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The FAITH FORECAST
eNewsletter
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Believers Can Be Blessed & Happy -- In An Unhappy World
You Can Choose To Be Happy
One of the most important gifts that God has given to people is their right to choose. We can choose to be a thankful person, or a complainer. We can choose to receive the goodness of God, or we can choose to think we have a better way to live by our own rules. Many people think that God has too many rules -- not realizing that God's ways are all for our benefit!
The Bible says it this way:
"Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord, Who walks in His ways. When you eat the labor of your hands, You shall be happy, and it shall be well with you" (Psalm 128:1-2).
Happiness is not something that happens to us. It is something we learn. It takes effort, training, and practice. It has nothing to do with what is happening to us, but rather is dependent on what is happening inside us. We can be happy regardless of our outward circumstances.
Happiness and contentment are choices based on personal knowledge of Christ and His Word -- not just the result of positive situations.
Our happiness has to be in a person who does not change. That's Jesus! He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Today Is The Day!
The time for real happiness is right now. It is not after we get all of our problems fixed. It is another super-good Bible paradox. Our problems become fixed when we are thankful for God's goodness "in advance."
You can choose to be happy by declaring it in your every day talk. You can choose to be happy by saying that God is your source of happiness.
"Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, Whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy" (Psalm 107:1-2).
If our trust is in people, vacations, retirement, "gifts," or even in celebrating Christmastime -- we're open to disappointment. It's time to put our faith in something that is "solid as a rock" -- something that doesn't change, downsize, blow-up, or drop in value. It's time to put our faith and trust in Christ and His Word -- everyday!
Real Joy Is Strength
Our life is a gift from God. When we truly get a revelation of this, our thankful response will be real joy and happiness.
But don't ever make the mistake of waiting until your circumstances change before you take hold of joy. You have to take it by force. Joy is a force, a supernatural strength. The Bible says it like this: "The Joy of the Lord is my strength." (Neh. 8:10.)
Joy is the presence of God in your life.
"You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forever more" (Psalm 16:11).
Remind Yourself to Live With the Joy of the Lord
* Be thankful for what the Lord has done for you.
* Seek 1st the Kingdom of God.
* Laugh -- "A merry is like medicine."
* Use wisdom with your health. (exercise, sleep, no junk food.)
* Have a positive-faith attitude.
* Monitor your thoughts -- "cast down" worry, sin, and doubt.
* Keep life simple. (Change things that are not working.)
* Double up on your faith food intake. (Rom. 10:17.)
* Double up on "praying in the Secret Place." (Ps. 91; Col. 3:16.)
* Be a good example. (spirit, soul, and body.)
* Tune up your love walk. (1 Cor. 13.)
* Commit to a good "Word" church.
* Make a "Faith Forecast" of God's Word every day! (Heb. 11:6.)
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Praying With Power
Prayer - "Breakfast of Champions"
Good morning, Heavenly Father;
You're my Refuge and my Fortress;
My Provider; my God; in You I will trust.
Good morning, Lord Jesus;my Savior, Healer, Redeemer, my Lord and King.
Good morning, Holy Spirit;
my Comforter, Helper, Strengthener, and Teacher;
Please help me today in everything I do
and everything I say.
In Jesus' Mighty, Wonderful Name!
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Our encouragement to you this year is to "finish strong" in 2008. "Don't go with the negative flow!"
Let's learn to live with stronger faith In Christ and His Word of victory.
There is no better way to live "in times like these."
Go the way of positive-faith in God's promises, instead of the "chicken Little" way of talking about defeat, doom, and "the sky is falling," like people without hope.
Let's boldly say: "I'm a believer, not a doubter,"
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me," and "I'm more than a conqueror, through Christ who loves me."
Let's make a "faith forecast" today that will be pleasing to our Lord! (Hebrews 11:6.)
Be blessed
& Be a blessing,
Pastor Ron & Pam Craycraft
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New Book Release
Pastor Ron's New Book:
IT'S COMEBACK TIME!
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Gifts
From the Lord
The gift of God is eternal life.
Ephesians 2:8
His divine power has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness.
2 Peter 1:2
He has given to us exceedingly great and precious promises.
2 Peter 1:3
He has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.
Ephesians 1:3
Every good gift and perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of Lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.
James 1:17
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