When I was setting up this year’s negativity fast it was something I really needed myself. I wasn’t taking my own advice – I was feeling like I had a right to be negative. Of course I knew that, I was just feeling sorry for myself.

Reminding myself of the truth God has for us allowed me to forgive and ask for forgiveness. I don’t know what you’re journey was like but I would love to hear about it.

I hope you have a great Good Friday…and an amazing resurrection Sunday.

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Truth:

We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters. If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion–how can God’s love be in that person? Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. Our actions will show that we belong to the truth, so we will be confident when we stand before God. Even if we feel guilty, God is greater than our feelings, and he knows everything. Dear friends, if we don’t feel guilty, we can come to God with bold confidence. And we will receive from him whatever we ask because we obey him and do the things that please him. And this is his commandment: We must believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as he commanded us. 1 John 3:16-23 (New Living Translation)

Thought:

It’s really difficult to say more about love than John does in his first letter. The man was passionate about love. I’m convinced it was because the church in Ephesus that he was an elder of was told by God to return to their first love or else they would cease to exist.

I’m sure I wrote more about that somewhere and I’m sure it’s really good stuff, but I can’t find it in all this information that’s been produced over these 40 days. In some ways, it has been a long journey so it’s good to reflect on the final day and say with Qoheleth:

That’s the whole story. Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God
and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty.
Ecclesiastes 12:13 (New Living Translation)

What is God’s command? – To love God and love others. Love is the fulfillment of the law. Love is the antidote to negativity.

We could have called this “40 Days of Love” but I’m glad I didn’t since Saddleback came up with its own campaign for that.

“Love God, love others” sounds so simple, and it is.  But if it were easy to love, why wouldn’t more people do it?

The answer to that question is also simple. It means death to ourselves when we put other people’s interests ahead of our own.  It means death to ourselves when we change our negative thinking patterns. It means death to ourselves when we speak words of life and stop speaking words of death. It means death to ourselves when we reflect the goodness of God to the side of the world that’s away from the Son.

And that’s the kind of sacrifice Jesus is looking for. He said in Luke 14:26-27:

“If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters–yes, even his own life–he cannot be my disciple. And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.”

Christ is worthy of a greater love than the earliest love, a greater love than the dearest love, and a greater love than the nearest love.

Will you give it to Him today and always?

Will you show your love for Him by the way you love others?

You’ve been doing it for 40 days. When you’ve messed up, you’ve confessed and God’s forgiven you.  You know how to do it and you know it can be done. You can do all things through Christ who gives you strength.

This is not the end of the journey. Stay on the path we’ve joined for this short time. If you need this encouragement for another 40 days, maybe daily emails will help. Go to LifeAbovetheNegativity.com anytime and sign up anytime to have these emails delivered to you daily.

So before we end this journey, I want to pray for you. I know I’ve prayed it over you often in my times with God. It’s Paul’s prayer to the Ephesians:

I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious
Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that
you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart
may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the
saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.
Ephesians 1:17-19 (New International Version)

You are loved by God, so love loving others… He does.

Prayer:

Lord, I thank You for all You taught me and have shown me on this 40-day journey. Specifically I want to thank You for (Fill in the Blank). You are good and You are great. I thank You. I thank You for Your love. I thank You for Your mercy. I thank You for Your grace. I thank You that You empower me to love others in Your name.

Challenge:

Celebrate God today. Take some time to go over Isaiah 58 and reflect on the fast you’ve just completed. Focus on the promises in that text. Know that great things are in store. Remember the things He’s spoken to you or provided for you or shown you these past 40 days. Talk about them to others. Rejoice a great deal today.

Declaration:

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!

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Truth:

Don’t be intimidated in any way by your enemies. This will be a sign to them that they are going to be destroyed, but that you are going to be saved, even by God himself. Philippians 1:28 (New Living Translation)

Thought:

When God places us as His salt and light in an environment that is extremely negative, our peace can change the weather around us.

Peace isn’t being self-assured; it’s being assured that God is good.

Francis Frangipane wrote in an email concerning spiritual warfare:

We will never know Christ’s victory in its fullness until we stop reacting humanly to our circumstances. When you truly have authority over something, you can look at that thing without worry, fear or intimidation. Your peace is the proof of your victory.

