A Time For Everything

Good Morning!

A couple of more birthdays for the Gant Gang today. Bryan reaches age 33 at 3:47 a.m. (I remember!) and Caleb (grandson by David) reaches 7! Cards are in the mail and life is good.

Yesterday evening was unusual for Mr. Jim. I have two siblings – Bruce and Claire. I don’t normally hear from either one – but last night I talked with both. The subject matter was Mom’s finances … which are okay … but she is trying to tie up all the loose ends. Mom has been working on her transition for a while … which I guess is a good thing as things will be more organized when she does go home. In case you don’t know what I am talking about – Mom wants to be sure that all the funeral arrangements are in place; all the stuff is properly distributed, etc. I guess it gives her something to do and makes her feel better.

Her preparations remind me of the old Simon and Garfunkel song that is based on Ecclesiastes 3:1-8:

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 New International Version (NIV)
A Time for Everything

1 There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens:
2 a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3 a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
4 a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
6 a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7 a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8 a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.

Right now the tune is running amok through my feeble mind. “To everything, turn – turn – turn ….”

Life has a cycle … we live through each one … day by day. And it is good to know that in that cycle of life is our Lord, Jesus Christ – ever vigilant – ever caring. And we are His … and He is ours. Somehow I find comfort in the thought that Jesus is a part … a major part … of my cycle of life.

We don’t know what tomorrow will bring for our Mom … or for us, for that matter. What we do know is that Christ will be there for us. And that makes for a good day …

Agape’


Mr. Jim


Prayer Need:
Edna Pennington – Southern Regional Hospital with chest pains

Don’t forget to pull up your copy of the prayer list and pray for those listed. Also, don’t forget to send me updates and new prayer requests as needed. Fatdad5@comcast.net

Happy Birthday

Good Morning!

My grandson, Cody, reaches his 21st birthday today. Congratulations, Cody!!!

Birthdays are great … aren’t they? And each of us who have accepted Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord have not just one but TWO birthdays. How many of you can remember your second birthday? It really is the most important birthday of them all. One birthday gives you earthly life … the other gives you eternal life.

Nicodemus was a Pharisee – a teacher of the Law of Moses. But one night he stole away to talk with Jesus. Here’s the story from the Gospel of John:

John 3:1-21 New Century Version (NCV)
Nicodemus Comes to Jesus

1 There was a man named Nicodemus who was one of the Pharisees and an important Jewish leader.2 One night Nicodemus came to Jesus and said, "Teacher, we know you are a teacher sent from God, because no one can do the miracles you do unless God is with him."

3 Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot be in God's kingdom."

4 Nicodemus said, "But if a person is already old, how can he be born again? He cannot enter his mother's womb again. So how can a person be born a second time?"

5 But Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, unless you are born from water and the Spirit, you cannot enter God's kingdom. 6 Human life comes from human parents, but spiritual life comes from the Spirit.7 Don't be surprised when I tell you, 'You must all be born again.' 8 The wind blows where it wants to and you hear the sound of it, but you don't know where the wind comes from or where it is going. It is the same with every person who is born from the Spirit."

9 Nicodemus asked, "How can this happen?"

10 Jesus said, "You are an important teacher in Israel, and you don't understand these things? 11 I tell you the truth, we talk about what we know, and we tell about what we have seen, but you don't accept what we tell you.12 I have told you about things here on earth, and you do not believe me. So you will not believe me if I tell you about things of heaven. 13 The only one who has ever gone up to heaven is the One who came down from heaven—the Son of Man.[a]

14 "Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert,[b] the Son of Man must also be lifted up. 15 So that everyone who believes can have eternal life in him.

16 "God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son so that whoever believes in him may not be lost, but have eternal life. 17 God did not send his Son into the world to judge the world guilty, but to save the world through him.18 People who believe in God's Son are not judged guilty. Those who do not believe have already been judged guilty, because they have not believed in God's one and only Son.19 They are judged by this fact: The Light has come into the world, but they did not want light. They wanted darkness, because they were doing evil things.20 All who do evil hate the light and will not come to the light, because it will show all the evil things they do. 21 But those who follow the true way come to the light, and it shows that the things they do were done through God."

Footnotes:
a. John 3:13 the Son of Man Some Greek copies continue, "who is in heaven."
b. John 3:14 Moses . . . desert When the Israelites were dying from snakebites, God told Moses to put a bronze snake on a pole. The people who looked at the snake were healed (Numbers 21:4–9).

For Nicodemus, this was a life changing encounter with the person of Jesus Christ. And when we take a few minutes to think over the words of Christ in this account, we too can have a life changing experience. Nicodemus couldn’t grasp how a person could be born twice. A lot of folks today cannot grasp how this man named Jesus can save us from our sins. But just because we don’t understand all the ins and outs of something doesn’t necessarily mean that the something isn’t true.

Jesus Christ said I must be born again. I believed in Him and was born again. Now I have two birthdays to celebrate. And the second is the best birthday of all.

Agape’


Mr. Jim


Prayer Need:
Edna Pennington – Southern Regional Hospital with chest pains

Don’t forget to pull up your copy of the prayer list and pray for those listed. Also, don’t forget to send me updates and new prayer requests as needed. Fatdad5@comcast.net

Benediction

Good Morning!

I was a terrible student in Latin … my second year Latin teacher had mercy on me which is the only reason I passed the subject. The reason was I hated homework … but that’s another subject for another day. Anyway, about the only thing I gained from my two years in Latin was the ability to grasp that many English words have Latin roots. One of those words was the subject of yesterday’s sermon. The word is “benediction” which loosely translated means “good words” or “good statement”.

