A Faithful Way to Bring Great Results

In my study of the power of the mind, I have read many great books. There are some that I have re-read several times. One I am re-reading now is “The Power of the Subconscious Mind” by Joseph Murphy. If you haven’t read this book, and you are seeking powerful new knowledge about the power of your mind, I strongly suggest getting a hold of this book.

As I was reading the book today, an excellent reminder stood out that I feel compelled to share. It is the concept of faith. I’ve shared often about the importance of faith, and that once your faith is strong enough, any necessary action automatically follows. I’ve also shared (and so have millions of others including Jesus) how God acts on our behalf when we have faith. The author of this book provides a very simple but powerful definition of faith. He says, “faith is accepting as true what your senses and reason deny, i.e shutting out of the little, rational, analytical, conscious mind and embracing an attitude of complete reliance on the inner power of your subconscious mind.”(p. 67). I don’t have the necessary time to review the differences between the conscious and subconscious minds, but the basic one is this… your conscious mind is your thinking and logical mind, and it is limited. Your subconscious is the part of the mind where all of your beliefs and memories are stored. It is also connected to the “mind of Christ” we are told we all have as part of us (I Corinthians 2:16). This part of our mind is unlimited.

It is the subconscious mind that enables us and leads us to manifest our desires. Our job is to make sure the subconscious believes this manifestation is possible. For once it does, it is only a matter of time before your dream is realized. One of the most powerful ways to do this is another Bible verse the author mentions in the same chapter. It’s one I share on a regular basis on this site. In fact, it’s my favorite verse in the Bible… Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours(Mark 11:24). In whatever manner you can, your greatest responsibility is to see your wish as already done. See it as already here now. See it as totally accomplished. Act as if you already have what you are seeking. When you do these things, several great things happen. First, you are having that faith that the author says is accepting as true what your senses and reason deny. Also, the Bible verse clearly states that if you believe that you have received it it will be yours!!

I understand this is sometimes easier said than done. The subconscious mind is not easily convinced of new beliefs, especially if you have had the same old negative beliefs for a long time. It may take some time, but it is possible and your beliefs will change if you are persistent. I will say this though…once your subconscious beliefs are changed, you will see the corresponding situations manifest on the outside. There are several ways I have learned to do this:

1. Visualization. This is the easiest and most fun way to see and experience your wish as an accomplished fact. In your mind, you see yourself living your dream. You feel the corresponding emotions. You see what you want to see and do. This is powerful because the subconscious mind cannot tell the difference between a real and imagined event. As you visualize, your subconscious mind believes this is actually happening. It begins to believe its truth, thus increasing your level of faith. Remember, the Bible also says “according to your faith, it will be done for you.” (Matthew 9:29). And you are believing that you are receiving it. And you will!
2. Positive Affirmations. Instead of using images to change your subconscious mind, with affirmations you use words. Most of your current beliefs have been developed by words, either things others told you or you told yourself. With positive affirmations, you are doing this purposely.
3. Hypnosis. Sometimes, it is difficult to maintain the necessary focus to get the maximum effects from visualization. And sometimes your mind fights back with your current beliefs when you try to change them with affirmations. When you use hypnosis, you are putting yourself in a deeply relaxed state. More importantly, you are shutting out your conscious mind and all of its rational beliefs based only on your senses. Instead, it leaves your subconscious mind open to suggestion without fighting it. In a hypnotic state, you are much more able to change those subconscious beliefs. Once that happens, you start living out the new beliefs, the ones you want to see happen.

I realize I am not providing a wealth of detailed information on these topics. I have written about each one in far more detail in other articles and books. You can click on the links I have provided here and check out my book links on this webpage as well for more detailed info about them.

The bottom line is that, in order to change your outer circumstances, you must first change your inner circumstances. When your subconscious mind believes something to be true, then it is, and you will soon experience its truth. Remember to accept your wish as true, even though your senses and logical mind deny it. Believe in your mind that you already have what you desire, and act accordingly. Act with the gratitude and joy you would have if you actually experienced it with our senses. That is true faith. God promises that it is yours if you believe it. Enjoy the blessings 🙂

3 Easy Steps For Manifestation

If you are familiar with the Law of Attraction, you’ll know that one of its greatest teachers is Esther Hicks. I have read her book “Ask and It Is Given” several times, and I have watched and learned from many of her videos as well.

