" GOOD, GOODNESS "

Alright now, here we are into week number one of the New Year. New year's day is very special to me, the dawning of a new year opens up so many possibilities. Always the chance to fix wrongs and to grow in the things of the Lord. This week we will be looking into " Good, Goodness." God works in " All Things " - not just isolated incidents - for our good. Now before you get ahead of yourself, this does not mean that all that happens to us is good. Evil is prevalent in our Fallen World, but GOD IS ABLE TO TURN EVERY CIRCUMSTANCE AROUND FOR OUR LONG-RANGE GOOD. Please hear and understand that God is not working to make us happy, but to fulfill his purpose. For this reason I always Pray for God's Perfect Will. Note also that this promise is not for everybody. It can be claimed only by those who love God and are according to his purpose. Now those who are " Called " are those the Holy Spirit convinces and enables to Receive Christ. Such people have a new perspective, a new mindset on life. They trust in God, not life's treasures; they look for their security in heaven, not on earth; THEY LEARN TO ACCEPT, NOT RESENT, pain and persecution God is with them. MY LAST THOUGHT: Goodness alone won't bring Eternal Life, but this is a reminder to all of us who are believers. Now, Jesus teaches about those who Build Houses on Rock and Sand. Listen to these verses: (21) Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, 'Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. (22) Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, 'Lord, did not we prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in your name perform many miracles? (23) And then I will declare to them, 'I NEVER KNEW YOU; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.' Now, Jesus exposed those people who sounded religious but had no personal relationship with him. On " That Day " (The day of judgment), only our relationship with Christ - our acceptance of him as Savior and our obedience to him - will matter. Many people think that if they are " Good " people and say religious things, they will be rewarded with Eternal Life. In reality, faith in Christ is what will count at the judgment. Until Next Time... Jim,

" YOU MEANT EVIL AGAINST ME,BUT GOD MEANT IT FOR GOD."

Have you ever pondered these verses (Genesis 50:19-20) mainly verse 20? Verse 20 always jumps off the pages for me " As for you, you thought evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring about that many people should be kept alive, as they are this day." God brought good from the brothers' evil deed, Potiphar's wife's false accusation, the cupbearer's neglect, and seven years of famine. Now I'm of the mind that the experiences in Joseph's life taught him that God Brings Good From Evil For Those Who Trust Him. Now, I want you to ask yourself, do I trust God enough to wait patiently for him to bring good out of bad situations? You can trust him because, as Joseph learned, that God can overrule people's evil intentions to bring about his intended results. Our Lord and God have promised to provide for us. Joseph provided his father and his brothers and all his father's household with food, according to their little ones. yes even though he (Joseph) was wronged by his siblings he still did the right thing (Genesis 47:12) " And Joseph supplied his father and his father's household with food, according to [the needs of] their families." As this to say that the Father looks after those who look to him. I'm always reminded that he has not brought us this far just to leave us. I'm likewise reminded of a scripture in the book of Daniel, verse 9:14. " Therefore the Lord Has kept ready the calamity (evil) and Has brought it upon Us for the Lord our God is [uncompromisingly] righteous and rigidly just in all Has works which He does [keeping His Word], and we have Not obeyed His Voice. Once again remember this You meant it for evil, but God meant it for good. " MERRY CHRISTMAS and a Blessed New Year. "

" THE PROMISES OF GOD "

Those of you who know me and that includes you who have been with me since 2000, know that I started on the " PROMISES OF GOD." For no matter how many PROMISES OF GOD has made, They are "Yes" in Christ. And so through him The " Amen " is spoken by us to The Glory of God (2 Corinthians 1:20). Now as Believers we should recognize that all of God's Promises of what the 2nd Coming of the Messiah would be like are fulfilled in Christ ("in Him, they are yes"). Jesus was completely faithful in his ministry; he never sinned (1 Peter 3:18); he faithfully died for us (Hebrews 2:9); and now he faithfully intercedes for us (Romans 8:34; Hebrews 4:14-15). Because Jesus Christ is faithful, Paul wanted to be faithful in his ministry. Jesus is the same Yesterday, Today and Forever. God's promises bring contentment in every situation. Are you content in any circumstances you face? Now, Paul knew how to be content whether he had plenty or whether he was in need. The secret was drawing on Christ's power for strength. Do you have great needs, or are you discontented because you don't have what you want? It's vital that we learn to rely on God's promises and Christ's power to help you be content. If you always want more, ask God to remove that desire and teeth you contentment in every circumstance. He Will Supply all your needs, but in a way that he knows is best for you. We can trust that God will always meet our needs. Whatever we need on earth he will always supply, even if it is the courage to face death as Paul did. Whatever we need in heaven he will supply. We must remember, however, the difference between our wants and our needs. Most people want to feel good and avoid discomfort or pain. We may not get all that we want. By trusting in Christ, our attitudes and appetites can change from wanting everything to accepting his provision and power to live for him. STAND ON THE PROMISES OF GOD AND BELIEVE. Until Next Time... Jim,

" THE SOUL "

" SOUL ": life, Spirit 1) In the plural, often synonymous with " Persons " or " People "; in the singular, a living being (Gen 2:7). 2) The seat of feelings, desires, and emotions. 3) The nonmaterial element of man - the most important part of human existence - as seen in the human personality. This element lives on after the death of the body, and will ultimately be joined again with a resurrected body to spend eternity in heaven or in the Lake Of Fire (hell, Matthew 10:28). When we allow God our Shepherd to guide us, we have contentment. When we choose to sin, however, we go our own way and cannot blame God for the environment we create for ourselves. Now, our Shepherd knows the " Green Pastures " and " Quiet Waters " that will restore us. We will reach these places only by following him obediently. Rebelling against the Shepherd's leading is actually rebelling against our own best interests. Now I believe that we must remember this the next time we are tempted to go our own way rather than Shepherd's way. " For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol; nor will You allow Your Holy One to undergo decay " (Psalm 16:10). I love it that David stated confidently that God would leave him in the grave (Sheol). I believe that many people especially the unbeliever, those who do not have eternal security fear death. As Believers, we can be assured that God does not forget us when we die. He will bring us to life again to live with him forever. LAST POINT: I'm reminded of the verse in Psalm 42:1-2 " As the deer pants for the water brooks, so my Soul pants for you, O'God.": As the life of a deer depends upon water, so our lives depend upon God. Those who seek him and long to understand him to find never-ending life. Feeling separated from God, this psalmist wouldn't rest until he restored his relationship with God because he knew that his very life depending on it. Until next Time... Jim,

" CHANGE "

This week we are looking into " Change." It's vital that we all recognize when and how important change should be in our lives. God patiently waits for us to change. Now, watch this I want you to listen and listen hard. With this being said I'm reminded of the Flood in the Book Of Genesis, which was due to the corruption of mankind. " His days shall be one hundred and twenty years " means that God was allowing the folks of Noah's day 120 years to change from their sinful ways. God shows his great patience with us as well. He is giving us time to quit living our way and begin living his way, the way he shows us in his word. Now, while 120 years seems like a long time, eventually the time ran out and the floodwaters swept across the earth. Your time also may be running out. Turn to God to forgive your sins. You can't see the stopwatch of God patience, and there is no bargaining for additional time. We must learn to face the source of our problems. Moving to escape problems only makes solving them more difficult. Rooted in us are not solved by a change of scenery. A change in location or job may only distrust us from the need for us to change our heart. LAST POINT: Inner change leads to faithful action. Major changes begin on the inside as God works on our attitudes, beliefs, and desires. Now, these inner changes lead to faithful actions. " For it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure " (Philippians 2:13). Doing God's will begins with your desires. Are you willing to be humble, to be open to his opportunities, and to move in his direction? Ask God to give you the desire to follow him more closely. Until Next Time... Jim,

" I DON'T WISH TO BE A STUMBLING BLOCK "

I'm sure that none of us ever wish to become a Stumbling Block to anyone. We must remove stumbling blocks that cause us to sin. This does not mean to cut off a part of the body; it means that any Person, Program, or Teaching in the Church that threatens the Spiritual Growth of the body must be removed. Now for the individual, any Relationship, Practice or Activity that leads to sin should be stopped. Jesus says it would be better to go to heaven with one hand than to hell with both. Sin, of course, affects more than our hands; it affects our minds and hearts. LAST POINT: A man who hadn't walked for 38 years had been healed, but the Pharisees were more concerned about their petty rules than the life and health of a human being. Now it is very easy to get so caught up in our man-made structures and rules that we forget the people involved. Are your guidelines for living God-made or man-made? Are they helping people, or have they become needless Stumbling Blocks?

