Gratitude...
Appreciating what we have...
Looking at the positives...
Unlocking the Doors to happiness.
Mom comes home and says, "clean the dishes."
Do you sigh and grumble? Or gladly do them?
"Thank you God for a mom and dishes to eat from."
Husband forgets it's his day to pick the kids up from school.
Does your trigger go off? Or gladly work it out?
"Thank you God for a husband to help, children to pick up, and an education to provide for them."
Huge test at school is tomorrow.
Do you complain? Or do you gladly study?
"Thank you God for a good education."
You struggle at paying your rent or mortgage.
Do you sulk in unhappiness? Or appreciate a roof over your head and seek the Lord?
"Thank you God for bills to have a home to live in."
Your car breaks down.
Do you complain? Or do you gladly seek God?
"Thank you God for the transportation I've had."
It's your graduation party outside at a park and a thunderstorm takes over.
Do you get upset? Or do you find joy?
"Thank you God for people to celebrate with and the rain that keeps the world going."
What if we took captive our thoughts? What if we found joy in everything? How different would God's people be? How different would we feel each day? How content would we be in life?
Colossians 3:6
Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.
Dear Lord,
I have realized that I have not always had gratitude in all situations. Forgive me for not seeking You in all things, and for not always thanking and praising You for all You have blessed me with. From this day forward I will strive to find happiness in all I have and go through. Continue to fill me with the joy that comes from only You, Lord. Thank you for all You have blessed me with and all You will continue to bless me with.
In Jesus name,
Amen.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Friday, March 18, 2011
Find Hope when Hopeless
The feeling of hopelessness...
It's dark; never ending, and there is "no" way out.
We get trapped. We end up a slave to bondage. But why?
Is it because we have not experienced a way out?
Does it look impossible? Or maybe is it because we lack the faith it takes?
When does faith kick in? Do we pray for faith? Does faith come to our front door?
Or do we make the choice to have faith in a hopeless situation?
So if we make the choice to have faith, then what do we do next?
Do we still think hopeless thoughts? Do we still wake up each day "expecting" a miracle?
Or do we take captive our thoughts, and tell ourselves there is a way out through Christ and stand strong?
So, then what? How do we stand strong?
How about reading His word?
How about focusing on personal growth?
How about seeking God?
How about personal worship?
How about surrendering to the Almighty?
How about seeking counsel?
How about thank God for what He will do and has already done?
How about putting on the Armor of God? By the way, what is the Armor of God?
"Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." -Ephesians 6:13-17
So to get out of bondage we need to chose to have faith in Christ,
put our lives in His hands,
take captive our negative thoughts,
worship and praise Him in all we do,
seek counsel and the Lord for answers and personal growth,
and thank Him in everything He has done and yet to come,
and finally put on the armor of God?
Why not? Nothing else works!
Dear Heavenly Father,
Forgive me for not choosing to put my full trust and faith in You. I have tried to find hope and answers in all the wrong places. I am a sinner saved by your grace and I realize I cannot walk this road alone. You are my Savior and the only One to bring me hope. I realize that having faith means in all aspects of life and not just the ones that seem easy. So, I'm choosing today to put my faith in You to get me through the areas in my life I cannot get through alone. I choose to worship You during the good and the bad, to turn to You before anyone else, to put my trust in You and nothing else, and to seek you above everything. I Thank you Father for Your everlasting mercy and grace, and for Your abounding love.
In Jesus name I pray,
Amen.
It's dark; never ending, and there is "no" way out.
We get trapped. We end up a slave to bondage. But why?
Is it because we have not experienced a way out?
Does it look impossible? Or maybe is it because we lack the faith it takes?
When does faith kick in? Do we pray for faith? Does faith come to our front door?
Or do we make the choice to have faith in a hopeless situation?
So if we make the choice to have faith, then what do we do next?
Do we still think hopeless thoughts? Do we still wake up each day "expecting" a miracle?
Or do we take captive our thoughts, and tell ourselves there is a way out through Christ and stand strong?
So, then what? How do we stand strong?
How about reading His word?
How about focusing on personal growth?
How about seeking God?
How about personal worship?
How about surrendering to the Almighty?
How about seeking counsel?
How about thank God for what He will do and has already done?
How about putting on the Armor of God? By the way, what is the Armor of God?
"Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." -Ephesians 6:13-17
So to get out of bondage we need to chose to have faith in Christ,
put our lives in His hands,
take captive our negative thoughts,
worship and praise Him in all we do,
seek counsel and the Lord for answers and personal growth,
and thank Him in everything He has done and yet to come,
and finally put on the armor of God?
Why not? Nothing else works!
Dear Heavenly Father,
Forgive me for not choosing to put my full trust and faith in You. I have tried to find hope and answers in all the wrong places. I am a sinner saved by your grace and I realize I cannot walk this road alone. You are my Savior and the only One to bring me hope. I realize that having faith means in all aspects of life and not just the ones that seem easy. So, I'm choosing today to put my faith in You to get me through the areas in my life I cannot get through alone. I choose to worship You during the good and the bad, to turn to You before anyone else, to put my trust in You and nothing else, and to seek you above everything. I Thank you Father for Your everlasting mercy and grace, and for Your abounding love.
In Jesus name I pray,
Amen.
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