Trying to stay positive

Hello,

Every day I start my day with a daily reading and reading a chapter of the Bible. I like to start my day with the Word of God. I randomly choose the book that I am going read from when I finish the previous one. I have been thinking lately that come January 1 I will read the Bible in a year again. That means I will read more than one chapter a day. I will share what I read through instagram and twitter.

For my daily reading I alternate between reading from Jesus Calling and reading from Starting your Day Right by Joyce Meyers. Today I read from Starting your Day Right.  I am just going to quote it word for word:

Speak Positively

Focus on speaking words in faith today; keep your confession truthful but positive. Don't deny the existence of your circumstances, but confess what God's Word has to say about your situation.

For example, if you are sneezing, coughing, and finding it difficult to breathe, it isn't truthful to say you aren't sick. But you can learn to present a negative situation in a positive way. You can say, "I believe God's healing power is working in me, and that I am getting better all the time."

This couldn't have been better timing. I am struggling with a few things right now. In general I am a positive person, but it's been difficult to put on a happy face the past  few days. I have been in a funk.

Last night I found out that I am in a pickle. My stomach dropped when I learned. I immediately wanted to throw up. My stomach was very upset all night.  So I had this physical reaction, but I also heard God speaking to me. He is with me. He has a plan. It's hard to get too stressed out when you know God is working in your life.

I am stressed. My plan is being upset, but God is working in me and I have to honor that. So right now I am in a temporary situation. I have to have faith that He will lead me where I need to be.

*****

Behold, You desire truth int he inner being, make me therefore to know wisdom in my inmost heart.

Psalm 51:6

What if I was alive when Jesus was?

Hello,

So there is something that I think about on a regular basis. Something that occupies my mind for hours and hours and hours.

It is easy for me today to say that I believe that Jesus is the son of God. Would I have believed that he was if I lived back during his time?

I would like to think that I would, but let's face it, I can't say for sure. I come from a long line of Christians. But, what if I was around when Jesus was alive and preaching the Gospel? I wouldn't have had that background.

Well first off, I would like to Thank God that I was born when I was. I am particularly fond of my rights as a female. That is something to consider. I would not have the same rights that I do now. I would not have the same freedoms that I do now. If I was married, I would be bound to my husband and his beliefs. What if I believed and he didn't? What if he believed and I didn't?

Thank goodness I never have to worry about that, but I do wonder. When I read the Bible I try to imagine myself living during that time. I try to put myself in that place. Would I still be a Christian?  Think about it. There are people today who don't believe that Jesus is the son of God even with New Testament to tell them otherwise. Would I have followed this man who could turn water into wine or would I have thought Him and his followers to be false prophets?

Today people do very strange things and say that God told them to do it. The general response is that this person is crazy. But, God asked Abraham to kill his only son Isaac. God stopped him from doing it, but he still asked. That defense would hardly stand up in a court of law today.

What would I have thought when they discovered his body was gone? I have a curious mind. I am constantly trying to figure out magic tricks. Would I have thought this was one too? I like to think not.

When I stop and think about it, it's pretty much a miracle that in today's world of skeptics and distrust that so many people claim to believe that Jesus was the son of God. Afterall, we only have a book to go on.

But, it's not just a book is it?

*****

 Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.”

-Genesis 22:2

Thankful for my Blessings in the Storm

Hello,

I lived a Blessed Life. I really truly do. I am very blessed with my friends and family. I would do anything for them and they would do anything for me. It all begins with God.

The past couple of years have been very trying personally and professionally. It would have been very easy to get angry and frustrated and dwell in it. And it happened occasionally. I just didn't let it consume my life. I put my faith in God.

It has almost felt like I have been the eye of the storm. I have been calm no matter what is going on around me. I thank God every day for that. I know that He is looking out for me. I know that He is on my side. I know He has a plan for me. I am just going with the flow.

I have been extremely blessed with the generosity of my friends and family this year. Cruises. Concerts. Meals. It seems like every time I turn around someone is giving me a gift or meal. I thank God every time that happens. I was telling a friend recently that it felt like God was rewarding me for keeping the Faith during the last year of a "Crap Hailstorm" that was swirling around me.

I used to be anxious and stressed all of the time. I still have my moments, but for the most part I am living in God's Grace and relishing every moment.

My life has completely changed in the past couple of months and I owe it all to God. I have been able to move back to North Carolina. I am no longer behind a desk all day. I am helping people. I am thriving in my old Church. I feel like I am a flower blooming. I am not making the money that I used to and you know what? It's okay. I make ends meet and quite frankly because I am happy and content with myself and my life, I don't want for more. Funny how that happens.

Have a Blessed Night.

*****

Matthew 8:23-27New International Version (NIV)

Jesus Calms the Storm

²³ Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. ²⁴ Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. ²⁵ The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”
²⁶ He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.
²⁷ The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”