✗ My Faith, My Victory | Brian Houston ✗

✗ What Happens When You Start Saying ‘No' | Amelia Olson ✗

I was on a date and it wasn’t going well. The guy, aself-proclaimed “revolutionary,” was rude to our waiter, didn’t ask me anything about myself and only referred to me as “doll.”

About an hour in I’d had enough. I immediately started brainstorming excuses as to why I would need to leave. I could say I didn’t feel good, or that my friend just texted me and was really upset and needed me. or I could just start profusely crying. My ideas got crazier and crazier, and then it dawned on me: I don’t owe this guy a reason. I feel disrespected, uncomfortable, and I just want to go home and watch Forensic Files, and that is just as valid of a reason as any. So I handed him $20 and thanked him for showing me a new part of town and walked home. I never heard from him again and I no longer go on dates with people who call me “doll.”

As women, we are often judged for saying no to things. There is a societal pressure to be accommodating and agreeable, or at the very least, not profoundly offended by extremely offensive things. And it isn’t just about things like sexual consent, it’s in the way we have conversations, the way we act at work and how we have friendships.

Learning to say no to things that make us uncomfortable is an extremely important part of forming our identity and laying the basic ground-rules for how we want to be treated. Really, learning to say no has plenty of rewards. Here’s what happens when you stop dreading, and start embracing, that one little word.

1. You start being more honest in your relationships

By letting people close to you know how you are really feeling, you are giving your relationship an honest chance to be healthy and happy. When our friends or partners think we might not say something that is on our minds, assumptions start to creep up and the next thing you know, we’re all arguing and listening to Alanis Morissette alone in our bedrooms. Be calm and confident, and speak up when you’re not comfortable with something. Wouldn’t you want the same from them?

2. Your time becomes more meaningful

If you feel obligated to say yes to too many things, your time begins to feel hazy and stressful. You become cranky over small things and you lose sight of the things that make being a human on planet Earth really freaking cool and magical. Being able to politely decline certain invitations will make you much more engaged and excited about the invitations you do accept.

3. You stomp out passive-aggression

While I universally love people and think we are all composed of impossible miracles, I also lose my mind over passive-aggression. It’s just a crooked social and emotional mess. Be brave and create an environment that encourages honesty and respect. Don’t waste your time playing the passive-aggressive game, it only distances you from the people you love and the things you truly want.

✗ Trust & it's goodies... ✗

✗ Breaking out... ✗

"The first place we lose the battle is in our own thinking. You need to see everything that is holding you back as only temporary. It did not come to stay, but it came to pass. The moment you accept it, it takes root to reality. 

If you break out in your own thinking, you will see the area of your life improve. Your greatest victories are in front of you. God is limited in our own thinking. When wrong thoughts come, dismiss them. Don't give them a time or day."

Joel Osteen

✗ Overwhelmed but not lost... ✗

✗ The 19 Realest Things Lauren Conrad Said On “The Hills” That Are Still Relevant Today | Koty Neelis ✗

As soon as you stop thinking about them, they’ll send you a text message or they’ll call you, because they know you just stopped thinking about them. It’s like radar.

You’ve got to believe that there are people who really want the best for you.

The only time I miss having a boyfriend is when I have to put something together, when I have to pick something like a TV out or do car stuff, or when I have a lot of groceries. I can’t lift them all.

Sometimes things have to get worse before they can get better.

I don’t think it’s about trusting people, it’s about knowing who to trust.

Until you treat me like a friend, I’m not going to talk to you like one.

Sometimes you have people in your life who you just can’t be friends with.

Sometimes when you love people, you want to believe they’re good.

Love is not a maybe thing. You know when you love someone.

Like everyone, trust nobody.

I think it’s more like purses actually. You’re always gonna have that one boy that you’re always comfortable with, and you always kinda like, right? That’s your purse that you wear everywhere, right? Then you have a gorgeous bag that you want everyone to see you with.

