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The Power of Gratitude

on August 12, 2016

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Gratitude…

The quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness according to Webster’s dictionary. Something so easy yet so difficult to demonstrate. Think about this quote: It’s not happiness that brings us gratitude. It’s gratitude that brings us happiness.

Gratitude is a lost art. We hear too many people murmuring, grumbling, and complaining. So negative and so full of negativity. The amazing thing is the opposite of complaining is being grateful.

I want to encourage you to go on a 30 day complaining fast where you don’t complain for 30 days. It sounds really simple until you start to try it. You will begin to realize that by nature we are negative individuals, human beings. We tend to focus more on the negative instead of the positive. The good news is that you can change your mindset by focusing on all of the positive in your life. And how do you begin doing this? By focusing on the things your are grateful for! Truth is, there’s always something to be thankful for. You might just need to look a little closer.

So for sometime now I have been practicing gratitude. I first wake up and before my feet hit the floor I go over 5 things I’m thankful for. Usually something like, thank you God for a new day, I’m thankful to be alive. I’m thankful for my husband. I’m thankful for my children. I’m thankful for my loved ones. It’s really simple. You should try it sometime. It immediately puts your mind into a state of gratitude. In another post I will mention other ways I practice gratitude. For now, I want to encourage you to begin and end your day with gratitude!

Have a blessed day!

Amazed by His grace,

~Ofelia

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God Cares for You

on August 2, 2016

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Dear friend reading this,

I want you to know that God truly does care about you. God not only cares about you, but He also cares about everything that concerns you. He cares about that very current situation you find yourself in. He sees your struggles and knows your pain. He understands your fears, disappointments, and your setbacks.

I love 1 Peter 5:7 NLT, “Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you.” This verse is so comforting in knowing that God truly does care about me. There is no need to hold on to your worries, doubts, and frustrations any longer. It’s time to surrender them all to Him…

The Apostle Paul tells us in Philippians 4:6-7, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” Wow! What an encouraging Word! I am so thankful to God for this very passage. I find myself drawn to this passage many times in my life. It’s one of my favorite scriptures. I even have it taped to my desk at work. I need constant reminders when it comes to worrying.

I know it might seem easier said than done, but in all honesty, Jesus himself left us His peace that truly does surpass all understanding! Thank You Jesus! I’m so glad I serve a faithful God!

The message is simply my friend, give all your worries to God, pray about everything, and thank God for all He has done. It’s really that simple! My prayer for you today is that you will stop worrying and start trusting. Start trusting God with your life and allow Him to fill you with His peace.

Will you pray with me today…

Heavenly Father,

I thank You for my dear friend reading this post today. Lord, You know her struggles, her mistakes, her past, her disappointments, her worries, and her fears. Jesus, I just pray that as my sister surrenders all of this to You Lord, that You would just begin to fill her heart and mind with your peace which truly does exceed anything that we can understand. Help her Lord to know that You are in total control of her life. Only You can fix the situations that she may find herself in. Jesus whisper to my sister’s heart and let her know that You care about her and You care about what concerns her. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Amazed by His Grace,

~Ofelia

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A Place for Everything

on August 1, 2016

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Consider the quote in the image… “Anxiety is caused by a lack of control, organization, preparation, and action.” I couldn’t have found a better quote! I laugh about this but in all honesty, it’s really not that funny. Having anxiety or stress because I failed to plan, to organize, to prepare, or to take action really isn’t that funny after all. It’s actually sad. I have found myself facing anxiety or stress because I simply didn’t do what the quote suggests.

I titled my post “A Place for Everything and Everything in its Place” because I felt this quote by Benjamin Franklin is honestly the golden key that would help to eliminate a lot of the unnecessary stress and anxiety I feel at times. It’s not the first time I’ve heard this quote. I actually have really tried to incorporate this quote into my life. I’ve let my family know that everything should have a “home.” Where I have failed is on modeling to my family what that really should look like.

I’m my no means a slob. I’m actually known to most as the “organized queen.” You see organization is one of my gifts. It comes naturally to me. I’m thankful for my gift. The part that I’m having the most difficulty right now, at this very season of my life, is on the CONSISTENCY part! Ahh, there goes that word….consistency. I’ve heard it all to often. Truth is, I’ve failed not only at keeping my life organized, but I have failed at being consistent. There are so many deadlines, projects, agendas that I failed to meet or keep because I just didn’t stay organized. I didn’t prepare in advance and most importantly, I didn’t take action!

I can’t promise you that I’m going to change from here to tomorrow. What I will do though, is make a commitment to honor God by being obedient. I have felt strongly in my heart that God has really wanted me to become more consistent in every area of my life. I’ll admit, I have failed him.

No more dwelling on the past though, I’m going to start making some necessary changes in my life that will begin to help me to stay more organized, prepared, in control, and to take action. I can begin today….

If you are feeling down and defeated in your mind because everywhere you look is a mess, I want you to stop what you’re doing and pray with me.

Lord Jesus,

I thank You for the gift of life that You have given me. Thank You Lord that today is a new day, a new start, and a new beginning. Father I pray today for the grace that I need and my dear friend reading this. I pray God that you would strengthen us and encourage us to do the things You have called us to do with a spirit of excellence and consistency. Dear God, please break every chain that has held us back from becoming all that You desire for us to be. I know that You are able to deliver us from the anxiety, stress, and mess in our lives. Thank You Holy Spirit for ministering to our hearts at this very moment. I receive now your grace and tender mercy. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen!

Amazed by His Grace,

Ofelia

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Month: August 2016