" WHERE DO YOU RECEIVE YOUR GUIDANCE FROM ?"

I'd like to welcome you this day, and it's my desire that you truly take heed to these words.

Whom do you look to for guidance? Listen, when you follow God's guidance, you know you are where God wants you. Whether you're moving or staying in one place. You are actually somewhere right now. Instead of praying, " God, what do you want me to do while I'm right here? " Direction from God is not just for your next big move. He has a purpose in placing you where you are right now. Begin to understand God's purpose for your life by discovering what he wants you to do now!

A good leader needs and uses wise counselors. One person's perspective and understanding is severely limited; he or she may not have all the facts or may be blinded by bias, emotions,or just wrong impressions. To be a wise leader at home, at church, or at work, seek the counsel of others and be open to their advice. Then, after considering all the facts, make your decision.

Now, to receive God's guidance, first we must desire to be guided by the future. We must also realize that God's primary guidance system is the word, the Bible. At this moment I'm reminded of Psalm 119 which tells of the endless knowledge found in God's Word. I always share with the men in my sphere of influence just how important it is to armor up daily. We must be the STRONGMAN in our household. By reading the Word constantly learning from it we will gain the Wisdom to perceive God's direction for our lives. We may be tempted to demand answers from God. When we are willing to seek God, learn from his word,and obey his commands, then we will receive his specific guidance.

God doesn't always work in the way that seems best to us. If God does not lead you along the shortest path to your goal, don't complain or resist. Follow him willingly and trust him to lead you safely around unseen obstacles. He can see the end of your journey from the beginning and he knows the safest and best route, so TRUST GOD.

Until Next Time...

Jim,

" HOW PRODUCTIVE ARE YOU "

Greetings To You,

Well here we are again it's our time to share, are you productive for the cause of Christ?

I must ask you again are you a productive member of the Body of Christ? We are to help others find God, we are to be spiritually productive. If we faithfully practice Christ's teachings and share the gospel with others, we will be able to draw those around us to Christ like a fisherman who pulls fish into his boat with nets.

OK strap in, just in case we're not clear this is how to be productive for God. Many of you may have planted some kind of seed this spring; grass seed;flowers or maybe vegetable seed, and of course you're expecting a harvest. God's people should produce a crop of good deeds. God has no use for people who call themselves Christians but do nothing about it. Are you a Christian in name only, if others can't see our faith in the way we treat them, we may not be God's people at all.

Honoring God is not limited to young people who seem to have unlimited strength and energy. Those who place their faith firmly in God have this strength and vitality. Even in old age, devoted people who continue to have a fresh outlook and can teach us from a lifetime experience of serving God. Seek out an elderly friend or relative to tell you about his or her experiences with the Lord as it just might challenge you to new heights of spiritual growth. The kingdom of God is here and now because the Holy Spirit lives in the hearts of believers.

WE ARE CALLED TO BE ACTIVE. God's message hasn't changed since the Old Testament. People as always will be judged for our unproductive lives. God calls us to be lively in our obedience. In the Gospel John The Baptist compared people who claim they believe God but don't live for God to an unproductive tree that will be cut down. To be productive for God, we must obey his teachings, resist temptation, actively serve and help others, and share our faith. Now take a moment and answer this question, "HOW PRODUCTIVE ARE YOU FOR GOD"? Remember the Word Of God says: EVERY TREE THAT DOES NOT BEAR GOOD FRUIT IS CUT DOWN AND THROWN INTO THE FIRE.

Last Point: I'm of the mind that it is essential that we choose which camp we're apart of. Either you're all out for God or you're all out for Satan. I'm of the belief that we're in the end times. With that being said Christ would say that "I MUST PREACH THE GOOD NEWS OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD TO THE OTHER TOWNS ALSO, BECAUSE THAT IS WHY I WAS SENT". Do you hear the urgency in his words, and the desire to be about his Father's business. Unproductive followers are as dead and they will be cut off and tossed aside.

Until Next Time...

Jim,

" ARE YOU TELLING TALES "?

Welcome to you I truly appreciate you stopping by, this week we are discussing Gossip.

Are you one who is a person who habitually reveals personal or sensational facts about others? HE WHO GOES ABOUT AS A SLANDERER REVEALS SECRETS, THEREFORE DO NOT ASSOCIATE WITH A GOSSIP.

A "Busybody" is a gossip. A person with to much idle time on their hands ends up filling his or her time with less than helpful activities, like gossip. It's vital that we listen, process and think before we pass along hear-say. Rumors and hear-say can be tantalizing, exciting to hear, and make us feel like insiders. But they tear people down. If you are often finding yourself in other people's business, you just may be under-employed. Seek out a task that you and your family can do for Christ, then get to work. I believe that an idle mind is easy pickings for Satan. Keep your mind engaged in the Word Of God daily, now remember that we are instructed to pray without ceasing. Isn't it time that you prove that this can be done to yourself. Praying without ceasing is also staying in an attitude of prayer throughout the day.

