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Being a dad after God’s own heart sometimes requires playing the role of “drill sergeant”-or instructor. Those who are chosen to become drill sergeants are given that task because they are serious, well-seasoned, and battle-hardened. Their job is to take a raw recruit and make him into a soldier in only a few months. The […]

Read From Jim’s Heart—Drill Sergeant Dad on Elizabeth & Jim George.

I am a part of a men’s Saturday morning Bible study at my church. The study started at 7:00 am, so I have to leave home at 6:30 to get there on time. Each Saturday as I drive to the church, my route takes me by a golf course that was filled with men playing golf and a lineup of carts waiting to […]

Read From Jim’s Heart—Beware of Spiritual Laziness on Elizabeth & Jim George.

Over the years I’ve traveled to India 15 times for ministry. Because of my deep interest in India, my eye was drawn to this story that speaks of doing your best at whatever God calls you to do. A missionary from India told about an army officer who stopped to have his shoes shined by a […]

Read From Jim’s Heart—Do Your Best on Elizabeth & Jim George.

You are called to live boldly by different standards—God’s standards. Yes, it will be difficult, but such hardship is nothing compared to what you’ll gain—God’s blessing for your obedience and a clear conscience for doing what is right. The secret of obedience is that what God expects you to do, He also enables you to do. The strength to obey Him comes from Him. […]

Read From Jim’s Heart—God’s Strength Is Available to You! on Elizabeth & Jim George.

I remember a particular time when Elizabeth and I had concerns about how things were going in our daughters’ lives. The issues that caused our concern weren’t big ones, but they were quickly recognized because we had been watching as part of our duty as parents. We worked through the minor issues, but it still […]

Read From Jim’s Heart – Watching Takes Time on Elizabeth & Jim George.

What does an overflowing love look like in real life? From the first moment you know a baby is on the way, all your thoughts, dreams, prayers, and goals should be focused toward that little one. You should be completely consumed with understanding what it means to be a dad, and specifically, a dad after […]

Read From Jim’s Heart—A Dad’s Look of Love on Elizabeth & Jim George.

I took the opportunity to again look at the life of Nehemiah. I was reminded of his heart for planning. God put building a wall on his heart and Nehemiah started thinking and moving forward. How are you at planning? Think about this – There are two types of people in the world when it […]

Read From Jim’s Heart… Two Types of People on Elizabeth & Jim George.

History has affirmed the effects of the life and ministry of the lowly carpenter from Galilee. Jesus proclaimed that He is God’s only Son, equal with the Father, the Creator of the World, the culmination of history, the Friend of sinners, the Searcher of hearts, the Savior and Judge of mankind. At some point in […]

Read From Jim’s Heart — Jesus, the One and Only on Elizabeth & Jim George.

When it comes to cheering people on, we tend to think in terms of coaches, cheerleaders, pep squads, and fans rooting for a favorite athletic team. But everyone needs encouragement. You and I need encouragement from others, and others need it from us. Consider, for example, the following scenario: You wake up to a new day, filled […]

Read From Jim’s Heart—Everyone Needs Encouragement on Elizabeth & Jim George.

One thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal… Philippians 3:13-14 August 31, 1974 was a red-letter day in my life. That was the day my wife and I sat down together and each wrote some lifetime goals. Up until that day, I had […]

Read From Jim’s Heart—A Man of Impact Makes Goals on Elizabeth & Jim George.

The prayer life of the apostle Paul is most evident in the epistles he wrote while in prison. Some people assume that confinement in prison gave Paul little choice but to pray. They would imagine Paul saying something like, “Oh well, since I have nothing else to do, I guess I’ll pray.” Not true! Busyness […]

Read From Jim’s Heart—Praying in the Midst of a Busy Life on Elizabeth & Jim George.

We don’t know much about Jesus as a child other than the account of his teaching at the Temple in Luke 2:44-50. But, there were those who did know Him then. Mary and Joseph had many children after Jesus was born into this world. Jesus had four half-brothers (James, Joses, Simon and Jude, and at […]

Read From Jim’s heart… From Skeptic to Salvation on Elizabeth & Jim George.

