How to Live in a State of Joy, Peace, and Love

Life, people, circumstances, the words of others, work... so many things can pull us from the natural state God wants us to be in - a state of peace, joy, and love. 

Last night God wanted to remind me of 1 John 4:18, "Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love." (NLT)

I find that I tend to slide into worrying (which is a state of fear). This tendency displays a mindset of wanting to control or "handle" the issues that arise. Perhaps as a child you were taught to solve your own problems, for instance.

But, is that God's view of life and what does all of this have to do with his perfect love? 

Do you understand how deep and wide and full is the love that God has for you?

At one point in my thirties, I read that verse "I have loved you with an everlasting love;Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you and continued My faithfulness to you."(Jeremiah 31:3, AMP). I suddenly understood God really does love me no matter what I have thought, said, or done. 

What does it look like to not only understand this with head knowledge, but to truly embrace it? 

The bottom line is, you matter to God. YOU do! You are not worthy WHEN. You are worthy NOW.

That, in itself, can be a hard concept to grasp and agree with - especially if you have always seen yourself as a driven person. 

Now, let's return to the initial topic. What is running your life right now? What is running your brain? Could it be fear or worry? Could it be to provide the perfect life for your kids or have your house looking the way it "should"?

What would happen if just chose to stop thinking that way. It isn't easy. Your mind is a battlefield, but what you choose to meditate on really does alter your state of peace, joy, and love. When a thought or something comes up, instead of trying to solve the problem yourself, could you take a deep breath and just ask God for the next step? Or if it is an unfounded worry (such as something the could happen in the future, but is not true or real) could you take any Bible verse you know and say it to yourself instead? Replace the yuck with truth. 

Take a step forward with me to choose joy, peace, and love over worry and control. #renewyourmind #changeyourmindsets #youareworthit

We Do Not Have a Spirit of Fear

When you are saved your spirit becomes new. This means that your old spirit is gone forever and the Holy Spirit lives within you.

Why then does the Christian struggle with fear? The Bible says over and over again that we are not to fear - ever! 

15 You didn’t receive a spirit that makes you a slave to fear once again. Instead you received the Holy Spirit, who makes you God’s child. By the Spirit’s power we call God “Abba.” Abbameans Father. 16 The Spirit himself joins with our spirits. Together they give witness that we are God’s children. (Romans 8:15-16)

Rather we have a spirit of power, love, and of a strong mind. Think about that for a minute. Power - You have authority. The authority of Jesus living within you to speak to that sickness, pain, depression. Look in the gospels. Have you ever noticed how Jesus spoke with such authority and conviction when He spoke? Speak with the same authority. Your words have great power!
Love - Have you learned to embrace the love God has for you? Are you agreeing with everything God has called you to be? When you agree with God's love for you, you are able to love with an amazing love to others.
Strong mind - For so long, I felt my mind was weak. I was a Christian, but I was not renewing my mind. I actually didn't know how to. I would make myself read the Bible and pray because I thought I should. To renew your mind, you take authority over anything that is in there that should not be (such as condemning thoughts), hold onto important words from God/visions that you can agree with and meditate on, and tell your mind to line up with the Holy Spirit.
If you are living in fear, you are not free. This is not where God wants you to be. It is normal to feel fear, but you should not live in that space. If you are in anxiety land and cannot stop your mind from racing - seek God. Just stop wherever you are. Tell your body and mind to line up with the Holy Spirit. Then ask God, "What do you want me to know about this anxiety I am feeling right now, God?" Breathe, close your eyes, and listen. 
Repeat this as often as necessary. God does not want you in fear. He will provide freedom, but you have to let him in and get off the anxiety wheel in order to allow Him to work.
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In this blog I have used material I learned at Wind and Fire Mission Base.

 Wind and Fire Mission Base, 3243 Wind and Fire Dr. Marion, IA 52302302

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Is God Disappointed in You? Is God Punishing You?

I became a Christian as a teenager and grew up knowing Jesus loved me because "the Bible told me so." But, I didn't really think He could love me?  I mean, look at the sins I had committed. I knew that I was forgiven, but really didn't I deserve to be punished? 

Certainly I deserved to have daily migraines because I had really let God down. He was really disappointed in me, right??

It was not until last year, when I was told a life changing message --

GOD HAS NEVER HAD A BAD THOUGHT ABOUT YOU!

I mean, meditate on that statement. All the times you have put yourself down for not meeting man's standards about reading the Bible for such and such amount of time daily or whether or not you prayed hard enough for the people on your prayer list, etc. All of those times I thought God was disappointed in my lack of christianity. 

Just because you have bad thoughts about you or the devil puts negative ideas into your head about who you are, this is NOT what God is thinking about you. 

What does God think about you? Have you asked Him? Why not spend some time alone with God (I like being outside if I can be) and just ask him "What do you want to tell me about me, God?" Then, sit and wait - be still and silent before God. He will give you a word, phrase, vision, or dream. 

Also, look at the word of God. Did you know that He loves you with an everlasting love? ()Jeremiah 31:3). Think about that His love for your is unending. Now, begin to agree with that idea simply by saying it aloud and saying something like, "I agree with how God loves me with an everlasting love."

When a negative thought about yourself suddenly pops up into your head, stop and say, "Thought you leave in the name of Jesus. You are not true. You are not real. God has never had a bad thought about me. I agree with how He loves me forever."

Begin to walk in freedom and remember what God really thinks about you - agree with Him and find true joy!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------In this blog I have used material I learned at Wind and Fire Mission Base.

 Wind and Fire Mission Base, 3243 Wind and Fire Dr. Marion, IA 5230230