We Are Never Alone

When we are going through difficult times many of us feel that we are alone. We feel like there is nobody there because when we are going in a difficult time we tend to block everything else out and only focus on that negative situation we may be going through rather than the idea that this is just a storm that will pass. We have to all start looking at our storms as opportunities. What I am learning is that when we are going through a rough time, we have to remember we are not alone although, it may feel that way at the time. Jesus is with us all of the time. He is waiting for us to speak to Him. When we are going through things instead of staying down and stuck in that dark place why not, rise up, and speak to Jesus. Ask Him for strength to get through what you are going through and you will receive that strength. Remember He doesn't give us more than what we can handle. And know that after this storm something good will come from it. This is how we have to think. We have to remain positive or at least go back to that positive state. It is very important that we remember that we are not alone.

All of these are from (NLT) 

Psalm 34:17 The Lord hears His people when they call to Him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles.

Psalm 147:3 He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds.

Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you", says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."

Distract The Enemy

The enemy tries to creep in whenever possible. We have to learn to not allow the enemy into our lives. A couple recent personal examples I will share with you are sometimes for me it has been hard for me to trust people and make new friends because I have had in my mind that  "they don't really want to be my friend, maybe they just want to be nosy or maybe they are up to no good or, they will only hurt me in the long run. If they know the real me they won't like me" . When at church sometimes I have people approach me and speak to me and these are people that I would of never thought would be my friend before. Maybe in my mind I thought I wasn't worthy to be friends with these people. This is a very bad, and wrong way to think about yourself. We are all God's children and we are worthy and of value but, when I have allowed my mind to drift this way I was allowing the enemy in my mind and have control over my thoughts as I allowed one negative thought, it would only grow to many more negative thoughts. I struggle with this often but, not as often as before because now I know who I am. Now, I know that I am beautiful, worthy, valuable, and I am a new person. I am not going to stay down any longer when the enemy tries to creep in; I speak out loud that this isn't true at all and leave my head! It then vanishes from my mind but, every now and then tries to come back. I pray, speak out loud, read the Word of God, listen to some music or I call a positive friend. This all helps distract the enemy and then helps me focus again. It is sometimes a battle, sometimes this may take a bit but, it goes away when I distract. The old person I was would end up staying down, maybe drinking excessively, maybe doing drugs and maybe other negative things but, that is the difference of who I am today. I know that I do not have to choose that path any longer and I refuse to. 
     Another example, I will share is I have a ten year old daughter that normally doesn't want to play outside too often since she has an ipod. She always wants to play her ipod and lately I have been noticing this to be a problem. I have been praying that her interest starts changing and maybe she will want to play outside with some friends. When I was a young kid we had no choice, we had to play outside. But that's another story. Today a neighbour came and asked if she would go outside and play with him and his siblings. I asked if she wanted to but, she hesitated. I said, "you should go play for a bit, get some fresh air". Then she said okay. I was so happy. Shortly after she was outside playing I had a bunch of negative thoughts trying to creep into my head. "What's she doing out there? What if something happens? What if she gets hurt?" I knew these weren't thoughts I should had been thinking, we are supposed to socialize and enjoy human interaction, not technology all of the time. But, the enemy once again was trying to put these toxic thoughts into my head. So, I spoke out loud to leave my head. My daughter is fine and told God I know that He is protecting her and then instead of pondering, I started organizing her room. A couple of hours went by and her room was organized and the thoughts were no longer there because I once again DISTRACTED the negative thoughts and did something positive. God does not want us to think this way, He wants us to think Good things because He is great and loving and positive! I'm pretty sure many of you know the battle I am talking about here, do you distract your thoughts? What do you do when you have negative thoughts in your head? Which path do you take?

Read:
2 Corinthians (NLT) 4:4,
Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don't believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don't understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.

2 Corinthians (NLT) 4:16,
That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day.

Say Something Nice To Somebody

Not much to share today except that I encourage people to say something nice to somebody. It can make their day, they may need it at that moment. They may look at you funny but I'm sure they would appreciate your compliment. Sometimes all people hear are the negatives and nothing much that is positive. So I'm just saying try saying something nice to somebody, even if it is a neighbour, co worker or, somebody else that maybe you never share any words with. 

