Christian Life and Attitude

One of the most important gifts of all is life, and it was given to us by the Lord Jesus Christ.  But sometimes we forget the generosity of a loving God.  After all, He didn’t have to create us in the first place. But He did, and wished to share His blessings by creating us in His own image so that He could shower us with His love. 

As you read this article, take a moment to answer the following question, “Is there a reason for me to be thankful today?” 

As Born Again believers, we're instructed to Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will bless you for it. 

For the Scriptures say, “If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies. Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it. The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and his ears are open to their prayers. But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil” (1Peter 3:10-12).

Now, who will want to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats. 

Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life, and if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way. 

Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ. 

Remember, it is better to suffer for doing good, if that is what God wants, than to suffer for doing wrong! Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but He died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but He was raised to life in the Spirit.

Now Christ has gone to heaven. He is seated in the place of honor next to God, and all the angels and authorities and powers accept his authority. (1Peter 3:8-22)


In conclusion, though Christians cannot always be exactly of the same mind, yet we should have compassion for one another, and love as brethren. 


If any man desires to live comfortably on this earth, or to possess eternal life in heaven, he must bridle his tongue from wicked, abusive, or deceitful words. He must forsake and keep far from evil actions, do all the good he can, and seek peace with all men. 


For God, all-wise and every where present, watches over the righteous, and takes care of them; God bless you. 

A Life of Thanksgiving

"In everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

In all circumstances and at all times, we must find something to be grateful for, and remain thankful in the place that God has stationed us.

When God shows us something that He wants to give us and it does not happen immediately, it is easy to become frustrated. But we can rest assured that if God has promised it, He will bring it to pass in His time and in His way.

But while we're waiting let us maintain a thankful heart and trust Him to perform it. Our frustration and anxiety will only hinder God, while Praise and Thanksgiving on the other hand will prove that we're trusting in Him to do the impossible for us.

Therefore, let's heed the admonition from God's word, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with THANKSGIVING let your requests be made known to God. The New Living Translation renders it this way "Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6-7).

The presence, peace and power of God are gifts given freely to those who trust Him and do not allow fear and anxiety to remain in their heart to paralyze them. The peace of God will be a guard to our heart, fighting against anxiety and dissatisfaction.

Anxiety has the potential to erode our faith and trust in God, but the peace of God that passes all understanding will produce a thankful heart. I firmly believe that a thankful heart will touch God and enable us to experience His presence anywhere at all times.



Let us show our gratitude to God by giving thanks; God bless you.

God Will Break The Rules of Religious Productivity

Recently, a counselor friend of mine spoke to a leader who was burned out. The counselor told the leader to stop studying, stop having daily devotions, stop making plans and simply learn to rest in God's presence. None of these things the leader was asked to stop doing were wrong. They are all part of a healthy Believer's life. 

The "spiritual disciplines" of his life had become the places from which he had tried to draw life. An orderly life had replaced Jesus as the Giver of Life. My counselor friend wanted this leader to break the rules of religious productivity in order to come back to the simplicity of faith in Jesus.

God is breaking man-made rules of productivity that tell us "doing more is holy." God desires that we lay down the deception of trying to prove our worth to God through religious duty. Productivity is the language of slaves. Inheritance is the language of God's children.

In 2011 God will ask His people to move into the deeper revelation of friendship that Jesus promised His disciples. In John 15 Jesus told these newly-defined friends that a master does not confide in slaves. Slaves are not receivers of revelation – only friends are. Slaves work from a list of duties provided by a slave master. Each day the predictable drudgery of the slave's list produces a defeated heart in the slave. 

God wants His friends to hear His voice. Some have mentally moved back into the slave quarters of the past and now God is calling them back into friendship and into fresh daily revelation that comes from living in the dwelling place of His presence.

Garris Elkins, Senior Leader
Email: info@livingwatersmedford.org

We Honor Our Veterans

Today is the day we Americans have chosen to Honor our nation's Veterans for their service and sacrifice to our country.

As citizens of this God blessed land we say THANK YOU to all our Veterans. We know the commitment that you have made and the sacrifices both you and your families make are to make America FREE for all of us.

It takes a special person to dedicate his or her live to the service of our nation. It takes someone who realizes there is something greater than ourselves; and recognize the founding principles of this nation are worth fighting for and, if necessary, dying for.

America is a great nation because of you, the men and women, who have given their all for us.  We have our freedom today because you placed your lives on the line to defend it. Here, Veterans share their personal stories about life in combat and hear from Peter, who was awarded a Silver Star.

All America salute you, and God bless these United States.

There is one who gave His only son to demonstrate His great love towards us. God loves us! That is the triumphant message of the Bible and the greatest message we will ever hear.

God wanted us to experience His love for us, so He demonstrated that love at great personal cost. God loves us and we know that because He sacrificed His son (Jesus) so that we could have life. 

Yes, God loves you and wants to give you life! “For God so love the world, that He gave His only begotten son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” John 3:16.