Guidelines for Living

DAILY PRAYER

My Father in heaven, I love, respect, and honor You. May Your kingdom come. May Your will be done on earth as it is done in heaven. I thank You that I am able to use all my senses and faculties, and for everything that You have done for me. I ask You now for Your continued blessings and to give me today my spiritual, physical, and psychological nourishment, for without Your daily nourishment I cannot function.

Please help me to have a new attitude and plenty of gratitude for everything You have done for me. Let me make the best of each and every day You give me. Clear my mind so I can hear from You. Give me Your divine kindness so I can trust You in all situations, no matter how I feel. Broaden my mind so I can graciously accept all things from You.

When I sin, let me be sorry and confess from my heart my wrongdoing. Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your divine kindness and the huge amount of Your tender mercies. Wash me thoroughly from my offenses, cleanse me from my sins and deliver me from evil. Please forgive me for my sins and give me Your divine kindness so I can forgive others who have sinned against me. I know that You will not forgive me for my sins if I do not forgive others who have wronged me. I am blessed because You are a forgiving and understanding God. I thank You for dying for my sins, for Your free pardon, and for Your gift of eternal life.

Do not let me complain about the situations I have no control over, and if I am ever devastated, let me remember Jesus’ example— to slip away and pray quietly. I know it is the best response when I am distressed. Please remove all malice from my heart and always listen to how I feel in my heart and respond to those feelings.

Dear God, please bless me so I can be a blessing to others. Let me be strong so I can help anyone who needs me. Keep me uplifted so I can have comforting words of encouragement for others, and when I speak let my words be reasonable and pleasant. Guide my thoughts, words, and actions, and help me to be the kind of person You want me to be so people seeing what You have done in my life will want the same for themselves from You. Please use me to do Your will. I give You the symptoms and causes of all my problems, concerns, and needs and ask that You please take care of them.

O God please bless me, my children, and my household wonderfully. Greatly expand our borders and keep us from temptation, evil, and disaster. You know the challenges we face daily. I ask that you use those challenges to make us the kind of people you would like us to be. Gently correct and teach us all You need us to know. Bless us with keen, shrewd minds. Fill us with Your love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. I ask that Your Holy Spirit always guide and protect us in our daily life, and may all the people we speak to and come in contact with today be especially blessed.

I pray for all my family, friends, and their relatives and ask that You bless them and give them peace, happiness, and contentment in their lives and take care of the symptoms and causes of all their problems, concerns, and needs.

I ask that You enlighten everyone who is spiritually lost. I pray for everyone (including myself) who is misjudged and misunderstood and who does not know and believe in You; I thank You that I do believe in You. I believe that You can change people and their circumstances. I pray that everyone will know that there is no problem, circumstance, or situation greater than You. Every battle is in Your hands for You to fight.

I thank You for hearing and answering my prayer, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

MEDITATION

Proverbs 26:18–19 — People who shrug off deliberate unkindness and deception, saying, I didn’t mean it, I was only joking, are worse than careless campers who walk away from smoldering campfires. Am I unkind or deceptive?

Proverbs 10:19— People who talk a lot are likely to sin. But those who control their tongues are wise. Do I talk too much?

1 John 4:1— Don’t believe everything you hear. Carefully weigh and examine what people tell you. Not everyone who talks about God comes from God. There are a lot of lying people loose in the world. Do I believe everything I hear?

1 Thessalonians 4:11— Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and mind your own business. Do I mind my own business?

Luke 6:37–38 — Don’t be quick to judge, give unwanted advice, or criticize others — unless you don’t mind being treated the same way. Your hardness can boomerang on you. Be easy on others and you’ll find that your life is a lot easier. Be loving and understanding and you’ll find love and understanding given back to you, but not merely given back — given back with a bonus and blessings. Giving is the way to go. Generosity brings about generosity. Am I quick to judge others?

Matthew 7:1–5 — Don’t be quick to judge, give unwanted advice, or criticize others — unless you don’t mind being treated the same way. Your hardness can boomerang on you. Be easy on others, and you’ll find that your life is a lot easier. Do you have the nerve to say, let me tell you what to do, when you are unknowledgeable and unaware of the whole truth? Don’t be self-righteous; instead just live your own life. Wipe that know-it-all sneer off your own face, and you might be fit to offer advice to others. Do I give unwanted advice?

Proverbs 24:29— Do not say, I’ll do to him/her as he/she has done to me; I’ll pay that man/woman back for what he/she did. Do I treat everyone with dignity, courtesy, and respect?

