Philippians 2:14 (NIV): "Do everything without grumbling or arguing
Philippians 4:8 (NIV): "Finally, brothers and 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
1 Thessalonians 5:21 Test everything. Hold on to the good
1 Thessalonians 5:21 Test everything. Hold on to the good
Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brothers and 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
How to be Positive in a Negative World
1. I get out of the muck when I remember God's Power
1 Samuel 17:11 On hearing the Philistines' words, Saul and ALL the Israelites were dismayed and terrified.
1 Samuel 17:32 David says to Saul: “Let no one lose heart (faith) on account of this Philistine. Your servant will go and fight”.
1 Samuel 17:37 The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.”
1 Samuel 17:46 David says to Goliath, “This day the Lord will hand you over to me and I'll strike you down and cut off your head and today..."
1 Samuel 17:47 "The whole world will know that there's a God in Israel and those who gather here will know that it's not by sword or spear that the Lord saves, but the battle is the Lord's and He will give all of you into our hands."
2. I get out of the muck walk by faith not by sight
2 Corinthians 5:7 "we walk by faith, not by sight"
1 John 5:4 (NIV): "For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world—even our faith."
1 Samuel 17:48 "As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly to the battle line to meet him. Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it in his slingshot and struck the Philistine on the forehead."
3. I get out of the muck when I surround myself with encouraging people
1 Samuel 17:52 "Then the men of Israel and Judah surged forward with a shout and pursued the Philistines to the entrance of Gath and to the gates of Ekron."
1 Corinthians 15:33 "Bad company corrupts good character."
Joshua 6:10 “Do not give a war cry, do not raise your voices, do not say a word until the day I tell you to shout.”
4. I get out of the muck when my hope is NOT in this life
These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.
Something better