Beauty in your life- change your thoughts for a positive outlook
If you could be a character from a book or film, who would you be? Why?
If I could be a character in a movie it would be one if the women in “True Women.” a movie that spans from the Texas Revolution through the American Civil War.
It’s a story of love, friendship, survival and triumph. That tells the story of three different women and their ideals and personalities, but also their strengths and courage.
There’s a reason that crows are known as the “gangsters of the sky.” A group of crows is called a “murder” and their attacks are as cunning as they are overwhelming to their victims. When they set their sights on an eagle, the strongest bird of prey, the eagle is outnumbered. It’s only recourse is to fly to heights where the crows cannot follow.
There’s an analogy of crows attacking eagles:
Crows attack eagles mainly to steal their food. Hunting takes a lot of energy, so crows will often resort to stealing instead. Crows also attack eagles to protect their territories. They tend to get violent when other birds get close to their nests or hunting grounds.
Individually, crows are small, but together they are a powerful force. They synchronize against their prey and use their intelligence and speed. It is said that crows are as smart as a 7 to 10-year-old child, and they can reach up to 70 mph while gliding. While they lack the pure strength and size of an eagle they make up for it with their tactics. They dive-bomb eagles and peck at them and pull at their feathers, and sometimes land on their backs. Like hyenas on land, they don’t fight fair. They use their numbers to bring confusion to their victims who can’t focus on so many threats at once to defend themselves.
Crows also use a technique called “mobbing” in which as few as three or four of them will come at their victim by using their voices. They will caw and caw and intimidate their prey with their incessant cries. Not only that they will also play tag team. While some crows leave to feed and rest, other crows will come into the fight to continue the tactics, wearing down their victims who get no break from the torment.
So, what is a lonely eagle to do against so many crows? They fly higher. They turn their focus upward and head for the heights where the crows can or follow. An eagle can comfortably reach 10,000 feet while crows tap out at about 7,000 feet. Any higher than that the crows gets dizzy and faint because they cannot breathe.
Just like crows attack and steak food from eagles, Satan and his demons attack believers to intimidate us, hurt us and rob us of our rewards. Any time God is about to bless us, we can be sure that the imps of hell are close by, waiting to snatch it out or our grasp. The enemy will also come against us to protect a territory of darkness from the light we seek to bring into it.
There’s an old saying that goes “If you aren’t being attacked by the enemy, are you really a threat to the kingdom of darkness?” It’s meant to make us examine ourselves to make sure that we are striving to be faithful to God’s will instead if sliding into complacency.
As human beings, we are no match for the forces of evil. Satan’s kingdom has the benefit of thousands of years of practice against man. Our enemies (The prince of the air) outnumber us in every area of our lives. But we can learn his tactics just as the eagles have learned the crows. In the same way that the crows synchronized and tag team, our enemy satan does too, wearing us down with perseverance. His forces min us with loud voices of negativity, lies, and accusations. His attacks peck at our minds, pulling at us and coming at us at every angle. He assumes our finances, our bodies, and our relationships, bringing pressure from all sides. Of course all of this is dependent on God allowing it for His purposes. Or what we allow the enemy to take over.
God sends it to strengthen our faith, and teach us lessons, or correct our behavior. When we get worn down we tend to allow the enemy to come close because we are tired of fighting and don’t draw near to God. Good is in control of it all. And we have an instruction book on how to beat satan at our disposal – it’s called the Bible.
We should not stick around to listen to negative voices or focus on the attacks. When we do that, we can end up in confusion and get overwhelmed. If we spend too much time worrying our problems become magnified and our minds get to the point where they become idols and we turn to the throne of our hearts instead of the throne of God.
Instead like the eagle, we need to start looking at our circumstances and focus our attention upward. We must forget what satan is doing and remember what God has already done on our behalf. It’s all about what Jesus. He has won the victory. Satan is a defeated for, but we keep giving him the power to defeat us.
We need to go where satan and his followers can’t go -we need go go higher into the presence of God. Psalm 22:3 tells us that God inhabits the praises of His people.
