Daily Maddie

Daily Inspiration with Maddie |Fitness and Nutrition

liveforjesus

Be Patient

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Patience can mean a lot of different things…but what it truly means biblically is to be obedient and be still and wait for the Lord. There is so many different verses in the Bible about patience. But the number one thing you must understand is the Holy Spirit gives us patience. However, the enemy will rush you and push you into pursing before God opens that door.

God’s got you

I have been thinking a lot about this lately. Patience is the opposite of everything the world tells us. Think about it. We live in a society where everyone tells you, you must have this NOW. With the media, the internet etc. everything is pretty much accessible at our fingertips. Need a hair dyer? Go to amazon. Need a new couch? Go to overstock. And on and on. So if we can have everything at our finger tips… when will enough be enough? Thats the thing, when you live as the world does nothing will ever be enough. You will always be striving for the next best thing… and I mean always. BUT, when you live with Christ, your life is completely different. You’re worth is in Him and for what He did for you 2000 years ago on the cross. Over more, you realize everything you need, you already have. Therefore you will have patience. So in order to develop patience you will need Gods strength and Jesus’s spirit living within you in order to be patient.

Gratefulness

Be grateful for where you are and thankful for where you are going. In order to be patient gratefulness is a necessity. If you are ungrateful you will never ever be patient. Why? Because like I said you will always be striving for more and more. Enough will never be enough. Therefore, you will be so impatient. But when you walk with Christ, and ask Him to give you a thankful heart that develops gratitude. I have a gratitude journal that I use every morning to think about the things I am truly grateful for, which is about everything. When you truly think about how grateful you are and blessed, you stop looking for things to satisfy you, therefore you become patient.

The bottom line…

Be patient. Be still. Wait for God. When you’ve done all you can… wait for God to do the rest. Do not try to BE God. That will never work. Just be grateful and thankful for where you are and that you have God on your side!

Bible verses about patience:

Romans 12:12

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.

Galatians 6:9

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

Romans 8:25

But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

Ephesians 4:2

With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,

Psalm 37:7-9

Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices! Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil. For the evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land.

Philippians 4:6

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

1 Corinthians 13:4

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Isaiah 40:31

But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

Proverbs 15:18

A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger quiets contention.

Colossians 3:12

Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,

Psalm 37:7

Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!

Ecclesiastes 7:8

Better is the end of a thing than its beginning, and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.

 

5 ways to spend more time with GOD

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Do you feel like you don’t spend enough time in the word? Or maybe you feel distant from God, Or maybe you don’t really see the need to spend a bunch of time with God. If either of these are YOU please keep reading or you just want to grow closer to God !

 

Here are the 5 ways to spend more time with God

Make the Time!!!

In order to spend more time with God you MUST make the time for it. Many people say ” I don’t have the time to spend with God” but the reality is if it is truly important you than you WILL make the time for it.  Even if you have to get up 30 minutes earlier DO IT. My church friend has 3 kids and a full time job and she gets up at 5am just to spend time with God before everyone else wakes up!

You will never regret spending time in Gods Word. You will only regret not spending enough time in the Word. Because the truth is God should be the center of your life therefore if He is than you should develop your time around Him and not your job or your other responsibilities.

Get rid of the distractions 

This can be one of the biggest problems a Christian faces and the enemy wants to distract you and keep you from reading the word as much as possible! You must fight this . Most people have developed the time to sit and read the Word , but few people actually read and absorb the Word !

Now in order to get rid of these distractions you must really focus on what is important… meaning is reading the Word more important or is scrolling on instagram or watching Netflix more important? You choose. The choice is up to you to decide!

Listen to the Bible 

Lets just say you woke up late and didn’t have time to read the Bible… well on your way to work you can listen to the “Holy Bible App” and it plays the Bible for you!! This is a great way to seek God more and Listen to His Word. Sometimes in the middle of my chaotic day I open up the Bible app and start playing Psalm 23 or even John . This has drawn me closer to God and allowed me to spend more time with Him during my day.

Journal!!!

Every Sunday when I have some quiet time as I prepare for the week ahead of me, I sit down with my journal and write letters to Jesus and my prayers. This has helped me focus on what truly is important and what is truly NOT important. I highly recommend this to those of y’all that struggle with finding Gods Presence in the midst of all your trials. When you talk to God, you are allowing God to work in your life in incredible ways and you are relying on His Strength and not yours.

