" WAITING PATIENTLY TAKES WORK "

As a parent, grandparent and great grandparent I get to say this. It is natural for children to trust their parents, even though parents sometimes fail to keep their promises. Our heavenly father, however, never makes promises he won't keep. Nevertheless, his plan may take more time than we expect. Rather than acting like impatient children as we wait for God's will to unfold, we should place our confidence in God's goodness and wisdom. In his kindness, God holds back his judgment, giving people time to repent. it is easy to mistake God's patience for approval of the wrong way we are living. Self-evaluation is difficult, and it is even more difficult to expose our conduct to God and let him tell us where we need to change. But as Christians, we must pray constantly that God will point out our sins, so that he can heal them. Unfortunately, we are more likely to be amazed at God's patience with others than humbled at his patience with us. LAST POINT: I can't say it enough, God is waiting for us to turn to him. (Luke 15:20) " So he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him." Now, in this accounting, the father watched and waited much like, our loving creator. God's love is constant and patient and welcoming. He will search for us and give us opportunities to respond, but he will not force us to come to him. God waits patiently for us to come to our senses. Until Next Time... Jim,

" KNOW YOUR ENEMIES "

Are you aware that seventy-two Psalms, almost half the book speaks about enemies? Now enemies are those who oppose not only us but also God's way of living. I'm of the mind, or viewpoint that temptations such as money, success, prestige, and even lust as our enemies. And our greatest enemy is Satan. David asked God to keep his enemies from overcoming him because they opposed what God stood for. If his enemies succeeded, David feared that many would think that living for God was futile. David did not question his own faith, he knew that God would triumph. But he didn't want his enemies success to be an obstacle to the faith of others. Now, what are your thoughts, can a Christian dislike their enemies? In 1John 2:9-11 is not talking about disliking a disagreeable Christian brother or sister. From my life experience, there are always people in whom we will not like as well as another. John's word focus on the attitude that causes us to ignore or despise others, to treat them as irritants competitors, or enemies. Christian love is not a feeling but a choice. We can choose to be concerned with peoples' well-being and treat them with respect, whether or not we feel affection toward them. If we choose to love others, God will help us express our love. Until Next Time... Jim,

" TO RECEIVE "

" Receive: " To take in or accept (as something sent or paid): come into possession of; to Get 2: Contain, Hold 3: to permit to enter: Greet, Welcome. " The Lord has heard my supplication, the Lord RECEIVES my prayer." jesus gave the disciples a principle to guide their actions as they ministered to others: " Freely you received, freely give. Because God has showered us with his blessings, we should give generously to others of our Time, Love, and Possessions. Matthew 21:22 " And all things you ask in Prayer, believing you will receive." Now, this verse is not a guarantee that we can get ANYTHING we want simply by asking Jesus and believing. God does not grant request that would hurt us or others or that would violate his own Nature or Will. Please understand that Jesus' statement is not a blank check. To be fulfilled, our request must be in harmony with the Principles of God's Kingdom. The stronger our belief, the more likely our prayers will be in line with God's Will, and then God will be happy to grant them. LAST POINT: Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love him." Now the Crown of Life is like the victory wrath given to winning athletes. God's Crown of Life is not glory and honor here on earth, but the reward of Eternal Life - living with God forever. the way to be in God's winners' circle is by loving him and staying faithful even under pressure. Until Next Time... Jim,

" IGNORANCE; IS LACK OF KNOWLEDGE "

