Everything New

"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me…" (Psalm 51:10, ESV)

Christ Makes Everything New

With the new year comes fresh starts, resolutions and new beginnings. It is a time for making plans, setting goals and writing visions. But the greatest "new start" of all comes through Jesus Christ. Second Corinthians 5:17 says, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a NEW creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." If you need a new beginning this year in any area of your life, allow Christ to make you a new creation, and the old will pass away! He will put a new and right spirit within you when you call on His name! Joel Osteen

Peace With Yourself

http://www.intouch.org/Watch/peace-with-yourself

“Peace I leave with you.  I do not give to you

as the world gives.  Do not let your

hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

John 14:27

Faith

In Everything, Have Faith in God

TODAY IS THE DAY to keep on having faith in God. In everything, have faith in God's love and wisdom at work in your life. In everything that has already occurred, choose to have faith and know that God's presence and power were active. In everything happening in this moment, have faith that God is present and in control of all details. In thoughts of the future, again take hold of the idea: In everything, I have faith in God!

If you are facing a physical challenge, focus your attention and belief on the declaration: In everything, I have faith in God and in God's total healing power! Initiate this life-giving thought again and again in the realization that with increasingly greater healing power it will begin to rise up within your mind and heart and bless you.

In everything, I have faith in God! No matter what negativity may arise during the day, regarding yourself or someone you love, choose to keep this one simple thought active.

Let it be a silent or verbal sentinel reminding you of the path you wish to follow and of the kind of person you want to be. Repeat the words often: In everything, I have faith in God! 

Use this response to all limitation that occurs, appears or persists in life's events. Determine to consciously choose again and again this positive affirmation and healing attitude.

… I have found that when no other prayer, no other words, seem to bring the encouragement needed, the declaration: In EVERYTHING, I have faith in God! has helped rebuild my trust, restrengthen my conviction, and restore my growing awareness of oneness with the Father.

Jesus Christ showed in a powerful way, through his own manner of response, the vital importance of right reaction to every circumstance of life. Confronted by the negative attitudes of the Pharisees and other religious leaders, he persistently moved forward in having faith in God.

… You are given, through Jesus' example, the basis for working miracles in your life today. Regardless of the undesirable occasion, negative feelings, or activity in evidence, you can meet each one with the quiet insistence that it need not remain or need not be given a place of importance within your mind. You can prove by example that all attention and all faith turned to the Father is a miracle-working power in everything. The more often you choose to have faith in God, the stronger your conviction grows and the more effective your prayers become.

… Yes, I know there may be times when you are literally surrounded by opposition to your belief in healing or inwardly filled with arguments against the possibility of realizing wholeness. It is in such instances that you can remember and follow the example given by Jesus Christ. You can repeatedly turn away from all that is negative and give your attention to your faith in God.

Mary L. Kupferle was an ordained Unity minister.

How to Know God’s Will

Principles to Live By

I have learned six principles to guide us as we seek God's will in any situation (adapted from "Getting a Grip on Guidance," by Keith Davy, a Campus Crusade staff member).

These principles are meant to be used together. As you spend time working through your decision, make a decision based on the whole picture. It can be dangerous to make a decision on one principle you feel strongly about while ignoring the other 5.

1)  Surrender your attitude and personal desires.

Think through why you would want to make a certain choice. Are your desires in alignment with God's desires?

As German evangelist George Muller said, "Nine-tenths of the difficulties are overcome when our hearts are ready to do the Lord's will, whatever it may be. When one is truly in this state, it is usually but a little way to the knowledge of what His will is."

2) Meditate on God's Word.

When you make a decision, it should line up with, or at least not contradict, what God has already said through the Bible. There are no hidden answers in the Bible, but guidelines and truths - an explanation of who God is -- that can help you make decisions.

3) Spend focused time in prayer.

God tells us "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God" (Philippians 4:6, NIV). As you ask God what to do, write down the sense of direction you get from Him over time.

4) Seek other people's opinions.

Find mature, dedicated Christians and ask them what they think you should do. The opinions you receive may conflict, but they should give you another perspective to think about.

Remember, you are still responsible for the decision you make. Seeking advice is wise, but you still need to work through the other principles. Do not let someone else make your decision for you.

5) Consider your circumstances.

God can open and close opportunities. God -- not circumstances -- should guide your decision-making. But God may use events in your life to point you in a certain direction.

6) Think through your decision logically.

God's Spirit can direct your mind and reasoning. Sometimes Christians can want to follow God's will so badly, they forget to think the decision through. Create a list with all of your options and write out the benefits and drawbacks to each.

