Inspirational – Expect the Favor of God and Let Him Turn Your Trials to Blessings!

Expect the Favor of God to Flow in Your Life

Inspirational encouragement and

favor abounds and flows from God.

So if you feel like there is no hope,

for the trials you are struggling to overcome

at this time in your life, be encouraged.

God is there for you and He wants to turn your trials into blessings!

“Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but God delivers them out of them all.”
– Psalm 34:19

Trials Turned Into Blessings

Alright, well we can’t expect that the storms of life won’t blow our way. The fact is: storms are a part of life. What we can expect is to have God by our side; helping us through the storms.

God can be trusted to always be there for us. It comes as no surprise, but it’s not the same case with people – people let us down. And that is exactly why we turn to God first and foremost in our trials, because He is the one that can ultimately turn our trials into blessings.

Regardless of the trouble you may be facing, God has an answer. He wants you to turn to Him so He can help you with a solution. Remember, God cares about you. Not only that, He loves you and has a great plan and purpose for your life.

“‘For I know the plan I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’”
– Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

Expect the Favor of God

Learn to put your expectation on the favor of God flowing in your life. Sure you can expect some storms in life to blow through, but you should have a greater focus that expects the favor of God to abound.

“For His anger endures but a moment; in His favor is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.”
– Psalm 30:5

Choose to see with the eyes of your heart and have an attitude of gratitude:

• Expect to find favor with God and man. EXPECT PROMOTION.
• Expect God to open doors that no man can shut. EXPECT DIVINE CONNECTIONS.
• Expect God’s strength in times of weakness. EXPECT HEALTH.
• Expect with God all things are possible. HAVE FAITH.
• Expect God, the Father of lights, to flow good things your way. EXPECT EXCELLENCE.
• Expect to be blessed to be a blessing. GIVE THANKS.
• Expect to be found when God is searching the whole earth for those whose hearts are towards Him. LOVE GOD.

Solomon tells us in Proverbs 8:35 that those who find wisdom, find life, and shall obtain the favor of the Lord. And we see in Luke 2:52 that Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man. Seek wisdom.

Seize the day; it is a gift. God can turn your trials into blessings, your storms into sweet breezes. Great things happen with faith that starts as tiny as a mustard seed. Seek first the kingdom of God and be about your Father’s business. Expect the favor of God and let Him turn your trials into blessings.

May life overflow with the favor of God and abound with growing prosperity!

Be Blessed to Be a Blessing -

Cheers,
Brenda

Successful Living – Discover a Crucial Step in Getting from Problem to Solution!

Walk in Obedience and Live Victorious and Successful

Successful living requires effort

and there is no getting around that fact.

We have to always be willing to do

our part as problems arise.

God wants us to live victorious and successful

and He has a wonderful answer to any problem

that shows up in our lives.

But let me remind you: We have to do our part to get from our problem to that solution.

The Supernatural Quick Fix

Who doesn’t want an instant, push-button, quick fix these days? As soon as a person has a problem in today’s society, they seem to expect someone else to provide an instant solution.

They want the pastor or church leaders to personally pray over them and hope for an easy “supernatural quick fix.” They want a person or organization to bail them out of their trouble. They expect God to do a miracle, and do it now!

Of course, turning to your pastor and church leaders for prayer and expecting a miracle from God, in time of need is a good thing.

However, the issue that comes into play with this plan of action, is when there is a refusal to walk in daily, simple obedience to God’s Word, and the guidance He provides us through our pastors and church ministers.

The Crucial Step of Obedience

Life is full of challenges and problems for all of us. Big and small they come and go on a daily basis and the best way to live successful is to live by faith, in obedience to God’s Word.

God has left us a great instruction book, the Bible, to help us live in victory. God expects His children to pray and seek Him and His Word for answers on a daily basis. And we are not to only listen and hear instruction, but we are to also be obedient to take action on what we hear.

Those who hear the Word of God and are obedient to also act on what they’ve heard, are the ones who build a strong, solid foundation and the storms of life do not shake them.

“Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings, and does them…is like a man which built a house, and dug deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.” 
– Luke 6:47-48

Walk in Obedience and Walk in Blessings

Obedience to God’s Word never goes unrewarded. Walk in obedience and you’ll walk in blessings.

God gives us His Word, along with pastors and ministers who act according to His Word. They help instruct us in the Word and teach us how to apply it in our lives. Our part is to be obedient to act on the Word of the Lord by faith, no matter how insignificant it may seem.