A discerning question, when was the last time you read the book of Job, I'm struck by God's Mighty Power. OUT OF A WHIRLWIND GOD SPOKE, surprisingly, he didn't answer any of Job's questions; Job's questions were not at the heart of the issue. Instead, God used Job's ignorance of the earth's natural order to reveal his ignorance of God's moral order. If Job did not understand the working of God's physical creation, how could he possibly understand God's mind and character? There is no standard or criterion higher than God himself by which to judge God himself is the standard. Our only option is to submit to his authority and rest in his care. It does us no good to seek God's advice if we ignore it is given. Real love for God is shown not by merely asking for direction, but by following that direction once it is given. We should not try to obey God selectively, choosing those commands we will obey and those we will ignore. God's Word has authority over every aspect of our lives, not just selected portions. Food for thought, washing your hands of a a tough situation doesn't cancel your guilt. It merely gives you a false sense of peace. Don't make excuses - take responsibility for the decisions you make. LAST POINT: I believe that it's time to be real. We like Jesus' disciples took Jesus for granted. The disciples had a fantastic opportunity - they were eyewitnesses of Christ, the son of God. But for many months they took Jesus for granted, not really listening to him or obeying him. We also have a privileged position, with knowledge of 2,000 years of church history, availability of the Bible in hundreds of languages and translations, and access to many excellent pastors and speakers. Yet often we take these for granted. Remember, with privilege comes responsibility. Because we are privileged to know so much about Christ, we must be careful to follow him. Until Next Time... Jim,

" QUESTION(S) "

This week we are looking into " Question(s) " We all have them but are we asking the right one(s)? The most important question we will ever answer is what we believe about Christ. Now I'm of the mind that other theological questions are irrelevant until we believe that Jesus is who he said he is. God Welcomes Our Questions. Take John The Baptist, for example, he had to know if Jesus Christ his cousin was the Messiah. Now John was somewhat confused because the reports that he received were unexpected and incomplete. Johns doubts were natural, and Jesus didn't rebuke him for them. Instead, Jesus responded in a way that John would understand: Jesus explained that he had accomplished what the Messiah was supposed to accomplish. God can handle our doubts, and he welcomes our questions. Do you have questions about Jesus - about who he is or what he expects of you? Admit them to yourself and to Go, and begin looking for answers. In a number of places intentionally challenged his listeners to test him. He welcomed those who wanted to question his claims and character as long as they were willing to follow through on what they discovered. Jesus' challenge clarifies the two most frequent reasons that people miss when encountering him: (1) They never accept his challenge to test him, (2) they test him but are not willing to believe what they discover. Have you made either of those mistakes? Until Next Time... Jim,

" TRANSRGESSION / TRANSGRESSOR "

This week we will be looking into "Transgression / Transgressor." Trespass, Sin (an overstepping, false step). A violation of human or divine law. Several words are used in the Bible to define various aspects of transgression, the most common of which is " Sin." (EXODUS 34:7) " WHO KEEPS LOVINGKINDNESS 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 GENERATION." Why would Sins affect Children and Grandchildren? This is the arbitrary punishment. Children still suffer for the sins of their parents. Now consider abuse or alcoholism, for example. While those sins are obvious sins like selfishness and greed can be passed along as well. The dire consequences of sin are not limited to the individual family member. Be 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 later - your children and grandchildren.

" BURDEN(S) "

This week we will be looking into " Burden(s)." The Merriam - Webster Dictionary defines Burden in this way: Load; also: Care, Responsibility 2: Something oppressive: Encumbrance 3: Cargo; also: Capacity for cargo. " Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burden, the God who is our Salvation " (Psalm 68:19). " Bear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ " (Galatians 6:1-3). No Christian should ever think that he or she is totally independent and doesn't need help from others, and no one should feel excused from the task of helping others. The body of Christ -The - Chruch - functions only when the members work together for the common good. Do you know someone who needs help? Is there a Christian brother or sister who needs correction or encouragement? Humbly and gently reach out to that person (John 12:34-35). Sometimes our burdens seem more than we can bear, and we wonder how we can go on. Now God is the great burden-bearer. God is able to lift us because (1) his greatness is unsearchable (Psalm 145:3); (2) he does mighty acts across many generations (Psalm 145:4); (3) he is full of glorious splendor and majesty (Psalm 145:5); he does wonderful and awesome works ( Psalm 145:5-6); (5) he is righteous (Psalm 145:7); (6) he is gracious, merciful, patient, and loving (Psalm 145:8-9); (7) he rules over an everlasting kingdom (145:13); (8) he is our source of all our daily needs (145:15-16); (9) he is righteous and loving in all his dealings (145:17); (10) he remains near to those who call on him; (11) he hears our cries and saves us (145:19-20). If you are bending under a burden and feel that you are about to fall, turn to God for help. He is ready to lift you up and bear your burden. Until Next Time... Jim,