storms of life
Godly Humility – How Can a Humble Heart Put You On the Road to Destination Greatness?
Godly Humility – How Can a Humble Heart Put You On the Road to Destination Greatness?
A Life of Humility that Leads to God’s Richest Blessings!
Humility needs to take root in the heart first…
and then it will begin to grow and expand
into every area of life.
Humility has to be taught to us by God
and is not generally something we easily learn.
“I believe the first test of a truly great man is his humility.”
— John Ruskin
Power to Change
Humility changes the way we see God and helps us submit our heart to Him. It changes the way we view others and gives us a servant’s perspective. Humility is not denial of self, but it is an embracing of God’s Word within us. It allows us to lay aside our personal wants and needs and adopt His desires and goals for our lives.
“Be clothed with humility: for God resists the proud, and gives grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time.”
— 1 Peter 5:5-6
Humbling ourselves under God’s hand allows Him to raise us up to greatness at the proper time. Keep in mind; greatness from our perspective is different from God’s. God is more interested in our humility than He is of our ‘great’ works.
Do you want to be blessed? Then develop a servant’s heart.
“Whoever, wishes to be great among you shall be your servant.”
— Jesus Christ (Matthew 20:26)
Destination Greatness
When we humble ourselves before God, we gain new strength and insight. God prepares us for greatness and blessing. He will often allow intense pressures and adversity to humble us and refocus our thoughts so that we begin to think the way He thinks. Pain, embarrassment, and criticism are like safety checks to keep us from becoming proud and arrogant.
When facing challenges, we have a choice. We can either be hardened by our circumstances or humbled by them. If we choose to be humbled, we will gain God’s perspective and quickly discover that He is guiding us to victory (spiritually and physically).
Don’t be fooled though; if we choose to have a hard heart, we open the door to bitterness and close-mindedness. And remember, God resists the proud. Pride and rebellion are the opposite of humility and they separate us from God.
God says He hates a proud look and a proud heart is a sin. (Proverbs 6:17, 21:4) Pride is not only dangerous it is destructive and does not fit who we are in Christ. Humility transforms us into the image of Christ and empowers us to stand strong through the storms of life.
Many people view humility as a sign of weakness, but it is not. It is a sign of strength and spiritual maturity.
How Do We Gain Godly Humility?
It starts with a commitment to study God’s Word and a willingness to submit to Him. Then God will begin to show each of us individually the steps we must take in our lives to gain true humility. God develops humility within us through the power of His Spirit.
Humility is not something we practice in church or to impress others. It must reflect our lifestyle and who we are deep inside.
“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”
— Micah 6:8
In our love for God, we must be careful to walk humbly before Him. When we begin to understand the greatness of God’s love, humility will become our first choice. To bring God glory and honor simply because we love Him is at the heart of true humility.
Needless to say: Living a life of humility may not be easy, but it certainly leads to God’s richest blessings.
May you humble yourself and experience all the abundant goodness God has for you and enjoy a life of growing prosperity!
God bless you –
Cheers,
Brenda
Why Not Use the Power of Crying Out to the Living God in Your Day of Trouble?
Why Not Use the Power of Crying Out to the Living God in Your Day of Trouble?
The Power of Prayer in Your Hour of Need!
Powerful help is available when we cry out to God in our days of trouble.
Over and over, throughout history and in the Bible, we see God’s active involvement triggered by the cry of His people.
Moments of immediate, fearful need, hours of crisis, and days of trouble come to us all eventually. And they too often seem to show up unexpectedly, like a thief in the night.
The Power of Crying Out to God in Your Storms of Life
Have you ever found yourself in similar storms of life, or do you find yourself in a trial today? Then stop what you are doing right now and cry aloud to the Almighty God in your trouble.
“Call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.”
— Psalm 50:15
God is expecting us to call upon Him. So we should be ready to cry out loud to the Lord for His saving help; as soon as a need arises. God says He will deliver us, so we should boldly expect His deliverance. And the great thing is; we then have one more reason to glorify Him.
Humility Required to Cry Aloud to God in Your Distress
God makes it clear and simple that He wants us to cry out to Him, that He will deliver us, and third that we are to glorify Him for it.
Are you one that prefers to be an independent, self-sufficient type? Would you rather suffer through the storm without asking for help, and then with pride say ‘Look what I did?’
Crying out to God allows us to recognize our weakness and at the same time experience His strength.