The disciples were scared at the storm on the lake, while Jesus slept in peace (Matthew 8:23-27). When they woke Him up He didn’t fight against the storm or fear it. He used His authority in perfect peace.

When did Jesus ever argue with demons? Even satan was simply answered with truth.

Jesus was so calm as He stood before Pilate that in a matter of moments, it was no longer Jesus who was on trial, but satan, Pilate and the religious establishment in Israel.

Francis Frangipane continued:

Satan’s arsenal consists of such things as fear, worry, doubt and self-pity. Every one of these weapons robs us of peace and leaves us troubled inside. Do you want to discern where the enemy is coming against you? In the network of your relationships, wherever you do not have peace–you have war. Conversely, wherever you have peace–you have victory. When satan hurls his darts against you, the more peace you have during adversity, the more truly you are walking in Christ’s victory.

Paul told the Philippians:

Don’t be intimidated in any way by your enemies. This will be a sign to them that they are going to be destroyed, but that you are going to be saved, even by God himself. Philippians 1:28 (New Living Translation)

He’s saying that our peace is a sign to others that God is in control and we’re on the winning side. You’ll remember a couple of days ago I confessed I need to be careful how I react to actions, attitudes and spirits that set themselves up against the knowledge of Christ. I tend to get aggressive and confrontational. At least I did, until God decided to teach me more about peace. He’s doing it by showing me Jesus.

Jesus was never in a hurry. He ignored ignorant arguments. He took time for people. He took time to laugh. Even the darkest moments He spent in prayer. He was overwhelmed with grief, but never crushed. He never used His circumstance as an excuse to step out of the will of God. It’s tough to understand His peace.

That’s the kind of peace I’m after and it’s the kind of peace I get when I live out Philippians 4:4-8.

We’ll conclude with Francis Frangipane’s conclusion:

Rest precedes rule. Peace precedes power. Do not seek to rule over the devil until you are submitting to God’s rule over you. The focal point of all victory comes from seeking God until you find Him, and having found Him, allowing His presence to fill your spirit with His peace. From full assurance at His right hand, as you rest in His victory, so will you rule in the midst of your enemies.

So seek peace and pursue it.

Prayer:

Lord, I know You are the God of peace and have peace that passes understanding available to me as I rejoice, am gentle, am thankful and take everything to You in prayer. Spirit, help me to always fix my thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely and admirable. Help me to think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise so that Christ’s authority in me can be seen.

Challenge:

Seek peace by seeking God. Allow His presence to fill you with His peace. Don’t be intimated by people and circumstance. Spend time with God to be reminded He is good and He is great.

Declaration:

I choose to change my negative environment by seeking God and pursuing His peace.

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Truth:

You reveal the path of life to me; in Your presence is abundant joy; in Your right hand are eternal pleasures. Psalm 16:11 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)

Thought:

Call it soaking, waiting, marinating, shut-up-and-listen time, or whatever… I’m convinced it is a key for keeping in step with the Spirit and carrying only the burdens Christ has for us. It changes us so we can change our environment.

Pursuing the palpable presence is where you quit striving, you focus on the love of God and you expect God to speak. Let the word of God guide you. Let the music encourage you. Tell God you’re waiting until you know He’s released you to move on and you wait knowing He’s going to speak and that you’ll need to respond.

I don’t know if Moses had the music, but he had the sentiment in Exodus 33:

Then Moses said to him [the Lord], “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?” Exodus 33:15-16 (New International Version)

It’s not the power of God we seek; it’s the presence of God that distinguishes us from all the other people on the face of the earth. In His presence there is fullness of joy and the joy of the Lord is our strength. It’s in His presence that we can see things from His perspective. It’s in His presence that burdens are lifted.

If we don’t make time to experience the palpable presence of God we will not carry the yoke that is easy and the burden that is light.

Read how Eugene Peterson translates Matthew 11:28-30

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me–watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” (The Message)

That’s the benefit of pursuing the palpable presence of God. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. Learn to live freely and lightly. It is so great to make use of our rights as children of the King. Go spend some time on your Daddy’s lap.

