THE PRICELESS JEWEL

Herbert Buffum wrote a poem entitled “THE PRICELESS JEWEL”.

 

In it he describes an angel in search of the greatest thing on earth that could be presented to the heavenly Father. Trip after trip, the angel returned with earthly wealth, only to find each gift far surpassed by the riches in glory. Gold, silver, pearls – all the treasures of earth were presented – and the last of the poem reads……….. 

“But the Lord of the skies was not satisfied
(Though pleased with the way the angel tried);
So the angel went once more to this world of sin,
Determined at any cost to win.”

 

 “And seeing a penitent soul in grief,
Weeping and longing to find relief
From the burdens of guilt, and sin and shame,
On wings of mercy the angel came.”

 

“He whispered the news of God’s pard’ing love
And pointed the penitent soul above,
And seeing a tear in the sinner’s eye,
He seized it and hastened back to the sky.” 

 

“He held it out in his angel hand,
And showed it to all the heavenly band;
And the Lord-Jehovah- with satisfied eyes looked down
And declared, ‘twas the best that could be found.”

 

“The angels their sweetest music sang,
Till the very streets of the City rang;

For all other gems had they seen up there,
But the penitent’s tear was of all most rare.”

 

In the eyes of God there is nothing more priceless that a human soul. That’s why He gave the greatest Gift that Heaven had to offer – Jesus Christ of Nazareth, His only begotten Son – to redeem every soul lost in sin. And in God’s sight there is no greater work than the work of soul winning. That is why He promises to bless and to prosper every believer who gives the ministry of evangelism top priority in life. Whatever your vocation, He considers YOU to be a SUCCESS when you identify with His plan and His purpose for you life and share the message of Jesus Christ of Nazareth though your energy, your talents and your finances.

Culled from:

TOTAL SUCCESS BY Bill Basansky

“My friends scorn me: but mine eye poureth out tears unto God.” -Job 16:20 

Fireproof Your Marriage IV - Be Objective!

Dear loved one,

We must learn to live objectively so we won't underutilise the opportunities that marriage offers. Every person must learn how to succeed in their family life. Your family unit is like a T.E.A.M and together you can achieve more with your set goals in marriage so we won't take any frustrations out on our loved ones who are the precious team members. Too often the home front is where we can become nasty and be easily tired of being nice. We must learn to be swift to hear, but slow to wrath, make sure you get the facts before you respond to any issue because there is nothing more damaging than jumping to conclusions before you hear others out. . Those who control their tongue will live long. When we open our mouths without self control we can ruin everything so handle your family affairs with discretion.  

Just like we handle a problem at work, learn to do the same in your family. The key is to always find something good in every situation. 'It's only because of challenges that we grow mentally and spiritually. It's through the pain of confronting them that we learn.' No matter how bad things may seem right now, every situation holds in them something positive. It's okay to express how you feel, but make sure you do it graciously so your family members know you still love them in spite of the circumstance . When people feel loved they can weather any storm. Think about it this way: It's when we least deserve it that we all need God's love the most. Follow this example and give your spouse the deserved care, nurture and affection when they don't seem to deserve it.

Have a great week!

Shalom!

A Letter To You

Author: Unknown

 

The words you are about to read are true.
They will change your life if you let them.
For they come from the heart of God.
God loves you.
And He is the Father you have been looking for all your life.
This is His Love Letter to you!

