Proverbs 19:23 [AMPC] ‘The reverent, worshipful fear of the Lord leads to life, and he who has it rests satisfied; he cannot be visited with [actual] evil.’

DAILY READING; Luke 22:39-71; Genesis 40; Psalm 31

David Glenn Winans is noted as the patriarch of perhaps the most successful family in contemporary gospel music history. He was born in Detroit in 1934 and began singing in the choir at his grandfather’s church. By age 18 he was part of a vocal quartet called the Nobleaires. Around this time he befriended another young musician named Sam Cooke who was making waves as a star of Gospel music.
Sam Cooke was the son of a Baptist pastor and his early musical development took place in the church. However, after a while, Sam began leaving Gospel to cross over to secular music.
He tried to persuade David Winans to join him and move from singing in churches to singing in nightclubs and bars. But David refused, insisting on pursuing his call in Gospel music.
Sam Cooke left him and went on to eventually achieve great fame as a secular musician. But his success was very short-lived. At the height of his career, Sam Cooke seemed lost spiritually, and was taking comfort in excessive drinking and drug use. His indulgences eventually led him to a lonely death in a shoddy motel room. In December 11, 1964, at only 33 years, Sam Cooke was shot dead under controversial circumstances for attempted rape. The police later found a bottle of whiskey and a copy of The Bible, lying next to each other in the passenger seat of his car.
David Winans continued to follow Gospel music and his fear for God manifested even in the ways he raised his children. He and his wife had 10 children, whom they raised strictly in the ways of the Lord. They forbad their children from playing any other music but Gospel in the house.
Mom and Pop Winans taught their children to focus only on songs that glorify God. Things were hard at the beginning and David Winans worked as a car salesman, taxi driver, barber and janitor to support his children’s first steps into music.
His dedication eventually paid off and the Winans children all found fame as mostly Gospel singers, selling millions of albums and winning many Grammy Awards.
Speaking at 2003 Essence Awards pop Winans said “God has blessed us to raise these children, but in the fear of the Lord; there ain’t no other way. Train them up in the way the Lord want them to go, and the Lord will bless you.”
The Lord indeed blessed David Winans for his dedication. From obscure beginnings, today, his family has soared to great success and acclaim in the world.

In a fast-paced, demanding world, full of lures and temptations, we must keep focused on where God is taking us to and refuse to compromise.
It can be tempting to seek the shortcut to fame and riches, however, there is a way which seems right to a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
To walk in the fear of the Lord, is to walk on the safest path in the world.
The wide and broadway may be seductive, but it ends in destruction. Though the strait and narrow way may seem hard, it is the road that leads to life.
As believers, we cannot afford to deviate from God’s call to follow the glint and glitters of the world. It can be dangerous. Let us not be deceived, God is not mocked, whatsoever a man sows that shall he also reap. If you play today, you will pay tomorrow.
No matter how hard the journey, don’t sell out, don’t give up, keep walking in the fear of the Lord and keep believing His Word.
Though your beginning may seem small and obscure, be assured that God is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.
It is God’s plan for us as His redeemed to become pacesetters and trail blazers in the world. He has ordained us to be kings and priests to reign on the earth.
This is what the Blood of Jesus has purchased for us.
However, we must be willing to patiently wait for the Lord’s time and follow His leading. Following God’s plan demands time spent in prayer and study of the Word.
As we walk in the fear of the Lord and in obedience to His Word, it is only a matter of time before we begin to see the manifestation of His great and wonderful purpose for our lives.
Today by the Blood of Jesus, let us receive the grace to run our race without deviation, looking unto Jesus the Author and finisher of our faith.

PRAYER: Lord, I ask for the grace to always walk in fear and reverence of Your Word. As I do, I thank You for connecting me to my next level and unfolding the good and grand plan You have ordained for me in Jesus Name.
QUOTE;
There is something that God has placed within you that the world is eagerly awaiting to see.– WORDBITE 222.