ATTITUDE AFFECTS OUTCOME

Attitude is important. Negative thinking blows everything out of perspective, makes our faith waver, and limits God and our potential. It keeps us from enjoying life.

A positive attitude affects successful outcomes. It helps you look for the best in people.

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue and if there be any praise, think on these things.

This verse of scripture may be the most important verse in the Bible concerning a Christian's mental health.

Positive attitudes mark those whose faith in God is the strongest. They think like the following:

• For every problem you have, there is a divine answer
• For every need you have, there is a divine resource
• For every hurt you have, there is divine healing
• For every weakness you have, there is divine strength

The same God that can take you to heaven can also take you to next Thursday!

IN THE WORLD -- NOT OF THE WORLD

In our country the sense of moral standards are not there.

True Christians are a peculiar people. We are in the world but should not be of the world. We are not to love the world or seclude ourselves from it, but to love the people.

Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

We don't do good things to get to heaven. We do them because we are going to heaven.

Romans 12:1  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

God has a will and purpose for believers. We must study the Word and pray every day to know that will.

Psalm 139:23,24  Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts; And see if there be any wicked way in me and lead me in the way everlasting.

GOD-PLEASING FAITH

God-pleasing faith is powerful. It overcomes the world, obtains forgiveness, and results in peace with God.

1 John 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

God-pleasing faith is precious because of its source, its sustaining power, and its stability.

1 Peter 1:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory of the appearing of Jesus Christ;

God-pleasing faith is progressive: Some are weak in faith; some are growing in faith; and some are strong in faith.

God-pleasing faith is prospective: Tried, triumphant, and turned to sight.

GIVE UP

Psalm 34:19  Many are the afflictions of the righteous; but The Lord delivereth him out of them all.

Some people run from their problems. They shouldn't. They can change towns, houses, neighborhoods, jobs, schools, or churches, but wherever they go, their problems are there waiting for them.

The first step to finding a solution to any problem is to face it squarely. If they are honest, they will admit that they don't have the resources, strength or plan that will bring victory.

OK, if this is you, here's advice from a friend who has a Master's Degree in counseling. Give up. That's right. Give your problems up to Jesus and quit trying to solve them. Give up your own power, strength, cunning, and devices. Give them all to Jesus.

Give them all, give them all, give them all to Jesus

Shattered dreams, wounded hearts, broken toys

Give them all, give them all, give them all to Jesus

And He will turn your sorrow into joy.

Phil Johnson and Gog Benson Sr.

BECAUSE HE LIVES, I CAN FACE TOMORROW

Matthew 28:6 He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where The Lord lay.

What did the women see in the empty tomb? The grave clothes lying on the stone shelf, still wrapped in the shape of Christ's body (John 20:5-7) Jesus had passed through them and left them behind as evidence that He was alive. There was no struggle -- the grave clothes were not in disarray. Even the napkin which had been wrapped around His face was folded carefully in place by itself. Jesus was not held by the bonds of death (Acts 2:24).

Afterwards, over 500 witnesses saw Jesus alive at one time, and that many people do not suffer hallucinations at the same time.

Because Jesus died and rose again, we shall one day be raised to be like Him (1 Thes. 4:13-18

Because Jesus lives by the power of an endless life, He is able to save us "to the uttermost".

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.