My Child,

You may not know me, but I know everything about you. Psalm 139:1
I know when you sit down and when you rise up. Psalm 139:2
I am familiar with all your ways. Psalm 139:3
Even the very hairs on your head are numbered. Matthew 10:29-30
For you were made in my image. Genesis 1:27
In me you live and move and have your being. Acts 17:28
For you are my offspring. Acts 17:28
I knew you even before you were conceived. Jeremiah 1:4-5
I chose you when I planned creation. Ephesians 1:11-12
You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book. Psalm 139:15-16
I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live. Acts 17:26
You are fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139:14
I knit you together in your mother's womb. Psalm 139:13
And brought you forth on the day you were born. Psalm 71:6
I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me. John 8:41-44
I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love. I John 4:16
And it is my desire to lavish my love on you. I John 3:1
Simply because you are my child and I am your Father. I John 3:7
I offer you more than your earthly father ever could. Matthew 7:11
For I am the perfect Father. Matthew 5:48
Every good gift you receive comes from my hand. James 1:17
For I am your provider and I meet your needs. Matthew 6:31-33
My plan for your future has always been filled with hope.  Jeremiah 29:11
Because I love you with an everlasting love. Jeremiah 31:3
My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore. Psalm 139:17-18
And I rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17
I will never stop doing good to you. Jeremiah 32:40
For you are my treasured possession. Exodus 19:5
I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul. Jeremiah 32:41
And I want to show you great and marvelous things. Jeremiah 33:3
If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me. Deuteronomy 4:29
Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4
For it is I who gave you those desires. Philippians 2:13
I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine. Ephesians 3:20
For I am your greatest encourager. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you. Psalm 34:18
As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart. Isaiah 40:11
One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes. Revelation 21:3-4
And I will take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth. Revelation 21:3-4
I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus. John 17:23
For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed. John 17:26
He is the exact representation of my being. Hebrews 1:3
And to tell you that I am not counting your sins. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled. 2 Corinthians 5;18-19
His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you. I John 4:10
I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love. Romans 8:31-32
If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me. I John 2:23
And nothing will ever separate you from my love again. Romans 8:38-29
Come home and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen. Luke 15:7
I have always been Father, and will always be Father. Ephesians 3:14-15
My question is....Will you be my child? John 1:12-13
I am waiting for you. Luke 15:11-32
Love, your Father, Almighty God

 

“<To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.> O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me.” - Psalm 139:1 

Marriage Tune-Up!

Dear loved one,

The secret to closeness in marriage are not just in sparkling conversation, shared interests of similar goals or incredible sex. As good as those are, the secret is practicing plain old-fashioned thoughtfulness and kindness. It is something we all learnt when we were young but forgot because we got so busy. As simple as things like respect, sensitivity, attentiveness and caring are, they actually go a long way to heal, restore and renew any relationship. If your marriage needs a tune-up, begin to engage in these four things:

Practise Hug Therapy: When you are at odds with each other as a couple, always remember that 'hearts will agree though heads may differ.' So a hug works wonders especially when we touch one another in caring ways. Our bodies actually produce chemicals that calm us down emotionally at such odd times and this can help us to bond physically. God designed us that way.

Don't forget the little things: When you routinely build little acts of kindness into your marriage they become a source of strength in your relationship. This becomes like a deposit in your bank account that you can always draw on when occasion demands. So think 'personal' and 'sweet' things like helping out with domesticated roles.

Mind your manners: Just because we are married and familiarity sets in does not mean common courtesy should take the back burner in our relationships. We must learn daily the art of listening without interrupting, practising the basics like saying, 'Please' 'Thank you' and 'I'm sorry'. These virtues are not rocket science, but they work any day to strengthen any relationship.

Complement each other: Your spouse in marriage is not a mind reader. Whenever you think something nice about them, tell them. We live in a cold, competitive world so hearing that we are truly loved, smart, attractive and fun from someone whose opinion we really value means a lot. So learn to put a glow on your spouse's face, restore any broken relationships by letting out the compliments.

This week we can truly learn to be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving each other as well as speaking the truth in love as we look out for the best interest our spouse thereby strengthening our relationship in marriage. The best place to start is where we are today!

Have a great week!

Shalom!

Fireproof Your Marriage III - Managing Diversities In Marriage!

Dear loved one,

Marriage is God's original intention after creation which forms the foundational block of every civilized society. Marriage is not just cohabitation of two people but demonstration of synergy as it becomes a call to servant hood, friendship and lifetime commitment. It is a refining process with no conditional clauses, risky but when we apply ourselves to the principles inherent, can make life fulfilling. The married life sums up each day of renewal of this commitment to our spouse. When we don't understand the transitory changes involved, we tend to manifest insecurities and develop what people coined irreconcilable differences which can lead to crisis in marriage. Only dead people can have good marriages - those who are dead to self - selfish ambitions, desires and gratifications. We must be willing to nurture our marriages. Marriage is like a garden which must be watered to get maximum yield.