“Why do you call Me Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” 
– Luke 6:46

If we take offense at the instructions we don’t want to hear and do, if we walk away from those who try to correct us when we are off course, and if we get angry at God and His ministers, then our lives will continue unproductive and unsuccessful.

Faith in God and His Word is richly rewarded. Acting on the Word of God is a crucial step of obedience in getting from the problem we now face to God’s wonderful solution awaiting us.

Your next step? Purpose to become a person who not only hears the Word of God, but does it as well. Be a doer of the Word and build a strong, unshakeable foundation in your life. Live by faith – victorious and successful!

May you walk in faithful obedience to the Word of the Lord and live a successful life full of growing prosperity!

Be blessed to be a blessing -

Cheers,
Brenda

Spirituality – Should You Be Doing Some Clean Up In Your Spiritual Life?

The Power of Making Your Spiritual Life Sparkle

Spiritual areas of life are often the

ones that get tended to last.

We get up every morning and look in

the mirror and begin our routine of showering,

brushing, and getting all prettied up.

Our homes, yards, cars, etcetera all get our attention

and cleaned up as needed; but, what about our spiritual home?

Too Busy To Clean?

Life gets busy. That’s no surprise. Soon our housecleaning gets moved to the bottom of the “to do” list until one day we can’t see through the dust on the TV screen. As we look around everything is dull and dirty and no longer beautiful to look at.

Amazingly, after a little time and effort scrubbing, things are sparkling clean and enjoyable once again.

How Did My Spiritual Life Get So Dirty?

Have you noticed how easily the dust and cobwebs seem to have a way of building up without really seeing it happen? Well in fact, our spiritual life gets dirty much the same way.

There are times we commit an obvious sin and it is like falling in a mud puddle; we are clearly dirty and need of some major clean-up. However, the sin in our daily lives is more often like the dust and cobwebs that slowly dirty our spiritual home, almost unnoticed.

In our busy lives we too easily get used to irritable thoughts, selfishness, jealousy, disrespect, lazy attitudes, lack of commitments, and more. Failure to spend daily time in God’s Word and fellowship with Him leads to doing things that displease Him, and at the same time we do not even realize the dirty film they are leaving on us.

Have you gotten too busy with other things in life that you’ve neglected to clean the dust and cobwebs from your spiritual home.

Time to Clean Up The Mess and Make Your Spiritual Life Sparkle!

The solution for the dust, dirt, and grime that comes into our lives, is to clean it up quickly and regularly. The longer we allow it to remain the greater the mess and the more difficult to remove. If neglected too long it results in unsightly stains.

Once the cleaning process has begun, it usually leads to a closer examination, which then tends to require more cleaning. So it is with a close examination of our spiritual life.

The sinful dirt that we have allowed to slowly accumulate in our lives, and have become accustomed to, is not okay with God. He is not accustomed to dirty sinful behaviors. God desires that our lives be pure and clean so that He can see the beautiful reflection of His Son in us.

“Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD? Or who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart…” 
– Psalm 24:3-4

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”
– Psalm 51:10

How can I improve my spiritual life? Be willing to ask yourself this question daily as you do a self-examination of your spiritual home. Ask God to help you see areas that need cleaned up. He not only wants to open your eyes, He wants to help you clean in order to see your natural and spiritual life shine and sparkle!

May your spiritual life be clean, pure and overflowing with growing prosperity!

God bless you always,
Brenda

Inspiration – How to Almost Guarantee Yourself a Great Day Every Day!

Dramatically Improve Your Chances to Have a Great Day

Inspiration to make your day great;

you can just about guarantee yourself

a great day every day.

Sound impossible?

Well, it’s not.

The way in which we begin a day largely determines how the day is going to go.

5 Techniques to Inspire You and Dramatically Improve Your Chances for a Great Day:

1. Remind Yourself You Are NOT Alone

Discover for yourself, what a wonderful way it is to wake up each morning with the reminder you are not alone. When you return to a semi-conscious state after a night of sleep, and while still in bed, repeat Psalm 139:18.

“When I awake, I am still with you.” 
– Psalm 139:18

What does it mean? All night long while sleeping, we have been under the watchful care of our Heavenly Father. But now the day has come with all its potential problems, responsibilities, disappointments, and struggles. So it helps to be reminded that when we are awake God remains with us.

The eight comforting words in the above verse emphasize one of the greatest truths known to man – that we are not alone. Take time to memorize this verse. Then jumpstart your day and fill your waking moments with this reminder.

