Beauty in your life- change your thoughts for a positive outlook
What are your family’s top 3 favorite meals?
One of our favorites is Hamhock and beans tight out of the slow cooker. Add a slice of homemade bread and it’s dinner.
We also like Mississippi Pot Roast with Potatoes and. Carrots.
And the rest of the family’s favorite is a Cheeseburger and French Fries. But I can’t do ground beef. So my favorite it Chicken breast with mashed potatoes and veggies.
We definitely keep things simple around here.
OST of us have faced disappointments, which have taught us that we can only depend on ourselves. But living the life God has called us to live means unlearning that lesson. God wants us to rest and trust in Him.
But sometimes trusting Him completely can be tough. Each day we must consciously lay aside our own plans and expectations and be able to surrender to His plans. Even when we don’t feel like we can trust in Him.
We should cry out to Him when we feel like we can’t trust in Him. Surrendering to God begins with our lips and our thoughts. Sometimes we are afraid to make a commitment to depend on Him, but crying out for His help is key.
When we pray, we admit that His ways are higher than ours. And we can show that by leaving our troubles and burdens in His hands. We need to hand Him the keys of our lives and know that He is able to lead us.
But to do that we need to run away from evil. There is so much in this world that can clutter up our relationship with God. In 1 John 2:16 , John calls them “desires of our flesh, lusts of the eyes, and pride.” In other words, our blessings can easily become our stumbling blocks when we think of them as what we deserve or what we need to be happy.
Life works better when we remember that the true source of our blessings comes from God. And we should focus on the things that please Him. Proverbs 3:7 says “Do not be wise in our own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil.”
Sometimes, the on,y way to live the life God wants us to live is by separating ourselves from the bed influences that keep dragging us down. That works best when we start pursuing something else in their place.
It’s not easy, fleeing from the evil desires that pull at us means spending a lot of time talking to God and leaning on Him. But God promises to honor our commitment to Him when we run away from evil. Proverbs 3:8 says, “This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.”
When we pursue God, we find abundant life. Running from evil and pursuing God doesn’t come naturally to most of us. It means we have to make some serious changes in our lives.
It’s easy to put ourselves first. When something good happens, we want to congratulate ourselves with a reward. When something bad happens, we want to console ourselves or find someone to blame. That’s what comes naturally to us. I call it “me-centric”.
And when it comes to money, the struggle is even harder. It’s hard to get the perspective that money does being to us but God -God created all things.
If we can trust God with the first of our wealth, we truly show how much we depend on Him. Handing over the first part of our money takes a huge amount of faith. But, when I do this God blesses me beyond measure.
If we are honest with ourselves we aren’t so good at evaluating ourselves. We go to great lengths to excuse our behavior, our actions, and our sins. We can pretty much find a reason for any bad thing we do.
If we are ever going to truly trust in God and flee from evil, we have to know where we stand. In Jeremiah 17:9, Jeremiah captures this very well. “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?”
We have to find an objective measure that tells us the truth. And that truth comes from God and His Word. Sometimes it takes something bad happening or seeing ourselves in a bad light before we can admit that we need change. The more we are in the Bible, the more likely this will happen. When we have scripture planted firmly in our hearts, God will often use it to clean the garbage out of our lives.
Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit to us, when we choose to follow Him. He told His disciples that this counselor would be their spiritual compass -our very own built in GPS.
In John 14:26 Jesus says, “But the counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my Name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”
So as we go through our day, the Holy Spirit guides us too. That means we don’t have to do it alone or hope we’re getting it right. The Holy Spirit leads us in truth and protects us.
After all, the gift of the Holy Spirit to true believers reminds us that we can truly rest in God’s love.
When we face a difficult world each day, we can sometimes wonder if God even cares. Especially in today’s world, when we see bad things happening or wonder where He is. Bur God never leaves us to fend for ourselves.
Even in the nest of turmoil, God sticks with us and uses our challenges to shape us. When we understand that, our perspective changes completely. We will o longer see setbacks as failures, but as moments when God (our loving Father) is helping us to become stronger.
