Recognizing What Battles to Fight

Not every battle is worth fighting. Many of the challenges that come our way are simply distractions trying to lure us from our destiny. When we have opportunities to get upset, maybe somebody is talking about us, or a competitor at work is spreading rumors, or our spouse says something that they shouldn’t have, we ought to stop and ask ourselves, “If I engage in this battle and spend my time and energy trying to straighten somebody out, defending myself, arguing with a family member, trying to prove that I’m right, even if I win this battle what is the prize going to be? What is this fight going to accomplish?”

You see, there are a lot of battles that come across our lives each day, but they simply aren’t worth the fight. The end result is strife and disharmony.

Proverbs 20:3 says, “Avoiding a fight is mark of honor.” If you want to honor God and enjoy your life, decide to be a peacemaker. Be the kind of person that will avoid an unnecessary fight.

If you’ll be disciplined to fight the battles that do matter, and take the focus off of those that are less important, not only will your relationships be better and your home full of peace, but God will bless you because where there is peace and unity, God commands a blessing.

The Healing Power of Laughter

One of the greatest stress relievers God has given us is laughter. It not only makes us feel better, but it actually releases healing throughout our system. When we laugh, it restores and rejuvenates what the pressures of life have taken out.

Proverbs 17:22 puts it like this, “A happy heart is like a good medicine and a cheerful mind works healing.” Notice, when we’re good-natured and full of joy, taking time to laugh and play, it’s like taking a good medicine. That’s what helps us to stay healthy. People that laugh regularly are 40% less likely to have a heart attack than people that don’t laugh regularly. Laughter triggers the right side of the brain, which helps release creativity and helps us to make better decisions.

There is too much sickness in our world today. Much of it is related to sadness. It’s directly related to the fact that we don’t smile enough. We live uptight and stressed out.

But even during trials and hard times, God says to us, “I’ve got a solution. In difficulties, cheer up. In famine, laugh. Keep your joy.” You can laugh your way to victory, to better health and to more energy.

God knows the end of the story. He knows the final outcome. The good news is you and I win. God always causes us to triumph. We should have a spring in our step, a smile on our face, joy in our hearts and unshakeable faith. God’s plan for our lives is for good and He has the answer to our every question. Knowing this, we can laugh at the days ahead!

Call Things as Though They Are

“…the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were” (Romans 4:17, NIV)

Your Words have creative power. Just as God calls things that are not as though they were, we should also declare what we want to see in our lives. In other words, you may have days when you don’t feel well, but don’t go around saying, “Ah, my back has been hurting me. I’m getting so old. I don’t think I’m ever going to get better.”When you speak like that, you are speaking defeat into your future. Instead, turn it around. Declare a report of victory by saying, “I may not feel up to par, but I know it’s only temporary. God is restoring health unto me. I’m getting stronger, healthier, and feeling younger. My best days are still up ahead.”

Remember, you’re going to get what you call in to your life. You have creative power in your words, and you are prophesying your future. Declare what God says about you–that you are blessed and you cannot be cursed, that you are above only and not beneath! As you call things that are not as though they were, you will see God’s wonderful promises and blessing come to pass in every area of your life!

Never Alone

Dear Friend,

I just had to write to tell you how much I love you
and care for you.

Yesterday, I saw you walking and laughing with your friends.
I hoped that soon you’d want me to walk along with you, too.
So, I painted you a sunset to close your day and whispered a
cool breeze to refresh you.

I waited …. you never called.  I just kept on loving you.
As I watched you fall asleep last night, I wanted so much
to touch you.  I spilled moonlight onto your face, trickling
down your cheeks as so many tears have.
You didn’t even think of me.
I wanted so much to comfort you.

The next day I exploded a brilliant sunrise
into glorious morning for you.  But you woke up late
and rushed off to work.   You didn’t even notice.
My sky became cloudy and my tears were the rain.

I LOVE YOU!!!       

Oh, if you’d only listen.  I really LOVE you.
I try to say it in the quiet of the green meadow and in the
vibrant blue sky.  The wind whispers my love throughout
the treetops and spills it into the vivid colors of all the flowers.
I shout it to you in the thunder of the great waterfalls and
compose love songs for birds to sing for you.
I warm you with the clothing of my sunshine and perfume
the air with nature’s sweet scent.  My love for you is deeper
than any ocean and greater than any need in your heart.
If you’d only realize how I care.

My dad sends his love.  I want you to meet him.
He cares, too.  Fathers are just that way.
So, please, call on me soon.  No matter how long it takes,
I’ll wait forever.

Because I LOVE YOU.      

Your Friend,  Jesus

written by Yvonne S. Rathkey

Changing Mindsets

It’s important that we shed any negative mindset that holds us back,
and instead embrace a new, positive mindset that
will change our behavior and performance for the better.

To get the most from life and give the most in return, we should
focus on the unlimited power of God, which He has put at our disposal.
When we do that, we see the potential instead of the problems.
That positive mindset will help us to act in a positive, full-of-faith manner
— and with faith, anything is possible. – (Matthew 17:20)