Daily we face negativity from people's actions.  All we have to do is turn on the television, or access the internet. We open a random magazine, read a blog, a facebook post, and we are inundated with negativity.  The media and the world are good at showing us negativity, and the world thives on it because it is the evil one's agenda (The world is on the same page as the devil if they do not have Jesus Christ as Lord). This is something we face every day.  The one thing we can think about is the "cross."  Our Lord and Savior Jesus took everything and sacrificed it for us so that we could become children of God and live in ways that would please Him.  The cross is shaped like a positive sign or a plus sign (+); use this as a reminder to look on the positive side of things.  Jesus died on the cross for our salvation, paying the price for all of our sins-past, present and future--and setting us free to live godly lives with Jesus Himself being our example. Try taking any negative in life and combat it with a positive.  The most influential one is Jesus dying on the Cross for our salvation, through this there is power in healing all pains and hurts we may be dealing with from the past, present and the future.  Galatians 6:14 says:"May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world." He paid the price for our freedom, and we would be wise to follow His example in our daily lives. Isaiah 53:5  "But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities: the punishment that brought us peace was upon him and by his wounds we are healed."  This verse would be a good one to memorize so that you could draw on it when you need healing of mind, spirit, or body.

We are healed from our past once becoming believer and walking in his ways.  Our sins have been forgiven, and we can go to God for anything and know that He will forgive us when we make mistakes if we repent--turn away and ask His forgiveness.  God will show you this right where you are through conviction by the Holy Spirit, just learn through your mistakes.  He promises to throw our sins into the sea of forgetfulness.  Praise the Lord!  If someone says or does something that hurts you, pray for that person, thinking about the positive sign of the cross.  You might also be able to share the good news of Jesus with the person. 

Prayer is an awesome thing!  We can do it anywhere, at any place and anytime.  We can pray daily for others' needs, as well as our own, and thus become prayer warriors, fighting our battles with prayer.   Because the Holy Spirit is living within us, we are never alone and gives power to do all things according to His will.  Psalm 27:5 says, "For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock." Furthermore, Psalm 73:26-28 reads, "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you.  But as for me, it is good to be near God.  I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds."

Thumbs image courtesy of photostock @freedigitalphotos.net.

Be Postive - Think Positive - God is Good - All the Time!

You are righteous because Jesus died on the cross for your sins and rose from the grave and is seated at the right hand of the Father, ever interceding on your behalf.  Jesus is your example, you need to try to live sin free, understanding that, when you somtimes fail, you can repent, ask Him for forgiveness and receive it. Our flesh and our selfishness often try to hold us back from living holy, acceptable lives. Be positive in your day of trouble because there is nothing better than having him on your side.  However, once we are born again, we have God's Holy Spirit dwelling within us, guiding us, strengthening us, giving us a way of escape from sinful temptations that may come.  We must choose not to sin. When we do make mistakes, and sin, we fall out of God's grace. As soon as possible, ask God for forgiveness, and repent of that sin. You do not want to die with even one willful sin in you. Tell God you do not intend to ever do that again; then show Him that you mean it by not doing it; this is called repentance. 

Prayer for Forgiveness: Holy Father, forgive me by the blood of your Son, my savior Jesus Christ. I sinned by (doing, saying, thinking...), but I will not repeat that sin.  I turn from it and look toward you. In Jesus' Holy Name, Amen.  You must believe that sin is washed away by Jesus' blood, and that you are clean and white as snow, new again. Now go forward and sin no more. Romans 4:23-25 says "The words “it was credited to him” were written not for him alone, but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification."

Your eyes are a window to your soul. Be careful what you take into your mind and heart. Start being selective in your every day choices. You do not have to watch everything the world is watching or do every thing the world is doing.  Test everything according to the Word of God.  2 Corinthians 6:17 reads, "Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you." Remember you are your own person made by Christ and through God the Father."  Be selective! Instead of watching R rated movies, watch PG or G rated, and use the discernment God has given you - If the launguage or message turns toward evil, simply turn the channel and watch something else. What you let into your eyes and ears becomes part of who you are! In the verse above it says touch not the unclean thing, and I will receive you. Note that is a conditional statement, requiring you to do something! In turn the Lord says, "I will receive you."  We have our part to choose, and we will be blessed when we live our lives the way He wants us to live them.