Organizing the Inside 365 Days
Empowering Christian Women To Get Organized and Discover God's Plan for Their LivesArchive for November, 2011
Organizing the Inside – Day 89 End the Mental Clutter! Make Negative Thoughts Obey
Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; ~ 2 Corinthians 10:5
Every negative what-if has paraded itself through your mind and now you are a nervous wreck.
That never has to happen to you again; really you can overcome this too. Your mind can be controlled by the spirit man but it will take a bit of practice. Just because your mind decides to hold you hostage by going into the mental default mode, “negative” doesn’t mean you have to go along with it. The Word of God teaches us that we have power over our minds.
Jesus bore negative thoughts when He hung on the cross.
Right along with our sins, Jesus also paid the price for our physical health and our mental health. Isaiah 53:5 says, “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” There is nothing that can torment your peace more than negative thoughts that just keep popping up, right?
You may have to assert your authority.
Negative thoughts are a trick of the enemy; there is nothing new in his arsenal of weapons. The Greater One is in you! First settle this in your mind, that Jesus died for you to be FREE mentally, spiritually and physically. Next settle it in your heart that you have the power to do what the Word of God says; bring every thought under the obedience of Christ.
If you are struggling with fear about the future because of bad thoughts your problem is more common than you think. I think every Christians at one time or another has had the forces of the enemy try to attack their thought life. Here are some real life application things that will help you conquer a cluttered thought life once and for all. If you practice making these changes it will change your life.
Seven Ways to Take Charge of Your Thoughts:
You can take each one captive and make it obey the Word of God.
1). Memorize scripture that you can recite out loud when your thoughts are under attack. Philippians 4:8 and Isaiah 41:10 are both an excellent place to start.
2). Speak directly to the negative thought and say “Negative though, I take authority over you in the name of Jesus, you have no power and I render you null and void.”
3). Pray in the spirit, your mind can not comprehend, but the Word says, He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; 1 Corinthians 14:4
4). Write down the negative thought and then go through the process of actually burning the paper. This will work as a visual image that the thought has been destroyed.
5). When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness, He spoke the Word of God. Speak the Word of God aloud and say, “It is written (fill in your scripture here). If there is a particular thought that keeps coming up then you can look up a specific scripture to use. This will help to increase your faith, because faith comes by hearing the Word of God. So make sure you speak the words don’t just think them.
6). Sing praise songs. God inhabits the praises of His people. Psalm 22:3. Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is Liberty 2 Corinthians 3:17 and your mind can not and will not stay in bondage to negative thoughts when you are praising God.
7). Meditate on the Word of God. Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Isaiah 26:3 Meditation is a way of recalling, pondering, thinking deeply and digesting the Word of God, over and over and over. As your mind and your heart embraces the powerful, anointed Word of God the bondage will be broken. It is the anointing that breaks the yoke of bondage Isaiah 10:27 and Jesus is the anointed one Luke 4:18 and He is the Word. John 1:14
EXTRA: Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Psalm 103:1 Your mind is within you. Speak to your mind and tell it that it must obey the Word of God. What you say has the same creative force behind it as the Word of God, because you are created in His image and in His likeness. All the more powerful what you say is when you speak the written Word. You have the authority to do it, now all you have to do is act on that authority.
Thank God for Jesus who came that we might have life and have it more abundantly! John 10:10
If you know of other ways to cast down negative thoughts, I invite you to post a comment.
Organizing the Inside – Day 87 Greater Works Than These
“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. ~John 14:12
Solomon built a temple which was the place where God would dwell.
The Lord loved Israel and wanted to be among His chosen people. He adored her and even though she did not obey Him perfectly when Israel turned her heart toward God He forgave and restored her former glory. God had Solomon build this temple and agreed to honor the request of those who turned toward it. There were a great many sacrifices made at the temple and only the priest could go into the sacred place of the temple. God made tremendous provisions to have a people He could dwell with.
Jesus had to leave, so that the Holy Spirit could come.
He gave us the promise that He would send the Spirit of Truth who is the Comforter. The Holy Spirit of God would come and have true fellowship among His beloved children. Once Jesus was sacrificed as the perfect sin offering, for once and for all, God could have what He wanted most; true fellowship with His children.
What does it mean to you to have fellowship with God?
Our heavenly Father went to great lengths to redeem us from sin, so that we could know Him and have a relationship with Him. He is a Holy and loving God who has shown us mercy time and time again. It’s hard to comprehend the love that He has for us that He would choose to dwell with us and in us. No human logic or intellectual interpretation of His divine goodness could ever articulate how much He must love His children.