Look At the Big Picture

Try journaling as you work through each of these 6 principles and look for clarity to emerge. If you are still confused, it may be that you need to wait before making a decision and continue to think through these guidelines.

But if all 6 principles are pointing in the same direction, prayerfully move forward, trusting God to guide you as you go.

Remember God is Still in Control

Nothing you decide will surprise God. Proverbs 16:9 says, "In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps."

We get to know God better when we seek to do what is right. But your relationship with God is secure if you are a Christian.

Paul wrote it this way, "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:35-36).

So take a deep breath.  Work through the six principles and remind yourself that while your decisions matter to God, God is still in control.

Wait For The Lord

“Wait for the Lord; 

be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”

Psalm 27:14

“Waiting for God is not easy.  Often it seems that he isn’t answering our prayers or doesn’t understand the urgency of our situation.  That kind of thinking implies that God is not in control or is not fair.  But God is worth waiting for.  Lamentations 3:24-26 calls us to hope in and wait for Lord because often God uses waiting to refresh, renew, and teach us.  Make good use of your waiting times by discovering what God may be trying to teach you in them.”

“God willingly responds when we ask.”

~ Life Application Bible Study

Letting Go

Just Ask ... God will help you!!!

Letting Go of Anger and Bitterness

To help with this letting go process, we would like to share a few mindful ways to deal with these painful situations.

1. Feel the situation fully. Suppressing your feelings can result in these feelings showing up in other situations and affecting innocent parties - not just the person who triggered your anger. Before you can let go of any emotion, you have to sit with it and feel it fully. Accept that you're angry, bitter, frustrated, etc. and that it's okay.

2. Give yourself some time and space before confronting the person who has troubled you. 

3. Remind yourself that anger hurts you more than the person who upset you. Be kind to yourself. 

4. Take responsibility. Many times when we're angry, we focus on what the other person did wrong, and this gives away our power. Instead, focus on what you could have done better. You will feel empowered and less bitter.

5. Remind yourself that you can only remove yourself from the situation, change it, or accept it. These acts create happiness - anger and bitterness never do.

6. Write down what you have learned from this experience. This may help to provide closure.

7. Write down three things that you are grateful for.Remind yourself that your happiness is derived from these rather than negative situations.

8. Imagine your life ten or twenty years from now.Realise that this situation is just a moment in the grand journey of life!

So, let go of that anger and bitterness. Don't let these moments ruin your day or your life!

 - The Mindful Company Team

Choose the Voice of Faith

"If only you carefully listen to the voice of the Lord your God..." (Deuteronomy 15:5, AMPC)

Choose The Voice Of Faith

All through the day, there are always two voices competing for our attention—the voice of faith and the voice of defeat. You'll hear a voice saying, "You'll never rise any higher. You don't have what it takes. You've reached your limit." But if you listen carefully, you'll hear another voice saying, "You are well able. You can do all things through Christ. Your best days are still up ahead." You are the one who gets to choose which voice comes to life. The way you do it is by speaking it out of your own mouth. The moment you verbalize that thought, you give it the right to come to pass. When you speak faith, you're in agreement with God. When you speak defeat, you're in agreement with the enemy. God-talk brings God on the scene. Enemy-talk brings the enemy on the scene. Why don't you get in agreement with God today? That negative voice may be louder, but you can override it. You can take away all of its power by simply choosing the voice of faith. Choose to declare favor, blessing and increase over your life so that you can walk in the victory the Lord has in store for you.

A Prayer for Today

"Heavenly Father, today and everyday, I choose the voice of faith and victory. I declare that today I am rising up higher in You, that I can do all things because You give me strength. I bless and honor You in everything I do. In Jesus' Name. Amen." Joel Osteen Devotional

Trust in God

“... in all things God works for the good of those who love him,...”

Romans 8:28

“God works in “all things”- not just isolated incidents - for our good.  Evil is prevalent in our fallen world, but God is able to turn every circumstance around for our long range good.  Trust in God, learn to accept, not resent, pain and persecution because God is with us.”

~ Life Application Study Bible

The Lord Is My Light

“The Lord is my light, and my salvation -

whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the stronghold of my life-

of whom shall I be afraid?”

“Fear is a dark shadow that envelopes us and ultimately imprisons us within ourselves.  Everyone has been a prisoner of fear at one time or another - fear of rejection, misunderstanding, uncertainty, sickness, or even death.  But we can conquer fear by trusting in the Lord who brings salvation.  If we want to dispel the darkness of fear, let us remember with the psalm writer that “the Lord is my light and my salvation.”