We need to turn away from satan’s attacks and focus on the superior power and grace of the Lord in submission. When we submit to God the enemy will flee (James 4:7),
Change Your Position, Change Your Perspective.
“I will lift up my eyes to the hills. Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to be moved. He who keeps you will not slumber” – Psalm 122: 1-3.
Crows don’t fight fair and neither do demons. We will never win our spiritual battles trying to fight the enemy one-on-one from below. Instead like the eagles, we must focus our attention on getting higher. The closer we get to God, the less the enemy will be able to stand it. The air will get thin for him, and he will faint and drop off his attack. The more we meditate and contemplate the vast expanse of God’s love for us and His power over every aspect of our lives, Satan and his helpers will start to seem small and insignificant by comparison.
What animals make the best/worst pets?
What animals make the best pets? I have had cats, dogs. birds, a rat, and even hermit crabs. I think dogs are the best pets. Dogs are my favorite. They are very loyal companions. And love unconditionally.
All pets can decrease stress levels, improve heart health, and help deter loneliness.
I have a dog right now that is 15 years old. She has been a constant companion and can pick up on my migraine headaches before I can.
Taking you thoughts captive means choosing what you allow to take root in your mind. We can do this by asking for God’s guidance and turning from sinful sources or behaviors along with maintaining a continual practice of reading the Bible.
2 Corinthians 10:5 tells us to “throw down imaginations and every high thing that us that is exalted against the knowledge of God, and bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Messiah” (Messianic).
Choosing to live by faith can feel daunting on this side of heaven, where spiritual forces abound and the enemy prowls around like a lion (1 Peter 5:8). Often, we need to pick up our weapons (Ephesians 6:10-18) and “demolish strongholds” as 2 Corinthians 10;4 instructs us. One of the most important ways to demolish strongholds and take every thought captive as Paul Instructs in 2 Corinthians. But how we do it and why is it vital in our walk with Jesus?
Yesterday my thoughts seemed to be all over the place. I’m sure it happens to all of us at some point. It’s a constant battle between flesh and spirit,
2 Corinthians offers a way out. And it is not simply to succumb to the reality of negative thoughts but to overcome them.
Paul explains that though we live in the world we do not wage war as the world does. But to fight lies and temptation by taking our thoughts captive. This is explained in 2 Corinthians 10:3). Paul tells believers to run every single thought by what we know to be true and ask themselves if it is “against the knowledge of God.
As a way of life, we can take our thoughts captive by choosing what we allow to take root in our minds.
Knowing His Word is how we discern if a thought is a pretense that is setting itself up against God. Taking your thoughts captive means speaking God’s authority over them, and believing what God desires for you.
God doesn’t desire us to condemn ourselves. He calls us to His mercy. If our thoughts are making us miserable, then it’s time to tell Satan to get away from us, to get out!
Our thoughts lead to our beliefs, which lead to our actions, which lead to the quality of our lives. Our thoughts have too great of an impact for us not to guard them and keep our minds on God’s will.
Christina Patterson
The context of 2 Corinthians in Paul’s Day was a city characterized by immoral pleasure seeming. It was a center of Greek culture and pagan ceremonies. Materialism and depravity persisted. (it seems like he was speaking to our situation today). Paul pleads for believers not to compromise themselves. He is calling them to be mentally clear and have spiritual humility.
Paul reminds us to place our faith in Jesus to boast in the Lord, not to commend in ourselves. He reminds us not to live by the standards of the world. (2 Corinthians 10:2).
Paul is exemplifying that in the midst of trials, believers shake off critics and cling to Jesus)# teachings.
If you’ve ever had your faith knocked off kilter by external or internal voices here are a few ways to take your thoughts captive.
Hebrews 12:1 tells us that “Seeing we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses that we lay aside every weight and the sun which so easily tries to entangle us. And to run the race that is set before us.”
The Book of Hebrews confirms that the authority of Jesus supersedes all other voices, idols, or temptations. Paul is encouraging us, to persevere.
