Do You Still Not Understand?

Think about scenario and determine if this has happened to you. You are reading the Bible to learn something new or find something to take with you through your day. Instead, as you are reading, you are zapped right between the eyes by what comes out at you. You get the feeling you are being spoken too directly. Even more, you get the feeling you are being given a wake up call.

If you have experienced this type of situation, you know what I am talking about. I had such an experience the other day. I was listening to a speaker (Gary Keesee) and he provided the following verse from Mark 8:14-21. The context is this…In a short time Jesus has twice fed a crowd of thousands of people with only a few loaves of bread and a handful of fish. He is with His disciples who are concerned about the lack of bread that they have. As he hears this conversation, Jesus prompts and challenges them. He basically says, “don’t you remember what just happened? Twice?” He then reminds them that, even though they only had the small amount to start with, they were able to feed thousands of people and have baskets full of leftovers after that. Then comes the question that not only zapped them between the eyes, but did so for me as I read it. “Do you still not understand?”

It’s a question I that I needed to hear. I believe in the power of positive thinking and share it here often. At the same time, I am human and still have my doubts sometimes. As I went through some doubt that day and went to God for help, this is what He reminded me. I felt Him asking me…”how many times in the past have I totally come through for you? How many times did you feel like you couldn’t do it, yet you relied on me and I took you where you needed to go? How many times have you seen me turn impossible into an accomplished miracle?”

I felt like I was being asked the same question. “Do you still not understand?” It was a great reminder of God’s power in my life. The Bible is full of great stories about how God performed miracles out of nothing or very little. It reminded me that God has done so much in my life. So much that I could never count.

I don’t believe God was trying to make me feel guilty. If you’ve experienced this same type of thing I assure you the same. I don’t think He ever wants to make us feel bad. Instead, I take it as a reminder of all God has done for me before, and is more than willing to do for me now and in the future. I share this reminder with you today. God can take your little, and make it an overflowing abundance. Simply offer it to Him, release it to His power, and allow Him to work in your life. You will soon see that you will be left with baskets full of overflowing abundance. Just have faith, do your small part, and watch what our great God can do. Enjoy the blessings 🙂

A Simple Way to Remove Negative Emotions

I write often about negative emotions and the importance of not letting them hold you back from accomplishing your goals and dreams. I will admit that this is often easier said than done. It is natural that we all experience negative emotions. After all, we are human beings.

Many people are aware of the importance of releasing those negative feelings. The problem is that many don’t know how to do it. After doing some quality reading this week, I found a consistent theme that can be an instant help in removing those nagging negatives from your mind.

Are you ready for this quick and helpful fix? It’s as simple as focusing on the present moment. I’ve learned so much about present moment living, and I’ve shared much of that knowledge in this space. As the days go by, God is making it ever more clear that living in the present moment is of the utmost importance and benefit.

I say it often and will share it again. When you live in the present, you don’t allow the mistakes of the past to get you down and hold you back. And you don’t let worries of the future prevent you from moving ahead. It is incredibly empowering because you have absolute full control. This is your moment and you can use it IN WHATEVER WAY YOU CHOOSE. How empowering is that?

Knowing this, you have a quick and easy way to remove negative thoughts. After all, negative thoughts are most often caused by past failures or doubts and worries about the future. When you remove your focus from those time frames and put it solely on the present, you have the power of decision to allow positive, solutions-based thoughts to enter your mind instead. Then you can take positive, focused action on those thoughts. This usually results in much greater productivity, which only produces more confidence and positivity, ultimately carrying you where you want to go.

The next time you find negative thoughts invading your mind, first stop, acknowledge them, and catch them. Realize they are only thoughts and they have no power over you. Then focus on the moment. Think of all the good around you at this moment. Think of all of the reasons to be happy and thankful at that moment. It’s amazing how quickly this can change your emotional state. In this greater positive frame of living, remain focused on the moment and consider what you can do joyfully in this moment to bring yourself closer to where you want to be.

Our minds wander often and it is easy to get taken away from the present moment. However, the more you can make it a habit to reel yourself in and remain focused on the present, the more power and positivity you bring into your life. I have found that with practice, it is entirely possible, and I am beginning to experience these benefits on a regular basis.

What are you happy and thankful for right now? Think about it, enjoy it, and stay in the moment as long as you can. Enjoy the blessings 🙂

Emergency Bible Numbers

I couldn’t let this one go without sharing 😀

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A Two Word Prayer That Creates Miracles

If only there was a magic word or phrase you could use in prayer to produce power and blessing in your life. It would be nice, right?

What if I told you there were two simple words you can use in your prayers to create the success and blessings you are seeking? I am sure you would want to know.

Due to the fact that I don’t believe in withholding information from my audience, I will gladly share. Before I do, I will tell you that these are two words you use on a regular basis. At least I hope you do 🙂

Are you ready? If you want to add great power to your prayers and increase the likelihood that you will live your dreams, use these simple words and mean them…THANK YOU! When you use these words sincerely, they are powerful in many ways. In any regular interaction, when you say thank you to someone, they feel appreciated, and it adds to your happiness as well. When you regularly say thank you to people, they want to do more for you. It’s the same when you thank God. I say all the time that I believe the more you are thankful for even the little things, the greater blessings you will receive.

