Overcoming the Grasshopper Mentality

Focus Text

(Mark 9:23 GW) Jesus said to him, "As far as possibilities go,
everything is possible for the person who believes."
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1. God has no limits - there is nothing He cannot do.

2. God desires to overcome our limits with His limitless ability.

3. What we believe determines what we are available to receive (unbelief stifles God).

4. We limit what our limitless God can do for us when we fail to believe He can or will.

5. As we expand our capacity to believe we release God to freely operate in our lives

A good example of this is found in Numbers 13. 12 spies went into the land. Two believed they could take it and 10 did not. When Caleb said, "Let's go... I knowwe can do it!" The other men replied, "We can'tattack those people;
they're way stronger than we are." If this was all they said it would have been
bad enough, but they went on to spread scary rumors among the people, saying, "...everybody we saw was huge.. giants... alongside them we felt like grasshoppers. And they looked down on us as if we were grasshoppers"
(see Numbers 13:30-33).

Let's seek to glean a few golden nuggets that apply to our lives today:

1. Believing God will often put you in the minority:

Many Christians today are so accustomed to participating in "religious activity" without any real manifestation of God that they criticize those that have the audacity to literally believe God and His Word. Those who believe they can receive and do what the Bible says they can receive and do are often labeled as fanatics, even within the Christian community. So just know up front that if you are ready to expand your capacity to believe God and to expect the blessing of God to flow in your life that you will be in the minority.

In spite of the fact that 10 out of 12 were against them, Joshua and Caleb did not doubt. Even when the rumors spread and millions doubted God, Joshua and Caleb remained in faith. What was the result? Millions died in the wilderness without ever possessing the promise of God for them. Joshua and Caleb were the only two of
that generation to receive that promise. Are you ready to believe even when it is
unpopular?

2. Doubting God leads to fear:

Doubt is the precursor of fear. Once you doubt God for one moment you
open the door to fear in your life. Faith moves God, fear moves satan. Faith is
having confidence in God and His Word. Fear is having confidence in satan and his word. God said the land was theirs, but they doubted when they saw the obstacle they had to overcome to receive the promise (the inhabitants).

Once doubt was present, fear crept right in. Successful Christians doubt their doubts and have faith in their faith.

3. Fear messes with your mind:

Faith will cause you to look at a giant and say, like Caleb, "Let's go... I know we can do it!" On the other hand, fear will cause you to look at the same giant and say, "we felt like grasshoppers." Even worse, they went on to imagine
that the giants saw them as grasshoppers as well.

If you are going to receive God's blessing and do great things for God in His kingdom you must overcome the grasshopper mentality. The grasshopper mentality looks at obstacles and looses heart. The giant-killer mentality (also remember David and Goliath) looks obstacles and sees an opportunity for God to manifest His glory.

4. Doubt and fear are the fruit, but unbelief is the root:

When you operate in doubt and allow fear to overtake you it is simply because you do
not believe God. If you believed God and believed the Bible, then you would not believe the thoughts of doubt,fear, and failure.

There are constants thoughts running through your mind; thoughts from God, satan, and
you. You must sift your thoughts through the filter of faith - the Word of God - so you can know which thoughts to receive and which ones to reject (2nd Corinthians 10:3-5).

Confession for Today:

Father, I believe You and Your Word. No matter how many people doubt You, I refuse to be one of them. I walk in faith and not fear. I walk in trust and not doubt. I sift my thoughts through the filter of faith. I am a giant-killer in Your
kingdom. I overcome every hindrance, every obstacle, and every attack. I am a believer and not a doubter.

I feed my faith and starve my doubts. I overcome the grasshopper mentality
and I maximize my purpose and potential in YOU! In Jesus' name. Amen!

Remembering Dorothy Height

I'm taking a moment to honor Dorothy Height who passed this morning. She was a wise, knowledgable, and instrumental individual that was a leading voice in the Civil Rights of African Americans as well as the citizens of the United States. Truly a life well lived and job well done.

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WASHINGTON — Dorothy Height, the leading female voice of the 1960s civil rights movement and a participant in historic marches with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and others, died Tuesday. She was 98.

Height, whose activism on behalf of women and minorities dated to the New Deal, led the National Council of Negro Women for 40 years. She continued actively speaking out into her 90s, often getting rousing ovations at events around Washington, where she was immediately recognized by the bright, colorful hats she almost always wore.

She died at Howard University Hospital, where she had been in serious condition for weeks.

In a statement, President Barack Obama called her "the godmother of the civil rights movement" and a hero to Americans.

