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