Friday, January 1, 2010

Words to Stand On - Day One



I'm a big believer on standing on the Word.  I think there is a scripture to stand on for every situation in your life.  Please join me for the next 10 days, I'm going to be sharing the scriptures God gave me through each time of testing that I have had in my life.


My goal is to encourage you to turn to the Word anytime you need direction, guidance, or just need to know that God loves you.  I am so passionate about Christians studying the Word! I do not understand how some  never open the Bible and then complain about their church, saying "I just don't get fed there." Quit being a baby Christian and learn to feed yourself! (Forgive me, I just had to vent for a second ...)


I recommend that you commit to memory the scriptures I will be sharing with you.  I find the easiest way to do that is to copy the scripture on index cards and then post them in places you are sure to look at every day, like the refrigerator, the mirror, and on your computer monitor! Write it down, look at it, and also read it aloud to yourself. No matter whether you are a visual, kinesthetic or audio learner, this method will cover them all.


The first scripture I want to focus on is Phillipians 4:8 -


"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."


I grew up with an alcoholic father.  I was very blessed in that I had a mother who was a Christian, I was raised in church, and I knew that I was loved. Even though my father drank, he did not believe in drinking at home. He would just disappear for days at a time. Yet, I saw and heard some ugly things.  I was disappointed and let down many times. Often Daddy would promise to do things with me and then never show up.


But God gave me coping skills.  First of all, I was blessed in that my natural disposition was to be upbeat and positive.  It did not take a lot to make me happy. I could get excited about the smallest things.


I also was given the gift of imagination.  If life was terrible at the moment, I just got busy and imagined everything turning out alright. As I grew older, I realized this was really just dwelling on the positive.


When I became a Missionette (a girls' club in the Assemblies of God church), I learned their motto, which was Philippians 4:8. It encouraged me to think about good things, just like I had really been doing all along!


Years have passed now. My daddy turned his life over to the Lord and gave up drinking.  He is now in heaven.  But the lesson I learned as a child have been valuable to me.  Think about good things!  There are lots of good things around you if you just look for them. Fill your mind with uplifting thoughts.


When satan tries to get me to worry and think about all the bad things that have happened, I remember Phil. 4:8 and instead try to think of all the blessings I have had. When the enemy tries to make my future look bleak, I get busy and think of how God can work everything to my good. (See Romans 8:28) It's all in your mind, and how you think can make all the difference.


Remember, think on good things!

11 comments:

  1. Thank-you Jerri for your words of encouragement...I trust you will enjoy this series and others will also be encouraged to open the word and make it your own.
    Blessings to you.

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  2. Amazing post - awesome way to start the new year. I look forward to the next 9 days.

    Hop on over to my blog and check out what God has for ME this year. A year of seeking. And finding.

    Love to you new friend,
    Beth

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  3. This is awesome, Jerri! It was definitely what I needed to hear today, as I am going through many trials. Thank you for the encouragement. I'm looking forward to the next nine days.

    Happy New Year!

    Jane

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  4. How encouraging! Thanks for sharing!

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  5. Excellent scripture choice. this one lead me to turn off the TV several years ago. I seldom turn it on these days and I find I don't miss it. There isn't a lot there that's uplifting.

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  6. Jerri, I had no idea your dad was an alcoholic. I have received encouragement from your words.

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  7. Such a wonderful way to start the new year...I am looking forward to this series!

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  8. I see in your email that you sent your blog link to many people today, but yet it seems your posting is just directly for me. How is that? Must be God! Thanks so much for sharing! I'm looking forward to reading these each day.

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  9. Happy New Year My Friend!!

    This is going to be awesome! Thank you so much for inviting me to be here and for opening up!!

    Looking forward to the rest of the 10 days!

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  10. Thanks for inviting me to take part in this series. I look forward to learning more about you and to having you share your heart with us.

    Phil 4:8 is one of my favorite verses - speaks volumes on so many levels.

    I agree that we need to focus on the positive....that is where hope dwells.

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  11. I'm a couple days late in getting started on this series, but I'm looking forward to getting caught up - and being encouraged along the way! This is a verse I have memorized, but I think I need to brush up on it as a reminder to think on things that are uplifting and glorify God.

    Blessings,
    Kym

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