Be a Positive Person
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Positive or Negative?
Positive or Negative?
Does it Matter?
Most people would rather be around positive people - even if they are pessimists
Positive people lift others up
Positive people are more fun to be around
Most people do not enjoy being around a pessimist -
Positive people generally cause more positiveness
Although most people would agree with this, many people do not realize that it really has everyting to do with choice, and very little to do with circumstance
So choose to Be a Positive Person
Positive Sermon Outlines 1. Be a Positive Person
Be a Positive Person
“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 2:5).
I. Think Positive Thoughts
“Whatsoever things are of good report … think on these things” (Phil. 4:8).
A. Some Christians fail to discipline their thinking. They allow negatives to dominate their minds.
B. Christians must take deliberate action, replacing negative thoughts with positives and keeping an optimistic outlook.
II. Hear Positive Sounds
“And it was revealed in mine ears by the LORD” (Isa. 22:14).
A. Many people listen to the filth, smut, and destruction coming across the airwaves. Their spirits are dwarfed.
B. We must listen to the good, not the bad. We must hear from the Lord and heed his Word.
III. See Positive Sights
“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith …” (Heb. 12:2).
A. Some Christians look for the bad in people and circumstances, seeing only the faults and negatives.
B. To be a positive person one must look for the good and look to Jesus.
IV. Speak Positive Words
“Talk ye of all his wondrous works” (Ps. 105:2).
A. Many people talk mostly about evil and bad events. Some are harsh, unkind, and take God’s name in vain.
B. We should talk positively, seeking to glorify God by extolling his goodness, grace, and love.
V. Perform Positive Deeds
“And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men” (Col. 3:23).
A. The deeds of many are negative. They are selfishly motivated, dishonest, and displeasing to God.
B. We must be truthful, ready to lift those who are down, and witness for Christ.
VI. Attend Positive Places
“I was glad when they said … Let us go into the house of the LORD” (Ps. 122:1).
A. Christians hurt their influence when they go to the wrong places in search of entertainment.
B. Be a positive Christian. Attend church faithfully. Go with God and he will go with you.
Here are some practical steps
Be a Positive Person
Starts in your mind
Starts in your mind
as with so many things in life, the battle begins in our mind
Thoughts lead to actions
actions lead to habits
habits leads character
character leads to destiny
Positive or negative
Here are some practical steps
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
1. Think Positive Thoughts
1. Think Positive Thoughts
Think Positive Thoughts
Think Positive Thoughts
we spoke touched on this last week
If you want to be a positive person you really must have positive thoughts
of course many will say “I can’t help it, you don’t know what I am going through”
That is true, but we have some examples set before us: Jesus; Stephen; Paul; etc.
We still can choose to think on these things:
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
Some Christians fail to discipline their thinking. They allow negatives to dominate their minds.
A. Some Christians fail to discipline their thinking. They allow negatives to dominate their minds.
The word discipline is not a curse word
We can choose to stop our stinking thinking
Christians must take deliberate action, replacing negative thoughts with positives and keeping an optimistic outlook.
Have you ever been flipping through the channels and pause on a channel you didn’t like?
Have you ever been flipping through the channels and pause on a channel you didn’t like?
if you are like me, when that happens, you just push the button and move on to a different channel
There may be a hundred channels you don’t like, so find one that is good
Think on these things
Of course I don’t mean that we never think about the negative situations and problems that life may present us to deal with
what I do mean is that if you got a speeding ticket last week and it is already paid you shouldn’t be sulking about it today
You may want to recall it the next time you think of driving fast, but only long enough to get you speed in check
there is a difference between being responsible enough to make plans and face trials thoughtfully and prudently, and being a negative person
Should not be thinking about past hurts for no reason, or future fears without a purpose, or such things
II. Hear Positive Sounds
2. Hear Positive Sounds
2. Hear Positive Sounds
Many people listen to the filth, smut, and destruction coming across the airwaves. Their spirits are dwarfed.
