God’s Instruction Manual For Life

We are made in the image of God with an inner desire for an authentic relationship with our maker

The sovereign Lord has given me a well-instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He awakens me morning by morning He awakens m ear to listen like one being instructed. -Isaiah 50:4-

Rarely does my husband read the instruction manuals of the children’s toys. As I on the other hand am meticulous to follow each step in sequence until the assembly is complete and correct. It’s the classic tortoise verses the hare! Guess who gets it right at a slower pace and who “finishes” first, but has to u assemble and reassemble several of the most critical pieces. You guessed correctly the one who didn’t take time or interest to understand the instruction manual really finishes last. Fortunately, our Heavenly Father has given us Him promises and commands as explained in the Bible to protect us from ourselves, so we can enjoy life as He intended us to.

Scripture is primarily about our need for a Savior. With an other worldly elegance it describes the nature of God and the loving salvation hHe provides for the pinnacle of His creation: Human beings. We are made in the image of God with an inner desire for an authentic relationship with our Maker. Within this personalized love letter on how to live and die are the Lord’s promises and commands that define our purpose, give moral courage and teach wise ways to live life.

“Show me your ways, Lord teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.” -Psalm 35:4-5-

Imagine if we could understand what the Bible is at a young age and live in the way it describes. The possibilities would be endless.

God’s Promises

“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.” -Hebrews 10:23-

What are some of the Lord’s promises for His people? Psalm 19:8-11 paints a beautiful portrait of some of the promises of God:

Refreshes the soul, like cold sweet tea to a sweltering body, so the Bible instructs with an instant infusion of hope and comfort to a fatigued faith.

Gives wisdom to know reality of what is God’s best in the middle of an array of good options. Wisdom is mental confidence to move forward to total trust of the Spirit’s leading.

Rejoices the heart, indeed music to the heart in the lyrics of the Lord’s gentle voice. Joy found in Jesus is a necessity to be including life’s backpack of resources to finish well providing stamina for life’s journey.

All of them just, a promise of God may not make sense or even seem fair at the onset, but in time we are able to see the justice of doing the next right thing. We can only change ourselves and trust God to mold and manage other’s hearts. God’s promises have His 100% guarantee.

God’s Commands

“Yet you are near, Lord, and all you commands are true.” -Psalm 119:151-

What is the nature of God’s commands for His children?

God’s commands are true because they ate based on the trustworthiness of our ever faithful Heavenly Father. He is never changing and always available for us to access His grace, mercy, love and forgiveness.

God’s commands invite obedience. Our obedience to Christ’s commands are a clear indicator of our love for Him. -John 14:15-24-

God’s commands lead us in God’s will. When we do what our Heavenly Father desires, we are able to experience His best. -Psalm 40:8- His commands are not burdensome but uplifting.

“This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out His commands. In fact, this is love for God: to keep His commands. And His commands are not burdensome, for every one born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. -John 5:2-4-

God’s Presence Dispels Fear

When we encounter fears and dangers on the turbulent waters of this human scene, is there anything we can turn to for help? Christ Jesus taught his followers that all have a Devine Parent whom he called our Father. He proved that this Father. He proved that this Father is always present to protect and save when we turn to Him in prayer.

In His own life Jesus was supremely conscious of this healing and sustaining presence of God when he was tempted by the Satan, when he was threatened by a hostile mob, when he was in danger from a severe storm at sea. In every case he was protected: His consciousness of the presence of God excluded the fear of danger.

Trust in God, based on the understanding of His nature, enables us to surmount fear. We need to feels God’s presence more consistently through prayer, through quiet listening for His pure thoughts and affirmation of His absolute supremacy. God is all-power, the one mind, guiding and protecting His creation, and we can come to feel and prove this.

In the Bible, the prophet represents God as saying, “I the Lord thy God will hold your right hand, saying to you, Fear not; I will help you.’

Here’s an example of knowing God’s presence is with us: Last week after I finished grocery shopping, I was bringing them in the house. I was hot and tired. The last trip to the car I thought “I can get all these groceries and save some time.” I suddenly heard a voice an unction if you will, to not do it, just do the second trip to the car. Which I ignored, I managed to get to my cement steps without dropping anything, but as I was trying to haul everything up the stairs I missed a step and fell, when I did I managed to break my ankle in two places and my foot.

