prayer

Christian Meditation & Affirmations Podcast

Christian Meditation & Affirmations Podcast

RENEW Your MIND – RENEW Your LIFE!

Just a reminder of this free resource that is available…

The Christian Meditation & Affirmations Podcast provides life-changing Biblical Affirmations, Confessions, Prayers, and Verses to Meditate on. And they come to you in short, but Powerful, Episodes to help you RENEW Your MIND, so you can RENEW Your LIFE.

Two Listening Options Available:

iTunes
Growing Prosperity - Christian Meditation & Affirmations

or

MyPodcastWorld

This week’s episode is:
The Lord is Good and His Mercy Endures Forever

The Lord Truly is Good and His Mercy Endures Forever!
May we Continue to Give God Thanks – Call on Him, and Never Forget His Word!

~ Meditate on These Verses from Psalm 118 and 119 ~

God bless you,
Brenda

P.S. If you have any suggestions, feedback, or comments – please feel free to share. Thanks!

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A Beautiful Thing and Priceless Experience!

A Beautiful Thing and Priceless Experience!

Surprise Blessings: You Gotta Lov’m!

I have to tell you about an unexpected surprise blessing I experienced recently…

Early this month, I had a stretch of being a full-time nanny for a little over a week.

It was for a really great family I’d also worked part-time for last school year  – and they asked me if I could help them out some again. The dad is an author of several books and in full-time ministry. So he had some speaking engagements that was going to take him out of town.

All their children are extremely talented and gifted. It’s always fun to spend time with them just to have some of their energy and creativity wash off on me.

We Chose LifeWell the youngest, is a 2yr old little girl who was born with spina bifida.

(Her parents have a very encouraging and heartfelt story of their daughter’s birth and life. Her father wrote a book on their experience and why they chose life and did not take the doctors offer to terminate the pregnancy.)

A little more background…last school year when I was there the little girl had a cast on almost the whole time. It went from her chest down to her toes! So obviously she was very limited in her activity and unable to get around and play.

I would think having a little more than half your body in a cast might dampen your spirit? It would mine!

But No: Not this little girl! She always had the sweetest smile and the ability to light up a room.

It was so humbling for me to know her and spend time with her (and still is). I had such a difficult year last year and was battling a number of challenges…

but every time I would go to their house, and see this little girl in her cast, and she’d still have the sweetest smile and happiest spirit…I would have to instantly reconsider what I was allowing myself to stress over and be unhappy over.

Okay, well fast forward to this month…

She now has most the surgeries complete on her hips, legs and knees. So no more cast. She has freedom to get around and it is amazing how well she does! She has leg braces to help her while she’s learning to walk.

The other thing she is learning to do is talk. She would say “ma” & “da” along with a number of other sounds and jabbering, but not really on demand words yet.

Well – I was blessed to have her start saying some words on demand while I was with her this month!

We just had a fun time during the week playing and being silly. I also got to hear more of the sounds and jabberings she was doing and I would copy her all the time. I would also act like her baby doll was talking and copying my words – and she thought that was pretty funny…

Anyway, the one day I was trying to get her to say “up” it sounded like she did. And then later in the day I was almost positive she started to say another word.

The next morning when getting her out of the crib I asked her to say “up” and this time she for sure did! And later she put her finger to her mouth and said “li” for light when she wanted to flip the light switch.

The BEST PART was getting her up after her nap time. She said “up” and then sat back down in her crib and started laughing…

and she kept laughing…

and would open her mouth like she was going to say “up” but couldn’t even talk because she was laughing so hard. That kind of deep belly laugh that makes your stomach hurt. 🙂 🙂 🙂

It was just the Most Beautiful, Precious thing!

For a good 3-5 minutes we just kept laughing. We were looking at each other through the crib bars and we would lean toward each other and open our mouths like we were going to say “up” and then bust out laughing again, unable to say a word…

And I can’t say for sure why she was laughing so hard, but I really think it was from a new level of understanding of the power she had to be able to speak and control what she was saying.

I wish I could describe the situation better, but it was one of those “you had to be there” times.

I’ll never forget it – I feel privileged to have been there that week and it was such a beautiful experience and blessing for me! Thanks for letting me share it with you.

And I thank God that He is helping this little girl grow and develop by leaps and bounds! If you would pray for her also it would be appreciated, as she still has some upcoming surgeries… Thank you.

Cheers,
Brenda

P.S. You can read this family’s story of facing the reality of having a child with spina bifida and choosing life.  “We Chose Life: Why You Should Too” by Anthony Horvath is available now at Amazon.

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Casting Crowns “Slow Fade” Music Video

Casting Crowns “Slow Fade” Music Video

People Never Crumble in a Day!

I listened to this song today and it reminded me of the importance of guarding our thoughts, words, looks, and all the little choices we make on a daily basis that may seem insignificant

It’s a slow fade
when black & white are turned to gray –
when thoughts invade – choices made –
a price will be paid – when you give yourself away –
people never crumble in a day!

It’s the second glance that ties your hands, as darkness pulls your strings.

The cute little girl at the end says:

Be careful little eyes what you see –
For the Father up above is looking down in love –
Be careful little eyes what you see!

How many problems and troubles might we avoid in our lives if we would simply be careful what we see, hear, say, and think on a daily basis in the small ways.  When the small things are ungodly, it is like the song says – they tie our hands and darkness pulls our strings.

But that does not have to be the case, and songs like this are great wake-up reminders to make sure we stay wrapped in the Word and meditate and study God’s Word daily!

