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More Right Thinking

Posted in Abolish Anxiety, Anxiety & Stress, Bible Study, Christian Living, Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , on May 5, 2017| 1 Comment »

colossians3_1-2

Colossians 3:2 (NIV) “Set your minds on things above, not on
earthly things.”

God tells us to think about things above. To me that means to think
about Heaven and what it is going to be like for us someday. Those are
good thoughts. In Heaven there will be no more tears, sorrow, death,
sickness, panic attacks, fear, anxiety, or diseases. We will have strong, healthy,
brand new bodies.

God doesn’t want us to dwell on our feelings. Do you know that your feelings
can’t hurt you? When we dwell on them we increase the amount of adrenaline
that is released in our bodies and other uncomfortable feelings crop up. God
doesn’t want us to go over and over again in our minds how someone has hurt
us. He doesn’t want us to worry about tomorrow and the things we will have to
face. He doesn’t even want us to be consumed with getting material possessions.
God knows that these things are not healthy for us to constantly think about.
Setting our thoughts on things above also means to think about Jesus, what
he is like and all about his life while he was here on earth.

Many times in the past when I could not go to sleep, I’d make myself think
about Jesus instead of concentrating on the noises outside. I’d start with his birth
and try to remember all I could about him; how he taught and healed people,
how he died and rose again. I never got through his whole life because
somewhere along the line I’d fall asleep.

You see, that was far better for me to think about then to fret over the next
day, or about myself and my feelings. Isn’t it wonderful how God helps us to
know how we should think?

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Right Thinking

Posted in Abolish Anxiety, Anxiety & Stress, Christian Living, Uncategorized, tagged , , , , on April 12, 2017| Leave a Comment »

2corinthians10_5

II Corinthians 10:5 (KJV) “Casting down imaginations, and every
high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing
into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.”

I believe God wants us to be different from the world. We are different because
we are now his children, and we need to even think differently from those of
the world. As we read and study God’s word our thoughts line up more and
more with his. We learn what his will is and we become more like him. This is all
a part of our Christian growth. Our minds become renewed.

God loves us so much that he wants us to learn how to think his way.
Do you know what it means when it says “casting down imaginations?” I believe
in a practical sense that means not to daydream or fantasize about things. When
we do that we may get something in our lives that has a strong hold over us. Our
minds are very powerful. We can think up all kinds of things, not always good.
For example, if we watch certain T.V. shows (like the soaps) maybe we begin
to imagine ourselves playing out the part of the hero or heroine. What if it’s a hot,
steamy sex scene? Do you think God wants us watching that? No, he doesn’t.
When we do, we are conforming to this world.

Notice he says “and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of
Christ.” Isn’t it great to know that we can bring our thoughts into captivity? When
something is captive it is controllable. Our thoughts don’t have to rule us.
Do you know that our thoughts can cause all kinds of things to take place in
our bodies? They can lower or raise our blood pressure and temperatures.
Thoughts can cause us to perspire. All kinds of physical aliments are subject to
the way we think. Such as; headaches, heart problems, colitis, ulcers,
insomnia, irritable bowl syndrome, and more. Relationship problems also can be
affected by the way we think. For example; arguments, disagreements, and other
hurtful words affect us physically.

Do you know our thoughts can trigger panic attacks? Think about the “what
ifs.” As we think about “what if” this or that happens, physical changes actually
do take place in the body. Our adrenaline starts pumping and our hearts
start beating faster and harder. Our hands may break out in a sweat, and
we wonder, “what is happening to me?”

Take a step back then, and realize what you were thinking about.
Remember, God wants us to be able to control our thoughts. I confess I was once
totally controlled by my own thoughts. Now I’ve learned how to take that control
back. I believe with all my heart it is the reason I have not had a panic attack
in over seven years.

During those panic free years I’ve had some of the most challenging times of
my whole life, but I’ve not slipped back into having panic attacks again. Did I
have any panic symptoms? Yes, and when they started to come I was able to
prevent an attack from happening by praying and asking God for help, then
taking control of my thoughts.

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A New Attitude

Posted in Abolish Anxiety, Bible Study, Christian Living, Uncategorized, tagged , , , on April 6, 2017| 1 Comment »

philippians2_5-8

Philippians 2:5-8 (NIV) “Your attitude should be the same as that of
Christ Jesus: Who being the very nature of God, did not consider
equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself
nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in
human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled
himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!”

