There is a phrase that has been a part of my life for a long time: “Principles are the foundation of relationships.”
Principles are enduring! They are fundamental truths or propositions that serve as the foundation for a system of belief, behavior, or a chain of reasoning.
Unsurprisingly, our principles are reflected in our choices and relationships. We are only operating with principles if we can see the fruit and consistency.
Principles appear in our child-rearing, marriage, friendships, work, and leadership.
I bet you can think of the principles you teach your children so they can grow and mature. And we all know our kids might not understand the why behind it now, but they will in the long run.
And I bet you have principles in your marriage that have allowed you to build a strong relationship.
We even have principles in our business to create a healthy and growing atmosphere.
Do you see the pattern? When we build relationships on a firm foundation, they are not only good relationships but lasting!
If we build principles on materialist things, ego, or greed, our relationships won’t last.
Biblical principles are the foundation of a flourishing life.
Remember, we may SAY we operate with biblical principles but what do your choice and relationships show? They will reveal the true principles we operate on.
So, we have a choice. We can operate on a new level or stay stagnant with weak relationships.
For this reason, we must always go back to the word of God to determine our principles. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” Look to HIM to evaluate your principle on an ongoing basis.
His words should be the source of our principles, lamp, and guide. When we build our lives around Jesus, we create an unshakable foundation.
God wants to blast you into an entirely new dimeson this year and it starts with your principles.
Matthew 7:24-27 says, ” Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.”
In archery, the goal is to simply hit the mark at the center of the target with an arrow shot from a bow. In order to do this one must be firmly planted, keep their focus, and have the strength to pull back the bowstring to propel the arrow toward their intended mark.
What is your “mark” in life? What dreams to you have, and what do you love? What do you want to be when you ‘grow up’? What inspires you, and ignites a passion in your life? We all have greater purposes for our lives than what we can dream up on our own. And still, God has plans to use the desires and dreams in your heart to reach that goal, purpose, or target that He has for you.
In Jeremiah 29:11 God tells us, “’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.’”
For some of you college may be the path you are going to take, and others you may have a great career making your own mark in the world. Some join the army, and find their purpose in serving this great country we live in, and others are called to the mission field to help bring the Word of God to the lost, dying, and hurting. But no matter what the end goal is that you have in your mind or in your heart, no matter what you are called to do, God will help you to hit your mark and see those dreams come to pass.
But we also must be diligent in doing our part to work towards hitting the intended mark for our life. The first thing we must do is to accept the call on our lives and be willing to hit the mark. We must be willing to do whatever it takes to see our dreams and goals come to pass, we must be willing to go wherever God calls us to go. We must be willing to be stretched and pulled, and we must be willing to stand tall in the midst of each storm we’ll go through.
Once we are willing to hit the mark, and willing to go towards our dreams we must be sure to aim away from temptations, blindness, and distractions. Just like in archery, the target we are aiming towards has more to hit than just the mark at the center. As we aim to hit our intended mark, we must aim to stay away from the temptations of giving up, giving into sin, giving into lies, and giving into the darkness of the world. As we aim to hit our intended mark, we must aim to stay away from the blindness in our lives. What I mean is, we cannot loose vision of what our mark is. We cannot be blind to what we are working to accomplish. And as we aim to hit our intended mark, we must aim away from the distractions of life that will take our time and mind and joy away from our dreams. We cannot let the trials of life distract us from what we set out to do to hit our mark.
And finally, and most importantly, in order to hit our mark we must stand firmly on the Word of God, keep our focus on Jesus, and let the Holy Spirit give you’re the strength, direction, and wisdom you need to do what God has called you to do. There is power in the Word of God, and power in the name of Jesus. By keeping our focus on Jesus, keeping the Word of God in our hearts, and allowing the Holy Spirit to operate in our lives it will help you to accomplish your calling, and hit your mark.
But remember, you are not in this alone! God is with you, and will help you to hit your mark! As you obey Him, and do your part to reach your goals, God will be right there beside you strengthening you, encouraging you, and providing for you.
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” ~ Isaiah 41:10
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