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CHRISTIAN MEDITATION GUIDE: Biblical Answers To The Top 20 Questions About Meditating God’s Word

CHRISTIAN MEDITATION GUIDE: Biblical Answers To The Top 20 Questions About Meditating God’s Word

Christian Meditation Guide Book Now Available!

Christian Meditation Guide Biblical Answers Book

Growing Prosperity Productions Presents: “CHRISTIAN MEDITATION GUIDE: Biblical Answers To The Top 20 Questions About Meditating God’s Word” by Brenda Marsolek.

This book was published late February 2012 and is now available for purchase as an ebook and print book.

I discovered that there is a lot of confusion, and many questions when it comes to the topic of Christian Meditation. Yet, God makes is very clear in the Bible that –

YES, Christians need to Meditate His Word!

So let’s get started clearing up the confusion. I’m sure you too have had some of the same questions included in this book…and I trust the answers will help open the eyes of your heart, as they did mine, to the mind and life-transforming power of meditating the living Word of God!

I originally addressed and wrote these Christian Meditation questions and answers, in December 2009. I published them online individually as articles and also as an email series.

This Christian Meditation Guide is now expanded and published in book form as a response to the requests to have it compiled in one handy reference.

My prayer and desire is that this resource is a blessing to you, and that you are encouraged and inspired to make Christian Meditation a daily part of your life. I pray that you will be empowered with Gods’ Word and live always in the peace of his presence!

Be Blessed to Be a Blessing! God bless you always!

Love in Christ,
Brenda

Growing Prosperity Productions

Find out more about the book and purchase on Amazon here:

CHRISTIAN MEDITATION GUIDE: Biblical Answers To The Top 20 Questions About Meditating God’s Word

p.s. thank you in advance for your purchase, ratings & reviews! 🙂

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Growing Prosperity – The Power of Believing and Receiving Manifests Abundance!

Growing Prosperity – The Power of Believing and Receiving Manifests Abundance!

Dare to Believe and Activate Your Faith

The Power of Believing and ReceivingBelieving is receiving and receiving is believing;

this is true to a great degree.

Why?

Because we must first believe in something

if we want to receive and manifest

the abundance of it into our lives.

“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”
— Mark 11:24

BELIEVING AND RECEIVING

When we believe, we accept the truth, existence, reliability, or value of something; we also put our confidence, faith, and trust in that thing.

Receiving is very similar in its definition. When we receive, we grab or take hold of something (physically or mentally); we take it into the mind and accept it as true.

So whether you are believing or receiving, you are taking hold of and accepting something. Believing something in the spiritual realm is receiving it into the heart. If we need a physical manifestation, it will come after we believe.

“If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”
— Jesus Christ, Mark 9:23

The world tells us to believe it when we see it. However, when we operate by God’s principles, we must learn to believe first, and then we will manifest in the natural what we have already believed and received in our heart.

POWER TO MANIFEST ABUNDANCE

Faith is a noun; it is the evidence of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1) Believe is the verb form of faith, so believing is faith in action. Faith holds a powerful force just waiting to be used.

Believing is the process of receiving and manifesting the reality of our hopes into our lives. Believing also requires actions that reflect what we believe. For Christians, faith in action is believing and obeying the Word of God. Christians are called believers for a reason – they believe.

Faith is God’s reality, and believing is putting action to that reality and tapping into the abundance of God.

If, for example, we have faith in God’s promise to prosper the works of our hands (Deuteronomy 28: 1,8) then we believe that promise is already ours and we act accordingly…

We hold fast the vision of prosperity in our heart and receive it in the natural by acting according to God’s principles of prosperity. We do not go around saying “I’m always broke, I’ll never get ahead so there’s no use trying.” Instead, we get our thoughts, words, and actions in line with God’s, because believing makes the power of God a reality in our lives.

Jesus asks us in John 11:40, “Did I not tell you and promise you that if you would believe and rely on Me, you would see the glory of God?”

If we choose to believe it is possible, God’s glory can be manifested in us and on us. But we must have faith in God. (Mark 11:22)

Why let your faith go to waste? God is searching for those who will believe and receive. Why not start expecting more of His glory in your life? God is waiting to manifest His glory to you and through you. His desire is that you be blessed to be a blessing. And there is no greater abundance to manifest and share than the abundance of God!

May your faith grow strong as you believe and receive an abundant life of growing prosperity!

Be Blessed to Be a Blessing!

Cheers,
Brenda

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Spirituality: Stop Destructive Gossip and Live at a Higher Spiritual Level!

Spirituality: Stop Destructive Gossip and Live at a Higher Spiritual Level!

Use Words to Encourage and Stop the Gossip

Stop Destructive GossipGossip can zap the power out of

one’s spirit quickly.

Gossip is negative, mean spirited,

and destructive.

It is an addictive, bad habit for the gossiper.

Gossip will pull the gossiper, and those

around him or her, down to the lowest spiritual level.

If all that isn’t bad enough, God considers gossip a serious sin in the same league as murder, God hating, and other wickedness. (Romans 1:28-32) Gossipers are not in right fellowship with God.