What you listen to is very much like your thoughts
in fact, if you hear things often enough, it becomes your thoughts
this is one of the reasons why music and poetry are so powerful -
If you hear negative things, it inhabits your mind - I call it ear poison
it is hard to be subjected to a lot of it and not be affected
But if you “hear positive sounds, it can lead to positive decisions
We have a few examples in the bible
Isaiah heard
Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying:
“Whom shall I send,
And who will go for Us?”
Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.”
Isaiah was in the habit”hearing: the Lord
trained himself to listed to good things
then he made a decision
Then the Spirit lifted me up, and I heard behind me a great thunderous voice: “Blessed is the glory of the Lord from His place!”
I also heard the noise of the wings of the living creatures that touched one another, and the noise of the wheels beside them, and a great thunderous noise.
Ezekiel heard some positive sounds
And John recorded perhaps more than anyone about what he “heard”
eze
After these things I heard a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, “Alleluia! Salvation and glory and honor and power belong to the Lord our God!
And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.
Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon. And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.
And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see. And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.
And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see. And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.
And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand. And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine.
And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see. And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.
And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.
And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind. And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?
And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.
Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand.
Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand.
Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand.
Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand.
Of the tribe of Nepthalim were sealed twelve thousand.
Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand.
Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand.
Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand.
Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand.
Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand.
Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand.
Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand.
After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen. And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.
And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour.
And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets. And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel’s hand. And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake. And the seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound.
The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.
And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea: and the third part of the sea became blood; And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life, died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed.
And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters; And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter.
And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise. And I beheld, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound!
And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit. And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit. And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power. And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads. And to them it was given that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormented five months: and their torment was as the torment of a scorpion, when he striketh a man. And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them. And the shapes of the locusts were like unto horses prepared unto battle; and on their heads were as it were crowns like gold, and their faces were as the faces of men. And they had hair as the hair of women, and their teeth were as the teeth of lions. And they had breastplates, as it were breastplates of iron; and the sound of their wings was as the sound of chariots of many horses running to battle. And they had tails like unto scorpions, and there were stings in their tails: and their power was to hurt men five months. And they had a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue hath his name Apollyon. One woe is past; and, behold, there come two woes more hereafter.
And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God, Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates. And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men. And the number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand: and I heard the number of them. And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and them that sat on them, having breastplates of fire, and of jacinth, and brimstone: and the heads of the horses were as the heads of lions; and out of their mouths issued fire and smoke and brimstone. By these three was the third part of men killed, by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone, which issued out of their mouths. For their power is in their mouth, and in their tails: for their tails were like unto serpents, and had heads, and with them they do hurt. And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk: Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.
And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire: And he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth, And cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices. And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not. And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven, And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer: But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.
And the voice which I heard from heaven spake unto me again, and said, Go and take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel which standeth upon the sea and upon the earth. And I went unto the angel, and said unto him, Give me the little book. And he said unto me, Take it, and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey. And I took the little book out of the angel’s hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter. And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings.
And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein. But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months. And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth. And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed. These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will. And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them. And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves. And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth. And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them. And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them. And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven. The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly.
And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God, Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned. And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.
And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.
And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars: And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered. And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born. And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne. And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.
And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.
And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child. And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent. And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood. And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth. And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority. And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast. And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. If any man have an ear, let him hear. He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.
And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.
Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands,
saying with a loud voice: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain To receive power and riches and wisdom, And strength and honor and glory and blessing!”
And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying: “Blessing and honor and glory and power Be to Him who sits on the throne, And to the Lamb, forever and ever!”
4.11-13
“And it was revealed in mine ears by the LORD” ().
A.
We must listen to the good, not the bad. We must hear from the Lord and heed his Word.
We can choose to listen to positive things
When we must hear negative things, we can choose to listen for the positive things
for example, the news is filled with negative things, some very negative
Sometimes when I am hearing the news, I also hear
Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”
3. See Positive Sights
3. See Positive Sights
Some Christians look for the bad in people and circumstances, seeing only the faults and negatives.