That’s why we can trust God with our hearts. He cares for each of us everyday. He gives us what we need to thrive. He pours blessings upon us.
Following God every day isn’t easy, but when we do we are never on our own.
“And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” – Matthew 28:20.
If you could meet a historical figure, who would it be and why?
I really wouldn’t be interested in meeting a historical figure. I would be more interested in their experiences and what they could teach us. They say “history repeats itself.” And it looks like what’s some of what’s going on in the world is taking place again.
The treatment of others comes to mind. Respecting our neighbors and making small sacrifices in order that we may learn to live more peacefully with one another. 
The educational system in America has taken the study of history in our schools. Seems to me it should be one of the top 5 classes that needs to be taught. It’s heartbreaking to me, that the trend in America right now if dumbing down our children, and manipulating their bodies all for the money hungry.
We should be looking at our historical figures for what they could teach us. Not, just to meet them.
In a world experiencing wars, room, which of wars and dangers of every kind, it’s comforting to know that God has promised to protect His people. We may not all be on the front lines of a natural war, but we are facing an enemy, who intends to steal, kill and destroy us. However, we must always remember our God is more powerful than Satan. And when we make God our refuge, we have security in Him. Just like a newborn baby wrapped in a warm, secure blanket, God wraps us up in His love, power, and protection.
Psalm 91 has kept me a person, say Gary, all kinds of dangers and war. Psalm 91 is known as “TheSoldiers Prayer.” But it is for all God’s children. Psalm 91 promises,
1. “I will rescue you… “ (salvage, bring relief, cause you to escape).
2. “I will answer you…” (respond when you speak)
3. “I will be with you in trouble…” (in affliction, in distress”
4. “I will deliver you…” (free, exonerate, release, to bring to safety“
5. “I will honor you…” (to make rich, strong, give favor)
6. “I will satisfy you with long life… “ (to fulfill all your days, finish your race)
7. “I will show you my salvation…” (abundant life, victory, completeness)
This is the kind of protection God has provided for us.
There is nothing anyone can come up with that is not covered by the promises of protection in God’s Word. We had provided a shelter that is ours for the taking -in fact, according to Psalm 61:3, “God has been a refuge for me, a strong tower from the enemy.”
God Himself is our shelter and refuge. The dictionary defined refuge as “that which shelters or protects from danger, distress or calamity, a stronghold which protects by its strength or a sanctuary which secures safety by its sacredness; any place inaccessible to an enemy.”
Psalm 91:4 tells us, “ Under His wings, shall you trust and find refuge.” When trouble comes your way, stay in that place of refuge in God. It’s a place of safety for any enemy.
God’s protection means you are inaccessible to the enemy, no matter what the circumstances. According to scripture, God encircles. encompasses, covers and shields those who make Him their refuge. His presence -the anointing is a kind of force field of protection making you inaccessible to the enemy no matter the circumstances.
That’s how men and women throughout the ages have been able to walk unharmed through all kinds of dangerous situation. That’s how Daniel survived the lions den. The lion couldn’t get him because a tangible force field of God’s protection was around him (Daniel 6:16-22). God was Daniels refuge in the lions pit.
And god was a refuge for Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the fiery furnace as well. They were faithful to God, and believe you, God, and the circle of His power -the tangible force of God’s anointing encased them. They didn’t bow and they didn’t burn. They didn’t even smell of smoke (Danial 3:12-27). An angel, “like the son of God” was in the furnace with them. They were not alone.
They were encompassed by the power of God.
That same protection belongs to us today, when we do well in the secret place of the Most High (Psalm 92:1).
“A thousand my fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not come near you. You will only look with your eyes and see recompense of the wicked. Because you have made Lord your refuge, and the Most High your dwelling place. No evil shall happen to you, neither shall any plague come near your dwelling. For He will put Andrew in charge of you, and God, you in all of your ways” -Psalm 91-7-11.
