My blog

Tag: #FaithInAction

  • Life Lessons Inspired by Biblical Truths

    Do you struggle with a plan for your life? Do you have any guidelines?

    Recently, I came across a meme. The title was Six Important Guidelines for Life. It had an image of old man with a white beard pointing his finger to heaven. (He could have easily looked like Moses.) Under the photo the creator of the meme listed the six guidelines.

    It might have been a Christian thing since the list mentions God, but it was just something I probably snipped from one of my social media accounts because I thought the list was particularly insightful.

    As I began to read the list and think about it, it occurred to me that each of those six guidelines could have come straight from the Bible! The list can serve as a practical guide to emotional, spiritual and relational health, aligning closely with biblical principles and the pursuit of Christlike character.

    Let’s take a deeper look at the list, align it with biblical principles and examine the practical applications.

    When you are alone, mind your thoughts.

    Cultivating mental discipline and guarding against destructive thought patterns can be challenging but are totally doable. Practicing mindfulness and eliminating negative self-talk (don’t even think words that are negative, much less give voice to them).

    When a person focuses more on that which is true, noble and praiseworthy, it can help transform the mind, but it won’t be easy.  Nothing worth doing or being comes easy.

    Scripture verses that speak to this guideline: Philippians 4:8; Romans 12:2; Psalm 1:2.

    When you are with friends, mind your thoughts

    This guideline emphasizes personal relationships, specifically friendships. It’s important communicate to your friends in a way that honors God. Sarcasm, gossip or criticism of any kind could damage a good friendship. Practice active listening and speak with intention to foster deeper… and healthier connections. Be mindful of how thoughts shape character and actions.   Speak with kindness, truth, and wisdom, making certain they are edifying rather than harmful. Gossip, harsh words, or careless remarks can cause division or pain, even unintentionally.

    Scripture verses that speak to this guideline: James 1:19, Ephesians 4:29, Proverbs 18:21

    When you are angry, mind your temper

    Anger is a natural emotion, but can lead to sin. Breathing deep and taking the time to respond with self-control is crucial.

    Managing those moments anger is like exercising a muscle that has never been exercised. It might hurt or may cause relational conflict until the process is ingrained.  Anger, through rash words or actions flowing out without thought can be sinful.

    Identify anger triggers and address the underlying issues. It could be unmet needs or unresolved hurt or something else.  Whatever the case, techniques like deep breathing or journaling may help, but it’s pausing to pray and seek God’s perspective that will prevent destructive and perhaps catastrophic outcomes.

    Scripture verses that speak to this guideline: Ephesians 4:26-27, Galatians 5:22-23, Proverbs 14:29

    When you are with a group, mind your behavior

    Actions in a group setting are a testimony of faith.

    Walk in humility, respect, and love, and put the needs of others first. It speaks to accountability and the impact of social influence of those around us.

    Examine how group dynamics affect your actions so that you can maintain integrity and authenticity. Set boundaries for yourself while during a group event and practice humility which will enhance a positive group environment.

    Scripture verses that speak to this guideline: Philippians 2:3-4, Galatians 5:13, Matthew 5:16

    When you are in trouble, mind your emotions

    Oftentimes, trouble often brings emotional upheaval which then leads to fear, worry, or despair. It can immobilize us. Acknowledge the emotion, but don’t let the emotion control you.

    It is necessary develop emotional resilience by trusting in God. Bring your burdens to Him in prayer and you can rest in His promises.

    It seems so simple, because it is simple. A peace comes from leaving your worries and burdens with Him.

    Scripture verses that speak to this guideline: Philippians 4:6, Isaiah 26:3, Matthew 11:28-30

    When God starts blessing you, mind your ego.

    Pride and self-sufficiency can pop up when blessings increase. It can sometimes lead to pride if we lose sight of who we are in the grander scheme of things.

    Acknowledging God as the source of all blessings is something that must be done to keep a person humble. Focusing the stewardship of the blessings one has and how to use God-given gifts to serve others will reinforce humility and ultimately more dependence on Him. Staying humble ensures that we glorify Him.

    Giving thanks for the blessings is crucial to continue to foster a state of humility.

    There are apps for your phone or your computer that are helpful in ensuring you foster gratitude.  Here they are:

    Glorify  (It offers daily devotionals, guided prayers, and a gratitude journal to help strengthen your relationship with God.)

    Abide (A Christian meditation app that includes guided gratitude meditations, prayers, and scripture-based content.)

    Pray.com  (Offers prayer plans, Bible stories, and gratitude journaling features to help you focus on the blessings God provides).

    Scripture verses that speak to this guideline: Peter 5:6, James 1:17, Proverbs 3:34, Luke 12:48

    I’d say the list totally aligns with Biblical principles as it encourages balance across thoughts emotions, behaviors and relationships. The practical applications encourages us to foster spiritual maturity by applying biblical wisdom in our daily life. If there are struggles, we can develop actionable steps to improve ourselves.  based on the list that will get us closer to the goal of realizing the guidelines in our lives. Ultimately, having a framework such as these guidelines will help us live out our faith with boldness.