Outside of your home and church, there will be times when your children will be influenced by people who are somewhat beyond your control. Your children will encounter situations and influences that are not godly. This may happen at school, or with neighborhood children, or with others out in the world. You as a parent […]

Read From Jim’s Heart—Arm Your Children with Discernment on Elizabeth & Jim George.

There are a myriad of thoughts penned on the importance of choices. You’ve probably heard this one: Little choices determine habit; Habit carves and molds character, Which makes the big decisions. What does this tell you? That even the little things count! If ever you’re tempted to cut corners and do things the easy way, […]

Read From Jim’s Heart—Little Choices, Big Decisions on Elizabeth & Jim George.

When Moses was tending his father-in-law’s sheep in Midian, he led them out to the desert to Mount Horeb (also known as Mount Sinai). There he encountered a bush that burned, yet was not consumed by the fire. As Moses turned to see what was going on, God called to him from inside the bush. […]

Read From Jim’s heart…Stop, Look, and Listen to God on Elizabeth & Jim George.

“But what about the heathen in Africa?” This is the age-old question people often ask when they first hear the gospel message which points to Jesus Christ. This question also brings up one of the most common fears people have about witnessing. They worry, “What if an unbeliever asks a theological question I can’t answer?” Are you […]

Read From Jim’s Heart—Giving an Answer for Your Hope on Elizabeth & Jim George.

If you struggle with obeying God, ask Him to give you His strength to obey His commands. That strength will come as you… Faithfully read God’s Word Faithfully hear the teaching of God’s Word Faithfully seek wise counsel from God’s Word Faithfully deal with sin [OMIT in your life] as revealed in God’s Word Can you see how the Bible is such an important part of every-day life? Your willingness to obey the Lord is key to experiencing God’s […]

Read From Jim’s Heart—Pay Attention to God’s Word on Elizabeth & Jim George.

Vince Lom­bardi said, “The quality of your life will be determined by the depth of your com­mitment to excellence, no matter what your chosen field.” Excellence is a vital key to anyone who desires to live a life of impact. The secret work of excellence will eventually give outward evidence of a life of internal […]

Read From Jim’s heart for men… Becoming a Man of Excellence on Elizabeth & Jim George.

Several years ago on a trip to Alaska, a commercial fisherman treated me to a trip around Petersburg Bay. What a thrill! We saw sea lions, seals, eagles, and even several whales. But what inspired the greatest awe in me were the icebergs. The captain of the boat, exercising great caution, steered well clear of […]

Read From Jim’s heart…Your Secret Life Illustrated on Elizabeth & Jim George.

Wouldn’t it be nice if you could count on people to come through on their promises? Most likely you’ve been burned and disappointed by people who failed to keep their word. Contrast that disappointing experience with the trustworthiness of God’s Word and His promises to us. Remember that the power of a promise depends on […]

Read From Jim’s Heart — God’s Promises & Your Character on Elizabeth & Jim George.

Putting food on the table for your family is one of your key roles as a father. You would never think of letting your family go hungry for physical food. Others would see your conduct as unthinkable, and God would consider you to be worse than an unbeliever (see 1 Timothy 5:8). So why should it be […]

Read From Jim’s Heart—A Dad Feeds His Flock on Elizabeth & Jim George.

Here are some quick tips to increase your understanding of the Bible. Enjoy! Choose a translation you can understand. There are many good modern translations you can use without having to stumble over difficult terms or archaic language. Don’t try to see how fast you can read your Bible. Read at your normal rate or even slower. […]

Read From Jim’s Heart—How to Read Your Bible on Elizabeth & Jim George.

Application of the truths in the Bible comes in all shapes and sizes. Sometimes your application will require you to do one specific thing, like returning a book you borrowed a month ago. It could require you to apologize to a family member for giving them a hard time. At other times your application will require time and […]

Read From Jim’s Heart—Successful Application of God’s Word on Elizabeth & Jim George.

When it comes to shaping the entire future of a child’s life and influencing his or her eternal destiny, I hope you feel the gravity of your obligation to God… and to your children. Here are some steps for getting started. They’re simple, and they will require a lot from you, but the rewards are well worth it! Start […]

Read From Jim’s Heart—Ways to Influence Your Children on Elizabeth & Jim George.

