Daily Maddie

Daily Inspiration with Maddie |Fitness and Nutrition

never give up

Walk By Faith

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“For we live by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7)

In this life we are either living by faith or sight. We are either trusting Gods plan or trying to “fit” God in our plans. There is no in between. We cannot serve two masters. We are either serving God to the fullest or serving ourselves or our flesh desires. Living by sight is temporary which is what 95% of people do because they cannot see the spiritual part that is unseen. However, when you live by faith you are living by the things that are unseen that is eternal. So my question is, Are you living for God or yourself?

What is walking by faith?

Walking by faith can also be translated into living by faith. Faith is “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see” (Hebrews 11:1).

However, the meaning is actually quiet simple. It is fearing God above all creation, and all humanity. Walking by faith is obeying His commands, loving Him with all your heart, soul and strength, trusting in His Will and not your own, glorifying Him in everything that you do or say. Walking by faith is fearing God and putting Him above all. Its allowing God to be on the throne of your heart and believing the truth of the Word.

It also means “living life in light of eternal consequences. To walk by faith is to fear God more than man; to obey the Bible even when it conflicts with man’s commands; to choose righteousness over sin, no matter what the cost; to trust God in every circumstance; and to believe God rewards those who seek Him, regardless of who says otherwise”. https://www.gotquestions.org/walk-by-faith-not-by-sight.html

Walk by faith of the Unseen

Living for God requires faith because its unseen we cannot see, but we have confidence in it and believe it will come true and that He will keep all His promises. However faith itself is not visible to the human eye; spirituality is the thing that is unseen.

“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:18).

Faith = God is on the throne of your heart 

When it comes to having faith we must realize what we believe in and what we fear. Do we fear mortal bodies or do we fear the one that can destroy our bodies in the eternal furnace? It sounds harsh but it is so real. Many people have faith in this world and a person or possessions but that is allowing that thing to be the throne of your heart and you will always be empty. However, when you allow Jesus to be the throne of your heart, you will be whole and complete, lacking in nothing.

In this dark and messed up world it is easy to walk by sight and very difficult to walk by faith. However, if you walk by sight it will only lead to death and destruction. But if you live by faith, it will lead to eternity with Christ Jesus. So what will you choose?

 

Identity in Christ Alone

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What is your Identity? 

Where is exactly is your identity? Meaning where is your heart? Where is your home? Are you always striving for the next best thing or are you content with what you have? Sometimes or maybe all the time are striving to please other people or are you obeying God and trusting Him? Do you seek to just be successful financially or are we striving to love God and be thankful for Jesus. You see the thing is this dark and broken world tells us we need to get this, or have this thing. Or maybe if we get that one thing we will be happy. However, the Word of Truth tells us God is our comforter, deliver, helper, healer, prince of peace, life and joy.

Your identity is what you choose to believe about yourself. Do you believe you are fearfully and wonderfully made? Or do you believe you need to lose 10 pounds then you will be happy. Because if you believe once you reach a certain goal you will find happiness the truth is you will never find happiness. If you are always searching for something you will never find it until you realize its right in front of you this whole time.

Fortunately, you don’t have to always be searching. If you believe Jesus Christ is your identity and your source of life you will be joyful and content in all circumstances no matter what this life brings you.

How to have identity is Christ:

First off, to have your identity in Christ, you must know and BELIEVE the truth which is:

“For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin—” Romans 6:6

This is the truth. The old self is gone and the new one has come. You are no longer a slave of sin. Now you are child of God. “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—” John 1:12.

Next, when you believe in Jesus and receive Him you are able to have your identity in Him. You do this by obeying His commands in the Bible, trusting Him in ALL your ways and remaining in Him. You must also believe that you are a Child of God! Because you are! This means, nothing in this life can separate you from Him (Romans 8:38).

John 1:12 says, “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name”.

Live for God

In order to have Christ as your identity you must live our your life for Him. Frankly, this is the best identity we could ever have. Many people put their trust in so many things, but what do you trust? Because if you trust God you will live out your life for Him. If you do not trust God then you will live to always be searching and looking for something when really its right here.

I encourage you to TRUST God in order to be a child of God. And you wont regret it. So sumbit to God and give all you have to Him and let Him take control of your life and it will be the best decision of your life.

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.

Do Not Quit

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In this life failure and success is all around us. At times in our lives we will fail and then succeed. Have you ever had a time you didn’t give up on something and you achieved that goal and you were so happy?! Well I am sure you’ve also had a time where things weren’t going the way you wanted them to and everything felt like it was against you so you gave up and once you gave up you regretted it immediately. What we must remember is to never ever give up. To always press on and don’t quit.

(2 Chronicles 15:7)

“But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded”

 

There are times when life gets you down and problem after problem arises, do you quit or press on? I believe if its your dream or goal to get it and if you want it bad enough, you will not quit. However, if you listen to your feelings or other people you will end up quitting, so what do you do? Do you choose to follow your faith or fear?

Focus on God

Drive your attention to Christ. Focus on how far you have come. Remember that God has placed this desire in your heart for a reason and He will not give up on you, so do not give up on Him! “Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4).

What I have learned is if God has brought you to it, He will bring you through it. Isaiah 58:11 “The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail”. Therefore where God is guiding you to you just need to stop questioning everything and start trusting Him more deeply. The truth is we all face difficulties and trials, instead of being defeated and letting go of God, hold on to Him more tightly. Because these trials were placed in your life so that you can learn that apart from God you can do nothing, but with Him anything is possible.

Don’t Quit, Swallow your Courage 

I will say it takes pure courage and humility to realize our need for God especially in this world today that tells you that you can do it on your own. However, when we do realize our need for Him that’s when God is able to do the impossible in our lives. “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33).

Today I am encouraging you to not give up. I know it might seem impossible, but fight the good fight of faith to which you were called! Do not let society, the enemy or your flesh win. You must realize that Jesus suffered way worse on the cross then you ever will. Jesus suffered and died for you so you did not have to suffer. Jesus died so His Holy Spirit can live inside of you. The power of Jesus that raised Him from the dead dwells within you and its up to you to live in the Spirit! God bless you all.