As I said the sermon was on a benediction. Here’s the verse:

Hebrews 13:20-21 English Standard Version (ESV)
Benediction

20Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, 21 equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us[a] that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Footnotes:
a. Hebrews 13:21 Some manuscripts you

The writer of Hebrews (we don’t know if it was Paul or Luke or someone else) ends this letter with some good words for the people. I think it is one of those jewels that we often overlook in our studies. Think of it for a moment:

The writer is asking that God equip us with every good thing. Isn’t it nice to have someone praying for you and wishing that God bless you with good things? Doesn’t it make your day to think that thousands of years ago, this writer asks of God to equip you so you might do the will of God? It does me.

How about you? Have you offered any good words up for someone else? Have you ever asked God to bless someone with His spiritual blessings so that person might become more like Jesus? Have you ever shared a benediction with a friend or a loved one? Imagine how good it would feel to let someone know that he or she is special enough for you to have good thoughts and good words for him or her.

Why not try it today …

Agape’


Mr. Jim


Prayer Need:
Don’t forget to pull up your copy of the prayer list and pray for those listed. Also, don’t forget to send me updates and new prayer requests as needed. Fatdad5@comcast.net

Perfect Peace

Good Morning!

Isaiah 26:2-4 New International Version (NIV)

2 Open the gates
that the righteous nation may enter,
the nation that keeps faith.
3 You will keep in perfect peace
those whose minds are steadfast,
because they trust in you.
4 Trust in the LORD forever,
for the LORD, the LORD himself, is the Rock eternal.

This passage begins with an entreaty to the nation of Judah … but I think it can apply to us. However I am concerned that our nation has turned away from God. And I believe we are seeing the beginnings of the impact of an unrighteous nation gathering the fruit from the seed it has sown. I am not talking about natural disasters such as hurricanes and earthquakes, flood and famine. I am talking about a people who care only for self. The fruit we harvest is greed, pride, jealousy, perversion, and hatred. These are not the fruits of God but of man.

But listen to Isaiah:

“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in You.”

As bad as it gets, God is still as good as He promised. If we place our faith in any other one than God, we are destined to see trouble and loss. We must keep our trust in God … so we can have peace.

Lucille – the dear lady who kept me from the age of five to seven – once observed that I was wearing the same clothes from the day before. I guess it was pretty easy to spot since the clothes were probably pretty dirty. So she asked me why I put on dirty clothes. My response was “all I want is peace”. She asked what I had said … and I responded that wanted peace. A third time she asked and I said “Lucille, don’t you know what peace is?” I did end up in clean clothes … and at peace.

God gives us perfect peace. What is that? Well, often what we think is peace is really only a respite from trouble. But God’s perfect peace is peace during trouble and regardless of the trouble. So while it may seem that all of our world is crumbling around us, we can have a spirit of peace.

Our peace comes from our trust in the Lord who is the strong Rock of our faith. We can cling to that Rock in the midst of our life storm because it will never budge. God provides the protection we need to weather the storm.

Well, the weekend is here. Enjoy your time of rest … and peace.

Agape’


Mr. Jim

The Love Chapter

Good Morning!

1 Corinthians 13

1 If I speak in the tongues[a] of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,[b] but do not have love, I gain nothing.

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Footnotes:
a. 1 Corinthians 13:1 Or languages
b. 1 Corinthians 13:3 Some manuscripts body to the flames

Do you remember the second half of the last verse in Chapter 12? Paul says “Now I will show you a more excellent way.” Keeping in mind that the original manuscripts weren’t broken into Chapter and Verse, the 13th chapter seems to be the logical continuation of Paul’s thought.

Having Spiritual gifts is great … but unless those gifts have the underlying love of your fellow human beings, they really become useless. What good is preaching if one doesn’t care if anyone responds to the message? I know my preacher friends often have to feel disillusioned when no one comes forward at the end of their sermon. And it is frustrating for a teacher to spend hours preparing a lesson only to have one or two people show up for class – and have those unprepared. The only way to keep going is to love those who God has given you and prepare as though the next sermon or lesson will make the difference.

Paul then shares the attributes of true love: patience; kindness, no trace of envy or pride or boasting. Love doesn’t tear people down but builds them up. Love keeps its cool and doesn’t hold a grudge. Love rejoices in truth. Love always protects, trusts, hopes, and perseveres. Those are some pretty lofty goals for us.

Love doesn’t fail.

You know all the things we do and say will one day be gone … but the love we have shared will last forever. I remember my Grandma Ward. I try to remember how she sounded but the memory of the sound of her voice is long gone. But the love she built inside of me, my Mom, and all those she came in contact with lingers even today. I see Grandma Ward in Aunt Bette and in Mom. I see her in my sister, Claire. I even see her in Norma … who had the joy of living with her for a couple of years when we were first getting started.

Loves lasts from one generation to the next to the next and so on. And that is what Paul is saying … the best thing we have is the agape’ love we have for each other. So for this day …


Agape’


Mr. Jim


Prayer Need:
Don’t forget to pull up your copy of the prayer list and pray for those listed. Also, don’t forget to send me updates and new prayer requests as needed. Fatdad5@comcast.net

A Woman From Sychar

Good Morning!

John 4:39-42 New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
Many Samaritans Believe in Jesus

39 Many of the Samaritans from the town of Sychar believed in Jesus. They believed because of the woman's witness. She said, "He told me everything I've ever done."
40 Then the Samaritans came to him and tried to get him to stay with them. So he stayed two days. 41 Because of his words, many more people became believers.
42 They said to the woman, "We no longer believe just because of what you said. We have now heard for ourselves. We know that this man really is the Savior of the world."

I was thinking of the woman from Sychar just the other day. Jesus was going from Judea back to Galilee. But He felt compelled to go through a region called Samaria. Now you should know that good Jews despised Samaritan Jews because they had intermarried with the people that had been brought in to populate the area when Nebuchadnezzar conquered Israel so many years before. Samaritans were viewed as “half-breeds”. So most good Jews took a route that went around Samaria … but not Jesus. He was compelled to go through Samaria. And what compelled him was a woman from Sychar. No, she had no clue who Jesus was … but Jesus knew who she was … and made His way through Samaria to the village of Sychar … to a well where this woman would come in the heat of the day.

