Spiritual Prosperity

Passion With A Purpose

Passion with a Purpose

Passion with a PurposePassion is less and less talked about these days.

It has been replaced with the idea that

we have to simply accept whatever current

situation life presents us with at the moment.

There is less and less encouragement,

and more and more discouragement,

when it comes to discovering our individual God-given passions.

This is disappointing because our God-given passions have been given to us with a purpose.

 

Passion with a Purpose

What does passion mean to you?

That was the question Christian author Deborah Bateman asked readers in an article published at LivingBetterAt50.com.

She also asked several other questions like “what do you love?” and “what would you do if no one paid you anything?”

Deborah gives the encouragement to “Discover what you love and do it!”

And she goes on to say…

“I hope you discover your passion, because when you do you get so much joy out of it. Don’t get me wrong, it is still work. Sometimes you may get tired or frustrated, but when you love something you keep coming back to it. No one has to prompt you to do it. You do it because that is what you love.” (read entire article here)

Deborah H. Bateman is a Christian author of multiple books including “Finding Our Identity in Christ.”

Find out more about Deborah Bateman and her books on her website at www.ChristianDailyResources.com.

Have You Tapped Into Your God-given Passion?

The Bible gives us many warnings about the passions of a sinful nature and the need to keep them under control. A powerful way to do this is to keep the first and primary passion of our heart toward God and His Word.

“The passion of my soul’s desire is for the house of the Lord; my heart and my flesh are crying out for the living God.”
Psalm 84:2 (BBE)

The passion of Christ is the ultimate example of passion with a purpose. It was not only a passion with a purpose, but a purpose in line with God’s will, and a passion that came with a price.

“To whom also He showed Himself alive after His passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.”
Acts 1:3

Have you discovered your passion? It is worth discovering – even if it comes with a price. It will put a spark in your life, energize you and give you a positive drive to move forward, and a zeal to strive toward success. Why? Because your God-given passions come with a purpose, line up with God’s Word, and cause you to be a blessing to others!

May you tap into your God-given passion and live with a purpose and a life full of growing prosperity!

Be Blessed to Be a Blessing!

God bless you always,
Brenda

BEFORE YOU GO… Please Share your Passion in the comment section below and then like and tweet with others…

 

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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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Inspirational: Hope to Handle Your Anxieties By Finding Ultimate Control!

Inspirational: Hope to Handle Your Anxieties By Finding Ultimate Control!

Hope for the Anxious!

Hope to Handle Anxiety - God is in Control!Inspiration and hope is available

to help you handle your anxieties.

At some point,

we all will have feelings of anxiety,

and when it shows up we want to

get rid of it as soon as possible.

The good news: There is help, so have hope.

“We wait in hope for the LORD; He is our help and our shield.”
— Psalm 33:20

Anxious, Fearful, and a Lack of Control

Anxieties show up for a variety of reasons. Why they come, and to what extent they come, varies from person to person and situation to situation. Typically, a sudden change in life triggers feelings of anxiety, fear, and a lack of control.

Anxiety often comes when we feel as though our circumstances are beyond our control. The pressures and stresses of life can make us feel unsure about the future and cause us to worry and be anxious. An overwhelming sense that we have lost control can overtake us.

“But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
— Isaiah 40:31

Hope, Help, Peace, and Ultimate Control

Anxieties do come, but we have hope and help. God clearly tells us what we are to do when worries and concerns arise. He tells us in Matthew 6:25 to not be worried about our lives, and in 1 Peter 5:7 he tells us to cast all our anxieties on Him, because He cares for us.

No doubt, a sudden change can leave you feeling unsure about the future. However, there is never a time when God is unsure. God is in control even when your life becomes torn apart by the pressures of the world.

Anxiety may come when you feel like your circumstances are beyond your control, but nothing is beyond God’s control. “The LORD reigns; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad thereof.” (Psalm 97:1)

Do you wonder what happens to your peace and joy when anxiety approaches? Your source of true peace is Jesus Christ. When sorrows and worries come, He calms your heart. When financial anxieties and difficulties increase, He provides for each need.

