Hear, my children, the instruction of a father, and give attention to know understanding. —Proverbs 4:1
The Native Americans of Michigan were the state’s first highway route engineers. With few exceptions, Michigan’s major highways follow the trails they cut through the wilderness hundreds of years before the white man came. A trail was 12-18 inches wide, and for safety the people followed single file. Then pack horses followed these trails, widening them. Later came wagons, and the trails became dirt roads and then highways. In a similar way, Solomon followed the trail of his father and in turn paved the way for his sons and grandsons. He did this by encouraging his sons to heed his instructions just as he had followed the sound teaching of his father (Prov. 4:4-5). So this father, giving his sons good practical and spiritual counsel, was passing on what he had learned from the boys’ grandfather, David, who was called a “man after [God’s] own heart” (1 Sam. 13:14; Acts 13:22). The younger generation of believers often learns best about God from the family. Our physical and spiritual children watch the path we’re taking. As God’s men and women, let’s make certain we cut a righteous, wise, and clear trail. Then if ongoing generations choose to follow, the trail can become a highway—an ongoing legacy to God’s glory. When I created the heavens and the earth, I spoke them into being.
When I created man, I formed him and breathed life into his nostrils. But you, woman, I fashioned after I breathed the breath of life into man, because your nostrils are too delicate. I allowed a deep sleep to come over him so I could patiently and perfectly fashion you. Man was put to sleep so that he could not interfere with the creativity. From one bone, I fashioned you. I chose the bone that protects man's life. I chose the rib, which protects his heart and lungs and supports him, as you are meant to do. Around this one bone, I shaped you....... I modeled you. I created you perfectly and beautifully. Your characteristics are as the rib, strong yet delicate and fragile. You provide protection for the most delicate organ in man, his heart. His heart is the center of his being; his lungs hold the breath of life. The ribcage will allow itself to be broken before it will allow damage to the heart. Support man as the rib cage supports the body. You were not taken from his feet, to be under him, nor were you taken from his head, to be above him. You were taken from his side, to stand beside him and be held close to his side. You are my perfect angel.....You are my beautiful little girl. You have grown to be a splendid woman of excellence, and my eyes fill when I see the virtues in your heart. Your eyes...don't change them. Your lips, how lovely when they part in prayer. Your nose, so perfect in form. Your hands so gentle to touch. I've caressed your face in your deepest sleep. I've held your heart close to mine. Of all that lives and breathes, you are most like me. Adam walked with me in the cool of the day, yet he was lonely. He could not See me or touch me. He could only feel me. So everything I wanted Adam to share and experience with me, I fashioned in you; my Holiness, my Strength, my Purity, my Love, my Protection and Support. You are special because you are an extension of me. Man represents my image, woman my emotions. Together, you represent the totality of God. So man......treat woman well. Love her, respect her, for she is fragile. In hurting her, you hurt me. What you do to her, you do to me. In crushing her, you only damage your own heart; the heart of your Father, and the heart of her Father. Woman, support man. In humility, show him the power of emotion I have given you. In gentle quietness, show your strength. In love, show him that you are the rib that protects his inner self. Did you not know that WOMAN is special in God's eyes? Don't spend major time with minor people.
