The secret of Marriage Vows

I take (accept, thoughtfully choose, joyfully receive) you to be my husband/wife (mate, companion, friend, fellow-traveler, lover, delight)

To have (consider part of me, see as mine, take responsibility for as myself) and to hold (hug, caress, treat tenderly, protect, enfold) from this day forward (I am entering a new part of life that begins today)

For better (good times, make-up times, new days, wonderful discoveries), for worse (disappointments, misunderstandings, arguments, difficulties, unforeseen challenges);

For richer (not only material wealth but richer experiences in life that we seek to share together, growing into an abundance of God's presence in our marriage), for poorer (times when we have to depend on the Lord for provision, times when we have to adjust expectations);

In sickness (times of sickness, fatigue, and the stresses of life, when patience is required) and in health (we take care of each other and encourage healthy living);

To love (long for you in every way, serve you, practice growing into oneness with you) and to cherish (to offer tender touch, patient care, seeking to understand and meet needs)

Until we are parted by death (we recognize that these promises aren't for heaven but for here, as we help each other to know the Lord and anticipate eternal life in his presence);

As God is my witness (I acknowledge that God is listening to me and expects me to take these vows as seriously as anything I have ever said), I give you my promise (I want these words to be the most precious things I could ever give you, and I will live them out for you every day).

A Christian college story

His name was Bill, a college-student with wild hair who wore a T-shirt with holes in it, jeans, and no shoes for his entire four years of college. Bill was brilliant and what some might describe as quirky. While attending college, Bill became a Christian and began looking for a church to attend.
Across the street from the campus was a very conservative church that wanted to reach the college students but was not sure how to go about it. 

One Sunday, Bill decided to visit the church and walked in, dressed in his usual college attire. Since the service had already started, Bill walked down the center aisle, looking for a seat. The church was packed and he couldn’t find an empty spot. By now, the well-dressed people are staring uncomfortably at the barefoot young man in his tattered T-shirt and jeans, but no one said a word. As Bill got closer to the pulpit, he realized that there were simply no seats, so he just squatted down on the carpet – a practice perfectly acceptable at college Bible studies but one that had probably never happened at this particular church. 

The people began to whisper and the air was thick with tension. As the pastor wondered what to do, he noticed a deacon slowly making his way from the back of the church toward Bill. The deacon was in his eighties, had beautifully combed silver-gray hair and was wearing a three-piece suit. He was a godly man, very elegant, and very dignified.

He walked with a cane and, as he started walking toward the boy, everyone was thinking that no one could blame him for what he was about to do. After all, how could anyone expect a man of his age and background to understand the college kid now sitting on the floor?

It took a long time for the man to reach the boy but the only sound that could be heard was the clicking of the man’s cane. Every eye was focused on him and it seemed like everyone was holding their breath. The minister felt like there was no point in even trying to begin his sermon until the deacon completed his mission. Everyone simply waited.

When the elderly man reached the young college student, he dropped his cane on the floor and with great difficulty, lowered himself until he was sitting down next to Bill. The two men smiled at each other and then looked at the minister, ready to hear from God. When the pastor gained control of his emotions, he simply said, “What I’m about to preach, you will never remember. What you have just seen, you will never forget.”
We need to be careful how we live. We may be the only Bible some people ever read.

Christians must set the standard!

A preacher once said, “Some Christians grow. Others just swell.” Arrogance and pride are the result of knowledge that is misused. Knowledge can be a weapon of destruction or a tool of construction. It all depends on how it is used. We can know doctrine and never know God. We can grow in Bible knowledge but not grow in grace. We can attend church every time the doors are open but until we actually apply God’s truth to the way we live, something is lost in the way we translate the Good News of Jesus Christ.

I heard the story of four Bible scholars who were arguing over the best translation of the Bible. One said he preferred the King James Version because of its beautiful, eloquent old English. Another said he preferred the American Standard Bible for its literalism and accurate translation from the original text. A third man preferred the newer translations because of their practical application. The fourth scholar listened thoughtfully and then added, “Personally, I prefer my mother’s translation.” When the other men laughed, he explained, “My mother translates every page of the Bible into her daily life and it is the most convincing translation I have ever seen.”