There is a remarkable power resting in you.
The Holy Spirit who appeared as cloven tongues of fire, on the Day of Pentecost now lives in born again believers. Our lives must consist of true worship and honor God by recognizing who He is. He demonstrates His awesome power under control as He lives on the inside of a temple not made with hands. He built the universe and the earth is His footstool, yet He is the same God who sits and talks with us when we come to Him. Discover your whole duty, your true purpose while here on earth. You have been enlightened and empowered by the Spirit of Truth that lives in you.
What are you doing? Determine now not to trade your fellowship for illicit activities that shouldn’t even be mentioned among us. Don’t trade your time with an omnipotent and Holy God for a television program or an extra 20 minutes of sleep. May God help you not spend your time looking at worthless things or contemplating issues that really don’t matter. Open your eyes and see the higher purpose the greater assignment, the deeper meaning of why you are here and have been given the power you have. Choose today to get busy doing what the Holy God of Israel has called you out from among them to do. Also read 1 Corinthians 6:19 and Romans 12:1
It’s it time we all Get Organized, Simplify Our Lives and Glorify God?
Organizing the Inside – Day 86 Cast Your Net On The Right Side
He called out, “Fellows, have you caught any fish?” “No,” they replied. He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. ~John 21:5, 6
Are you casting your net on the right side?
The difference between success and failure could be in making an adjustment? Why is it that the disciples were out all night, working hard and caught no fish? These were fishermen and they knew how to catch fish, their abundance was near, yet they needed to change what they were doing. Is the difference in abundance and lack in your life is only one specific word of direction? Do you need a word from the Lord? Jesus gave the disciples a word of knowledge, which they immediately obeyed. They experienced abundance because they heard from the Lord and obeyed His specific instructions.
God wants you to succeed.
God wants His children to have everything they need. But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 Christians often suffer lack because of a failure to listen (hear) and obey (receive) the specific Word of God. There are times when you simply need to make an adjustment. We sometime complicate our lives by casting the net on the wrong side of the boat. Although what you are doing is not working you keep doing it anyway. Abundance is found in following the specific will of God. It’s not enough to go where God wants you to go, if you are not doing the right thing once you get there. A huge part of doing God’s will includes doing it His way.
Did the disciples need to go back for more training on how to fish?
Did they need to seek a second opinion? The disciples were doing what they were supposed to do, but needed to do it differently. Immediately they obeyed and found abundance. If you are not getting results and suffering lack in your business, marriage, ministry or any area of your life, you may need to make a simple adjustment. Have faith, I believe the answer is near you and it’s in your heart. Ask God who gives generously to all who call on Him. Also read Deuteronomy 30:11-14
Organizing the Inside – Day 85 A State of Contentment
5Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” ~Hebrews 13:5
The key to contentment is to first consider God.
Consider the hand of the Lord and how he orchestrates the remarkable coordination of dawn and dusk. Consider the blue waves of the ocean that crash to the shore and change to foam before rushing backward to the ocean again. Consider the majestic venues of life while looking upon the snow-covered mountains or the lily filled valley. Consider the beast of the field or the birds of the air and imagine His provisions of shelter and space to play and soar. Consider the grass that grows but is cut down or burnt by the sun, yet somehow grows back again. Or consider the flowers that brighten a colorless hospital room or bring cheer to an elderly woman on her sick-bed. Consider how God provides freedom from sin and life beyond death. Just take a moment to consider all the ways God brings color and love and joy into our lives.
Next consider the alternative.
Learning to be content is about looking outside of you
and understanding the importance of investing in the lives of others; understanding why you are here. Being content is realizing that God made you in the right family, at the right time, under the right circumstances and for the right reasons. God specifically set you in place at this time for His own divine purpose and for His good pleasure. Never compare yourself to others, for comparison breeds envy. Instead see the hand of God at work in the universe and discover your place of service.
Also read Philippians 4:11-13
Related articles
- Don’t just be thankful (hurtalittle.com)
Organizing the Inside – Day 84 Agreeing with God-The Beginning of Success
In all labor there is profit, but idle chatter leads only to poverty.
~ Proverbs 14:23
Working hard to meet your goals will bring about success.
In order to experience success you must be able to define it. One person’s definition of success is different from another’s. Define what success looks like to you. If a certain social status, a godly household or a warehouse to feed the homeless is your definition of success then make sure you can define what that looks like. The greatest success we could ever have is to agree with God’s plan for our lives and get busy doing it.