" WE ALL HAVE DOUBT(S) "

We may have doubts about many things in this life, but we should never doubt God. Now, of all people who should not show any doubt, that's Moses. Moses had witnessed God's power in spectacular miracles, yet at this time he questioned God's ability to feed the wandering chosen people of God (The Israelites). If Moses doubted God's power, how much easier it is for us to do the same. But completely depending upon God is essential, regardless of our level of spiritual maturity. When we begin to rely on our own understanding, we are in danger of ignoring God's assessment of the situation. By remembering his past works and his present power, we can be sure that we are cutting off his potential help. Now I believe that most of us are familiar with Adam and Eve's downfall in the garden. The serpent, satan, tempted Eve by getting her to doubt God's goodness. He implied that God was strict. Stingy, and Selfish for not wanting Eve to share his knowledge of good and evil. Satan made Eve forget all that God had given her and, instead, focus on the one thing she couldn't have. We fall into trouble, too, when we dwell on the few things we don't have rather than on the countless things God has given us. The next time you are feeling sorry for yourself and what you don't have, consider all you do have and thank God. Then your doubts won't lead you into sin. Until Next Time... Jim,

" THE TRUTH "

This week we are looking into " The Truth." Now Truth is defined in this manner: an agreement with fact or reality. A true or accepted statement or proposition. Now Matthew 5:33 says: " Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'DO NOT BREAK YOUR OATH, BUT FULFILL TO THE LORD THE VOWS YOU HAVE MADE.' In this verse, Jesus was emphasizing the importance of telling the truth. People were breaking promises and using sacred language casually and carelessly. The keeping of our oaths and promises is important; it builds trust and makes committed human relationships possible. The Bible condemns making vows or taking oaths casually, giving 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. Denying the Truth doesn't change it. I'm sure if we're honest we have all at some time in our lives, most likely when we were immature thought that " If I ignore it and maybe it will go away!" Denying the Truth never changes it; What God says always happens. Sin is never removed by denying its existence. We must confess to God that we have sinned and ask him to forgive us. Until Next Time... Jim,

" SIN "

This week we are looking into " SIN. " It is truly important for us to get this. "Sin:" Is an offense against God. (2) Fault (3) The weakened state of human nature in which we are estranged from God. Numbers 32:23 Warns us... " BUT if you will not do so, behold, you have sinned against the Lord, and be sure your SIN Will Find You Out." You are free to choose between two masters, but you are not free to manipulate the consequences of your choice. Each of the two masters pays with their own kind of currency. Please get this, the currency of sin is death. That is all you can expect or hope for in life without God. Jesus' currency is Eternal - Life with God that begins on earth and continues forever with God. What choice have you made? Confession is supposed to free us to enjoy fellowship with Christ. It should ease our consciences and lighten our cares. But some Christians do not understand how it works. They feel so guilty that they confess the same sins over; then they wonder if they might have forgotten something. Other Christians believe that God forgives them when they confess, but if they died with unconfessed sins, they would be forever lost. These Christians do not understand that God wants to forgive us. He allowed his beloved son to die just so he could offer us pardon. When we come to Christ, he forgives all the sins we have committed or will over commit. We don't need to confess the sins of the past all over again, and we don't need to fear that God will reject us if we don't keep our slate perfectly clean. Of course we should continue to confess our sins, but not because failure to do will make us lose our salvation. Our relationship with Christ is secure. Instead, we should confess so that we can enjoy maximum fellowship and joy with him. This is a heads up, True Confession also involves a commitment not to continue in sin. We wouldn't be genuinely confessing our sins to God if we planned to commit them again and just wanted temporary forgiveness. We should also pray for strength to defeat temptation the next time we face it. Until Next Time... Jim,

" WE ALL NEED GUIDANCE "

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, "God, 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! As you go about your daily task, God is working in your life in ways you may not even notice. We must not close the door on what God can do. Events do not occur by luck or coincidence. We should have faith that God is directing our lives for his purpose. Pilots put confidence in their planes. Commuters put confidence in trains, cars, or buses. Each day we must put our confidence in something or someone. If you are willing to trust a plane or car to get you to your destination, are you willing to trust God to guide you here on earth and to your eternal destination? Do you trust him more than any human being? How futile it is to trust anything or anyone more than God. Until Next Time... Jim,

" THE CHURCH "

" CHURCH: " Also called the Body Of Christ. In a more limited sense, it often refers to a Local Body, a local assembly Of Believers. Now Moses warned the people not to forget God when they entered the Promised Land and become prosperous. Prosperity, more than poverty, can dull our Spiritual Vision because it tends to make us self-sufficient and eager to acquire still more of everything except God. The same thing can happen in our church once we become successful in terms of numbers, programs, and buildings, we can easily become self-sufficient and less sensitive to our need for God. This leads us to concentrate on self-preservation rather than thankfulness and service. Not just my opinion, read or re-read the Holy Bible. The importance of regular worship is vital for us all. Now Jesus went to the synagogue "as this was his custom." Even though he was the Perfect Son Of God and his Local Synagogue undoubtedly left much to be desired, Jesus attended services every week. His example makes excuses for not attending church sound weak and self-serving. Make regular worship a part of your life. Once again Jesus is the Cornerstone of the Church, the Cornerstone unites two walls at the corner of a building and holds the building together. Without Jesus, there would be no church, because it wouldn't be able to stand. LAST POINT: Just as Peter had revealed the true identity of Christ, so Jesus revealed Peter's identity and role. Later, Peter reminds Christians that they are the church built on the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, with Jesus Christ as the Cornerstone. It is faith like Peter's that is the foundation of Christ's Kingdom. Until Next Time... Jim,

" OPPORTUNITIES CONTINUE TO PRESENT THEMSELVES "

Greetings this week we are looking into " Opportunities." A word of caution, not every opportunity is sent from God. We may want something so much that we assume any opportunity to obtain it is of divine origin. An opportunity to do something against God's will can never be from God because God does not tempt us. When opportunities come your way, double-check your motives. Make sure you are following God's desires, and not just your own. Opportunities may come when you least expect them. Our most important opportunities may come when we least expect them. Be ready for opportunities by getting to know more of God. Then you will be ready to call on him when opportunities come your way. The word of God emphatically tells us not to give the devil an opportunity. Paul tells us to deal with our anger immediately in a way that builds relationships rather than destroys them. If we nurse our anger, we will give Satan an opportunity to advise us. Are you angry with someone right now? What can you do to resolve your differences? Don't let the day end before you begin to work on mending your relationship. LAST POINT: Stay ready for opportunities. Now when we feel passed by, overlooked, or forgotten, we shouldn't be surprised that people are often ungrateful. In similar situations, trust God. More opportunities may be waiting. Until Next Time... Jim,

" WHEN IS ANGER APPROPRIATE? "

This week we are looking into " Anger." We should all ask ourselves this question when is Anger appropriate and when it should be restrained? Also, ask yourself these questions when you become angry: (1) Why am I angry? (2) Whose rights are being violated (mine or another's)? (3) Is the truth (a principle of God) being violated? If only your rights are at stake, it may be wiser to keep angry feelings under control. But if the truth is at stake, anger is often justified, although violence and retaliation are usually the wrong way to express it. If we are becoming more and more like God, we should be angered by sin. We should not become angry when we fail to win an argument or when we feel offended or neglected. Selfish anger never helps anybody. Anger resulting from wounded pride is not good, take Balaam and the Angel for example. The donkey saved Balaam's life but made him look foolish in the process, so Balaam lashed out at the donkey. Now, If we're transparent we sometimes strike out at blameless people who get in our way because we are embarrassed or our pride is hurt. lashing out at others can be a sign that something is wrong with us. Don't allow your own hurt pride to lead you to hurt others. It's time that we All learn to CONTROL OUR SPIRIT. Until Next Time... Jim,

" MORALS / VALUES "

It appears that some of you have not received my posting in some time. Lord Willing this will reach you in a timely manner. This week we will be looking into " Morals / Values. " What do you allow to influence your Values, your Moral Compass? Now, if you're in the furnace, it's easy to catch on fire. God warned the Israelites about their neighbors whose beliefs and actions could turn them away from him. We also live with neighbors whose values may be completely different from ours. We are called to maintain a lifestyle that shows our faith. This can be a struggle, especially if our Christian lifestyle differs from the norm. Our lives show that we put obeying God before doing what is praised and accepted by society. People tend to believe that reinforce their own selfish, personal beliefs. Today more than ever, we need to be careful about the input we allow to form our beliefs. With TV, Music, Movies, and the rest of the media often presenting sinful lifestyles and unwholesome values, we find ourselves constantly bombarded by attitudes and beliefs that are totally opposed to the Bible. Be careful about what you allow to form your opinions. The Bible is the only standard of the truth. Evaluate all other opinions in light of its teachings. Consider carefully the things that you treasure. If you value anything more than God, it becomes your golden calf and will one day drag you down. LET GO OF ANYTHING THAT INTERFERES WITH YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD. Until Next Time... Jim,

