Principles to Live By

*We will serve the Lord!!!
And we need to consider the consequences of every decision we make! Because we WILL sow what we reap!

Principles:

• Priorities

            --Matthew 6:33
            --We need to give God first place in our lives and in our schedules

• Self-Sacrifice

           --Mark 8:34-36
           --Phillippians 2:5-8
           -- We need to give of ourselves and be willing to sacrifice our 'needs'.

• Unselfish generosity

            -- Luke 6:30-31,37
            --We need to be more genorous with mercy,love, forgiveness and sharing... than the world!
                Because He is always merciful to me!
           --Enter into the spirit of Christ!
           --Luke 6:38
            -- Be genours in sharing material things

• Self-discipline

            -- Luke 21:24
            -- We must discipline our flesh
            --We need to build self-control (food, time.. etc...)
            --Galatians 6:7

• Thanksgiving

           --1 Thessalonians 5:18
            --Difficulties will either make us better or bitter
            -- Nobody owes me anything, as sinners we deserve nothing! So we need to get off of our high horse and seek the face of our Lord Jesus Christ.
            -- Thanksgiving needs to be vertical (to God) but also horizontal (man).

We should live by these principles and more!
     



~From a sermon at our revival services with David Shank

Simplicity and Solitude

Here are some tips.. ideas.. and  thoughts about living a simple life!!
~ From a sermon at my church last week!

• Impress people with your life.. not your clothes
• Get rid of addictions.. such as tv, facebook, books, drinks
• Refuse to be pulled in by new technologies (owning things is an obsession these day!)
• Develop a deeper appreciation for creation

Simplicity is a freedom!!

Solitude........
quiet time is a great time to ponder life and God's power and grace!! We don't have enough solitude, now-a-days......... people are constantly listening to music/noise!! Take time to be quiet!!

• When we are silent God will take control!!

Your fashion statement and "coolness" isnt going to matter once we  reach heaven! What will matter ... will be how you served the Lord and made Him apart of your life!

Pray!!

Pray Without Ceasing!
1 Thessalonians 5:17

Pray in everything, about everything and for everything. The Lord will supply your need!!

Fear the Lord

Blessings from Psalms

Psalms 128:1

Blessed is everyone that feareth the Lord; that walketh in his ways.

Fear the Lord and walk in His ways.

Praise the Lord

Blessings from Psalms

Psalm 84: 4-5

Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will still be praiseing thee. Selah. Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee:in whose heart are the ways of them.

Blessed are we, when we go to church to learn about God, praise Him daily, and recieve strength from the Lord.

Walk in the Lord

Blessings from Psalms

Psalm 89:15

Blessed are the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk: O Lord, in the light of thy countanance.

Blessed are they that walk in the light of thy countanance.

Do Good

Blessings from Psalms

Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord. Blessed are they that keep his testimonies and that seek him with there whole heart.

Blessed are we when we do right, and when we follow His ways with a true desire.

Love the Weak.....

Blessings from Psalms

Psalm 41:1
Blessed is he who has reguard for the weak; the Lord delivers him in times of trouble.


Dont pass by the weak, because you're too good for them.... have requard for the weak, and the Lord will bless you and deliver you in times of trouble!

Go to the Lord...

Blessings from Psalms

Psalm 34:8
Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.

Go to the Lord for refuge, He is ALWAYS there for you!!!  and you shall be blessed.

Trust....

Blessings from Psalms

Psalm 40:4

Blessed is the man that maketh the Lord his trust; and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.

Trust in the Lord, Trust Him with EVERYTHING!
We are still supposed to show respect to the proud, but dont look up to them.

DONT.....

Blessings from Psalm 1:1

Psalm 1:1
 Blessed is the [young lady] who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.

 Blessed is the young women that DOESN'T....

• walk with the wicked
• stand with sinners
• sit in the seat of mockers

Pastor Larry Graber shared a Rubies Camp 2011, the idea of getting comfortable with the wicked, sinners, and mockers. First we start walking with sin, then we stand with sin and then we go as far a sitting comfortabley with  sin.

Dont start walking in sin, or you will become friends and get comfortable!

FORGIVEN...

Blessings from Psalm 32:1-2

Psalm 32:1-2
Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deciet.

When we ask God for forgiveness, He cleanses us; He blesses us!

ASK FOR FORGIVNESS!!

And a spirit clear from deciet shall be blessed!

Stop Chasing after a Prince!

Blessings from Ruth

Ruth 3:10 NIV

"The Lord bless you, my daughter," he replied. "This kindness is greater than that which you shoed earlier: You have not run after the young men, whether rich or poor.

Blessed be thou of the Lord, my daughter! For you showed kindness and did not chase after the young men!

Did you know that we would be blessed for not chasing young men?!!  So there is a reward for that!! [wink]

OBEY the Lord your God

Blessings from Deuteronomy

Deuteronomy 28:1-6 NIV

If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. All these blessings will come upon you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God: You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country.The fruit of your womb will be blessed, and the crops of your land and the young of your livestock-- the calves of your herds and the lambs or your flocks. Your basket and your kneading trough will be blessed. you will e blessed when you come in and blessed when you go out.

If you obey the Lord you God.....

Blessed shalt thou be in.....

• the city
• the field
• offspring
• harvest
• basket and food supply
• coming and going

IF you OBEY the Lord your God!