Be Careful What You See

What we watch, hear and read has impact upon our mind. We are influenced by what we allow to capture our attention and imagination. This is why it is so important to be discerning when it comes to the television we watch, music we listen and movies we see. We can never be too careful when it comes to guarding our heart and mind. Our thoughts turn into plans and eventually actions. We should be careful where we allow out mind and thoughts to linger

Psalm 1 teaches us to meditate upon God's word day and night. This means we should allow God to have our mind more than anything or anyone else in our life. A good way to accomplish this is Scripture memory and meditation on God's word. While we cannot read the Word of God 24/7, we can certainly have the Word in our heart and mind both day and night. 

Do not neglect so great a salvation! Take time to seek God diligently, through His Word, today!

James

Can You Love Someone and Not Like Them?

Is it possible to love someone and not like them? If you ask the question of someone who equates love with feelings the answer is no. But if you ask someone who understands love far exceeds anything one could ever feel, good or bad, the answer is sure to be yes. Love is much, much more than an emotional experience. 

If given enough time, relationship between any two people is going to experience a full range of emotions. We are emotional creatures and respond to stimuli emotionally. If your significant other disrespects you then feelings of anger are likely to develop even if you choose not to demonstrate them. Emotions are common to all of us and their arrival in our life is simply due to what we see, hear, feel, smell or even taste! Who hasn't been emotionally moved by a good piece of chocolate? You cannot stop the wind nor will you cease to feel emotion; this of course being true of those who are healthy.

Love supersedes our emotions and should never be prisoner to them. Love may be accompanied by emotions but need not be so. Love is a choice and involves action on our part. Love is intentional. We choose to love by being something such as patient, kind, gentle, respectful, forgiving, etc. In each case we make a choice to demonstrate love by giving something of ourself to the object of our affection. True love doesn't wait for an emotional reason to show up. True, genuine love shows up simply because the one giving love has decided to do so. This is the kind of love Christ had for each Christian when He died on the cross for our sins. Romans 5:8 says, "God shows His love to us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." God did not wait for us to love Him but rather chose to love us in spite of who we were at the time of His sacrifice for our sins. Isn't that the most perfect definition of true love, whether it be of the God, brotherly or romantic kind? True love is given freely in spite of, or even absent of, any reason...emotional or otherwise. I can love you even when I may not, due to the emotions of the moment, like you!

Choose to love!

James

Why Benghazi Matters To You

I have friends who would like to see the Benghazi issue go away. I also have friends who see the Benghazi issue as a politically driven smear campaign against President Obama. But, just for a moment, even if you are in one of these camps, consider the following:

What kind of country would we live in if the government could lie to us with impunity? Under such circumstances we would live in a country where liberty has died and corruption reigns. This is why the story of Benghazi must not be allowed to die. It is very important to know the facts of this case because if the truth turns out to be the ugliness it appears at times to be, there must be accountability for those who willingly lied to the American people for their own personal gain. The very fabric of our democracy rests on whether or not the government will be held accountable to tell "We The People" the truth.

This is not a Republican or Democrat issue. This is not, as some in the media seek to make it, a racial issue. This is simply a moral issue upon which the fabric of our democracy rests. If the Obama administration allowed four people to die in Libya and covered up their deaths to perpetuate a campaign narrative concerning the war on terror, our democracy and liberty are under attack. We must know who knew what and when. There must be hearings on the matter in which those at the highest levels are held to account. There must be an investigation into the deepest levels of our government or we can no longer consider ourselves free and safe in the United States. 

This is a terrifying time for our country. If the CIA, Department of Defense and White House were each complicit in a lie to the American people for political gain we teeter on the brink of a political disaster not seen since Watergate. As painful as it may be for those of every political stripe to endure such a nightmare, we must risk doing so or cede our country to those who would rule by outright deception. 

If, after a thorough investigation, the administration is vindicated by the facts...praise God! We will thank God for the righteousness which has been revealed. But until such a time, let us "trust and verify" those who would lead us.

Praying for our country,

James

Sin is Fun...For a Little While

Some folks may be surprised to learn the Bible actually says sin is fun. Hebrews 11:25 says sin is pleasurable but it goes on to say this pleasure is only for a season. You can choose to do things your way instead of God's way and have some fun in the short run but the long term results will never be the party for which you are hoping. As the old saying goes, "Sin will take you further than you want to go. It will keep you longer than you want to stay and it will cost you more than you want to pay." Sin is always costly.