"Dr. Height devoted her life to those struggling for equality ... and served as the only woman at the highest level of the Civil Rights Movement — witnessing every march and milestone along the way," Obama said.

It was the second death of a major civil rights figure in less than a week. Benjamin L. Hooks, the former longtime head of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, died Thursday in Memphis at 85.

As a teenager, Height marched in New York's Times Square shouting, "Stop the lynching." In the 1950s and 1960s, she was the leading woman helping King and other activists orchestrate the civil rights movement, often reminding the men heading the movement not to underestimate their women counterparts.

One of Height's sayings was, "If the time is not ripe, we have to ripen the time." She liked to quote 19th century abolitionist Frederick Douglass, who said that the three effective ways to fight for justice are to "agitate, agitate, agitate."

Height was on the platform at the Lincoln Memorial, sitting only a few feet from King, when he gave his famous "I have a dream" speech at the March on Washington in 1963.

"He spoke longer than he was supposed to speak," Height recalled in a 1997 Associated Press interview. But after he was done, it was clear King's speech would echo for generations, she said, "because it gripped everybody."

She lamented that the feeling of unity created by the 1963 march had faded, and that the civil rights movement of the 1990s was on the defensive and many black families were still not economically secure.

"We have come a long way, but too many people are not better off," she said. "This is my life's work. It is NOT a job."

When Obama won the presidential election in November 2008, Height told Washington TV station WTTG that she was overwhelmed with emotion.

"People ask me, did I ever dream it would happen, and I said, `If you didn't have the dream, you couldn't have worked on it," she said.

Height became president of the National Council of Negro Women in 1957 and held the post until 1997, when she was 85. She remained chairman of the group.

She received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1994 from President Bill Clinton.

To celebrate Height's 90th birthday in March 2002, friends and supporters raised $5 million to enable her organization to pay off the mortgage on its Washington headquarters. The donors included Oprah Winfrey and Don King.

Height was born in Richmond, Va., and the family moved to the Pittsburgh area when she was four. She earned bachelor's and master's degrees from New York University and did postgraduate work at Columbia University and the New York School of Social Work. (She had been turned away by Barnard College because it already had its quota of two black women.)

In 1937, while she was working at the Harlem YWCA, Height met famed educator Mary McLeod Bethune, the founder of the National Council of Negro Women, and first lady Eleanor Roosevelt, who had come to speak at a meeting of Bethune's organization. Height eventually rose to leadership roles in both the council and the YWCA.

The late activist C. DeLores Tucker once called Height an icon to all African-American women.

"I call Rosa Parks the mother of the civil rights movement," Tucker said in 1997. "Dorothy Height is the queen."

10 Foods That Can Affect Your Mental Health

Is food getting you down? Quick. What's the first thing you grab in the morning to ease the throbbing of a hangover? Most likely, it's something with lots of sugar and fat. But what if we told you those high-carb, high-sugar foods you choose can put you in a stank mood? And in worst-case scenarios, lead to depression.

A recent British and French study examining the connection between what we eat and our overall mental health found that people who eat more processed foods are at a higher risk for depression, while those who eat whole foods are at a lower risk and generally have more energy. If your mental health is as important to you as your physical health, check out our list of five foods to that get you down and five that get you "up".



5 Unhealthy Foods

Potato Chips and French Fries
Not only are fries and potato chips high in calories, they also pack a punch when it comes to saturated fats and sodium, which has been linked to high-blood pressure. Saturated fats are difficult for the body to digest, putting you in an unpleasant food coma, aka, the "itis."

Burgers
The average fast-food burger weighs in at between 500-900 calories. That's almost half of the daily-recommended calories. This all-American staple is also filled with saturated fats and trans-fatty acids, which increase the levels of cholesterol, thus putting you at a higher risk for heart disease. All those carbs raise your blood sugar level and leave you feeling lethargic.

Soda
The average 12oz soda can has about 10 teaspoons of sugar and, and on average, about 40 milligram of caffeine, nearly as much as a cup of coffee. Although the sugar gives you a momentary high, it also raises the insulin levels in your blood. But studies show that consuming too much sugar eventually lowers the body's ability to naturally produce endorphins, which has been linked to depression.

Hot dogs
Processed meats are generally an unhealthy choice because of high levels of fat and sodium. They're also full of nitrates (a food preservative) which when encountered with the amino acids in our bodies, can produce a cancer-causing chemical called nitrosamine. Nitrates have also been linked to migraines and tension headaches.

