Attitude Adjustment!

Comment

Comment by Nienie on October 23, 2008 at 12:08am

Would love to join!
Please share with us your the book for those like me who cant read it now but would like to have the insight and teaching!!
Blessings

Comment by Ramona P. Jacobsz on October 22, 2008 at 11:41am

1. Hiding from God...
AND I THINK THIS IS ALSO SUITABLE FOR THE ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENTAS BOTH THE PROFESSOR AND THE STUDENT
NEED A CHANGE OF ATTITUDE...

"O Lord, you have searched me and you know me…. Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, 'Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,' even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well."1

You may have read about the iron-fisted professor (supposedly at the University of California) who was extremely rigid with his students. In reminding them about their final exam for the course he was teaching, he said they were not to begin their test until he told them exactly when they were to commence, and after exactly one hour they were to finish precisely at the time he said they were to stop, and immediately bring their test and place it on the front desk as they left the class room. If they failed to follow his instructions precisely, he would fail them.

So … at the final exam all the students followed the professor's instructions exactly as he demanded, except for one student who kept writing after they were told to stop. The professor demanded that he stop writing, but he didn't. He just kept working on his final exam. When he was finished, he brought his test to the front desk where the furious professor was sitting.

"Why didn't you follow my instructions?" the professor demanded.

"Because I needed more time," the student replied.

"Don't you know I am going to fail you? What is your name?"

"You mean you don't know my name?" the student replied.

"How could I?" the professor barked, "I have 400 students in this class!"

"Good," said the student as he slipped his test into the pile of 399 other examination papers on the professor's desk—and walked out of the room!

In this life we can hide all sorts of things from all sorts of people, but we can never hide from God. He sees all. He knows all. And he loves and accepts us anyhow. But we can also be sure that, unless forgiven, our sins will find us out—even if it is eventually!

Suggested prayer, "Dear God, thank you that I can never hide from you, that you know all about me, and that you always know where I am and what I am doing. That can be both frightening and comforting. Help me to so live that I will never need to be afraid of your seeing me, and help me to take comfort in the fact that no matter what circumstances I am in, you will never leave me nor forsake me. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully[,] in Jesus' name, amen."

1. Psalm 139:1, 7-14 (NIV).

<:))))><
Your Friend
Ramona P.

Comment by Ramona P. Jacobsz on October 22, 2008 at 11:04am

I WOULD LIKE TO BREAK THIS PARTICULAR COMMENT INTO TWO CHAPTERS
OF WHICH I WILL GIVE THE FIRST CHAPTER NOW AND THE FOLLOWING CHAPTER LATER SO THAT A STUDY CAN BE MADE BECAUSE OF ITS COMPLEXITY... AND PLEASE FORGIVE ME IF I ERR AND I TRULY STAND TO BE CORRECTED...
Attitudes towards Non-Christian Religions

The Fact of Non-Christian Religions
Few facts have become more evident in our lifetime than the fact that we live in a pluralistic world and society. With the rapid increase in the transmission of information and the ability to travel on a worldwide scale has also come an increasing awareness that both our world and society contain a multitude of diverse and conflicting viewpoints on many different issues.
Nowhere is this pluralism more evident than in the realm of religion. More than ever before, we are conscious of the existence of the world's many religions-not only the major religions of Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism, but also a host of smaller yet enduring religious movements.

As followers of Jesus Christ, what should our attitude be toward non-Christian religions and toward those who embrace them? Among those who are seeking to respond to this question, three distinct answers can be heard today. Some are saying that we must acknowledge that all religions are equally (or nearly equally) valid as ways to approach God. Though there may be superficial differences among the world's religions, at heart they are fundamentally the same. Often the analogy is used of people taking different paths up the same mountain, but all arriving at the same summit. This is the viewpoint known as religious pluralism.

Others, more anxious to preserve some sense of uniqueness for the Christian faith, yet equally desirous of projecting an attitude of tolerance and acceptance, are committed to the viewpoint known as Christian inclusivism.

