5 Thoughts that Lead to a Vibrantly Positive Life

POWER-FILLED POSITIVE LIVING-CHAPTER 20c—5 Thoughts that Lead to a Vibrantly Positive Life

The last two days I was blessed with going on a road trip that took me on a 5 hour drive there and another 5 hours to return. What an incredible trip. I love driving down the road with God beside me, listening to Christian music, and looking at God’s magnificent creation. As I drove along, I would lose the radio station and have to search for a new one. I seemed to find K-love all along the route except two areas where instead I found preachers—both were new to me and both had amazing sermons as though just for me.

God's Glory displayed

Amazing how God covers every tiny detail, every second of timing, and every need of my heart. He does that for each and every one of His children. There is not a millisecond of time in your life or mine that He is not in control of your surroundings.

As I began this road trip there were some very specific prayer needs I had for myself, for my family, and for my friends which I knew would each need a miracle. For that reason, I began my journey in fasting prayer. Early in the trip I hit a storm that cautiously I drove through and then surrounding me was some of the most beautiful countryside as the rainstorm stopped and the brilliance of the sun peaked through fluffy clouds and such beautiful shades of blue sky. The trees, meadows, and hills were painted with so many shades of green. So many breathtaking photos forever etched in my mind to remind me of just how amazingly beautiful God’s Glorious creation is. God had etched so much detail into every part of His creation. I was overwhelmed by joy, peace, hope and love that it felt as if my heart would burst.

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Fully Alive to Joy In Christ

Power-filled Positive Living—Chapter 20A-Fully Alive to Joy in Christ

It had been 4 weeks since the surgery and yet, here I was still in the hospital and still unable to eat or keep down any nourishment. It had been a small bowel obstruction which required surgery to open. I had no colon because of the previous surgeries and the small bowel obstruction had caused the small intestines to be so stretched and swollen that there seemed to be permanent damage. It was questionable whether they would ever awaken to function again. I was the only supporter of myself and mom, I needed to get well. Yet, if you entered my room you would hear praise songs coming from a CD player and you would be greeted with a genuine joy filled smile. Why? Because I had learned over many years of sorrow, that God is Sovereign, God loves me, and God’s plan for my life is perfect. God was and is the source of my joy in the midst of every fiery trial. Don’t misunderstand me—I do still have my moments of doubt or my fears; but, they don’t remain long within my heart or mind. Why? Because God has shown me His Might, His Glory, His Mercy, and His love toward me.

Promises toward me original photo used by permission of Jim Peregoy

What I need you to see is that God loves you with a perfect everlasting love. He sent His only begotten son to pay the price for your rebellious, self-exalting heart so as to provide for you everything that you need to find full joy, hope, glory, and love in Him. In Christ, you have the power to live a life fully Alive. In Christ you are God’s Beloved, Blessed, Chosen, Redeemed Child.

In Christ, You are heir of God’s Kingdom, heir of all of God’s Promises, heir of God’s righteousness and joint heirs with Christ. In Christ you are declared a Saint because of Christ’s righteousness being freely poured out to cover your sin. In Christ, you have been given the Holy Spirit to indwell you, to comfort you, to strengthen you and to provide you with unique Spiritual gifts that can be used for the Kingdom of God.

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One Step at a Time

POWER-FILLED POSITIVE LIVING-Chapter 19B-One Step at a Time

Where is the power to live a life filled with hope and joy in the midst of so many trials? How do we choose love, when every chose to love leads us to being vulnerable and broken hearted? How do we stand strong and victorious in life’s battles when our scars, each one, reveal how truly fragile we are? Certainly, it is not by my own might or power that I can just proclaim that “I am happy. I am good. I am strong. I am beautiful.” Indeed, when I stand before a mirror and gaze at my own reflection there; I see a body that has been broken down by scars and eyes that have grown tender from having seen so much sorrow in this lifetime. Not the picture of someone who can move mountains.

One Step at a time

Yet, in Christ—because of all that He has done for me and all that He has given me; I can arise each morning filled with Joy, Hope and Love to begin today. The mountains of obstacles may stand before me as insurmountable; but, God only asks I take His Hand and step one step at a time.

Like David wrote,

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