Mind Set

Post courtesy of  AmazinglyBrash

 

We wake up to challenges daily. Our mood can be based on how well we slept, whether or not we look forward to our schedule, or waking up to the reality of yesterdays’ actions. When we combine that with actually encountering several others with the same internal challenges, it can be overwhelming; that is when optimism comes into play. Understanding that we have the ability to see further than the problem and embrace any joy allows us to flourish in every situation. We may get victimized, but we don’t have to be victims. When something negative occurs, it didn’t happen to you but for you. The belief that “everything happens for a reason” and “God is very reasonable” is all we need to work towards solution. Fired, behind on payments or grieving the loss of a loved one are all tests to see how much you truly want to live. Are you ready to grow or wither away because the sun isn’t shining? Are you going to ask for help or remain helpless because you’re a product of your pain? When fired, see yourself getting hired; behind on payment, see yourself getting ahead: lost a loved one, find love through others. The problem is present but it doesn’t have to be your future. If you carry it around, it will infect you and everyone you wish to affect. One can’t promise you freedom of stress, but they can assist you with ways of coping so that it isn’t stressful. Life will always suck the air out of you but if you remember to take a deep breath you won’t get suffocated!!!!

Why is it that a person is in your life at “that time” on “that particular day” connecting with you at “that moment”? Some say it’s a coincidence. What is this word “coincidence”? Was it coined to change the perception that a spiritual fact exist, or is it another attempt to control the uncontrollable? We spend more time sweeping the dirt under the rug than actually clean up the mess. We see what is happening but fail to investigate why. We take so many opportunities for granted because we’re sure we will be granted another. We don’t maximize on moments because we feel they are minimal. Guess what? It isn’t a coincidence that they entered your life; and the only way to get clarity is understanding why. There is a reason hidden and a lesson to be found. It may be to enhance an ability, increase a tolerance, or to find a half that makes you whole; maybe it’s all of the above. Ultimately, the powers deemed it necessary for us to intersect; we can crash, stop and allow the moment to pass, or park our cars and watch faith be realized!!!!

THE WORLD IS MINE

Today, upon a bus, I saw a very beautiful woman
And wished I were as beautiful.
When suddenly she rose to leave,
I saw her hobble down the aisle.
She had one leg and used a crutch.
But as she passed, she passed a smile.
Oh, God, forgive me when I whine.
I have two legs; the world is mine.

I stopped to buy some candy.
The lad who sold it had such charm.
I talked with him, he seemed so glad.
If I were late, it'd do no harm.
And as I left, he said to me,
"I thank you, you've been so kind.
It's nice to talk with folks like you.
You see," he said, "I'm blind."
Oh, God, forgive me when I whine.
I have two eyes; the world is mine.

Later while walking down the street,
I saw a child I knew.
He stood and watched the others play,
but he did not know what to do.
I stopped a moment and then I said,
"Why don't you join them dear?"
He looked ahead without a word.
I forgot, he couldn't hear.
Oh, God, forgive me when I whine.
I have two ears; the world is mine.

With feet to take me where I'd go..
With eyes to see the sunset's glow.
With ears to hear what I'd know.
Oh, God, forgive me when I whine.
I've been blessed indeed, the world is mine.

~ Arthur Unknown~

This is just a simple reminder that we have so much to be thankful for! Give the gift of love. It never comes back empty!

Build Your Trust

(REBUILD YOUR THINKING BY STUDYING GOD’S WORD AND TRUSTING HIM)

In the book of Exodus chpt 7-12 Moses listened to God over and over again (11 times to be exact) and did exactly what He had told him. Even though each time he went back Pharoah’s heart was just as hard, Moses did not give up and He continued to listen to what God had told him. God never told Moses in the beginning how many time he would have to go to Pharoah, so I’m sure after like the 5th time it must have been VERY DIFFICULT, but Moses trusted God and he kept going back, he kept on believing.

I think of how many times I’ve given up and gotten weary because the things that God has told me to do seem to not be working. The people he’s told me to minister to don’t seem to hear me or give me the time of day. Yet, the burden remains for me to help them.

In my relationship with God there has not always been a great level of trust. So over the years I’ve had to learn that although He doesn’t give me everything I want, He’s always given me much more than I’ve needed. And the fact that He hasn’t given me everything that I’ve asked Him for is so good! I’ve asked God for many things that would harm me and the calling on my life not being aware of the fact that it would.

I’m so sure I’m not the only one. So what I’ve done and continue to do is build on my relationship with Him and trust Him more and more. With trust come peace. That peace that people do a double take and look back at you, like “Why isn’t she/he falling apart right now?”

So has God given you very specific instructions, and a very unique assignment? Do people laugh at you or ignore you when you go to them with it? I want to tell you to never give up! Do what He has commanded you even if you never get to see the results! Martin Luther King Jr. never got to see President Obama in the white house, yet he marched and he marched didn’t he?

MARCH, GO, and may God’s plans always be yours.

Shared by The Relationship Stuff

Renewing Your Mind For Relationships

One of the ways that I healed from an emotional unhealthy mindset was listening to messages and mini sermons several days throughout the week. Sunday is a great blessing and all, but when it came to feeding my spirit and renewing my mind I needed more.

My favorite place to go on-line and get information that pertained to me and my personal issues and situations was OnePlace.com. There are so many different ministers there and so many different ways to listen, learn, and grow. You can search through the archives and find topics that relate to what you are going through at any given moment, that is what I did and still do til this day. It’s so helpful! Especially when your Pastor doesn’t talk much about Parenting, Friendship, or Marriage. Or it may just be that you are having some major issues with your in-laws and for that whole month at church you guys are reading the book of Revelation.

With all that being said, I’ve listed a few places that I think can be helpful to anyone if they open up and allow it.

With Dennis Rainey you get something like a teaching interview.

Family Life Today

With June Hunt you get something like a counseling session.

Hope for The Heart

And with James McDonald you get brief 30 minute sermonets that bless your soul!

Walk In The Word

It’s doesn’t do us any good to come up with excuses like “I don’t have time” because the messages can be downloaded and listened to in your car while you are driving or on your iPhone or Pod while you ride the bus, work out, get your nails, hair and toes done. We find time to watch our favorite T.V. Shows, go to the movies and out to eat, I’m sure we can find the time to feed our souls. It’s when you are really hungry for change that you will eat.

Most of the times people find a bunch of other unhealthy people to talk to and they validate what they are feeling and they think they are ok. But if people lie to you or just can’t give you the truth because they themselves don’t know it, you can’t grow as an individual.

It takes a lot to find a great person to hook up with forever when you are jacked up yourself. Inside you say “I want someone who will treat me good, not beat or cheat. Provide, protect, love, respect, submit, honor,” and on and on the list goes. But if you are emotionally damaged and refuse to admit and then take actions to change, more than likely you won’t attract that type of person.

Recognize, realize, and then renew!

Shared by The Relationship Stuff

LIP SERVICE

Do you remember what you told me? How you confessed your love for me! Do you remember what you said in the middle of your trial? Do you remember how you cried out and said, “If you help me, I will serve you” and like a mighty warrior I stepped in and saved you. You praised me for the valiant act and now I hear only your lips.

You continue to tell me about your love for me and yet you don’t attend my house. You blame others for your attendance and yet my promise was with you and I alone. How come all of a sudden others are involved in our relationship?

You lift up both your hands in surrender and sing “I Surrender All,” but the moment I ask for your service, well maybe next time.

How long shall I receive lip service? How long? When your spouse asks for attention, you say you love them and yet when asked for service, well maybe next time.

How long shall your spouse receive lip service? When the divorce decree is being drawn up by the lawyer? When the home and children are being taken? How long?

Let’s declare today to end lip service. Speak the truth. Your actions will always reveal it. Telling someone you love them and not demonstrating it with actions, is like a glazed Krispy Kreme donut. I see the surrounding goodness, but where is the center where the heart should be.

Post shared via Roger Tharpe

IT FALLS WHEN YOU NEED IT

The treasures of heaven fall upon the body like a mantle when you need it. Your position must be one of movement. We find the Lord moves after you. How else can David write in Psalm 23 that goodness and mercy would follow him all the days of his life?  If you are bound by present fear let this encourage and empower you.

I am an introvert and public speaking produces for me a great fear, but I am here to tell you, It Falls when you need it. In the last few weeks, I have had many speaking engagements and each one was not without fear, however I can tell you, It falls when you need it and the peace of God that passes understanding and the wisdom of God produces the required fruit.

Some may say “Lord I am waiting for your power.” It falls when you need it. Not a moment sooner. While I am in the chair waiting to speak, I am afraid. While walking to the platform and then right before I speak, the mantle falls. It falls when you need it. Do not fear today. God will show up, you only have to move first to see his power.

Single person waiting on the Lord? God moves after you. Struggling married person waiting on the Lord? God moves after you. It falls when you need it, but only after you move first.

Walking in Christ is no different than receiving salvation. For one only receives salvation after they confess with their mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in the their heart that God raised them from the dead. It falls when you need it, only after you move first.

Post courtesy of Roger Tharpe

Being Alone Ain’t Good

If man truly believed that God is the same as He was and the same as He will always be yesterday today and forever, then how come when He says in His word “The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” Genesis 2:18

man acts as if God has stopped making a helper suitable for Him? I hear single Christian men going around telling people they are waiting on God and that there are not that many good godly women to choose from and all this other garbage. But my question to you men in waiting is why would God say that it’s not good for you to be alone and then not provide that which would make your life good? He does not love you less than He did Adam. Open your eyes and believe that your suitable helper is somewhere near you.

Post shared by mrs relationship stuff

Know When to Turn Away

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE 
 
"It is an honor for a man to cease from strife...” (Proverbs 20:3, KJV)
 
TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria 
 
In life, many of the challenges we face are simply distractions from the enemy to keep us from pursuing our destiny. Maybe someone in the office isn’t as friendly to you as you’d like. Maybe you have a neighbor who always parks in front of your house and blocks your mailbox. Those things may be frustrating, but they have little significance when you look at the big picture of eternity. You can’t allow the little things to cause strife in your life.

In scripture, just before David fought the giant Goliath, his brother Iliab tried to confront him. But David knew that arguing with Iliab wasn’t even worth his time and strength. He knew his real battle was with Goliath, and he didn’t want to be distracted. He simply “turned away” from Iliab and kept his focus on what he was called to do.

Let’s follow the example of David and keep our eyes on what’s most important in life. Instead of being led away by frustrations, let’s focus on the big picture. Know when to turn away from strife and receive the mark of honor the Lord has for you!
 
A PRAYER FOR TODAY 
 
Father God, thank You for Your hand of victory in my life. Give me the wisdom and courage I need to walk away from strife so I can focus on the destiny You have prepared for me. I love You and bless You today and always in Jesus’ name. Amen.
 
— Joel & Victoria Osteen 

God's Word vs. Your Feelings

Every day, we are faced with a decision: Will we respond to life's circumstances according to God's Word or will we react emotionally? The initial temptation is to react emotionally, but in every circumstance, it's truly your decision. 

Let's examine three circumstances you're going to have to face at some point in your life. I've also included some questions to ask yourself, which I encourage you to answer honestly. They will give you a good idea of how big a part your feelings play in these circumstances.

Circumstance #1: Change

Everything changes except God, and letting all the changes in our lives upset us won't keep them from occurring. People change, circumstances change, our bodies change, our desires and passions change. 

Most changes take place without our permission. But we can choose to adapt. Adapting doesn't change the circumstances, but it does keep you living in peace and joy as you go through change.

First Things First

Our thoughts are the first thing we need to deal with during change because thoughts directly affect emotions. When circumstances change, make the transition mentally, and your emotions will be a lot easier to manage. If something changes that you are not ready for and did not choose, you will more than likely have a variety of emotions about it.

The Power of God's Word

“Emotions rise up and then move out, wanting us to follow them. When I feel that, I know I need to take action.”

By acting on God's Word and not merely reacting to the situation, you'll be able to manage your emotions instead of allowing them to manage you. I strongly recommend confessing the Word of God out loud. Even though what you confess may be the opposite of how you feel, keep doing it. God's Word has inherent power to change our feelings, bring comfort to us, and quiet our distraught emotions.

Ask Yourself

1. How do I respond to change?
2. Do I act on God's Word or merely react to the situation?
3. After the initial shock, am I willing to make a transition mentally and emotionally?

Circumstance #2: Waiting

If you have not developed patience, then having to wait may bring out the worst in you. At least that was the case with me until I finally realized my emotional reactions were not making things go any faster. 

We would all like to be patient, but we don't want to develop patience because that means behaving well while we are not getting what we want. And that's hard!

The Road to Peacefulness

The more we want something, the more our emotions will act up if we do not get it. Common sense tells us it is rather foolish to get into a rage over a parking space or other simple things people tend to get upset about. As you develop patience, don't merely think about how hard and frustrating it is, think about how peaceful you will be when waiting never bothers you (see James 1:4).

Ask Yourself

1. How do I behave when I have to wait?
2. What situations are difficult for me?
3. How do I act when I'm working with someone who is really slow?
4. How do I act if someone takes the parking space I've been waiting for?
5. On a scale of 1 to 10, how well do I handle myself when things don't go my way?

Circumstance #3: Difficult People

No one likes being around difficult people. I think there are a lot of people in the world like that today, largely because of the stressful lives most of them have. People are trying to do too much in too little time and have more responsibility than they can realistically handle. 

When someone is rude to me, I can feel my emotions rise up and then move out, wanting me to follow them. That's when I know I need to take action. I have to remember that the person being rude probably has a lot of problems. She may not even realize how she sounds.

Working with the Holy Spirit

I certainly remember lots of times in my life when people asked me why I was being so harsh. I didn't realize that I was. I just had a lot going on and felt pressured, so the pressure came through in harsh voice tones. That didn't excuse my bad behavior, but it was the root of the problem. 

I am very thankful I know the Word of God and have Him in my life to help and comfort me. But a lot of difficult people don't have that. I have had to work very hard with the Holy Spirit for the ability to act on God's Word when people are rude…instead of merely reacting with a behavior that matches or tops theirs. 

Jesus teaches us how to respond to those who treat us well and those who do not (see Luke 6:32–35).

If you are in a situation that requires you to be with one of these hard-to-get-along-with people every day, I urge you to pray for them instead of reacting emotionally to them. Our prayers open a door for God to work through.

Ask Yourself

1. How do I react to people who are rude?
2. Do I respond in love as the Word says we should, or do I join them in their ungodly behavior?
3. Will I act on the Word of God and love them for His sake? Or will I react emotionally, perhaps acting worse than they act?
4. Have I ever let a rude person ruin my day?

Live Beyond Your Feelings

Feelings will come and go. We can't escape them, but we can choose to live by God's Word and not our feelings. Even when it doesn't feel right, we can live with an incredible peace and joy. I encourage you to go through the questions again and search God's Word in every circumstance you face. He will help you live beyond your feelings!

 
This article is taken from Joyce's book, Living BeyondYour Feelings.