" 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...

God's View on Sex (Part 3 of 3)

Greetings All,

This will be the last installment on God's Views On Sex unless you go to the Word on your own. Those of us who have been *saved* for any length of time can tell you that the Holy Spirit will allow certain Scripture to jump out at us when He wants to get our attention. We may have read the same chapter every day for months and it was about God's amazing love. Then the day you really needed to hear from the Lord...... He's right on time.  SO MEN PLEASE LISTEN UP!

"Why Does Proverbs Include So Many Warnings About Unauthorized Sex?"

(Proverbs 5:3)  "For the lips of an adulteress drip honey and smoother than oil is her speech;"  

This "Adulteress Woman" is a Prostitute. Proverbs includes many warnings against unauthorized sex for several reasons: (1) A lady of the evening's charm is used as an example of any temptation to do wrong or to leave the pursuit of Wisdom. (2) As previously mentioned, sexual immorality of any kind was and still is notably dangerous. It destroys family life. It disintegrates a person's ability to love.  It degrades human beings and turns them into objects. It can lead to disease. it can result in unwanted children. (3)  Remember Sexual Immorality is against God's law. In Corinthians 6, teachings about sexual immorality and prostitutes was especially important for the Corinthian Church because the temple of the love goddess Aphrodite was in Corinth. Paul clearly stated that Christians are to have no part in sexual immorality, even if it is acceptable and popular in our culture. Back in 1 Corinthians 4 Paul told the Corinthians  to imitate him. Men we ought to listen to the man of God. Now Paul was able to make this statement because he walked close to God,  spent time in God's Word and in prayer, and was aware of God's presence in his life at all times. Paul wasn't expecting others to imitate everything he did, but they should imitate those aspects of his beliefs and conduct that were modeling Christ's way of living.

"In Sexual Sin Someone Always Gets Hurt"         

(Proverbs 6:25-35) Let's be honest in the past how many times have you thought that it is right to break God's law against sexual sin especially if nobody  gets hurt. If truth be told, somebody always gets hurt. Men, spouses are devastated. Children are scarred. The partners themselves, even if they escape disease and unwanted pregnancy, lose their ability to fulfill commitments, to feel sexual desire, to trust and to be entirely open with another person. God's laws are not arbitrary. They do not forbid good, clean fun; rather, they were used against destroying ourselves through unwise actions or running ahead of God's timetable.  In Romans 1:26-27  We're reminded of God's plan for natural sexual relationships for his creation, you and me. Unfortunately, sin distorts the natural use of God's gifts. Sin frequently means not only denying God, but also denying the way we are made. When people say that any sex act is acceptable as long as nobody gets hurt, they are fooling themselves. Brothers can we talk, In the long run  ( and often in the short run), sin hurts people - individuals, families, whole societies. How sad it is that people who worship the things God made instead of the creator so often distort and destroy the very things they claim to value!

Men homosexuality was as widespread in Paul's day as it is in ours today. Many pagan practices encouraged such behavior. Our God is willing to receive anyone who comes to him in faith, and Christians should love and accept others no matter what their background. Yet, homosexuality is strictly forbidden in scriptures (Leviticus 18:22). "You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an abomination."  Sexual desires and activities must be placed under Christ's control. God created sex for procreation and pleasure, and as an expression of love between a husband and wife. Sexual experience must be limited to marriage, to avoid hurting ourselves, our relationship to God, and our relationships with others.  

"Ways To Avoid Sexual Sins"

Proverbs 7:25-27   There are precise steps you can take to avoid sexual sins, first, guard your mind. Don't read books, look at pictures, or encourage fantasies that stimulate the wrong desires. Second, keep away from settings and friends that tempt you to sin. Third, don't think only of the moment - focus on the future. Today's thrill may lead to tomorrow's ruin.

"Committing Mental Adultery"

