Living Without Limits

I am not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward--to Jesus. I'm off and running and I'm not turning back.

So, let's keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision--you'll see it yet! Now that we're on the right track, let's stay on it.                    Philippians 3:12-16 (the Message)

Have you ever thought about the areas in your life where you experience limits?  I think it is common for us to allow our past experiences and beliefs to dictate our present choices and thus our future successes.   Paul reminds us in this passage that we can desire everything God has for us and that God is cheering us on toward that goal.

The more I hear and understand about how we create our own world by our attitudes, emotions and beliefs, the more I am convinced that it is true; we have exactly the life we want in our hearts. We may not be happy in all the areas of our lives, but if we are not, at least God has given us opportunities to experience the abundant life if we choose to. It is because of our own choices not to believe in His promises that we are not fulfilled.

I once heard of a man who was afraid of getting cancer because it was in his family. He went to the doctor who told him that all the symptoms he was experiencing showed he did indeed have cancer and that he had maybe two weeks to live. The man went into the hospital and in two weeks he died. Due to the agressive nature of the cancer involved, they decided to do an autopsy. They discovered that the man didn't have cancer at all: It was his imagination that killed him. 

When I was younger, I remember hearing about a man who accidently got locked in a refrigerator car on a train and died with all the symptoms of hypothermia--he even kept a written record of time and how he was feeling colder, sleepy, lack of oxygen, etc. The refrigerator car, however, was not "on" and the temperature never got below 60 degrees. The expectation of his heart was what killed him.

We experience what we believe with emotion, both in the negative and in the positive realms. The focus of my mind effects my emotions, which in turn effects my energy, health, and life.  When we focus on the limits instead of the freedom we will cement them more firmly in our lives.  Focus on your pain and it increases.  Focus on freedom and it increases. 

What would a life look like with NO LIMITS? 

• No more limiting pain to keep me from doing what I want to do. "I am pain free" 
• No more limiting sickness to keep me from having the energy I need. "I am in excellent health" 
• No more limiting emotions to keep me from experiencing God's full and abundant life of blessing. "I am filled with the peace and joy of the Lord" 
• No more limiting fear to keep me from speaking love into every situation. "I am filled with God's love and glory"

We can claim these truths with confidence because the Word tells us we are all these things and more. The promises of God are infinite--without limits--to those who believe in Him. 

I pray you will reflect on your life today and consider what limits you have allowed to be put on your life, then seek out God's promises showing you no longer need to live within those limits.  You are FREE!!  As you consider the freedom and picture a life lived without limits, may you also deeply sense God's incredible love for you and know His desire for you to live His abundant life.

Focus on the Positive

It seems there is always a kernel of truth any time someone offers a critical remark.  It may not be true in reality, but it is a reflection of their thoughts and beliefs or they would not have come up with it to say aloud.

I am finding it is better to not even think negative thoughts about another, but just focus on their positive attributes.  It keeps me from inadvertently spouting off something I may regret later.  In truth, most people have enough positive attributes that this is easy.  It is only when they touch our self-worth that we look for a way to discredit them in some way.

I am not about to admit that this has been easy for me, nor am I all that good at it, but I am tapping into God's grace and any other method I have at my disposal to make it a reality.  It is not really all that fun to live life on the outskirts of everything, and until I can see others through God's eyes of unconditional love, I will always be looking for ways to categorize people as those I can trust or not, befriend or not, accept or not, etc.

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.  Philippians 4:8


I think this is one of those verses that has some really great benefits attached when we apply it to our lives.  May you find many excellent and praiseworthy things in your life everyday.