Are YOU Ready?

Greetings to you all, it's time that we all had a Spiritual Checkup. If we don't challenge ourselves to go to the next level we become spiritually stagnant and aloof.

In Ezekiel 22: 30-31 it says " I searched for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand in the gap before me for the land, so that I would not destroy it; but I found no one. Vs 31 "Thus I have poured out my indignation on them; I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath; their way I have brought upon their heads," declares the LORD God. The wall spoken of here is not made of stone, but faithful people united in their efforts to resist evil. This wall was in disrepair because there was no one who could lead the people back to God.

I can't tell you how many times I've heard a brother in the faith tell me how busy he was. He talks about work and everything else that he puts before the LORD. Understand what I'm saying, we must not put anything before before the LORD. Our God is a jealous God, He demands complete devotion and nothing in between.

Don't be looked upon by God as He once looked at Israel, as worthless dross with nothing good in you.

God loves us so much that He will forgive and or rescue us right on time. Whether we sin once or many times, out of rebellion or out of ignorance, our sin separates us from God and will continue to separate us until God forgives us and removes it. The Word of God records time in our history when the LORD was fed up and He destroyed the earth.

The earth was no longer the perfect paradise that God had intended for man. It is shocking to see how quickly all of mankind forgot about God. How many times have you put God on a back burner in order to satisfy a certain lust. Incredibly, in all the world only one man and his family still worshiped God. This man was Noah, God saved him and his family from a vast flood that destroyed every other human being on earth. While in the wilderness Gods chosen people fashioned a golden calf and worshiped it. Yet again man totally dishonors God and brings Him to the brink. "Therefore He said that He would destroy them, had not Moses his chosen one stood in the breach before Him. To turn away His wrath from destroying them."

"Stood in the breach" means that Moses served as the people's intercessor. This refers to the time when the Lord wanted to destroy the people for worshiping the golden calf (Exodus 32:7-14). Can you be the one to stand in the gap for a loved one, or for your friend or even your Pastor? Can you pass the test, can you be counted as a righteous man to stand in the gap for mankind? Moses and Samuel where two of God's greatest prophets. Like Jeremiah, both interceded between God and the people (Exodus 32:11; Numbers 14:11-20; 1 Samuel 7:9;12:17; Psalm 99:6) Intercession is often effective. In this case, however, the people were so wicked and stubborn that God knew they would not turn to him.

In Ezekiel "O Israel, your prophets have been like foxes among ruins. "You have not gone up into the breaches, nor did you build the wall around the house of Israel to stand in the battle on the day of the Lord." (Ezekiel 13:4-5).

Let's not be like the people in Ezekiel 22, again the wall spoken of here is not made of stone, but of faithful people united in the efforts to resist evil.

This wall was in disrepair because there was no one who could lead the people back to God. What the people really needed was total spiritual reconstruction! Don't use religion as whitewash; repair your life by applying the principals of God's Word. God Loves you and so do I.


Have a great day in the Lord, see ya next wednesday...

FORGIVENESS

Today's topic is one of great importance, as it isone that gives the masses trouble. Jesus asked God to forgive the people who where putting Him to death. Roman Politicians, Jewish Leaders, Soldiers as well as Bystanders. The Romans executed people publicly as examples to the rank and file.

God answered the prayer of Jesus by opening up the way of Salvation even to Jesus' murderers. After the crucifixion of Christ many priest were converted to the Christian Faith. The Gospel, The Good News - is that God is gracious. He will forgive us and give new life through His Son.

"THE SEVEN LAST WORDS OF JESUS ON THE CROSS"

1- "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." Luke 23:34
2- "Truly I say to you, today you shall be with me in Paradise." Luke 23:43
3- Speaking to Mary and John, "Woman, behold, your son!
4-"My God, My God, Why have you forsaken Me? " Matthew 27:46, Mark 15:34
5- "I am thirsty."John 19:28
6- " It is Finished." John 19:30
7- "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." Luke 23:46

These last words capture the last moments of all that Jesus went through to gain our forgiveness.

Desmond Tutu, who led the nation of South Africa through a national process of Forgiveness and Reconciliation, put it well: "Forgiveness and being reconciled are not about pretending that things are other than they are. It is not patting one another on the back and turning a blind eye to the wrong."

