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We should always be conscious to what we are allowing ourselves to listen
to. Many times we allow the negativity and pessimism of others to
infiltrate our being and make us question our own life. We allow their
poison to enter our hearts and minds and soon we become just as negative
as they are. What we must realize is that we can guard ourselves from
such things not allowing their negative attitude to impact our positive
attitude. We must do as the Bible says and guard our hearts and pay
attention to what we're listening to. Are we allowing what we hear to
change our mood? Are we thinking on good and positive thoughts hoping for
a bright future or are we being pessimistic and complaining about all the
wrong that is before us? What we say, think and meditate on will determine
our life's path. (Luke 6:45) (Proverbs 4:20-23) (Jeremiah 29:11)
The Bible declares in Proverbs 23:7 “As a man thinks in his heart, so is
he.” How we perceive ourselves is exactly how our life will turn out. Are
we seeing ourselves in a positive light; that being one of an overcomer or
are we constantly putting ourselves down for past mistakes and shortfalls
and thinking our life can never be good again? How we see ourselves
whether good or bad is exactly what we should expect for our future.
We cannot have a complaining attitude and expect good things to come our
way. That is like planting tomato seeds and hoping oranges will grow
instead. The seeds that we plant with our words and actions will ripen
and grow into that appropriate harvest whether it is good or bad.
Remember, you are the farmer of your future. What types of seeds are you
planting? Be encouraged to start planting the right types of seeds for
your future and you will see good things come your way. (Galatians 6:7-8)
I hope this message encourages your heart to think on good things not
allowing what is going on around you to impact your life. By being
determined to have a positive outlook on your life and future, nothing
will be able to get you off the right path.
FINDING THE GOOD NEWS
A few years ago I read of a Ukraine businessman who bought a pager for
each member of his staff as a New Year's gift. As he was returning from
the pager shop, all 50 beepers on the back seat of his automobile
simultaneously burst out screeching. He was so alarmed that he drove his
car into a lamp post, just 100 meters from his office.
After he assessed the damage to the car, the businessman turned his
attention to the message on the 50 pagers. It read: “Congratulations on a
successful purchase!” (Reuters, Jan. 14, 1999)
That got his attention. Unfortunately, it's the bad news – newspaper
headlines and world events – that generally clamor the loudest to get noticed.
And there is enough bad news all around. I came across an article that
reported a study of a large group of people who were instructed to
evaluate all the information they received for a year and a half. They
were asked to record whether what they were seeing and hearing all day
long was positive or negative. These researchers determined that ninety
percent of the input the group received was negative – bad news.
That may not come as a surprise to everyone. Over a half-century ago,
Franklin Roosevelt told about an old man who was losing his hearing and
went to the doctor for help. He was advised to quit drinking alcohol. When
his family asked him what he was going to do, he replied, “Well, I've given
it a lot of thought and I've decided I like what I've been drinkin' so much
better than what I've been hearin', I'm just gonna keep on gettin' deaf.”
But there is still GOOD news aplenty. We can still hear encouraging words
from friends. Any day we can witness numerous acts of generosity and
kindness. And we can still spot signs all around us of love and hope.
Sometimes we may have to look a little more closely, but the good news is
there.
Are you finding it? It's worth the effort.
By Steve Goodier
Read and meditate on these scriptures:
Ephesians 4:29 “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but
that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto
the hearers.”
Romans 12:1-2 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God,
that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God,
which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but
be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is
that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
Proverbs 17:22 “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken
spirit drieth the bones.”
Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever
things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure,
whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if
there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible.
Today's Selected Poem: TEN RULES FOR A HAPPY DAY
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/inpoem133.htm
Today’s Selected Testimony: ALWAYS BE AVAILABLE
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony27.htm
In Christ’s Service,
Dwayne Savaya
God’s Work Ministry |
