" OUR CONVERSATION(S) "

When we talk too much and listen too little, we communicate to others that we think our ideas are more important than theirs. James wisely advises us to reverse this process. Put a mental stopwatch on your conversations and keep track of how much you talk and how you listen. When people talk with you, do they feel that their viewpoints and ideas have value? What you say and what you don't say are both important. Now I believe that proper speech is not only saying the right words at the right time, but it is also controlling your desire to say what you shouldn't. Examples of an unbridled tongue include gossiping, putting others down, bragging, manipulating, false teaching, exaggerating, complaining, flattering, and lying. Before you speak, ask, "Is what I want to say true? Is it necessary? Is it kind?" I love the book of James as this letter could be considered a how-to book on Christian living. Now James compares the damaging effect that can be produced by the tongue. It can be rivaled to a raging fire - the tongue's wickedness has its source in hell itself. The uncontrolled tongue can do terrible damage. Satan uses the tongue to divide people and pit them against one another. Idle and hateful words are damaging because they spread destruction quickly, and no one can stop the results once they are spoken. Now once again I believe that we should be mindful of what we say, thinking we can apologize later because even if we do the scares remain. A few words spoken in anger can destroy a relationship that took years to build. Before you speak remember that words are like fire - you can neither control nor reverse the damage they can do. Until Next Time... Jim,

" ARE YOU USING YOUR GIFT(S) EFFECTIVELY? "

I'm of the mindset that those of us who have given our lives to the Lord must identify the Spiritual Gift or Gifts that we have been blessed with. Look at this compiled list of gifts and imagine the kinds of people who would have each gift. "Prophets" are often bold and articulate. "Servers" (those in ministry) who are faithful and loyal. "Teachers" are clear thinkers. "Encouragers" are (those who exhort)and know how to motivate others. "Givers" are generous and trusting. "Leaders" are good organizers and managers. Now 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. An 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 all alone. Be thankful for people whose gifts are completely different from yours. Let your strengths balance their weakness, and be grateful that their abilities make up for your deficiencies. Together you can build Christ's church. As I study I'm convinced that the gifts from the Father differ in nature, power, and effectiveness according to his generosity as well as his wisdom and graciousness, not according to our level of faith. Now, the "measure of faith" (Romans 12:3) or the "Proportion to his faith" means that God will give the Spiritual power necessary and appropriate to carry out each responsibility. We cannot by our own effort or will power, drum up more faith and thus be more effective teachers or servants. I believe that these are God's gifts to his church and he gives faith and power as he wills. I'm of the mindset that our role is to be faithful and seek out ways that we serve others as Jesus demonstrated while on earth. So, either we use our gift(s)from God or we'll lose it. Now God has given gift(s) so we can build up his church. To use them effectively, we must (1) realize that all gifts and abilities come from God; (2) understand that not everyone has the same gifts; (3) know who we and what we do best;(4) dedicate our gifts to God's service and not to our personal success; (5) be willing to utilize our gifts wholeheartedly, not holding back anything from God's service. Until next Time... Jim,

" MESSAGE TO THE LAODICEA "

This weeks message is vital for all of us to comprehend. So do yourself a favor and take two minutes to read and understand. I for one believe that we are in the End Times. Laodicea was the wealthiest of the seven cities, known for its banking industry, manufacturer of wool, and a medical school that produced eye salve. But the city had always had a problem with its water supply. Hold on a moment, at one time an aqueduct was built to bring water to the city from the hot springs. But by the time the water reached the city, it was neither hot nor refreshingly cool - only lukewarm. The church had become as bland as the tepid water that came into the city. Lukewarm water makes one disgusting drink. The church in Laodicea had become lukewarm and thus distasteful and repugnant. The believers didn't have a stand for anything; indifference had led to idleness. By neglecting to do anything for Christ, the church had become hardened and self-satisfied, and it was destroying itself. There is nothing more disgusting than a half-hearted, in-name-only Christian who is self-sufficient. Don't settle for following God halfway. Allow Jesus Christ to fire up your faith and get you into the action. God would discipline this lukewarm church unless it turned from its indifference toward him. God's purpose in discipline is not to punish but to bring people back to him. I would like for you to ask yourself are you lukewarm in your devotion to God? God may discipline you to help you out of your caring attitude, but he uses only loving discipline. You can avoid God's discipline by drawing near to him again through Confession, Service, Worship, and Studying His Word. Just as the spark of Love CAN be rekindled in marriage, so the Holy Spirit can reignite our Zeal for God when we allow him to work in our hearts. Are You still in the Fight? Until Next Time... Jim,

" MY COURAGE COMES FROM ABOVE "

