Attitudes/Answers with Olen Baker

Most of us are guilty of being greedy at times. The problem becomes an issue when greed forms a vicious cycle in every day life.  God can help break that cycle.

Broken promises can alienate a person from God and others.  Today, ask God to help you turn the corner and make amends.  The beautiful promise from God, is that he will always be there to help.

Obviously, avoiding punishement is the top priority, but with some children, even adults, the impulse to lie evolves into a cycle of deception.  Fear turns into shame, and that is a very dark place.  Ask God to help you escape and start again.

A habit is strong, especially when it can override your better judgement and sound logic.  The good news:  God has the power to deliver and redeem you, if you're willing.  Go ahead and ask him, now.

Maybe not the easiest thing to do, but step one is always to completely yield to what God is directing you to do.  Simply, listening without speaking is the way to a much better place.  Shhhhh...

You've heard this before: frustration is thinking, doing or saying the same thing over and over, and expecting a different result.  There is a way out.  Find out how, right now.

Have you ever been stuck in a pattern of thinking and acting that produce negative results.  Self-control is the fruit of the holy spirit.  Start the process of healing, by surrendering everything to him.  He's waiting.

Jesus calls us "the salt of the earth, and a light to the world".  That pretty much sums it up.  You have a job to do.  And what a wonderful job it is.

Life is a distraction, but God always finds a way to get our attention, especially when we believe that we're too busy to hear.  Listen carefully and you will always hear his pure voice above and beyond the "noise".

Schedules are tough and many times, schedules can be a challange, or frustrating.  Make the plan, follow the plan, and take time to rest, just like God did.  You're not a machine, you are a child of God.

Be careful.  Don't get pulled into situations that on have some semblance of truth.  Those places are stumbling blocks to God's purpose and plan for your life.  

Negative thoughts are toxic.  They could the connection to God.  You can replace them with faith and trust in God.  Now is the time to do that.

We've all been there.  Problems, thoughts, become distractions, and they build over time into mountains.  As Barney Fife used to say, "nip it in the bud."  Barney was right.

Have you ever been caught in a mistake, or a lie?  Extend mercy to yourself by saying "you're right, I was wrong, I apologize."  

God doesn't want us to dwell on the past.  He wants us to see where we can go.  Letting go isn't always easy.

Life requires us to say goodbye to status quo and accept and adapt to what's next.  Not always an easy thing to do.

Many people cling to the old ways of thinking and feeling to keep themselves emotionally safe.  Not a great place to be stuck, because every day sets the stage for a new beginning.  

Sure, it could be a special present, an event, an announcement, a trophy or even a person that came into your life.  But the best gift ever, is mercy.

Mercy is God's undeserved, unfailing compassion and love.  And yes, it's hard sometimes to share that gift with others.  It's hard, but essential.

It's true, we all stray from God's gift of mercy.  Because life causes us to question, giving mercy to those we feel, don't deserve it.  Mercy is for everyone in your life, not just a few.

God has forgivin us for our sins.  Simply, He wants us to forgive others, even when we feel that forgivness is not there.  Is there someone in your life that needs forgivness?

You have been forgivin of your sins by God.  He wants you to do the same towards others, even when you feel they don't deserve it.  Not an easy thing to do, but always necessary.  That's, mercy.

Showing mercy is reflecting God's character in you.  It's true, showing mercy to others, even when we feel they don't deserve it, is how God wants us to live our lives.

Simply, mercy is kindness and goodness, the essentials for resrotation and healing.  Letting go and letting God show you the way, is the first step,

Simply, by expressing the abundant mercy He has shown us.  Let the anger go, and allow His mercy to help you move ahead.