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Self-Growth – Uncovering the Great Power of Possibilities Within! Part 1 of 2

Self-Growth – Uncovering the Great Power of Possibilities Within! Part 1 of 2

The Great Secret the Creator Put in Our Hands at Birth!

Secret, Sealed message from The CreatorFall is in the air and children are heading back to school.

This is a great time of year to remind all of us,

young and old, in school or out of school,

that men and women who are trying to

make the most of their lives,

never stop growing on their journey through life.

The following are words of wisdom and encouragement from Orison Swett Marden. They are excerpts from chapter 7 “How to Find Oneself” from the book “How to Get What You Want.”  Although written back in 1917, these words still hold great insight and the ability to stir us up and check our current progress in life.

Excerpts from “How to Find Oneself” by Orison Swett Marden:

One of the most difficult things in the world is to get people to realize the extent of their latent powers, to believe in their own bigness, in their own possibilities.

The reason is that they see only a part of themselves, because they have only partially discovered themselves.

“Each of us has resources of which he does not dream.”
— Professor William James

If we could only turn a spiritual X-ray on ourselves most of us would find powers and potencies in the great within of us which may not have gotten even to their germinating stage.

There is probably not a living being who would not be amazed if he could see unfolded in panorama all of the potentialities within him, if he could only glimpse the man he might be.

He would say, “These remarkable success qualities belong to someone who has achieved distinction, not to an unknown person like me.”

What you are actually doing may be a dwarfed thing compared with the giant achievement you are capable of. It is not what you have done, but what you long to do, what you feel capable of doing that will, if you struggle to express your ideal, count most.

Up to this time you may have been seriously hampered or dwarfed in your development. All sorts of things may have happened to the possible man, or the possible woman in you, to limit its growth, to restrict it, to impoverish it.

But it is that superb thing that is possible to you, the thing which the Creator sent you here to do that you must strive to express.

In the great within of yourself there may be vast powers which you have never called out. What masterfulness, what vast reserves of helpfulness, inspiration, and encouragement may still lie uncovered within you!

You doubt that there is anything of the kind? But you do not know.

Many a man has carried locked up within himself for more than half a century the germs of a mighty genius without even guessing at it. There are multitudes of men and women all over the world who are as ignorant of their possibilities, of their hidden success assets.

“Few men find themselves before they die.”
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

Many carry with them to their graves undiscovered continents of ability. The great majority die without developing their possible efficiency of hand, or tongue, or of brain; without developing any of the special gifts locked up in the great within of themselves.

Most of us die with the great secret, with the sealed message which the Creator put in our hands at birth, still unread, because we have never learned how to open or how to read it.

How can you be sure that you have not a lot of this ability you long for locked up in yourself?

If you have not tried your strength, how do you know what you may be able to do? You may have more ability slumbering within you than you dream of.

Why waste your precious time thinking about other people’s genius? Why not unlock your own, see what you have, bring it out into the light and develop it?

When we know that even the great majority of men whom we call successful use only a comparatively small part of their ability because they never find all of themselves, why should any of us put a narrow limit to our possibilities, remain paupers in achievement when we might be princes?

We set our own limitations.

There are enough powers, enough resources in the minds of the people in the great failure army today to revolutionize the world if their sleeping potencies could be aroused; if they could only be made to believe in themselves.

If they could only learn how to enter into the secret depths of their nature, to get hold of themselves, to arouse latent qualities and powers, they could do marvelous things. The great problem is to know how to get at the force in the great within of ourselves and to put it to work to the best advantage.

For whether life shall be a success or a failure depends upon the call we make on our resources, the extent to which we develop all our possibilities.

We don’t know what we can do until we try, and unused faculties never grow or strengthen.

Everywhere we see starved, stunted lives, people who have discovered but little bits of themselves, little patches cleared up here and there in the great wilderness of their possibilities. They couldn’t believe in their inherent greatness.

They couldn’t realize that they were born into this world to do a certain work; and that to do that work they would need every bit of power they could develop.

The average youth starting out in life has no means of knowing what his total assets are.

He sees only the assets that lie on the surface, and if he is not instructed how to find those that are deep down below the surface, if he does not get into the right environment, if he does not make a call on the divinity within him, he may never develop the man it is possible for him to be.

The end of part 1 of 2…

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“‘For I know the plans 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

Be blessed to be a blessing!

God bless you –
Cheers,
Brenda

P.S. Image credit thanks go to Billy Alexander

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Christian Meditations – What Does Prayer Have to Do With Christian Meditation?

Christian Meditations – What Does Prayer Have to Do With Christian Meditation?

How do Prayer and Meditation Relate to Each Other?

Christian Prayer and MeditationChristian meditation is time devoted to being in the presence of God and consuming God’s Word.

There are many forms of meditation and prayer is one of them.

