Universal Life Church Monastery of Massachusetts

Thursday, June 12, 2014

LIFE: Loving GOD

Sometimes it’s easy to neglect God and let self rule. Eventually though, when self rules for a period of time, we usually end up face down in the dirt, crying, frustrated, and ready to give up.

When this happens to me, I know deep within I want to please God so I get back up and begin again. I commit to live my life loving God and others and taking steps to fulfill God's plan for me. I've done my fair share of what I want to do to please myself in this life, but my deepest intention is to please God. My deepest desire is to enjoy God and God's gift of life, as well as share awesome love with others.

Proverbs 19:21 says, "Many plans are in ones mind, but it is the Lord's purpose for that one that will stand."

I believe God's purposes for me will stand as I walk in love and humility and seek to live a life that adds value to others. I will not fear. God's Spirit lives in me! How awesome is that!

Monday, June 2, 2014

LIFE: Going through change

Change is difficult. It is far easier to just stay where you are. We get very familiar where we are and to begin to make changes takes us out of our comfort zone. The very first thing that needs to be done when considering making a change is to write your goal down and commit to take steps toward fulfilling that goal! If you don't know what step to begin with, ask around, do some research. There is help available.

Commitment means I’m going to give 110% and not give up when I get tired, ridiculed, frustrated, or negative.

When you decide to make a change, write it down and begin visualizing making progress toward that goal. Make a plan. Write out steps to getting out of debt, or losing 20 pounds, or getting a new job. If you want action, you have got to take action, be disciplined, and persevere.

Believe in yourself and keep a positive attitude. Change sometimes takes time and more effort than you may think you have, but it is possible! Successful people often have this attribute of commitment, even when the storms come. Don’t be afraid. Believe.

Thursday, May 22, 2014

WORK: Meeting resistance

You may meet resistance when working toward achieving your goals. You may want to consider a strategic retreat on your journey. This does not meant that your retreat in surrender, but that you take time to evaluate your options and regain resources.

By taking some time to pray and gauge your options, you will gain wisdom and strength for your return. Be confident in yourself and your God. You will get the victory and achieve your goals in due time.

Monday, May 12, 2014

HEALTH: Eating and Disease

According to the Center for Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, people who exercise regularly throughout the week reduce the risk of developing symptoms of the leading causes of illness and death in the U.S. such as heart disease, diabetes, and stroke.

Combine that with eating a healthier diet and risks are reduced even further. Why does exercising and eating healthy give people such a hard time? Why can’t people commit to a healthier lifestyle?

It’s easier to not exercise. It’s easier to eat whatever we want. We live in a culture that wants instantaneous gratification and is not always willing to pay the price for good health. Nothing of value comes cheap though. The Bible tells us to take good care of our bodies and it does so for good reason. No one wants to be sick or develop a condition or disease. If God tells in his word that eating healthy and exercising are good for our well-being, then we ought to take this serious and begin making changes today toward a healthier lifestyle.

Monday, May 5, 2014

LIFE: Use positive affirmations

Positive affirmations are simply positive sentences about yourself and your life and they help develop a positive attitude! Take time daily to speak positive affirmations such as, “I am confident, beautiful, positive, happy, blessed, healthy, etc.” I have printed out various affirmations and taped them to my bathroom mirror so that I can see them and speak them frequently. You become your thoughts and what you speak so make sure you are thinking and speaking positive things!

I encourage you to take some time to listen to your internal dialogue. Are you thinking more negative or positive? You can train yourself to think more positively but it does take practice and persistence but is well worth the effort.

Monday, April 28, 2014

HEALTH: Exercise

Exercise is important for optimal health, but if we are solely exercising to “look good” for others, then God would consider that to be vain. First Timothy 4:8 states that, “For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.”

Timothy is not saying that we don’t need to exercise because we do. What he is saying is that godliness is more important than exercising and to be off balance is not God’s will. We ought to be putting forth effort in being fit physically and spiritually.

Spending time exercising as well as connecting with God are both beneficial to our overall well-being.

Thursday, April 17, 2014

MARRIAGE: The power of prayer

If you want a strong marriage then you would benefit from learning about the power of prayer. Couples that pray together tend to keep God at the center of their marriage and act as partners with him. Problems can be taken to God and each partner can be held accountable for their part in possible solutions.

It takes humility to pray together before God as a couple. God will honor your humble hearts as you agree in prayer. Jesus said if two people agree in prayer, God would hear and answer their prayer according to his will. (Matthew 18:19-20) Sit down with your spouse and discuss when and how often you’d like to gather together to pray. Make a commitment to follow through with what you decide.

Thursday, April 10, 2014

WORK: Don’t stress

No need for anxiety. You will have great progress and success at work, perhaps even advancement. It may take longer than you want, but trust that success is guaranteed. Continue taking steps and action toward your goals as this keeps the momentum going in your favor.

Be teachable, submissive, and receptive. Do what is right and be firm and correct in your attitude and behavior. Success and fortune will come. Only believe. (I ching reading)

Thursday, April 3, 2014

MARRIAGE: Encouragement

I bet you know who to go to when you need encouraged. There are usually certain people in our lives that we know will encourage and admonish us when we are facing depression or discouragement.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 states that we ought to encourage one another and build one another up. This is especially important in marriages. Can your spouse come to you for encouragement when he/she is down or hurting? Or are you the type that will point out that they are simply complaining. God wants us to encourage our spouses, even if we don’t feel like it. If you think your spouse is simply complaining, take it to prayer and ask God to reveal this to him/her. Let your spouse know that you are behind him/her and will take time to pray.

Thursday, March 27, 2014

WORK: Impress your boss

Do you want a promotion? Good references? Peace at work? Then perhaps you ought to think about ways to impress your boss. Management likes it when their employees kick it up a notch and not only take their job serious, but partner with their co-workers and boss to increase productivity.

Colossians 3:23 says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.” Ask God to help you come up with ways to go the extra mile at work. You might want to come in early or stay late. Come up with ways to boost productivity or decrease expenses. Ask for extra work or volunteer to do what no one else wants to do. There are a various things you can do to be noticed. By doing so, your boss will be impressed and that is always helpful at promotion time.