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Carry Me To The Cross by Kutless – Live Christian Music Video

“Carry Me To The Cross” by Kutless – Live Christian Music Video

“Carry Me To The Cross” by Kutless

“Carry Me To The Cross” by Kutless

from the album Believer

Believer album by Kutless

 

Kutless performs “Carry Me To The Cross” LIVE on K-Love from their album, “Believer.”

“Carry Me To The Cross” Song Lyrics:

When the path is daunting
And every step exhausting
I’m not alone, I’m not alone, no, no

I feel You draw me closer
All these burdens on my shoulders
I’m not alone, I’m not alone
You pull me from this place

(Chorus)
Hallelujah!
You carry me every day
You carry me all the way
Hallelujah!
You carry me to the
You carry me to the cross

How Your love has moved me
To the foot of all Your glory
I’m not alone, I’m not alone, I’m not alone

Chorus

All of these cities You have built
And every cathedral You have filled
To all of creation You gave life with Your hands
And with those hands You comfort me
You lift me up from my knees
And carry me
You carry me

Chorus

The cross
You carry me to the
You carry me to the cross

(end lyrics)

“Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, Who gave himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father.”
— Galatians 1:3-4

Be blessed and encouraged by this beautiful song as you give glory to God!

God bless you,
Brenda

 

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Christian Leadership – 10 Godly Character Traits to Overcome Negative Traits

Christian Leadership – 10 Godly Character Traits to Overcome Negative Traits

Godly Character Traits Empower Christian Leaders

Christian Leadership with Godly CharacterChristian leadership should set

the standard for godly character.

Not only that, Christian leaders

should be actively developing

godly character in the lives of others

within their sphere of influence.

It is no surprise that the world today is challenging, and changing, the spiritual values of young and old people alike. Morals are being shaken, and wickedness is growing more and more perverse. The Bible clearly warns that many negative character traits will increase in the last days.

“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, truce-breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”
— 2 Timothy 3:1-5

The following list of negative character traits gives insight into the spirit of our times, and how that spirit is being expressed in our own behavior, thinking, and lifestyle. It gives us some things to reflect on, like a mirror to judge our own behavior with. The list also includes positive, godly character traits used to overcome the negative.

10 Godly Character Traits Overcome Negative Character Traits:

1. Genuine vs Hypocritical

A hypocritical lifestyle is almost the norm as we see people having a form of godliness and going through the religious motions, yet without a genuinely changed life. Hypocrisy is all around us and lies are being spoken to teach false doctrines.

In these perilous times, we should have a healthy fear of the perverse days we are living, and live as genuine believers with renewed minds; trusting God daily. We are not to be conformed to this world, but transformed by the renewing of our minds. (Romans 12:2) A genuine relationship and walk with the Lord is required.

2. Love vs Selfishness

Selfishness and a self-centered, willful pursuit of sin is a common behavior as people become lovers of self. (2 Timothy 3:2) Society has a twisted value system and perspective on life. People have become lovers of pleasure more than of God.

God is love and those who do not love, do not know God. (1 John 4:8) We are to love God and love people.

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and, love your neighbor as yourself.”
— Luke 10:27 NIV

3.  Honor vs Disrespect

Disrespect and disobedience to parents, and authority, is a regular part of the spirit of today; rebellion and lawlessness.

However, God tells us to obey and honor our parents. And He even promises that it will be well with us if we do. (Ephesians 6:2-3) We are to be submissive to authority and honor all people, and when we do what is right we find favor with God. (1 Peter 2:13-20)

4. Generosity vs Covetous

Covetousness is ruling the hearts of many. They want things that belong to others and they have a wrong value system. They find themselves not only fond of money, but in love with money.

On the contrary, God tells us the generous will prosper and that if we sow generously, we’ll reap generously.

“A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.”
— Proverbs 11:25 NIV

5. Humility vs Pride

Proud, haughty people, that think they are above others, are filling society. They have an ungodly pride and boast and brag of themselves. But pride comes before the fall.

When we humble ourselves before the Lord, he lifts us up. (James 4:10) Any boasting we do should be in the Lord. (Psalm 34:2)

“God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
— James 4:6

6. Purity vs Perversion

Perversions of all kinds are rampant today. Anything that is good and natural is being perverted. People seem to have lost their natural, God-given, healthy affection and replaced it with all that is twisted, unnatural, unholy, immoral and perverse; only to satisfy their own desires.

The Bible says in Matthew 5:8, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” We are also to pursue peace and holiness with everyone, without which no one will see the Lord. (Hebrews 12:14)

7. Encouragers vs Despisers

Despisers are in full force; belittling and treating shamefully the righteous actions of those who are doing good. They scoff, mock and ridicule them.

