Eight Principles To Live By
People who set goals accomplish much more than people of equal education and ability who don't. With that in mind, build these eight principles into your life.
(1) Decide what you want. But first consult God. 'Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails.' (Proverbs 19:21 NIV)
(2) Think on paper. Writing your goals down gives them a sense of being permanent, plus it energises you. 'Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity.' Wishy–washy objectives won't get you where you want to go.
(3) Establish a deadline. Without a definite beginning and ending it's easy to procrastinate [put it off] and get nowhere.
(4) Make a list of what you need to do to. Keep it before you at all times; it'll give you a path to follow.
(5) Convert your list into a plan. Decide what you need to do first and what you can do later. A written, organised plan is always better than trying to carry stuff around in your head.
(6) Act immediately. 'Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity.' (Ephesians 5:15 –16 NIV) Do something! An OK plan that's implemented [actioned] beats a brilliant plan that's not.
(7) Do something every day to move you forwards. Build it into your schedule. For example, read systematically through your Bible, call a specific number of clients, engage in physical activity for a given time.
(8) Have a goal you're willing to devote your life to. And keep your eye on that goal at all times. 'Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.' (Psalm 90:12 NIV)
Psalm 103 ()
()
Of David.
103:1 Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and all that is within me,
bless his holy name!
2 Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits,
3 who forgives all your iniquity,
who heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit,
who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
5 who satisfies you with good
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
6 The LORD works righteousness
and justice for all who are oppressed.
7 He made known his ways to Moses,
his acts to the people of Israel.
8 The LORD is merciful and gracious,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
9 He will not always chide,
nor will he keep his anger forever.
10 He does not deal with us according to our sins,
nor repay us according to our iniquities.
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
12 as far as the east is from the west,
so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
13 As a father shows compassion to his children,
so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him.
14 For he knows our frame;
he remembers that we are dust.
15 As for man, his days are like grass;
he flourishes like a flower of the field;
16 for the wind passes over it, and it is gone,
and its place knows it no more.
17 But the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him,
and his righteousness to children’s children,
18 to those who keep his covenant
and remember to do his commandments.
19 The LORD has established his throne in the heavens,
and his kingdom rules over all.
20 Bless the LORD, O you his angels,
you mighty ones who do his word,
obeying the voice of his word!
21 Bless the LORD, all his hosts,
his ministers, who do his will!
22 Bless the LORD, all his works,
in all places of his dominion.
Bless the LORD, O my soul!
Mark 5:24–34 ()
()
24 And he went with him.
And a great crowd followed him and thronged about him. 25 And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, 26 and who had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse. 27 She had heard the reports about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his garment. 28 For she said, “If I touch even his garments, I will be made well.” 29 And immediately the flow of blood dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. 30 And Jesus, perceiving in himself that power had gone out from him, immediately turned about in the crowd and said, “Who touched my garments?” 31 And his disciples said to him, “You see the crowd pressing around you, and yet you say, ‘Who touched me?’” 32 And he looked around to see who had done it. 33 But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling and fell down before him and told him the whole truth. 34 And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.”