Real And Positive Thoughts - RAPT

16/05/2023

The Storms of Life - Day 2

“The Storm of Anxiety and the Lighthouse of Peace”

The more I reflect and look at the beauty of nature, the more I realize the wisdom of Jesus’ use of everyday sights to bring peace.

Think about it. How common is it to see birds whirring through the air? Whenever you see them, are you reminded of Jesus' words about the sparrows? They are in the Father’s care. They don’t toil, but they’re fed and thriving.

And what about the trees that bring shade to protect people from the scorching heat?

His mercies are built into the atmosphere to reveal His protection and peace.

Okay, you may think - it is not easy to feel peace when for instance the wind bends the trees, and rain floods in; or when challenges rear it’s head in your business, at work or at home. The question remains:

How do we tap into peace in the midst of chaos? How do we calm the anxiety that creeps upon us?

It’s safe to say that *a conversation with God* and *intentional gratefulness* (remembering the various other times that God has shown up for you), are a part of the answer.

I can assure you that if you practice them, you will be shocked to see how your mind transforms ‘gradually’ - knowing that when the storms come, you will be ‘anxious for nothing’.

Alongside this, let me hand over some practical nuggets that have helped me to overcome anxiety.

1. Firstly, be aware of what written, visual, and audible material you are consuming daily. The “cares of the world” have a way of snuffing out peace, if they don’t carry the grace and perspective of Heaven.
2. In the moment of feeling anxiety, simply say the words, “Thank You, Holy Spirit, for peace.”
If you’ve given your life to Him, He lives inside of you and has profound power to provide the fruit of the Spirit when you need them the most.

*Reflection*
Staying connected with God at all times, and being in a state of gratitude, will enable us to tap into the peace of God, no matter the storm that whirls.

*Exercise*
Write down a list of 10 things you are grateful for, and then verbalize them to God.

Meditate:
1.
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
‭‭- Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭6‬-‭7‬ ‭NKJV

2.
“Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.”
‭‭- Matthew‬ ‭10‬:‭29‬-‭31‬ ‭NKJV

12/03/2023

The parable of the rich fool is a guide to being fair and just each and every day.

The Parable of the Rich Fool

13 Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”

14 Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?” 15 Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”

16 And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. 17 He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’

18 “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. 19 And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’

20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’

21 “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”……

Lesson: search your intentions in all that you do. Keep connected to God and do what is right for the people you come in contact with or are leading.
Do you take what is for people for yourself only?
Do you take on the role of God? Do you know tomorrow?

Desire for control and power and Materials thing will not lengthen the years of your life because God holds our seasons and times.

May God help us all!

12/03/2023

The Parable of the Rich Fool

13 Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”

14 Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?” 15 Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”

16 And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. 17 He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’

18 “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. 19 And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’

20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’

21 “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”……

Lesson: search your intentions in all that you do. Keep connected to God and do what is right for the people you come in contact with or are leading.
Do you take what is for people for yourself only?
Do you take on the role of God? Do you know tomorrow?

Desire for control and power and Materials thing will not lengthen the years of your life because God holds our seasons and times.

May God help us all!

02/09/2022

BLESSED DAY TO ALL

Father we are grateful for life from January to August.

Thank you Father for providing and protecting us from known and unknown dangers and keeping us safe in all ways.

May this month of September be SPECTACULAR in our lives and all the glory return to you in Jesus name.

Father, calm our minds from all worries, enable the manifestation of our expectations, let our feet walk the path of righteousness, may our thoughts be filled with your promises for us and not what we see.

Where we are weak strengthen us, Father - where we tend to lose control, grant us the wisdom to be honest and check ourselves.

We ask, O Lord that our behaviour be aligned to your dictates and grant us the grace to live and walk Christ-like.

Holy Spirit come and guide and teach us wherever we go wrong.

We ask for the sprinkling of the Blood of Jesus to speak and protect as we go about daily at home and everywhere els, as we begin the month of the third quarter of 2022 - the SPECTACULAR SEPTEMBER.

We decree and declare that no weapon fashioned against us and our family shall prosper in Jesus name.