God tells us to cease striving and know that He is God. (Psalm 46:10) Be still within your heart and allow Him to do for you what you cannot do yourself – calm your fears and anxieties.

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
— Romans 15:13

Good news: You do not have to handle your anxieties on your own. God cares for you. His love is unconditional, and His Word promises that He will meet all your needs. Be still and know that God is the superpower of all powers and your life is in His ultimate control. Let His Word be your inspiration and hope.

May you have abundant joy and peace, overflow with hope, and live a life of growing prosperity!

God bless you –

Cheers,
Brenda

 

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Inspirational – Expect the Favor of God and Let Him Turn Your Trials to Blessings!

Inspirational – Expect the Favor of God and Let Him Turn Your Trials to Blessings!

Expect the Favor of God to Flow in Your Life

Expect the Favor of God Let Him Turn Trials Into BlessingsInspirational encouragement and

favor abounds and flows from God.

So if you feel like there is no hope,

for the trials you are struggling to overcome

at this time in your life, be encouraged.

God is there for you and He wants to turn your trials into blessings!

“Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but God delivers them out of them all.”
— Psalm 34:19

Trials Turned Into Blessings

Alright, well we can’t expect that the storms of life won’t blow our way. The fact is: storms are a part of life. What we can expect is to have God by our side; helping us through the storms.

God can be trusted to always be there for us. It comes as no surprise, but it’s not the same case with people – people let us down. And that is exactly why we turn to God first and foremost in our trials, because He is the one that can ultimately turn our trials into blessings.

Regardless of the trouble you may be facing, God has an answer. He wants you to turn to Him so He can help you with a solution. Remember, God cares about you. Not only that, He loves you and has a great plan and purpose for your life.

“‘For I know the plan I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’”
— Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

Expect the Favor of God

Learn to put your expectation on the favor of God flowing in your life. Sure you can expect some storms in life to blow through, but you should have a greater focus that expects the favor of God to abound.

“For His anger endures but a moment; in His favor is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.”
— Psalm 30:5

Choose to see with the eyes of your heart and have an attitude of gratitude:

  • Expect to find favor with God and man. EXPECT PROMOTION.
  • Expect God to open doors that no man can shut. EXPECT DIVINE CONNECTIONS.
  • Expect God’s strength in times of weakness. EXPECT HEALTH.
  • Expect with God all things are possible. HAVE FAITH.
  • Expect God, the Father of lights, to flow good things your way. EXPECT EXCELLENCE.
  • Expect to be blessed to be a blessing. GIVE THANKS.
  • Expect to be found when God is searching the whole earth for those whose hearts are towards Him. LOVE GOD.

Solomon tells us in Proverbs 8:35 that those who find wisdom, find life, and shall obtain the favor of the Lord. And we see in Luke 2:52 that Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man. Seek wisdom.

Seize the day; it is a gift. God can turn your trials into blessings, your storms into sweet breezes. Great things happen with faith that starts as tiny as a mustard seed. Seek first the kingdom of God and be about your Father’s business. Expect the favor of God and let Him turn your trials into blessings.

May life overflow with the favor of God and abound with growing prosperity!

Be Blessed to Be a Blessing –

Cheers,
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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Spirituality – Should You Be Doing Some Clean Up In Your Spiritual Life?

Spirituality – Should You Be Doing Some Clean Up In Your Spiritual Life?

The Power of Making Your Spiritual Life Sparkle

Powerful Spiritual LifeSpiritual areas of life are often the

ones that get tended to last.

We get up every morning and look in

the mirror and begin our routine of showering,

brushing, and getting all prettied up.

Our homes, yards, cars, etcetera all get our attention

and cleaned up as needed; but, what about our spiritual home?

Too Busy To Clean?

Life gets busy. That’s no surprise. Soon our housecleaning gets moved to the bottom of the “to do” list until one day we can’t see through the dust on the TV screen. As we look around everything is dull and dirty and no longer beautiful to look at.

Amazingly, after a little time and effort scrubbing, things are sparkling clean and enjoyable once again.

How Did My Spiritual Life Get So Dirty?