“For when I am weak, then am I strong.”
— 2 Corinthians 12:10
Keep in mind it takes a lot of humility to cry out loud to God in our desperate moments. But that is what He tells us to do, regardless of our thoughts about the situation. God wants us to clearly see in the end that He is our deliverer and that He deserves the thanks. We should glorify Him by saying ‘Look what God did!’
A Desperate Cry to Calm the Storm in Your Life
Consider Jesus’ disciples during the storm on the Sea of Galilee. They were feeling overwhelmed by trouble during this terrible storm and the boat was filling up with water. The disciples were in a panic and overwhelmed; worried they were going to drown. And even though Jesus was in the boat with them, He somehow remained sound asleep.
As the disciples reached total desperation, they cried out loud to Jesus saying ‘Lord, save us!’ It wasn’t until they cried out to Jesus in desperation that He took action and calmed the storm in their lives.
The simple fact of the matter is this: God is totally serious about hearing from those who cry out to Him in their day of trouble. Know this and believe it. God delights in showing Himself strong on behalf of anyone who is facing a desperate situation and will cry out for His deliverance.
May you use the power of crying out to the Lord in your day of trouble and be delivered into a life of growing prosperity!
God bless you always,
Brenda
Why in the World Would God Allow a Sincere Believer to Undergo Attacks of Evil?
Why in the World Would God Allow a Sincere Believer to Undergo Attacks of Evil?
Spiritual Warfare – If God is For Us, How Can He Allow Such Difficult Seasons of Trials and Attacks to Come In Our Life?
Spiritual warfare is a part of life that many people prefer to ignore and overlook.
However, on a daily basis, we experience all kinds of attacks and temptations from the unseen world; some more intense than others.
Under typical conditions, most godly people will walk steadfast throughout life. Not perfect, but in victory.
God develops strength in us through tests and trials. But why would God allow us to go through intense evil attacks? Well, since God’s ways and thoughts are higher than ours, we can’t completely understand; but there are some answers available to us.
Tests and Temptations of Life
God may test us, but He never tempts us to sin. And He always provides a way of escape for us.
“There has no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that you may be able to bear it.”
— 1 Corinthians 10:13
We see temptation come through a couple of obvious sources. One is the devil and the other our own lusts. (1 Thessalonians 3:5, James 1:14)
The Example of Job
Before the devil can wage an all out war on a believer, he first has to get God’s permission. Look at Job, for example, and how God allowed him to be tested so harshly. Why? Because God had faith in Job. And Job, having no idea what was going on in the unseen world during his attacks, proved to be faithful to God.
Sometimes in life, the heat is turned up and it is battle on, and things can seem unbearable. But that is when we need to stand firm and trust God. Remember, God is for us and we can come through victorious just like Job!
“Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might.
Put on the whole armor of God,
that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood,
but against principalities, against powers,
against the rulers of the darkness of this world,
against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Wherefore take to you the whole armor of God,
that you may be able to withstand in the evil day,
and having done all, to stand.”
— Ephesians 6:10-13
No matter how bad we get knocked down we need to call on the power of God and get back up!
The Example of Peter
Another example is Simon Peter. Satan wanted permission to attack Peter and attempt to cause him to lose his faith. But God had a different purpose for allowing the shaking. When Simon Peter’s self-confidence was shaken he was brought closer to a true foundation of trust in the Lord, and better equipped to strengthen his brothers.
“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat.
But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail.
And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”
— Luke 22: 31-32
Jesus did not pray that Simon Peter would escape the sifting, but that his faith would not fail in the process.
Why Does God Allow the Attacks?
We see in these examples that the devil can seek permission to come at us with intense attacks. God also allows him permission sometimes. And even though it is not a happy thought, in each of these examples they were tested by God through Satan.
All of us will be tested so we can be refined like gold. None of us will escape some degree of it.
“When He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold.”
— Job 23:10
“Greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, you are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perishes though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.”
— 1 Peter 1:6-7
God knows what He is doing. And what Satan intends for evil, our faithful God intends for good.
“The very God of peace sanctify you wholly;
and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body
be preserved blameless to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Faithful is He that calls you, who also will do it.”
– 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24
Make no mistake about it: God is faithful and He will do whatever it takes to sanctify us to fulfill our calling. Yes, there are things going on out there that we just don’t understand. But if the enemy has been allowed to attack, and we go through a season of severe sifting, we still have to trust God.
