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Long Way Home by Steven Curtis Chapman – Christian Music Video

“Long Way Home” by Steven Curtis Chapman – Live Christian Music Video

“Long Way Home” by Steven Curtis Chapman

“Long Way Home” by Steven Curtis Chapman

from the album Re:creation

 

Steven Curtis Chapman performs “Long Way Home” LIVE on K-Love from the album, “Re:creation.” I always enjoy the live versions of songs as they seem to have little more depth and feeling to them. This version is fun as he plays his ukulele.

“Long Way Home” Song Lyrics:

I set out on a great adventure
The day my Father started leading me home
Said there’s gonna be mountains to climb
And valleys we’re gonna go through

But I had no way of knowing
Just how hard this journey could be
Cause the valleys are deeper
And the mountains are steeper
Than I ever would’ve dreamed

But I know we’re gonna make it
And I know we’re gonna get there soon
And I know sometimes it feels like
We’re going the wrong way
It’s just the long way home

I got some rocks on my shoes
Fears I wish I could lose
They make the mountains so hard to climb
And my heart gets so heavy with the weight of the world sometimes

There’s a bag of regrets
My should’ve beens and not yets
I keep on dragging around
And I can hardly wait for the day I get to lay it all down

I know that day is coming
I know it’s gonna be here soon
I won’t turn back even if the whole world says I’m going the wrong way
Cause it’s just the long way home

And when we can’t take another step
The Father will pick us up and carry us in His arms
And even on the best days
He says to remember we’re not home yet
So don’t get too comfortable
Cause really all we are is just pilgrims passing through

Well I know we’re gonna make it
And I know we’re gonna get there soon
So I’ll keep on singing and believing what all of my songs say
Cause our God has made a promise
And I know everything He says is true
And I know wherever we go
He will never ever leave us
Cause He’s going to lead us home
Every single step of the long way home

Keep on, were gonna make it
I know we’re gonna make it
We’re just taking the long way home

(end lyrics)

“The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord,
And He delights in his way.
Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down;
For the Lord upholds him with His hand..”

Psalm 37:23-24

“For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Philippians 3:20

Enjoy this song and remember, no matter how difficult the way He promises to hold us steady!

God bless you,
Brenda

If you enjoyed this song, show your support and
LIKE, TWEET & SHARE! Thanks!

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The Greatest Growing Prosperity Secret of All Time – Giving!

The Greatest Growing Prosperity Secret of All Time – Giving!

The Secret of Growing Prosperity

Growing Prosperity Secret - GivingGrowing Prosperity.

God set it all up.

Created the whole universe.

Freely gave.

Freely gave abundantly.

Freely gave abundantly, exceedingly – a never-ending, ever-flowing, overflowing supply.

God set the example of giving. We should be following His example. But do we?

It has been said that “the secret to prosperity is giving.”

I find this statement rather humorous. Why? Well, first because I just don’t understand how the principle of giving can be considered a secret. God makes it very clear and obvious that he wants us to give. So it is not really a secret.

“Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”
Luke 6:38

“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man sows, that shall he also reap.”
Galatians 6:7

The above are only two examples of the giving principle. All throughout God’s Word, from Genesis to Revelation, God shares with us the power of giving. It is not information that has been hidden…it is written, taught and made available for anyone willing to see it and hear it – and activate it in their lives.

So know this: If the powerful principle of giving seems to have been a “secret” to you, it is not because information has been kept from you, it is only because you have chosen to ignore it or simply not tune into it and accept it.

Growing Prosperity Secret or Mystery

The other reason I find humor in the statement: “the secret to prosperity is giving,” is the fact that it seems to contradict itself. It appears to be more of a mystery than a secret. How can a person prosper by giving? It would seem that in order to increase one would need be getting not giving…

But again I repeat: “Do Not be fooled – GOD will NOT be mocked – whatever a man sows, that he will reap!”

Growing prosperity is an ongoing process of sowing and reaping; giving and receiving. There is no better example than that of a farmer. If he wants to reap a harvest he has to sow seed. The measure he sows is the measure he’ll reap. The type of seed he sows is the type of harvest he’ll reap; sow corn, reap corn.

