Intimacy with God – Do You Make This Your Key Priority in Life?

Tap into the Great Power Source and Change Your Outlook!

Intimacy with God is a great power source in life.

Unfortunately, the natural thing for most of us to do…

is become absorbed in our day-to-day problems and demands.

On any given day, many people face stressful situations,

extreme trials, and even heartbreaks with marriages,

family members, or friends. 

All this tends to keep the focus on self.

Learning to Look Beyond

When we learn to look beyond the trials and obstacles and fix our eyes on Jesus, and believe God is Sovereign, we will begin to have a different perspective and response to everything we face. The Bible teaches us that God uses all things, even the painful things, for the good of believers. One of the positive results of trials is the intimacy that can develop when we turn to the Lord for help.

“We know all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose.” 
– Romans 8:28

Intimacy with God – A Key Priority

God desires an intimate, loving relationship with us, and we should make this relationship our TOP priority. Intimacy with God begins with turning to Him and humbling ourselves before Him. It involves regular time in His Word, time in prayer, and patiently waiting for Him to speak to our hearts.

As we develop a deeper relationship with the Lord, we will understand that every hardship has a purpose. We have lessons to be learned and maturity to be gained. And remember, God has promised to meet the needs of His children, if they come to Him, seek Him diligently, and obey Him.

We can’t live above our circumstances in our own strength, but we certainly can by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Steps for a Closer Walk with the Lord

One – Give God the daily worship He deserves because of who He is and His finished work on the cross. Let Him know you love Him.

Two – Take time to confess all known sin; knowing that if you do, God is faithful and just to forgive and cleanse you from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)

Three – Give thanks regularly to God for all He has done in your life and in your world.

Fourth – Take time to pray daily and ask God to supply your needs.

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” 
– Philippians 4:6

What’s stopping you? Why not tap into the great power source in life? For each of us, our priority in life should be intimacy with God.

May you continually walk closer to the Lord and live a life of growing prosperity!

God bless you always -

Cheers,
Brenda

Help Me! How on Earth Do I Know What God’s Purpose and Will is for My Life?

Knowing God’s Will and God’s Purpose for Your Life

Who, at some point, hasn’t asked:

“What is God’s plan and purpose for my life?”

We sooner or later reach a time in life when we find our self questioning why we are here. We come to a point of knowing, deep inside, that there must be something more God would have for us to do with our lives.

Well, how can you know the will of God and what you should do with your life? Good question. And it all starts with the Word of God, since God’s Word is God’s will.

Knowing God’s General Will

The Bible teaches us how to live our lives. It is filled with instructions and directions and it reveals God’s general will for all of us. So, first and foremost, we need to get into God’s Word so that we can know what He wants from us. His Word is very powerful and will guide us.

Here are just a couple examples:

“Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” – Romans 12:1-2

“Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

God’s will for man is not a hidden mystery. Anyone can open the Book and quickly see many things that God wants them to do (and not do). The chief aim and purpose of our lives should be to live according to His revealed will.

Knowing God’s Specific Will

Now you might be asking, “How do I know God’s specific plan for my life?” People often want God to tell them specifically what to do; like where to live, where to work, where to go to school, who to marry, etcetera.

Well, God can show us in many different ways. A loud, audible voice from heaven is not required, but listening to that still, small voice is. God has given us the Holy Spirit for guidance. The Spirit of truth is here to guide us into all truth. (John 16:13)

God can also direct us, through the events happening around us.  And if we are already living daily according to God’s revealed will, decisions will be much clearer and easier to make. There is a peace that comes when we are pleasing God with our lives.

To get answers, we also need to pray and ask for God’s help and direction. When deciding between two options, the one that brings a greater peace is usually God’s will. Emotions sometimes create a false peace, but true peace will remain even after emotions fall.

Keep in mind: God allows us to make choices, but He is ultimately in control. We should trust Him always in faith that He will accomplish His will in our lives.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” – Proverbs 3:5-6

Plus, questions we should be asking are, “Am I doing this for me or for God?  Is this what I want or what God wants?”  The key is to desire to make choices that agree with God’s will. If a decision does not go against the Word of God, then we can follow our heart.

“It was the Lord who put it into my mind… I could feel His hand upon me… There is no question the inspiration was from the Holy Spirit because He comforted me with rays of marvelous illumination from the Holy Scriptures… No one should fear to undertake any task in the name of our Savior if it is just and if the intention is purely for His holy service.” 
– Christopher Columbus (from his diary, in reference to his discovery of ‘the New World’)

Created with a Purpose

God does have great plans for your life! You were created by God, in His image, for a purpose. (Jeremiah 29:11) We have all been given unique gifts and talents. And just like our physical body is made up of many different parts, all unique, and all important to having a fully functioning body; so it is with the body of Christ.