May you faithfully trust God in all seasons and live a life of growing prosperity!
God bless you always,
Brenda
P.S. Please feel free to share your thoughts, comments, or feedback…
The Cards You Have Been Dealt In Life – Skit Guys Video
The Cards You Have Been Dealt In Life – Skit Guys Video
A look at life: The Good and the Bad
My pastor reminds us regularly that “Life is Life for Everyone!”
None of us want to deal with the difficult seasons in life, but that is a part of the package of life. And everyone who walks this earth is going to face them.
Consider Jesus, the son of God. Having already dealt with trials and temptations and then facing crucifixion He prayed, “Father, if you be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but yours, be done.”
Then immediately there appeared an angel to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. And being in agony He prayed more earnestly. (Luke 22:42-44)
May we strive to always be more like Jesus and trust God. To pray that God’s will be done, regardless of the suffering we may have to go through.
“Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
— 1 Thessalonians 5:18
We don’t have to give thanks FOR the difficult times, but we do have to continue to give thanks to God IN the midst of them.
God bless you,
Brenda
Abundant Prosperity – Wisdom and Focus is Your 2 Ticket Winning Combination for Success!
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!
Washed by the Water – Need to Breathe – Christian Music Video
Washed by the Water – Need to Breathe – Christian Music Video
“Washed by the Water” by Need to Breathe
Originally posted video no longer available, but can be viewed at Youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOjpkqrCEOU
Here’s a great song for you to enjoy on your Friday (or any day actually 🙂 )…
Even when the rain falls – even when the flood starts rising…
Even when the storm comes – I am washed by the water.
Even when the earth crumbles under my feet –
Even when the ones I love want to crucify me…
I will never, never, never let you down – won’t fall as long as You’re around me!
“I will bless the LORD at all times:
His praise shall continually be in my mouth…
Many are the afflictions of the righteous:
but the LORD delivers him out of them all.”
— Psalm 34:1,19
“Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; for He is faithful that promised.”
— Hebrews 10:22-23
Cheers,
Brenda
P.S. You can find the song “Washed by the Water” by Need to Breathe on amazon.
Discover Hope to Stand Steadfast When the Storms of Life Are Blowing Through
Discover Hope to Stand Steadfast When the Storms of Life Are Blowing Through
Inspiration to Renew Your Hope by Tapping Into the
Supernatural Source!
Hope is a choice. You might be saying, “There is no hope, so I might as well give up.” But I’m here to tell you as long as you have breath, there is hope to be had.
Keep in mind that your faith works with hope.
If faith is the substance of things hoped for, then there has to be some hope in the mix. Once you give up hope, there is nothing for your faith to give substance to.
Hope also gives your faith some direction.
Hope says “This is the target I’m aiming at”. It states what you are standing in faith believing for.
The great thing about hope is that it’s free. So you have no excuse not to use it.
What storms of life are you facing today?
Sickness and disease, loss of loved ones, financial lack, broken relationships, poor environmental conditions, and spiritual turmoil and separation from God are just a sample of the common trials going on all around us.
Looking at these trials, it is easy to see why so many decide to throw in the towel and give up hope.
If you’ve reached that point, then do as Abraham did when he felt the situation seemed hopeless. He believed in hope. Yes, he chose to believe in hope.
Are you with me still? Not only is there hope available, but there is a source for supernatural help. And you’ll find it the same place Abraham did; in the God of hope.
“Now 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
If your situation, doctors, relatives, friends, test results, bank statements, and news reports say there is no hope; then there is no better time to side with God. It is never too late to turn to the Word of God and find hope that is always available!
Are you just plain fed up?
Find out what God’s Word says about your situation and begin speaking it over your life, because hope makes demands by speaking. Quit fretting and complaining about the unfortunate condition of your present situation and lift your head and face toward the light.
Say to yourself:
“I am a child of God and I am intended to express joy and success. I am victory minded and I was created to win out in life. I have hope in the Lord and renew my strength. His power in me helps me overcome every circumstance and makes my future bright.”
The truth of the matter is: We can allow ourselves to be overwhelmed by discouragement and lose hope, or we can choose to rise above it. You’re still breathing, so choose hope.
May your hope be renewed and your life full of growing prosperity!
God bless you –
Cheers,
Brenda
P.S. Feel free to share if you have overcome a situation that once seemed hopeless. We’d love to hear about it…