In general, meditation on God’s Word primarily involves hearing from God and prayer is primarily about speaking to God.

Prayer is often defined as spiritual communion with God.

“Prayer is the most important tool for your mission in the world. People may refuse our love and message, but they are defenseless against our prayers.” 
— Dr. Rick Warren

God’s desire is to have close fellowship with us, His children. And like all relationships that involves a commitment of time and two-way communication.

In His Presence Through Christian Prayer and Meditation

From the earliest of days, prayer has been an essential part of meditation for Christians. Those who practice a deep, contemplative form of prayer often speak of it as a sense of “being one with the Lord” or being consumed in God’s love. But they don’t necessarily think of it in terms of meditation.

We see in the scripture that the psalmist used meditation as an approach to God and prayed that the meditation of his heart be sweet (104:34) and acceptable to God (19:14). His meditation also led him to a deeper and greater understanding of God’s Word (Psalm 49:3).

Christians sometimes think of meditation as quiet prayer, a prayer without petition, since the Lord already knows our needs. (Matthew 6:8) This might involve prayer that includes biblical confession of God’s Word. Praying God’s Word is praying His will.

Spiritual Discipline of Christian Prayer and Meditation Taps Into the Supernatural of God

The practice of praying God’s Word is at the same time meditating His Word. The spiritual and physical discipline needed for regular prayer and meditation will soon become almost effortless with daily practice.

Eventually we notice a life of living deliberately in the presence of God always; throughout the waking day.

“What blessed excitements those have who are much alone with Christ!… Such a man never has a cold heart or a slack hand who is much in meditation with his Lord Jesus.” 
— Charles H. Spurgeon

As we tap into the realm of the supernatural God provides, through prayer and meditation, we live a victorious life because we are connected to the life force and power of God.

Do yourself a favor: Be the success God created you to be. How? By daily staying consumed and tapped into His presence, power, and love through prayer and meditation in the Word of God!

God bless you always,
Brenda

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Affirmation Power – How to Overcome Fear and Strengthen Your Courage with Affirmations

Affirmation Power – How to Overcome Fear and Strengthen Your Courage with Affirmations

Why Not Put the Power of Affirmations to Work for Your Benefit?

Affirmations are a powerful force in helping direct our lives.

If you are lacking in any quality…

you can strengthen it with regular affirmations.

They will make your brain clearer…

and your thoughts more effective.

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

Fearful Thoughts Versus Courageous Thinking

Would you like to overcome fear in your life? If you are a coward anywhere in your nature, which most people are, you can put the power of affirmations to work for your benefit.

Strengthen your courage by regularly affirming that you are absolutely fearless, that you are courageous, and that nothing can harm you. Consider that fear is simply the sense of danger. But when you have perfect confidence in the great Creator and His purpose for your life, when you trust in Him completely, there will be no cause for fear.

God has a plan for your life and He says it is not to harm you, but to prosper you and give you a hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11) Once you convince yourself that there is a good plan for your life, and that the opposing thoughts must be a delusion, you will gradually lose the sense of fear and gain the courage you desire.

“Nerve us with incessant affirmation. Don’t bark against the bad, but chant the beauties of the good.” 
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

Affirmations Create Power

Determine today not to harbor anything in your mind which you do not wish to become real in your life. Every time you feel a sense of fear coming over you, replace it by saying something such as the following affirmation:

‘I am absolutely fearless; I am strong and courageous because the Lord is my God and my helper; I am more than a conqueror and always triumph in Christ.’

Do not entertain a weak or fearful thought. Instead replace them with confident, hopeful, optimistic thoughts. If you form the habit of affirming to yourself bold and courageous thoughts, as soon as a sense of fear arises, you will be surprised to see how quickly you can change the whole course of your thoughts. And when this is changed, the feeling will change also.

You will begin to increase your courage and confidence, and this is half the battle. You will soon find that your environment will begin to change. Hope will increase and you will have a healthier outlook on life. Your thoughts, instead of depressing your mind, will be a perpetual encouragement of courage and confidence that drives out fear.

Now what? Discover the wonderful advantage available to you by starting out every morning with the mindset of affirming the confident and courageous person God created you to be. Let affirmations create a powerful force that make it difficult for any discouraging and fearful thoughts to take over. Overcome fear and strengthen your courage with powerful affirmations.

May your mind be filled with courageous, confident affirmations and your life full of growing prosperity!

God bless you –

Cheers,
Brenda

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Growing Prosperity – How Can You Be Prosperity Minded and Live in Increasing Abundance?

Growing Prosperity – How Can You Be Prosperity Minded and Live in Increasing Abundance?

Tapping Into the Wealth and Abundance that Surrounds You!

Growing prosperity is within your reach…

Even if your current circumstances are weighing you down

with financial lack, debt, and no seemingly visible way out;

there is hope.

