imakelar

Authentic Promise

Are we a person who keeps promises? Try checking and rechecking the following 3 questions.

In a month how many times do we make promises and how many times are those promises fulfilled? If we make promises often and can fulfill 75 percent to 100 percent, then we deserve to be counted as individuals who keep promises.

Are we someone who thinks about the impact of a promise on others and ourselves?

Are we someone who is willing to pay the price to fulfill a promise?

If we answered “Yes” to questions 2 and 3, then we are a person who keeps promises.

From David’s life we learn how to be a person who keeps promises. Make a promise based on our love and appreciation for that person. Make an authentic promise and don’t pretend it’s just to please the other person. Make that promise a personal commitment that matures us.

When making a promise, take into account our ability to fulfill it and think about how it affects the quality of our relationship with him and the impact on his life. Fight for the promise because we are determined to be a promise holder.

Put Away The Impossibility

There is an interesting story about a naval officer named Irwin. Irwin is a junior naval officer, discharged from military service after he was diagnosed with cancer. This was standard military procedure at the time. Losing his job was a huge blow to him.

But he was determined to regain his health and work. With strong faith and determination he battles the disease that is trying to rob him of his future. According to doctors estimates he has a chance to live only about two weeks.

But because his faith and determination were so strong, his cancer was finally controlled and he was cured. Irwin then focused on his desire to become a naval officer. He knew that there was a written rule that forbade the reinstatement of a person who was dismissed because of cancer. Everyone said to Irwan, “Just give up, it takes a congressional bill to get your position back.”

Advice from Irwin’s friends gave him the idea of submitting a request to Congress. President Harry S. Truman finally passed into law a special bill that would allow Irwin W. Rosenberg to be re-enlisted and become a vice admiral in the United States’ seventh fleet.

The biggest thing that often prevents something from happening in our lives is the impossibility. When we hear the word of God, in our mind we immediately imagine the word “impossible”.

The greatest enemy of faith in our lives is not Satan, not other people, but ourselves who are filled with doubts and despair. Impossible to be i’m possible for Irwin, and also for each of us who believe. Whatever our struggles, put away all the impossibility, doubt, and hopelessness in our hearts and believe that God is able to help us.

“Nothing is impossible for the believer!”

Which Mountain To Climb?

When someone says, “I want to be a successful person.” This is the answer of people who do not have a definite purpose in life. This kind of person is the same as a person who wants to reach the top of a mountain, but he does not know which mountain.

Have we ever heard people say, “I was walking here and there, then suddenly I arrived at the top of the mountain” Isn’t that something impossible and strange?

To reach the top of a mountain one must first decide: which mountain to climb. That’s why our life goals must be clearly defined. Often people’s lives become ineffective because they do not have a definite purpose.

Not surprisingly, when faced with a challenge the person will stop and look for another goal. God never puts a person in a place too small to grow. For our lives too, God has a big and special plan. Make sure we really learn to understand God’s plan in our lives. “That’s why I don’t run aimlessly and I’m not a boxer who just hits.”

The Storm Is Approaching

Two men were in a small boat some distance from the coast fishing. The fish were taking bait on their hooks when they heard the roar of a storm in the distance. Looking up, they saw dark clouds billowing to the west.

One of the men ignored his friend’s suggestion that they immediately return to the inn. He insisted because he still wanted to continue fishing which would get a little more fish. “We still have enough time,” the man said. Then it happened! Suddenly they were caught in a storm.

They tried to start the boat’s engine, but failed! They tried their best to row, but it was raining and the waves tossed their little boat. After a hard struggle, they finally arrived safely on the coast. The stubborn man also apologized to his friend for ignoring his suggestion which almost cost them both lives. “I learned a valuable lesson,” the man said, “don’t delay when a storm approaches.”

Another storm is approaching, the day of judgment. Maybe that day seems far away, and we don’t feel the need to rush to prepare. We may enjoy good health and be in the prime of life. But listen, the storm may come upon us unexpectedly. Heeding God’s warnings is an act of wisdom. Have we sought refuge in God? If not, it is time to stop “fishing” and seek salvation before it is too late.

Self Barrier

There is a price to pay for every sin we commit. We sacrifice our closeness to God, lose His blessings, and we also lose the influence on others, namely the influence that arises from the purity of body and mind.

The “wild areas” within us may never really be controlled, but we can put up barriers that keep us from entering them. What are the barriers?

The first barrier is to remember that we are dead to the power of sin. We don’t have to give up on him. “Have we not died to sin, how can we still live in it?”

The second barrier is resisting temptation when sin first tempts us. The first temptation may not be strong, but if we endure it, eventually it will gain strength and overcome us.

The third barrier is moral responsibility, meaning that humans with an awareness and conscience that have been bestowed by God can weigh what should and should not be done, according to His will.

Unholiness destroys, but if we seek holiness and ask God for help, He will give us victory. “Therefore let sin no longer reign in your mortal bodies, so that you may no longer obey its desires.”

