I don’t think Doug and I have really thought about how we spend our time until now. We are strong in Jesus and I can’t imagine how it is for those who are not believers or have not really pursued Jesus but claim to be believers. It is amazing how this “COVID 19” situation has disrupted so many lives, causing stress and depression as well as loss of faith.
We have several people in our family me included that have a compromised immune system so we have had to stay away from each other.
The swine flu killed over 70,000 people several years back the majority were the elderly and those already severely ill. I hope we learn from this and find a better way to deal with the spread of flu. The country is suffering financially. Many believe a cause for all the paranoid behavior is that it’s an election year and there are those that want President Trump gone. He is in no way responsible but they will spin it to make him the bad guy. Our economy was the best it had been for many years, jobs were available and businesses thriving. Well enough of that…
God is still here and He really wants us to use this time to continue to share His truth with as many people as possible.
Many of you are probably struggling as we are with keeping a positive Christ-like attitude, so I decide to share my notes from a meeting on having a good attitude and how it is our choice…
It’s your choice to be positive or negative!
Matthew 8:13 says “go and it will be done as you believe.”
“The one who desires life, to love and see good days, must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit.” 1 Peter 3:10
Proverbs 23:17 tells us “For as he thinks in his heart, so he is…” Do you refuse to hope? Do you have a fear of being hurt? Are you living a negative lifestyle?
God tells us to practice being positive in every situation, if whatever is happening in your life is not so good…expect God to bring good out of it…this He promises in His Word.
“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28 NASB
“Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.” Romans 12:16-19 NASB
Paul is telling us to be ready to adjust ourselves to people and situations. When we don’t get our way, our feelings rise up and bring self-pity and a negative attitude. We have a choice…to immediately recognize those feelings and with God’s help shut them down! We must choose to have peace about the situation.
We must have a ready mind…“These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” Acts 17:11 KJV
Hope is the anchor of the Soul!
We must know without a doubt that we are FREE to believe that with faith and hope in Jesus the tough circumstance, difficult people who hurt us…all situations can be turned for good.
Read Romans 4:18-21 Respect the promise of God, give Him glory daily!
Paul reminds us “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” Romans 5:1-5
John 16:7-8 tells us…The Holy Spirit has comer to help us, if you want to change…Know this…YOU CANNOT CHANGE YOURSELF, but GOD WILL AS WE TRUST AND OBEY HIM. It will take time, do not be discouraged with yourself. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you each time you get negative. Put your feelings and attitude up against God’s Holy Word. You must resist aggressively in the name of Jesus!
Proverbs 15:15 says “All the days of the afflicted are bad, but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.”
“For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. “ Philippians 1:6
“Therefore the Lord longs to be gracious to you, And therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you. For the Lord is a God of justice; How blessed are all those who long for Him.” Isaiah 30:18
You must have a READY MIND and be POSITIVE…having FAITH that God WILL work it out for GOOD.
Ladies as I was preparing this Word, God lead me to the following scripture which says…”For it is only right for me to feel this way about you all, because I have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers of grace with me.” Philippians 1:7
Your Sister in Jesus Christ, Laurie
Instructions For Life According to Jesus Christ 