"One Of God's Creations"

Today I'd like to share with you about my new acknowledgement of "goats". Before you go to another site just wait a moment and you just might as I did learn something.

Approximately one month ago my wife and son purchased four goats to keep three acres of land clear behind our home. As I peer out of the window amazed at how much vegetation these creatures of God can consume I'm astounded. This past weekend I found myself again watching the goats. One was standing on an uprooted tree trunk that would tip one way and then the other. As he was stretching to reach vegetation just out of his reach his weight was causing a sea saw action, he never fell or lost his balance. He got up on his hind legs and that just blew my mind, I thought to myself that my God is truly an awesome God.

I started doing my research on goats and I was curious to see just how the Bible portrays goats, sheep's etc. These animals are surefooted and are mentioned in both the Old Testament and the New Testaments. In the Old Testament Sheep/Goats were referred to "Atonement". Leviticus 16:1 "The day of atonement was the greatest day of the year for Israel. The Hebrew word for atone means "To Cover". Goats were used as a sin offering.

Atonement: The reconciliation of God and man through the death of Jesus Christ. Aaron had to spend hours preparing himself to meet God. Now we can approach God anytime (Hebrews 4:16). What a privilege! We are offered easier access to God than the high priest of Old Testament times, still, we must never forgot that God is Holy nor let this privilege cause us to approach God carelessly. The way to God has been opened to us by Christ. But easy access to God does not eliminate our need to prepare our hearts as we draw near in prayer.

Now, getting back to the goats, everyday I find myself watching them while I'm praying and praising God outside. It's truly amazing how surefooted these animals are. They have hooves and dew claws which allows them to run, jump and leap from any surface in reckless abandonment. Now days I tend to look at things more closely. I enjoy sitting on my front porch rocking as I take notice of how creative, how amazing, how marvelous my God is. I see deer, rabbits, snakes even foxes on our property and it's amazing how they take care of each other. I've also noticed most of these species respect each other as long as one does not invade the others space.

I now have a better understanding of Matthew 25:32 "All the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats." Jesus used sheep and goats to picture the division between believers and unbelievers. Sheep and goats often grazed together but were separated when it came time to shear the sheep. Ezekiel 34:17-24 also refers to the separation of Sheep and Goats. Matt. 25:31-46 God will separate his obedient followers from pretenders and unbelievers. It's important that we communicate intimately with the Father daily. The real evidence of our belief is the way we act. As Christians we are to treat all people we encounter as if they are Jesus is no easy task. What we do for others demonstrates what we really think about Jesus words to us feed the hungry, give the homeless a place to stay, and look after the sick. Ask yourself this question, How well do my actions separate me from Pretenders and Unbelievers?

Have a great day in the Lord...

Humbly Yours in Christ,
Jim

"OUR CHRISTIAN WALK"

(Eph 4:17-32)

How many times have you attempted to read the Bible, with the best of intentions but your mind wondered. You see most of us just read the Bible opposed to studying it. When one studies the Word of God you truly will have the Bible open to you as never before. Why should someone want to understand the Word of God? I believe many of us who are saved, who know the Lord as our personal savior, are missing out on the blessings of God. "So this I say, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the gentiles, also walk, in the futility of their mind. I don't know about you, I for one do not wish to be void of the Word of God, as I was before my personal relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ. People should be able to see a difference between the Saved and the unsaved. Paul told us to leave behind the old life of sin. Non believers have no doubt in their own abilities. Intellectual pride, and rationalizations will keep people from God. If we don't rely on Jesus, we will soon believe that we don't need God. Their is a big difference between knowing the right words and living them out. Don't be content to have the right answers about Christ. Let your life show that God's power is really working in you.

