Did you know that you can accomplish in your life the highest goal that any person could ever achieve? Many people in our society feel that their lives are empty, with no real sense of fulfillment or purpose. Do you feel this way?
There once was a king who had this problem. Like most modern people, he thought that the purpose of life was to become wealthy, "be a party animal," or "get a good education." So he achieved all these goals. He became the wisest man alive. He obtained wealth and pleasure beyond imagination.
But was he satisfied? He concluded that all this was "vanity and vexation of spirit." And then he discovered the real purpose of life. And you can discover it too!
Who was this king, and what did he learn? The answer is found in your Bible. The king was Solomon, and he learned that the "whole duty of man" -- man's whole reason for existing -- is to "fear God and keep His commandments" -- Ecclesiastes 12:13.
God made you. And He made you for a purpose: to serve Him all the days of your life, and then to receive eternal life when this life is over.
But can you accomplish this purpose is your life? Yes, you can! No matter what kind of life you have lived, in God's eyes you are a sinner, "for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God" -- Romans 3:23. But the good news is that you can still receive eternal life. For God "is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance" -- 2 Peter 3:9. Jesus said, "He who believes and is baptized will be saved" -- Mark 16:16.
For more information on this subject, please visit our Bible Instruction web site at www.gospelway.com/instruct/ and study our in-depth articles there about the meaning and purpose of life, how to change yourself, and maturing in Christ.
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(c) Copyright David E. Pratte, 2/5/2005
Friday, July 31, 2009
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Friday, July 24, 2009
African American Literary Award Nominees
Vote in the African American Literary Awards today.
http://www.literaryawardshow.com
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Literary Award Nominees
Minister Cheryl Lacey Donovan on iLike - Get updates inside iTunes
Cheryl Lacey Donovan, Non-Fiction
Jackie Moore, Romance
Breakout Author of the Year
S.D. Denny
Lorraine Elzia
Ebonee Monique
Elissa Gabrielle (Editor), Anthology
Peace in the Storm Publishing, Independent Publisher of the Year
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Cheryl Donovan and P.I.T.S Nominated for Literary Award
Finally, we would like to ask for your support. Please visit http://www.literaryawardshow.com/voting.html and vote for each of us in our respective categories. You may vote as often as you like.
Thank you so much for your support as we try to bring you the best that African American literature has to offer.
God bless.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Sunday, July 5, 2009
There is Value in the Valley!
As you walk through the valley of the unknown, you will find the footprints of Jesus both in front of you and beside you. ~ Charles Stanley
Scripture:
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, (Or through the darkest valley) I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:3-5 (New International Version)
A few years ago, I had the pleasure of reading a wonderful book by Iyanla Vanzant, titled, “There is Value in the Value.” It was a very motivational book about how going through a valley has its benefits. Now the dictionary defines a valley as; A broad area of low-lying land situated between hills or mountains and usually having a river or stream flowing along its bottom.
Many Christians will talk about a valley experience. A valley experience can mean that you are at a low point in your life. A valley experience could be the loss of a job, loss of loved one, financial difficulties, Strife in your relationships, or a wayward spouse or child. A valley experience can even be a life threatening illness. Each and everyone one of us will at some point in our lives, go through a valley experience.
However, as Ms. Vanzant so eloquently reminds us, there is value in the valley. What this means is that sometimes, being in a valley can actually benefit us. Going through a valley is just a journey from one point to another. While we may not actually enjoy the journey, there are many things that can be learned along the way.
For example, if we take the time and look around our valley, we often see things in our lives more clearly. Maybe that relationship we fought so hard to keep wasn’t really the type of relationship God wanted us to be in. Maybe the job that we lost actually prevented us from spending time with our loved ones and actually stressed us out to the point that we couldn’t really enjoy the prosperity that it brought. And as strange as it may sound, sometimes we create our own financial difficulties by not trusting God with our finances and seeking possessions that don’t necessarily bring us happiness.
Whatever valley you may be in right now, take the time and learn from it. It may be a lesson in humility and obedience. When you are at a low point in your life, always remember to look up.
Learn to appreciate all of your blessings in the valley.
Be Blessed
Prayer:
I love the Lord. He heard my cry. And even as I walk through the valleys of life, He is with me always. Goodness and mercy are at my side. He covers and protects me in the blood of the Lamb. Thank You Lord. Father we come asking that You would give us the strength, the peace and the patience to make it through whatever valley we may go through this day. We come asking that even as we find ourselves in the valley, we know that we are never alone. Lord, as I look around me and see others in the valley with me, may something that I do or say; encourage them to stay their course. Father, I ask that You would touch my brothers and sisters who find themselves in that valley. Lord, let them know that they too are never alone. Thank You Father for allowing us to come before Your throne of grace one more time. Thank You Father, for listening to us, one more time. Thank You Lord, for blessing us, one more time. Praise His name, saints of God. Lord, we lift Your name on high. We sing songs of praise even in the valley low. We will sing songs of praise, when we reach our mountain top. Thank You Lord, Bless You Lord. Hallelujah, praise God. Amen.
Scripture:
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, (Or through the darkest valley) I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:3-5 (New International Version)
A few years ago, I had the pleasure of reading a wonderful book by Iyanla Vanzant, titled, “There is Value in the Value.” It was a very motivational book about how going through a valley has its benefits. Now the dictionary defines a valley as; A broad area of low-lying land situated between hills or mountains and usually having a river or stream flowing along its bottom.
Many Christians will talk about a valley experience. A valley experience can mean that you are at a low point in your life. A valley experience could be the loss of a job, loss of loved one, financial difficulties, Strife in your relationships, or a wayward spouse or child. A valley experience can even be a life threatening illness. Each and everyone one of us will at some point in our lives, go through a valley experience.
However, as Ms. Vanzant so eloquently reminds us, there is value in the valley. What this means is that sometimes, being in a valley can actually benefit us. Going through a valley is just a journey from one point to another. While we may not actually enjoy the journey, there are many things that can be learned along the way.
For example, if we take the time and look around our valley, we often see things in our lives more clearly. Maybe that relationship we fought so hard to keep wasn’t really the type of relationship God wanted us to be in. Maybe the job that we lost actually prevented us from spending time with our loved ones and actually stressed us out to the point that we couldn’t really enjoy the prosperity that it brought. And as strange as it may sound, sometimes we create our own financial difficulties by not trusting God with our finances and seeking possessions that don’t necessarily bring us happiness.
Whatever valley you may be in right now, take the time and learn from it. It may be a lesson in humility and obedience. When you are at a low point in your life, always remember to look up.
Learn to appreciate all of your blessings in the valley.
Be Blessed
Prayer:
I love the Lord. He heard my cry. And even as I walk through the valleys of life, He is with me always. Goodness and mercy are at my side. He covers and protects me in the blood of the Lamb. Thank You Lord. Father we come asking that You would give us the strength, the peace and the patience to make it through whatever valley we may go through this day. We come asking that even as we find ourselves in the valley, we know that we are never alone. Lord, as I look around me and see others in the valley with me, may something that I do or say; encourage them to stay their course. Father, I ask that You would touch my brothers and sisters who find themselves in that valley. Lord, let them know that they too are never alone. Thank You Father for allowing us to come before Your throne of grace one more time. Thank You Father, for listening to us, one more time. Thank You Lord, for blessing us, one more time. Praise His name, saints of God. Lord, we lift Your name on high. We sing songs of praise even in the valley low. We will sing songs of praise, when we reach our mountain top. Thank You Lord, Bless You Lord. Hallelujah, praise God. Amen.
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