There is a place in Christ Jesus, where we abide in the secret Place of God protection. The world knows nothing about this secret place, New York, and they live there. It is a place revealed by the Holy Spirit. It is for the obedient. Our lives are hidden with Christ in God. (see Colossians 3:3).
God has covered you with a garment of Light.
God Himself is encircled by what scripture calls the garment of light. Psalm 104:1-2 says,
“O’ Lord, my God… you are close with honor and majesty (you are the One) Who covers Yourself with light as with a garment.”
Psalm 8:5 tells us that Adam was created in gods image, and God “crown him with glory and honor.” Think about it, Adam was created in God’s image, Adam looks just like God. He was clothed in the glory of God -he wore a garment of light.
Now it’s true that when Adam sinned, the glory departed from him. He lost the crown of honor. But thank God, Jesus got back everything in the redemption that Adam lost in the fall.
As believers in Christ, we are temples of the living God. He goes everywhere we go when we are filled with Him. God lives in us, and we should radiate His presence and love. He has covered us with a garment, or shield of light. You may not always be able to see it, but rest of Sheard, being in the spiritual realm, including devils and demons, see and recognize the glory of God on us. Occasionally, this light is visible in the natural too. Have you ever had someone tell you there’s a light about you?
Keep a shield of the Word over you, so no fiery dart of the devil and penetrate your life.
Even though, as a true believer, the Holy Spirit lives within you, you still must make sure you have your shield of faith in place when the devil aims fiery dart at you. and you do that by knowing what the Word promises about your protection and believing and standing on it in faith. You will not have faith to believe for this protection if you don’t know what God says about it, because faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17). You must know His Word to have any basis for faith.
I keeping a shield and the Word over you, no fiery dart of the devil can penetrate your life. Evil tidings may come, but don’t listen to them. Circumstances may look grim, but keep your heart fixed on God’s Word look to His promises instead of the situation. Resist the devil. Take your seat in the refuge of the Most High and stay put. Hold your position, even under pressure and your enemy will flee (James 4:7).
Remember, everything you need is in that secret place with God. So hold your place by faith and believe what the Bible says. “For you will bless the righteous Lord, you will surround him with favor as with a shield” -Psalm 5:12.
God desires to bless you, to surround you, with goodwill, to always protect you.
Your security will be determined by how much time and attention you give to God and His Word in this life.
It really isn’t difficult to stay in that secret place -that place of protection with God. In fact I can tell you how to do it in four words:
Attach Yourself To God
Go after the things of God. Go after His Word. Make it a priority to spend time with Him every day. Let everything in your life revolve around your relationship with Him.
You will discover God will always do His part when you turn to Him. But he has given you free will, and it’s up to you to do your part, which is to attach yourself to Him and depend on Him. You can use to make the Lord your refuge, but then you must also choose to walk it out. “Walking it out” means believing God, rebuking fear, standing on the Word, and speaking the promises of God, when a fiery dart comes your way. Or you can choose to yield to fear and let go of your protection.
You must decide how you will respond in a moment of crisis.
“To the extent that man pays attention to the Word of God and safeguards His commands God will safeguard him.“
Your security will be determined how much time and attention you give to God and His Word in this life. That may sound simple, but it’s the truth. The scriptures talk about “ye of little faith” and only you decide if that applies to you. If you give God a little of your time, you will have a little faith and get little results.
But when you give God your attention, spend time with Him and Hiss Word, and refuse to believe any other word for the situations you face. God will give you his attention and see to it that you come out all right.
Time with God pays off. When you consistently walk with God and listen to Him(even in the small things) you’ll be prepared if a crisis occurs, You will have no problem hearing and obeying what He tells you to do. And when you are walking in His wisdom you will always be protected.
Sometimes knowing which road to take and save your life. So learn who asked Lord to direct your path each day. My suggestion is to Pray Psalm 25:4,
“Show me the path where I should go, O Lord; point out the right road for me to walk.”
It is important to recognize God as a source, and your number one means of protection. See Him as your guardian or as your cover of protection.
“The Lord is your keeper. The Lord is the shade of your right hand. The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all evil. He will keep your soul. The Lord will keep your going out, and you’re coming in, from this time forward and forever more” -Psalm 121:4-8
King David understood God’s ability to protect him. In fact, he depended on it. That’s evident when we read Psalm 3:3. “ but you, Lord, as a shield around me, my glory, and the one who lifts my head.”
God can cover you in any situation. You don’t need anyone else covering you when you have Him covering you. People will let you down, but God will never let you down.
Psalm 25:15 says “ My eyes are ever looking to the Lord for help, for He alone can rescue me.” God alone can rescue you. When you walk with God, trust Him and walk in His ways, you can expect Him to protect you.
Let the joy of the Lord be your strength
We desire to abide in God’s presence where there is not only protection but also “fullness of joy” (Psalm 16:11). The spirit of the Lord will not manifest Himself where there is sadness or depression. Which makes sense because if you are sad and depressed, that means you’re not believe in God. If you are afraid or feel defeated, you are not in faith. In fact, part of the curse and Deuteronomy 28:66 says, “ You’re like well hanging down before you. You will be afraid night and day and will have no assurance in your life.
If you think about it, negative emotions, can’t get a foothold in our lives unless we turn loose of the promises of God that say we are delivered, that say God is our source of protection, provision and every other good thing.
It all boils down to this. We have to live by faith and trust in God. In Him we have already been delivered from the whole curse. We are protected from danger, sickness, lap, or any other bad thing that’s under the curse. God promised us in Psalm 91:14, “ I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name.
Get your eyes on God. He is our help and deliverance.(Psalm 121:1-2). Make the decision to abide in the secret place, and declare Him to be your refuge. Spend time with God and His Word – meditate on the Scriptures about protection, until you are confident that you have it.
If you doubt, creeps in, take spiritual action fast! Get your shield of faith back up, keep your words straight, listen to face tapes, go to faith-filled meetings, do whatever it takes to get your heart anchored in the truth. Don’t listen to Satan‘s lies.
Remember, we have a refuge-a cover of protection that is greater than anything in the world and more powerful than any enemy that can come against us.
Jesus said that He was sent by God, “ to proclaim the good news to the poor. He sent me to heal the brokenhearted, he proclaimed, release to the captives, recovering a sight to the blind, to deliver those who are crushed” – Luke 4:18.
“Healing of Broken Hearts” means you can find relief from the emotional pain caused by the life’s hardest situation. The failed, marriages, abuse, or any other “soul hurt” can be healed by the love of Christ.
“Liberty to the Captives” mean, you can be set free from addictions to alcohol, drugs, sexual perversion or violence, or any other fears or phobias that have held you in their grip and prevented you from truly “being free.”
“Recovery Of Sight to the blind“ refers to healing and health for anyone suffering from physical or mental illnesses, affliction which causes pain or discouragement.
“To set at Liberty Those Who are Oppressed” means that those who feel that “the deck is stacked against them” or that “everyone else gets all the breaks” can receive help and assurance from God that will release them from joyful expectation for the blessing of God in their lives.
Jesus also said, “For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it” -Luke 9:24.
And,
“This is my commandment, that you love one another, as I have loved you greater love has no one than this; to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” – John 15:12-13.
“And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ the one He have sent” -John 17:3.
Jesus put on the stated that eternal life (therefore life) can be summed up in “to know God, and Jesus Christ” -John 17:3.
The foundation upon which entity is built, is in fact, that Jesus Christ was raised from the dead, and can be known, in a very real and personal way, by those who believe in Him.
Do you trust your instincts?
Our instincts or gut feels give us a head-up as to how you should respond in alignment with your truth.
I trust my instincts 100%. They very rarely steer me in the wrong direction. I have gotten myself into tough situations when I have not trusted them. And then I want to kick myself for not knowing better.
Sin is serious, but secret sin is deadly. Sin is like mold; it grows in the darkness. Our only hope is to step out into the light so sin can be exposed, forgiven, and those involved can find healing.