Ephesians 4:1–3 — Live a highly respectable life. Be completely humble, gentle, and patient. Support everyone with love. Make every effort to be peaceful. Am I supportive?

1 Corinthians 13:4–8— Love is patient and kind; it is not envious, boastful, proud, rude, selfish, or angry; does not remember the wrongs of others or take pleasure in evil but is happy with the truth. Love always protects, trusts, hopes, and persists. Love never fails. Am I loving?

Romans 14:12— You will give an account of yourself to God, so do not pass judgment on anyone or put any difficulties or obstacles in their way. Do I make anyone’s life difficult?

ADULTERY

Book of Exodus— God said:

Do not commit adultery

Book of Proverbs

Your wisdom will save you from adulterers and the wayward husband or wife with their seductive words who have left their spouse and ignored the promise they made before God.

Pay attention to wisdom and listen well to the words of insight so you can maintain carefulness and your words will safeguard your knowledge, for the words of adulterers are smooth, but in the end they are bitter and dangerous. An adulterer’s feet lead them straight to their grave. They give no thought to the way of life because their ways are crooked, but they do not know it.

Remember and obey the commands and teachings of your parents forever. They will guide and protect you in your daily life, for they are enlightening, and their corrections and disciplines are a way to life to keep you from immoral people and the smooth tongue of an adulterer. Do not lust after his or her beauty or be held captive with his or her eyes. The prostitute reduces you to nothing, and an adulterer will make a victim of your very life. If you sleep with another person’s husband or wife you will be punished. People who commit adultery have no judgment, and they destroy themselves. They will be disgraced, and his or her shame will never be forgotten, for jealousy provokes a husband or wife’s fury, and they will show no mercy when they take revenge. They will not accept any excuses.

The words of adulterers are evil, and people who are under our LORD’s anger will fall into it.

A prostitute is a deep pit, and a wayward husband or wife is like a narrow well; like a thief, they lie in wait and increase the adulterers.

An adulterer says I’ve done nothing wrong.

Book of Matthew— Jesus said:

Do not commit adultery. Anyone who looks at another man or woman lustfully has already committed adultery with him or her in his or her heart.

Anyone who divorces their husband or wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, causes them to become an adulterer, and anyone who marries a divorcee commits adultery.

What goes into your mouth does not make you impure, but what comes out of your mouth is what makes you impure. Whatever enters your mouth goes into your stomach and then out of your body, but the words you speak from your heart are what makes you impure, for out of your heart comes evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual wickedness, robbery, lies, and insults. These are the things that make you impure, but eating with unwashed hands does not make you impure.

Anyone who gets a divorce, except for marital unfaithfulness, and marries someone else commits adultery.

Obey the commandments, do not murder, commit adultery, steal, or give false testimony; honor (love and respect) your parents; and love everyone else as yourself.

Book of Mark— Jesus said:

From out of your heart come evil thoughts, sexual wickedness, robbery, murder, adultery, greed, hatred, dishonesty, filthiness, jealousy, insults, pride, and thoughtlessness. All these evils come from inside your heart and make you impure.

Anyone who divorces his or her husband or wife and marries another commits adultery.

Do not murder, commit adultery, steal, or take advantage of anyone; and respect (love and honor) your father and mother.

Book of Luke— Jesus said:

Using the legalities of divorce as a cover for lust is adultery; using the legalities of marriage as a cover for lust is adultery.

You know the commandments: Do not commit adultery, do not murder, steal, or lie; and honor (respect and love) your parents.

Book of Romans

By Law a husband and wife are committed to each other as long as they are alive, but if the man or woman marries someone else, after they have gotten divorced, they have committed adultery, but if the divorced man or woman dies, the partner that is still alive is released from that commitment and would not be an adulterer, even though he or she gets married again.

The commandments: Do not commit adultery, do not murder, steal, or envy, and whatever other commandments there may be, are summed up in this one rule: Love everyone like you love yourself.

Book of First Corinthians

People who are addicts, sexually wicked, adulterers, prostitutes, homosexuals, thieves, greedy, drunkards, liars, cheaters, and those who give too much devotion to anything will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Book of Hebrews

Everyone should honor marriage, and the marriage bed must be kept pure, for God will judge adulterers and sexually immoral people.

Book of James

Whoever keeps all the ten commandments and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it, for God said: Do not commit adultery and do not murder.