Listen to Uplifting Music

This might be hard to do because the world we live in we are surrounded by rap and pop trash music. If you are trying to find fulfillment in this music you will not find it. The ONLY music that can make you fulfilled is Christian music. I used to listen to all kinds of music and I would only listen to Christian music when I felt like it, but then something changed. I didnt feel good anymore listening to this trash hip pop music. So I deleted all my music and only kept my Christian music and the result was I am able to praise and worship God all day long and find peace, joy, hope, love and pretty much overflowing of Gods goodness.

I encourage you to make these changes, because it has truly changed my life and I know it can change yours too!

xoxo

Maddie

Set your mind on Jesus

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What exactly is our mindset?

Our mindset has to do with our soul/spirit. Meaning It is your most inner being. Its what you allow into your mind and dwell there. Our mindset has to do with what we truly believe in. Do you believe in Jesus and His resurrection that He died for you so you can be filled with the Holy Spirit and receive inner joy and peace, or do you believe in being successful in this life is true happiness?

How to change your mindset:

In order to change your mindset, you MUST believe it needs to be change. You must recognize there is things in your thoughts, words, and actions that need some change. Once you realize you need to change you MUST get rid of ALL negativity, and I mean ALL. This includes thoughts, habits, things in your life, people etc. Then you must replace this negativity with ALL positive thoughts.

We must rejoice in the Lord always. In order to be positive, we must have faith in God, love God, and put Him first and He will do the rest. In order to rejoice we must know and believe the truth. Did you know that Paul wrote Philippians in a jail? Because it was. How crazy is that the most joyful chapter of the bible was written in a jail cell. This proves that joy is not based on your circumstance, its based on your mindset.

Get rid of negativity you must replace it with positive:

Romans 12:2 says, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will”.

Meaning if you have an evil thought come to mind about your co-worker or boss and you wish they were dead replacing it with Ephesians 4:32 “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

“For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. The mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God”. Romans 8:5-8

You must let go of all negative habits and selfishness and turn to God and He will deliver you every single time. We must focus on God and loving others When we focus on ourselves that only leads to destruction. “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” Matthew 6:33.

In order to let go you must LET GOD take control. What I am is letting go of your flesh desires and submitting to God and letting God rule your heart. Once God rules your heart you will be able to keep your eyes on Jesus and trust Him.

How Social Media effects us

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Did you know the music you listen to, the TV you watch, the things you look at effect your mental and emotional health? Because they do. Studies have shown everything we listen to, look at and observe effects us mentally, emotionally and spiritually. 

Social Media side effects 

Studies show that depression and anxiety has never been this high ever. I believe it is because of electronics. In this article it shows how electronics cause poor posture, risk of cancer, obesity, lack of sleep etc.

Music, SM, and TV are really fun and entertaining at the time. Although the things we will allow into our mind will can and will influence our thoughts and actions later. Have you ever memorized lyrics to a song and then months or even a year later you are randomly singing that song? Because that is what I am talking about. Anything you allow into your hears to hear and your eyes to see effects you whether you believe it or not. My job is to inform of these side effects because they are real and you must be discerning and wise to withstand the devils schemes. 

  • “ Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing, and perfect will”(Romans 12:2).

Stop conforming to Social Media 

God calls us not to conform to this world, meaning not to have faith in things we see and look at. For example, spending hours watching TV, scrolling on your phone, looking at other people’s lives you wish you had can cause you to be ungrateful and envious. I know this because this used to be me, I get it. What changed? I put God first by letting go of social media, TV, and all my electronics. Instead I began to soaking His word into my mind instead of false distractions. Also I stopped scrolling on Instagram at night and opened a real book and I have now found I am the least anxious and worried when I am off my phone and I am focusing on God.

My experience with Social Media

I do use social media for work, but that is all. I don’t just stay on there and hoping to find something interesting. If you are bored , then pray for God to give you excitement. Or you can open the Bible to see what God is trying to teach you, go for a walk, read a book, interact with your family. I think life is too short for you to spend hours on your phone. I have noticed with people on there phone they cant even hear things around them, its like hypotinoses. When you are in this state it is impossible to focus on God. Because then you are caught up of the distractions of the world. I am not saying get rid of it all together, I am suggesting you spend less time on it in order to focus on what truly matters which is God.

Get rid of the distractions

If you want to put God first in your life you must let go of the distractions. What I mean by that is let go of the notifications, TV show drama, sending a snapchat, scrolling on instagram etc. In order to follow Jesus we MUST get rid of all these distractions. This world is full of distractions and thats the devils scheme. He is trying to distract you from following Gods plan by all these electronics. Do not let the devil get a foothold on you! So stop walking by sight of what you see and hear and start walking and trusting God!

“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7).