It’s saying that even when we are down and out we are still surrounded by a cloud of witnesses to God’s majesty that will make the enemy their footstool.
When Satan is Messing with your mind, it helps to activate your body. Get up, change your surroundings, go for a walk or a run. Cleanse whatever is clogging up your thoughts with the oxygen of God’s creation .
We are whole beings, and when our minds threaten to paralyze our bodies, it might be time to get fresh air.
If your thoughts start imprisoning you in doubt, fear, or worry, it can feel like a tidal wave or a brick walk is forming. Sometimes the motion of a pen on paper or talking to God about it can actually release the hold your thoughts have over you and cast them into the hands of God.
One thing I’ve learned through trial, and error is that God is not afraid of our sinful thoughts. Or our tendency to idolize, We belong to Him, He knew us in the womb of our mothers. Psalm 139:15-16 says. “When my bones were being formed, carefully put together in my mother’s won’t, when I was growing in secret, you knew that I was there -you saw me…” We don’t have to keep them pinned up, away from Him. Write it out, scream it out, or cry it out. And then ask God what He would have you believe instead.
“Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God” (Ephesians 6:17).
A great way to take every thought captive us by creating what I call “truth cards” that keep the voice of God in the top of your mind. When I was changing my thoughts and perspective on life, I used to get index cards and write on them from the Word of God. Then put them all over, my bedroom, my bathroom, my refrigerator, So they were in easy access to read when my negative thoughts would take me over. Therefore, emptying my negative thoughts and capturing them as a lie. Then replace that lie with a truth from Scripture I wrote down.
Over time you will learn to say these truths out loud when that negative thought tries to sneak it’s way into your mind.
This is how we can demolish our negative thoughts at every pretension, and make our thoughts “obedient to God.”
Praying continually doesn’t mean we spend every waking hour praying. But to keep God at the forefront of our minds. I find listening to message songs or teachings keeps my mind on Him throughout the day. When I leave the house I pray for God to protect me. When I find a close parking space to where I’m going, I thank God. It may seem funny to some but it helps me focus my mind on God and not the chaos that’s going on around me. Which helps me pray to God continually,
You are not alone in the battle with your thoughts. Praying and talking to God allows Him to give you guidance. While you are replacing lies with spiritual truths.
Prayer doesn’t have to be planned or perfect, that’s just another lie to take you captive. Prayer is offering your thoughts to God and asking Him to shape them.
Our thoughts often trick us into a corner where we are afraid, hiding, or hurting, when we take our thoughts captive and line them up with obedience with God. Our negative thoughts are reduced immensely. I’m not saying they will stop. It’s something that requires our constant attention.
What job would you do for free?
If I could do a job for free it would be a veterinarian assistant assisting the veterinarian with care of the animals. Or I would like to help people with learning coping skills to have a better quality of life. Something in the psychology profession, such as holding a mental health support group.
Because of my experiences in life I have compassion for people who have been hurt. I am kind, caring, and forgiving when others might not be. I know how it feels to be abused emotionally and physically and no one should have to go through those experiences.
At church, we had our pastor’s son teach us. He is very intelligent and is a clinical director of a large company. He talked about how we are enough for God, He made us because He loved us and wanted us to love Him in return.
“Love is patient, love is kind, it does not envy, it does not boast. It is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres“ – 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NIV).
God doesn’t need our performance – He wants our heart.
A friend told me the other day that I was highly anointed by God. I didn’t believe it.
Me? Highly anointed? My life is so crazy all the time, I can’t sleep most nights. I have a hard time concentrating because of it. Why would a perfect God love someone like me?
Because God is love.
1: Corinthians 13:4-7 gives us a clear snapshot of our God. Maybe you’ve heard this scripture at weddings. But when you think of God this way it changes the game.
Because Jesus lived and loved perfectly, God loves His people without conditions or a checklist to satisfy. He is not keeping score or holding a grudge. His love is perfect, and it’s free. The price has already been paid in full by Jesus on the cross and we don’t have to perform perfectly to earn it.
