The Be-Attitudes

Today I want to talk about something that everyone may not be aware of. In Matthew 5:1-12 it tells about when Jesus spoke to the people on the mount. Or the Be-Attitudes.

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went on the mountain side and sat down. His disciples came to Him and He began to teach them. The Beatitudes. He said:

  • Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
  • Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
  • Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
  • Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
  • Blessed are the merciful for they will be shown mercy.
  • Blessed are the pure in heart for they will see God.
  • Blessed are the pure in heart, for the will see a God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
  • Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
  • Blessed are you when people insult you, persecuted you and say all kinds of evil against you because of me.
  • Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were who are before you.

Have you noticed that all of these mean one thing. We all have to be in the attitude of prayer.

I also noticed that all these attitudes are so in tune with exactly where we are in America and the world. One thing came to mind as I was writing this. All the people who are against anyone is a Bible Believing are actually doing us a favor. Just by the way they say evil things and persecute us by hating us. It’s scary to think about this. God is here for all of us. Mercy and Grace is available.

Ways To Follow God’s Plan For Your Life

I uses to think it would be perfect if God would send down a blueprint for each of our lives. What if we were born with an instruction manual that God wrote for us? A manual that would out-line what we were supposed to do so we could follow His plan for our lives.

Life can be very confusing and stressful and very difficult to understand what God wants for us over the noise of the world. And the sounds of all the obligations pulling at us daily.

The truth is, God knows what He wants for us and He is in control of our plans. He had a blueprint drawn up for our lives. And He is guiding us and planting seeds in our hearts. God really does see, He hears us and He answers our prayer. Sometimes we just don’t see those blessings right in front of our lives.

When I was suffering horribly with depression all the way up to my cancer, I didn’t see His hand upon my life. All I saw was darkness all around me. Because I wasn’t looking for the light. The light was there, I was just to busy seeing darkness. God had a plan for me then, He has a plan for me now. He does all of us, We just have to choose to look for the light in the midst of the darkness. And choose to focus on that light.

This life is hard, but through our trials, the Lord God makes us stronger. During times of tribulation, our faith is able to grow and multiply. In Romans 5:3-5 it shows us that suffering produces perseverance and character, which leads to hope that allows God to pour into our hearts through the Holy Spirit.

We all know there is pressure from the world around us to succeed and to meet a certain standard. Through God and His calling He has placed n our lives, we can achieve what He wants for our lives.

Following God’s Plan For Your Life.

Be In Prayer.

A way to know that you are following God’s plan for your life is by being in prayer. Take time each day to devote yourself to the Lord and the plans He has for your life. If you are giving each area of your life to God, then He will bless it and be able to work through it abundantly.

Here’s something I tell everyone that comes to me for advice. Are You Reading Your Bible.

Be actively reading God’s Word

It is one thing to go to church on Sunday and hear the pastor’s sermon and another when you take time each day to spend time in God’s word. Take a few minutes each day to read God’s word ( maybe replace the time your spending drinking your coffee and listening to the media tell you lies) and place it with God’s Word. It will allow you to better live out the life a God has for you.

Here’s something We all don’t do often or at all.

Follow The Commands He Puts On Your Heart.

Allow God to guide your steps and trust the dreams He puts on your heart. Believe He will qualify you and know that there is a dream that He has placed upon your heart. He will help you achieve it. And He will be glorified in the process.

Here’s a simple example of Following Gods commands: awhile back a addiction recovery group came to the community, not a 12 step program, or a drug court. But a Faith Based recovery center. I admit I didn’t have any interest in helping anyone in this program. But reading my Bible one day. And a heard God tell me, that’s where you need to be. Of course my flesh resisted and I thought “No” I don’t want to do this. But I knew this was where God wanted me. And low and behold guess where I’m working. A recovery center helping the same people I had no interest in helping. That is how to listen and do What God commands you to do.

Seek A Godly Community

It’s a lot easier to follow a God’s plans and act in ways that honor him when you have friends around you that encourage you in your walk with the Lord. Seek out a bible believing church and the people there, that will hold you accountable and be able to give you Godly council.

Obey The Truth

What is written in the Bible is truth, we need to know what is written in it, and follow the way God calls you to live. Live by the commandments and intentionally be an example of what a Christ follower should be.

I firmly believe that the Holy Bible is our blueprint for life. I have been following God’s Word (the Bible) for over 15 years now and I have never been so happy and peaceful in my life.