Cookies
Not only will the sugar in cookies give you the best momentary "high" it's also a fast track to the "crash and burn" effect. Too often a sugar rush leaves us feeling groggy and craving for more. It becomes a cycle.


Foods that get you "up"

Almonds
Besides giving you energy, almonds are said to arouse passion in females. They're packed with vitamin E, a natural sex hormone stimulant, and magnesium, which helps the body convert sugar into energy.

Avocado
In ancient Mayan culture, avocados were thought to have health benefits and aphrodisiac qualities. They're said to be one of the healthiest fruits on the planet, containing 25 essential nutrients like Vitamin E, folic acid, copper and iron. Their high fiber content is great for your digestive system.

Bananas
With their phallic shape it's no coincidence that bananas are thought to be an aphrodisiac. Potassium is a natural diuretic and energy booster that helps muscles contract, which can cause stronger orgasms.

Chocolate
Quietly, cocoa is the boss of sexual mood enhancers. It contains chemicals called phenylethylamine, a stimulant that encourages a sense of excitement conducive to getting aroused.

Garlic
Never mind the stink, this all-around healthy food helps the body release allicin, a chemical that increases blood flow to all the right places. Garlic also contains inulin, a fiber that keeps you feeling full and gives you energy.

Read more:
http://www.essence.com/lifestyle/health/foods_and_moods.php#ixzz0lZO3sG2a

Memo From God

MEMO FROM GOD:

Effective immediately please be aware that there are changes YOU need to make in YOUR life. These changes need to be completed in order that I may fulfill My promises to you to grant you peace, joy and happiness in this life. I apologize for any inconvenience, but after all that I am doing, this seems very little to ask of you. I know, I already gave you the 10 Commandments. Keep them. But follow these guidelines, also.

1. QUIT WORRYING - Life has dealt you a blow and all you do is sit and worry. Have you forgotten that I am here to take all your burdens and carry them for you? Or do you just enjoy fretting over every little thing that comes your way?

2. PUT IT ON THE LIST - Something needs done or taken care of. Put it on the list. No, not YOUR list, put it on MY to-do-list. Let ME be the one to take care of the problem. I can't help you until you turn it over to Me. And although My to-do-list is long, I am after all... God. I can take care of anything you put into My hands. In fact, if the truth were ever really known, I take care of a lot of things for you that you never even realize.

3. TRUST ME - Once you've given your burdens to Me, quit trying to take them back. Trust in Me. Have the faith that I will take care of all your needs, your problems and your trials with the kids. Put them on My list. Problem with finances? Put it on My list. Problems with your emotional roller coaster? For My sake, put it on My list. I want to help you. All you have to do is ask.

4. LEAVE IT ALONE - Don't wake up one morning and say, "Well, I'm feeling much stronger now, I think I can handle it from here." Why do you think you are feeling stronger now? It's simple. You gave Me your burdens and I'm taking care of them. I also renew your strength and cover you in my peace. Don't you know that if I give you these problems back, you will be right back where you started? Leave them with Me and forget about them. Just let Me do my job.

5. TALK TO ME - I want you to forget a lot of things. Forget what was making you crazy. Forget the worry and the fretting because you know I'm in control. But there's one thing I pray you never forget. Please, don't forget to talk to Me - OFTEN! I love YOU! I want to hear your voice. I want you to include Me in on the things going on in your life. I want to hear you talk about your friends and family. Prayer is simply you having a conversation with Me. I want to be your dearest friend.

6. HAVE FAITH - I see a lot of things from up here that you can't see from where you are. Have faith in Me that I know what I'm doing. Trust Me; you wouldn't want the view from My eyes. I will continue to care for you, watch over you, and meet your needs. You only have to trust Me. Although I have a much bigger task than you, it seems as if you have so much trouble just doing your simple part. How hard can trust be?

7. SHARE - You were taught to share when you were only two years old. When did you forget? That rule still applies. Share with those who are less fortunate than you. Share your joy with those who need encouragement. Share your laughter with those who haven't heard any in such a long time. Share your tears with those who have forgotten how to cry. Share your faith with those who have none.

8. BE PATIENT - I managed to fix it so in just one lifetime you could have so many diverse experiences. You grow from a child to an adult, have children, change jobs many times, learn many trades, travel to so many places, meet thousands of people, and experience so much. How can you be so impatient then when it takes Me a little longer than you expect to handle something on My to-do-list? Trust in My timing, for My timing is perfect. Just because I created the entire universe in only six days, everyone thinks I should always rush, rush, rush.