In order to be a true Christian we must only have faith in what we cannot see. Because if we have faith in what we can see we will end up brokenhearted and weak. However, in God weaknesses are made strengths.

How to know if it’s Gods voice or the Enemy’s?

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In this world there is so many voices and people telling you what to do. For example, Hollywood and Social Media tell you need to look like this, dress like this, and act like that to get what you want out in life although this is all false. In addition, where you grow up and the people that your around try to give you advice on how to live your life or try to control you and your actions.

What I have learned over the years is that all these voices are just a distraction. The only voice you need is Gods voice and in this life it seems almost impossible. However, with God anything is possible. So how do you extinguish all the dark and evil voices and only listen to Gods? Well I am going to tell you.

Whats the difference?

John 8:47 “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me”.

Gods voice:

  • Stills you
  • Leads you
  • Reassures you
  • Enlightens you
  • Encourages you
  • Comforts you
  • Calms you
  • Convicts you

Satan’s voice:

  • Rushes you
  • Pushes you
  • Frightens you
  • Confuses you
  • Discourages you
  • Worries you
  • Obsesses you
  • Condemns you

You see the thing is people mistake Satan’s voice as Gods voice but there is NO comparison. I believe if you are filled with the Holy Spirit and you are walking with Christ He will guide you, strengthen you and lead you where you are meant to go. However, if you listen to Satan’s voice He will distract you and tempt you to places you would never want to be and He will guilt trip you and tell you that are not good enough for anything or anyone in this life.

So how do you tell the difference?

Well the thing is voices are not just in our head, it’s the outside voices from other people that we need to be watchful of too. Because other people might say they want the best for you and tell you that they love you, but really the only source of Love and the only one who knows what is the best for you is God.

Today I encourage you, if you are at a crossroad in your life and you don’t know what to do, be still. Ask God to help you decide where to go from here and He will. It might not be where you want to go, but its where you need to go in order for God to do the impossible. If you are confused with Gods voice and Satans voice then ask God to fill you with the Holy Spirit so you can figure out who is who. Allow God to intervene when you can’t. Ask God to help you and He will guide you to the life of everlasting peace and love. In

 

Overcoming Fear

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What is fear?

Fear is being afraid by the result of an action. It is a feeling we get when something happens in our lives that causes us to feel it. Fear is the opposite of love. Many people think hate is the opposite of love, but I believe the bible tells that “perfect love drives out all fear” (1 John 4:18). In the book “The Right Fight” John Kennedy tells us that fear comes from our flesh and that love comes from the Spirit (God within us) and it is up to us and us alone to decide who we are going to be. When we choose fear our lives end in destruction. When we choose love our lives are filled with prosperity and create every day miracles. 

We must only fear God and Him alone. If we don’t we will conform to this world and be surrounded by numerous fears and worries. Fear is a very powerful thing and there is endless worries, doubts and what ifs, but there is only one God that casts out all our fears with His love.

” There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love”.

– 1 John 4:18

In the bible it describes fear as the 8 things that love isn’t. Which is

  1. Anger
  2. Rude
  3. Envy
  4. Pride
  5. Unforgiveness
  6. Selfishness
  7. Boastfulness
  8. Delights in Evil

We all feel these feelings of anger, envy, rude, prideful at times that we cannot control BUT we can control our actions on those feelings. When we act on our feelings we are living in fear. When we act according to the Truth we are living in Love.

In the book “The Right Fight” by John Vaughan, he describes how to live a loving life. And why you must give up the fight of fear and turn to God to fight for love. It is an incredible book that will change your view on life itself and I highly recommend this book especially if you want to overcome fear.

How to overcome fear

Fear is something that will be in our lives from time to time, but I believe how we overcome fear is through God himself. God is the only one that can heal. Fix, and mold us, nothing on this planet can ever do that. Overcoming fear is choosing to live a life with God first. Since God is Love we are living our lives in Love. When we decide we want to put God first we must fear Him. What does it mean to fear God? Here’s my blog on Fear the Lord
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding”(Proverbs 9:10).

Once you decide to fear the Lord your life will change forever and you will overcome fear because the battle is already won. God is the beginning and the end and nothing can separate you from His Love! When you realize God is with you always and He is within you, you will find peace and rest in Him.

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away” (1 Corinthians 13:4-8).


Fear is something that used to rule my life and I was in denial. I didn’t understand why I was so angry, envious of others, and unmerciful towards God then I realized it was because I was living a fearful live. Today I encourage you to give up the fight of fear and to start fighting for Love!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhGItsR5vCE&t=51s