This is a perfect love from a perfect God given as a gift to imperfect people. We just have to receive the gift.
We are all enough. Satan likes to tell us we are not. but because of God’s love we are. It’s hard for us to believe this because the version of love we see every day is conditional. Conditional love is based off of numbers in our bank accounts, -swipe left or swipe right, if you done measure up, you’re not worthy. If you don’t get the grades or the job, you’re not enough.
When we know we are enough for God, it means we’re free -free from our fears, our obsession with performance, even our unrealistic expectations.
We might fall short to an earthly point but we don’t fall short when it comes to God because He offers forgiveness. God doesn’t need a performance. He wants us to surrender our hearts to Him. We don’t have to earn anything from God.
I like how Jesus 2 Corinthians 12:9 says. “But He said to me my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more glad,y about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”
We are unconditionally loved by God.
We are redeemed by His sacrifice.
We are highly favored when we walk with Him.
We are enough for God.
What Olympic sports do you enjoy watching the most?
I don’t watch any kind of sport. And I don’t watch the Olympics. The only kind of sport I like is baseball. And I don’t watch it on television.
Watching sports for some people gives them an adrenaline and dopamine boost. It doesn’t do that for me. Research tells us, that people want to be part of a group and bring them a belonging and group identity.
I don’t need a sense of belonging. I know where my identity lies. I already know who I am.
Discouragement is a temptation, common to man. In dealing with it sometimes we need tenderness and other times we need toughness. Either way, discouragement is not to be tolerated or allowed in. It is to be fought.
If we linger in discouragement it can be costly. It’s a sense of defeat and hopelessness that saps us with energy and vision. It can consume a lot of time. It can keep us from doing what we need to do because we don’t want to face it. And it can be contagious, weakening others’ faith.
When we feel discouraged we want comfort, which is right to feel. But comfort often turns to our ways to avoid our fears rather than ways to muster our courage to face and overcome them. When this happens discouragement simply becomes sinful indulgence in lust or anger or other sins of unbelief,
Jesus does not want us to be discouraged. In fact. He commands us not to be. Listen to what Jesus says to His disciples just before what was probably that most discouraging experience of their lives -His brutal death. “Let not your heart be troubled. Believe in God. Believe also in me” (John 14:1).
Jesus’s words “Let not” for His disciples were not merely comforting, they are commands. He knew they would be tempted by fear. Things were going to look very bad like their whole mission was imploding. What were they to do instead of being afraid? Believe! “Believe in God; believe also in me.”
In other words, “Don’t let your hearts be ruled by what you see. Let them be ruled by what I promise you.” And that’s what He’s saying to you and me,
“We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, for those who are called according to His purpose” -Romans 8:28
Then it time to fight, not pout or shrink. Think of discouragement as your faith being choked. When you’re choking, it’s not time to plop down in front of the Television with a plate of comfort food to medicate your melancholy. You need to dislodge the obstruction so you can breathe. You need to fight for your life. You may need to get someone to give you the Heimlich.
Go get encouragement -faith-fueled courage. Don’t let discouragement choke you, it’s dislodged by believing promises. God gave us the Bible so that “through the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope” (Romans 15:4).
Don’t let your heart be ruled by what you see. Let it be ruled by what Jesus promises you.
We are witnessing biblical prophecy unfold right before our eyes, yet many people remain oblivious to its significance.
The red heifer seems like a mundane aspect of the ancient Jewish faith, it is a pivotal symbol is emerging in the prophetic timeline. While its significance may sound obscure to some, it holds profound implications for those looking for the signs of the times,
Christians mustn’t believe the sacrifice of a red heifer can absolve sins – Jesus’s sacrifice alone holds that power. According to biblical prophecy, the ceremonial sacrifice of a red heifer in Israel is a precursor to significant end-time events. As told in the Bible.
According to the Bible, the ashes of a red heifer are used in purification rituals to consecrate the Jewish people, their priests, and the temple. This event may have global ramifications and could be potentially, live-streamed for the world to see.
