" 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.