Why Should I Share My Faith?

Brothers In The Faith,

I've just started reading/studying the book of Revelations again for the 25th time. Don't you just love it how the Lord makes it just as fresh and new as it was the very first time. Don't you think about those that are un-saved?

Purpose of Revelation: To reveal the full identity of Christ and to give warning and hope to believers... Be full of hope, knowing that God is in control, Christ's victory is assured, and all who trust Him will be saved.

Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near (Rev. 1:3). Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him. So it is to be Amen. (Rev. 1:7).

John is announcing the return of Jesus to earth. Jesus' second coming will be visible and victorious. All people will see Him arrive, and they will know it is Jesus. When He comes, He will conquer evil and judge all people according to their deeds. "I am the Alpha and the Omega", says the Lord God, "Who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty" (Rev. 1:8). The alpha and omega are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. The Lord God is the beginning and the end. Our God the father is the eternal Lord and Ruler of the past, present, and future. Honor the one who is the beginning and the end of all existence, wisdom, and power. When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. And He placed His right hand on me, saving, "Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last (Rev. 1:17). Jesus appeared in glory and splendor, reassuring John that he and his fellow believers had access to God's strength to face these trials. If you are facing difficult problems, remember that the power available to John and the early church is also available to you. All we must do is turn from sin and turn to him in faith. When we attempt to control our lives and disregard God, we set a course that leads to hell. But when we place our lives in Christ's hands, He restores us now and resurrects us later to an eternal, peaceful relationship with Him. 'He who has an ear, let him hear what the spirit says to the churches, to him who overcomes, I will grant to eat the tree of life which is in the paradise of God'. (Rev. 2:7).

Two trees were in the paradise of God the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Eating from the tree of knowledge bought realization of good and evil. When Adam and Eve ate from the tree of knowledge, they disobeyed God's command. So they were excluded from Eden and barred from eating from the tree of life. Eventually, evil will be destroyed and believers will be brought into a restored paradise. In the earth, everybody will eat from the tree of life and will live forever. 'He who has an ear, let him hear what the spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt by the second death'.(Rev.2:11). Believers and unbelievers alike experience physical death. All people will be resurrected, but believers will be resurrected to eternal life with God while unbelievers will be resurrected to be punished with a second death eternal separation from God.

Websters Dictionary defines the word "Hear" 1- to perceive by the ear 2- to gain knowledge of by hearing; learn 3- Heed; also; Attend 4- to give a legal hearing to or take testimony from - hearer. Websters Thesaurus: to perceive by ear - listen to, give attention, attend to, make out, become aware of, catch, apprehend or take in, eavesdrop, detect, perceive by the ear, overhear, take cognizance of, keep ones ear open, have the sense of hearing, read (loud and clear), strain ones ears, listen in, *get (an earful). To receive information. We must share our faith always... When a person comes to know Christ and is born again the Bible says he is removed from Satan's control or the "power (domain) of darkness" and become part of the "Kingdom of His (God's) Beloved Son." (Col. 1:13)

The only way that Satan can influence the Christian is by deceiving (John 8:44) him into thinking that he actually has power over us. The Christian can still therefore, be tempted and deceived by Satan if he fails to remain alert in spiritual Warfare and employ the Spiritual Weapons and armor God has provided while trusting in God's strength to make him victorious.

Brothers in warfare we must constantly be on the alert; so it is with our adversary Satan, we never know when he will be trying to trick us into sinning. 1Pet. 5:8.

As mature men in the faith we look to share the Gospel message. We can share it's essentials in a manner most appropriate to the situation you find yourself in. Along with your explanation of the Gospel, an important aspect of YOUR witness for Christ includes your personal testimony. This should be a simple yet a brief and honest account of how you came to know Christ and what He has done for your life since that time.

Do not major on how sinful (or good) you were before you became a disciple of Christ, nor on all the minute details surrounding your conversion.

EMPHASIZE INSTEAD WHAT JESUS MEANS TO YOU ON A DAY - TO - DAY BASIS. HIS LOVE, HIS FORGIVENESS, HIS POWER OVER SIN AND HIS ENCOURAGEMENT, COMFORT AND HOPE DURING TRIALS.

Remember, the Christian life is never stagnant. You must grow daily. Let your relationship with Christ, your understanding of His word, and every detail of your Christian life be better today than it was yesterday.

And that's why we should share our faith.

God's Servant,
    Jim

Accountability

This morning I had a magnificent time of prayer with some of you. Isn't God gooood the way that He weaves us together. I thank God for these men often throughout the day as they pray in one accord for those in authority over us, other ministries and each others families.

This morning I was reminded of a card Mike Sparks had given me seven years ago. This card was lamenated and it challenges any man to be all we can be in our Christian walk. We all should have accountability partners, men who we can trust and be totally honest with.

Brothers you may have seen this once upon a time, this is good to carry in your pocket or wallet I do.