Scripture provides insight into the significance of these events. Daniel 9;27 says,
“He will make a firm covenant with many for one week. In the middle of the week he will sacrifice and the offering will cease. On the wing of abominations will come one who makes desolate; and even to the full end, and that determined, wrath will be poured out on the desolate.“
This implies the third temple in which these rituals occur, paralleling the practices that took place in ancient Israel. The emergency of red heifers and preparations for their sacrifice align with these prophetic markers and lead to a presumption of temple practices,
With the chaos and uncertainty in the world right now. Believers are called to heed Jesus’ abomination and to watch. We do not know when the Lord is coming (Matthew 24:42).
The urgency of these times demands vigilance and discernment while being rooted in prayer and scriptural truth. Being ignorant of the times we live in is foolish.
As we see the unfolding of biblical prophecy we must not be complacent in building God’s kingdom on earth by standing up for Him.
The significance of the red heifer in Bible prophecy cannot be understated. It serves as a tangible reminder of the unfolding of God’s divine plan and Christ’s return,
As we navigate these tumultuous times, we need to remain steadfast, watching and praying as we wait for God’s redemptive purposes to unfold.
I was talking to a friend yesterday. She was telling me she was trying to get control of her thoughts. I think most people struggle with this -especially today.
There is spiritual warfare going on every day. We are in the middle of a spiritual war right now in our minds. There is a tug-of-war going on. I don’t care how strong you think you are it is happening. To world calls it a conscience. It’s the battle between good and evil.
The Holy Spirit is leading us one way and the devil is misleading you in another. Even if you have accepted Christ as your Lord and Savior the devil isn’t going to leave us alone. He will do everything in His power to stop you. Yes, he’s already lost the war, but he will fight to the end.
He wants us to deny God, to turn our backs on Him. (if you look at the world he’s fighting with everything he has). He will try to get inside of our heads and make us believe the lies he is spewing. He will make them seem like reality, like it’s true.
Our thoughts are one of the most precious gifts God gives us. It is a part of the free will that God has granted us. God gave us a mind, a brain to think for ourselves. And we need to pray every day that our thoughts and actions are guided by the Holy Spirit. Pray every day that he protects your thoughts. Pray every day that he guides your path. The ultimate decision is ours, to follow the path that God wants us on or go down one that is false and fake and full of lies.
Proverbs 4:26 says, “Give careful thought to the paths of your feet and be steadfast in all your ways.”
God had given us the gift of thinking. God didn’t create the vehicle. We did. God gave us the materials. We cannot create anything if we don’t think. We can control our thoughts.
I remember when I first heard someone say to me, “If you don’t like your thoughts you have the right to change them.”
I know it doesn’t seem that way but we can. How? How can we fight this spiritual war going on inside our brains? This tossing and turning from good to evil.
Here are a few tips:
1. Replace worry with faith
Paul wrote in Philippians 4:6-8, “Do not be anxious (worried) about anything but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
When we worry we have doubt. We have doubt in God. We get upset when things don’t go our way. We think “why is this happening?” We cast doubt on the almighty God, which gives the devil a playing field to work on. He thrives on our doubt, he wants us to doubt that God -that God isn’t in control. He wants us to feel abandoned by God. Worrying is nothing but the devil. Worrying is nothing but a lack of confidence in God.
2. Replace despair with hope
In Psalm 33:17-18, King David wrote “The eyes of the Lord are on those who fear Him, on those whose hope is in His unfailing love.”
We can change the odds when we quit putting our hope in others. Hope in God instead of others or your circumstances. Sometimes we put all our eggs in one basket. And that basket isn’t God. What happens? Life gets shattered. Dreams fall apart. If you are doing everything you can to follow God’s desire He will protect you. Circumstances happen. People will always let you down. But if you have hope in the Lord, you will never be broken. I’m not saying God won’t throw you a curveball, but I would rather have God coach me than the world. God gives us troubles to strengthen and test our faith.