~ Life Application Study Bible

Words

“Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and

 slow to become angry...”

James 1:19

“ These verses 19 and 20 speak of anger that erupts when our egos are bruised - “I am hurt”; “My opinions are not being heard.”  When injustice and sin occur, we should become angry because others are being hurt.  But we should not become angry when we fail to win arguments or when we feel offended or neglected.  Selfish anger never helps anybody.”

~ Life Application Study Bible

What Would Jesus Do?

“... the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.”

Romans 8:6

“Once we have said yes to Jesus, we will want to continue following him, because his way brings peace and life.  Daily we must consciously choose to center our lives on God.  Use the Bible to discover God’s guidelines, and then follow them.  In every perplexing situation ask yourself, “What would Jesus want me to do?”

~Life Application Study Bible

How to Hear God's Voice When Making a Decision

1. Be Still

God often does not shout above the noise in our lives. When we fill our days with busy schedules, distracted hearts and occupied minds, we push out any opportunity to listen to God. I have faced the most loneliness and discontent at the end of a busy day, a busy week, a busy season. It is only when we slow down, that we open our hearts to hear God’s voice.

The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake.After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. -1 Kings 19:11-12

Satan wants us distracted with the fires and earthquakes in our lives. He wants us busy and burdened so that we are unable to hear the gentle whisper. I want to encourage you to set a specific time aside to be still for the Lord. Choose a day, or a specific time during the day that you can sit quietly before God and meditate on Scripture, pray and be still. When you do this, you will see past the noise and hear God’s voice.

2. Don’t Listen to Fear and Guilt

How often do you act based on fear or guilt? Avoiding a conversation, changing your decision, not stepping up. I have done so many things in my life because of fear or guilt. And often, when I face a decision, these two things are on the forefront. Whether I’m afraid I’m not good enough, or afraid of the unknown, or weighed down and timid because of guilt, I have found myself facing immense guilt and fear when it comes to some major decisions. I have wrestled with the doubt that the fear I feel is a sign to stop and turn around. But God does not direct us from a place of fear or guilt.

For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. -2 Timothy 1:7

3. Keep Moving

One of the greatest ways that Satan can work in a time of decision and discernment is to paralyze us with doubt. There are so many crossroads as we grow in our faith and move forward in our lives. We will face decisions of all different sizes. It may be as small as who to sit with or as big as leaving a job for ministry and everything in between. Decisions and discernment are a part of life. And we cannot let that stop us from our true calling. It is important to seek God’s will in every decision you make. However, do not let the process of discernment keep you from moving forward.

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. -Matthew 28:19

When you face a time of discernment, be sure to ask yourself this: Are you loving others and serving the Lord? So long as you are doing this, you will be walking in God’s will. Don’t let Satan paralyze you when you face a decision.

Peace I Give You

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you; I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

John 14:27

I wonder how many Christians have really come to understand the great fact that peace is our inheritance. Peace is what Jesus has left us. It is fundamental and cannot be taken away from us by any circumstance. That is what He means by, I do not give to you as the world gives.

How does the world give peace? If you were troubled and you went to a doctor who was not a Christian and asked him, What can I do to gain peace? what would he tell you?

Take a trip. Go to Hawaii. Get away from it all. In other words, Change your circumstances. Go to a place where nothing bothers you, where everything is peaceful around you. Then you can be at peace.

But Jesus says, I give peace right in the midst of trouble, right in the midst of distress and turmoil and heartache and pressure. I can impart peace to your heart right there, and not as the world gives.Why? Because we can return to that basic relationship we have--You in Me, and I in you. Out of that comes the guarantee that He is working out His purposes. He will bring us to the end of the trouble. He will still the storm and quiet the waves. We rest in the boat, content, knowing, No water can swallow the ship, where lies the Master of ocean and earth and sky. That is peace.

Peace I leave with you. [Therefore], the Lord adds, do not let your hearts be troubled. That is addressed to you! It means you do not have to be upset and anxious, weary and worried. Do not let your hearts be troubled. How? By returning to that place of rest. Return to the phone booth and rest there in the confidence that Superman is within and will work the situation out for you and will accomplish His purpose through you.

By Ray Stedman

Love Each Other

“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.”

John 15:12

Question: "Why is loving others often so difficult?"