This week we are revisiting " Courage " and Courage is Persevering in spite of Fear. Some of the most Courageous men and women have prevailed in spite of Weakness, Sickness, and Persecution. I'm of the mindset that we are to face new situations and surroundings with courage. God told Jacob to leave his comfort zone, his home, and travel to a strange and faraway land. But reassured him by promising to go with him and take care of him. When new situations or surroundings frighten you, recognize that experiencing fear is normal. To be paralyzed by fear, however, is an indication that you question God's ability to take care of you. God can give you the strength you need for any situation. And don't be startled by the way he helps you. Only after you begin to obey God, you will find the Courage to move ahead. Now I believe that Courage can be misinterpreted as cowardice. The means that we use to accomplish a goal are just as important as the goal we are trying to accomplish. I'm reminded of how David spared Saul's life. David's goal was to become King, now David's men continued to urge David to kill Saul when he gets the chance. David's refusal was not an example of cowardice but of Courage - the Courage to stand against the group and do what he knew was right. Don't compromise your moral standards by giving in to group pressure or taking the easy way out. It takes Courage and Strength to Stand Firm in your convictions and to confront wrongdoing in the face of opposition. When you believe something is wrong, do not let yourself be talked out of your position. Firmly attack the wrong and uphold the right. Until Next Time... Jim,

" HELL IS A REAL PLACE "

Yes, Hell is an honest to goodness place. Please open your mind to what I'm about to share. Jesus tells about the Rich Man and the Beggar. Now I have to wonder if you truly recognize why Jesus told this story. In this accounting two men lived two life styles one man obviously was very rich. The Pharisees considered wealth to be proof of a person's righteousness. Jesus startled them with this story where a second man who was a diseased beggar is rewarded and the rich man is punished. Now the rich man did not go to hell because of his wealth but because he was selfish refusing to feed Lazarus, to take him in, or even care for him. This rich man was hardhearted in spite of his great blessings. The amount of money we have is not as important as the way we use it. What is your attitude toward your money and possessions? Do you hoard them selfishly, or do you use them to help others? Now the other man Lazarus which who should not be mistaken for Jesus' good friend in which Jesus raised from the dead in John 11. The Bible says " The poor man died and was carried away by the angels to Abraham's bosom, and the rich man also died and was buried. Now while in Hades this rich man lifted up his eyes, being in agony, and saw Abraham far away and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried out and said, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus so that he may dip of his finger in water and cool off my tongue, for I am in anguish in the flame. Now the rich man thought that his five brothers would surely believe a message who had been raised from the dead. But Jesus said that if they did not believe Moses and the Prophets, who spoke constantly of the duty to care for the poor, not even a resurrection would convince them. Notice the irony in Jesus' statement; on his way to Jerusalem to die, he was fully aware that even when he had risen from the dead, most of the religious leaders would not accept him. They were set in their ways, and neither scripture nor God's son himself would shake them loose. Until Next Time... Jim,

" MARRIAGE (I DO) "

Getting hitched, yes I know that we have visited " Marriage " in the past. But this we're going to make a quick visit. " What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate." Marriage, wedlock from God's perspective, a covenant between a man and a woman that binds them together for life. God performed the very first marriage in Eden, and Jesus sanctioned marriage by being present at a wedding in Cana of Galilee. In Jewish law and culture, there were two stages in marriage: 1- Betrothal (q.v.) and 2- The ceremony of the husband taking the bride to his home. " Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage should be kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral." Let your marriage grow strong by protecting your relationship from too many outside pressures and distractions - especially in the beginning. And don't expect or demand so much from newlyweds that they have inadequate time or energy to establish their marriage. LAST POINT: (1 Corinthians 7:15-16) Now I believe that this verse is misused by some as a loophole to get out of marriage. But Paul's statements were given to encourage the Christian spouse to try to get along with the unbeliever and make the marriage work. If, however, the unbelieving spouse insisted on leaving, Paul said to let him or her go. The only alternative would be for the Christian to deny his or her faith to preserve the marriage, and that would be worse than dissolving the marriage. Paul's chief purpose in writing this was to urge the married couples to seek unity, not separation. Until N

" WHAT'S YOUR REPUTATION LIKE?

REPUTATION: Overall quality or character as seen or judged by people in general (2) place in public esteem or regard. A reputation can be developed through consistency. I'm reminded of Ruth, her life exhibited admirable qualities: She was Hard Working, Loving, Kind, Faithful, and Brave. Now, these qualities gained for her a good reputation, but only because she displayed them Consistently in all areas of her life. Wherever Ruth went or whatever she did, her character remained the same. Your reputation is formed by the people who watch you at work, in town, at home, in church. A good reputation comes by consistently living out the qualities you believe in - no matter what group of people or surroundings you are in. I'm also of the mindset that a good reputation comes through serving God. Now, take Abraham for example, when he was in a foreign land looking for a place to bury his wife. Strangers offered to help him because he was " A Mighty Prince," and They Respected Him. Although Abraham had not established roots in the area, his reputation was above reproach. Those who invest their time and money in serving God often earn a pleasant return on their investment - a good reputation and the respect of others, Until Next Time... Jim,