The temptation to sin is common to each and every one of us but thankfully, so too is the remedy and escape from it. If you want to stop sin from taking over your life and leading you to a place you do not want to be then you must choose God's way out of temptation. Turn away from the tempting thought, object or action and put your eyes on God when the moment of temptation arises. Pray and seek God's strength. Remove yourself from the occasion of sin and run to Jesus. Sometimes this literally means running away from the circumstances in which you find yourself! Run to Jesus!

If you have never asked God to forgive you of your sin, believed Jesus died on the Cross for your sins and given your life to Him then your first step to freedom from sin is to do these things. Pray, admit your sin, ask God's forgiveness and give your life to Him. The strength and ability to have victory over sin is then yours for the asking when temptation comes your way.

James

How to Affair Proof Your Marriage: Part 3 "The Do's"

This is the last in a series of entries dealing with how to "affair proof" your marriage. This time I am going to list a few "do's" to help secure your marital future.

1. Do take time to go on dates! You need time away from kids, work and television so you might be focused solely on one another. 

2. Do take time for romance. Dates are part of "living the romance" but so are cards, texts, phone calls, flowers and a myriad of other creative ways to let your significant other know he or she is important and that you love him/her.

3. Do pray together. The old adage "a family who prays together stays together" has a great deal of truth behind it. Praying together brings intimacy and puts God at the center of your relationship.

4. Do honor one another. Respect is an expression of love and you should always take the feelings of your spouse in account when making decisions.

5. Do have sex! Too often physical intimacy suffers at the hands of busy schedules. Sex is an important part of the relationship for a number of reasons...more than I can go into in this post! Physical intimacy helps to build emotional intimacy and protects you and your spouse from the temptation to meet this need outside of your marriage.

Just five helps to help you and your husband/wife have a healthy, happy, "affair-free" marriage. But the most important tip of all is to keep Christ at the center of your own life. If you want to love your husband or wife well make sure you love Christ first!

James

How to Affair Proof Your Marriage: Part 2 "The Don't's"

So how can one affair proof his or her marriage? We looked at the idea of entrusting God with our thoughts yesterday, today we will look at some practical "don't's" and tomorrow we will look at a few "do's"

1. Do not have separate bank accounts.

2. Do not hide passwords -- You should have access to one another's email, Facebook, Twitter, etc

3. Do not eat dinner with members of the opposite sex -- No lunch, brunch or coffee either! 

4. Do not foster an emotional relationship with someone of the opposite sex -- No work spouse!

5. Do not go to bed angry -- Talk about problems before they fester

Affair proofing your marriage requires commitment, faith and a whole lot of work! If the two of you are willing to trust God and do the work you will eliminate MANY of the pitfalls which sink many a marriage!

James

Affair Proof Your Marriage: Part 1

Who or what has your mind today? You may have never asked this question but it is a very important one. Who or what has your thoughts? If you are constantly thinking about your finances then your bank account and bills have your mind today. If you are constantly lusting after a co-worker then lust has your mind today. If you find yourself often wondering whether or not you have email and who has posted since your last peek at Facebook then the internet has your mind. It is very important for all of us to be aware of where our mind is because actions and words are soon to follow the place our mind is camped.

I have often talked with men who have had extra marital affairs and inevitably the cause of the affair, for the Christian men who make this mistake, is never a momentary lapse in judgement but rather a series of lapses due to an impure thought process. A man will lust for a woman and begin to imagine what it would be like to be with her. Once this process begins the mind goes to work creating the opportunity for the thoughts to become a reality. Sin begins in the heart...and mind.

Pray and ask God to show you what has your heart. If it be anything other than Him then there is confession to be made and a new way of living to be had! Start today! God will lead you to a new life free from sin and its consequences!

"Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!" -- Psalm 139:23-24

James

Show Some Initiative!

Initiative is the driving force behind anything that gets done. What will you take the initiative to do this day, week, month, year or the rest of your life? Be encouraged! God has plans and wants YOU to show some initiative so these plans might be realized in your life.

"We are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works He has prepared in advance for us to do." -- Ephesians 2:10

Laughter Really is The Best Medicine

How often do you laugh? I recently read a couple of reports which stated people laugh between 15 and 17 times each day. Are you getting in your 15 laughs per day? If not you may need to find some comic relief in your life.

Laughter can:
1. Lower your blood pressure
2. Increase vascular blood flow and oxygenation of blood
3. Give a work out to the diaphragm, face and other muscles
4. Reduce stress hormones
5. Increase the response of tumor and disease killing cells
6. Defend against respiratory infections
7. Increase memory and learning
8. Improve alertness, creativity and memory

As Ecclesiastes 3:4 says, "There is a time to laugh." Are you making time and opportunity to do so in your life? Stop taking yourself and everything around you so seriously! Take some time to laugh and allow yourself the God given stress relief each of us needs!