One time in my Bible study at church we came across this scripture and it
really made me ponder. At first, I thought, “Wow! The Bible even tells us
what our attitude should be. My attitude should be the same as that of
Jesus. What was his attitude?” I read on and found his outlook is that of one who
shows self-sacrificing love to others.

Jesus had everything in Heaven, and he gave up all that to come here and
become like us. That took a lot of love on his part. Not only did he became like
us, but he was willing to suffer all that we do. He actually became our servant. He
even went to the cross for us and paid our sin debt. That is love!

If I’m to have the attitude of Christ, then I’ve got to become humble. I’ve
got to lay aside myself. I’ve got to think more highly of other people’s needs than
my own. I’ve got to be ready to give comfort, pray, help out, and serve others.
I’ve got to simply let God work daily in my life. When I get up in the
morning I can pray and tell him, “I’m up and ready. Show me what to do
today.” If I do that, (and I’ve tried it) he gives me something to do for him. It’s
not easy to have Christ’s attitude, but you know what? When you work on it, God
blesses you more than you can ever imagine.

Oh God, help me today to be your servant, and to have an attitude like
Christ. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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A New Outlook!

Posted in Abolish Anxiety, Anxiety & Stress, Christian Living, Uncategorized, tagged , , , on April 5, 2017| Leave a Comment »

1corinthians15_10

Philippians 3:13b-14 (NIV)“…But one thing I do: Forgetting what is
behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to
win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

Paul is speaking in this scripture to the Philippians. He is telling them that he
has learned to forget the past and lean forward or strain toward what’s ahead.
It means to consider the past done with and settled. We can’t go back and do
it over. But, we can go on with a new outlook as we put the past behind us.
This will apply to people in different ways, because of our different
backgrounds.

One thing that comes to my mind immediately is forgiveness for
those who have hurt us in the past. This is not always easy, but it is God’s will
for us, and when we do his will we begin to feel the peace he has for us in that
situation. I believe a lot of our anxiety comes out of holding unforgiven hurts
inside. By letting them go we can begin to heal.

Paul speaks about pressing on toward the goal to win the prize for which
God has called him. For us that prize is Heaven and all the glory to be found
there. It will be wonderful! And, there are no anxiety attacks in Heaven!
So, with God, it is possible to get a new outlook, a fresh start. We can put
the past behind and press on with God. This is great to know and encourages us
as we continue to battle fear. Let’s try not to dwell on our past fearful
feelings. Let’s try to put them behind us and know that God has something better
for us ahead. Let’s pray and read the Word, and learn how healing it can be.

Dear God, please bless this word to each and every one who reads it. Allow
them to ask you to search their hearts for anything that they need to forgive. In
Jesus’ name. Amen.

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A New Hope!

Posted in Abolish Anxiety, Uncategorized, tagged , , , , on February 24, 2017| 1 Comment »

2corinthians5_17txt

II Corinthians 5:17 (NIV) “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a
new creation; the old has gone, the new has come.”

When we know Christ personally he makes us new persons. Our sin debt has
been paid, and our old selves have been crucified in Christ. This takes place
on the inside of us in our spirits.

Since the old self has been “put off” and the new self has been “put on,” we
are totally new people and are empowered by the Holy Spirit to be conformed to
his image. Because of this we are directed by God’s Spirit and are able to understand the things of God which are revealed to us in the Word.

The hope within us is that we can change. This is really important to
understand. Christians are different when we fight the battle of fear because we
have a special power inside us for the fight. God wants us to become more like
him, and with his enabling power we can. He doesn’t want us to be slaves to fear.
It is his will that we change. We can hang onto this hope!

There is one problem with the above scripture. It sounds as though we are a
new and fully capable creation instantly. Actually, we are new in our inner spirit,
but we still have to learn how to apply the teachings of the Bible to our lives. As
we begin to do that we will begin to see the new creation that God gave us
surface to the outside. It is a process.

The old things will pass away and new things will take their place. We will
begin to think differently having more healthy thoughts.

I trust this scripture thought today will help fill your heart with a new hope!

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I Can Do!

