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Date Posted: 07:26:29 02/10/17 Fri
Author: c
Subject: Christian Development

Christian Development


The Everyday Spiritual Reminders/Principles/Scriptures list (different from the "less urgent" list that gets read 3 times a week)

Pray early in the morning, sometime during the day, before sleeping and briefly as much as possible throughout the day.

Read the Bible early in the morning for 15 minutes - pray for understanding - have other meditate on Scripture moments throughout the week.

Praise – grow in finding ways to praise the Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ more and more.


Develop testimony/witness

- Humble yourself - pray for ability to humble your tongue/attitude right

- watch your speech, control your tongue.

Proverbs 21:23 Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.

Proverbs 10:19 In the multitude of words, sin is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is wise.

Proverbs 29:20 Seest thou a man hasty in his words? There is more hope of a fool than of him.

James 3:2 For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body.

--speak wisdom, peace, encouragement, love.

Ephesians 4:29-31 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of the Heavenly Father, by Whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, will all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as Jesus Christ forgave you.

--be thankful/speak thankfulness/have a thankful attitude esp. towards the Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

-Love attitude.

Colossians 3:14 But above all these things put on love, the bond of perfection.

-be considerate about how you affect others. Be effective-not just ok or decent or alright or just getting by.

-be willing to suffer and be wronged without retaliating in word or actions.

1 Peter 3:9 Not returning evil for evil or railing for railing, but contrariwise blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.

Romans 12:12 Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing instant in prayer.

Romans 12:21 Be not overcome of evil but overcome evil with good.

1 Peter 2:19 For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward the Heavenly Father endure grief, suffering wrongfully.

-watch how you think-control your mind.

--Proverbs 30:32 If you have been foolish in exalting yourself, or if you have thought evil, put your hand on your mouth.

--Galatians 6:7, 8 be not deceived; the Heavenly Father is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he who soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he who soweth to the Holy Spirit shall of the Holy Spirit reap life everlasting.

-when you feel discouraged, speak encouraging Scriptures.

Psalms 42:11 - Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in the Heavenly Father, for I will yet praise Him, the health of my countenance, and my God.

Isaiah 40:31 those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength...

1 Samuel 30:6 And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.


-apologize

On Sunday, emphasize spiritual pursuits/activities.


Psalms 122:6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper who love thee.

Proverbs 28:27 He who gives to the poor will not lack, but he who hides his eyes will have many curses

Psalms 96:8 Give unto the LORD the glory due unto His Name: bring an offering, and come into His courts.

2 Corinthians 9:7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

Acts 20:35 I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

Luke 18:27 But He said, the things that are impossible with men are possible with God.

Think about how you use your time to develop a good testimony-goals and priorities. Life mission statement-Spiritually related

Tithe
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
True Abundant Life: fun, vitality, progress, faith (adventure, journey, sense of wonder).
Every day we should experience Jesus in a new and different way

-enthusiastic about it

Expect the Heavenly Father to do great things everyday.

Deceived into being weary/mundane.

The Heavenly Father knows more than I do what will truly bring glory to His Holy Name

True love works through me vitally when I do all I can to develop a good testimony always

The Heavenly Father does the arranging and coordinating. Since the Heavenly Father does the arranging and coordinating, our praying, praising, speaking wise hopeful words, humble words, Scriptures should move us closer to true abundant life.

Proverbs 18:21: death and life are in the power of the tongue and those who love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

John 10:10: the thief cometh not but to steal, kill and destroy. Jesus Christ comes that we might have life and life more abundantly.

Robert Cook: Learn to count on the surprises of the Heavenly Father.

Ephesians 3:20: The Heavenly Father is able to do exceeding abundantly above all we can ask or think, according to the power that works in us.

We hurt the evil one when we praise the Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ when/during problems/troubles arise. The evil one doesn't expect saints to praise the Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ when things don't go our way.

In the hard times, people see if our faith is substantial. Praising during hard times makes our faith substantial in the eyes of others.

