5 Signs You Have the Right Attitude About Change

The new year is just around the corner—2016! I’m looking at this year, not sure what it’s going to hold, but definitely seeing some major changes that will come. Before I know it, we’ll be launching into the spring semester and all that that entails.

Change can feel good or bad. Most often, we don’t know what change will bring with it, if it will feel good or bad—and the uncertainty can be terrifying.

Last night, my sister and I were talking about change. We both know it’s coming. So how do we prepare for it? How do we be like the Proverbs 31 woman and “laugh at the future”? (Proverbs 31:25)

Here are 5 signs that you have the right attitude going into this new year.

1.     You’re not afraid.

You’re not afraid of the future because you know you can trust God. He has a perfect plan for you that is for your good and His glory (Jeremiah 29:11, Romans 8:28). Being afraid of change is a sign that you lack faith in God’s promises, God’s goodness, God’s sovereignty, and even His love for you.

“The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace because he trusts in You.”

Isaiah 26:3

Yes, it’s normal and human to be afraid of change and the future, but if you think about it, it’s really silly that we ever are afraid because God is in control.

2.     You find your joy in Christ.

If your joy is rooted in Christ, no matter what circumstances come your way—no matter the trials—you will be able to be joyful even in the midst of change. 

It’s very easy to find our “joy” in our circumstances—but that’s not joy, That’s happiness. You can tell if you have true joy anchored in Jesus or just circumstantial happiness by if whether or not you can smile and praise Him even in the hard times.

Finding your joy in Christ means you can glorify Him when everything’s out of order and when everything’s in order. I love the lyrics in Blessed Be Your Name by Matt Redman.

You give and take away,

You give and take away,

My heart will choose to say,

Lord blessed be Your Name.

3.     Jesus is the center of your life.

If Jesus is at the center of your life, it doesn’t really matter what on earth happens, whether good or bad. If you get married and Jesus is at the center of your life, you will find your marriage far more fulfilling and lasting than if not. If your best friend gets in a car wreck, you know that Jesus will give you comfort and care for your hurting heart.

Jesus is all we need, so if we live like it and believe it, everything will stay in perspective.

4.     You’re busy with ministry.

You’re not sitting around the house crying for the upcoming change. You’re rolling up your sleeves and getting your hands dirty serving God and serving people. 

When you’re busy with ministry, again, change will stay in perspective. Serving in ministry helps you see other people’s struggles and see the bigger picture, which leads to this next point.

5.     You’re focused on others and what they’re going through.

Are you the most important person in the world? Nope. In fact, we’re supposed to consider ourselves the least important person in the world. When we’re focused on others, we don’t have enough time to mope about our own problems and the scary changes we’re facing. We realize that other people are fighting battles worse than ours.

“Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.”

Philippians 2:3-4

Do you have the right attitude about change? Which points do you have down, and which ones do you need to work on? Share in the comments! 

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Too Many Failures?

-By Sunny Bodenhamer

“He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.

For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him.

As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.

Just as a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him.

For He Himself knows our frame; He is mindful that we are but dust.”

Psalm 103:10-14

I used to think that God didn’t really understand. I used to feel like I was a burden to Him. A pain. I would pray about something I was struggling with, for strength to overcome it and forgiveness for that sin, and then before I knew it, I was doing it again. Then I would realize it, and think to myself, “God must hate me. I’ve failed so many times, He must have given up on me by now.”

Every time those thoughts entered my mind, I could feel the chasm grow between my Heavenly Father and my heart.

I knew that He loves me unconditionally, and that I wasn’t going to lose my salvation just by messing up—I knew He’s not that kind of God—but that was only head knowledge. I came to realize that I didn’t really believe it in my heart, in my soul, deep down where it really counted. I’d grown up in a Christian home with wonderful parents who had taught me those things all my life, but that wasn’t enough. I needed to take hold of my faith as my own, not just something passed down to me by my parents.

Looking back, I remember imagining God holding each one of my failures over my head, looking down from above, just waiting for me to fail again because He couldn’t wait to punish me even bigger this time. I imagined Him saying to Himself, “Look at all this she’s already done, and there she goes again! She’s really going to get it this time!”

But friends, that is a lie straight from the pit that Satan had been feeding me, and I listened! I had been doubting my Savior, who loves me so much He died for me on that cross!

1 John 4:18 says, “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love.”

I was not perfected in His love. I didn’t understand it. I feared punishment, and while yes, it’s true that God is just, and there are consequences to our sin, it doesn’t bring God pleasure to punish us. In fact, it hurts Him to see us make wrong choices and to suffer the consequences. He wants us to succeed, just like any loving father would desire their child to succeed in life.

 “He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.

For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so GREAT is His LOVINGKINDNESS toward those who fear Him.

As far as the east is from the west, SO FAR has He REMOVED our transgressions from us.