Our words and actions should not be discouraging, but encouraging. God teaches us over and over to encourage and strengthen one another. And we are told to do so even more so in these end times. (Hebrews 10:25)

8. Loyalty vs Traitors

Traitors, truce-breakers, and betrayers lack any sense of loyalty to the commitments of friendship. They are untrue to their promises and can’t be trusted to keep their word. They are liars and false accusers.

Loyalty on the other hand is a mark of true friendship. Proverbs 18:24 tells us there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother. Loyalty, truth, and honesty are godly characters that lead to success. Those who can be trusted with a little can be trusted with much. (Luke 16:10)

9. Gratitude vs Entitlement

An entitlement attitude has taken over and in turn people feel they are owed everything. And on top of that, unthankfulness is sadly ruling the hearts and lives of many. These people ungratefully and unthankfully take advantage of others. And the thing is, this combination of entitlement and unthankfulness is a guaranteed formula for failure.

Gratitude is the attitude of success. It is the grateful and thankful people, that keep their hearts turned toward God, they are the ones who rise to the top. As Christians, we have the ultimate reason to be grateful: for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken. Therefore we should give God acceptable worship with reverence and awe. (Hebrews 12:28)

“Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
— Ephesians 5:20 ESV

10. Faith vs Deceit

Deceived and wondering: Are you one that is giving heed to seducing spirits and being led astray from the truth? Take a strong, reflective look at yourself to make sure you haven’t become headstrong in some areas. Is your mind darkened, your thinking reckless, and possibly your pride blinding you? Is your inner conscience seared – is your inner sense of right and wrong fading? Are you losing your sensitivity to the inner promptings of the Holy Spirit through continued sin? Are you backsliding and rejecting God’s plan for your life and experiencing a departure from the faith?

Make basic biblical foundational teachings part of your everyday study and meditation. Renew your mind and grow your faith. Keep your trust in God daily and live by faith!

“Without faith it is impossible to please God.”
— Hebrews 11:6

“The just shall live by faith.”
— Romans 1:17

No doubt about it: Character development comes from discipline and it takes time and dedication; and it needs to be continually cultivated throughout our lives. We must examine ourselves and refuse to let the these negative character traits into our lives. Christian leaders must allow change from the Lord in every area, so that they can minister to others and be a positive example of Christian leadership.

May you be a Christian Leader that abounds with godly character and growing prosperity!

Soar higher in Him,
Brenda

P.S. This article was inspired after reading notes I took from a leadership meeting about character development. We discussed some negative character traits mentioned in Frank Damazio’s book “The Making of a Leader.” (I have not yet read the book, but it was highly recommended.)

 

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Remind Me Who I Am by Jason Gray – Christian Music Video

“Remind Me Who I Am” by Jason Gray – Christian Music Video

“Remind Me Who I Am” by Jason Gray

“Remind Me Who I Am” by Jason Gray

from the album A Way To See In The Dark

A Way To See In The Dark by Jason Gray

 

 

 

 

Jason Gray sings “Remind Me Who I Am” from the album A Way To See In The Dark in this music video.

“Remind Me Who I Am” Song Lyrics:

When I lose my way,
And I forget my name
Remind me who I am
In the mirror all I see
Is who I don’t wanna be
Remind me who I am

In the loneliest places
When I can’t remember what grace is

(Chorus)
Tell me, once again who I am to You, who I am to You
Tell me, lest I forget Who I am to You, that I belong to You, to You

When my heart is like a stone,
And I’m running far from home
Remind me who I am
When I can’t receive Your love
Afraid I’ll never be enough
Remind me who I am

If I’m Your beloved
Can You help me believe it

Chorus

I’m the one You love
I’m the one You love
That will be enough
I’m the one You love

Chorus (times 2)

 

“I have loved thee with an everlasting love.”
— Jeremiah 31:3

“In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.”
— 1 John 4:9

“We love Him, because He first loved us.”
— 1 John 4:19

Remember: As a Christian Believer, is it NOT about how you feel, how you see yourself, or what you’ve done – It is about Who You Are IN CHRIST!

Enjoy this song and music video and have a blessed day!

Cheers & God bless you,
Brenda

 

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Powerful Meditation – Can Christian Meditation Bring Revelation of Eternal Mysteries?

Powerful Meditation – Can Christian Meditation Bring Revelation of Eternal Mysteries?

Biblical Meditation for Revelation of Eternal Mysteries

Biblical Meditation for Revelation of Eternal MysteriesChristian meditation is the process

of discovering truths

found in God’s Word.

