Sunday 9 April 2017

Be Decisive

Count Your Blessings

by Dr. Paul Chappell
“The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels: the Lord is among them, as in Sinai, in the holy place. Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell among them. Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah. He that is our God is the God of salvation; and unto GOD the Lord belong the issues from death.”
Psalm 68:17–20

I read a beautiful story from a missionary who was working in a leper colony. During a worship service, he asked if anyone had a favorite song. He said that a woman stood who had the most disfigured face he had ever seen. She had no ears, and most of her nose and lips were gone as well. But she raised her fingerless hand and asked, “Can we sing ‘Count Your Blessings’”?
The ingratitude of the society around us has sadly infected God’s people as well. We have so much for which to be thankful, yet far too often we spend our time complaining about what we think we should have rather than rejoicing in the many undeserved blessings and benefits we have received. God does not owe us anything. Every good gift that comes from His hand is the result of His grace, not our merit.
There are few sins more damaging to our Christian life than ingratitude. Someone said, “If you woke up tomorrow with only those things for which you gave thanks today, what would you have left?” The benefits we receive from God deserve our sincere and continued praise. And because they come day after day, our thanksgiving should rise to Him day after day. The realization that it is God’s goodness that is at the root of our blessing should make us love Him even more.
 
Today’s Growth Principle: 
If we are not thankful for the many blessings we have received, we will not love God as we should.

Be Decisive

by Joyce Meyer - posted April 08, 2017

…A man of two minds (hesitating, dubious, irresolute), [he is] unstable and unreliable and uncertain about everything [he thinks, feels, decides].
—James 1:8


Whatever the problem or situation, decision is always better than doubt and indecision. For example, if you have had a quarrel with someone, it is much easier to decide to apologize than it is to stay angry and be filled with unforgiveness, bitterness, and resentment while you are waiting for the other person to apologize to you. Be a peacemaker, and you will have a lot of joy. I spent many years making war; and believe me, the price I paid was high. It cost me my peace and my joy and sometimes my health. Jesus has a way, and we can do it His way and enjoy life. Indecision wastes a lot of time, and time is too precious to waste.
Become a decisive person, and you will accomplish a lot more with less effort. No one learns to hear from God without making mistakes. Don't be overly concerned about errors. Don't take yourself too seriously. You are a fallible human being, not an infallible god. Learn from your mistakes, correct the ones you can, and continue being decisive. Don't fall back into a pattern of indecision and double-mindedness just because you are wrong a few times. If you feel that God is prompting you to give something away, do it! Get it off your mind. Take some action and sow the seed. If you believe it is right, then do it. That is how you will find out for sure.

Devote a reasonable amount of time to waiting on God. Don't follow fleshly zeal, but do follow your heart. Don't be afraid of yourself! You will not be the first person to make a mistake, nor will you be the last. The fear of failure keeps thousands trapped in indecision which definitely steals joy and complicates life. Don't be afraid to make a decision and then follow through on it. Just do it!

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