" WE ARE TO REMEMBER "

" REMEMBER:" To bring to mind or think of again: 1- Recollect 2- To keep from forgetting: Keep in mind 3- To convey greetings from 4- COMMEMORATE As we put a little age on us we tend to lose our thought(s) and we just can't remember what we were going to regale to one or more individuals. Something I find myself doing often. Now, how you live today will determine how you are remembered. Each of us is forging a reputation developing personal qualities by which we will be Remembered. How would God summarize your life up to now? Some defiantly claim that how they live is their own business. But scripture teaches that the way you live today will determine how you will be remembered by others and how you will be judged by God. What you do now does matter. God says that I will remember my covenant. When Noah stepped out of the ark onto an earth that was devoid of human life. But God gave him a reassuring promise. This covenant had three parts: (1) Never again will a flood do such destruction; (2) As long as the earth remains, the seasons will always come as expected; (3) A rainbow will be visible when it rains as a sign to all that God will keep his promises. The earth's order and seasons are still preserved, and rainbows still remind us of God's faithfulness to his word. We are to remember 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? I always pray that they know the Lord Jesus Christ as their Personal Savior, and if not that a Believer will share the Good News with them. LAST POINT: What will people remember you for? When your life is over, will people remember more than just what was in your bank account or the number of years you lived? Until Next Time... Jim,

" SUFFERING "

Once again we are looking into " SUFFERING." (PAIN, MISERY, HARDSHIP). Suffering may come from obeying God. Sometimes hardship comes as a result of obeying God. Are you following God but still suffering - or suffering even worse than before? If your life is miserable, don't assume you have fallen out of God's favor. You may be suffering for doing good in an evil world. Anytime I think of suffering I'm reminded of Job. As we see calamity and suffering in the Book Of Job. It's important for us to remember that we live in a fallen world where good behavior is not always rewarded and bad behavior is not always punished. When we see a notorious criminal prospering or an innocent child in pain, we say, " That's Wrong." And it is. Sin has twisted justice and made our world unpredictable and ugly. The Book Of Job shows us a good man suffering for no apparent fault of his own. Sadly, our world is like that. But Job's story does not end like that. Job's story does not end in despair. Through Job's life, we can see that faith in God is justified even when our situations look hopeless. Faith-based on rewards or prosperity is hallow. To be unshaken, faith must be built on the confidence that God's ultimate purpose will come to pass. LAST POINT: How much must Believers endure? There is a price for being identified with Jesus. Along with the great treasures, Paul mentions the suffering that Christians must face. What kinds of suffering are we to endure? For first Century Believers, there was economic and social persecution and some even faced death. We too must pay a price for following Jesus. In many parts of today's world Christians face pressures just as severe as those faced by Christ's first followers. Even in countries where Christianity is tolerated or encouraged, Christians must not become complacent. To live as Jesus did - serving others, giving up one's own rights, resisting pressures to conform to the world - always exacts a price. Nothing we suffer, however, can compare to the great price that Jesus paid to Save us. Until Next Time... Jim,

" UNBELIEVERS "

An Unbeliever is someone who has no religious beliefs, or who do not follow a particular religion. I venture to guess that before the next 4 days have come and gone that some unbelievers will call upon the name of Jesus to be saved. " We know that God does not hear sinners, but if anyone is God-fearing and does His Will, He hears him" (John 9:31). Now, we are told in the Bible that God answers prayers based on whether they are asked according to His Will. The emphasis here is on God's Will, Not Our Will. When we communicate with God we don't demand what we want; rather we discuss with him what he wants for us. If we align our prayers to his will he will listen, and we can be certain that if he listens, he will give us a defined answer. So start PRAYING WITH CONFIDENCE! Now once again if unbelievers ask a prayer of God that is according to His Will, I'm of the mind that nothing can prevent God from answering such a prayer- -according to His Will. As a Man Of God, I have often wondered if I am working hard enough to do my part. Now once again an unbeliever is someone who has no religious beliefs, or who do not follow a particular religion. To those of you who don't believe in God, life on earth is all there is, and so it is natural for you to strive for this world's values-money, popularity, power, pleasure, and prestige. We as Christians must keep in mind that we are living in the End Times. Paul lived to develop eternal values and to tell others about Christ, in whom alone could help them see life from an eternal perspective. Paul's whole purpose in life was to speak out boldly for Christ and to become more like Him. Never forget that you may be the only Bible that a Weak Christian or an Unbeliever read's this day. Until Next Time... Jim,

" WHAT COMES FIRST? "

Good day to you, is all well in your camp? This week we will be looking into " What Comes First." it's vital that we always put God First. You may ask yourself how do I put God First in my life. In Deuteronomy 5:7 " You shall have no other gods before me." In other words, a god is whatever people put first in their lives. Some people literally worship other gods by joining cults or strange religions. In a more subtle way, many of us worship other gods by building our lives around something other than the one true God. If your greatest desire is for popularity, power, or money, you are devoting yourself to something other than God. Now to put God first, (1) Recognize what is taking his place in your life; (2) Renounce this substitute god as unworthy of your devotion; (3) Ask God for forgiveness; (4) Restructure your priorities so that love for God is the motive for everything you do; (5) Examine yourself daily to be sure that Father God is (excuse my slang) numero uno and you are giving God First Place. God should be the first place we turn when we are facing struggles or dilemmas. Trying to control our own lives without God's help leads to struggle and confusion. By contrast, when we stay in daily contact with the Lord we are less likely to create painful circumstances for ourselves. For this reason alone I wake up early (4 am) and I armor up, I pick up my Bible and then I pray for those in my sphere of influence. This is a lesson that we must fully learn. When struggles come our way, God wants us to come to him first, seeking his strength and guidance. Now, I can't say this enough. Guess what I'm going to say next? LAST POINT: Don't hit rock bottom before turning back to God. How much suffering we could have avoided if we just had trusted him! Turning to God shouldn't be the last resort; we should look to him for help each day. This isn't to say life will always be easy. There will be struggles, but God will give us the strength to live through them. Don't wait until you're at the end of your rope. Call on God first in every situation. Until Next Time... Jim,

" THE FLESH IS WEAK "

Good day to you, this week we are looking into " Weakness. " So strap in and please lean in to hear this weeks message. The Word Of God tells us in Psalm 82:4 " Rescue the weak and Needy; Deliver them out of the hand of the wicked." Who is weak in faith and who is strong? We are all weak in some areas and strong in others. Our faith is strong in an area if we can survive contact with sinners without falling into their patterns. It is weak in an area if we must avoid certain activities, people, or places in order to protect our Spiritual Life. it is important to take a self-inventory in order to find out our strengths and weaknesses. Whenever in doubt, we should ask, " Can I do that without sinning? Can I influence others for good, rather than being influenced by them?" In areas of strength, we should not fear being defiled by the world; rather we should go and serve God. In areas of weakness, we need to be cautious. If we have a strong faith but shelter it, we are not doing Christs' work in the world. If we have a weak faith but expose it, we are being extremely foolish. LAST POINT: Advice to Stronger, & Weaker Believers: " STRONGER BELIEVERS." Don't be proud of maturity; don't flaunt your freedom. Act in love, so you do not cause a weaker believer to stumble. WEAKER BELIEVER: Although you may not feel the same freedom in some areas as in others, take your time, pray to God but do not force others to adhere to your stipulations. You would hinder other believers by making up rules and standards for how everyone ought to behave. Make sure your convictions are based on God's Word and are not simply an expression of your opinions. PASTORS AND LEADERS: Teach correctly from God's word, helping Christians understand what is right and wrong in God's eyes, and helping them see that they can have varied opinions on other issues and still be unified. Don't allow potential problems to get out of hand, causing splits and divisions. I'm of the mind that as believers we should keep our Spiritual Wits about us. As Christians, we should be mindful of the weak among us. Now Jesus Christ has/had compassion for all and so should we. Until Next Time... Jim,

" KEEPING OUR WORD "

Those of you who know me most likely recognize the fact that keeping my Word is very important to me. Paul once cut his hair as he vowed to do. In this one act, he solidifies to the rest of us that keeping one's Word no matter how trivial is an important thing for him and it should be for us also. He who speaks falsehoods can cause a chasm between God. We must not be cavalier about the things we say. Psalm 101:7 reads: " He who practices deceit shall not dwell within my house; He who speaks falsehood shall not maintain his position before me." How many times have you heard someone say that they will do this or that, and never give their commitment a second thought? I'm of the mind that if I say something then I must make it so. Once again a vow, a solemn promise or statement; one by which a person is bound to an act. Last Point: Now Moses reminded the people that their promises to God and others must be kept. In ancient times, people did not sign written contracts. A person's word was as binding as a signature. To make a vow even more binding, an offering was given along with it. No one was forced by law to make a vow; but once made, vows had to be fulfilled. Breaking a vow meant a Broken Trust and a Broken Relationship. Trust is still the basis of our relationships with God and others. A broken promise today is just as harmful as it was in Moses' day. Until Next Time... Jim,

