January 14, 2010, "Bless Your Life Today", New Contributing Writer

Triumphant Victorious Reminders

Inspired by the Holy Spirit
Written By: Teresa Stevens Criswell

Please welcome my dear friend and sister in Christ, Celina Moser Baginski as a contributing writer to 'Triumphant Victorious Reminders'.
Be blessed as she has written what was revealed to her so beautifully.

The devotion she has been led to write is titled,
"Bless Your Life Today!”
Written By: Celina Moser Baginski

January 14, 2010

"Pressed on every side; yet not crushed! Perplexed but not in despair! Persecuted but not forsaken! Struck down but not destroyed!"

~ II Corinthians 4:8-9 ~

"Life and death are in the power of the tongue; those who love it will eat its fruit."

~ Proverbs 18:21 ~

Everywhere we turn, we hear of people's struggles due to natural disasters and people hurting and betraying each other, but these stories depict outside influences. In reality the most devastating news of all is what we're doing to ourselves. All over the world, millions of us are hurting because of the defeating thoughts and words that we have spoken to ourselves. Every day millions say, "I'm stupid; I'm a loser; I'm ugly; I'm fat; I just can't win; I can never get it right; When am I ever going to get a break; I deserve this bad thing that just happened to me today; I'm the most unlucky person that ever lived; Who could love me?; I'm such an idiot." And this destructive list goes on and on. Our imagination is endless when it comes to putting ourselves down. Have you ever thought that you were not creative? Think again.

When I first read the scripture for today, I imagined all of the outside forces and influences that were coming against Paul from all sides. But then in an instant this scripture took on a different meaning. Sure, there's been a ton of circumstances in my life that have knocked me down, but even more than these outside forces, it's been me that has pressed, perplexed, persecuted and struck my own self down.

How many times have I condemned myself for not doing this or that right. I would say, "There I go again; When am I ever going to get it right?" I've confused myself by taking on so many projects and have committed myself to so many goals that I've had no direction at all. Persecute means "to pursue with harassing or oppressive treatment, to annoy or trouble persistently." I have harassed myself with overwhelming negativity every time I have gained weight, didn't lose weight, didn't get to the gym, didn't work out hard enough and didn't make it to my fitness class on time. I've tormented myself not just with fitness topics, but anything else that my imaginative mind could come up with.

On the contrary, we would be offended if someone else spoke these same words to us. And if someone said these words to a loved one we would definitely be itching to shake our fists in that person’s face to defend them. But why haven't we taken this same passionate approach against our own defeating thoughts? Today I challenge you to stomp your foot and say, "No more!"

We have been our own worst enemies, but through God's Word and through His promises for our lives, He says you are not crushed! You have what it takes to follow through. He is telling us to not despair because He is faithful in all circumstances. He says, you are not forgotten! He sees what you are going through and He is watching over you today and every day. He is telling us that we are not destroyed! We are not injured beyond repair. We are not useless fragments with no purpose in life.

We believe our words more than we believe anybody else's. Begin to bless your life today by speaking faith-filled words such as "I'm smart; I'm a winner; I'm good-looking; I'm fit; I'm a winner; I do many things the right way; I get good breaks; I deserve good things; I'm blessed; I'm lovable; I'm intelligent."

May we be reminded to choose words of Life as we speak God's Words over ourselves. Our life belong to Him. We are stewards of the life He has given to us.

Today’s Prayer:
"Lord, give me Your words to speak over my life. Teach me how to encourage myself. Show me how my life will change once I speak Your promises over my life."

Bless yourself today!

Celina M. Baginski

celinabaginski@hotmail.com