Research shows that optimists live longer, healthier lives. Pessimism actually weakens immune system. Pessimists believe optimists are out of touch with reality. Research shows that pessimists are more often right than optimists. However, statistically optimists accomplish more and live longer, healthier, happier lives.
2 Corinthians 6:14-18 Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? 15 What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? (personify wickedness and worthlessness) Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? 16 What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.” 17 Therefore, “Come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.” 18 And, “I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”
2 Corinthians 7:1 Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. NIV
Once I was in a meeting with a man who was training for marathon. Someone brought a box of donuts into the room and I watched him as he seemingly glanced at the donuts with no consideration at all. I asked him if he was going to eat one and he replied, “Donuts are not on my eating plan.”
All too often we just take in whatever comes our way without even realizing we are “running the race” and negativity is simply not on our eating plan. Any time negative thoughts start trying to emerge or negative words start coming your way you need to say out loud, “That’s not on my eating plan.”
Every morning when you wake up make your daily declaration naming the day as a good day. This is a good day! Today my mistakes won’t hold me back because I know all things work together for my good! See the daily declaration posted below.
Dirty water in a glass can actually be cleansed over time if you stop focusing on the dirty water and just start pouring clean water into the glass. Keep doing that and over time the dirty water will be removed but the focus must be on a steady stream of clean water.
Our minds truly are a battleground where negative thoughts war against the promises of God. We have the power to renew our minds and align our thinking with God's truth. We want to detox negative thinking making room for God’s active work within our minds, hearts and spirits
God designed you in a way that you actually can’t be negative and give thanks at the same time. Science actually reveals there is a part of your brain that processes anxiety and a part of your brain that processes gratitude. These two parts of the brain cannot happen at the same time. Perhaps this is why Philippians says be anxious for nothing but in everything give thanks and the peace of God breaks forth!
Philippians 4:4-9 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. NIV
Initiating the use of the part of your brain that gives thanks shuts down the part of your brain that processes anxiety. This makes room for peace to begin to flood your soul.
Norman Vincent Peale said, “The cyclone derives its power from a calm center. So does a person”
When we process the presence of God, we perpetuate the atmosphere of heaven. You have the capacity to perpetuate the atmosphere of the Kingdom of God or the kingdom of darkness. What you process determines what you produce.
Everywhere we go….
We Bring GP2RL Action Point: Speak out words of thanksgiving this week by having a conversation with friends or family about how we can do this more effectively.
FOLLOWING IS THE DAILY DECLARATION MENTIONED IN SUNDAY’S MESSAGE:
Thank you Lord for a wonderful day!
This is the day the Lord has made,
I will rejoice and be glad in it.
Bless the Lord Oh my soul,
I’ll forget not all Your benefits.
You forgave my sin.
You healed my sickness.
You redeemed my life from the pit.
You give me strength to more than conquer.
I’m the head and not the tail,
Above and not beneath.
I’m going over not going under.
I am blessed in the city and blessed in the country.
My morning is filled with new mercies.
My afternoon is blessed with tenacity.
My evening is an evening of strength.
My night is a night of sweet sleep and restoration.
I am pre-prayed today.
Divine appointments are coming my way.
I have favor with God and man.
My eyes are open to see.
My ears are open to hear.
My heart is ready to discern.
A guard is in place over my life.
The input of my day originates from God.
Today is a great day of partnering with the Holy Spirit.
In this partnership I have authority to bless.
I bless this day. I bless my home.
I bless my church. I bless my workplace.
Isaiah 49:2 "And He has made My mouth like a sharp sword…" (NAS)
Number 22:38 “…Am I able to speak anything at all? The word that God puts in my mouth, that I shall speak." (NAS)
Lamentations 3:24 I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion…" (NIV)
Psalm 91:2 I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." (NIV)