When life is throwing bullets at you.
I want to give someone credit for reminding me of these four things but I don’t remember who it was. Most of the words are mine, so you can blame me.
Find something to wake up everyday and be thankful for. Write, at least weekly, in a thankful journal. It changes your attitude. You cannot be grateful and grouchy at the same time. I started this when my dad died about a year and half ago.
Next, find a verse to sustain you and read it over and over again.
Make your own list. Put them on index cards and pull them out when you need them. Or post them on stickies. Or better yet, memorize them!
“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”
John 15:11 NIV
“We must never stop looking to Jesus. He is the leader of our faith, and he is the one who makes our faith complete. He suffered death on a cross. But he accepted the shame of the cross as if it were nothing because of the joy he could see waiting for him. And now he is sitting at the right side of God’s throne.”
Hebrews 12:2 ERV
“Always be filled with joy in the Lord. I will say it again. Be filled with joy.”
Philippians 4:4 ERV
“Always be full of joy.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16 ERV
“This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be happy today!”
Psalms 118:24 ERV
Definitely, find a song to lift your spirits.
“Sing praises to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises!”
Psalms 47:6 ERV
My favorite is In Christ Alone,
https://youtu.be/wNRFumI2ch0
And another favorite , Reckless Love
https://youtu.be/Sc6SSHuZvQE
Oh man...if those songs do not bring you joy!!!
Lastly, find a joyful person to talk to. My son, Luke, is a good one for me to call. He is absolutely full of joy because, in spite of any difficult circumstance, he really does the first three things on this list. He has a heart of gratitude. He loves the Bible. He has played praise and worship songs for years.
Was he always this way? Heavens, no! But I has seen the way God has changed him by these principles and I know they work.
I would go as far as to say, if you are not willing to do these four things because they are too much trouble, you don’t want to get joy in your life. You would rather stay miserable.
Thursday, May 16, 2019
Do You to Have the Heart of David
“But you are not like my servant David. He always obeyed my commands and followed me with his whole heart. He did only what I accepted.”
1 Kings 14:8 ERV
I have always been interested in the way God constantly describes King David. “He always obeyed my commands and followed me with his whole heart.”
But he did not always obey! He did something really wretched! Not only did he take Bathsheba when she was married to another man but then he killed her husband! These are pretty big deals in my eyes.
Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” Nathan said to David, “The Lord will forgive you, even for this sin. You will not die.”
2 Samuel 12:13 ERV
Later, David was prideful. He asked Joab to “count his kingdom.” Joab warned him not to but David did it anyway.
“David felt ashamed after he had counted the people and said to the Lord, “I have sinned greatly in what I did! Lord, I beg you, forgive me for my sin. I have been very foolish.””
2 Samuel 24:10 ERV
He was a terrible parent. He refused to see his son, Absalom, for a long period of time until Joab called him out. Then Absalom, tried to take over the kingdom! He would not write a best seller on child raising.
The difference in David’s life and the other kings and rulers that followed was simply the heart of David. Carefully notice how he reacted when God convicted him of his sin. David knew that because God cared for him so much, his discipline was out of love not condemnation. When we sin, there will be two responses. The enemy condemns, not convicts.
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
John 10:10 NIV
“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”
John 3:17 NIV
My heart’s desire is that he says that Pat Cooper’s life was well-done and pleasing to him. At first glance, someone may read that and say this, “Who do you think you are? You are not without sin.” Yep. I’m wretched. I can’t write a Psalm like King David. I am not sure anyone would ask me to write a best seller on child-rearing. My kids were transformed by God’s kindness and grace and not by great parenting skills. I’m so ordinary.
But it’s going to be my heart that he is observing. When he corrects me, it’s because he loves me and pours out his grace on me, underserved grace, unmerited grace. If I listen to the enemy, I lose hope. That’s because he lies and steals my joy and accuses me. Whose voice will I listen to? I’d be a fool to listen the lies of the enemy.
