Tonight's Blog for Mother's Day, May 12, 2013

Lately, churches have been receiving a lot of bad publicity, and so have homes, and so have families. It

is too bad, too, because most of the good that takes place for the children of our country has seen its beginning in church, in homes and in families. What an honor to remember the tender and good and best part of home. Mother's day has become a cliche, or perhaps a guilt motivated one day bombardment to make up for a year of ignoring or even neglecting a very important part of our family. Sometimes we give churches a bad name in these areas, but this area of honoring and respecting mothers is at least more significant because of our christian values. I have heard that this day, is a close second or third behind other holidays like Christmas or Easter in actual attendance. Thank you, moms. 

The "personal priorities pact" which follows is our attempt to build on the great start that many of our young people received from godly mothers. We have been preparing our young men and women to take the next step to maturity. Will you pray for all the young people? One of the best activities for mom's is to pray, always, with emotion and with confidence for your children and for all of our children. Several of the men in our church have heard my friend Tony pray for you,  moms, and for the children of MCC, and beyond. He has always prayed for his son and daughter and their spouses. Recently Tony began to pray for  his grandson. (Aren't they both beautiful?) What an honor! 

Anyway, here is a resource that will presented to our youth. It will be shared as a "pact" which is short for a compact or an agreement. We are sharing it today because of Mother's day, and our desire to see folks grow in Christ. Jesus could have been satisfied as a 12 year old to know more than the religious leaders. Most of us thought that we knew everything when we were twelve, I know I did… ha. Anyway, This pact is a conscious decision to be a growing and mature Christian. 

Personal Priorities Pact

This is our version of the "12 step program" that has been so successful in helping those who are dealing with addictions. The source of our addictions may be different, but the steps to conquering them are still worth pursuing. We are so addicted to mediocrity and passive resistance to GOD and ungodly lifestyle choices. How can we change this? If we examine our priorities, we will find time to change, and areas to improve. This is one way we can help each other to become more like Christ. Will you make a covenant, a compact, a pact, to find a partner or two to ask you these questions? Will you be honest with your partner, yourself and your GOD? Will you make a pact to examine each of these personal priorities? Will you choose to change anything necessary to grow? This may be one of the most important decisions you ever make. Please ask GOD for grace, strength and honesty. 

The Personal Priority Pact in 4 words: Worship, Walk, Work, Win

Goal # 1 Worship only GOD. 

(1) Do you love GOD? How can you show Him? Choose to do that! (Love the LORD your GOD… ) (Luke 4:8) 

(2) What can you do for GOD today? Choose to do that! 

(3) Is there anything or anyone that you love more than Him? Choose to change that!

Goal # 2 Walk with others as equals and friends. 

(4) Do you love people? Who can you show? Choose to do that! (Love your neighbor as you love yourself) (Matthew 22:39)

(5) What can you do for someone to show your love? Choose to do that! 

(6) Is there anyone you love as much as you love yourself? Choose to show them!

Goal # 3 Work on your mind and limit what you allow in.

(7) Do you love wisdom?  (The fear of the LORD is the beginning of Wisdom) (Proverbs 9:10)

(8) What do you read the most? Bible, or other godly material, or ungodly material  or the words of friends? Choose what to discard. 

(9) Are you willing to grow in the quality of what you are reading? Choose the best.

Goal # 4 Win the battle with your flesh. 

(10) Do you love your body? (It is the only one you get!) Choose to protect it. (1 Timothy 4:8)

(11) Are there ways you could be healthier? Choose to adopt them.

(12) Are you willing to change the ways that you treat your body? Choose to be the boss.

 Good night and GOD Bless you! big marv