Vibrant Living
with Diane
CONNECT WITH ME
You Can't Live a POSITIVE LIFE with a NEGATIVE MIND.
Nourish Your Spirit with A Cup of His Inspiration
Help! I Feel Like a Failure.
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105
We all have days when we feel worthless. Oftentimes, when we are in that thought process, we let our, "Inner Critic," take over and we say some pretty mean things to ourselves. Some of the things we say to ourselves we would never dare say to another person because the words are so harsh. So why be mean to yourself? Trust me, I work on this, too, on a regular basis. When you feel like a failure, pick up the Word of God and look to your maker to realize your value. His word is a light to our path and it is also the tool we need to use more often, to stop beating ourselves up. Before you begin to read the Bible, pray that God would open your eyes to what you need to know. And look to God and His Word to realize you are a very special person and you are deeply loved and deeply valued by your heavenly Father!
Don't Let the Sun Go Down
on Me.
"In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry." Ephesians 4:26
Many times, "human eruptions," are much like volcanic eruptions. Things pile up in your mind, heart, and emotions and you just keep pushing them back down inside. Eventually it will all bubble to the top and explode just like hot lava from a volcano. Each morning before you start your day, ask God to go before you and make the rough places smooth. Ask Him to help you be His light and to help you to let small aggravations slide. It's kinda like the difference between Velcro and a Teflon! When strangers, or even folks you know, make a curt comment, you can either let it stick like Velcro, or just let it slide off of you like an egg slides out of a Teflon Skillet. Anger is one letter short of Danger. Don't let it build up, address things that need to be address, and sleep on the pillow of a clean conscience.
Living Happy is a Choice.
"Every day is a terrible day for a miserable person, but a cheerful heart has a continual feast." Proverbs 15:15
I choose to be happy. If I were to sit down and think about all the things I could list to be miserable about, I wouldn't have a problem coming up with a long list. There is an enormous amount of bad news in the world and sad things that happen. You and I must choose what we want to focus on. The good or the bad. What we have or what we don't have. Most days I am able to keep my focus on the positive side. It also helps to surround yourself with pleasant visuals, uplifting media, and music that makes us feel good. Another thing that always works, is to get out of your own problems and help someone else! The act of helping someone makes us feel good and also helps us to realize that many folks have a much worse situation than we do and we have much to be grateful for. So what will you be today? Happy or Crabby? I choose HAPPY!
What Stands Between you
& God?
“Point out anything in me that offends You, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.” Psalm 129:34
We all have, "blind spots," in our lives. Sometimes there are areas in our lives that need attention but we cannot see them. But God sees it all and loves us enough to help us. We have the opportunity to know God and be known by Him. Over the decades, much has been debated about whether Christians should drink or smoke or other questionable habits. Many say, you can drink, just don't get drunk. Interesting thing is, if you are at all intoxicated, you lose your judgement and our less likely to know, "when to say when." Maybe your blind spot is not realizing how much you complain, or having a judgemental attitude. It is a brave prayer to ask God to show you what areas in your life are displeasing to him or areas He can help you get better. However, it is a prayer and an attitude that will ensure that you and God have an open relationship, with no hindrances. That is the sweet spot where God can bless you and guide you because you have trained yourself to be submissive to Him and to hear His voice more clearly than anything on this earth.
Fear Nothing for God Has a Plan for You.
"I sought the Lord and answered me and He delivered me from all my fears." Psalm 34:4
"Fear is a normal reaction when we can't see God's game plan ahead of us. The phrase, "Do not be afraid," is written in the Bible 365 times. That's a daily reminder from God to live every day being fearless. Fear can also be an immobilizer if we are not strong in our faith. Often, we worry because although we know God can answer our prayers, we don't know if He will or we think we don't deserve it. The enemy says, "Look at your sin," God says, "Look at my son." We will never be good enough for all of God's blessings and provisions. That's a fear the enemy plants in our mind, to keep us from growing in our faith. Fear is not part of God's plan for our lives. In fact, fear does not come from Him, but the enemy. Here are 3 things you can do to help. 1. Speak God's Word out loud. (God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind) 2. Write down your fears and talk to God about them. 3. When you are over come by anxiety, just say, "Jesus." Over and over again. "Jesus." Say it until his supernatural peace wraps around you like a warm blanket.
Expecting Abundance.
"God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all you need, you will abound in every good work." 2 Cor. 9:8
One mistake we sometimes make, is focusing on the wrong things. When we are in need, it's easy to focus on what we don't have. Sometimes we fixate on it and dwell on it. We mope about it, become depressed. And we worry. Here are four points on worry. 1) Worry is like a rocking chair, it keeps you busy but you don't get anywhere. 2) Worry is thinking you can fix things better than God or trying to do life without Him. 3) Worry is meditating on everything you don't want. 4) Worry can become chronic and lead to depression or physical illness. We either believe the Word of God or we don't. When things seem utterly impossible, God shows up and shows out. God solves things at a different level, for our long term good. In the above scripture, we see quite a huge promise. Our Father promises us that we will have everything we need and then some, if we put our trust in Him. Worry can be a stumbling block or a stepping stone into God's ultimate favor. Place scriptures, positive visuals, and encouraging thoughts everywhere so you can see them. God, Himself, encourages us to think positively. There is a reason for it. So that we can demonstrate the goodness of the Lord and so that in all things He will be glorified.