  • Give money – receive money.
  • Give love – receive love.
  • Give compassion – receive compassion.
  • Give encouragement – receive encouragement.
  • Give thanks – receive thanks.
  • Give loyalty – receive loyalty.
  • Give a lot – receive a lot.
  • Give a little – receive a little.
  • Give hatred – receive hatred.
  • Give discouragement – receive discouragement.

And on, and on, and on it goes… I think you get the point.

Giving, as a way of life, should be a given for Christian believers. Why? Because having freely received we should have a heart to freely give. “Freely ye have received, freely give.” (Matthew 10:8)

Blessed to Be a Blessing

When we give, we reap the joy of sharing! Jesus himself said: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35) We are blessed to be a blessing!

When God prospers and blesses us, it is so that we can turn around and repeat the process by giving and blessing others. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and so that your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. (2 Corinthians 9:10-11)

“Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness, while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God.”
2 Corinthians 9:10-11 NKJV

Give abundantly, give wisely, and give with a cheerful heart. “God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:7) Let the “secret” of giving bless you with an abundance of peace, joy and prosperity in your life.

Growing Prosperity: Keep in mind, God set it all up. He is not only the God of the universe – He is the God that created the universe. What more can be said? His creation, His plan – what a beautiful thing! Don’t keep it a secret…pass it on.

May you always abundantly give with a cheerful heart and live a life of growing prosperity!

Be Blessed to Be a Blessing –

Cheers,
Brenda

Do you believe in the power of giving and prospering?

If so, Like, Tweet & Share… And we’d love to hear a personal example of how your giving resulted in receiving! Thanks!

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God’s Blessings: 4 Roads That Lead You There

God’s Blessings: 4 Roads That Lead You There

Marc Millan is a recording artist turned worship leader. I came across an article, he wrote recently on his blog, called “The Road to God’s Blessings.”

He shares how he learned four critical lessons while following Jesus… lessons to obtaining God’s blessings or favor, such as joy, peace, love, understanding, and rest.

 

God’s Blessings: 4 Roads That Lead You There

God's Blessings 4 Roads that Lead You There

“Here are four roads that will lead to God’s blessing over our lives from what His Word tells us.

1. Forgiveness– If you are carrying around bitterness or a grudge, you gotta let that stuff go, you gotta trust God with those things…

2. Humility- If you think you aren’t prideful…sorry to break it to you, you are prideful. In fact, unless you are…

3. Submission- I struggled with this for some time because of how badly my father was treated in ministry, I felt I had to constantly…

4. Purity– A life called to serve God must be consecrated and  separated from sinful activity. Not only that, the desire to…

If we can ask God, openly to reveal these areas in our lives so that these roads, these areas, a life that forgives, that walks humbly, a life submitted to authority and a life of purity can become part of us, we will remain under the mighty hand of God, in safety, with His blessing and favor over everything we do and everything we are.” (read the whole article here – Update June 2014: original link no longer good)

I encourage you to take a minute to read his entire article (sorry original article no longer available) and gather some wisdom he shares in these lessons.

Marc Millans worship album is called “My King.”

Check it out on Amazon.

May your life overflow with God’s blessings and growing prosperity!

Be blessed to be a blessing –

Cheers,
Brenda

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When I Fall I Shall Arise!

When I Fall I Shall Arise!

“When I Fall I Shall Arise”

When I fall I shall arise!

“Rejoice not against me, O my enemy: when I fall, I shall arise: when I sit in darkness, the LORD shall be a light to me.”
— Micah 7:8

 

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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 Now On Facebook

Growing Prosperity Now On Facebook

Facebook Page Started for Growing Prosperity

Growing Prosperity Productions on Facebook

We have finally decided to start a Facebook page for Growing Prosperity.

http://www.facebook.com/GrowingProsperity

With so many people already familiar with Facebook and using it, I thought it might be a great place for those who come across this site to easily interact with each other.

Have a great day & God Bless!

Cheers – Brenda

 

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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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