Forgiveness looks sin in the eye and nevertheless speaks costly words: "I Forgive You."

Keeping a record of sins (or holding a grudge) is like building a wall between you and another person, and it is nearly impossible to talk openly while the wall is there. God doesn't keep a record of our sins; when He forgives, He forgives completely, tearing down any wall between us and Him. Therefore, we fear (revere) God, yet we can talk to Him about anything. When you pray, realize that God is holding nothing against you. His lines of communication are compeletely open.

Being very honest with each other, is there a time when you gave an apology to someone and didn't mean it? Thinking back I can remember a time in my youth, when I had a fight with another boy in school. After the teacher broke up our combat she made us come together again but this time with a apology and a hand shake. Now, at that moment in time all I truly wanted to do was to jump on him again. There was no repentance in my heart nor was my apology heartfelt. Since those days, I've learned to sincerly ask for forgiveness. My Bible says in Ephesians 1:7 "In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace. We truly have an amazing Savior. It truly boggles the mind the things you and I do within our own power, thinking that we are the captains of our own life. How many times have you hurt another and didn't give that incident a second thought? Jesus had compassion, unquestionable love for others, He was very sensitive to the needs of others, He was very sensitive to the needs of others. How does it make you feel when you reflect on the times you did not ask to be forgiven or the many times you didn't forgive someone for hurting you? God graciously accepts us even though we don't deserve it. God forgives us even when we have ignored or rejected Him, we should graciously forgive others. (Genesis 50:20) "As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive."

God brings good from evil for those who trust Him. Do you trust God enough to wait patiently for Him to bring good out of a bad situations?

Never forget that God can overrule man's evil intentions to bring about His intended results.

Until next Wednesday, practice asking for forgiveness and you forgiving others. Thank you so much for allowing me to share the Word with you.

Jim

"UNDERSTANDING SIN"

Can we talk about sin?


"Sin" (N) Transgression Any action which violates God's Law. Before the giving of the Ten Commandments and the many other Old Testament Laws found in the books of Exodus, Leviticus, and the book of deuteronomy, God occasionally spoke directly to individuals about what He required of them (e.g. Gen. 2:17).

The O T Laws later spelled out in great detail what constituted sin, and what to do to atone for sin. In the Gospels, of the New Testament Jesus further expounds sin as including not only actions but also evil thoughts, such as unfounded anger toward others. Man defines Sin (N) An offense esp. Against God (2) Fault (3) A weakened state of human nature in which the self is estranged from God.

Now that we know what God's definition of sin is, ignorance can know longer be used as an excuss for sinning. We are in the fight of our lives, yes as Christians we understand that no weapon formed against us shall prosper. It's important that as Christians you understand that we don't get a free pass from sin.

Now going back to the Garden Of Eden, Sin crawled in as a Serpent. We are going to have to fight and resist sin in every area of our lives. We are told in James 4:7 "Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you." Satan is here now, however, and he is trying to win us over to his evil cause. With the Holy Spirit's power, we can resist the devil, and he will flee from us. It's time to take back ground that we have surrendered to the enemy. It's important that we understand the importants of Ephesians 4:27 "And do not give the devil an opportunity." We must not harbor nor nurture our sin, when we do it's giving the devil a "place" in our lives. As our spiritual and then mortal enemy Satan is scheming for a foothold in our lives.

Earlier I made a reference to the Garden of Eden and satan entering as a slippery snake. Why is it that we don't want to admit sin in our life? (Gen. 2:25) "And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed." Once Adam and Eve Sinned they had a reason to be embarrassed, and to feel shame and then awkwardness followed, creating barriers between themselves and God. Do you feel yourself putting on a Fig Leaf so to speak, to cover your sin?