If there are people in your life that continually disappoint you, break promises, stomp on your dreams, too judgmental, have different values and don't have your back during difficult times...that is not a friend. To have a friend, is to be a friend. Sometimes in life as you grow, your friends will either grow or go. Surround yourself with people who reflect your values, goals interests and lifestyle. When I think of any of my successes, I am thankful to GOD from whom all blessings flow, and to my family and friends that enrich my life. Over the years my phone book has changed because I changed. At first you think you're going to be alone, but after a while new people show up in your life that make your life so much sweeter and easier to endure. Remember what your elders used to say, "Birds of afeather flock together. If you're an eagle, don't hang around chickens: Chickens can't fly I love the Lord and thank Him for all that He does in my life, therefore, I'm passing this on... Walk by faith & Not by sight Receive God's blessings!!! GOD LOVES YOU !!! Don’t say you’re not important,
It simply isn’t true, The fact that you were born, Is proof that God has a plan for you. The path may seem unclear right now, But one day you will see, That all that came before, Was truly meant to be. God wrote the book that is your life, That’s all you need to know. Each day that you are living Was written long ago. God only writes best sellers, So be proud of who you are, Your character is important In this book you are the “Star”. Enjoy the novel as it reads, It will stand throughout the ages, Savour each chapter as you go, Taking time to turn the pages May God bless you! TO EVERYTHING there is a season, and a time for every matter or purpose under
heaven. ECCLESIASTES 3 : 1 DO NOT BE AFRAID OF TOMORROW .. BECAUSE .. GOD IS ALREADY THERE !! Prayer as you know is one of the most formidable weapons that you are armed with. Your prayers protect, cover and drastically change All but one thing. God in His undeniably infinite wisdom has designed different seasons that accompany you throughout your life’s journey .. A season and a time for every matter regarding your every step. God’s seasons that cannot be changed. In certain situations the Real Facts are not always pleasant to hear .. However .. As you do hear them remember that The Facts Are Always Subject To Change !! Seasons of struggling and testing will always be with you. You are going to experience times in your life when it feels as though every step you take is in the wrong direction .. And .. Times when it will appear that everything you attempt to do goes wrong. In trying times, regardless of your prayers and your devotion, adversity is going to knock on the door to pay you a visit. As uncomfortable as they are at times .. God’s seasons are the one thing that you are unable to change. Now, NO it is Not all doom and gloom .. Because .. You have to know that God has a well intended purpose in not allowing you to be fruitful all of the time. Don’t You ever Forget That God Makes Faith Not Sense !! When your season does change and God sends the chilly winds of winter to blow onto your circumstances .. You Must Still Trust Him !! For our light, momentary affliction (this slight distress of the passing hour) is ever more and more abundantly preparing and producing and achieving for us an everlasting weight of glory [beyond all measure, excessively surpassing all comparisons and all calculations, a vast and transcendent glory and blessedness never to cease] .. 2 Corinthians 4 : 17 Your Light Affliction, Which Is But For A Moment !! THIS TOO SHALL PASS !! What you need to understand is that there are some things in life that you are not supposed to change .. But .. To Survive !! Accept this in faith and then you make a determined commitment to keep on keeping on, confident in the knowledge that you may be unable to change the situation .. However .. You Will Most Certainly Out-Live It !! Be like a tree !! As the icy winds begin to howl and the frosty arms of winter begin to hug the land, each tree in the forest continues to stand tall, barren perhaps but bold none-the-less, as it silently re-gains and restores its strength in preparation for its next season of fruitfulness. Immovable and patient the tree awaits the dawning of a new season .. And .. When Spring arrives it enthusiastically pushes its way into the budding of a fresh new experience. Trust God Always .. And .. Don’t You Ever Let Go Of Your Confession Of Faith !! While Your Seasons May Change .. Your God Never Does !! You will experience seasons of abundant sunshine .. However .. There will also be seasons of rain. So .. If you do happen to find yourself walking in the rain at the moment, keep in mind that according to God’s will for your life, each season is adorned with His plan and well intended purpose. THIS TOO SHALL PASS !! Temporary set-backs in your life aim only to create the perfect opportunities for fresh commitment and renewal in your life !! THE PHRASE .. FEAR NOT .. IS WRITTEN 365 TIMES IT IS A REMINDER FROM GOD TO LIVE EVERYDAY FEARLESS A friend told me that when he was three years of age, his father, a carpenter
