The Neighbor

1 John 3:17
If a man who was rich enough in this world’s goods saw that one of his brothers was in need, but closed his heart to him, how could the love of God be living in him? Brethren, our love is not to be just words or mere talk, but something real and active.

CONTENTMENT

    Contentment is not an innate virtue. It is acquired through great resolution and diligence in conquering unruly desires; hence it is an art which few study. Because there are millions of discontented souls in the world today, it might be helpful for them to analyze the four main causes of discontent and to suggest means to contentment.
    The principal cause of discontent is egotism, or selfishness, which sets the self up as a primary planet around which everyone else must revolve. The second cause  of discontent is envy, which makes us regard the possessions and talents of others as if they were stolen from us. The third cause is covetousness, or an inordinate desire to have more, in order to compensate for the emptiness of our heart. The fourth cause of discontent is jealousy, which is sometimes occasioned through melancholia and sadness and at other times by a hatred of those who have what we wish for ourselves.
   TO BE CONTINUED.

LYING: IS IT WHAT THE TROUBLE ?

   The Ninth Commandment can be summarized in one statement:
"Thou shall not lie." 
By this statement every Christian should be a person of unquestionable integrity.
It seems like white, is never right; it must be either white or some other color.
   Hope built on a lie is always the beginning of loss.
Never attempt to build anything on a foundation of lies and half-truths.
It will not stand.
    It has been said that it should be easy to make an honest living
because there is so little a competition therein. Only a person with honesty
and integrity can be accurately motivated or directed.
Lying will always distort your ability to see GODs guidance in your life.
It will cause you to take steps that are not right for you.
Lying will cost you more in the long-term than you think it saves you in the short-term.

DON'T QUIT AFTER A VICTORY

There are two times when a person stops: after a defeat and after a victory.
Successful people understand that 
there is greater opportunity right on the other side of a victory.

TODAY IS THE DAY TO GET THROUGH WITH WHAT YOU'VE BEEN GOING THROUGH

Stop talking constantly about the situation you are going through.
Decide to get through it!
Do not accept your present, temporarily situation as your permanent condition.
Make up your mind to get on with your life and to fulfill your Divine purpose despite your current circumstances.

DO WHAT'S RIGHT THE RIGHT WAY, AT THE RIGHT TIME

 Your success has little to do with speed,

but much to do with timing and direction.
What benefit is running if you're on the wrong road ?
 The key is doing the right thing at the right time.
 "Have a time and place for everything
and do everything in its time and place,
and you will not only accomplish more,
but have far more leisure than those who are always hurrying."
_Tryon Edwards_

MIRACLES ALWAYS BEGIN IN THE HEART

If things are not going well with you,
begin your effort at
correcting the situation
by carefully examing
the service you are rendering and especially
the spirit in which you are rendering it

The SCRIPTURES

                                                            THE BIBLE

The Bible is a book of commandments, not suggestions

The Bible does not offer suggestions; instead it commands us:

1.       To be in right relationship with our friends (Matt. 5:24)

2.       To follow the rule of peace (Col. 3:15)

3.       Not to get even (1 Thess. 5:15)

4.       To be an example to others(1 Tim. 4:12)

5.       To be abounding, steadfast, and immovable (1 Cor. 15:58)

6.       To renew our minds (Rom. 12:2)

7.       To separate ourselves from unclean things (2 Cor. 6:17)

8.       To be content with what we have (Heb. 13:5)

9.       To be filled with the Spirit (Eph. 5:18)

10.   To have no fear of what man can do to us (Luke 12:4)

11.   Not to be like the world (Rom. 12:2)

12.   To avoid greed and envy (Heb. 13:5)

13.   To be patient with all people (1 Thess. 5:14)

14.   Not to quit (2 Thess. 3:13)

15.   To be people of quality (Heb. 6:12)

16.   To beware of false prophets (Matt. 7:15)

17.   To avoid wrong conversation (1 Tim. 6:20)

18.   Not to quench the Spirit (1 Thess. 5:19)

19.   To abstain from all lust of flesh (1 Pet. 2:11)

20.   To teach our children about the Lord (Eph. 6:4)

21.   To cast all cares upon the Lord (1 Pet. 5:7)

22.   To avoid murmuring and disputing (Philipp. 2:14)

23.   To give thanks in everything (1 Thess. 5:18)

24.   To give no place for the devil (Eph. 4:27)

25.   Not to grieve the Holy Spirit (Eph 4:30)

26.   To honor our parents (Eph. 6:2, Matt 19:19)

27.   To submit ourselves to GOD (James 4:7)

28.   To let men see our good works (Matt. 5:16)

29.   To resist the devil (James 4:7)

30.   To put on the whole armor of GOD (Eph 6:11)

31.   To humble ourselves (James 4:10)

32.   To walk in the Spirit (Gal. 5:25)

33.   To cast down vain imaginations (2 Cor. 10:5)

34.   To come boldly to GOD (Heb. 4:16)

35.   To seek GOD’s Kingdom and righteousness (Matt. 6:33)

36.   To forsake not the assembly of ourselves (Heb. 10:25)

37.   To look up to Jesus (Heb. 12:2)

38.   To be in agreement (Matt. 18:19)

39.   Not to cause others to stumble (Rom. 14:13)

40.   To bless those who persecute us (Matt. 5:44)

41.   To redeem the time (Eph. 5:16)

42.   Not to be ashamed of Jesus (Rom. 10:11)

43.   To have confidence in GOD (Heb. 10:35)

44.   To worship decently and in order (1 Cor. 14:40)

45.   To do all to GOD’s glory (1 Cor. 10:31)

Stand Tall by falling on your knees

The strongest action that you can take in any situation is to go on your knees and ask GOD for help. Whatever is worth worryin about is certainly worth praying about.
Prayer unlocks GOD's traesure chest of great ideas and answers.
When we pray, we must be simultaneously willing to take the action that GOD directs in answer to our prayer. That's effective prayer .
There are four levels of prayer:
1. level # 1 is petition: "Father, I need..."
2. level # 2 is intercession: "GOD, help."
3. level # 3 is praise and thanksgiving: "Thanks, Lord"
4. level # 4 is conversation: "Good morning, Father."

In Philippians 4:6-7 the apostle Paul counsels us,
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petitions, with thanksgiving, present your requests to GOD. And the peace of GOD, which transends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

In Colossians 4:2 he says, "Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful."
There are twelve benefits to praying fervently
1. Prayer defeats the devil (Matt 18:18)
2. Prayer saves the unbeliever (Acts 2:21)
3.Prayer edifies the believer (Jude 1:20)
4.Prayer sends laborers into the harvest (Matt 9:38)
5. Prayer heals the sick (James 5:13-15)
6.Prayer overcomes the impossible (Matt 21:22)
7.Prayer changes the natural (James 5:17-18)
8.Prayer brings the right thing to pass (Matt 7:7-11)
9.Prayer impacts wisdom (James 1:5)
10. Prayer brings Peace (Philippians 4:5-7)
11.Prayer guards against temptations (Luke 11:9-10)
Prayer reveals GOD's answers (Luke 11:9-10)

THE FATHER SAYS "PLEASE CALL HOME". 

LOVING GOD

THIS IS WHAT LOVING GOD IS _
KEEPING HIS COMMANDMENTS AND HIS COMMANDMENTS ARE NOT DIFFICULT,
BECAUSE ANYONE WHO HAS BEEN BEGOTTEN BY GOD
HAS ALREADY OVERCOME THE WORLD;
THIS IS THE VICTORY OVER THE WORLD--OUR FAITH.
WHO CAN OVERCOME THE WORLD ?
ONLY THE MAN WHO BELIEVES THAT
JESUS IS THE SON OF GOD.
(1Jn 5:3-5)