" WHY LISTEN AT ALL"

Listening is vital and really important for us to stay focused and listen. No matter how right we think we are, we must always be careful to stop and listen to others. The extra time and effort can save us pain and trouble in the long run. God is waiting to hear from us, and yes he will listen to each of us. We may believe that God wants to hear only certain request from us. While it is true that we should offer Praise, Confession, and Respectful Petition, it is true also that God is willing to listen to anything we want to tell him. God will always listen to us, and he will fully understand what we say. We hear with our ears, but there is a deeper kind of listening with the mind and heart that is necessary in order to gain spiritual understanding of Jesus' words. Some people in the crowd were looking for evidence to use against Jesus; others truly wanted to learn and grow. Jesus' words were for the honest seekers. Paying careful attention is hard work. It involves focusing our minds, bodies, and senses. Listening to Christ means not merely hearing, but also obeying (see James 1:22-25). We must listen carefully and be ready to carry out his instructions. LAST POINT: When we talk too much and listen too little, we communicate to others that we think our ideas are much more important than theirs. James wisely advises us to reverse this process. Now I suggest putting a mental stopwatch on your conversations and keep track of how much you talk and how much you listen. When people talk to you, do they feel that their viewpoints and ideas have value? Until Next Time... Jim,

" PAUL & SILAS IMPRISONED

Paul and Silas were arrested because Paul got fed-up with the slave-girl having a spirit of divination (fortune-telling) this ability came from evil spirits. Now what the slave-girl said was true, although the source of her knowledge was a demon. Why did a demon denounce the truth about Paul, and why did it annoy Paul? If Paul accepted the demon's words, he would appear to be associating the gospel with demon-interdependent activities. This would damage his message about Christ. Truth and evil do not mix. Paul and Silas were stripped, beaten, and placed in stocks in the inner cell. Despite this dismal situation, they praised God, praying and singing as the other prisoners listened. No matter what our circumstances, we should praise God. Others may come to Christ because of our examples. Picture this, the stocks were made of two boards joined with iron clamps, leaving holes just big enough for the ankles. The prisoner's legs were placed across the lower board, and then the upper board was closed over them. Sometimes both wrists and ankles were placed in stocks. Paul and Silas, who had committed no crime and were peaceful men were put in stocks designed for holding the most dangerous prisoners in absolute security. The jailer drew his sword to kill himself because the jailers were responsible for their prisoners and would be held accountable for their escape. Paul and Sila's reputation in Philippi was well known. When the jailer realized his own true condition and need, he risked everything to find the answer. The Christian Good News of Salvation is simply expressed: Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved ( see Romans 10:9; 1 Corinthians 12:3; Ephesians 2:8-9; Philippians 2:11). When we recognize Jesus as Lord and trust in him with our entire life, Salvation is assured to us. If you have never trusted in Jesus to save you, do so quickly. Your life can be filled with joy, just as the jailers was (Acts 16:34). Until next Time... Jim,

" CHANGE "

" Change: " To Make or become different. God's love is Changeless. His Love and Kindness is everlasting. God's mercy to all who trust him is just as permanent as mercy. When the love of others fails or disappoints us, we can rest in God's enduring love. God is our foundation in the midst of change. My God is rock-firm, strong, and unchanging. In our fast-paced world, friends come and go, and circumstances change. It's difficult to find a solid foundation that will not change. Those who devote their lives to achievements, cause, or possessions have their security that which is finite and changeable. The possessions that we work so hard to obtain will all pass away. But God is always present. Hope in Him. He will Never Fail. God the Father can work a change in even the hardest heart. When you are ready to give up hope on yourself or others, remember that God can work a complete change in even the most selfish personality. Jesus may ask you to change life's direction after finding him as your Lord and Savior. Finding Jesus may mean that your life must take a different direction, one that is responsive and obedient to God's Word. Are you willing to be led a different way? LAST POINT: Change doesn't always come quickly. We often expect quick changes in our lives and quick victories over sin. But our journey with God is a lifelong process, and the changes and victories may take time. It is easy to grow impatient with God and feel like giving up hope because things are moving too slowly. When we are close to a situation, it is difficult to see progress. But when we look back we can see that God never stopped working. Until Next Time... Jim,

" WRONG / WRONGDOING "

OK, let's get right down to it. We all must learn to discern right from wrong. When people do not carefully observe the distinction between good and evil destruction soon follows. It is easy for people to say, "No one can decide for anyone else what is really right or wrong." They may think getting drunk can't hurt them, extramarital sex isn't really wrong doesn't control them. But when we make excuses for our actions, we break down the distinction between right and wrong. If we do not take God's word, the Bible, as our standard, soon all moral choices will appeal fuzzy. Without God, we are headed for a breakdown and much suffering. Now, correcting yourself in the middle of doing wrong may bring hurt and disappointment, but it also will bring freedom from sin's control. Our wrongs always catch up with us. Sometimes we mistakenly think we can get away with doing wrong if no one sees or catches us. Sooner or later, however, doing wrong will catch up with us in most cases. Even if we are not caught in this life, we still have to face God and his evaluation of our actions. LAST POINT: Have you ever done something wrong without realizing it until later? Although your sin was unintentional, it was still sin. It's important for us to be aware of our unintentional sins so that we will not repeat them and so we can be forgiven for them. Until Next Time... Jim,

" Making Assumptions "

This week's message, about making assumptions is something that we all need to be cautious about. Don't assume that God will not work in a circumstance that has potential problems. You may not completely understand the situation, and God may intervene when you least expect it. In dealing with people, we must find out all the facts before making up our minds. We shouldn't automatically assume that their motives are wrong, even if their plans sound suspicious. As nations and as individuals, we would benefit from a similar approach to resolving conflicts. Assuming the worst about the intentions of others only brings trouble. Beware of reacting before you hear the whole story. Wrong assumptions lead to wrong conclusions. We dare not take our limited experiences and jump to conclusions about life in general. If you find yourself doubting God, remember that you don't have all the facts. God wants only the very best for your life. Many people endure great pain, but ultimately they find some greater good come(s) from it. When you're struggling don't assume the worst. LAST POINT: Don't assume you've married the wrong person, or that you may not be where you should be. Don't be like the Corinthians who were ready to make wholesale changes without thinking through the ramifications. Paul was writing to say that people should be Christians where they are. You can do God's work and demonstrate your faith anywhere. If You become a Christian after marriage, and your spouse is not a Believer, remember that you don't have to be married to a Christian to live for Christ. Don't assume that you are in the wrong place, or stuck with the wrong person. You may be just where God wants you (see 1 Cor 7:20). Until Next Time... Jim,

" RESULTS OF SIN "

Good day to you is all well in your life? This week we will be looking into a very serious matter, the Results Of Sin. Don't hesitate to remove sin from your life. Jesus used startling language to stress the importance of cutting sin out of our lives. Painful discipline is required of those of us who are his true followers. Giving up a relationship, job, or habit that is against God's Will may seem just as painful as cutting off a hand or foot. Our high goal, however, is worth any sacrifice; Christ is worth any possible loss Saints. Nothing should stand in the way of faith. We must be ruthless in removing sins from our lives why in order to avoid being stuck with them for eternity. Make your choices from an eternal perspective. When we discover sin in our lives, we must deal with it completely. When God points out sin, move quickly to remove it from your life. Sin may not seem costly at first, but there are always consequences. Sin's consequences can plague us long after the sin is committed. When we do something wrong, we may think we can escape unnoticed, only to discover later that the sin has been quietly breeding serious consequences. It's paramount that you believe that your Sin, won't go unnoticed! Sometimes we mistakenly think we can get away with doing wrong if no one sees or catches us in the act. Sooner or later, however, doing wrong will catch up with you or me. Even if we are not caught in this life, we will still have to face God and his evaluation of our actions. Now deal with the sin in your life for your sake. Until Next Time... Jim,

" TRUST "

Those of you who know me, are acutely aware of the fact that I believe in Truth. I love when Jesus taught about vows. Jesus emphasized the importance of telling the truth. Matthew 5:33 " Again, you have heard that the ancients were told, 'You shall not make false Vows, but shall fulfill your vows to the Lord' 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. Now the Bible condemns making Vows or taking Oaths casually, giving 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. When confronted by a distrusting truth, people often turn away and refuse to listen. When God's spirit points out needed changes in our lives, we must listen to him. Otherwise, we may be pushing the truth so far away that it no longer affects us. " Truth " who God reveals it to, some people do not understand God's Truth because they are not ready for it. God reveals Truth to people who will act on it, who will make it visible in their lives. When you talk with people about God, be aware that they will not understand if they are not ready. Be patient, taking every chance to tell them more of the truth about God, and praying that the Holy Spirit will open their minds and hearts to receive the truth and act on it. Until Next Time... Jim,

