Universal Life Church Monastery of Massachusetts: February 2011

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

LIFE: Success

Everyone wants to be successful, but many do not find it or feel very successful in their lives. Success is defined differently by people, but it is generally thought to be a desired outcome For one, success may be

Regardless of what one terms successful, finding it is not accidental. It requires knowing where you are and where you want to go. It requires coming up with goals and making a step by step plan to achieve them. 95% of people do not take the time to create goals in their lives, thus they don’t have a plan. The chances of being successful, whether it be spiritual, financial, relational, and so on, increase dramatically when the time is taken to devise goals and a plan. If this is something you cannot do on your own, ask a friend to help you or hire a Life Coach. The Apostle Paul stated that faith without works is dead. He meant that we can sit around believing all day, everyday for our goals and dreams to come true, but if we don’t take action, it cancels out our faith. Take action today by writing down your goals and creating steps to achieve them.

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

WORK: Working Hard

We live in a society that puts a lot of status on vocation. The typical motto is: “Work hard, make lots of money, and accumulate all you.” In other words, go after the American Dream even if it stresses you to the max!

I do believe God is concerned about our vocation and wants us to be productive no matter what role we find ourselves in, but God also tells us to set our hearts on what is in heaven, not on what is here on earth. (Colossians 3:1-3) Yes, careers are great, and money is a necessity for paying the bills, but to be obsessed with earthly things, or neglect our family for more material possessions, is not God’s will.

God wants us balanced. Ask God to help you be balanced with your time and energy regarding your career and know that your spirituality is not separate from your work. You can be spiritual at your job as well as at home. Ask God to help you perform your job with a good attitude whether it be at home with the family or at work with the boss.

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

HEALTH: Optimal health

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

God wants what is best for us. It is necessary to believe that our physical, spiritual, and mental health is important to God and he has provided means for us to have optimal health in all areas. God’s word is our guidebook toward a healthy and prosperous life.

When you get frustrated or disappointed, have faith that God knows your struggles and will be with you as you walk through them. He has a plan and he sees the big picture, whereas we only see the present situation. Believe that all things will work out for your good and God’s glory.

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

MARRIAGE: The role of submission

Peter writes in the New Testament that wives are to submit, or accept the authority of their husbands. He tells them that godly behavior will win over their husbands and be a testimony of God’s love. He also tells husbands to honor their wives and be understanding, stating that the wife may be weaker than the husband, but is an equal partner. (1 Peter 3)

This passage disturbs many women as they feel that it is unfair to be called “weaker” and have to be submissive to their husbands, especially if their husband does not treat them well. The author here is not trying to be hard on women, but laying out a biblical model for marriage. To be submissive does not mean to be weak. Peter is talking about partnership here. No one is better than the other. It is a team effort.

Jesus and God are partners. In Philippians 2:5-7 it states, "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men."

Jesus was not trying to be equal or better than God. His heart was to partner with him and serve him. Husbands and wives are to do likewise. Partner together and serve one another.