Believe and be blessed

CURRENT RADIO SERIES The Soul's Fountain of Youth   CURRENT TV SERIES All In

“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.” —Psalm 103:2 So often we are defeated by the things we say to ourselves. Our anxious thoughts, our sinful thoughts, thoughts that do not honor God, or thoughts that impact us negatively. You know Satan’s lies are toxic and poisonous, and can influence us physically, emotionally, relationally in our homes, our families, socially in our lives, in our careers. So often we are thinking so negatively! But when you read this psalm there’s not a negative word here. There’s no criticism here, there’s no crying here, but simply praise to God! We need to get rid of all of that toxicity in our thought life, and begin to think the thoughts that are in His word. And not only think them, but to profess them! Remember, if you come up against a mountain that stands between you and seemingly the blessing of God, Jesus said, [Mark 11:23] “Say to the mountain, ‘Be removed’, and the mountain will be removed into the sea.” Some of us are always talking about our mountain! Stop talking about your mountain, and start talking to your mountain in the name of Jesus! They will become mole hills in the sight of a mighty God! And therefore, like the psalmist, believe and be blessed, and say so!   CHANGE THE WAY YOU THINK AND YOU WILL CHANGE THE WAY YOU LIVE. It’s Not the World’s Fault Thursday, February 21, 2019 by Dr. Paul Chappell “Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.” Philippians 2:14–16 It is no secret that the society in which we live is becoming increasingly wicked. All kinds of sin and perversion that were once hidden in shame are now publicly embraced, and those who speak for the truth are regarded as bigots. Yet it is possible for us to use the condition and practices of the world around us as an excuse for lowering our standards and compromising the truth. The Bible teaches us that even in “a crooked and perverse nation” it is still possible for God’s people to do what is right. We are meant to be lights in the darkness, and the reality is that the greater the darkness is, the brighter any light will shine. But we must be responsible and do what is necessary for our light to continue to shine. No matter how hopeless the situation around us seems to be, no matter how deeply or how far the world goes into sin, we have a responsibility to do what is right and let our lights shine in the world. The ancient city of Sodom is a powerful example of this truth. Though they were greatly evil, they were not past hope. Jesus said, “And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day” (Matthew 11:23). But Lot failed to influence those around him, and the city was destroyed for the lack of even ten righteous people. Today's Growth Principle:  The growing darkness around us makes it imperative that our lights shine more brightly.