The Beauty That He Has Created

I just wanted to share these photos that I recently captured as I was going for a nice nature walk. Isn't it great that the things that we can enjoy in life are actually free. This is just some of what God has given us.

Being Born Again

Being born again is a becoming a new creation from above, it is the direct approach of The Word of God and the Spirit of God upon your life, you change your spirit completely when you are truly honest and repent of your sins and turn to God. Becoming born again is brought about in the following manner:
You have to recognize that you are a sinner, that you have been without God and maybe without hope also
Admit that Jesus Christ died on the cross to save you from sin by His own precious blood
You come to God, turning away from sin and confess that Jesus is your Lord, and you shall be born again. You then become a new creation, all your sin is cleansed away by the authority of the Word of God and by the blood of Jesus Christ 
Believe from your heart and confess with your mouth that God does forgive you of all of your sins and that you are born again.
(NLT) Romans 10:9-10 , If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10, For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God,and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved.

Don't Let The Enemy In

When people are trying to change themselves for the better, the enemy (devil) will always try to find a way to ruin their joy, success, marriage, relationship with God, their children or any other way the enemy can try to get in, he will if you let him. People that are married shouldn't be talking to the opposite sex about their marriage unless it is a counsellor because if they are talking to the opposite sex about their marriage issues, what good is that going to do for them? They should be talking to their spouse, God, a counsellor or they should approach an elder/leader at their church. It's hard sometimes to tell that someone is going to try to ruin what you are working for or have worked so hard for to achieve. So be extremely careful if you are trying to work on yourself or are just becoming better with any of these areas in your life. Many times I feel that my life is okay and going great but, then next thing I know the enemy is trying to bring me down through somebody I know or am close to. It does get to me at first but then I realize that it isn't the actual person doing this behaviour, it is the devil working through them. So, I do not allow this to bother me as long as I used to when I was the old person before I accepted Jesus Christ into my heart. When I was the old person I would dwell on this for days. I would think why are they doing this to me? Can you believe them? Did you hear what they said? That stole my joy at the time and took over my mind. I no longer allow this any more because it is unhealthy and isn't worth even trying to figure out any longer. It's better for me now, to remain calm, pray for this person and do some reading. Sometimes, I may have to put some uplifting music on also which helps. People that aren't trying to change themselves for the better and think they're life is just fine are the ones that are going to have a problem with the way you are trying to change yourself for the better. It may make them feel uncomfortable because they don't want change. Don't let the enemy in!

(NLT) 1 Peter 5:8-9, Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. 9, Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are.

Stay Calm, Don't Be Stressed!

My post yesterday was about enjoying each day because we are not promised tomorrow. We can not enjoy each day if we are stressed all of the time. We don't have to be stressed out though. We have a choice in this. We can't fix everything although, sometimes it feels like we may have to. We can't. Stop thinking that way if you feel like this. I used to feel this way all of the time and at times I almost begin thinking like that again but,  I have become aware of it when it happens so, I think to myself and sometimes I have to say out loud that it isn't in my hands. I have to allow God to take care of this and let it go. It is very encouraging when we know that He will take care of our situations but, we have to trust Him and have faith. 

Encouraging Scriptures (NLT) :
James 1:2-4 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3, For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4, So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

Proverbs 3:5,6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. 6, Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.

Psalm 16:8  I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.

Of course there is many more encouraging words to read in the Bible but these are a few to try to read and read to help with encouragement...

Enjoy Each Day

Not too much to share today except that I realize that it is very important for us to enjoy each and every day like it is our last day. Tomorrow is never promised. We don't know when we will leave this earth so why live so miserable, angry, unforgiving or with resentment? Just try thinking about this when you do begin to feel angry or unhappy with something or someone. Don't sweat the small stuff any longer. Life will get better if you change your attitude about things and keep your head up. Pray as often as you can in tough times and when things are going well. Don't only pray when you are having a rough time. Seek the Lord all of the time. Talk to Him all of the time, it feels good when you do talk to Him all of the time and ask Him to guide you to whatever and where ever you shall be in life. Bottom line is, that it is important to enjoy each day that you have.