Follow God’s plan for your life and you will not be disappointed.

Our Battles Are Against The Devil Is A Spiritual One.

So Consequently, using tangible weapons and worldly methods to fight against him is not applicable.

Scripture tells us to put on the full armor of God, that we may stand against the devils attacks and gain victory.

So what exactly is the full armor, and what does it mean? Ephesians 6:10-18 tells us the answer.

  • The Belt Of Truth. The belt of truth means wearing Christ, for He is the way, the truth, and the life. (John 14:6). In the olden days , the griddle (belt) held together the soldiers garments, to allow for freer movement while engaging in combat and also served to carry the sheath that holds the sword, for east access, meaning the belt has to be worn securely, meaning the Truth must be a close part of us at all times.
  • Breastplate Of Righteousness. The breastplate shielded a warriors vital organs from fatal blows. We are confident not in our own works of righteousness, but the righteousness of Christ, by faith, and this will guard us against accusations and charges brought by Satan.
  • Footwear (Feet Fitted) With The Readiness That Comes From The Gospel Of Peace. Our feet must be on the go- ready to take action upon command as we advance into Satan’s territory, win souls and reclaim this world for Christ.
  • Shield Of Faith. The first line of defense is the warrior’s shield. The devil tries to make us question God and His Word, but holding up strong faith in Christ will be like a solid shield that wards off every doubt.
  • Helmet Of Salvation. The head is the most critical of the body, where our innermost thoughts and beliefs are. When the gospel of salvation is securely placed in our mind, we are able to discern between false doctrine and spiritual truth, keeping ourselves from spiritual fatal blows.
  • Sword Of The Spirit/ Word Of God. The only offensive weapon in the armor of God is the sword of the Spirit; all others mentioned above are defensive armor. The Sword is the Word of God, against which Satan has no chance. There is no greater spiritual weapon that God’s Word, and Jesus also cited Scripture to ward off the devil when we was tempted in the desert.

Don’t Forget Prayer. Along with all this armor, we are told to pray in the Spirit. In spiritual warfare, prayer cannot be neglected, for it is our plea to God, through which we can draw strength by seeking His a Supernatural power.

All in all, warriors of Christ should take heart, that the Victory has already been Won. God is on our side. “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with us wherever we go. (Joshua 1:9)

I have to say. When I was suffering from the bondage that Satan had be under nearly all of my life. I know none of this. And as a new Christian, I knew nothing about the Armor Of God. As I look back on the past and my journey to where I am now. I can see everything put into place my oppression that Satan had me under to the freedom I have in Christ. I sometimes cry tears of Joy because I now know how Our God loves each and every one of us.

Are You Looking For Happiness In All The Wrong Places?

Surprising results came from a study of lottery-winners and Paraplegic: though the former rated themselves as happy upon their change in fortune, and latter considered themselves devastated after their misfortune, things changed in the months ahead. Six months later there was no significant difference in happiness between the two groups. How is it that events like these can have little impact on our mental well-being in the long run? Where can happiness be found if it is not in material things.

Our brains are not designed to be constantly stimulated by any emotion, whether it is positive or negative. What we need is normal happiness to survive on a scale of well-being. When a change occurs such as winning the lottery or acquiring a new possession, we adapt to that feeling of happiness and we consider it to be the new average. The surge of happiness from people having more money or a new gadget is short lived. Soon that feeling is no longer out of the ordinary, and we don’t feel happy anymore. Wether it Is winning the lottery or becoming a Paraplegic or any other change in well-being, eventually we will adjust to the situation.

Despite this reality, when we have to deal with material thing we almost always overestimate the effect a certain event or outcome will have on our overall happiness. We are all working to achieve happiness but, we prioritize incorrectly. The idea of greater wealth must lead to greater happiness, we prioritize money-making endeavors over all else, when in fact things such as taking a walk in nature or spending time with friends and family, will lead to true happiness more than superficial wealth.

Yes, we all need to work to provide for our families. But if we work our lives away or true source of happiness fades away or suffers. We should have a balance between The Lord, Our Families and work.

So why is it that we think money will make us happy? This is a misconception, though increased wealth is associated with increased wealth is associated with increased happiness to a certain point. People who can afford to have the shelter of a house are generally happier than people on the streets, this changes after once someone has reached the level of wealth in which they don’t have to worry where their next meal is coming from. Income does not makes substantial difference in overall mental well-being.