I used to care a lot about what people thought about me, then I learned I definitely can’t please everyone. Some people will like you, some people will hate you, but I really don’t care either way. I’m not losing sleep over it.

I’d rather have a few true friends than a lot of fake crappy ones.

Sometimes there are just some people that you never get over.

You can never make the same mistake twice. The second time you make it, it’s no longer a mistake; it’s a choice.

If others are jealous, you’re doing something right.

When you are looking to meet someone, you are looking to settle. Because you are not looking for someone, you are looking for anyone.

The only way to belong is act like you belong, or not give a shit whether you belong or not.

Sometimes we sacrifice friendship for the one we love.

✗ Eyes fixed, His that is ✗

"The gospel is radical and ridiculous in the most marvelous of ways, and I never want to forget that. The truth of 2 Chronicles 16:9a is audacious if you think about it. "The eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth ..." Wow.

We live wrapped in the warmth of God's gaze.
We are watched by the King of Glory.
We are strengthened by the Author of Life.

Even when we fail to fix our sight on Him, God's eyes are fixed on us. And remembering that truth could change everything.

If God sees us, then we're not invisible.
If God sees us, then we're not invaluable.
If God sees us, then we're not unknown.

Those eyes aren't waiting to see us stumble. Those eyes are scanning this swiveling globe because the Creator of the galaxies wants to create something new in you and in me.”

✗ Your spirit, Your responsibility | Brian Houston ✗

• Proverbs 25:28 - "Whoever has no rule over his own spirit, is like a city broken down without walls..." (Defenseless and vulnerable)
• If we don't look after our own spirit, we are like a city whose walls are broken down - Open to every kind of attack: Poor choices, Lack of wisdom, Being an emotional roller coaster, Holding on to bitterness and unforgiveness
• You got to take responsibility for your own spirit, because your spirit makes a way for you
• Daniel 6:3 
• Daniel's way forward in life was brought through an excellent spirit
• Psalm 51:10
• What rules your spirit? 
• We can if we are not careful, find justification in our lives no longer going forward because of what has holding out spirit hasn't sunken down
• If you look after your own spirit, keep it free from offence, free from becoming jaded or cynical because prayers didn't get answered, if you allow it to take hold of you it will stop you where you are at now
• Sometimes we have something to pin out mediocrity to because of what's going on in our own spirit
• If you look after your owns spirit, that it will open doors for you that otherwise that may stay closed
• It is amazing how we leak our spirit - It is contagious, good or bad
• 1 Cor 14:4
• When someone has a poor or bad spirit, it comes out from their gift whatever it is 
• Whatever station you are in life, your spirit will come out 
• We leak our spirit
• There is something in your spirit that gets on people
• What God wants to do in your life is far too important to be sabotaged by a poor spirit


1. A right spirit and obedience


• Obedience is better than sacrifice
• The big question is, can you be told what to do?
• You cannot teach an arrogant, know it all, defensive, proud spirit
• A humble spirit cannot be unteachable
• The condition of our spirit is critical
• Who do you give permission to speak into your life?
• You don't want to listen to every opinion because it will send you crazy/confused
• A good spirit is humble enough to remain teachable
• Who do you allow, who love you enough, to look into the eye, and tell you what you need to hear and not want to hear
• How teachable is your spirit?
• Exodus 18:24
• We can allow ourselves to try to interpret things to suit ourselves
• All of us need people who can save us from ourselves and speak into our lives 

2. A right spirit and position

• Psalm 75 - Promotion comes from the Lord...
• Trusting God means we keep the kind of spirit that we believe God will open doors for us
• 2 Cor 10:12 - We dare not class ourselves...
• Class yourself: Start living about what you deserve
• Comparison is a deadly game that you never win 
• You always come second when you compare yourself
• Don't get all your esteem out of title
• If God's given authority and credibility no matter what you are titled
• We honor because of us but don't get your esteem of that as it will always leave you flat