Dealing with trouble the right way is a situation that is more serious than we can perceive.

The evil one is always working to try to make a christian's faith seem false or weak.

John Bryant: If we pray, we should push down on our praying. If we praise, we should push down on our praising as well.

I believe in Jesus Christ-not luck

Say "If Jesus Christ is willing.." when talking about future plans/activities. James 4:15: instead, you ought to say, "If Jesus Christ wills, we shall live and do this or that,"

God is my success: we have talents buried under our disappointments, fears, doubts, discouragements. Focus on the spark-fan with patience

A.R. Bernard: the Heavenly Father wants 3 things from christians: 1. Decisiveness. 2. Strength. 3. Consistency-no wishy washy off and on.

Robert Cook:
Witnessing should come from spilling over from overflow of Holy Spirit working in us-no pretense or strain. What the Heavenly Father and Jesus did for us is so good we should be grateful and eager to spread the good news.

Christians should mainly witness with our characters so people come to us and want to be like us.


We should be on the lookout on how we can please others because we may be the only way they will see Jesus or the Scriptures.

1 Corinthians 10:33: Just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they might be saved.

(Ephesians 6:6-8: not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ; doing the will of the Heavenly Father from the heart; with good will doing service, as to Jesus Christ, and not to men: knowing that whatsoever good thing any man does, that same shall he receive of Jesus Christ, whether slave of free).

Robert Cook: in troubled times, keep your eyes on the Heavenly Father-not on circumstances. Not like Peter in Matthew 14:30. (Peter looked at the boisterous wind and sank instead of walking on water).

We can be influenced by the world or be influenced by the Word of truth.

John 17:17 Sanctify the saints with truth-the Heavenly Father's Word is truth

Psalms 119:11 Your Word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.

Creflo Dollar: We can stand on facts or stand on the Word of truth. Instead of worrying about fears, christians should focus on the Word of truth-the Word of truth says christians will be cared for. The mouth of a christian is a weapon-use your mouth for victory.

TD Jakes: we need balance-we cannot totally discount reality-hard times, life is rough, going through stuff- can't just claim healing and success.

Joel Osteen: The Heavenly Father can bring a new season, hopes to life again - reason to be enthusiastic.

Beside the still waters: Singing in hard times is an expression of faith. Singing shows we are happy with the Heavenly Father even if circumstances are not well. Wise singing invites the power of the Heavenly Father into our difficult situations. We can sing even if we don't feel like singing. This is not hypocritical. Singing keeps our attitude correct in that we recognize the Heavenly Father is good and will bring good out of this situation. (Romans 8:28: and we know all things work together for good for those who love the Heavenly Father and who are called according to the Heavenly Father's purpose).

The Heavenly Father is magnified when christians sing in good times and in bad times. Praying and singing are powerful weapons for christians. (Acts 16:25 - Paul and Silas sang in prison after being beaten and the Heavenly Father showed His Power in the prison).

How we react to stress is evidence of our spiritual growth.

Charles Stanley: Overcome inadequate compensating behaviors/feeling dynamics/attitudes-you can never praise the Heavenly Father enough, pray enough, witness enough, or read the Bible enough - grace keeps the believer. Do those things with peace and not uneasiness. Yet, do more towards being fervent while praising more and more.

A good rule before we embark on an action is to consider how our actions will look after time has passed - in light of eternity.

Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in Jesus Christ alway, I say again rejoice.

2 Corinthians 6:10 As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and possessing all things.

Robert Cook: the life of a christian shows the world the Heavenly Father gives true joy.
The main evidence of a relationship with the Heavenly Father is true joy.

--christians should enjoy their relationship with the Jesus Christ

--whatever we truly enjoy controls us-an overweight person usually enjoys eating, an athlete usually enjoys his or her sport of choice, and a christian should enjoy fellowshipping with Jesus Christ.

----------------

A day hemmed in by prayer is hard to come unraveled

Spiritual advancement probably brings on more challenges, not more comfort.