In many of her teachings, Esther provides a very simple 3 step formula that helps you rapidly manifest the desires of your heart. Whether you’ve never seen these before, or if you are familiar but need a reminder, here are the steps:

1. Ask. In this first step, you simply determine what you desire and ask God for it.

2. It is given. Matthew 7:7 in the Bible says exactly what we’re doing here… ask and it will be given to you. Could it be that simple? Hicks says this is the most simple step of the process because it is a step we don’t even take. This is God’s part of the process, not ours. In the book, we are reminded that when we ask for something, God responds immediately.  She says, “Every question is answered. Every prayer is answered. Every wish is granted. But the reason that many would argue with that truth, holding up examples of unfulfilled desires from their own life experiences, is because they have not yet understood and completed the very important Step 3—for without the completion of this step, the existence of Steps 1 and 2 could go unnoticed.”

3. So what is that all-important step 3? Allow your desire to manifest. You’ve asked, and God has answered. God doesn’t always answer exactly as we would expect, but he does always answer. Now you make yourself ready to receive. There are several ways to do this. The main advice provided in the book is to match the emotional vibration of your desire. In other words, feeling the joy of your desire as if you already have it. Think about what it would be like to be, do, or have what you are seeking. Maintain and carry that feeling with you wherever you are, and you will set yourself up to experience it. The Bible also says in Mark 11:24 that “whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” Your acting like you already have it is believing you have received it. Remember, you have already received it because according to step 2 of this process, God responds immediately. So you do already have it. You just have to focus on this truth, and live according to it. You can also speed this process up by taking necessary action. The remainder of the Matthew 7:7 verse says… “seek and you will find. knock and the door will be opened to you.” Start looking for opportunities and places God may be leading you. Then take whatever action you feel inspired to take.

I believe this is a very simple process, and it is very powerful if used correctly. If you want an even more simple way to remember this, I was provided a similar formula in church this past week. It’s amazing because as I was thinking of sharing this formula here, a woman in the church spoke for the children for a few minutes. Due to current restrictions (this was our first service back in the building since the COVID lockdowns began in mid-March), the kids don’t have their own activities up and running yet. This woman shared this same formula in a more basic version. God always seems to speak to me when I have something on my mind. It was a confirmation that I should indeed share this info here with you. Here is the more basic version that was provided. She provided the comparison of getting ready to start a race:

• Ready – Pray for what you desire
• Set – I love the explanation that was provided for this step. She said to “expect God to act, and wait in joyful expectation for His response.”
• Go – Similar to step 3 above, this involves doing what is necessary to enhance the process. Have faith that God is answering, and taking the actions you are inspired to take.

I have seen in my own life that this process is powerful. I also know that it is fast. I don’t always get all answers in the blink of any eye, but there have been times where I feel like God is acting immediately(although he always is). The same is true for you. I believe if you follow this process, you will quickly see things starting to happen. It is then up to you to keep moving in that direction. Keep believing that God has already answered your prayer. Keep feeling joyful and thankful. Keep seeking and knocking, and those doors will keep opening. You will see your desires manifest sooner than later. And as a whole, your life will be more joyful and rewarding. Enjoy the blessings 🙂

A Powerful Quote to Bring Positive Change to Any Situation

I read a quote yesterday that I’ve read hundreds of times. I’ve also believed these words, but for some reason when I saw the quote again this time, it impacted me more than it ever has. The quote is from one of my favorite authors, Wayne Dyer. It says, “change the way you see things, and the things you see will change.”

As I said, I’ve always believed this. One book where I first read this idea discuss a situation where a woman loved her job but began to truly hate her boss. It detracted her passion so much that she came close to quitting this dream job. She then learned this concept and began practicing it. The result was that her strong distaste for her boss disappeared quickly. In addition, the boss’s attitude towards her became different. The boss seemed to treat her much more fairly, even asking for her input and knowledge on important projects. A simple change of attitude towards this boss changed the whole atmosphere at the job, and her love for her work there returned.

I have also experienced this truth on many occasions. Whether it’s people or things, changing the way I’ve looked at situations has dramatically changed them. I can relate to the job story. I am proud to be a middle school teacher. However, there have been times where my passion has been lost. I work in an environment that can become very negative. Many of my students are low-income city kids that don’t exactly take education seriously. It is easy to get sucked into the negativity and look at my job as a burden. It is easy to think negatively of difficult students who I sometimes feel are learning nothing of what I am teaching them. However, I have learned that as soon as I shift my thinking, the circumstances dramatically change. When I think about how lucky I am to be in the position I’m in that can positively impact lives in a major way, those impacts start happening. When I think positively about my students, they don’t instantly become educational geniuses. However, they do seem to respond much better to what I have to say. This all changes my emotional state for the better.