Come, O Lord, and take your place in our Country - enabling peace amongst Her peoples. We ask that ALL plans to destabilize our Nation be brought to light and destroyed in Jesus name.

Heal the broken hearted, the weak; help the lost, and all those undergoing one form of abuse or other. Father come to their defense wherever they are.

To you be all the honour and glory Lord, in Jesus name we pray.

Shalom.
Laila St. Matthew-Daniel

23/03/2022

If you are heavy laden and need to ask questions - do send a message. We will try to guide you through any emotional issues you may be encountering!

10/01/2022

Some churches have started fasting for the first month of the year.

I am led to take us through 21 days of prayers to help us through.

If you are not fasting, then just follow the prayers and maybe you can offer as a sacrifice something you love doing for 21 days which will end on the 31st of January. 🙏🏼🙏🏼. A gift triggers back a loving gift from God. He never owes.

May God grant us all the wisdom required for the new phase of our career, business, and relationships! Amen

So if you will like to go on a 21 day spiritual journey, do come to this page everyday - set yourself notification

Shalom

10/01/2022

A happy new year to all! May this year bring a restoration to all and a realignment in careers, businesses and relationships.

We are made whole through the grace of God.

The grace of God Grace gives us a new life which is not condemned by God. Through God's grace we are forgiven, transforming our thinking, resulting in the renewal of our mind and heart. Through grace we live the kind of life that God would like every one of His children to experience

Today ask that the grace of God should encompass our lives in Jesus name.

The MERCY of God grants us freedom from emotional and mental issues

God's mercy destroys sin and frees people from its imposition, which is no part of man.

God’ mercy and grace, like huge waves rolling over a debris-strewn beach, wash us clean.

God’s healing influence, the Christ, cleanses mankind from the debris of guilt, blame, punishment.

Pray that God should have mercy upon you as you live each day with its many challenges that could destract from the statutes of God!

Ask that the Holy Spirit of God should guide and teach you the way to go all the time.

Ask for your gift and mandate to be made manifest clearly. We are here not just to ‘enjoy’ life, which God wants us to do, 😎 but to also do the work of God wherever we find ourselves.

Our attitude and behaviour is a ministry in itself.

As I said, everyone has a story to tell and for some their story is a foundation of the work God has mandated for them before being born:

May we continue to walk in the light of God’s grace and mercy / in Jesus name.

Shalom.

Do invite people to this page. Our success in life is tied to our spiritual mastery.

23/12/2021

Today is the day the Lord has made, rejoice and be glad in it. All the blessings meant for you today will not pass you by.

Because God is with you, anyone who plans your downfall shall instead fall for your sake. As we approach the last week of 2021, no evil shall befall you.

The enemy roaming to and fro seeking whom to devour, ( robbers, kidnappers, accidents, agents of premature death, etc), shall not locate you.

They that seek shame for you will see the table the Lord has prepared for you and marvel.

You and your household shall testify to the favor of God in your life; your helpers will locate you, shame shall be far from you.

I hold the blood of Jesus as a standard over the activities of agents of limitations, stagnation, procrastination, delay at the edge of breakthroughs, confusion, marital delays, barreness, marriage jezebels, in Jesus name.

Open your mouth and begin to declare and affirm positive things in your life.

As we go into the few days leading to 2022 - call to be that which is not yet and it shall come to pass!!!

Stand firm.....FOCUS and BELIEVE that what you visualize will come to pass!

If you KNOW you have some negative attitude, ask God for the grace to work on them so that YOU don’t sabotage your blessings.

Seasons greetings to you and your household.

Laila St.Matthew-Daniel
The Life Strategist

19/09/2021

Body|Soul|Spirit

“Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6:34‬ ‭MSG‬‬

A lot of us have a PhD in analyzing, worrying and being anxious about the future. By all means we need to plan for the future but we should not let fear lead us. We need to take each day as it comes, doing our best to live properly BELIEVING and KNOWING God is in control - and being GRATEFUL, no matter what.

Let us pray: “Father, forgive any unbelief I may have, and grant me the ability to know that You have my future.
I am grateful Lord for Your love and Your promises - in Jesus Name.”

Shalom and have a blessed week!

