Archive for attitude

Attitude Towards God

Posted in #PaulthePoke with tags , , , , , , on December 4, 2022 by paulthepoke

Scripture: 1 Kings 15:9-15; 2 Chronicles 14-15

Key Theme: A positive mental attitude towards God results in obedience and responsive action to God’s word. In return, God responds to obedience to His Word.

Asa was a good king of the southern kingdom, Judah. His mental attitude and actions towards God dictated God’s response to Judah and King Asa both positively and negatively. Asa’s mental attitude resulted in physical action and deeds. Ultimately, there are consequences to our obedience of God’s Word.

Asa’s actions were the result of his attitude. His attitude is expressed in…

1 Kings 15:11 Asa did what was right in the sight of the Lord.

1 Kings 15:14b- nevertheless the heart of Asa was wholly devoted to the Lord all his days.

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Because of this mental attitude, Asa was obedient to the Lord in regard to His commandments.

Societal reforms were made by Asa according to God’s Commandments. Asa called on Judah to worship the one true God in 2 Chronicles 15:10-15. As a result, the Lord gave them rest on every side.

Asa called for the removal of male cult prostitution and idolatry in the land in 1 Kings 15:12.

Asa sacrificed precious metals and dedicated family items to the Lord in 1 Kings 15:15. This resulted in peace and prosperity with fortified cities.

Military and political decisions were driven by Asa’s attitude toward God. A result of Asa’s convictions was that citizens from Israel defected to him when they saw that the Lord was with Asa (2 Chronicles 15:9).

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In military affairs, there are two examples of Asa’s mental attitude. One is positive towards God and the other is negative.

When confronted with the Ethiopians, Asa turned to God. Asa called on the Lord in battle. God responded and the Lord routed Ethiopia. The dread of the Lord had fallen on the Ethiopians.  Judah enjoyed the spoils of victory with plunder and livestock (2 Chronicles 14).

The second example involves Asa against the Kingdom of Israel. Instead of trusting in the Lord, Asa turned to the king of Aram in Damascus. Asa requested a treaty for safety with the King of Aram and gave him silver and gold. There were consequences for trusting in the King of Aram instead of God. Hanani the prophet indicated that the army of the King of Aram had escaped from his hand and that there would be wars in Asa’s land (2 Chronicles 16:1-8).

When Asa turned from God, his kingdom began to suffer. He imprisoned the prophet out of anger. Asa turned on his people and oppressed them. Ultimately, he became sick with diseased feet. Instead of turning to the Lord, he turned and trusted physicians. Asa died two years later (2 Chronicles 16:9-13).

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Asa trusted in the Lord for the first 35 years of his reign. Judah benefited during this time with peace and prosperity. In the last six years of Asa’s reign, he turned away from God. The kingdom declined, war returned, and the people were oppressed. Asa was obedient to God in his early years, but failed late in life in regards to his mental attitude.

God makes it clear that He wishes for obedience. There are consequences for our choice of mental attitude towards God. The prophet Azariah indicated to Asa:

2 Chronicles 15:2b the Lord is with you when you are with Him. And if you seek Him, He will let you find Him; but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you.

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God indicates that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His.

2 Chronicles 16:9 For the eyes of the LORD roam throughout the earth, so that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His. You have acted foolishly in this. Indeed, from now on you will have wars.

Israel’s collective heart was not devoted to the Lord God. As a result…

2 Chronicles 15:6b When there was absence of God in Israel, God troubled them with every kind of distress.

But God is true to His Word, 2 Chronicles 15:7 “but you, be strong and do not lose courage, for there is reward for your work…”.

Be sure, that your work is born out of your heart and obedience to God’s Word.

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Right Attitude in Trouble… Joshua of Ghana

Posted in #PaulthePoke, Joshua Ghana with tags , , , , , on March 21, 2020 by paulthepoke

ISAIAH 26:12-21

Key verse: “LORD, in trouble have they visited thee, they poured out a prayer when thy chastening was upon them.” Isaiah 26:16

Joshua of Ghana @beholy404 on Twitter

@beholy404

Charles Swindoll once said, “The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace from that day. We cannot change our past. We cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string that we have and the string is attitude.”