“I would rather stand with God and be judged by the world, than stand with the world and be judged by God” – Grace Wesley
3. Replace anger with love
In Jonah 4:2 it says. “I know you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity. God does not delight in evil but rejoices in truth.
Anger is something the devil can take and make grow like a chia pet. There’s an old saying that goes, “Give the devil an inch and he will be your ruler.” God’s love for you enables you to love others rather than show anger and resentment. Angry can control your thoughts. And satan will ride it like a wave in a hurricane. Give your anger to God. Harboring anger will do nothing but give the devil more stomping ground.
Replace suspicion with trust
Trust in God will all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways submit to Him and He will make your paths straight. The devil is the king of suspicion. Trust is not even in his vocabulary.
Last week I had made plans to go out of town with a person who needed to go to the doctor. When I arrived at her house she was gone. And with a half a thought of she left without me, and with that, there was satan putting suspicion in my head, “She double-crossed you” and on and on. I called her and she had an emergency and had to leave. A simple explanation that could have led to anger and the devil ran with that thought.
4. Replace skepticism with belief
We live in a cynical and skeptical world. God keeps His promises and being persuaded that God has the power to do what He has promised strengthens our faith. Let faith give you victory. Let your faith in God give you the firepower you need to stand up in this world. Let your faith in God be your shield, your sword, and your armor. Know that God is still God, even though the world is crashing around you.
How have you adapted to the changes brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic?
I wish covid didn’t have to happen. While they locked everyone down, instead of being in a panic, I chose to decide what to do with my time.
I chose to trust God. I chose to stand on Psalm 91, “ He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty (Psalm 91:1) you shall no be afaid of the terror by night, but of the arrow that flies by day; not of the pestilence (diseases) that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that wastes at noonday. (Psalm 92:5-6)
My husband has one of those “essential “ jobs where he had to work through the covid era. So I stayed in prayer for him not to be exposed.
I chose not to fear the virus because fear demonstrates a lack of trust in God. He loves us and wants the best for us. Refusing to be afraid of the virus doesn’t mean j was not wise about how I reacted to it.
As a believer of God we are supposed to trust God, even in hard times. Trust and lean not on our own understanding. Choosing to focus on God instead of covid or any other trial is how I adapted to covid.
A turn in the path, a fork in the road and sometimes I wonder which way to go.
How many times are we faced with situations and we are tempted to take the easy way out? But is the easy way the right way? Sometimes making the right decision isn’t easy.
We have to think about who it affects, Our decisions affect us positively. and negatively. Even though these declare ours they also affect the people and things around us. We should never think we are living for ourselves only. Easy decisions can give temporary results that may be fulfilling just for a moment but the right decisions can give you lasting results that will benefit for a lifetime.
Think about how it makes you feel in your gut. If your gut is telling you the decision isn’t right, but we do it anyway. We then know that further down we will have to deal with the repercussions of the choice we made. Feeling good just for a time is okay, but for how long? Suffering now and reaping the fruits, in the end, seems more rewarding to me. The best decision for your life isn’t always easy.
When we look ahead, the things that are valuable don’t come easy, good things take time. It is essential to envision a life or anything that you want for yourself. The best thing to do is to look ahead and prepare your mind for the beautiful destination instead of settling for what is easy right now,
We are heavily Influenced by the people we hang around. So it’s important to choose people who have a solid impact on us. This same friend will be the one to ask for opinions to make important decisions. I know if I ask a friend their opinion I want an honest reasonable answer. Not giving you answers I would like to hear,
It’s okay to follow your heart, but don’t forget to use your brain. Following your heart is great but being able to assess a situation and crossing what is right is also important. If we try to align the desires of your heart with the reality of your situation and make the choice that will direct you towards a rewarding and fulfilling life.
Life in itself is based on decisions we make every day. Choosing to not study for an important exam is easy but choosing to study to helps us retain the information and that choice can affect your life forever. The easy way might have quicker results but it isn’t always right. Take the time to do what you need to do in the right and proper way then you will be more appreciative of the time spent to attain things you need in life.
From Pity to Praise