DREAM BIG!

Do you have a half full or half empty approach to life? Do you look at every problem coming your way and get overwhelmed? Does your attitude need an adjustment? Do you look at a task and think it is impossible?

In a nearby community in Tennessee I was thrilled to see a new coffee shop open where another one had apparently not succeeded. I told the owner I was very happy and hope they did well. I said I loved seeing small businesses start up and be successful. He responded to me, "I do not plan to be small for long". What a tremendous positive outlook!. He did not respond "I hope we make it but I fear this economy" but instead was positive. That is the attitude all of us need to develop.

Now I do not know where this owner stands with Christ or even if he was a believer but he sure had a can do attitude and was full of hope and a good outlook on things. All of us could learn a lesson in that. For me as a writer wanting to have a book someday I need to know I can and will do it and not doubt. entertaining wrong thinking only brings a person down and makes the enemy happy because he has you paralyzed that you are incapable.

Let me leave you with Philippians 4:13(NIV) which says 'I can do all this through him who gives me strength.'

PRAYER: I thank you for hopes and dreams you have placed in my heart Lord. I thank you that with your help I can succeed. I thank you Lord that I have the mind of Christ and choose to stop doubting and look to you as my strength. In Jesus' name. Amen.

GRATITUDE AND ATTITUDE

It sure is easy to complain about our "lot" in life but have you ever stopped for a moment, especially for my United States readers, and really think about your blessings? We take so much for granted, which saddens me.

This subject came up as a writing topic as I reflected on our healthcare we "currently" enjoy in America and how grateful with my recent snow ski injury, I was able to quickly be seen by top notch medical doctors and physical therapists with little or no wait. In my case am grateful I have pretty much the same mobility as I know for many that is not always the case. Indeed it made me grateful first for mobility, having legs, being able to be seen by a doctor quickly and so much more.

Philippians 2:14-15(NLT) says 'Do all things without complaining and arguing so that no one can criticize you. Live clean innocent lives as children of God shining as bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.' This would mean do not complain about the things you don't have but thank Him for what you are blessed with.

Nick Vujivic, who I have written about before, has no limbs. None. No arms, no legs. His ministry is "Life Without Limbs". Here is a young man who initially may have been depressed but he overcame an immense disability and turned it into an ability and a ministry reaching out to millions. Check out his website at www.lifewithoutlimbs.org. It is truly inspiring to hear him. Today he is on the last ten minutes of "Enjoying Everyday Life with Joyce Meyer". Check www.joycemeyer.org for times in your area.

Do a gratitude exercise today. Get paper and start listing all the things you are grateful for. Not all the things you are "entitled" to as we are not entitled to anything. Just start writing down all the blessings in your life from the smallest things such as being able to hear chirping birds sing or being able to eat without a feeding tube. Let your mind rest and be able to think. I hope you come up with pages and pages.

Lamentations 3:22-23(NIV) are two of my favorite verses and they say 'Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed,for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning. Great is your faithfulness.' When you are praying why not repeat that verse as part of your prayer. Psalm 68:19(NIV) says 'Bless the Lord who daily loads us with benefits.' I say to that "Hallelujah!"

He indeed loads us with blessings that we so often fail to say thank you. Take time today and give God the glory for all the great things he has done.

PRAYER: Today Lord I am overwhelmed by your goodness to me. I often times am humanly undeserving of your mercies and abundance you pour out on me. Material things are nice but your love and kindness to me is worth so much more. In Jesus' name.Amen.

Click the link below and praise the Lord for His goodness to you.

http://youtu.be/heRHeX23r70

ATTITUDE CHECK

How is your attitude? Are you constantly griping about your situation? Do you sometimes feel short changed in life? Do you complain to God about your life?

Would you rather be around a cheerful person or one constantly moaning and complaining about everything? I know there have been times in my past I caught myself complaining or not quite understanding things happening to me but then I realize that I need to trust God. He knows the "big picture"after all.

Even in the Bible there are many examples of complaining. They did not always turn out good. We may think we have it so bad in life but if you are fortunate to go on a overseas mission trip you realize you really do not have it so bad.

I have heard a person in poverty here in the United States is wealthy by Third World country standards. It is easy to become quickly spoiled or feel entitled to things we do not deserve. Sometimes we do not deserve the love of Jesus but He is there with open loving arms no matter how much you have constantly griped.

Sometimes we treat God pretty bad. Ignore him. Complain to Him. Moan and groan when a prayer is not answered fast enough.  He is patient with us and stands by waiting to hear you show love to Him by talking to Him in prayer. Do you need to "talk to Him" in prayer right now? Perhaps tell Him you are sorry for the bad attitude you have displayed when He has done so very much for you. He died a cruel death on the cross for all of us. 

Maybe it is time to do an "attitude check" and start praising instead of saying "whoa is me" all the time. 

Philippians 2:5(AMP) says 'Let this same attitude and purpose and [humble] mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus: [Let Him be your example in humility:]'.  Further in Philippians 2:24 it says ' Do EVERYTHING without grumbling and complaining.'  Isn't it time to be thankful and praise him and stop whining? Praise Jesus for we are truly blessed.

