Articles
12 Practical Principles for Daily Living
12 Practical Principles for Daily Living
By Adam Willingham
The following “daily dozen” were the personal creed of Robert Louis Stevenson, the famed 19th century Scottish novelist and poet. An atheist, he unintentionally used Biblical truths as his major life principles. I’ve added Scriptures below each principle.
1. Make up your mind to be happy. Learn to find pleasure in simple things.
“Here is what I have seen to be good and fitting: to eat, to drink and enjoy oneself in all one’s labor in which he toils under the sun during the few years of his life which God has given him; for this is his reward.” -Ecclesiastes 5:18
2. Make the best of your circumstances. No one has everything, and everyone has something of sorrow intermingled with the gladness of life. The trick is to make the laughter outweigh the tears.
“Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.” -Philippians 4:11
3. Don’t take yourself too seriously. Don’t think that somehow you should be protected from misfortunes that befall others.
“God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline?” -Hebrews 12:7
4. You can’t please everybody. Don’t let criticism worry you.
“Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.” -Matthew 5:11
5. Don’t let your neighbor set your standards. Be yourself.
“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” -Romans 12:2
6. Do the things you enjoy doing, but stay out of debt.
“The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower becomes the lender’s slave.” -Proverbs 22:7
7. Don’t borrow trouble. Imaginary burdens are harder to bear than the actual ones.
“So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” -Matthew 6:34
8. Since hate poisons the soul, do not cherish enmities or grudges.
“You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the sons of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself; I am the Lord.” -Leviticus 19:18
9. Have many interests. If you can’t travel, read about new places.
“And follow the impulses of your heart and the desires of your eyes.” -Ecclesiastes 11:9
10. Don’t hold postmortems. Don’t spend your life brooding over sorrows and mistakes. Don’t be one who never gets over things.
“A time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance.” -Ecclesiastes 3:4
11. Do what you can for those less fortunate than yourself.
“…you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” -Acts 7:35
12. Keep busy at something. A busy person never has time to be unhappy.
For he will not often consider the years of his life, because God keeps him occupied with the gladness of his heart. -Ecclesiastes 5:20
The Bible is exceedingly practical for daily life. Utilize its principles to live a more contented, productive, peaceful life here on this earth. Ultimately, follow its commands to live eternally in Heaven!
Choice, Fate & Providence
By Steve Melton
Choice, fate and providence they come in various degree,
But consider, which is the more powerful of the three?
Choice can overcome fate, but only if you try.
That’s why we need to consider each opportunity,
And not let the good ones go by.
Chance and circumstance are servants of ole’ fate,
They can team up together and be stronger
than the choices that we make.
When this happens, learn to deal with what fate may arrange.
Then use wisdom to know, what you can and cannot change.
When comparing choice and fate, with the providence of God,
That’s not easy to contrast.
For often providence cannot be seen, until looked at from the past.
God’s providence is real for those who obey,
For through prayer, we believe,
that in our lives God does have sway.
So now it’s back to choices, are we to keep His word?
For it is through the fellowship of God,
that our prayers are to be heard.
God gives us the power of choice, over some things that will be,
He has given us the right to choose, where to spend eternity.