used a two wheel handcart to carry wood and tools. Sometimes he would take him on the cart with him. One day he wanted to help push the cart. So, nearer where they were going, his father set him down, put his small hands on the cart and said he could help push. The people at the house saw them arriving with the tiny boy. Dad told them how he had ‘helped’. A three year old doesn’t walk very fast. Dad could have managed better and quicker without his son. However, it was a principle, the satisfaction of a son with his father was more important than speed. The Almighty God wants our hands on the “cart”. Moses could not create the plagues of Egypt, but he called them down. He had no power over winds and water but the sea parted at his command. Moses as one man could not defeat an Egyptian military brigade but with God he did; quite a change of role for a shepherd. “Salvation is of the Lord”, but the LORD never operates solo. He chooses volunteers. God saves only those who know that He saves, but nobody knows unless we tell them. (Romans 10:14). Do what we can and He will do what we cannot. Do the possible and He does the impossible. Look again at that great Bible example of a servant of God, Moses. He was the meekest man on earth but not the bravest. He had no army. Israel was still only a rabble of tribes, but Moses snatched the entire slave force of Pharaoh from under his royal nose, “not a hoof left behind”. Joining forces with a God like that Moses showed fearless audacity and drive. God took away the heart of a rabbit and gave him the heart of a lion. God bless you. Greetings from Florida. REINHARD BONNKE A poor self image causes us to operate in fear instead of faith. We look at what is wrong with us instead of what is right with Jesus. He has taken our wrongness and given us His rightiousness 2 Corinthians 5:21.We need to walk in the reality of that truth. May the Lord protect what you see hear and feel and keep you safe.
"The old saying 'opposites attract' is often true. The difficulty is once they marry they drive each other crazy. Our opposites tend to fascinate us because they add variety to life and pull us from our comfortable rut of familiarity.
"Opposites stretch us beyond ourselves, forcing us to broaden our horizons. They add depth and provide opportunities for growth. It's from them that we learn our most difficult lessons. They expose us to thoughts, feelings, and experiences that are foreign to us. They balance our lopsidedness and make us more complete." (Dr Steve Stephens) That concept sounds great, but can we truly embrace our differences? That's our hope. That's why, for the next 2 weeks, we'll be sharing information written by Dr Steve Stephens that could potentially help us, which we're gleaning from his book, "Marriage: Experience the Best" (which unfortunately, is out of print). We're hoping it will help us better understand each other and grow closer together, despite our differences -- approaching them in healthier ways. In his book, Dr Stephens points out that: "Differences are healthy but they're also frustrating. The biggest frustrations come when we start thinking of opposites in terms of right and wrong. What that usually means is 'I'm right; you're wrong.' In working with people, I've discovered that most couples have little understanding and no tolerance for differences. They want each other to think and act as they do. They're astonished that someone would actually approach life differently and think it was okay. So they begin a process of trying to convert their partner to the 'right way' or the 'best way.' "This is like trying to convince a Norwegian that Egyptian is the right language or someone who is Japanese that Spanish is best. It's not an issue of right or best --just different. As couples, we need to acknowledge our differences and accept them." Dr Stephens challenges all of us to, "Look through the list [below] and try to find which differences apply to you and your mate:" - "EXTROVERTS VS INTROVERTS: Extroverts love crowds --the more people, the merrier. They're expressive and frequently think out loud. Introverts, on the other hand, would rather spend the evening in solitude or with a close friend than go to a party. Being more reserved they tend to think through all the options before talking." [The author gave the example of a couple where the wife "loved people" -- she said they energized her. But her husband said, "They wear me out!" This came as a real surprise to his wife. She needed to socialize and he needed peace and quiet. So they looked for ways to meet both their needs. And if nothing else, it helped them understand each other's needs in a new way so they could better appreciate where the other was coming from and make it work FOR them rather than against them in their relationship. Dr Stephens pointed out that his wife is an extrovert and he is an introvert. He's learned to appreciate that about his wife and said, "I'm glad I married an extrovert. She pulls me out of my solitary ways and encourages me to socialize." On the other hand, he can help her to be more balanced in how much she socializes so she doesn't wear herself out and can