    Do you struggle with any of the guidelines listed?  Comment below.

     

  • The PRAY Method:

    Recently, on a Sunday morning at church a young lady I’d seen at various services but had never met,  greeted me at the door. She commented on how I pray in our Wednesday and Sunday evening prayer time.  Her words startled me. I had expected, “I love how you belt out your prayers.”

    The reason I was surprised was because it took me many years to have enough confidence to pray out loud within a group setting, even if it was just a few people.  These days, it could be anywhere from ten to thirty people and sometimes more in those group settings.

    I was raised in a household where the same prayers were said over and over and over again.

    As I look back, I can see how God was moving me little by little in a direction He wanted me to go (I rebelled on many occasions, and I suffered the consequences of that rebellion just like any other child of God).

    It all started when I was taking classes as an eight year old to make my first communion, I remember asking the Sister (the nun who was teaching our class), what prayers do I say when I come back from communion. Somehow, her response didn’t seem out of the ordinary… not then and certainly not now.

    What was her response?

    “Talk to Jesus as if He were standing right in front of you.”

    I took her suggestion and “talked” to Jesus after communion from that first time until now. But that wasn’t standard practice in the Catholic faith. While I continued to go to the Catholic church, it was just a routine. There was no relationship there other than when I had communion. And even then, I wondered if Jesus heard me talking to Him. (Today, I know He did… because He stood beside me throughout all my trials… I just didn’t see it then.)

    Years went by, and I suffered through a traumatic divorce. It was an exceptionally low time in my life. I didn’t have an education (other than high school), and couldn’t find a job, plus I had two grade-school aged children.  How would I manage?

    My brother’s wife suggested I meet with some ladies and they would pray for me. I figured it couldn’t hurt and it might help.

    When I went there, these lovely women prayed for me. At the end of our time, one of them asked a very insightful question: “Do you know where you are going when you die?”

    At that moment I really wasn’t sure if I was going to heaven or hell, but I desperately wanted to go to heaven. I prayed the sinner’s prayer that night and was encouraged to attend church with them. One of the women waited for me outside the church (at the time we were meeting in a high school auditorium).

    I’d never been to a service quite like that one and I became hungry to know more. I tell you all of this just to get to the part where I learned to pray.

    I wanted to be effective in my praying. My first pastor told us the Lord’s prayer is a model for how to pray. I didn’t know that. We were never taught from the Bible other than the small set of verses said in mass every week.

    Matthew 6:7-8 tells us not to use vain repetition, because He already knows what we have need of.

    But I was struck by the first part of Matthew 6:9, where the Jesus tells His disciples, “In this manner, therefore pray:”  It doesn’t say to pray that prayer, although you can… on occasion. Just don’t be rote about it.

    Our pastor gave a message on prayer that has stayed with me ever since. Oh, I’ve heard other acronyms over the years to help with prayer… but the acronym PRAY seemed the easiest for me to remember.

    P=Praise

    Praise God for who He is and what He has done for you.  If you have trouble finding words to praise Him… turn to the Psalms to help you.  (Even if you have to read them to start your prayer time… it’s a good thing!) Mix and match as the spirit leads!

    • Psalm 8 and Psalm 19 speak of God’s Majesty
    • Psalm 47 and Psalm 96 speak of God’s Sovereignty.
    • Psalm 103 and Psalm 145 speak of God’s Goodness and Faithfulness
    • Psalm 148 and Psalm 150 gives praise to God for all creation.

    R=Repent and give thanks

    Ask forgiveness for sins you have committed, the known and unknown sins. No one is sinless and God will forgive you, if you repent and turn away from it… At least try to turn away from it.

    Romans 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

    Give thanks for the blessings in your life. I usually thank God for His provision, for my family, my church and any other thing that comes to mind because it is all His anyway.

    1 Thessalonians 5:18 “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

    A=Ask for others

    This is where you pray for others. It can be anything from health, to relationships, to finances, to whatever is going on in your family and friends’ lives. You can even extend the prayers to other nations and peoples.

    (My husband and I pray from our weekly prayer list that we get from our church, but you can start your own prayer list with a journal.)

    Y=Ask for Yourself

    Pray about your needs by asking the Lord to favor you after you have praised Him, asked for forgiveness, and prayed for others showing a true humble spirit.

    I have found this method to be an effective way to pray. Not only do your words not become rote but you find more and more to pray about.

    I remember my prayer time was short when I first started praying this way, as time went by, (and I commuted about thirty minutes to work) I found that was the best time for me to pray. So it was on the way to work and on the way home that became my prayer time. It worked for me back then. My prayer time has evolved, and I pray throughout the day, after my husband and I pray corporately. It’s great to get into the habit of doing it.

    Find a time that works for you.  How do you pray? Do you have a method? Please share your thoughts below.