Thanksgiving Day!

 

 

1 Thessalonians 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Today, here in America, we celebrate Thanksgiving Day.  Just the ring of it in ones ear brings a warm and secure feeling.  The idea that we set aside a special day to give thanks to God for all of his blessings is truly wonderful and it is the right thing to do.  Too often as well, we forget to tell others that we love them maybe because we are just too busy.  As I am writing we have a turkey in the oven and a ham waiting it’s turn, rolls and deserts on the way and family coming over to spend some time.  I’m looking forward to it!

This Thanksgiving will be different for me though, in that last night at 11:30 P.M. one of my brothers passed from this life.  Jim was a giving man and always had room at the table for one more.  When my mother and father passed away at the young age of sixteen it was my brother that took me in and cared for me until I finished High School.  I will always be grateful for what he did.  He took others in as well and helped as best he could in his own way.  Thanks Jim for your selfless toward me I love you and will always be thankful for your kindness to me.

On this day, whether or not you celebrate it in your culture, why not take the time to say thanks to someone that has blessed you.  If you’re having a hard time thinking of someone, you might look upward and, well, I’m sure you’ll find someone to thank.  His name is Jesus Christ.  Have a great day and may the Lord bless all of you and keep you in this coming year.

Here’s the weekly inspirational scripture. 

James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.Sincerely

Greg Wirths

Focus on Freedom

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Striving For Real Success?

 

 

At this writing the space shuttle Atlantis has just entered orbit at an approximate speed of 15,000 miles per hour or roughly five miles per second.  From liftoff to orbit everything went flawlessly with every engine performing exactly as designed.  It is breathtaking to see something that large lift off and function perfectly.  A lot of work went into this blastoff with many hours of preparation and meetings, technicians working over the craft to insure that everything was right on.

To say the least, success is a beautiful thing to see.  Even more beautiful  when it happens in the lives of people.  Although none of us are programmed like some machine to do a certain job flawlessly God gave us something that will guide us to success.  True success and what it means is given to us in the Word of God.

Joshua 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

In much the same way that the shuttle worked perfectly, you and I can be successful by living life according to a set of principles and laws that are perfect and right.  These laws have been proven over the millennia as the right way to go. 

Psalms 19:7-11 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.

The Word of God contains laws about money, relationships and a host of other relevant issues facing us today.  It seems that many people are just looking to be successful in life and find “happiness” or “the good life” without seeking for the true riches that come only from God and his Word.  There was a man however that found the secret to true success.  David the King of Israel was a very successful man both in leadership and in personal accomplishments.  He came to a conclusion that we would all do well to listen to.  He found the secret to true success and started out his career of singing with the first song that gave us this principle.  Listen to the melody.

Psalms 1:1-6 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

What kind of success are you looking for?  It really does makes a difference.  You can blast off to blessings or can sit on the launch pad and dream, it’s really up to you.  All of the studies at Focus on Freedom are Bible based and are for your benefit.  Why not start with the one entitled “Becoming Successful”?  There’s a lot of others too that I pray will be of help to you or a friend.  Check them out.

Here’s the weekly inspirational scripture.  (It’s a repeat, it’s that good!)

 “Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? [32] (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. [33] But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:31-33 (KJV)

Sincerely

Greg Wirths

Focus on Freedom

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Free From Debt “MMM MMM MMM”

 

 

Financial Freedom!  Ohhh it sounds so good!  “MMM MMM MMM”  But to get there is such a different matter.  Finances or the lack thereof is a major topic today because most of our world is living on some form of borrowed money.  Can you think of anyone who is completely debt free and continuing to live that way?  For most of us the answer is no.  What happens when the debt level gets so huge that we can’t afford to make the minimum payments?  Well, for starters we can experience marriage problems, personal problems, depression and a host of other negative things.  What is the answer? 

You know what I’m going to say, “The Word of God”.  In the good book we find answers to the financial dilemmas of our time.  One thing we find in God’s holy word are principles about money and debt.  When we understand these principles we find direction out of our money troubles.  Below  are four that I have discovered.

First principle: The nature of money is that it corrupts.

“For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” 1 Tim. 6:10 (KJV) 

Second principle: Money cannot satisfy.

“He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity.” Eccles. 5:10 (KJV) 

Third principle:  Learn to be content with what you have.

“…for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. [12] I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. [13] I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Philip. 4:11-13 (KJV) 

Fourth principle: To be truly free you must work toward getting out of debt.

“The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.” Proverbs 22:7 (KJV) 

Why not consider God’s way when it comes to money and debt?  You may find freedom is just around the corner.  I have written two studies entitled “Financial Freedom” and “Borrowing Money”.  If you or someone you know is struggling with these issues why not take a little time to find out the truth.  The truth will make you free!  Tell a friend about this ministry.  The weekly newsletter is free and we would love to have them sign up.

Here’s the weekly inspirational scripture.

 “Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? [32] (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. [33] But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:31-33 (KJV)

Sincerely

Greg Wirths

Focus on Freedom

If you are receiving this newsletter as a forward you may sign up at the main site now for your free subscription!

 

The Power of Prayer

 

 

Quality communication is fast becoming something of the past.  With cell phones and text messaging right at our finger-tips, why spend the time to look someone in the eye and visit for a while about the things that are important to them?  Anyway, that’s the way they use to do it, now we have a better more modern way to “get in touch.”  Right? 

In the Word of God we find Jesus teaching about the power of communication in it’s highest form.  That being our communication with God, ie: prayer.  Without prayer we are left with only earthly forms of communication that can leave us empty and disillusioned.  Yet, when we touch the Lord through sincere prayer something lifts us up higher and gives us hope.  The simplest way to explain prayer is to use a parable.  Jesus did this and I want to use his example.

Luke 18:1-8 And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

In this parable we find a woman with a need and she could approach only one man for her help.  That man was the King (God).  When she persisted in her approach to him he finally gave her what she asked.  Jesus was trying to help us understand that firstly, men and women need to pray always and secondly that we should be persistent and diligent in our prayers.  This woman understood that God has all of the answers to life’s problems in his hand, the big ones and the little ones and that he can and will help us when we go to him consistently with our cares.  John the apostle of Jesus came to this truth and wrote about it.  As you read I hope you are inspired to spend some time today in prayer. 

1 John 5:14-15 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

Through prayer we develop confidence that God hears us and desires to bless us with the things we need.  When prayer is understood and developed it actually becomes a necessary part of each day.  Personally, I can’t make it through each day without talking to him.  He is everything, my all in all and without him I can do nothing.  Do you feel this way as well?  If you’re not sure why not try talking to God through prayer.  Call on his name (Jesus Christ) and do it out loud.  I’m sure that if you will do it in sincerity you will notice his presence and things will go so much better afterwards.  Also, I have written a study entitled “A Parable on Prayer” that goes further into the subject.  Check it out! 

On a final note, someone sent this to me and I thought it was worth sharing.  Consider this!  The shortest chapter in the Bible is Psalm 117.  The Longest chapter in the Bible is Psalm 119.  The center chapter in the Bible is Psalm 118.  There are 594 chapters before Psalm 118 and 594 chapters after it.  Added together they equal 1188.  The center verse in the Bible is Psalm 118:8.  You can read it below to see what is in the center.  Shalom.

Here’s the weekly inspirational scripture.

Psalms 118:8 It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.

Sincerely

Greg Wirths

Focus on Freedom

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