The Bible Speaks: The Great  Law of Love: 
 Galatians 5:13-15 (NIV)
 You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature;rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.

What's so inmportant about  Love?
A.        Love (agape) is necessary because “love” is the ultimate law of God.             
            Every written law contained in the Old Testament are governed by the "ultimate intrinsic law of love". The Bible tells us in 1 John $:8:  "He that loves not knows not God for God  is love."  This means when we show love toward God and real love toward ewach other and express this love  in all of our actions, we are then able to keep the “principles” of the laws (Mosaic) of God. Galatians 5:14 says: "The entrire law is summed up in a single command: Love your enemies as yourself."That is," love" expresses the "substance of the whole law".  That is to say that God's  love  embraces all and comprises all. Paul alluded to this Law in regard to our duty to our fellow-men, since that was the point which he particularly enforces in this passage. He is saying that this law (the Law of Love) would counteract all the evil workings of the flesh, and if this were fulfilled, all our duty to others would be discharged.
B.    Love is also essential to godliness. 
            It was through this "Agape" love and a loving sacrifice that Jesus Christ gave his life on our behalf by hanging on the cross at Calvary in order to redeem us from the curse of the Law (Mosaic), while at the same time obligating us to live the law (Mosaic) out in the principle of love. These principles are “standards” that God himself set forth for all believers that through Christ living in the individual, he or she can truly show love (agape) toward their fellow man through all of their loving actions done in the body. It is also through the salvation that resulted from the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ that we were “liberated” from bondage. With this new liberty comes the greater responsibility to bring our bodies under subjection and to refrain from using our new liberation to justify satisfying the flesh (old nature) instead of walking in the Spirit of God. Paul warns us in this passage (verse 13) that the Christians have been freed (liberated) from the bondage placed upon those who sought to keep the rites and ceremonies of the Mosaic Law. 
            When we talk about the “flesh”, we are talking about the un-renewed mind (old nature) and those things that permiates from this mindset that is not controlled by the Holy Ghost. Our “liberty” is in reality freedom from those things (words, attitudes, deeds, and thoughts) that grieves the Holy Ghost, but does not at the same time lay restraints on the flesh (old nature) itself. Paul wanted the false teachers removed from the fewllowship because "true Christians" had been called unto liberty, and these false teachers were rebutting and destroying that liberty. It was Paul's contention that the church was not in subjection to the Law of Moses, or to anything else that savored of bondage. Because of Christ, they were free; free from the servitude of sin, and free from subjection to expensive and burdensome rites and customs that came along with keeping the Law without living in the love of Christ.. They were to remember this as a great and settled principle; and something so vital and so important that it should be maintained, to the extent that it would be considered "a great evil" to neglect or even  forget. Paul says he earnestly wishes  that all who would dare to reduce the church  to "law keeping" were cut off from the Christian church.
Barnes' Notes make the following observation concerning Galatians 5:13
        The idea is, "You are called to liberty, but it is not liberty for an occasion to the flesh. It is not freedom from virtuous restraints, and from the laws of God. It is liberty from the servitude of sin, and religious rites and ceremonies, not freedom from the necessary restraints of virtue." It was necessary to give this caution, because:

(1) There was a strong tendency in all converts from paganism to relapse again into their former habits. 
            Licentiousness abounded in Galatia, and where the new converts had been  once addicted to it before their conversion, and  surrounded by it on every hand, they were in constant danger of falling into it again. A bare and naked declaration, therefore, that they had been called to liberty, to freedom from restraint, might have been misunderstood, and some might have supposed that they were free from all restraints.

(2) It is needful to guard the doctrine from abuse at all times. 
        There has been a strong tendency, as the history of the church has shown, to abuse the doctrine of grace. The doctrine that Christians are "free;" that there is liberty to them from restraint, has been perverted always by Antinomians of yesteryear and some false teachers in the modern church today, and because of this, it been made the occasion of their justifying their tendency to indulging freely in sin. And the result has shown that nothing was more important than to guard the false doctrines that have been added to the truth of Christian liberty. This ihas made it so important for every minister abnd teacher of the Word of God to teach and illustrate  exactly what Christians are freed from, and to alert them to  what laws are still binding on them. 
            Paulhas gone to great pains to show that none of the doctrines he had maintained did not lead to licentiousness, or allowed  for the indulgence of sinful and corrupt passions. Paul teaches that by the proper manifestation of "Agape" love towards one to another, each member was to strive to promote each other's welfare. Doing this will not be inconsistent with living out the freedom of the gospel.  Several quotes have been made:  "When there is love, there is no servitude. Duty is pleasant, and offices of kindness agreeable". Paul does not consider them freed from all law and all restraint; but simnply "governed" by the law of love. The Galatian church was not to get the feeingl  they were so freethat they would lawfully give indulgence to the desires of the flesh, but they were to regard themselves as under the law to love one another; and thus they would fulfil the law of Christian freedom. The gospel frees us from the ceremonial law, but it does not free us from morality inferred within the laws themselves, rather, it actually holds us to it (the morality of the law) with a greater fervor. 