King David was sick, He knew it was because of his sin. In Psalm 32:3,5 David writes:
“When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover my iniquity. I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.’ And you forgave the guilt of my sin.”
David described the torture of “keeping silent,” the importance of confessing his sin, and the relief of God’s forgiveness. It’s not just Kings that need to go through the process of confessing sin. We all need to “confess our sins to each other and pray for each other so that we may be healed” -James 5:16.
It’s important that we seek out ways to go through the process of confessing our sins and receiving God’s forgiveness.
Last night over my church prayer chain a man was asking for prayer after a knee replacement and was going to need to have it done again because of complications. As I lifted him up in prayer, I asked the Lord to reveal whether he was living in darkness. I don’t know if he has unconfessed sin, but God knows.
It’s so important before going into any surgery or treatment situation to be sure to confess all our sins to the Lord. Maybe sin isn’t making you sick, but I always say ‘why take the chance.” Jesus died for all of our sins, and we can be forgiven in His Name.
If possible take the Lords supper. Holy Communion can be taken anytime. Whether you are alone or in a group. It’s important to realize you don’t need a priest, pastor, or anyone else to take part in Holy Communion. Jesus died so we could be forgiven 100 times a day if need be. So, confess your sins often, and be at peace. Ask God’s forgiveness through Jesus’s body and blood (bread and wine/grape juice) in remembrance of what He did on the cross.
Remember that sin grows in the dark, and confessing your sin keeps it from being a secret. If needed tell a person who you trust wholeheartedly (a church friend or priest or pastor).
Ask God to reveal to you any unconfessed sin in your life. It is by far better to know, and be convicted then to have it turn to sickness.
Sin isn’t the biggest problem stupid is. Our biggest problem is trying to cover up and deal with the sin on our own. Trying to hide sin is like trying to hide an elephant in your living room.
Confessing sin is the way to freedom and healing.
“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleans us from all unrighteousness” – 1 John 1:8-9
Following Jesus is what Christianity is all about. Religion is the formality and man made rules that you choose to adhere to as a member of a church. Being a follower of Jesus doesn’t not require certain clothes or regulations, it only needs faith. It seems as though too many people confuse religion with faith. Jesus’s example trumps all the rules created by man. If you choose to have a religion rather than a relationship, be prepared for problems.
Remember when Jesus healed the man who couldn’t walk? The pharisees were more concerned about church rules then they were about Jesus preforming a miracle. Just think about that for a minute. Jesus talks to a disabled man who couldn’t walk and tells him to stand up. Knowing that this man couldn’t walk, wouldn’t you think that the Pharisees would be in amazement just witnessing the miracle that had just happened? Of course not,the didn’t care. Their rules blinded them from accepting the miracle that they had just witnessed.
You would think that these men would be astonished at what they just witnessed. They were blinded by the fact that just the voice of Jesus was powerful enough to heal a man. Nope, the Pharisees completely missed what had just happened. Instead of being happy that a man was healed they were too caught up in their rules and regulations and the control they had over people to see the truth. They were more interested in shaming Jesus than praising Him.
Following Jesus Is Easy
Following Jesus example is much easier than following man made rules. It seems that today more people are choosing me-ology than the theology of Christ.
You can never be good enough in a man’s eyes. But, in God’s eyes, we can be made new. It amazes me how many people continue to follow a ‘church doctrine that doesn’t lead anyone to Christ. Making up counter-productive rules and hoops to jump through is exactly what the Pharisees were doing to Jesus. Anyone or anything keeping you from having a free and open relationship with Jesus needs to go,
A while back a man started coming to the church I go to. He told me, that the church he grew up in didn’t feel right. The preacher would stand up and read from a book for an hour or so, and then they would say a prayer together and leave. There was no emotion or Holy Spirit there. Sorry but to me that just seems like a bunch of people going to a building following the preacher’s rules and leaving.
The only rules we need to follow are God’s rules. If you find yourself caught up between man and God, then you are not in a healthy place. God doesn’t want us to work to please others to please Him. He wants our direct focus on Him. Following Jesus is easy. You do not have to perform meaningless ceremonial tasks dictated by man. The only functions that we should follow were demonstrated to us by Jesus.