" WAITING PATIENTLY TAKES WORK "

As a parent, grandparent and great grandparent I get to say this. It is natural for children to trust their parents, even though parents sometimes fail to keep their promises. Our heavenly father, however, never makes promises he won't keep. Nevertheless, his plan may take more time than we expect. Rather than acting like impatient children as we wait for God's will to unfold, we should place our confidence in God's goodness and wisdom. In his kindness, God holds back his judgment, giving people time to repent. it is easy to mistake God's patience for approval of the wrong way 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. LAST POINT: I can't say it enough, God is waiting for us to turn to him. (Luke 15:20) " So he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him." Now, in this accounting, the father watched and waited much like, our loving creator. God's love is constant and patient and welcoming. He will search for us and give us opportunities to respond, but he will not force us to come to him. God waits patiently for us to come to our senses. Until Next Time... Jim,

" KNOW YOUR ENEMIES "

Are you aware that seventy-two Psalms, almost half the book speaks about enemies? Now enemies are those who oppose not only us but also God's way of living. I'm of the mind, or viewpoint that temptations such as money, success, prestige, and even lust as our enemies. And our greatest enemy is Satan. David asked God to keep his enemies from overcoming him because they opposed what God stood for. If his enemies succeeded, David feared that many would think that living for God was futile. David did not question his own faith, he knew that God would triumph. But he didn't want his enemies success to be an obstacle to the faith of others. Now, what are your thoughts, can a Christian dislike their enemies? In 1John 2:9-11 is not talking about disliking a disagreeable Christian brother or sister. From my life experience, there are always people in whom we will not like as well as another. John's word focus on the attitude that causes us to ignore or despise others, to treat them as irritants competitors, or enemies. Christian love is not a feeling but a choice. We can choose to be concerned with peoples' well-being and treat them with respect, whether or not we feel affection toward them. If we choose to love others, God will help us express our love. Until Next Time... Jim,

" TO RECEIVE "

" Receive: " To take in or accept (as something sent or paid): come into possession of; to Get 2: Contain, Hold 3: to permit to enter: Greet, Welcome. " The Lord has heard my supplication, the Lord RECEIVES my prayer." jesus gave the disciples a principle to guide their actions as they ministered to others: " Freely you received, freely give. Because God has showered us with his blessings, we should give generously to others of our Time, Love, and Possessions. Matthew 21:22 " And all things you ask in Prayer, believing you will receive." Now, this verse is not a guarantee that we can get ANYTHING we want simply by asking Jesus and believing. God does not grant request that would hurt us or others or that would violate his own Nature or Will. Please understand that Jesus' statement is not a blank check. To be fulfilled, our request must be in harmony with the Principles of God's Kingdom. The stronger our belief, the more likely our prayers will be in line with God's Will, and then God will be happy to grant them. LAST POINT: Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love him." Now the Crown of Life is like the victory wrath given to winning athletes. God's Crown of Life is not glory and honor here on earth, but the reward of Eternal Life - living with God forever. the way to be in God's winners' circle is by loving him and staying faithful even under pressure. Until Next Time... Jim,

" IGNORANCE; IS LACK OF KNOWLEDGE "

A discerning question, when was the last time you read the book of Job, I'm struck by God's Mighty Power. OUT OF A WHIRLWIND GOD SPOKE, surprisingly, he didn't answer any of Job's questions; Job's questions were not at the heart of the issue. Instead, God used Job's ignorance of the earth's natural order to reveal his ignorance of God's moral order. If Job did not understand the working of God's physical creation, how could he possibly understand God's mind and character? There is no standard or criterion higher than God himself by which to judge God himself is the standard. Our only option is to submit to his authority and rest in his care. It does us no good to seek God's advice if we ignore it is given. Real love for God is shown not by merely asking for direction, but by following that direction once it is given. We should not try to obey God selectively, choosing those commands we will obey and those we will ignore. God's Word has authority over every aspect of our lives, not just selected portions. Food for thought, washing your hands of a a tough situation doesn't cancel your guilt. It merely gives you a false sense of peace. Don't make excuses - take responsibility for the decisions you make. LAST POINT: I believe that it's time to be real. We like Jesus' disciples took Jesus for granted. The disciples had a fantastic opportunity - they were eyewitnesses of Christ, the son of God. But for many months they took Jesus for granted, not really listening to him or obeying him. We also have a privileged position, with knowledge of 2,000 years of church history, availability of the Bible in hundreds of languages and translations, and access to many excellent pastors and speakers. Yet often we take these for granted. Remember, with privilege comes responsibility. Because we are privileged to know so much about Christ, we must be careful to follow him. Until Next Time... Jim,