" LIFE- STYLE "

Life-Style: (N) The habits, attitudes, tastes, moral standards, economic level, etc, that together constitute the mode of living of an individual or group. God's patience in asking us to change our lifestyle (Genesis 6:3). " Then the Lord said, " My spirit shall not strive with man forever, because he also is flesh; nevertheless his days shall be one hundred and twenty years." Now His days shall be one hundred and twenty years" means that God was allowing the people of Noah's day 120 years to change their sinful ways. Our Father God shows his great patience with us as well. He is giving us time to quit living our way and begin living his way, the way he shows us in his word. While 120 years seems like a long time, eventually the time ran out and the flood waters swept across the earth. Your time also may be running out. Turn to God to forgive your sins. You can't see the stopwatch of God's patience, and there is no bargaining for additional time. Please understand that our future is shaped by how we lived our past. I'm reminded of Israel's prophecy concerning his sons. Now Jacob blessed each of his sons and made a prediction about each one's future. The way the men had lived played an important part in Jacob's blessing and prophecy. Our past also affects our present and future. By sunrise tomorrow, our actions of today will have become part of the past. Yet they will already have begun to shape the future. What actions can you choose or avoid that will positively shape your future? Until Next Time... Jim,

" HE'S IN CONTROL "

Welcome, this week we are looking into " Control." If we're honest with ourselves we all want Control, especially over everything in our sphere of influence at times. What we all must understand is that nothing happens without God allowing it. Now, regarding Control here are some Biblical thoughts. Although God the Father permits Satan to work in our world, God is still in control. Jesus, because he is God, has power over Satan; Jesus is able to drive out demons and their terrible work in people's lives. One day Satan will be bound forever (Revelation 20:10). Now at this time, I wish to address Satan's temporary control of earth. When Satan tempted Jesus while in the wilderness, Jesus had fasted for forty days and forty nights ( Matthew 4:1-11). Did the devil have the power to give Jesus the kingdom of the world? Didn't God, The Creator of the world, have control over these kingdoms? The devil may have been lying about his implied power, or he may have based his offer on his temporary control and free rein over the earth because of humanity's sinfulness. Jesus' temptation was to take the world as a political ruler right then, without carrying out his plan to save the world from sin. Satan was trying to distort Jesus' perspective by making him focus on worldly power and not on God's plans. "Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God " (Matthew 6:33). As Christians, we should submit to Christ's control. Jesus started his ministry with the very word people had heard John The Baptist say: REPENT. The message is the same today as when Jesus and John gave it. Becoming a follower of Christ means turning away from our self-centeredness and " Self " control and turning our lives over to Christ's direction and control. Until Next Time... Jim,

" INSIGHT ON PROBLEMS "

PROBLEM: A matter or situation regarded as unwelcome or harmful and needing to be dealt with an overcome. Synonyms: difficulty, trouble, worry, complication, difficult situation. When you face a difficult task, an important decision, or a baffling dilemma, don't rush into the work and just hope it comes out the way it should. Instead, your first step should be to pray for the Holy Spirit's power and guidance. God works in " all things " - not just isolated incidents - for our good. This does not mean that all that happens to us is good. Evil is prevalent in our fallen world, but God is able to turn every circumstance around for our long-range good. Take heed, that God is not working to make us happy, but to fulfill his purpose. Note also that this promise is not for everybody. It can be claimed only by those who love God and are called according to his purpose. Those who are " Called " are those the Holy Spirit convinces and enables to receive Christ. Such people have a new perspective, a new mindset on life. They trust in God, not life's treasures; they look for their security in heaven, not on earth; they learn to accept, not resent, pain and persecution because God is with them. Final Thought: Do you ever feel that your life is too complex for God to understand? Remember God created the whole universe, and nothing is too difficult for him. God created you; he is alive today, and his love is bigger than any problem you may face. Until next Time... Jim,

" WITNESSING "

Welcome aboard, this weeks subject matter is a very important one for us to wrap our minds around " Witnessing ". If we are wise enough to listen, the Holy Spirit increases opportunities to witness to a lost soul. Now I for one value the life and times of the Apostle Paul. Now Paul used his times of persecution as an opportunity for him to Witness. Even his enemies were creating a platform for him to address the entire Jewish Council. If we are sensitive to the Holy Spirit's leading, we will see increased opportunities to share our faith, even in the face of opposition. Please understand and take this to the bank, that we have been commissioned by the Lord Jesus Christ to tell others about Jesus. We are to go - whether it is next door or to another country - and make disciples. It is not an option, but a command to all who call Jesus " LORD. " We are not all evangelists in the formal sense, but we have all received gifts that we can use to help fulfill the Great Commission. As we obey, we have comfort in the knowledge that Jesus is always with us. Sometimes Christians excuse themselves from Witnessing by saying that their family or friends aren't ready to believe. Jesus, however, makes it clear that around us a continual harvest waits to be reaped. Don't let Jesus find you making excuses. Look around you will find people ready to hear God's Word. Until Next Time... Jim,

" ABRAHAM "

This week we will be taking a glimpse at the life of Abraham and his decision-making process. Lessons that we can learn from the life of Abraham. Something that I told my children as well as my grandchildren: That there are consequences to any action we take. It's vital that we recognize that we can set into motion a series of events that may continue long after we're gone. Unfortunately, when we are making a decision most of us think only of the immediate consequences. These are often misleading because they are short-lived. Abraham was an ordinary man who's faith pleased God. He had a choice to make. Now the decision that he had to make was between setting out with family and belongings for parts unknown or staying right where he was. He had to decide between the security of what he already had and the uncertainty of traveling under God's direction. All he had to go on was God's promise to guide and bless him. Abraham could hardly have been expected to visualize how much of the future was resting on his decision of whether to go or stay, but his obedience affected the history of the world. His decision to follow God set into motion the development of the nation that God would eventually us as his own when he visited earth himself. When Jesus Christ came to earth, God's promise was fulfilled; through Abraham, the entire world was blessed. You probably don't know the long-term effects of most decisions you make. But shouldn't the fact that there will be long-term results cause you to think carefully and seek God's guidance as you make choices and take action today? Until Next Time... Jim,

" Christian are you using your spiritual gift(s)? "

First Things First, when someone gives his or her life to the Lord Jesus Christ we receive at least One Spiritual Gift. Now, are you taking advantage of what the Father may have given you as a Christian? Regarding Spiritual Gifts, there are two errors to avoid with Spiritual Gifts. Now Paul compared the Body Of Christ to a Human Body. Each part has a specific function that is necessary to the body as a whole. The parts are different for a purpose, and in their differences, they must work together. Christians must avoid two common errors:(1) Being too proud of their abilities, or (2) Thinking they have nothing to give to the body of believers. Instead of comparing ourselves to one another, we should use our different gifts simultaneously, to spread the Good News of Salvation. Check out this list of Spiritual Gifts and imagine the kinds of people who would have each gift. Take for instance PROPHETS who are often bold and articulate. SERVERS (those in ministry) are faithful and loyal. TEACHERS are clear thinkers.ENCOURAGERS (those who exhort) know how to motivate others. GIVERS are generous and trusting. LEADERS are good organizers and managers. Those who show mercy are caring people who are happy to give their time to others. It would be difficult for one person to embody all these gifts. And assertive prophet would not usually make a good counselor, and a generous giver might fail as a leader. When you identify your own gifts (and this list is far from complete), ask how you can use them to build up God's family. At the same time, realize that your gifts can't do the work of the church all alone. Be thankful for people whose gifts are completely different from yours. Let your strengths balance their weakness, and be used by God. Util Next Time... Jim,

" FAMILY "

This week we are looking into " Family." I'm very sorry to say that I'm of the mind that some take family for granted. It's vital that you teach your family the value of following God. Take a moment and lean in, life without the Father to me is senseless. Consider this, all of life's work - building a home, establishing a career, and raising a family - must have God as the foundation. In the Bible, we are told that a good family is a reward for following God. The values outlined in God's Word include Love, Service, Honesty, Integrity, and Power. Those help all relationships and they are especially vital to home life. Is your home life heavenly or hectic? Reading and obeying God's Word is a good place to start to make your family all that it should be. LAST POINT: " He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to himself, according to the kind intention of His Will " (Ephesians 1:5). " Predestined " means marked out beforehand. This is another way of saying that salvation is God's work and not our own doing. In his infinite Love, God has adopted us as his own children. Through Jesus' sacrifice, he has brought us into his family and made us heirs along with Jesus (Romans 8:17). Now in Roman Law, adopted children had the same rights and privileges as biological children, even if they had been slaves. This term shows how strong our relationship to God is. Have you entered into this loving relationship with God? Until Next Time... Jim,