Just as a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him.

For He Himself knows our frame; He is mindful that we are but dust.”

Psalm 103:10-14

(emphasis added)

Did you get that? Do you see it? He knows we’re human, and we’re going to fail and disappoint Him, but He has compassion on us, because we are His children, and He loves us no matter what. My eyes are tearing up right now, just writing this. I am so overwhelmed when I take time to be still, to remember all He has done for me and how much He loves me.

I can’t help but think of the Casting Crowns song “East to West”:

“In the arms of Your mercy I find rest, cause You know just how far the east is from the west: from one scarred hand to the other…”

So remember today, you are loved more than you will ever know, no matter how many times you fail, no matter what you’ve done, don’t be afraid to come before the Lord again, and ask for forgiveness and a fresh start.

“He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings you may seek refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and a bulwark.”

Psalm 91:4

“The steps of a man are established by the Lord, and he delights in his way. When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong, because the Lord is the One who holds his hand.”

Psalm 37:23-24

(emphasis added)

Notice this verse says “when he falls,” not “if he falls.” He knows we aren’t perfect and He knows we never will be until we see Him face to face in heaven one day. He understands. He delights in you. You are His beloved child. Rest in Him; believe these truths. Don’t ever doubt His love, as Satan wants. He is holding your hand every step of the way. Believe that in your heart, not just your head. This is so important. The more you doubt and allow Satan’s lies to get in your head, the farther it will drive you away from your Heavenly Father, and that is the worst place to be.

“You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you,’ declares the Lord…”

Jeremiah 29:13-14a

Seek Him with all your heart and you will find Him. He wants to help you. Maybe it’s time you let Him, by believing He loves you unconditionally.

Sunny Bodenhamer is a Christian, homeschooled girl learning to be a light in this crazy, amazing life we’ve been given, reach for the stars, and believe that anything is possible through Jesus Christ. She believes that every day is a miracle full of second chances and beauty, if we stop and take the time to see it. She loves to write, crochet, drink coffee, and hopes to inspire and encourage through the written word.

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by your failures? What has God taught you through those times? Any stories or thoughts? Share in the comments!

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3 Ideas for Serving Jesus

By Taylor

“Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a vapor that appears for a little time, then vanishes.”

James 4:14

In my devotional this morning on Morning Glory’s Daily Devotional, I talked about how our lives are so short, and because of that we need to strive for Jesus all of our days. You may be wondering, “What are some ways I can do that?” Here are some ways that have really helped me glorify Christ in some things I do.

1) Volunteer.

Giving up my time to serve others and selflessly serving Jesus through them and shining His light to bring others to Christ.

2) Pray.

Seek God throughout His word and through communicating with Christ and ask Him for some ways that will allow the gifts He has given you to shine for Him. Pray to God and ask Him if He is calling you to become an active missionary in your hometown, or even another country!

3) Serve with Your Gifts.

For example, offer free babysitting for some young families at your church! I know from personal experience that this can be an amazing blessing to parents. What an amazing opportunity to serve Christ!

I hope these tips spark some ideas of your own for how you can serve Him through your gifts! Philippians 2:1-11 is a great scripture to find out some characteristics of Jesus.

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Hot Pumpkin Mug

                                Photocreds: Kathy from Healthy Happy Life

Submitted by Beth

Y'all know I love pumpkin. Who doesn't? What's funny though... is that without the spices pumpkin would not be... well, pumpkiny (if that's even a word.)

Here are two things you should know about me: I love coffee and pumpkin. A pumpkin spice latte is pretty amazing... but it's not like I'm always at a coffee shop and can get one. And at 9 o'clock at night I don't really need the caffeine.

Today I want to share with y'all my favorite alternative to a pumpkin, high-caffeine, coffee anything; so if you don't like coffee or try to avoid caffeine, you'll love this Hot Pumpkin Mug. Oh, it's so good.

On her blog Healthy Happy Life Kathy contrives this amazing pumpkin concoction. Enjoy, m'friends! Let me know how you like it. :)

Note: I find that the best milk for this recipe is Vanilla Soy milk with a teaspoon (if even) of Agave Nectar instead of a teaspoon of maple syrup.

Hot Pumpkin Mug, Spiced

vegan, serves 1

1 cup non-dairy milk (soy or almond works best)

1 1/2-2 Tbsp pure pumpkin puree, unsweetened (I used organic/canned/BPA-free liner can)

1/4 tsp ginger powder

1/4 tsp cinnamon

pinch of salt

2-3 drops vanilla extract (or a few pinches of real vanilla bean pod seeds for an extra special flavor)

1 tsp maple syrup, grade B

For extra spiced, add:

2 dashes cayenne

1 pinch fine black pepper

1-2 pinches of nutmeg

Try this sometime and let me know what you think in the comment section!

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