Every believer should have a

heart to want to meditate the

Word of God daily;

since this is how

biblical truths are revealed.

God’s Word is packed full of eternal mysteries just waiting for the diligent, faithful believer to discover. And just as discoveries in the natural world, benefit society, so do spiritual discoveries found in the living Word of God.

Consider the natural law of electricity, which has always been. Once discovered, the world was forever changed. Now consider God’s spiritual laws revealed in His Word. They have the greatest power for transformation in all areas of our lives.

An Invisible Reservoir of Abundance

“It’s almost as if there is an invisible reservoir of abundance in the universe that can be tapped if you will just obey certain spiritual laws.”
— Norman Vincent Peale

Believers who meditate the spiritual truths of God’s Word are sometimes compared to scientists in the natural realm. Why? Because in a very real sense, it involves the study and experimentation of God’s laws; which then result in discovery. And this discovery is God’s revelation to us. What people tend to call discovery is really the revelation of God.

Spiritual wonders and revelation await us when we begin to meditate on the laws of God. If we will meditate day and night on the Lord and on His Word, we will be the ones bringing the latest revelations to the world.

Revelation Knowledge

It first takes meditation on the information acquired from the Word of God, in order to receive revelation. Information alone will not bring revelation. Revelation knowledge comes from meditation in the Word of God and is revealed by the Holy Spirit.

God is a spirit and His truths are revealed through our spirit.

Ephesians 1:17 shows Paul praying to God, and asking that He would give unto us the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him. This is not just information, but revelation knowledge revealed by the Holy Spirit.

Christian meditation, on biblical truths, opens the door to life transforming power; by allowing the Holy Spirit to reveal revelation knowledge.

It gets even better. When believers mix their faith with the revelation knowledge of God’s Word, they soon manifest the blessings and promises of God in their life.

Are you ready to do what it takes to allow life transforming revelation knowledge to come into your life?

Why not get started today making Christian meditation on the Word of God a daily habit?

God bless you always,
Brenda

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Higher Level Meditation – How Will Christian Meditation Change the Way I Think and Feel?

Higher Level Meditation – How Will Christian Meditation Change the Way I Think and Feel?

Discover How Christian Meditation Can Help You Achieve a Higher Level of Thinking and Living!

Higher Level MeditationChristian meditation is something

every believer can choose to practice.

Those who do choose to meditate

soon find out it changes the way

they think and feel.

Let me ask you this…

How Does the World Make You Think and Feel?

Think for a moment about the daily choices we make and how they change our thoughts and feelings. Do you watch the news? Do you watch movies? Do you listen to music? Do you read the paper? Do you browse online social media sites and forums? Do you have conversations with co-workers, family, and friends?

Of course you do, and it is no secret that what we see and hear changes the way we think and feel!

The trouble with regular interactions, in our everyday routine, is that it tends to be overwhelming, stressful and discouraging. Most of the news, shows, music, movies, websites, and people we talk to bombard us with tragedies, loss, hardships, etcetera. This in turn leaves us in fear mode.

For this reason, many people find themselves searching for something to bring peace in the midst of chaos.

Christian Meditation to Change the Way You Think and Feel

God commands us to meditate day and night, because it will draw us closer to Him and benefit our lives. Just as with His other laws, He does not force us to obey. Instead we get to choose.

So, will meditation on God’s Word change the way we think and feel?

Absolutely, YES! Those who choose to meditate soon find out it changes the way they think and feel for the better!

“Blessed, happy is the person who delights in the
law of the Lord and meditates on it day and night.”

— Psalm 1:1-2

The ways of the world come to no surprise to God. And Proverbs 23:7 tells us, “Whatever a man thinks in his heart, so is he.”

God instructs us to meditate on His Word so that our heart will be filled with His power. If a person, with purpose and intent, will meditate on God and His ways, they will achieve a higher level of thinking and living, including joy and peace.

“You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You,
because he trusts in You.”

— Isaiah 26:3

No matter what happens around us we can meditate on God’s Word to draw strength, life and victory.

Believe me: Once you start to practice Christian meditation daily, the way you think and feel about yourself, and your life will take on a brighter outlook. The life transforming power of God’s Word changes lives!

Do you, as a Christian believer, purpose to achieve a higher level of thinking and living by meditating on the Word of God daily?

God bless you always,
Brenda

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Powerful Prayers – 10 Tips Help Reveal How to Uncover the Hidden Power in Your Prayer Life!

Powerful Prayers – 10 Tips Help Reveal How to Uncover the Hidden Power in Your Prayer Life!

