We read in Mark 10 about a man who went to Jesus ans asked what he could do to inherit eternal life. This question is on the hearts of so many people and the things people do to try to influence GOD that they are worthy for heaven is amazing. Mark 10:17 says, :...Good Teacher,what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" A good question to ask the SON of GOD. When JESUS reminded him of the commandments, the rich man said he had kept these things from his youth. We know keeping the commandments in thought and deed is impossible in our fallen state. The man answered honestly, as he saw it, and JESUS responded by telling him he was lacking in one area.. JESUS told him to .." go and sell all you possess, and give it to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven..." Mark 10 21. The Bible tells us his face fell and he left grieved. He did not have to do so but he just could not give up his wealth. He may have been willing to use his wealth to help others, but he was not going to give it all away. The "CHAIN" of wealth has so many people trapped. We enjoy a prosperity here in the U.S.A. that is unlike anywhere else in the world. We like all that we have. JESUS gave this man the right answer and he could not do it. Does the love of money, or its' accumulation, keep you from serving GOD as you should. JESUS said in Matthew 6:21 that "... where you treasure is, there will your heart be also."  Do not let the lures of this world keep you from serving CHRIST. Look around you and see what the love of money has done to people. It is not pretty. We have what we do because of GOD's grace- let us be wise and give back to HIM all HE deserves!

  Who can forget Jacob Marley appearing to Ebenezar Scrooge all wrapped up in chains that represented bad acts and decisions made while he was yet alive. When I see that movie at Christmas my mind always races back over my life. Many beleivers have been wonderfully forgiven of their sins, yet often the Christians drags around the chain or chains from past mistakes. We need to know we are forgiven. When we trust CHRIST, our sins are gone. The chains that we drag along can very deeply affect the way we live for Christ. One chain that can slow our walk with the LORD is the chain of bitterness. Pasdt wrongs, real or perceived, that have been done to us can so often hinder our service to the LORD. We just will not let thye past go. Learn that nursing a grudge will not heal anything. Joseph was treated real badly by his brothers and sold away from his family. GOD prospered Joseph and a time came when he could get payback or what his brotheres did. With a heart of forgiveness that can only come from GOD's grace, Joseph told his brothers in Genesis 50:19-20 that .." .... do not be afraid, for I am in GOD's place? And as for you, you meant evil against me, but GOD meant it for good....". What an attiude to have. If you can find it in your heart to let go of past wrongs and look at GOD's working in your life- you will be much happier and more effective in your service for CHRIST!

   I remember as a child that I always looked forward to Friday as a very special day. The weekend meant no school and lots of time to play. As a minister, I look now at Fridays in a different way. I will be preaching in two days and I am excited about that. As Christians, we should be glad it is Firday. We should be happy because we are about to unwind from a busy week and we will also gather at GOD's house to worship. Hebrews 10:25 exhorts us, " not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some but encouraging one another:..." I never thought about this till I was typing in this verse, but just being with a bunch of other believers is such a great encouragement to me, even apart from the service. When we gather together we are GOD's family gathered here to worship our GOD together. The fact of that should spur us to come to church on Sunday. We also need to be their for Spiritual food that GOD has for us through his servant.I know the temptation can be to stay home because you are tired and need a break. My question to you is: What can be more important to you than worshipping your GOD with your brothers and sisters in CHRIST? As a new school year begins and the regular house routines are started up again, I urge you to make sure that being in church on Sunday is a part of that normal routine. GOD will bless you for that!

 Paul in Ephesians 5: 15-16 gives us a very clear exhortation to be wise in our daily living. He says; " THEREFORE, BE CAREFUL HOW YOU WALK, NOT AS UNWISE MEN, BUT AS WISE, MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR TIME, BECAUSE THE DAYS ARE EVIL." These verses shouldstir us to be very deliberate in how we live in thijs world because we do not know when our "time" will come and we must do all we can to reach lost people with the Gospel of JESUS CHRIST. We often complain that we never have enough time to do the things we must do. The truth is, we have all the time there is and we need to make it a priority to live Godly in this very ungodly world. Suppose your bank notified you that each night at midnight it was going to credit your checking account with $86,400 and you needed to spend it all every day or when day was over they would take back all the unspent money. However, at midnight the next $86,400 was put into your account. What do you think you would do? Of course, you would withdraw all of the money every day. There is a bank that does such a thing and we call it a time bank. Each day 86,400 seconds is put into your life account and it is really choice how you will spend them. As a child of GOD, know that you will answer for all of that time so it is in your best interest, and GOD's, to live out that time you have for Him! As a wise person once said, " Only one life, it will soon be past and only what is done for CHRIST will last." Can you find time to live for HIM?

Adam and Jenna were united in marriage in a wedding ceremony in Deb and Jim's back yard. Praise the Lord for their commitment to one another and to Him. The Lord gave us a beautiful day!

Colossians 3:18

Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.

Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.

Comments:
When I was a youngster growing up, a number of us boys decided to start a “Girl Haters Club.” I cannot remember who came up with the idea, but there was absolutely no dissention among the ranks as to the propriety of this venture. At least, not among us younger  boys. However, we wanted to build a club house and sought to enlist the help of some adult men. They all gave the same response: “You’d do a lot better if you tried to start a Girl Lovers Club.” Talk about feeling betrayed by your own. Actually, we did not really “hate” girls. We just knew they were different, and I suppose the idea of starting this club was our way of recognizing and reacting to that difference. It is, indeed, a difference that has been wonderfully created by God, and is to be appropriately reflected in our day to day lives.