"ENDTIMES"

Greetings to you all,

It's my prayer that all is well with you and yours. Do you give much thought to your future? Are you one who sets goals? I'm not thinking about short-term, mid-term, nor long term goals but "Eternal Goals".

" You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end" (Matt.24:6)

What goes through your mind when you hear the words " End Times " ? Does it strike fear in your heart or a totally different emotion. Please do yourself a favor and store up the Word of God in your heart.

By knowing the Word of God, it will give you much comfort. I've heard it said that knowledge is power, do you believe this?

The disciples that were following him asked Jesus for the sign of his coming and of the end of the age. Jesus' first respond was " See to it that no one misleads you. " If we trust in the Lord and live by His word, the word of God, no other can deceive you. The fact is that whenever we look for the signs, we become very susceptible to being deceived. The Bible makes it clear that there are many " False Prophets " yes even in today's world, with counterfeit signs of spiritual power and authority. As mentioned before, the only sure way to keep from being deceived is to focus on Christ and His words. Don't look for express signs, and don't spend time looking at other people. Look for Christ.

Jesus said that before He returns, the gospel of the Kingdom (The message of Salvation) would be preached throughout the world. What do you think, with radio, tv, internet, etc it's close. This was the disciples mission _ and it is ours today. Jesus talked about the End Times and Final Judgment to show His followers the urgency of spreading the Good News of Salvation to everyone.

Christ will return on God's timetable, not ours. Jesus predicted that, before His return, many believers would be misled by false teachers claiming to have revelations from God.

According to scripture, the one clear sign of Christ's return will be His unmistakable appearance in the clouds, which will be seen by all people.

BE BOLD IN YOUR COMMITMENT. HAVE YOUR HEART AND LIFE READY FOR CHRIST'S RETURN.

" TIMES OF TRIAL SERVE TO SIFT TRUE CHRISTIANS FROM FALSE OR FAIR-WEATHER CHRISTIANS ".

Until Next Time,

Jim

"JESUS CONTROLS THE STORMS OF LIFE"

If there was ever a time to communicate with the Father it's now. Praying, talking with the Father should be like talking with a friend who you care about and respect very much. A friend should be someone whom you have much admiration and trust in. A friend should be someone who you can talk over your inter-most thoughts with. A friend is someone that can be contacted anytime, even at 3am in the morning (Per my Good Friend David).

And they came to Him and woke Him, "Save us, Lord; we are perishing! " (Matt. 8:25)

How many times have you felt like you were at the end of your rope, with no where to turn? I'm sure that we all can say that we've felt the pressures of the day. Unfortunately some have even experienced catastrophic loss, due to our countries state of affairs. Debt Crisis in America has caused many businesses as well as hearts to fail. Times of distress and misfortune revisit much to often.

We must purpose to trust God no matter what is happening in our lives. It's alright to tell God about how you're feeling, even if you feel abandoned by God, tell Him. If you're like most others who become impatient with how slowly you feel God seems to be answering your prayers, tell Him that also. The disciples waited until there arose a great storm on the sea before calling on Jesus.

As in our lives sudden storms appear without warning, and if we're not accustomed to talking with the Lord about everything in our lives we will panic and most likely make the wrong decision. Think about it, many believers find find that when they determine to follow the Lord, they almost always encounter great obstacles.
Now, when facing trials, first make sure you haven't brought them on yourself through sin or unwise choices. If you find no sin to confess or unwise behavior to change, ask God to strengthen you for your test. Finally, be careful to follow faithfully wherever the Holy Spirit leads you.

Remember a few weeks back I shared with you that temptation will often come after a high point in our spiritual lives or ministries. Satan will choose the times of his attacks, normally when we are vulnerable. God should be the very first place that we turn when facing struggles or dilemmas. What happens when we choose to go our own way, we get ourselves into a jam. Have you ever wondered , when are we going to get it. Trying to control our own lives without God's help leads to struggle and confusion. Don't feel that your problems will keep you from God. He is always ready to help. We should never allow our fear to keep us from approaching him. FAITH THAT ISN'T PUT INTO ACTION IS NOT FAITH AT ALL.
( Remember that we can always approach the Father).

Until Next Time...

Jim

" EXAMPLE, WHO ME "

An "EXAMPLE" IS WHEN WE FORM A MODEL, TO BE FOLLOWED OR AVOIDED.