Pray the Heavenly Father will be glorified in your life situations. Pray that the evil one will be defeated in every area of your life and your family and friends lives.
-------------
Praise verses. To be said aloud for praising purposes

I Chronicle 29:11 Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all in the Heaven and in the earth is Thine; Thine is the Kingdom, O LORD, and Thou art exalted as head above all.

Psalms 57:5 Be Thou exalted, O God, above the heavens, let Thy glory be above all the earth.

Psalms 21:13 Be exalted, O Lord, in Your own Strength! We will sing and praise Your Power.

Psalms 100:5 For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations.

Psalms 104:31 May the glory of the LORD endure forever; may the LORD rejoice in His works.

Psalms 147:5 Great is our Lord, and mighty in power; His understanding is infinite.

Psalms 113:2-4 Blessed be the Name of the LORD from this time forth and forevermore! From the rising of the sun to its going down the LORD's Name is to be praised. The LORD is high above all nations, His glory above the heavens.

Psalms 145:3 Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and His greatness is unsearchable.

Psalms 145:13 Your Kingdom is an everlasting Kingdom, and Your Dominion endures throughout all generations.

Psalms 108:5 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens, and Your glory above all the earth.

Psalms 118:14 The LORD is my strength and my song, and He has become my salvation.

Psalms 47:2 For the LORD Most High is awesome; He is a great King over all the earth.

Psalms 18:46 The LORD lives! Blessed be my Rock! Let the God of my salvation be exalted.

Psalms 102:12 But Thou, O LORD, shalt endure for ever; and Thy remembrance unto all generations.

Psalms 103:19 The LORD hath prepared His throne in the heavens; and His Kingdom ruleth over all.


-----------------


Less urgent Spiritual notes/Scriptures/Principles (3 days a week - alternate with the book notes - this is easier to absorb than the book notes yet less urgent than the everyday urgent list)
Searching Questions (consider the questions first and look at Scriptures whenever you want-not necessarily right then):

What comes out of us when we are being squeezed?

James 1:2-6, Matthew 12:33-37, I Peter 2:20-24, 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Are our hearts hungry for righteousness or choked by worldly cares or pleasures?

Acts 24:16, Matthew 16:23, Matthew 5:6, Mark 4:19

Are we diligently speaking/writing words of life on our hearts so we can have a treasure of good things that comes out of us?

Psalms 45:1, Proverbs 3:3, Matthew 12:34,35, Proverbs 16:1, Luke 4:4, John 6:63

Are we bridling and using our tongues effectively?

James 3:2, Proverbs 18:21

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Important Scriptures

Ephesians 2:4-10 But God, Who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come He might shew the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, that God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Nahum 1:7 The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble and He knoweth them who trust in Him.

Psalms 63:3 Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise You.

Psalms 94:19 In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul.

1 Timothy 4:15,16 Meditate on these things, give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.

Ephesians 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.

Philippians 4:6,7 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; And the peace of God, that surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Psalms 28:7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song I will praise Him.

Psalms 119:133 Order my steps in Thy Word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.

Psalms 40:16 Let all those who seek Thee rejoice and be glad in Thee: let such as love Thy salvation say continually, The LORD be magnified!

Psalms 37:4,5 Delight thyself also in the Lord, and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the Lord, trust also in Him, and He will bring it to pass.

Jeremiah 17:7 Blessed is the man who trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is.

Lamentations 3:21-26 This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is Thy faithfulness. The Lord is my portion saith my soul, therefore will I hope in Him.
The Lord is good unto them who wait for Him, to the soul who seeketh Him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord.

Lamentations 3:39-41 Wherefore doth a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins? Let us search and try our ways, and again to the Lord. Let us lift up our heart with our hands unto God in the heavens.

Psalms 107:43 Whoever is wise will observe these things, and they will understand the lovingkindness of the LORD.

Psalms 104:34 My meditation of Him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD.

Psalms 33:20-22 Our soul waits for the LORD; He is our help and shield. For our heart shall rejoice in Him, because we have trusted in His holy Name. Let Your mercy, O LORD, be upon us, just as we hope in You.

1 Corinthians 16:13,14 Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. Let all your works be done with love.

Psalms 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Psalms 27:14 Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the LORD!

Psalms 71:14 But I will hope continually, and will praise You yet more and more.

Psalms 31:24 Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the Lord.

Psalms 69:30 I will praise the Name of God with a song, and will magnify Him with thanksgiving.

Psalms 130:5 I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in His Word I do hope.

Psalms 91:2 I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him I will trust.

Psalms 13:5,6 But I have trusted in Your mercy; my heart shall rejoice in Your salvation. I will sing to the LORD, because He has dealt bountifully with me.

Psalms 103:8 The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.

Joshua 23:11 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, that ye love the LORD your God.

Matthew 5:16 let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works , and glorify your Father Who is in Heaven.

2 Corinthians 5:7 for we walk by faith, not by sight.

Galatians 5:24 and they who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

Proverbs 4:23 Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it springs the issues of life.

Proverbs 3:5-7 trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and depart from evil.

Proverbs 23:12 Apply your heart to instruction, and your ears to words of knowledge.

Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a Rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Jeremiah 29:13 You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart.

1 John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He Who is in you, than he that is in the world.

1 John 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

Matthew 23:12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he who shall humble himself shall be exalted.

Psalms 62:5-8 My soul, wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be moved. In God is my salvation and my glory; the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us

Psalms 112:5-8 A good man deals graciously and lends; he will guide his affairs with discretion. Surely he will never be shaken; the righteous will be in everlasting remembrance. He will not be afraid of evil tidings; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD. His heart is established; he will not be afraid, until he sees his desire upon his enemies.

Matthew 5:44-48 but I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in Heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in Heaven is perfect.

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 Love sufferers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; Does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil. Does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in truth; Bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away.

1 Corinthians 13:13 And now abideth faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Galatians 5:5 for we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.

Psalms 34:8 O taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him!

John 15:7 If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

Proverbs 21:2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes; But the Lord ponders the hearts.

1 Corinthians 10:12 Therefore let him who thinks he stand take heed lest he fall.

Psalms 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me.

Proverbs 10:22 The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and He adds no sorrow with it.

Proverbs 15:15 All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he who is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.

Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you.

Colossians 3:2 set your affections on things above, not on things on earth.

Psalms 119:72 the Law of Thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver coins.

Psalms 119:162 I rejoice at Thy Word, as one who finds great treasure.

Psalms 119:14 I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies, As much as in all riches.

Proverbs 21:5 The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one who is hasty only to want.

Psalms 118:24 This is the day that the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

1 Timothy 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.

Psalms 100:2 serve the Lord with gladness; come before His presence with singing.

Matthew 6:34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

John 8:44 the evil one abode not in truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks of his own; for he is a liar, and the father of it.

----------------------------------------


Principles

Faithful and True Holy Jesus Christ truly is kind and wise.

If you pray about something, then don't worry about it. (misunderstandings do happen-don't keep being upset over a bad situation arising/unfolding/whatever).

One should never fear a scheme could defeat prayers.

The only works that matter are motivated by love. 1 Corinthians 13

Faith is trusting the Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ will make the right decisions at all times, especially about how much the evil one will be allowed to disturb our lives (the will of the Heavenly Father be done).

Saints fight from a position of victory.

-saints don't try to be victorious

-saints say "my blessed Master Faithful and True Holy Jesus Christ has already defeated the evil one; so therefore today, by faith, I trust the Holy Spirit will empower me to overcome evil effectively."

The Heavenly Father probably does not answer every whim expressed in a believer's prayer immediately but, in the long run, a believer who persists in prayer, will find life is richer than one could imagine. (Parables of Jesus-book p. 251)

No matter how profitable a believer may seem, no one can put the Heavenly Father in his or her debt. All a believer can claim is that he or she is fulfilling his or her duty (if even that) when he or she seems to be an effective believer. (p. 238)

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