The woman came in the heat of the day because it meant she didn’t have to encounter the other women in the village. Her reputation left much to be desired – married and divorced five times – living with a man out of wedlock – truly a sinner if ever there was one. No decent God-fearing person would have anything to do with this woman. Do you find it as interesting as I that the incarnate God had no problem with going to her? Was their encounter happenstance? I don’t think so. I think from time immemorial Christ knew that woman would be coming to the well at midday in the heat of the day looking for water. And I believe that He set His sights on being at that well at when that woman would be there. And I believe when He spoke, He knew that her heart was ready to hear His words and to receive the living water He promised her.

Did you notice the fact that I put one sentence in verse 39 in bold font? When this woman heard the words of Jesus, she believed. And she went back to the village of Sychar … the very village of people who held her in contempt … urging them to “come and see”. Do you see the impact her simple witness had on the people?

Some of us feel inadequate to share the message of Jesus Christ because we have a past. Well, honey, (as a good Southern boy might say), there isn’t a single one of us who doesn’t have a past. And while it may be true that your past has more stuff in it than mine … or less than mine … we still all have a past – THAT HAS BEEN PLACED UNDER THE BLOOD (a churchy term that means we have been forgiven as a result of our relationship with Jesus Christ). And, because our past is past, our very words can be a stronger witness than any other thing. The people of Sychar believed the woman’s witness … because they also knew everything about her. And, believe it or not, people know – or will know – about our past too.

There are more than a couple of points I can make about this passage this morning. But two I want you to get as an encouragement today: (1) Jesus seeks after you; and (2) You can be a witness. Jesus didn’t just go after that woman from Sychar. He went after me. And He went after you – or is coming for you. He loves you that much. And no matter what you have said or done or haven’t said or haven’t done, you can still be a marvelous witness for God. Look at what happened at Sychar. The people saw the change in the woman, came to see Him, listened to His words AND BELIEVED – not because of what the woman said but because they heard Him.

Perhaps today someone who knows your past may hear about the Man you met and listen to His words. And perhaps they will believe because they hear His words. Wouldn’t that just make your day? God bless …

Agape’


Mr. Jim


Prayer Need:
Don’t forget to pull up your copy of the prayer list and pray for those listed. Also, don’t forget to send me updates and new prayer requests as needed. Fatdad5@comcast.net

The Same

Good Morning!

Hebrews 13:8 New International Version (NIV)

8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Isn’t it great to have someone on whom we can depend?

You know, there have been a lot of leaders in history who have claimed to have the “answer” only to be proven clueless when the going got tough. And a lot of the time we have been fooled into following such leaders only to experience disappointment. But, in Jesus Christ, we have One who knows everything about everything – and IS the answer to what ails us.

Let’s put it this way:

The same Jesus who changed the water into wine can change the wine into living water for a person who is trapped in alcohol abuse.

The same Jesus who healed the blind man on the wayside can give us “sight” in the blind spots in our life.

The same Jesus who calmed the violent storm on the Sea of Galilee can still the storm of hatred and bitterness in our relationships.

The same Jesus who cast out the demons from the young boy can also cast out the demons that drag us down.

The same Jesus who washed the feet of His disciples waits to wash our feet.

The same Jesus who took the cup of death for us now offers the cup of Life to us.

Yes, Jesus is the same today as He was yesterday … and He will be the same tomorrow and tomorrow and forever.

Isn’t it great to have Someone on whom we can depend!

Agape’


Mr. Jim


Prayer Need:
Don’t forget to pull up your copy of the prayer list and pray for those listed. Also, don’t forget to send me updates and new prayer requests as needed. Fatdad5@comcast.net

"The Help"

Good Morning!

Miss N and I did something we haven’t done in years on Saturday. We went to the movies.

The other night we saw the commercial for the movie “The Help”. Norma commented that she would like to see the movie … so we decided to go. And it was a very good movie. At the same time it reminded me of Lucille. Now for those who have followed my musings for a long time, you may remember who Lucille is. But, for those who haven’t or who don’t, let me share with you about Lucille Reeve.

My Mother and Father divorced in 1954. Dad wasn’t very faithful in providing for the family so Mom had to work. And back in the early 1950’s there weren’t a lot of childcare places. So Mom hired Lucille to work for her. Keep in mind that Mom probably made $25 or $30 a week at the time … so Lucille wasn’t paid very much to take care of three very active children. Most of the time Lucille kept us at 1546 Alder Court (the home Mom and Dad purchased in the Kirkwood area of Atlanta). But there were a few times that we went to Lucille’s to stay. It was there that I got a glimpse of the living conditions for most of the black people in Atlanta at that time. I think the memory that is most prevalent in my memory is the commode with no water in the bowl. There was no water in the bowl because water wasn’t hooked up to it.

I also remember seeing a picture of Lucille’s husband. Apparently he had died during the 1940s, leaving Lucille childless … and alone. Still, she managed to live in a house and to have a little store in her house where the locals came to buy a loaf of bread and other needed items. (Yes, this was before the 7-11 stores, as well.) And she managed to take care of us … and to discipline us. But she did so because she loved us.

Hebrews 12:11
New International Version (NIV)

11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

Seeing the movie “The Help” made me realize how often I had taken for granted this lovely lady who was so instrumental in my early years. She is residing with our Lord nowadays … and I hope to see her when I get to glory. I think she already knows my gratitude for the love she showed me as a child – but I would like to express it to her if the Lord allows.

The movie is well worth your time and money.

Have a good Monday.

Agape’


Mr. Jim

The Gifts

Good Morning!

As a follow up to the Bible study last night, there were four central points that the commentator made:

1. There is solidarity within the body.

12For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. 13For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body— Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.