Last night I was praying and asking God “why did this happen to me” like poor me. I heard Him say, “if you have listened you would not be in this predicament right now. I then remembered that unction that I should have not tried to make one trip with the rest of the groceries. I should have listened and obey the words God said. Be conscious of the warnings that come from the Father. He will keep you safe.

In Isaiah 41:13. The Bible tells us the God is Spirit. Therefore He is not limited to a certain area where, as a result, there is safety. God, by virtue of His nature as Spirit, Life, Truth, and Love, is present everywhere, and man can never be outside the safety of His presence. God is all: there is no other presence, no other power. This truth, as we perceive it, enables us to gain mastery over the fear of danger and over danger itself.

God is everywhere. There is no speech not language, where their voice is not heard and this voice is truth that destroys error and Love that casts out fear.

I have a friend that is filled with fear at the thought of traveling on the water. This fear was associated with her father that had tried to drown her when she was young. She would never go by the water or on a boat if she could possibly help it. This fear in her was contributed by choking and making herself vomit every time she was near water.

A bunch of us friends decided to go boating at the lake one weekend. She realized that life long fear had to be surmounted. She began to see that even in the confines of a small boat she was in the presence of God. How could that presence bring anything but joy and peace. She knew that God was in perfect control of His Spiritual Universe, and that she and her friends could experience that control every day. We prayed when we got to the lake and the mini vacation proved to be a great success. My friend didn’t choke or become nauseous. God’s presence can dispel fear.

Perception of His presence reveals that true and unfailing nature of our security. God’s man-our actual selfhood is utterly safe, now, for there is nothing to fear in the safety of God’s presence, from which we are inseparable.

Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid for the Lord…is my song; He also has become my salvation. Therefore with joy shall we say, Praise the Lord, call upon His name, declare His doings among the people, make mention that His name is exalted. -Isaiah 12:2-4-

Principles Of Personal And Civil Liberty

Devine Identity And Purpose

God is our Heavenly Father. He has endowed each of His children with the gifts of life, the freedom to choose, and a Devine identity and purpose. Civil Liberty is founded on truth that these are inalienable, God-given rights.

Liberty through Christian Self-Government

God has given us the freedom to choose Liberty and eternal life through Jesus Christ, or captivity and death. As we seem to obey the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ, and receive His grace, we will experience Liberty. Civil Liberty can exist only when there is widespread adherence to moral law by self-governed individuals.

Christlike Character

Jesus Christ is the standard of character and the model of all virtues. Through His Atonement we can become like Him. America’s heritage provides examples of men and women who were liberated by obedience to the teachings of Jesus Christ, and who sought freedom to develop and express Christian character. America became the seedbed of civil liberty because of inspired reliance upon Christian principles.

Conscience, The Most Sacred Of All Property

God has granted each of us stewardship over our individual souls, labor, and possessions. The most sacred stewardship God has given us is our conscience. We experience liberty as we follow our conscience. We experience liberty as we follow our conscience, which is the light of Christ within us. In the civil realm, liberty depends upon protection of the rights of property, including the property of conscience.

The Family, Religion, And Civil Government

Personal and civil liberty depend upon the protection and vitality of three realms: The family, religion and its expression,and civil governmental power. These internal restraints protect individual accountability, the rights and responsibilities of family, and religion and its expression.

Cultivating Self–Government In Others

Individuals who experience liberty through Christ seek to bless others with this liberty. Christ’s followers are obligated to cultivate and protect the right of self-government for all mankind. Civil liberty is best protected with the decision-making authority of government resides at the level that is closest to those affected by its decisions.

Fullness Of Liberty Through Unity With God And Man

The ultimate purpose of God’s plan of happiness is to enable us to experience a fullness of liberty. This is possible only through unity with God, our families, and our fellow man as we experience the atoning power of Jesus Christ. Uniting as self-governed individuals enables and strengthens civil and personal liberty, and magnifies the potential of all.

Kindness And Generosity, The Path To Happiness

“No One Can Sincerely Try To Help Another Without Helping Themselves –Charles D. Warner-

Giving from the heart brings happiness. That’s a universal truth.

One of the underlying qualities that motivates us to give is kindness-a quality that takes an active interest in the welfare of others. Kindness is often shown through helpful acts, friendliness, hospitality, and a warm-hearted demeanor.

Closely connected to giving and kindness is generosity, which is defined as the quality of being selfless and willing to give freely.

The Result? Happiness

Yes, the path of happiness is paved with acts of kindness and generosity. Here are three ways in which you can show those qualities and reap joy.

