Good Thoughts!

Whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things (fix your mind on them). Philippians 4:8.

Many times-being in tough circumstances can cause us to have a negative mind set that will cause us to have a negative attitude. The Apostle Paul encourages us in this passage of scripture to concentrate on these good things-that will then give us a good and hopeful attitude. Our thoughts affects our attitude. God, on the other hand, tells us to do things that are for our good. He wants us to be happy and fulfilled and the only way to have happiness and fulfillment is to have it God’s way! If we’re full of wrong thoughts, we’re miserable because we’re not thinking about what we’re thinking about! This can be a big challenge for us, especially when or calendars get so busy and to top it off, spiritual warfare! It is impossible to be happy while entertaining negative, critical, and depressing thoughts. God will help us to overcome Satan in this battle for our thoughts!

EVERY STEP TOWARDS CHRIST KILLS A DOUBT. EVERY THOUGHT, WORD, AND DEED FOR HIM CARRIES YOU AWAY FROM DISCOURAGEMRNT.  Theodore Ledyard Cuyler (1822-1909)

He Will Lift My Burdens!

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you. Let Me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke fits perfectly, and the burden I give you is light.” Matthew 11:28-30. There are times when heavy burdens weigh us down and bring heaviness and weariness to our spirit. A difficult relationship, caring for elderly parents, tough deadlines at work, a loss of job, being a single parent, dealing with illness, or seeking direction for our lives just to name a few, can lead us to feel overwhelmed, and in some cases even  make us feel alone. In these times as in all times, Jesus invites us to “Come to Me. Give Me the heavy load you are carrying. And in exchange, I will give you rest!” We can breathe a lot easier knowing that Jesus knows the hardships, challenges, deadlines, tasks, and other responsibilities that tend to stress us out and weigh us down! Let us come to our Savior for the help and strength we need. He is our High Priest Who is not unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have One Who has been tempted in every way, just as we are-yet was without sin. Let us then approach His throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:14-16. He will bring us from “job”…”to joy!” Blessings!

WHEN HE SAYS TO YOUR DISTURBED, DISTRACTED, RESTLESS SOUL AND MIND, “COME UNTO ME,” HE IS SAYING, COME OUT OF THE STRIFE AND DOUBT AND STRUGGLE OF WHAT IS AT THE MOMENT WHERE YOU STAND, INTO THAT WHICH WAS AND IS AND IS TO BE-THE ETERNAL, THE ESSENTIAL, THE ABSOLUTE.  Phillips Brooks.

Don't Stop Asking!

(Jesus said,) "Keep on asking, and you will be given what you ask for. Keep on looking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened. For everyone who ask, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds." Matthew 7:7-8 NLT.

There are times when we have been praying to God to act in a certain situation in our lives or in the lives of others. As time passes by we can become weary of asking God for His intervention! God is looking for people to give themselves to earnest, persevering prayer. Jesus is telling us in these verses to be persistent in prayer for what we desire as the widow was in Luke 18:1-8. If we just asked once and got what we wanted without really seeking God consistently in relationship with Him, our faith would become "shallow" and our walk with Him would be weak at best! It is in the areas where we have to persevere in prayer that we learn persistence in prayer! As we persevere in prayer and not give up-even when things are not changing at the moment, we will grow closer to God, our faith will grow, and we will see the blessings flow! Whatever we are waiting for in the Lord, we must persevere in prayer and seek Him as much as possible everyday until the answer comes! He promises to answer us when we call. Let's ask God by the power of the Holy Spirit to give us an extra measure of faith to believe Him for what we've asked for! "Blessings!"

IT IS NOT ENOUGH TO BEGAN TO PRAY, NOR TO PRAY ARIGHT; NOR IS IT ENOUGH TO CONTINUE FOR A TIME TO PRAY; BUT WE MUST PATIENTLY, BELIEVINGLY, CONTINUE IN PRAYER UNTIL WE OBTAIN AN ANSWER. (George Muller)

My Protector, My Shield!

O Lord, I have so many enemies; so many are against me. So many are saying, "God will never rescue him!" But You, O Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, and the one who lifts my head high. I cried out to the Lord, and He answered me from His holy mountain.

Psalm 3:1-4.

David wrote this psalm when he had to run from his palace being chased by his enemies who wanted to overthrow his kingdom because of their loyalty to his son Absalom. With this going on in David’s life, he cried out to the Lord in his distress knowing that the Lord would be his glory and the One who would lift his head high! David may have had others around him saying "give up!" your enemies are to strong for you!...run!... and never return!" Yet, in the midst of all this, God gave David hope, when there was no hope! This is also true for you and I today! There are times when trials of life and of our hearts will cause us to have a sense of doubt and dread. But, God promises to deliver us, be our shield and protector, and be the One who lifts our head high! Let's pray for each other in this area of trust in our God! Jesus said, "in this life you will have trouble, but take heart! I have overcome the world!" He has promised to bring us from "victim, to victory!" May we have a victorious day today, expecting our God to show up "BIG" in our lives! "Blessings."

THE ARMOUR IS FOR THE BATTLE OF PRAYER. THE ARMOUR IS NOT TO FIGHT IN, BUT TO SHIELD US WHILE WE PRAY. PRAYER IS THE BATTLE.  (Oswald Chambers).