" A GOSSIP BETRAYS A CONFIDENCE; SO AVOID A MAN WHO TALKS TOO MUCH " (Prov. 20:19). We are not to associate at all with someone who gossips.

Lying ("False Witness") is vicious. Its effects can be as permanent as those of a stab wound. Now, the next time that you are tempted to pass on a bit of gossip, imagine yourself stabbing the victim of your remarks with a sword. Now, hopefully this image may shock you into silence. Did you know that making up or spreading false reports was strictly forbidden by God? Gossip, Slander, and False Witnessing under minded families, strained neighborhood cooperation, and made chaos of the justice system. Destructive gossip still causes problems. Even if you do not initiate a lie, you become responsible if you pass it along. Don't circulate rumors; squelch them.

KEEP YOUR TONGUE FROM EVIL AND YOUR LIPS FROM SPEAKING DECEIT (PS. 34:13).

LAST THOUGHT: When you realize that you have been involved in gossip repent. Make Confession and Repentance a regular part of your talks with God. Rely on him moment by moment for the cleansing you need.

Are We Clear???

Until Next Time...

Jim

" SOMETIMES REBUKE IS NECESSARY "

My very best to you and yours, I sincerely wish you all that our Lord and God has to offer. Are you seeking after the Lord these days or are you Luke Warm to the things of the Lord? Sometimes we just need someone who cares about us to speak up. Are you aware that Jesus Christ is coming back, yes His Second Coming will be at any moment. Those of us who know the Lord as our Personal Savior and seeking after Him daily our eternity will be secure.

Now, God's purpose in discipline is not to punish, but to bring people back to him. He may discipline to help you out of your uncaring attitude, but he uses only loving discipline. In the Bible, usually correction is given by God the Father to all of his children. Discipline often takes the form of difficulties allowed and or caused by the Father to bring about improvement and maturity in our lives. " FOR THOSE WHOM THE LORD LOVES HE DISCIPLINES.

IT IS FOR DISCIPLINE THAT YOU ENDURE; GOD DEALS WITH YOU AS WITH SONS; FOR WHAT SON IS THERE WHOM HIS FATHER DOES NOT DISCIPLINE " (Heb. 12:7)?

Sometimes Rebuke Is Necessary, but it must be used with caution. The purpose of any Rebuke, Confrontation, or discipline is to help people, not hurt them. METHOD OF DISCIPLINE: Be Firm and Bold; Affirm all you see that is good; Be accurate and honest; Know the Facts; Follow up after the confrontation; Be gentle after being Firm; Speak words that reflect Christ's message, Not your own ideas; Use discipline only when all else fails.

It's never pleasant to be corrected and disciplined by God, but his discipline is a sign of His deep love for us. How do you react to discipline, we all respond to discipline in several ways: (1) We can accept it with resignation; (2) We can accept it with self-pity, thinking we really don't deserve it; (3) We can be angry and resentful toward God; or (4)We can accept it gratefully, as the appropriate response we owe a loving Father.

" DISCIPLINE YOUR SON WHILE THEIR IS HOPE ". Are you responsible for the discipline of a child, a student, or an employee? Three important points will help you carry out your responsibility: (1) Let the punishment follow quickly after the offense; (2) Let the degree of punishment reflect the seriousness of the offense: and (3) don't over do the punishment. Discipline that is swift, just and restrained makes its point while preserving the dignity of the offender.

The Lord says those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. Now those who sit on the fence when it comes to the things of God should expert a rebuking from the Lord regarding any indifference toward him. The pleasures of this world, money, security, and material possessions can be dangerous, because their temporary satisfaction makes us indifferent to the things of God.

It's always a blessing to be disciplined by God when we do wrong. We sometimes give people excellent advice only to learn that it does not apply to them and is therefore not very helpful. All who offer counsel from God's Word should take care to thoroughly understand a person's situation before giving advice.

Now, when God corrects you, see it as proof of His love and ask Him what He is trying to teach you.

Until next time...

Jim,

" WHOM DO YOU TRUST "

The question of the day is who do you trust. Trust(N) a basis of reliance, faith, or hope. Trust(V) To place confidence: Depend; to rely on or on the truth of.

" IN GOD I HAVE PUT MY TRUST, I SHALL NOT BE AFRAID. WHAT CAN MAN DO TO ME " (Psalms 56:11)?

Worry affects our trust in God, so planning for tomorrow is time well spent; You know worrying about tomorrow is time wasted. Sometimes it's difficult to tell the difference. Careful planning is thinking ahead about goals, steps, and schedules, and trusting in God's guidance. When done well, planning can help alleviate worry. Worriers, by contrast, are consumed by fear and find it difficult to trust God. They allow their plans to interfere with their relationship with God. Don't let worries about tomorrow affect your relationship with God today.

We can be confident that God listens to our prayers and answers when we call him. When you feel as though your prayers are bouncing off the ceiling, remember that as a believer you have been set apart by God and that he loves you. Listen, the secret of a close relationship with God is to pray to him earnestly in the morning. I believe that in the morning our minds are more free from problems and then we can commit the whole day to God. Regular communication helps any friendship and is certainly necessary for a strong relation with God. We need to communicate with Him daily. Do you have a regular time to pray and read God's Word?

