Our pastor started a WONDERFUL new series last week called "The Choice to Rejoice - How to Enjoy the Rest of Your Life". It's basically about ways that you can live a life with a purpose - for Christ. I like to think that I "practice what he preached", but I also know that I (we) need constant reminders on how to live as God intends us to. I felt moved to share this because it really does make you take a good look at yourself and analyze how you live your life day to day.
Last Sunday focused on how to enjoy the people in your life - good and bad. Here is the outline so you can get a better idea of how to do this:
Four Keys To Enjoying People:
1. Be grateful for the good in people.
Lesson #1: Remember the best and forget the rest.
2. Practice positive praying.
Lesson #2: The quickest way to change a relationship from bad to good is to start thanking God in prayer for people. Pray that they will grow in love, make wise choices, do the right thing, and live for God's glory.
3. Be patient with their progress.
Our Mistake: We judge others by how far they have to go rather than how far they have come.
Lesson #3: God is not finished with people yet.
4. Love people from the heart.
Lesson #4: The secret of enjoying the people in oyur life is to be filled with God's love.
It's so simple: Focus on the good!
Today he continued the series with the four essentials for joyful living. I loved this one because it is so easy to get caught up in daily life that the focus gets lost. Here's the outline:
Four Essentials for Joyful Living:
1. I need a perspective to live from.
When I face problems joyfully it: witnesses to unbelievers and encourages believers.
Lesson: God has a purpose behind every one of my problems.
2. I need a priority to live by. "In everything you do, put God first, and he will direct you and crown your efforts with success." Proverbs 3:6
Lesson: Focus on what really counts.
3. I need a power to live on. " I can do all things through him that strengthens me." Phil. 4:13
Lesson: With God's power nothing can devastate me.
4. I need a purpose to live for. "For me to live is Christ and to die is gain." Phil. 1:21
Lesson: Jesus first
Others second Yourself third
Can't wait to see what's in store for next week! Have a wonderful week and I will leave you with a picture of Ella from after church. :)
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2 comments:
Proverbs 3:6 is one of my favorites. I needed to read your post today! Thank you!!! God Bless :)
Amanda, your outlines inspire me. Easy to forget how simple it is to always look for the good and find it in everything. Thank you.
Love, Mom
PS I am so, so proud of you and your beautiful family.
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