2. Pray for Others and Yourself

Next, pray for your loved ones, friends, and other people you have promised to pray for. Also pray for God’s guidance, wisdom, and protection over yourself as you go about your day.

3. Acknowledge Today as a Gift

Then, before leaving your bedside, repeat this inspiring Bible passage.

“This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” 
– Psalm 118:24

God made this precious, opportunity-filled day; He gives it to you as a gift. And, as time passes, each day becomes more precious (or at least it should).

Keep in mind: You and I are very responsive to the moods of nature. Consider how you feel if you open your eyes and it is raining, or snowing, or the sky is overcast and the wind is blowing? This can be enough to start our day off on the wrong foot.

However, we can overcome any mood of nature, or any negative mood of human nature, by filling our minds with the realization that there is this precious thing called a day.

4. Visualize and Anticipate a Great Day

As you arise, mentally picture the good day you want and expect, visualize it clearly, and strongly affirm that mental picture. Practicing such awakening techniques can change your whole approach to life and help you see the good in every day.

For many, the moment their eyes open on a new day their thoughts begin to focus on all the awful things that might happen; and that is usually what they get. Why? Because what we project in our mind as a probability, is likely to result in fact.

To change apprehension, gloomy thoughts, and depressive attitudes to anticipation, repeat Genesis 1:1 and Psalm 118:24 three times in the morning, and then say them to yourself during the day.

Let your confession and affirmation be something such as: ‘In the beginning God created the heaven and earth and today is the day that the Lord has made. No other day just like it was ever made. This is it! I will rejoice and be glad in it. Thank you, Lord, for being with me this day. It’s going to be a great day!’

5. Let Go of the Past

Did it ever occur to you that yesterday ended last night? Every morning, you face a new beginning, so put the past behind you. Take the good memories you want to remember from the past along with you; as well as the lessons you’ve learned from your mistakes. But all the other things – leave them at the door of the new day.

One reason people have nervous breakdowns and are mentally sick is because they don’t shake themselves free of the past. Let it go!

Did you make mistakes last week? I did. What are we going to do about those mistakes? Start each day adventuring with God, and let the past be past. Do the best we can today with God’s help. Anticipate a great day, and it will be.

Do yourself a favor: Start putting these five techniques into practice. Habits and negative attitudes don’t change overnight. But if you can shift from apprehension to letting the thought of anticipation surge through your mind, your life will change and you’ll almost guarantee yourself a great day every day!

May your days be great and your life full of growing prosperity!

Be blessed to be a blessing -

Cheers,
Brenda

P.S. Enjoy the following: Have a Great Day Affirmation – Free Christian Meditation Download

Spiritual Prosperity – Walking Out God’s Good Plan For Your Life!

Are You Following God One Step at a Time?

Spiritual prosperity is the result of

walking out God’s plan for your life.

In order to do this you need to allow the Lord

to direct your path one step at a time.

If I had known many years ago

what I was going to be doing today,

I would have said, “No way, God. That is impossible.”

But keep in mind, the Lord does not show us the whole picture of our life all at once, because we would quit before we got started. Instead, God leads us one step at a time.

“In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.” 
– Proverbs 3:6

Following God One Step at a Time

Have you wondered why you are not further along in the plan for your life?

Let me ask you a question: Are you following God one step at a time?

Consider how excited parents are when their children take their first steps. They start out by taking one step and falling down. The parents then pick them up and put them back on their feet; encouraging them to take another step.

Inspired by the words of encouragement, the children try again and take two or three steps this time, before falling down. The parents continue to repeatedly pick them up, encourage, and help them try again until they finally conquer the task of walking.

The fact is: An infant would never learn to walk if he did not start by taking that first step. And just as infants learn to walk by taking one step at a time, so it is with the plan of our life. God leads us one step at a time.

Maybe you have taken the first step in your plan and fallen down. You may still be lying on the ground, having decided to never take another step. However, keep in mind that just as a parent encourages their children to get up and try again, so the Heavenly Father is encouraging you to get up and take another step!

The Steps of a Good Man Are Ordered by the Lord

If you will delight in the Lord, He will order your steps; and they will be steps of success and not failure.

“The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and He delights in his way.” 
– Psalm 37:23

Keep in mind, when opportunity knocks, you must answer! And you must walk through that door with confidence, knowing you can do it with the help of the Lord.

Of course there will be various disappointments and difficult circumstances along the way. We all face them and that is to be expected. Just remember there is help and you are not facing anything alone.

“I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.” 
– Philippians 4:13

Allow this verse to help you have confidence in your ability, knowing you are not doing anything alone, but that it is Christ who strengthens you.

