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She was a shut-in; he was her only son. They were both pessimists.
They attended a church I pastored. The mother had been a shut-in for a number of years. The son had suffered a failed marriage some years before and had lived with his mother most of the time since then. He farmed, but hadn't worked a secular job in quite some time. Most of their income came from mom's social security check. Visiting with them always caused me to need an optimism pill when I left. Nothing ever went their way … ever … and they didn't mind sharing the stories of their never-ending, unfortunate circumstances.
Negativism is somewhat like farming. If I sow negative thoughts and words, I'll reap a harvest of the same — and spread it to others.
2 Corinthians 9:6 – Remember this — a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. (NLT)
I can expect the best because I'm God's child. My life events are controlled by a loving and sovereign Being with Whom I'm intimately affiliated. They're not random nor are they controlled by fate or some other force.
I can expect the best because my Saviour has good and wholesome plans for me. He has no thoughts of hurting me or making my life miserable. Rather, He wants me to prosper and enjoy the abundant life He offers.
I can also expect the best because I know — regardless of how my circumstances might appear — that He is working behind the scenes to conform my thoughts, words, and actions to the image of Christ. This knowledge helps me to stay positive, even through trials and temptations. He is preparing me for eternity with Him.
Has negativism taken over your life? If so, expect God's best and be positive.
Prayer: Help us, merciful Father, to sow positive seeds so that we might reap a similar harvest. Amen.
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AMEN!
Thanks Martin. I needed this message today. Very timely.
Amen! Wonderful devotional Martin.
Blessings.
Greetings, I follow up Bible studies through your teachings. My prayer is divine protection from God and favour.
Lovely devotional again Martin. Yes, our loving Lord does help us through negative thoughts and circumstances. What a wonderful Lord!
That was a very good devotional. It is one I will print and keep to re-read every now and then.
Thanks for writing it. God bless you with continued positivism.
Dear Martin,
Your positive thoughts brought me to the thought that, God who did not withhold his own Son but gave him up for us all, will also give us all things (See Romans 8:32).
Keep writing.
Thanks for your good reminder Martin. 2013 was a difficult year for me but I press on to see what God has planned for me in 2014! Lamatations 3 has been a source of inspiration to me last year every time I read it.
May the Lord continue to bless your ministries and your writings!
(BC.)
Thank you Martin. Your story is similar to a First Nations Elder telling his grandson the tale of two wolves that fight to survive within us that goes something along the lines of this: one is anger, the other is love.
The grandson asks which one survives. The grandfather answers “The one we feed.” May your weekend ahead be a good one.
Dear Martin,
You have said this so well. Thank you.
I believe that some of us are born with a positive attitude, a gift from God. Even in the same family some are positive and some struggle because the glass is always half empty.
I am so pleased to send this on to those family and friends who may be helped by it. With it goes my prayers that God will use your words to help them.
Blessings.
Good morning Martin. I believe in God and his character with my whole heart. Just as you wrote in the devotional this morning.
I too, know God orchestrates everything.
I lead a bible club for kids after school. I rely on Him to help me and supply helpers.
We have a God that loves us. God has asked us to pester Him! Sometimes it seems He doesn’t respond but He is a God we can trust. He is the authority to go to for all our needs.
Thank you.
Dear Martin:
You are so right – if you sow negative thoughts, you reap negative rewards. Over the years, I have lived through two buyouts and seen my son and many friends laid off from their jobs. The one consistent pattern in all these unpleasant experiences is that those who give in to despair and anger were the ones who never recovered; were unable to find a new job or saw their lives and families disintegrate. However, the ones who kept the Faith (literally), maintained a positive outlook despite the inevitable setbacks of a job hunt and persevered, always landed on their feet. It might take time, but eventually the good job came through and often it was a better job or situation. As my son said, after finding a new and better job, being laid off wasn’t a fun experience, but he has come to believe it was for the best.
Lamentations 3:21-27 says it all.
Grace and peace.
Excellent and appreciated!!
Thank you for an inspiring message. I was really down in the dumps because it seemed that everything was going wrong. I have worked myself into quite a state and now I realize that I need to forget the problems and move on. I needed to be told that and I am doing just that. Thanks so much.
I enjoyed the positive outlook you wrote about.
Amen!