A friend of mine was just kicked out of her church because she drinks coffee. Can you imagine?
Jesus gave us communion to remember His sacrifice. He showed us baptism so that we could be made clean. He even humbled Himself by washing His disciples feet to show His humility and service to others.
Following Jesus is as easy as being Christ-like and emulating His example.
What’s your favorite month of the year? Why?
I love the month of December. It’s not about the presents under the tree. It’s the present that came to me. Jesus. He came to be the greatest gift of all.
Under Jesus Christmas tree are the gifts that means so much to me.
1. Peace with God (Romans 5:1)
2. Access To God (Romans 5:2)
3. Hope (Romans 5:1; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; 5:9-11).
4. Triumph in Trouble (Romans 5:3-4; 1 Thessalonians 1:6)
5. Love (Romans 5:5; John 3:16)
6. The Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5; John 14:16-18).
7. Deliverance From Wrath (Romans 5:9-10)
8. Joy (Romans 5:11)
These are the gifts under God’s Christmas Tree. These are the Christmas Gifts Jesus brought to me. This is why I love the month of December.
“For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is also dead“ – James 2:26
I am a visionary by nature – One of my favorite things to do is dream. I dream about the church, my marriage, my children, and myself. I have faith for many things, even thing’s probably deemed crazy and impossible by other people. I believe Scripture with my whole heart. So, I believe that the way God says thing’s should be can actually happen, regardless of what I see around me.
With that said walking by faith and not by sight is downright difficult at times. What I see can be very different from God’s way. I know I have to be the one to bring myself into alignment with God, not the other way around. Everyday is a war between my flesh and my spirit. But I try to give myself grace because I am still growing and learning. I am still running this race, and I don’t plan to stop my pursuit of Christ.
We must hold strong to our faith because it is the very thing that leads us towards the things we hope for. It’s the thing the keeps us moving forward, even if that movement seems slow and uneventful.Why? Because “faith without works is dead” (James 2:26). It’s as dead as dead can get. Faith is designed to always nudge us to obedience in Christ and to be like He was. It is the “evidence of things that we do not see” – Hebrews 11:1.
Pleasing God Happens When We Have Faith And Apply It With Action.
When we have the Holy Spirit He helps us to understand the mysteries of God for our lives. Things that are a reality in heaven, we can see by the Spirit. And it is our faith that presses us to walk out our lives here on earth. Faith is a starting point that beckons us to move in obedience. And obedience always requires action on our part.
God’s Word tells us that it is impossible for us to please Him without faith. Pleasing God happens when we have faith and apply it with action. Our walk with God is a lifelong journey.
There are two things I know without a shadow of a doubt. The first is no one else can run your personal race with faith. The second is that by truly walking by faith and not be sight produces present and eternal fruit, all of which pleases God and brings Him glory.
The Answer To Everything
There is nothing in this world that prayer can’t help. Even if it’s simply peace, being about to talk to God or make a request. A prayer can help you through the deepest and most difficult moments in life because it is a reminder that we are not alone.
When We Pray
We change the unchangeable and move the immovable…believing is trusting God in every situation. Life is fragile, handle it with care…Pray.
Remember that the devil loves to fish in troubled waters. Make prayer you Armor.
In Prayer, ask God to make you the person He wants you to be.
Miracles happen everyday, so don’t stop believing in God’s Grace. God is hearing your requests.
What is your favorite place to go in your city?
My city happens to be on the small side only about 8000 people live here. There is not much to do around here. A few restaurants, a few bars, and three grocery stores,and even fewer places to go if you need nice clothes..
Almost everything is focused on the outdoors, camping, fishing, hunting, or mudding. Besides my church my favorite place to go is mudding, and hunting. And maybe a quiet relaxing dinner at a ma and pa restaurant.
If I need something large or some nice clothing I have to make the 70 mile drive where there are better choices at decent costs.
From Pity to Praise