Focus on God

I read a statement this morning from Daily Hope which I want to remember. It stated, “The bigger God gets in my mind, the smaller my problem becomes.” That needs to become one of those every day quotes: 

 

                           “The bigger God is in me-

                  The smaller the problem!” 

That does, indeed, require me to take my focus off my problem and put it on God!

 

Steer the Course

Below are a few quotes that could turn negative, depending on how I twist them. They pop up with me occasionally. I have to be careful not to let them control my thinking and my life. 

 

“If it is to be, it’s up to me,” indicates I consider myself in control which I am not. God is! Jesus said, “Take my yoke upon you, and I will give you rest.” To be yoked with Jesus lets Him steer the course.

 

“What’s in it for me?” indicates I am pretty selfish, and I am not considering the fruit of the spirit; that of love, kindness, and goodness.

 

I certainly need to start each day with, “Lord, take control. Steer my course.” This day is not my own, so let me ask, “What can I do for someone else today?” 

 

Dust Yourself Off-Try Again

When I was growing up, I was often told, “If you fall, get back up, dust yourself off, and try it again.”  I was also told, “Can’t never could do anything.”  I believe my parents were teaching determination as well as courage and defeat of fear.   

     Proverbs 24:16 supports the idea of getting back up. “For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again…”   The GNT version states it as, “No matter how often honest people fall, they always get up again.” 

     Although I do not like failure, it is a teaching experience. There are many good quotes on getting back up after failure in order to achieve success, but below are just a few encouraging ones I found: 

 

“If you fall off a horse, get back in the saddle.” 

“The one who falls and gets up is stronger than the one who never tried.”

“Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.”

“One who fears failure limits his activities.”

“Giving up is the only sure way to fail.”

“Pain is temporary. Quitting lasts forever.”

Finally, Here are my thoughts on  "getting back up to try again."

The Fall 

I had a great fall and wanted to bawl

But I stood instead of taking a crawl.

This was no defeat.

Success was just down the street,

And it would be sweet.

I’d try again.

The effort wouldn’t be in vain.

I had too much to gain.

The fall was just small;

I had determination to scale that wall.

This was a temporary setback 

To staying on track.

Habits

      A recent article in the Baptist Trumpet regarding habits provided several quotes which I found interesting.  I post them as follows to help me remember the importance of establishing good habits.  

"Your habits shape your identity, and your identity shapes your habits."  
"Every action you take is a vote for the person you wish to become." 

                            James Clear 

"The habits you do on a daily basis create the person you are." 

"If you want to change your future you must change your present, and you change your present by changing your habits." 
"In order to see godliness, there has to be dailyness."  
"Dailyness is where the sacred meets the routine." 

                            Robby Galaty 

"If you always do what you have always done, you will always get what you have always gotten." 
                            Baptist Trumpet writer wrote "as quoted by many"

In an effort to improve my habits, I will strive to : 

    H ave daily quality talks with God

    A dopt more friendships and A void those who pull me down 

    B ridle the tongue

    I mprove listening skills

    T hink positive thoughts---Be Thankful in all things

    S eek God's will in daily actions

Tomorrow

   Tomorrow

     I love quotes.  Some have several meaning which can be applied to life.  For instance, in The Love Story, there was a quote, "Love means never having to say you're sorry."  This is a little unrealistic.  Sure there are a few people who have so much unconditional love they will overlook your blunders, but, the fact remains, their feelings may have been really hurt.  If we hurt people, especially those we love and those who love us, we should be mature enough to rise above our pride and say, "I am sorry."  Even with God's unconditional love, He requires that we ask forgiveness.
     Still there is another quote which comes to mind that can go two ways.  In Gone with The Wind, Vivian Leigh (Scarlett OHara) said, "After all tomorrow is another day."  Knowing we have tomorrow may indeed put our mind to rest in that we are given time to remedy some of our problems and mistakes.  As Sue Krebs states, "As the day ends, put your worries to rest. Tomorrow is another day, filled with hope, potential, and promise."  However, what if we don't have tomorrow?  What if you have not accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior, and there is no tomorrow?  Will you have missed the chance to enter  into the gates of Heaven?
   

John Wayne-Day One

John Wayne Quotes- Day 1

     My all time favorite actor was John Wayne, born Marion Michael Morrison.  I believe I have watched most every movie he ever made.  In fact, I watch repeats often.  I never personally met John Wayne, but he was usually the leader and star of his shows.  I have read that even off screen he was was courageous, had true grit, dignity, and integrity.  I researched and found many enriching quotes from him.  They often make a good point.

     I  read that John Wayne once said, "Courage is being scared to death but saddling up anyway."

     What did God say about courage?  There are a host of scriptures on courage.  Most include "fear not, God is with you."   Just one example is: Deuteronomy 31:6  "Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee."

     I'll do one more quote today and see what comes tomorrow.  I read that John Wayne once said,  "A man deserves a second chance, but keep an eye on him." 

     What does God say about second chances?  There is no limit to the amount of times in Scripture God tells us to forgive.  Even in Matthew 18:21-22,  He tells us to forgive and to even give more than a second chance.  "Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?  Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, until seventy times seven."   

     I have to admit here, that in my human weakness, I would as John Wayne said, "be keeping an eye on him," or either be so far away from him I would not have to be forgiving him.  However, although God does see what we do, he is always near, and always willing to forgive us when we ask.  What amazing Grace!

Check in tomorrow for more John Wayne quotes....