5 Simple Ways to Maintain Momentum

By Tom Holladay


When you're feeling down, look up and adopt these everyday healthy habits to grow with God.

1. Pray for the first two minutes. The first two minutes of what? The first two minutes of everything! The first two minutes of your day, the first two minutes after you get in the car, the first two minutes at work. It is amazing how staying in a dialogue with God about everything will help you to stay connected to him.

2. Stop and listen. Staying connected to God means maintaining a conversation with God, which means it is as important to listen as it is for you to talk. Try asking God a question about a decision you are facing and then just listen for a moment. Blaise Pascal, the philosopher and mathematician, said, "All human evil comes from this, man's being unable to sit still in a room."

3. Put God's truth where you can see it. The Bible is God's love letter to you, filled with truth about everything in your life. As you hear or read a verse of Scripture that is meaningful to you, let it become meaningful beyond that moment. Write it down on a card, and put that card where you'll see it often. This writing the words of God on your heart, by the way, is how God directed Jewish families to learn his truth; look it up in Deuteronomy 6.

4. Spend time daily in spiritual reflection. A great way to grow deeper is through a daily devotion. And I know one intimately that I can recommend. I teach a daily podcast called "DriveTime Devotions." This 10-minute podcast devotional goes through the New Testament, one chapter a week and one book of the Bible at a time. You can find "DriveTime Devotions" on iTunes or at saddlebackfamily.com/mediacenter/drivetime. I would be honored to know that you are tuning in and allowing me to help you build some good habits.

5. Tell God, "Thank you." I've found that one of the most important habits for staying connected to God is to establish an attitude of gratitude. Telling God "Thank you" throughout the day completely changes my perspective and refreshes my sense of connection with him.
Here's my challenge for you: Try just one of these habits this week, and watch what God does in your life. Keep it going for two weeks, and you'll see him do even more. By the time you've done it for six weeks, that one change in your life will be an established habit, keeping you moving up even when the escalator is headed down.


Tom Holladay is a teaching pastor at Saddleback Church, and author of "The Relationship Principles of Jesus".

Friend of God - song

Who am I that You are mindful of me
That You hear me when I call
Is it true that You are thinking of me
How You love me it's amazing

(Chorus)
I am a friend of God
I am a friend of God
I am a friend of God
He calls me friend

God Almighty, Lord of Glory
You have called me friend

(Repeat Chorus)

He calls me friend
He calls me friend...

Who AM I? by Casting Crowns - song

Who am I?
That the Lord of all the earth,
Would care to know my name,
Would care to feel my hurt.
Who am I?
That the bright and morning star,
Would choose to light the way,
For my ever wandering heart.

Bridge:
Not because of who I am,
But because of what you've done.
Not because of what I've done,
But because of who you are.

Chorus:
I am a flower quickly fading,
Here today and gone tomorrow,
A wave tossed in the ocean,
A vapor in the wind.
Still you hear me when I'm calling,
Lord, you catch me when I'm falling,
And you've told me who I am.
I am yours.
I am yours.

Who am I?
That the eyes that see my sin
Would look on me with love
And watch me rise again.
Who am I?
That the voice that calmed the sea,
Would call out through the rain,
And calm the storm in me.

Not because of who I am,
But because of what you've done.
Not because of what I've done,
But because of who you are.


I am a flower quickly fading,
Here today and gone tomorrow,
A wave tossed in the ocean,
A vapor in the wind.
Still you hear me when I'm calling,
Lord, you catch me when I'm falling,
And you've told me who I am.
I am yours.

Not because of who I am,
But because of what you've done.
Not because of what I've done,
But because of who you are.


I am a flower quickly fading,
Here today and gone tomorrow,
A wave tossed in the ocean,
A vapor in the wind.
Still you hear me when I'm calling,
Lord, you catch me when I'm falling,
And you've told me who I am.
I am yours.
I am yours.
I am yours.

Whom shall I fear
Whom shall I fear
I am yours..
I am yours..

The Feast Songs - Worship Songs

The Feast Songs

Quit Trying to Please Everybody - Rick Warren

---

Inspiring Quotes in This Article:

• It is dangerous to be concerned with what others think of you.
• You cannot please everybody.
• You don't have to please everybody in order to be happy in life.
• Rejection will not ruin your life unless you let it.
• God likes me, and I like me; if you don't like me, then you've got a problem.

The Article:

“It is dangerous to be concerned with what others think of you” (Proverbs 29:25 GN)

When we worry about what other people think, we let them control us. We waste a lot of time and energy trying to figure out what other people want us to be. Then, we waste a lot of time and energy trying to become like that rather than just being what God made us to be. You're manipulated and controlled by somebody else.