In addition to the benefits of demonstrating gratitude that I mention above, I believe it goes far beyond that, especially when you pray. As mentioned, when you are thankful for what you have, you receive more. However, I have been challenged by several authors and speakers to take it a step further. It is very powerful, and I share the suggestion with you. Before your prayer has been answered and before you even have what you desire, say THANK YOU!

I have shared this concept of thank you in advance before. I have followed this advice and reaped its benefits. I was recently reminded about it again and felt the need to share. Saying thank you in advance is beneficial in several ways:

• It maintains a feeling of gratitude – Instead of focusing on the fact that you don’t have your desire yet, you focus on the joyful expectation of having it. It’s this positive feeling that brings the desire faster.
• It helps increase your faith – When you are saying thank you even though you haven’t experienced your wish yet, you are demonstrating the faith Jesus condones in Mark 11:23 when he says that if you pray and believe you already have what you desire, it will be yours.
• It motivates you to action – When you are thankful and faithful that your fulfilled wish is only a matter of time from manifesting, you are much more likely to take the action necessary to make it happen. Instead of procrastinating, you are looking for any opportunity to act and accomplish the goal sooner than later.

These are just a few ways that saying thank you and maintaining the attitude of gratitude as you pray for your desire can make it happen, and bring it about quickly. This is because it keeps your thoughts and feelings right, and provides the feeling of having your desire now. It is this combination that helps rapidly manifest any goal.  If you follow this mindset you will not only be saying thank you in advance, but you will be saying many more after the wish comes true.

If you are seeking further ways to experience your goals and desires quickly, I recommend you check out my free e-book. The Ease and Keys of Rapid Manifestation. I thank you in advance for reading 🙂

A Simple Affirmation That Will Awaken Your Power

There are two words that, when used together, immediately impact the person they are targeted to. I am referring to the simple command…WAKE UP!

You’ve probably experienced the power of these words in two ways. If you needed to wake someone from sleep or perhaps needed to motivate someone for an attitude adjustment, you commanded them to WAKE UP! You’ve also most likely been the person who was sleeping or needed the motivation. In that case, when someone commanded you to WAKE UP!, it most likely got you moving in some way.

In addition to trying to wake someone or being awoken yourself, chances are you may have used this command for yourself. Have you ever told yourself to WAKE UP? If you are like me you probably have. A few days ago I discovered the true power this statement could have in motivating myself. I was going through a bit of an un-energetic funk and wasn’t succeeding with certain tasks. Besides that I was just sluggish and unmotivated. Finally, I became so frustrated that I simply shouted to myself (mentally because I was in public) WAKE UP! I shouted it again. And again. Before long, I felt a surge of energy going through me. The mediocrity I was experiencing was no longer good enough as I awoke myself to my true potential to succeed. All sluggishness disappeared, and I put my full energy into the task. Things went much better from there.

This experience helped me realize I could use this short and powerful affirmation at any time. I began using it even when I wasn’t struggling, and I have been since. I find it especially empowering. Just as the wake-up command can get you moving quickly out of a deep sleep, it can also get you moving with a surge of energy in your daily life.

I encourage you to try this, especially if you are lacking energy or motivation. If you are alone you can shout it out. If not, you can do it in your head. Either way, affirming that you WAKE UP! can significantly increase your energy and power. It may seem weird to do, but if you don’t believe me I suggest you try it. You will be surprised by the results. Enjoy the blessings 🙂

Controlling Your Thoughts

I have learned a great deal over the past few years that the quality of your life depends first on the quality of your thoughts. I share about it often at this blog. However, sometimes controlling your thoughts can be very difficult. They can be like a runaway train and you may find it difficult to control your thoughts and keep them positive.

Even though I have learned to become master of my own thoughts, I still sometimes go through times where I realize that I’ve allowed some unhealthy thoughts to enter. I try to catch this as quickly as possible because I know that I need to think positively in order to be productive.

One excellent way to target your mind to positive thinking is a Bible quote from Philippians. Whenever I struggle to maintain positive thoughts I often go back to this verse. I was reminded of it again recently. Philippians 4:8 says… Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.

It is a great reminder about what to think about, especially if you are having difficulty keeping your mind focused on positive things. The art of positive thinking goes well beyond this, as in affirmations, visualization, and the like. However, this is the most excellent rule of thumb and “back to the basics” method of positive thinking that I believe there is. Simply thinking about beautiful things, blessings to be thankful for, or any good thing in your life will bring you back to thinking positively and impact your day positively as well.

I recommend taking at least a few minutes several times during the day to reflect on admirable, praiseworthy things, and people around you. You will notice the immediate impact of your attitude. This then affects everything else to relationships, the flow of your day, or whatever in a very positive way. Then you will receive even more things to reflect on and be thankful for. Enjoy the blessings 🙂