Verse 25:27 "Therefore, laying aside falsehood, SPEAK TRUTH EACH ONE OF YOU WITH HIS NEIGHBOR, for we are members of one another. (26) BE ANGRY, AND YET DO NOT SIN; do not let the sun go down on your anger, (27) and do not give the devil an opportunity. How many times have you heard some one say something that just wasn't true? Lying to each other disrupts unity by creating conflicts and destroying trust. It's my prayer to be a "Powerful Man" A man of God , to walk in power. Know matter what ones past has been you can call on Jesus Christ for a life changing experience. As a Christian you may become humble but also bold. Your confidence will come from the Holy Spirit. Always control your spirit, remember Eph. 4;26 "Be angry and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger". Now in John 2;4 Jesus was angry at the dishonest, greedy practices of the money changers and merchants, and he particularly disliked their presence on the temple grounds. They were making a disparagement of God's house of worship. As born again people we must realize that we are being watched by others. I believe that some are waiting to say: If that's a christian then I don't want to be one. As followers of Christ we have the obligation to be Christ - Like, a christian. I'm reminded of Deuteronomy 7:9 "Know therefore that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God, who keeps His covenant and His loving kindness to a thousandth generation with those who love Him and keep His commandments; (10) but repays those hate Him to their faces, to destroy them; He will not delay with him who hates Him, He will repay him to his face. Enough said every promise that God has uttered will come to pass... Some time in the future we will look into " The promises of God".

Remember someone is always watching, the father has promised that He will never us.

Humbly Yours in Christ,
Jim

Have You Met My Friend, Jesus?

Have you ever wondered how our heroes of the Faith became so familiar with our Lord? One word comes to mind: "Obedience". Now the opposite of sin is obedience. Obeying God restores our relationship to Him. In case you're not hearing me, the only way to enjoy the benefits of God's promises is to obey Him. It seems simple enough. The Lord God commanded the man, saying, "From any tree of the garden you may eat freely; (17) but from the tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil you shall not eat, For in the day that you eat from it you will surely die." (Genesis 2: 16-17)

Next Moses comes to mind in Exodus 33:11 " Thus the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, just as a man speaks to his friend. Does this not excite you, "JESUS IS A FRIEND WITH PERKS". He knows my every thought - He's with me always - He never forces His will upon me - He's available 24/7 - One can go on and on. " The man or woman who trusts God and obeys His will is untouchable until God takes him or her. To trust God is to have immeasurable peace. God, who delivered Daniel will deliver you. Do you trust Him with your life?"

" JESUS NEVER FAILS "

If asked by another if we trust our Lord God, we say without thought "Yes ". Today just as in the days of Abraham we live in a sinful world. Most people that we come in contact with ignore the Word of God. Of course there is a percentage of us who try to follow Christ. One day God appeared to Abraham and told him that his descendants would become a great nation. As believers we are to live our life keeping in mind the legacy we will leave our descendants. God spoke to Abraham and He will speak to you. Can you say that you hear from God, and if you do, are you totally trusting Him? We must know that our God will not and cannot lie.

God will not permit lying, not even if it will avert the consequences of our actions. Do you remember in Genesis 20:11-13 Abraham deceived Abimelech with what he called a half truth. Abraham mistakenly assumed that this ruler of Gerar was a wicked man. Abraham said of Sarah his wife, "She is my Sister". So Abimelech king of Gerar sent and took Sarah. How many times do we receive a no from God, but still go ahead? If you're not seeking the face of God daily, it is easy to do your own will. Isn't God good, but God came to Abimelech in a dream of the night, and said to him, "Behold, you are a dead man because of the woman whom you have taken, for she is married". I suggest that you read this very short chapter (Gen. 20:1-18) Abraham thought it would be in his favor in deceiving Abimelech rather than trusting God. We're told in many ways that we are to trust God, no matter what our situation looks like. If you were to take some time to reflect on your past troubles, you will notice that you can come through and the world wasn't over. What I'm alluding to is we must trust God even if we were threatened with the Lions Den or a furnace that is heated 7 times hotter than normal. If we totally trust God, even though we're scared to death, we're putting that mountain, that problem, that situation on the altar of God, His Will be done. Our Lord may intervene when we least expect Him to. When we put ourselves in His hands, we'll have nothing to worry about and we can spend more time worshipping Him. I'll ask one last time have you met my friend Jesus?