Dare To Dream

There is a wise sentence that states that a person’s inability to achieve all his dreams is not due to economic factors, limitations in education, or his own status, but from his unwillingness to realize all these dreams. Therefore, never be afraid to dream or have big dreams.

By having a dream, people will be motivated and driven to fight and try in such a way to make it happen. We all know that dreams will not come true without effort and hard work. Having big dreams is not arrogance. In all things God is at work and He has big plans for the lives for us. Example: Joseph’s success as a ruler in Egypt began with a big dream, even though he had to go through a process that was so long, full of twists and turns, and very painful.

Nothing is impossible for believers, as long as we keep living in God’s way. “…truly if you believe and do not doubt, you will not only be able to do what I did with the fig tree, but also if you said to this mountain: Get up and be thrown into the sea! .”

Take note. Trees will grow according to the size of their place: if a tree is planted in a large area, it will grow big. On the other hand, if the tree is only planted in a small pot, its growth will be stunted and limited. Therefore have the courage to pay the price: sacrifice time, energy, perseverance, loyalty, and so on.Time keeps running. Never waste the slightest thing that is right in front of your eyes: “…lengthen the ropes of your tent and fix your stakes!”.

The ropes of responsibility, the ropes of honesty, the ropes of perseverance, the ropes of loyalty and so on must be further extended, and tied to very strong stakes. The peg is God, the steadfast Rock. There is a price to pay to make all big dreams come true.

The Little Girl Prayer

Once upon a time, there was a rich little girl who was used to being served. The little girl had a fear. She was always afraid to go up the dark stairs alone. The little girl’s mother also suggested that her daughter overcome her fear by asking God to accompany her up the stairs. The little girl did what her mother suggested. She prayed for God to accompany him up the stairs. When she reached the end of the stairs, she said, “Thank you, God. Now you may go.”

Many people pray only in times of crisis. They tend to think of God as an “emergency solution,” problem solver. So when a problem is solved with compassion, He is given a respectful thanksgiving, then slowly forgotten until the next crisis comes. Expect great things from God, but don’t expect Him to obey our commands. Instead, be prepared to accept His commandments and fulfill His will with zeal.

Like the rich little girl earlier, ask God to accompany us through the dark alleys of life. However, even though our needs have been met, keep holding on to Him because our lives depend solely on Him.

Tone Effect

Researchers at Kenyon College teamed up with the US Navy to conduct an experiment. The aim of the experiment was to find out how the tone of voice affects sailors when they are given orders.

The study revealed that the way a person is reprimanded greatly determines the response he will give. For example, if someone is rebuked in a soft voice, he will respond in a similar way. But when he was shouted at, that person would reply in an equally sharp tone. This also applies to communications made in person, over the intercom, or by telephone.

This study is reminiscent of Proverbs 15:1 which states, “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Our words and the way they are expressed not only make a difference to the reaction we will receive, they also determine whether they will lead to peace or conflict.

By practicing the truth of the above verse, we can avoid disagreements and cool tense situations. In the future, if someone speaks to us in an angry or harsh tone, reverse that tendency by expressing tenderness, calmness, and loving care. And behold, how a gentle answer can make a difference in our relationship.

overcome Evil With Good

A few days after arriving on the Texas A&M University campus in 1984, Bruce Goodrich was awakened at two in the morning. His seniors woke him from bed to prank him through the Barisan Cadet program, a military-style orientation program.

Bruce was forced to exercise and run several kilometers in the hot and humid weather. When he finally lost his strength and fell, he was forced to get up to continue running. But he fell again, fell into a coma, and died that same day. The students who forced Bruce to do the exercises have been brought to court on charges of causing his death.

Bruce’s father sent a letter to the university administration, faculty, and student body. Although regretting what happened to Bruce, the father wrote, “I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude from my family for the great care and sympathy that has been given by Texas A&M University and the entire academic community for the death of their child. we’re Bruce. We don’t harbor feelings of hurt. We know God is never wrong. Now Bruce has arrived safely in his eternal home.

When the question arises, ‘Why did this happen? the answer may be, ‘So many people will consider where they are going spend time in eternity.'” His belief in God’s sovereignty can turn anger into compassion, and hatred into concern. “Do not be defeated by evil, but overcome evil with good!”

The Purpose Of Suffering

Suffering can lead us to a deeper and fuller life if we accept it with patience and humility. Suffering is not a barrier to our spiritual growth. On the other hand, suffering can be a path of spiritual growth. If we allow suffering to train us, then we can draw closer to God and His word.

God lovingly molded us, and slowly gave us the courage, compassion, fullness, and serenity we longed for and prayed for. Without suffering, God cannot accomplish all that He wants to do in and through us. By His grace, we can endure to patiently carry out His commands.

He can turn trials into blessings and use them to bring us into His heart and word. He too can give us lessons for us to learn, and give us His peace in the midst of our troubles. “Brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials”