THE TRANSFORMING POWER OF PRAISE

JESUS my Lord and Savior

©All Rights Reserved-Anastasia Diamond

Nature’s Cathedral

The Life Altering Power of Praising God

I cannot think of any thing beyond accepting Jesus as your Lord and Savior that is more powerful and life altering than praising God. Do you remember the depth and breadth of your praise when you first believed? Did His Word, the Holy Bible, illuminate before your astonished eyes…causing you to cry out in spontaneous praise of our Lord and Savior? Were your waking moments and your nightly dreams filled with His presence, and your praise of Him? Did you see His hand at work in everything…and praise Him, the Creator of all that is, in awe of all His creation? Perhaps you were like me, so awestruck by His divine presence, that you were on your face praising Him and glorifying His name every time you prayed…or thought of Him.

It is Never Too Early or Too Late to Start Praising God

It is never too early or too late to start praising God. If you are not familiar with praising Him, start now. Your praise may be loud and filled with shouts. Your praise may be soft and whispered. Your praise may be in song or dance. Your praise may be silent…or in your prayer language. Your praise may be the lifting of your hands, or the lowering of your eyes as you glorify Him. Your praise may be all of this…or something different.

God receives your praise wherever you are, and in whatever you are doing…just as long as you are praising Him; the one and only true Almighty God. You may be alone at home, or in a crowd. You may be in a country church, an elaborate cathedral, or a quiet meadow when you praise Him.

It is the Position of Your Heart That Truly Matters to Him

Although others may tell you differently…the position of your physical body does not really matter when you are praising Him. You may sit, stand, kneel, walk, or lay down…it does not matter. For, it is the position of your heart that truly matters to Him.

Our heavenly Father designed the divine communication process of praise as a catalyst to draw us continually ever closer to Him. His desire is to have a preciously reciprocal relationship with each and every one of us. He is so loving and good to us, that each time we praise Him, we also open the door of our hearts for Him to transform us miraculously into all we can become in Him.

Praise Him in All Things

Praising Him in all things has the power to change us; change how we think, feel, speak, act and react to the circumstances of our life. Praising Him can even change how we look, and how others see us. When God’s divine presence comes to dwell in us through His most Holy Spirit, He softens, molds and shapes us in body, mind and spirit. Changing us into the spirit-filled men and women our Abba Father created us to be.

It may have been a while since you praised Him by making a joyful noise unto the Lord…or you may have never praised Him before. Either way, your ability to praise Him is there, ready and available. Glorify Him today and let His light in you shine. Be that light in the darkness…praising Him in all things, every where you go. Give Him your unconditional praise in every circumstance of your life. Everytime we praise and worship God, we position ourselves nearer to His throne and His perfect will for us.

Rejoice…Make a Joyful Noise…Transform Your Life

Dear ones, rejoice! Lift up your hands, your voices, and your hearts in praise of Him. Make that joyful noise…pray and praise Him without ceasing. Praise Him with renewed commitment, enthusiasm and joy. Allow the power of praising and glorifying God to perform the mighty work of drawing you closer to Him and transforming you into all you can be for Him. Praise Him, in the mighty name, power, and authority of His Son, Jesus Christ. Praise Him today, tomorrow, and for eternity. Transform your life and your relationship with your Abba Father, His Son – Jesus Christ, and His most Holy Spirit. Praise Him.

All Rights Reserved ©2009-2010…”JESUS my Lord and Savior-ANASTASIA DIAMOND’S Prayerful Reflections…and Photographs on a Spiritual Journey from Darkness into HIS Light” Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from Anastasia Diamond is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided full and clear credit is given author/photographer and with appropriate and specific direction to the original content at: https://jesusmylordandsavior.wordpress.com/

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COMMUNICATION: God Gave Us Two Ears and One Mouth

JESUS my Lord and Savior

© All Rights Reserved -Anastasia Diamond

Two Sides to Every Conversation…Even with God

It is said that God gave us two ears and one mouth because He knew listening would be twice as difficult as talking.

The fact is, at times we all tend to be a bit selfish and childish in our communications. Right or wrong, we often talk (about ourselves) more than we listen (to others). We expect to be heard, understood, respected and accepted when we speak. We also want unconditional love and instant forgiveness for our ill chosen words. At the same time, we often have false expectations that others will know exactly what we mean…and are disappointed when they do not.

I don’t even pretend to fully understand the total mind of our heavenly Father when He created man in His image.

However, God is the most profoundly wonderful communicator. He, who spoke the world into existence, is now and always has been the personification of an exceptional listener. With His divine guidance, our communication skills can be in His image.

God’s Word teaches us to be still…and to not speak unnecessary words.