MEN OF FAITH: "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. (James 5:16)

1. How are you and the Lord doing with your Accountability issue(s)?
2. Have you used your gifts to fulfill your God given responsibilities to the best of your ability this week?
3. Have you spent time in daily prayer, worship and the Scriptures this week?
4. How did you sacrifice for someone else this week?
5. Have you taken time to lead your wife and children spiritually and emotionally this week?
6. Have you been completely above reproach in all your decisions and all your financial dealings this week?
7. Did you say anything this week that you would take back or change if you could say it again?
8. Have you prayed for witnessing opportunities this week?
9. Have you been with a woman this week in such a way that was inappropriate or could have looked to others that you were using poor judgment?
10. Have you exposed your to any suggestive or explicit sexual material this week?
11. Have you prayed for me?
12. Have you just been truthful to me?
13. How can I pray for you?

Brothers I'm of the school of thought that if we read this daily, we won't have a problem with any of us checking on the other. Men this may not be a very long message but it's got fangs.....

Have a great week in the Lord.

God's Servant,
Jim

Jim

Wise Counsel

This past week my Prayer partner's and I discussed wise counsel especially the counsel of your wife.

Men we need to recognize that God made us and our wives as one. We must also understand if she approaches us with caution about a decision, realize that God will often give her cautions about business decisions that he will not give to us. As men we must purpose to seek out and listen to her cautions and not make decisions until there is oneness of spirit with her, as well as with God's word.

My Bride Karen and I will have been married 38 years in five months. As I think back, almost every time I made a decision without listening nor taking her advice, things went bad. OK, we must never follow the wrong counsel of a wife. A wife should never obey instructions that violate God's Word, so the husband should never follow counsel that contradicts God's commands.

Just to name a few who failed to obey God's command: Adam, see Gen.2:16-17; 3;1-7 Abraham, see Gen. 12:2; 16. Solomon, see Deut. 17:17; 1Kings 11:4-8 and Ahab, see Num. 36:7; 1Kings 21:7

When the Father designed the husband the and wife to come together in one flesh, His purpose was for the wife to provide valuable assistance in the basic areas of the husband's life. Accordingly, God gives to your wife an alertness and understanding that He does not initially give to husband. In this way, the husband recognizes his need for his wife and is motivated to maintain a oneness of spirit in order not to miss God's direction through her.

There are several scriptural examples of God's giving vital information to his wife. He told Manoah's wife that she would have a son, and how she was to rear him, before He told Manoah. (see Judges 13:1-15). He appeared to Mary before He explained Christ's birth to Joseph. (see Matt. 1:18-25).

The wife of a prosperous landowner in Shunem accurately discerned the Godly character of Elisha and urged her husband to assist him. (see II Kings 4:8-9).

The wife of a governing ruler in Jerusalem discerned the innocent character of Jesus and warned her husband not to deliver him over to judgment (see Matt. 27:19).

Brothers in Christ these scriptural examples serve to illustrate the significant ability of a wife to discern the character of those with whom her husband is dealing.

God bless you all and have a enjoyable week with your wife.

God's Servant,
Jim

Be A Man Who Stands Alone

This morning I was challenged along with the other men that I pray with on a weekly basis, not to be like the Pharisees.

1. Pharisees were committed to obeying all of God's commands. VS. Behaved as though their own religious rules were just as important as God's rules for living.
2. Were admired by the common people for their apparent piety VS. Their piety was often hypocritical and their efforts often forced others to try to live up to standards they themselves could not live up to.
3. Believed in a bodily resurrection and eternal life VS. Believed that salvation came from perfect obedience to the law and was not based on forgiveness of sins.
4. Believed in angels and demons VS. became so obsessed with obeying their legal interpretations in every detail that they completely ignored God's message of mercy and grace.
5. Were more concerned with appearing to be good than obeying God.

My friend David A. said that the Pharisees had "Head Knowledge VS. Heart Knowledge". I for one was truly challenged as I want to be a doer of the Word and not just a hearer. As I reflected on the words of the men in my Prayer Group I thought to myself how Daniel was a man who stood alone. Each time that Daniel stood alone, it looked as if he would lose; but God used the struggles that Daniel experienced to give him greater honor and spiritual insight.

Brothers in every age God is looking for Daniels - men and women who understand scriptural principles and have purposed to stand for them whatever the cost. When David was speaking I truly heard what the Father wanted me to hear. When we choose to be a Daniel, we open up our life to the tremendous potential of greatly influencing all of those around us and bringing great honor and glory to the God whom we serve.

Men as a boy he had been challenged by the courageous pronouncements of the prophet Jeremiah against the wickedness of the king and the nation in which he lived. His people refused to change their ways and scoffed at the punishment which the prophet predicted.

A few years later that very judgment fell on the nation as foretold. Their king was chained and led from his country with thousands of others to a heathen land. This young man was among that captured group. Everything had been taken from him - his home,his family, his possessions, his freedom. But these circumstances revealed what was of lasting value. He observed that compromise with evil always results in punishment to the compromiser and to those around him. He visualized the compromises which he might face and made the decision that he would not defile himself or violate God's word in any way.In so doing he chose to be governed by a higher and stricter law than that which the one hundred twenty-two men followed. Not only were standards higher but his motivation to keep them was stronger. He was keenly aware that God was watching and evaluating every one of his words, thoughts, actions and attitudes.

