Getting Back to Basics

Everything around us can get overwhelming at times. Difficulties at home, layoffs, health issues, needy friends, noisy neighbors, crabby co-workers, financial issues, news headlines, too many chores, daily disappointments and the list is endless. It’s easy to get distracted and feel as though we”ll never get things done, never reach our dreams, never feel at peace. That’s the perfect moment in time to stop the madness and get back to basics. What does getting back to basics mean for you? What would be the outcome if you had a reset button? For me, the reset button was scribbling in the back of my bible a reminder - a simplified framework of Jesus’s teachings. This way, priorities could be reset. No matter what the daily challenges, Christ gave us a road map to guide our way: Love, Forgive, Believe, Do, Pray. Love God above all things. Love your neighbor as yourself. (Lord, change our hearts of stone to hearts of flesh - Ezekiel 36:26). Forgive all who have offended you, especially since you want Jesus to forgive you your offenses. (And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. Matthew 6:12) Believe Jesus saves. Believe you are saved. Believe He is your Redeemer and Savior (Acts 15:11). Believe it when you sincerely repent and turn to God that you are forgiven (Acts 3:19). Believe Jesus is the Truth and the way and the life (John 14:6). Believe in our Lord’s goodness - God is ALWAYS good (1Peter 2:9). Do what is morally right (Psalm 64:10). Defend truth. Do practice God’s commandments. Do stay focused on the things of heaven rather than the things of the earth (Colossians 3:2). Pray for God’s Kingdom to come. Pray for God’s will to be done (Matthew 6:10). Pray for the Holy Spirit’s guidance in your life. Pray for others’ salvation and for yourself.