Answer: Loving others can be extremely difficult at times. A common phrase to refer to those people that we consistently find ourselves challenged to love is “extra grace required” people. But even people we generally like can sometimes be difficult to love. The main reason we run into difficulties in loving others is sin, both ours and that of those we try to love. Humans are fallen creatures. Apart from God and His power, we are selfish, and loving ourselves comes much more naturally than loving others. But love is not selfish; it seeks the best for others (1 Corinthians 13:5; Philippians 2:3). Battling both our own selfishness and sin tendencies and dealing with the selfishness and sin tendencies of others can make love a chore.

Another reason it can be difficult for us to love others is that we sometimes misunderstand what true love is. We tend to think of love as primarily an emotional response. The problem is that we cannot always control our emotions. We can certainly control what we do because of the emotions, but too often the emotions themselves just happen. But the kind of love God calls us to have for others is the same kind that He has for us. It is agape love, the essence of which is sacrifice. God’s love for us is a sacrificial love, the kind that sent Him to the cross for our sins. He didn’t save us because we were lovable; He saved us because His love caused Him to sacrifice Himself for us. Do we love others enough to sacrifice for them, even when they are not lovable? Loving others is a matter of the will and the volition, not the emotions.

Part of the difficulty of loving others is that we often try to do it on our own, whipping up feelings of love where none exist. This can lead to hypocrisy and “play acting” the part of the loving person, when our hearts are really cold toward him or her. We must understand that we cannot love apart from God. It is when we remain in Jesus (John 15) and the Holy Spirit remains in us that we are able to bear the fruit of love (Galatians 5:22–23). We are told that God is love and that our love for one another is both enabled by God and a response to His love in us (1 John 4:7–12). It can be difficult for us to rely on God and to give ourselves to Him, but He also allows this difficulty so that His glory can be seen all the more. When we love difficult people or choose to love even when we do not feel like it, we demonstrate our reliance on God and allow His power to be displayed in and through us.

Loving others is difficult because they are human and we are human. But in this difficulty we come to better appreciate the quality of God’s love for us. And when we love others in spite of their lack of lovability, God’s Spirit shines through, He is glorified, others are edified, and the world sees Christ in us.

~ gotquestions.org

Be Courageous

"...Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go..." (Joshua 1:9, NIV)

Be Courageous

God says not to tremble or be dismayed by anything because He is with you wherever you may go. That is such an encouragement, and it's absolutely true! You should be walking around in life without even the slightest amount of fear because that is not the nature God gave you. You should refuse to be defeated by the things around you, even if they seem insurmountable. Perhaps one definition of courage might be staying strong and moving forward even when most would give up and even surrender their ground to fear. Be strong and courageous for God today, and do not allow yourself to be defeated by fear or the unknown!

A Prayer for Today

"God, I want to live and serve You boldly without being crippled by fear. Make me strong and courageous in Your power to do what You want me to do." ~ Joel Osteen Devotional

Feeling Inadequate

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

"Whenever the Lord puts a burden on our heart, He will open a door for us to accomplish His will.  How do you respond when you sense the Lord is calling you to a task that seems beyond your abilities? Do you list all the reasons why you can’t possibly do it? God already knows everything about you and the situation. He’s not asking your permission to proceed; rather, He is calling you to move forward with faith in Him. You can refuse, but you risk missing out on the blessings of a life lived in obedience to Him. 

The Lord will equip you for whatever He calls you to do. And because the Holy Spirit dwells within every believer, we have everything we need to fulfill our divine mission. Instead of allowing inadequacy to deter you from obeying, let it drive you to your knees so you can depend on God’s insight and power."

~In Touch Devotional - Charles Stanley

Peace of Christ

"Let the peace of Christ rule 

in your hearts,..." Colossians 3:15

There is one thing everyone wants, and that is a sense of inner peace. Many people think it comes only when all the circumstances of life are pleasant, but for Christians, God’s peace is available even when nothing around us is calm and ordered. 

Our verse today reveals a number of important truths regarding the peace of Christ: 

First of all, we are given a command: “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts.” The implication is that we play a role in whether or not we experience His peace. And anytime we are given a command in Scripture, we can count on God to enable us to obey it. 

Second, Christ’s peace is capable of ruling in our heart. The word rule means “to act as arbiter.” An arbiter is a person who has the power or authority to decide a dispute. When doubts or worries arise, Christ’s peace reminds us of God’s truths, which have the power to quiet our heart and renew our trust in Him. This amazing peace also overflows into our relationships in the body of Christ so that we can live in harmony with one another.

Third, gratitude is an important aspect of peace. Thankfulness is the result of remembering all God’s benefits instead of dwelling on the circumstances that tend to rob us of peace. Counting our blessings in this way insures the rule of Christ’s peace in our life.

