God's Exquisite Garden ATTITUDE Print version Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ. - Philippians 2: 5 If as we go through life, we have an attitude as that of Christ, just think how much easier life would be. When we are faced with temptations, if we have the mind of Christ, we will handle all situations as our Lord Jesus Christ would. All of our conduct will be affected. We need to be humble as Christ was. We are to have the same character, thus identifying us. Jesus: he was humble, loving, laborious, and patient. When he was twelve and in the temple, he said he needed to do the will of his Father. That should be our wish, to do His will. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ: Who being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. Philippians 2:5-7 (KJV)

God sent his Son, Christ Jesus, who was the foremost example God was able to provide. The Lord Jesus Christ should be our model, we should fashion our lives in harmony with His wonderful example. Jesus took upon himself to be the most humble, lowliest man. He performed the lowliest of offices, thereby benefitting us. The attitude or views that Christ made apparent is the meaning of the mind of Christ. This is what we are told in Philippians 2 :5(NKJV).This has been seen - outlook determines outcome. Many people today think that they can't manage their moods or attitudes. Christians are not slaves to their attitudes. We must have a particular attitude as did Jesus. A resemblance to his life is what we must bear if we are to have the benefit of his death. Without the Spirit of Christ, we are none of His.

NEGATIVE ATTITUDES

How is our association with God influenced by our negative attitudes? Often we become too engrossed with other things to utilize our time to the work of the Lord. If we became too dismal and then in turn have a negative attitude. Satan would be ecstatic because of this, but it would cause destruction to the work of God. One having a negative attitude would not be prone to work for the Lord.

Do you know of anyone who would want someone with an unhappy attitude trying to teach others about God? I don't think anyone would, that I'm sure of. The sight of an unhappy person wanting to teach others about the Lord is a picture that would not be welcome anywhere.

POSITIVE ATTITUDES

What are the benefits of a positive attitude? By having a positive attitude, we willingly will do God's work. Are you countering a seemingly hopeless dilemma at work, at home, or at school, by performing each small task and doing your best?

We have many Biblical examples describing to us how a person's positive attitude helped them. Let's reflect upon two stories about how God turned odds around for two men: Joseph suffered years of mistreatment, but continued to maintain a positive attitude. The Lord turned Joseph's situation around. He will see your endeavors and can reverse even overpowering odds.

Positive attitudes can impact others. The children of Israel were belligerent and hopeless, but Moses assured them that God would rescue them. Moses had a positive attitude! When it seemed as if they were trapped, Moses called upon God to intercede. Instead of giving in to despair, we should borrow Moses' attitude to "stand firm" and see the deliverance that the Lord will achieve.

A circumstance occurs in which our life is altered. This could be a catastrophe within our family or friends or a loss of a job or the loss of good health. Our perspective at any event that we encounter either helps us or hinders us. If an unpleasant incident occurs, we need to stop and consider our blessings. Positive attitudes will help overcome adversity. What is your approach when the task you have been given is not up to your true capability? The task at hand may be all you can do, or it may be the work God wants you to do.

Everything that you do is affected by the attitude that you possess. When someone has a negative attitude, it could turn them away from God. All that you do and say is being observed by others.

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The observation is being done when you are unaware. Someone is always watching you. Your example is so significant. Negative attitudes lead to wrong choices. So many times our attitudes and conduct are formed by the values and actions of others. Have you ever made an incorrect choice because you desired to be like everyone else? We need to be cautious that the standards of our friends or heroesdon't pull us away from what God has said in His Word. Anytime God's family wants to be like unbelievers, they are on the path leading to spiritual disaster.

For years, I worked in a school system and had to keep paperwork. On one of my notebooks, I placed the first two illustrations where I could see them. They were read by me daily and seemed appropriate.

