*Topic* : Living by Godly Principles
*Text* : Matthew 25:14-30
All praise to God for the opportunity to gather again to share His word and be impacted by it. I pray that we all receive a rhema word this day to the glory of God in Jesus name.
Principles are fundamental truth or proposition that serves as the foundation for a behaviour or system of belief.
In life we all live by some kind of principle, we were either born into it, develop it or find ourselves in a place that is guided by principles.
The anchor scripture today is Matthew 25:14-30. This is the story of the talents.
For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his Lord's money. After a long time the Lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. His Lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord. He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. His Lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord. Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: and I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. His Lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Matthew 25:14-30 KJV
https://bible.com/bible/1/mat.25.14-30.KJV
From the scripture above we can see that the man travelling into a far country gave talents. From the scripture we can see that some of them did not even use the talents instead it was buried. The man expressed his happiness and disappointment equally.
There are certain things that we must have as part of our principles in life.
1). *Plan:* to plan is to have an intention or scheme to address situation or circumstances in life. Jeremiah 29:11 we read about our creator stating that He has a plan for us.
A life that is not lived according to a set plan will fall for every plans or schemes. As believer it is important to live according to the plans of God for us. His plan for us is stated in the Bible. If you read the word of God with the guidance of the Holy spirit you will be able establish what the plans of God for you is in life. It is important to be determined not to live life without a clue.
2). *Priority:* to fulfill purpose in life, you need to know and set your priorities right. There is a saying that if you fail to stand for something you will fall for everything. When you lose your sense of priority in life you automatically lose your sense of purpose. Example is the life of Samson in the Bible, he had misplaced priority which eventually truncated his purpose in life.
3). *Pray:* you can't underestimate the power of prayer or the need to pray at all time. The scripture admonishes us to pray without ceasing.
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
Philippians 4:6 KJV
It is important to know that prayer should be a way of life. It should not be something you will need a reminder to do. It should be one of your priorities in life. It is through prayer that you tell God about you and listen to Him as He directs you after praying to Him. It is also important to pray right and not pray amiss, this you can develop through the Help of the Holy spirit and the word of God.
4). *Plant:* when you hear the word plant you think of something living. Life of a human is like a seed that needs to be planted for it to fulfill the purpose. One thing we must understand is that a seed that is planted has longevity of life compared to a seed that is eaten or thrown into the trash. From the parable of the talents the one who fail to put the talent into proper use which we can also call plant ended up losing it. He buried it instead of utilizing it appropriately. In life we must learn to plant at the right time and plant the right thing so we can have the appropriate harvest.
You may be wondering what can I plant, some of us have some unique skills that God has deposited in us for such a time as this or for particular time but we fail to recognize it because we undermine what they are.
To live a godly principled life we must be doers of the word of God.
He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: He that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.
Proverbs 21:17 KJV
https://bible.com/bible/1/pro.21.17.KJV
You can't live a godly principled life if you love ungodly pleasures. The love of ungodly pleasures is the root of destiny truncation.
You might wonder, how do I live by these principles with all that is going on around the world. It is important to have a relationship with God in order to live a life that is guided by Godly Principles.
Following godly principles is not the same as following man doctrines. Godly principles are not infiltrated by culture or man made principles. They are solely the mind of God.
It might not come easy but if your soul is regenerated you will not find it difficult to live according to godly principles, life challenges may come but the Holy Spirit will comfort, teach, direct and empower you when needed.
Living according to godly principles the enemy will always bring something to tamper with your diligence and loyalty. Challenges may come but your determination to please God will see you through.
*Let us pray*
Thank God for the word this evening and the impact it has on your life.
Say, father have mercy on me in any way I have lived against your principles in life.
Lord grant me grace to use all that you have given me to your glory and not be like the foolish servant that buried the talent.
Father give me clarity where confusion is making me go against godly principles in Jesus name
Lord increase in me the zeal to live according to your will in Jesus mighty name
Father help me in anyway I submit to ungodly pleasures that stands against your will for me.
Lord from today take the lead over my life in Jesus name
*Personal Prayer*
Thank you lord for answered prayers in Jesus name
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