May God Pour
Out His Blessings by
Ed Pruitt
Joshua
May God Pour Out His Blessings
February
Joshua
What a special day to celebrate the completion of that adoption of Joshua Nobel
it is a time for Worship and Prayer.
May God pour out His Blessings on the Nobel family for their willingness to take
this fine young man into their family!
Family life is losing out to the worldly life.
Since I was in grade
But what’s so significant about that statement.
It is very important because families play a very vital role in shaping the kind
of society that we belong.
It’s true because it is in the four corners of our homes that we learn so much
about what life is.
Out of the conversations during meal time that we learn the values and that were
inculcated in our minds.
I remember when I was a still a young boy that my grandma always gathered her
family to discuss issues and joys about the family with love and enthusiasm.
We need to consider the brilliance of our old folks even though they are not
educated but I tell you they are full of wisdom coupled with faith in God.
They just learn that by means of family discussion that for every problem there
is a solution and joys must always have a place in our hearts.
My friends, what is needed today is more family get together’s, family
conversations and family discussions.
People will become lonely and downhearted because nobody in the family wants to
listen to them.
They are all busy and they are not sensitive to the situations.
That is why our teenagers nowadays are looking for something outside the family
that will fill-in the void that is inside of them… what do we see and read in
the news paper, young boys hooked up in drugs…teenage girls getting pregnant…by
who?
We cannot change the fact that according to statistics, the United States now
belongs to the top ten in drugs and abortion.
And this is a prevalent practice in our society probably because the very
nucleus of this society (the family)
is neglected and taken for granted.
What is your family doing in this kind of situations?
It gives me a good feeling to see what Linda and Terry are doing!
I want to tell you a story about a young man that was neglected by his family.
A young lad walked up to his father many years ago, and said with deep
earnestness: “Dad, if you don’t do something to help me, I am going to commit
suicide tonight!”
The father who had been busy making money was astonished and stunned to know
that anything was wrong with his son.
The boy went on to relate his ventures into sin and contracting of a social
disease.
The father immediately sent the boy to an institution for treatment. In a year
he came home and was believed to be cured.
The young man married a beautiful girl who soon gave birth to a son.
When the boy was born, the mother paid with her life.
The young father, already overwhelmed with grief, had to bear the added tragic
news that the baby was deficient physically and mentally.
In desperation, he picked up a revolver, went outside and took his own life.
The story did not end there.
The baby lived.
He stood one day in a long line of people in buffalo, NY, waiting to shake the
hand of the President of the United States,
William McKinley.
As he grasped the hand of the President, he drew a gun and took the president’s
life.
Not long afterward, he was brought to justice and was executed.”
This sad story had all started because of a busy father who have no time to his
son.
Again while, not only the breadwinners are busy but I feel as though al lot of
people fail to work with their children the way that they need to because the
government has stepped in so much that even just a good old fashioned paddling,
not a beating can send us to jail.
Yes in some occasions you can impose discipline but is limited because the
moment your hands hurt them physically, in a couple of minutes or hours or so…
there you go, the best cop in town is knocking on your door and inviting you not
to a dinner date but interrogation in the police department.
Situations, like these put a halt (stop) the very purpose of creating a model
family.
But, I tell you even if the society or the government fails to accomplish its
duties.. God will not.
We can lean on Him and I will assure you that He is also working non-stop to
lead us in the path of perfection.
Joshua penned this deathless statement when he said, “But as for me and my
house, we will serve the Lord.”
Joshua was right and he made the greatest decision a father could decide for his
family… Joshua will never regret his decision that he and his family will serve
the Lord God.
I believe one of the reasons why the society has gone astray or lost because the
real and true God - Jesus Christ is out of the picture of our life.
He is no longer part of the family portrait.
We need to go back to the basic and undo or refresh what was forgotten for a
long time.
That is, to serve the Lord and teach our children the reward of allowing God to
work in our midst.
I am very sure that we all have heard the statement; “ the family that prays
together stays together.”
I am proud to say the this phrase is true to our family because since we learned
how to pray- we have a family devotion and we are praying together.
Aside from watching movies and football together… add to it the topics about
life- its meaning and purpose and most specially spiritual things.
We need to start now or it may never happen or it will be too late.
According to a study of more than
Communicating and listening
Affirming and supporting family members
Respecting one another
Developing a sense of trust
Sharing time and responsibility
Knowing right from wrong
Sharing a religious core(heart or substance) share about your spiritual
encounter with the Lord
*Respecting privacy.
We probably cannot act in general but we can move on individually for good in
particular.
We need to start now!
Stop pointing the blame to the society in general but try to reflect on what
extent we contribute our opinion in particular.
You will find that a profile of a strong family is:
Appreciation. "Family members gave one another compliments and sincere
demonstrations of approval, they tried to make the others feel appreciated and
good about themselves."
Ability to Deal with Crises in a Positive Manner. "They were willing to take a
bad situation, see something positive in it and focus on that."
Time Together. "In all areas of their lives--meals, work, recreation--they
structured their schedules to spend time together."
High Degree of Commitment. "Families promoted each person’s happiness and
welfare, invested time and energy in each other and made family their number one
priority."
Good Communication Patterns. "These families spent time talking with each other.
They also listened well, which shows respect."
High Degree of Religious Orientation. "Not all belonged to an organized church,
but they considered themselves highly religious."
This is true because God himself is the prime mover of the family.
That is why we need to ask God to intervene in the affairs of the family because
He is the finest person to consult with in order for us to run our home
successfully.
Though we say we did our best… but our best are not enough to make our family
walk smoothly.
It’s okay!
Life is not a bed of roses, there will always be ups and downs, rough roads
along the way… but, never give up nor stop, but keep on reminding our children
even if some of them are already grown up… they need God and a personal
relationship with Jesus Christ, they need a Christian Church that will nourish
and feed them spiritually.
We loose their souls if we fail to do that and we will regret just the thought
that they will spend their eternity in hell with the gangs of devil.
But, I tell you the angels in heaven are rejoicing if there is even a single
soul being saved and added to the family of God.
Which one will you prefer?
The latter must be our goal.
For husbands, wives, brothers and sisters who will spend even a brief moment of
their time teaching about the Gospel and sharing their personal encounter with
Jesus Christ and leading the family to trust and have faith in Christ… listen…
God is telling us these words...
“I will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing.”
Genesis
And in the end, Matthew