I just heard that my father, James Roberts Sr., is in the hospital with pneumonia, and I would really appreciate your prayers for him. He has been going full speed ahead lately, and it may be that he tried to push it a little too hard. He and my mother drove from Oklahoma to Georgia for Jennifer’s wedding and then drove to Indianapolis to see a long time friend. The Lord willing, he will respond well to antibiotics and be home from the hospital soon.

Those of you who know him know what an amazing man he is. Even at 75 years old, he is still faithfully preaching the word of God several times each week as a full time pastor. He loves to meet people and get to know them. At Jennifer’s wedding, I think he met everyone at the reception and will probably remember every one of them by name. People kept coming up to me saying, “I met your Dad. He’s amazing.” He is also amazingly generous, but some may not know that because most of his generosity takes place behind the scenes.

As I thought about his generosity, I thought about what the Lord Jesus said about fathers who are inclined to give good gifts to their children.

Matt 7:9-11 says,
9 "Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone?
10 "Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent?
11 "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! (NKJ)

As much as a good father loves to give good gifts to his children, our heavenly Father loves to do so even more. Those who are fortunate enough to have a really good father can more readily understand the goodness of God. Through a loving father, a child can begin to understand how our heavenly Father could love people so much that He would give His only begotten Son to die so that those who believe could live.

John 3:16
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (KJV)

If God gave His only Son so we could be saved, would He hold back any good thing?

Rom 8:32
32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? (KJV)

Even today, there is no spiritual blessing that God keeps from those who put their faith in Jesus Christ.

Eph 1:3
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: (KJV)

Write me at: jimjoan77@juno.com

Other church links:
http://www.peacechurch-ok.org/
http://www.eleventhavenuechurch.com/
http://gracebiblechurch-fw.com/

James III’s link:
http://www.jeditime.blogspot.com