Give with Kindness and Generosity

Thoughtful giving requires awareness of the needs of others and taking positive actions to fill that need. One of the simplest and most rewarding ways to showing kindness and generosity is giving of yourself, your time, and your energy.

Some believe that true, selfless kindness and generosity, with no expectation of something in return, doesn’t exist. To be able to give in that way means you need to analyze your motives for giving, quell the ego that fuels your pride, and change the perception you have of others. For a truly selfless person, the results of giving count, no matter who does it. In other words, you should be just as happy if someone else gives with kindness and generosity as you would be if you had a part in it yourself.

It is easy to have that kind of mindset? Not always. But it certainly has its rewards. Although the expectation of getting something tangible back is minimized, generous and kind acts that are selfless yield their own return. They heighten your happiness by releasing feel-good chemicals in your brain.

Moreover, giving is contagious. Every generous and kind thing you can do can spread positively to others. To transfer a Spirit of kindness and generosity, all you have to do is begin with a heartfelt, positive behavior that appeals to other people’s emotions and that they can easily imitate.

A few week ago, I volunteered to make snow cones at a fundraiser. A gentleman paid for 2 snow cones and then brought 2 snow cones for the people behind him, then the people he brought two snow cones for the people behind them, this went on for 4 times, until some one came along and broke the cycle. They people who received free snow cones went away happy knowing they brought some ones snow cones it brought a positive atmosphere out. One person showed kindness and generosity and a few kept it going.

Respond With Kindness And Generosity

Just as important as taking the initiative to give is responding with kindness and generosity. That’s easy when you are the recipient. Every kindness shown to you is an opportunity to reciprocate freely.

Sometimes, you may not get the chance to respond in kind to the one giving to you, but that doesn’t mean you can’t respond. Why not transfer your response to someone else and pass on the generosity and kindness shown to you? Giving is contagious, especially if it’s passed on to a variety of people.

The hardest thing about responding with kindness and generosity when you are treated with unkindness. Nor responding in kind in that situation is what yields its rewards. Instead, your kindness is shown by understanding that they are just as human and fallible as you are, and you don’t know what impulses they may be acting upon them at that very moment. Your generosity let’s you give the. A wide berth and abundance of patience.

If everybody would aim for that type of kind and generous response, even when provoked, our world would be a totally different place. You have the power to take the first step, make a change, and transform our society.

Be Kind And Generous To Yourself

One of the hardest things for any is to show ourselves the same kindness and generosity helps you to grow. It boosts your feelings of self-worth. And that, in turn, allows you to give more to others. When you feel confident and good about yourself, you tend to inspire those around you.

Inner growth isn’t easy, it takes patience, self-compassion, and persistence. It isn’t about feeling good or putting yourself on a pedestal. It is about showing respect and compassion for yourself, it’s about sending yourself a message that will motivate you long into the future to be a kind and generous person with everybody.

Kindness and generosity are beautiful qualities. They involve expressing heartfelt interest in the welfare of others by word and deed. A generous and kind act can give us conform and reassurance. It helps us to realize that someone cares. And it makes us happy.

Why Do Believe The Lies We Tell Ourselves.

Ways to stop believing our own lies.

“You have 15 minutes to sleep, you’re fine. Hit the snooze button.”

“You don’t even have to get up for another… Crap I’m late!”

I had this early morning conversation with myself so many times. I call it “Morning Trickeries.” Somehow, my sleepy brain convinces me that I have a limitless amount of hours to get ready in the morning. Then as I later speed down the highway, I think back with a clear mind and I’m baffled at why I thought I could hit snooze three more times.

I’m sure we have all done this one or twice.

I wish I could say that this was only time my thoughts lied to me. But it’s not. In fact, there are times when I feel like I’m in a battle with my mind all day long.

“He’s mad at me.”

“I’m not pretty.”

“My friends must be sick of me.”

“My life will never amount to anything.”

“I’m completely alone.”

This is an example of the kinds of things that cross my mind just about every other week. And when these lies are whispering, sometimes screaming , at me all day long, they begins to try and control me.

What originated as some silly. Insecure thought is now affecting my relationship with my husband, my friends,and my family.

While they begin as little lies, they start feeding off each other and grow into what I perceive as truth. Then, those “truths” begin to determine my mood. My moods begin to determine my actions and what originated as some silly thought has ruined my how day.

