33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
It seems that many of us won't leave this life before experiencing grievous losses, pain, heartbreak, and tragedy so unsuspecting that we will succumb to the depth of s despair so deep that we will question whether God truly loved us in the first place.
The preparation I put into my life's journey began in the spring of 1974 when I accepted Christ as my Savior. As I grew in my faith, God used the discipleship training through Campus Crusade and the 2-year commitment through a men's discipleship group to build a firm foundation for the yet unforeseen things in life.
In addition, we witnessed the conviction of 'America's dad', Bill Cosby, on the charges that he gave woman Quaaludes to 'relax them'.
Bill McCartney, affectionately known as 'Coach Mac' was coach of the University of Colorado football team when he had the vision to start a men's movement to revive the hearts of men toward God. This movement had sold out Stadium conferences which included national Christian leaders who spoke to the heart of men. There were hundred's of thousands of men who turn their hearts toward God.
I was there at many of those conferences. When the conference came to the Metrodome, I came with my dad and brother.
I remember those 7 principles of a Promise Keeper were well worth incorporating into my life, more now than ever in light of the 'Me too' movement.
As I encounter the 'unforeseen' things of life, I'm reminded more and more how much I need to adhere to the promises of God in the precious book of life- the Bible.
I would venture to guess if every man who reads this post decides to commit themselves to God and incorporates all 7 principles that there would be such a revival of hearts in this country that it may change the course of this nation. I would even surmise that woman will find such a freshness in the men they meet that would help them feel safe around them.
7 Promises of a Promise Keeper.
1. A Promise Keeper is committed to honoring Jesus Christ through worship, prayer, and obedience to God's Word in the power of the Holy Spirit.
This means reading the Bible every day and attending a Church service to worship our 'living Savior'.
2. A Promise Keeper is committed to pursuing vital relationships with a few other men, understanding that he needs brothers to help him keep his promises.
This means finding a group of men who aren't afraid to ask each other the hard questions in life in order to keep each other accountable. It also means gathering together for the study of God's word and lifting each other up in prayer.
3. A Promise Keeper is committed to practicing spiritual, moral, ethical, and sexual purity.
This means setting boundaries like tighter restrictions on what you view online by blocking questionable websites. It means cherishing the wife you have and honoring her.
4. A Promise Keeper is committed to building strong marriages and families through love, protection, and biblical values.
This means being the spiritual leader of your home by making sure you make Sunday worship a weekly ritual you must not neglect. It means loving your children and leading them to love Christ with all of their minds and their souls.
5. A Promise Keeper is committed to supporting the mission of his church by honoring and praying for his pastor, and by actively giving his time and resources.
This means praying for your Pastor as he prepares for his message each week. It means finding ways to compliment and encourage your Pastor.
6. A Promise Keeper is committed to reaching beyond any racial and denominational barriers to demonstrate the power of biblical unity.
This means reaching out to people of all races and loving them because they too were made in the image of God. It also means we must confess to God for the times we made racial slurs to others. It means finding ways to better know people of other races through fellowship opportunities.
7. A Promise Keeper is committed to influencing his world, being obedient to the Great Commandment (see Mark 12:30-31) and the Great Commission (see Matthew 28:19-20 ). Mark 12:30-31
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.
The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. (NIV)
You may not love your neighbor, but God commands us to break down the barriers that exist that prevent you from knowing your neighbor.
Matthew 28:19-20 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. (NIV)
Many years after the unforeseen loss of Maria, my now college-aged son texted me to tell me that because he saw that his dad wasn't about to quit the faith, he wasn't either. Our children are watching us. What they see us do or the path we pursue will be the path they most likely will follow.
We may not like some of the 'unforeseen' things in this life, but I assure you if we continue to keep the promises of God we will recover from the pain this life brings.
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