God Thinking XLII - 2

"This 4^th principle may be the most important of all.  This is one of those must remember principles of God thinking.

4.      We learned that God is not the author of bad things. 

The question shouldn’t be “why do bad things happen to good people?”, the question should be, “what are we going to do with what God allowed to happen?” The former way of thinking about the valleys of life cause us to doubt God.

God thinking causes us to trust God.  

5.     We learned that the bad things that happen, anything that is not for           our good was generated from one or all of these three things:

• The fall of man - tempted by satan
• The results of, or- what was left behind by those before us - generational inheritanc
• And our own free will 

6.     God thinking requires less focus on where you’ve been and more              focus on where you’re going.

     Excerpt from God Thinking XLII by Keith C. Powell Copyright 2016

God Thinking XLII

God thinking is the renewing of your mind to think like God.

Let’s take a quick look at some of those principles that are the building blocks of God thinking.

Time expended is of no consequence.  You need to be careful not to put much of your time in the past.  It is not profitable to wallow in the mire of past things.

You are a direct result of God.  Understanding the connection between God and man and learning how to operate in that connection is essential in your quest to reach your goals, dreams, breakthroughs, answered prayers, true success.

“For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he...”  This verse has a profound meaning, hidden by centuries of misinterpretation.  This verse speaks clearly about the way a man thinks, and really has nothing to do with what he thinks himself to be."

     Exceprt from God Thinking XLII by Keith C. Powell Copyright 2016

Proverbs 017

017 " The difference between the goodness of God and man.
God's goodness is not to be compared to man's emotionally driven whirlwind of unstable behaviors. Anything you can imagine in a lifetime in your inmost contemplation of God's goodness is like the light that shines through the eye of a needle (or the minds eye) compared to the light of the sun/Son.
There is just no possibility of understanding such greatness while in the flesh.

Proverbs 016

"016 Be an inspiration to others and lift them up with the power within you as a child of God, born again with a newness of mind. 
Zealously encourage one another as we all struggle as strangers and pilgrims in this world. straightway be conscientious in delivering the good news of our blessed hope. 
Anxiously commit yourself to the edification of the body of Christ. 
Make your conversation a good work so that whatsoever you say can be amplified in heaven. 
Daily submit yourself to self-abasement and humility. 
Say what you mean and mean what you say. 
Portray nothing. 
Empty your mind of shallow conversation. 
Devise nothing that bewilders the uncertain.
Speak with certitude of that which is not ambiguous. 
Say little, purpose much.
Prod yourself and let others rest.
A person of God needs only that which God ordains. 
Be compassionate with simplicity.
Reason your conversation and don't rationalize according to an opinion.
God's precepts are not open for disputation. 
Trust not in your own wisdom but support yourself with godliness. 
Condemn no one. Remember there is no Christian in which God has not drawn nigh unto Himself.
Refuse not the poor and needy.
Seek not ones outward appearance but seek the inward motivations and you will have honorable friends. 

Proverbs 013 - 015

"013 A man without a reason that can be explained so others can understand is like building a highway 1,000 miles long with no exits to refuel.

014 True religion is not an exercise in theology. It is not based on rituals or daily oblations, It has no differences one from another which separate the body of Christ. True religion has no plaintiffs or defendants. True religion is practicing being like Jesus. For what is it to be a Baptist, Methodist, Catholic, Jehovah's Witness, Buddhist or Lutheran or any other religion and lose our soul very soul, because Jesus never knew you. 

015 To rightly divide the Word is not to become interpreters of what God says, but to become familiar with where in the Word, God says what He says and believe it. 

Excerpt from Proverbs by Keith C. Powell Copyright 2016 

Proverbs 2

008 To play with words with the intent to more clearly express ideas, concepts and imaginations is healthy and wise; but to play with words with the intent to deceive is detrimental to oneself and society as a whole.

009 There are no absolutes, save one; God's Love. All else is a continuous series of compromises by which all things are hinged.

010 To be  impatient or overanxious is a form of instability, in that neither can affect change. Planning and (maintenance of previously established guidelines) are the only means by which a higher goal or an entrepreneurial goal can take form and last.

011 When the opportunity comes to give or to receive, you have that choice, but as to whether it is better to give or receive, it will always be better to give than to receive.

012 If the seasons have told all their stories, then of seasons there would be no need

Proverbs

"001 If your conscience doesn't bother you, then do what you do. But if it does, you are a liar.

002 Those who make a lot of mistakes know what it is like to work hard.

003 Beyond your reach are many, many things that do not exist.

004 Even a small puddle can drown you if you fall asleep face down. 

005 Growth, strength, beauty and plentifulness come in many ways, but seldom will you see a fish jump into a pelican's mouth. 

