Tag: mindset

Barefoot Devotions

A Lesson From Coffee

Hannah B.

Every Thursday I put on a pot of coffee before my in-home Bible study. There is something about the smell of coffee brewing and holding a hot cup between my hands that brings me comfort. The smell is enough to re-energize my bones after a tiring day and make the home feel inviting.

This past Bible study was a little different because at the end there was coffee to pour out. As I began emptying the pot while talking to Jesus, I realized that my action of pouring out this dark fluid from my coffee pot was the same as what Jesus does for us. When we surround ourselves with Godly friends, when we are spending time in His Word, and in prayer, He begins to pour the darkness of the carnal world out of us. The more time we spend seeking Him and allowing Him to change us, the clearer our hearts and minds become. This allows the words and actions that flow from our heart to become transparent and based on the truth that is found on the pages of Scripture.

Oh, the love the Savior has for us! It’s so deep and pure that I can not even begin to describe. I am so thankful that He does this for us! He cleanses us so that we may fellowship with Him and be transformed by the renewing of our mind so that we can put off our old self.

Reflection

How can you renew your mind so that you are better focused on God’s plan for your life?

In what areas of your life can you improve the condition of your soul?

Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for cleaning out the darkness that comes into my life. Show me the areas in my life that need improvement and give me the courage and willingness to follow through and obey Your commands. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.

With all my love and encouragement,

Hannah B.

Barefoot Devotions

Joy In The Pressing

Hannah B.

As a child growing up, one of my favorite games was Dominoes.  However, I hardly ever played the game according to the instructions.  I would line all of the game pieces at the right distances so that when one would fall it would start a reaction of them all falling.  I  can remember listening to the sound of the tap of each domino falling against the nearest game piece. My eyes would follow the train with the expectation of picking up all of the pieces and starting over again.

At some point in our lives, we may have surrounded ourselves with people or choices that led to our ultimate downfall, leaving us on the floor in a tangled web of sins and calamity.  Perhaps you are one with the gift of discernment who was able to see the disaster waiting for you if you did not make the right choice.

Maybe you have been put in a situation that you had no control over or it is what you were born into.

Ultimately, you can not change the shoes you have already walked in or been placed in, but you can change choose to make a decision that will cause a positive reaction to unfortunate circumstances.  In life, you are bound to have circumstances that hurt emotionally, spiritually, physically, and financially.  The Bible tells us in John 16:33 that the trouble coming is inevitable.

John 16:33, NIV | “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

We all have a choice in choosing our reactions to the tests and trials that are placed on our journey.  In fact, the Bible even tells us to consider our trials pure joy because when the trial finishes will be mature and complete.  If we take the trials and look at them with joy, we can know that our Father has a specific and special lesson for us personally.  It’s time for us to mature and grow in our faith but I can say with complete confidence that all things work together for the good of those who love Him who are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).

James 1: 2-4, NIV | Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

It may seem like all the pieces around you are falling down but the reality is God knows where all the pieces fall. He knows the outcome and He wants you to entrust Him with pure and authentic faith.

Whatever you are facing, do so with a cheerful heart, drawing near to God so that His peace and love can overwhelmingly transcend over and through you.  Just ask God for the grace to endure the trials you are facing in a way that will glorify Him.

Whatever you are facing, do so with a cheerful heart, drawing near to God so that His peace and love can overwhelmingly transcend over and through you.

James 4:19| “Therefore, let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good. 

Xoxo,

Hannah B.

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Barefoot Devotions

You Are What You Think

Hannah B.

I came across this quote from a fortune cookie, “Your Mind Creates Your Life.” As I began pondering this quote and delving into it, I couldn’t help but think how true it is and how saturated our minds are with junk.

Just like the food you intake in your body, it can provide you with life or death. Real and whole food can be used as medicine and has healing properties for our bodies but junk food can have the opposite effect. It makes us sick and over time we develop diseases that lead to death.

Our minds are the same way and whatever we feed into our minds will lead to the life or death of our life. If we surround ourself with real and whole thoughts, words, positivity, love, and encouragement they can lead the way to a life filled with joy, peace, and a positive mindset. When we are in a better frame of mind, we are able to focus on Jesus’ calling on our lives, serving Him and others, following through with our goals, and living our life to the fullest.

Now, what if you are negativity talking down to yourself, expecting things to go wrong, expecting to not go any where in life or expecting to have a bad day? Chances are you are going to have a rough day. If we are consistently thinking about the things we have done wrong, the things we are not good at, and are focused on the things that aren’t going right in life then eventually you will be diseased with anxiety, depression, fear, and in a contact state of discouragement. When we are in this state, we are not able to find joy in things that we used to love to do or we won’t be able to discover our true purpose if we allow ourselves to stay in this mindset.

If you are what you eat, then you are what you think.

What are you thinking on? Maybe it’s time for a mind detox.

You are the only one who can change your thoughts from negative to positive. Cultivate Your Mind to Cultivate Your Life.

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. – Philippians 4:8

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Xoxo,

Hannah B.