christianity

Empowerment – When Temptation Comes a Knocking Why Not Let Honor Slam the Door Shut?

Empowerment – When Temptation Comes a Knocking Why Not Let Honor Slam the Door Shut?

Spiritual Warfare – What Do You Do When You Are Tempted?

Spiritual Empowerment thru Honor to GodSpiritual empowerment has its…

source with God.

In life, temptations are going to come to all of us and…

try to zap our power and take us down.

Why give into these attacks?

Empower yourself to overcome…

by tapping into the power source of God.

What Do You Do When You Are Tempted?

When temptation comes a knocking it is time to look to God. Remind yourself that He is always with you. Look at the temptation that is knocking on the door and then look to God. It is not easy when the attacks come, but it is possible to overcome if you stay plugged into God.

Keep in mind, that we always have the choice to honor God in any situation, or we can choose to dishonor Him; and at the same time disrespect ourselves.

Do You Dwell On Dishonorable Thoughts?

Do not be fooled into believing it is okay to dwell on thoughts that, if acted on, would dishonor God. Put a stop to those dark, negative thoughts right away, before they open the door to trouble. Let honor to God slam the door shut when temptation comes a knocking.

Before the knock ever comes, make a sound decision not to dishonor God and not to disrespect yourself. Never lose sight of Him. Thank God for His mercy and grace when we fall short and need it, but purpose to set your standards higher.

Why Lie to Yourself?

Do not be deceived into thinking you can get away with sin without disrespecting yourself. That is a lie. Why would you want to lie to yourself? Don’t you have enough people lying to you right now? Let’s face it, sin always catches up to us.

So when the temptations come, don’t lie to yourself and think you will get away with acting on them. Instead, challenge yourself with questions. Will God be honored and glorified in me if I do this? What message do I give others if I do this?

Living a Higher Life of Honor

Temptations will come, but you don’t have to open the door. You can choose to live a higher life of honor and show others how to do the same. If you are struggling and already opened the door to temptation, then turn to God. Choose to honor God and He will empower you to slam that door shut.

“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

God knows what we are cable of. When we walk in honor, love, peace, and prosperity, we send a valuable message to others. It brings glory and honor to God when His children live right, claim victory over evil, and use their God-given blessings to bless others.

The truth is: What God has for our future is so much better than anything the enemy may be tempting us with. We can overcome temptation when it comes a knocking and choose to live in God’s best for our lives by honoring Him.

May you live empowered, always honoring the King of kings, and enjoying a life of growing prosperity!

God bless you,
Brenda

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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!

Godly Humility Leads to Destination GreatnessHumility 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

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Confess Success – God Declares You Prosperous and Successful! Do You?

Confess Success – God Declares You Prosperous and Successful! Do You?

Why Not Agree with God and Confess His Good Success on Your Life?

Prosperous success requires – 

having a mindset that strives for success.

God wants you to be successful in all that you do.

God declares you prosperous and successful…

so begin to agree with God’s Word.

Be a person of the Word; speak the Word.

Think and Imagine Success

If we want to stay in a place of growing prosperity and constant success we must diligently seek God and His presence at all times. (Ecclesiastes 8:12) The thoughts and images that we allow God’s Word to create inside of us are powerful forces that cause us to succeed in every part of life – spiritually, physically, and financially.

“This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein; for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.” — Joshua 1:8

Meditating and thinking on God’s positive, life-filled words have the power to change your life.

Speak Success

Having prosperous success means regularly speaking and confessing God’s Word. His word will manifest results, but we have to speak it. We can’t expect a life of growing prosperity while we constantly speak the opposite of God’s Word and confess things such as; ‘Nothing I ever do works out.’

“Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee: and the light shall shine upon thy ways.” — Job 22:28

Keep in mind: As you regularly speak God’s words of truth, your negative thoughts of doubt will gradually fade.

Confess and Declare Success

Take time daily to confess and declare over your life the same things that God declares over you. The following is a sample confession to get you started:

‘I declare the good success of God on my life. I confess that I have a spirit of faithfulness, wisdom, diligence and giving. I give bountifully and I reap bountifully. I am blessed coming in and blessed going out. God has given me power to be successful. The light and favor of God are shining on me and I am victory minded in everything I do. I am a winner, an overcomer, and I triumph and live successful to the glory of God. Everything I put my hand to prospers. Success is overtaking me in Jesus’ name.’

Believe me. Once you start to keep God first place in your life, you can expect His blessings. God declares you successful, so begin to agree with the Word of God, observe to do it and make your way prosperous.

May you declare the success of God on your life and live in growing prosperity!

Be blessed to be a blessing –

God bless you always –
Cheers,
Brenda

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Empowerment – Do Not Be a Wimp in the Valley of Decision Making!

Empowerment – Do Not Be a Wimp in the Valley of Decision Making!

Discover How the Power of Decisiveness and Quality Choices Can Lead to Success!

Empowerment comes from acknowledging and
developing the weak areas in our lives.

We all have our strengths and weaknesses.

At some point in life…

a lack of success and/or balance
will shed light on those areas that need to be better
developed and strengthened.

Are You a Decision Making Wimp?

A primary trait that we all should develop as soon as possible is the ability to make quality decisions. Every person is born with a God-given capacity and right to choose. The ability to choose is our free moral agency, and it is also one of the main ways in which we are made in the image of God.

We are born into a world where everything operates by decisions.

“Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision.” 
— Joel 3:14

God respects our right to choose and make decisions, even if it results in a bad outcome. Truly we live in the valley of decision and we see man’s right to choose as a theme repeated throughout the Bible. Different aspects of the power of choice are emphasized from Genesis to Revelation.