As Christians our lifestyle should be a testimony of God’s presence in us. If unbelievers have tattooed, immoral, drunkards, arrogance, male ear rings and singing profane song and Believers are also following the same path them what is the difference?
The Bible calls us to separate our selves from the world. Beginning today, we should let our inactions and actions be that of God.

Empowering the youth for greater works

Youth empowerment as defined by Wikipedia is an attitudinal, structural, and cultural process whereby young people gain the ability, authority, and agency to make decisions and implement change in their own lives and the lives of other people, including youth and adults.

The ONLY way youth can do greater works in empowering themselves and the communities is by trusting in Jesus for answers.

Jesus said ‘Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.’ John 14:12-14

When we (youth) believe in Jesus, greater works are not only manifested in our spiritual lives but also in our secular lives which includes: Business, Education and Relationship.

Jesus Christ- the Messiah in his divine nature performs all the works if the youth trust and believe in Him.

Why youth empowerment?

In the Bible, we understand that God has soft spots for using the youth to do greater works for His glory. Indeed, Jesus confirmed that until we humble ourselves like little children we cannot enter the Kingdom of God. This does not call us to be Childish but Christ-like because Jesus loves Children.

God use youthful adult like David, Samuel, Timothy, Titus, Joseph, Samson, and Gideon to honor Himself.  This clearer shows that God is not a respecter of age of people.

God’s empowerment includes the following;

The ability to make decisions about personal/collective circumstances

• The ability to access information and resources for decision-making
• Ability to consider a range of options from which to choose (not just yes/no, either/or.)
• Ability to exercise assertiveness in collective decision making
• Having positive-thinking about the ability to make change
• Ability to learn and access skills for improving personal/collective circumstance.

Why God will NOT use you

God will empower youth that are only determined to live a Holy Live. God want the youth to separate themselves from the world. 2 Corinthians 6: 17 states "Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you."

If we don’t separate our self from the world then it will be impossible for God to use you for greater works. God ONLY empower people who are thirsty for Him. Before God can use you-He needs your Heart and Will. Remember; If God does not empower you, your effort will be in vain.

God uses the Humble-James 4:6 states that ‘Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

Luke 14:11 ‘For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

By: Samuel Mantey

Email: samuelmantey@gmail.com

Twitter: SamuelMantey

 

Why leaders kill young talents?

Babies are usually harmless, friendly and innocent but Herod wanted to kill baby Jesus, Pharaoh wanted to kill Baby Moses and Young Joseph brothers wanted to kill him because of his dreams.  

The three stories show that great and successful men have the power to identify young people (even babies) who are going to be greater and powerful than them.

The BIG question is ‘why did the leaders plotted to kill this babies?’ The Answer: ‘Don’t wait for the plant to grow into a tree, kill it now!’ Many times leaders who are threatened by the success of young people feel jealous and want them out.

Baby Jesus was born in manger but when the news spread that a greater King has been born, King Herod immediately plotted to kill him. Pharaoh did the same with Baby Moses when he ordered the killing of all male child born in Egypt.

But the plot to kill them never materialized because men cannot change the plan of God. Jesus became the Messiah (He still is), Moses the leader of Israel who brought them out of Egypt and Joseph brothers bow them to him.  

Maybe you have found yourself in similar circumstance when leaders do not appreciate your effort or also complain about you and report you; just remember the story of Baby Jesus, Moses and Joseph.

The best way to kill a talent is killing it during it in its infant stage. When that talent grows, it becomes difficult or merely impossible to kill it. That is why the Bible says we should seek the Lord in our youthful days.

Every person has one thing they do very well. To build a successful career, it's important to know where your talents add value.

There are the four talent types:

• Diamond talents - imagine new possibilities.
• Club talents - champion new ideas.
• Heart talents - encourage buy-in and commitment
• Spade talents - make sure projects are completed.

Research indicates that each individual have at least on the above talents. But I say that if God is on your side you can all the above stated talents. Having all of them makes you a threat in the eyes of leaders who do not appreciate the love of God.

But do not fear men but trust in God if your boss or any other person tries to kill that God given talent!

By: Samuel Mantey

Email: samuelmantey@gmail.com

Twitter: Samuel Mantey