Nowadays, so many focus on what they don’t have and what’s wrong with their life, instead of what they do have and what’s good in their life. For some, it’s the difference between possessing a good attitude or a bad one. For others, it’s a matter of what they watch or listen to on the news, causing their attention to be on the negative rather than the positive. Unfortunately, so many live their lives based on this way of thinking, which is exactly what the enemy of our souls (the devil) desires.

Don’t allow the enemy to steal your joy by getting you to focus on what is wrong with your life. It only divides and separates us, based on what we believe is a need or a lack in our lives; and it only makes us miserable. For some, it’s about material possessions; for others, it might be about status. Whatever the case may be, focusing on what we don’t have will only cause us to think we are being left out, harmed or mistreated, in some form or another, because we have been trained to see what is wrong in our society.

As a consequence, we need to refocus and retrain our hearts and minds to see the positive in life. In doing so, we will become more and more thankful — thankful to God, and thankful for what we do have. As a result, we will become more satisfied with life. Purpose to think about what is good, honest, and truthful (Philippians 4:8). There is always good to be thankful for, but we must change our focus to see it.

Just a thought,

PSS

The voice of those who still believe that right is right and wrong is wrong, is being silenced by a society that calls right wrong, and wrong right (Isaiah 5:20). As a consequence, the body of Christ has been deceived into believing a lie — confusing love with tolerance — and the church is suffering an identity crisis because of it. Most Christians don’t even know what a true follower of Christ is supposed to be. Instead, they believe that staying silent and being the world’s friend is what Jesus taught.

God’s Word, however, teaches that to be a friend of the world makes you an enemy of God. In fact, we are called to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. In Jesus’ day, salt was used as a preservative to slow down decay, and as an antiseptic to kill bacteria in a wound. And light is something that is meant to be seen, not to be hidden — especially behind the guise of political correctness or immorality, just because it’s the popular thing to do.

The church never wins anyone to Christ while behaving like the world. We are meant to be salt and light in our lives, so people will see that we are different. Then the lost will be open to hearing the gospel and receiving the truth. It’s time we understand who we are and realize our true identity is found in the Word of God, not in our culture.

Just a thought,

PSS

A person’s worldview is what determines how they see the world and what they believe. It is the framework from which we view reality and make sense of life and the world. David Noebel says, "[It's] any ideology, philosophy, theology, movement or religion that provides an overarching approach to understanding God, the world and man's relations to God and the world."

According to Del Tackett, “A personal worldview is a combination of all you believe to be true, and what you believe becomes the driving force behind every emotion, decision and action. Therefore, it affects your response to every area of life: from philosophy to science, theology and anthropology to economics, law, politics, art and social order — everything.”

Everyone has some type of worldview. Today, some Christians compartmentalize their lives, which directly results in a disconnect between what they believe and what they do. You will even hear some Christians say, “I don’t want to hear about politics.” The problem with this, however, is that the Bible teaches that we should not only pray for all those in authority (1 Timothy 2:2), but we should also be informed about whom we vote for (Romans 13).

I don’t understand how any true believer can support someone who thinks it is OK to kill innocent babies or who believes in redistribution of wealth. Yet, our current president believes in both. As Christians, however, we can’t have both a biblical and a secular worldview. Either we have a biblical worldview of how we live life, or we have a secular one. Either we are true believers, or we are not.

If we truly have a biblical worldview, it supersedes everything else in our lives and should determine how we live, act and vote, because we understand that our primary purpose is to love and serve God. Once we’re born again, receiving Christ as our Lord and Savior, we must allow God’s word to transform us. I pray that, as believers, we will allow God’s word to shape every area of our lives.

Just a thought,

PSS

To receive the power that is available through the Holy Spirit, you must first ask Jesus to be your Lord and Savior. Then the Holy Spirit will come and live in you. The Bible says, “And you shall receive power, after that the Holy Spirit is come upon you” (Acts 1:8). The Holy Spirit is called the Comforter, Helper, Strengthener, Standby; and He will help us if we ask.

Not only will the Holy Spirit help us deal with the hurts and disappointments that we encounter in this life, but He will also encourage us through the good as well. For instance, once somebody becomes successful, the next step is to become significant. Significant means: very important: large enough to be noticed or to have an effect: having a special or hidden meaning.

Whatever God expects of us, the Holy Spirit gives us the power to do. Who hasn’t needed strength to overcome sin, or encouragement to keep moving forward? We all make mistakes, but thank God for His power to forgive. As we go through life, we need to remember that we don’t have to do it alone. We have the Holy Spirit, our Helper, to help us every day — we just need to ask Him.

Just a thought,

PSS

In different areas of our lives, we are all required to meet certain conditions. For instance, there are conditions you must meet to improve your health, to work at a company or to get into a college. Interestingly, many of life’s conditions begin with the “biggest” little word in the English language — if. If can do many things. It is able to change your perspective, your direction or an outcome. For example, “If I had known then what I know now, I never would have done that.” Or, “If you continue down this path, the consequences will be awful.”

To receive the promises of God, however, the same principle applies — you must meet His conditions. In fact, the Bible says, “If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully keep all his commands that I am giving you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the world. You will experience all these blessings if you obey the Lord your God” (Deuteronomy 28:1-2 NLT). Unfortunately, so many say they love God, but don’t do what He says—they don’t honor His Word. But Jesus said, “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments” (John 14:15 NASB).

If you want to receive all that God has for you, it’s all about your willingness to meet His conditions — if you love Him, you obey Him. Think about the ifs in your life and evaluate whether or not you need to change the way you are living, working, talking and treating others so that you may live in the blessings and promises of God’s Word. If is a little word that can make a big difference, but you must be willing to meet the conditions.

Just a thought,

PSS