The truth is, we are surrounded by abundance…

and we can tap into it by becoming prosperity minded.

A Technique to Start Attracting Abundance

One of the reasons that wealthy people have money is that they have learned to be prosperity minded. They have wealth because they feel comfortable about it.

How do you go about developing a prosperous mindset yourself? Here is a simple technique you can begin using right away to start attracting wealth or any other form of abundance you desire.

To develop a prosperous mindset, start seeing yourself in your mind’s eye, already in possession of the abundance you desire. Take time daily to visualize your life as you would have it to be. Close your eyes and envision and feel yourself there.

By gaining a prosperous mindset you’ll soon become much more comfortable with the thought of wealth and abundance in your life. As a result, you will start attracting it to you.

Just a Game, or a Technique for Increasing Abundance?

Does this just sound like a silly game of playing pretend? Let me assure you, getting control of your thought life is one of the wisest things you can do.

“People that think wrong believe wrong, and when they believe wrong, they act wrong.” 
— Kenneth E. Hagin

There is power in moving your visualizations into your subconscious. Why? Because the subconscious does not distinguish between the mere visualization and the actual possession.

What does this mean? Once you succeed in planting abundant thoughts into your subconscious mind, and it feels comfortable to prosper, your subconscious mind will automatically seek ways to make those thoughts and feelings of abundance manifest themselves in a material form.

If becoming prosperity minded seems like a silly ‘head’ game, it’s not. Go ahead and put this technique into action for awhile and it will start to make a lot more sense to you. Once you succeed at becoming comfortable seeing yourself living in increasing abundance, don’t be surprised to see it also start manifesting in your life.

“Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” 
— Romans 12:2

God wants to see His children prosper and He tells us how to do it in His Word. Take time to renew your mind to line up with the Word of God so that your desires and circumstances can also change and line up with His will for your life.

Believe me. Once you put this technique into action and choose to be prosperity minded, you can expect to start seeing a growing transformation in your life. If you are ready to move from lack to overflow, then now is the time to begin to foster a prosperous mindset and tap into the surrounding flow of abundance.

May you be prosperity minded and live in growing prosperity!

God Bless You and Be Blessed to Be a Blessing!

Cheers,
Brenda

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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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Love Is Still A Worthy Cause – Sara Groves Music Video

“Love Is Still A Worthy Cause” – Sara Groves Music Video

In this inspirational music video, Sara Groves shares her passion for spreading God’s love!

“God has given us two hands. One to receive with and the other to give with.”
— Billy Graham

“We can do no great things, only small things with great love.”
— Mother Teresa

“Teach us to give and not count the costs.”
— St. Ignatius

I love because You loved me when I had nothing…
I love because You loved me when I had nothing…
I love because You loved me when I had nothing…

When you count the costs and it all seems lost –
Love is Still a Worthy Cause!

Enjoy this music video and encouragement from Sara Groves.

“We love Him, because He first loved us.”
— 1 John 4:19

Be blessed to be a blessing!

God bless you,
Brenda

P.S. You can find a collection of Sara Groves Music on amazon.

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Expect Abundance – How to Use Expectation to Trigger the Law of Attraction!

Expect Abundance – How to Use Expectation to Trigger the Law of Attraction!

Increase the Flow of Wealth Into Your Material World

Expecting abundance is a powerful force.

What are you doing to generate increase?

Wealth will not come into your material world…

until you first expectantly visualize the wealth in your mind.

But what does that really mean?

Prospering Internally

Before we can begin to overcome the poverty surrounding us in our external world, we need to claim victory over the impoverishment buried deep within ourselves. Prosperity begins with an inward awareness that an unlimited supply abounds within the spiritual realm all around us.

“It’s almost as if there is an invisible reservoir of abundance in the universe that can be tapped if you will just obey certain spiritual laws.”
— Norman Vincent Peale

It is impossible to feel poor with an understanding and consciousness of being surrounded by the infinite God of the universe; a God that never lacks. The lack that we experience in life is simply caused from our own limited awareness.

The Light Bulb Story

There is a story told of a poor couple that moves into a small village and is astonished to discover their new home is lighted by electricity. They had no prior experience with the power and force of electricity and they never saw an electric light before.

After several months, the couple adjusts to this new found discovery when a salesman stops by and recommends they upgrade their 8 watt bulbs with 60 watt bulbs; to better meet their needs.  Once the new bulb is plugged in, the entire room is illuminated.

The couple never imagined, in their wildest dreams that the source of this new flood of magnificent light had been there all the time. They didn’t know this abundant increase of light could come from the same current that was feeding their 8 watt bulb.

Plugging Into Abundance with Expectation

The truth is; most of us are even less aware of the power available to us than this couple was of the electric power current. We never dream that the infinite, abundant, current which surrounds us could flood our lives with light more magnificent than the most powerful light bulb.

