Monday, March 26, 2012

March 26, 2012

Prescription for a Blessed Life

In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:6 (KJV)
For the Lord God is a sun and shield; no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. Psalm 84: 11 (KJV)

Symptoms to be treated:
Restlessness, unhappiness, dissatisfaction with life, feeling useless, lack of purpose and direction, emptiness in life, resentment over your circumstances

Prescription and dosage:
Practice a daily dose of “faith-filled activities” to keep in touch with God. Turn every area of your life over to his direction and influence.

How to Use:
Follow one or more of the following activities each day to relieve symptoms. Benefits improve when taking part in multiple activities repeatedly.
•    Read and meditate on God’s word.
•    Pray at all times: for yourself, your family and friends; for the leaders of your church, community and nation; for those who hurt and those who hurt others; for those who are lonely; for those who don’t know God’s love.
•    Pray for God’s direction in your life and discernment to know his will.
•    Reflect an attitude of gratitude. Identify all the things you can be grateful for including those non-material things like freedoms and privileges.
•    Seek ways to show God’s love for others. Follow the model of Christ.
•    Study the Bible and other inspirational, positive writings.
•    Help those you can in thought, word or deed.
•    Make life choices that edify the mind, body and soul.
•    Think beyond yourself to the needs of others.

To obtain maximum benefits:
To obtain the maximum benefit of this prescription, seek fellowship with other Christians. Participate in the life of the church and its activities. Participate in the life of your neighborhood and community. Make yourself available to serve and not just be served.  Do not neglect God or fail to acknowledge his authority. Seek the positive and be the positive.

Precautions and Side Effects:
Do not stop this prescription without consulting your pastor and looking into your soul. Activities contrary to the above will only provide temporary distractions and not remedy the symptoms. These activities do not guarantee worldly possessions, they do not guarantee freedom from difficulties in life, they do not guarantee good health, they do not guarantee freedom from persecution, and they do not promise fame or an easy life. They do promise God’s presence, comfort and hope in all life’s circumstances.
If followed with a sincere heart, this prescription has no adverse effects.  When practiced the activities will yield the fruits of the Holy Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control.

Do not fail to thank God for his mercy and grace. Do not be misled into seeking praise and honor for yourself.

Prayer Focus: For those who do not recognize and cultivate God’s blessings.

Prayer:  Thank you God that I am a child of the King and that you will provide all that I need. Forgive me for failing to acknowledge you and follow your direction for my life.  Thank you for the fellowship of my Christian family.

Pat Deck

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