In laws Interference: Give due respect to your in-laws, but avoid the over-bearing influences. Never take sides with them in any "attack" against your spouse. Don't give undue preference to the in-laws at the expense of your spouse and children.

Parental Influences: You are not married to your parents. This basic understanding can help in conflict resolutions and other decision-making processes as you build your marriage. You must be careful of third party involvement in your marriage. Whoever you involve must be objective in their counsel.

Background influences: There are traditional beliefs, values traceable to our family of origin. Your responsibility in marriage must be first to God the author of marriage, your spouse before any family members or traditions inherited in our different cultures. Learn to treat your spouse with respect above all.

Personality Differences: This can be inherited or genetically acquired. These are behavioural traits associated with our growing up years (social status, education, cultural and religious bias). Temperaments are people natural way of thinking and behaviour, the barometer that measures things happening within us.

We can manage these diversities and see them as a tool for compatibility, growth and maturity in marriage.

We cannot afford to maintain the status quo in our relationship of marriage. This will amount to selfishness which can lead to marital failure. Maturity in marriage demands that we must be willing to change, cope with identified differences without letting them becoming the root cause of irreconcilable differences.

Have a great week!

Shalom!

Fireproof Your Marriage II - Stop the Resentment!

Dear loved one,

The dictionary defines the act forgiveness as 'to cease, to resent, pardon, acquit, overlook, release, free or pass over". This is a very powerful tool that can help our marriages yet we all trivialized the role of what forgiveness can play in our intra and interpersonal relationships. We can all learn to walk in forgiveness, when we choose to lose our rights to be hurt by our spouses action and this is God's sure way of freeing us from the oppression and bondage of offences.

Offences can breed a strong hold on our hearts when permitted. It can torture our minds. The enemy of our souls use unforgiveness as a tool to bring garbage into our lives. We must pay closer attentions to issues related to anger, resentments, bitterness, hatred, and untold negative feelings, not to allow them in any way to affect our relationship in marriage.

'For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there". You might ask, don't I have a right to be hurt or try to express how I feel in any given situation? Yes you do, but only do not allow such to linger on, deal with it and get on with an assurance of peace in your heart towards your spouse because 'the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits". We can never get to operate a successful relationship without learning to let go of any given cause for offence.

We don't all feel naturally to forgive especially when others wrong us, but when we allow God and let go, then we learn how to forgive and live in true harmony with ourselves and others. Forgiveness releases us from the pain associated with hurt. 'When we truly forgive, we won't retaliate, threaten, hate, judge, condemn, anger at slight provocations, reject, and resent in any way'. We need to all learn to let go of issues of yesterday trying to contaminate our today and future. We must not hold on to our space always thinking we are the good one. The best days are ahead of us!

Have a great week!

Shalom!

Fireproof Your Marriage I

 

Dear loved one,

1.     Pay Close attention to your Communication style. Don't run your marriage on assumptions. Don't ever assume that your spouse heard you each time you speak.

2.     Be Accountable to people with proven marriages. You have access to counsels that are sound because most issues we grasp with can be resolved through objective counsel.

3.     Your Associations speaks volume. Your friends can either help build up or destroy your relationships. Your current friends actually predict your future in marriage.

4.     Create time for your family. Marriage is like a well tendered garden. You have the responsibility to nurture yours so it won't be overgrown with weeds. There is no perfect man and woman out there. We are all work in progress with God at work in us.

5.     Understand the unique need of your spouse. Seek to understand their love language and discover what matters to them. Everyone is confronted with matter of differences. The issue are not such differences but how we access godly wisdom to sort them out.

6.     Don't be absorbed in self-indulgence habits like flirting, use of nicotine, alcohol and pornography just because you think the relationship with your spouse is not working. You can do yourself more harm than a replacement therapy.

They are qualities in your spouse that you can't find in any other person on the planet no matter how you try to substitute them. Confront the reality and resolve the challenges in your marriage. Divorce is not an option to be considered each time you are confronted with challenges because the pain of divorce is bigger than the act. Always remember this: love is not a feeling but simply a decision made from your heart. Marriage is constant work in progress. We must be committed to work ours out

Have a great week!

Shalom!