So while I was listening to Joel Osteens weekly podcast I had a real "a ha" moment. He said in his podcast that people will see me the way I see myself. So if I see myself as less than others, then other will in turn see me as less than them.
I have to drill it into my head that I was created in the image of HIM, so therefore I am flawless; It's time I start acting as if I am. I need to walk with my head held high acknowledging the fact that I am special, creative, talented, beautiful and -as Joel would put it- "A child of the most high God".
Everything God creates is a masterpiece, so when He created me He created a masterpiece. So if I get up every morning with something negative to say about myself it is like I am insulting His work. He knew what he was doing when He created me, He knew exactly what He was doing.
So from now on I am going to push all the negative thoughts of myself out of the way, I am going to raise my confidence, and think of all the things that I do great in stead of all the things that I don't do so great. I am going to walk with poise, grace and confidence because I know that I am a masterpiece; I am His masterpiece.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Saturday, January 9, 2010
A Dusty Star
This isn't fair! Do I have to do this!? I dont want to do that! Okay, so just incase you didn't recognize these phrases they are sayings that I see as complaints. Something that I find myself doing A LOT. But this is also something that I want to pray about for improvement this year. The funny thing about me is that when ever I complain I always feel stupid about it afterward. I mean I have a roof over my head, food in my refrigerator, clothes in my closet and parents who love and take care of me, YET, I still find something to complain about. I feel that as a growing christian woman this is something that has to stop. I'm not helping anything when I do it, and I'm definitely not helping myself.
Philipians 2:14-15 says "Do everything without complaining or arguing. So that you may become blameless and pure children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation in which you shine like stars in the Universe."
How can I expect to be a shining star of the universe if I am constantly complaining about materialistic things. Besides the fact that God does a wonderful job at taking care of me, He sent His Son to die for me! Someone died for me and I am still complaining about how I don't want to wash the last dish in the sink.
If I am going to win someone over this year, I am definitely going to need a reality check. Because this complaining has got to stop ASAP. If Jesus willingly gave his life for me without one complaint, I can manage to wash one dish without complaining.
I feel that the dust that I have yet to brush off is keeping my star from shining to it's full effect. I should probably get to cleaning.
Philipians 2:14-15 says "Do everything without complaining or arguing. So that you may become blameless and pure children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation in which you shine like stars in the Universe."
How can I expect to be a shining star of the universe if I am constantly complaining about materialistic things. Besides the fact that God does a wonderful job at taking care of me, He sent His Son to die for me! Someone died for me and I am still complaining about how I don't want to wash the last dish in the sink.
If I am going to win someone over this year, I am definitely going to need a reality check. Because this complaining has got to stop ASAP. If Jesus willingly gave his life for me without one complaint, I can manage to wash one dish without complaining.
I feel that the dust that I have yet to brush off is keeping my star from shining to it's full effect. I should probably get to cleaning.
Friday, January 8, 2010
Only one way to win
Often I find myself becoming depressed and worried when I see a fight arising that I know that I will not be able to handle.These fights that I speak of aren't necessarily physical fights but just battles that I see arising when it comes to certain areas in my life, like classes or work. I guess one of my weaknesses is that I don't really see myself as a very "strong" person (but that's something that I know I need to pray about), so when a conflict springs up I tend to dig holes to find my way out. I will try to avoid a mountain at all cost, I will take on anything but a fight.
But as I study His Word I am finding that it is not my job to fight against what ever conflict is present in my life.
Exodus 14:14 says "The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace." This scripture appears before God supernaturally parted the red sea for Moses and the Israelites to cross, while drowning the Egyptian army that tried to chase after them.
I feel that as long as I stay faithful to Him, the only armor that I will need is the full armor of God. I want to get it out of my head that whenever a problem arises I will have to find a way to fight it on my own. Because now I know that God will take care of every little problem that I feel that I have in my life. And if it is not through some supernatural way, He will instill in me courage and strength to get through this battle. Character traits that I know can only come from Him.
So it's time for me to stop worrying, pulling hairs, bitting nails and drawing out battle plans to map out which angle I am going to ambush my enemy. But what I am going to do, is turn off my TV, unplug the radio and pray to God that He will bring me through another battle like He has done so many times before.
But as I study His Word I am finding that it is not my job to fight against what ever conflict is present in my life.
