I don't get mad... I get even... or at least that's how I feel

When I am wronged I feel like a big, ugly, raging gorilla. And all I want to do is get even. But God said, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay” (Deuteronomy 32:35, NIV). And Jesus said, “If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also” (Matthew 5:39b, NIV). At first these words made no sense to me whatsoever. That is, until I considered the promises vengeance makes and its actual results.

When I consider vengeance in my heart it promises to “teach that person a lesson” and to “set things right.”  Upon looking back at my own vengeful behavior all it taught the other person was how to be vengeful. It set nothing right. And, in fact, it only put more hatred between us.

When I realized there was nothing to be gained by revenge I looked at God’s commands differently. Jesus loved His enemies and prayed for those that persecuted Him. And He committed all things to His Heavenly Father’s care, even His death. What are the results of such love?

When others have been good to me when I didn’t deserve it, it has disarmed my anger. There was no motivation to continue in anger when the other party is returning genuine kindness and concern; having been given a listening ear, now I wanted to listen. I received a sense of being valued, which to me was far more valuable than what I was fighting for. I learned from them and wanted to set things right.

Love accomplished what vengeance could not. But returning love for anger is tough. We may fail at times, many times. But it is worth the struggle, because when we succeed we can be sure that the results will last forever.

To learn more about love, read the Bible, (Matthew 5:38-48, Romans 12:9-21); talk to someone who loves Jesus and others; visit a church that honors the Bible as the Word of God.

What time is it?

If you have any interest at all in God or Heaven, this may be a special time for you. That’s because your interest in God can only be placed in your heart by God Himself. And God places it there because He loves you and knows that a personal relationship with Him is the best thing for you.

When is the best time to start a personal relationship with God?

“In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.”
I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.

The Apostle Paul in The Bible, 2 Corinthians 6:2, NIV84

Today, right now, you can begin your journey with God. Simply ask Jesus to forgive the wrongs you have done. Ask Him to come into your life and lead you where He wants you to go. He is waiting to hear from you.  And you will never regret your decision to follow Him.

But, following Him will not be easy.  Jesus Himself said that His way is narrow and hard.  But He will give you Himself to be your strength one step at a time.  And, He will give you His joy and peace along the way!

To learn more about starting your journey with God, read the Bible (Matthew 5:1-20, John 3:1-21), talk to a friend who is walking with Jesus, visit a church that preaches Jesus is God.

My wife's eye pressure is normal

Thank you for praying for my wife's eye.  Her pressure is healthy for the first time in years.  This was her fourth major surgery in six months.  It was the third attempt to relieve the pressure and it was successful.  Thank you again for praying. - Jim

How do I Lead for We and still take care of Me (and Mine)?

The post Lead for Me or Lead for We? on Thursday, April 23, 2015 poses the problem we all have faced or will face: conflict of interest.  Is my company, my self and my family's desires more important than the livelihood of the people I lead?  My company, my family and my people have all put their trust in me.  I cannot do what each wants.  What do I do?

Look! The wages you failed to pay the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty.  You have lived on earth in luxury and self–indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter.  You have condemned and murdered innocent men, who were not opposing you.  The Bible, James 5: 4-6 (NIV84)

This company wants to make as much money as possible and at the expense of their workers "who are not opposing them."  Jesus said riches deceive those who love them.  And instead of appreciating the workers who have helped the owners achieve both owner and worker goals, the owners are deceived (by the pursuit of more riches) into thinking they are not their brothers' keeper.  The employers and employees are "at will".  And neither is obligated to the welfare of the other.

So what is the answer?  If it were me, I would trust God to supply what I and my family needed (Jesus promises to take responsibility for those who obey Him (Matthew 6:33)) and follow Him by doing what is right for the most vulnerable - the workers.  I would contact the new company starting up and give personal recommendations for my people.  I would let my people know of the plan to end their jobs and encourage them to apply at the new start up company.