        The strife that was “seething” within the Galatian Church came in part because the Judaisers sought to push this church backwards toward keeping the ceremonial law again. Paul rebuked them responding that this was futile and though they were indeed free from the ceremony (letter), but they were not free from living out the spirit or principles of the Mosaic Law.  Paul’s rebuttal to the Judaisers was this: that the best “countermeasure” for the “keeping of the law” (ceremony) was to show love (agape) to your fellow man and become willing servants for the “cause” of Jesus Christ (evangelism and salvation) as well as walk in the service (stewardship, and fellowship) of God by being a help to others. Paul also offered as a rebuttal to keeping the law that if we “mortify” the flesh (bring our minds into submission) by walking in the spirit of God, we would not find ourselves back in bondage to a law (letter and ceremonial) that we could not keep anyway.
             In walking in the love of Christ, we must exemplify the principles of love in 1 Corinthians 13. When we do so, we exemplify the “fruits of the Spirit of God (Galatians 5: 22) and these “fruits” will flow forth since we yield more to the Holy Spirit now and have mortified our flesh. This enables us to live lawfully in principle and not as a ritual or a ceremonial act. The other thing we need to remember is when we show real love toward our fellow man, we also show real love toward God himself and Jesus Christ. In Matthew 25, concerning the future judgment of the Gentiles (nations), Jesus told the people at that time that whatever they did or fail to do in the way of helping others who needed help the time of great tribulation, they were in reality treating him the same way in their expressions of the love they professed to have for him. In the final analogy, love is and will be what’s needed to win souls for Christ and by showing “real” love (agape), we eliminate the “legalism” that constantly hinders the work of the church.

Pastoral Care:    "Taking Care of Your Pastor"
Hebrews 13:17-21: (NIV)
 Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you. Pray for us. We are sure that we have a clear conscience and desire to live honorably in every way. I particularly urge you to pray so that I may be restored to you soon. May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, 21 equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. 

            According to Hebrews 13:17, God requires us to be obedient to those ministers who have rule (authority) over us and be submissive to the authority he has given them. Barnes"  Theological Notes from Biblesoft's electronic database makes this observation: "The reference of Hebrews 13:17  is for the members to subject themselves to  to their religious teachers, and not to civil rulers. They were to show them proper respect, and to submit to their authority in the church, so far as it was administered in accordance with the precepts of the Saviour. The obligation to obedience does not, of course, extend to anything which is wrong in itself, or which would be a violation of conscience. The doctrine is, that subordination is necessary to the welfare of the church, and that there ought to be a disposition to yield all proper obedience to those who are set over us in the Lord."

            God has given these leaders (Pastor, lay ministers) a “caretaker” status over our very souls, and from a spiritual perspective, this submissive directive came from God because God has given the minister has the charge of preaching and teaching the word of God. Along with this, the minister has the responsibility of counseling the flock, burying the deceased of a family member of the flock, rebuking and reproving a member, as well as encouraging the same member. The less trouble a member of the flock gives the minister, the more effective that minister can be in the administration of all the sacred duties that God has placed upon them. Your submission to God and to the church's ministry allows the minister  to carry out their job with joy and enthusiasm to the glory of God. Every parishioner must understand that the job of the minister transcends beyond just that member and even that lcal church. The minister/ pastor wears more than one ministry hat. 
        In the modern church, especially  in these critical times, the minister has to be “multifaceted” in their God given ministry. The ministry work is not like it was in yester-year when for the most part the minister was just what we called the “circuit” preacher. Back then, the preacher basically preached from church to church (evangelized) and even when they held the “title” of pastor, they would  “preach” in several one Sunday a month or twice a month churches. "The minister was titled a pastor, but in actuality the deacons or certain members in that church would handle the business since the church met  on a part time basis".
          Now, because the minister has more "physical responsibilities" in today’s church and society then they did in times past, the primary role is to preserve the “99” of the flock while at the same time, go after the one whose backslidden and the one who is still lost and does not know Jesus Christ in the free pardon of their sin. Parisioners must also understand that the pastor/preacher fights real hard spiritually to impress and appeal to them (the backslidden and others) the danger they have and will put themselves in by turning their backs on God.
        The minister/pastor constantly fights off demonic spiritual attacks after attacks that come against the flock on a daily basis. Many of the  demonic attacks launched at the pastor and the church  primarily come through the many false teachings and many lies that are told against the truths contained in the Word of God by other so-called pastors/teachers as well as members with erroneous beliefs concerning the bible in general within the flock. The job and charge that every “called” minister has placed upon their lives by God is so awesome and important, that their lives are always on the line for God in “defending the faith”, and in intercession through prayer and true service of every member in the flock God has entrusted to them.

With this in mind, "there are at least 4 things a parishioner can do to show support not just by speaking things by their mouths, (word) but by physically exemplifying their pledge in deed".

