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Family Problems
Within the ranks of families problems and challenges are imminent, the truth is there are no flawless families. When a person embraces this truth it brings with it a sense of relief and freedom because we have the tendency to be trapped with tunnel vision. Thinking that my family is the only one with troubles and others have it so much better. Well that's exactly what trouble is designed to do, making us feel powerless and presses us to look for something that a family is designed and capable of providing. We wind up discarding the most important relationships and limiting ourselves in establishing deep meaningful ones. Learning to communicate and work through the challenges we face will further the knitting of hearts together. When problems go unresolved they become a dividing wedge that restricts the depth of relationships. We should take courage and begin the process of working on those issues we have pushed aside and trust the Lord to help us bring resolve and restoration.          
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Posted by James Miller at 3/8/2010 7:57 PM | View Comments (0) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (0)
Resist to Win
     As life unfolds we encounter the onset of facing an enemy who has our demise in mind, regardless of how weak or strong we are our faith will be tested.   
     The Apostle Peter was very familiar with this reality, Jesus had told him that Satan had desired to sift him like wheat. Jesus answer to Peter's dilemma was simple but he would soon discover it takes a strong stand to win. Jesus said "I have prayed for you" but it was not a general prayer, He was very deliberate about how He prayed. Jesus targeted the area of Peter's faith not failing and why would He be so precise? Peter was facing an attack from an unseen enemy and nothing but spiritual weapons can stop him and faith was exactly the weapon of choice. 
     Jesus also told Peter to strengthen others after he recovered from this vicious attack. Understanding from personal experience Peter knew how to do this. He wrote how Satan comes around like a roaring lion but we are to resist him steadfast in the faith. Peter is saying faith worked for me it has been tried and proven therefore stick to your guns of faith and remain on top. Stay strong in faith and you will win.....        
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Posted by James Miller at 3/5/2010 9:45 PM | View Comments (0) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (0)
Rebuke not Respect
    As believers it becomes a vital necessity we develop a right attitude concerning our adversary. All to often we respond to his attacks lacking the same disdain Jesus expressed toward him. 
    I remember when I first came into the family of God a dear sister in the Lord was visiting my wife and me.  As we talked the conversation turned in the direction of our enemy, she cupped her hand around her mouth and began to whisper saying "you know him down there".  It was obvious there was absolutely no fighting attitude in her at all, it was more like that of the children children of Israel when they saw the giants in Canaan. 
    When Jesus was confronted by the enemy He used phrases like shut up and come out, having the utmost disregard for their person. It astounded those who heard Him speak in this way questioning among themselves saying "what thing is this and what new doctrine is this".  They were saying listen to how this man speaks and look at His results, obviously this was new to them.  We will always fall short in dealing with our enemy if we fail to develop the same attitude Jesus demonstrated for us. Stand tall and be aggressive knowing victory belongs to you and never to the enemy.  God Bless You..... 
  
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Posted by James Miller at 2/27/2010 8:52 PM | View Comments (0) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (0)
Saved by grace or works?

Saved by works or by grace?

     Over the years there has been much emphasis on one or the other about being saved whether it’s by grace or through good works.

Ephesians 2:8-9 says;

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  Not of works, lest any man should boast. KJV

    This verse clearly points out that grace is how we are saved and not by works, God offers salvation as a gift. If it’s a gift then it would be impossible to earn it, because if you did then it would no longer be a gift. You might ask where work fits into this equation if I am not saved by them. Our works should a reflection or result of being saved not to be saved.

Ephesians 2:10 says;

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. KJV

   Created in Christ Jesus is a reference of being saved (born again) this letter has been written by Paul to the believers at Ephesus. Notice their good works followed their salvation not preceding  it.

Romans 6:23 says;

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. KJV
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Posted by James Miller at 8/5/2009 12:58 PM | View Comments (3) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (0)
Jehovah Jireh
One of the most important truths for the believer is understand the finished work of Jesus.  All that we would need to carry out the will of God has already been provided for us, He missed nothing. In Genesis Abraham declared God to be Jehovah Jireh because God provided for himself a lamb. Genesis 22:14 says Abraham called the name of that place Jehovah Jireh; as it is said to this day , in the mount of the Lord it shall be seen. Jehovah Jireh meaning the Lord who provides or my provider. The word provision is a combining of two Latin words which mean: To see beforehand. God sees beforehand and therefore provides long before the need arises as it was demonstrated on Abraham's behalf. God is aware of everything we will ever face and has already arranged for the availability of provision. Consider our need for salvation and how God met the need long before we were aware of the need. Throughout the Old and New Testament God has proved Himself to be faithfully committed to meet our needs.  
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Posted by James Miller at 11/3/2008 10:38 AM | View Comments (1) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (0)
Love is a Choice
    There have many opinions offered as well as followed concerning the subject of love, some are confusing while others are just ridiculous. I'm not trying to be critical but there are so many hurting people because of being mislead in this area. First of all the bible clearly states that walking in love has never been a suggestion but rather a commandment. 
 
