NEVER paid their rental fee.
To find out more, check out my new article entitled, "Forgiveness".
The Lord's humbled . . . John A. Reeves
Over twelve years ago, my wife and I bought a small, two-bedroom house before our first child was born. It wasn’t top-of-the-line, but, it was special. The house was white with a big back yard and a fireplace. We put some sweat equity into it and stayed there until we found a preaching job that offered us living accommodations. So, as a result of our move we became landlords. We had a few good years of quality renters until the day when we got tenants who
NEVER paid their rental fee. To find out more, check out my new article entitled, "Forgiveness". The Lord's humbled . . . John A. Reeves
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Zig Ziglar, in his work, 5 Keys to Igniting Motivation and Success, talks briefly about why so few Jewish men are in prison.
He states that Jewish fathers do three things with their boys. Everyday they tell them that they love them by: 1. telling them "bless you" 2. telling them "I love you" 3. give their boys a big hug (sometimes a big kiss) The work of Jewish fathers is extremely dramatic. Zig talks about a prison minister in Florida named Billy Glass. Billy mentioned of the 40,000 men in prison only 13 were Jewish. Not 13000 or 1300 but a real 13. One of the things that Billy found out among prisoners is that they hate their fathers. The fact is, dad's you have a stong impact on the future of your children. Please take your role seriously and be humble before God. The Lord's humbled . . . John A. Reeves A friend lost a child, of nine years old, in a hunting accident. There is nothing I could say . . . . For those who truly believe in Christ, please pray that God strengthen this family as they continue on in their grief.
Please be humble before God as you cry with those who cry. The Lord's humbled . . . John A. Reeves It is about 5 years now since my first wife passed away with cancer. I have noticed that my irratibility factor has fluctuated much during the last few weeks. It is interesting how cyclical pain can be on a yearly basis.
Now, I have the opportunity to assist another person who has just lost their spouse to illness. One might think that five years are enough healing to "get over" the loss of a loved one; like, a spouse. Not for me. I am touched everyday by thoughts of happiness and sadness. I pray God uses me to assist in the stuggle for others who are and will be confronted by such challenges. The Lord's humbled . . . John A. Reeves "Cain spoke to Abel his brother. And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him " (Genesis 4:8).
Hmmm? Are you a Cain or are you an Abel? How does God see you in your relationships with your . . . ? The Lord's humbled . . . John A. Reeves The book of Jude lays it out nicely. It says in singleness of clarity that Christians need to "contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints" (Jude 1:3).
Contend means to fight. Fight for righteous clarification and understanding from those who teach the word. Fight against those who attempt to destroy belief in God. Fight against hypocrisy of all Christians. Fight against liberalism of the word. Fight against ungodly secularism of our leadership. Fight against legalism of faith in Jesus. Fight against greed. Fight against sexual perversion of all kinds that are spoken in Scripture. Fight against those who would destroy the true teachings of what it means to have faith in Jesus Christ. Fight against stupidity that permeates an immoral and "politically correct" people. Read the book of Jude and understand how "the lord's humbled" can fight "for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints" (Jude 1:3). The Lord's humbled . . . John A. Reeves "A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls" (Proverbs 25:28).
What is the purpose of walls around a city? The most obvious answer is for the purpose of protecting a city from marauders. However there is another purpose behind walls, that is, boundaries. Many people build "invisible" walls around their person so they can keep others at a confortable distance: physically and emotionally. Yet, what happens when a person does not have appropriate walls/boundaries for themselves? People who drink alchohol or take drugs are primary examples of someone who lets down their boundaries; i.e., feels "more open" with their feelings. These people become more willing to do, or say, things they wouldn't normally say or do because of their lack of self-control. Self-control is essential when dealing with people and personal emotions. Without self-control the chances of acting in a way that puts "your city" in jeopardy becomes reality. What helps your city/boundaries/defense/self-control remain intact? Sleep? Healthy lifestyle? Forgiving others? Not being drunk on alchohol? Proper nourishment? Godly living through Jesus? Maybe, all of the above? Be a person of self-contol and keep your boundaries in check. This may allow you to be a better example for Christ to others. The Lord's humbled . . . John A. Reeves "Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil" (Ephesians 4:26-27).
The apostle Paul, in this context, is speaking to Christians who are working on a maturity in Christ. It is true that Christians need to learn basics of what it means to live a lifestyle that is worthy of Christ. Yet, it is another issue all together to impliment a mature lifestyle change in Christ. Does a child behave perfectly in all areas of his/her life. No. Is the training to a mature adulthood ongoing or immediate. Definately ongoing. Living for Christ is an ongoing process as well. Anger, innapropriately utilized, is a facet of life that needs to be controlled by our understanding of Christ. Is anger something that should be festered. No. Anger should be dealt with and talked about. People should share their pain and suffering. Anger which is not dealt with becomes destructive and without cure. But Jesus wants us to mature in how we deal with the hurts and pains in our life. Why? It is a matter of wholeness. How can you be whole when you continue in unresolved anger? It is a hard heart that remains in anger. It is a godly heart that moves on toward peace. "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you" (Ephesians 4:31-32). |
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