Prayer:

Lord, give me an expectant heart. I need to believe what Your word says is true – that I’ll seek You and find You when I seek You with all of my heart. I know that as I wait expectantly on You, I’ll renew my strength and rise up with wings as eagles. I’ll run and not grow weary, I’ll walk and not faint. Lord, teach me to wait expectantly.

Challenge:

Make time today to cease striving. Be still and know that He is God. Play some worshipful music. Meditate on a passage of scripture. Focus on the love of God. Expect Him to speak.

Declaration:

I choose to change my negative environment by seeking God and pursuing His peace.

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Truth:

But the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust in me enough to honor me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this community into the land I give them.” Numbers 20:12 (New International Version)

Thought:

God almost always punished the children of Israel when they grumbled against Him as they spent the 40 years wondering in the desert. There was one time He didn’t. Instead He punished Moses – the one who interceded for the people time and time and time again.

It was the time Moses’ reaction to the sin of the people was in direct disobedience to what God told him to do. Look at Numbers chapter 20. The people once again complained to Moses. He went before God and was told to lift up his rod over the rock. Instead he struck it twice and was told he wouldn’t bring the people into the land of promise.

Seems a bit harsh, doesn’t it?

Maybe we should see how seriously God takes our response to negative situations. Moses’ reaction to the complaints of the people made him sin against God.

Do we ever allow our negative circumstances to let us choose to sin against God?

One of the lessons God is teaching me through these 40 Days for Life Above the Negativity is I need to be careful how I react to actions, attitudes and spirits that set themselves up against the knowledge of Christ.  When people who should know better seem to act under the spirit of stupor I want to confront them and challenge them and get them to see it right… I need to digress; I’m fasting from negativity and as you can see, I may have a way to go to make it a lifestyle.

I know how God wants me to react. I’ll share more of that in about two days. But for now it’s enough for you to know that how we react to those around us is important to God.

Moses couldn’t enter the promise land because of how he reacted to the grumbling of the people of Israel.

So how are we to act positively in extremely negative situations?

The key is to practice the presence of God.

Brother Lawrence was a 16th century Carmelite monk and was the first to popularize this discipline. He saw God in everything. All his work was “as unto the Lord.”  He wrote in what in what would become “The Practice of the Presence of God”:

“As often as I could, I placed myself as a worshiper before Him, fixing my mind upon His holy presence, recalling it when I found it wandering from Him. This proved to be an exercise frequently painful, yet I persisted through all difficulties.”

Practicing the presence of God is focusing on His holy presence wherever we are, whatever we do.  When you live within a negative environment, you need to live with the understanding given to us by JB Philips’ translation of Romans 12:1-3:

“Don’t let the world around you squeeze you into its own mold, but let God remold your minds from within, so that you may prove in practice that the plan of God for you is good, meets all his demands, and moves toward the goal of true maturity” (Romans 12:1-3; Phillips)

Don’t use your negative environment as an excuse to remain negative. As a child of the one who created the weather, you bring your own weather wherever you go. As you allow God to renew your mind from within, you will begin to change the world around you.

You are the salt of the world and light of the earth. You preserve and illuminate the area where you are. The gates of hell cannot prevail against you so live the promise of Isaiah 26:3:

You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! (NLT)

Prayer:

Lord, I know it matters to You how I respond to other people’s negativity. Forgive me for responding negatively myself. Help me, Holy Spirit, to recognize the holiness of God wherever I go. Enable me loving God to bring Your love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness and self control wherever I go.

Challenge:

Take up the 16th century challenge of Brother Lawrence and as often as you can today, place yourself before God as a worshiper and fix your thoughts on His goodness and holiness. Bring Him into your thoughts and conversation today.

Declaration:

I choose to change my negative environment by seeking God and pursuing His peace.

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Truth:

But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. Jude 1:20 (New International Version)

Thought:

Did you ever notice Paul wished everyone would speak in tongues? Read 1 Corinthians 14:5 a little slower, and stop at the first comma. If you jump up to the verse 4 you’ll see why… because the ones who speak in tongues build themselves up.

