RUSSJONES.US

I did the math and I am 44 years, 1 month and 4 days old today. Honestly to me it seems like a lifetime already. I can remember ever since I could comprehend as a child that one needed to pray for their unsaved mother and/or father. In my case it was my dad. His views about God and religion were always a mystery to me, simply because he refused to talk about it. He wouldn't even talk about why he wouldn't talk about it. One time, after I had started bible college, I was invited by my pastor to preach at my home church in Arkansas. I prayed, and prayed about that one. The one thing you don't want to do is flop. If there is anything one would probably do as a young preacher it's just that. The Sunday night that I was suppose to preach my dad showed up. By the guidance of the Holy Spirit my "sermon" flew out the window and instead He had me preach from John 3:16. I gave an altar call, but by dad wouldn't move, raise his hand or make any kind of ack

In the John 15:13 it says "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." Now most of us would like to think that we have this kind of agape love. A selfless, unselfish love that would give everything, if called for, to save another. Noble in thought, yes? But as I was here rewriting and updating our church's vision statement, it dawned on me that this isn't as easy as one might think. If we are willing to lay down our life, the most valuable thing we have, wouldn't we be willing to lay down our time? Our money? Our wisdom and knowledge to save the life of another? If we would be willing to lay down our life for our friends who don't know Jesus, buying more time for them to get to know Him as their personal Savior and Lord of their life. Shouldn't we be willing to give up those things which are not as valuable as our life like time, our life's knowledge and wisdom or even the most valueless thing of all - money?

Is getting serious the same as being faithful? Have you ever done something that you have asked God forgiveness for again and again? We say, "This time, I'm serious God!" or we think to ourselves "I've got to get serious about this Christianity thing or I'm gonna burn in hell!" We redouble our efforts, which is noble, but in the end still collapse under the weight of temptation. Last week, in Wednesday's Bible Study, we learned that the worst thing we can do is give up and quit repenting of our sins. Yes, the shame of who we are and what we have done is a serious matter, but so is prayer. We can be serious about our faith but I think that it would be better if we were serious with with faith. If we did that, I don't think that we would have to be so serious all the time and actually begin to have some joy and fun in life.

I've heard Tommy Barnett say again and again, "Find a Need and Fill It". (If you don't know who he is, google his name) I've believe that for quite some time, but have never really found any success in doing it. Now it wasn't for a lack of passion nor ability - but I have discovered it's in finding the right need. Discover what God is doing and do it with Him. There are more needs in this world that we can understand or address. God knows what needs to be done right now. It isn't that He is ignoring other needs or situations, it's that He doesn't want us burned out trying to do everything for everybody all the time. Those "other things" that bother you? He probably has someone else taking care of that for Him. Just focus on what God is leading you to do right now. Whatever your doing, do it for them. Jesus loves people. Don't tell people, "Jesus loves you" if you are not willing to make that love real to them

I started a new series of messages on marriage and relationships entitled, Ideal or No Deal. When I choose the title of this series I really knew what I wanted to say and what I wanted to do. Then I prayed about it and God had another idea. Funny thing how prayer can change your mind for you. Hosea and Gomers marriage was one made in heaven. Now if you were not here Sunday, you need to read Hosea chapter 1 and chapter 3 to learn that this isn't what you think that it is. After service though I was amazed at the number of people who approached me and other leaders with comments, questions and needs relevant in some way to what God shared with us. Thank You! Not only does this confirm to me, in my heart, that this is the right series at the right time - but that God desires to do a work in our marriages and relationships. This Sunday, I'm still praying about it, but I got an idea its going to be really good!

A week or so ago I was up with Anneka most of the night. She was having some trouble breathing (allergies) and so Betty and I was going to take turns watching her. I took the first shift and picked up a novel entitled "No Greater Love". Now understand I am not a novel reader. In fact I think it has been about 5 years since I read my last novel. As I began to read I got so engrossed in the lead character, Trev, that I lost all track of time. Each chapter was literally a new chapter in Trevs life, going from place to place. The author does an superb job of helping you understand every nuance and situation that Trev finds himself in. In fact you will find yourself reading faster and faster just to see how certain situations pan out in Trevs life. You will also find it interesting that he finds what he really needs in a hospital room at Martin Memorial Hospital here in Stuart. Robert Como does an outstanding job with "No Greater Love". If you like reading nov

When I am challenged to rethink God or how He might work in and through my life I always wonder one thing? "Will this work?" I know, I know, it doesn't sound like I have a lot of faith there does it? The truth be known, it isn't. That is why I have to follow the words of Paul and die daily (1 Cor. 15:31) The flesh will never, ever, never, never, ever be able to understand the deeper things of God. God created us with a spirit. We worship Him in Spirit and in Truth! (John 4:23) It is through that faith in our spirit that we discover the reality of God's economy (how He really does things) in our lives. So the question is, did the series on the Power of X - The Power of Gods Multiplication work? Let's see, if giving multiplies God's provision in our lives then the answer is YES! While finances are not where they should be yet, I can see how God miraculously provided for FFWC this month. If grace multiplies Gods presence in our lives, then we can