A.          The minister should be treated as a brother (sister) and a fellow laborer in Christ. 
        Even though their primary role within the infrastructure of the church of God is different than that of everybody else to the point that they even oversees others roles as well, we sometimes forget that the minister e is still a human being and has feelings just like we do. This means that they have the same basic struggles as anyone else in the flock. Just because they are ministers, this makes them no “humanly” different than anyone else. What it does mean is every minister has a lot more ministerial responsibility than anyone else in the church of God. Paul addressed this fact in verse 12.
B.          As “truly dedicated preachers” of God, they can expect the “rumor mill” to run rampart against them.
         Though sometimes it will seem hard, the minister still has to remain spiritually strong and love and embrace those as Jesus said will despitefully use, persecute and swear against them falsely for the cause of Christ. It should also goes without saying that both the parishioners and lay ministers have to recognize those ministers who are true to the faith and even those who are not. When trouble comes, the minister will need our support, even our prayers and physical presence to quell the satanic drama that will ensue.

C.       The minister needs to be truly welcomed to the congregation. 
        They need to be warmly embraced by their flocks. In the loving actions of each believer in the congregation, we let the minister know that they are truly loved and we are constantly praying for their welfare and well being. Your minister/pastor needs to know through your actions that they are in our eyes a person that is sent to us by God to minister and we will in term respond the right way to their preaching and teaching the gospel and other biblical lessons, especially because they are charged with telling us the truth about God ourselves, this world, and the plan has for both us and the world..

D.        Regardless to their preaching style, (some are more dramatic and expressive in their presentation of God’s word than others) we are not to be critical of their work of methods because God uses each minister according to the gifts and talents he has placed within them, inclusive of their ministering style. 
        Each and every one of us have been given gifts and a unique personality by God.. The methos or style we display comes out of our peresonality. Many ministers have the same office, the same gifts, but none have the same exact personality or style. The most important thing is the message God gave them to deliver to us.  
        In the course of the administering the Word of God and making full proof of their perspective ministries, there may be times when the minister becomes stricken and afflicted in both body and in spirit. This is due in part because many dedicated ministers constantlyl toil and burn the midnight oil to pray for, aid and intercede in behalf of their parishioners and others who are in dire straits. The other reason is many of these same ministers in the quest for doing diligent service will sometime neglect their health (both physical and spiritual) and become extremely "drained" and worn down in stamina.
         The minister needs to feel that they haven’t been abandoned or looked down upon ina negative light  due to the change in their health status. We must also remember that we too sometimes might find ourselves stricken and in the same condition ourselves. In those times of affliction, we would hope that we haven’t been “abandoned” nor “looked down upon” because of poor healthourselves.

Part 3: "The Peace of God:        "The Practice of Right Living".
Philippians 4:8-9
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things.  Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me — put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. (NIV)

            If there was ever a time that we need to possess the peace of God , certainly this is that time. We are living in the time of turmiol predicted by both Jesus and Apostle Paul. Moral coruption is everywhere in all walks of life from the Clergy to the Congress people. Many are abandonng the true faith in God and seemingly have decided that God's way just doesn't work anymore. How wrong are they? The answer to this is they are dead wrong! If you search the scriptures in Matthew 24:3-31, and 2 Timothy 3:1-15,  and compare what both Jesus said as well as Paul to the climate in the world we live in today, the Child of God caught in the "crossfire"  has to conclude if they are to fully experience the peace of God, that peace that surpasses our understanding that the third thing we need to practice in the midst of these tumultious times  is Right living!
             The "righteousness of God" will lead a believer to live the right way. It starts with our salvation and baptism, that is, after confessing our sins and accepting Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord. 
Right Living will manifest itself in the life of the believer in the following ways:  
A.    In relation to the Church: 
            The believer will strive to walk together in Christian love, promoting the prosperity and spirituality of the gospel of Jesus Christ. In John 13: 34- 35, Jesus said:
 "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another". (NIV)  The Apostle Paul says to us through his letter to the Philippian Church in Philippians 1:27-29:
"Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved — and that by God". (NIV) In his second letter to the same church, Paul continued to admonish the members to practical living. He reminded them of the precious promises that God made toward them and made the following request (2 Corinthians 7:1b) "Beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that contaminates and defiles body and spirit, and bring [our] consecration to completeness in the [reverential] fear of God". (AMP)
            The Apostle Peter also wrote to the church, encouraging them concerning their Christian condict in lieu of the comming judgment of God. In writing, he piggybacked on a letter Paul had written:
2 Peter 3:11-18 (AMPLIFIED)
 Since everything will be destroyed in this way,(melted with fervent heat and burned up)  what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly livesas you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him". 
"Bear in mind that our Lord's patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction. Therefore, dear friends, since you already know this, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of lawless men and fall from your secure position. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen".
            The believer will strive to do all they can to sustain proper forms of worship, biblical ordinances, living a live of Christian discipline, avoiding damnable heresies and false doctrines. (Hebrews 10: 25) (Matthew 28:19) (1 Corinthians 11:23-26) (Jude 3). 
            We are, not the buildings we worship in are the real church and we must give Christ pre-eminence in our lives, contributing cheerfully and regularly to the ministry of the Word, the expenses of the church, relief to the poor and to evangelism of the Word of God. (1 Corinthians 16:2) (2 Corinthians 8:6-7)
B.     In relation to our Personal Christian living:
             We are to take care of our families in every way, especially in the area of maintaining devotion to God. (Joshua 24:15) We will do all we can to educate our children and bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. (Deuteronomy 6:4- 7)  We will strive to seek the salvation of our friends and acquaintances. We ought to walk circumspectly in the world, being honest in all of our business dealings and practices. We need to be faithful in keeping our word and in exemplifying extraordinary character worthy of being called a child of God. Part of exemplifying extraordinary character comes in avoiding gossip and excessive anger. (Ephesians 4:31, 5:15) (1 Peter 1:22) (Hebrews 2:15) (Philippians 2:14- 15)
C.     In relation with fellow saints: 
            We have an obligation to love one another. (1 Peter 1:22) We are to pray for one another and be ready to aid each other in sickness and in times of distress. (Galatians 6:2) (James 2: 14- 17) We are to cultivate healthy relationships, being slow to become offended but always ready to reconcile our differences. (Colossians 3:8) (James 3:1- 2) We will follow the 2 “love” laws Jesus gave us. We will love God with all of our heart, soul, mind, and might. Then, we will love our neighbor as ourselves, because all of the laws given in the Word of God ride upon love of God and love for our fellow man.