" QUESTION(S) "

This week we are looking into " Question(s) " We all have them but are we asking the right one(s)? The most important question we will ever answer is what we believe about Christ. Now I'm of the mind that other theological questions are irrelevant until we believe that Jesus is who he said he is. God Welcomes Our Questions. Take John The Baptist, for example, he had to know if Jesus Christ his cousin was the Messiah. Now John was somewhat confused because the reports that he received were unexpected and incomplete. Johns doubts were natural, and Jesus didn't rebuke him for them. Instead, Jesus responded in a way that John would understand: Jesus explained that he had accomplished what the Messiah was supposed to accomplish. God can handle our doubts, and he welcomes our questions. Do you have questions about Jesus - about who he is or what he expects of you? Admit them to yourself and to Go, and begin looking for answers. In a number of places intentionally challenged his listeners to test him. He welcomed those who wanted to question his claims and character as long as they were willing to follow through on what they discovered. Jesus' challenge clarifies the two most frequent reasons that people miss when encountering him: (1) They never accept his challenge to test him, (2) they test him but are not willing to believe what they discover. Have you made either of those mistakes? Until Next Time... Jim,

" TRANSRGESSION / TRANSGRESSOR "

This week we will be looking into "Transgression / Transgressor." Trespass, Sin (an overstepping, false step). A violation of human or divine law. Several words are used in the Bible to define various aspects of transgression, the most common of which is " Sin." (EXODUS 34:7) " WHO KEEPS LOVINGKINDNESS FOR THOUSANDS, WHO FORGIVES INIQUITY, TRANSGRESSION AND SIN; YET HE WILL BY NO MEANS LEAVE THE GUILTY UNPUNISHED, VISITING THE INIQUITY OF FATHERS ON THE CHILDREN AND ON THE GRANDCHILDREN TO THE THIRD AND FOURTH GENERATION." Why would Sins affect Children and Grandchildren? This is the arbitrary punishment. Children still suffer for the sins of their parents. Now consider abuse or alcoholism, for example. While those sins are obvious sins like selfishness and greed can be passed along as well. The dire consequences of sin are not limited to the individual family member. Be careful not to treat sin casually, but repent and turn from it. The sin may cause you little pain now, but it could sting in a most tender area of your life later - your children and grandchildren.

" BURDEN(S) "

This week we will be looking into " Burden(s)." The Merriam - Webster Dictionary defines Burden in this way: Load; also: Care, Responsibility 2: Something oppressive: Encumbrance 3: Cargo; also: Capacity for cargo. " Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burden, the God who is our Salvation " (Psalm 68:19). " Bear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ " (Galatians 6:1-3). No Christian should ever think that he or she is totally independent and doesn't need help from others, and no one should feel excused from the task of helping others. The body of Christ -The - Chruch - functions only when the members work together for the common good. Do you know someone who needs help? Is there a Christian brother or sister who needs correction or encouragement? Humbly and gently reach out to that person (John 12:34-35). Sometimes our burdens seem more than we can bear, and we wonder how we can go on. Now God is the great burden-bearer. God is able to lift us because (1) his greatness is unsearchable (Psalm 145:3); (2) he does mighty acts across many generations (Psalm 145:4); (3) he is full of glorious splendor and majesty (Psalm 145:5); he does wonderful and awesome works ( Psalm 145:5-6); (5) he is righteous (Psalm 145:7); (6) he is gracious, merciful, patient, and loving (Psalm 145:8-9); (7) he rules over an everlasting kingdom (145:13); (8) he is our source of all our daily needs (145:15-16); (9) he is righteous and loving in all his dealings (145:17); (10) he remains near to those who call on him; (11) he hears our cries and saves us (145:19-20). If you are bending under a burden and feel that you are about to fall, turn to God for help. He is ready to lift you up and bear your burden. Until Next Time... Jim,

" ARE YOU CONSIDERED TO BE GENEROUS "

Giving should come from a generous heart. Now I'm put in mind of the time when the tabernacle was constructed in the Old Testament. Moses called all the sons of Israel together and shared the things that the Lord has commanded them to do. I love it that those whose hearts were stirred gave cheerfully. With great enthusiam, they gave because they knew how important their giving was. Airline Pilots and Computer Operators can push test buttons to see if their equipment is functioning properly. Now God has a quick test button he can push to see the level of our commitment - our pocketbooks. Generous people aren't necessarily faithful to God. But Faithful people are always generous. Because God has showered us with his blessings, we should give generously to others of our Time, Love, and Possessions. Giving should be second hand to us; Jesus has given us a principle to guide our actions as we minister to others; " FREELY YOU RECEIVED, FREELY GIVE." It is easy to ignore the poor or forget about those who have less than we do. But God desires generosity. In what ways can you show your generosity to those in need. Until Next Time... Jim,