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It is so important that we always have a positive attitude and outlook on life. We are constantly bombarded with thoughts of defeat and discouragement. We are always being told what is going wrong in this world and rarely shown all that is going right with it. What we must recognize is that what we focus on is what we will draw back to ourselves. If we are thinking thoughts of defeat then our countenance will be sullen, but if we think about our many blessings and see how fortunate we really are, our countenance will reflect joy, appreciation and thankfulness for all that we have been bestowed with. It is up to us whether we live a blessed life or a curse life. It is within our control whether we have a great day or a miserable day. It all has to do with our attitude and outlook. We should always remember our blessings. We should always see our glass as half-full and never half empty. We should be a people of praise giving God thanks for all that He has graced us with. When we lead our life in a manner that is focused on the good, I believe we will always find ourselves blessed, favored and filled with His peace that surpasses all understanding. (Proverbs 3:5-6) (Isaiah 26:3-4)
We don’t have to be trouble-free in order to be filled with joy. When we take our eyes off of our temporary trials and lift our eyes towards heaven proclaiming our trust and faith in God Almighty, I believe we will have reached a defining point in our Christian walk that nothing will be able to discourage our hearts or make us question God’s eternal plan for our life. We will be like Job who said “Though He slay me yet will I trust in Him.” Let us have that kind of faithfulness and lead our life as a living witness and testimony that we are a people confident in the ability of the Lord to meet our needs and use us in ways that will be beneficial to our fellow man so that those who see us may more importantly see Him who lives within us. (Job 13:15) (Revelation 12:10-12)
Be encouraged to see through your eyes of faith the good things that God has in store for you. Knowing that you are favored by the Lord you should always offer praise over complaint, prayer over worry and trust over uncertainty. God is too faithful to leave us wanting and when we purposefully let God know that all will be well with us because He is in our life, I believe God will move heaven and earth to prove us correct. (Hebrews 13:5-6)
I hope this message inspires and challenges your heart to be a person of Praise and Thanksgiving always shedding more light than darkness, speaking blessings and not cursings, leading others towards God and never away from Him.
MORE LIGHT AND LESS NOISE
A great story from one of America's greatest story-tellers, Abraham Lincoln, was related by the president during those anxious days of the American Civil War. A delegation of well-meaning patriots tried to impress upon the president the gravity of the war. They implied that his administration was neither as wise nor good as it ought to be. He listened carefully, then responded with a memorable anecdote.
He told them that he once had a neighbor who found himself in a tight situation. He was traveling home one dark and rainy night. There were few bridges in the country and he came to a stream that he would have to ford. But because of the darkness and the rain, he couldn't see well enough to know just where to cross.
Lightning flashed and he saw his way for the briefest moment. But the man was perplexed because there seemed to be more thunder than lightning. He was convinced that every lightning flash was followed by several loud peals of thunder. The poor man just stood at the edge of the stream in his confusion about how to proceed. He finally prayed, “O Lord, if it is just the same to you, give me more light and less noise.”
The delegation clearly got the point that the president needed more solutions and less complaining - more light and less noise.
Some people are more like light and others are more like noise.
Some people shed light on solutions. Others only make a din about the way things are.
Some people help us to see the situation more clearly. Others just sound off about who's to blame.
Some people show a better way. Others clamor about the present course of action.
Some people offer to help. Others wail about the problem.
The sun rises every morning and sheds light, vanquishing the night's darkness. The rooster also rises every morning and makes noise, which does nothing about the darkness.
How could things be different if you were more like the sun than the rooster? What if you decided today to contribute to the light?
By Steve Goodier
Read and meditate on these scriptures:
Deuteronomy 30:19 “I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live.”
Psalm 3:4-8 “I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and He heard me out of His holy hill. Selah. I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about. Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly. Salvation belongeth unto the LORD: Thy blessing is upon Thy people. Selah.”
Jeremiah 31:3 “The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.”
Psalm 16:8-11 “I have set the LORD always before me: because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. For Thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt Thou suffer Thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in Thy presence is fulness of Joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.”
Romans 12:15-18 “Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.”
All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible.
Today's Selected Poem: APPRECIATE WHAT YOU HAVE
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/enpoem2.htm
Today's Selected Testimony: OUT OF DARKNESS
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony103.htm
In Christ’s Service,
Dwayne Savaya
God’s Work Ministry |