Conclusion: Whenever we live the right way, think the right way and combine these two powerful princilpes with praying the right way, the Child of God will truly let their light shine in this darkening world as they lift up Jesus in their overall manner of living a wholistic (holistic) Christian life dedicated to the glory of God. By living, praying and thinkling the right way, someone will be led to Christ throuth the preaching and teaching of the word as well as by seeing with their own eeyes God's Word in action throught the lives of the People of God. God bless you all!

Part 2: The Peace of God: " The Practice of Right Praying"
Ephesians 6:18:
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. (NIV
1 Thessalonians 5:17: " pray continually;"
2 Thessalonians 1:11
 With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith. (NIV)

            The second important thing we need to practice is praying and praying the right way. According to Nelson’s Bible Dictionary," prayer" is "personal communication with God". God is "soverign, holy and righteous", yet, he is also so "personal and aproachable" that we can talk to him  both "corporately and collectively". We are commanded to "watch over each other and remember each other in prayer", but even if no one petitions God in our behalf, we have the power to pray to God in our own behalf. 
            The main reason a child of God petitions God is out of  recognition of  our complete dependence upon him in every way and for every thing. Every day as we live, grow and have another chance at life as believers and servants, we recognize  "the need" to communicate with him on a daily basis. The bible says "we are to pray without ceasing and to be instant in praying". Praying should be both constant and instantaneous. (1 Thessalonians 5:17)  The bible also said in James 5:16 the effectual fervent prayer of the righteous avails much. Our prayers to God must be a "scriptural informed response to God". The reason is  God hears and answers prayer is based upon Jesus Christ interceding in our behalf when he hung on the cross, taking our place . Jesus absorbed our rightful punishment and dying a sinner’s death to redeem our souls. Outside of a "personal relationship" with God the Father through Jesus Christ, the only sinner's prayer that usually recieves an answer from God is a prayer of both repentance and a reconcilliation the Jesus Christ as Savior.
There are "techniques" (methods) by which we ought to pray.There are 7 "aspects" to effective praying:
A.    Faith. 
            Hebrews 11:6 says "without faith, it is impossible to please God". Any person who petitions God must  "first believe that God is who he says he is"; then, believe that God is a rewarder to those who diligently seek him. The most meaningful prayer will come from a person whose heart trust in God. (Jehovah) When we take the time to study the Word, we quickly discover that God does speak to us through his word and we in turn should respond to him by prayer, believing his word and by obedience.
(Here's 2 important things to remember:)
1.    First,
we will learn how to pray the right kind of prayers when we believe that God is holy, just, living, personal, active, omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, immutable, and is from ever lasting to everlasting.
2.    Second, the more we become personal with God, the more we can be assured and confident that God is a prayer answering God. A "confident prayer life" is built on the cornerstone of the finished work of Jesus Christ, the written testimonies of those patriarchs, prophets and servants contained in the Word of God, and the real testimonies shared by others living in the faith in our times.

B.`Worship. 
            It has been said that "worship is learning how to work in God's ship". Worship is solely about giving your undivided attention to God in adoration, praise and thanksgiving. In worship, we discover what is really important in this life, and that is, submitting to the sovereignty of Almighty God. It’s all about Jesus and not about us at all. We are benefactors from our humble submission to God in the true spirit of worship. In our worship, we recognize that God deserves our highest respect, and by setting our life’s standards according to his precepts, principles, and commandments, all of the things we value in life will be in line with the will of God and in line with his sacred standards. We will truly see that the Lord our God is holy the same way Isaiah did in Isaiah Chapter 6.