Consider making a vision board that will help you imagine living God’s plan for your life. The ability to form images in your mind is a gift from God and He’s given the gift of imagination to help fuel your faith. A good vision board reminds you of what you’re working toward achieving in this life.
Purpose inspires productivity.
Many well-meaning Christians work hard every day without having clear goals or knowing their purpose. I’m speaking beyond just going to work to pay bills; that is not God’s purpose for your life. You may say that not everything has to be tied to a greater meaning. Let me remind you of the scripture found in the book of Romans: which teaches us that all things work together for the good of them that love the Lord and are the called according to His purpose. This tell me that we should each be focusing our hard work toward goals that will bring about change, first in you and then in the hearts and lives of others.
Planning makes no difference without execution.
Making plans is only a small part of beginning to fulfill your purpose. If you want to see your plans come to life then you must act upon those plans. The most elaborate plans are left on shelves or stored in dust-covered shoe boxes which are filled with broken dreams and deferred hope. Planning and execution is where you generally can separate those who talk about what they’re going to do and those who actually do what they do. God doesn’t want our lives to consist of a long list of unexecuted plans and excuses. Start today to plan your work and work your plan. Organize your goals by making a list of things to execute over the next few weeks. Start small and work your way up. As you begin to act upon your plans your excitement will help refuel your resolve to get things done.
God never promised that this road would be easy.
He did promise that He would always be there to help us in our time of need. He promised that the tools we needed to be successful would be provided. There is much work to be done and all of creation is rooting for your success. Get organized, simplify your life and accelerate your success by saying yes to what God has already told you to do then go do it.
Related articles
- Day 28- God Organizes First (lizmason.wordpress.com)
- Organizing the Inside – Day 81 Being a Strong Willed Woman (lizmason.wordpress.com)
Organizing the Inside – Day 83 Who Hindered You?
You were running the race so well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? ~ Galatians 5:7
Why allow someone else to keep you from pursuing your God-given purpose?
You know who you are. You even know that God has a call on your life. He has called you to do something that only you can do. It’s the talents, abilities, gifts and skills that He placed in you that are needed to get the job done, the way He wants it done. So they don’t agree that this is how you should live. They don’t believe in your dreams and no one else can see this “vision” like you can. Does that mean that you give up? Do you give in to the pressure because it doesn’t make sense to anyone other than you?
No one has the power to hold you back.
The enemy wants to sift you like wheat. He will use others to get you off course. He will certainly try to discourage you and cause you to blame anyone nearby. You only have you to blame. If someone is holding you back, it’s only because you allow them to. When you raise the bar in your own life inevitably there will be people who will not want you to succeed. Your willingness to do what God has told you to do will challenge the “do nothing crowd” to look at their own lives.
The past is dead and you need to bury it before it starts to stink up your life.
The greatest truth that you can follow is the truth of Christ. Being a Christian is about sacrifice, but it is obedience that brings the reward. Christ died that we might live. His life was the sacrifice that covers it all, pays your debt and mine and there is no need for you to try to pay it again. Following Christ is often considered as a choice to give up things. I like to consider following Christ as the only way to find your life… your true life, and that is to lose it. Are you following Christ? Are you doing what God called you to do or are you making up excuses because of something that happened a long time ago?
Holding on to the past can keep you from achieving your dreams.
If you’ve given over your power to succeed because things got hard, or no one else supported you, or for some other reason, I understand. Until you reach a certain point in your journey, giving up will come up for discussion at least once a day, that’s life. Everyone gets discouraged, but that’s just a feeling and you can’t live your life based upon emotions. It’s time for you to get up, pick up your mat and walk. God has made you free; you can serve Him and serve well. Don’t allow things in your past to stop you anymore. Look ahead, close your eyes and stretch your imagination to see yourself fulfilling the life God has for you.
It is not too late to start again! Now open your eyes and move forward. God has your back.
Organizing the Inside – Day 82 Come Boldly
So let us keep on coming boldly to the throne of grace, so that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. ~Hebrews 4:16
God is waiting for your request.
I can remember as a child every day when my Dad would come home from work He’d always bring my kid sister and me a treat. We’d run to the door and jump in his arms and he would wait for our request. I’d say, “Hi Daddy!” then he’d say, “Hi Pendy!” Then my sister would say, “Hi Daddy!” and he’d say, “Hi Leet!” Then he would wait for the big question. “Did you bring me something?” “Did you bring me something?” Nothing we were doing when my Dad arrived home was more important than running, with boldness and great anticipation to get hugs, kisses and a treat. We never hesitated; we knew he had something especially for us. We knew it was something good and we were so excited, because we knew it belonged to us…but he waited every time for us to ask for it first.