We are told that Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his time, Noah walked with God. What kind of example are you and are you being an influence on others VS. being influenced by others? The world that we live in now is pretty much the same as it was in Noah's time, we live in a world filled with evil.
Gen. 17:1 Now when Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, "I am God Almighty"; WALK BEFORE ME, AND BE BLAMELESS.

We are shown in the Word that those you lead will not always follow our example but that, should not effect the way you live for God. The Word consequently is a clue that what follows is important! As Born Again Believers ("Christians") we must not live with our own selfish agenda. Others will mirror our example, as we have a duty to them to live for Christ.
Here is a catechism for you, does your example make it easier for others to believe in and follow Christ, and to mature in him? Or would those who follow you end up disconcerted and misguided?

Friends to rise above the influence of poor models, we must seek better ones. Jesus provides us a perfect model. No matter how you were raised or who has influenced your life, you can move beyond those limitations by taking Christ as your example and consciously trying to live as he did.

Until next time, be the example I know that you can be.

Jim

" IMPURE "

Good morning to you, I was wondering if we could just take a moment to talk? This past weekend as almost every weekend my wife and I have at least two of our eight grandchildren over. We get a second chance to invest in the lives of people that mean so much to us. It matters immensely what kind of men my grandsons grow into. Friends if we don't share our lives, our experiences with those in our Family Tree then shame on us. Remember that the sins of the father will re-visit our off-spring up to three and four generations. Something else to take into account is what we do/allow our children will do/allow in excess.

Today's theme we touch on being not pure; not clean.
How does that make you feel? Picture this it's a beautiful weekend day and you're enjoying the great out doors with your pals. Now, let's say that you're engaged in an arousing athletic competition and it starts to rain cats and dogs, you've heard the expression.
Everyone on the playing field, their clothing from head to toe is saturated with North Carolina mud. This kind of uncleanness/stain can be tolerated, and can be seen as a badge of courage, now on the other hand obscene and moral corruption is something that man, above all attempts to conceal. The book of Ephesians shares with us that we are to be imitators of God, that we should walk in love just as Jesus Christ loved us and sacrificed His life for us. In no uncertain terms God shares in " Ephesians 5:5 For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is a idolater, has an inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ and God."

Wow, now that's as plain as the nose on your face, God does not leave any room for error of interpretation. It is so important that we don't revel in sin. We are to be wise in the Word of God. The Christian life is a process of becoming more and more like Christ. Now, this process will not be complete until we see Christ face-to-face, but knowing that it is our ultimate fortune, and that should motivate us to purify ourselves. Every person has a master either God or sin. As man it's our Adamic nature to sin, it is impossible to be neutral. A christian is not someone who cannot sin, but someone who is no longer a slave to sin. He or She belongs to God.

Friends to be clean is our objective, some of you may not truly understand purification. To purify means to keep morally straight and free from corruption of sin. God needs people who will take a stand for what is right. Christians must lovingly speak out for what is true and right. As you bathe daily with soap and water you must bathe yourself in the Word daily to stay fresh and clean. If we don't keep ourselves clean and fresh we can become lost in the quagmire of life.

I Love you all, until next time...

Jim

"SELF-CONTROL"

Today I wish to speak on the topic of self-control. The Word of God describes self-control as the ability to regulate one's own actions and feelings.

How well are you doing in this department, are you making high quality choices in all areas? May I suggest that it's not enough to disavow sin and evil yearnings; - we ought to carry out aggressive spiritual warfare daily. I myself have always been what one might call an effervescent christian. An athlete works out daily or at lest on a predetermined schedule. We are told in the book of Phil 2:5 " Let this mind be in you, which was also in Jesus Christ".

It's so easy to succumb to temptation, to look at what's not appropriate, or to listen to any conversation that is ungodly. To commit sin and say, I'll ask for dispensation later is wrong headed.

