Real And Positive Thoughts - RAPT

The Storms of Life - Day 2

“The Storm of Anxiety and the Lighthouse of Peace”

The more I reflect and look at the beauty of nature, the more I realize the wisdom of Jesus’ use of everyday sights to bring peace.

Think about it. How common is it to see birds whirring through the air? Whenever you see them, are you reminded of Jesus' words about the sparrows? They are in the Father’s care. They don’t toil, but they’re fed and thriving.

And what about the trees that bring shade to protect people from the scorching heat?

His mercies are built into the atmosphere to reveal His protection and peace.

Okay, you may think - it is not easy to feel peace when for instance the wind bends the trees, and rain floods in; or when challenges rear it’s head in your business, at work or at home. The question remains:

How do we tap into peace in the midst of chaos? How do we calm the anxiety that creeps upon us?

It’s safe to say that *a conversation with God* and *intentional gratefulness* (remembering the various other times that God has shown up for you), are a part of the answer.

I can assure you that if you practice them, you will be shocked to see how your mind transforms ‘gradually’ - knowing that when the storms come, you will be ‘anxious for nothing’.

Alongside this, let me hand over some practical nuggets that have helped me to overcome anxiety.

1. Firstly, be aware of what written, visual, and audible material you are consuming daily. The “cares of the world” have a way of snuffing out peace, if they don’t carry the grace and perspective of Heaven.
2. In the moment of feeling anxiety, simply say the words, “Thank You, Holy Spirit, for peace.”
If you’ve given your life to Him, He lives inside of you and has profound power to provide the fruit of the Spirit when you need them the most.

*Reflection*
Staying connected with God at all times, and being in a state of gratitude, will enable us to tap into the peace of God, no matter the storm that whirls.

*Exercise*
Write down a list of 10 things you are grateful for, and then verbalize them to God.

Meditate:
1.
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
‭‭- Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭6‬-‭7‬ ‭NKJV

2.
“Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.”
‭‭- Matthew‬ ‭10‬:‭29‬-‭31‬ ‭NKJV

BLESSED DAY TO ALL

Father we are grateful for life from January to August.

Thank you Father for providing and protecting us from known and unknown dangers and keeping us safe in all ways.

May this month of September be SPECTACULAR in our lives and all the glory return to you in Jesus name.

Father, calm our minds from all worries, enable the manifestation of our expectations, let our feet walk the path of righteousness, may our thoughts be filled with your promises for us and not what we see.

Where we are weak strengthen us, Father - where we tend to lose control, grant us the wisdom to be honest and check ourselves.

We ask, O Lord that our behaviour be aligned to your dictates and grant us the grace to live and walk Christ-like.

Holy Spirit come and guide and teach us wherever we go wrong.

We ask for the sprinkling of the Blood of Jesus to speak and protect as we go about daily at home and everywhere els, as we begin the month of the third quarter of 2022 - the SPECTACULAR SEPTEMBER.

We decree and declare that no weapon fashioned against us and our family shall prosper in Jesus name.

Come, O Lord, and take your place in our Country - enabling peace amongst Her peoples. We ask that ALL plans to destabilize our Nation be brought to light and destroyed in Jesus name.

Heal the broken hearted, the weak; help the lost, and all those undergoing one form of abuse or other. Father come to their defense wherever they are.

To you be all the honour and glory Lord, in Jesus name we pray.

Shalom.
Laila St. Matthew-Daniel

Some churches have started fasting for the first month of the year.

I am led to take us through 21 days of prayers to help us through.

If you are not fasting, then just follow the prayers and maybe you can offer as a sacrifice something you love doing for 21 days which will end on the 31st of January. 🙏🏼🙏🏼. A gift triggers back a loving gift from God. He never owes.

May God grant us all the wisdom required for the new phase of our career, business, and relationships! Amen

So if you will like to go on a 21 day spiritual journey, do come to this page everyday - set yourself notification

Shalom

Encouragement for you as we end August - God is with you today, tomorrow and for everyone. God will grant us grace to stay the course of daily obstacles.