How to Uncover the Hidden Power of Prayer

Powerful PrayersPrayer is simple and powerful.

In fact, the believer’s most powerful God-given

means for affecting change is prayer. 

Yet we find it hard to practice and get results at times.

Have you tried praying different ways, but still feel frustrated and wonder if your prayers are having any effect?

God wants His children to ask for what is on their heart because He delights to give. But even more than that, he wants to fellowship with us.

Praying the Bible way, God’s way, is something we should continually seek to learn, if we want to uncover the hidden power in our prayer lives.

10 Tips Help Reveal How to Uncover the Hidden Power in Your Prayer Life!

1. A Lifestyle of Asking, Seeking, and Knocking

Prayer is more than asking God to meet the needs of our prayer list. It takes progressive action.

Prayer should progress from asking, to seeking after God’s will to guide our requests, and then to further action.  It means ‘knocking on doors’ by exploring different solutions and acquiring godly counsel to help determine the Lord’s will.

“Every one that asks receives; and he that seeks finds; and to him that knocks it shall be opened.” 
— Matthew 7:8

2. Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread

God’s will is that we pray daily, declaring our trust, for Him to supply what is needed. By doing so, we acknowledge that He is the source of all our physical, material, emotional, and spiritual needs.

Of course God already knows we lack and have need, but in asking, we place ourselves in position of dependence, like a child to a father.

3. Pray with Confidence

Prayer is a privilege for those who are part of God’s family. When we receive Jesus as our Savior, God becomes our heavenly Father. (John 1:12) Because of this, we can be confident and absolutely sure He will hear our prayers. (Matthew 6:6)

You see, God invites his children to pray because He is delighted to provide for them, and He stands ready to do so. We have the assurance that the Lord will respond and that what He does is good.

4. Pray According to God’s Will

We can change our prayers from timid to bold by aligning our prayers with God’s will and remembering He wants to say ‘yes’ to His children.

Some things are obviously not in God’s will, like lying and cheating. For clarity on other things we need to study the Scriptures to find God’s general will revealed through commands and principles. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

Our spirit must also be submitted to God. Before we even receive an answer, we should release our grip on the outcome be willing to say ‘yes’ to His plan.

5. Power of Jesus’ Name

Praying in Jesus’ name declares both our relationship with Christ and our right and authority, through Him, to approach the Father directly. Jesus told us of the power attached to asking in His name.

“The Father will give you whatever you ask in My name.” 
— John 15:16

6. Forgiveness

We need to ask God’s forgiveness daily and we should also forgive others every single time. Unforgiveness hinders prayers and creates tension between us and God. Forgiveness is meant to insure that everything is right between us and our Father.

7. Patience and Timing

God has included delays as part of the believer’s prayer life. Sometimes He answers our first request; but many times it takes several petitions. We need to trust in God’s timetable.

Delays can test our faith and deepen our relationship with the Lord. Our attitudes and behaviors may need adjusted before we are ready to receive. We may need to grow spiritually before He gives us a gift.

8. Faith

God is waiting for us to petition Him with specific prayers, free of doubt, filled with faith, and aligned with His will. Low expectations and uncertainty only short-circuit faith and the power of prayer.

To deal with doubt we must learn God’s ways. When we center our prayers in line with the Word, faith rises and doubt decreases.

9. Prayer and Fasting

Fasting with prayer can bring a heightened spiritual awareness and more intimate fellowship with the Lord.

God is willing to give us clear direction, but for some things, fasting as well as prayer is required. As we place our body’s physical desires under the Spirit’s control, we let go of our grip on the material in order to embrace the spiritual.

We gain a cleansed mind, which is needed to hear what God is saying, and a submitted spirit ready to accept His instructions.

10. Focus on God Himself

The most important part of prayer is focusing on God Himself; loving and worshipping Him. Don’t make prayers just a checklist of needs. We should give honor to His name, His kingdom, and His will.

“Our Father who is in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done.”
— Matthew 6:9-10

Our words are to bring us humbly into God’s presence with praise and thanksgiving, and with a willing spirit that God’s will rule in our lives.

Uncover powerful prayers: Prayers that reach the heavens and get answered. Keep in mind, God wants us to come in faith and ask Him to accomplish His divine plan in our situation. Ask the Lord to teach you more about biblical praying; put into practice what you learn, and wait in assurance for His answers!

May you use the mighty power of prayer well and enjoy a life of growing prosperity!

God bless you always,
Brenda

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Will Christian Meditation Benefit My Life Long-term or Short-term Only?

Will Christian Meditation Benefit My Life Long-term or Short-term Only?

