" CHILDREN ARE A GIFT "

Are you thanking the Lord, I mean giving thanks to God for all that He has given you? I for one am trying not to take God for granted nor look past what He has blessed my wife and I with. I am a father of three and a grandfather of seven who is striving very hard to stay involved in all of their lives.

It's been hinted by some to often that children are seen as liabilities rather than assets. I for one become incensed when I hear dross such as this. My Bible calls children " a gift of the Lord ", a reward. Psalm 127:3 says "Behold, children are a gift of the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward." Children have been graciously given to us. It is very important to tell our children about God's work in our past and to help them see what He is doing right now. If you were to take a moment right now, can you recall what the turning points in your life were? When I think back, it's the times of God's intervention that met the most to me.

There is nothing like the Love of The Father. His agape love, which can be described as unconditional, sacrificial love which does what is in the best interest of another, without expecting anything in return.
God commanded us to teach our children: Exodus 34:7 " Who keeps loving kindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin; yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished, visiting the iniquity of fathers on the children and on the grandchildren to the third and fourth generations."

Please be extremely careful not to treat sin casually, but repent and turn from it. The sin may cause you little pain now, but it could sting in a most tender area of your life - your children and your grandchildren. Why would sins affect our children and our children's, children? This is no arbitrary punishment. Our offspring still suffer for the sins of the parents.

One of our greatest responsibilities as parents is to encourage our children to become wise. Wisdom can be passed down from parents to children, from generation to generation. Ultimately, of course all wisdom comes from God; parents can only urge their children to turn to him. If Mom and Dad never taught you in this way, God's Word can perform as a loving and compassionate Mother or Father to you. You can be taught many a lesson from scriptures and then create a legacy of wisdom as you teach your own children. It's alright for your children and your grandchildren to see you praying with your spouse. It's even better when they join in with you and Mom/Dad, likewise it's great for them to see you get excited about Church Attending, Small Groups, or Bible Study or even just prayer with others. Teach your children now as tomorrow may be to late. Our responsibility is to instruct them in Faith...

Until next time,

Jim

" RESIGN WILLINGLY TO GOD'S DIRECTION "

How much do you trust God, and are you always obedient? Take a moment and consider just how you would respond to God if he instructed you to find a spouse. Most of us would eventually come to terms with this life altering request of God after much consideration.

Picture this, Almighty God has just revealed to you that your new wife will be unfaithful to you. She will bear many children, and knowingly some will be fathered by other men. Wow, can you willingly resign to God's direction? If we have paid attention to God's Word " I will work all things for your good. Romans 8:28", then in " Isaiah 58:11 " I will guide you". I have come to realize that it is always best to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. You know when you know that you know. I almost never know what's going to happen or what benefit it will be for me. Even though following the directions of God may cause some headaches from time to time, it's very important that we trust God. It's also paramount that we don't lose our appreciation or our special relationship with The Father. Scout out the ramifications of dreams and ambitions that do not include him, so we stay on the path of righteousness.

Listen in today's world it seems that everything we wear, purchase and eat has been suggested by some greedy Ad Person. We can search after other loves, rather than the love of our spouse. It seems that we can pick up almost any newspaper or even go online and be informed that so and so has just left his or her spouse. Love of money, or recognition, Love of power and even pleasure can be very powerful. The magnetic luring of this world can be very seductive. Are you loyal to God, remaining completely faithful, or have other loves taken first place? There is still hope for those who turn back to God. No loyalty, achievement, or honor can be compared to loving Him. Turn to the Lord while the offer is still good. No matter how far you have wandered off or how low one sinks, God is willing to buy us back - to redeem us - and to lift us up again.

Until next time...

Jim

" SEARCH THE HEART "

Last week I was not able to share with you, as I was very ill. There were many moments that I was wishing that the Lord would take me home. If I were to guess I would say that I had some kind of stomach virus or something. This was the worst I can remember feeling in over sixty years. I suffer with chronic daily pain to the point of tears most days but last week took the cake. If it were not for my prayer lists and the Word of God I would most likely be saying woe is me.