Book of Second Peter

Our LORD knows how to rescue His people from trials, and He puts aside the wicked people until the Day of Judgment, while continuing their punishment. This is especially true of anyone who is addicted, follows the dishonest ways of their sinful character, and who hates authority. They are bold, arrogant, insulting, adulterous, greedy, drunk, gluttonous, and use foul language in matters that they do not understand. They noisily enjoy their pleasure, tempt insecure people, speak empty charming words, follow the lustful, and attract others who are escaping from people who do not do what is right in the eyes of our LORD by promising them freedom while they themselves are wicked.

ALCOHOL/BEER/DRUNK/WINE

Book of Proverbs

Wise people are not addicted to anything or led astray by alcoholic beverages.

People who are addicted to anything or who love too much amusement or alcohol will never be rich.

Do not join people who are addicted to anything. They are addicted, drink too much alcohol, or stuff themselves with meat, for addicts, drunkards, and gluttons become poor, and their tiredness covers them in rags. Anyone who lingers over wine, and samples mixed wine has sadness, sorrows, troubles, complaints, unnecessary bruises, and bloodshot eyes. Do not gaze at wine when it is red and sparkles in the glass and goes down smoothly! In the end it bites like a snake and poisons like a viper. Your eyes will see strange sights, and your mind will imagine confusing things. You will be like a person sleeping on the high seas, lying on top of the rigging. They hit me, you will say, but I am not hurt! They beat me, but I don’t feel it! When will I awake so I can find another drink or satisfy my addiction?

Leaders should not be addicted to anything or drink alcohol, in case they get drunk and forget what the Laws are and deny the rights of discouraged people. Give someone who is dying beer and someone who is suffering wine. Let them drink and forget their shortcomings and unhappiness.

Book of Luke — Jesus said:

Be careful, or your heart will be weighed down with pleasure, drunkenness, and the anxieties of life, and the day of our LORD will come on you unexpectedly like a trap.

Book of Romans

Do not be addicted, uncontrolled, immoderate, drunk, sexually immoral, wicked, disagreeable, or jealous; instead do the will of our LORD Jesus Christ, and do not think about how you will please the needs of your sinful character.

All food is clean, but it is better not to eat meat, drink alcohol, or do anything that will cause anyone to fall; so whatever you believe about these things must be kept between yourself and God.

Book of First Corinthians

Do not associate with anyone who is addicted, wicked, sexually immoral, greedy, slanderous, drunk, a deceiver, or an idolater.

People who are addicted, sexually wicked, adulterers, prostitutes, homosexuals, thieves, greedy, drunkards, liars, cheaters, and give too much devotion to anything will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Book of Galatians

The acts of a sinful character are: addictions, sexual immorality, impurity, wickedness, worshiping heroes and objects made by people, witchcraft, hatred, disagreements, jealousy, rage, selfish ambition, quarrels, divisions, envy, drunkenness, uncontrolled or enjoying too much pleasure, and the like. If you live like this you will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Book of Ephesians

Do not be addicted or get drunk on alcohol, which leads to wickedness; instead, be filled with God’s Holy Spirit.

Book of First Timothy

A husband must have one wife, be gentle, faithful, truthful, calm, self-controlled, worthy, sincere, respectable, hospitable, able to teach (verbally and by example), manage his family well, see to it that his children are obedient with proper respect for everyone, have a clear conscience, a good reputation, not be addicted, quarrelsome, violent, indulging in alcohol, being drunk, a lover of money, gambling, or going after dishonest profits so he will not fall into disgrace and the devil’s trap.

Book of Second Peter

Our LORD knows how to rescue His people from trials, and He puts aside the wicked people until the Day of Judgment, while continuing their punishment. This is especially true of anyone who is addicted, follows the dishonest ways of their sinful character, and hates authority. They are bold, arrogant, insulting, adulterous, greedy, drunk, gluttonous, and use foul language in matters that they do not understand. They noisily enjoy their pleasure, tempt insecure people, speak empty charming words, follow the lustful, and attract others who are escaping from people who do not do what is right in the eyes of our LORD by promising them freedom while they themselves are wicked. They have left the straight way of our LORD and wandered off to follow evildoers, who love wickedness and never stop sinning. They are scars and boils and will be punished for the harm that they have done.

Book of Titus

Older men and women must be decent, pleasant, self-controlled, busy, kind, reliable in faith, love, and patience, worthy of dignity, courtesy, and respect, and be upright and sincere in the way they live, not be insulting or addicted to alcohol, but set a good example by doing what is right in the eyes of our LORD; then the younger men and women who love their family will follow their example and treat their family the same way and no one will disapprove of the word of God.

