Keeping your Promises, why it is important
Did you ever tell someone you would do something and then it became inconvenient? Did you call them and tell them you couldn't do it or did you just do it even though it was an inconvenience to you? The answer tells a lot about your character.
Setting a Good Example for Your Kids
Keeping your word is a silent lecture to your kids. It teaches them to value others above themselves. What a wonderful trait this is in young and old.
Being Timely Tells Your Friend They are Valuable
Being on time with your commitments is also important. I HATE for people to wait for me whether it is my fault or not. It suggests to them that their time is not as valuable as mine. That is something I never want anyone to think! I try to leave early for appointments. You just never know when you will run into traffic.
Be Careful What You Promise
Make sure you are in a position to make the promise. Do you need to discuss it with your spouse, parents or someone else before you make a commitment? If it affects them, then please do. This is something I struggled with in my early marriage. I would make plans with friends and not even think to discuss it with my husband to see if he wanted to do something different. I just *assumed* he always wanted to do what I wanted to do! Oh brother. That poor girl had a lot to learn (and still does).
Also, if your schedule is ridiculous right now, puhleeze don't make any more commitments. That sounds simple enough, but sometimes when we get on a roll we think one more thing won't make or break us. Stop, drop and pray before you say "Yes". I could be the president of "Overcommitment Anonymous"! I like this verse in Proverbs 29:20 - Do you see a man hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him. Ouch!
Guard Your Reputation
Your integrity is so important. It's what people will talk about when you are gone and the example your children will measure themselves next to. Check out these nuggets.
When You Keep Your Word, You are Acting Like Your Father In Heaven
Wow! God never, ever breaks his promises or change his mind. That is a high goal to shoot for! Pray and ask God to give you the wisdom and strength to keep your promises.
Setting a Good Example for Your Kids
Keeping your word is a silent lecture to your kids. It teaches them to value others above themselves. What a wonderful trait this is in young and old.
Being Timely Tells Your Friend They are Valuable
Being on time with your commitments is also important. I HATE for people to wait for me whether it is my fault or not. It suggests to them that their time is not as valuable as mine. That is something I never want anyone to think! I try to leave early for appointments. You just never know when you will run into traffic.
Be Careful What You Promise
Make sure you are in a position to make the promise. Do you need to discuss it with your spouse, parents or someone else before you make a commitment? If it affects them, then please do. This is something I struggled with in my early marriage. I would make plans with friends and not even think to discuss it with my husband to see if he wanted to do something different. I just *assumed* he always wanted to do what I wanted to do! Oh brother. That poor girl had a lot to learn (and still does).
Also, if your schedule is ridiculous right now, puhleeze don't make any more commitments. That sounds simple enough, but sometimes when we get on a roll we think one more thing won't make or break us. Stop, drop and pray before you say "Yes". I could be the president of "Overcommitment Anonymous"! I like this verse in Proverbs 29:20 - Do you see a man hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him. Ouch!
Guard Your Reputation
Your integrity is so important. It's what people will talk about when you are gone and the example your children will measure themselves next to. Check out these nuggets.
Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. (NIV) Luke 16:10
Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than one who is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.
Proverbs 19:1
The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, and a man is valued by what others say of him.
Proverbs 27:21
When You Keep Your Word, You are Acting Like Your Father In Heaven
I will not violate my covenant or alter the word that went forth from my lips. Psalm 89:34 ESV
So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Hebrews 6:18 (NLT)
Wow! God never, ever breaks his promises or change his mind. That is a high goal to shoot for! Pray and ask God to give you the wisdom and strength to keep your promises.
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