In this prophetic song in our text about the latter days, Isaiah prophesied what the attitude of Judah will be in reaction to the judgment of God in scattering them among the nations. Judah had lived in sin and God had visited them with judgment, allowing their enemies to take them into captivity. However, in this song, Isaiah was hopeful that Judah would eventually demonstrate the right attitude by turning to the Lord in repentance. For this reason, they will be saved from the onslaught of the antichrist who will torment the world.

It is clear from the submission of Isaiah that what is needed while in trouble and perplexity is the right attitude. Unfortunately, however, many people portray an adamant attitude when faced with God’s chastisement. Rather than return to God, they choose to go farther away from Him. Conversely, the attitudes of some others are even more alarming when God shows undeserved acts of mercy and kindness to them. Rather than being grateful, they choose to be contemptuous.

It is important for everyone to know, as Swindoll has noted, that we all have a choice concerning the attitude and course of action we adopt each day. A positive attitude goes a long way to determining an eventful end. It is futile for anyone to fight his Maker. How we need to humble ourselves and wholly submit to God’s counsel even while passing through divine chastisement!

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: The heart focused on God will never cease to beat.

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Attitude Check

Posted in Christine "Clarity" McDonald, Culture with tags , , , , , , , , , on September 14, 2018 by paulthepoke

Christine McDonaldFeaturing Christine Clarity McDonald

Christine is a requested, featured guest speaker for many conferences and outreach events.

Luke 6:41-42 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye, when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother’s eye. -Jesus

Examine yourself and your thoughts regarding homelessness, prostitution, the disease of addiction/addicts, and individuals who have been in prison.

Ask yourself:
• Do I have a clear understanding of poverty and breaking those cycles?
• Do I believe “once a criminal always a criminal”?
• Do I believe that the most helpful thing I can do for a homeless individual is tell them of a job opening, or give them a job application?
• Do I believe that prostitution is a choice?
• Do I believe that the solution for addicts is just abstinence? And that if they just wouldn’t use all would be well?

I encourage you to answer these questions now.

Dear Reader, I pray that as you read God will open your eyes to see every person around you through eyes of love and grace through the very eyes of Jesus. I pray that you will recognize each and every individual, regardless of their  background or choices or present state, as the same kind of human—precious individuals created in the image of God.

Genesis 1:26-27 God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

“Love your neighbor, all of ’em.” -Christine Clarity McDonald

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Our Daily Bread, Positive Thoughts… Featuring Paul Beverly

Posted in Paul Beverly with tags , , , on July 8, 2018 by paulthepoke

Can doYour thoughts set the tone for your day. Positive thoughts lead to a happier day. Each positive day makes it easier to have happy days. Your thoughts turn into words which turn into actions. This all affects those around you. Make sure you’re affecting them in a positive way.

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Proverbs 17:22 A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

Have a positive week my friends!!!

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Our Daily Bread…Featuring Paul Beverly

Posted in Paul Beverly with tags , , on March 11, 2018 by paulthepoke

frog circumstancesYour circumstances will not define you. How you react will say a lot. Not everything in life will be peachy & there will be those that will say & do things to push your buttons. Sometimes this will be out of jealousy because they don’t want you to succeed. Sometimes it’s happens in a controlling relationship. The only control you need to worry about is how you control your reactions. A bad circumstance or situation won’t last. Someone being jealous & pushing your buttons is the fool. Let them be the only fool by not reacting out of frustration or anger. Find & keep faith & peace in truth.

Proverbs 12:16 The vexation of a fool is known at once, but the prudent ignores an insult.

Proverbs 16:32 Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.

Have an awesome week my friends!!!

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Our Daily Bread…Featuring Paul Beverly

Posted in Paul Beverly with tags , , , , , , on October 1, 2017 by paulthepoke

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What good does complaining do? Does it truly make you feel better, or does it put you in a worse mood? If you’re busy complaining, you’re missing an opportunity to lift someone up. You’re missing an opportunity to lift yourself up. Find the good in every situation. Your happiness & the happiness of those around you are worth it.