006 If the seasons have told all their stories, then of seasons there would become no need.

007 Without the tongue man would have to perform the word of God to establish repentance and to spread the gospel.

Excerpt from Proverbs by Keith C. Powell Copyright 2016

Under 20?, Catch This

• "I love to see you blast your music; the way it makes you feel, so many have lost. 
• I love to see you give to others what you could keep for yourself.
• To watch you gather yourselves at the beach at night is an inspiration.
• When you hear people speak of you as a lost generation, it does not drag you down, but you enforce what you believe and rebound what is owed your 
• accusers. 
• You keep finding better ways and better music and better friends all the time. 
• Don't give up, for only for a little while will you have what others so quickly reprimand you for, your youth.
• Keep on searching for something better and pass it on, even my way.

A Friend

Know for Sure

"Oh the Glory of God; first God saved me then God made me. The work of God is in you, oftentimes involuntary, sometimes because of your response, sometimes by request. God is ever-constant, reliable, knowing the ending from the beginning. 

Use your faith, Oh ye, His congregation. Stand on your faith and not your talent or education for your spiritual life and blessing. Claim God's promise in your life. That is why God made promises, so that you could stand on them. To know God's promises and not claim them is to reject them. 

You who are saved and yet worry or fret about what is your claim: On what grounds do you question your salvation and the promises of God? On what grounds can you say in your heart, "I wonder if I am saved" or "how can I be sure?"

Know for sure because God says so. God has not let you down. He will continue to carry you until the end. (This worldly life). 

If I Were To Write About The Other Side Of Life 3

"If I were to write about the other side of life I would probably mention a man’s faith, how he waxes and wanes like the sun

I’ve seen him so full of faith he could walk on water and so empty that he would bow his head to pray and in disgust just say, “Oh forget it,” afraid of retribution for speaking his mind and no faith at all that God …anything…

I’ve seen him strong as a lion and weak as a mole, steady and sure for himself, he is not, but let a beggar even look his way and he gives.  Let the need of another arise, he is there.  He gives to others as if God were filling him up, but inside his own glass he doesn’t even check it anymore, it’s been empty so many times.  It’s been full too and he doesn’t forget it, but it is a memory

If I were to write about the other side of life I would write about how the working man/woman has to work and work – Real Estate prices rise – food goes up – gas skyrockets, but his paycheck is stationary, not corrected as the cost of living goes up, only government workers benefit in these times.  Those who don’t work for the government can’t lean on a shovel and get paid or hide in a ditch for hours and still get paid and health care and a 401K and other perks.

No, the working man is told that he is lucky to have a job." 

If I Were To Write About The Other Side Of Life 2

"If I were to write about the other side of life I would be remiss if not to mention the common man’s plight to pay his bills and build any security for himself and his family

For in a family, the ups and downs of wage earning is like trying to calm a cobra on steroids and the hopes of change, even from an unknown source is like dangling a carrot in front of an ass

He works hard and then harder only to find that his fortune must be found in something intangible, for his job supplies a little less than the minimum requirement of satisfaction

With each year’s toil he gains valuable insights and skills and talents that greatly increase his ability to perform his learned trade and each year forward makes him one year less needed

As he plateaus he should revel, but plateaus as a working man learns, is only worth one paycheck ahead and it gets harder to reach as he descends down the other side of the hill

If it weren’t for silly things like Publishers Clearing House and the occasional raffle and a gas station lottery ticket, his hope of success would have been squeezed out of him a half life ago

His longing for success and dreams of fame have been confiscated by maintenance of the mundane"

If I Were To Write About The Other Side Of Life 1

"If I were to write about the other side of life

I would mention the one where heartaches and pain linger, waiting to pounce on us like a cat with a small bird

If I did write about the other side of life I would mention how some friends were thieves of everything precious, the things that only those who get real close know about; And then like a true enemy, they suck the little bit of joy and peace and financial security that you have quietly amassed.   Strangers and thieves and marketers didn’t even know about your little stash of precious things, but a close friend knows

Some are willing to take it all and step out beyond the truth to crush you like a sheepsfoot roller crushes gravel , that way they won’t be found out what they did or how they did it

Even their fear of God was set aside and replaced by the corruption of laughter at the suffering of the innocent

Old age and death will win the race of letting another in so close

A Bird's Eye View

Oh how blind we are.  I was frustrated as I ruminated on what I did not possess.  I was sitting on a porch chair and I could hear in the background the heavenly noise of children playing. A bird flew by and perched on the wall on the backside of my house.  As I was dozing off I could hear the birds singing:

          Oh God how great Thou art

          Thou that givest me wings to fly

          Thou that providest my meals on time

          Thou that clothes me warm and cool

          I see one of Your children sleeping on the porch of that big home               You gave them

          He looks just like You

          Thank You that I can sit here and see him clearly

          When I gaze at all You’ve made for me, I am overwhelmed with joy

          I think I’ll continue to sing to You

          You are so good to me

          The air is so free

          You gave me this wall to sit on and Your people to look at

         

          You remind me of what is precious

          You give me what is good

          You promise my every need will be met

          So I sing to you

Could it be that we need to have a bird’s eye view to better understanding God’s beautiful creation?