James

Feeling Guilty?

Our struggle with sin is a difficult one. All believers in Christ want to be free from all sin in their life. We want to be holy. We want to be righteous (God's kind of person who does life God's kind of way). However, we struggle against temptation and sometimes "fall" into sin. This failure often leads to depression, guilt and despair. In fact, many Christians live with a constant sense of these emotions because they want so desperately to please God and often fail to do so. There is hope if you are one of these people!

God convicts us of sin for the purpose of getting us out of the sin and back to obedience. Once we have confessed our sin and repented (turned from it) there is no longer any reason to even think about our past failures. If you are feeling emotional baggage for past sin you have confessed and turned away from, you need to be assured, these feelings are not of God! God never loads us up with guilt, shame and despair for sin we have confessed and given to Him. 

Once you have confessed and turned to God, you are free from the burden of sin just as you are free from its consequence. Do not let the devil have a playground with your mind anymore. "There is NOW no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set us free from the law of sin and death."

James

End Skepticism: Come Clean on Benghazi

Skepticism comes easily to many of us. We do not trust easily and therefore are left with the natural result, a skeptical heart. Skepticism is defined as "any questioning attitude toward knowledge, facts or opinions/beliefs stated as facts." We want the truth but often have doubts when told we have it. This is where a great many Americans find themselves right now concerning the attacks at Benghazi. Our government has given us several versions of "truth" and "We the people" are left very skeptical as to whether we have received the true account of what happened on September 11th of this year. 

There once was a man name Richard who gave people multiple versions of a story surrounding the burglary of a place called Watergate. His side stepping, "hem hawing" and misdirection created a degree of mistrust never before seen in American politics. The result of all the shenanigans was his resignation from the presidency. Let us hope our nation never faces such troubling times again. 

It is time for the current administration to protect the office of the president by giving "We the people" the unabridged truth concerning the events surrounding the death of our ambassador to Libya at Benghazi in September of this year. The only way skepticism can ever be stopped is through an overwhelming transparency which confirms everything purported to be "the truth." Our country need not be put through another nightmare like the one Richard Nixon put us through. Nixon would likely have survived the Watergate affair had there been no attempted cover up.

Pray for our leaders today,
James

How to Prepare For The Change Which Lies Ahead

Change is an inevitable part of life. Like it or not, change, in all of its forms, good and bad, is a part of our time on earth. If you live long enough, just about everything in your world is going to change one way or another. Realizing the inevitability of change, we must decide what kind of attitude we will have when it comes our way.

Attitude is the one part of change we can control. In fact, it is the only part of change we are guaranteed any control at all. Will you respond to change with faith and the strength, energy, vitality and optimism which comes with it or will you be faithless and experience the negativity, pessimism, weakness and hopeless which comes with it? Which will you choose? 

God is the same yesterday, today and forever. He is in control, perfectly so, and can be trusted in the midst of the uncertainty change often brings to our life. All of us need something unchanging upon which to build our life! God promises to be unchanging. Regardless of the changing circumstances of our world or personal life, God is always the same and always in control. Decide today, come what may, you are going to have an attitude of faith the next time change makes its inevitable call upon your life.

James

Live Free and Share Christ!

There once was a deacon and faithful follower of Christ named Romanus who lived in 4th century Palestine during one of the many persecutions Christians faced at the hands of the ancient Roman Empire. Romanus was condemned for his faith at Antioch and killed in AD 303. However, before he was strangled to death Romanus was scourged, put on the rack, torn with hooks, cut with knives, had his face scarified, his teeth beaten from their sockets and his hair plucked out by the roots; he never renounced his faith. I wonder what Romanus would think of most Christians living in the 21st century church of the United States of America? What would Romanus have done with the kind of freedom to live and share his faith we enjoy today?

Many ask, "How can we change our country?" God has already told us how real change happens. Real change comes when a person receives the Gospel of Jesus Christ and becomes a Christian. Share the Gospel with someone today so they might be saved from sin and radically changed. Share the Gospel so a new mouth might praise, worship, love, adore and give honor to the God who deserves such from every heart He created. Be a part of real change.

Don't neglect the gift of freedom God has given you as a citizen of the United States! Be a part of what God is doing in the world around you today. Share your faith!

