Thursday, September 29, 2011

Think Like a Winner: Overcoming Negative Thinking with God's Word for Abundant Living

"For as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he" (Proverbs 23:7). Our thinking sets the course for our lives. If we find that we are not living the abundant life that Jesus died to give us, we must examine our thought life. In order to prosper God's way, our thoughts must agree with his word. The words we are exposed to on a daily basis have a huge impact on our thinking, and the condition of our minds determines the condition of our lives. Therefore, as believers, we must go through the process of renewing our minds with the word of God. Then, when we have thoughts that do not line up with God's word, we can replace them with word-based thoughts (2 Corinthians 10:5).

It is the will of God for us to prosper in every way, from our health and finances to our relationships and jobs. Every area of our lives should be an expression of abundant life. However, we prosper to the degree that our souls prosper (3 John 2). The soul is where the mind, will, and emotions reside. The mind is the primary area that Satan attacks because it is the control center of our lives. Satan's attacks consist of words and images that oppose God's word. He wants us to doubt God and fear that his promises will never come to pass. However, we have the power to transform our lives. Romans 12:2 says, "Be not be conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."

Transformation comes when we allow God's word to change our thinking. Many believers wonder why their lives have not changed since they've been saved. The problem lies within their thinking. Many of us have nourished mindsets that oppose the word for years, and as a result, our old nature is stronger than our regenerated spirits. In order for change to occur, we must begin to nourish godly thoughts by consistently meditating on the word. Keep in mind that change does not occur overnight; it is a process during which we must refuse to become frustrated. When we remain committed to the transformation process, we will begin to see changes take place. Change is a lifetime endeavor, not a one-time event. My prayer is that you will continue to conform to the image of Christ by renewing your mind with God's word on a daily basis, so that you can truly know his good and perfect will for your life. Scripture References: Proverbs 23:7, 2 Corinthians 10:5, 3 John 2, Romans 12:2


Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Mastering the Art of Abundant Living: The Power of Confidence and Patience in Your Faith

When it comes to living the faith life, the issue of confidence cannot be ignored. Many times, people try to walk by faith, but they just don’t have the confidence to back up what they say they believe. Confidence is the missing substance of faith, meaning that without it, faith won’t be able to operate properly. In addition, patience must be employed while waiting for the manifestation of God’s promises. With both of these forces working together, faith will always get results.

Faith is the law of God’s kingdom, so as Christians, we cannot get anything to work if we don’t have faith. But confidence is like the match that ignites the faith fuse. It is something that is developed as we spend more time with God, just like we develop confidence in certain people because we spend so much time with them that we know their character. By constantly fellowshipping with the Lord, meditating on His Word, and putting ourselves in remembrance of what He has already done, we develop ultimate trust and confidence in Him. The more confident we become, the more our faith will be activated.

According to Webster’s Dictionary, confidence is defined as, “reliance or trust; a trusting relationship; a feeling of self-assurance.” When we have confidence in God, we firmly rely on Him and trust that His Word will indeed come to pass. Confidence leaves no room for doubt. Hebrews 10:35 says, “Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward.” In other words, we must not allow our confidence to dwindle, because there is a great reward attached to remaining steadfast in our trust in God. Faith is a practical expression of our confidence in God. When we are confident that what God has said will come to pass, we will be bolder when it comes to stepping out on faith. When God tells us to do something, we won’t hesitate.

In addition to confidence, we must employ patience as part of the process to receiving the end of our faith. Biblical patience does not mean “putting up with” something. Patience is the act of maintaining confidence in God’s Word during trials and affliction. When patience completes the job, we have the result we desire, and we end up being complete, wanting nothing (James 1:4).

Everyone has experienced times when their circumstances seemed to worsen and it was as if the hard times dragged on and on with no end in sight. It is during times like these that the temptation to quit and give up on God is most prominent. However, we should never allow pressure to cause us to give up or doubt God’s Word. If we are willing to stand forever, we won’t be standing very long.

Being a faithful churchgoer is not enough to see the promises of the Bible come alive in your life, and neither is simply reciting the Scriptures all the time. We must not only repeat what the Word says, but we must believe that what it says is coming to pass in our lives as we speak it. Belief in God’s Word demonstrates our confidence, and it is confidence that ignites our faith. Hebrews 3:6 also tells us to hold on to our confidence as members of the household of faith.

We will have plenty of opportunities to exercise our confidence in God’s Word, particularly during these times in which we live. There may be financial challenges, issues with our health, employment issues, or things going on in our relationships. Whatever the situation may be, the key is to find the solution in the Bible and to begin releasing our faith in what God has said, knowing that if we have confidence in Him, everything we believe will surely come to pass. He will never fail us, and He honors the confidence of the Christian who trusts in Him completely.

In conclusion, confidence is an essential part of living the faith life. Without it, faith won’t be able to operate properly. But by developing our trust and confidence in God through constant fellowship, meditation, and remembrance of his promises, we can ignite our faith and achieve abundant living. Remember to also employ patience as part of the process and never give up on God and His Word, for he honors the confidence of the believer who trusts in him completely.

