China: The Joy of the Lord

1/6/16: Since last October I have been experiencing the joy of the Lord. This has been the best fall and winter of my life. I’m not sure why the huge change in my life but I think God has used the following factors to completely transform me.

1.   I’ve been spending about an hour with God each morning in worship-just loving Him and telling Him what He means to me. I surrender myself (body, soul and spirit) to Him and I surrender my mind, will and emotions to Him.

2.   I’ve realized that the things I’ve prayed for every day for decades, God has already given me. It is up to me to believe that I have them and receive them. God has already given me everything He can possibly give me this side of Heaven. I have everything I need to successfully live in Him.

3.   I’ve learned that not every thought that comes into my mind is my thought or thinking. When satan puts thoughts into my head, I can “flip-it”. Since satan is a liar, if I flip the thought around and think the opposite, that must be the truth. I can then turn it into worship. (For example: if satan tells me I am a failure and I’ll never amount to anything, it must mean I am a success and God has some awesome plans for me. I can only succeed. I can then turn it to worship: “Father I praise you for making me successful. In You I can only succeed. You have guided my steps and given me success in everything I’ve done. Thank you for your awesome plans for my life”)

4.   I’ve had 2 excellent counselors who have turned me toward Jesus and given me the tools I’ve needed to change my thinking.

5.   I’ve learned from the movie “war room” to proclaim the truth of God’s Word out loud so I can hear it.