- Job 1:1-5
- Daniel 6:1-14
7. MAKE PRAYER/MEDITATION A HABIT.
Regular observance of the “unseen” helpers and guides, angels, or whomever you call on that surrounds you, will cause a change in you. A great exercise for spiritual strength is to pray or meditate (however you prefer) at least two times a day.
Prayer or meditation usually has a formal beginning like “Dear God,” or “Dear Heavenly Father,” or “Oh Great Healing Spirit.” Other faiths have specific rituals, such as the Muslim religion reciting “The Opening” in a specific posture. It can be practiced in a variety of ways and positions, but all will ultimately help build your spiritual strength and lead you to your best life. As you pray/meditate, sit quietly and allow the divine to come into you to strengthen and illuminate your spirit. Keep your requests in the positive tense, focusing on healing instead of sickness or disease, abundance instead of scarcity, and so on. If you acknowledge the negative energy, you claim ownership to it and allow it to stay in your life. Flood it with the positive!
- RUTH
- DORCAS
- JOSES, also called BARNABAS
- The GOOD SAMARITAN
6. BE OF SERVICE TO OTHERS
History shows that the most spiritually strong, peaceful, loving people were focused on being of service to others. Jesus, Buddha, Mother Teresa, Gandhi… the list goes on. There is real power and peace in service for its own sake. Take time to help someone in need or share a contact with them who can. You don’t have to be special to be the turning point in someone’s life – every person you encounter is brought to you for a specific reason.
Serve the situation and your spiritual strength will surely grow.
- At this juncture in your life, what is YOUR GREATEST FEAR? Be honest and name it?
- Consider (again) the 1 Kings 19 reading. Why is the Prophet Elijah afraid given all the Lord has done for him?
- In the Matthew 8 scripture, what direct question does Jesus ask the disciples? What is your answer if the Lord ask you the same?
- In Esther 4, Queen Esther names her fear- write down what it is?
- In the final verses of Esther 4, the Queen makes a declaration showing she has moved to Faith — What is it?
5. STEP OUT IN FAITH
Be confident to stand strong in the face of adversity. Know that the Divine has got your back, and that a bigger breakthrough is in store for you beyond your challenges. There may be forces that have an investment in keeping you from receiving your best life, but when you decide to stand up or speak out, knowing that your faith is bigger than your fear, the illusion of fear that’s trying to hold you down will diminish and eventually disappear.
You become stronger and wiser when you step out in faith. The lessons brought about by all people and situations we come into contact with are our teachers AND our exams – take this chance to get an A+!
- What bothered David’s wife Michal when he brought the Ark of the Covenant into the City of David?
- In this particular instance, who do you feel is in the right?
- In the second reading (chapter 16), what odd thing does King David say about Shemei cursing him (verse 10)?
- Why is what David says profound to Christians and the community of faith?
- Have you ever given a person a reason to curse you? Have you resolved the ordeal?
4. OBSERVE YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT THE PEOPLE AROUND YOU.
The energy you send others can help them hurdle their challenge, or stumble trip and fall. Be kind to all people. See the good (and the God) in them and help try to amplify that voice to help lead them to their best life. You may have no idea the kind of battle they’re fighting right now – the energy you send them is very important.
- In Esther 3:1-6, what is the tension described and who would you say has the problem?
- What is the reason for Mordacai’s actions or inaction? Is he justified, in your opinion?
- In Proverbs 15, jot down a few scriptures that speak to you? Tell why?
4. OBSERVE YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT THE PEOPLE AROUND YOU.
The energy you send others can help them hurdle their challenge, or stumble trip and fall. Be kind to all people. See the good (and the God) in them and help try to amplify that voice to help lead them to their best life. You may have no idea the kind of battle they’re fighting right now – the energy you send them is very important.
- In 1 Kings 19, how did Elijah disconnect from all that was bothering him and what was the resulting outcomes?
- Read Matthew 4:1-11; Who led Jesus to the wilderness? What can you define as a place of wilderness for your life today?
- Where is John when he gets the inspiration of the Revelation? Why do you think the place is important?
- What is another ONE WORD religious practice that we can employ to participate in this particular exercise?
3. REDUCE DISTRACTIONS (TV, RADIO, INTERNET, NEWSPAPER)
Media can fill your mind with thousands of ads, episodes, and events that are nowhere near vital to living your best life. When you reduce the absorption of participating in these activities, there is far less manufactured stimuli being fed in, and your brain has a chance to be silent. These moments of silence gives you an opportunity to strengthen your spiritual connection and those around you.