Posted in Abolish Anxiety, Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , on February 16, 2017| Leave a Comment »

Philippians 4:13 (KJV) “I can do all things through Christ who
strengtheneth me.”

Isn’t it great to know that “I can do?” Oh, how we need to remind ourselves of   philippians4_13
that one. I’d like to give an example of how doing things became a problem for me.

Before I had panic attacks if someone would ask me to go to the store to get a quart of milk, I’d say, “No, problemento!” I’d just go and get the milk and come
back with a smile on my face.

After I started having panic attacks, my friend would ask me to go to the store to get a quart of milk. I wouldn’t answer right away. After all I had to
analyze the situation. My mind would jump into full gear; Why am I being asked? Doesn’t she know it’s hard for me? She could do it easier! Okay, I should do
it…but,…what if the car breaks down? Let’s see, who lives on the way to the store? I could go to the Riley’s for help. Ahhh, but they have that biting dog, Rex.
Okay, maybe the car won’t break down. Let’s see…what is it doing out? Is it going to rain? It’s hard to drive in the rain! What time is it? What if people are
just getting out of work and there is a lot of traffic? What if I get in an accident?
Oh, I hope there isn’t a long line in the store!

On and on my mind would go thinking the worst and blowing the whole
thing way out of proportion. I’d finally simply refuse to do the errand.
Today, if the same situation comes up I can simply smile and say, “Sure,
need anything else?” I don’t worry about having a panic attack or about all the
other details. I can now simply function in a normal manner again. Praise God!
Isn’t that wonderful? You may ask, “What made you turn around?”

At first I was doing everything in my own strength. I was self-sufficient. I
could depend on me! I was young, strong, and able. I was smart and could figure
out anything. There was always an answer.

Then something happened. I’m not sure what it was. I lived under a great
deal of stress for many years and was always a “nervous” person. Possibly, and
this is only my guess, my body chemicals slowly changed to the point that I
began having panic attacks. At any rate, I did begin to have them. They ruined
my life for a very long time, and I was living in a situation where I could not do
things. I had to depend on others. Instead of “I can do!” it was, “But, I can’t.”
Have I said that phrase a lot!

Then, I received Jesus into my heart. I studied the Word. It became clear to
me that he wanted me to depend on him alone. I found this scripture: “I can do
all things through Christ who strengtheneth me.” (Emphasis mine). I can do! I
can do! I took hold of that promise. I’d pray and claim it, then allow Christ to
accompany me to the store. He helped me, he gave me the courage and strength
to reach out again, and the best news of all, I slowly got better! I had begun to
focus on things other than my feelings.

As time went on, more time elapsed between each panic attack. I believed that
God readjusted the chemicals in my body back to where they were when I was
healthy.

I’m thankful with every ounce of my being that I found a way to get better.
Thank you Jesus! I can do!

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What is Christian Fellowship?

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , on November 10, 2012| 2 Comments »

I have something on my mind that really bothers me, and I wonder if any one else feels the same way?  What is Christian fellowship anyway?  I would think that Christian fellowship would be when Christians get together for some social event and the topic of discussion would always turn to Christ.  After all we are all one in the body.

Have you noticed that when professing Christians get together for a time of fellowship there seems to be something missing? At least that is how it has been with me.  I’ve noticed that there is not a lot of talk about Christian things.  Oh, we talk about each others jobs, and families.  We tell each other of something funny that has happened recently.  Mostly it seems people talk about their troubles and all the illnesses and problems others are going through.  Is this gossip? And, we joke around and say clever things. We don’t usually even talk about ideas. But, most of all  Christ is left out.

Time and again, I’ve noticed that no one mentions Christ, or the Bible, or God.  People don’t seem to share the things of Christ and I wonder why?  After all, we are suppose to be different, (and we are) so it would seem that we would want to share things that have to do with Christian living.  Or, something that the Lord has done for us lately.  Do we just take Him for granted?

I’d call this fellowship and not Christian fellowship.  It seems to me this is no different than how unbelievers fellowship.

Anyway, I’d like to know if anyone else has noticed this and if anyone has any suggestions to  turn this around.  I need your input and advise.

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A Thankful Heart

Posted in Bible Study, Christian, devotional, Faith, Gospel, inspirational, Scripture, Uncategorized, Worship, tagged , , , , , , on November 10, 2008| Leave a Comment »

God's Handiwork 08

God’s Beautiful Handiwork!

