An Unnecessary Qualifier To a Faithful Concept

There are plenty of very inspirational Bible verses that we can use to enhance our lives. However, they are often interfered with by some unnecessary ideas that prevent miracles from taking place.

To clarify what I am talking about, I will share the verse that reminded me of this today. It is from Matthew 21:22 and it says “if you believe, you will receive anything you ask for in prayer”. The verse is very powerful. Simply believe and you can have the wonderful life you are craving. Sounds great, right?

The problem is that there are two groups of people who distort this. I will explain, but before I do, please understand I am not being harsh on these groups. That’s because I’ve been in both places at one point, and I can certainly relate. First, there are those whose eyes light up when they see the “anything” part of it, and use this as a reason to utilize God as a genie to bring “stuff” into their lives for their own pleasure. The second group consists of those skeptical and paranoid people who see anything as receiving blessing in life as being automatically associated with a prosperity gospel, and name it and claim it mentality. I can say I never felt this way, and you may not either. The problem is that in the past I enable these people to make me believe I was wrong to ask God for great things. As a result, I held back and didn’t ask.

In recent times I have simply learned to take this verse for what it is…a wonderful, faithful promise from God. It’s a fact that God wants to bless you, and a promise that He will. Here’s a thought that will eliminate both of the negatives from above. If your requests are in line with God’s will, they will be granted. And I will say that God’s will is a very broad spectrum. The things that are outside of His will are those that are either for purely selfish motives, or those that will hurt others. If it doesn’t fit into those categories, it’s part of His will. Sometimes His will is that your answer is delayed, or that you receive something better instead. However, know that if your desire is within His guidelines and commandments, there is no reason not to ask.

Here’s an example of a touchy topic. Many people are afraid to pray for more money because of the taboo (love of money is evil, you’re being greedy, God wants you to be poor, etc.) associated with it. Can a prayer for money be outside of God’s will? Yes, if you are asking in order to flaunt it, be selfish with it, or plan to gain it by doing something illegal or immoral. However, that’s it. If you are asking for it to improve the quality of your life and share it with others so they can do the same, you are perfectly in line with the will of God. In fact, living a life of poverty and debt is much more outside of the will of God than being prosperous.

After saying all this, I encourage you to read this verse again in it’s proper light. Pray to God in confidence, knowing that He hears your prayers and cherishes the opportunity to answer them. Instead of adding the unnecessary qualifiers, boldly ask God in faith for your greatest desires to be fulfilled. Envision it coming to pass, and do your simple part of believing. He will take care of the rest in ways you can’t even imagine. Enjoy the blessings 🙂

A Simple Way To Get Ahead…Even If You Don’t Have The Time

I find it frustrating sometimes when the business of life’s obligations gets in the way of what I really like to do. My job (both of them), along with yard work and other obligations have prevented me from writing on this site. I also like to read what other bloggers have to say, and have not had time to do that either.

It’s great how, when I need answers to questions, God takes me directly to the source I need. I read an article that talked about this very frustration. How do we beat this endless cycle? I want to do other things in life, yet there are currently no ways around the necessary obligations. There’s simply not enough time to pursue those opportunities.

What I read in the article was something I’ve been told countless times. It’s funny how I’ve also given countless other people this same advice. Here it is…seek first the kingdom of God, and all else will be added unto you. (Matt 6:33). It’s a matter of focus. When you focus on God and His power within you first, all else seems to take care of itself. All of a sudden there is time because the opportunities are presented to you on a silver platter. Things start to happen on their own, and the right situations present themselves as well as the time to pursue them.

If you are feeling that helpless feeling of wondering how to get further ahead, but seem trapped in your current circumstances, I recommend you maintain your focus on your Creator. Let go and let God do His thing. Do your best in your current circumstances and fulfill those obligations, regardless of how “in the way” they are. Focus on God and have faith, and the details will take care of themselves. Then when the opportunity presents itself, act on it and enjoy the success.