We have a common goal – to share the message of Christ Jesus and to help each other grow in Christ. So while each of us might be differently gifted, each of the gifts work collectively to accomplish the goal.

2. Do not underestimate your gift.

14For the body does not consist of one member but of many. 15If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," that would not make it any less a part of the body. 16And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," that would not make it any less a part of the body. 17If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? 18But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. 19If all were a single member, where would the body be? 20As it is, there are many parts, yet one body.

Just because you don’t have one of the more visible gifts does not mean that you have no importance in the body. Euell used the best analogy when he asked if he could have someone’s watch and take out just one little piece … and then to see if it ran. You’re gift is important in the totality of the work of the ministry.

3. Do not overestimate your gift. 2

1The eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you," nor again the head to the feet, "I have no need of you." 22On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, 24which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, 25that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. 26If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.

In the same vein, don’t think that your gifting has greater importance than another person’s gifting. Instead, encourage each other in the using of the gifts to accomplish the goal.

4. Rejoice in the diversity of the gifts that each has. 2

7Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. 28And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. 29Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? 31But earnestly desire the higher gifts.

All of the gifts are designed to build a stronger body of believers working together to reach and teach people about God’s love for us manifested through Jesus Christ. What a joy!

The chapter ends with:

And I will show you a still more excellent way.

And the more excellent way is found in 1st Corinthians 13 – a.k.a The Love Chapter. And I don’t think I can wait to give the synopsis: without love it means nothing!

But that is for another lesson on another week …

We have come to the end of this work week. I am having “fun” with the annual audit. Actually it isn’t too bad, just a little aggravating. The weekend is here and we can rest (or try to rest). Keep praying for each other – even more so as we see the day approaching.

Agape’


Mr. Jim

One Body - Many Members

Good Morning!

Thursday evening Bible study time.

We are still in our study of Paul’s first letter to the body of believers at Corinth. Of course, Paul’s writing does reach down through the ages to you and me … so it is well worth the time to study.

Let’s take a quick look at the verses for study tonight:

1 Corinthians 12:12-31 English Standard Version (ESV)
One Body with Many Members

12For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. 13For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body— Jews or Greeks, slaves[a] or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.

14For the body does not consist of one member but of many. 15If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," that would not make it any less a part of the body. 16And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," that would not make it any less a part of the body. 17If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? 18But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. 19If all were a single member, where would the body be? 20As it is, there are many parts,[b] yet one body.

21The eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you," nor again the head to the feet, "I have no need of you." 22On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, 24which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, 25that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. 26If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.

27Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. 28And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. 29Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? 31But earnestly desire the higher gifts.

And I will show you a still more excellent way.

Footnotes:
a. 1 Corinthians 12:13 Or servants; Greek bondservants
b. 1 Corinthians 12:20 Or members; also verse 22

In my mind, one of the issues that face churches everywhere today is the perception that the work of the church is the sole responsibility of the clergy. How wrong that concept is! All of us have something to contribute to the workings of the body of believers. God made you especially the way you are for His purpose. And His purpose is to lead people to a redeeming knowledge of Jesus Christ AND to have those same people mature in Christ.

Paul uses the parts of the body to describe the different gifts that people have. Some folks have gifts that are very visible to the members of the church: preaching; teaching; healing (yes I do believe it); leadership. Others have gifts that are less visible – but just as critical to the body: administrations; helping; mercy; and so on. There are enough tasks to be done to keep us ALL busy. But when someone decides to be a spectator rather than a participant, it shifts the burden to others … or the task doesn’t get done at all.

So let’s all pitch in … and do the work that God has appointed for us to do.

Agape’


Mr. Jim

Sermon Notes

Good Morning!

The last couple of days have just been a tremendous blessing after what seems like months of heat and humidity. I am sure we will have a return of the heat soon … but Fall will be here before you know it.

We had a really good sermon Sunday morning. Here is the text of the sermon:

Hebrews 10:19-25 - English Standard Version (ESV)
The Full Assurance of Faith

19 Therefore, brothers,[a] since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, 20by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, 21and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 24And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Footnotes:
a. Hebrews 10:19 Or brothers and sisters

Point 1: We have access to the Holy places by the blood of Jesus. In the Temple tabernacle there was a curtain that separated the people from the Holy of Holies … the place where God “abided”. No one was permitted to enter except the High Priest. And he was limited to coming one time a year to sprinkle the blood on the mercy seat. But in the “tabernacle of God” (our bodies) we have full access to God through Jesus Christ – who is our great priest and is over the house of God.

Point 2: Because of our ability to access God we should do the following:
1. “Let us draw near …” What good is having access if we don’t go in? God welcomes us into His holy presence. So how do we do so? We come with a “true heart” – no place for plastic religion here – our love for God must be sincere and from the heart. We come in “full assurance of faith”. Later on, the writer of Hebrews will tell us that without faith it is impossible to please God. We come with “our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.” How can that be? “What can wash away my sin … nothing but the blood of Jesus.”
2. “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering …” Holding fast to the Christian faith in the time of the writing of Hebrews was tough – not only from the threat of persecution by the Romans but also because of being shunned by your fellow Hebrews. Holding fast isn’t that much easier in the 21st century either because of the negative pressures that we feel from those around us. But the promise is clear: “for he who promised is faithful”.
3. “Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,…” I believe the times we get together with fellow believers should be a time where we are encouraging each other – sharing the blessing God has given us – telling about the situations God has led us through – and just loving one another as people. And, yes, it does involve getting together regularly.

A pretty good sermon for Sunday … and today, too.

Agape’


Mr. Jim

Together

Good Morning!

Folks, we are in this thing called “life” together! Not one of us can claim to be totally self-sufficient. We all depend on someone or something else. So why do we quarrel and fuss?

Now don’t worry, I am not in a fuss with anyone. I just happen to look at the verse of the day for yesterday and saw this:

Romans 14:5-9 English Standard Version (ESV)
5 One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. 6The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. The one who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God, while the one who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord and gives thanks to God. 7For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. 8For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s. 9For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.