“But“He is my God, the Rock I run to for protection. He is my shield; by his power I am saved. He is my hiding place, my place of safety, high in the hills. He is my savior, the one who rescues me from the cruel enemy. I called to the Lord for help, and he saved me from my enemies. He is worthy of my praise!”
2 Samuel 22:3-4 ERV
He is so incredibly worthy of my praise! He is not looking for a sinless life. David messed up a lot. I mess up so much. But he will be looking at a heart of obedience and not perfection. When I call on him for help, he will save me and rescue me.
1 Kings 14:8 ERV
I have always been interested in the way God constantly describes King David. “He always obeyed my commands and followed me with his whole heart.”
But he did not always obey! He did something really wretched! Not only did he take Bathsheba when she was married to another man but then he killed her husband! These are pretty big deals in my eyes.
Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” Nathan said to David, “The Lord will forgive you, even for this sin. You will not die.”
2 Samuel 12:13 ERV
Later, David was prideful. He asked Joab to “count his kingdom.” Joab warned him not to but David did it anyway.
“David felt ashamed after he had counted the people and said to the Lord, “I have sinned greatly in what I did! Lord, I beg you, forgive me for my sin. I have been very foolish.””
2 Samuel 24:10 ERV
He was a terrible parent. He refused to see his son, Absalom, for a long period of time until Joab called him out. Then Absalom, tried to take over the kingdom! He would not write a best seller on child raising.
The difference in David’s life and the other kings and rulers that followed was simply the heart of David. Carefully notice how he reacted when God convicted him of his sin. David knew that because God cared for him so much, his discipline was out of love not condemnation. When we sin, there will be two responses. The enemy condemns, not convicts.
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
John 10:10 NIV
“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”
John 3:17 NIV
My heart’s desire is that he says that Pat Cooper’s life was well-done and pleasing to him. At first glance, someone may read that and say this, “Who do you think you are? You are not without sin.” Yep. I’m wretched. I can’t write a Psalm like King David. I am not sure anyone would ask me to write a best seller on child-rearing. My kids were transformed by God’s kindness and grace and not by great parenting skills. I’m so ordinary.
But it’s going to be my heart that he is observing. When he corrects me, it’s because he loves me and pours out his grace on me, underserved grace, unmerited grace. If I listen to the enemy, I lose hope. That’s because he lies and steals my joy and accuses me. Whose voice will I listen to? I’d be a fool to listen the lies of the enemy.
“But“He is my God, the Rock I run to for protection. He is my shield; by his power I am saved. He is my hiding place, my place of safety, high in the hills. He is my savior, the one who rescues me from the cruel enemy. I called to the Lord for help, and he saved me from my enemies. He is worthy of my praise!”
2 Samuel 22:3-4 ERV
He is so incredibly worthy of my praise! He is not looking for a sinless life. David messed up a lot. I mess up so much. But he will be looking at a heart of obedience and not perfection. When I call on him for help, he will save me and rescue me.
Do You Live in Slavery?
I made a commitment when I retired to go once a week to The Prayer Room. God is so kindly showing me that he wants to clear up some misunderstandings in my relationship with him. The minute I sit down, I can’t help but weep because I feel the Lord saying, “I love you, Pat Cooper! I don’t love you for anything that you do or have done. You did not earn my love. Let’s sit and talk and laugh together. “ It has been the best time ever!!!
“We have freedom now, because Christ made us free. So stand strong in that freedom. Don’t go back into slavery again.”
Galatians 5:1 ERV
Many Christians, including myself, constantly fight against the temptation to live in slavery...slavery to serve, slavery to perform, slavery to please, etc. I grew up in amazing family that turned on the lights at church every time there was an event. My dad read the entire Bible every year, gave generously, served faithfully, and prayed on his knees until his wobbly knees gave out and the Lord took him home at age 90. As he is now in the “great cloud of witnesses,” I feel his whispers to me...”Pat, I am here in the presence of Jesus and he loves me more than I could have ever comprehended. The blood of Jesus covers me and not my acts of obedience and service.”
