BLESSED LIFE WITH GOD

 

“What if the Lord had not been on our side? Let all Israel repeat: What if the Lord had not been on our side when people attacked us? They would have swallowed us alive in their burning anger. The waters would have engulfed us; a torrent would have overwhelmed us. Yes, the raging waters of their fury would have overwhelmed our very lives.”

Lately, I have felt trapped by overwhelming circumstances that I have no control over. I have never liked being trapped. I don’t like the feeling of being vulnerable and defenseless. I have to force myself to stop and remember who I am in Christ. I am the daughter of the Most High King. I am loved and cherished. I have been ransomed and set free with a great price the blood of Christ. He loved me enough to die for me. There is nothing, in the entire world that can keep God from me. I am overwhelmed by God’s mercy and grace. I am swimming in His love. Why should I be overwhelmed by my circumstances? Doesn’t God know what is best for me? “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10

How frustrating it is that I must even remind myself of this. God has done so many miraculous acts of love and kindness in my life and in the life of my family and friends. I refuse to worry about what is going on around me. God knows everything! He has a plan for my life and it is good, really good. I was born for a great purpose and as long as I am still living in this body of mine, His purposes for my life have not been completely fulfilled. “God has now revealed to us his mysterious plan regarding Christ, a plan to fulfill his own good pleasure. And this is the plan: At this time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth. Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan. God’s purpose was that we Jews who were the first to trust in Christ would bring praise and glory to God.” Ephesians 1:9-12

I need wisdom and understanding. If I ask God for this He will give it to me. I have the Holy Spirit in me and He will direct my path and straighten out whatever is wrong in my life. He will set my mind and heart straight. I will trust in God’s leading, no matter what it is. I belong to my Father and nothing can be better for me than obedience to His word. He will make the direction of my life known. He will provide and comfort any loses I might have along the way. It is well with my soul because this is not my home and those I love are going to go to heaven with me. Jesus died for me! He is equal to God. He is my Savior and Lord. I will trust and follow wherever my Lord commands and I’ll do it fearlessly, because He rescues and preserves me. Even when I stumble and fall God picks me back up. I don’t want to rely on my own resources. God’s resources never run dry. And if I forget who I am in Christ, please remind me. We need each other! “We also pray that you will be strengthened with all glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light. For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.” Colossians 1:11-14

According to the reference in my Bible, we have been transferred from darkness to light, from slavery to freedom, from guilt to forgiveness, and from the power of Satan to the power of God. We have been rescued from a rebel kingdom to serve the rightful King. Our conduct should reflect our new allegiance. How wonderful! “Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see—such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him, created and is supreme over all creation, for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made me things we can see and the things we can’t see—such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him. He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together. Christ is also the head of the church, which is his body. He is the beginning, supreme over all who rise from the dead. So he is first in everything. For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ, and through him God reconciled everything to himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ’s blood on the cross.” Colossians 1:15-20

Christ’s death has provided a way for everyone to come to God and if you trust Christ as your Savior, then you too can be God’s child. He will forgive you of your sins and redeem you from the darkness of this world; bringing you into the light of heaven. You too can trust Him in your struggles and in your overwhelming circumstances. God will take care of you because He loves you. He knows everything past, present and future. He is God your creator! “I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.” Jeremiah 1:5 God’s will is good no matter what form it takes. He is good all the time because He is God. Thank you, Lord, for such an adventurous life. I live an exciting life because God is in me. Thank you Jesus!

 

Whoever does not have the Spirit cannot receive the gifts that come from God's Spirit. 1 Corinthians 2:14 (TEV).

You can't earn your spiritual gifts or deserve them --

that's why they are called gifts!

They're an expression of God's grace to you: "Christ has generously divided out his gifts to us." (Ephesians 4:7, CEV)

Nor do you get to choose which gifts you'd like to have.

Paul explains that God determines that, "It is the one and only Holy Spirit who distributes these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have." (1 Corinthians 12:11, NLT).

Because God loves variety, and he wants us to be special,

there's no one single gift given to everyone,

and no individual receives all the gifts.

If you had them all, you'd have no need of anyone else,

and that would defeat one of God's purposes --

to teach us to depend on each other.

Your spiritual gifts were not given for your own benefit

but for the benefit of others,

just as other people were given gifts for your benefit.

The Bible says, "A spiritual gift is given to each of us as a means of helping the entire church" (1 Corinthians 12:7, NLT).

When we use our gifts together, we all benefit.

If others don't use their gifts,

you get cheated, but if you don't use your gifts, they get cheated.

This is why God wants us to discover and develop our spiritual gifts.

Whenever we forget these basic truths about gifts,

it always causes trouble in the church.

Two common problems are "gift-envy" and "gift-projection."

The first occurs when we compare our gifts to others,

feel dissatisfied with what God gave us,

and become resentful or jealous of how God uses others.

The second problem happens when you expect everyone else

to have your gifts, do what you're called to do,

and feel as passionate about it as you do.