" GOD WILL PROVIDE "

This week we are looking into how the Father always provides. Those of you who are familiar with the phrase " A Ram In The Bush " will know where we're headed. I get so blessed when I read the accounting of the Offering Of Isaac. I'm referring to when God tested Abraham. God said take your son, your only son in whom you love, take him to the land of Moriah and offer him as a burnt offering on a mountain of God's choosing. Now, why did God ask Abraham to perform human sacrifice? Pagan nations practiced human sacrifice, but God condemned this as a terrible sin (Leviticus 20:1-5). God did not want Isaac to die, but he wanted Abraham to sacrifice Isaac in his heart so it would be clear that Abraham loved God more than he loved his promised and long-awaited son. God was TESTING Abraham. Now the purpose of testing is to Strengthen our Character and deepen our Commitment to God and his perfect timing. Through this difficult experience, Abraham strengthens his commitment to obey God. He also learned about God's ability to provide. Now put yourself in Abraham's place, how would you have handled this situation. Are you 100% trusting God in whatever He may ask of you. Never Forget, " God Will Provide. " Until Next Time... Jim,

" MIRACLE REGARDING THE FLEECE "

Do you believe in the possibility of Miracles? This week we will be looking into The Miracle Regarding The Fleece. " Miracle:" Is a surprising and welcome event that is not explicable by natural or scientific laws and is therefore considered to be the work of a divine agency. ( Wonder, Marvel, Sensation, Phenomenon, or Mystery). Please read or re-read Judges 6:36-39. Was Gideon testing God, or was he simply asking God for more encouragement? In either case, though his motive was right (to obey God and defeat the enemy), his method was less than ideal. Gideon seems to have known that his requests might displease God (6:39), and yet he demanded two miracles (6:37-39) even after witnessing the Miraculous fire from the rock (6:21). It is true that to make good decisions, we need facts. Gideon had all the facts, but still, he hesitated. He delayed obeying God because he wanted even more proof. Demanding extra signs was an indication of unbelief. Fear often makes us wait for more confirmation when we should be taking action. Visible signs are unnecessary if they only confirm what we already know is true. Today the greatest means of God's guidance is his word, the Bible. Unlike Gideon, we have God's complete, revealed word. If you want to have more of God's guidance, don't ask for signs; study the Bible (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Get excited when you are preparing to do your daily study. Change your mindset and take it slow when reading and studying the Word Of God. Until next Time... Jim,

" TESTING "

"Test": A challenge or difficult situation imposed by God for the purpose of strengthening faith; not to be confused with a temptation to evil (James 1:13). (2) The act of putting God to the test, demanding that He prove himself and his power in some way, as Satan attempted to persuade Jesus to do.(3) The act of one person challenging another to prove himself by answering difficult questions, etc. Our faith is tested during tough times in our lives. Despite God's judgment of sin, most people ignored him and continued to sin. But a handful of people really tried to follow him. One of these was Abraham. God appeared to Abraham one day and promised to make his descendants into a great nation. Abraham's part of the agreement was to obey God. Through sharp testing and an incident that almost destroyed his family, Abraham remained faithful to God. Until Next Time... Jim,

" STOP RUNNING "

"Stop Running" If by chance you are thinking that you have Nowhere to turn, then you need Christ and you need him today. Isaiah likewise tells us to call on the Lord while he is near. God is not planning to move away from us, but we often move far from him or erect a barrier between ourselves and Him. Don't wait until you have drifted far away from God to Seek Him. Later in life turning to him may be far more difficult. Or God may come to judge the earth before you decide to finally turn to Him. Seek God Now While You Can before it's too late. In the Word Of God, we are told to " Seek The Lord while He may be found; Call upon him while He is near " (Isaiah 55:6). I interpret this to mean that we should pursue the Lord with all our hearts and all our minds. Food costs money, but lasts only a short time, and meets only physical needs. But God offers us free nourishment that feeds our soul. How do we get it? We come (Isaiah 55:1), Listen (55:2), Seek, and call on God (55:6), God's Salvation is Freely given, but to sustain our souls we must eagerly receive it. We will starve Spiritually without his food as surely as we starve physically without our daily bread. Until Next Time... Jim,

" WAITING ON GOD "

Welcome, now come on in as I have something to share. This week we are looking into " Waiting On God." Now I have reread Psalm 40 and the first four verses just jumped off the page(s). First things first doing God's Will sometimes means waiting patiently. While we wait, we can love God,serve others, and tell others about him. Waiting for God to help us is not easy, but David received four benefits from waiting: God (1) Lifted him out of his despair,(2) set his feet on a rock, (3) gave him a firm place to stand, and (4) put a new song of praise in his mouth. Often blessings cannot be received unless we go through the trial of waiting. LAST POINT: Now I'm also thinking of Jeremiah, and how the leaders of Judah continued to persecute him as he faithfully proclaimed the message of God. For 40 years of faithful ministry, he received no acclaim, no love, no popular following. He was beaten, jailed, threatened, and even forced to leave his homeland. Only the pagan Babylonians showed him any respect (39:11-12). God does not guarantee that his servants will escape persecution, even when they are faithful. But God does promise that he will be with them and will give them strength to end (2 Corinthians 1:3-7). As you minister to others, recognize that your service is for God and not just for human approval. God rewards our faithfulness, but not always during our stay on earth. Until Next Time... Jim,

" COURAGE / COURAGEOUS "

Courage is persevering in spite of fear. Some of the most courageous men and women have prevailed in spite of Weakness, Sickness, and Persecution. " Be Strong And Courageous " (Joshua 1:6). I love it when I heard Paul say that I purpose to be Courageous. The verse that I'm thinking of is in 2 Corinthians 10:2 and it reads " I ask that when I am present I need not be bold with the confidence with which I propose to be Courageous against some, who regard us as if we walked according to the flesh." Some people think that belief in God is a crutch for weak people who cannot make it on their own. God is indeed a shield to protect us when we are too weak to face certain trials by ourselves, but he does not want us to remain weak. I'm of the mind that He Strengthens,Protects, and Guides us in order to send us back into an evil world to fight for him. And then he continues to work with us because the strongest person on earth is infinitely weaker than God and needs his help. The sooner we get this in our head the better...only God could ultimately protect and save. " Be Strong And Courageous do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the Lord your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you " (Deuteronomy 31:6). I'm intentional about being Courageous because I can her that SMALL VOICE say " I've Got This," and my faith continues to grow with the confidence and I don't have to be concerned of the outcome. I'm a " Courageous " Child Of The King. Until Next Time... Jim,

" SATAN BOUND "

When is the last time that you studied the book of Revelation? I just finished it once again and it was luminous. Revelation 20:1-3 (1) And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great Chain. (Abyss = The Bottomless Pit). (2) He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or satan, and bound him for a Thousand Years. (3) He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a Short Time." The thing that excites me is that Christ will return, defeat satan, and reign forever! Now, whatever and whenever the millennium is, Jesus Christ will unite all believers; therefore, we should not let this issue divide us. John doesn't say why God once again sets satan free, but it is part of God's plan for judging the world. Perhaps it is to expose those who rebel against God in their hearts and confirm those who are truly faithful to God. Whatever the reason, satan's release results in the final destruction of all evil (Rev. 20:14-15). (14)" Then Death and Hades were thrown into the Lake Of Fire. This is second death, the Lake Of Fire. (15) And if anyone's name was not found written in the Book Of Life, he was thrown into the Lake Of Fire." LAST POINT: Death and Hades are thrown into the Lake Of Fire. God's judgment is finished. The Lake Of Fire is the ultimate destination of everything wicked - Satan, the Beast, the False prophet, the Demons, Death, Hades, and all those whose names are not recorded in the Book Of Life because they did not place their faith in Jesus Christ. Now John's vision does not permit any gray areas in God's judgment. If by faith we have not identified with Christ, confessing him as Lord, there will be no hope, NO SECOND CHANCE,NO OTHER APPEAL. Until Next Time... Jim,

" FOOLISHNESS "

Fool is defined in this way: One destitute of reason; a simpleton; a silly person; a buffoon. to play the fool; to triffle; to make a fool of; to deceive. A person who lacks sense or judgment. Now I've come to believe that only those who are foolish reject Christ's Message. Now, the " depths of God " refers to God's unfathomable nature and wonderful plan - Jesus' death and resurrection - and to the promise of Salvation, revealed only to those who believe that what God says is true. Those who believe in Christ's death and resurrection and put their faith in him will know all they need to know to be saved. This knowledge, however, can't be grasped by even the wisest people unless they accept God's message. All who Reject God's Message Are foolish, no matter how wise the world thinks we are. Until next Time... Jim,