“A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid a man who talks too much.”
— Proverbs 20:19 NIV

Harmless Good Fun Or Destructive Gossip?

I’m sure you will agree that gossip is something we should not take lightly. What is truly unfortunate, is the fact that most Christians do not consider gossip a sin or wrong! At most, they consider it an insignificant bad habit.

Gossip is a key factor hindering growing prosperity in many people’s lives. And unfortunately, it is rarely recognized. Almost instantly, without thinking twice, gossipers will let rumors, bad-mouthing, confidential information, and idle, malicious talk fly out of their mouths.

If only they knew the damage they are causing! The Bible tells us that a Christian who’s mouth is out of control, deceives his own heart and his religion is worthless. (James 1:26)

Let’s face it: Gossip is not harmless, good fun. It carries a negative tone of abuse that is often demeaning, critical, judgmental, harmful, and hurtful. This is why God has much to say about it and warns us of it’s destructiveness.

Dealing With Gossip

Everywhere from family, work, school to church settings, gossip has become a common destructive factor. It is clearly evident that busybodies are everywhere these days. But the question to ask ourselves is: “Am I guilty of gossip?”

Gossip is often disguised as concern for others or as asking for prayer. However, whenever there is talk about others in an unfavorable way, there is gossip.

Keep in mind: Gossip is a sin that separates us from God and hinders our prosperity. God does not bless sin. Gossipers often deal with unexplainable troubles and rarely get their prayers answered. (Psalm 66:18, John 9:31)

“He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin.”
— Proverbs 13:3 NIV

Tips to Deal With Gossip:

  • AWARENESS. We all have tendency to gossip from time to time. To overcome this tendency and have a more spirit-filled, gossip-free life requires awareness when it happens.
  • PRAYER. It doesn’t matter if you are struggling with a gossip addiction or if you are a victim of gossip, turning to God in prayer is a must. As a gossiper, repent and ask for forgiveness and pray that God help you take control of your words and make them words of encouragement. As a victim, pray that God bless the other person and help them become free as He helps you maintain a forgiving, loving heart.
  • AVOID. Stay out of other people’s business and avoid association with those who gossip. Refuse to engage in gossip.
  • CHOOSE. Decide to speak words of encouragement, hope, and love. Steer conversations in a positive direction. Choose to be silent if only destructive words of gossip are on your lips.
  • LOVE. Walk in love and address gossipers directly and privately in attempting to resolve your issues with them. If confronted for gossiping, be humble and in love be willing to work out your issues.

Believe me: Gossip can spread quickly like a deadly infection. Do not be ignorant of the destruction it carries. You can put a stop to the negative spirit of gossip and choose to walk in love and a higher spiritual level in life.

May your mouth always speak words of encouragement and may your life be full of growing prosperity!

Be blessed to be a blessing!

Soar higher in Him,
Brenda

 

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

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

Walk in Obedience and Live Victorious and Successful

Successful and Victorious Living!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

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National Day of Prayer – A Mighty Fortress Is Our God!

National Day of Prayer – A Mighty Fortress Is Our God!

A Mighty Fortress Is Our God! 2011 National Day of Prayer

National Day of PrayerMay 5th is the day designated as the National Day of Prayer in the USA. 2011 is the 60th Annual Observance.

Prayer has always been used in this country for guidance, protection, and strength. Our founding fathers acknowledged our freedoms as a direct gift from God and the only way to insure protection was through prayer.

This year’s theme for the National Day of Prayer is:

A Mighty Fortress is Our God!

“I will say to the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress, my GOD in whom I trust.”
— Psalm 91:2

Additional Prayer resources are available on the Official National Day of Prayer Site:

What is Prayer?
For true Christians, prayer is “Communion with God.”… read more

Why Pray?
1. We pray because we love God. We spend time with God in prayer and communion because we love him. Just as a …

How to Begin
If you are not sure how to pray, don’t despair! Everyone had to begin sometime. Just … read more

Preparing Yourself to Pray
1. Prepare your heart for fellowship with God (Psalm 24:3-5) – Confess known sin in your life … read more

Principles in Prayer
1. Depend on the Holy Spirit. In prayer, you should look to the Holy Spirit to help you to pray effectively. He can give you … read more

Steps Following Prayer
Usually Satan will try to suggest to you that your prayers were not heard. He will encourage you to … read more

Types of Prayer
As mentioned before, there are different forms of prayer. The Holy Spirit wants to lead us into a … read more

Praying the Word
Since God’s Word commands us to give constant attention to the Word and to meditate on it night and day, (Proverbs 4:20-22; Joshua 1:8), it is clear that … read more

Dedication to Prayer
God says, “Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving.” (Colossians 4:2). “Men ought always to pray and not lose heart.” (Luke 18:1)… read more

Key Bible Verses on Prayer
PRAYER CONTENT : GOOD GOVERNMENT 1Tim 2.1 2.2; GOSPEL WORKERS Mt 9.38; THE LORD’S PRAYER Mt 6.9-6.13; ALL CONCERNS Php 4.6 Eph 6.18… read more

Enjoy these resources, take time to pray, and give the Almighty God the praise, glory, and honor He deserves!