Get to know Him by reading the Bible daily, remember He tells us to prove Him, to Test Him.

UNTIL NEXT TIME, RELY ON JESUS.....

Humbly Yours in Christ,

Jim

"Endeavor to become a person of Integrity"

The Green - Eyed Monster Envy

Scripture includes a vivid account of envy which resulted in murder, destruction and death. I once heard that, everything we have loses it's value to us when we desire something we cannot have. Men, it is a gray matter when we set our affections on something we shouldn't have because those around us will often do what they can to get it for us.

In this story a king had great riches but was unable to enjoy them because he wanted something he could not have. The king's wife implemented a wicked scheme that gave him his wish, but neither the king nor the Queen counted on the final price of what they had done. The callous eyes of a evil queen stared at her moody husband . It was in her interest to keep everyone around her happy, but the king was exceedingly displeased and dejected. She played the part of a doting wife. "Why aren't you eating? What has made you so upset?" The king answered as though he was a little boy telling his mother who hurt him. Then he replied I asked the man next door if he would trade me his vineyard for a better one or accept money for it, but he refused." "Why would he refuse?" She probed." "because he claims that the law of God prohibits such a sale." With irritation she demanded, "Are you king or aren't you?" Then with a ingenious gleam in her eye, she assured her husband, "Don't worry about it. I'll see that you get that vineyard." The queen was very evil and she despised God's prophets and delighted in destroying them. Why should she allow a neighbor who kept God's laws to interfere with her husband's happiness? So she went about her deadly scheme against the vineyard owner. Now the plot thickens... Letters were drafted and sent out in the king's name to the leaders of the city. "Call the citizens together, proclaim a time of fasting and prayer. Then put the vineyard owner on trial. Hire two men to falsely accuse him of cursing God and the king. then execute him." The leaders of the city followed her instructions. When the report of the man's demise reached the queen, she proudly announced to her husband, "Do you remember the vineyard your neighbor wouldn't sell you." You can have it now. He is no longer living." The king grinned like a spoiled child used to having his own way, but when he left the palace to claim the vineyard he was met by a Prophet of God (Elijah the Tishbite). The king was startled and deeply convicted by the Prophet's words.

"God has a message for you, O King. Isn't it bad enough to kill your neighbor and his family? Must you steal his vineyard, too? Because you have done this, dogs will lick your blood outside the city just like they licked the blood of your neighbor's. None of your sons will survive and the dead body of your wife will be ripped apart by the dogs."

Men it's so important that we received wise counsel, and the best counsel comes from the Word of God. Then Ahab refused to admit his guilt / sin against God. He accused Elijah, God's prophet, of being his enemy. When we are blinded by envy and hatred, it is almost impossible to see our own sin. Surely there was no one like Ahab who sold himself to do evil in the sight of the Lord, because Jezebel his wife incited him" (1 King 21:25). Jezebel's story is told in 1 Kings 16:31- 2Kings 9:37. Her name is used as a synonym for great evil in Revelation 2:20. Now Ahab was very evil and he holds the title of being the most wicked king in Israel's history.

Several years later that king was killed in battle. As men washed his blood out of the chariot dogs came and licked it. Later still, the General of the army entered the Royal city. The wicked queen was waiting for him. She had painted her eyelids fixed her hair and was sitting in an upper window of her place. Little did she know that this would be her last attitudinizing regal like portrayal.

