" 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,