with our doing what is right some of the time. He wants us to do what is right all the time. We are under his orders to eliminate any thoughts, practices, or possessions that hinder our devotion to him. We should likewise devote ourselves to prayer. It's time to ask yourself a thought provoking question. Have you ever grown tired of praying for something or someone? Now, when Paul says we should " Devote" ourselves to prayer and be " Alert " in prayer. Our persistence is an expression of our faith that God answers our prayers. Faith shouldn't die if the answer comes slowly, for the delay may be God's way of working his will in our lives. When you feel tired of praying, but know that God is present, always listening, always answering may be not in ways you had hoped, but in ways that he knows are best. Jesus says that our Christ-Like love will show we are his disciples. Do people see petty bickering, jealously, and division in your church? Or do they know you are Jesus' followers by your love for one another? Until Next Time... Jim,

" EXHORTATION "

Well here we are again, another week has come and gone and and as always it's my honor to share the Word with you. This week we're looking into " Exhortation. " Exhortation is the act of persuading or encouraging someone to do something, usually to improve behavior. Exhortation is one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. I believe that it is important for us to encourage others. Now take for example Peter's very powerful, Spirit-Filled message about 3,000 people became New Believers when Peter preached the Good News about Christ. [ " And with many others words he solemnly testified and kept on exhorting them, saying, " Be saved from this perverse generation!" (Acts 2:40)]. I love the example that Peter showed us Exhorting someone in whom he trusted. In 1 Peter 5:12 " Through Silvanus, our faithful brother (for so I regard him). I have written to you briefly, exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand Firm In It!" Now, Silvanus (Silas) was one of the men chosen to deliver the letter from the Jerusalem council to the Church in Antioch (Acts 15: 22). Here is some background on him, he accompanied Paul on his second missionary journey (Acts 15:40; 18:11)is mentioned by Paul in the Salvation ( Greetings) of Paul's letter to the Thessalonians 1:1, and ministered with Timothy in (2 Corinthians 1:19).

" VENGEANCE "

OK, this week we will be looking at a very serious emotion. (Hebrews 10:30) For we know Him who said, Vengeance Is Mine, I Will Repay." And again, " THE LORD WILL JUDGE HIS PEOPLE." Will we ever receive this message from the Lord our God? Why do we want Retribution for the dim-witted things that we do and say. Hurting feelings is not a good enough reason for revenge. Now, " YOU SHALL NOT..." Some people think the Bible is nothing but a book of Dont's. But Jesus neatly summarized all these rules when He said to Love God with all your heart, and your neighbor as yourself. He called these the greatest Commandments (or rules) of all (Matthew 22:34-40). Now by carrying out Jesus' simple commands, we find ourselves following all of God's other laws as well. I'm of the belief that most of us are familiar with the brothers Cain and Abel. The first murder that ever took place was between these two young men. Cain was severely punished for this murder. God Judges all Sins and Punishes appropriately, but not simply with Anger or Vengeance. Please recognize that God's punishment is meant to correct us and restore our fellowship with him. When you're corrected, don't resent it. Instead, renew, your fellowship with God. LAST POINT: ' Vengeance is Mine and Retribution, in due time their foot will slip; for the day of their calamity is near, and the impending things are hastening upon them' Revenge is a place that we should never go. Seeking Retribution should never be apart of our lives. Until Next Time... Jim,