James

How To Have a Happy Life

We all want a happy life. Each and every one of us are looking for ways to squeeze all the joy we can from our time on earth. Blaise Pascal once wrote:

  

"All men seek happiness. This is without exception. Whatever different means they employ, they all tend to this end. The cause of some going to war and of others avoiding it, is the same desire in both, attended with different views. The will never takes the step but to this object. This is the motive of every action of every man, even of those who hang themselves."

We all have people and things which bring happiness to our life. I love my family, college football and chocolate pie. All of these make me happy! But, when any or all of these are unavailable, my happiness may be lost in their absence. Any happiness built on things or people is a fleeting happiness at best. While family and favorite things are good (God gives us His creation and the people in it to enjoy) they are no substitute for the one place God intends for each of us to find our greatest joy and happiness. Real, lasting happiness is only found in a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Our God has promised to never leave or forsake us. Jesus has assured each of His followers that our life and happiness in Him will be eternal.

How and where are you looking for happiness? If the answer is anything other than a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, you are headed for a life filled with a lot unhappiness. Come to Jesus and find a happiness free from dependence upon people or circumstance. Find a life where people, things and circumstances accentuate what God has already given you in Himself...a happy life. 

James

Thank You Veterans!

Veteran's Day is Sunday. This video seemed appropriate as we celebrate our country and those who have sacrificed to preserve the freedoms we enjoy. May God bless America!

"We The People" Deserve Transparency From Our Leaders

Last week, on November 1st, Iran attacked an unmanned American military drone over the Persian Gulf. This event took place five days prior to the election of the president on November 6th but was not reported to the public until two days after the election on November 8th. The government and popular media have joined forces to mislead and misinform the public concerning events surrounding the attack on our ambassador to Libya at Benghazi. Now we must ask, "Has the administration chosen to hide information surrounding an attack on our military by a foreign power until a politically opportune time?" 

There are many who believe the Obama administration has purposely manipulated the American public for its political gain. Many believe the media has been complicit in the efforts of the administration to these ends. This is simply unacceptable. We expect more from those entrusted with the governance of our country. "We the people" must be diligent and demand greater transparency from an administration which promised to be so.

Pray for our leaders...

James 

When God Makes No Sense...

Some Christians are still scratching their head this morning wondering how God could possibly allow the election of two nights ago to turn out as it did. Regardless of whether you are thrilled or heartbroken at the election results we must remember God is working things out for His glory and our good (which are one and the same by the way!). God's plans for us and the world will always be accomplished!

There is a story in the Bible about a man named Habakkuk you may not have read lately. (Wonder why that Bible name hasn't caught on and made its way into the baby name books?!) Habakkuk was a prophet who lived during a time when his nation, Judah, had lost its way both morally and spiritually. In light of the circumstances Habakkuk prayed and asked God why He allowed so much wickedness in the land and if He was ever going to do anything about it. God's answer surprised the old prophet.

God told Habakkuk He was going to do something amazing in his day; He was going to bring a nation from the north, the Babylonians, to destroy Judah. Needless to say, Habakkuk was a bit unsettled upon hearing of this news. How could God raise up a violently wicked nation like Babylon to punish the lesser violations of the people of Judah? Where was the justice in this? How could God do this and keep His promise to save the Hebrew people and make them His own?

We don't always understand God's way of doing things but He has revealed enough of His character to allow us the opportunity to trust Him on such occasions. Later in the story Habakkuk came to realize God was orchestrating events in order to discipline Judah and purge the nation of its sin. God was making the people of Judah righteous (God's kind of people) so He could bless and get glory from them. God wanted to demonstrate His power and character through the Hebrew people to the rest of humanity but first had to make them holy and faithful. This required discipline at the hands of the Babylonians.

We have no idea why God chooses to act as He does nor do we need to comprehend His every move. We know enough of His character and power to trust Him. God's long term plan is that we may know Him, love Him and be a holy people whom He may bless. God wants to show the world His character and power through a people prepared for Him. 

"Trust the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make straight your paths." Proverbs 3:5-6

James

A Thought On Why People Vote The Way They Do

The election is concluded and Barack Obama has been reelected president of the United States. Many in the Republican party consider the events of the last 24 hours shocking, unthinkable and unbelievable. How could a person with the president's record be hired for another term? How do we elect the leaders who lead us? What motivates folks to vote as they do?

One irrefutable fact is the majority of Americans do not have a relationship with Jesus Christ. This lack of faith most assuredly has impact upon our elections both now and throughout our history. However something new and very troubling is happening in America; twenty percent of the American people now refuse to identify themselves by any faith or religion at all. This lack of affiliation means at least one fifth of our population feels no accountability to a deity of any kind. This is incredibly telling and gives us a peek into the psyche of many who punched a ballot yesterday. Once accountability to God is removed as a motivating factor for behavior, people simply do what is right in their own eyes. We only need look at the Old Testament book of Judges to see the impact such behavior has on the quality of life for a people and their nation. We do not want to take this road to its final destination.

