The Blessings Of A Positive Attitude - Part 1 Series

"Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there by any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things" - Philippians 4:8

PRELIMINARY QUESTIONS

• Do you spend more time thinking in good things or in negative things?

• Are you willing (open) to be changed?

• How valuable is the Bible for you?

• Are you willing to change your attitudes?

• Can you try to look at yourself instead of finding faults in other people around you?

SPIRITUAL WILDERNESS

Just imagine that you are driving on your way to work and a big billboard announces the Sahara desert, a scorpion crawling in the sand and a bright sunshine as a favorite holiday destination. This would be nonsense! When we choose a vacation place we wont pick up a wilderness. Desert places are not a good destination for a time of pleasure. Dry land and absence of water are a negative thing. However we arrive many times to emotional deserts and periods of dryness in our lifetimes we arrive many times to seasons of wilderness in our lives and we wonder how did we get there. The answer is very simple: our attitudes lead us to emotional deserts. The reason why God's people had to endure a season of wilderness is linked to the fact that they had an attitude problem. Their journey began with miracles, joy, a new begin in a new land and a hope for a better existence but because of idolatry, rebellion, disobedience, murmuring, complaining they had to remain in the desert until a new generation was raised from under the age of twenty.

God had to do something very radical! Is this an important part of scriptures? Is the Bible spending too much time describing this season? Why is this important enough to be mentioned and described not only in the Old Testament but also in the New? Numbers 13 describes an expedition of twelve spies to the Promised Land. They where just to visit and bring back a report of what they 've seen in preparation to the conquest but when they came back started whining about armies, giants and other obstacles they would face. But only two of the spies, Joshua and Caleb, came back bringing a good report. These two men had faith in their God and where not worried with the journey but rather with their final destination.

WHAT IS YOUR FINAL DESTINATION?

When you return from a vacation most often people ask about your trip. How was the flight? How long was the drive? These are the first questions, and yes the trip is important but let me stress to you that the destination is more important than the journey. People have a tendency to focus on the trip and many times they loose focus on their destination. If you enjoy the trip it will make things easier. If by other hand you keep complaining the journey will become long and painful. In the Bible story of the twelve spies we can learn different lessons but i would like to emphasize the fact that the main difference between Joshua and Caleb and the "no name ten" was a matter of attitude. In numbers 14: 27 we read that the people "murmured!' some people make a lifestyle out of murmuring. As a consequence these people will spend them lifetime in the wilderness. The apostle Paul mentioned in the book 12 Corinthians 10: l-3 that these things happen as examples for us. On verse 9 says that they groaned and this attitude was factor that lead to their punishment. They where able to see the Promised Land but they never enjoyed the blessings of possessing it.

Attitudes are important for your life. Attitudes are important to God. There are serious consequences as a result of bad attitudes. We are starting today a special study that will help us to get rid of bad attitudes. This is a key to overcome spiritual obstacles and to achieve great things. I believe that the main attitude problem that people have is murmuring and complaining. Sadly many Christians have a negative attitude of murmuring and complaining all the time.

Remember that you will be here on Earth for a brief time and God is trying to approve you to be for all Eternity with Him in the place we call Heaven. Bad attitudes will keep you out of your destination. If you don't want to die in the desert this message is just for you. So fasten your seatbelt and get ready to learn how important our attitudes are to the Lord.

WYSIWYG - WHAT YOU SEE IS WHAT YOU GET

"Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it (the heart) are found the issues of life. For as a man thinks in his heart so is he." - Proverbs 4:23, Proverbs 23:7