“Stay on good terms with each other, held together by love. Be ready with a meal or a bed when it’s needed. Why, some have extended hospitality to angels without ever knowing it!
Regard prisoners as if you were in prison with them.
Look on victims of abuse as if what happened to them had happened to you.
Honor marriage, and guard the sacredness of s*xual intimacy between wife and husband. God draws a firm line against casual and illicit s*x.
Don’t be obsessed with getting more material things. Be relaxed with what you have.
Since God assured us, “I’ll never let you down, never walk off and leave you,” we can boldly quote, God is there, ready to help; I’m fearless no matter what. Who or what can get to me?”

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭13:1-6‬ ‭MSG‬‬

Hebrews 13:1-6 Stay on good terms with each other, held together by love. Be ready with a meal or a bed when it’s needed. Why, some have extended hospitality to angels without ever knowing it! Regard prisoners as if | The Message (MSG) | Download.. Stay on good terms with each other, held together by love. Be ready with a meal or a bed when it’s needed. Why, some have extended hospitality to angels without ever knowing it! Regard prisoners as if

WINNING THE WAR ON F RHE MIND - Day 1 July 1st

Our lives are always moving in the direction of our strongest thoughts. What we think shapes who we are.

You might read this and think I’m being overly dramatic using hyperbole to get your attention. But this is no exaggeration.

Our lives do follow the direction of our thoughts. The better we grasp that truth, the better equipped we’ll be to change the trajectory of our lives. But don’t take my word for it. Both the Bible and modern science provide evidence that this is true.

So throughout this Bible Plan, we’ll unpack both Scripture and what we’ve learned from scientific research.

Here’s a brief example of both:
In Philippians 4:8–9, the apostle Paul writes, “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. 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.”

In these three sentences Paul moves from
* THOUGHT (“think about such things”) to
* ACTION (“put it into practice”) to
* EXPERIENCE (“the God of peace will be with you”).

Paul tells us that our thoughts shape our lives.

In recent years, an entire discipline of modern psychology has developed called ‘cognitive behavioral therapy’. This breakthrough teaching reveals that many problems, from eating disorders to relational challenges, addictions, and even some forms of depression and anxiety, are rooted in faulty and negative patterns of thinking. Treating those problems begins with CHANGING that thinking.

I don’t know about you, but when the Bible and modern psychology say the same thing, I want to know more. (As a Transformational Life Strategist/coach and therapist, these are some of the thought tools that I use to assist people to get from the dysfunctional to the functional and eventually to live optimally).

What science is demonstrating today is what God told us through Solomon almost three thousand years ago: “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.” Proverbs 23:7 NKJV

So if both the Bible and modern science teach us that our lives are moving in the direction of our strongest thoughts, then we need to ask ourselves, “Do I like the direction my thoughts are taking me?”
If your answer is no, then maybe it’s time to CHANGE your thinking. Maybe it’s time to decide to CHANGE your mind so God can change your life.

If you’re skeptical, that’s okay. Believe me, I get it. We’ve all tried unsuccessfully to change bad habits and force our runaway trains of thought back onto the right tracks. But this time you’re not alone. You are about to discover that God will team up with you to transform your thinking.

With God’s help, you can TRANSFORM your MIND. You can stop believing the lies that hold you back. You can end the vicious cycle of thoughts that are destructive to you and others. You can allow God to renew your mind by saturating you with His unchanging truth.

Meditate:

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭12:1-2‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,”
‭‭II Corinthians‬ ‭10:3-5‬ ‭NKJV

LET US PRAY:

God, sometimes when I look at the world around me, I feel overwhelmed by anxiety, and my thoughts start to spiral. Oh God, please help me. I need You to change the way I think.

Your thoughts are higher than my thoughts, and Your ways are better than mine. You give hope to the hopeless, and strength to the weak. You alone can renew my mind and remind me of my purpose.

So today, help me to take every thought captive as I give You my concerns. Remind me that You are with me, and that You will continue to instruct and guide me.

Counsel me as I reflect on Your Word, and help me to apply Your truths to my life. Give me the strength I need to do what is right, and help me to pursue You above all else—always.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

In this month of July - - We WILL testify in the name of Jesus!