Word for the day "Dedicated to my Parents"

Romans 8:17 (NKJV) Now if we are children, then we are heirs, heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

Today’s message is dedicated to my Beloved Parents James and Shirley Baker 

Like many other Christians, my parents thought that if they honored God and dedicated their children to the Lord, they’d somehow be shielded from pain, suffering, and life’s difficult realities.

Learning that their son, me (James Baker, Jr), was and had been caught in the street life and the fast lane helped them to see that this belief was erroneous.

My parents wrestled not only with the reality of life but losing me as their son and our relationship at this time in life to my addiction.

But also, my parents had to deal with their own feelings of guilt in this season of our lives.

They wondered what they could’ve done differently to keep their son from a street lifestyle.

Sorrow and regret consumed them for sure. Today if this sounds like you and your situation not to worry “There will be Glory after this”!

Yet God used this pain-filled season to mold and deepen my parents’ faith especially my Mom.

The suffering of my rebellious life choices brought them face-to-face with a change they’d never anticipated.

It was in that dark and painful crucible that my parents learned the significance of compassion, courage, forgiveness, and repentance.

Their hearts were truly broken, but they were also truly changed as people because of what happened to me.

Today’s message is especially for parents, leaders, educators, mentors, men-tees, etc.

The Lord can give amazing purpose to your pain.

If you’ve ever struggled with trying to find a purpose behind your pain, then continue reading today’s message of hope.

Maybe it’s a sickness that has plagued you far too long. Perhaps it’s a long-standing habit that will only get worse over time, accompanying you for the rest of your living days if not treated now.

Maybe it’s a relationship that’s causing you pain, other family members unable to get a handle on life and you’re left suffering the collateral damage.

Pain on some level will always be ever-present in your life, but you don’t need to walk through life struggling to find a purpose behind your pain.

Your perspective has changed because you have matured over the years. One of the side perks of pain is the incredible maturation process that helps anyone who’s ever had to walk through pain for an extended amount of time.

I believe if my parents were alive today, they could share this valuable information with you.

Today, although I am very far from a completed work of the Lord.

My life has been transformed from the pain of street life, drug addiction, divorce, low self-esteem, self-destruction, and so much more let me assure you all reading right now.

When the Apostle Paul wrote to a church that struggled with finding a purpose behind their pain, he wrote timeless words that still ring true today from today’s passage (Romans 8:17).

I am the founder of Grace and Truth Leadership organization and the Lord has used my pain and life to share “There will be Glory after this”.

Point to ponder

You, too, can and should learn from suffering. Don’t be angered by it. Don’t come out of your personal pain a bitter person.

Look at your suffering as an opportunity for intimacy with Christ, a time to sense his love and compassion, and to grow to trust God and grow closer to Him.

Without pain, you would neglect your need for salvation. Pain enhances your senses and gives you a greater awareness of the more important things in life: love, God, family, hope.

If you lived a life completely without pain, there would be a void in your life, space only filled through the experience that pain gives you.

Quote “Complete success alienates a man from his fellows, but suffering makes kinsmen of us all.” Elbert Hubbard- 

• Do you see the value of the pain in your life?
• Have you submitted your life to the Lord?
• What pain in your life, do you need to share with the world?
• Is it time to make a change in your life?
• Can you see that pain is the price of greater reward?
• When are you going to begin leveraging the pain in your personal life?
• Do you recognize your life being transformed by your personal pain?

Special Thanks!

Pastor James Baker, Jr. and our leadership team is especially thankful for those of you who provided financial donations and support in the month of February 2020, by partnering with us in efforts to advance the kingdom of God in this 21st century season: Special thanks to Mrs. Angela Harrison, Ms. Annette Straker, Mr. David Straker, Mr. Kenneth Washington, Ms. Darlene Simmons,  Ms. Mable Bazemore, Ms. Evelyn Rosado, Ms. Itholear Abbott,  Mrs. Barbara Mason,  Ms. Theresa Lewis, Ms. Rita McGuffin, Ms. Ashley Baker, and Ms. Gertrude Scott.

Thank you for using the word cup devotionals brought to you through Grace and Truth Leadership. Why don’t you take the opportunity to write to us on our blog and let us know how we are doing in serving you.

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Follow me on Twitter @James Baker_jr as I endeavor to encourage and empower leaders of today and tomorrow!Kingdom Blessings,Pastor James Baker Jr.