SELF IMAGE

Do you have a good self image? For me, my self image has at times been a little "iffy". I think everyone can probably say that. In view of this, I thought I'd share what Joel Osteen says about developing a healthy self-image.

I Corinthians 15:10
     "But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain." NKJV

Every person has an image of himself or herself. Psychologists have proven that you will most consistently perform in a manner that is in harmony with the image you have of yourself. If you see yourself as unqualified, unattractive, inferior, or inadequate, you will probably act in accordance with your thoughts. Individuals who view themselves as God sees them are usually happy about who they are. They can honestly say, "Thank You, Father, for creating me the way You did. I'd rather be me than any other person on earth. I know that You have a purpose and a plan for me, and I can't wait to discover it!"

True self-esteem can be based only on what God says about you―not on what you think or feel about yourself. You are who God says you are.

If you didn't come here from Spiritual Sundays blog I hope you will go there and check out all the links to many great posts that others have shared there. You might even want to participate by linking a post on your own blog. Click HERE to go there.

WORK IT OUT

The following was taken from Joel Osteen's little devotional book entitled Your Best Life Begins Each Morning. The title is "Work It Out".

Work out your own salvation. - Philippians 2:12

Certainly, none of us enjoy going through struggles, but you have to understand that your struggle may be an opportunity for advancement and promotion. The very thing you are fighting against so tenaciously may be the springboard that catapults you to a new level of excellence. Your challenges may become your greatest assets.

Without the resistance of air, an eagle can't soar. Without the resistance of water, a ship can't float. Without the resistance of gravity, you and I can't even walk. Without opposition or resistance, there is no potential for progress. There are no shortcuts; there is no easy way to mature physically, emotionally, or spiritually. You must remain determined and work with God. Salvation is more than a onetime prayer. It is constantly cooperating with God, dealing with the issues He brings up, keeping a good attitude, and allowing Him to change you as He sees fit.

My thoughts on this subject: As I am writing this I am reflecting on the past hour or so. We went to the 24 Hour Fitness Center as we do often. Some days I go to the Silver Sneaker exercise class but today I just rode a stationary bike. On those bikes you can turn up the "resistance" so you can hardly make those pedals go around. I seldom turn it up that high, but I do turn it up higher than I did when I first started riding over a year ago, and I can ride it a lot longer and faster. This devotional by Joel Osteen reminded me of my "gym" experience. I'm not in wonderful shape, but I'm in a lot better shape than I would have been if I had not been doing this exercise for the past year. Obviously "resistance" has benefits. I need to stop seeing my struggles as "problems" and see them as growing opportunities. Of course reading and studying the Bible is an even better way to "grow" spiritually. Reading what others have shared on Spiritual Sundays has been extremely helpful to me as well.

If you didn't come here from Spiritual Sundays blog I hope you will go there and check out all the links to many great posts that others have shared there. You might even want to participate by linking a post on your own blog. Click HERE to go there.

A Clean Heart

Be sure to visit Spiritual Sundays for links to lots of inspirational posts.

Thank you to each dear "heart" who shares there.

SPEAK TO YOUR MOUNTAIN

"Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, "Be taken up and cast into the sea," and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it will be granted him. Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted you."

Mark 11:23-24 NASB

In his little devotional book, Your Best Life Begins Each Morning, Joel Osteen shared these thoughts.

WHAT MOUNTAIN IS IN FRONT of you this morning―a sickness, a troubled relationship, a floundering business? Jesus said that whatever your mountain is, you must do more than think or pray about it; you must speak to that obstacle.

The Bible says, "Let the weakling say, 'I am strong'" (Joel 3:10). Start calling yourself healed, happy, whole, blessed, and prosperous. God is a miracle-working God. Stop talking to God about how big your mountains are, and start talking to your mountains about how big your God is!

Charlotte's thoughts: I think this is good. I can remember arguing with my cousin about this scripture when I was about 12 years old. He just laughed at me, but I argued that if the Bible says it, it has to be true. As I got older I realized a literal mountain like the one in the picture was not exactly what was being talked about in this scripture. Although "BELIEVE" is the key word here. I did believe that when I was 12. I still do. God has moved a lot of mountains for me in my lifetime. 

Please visit Spiritual Sundays blog for links to many inspirational posts.