Decision Making

Years ago I made a decision.... or two.

I decided to start being thankful.   To count my blessings even when things didn't look so great.

Because there are always blessings to count.

I decided to start being happy for others when God blessed them in ways that I wished He would bless me.

Because if He can do that for them, He can do that and more for me.

I decided to start speaking blessings over my family and others.

I decided to start believing that "God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did;"  (Romans 4: 17 NKJV).

I decided to think and speak about things or people as though they are what and who God says they are.

We believe a lot of things.

Things about others.

Things about ourselves.

When we start speaking and acting on those beliefs, it can cause problems and conflict,  or it can create an atmosphere where the miraculous can happen.

If we speak and act negatively about ourselves or others, then our mindset and our self image and our ideas dwell on the negative and we reflect that in our conversation, our relationships and just about everything we do.

I know because I was that negative person at one time.

Negativity just breeds more negativity.   It is a powerful tool that Satan uses to keep us under his foot and to prevent us from living the joyful and abundant life that God intends for us.    It flows from us to others like dripping acid.

But if we purposefully and intentionally begin to make positive statements, if we decide to live positively, to be thankful for the blessings  and believe that what God says about us is true, then things in our life begin to change.

Because we are actively and intentionally believing God instead of the devil.

It may take some time, but I guarantee that things will change.     

If you change.   If you take God at His Word.

If you make the decision to dwell on the positive and to "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.  The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you." (Philippians 4: 7-8 NKJV)

I completely believe this is true.   My life changed drastically when I decided to leave the negative me behind and become Miss Happy Sunshine In Your Face.   It changed when I asked God to  restore the joy of my salvation.  It changed when I decided to believe God instead of the liar.  My entire outlook on life changed.

It's not always easy to be positive or to look for the silver lining in that ugly ferocious cloud.   Some days it takes a lot of work to take my mind off a problem and say "Father, I know that You have something good in store for me because Your Word says that You want to give me good.   I'm leaving this mountainous problem in Your hands and waiting for the blessing that You promise is mine.  I believe You." 

Some days I have to pray that over and over and over till I decide to believe it and let it settle solidly into my spirit.

Make the decision to believe that what God tells us is true and that whatever the devil says is a lie.

Because whatever you believe about yourself is true. 

Your outlook can change your outcome.

Think about it.

#outrageousbelief  #thinkpositively #countyourblessings #believeGod

He Promised

     

Rest in the LORD.

Identity in Christ.

Child of God.

Heir.

New creation in Christ


Just some random thoughts.   

If we are children of God born anew through Jesus.   If our identity is:  His child, His heir, His creation, Believer, Saved by the blood, Transformed by the renewing of our minds.

If we believe He is our Father, Savior, Redeemer, Friend, Provider, Creator, Healer, Adviser, and the source of all Love and Compassion.

Then why?

Why have doubts about our future?  Why worry about what's going on around us?

Someone recently commented to me:  "God always seems to take care of you.   He always seems to answer your prayers."

I replied "Why wouldn't He?   He promised He would."

I mean...  please don't think that  I don't have my fair share of troubles in this world.   I have lost loved ones, siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, and lately my father.   I have been betrayed and abandoned by people.  I have been disappointed by people that I love dearly.  I have been divorced and  it was another death.   I have lost relationships and I have lost income and I have lost jobs.  I almost lost practically everything I own.

But through it all, I have trusted Jesus and given my troubles to Him.

When I pray and ask for my heart's desires, I let Him know that although this is what I am wanting at this point in my life, if He has something else in mind for me then that's what I want.      Even though the answer may not look at all like what I was asking.  Even if His answer is the exact thing I am praying would not happen.  

Nevertheless. His. Will. Be. Done.

I know that sometimes it seems that He doesn't even hear us or is never going to answer.

But He does.  And He will.

He always gives the best answers.   Even when it doesn't look like it at the time.

He's my Heavenly Father , Dad, Daddy.  He's got all the power.  He's got all the control.   He is trustworthy.

And wow!  I'm His kid.

Not only did He create me, He adopted me!   

He chose me!

He put the best robe and ring on the prodigal.

I have lots of clothes and nice things.

He provided bountiful bread and fish to the hungry.

He filled a widow's jar with an unending supply of oil which provided food for her and her household.

He led all those rebellious Israelites through the wilderness for 40 years and provided everything they needed.  Their clothes and shelter never wore out and they had all the food they needed every day.

I've never gone hungry.

He raised people from the dead and cured their horrible diseases.

He gave me new life.

He never abandoned anyone.

He won't abandon me ... or you.

He never betrayed anyone.

He won't betray me ... or you.

He protects His own.  

He protects me.

He goes looking for those that are lost.

He found me.

He will find you too.

So I have determined that if He is all these things.

If He has done all these things.

If He has promised all these things.

Then I am just going to believe Him.    

It might seem outrageous to believe that God will answer my prayers and take care of me, but it has worked out so far.   I don't believe He's going to stop now.

God is not a man, that He should lie.



"God is not a man, that He should lie.  Nor a son of man, that He should repent.  Has He said, and will He not do?  Or has He spoke, and will He not make it good?   Behold, I have received a command to bless; He has blessed, and I cannot reverse it."  (Numbers 23: 19-20 )

"For thus says the LORD God of Israel: "The bin of flour shall not be used up, nor shall the jar of oil run dry until the day the LORD sends rain on the earth.  So she went away and did according the word of Elijah; and she and he and her household ate for many days.  The bin of flour was not used up, nor did the jar of oil run dry, according to the word of the LORD which He spoke by Elijah."  (1 Kings 17: 15-17)

"Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have.  For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." (Hebrews 13: 5)

"And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.'  But the father said to his servants, 'bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet."  (Luke 15: 21-22)

All scripture from the NKJV

#outrageousbelief #trustGod #provider #savior #protector #healer #heirtotheking


Photo by Rodolfo Marques on Unsplash