I'm reminded of the apostle Paul when he went up against Felix the Roman Governor or Procurator of Judea. Paul had come before Felix to answer the Jews' accusations. I for one am so overawed at Paul's ability to present the gospel message through his defense. We should always be looking for an opening to present the Word of God at all times. Remember that God uses ordinary people so be prepared. Paul's appeal to Felix became so personal that the governor was feeling trepidation, and rightly so as he had taken another man's wife. It's been my experience and most likely yours that many people will be in full agreement to discuss the gospel with you. Just as soon as the conversation touches their lives on a very personal level, they squirm like a fish to get off the hook. The Bible warns us of these vices, as we neglect God and others when we indulge in: Sexual immorality(Galatians 5:19); Impurity(5:19); Passion(Colossians 3:5); Enmities(5:20); strife(5:20); Jealousy(5:20); Anger(5:20); Disputes(5:20); Dissensions(5:20); arrogance(2 Corinthians 12:20); Envy(5:21); Murder(Revelation 22:12-16); Idolatry(5:20; Ephesians 5:5); Sorcery(5:20); Drunkenness(5:21); Carousing(Luke 5:13; Galatians 5:21); Fraud(1 Corinthians 6:8); Adultery(1 Corinthians 6:9-10); Homosexuality(1 Corinthians 6:9-10); Coveting(1 Corinthians 6:9; Ephesians 5:5); Stealing(1 Corinthians 6:9-10); and Lying(Revelation 22:12-16).
Please work hard on your self-control issues as your life depends on it. Another scripture comes to mind " Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." (James 5:16)

Until Next Time Stay Focused.

Jim

" VULNERABILITY TO SIN "

Good Morning to you, are you prepared for what might be coming around the corner? You may respond and say something like, " I'm always ready, I was taught to be prepared". Some of you may agree with this statement while others such as myself believe in being vigilant.

Isn't it great how the Father Loves, Protects, and Provides for us? We are admonished in 1 Peter 5:8-9 "Be of Sober Spirit, be on the Alert. Your Adversary, the devil, Prowls around like a Roaring Lion, seeking someone to Devour. But Resist him, Firm in your Faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world". We are warned to watch out for Satan always, but most especially when we are going through something. Lions will stalk, attack and most definitely devour the sick, the young and also the struggling as this is their nature. Satan's business is to steal, rob and to kill. Learn to keep your eyes on Christ, and resist the devil. The Bible tells us in the book of James that " he will flee from you " (James 4:7). Just in case you didn't know that, now you do. If you resist, if you are watching out for the things that are not of God, Satan will flee. If you are not alert, you are exposed to anything. By giving into temptation, say by not telling the complete and total truth at all times, we risk turning a piacular act into a pattern.

Make no mistake anything that is sin is a flaw in our characters and can be considered a vulnerable spot in our spiritual armor.
No matter how much we love God, certain temptations can be especially difficult to resist. As we struggle with our weakness, we can be encouraged to know that God is watching out for us just as He did for other believers in the faith.

Stay on the alert, be watchful and it's alright to be offended if and when you hear the Lords name taken in vain.

Until next time...

Jim

" TO HAVE WORDS WITH "

God morning to you all today's message may truly cause some to pause. Have you ever thought to yourself, "Why can't I stop myself from always wanting my own way? Do you fight for everything in life, and then justify it my stating to anyone who will listen that you're just competitive. Have you discovered that you are always having words with someone, also do you always want the last word?

We are told in the Word of God to avoid arguments. Titus 3:9 "But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and disputes about the law, for they are UNPROFITABLE AND WORTHLESS. " You know I just get a kick out of the Word of God, I'm so grateful how straight forward, and how plain it is. I can remember when I first allowed Jesus Christ into my heart I stayed up all evening attempting to understand the bible. Finally the man who discipled me shared that it would get easier as I petitioned the Lord for help. God doesn't pull his punches, He speaks to us all so that if we truly wish to know we will. The bible uses words like UNPROFITABLE: useless, and vain.
He also uses the word WORTHLESS: lacking worth; valueless; useless and low despicable.

We are admonished to keep away from locking horns with others. Foolish people find it impossible to avoid conflict, but people with character can. In fact Proverbs 20:3 "Keeping away from strife is an honor for a man, But any fool will quarrel." Have you ever wondered why you disagree with others? I read somewhere that pride comes into play. Yes pride is a major component in every quarrel. We are told to guard against pride, ergo bickering.
Quarreling spawn's from evil desires battling within us - we seem to want more possessions, more money, superior status, and more acknowledgement. We should agree that Jesus Christ is Lord of all, petty differences should never divide believers. Instead of aggressively seizing what we what, it behooves us to submit ourselves to God. If you ask, he will help you rid yourself of selfish desires and that will reduce arguments and promote harmony.

I confess that God's not finished with me yet, please keep me in prayer.

Until Next Time,

Jim