" CHRISTIANITY "

Question, do others know that you are a Christian? I'm of the mind-set that we should not be Incognito Christians. How would I know if you're a believer? I would imagine at the time you gave your life to Christ within hours or days of you accepting Christ into your life you were challenged by satan. If your experience was anything like mine, I was getting thoughts like you're Not Saved. It's vital that you Believe, and Walk in your Salvation. Now, a Christian is anyone who has the Spirit Of God living in him and her. If you have sincerely Trusted Christ for your salvation and acknowledged him as Lord, then the Holy Spirit has come into your life, and you are a Christian. You won't know that the Holy Spirit has come if you are waiting for a certain feeling, you will know that he has come because Jesus Christ promised he would. When the Holy Spirit is working within you, you will believe that Jesus Christ is God's Son and that Eternal Life comes through him (1 John 5:5); you will begin to act as Christ directs (Romans 8:5; Galatians 5:22-23); you will find help in your daily problems and in your praying (Romans 8:26-27); you will be empowered to serve God and do his will (Acts 1:8; Romans 12:6ff); and you will become part of God's plan to build up his church (Ephesians 4:12-13). LAST POINT: Christianity is not limited to any race or group of people. Christ offers Salvation to all people without regard to nationality. God works all kinds of miracles to spread the gospel, using many languages as he calls all kinds of people to become his followers. No matter what your race, color,nationality, or language, God speaks to you. Those of you who call ourselves "Christians" we must realize that this means being Christ-Like. Are you Listening? Until Next Time... Jim,

" TIME TO MAKE YOUR DECISION "

Today we are looking into Making Decision(s). Prayerfully you will have another thought pattern regarding the actual process in making decisions. Now all of us make hundreds of choices every day. Most choices have no right or wrong attached to them, like what to wear or what to eat. But we always face decisions that carry a little more weight. We don't want to do wrong, and we don't want to cause others to do wrong, so the question is how can we make better decisions? We tend to make better choices with maturity: Now, one way to evaluate Spiritual Maturity is by looking at the choices we make. Many of the ways that our choices change is with personal growth. Mature choices versus immature choices, watch this...teaching others rather than just being taught; Developing depth of understanding rather than...struggling with the basics; Self-Evaluation rather than, Self-Criticism; Seeking unity rather than promoting disunity; Desiring spiritual challenges rather than desiring entertainment; careful study and observation rather than opinions and half-hearted efforts. Last Point: Principles for making sound decisions, there are three basic ones: (1) Get the facts before answering; (2) Be open to new ideas; (3) Make sure that you hear both sides of the story before judging. Now all three principles center around seeking additional information. This is difficult work, but the only alternative is prejudice - judging before getting the facts. Prayerfully we will be wiser in our decision process. Never forget to Prayer About Everything. Until Next Time... Jim,

" DO YOU HAVE TRUE COMMITMENT "

Good Day To You, This week we are looking into "Commitment." How often do we make a commitment to someone and then break it for selfish reasons of our own. God calls us to Commitment not Comfort. Faith in Christ brings great blessings but often great suffering too. Paul would suffer for his faith (see 2 Corinthians 11:23 -27). Once again I say God calls us to commitment, not to comfort. He promises to be with us through suffering and hardship, not to spare us from them. Something that we should never do is compromise our commitment to God. Okay watch this Pharaoh wanted a compromise. He would allow the Hebrews to sacrifice, but only if they would do it nearby. God's requirement, however, was firm: The Hebrews had to leave Egypt. Sometimes people urge believers to compromise and give only partial obedience to God's commands. But commitment and obedience to God cannot be negotiated. When it comes to obeying God, half measures just won't do. A promise to do or to give something is a " Commitment." A promise to be loyal to Someone or Something is also a commitment. Now lastly I believe that the attitude of someone who works very hard to do or support something is likewise a commitment. A promise is a promise; A vow is a vow and a commitment is a commitment. God wants our total commitment. Many people find it difficult to commit themselves to anything. They are tentative, indecisive, and afraid of responsibility. If you want peace, check to see if there is some area where you lack total commitment to God. Peace comes as a by-product of giving your life wholeheartedly to God. Until Next Time... Jim,

" CHILDREN FOLLOW THEIR PARENTS EXAMPLE(S) "

This weeks message is one that I believe each and every parent should pay close attention, this week as we are talking about " Family. " All human beings are related, going back to Adam and Eve. Mankind is a family that shares one flesh and blood. You must remember this if you when prejudice enters your mind or hatred invades your feelings. Please recognize the fact that each person is valuable and unique as we all are a creation of God. As Parents we help Shape the world's future by the way we shape our children's values. How often have you heard me say, What we do good or bad, our Children will do in excess. Now I believe the first step toward helping children live rightly is for the parents to live rightly. Our actions are often copied by those closest to us. What kind of example are you setting for your children? It is important to tell our children about God's work in our past and to help them see what he is doing right now. What are the Turning Points in your life where God intervened? What is God doing for you now? Your stories will form the foundations of your children's belief in God. What kind of legacy will you have? Sharing Spiritual experiences. Do you have traditions - special dates or special places - to help your children learn about God's work in your life? Do you take time to tell them what God has done for you - Forgiving and Saving you, Answering your Prayers, Supplying your Needs? Retelling your story will help keep memories of God's Faithfulness alive in your family. LAST POINT: I believe that it's vital for us to instruct, guide our family in following Christ. A good family life is a reward for following God, I believe in Family Altar (Family Devotions). The values outlined in God's Word include Love, Service, Honesty, Integrity, and Prayer. These help all relationships, and they are especially vital to home life. Is your home life heavenly or just crazy? Reading and obeying God's Word is a good place to start to make your family all that it should and could be. Until Next Time... Jim,