Another viewpoint is known as Christian exclusivism. This is the viewpoint traditionally held by the majority of those who accept the Bible as their authority in spiritual matters. It is the view that though there are indeed truths and values in many other religions, there is only one saving truth, namely the gospel of Jesus Christ. This view is most naturally deduced from Jesus' well known statement: "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except by me" (John 14:6). AND THIS IS THE VIEWPOINT THAT I SUPPORT...

What should the Christian's attitude be toward non-Christian religions and their followers? This is a question becoming more difficult to ignore. We know that, in the beginning, the truth about God was universally known. And it is possible that remnants of this "original revelation" have survived in the memory of peoples around the world. It is also possible that some elements of truth were implanted in some cultures by ancient contact with God's people, Israel, with early Christians, or with portions of the Scriptures. We know, for example, that Islam owes a great deal to the influence of both Judaism and Christianity due to Mohammed's early contact with representatives of both religions. However, Islam will never admit this...
(Chapter 2 to follow)
<:))))><<
Your friend
Ramona P.

Comment by MandyJ on October 22, 2008 at 9:07am

Thank you for the invitation to join this group. God bless you and I pray you have a good day! :-)

Comment by MaryAnn on October 22, 2008 at 7:07am

I'm very happy to be here. We indeed do need this reminder, and we need the Body of Christ. Will write more later. Love to all.
Maryann

Comment by Ramona P. Jacobsz on October 22, 2008 at 5:16am

Check Your Attitude

By Dr. Dale A. Robbins


I THINK THAT ALL OF US CAN "CHECK OUR ATTITUDES" AND MAY WE TAKE IT SERIOUSLY SO THAT WE MAY GROW IN CHRIST....

According to the Merriam Webster dictionary, the word "attitude" means "an internal position or feeling with regard to something else." Other words often used as synonyms are: "disposition, feeling, mood, opinion, sentiment, temper, tone, perspective, frame of mind, outlook, view, or morale."

Airplane pilots often use "attitude" to describe their horizontal relationship with the runway then they land. If their attitude isn't aligned properly, the plane will make contact with the ground at the wrong angle and it will cause them to crash.

In essence, your attitude is your inward disposition toward other things, such as people or circumstances. As in with an airplane, attitude is applied whenever you must deal with something other than yourself. According to God's word, when you become a Christian, a part of your new creation is the development of new attitudes — your attitude should become like that of Jesus. The Bible says, "Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:" (Philippians 2:5). "You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off the old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds." (Ephesians 4:22 NIV)

Bad Attitudes

Most of us can easily identify bad attitudes when they are displayed outwardly in our words or actions, such a negativeness, criticalness, rebellion, defiance, impatience, uncooperative, apathy, discouragement, independence, presumption, arrogance, self-centeredness, rudeness and such like. These are examples of bad attitudes which Christians should reject. However, keep in mind, attitudes are inner dispositions of the heart and thoughts — they are the hidden intentions which will eventually serve as the basis for our actions. "For as he thinks in his heart, so is he." (Prov. 23:7). In reality, no one else really knows the thoughts of your heart, except you and God. Consequently, attitude is something that only you and God can work out — a change which must take place inwardly.

An example of a bad attitude is seen in George Brown. He went to church cheerfully as long as his business continued to prosper — as long as everything went well for him. He sang joyfully in the choir, he rarely missed a service. But when hard times set in George began to drop away. He became resentful toward God, even critical of other Christians. The right attitude to have when difficulty comes is to persevere in faith and draw nearer to God — to fall at the feet of Jesus. The Bible makes it clear that God works all things together for our good when we love Him, and the testing of our faith is for our benefit. Trouble will never defeat the person with a right attitude.

