Relationships

Community is God’s answer to having healthy relationships. We all need positive Christ following people in our lives. The Bible is clear on how this can be beneficial to our health.

“When you gather, each one of you be prepared with something useful for all: Sing a hymn, teach a lesson, tell a story, lead a prayer, provide an insight… Take your turn, with no one person taking over. That way… you all learn from each other.” 1 Cor. 14:26, 30-31(Mes)

We learn from each other. Make wise choices on from whom and what you are learning. “As each part does its work, it helps the other parts grow, so Christ’s whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.” Eph. 4:16 (NLT) There is an interconnectedness in the body of Christ (believers). When one person hurts we should share in their pain. When one rejoices we can all rejoice with them.

The big problem in our culture is that we do not want to commit time to relationships. A huge factor there is that we are too busy and overextend ourselves. Then there is nothing left to give. Another problem is we develop hard or complaining hearts. Life becomes “all about me”, and everyone else needs to get in line - behind me! The Bible teaches that we should, “Open your homes to each other without complaining.” Peter 4:9 (TEV) That means making others a priority and not an afterthought. Open your hearts and life to others who can journey and grow with you. It is a much better plan.

Follow God's Word on how He desires us to be connected in community. It is part of His plan for your mental, emotional, and spiritual health. Jesus promises, I will restore your health and heal your wounds, declares the Lord. - Jeremiah 30:17 Change your life today. Strive for the relationships God desires for you to have. 

Read The Daniel Plan by Rick Warren, and check out the Daniel Plan Website Here 

People Need People

When we have Godly relationships we know that there are people who are watching out for us. We are sometimes resistant to allowing others in to our lives.  Barbra Streisand sang about this in a song called People, People who need people, Are the luckiest people in the world, We’re children needing children, And yet letting our grown up pride hide all the need inside, Acting more like children than children. There is a a lot of truth in those words, but the Bible says, “Look out for one another's interests, not just for your own.” Philippians 2:4 (TEV) And “Keep being concerned about each other as the Lord's followers should.” Hebrews 13:1 (CEV) Sounds like we have a responsibility to one another. There is also a huge upside to being in each other’s lives. We get to do life together!

There is so much to be gained being a member of a Christ-following community. “A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.” Ecclesiastes 4:12 (NLT) Safety, protection, wisdom, direction, love, companionship, and Godly adventures all await us if we let go of self and do life His way.

Community is God’s answer to when we need help. “If one person falls, another can reach out and help. But people who are alone when they fall are in real trouble.” Eccl. 4:10 (NLT)

Follow God's Word on how He desires us to be connected in community. It is part of His plan for your mental, emotional, and spiritual health. Jesus promises, I will restore your health and heal your wounds, declares the Lord. - Jeremiah 30:17 Change your life today. Strive for the relationships God desires for you to have. 

Read The Daniel Plan by Rick Warren, and check out the Daniel Plan Website Here 

The Group Factor

 Today marks week four of our Daniel Plan study: The Group Factor. We will look at the question, Why do we need each other? It's about community and relationships with other Christ followers. Romans 12:5 says, “Since we are all one body in Christ, we belong to each other, and each of us needs all the others.”. 

Are you ready to learn more about why you need others in your life? Push Play on the video below to learn more:

Follow God's Word on how He desires you to be in the Christian community of faith. Allow His plan for relationships to help in your mental, emotional, and spiritual health and restoration. It can become a reality in your life. Jesus promises, I will restore your health and heal your wounds, declares the Lord. - Jeremiah 30:17 Change your life today. Strive for the faith community God desires for you to be a part of. 

Read The Daniel Plan by Rick Warren, and check out the Daniel Plan Website Here 

Blessed Goals

Today are the rest of the notes from the Goal Setting video from last Wednesday. Please spend time contemplating and praying about these ideas from The Daniel Plan.

WHAT KIND OF GOAL DOES GOD BLESS? 

1.   Godly goals, the kind that God blesses, bring glory to God.

      “Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” 1 Cor. 10:31 (NIV)

      “We make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it.” 2 Cor. 5:9 (NIV)

2.   Godly goals, the kind of goals God blesses are motivated by love.

      “Everything you do must be done with love.” 1 Cor. 16:14 (NLT)

      “Let love be your highest goal.” Cor. 14:1 (NLT)

3.   Godly goals fulfill one of God’s purposes for your life.

      “Do not use any part of yourselves to sin or to be used for wicked purposes. Instead, give yourselves to God… and surrender your whole being to him to be used for righteous purposes.” Rom. 6:13

      Paul: “I run straight to the goal with purpose in every step.” Cor. 9:26 (NLT)

4.   Godly goals are set in faith.

      “Without faith it is impossible to please God...” Heb. 11:6 (NIV)

5.   They are achieved with God’s power.

      “We plan the way we want to live, but only God makes us able to live it.”Prov. 16:9 (MSG)

      “You will NOT succeed by your own strength or power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord.” Zech. 4:6 (NCV)

      “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths.” Prov. 3:5-6 (NLT) 

I hope you are encouraged to do something to make your life healthier and happier. God desires you to be your best, and will help you. I will restore your health and heal your wounds, declares the Lord. - Jeremiah 30:17 

Change your life today, and set some goals. Read The Daniel Plan by Rick Warren, and check out the Daniel Plan Website Here 

Setting Goals in Faith

Some of you have asked if I would post the notes from the Goal Setting video from last Wednesday. Please spend time contemplating and praying about these ideas from The Daniel Plan.