His Very Name Daniel Means, "God Is My Judge."

Thank you all for praying for me and know that I'm praying for you.

It's my prayer to be the man that God wants me to be, and to be able to "Stand Alone" if need be...

God's Servant,
Jim

Attributes and Names of God

Recently I spent some time thinking more about God, and I ended up praising Him for everything I saw. I get so tickled that I don't have to be concerned about anything anymore. I'm teaching myself to think and say Lord willing about everthing in my life.

God must always have first place in our hearts. He says, "You shall have no other gods before me" (Exodus 20:3). Brothers the better we know Him, the easier that will be. Shortly I will list some names of our Lord that are good to read over frequently. Speak them out loud and declare that aspect of God as a reality in your life. They will remind us of His greatness and inspire greatness in us.


In the Bible God has numerous names. Guys if we were able to grasp all of who God is on our own, He would not have needed to inspire the writers of the Bible to speak of Him using His many names. I have a question for you, do you think that God is ashamed of His work? Do you believe that He's done His best?


God doesn't hide who He is and what He has done. We can clearly see Him if we will open our eyes. (20) For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. (21) For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened.(Romans 1:20-21).


"A Christian is not a man who never goes wrong, but a man who is enabled to repent and pick himself up and begin over again after each stumble - because the Christ-like is inside him, repairing him all the time, enabling him to repeat (in some degree) the kind of voluntary death which Christ Himself carried out". -C.S.Lewis. Let's face it, as hard as we try, we all make mistakes. We don't live God's way in everything we think and do. the word of God says, "There is not a man on earth who does good and does not sin" (Ecclesiates 7:20).


Guys no matter what is going on in your life, they will always be cause for Praise. Not only can God create something from nothing, but everything He creates is good. Seven times in the story of creation, God said that what He made was good (Genesis 1:4,10,12,17,21,25,31). Think about this, if everything God makes is good, doesn't that mean you are too?


"Names and Attributes Of God"

He is Good (1 Chronicles 16:34)
He is Powerful (1 Corinthians 1:24)
He is Great (Psalms 86:10)
He is Excellent (Psalms 8:1)
He is Love (1 John 4:16)
He is Wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:24)
He is Holy (Psalms 22:3-4)
He is Patient (Romans 15:5)
He is Changeless (Malachi 3:6)
He is Merciful (Psalms 116:5)
He is Almighty (2 Corinthians 6:18)
He is Glorious (Exodus 15:11)
He is Righteous (Deuteronomy 32:4)
He is Just (Isaiah 45:21)
He is Grace ( John 1:14)
He is Majestic (Isaiah 33:21)
He is All-Wise (Proverbs 3:19-20)
He is True (Jeremiah 10:10)
He is Pure (1 John 16:30)
He is Sinless ( 1 Peter 2:21-22)
He is Radiant (Hebrews 1:3 NIV)
He is Faithful (Deuteronomy 7:9)
He is Magnificent (Isaiah 28:29 NIV)
He is Worthy (Psalms 18:3)
He is my Creator (Psalms 139:13 TEV)
He is my Redeemer (Isaiah 59:20)
He is my Strength (Isaiah 12:2)
He is my Truth (John 14:6)
He is the Lifter of my Head (Psalms3:3)
He is the All - Sufficient One (2 Corinthians 12:9)
He is my Savior (Luke 1:47)
He is my Hope (Psalms 71:5)
He is the Son of God (Luke 1:35)
He is my Resurrection (John 11:25)
He is The Holy Spirit (Genesis 1:1-3)
He is the Light of the World (John 8:12)
He is the Lord of Lords (Deuteronomy 10:17)
He is the King of Kings (Revelation 17:14)
He is my Authority (Matthew 28:18)
He is my Consuming Fire (Deuteronomy 4:24)
He is my Restorer (Psalms 23:3)
He is my Stronghold in the Day of Trouble (Nahum 1:7)
He is my Resting Place (Jeremiah 50:6)
He is my Refiner (Malachi 3:2-3)
He is my Deliverer (Psalms 70:5)
He is my Refuge from the Storm (2 Samuel 22:3)
He is my Overcomer (John 16:33)
He is my Peace (Ephesians 2:14)
He is the bread of Life (John 6:35)
He is my Fortress (Psalms 18:2)
He is my Everlasting Father (Isaiah 9:6)
He is my Shade from the Heat (Isaiah 25:4)
He is my Healer (Malachi 4:2)
He is my Counselor (Psalms 16:7)
He is the Author of my Faith (Hebrews 12:2)
He is my Rewarder (Hebrews 11:6)
He is my Hiding Place (Psalms 32:7)
He is my Shield (Psalm 33:20)
He is my Purifier (Malachi 3:3)
He is my Sustainer (Psalms 55:22)
He is the Sovereign Lord (2 Samuel 7:28 NIV)

Guys I love you all, and Praise the Lord.


Bond-Servant Of God,
Jim


Blessed is the man that maketh the Lord his trust - Psalm 40:4