I was praying and searching the Word of God and the Lord shared Jeremiah 17:10 with me. I truly believe that the Lord gives you what is needed, when it's needed even when it comes to His Word. I've read through the Bible 27 times, plus I study the Word daily and this is the first time that I recall this verse jumping out at me. " I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve (Jeremiah 17:10)." When you're flat on your back you have time to reflect and to take stock in your life. I believe that the end times are upon us, and each one of us will have to face the Lord Jesus on our own. Our hearts have been inclined toward sin since birth. We can still choose whether or not to continue in sin, know that if you seek out God to help you resist temptation he will give you the strength needed.

I desire to stay clean and pure of heart, therefore I find myself calling on the Lord often during the course of a day. Be aware that there are an abundance of traps and snares waiting out there for us, so until next time please keep your wits about you.

Jim

" WEAKER OR HESITANT BELIEVER "

Good Morning to you all, well it's morning here just after mid-night.
Now days everyone is bulking up and working out. How about you are you toning up your body yet? Nobody wants to appear weak or hesitant in this day and age.

Do you fall into either of these classifications, weaker or hesitant believer? I'm from the school of thought that it's vital that we are perspicacious to the things of God. It is essential that we en graft the Word of God and live it.
When God's chosen people were hesitant and neglected to follow his directions repercussions always resulted. The Israelites were hesitant to clear out all the wicked people. We are sometimes hesitant to clear out all the sin in our lives, either because we are afraid of it (as the Israelites feared the giants), or because it seems harmless and attractive (as sexual sin seemed). Hebrews 12:1-2 tells us to throw off " The sin which so easily entangles us". We all may have some kind of fetish that we just don't want to give up ( a bad habit, an unhealthy relationship, a certain life-style). If we permit a fetish to dominate us, it will cause serious problems later. Please consider carefully that your mode of operation after awhile becomes habitual.

We are considered to be strong in some areas, and weak in others. Our faith is sturdy in an area if we can endure contact with sinners without falling into their life-style. It is weak in an area if we must avoid certain activities, people, or places in order to protect our spiritual life. It's important to take a self-Inventory in order to find out our strengths and weaknesses. When ever in doubt, ask yourself "Can I do this without sinning?" I'm convinced that I can inspire others for the good, rather than being influenced by them. In areas of strength, we should not fear being polluted by the world; rather we should step up and serve God. In areas of weakness, we need to be cautious. If we are strong in our faith but shelter it, we are not doing Christ's work in the world. If we're frail in faith and show it, we are being extremely witless. Although you may not feel the same as others, take your time, pray to God, but do not force others to adhere to your stipulations. You would hinder other believers by making up rules and standards for how everyone ought to behave.

Listen, make sure that your convictions are based on God's Word, and are not simply an expression of your own opinions.
Those who are mature in the faith must care about their brothers and sisters in Christ who are weaker. Don't be proud of your spiritual knowledge, embrace your blessings, lead by example.

Until next time,

Jim

" WORTH "

Hear we are again, it's time for me to share what the Lord has put on my heart.

I believe that it's very important for you to know that you are loved, I mean truly loved. The Father cares for you so much that He dispatched his only Son here to show us that all things are possible through Him. He experienced the life of a earthly man, but lived a perfect life then He stretched out His arms and laid down His life for us.

Please take a moment to ponder, who values you the most. Has something happened in your life to cause you to think about your worth?
Worth: a monetary value; The value of something measured by its qualities.

" YOU ARE OF GREAT WORTH TO GOD..."

Jesus said that God is aware of everything that happens in our lives, everything. If God is aware of a sparrow falling to the ground and He's taken the time to number each of the hairs on our head. God is telling us that we have nothing to fear, that we are very important to Him.
Psalm 8: 4-5 "What is man that you are mindful of him, (5) you made him a little lower than the heavenly beings; and crowned him with glory and honor." We are so valuable that God sent His only Son to die for us (John 3:16). Being as how God places such value on you, you need to never have anxieties regarding personal threats or even difficult proceedings.

