My Journal

July

This morning I was riding my bike early and telling God how pleased I was to have him in my life and asking him to show me ways I could serve him and show him my love. Over in the western sky I saw a beautiful rainbow….the promise from God in the old testament to give us a new covenant. It was as if he heard my prayers and was reminding me of his covenant of mercy, grace and love

July 20, 2012

New Insights

I’ve been searching for the will of God. What would he have me do? How do I know what he wants me to do? Then on one of my TV devotion shows I found the answer. 1Thessalonians 5:16.”Be joyful always, pray continually and give thanks in all circumstances for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” If we follow this scripture we are living in God’s will. Another way of considering this is, if you can’t change your circumstances then change your attitude. This is where the joy comes in. When circumstances are against you STOP and remember all God has done for you. Think of his wonderful creation, remember all the prayers he has answered for you, and give thanks. Leave the negative thinking of the circumstances and you can become joyful in any circumstance. Don’t let the circumstance define who you are. If we pray continually we are in constant contact with God and we can pray for a change in attitude, pray for the peace he can give you. It helps me in those times when it is hard to pray because a circumstance has me discouraged and depressed and I go to the Bible, read the psalms that praise the Lord and the ones that encourage you to trust the Lord.

This way of thinking requires discipline. We must discipline our minds and our bodies. We must stay healthy and we must read the Bible to know the mind of God. We must exercise and eat right. We must feed our minds with the Word. We must remind ourselves we are a child of God and he wants his children to be happy (joyful). I already have his blessing, I don’t have to earn it or prove anything. He loves me just as I am.

August 2011

I was expending so much energy and time trying to serve God, that I lost the joy because I was so stressed and tired. I need time to be with God, just slow down and enjoy his company. I need to realize that it is OK to be a little lazy once in awhile.

So I guess to some all this up, I would say that if we stay physically and mentally healthy, stay in the Word by studying and reading the Bible and stay in a close relationship with God and then we will know God’s will. The Holy Spirit will guide us, teach us and, yes, bless us if we just remember what God tells us in 1Thessalonians 5:16- 19. “Be joyful always, pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”