The Grass Is Always Greener On The Other Side

Too often we find ourselves working not for personal improvements, but instead measuring ourselves against those around us, and using the well-being of others to determine how well off we are. I took a class on sociology when I was in college and learned this comparison of others and consequent judgement of self in know as relative deprivation and it is very detrimental to happiness. The effect of relative deprivation, comparing your own feelings and actions of others-is that you believe you are much worse off than your neighbor and you deserve more than you have.

We are not supposed to be jealous or compare ourselves to anyone. It only takes away our happiness.

God made us all different for a reason. In proverbs 14:30 it says “A heart at peace give life to the body, but envy rots the bones.” Mark 7:21-22 “ For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornication, thefts, murders, adulteries, deeds of wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, and envy, slander, pride and foolishness.

How can we have happiness If it takes all of this to make us successful. Trying to be like someone else, we eventually lead us here.

I am happy knowing, I live a happy life with what I have, I can pay my bills, I have a vehicle to drive, and know I have a little extra to help my children or someone else if they need it.

Where do you find your true happiness. Are you looking in the wrong place?

The Power Of Forgiveness

When I became an Adult, I had a lot of baggage I was carrying. This bandage way weighing me down horribly. I was unable to forgive my mother for what she did to me as a child, my boyfriend’s that hurt me so badly, my sister for abandoning our father,and even my husband for the way he treated me when I was sick.

When I became a Christian and began reading the Bible. I was still not sure I could forgive anyone. I hated these people I think that is more than un-forgiveness. In Matthew 18: 21-22 the Lord answered Peters question about forgiveness as I read this the Lord’s answer stopped me in my tracks. I was still at the eye for an eye way of thinking and didn’t know if I was ready to make a commitment to God’s ways.

As I decided to go all in I though perhaps He needed to hear me out on this forgiveness thing, I was sure he would understand once I told him the things that I was unable to forgive. Just in case He hadn’t heard me correctly. I even went into the poor poor pitiful me woes. I He listened then closed down my play and gave me more time to read between the lines. It was to make me sure I heard Him correctly.

Forgiveness is the fragrance that the violet shed on the heel that crushed it.

Mark Twain

Forgiveness can, at times, be a hard pill to swallow especially if you are one who needs to do the forgiving.

How could I forgive a mother who beat me and locked me in the closet, who starved me to the point of malnutrition. A mother who would not let me speak.

Has forgiving someone been difficult for you? I really try to live a good and honest life, to be fair and kind to others. Back when I couldn’t forgive anyone for anything, when someone would do something to make me angry with my nose flaring, or saying something about my past would trigger me to the point to stir my pot. It was hard to turn the other cheek. Before I couldn’t just let things slide off my back. I have forgiven many people, even my mother. It is well buried and I’ve gotten over it.

And, yes my husband and I are still married. I’ve forgiven him and he has forgiven me. We are starting over. Life has been good.

Through trial and error, I’ve the forgiving isn’t forgetting, it being able to move on without anger or being shackled to the wrong that people have done to me. I deal with this because I am someone who believes the God has given us all kinds of emotions, some are healthy and some not so much. I believe he must be okay with me expressing the occasional unhealthy emotions. When the unhealthy emotions surface, I allow myself a minimum amount of time to express then in my time ways from people. I talk to God about these emotions and listen to him when he answers.

When we are in the presence of a unhealthy visitor. Don’t feel bad if you have to show them the door. I say aloud to them it’s time for you to leave now. When I have to make an exit from people in society. I walk away. And clear my head.

Psalm 19:15 says “Let the words of your mouth and the thought of my heart favor before you, O’ Lord, my rock and redeemer.

He is the best one to calm me down and to remind me how far I have come from the old me. I keep the Bible and spiritual books near me and do not feed my anger which could lead to not feeling very forgiving. Is it easy? No. At least not for me. I do have to remind myself that God has a plan for me, and it’s doesn’t involve my attitude.

For I know the plans I have for you, this is the Lord’s declaration- plans your well-being, not for disaster, but to give you a future and a hope.

Jeremiah 29:11

Another way is that I remember the many, many times God has forgiven me. Thinking of those times I have to take a humble pill, it gets easier as o remind myself that I am not perfect and neither are the people who I’ve come in contact with. I have realized that many people act the way they do because their lives have been hard too. Everyone has a background story.

