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Weekly Devotions

About that Attitude-October 5, 2020

How's your attitude today? Let's examine it to make sure it's on track.

Monday Morning Devotion-October 5, 2020

 

About That Attitude

 

You're going to find that there will be times when people will have no stomach for solid teaching but will fill up on spiritual junk food---catchy opinions that tickle their fancy.  They'll turn their backs on truth and chase mirages.  But you---keep your eye on what you're doing; accept the hard times along with the good; keep the Message alive; do a thorough job as God's servant.    2 Timothy 4:3-5. (The Message)

 

            An eminent psychologist was talking to her patient and---LUCY, said to CHARLIE

BROWN: "Charlie life is like a deck chair on an ocean liner.  Some people position their deck

chair so they can she where they are going.

            Some people turn their chair so they can see where they have been°what's behind them.  Still others position their chair so they can see what's going on around them on the deck.

Charlie, how do you position your chair?

            Charlie Brown gave a big sigh and said, 'I can't even get my deck chair unfolded.'"

            Sometimes I can really identify with Charlie Brown's frustration, can't you?   You get ready to get something done.  You are eager to get started.  You rush out and the car won't start.

Or your computer has a problem°printer's out of ink°or internet is down.  An appointment gets canceled.  Your team loses so there is no celebration.  Need I continue?  Certainly not!  We all have some days like that.

            Thankfully there are more days that are full of blessings.  The favorite saying that we have at our church is: "God is good.  All the time."  And that is certainly true because God can bring a blessing out of the most dismal of circumstances.   We may not recognize it for what it is at the time, but God has this way of making things even better in the long run.

            A personal example from years ago in my life was when a difference of opinion cost me a job as a sports personality in television.  What I thought was my dream job turned into my nightmare or so I thought at the time. 

            Because that happened, I got a job in radio and was able to do something I loved even more---broadcast baseball games.  That TV mishap lead me to a position in which I broadcast the baseball games of my Alma Mater, Florida State University, on radio for 23 years, was able to write many articles for magazines and newspapers and am starting my 44th year of covering all Seminole Sports.

            Although it is sometimes hard to see or understand at the time God does have a plan.  Just because it is not unfolding how we want it to doesn't mean there isn't something much better down the line.  That is why we need to keep on monitoring our attitude.

            Florida State football coach Mike Norvell constantly stresses with each of his players the importance of being the best version of themselves.  There is a lot to that because each day that we aren't the best version of ourselves is a day of lost opportunities to grow and receive the fullness of God's blessings.  To do that we need to constantly monitor our position and our attitude even when we can't get our deck chair unfolded.

            Dr. Charles Stanley points out four ways to make sure our attitude is not sabotaging our happiness and is enabling us to become that best version that God has created us to be.  To do so keep these attitudes in mind:

            Fearlessness: "As Paul told Timothy, 'God had not given us a spirit of timidity but of power and love and discipline.' 2 Timothy 4:5 Why?  Because the wisdom and power of God are with you as you serve Him there is no reason to fear.

            Faithfulness:  Be devoted in your relationship to Jesus---not relying only on others' insights into His Word, but on what He teaches you through prayer and Bible study.

            Fruitfulness:  Your ministry should be productive---both you and those you are serving should be growing spiritually.

            Fervency:  Your love and devotion to the Lord should be the heartbeat of your ministry.  Your desire to serve Christ should be 'boiling hot', which is the Greek word picture of the word fervent.  Your intimacy with God determines the impact of your life."

            Stanley adds: "When you're fearless others will follow; when you're faithful you will persevere; when you're fruitful you'll be encouraged, and when you're fervent you will do the eternal work your spirit longs to conquer.

            Obviously having the right attitude will go a long way toward helping us be the best version of ourselves.

             Keep facing the sunshine and the shadows will fall behind you.

Prayer: Lord, each day help us to protect our attitudes so we may please You by becoming the best version of ourselves.    Amen!

           

           

           

           

 

 

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