9. BE KIND - Be kind to others, for I love them just as much as I love you. They may not dress like you, or talk like you, or live the same way you do, but I still love you all. Please try to get along, for My sake. I created each of you different in some way. It would be too boring if you were all identical. Please, know I love each of your differences.

10. LOVE YOURSELF - As much as I love you, how can you not love yourself? You were created by me for one reason only -- to be loved, and to love in return. I am a God of Love. Love Me. Love your neighbors. But also love yourself. It makes My heart ache when I see you so angry with yourself when things go wrong. You are very precious to me. Don't ever forget that! With all My heart I love YOU!

GOD

Ask God - Trust God - Expect His Blessings

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Positive Steps in a New Direction - Purpose

Live Life on Purpose

Everyone struggles at some time in their life to find meaning. Right now, accept that you already have a purpose--living intentionally.

Wake up each day determined to take advantage of all the opportunities this particular day has to offer.

The night before, make a list of things you want to accomplish the next day, and from the moment you wake up, face them head on. Include work items, family things, and leave room for spontaneity…time to be "silly."

Whatever You Do, Be Steadfast!

So often in our lives, we experience testing times.
Sometimes life can place you in a position of discomfort.

The things you grew accustom to are no longer accepted. You are now forced to decide how you will live.

My friend, Whatever You Do, Be Steadfast! The Bible declares in 1 Corinthians 15:58 - Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

The more you live, the more you understand that everyone will not remain steadfast. The fear of rejection causes many people to reject their faith.

Your life is not a mistake. No matter how you were brought into this world, it was not a mistake. Where you are in your life is not a mistake.

To say it is a mistake, is to say God has lost control (we all know that is untrue). Where you are in your life can be used as a testimony of God’s goodness. Many people are watching to see if you will hold on and believe.

My brother, my sister, Whatever You Do, Be Steadfast!

There are many who have walked away from the body of Christ. There are many who have rejected the Word of God. If you can testify about the faithfulness of God, you must be willing to do just that. The Bible declares in Revelation 12:11 - And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; …Your testimony can be the one thing that keeps someone from falling apart.

No it is not easy. Yes there are challenges everywhere you turn. But my friend, Whatever You Do, Be Steadfast! At your lowest point(s) in life, God remained faithful toward you (Lamentations 3:23). He never walked away from any opportunity to help you.

The Bible declares in Hebrews 3:14 - For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end. Hold on and see the salvation of the Lord.

Question to Ponder: If everyone walked away, would you?

Scripture Reading for the Day: 2 Peter 3:17

At Your Weakest Point, God Is At His Strongest!

Have you ever found yourself backed up against the wall? Somewhere along the line you lost control. Have you ever had weak moments in your life? Times when you did not want to leave the comfort of your home? You thought everything would go away if you stayed in bed all day? Have you ever cried until you could not cry anymore? Have you ever screamed until there was no more sound coming out? Have you ever prayed yourself to sleep at night? Have you ever spent all day worrying about tomorrow? Have you been there? Are you there now?

My friend, At Your Weakest Point, God Is At His Strongest! When you can no longer think of something or someone to count on, it is then that God can manifest Himself. As long as you think you have the answer, God will stand back. When you finally submit and surrender to the All-knowing, All-powerful God, He can show Himself strong. The Bible declares in 2 Corinthians 12:9 - And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness … In your life, there’s nothing too hard for God to handle. What seems impossible to you, is possible to God (Luke 1:37). At Your Weakest Point, God Is At His Strongest!

While it may be true, you know a lot of people, there will come a time in your life when your networking and contacts will not help. A time when money cannot buy an answer. A time when you must trust in the power of God.

My brother, my sister, At Your Weakest Point, God Is At His Strongest! The Bible declares in Matthew 11:29-30 - Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.

Dear friend, what are you faced with today? Where do you find yourself feeling weak? Are you tired of being tired? Are you in need of relief? You must understand the strength of God.

Many forget God created the heaven and the earth (Genesis 1:1). Since He created all that we know, He is able to handle it all. Nothing can occur in our lives, that God finds difficult. Since He created all things, that makes Him stronger than everything. At Your Weakest Point, God Is At His Strongest!

Thought To Remember: If you focus on God’s strength, you can overcome your weaknesses.

Scripture Reading for the Day: Nehemiah 8:10

Progress

We all want progress, but if you're on the wrong road, progress
means doing an about-turn and walking back to the right road; in
that case, the man who turns back soonest is the most
progressive.

     -- C. S. Lewis

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