Worrying about what other people think is dangerous because we’re more likely to cave in to criticism. It means we don't always do the right thing; instead, we do the thing that everybody wants us to do.

And we’re in danger of missing God's best because we're so worried about what other people what us to do that we can't stop to think about what God wants us to do.


• Fact #1: You cannot please everybody. Even God can't please everybody. One person prays for it to rain; another prays for it to be sunny. In the Super Bowl, both teams are praying that they will win. Who is God going to answer? God can't please everybody. Only a fool would try to do what even God can't do. You can't please everybody.

• Fact #2: It's not necessary to please everybody. There is a myth that says you must be loved and approved by everybody in order to be happy. That's just not true. You don't have to please everybody in order to be happy in life.

• Fact #3: Rejection will not ruin your life. It hurts, sure. It's not fun. It's uncomfortable. But rejection will not ruin your life unless you let it.

Quit trying to please everybody! Remember that nobody can make you feel inferior unless you give them permission.

The Apostle Paul says, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31 TEV) This means we can think like this: ‘God likes me, and I like me; if you don't like me, then you've got a problem. If God likes me, who cares that everybody doesn't approve of everything I do.’

Remember, nothing you ever do will make God love you less. Nothing you ever do will make God love you more. He loves you completely right now.


SOURCE: Purpose Driven

Eliminate Negative Self-Talk - by Rick Warren

You can change your thoughts into things..... The Secret


Inspiring quotes from this article

-  your life is shaped by your thoughts
-  thoughts determine your feelings and your feelings determine your actions
-  If you want to change your life, you've got to control the way you think.
-  God wants us to stop putting ourselves down
-  don't think about all those weaknesses in your life
-  fix your thoughts on what is true and good and right

"Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts" (Proverbs 4:23 GN).

Long before psychology came around, God said your thoughts determine your feelings and your feelings determine your actions. If you want to change your life, you've got to control the way you think.

Our minds are really an amazing creation. It would take a computer the size of a small city just to carry out the basic functions of your brain. Your brain contains over one hundred billion nerve cells. Each individual cell is connected with ten thousand other neurons.

In addition, you're constantly talking to yourself--all the time. Your mind is talking to you! You're talking to yourself right now. Research indicates that most people speak at a rate of 150 to 200 words per minute, but the mind can listen to about 500-600 words a minute. That's why you can listen to me and plan today's dinner at the same time.

In fact, our internal dialogue--the conversation we have with ourselves--is at a rate of 1,300 words per minute. How? Because our mind sees in pictures, and you can see a thought in a nano-second!

The problem is a lot of us are like Job, who says, "Everything I say seems to condemn me" (Job 9:20 GN). He is saying, in effect, "Everything I say puts me down." If you are typical to the human race, you are your own worst critic.

We're always putting ourselves down. We walk into a room smiling, but inside we're thinking, "I'm fat. I'm dumb. I'm ugly. And I'm always late!"

God wants us to stop putting ourselves down. When you put yourself down, who are you really putting down? When you say, "I'm fat. I'm dumb. I'm ugly. I'm no good. I have no talent," you're really pointing to the Creator who made you. When you say, "God, I'm worthless. I'm no good. I can't do anything," you're saying, "God, you blew it with me." That's why God says it's wrong to put yourself down.

How do you eliminate negative self-talk so you can become a more confident person?

The Bible teaches the principle of replacement:

"Fix your thoughts on what is true and good and right . . . Think about all you can thank God for and be glad about" (Philippians 4:8 TLB).

In other words, don't think about all those weaknesses in your life. Focus on who God wants you want to be and on what God wants to do in your life. I don't know any better antidote to low self-esteem (or to facing your hurts, habits, and hang-ups) than to read God's word every day: study it, memorize it, meditate on it, and apply it in your life.

There isn't a better thing you can do to raise your confidence level than to start believing what God says about you. As I read through the Bible, chapter by chapter, I find a verse that speaks to me. I write it down on a card, memorize it, and then I start affirming it back to God. "Father, thank you that I am valuable; I am significant; I am forgivable; I am capable." Let God renew your mind because "your life is shaped by your thoughts" (Proverbs 4:23 GN).


SOURCE:  Purpose Driven Connection

God's Message to You

Dear _________________,

I believe in you. If I didn't, I wouldn't have made you into such an amazing and wonderful person. I believe in you so much, I planted dreams in your heart. Dreams that will bless you and bless the world. Dreams that will make you grow in love and will mature in your soul. Yes, I will use you to share My light and love to many.