God bless you always,
Brenda

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Christian Meditation: My Life Is So Busy! How Much Time Should I Spend Meditating?

Christian Meditation: My Life Is So Busy! How Much Time Should I Spend Meditating?

Find Out How to Fit Meditation into Your Already Busy Schedule!

Christian Meditation Brings the Peace of GodChristian meditation helps bring peace and richness to life by drawing us closer to God.

Most believers understand it is important to meditate.

Yet at the same time, they can feel overwhelmed with the pressure of life’s demands and the thought of adding one more thing to their schedule.

When the topic of meditation comes up, the question often heard is: “But how can I? I just don’t have time!”

So true! There is no time in your schedule for meditation – until you make it! 

Fitting God Into Your Schedule

We all know there will never come a time when the TV turns itself off, and the kids are quietly playing, and the phone doesn’t ring, and the “to do” list is complete, and our mind has nothing to do but meditate!

Distractions are a part of life and we have to purpose to fit meditation into our schedule. We have to choose to make it a priority.

Keep in mind: The easiest way to fit meditation into your schedule, and make it a daily habit, is to meditate at the same time and in the same place every day. But like I said, other things will always want to intrude.

The important thing is to be flexible, but purpose to make meditation on God’s Word a daily habit.

You might want to try a five minute devotional first thing in the morning to start your day off right and give yourself a positive focus. Then listen to a biblical meditation or Christian affirmation CD while driving, doing chores, or on a break. Another five to ten minutes, of some method of prayer or meditation, before going to sleep will also have a powerful impact.

Power To Change Your Life

Meditation can help bring peace and balance to our lives. One of the main reasons we are currently in a rat race and so busy spinning our wheels, is because our lives are out of line with God’s Word.

Needless to say, the only way to change this situation is to gain a greater understanding of how God would have us to live. We then adjust our lives to this new understanding and trust God to help us and guide us. As a result, things will begin to turn around.

“He will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Him.” 
— Isaiah 26:3

I think you get the point. The key is that we have to choose to fit God into our schedule. We have to choose to make the time, and create the opening for meditation.  The Bible tells us to meditate day and night. So we need to be sure and get our minimum daily requirement of the Word! 

The good news is: Time spent in the presence of God empowers us to break free of the rat race and live successful. In fact, you’ll tap into a “hidden power” that has been available to you all along.

Are you ready to fit God into your schedule and create a daily habit of Christian meditation?

God bless you always,
Brenda

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

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

Tap into the Great Power Source and Change Your Outlook!

intimacy with GodIntimacy 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

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Christian Meditations – What Does Prayer Have to Do With Christian Meditation?

Christian Meditations – What Does Prayer Have to Do With Christian Meditation?

How do Prayer and Meditation Relate to Each Other?

Christian Prayer and MeditationChristian meditation is time devoted to being in the presence of God and consuming God’s Word.

There are many forms of meditation and prayer is one of them.

In general, meditation on God’s Word primarily involves hearing from God and prayer is primarily about speaking to God.

Prayer is often defined as spiritual communion with God.

“Prayer is the most important tool for your mission in the world. People may refuse our love and message, but they are defenseless against our prayers.” 
— Dr. Rick Warren

God’s desire is to have close fellowship with us, His children. And like all relationships that involves a commitment of time and two-way communication.

In His Presence Through Christian Prayer and Meditation

From the earliest of days, prayer has been an essential part of meditation for Christians. Those who practice a deep, contemplative form of prayer often speak of it as a sense of “being one with the Lord” or being consumed in God’s love. But they don’t necessarily think of it in terms of meditation.

We see in the scripture that the psalmist used meditation as an approach to God and prayed that the meditation of his heart be sweet (104:34) and acceptable to God (19:14). His meditation also led him to a deeper and greater understanding of God’s Word (Psalm 49:3).

Christians sometimes think of meditation as quiet prayer, a prayer without petition, since the Lord already knows our needs. (Matthew 6:8) This might involve prayer that includes biblical confession of God’s Word. Praying God’s Word is praying His will.

Spiritual Discipline of Christian Prayer and Meditation Taps Into the Supernatural of God

The practice of praying God’s Word is at the same time meditating His Word. The spiritual and physical discipline needed for regular prayer and meditation will soon become almost effortless with daily practice.

Eventually we notice a life of living deliberately in the presence of God always; throughout the waking day.

“What blessed excitements those have who are much alone with Christ!… Such a man never has a cold heart or a slack hand who is much in meditation with his Lord Jesus.” 
— Charles H. Spurgeon

As we tap into the realm of the supernatural God provides, through prayer and meditation, we live a victorious life because we are connected to the life force and power of God.

Do yourself a favor: Be the success God created you to be. How? By daily staying consumed and tapped into His presence, power, and love through prayer and meditation in the Word of God!

God bless you always,
Brenda

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