faith

Affirmation Creates Power by Orison Swett Marden – Part 1 of 3

AFFIRMATION CREATES POWER by Orison Swett Marden – Part 1 of 3

 

Part 1 of 3

Constant Affirmation Increases Courage; the Backbone of Confidence

“An affirmation is a statement of Truth consciously used so as to become the directing power of Life’s expression.”
— Orison Swett Marden

Affirmation Creates PowerOnly he can who thinks he can!

The world makes way only for the determined man,

for the man who laughs at barriers which limit others,

at stumbling-blocks over which others fall.

The man who, as Emerson says,

“hitches his wagon to a star,”

is more likely to arrive at his goal than

the one who trails in the slimy path of the snail.

Confidence is the father of achievement.

It reinforces ability, doubles energy,

buttresses mental faculties, increases power.

Your thought will carry only the force of your conviction, the weight of your decision, the power of your confidence. If these are weak, your thought will be weak and your work futile.

Some people are incapable of strong, deep conviction; they are all surface, and liable to be changed by the opinions of everybody else. If they resolve upon a certain course, their resolution is so superficial that the first obstacle they strike deflects them. They are always at the mercy of the opposition, or of people who do not agree with them. Such people are shifty and unreliable; they lack strength of decision, positiveness of resolution.

What is a man good for if he hasn’t strength of resolution?

If his convictions are on the surface, he stands for nothing; nobody has confidence in him.  He may be a good man, personally, but he does not inspire confidence. No one would think of calling upon him when anything of importance was at stake.

Unless conviction takes hold of one’s very being, there will be very little achievement in life. It is the man whose conviction is rooted deep and takes hold of his very life-blood, the man who is strong and persistent in his determination that can be depended upon. He is the man of influence, who carries weight; he is above the influence of any man who happens to have a different opinion.

If young people only knew the power of affirmation, of the habit of holding in the mind persistently and affirming that they are what they wish to be, that they can do what they have attempted, it would revolutionize their whole lives, it would exempt them from most of their ills and troubles, and carry them to heights of which they scarcely dream.

We are always talking about the power of the will. Its exercise is only another form of the affirmation. The will, the determination to do a thing, is the same as the affirmation of the ability to do it. No one ever accomplishes anything in this world until he affirms in one way or another that he can do what he undertakes.

It is almost impossible to keep a man back who:

  • has a firm faith in his mission,
  • who believes that he can do the thing before him,
  • that he is equal to the obstacles which confront him,
  • that he is more than a match for his environment.

The constant affirmation of ability to succeed, and of our determination to do so:

  • carries us past difficulties,
  • defies obstacles,
  • laughs at misfortunes, and
  • strengthens the power to achieve.

It reinforces and buttresses the natural faculties and power, and holds them to their tasks.

Constant affirmation increases courage, and courage is the backbone of confidence.

Furthermore, when a person gets in a tight place and says “I must,” “I will,” he not only reinforces his courage and strengthens his confidence, but also weakens the opposite qualities. Whatever strengthens a positive will weaken the corresponding negative.

*** end of part 1 of 3 ***

AFFIRMATION CREATES POWER by Orison Swett Marden

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go to part 3

 

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

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

Dare to Believe and Activate Your Faith

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

this is true to a great degree.

Why?

Because we must first believe in something

if we want to receive and manifest

the abundance of it into our lives.

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

BELIEVING AND RECEIVING

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

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

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

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

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

POWER TO MANIFEST ABUNDANCE

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Be Blessed to Be a Blessing!

Cheers,
Brenda

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Strangers – Inspirational Video

Strangers – Inspirational Video

“Strangers” Christian Video by Igniter Media

Be inspired by this video called “Strangers” by Igniter Media.

We all know how important it is to talk to others about Christ. But we shouldn’t forget about the impact of how we live our lives as well. Just think, you may never meet the person whose life you helped change.

Here is a great comment left for this video on GodTube:

“You can call it the “Ripple Effect”, or “Trickle down blessings”, it is ultimately Gods’ Will that none should perish. He has a plan, and this is a great video to show how sharing Christ, inviting someone to church, pays Eternal dividends! Something to think about the next time someone asks, ‘Why do you wear that cross?’, or ‘What is it about you, you are always happy’? Even though it sometimes seems it is not so, sharing our’ faith is always a winning situation!” — Jim Loeffert

Enjoy this video & have a God blessed day!

Cheers,
Brenda

 

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Bible Promises Quiz – Can You Answer These 7 Power Promises from the Word?

Bible Promises Quiz – Can You Answer These 7 Power Promises from the Word?

A Quiz to Help You Draw Power From the Word!

Bible Promises QuizPower is available in the Word

and waiting at this very moment

for each one of us to tap into.

If we all can use extra wisdom,

help, strength, faith, and so on,

then the real question is…

Why are we not tapping into this great power source that has been provided for us?

Good question – huh? Even if you are already drawing on the power of the Word, chances are it is not in the measure it should be. I encourage you today, as I encourage myself, to dig in and fill up!

Check out these seven great Bible promises. See how many of the blanks you can fill correctly. Give yourself an extra point for each blank you answer without looking at the choices.

Quiz – Can You Answer These 7 Bible Promises?

 1. “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you _______.” (Jesus in Matthew 11:28)

A. direction
B. hope
C. strength
D. rest

2. “Blessed is the man that walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful… Whatever he does shall _______.” (Psalm 1:1,3)

A. is forgiven
B. prosper
C. will fail
D. pleases God

3. “Call unto me, and I will _______ you, and show you great and mighty things, which you know not.” (Jeremiah 33:3)

A. come to
B. always help
C. answer
D. encourage

4. “Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in _______, through the power of the Holy Ghost.” (Romans 15:13)

A. bank
B. hope
C. train
D. spiritual

5. “And we know that _______ things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

A. all
B. many
C. most
D. spiritual

6. “Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, _______on these things…and the God of peace shall be with you.” (Philippians 4:8-9)

A. pray
B. forget
C. think
D. worry

7. “Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be _______.” (Matthew 5:4)

A. comforted
B. sad
C. blessed
D. resurrected

Answers to the Bible Promises Quiz:

1. D – Rest

The solution to tension is trust. Jesus invites us to bring all our problems to Him. In exchange, He offers an end to turmoil and stress. When our task seems to hard, we need to invite the Lord to help. His presence will enable us to work in relaxed efficiency.

 2. B – Prospers

Going God’s way helps us prosper and ensures that He will give what is best for us. Drop all thoughts of failure, and believe that what you attempt in faith will prosper.

3. C – Answer

God not only hears our sincere prayers, He answers them. We must listen for His answer and look for His guidance.

4. B – Hope

To hope is simply to look forward in faith. Discover how much easier life becomes when you face it with hope. Today, say and think only hopeful things.

5. A – All

God is working in all the things that happen to us. Nothing is outside His loving purpose. Believe that, and remind yourself and others daily.

6. C – Think

Again and again the Bible urges us to think, to focus on positive things. The result? God’s own peace. (Verses 7 and 9) Write down five things that are good and thank God for them every day.

7. A – Comforted

The deepest solution to bereavement is God’s tender comfort. From the loss of a loved one to the loss of a job, He can transform any mourning by His understanding presence.

How Did You Do?

  •  4-5 points, Good Job
  • 6-7 points, Great Job
  • 8-14 points, Excellent!

Conclusion: Commit these Scripture verses to memory. Draw on the power and practical wisdom they hold. Let these seven Bible promises from the Word of God empower you.

May you tap into the great power source of God’s Word and live a life of growing prosperity!

Be blessed to be a blessing –

Cheers,
Brenda

p.s. how did you do? leave a comment and post your results…

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Financial Prosperity – Why Not Claim Victory Over Your Finances With a Bold Faith?

Financial Prosperity – Why Not Claim Victory Over Your Finances With a Bold Faith?

Bold Faith For Financial Victory!

Financial Prosperity with a Bold FaithFinancial prosperity is a growing process

that lots of people find hard to master.

However, God has provided many

financial principles that can help anyone

claim victory over economic decline.

Learning to replace fear with bold faith in His principles will lead to victory.

Financial Difficulties Anyone?

If, perhaps you’re going through financial difficulties, like a great many folks these days, do you possess any kind of a plan of action? Or do you merely keep on moaning, as well as stressing about just how hard circumstances are, and how the government is simply not dealing with joblessness, overspending, high taxes, and on and on?

Letting Go of Financial Fear

The sooner we learn to let go of the fear, worry, and stress over the economic circumstances we simply cannot change, the better. You may legitimately have much to complain about. You may see your income declining while you work harder for less money. Or maybe your previous income source is gone and there is genuinely much to fear.

Regardless of the circumstances, keep in mind: Dwelling on the fearfulness of the situation will do no good. If we want to claim victory over our finances we must quickly replace the fear, anger, and worry with faith and hope in God’s financial principles.

We must dwell on the available abundance of God and His Word.

The Blessings of God’s Financial Principles

God’s financial principles work in combination with a bold faith in Him and His Word. If we want to have faith to grow our finances, then we must repeatedly hear God’s words of possibility, blessing, and abundance.

Words of faith are needed to drown out words of fear, doubt and discouragement.

“Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” 
— Romans 10:17

There has to come a point in time when we take a stand with God and look at what He can do, instead of what our government, and local leaders are doing or not doing. As surprising as it might seem, no individual ought to look to employers, clients or any source of income as their ultimate source of help.

God is our source and that is who we should look to!