Another bad attitude can be seen in Sally Smith. She had been a Christian for nearly two years. She loved the lord and was growing as a Christian, but was still battling sins of the flesh — she occasionally fell to the temptation of drunkenness. One evening the pastor and his family were entering a restaurant, when he noticed Sally slouching at the distant bar, obviously intoxicated. The next Sunday after service, the pastor and his wife took Sally aside privately, and warned her gently about the sins of drunkenness. He encouraged her to repent of this activity and prayed with her. Sally was offended by the pastor's forthrightness. She immediately changed churches and would often be heard "bad-mouthing" that church and pastor. First, she should have had a humble, submissive attitude toward the pastor's loving correction of sin which was based upon God's Word (2 Tim. 4:2, 1 Cor. 5:11-13, Gal. 5:19-21, Gal. 6:1). As a general rule, persons who have a bad attitude toward authority figures always have a problem with God.

Good Attitudes

According to scripture, your attitude toward life, your circumstances, or toward other people should always be like the Lord's — as is defined by scripture. Good attitudes are generally demonstrated in being positive, encouraging, loving, humble, teachable, cooperative, considerate, selfless, loyal, persevering and so forth (Gal. 5:22-23).

To God — Our attitude should be reverence, submission, love, trust, humbleness, obedience, worshipful, and prayerful. (Psa. 111:10, Mark 12:30, John 14:15, Jas. 4:7, 1 Sam. 15:23)

To God's Children — Our attitude should be love, forgiveness, consideration, caring, encouragement, kindness, humility, unselfishness, respectful, and impartial. (John 13:34-35, 15:12, Rom. 12:10, 13:10, 15:7, Jas. 2:9, Eph. 4:2, 4:32, Col. 3:16, 1 Thes. 5:11, Heb. 3:13, 1 Cor. 13:4-8).

To Authority — Our attitude should be respectful, cooperative, accountable, humble, helpful, encouraging, loyal. Not resentful, defiant or disrespectful. (Heb. 13:17, 1 Pet. 2:13-15)

To Hard Circumstances — Our attitude should be patience, thankfulness, persevering, believing. (Rom. 8:28, Gal. 1:9)

To Our Church — Our attitude should be respectful, faithful, cooperative, helpful, willingness, dependable, participating, encouraging. (1 Cor. 10:32, 1 Cor. 14:12, Heb. 2:12)

To Duty — Our attitude should be faithfulness, responsibleness, obedience, cooperation, endurance. (Luke 16:10, 1 Cor. 4:2)

To Unfairness — Our attitude should be patience, humility, confident in God's justice. (Rom. 12:19, Luke 18:7)

To Disappointment or Tragedy — Our attitude should be humility, submission to God, prayerful, confidence in God's fairness. (Psa. 62:5, Jer. 17:5, Deut. 32:4, Job 13:15, Rom. 8:28)

To the Lost — Our attitude should be compassionate, forgiving, encouraging, helpful, reconciling them to God. (2 Cor. 5:18, 2 Pet. 3:9, Matt. 18:11-14)

To Sin — Our attitude should be uncompromising, unaccepting, intolerant, unsympathetic, yet compassionate and reconciliatory for the repentant. (Matt. 18:8-9, Gal. 6:1)

To Success — Our attitude should be humble, grateful, God-glorifying, not self-exalting or forgetful to God. (Jas. 4:6, 10, Prov. 16:18)

To Misunderstanding — Our attitude should be peacemaking, reconciliatory, patient, forgiving. (Col. 3:13, Matt. 5:9, Phil. 2:14)

How To Develop Good Attitudes

1. Identify and Repent of Bad Attitudes

Acts 8:22 "Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you."

2. Submit Your Attitudes to God

Bring your attitudes into obedience to God's Word. Apply discipline to your thought life — submit your thoughts to those of Christ's. A good attitude is a matter of faith, disregarding your feelings, with a determination to embrace God's outlook and disposition.

2 Corinthians 10:5 "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..."

3. Equip And Feed Your Attitudes

Dwell on the things that God's word tells us to — those good and virtuous things. If you dwell on the negative, your attitude will reflect the same.

Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy; meditate on these things."

FOND LOVE IN JESUS FROM SOUTH AFRICA

<:))))><<
Your friend
Ramona P.