The general shouted, "throw her down". The servants who surrounded her obeyed and threw her out the window. Her blood splattered against the wall. The general trampled her body beneath his horses. Later, soldiers were sent to bury her, but they found only the skull, feet and hands of that wicked Queen Jezebel. The dogs had eaten her just as the prophet said they would. But even the dogs refused her bloodstained hands, her feet that were swift in running to mischief, and her corrupted mind that found joy at the expense of others when they stood in the way of her evil plans. From (1Kings 21 and II Kings 9:30-37)

Although Jezebel outlined her husband by ten years, she did not escape a violent and humiliating death (II Kings 9:33). In Revelation 2:20, the name Jezebel is used for a false prophetess within the church of thyatira who encouraged idolatry and immorality. Her name is synonymous today with wickedness and treachery. Jezebel's tragic epithet is given in conjunction with her husband's, "but there was none like unto Ahab, which did sell himself to work wickedness in the sight of the Lord, whom Jezebel, his wife, stirred up". (I Kings 21:25). An innocent death to satisfy a selfish whim. Naboth refused to sell his inherited land on the basis of the Mosaic Law which was higher than Ahab's desires ( Leviticus 25:23).

"Until next time keep your spiritual wit's about ya"

Humbly Yours in Christ,

Jim

Being Vigilante

"Can We Talk?"

I'm sure that you're familiar with this verse: Love not the world (1 John 2:15-16) Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the father is not in him. (16) for all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the father, but is from the world. How many times have you heard someone say? "I just love my life" most people who use this phrase are just thinking of material gain, from the sweat of their brow ... We must always put God first, and seek the kingdom of God...

Now the serpent was MORE CRAFTY than any beast of the field which our Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, "Indeed, has God said, 'you shall not eat from any tree of the garden ?" (Gen.3:1). Cloaked as a crafty serpent, Satan CAME to tempt Eve. Let's not forget that Satan at one time was an angel who rebelled against God and he was thrown out of heaven. As Satan we are all created beings, Satan has definite limitations. Satan is trying to tempt EVERYONE away from God, he will not be the victor. God has the final say. In Gen. 3:14-15, God promises that Satan will be crushed by one of the woman's offspring, the MESSIAH.

The other day I was watching the local news and they started talking about parents getting ready for the opening of school. All of a sudden I noticed the advertisements that are shown in repetition, TV certainly knows how to capture our attention and the same is true when we walk into a store any store. Have you noticed how attractive successful - looking the models/mannequin's are? The message that they are attempting to communicate to the public is... if you purchase their product you will also become attractive and successful.

Genesis 3:6 says: When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes... They failed their first test. The Lord God commanded the man saying, "From any tree of the garden you may eat freely; but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day you eat from it you will SURELY DIE". Eve had never tasted the forbidden fruit. She had tasted other from which was very delicious and enjoyable. When she considered violating God's limitations, she allowed her eye to associate the forbidden fruit with previous pleasurable experiences. The fruit itself was appealing to the eye.

Do you have the same eye that Eve had, can you see yourself with eyes like hers? Friends not only do advertisers use sensually suggestive models to sell their product, but they also encourage woman to overemphasize their eyes. God warns men, "Do not desire her beauty in your heart, "Nor let her capture you with her eyelids". Men as husbands, fathers and grandfathers we must make our families aware of alluring advertising. When one thinks about it, alluring advertising takes the weakest point of a product and tries to turn it into a positive quality. A cigarette company advertises satisfaction, while the liquor industry focuses on life; in reality its product produces death. As an ex-smoker I never found satisfaction so I inhaled up to 1 1/2 packs per day. When we lean on our own understanding, we are not trusting God. We must trust him completely in every choice we make. Depending on our own reasoning means that Satan has a fifty fifty chance of us blowing it again. God wants us to discern between good and evil through his spirit. 1 John 4:1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God. The very temptation of Satan portrayed the consequence of relying on human understanding rather than trusting in divine discernment.

Next time you and your family go into the mall be on the look out for misleading phrases, items that appeal to the lust of the eye. Be aware that some who work behind the register/counter might be working on commission only. Men it's my opinion that he/she might use any tactic to fill their sales quota. They may use a phrase like it's only $xx,xx, or I want you to have this product so I'll do this or that for you. We truly must develop SALES RESISTANCE. "The naive believes everything, but the sensible man considers his steps. (Proverbs 14:15) Sales people are trained to move product, so they will point out the positive features of the product in question. They will make broad statements and they will put pressure on you to buy immediately. It's very important to get all the facts. My wife and I, before we make a purchase, especially a high dollar item we check with Consumers Reports. You can subscribe or go on line www.consumerreports.com . be a wise consumer as school opens in weeks.