The context of 1 Corinthians 11 – 14 is that Paul is addressing problems that happen when the church is gathered. When you speak in tongues it’s for God and yourself. It’s not for other people (14:2) so it doesn’t need to be done in a public gathering.

However, much of our public gathering today is focused on a personal intimate time with God. Since speaking in tongues builds yourself up, if it’s appropriate in your church context, why not pray to God in an unknown language much like you would in a language that you’ve learned?

That’s a side bar… let’s get back to how to strengthen yourself in the Lord.

Paul taught the church in Rome:

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will. Romans 8:26-27 (New International Version)

Allowing the Spirit to pray through us allows us to pray confidently knowing we intercede for others according to the will of God. It allows us to pray beyond words, because we don’t know what to pray, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us.

But is the gift of tongues for everyone?

In 1 Corinthians 12:31, 14:1 and 14:39, we are told to “eagerly desire greater” spiritual gifts. In the context of the passage, the greater gifts are the gifts that fit the moment. For example, prophecy is more desirable for a group setting, so seek to prophesy when you’re together. Since speaking in tongues builds up the individual, we can assume when we’re alone the greater gift is the gift of tongues.

Why would Paul want everyone to speak in tongues if it was not available to everyone? Why would he say to not forbid the speaking in tongues (1 Corinthians 14:39) if we all couldn’t do it? Why are we told to build ourselves up as we pray in the Holy Spirit (Jude 1:20) if it’s only available for some?

When you eagerly desire the gifts of the Spirit, it only takes a moment before you begin to operate in those gifts. The key is expectancy.

Luke 11:9-13 says:

So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will
find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who
asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
“Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him
a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a
scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good
gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven
give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
(New International Version)

God is good and He gives good gifts to His children. Eagerly desire the gifts of the Spirit and the Spirit will give them.

So to strengthen yourself in the Lord pray in tongues if you’ve got them, seek them if you don’t.

Prayer:

Lord, You are the giver of good gifts. I’m asking You for your best. I know in this life I need to build myself up in You and since the gift of tongues is the gift You’ve provided Your body to do just that, I ask You for this gift and I will eagerly pursue all gifts You give for the good of Your body and bride.

Challenge:

Most people’s problem with speaking in tongues is psychological, not spiritual. We expect the Holy Spirit to possess us and move our lips. It rarely happens that way. God is a gentleman and won’t impose His will on us. You’re going to need to open your mouth. You’re going to need to form words you don’t understand with your lips. Since without faith it’s impossible to please God, when you do this by faith, you know you’re pleasing Him.

If you can already speak in tongues, pray using them for 20 minutes a day and see how strengthened you become over the next week.

Declaration:

I choose not to be discouraged. I choose to look to God instead of my circumstance. I choose to strengthen myself in the Lord.

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Truth:

But if they had stood in my council, they would have proclaimed my words to my people and would have turned them from their evil ways and from their evil deeds. Jeremiah 23:22 (New International Version)

Thought:

There is one sermon I often hear preached that I just can’t agree with. It is divisive to evangelistic outreach, ignores the context of Scripture and it’s ignorant of the plans and purposes of God.

Yet the main point it makes is true… it’s just based on the wrong text.

Now, don’t lambaste your pastor if he ever preaches, “Don’t have an Ishmael” because in this fast from negativity you should be in the habit of only speaking words that build up.  It’s not my intention to cause divisions with this illustration. Most preachers just don’t read the text, God will hold them to account – you don’t have to.

The basic premise of the sermon is, “don’t get ahead of God.” Great, I agree.

That’s not what Abraham did though:

In Genesis 13 God told Abram his offspring would be like the dust of the earth – no one could count them. In Chapter 15 God confirmed the offspring would come from Abram’s own body. In Chapter 16 Abram’s wife Sarai offered her maidservant to fulfill a culturally legitimate function that God honored in the creation of the twelve patriarchs, two generations later. In Chapter 17 God finally told the newly named Abraham, Sarah would have a son AND that God would bless Ishmael (v.20).

That’s really not the topic of today’s thought, simply something we need to change in the church if we’re ever going to see Islam go the way of Communism before Christ returns. God loves the children of Ishmael, and is waiting for their full number to come in.

