Contagious Attitudes

Good morning! I hope you had a wonderful weekend and that you have hit the ground running this morning.

While I was away the past couple of weeks my family came down with a cold. One by one each of them got the sniffles, the runny nose, the cough and the sore throat. Over the weekend they shared that with me. So this morning I sit here with Kleenex close by dealing with the affects of a head cold.

It is amazing how quickly a cold can spread even when you have taken appropriate precautions. No matter how much you wash your hands, avoid close contact and up your vitamin intake you are still likely to get sick.

It is with this thought in mind that I want to talk to your about infectious attitudes. Have you ever noticed that we are people who often allow our attitudes to be shaped by consensus? When those around us are negative we often follow them straight into the path of negativity. When those around us are discouraged we often reach the depths of despair ourselves. When those around us are filled with joy we can’t help but feel our spirits rise.

The Bible gives warning to those with a root of bitterness in their lives:

See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no root of bitterness springs up, causing trouble and by it, defiling many.

Hebrews 12:15 (HCSB)

The danger of the bitter seed is its potential to harm others. It is so critical that we always examine the “health” of our attitudes. Our attitudes rub off on those we come into contact with, no matter how well hidden we think they may be. If you are struggling with negativity, bitterness or despair I encourage you to surrender those negative thoughts before God this morning. Ask Him to give you a healthy attitude so that your influence might also be healthy.

Until next Monday, may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.

Carl

Preparing for the Journey

Good morning! I hope you are enjoying your extended Labor Day weekend.

This is an exciting week for me as I will be traveling to India later in the week to work with another pastor for 9 days. A trip like this is not planned and undertaken in a matter of days. I have been diligently working towards this week for over 9 months now. Planning for health issues, day to day needs, cultural differences and climate differences have been a part of this planning. It is with this thought of making preparation that I write you this morning’s encouragement.

All of us are preparing for a journey too. For us the journey is life. Each day is a new adventure with unforeseen twists and turns. At times the journey is sweet and at other times the journey is hard. The journey leaves you satisfied and other times the journey leaves you wanting more. There are three main needs all of us have: Food, clothing and shelter.

Let’s look at each of these for a moment. Your body needs regular nourishment and your soul is no different. Many of us unfortunately allow our souls to go malnourished. We don’t take regular time to refresh our inner being. So how do we get nourished? Look at the words of Jesus:

⁴But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.

Matthew 4:4 (AKJV)

We need to daily take time out for God’s word. You would be surprised just how much nourishment a verse or two a day of Scripture will bring you.

Secondarily we all need clothing to protect our bodies. Spiritually we are no different we need to cover our lives to protect us from the attacks that come our way. Look at the following passages pertaining to our attire:

¹¹Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. ¹²For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world’s rulers of the darkness of this age, and against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. ¹³Therefore, put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand. ¹⁴Stand therefore, having the utility belt of truth buckled around your waist, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, ¹⁵and having fitted your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; ¹⁶above all, taking up the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one. ¹⁷And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God

Ephesians 6:11-17 (WEB)

Lastly we need to prepare for shelter from those stormy times in our lives. Where do you go when life begins to rain upon you? Where do you go when the hurricanes of circumstances come ashore? Again look at the sanctuary that is offered to you in God’s presence:

¹⁹Oh how great is your goodness,
Which you have laid up for those who fear you,
Which you have worked for those who take refuge in you,
Before the sons of men!

²⁰In the shelter of your presence you will hide them from the plotting of man.
You will keep them secretly in a dwelling away from the strife of tongues.

Psalm 31:19-20 (WEB)

Today as you consider the journey you are undertaking, take inventory of your preparations. Have you properly nourished your soul? Have you packed the appropriate attire for the journey? Have you identified safe shelter for the storms?

Until next Monday, may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.

Carl