Make The Decision

I have been working on personal development in my life to be able to achieve the "success" that I have envisioned for myself. During this process, I am finding that I constantly have to make the decision to be positive. After all, life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it.

I have also come to the realization that in this technological age that we live in there is no excuse for negativity. We have text messaging, mobile email, internet, Facebook and Twitter. In situations where we might have been cut of from our support systems, we now have 24/7/365 access, no matter where on this Earth we might be.

I am going to go out on a limb here and say that if you are not able to get positive support from your "friends" through one of the many access points we now have, then you need to seriously re-evaluate your circle of friends! In addition, you need to find something positive about every situation and every person you meet. It's time for all of us to lift each other up and be united in the positive!

"Finally, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy - meditate on these things."
Philippians 4:8 (NKJV)

Ultimately, there is NO EXCUSE for negativity. If you are stressed let your family of friends carry your burden with you. If you see no light at the end of your tunnel you better find your knees, because God always answers knee-mail.

Pride Comes Before A Fall

Pride. Wow, in the wrong way, at the wrong time, pride is not a good thing. It keeps us from getting on our knees, it keeps us from admitting when we are wrong, and it sometimes keeps us from what we really need.

GOD keeps showing me and trying to teach me about pride. I hope I am listening. I have made so many prideful choices that I have become a slave to the world that I live in. Constantly being reminded of bad decisions that were made with naive intentions. I keep asking for a miracle, but seem to be unable to live in expectation for it. This world is unforgiving and unmerciful, so I find myself on my knees asking for GOD's grace to get me through just one more time. Let me live with myself so that I can have the confidence that I am raising my children correctly. That I am loved and worthy.

"When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom." (Proverbs 11:2 NKJV)

Elusive Peace

I find myself in a place where it feels like peace and comfort elude me. And I realize, it's not that they are eluding me, I am avoiding them. I am finding every reason to avoid that quiet time with HIM. It's as though I think I am thriving in my chaos. My flesh believes it is strong, and this is where that phrase "The bigger they are the harder they fall" comes from. The bigger I allow my flesh to become, the harder I am going to fall.


I find myself having to find a way to pull myself back to let go and let GOD. I can do all things through CHRIST who strengthens me. Pride always comes before a fall.


All eyes are on your LORD. (P.S. can you help me keep it that way?)


[Written 11/2/10]

Follow My Path

Have you ever had one of those moments that you finally get into your time with God and the Father relationship becomes so evident? This morning I picked up my reading plan again for the first time in a long while. I have been longing for the knowledge and wisdom that He had been revealing to me in my studies earlier this year. Like a father knows his child, it was to the point, and right on target. An entire chapter about wisdom and to stay away from evil things.... I encourage you to read it Proverbs chapter 4.

So here is what I learned today. Stay on the path that God has set for you. Not the path that you think you should take, the one that He has set for you. All the warning signs are there, you just have to heed them. He only desires to show us the right way, to help us to do His will, but we have to pay attention, we have to listen.

So, now it's time to put everything else aside, it's time to stop and really listen.

"Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!" Psalm 46:10 (NKJV)

God Answers

Sometimes I pray and wonder if God hears me. Will He answer me? Are my requests on His important list? Have I strayed from the path He has for me? Am I holding on to something that He wants me to let go of? Am I just asking for something that is just not meant to be?

Then I stop and think, God answers. It is the confidence of knowing that He will provide just the right answer at just the right time. When we ask as children and yet doubt as adults it does not give Him permission to do what we have asked. Jesus even took the time to tell us specifically, "Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' it will be done. And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive." (Matthew 21:21-22 NKJV)

So don't wonder, know. Perhaps the answer isn't what you expected, or maybe it's even no, or not now, but God does answer. And when you ask God to tell you why, as we are all prone to do, listen for His answer. It may be that you are not ready for His answer, but remember... "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28 NKJV)

Changes

Changes happen, life happens. So what is the key to staying content amidst the changes that we didn't ask for? You don't have to accept it just because it happens. Illness, financial difficulty, poor economy, at some point they will affect us all. So lets look back to the old cliche that says we are "building character." Not that it isn't true, but it only works when we have the right attitude in dealing with the changes. If you choose to fight it, it can possibly destroy the person God created you to be. If you use it to your advantage, it can grow you and make you a stronger, happier person.

I have come to rely on my God to provide what I need, and He has NEVER failed me. Now remember, I am talking only about what I need, not what I want, not what I think I need, not what my mother or children think I need, but what God knows that I truly need. Just when I think there is no possible way, God steps in and opens a window of blessing down on me. These blessings often come from directions that tempt me to decline. Though in submitting to God and accepting what is being offered, I find that I have more that I needed. It is not an easy thing to do, and it is often filled with unspoken words that accompany the tears of gratitude and relief. No matter who you are God loves you, no matter what you have done, or thought or said. He is there and has no qualms in accepting you for who you are. All He asks of you is to yield to Him and follow Him.

"Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. But do not forget to do good and share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not grief, for that would be unprofitable for you." Hebrews 13:15-17 (NKJV)

Is it Really So Bad?

This morning, I woke refreshed and felt alive again. As I begin my day and contemplate what my meditations should be I hear a little voice whispering in my ear... Is it really so bad? Consider the life of Job. He had it all and then all was destroyed.

The reality is that I still have tremendous blessing. It's easy to lose sight of what God has for you when the disconnection notices are coming, when the cupboards seem empty and you are swallowing your pride to find a way to do what needs to be done.

So I come back to the one thing that always works, the sacrifice of praise. " Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshiped. And he said: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return there. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord." Job 1:20-21 (NKJV)

So I will praise Him in this storm, and I will lift my hands in praise.