I’ve seen the benefits of seeking God first many times in my life. That’s why I often suggest it, and I know that’s why I was reminded again during my difficult period this week. You too can experience the benefits of seeking God first in your life. You’ll see how much more He can accomplish than you, and how the time you are missing all of a sudden becomes available for you to prosper and succeed. I promise! Enjoy the blessings : )

An Easy Way To Increase Your Talents

There are certain Bible verses that I have read numerous times and still have difficulty understanding. One such story is the parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30). It always bothered me a bit because it says whoever has much will have more, and whoever has little will have less.

Why did this verse bother me so much? Because there were plenty of things I had little of, and only few that I had much of. My question was…I have little money. You’re telling me that my only chance is to have less? I’m not very confident. You’re telling me my confidence will only weaken?

Not too long ago, I had a chance to look at this story again. It’s amazing how, when we persist on learning Scripture God eventually sheds light on things and they make total sense. If you’re not familiar with the story, I’ll provide the basic version. A rich, shrewd man is going on a journey, and leaves his wealth in the hands of three people. To one he gives 10 money units (these units are called Talents. Funny how it fits right in with this story. More on that later). To one he provides 5, and to the other, 1. The ones with the 10 and 5 talents invest wisely and double the amount, while the one with 1 is scared off and just buries the 1, getting nothing in return. When the manager returns, he praises the first two, but punishes the third for not trying to gain more. He takes the one talent and gives it to the man with 10. That’s when Jesus says that whoever has will have more, and whoever doesn’t will have less.

As I studied this story I found three commentaries which clarified the meaning of this for me. Before I share, I will say that I did not go looking for these explanations, but just found them all around the same time. Coincidence? I don’t think so. Anyway, here are the three commentaries:

1. According to the Life Application Bible, the story means we need to use the resources God provides us to the best of our ability. Whether we have many or few, we need to use them responsibly and according to His will.

2. One book I read said that it had to do with the thoughts we think and our overall attitude. The more positive frame of mind and attitude we maintain, the more positive results we see in our lives.

3. In her book “The Magic” by Rhonda Byrne, she uses this quote throughout, saying that the more gratitude we show and feel, even towards the smallest of things, the more reasons we will have to be grateful for bigger things.

I must say that I agree with all three of these conclusions. At this point, this previously unclear story is now as clear as the day. You have received many gifts from God. He expects you to use them wisely and responsibly, and will bless you as you do. The more you fill your mind with positives thoughts and outcomes, the more you will see greater positive results play out in your life. And the more grateful you are, the more reasons you will have to be grateful. It’s a simple, but true fact that your talents and whatever else you have will be increased proportionally.

Now that I am fully aware of the true meaning of that story, I do my best to act it out every day. I must say that my walk with God is closer than it’s ever been, and I am being blessed on a continual basis. Even if you feel like you don’t have many talents, God will increase them if you are resourceful, positive, and thankful. Enjoy the blessings : )

The Number One Way To Distinguish Yourself

Do you ever have days or weeks where certain words and phrases are constantly thrown in your direction? It seems like everywhere you look you see those words. I’ve learned by now that, when that heppens for me, I need to pay attention.

One such word is “distinguish”. I keep seeing this word in books, blogs, tv, my job, you name it. Ok, so God is telling me I need to distinguish myself. So what does that mean? I looked up the exact definition of distinguished, and it says…made easily seen or noticed by excellence. In other words, someone who stands out and rises above the average or just getting by. Instead, they are noticed and known for their excellence.

Wow! I was blown away by that definition. I prayed..ok, God how do I get to that level? I will simply say that when you ask, God answers. He led me to one of my favorite books, “Relentless” by John Bevere. I like to re-read this book every once in a while, and as I did, the words on page 49 jumped out at me. It talks about the story of Daniel in the Bible and how he distinguished himself (that exact word used). It is defined in the book as “he completely outclassed the other leaders”.

If you know the story of Daniel you know how true this is. How did he do it? The answer is a few lines below. It says he was totally connected to God. The book adds, ” he was disciplined in staying in close, continual touch with the Creator.”

Therein lies the secret of distinguishing yourself; of standing out and rising above the crowd. The more you are in touch with your Creator, and rely on the unlimited power He provides, the more you will distinguish yourself. When you “seek Him first” (Matt 6:33), everything else falls into place.

I challenge you to seek and follow your creator today, and to stay in close, continual touch. You will be blessed as a result. Have a great day : )

Sharing The Light

Christmas has come and gone, and as usual it was a special time. One of our Christmas Eve traditions is attending a candle light service at our church. It is beautiful how the whole church is lit up simply by each person holding a small candle.

This year the pastor mentioned something I had never thought of before. He said that this beautiful light we were seeing from many small candles all started from one big candle. That big candle lit one small candle, which lit another, and another, etc. The entire church is lit with candles because people share the light with each other, a light that came from one main source.

I thought about this scenario and realized how true it is in life. God’s light is our main source. This light and the power of it can be a part of us as long as we “light our candle” with it. We can then shine this light, and more importantly, share it with others to help light their worlds. As we do this the light spreads. Our world and those of others becomes very bright with this positive light.

Imagine how much brighter this world would be if everyone obtained their light from the main Godly source and shared it with others. After all, we are told in Matthew 5 that we are the light of the world. Jesus adds that a city on a hill cannot be hidden, nor do we take a bright lamp and hide it under a bowl. Instead, we put the lamp on a stand and let it’s light shine brightly, and it gives light to all who are in the house. He further commands us to let your light shine among men so they may see your good works and God will be glorified (v. 14-16).

It is my challenge to make sure I am constantly in touch with this light and sharing it with as many people as possible. Let this be your challenge as well. Enjoy the blessings : )

3 Power Steps To The Next Level

I am a firm believer in doing what it takes to bring life to a higher level. I am very happy with many things in life, but at the same time, average just doesn’t do it for me anymore. Many posts I write here are geared to help my readers and I take life to a higher level.

I received a newsletter from one of my favorite pastors/authors Joel Osteen the other day. It is titled, “3 Keys To Experiencing the Next Level”. As you can imagine, it certainly had my attention in a hurry! I found the information very helpful and interesting, and I would like to share it with you. Here are the 3 keys Joel mentions:

1. Believe that God has great things in store for you and wants to bless you. He quotes Psalm 37:4 which says..take delight in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.
2. Release every negative thought and bad experience to God and trust His plan. The verse he mentions here is 2 Corintians 5:17…if anyone is in Christ he is a new creation. The old has gone, the new is here.
3. Receive the promises of God for your life and live with confidence. He uses Matthew 21:22 which says…you can pray for anything, and if you have faith you will receive it.

I agree with Joel Osteen and firmly believe God wants to take us to a higher level in our lives. I find his 3 step process very helpful, and very simple to do consistently. It can certainly work for you too. For more information on this, go to http://JoelOsteen.com/elevate

Have an excellent day!

A Generous Dose of Info To Help Receive What You Want

Is there a special formula that gives you a better chance to receive what you want? In one way, I would have to say no. There are many factors involved. However, if you are looking for a way to enhance your success, reach your goals, and receive the blessings you are looking for, I have something that can help you get there.

How do you get want you want? The answer is quite ironic and may surprise you….give it away! What? How can I give away something I don’t even have? I will say that in most cases, you already do have it. For example, some people are looking to be appreciated more. In that case, the best way to receive that appreciation is to show greater appreciation for others. Seeking more money? Be more willing to share what you already have. Many of us say we don’t have enough time. If that’s the case, give yours away. Spend time helping and serving other people, and watch how much time you will find that you really have. The same is true with the other examples. By appreciating others, you will find people appreciating you more. By sharing your money, you will find it coming to you from unexpected sources. It’s amazing how it works.

This information is well backed in the Bible. “A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed” Proverbs 11:25. “Give and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be poured into your lap” Luke 6:38. These are just some of the many verses that stress the importance and benefits of generosity.