3. A right spirit and failure


• Failure is apart of life
• The person who never made a mistake, never made anything
• Sometimes we win, sometimes we learn
• Every mistake and failure is a chance to grow and learn, then you never lose 
• You either win or learn, and both are worthwhile
• If you can't afford to lose it, you shouldn't lend it
• You are better of to give and be generous
• Live your life where you take accountability
• Is one thing making mistakes, but another of making it over and over again without learning


4. A right spirit and success

• When blessing comes someone's life, is not that is changed them, but it brings out something that is already in them
• Success represents blessings which shows what's really in you
• Joshua 1:8
• Bad success is when someone takes short cuts and it always will not be blessed in the end - You can get by what is not right as you will reap what you sow
• When it comes to authenticity, being real, those are the areas that you don't want to change
• God always get the glory and you don't change and become arrogant
• You don't forget from once you came

5. A right spirit and partnership

• There are people we're called to do life with 
• Sometimes there's people God put in our world where we are better together
• Membership is not signing a form, but a heart and spirit which is equal contribution
• God puts us with people with His kingdom purpose and we'll always be better together
• Everyone looks better than they are really are
• It is not so much about you as you thought that is was
• "The work to which I have called THEM..."
• Who are your them?
• 2 Cor 6:14
• The right spirit towards partnership is that we are all in this together

6. A right spirit and sabotage

• Your spirit can be sabotage if you allow someone else negative and offense
• Don't allow your spirit to be ruled and robbed
• Psalm 101:3 - "I hate the works of those who fall away, it shall not cling to me"
• If you don't guard your spirit, stuff will cling to you
• Psalm 101:4 "A perverse heart will not get to me"
• You look through the lens of someone's offense and cynicism, suddenly it starts to become your spirit
• Sometimes love makes tough decisions
• 2 Thess 3 
• You got to look after your own spirit
• What God has you ahead, is far too important

7. A right spirit and opposition

• Opposition is apart of life - Come from people/spiritual
• Whichever way it comes, don't make it about people
• Don't try to fight things here when the battle is about the heavenlies
• Refuse to be ruled someone else in a negative way
• Who is ruling your spirit? Who's taking far too much time in your 
• No matured Christian, who is seasoned in the word, to live life offended
• In this world you will have tribulation, but I have overcomed the world
• If Jesus gives us a spirit as an overcomer, we should not live our lives as victims
• Rule your spirit well
• God has so many good things for you
• Your future is dependent on your spirit

✗ The best leader for you, is you ✗

"If you want to be a great worship leader, put in a great amount of time leading yourself in worship."

- Jeremy Riddle

✗ Hope not destroyed, nor Joy taken ✗

"A true believers hope can never be destroyed nor their joy taken."

Lecrae

✗ It's all about perspective... ✗

✗ Words of breakthrough and not just theories... ✗

✗ Grace in, Grace out ✗

pouring out grace comes from a right believe system as JP states. i say, true, story. one may be sitting under such a powerful message, but not chewing on it and living on it's greatness. it is waste masking behind a warmed seat on any given sunday and midweek. i don't want grace to just get me by, but wear it on my spirit, mind, soul and body with the grace gift of breath and life everyday. think we should start letting our walking do the talking, and not the other way around.

grace does not need a platform to holla, but a simple broken vessel like us to be like Him -- heart, hands, feet and everything on this earth for His sake, purpose and mission that is ongoing. He did not miss a beat, neither should we. xxx

✗ Power of Praise ✗

"Praise is the best protection for your heart and mind. The enemy can’t find your heart when it’s hidden in heavenly places! When you dwell in the secret place of the Most High, you can find rest for your soul!"

Victoria Osteen

✗ Bow down for Who? ✗

"Don't give in to the pressure to fit in when fitting in means bowing down and raging against the person God called you to be."

- Pastor Josh Kimes

(Hillsong NYC)