I think you get the point: You can make it through every circumstance of your life – regardless of what it is – if you will simply place your hand in God’s hand. He will direct your path and lead you to victory and spiritual prosperity; one step at a time.

May you walk out God’s good plan one step at a time and experience His growing prosperity!

Be blessed to be a blessing -

Cheers,
Brenda

Spiritual Growth – Striving To Love With The God Kind Of Love

Develop Great Spiritual Growth With
the God Kind of Love Flowing In Your Life!

The God kind of love is a love

that goes beyond words.

There are of course, many kinds of love,

but living a life that strives to love with

the God kind of love,

develops great spiritual growth within us.

Many Kinds of Love

From the time we are born, we begin to experience the love between parents and children. Then there is the love shared between family members, friends, and neighbors. There is also love shared between sweethearts and lovers.

These are just a handful of the many kinds of love, but the most important to mention, is the love shared between God and each one of us as human beings.

Putting the God Kind of Love in Action

Jesus teaches us to model the love between people, based on the way God loves us; God loves the righteous and the unrighteous alike. The entire essence of the law can be wrapped up in the commandments to love our neighbors and love our God.

“You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous.”
– Matthew 5:43-45

Loving our spouse, family, friends, and others who love us is a no brainer. But it’s an altogether thing to love an enemy that hates us and who may have it as a goal to destroy us.

When Christ tells us to love, do good, bless, and pray for our enemies, He is telling us to take action. In fact, the God kind of love isn’t about warm, fuzzy feelings; it is about taking action.

How Do We Take Actions of Love?

Well what we don’t do, is wait for emotions of love, because they may never come. Rather we start with actions of love, and the emotions of love may follow later.

How do we do it? Start with the things Jesus taught us (Luke 6:27-28):

Do Good –

Search for a way to do something good for your worst enemy. Maybe send a card with a gift certificate to a restaurant and wish him or her a great day. Keep in mind: We are not trying to cause shame, we are striving to love with the God kind of love that loved us even in our evil condition.

Bless –

Our goal is to speak and think blessings about our enemies even when they speak untrue, mean, and nasty things about us. When around others, try to actively speak well about your enemies instead of complaining about unjust treatment received from them.

Pray –

Actively pray and intercede for your enemies. Why not ask God to help heal their hearts and turn them toward His light and truth? Pray that God show them mercy and bless them. Again, keep in mind the abundant mercy and blessings God had shown to us while we were yet sinners.

Self-love seeks something in return and the sooner the better. Not so with the God kind of love; it seeks no repayment.

The truth is: Jesus is out to change you and me into an army of servants that love and care for people (even our enemies) just as He does. He wants to see spiritual growth in our lives.

Make no mistake about it: Once we start to take actions of love, spiritual growth begins to develop. Selfless love is not easy to do, but powerful when put into action. And it allows God to continue to transform us more and more into His image, so our actions will reflect His work and His presence in our hearts.

May the God kind of love abound in your heart and your life be continually blessed with growing prosperity!

Be blessed to be a blessing!

God bless you always,
Brenda

Abundance of Joy – 7 Things You Must Know to Overcome a Depressive Spirit!

How to Keep the Abundant Joy of the Lord Flowing in Your Life

Abundance of joy is available for all.

Unfortunately many people struggle

day-to-day with a depressive spirit.

Yes, there are those who naturally find it

easy to go about their days light-hearted and joyful.

However, for most of us, we have to learn through the Word

how to keep the abundant joy of the Lord flowing in our lives.

Living in joy is the only way to live. If you agree, and you’re ready to say good-bye to a depressive spirit, then continue reading to get yourself started today.

7 Things You Must Know to Replace a Depressive Spirit with an Abundance of Joy:

1. In Times of Tribulation, Joy Does Not Have to Leave You

You have a choice to either trust God or worry; choose joy or anxiety. Either way you’ll be confronted with trouble. Jesus said it is possible to be in peace and of good cheer, even in the midst of tribulation, because He has overcome the world.

“In the world you shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” 
– John 16:33

Really it’s totally up to you. Just because you have trouble doesn’t mean you have to lose your joy. You can choose to be full of cheer, because you know that Jesus has already overcome.

2. You Can Laugh at Trouble, Rather Than Align Yourself With It

Your reactions to the storms of life are what will determine your success. If you give in to trouble and begin rehearsing the problems, the joy of the Lord in your life will suddenly be replaced with worry and anxiety. To keep your joy, you must major on the promises of God and not the problems of this world.