" GOD'S WILL"

Well Praise The Lord, this week we will be looking into " God's Will." God wants us to help carry out his will for you. God allows people to participate with him in carrying out his Will. Our task is not just to sit and watch God work, but to give your best effort when work needs to be done. Undiscouraged and Undivided, Paul wrote powerful letters of encouragement from prison. Now Paul did not ask the Ephesians to pray that his chains would be removed, but that he would continue to speak fearlessly for Christ in spite of them. God can use in any circumstance to do his Will. Even as we pray for a change in our circumstances, we should also pray that God will accomplish his plan through us right where we are. Knowing God's eternal purpose for us will help us through the difficult times. Paul says that those who patiently and persistently do God's will find eternal life. He is not contradicting his precious statement that Salvation comes by faith alone (Romans 1:16-17). We are not saved by good deeds, but when we commit our lives fully to God, we want to please him and do his will. As such, our good deeds are a grateful response to what God has done, not a prerequisite to earning his grace. LAST POINT: God lets us choose against his Will. Now unbelief and its consequences surely can be severe for some, especially non-believers. For since the creation of the world his invisible attributes,His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. These people chose to reject God, and God allowed them to do it. God does not usually stop us from making choices that are against his will. He let's us declare our supposed independence from him, even though he knows that in time we will become slaves to our own rebellious choices - we will lose our freedom not to sin. Does life without God look like freedom to you? Look more closely. There is no worse slavery than slavery to sin. Until Next Time... Jim,

" WORDS / CONVERSATION(S) "

Welcome, this week we are looking into " Words / Conversation(s). " God created us, knows us, and loves us. It only makes sense,to adhere to his instructions and do what he says. The Bible is his unfailing word to us. It is like an owner's manual for a car. If you obey God's instructions, you will " Run Right " and find his kind of power to live. If you ignore them, you will have breakdowns, accidents, and failures. Sometimes it's best to remain quiet. Putting a hand under the thigh was a sign of making a promise, much like shaking hands today. Now Jacob had Joseph's promise to bury him in his homeland. Few things were written in this culture, so a person's Word then carried as much force as a written contract today. People today seem to find it easy to say, " I didn't mean that." God's people, however, are to speak the truth and live the truth. Let your words be as binding as a written contract. I say again people today seem to find it easy to say, " I didn't mean that." God's people, however, are to speak the truth and live the truth. Once again let your words be as binding as a Written Contract. Now some of you who know me have heard me respond in this manner; " We'll See." Many say that they will do this or that and they never do. Not even a communication, nor an excuse. For this reason I respond " We'll See." Now take heed, when our speech is motivated by satan it is full of: Bitter Jealousy; Selfish Ambition; Earthly Concerns and Desires; Unspiritual Thoughts and Ideas; Disorder; plus Evil. LAST POINT: What our Words reveal about us is something that we must consider at all times. Now, our contradictory speech often puzzles us. At times our words are right and pleasing to God, but at other times they are violent and destructive. Now which of these speech patterns reflects our true identity? The tongue gives us a picture of our basic human nature. We were made in God's image, but we have also fallen into sin. God works to change us from the inside out. When the Holy Spirit purifies a heart, he gives self-control so that the person will speak words that please God. Until Next Time... Jim.

" WHERE'S YOUR FAITH ? "

It's wonderful for me to share with you each week. This week once again I have been lead to the subject of " Faith." Now our faith shouldn't be based on personal comfort. Many people think that believing in God protects them from trouble, so when calamity comes, they question God's goodness and justice. But the message of Job is that you should not give up on God because he allows you to have bad experiences. Faith in God does not guarantee personal prosperity and lack of faith does not guarantee troubles in this life. If this were so, people would believe in God simply to get rich. Now our God is certainly capable of rescuing us from suffering to come for reasons we cannot understand. It is satan's strategy to get us to doubt God at exactly this moment. Here Job shows a perspective broader than seeking his own personal comfort. If we always know why we were suffering, our faith would have no room to grow. Have you ever felt that God abandoned you? Do you ever feel stagnant in your faith, as though you are just going through the motions? Now another question: has sin ever driven a wedge between you and God, making him distant. David felt this way he had sinned with Bathsheba and had just been confronted by Nathan the Prophet. In his prayer he cried, " RESTORE TO ME THE JOY OF YOUR SALVATION." God wants us to be close to him and to experience his full and complete life. But sin that remains unconfessed makes such intimacy impossible. Confess your sin to God. You may still have to face some earthly consequences, as David did, but God will give back the joy of your relationship with him. LAST POINT: Our faith affects others, do you remember reading the accounting of when Jesus healed the paralytic man? Please read (Luke 5:18-20) now consider this it wasn't the paralytics faith but his friends. jesus responded to their faith and healed the man. For better or worse, our Faith affects others. We cannot make another person a Christian, but we can do much through our words, actions, and love to give him or her a chance to respond. Look for opportunities to bring your friends to the Living Christ. Until Next Time... Jim,

" RELATIONSHIP(S) "

" Relationship " is defined as the State of being related; Kinship. It is vital that we have A right relationship with God, and in turn we will have a right one with others. The Word Of God says " So Circumcise Your Heart." Now God required all male Israelites to be circumcised, but he wanted them to go beyond performing the surgery to understanding its meaning. They needed to submit to God inside, in their hearts, as well as outside, in their bodies. Then they could begin to imitate God's Love and Justice in their relationships with others. Now, if our hearts are right with God, then our relationships with other people can be made right too. When your heart has been cleansed and you have been reconciled to God, you will begin to see a difference in the way you treat others. Here's another issue Divorce, and the breaking a vow made in marriage. Now for some clarification, divorce is as hurtful and destructive today as in Jesus' day. God intends marriage to be a lifetime commitment (Genesis 2:24). Now Jesus said that divorce is not permissible except for unfaithfulness. This does not mean that divorce should automatically occur when a spouse commits adultery. The word translated " Unchastity " implies a sexually immoral life-style, not a confessed and repented act of adultery. Those who discover that their partner has been unfaithful should first make every effort to Forgive, Reconcile, and Restore their Relationship. We are always to look for reasons to restore the marriage relationship rather than excuses to leave it. LAST POINT: Relationships are built through complimenting others. People cannot know you appreciate them if you do not tell them they are important to you. Complimenting those who deserve it builds lasting relationships and helps people know they are valued. Now, think about those who have helped you this month. What can you do to let them know how much you need and appreciate them? Until Next Time... Jim,

" WE ALL MAKE CHOICES MULTIPLE TIMES A DAY "

Why do you think God gives us freedom to choose? Why would God place a tree in the garden and then forbid Adam to eat from it? God wanted Adam and us to obey, but God gave Adam and us a chance in other words the freedom to choose. Without choice, Adam would have been like a prisoner, and his obedience would have been hollow. Now I'm of the mind that the two trees provided an exercise in choice, with rewards for choosing to obey and sad consequences for choosing to disobey. When you are faced with the choice, always choose to obey God. Unbelief and its Consequences are seen very clearly in the Word Of God. Now we all have misbehaved at one time or another. Listen to this, the people of God referred to some who chose to reject God, and God allowed them to do it. God does not usually stop us from making choices that are against his Will. He allows us to declare our supposed independence from him, even though he knows that in time we will become slaves to our own rebellious choices - we will lose our freedom not to sin. Does life without God look like freedom to you? Look more closely. There is no worse slavery than slavery to sin. Disobedience a foolish choice, now to me it is amazing that God set before the Israelites a choice between blessings and curses. It is even more amazing that most of them, through their disobedience, chose the curses. We have the same fundamental choice today. We can live for ourselves or live in service to God. To choose our own way is to travel on a dead-end road, but to choose God's way is to receive Eternal Life (John 5:24). Last Point: Okay we are aware that God gave Adam responsibility for the garden and told him not to eat from the tree of Knowledge of Good And Evil rather than physically preventing him from eating, God gave Adam a Choice, and thus the possibility of choosing wrongly. God still gives us Choices, and we, too, often Choose wrongly. These wrong Choices may cause us pain, but they can help us learn and grow and make better Choices in the future. Living with the consequences of our Choices teaches us to think and Choose more carefully. Until Next Time... Jim,

" BEING INTENTIONAL ABOUT YOUR MARRIAGE "