“Don’t get ahead of God” is a true message. Jesus only said what He heard the Father say and only did what He heard the Father do (John 5:19-20). Do you think Christ’s times of getting away to pray had anything to do with it?

“Don’t get ahead of God” isn’t a license to stay stagnant. It’s a challenge to listen and obey. When you stand in the council of God, He tells you the words to say, He gives you the love to show, He provides the strategies you need. (Jeremiah 23:22)

When we listen with expectancy, we hear the voice of God.  When we hear God, we are encouraged. When we hear God, we are blessed. When we hear God, we know who we are. Waiting to hear the voice of God is another way to strengthen ourselves in the Lord.

So make the time to expectantly listen… then go until God says, “no.”

Prayer:

Father, I come in the name of Jesus Christ with thanksgiving and praise. As I wait upon You now, I do my best to listen to Your voice. I stand before the almighty God and seek Your counsel. Please reveal any information that I need for today. Reveal any strategies that I need to employ right now. I need to be knowing and doing what You want.

Challenge:

Spend time in the presence of God. Expect Him to speak. Wait for Him to speak. Do what He says… it will always be in line with His will expressed in Scripture.

Declaration:

I choose not to be discouraged. I choose to look to God instead of my circumstance. I choose to strengthen myself in the Lord.

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Graham Cooke gives a great Biblical basis for overcoming negative thinking. You don’t want to miss this.

You can view it here on Vimeo

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Truth:

After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the LORD and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying:
“Give thanks to the LORD,
for his love endures forever.”
2 Chronicles 20:18 (NIV)

Thought:

When we face discouragement, many times the discouragement comes in the form of worry.  So here are some quick steps to help you worry less and strengthen yourself in the Lord:

1.  Isolate the worries that are on your mind the most. These are often the worries that we think about as we are falling asleep or as we wake in the morning.

2.  Ask yourself specifically what you are afraid of. This will be the lie you are choosing to believe.

3.  Ask yourself what the outcome would be of this specific fear coming true.

4.  Ask God to show you the truth about the situation.

5.  Ask God what He would have you do.

6.  Expect God to answer you.

7.  Replace the lie with the truth God revealed.

8.  Obey what God tells you to do.

These eight-steps fit well with 2 Chronicles 20. Judah was facing three armies coming against them.

1.  It was easy for them to isolate the worries. (v.2-4)

2.  Jehoshaphat called out to God on behalf of the people and specifically voiced what they were concerned about. (v.10)

3.  He looked at the outcome of the specific fear coming true (v.11).

4.  He reminded everyone about the truth of God (v.6)

5.  He ended his prayer with a cry we can all use: “We don’t know what to do, but our eyes are upon you.” (v.12).

6. A prophetic word came out as God’s answer to the impending doom (v.15-17). This answer is also often ours – “You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you.” (v.17).

7.  They worshipped God in response to His revelation, and then Jehoshaphat replaced the lies of the enemy with the truth of God by declaring, “Listen to me, Judah and people of Jerusalem! Have faith in the LORD your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful.” (v.20)

8.  Then they sent singers ahead of the army to praise God for who He is as they went out to obey what He told them to do (v.21).

The result for Judah was that there was no need to worry. God was in control. He set ambushes for the enemy and they destroyed themselves.

When we can get to the place of praising God for who He is before the things we worry about come to reality, they won’t materialize.

Now I can hear the skeptic smirk, “most things people worry about never come about.” True. So stop worrying completely by praising God continually. That’s the 1-step program I intended to tell you about until God led me to 2 Chronicles 20.

Praise is our natural response to the goodness of God. When we see God as good, how can we worry about anything bad?

We can’t. Strengthen yourself in the Lord by choosing praise.

Prayer:

Lord, I praise You now, even though I may not feel like it. Telling You the truth about Yourself reminds me how truly good You are. As I focus more on Your goodness my praise becomes more natural. You are good and Your love endures forever. You are good and Your mercies are renewed every morning. You are good and altogether trustworthy. You are good. You are good. You are good. You are good. You are good. You are good. You are good. Thanks for being so good.

