How Are You Doing In These Areas?

 This past week my Pastor gave us a challenge.First he said: 

* Spend more time studying your Bible than watching the news

This one I am already doing a VERY good job of. 

But the next challenge was a bit more challenging to me. And I am sure to most people. 

* Spend more time studying your Bible than you spend on social media. 

This is a bit harder for me to do. I like to keep up with my friends and family. Especially during these challenging times it has been nice to continue to interact with people. I just wish there was a way to filter out what I get in my Facebook Feed. I would love to stay up to date on all of my friends and families lives. The personal things they share - about their joy's, sorrows, victories and such. What I get weary of many times - is all of the negativity. The politics and corona virus mess. A lot of that beats me down And I find myself feeling anxious or discouraged. 

I think the pastor had the right idea - sometimes we need to just turn off the TV or the computer or put our phones down and open up our Bibles. Most of the news media information is lies- there may be a bit of truth here and there but I get tired of trying to filter through it. But I can tell you that every single thing you read in the Bible is the truth. 

Every single thing you read in your Bible is the Truth! 

Every single thing you read in your Bible is the Truth! 

Therefore it is a very good use of our time to study our Bibles. When we study our Bibles - we better understand what is going on. We are also encouraged in our journey through our lives in this world. Especially during these uncertain times. 

So this week I have been working hard on spending more time studying my Bible. And less time on social media. 

Not only that but I am trying very hard to just share uplifting, encouraging things. In this world we have enough doom and gloom. It's is the best time to lift up Jesus and encourage those around us. 

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I [Jesus] have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

John 10:10

Want to Raise Your Happiness Level?

I just love how if I am open to following God's guidance~ He leads me just where I need to be or what I need to find. And it happened again- So I was looking for something in a bag and found a book that I had been reading on - off and on.

I decided to read the next chapter. And it had a list of "6 things you can do to raise your happiness level." Can you guess what one of the main things I found - you guessed it! Another reminder to put God first. I would like to share what this author had to say today:

**************************************************************************
Invite God into your life every day before you do anything else and you will be a much happier person.

Jesus said, "See first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and your basic needs will be taken are of" (see Matthew 6:33)

Your first inclination may be to say, "Yeah, yeah, Ok, I agree." But how many of us really do this before we do anything else? I've learned that one of the dumbest things I can do when I get up In the morning is to start looking at the newspaper or turn on the TV for the weather report before I get reconnected with the Lord.

I'd like to suggest to you that in this matter, processing is everything. And when we don't process- don't do our "reps." to use a sports term- we lose out and live in the shallows of this life instead of in the deep riches of God.

"Lord-please-come-into-my-life-and-help-me-to-have-a-good-day" and I'm out the door simply doesn't cut it if I want real joy and happiness in my life.

Can't we at least give God five minutes at the start of the day? Or ten? And then more time as the Holy Spirit enables us?  Christian author Ellen White wrote:

"If you will seek the Lord and be converted every day, if you will of your own spiritual choice be free and joyous in God; if with gladsome consent of heart to His gracious call you come wearing the yoke of Christ- the yoke of obedience and service- all your murmuring will be stilled, all your difficulties will be removed, all the perplexing problems that now confront you will be solved. (Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, pg. 101) .

The Bible puts it this way: "Taste and see that the LORD is good." (Psalm 34:8). "Delight yourself in the LORD and He will give you the desires of your heart." (Psalm 37:4)
*************************************************************************
Come back tomorrow because I would like to share another pointer to being happy. See you then! :O)

An Amazing Thing Happened

An amazing thing happened when I put God first! Let me explain. This past week end I heard a great sermon on stewardship. Not your normal sermon about stewardship. I might try to share more about the sermon later in the week. On Sabbath our pastor shared about putting God first, not just with our money but with or time.

Guess what happened Sunday? I did not follow that advice and I was left floundering like a fish out of water. And what is even sadder is I was so distracted I did not even realize what was going on.

I had gotten into a bad habit of getting on my phone and checking emails, facebook, weather, words with Friends- all before my quiet time with Jesus. Now all these things I was doing are not in themselves bad- it's just when you put them before God you are the one that is losing. I had wasted that first part of my day when my mind was fresh and clear. When there are not hundreds of thoughts darting around your mind you are better able to hear what God has to say to you.

This morning I experienced the blessing that comes when you put God first! No longer am I feeling as if I am floundering around. No, I feel content and happy. Not only that but amazing things happened as well. As I was thinking, God was able to speak to my and direct my thoughts and a blog post came together smoothly. And when I got done with it and I was reading my devotional - I was amazed to find a great devotional that would be a great thing to share going a step further from the post I had just written. And that is not all...

As you all know, I have been struggling with drainage which has caused me a lot of coughing up mucus. This morning God reminded me of some natural things I had in my cabinet already that could help. And when I went and checked them out - Praise the Lord - they are all in date still!! What a blessing. I now have a plain to help me feel better physically.

So I learned a very important lesson, God needs to be first in our life's - all parts of our life's. Not only with our money but also in our days. The first part of our day needs to go to Him. In my personal experience - it was such a blessing. It gives clarity. It will continue to be a priority for me to put God first. May God protect me from the temptation to allow other things to take priority. I look forward to sharing the special insight that God has given me this morning(so be sure to come back tomorrow and Wed) And I am sure that as I continue to put God first, He will continue to bless me with wisdom and understanding of His Word.

Why don't you give it a try? I know that many of you already put God first I your life's, but if you don't, I would encourage you to do so. And see what a difference He can make in your day hen you dedicate the first portion of your day to Him! May God bless you richly!