FIVE REASONS WHY I NEED TO SET PERSONAL GOAL 

1.   Goal setting is a spiritual discipline.

      “God plans to bring all of history to its goal in Christ. Then Christ will be the head of everything in heaven and on earth!” Eph.1:10 (GW)

2.   Goals focus my energy.

      “I do not run without a goal. I fight like a boxer who is hitting something—not just the air.”      1 Cor. 9:26 (NCV)

      “Make the most of every opportunity for doing good in these evil days.” Eph. 5:16 (NLT)

3.   Goals stretch my faith.

       “According to your faith will it be done to you.” Matt. 9:29

      “Everything that does not come from faith is sin.” Rom.14:23

4. Goals build my character.

      Paul: “I do not claim that I’ve already succeeded or have already become perfect. I keep striving toward the goal for which Christ Jesus has won me to himself.” Phil. 3:12 (TEV)

      “Then we will be mature, just as Christ is, and we will be completely like him.” Eph. 4:13 (CEV)

5.   Goals give me hope.

      Job: “I do not have the strength to endure. I do not have a goal that encourages me to carry on.” Job 6:11 (NLT)

      “The plans I have for you are plans to prosper you, not to harm you. They are plans to give you hope and a future.” Jer. 29:11 (NIV) 

I hope you are encouraged to do something to make your life healthier and happier. God desires you to be your best, and will help you. I will restore your health and heal your wounds, declares the Lord. - Jeremiah 30:17 

Change your life today, and set some goals. Read The Daniel Plan by Rick Warren, and check out the Daniel Plan Website Here 

God Cares

God cares deeply about your mental and emotional health and restoration. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 says,  Our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father loved us and through grace gave us eternal comfort and a good hope. May he encourage your hearts and give you strength in every good thing you do or say.

God's love and grace is offered to everyone. Through these wonderful gifts you can find encouragement, strength, comfort, and hope for today and eternity. His focus in our lives can be applied to everything we think, do, or say. God's way not our way is the best way!

For God gave us not a spirit of fearfulness; but of power and love and discipline.- 2 Timothy 1:7 

My counsel is this: Live freely, animated and motivated by God’s Spirit. Then you won’t feed the compulsions of selfishness. For there is a root of sinful self-interest in us that is at odds with a free spirit, just as the free spirit is incompatible with selfishness. These two ways of life are antithetical, so that you cannot live at times one way and at times another way according to how you feel on any given day. Why don’t you choose to be led by the Spirit and so escape the erratic compulsions of a law-dominated existence? - Galatians 5:16-18 (MSG)


Follow God's Word and plan for your mental, emotional, and spiritual health. Jesus promises, I will restore your health and heal your wounds, declares the Lord. - Jeremiah 30:17  Change your life today. Strive for the focus God desires for you to have. 

Read The Daniel Plan by Rick Warren, and check out the Daniel Plan Website Here 

Focus

The first element of the Daniel Plan that I read was on Focus. Clarity of mind is so important. No more brain fogs, sadness, depression, or feeling doomed to mental disorders! Doesn't that sound awesome? With God all things are possible. The problem is that we want short cuts and to do things our own way.

Recently I saw a commercial that asked, What is focus? Focus is having absolute clarity and alertness. Owning your opponent. Knowing you got this! Keeping your eye on the ball, and hitting it out of the park. Own the zone, on target, and on your toes. On top staring the world in the face saying bring it on! Focus is power. Focus is life... It was a commercial for an energy drink! 

Romans 12:2 says, Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Be about doing life God's way and under His leadership. Know, obey, and believe in His promises.

Philippians 2:13 - For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
Ephesians 3:16 -  I ask that he will strengthen you in your inner selves from the riches of his glory through the Spirit. (CEB)
Philippians 4:8 - From now on, brothers and sisters, if anything is excellent and if anything is admirable, focus your thoughts on these things: all that is true, all that is holy, all that is just, all that is pure, all that is lovely, and all that is worthy of praise.

Follow God's Word and plan for your mental, emotional, and spiritual health. Jesus promises, I will restore your health and heal your wounds, declares the Lord. - Jeremiah 30:17  Change your life today. Strive for the focus God desires for you to have. 

Read The Daniel Plan by Rick Warren, and check out the Daniel Plan Website Here