Thinking G-hopper style

The grasshopper is a small insect which feeds mostly on leaves. It is so small that in comparison to the rest of the world it is insignificant.
The story written in Numbers 13 tells of the 12 men, each from one of the tribes of Israel, that were sent to check out the land of Canaan. Apart from Caleb and Joshua, all the others talked about how huge a task it was to overcome the giants in that city and take over the land. Caleb and Joshua on the other hand thought that they could overcome it.
This story gave birth to the term: 'grasshopper mentality' which means seeing yourself as though you were very insignificant, having a negative self-image and a low self-esteem.

Self image is the mental picture you create about yourself.
Thinking too small or having a grasshopper mentality is a sin. It is saying to God that His power is too small, that he is not able to do all things. We have the mind of the Christ and we were made in His image and likeness therefore we should see ourselves as Christ sees us. He has placed us a little above the Angels and has made us joint heirs to the throne...does that sound like someone who is insignificant?

The world should not see you by your history but by your destiny. The way you think affects who you become. Stinking thinking focuses on the things that can't be done rather than those that can be done~ it focuses on the negative reports rather than on your capabilities~ it causes you to exaggerate the situation and magnify the problem rather than see the bigness of your God.


The grasshopper mentality gives rise to

• short-sighted vision - this occurs when you tend to settle for ordinary when you can be extra-ordinary! You have to see obstacles as opportunities and walls as open doors. Never think that you have to become the mistake you made in the past. God can separate what you did from who you are...and he has forgiven you for what you did, so let it go and move on.
• doubt - this is split into worry, fear and apathy. Worrying about the things you cannot change does not help change it. Fear is an avenue for the devil to torment you when there really is no need for it and apathy is the sin of not expecting anything. Faith is the father of expectation and without faith it is impossible to please God! Don't expect to be at the same place in your relationship with God few years from now, expect more!!

Numbers 13: 31 - But the men who had gone up with him said, "We can't attack those people; they are stronger than we are."


If you can conceive that thought or idea then you can certainly achieve it. You are the image of God so see yourself through God's eyes. Think like the Prince or princess that God designed you to be and not like a Grasshopper!


The Lord is good all the time!

Shalom

It is a word that Jewish people use to greet one each other. Shalom means peace, well-being and wholeness. This is used more commonly to mean peace....

What is peace? is it the gesture made with the fingers or the anti-nuclear symbol?

Is the peace that a white dove now signifies?

Peace is: freedom of the mind from annoyance, distraction, anxiety, an obsession, etc.; tranquillity; serenity. ~ silence; stillness. ~ cessation of or freedom from any strife or dissension.

This peace is the peace you get when the Lord is your shepherd

.....when you lie down in green pastures

.....when you walk by still waters

.....when His goodness restores your soul

.....when the love of the lord overshadows every seed of doubt

....when the enemy reminds you of your past and you remind him of his future

......knowing that when you take a step towards God, he takes one million steps towards you

.....knowing that even when you are going to a place you have never been before, he is with you

.....knowing that if He has promised it, He will never fail to accomplish it.

....knowing that after your tough labour, He can and will give you rest.

Your Heavenly father is called Jehovah-Shalom, that is 'The Lors is my peace'. The assurance is that God lives up to His name.

Jesus is the prince of peace, If you know Him then you peace!

"John 14:27 - Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. "

The Lord is good all the time!

A lineage of grace

It is a wonder how God chooses his people- the people he desires to use and work with to achieve His plans. So far from the study of the Bible all the people used by God have one thing in common: They all Lack PERFECTION!
At the start of their journey with God they are mere commoners but throughout their journey, they strive to reach perfection. The reason God is able to use us despite our backgrounds, our past and our sins is because of this thing called GRACE.


2 Corinthians 12:9 - "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me."


Take a look at the lives of these people and the lessons learnt from them:

Tamar (Genesis 38) -You may have been cheated but that is not the end.
Also if you believe in a loving God, He will turn your mourning into joy!

Rahab (Joshua 2 & 6) - Your past may have been messed up but God can give you a better future If you believe in Him.

Ruth (Ruth)- Be humble..Humility will open doors for you before Kings!
When you give up on your will and stop worrying about tomorrow, God will honour you.
Choose to help those who do not have over those that have.

Bathsheba ( 2 Samuel 11 & 12)- There should be absolutely no reason to commit adultery.
Every sin can be forgiven but cannot escape punishment.

Mary (Matthew 1)- God will honour you if you choose to bear the shame for HIM!

Then there's people like Paul.When He was still called Saul, he persecuted the Christians and there was a lot of blood on his hands.From the moment of his divine appointment with God, He never for once turned back..He allowed himself to be used of God always and He accepted God's forgiveness!.

Grace is abundantly available for you, you just have to take it and accept it.
Use it but don't misuse it!


The Lord is good all the time!