A key concept is to avoid doing things for others simply because you want to be blessed yourself. Don’t go seeking the blessing. When you do for others, you will atomatically have it done for you. Besides, there is the verse in Matthew 25 where Jesus says, whatever you do for the least of these people you do for me. You are doing it for Him and His glory. You will be blessed as a result. In addition, think of how you feel when you give to someone else. Doesn’t it feel great? That great feeling will give you more positive energy, and you will feel like you can do more with your time. The desire to give to others simply becomes natural.

Today, think of what you can do for someone else. Think especially of what it is that you are seeking in your life. Then give as much as you can of it to someone else. You will see major blessings for them, and especially in your own life. I encourage you to make it happen. Please share your results : )

What Are You Worried About? – 3 Ways To Turn Worry Into Faith

Many of us do it. It’s a fact and a reality that many of us worry. Even those of us who look on the bright side of things and whose lives are under control still sometimes spend time worrying. Is it wrong to worry? I don’t know if I would say wrong, but I do know that it does us no good at all. Matthew 6:34 says…”Do not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of it’s own.” If you go back to verse 27 it says…”who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?”

I have found that it does not pay to worry. Instead, there are numerous verses throughout the Bible that describe how faith (the opposite of worry) can add so much to our lives and to those around us. As I continue to study ways to bring life to a higher level, I have found several ways to turn worry into faith. Here are the top 3:

1. Seek God first – In my opinion, this is the key to all success in life. In the same Bible chapter, verse 31 says…”So do not worry saying ‘What shall we eat or what shall we drink?’ …For your Heavenly Father knows that you need these things. But seek first the kingdom of God, and all these things will be given to you as well” When we focus on God and His power that is in and around us, we focus on the positive things instead of the negative obstacles in front of us. Instead of worrying about the negative things that may happen to us, we focus on the accomplishment of the goals we have in our lives. Also, when we are consciously aware of the presence and power of God, we have an enormous peace, and we will be led to the right people and the right areas to take action. More about that coming up shortly.
2. Focus on the present – If we are placing our full attention on the present moment, it is impossible to worry. This is because we are not thinking about things that can possibly go wrong in the future, even if that future is only a few minutes away. The present moment is what we have to work with, and is the only time frame that is fully in our control. If we make the most out of every present moment, it secures our future, giving us even less of a reason to worry. It is the people who best take advantage of present moments that receive the greatest future rewards.
3. Take action now – This step goes had in hand with the first two. As mentioned, when we seek God first, He leads us to the people who can help us and places and situations where we need to act. However, it is up to us to follow through and take that action. As mentioned in step two, it is when we focus and act fully on the present moment, and do the best we can at that time when great blessings take place. The even better thought is this…when we follow the first two steps, taking action is so much easier. This is because we are taking God-inspired action, we know His power is with us, and we have the peace of knowing it is His will because it is for His kingdom and glory. This is when miraces happen.

In my opinion, these are three very simple steps to take, especially knowing what the rewards are. This philosophy is great too because it doesn’t take weeks or months to implement. It can be done in minutes, and as we continue to focus on God first, keep our eyes on the present, and do our best in everything at that time, it will be a habitual way of life. The result is great faith and blessing instead of worry, doubt, and procrastination. It can be effective for anyone. Let it be you today. Have a blessed day : )

God Does Not Hold Back

I will start this article with one of the most famous Bible verses in the entire Book…For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.

I share about a message I’ve heard in several places lately. Do you think God is trying to tell me something? The messsage is this…if God would not hold back from giving His only son for us, why would He hold back anything else? I’ve reflected on this a great deal in the past few days. God loves us so much that it goes far above anything we can imagine. The more we focus on this love the more empowered we are.

I ask the question again…If God did not hold back His only son from us why would He hold anything else back? I’ll add this too. Matthew 7:7 says ask and you shall receive. So why are so many not asking?

I believe it’s time to take Him at His word. God has more great things in store for us than we can even ask or imagine. Ask for blessings according to His will for your life and then expect them. Consciously remain aware of His love and share it with others. It’s a simple equation. When we pray, believe, dwell on His love for us, and share it with others, we live a successful life full of blessings. God will not hold back!!