Luke used to tell me that talking to God is like coming in from the field after a day of planting or harvesting. God invites you to sit down and drink a glass of sweet, refreshing tea and wants to hear all about the day. No agenda. No “to do list.” No criticism because of what you did not get done. Just sitting and talking.
Don’t waste another day living in slavery! The sweetness of just sitting with the Lord surpasses every other thing that the world could offer.
Be Anxious For Nothing
“Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:5-7 NIV
These are the sweetest verses in the Bible! In verse 5, the word says for me to be gentle and for everyone to notice. My gentleness should not be hidden under a bunch of pride, worry, fear, disappointment, dissatisfaction...you name it. Let it be evident in my life. Oh help me, Lord, to be gentle!
In verse 6, the Bible tells me to NOT be anxious. The way to get rid of anxiety and worry is to pray about everything, no matter how small and how large. The key is to have a heart of gratitude. I can NOT hold on to a heart of worry when I am exploding with thankfulness and gratitude. When I replace every thought of worry with gratitude, stuff starts changing. Don’t give in the the enemy’s lies because they are just lies!!!
Then in verse 7, peace floods my heart and my mind. Peace that will defy my logic! I will ask myself, “How can I be peaceful about this situation?” I will have the miracle of peace when it won’t make sense to be at peace. My mind will follow suit. My mind will have discernment and wisdom to handle what is worrying me.
When all the world is twirling around with situations that are scary...we can claim the most wonderful promises! Lord, you are so good!
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:5-7 NIV
These are the sweetest verses in the Bible! In verse 5, the word says for me to be gentle and for everyone to notice. My gentleness should not be hidden under a bunch of pride, worry, fear, disappointment, dissatisfaction...you name it. Let it be evident in my life. Oh help me, Lord, to be gentle!
In verse 6, the Bible tells me to NOT be anxious. The way to get rid of anxiety and worry is to pray about everything, no matter how small and how large. The key is to have a heart of gratitude. I can NOT hold on to a heart of worry when I am exploding with thankfulness and gratitude. When I replace every thought of worry with gratitude, stuff starts changing. Don’t give in the the enemy’s lies because they are just lies!!!
Then in verse 7, peace floods my heart and my mind. Peace that will defy my logic! I will ask myself, “How can I be peaceful about this situation?” I will have the miracle of peace when it won’t make sense to be at peace. My mind will follow suit. My mind will have discernment and wisdom to handle what is worrying me.
When all the world is twirling around with situations that are scary...we can claim the most wonderful promises! Lord, you are so good!
Does God Mean Never Complain...Ever?
“Do everything without complaining or arguing”
Philippians 2:14 ERV
Do you find yourself complaining about your circumstances and you feel justified in doing so? Maybe your job is too stressful and you complain about it to whoever will listen. Is your spouse or your family or your friends difficult to deal with and you want to complain about it. Are you complaining because you don’t think you have enough money?Perhaps, you are just simply complaining about the traffic or the weather.
Think long and hard and determine if you have a habit of complaining. Does God really mean “Do everything without complaining?” Is it okay to complain during hard times? Why did God say to not EVER complain?
I am quoting my son. He said “I give myself permission to complain to one person and no one else...
I complain to God and I call it praying!”
Wow! What if we lived our life with no complaining to anyone except God? First of all, God would love for us to bring all our hurts, all our needs, all our worries, all our desires and he could handle those. If I complain to Mark, I am expecting him to solve this problem and he is not able to. But God can.
We think that God will get upset with us when we complain. But he already knows what we think, it’s no secret to him. He says come to me with your problems.
“casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”
1 Peter 5:7 ESV
“Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.”
Psalms 55:22 ESV
Second reason to not complain...I read this in a devotional by Rick Warren
“The Bible says that what makes a Christian different from anybody else is his attitude toward the little things. The Bible says if you have an attitude of being a grateful, positive person and not being a complainer, you will be so unique that you'll stand out like a star in a dark night. “
Do you want to be different from the rest of the world...quit complaining.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)