"They who kneel before God, can stand before anyone."

Happiness...

Happiness isn't something we find. It is something we create. 

It is a conscious daily decision to live our life.

"A merry heart doeth good like a medicine..." Proverbs 17:22
"Rejoice in the Lord always!" Philippians 4:4

"Fear kills more dreams than failure ever will." -Author Unknown

"Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong." 1 Corinthians 16:13

"Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good?  But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed.  Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened." 1 Peter 3:13-14

Think warm thoughts...

It All Starts In The Mind

Many aspects of human behavior are influenced by what we see, what we feel, what we think as well as the various cerebral chemicals and their respective balances or imbalances.

Serotonin is one of the most important chemicals in our body and thought to be a contributor to feelings of well-being and happiness.  It is also responsible to help maintain the balance of the other chemicals needed for proper brain function.

When Serotonin is ok, we feel calm, sociable and alert.  But when it is reduced, we feel restless, antisocial, tired depressed and compulsive.  We feel out of control.  Acceptance, affirmation, accomplishment and celebration have a positive effect to our serotonin level.  However, dissatisfaction and discouragement brings it down.  That's why failure, rejection and conflict can be so emotionally difficult.

As long as we rely with the externals - what we see and what we feel, our heart and mind will continue to be troubled.

Increasingly obsessed, depressed, guilt-ridden or negative are signs of low serotonin as well as many other things, may be working in us.  Identify it, know and learn it.  Then respond quickly, appropriately, and positively.  If we don't, they may tragically change us - from the "real" us to something that even our self and others can't recognize.

Job knew the secret for not falling apart in tough times. "The Lord gave, the Lord taketh away.  Blessed be the name of the Lord." Job 1:21

Paul knew the secret for contentment. "...I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me." Philippians 4: 12-13

These people were not influenced by the serotonin.  With God's help they knew how to control it.  They nurtured their spirituality.  They lived by faith.  Their joy comes from the Lord!

God gave us the authority to command and overcome our circumstances.  It all starts in the mind.  Changes in thought can alter brain metabolism.  "A merry heart does good like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones." Proverbs 17:22 
Rejoice in the Lord always!  But can we have joy if we do not have peace?  Can we have peace if we are not living right?  Righteousness brings peace and peace brings joy.  We can't do it on our own.  Our Lord Jesus Christ is our Righteousness.  He will teach us all things.
"And the peace of God, which transcend all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  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." Philippians 4:7-8

Every choice we make shapes our life

God gave us the power of choice.  Use it wisely! Every choice we make shapes our life.  I choose hope over doubt; peace over distress; love over animosity; joy over depression. I choose God over all things.

“Don’t wait for the perfect moment.

Take the moment and make it perfect.”

-Author unknown

Spread our Wings and Fly

Eagle is a sign of strength, courage and beauty.  Unlike other birds that fly away from a thunderstorm seeking refuge and shelter, eagle flies directly into the thunderclouds.  “Does the eagle soar at your command and build his nest on high?  He dwells on a cliff; …a rocky crag is his stronghold.  From there he seeks out his food; his eyes detect it from afar.” Job 39: 27-29

Flying is their way of surviving.  That’s why when the mother eagle knows that her eaglets are ready to fly she stirs up the nest.  She will do everything for her eaglets to fly.  Because she knows that if they will not learn how to fly, they will die.

Sometimes as if our life is like a never-ending trials and it seems like God has forsaken us.  But in the contrary, He wants us to test our wings against the stormy winds of life and He will always be there to catch us if we fail.  Do not be overtaken with fear, incompetency and lack of faith.  It will bring us down to our death.  God equipped us with powerful wings strengthened by trials.

Remember, God does not permit storms in our life for the purpose of defeating us but for the purpose of benefiting us.  Through trials and tests, our faith will be deepened and strengthened.  If confronted even by the perfect storm of life, we will know how to navigate our ways like the eagle.  The eagle’s flight teaches us to soar and not just fly. 

Instead of being afraid, the eagle uses the storm for their advantage.  Turbulent winds cause the eagle to fly higher, giving him a larger view, lifting him above oppression, allowing him to use less effort, and helping him to fly faster.  From this higher position his sharp eyes are able to see more.  As he soars higher, he leaves behind all distractions.