Your gifts and talents have been given to you so you can be a blessing to the kingdom of God and make a positive contribution in life. So step out and act on the revealed knowledge you have already been given and use the talents you already have.

Then trust God to reveal more to you after you are faithful first in the little. Be confident that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion. (Philippians 1:6) God’s purpose for all is that He is glorified and the gospel and kingdom of God be advanced.

In Conclusion: The wise king Solomon tells us the conclusion of the whole matter and duty of man is to fear God and keep His commandments. (Ecclesiastes 12:13) He also encourages us to enjoy life and be happy with our work. Keep the Word of God your foundation and watch His great plan revealed before your very eyes. God is for you and He will help you.

May you seek first the kingdom of God and live a life full of growing prosperity!

God bless you,
Brenda

Abundant Prosperity – Wisdom and Focus is Your 2 Ticket Winning Combination for Success

The Power of Increased Wisdom and Focus for Growing Prosperity!

Abundant prosperity seems to have a way of following after…

wisdom and focus.

What areas of your life do you find yourself -

overwhelmed, troubled, and not prospering in at this time?

Well, why not take a look at the - 

winning combination of wisdom and focus…

and find out how it can turn that troubled area into success?

Wisdom to Prosper

Obviously, when it comes to dealing successfully with the trials and storms of life that blow through, the wisdom of God is a very powerful commodity. The book of Proverbs shows us over and over that wisdom brings the knowledge of what to do in situations, and it results in a prosperous, successful, and long life.

“If anyone lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, that gives to all men liberally, and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavers is like a wave of the sea, driven with the wind and tossed.” – James 1:5-6

Single Minded Focus to Prosper

When trouble comes, we usually encounter a lack of wisdom. And this tends to be on top of an unstable mind, which is of course also lacking the single minded focus needed to prosper. A double minded person is moved in whichever direction the winds of adversity blow.

“For let not that man think he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.” – James 1:7-8

Wisdom, Focus, and Asking in Faith

So how do we get the wisdom needed to attract abundant prosperity and success? By asking God in faith; and confidently trusting Him to give the wisdom He said He would give when we ask.

This should come as no surprise, since everything in the believer’s life comes back to faith.

How do we ask in faith? It is not difficult! Simply ask God according to His Word.

Sample prayer for wisdom and provision:

“Lord, Your Word says in James 1, that if anyone lacks wisdom they are to ask of You, and You will give it liberally. Lord, I ask in faith right now for Your wisdom in this matter. I believe I receive what I’ve asked for according to Your Word. Philippians 4:19 says that You shall supply all my needs according to Your riches in glory by Christ Jesus. And in Colossians 2:2-3, You said that in Jesus are hid all treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Therefore, I have wisdom and all my needs are taken care of. I know that You have heard me, and I know I have the petition that I have asked. I thank You for these things. In Jesus name. Amen.”

Now we move forward in confidence, knowing and acting as if we have received. We stay mentally fixed, focused, and immovable that God’s Word will come to pass and manifest in our lives. That is asking in faith.

On the other hand, if someone asks timidly and full of doubt, they are like a wave being moved in whichever way the wind blows and never receiving anything.  The wavering believer says, “I am healed. No, I think I’m sick. Yes, I’m healed. Wait, I think I feel sick.” The double minded believer is not going to receive anything.

Bottom line: Wisdom is required to live an abundant, prosperous life. And God is just waiting to provide that wisdom to those who ask Him for it by faith. Overcome unbelief and doubt by keeping a fixed, single minded focus on the request made in faith according to the Word of God. Let wisdom and focus be your winning combination for success and abundant prosperity.

May your increased wisdom and focus be followed by the abundance of God and a life of growing prosperity!

Be blessed to be a blessing -

Cheers,
Brenda

P.S. I’d love to hear your comments and image thanks to Billy Alexander!

Growing Prosperity – 3 Insights Of What You See By Faith Is What You Get In Abundance!

Seeing Through the Eyes of Faith

Growing prosperity needs to be in your vision before it can abound in your life.

If you have subscribed to the saying:

“I’ll believe it when I see it”…

then you are probably still waiting around for abundance to be physically manifest in your life.

The fact is: If you only believe the things that you can physically see and touch, then unfortunately you are lacking the faith needed to create a life of growing prosperity.

3 Insights of ‘What You See By Faith Is What You Get In Abundance’:

1. Real Vision to Prosper Through the Eyes of Faith

Looking back through time, we see that the prosperous individuals of real ‘vision’ subscribe to the overriding principle of “What you see by faith is what you get.”

What is the powerful difference here? These people understand that the images in their minds actually precede the images of the physically manifested objects.

Men and women of vision expect the images in their minds to come to pass in the physical world. Regardless of critics speaking contrary to their vision, they have faith in what is initially only visible in their mind’s eye.

“Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” 
– Hebrews 11:1

2. Prospering as Your Mind Prospers

The mind is a magnificent thing and allows us the creative power of thought. Understand that images are mental pictures made from our thoughts and we can choose to create whatever images we desire. We are the directors of our own life movie.

Our soul (mind) must embrace prosperity first. We must have the will and desire to prosper.

“Beloved, I wish above all things that you might prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers.” 
– 3 John 2

Remember that we are a spirit; we have a soul (mind, will, and emotions), and live in a body. Our soul is the link that connects our spirit with our physical body. Our soul is our conscious mind that guides and directs our physical actions.

A prosperous soul will produce a prosperous image inside of us. If our soul is not prospering, we will have a bad image of failure, lack, defeat, or sickness.

Become aware of the truth that everything we do is preceded by an image. First we think and form an image; then we do the work that will see the image expressed in our material world.

3. Vision That Inspires Prosperous Action

As we program our mind with positive, prosperous images, it eventually inspires us to also speak and confess these things by faith. The power of confession helps deposit the beliefs into our subconscious (heart).

“As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.” 
– Proverbs 23:7

We become the image and beliefs we allow in our heart. Our subconscious (often referred to as our heart) acts on what it has been programmed, and goes to work to make it a reality. Why not program your heart and mind with powerful, prosperous images from the Word of God and let that become a reality in your life?

Bottom line: We control our innermost thoughts, and the images we allow are what we attract. The prosperous images we see in our mind are what we will ultimately get in our life.

May you catch a vision of the abundance of God and create a life of growing prosperity!

Be blessed to be a blessing -

Cheers,
Brenda

Future Hope – Top 10 Inspiring Reasons to Believe Your Future Is Bright!

A Future Filled with Hope and Success

Hope for the future is available…

but it can sometimes seem hard to come by.

It is often said we have our whole life ahead of us.

Yet, many people go through difficult seasons in life and question what there is to look forward to.

No matter where you are, hope for the future is available for you to grab onto.

10 Inspiring Reasons to Believe Your Future is Bright:

1. Mistakes in Life Do Not Have the Final Say

If you make mistakes, you can start over. Mistakes are a part of the growing process and learning curve of life. As we start putting our mistakes in the past, our future begins to look bright.

2. You are a Work in Progress

God has promised to keep on working in you and with you. Growing and developing takes time and we should expect continued personal growth in our future.

3. Never Too Young or Old

You are never too young or old to fill your days with meaning and purpose. Consider Moses: He was 80 years old when God called him to lead the children of Israel out of Egypt!

4. Every Day is a New Day

Each day is new and fresh. You can make the most of each one. If we’ve fallen short today, we can look forward to a new day tomorrow. Thank God that His grace and mercy is new every day. (Lamentations 3:21-23)

5. You are Never Alone

God said He would never leave you or abandon you. (Hebrews 13:5) People may leave us, but God will not. The future is bright knowing God is in it.

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Spirit.” — Romans 15:13

6. God Loves You

God loves you unconditionally! God loves you just the way you are. But like the saying goes, He also loves you too much to leave you the way you are.

7. You Have a Purpose in Life

God created you with a purpose and you can discover it. We have all been given unique gifts and talents that help us fulfill our purpose. Discovering our purpose and living it makes the future bright not only for us, but also those around us.

8. God Shall Supply All Your Needs

God will take care of your needs as you seek and obey His Word. (Philippians 4:19) “The Lord is my portion, says my soul: therefore will I hope in Him.” – Lamentations 3:24

9. Mansions in Heaven

God has created a wondrous place in heaven for His children. We have hope that after our life on earth we graduate to eternal life in heaven. “In My Father’s house are many mansions… I go to prepare a place for you.” – John 14:2

10. Guidance from the Most High God

If we trust, rely on, and acknowledge God, He will direct our life. The God that created the universe is available to help guide our life. “In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” – Proverbs 3:6

Hope for the future may have faded for you. You may feel like you are in a prison and have no future. But no matter where you are, God has promised to bless you with a future filled with hope and success, not suffering. (Jeremiah 29:11)

Do yourself a favor: Have hope and believe your future is bright. Let the truth of God’s love set you free. God is a miracle-working God. He does not punish us all our life for our mistakes.  He wants us to look forward and not backward. Put your hope and trust in God and allow Him to be an active part of your life.

May your hope be strong, your future bright, and your life full of growing prosperity!

Be blessed to be a blessing -

Cheers,
Brenda

P.S. Feel free to share your thoughts… and thanks to Billy Alexander for this fun image – you can view more of his creative images here.

Inspiration – Words of Hope and Encouragement in Times of Trouble!

Hope and Encouragement is on the Way

Hope and encouragement is available in times of trouble.

