4 Life Management Principles

Happy Sunday!

Bishop Alexis A. Thomas returned today and we are so glad! He finished his series, "4 Life Management Principles". He used Philippians 4:12-13 and 2 Kings 4 :23 as his scripture references.

Several weeks ago, I told you that the first principle was "Effort or Work" and the second principle is a "Good Name".

The third principle is "Elasticity" or "Flexibility". Bishop encouraged us that "Life can be managed and you can make life better!" 2 Peter 1:3 says, "His divine power has given us everything we need to experience life and to reflect God’s true nature through the knowledge of the One who called us by His glory and virtue." (Voice Translation) Yes, you read that right! God has given us everything we need to experience life to the fullest. The King James Version says, "everything that pertains to life and godliness". The problem is not with God, the problem is with us! Eleanor Roosevelt once said, "We all create the person we become by our choices as we go through life. In a real sense, by the time we are adults, we are the sum total of the choices we have made."

Pastor Zachary L. Lee from East Saint Louis, Illinois introduced us to the word, "Vicissitude". Vicissitudes are the ups and downs of life. We all experience good days and not so good days, happy days and days of sadness! It's all a part of life. The writer of Ecclesiastes said, "There’s an opportune time to do things, a right time for everything on the earth." Ecclesiastes 3:1(Message Translation) The Apostle Paul had been through a lot! He had been stoned, shipwrecked, and imprisoned but he was flexible and said this in Philippians 4:12-13, "Actually, I don’t have a sense of needing anything personally. I’ve learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I’m just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I’ve found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am." (Message Translation)

Elasticity will help you make it through the ups and downs of life! "There is no Growth in the Comfort Zone, and there is no Comfort in the Growth Zone!" - Bishop Alexis A. Thomas

The fourth principle is a "Positive Outlook". In 2 Kings 4:23, the Shunamite woman's son has died, she is on her way to see the Prophet, her husband asks her why, and she responds, "Don’t worry; all will be well." We have to believe that things can and will get better! We have to speak positive faith-filled words. I know it's not easy! Yes, I do! But it works! Don't be an ANT = Automatic Negative Thinker. Think positive, speak positive words, and enjoy positive results.

In the 1980's, Bobby McFerrin sang, "Don't Worry, Be Happy!" Do you remember it! Even though terrible things were happening to the individual in the song, they were continuously encouraged not to worry but be happy. In one scripture the Psalmist David said he had to "encourage himself". Maybe you are surrounded by negative people, perhaps they don't believe that good things can happen. You are responsible for your well being.   Do what ever it takes to survive and stay positive. Hebrews 11:6 says, "It’s impossible to please God apart from faith. And why? Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that he exists and that he cares enough to respond to those who seek him." (Message Translation)

Love and prayers, Cynthia