Have a great day in the Lord.

In Times Of Difficulty

OK, sometimes we are on our "A" game and other times we just don't feel like we can complete anything for a variety of reasons.

There may be times of great difficulty in our Christian life when it seems that the weight of our problems is going to crush us. God may seem to be a galaxy away. At these times we learn what it means to walk by faith and not by sight II Cor. 5:7. Have you ever experienced pain, all we want is to get rid of it right away II Corinthians 4:17 says: For momentary, light affliction is producing for us eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison . Our troubles should not diminish our faith or disillusion us. we should realize that there is a purpose in our suffering. Problems and human limitations have several benefits: (1) They remind us of Christ's suffering for us. (2) They keep us from pride, (3) They cause us to look beyond this brief life, (4) They prove our faith to others, and (5) They give God the opportunity to demonstrate his power.

"See your difficulty as an opportunity"

The other day I was talking with my friend Rick Creech and he was sharing with me about how God is in control. Then I remembered that I belong to the Father, and He wants the very best from me. When I experience a disruptive moment in my life such as chronic pain or any other type of irritation I try to remember that God is in total control. The Father is allowing this interruption and I believe that it's just a test. Do you remember Jesus prayed in the garden, He was fully aware of what doing the Father's will would cost Him. We also must understand and realize that irritations, pain and or suffering in life that we encounter the father is well aware of.

Jesus was well aware of the suffering He was about to encounter. Jesus prayed, "Not what I will, but what You will". Is this your prayer? Are you willing to pay the price to gain something worthwhile in the end. Whens the last time you read 1 Peter 4:1-2 ?

As followers of Christ, we should be willing and prepared to do God's will and to suffer for it if necessary. I would like to think that I could stand - up to the test. As one who experiences chronic pain daily, I've come to realize that sin loses its power to defeat us in our suffering. When we focus on Christ all things are possible, healing of all kinds. Anyone who suffers for doing good and still trustingly obeys in spite of suffering, that person has truly made a clean break with sin. God created the world, and he has faithfully ordered it and kept it since the creation Because we know that God is faithful, we can count on him to fulfill his promises to us. If God can oversee the forces of nature, surely he can see us through the trials we face.


Humbly Yours,
Jim

Making a Proper Appeal

Have you ever thought about the way you've made appeals in your past, and was your appeal granted? God supplied us with the Word of God, which can prepare us for every situation.

God is in control: Our Father is all knowing, and He is in charge of world events. God overrules and removes rebellious leaders who defy him. God will overcome evil; no one is exempt. But He will deliver the faithful who follow Him. Although nations vie for world control now, one day Christ's kingdom will replace and surpass the kingdoms of this world we live in. We can take solace in knowing our faith is sure because our future is secure in Christ. We must have courage and put our faith in God, who controls everything.

Daniel and his three friends are examples of dedication and commitment. They did not give into pressure from an ungodly society because they had a clear "Purpose in life".

Perseverance: Daniel served from 605 BC to 535 sum total of 70 years in a foreign land. His captors were hostile to God , yet he did not compromise his faith in God. He was truthful, persistent in prayer, and disinterested in power for personal glory.

"God's Faithfulness:" God was faithful in Daniel's life. He delivered him from prison, from a den of lions, and from enemies who hated him. You see God cares for people and deals patiently with them. Saints we can trust God to be with us thorough any trial. Because he has been faithful to us, we should remain faithful to him.

I know that many of us have had times when we thought to compromise rather that to stand on the word of God. Daniel 1:3 Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, the chief of his officials, to bring in some of the sons of Israel, including some of the royal family and of the nobles. 1:4- youths in whom was no defect, who were good looking, showing intelligence in every branch of wisdom, endowed with understanding and discerning knowledge, and who had ability for serving in the king's court; and he ordered him to teach them the literature and language of the Chaldean's.

