Practical Counsel

 

    When you are Christian you need to be careful of the counsel you keep.  The things of the world sound like they make since, but rarely do they align with the plan for you.  You need to make the Holy Spirit your first source of counsel, then ask him to place people in your lives that you can be completely transparent with and will hold you accountable.   

    Stand firm in your joy that Jesus gave you in salvation as you recognize the crown.  Allow yourself to love and be loyal to the Gospel, so that it will teach you how to be that with your people.   Always rejoice in God and express it through gentleness.  It is part of being his partner in life.

    Don't allow yourself to become anxious.  Instead pray with petition and thanksgiving for what you know will come and what you already have.  You have to trust that He will provide for all you request that you make out of a pure heart and soul.  The peace that God is trying to give you transcends all understanding.  You just have to accept and embrace it.  Trust it to guard your heart and mind from anxiety over choices and negative attitudes.  

    Prayer that is part of your life, and not just when you need something, reflects an attitude of worship.  Petition is when you express a need: big or small.  It is part of prayer, but not the only part.  Thanksgiving is what shapes the prayer to reflect gratitude.  Put this all together and it empowers peace.  

    Instead of focusing and obsessing over what you can't control in life, concentrate on what is true, noble, just, righteous, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy.  Then put those things into practice and live in moral excellence.  

    This is when you discover contentment without idleness.  It is more than being well fed or having abundance.  You will discover that you are content with how things are in every situation.  You will trust God to give you the strength to face anything because you know how strong your partner is.  He is your partner because he you follow Him with other believers who are your partners in life.  He works through you together making it powerful.

    As a Christian community you should share in each other's troubles and blessings.  Work through things together and you will find an unfathomable strength and comfort.  Thank the people in your life that sacrificed for you.  Then trust God to provide what you need.  Be a community that is known for trusting in God in all things.  

Phillipians 4