Trust God for the way out of your problems. Focusing on our human predicament that may paralyze us because the situation may appear humanly impossible. But concentrating on God and his power will help us see the way out. Right now you may feel unable to see through your troubles. Focus instead on God, and trust Him for the way out. That is all He needs to begin His work in you. When the pressures of life come your way, resist the temptation to make a quick escape. Instead, focus on God's power and wisdom to help you deal with the cause of your stress. When faced with a difficult decision, don't allow impatience to drive you to disobey God. When you know what God wants, follow his plan regardless of the consequences. God often uses delays to test our obedience and patience.

LAST POINT: Whom do you trust, how many times in the past were you snatched from the jaws of life's calamities? Don't allow fear to keep you from trusting the Lord in any situation that life brings your way. Why do we trust the Lord to handle the smaller issues but doubt his ability to take care of the big problems, tough decisions, and frightening situations. Don't stop trusting God just as you are ready to reach your goal. He brought you this far and won't let you down now. So continue to trust God by remembering all that he has done for you.

Until Next Time...

Jim,

" WE MUST BE PREPARED "

Welcome one and all, this week we will dive into the art of preparation. You see being prepared is vital to our everlasting life with the Lord Jesus Christ.

We are warned that we ought"to be ready in and out of season". That we should always be ready to serve God in any situation, whether or not it is convenient. Be sensitive to the opportunities God gives you. Christ is coming soon, and he wants to find faithful believers ready for him. It may be inconvenient to take a stand for Christ or to tell others about his love, but preaching the Word Of God is the most important responsibility the church and its members have been given.

Jesus said that his disciples, that's those of us who know him as our Lord and Savior should be less concerned with knowing the exact date and more concerned with being prepared. Living God's way consistently so that no matter when Jesus came in glory, He would claim them as His own.

Jesus' purpose in telling about his return is not to stimulate predictions and calculations about the date, but to warn us to be prepared. Will you be ready? The only safe choice is to obey him today. To put our affairs in order is to get ready before hand.

John the Baptist made ready the way for Jesus. People who do not know Jesus Christ need to be made ready to meet him. As Christians we can prepare them by explaining their need for forgiveness, demonstrating Christ's teachings by our conduct, and telling them how Christ can give their lives meaning. We can " Make his paths straight " by correcting misconceptions that might be hindering people from approaching Christ. Someone you know may be open to a relationship with Christ. What can you do to prepare the way for this person?

LAST POINT: We should take steps now to prepare the way for our children to find and fulfill God's purpose. Sooner or later our children will have to make their own decisions,but we can help by supplying them with the proper tools: Showing them how to pray and study God's word, the difference between right and wrong, and the importance of church involvement.

Until Next Time...

Jim,

" HOW'S YOUR MORALS, VALUES "

Good Morning,

I feel so blessed to be able to share with you again this week. This week the Lord has put on my heart Morals, have you thought about your values lately and how you come across to others.

We must be on the alert, and realize if we're in the furnace, it's easy to catch on fire. We live with neighbors whose values may be completely different from ours. We are called to maintain a life-style that shows our faith. Our lives ought to show that we put obeying God before doing what is praised and accepted by society. Be careful about what you allow to form your opinions. The Bible is the only standard of truth. Evaluate all other opinions in light of its teachings. We need to be careful about the input we allow to form our beliefs. Given TV, Music, and the rest of the media often presenting sinful life-styles and unwholesome values. We find ourselves constantly bombarded by attitudes and beliefs that are totally opposed to the Bible.

No matter who you are, moral laxness will cause problems. Just because you have won a battle with temptation does not mean you will automatically win the next one. We truly need to be vigilant against temptation. Sometimes Satan's strongest attacks come after a victory. Consider carefully the things that you cherish. Now, if you value anything more than God, it becomes your golden calf and will one day drag you down. Let go of anything that interferes with your relationship with God, the source of morals. Many people claim to believe in God while refusing to give up attitudes and actions that God denounces. Now, God cannot be added to the values we already have. He must come first, and His Word must shape all our actions and attitudes.

God's plans frustrate the " Way of the wicked " because his values are opposite of society's. Don't be surprised when others don't understand your Christian values, but don't give in to theirs. Jesus contrasted heavenly values with earthly values when he explained that our first loyalty should be to those things that do not fade, cannot be stolen or used up. and never wear out. We should never be fascinated with possessions, lest they possess us.

People don't usually fall into immorality and evil suddenly - they slip into it a bit at a time until, hardly realizing what has happened, they are irrevocably mired in their wicked ways. Any person who allows sin to take root in his or her life can find himself or herself in this predicament. Temptation entertained today becomes sin tomorrow, then a habit the next day, then death and separation from God forever. To think you could never become this evil is the first step toward a hard heart. Acknowledge your need to to confess your sin before God.

Until Next Time...

Jim,