You need to know that nothing can shake God's love or even uproot his Spirit from within you. God will not take away all your troubles we're instructed to rejoice when we're persecuted. The fact that we are being persecuted proves that we have been faithful; faithless people would be unnoticed. In the future God will reward the faithful by receiving them into his Eternal Kingdom where there is no more persecution. The real test of value is how well something holds up under the wear, tear, and abuse of everyday life. Those who stand up for Christ in spite of their troubles truly have lasting value and will receive great rewards.

We must be prepared in this life, Matt. 10:16 " Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be SHREWD AS SERPENTS and innocent as doves. " Jesus knew that we would have to face those who don't have our best interest at heart. Those who will take advantage of us any and every chance they get. Jesus was concerned and warned His disciples that the opposition of the Pharisees would be like ravaging wolves. We are to look to Jesus for everything even protection. We are not to be sheep like in our attitude but shrewd yet circumspect. We are not to be simple pawns but neither are we to be deceitful connivers. We must find a balance between wisdom and vulnerability to accomplish God's work.

Have no fear, trust God and know that you are of great value to the Father.

Until Next Time,
Jim

" GOOD TIMES AND BAD "

In this life it's always going to be one or the other, so we might as well just Trust God. I believe that it's time that we sharpen up our listening skills and truly become "Christians". Being a Christian is becoming more Christ-Like, and we all know that our Lord would listen to all.

Every time you converse with a relative, friend or acquaintance you get to hear about whatever is presently happening in their life. I've had people take me into their confidence and share their hearts. I'm also from the school of thought that we should always inquire if all is well, with them and their families. Today's subject is "Good Times and Bad" as we all must learn how to navigate through life. Yes, God allows both good times and bad to come to everyone. He mingles them into our lives in such a way that we can't predict the future or count on human wisdom and the preponderance. Why do we customarily give ourselves the credit for the good times. Then in bad times, we tend to blame God without thanking him for the good that comes out of it. When life appears certain and controllable, don't let self-satisfaction or contentment make you too comfortable, or God may allow bad times to drive you back to him. When life seems uncertain and uncontrollable, don't forlorn hope - God is totally in control and He will bring good results out of tough times.

You know we often hear people say that, " It doesn't matter ". But many of your choices will be irreversible - they will stay with you for a lifetime. What you do when you're young does matter. Enjoy life now, but don't do anything physically, morally, or spiritually that will prevent you from enjoying life when you are old.

Until Next Time,

Jim

" GOSSIP "

How would you feel if you shared some very personal information with someone and it leaked out? In fact the rumor that was going around sounded more like a story or a joke that totally missed it's mark. What we have to realize is that man is thin-skinned in many ways and words can hurt like slap.

I venture to guess that we all have heard that we should not participate in gossip. I'm sure that sometime in your life you may have been surrounded by people who criticize and gossip. I believe that we must be sure of, and very careful of whom we share personal information with. A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid a man who talks too much. Webster defines the word "Gossip" as, (1) A person who habitually reveals personal or sensational facts. (2) Rumor or report of an intimate nature (3) An informal conversation.

Lives have been ruined by gossip and conjecture. The making up or spreading false reports is stringently forbidden by God. Gossip, slander, and false witnessing undermines families, and also neighborhood participation, and also made chaos of the justice system. Gossip can be destructive, and I believe if you want the truth always go to the source.

Why do people gossip? Why do we pass along unsubstantiated information? I suspect that gossip may empower some and can possibly change lives. When we gossip it reveals a flaw in one's character. Even if you don't initiate the lie, you become accountable if you pass it along. Please refrain from circulating rumors, CRUSH THEM.

A "Busybody" is a gossip. Now an idle person who doesn't work ends up filling his or her time with less than helpful activities, like gossip. Rumors and hearsay are tantalizing, exciting to hear, and make us feel like insiders. But they tear people down. If you often find your nose in other people's business, you may be under-employed. Look for a task to do for Christ or for your family, and get to work. Proverbs 25:18 " Like a club and a sword and a sharp arrow is a man who bears false witness against his neighbor." Lying ("False Witness" ) is spiteful. It's effects can be as permanent as those of a stab wound. The very next time you are tempted to pass on a bit of gossip, imagine yourself stabbing the victim of your remarks with a sword. This image may shock you into silence.

Until next time,

Jim