God has given us all things to enjoy and my heart is thankful.  When I look around me I am very thankful for the wondrous beauty God has created.   The beauty of Fall in my part of the country can almost take your breath away.  And, yet, when we think about it, the Bible teaches us that we live in a cursed world, where even nature is cursed.  If this is what cursed looks like I often ponder, “How magnificent Heaven must be!”

Every year at Thanksgiving people stop to thank God for the things that matter most to them.  Usually we thank God for the things here on earth like our families, homes, cars, money, and all the material things we have.  We also stop and thank him for providing for us.  We thank him for the Thanksgiving turkey and all the trimmings we indulge in on that special day. 

This year my heart is thankful for those things, but even more, I’m thankful for my salvation.  I realize that if God had not in his mercy and grace chosen to adopt me into his family, I’d be on my way to spend eternity in Hell.  That is a scary thought! 

“Oh, God, how gracious you were to call me.  I am not worthy.  I am only a fallen, wicked, imperfect, sinner, whom you loved enough to include in your plan of salvation.  You even sent your only Son to take on my sins and die on the cross and endure the wrath of sin I deserved while He paid the penalty for me.”  That is truly amazing!

I ask.  “Why me Lord?”  “Why me?  I’m not worthy to be part of your family.”  I’ve come to realize that it wasn’t up to me.  I didn’t choose God, He chose me. 

Ephesians 1-4 says, “He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world…”

That boggles my mind! To realize that our most Precious God chose me way back in the past before He even created the world. He knew me and chose me to be one of His own.  Isn’t that a tremendous thought?

Again I say, “Why me God?”  God is Sovereign and Righteous.  He can do whatever He wants to.  He could have just as easily passed me by.  And, if He did that would not diminish Him one iota.  He would still be God in all of His fullness.  He didn’t have to chose me, but He wanted to.

My heart is thankful for God’s wonderful creation all around us; it is thankful for my undeserved salvation; and it is thankful for the future God has in store for me.

This is just the beginning, and it is going to get better and better as we spend eternity with our Lord and Savior. 

We will have troubles here on earth as we attempt to live out our daily lives.  But we must realize that those problems are for a purpose.  God is Sovereign and He is in control.  Nothing comes our way without Him allowing it.  Look at Romans 8:28.

Rom 8:28-29 NASB  And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. 

I realize that there is a purpose for everything.  Even when I’ve suffered many health problems throughout my life, there was a purpose in it.  Praise God for that! 

He goes on to say in Romans 8:29  For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren;

I realize God’s purpose in my sufferings in this life is to make me more like Christ.  That is the purpose for you too if you know Jesus as your Lord and Savior.  He wants to shape us and mold us so that we become more and more like Christ.  We will not get there completely until we reach Heaven.

1Jn 3:2 NASB  Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is.

We will be like Him.  What a thought!  We will be made complete in Jesus in the future.  Isn’t that another amazing thought, and something to look forward too.  My eyes are turned to the future; not on the past.  Listen to this:

2Co 5:21 NASB  He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

We are not just declared righteous when we become saved, but we have the hope that when we enter into Heaven we will become the righteousness of God in Christ.  We will become as holy, just, and righteous as God Himself.  That blows my mind away.  How can it be?  Only through God’s wondrous grace and mercy!

Below is a picture of the Second coming of Jesus Christ.  He comes out of Heaven as King of Kings and Lord of Lords to set up his Kingdom.  He is coming in judgement on mankind.  We will be following Him.  We will be riding white horses as He is, and we will be clothed in fine linen.  We are part of the armies of Heaven which is shown to us here. 

Rev 19:11-14 NASB  And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war.  12  His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems; and He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself.  13  He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God.  14  And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses.

Now my heart is just about busting open with thankfulness!  We have a wonderful, exciting, beyond our imagination or comprehension,  future with our Lord Jesus.  We can’t even fathom  the things to come.  Believe me the future won’t be boring. 

Oh, Lord, thank you for saving my soul!

Thank You Lord for saving my soul,
Thank You Lord for making me whole.
Thank You Lord for giving to me,
Thy greatest salvation, so rich and so free.

thankful

 

 

 

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