As God’s children He wants us to ask Him for whatever we want.
The scriptures tell us to come boldly, not because we’ve somehow managed to earn the right to approach a Holy God in this manner, but because of His grace. He gave us His favor, free and of charge and made us His dear children. I’m sure my Dad was happy when he came home, knowing that he would be welcomed with big hugs and kisses and the expectation of two very excited little girls, who knew without a doubt that he had something wonderful to give. God wants us to run to Him with great expectation and faith that He is there to help and give us whatever we have need of.
The power of God’s grace is resting on the inside of us.
God knew before the foundation of the earth all that we’d be faced with in this life. Yet, before we were born He called us overcomers. He’d already arranged for us to have all we needed to sustain us in difficult times, and to have full and complete VICTORY. Frustration, complications and despair are available in abundance; but so is the wonderful, powerful grace of God, and it belongs to each of us who have been redeemed from sin.
For whatever is born of God overcomes the world: and this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith. ~ 1 John 5:4 also read 1 John 4:4.
Organizing the Inside – Day 81 Being a Strong Willed Woman
26and she begged him to cast out the demon from her daughter. Since she was a Gentile, born in Syrian Phoenicia, 27Jesus told her, “First I should feed the children—my own family, the Jews. It isn’t right to take food from the children and throw it to the dogs.” 28she replied, “That’s true, Lord, but even the dogs under the table are allowed to eat the scraps from the children’s plates.” 29“Good answer!” he said. “Now go home, for the demon has left your daughter.”
Strong willed women are often looked down upon.
There is a thin line between being a strong woman and being considered overbearing or inappropriate. In some churches women are expected to stay quiet and not be involved in ministry. These churches are mistaken and don’t realize the treasures of knowledge and talent that God has given women. Fortunately much is changing and as God pours out His Spirit upon His daughters they too are prophesying.
God is enriching the lives of His people.
He is using strong women to spread His message of truth and love. Leadership, determination and motivation are important to the work of the ministry and these are just a few remarkable characteristics God placed in women. (I’m not talking about women leading or teaching men, I’m more concerned with women living a life that pleases God) Everything that we do as His servants must be done with discretion. Too often women of God are given a bad reputation based upon a small few who have decided to do things without exercising much discretion at all.
Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman without discretion. ~Proverbs 11:22
Is God pleased when you show determination?
Women in the scriptures have shown determination that has resulted in changed policy. (Numbers 27:1-11) God placed many talents, abilities, gifts and skills (TAGS) in women for the much-needed work that is ahead. We must however not allow ourselves to be deceived as Eve was; the divine order of God has not changed and it will not change. Man is still the head of woman and Christ is the head of the Church. Women operate from a position of influence, therefore it is utterly important that we be sensitive to the Holy Spirit and stay in tune with what God wants us to do. We must avoid trying to make things go our way, but influence others to obey God.
Women must yield to the will of God.
The greatest strength that we could have is being strong enough to say yes to the will of God. There is no other place to find safety, security and peace than in the will of God. With all that you are getting, get understanding. Your life is not about you, what you want or how you think things should be. By bringing your will in line with God’s will your determination is not misplaced. Through your strength and determination decide today that you will follow God’s purpose and plan for your life. Discover your brilliant zone and be determined to use your TAGS to the glory of God. Do what you are meant to do and be who you are meant to be. Seek peace and pursue it; for there you will find the most amazing experiences in the center of God’s will.
Organizing the Inside – Day 80 Are You Living Amongst The Thorns?
18The seed that fell among the thorns represents others who hear God’s word, 19but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life, the lure of wealth, and the desire for other things, so no fruit is produced. ~Mark 4:18, 19
The enemy wants to distract you from your purpose.
It is so easy to get distracted from your purpose when you are busy trying to be a people-pleaser. We have to discipline ourselves to stay focused. This requires a relentless daily effort to stay on track and not be pulled away by the lures and luxuries of the world. It’s far more important that your life pleases God and not everyone else. You have church, spouse, children, friends, associates and employers and they are all wanting to get a piece of you. Everyone either wants you to help them or do something for them.
Life as a Christian is about service.