Actually, verse 8 was the verse of the day … but I really like verse 7. We are truly in this life together. And yet we go about finding fault with one another and talking (negatively) about one another. You are my brother or my sister and I am your brother … we belong to the family of God. We need to support and encourage one another … especially in these last days when it seems the world would rather perish than to accept the precious gift of God.

So … for today … go forth and do well. Or as us golf nuts say “hit ‘em straight and long”.

Agape’


Mr. Jim

Lesson on Forgiveness

Good Morning!

Our Bible study yesterday on forgiveness was really good … so I think I will share one of the segments for today’s Good Morning lesson. We are going to look at the first part of Paul’s letter to Philemon concerning Philemon’s slave, Onesimus.

Philemon
Greeting

1Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother,
To Philemon our beloved fellow worker 2and Apphia our sister and Archippus our fellow soldier, and the church in your house:
3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Philemon’s Love and Faith

4 I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers, 5because I hear of your love and of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints, 6and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ.[a] 7For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you.

Paul’s Plea for Onesimus
8

Accordingly, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do what is required, 9yet for love’s sake I prefer to appeal to you—I, Paul, an old man and now a prisoner also for Christ Jesus— 10I appeal to you for my child, Onesimus,[b] whose father I became in my imprisonment. 11(Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me.) 12I am sending him back to you, sending my very heart. 13I would have been glad to keep him with me, in order that he might serve me on your behalf during my imprisonment for the gospel, 14but I preferred to do nothing without your consent in order that your goodness might not be by compulsion but of your own accord. 15For this perhaps is why he was parted from you for a while, that you might have him back forever, 16 no longer as a slave[c] but more than a slave, as a beloved brother—especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.

From verses 1 – 7, we glean the following information:

1. Philemon was a fellow worker with Paul.
2. Philemon had a church in his house (meaning that people gathered at his house to worship God).
3. Philemon was a devoted follower of Jesus Christ exhibiting his faith through his love and deeds for others.
4. Philemon was a joy and comfort for Paul because Philemon touched other lives.

Beginning in verse 8, we see that Philemon also was a person who owned slaves (servants) … and that one of them was a slave named Onesimus. Apparently Onesimus had somehow left Philemon without permission and in the process had wronged Philemon. The letter to Philemon then becomes Paul’s plea for Philemon to forgive Onesimus.

How does Paul refer to Onesimus in verse 10? Why does he refer to Onesimus as his “child”? I believe that Onesimus came to Paul as a nonbeliever and Paul led him to Christ. In a sense, those we lead to Christ become our responsibility in the same manner as a child becomes our responsibility.
So why did Paul send Onesimus back to Philemon? I can think of three reasons:

1. Paul desired to maintain his relationship with Philemon. What could have happened to their relationship had Paul kept Onesimus in his care? Paul recognized that keeping Onesimus – even with the best intentions in mind – could have driven a wedge between Philemon and him. He didn’t want that – so he did the right thing.
2. Paul desired for Onesimus to learn to seek forgiveness. Although Paul doesn’t write this in his letter, one would have to realize that Onesimus had some “splaining” to do. And the first thing Onesimus needed to do was to ask Philemon to forgive him.
3. Paul desired for Philemon to learn to forgive. We are talking serious business here. Now we have to put aside our concept of slavery at this point and see it from the eyes of a 1st century person. “Slavery” was not the same thing as we witnessed in America. We could more liken it to servants such as butlers and maids – where a person hires himself or herself out for a period of time. This is what Onesimus did … and then broke his contract. The punishment for breaking a contract in 1st century was much more severe than it is today. If Philemon chose to not forgive, then Onesimus was in trouble.

In verses 15-16, Paul looks at the situation philosophically. His point is that Onesimus left Philemon as a slave – and returned as a brother. The bond had changed. Onesimus was still under contract to Philemon – but now his service was one where he wanted to do a good job rather than felt compelled to do a good job. And thus he became even more valuable to Philemon.

Learning to seek forgiveness and learning to be forgiving are two critical achievements for Christian growth. In both instances we are “released” from the slavery of guilt and blame and enabled to develop lasting relationships with our Christian brothers and sisters.

Agape’


Mr. Jim

Choices

Good Morning!

The Professional Golfers Association’s annual tournament (the PGA) is in Atlanta this week. Yesterday was the first day. Tiger shot 7 over. Ryo shot 15 over. And Steve Stricker shot 7 under to tie a record for major tournaments. But there were two other golfers who caught my attention – Matt Kuchar and Rory McIlroy. Ant the reason they caught my attention is because they did a couple of things that cost them.

Rory is the US Open Champion for 2011 … and is only 22 years old. He is a great golfer … and a great guy. He is polite and courteous. He seems to be well-grounded. And he is very, very good. But on the third hole, his tee shot ended up against the root of a pine tree. The prudent play would be to hit the ball parallel to the root and just get it in the fairway for a recovery shot. But being 22, and being a good golfer, and playing in the last major for 2011, Rory decided to go for it. His shot hit the ball, then the root … and in the process he damaged a tendon in his right wrist. Now it is iffy that he can play tomorrow or the next few days. The blow could have been worse … and could have ended his career.

Matt also had a decision to make on the 12th hole. His second shot went to the left and ended up against a chain-link fence. There was no way he could get a backswing to hit the ball. His choices were to either hit the ball forward along the fence (he would have had to hit the ball using a left-handed stance with right-handed clubs); hit the ball backwards along the fence; or take a one-stroke penalty and drop the ball where he could hit it. He chose to hit the ball back along the fence … and ended up against the fence again. The result – a double bogey. Had he dropped, he might have gotten a bogey … or perhaps even a par.