C.    Confession. 
            When we are aware of God’s holiness, it will lead to us discovering more about ourselves. In Isaiah Chapter 6, Isaiah both saw the Lord high and lifted up and  he quickly saw his own condition. Isaiah said this about himself: “Woe is me, for I am undone. I’m a man of “unclean” lips and I dwell among people of unclean lips because I have seen the King, the Lord of Host”. (Isaiah 6:5)
We must realize 2 things:
First, we must remember that all of us have sinned and come short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23)
Second, we must remember whenever we sin, we don’t hurt just ourselves, but we bring hurt and shame to others and grief to God.
             God loves us all, but he hates all sin. When we sin, according to King David, we sin against God. (Psalms 51:4) Whenever a confession is necessary, we must make all our confessions directly to God.  God is just and able to forgive us of our sins and cleanse us from all of our unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)
D.    Adoration. 
            "Adoration" is a quintescential element of "admiration" that can lead us to emulation. When we admire the Lord and focus upon all of his handiworks, there is a part of us that wants to emulate him in character. According to Matthew 22:37, God desires that we love him with all of our being. It also desires that we show love by living by his glorious commandments. When we pray to God, we ought to let him know verbally how much we really love him. This can only happen when the love of God truly fills our hearts and is expressed in the many works we do in our life.
E.    Praise. 
            We are to speak well of God because of all he is and what he has done for us. Praise is expressing the adoration we have for the Lord. It’s our way of telling him how much we adore him, how much we respect him and hold him in high esteem. God is to receive our highest acclaims and commendation. The psalmist said in Psalms 150:2 “Praise him for his mighty acts according to his excellent greatness, even for his righteous judgments. (Psalms 119:164) When we think of all of his goodness toward us and the new mercies he gives us everyday, we would be remised if we didn’t praise him in our prayers. F.    Thanksgiving. 
            Our thanking of God should more than transcend the “things” that we have received to also include those "things" we didn’t receive but really deserved from God. Remember, Christ died for us while we were yet sinners. We were not his people before "our salvation" came through Jesus’ crucifixion on the cross. Truthfully, we really don’t have any legal claims to his goodness or his mercy. What God did through Jesus was impute "His righeousness" upon us as we believed that Jesus is the only way to salvation. (Romans 10:9,13; John 3:16-17) Revelation 13:8 tells that Jesus, the Lamb of God was slain before the foundation of the world. If God doesn’t do anything else for us, we still have enough to give him thanks just for salvation and another day. The bible tells us to give God thanks in everything.

G.    Dedicated Action. 
            The end result of the practice of praying the right way is 2 fold:
1.     First, the believer will listen for the voice of the Lord for the answered response to their prayer. 
         Sometimes the enemy will trick us through our conscious and cause us to think that God  said yes when in fact he said no and visa versa. God has 4 answers to any of our prayers: yes, no, wait, and yes and even more than what you asked for.  2.    Second, the "right kind of praying" will result in the right kind of responsive action to God's answer to the prayer request. 
            We are to become dedicated to God in every way and in everything. King Solomon experienced the last answer in 1 Kings 3:5-14.  In verses 7 thru 9, Solomon closes his prayer request: "Now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties.  Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?"
            Now, notice God's response to his prayer: 
1 Kings 3:10-14
The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. So God said to him, "Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice,  I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be.  Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for — both riches and honor — so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings.  And if you walk in my ways and obey my statutes and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life." (NIV)

In conclusion, we become more pro active and not reactive. We become better stewards and servants and render more service to those who need salvation and are in need of other aid because we learned how to pray the right way and from answered prayers we kboth know what to pray for and how to pray for whatever it may be..

Philippians 4:6-9:      "The Peace of God" (Part   1) "Thinking the Right Way"
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