If you are in an emotionally, physically, or financially difficult spot…

…do not become discouraged.

Throughout history, during very troubling times, God provided words of hope and encouragement.

 God is For Us

“’For I know the plans that 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)

We must understand a very important truth, if we are going to overcome trials and reach our full potential: God is for us. He is not against us.

Even if our current situation is due to discipline or judgment for our own disobedience, God still provides us with a promise of victory and deliverance. God never leaves His people hopeless, even when they drift in their love for Him.

Do Not Fear

Right now, your faith may be confronted with a terrifying unknown. You may be facing a fearful situation and feel hopeless; as if you will barely survive.

But hear this: God does not want us to be afraid of the future. Jesus often said “Do not be afraid” and “Peace be with you” in order to give comfort and show understanding.

Faith Check-up

In times of trouble it is good to evaluate and adjust our faith, and rediscover a deep need for the Lord. We see God often use trials to position us for greater blessing.

You may not understand how God will deliver you, but you can be sure that He will. Take courage and believe that He will calm the raging storm surrounding you, and you will witness the clouds breaking apart.

Eternal Hope

The Lord always has our best in mind; even while we experience great disappointment. God’s desire is for us to see Him as our only source of salvation and blessing. In the book of Revelation, God gives to each believer a message of eternal hope. It reminds us to not be afraid and describes God’s eternal triumph.

“The Lord will come again, and in the coming of the Lord lies the great hope of the believer, his great stimulus to overcome evil.” – Charles Spurgeon

Wisdom and Hope for Today

Through the Word of God we get the wisdom and direction we need to face any and every situation; today and in the future.

So, go ahead now and do your part. Ask the Lord for help and to reveal His will and plan for your life. Commit yourself fully to Him. Walk in obedience to His Word no matter what the cost. If you take this approach, God will provide for you in ways that go far beyond human understanding. Have hope and be encouraged: God is with us.

May your hope be in God and your life full of growing prosperity!

God bless you,
Brenda

Abundant Prosperity – What Kind of Faith Delivers the Goods?

Discover the Faith Needed to Manifest Abundance!

Abundant prosperity requires living by the right kind of faith.

It is through faith that we touch the very source of life.

If we could measure a man’s faith we could come very near to predicting accurately the measure of his success in life.

TWO KINDS OF FAITH

There is a specific kind of faith that will deliver the abundant goods for a prosperous life. The kind of faith required is heart faith.

BELIEVING WITH YOUR HEAD FAITH

First let’s talk about the kind of faith that does NOT deliver the goods – head faith.

Chances are; you’ve heard of this type of faith found in a man often referred to as ‘Doubting Thomas’. Thomas did not believe the other disciples when they said they saw the Lord. Thomas only believed after he himself saw Jesus. Jesus said blessed are those that have NOT seen, and yet believed. (You can read this account in John chapter twenty of the Bible.)

The point is: head faith only believes what it can see and feel and is based on mental reasoning.

BELIEVING WITH YOUR HEART FAITH

Heart faith is what delivers the goods.

Heart faith believes regardless of what it sees and in spite of circumstances.

No wonder Abraham is a primary example of someone whose faith was of the heart. In Romans chapter four it says Abraham believed in what was spoken even though he couldn’t see it. He didn’t consider the present situation in unbelief, but was strong in faith and fully persuaded.

What happens when you have real faith of the heart? Faith in your heart produces results.

By the way, it’s no surprise that a lot of people struggle with the fact they have doubt in their minds. But I want to point out that you can still get results even when you have some doubts in your mind.

We are bombarded with thoughts constantly. However, it is the ones we choose to meditate and focus on that get into our heart.

Jesus said we can have what we Say if we do not doubt in our Heart. (Mark 11:23) And then Proverbs 3:5 tells us to trust the Lord with all our Heart, and lean not on our own understanding (thoughts and feelings).

The simple fact of the matter is this: True faith is of the heart and not the head. What is in the heart of our being is who we are and what we become.

“As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.” — Proverbs 23:7

Faith comes by hearing the Word of God. So take time to listen to the Word in the area you believe to receive.

Doesn’t it make sense to harness this dynamic heart faith and produce abundant prosperity in your life? Now you can. And confessing and speaking powerful verses and phrases from the Word of God is one of the most effective ways to get the ball rolling and attract abundance.

May you live by heart faith and continue to experience growing prosperity!

Be Blessed to Be a Blessing -

Cheers,
Brenda

The Hand That Steadies The Plate – Video

A Powerful 3 Minute Story of the Power of Love!

This story encouraged me and challenged me … I hope it does the same for you.

Never underestimate the power we have as individuals to make a difference in this world.

May we all grow to be a little more Christ like every day!

God bless you,
Brenda