Philippians 2:14 Do all things without grumbling or questioning…

Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those that hear.

1 Peter 4:9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.

I truly believe this. How anyone could choose to be miserable & to make others miserable is something I’ll never understand. Be happy because you choose to be. It’s addicting & attracts more happiness.

Isaiah 12:3 With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.

Have a non grumbling week my friends!!!

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Our Daily Bread…Featuring Paul Beverly

Posted in Paul Beverly with tags , , , , , , , on September 24, 2017 by paulthepoke

pb bread

Your attitude & what’s in your heart will play a huge part in how you’ll be rewarded in your life. Always be thankful & have a happy & cheerful heart. Good things happen to good people.

Keeping our thoughts on the good things in life makes for happy & healthy living. If you want the negative out of your life, stop giving it space in your head. Where your mind goes is what you’ll focus on. Stay focused on the good.

Be careful what you believe in your own mind. Satan plants seeds there to keep you from what is good for you. Always pray about everything. Prayer brings wisdom.

Proverbs 15:15 All the days of the afflicted are evil, but the cheerful of heart has a continual feast.

Proverbs 28:26 Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers & sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things.

 

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Isaiah 3:16-17 Material Girls, She’s A Princess

Posted in Culture, Isaiah with tags , , , , , on March 30, 2012 by paulthepoke

Isaiah 3:16-17 Moreover, the LORD said, “Because the daughters of Zion are proud and walk with heads held high and seductive eyes, and go along with mincing steps and tinkle the bangles on their feet, therefore the Lord will afflict the scalp of the daughters of Zion with scabs, and the LORD will make their foreheads bare.”

Isaiah 3 gives insight as to God’s impression of a woman’s pride and seduction. Look at the outflow of pride. It manifests itself in how a woman presents herself. The intent is to overtly flirt, seduce, and attract the attention of men. She takes quick, little steps. She has noise makers on her feet to gain further attention. She seeks to gain attention by visual and auditory distraction.

God is so impressed. Since these women like to hold their heads high, judgment is noted with baldness and scabs on their head.

V. 18-24 “In that day the Lord will take away the beauty of their anklets, headbands, crescent ornaments, dangling earrings, bracelets, veils, headdresses, ankle chains, sashes, perfume boxes, amulets, finger rings, nose rings, festal robes, outer tunics, cloaks, money purses, hand mirrors, undergarments, turbans and veils. Now it will come about that instead of sweet perfume there will be putrefaction; instead of a belt, a rope; instead of well-set hair, a plucked-out scalp; instead of fine clothes, a donning of sackcloth; and branding instead of beauty.

Thankfully, today’s modern, 21st century woman has evolved from this outward display of materialism. RIGHT! Look at all of this stuff, princess. This was approximately 2,700 years ago. Please don’t misunderstand. Not all who are excessive are prideful and seducers. The issue is not the excessiveness that she is wearing. It is her attitude. What is observed externally is a result of what is going on internally.

God’s judgment hits these ladies where it hurts them the most. Instead of smelling great, there will be a decayed, rotten, putrid stench. Grab some rope instead of a nice leather belt. Scratchy and rough burlap will take the place of fine clothes. What a picture of contrast this presents. Pick your favorite super model. Can you imagine a seductive runway model being bald with scabs on her head? She stinks like rotten fish. And she wears a gunny sack with some rope. That’s hot.

Scripture does have expectations of dress. Again, the issue is the attitude and inner beauty.

1 Timothy 2:9 Likewise, I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly garments.

Look at the adjectives in the Greek in regards to clothing. Definitions provided by Strong’s Concordance.

“Proper” kosmios: well arranged, seemly, modest

“Modestly” aidos: honour, modesty, bashfulness, reverence, regard for others, respect

“Discreetly” sophrosune: soundness of mind, self-control, sobriety, self restraint, temperate, moderation, prudently

1 Peter 3:3-4 Your adornment must not be merely external—braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses; but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God.

A woman’s inner beauty is more important than what she wears or how she looks. Her conduct is to be consistent with gentleness, meekness, tranquility, and quietness. This is what is excellent and valuable to God.

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