Exodus 14:14 says "The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace." This scripture appears before God supernaturally parted the red sea for Moses and the Israelites to cross, while drowning the Egyptian army that tried to chase after them.
I feel that as long as I stay faithful to Him, the only armor that I will need is the full armor of God. I want to get it out of my head that whenever a problem arises I will have to find a way to fight it on my own. Because now I know that God will take care of every little problem that I feel that I have in my life. And if it is not through some supernatural way, He will instill in me courage and strength to get through this battle. Character traits that I know can only come from Him.
So it's time for me to stop worrying, pulling hairs, bitting nails and drawing out battle plans to map out which angle I am going to ambush my enemy. But what I am going to do, is turn off my TV, unplug the radio and pray to God that He will bring me through another battle like He has done so many times before.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Written by God
Yesterday when I was out with a friend I bought a book titled 'When God writes your love story', written by a couple who actually allowed God to write their love story. I haven't finished the story yet, but with every page that I turn I am learning so much. I'm learning that it's more than just letting God write just your love story but it's all about giving Him full control so that he can write your LIFE story as well.
Sometimes I feel that it is just so much easier to write my own story. I mean it just seems so much more convenient. But I'm learning that I need to get that thought out of my head. Although it may seem "easier" to write my own story, I can bet that the story that I try to write can't even compare to the story that God has in mind. If only I could just give Him the pen.
So that is exactly what I am choosing to do. I am going to give God the pen, the paper, the desk, the desk lamp and I'll even pass Him the dictionary if He asks for it. My little input can't compare to what He has in mind, so I might as well just give it up now.
When I get a head of myself, I start to plan all the different things that I want to do with my life. In 2 years I want to be here, in 5 years I want to be there, and in 10 years I want to be doing this. But then I stop and I realize that I have taken my pen back from God and I have began to write my own story again.
Jeremiah 29:11 states that " For I Know the plans that I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future". God already knows how my life is going to play out, He already has a plan! But yet I still find the need to take control of my own story.
When I think of the different reasons of why I seemed so reluctant to hand the pen over to God in the first place, fear seems to come to mind. I'm afraid to give God complete control because I don't know What His intentions are, I don't know if me and God are on the same page. Then I ask myself 'What if Gods plan isn't the plan that I want?' But in truth His plan is better than any plan I could ever dream of. I'm finally learning to accept that now.
So I'm going to let God write my story, Im not going to try and proof read it to give Him my 'okay', but instead I'm going to let it happen. Because I know God has got my back.
I want my life to be a beautiful story written by God.
Sometimes I feel that it is just so much easier to write my own story. I mean it just seems so much more convenient. But I'm learning that I need to get that thought out of my head. Although it may seem "easier" to write my own story, I can bet that the story that I try to write can't even compare to the story that God has in mind. If only I could just give Him the pen.
So that is exactly what I am choosing to do. I am going to give God the pen, the paper, the desk, the desk lamp and I'll even pass Him the dictionary if He asks for it. My little input can't compare to what He has in mind, so I might as well just give it up now.
When I get a head of myself, I start to plan all the different things that I want to do with my life. In 2 years I want to be here, in 5 years I want to be there, and in 10 years I want to be doing this. But then I stop and I realize that I have taken my pen back from God and I have began to write my own story again.
Jeremiah 29:11 states that " For I Know the plans that I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future". God already knows how my life is going to play out, He already has a plan! But yet I still find the need to take control of my own story.
When I think of the different reasons of why I seemed so reluctant to hand the pen over to God in the first place, fear seems to come to mind. I'm afraid to give God complete control because I don't know What His intentions are, I don't know if me and God are on the same page. Then I ask myself 'What if Gods plan isn't the plan that I want?' But in truth His plan is better than any plan I could ever dream of. I'm finally learning to accept that now.
So I'm going to let God write my story, Im not going to try and proof read it to give Him my 'okay', but instead I'm going to let it happen. Because I know God has got my back.
I want my life to be a beautiful story written by God.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
The Challenge
So I have been thinking a lot, and I've been trying to think of different ways to get closer to God. So I feel that in order for me to find ways to get closer to God I have to acknowledge what is actually keeping me from getting closer to Him. Well I can personally say TV hands down. There can honestly be nothing interesting to watch and I still will have the urge to lay in my bed for hours and flick through the channels when I could be reading my Bible. So I'm taking on the challenge to try and cut out all the things that keep me away from building a stronger relationship with God.