“I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing, therefore choose life, that both you and your seed may live.” 
— Deuteronomy 30:19

Let the Almighty God ‘Have Your Back’

Choosing to live by faith in God is the most important quality decision you can make in life. When you make a determined decision to trust God and His Word over any circumstance, you open the door to receive His promises.

The Almighty God is ready and willing to back you up with all of heaven’s power. He will move mighty on behalf of someone who has purposed to do things by the Book. You make the decision and God will back you up!

It is no secret; those who are half-hearted and wishy-washy about their decision making, never reach the level of success they desire. Why? Because the people that are double minded, and waver in their choices, are unstable and lack the commitment and resolve needed to win.

“Ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavers is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.” 
— James 1:6-8

Many people are wise enough to make a quality decision to do things God’s way early on in life. However, for others it may take finally getting fed up with where they are at…

If that is you, are you going to continue to live with problems that are trying to defeat you, or are you going to make a determined, unwavering decision to overcome by doing things God’s way?

Start to practice making conscious choices to do things God’s way in the little things, and over time it will become a habit and easier to choose His way in the big things.

Guess what? All of heaven is waiting for your quality decision, made of your own free will, to operate according to God’s Word. It is an essential step in the divine order of faith and opens the door to the blessings and power of God. Begin now to empower yourself by making regular, intentional, committed decisions.

May you empower yourself with decisiveness and live in growing prosperity!

Be blessed to be a blessing –

Cheers,
Brenda

P.S. Christianity is really nothing more than a series of decisions…

Think about it. Jesus died on the cross so that you might have forgiveness of sins and inherit eternal life. But that fact alone does you no good unless you make a decision to receive what He provided for you. God respects your right to choose (even if that means letting you spend eternity in hell).

Please CHOOSE LIFE! 🙂

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Happy July 4th! Celebrating Freedom

Happy July 4th! Celebrating Freedom

Celebrating the 4th of July!

Independence Day in America is a time of celebration of freedom, both spiritual and physical.

May you all have a safe and happy day!

And special thanks and prayers go out to all those who have served and are serving in the military on our behalf; that we may continue to enjoy freedom.

Thank God for all His blessings!

John Adams
2nd U.S. President and Signer of the Declaration of Independence

“Suppose a nation in some distant Region should take the Bible for their only law Book, and every member should regulate his conduct by the precepts there exhibited! Every member would be obliged in conscience, to temperance, frugality, and industry; to justice, kindness, and charity towards his fellow men; and to piety, love, and reverence toward Almighty God … What a Eutopia, what a Paradise would this region be.”
–Diary and Autobiography of John Adams, Vol. III, p. 9.

“The general principles on which the fathers achieved independence were the general principles of Christianity. I will avow that I then believed, and now believe, that those general principles of Christianity are as eternal and immutable as the existence and attributes of God.”
–Adams wrote this on June 28, 1813, in a letter to Thomas Jefferson.

 
“I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out Your precepts.”
— Psalm 119:45

“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
— John 8:32

“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”
— John 8:36

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”
— Galatians 5:1

“In Him [Christ] and through faith in Him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.”
— Ephesians 3:12

1861 (July 4), Senate Prayer:

“Almighty and everlasting God, be not angry with us for our sins, which we only confess and deplore; but pardon our offenses and extend to us Thy favor. We thank Thee for Thy goodness on this anniversary of the nation a day tenfold more precious by reason of our present troubles, and sacred to the heart for the ever memorable Declaration of our fathers, in which Thou didst begin more openly to give us a name among the nations of the earth. We thank Thee for all Thy manifold and abundant mercies hitherto to make our nation exceedingly great and glorious; but now disasters have befallen us and darkness broods in the land. And now we ask Thy mercy as the Senate is convening at a most momentous crisis of our history. Give to Thy servants all needed help. Add to their deliberations wisdom and unanimity, and profit and speed to their conclusion. Bless Thy servant, the President of the United States, our veteran Commander-in- Chief, and all that have functions in the civil and military power. May the angel of Thy presence walk in the Cabinet and in the Congress and in the camp, to go before, to purify, and to direct the now greatly and universally-awakened love of country. And we beseech Thee to guide us, to overrule and order all things, and so to cause that nothing shall fail, that the disorders of the land may be speedily healed, that peace and concord may prevail, that truth and righteousness may be established, and that Thy Church and Kingdom may flourish in a larger peace and prosperity, for Thy Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen.”
— Rev. Byron Sunderland, D.D.
(Source: Congressional Globe, 37th Congress, first session, new series, 1, 4 July 1861.)

Happy 4th of July!

God bless you always –

Cheers,
Brenda

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Graduation: Your Story

Graduation: Your Story

Writing the Next Chapter in Your Life

Graduation: Your Story (Video by Skit Guys)

“As you graduate you are closing a chapter and beginning a brand new one…
as you write the rest of your story…
Remember to work hard – Remember to listen more than you talk –
Make relationships that will last a lifetime –
Find the right person to marry, and remember you have to be the right person too –
Make sure you take risks – Travel as much as you can –
Always remember to laugh – And most important…
Don’t forget to call your mom, she still worries about you!
Christ said I have come to give you life, and life to the fullest…
This is what you have the chance to achieve –
LIFE – So Go On Living!

“I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”
— Jesus (John 10:10)

This time of year brings many graduations and graduation parties. These are exciting times for young people as they wrap up one chapter in life and move into the next…

It is also a great time to remind us all, regardless of age, that life is constantly moving from one season of life to the next, and it is important to continue to celebrate life!

God bless you always –

Cheers,
Brenda

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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…

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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

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