Decisions. We are all called to make them … sometimes many times each day. Some cost a little … like Matt’s. And some can cost us a lot … like Rory. But we still have to make the decisions. And most of the time, we don’t “bother” God in our decision making process. Let’s take a look at a Proverb:

Proverbs 14:12 New International Version (NIV)

12 There is a way that appears to be right,
but in the end it leads to death.

We have all done it – made a decision that turned out wrong. We didn’t intend it to turn out wrong. We actually thought we were in the right … only to find out we were wrong. And some decisions can lead to separation / death. We have a great resource right at our knee prints. And we should not just go when we have no place else to turn … we should go to God at the outset.

Both Rory and Matt will recover – even if they miss the cut and have a few days on the disabled list. But remember some of our decisions have life consequences. Best to get some advice from God on the next step.

Agape’


Mr. Jim

Be Still...

Good Morning!

Well, it has been a wild ride this week, hasn’t it?

For those of us approaching retirement … and those who are already retired … the events of this week have been disturbing. And I suspect that some of us are a little (perhaps a lot) depressed. And while I wish I could be “Johnny Sunshine” on the matter, I must admit that I have some reservations about the ability for the economy to recover from the latest spate of bad news.

HOWEVER - - I also must also declare that while the world’s markets seem to be crashing around us, God is still on His Throne … and is still waiting to help us. Let’s grab one of our favorite Psalms to help us through this day:

Psalm 46[a]
For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. According to alamoth.[b] A song.

1 God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.[c]
4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.
5 God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.
6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
he lifts his voice, the earth melts.
7 The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
8 Come and see what the LORD has done,
the desolations he has brought on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease
to the ends of the earth.
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
he burns the shields[d] with fire.
10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”
11 The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Footnotes:
a. Psalm 46:1 In Hebrew texts 46:1-11 is numbered 46:2-12.
b. Psalm 46:1 Title: Probably a musical term
c. Psalm 46:3 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verses 7 and 11.
d. Psalm 46:9 Or chariots

I can’t help thinking about my dogs, Lilliput and Ladybug, when I read the first verse of the Psalm. Both are really afraid of thunder. We can always tell when a storm is approaching because both begin to gravitate to where we are … seeking our “protection”. And our protection is usually no more than a soft word of assurance and a pat on the head. They then lie close by as the storms comes and then passes.

Can you hear God’s calming voice? “Be still … and know that I am God…”. As the storm approaches we get skittish … and sometimes make rash and unreasoned choices. Heed the voice of God. Be still. Listen for His voice. Know that He is God … and He is there for you. The Lord Almighty is with us. Be still …

No – I don’t know what tomorrow will bring. But I know that God is in our tomorrow as well as our today. And I know He cares for us. So what else could I possibly desire?

Agape’


Mr. Jim

"You're Still Lord"

Good Morning!
“When I was just a child I heard a beautiful story…”
The other day the lyric popped out of my memory … along with the sweet memory of Grandma Ward’s cousin, Cud’n Kate. You see, it was Cud’n Kate who sat a young boy of seven down and talked with him about Jesus. That young boy was me. Now I admit that my understanding was limited … and that I wandered far from where I should have been before a red and white bus picked me up … but the constant that was there was the Lord Jesus Christ. He was and is as good as His word … He will never leave us or forsake us. Here’s the rest of the song written by Lanny Wolfe:

When I was just a child I heard a beautiful story
How You loved me so You died on Calvary
And though I claimed You way back then as Lord Almighty
Things haven't changed
My love is still the same
You're still Lord to me

CHORUS
You're still Lord, You're still my Father
In little or much, I feel Your touch
You're still Lord

You're still Lord, You're still my Father
You'll always be mine for all time
You're still Lord

VERSE 2
Some have called you Lord but now they serve another
To worldly things their heart has pledged it's loyalty
But as for me when I made my choice it was forever
And now as before but now even more
You're still Lord

CHORUS
You're still Lord, You're still my Father
In little or much, I feel Your touch
You're still Lord

You're still Lord, You're still my Father
You'll always be mine for all time
You're still Lord

TAG
You'll always be mine for all time
You're still Lord to me

With all the turmoil we face in today’s world … with crises of all different types … the one anchor we have is knowing that Jesus Christ is STILL Lord of all. Now I know there are those who would take issue with my saying that Jesus is Lord of all. They would want to deny His power and His authority – claim that He was just a common man who had a fervent following in His day … but “they” would be WRONG. Because, you see, I believe with all my heart that one day each and every knee will bow and each and every tongue will confess – both of the living and of the dead – that Jesus Christ is Lord.

It is my Lord who carries me throughout each and every day. It is my Lord who makes intercession for me to His Father, our God. It is my Lord who is preparing a place for me so that He and I might dwell in that beautiful place we call “Heaven”. It is my Lord who is coming to get me and take me home. Just the thought of it thrills my soul.

“When I was just a child I heard a beautiful story …” And now, so have you …

Agape’


Mr. Jim


Prayer Need:

My coworker and her family
The family of Nick Napalitano and those seeking to recover his body
Christopher Deraney and his family on the death of his brother

God Is In It All

Good Morning!

I didn’t know about the gifts of the Spirit until I had been a believer for a number of years. I knew that some folks were very talented at doing certain thing … like preaching and encouraging others and teaching Scripture. But I never had read through the Bible and investigated the gifts of the Spirit. Below is one of several of the writings of Paul concerning the gifts of the Spirit.

1 Corinthians 12
Concerning Spiritual Gifts

1 Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. 2 You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. 3 Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.

4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.

Paul begins this discourse by telling the believers at Corinth the reason he is sharing these words. Paul understood that some charlatans would mislead the people by claiming to have supernatural powers when in fact they didn’t even have a relationship with Christ. He cautions them (and us) to listen carefully to the Spirit when someone is claiming a special relationship with God or Christ or the Spirit. Remember, the Spirit will lead you in all truth.