better appreciate quiet times --much like the Mary and Martha situation in the Bible in Luke 10.] -"LEAPERS VS LOOKERS: Leapers take risks. When they see an opportunity they want to jump on it before it's too late. They appear to be fearless, or at least oblivious to potential danger. Lookers are more cautious than leapers. They like to carefully check everything out before making a decision. They gather information, analyze, ponder, consider options, question, ruminate, evaluate consequences, pray, investigate, and then decide. "Another common difference between these two approaches to life is that leapers like new and unique experiences, while lookers like the comfortable and familiar. Leapers help lookers stretch and grow. Lookers help leapers think and plan before they leap. We need each other" (once the spouses learn how to compromise and work with their differences). -"OUTLINERS VS DETAILERS: Outliners have a general focus and look at the big picture. They think in terms of direction and getting things done. Detailers look at the nuts and bolts. Their concern is how to get things done. Outliners are abstract thinkers who see the whole forest, while detailers are concrete thinkers who see the individual trees. Outliners develop outlines and detailers fill in the outlines with details. Both perspectives are important." [Dr Stephens told how he and his wife learned to make their differences work for them while vacationing as they drove the long distance in the U.S. from Portland, Oregon, to Disneyland. He developed the big picture for their trip and his wife began questioning the details. He said to her, "We'll get there and we'll get back. That's what's most important." But then he went on to say, "The big picture was most important to me, but the details were important to her. She came alongside me and filled in all the holes in my agenda. I created an outline and she breathed life into it. Without the outline we would have no direction, but the outline would break down without the details.] - "PLANNERS VS FLEXERS: Planners love structure. They want everything organized and neatly packaged. They like schedules and deadlines. They want their life to be neat and tidy. Their philosophy is, 'There is a place for everything and everything has its place.' "Flexers bend with the flow of life. They see planners as being rigid and over-controlling. They tend to be more spontaneous and laid back. They take things as they come. Benders don't worry about schedules or deadlines, Loose ends don't bother them because things work out. Planners frequently see this as lazy and irresponsible." [This is an area of marriage than can be especially troublesome when a planner is married to a flexer. But ask God to help you work through this --showing those who are planners how to be "dispensers of grace" to the "flexer spouse, as 1 Peter 4:10 points out. For those of you who are flexers, ask God to help you to "go the extra mile," as Matthew 5:41 points out, in ministering to the needs of your "planner" spouse. It will probably be a life-long challenge for the both of you --which will take LOVING perseverance. But it's worth the work. Keep in mind: When differences are turned inward, partners battle each other. But, if spouses stand together, they can use their differences to battle life and support each other. Accepting and appreciating our partner's differences "sends a strong message of positive regard" –which is something husband and wives need from each other to keep their relationship alive. We hope these thoughts are helpful to your marriage. Next week we'll explore this topic further with more thoughts from Dr. Steve Stephens. “...With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”(Matthew 19:26, NKJV)
When was the last time you declared out loud “I can”? It’s not something people think to do every day. In fact, most people tend to magnify their limitations. They focus on their shortcomings. But scripture makes it plain: all things are possible to those who believe. That’s right! It is possible to see your dreams fulfilled. It is possible to overcome that obstacle. It is possible to climb to new heights. It is possible to embrace your destiny. You may not know how it will all take place. You may not have a plan, but all you have to know is that if God said that you can...you can! Today, why don’t you begin to open yourself up to the possibility in your future by simply declaring this verse, “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength?” At the stoplight, when you’re waiting in line, anytime you have a second, just quote this verse to yourself again. Let it sink down deeply into your heart. As you do, His word will transform you. Faith will rise up in your heart and will boldly embrace the blessings that He has in store for you! Father, thank You for empowering me by Your spirit to do everything that I’m called to do. Thank You for Your hand of blessing upon me as I submit my ways to You. I declare: I can do all things in Jesus’ name! Amen.— Joel & Victoria Osteen |
Ana & Andre Schoonbee God uses us to motivate and encourage the body. Authors
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