Have you noticed how easily the dust and cobwebs seem to have a way of building up without really seeing it happen? Well in fact, our spiritual life gets dirty much the same way.

There are times we commit an obvious sin and it is like falling in a mud puddle; we are clearly dirty and need of some major clean-up. However, the sin in our daily lives is more often like the dust and cobwebs that slowly dirty our spiritual home, almost unnoticed.

In our busy lives we too easily get used to irritable thoughts, selfishness, jealousy, disrespect, lazy attitudes, lack of commitments, and more. Failure to spend daily time in God’s Word and fellowship with Him leads to doing things that displease Him, and at the same time we do not even realize the dirty film they are leaving on us.

Have you gotten too busy with other things in life that you’ve neglected to clean the dust and cobwebs from your spiritual home.

Time to Clean Up The Mess and Make Your Spiritual Life Sparkle!

The solution for the dust, dirt, and grime that comes into our lives, is to clean it up quickly and regularly. The longer we allow it to remain the greater the mess and the more difficult to remove. If neglected too long it results in unsightly stains.

Once the cleaning process has begun, it usually leads to a closer examination, which then tends to require more cleaning. So it is with a close examination of our spiritual life.

The sinful dirt that we have allowed to slowly accumulate in our lives, and have become accustomed to, is not okay with God. He is not accustomed to dirty sinful behaviors. God desires that our lives be pure and clean so that He can see the beautiful reflection of His Son in us.

“Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD? Or who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart…” 
— Psalm 24:3-4

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”
— Psalm 51:10

How can I improve my spiritual life? Be willing to ask yourself this question daily as you do a self-examination of your spiritual home. Ask God to help you see areas that need cleaned up. He not only wants to open your eyes, He wants to help you clean in order to see your natural and spiritual life shine and sparkle!

May your spiritual life be clean, pure and overflowing with growing prosperity!

God bless you always,
Brenda

 

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Inspiration – How to Almost Guarantee Yourself a Great Day Every Day!

Inspiration – How to Almost Guarantee Yourself a Great Day Every Day!

Dramatically Improve Your Chances to Have a Great Day

How to Have a Great Day Every Day!Inspiration to make your day great;

you can just about guarantee yourself

a great day every day.

Sound impossible?

Well, it’s not.

The way in which we begin a day largely determines how the day is going to go.

5 Techniques to Inspire You and Dramatically Improve Your Chances for a Great Day:

1. Remind Yourself You Are NOT Alone

Discover for yourself, what a wonderful way it is to wake up each morning with the reminder you are not alone. When you return to a semi-conscious state after a night of sleep, and while still in bed, repeat Psalm 139:18.

“When I awake, I am still with you.” 
— Psalm 139:18

What does it mean? All night long while sleeping, we have been under the watchful care of our Heavenly Father. But now the day has come with all its potential problems, responsibilities, disappointments, and struggles. So it helps to be reminded that when we are awake God remains with us.

The eight comforting words in the above verse emphasize one of the greatest truths known to man – that we are not alone. Take time to memorize this verse. Then jumpstart your day and fill your waking moments with this reminder.

2. Pray for Others and Yourself

Next, pray for your loved ones, friends, and other people you have promised to pray for. Also pray for God’s guidance, wisdom, and protection over yourself as you go about your day.

3. Acknowledge Today as a Gift

Then, before leaving your bedside, repeat this inspiring Bible passage.

“This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” 
— Psalm 118:24

God made this precious, opportunity-filled day; He gives it to you as a gift. And, as time passes, each day becomes more precious (or at least it should).

Keep in mind: You and I are very responsive to the moods of nature. Consider how you feel if you open your eyes and it is raining, or snowing, or the sky is overcast and the wind is blowing? This can be enough to start our day off on the wrong foot.

However, we can overcome any mood of nature, or any negative mood of human nature, by filling our minds with the realization that there is this precious thing called a day.

4. Visualize and Anticipate a Great Day

As you arise, mentally picture the good day you want and expect, visualize it clearly, and strongly affirm that mental picture. Practicing such awakening techniques can change your whole approach to life and help you see the good in every day.

