After working for a week on my dad's farm, I could hardly wait for the weekend. Sometime during Thursday or Friday, I ask my parents if I could hang out with Andrew or Henry, two of my closest boyhood friends. The fact that their parents and my parents were best friends made this task easier. I decided to use a strategy that my parents taught me as a child. They taught me to work hard, complete my chores to their standards, honor and respect our neighbors, and be a good citizen in our community. During a potential hang out week, I was motivated, respectful, and obedient so my parents would be pleased with my behavior. When the weekend arrived, I discovered asking for permission to hang out and getting permission was not as easy as I thought it would be. Before Dad gave his permission, he wanted to know if my chores were done. Additionally, he inquired about my grades, homework and how I behaved in school that week. Following our conversation, Dad and Mother discussed my request. Then Mother asked me what we planned to do and where we planned to go. As you can see, I had to meet my parent’s standards before I could go out with my friends. They taught me that obedience, honesty, honor and good citizenship was a big deal to them. I learned that I could play ball, go swimming, hang out with friends and go to social events when they were pleased with my behavior. Conversely, when they were angry or disappointed, I had to stay home. When I disappointed them, they loved me through discipline to change my behavior. Proverbs 16:7 NIV states, “When a man's ways are pleasing to the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him." In this verse, God makes it clear what he will do for us if we live according to his word as revealed in the bible. His favor will rest upon us if our behavior pleases him. He will, by his power and sovereignty, make our enemies be at peace with us. Do you know a better peacemaker for settling disputes between you and your enemies than God? If not, then living a holy and spiritually clean life before God (to please him Him) is a good choice. Since my parents experienced the blessing and value of living to please God, I am happy they taught me, so I can pass this forward to my family. Blessed, happy, and peaceful lives are our too if our life goal is to please God. DO YOU WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW TO PLEASE GOD, THE LORD JESUS CHRIST? Join us for Tuesday Night Bible Study at 6:30PM or Sunday Morning Christian Education at 9:45AM. These are great services to read, learn and ask questions to get to know God better. We'd love to have you in service with us. WE WILL SEE YOU SOON! ___ Bishop Earnest E. Robinson, Sr.
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AuthorWords of wisdom to live by from our Senior Leader, Bishop Earnest E. Robinson, Sr. and other guest writers. Archives
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