         There are 3 principles of Christian living when put into daily practice as we strive to live a Christ-like life, we can truly have the peace of God in our lives. Today we will discuss the 1st of those 3 principles: "the practice of "right thinking"". 
            In order to practice right thinking, we must learn how to see things the same way God sees them. We must think about and ponder meditiatively "those things" that are wholesome and promote a godly way of life. Jesus said "so as a man thinks, so is he". It is a literal truth that we are the "epitome" of what we allow our minds to dwell on. When we let the mind of Christ dwell in us, we will become "the epitome" of what a child of God should be in every area of our lives. "Right thinking will promote right living"!
             Paul wanted the church at Philippi to walk in holiness and live a life of righteousness; the kind that showed the indwelling of Jesus Christ in every believer. Paul contention was that everything we do must bring honor and glory to God. Every Christian must remember this one thing: The "mind" is the battleground by which Satan mounts his attacks and seditions. Without a Christ-like mind, the believer is subject to being tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine, every thing that distorts the truth causing us to falsely accuse or prejudge people and situations. In Philippians 4:8, there are "8 things" we must focus upon in our minds in order to promote the right kind of thinking. These godly principles and virtues help shape our way of life as well as the way we view life. They will enrich our relationship with God as well as with our fellow man.
A.     Truth. 
            When I speak of truth, I’m talking about all of those things (principles, philosophies, doctrines, beliefs, etc.) that line up and are in harmony with the eternal truth that comes from God. This would include those things we learn from the natural origin or state of things God created, as well as those tings God reveals to us through revelation. God’s revelations to this world in particular are contained in the Bible. Each child of God must exemplify truthfulness in their walk (way of living their lives) and character, not walking in hypocrisy nor acting pharisaic. Their lives must embody the truth of the Word of God. When we think of the truth contained in God’s Holy word, it will challenge us to live pure and moral lives. His Word will challenge us to be just in our dealings, faithful in all of our engagements and exemplary in our deportment. The truth found in the Word of God will challenge us to have a religion that is pure and undefiled. B.    Honesty. 
            We are to think about those things that God employs us to do that will cause us to walk with integrity and with gravity. Ephesians 4:1 says the child of God must walk worthy of the calling God has placed upon their perspective lives. It means that we are to honor God with our lives by giving honor where it is due and respect where it is warranted. It means to live a life of peace and to endeavor to keep the unity of the faith in Christ Jesus. It means to honor the government in every aspect where the particular municipal, city, state or federal governing body is in line with godly governing and stand on the principles of God’s Word except where it deviates from the principles of God’s Word. We are to be honest in all of our business transactions. We are to be just in our dealings and promote good citizenship. Honesty is promoted in what we say as well as what we do.
C.    Justice. 
            Our mental focus must be on doing right by our fellow man. The church covenant mandates that we are just in our dealings. Religion and religious practice does not exempt any of us from doing that which is right. Justice requires that one knows and lives by God’s truth and honesty. Serious character damage is done when a child of God lives a lie and lie as he lives. It is done when that same person walks in acts of cunning craftiness. This kind of person will operate their lives by performing dishonest practices in their dealings with business affairs and with other people. Ephesians 4:14 says we are to be no longer tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine. We are not to become men that lie in wait to deceive others people. We are to speak the truth in love that we may grow up in Christ in all things.
D.    Purity. 
            We must strive to rid ourselves of impure thoughts. Our minds must be filled with the Word of God. Psalms 1 reminds us that a man is blessed when their minds stays focused on the law of the Lord and meditate upon his laws day and night. Our conversations and thoughts must be pure. We must look upon others, especially those of the opposite sex with purity and not with lustful eyes and impure thoughts. The bible says we are not to walk in lasciviousness and to guard our hearts with all diligence. E.    Loveliness. 
            When we focus on those things that are lovely, we focus on the things that are dear and pleasing to God. God focuses more on the inner beauty than the outer because when a person possesses an inner beauty, that is the fruit of the Spirit of God, there will be an outer reflection of God’s spiritual fruits in the countenance and behavior of that person.
F.    Good report.
         We are to focus on living the kind of lives that will be amicable, positive, that will put us in good standing with God and with our fellow man. we are to conduct our lives in a way that brings about a reputation of integrity. There are many way we can achieve this. Here are a few of them. We are to walk together in Christian love according to John 13:34- 35. We are to be zealous in our efforts to advance the kingdom of our Savior. (Titus 2:14) We are to aid each other in sickness and distress. (Galatians 6:2, James 2:14- 17) We are to avoid tattling, backbiting, and excessive anger. (Ephesians 4:31; 1 Peter 2:21; Colossians 3:8; James 3:1- 2) Conclusively, we are to walk in a way in this world that reflects the character of Jesus Christ and if we do these things, we will have a good report with God and commendation with our fellow man.
G.    Virtue and Praise.     
        We are to think about living the kind of lives that are virtuous, things worthy of true manhood or womanhood. One of those virtues is maintaining self control. Another virtue is cultivating sympathy and courtesy in our affairs with other people. (1 Peter 3:8) Another virtue is allowing the power of the Holy Spirit flow through our very being causing us to be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. (Ephesians 6:11) Another virtue is becoming a soul winner for the Lord and becoming an evangelist, seeking the salvation of those who are still lost and without Jesus Christ in their lives.

Editorial:         "Heavenly Conversation":  What does this really mean?

            The term: "Heavenly conversation" pertains to our relationship with God and how the relationship governs all our activities and affairs here on this earth. Literally, it means that we are to be governed by The Word of God and all of its precepts, principles, and authority. (Power) All of our rights and privileges that we enjoy here are heavenly and are eternal in nature. 
             Jesus as our great High Priest sits at the right hand of God in heaven interceding in our behalf, and through the power of the Holy Spirit, we are now guided to live according to biblical standards and principles, promoting holiness as a way of life and living in that same holiness and godliness while here on this earth. God is at hand. He’s a very present help in the time of trouble, so there are several things we can do right now to properly respond to his presence.
First, we can rejoice in the Lord.
 We can truly rejoice in the Lord. We can rejoice by giving thanks to him in all things.
Second, we are to stand fast in the Lord.
Ephesians 6:3 says to put on the whole armor of God that we may be able to stand in the evil day, standing after doing all we can to stand.
Third, we are to be of one mind in the Lord.
We are to be single minded in Christ. We are to be of one accord and with one accord. 
            God is the final authority in our lives and he alone determines the outcomes in all of our life’s matters and affairs, so it behooves us to live our lives according to his standards, knowing that we are now not our own but we have been bought with the price of Jesus’ very blood. 
            Jesus shed for us on Calvary when he was beaten and whipped bloody, as well as when he hung bleeding, dying on Calvary’s cross. It means that we are crucified with Christ and we are to crucify our flesh daily from its affections and lusts, knowing that one day we will cease to live here on this earth but will live in eternity with Jesus Christ when that day comes. On that day, we will be raised from corruption and put on in corruption, raised from mortality and put on immortality. We are to emphasize “spiritual” things and not “earthly” things and aspire to please the Lord in everything we do, think and say.
May the Lord bless you real good!