ANGER/RAGE

Book of Psalm

Turn from anger and do not be troubled, because it will only lead to wickedness, and anyone who is wicked will die.

Our LORD is kind and merciful, slow to become angry, and has lots of love. He will not always accuse, nor will He be angry forever.

Our LORD is good, rich in love, gracious, slow to become angry, faithful to all of His promises, loving towards all He has made, and near to anyone who calls on Him in truth.

Book of Proverbs

Wealth is worthless in the day of anger, but decency can deliver you from death.

The desires of upright people are good, but the hopes of wicked people will end in anger.

Easily angered people will do foolish things, and sneaky people are to be hated.

A gentle answer prevents rage, but harsh words stir up anger.

A gift given in secret soothes anger, and a concealed bribe calms great rage.

Wicked people get into trouble, and their anger is destroyed.

The words of adulterers are evil, and people who are under our LORD’s anger will fall into it.

Do not be happy when your enemies fall and stumble, or our LORD will see, disapprove, and turn His anger away from them.

Anger is cruel and fury is overwhelming, but who can stand jealous people.

Troublemakers might provoke a city, but wise people turn away from anger. If a wise person goes to court with a fool, the fool rages and mocks, and there is no peace. Foolish people give their anger full opportunity, but wise people keep their anger under control. Anger stirs up disagreements, and a hot-tempered person commits many sins.

Rulers shout when they are angry, but their acts of kindness are beneficial to all.

Stirring up anger creates trouble.

Scheming words bring angry looks.

A leader’s rage is like a roar.

Book of Ecclesiastes

If a leader’s anger rises against you, do not leave your position, because your calmness can put big mistakes to rest.

Do not let your words lead you into sin or complain to the church members that your promise to God was a mistake. Why should God be angry with what you say and destroy your work?

Do not be quickly provoked, for foolish people get angry.

Book of Matthew— Jesus said:

Anyone who murders, is angry, or does not treat others with dignity, courtesy, or respect will be judged.

Book of Luke— Jesus said:

Anyone who is in the city should go quickly to the mountains, and anyone who is in the country should not enter the city, for this will be the time of punishment. How dreadful it will be for pregnant women and nursing mothers! There will be great suffering, and people will be very angry.

Book of John— Jesus said:

Whoever believes Me will have never-ending life, but whoever rejects Me will not have never-ending life, because God’s anger will remain on them.

Book of Romans

Now that you are accepted through the blood of Jesus Christ, you will be saved from God’s anger through Him and can celebrate the love you have for God through our LORD Jesus Christ, through whom you now have reunion.

Do not take revenge, but leave room for God’s anger, for it is written: It is mine to avenge. I will retaliate, says our LORD.

Book of First Corinthians

Love is patient and kind; it is not envious, boastful, proud, rude, selfish, or angry; does not remember the wrongs of others or take pleasure in evil but is happy with the truth.

Book of Ephesians

In your anger do not sin or let the sun set while you are still angry, and do not let the devil get a hold of you. Get rid of all your bitterness, rage, anger, fighting, insults, and hatred.

Do not be misled with empty words, because God gets angry with anyone who is disobedient. Live as His child, in the light of Jesus Christ.

Book of Galatians

The acts of a sinful character are: addictions, sexual immorality, impurity, wickedness, worshiping heroes and objects made by people, witchcraft, hatred, disagreements, jealousy, rage, selfish ambition, quarrels, divisions, envy, drunkenness, uncontrolled or too much pleasure, and the like. If you live like this you will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Book of Colossians

Keep your heart and mind on the things that are in heaven, where Jesus Christ is seated at the right hand of God, not on earthly things, and put to death, whatever belongs to your sinful character: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, greed, anger, hatred, insults, filthy language, and lies, which is worship.

Book of James

Be quick to listen and slow to speak or become angry, for anger does not bring about the uprightness in you that God wants you to have.

AUTHORITIES/LEADERS/OFFICIALS/RULERS

Book of Psalm

Do not trust in the illegal use of official positions or powers to obtain property, funds, and support or take pride in stolen property. Though your riches might increase, do not set your heart on them.

Book of Proverbs

Consider the ways of the ant and be wise! The ant has no overseer or ruler, yet it stores up supplies in summer and gathers its food in the autumn.

Work hard and become a leader. Lazy people never succeed.

A large population is a ruler’s pride, but without loyal employees there will be ruin. A ruler is happy with wise employees, but shameful employees cause lots of problems.

Proud words are unsuited to a fool, so it will be much worse for a ruler with lying words!

