Our world sure does have its troubles doesn’t it? Violence, war,
crime, breakups, disease, prisons, terrorism, economic breakdowns… And yet, we
are not to be a negative people. There is nothing worse in this world than a
negative Christian!
In fact, the Apostle Paul tells us to be a rejoicing people. The process of becoming a rejoicing people and the process of becoming a positive influence in our world means we focus on positive thoughts. We concentrate on things that are true, honest, just, pure, and lovely, of good report, have virtue, and are worthy of praise. (Read Philippians 4:8-9.)
Sadly, not all Christians are positive. You don’t have to go far to find negative Christians. Honestly, this is an area I struggle with. That’s one of the reasons I’m writing this Freshly Bru’d. So, how do we keep ourselves from becoming negative?
First, respond to God’s love. His love is revealed to us on a daily basis. You see it in spite of circumstances, through answered prayer, through the work of Jesus on the cross, in creation, and in the Bible. These things should help with focus.
Second, reprogram the way you think. This is harder to do in our day of instant awareness of what’s happening. But we are to transform our minds daily with God’s word, we are to think or meditate on praise worthy things. You are not only what you eat, but what you think.
Third, you have to recognize the best in others. Remember, no one is perfect. There are no perfect people, churches, jobs, parents, children, or spouses. The things we remember about others and the things we pass on about others stem from our thoughts about them. Think positive thoughts of them and you will speak positive words of them.
Fourth, to be positive in our negative world you’ve got to reach out to the lost and hurting people. Winning people to faith and seeing them develop in their faith will always bring positive joy into anyone’s life. Be positive!
In fact, the Apostle Paul tells us to be a rejoicing people. The process of becoming a rejoicing people and the process of becoming a positive influence in our world means we focus on positive thoughts. We concentrate on things that are true, honest, just, pure, and lovely, of good report, have virtue, and are worthy of praise. (Read Philippians 4:8-9.)
Sadly, not all Christians are positive. You don’t have to go far to find negative Christians. Honestly, this is an area I struggle with. That’s one of the reasons I’m writing this Freshly Bru’d. So, how do we keep ourselves from becoming negative?
First, respond to God’s love. His love is revealed to us on a daily basis. You see it in spite of circumstances, through answered prayer, through the work of Jesus on the cross, in creation, and in the Bible. These things should help with focus.
Second, reprogram the way you think. This is harder to do in our day of instant awareness of what’s happening. But we are to transform our minds daily with God’s word, we are to think or meditate on praise worthy things. You are not only what you eat, but what you think.
Third, you have to recognize the best in others. Remember, no one is perfect. There are no perfect people, churches, jobs, parents, children, or spouses. The things we remember about others and the things we pass on about others stem from our thoughts about them. Think positive thoughts of them and you will speak positive words of them.
Fourth, to be positive in our negative world you’ve got to reach out to the lost and hurting people. Winning people to faith and seeing them develop in their faith will always bring positive joy into anyone’s life. Be positive!
Blessings,
Pastor Mark "The Bru" Brunott
P.S. Are you overwhelmed
this Christmas? Are you having the time of your life this Christmas? Are you
joyful? Are you sad? Is it a wonderful time for you or a difficult time of the
year? This week we begin our Christmas series, “The Most Wonderful
Time…Really?” Join us at 9:00 and 10:30 on Sunday as we discover how to make it
the most wonderful time of year, for real. This Sunday we also welcome guest
harpist, Katie Wychulis, as she enhances the start of our Christmas
celebration.
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