Satan is our enemy!!! He will do anything he can to get us to follow his evil, deadly path. Adam and Eve learned way back in the garden by painful experience that because God is holy and hates sin, he must punish sinners. Adam and Eve's disobedience and fall from God's amiable
presence affected all creation. In Genesis 6:6-7 "The LORD was sorry that he had made man on earth, and he was grieved in His heart. (7) The LORD said, "I will not blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, from man to animals to creeping things and to birds of the sky; For I am sorry that I have made them." It's vital that we recognize when we sin. You may have sin that is out of mind and even forgotten sin. In Psalm 139:23-24 David said "Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxious thoughts; (24) And see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way." Wow, Isn't it comforting to know that if we ask the LORD to search our heart and our thoughts and to reveal our sin, you will be continuing on God's "everlasting way."

"SIN WILL FIND YOU OUT" Gen.4:7 "If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it."

We must grasp the fact that Sin is still crouching at our doors today, and maybe even right now for someone. Please understand that we will be victims of sin if we do not master it. Sin offends our holy God and separates us from him. Because God is holy, He cannot ignore, excuse, or tolerate sin as though it didn't matter. People who die with their life of sin unforgiven separate themselves eternally from God. God wants us to live with Him forever, but He cannot take them into His holy presence unless their sin is removed.

"MY LORD CAN SAVE YOU IF YOU TURN TO HIM".
"But your iniquities have made a separation between you and God, and your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear." (Isaiah 59:2)

Please believe (1 John 1:9) " If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness". When we come to Christ, He forgives all the sins we have committed or will ever commit.

Until next week

Jim

" RESPONSIBILITIES OF A GRANDFATHER"

Yesterday I had the honor and the priviledge of spending some alone time with my five week old grandson Joel. Many memories flooded my mind, like remembering holding young Joels Mother in my arms in much the same way as a newborn. I found myself looking into his face and wondering what his future will be. As a Grandfather I'm concerned about what Mom and Dad don't teach. A Grandparent can be more liberal in what we feel a child is ready to hear or learn. Our oldest daughter the mother of Joel would tell our oldest grandson stories in the Bible and she animated the telling as to keep the attention of a 2 year old. This 2 year old loved 1 Samuel 3 " The Prophetic Call To Samuel" so much that he would recite portions of this chapter on demand this is fact, No brag just fact. When I was a much younger man there was a T.V. Western called " The Guns Of Will Sonnett" starring Walter Brennan. His catch phrase was "No brag just fact" I've borrowed that saying for today. I'm very proud of all my grandchildren.

As a Father and a Grandfather I wish to share the fact that my Wife and I are very instrumental in the teachings of our grandsons.
As the grandparents of five boys and one on the way in April, my Wife and I are staying somewhat up to date with Todays youth,while nostalgia is in our hearts and minds. With the wistfulness of days gone by I sometimes long for the days of not having to lock our doors. My respondsibility for my Son and Daughters will last until I pass. Man says that when we reach the age of 18 we are adults and we are to make our own decisions. (Gal. 4:1,2) " Now I say, as long as the heir is a child, he does not differ at all from a slave although he is owner of everything. (2) but he is under guardians and managers until the date by the Father. "

Our Father God knows that the stability and the soundness of a family depends on the Wisdom and the devotion of the grandfather. Guys it's never to late for any of us to change and to take advantage of the Word of God. (Deut. 4:9) So that you do not forget the things which your eyes have seen and they do not depart from your heart all the days of your life; "but make them known to your sons and your grandsons."

Men have you committed your life to God for Safekeeping? If you have, then you have to understand that God deserves the best we have to offer. We must be willing to change our ways of living and become the grandfathers that the Lord wants us to be. If you haven't already, it's time to consider your legacy. Grandfathers may be older than you, but we're experienced in life and the things of God. It's truly a wonderful thing to look into your Grandsons face and see a part of you. As you gaze into that innocent face and you wonder what kind of man or woman this child will grow into. At that moment you will Vow that as long as their is breath in your body and you're of sound mind you will share your Wisdom and Knowledge of God with this infant, I did.

Fathers it's important that you understand Your role and the Grandfathers role in the lives of you children. Never forget that Believers are God's Treasured possessions, so make sure that you have committed your life to God for safekeeping.
My children were under the age of 10 when they met Jesus as their personal Savior. Please know that children are like sponges and Can and Will absorb what ever is poured into them.