Many people suck up to officials, and everyone is a friend to a gift giver. Rulers shout whenever they are angry, but their acts of kindness are beneficial to all.

A leader’s rage is like a roar.

A wise ruler looks for wicked people and punishes them. Love and faithfulness will keep a ruler’s position safe.

Our LORD controls a leader’s heart. He directs it wherever He pleases.

People who love a pure heart and whose speech is gracious will have rulers and officials for friends. Skilled people will work for leaders.

When you dine with a leader, pay attention to what is before you and put a knife to your throat if you are greedy, and do not crave any food that you are unsure of.

Love our LORD and leaders and do not join with disobedient people, for they will suddenly be destroyed, and who knows what misfortune they can bring to you.

Through patience a ruler can be persuaded.

When a country is rebellious, it has many rulers, but understanding and knowledge will maintain order. A leader who holds back poor people is like a destructive hurricane. A cruel ruler has no sense. Anyone who hates stolen profits will enjoy a long life.

If a ruler listens to lies, his officials might be wicked. Where there is no leadership, people lose their self-control, but anyone who keeps the Laws will be happy. Many people want to see their leader, but it is our LORD who gives justice.

Four things that cannot be tolerated: an employee who becomes a leader, a fool who is full of food, an unloved husband or wife, and a maid who takes the place of her mistress.

Do not use up your energy running after the opposite sex or on anyone who destroys leaders. Leaders should not be addicted or drink alcohol, in case they get drunk and forget what the Laws are and deny the rights of discouraged people.

Book of Ecclesiastes

Wisdom makes wise people more powerful than ten rulers.

The quiet words of wise people are more beneficial than the shouts of a leader of fools.

If a leader’s anger rises against you, do not leave your position, because your calmness can put big mistakes to rest.

Book of Matthew — Jesus said:

A genuine leader will never exploit your emotions or your pocketbook. These people are bad.

Book of Luke — Jesus said:

When you are brought before officials and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourself or what you will say, for God’s Holy Spirit will tell you at that time what to say.

A ruler said, good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life? Why do you call Me good? Jesus answered: No one is good except God alone. You know the commandments: Do not commit adultery, do not murder, steal, or lie, and honor (respect and love) your parents.

There will be great earthquakes, food shortages, and deadly diseases in various places, fearful events and great signs from heaven, but before all this, some of you might be discriminated against, arrested, sent to prison, and brought before judges and officials because of Me. This will give you an opportunity to tell the officials about Me.

Book of Romans

There are different gifts according to the divine kindness God has given each of us. If your gift is being God’s prophet, use it in accordance to your faith. If it is serving, then serve, if it is teaching, then teach, if it is encouraging others, then encourage them, if it is contributing to the needs of others, then contribute willingly, if it is leadership, then lead carefully, if it is showing mercy, then do it kindly.

Everyone must obey the authorities, for there is no authority except what God has approved of. God has authorized the authorities that exist. People who are disobedient to authorities are going against what God has established, and they will be judged, for rulers have no fear of people who do what is right but of people who do what is wrong. If you want to be free from the fear of the people in authority, then do what is right in the eyes of our LORD and they will speak well of you, for they are God’s servant and will do good to you, but if you do what is wrong, you should be afraid, because punishment is not given for nothing. The leaders will punish the wrongdoers. Therefore, it is necessary to obey the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of your conscience. Pay your taxes so the authorities can give their attention to leadership.

Book of Hebrews

Obey your leaders and do what is asked of you so your work will not be a hard, because your leaders keep watch over you and they must give an account for their actions.

Book of First Timothy

Requests, prayers, and thanksgiving are to be made for everyone, especially for anyone who is in authority, so you may live a peaceful and quiet life of uprightness and holiness.

Book of Titus

Be respectful and obedient to everyone in authority, and be ready to do whatever is right in the eyes of our LORD.

Book of Second Peter

Our LORD knows how to rescue His people from trials, and He puts aside the wicked people until the Day of Judgment, while continuing their punishment. This is especially true of anyone who follows the dishonest ways of their sinful character and who hates authority. They are bold, arrogant, insulting, addicted, adulterous, greedy, drunk, gluttonous, use foul language in matters that they do not understand, noisily enjoy their pleasure, tempt insecure people, speak empty charming words, follow the lustful wishes of their sinful character, and attract others who are escaping from people who do not do what is right in the eyes of our LORD by promising them freedom while they themselves are wicked.

Book of Jude

To the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power, and authority given, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy,