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by W. L. HUGHEN
On every box of cereal and each container of vitamins, as well as many other items, the producer is required by our government to place information that will reveal how the contents meets the Minimum Daily Requirements as stated by officials. This information is important to us because it aids us in knowing what we need to know to help us have healthy bodies.
Surely, our bodies should be well-cared for, And most of us do a pretty good job of meeting the Daily Minimum Requirements to keep our bodies functioning well. Sadly, however, there are many of us who do not have an inkling of what is needed to fill our Spiritual Minimum Daily Requirements to live the abundant life Jesus spoke about. Our spirit needs feeding, or else it will atrophy and die.
If you are missing something in your life; if you are sickly, filled with hurt, disappointment, if you just drag along in life, or if you end an exhausting day and still ask, "What's it all about?" I have some good news for you!
As a starting point, or to establish the foundation on which we can begin to do the things that will free our lives from a hum-drum existence we MUST
come to the realization that life is not about us......it is all about God. (Read that again!) Until you accept this fact life will never make sense. Most of us tend to be self-centered. Which is diametrically opposed to the way our Lord tells us we should live. To many the purpose of life is to have fun and pleasure. They perform their daily chores with one thought in mind ; at the end comes fun and pleasure. As has been often said, "They live for Friday and payday". I certainly do not condemn fun and pleasure. We all deserve times for this. But when we see it as the end result of all our labors then it becomes a god for us.
You will be absolutely amazed at how the whole tenor of your life will change when you put God at the center. In reality, if God is not in the center of your life, He is not really in your life. The bible tells us that we were made by God and FOR God. Our FIRST purpose for being alive is to bring pleasure to God. Did you get that? The moment you re-orient your mind to this amazing fact you will be filled with a sense of freedom and peace like nothing you have ever experienced. Every day think about this,and ask God what you can do today to bring pleasure to Him.
Jesus said in Matthew 8: 31-34, "Therefore do not WORRY, saying 'what shall we eat? or what shall we drink? or what we shall wear?', for your Heavenly Father knows that you have need of these things.' But seek ye FIRST the kingdom of God and His righteousness,. and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore, do not WORRY about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." So, there you have it, plain and simple. Jesus clearly states that we MUST put God first in our lives. "If God is not first in your life, He is not really in your life at all". God WILL NOT take second place. Put these words on the biggest billboard of your mind and read them often.
I think the first Minimum Daily Requirement for all happy Christians is prayer. Jesus often went to His favorite place of prayer. We, too, need a quiet place of prayer where we open our heart to God. You will need to choose the place that fits your schedule. You may have to arise an hour earlier, or stay up an hour longer. But it is essential to your being able to live life as God intended that you make time to be alone with Him. Let your prayer be full of "Thank you", praise and worship, and not just "Give me". Pray not only for yourself. but for loved-ones, friends AND enemies, and your government leaders and the world. Pour out your heart to God. And then be quiet for a moment and give God a chance to talk to you.
The next most important Minimum Daily Requirement for the abundant life is studying your Bible. Never let a day go by that you do not feed on God's word. The more you learn about God the more you will learn to love and trust Him. Most of us have a King James Version of the bible from 17th century England. It is written in very beautiful English, but often we run into words and phases we do not understand. I have a bible that is called "The New Living Bible". It is written in everyday English that is easily understood. You will really enjoy reading this bible. Check it out.
Rather than just opening your bible at random, have a study plan. Well-organized Bible study programs are available every where. (Check out the internet.) When you read take time to underline or highlight your favorite passages. I cannot urge you too strongly to memorize all the scripture you possibly can. This is God's word to you. You will discover during the course of your days that God will bring to your mind the things He has said, and they will be an immediate source of strength, power, and renewal."Thy word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against Thee" Psalms 119:11 The Christian who does not have a storehouse of God's word in his heart is missing out on one of the best means of increasing his/her relationship with God.. Memorize all you can. You will be surprised at how many times these words will pop into your mind and bring you strength and comfort. "A bible that is tattered and torn, belongs to a person who is not".
The next Minimum Daily Requirement for a joyous Christian is to spread love everywhere. Paul said,"Now abideth faith,hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." 1 Cor.13:13. If you have children you MUST take time everyday to hug them and say, " I love you and I am very proud of you". If they are away from you call or write and remind them constantly. No body has ever said, "I love you" too many times. And by all means, if you have a spouse let him/her know daily how much you care for them. If you have parents nothing can please them more than to hear you say " I love You." Just before Jesus returned to heaven, He said,"I leave this commandment, with you, that you love one another, as I have loved you".John 13:31
As you go through your day put a smile on your face. If you don't feel good start acting like you feel good and pretty soon you will start feeling like you are acting, but most of all your smile and sweet attitude will bless everyone you meet. Be cheerful. Let the light of Christ be reflected in your face.
We are all familiar with the words from the Bible, "It is more blessed to give than to receive" Acts 20:35. This does not mean just tangible gifts, but the giving of yourself in all the ways available to you. Want to put some real joy in your heart? With every one you meet try to find something about them you can truly compliment. Watch the beam on their face. The memory will fill your memory box with fresh breezes. One day not long ago a sweet lady said to me, " I like your hair". Nobody has ever said anything to me about my hair in all my life. And it is the one thing I have disliked most about myself. Her four word compliment still warms my heart. One day later she was in the hospital. I took her a single red rose. Her smile was worth a million dollars. Not long after that she died. I am so glad I took her that rose.
Jesus said, " I have come that ye might have life, and that ye might have it more abundantly." The Minimum Daily Requirements to live this abundant life consists, at least in part, to spending time in prayer, bible study, loving and doing kind things for people. Try these things for a week or two and see if your life is not enhanced with joy like you have never known.
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