Every major accomplishment in a man’s life requires a high level of commitment. I’m sure you can remember such an accomplishment in your life. Perhaps you were starting your own business. Or you were considering a job change or mapping out a new direction for your company or family. Whatever it was, you probably felt […]

Read From Jim’s Heart to Men—Take Your Decisions to God on Elizabeth & Jim George.

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. —2 Timothy 3:16-17 Influence isn’t about numbers. No, it’s about individuals. Individuals with a passion, a focus, or an intensity—or all of the above—that drives them […]

Read From Jim’s Heart—One Man’s Example and Impact on Elizabeth & Jim George.

Ambition can be both positive and negative. An example of the latter is people who have scratched their way to the top and, in the process, left their claw marks on the backs of you and others they climbed over in order to reach their goal. That’s not the kind of ambition we as Christian […]

Read From Jim’s Heart – Godly Ambition on Elizabeth & Jim George.

God cares about your body and health. Scripture says that… Your body is a stewardship from God (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians3:16). Your body is meant to glorify God (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). So how are you doing? Many people today could eat better and definitely use […]

Read From Jim’s Heart—A Healthy Perspective on Elizabeth & Jim George.

My wife once told me of the words on the tombstone of a well-known scientist: “He Died Learning.” Those three words made a great impression on me. Since then, I have tried to follow this man’s example. And I hope this will become your motto as well. Unfortunately, there are teens whose motto is “I […]

Read From Jim’s heart for teens…Becoming a Learner for Life on Elizabeth & Jim George.

I’m sure you agree that Jesus Christ was the most influential man who ever lived. No one has or ever will match the impact He had. What makes Him all the more remarkable is He wasn’t an autocrat. He wasn’t a leader running roughshod over people or demanding respect and obedience. Rather, Jesus was a humble servant. He […]

Read From Jim’s Heart—Leading by Serving on Elizabeth & Jim George.

When you consider the extraordinary ways God worked through men such as Moses and Paul, you may think, I can’t measure up to people like them. I don’t have what they had. But you must realize that these “heroes” of the faith were just common, ordinary people. It was their obedience-their complete yieldedness to God-that […]

Read From Jim’s Heart — Yielding to God on Elizabeth & Jim George.

Temptation comes into every believer’s life — not one of us is immune. So how would you like a fantastic promise for victory over temptation? Read on. Here it is! No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond […]

Read From Jim’s Heart — Deliver Us on Elizabeth & Jim George.

Simon (Peter) and his brother Andrew were early disciples of John the Baptist. Andrew is the first to meet Jesus and then brings his brother, Peter, to meet Him. In predictive fashion, Jesus changes Simon’s name to Cephas, which, in the local dialect, means “rock,” while in the Greek, Cephas is translated “Peter.” Peter’s meeting […]

Read From Jim’s heart…A Life Lesson from the Apostle Peter on Elizabeth & Jim George.

Elijah was a prophet of God from the settlers of Gilead, who was used mightily by God during the reigns of the kings Ahab and Ahaziah. He was a Tishite and his name means “Yahweh is my God. Elijah not only helped a widow with her provisions and her son (whom God raised from the […]

Read From Jim’s heart…God Never Gives Up on You on Elizabeth & Jim George.

One morning while I was reading my Bible, I came to a passage that really challenged me in my own spiritual growth: In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. Both of […]

Read From Jim’s heart for husbands…Encouraging Your Wife’s Spiritual Growth on Elizabeth & Jim George.

Are you fearful because God appears to be moving you in an unexpected direction? Is the unknown causing you to waver on the path of obedience? Take heart in your resolve. Walk in confidence with God. Walk as King David did, declaring, “Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will […]

Read From Jim’s Heart—Walking in God-Confidence on Elizabeth & Jim George.

Sometimes we do an act of service and then get the feeling that it wasn’t a valuable enough contribution to the church, or that nobody noticed or cared. Therefore we feel like what we did was a failure. It didn’t really matter. But no service that is done for God is a failure. Though from […]

Read From Jim’s Heart—It Really Does Matter on Elizabeth & Jim George.