Philippians 2:19-23 "Great Examples of Biblical Leadership": "Timothy"
"I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you.  I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare. For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.  But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel". (NIV)

            Timothy first appears in the second missionary journey when Paul revisited Lystra (Acts 16:1-3). Timothy was the son of a Gentile father and a Jewish-Christian mother named Eunice, and the grandson of Lois (Acts 16:1; 2 Tim 1:5). Timothy,  who willfully followed in the footsteps of his mentor Apostle Paul truly exemplified a life that was service oriented and sacrificial to self centered ambitions for the cause of Christ. Timothy truly dedicated his life to the faith and served God diligently even as a young man. He knew how to serve the present age of his time as a servant of God, not a self- serving egotist. This was his lifestyle, even before Paul called upon him to become a personal helper in the ministry. Timothy’s life was dedicated to the faith and to those he served because he had learned as a young man to embrace being a servant of God and to become Christ centered, not self-centered.
            Timothy received  Jesus Christ after he was given the’ plan for salvation by Paul in Acts 16: 1- 5. In 1 Corinthians 4:15- 17, Paul won Timothy to the faith on his first missionary journey and gave Timothy further training by taking him under his wings. Timothy was an ambassador and represented Paul and Christ by teaching of the gospel in Paul's absence since Paul himself could not physically come to them due to imprisonment. Once, Paul sent Timothy on a mission to the Corinthian church to remind the people they were to  become "imitators" of Jesus Christ. Timothy told them to look at the way Paul handled his life as a Christian and glean asmuch wisdom from his example. Timothy may have been converted under Paul's ministry, because the apostle refers to him as his "beloved and faithful son in the Lord" (1 Cor 4:17) and as his "true son in the faith" (1 Tim 1:2). Timothy was held in high regard in Lystra and Iconium, and Paul desired to take him along as a traveling companion (Acts 16:3). 
            During Paul's third missionary journey, Timothy was active in the evangelizing of Corinth, although he had little success. When news of disturbances at Corinth reached Paul at Ephesus, he sent Timothy, perhaps along with Erastus (Acts 19:22), to resolve the difficulties. The mission failed, perhaps because of fear on Timothy's part (1 Cor 16:10-11). Paul then sent the more forceful Titus, who was able to calm the situation at Corinth (2 Cor 7). Later in the third journey, Timothy is listed as one of the group that accompanied Paul along the coast of Asia Minor on his way to Jerusalem (Acts 20:4-5).
            Timothy's "strongest traits" were his sensitivity, affection, and loyalty. Paul commends him to the Philippians, for example, as one of proven character, showing faithful to Paul like a son to a father, and without rival in his concern for the Philippians (Phil 2:19-23; also 2 Tim 1:4; 3:10). Paul's warnings, however, to "be strong" (2 Tim 2:1) suggests that Timothy "weakness" was  "fearfulness" (1 Cor 16:10-11; 2 Tim 1:7) and possibly "youthful lusts" (2 Tim 2:22). But in spite of his weaknesses, Paul was closer to Timothy than to any other associate.
            By the time Paul goes to Derbe and finds Timothy in Lystra, Timothy had already known and had been raised by the Holy Scriptures from the days of his youth (2 Timothy 1:5) because of his mother Eunice and his grandmother Lois. Timothy submitted to Paul and to the call that was upon his life to the extent that he already had a reputation of sacrifice and service, gaining respect from among the people in Lystra. (Acts 16:1- 5)  Paul, recognizing the quality in Timothy took the young man under his wings and Timothy became a co-laborer with Paul in the Faith and together, they strengthen the church and spurred growth among the fellowship.
What can we learn from Timothny's "life example?
I.    Timothy illustrates to the believer the importance biblical training and how godly living plays in having the right focus and submission towards Jesus Christ. (Deuteromony 6:6-7, 2 Timothy 2:15)
                 Between Paul, his mother and his grandmother, they made sure Timothy knew about God and Jesus Christ, empowering Timothy to seek God through Christ, a godly attitude toward handling the personal affairs of his life and the importance of living a godly example among the people he would be reesponsible to lead. People ought to see enough good Christ-like example within us that they would gladly become “imitators” of Christ because of the example they see flowing through our lives. As we totally submit to Christ, we are empowered as believers to put God and the Gospel mission above all personal self interests. Submission allow you to submit yourself to sound doctrine learning from God-centereed teachers and Pastors expounding upon the Word  and from the living testimonies of how God rewards faithfulness. It’s imperative that we remain consistent in our walk with Christ. A focussed and submissive mind together are "great character builders" for the believer that aid in living a consistent life that is bible based, Christ centered, Holy Spirit led, and focused on the missionary work of proclaiming the gospel throughout the world. 