Challenge:

Read 2 Chronicles 20 and look for more of the treasures in this passage. Pray Psalm 86 and take extra time to praise God for who He is.

Declaration:

I choose not to be discouraged. I choose to look to God instead of my circumstance. I choose to strengthen myself in the Lord.

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Post tags: army, choice, christian soteriology, chronicle, day, easy choice, give thanks, god, is a, lords, philosophy of religion, praise, praise god, quick step, religion, thanks, theology, truth, worries, worry

Truth:

“Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.” Genesis 9:16 (New International Version)

Thought:

In ancient times, a sign of a covenant was the one making the promise would turn the bow around so an arrow would face him, if it was “loaded.” He’d pull the string and declare the oath. This was a way to say, “If I break this covenant, my life is forfeit.”

God did exactly the same thing when He gave Noah and all creation the rainbow in the sky. It’s as if He’s holding the bow against himself every time the rainbow appears.

I love rainbows. They remind me to remember that God is really, really good.

When in this world we have trouble, or even when we choose busy-ness to rule in our lives, remembering to remember is the first thing we forget.

Let’s never forget the power of testimony.

Marketing mavens know the value of a “social proof.” You need to have testimonials of your products or services on your website. But for the follower of Christ, testimony is even more powerful.

Testimony literally means the “story, or report, of one.” Testimony is powerful because it is immediate, direct and personal. It isn’t a story about something or a report about what somebody else said or did. It’s not a theory or hypothesis or hope. It is a personal description of your own direct experience.

So how often do you remember the good things God has done for you?

This is one area I need to improve on. God can bring to my memory incredible things He’s done for me… and He often does when I wait on Him and listen to what He says. But most of the things I journal are in the dark days of my life. I write when I finally realize I can’t do anything but cry out to God. And too often I forget to write down His answer. I know He answers because I know He’s good and I know I’m facing new challenges today than the ones He helped me overcome… as some people say “new level, new devil.”

Testimony is a powerful tool for us to use to remember. So keep a spiritual journal. What is God telling you today? What is He revealing to you? What verses came alive to you? If you keep track of your prayer requests, keep track of their answers as well. If you write out your laments like the Psalms, remember to praise Him for answers that have come. I often put updates in my personal journals but to do so; I need to remember to read the journal regularly. That may help you as well. Take time to remember by reading your journal.

Now testimony is great for us as individuals, but its true power comes in community. If you have an accountability partner, hold each other accountable to talk about the good things God is doing. Be accountable for destiny. When there’s opportunity to share in your church or on the street – make the most of it, remembering to do it with gentleness and respect. That’s why you have a story to remember.

Your story influences others to trust God and praise God and turn to God in their own circumstance. It doesn’t matter if you’ve been a follower of Christ for decades or have just begun the journey today, your story is important.

The most fun I have in life is to talk to new believers who bring newness to truths that I have taken for granted. Visiting with seniors who share their stories of God’s goodness is also great… come to think of it – I like being around people who talk about the good things of God.

I need to be one of those people so people around me will be more like those kinds of people as well.

Will you be one?

Sharing with others your personal interactions with God enables you to strengthen yourself in the Lord.

Prayer:

Lord, help me to remember the good things You’ve done. Spirit, empower me to tell others about how good You are.  I know it helps me to strengthen myself in You and I know it releases something in the heavens, because even angels long to look into the mysteries of God.

Challenge:

Start a journal today, or write in your journal today. Make it a journal to remember the goodness of God. Record what you can remember from your past, or write down what God is revealing to you today. Write in it regularly and read it often… and if you ever imagine publishing for the glory of God, check out askandimagine.com I’d better use full disclosure here Ask and Imagine is is our story-telling company with integrity. I’m called to a unique mixture of ministry and business.

Declaration:

I choose not to be discouraged. I choose to look to God instead of my circumstance. I choose to strengthen myself in the Lord.

© revtrev for Life Above the Negativity, 2011. | Permalink | No comment |
Trevor H. Lund is a Christian Speaker, Author and Lead Dreamer for Expectancy Ministries. He imparts hope and empowers destiny with creative communication, memorable motivation and applicable inspiration. Add to del.icio.us
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