Isaiah 41:10-13
Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. 11 Behold, all they that were incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded: they shall be as nothing; and they that strive with thee shall perish. 12 Thou shalt seek them, and shalt not find them, even them that contended with thee: they that war against thee shall be as nothing, and as a thing of nought. 13 For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.
I) Put first things first –
Matthew 6:19-21 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
A. Learn it is ok to leave somethings undone each day.
B. Prioritize each day.
C. Remember, what is at the top of your list should be God, Family, Others
II) Set aside time for praise each and everyday
Psalm 92:1-10 It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High: 2 To shew forth thy lovingkindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night, 3 Upon an instrument of ten strings, and upon the psaltery; upon the harp with a solemn sound.4 For thou, LORD, hast made me glad through thy work: I will triumph in the works of thy hands. 5 O LORD, how great are thy works! and thy thoughts are very deep.6 A brutish man knoweth not; neither doth a fool understand this.7 ¶ When the wicked spring as the grass, and when all the workers of iniquity do flourish; it is that they shall be destroyed for ever:8 But thou, LORD, art most high for evermore.9 For, lo, thine enemies, O LORD, for, lo, thine enemies shall perish; all the workers of iniquity shall be scattered.10 But my horn shalt thou exalt like the horn of an unicorn: I shall be anointed with fresh oil.
A. Begin by counting your blessings from yesterday.
B. Add to that the blessings of family and friends.
C. Add to that the fact that God wants to bless you today too.
D. Ask for an attitude of praise to follow you all the day long.
E. Look for someone to encourage during the day; you will.
find them everywhere.
III) Do not hold grudges –
TO DO SO IS TO LET OTHERS CONTROL YOUR JOY
Matthew 6:9-15 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. 14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
- A. Be quick to forgive – Ephesians 4:26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
- B. Remember, God forgave you ALL your sin.
- C. Often, we get angry with others who do the same things we do. (angry people tend to get angry with others who get angry, greedy people tend to get upset over other greedy people, proud people get angry over other proud people, etc)
- D. Trust others in your life to point out your weak points without getting offended
IV) Learn to relax
A. Use your time to refresh yourself spiritually, mentally, and physically.
Mark 1:35 And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.
Mark 6:30-32 And the apostles gathered themselves together unto Jesus, and told him all things, both what they had done, and what they had taught.31 And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.32 And they departed into a desert place by ship privately.
B. Slow down, do not be in such a hurry.
C. Anxiety is a huge reason for many illnesses.
V) Be in love with your spouse and your family, do not just love them.
A. Love is more than just providing material needs.
B. Love is time.
C. Love is sacrificial.
D. Love is encouraging.
E. Love is guiding.
F. Love is willing giving, not grudgingly yeilding.
