A True Testimony

A testimony will provide these things:

1.    Impart the wisdom from above to it's hearers (1 Corinthians 2) practically all of the 2nd chapter

2.    Lift up Jesus, not us! (Revelation 10:19)

3.    Edify (1 Corinthians 14:4)

4.    Draw those who hear & see, closer to Jesus (John 12:32)

5.    Freedom (2 Corinthians 3:17)

A true testimony will not just be heard, but seen in the fruit of life of the one testifying. (Matt 7:16)  There will be evidence of the fruit of the Spirit lived out in that life. (Galatians 5:22-23)

Just as Christ Himself bore witness of the Father, so we seek to everyday, through our lives (words, actions, attitudes & choices), to bear witness of Christ.  For we are the Body of Christ!  Just as the men of God of old foreshadowed and bore witness of Christ the Savior who was to be revealed, so we ought to as the body of Christ to bear witness of Christ who is one day coming again, so others may be reconciled to Him.

Men, how to treat your wife. Written by: Stu Gray

I found this cool article online written by a man named Stu Gray for men on how to treat their wives. I found it interesting & full of wisdom.
1. Encourage your wife. Do you know what your wife's dreams are? Do you care? You should. She needs you to support her in her life. She doesn't want to be thought of as a second-class citizen. When you find out what she cares about, encourage her to go do it. If she feels like you won't let her, she'll end up resenting you down the road, and no one likes resentful people.

2. Become the spiritual leader of your home. Your wife needs you to be the spiritual leader. The old "if you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything" saying is true. If you don't lead your wife in spiritual situations, she might try to lead you, and this can cause pressure in your marriage.
3. Stop looking at porn. Porn introduces someone else into your relationship. Now, you may argue, "It's not a real person," but when you're trying to be intimate with your wife, that picture is all you think about. And guess what? Your wife also thinks that picture is all you're thinking about, which makes her feel used. Pornography distorts your mind when it comes to real intimacy—that real human being you share your bed with. So, ditch the porn. Become intimately involved with your wife instead.

4. Have healthy, encouraging male friendships. No more hanging out with guys who badmouth their wives. No more guys who check out porn and send it via email. You don't need that. Find guys who love their wives, and can encourage you to keep getting better as a husband, and as a man.

More from YourTango: One Person Doesn't Really "Complete You" Or Your Marriage

5. Speak kindly of your wife to her. Find something your wife does well and point it out. Then, make a big deal of it! Even if it's just vacuuming the house. Tell her you appreciate it. You know, there is a traditional Jewish custom that every Friday night for Sabbath, the husband and family honor the mother by singing her a song to tell her how wonderful she is. Now, I'm not saying you need to break out the vocals, but an outward display of appreciation is important. 5 Compliments Every Woman Loves To Hear

6. Speak kindly of your wife to others. No more badmouthing your spouse to your friends. The old adage works: "If you don't have something nice to say, don't say anything at all." First, your casual friends may not really care about your marriage. They could be either jealous of you or selfish. They could want you to hang out more often, so they may play up the "problems" that you tell them about. Second, there is no honor in airing your dirty laundry outside your marriage. Don't do it.
7. Help out around the house without complaining. I've written about this here on Traditional Love—there are some things that are simply part of life (i.e. taking out the trash, cleaning up the shower when it gets that black-and-pink mold in it, etc.) These are chores we just have to do. It's not even about showing love. It's taking responsibility.

8. Invite her to join in doing something you like. Maybe she never joins you watching the game because she doesn't understand it, or even more likely, she doesn't know why it's so important to you. Take time to explain why you like to do the things you do, why you want to share them with her, and then invite her to be part of them.

9. Make sure to take time for yourself. While you should invite your wife to take part in some things you do, you should also have activities you are able to enjoy for yourself. If you are constantly hanging around one another, you two might become weird drones that have no thoughts or feelings of your own! Make sure you find a hobby that is just yours to enjoy as a guy.

10. Be present. I think there is a real manhood crisis in our country, and it comes back to the family. I'll take it a step further: It's a problem brought on by husbands. Sometimes the man leaves, and the mother has to raise a family by herself. Sometimes, the husband just isn't present, even if he is physically there. Are you so exhausted by your life and work that you can't take a moment to be in the present with your wife and family? Turn off the electronics. Block out time that is for family only. Be present and fully engage with your wife. And remember: they say the best way to love your kids is to love their mother well. Want To Be A Happy Parent? Stop Trying So Hard

Success is useless without a successor!

Success is useless without a successor! 
What the business world calls "succession planning" the church calls "discipleship".
Think of those who've gone before you. Who trained you, poured in to you and discipled you? Now think of those who are to come. Who will train them, pour in to them and disciple them?

