The Church's Impact on the Family

Friday, July 31, 2015

The Church's Impact on the Family

"Let us not give up meeting together [in church], as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another...."1

As quoted in an earlier issue of Daily Encounter, a study conducted some time ago by sociologist Steven Nock of the University of Virginia showed that couples who regularly attend church are 42% more likely to be married for the first time. And those in the church who were committed to its beliefs had a 23% better chance of having a "very happy" marriage than those who don't attend church.

Photo Credit: Blacks in Dallas.

Furthermore, according to a report by Warren Mueller, where both parents attend church regularly, 72% of their children continue in the faith. Where only the father attends, that percentage drops to 55%, but where only the mother attends, just 15% of the children remain involved in the church.

Need I say more?

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me to be an active participant in a healthy church and have positive fellowship (relationships) with fellow Christians both for my own growth and to be an encourager to others. Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus's name, amen."

1. Hebrews 10:25 (NIV).

NOTE: See article, "What a Good Church Can Do for You" at: http://tinyurl.com/bs9jf.

<:><






Tweet

Shabach Praise by Iyaziba Mbata

Shabach Praise by Iyaziba Mbata

Tweet

Why Do I Yell at my Wife?

Friday, July 17, 2015

Why Do I Yell at my Wife?

"If you are angry, don't sin by nursing your grudge. Don't let the sun go down with you still angry—get over it quickly; for when you are angry you give a mighty foothold to the devil."1

A Daily Encounter reader writes, "I have a problem. I am verbally cruel to my wife and don't understand why. I yell at her a lot and put her down. Please pray for me."

Dear Josh (name changed), thank you for being honest and admitting that you have a problem—this is the first step in overcoming any difficulty. My prayer for you is that you will ask God to help you to see the root cause of your issue and lead you to the help you need to overcome it.

It seems obvious that you have a lot of unresolved anger which undoubtedly has its roots in a stressful or impaired relationship from the past. This is what is being triggered in your relationship with your wife. As today's Scripture lesson teaches us, anger is meant to be resolved as quickly as possible. Unresolved anger doesn't go away. When we deny or bury it, it will come out in one destructive way or another—not only in damaging our relationships but in physical ills as well.

Could you be angry at your mother by any chance? Or angry at another significant woman when you were a child? Or even angry at your father? Only when you deal with and resolve impaired relationships from the past, will you be able to live in harmony with your wife and have peace in your relationships in the present.

I suggest that you see a well-trained Christian counselor—preferably one that specializes in anger management. And always pray and ask God to help you to see the real cause of your problem and help you to resolve that.

For additional help read the article, "Taming Your Anger" on the ACTS website at: http:///b439f

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, thank You for your Word, the Bible that gives practical advice for every area of living—spiritually, emotionally, relationally, and physically. Please help me always to live in harmony with Your teachings. Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus's name, amen."

1. Ephesians 4:26-27 (TLB).

<




Tweet

Happiness and the Golden Rule

Tuesday, July 14, 2015

Happiness and the Golden Rule

Jesus Christ said, "Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets."1

"A fascinating study on the principle of the Golden Rule was conducted by Bernard Rimland, director of the Institute for Child Behavior Research. Rimland found that 'the happiest people are those who help others.'

"Each person involved in the study was asked to list ten people he knew best and to label them as happy or not happy. Then they were to go through the list again and label each one as selfish or unselfish, using the following definition of selfishness: a stable tendency to devote one's time and resources to one's own interests and welfare—an unwillingness to inconvenience one's self for others."2

"In categorizing the results, Rimland found that all of the people labeled happy were also labeled unselfish. He wrote that those 'whose activities are devoted to bringing themselves happiness … are far less likely to be happy than those whose efforts are devoted to making others happy.' Rimland concluded: 'Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.'"3

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, thank You that modern research has proven once again that the teachings of Jesus, as found in Your Word, the Bible, are as relevant and as valid today as they were when written two thousand years ago. Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus's name, amen."

1. Matthew 7:12 (NLT).
2. Rimland, "The Altruism Paradox," Psychological Reports 51 [1982]: 521.
3. Ibid., p. 522. Cited in: Martin & Diedre Bobgan, How to Counsel from Scripture, Moody Press, 1985, p. 123. Source: http://www.bible.org/illus.php?topic_id=697

<:><




Tweet

The God of The 12 Tribes of Israel Answers Prayers

Arise and shine and give all the glory and thanksgivings to our Almighty Father JEHOVAH God for His great faithfulness never fails because, He is new every morning.

The Almighty God of the 12 tribes of Israel in answer to one of my 12 prayer points from our three days Restoration service at the Shiloh Parish of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) in Onitiri-Yaba, on Sunday, July 12, gave me a great breakthrough that will increase me 1, 000 fold in the abundance of the infinite grace of Almighty Father God, JEHOVAH JIREH.
To Him alone be all the glory, because He will never share His glory with anybody in the heavens, on the earth and entire universe.
Praise God! HALLELUJAH!

I want to thank Pastor (Dr.) Nelson Bushel, the destiny helper Almighty God JEHOVAH sent to me and Shiloh Parish last week to minister during the three days programme with the power of the Holy Spirit and God indeed manifested His glory in our church.
We sent back every evil curse and every evil wish back to the senders.
Somebody shout HALLELUJAH!
Make a joyful noise unto the Lord. ~ Psalm 66.






Tweet