" WHY IS PRAYER IMPORTANT "

PRAYER: A Petition, Supplication or Praise addressed to God. Probably the best known from the Bible is the Lord's prayer. The prayer which Jesus taught his Disciples as an example of how they should pray. We must train ourselves into turning our worries into prayer. Always collect your thoughts and prayer. When we feel the pressure that can almost overwhelm us when about to face a difficult conflict, we can run about frantically or we can pause to pray. Which approach will be more effective. Now I believe in balancing prayer with action. A few weeks back I was reminded of God's people being chased by pharaoh's army as they left Egypt. They knew that they were being chased by one of the mightiest armies in the world. Moses called upon God to intervene. We may not be chased by an army, but we may still feel trapped. Instead of giving in to despair, we should adopt Moses' attitude to " Stand by and see the Salvation of the Lord which he will accomplish for you today. " Now the Lord told Moses to stop praying and get moving! Prayer must have a vital place in our lives is also a place for action. Sometimes we know what to do, but we pray for more guidance as an excuse to postpone doing it. If we know what we should do, then it is time to get moving. LAST POINT: Imagine being " Anxious For Nothing "! It seems like an impossibility - we all have worries on the job, in our home, at school. But Paul's advice is to turn our worries into prayers. Do you want to worry less? Then Pray More! Whenever you start to worry stop and pray. Let God's peace guard your heart against anxiety. Until Next Time... Jim, ,

" Jesus' Brother James "

Welcome Aboard, this week we are looking into " James. " As most know, the Book Of James is my second favorite in the Bible after the Book Of Joshua. Traditionally, it has been assumed that the James who authored this letter is the brother of Jesus (Mark 6:3), and the leader of the church in Jerusalem (Acts 12:17; Gal 1:19). Now James was probably the oldest of Christ's several brothers and sisters since he heads the list in Matthew 13:55 as well as in Mark 6:3. At first he did not believe in Jesus and even challenged him and misunderstood his mission (John 7:2-5). Later James became a committed disciple. Before his martyrdom C. A.D. 62, James was very prominent in the church. 1- James was one of the selected individuals Christ appeared to after his Resurrection (1 Cor 15:7). 2- Paul called him a " Pillar " of the church (Gal 2:9). 3- Paul, on his first post-conversion visit to Jerusalem, saw James (Gal 1:19). 4- Paul did the same on the last visit (Acts 21:18). 5- When Peter was rescued from prison, he told his friends to tell James (Acts 12:17). 6- James was a leader in the important council of Jerusalem (Acts 15:13). 7- Jude could identify himself simply as a " brother of James " (Jude 1:1), so well - known was James. LAST POINT: During Jesus' lifetime, his siblings did not believe he was the Messiah (John 7:5), but his resurrection must have convinced them. Jesus' special appearance to James, one of his brothers, may have been an especially significant event in their conversion (see 1 Corinthians 15:7). Once again this James is Jesus' brother, who at first did not believe that Jesus was the Messiah (John 7:5). After seeing the resurrected Christ, he became a believer and ultimately a leader of church in Jerusalem (Acts 15:13). James wrote the New Testament book of James. Until Next Time... Jim,

" Joshua Son Of Nun "

Joshua was a brilliant military leader and a strong spiritual influence. But the key to his success was his submission to God. When God spoke, Joshua listened and obeyed. Joshua's obedience served as a model. As a result, Israel remained faithful to God throughout Joshua's lifetime. Out of over a million people, Joshua and Caleb were the only two who left Egypt and entered the promised land. " Now Joshua the son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him; and the sons of Israel listened to him and did as the Lord had commanded Moses (Deuteronomy 34:9). " God's charge to Joshua, " Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, cross this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them, to the sons of Israel. every place on which the sole of your foot treads, I have given it to you, just as I spoke to Moses." Because Joshua had assisted Moses for many years, he was well prepared to take over the leadership of the nation. Changes in leadership are common in many organizations. At such times, a smooth transition is essential for the establishment of the new administration. This doesn't happen unless new leaders are trained. If you are currently in a leadership position, begin preparing someone to take your place. Then, when you leave or are promoted, operations can continue to run efficiently. If you want to be a leader, learn from others so that you will be prepared when the opportunity comess. Joshua had big shoes to fill but God's anointing his approval was all he needed. As Joshua we are likewise told to be STRONG AND COURAGEOUS. Until Next Time... Jim,