Paul then acknowledges there are different gifts … but lays the groundwork for us to understand the unity within it all. Each of us may have a different prominent gift but we all have the common purposes of sharing Christ and helping people grow in Christ. God gives you one type of gift … and me a different … and another even still one more different … but all work together to accomplish God’s goal for each individual.

The key for us to remember is that we are all a part of the process. There are no sideline Christians. We are all in the game. So use your gift today … as God leads you.

Agape’


Mr. Jim

Show A Little Love

Good Morning!

Our Sunday Bible study follows a familiar pattern – usually with three segments of Bible readings and discussion of each segment with a couple of “Bible truths” given at the end. And that’s okay though I typically prefer to take one passage and build off of it when I prepare. Don’t take the preceding comment as a criticism but rather a preference … which it truly is. Anyway, our first segment yesterday was John 13:34-35 – a verse I imagine you have memorized thoroughly since it is one of my “anchor” verses. It is the COMMAND that Jesus gave to us. We are to love one another as He has loved us.

Paul wrote the church in Thessalonica:

1 Thessalonians 4:9-12 New International Version (NIV)

9 Now about your love for one another we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other. 10 And in fact, you do love all of God’s family throughout Macedonia. Yet we urge you, brothers and sisters, to do so more and more, 11 and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, 12 so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.

Taking this verse by verse (or sentence by sentence, as the case may be):

(1) God teaches us to love one another. I don’t know how else we could learn to love people like God loves us unless God taught us. Our nature is to love ourselves and then perhaps love another … but not to have love for a whole group of people. God reaches into our hearts (our emotions) and teaches us that EACH person has value and is deserving of God’s love.
(2) The people of the church at Thessalonica exhibited that love for those in their sphere of influence. The question I have of myself is “do I do the same”? I hope so.
(3) Paul encourages the church to keep on loving each other even more and more – and to show it by leading a quiet life; focusing on what God has given them to do and doing it in such a manner that people notice the faithfulness in love we have for each other.

Bill Gaither wrote this song – which runs through my mind quite frequently:

Loving God, loving each other,
Making music with my friends;
Loving God, loving each other,
And the music never ends.

They pushed back from the table
To listen to His words,
His secret plan before He had to go.
It's not complicated;
Don't need a lot of rules,
This is all you'll need to know.

Loving God, loving each other,
Making music with my friends;
Loving God, loving each other,
And the music never ends.

We tend to make it harder,
Build steeples out of stone,
Fill with explanations of The Way,
But if we'd stop and listen
And break a little bread,
We would hear the Master say

Loving God, loving each other,
Making music with my friends;
Loving God, loving each other,
And the music never ends.

The music believers make as they love each other is a sweet sound that fills all of heaven and can fill all of earth. Let’s make some of that music on this good day God has given us.

Agape’


Mr. Jim


Prayer Need:
School begins today in Clayton County. It may have already begun in your county or state. We need to pray for our students, faculty, and administrative support people in the coming year – not only today but every day. Pray that God will open the minds of the children to the joy of learning; pray that our teachers will teach the children to love learning – not just to take some test; pray that our administrative people will set the example for our children.

I would like to note that my brother and sister in Christ, Fred and Daisy Hottensen, were blessed with yet another grandchild this past week. His name is Conner. Congratulations to all.

Albert Maiden

Forgiveness

Good Morning!

We have come to the end of another week. Tomorrow is a big day for us in Riverdale as we do a prayer walk at several local schools … and then pass out school supplies to children in the Chateau Forest apartment complex. I am praying for good weather … not the stifling hot we have had for several days here. But if it is hot, we still will go because it is an opportunity to share God’s love.

I have been wanting to share something I saw and something I heard with you this week. I will start with something I heard.

One of my coworkers is having a difficult time forgiving her preacher – because he hasn’t asked for forgiveness. At least that is what she tells me. There was a meeting and several people got hot … including the preacher. As a result, ten or eleven people left the church … many of them key leaders. And, according to my coworker, the preacher hasn’t apologized to the congregation for several things he said during the upset. It is a sticking point with her. And it weighs heavily on her mind … hence I hear about it often.

What I saw was two deacons in a heated conversation. One was upset with the other for an action that had been taken. I was really concerned about the interaction because Deacon 1 was so animated and so angry at Deacon 2. The next morning … which was Sunday … both Deacon 1 and Deacon 2 were with us as we prayed over the service. At the end of the prayer session, Deacon 1 offered his apology to Deacon 2 in front of all of those who were gathered. Peace was restored.

I share this with you because all too often the work of the ministry is thwarted by the internal bickering amongst us. Forgiving and learning to forgive are important aspects of Christian growth. The phrases “I’m sorry” and “please forgive me” are not signs of weakness but of strength … and spoken appropriately and sincerely will strengthen the body of believers.

Jesus thought forgiveness important enough to comment after teaching us to pray. Here is the verse:

Matthew 6:14-15
New International Version (NIV)

14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Look, while we are “saints”, we sometimes don’t act too saintly. Sometimes we do or say things without thinking that it will hurt another. Sometimes we fail to say or do things – and that can be as hurtful. Likewise, we can be hurt by things people say or do or fail to say or fail to do. Learning to forgive (and forget) is an important step in our growth as believers in Christ Jesus. So is leaning to seek forgiveness. But I can tell you from the experiences above that seeking and receiving forgiveness leaves a sweet taste in everyone’s mouth.

Have a great weekend. Make your preacher’s day by showing up Sunday morning with a smile on your face and your Bible in your hand. Love one another as Christ has loved you.

Agape’


Mr. Jim

You Are Somebody

Good Morning!

“I’m not much good for nothing!” Have you ever felt that way? Have you been so down in the dumps that you felt you needed to look up to see bottom? Well, let me set you straight this morning … God created you for His purpose! You – and you alone – have exactly what God wants in you. God does not make mistakes – and He uses you and me as HE SEES FIT – pardon my yelling.

