Power of God and Positive Thinking

The Power of God & Positive Thinking

Think fast – What is the difference between positive thinking and the power of God?

Only one is real and offers true peace. Not the only answer but my one second answer. If you've got one to throw out, I'd love to hear it.

I'm sure we've all heard a line or two in our time about “the power of positive thinking”. I understand that more-so now. No, I don't think if I meditate on winning the lottery that my “positive thinking” will land me a winning ticket – but I do believe that our thoughts and our focus reflect the condition of our hearts. Our minds effect our attitudes, and how we approach the day.

Have you ever noticed if you wake up thinking it's gonna be “one of those days” - a bad day, that you do indeed have a bad day? I'll be honest – that's happened here.

Here's the thing, if we allow our circumstances to dictate our outlook then our perspective is a little off. After all, we are supposed to be living in the spirit and not in the flesh right?

“So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.”

Galations 5:16 [NIV]

“Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.”

Romans 5:8 [NIV]

This speaks of how we as Christians should be living with a spiritually minded focus. We can give thanks in all circumstances because despite the situations we find ourselves in, we know God is with us in our hearts and he is an awesome God who loves us. He has our absolute best interests at heart. Which means we always have a reason to rejoice, a reason to be grateful and a reason to feel ever so blessed - even on the days where the car breaks down or on the mornings you wake up to a coffee can sans coffee grinds (– isn't that the worst?).

How do we do this … living in the Spirit (walking with God)? Let's get one step closer and look at Philippians 4:6-7 (I love this one):

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

[NIV]

How beautiful. It's our human nature to worry and even experience anxiety over matters that concern our hearts or get trapped in our thoughts, but the beauty here is that we are not expected to carry these worries or concerns around with us. We are expected to trust in God's goodness and in His Holy Word and present our requests to God so that we may experience His peace. After presenting our requests and with the peace of God we may then reclaim our focus. We may then continue our walk of faith and be spiritually minded unbound by the flesh. Part of being spiritually focused is in the next verse of Philippians 4:8-9:

“....whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me or seen in me – put into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”

[NIV]

Sounds much like the power of positive thinking now doesn't it? I think so, but it's even better … the power of positive thinking is something one gives credit for good circumstances to oneself. But – if we do focus spiritually on God daily and on all things pure, holy, praiseworthy, lovely ...(you know all those things mentioned in Philippians 4:8) we will find that we are drawing nearer to Him and so He will draw nearer to us (James 4:8).

The credit for all things lovely, holy, and pure are all God's doing and by God's will and His grace do we receive them, and they are God's beautiful blessings to us no matter how small (or large). By focusing on our blessings we are also developing thankful hearts for God and all that He is instead of being chronic complainers like Goldilocks with the porridge, the chairs and the beds.

We don't want to come across to God as the toddler sitting at the table with our slice of pie asking why it's butterscotch and not chocolate, and complaining about wanting cool whip with it too (as much as we may not want too, at times that must be how we come across – even then He still loves us).

Focus is a good place to start. Living in the Spirit. Let us look to our Creator – God, when we have something that ails us and let us trust in him to take care of our concerns so we may faithfully walk forward in the Spirit with all the love of God in our hearts and all that is good on our minds. Once we rely on him and understand that His strength is sufficient for us (2Corinthians 12:9) and we have His peace we will be like shinning stars in the universe holding out the word of life for all who seek peace just the same. (Philippians 2:15-16).

After reading this if you have any thoughts you're willing to impart – please leave a comment.

May God bless you and keep you.

As always, check back for my future posts :)

Considering Our Prayer Life

Considering our prayer life in walking with God.

To continue in the Walking with God series where it was first noted that to walk with God we, as Christians, should be asking God into our hearts - daily.  The next measured step we should be taking is to spend time in prayer.

Answer for yourself these questions:  What is the quality of my prayer life?  Do I feel it brings me spiritually closer to our Father who art in Heaven?  Maybe, your prayer life is non existent, needs a little tune up or is just fine where it is but it's always a good idea to re-evaluate the state of your prayer life on occasion so we don't fall out of tune with where we need to be.  I've re-examined mine a little while back, and realized that my own prayer life was in need of a little fine tuning (and I'm sure glad I did because God is so good - I wouldn't want to let my relationship with Him fall by the wayside).

To be honest I used to think praying at night was all I needed to do to fulfill the "good christian" quota - wow, was I wrong.  I would pray every night because I was being dutiful, like one of those things one must do in life: Students must do homework, writers must write, and of course Christians must pray - that is all true.  Yet it's not about meeting a requirement, what it is about is the desire of the heart.

Could you imagine if we only talked with our Husbands just as often as we prayed?  Now, if we're an avid prayer - then you'd have it made, a great relationship with God and one happy husband.  On the other hand if you are not much a prayer, this scenario would leave you with one unhappy husband and estranged from your Heavenly Father, the Prince of Peace, the Great and Mighty Counselor .... not someone you're willing to live without is it?  I didn't think so, me neither - let's let Him know it!

Prayer is about wanting that relationship with God and turning to Him at any time, day or night - one time or fifty times.  I love having reached that realization and find my prayer life is so much more fuller as is my relationship with God because the condition of my heart has changed.  I WANT to know Him, I WANT to spend time with Him and I WANT to walk with Him.  When we pray it shouldn't be done with the sense of simply doing what we know we ought.  When we pray it should be because we have the desire to turn to God, to know Him, to ask of Him, to give Him thanks, to praise Him, just as we are told.

James 5:13-15;

"Is any one of you in trouble?  He should pray.  Is anyone happy?  Let him sing songs of praise.  Is anyone of you sick?  He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord." [NIV]

How many times in one day do you think God is there for you?  I can help you answer that, all day every day.  Sometimes it is so easy to get caught up in the many moments that seem to sweep us up that we forget to turn to God, or we make a mental note: "note to self, thank God later  ....".  One thing worth knowing though, is that God is always here for us (for he is omnipotent, omnipresent and omniscient) let's not ignore that - or Him, let us instead, turn to Him.

In the book of Matthew 7:7 we are told;

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." [NIV].

In the book of James 4:8;

"Come near to God and he will come near to you." [NIV].

So to get started on our walk with God today, let us ask, let us seek, and let us find!  It is through prayer that we can develop a deeper relationship with our Lord and Savior.  Let us turn to God all day everyday.

May God Bless you all and as always, check back for my future posts :)

Walking with God

Walking with God.  This is something we all should be wanting to do, I know I am - aren't you?  How does one walk with God?

To walk with God would be more than following the examples left to us in the Bible, for if that is all we do - aren't we leaving something out?  Not really walking with God - is it?  To walk with God we need to first invite Him to share in our days, after all once we have invited the Holy Spirit to indwell in our hearts we're halfway there.

Just like any relationship - it takes work.  Don't confuse this with meaning salvation takes work - no it does not.  However to walk with God, yes working for that relationship is important.  Just like walking we must first decided to take that first step (and then another, and another ..... and still another - if we're to get anywhere).

So, First things first.  Let's ask God into our hearts daily.  This is how we can take that first step to walking with God.

I've got my walking shoes on and today I'm asking God - Will you walk with me? and I'm asking you - Will you be doing the same?

God Bless you all I hope today's post has inspired you to ask God to join you today as you go about your day to be with you as your Mighty Counselor, Prince of Peace.  (Writing this has reminded me to!)