PRAYER: This is the day you have made Lord and I will rejoice and be glad in it. Thank you for my life. Thank you for the friends and family in my life. Thank you for blessing me beyond measure. Thank you for the new exciting things you have prepared for me. Above al lthank you for hearing my prayers. In Jesus' name Amen.

ATTITUDE CHECK: SMILE, WHY DON'T YOU?

 Many things that seemingly are bad in life could be good if only we would change our attitude. Things are not as bad as they may seem all the time. Jumping to conclusions and assuming the worse can be our greatest downfall. Sometimes a person can tend to get overly emotional and not think things through or wait on the Lord. If only we would call on God and wait on the Lord things would be better. Sometimes if you are consumed with yourself and your problems your attitude about life will be in the pits. I have had times in my own life when my negative thinking has sent me into a pit of despair. You have to rise above that and be thankful for what you have. Do not look at the glass as half empty but look at it as half full.

Can't get a doctor appointment  when you want? At least you can eventually because right now in America we still have good access to health care. Complaining about the car you have and how it is not what you want? Well you at least have a car. Think your legs are ugly and your feet look funny? At least you have legs when some are amputees or can not even walk. Be thankful. Do not like what you are having for supper? Be thankful you have an abundance of food and grocery stores galore in the United States to shop in. Wish you had a bigger house? Be thankful you even have a roof over your head because in many Third world countries they live in shacks with dirt floors. Wish you could live somewhere else? Be grateful for where God has you as He has plans to use you there. Do not like how your  hair looks? The cancer patient would be thankful to simply have hair at all after going through chemotherapy. Wish you would have picked a different major in college? Be grateful you even got to attend college. You hate your job and have trouble getting along with your boss? At least you are employed when many are looking for work just so they can feed their family. It is all about attitude. How is yours?

1 Thessalonians 5:18 says "give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus".  Philippians 2:5 says "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus".

When I was in college my dad ,being an educator, sent me a funny letter. Not sure where he got it so I am unable to give proper credit but I heard it re read on Joyce Meyer television show and it was basically a teenage daughter letter to her parents about keeping things in proper perspective. It went on to say something to the effect of ' the girl had been in a dormitory fire. She had jumped to safety from the second story window to escape flames. A young man picked her up and carried her to safety. They fell in love and are living together. The girl told her parents she knew how they always wanted to be grandparents well , she was expecting! She knew her parents would love her boyfriend and would not mind that his skin color was a different shade than hers." Then she continues " there was no fire, I did not jump out of a building, I am not pregnant, there is not a man of a different race in my life but I am getting a D in Math and a F in Science and wanted you to see these grades in there proper perspective. Your loving daughter Mary". Wow! You can imagine the relief these parents must have felt and now the bad grades did not look quite as drastic in the big scheme of things.

What kind of attitude do you have? Are you self centered and haughty? We should be thankful, humble, kind and positive. No one likes to be around negative, gripey, whiny people. Do you find yourself complaining all the time about your 'lot' in life? Stop for a moment and make a list of all the things you have to be grateful for. You will be amazed.

PRAYER:  Thank you Lord for where you have me in life. Sometimes we do not know why things happen as they do but then we know you have a plan and purpose. Help me not try to squirm out of things but instead ask myself "Lord what am I supposed to be learning from this." Forgive me when I have been less than grateful. In Jesus name. Amen.

YOUR DAY LORD

Do you ever wake up gloomy? Do you let others problems and attitudes steal your joy?Do you dread going to work? Each day is a gift from God and each day has new things in store for you and those you will cross paths with. Do not let Satan drag you down into his 'woe is me' pity pit. Get up and get going! The Bible says  in Psalm 118:24 "This is the day the Lord has made I shall rejoice and be glad in it!" Say it over and over out loud and believe it .No matter what your outside circumstances are at home, at work or wherever you are, do not allow them get your depressed and forlorn. All of us have much to be grateful for. Do not harbor ill feelings or anger towards some one or it will only tend to take your focus off God and get you all worked up and take your peace away. Start the day right and say "Satan no matter what you try to throw at me this day I choose to be joyful. I choose to love even those people who may not love me. I choose to have a right attifude even when I am feeling sorry for myself. I choose to be thankful and look for the good in things. I purpose in my heart to look forward and not behind and to find ways to build up other people."

Phillipians 2:5 says "Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus". It is my guess Jesus was not sitting around worrying about all the details of life. We need to try to be more Christlike and try to emulate him wouldn't you say.

Wake up today and decide to be joyful. Make up your mind no matter what happens you will maintain peace and joy.

PRAYER: Lord God I thank you for giving me this day to enjoy and serve you. Forgive me if I have been a whiner and not been grateful for where you have me in life. Help me to not compare myself to others or wish for something else. Thanks for exactly where I am here and now. In Jesus Name. Amen.

Note: once again turn up your speakers and worship God as you listen to the song I have included.

http://youtu.be/nf6kPsDm7B0