It's time for us to start giving back! There are 3 generations in the today's workforce and serving in the church simultaneously.
"Boomers (born 1946 to 1964)
GenXers (born 1965 to 1985)
Millennials (born 1982 to 2000)"

There are a total of five living generations including 
"Builders (born prior to 1946)
and a fifth, yet unnamed generation (born 2000 to present)

Pushing past the generational barriers and moldy methods, we all have the ability to receive much worth one from another, both young and old.  This is our duty and obligation, not only as a Christian, but as a human being. I think of Billy Graham who just preached his final message at 95 years old. Who was his target? Not any certain age group, but mankind as a whole.

I think of Jesus, who came to save us all. Although, He placed strong emphasis on little children, possibly because they are the future. Jesus was a progressive leader who has His mind on all generations! He was the greatest disciplemaker and succession planner of all!

Psalm 145:4 One generation shall praise Your works to another, And shall declare Your mighty acts.

What's On My Heart

That desire to seek God comes from Him and it starts from within you, by the Holy Ghost!  Not everybody after receiving Christ is instantly set free!  Even if they were, they would still have struggles that pop up later and continue to until Jesus comes back or they die.
     Romans 10:9 says, If you declare with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  You've done this! Right?  God knows your beginning from your end.  He loves you and is your
FATHER He is even when your earthly father forsakes you!
COMFORTER He comforts even when your friends, family, wife, husband, leaves you high and dry! HEALER He heals you from the inside out, even those scars no one else has seen!
PROVIDER He provides your every need & is forever on time in doing so! Even when money fails to support your every need!
PROTECTOR The government can ban all the guns in the world, but still couldn't steal my true source of protection!
     Philippians 1:6 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. 
Hold on! The darkness will soon pass. God is not done with you!
Psalm 30:5 Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning! 
Hold to this Word and trust that God is all of these things and much more!! God bless :)

Abba (Daddy)

     How can you miss what you've never had?? Although, I've never spent much time, & haven't had much of a relationship with my dad, I still love him & miss when he's not around. This current & next generation heavily consists of fearful children seeking the presence, love & direction of a dad or mom. 

     There is an undeniable void which must be truly filled, not masked with the usual money, sex, drugs, position, careers & one night stands etc.

The only true way to fill that special void is to just receive Christ & God adopts you into His family then you become Sons & Daughters. You can even cry out Daddy & God responds. (Rom8:15)

Even if you grew up with a nearly perfect parental support, you still have room for and need of a Savior in your life.

The Power of Silence

I'm glad I'm not one to get on social media and blast derogatory comments, because the way people been acting..... uhmmmm Thank God for His grace!! Grace is when someone does you wrong, and you could totally take them out, but you don't, because God doesn't do that to you when you act a fool!

It's easy to walk the walk, but sometimes you have to refrain from talking the talk if you know what I'm sayin?

I would rather my heart be bigger than my mouth, and continue to love people, despite their mal intent. 

The Bible says, in Proverbs 10:19 Where there are many words, their is much sin. He who refrains his lips is wise. 

Luke 6:45 Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. The words people speak will paint a clear picture of the condition of their heart, whether it be good, or evil.

Those people who always talk a mess trying to run you down in the mud, do what I do. Pray, then back away! When you choose to respond to their insults with silence, it's like sealing their gums with Gorilla Glue.

Random Posts

Wait on God. Many say this as if the purpose can only be attained in the ending. Sometimes there is more purpose throughout the time of preparation than in the end. Yes, we need to wait on God, and He will bring to pass what He promised (Phil 1:6). But, don't discount the purpose of the preparation.

There is purpose through it all! Everything you're experiencing right now, God will use to your good (Rom 8:28).

Through the preparation, comes a restoration!

 

God loves you and He wants the best for you! Look at where you are now compared to the way you were a year ago and tell me God hasn't done a miracle in your life. You might not be where you want to be, but you sure aren't where you used to be. Stop comparing your walk with Christ with everyone else's. What is good for the other guy, is not always good for you.

 It hurts me to see, many who are full... of potential, but short on drive. You got to be in it for the long haul, or you will get burnt out on the 1st lap. Learn to pace yourself allowing God's grace into your life to help you overcome life's pit stops.

These are just personal revelations God gives me during my personal time with Him.My Pastor has taught me if it's a word from God, it's meant for anyone to reach out and take hold of, so enjoy!

 

Be whole hearted in all you do. You are a man or woman of God! Whether you're loading bags, scrubbing toilets, or shoveling manure, do with all your heart and God will bless you with something better. God's got you where you are for a reason.

This is just a season!

You are going through a testing of your faith. God wants to know what He can trust you with and gives you the free will to make the ...decisions. Keep doing what you know is right, let God lead you, and you will go far. I am speaking for myself right now, too!

Sometimes things will seem like a "stand still" that's kind of how I know when I am being tested. God just wants me to "stand" and do what I know is right. Be faithful with a little and he will make you ruler over much. Don't give up! Allow your faith to be stretched a little. Are faith has muscles, too. And they need to be, fed, built up, and stretched. You don't want your faith muscle to atrophy, do you?