You have heard that it was said, you shall not Commit Adultery;  (28) But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. Back in Exodus 20:14  You shall not commit adultery. But Jesus said that the desire to have sex with someone other than your Spouse is Mental Adultery and thus Sin. Jesus emphasized that if the act is wrong, then so is the intention. Men to be faithful to our Spouse with our body but not our mind is to break the trust so vital to a strong marriage. Jesus is not condemning natural interest in the opposite sex or even healthy sexual desire, but the deliberate and repeated filling of ones mind with fantasies that would be evil if acted out.  Some think that if lustful thoughts are sin, why shouldn't a person go ahead and do the lustful actions too?  Acting out sinful desires is harmful in several ways:  (1) It causes people to excuse sin rather than to stop sinning;  (2) It destroys marriages;  (3) It is deliberate rebellion against God's Word; (4) It always hurts some one else in addition to the sinner. Sinful action is more dangerous than sinful desire, and that is why desires should not be acted out. nevertheless, sinful desire is just as damaging to righteousness. Left unchecked, wrong desires will result in wrong actions and turn people away from God. We are in a battle for our lives and the lives of our families. If we stay Pure, Clean and Healthy in the Lord, what chance will our families have in the long run. Remember when Jesus said to get rid of your hand or your eye, he was speaking figuratively. He didn't mean to actually gouge out your eye, because even a blind person can lust. But if that were the only choice, it would be better to go into heaven with one eye or hand than to go to hell with too. Sometimes we abide sins in our lives that, left unchecked, could eventually destroy us. Brothers it is better to experience the pain of removal  (getting rid of a bad habit or something we treasure, for instance) than to allow the sin to bring judgment and condemnation.  Men SCRUTINIZE your life for anything that causes you to sin, then take proper precautions to remove it.

Have a wonderful Christmas in the Lord and please remember God's Views on Sex.

Humbly Yours in Christ,

              Jim

God's View on Sex (Part 2 of 3)

 I heard from a few of you yesterday and all I can say is "God be the glory"...  Strap in and let's continue on this journey into the bible.

"WHY DID GOD INCLUDE SO MANY LAWS ABOUT SEXUAL SINS"?

(Deut.22:13-30)   Laws on Morality were given to God's chosen people and also for us today. Instructions about sexual behavior would have been essential for three million people on a 40 - year camping trip. But they would by equally important when they entered the Promised land and settled down as a nation. In the book of Colossians chapter 3:5-8, Paul recognizes the importance of having carved in stone rules about sex for believers because sexual sins have the power to disrupt and destroy the church. Are you strapped in? Sins involving sex are not innocent dabbling in forbidden pleasures, as is so often portrayed, but powerful destroyers of relationships. They confuse and tear down the characteristics of respect, trust, and credibility so essential for solid marriages and secure children. Brothers it's time for us to stop being selfish, when we cheat on our spouse, in whatever form it maybe self gratitude can open the door to the pit. Before I inadvertently forget to list Colossians 3:5-8 "Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. (6) For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience, (7) and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them. (8) But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth".

"HOW TO COMBAT TEMPTATION"

(Judges 16:15)  We've all read about Sampson and Delilah and more important how Delilah deceived Sampson as the serpent in the garden deceived Eve. The serpent was described as more crafty than any beast in the field. Now, Delilah thought that she was more clever than others. Men how do we keep our desire for love and sexual pleasure from deceiving us?  (1) We must decide ahead of time what kind of woman we will entertain as our possible mate for life. My son is in his early thirties and he is still single and walking with the Lord. Everyday I'm praying for the Godly woman, that our Lord is preparing for my son. Determine whether a person's character and faith in God are as desirable as his or her physical appearance. (2) Men, most of the time that we spend with our wives will not involve sex, our companion's personality, temperament, and our duty to solve problems must be as gratifying as that special thing that makes your wife melt, or your or her kisses. (3) Men be patient... Remember that we are searching for your life long partner. It's OK to take a second or even a third look. Often will reveal what is under the surface. I'm not referring to what she looks like when the makeup is off but what she's like when it's just you and her.

"WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT MARRIAGE"                             

(Genesis 2:18-24) Marriage is God's idea - (Genesis 24:58-60) Commitment is essential to a Successful Marriage - (Song 4:9-10) Romance is important - (Jeremiah 33:10-11) Marriage holds times of great joy - (Malachi 2:14-15) Marriage creates the best environment for raising children - (Matthew 5:32) Unfaithfulness breaks the bond of trust, the foundation of all relationships - (Matthew 19:6) Marriage is permanent - (Romans 7:2-3) Ideally, only death should dissolve marriage - (Ephesians 5:21-33) Marriage is based on the principled practice of love, not on feelings - (Ephesians 5:23,32) Marriage is a living symbol of Christ and the church - (Hebrews 13:4) Marriage is good and honorable.

"RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PRIDE AND SEXUAL IMMORALITY"     

Men no matter how you look at another woman who is in sexual sin. An adulteress is a seductive woman or a prostitute. Two of the most difficult sins to resist are Pride and Sexual Immorality. Both are alluring. Pride says, "I Deserve It" ;  Sexual Desire says, "I Need It" ;   In combination, their appeal is deadly. In fact, says Solomon, only by relying on God's strength can we overcome them. Pride appeals to the empty head; Sexual enticement to the empty heart. Always remember by looking to God, we can fill our heads with Wisdom and our Hearts with his Love. Don't be fooled - remember what God says about who you are and what you were meant to be. Ask Him for Strength to Resist these Temptations.

OK men that's enough for now, it looks like there will be a Part 3.  Lord Willing I'll see ya soon.

God's View on Sex (Part 1 of 3)

This message is of such importance that I may have to share it with you in parts, so please strap in and get ready for a ride through the Bible.

It's my prayer that you are all standing in the Word of God. Today's subject is sex and I'm not sure if we're on the same page. The Merriam Webster Dictionary defines the word "sex" (1) either of the two major forms that occur in many living things and are designated male or female according to their role in reproduction; also (2) the qualities by which these sexes are differentiated and which directly or indirectly function in reproduction involving two parents. 

"WHY SEX MUST BE LIMITED TO MARRIAGE"

(Deuteronomy 23:17-18) "None of the daughters of israel shall be a cult prostitute, nor shall any of the sons of Israel be a cult prostitute. (vs18) "You shall not bring the hire of a harlot or the wages of a dog into the house of the Lord your God for any votive offering, for both of these are an abomination to the Lord your God. Our God did not over look anything in His law, prostitution is rigidly forbidden. Almost every other religion known to the Israelites included cult prostitution as an integral part of its worship services. prostitution makes a mockery of God's original idea for sex, treating sex as an isolated physical act rather than an act of duty to another. Outside of marriage, sex destroys kinship with marriage, if approached with the right attitude, it can be a relationship builder. Young people need to be reminded about premarital sex, and adults need to be reminded about sexual loyalty.

"SEXUAL RELATIONSHIPS IN MARRIAGE" 

(Proverbs 5:18-20) "God does not intend faithfulness in marriage to be boring, lifeless, pleasureless, and dull. We are told to rejoice in the wife of our youth. We are to be stimulated always with her love. Real happiness comes when we decide to find pleasure in the relationship God has given or will give us and to commit ourselves to making it pleasing for our spouse.

 "SEXUAL SIN"

 "CONSEQUENCES OFTEN DEVASTING"     

(Genesis 34:27-29)  When Shechem raped Dinah, the consequences were far greater than he could have imagined. Dinah's brothers were outraged and took vengeance, pain, deceit, and murder followed. Sexual sin is devastating because it's consequences are so far reaching.

"RESISTING SEXUAL SIN"  

(Genesis 39:9)  "There is one greater in this house than I, and he has witheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do this great evil and sin against God?"  Wow, what a man of God. Joseph truly was a man with character. Potiphar's wife failed to seduce Joseph, who resisted this temptation by saying it would be a sin against God. One has to wonder how many other times Potiphar's wife seduced other men and was successful. Joseph didn't say, to Potiphar's wife, "I'd be sinning against Potiphar," or "I'd be sinning against myself." Under pressure, such excuses are easily explained away. Men remember that sexual sin is not just between two consenting adults. We know that it is an act of disobedience against our God. None of us I don't believe gets up each day and says, let's see how can I disobey God today. We must purpose in our heart to stay sin free. We need to realize how important it is to engraft scripture into our daily lives. Just afew weekends ago while praying for someone at the altar a brother in the Lord came up to me an handed me a list of scriptures that we all should memorize and speak into other lives.

"WHY SEXUAL SIN IS SO DANGEROUS"                                                                   

(Leviticus 20:10-21)  God's prohibition against sexual sins come with notably harsh punishments. God has no understanding for such acts for the following reasons: (A) They shatter into smithereens the mutal commitment of married couples; (B) They can surely destroy the sanctity of the family (C) They twist people's mental well - being; and (D) They spread disease. Sexual Sin has always been widely available, but the glorification of sex between people who are not married to each other often hides deep catastrophe and hurt behind the scenes. When society portrays sexual sins as attractive, it is easy to forget the dark side.When we neglect to pray and search the scriptures daily for guidance and strength will can stumble and Fall. God had good reasons for prohibiting sexual sins.He loves us and wants the very best for us.

 I believe I will stop right here for now as I don't want to bowl you over today.   I'll be back with Part 2!

Until next time stay tuned...

 

Humbly Yours in Christ,

              Jim