What Are Your Guiding Principles?

I do not remember the first time I read a Guidepost “magazine”, and I’m not sure who around me subscribed to this publication from Dr. Norman Vincent Peale, but it always seemed to be available. The little magazine was chock full of faith affirming and engaging stories. You could not read it, put it down, and not be inspired by something you just received.

The cover story for the new year boldly states, “Let Hope Shape Your New Year“. If ever we live in time when hope seems to be stretched and the doom and gloom feelings promoted everywhere seem to be overwhelming, then perhaps you need to read articles like this to empower you to see your world through a different lens.

Just this morning, listening to a morning moment of “Daily Mentoring with Darren Hardy” (check him out here), this 6-minute video sums up our place in this world by saying, “It’s your choice. Stay a victim or retake the reins and take back control… by determining how you are going to choose to respond.”

From my background of looking for faith-affirming views, and positive stories that change my outlook at life, I can recommend both of these avenues to you. But I would be remiss to say these are the only ways. It would not be the truth. I find most of my Principles and Guiding Light (remember that daytime soap opera!??) outlook from the Bible. It’s what speaks to me daily, especially as I keep it near to read, and study!

The Word read, studied and utilized for daily living is exactly what David talked about in Psalms 119, the longest chapter in the Bible. It contains 22 short sections revolving around the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet, and each describes the word, law, and commandment of God. David described the importance of this word by saying:

Thy word have I hid in mine heart,
that I might not sin against thee.
(Psalms 119:11 KJV)

As the new year begins, could you pick out the principles that will be a driving force to keep you focused forward? I recently posted this list from a Twitter message and used it as a starting point. I’ve added the scriptural reference so you can go affirm whether this list works for you, or not!

I pray 2019 is a STRONG year for you as a follower of Christ! That you would daily:

• abide in shadow of the Almighty (Psalms 91:1)
• seek first kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33)
• fight the good fight (1 Timothy 6:12)
• walk by faith not sight (2 Corinthians 5:7)
• trust the Lord with all your heart (Proverbs 3:5)
• take up the shield of faith (Ephesians 6:16)
• run and not grow weary… (Isaiah 40:31)

Immediately, a friend added two verses to consider.

• Proverbs 23:23 KJV  Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.
• John 17:17 KJV  Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

In my younger adult life, our pastors’ wife, Ima Jean Kilgore, had an excerpt of this scripture painted on the beam just before the altar of the church. This became a particular focus of mine, even more so as I age.

One thing have I desired of the LORD,
that will I seek after;
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
to behold the beauty of the LORD,
and to enquire in his temple.
(Psalms 27:4 KJV)

I asked a few friends, family, and leaders to augment what I found from the list above, and in no certain order, these were their focused thoughts for daily life, a new year, or guiding principles to be used all the time.

• LORD, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, LORD. Repeat them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy. (Habakkuk 3:2 NIV)
• The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise. (Proverbs 11:30 KJV)
• But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works. (Psalms 73:28 KJV)
• And of some have compassion, making a difference: (Jude 1:22)
• 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 NIV)

Finally, I thought about myself. What are the scriptural principles that guide me every day, or into a new year, or for all times. Two major thoughts anchor me to using the scriptural principles found here.

First. I’m 16 years old and I’m in the Youth Choir. We sing ever Sunday night. I got home late and was the only one up in the house, so I sat at the dining table and think about the night experiences. With my new Study Bible, I set it on its spine, with eyes and Bible closed, I prayed. “Lord speak to me through your Word just like you did at church tonight.” I let the Bible fall open and blindly put my finger onto the page. What scripture would speak to me?

I have been young,
and now am old;
yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken,
nor his seed begging bread.
(Psalms 37:25 KJV)

Chill bumps! This was a direct quote that was the first choir song we sang! Suddenly I know, God is sharing something with me, affirming his Word to me, and giving me insight into how He works! I slammed my Bible shut and repeated the “experiment”… What was the next scripture?

For his anger endureth but a moment;
in his favour is life:
weeping may endure for a night,
but joy cometh in the morning.
(Psalms 30:5 KJV)

Double Chill Bumps! I cannot tell you what that did for me, and even though I may not have always gone the path I should have gone, this one night showed me how God would work in my life if I would just allow Him! It’s all about the Guiding Principles found in His Word and they give me my strong foundation.

Secondly. If you have known me for any length of time then you know my favorite scripture that I reference often and am not shy with its sharing.

Finally, brethren,
whatsoever things are true,
whatsoever things are honest,
whatsoever things are just,
whatsoever things are pure,
whatsoever things are lovely,
whatsoever things are of good report;
if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise,
think on these things.
Those things, which ye have both learned,
and received,
and heard,
and seen in me,
do:
and the God of peace shall be with you.
(Philippians 4:8-9 KJV)

One last thought. It is not good to take scripture out of context and attempt to make it say something that it is not intended for. It is wise to read the entire reference to see how the verse is used in context. You may extrapolate your principle from the reference, but you need to understand the entire storyline! Wrapped around the scriptures are many other scriptures that augment the storyline and can affect lives every single day. These are good words to remember and use as a Guiding Principle, so, perhaps it’s good to keep them close but it’s also good to read the entire Word of God and keep it part of your daily existence.

Remembering, reciting, and sharing these principles are powerful, but you need to know the “rest of the story” (Paul Harvey).

What’s your Guiding Principle? Would you share? All you need to do is comment on this posting, or send me a private message. I would love to know what you use to face your day or get through some personal struggle, or how your outlook on life is affected by the words you hold dear. There’s a story here that could help someone else in their walk.