May God Bless You All... "IT'S MY PRAYER TO UPDATE THIS PAGE EACH WEDNESDAY"...LORD WILLING

Humility

Men, today it is hard for a man to lower himself and become truly humble. We are to be humble and meek in spirit according to the Bible. But isn't that contrary to what the world says? Are we not to be strong men who stand up and defend ourselves, our families, and our country? Are not our soldiers still at war in Iraq defending our great nation? So how can we read in God's Word that we are to be humble or even submissive? It all comes down to whom we are being humble towards, in this case I'm talking about being humble to our Creator. He is greater than all of us and it takes a real man to admit that he needs God and is truly taking a backseat to God's guidance and direction for his life.

When we compare ourselves to others and deem that we are superior to them, then we are taking the focus which should be on God and we are placing it on ourselves. We are all created uniquely and that is God's design. When He created Adam and Eve He did not want them both to be the same. He created them uniquely and with different purposes. When all the Christians in the world or even in a church are put together they form one body (1 Cor 12:12). This is such an awesome verse as it tells us that we are each part of the body of Christ and that we are all created differently yet with the idea of being part of the same body. Toes are not going to serve the function as an ear or a nose. We should not expect all men and women to be the same, have the same strengths, and have the same abilities. We should be joyful that there are differences and instead of comparing ourselves with our brothers and sisters we should take joy in the differences and hope to learn from those around us.

If we are looking in the mirror and seeing ourselves as great and magnificent then there is not room in our hearts and minds for God. As Psalm 10:4 states: "In his pride the wicked does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God." We should not be looking at others to compare ourselves with, instead we should keep our focus on God, to seek Him, and to walk closely with Him. Then when we do finally stand before Him we can hear Him say "well done good and faithful servant" (Matt 25:34) instead of "leave me, I know you not". (Matt 25: 41-46). For when we serve God's people and those who are in need we are in fact serving God Himself. When we persecute God's people then we are persecuting God. So we must strive to humble ourselves and subject ourselves to God's teachings and follow the examples He set for us.

I know that when I pass from this place and go to be with my Father in Heaven that I want him to look at the works I have done while on Earth and praise me for being faithful. I don't want him to ask why I did not humble myself and serve by making myself the least among the people. Psalm 37:11 & Matt 5:5 says that the meek will inherit the earth. I certainly look forward to my inheritence in Heaven as it far better than anything than we can gain here in this world. There is no price on earth that can compare to what we can store up for ourselves in Heaven! (Matt 6:19-20)

Have a blessed day!

Benjamin

With God All Things Are Possible

Greetings to you all wherever you're from in this great big beautiful world of ours. It's my pleasure hearing from you, my friend Ben is working on translations and I will soon be able to pray about what matters most to you.


Have you ever truly thought about nothing being impossible to you? My Bible says in Matt. 19:26 "With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." The Merriam-Webster Dictionary says impossible is a adjective incapable of being or of occurring. This says to man that he cannot achieve his every desire because it is impossible. As Christians, born again believers we have faith that Nothing is impossible with God. This question is asked to Abraham in Genesis 18:14 "Is anything too difficult for the Lord? The unmistakable answer is "Of Course Not! " If we can truly wrap our minds around this premise we would never worry about anything again. Speaking of worry in Genesis 7:16 we see that Noah and his sons did exactly what they were told to do, and that was to get the animals into the Ark. Wouldn't you have taken time to draw up some kind of a plan? Noah trusted God and He took care of the details of that job while Noah was doing his part by bulding the Ark. Jeremiah 32:17 'Ah Lord God! Behold, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for You.


I don't know how many times I have been told that All Things Are Possible With God,and I still don't get it. It isn't easy for us to believe that God can fullfill this "Impossible" promises either, but we must trust Him. God who worked in the lives of Biblical heroes, will work in our lives too, if we allow him. In Zechariah 8:6 "Thus says the Lord of hosts, 'If it is too difficult in the sight of the remnant of this people in those days, will it also be too difficult in my sight?' Declares the Lord of host". Ok, the remnant was a small group of Jewish believers who had been dispossess from their home and country. Why do we limit ourselves with constrains of our minds? When we can go about our daily lives knowing that Jesus is with us every moment of the day. For this reason we know that we know that nothing is impossible with God. How do you treat your best friend, don't you tell him/her every little thing. It's vital that we pick ourselves up every time we fail. When we fail always remember that the Lord Jesus Christ is always with us. In Deuteronomy 31:6 "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."