In order to experience increase we need to plug a larger, more prosperous, expectant idea into the current of the infinite abundance of God. Unfortunately though, most of us strangle our supply with negative energized thoughts of doubt, fear, and poverty; which only cutoff the inflow of prosperity.

Now is the time to change that negative, habitual, pattern of thinking. Remember, the stream of plenty flows toward the expectant mind. We must live by faith expecting to receive.

Firmly establish the desired goal in your mind and live expectant. Expect good things to happen. Expect to be blessed. Imagine already being in possession of wealth and develop the prosperity you seek in your mind first. Know where you are and where you are going; and expect to get there!

Allow your expectation to trigger the attractive force that will help move your desired goals in your direction.

“As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.” 
— Proverbs 23:7

Let the law of attraction help manifest your prosperous thoughts.

Remember: As you think means the innermost thoughts of your heart; which you control. That is what you expect, what you attract, and what you will ultimately receive.

May you live by faith, expecting to attract a life of growing prosperity!

Be blessed to be a blessing –

Cheers,
Brenda

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Help Me! How on Earth Do I Know What God’s Purpose and Will is for My Life?

Help Me! How on Earth Do I Know What God’s Purpose and Will is for My Life?

Knowing God’s Will and God’s Purpose for Your Life

Who, at some point, hasn’t asked:

“What is God’s plan and purpose for my life?”

We sooner or later reach a time in life when we find our self questioning why we are here. We come to a point of knowing, deep inside, that there must be something more God would have for us to do with our lives.

Well, how can you know the will of God and what you should do with your life? Good question. And it all starts with the Word of God, since God’s Word is God’s will.

Knowing God’s General Will

The Bible teaches us how to live our lives. It is filled with instructions and directions and it reveals God’s general will for all of us. So, first and foremost, we need to get into God’s Word so that we can know what He wants from us. His Word is very powerful and will guide us.

Here are just a couple examples:

“Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” — Romans 12:1-2

“Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

God’s will for man is not a hidden mystery. Anyone can open the Book and quickly see many things that God wants them to do (and not do). The chief aim and purpose of our lives should be to live according to His revealed will.

Knowing God’s Specific Will

Now you might be asking, “How do I know God’s specific plan for my life?” People often want God to tell them specifically what to do; like where to live, where to work, where to go to school, who to marry, etcetera.

Well, God can show us in many different ways. A loud, audible voice from heaven is not required, but listening to that still, small voice is. God has given us the Holy Spirit for guidance. The Spirit of truth is here to guide us into all truth. (John 16:13)

God can also direct us, through the events happening around us.  And if we are already living daily according to God’s revealed will, decisions will be much clearer and easier to make. There is a peace that comes when we are pleasing God with our lives.

To get answers, we also need to pray and ask for God’s help and direction. When deciding between two options, the one that brings a greater peace is usually God’s will. Emotions sometimes create a false peace, but true peace will remain even after emotions fall.

Keep in mind: God allows us to make choices, but He is ultimately in control. We should trust Him always in faith that He will accomplish His will in our lives.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” — Proverbs 3:5-6

Plus, questions we should be asking are, “Am I doing this for me or for God?  Is this what I want or what God wants?”  The key is to desire to make choices that agree with God’s will. If a decision does not go against the Word of God, then we can follow our heart.

“It was the Lord who put it into my mind… I could feel His hand upon me… There is no question the inspiration was from the Holy Spirit because He comforted me with rays of marvelous illumination from the Holy Scriptures… No one should fear to undertake any task in the name of our Savior if it is just and if the intention is purely for His holy service.” 
— Christopher Columbus (from his diary, in reference to his discovery of ‘the New World’)

Created with a Purpose

God does have great plans for your life! You were created by God, in His image, for a purpose. (Jeremiah 29:11) We have all been given unique gifts and talents. And just like our physical body is made up of many different parts, all unique, and all important to having a fully functioning body; so it is with the body of Christ.

Your gifts and talents have been given to you so you can be a blessing to the kingdom of God and make a positive contribution in life. So step out and act on the revealed knowledge you have already been given and use the talents you already have.

Then trust God to reveal more to you after you are faithful first in the little. Be confident that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion. (Philippians 1:6) God’s purpose for all is that He is glorified and the gospel and kingdom of God be advanced.

In Conclusion: The wise king Solomon tells us the conclusion of the whole matter and duty of man is to fear God and keep His commandments. (Ecclesiastes 12:13) He also encourages us to enjoy life and be happy with our work. Keep the Word of God your foundation and watch His great plan revealed before your very eyes. God is for you and He will help you.

May you seek first the kingdom of God and live a life full of growing prosperity!

God bless you,
Brenda

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