II.     Timothy shows us an example of the result of having "positional favor". In 1 Corinthains 4:15- 17, Paul urged the church at Corinth to follow his living example and sent Timothy to remind some and teach others Paul’s ways as he sought to follow Jesus Christ and taught consistently to all the churches. When you have "positional favor with God and with "key important people" God placed stategically in your life, you will become "relied upon" to many an important taks in their behalf. Here are a few examples of whatr happen when Timothy recieved favor in Paul's ministry as written in the IBSE : (Internatioinal Biblical Studies of Scriptual Knowledge Encyclopedia)
A.    At Corinth:
             Paul had left Athens before Silas and Timothy were able to rejoin him. He had proceeded to Corinth, and it was while the apostle was in that city, that "when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul was constrained by the word, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ" (Acts 18:5). Timothy evidently remained with Paul during the year and six months of his residence in Corinth, and also throughout this missionary journey to its end. From Corinth Paul wrote the Epistle to the Romans, and he sent them a salutation from Timothy, "Timothy my fellow-worker saluteth you" (Rom 16:21).
B.    To Corinth Again: 
            From Ephesus Paul wrote the First Epistle to the Corinthians (1 Cor 16:8), and in it he mentioned (verse 10) that Timothy was then traveling to Corinth, apparently a prolongation of the journey into Macedonia. After commending him to a kind reception from the Corinthians, Paul proceeded to say that Timothy was to return to him from Corinth; that is, Timothy was to bring with him a report on the state of matters in the Corinthian church.
C.    In Greece: 
            Soon thereafter the riot in Ephesus occurred; and when it was over, Paul left Ephesus and went to Macedonia and Greece. In Macedonia he was rejoined by Timothy, whose name is associated with his own, in the opening salutation of the Second Epistle, which he now wrote to Corinth. Timothy accompanied him into Greece, where they abode three months. From Greece the apostle once more set his face toward Jerusalem, Timothy and others accompanying him (Acts 20:4). "We that were of Paul's company" (Acts 21:8 the King James Version), as Luke terms the friends who now traveled with Paul-and Timothy was one of them-touched at Troas and a number of other places, and eventually reached Jerusalem, where Paul was apprehended.
D.    At Ephesus: 
            On Paul's 3rd missionary journey, Timothy again accompanied him, though he is not mentioned until Ephesus was reached. This journey involved much traveling, much work and much time. At Ephesus alone more than two years were spent. And when Paul's residence there was drawing to a close, he laid his plans to go to Jerusalem, after passing en route through Macedonia and Achaia. Accordingly he sent on before him "into Macedonia two of them that ministered unto him, Timothy and Erastus" (Acts 19:22).
E.    Appointed to Ephesus:
             Paul's hope was realized: he was set free; and once again Timothy was his companion in travel. Perhaps it was in Philippi that they rejoined each other, for not only had Paul expressed his intention of sending Timothy there, but he had also said that he hoped himself to visit the Philippian church (Phil 1:26; 2:24). From this point onward it is difficult, perhaps impossible, to trace the course of Paul's journeys, but he tells us that he had left Timothy as his delegate or representative in Ephesus (1 Tim 1:3); and soon thereafter he wrote the First Epistle to Timothy, in which he gave full instructions in regard to the manner in which he should conduct the affairs of the Ephesian church, until Paul himself should again revisit Ephesus: "These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly" (1 Tim 3:14).
F.     His Position in Ephesus: 
            "The position" which Timothy occupied in Ephesus, as it is described in 1 Timothy, cannot without doing the greatest violence to history be called that of a bishop, for the office of bishop existed only where the one bishop, superior to the presbytery, represented the highest expression of the common church life. The office was for life, and confined to the local church. This was particularly the case in Asia Minor, where, although as early as the time of Revelation and the time of Ignatius, bishoprics were numerous and closely adjacent, the office always retained its local character. On the other hand, Timothy's position at the head of the churches of Asia was due to the position which he occupied as Paul's helper in missionary work. It was his part in the apostolic calling, as this calling involved the oversight of existing churches. Timothy was acting as a temporary representative of Paul in his apostolic capacity at Ephesus, as he had done earlier in Corinth, and in Thessalonica and Philippi (1 Cor 4:17;1 Thess 3:2 f; Phil 2:19-23). His relation was not closer to one church than to the other churches of the province; its rise and disappearance did not affect at all the organization of the local congregations
G.     In Rome: 
            The details of the manner in which Timothy was now employed are not recorded, until he is found once more with Paul-during his 1st imprisonment in Rome. But, from that point onward, there are many notices of how he was occupied in the apostle's service. He is mentioned in three of the Epistles written by Paul at this time, namely, in Colossians 1:1, and Philemon 1, in both of which his designation is "Timothy our brother," and in Philippians 1:1, "Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus." In Philippians 2:19, there is the interesting notice that, at a time when Paul's hope was that he would soon be liberated from his imprisonment, he trusted that he would be able to send Timothy to visit the church at Philippi:
H.    Paul Summons Him to Rome: 
            From the Second Epistle still further detail can be gathered. Paul was a second time imprisoned, and feeling that on this occasion his trial would be followed by an adverse judgment and by death, he wrote from Rome to Timothy at Ephesus, affectionately requesting him to come to him: "Give diligence to come shortly unto me" (2 Tim 4:9). The fact that at that time, when no Christian friend was with Paul except Luke (2 Tim 4:11), it was to Timothy he turned for sympathy and aid, closing with the request that his own son in the faith should come to him, to be with him in his last hours, shows how true and tender was the affection which bound them together. Whether Timothy was able to reach Rome, so as to be with Paul before his execution, is unknown.

If you live a biblical exemplary life, one that's focussed and dedicated to the service of Jesus Christ, you one day expect some form of public notoriety and a request from others to render Christian service through ministryopportunities. Jesus said to remain humble and never forget that there's no such thing as "small" Christian service!