Forgiving ourselves. I have spoken to many people who have trouble forgiving themselves. Something has happened in their past and this has made them feel shame or beaten down. They want to move forward but, they do not feel worthy of being forgiven. For almost 40 years I had felt unworthy, like I was to blame for what my past was like. Not anymore!

I think if God forgives us we must forgive ourselves. Otherwise it is almost like setting up ourselves as a higher tribunal than Him.

C.S. Lewis

It maybe difficult but those are the times we have to separate yourself from any one who wants to tear down and not build up. I had to do this some who were close to me. This doesn’t mean you must stay away forever, but at least until you are strong enough to say “That’s not who I am now, I choose to not go back where I was.

Come now, let us set things right, says the Lord. Though your sins are like scarlet, they may become white as snow; though they are crimson red, they may be white as wool.

Isaiah 1:18

This Isaiah verse helped me tremendously. With God’s help, I could shed layers of guilt, hurts, and shame that I had piled on myself. He let me see the woman He had created me to be.

Areas Of Your Life Satan Wants To Enter.

Satan wants nothing more than to enter these areas of our lives so he can gain a stronghold. He’ll try anything to throw us off center, distract us from our focus, and render us ineffective for the kingdom of God.

I have lived these for many years in my past. There are common areas he attacks. Not just in men or women, but all of us. Along as we are aware of his strategies, we can be on guard to keep him out of his targeted entry points.

Your Heart- so it’s not Gods alone

There’s a reason God’s Word tells us: “Above all else, guard your heart for everything you do flows from it” (Proverbs 4:23). Satan knows he has an entry point into your life if God is not first in our hearts. God’s first commandment, set forth was “You shall have no other god’s before me. (Exodus 20:3). And Jesus restated that under a New Covenant when he was asked what the greatest commandment. And he responded by saying “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind. (Luke 10:27). Satan’s greatest desire is to prevent you from giving God all your heart so he wi,, constantly dangle people, things, and desires in front of you. Anything to distract you so he can erect a false god in front of you that you don’t even realize you have.

In my younger years it was drugs and sex. As I got older it was attention, I would do anything do get attention, mostly bad attention. I would get really depressed because of the life I was living. It brought me to trying to kill myself many times. And then sleep I would sleep all the time to forget my misery. Only to ignore my husband and my children. I lived in misery for 45 years. Until I was completely broke emotionally, mentally and physically. Then my children invited me to church. It changed my life forever. For the better. Once I started believing in God my life started looking up. No-one can tell my all that pain and suffering wasn’t from Satan.

Satan will try and lure you with a false god, sex, drugs, a spouse or love, interest, a dream,a goal, a hobby or a lifestyle. Some of us start loving other things more than God- food, money, recreation, a substance, or a feeling, like being in love, more than God, Himself. Guard you heart by keeping God on the throne of your life so Satan doesn’t try to sneak anything else in there.

Some people are afraid they will have to give something up if they follow God. The truth is I have not lost anything from following God I have gained things in abundance.

Your Worries- to make you doubt God’s love and provision .

Satan wants to stressed out because the your not resting in God’s ability to care for you. Women tend to stress over the temporal- bills that must be paid, whether or not a man will come into there lives, if they will have a child, what someone is saying about us, how our body looks, and so one. Men tend to stress about their jobs, providing for their families, whether or not they’ll make the cut in several areas in their lives. Then theirs health concerns, fears, and other situations that can crowd out God’s peace in out lives and even causes Lamar God for our circumstances.

Are you living like God’s love and provision are real?

Don’t let Satan in this door through his tantalizing “what if?” Questions and the doubts he weaves through your mind. God instructs us in Philippines 4:6-7 to be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard you hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Keep praying about your concerns and keep thanking God ahead of time for what He’s about to do, so Satan doesn’t get a stronghold in your mind through your worries and fears.

Your Everything Thinking

Its amazing how many people profess to know God and follow Him, yet their thinking patterns are just like everyone else in the world. Satan loves that. He wants you to be so absorbed with the ways of the world that you are clueless about what’s God Word says. He will do this through subtle messages in music lyrics, statements from your favorite celebrity, and words of advice from friends and family, who even believers, but are quoting things that aren’t in the Bible.

Is your everyday thinking so you’re just like the world?

Scripture commands us: Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is. ( Romans 12:2). God’s Word instructs to fix our thoughts on what is honorable and right. Think about thing that are pure and lovely and admirable.