This concept is true in other areas of life. My wife and I are as different as night and day, and this causes much friction in our marriage. There have been plenty of times where I did not guard my mind and I allowed negative thoughts about her to dominate my mind, or even fearful thoughts that something I said or did would cause a negative reaction in her. This only makes things worse. When I catch myself and change my thinking, things become much more peaceful. Instead of thinking negatively about her, I become thankful that God put the ideal wife and mother of my kids in my life. I pray for her asking for God’s greatness in her life. When I change the way I think about her, it’s amazing how there is so much less tension, even if a negative situation comes up. She is much softer to me, I am much more at ease, and the overall environment in the home is amazingly positive. We have also had difficult financial situations that have been changed by changing our thinking. I went from thinking about the difficulty to being thankful for the money we had, even if it wasn’t quite enough at the time. I changed the way I looked at our situation, trusted in God, and the situation improved sooner rather than later. It didn’t put a million dollars in our account, but somehow the necessary funds showed up, and we got through the difficult situation.

Today in our world there is more negativity than ever before. As I write this, we are in the middle of a global pandemic that has kept us locked up in our homes, kept many people out of jobs, in addition to getting many people sick, and even dying. In the middle of all that are racial riots, political chaos, and much civil unrest. It’s easy to get sucked into that negativity, and even this generally optimistic person has at times. I’ve looked at the inconveniences of stores being closed, not being able to watch sports, and had doubts about my own health, even though I know God has told me through His word that I’ll be fine. However, as soon as I change my perspective, my emotional state changes. There is still a pandemic, and the racial protests haven’t stopped. Yet when I change the way I see this whole situation, it’s amazing how the personal blessings manifest. I thank God that because I have so much more time on my hands, I can write more. I can spend more time with my family. These blessings have been priceless. I realize how much the protests (the legal ones) are helping to bring about the much needed social changes our society needs. It’s seeing things this way that puts me in a better state and opens me up for greater blessings.

The Law of Attraction says that you will experience in life what you think in your mind and feel in your heart. The Bible says we reap what we sow. It then makes sense that the way we look at things determines how those things turn out. Knowing this, I challenge you (and me) to watch the way you look at things. Do your best to see the good in people and in things. Look for positives in every situation. When you do, those positives will manifest, sometimes in miraculous ways. Change the way you see things, and the things you see will change. Enjoy the blessings 🙂

It’s All a Matter of Perspective

Today I saw a picture of myself from ten years ago. I thought, “wow, I looked so much better then than I do now.” However, I then looked in the mirror and thought, “wow, I look so much better now than I will ten years from now!

It just reminded me that life is all about perspective. And whatever perspective we have is what we live. I can live with the first perspective, but I wouldn’t be happy longing for past, younger days. Or I could choose the second perspective and enjoy what I have now. That would make me much more content.

You have the same choice. Will you choose to live longing for the glory days of the past? Or will you live for today, creating new glory days that you can reflect on in the future? Even if things are difficult for you today, I’m sure you can find something to be thankful for and happy about. Focus on those things, and you will find more to be thankful and happy about. Enjoy the blessings 🙂

The One Absolutely Necessary Ingredient For Rapid Manifestation

Everyone wants to manifest their greatest desires as quickly as possible, myself included. There are several ways to make that happen. However, there is one factor that stands out as the most necessary for the rapid manifestation of your goals and living the life you want to live.

What is that necessary element? One word describes it. It’s called belief. When you believe that what you desire is on its way to you, that’s when you will see it manifest. On the other hand, if you don’t believe, it takes much longer for your desire to be realized.

Two of my favorite Bible verses attest to this. I was reminded of one recently, which is what inspired me to write this article. It is Matthew 21:22 which says, “and if you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” It doesn’t get any simpler or more obvious than that. Now, some people get caught up in a religious tangle with this verse. They argue back, “yeah but only if it’s God’s will.” I can understand that argument. After all, God’s will is more significant than anything in my life or yours. However, I get around this in two ways. First of all, I see the word anything in some versions of this verse. The version I used says “whatever you ask for.” I feel like as long as I am asking for something that God would approve of, I’m right to ask. As long as I’m not asking for something that goes against His word, I’m not wrong to ask. I also know that God has our best interests in mind. God has said no to my prayers before. However, I know my prayers were still answered. That’s because EVERY TIME a particular prayer was rejected, I received something far better than I could have imagined. The same is true for you. In the case that God doesn’t allow a particular desire to manifest for you, know that something even better is coming for you. However, don’t get caught up in whether God may answer your wish or not. Just know and believe that He can.