This week we will be looking at " Marriage " once again. Prayerfully we will learn something new this time around. I believe that we must get married for the right reasons. I'm also of the mind that most folks don't truly know the person that they are about to say " I Do " Too. Now don't assume you married the Wrong Person. It's sad to say but I have heard folks say this very same thing in the past. Please put on/in any listening apparatus that you may need to truly hear. People should be Christians where they are. You can do God's work and demonstrate your faith anywhere. Now if you become a Christian after Marriage, and your spouse is not a believer, remember that you don't have to be married to a Christian to live for Christ. Don't assume that you are in the wrong place, or stuck with the wrong person. You may be just where God wants you. 1 Corinthians 7:20 says: " EACH MAN MUST REMAIN IN THAT CONDITION IN WHICH HE WAS CALLED." Often we are so concerned about what we could be doing for God somewhere else that we miss great opportunities right where we are. Paul says that when someone becomes a Christian, he or she should usually continue with the work he or she has previously been doing-provided it isn't immoral or unethical. Every job can become christian work when you realize that the purpose of your life is to Honor,Serve, and Speak out for Christ. Because God has placed you where you are, look carefully for opportunities to serve him there. Now let's turn the page, Sexual Temptations are difficult to withstand because they appeal to the normal and natural desires that God has given us. Marriage provides God's way to satisy these natural sexual desires and to strengthen the partners against temptation. Married couples have the responsibility to care for each other; therefore, husbands and wives should not withhold themselves sexually from one another but should fulfill each other's needs and desires. Until next Time... Jim,

" BE SUBJECT TO GOVERNMENT "

Romans 13:1 " Says every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Now, there are times when we should not submit to the government? We should never allow government to force us to disobey God. Jesus and his Apostles never disobeyed the government for personal reasons: When they disobeyed, it was in order to follow their higher loyalty to God. Their disobedience was not cheap: they were threatened, beaten, thrown into jail, tortured, and executed for their convictions. Like them, if we are compelled to disobey, we must be ready to accept the consequences. Now, I'm of the mind that christians understand Romans 13 in different ways. All Christians agree that we are to live at peace with the state as long as the state allows us to live by our religious convictions. As far back as can be remembered there have been at least three interpretations of how we are to do this (1) There are some who are of the mind that the state is so corrupt, Christians should have as little to do with it as possible. Although they should be good Citizens as long as they can do without compromising their beliefs, they should not work for the government, vote in elections, or serve in the military. (2) Others believe that God has given the state authority in certain areas and the church authority in others. Christians can be loyal to both an can work for either. They should not, however, confuse the two. In this view, Church and State are concerned with two totally different spheres - the Spiritual and the Physical - thus complement each other but do not work together. (3) Now, my school of thought, is that Christians have a responsibility to make the state better. We are to be good citizens and we can do this politically by electing Christians or other High - Principled Leaders. They can also do this morally, by serving as an influence for good in society. In this view, Church and State ideally work together for the good of all. Now neither of these views advocate rebelling against or refusing to obey the government's laws or regulations unless those laws clearly require you to violate the moral standards revealed by God. However we find ourselves, we must be responsible citizens, as well as responsible christians. Until Next Time... Jim,

" INSULTS TRULY HURT "

This week we are looking into " Insults, I think that we can all agree that "Insults " hurt. Insult is defined in this manner: A disrespectful or scornful abusive remark or action. " He hurled insults at us." To treat with Insolence, Indignity, or Contempt. Okay, this week we are exploring the word " Insult." I'm reminded of the time in the book of Numbers when Moses married a Cushite woman. Then there was murmuring chiefly by Miriam and Aaron. Now, let me get back on track. Insult(s). Spitting in someone's face was considered the ultimate insult and a sign of shame imposed on wrong doers. The religious leaders spat in Jesus' face to insult him (Matthew 26:67). God punished Miriam for her smug attitude toward not only Moses' authority, but also God's. He struck her with leprosy, then ordered her out of the camp for a week. This punishment was actually quite lenient. A week was the length of time she would have been excluded if her father had spat in her face. How much more she deserved for wrongdoing God! Once again, God was Merciful while retaining an effective discipline. Insulting others and being jealous are not right responses when we feel left out. But seeking revenge for an insult is just as wrong, and can be very costly. It's very important to remember when someone annoys or insults you, it is natural to retaliate. But this solves nothing and nearly encourages trouble. Instead, answer slowly and quietly. Your positive response will achieve positive results. Proverbs 15:1 says, " A gentle answer turns away wrath." Lastly Luke 6:22 says: " Blessed are you when men hate you, and ostracize you, and insult you, and scorn tour name as evil, for the Son Of Man." Until Next Time... Jim,

" THE ART OF CORRECTION "

Between you and me I don't like to be Corrected, but I know from past experiences it is necessary. Now Continuing to be transparent, said Correction caused me to search my heart and to do better. " Correction " is defined in this way: Act of Correcting; state of being Corrected; Discipline; Chastisement; Counteraction. The Bible is not a collection of Stories, Fables, Myths, or merely human ideas about God. it is not a human book. Through the Holy Spirit, God revealed his person and plan to certain believers, who wrote down his message for his people (2 Peter 1:20-21). Now this process is known as inspiration. The writers wrote from their own personal, historical, and cultural contexts. Although they used thier own minds, talents, languages, and styles, they wrote what God wanted them to write. Now Scripture is completely trustworthy because God was in control of its writing. It's words are entirely authoritative for our faith and lives. The Bible is " God-Breathed." READ IT, and use its teachings to guide your conduct. Question, do you care enough to Correct a fellow believer in love? Nobody wishes to be Corrected / Reprimanded by a friend or even a fellow believer with our wrongdoing. Proverbs 27:6 says: "Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but deceitful are the kisses of an enemy." Sometimes our friends make choices that we know are wrong. If we ignore their behavior and let them continue in it, we won't be showing love to them. We show love by honestly sharing our concerns in order to help these friends do and be their very best for God. When we don't make any move to help, we show that we are more concerned about being well liked than about what will happen to them. LAST POINT: it is easy to point out someone else's faults or sins. I'm reminded of Job, now his friends accused him of sin to make him feel guilty, not to encourage or correct him. If we feel that we must admonish someone, we should be sure we are confronting that person because we love him, not because we are annoyed, inconvenienced, or seeking to blame him. Until next Time... Jim,

" THE PATIENCE OF GOD "

Okay once again another week has come and gone. This week we are re-visiting " Patience." And if you're anything like me, even though I'm aware that The Father works things out in his timing impatience on my part comes into play. First things First, patience the endurance according to Galatians 5:22-23, one of the nine components of the Fruit Of The Spirit. As a Chronic Pain Sufferer, I'm aware that it invoves endurance in suffering, tolerance of others, etc. I believe that it's noteworthy that we don't mistake God's patience as approval for our sin(s). Now if we're not completely honest with ourselves we will recognize that we must suffer because of our failure to follow God wholeheartedly. God was supremely loving and Patient with Israel, just as he is today. Now I'm of the mind that we must not confuse his Patience with us as approval or indifference to our sin. Beware of demanding your own way because eventually you may get it - along with all its painful consequences. Now, in his thoughtfulness, or maybe I should say his kindness, God holds back his judgment giving us time to repent. It is easy to mistake God's patience for approval of the wrong we are living. Self-evaluation is difficult, and it is even more difficult to expose our conduct to God and let him tell us where we need to change. But as Christians we must pray constantly that God will point out our sins, so that he can heal them. Unfortunately, we are more likely to be amazed at God's Patience with others than humbled at his Patience with us. It's time for us to be real. Until Next Time... Jim,

" Godly Wisdom "

We all like to believe that we are Wise, and we somehow believe that what we have experienced is good for another. Wisdom is the ability to see life from God's perspective and then to know the best course of action to take. Now I believe that most folks would agree that Wisdom is a valuable asset, but how can we acquire it? Proverbs 9:10 teaches that the fear of the Lord (Respect and Honor) is the beginning of Wisdom. I'm of the belief that Wisdom comes from knowing and trusting God; it is not merely the way to find God. Knowing God will lead to understanding and then to sharing this knowledge with others. Now in this age of information, knowledge is plentiful, but wisdom is scarce. Wisdom means far more than simply knowing a lot it is a basic attitude that affects an aspect of life. The foundation of knowledge is to fear the Lord - to Honor and Respect God, to live in awe of his power, and to obey his word. Faith in God should be the controlling principle for your understanding of the world, your attitudes, and your actions. Trust in God - he will make you truly Wise. LAST POINT: Do you consider the knowledge and experience of those elderly, those older and Wiser as a resource for Wisdom? I'm reminded of Simeon and Anna who were very old. They never lost their hope of seeing the Messiah. Led by the Holy Spirit, they were among the first to bear witness to Jesus. Now in the Jewish culture, elders were respected, so because of Simeon's and Anna's age their prophecies carried extra weight. Our society, however, values youthfulness over wisdom and potential contributions by the elderly are often ignored. Now, as Christians, we should reverse those values whenever we can. I once shared that we should encourage older folks to share their wisdom and experience. Listen carefully when they speak. Offer them your friendship and help them find ways to continue to serve God. Until Next Time... Jim,