It is easy to do that if we are not careful
In fact, if you have ever been disappointed, rejected, betrayed, abandoned or neglected, hurt, suffered failure or loss, etc.
It is easy to see these things everywhere, around you, in others, etc.
Instead of seeing failure and loss, we must see Jesus
For David says concerning Him:
‘I foresaw the Lord always before my face,
For He is at my right hand, that I may not be shaken.
David saw the Lord always -
Stephen saw Jesus, standing at the right hand of God - even when he was about to be stoned
do you see Jesus, of your circumstance
You may think that it “just happened” that way for them - without anything on their part - but there is a choice
the bible tells us to look in order to see these positive sights -
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
To be a positive person one must look for the good and look to Jesus.
A.
remember the context of the passage also
B. To be a positive person one must look for the good and look to Jesus.
the heroes of faith - many who did great things and received great miracles
others who were tortured, stones, slain with the sword, destitute, afflicted tormented.
36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: 37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; 38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. 39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:
36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: 37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; 38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: 33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. 35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: 36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: 37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; 38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
Even in dire circumstances - we have a choice to live by faith
to think positive thoughts, hear positive sounds and to see positive sights
You see by looking, so look to Jesus!
4. Speak Positive Words
4. Speak Positive Words
Many people talk mostly about evil and bad events. Some are harsh, unkind, and take God’s name in vain.
If you really want to see “power” in your life, use positive words positively
So many people open their moths to spew negative, bad things, and are ignorant of the power of these words
2 Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him;
Talk of all His wondrous works!
We should talk positively, seeking to glorify God - proclaiming his goodness, grace, and love.
A. Many people talk mostly about evil and bad events. Some are harsh, unkind, and take God’s name in vain.
James tells us that if we can control our tongues we can control the whole course of our life
20 A man’s belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth;
And with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue:
And they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
B. We should talk positively, seeking to glorify God by extolling his goodness, grace, and love.
22 Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing,
And obtaineth favour of the Lord.
23 The poor useth intreaties;
But the rich answereth roughly.
24 A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly:
And there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
19 A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city:
And their contentions are like the bars of a castle.
20 A man’s belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth;
And with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue:
And they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
22 For they are life unto those that find them,
And health to all their flesh.
prov189.22--
5. Perform Positive Deeds
5. Perform Positive Deeds
The deeds of many are negative. They are selfishly motivated, dishonest, and displeasing to God.
the opposite of that would be selfless, honest, and pleasing to God
Doing positive things is really so very easy
It has nothing to do with circumstance and everything to do with purpose- choice
12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
Our positive deeds are based on what we would like, not circumstance
and we can be sure there will be a harvest
7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
gal 6:
10 For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
We must be honest, ready to lift those who are down, ready to be a witness for Christ.
“And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men” ().
A.
B. We must be truthful, ready to lift those who are down, and witness for Christ.
5. Attend Positive Places
5. Attend Positive Places
Christians hurt their influence when they go to the wrong places in search of entertainment and companions
A companion of fools suffers harm (prov.13:20)
There are so many negative places that we can find ourselves
you would be surprised just how easy it is to remove yourself from negative places
33 Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.”
Instead we should place ourselves in positive places and around positive people
There are few ways better to do this than being in a good church regularly
“I was glad when they said … Let us go into the house of the LORD” ().
A.
Attend church faithfully. Go with God and he will go with you.
B. Be a positive Christian. Attend church faithfully. Go with God and he will go with you.
25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
1 I was glad when they said unto me,
Let us go into the house of the Lord.
Put these practical steps into practice in your life and you will be amazed at how easy it is to become a positive person, a positive Christian
If you already are a positive person, these steps will help you increase and maintain your great attitude and benefits
If you are someone who struggles with a negative attitude, depression, anger, or sadness, these steps will be truly transformative
Think Positive thoughts
Hear Positive Sounds
See positive sights
Do Positive deeds
Go to positive places
And Be a Positive Christian, in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shall shine as lights!!!