For many, the moment their eyes open on a new day their thoughts begin to focus on all the awful things that might happen; and that is usually what they get. Why? Because what we project in our mind as a probability, is likely to result in fact.

To change apprehension, gloomy thoughts, and depressive attitudes to anticipation, repeat Genesis 1:1 and Psalm 118:24 three times in the morning, and then say them to yourself during the day.

Let your confession and affirmation be something such as: ‘In the beginning God created the heaven and earth and today is the day that the Lord has made. No other day just like it was ever made. This is it! I will rejoice and be glad in it. Thank you, Lord, for being with me this day. It’s going to be a great day!’

5. Let Go of the Past

Did it ever occur to you that yesterday ended last night? Every morning, you face a new beginning, so put the past behind you. Take the good memories you want to remember from the past along with you; as well as the lessons you’ve learned from your mistakes. But all the other things – leave them at the door of the new day.

One reason people have nervous breakdowns and are mentally sick is because they don’t shake themselves free of the past. Let it go!

Did you make mistakes last week? I did. What are we going to do about those mistakes? Start each day adventuring with God, and let the past be past. Do the best we can today with God’s help. Anticipate a great day, and it will be.

Do yourself a favor: Start putting these five techniques into practice. Habits and negative attitudes don’t change overnight. But if you can shift from apprehension to letting the thought of anticipation surge through your mind, your life will change and you’ll almost guarantee yourself a great day every day!

May your days be great and your life full of growing prosperity!

Be blessed to be a blessing –

Cheers,
Brenda

P.S. Enjoy the following: Have a Great Day Affirmation – Free Christian Meditation Download

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Spiritual Prosperity – Walking Out God’s Good Plan For Your Life!

Spiritual Prosperity – Walking Out God’s Good Plan For Your Life!

Are You Following God One Step at a Time?

Walking Out God's Plan One Step at a TimeSpiritual prosperity is the result of

walking out God’s plan for your life.

In order to do this you need to allow the Lord

to direct your path one step at a time.

If I had known many years ago

what I was going to be doing today,

I would have said, “No way, God. That is impossible.”

But keep in mind, the Lord does not show us the whole picture of our life all at once, because we would quit before we got started. Instead, God leads us one step at a time.

“In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.” 
— Proverbs 3:6

Following God One Step at a Time

Have you wondered why you are not further along in the plan for your life?

Let me ask you a question: Are you following God one step at a time?

Consider how excited parents are when their children take their first steps. They start out by taking one step and falling down. The parents then pick them up and put them back on their feet; encouraging them to take another step.

Inspired by the words of encouragement, the children try again and take two or three steps this time, before falling down. The parents continue to repeatedly pick them up, encourage, and help them try again until they finally conquer the task of walking.

The fact is: An infant would never learn to walk if he did not start by taking that first step. And just as infants learn to walk by taking one step at a time, so it is with the plan of our life. God leads us one step at a time.

Maybe you have taken the first step in your plan and fallen down. You may still be lying on the ground, having decided to never take another step. However, keep in mind that just as a parent encourages their children to get up and try again, so the Heavenly Father is encouraging you to get up and take another step!

The Steps of a Good Man Are Ordered by the Lord

If you will delight in the Lord, He will order your steps; and they will be steps of success and not failure.

“The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and He delights in his way.” 
— Psalm 37:23

Keep in mind, when opportunity knocks, you must answer! And you must walk through that door with confidence, knowing you can do it with the help of the Lord.

Of course there will be various disappointments and difficult circumstances along the way. We all face them and that is to be expected. Just remember there is help and you are not facing anything alone.

“I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.” 
— Philippians 4:13

Allow this verse to help you have confidence in your ability, knowing you are not doing anything alone, but that it is Christ who strengthens you.

I think you get the point: You can make it through every circumstance of your life – regardless of what it is – if you will simply place your hand in God’s hand. He will direct your path and lead you to victory and spiritual prosperity; one step at a time.

May you walk out God’s good plan one step at a time and experience His growing prosperity!

Be blessed to be a blessing –

Cheers,
Brenda

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