Four basic principles to live by

1. Walk in Faith not fear:

Matthew 9:22 (New Living Translation)

Jesus turned around, and when he saw her he said, “Daughter, be encouraged! Your faith has made you well.” And the woman was healed at that moment.
Hebrews 11:6 (New Living Translation)
And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.

***When your world start to cave in and nothing seems to work, find your way to Jesus, He is the answer! The Bible is clear, we must first believe. If you don’t believe, don’t ask for anything. ***

2. Practice Unconditional love:

1 John 4:7-21 (New Living Translation)

7. Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God.
8. But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
9. God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him.
10. This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.
11. Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other.
12. No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us.
13. And God has given us his Spirit as proof that we live in him and he in us.
14. Furthermore, we have seen with our own eyes and now testify that the Father sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.
15. All who confess that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God.
16. We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them.
17. And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the Day of Judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world.
18. Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love.
19. We love each other because he loved us first.
20. If someone says, “I love God,” but hates a Christian brother or sister, that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see?
21. And he has given us this command: Those who love God must also love their Christian brothers and sisters.

***This passage said it all! Love is the key; if we love God it should show in our actions with each other. If you can’t stand your brother or sister, don’t worry about asking God for anything, it’s not going to happen. Fix your attitude; God will fix your problem. ***

3. Be a giver:

Luke 6:30-31, 38 (New Living Translation)

30. Give to anyone who asks; and when things are taken away from you, don’t try to get them back.
31. Do to others as you would like them to do to you.
38. Give and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.

***Check this out! The Word said give to anyone who asks; we don’t necessarily give what they ask, but give if they ask, it could be sound advice, food, and yes sometimes money. The Bible goes on to say “The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.” If you give a broken down car to someone, expect the same in return. If you give someone another chance, expect the same in return. If you give time pouring in someone’s live restoring them, expect the same in return. I believe you can see how important sharing is? ***

4. Always side with Mercy, Compassion, and forgiveness:

Luke 10:30-37 (New Living Translation)

30. Jesus replied with a story: “A Jewish man was traveling on a trip from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road.
31. “By chance a priest came along. But when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by.
32. A Temple assistant walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side.
33. “Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him.
34. Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him.
35. The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins,[e] telling him, ‘Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I’m here.’
36. “Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?” Jesus asked.
37 The man replied, “The one who showed him mercy.” Then Jesus said, “Yes, now go and do the same.”

***Wow, this one really gets me! Jesus told of a story of a man who was attacked by bandits, a priest, and a temple assistant (Levite) which was the high man of God both passed by this man in need. But, the despised Samaritan (the worldly man) had compassion on this man. Not only did he stop to assist, but placed the man on his donkey, took him to the inn, where he took care of him. Now just think about that for a moment! We are no different today, we walk pass many people in need, all because we are in a hurry, don’t really want to get involved, don’t want to get our hands dirty. But when we fall on hard times, the first thing out of our mouths is “Lord help (Mercy) me.” Want God’s help then help someone! ***

Blessing to all!
CJ