Our study passage today is about when Samuel anointed David to be King of Israel. A little background:

Israel was a theocracy that was led by judges. But the people decided they wanted to be a kingdom because “everybody else” was a kingdom. God relented … and Saul was named King. But while Saul had some good attributes, he wasn’t obedient to God. So God decided to replace Saul. We pick up the story as follows:

1 Samuel 16
Samuel Anoints David

1 The LORD said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.”
2 But Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me.”
The LORD said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.’ 3 Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate.”
4 Samuel did what the LORD said. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled when they met him. They asked, “Do you come in peace?”
5 Samuel replied, “Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice to the LORD. Consecrate yourselves and come to the sacrifice with me.” Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.
6 When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the LORD’s anointed stands here before the LORD.”
7 But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”
8 Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “The LORD has not chosen this one either.” 9 Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, “Nor has the LORD chosen this one.” 10 Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The LORD has not chosen these.” 11 So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?”
“There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.”
Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.”
12 So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features.
Then the LORD said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.”
13 So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon David. Samuel then went to Ramah.

David had a lot of brothers who looked far more capable than he … but God did not intend for His people to be led by any of David’s brothers … He intended for David to be King. Why? God had examined the heart of each of the ones who stood before Him … and He knew who He wanted. Does that mean that David’s brothers were worthless? NO!!! God had a different plan for each one of David’s brothers … and fulfilled that plan when the brothers were obedient to Him.

So what do we take from this? God has a plan for Y-O-U. He doesn’t intend for someone else to take your place – so don’t let them. Step up to the plate! Give God your life … and allow Him to bless you with what He has set before you.

Now we all know that David’s life wasn’t a bed of roses from that point on. And we also know that David had as many flaws as the next guy. But God knew that David’s true desire was to serve God – even in the midst of David’s failures. And God was faithful to David for all of his earthly existence. God knows your heart too. And He doesn’t promise that our lives will be easy. But He does promise to be faithfully by our side. And that makes me feel good today.

Agape’


Mr. Jim

Doers

Good Morning!

I could spend a month in the book of James and never get it all. But yesterday’s verse of the day was James 1:22:

“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” James 1:22 NIV

I am afraid the majority of the church today is stuck on listening and not motivated to doing. I don’t say this to be critical but rather to bring this to our attention. There is a big task that is before us. Society no longer considers the church as being viable. Many have been taught that those who believe in God are weaklings who have to have the pablum of religion to get through today. They don’t realize that the Christian life is just that – life!

I am a firm believer that God is a good Father who would not leave us on this earth unless we had a purpose. Each one of us who name the Name of Jesus has value for the kingdom of God. You play an important part in the spread of the Gospel and the edifying of the saints. So don’t just sit around listening … get doing, trusting that God will lead you where He wishes.

Agape’


Mr. Jim

Good Morning!

1 Peter 5
To the Elders and the Flock

1 To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: 2 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
5 In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,
“God opposes the proud
but shows favor to the humble.”[a]
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Footnotes:
a. 1 Peter 5:5 Prov. 3:34

The passage above was the subject of the preacher’s sermon Sunday. The word “elders” in the Greek is presbyteros – one meaning of which is one who presides over the assembly. So is that a parallel to the “pastor”? Well, I will let you decide … but I believe it could be any person who fills a leadership role within the body of believers. Peter admonishes all of us (and I think all of us have leadership capability) to desire to shepherd the flock God has given you … whether it be one or a multitude. And our desire should have as its motivation the glorifying of Christ Jesus, our Lord.

Not only should we be good and willing leaders – we should also be good and obedient followers. We should honor God in the way we follow those He has placed in authority over us. And I think that has a secular connotation as well – because we are an example to those around us. And I admit that it is not always easy to follow a boss with a dirty mouth – perhaps we can change that in the way we present ourselves to him or her. (Fortunately, those who I report to do not use profanity – which is a real blessing.)

I like the last verse … cast all our anxiety (cares) on Him because He cares for you. What a wonderful thought. “Here’s my burden, Lord. I am going to leave it with You today.” And He says: “I’ve got it.” Let Jesus have your burden right now.

Agape’


Mr. Jim


Prayer Need:
The family of Ruth Mundy who passed away Friday.

Vow A Vow

Good Morning!

Ecclesiastes 5:4-5 New International Version (NIV)

4 When you make a vow to God, do not delay to fulfill it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow. 5 It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it.

Brother Tom Futch asked me about the above verse yesterday morning. I remembered the gist but couldn’t remember the chapter and verse. So I looked it up in the concordance.

One might think that he or she has never made a vow to God … but I beg to differ. You might remember referring to Jesus as “Lord”. That in fact is an acknowledgment of the vow we made to God when we received Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. I take the term seriously. What does it mean to have Christ Jesus as Lord? Well, let’s think about that for a moment.

In 1611, the word “Lord” indicated a person of authority. Now, why do I pick 1611? The King James version of the Bible was printed in 1611 … and most of us were brought up under the teaching of that version. However, in 2011, our language is a little different. It doesn’t change the meaning of the word, though. Jesus is still the one in authority.

Until the day I said “yes” to Jesus, I had “control” of my life. Well, actually, sIn had control of my life … but then you have to understand that sIn is when we are rebellion against God’s desires. Anyway, BC (before Christ) my primary purpose was to please my own self. I used people as much I could. And I did not value anyone other than ME. That changed when Jesus became LORD of my life. He took control of my life.

So, what does that have to do with a vow?

Romans 10:9-10 New International Version (NIV)
9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.

There is a change of authority when we receive Christ Jesus. We “vow” to place Him in control of our lives. And when we do… well, it just gets sweet. The neat thing about having Christ as our Lord is He cares about our every need. And knowing that He cares gives me comfort and peace.

Agape’


Mr. Jim


Prayer Need:
Pat Miller – the mother of the secretary at Jim’s church
Roger Brewer’s sister – Betty Buchanan