And if you’re not ready to give these things up or reduce your intake (we understand), just try to sharpen your focus on what you DO want to see (like Power of Positivity), rather than what you don’t.
- How do you usually feel when you walk through the woods, visit the beach, or see mountains, vistas, clouds, stars and moon, the Grand Canyon or Niagara Falls? Why do you suppose these feelings occur?
- Where is Moses when he feels closest to God? What about John in the Book of the Revelation?
- In what setting does Jesus share much of His teaching to the crowds? Why do you suppose the places are important?
2. GO OUTSIDE AND OBSERVE NATURE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.
Getting outside is vital to building your spiritual strength. An increased connection to nature and the Earth places you in alignment with the real living energy. It directly connects you to the divine, allowing positive energy to channel to you and through you. Enjoy the sunshine and let it shine on your face (your pineal gland is actually light-sensitive) You can do this more by making it a habit to eat outdoors or even take a walk to watch the sunrise or sunset.
As you spend more time outside, be aware of the sights and sounds of nature. Feel the energy of the wind as it blows past you and be sure to smell your surroundings. You were meant to be pleased through your senses, and nature can do that in multiple ways.
- Can you understand God’s kingdom plan and who is included as family?
- Do you understand the major ministry for the church?
- As you plan to incorporate Exercise 1 in your life, is it clear who you will include?
1. SPEND MORE TIME WITH LOVING, ENCOURAGING FAMILY/FRIENDS.
Think of your relationships for a moment, does it paint a picture that you’d like to improve?
Some of your best moments in life can be with family, but some others may not be so memorable. Don’t hold on to the negative memories – they’re too much of a burden to bear. Release them and know that they will be taken care of for you. You are meant to be happy and enjoy life, especially happy times with those who you are close with. When you’re focused on being spiritually centered, you are always divinely protected. Some negative thoughts can come up and try to bring you down, but you can be confident in your spiritual strength, letting it speak for you – kind of like a bodyguard!
Give this time with your family or friends the attention and love it deserves. When your heart opens up to your loved ones this way, new patterns and thoughts develop in you. From these new thoughts, you can build the foundation to healthier relationships.
Take action to show those important to you how much you appreciate them. It can be as simple as a phone call or email to warm someone’s heart. It could even turn their whole life around.
- Notice how singular and combined events in the family define the overall relationships
- Understand how true friendships are established and why these bonds turn into family
- Look closely at Exercise 1 again- what is the key word or words
1. SPEND MORE TIME WITH LOVING, ENCOURAGING FAMILY/FRIENDS.
Think of your relationships for a moment, does it paint a picture that you’d like to improve?
Some of your best moments in life can be with family, but some others may not be so memorable. Don’t hold on to the negative memories – they’re too much of a burden to bear. Release them and know that they will be taken care of for you. You are meant to be happy and enjoy life, especially happy times with those who you are close with. When you’re focused on being spiritually centered, you are always divinely protected. Some negative thoughts can come up and try to bring you down, but you can be confident in your spiritual strength, letting it speak for you – kind of like a bodyguard!
Give this time with your family or friends the attention and love it deserves. When your heart opens up to your loved ones this way, new patterns and thoughts develop in you. From these new thoughts, you can build the foundation to healthier relationships.
Take action to show those important to you how much you appreciate them. It can be as simple as a phone call or email to warm someone’s heart. It could even turn their whole life around.
- Understand God’s desire for humankind
- Understand the establishment of the family
- YOUR TASK: share scriptures that deal with family relationships is the context of the following:
1. SPEND MORE TIME WITH LOVING, ENCOURAGING FAMILY/FRIENDS.
Think of your relationships for a moment, does it paint a picture that you’d like to improve?
Some of your best moments in life can be with family, but some others may not be so memorable. Don’t hold on to the negative memories – they’re too much of a burden to bear. Release them and know that they will be taken care of for you. You are meant to be happy and enjoy life, especially happy times with those who you are close with. When you’re focused on being spiritually centered, you are always divinely protected. Some negative thoughts can come up and try to bring you down, but you can be confident in your spiritual strength, letting it speak for you – kind of like a bodyguard!
Give this time with your family or friends the attention and love it deserves. When your heart opens up to your loved ones this way, new patterns and thoughts develop in you. From these new thoughts, you can build the foundation to healthier relationships.
Take action to show those important to you how much you appreciate them. It can be as simple as a phone call or email to warm someone’s heart. It could even turn their whole life around.
