Friday, February 11, 2011

These are good

I just had to share these.....

Free

I am free to choose my thoughts and shape my world.

Just as I walk or drive in the direction I am looking, I also move in the direction of my thoughts. If for any reason I decide to walk a different path, I am free to change my thoughts to direct me there. I am free to shape the course of my life.

If I'm holding persistent thoughts of limitation of any kind, I gently sweep them away and replace them with encouragement. I affirm the truth that I am capable and worthy, because the power of God is within me. With this power, I am free to choose my thoughts and shape my world.

With attentiveness and practice, I form a new vision that reveals more of my God-given potential. My thoughts steer me toward fullness of life, joy and inner peace. I am grateful to God for the freedom of thought.

The truth will make you free.--John 8:32

People Who Don't Know God Worry by Jon Walker

What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Matthew 6:31-32 (MSG)

"Do you believe that if you follow Jesus, you will lack nothing?"
When we worry, we reveal the places in our lives where we are trying to do things on our own as opposed to trusting Jesus to do what he promised.

This means we can view worry as an opportunity to increase our faith. Rather than worry, or feel bad about our worry, we can take the things we worry about and bring them to the feet of King Jesus. We can say, “Jesus, I’m having trouble with this one. It keeps me worried. I’m giving this worry to you and I’m going to trust you to take care of this.”

Then, we have to take thoughts captive, just as the Apostle Paul teaches. What that means is, when we start to worry, we have to take that thought and send it to Jesus. “Jesus, I am worried about the mortgage, but I am sending my worry to you because you have promised to take responsibility for providing for my needs.”

This simple transfer, in and of itself, will strengthen your faith because it requires you at a very basic, yet intimate level, to acknowledge the sovereignty of God. It is a simple step of faith that will help you clearly see when and how Jesus provides.

Jesus says worry is characteristic of people who don't know God and the way he works. And because of their ignorance, they fuss over things. They have no idea that God knows their needs and so, as Pastor Tom taught yesterday, they try to do for themselves what only God can do.
“But you know both God and how he works,” Jesus says. Jesus always brings us to a choice: ‘Do you believe that if you follow me, you will lack nothing?’ If your answer is yes, then why do you worry? If you answer is no, then what keeps you from trusting Jesus?

Jesus died so you could be free from worry. Worry is a choice, but you can choose instead to trust in Jesus and walk in the wonderment of how God provides.

This devotional is by Jon Walker, editor of the Daily Hope Devotionals and author of Costly Grace.


Believe You Are Who God Says You Are by Buddy Owens

“And we … are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” 2 Corinthians 3:18 (NIV)

This week’s devotionals are by Buddy Owens, teaching pastor at Saddleback Church and author of ‘The Way of a Worshiper’.

I want to help you learn to confess your faith, and then let that confession lead to life change so that it demolishes your old way of thinking and gives you a new way of thinking about life, God, yourself, hardship, your family and your world.

And here’s how to do it: Stop confessing lies. Confess your faith! Say the same thing God says about you. Let it change the way you think . . . and it will change the way you live.

Here are some things the Bible says about you that need to become things you say about yourself. Start every day by confessing these truths --

My Faith Confessions

* I am crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. (Galatians 2:20)
* The Son has set me free. I am free indeed! (John 8:36)
* My body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. (1 Corinthians 6:19)
* I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:13)
* He who began a good work in me will be faithful to complete it. (Philippians 1:6)
* There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:1)
* Nothing can ever separate me from the love of God in Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:38-39)
* In all things God works for the good of those who love him. (Romans 8:28)
* God is faithful. He will not let me be tempted beyond what I can bear. (1 Corinthians 10:13)
* God has not given me a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7)
* My light and momentary troubles are achieving for me an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. (2 Corinthians 4:17)
* He is able to do immeasurably more than all I ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within me. (Ephesians 3:20)
* God is for me! Who can be against me? (Romans 8:31)

When you say what God says (confession), you begin to think what God thinks (repentance). So let this be your confession of faith. And let it be the foundation on which you build your new life.

This is not the power of positive thinking. It’s not your good thoughts that will turn your life around. God’s power will turn your life around. He’s just asking you to believe he is who he says he is, believe you are who he says you are, and then live like you believe those things.

Does that mean bad things will stop happening? No. But it does mean you will experience many more victories than losses because the Word of God is at work in you.

1 comment:

Carolyn NC said...

Awesome post, Dawn!