The Bible says,

"There are different kinds of service in the church, but it is the same Lord we are serving" (1 Corinthians 12:5, NLT).

Sometimes spiritual gifts are overemphasized

to the neglect of the other factors that God uses to shape

you for service.

So keep in mind, your gifts reveal one part of God's will

for your ministry, but not all of it.

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         " 10 Principles for Peace of Mind "

1. Do Not Interfere In Others' Business Unless Asked.

 

Most of us create our own problems by interfering too often in others' affairs. We do so because somehow we have convinced ourselves that our way is the best way, our logic is the perfect logic and those who do not conform to our thinking must be criticized and steered to the right direction, our direction. This thinking denies the existence of individuality and consequently the existence of God.. God has created each one of us in a unique way. No two human beings can think or act in exactly the same way. All men or women act the way they do because God within them prompts them that way. Mind your own business and you will keep your peace.

 

2. Forgive And Forget:

 

This is the most powerful aid to peace of mind. We often develop ill feelings inside our heart for the person who insults us or harms us. We nurture grievances. This in turn results in loss of sleep, development of stomach ulcers, and high blood pressure. This insult or injury was done once, but nourishing of grievance goes on forever by constantly remembering it. Get over this bad habit. Life is too short to waste in such trifles. Forgive,Forget, and march on. Love flourishes in giving and forgiving.

 

3. Do Not Crave For Recognition:

 

This world is full of selfish people. They seldom praise anybody without selfish motives. They may praise you today because you are in power, but no sooner than you are powerless, they will forget your achievement and will start finding faults in you. Why do you wish to kill yourse lf in striving for their recognition? Their recognition is not worth the aggravation. Do your duties ethically and sincerely.

 

4. Do Not Be Jealous:

 

We all have experienced how jealousy can disturb our peace of mind. You know that you work harder than your colleagues in the office, but sometimes they get promotions; you do not. You started a business several years ago, but you are not as successful as your neighbor whose business is only one year old. There are several examples like these in everyday life. Should you be jealous? No. Remember everybody's life is shaped by his/her destiny, which has now become his/her reality. If you are destined to be rich, nothing in the world can stop you. If you are not so destined, no one can help you either. Nothing will be gained by blaming others for your misfortune. Jealousy will not get you anywhere, it will only take away your peace of mind.

 

5. Change Yourself According To The Environment:

 

If you try to change the environment single-handedly, the chances are you will fail. Instead, change yourself to suit your environment. As you do this, even the environment, which has been unfriendly to you, will mysteriously change and seem congenial and harmonious.

 

6. Endure What Cannot Be Cured:

 

This is the best way to turn a disadvantage into an advantage. Every day we face numerous inconveniences, ailments, irritations, and accidents that are beyond our control. If we cannot control them or change them, we must learn to put up with these things. We must learn to endure them cheerfully. Believe in yourself and you will gain in terms of patience, inner strength and will power.

 

7. Do Not Bite Off More Than You Can Chew:

 

This maxim needs to be remembered constantly. We often tend to take more responsibilities than we are capable of carrying out. This is done to satisfy our ego. Know your limitations. . Why take on additional loads that may create more worries? You cannot gain peace of mind by expanding your external activities. Reduce your material engagements and spend time in prayer, introspection and meditation. This will reduce those thoughts in your mind that make you restless. Uncluttered mind will produce greater peace of mind.

 

8. Meditate Regularly:

 

Meditation calms the mind and gets rid of disturbing thoughts. This is the highest state of peace of mind. Try and experience it yourself. If you meditate earnestly for half an hour everyday, your mind will tend to become peaceful during the remaining twenty-three and half-hours. Your mind will not be easily disturbed as it was before. You would benefit by gradually increasing the period of daily meditation. You may think that this will interfere with your daily work. On the contrary, this will increase your efficiency and you will be able to produce better results in less time.

 

9. Never Leave The Mind Vacant:

 

An empty mind is the devil's workshop. All evil actions start in the vacant mind. Keep your mind occupied in something positive, something worthwhile. Actively follow a hobby. Do something that holds your interest. You must decide what you value more: money or peace of mind. Your hobby, like social work or religious work, may not always earn you more money, but you will have a sense of fulfillment and achievement. Even ! when you are resting physically, occupy yourself in healthy reading or mental chanting of God's name.

 

10. Do Not Procrastinate And Never Regret:

Do not waste time in protracted wondering " Should I or shouldn't I?" Days, weeks, months, and years may be wasted in that futile mental debating. You can never plan enough because you can never anticipate all future happenings. Value your time and do the things that need to be done. It does not matter if you fail the first time. You can learn from your mistakes and succeed the next time. Sitting back and worrying will lead to nothing. Learn from your mistakes, but do not brood over the past. DO NOT REGRET. Whatever happened was desti ned to happen only that way. Why cry over spilt milk?
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