29/08/2021

Encouragement for you as we end August - God is with you today, tomorrow and for everyone. God will grant us grace to stay the course of daily obstacles.

“Stay on good terms with each other, held together by love. Be ready with a meal or a bed when it’s needed. Why, some have extended hospitality to angels without ever knowing it!
Regard prisoners as if you were in prison with them.
Look on victims of abuse as if what happened to them had happened to you.
Honor marriage, and guard the sacredness of s*xual intimacy between wife and husband. God draws a firm line against casual and illicit s*x.
Don’t be obsessed with getting more material things. Be relaxed with what you have.
Since God assured us, “I’ll never let you down, never walk off and leave you,” we can boldly quote, God is there, ready to help; I’m fearless no matter what. Who or what can get to me?”

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭13:1-6‬ ‭MSG‬‬

Stay on good terms with each other, held together by love. Be ready with a meal or a bed when it’s needed. Why, some have extended hospitality to angels without ever knowing it! Regard prisoners as if

04/07/2021

WINNING THE WAR ON F RHE MIND - Day 1 July 1st

Our lives are always moving in the direction of our strongest thoughts. What we think shapes who we are.

You might read this and think I’m being overly dramatic using hyperbole to get your attention. But this is no exaggeration.

Our lives do follow the direction of our thoughts. The better we grasp that truth, the better equipped we’ll be to change the trajectory of our lives. But don’t take my word for it. Both the Bible and modern science provide evidence that this is true.

So throughout this Bible Plan, we’ll unpack both Scripture and what we’ve learned from scientific research.

Here’s a brief example of both:
In Philippians 4:8–9, the apostle Paul writes, “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. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”

In these three sentences Paul moves from
* THOUGHT (“think about such things”) to
* ACTION (“put it into practice”) to
* EXPERIENCE (“the God of peace will be with you”).

Paul tells us that our thoughts shape our lives.

In recent years, an entire discipline of modern psychology has developed called ‘cognitive behavioral therapy’. This breakthrough teaching reveals that many problems, from eating disorders to relational challenges, addictions, and even some forms of depression and anxiety, are rooted in faulty and negative patterns of thinking. Treating those problems begins with CHANGING that thinking.

I don’t know about you, but when the Bible and modern psychology say the same thing, I want to know more. (As a Transformational Life Strategist/coach and therapist, these are some of the thought tools that I use to assist people to get from the dysfunctional to the functional and eventually to live optimally).

What science is demonstrating today is what God told us through Solomon almost three thousand years ago: “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.” Proverbs 23:7 NKJV

So if both the Bible and modern science teach us that our lives are moving in the direction of our strongest thoughts, then we need to ask ourselves, “Do I like the direction my thoughts are taking me?”
If your answer is no, then maybe it’s time to CHANGE your thinking. Maybe it’s time to decide to CHANGE your mind so God can change your life.

If you’re skeptical, that’s okay. Believe me, I get it. We’ve all tried unsuccessfully to change bad habits and force our runaway trains of thought back onto the right tracks. But this time you’re not alone. You are about to discover that God will team up with you to transform your thinking.

With God’s help, you can TRANSFORM your MIND. You can stop believing the lies that hold you back. You can end the vicious cycle of thoughts that are destructive to you and others. You can allow God to renew your mind by saturating you with His unchanging truth.

Meditate:

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭12:1-2‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,”
‭‭II Corinthians‬ ‭10:3-5‬ ‭NKJV

LET US PRAY:

God, sometimes when I look at the world around me, I feel overwhelmed by anxiety, and my thoughts start to spiral. Oh God, please help me. I need You to change the way I think.

Your thoughts are higher than my thoughts, and Your ways are better than mine. You give hope to the hopeless, and strength to the weak. You alone can renew my mind and remind me of my purpose.

So today, help me to take every thought captive as I give You my concerns. Remind me that You are with me, and that You will continue to instruct and guide me.

Counsel me as I reflect on Your Word, and help me to apply Your truths to my life. Give me the strength I need to do what is right, and help me to pursue You above all else—always.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

In this month of July - - We WILL testify in the name of Jesus!