We don’t have to let our concerns and worries bury us in a sea of unrest. Christ’s peace, which is available no matter what we are facing, can strengthen our confidence and trust in Him. 

~ Charles Stanley In Touch Devotional

Rest in God

Psalm 62:5, NIV Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him.

Matthew 6:34, NIV Therefore do not worryabout tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. 

God is my happiness ; God is my happy place ; God is my source ; God is my rest.

God doesn’t expect me to do it all, God only expects me to do my part!
God doesn’t expect me to be all things to all people,
God only expects me to be who God created me to be!
God doesn’t expect me to be successful in my own power, my success comes from God alone!

So how do we find rest in God? By remembering that He alone is our source, Our help comes from him, and our lives are in his hands! In other words:
– Don’t worry, Trust God;
– Seek God first in all things;
Living for an audience of one; and
– Trusting God one day at a time.

Never Forget: God’s got your back!

jollynotes.com

Positive Thinking

“Fix our thoughts on what is true and good and right.”

Philippians 4:18 TLB

“Thoughts - optimistics, pessimistic and everything in between - flit through our minds all day long.  And they affect everything about us, from our emotions to our health.  The contents of your thoughts matters a lot.  Our thoughts can limit who we are and what we become, or they can prompt us forward in our lives.  Our thoughts influence our character, shape our attitudes, determines our behaviors, affect our spirituality, and even influence the immune system.  Your thinking determines whether you will be happy or sad most of the time.

“Our Creator designed us so that our thoughts have every aspect of our life.  Positive thoughts bring about positive effects.   Negative thoughts take everything - from attitude to health - in the opposite direction.”

“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit

dries up the bones.”  Proverbs 17:22

“Scriptural teaching about our thoughts is not just informative; it’s encouraging - and potentially life-changing.  Memorizing and dwelling upon scripture can help bring order to your thought life and, as a result, improve your relationships, health, and happiness!”

                              “What happened in your life today because of what you thought?”

Excerpted from “A Better Way to Think” by H. Norman Wright

Seek God First

Why should you seek God first in all you do? 

God created you and wants to help you (Is 43:1-2)
God loves you more than anyone else ever will (Ps 103:11)
God always wants what’s best for you (Jeremiah 29:11)
God knows all and sees all
God sees the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:10)
God sees the big picture (Job 28:24)
God is for us – God is on your side!

So please, remember to seek God first in all things. Ask God for wisdom, and He will direct you. Ask God for guidance and peace of mind, and be strong in the Lord. God can even direct you to ask the right person or the right resource for your particular situation, so you can ask the right questions, and wisely and carefully consider all of the information you have available to you. Then By God’s grace, you can make the right decisions, trusting God for the best because you know that God is for us, and that God is with us always. Amen. 

~jollynotes.com

Be an Encourager

"When we encourage others, we are representing Jesus.

You will often help put a smile on someone's face!"

1 Thessalonians 5:11, NLT So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.
Ephesians 4:29, NLT Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.
Romans 14:19, NIV Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.  (By God’s grace!)

~ jollynotes.com

God in 3 Persons

God In 3 Persons

https://music.apple.com/us/album/this-i-believe/980626057?i=980626387

We believe in one living and true God who is the Creator of heaven and earth; who is eternal, almighty, unchangeable, infinitely powerful, wise, just and holy.

We believe that the one God eternally exists in three Persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; and that these three are one God, co-equal and co-eternal, having precisely the same nature and attributes, and worthy of precisely the same worship, confidence, and obedience. Matthew 3:16, 17; Matthew 28:19, 20; Mark 12:29; John 1:14; Acts 5:3, 4; II Corinthians 13:14.

• God the Father's role is to generate things. Things originate with him and flow from him. God the Father is equal with the Son and the Holy Spirit, but things start with him. The Father sent both the Son (John 3:16-17) and Holy Spirit (John 14:26) into the world.
• God the Son's role is to pay for our sins with his blood, which he did on the cross (Romans 5:9). The Son also acts as a lawyer for us before God, acting as a "mediator" between us and God (1 Timothy 2:5), and speaking "to the Father in our defense" (1 John 2:1).
• God the Holy Spirit has many roles. The Spirit helps us pray (Romans 8:26-27). He gives us new life (John 3:3-6). He is our Comforter, and he helps us understand God's word (John 14:26). He lifts up Christ (John 15:26). He convicts us of sin (John 16:7-11). He helps us to live holy lives (Romans 15:16). He gives us love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). He helps us share our faith (Acts 1:8). And he lives inside us (Romans 8:11).

~ Articles from Christian websites