Gal 5:22-23
22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control.  Against such things there is no law.
NIV

Healthy relationships require certain responses from those involved in developing a friendship.  For the Christian, relationships are not superficial, but a commitment to contribute to one another encouraging love and good works.  Faithfulness must be a part of any healthy relationship, a faithful friend and neighbor, keeping your promises, friends must feel free to trust and confide in one another.

When I think of the fruit of faithfulness, my mind automatically goes to my wife.  Sheryll is absolutely faithful, loyalty is embedded deep in her heart.  When she loves she loves deeply, her devotion to me and our children inspires faithfulness in each of us.  Her commitment is a major reason for our happy marriage, and strong family.

We see an example of faithfulness in Jesus, He was faithful unto death.  He laid down his life willingly, faithfully submitting to the will of the Father.  Scripture commends faithfulness over-and-over.  Understanding faithfulness is produced in us by the Holy Spirit confirms its importance.

1 Cor 4:1-3
2 Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.
NIV

If we would earn the right to speak the truth to those who do not know Christ, we must befriend them, and earn their trust.  Being a faithful friend, who faithfully serves and represents the living God to them, will open the door to serious sharing and testimony.

Prov 3:3-4
3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 Then you will win favor and a good name
in the sight of God and man.
NIV

In view of the bold prediction by Family Radio founder, Harold Camping that May 21^st 2011 at 6 p.m. the end would come and that this is guaranteed by the scripture.  Camping is not hedging this time: He has said, “Beyond the shadow of a doubt, May 21 will be the date of the Rapture and the day of judgment,” he said in January.

How harmful are the musings of men when they speak for God and their words are found to be empty.

No surprise here, many have attempted to announce the day of the Lord’s return and they share one thing in common, they have all been wrong.  Mr. Camping made an attempt in 1994 and obviously was wrong, and on May 22^nd it will be obvious to all of us that he is wrong once again.  I hope he will learn his lesson, and that all of us learn from his reckless approach to truth.

Bart Centre, an atheist from New Hampshire, started Eternal Earth-bound Pets in 2009. He offers Rapture believers an insurance plan for those furry family members that won’t join them in heaven: 10-year pet care contracts, with Centre and his network of fellow non-believers taking responsibility for the animals after the Rapture. The fee — payable in advance, of course — was originally $110, but has gone to $135 since Camping’s prediction.

Centre says he has 258 clients under contract, and that business has picked up considerably this year. But he’s not worried about a sales slump if May 21 happens to disappoint believers.
Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/05/19/rapture-movement-predicts-end-world-saturday/#ixzz1Moyre5kB

Be encouraged even though these erroneous predictions may leave many disappointed, the promises of God are sure and certainly will be fulfilled just as He has said.

2 Peter 3:9-11

The Message

9 God isn’t late with his promise as some measure lateness. He is restraining himself on account of you, holding back the End because he doesn’t want anyone lost. He’s giving everyone space and time to change.

10 But when the Day of God’s Judgment does come, it will be unannounced, like a thief. The sky will collapse with a thunderous bang, everything disintegrating in a huge conflagration, earth and all its works exposed to the scrutiny of Judgment.

11 Since everything here today might well be gone tomorrow, do you see how essential it is to live a holy life?

We spent the past three days at the MinistrieSummit in Reading.  It was an enriching time with much opportunity for fellowship.  Jeff Leake’s encouraging message made it clear that ministry often sets things in motion; that our actions now are not only measured by the instantaneous results, but the long term effect in the lives of others.

Much was set in motion in me by the many voices that spoke into my life as I was growing up.  My hope is that my own actions will have a similar effect on those around me.  For me, the responsibility to influence others and to see that influence impact them for life is a strong aspiration.

Stan