I don't know how long I will choose to take on this challenge, probably until a better connection has been felt. Probably until I feel I am closer to him, probably until I find what it is that God actually wants me to do.
But that's just a personal challenge that I have chosen to take on. The real challenge is to help someone recieve Christ this year. I have a few people in mind, but I'm not sure how things will play out. I'll just have to really pray about it. I guess the reason that I haven't helped anyone before was because it just felt so akward bringing up His name in front of people who didn't really know who He was, or in front of people who don't really care who He is. But I have to change my mind set. I can't be afraid to bring up His name. Not anymore. I'm going to get someone this year.
I don't know how long I will choose to take on this challenge, probably until a better connection has been felt. Probably until I feel I am closer to him, probably until I find what it is that God actually wants me to do.
But that's just a personal challenge that I have chosen to take on. The real challenge is to help someone recieve Christ this year. I have a few people in mind, but I'm not sure how things will play out. I'll just have to really pray about it. I guess the reason that I haven't helped anyone before was because it just felt so akward bringing up His name in front of people who didn't really know who He was, or in front of people who don't really care who He is. But I have to change my mind set. I can't be afraid to bring up His name. Not anymore. I'm going to get someone this year.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Ok I admit it;You're better than me.
The bible says to think of others as better than yourself. When I read that I really had a "wow" moment. How often are we taught to think of others as better than ourselves. We all are given our special talents and we do often acknowledge that there will always be someone better at it than us, but how often do we 'accept' it.
I feel that as the human race we create a habit of becoming angry when someone speaks out on how much better they are than you at something. Instead, I now realize that we should show the exact opposite emotion. We should smile and say "yes, you are better at that than me. Do you have any tips on how I can get up to your level."
Now I know from personal experience that this is way easier to think about saying than to actually say. But I feel that once I have this thought sitting in my head for a while, I won't be to 'proud' to say it.
If I walk around with my head held high, with the attitude that I am 'perfect' at everything that I do, then God may see no room to make improvements in me. Like I said before I really need to humble myself before people. I feel that no other character trait can top humility.
When I look at what is considered humble, I see it as something that should be sooo easy to master. But when the time comes it seems sooo hard to actually pull through. I guess thats where pride comes in. But I can overcome that, pride is just a word that we have taken a pump to and blown up with air. With much prayer I know that I can pop it. Humility is more than just a word. It is the source to many of my blessings.
I feel that as the human race we create a habit of becoming angry when someone speaks out on how much better they are than you at something. Instead, I now realize that we should show the exact opposite emotion. We should smile and say "yes, you are better at that than me. Do you have any tips on how I can get up to your level."
Now I know from personal experience that this is way easier to think about saying than to actually say. But I feel that once I have this thought sitting in my head for a while, I won't be to 'proud' to say it.
If I walk around with my head held high, with the attitude that I am 'perfect' at everything that I do, then God may see no room to make improvements in me. Like I said before I really need to humble myself before people. I feel that no other character trait can top humility.
When I look at what is considered humble, I see it as something that should be sooo easy to master. But when the time comes it seems sooo hard to actually pull through. I guess thats where pride comes in. But I can overcome that, pride is just a word that we have taken a pump to and blown up with air. With much prayer I know that I can pop it. Humility is more than just a word. It is the source to many of my blessings.
Friday, January 1, 2010
2010
Well it's the New Year, and I am so excited about it. If you take a very good look with a positive attitude this could be the year with many great possibilities. But these great possibilities can only be seen if you have a [positive] attitude. Lets cut negativity out for 2010. We have the potential to make this year a great one,but if we have negative attitudes from start to finish the year will be everything BUT great. It's all in how you see things in your mind.
I am going to make this year a great year. That is my true new years resolution. I want to focus more on God and less on petty things. I want our relationship to be stronger, solid, unbreakable.
Yup, This year will be a great year. I've already declared it. I want to keep a positive attitude all the way through.
I am going to make this year a great year. That is my true new years resolution. I want to focus more on God and less on petty things. I want our relationship to be stronger, solid, unbreakable.
Yup, This year will be a great year. I've already declared it. I want to keep a positive attitude all the way through.
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