Roses Among Thorns "The sentence which has most influenced my life is, 'Some persons grumble because God placed thorns among roses. Why not thank God because He placed roses among thorns?' I first read it when but a mere lad. Since that day it has occupied a front room in my life and has given it an optimistic trend." (Benjamin Franklin)

To be meek is to have a disposition to see the roses among the thorns, rather than to complain about the thorns among the roses. Which do you see? Your answer will help you to judge whether you possess that meekness of which our Savior spoke.

Bible Illustrations

I, for my part, have learned, by the teaching of the Holy Spirit, (Heb 5:8), to be content in every state.
Unflappable to the serenity of the Christian, whose adequacy isn't in itself, but in God (2Co 3:5 )
Thy heart is not right in the sight of God. (Acts 8:21)
Keep thy heart with all diligence, for out of it flow the issues of life. Proverbs 4:23
To be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. (Rom. 8:6)

In this last verse, we are told that the worldly person is alive in the physical sense, but he is spiritually dead. The inner person is dead to God in all that he does and says. Even though someone might be moral, even religious, he lacks the spiritual life. We find in Romans 8:2 he needs the life we have in Christ Jesus.

What we steadily, consciously, habitually think we are, that we tend to become. John Cowper Powys

There is little difference in people... the little difference is attitude. The big difference is whether it is positive or negative. Clement Stone

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Copyright 2007 Linda Lawrence

Lessons in this Series

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Print Version of All Lessons

Lesson 1 Attitude	Lesson 2 The Mind of Christ	Lesson 3 Imitate Christ	Lesson 4 Communication	Lesson 5 Taming the Tongue
Lesson 6 Our Legacy	Lesson 7 Compassion	Lesson 8 Confidence	Lesson 9 Courage	Lesson 10 Gossip
Lesson 11 Honesty	Lesson 12 Profanity	Lesson 13 Improper Language	.	.
Lesson 14 Faith	Lesson 15 Encouragement	Lesson 16 Humility	Lesson 17 Assurance	Lesson 18 Perseverance
Lesson 19 Strength to Endure Suffering	Lesson 20 Grieve Not The Spirit	Lesson 21 Understanding	Lesson 22 Knowledge	Lesson 23 Wisdom
Lesson 24 Purity in Heart	Lesson 25 Trust	Lesson 26 Obedience	.	.
Lesson 27 Happiness	Lesson 28 Contentment	Lesson 29 Optimism	Lesson 30 Inner Peace	Lesson 31 Self-Control
Lesson 32 Our Example	Lesson 33 Patience	Lesson 34 Concern	Lesson 35 Testing Of Our Faith	Lesson 36 Mercy
Lesson 37 Grace	Lesson 38 Problems Concerning Failure	Lesson 39 Practical Results	.	.
Lesson 40 Good Works	Lesson 41 Women Teachers in Bible Times	Lesson 42 Women Teachers Today	Lesson 43 Having Good Friends	Lesson 44 Choosing a Husband
Lesson 45 Choosing a Wife	Lesson 46 The Exemplary Daughter Part 1	Lesson 47 The Exemplary Daughter Part 2	Lesson 48 The Ideal Mother Part 1	Lesson 49 The Ideal Mother Part 2
Lesson 50 The Home As God Would Have It Part 1	Lesson 51 The Home As God Would Have It Part 2	Lesson 52 Impurity,	.	.
Lesson 53 Marriage As God Would Have It Part 1	Lesson 54 Marriage As God Would Have It Part 2	Lesson 55 The Virtuous Woman Part 1	Lesson 56 The Virtuous Woman Part 2	Lesson 57 The Virtuous Woman Part 3
Lesson 58 Love	Lesson 59 Morality	Lesson 60 Pride & Haughtiness	Lesson 61 Kindness	Lesson 62 Respect
Lesson 63 Modesty	Lesson 64 Lying	Lesson 65 Lewdness	.	.
Lesson 66 Incomprehensible God	Lesson 67 Unsearchable Riches	Lesson 68 Infinite God	Lesson 69 Holiness of God	Lesson 70 Righteousness of God
Lesson 71 Attendance	Lesson 72 Omnipresence of God	Lesson 73 Omniscience of God	.	.

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