What's Your Favorite Aroma?
"For we are a sweet fragrance of Jesus to God, among those that have life and those that perish." 2 Cor. 2:15
Hands down, my favorite aroma is a Gardenia. It is a sentimental fragrance to me. When I was a yound child, I would play under the huge plant called an Elephant Ears. Me and my cousin, Jamie would play secret spy under this enormous plant. Right beside it were bushes of gardenias. Whenever I smell that fragrance, it reminds me of my grandmother's front yard. I have a pretty big one in my garden and it makes me smile. We, too, make God smile when we remind Him of His son. The Christian walk is trying to live like Christ. To love morality, to love God's way, and to love others. When our heart is in allignment with God's Word and our actions follow suit, God is overwhelmed with joy because He knows we have chosen to live instead of perishing in a world that does not honor Christ.
Finding Forgiveness for Yourself.
“But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you.” Psalm 130:4
Of the millions of thoughts running through our minds at any given moment, many of them are the opposite of loving, points out Gabrielle Bernstein, who’s spoken and written about self-love in her three best-selling books. Let’s interrupt the internal mean-girl voice. Here’s how Bernstein recommends silencing your inner critic, not just now, but for the rest of your life: In a quiet moment, go through the list of ways you attack yourself. Next to each attack write: I forgive this and I release this. Setting the intention to forgive yourself sets the practice in motion. I do this practice whenever I detour into fear-based thoughts or actions. For instance, if I catch myself judging someone or myself, I’ll immediately say, “I forgive this and I release this.” Instantly I feel released from the attacking thought and I center back into peace.
You Will Be Strengthened with God's Joy.
“You are being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might, so that you might patiently endure everything with joy.” Colossians 1:11
God wants to come and strengthen you in all you are facing. He does not abandon us to struggle on our own. He is a Father who wants to come and carry our load. He makes it possible to patiently endure with joy. While we are going through conflict, pain and trials, it is essential that we keep a good attitude and thank God for the blessings we do have. There have been more than a couple of times, that I have made it to the other side of crisis and have been ashamed of my attitude that I exhibited during the process. God has a plan. We need to trust Him, stand on His Word and Thank Him because you know He is working on your behalf. With God's help you can make it through any challenge that life may bring across your path. Just knowing that He is with us, will strengthen and uplift us through the hard times.
God, Himself, is the Gardener.
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit. While every branch that does bear fruit, he prunes so it will be even more fruitful.” John 15:1-2
God is very interested in the development in our lives. He wants to see us productive and fruitful in all we do. When we go through a season of pruning, it can be difficult. But when He prunes us, it is so that we can be more fruitful. Sometimes we don't realize that by resisting His urgings and the nudging of The Holy Spirit, we are delaying the awesome plan God has for our lives. When God has placed a calling on your life, it requires complete and utter dependence and surrender to God. While it is pleasurable to enjoy some of the things God wants to prune out of our lives, there is no comparison to the utter joy of walking in the footsteps that God has prepared for us and knowing He is pleased.
Do You Bring God Delight?
"Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight. I will put my spirit upon him..." Isaiah 42:1
There are not many feelings worse than regret to me. There have been times in my life that I have totally let God down. I do not like that feeling at all. Left and right, God sends us signals, warnings, and opportunities. He sends His angels to guide us. Yet, still, we find ourselves off course. God tries to protect us from going down the wrong path. If we are not in-tune with the Holy Spirit, we miss these signals. It's so easy to become distracted in the busyness of life. The more distracted we become, the easier it is for the enemy to slide in and corrupt our thoughts and feelings like the sinister spirit he is. I want to make God smile. I want God to be proud of me. Regardless of what I do, I am still loved unconditionally by my heavenly Father. It feel so much better, though, to know that I am right where God wants me. I have heard people pray, "God use me." My prayer is, "God make me usuable." Before God can use us, we need to be a willing vessel. We need to be open to changes God is urging us to make. The cool part is, we don't have to do this in our own strength. He helps us become the person He has called us to be. If we had to do it on our own, it would be impossible. With God, anything is possible.
What Does the Lord Require of You?
"And what does to Lord require of you? To act justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with our God." Micah 6:8
Micah is a book of the Bible that is sometimes over-looked. This particular passage is one of my favorites. The request seems simple, however, is it really? To act justly means to know the difference between right and wrong and to take the high road. To love mercy is to treat everyone as Christ would. To give people a break when they wrong you. When you have the opportunity to give someone what they deserve, give them mercy instead. In doing so, you are also accomplishing the 2nd Commandment, To love others as yourself. And walking humbly with God is to acknowledge that He is in control. Instead of taking pride in what we bring to God, we humbly recognize that no amount of personal sacrifice can replace a heart committed to justice and love.