I likened it to the golf swing and PGA tour players. Their swings all look different, but fundamentally they are the same. Every golf swing has the same fundamental process.
The grip
The stance
The takeaway
The turn
The top of the swing
The downswing
The follow through
If any of those get out of whack, chances are you won’t hit a good shot.
Same for life. If you fundamentals get out of whack, you may struggle in other aspects.
In general, people tell you things like the following:
Respect your elders.
Guard your heart and mind.
Live like it’s the last day of your life.
Trust the Lord
Think on good things
Be careful what you say
Be careful what you hear
Be careful what you see
Be careful what you do.
Exercise.
Play less video game.
Eat less junk food.
That’s just a sample of all the advice we get. But if you take care of the fundamentals, those other things fall into place.
I came up with 5 basic fundamentals:
Love strong.
Trust God
Use Wisdom
Share
Be Nice
I used Proverbs 3 as my text.
Prov 3: 1-2 Good friend, don't forget all I've taught you; take to heart my commands.
They'll help you live a long, long time, a long life lived full and well.
Love strong
Prov 3: 3-4 Don't lose your grip on Love and Loyalty.
Tie them around your neck; carve their initials on your heart.
Earn a reputation for living well in God's eyes and the eyes of the people.
Love and loyalty…We tend to love short and be loyal only as long as it serves us well. Yet we expect people to love us and remain loyal to us for a long time.
Treat people how you want to be treated.
Jesus said in Luke 6:31-
31Do to others as you would have them do to you. 32"If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' love those who love them. 33And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' do that. 34And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' lend to 'sinners,' expecting to be repaid in full. 35But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
Trust God
Prov: 5-12 Trust God from the bottom of your heart;
Don’t try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;
He’s the one who will keep you on track.
Don't assume that you know it all.
Run to God! Run from evil!
Your body will glow with health,
Your very bones will vibrate with life!
Honor God with everything you own; give him the first and the best.
Your barns will burst, your wine vats will brim over.
But don't, dear friend, resent God's discipline;
Don’t sulk under his loving correction.
It's the child he loves that God corrects;
A father's delight is behind all this.
Trust God….You don’t know it all. I don’t know it all. Nobody does.
USE Wisdom
If you use wisdom and hold onto these things, good things will happen. Listen to what Solomon says in verses 21-26.
Prov: 21-26 Dear friend, guard Clear Thinking and Common Sense with your life;
Don’t for a minute lose sight of them.
They'll keep your soul alive and well,
They’ll keep you fit and attractive.
You'll travel safely,
You’ll neither tire nor trip.
You'll take afternoon naps without a worry,
You’ll enjoy a good night's sleep.
No need to panic over alarms or surprises,
Or predictions that doomsday's just around the corner,
Because God will be right there with you;
he'll keep you safe and sound.
Share
Prov: 27-29 Never walk away from someone who deserves help;
Your hand is God's hand for that person.
Don't tell your neighbor "Maybe some other time"
Or "Try me tomorrow"
When the money's right there in your pocket.
Don't figure ways of taking advantage of your neighbor
When he's sitting there trusting and unsuspecting.
When we were kids, we were always told to share. Share with friends, cousins, etc. It started at a really young age, usually when we smack a cousin in the head for taking a toy we weren't even using. I watch my little nephews and niece learn the concept of sharing. Sure enough, one of them gets a new toy and takes it with them to show it off and play with. They only play with it for awhile before something else gets their attention. Sure enough a cousin comes by, picks up the toy and starts playing with it. Out of nowhere, the nephew whose toy it is, comes out of nowhere creaming "Mine!" and either pushes their cousin or takes the toy away. Of course, they get in trouble.
Be Nice
Prov: 30-32 Don't walk around with a chip on your shoulder,
Always spoiling for a fight.
Don't try to be like those who shoulder their way through life.
Why be a bully?
"Why not?" you say. Because God can't stand twisted souls.
It's the straightforward who get his respect.
What did your parents always tell you growing up? Be Nice. Play nice. How come when we get older, we usually become alot less nice to people, and share alot less.
Living a good life usually leads to blessings.
The Blessings
Prov 3: 33-35 God's curse blights the house of the wicked,
But he blesses the home of the righteous.
He gives proud skeptics a cold shoulder,
But if you're down on your luck, he's right there to help.
Wise living gets rewarded with honor; stupid living gets the booby prize.
If you want that reward, live wisely.
Focus on the fundamentals:
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