"DANIEL'S RESOLVE"

1:8 But Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself with the king's choice food or with the wine which he drank; so he sought permission from the commander of the officials that he might not defile himself. 1:9 Now God granted Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the commander of the officials. Daniel appealed to the overseer "please test your servants for ten days, and let us be given some vegetables to eat and water to drink. Daniel 1:13 Then let our appearance be observed in your presence and the appearance of youths who are eating the kings choice food; and deal with your servants according to what you see". 1:14 So he listened to them in this matter and test them for ten days. 1:15 At the end of ten days their appearance seemed better and they were fatter than all the youths who had been eating the king's choice food. 1:16 So the overseer continued to withhold their choice food and the wine they were to drink, and kept giving them vegetables. 1:17 As for these four youths, God gave them knowledge and intelligence in every branch of literature and wisdom; Daniel even understood all kinds of visions and dreams.

God loves us just as much as he loved these four young men. I'm reminded of another scripture 1 John 5:14-15 This is the confidence which we have before him, that, if we ask anything according to His Will, He hears us. (15) And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him. At the end of the days which the king had specified for presenting them, the commander of the officials presented before Nebuchadnezzar. Now the king spoke with them and not one was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah; so they entered the king's personal service. 1:20 As for every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king consulted them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and conjurers who were in all his realm.

Now I'd like to fast forward as Daniel is propelled in the sight of the king, he promoted Daniel and gave him many gifts, and he made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon and chief prefect over all the wise men of Babylon.

2:19 And Daniel made request of the king, and he appointed Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego over the administration of the province of Babylon which Daniel was at the king's court. Something we all must grasp, that the highest test of our true attitudes is not when we make our appeal but our response if our appeal is turned down. A gracious response at this point will not only be a proper testimony, but it may also prompt the one who has turned down our appeal to reconsider. It will certainly cause our authority to be more open to future appeals which we may need to make. OK, if our appeal is accepted, we also have an obligation to demonstrate a right spirit. That would involve genuine gratefulness and any expected follow-through. Daniel is one of God's best examples of how to make wise and effective appeals. He served under four political rulers and on two occasions could not obey the instructions that were given to him.

In the first episode he appealed and was given what he requested. In the second instance an appeal was useless, so he followed his convictions and was cast into a den of lions. Daniel had so effectively followed the aspects of being under authority, having the right motives and having attitudes, that the king spent a whole day and a sleepless night trying to spare Daniel from the consequences of the law that he had to violate.

In Babylon's religious culture, statues were frequently worshiped. Nebuchadnezzar hoped to use this huge image (ninety feet high by nine feet wide) as a strategy to unite the nation and solidify his power by centralizing worship. Now this golden image might have been inspired by his dream. He thought of having not just the head made of gold but head to toe.

The king wanted his kingdom to last forever. When he made the statue, Nebuchadezzar, showed that his devotion to Daniel's God was short-lived. He neither feared nor obeyed the God who was behind the dream. 3:8 For this reason at that time certain Chaldeans came forward and brought charges against the Jews. Then they said "You, O King have made a decree that every man who hears the sound of the horn, Flute, Lyre, Trigon, Psaltery, and Bag Pipe and all kinds of music, is to fall down and worship the golden image. 3:11 Then the Word of God says "But whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast into the midst of a furnace of blazing fire. I'm sure that we all know the rest of the story.

The Bible is so interesting to me, it has everything. The Word of God is life changing and those of us who are adventurous, and who wasn't at the edge of our seat when Abraham was instructed to offer up his son, his pride and joy (Gen.22). Now wasn't it thrilling, I'm sure that each one of us can share a story in the Bible. How about the New Testament, the Gospels to be a great way to introduce others to the Word of God. When we're sharing our faith, it's like making a proper appeal.

All I wish to do is to share what God puts on my heart. That is why my friend, Ben Corll, and I have put together this blog.

Thank you so much for all your prayers in the last 7 years.

Bond - Servant Of God
Jim

"Desire The Things Of God"