Enjoyment of life is not based on enjoyable circumstances; it's an attitude of the heart, a decision to enjoy everything because everything - even little, seemingly insignificant things- have a part in the overall "big picture" of life.
Lemons can make us sour or we can turn them into lemonade.
I was trying to change them so I would find them enjoyable instead of accepting them the way they were and enjoying them while God was changing them.
The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows)- John 10:10.
Life is a journey. Everything in it is a process. It has a beginning, a middle and an end. All aspects of life are always developing. Life is motion. Without movement, advancement and progression, there is no life.
We are created by God to be goal-oriented visionaries. Without a vision, we atrophy and become bored and hopeless.
Entering a new level always means leaving an old one behind.
Seeking God's will for our lives- allowing Him to deal with us about attitudes and issues, desiring to know His plan for our lives and fulfiling it.
"I'm not where I need to be, but thank God, I'm not where I used to be. I'm Okay, and I'm on my way!"
I believe I change daily. I have goals in every area of my life and I desire improvement in all things. This time next year I will be different from what I am now.
We could enjoy the journey while we were on the way to where we were going.
I believe that if we had more quality and a little less quantity, we would experience more real joy in our every-day lives.
God is not impatient, and He is in no hurry. He takes time to enjoy His creation, the works of His hands.
I have told you these things, that my Joy and delight may be in you, and that your joy and gladness may be full measure and complete and overflowing - John 15:11
Up to this time you have not asked a (single) thing in My Name (as presenting all that I am), but now ask and keep on asking and you will receive, so that your joy (gladness, delight) may be full and complete (John 16:24).
But without faith it is impossible to please and be satisfactory to Him. For whoever would come near to God must (necessarily) believe that God exists and that He is the rewarder of those who earnestly and diligently seek Him (out).
Doubt is an attitude that can easily creep up on us; however, we can stay spiritually alert by focusing on God's word and not allow it to determine or mood.
Joy= great pleasure or happiness: delight. A source or object of pleasure or satisfaction.
But the fruit of the Holy Spirit (the work which His presence within accomplishes) is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness, gentleness (meekness, humility), self control (self-restraint, continence).... Galatians 5: 22-23
Doubt and unbelief are thieves of joy, but simple child-like believing releases the joy that is resident in our spirits because of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.
Believing, on the other hand, releases joy and leaves us free to enjoy life while God is taking care of our circumstances and situations.
But we must cleanse our hearts and minds of any thoughts that the Lord is angry with us. According to His Word, God is full of mercy and compassion and is slow to anger (Neh. 9:17).
We simply need to believe in His love for us.
When we seek the Lord, He takes care of all the other things, as Jesus promised in Matthew 6:33 : But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His (God's) kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things (you desire and seek after) taken together will be given you besides.
If you are ever to live simply, you must be determined to gain your freedom from complication and be even more determined to keep it.
We have lived by the grace of God, nothing is more simple than grace.
Jesus came and paid for our sins, taking our punishment upon Himself. He did all this freely because of His great love, grace and mercy.
Complication is the work of Satan. He hates simplicity, because he knows the power and the joy that it brings.
Much complication is born out of an ungodly need to impress people.
Ask the Holy Spirit to teach you to keep it simple.
If you have a complicated approach to the Word of God, it will all become laws instead of promises. I had to allow Him to lead me.
The Lord also taught me that I should approach Him simply. God wants His beloved children to approach Him simply and gently.
The Lord showed me that instead of praying loud and long, I was to say that was on my heart and believe that He heard me, and that He would take care of it His way, in His timing.
Whatever the problem is, Father, I ask You to remove the things that need to be removed, and to bring forth the things that need to be brought forth, Amen!
Keep prayer simple, and you will enjoy it more.
Jesus was not stressed-out or burned-out. He was not controlled by circumstances and by the demands of other people.
When you're facing a problem, ask yourself, "What would Jesus do in this situation?"
Whatever the problem or situation, making a decision is always better than wavering between doubt and indecision. So once again, keep it simple. You will see your joy increase.
And said, truly I say to you, unless you repent (change, turn about) and become like little children (trusting, lowly, loving, forgiving), you can never enter the kingdom of heaven (at all). Whoever will humble himself therefore and become like this little children (trusting, lowly, loving, forgiving) is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. -Matthew 18:2-4
Let God do His part by trusting Him.
Self-esteem is not the by-product of achievement, but the natural consequence of a healthy relationship with one's parents, peers, and of course, God. It is a matter of who you are, not what you have done.
We need to lean on the Lord for everything.
God is not like people. If people in your past have hurt you, don't let it affect your relationship with the Lord. You can trust Him. He will care for you as a loving Father.
Religion focuses on what we can do to follow the system-the rules- in order to gain God's favor. Religion is man's idea of God's expectations.
My response to Jesus is motivated by what He has already done for me- It's not an effort to get Him to do something. I'm not trying to please God to get Him to love me; His love is a free gift that I have received. I wan to please God because I love Him. That's the difference between having religion versus relationship with God.
Everything that we receive from God is attained by faith, not works.
The Law kills, but the Spirit makes alive (2 Cor. 3:6). When we follow the Spirit, we feel alive. When we follow the Law, it drains the life our of us.
God's plan is for us to experience His peace and joy in every area of our lives- even the practical matters of everyday life.
In order to enjoy my entire life, I had to learn that He wants to be involved in everything I do. If we will let Him into every area of our lives, we will be amazed at the times and places the Lord will speak to us.
It is valuable to go out and do something enjoyable while you are waiting for God to solve your problem. You may not feel like it, but do it anyway. It will help you! Get your mind-and your mouth- off the problem!
Let God take care of your problems; cast your care upon Him and do what He has instructed you to do. It almost sounds too good to be true, but you can actually enjoy life while God handles all your problems!
I want to encourage you to make a decision to laugh more but remember to be sensitive to the place, timing and people around you.
Psalm 16:11, You will show me the path of life, in Your presence is fullness of joy, at Your right hand there are pleasures forevermore.
A man's mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps and makes them sure (Proverbs 16:9)
When we do our own thing in our own timing and refuse to wait on God, we are going to get war. When we wait for God's promise, it will always bring us joy. The waiting is difficult, but the joy of receiving the prize is worth the wait. How to enjoy the waiting is the key.
These are the times when we need to remember by faith that God has an appointed time, and His time is perfect!
Too often we are either overcommitted or undercommitted. What we really need is balanced commitments. God is not impressed with our excessive activity, even when it is done in His name. Remember that peace leads to joy. If Satan can steal our peace, then he will also get our joy.
Make a decision today that you are going to enjoy yourself and all the people that God has placed in your life. Don't just look at what is wrong with you, or with them. Be positive, look for the good things and magnify them.
Pray and ask God to help you live in the freedom you can have in Christ, and give the people in your life liberty to be who He has created them to be. As you do, you'll enjoy your relationships more than ever before.
The Bible says the humas tongue can be tamed by no mas, so we will need God's help, and plenty of it, to keep the tongue under control.
I've got a future, and there's hope for me. God is on my side. No matter how many disappointments I have had in the past, this is a new day. Goodness and mercy are following me today!