As Thanksgiving rapidly approaches let us not lose sight of the true meaning of this day. It has nothing to do with Black Friday, hanging out with family, eating turkey or playing football. Let us be thankful for this great nation and more importantly to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the one true God. This is a moment when we can reflect on what we have been blessed with, instead of being consumed with what we do not have or what is wrong with our lives.

To be grateful and thankful is a state of mind. We can choose to see the good and not the bad. It is easier to be ungrateful and negative than it is to see the good and find something to be thankful for. Being ungrateful and negative will also only make you more miserable.

This Thanksgiving let us count our blessings and thank the God of the universe, the one true God, who is our Father in Heaven. Your Thanksgiving feast will become happier and more blessed.

Just a Thought,

PSS

Legacychurch.com

Kindness makes you happy and happiness makes you kind. The statistics are clear: studies conclude that doing acts of kindness and volunteering makes you healthier. Alan Luke documented his study that concluded that a clear cause-and-effect relationship existed between helping and good health. Helping contributes to the maintenance of good health and it can decrease the psychological and physical effect of diseases and disorders (serious and minor). Performing kind acts reverses feelings of depression and provides a social connection. It also reduces feelings of hostility and isolation that can cause conditions such as stress, overeating and ulcers. These are only a few of the findings. When we do kind acts and help out others, it is beneficial and healthy for our lives. Actually, this reveals what God already knew. When we volunteer and do intentional acts of kindness, we’ll be healthier spiritually, physically, mentally and emotionally. So as we go through our days, let’s practice kindness whenever and wherever we can.

Just a Thought,
PSS
Legacychurch.com

Psychologists tell us we are born with two fears: the fear of falling and the fear of loud noises. The rest of our fears are learned fears. One psychological research study found 7,000 different fears out of 500 people. I do not know how many different classifications of fears there are, but I do know they are not healthy for us.

There is a difference between being cautious and being afraid. Being wise and cautious in signing a contract means that you read the fine print. Another example is looking both ways before crossing the street. Exercising caution is wise, but living in fear is not. Fear causes us to misinterpret things in our life like circumstances, relationships, etc. When you look at life through the lens of fear, you are restricted, controlled, and held back by it. On the other hand, overcoming fear liberates and frees you, and this will allow you to excel; freedom from fear permits you to take calculated risks that could bring you great success in life.

We overcome our fears first by recognizing their existence and then dealing with them. To do this, we must understand the power of real love—not the phony kind that only loves when life is going our way. When we mature in God’s love, fear’s stronghold on us begins to weaken. I encourage everyone to read I Corinthians 13:3-8 every day and believe for deliverance from your fears.

Just a Thought,

PSS

Legacychurchnm.com

In our everyday lives, we believe things about ourselves and others that may not necessarily be true. However, we can change these thoughts and habits by understanding where they come from. By understanding the origins, we can change our thoughts and actions.

The thing that keeps most people from achieving, growing, or moving forward is fear: False Evidence Appearing Real. The root of all human fear originates from an unknown. Fear is an illusion that does not exist outside of our minds; it usually originates when you dwell on problems in the past or future, such as imagining you will not reach a goal that you have strived for. Fear is the absence of love, and it keeps many of us from making necessary changes that would produce positive outcomes in our lives and the lives of those close to us. The truth is that the only way to combat the fears that keep us sidelined is to learn God’s love. When we mature in love, fear will have to lessen its grip on us. Perfect love casts out fear. Fear has torment, love does not. To really begin to mature, read I Corinthians 13:4-8 and start growing in and understanding true love. Then, watch as your fears begin to shrink and have less and less influence on your life.

Just A Thought,

PSS

Legacychurchnm.com

Every obstacle we face is an opportunity for success. However, if we see problems or setbacks only as an opportunity for failure, we are looking at them in the wrong light. Everyone has obstacles, but the way we view them will dictate the outcome. When faced with a problem, see it as an opportunity to grow and develop, and to become stronger and better equipped for tomorrow. Even though some issues we face are hurtful and frightening at times, they are opportunities nonetheless. The next time you face a problematic situation, step back and assess it—begin to find solutions and pray to see the bigger picture. Think: “I can either let this sideline me or I can pick myself up and believe that this will work out for my good.” That is how you deal with it in a productive and honorable way. Do not allow yourself to become hurt or retaliate but instead, learn to rise above your feelings and do the right thing. Doing this will introduce healing and/or reveal an answer. How you view difficulties and deal with them will determine whether the situation makes you stronger and wiser, or just become resentful and bitter. It is your choice. Problems can be opportunities for growth, they can develop our character, and they can enable us to be successful.

Just A Thought,

PSS

Legacychurchnm.com