I do not mean to imply the impact of this demographic movement to be unique to the Democrat party. Republicans are a part of the general electorate and the fact they nominated the member of a traditional cult to represent their party indicts them as well. Secularism, whether we like to admit it or not, is impacting our elections enormously and in ways perhaps never seen in this country.

Is God in the choices which were made yesterday? Absolutely. God tells us in Romans 13 He raises up all authority and the government of the United States is one such authority. However, sometimes God gives us what we deserve or need rather than the blessing He would otherwise bestow upon us. Could it be we are now in a place where we are simply getting what we deserve or need? Only time will tell what God has in mind with the reelection of President Obama. The fact so many of our fellow citizens do not follow Christ and 20% of our populace feel no accountability to any deity at all makes me very concerned for what lies ahead.

James

Election Day

I have thought of my grandfather a number of times over the past few days. He stormed the beaches of Normandy in 1944 to help liberate Europe from tyranny and oppression. Where would the world be without the United States of America? Quite frankly, the world would be ruled by despots at best and filled with anarchy at worst. A world without the United States would be a nightmare.

We the people, the people of the United States of America, have a wonderful opportunity given us this day. We have the privilege of choosing our leaders at the ballot box. Men and women have fought and died for the privilege we exercise today. I hope you will take this responsibility seriously and give it all of the the reverence it deserves. I hope you will pray and seek the will of God before you cast your ballot.

May God bless America,

James

Romney or Obama...Jesus Christ is Still My King

Our God is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. All of history, including our life personally, is about Him. We exist at His pleasure and our life belongs to Him. We are at His disposal. 

I pray God will use me as His instrument of righteousness, an instrument of honor for noble purposes. Praise God for the opportunity to be a part of what He is doing in the world around us.

"We are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works which He has prepared in advance for us to do." -- Ephesians 2:10
James

Temptation: Something Obama, Romney and the Rest of Us Have in Common

Regardless our age, temptation is common to all of us. These kids exemplify what all of us have endured at one time or another. Each of us have our own specific temptations we struggle with and mine may be different from yours but we all face the ugly face that is...temptation.

"No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he (God) will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." -- 1 Corinthians 10:13

James

Hurricane Sandy, Anxiety and God

Hurricane Sandy is a horrible tragedy of truly epic proportions. We are unlikely to see a storm like this ever again in our lifetime. Sandy evolved into what meteorologists called a "perfect storm." Conditions came together in a unique, almost mythical way to create a tropical storm which produced not only torrential rain but blizzard conditions as well! Hollywood couldn't dream of putting together such an unthinkable combination.

Life is very unpredictable and the inability to prepare for the unimaginable can bring a lot of anxiety our way. Some call anxiety idolatry because in many ways it results from an attempt to control our circumstances in a way only God is intended to do. However, we must allow for the reality we are emotional creatures prone to respond emotionally to circumstances, real or perceived possible, which may affect us negatively. Anxiety is natural when we experience the emotion of fear. How we deal with anxiety determines whether it becomes something sinful in our life.

God tells us in His Word (1 Peter 5:7), "Cast all your anxiety upon God for He cares for you." If you are anxious today stop and pray. Cast all of your anxious feelings and thoughts upon God; the only one who can ever truly be in control of what may illicit fear in your heart. Be specific, tell God every detail of what makes you feel afraid and anxious. Let God have every piece of what frightens you so you can be freed from fear and see it replaced with faith in Him.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." -- Philippians 4:7-8

James

Romney or Obama...God's Plan Will Be Accomplished Either Way

We are a mere 5 days away from election day in the United States and a lot of folks are feeling stress about the possible outcome. I admit I have been one of these people! I have been guilty of worry and stress over who will lead our country for the next four years. I repent. While I still have a strong opinion concerning who I would like to win the election, I am reminded today that all governments, righteous and wicked, are raised up by God for His purpose. Romans 13:1 says, "Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God and those that exist have been instituted by God." Obama, Romney, Democrat or Republican, everything is in God's hands.God's intended outcome for the next four years will come to pass regardless of who resides in the White House or Capitol Building.

God is in control and His purposes will be accomplished. Is your life in His hands? Have you discovered the peace which comes from a life submitted to Him and His will? You can enter God's rest right now if you want to do so. Just pray and give your life to Him.

James