     If we are commanded to love then we can understand it begins with a decision, we choose whether we will obey or not. Even though we are commanded to love He's not going to make us do it against our will. He gave us the right to choose, if He were going to make people do what He wanted according to His will then everyone would be saved. 2Peter 3:9 says He's not willing that anyone would perish but all would repent. Clearly salvation has been at His expense but the choice to receive lies within our realm of choice. Walking in love towards God and others begins by making a heart felt decision regardless of how we feel. 
   
     The expression of Love is not a feeling but an action and love is not built on a feeling but a commitment. Feelings always follow our commitments, what we are committed too we will stand, fight and even die for. Maybe you know or heard of someone who's marriage failed because one of the spouses said they didn't feel like they loved them any more. This is a sad but classic case of a lack of understanding, basing their most important human relationship on mere feelings. We should make a decision to cultivate our hearts towards love and not be lead around by our feelings. God Bless You;  
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Posted by James Miller at 9/30/2008 8:45 AM | View Comments (1) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (0)
Influence by Love
   Ever consider what methods we use to influence the world around us. Paul said in Romans 2:4 Do you despise the riches of his goodness and forebearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leads to repentance?

  All to often we overlook the reason why God sent Jesus to the earth, which John 3:16 clearly states it was because of love. Not to condemn but save through the expression of love to mankind. Jesus said there's no greater love than laying down ones life for his friends John 15:13. Our efforts of influence should always be prompted by love as God's was for us. Without it we are missing the redemptive power of God as Paul said "goodness leads to repentance." We can major on the immorality of our day and use that to witness, but leave out love and become religious. As the body of Christ we are the dispensers of the love of God on the earth. 
        Let's not underestimate the power of love........   
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Posted by James Miller at 9/24/2008 9:30 AM | View Comments (0) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (0)
Commandments
    I was teaching on the subject of loving God and loving others, asking the question of how do we express our love towards God and man? Quoting what Jesus said in John 14:15 which says; If you love me keep my commandments.  I then proceeded by saying keep my commandments ; is to follow God by submitting to His word and ordering our lives accordingly. 

   After the class someone ask the question of which commandments are we supposed to keep because there are 613 laws in the Torah,meaning the first five books of the bible. To answer that question properly we must look to the New Testament. Jesus was asked what was the greatest commandment?
His reply was simple; love God with all your heart and your neighbor as yourself. He then went on to say hang all the law and the prophets on the commandment of love, James wrote saying that love was the Royal Law. 
Paul said in Romans 13:10 Love works no ill to his neighbor: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. The law of love is the commandment we are to keep as new testament believers.

   Our lives should be expressing the love of God in all that we do and say. I realize we are not perfect and we will make mistakes but we should be striving to obey the command of love.

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Posted by James Miller at 9/23/2008 10:45 AM | View Comments (0) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (0)
Learn To Forget

 

   5-6-08
I think everyone’s had bad experiences they would like to forget. It’s not an uncommon thing for people to be haunted by an event of their past and struggle moving forward without the feelings of shame or regret. Paul the Apostle said; “this one thing I do, forgetting those things that are behind me.” The power to forget is within our realm of ability but it will take some work on our part. Forget by definition means; To treat with thoughtless inattention; To banish from one's thoughts: To disregard on purpose.

1. Make a heartfelt conscience decision to forget.

2. Start thinking about what you are thinking about.

3. Stop thinking about what you are trying to forget.

4. Faith is more powerful than feelings.

5. Refuse to allow the feelings of shame or embarrassment to control

you, by waging a verbal war against those feelings.

6. Say; I refuse to allow my past experiences and feelings to control the

way I feel, think and perform, my future is bright, filled with God’s

goodness and blessing for me.

I hope this will assist you on your road to recovery and healing of

your heart towards your past.
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Posted by James Miller at 5/6/2008 9:21 AM | View Comments (0) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (0)
Faith
2-26-08
Faith; what an important part of the life of the believer! The bible says numerous times that the just shall live by faith. Simply meaning those who are born again are expected to live a life that reflects their faith in Jesus Christ. Paul in writing to the church at Rome stated that “faith comes by hearing the word of God”. One important element that must not be overlooked or never forgotten is our relationship with God. Meaning this “ we cannot replace relationship with information”. If we look at faith as being trust or confidence in God, we can say our faith will never rise above our depth of relationship. I think it is possible for Christians to have the information about God but do not know him. If that’s the case then it becomes extremely difficult to trust someone you don’t know. Our deepest level of trust comes from a personal relationship with God Almighty. We are able to cultivate a relationship with God through His word which reveals His character. We must remember not to neglect His word or our relationship with Him.

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Posted by James Miller at 2/26/2008 3:15 PM | View Comments (0) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (0)
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