Romans 15:4, Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled. (NLT)

FOUNDATIONAL PRINCIPLES

 

We Have to Feed Our Spirit the Scriptures – The Word of God

The scriptures teach us, give us hope, and encourage us. The scriptures teach us by giving instructions. The word of God gives us a course of action to take.

The word of God can give us hope. Whatever is going on in your life, you can look to God and know that what He said is going to happen. When God says something, He knows that it’s already happening. The word provides hope and is vision for something positively happening in the future. Feeding your spirit lifts you up from where you are right now.

2 Timothy 3:16

“Don’t try to start feeding your mind in the midst of a crisis. Feed ahead of time.” – Pastor Billy R. Johnson

 

We Should Live a Life of Service

Mark 10:45 (NKJV)

Galatians 5:13 (NKJV)

Jesus is our model in serving. Who can you serve? How can you add value to their lives? The best way to help someone is by serving them because it takes your mind off of you. Serving is a life of giving and adding value to others.

 

We Have to Practice Selflessness

Selflessness – becoming successful at making other people successful. Selflessness says, “I am willing to take where I am and make that the starting point for someone else.” We can be very individualistic in our thinking and sometimes we fail to realize that the very promise that we are believing for is not just for us. When you practice selflessness, God will take care of you.

Galatians 6:9-10 (MSG)

 

We Have to Be Willing to Sacrifice

Sacrifice is something that will cost you and benefit others. People will know when you are doing something sacrificial. Jesus sacrificed His life so we would have eternal life. Sacrifice may mean doing something that you do not want to do, and it may not benefit you personally.

Matthew 5:38-42 (NKJV)

 

Always Be Sincere

Sincerity means honest, genuine, free from hypocrisy. We should be sincere with one another.

Philippians 1:9-10 (NKJV)

 

Seek God First

First means at the beginning. Seek first in time, rank, and importance. Don’t get to a place where you are torn apart on the inside about a particular issue. Worry means being anxious or fearful about something that has not happened.

“You can’t have God’s answer and worry.” – Dr. D’Ann V. Johnson

Matthew 6:25-33 (NKJV)