When something terrible happens in your life, are you ever tempted to ask, “What good could possibly come out of this?” It looks like a disaster. It feels like a disaster. Therefore you conclude, “It is a disaster!” That’s when you want to remember God’s promise, “I know the thoughts that I think toward you… thoughts of peace and not of […]

Read From Jim’s Heart – Hope in the Hard Times on Elizabeth & Jim George.

Paul knew the importance of strategic prayer in his own life and the lives of other. And he knew what to pray for. His prayers focused on spiritual issues. He knew that if those he was praying for were spiritu­ally mature, they could handle anything. We, however, sometimes have it backward. We pray about physical […]

Read From Jim’s Heart… Praying for Others on Elizabeth & Jim George.

I’m sure you have heard of rare comic books being sold at auctions for incredibly high prices. But are they truly worth that much? Does a fiction or fantasy tale really have the kind of value that is found in the Bible? Tragically, many Christians don’t value the Bible as they should. How about you? […]

Read From Jim’s Heart—How Much Do You Value Your Bible? on Elizabeth & Jim George.

My testi­mony is that of the “prodigal son” who came home to his father (Luke 15:11-31). As a young boy I went to church, but when I left for college, the things of God were of little interest to me. Not until age 30 did I recognize that I was spiritually malnourished… and horribly so! […]

Read From Jim’s heart for dads…The Heart is the Place to Start on Elizabeth & Jim George.

Because following God in obedience has its challenges, it’s the less-traveled path. Disobedience, on the other hand, is the more well-worn way. In fact, it is characterized by gridlock! Why? Because it’s the easy way out. It’s the road we’re tempted to take when things get sticky or uncomfortable or confusing. It’s the path of least resistance. And […]

Read From Jim’s Heart—Keeping Your Eye on the Prize on Elizabeth & Jim George.

Do you know what I believe is the best reward for obedience, what I believe to be one of the most compelling reasons for choosing to obey God? It is this: Obedience leads to a powerful, confident life. When you are obedient, and when you allow yourself to be led by God through the unexpected, […]

Read From Jim’s Heart – Exactly Where You Should Be on Elizabeth & Jim George.

He who finds a good wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord. Proverbs 18:22 Let’s revisit your courtship with your wife. Did you strive to be her best friend? I know you did! You were probably a little jealous if she spent time with any person other than you. Did you like being in her company and […]

Read From Jim’s Heart—Your Wife’s Best Friend on Elizabeth & Jim George.

Happy New Year! I hope you enjoyed yesterday’s “In the Word Wednesday” from Genesis that I posted on Facebook. Next week we will look at Exodus! But for now, just imagine, 364 new days left in 2014 for doing all sorts of things. I’ve heard it said that 15 minutes a day devoted to any one subject will make you […]

Read From Jim’s Heart—364 Days Ahead of You on Elizabeth & Jim George.

James, who wrote the New Testament book of “James,” is the eldest son of Joseph and Mary. He is the half-brother of Jesus, who was born of Mary. He has three other brothers — Joses, Simon, and Judas (Jude) — and at least two sisters, whose names are never mentioned. Throughout his early life and […]

Read From Jim’s heart…Life Lessons from James, the half-brother of Jesus on Elizabeth & Jim George.

When we consider the observation of “opposites” (as we did in our previous post) how likely would it be to describe any of the world-changers throughout history as lackadaisical or unemotional. No, we ascribe the opposite qualities to those of influence – purposeful, brave, or driven. Where, we might wonder, do people of influence get […]

Read From Jim’s Heart for Men…Your Personal Passion Fuels Your Discipline on Elizabeth & Jim George.

The life of David makes for a fascinating character study. His is one of those great “rags to riches” stories. David started out a shepherd boy and ended up as a king. He became a great warrior and consolidated the tiny nation of Israel into a powerful kingdom that ruled a large part of the […]

Read From Jim’s Heart to Men After God’s Own Heart The Enabling Grace of God on Elizabeth & Jim George.