Know What to Expect from Christian Meditation

Christian Meditation Benefits Long TermChristian meditation is meant to be…

a daily habit in every believer’s life.

Through meditating on God’s Word

we gain understanding, knowledge, and wisdom to live a successful and prosperous life.

Christian Meditation Short-term Benefits

The Word of God provides nourishment to our spirit, soul, and body. Just as one meal of food will not nourish and sustain us long-term, neither will one session of meditation on biblical truths.

Give us this day our daily bread. Why? Because God wants us to seek Him and walk with Him daily. If He gave us our monthly bread, think how many of us might wait until the next month to seek Him!

Meditation on God’s Word is a way to draw us closer to the Lord and strengthen our relationship with Him. We would not expect to continually know a person better after spending time with them only once.

Faith also comes from hearing the Word of God. But faith does not continue to grow from hearing only once.  Take a look at the following verse and you will notice it says “hearing and hearing.” This is an ongoing process.

“Faith comes by hearing and hearing the word of God.”  
— Romans 10:17

The world we live in is busy and chaotic and constantly bombarding us with negative thoughts and images everywhere we go. Do you think this is a surprise to God? Of course not; He warns us not to be conformed to this world. This requires renewing our mind daily with God’s Word. (Romans 12:2)

Christian Meditation Long-term Benefits

Now that you understand the importance and need for daily meditation, and that the benefits are primarily short-term; let’s take a look at long-term results.

The Bible is the divine Word of God. It is living and powerful. (Hebrews 4:12)  The scriptures are also full of “suddenly” verses. Meditating daily on His source of divine, living, power, sets us up for a suddenly.

Your life can change in a flash when the “suddenly” hits and the eyes of your understanding are opened. A transformation can take place in an instant that lasts a lifetime.

God also rewards obedience. And meditation on His Word is a commandment for all believers. Obedience to the things of God should be at the heart of every believer. The result is the manifestation of many blessings in our life on earth.

The ultimate long-term benefit, of obedience to God, is eternal rewards in heaven. (2 Corinthians 5:10)

Whichever way you want it: Christian meditation practiced out of a love and obedience for God has the power to benefit your life short-term and long-term; even eternally.

Why not commit to making meditation on God’s Word a priority in your life?

God bless you,
Brenda

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How Does Christian Meditation Compare to Other Forms of Meditation?

How Does Christian Meditation Compare to Other Forms of Meditation?

Traditional Forms of Meditation vs. Christian Meditation

Christian Meditation on the Word of GodChristian meditation is based on the Word of God.

It is the Word of God that saves, delivers, instructs, and

empowers, believers to live a successful life.

There are some key differences between

traditional forms of meditation and Christian meditation:

Meditation on the Living Word of God

The Bible is the foundation and source of life for every Christian believer. The truths of the scriptures are the object of their meditation. Meditating on God’s Word manifests success. The Word of God is full of living power. (Hebrews 4:12) God’s Words are spirit and they are life. (John 6:63) It is through His words that God spoke creation into existence.

“In the beginning was the Word, the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” 
— John 1:1

Christian believers focus their meditation on God Most High.

In traditional meditation, the focus is on self. The object of focus may be referred to as the “higher self” or spiritual self. A physical item, such as an idol may be used as a representative object to focus on. Or a word or sound may be the object of focus while practicing traditional meditation.

Meditation Power with the Word of God

Meditation, for the Christian believer, is practiced so that their hearts and minds can be filled with biblical truths. It is a way to renew their minds and be transformed into the image of Christ. It helps them become more like Christ daily.

The Christian meditator fills their thoughts with the promises of God, and the ways of God, by meditating on His Word. Revelation of His truths connects and draws them closer into fellowship with the living God. Then, action taken on revealed biblical truths, manifests success and prosperity in their lives.

The traditional meditator seeks to empty their thoughts by focusing on a simple mantra until they have cleared their consciousness of all thought as much as possible. The goal is to achieve peace and relaxation.

Reaching and tapping into one’s higher self may result in a greater conscious level of peace, awareness, and relaxation. Yet even at the peak of one’s highest level, they are nothing without God.

“In Him we live, and move, and have our being.” 
— Acts 17:28

It is God, the creator of the heavens and earth, who is the source of all; the beginning and the end. The Word of the Lord endures forever. It is in Him that we live and move and have our being. It is with God that all things are possible and it is with God that nothing is impossible.

Now that you know this: Why not open the Word of God and meditate on His promises and allow them to manifest in your life?

God bless you always,
Brenda

P.S. Image credits go to Sias van Schalkwyk

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