Another verse that shows the importance of belief for the rapid manifestation of desires is Mark 11:24. This verse actually has the same context as the previous one. It is worded differently, but the concept is the same… “therefore I tell you, everything that you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” This is my favorite verse in the entire Bible because it takes the concept of belief and faith to a higher level. Not only do you believe that God can do what you’re asking, you’re believing that it’s already done! Since it’s already done, it’s just a matter of time until it manifests. This kind of belief indeed accelerates the process!

How do you fix the belief in your mind that it’s already done? I often discuss the concepts of visualization and affirmations at this site. When you use visual images to picture your life as it would be with your manifested desire, or speak words of confirmed completion and feel the corresponding emotions, you are creating the necessary belief to shorten the timeline of your goal’s arrival.

This is a topic I will continue to discuss with future posts, but I wanted to share one more key idea. The Bible also says “faith without works is dead” which means that we have to take action in addition to maintaining a high level of belief. So why is faith necessary? It’s because you are much more likely to act if you are confident that something can be done successfully. I know this is true in my own case. When I don’t have a strong belief that I can do something successfully, I am much more likely to procrastinate and hesitate to take the necessary action. When it comes to things I know I can do and I have the strong belief that I will be successful, I have no problem finding the time and taking action to complete the task. I have also learned that, when my level of faith and belief is high, the corresponding actions occur naturally. I don’t feel like I’m forcing anything or working. Everything seems to flow so much more easily. When you think and act with the belief that your desire is already done, you tend to act with greater confidence, which also enhances the quality of whatever action your taking, thus helping the visual results appear much quicker.

Remember, God will grant you whatever you ask for in prayer (or something better) if you believe. Believe that He can bless you and that he definitely wants to bless you abundantly (God delights in the prosperity of His servant – Psalm 35:27). Your job is to simply believe this, and the fact that anything you desire is already an accomplished fact. Visualize this, proclaim it, and feel joyful and thankful. Keep attentive in prayer to determine what further steps you need to take, and move in that direction. I have seen the amazing results of this process in my own life, and I know you will too. Enjoy the blessings 🙂

More Biblical Reflections of the Law of Attraction

I often discuss the power of the Law of Attraction, and the amazing effects it can have on your life. More and more people are beginning to see this. However, sometimes my fellow Christians cringe at this idea that we can actually control the quality of our lives with our thoughts and emotions. After all, we are supposed to leave control of our lives up to God.

I understand this hesitance, especially because I was there at one point. I think so many people have problems with the Law of Attraction because of how it can be used in a negative way. Many people use it in a greedy manner to try to gain as much as they can for themselves. People see that and are turned off by it. I tend to see the Law of Attraction in a positive way and like to promote ways to use it that way. I understand and believe that God should be in ultimate control of our lives. However, he has also given us free will. I believe using that free will to ensure the quality of our thoughts and states of being is using it in a responsible and productive manner.

I have written several articles providing biblical examples of the Law of Attraction. I strongly believe that this law is biblical and as true as the laws of gravity, electricity, or any other. As I research this topic further, I continue to find more examples in the Bible. If you are not familiar, the Law of Attraction states that the quality of your outer life is directly related to the quality of your inner life…your thoughts and emotions. When you think positive, high-quality thoughts and maintain high-level emotions, the life you live is also high quality and rewarding. If you think negative thoughts and your emotions are low-level, you receive more of the same in life.

The most recent verse I found was actually by accident I was looking for something totally different. It comes from Proverbs 27:19 and it says, “As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart.” To me, that describes what Law of Attraction is all about. Your outer life reflects what your heart is like. If it is positive and loving, your life will reflect that. If it is negative and nasty, your life will reflect that.

The wonderful thing is that we completely control the quality of our hearts! You can use the God-given free will I mentioned earlier to “guard your heart” (a verse I mentioned in another recent article) and control what you are thinking and feeling. Just as sure as you will fall if you jump off a bridge or receive electricity if you put a plug into an electrical outlet, you will manifest positive experiences if you think positive thoughts. If you feel negative emotions all of the time, you will find yourself in negative situations all of the time. It’s your choice.

As I’ve believed for a long time, and as this verse confirms, your outer life is a reflection of your inner life. Even if you’ve consistently allowed negative thoughts to dominate your mind, this concept doesn’t have to be one you fear. You have full control and ability to monitor your thoughts and feelings. Isn’t that easier than trying to change people and situations that you can’t control? I’m not saying that everything will be totally perfect in your life. God says you will have trials, and negative people aren’t going away. However, I find it empowering that by simply taking control of your inner world, you can make your outer world a very positive place for you and those around you. Once again I ask, what is easier to manage…the billions of other people around you and in our world, the unlimited circumstances in you can encounter, or your own thoughts and feelings? I’ll let you decide 🙂