Gaylord Diaz's Blog

A MINDSET OF GRATITUDE AND A MOUTH OF REJOICING

BE THANKFUL!  Rising above discouragement, in the final place, requires you to keep on the positive side of life. Get your eyes and mind off of the bad things that are happening to you. Learn to be thankful. Look for things to be thankful about. Write them down. I guarantee you’ll be amazed at how many things you’ve got to be thankful for. It’ll revolutionize your perspective on life.

SING! Once you’re thankful, open your mouth and praise God for all His blessings on your life. Sing out loud. Let the Lord and the Devil hear your song. The Devil hates to hear you singing and praising God. He hates it so much that he can’t stand it. It drives him nuts. And best of all, it drive him away. The Devil just can’t stand to be in the presence of singing, rejoicing saints. That’s one reason why he won’t be in Heaven. He can’t stand to hear God’s people praising God. So if you want the Devil to leave you alone, just open your mouth and sing.

USE THE SWORD! Do you remember how Jesus beat the Devil in His wilderness temptations? Jesus quoted him the Word and the Word shut him up. When the Devil talks to you and tries to get you depressed, discouraged, or grumbling; just quote him the Word. It’s the sword of the Spirit that wounds him (Ephesians 6:17). You’ll be hurting him so bad that he won’t be talking back to you a whole lot. He’ll have to leave you so that he can tend to his wounds. Get your Bible out. Read and write down, or memorize, the verses that really mean a lot to you, especially the ones that speak to your situation. Then when the Devil comes around, get out the sword of the Spirit and let him have it.

To help you get started, here are some promises that you can recite or confess.

• I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me (Phil. 4:13).
• God is working in me, both to will and to do of His good pleasure (Phil. 2:13).
• He who hath begun a good work in me will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ (Phil. 1:6).
• The Lord will perfect  (complete) that which concerneth me (Psa. 138:8).
• His grace is sufficient for me (2 Cor. 12:9).
• The power of Christ resteth upon me (2 Cor. 12:9).
•  He will not allow me to be tested beyond my ability to endure (1 Cor. 10:13).
• He will make a way of escape, whereby I am able to endure it (1 Cor. 10:13).
• Nothing and no one is able to pluck me out of my Father’s hands John 10:29).
• Greater is He that is in me, than he that is in the world (1 John 4:4).
• Thanks be to God who always causeth me to triumph in Christ (1 Cor. 2:14).
• I will call upon the Lord who is worthy to be praised, so shall I be saved from mine enemies (Psa. 18:3).
• Let God arise and let His enemies be scattered (Psa. 68:1).
• In due season I shall reap, if I faint not (Gal. 6:9).
• Whatsoever I desire, when I pray and believe, I shall have it (Mark 11:24).
•  As I have believed, let it be done unto me (Matt. 8:13).

What more shall I say and where do the promises and comforts of Scripture end? By confessing promises like these, I hope you’re beginning to see that the promises are an immense source of comfort to you. As you get in the Word and meditate on the Word, you’ll find yourself getting your faith, your courage, your joy, and your song, back. These things can’t help but happen when you’re in God’s presence and you listen to what God has to say to you.

KEEP FOCUSED ON GOD INSTEAD OF YOUR TRIALS! Instead of keeping your eyes focused on what’s happening, go back to Calvary. Look at what Christ has done for you. Look at all He’s promised to do for you. Brethren, keep your eyes focused on the promise and let the promise ever draw you onward.

GOD KEEPS HIS WORD! While the way was indeed tough and trying for the Israelites, nevertheless, in the end, God kept His promise to them.  He brought them into the promised land. The Israelites made it. The journey was not in vain! Though it came with much trials and anguish, the Israelites eventually had what God said they could and would have. Canaan became their home and inheritance.

In much the same way, brethren, remember that God has made you a promise. He not only promised to give you something or do something for you: He also said you would have it, you would receive it, you would experience and enjoy it. In other words, you’ll live to see the day when your prayer is answered. My friends, though the journey has been forty years and has involved a lot of trials and anguish of soul, continue to believe and walk on because Ye shall have it. Let the promise of possession keep you moving forward. You’ll not only get the answer, but more importantly, you’ll make it in this walk to journey’s end. My friend, with God by your side and Christ’s power resting on you, you shall make it! May God bless you and walk with you every step of the journey.