We are filled with His Spirit, learned from His words and examples, and has given us the authority to use His power to soar on high.  Just trust our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ – from faith to faith, glory to glory with unwavering faith and confidence – spread our wings and fly. –Mhel P.

“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run and not be weary, and they shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31

Unforeseen Opportunities

life is a series of lessons.  For us to grow, we must participate in it even though it's tough and unpredictable.  We have no control of what life will bring.  Everything on this earth seems like a borrowed moments which can be taken from us in a split second.  But we have a Mighty God who is full of surprises.  For the people of faith, sudden changes or unexpected circumstances are just "unforeseen opportunities". It is not always pleasant, but it is special situation which God allowed for our soul to be transformed and deepened.  Be thankful in every circumstance.  God's grace is sufficient for us.

The Joy of Our Salvation

It was truly a joy unspeakable and full of glory when we received our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in water baptism and to be filled with His Holy Spirit.  With our childlike faith, we were bold and fearless - no room for doubt.   We  belong to God and He's always with us.  John 3:5-6 - Through His grace we were able to enter in God's Kingdom.  We are saved - and that's enough for us to be joyful.

But as the years went by, as we grew in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, trials and temptations never cease to take us out from our focus.  Some battles knocked us down, sometimes we failed and cares of life covered our eyes away from the things Eternal.  But we know, nothing can separate us from the love of God.  When we're tempted or sinned, we did not lose our salvation, but we surely did lose the joy of our salvation.

David lost the joy when he sinned.  He lost the willing spirit and that real delight that comes from obeying God, so he prayed.  "Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me by Your generous Spirit." Psalm 51:12

Without the joy, we will lose our zest in serving our Heavenly Father, which will lead to spiritual faintness and lukewarmness.

Answered prayers, miracles, and even spiritual victories won't give us the strength to go on living the Kingdom Life in Christ Jesus.  What will keep us going is only the joy of His Salvation.
Our Lord Jesus Christ told the disciples. "Do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven." Luke 10:20

God intends that we rejoice in our salvation.  Have we lost our joy?  Are we in bondage by sins and cares of life?  Repentance is one of the greatest gifts of God to His children.  Ask Him to restore your joy and try your best to live holy for His Glory.

Conforming to this world will not satisfy our soul.  We can't find joy by looking at our self and what's going on around us.  Look unto Jesus - love Him with all your heart, soul, and mind.

God's joy is our strength and He delights in seeing His children rejoice in their salvation in whatever circumstances they are in.  "...For the Joy of the Lord is our strength." Nehemiah 8:10 

Keep the Hope

When our will is weak and the way is weary and long, the best thing during these times is patience and most of all –don't’ give up hope!  Remind our self of God’s greatness.  Trust in His promises.  I know, it’s easier said than done.    But this is all we need, and nothing else around it.

Christian hope is not just a shallow sort of “positive thinking” theology.  Rather, it must be rooted in our knowledge and personal relationship with God, recognition and confession of sins and of the full-undeserved forgiveness of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  As bearers of the Word of God, our calling is to give hope.  No wonder that the enemies’ greatest and most frequently target is “hope”. 

The enemies’ use fear, doubt and unbelief to attack our faith and to destroy our hope.  Cut off the negative thoughts that feed the hopelessness.

“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…” 2 Corinthians 10:5

Negative attitudes come from negative thoughts.  Wherever the mind goes, the body follows.

Though sometimes human forgets, but we should always remind our self that if we are in Christ, we should have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:14-16).  Remember, none of negative stuff comes from God.  There is nothing negative about the way God thinks or acts.

There will be many battles.  But we are more than conqueror through Christ Jesus (Romans 8:37).  We win as we keep the faith in His hope.  When Jesus said He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, He was indicating that He is our Hope.  Our hope is based on nothing less than Him! –Mhel P.

I love this old hymnal song.  It's so true!

My hope is built on nothing less, than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.

I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus’ Name.

On Christ the solid Rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.

All other ground is sinking sand.