Thursday, October 28, 2004

A powerful testimony...

PlusLine : From Hip-Hop to MinistryFrom marijuana smoking hip-hop artist to a Seventh-Day- Adventist Pastor, this rags to riches to religion story will truly lift you up.

I will go before you

"Let the morning bring me word of Your unfailing love, for I have
put my trust in You." Psalm 143:8a

Without trial, you would not know to trust the Savior. Without
the pain, the help He offers would go unnoticed. So many long to
take the easy way. Yet this is not always God's design.
At times our pathways become treacherous, taking dark and shadowy
turns. We learn to identify with the psalmist as he writes: "Even
though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no
evil, for You are with me..." (Psalm 23:4).
God goes before you into each and every trial. He leaves a
trodden path for you to follow. You may walk where danger is
crouched on every side, but you do not walk alone. You may face
being misunderstood, overlooked, and forgotten, but God knows you
and loves you greatly. Keep your eyes on Him. Fix your emotions
on His promises. They are unshakable.
Once you learn to go to Him in times of sorrow as well as
happiness, a new joy will spring up within you. This comes from
an overflow of being in His presence. His presence has the power
to change the way you feel about yourself and others. It can heal
any relationship.
Don't be surprised if you find yourself praising God in desperate
times. Trials bring you to your knees. From this angle all you need
to do is look up into the loving face of the Lord Jesus Christ. It
is there you discover the greatness of God's love and forgiveness.
Praise Him!


"It is good to give thanks to the Lord, and to sing praises to Your
name, O Most High; to declare Your loving-kindness in the morning,
and Your faithfulness every night." Psalm 92:1-2

Tuesday, October 26, 2004

Bringing up Dad

"Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them
up in the training and instruction of the Lord." Ephesians 6:4

A man is inordinately influenced by culture and peer pressure
to measure success in terms of vocational and financial achievement.
Rarely is he approached with this question: "How successful have
you been as a father?" The prestige of money or job status offers
few condolences if our children grow up disrespectful, unruly,
unwise, and uncaring. The failure to devote time and attention to
effective fathering is one of life's greatest disappointments.
However, there are few accomplishments in life which are more
satisfying than rearing godly sons and daughters.
Successful fathering begins with seeing your children as a gift
from God. They are not yours to own and rule over, but to treasure
and to teach for a brief season.
The father who knows best concentrates on the character of his
child rather than overemphasizing achievement. Grades and tasks
well done are important but godly character is even more significant.
The "C" student who tries hard, knows God personally, and is
dependable and giving is better equipped for life than the "A"
student who is lazy, impulsive, and craves the support of his peers.

____________________________________________

"Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of
children is their father." Proverbs 17:6