Rules Of A Godly Life: Part 1: Rule 5

"In everything you do, ponder well before you start what the outcome may be.  Think, would you be willing to be found doing what you plan to do should you be called that hour by death, to appear before God?  Never allow yourself to become involved in anything which destroys our hope and assurance of salvation.  Live each day as if it were your last."

It is good to meditate on our actions and what their outcomes may be and to consider if our actions are in line with the commandments and statutes of God.  The words that Christ spoke to Joshua in the days following the passing of Moses are so full of love and compassion in directing us to do just this.

Joshua 1:7-9 KJV

7.  Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee:  Turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.
 8.  this book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therin day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein:  for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
9.  Have not I commanded thee?  Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed:  for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. 

Rules of A Godly Life: Part 1: Rule 4

"On the Sabbath especially take note of the wonderful works of God; of the creation and governing of the world, and of our Redemption.  Make the Sabbath a day of prayer, of listening to and studying sermons; make it a day of holy thoughts and holy conversation.  In this way you can keep the Sabbath holy, as is so often commanded in God's Word.  If one does not keep the Sabbath holy it is certain that he will also take into contempt all the other commandments of God."







This rule makes me think of the promise in Isaiah 58:13-14 KJV.


13.  If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the the Lord, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words:
14.  Then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.


It also makes me think of the original sabbath day as it is recorded in Genesis 2:1-3 KJV.


1.  Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, all all the host of them.
2.  And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.
3.  And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it:  because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.

Rules Of A Godly Life: Part 1: Rule 3

"Think often on the four last things:  On death -- there is nothing of which we are more sure; on the Judgment Day -- there is nothing more terrible; on hell -- there is nothing more unbearable; and on heaven -- there is nothing more joyful.  He who thinks on these things will shun much sin and will be diligent in the way of salvation."

Rules of a Godly Life: Part 1: Rule 2

"Keep free from wicked, idle, or unclean thoughts. Prov. 4:23.  For as your thoughts are so is your speech, your conduct, and your entire way of life."

When I read this rule I think of the Word of God as it is recorded in Philippians 4:4-8

"Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.  Let your moderation be known unto all men.  The Lord is at hand.  Be careful (anxious) for nothing;  but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.  Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, what soever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."


Jesus himself spoke to this in Matthew 12:34-37

"O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things?  For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.  A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.  But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.  For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned."  Jesus Christ

Rules Of A Godly Life: Part 1: Rule 1

"Beloved friend, if you desire to live a holy and God-pleasing life, and to inherit a home in heaven after this life, then you must bring ALL of your life, all of your thoughts, words, and actions into subjection to the teachings of the Bible, as God has commanded. Deut. 5:32,33. This is your only Rulebook of Faith.  King David wrote, "I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies" (Psalm 119:59), as much as to say -- "I regard and examine all my thoughts, words, and deeds, to see if they are according to thy commands; so that, perchance, if I have erred or wandered from some truth, I may return to the right."


First of all, let us consider our THOUGHTS.  Take the following rules seriously to heart:


Part 1: Rule 1


Awake in the morning with your thoughts turned to God. Think, this might be your last day of life. And when you go to bed at night, pause a moment to realize that it is unknown to you whether you will awake again on this earth, or whether your next awakening may be at the resurrection.  For this reason, we can see that it is expedient to pray daily; in the morning and again at evening, come before God upon your knees, thanking Him for continued care, confessing your sins and shortcomings, and praying for forgiveness."


The only thing I could add to this rule is to remain in the attitude of prayer at all times.  Some readers might be wondering how this is accomplished.  I know that at times my mind wonders, it has since I was a child and it happened a lot in school, however, when I become aware of my surroundings again I notice that I am praying or singing a prayer.  What a joy overflows then, as I realize that even when I am not thinking about it I am pouring my heart out in prayer.