Meditate!!

But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. (Psalm 1:2, 3 NIV84)

I have hidden your word in my heart
that I might not sin against you. (Psalm 119:11 NIV84)

I meditate on your precepts
and consider your ways. (Psalm 119:15 NIV84)

Whether you read or truly meditate on God's Word will make a difference in your thoughts & in your life. The more you think about Jesus & what He taught, the more you will be like him. Then you will be better able to identify sin, beat temptation, and think more positively, so that you can win victories over addiction, idolatry, doubt, fear, shame, and anything else the enemy uses to prevent you from living God's best!! It really is that easy!!

Little Irritations

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." (Proverbs 3:5, 6 NIV84)

I have no problem trusting God with the big stuff; it's the little things that really get to me...in my heart I know God is giving me a chance to learn patience, trust, & humility. Why do we feel we are entitled to have everything go our way or to have everything just perfect? I want to get to the point of saying, "Not my will, but yours." I want to move past the minor irritations and rest peacefully knowing I'm not in control!

His Perfect Plan

"being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1:6 NIV84)"

I love this verse! Here's the truth:
1. God finishes what He starts
2. If you are redeemed, He began a good work in you - His perfect plan!
3. We will not be complete until the other side of heaven or Christ's return
Paul has written this to encourage a church plant in Philippi. It is in the scriptures to encourage you! A perfect plan from God's perspective looks very different than our perfect plan. Trust God to mold you (sometimes through adversity & trials) into His masterpiece!

Half Empty or Half Full?

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. (Philippians 4:8 NLT)

Is your glass half-empty or half-full? Do you focus on the blessings of your life or the things you wish you had? Your heart & mind steer your body & what most people don't know is that they can take control of their thoughts. 2 Cor 10:5 says "take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." "Negative thoughts are fuel for discouragement, depression, and many other unpleasant emotions"(Meyer). We must believe the best about ourselves & others & focus on truth in every tough circumstance we find ourselves in:

1. God is in control
2. God has a plan for my life
3. I am fearfully & wonderfully made
4. God works for my good
5. We all fall short
6. Give grace & grace will be given

The list of truths go on & on!!
None of us are entitled a happy, easy life!! We are to pursue a holy, God-seeking life!! Becoming more like Christ is a molding and shaping that is quite painful at times. It's death to our ways & our thoughts and a spiritual birth to God's ways and His thoughts. It doesn't happen overnight!!

If your glass is half-empty, maybe you don't realize that a half-empty glass is better than no glass or water at all!!