Suddenly I’m buying into the lies in my head, my anxiety roars. My heart is racing, the thoughts grow darker, and I basically think myself into a deep hole.

All stemming from one untrue, fake, stupid lie. A passing thought that was never based on fact.

But where did that lie come from? How did it get there? There had to be some reason I thought it in the first place, right?

I have a guess, and I’m just throwing it out there:

The lies come from my heart. I’m not talking about literal beating organ inside my chest, but the innermost keeper of emotion, past hurts, and all the feels. You know what people say “Follow your heart.” Yeah, that’s my heart I’m talking about.

The ironic thing about that phrase is that the “heart” we are supposed to be following is also the heart that’s often disconnected from reality, confused with baggage and shifting emotions, effected ever so easily by the change of the weather, feeding our mind with insecurity and entitlement. In fact , the Bible says that the heart is deceitful and desperately sick! This is the heart we are supposed to be following?

Perhaps someone once broke your heart, you were exposed to hurtful things at a young age, or your eyes have been clouded by ridiculous commercials telling you what perfection looks like. We all have reasons why our hearts might be sick. And I certainly have my own. But guess what, all of our hearts are broken in this way.

I know I must sound like a negative downer right now. But I’m not saying this to discourage you but to encourage you that you are not alone. These is nothing distinctively wrong with you.

Though, here’s the good news: There are ways to combat against the lies.

Realize That Your Thoughts Are Not Always True.

Do not immediately accept them as fact. And be very careful with the whole idea of following your heart. Odds are that ranges of fleeting emotions are trying to lead your heart. And remember, your emotions are not always a reflection of reality.

Do not allow those thoughts to quietly marinate inside your brain. Get them out before they grow into life-sucking monsters. Tell someone.

I have a few people that I always turn to when I start going down the dark path of lies. I can call them or go to breakfast with them and basically say, “Okay, this is how I’m thinking. This is what I feel. Am I crazy? Am I wrong?

They always bring me back to reality. I often have to take down any defensive wall I may put up, because I need someone to tell me I’m wrong.

There are a important caveat here: always make sure the person you’re confiding in loves you, believes in truth, and isn’t afraid to tell you the truth. If this is simply an opportunity to vent and to have someone affirm your feelings, it will end up being more harmful than keeping your thoughts to yourself. I’ve been there it’s not fun.

For me, the last thing I’m about to tell you is vitally important.

Sit down, grab a Bible, and find God.

I hold nothing back. I say exactly what I’m thinking and I ask Him for help out of the pit I’m in. I compare my thoughts with the thoughts of God as I turn the pages in the Bible.

And then the next day, and the next. This is not always an instant fix. Sometimes it is, and sometimes it is and sometimes it isn’t. But the words I’m reading are true.

If I keep reading, keep waiting, keep praying, keep seeking accountability, keep fighting back, and keep feeding my heart with things that are true, I am brought back to center.

If you haven’t found God and you think I’m crazy, hear me out. I have tried working through the mess in my brain on my own so many times. It’s lonely, it’s exhausting, and it’s never successful in the long run.

Start asking questions. Look for a friend who might be able to help you through those questions. I can promise you, from my experience, this will change your entire life.

We All Have A Choice To Focus On The Truth. And When We Do. We Will Always, Eventually Wake Up

No, it doesn’t always fix me right away. But that doesn’t mean I give up and lose the fight against the lies. If I did that, I would be choosing to be miserable. I have a choice to be miserable or focus on the truth.

Run Towards The Roar

When antelopes hear the sound of a lion’s roar their instinct tells them to run in the opposite direction. Doing so, hosever, means they run to almost certain death because lions expect their prey to do just that. The male of the pride anticipates where the antelope will run while the lionesses lie in ambush opposite the male. When the Lion roars, the startled antelopes run directly into the jaws of the waiting lionesses.

In our life, we will experience pain. We will experience tragedy. We will be frightened.

Pain is terrifying. Pain can be blinding. But pain cannot kill you.

When we experience pain, when we experience tragedy, when we are frightened we must stand strong. Dig deep. Do not panic,

Run towards the pain.

Run towards the fear.

Run towards the roar.

When we are faced with great danger and when people panic and seek false sense of safety, we must run towards the roaring and go where we fear to go. When we face our fears we can find safety and a way through. When the world rattles and the end seems near, go towards the roar.

We often turn our backs to the things that cause us fear or stress. What if these fears were the roars in our life that we ran towards and brought increase faith to our lives?