Hi Friend, After Johnny Cash cleaned up his life and found redemption in Christ, he had a strong desire to make a difference. As someone who had served time in jail, he knew what it was like to be behind bars, and he had a heart for those in prison. So Johnny had the idea of doing a live concert at Folsom Prison. His record company made it happen, and the prisoners ate it up! He did an 18-song set, and they reacted to each song as though they were given a pardon that day. 
Romans 8:28 says that “all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” That means God can take all things—including bad things—and bring good from them. Johnny made a lot of mistakes and experienced a lot of bad things in life, but because of his jail time, he gained an empathy for other prisoners. Maybe you’ve experienced a traumatic event, suffered a great loss, or had an enormous setback in life. One day, you might be able to bring words of hope and encouragement to somebody else who’s going through something similar. Proverbs 11:25 says, “Those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.” When you take your eyes off of yourself and put them on the needs of others, you’ll find that you will be replenished as a result. Studies indicate when you focus on the needs of other people, there’s a release of endorphins in your body. They actually describe it as “the giver’s high.” Johnny found this new kind of high—not from amphetamines or drinking, but from putting the needs of others above himself. Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” I can think of two ways you can experience the giver’s high this month. You can give a DVD copy of Johnny Cash: The Redemption of an American Icon to someone who needs hope. And you can give today toward the work God is doing through Harvest Ministries in order to receive that DVD. | 
No comments:
Post a Comment