Fully Living and Enjoying Life   

Dedicated to my Mother, who would have been 91 today, but left three years ago to enjoy a pain free, peaceful eternity with God. I love and miss you… 

I will warn you upfront, some of you will not enjoy this sermon. If you don’t, it is likely meant for you by your loving Father who wants you to live your life in a joyous and enjoyable way. Regardless of circumstances, HE has already paved the path to your happiness, peace and freedom. He has written a book of directions (Bible) to give you the recipe for this incredible life He planned for you from the beginning of time. 

He has also tried to show you that enjoying life isn’t about external circumstances as much as it is about choices we make and listening to the “inner Holy Spirit voice” which is often overridden by negative feelings and experiences. The great news is that we can CHOOSE to live a full and enjoyable life despite circumstances that [you feel] make your daily existence lonely, sad and/or miserable.  

I witness this day after day on social media where people profess how TODAY is the day that they will no longer let others hurt them, take advantage of their love and generosity and make very clear statements on how they are setting specific boundaries to protect themselves. However, I see the same postings and similar comments the next day and the next. It’s as if some are stuck in a hamster wheel of professing they are going to remove the “bad people” and start PROTECTING themselves from others in order to live the life they deserve.  

Well, I have some FANTASTIC NEWS for you! Your protection, provision, strength and power has already been provided for you! YOU are a VICTOR now, so the only thing creating this constant negative/protective outlook in your life are your FEELINGS. The best news yet is that you can control your feelings and fully enjoy your life as God intended!! Hallelujah!  

Job 10:12 – “You have granted me life and lovingkindness; and Your care has preserved my spirit.” (I am happy and strong because God has made and kept me that way because I choose to follow the path He has laid before me) 

Proverb 11:27 – “He who diligently seeks good seeks favor, but he who seeks evil, evil will come to him.” (YOU can speak happiness, joy and peace into your life simply through your thoughts and how you perceive the world around you. If you seek the good in life, you will find it. Conversely, if you seek/focus on the bad, bad will continue to find you) 

Psalm 5:12 – “For it is You who blesses the righteous man, O Lord, You surround him with favor as with a shield.” (Your life is in God’s hands. Look to Him and not man for your self-esteem and self-preservation. You have been given favor and shielded from negative influences if you make the right choices) 

2 Corinthians 12:9 – “And He has said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for [my] power is perfected in [your] weakness.’ Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell [be seen] in me.” (We must lean on and trust in the Lord. It is in His strength that we become strong. For it is in our own weakness-letting our feelings control our thoughts and actions-that we fail ourselves, ruining our own happiness and joy) 

Romans 15:13 – “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (As I stated clearly above, we must listen to our inner voice, which is the voice of our Holy Spirit, who guides us to the beautiful life God has planned for us. When we allow our negative self-talk, feelings and emotions to override the provision of God…our Holy Spirit’s leadership in our lives…we miss out on the fulfilling, happy and enjoyable life that is available to us simply for the choosing) 

Luke 12:29-31 – “And do not seek what you will eat and what you will drink, and do not keep worrying. For all these things the nations of the world eagerly seek; but your Father knows that you need these things. But seek His kingdom, and these things will be added to you.” (Live the life God has for you, trusting and believing in FAITH that He provides for all your needs and it will happen. Your faith, actions and beliefs initiate the power God has over your life) 

Romans 12:2 – “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” (If you, as a Christian, are living a defeated and rejected life, what kind of example is that to the world? We are called to read The Word, know The Word and LIVE The Word so that others are compelled to seek the joy and happiness they see in us. We are called to be the example of His love, mercy, and grace so that others may know Him by observing our lives) 

Philippians 4:8 – “Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.” (God is telling you straight up, your life is what you believe it to be. Dwell on the positives and don’t give all your energy to the negative things that are constantly happening around you) 

Your quality of life truly is in your mind and perceptions. You are as you think. I am currently wearing a shirt I received from K-Love, a wonderful and uplifting radio station that reminds us to keep our eyes on God so that we can turn all our lemons into lemonade. It says “Love on: World off.” (Actually K-Love on and world off, but the meaning is the same). Do not focus on the secular things and secular people, but fellowship with those who love and serve God so that you may each be a joy to one another.   

If we set our mind on the things of God, keep listening to good Christian music and pastors, read His Word and follow the Holy Spirit, our lives will change overnight. By giving our energy to those things that hurt us and suck the joy from our lives, we are giving up the enjoyable lives that await us.  

Every time you post how much people hurt you and how you are going to ignore them in the future, you are GIVING AWAY YOUR POSITIVE ENERGY! Forget them and focus on the beauty God has placed in your life. Focus on the hope, His strength and SERVING God’s children.  

Your life is meant to be full of joy and enjoyment. You are given a full bounty by God in order to receive all the wonderful things He has in store for you, but if you continue to focus on what others do TO you, rather than what you could be doing to help God’s children in need, you are giving away all the beauty and joy that is supposed to be filling your life. AMEN!  

Love, Hugs and blessings, Lisa ><> 

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