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Exploring the Attributes of God: Understanding the Eternal, All-Powerful, Good, Near, Loving, and Holy Nature of God

In our faith journey, it is essential to understand the nature of God. He is the foundation of our belief, and a deeper understanding of who He is can bring greater meaning and purpose to our lives. In this blog post, we will explore six attributes of God that are essential to know and understand.

  1. God is eternal. He is not limited by time and is not subject to change. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). He said, "I AM WHO I AM" (Exodus 3:14). Moses wrote: "Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God" (Psalm 90:2).

  2. God is all-powerful. He is the creator of all things and possesses infinite power and authority. He said to Abram, "I am God Almighty" (Genesis 17:1). God's power is shown by His speaking the earth into existence. "Let there be light," and there was light" (Genesis 1:3).

  3. God is good. He is the source of all good things, and His goodness is reflected in all of His creations. "He himself gives all men life and breath and everything else" (Acts 17:25). Our English words "God" and "good" are related. "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows" (James 1:17).

  4. God is near. He is not distant or removed from us but is always present and available to us. "For in him we live and move and have our being" (Acts 17:28). "He is not far from each one of us" (Acts 17:27).

  5. God is love. He is the embodiment of love and demonstrates it through His actions. He sent His only begotten Son down to our world to live among us and to die for us on the cross. Love gives, and "God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16).

  6. God is holy. He is perfect and righteous, and He requires holiness from His followers. "Without holiness, no one will see the Lord" (Hebrews 12:14). He will correct those who are not holy, but this is for our own good and to lead us closer to Him. God warns us of the dangers of not living right, and this He does because He does not want us to be destroyed by our own stubborn wills.

In conclusion, understanding the attributes of God can bring greater depth and richness to our faith. As we meditate on His eternal, all-powerful, good, near, loving, and holy nature, we can come to know Him more fully and experience the abundant life that He desires for us. May we continue to seek Him with all our hearts, and in doing so, experience the fullness of His love and grace.

Friday, September 9, 2011

5 Types of Minds According to the Scriptures: How to Align Your Thoughts with God's Word


The power of belief in shaping our lives is a fundamental truth, as our thoughts and beliefs ultimately manifest in our reality. Proverbs 23:7 states, "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he." Understanding the nature of the mind is crucial in understanding the role it plays in shaping our lives.

According to the Bible, the mind can be classified into five different categories based on its characteristics.

The first category is the idle mind. Proverbs 19:15 states, "Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger." An idle mind is one that is not engaged in productive thinking, which allows for negative influences to take hold. God desires for our minds to be engaged in positive and uplifting thoughts, as stated in Philippians 4:8, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things."

The second category is the carnal mind. This type of mind is focused on the physical and material world, and is ruled by the five senses. However, Romans 8:5-8 warns that a focus on the natural will result in death, and that the carnal mind can only be renewed by the word of God. Every act of sin begins with a thought, as stated in Isaiah 59:7 and Matthew 15:19.

The third category is the double-minded mind. This is an unstable mind that is constantly changing due to external circumstances. James 1:8 states, "A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways." It is important to focus on God and engage our minds in positive thoughts.

The fourth category is the blinded mind. This type of mind is shrouded in darkness, with no access to the word of God. 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 states, "And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of Christ, who is the image of God." A believer's mind can become blinded through offenses and a lack of forgiveness.

The final category is the mind of Christ. New life is infused into our minds at redemption, and it is our duty to think like Christ. Romans 8:28-29 states, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers." Our thoughts must conform to the thoughts of Christ in order to live a fulfilling and meaningful life.

Transforming Your Mind: A Journey of Metamorphosis Through Worship and the Word of God

We often hear the term "transformation" thrown around, and it can be easy to think of it as a quick and instantaneous process. However, true transformation is more akin to metamorphosis - a gradual and ongoing process of change. This process is not something that can be rushed, but rather it takes time through worship and the consistent intake of the word of God.

In order for any life to truly be transformed, it must undergo some measure of change. Until our minds are renewed, we will remain conformed to the patterns and limitations of the world around us. But, as Romans 12:1-2 reminds us, "Therefore, I urge you brothers, in view of GOD’S mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to GOD-this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind."

The power to transform our lives lies in the word of God and the consistent meditation on it. When we engage in this practice, we begin to see life from God's perspective rather than the limited view of the world. As Revelation 3:20 says, "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock, if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me." The Lord is knocking at the door of our minds, waiting for us to open it and allow Him access to our spirits.

The key to opening this door is found in Psalms 119:30, "I have chosen the way of truth, I have set my heart on your laws." It is through meditating on the word of God that we open the door to our minds and allow transformation to occur. This is a process that requires agreement with the word of God and a commitment to consistently engaging with it.

We hope this blog has been enlightening and encouraging on your journey of mind transformation. Remember, change is a gradual process, but with the help of the Lord and a commitment to His word, true transformation is possible.

Mastering the Art of Trusting God: Navigating Life's Challenges with Patience and Grace

Are you tired of waiting for things to happen in your life? Do you find yourself constantly asking, "When, God, when?" Trusting in...