3. Every Human on Earth is Searching for Joy

Joy is one thing everyone wants out of life. If you choose to live in joy, others will be literally drawn to you. You will become like a magnet for the depressed and brokenhearted who are looking for hope. Joy is contagious.

Living in the joy of the Lord is one of the most effective ways to reach others, share the love of Christ, and be blessed to be a blessing.

4. God Forgives and Wants You to Start Living in Joy Again

God is waiting to forgive those who repent and ask for forgiveness. He wants you to get back up and start living in joy again. It is the devil that condemns and shames you with your past.

Resist thoughts of failure and refill yourself with joy by getting in the Word and dwelling in the secret place of the Most High.

5. Joy Can Keep You Living Well

The healing power of joy works like medicine in your body.

“A merry heart doeth good like a medicine; but a broken spirit drieth the bones.” 
– Proverbs 17:22

Your body wasn’t created to live worrying about every little thing. You were created to walk in the joy of the Lord every day of your life. His joy can keep you living well.

6. Joy Gives Strength

Joy is enthusiastic and empowering. The joy of the Lord is your strength. (Nehemiah 8:10) Lose your joy and you’ll lose your strength and enthusiasm.

7. In God’s Presence is Fullness of Joy

The joy of the Lord springs out of a solid relationship with the living God. Much is manifested from a solid enthusiastic relationship with Him. God has blessed us abundantly and we have no place to complain, but only to give thanks.

“You will show me the path of life: in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” 
– Psalm 16:11

So there you have it: When we begin to release the power of the Word in our life, we begin to overcome a depressive spirit with the abundant joy of the Lord flowing in our lives.

May you live a life flowing with abundant joy and growing prosperity!

God bless you -

Cheers,
Brenda

New Year, Fresh Start – 7 Exit Tips to Move You into the New Year with a Clean Slate!

Out With the Old and In With the New

A new year means a new start.

But first we need to look at the ‘out with the old’

before we look at the ‘in with the new.’

Why not start the New Year with a clean slate?

We all have skeletons in our closets;

those unpleasant things we are ashamed of

and hope nobody discovers about us.

But God can clean up our closets and wipe the slate clean.

He can give us a fresh new start and a clean slate in life so that we no longer care if others find out about our past, because God has cleaned it up and made all things new.

“Old things are passed away; behold all things are become new.” 
– 2 Corinthians 5:17

7 Exit Tips for the Year:

1. Take an Account of the Past Year

Make note of the people that have done you wrong and FORGIVE everyone of them. Release them, loose them, let them go, and let it drop.

Don’t let your anger cause you to sin, or let the sun go down on your wrath. (Eph 4:26) Remember, forgiveness does not condone behavior, but a lack of forgiveness hurts you. And if you don’t forgive others you hold yourself in unforgiveness. (Matt 6:14-15)

2. Forgive Yourself

Confess your sin and God will forgive you. (1 John 1:9) We are not to sin, but if we do, we have an advocate with the Father; because Jesus is righteous we are righteous in Him.

If God will forgive us, but we won’t, that is extreme arrogance and pride.

3. Examine Yourself

Ask yourself, “Where am I at in my faith?”

“Examine yourselves, whether you be in the faith; prove your own selves.” 
– 2 Corinthians 13:5

4. Repent

Repent means to turn from our ways and change for the better. Repentance is a basic principle of the doctrine of Christ. Repent and face the New Year renewed.

5. Commit to Forget the Past

“Forget those things which are behind and reach for those things which are ahead.” 
– Philippians 3:13

Let God wash away your sins and any heavy burden of guilt that you have been carrying with it. Leave them in the past and press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (Phil 3:14)

6. Commit to Not Live on Past Successes

Don’t live on yesterday’s successes. Today is a new day and a new year is upon us; keep pressing forward. God does not want us to live on yesterday’s manna.

Don’t take record of the past. (Phil 3:8) Be busy about your Father’s business today. Commit to hunger after God’s Word daily.

7. Bury Past Events that Need to be Buried

Sometimes we need to bury past events.

“Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which does so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.” 
– Hebrews 12:1-2

Before we start the race we have to first drop the weights holding us down. Strife, gossip, worry, fear, pride, arrogance, racism are just some of the many weights.

Now what? Take some time to let God help you exit the year with a clean slate. Let Him fill your New Year with love, joy, hope, peace, power, prosperity, and victory.

May you have a blessed and Happy New Year filled with growing prosperity!

Cheers,
Brenda