I confess that at times I'm not even thinking about the Lord, My Protector, My Provider and He is so much more. I even forget that He is like a brother to me, which makes him closer than a best friend. Do you remember what the Lord said to Joshua after the death of Moses? God's charge to Joshua was straight forward just as every born again Christian is charged from God. We all were given different gifts, Spiritual Gifts to spread the Word as we work together in the body of Christ. "Nothing is impossible with God". We need to understand the importance of courageous and consistent faith. What am I saying? My favorite character in the Bible other than Jesus is Joshua. I love the book of Joshua as it is full of adventure etc. Like Joshua, we too need faith to begin and continue living the Christian life. As of this day forward we must walk this earth as confident Christians internalizing Luke 1:37 " For Nothing Will Be Impossible With God." As Christians we know how very important it is for us to rejuvenate ourselves in the Word of God daily. As we recharge overnight we have a chance to thank God for His Love and Mercy and also to seek forgiveness. It will be of great value for you to have in your heart and mind: The things that are impossible with people are possible with God.


It's good to have goals, but goals will disappoint us if we leave God out of them. In order to walk around knowing that whatever we ask of God He will answer takes a person with strong faith and knowing that Nothing is impossible with God.



Until Next Time "Trust God".

Can You Hear Me Now

A few weeks back I was talking with my accountability prayer partners. We come together for prayer every Thursday morning before work. As usual no subject is off limits and any man can attend, now this particular morning my heart was heavy as we were sharing about the awkward times that we stumble, especially with our families. Immediately my mind started racing as I sat in my seat thinking about the previous weekend. Isn't God good the way that he gives us conformation about a subject or decision that we must make?

Men it's our duty to care for our wives, as they are a precious gift from God. Let's do a better job in caring for the vessel that God gave to each of us. Men I confess that I at times have been insensitive to my wife. In other words I've cracked her. I look at my wife as a very precious vessel from God. This is a rough thing to say or even to admit out loud, but I in the past have broken my vessel without even realizing it. She always let's me know when I'm getting close to scratching her veneer, so to speak. I have to pause to even realize just what I did or said. Men, with God's help anything can be put back together again. God created the world and everything in it, in Ezekiel 37:1-10 you'll see how He can put us back together again, when we fall apart.

A few Sundays back I sat my wife down and asked her what does a Woman (wife) want from her Husband. She looked me straight in the eyes and responded that every wife craves a one on one audience. No Television, No Computer or even Children at this time. Then she said that the bedroom is a married couples inner sanctuary. This is where a couple can find out where they've changed. Where we as men can find out when we changed from being that Knight in Shining Armour, that Sturdy Oak in her eyes. We need to ask our wives when did we actually fall from Knighthood, our ego's will most likely get bruised but we need to backtrack and repair. Then my wife said that communication is very important on both parts: We must ask each other how have I changed? We must stay on course, it's about you and her not the children or even your jobs. It's so very important to have this kind of sharing time. Remember It's OK to ask the hard questions: Ask her to be totally honest with her answers as your marriage depends on bridging the gap in your relationship. This is most likely is a good time to share your Needs, Wants and Desires.

Men don't be blind sided by every day trials... The Bible tells us in Gen. 2:18 (Oneness) Eph. 5:22-33) *Washing doesn't mean "Demanding" crying for attention - We Must teach we must walk this earth as Jesus walked!!! Always be prepared to share and teach with your families, you and your wife must be on one accord in order to combat Humanism and Evil.

My goal in 2008 is to get better acquainted with Jesus Christ and help others toward Spiritual maturity. Jesus challenged us out of the quagmire of unbelief by giving promises that cannot be bound by human conception; We may ask "Whatever" or "Anything" (John 14: 13-14) "If you ask Me anything in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

"A Christian is not a man who never goes wrong, but a man is enabled to repent and pick himself up and begin over again. After each Stumble - because the Christ - Life is inside, repairing him all the time, enabling him to repent (in some degree) the kind of voluntary death which Christ Himself carried out". C.S.Lewis

Have a great day in the Lord...