Jesus taught that being great means being a servant. Even servants need to have a balanced lifestyle. Too often people confuse being a servant with wanting to please others. These are two completely different things. Being a servant requires a life that is sold out for the kingdom of God; and that means showing the love of Christ in everything you do. The problem is that when you are giving and doing, just to please others the condition of your heart is not right. Whether you are looking for a big promotion or you just want to be liked, neither of these have anything to do with kingdom building. Unless you are trying to build your own kingdom, you have no need to care what people think of you. It is God’s job to give you favor with the people He knows you need to find favor with; actually He’s really good at that kind of thing.
Jesus prayed that we would be kept from the world.
He clarified that prayer, (for us not God) that He didn’t want us to be taken out of the world, but to be kept from the evil one. So how does one keep herself from being corrupted by the world? (We’ll discuss what that looks like in a minute) The world can be very enticing. Money, prestige, power, responsibilities, relationships, and a whole host of other distractions can pull us off track.
Make your relationship with God your number one priority.
It’s not easy, especially if you’re married. The woman who is married is concerned about the world and how she might please her husband. (1 Corn. 7:34) I get it, but that is not some license for a married woman to neglect the most important relationship she could ever have. Making God first won’t take away from your relationship with your husband. Making God first in your life will only enhance your relationship with your husband. Your relationship with your spouse will work best when you love and respect him, through your relationship with the Lord.
Force yourself to obey what you know is right until it becomes an automatic response.
Change what you do. It takes discipline to allow the word of God to be nurtured in your heart. By reading the word regularly, praying, meditating and journaling, your investment of time will cause the word that was planted to grow, therefore producing fruit. This doesn’t come automatically, but that’s what discipline is; repeating a particular habit or behavior until obedience becomes an automatic response.
Trying to be “Every-woman” will get you thrown in the loony bin.
Give God the honor that is due Him. He will see to it that the rest of your priorities are in order. Here’s the deal…when He speaks to your heart to change this or let go of that, YOU MUST SIMPLY OBEY. When you hear the word, obey the word. Keep looking at it; it’s like looking into a mirror and it is able to make you free. You will be free to serve and free to live. Being caught up in the cares of the world is counter-productive to being a Christian and it’s what Jesus died to make you free from, so don’t allow yourself to be entrapped again.
He who the Son makes free is free indeed! ~Also read James 1:25 and Galatians 1:11
Organizing the Inside – Day 79 God’s Got It, Stand Firm
The Lord will fight for you and you shall hold your peace and remain at rest.
~ Exodus 14:14
Have you ever wanted to give up in the middle of a battle?
Your prospective is everything when you are in battle. Complications would be minimized if we would trust God and not try to handle things ourselves. Impatience will cause you to want to take matters into your own hands. The Israelites were caught between the red sea and Pharaoh’s army. As the army advanced forward and closed in, they felt like it was over. It “looked” like they were in a hopeless situation and they began to complain; because of fear they gave up on trusting God. Their situation appeared impossible and like many battles we are in as Christians, if we “look” at the circumstance we will surely lose hope.
When your situation looks impossible is the time you have to trust God the most.
When your back is against the red sea and the enemy is quickly closing in on you; that’s the time to STAND and see the salvation of the Lord. God spoke through Moses, and perhaps He has spoken to you because you are at a point where you want to give up. Know that God’s got it. He absolutely cannot fail. Be encouraged! 13Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today…”
God will fight for you and protect you.
Of course it can be frightening to be in a battle when it seems like you’re doomed. No matter how bad things are right in the heat of the battle, the unmistakable truth is, you will win. Trust God with your whole heart; you will make it through. When Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, were thrown into the fiery furnace their situation appeared hopeless. Can you imagine what people must have thought? I’m sure some said, “Surely they are going down.” The heat that came from the furnace was so deadly; it killed the men that threw them in. Once the king realized his plan to kill them wasn’t working, he called them to come out and talk with him. Not even a trace of smoke was on their clothes. God was not only with them in the fire, He protected them, not one hair was harmed.
Seeing the salvation of the Lord requires faith on your part.
Who hasn’t at one time or another wanted to run and hide? Remaining steadfast in your faith can be done. With God all things are possible. Faith and patience are the power twins to get you through the battle. Know that God promised He would never leave you or forsake you. He remained with the Israelites through many difficult circumstances. His word is undisputable. He stands Lord over His word to make sure it is performed. As Children of the Most High God we walk by faith and not by sight. No matter how it looks, God has already won the battle. No more crying, worrying, and complaining… it’s time to STAND and see the salvation of the Lord.
Organizing the Inside 365 Days 