You may think that it is really brave of me to take a fictitious bold stand for Jesus.  In real life in 1992 I was convicted by God about some parts of my job.  I decided to refuse to do pornographic, abortion or occult products where I worked.  For about two weeks they threatened to fire me.  I had a chance to allow Jesus to speak to top levels of management through me.  Ultimately Jesus saved my wife and me from me losing my job.  Then five years later this same company asked me to do evangelistic products.

"When I grow up I want to be just like Mom"

Being a Mom has got to be one of the toughest jobs in the world. Guiding a young life can humble you like nothing else can.

Those little eyes are watching, trying to learn what it means to become a “grownup.”

That’s where God steps in.

He wants you to be His representative to your child and He knows you can’t do it by yourself.

If you will trust His Son to lead your life then He will enable you to lead your son or daughter’s life.

Not perfectly of course, but better able to model and pass along God’s character to your little one.

To learn more about trusting God read the Bible (Mark 9:36-37, 10:13-16), talk to a friend who is  being led by Jesus, visit a Church where He is followed as God.

Lead for Me or Lead for We?

A company is relocating one of their production facilities.  They need to finish production of a current contract and then shut the doors at a specified date.  You are the manager of the plant.  You have been told that you are going to head up the new plant.  You are secure.  You have also been told not to tell any of the workers at your plant of these plans.  They may find other jobs.  Then the ability to finish an important contract could be jeopardized.  You know that your people cannot make it on unemployment, but they could possibly find new jobs at another company that is starting up if they knew now to apply.  What do you do?

This is a contrived fictitious situation, yet similar to what has happened before in this country. You could get creative with a lot of possibility thinking.  That is not my goal.  My goal is force you to deal with the main idea:  You can serve yourself or you can serve the people who depend on you to lead them.  You don't have to tell me what you decide, but this is pointless if you are not honest with yourself.

Thank you for praying for my wife

Thank you for praying for my wife.  So far it looks good.  We need to wait a few weeks to know for sure if it has been a successful surgery.

Thank you again,

Jim

Please Pray for my Wife and Her Surgery

My wife is having the sixth surgery on her eye in the last six months.  Would you please ask God to heal her eye and her spirit as these surgeries are wearing her down.  Thank you!!!  God says in the Bible that one praying is like 1,000 and 2 is like 10,000.  Thank you for increasing my prayers by 9,000.

What's Your Reason for the Season?

Trimming the tree with tinsel and glitter . . .

Santa Claus, Rudolph and Frosty the Snowman . . .

Gift giving and receiving . . .

All make for good Christmas cheer.

But do you know that the best part of Christmas cheer is sometimes obscured by the good?

Before the world began, God chose to send His Son Jesus into the world on “Christmas Day.” Jesus was born to die to set us free from our sins if we will trust Him. And each year we celebrate the birthday of the One who loved us and gave His life for us.

Is Jesus your reason for the season?

If not, consider getting away from the Christmas rush for a few moments. Quiet yourself and read the Christmas Story in the Bible (Luke 1:5-2:20, Matthew 1:18-2:23).

Marvel at the miraculous virgin birth.
Gaze in awe at the angels filling the night sky, telling the shepherds of the new birth of the
baby King.
Worship with the wise men the child who made unconditional love visible to all the world.

Make Jesus your reason for the season and He will make this your best Christmas ever.

To learn more about Jesus, read the Bible, talk to a friend who knows Jesus, visit a church where Jesus is preached as God with us.

Untouched by Trouble?

The fear of the LORD leads to life:

Then one rests content, untouched by trouble.

Proverbs 19:23 NIV

To be sure, trouble still exists.  And we deal with trouble every day.  But because we are in Christ the trouble of this world we live in cannot touch us. It cannot hurt our relationship with Jesus, (which is the sum total of life).   God watches over us and He only allows the pain to touch us that He will ultimately use for us.