Rules to live by
I listened to a message recently (yes by john piper!) that talked about rules that we as Christians can live by to insure your walk with God remains a walk with God. I was asked to post them so here they are.
1. Read and meditate on the word of God. Memorize scripture. And set up a time and place to do so, also pick a reading plan that suits you. Do not deviate from your plan or set times to read, EVER!
2. Look for God in your reading, look for Christ in your reading.
3. Do not avoid reading about the wrath of God. (Neh 1:11) “ O Lord, I beseech thee, let now thine ear be attentive to the prayer of thy servant, and to the prayer of thy servants, who desire to fear thy name: and prosper, I pray thee, thy servant this day, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man. For I was the king's cupbearer”.
4. Learn to preach to yourself, (Psa 42:5) “ Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.” You can see in this psalm a kind of preaching himself back into hope in God. DR. Piper says to stop listening to yourself and start talking.
5. (1Th 5:17) Pray without ceasing. The idea here is to keep an open line of communication with God at all times through out the day. Let him in on your train of thought. I am convinced that a lot of the bad things we do in life can be avoided by involving God. Here John Piper says to do your IOU’S! Meaning prey this everyday.
• I – incline my heart oh Lord (Psa 119:36) Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.
• O – open my eyes (Psa 119:18) Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.
• U – unite my heart (Psa 86:11) Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.
• S – satisfy me my Lord (Psa 90:14) O satisfy us early with thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.
6. fight every known sin in your life, (you will not win but fight anyway)
7. Share your faith everyday – be a stream flowing forth unto life eternal, or risk becoming a dead sea.
8. Spend time with godly people (1Sa 23:16) And Jonathan Saul's son arose, and went to David into the wood, and strengthened his hand in God.
9. Read bios of the great men and women of the faith.
10. Read Christian/theological books.
11. Eat, exercise, and rest the way your body was meant to.
12. Look to nature and see it for what it is. see the wonder and glory of God in all of it, for this is why it’s there
13. Do the hard and loving thing for the sake of others, everyone needs prayer. I do not mean to belittle the prayers you make for others. But it’s the easy thing. the hard thing is going to someone, coming out of your comfort zone and letting them know you care. The hard things cost you more but always have a better return on your investment.
Write these rules across your life! Follow them and you will follow him!
Ok well there they are I hope they are a blessing to someone, enjoy and God bles
