" GROW FROM FAILURE "

Well here we are once again, another week has past.This week we will be looking into "Failure." "FAILURE" is defined like this: Non-performance; a failure; want of success; Failing: Fault in character or disposition. Fail: to become extinct; not to produce the effect; to be unsuccessful; to be guilty of omission or neglect; to cease or omit to afford aid, or strength to; Just being honest, why do we take the Lord My God for granted? Being nonchalant about the wonderful and yet magnificent things that he has done for me and you is not a good thing. I confess that failure is not something that I am a stranger too. As human beings we're not perfect so failure is something that will happen every now and then. An example from the past, now God wasn't exaggerating when he said that the Israelites had already failed ten times to Trust and Obey Him. Here is a list of their ten Failures: (1) Lacking trust at the crossing of the Red Sea (Exodus 14:11-12); (2) Complaining over bitter water at Marah (Exodus 15:24);(3)Complaining in the wilderness of sin (Exodus 16:3); (4) Collecting more than the daily quota of manna (Exodus 16:20); (5) Collecting manna on the Sabbath (Exodus 16: 27:29); (6) Complaining over lack of water at Rephidim (Exodus 17:2-3); (7) Engaging in idolatry with a golden calf (Exodus 32:7-10); (8) complaining at Taberah (Numbers 11:1-2); (9) more complaining over the lack of food (Numbers 11:4); (10) failing to trust God and enter the Promised Land (Numbers 14:1-4) Question; Do you remember the accounting of when Peter denies knowing Jesus? Well it's vital that we recognize our failure(s) so that we don't end up like Judas. He couldn't handle his betrayal and took his own life, while Peter did just the opposite. Peter wept bitterly, not only because he realized that he had denied his Lord, the Messiah, but also because he had turned away from a very dear friend, a person who had loved and taught him for the last three years. Peter had said that he would never deny Christ despite Jesus' prediction (Mk 14:29-31; Lk 22:33-34). But when frightened, he went against all he had boldly promised. Unable to stand up for his Lord for even 12 hours, he had failed as a disciple and as a friend. We need to be aware of our own breaking points and not become overconfident or self-sufficient. If we fail him, we must remember that Christ can use those who recognize their failure(s). For this humiliating experience Peter learned much that would help him later when he assumed leadership of the young church. Until Next Time... Jim,

" REJECTION "

This week we are looking into rejection, something that none of us wish to experience. REJECT: To cast off; to discard; to repel; to forsake; and lastly to decline. Non-Christians cannot understand God, and they cannot grasp the concept that God's spirit lives in believers. Don't expect most people to approve or understand your decision to follow Christ. It all seems so silly to them. Just as a tone deaf - person cannot appreciate fine music, the person who rejects God cannot understand God's beautiful message. With the lines of communication broken, he or she won't be able to hear what God is saying to him or her. Please engraft this verse into your hearts and mind(s). "He who rejects Me and does not receive My sayings, has one who judges him; The word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day." So that we're all thinking right, the purpose of Jesus' first mission on earth was not to judge people, but to show them the way to find salvation and Eternal Life. When he comes again one of his main purposes will be to judge people for how they lived on earth. Christ's words that we would not accept and obey will condemn us. On the day of judgment, those who accepted Jesus and lived this way will be raised to Eternal Life (1 Corinthians 15:51-57; 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18; Revelation 21:1-8), and those who rejected Jesus and lived any way they pleased will face eternal punishment (Revelation 20:11-15). Decide now which side you'll be on, for the consequences of your decision last forever. Teamwork helps us deal with rejection when doing field work for Christ. Cold Calling, Christ said that he would never Leave Us. We must always listen to that Small Voice in us the Holy Spirit as it does differ from the promptings of the devil. Now, our strength comes from God, but he meets many of our needs through our teamwork with others. As you serve Christ, don't try to go it alone. Until Next Time... Jim,

" CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP "

Thank You for taking the time to stop by. This week we are looking into " Christian Fellowship." Now FELLOWSHIP is defined in this manner: Companionship between people of the same background, goals, etc. A community in which people share whatever is held in common. Now, God desires Fellowship with us and Jesus opens the way. I also have asked myself why we are afraid of having fellowship with God. I'm confident that most of us have heard of Adam and Eve. OK, here is something for you to ponder: Genesis 3:8 " They heard the sound of Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of garden." Every time I read these verses I chuckle to myself. Now, one of the realities of sin is that it's effect spread(s). After Eve sinned, she involved Adam in her wrong-doing. When we do something wrong, often we try to relieve our guilt by involving someone else. Like toxic waste spilled in a river, sin swiftly spreads. Recognize and confess your sin to God before you are tempted to pollute others around you. Please bare with me as I believe that this needs exploration. After sinning, Adam and Eve felt real guilt and embarrassment over their nakedness. Their guilty feelings made them try to hide from God. A guilty conscience is a warning signal God placed inside of us that goes off when we've done wrong. The worst step you could take is to eliminate the guilty feelings without eliminating the cause. Now that would be like using a pain-killer but not treating the disease. Be glad those guilty feelings are there they make you aware of your sin so you can ask God's forgiveness and then correct your wrongdoing. Once again the thought of two Human Beings covered with fig leaves trying to avoid the all-seeing God of the world is kind of humorous. Looking on from afar and knowing what I know I had the thought, how could they be so foolhardy as to think that they could actually hide. Yes being totally transparent I am a sinner and yes I have covered up sin from family, loved ones, etc. Now it is my prayer to have the courage to share all I do and think with God the Father. Above all not attempt to conceal, as it just can't be done. I believe that sin and shame can take us places that we were not truly meant to go. Honesty will strengthen our relationship with God. Until Next Time... Jim,

" UNDERSTANDING GOD'S PURPOSE FOR YOUR LIFE "

This week we are looking into God's Purpose for our life. Prayerfully we will hear something that will nudge up a scriptural nugget from the past. The purpose of the Bible is one of the things in life that we must truly grasp. In order for us to understand some things we ought to go back to basics. Now, in our zeal for the truth of scripture, we must never forget it's purpose and that is to equip us to do good. We should not study God's word simply to increase our knowledge or to prepare us to win arguments. We should study the Bible so that we will know how to do Christ's work in the world. Our knowledge of God's word is not useful unless it strengthens our faith and leads us to do good. Understanding God's purpose for your life and being led is vital. When we follow God's guidance, you know you are where God wants you whether you're moving or staying in one place. You are physically somewhere right now. Instead of praying, " God, what do you want me to do next? " ask, what do you want me to do while I'm right here? " Direction from God is not just for your next big move. He has a purpose in placing you where you are right now. Begin to understand God's purpose for your life by discovering what he wants you to do now! Now God's ultimate goal for us is to make us like Christ (1 John 3:2). As we become more and more like him, we discover our true selves, the persons we were created to be conformed to Christ's likeness? By reading and heeding the Word, by studying his life on earth through the gospels, by being filled with his spirit, and by doing his work in the world. LAST POINT: Jesus' purpose was to do God's Will. Jesus did not work independently of God The Father, but in union with him. This should give us even more assurance of being welcomed into God's presence and being protected by him. Jesus' purpose was to do the Will Of God, not to satisfy Jesus' human desires. When we follow Jesus, we should have the same purpose. Until Next Time... Jim,