Here is a great prayer that my pastor prays over us and encourages us to pray:

“I pray that God would grant you, according to the riches of His glory,
to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man,
That Christ may dwell in your heart by faith…
And that you know the love of Christ, which passes knowledge,
that you might be filled with all the fullness of God.
That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you,
and you in Him, according to the grace of our God
and the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.”
— Ephesians 3:14-21, 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12

Be encouraged…

God bless you,
Brenda

P.S.  A large selection of Casting Crowns music, as CDs and digital downloads can be found on Amazon. They are also taking preorders for the new album “Until The Whole World Hears.”

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If My People Will Pray – 2 Chronicles 7:14

If My People Will Pray – 2 Chronicles 7:14 Video

Can We Get Heaven’s Attention?

“If my people, which are called by my name,
shall humble themselves, and pray,
and seek my face,
and turn from their wicked ways;
then will I hear from heaven,
and will forgive their sin,
and will heal their land.”
— 2 Chronicles 7:14

May we all do our part so God can bring healing to our land!

God bless,
Brenda

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Quote by President Ronald Reagan

Quote by President Ronald Reagan

Encouraging Quote by a Great American Leader: Ronald Reagan

American President Ronald ReaganI ran across the following quote yesterday by Ronald Reagan. And also the one after, which is by his daughter Patti Davis.

Seeing others live their lives with such a resolve to love God, and keep in a close committed relationship with Him, always encourages my faith walk.

It’s interesting to see how they also seem to have such a peace even through the storms of life.

No one can take away our relationship with God. Only we as individuals can decide if we will walk with Him or not, and if so, how close . . .

Enjoy & be Encouraged by these Quotes:

“I’ve always believed that we were, each of us, put here for a reason; that there is a plan, somehow a divine plan for all of us.  In an effort to embrace that plan, we are blessed with the special gift of prayer, the happiness and solace to be gained by talking to the Lord.  It is our hopes and our aspirations, our sorrows and fears, our deep remorse and renewed resolve, our thanks and joyful praise, and most especially our love, all turned toward a loving God.  Many of us have been taught to pray by people we love.  In my case, it was my mother.  I learned quite literally at her knee. My mother gave me a great deal, but nothing she gave me was more important than that.  She was my inspiration and provided me with a very real deep faith.”  —  Ronald Reagan

“My father (Ronald Reagan), told me as a child that there was a Father in Heaven, and I didn’t have to stand on my toes to touch Him.”  —  Patti Davis

Have a blessed day!
Brenda

P.S. Image credit courtesy Ronald Reagan Library.

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Abundance – God Says Your Cup Runs Over! What Do You Say?

Abundance – God Says Your Cup Runs Over! What Do You Say?

Put Your Trust In God and Speak His Truth Over Your Life!

This post is inspired by a recent sermon my pastor gave on the importance of having our words, and what we speak and say about ourselves and our lives . . . to have it match up with what the Word of God says.  God keeps His Word. When we speak His Word we can trust that it will not return void!

Abundance is clearly made available for those who put their trust in God. Have you put your trust in God, but still find yourself confused and asking for the directions to abundance?

Let me get right to the point: Having what God says you have, requires SAYING what God says you have!

Are you with me still?

Consider Psalm 23, which is a well know chapter from the Bible. Often used at funerals, but is actually very powerful for daily living. It reminds us of the amazing provision of God. When God is our shepherd there is No want.

God Says My Cup Runs OverKeep in mind, as with all relationships, there is action required by both parties. God leads us to still waters. However, it is up to us to drink. The Lord is the master at restoring our soul, which is our mind. And He does just that when we put our trust in Him. When the storms of life come our way we do not fear, because He is with us. Why is He with us comforting us? Because, we do our part and put our trust in Him.

God says your cup abundantly runs over. What do you say?

If God’s Word says your cup runs over, then that should be the same thing you are thinking and speaking. We too often have an empty cup mentality. But remember, as a man thinks in his heart so is he. (Proverbs 23:7)

God continues to do His part, and you need to continue to do your part. Keep your thoughts and words lined up with His Word. He prepares a table for you, but it is up to you to eat!

There is a section in Psalm 36 that talks about how the children of God are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of His house. He gives them drink from the rivers of His pleasures. That with Him is the fountain of life.

God wants you to have overflow in your life so that you can be blessed to be a blessing. If you only have enough to meet your needs, or not even that, then you aren’t able to help others.

One of the names of God is El-Shaddai. This means the God of more than enough, the all sufficient one. God can turn your ‘not enough’ into ‘more than enough’

So the question is: Who is your trust in? Make sure it is in the living, one, true God. Put your faith in Him and use your faith to see your abundance in the spirit until it is manifested in the natural. Say what God says and let your cup run over for a life of supernatural abundance.

A prayer for you today before you go:

“Lord God, I thank you, that you are able to turn my not enough into more than enough. You are my Shepherd and I shall not want or be in need in any area because you are overflowing my life with supernatural blessings like I have never experienced before. I receive Your anointing, Your help, upon my life, my family, business and career. I thank you that my life is overflowing  so that I may be a blessing to others and glorify You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

May you experience God’s abundant overflow and growing prosperity in your life!

God bless you,
Brenda

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Cry Out to and Trust in the Living God – Psalm 84 Video

Cry Out to and Trust in the Living God – Psalm 84

Blessed is the Man whose Strength and Trust is in the Lord

“My soul longs … my heart and my flesh cries out for the living God …
Blessed is the man whose strength is in You …
They go from strength to strength …
O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer …
and look upon the face of Your anointed …
The Lord will give grace and glory:
no good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly …
O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man that trusts in you.”
Psalm 84

These are some verses taken from Psalms chapter 84. I highly recommend cracking open your Bible and giving the whole chapter a read. 😉

This video is about a minute 40 and includes some beautiful piano music by Kevin MacLeod. Enjoy!

God bless you – cheers,
Brenda

P.S. Please comment and let me know if you have a favorite verse you would like put to video …

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