Comment by maad alassaf on October 22, 2008 at 3:07am

I COULD NOT FIND THIS BOOK,TO READ IT,WOULD U PLEASE SEND ME A SUMMERY CONCERNING EVERY CHAPTER U READ,GOD BLESS EVERY DAY IN UR LIFE,MAAD

Comment by Ramona P. Jacobsz on October 22, 2008 at 12:38am

This should make interesting reading... and I hope we will ponder upon this... It is so important ("Attitude")..

Check Your Attitude

By Dr. Dale A. Robbins


According to the Merriam Webster dictionary, the word "attitude" means "an internal position or feeling with regard to something else." Other words often used as synonyms are: "disposition, feeling, mood, opinion, sentiment, temper, tone, perspective, frame of mind, outlook, view, or morale."

Airplane pilots often use "attitude" to describe their horizontal relationship with the runway then they land. If their attitude isn't aligned properly, the plane will make contact with the ground at the wrong angle and it will cause them to crash.

In essence, your attitude is your inward disposition toward other things, such as people or circumstances. As in with an airplane, attitude is applied whenever you must deal with something other than yourself. According to God's word, when you become a Christian, a part of your new creation is the development of new attitudes — your attitude should become like that of Jesus. The Bible says, "Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:" (Philippians 2:5). "You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off the old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds." (Ephesians 4:22 NIV)

Bad Attitudes

Most of us can easily identify bad attitudes when they are displayed outwardly in our words or actions, such a negativeness, criticalness, rebellion, defiance, impatience, uncooperative, apathy, discouragement, independence, presumption, arrogance, self-centeredness, rudeness and such like. These are examples of bad attitudes which Christians should reject. However, keep in mind, attitudes are inner dispositions of the heart and thoughts — they are the hidden intentions which will eventually serve as the basis for our actions. "For as he thinks in his heart, so is he." (Prov. 23:7). In reality, no one else really knows the thoughts of your heart, except you and God. Consequently, attitude is something that only you and God can work out — a change which must take place inwardly.

An example of a bad attitude is seen in George Brown. He went to church cheerfully as long as his business continued to prosper — as long as everything went well for him. He sang joyfully in the choir, he rarely missed a service. But when hard times set in George began to drop away. He became resentful toward God, even critical of other Christians. The right attitude to have when difficulty comes is to persevere in faith and draw nearer to God — to fall at the feet of Jesus. The Bible makes it clear that God works all things together for our good when we love Him, and the testing of our faith is for our benefit. Trouble will never defeat the person with a right attitude.

Another bad attitude can be seen in Sally Smith. She had been a Christian for nearly two years. She loved the lord and was growing as a Christian, but was still battling sins of the flesh — she occasionally fell to the temptation of drunkenness. One evening the pastor and his family were entering a restaurant, when he noticed Sally slouching at the distant bar, obviously intoxicated. The next Sunday after service, the pastor and his wife took Sally aside privately, and warned her gently about the sins of drunkenness. He encouraged her to repent of this activity and prayed with her. Sally was offended by the pastor's forthrightness. She immediately changed churches and would often be heard "bad-mouthing" that church and pastor. First, she should have had a humble, submissive attitude toward the pastor's loving correction of sin which was based upon God's Word (2 Tim. 4:2, 1 Cor. 5:11-13, Gal. 5:19-21, Gal. 6:1). As a general rule, persons who have a bad attitude toward authority figures always have a problem with God

<:))))><<
Ramona P.

Comment by leon on October 21, 2008 at 11:41pm

For me this is amazing Carla. Glad to be on tis group, honestly sometimes my attitude stinks which i don't like and i'm sure this would offer some helpful insight and encouragement.

By the way Carla where have you been? Haven't heard from you in a while. Are things ok?

God bless

Leon

Comment by Ramona P. Jacobsz on October 21, 2008 at 10:37pm

Dearest Carla
This sounds extremely interesting because I have experienced "Attitudes" which do not belong to Christ followers existing in them and I think we all need prayer and upliftment and encouragement to reach the ULTIMATE GOAL... "MARINATHA"...

Jesus loves you


<:))))><<
Your Friend
Ramona P.

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