However, at times, we are so tightly focused on our own needs that we forget there is an equally vulnerable heart and questioning mind needing nurturing on the other side of the conversation. Instead of engaging in true fellowship, actively sending and receiving information in the manner it was intended, our communications easily become a self-indulgent monologue, coupled with destructive immaturity. Though we live in a world filled with endless chatter, within each of us is the need for a listener in the midst of the chaos, someone who will honor and respect our heartfelt emotions. Someone, in His image, who will continue listening when they hear and see us for who we really are; not who we want them to think we are. Someone who will listen and not turn away.

So,…how do we come closer to having true fellowship and develop more mature communication skills?

Clearly, we must each find a balance between speaking our mind and listening with our heart.

God, in His divine wisdom, gave us two ears and one mouth. Therefore, we must begin, not by talking…but by listening. With one ear finely tuned to the direction of the Holy Spirit for discernment and wisdom, and the other intent on listening to those with whom we are communicating.

Interestingly, most of us listen and think at about 400 to 600 words per minute, while we speak about 100 to 150 words per minute.

God purposefully created us to have plenty of time to listen with our whole head, heart and body; not just our ears. He designed us with a capacity to understand what is being said, coupled with a built in time lag that allows us to check everything with the Holy Spirit…and develop our answers, or clarifying questions. We just need to learn to use these abilities in the manner He intended.

Listening can be a difficult – but rewarding work!

We listen to show acceptance, to gain knowledge, to understand, to give and gain trust, to reassure, to support, and to react to ideas. Let us all pray that God, through His Holy Spirit, and in the name of His Son, Jesus, will give us the desire and patience to listen more. Active listening is not just a learned skill. It is a matter of purposeful attitude.

Our parents were right when they told us it was very important to look at the other person when we speak, or are listening. Ignoring or looking away, sends a message of disinterest, or disrespect, and maybe even defiance. Speak encouragement into the lives of those around you by choosing words that promote their mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual health, healing and well being.

Everyone needs a listener.

However, so many of our conversations are like rapid-fire debates, with people listening only long enough to disprove what is being said. Take time to listen. Others will respond more positively to our communications when we listen with a true heartfelt desire to understand them.

Always remember…words that wound, cut deep and may never heal.

When you have differences of opinion, decide just how important it is to ‘win’ this one.

The Bible reminds us not to let the sun go down on our anger. So, talk it through…being gentle with your self, and others. Always seek to find mutual points of agreement, instead of focusing on that small false victory of being right.

Prayer – although one of the most important aspects of Christian communication…is often the most overlooked.

A commitment to daily prayer and spiritual accountability maintains our open lines of communication with God. The more we talk with Him and truly listen to His responses, the more His Word and His heart will be present in our communications with our self and others.

God gave us His Son Jesus Christ – that we may have a relationship with Him.

Jesus sent the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, to give us guidance and direction. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are available to us 24/7. We can call on them to teach us divinely inspired communication skills. When we listen, truly listen, we give others a priceless gift that will cost us only our time and attention, while giving us the blessed opportunity to be God with skin on for His children.

©All Rights Reserved-Anastasia Diamond

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Be Anxious For Nothing?

Are You Surrounded by the Thorns of Life?

JESUS my Lord and Savior

© All Rights Reserved-Anastasia Diamond

How is your stress level?

…when you think about wars, global warming, the recession, unemployment, trillions of dollars in national debt, taxes…taxes… taxes, big business bailouts, foreclosures, family, work, and school obligations? What about window-shopping at the grocery store, the shrinking dollar, highway robbery at the gas pump, jolts in the stock market, ever-increasing personal debt, natural catastrophes, gang violence, identity theft, and an uncertain political future?

To say the least – it is difficult to be anxious for nothing today

However, that is exactly what Philippians 4:6-7 directs us to do when we are nervous, worried, and frightened. Just look at the divine wisdom and encouragement of this advice:

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanks- giving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Scriptural guidelines when we are faced with adversity

Philippians 4:8 gives us specific guidelines of those things we should focus on when faced with adversity:

“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.”

So, dear ones, in these difficult times, when you are feeling anxious about personal and global woes that feel out of your control…follow Jesus’ example; surrender everything to our heavenly Father – and lean on the everlasting power of His Word.

All Rights Reserved ©2009-2010…”JESUS my Lord and Savior-ANASTASIA DIAMOND’S Prayerful Reflections…and Photographs on a Spiritual Journey from Darkness into HIS Light” Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from Anastasia Diamond is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided full and clear credit is given author/photographer and with appropriate and specific direction to the original content at: https://jesusmylordandsavior.wordpress.com/

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