So believe in yourself. Even when you fail. Never give up on yourself. Failure is an important part of your success. Look around and you'll discover that the most successful people are those who have failed the most. Trust in Me. I trus in you!

Know the difference between paths and purpose. Even if your chosen path fails, never give up on your sacred purpose. When you write your dreams, include the details that you desire. Your imagination will inspire you. But don't be attached to the details. Surrender to my surprises and open yourself to My abundance. For I have the best blessings and the perfect miracles for you, far better than what you can think of or imagine.

Nourish your soul in My Love and My Word. Nourish your soul with other like-minded Dreamers who have fire in their hearts.

Now go, My child, and share My love and light to all those around you.

Always remember that I believe in you.


Cheering you on,

GOD


end--------->

Two pains of life
1. Pain of Discipline
2. Pain of Regret

Interesting Conversation 2 - God and his Child

A Love Story

Author: Unknown

One day, I woke early in the morning to watch the sunrise. Ah the beauty of God's creation is beyond description. As I watched, I praised God for His beautiful work. As I sat there, I felt the Lord's presence with me.


He asked me, "Do you love me?"

I answered, "Of course, God! You are my Lord and Savior!"

Then He asked, if you were physically handicapped, would you still love me?"

I was perplexed. I looked down upon my arms, legs and the rest of my body and wondered how many things I wouldn't be able to do, the things that I took for granted.

And I answered, "It would be tough Lord, but I would still love You".

Then the Lord said, "if you were blind, would you still love my creation?"

How could I love something without being able to see it? Then I thought of all the blind people in the world and how many of them still loved God and His creation. So I answered, "Its hard to think of it, but I would still love You".

The Lord then asked me, if you were deaf would you still listen to my word?"

How could I listen to anything being deaf? Then I understood. Listening to God's Word is not merely using our ears, but our hearts. I answered, "It would be tough, but I would still listen to Your word".

The Lord then asked, "If you were mute, would you still praise My Name?"

How could I praise without a voice? Then it occurred to me: God wants us to sing from our very heart and soul. It never matters what we sound like. And praising God is not always with a song, but when we are persecuted, we give God praise with our words of thanks. So, I answered, "Though I could not physically sing, I would still praise Your Name".

And the Lord asked, "Do you really love Me?"

With courage and a strong conviction, I answered boldly, "Yes Lord! I love You because You are the One and True God!"

I thought I had answered well, but God asked,

"THEN WHY DO YOU SIN?"

I answered, "Because I am only human. I am not perfect".

"THEN WHY IN TIMES OF PEACE DO YOU STRAY THE FURTHEST? WHY ONLY IN TIMES OF TROUBLE DO YOU PRAY THE EARNEST?"

No answers. Only tears.

The Lord continued: "Why only sing at fellowships and retreats? Why seek me only in times of worship? Why ask things so selfishly? Why ask things so unfaithfully?"

The tears continued to roll down my cheeks.

"Why are you ashamed of me? Why are you not spreading the good news? Why in times of persecution, you cry to others when I offer my shoulder to cry on? Why make excuses when I give you opportunities to serve in my name?"

I tried to answer, but there was no answer to give.

"You are blessed with life. I made you not to throw this gift away. I have blessed you with talents to serve me, but you continue to turn away. I have revealed my word to you, but you do not gain in knowledge. I have spoken to you but your ears were closed. I have shown my blessings to you, but your eyes were turned away. I have sent you servants, but you sat idly by as they were pushed away. I have heard your prayers and I have answered them all".

"DO YOU TRULY LOVE ME?"

I could not answer. How could I? I was embarrassed beyond belief. I had no excuse. What could I say to this? When my heart had cried out and the tears had flowed, I said, 'Please forgive me Lord. I am unworthy to be Your child.'

The Lord answered, " That is my grace, my child".

I asked, " Then why do you continue to forgive me? Why do You love me so?"

The Lord answered: 'Because you are My creation. You are my child. I will never abandon you. When you cry, I will have compassion and cry with you. When you shout with joy, I will laugh with you. When you are down, I will encourage you. When you fall, I will raise you up. When you are tired, I will carry you. I will be with you till the end of days, and I will love you forever'.

Never had I cried so hard before. How could I have been so cold? How could I have hurt God as I had done?

I asked God, 'How much do You love me?'

The Lord stretched out His arms, and I saw His nail-pierced hands. I bowed down at the feet of Christ, my Savior. And for the first time, I truly prayed.