Day 18 - In Turbulent Times, Guard Your Thoughts

Finally brothers, whatever is true, 

whatever is honourable, 

whatever is just, whatever is pure, 

whatever is lovely, 

whatever is commendable - 

if there is any moral excellence 

and if there is any praise - 

dwell on these things 

PHILIPPIANS 4:8 HCSB

"William Ralph Inge observed, "No Christian should be a pessimist, for Christianity is a system of radical optimism." p38

"...you may find yourself pulled down by tough times. If you find yourself discouraged, exhausted, or both, then it's time to ask yourself this question: What's bothering you and why? p38

"...the ultimate battle has already been won on the cross at Calvary. And if your life has been transformed by Christ's sacrifice, then you, as a recipient of God grace, have every reason to live courageously" p38

"Are you willing to trust God's plans for your life, in good times and in turbulent times?"p39

"Proverbs 3:5-6 makes it clear: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths"p39

"So make this promise to yourself and keep it - vow to be a hope-filled Chrstian. Think optimistically about your life, your profession, your family, your future, and your purpose for living. Trust your hopes, not your fears"p39




TODAY'S PRAYER

Dear Lord, I will focus on Your love, Your power, Your promise, and Your Son. When I am weak, I will turn to You for strength; when I am worried, I will turn to You for comfort; when I am troubled, I will turn to You for patience and perspective. Help me guard my thoughts, Lord, so that I may honour You this day and forever. Amen

Day 17 - Self - Esteem According to God

For you made us only a little lower than God, 

and you crowned us with glory and honour.

PSALM 8:5 NLT

"When you encounter tough times, you may lose self-confidence. Or you may become so focused on what other people are thinking - or saying - that you fail to focus on God... Instead, seek God's guidance as you focus your energies on becoming the best that you can possibly be"p36

"...when it comes to matters of self-esteem and self image, seek approval not from your peers, but from your Creator" p36

The creator has made us each one of a kind. There is nobody else exactly like us, and there never will be. Each of us is His special creation and is alive for a distinct purpose." - LUCI SWINDOLL p37

Day 16 - Accepting Advice

A wise man will hear and increases learning, 

and a man of understanding will attain wise counsel.

PROVERBS 1:5 NKJV

"If you find yourself caught up in the inevitable challenge of these turbulent times, it's probably the right time to start searching for knowledgeable friends and mentors who can give you solid advice" p34

"Finding a wise mentor is only half the battle. It takes just as much wisdom - sometimes more - to act upon good advice"p34

Yes, the spirit was sent to be our Counselor. Yes, Jesus speaks us to personally. But often He works through another human being"p35 - JOHN ELDEREDGE 

Part of todays prayer...

"Father, let me be a friend and mentor to others, so that my love for You may be demonstrated by my genuine concern for them. Amen." p35

Day 15 - You're Never Alone

The Lord is the One who will go before you. 

He will be with you; He will not leave you or forsake you.

Do not be afraid or discouraged.

DEUTERONOMY 31:8 HCSB

"God is not just near. He is here." p32

"God is not hurried along in the Time-stream of this universe anymore than an author is hurried along in the imaginary time of his own novel. He has infinite attention to spare for each one of us. He does not have to deal with us in the mass. You are as much alone with Him as if you were the only being He had ever created. When Christ died, He died for you individually just as much as if you have been the only man in the world." p32 - 

CS LEWIS

"God's silence is in no way indicative of His activity or involvement in our lives. He may be silent, but He is not still." p32

TODAY'S PRAYER

"Heavenly Father, even when it seems to me that You are far away, You never leave me side. Today and every day, I will strive to feel Your presence, and I will strive to sense Your love for me. Amen." p33

Day 14 - In Turbulent Times, Keep Trying

I anyone among you suffering? He should pray. 

Is anyone cheerful? He should sing praise.

JAMES 5:13 HCSB

"God is trying to get His message through ... to you!Are you listening?" p30

"Perhaps, you forget to slow yourself down long enough to talk with God." p30

"Instead of turning your thoughts and prayers to Him, you may rely upon your own resources."  p30

"Do you spend time each day with God." p30

"I have witnessed many attitudes make a positive turnaround through prayer." p31

Today's Prayer

Dear Lord, let me raise my hopes and my dreams, my worries and my fears You. Let me be a worthy example to family and friends, showing them the importance and the power of prayer. Let me take everything to You in prayer, Lord, and when I do, let me trust in Your answers. Amen.

Day 13 - Make Peace With The Past

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you: 

not as the world giveth, give I unto you. 

Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

JOHN 14:27 KJV

As soon as I turned the page and saw the heading I thought... "This I can't do". I feel it really hard to abandon all the bad things that has happened to me in the past. I blame all my problems on things that happened during my childhood and teens, and I can't get over it. This, for me, will probably be the hardest day to follow.

"We allow ourselves to become "stuck" in the past - even though we know better." p28

I do know  better. I know dwelling on the past is not healthy, because I always seem to focus on the negative parts of it, when I know there was probably a lot more positive times than bad. However, i just can't get over it and be at peace with myself.

"Instead of focusing our thoughts and energies on the opportunities of today, we may allow painful memories to fill our minds and sap our strength. We simply can't seem to let go of our pain, so we relieve it again and again ... with predictably unfortunate consequences" p28

"...for many of us, focusing on the future is difficult indeed. Why? Part of the problem has to do with forgiveness. When we find ourselves focusing too intently on the past, it's a sure sign that we need to focus, instead, on a more urgent need: the need to forgive" p29

I find it hard to forgive people, as I blame others for all the problems of my past and present, and nothing is ever my own fault. I always think, if my teacher had not done x, y and z to me, would I have lots of confidence. Or if my parents had participated more in my education, I could be working for NASA right now (I wish). So to me everything is always someone else's fault. I need to forgive people from the past and move on to be at peace, and move on with my own future.

"No amount of anger or bitterness can change what happened yesterday. Tears can't change the past; regrets can't change it. Our worries wont change the past, and neither will our complaints. Simply put, the past, and always will be, the past. FOREVER." p29

"Can you summon both the courage and the wisdom to accept your past and move on with your life? Can you accept the reality that yesterday - and all the yesterdays before it are gone? And, can you entrust all those yesterdays to God?" p29

"...if you've endured a difficult past, learn from it, but don't live in it." p29

Day 12 - In Times Of Uncertainty, Trust God's Timing

I waited for the Lord; 

And He inclined to me, and heard my cry.

PSALM 40:1 NKJV

"The Bible teaches us to trust God's timing in all matters, but we are sorely tempted to do otherwise, especially when times are tough" p26

"God's plans are perfect; ours most certainly are not." p26

"...as you face the uncertainties of everyday life, do your best to turn everything over to God. Whatever "it" is, He can handle it. And you can be sure that He will handle it when the time is right" p26

I don't have anything to say to day. I think the quotes speak for themselves really.