Bold Faith for Financial Victory

Ideally the time to look to God is when things are going well. Whenever individuals practice faith and trust in God when everything is good, as soon as circumstances become difficult they are prepared to stand bold in faith, instead of in fear.

On the other hand for individuals who are new to faith, is it too late? Or what if you have never had a financial breakthrough, ever, and you’ve constantly struggled? Can you still claim victory over your finances?

As a believer, you must realize there is a greater One living in you that can overcome all things. The doorway of possibilities with God is wide open and ready for you to enter.

If you determine to see this time period as being an opportunity to become strong and bold in your faith, you certainly will start to see just what God can do! I myself am speaking out of personal experience, not just from practical knowledge.

No doubt: Now is the time to see and discover possibilities rather than misfortune; financial growth rather than financial disaster. This is your time to claim financial victory with God. You can allow your faith in God and His promises to empower you to have financial prosperity.

May you have a bold faith to claim financial victory and a life of growing prosperity!

Be blessed to be a blessing –

Cheers,
Brenda

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The Race – Inspirational Video with Heather Dorniden

The Race – Inspirational Video with Heather Dorniden

Life Knocks Us Down, But the LORD Gives Us Strength to Get Back Up!

Heather Dorniden of the University of Minnesota races the 600m at the Big 10 Indoor Track Championships. In lap 2, Heather got cut off and took a bad fall… BUT SHE GOT UP and not only continued the race, SHE WON!

Heather reminds us that even in the race of life we will eventually fall, but God is always there to help us get back up.

Heather has said that she always hoped that she could become famous enough in her running career to act as a positive example of a strong Christian, female athlete so that she could use her position as a platform to inspire young girls to chase their dreams and stay true to their faith.

Well Done Heather! Keep Running Strong!

“When I fall, I shall arise.”
— Micah7:8

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

Soar higher in Him,
Brenda

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Manifest a Life of Abundant Prosperity – Are You Ready to Overcome Your Paralyzing Fear?

Manifest a Life of Abundant Prosperity – Are You Ready to Overcome Your Paralyzing Fear?

Why Not Walk in a Spirit of Power and Receive All GOD’s Richest Blessings?

Conquer Paralyzing Fear and Walk in Bold ConfidenceManifesting a life of abundant prosperity

takes faith and courage.

It requires positive action and

much energy and effort.

One of the main factors that prevent people

from reaching their dreams is the ‘fear factor.’

Fear contains a paralyzing power that stops us

in our tracks if we let it.

“If we let it” is the key here. Fear only has power as long as we allow it to.

Why Not Overcome Your Paralyzing Fear and Walk in God’s Richest Blessings?

How many more times are you going to let fear keep you from speaking up, taking action, moving forward, and receiving all the blessings of life that God has waiting for you?

The fact is, we are all human and everyone is inevitably afraid of something.

Fears can develop from almost anything such as; spiders, to going bald, to confronting a person, to speaking in public. Fear creates panic, it torments, and it causes timidity and a shrinking back. Fear is a thief and steals our confidence and dreams.

Know this: Fear does not come from God.

“For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” 
— 2 Timothy 1:7

Fear is a powerful spirit and we too often allow it to control areas of our lives; and it is also something the devil likes to use against us.

Think about it: How many of the troubles in your life are tied to fear? We worry, we let people control us, and we try to control others and circumstances all because of fear. We get in wrong relationships for fear of being alone. We get greedy and stingy for fear of being poor. And the list goes on and on.

The Paralyzing Spirit of Fear Has No Place in the Life of God’s Children

We can begin to conquer fear by confronting it and facing it step-by-step. When we confront fear, we turn the tables and start to master it.

“The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” 
— Franklin D. Roosevelt

Choose today to stop saying “I’m afraid,” and start saying “I have a spirit of power, and love, and a sound mind.”

Over and over God tells us to “Fear not.” And He wants to be our partner in helping us conquer and overcome paralyzing fear.

God knows we are going to deal with fear regularly. We are going to come face-to-face with it and have feelings of fear. But, it does not have to control us. Each time we confront fear, it becomes smaller and smaller and loses its power.

Confidence to Manifest a Life of Abundant Prosperity

The opposite of fear is faith. Faith, confidence, and courage all go hand-in-hand. Fear drives failure and faith drives confidence.

You can do amazing things with strong faith and bold confidence. Why? Because both of these carry a positive energy and a powerful force that will propel you toward your dreams.

Press on toward your goals and do those things you fear. Do what you need to do, even if you have feelings of fear. You’ll create a bold confidence as you create a successful series of experiences behind you.

The bottom line: Hope for a successful tomorrow is possible as long as rising fears are immediately stomped out and faith is allowed to rule. Replace your fears with bold confidence and faith in God and yourself, and watch the abundance of God manifest in your life.

May you overcome paralyzing fear and manifest a life of abundant growing prosperity!

Be blessed to be a blessing –

Cheers,
Brenda

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