Choose FAITH!

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, Ephesians 2:8

 

 

I grew up in a household filled with faith. My grandfather is a Pastor and I many other relatives in the ministry. I heard words of faith from my grandfather, my mother, granny, always growing up. But you can't live on someones else faith. There are no spiritual grandchildren. Each person must make their own decision and act on it with integrity. At a early age I made my faith decision: "I WILL ACCEPT GOD'S GIFT OF HIS SON, JESUS CHRIST AS MY SAVIOR."

 

That decision, more than any other has shaped my life. It has forged my worldview. Recognition of God's love for everyone (Blacks, Whites, Gays, Liberals, Hippies,etc,) has influenced how I view others. The Golden Rule has taught me how to treat people. God's love for me has given me great self-worth.

 

WHAT IS FAITH?

 

Hebrews 11:1 states that Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:6 states that But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. And Romans 10:17 states that Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Also James 2:14-26 States that Faith without works is DEAD! Faith is trust in GOD. Faith is the seed that leads to spiritual growth that enables you to actively seek and build a personal relationship with your higher power. 

 

Understand that faith is often birthed out difficulties and faith that hasn't been tested can't be trusted. I once heard a preacher say that you can not have a testimony without the TEST. If you are experiencing difficulties, allow yourself to explore faith in response to it. Faith not only can help you through a crisis, it can help you approach life after the hard time with a whole new perspective. Give you a new outlook of hope and courage through faith to face reality.

 

It's not enough to simply make a faith decision. If you want to live it out, you have to work at deepening it. Faith gives you peace and strength only if it's not superficial. The deeper the faith, the greater the potential to carry you through the difficult times. Developing your faith is very similar to developing yourself physically. If you want to get into good physical condition, you need to exercise your body regularly. If you don't, you not only don't gain strength and conditioning, you begin to lose what you once had. In the words of my grandfather you become spiritually malnourished. There is a spiritual aspect to human life that cannot be denied. Spiritual needs must be met spiritually. Nothing else will fill the void.

 

Are you spiritually disconnected?

 

How do you stay spiritually connected to your higher power? What are your spiritual practices that keep you plugged in?

 

In the end it your choice to step out on faith and to choose to walk by faith.

 

 

#GetInspired

Express Gratitude Daily!

 

My favorite and most useful tool in my toolbox has to GRATITUDE! Of all the virtues, gratitude seems to be the least expressed. How often do people go out of their way to thank you? How often do you receive a thank you note when you give a gift? More important, how often do you extend your thanks to others? In our culture of plenty, where everyone feels entitled, we tend to take things for granted.

A year ago, I was watching Oprah;s LifeClass and Oprah encouraged the audience and viewers to keep a gratitude journal to help them appreciate life more by focusing on the good things in your life big or small. Also in that show I learned Fear is why we don't take action and anger is why we stop and Gratitude is the antidote. You can not be fearful or angry and grateful simultaneously.

 

 

 

When we learn to give thanks, we are learning to concentrate not on the bad things, but on the good things in our lives." Says Amy Vanderbilt. Thinking about the good things helps us to be grateful. Remaining grateful helps us to have a positive attitude prompts us to thank about the good rather than the bad. It's a positive cycle that helps fuel itself. If you operate out gratitude you will have no time to be angry. Gratitude is the cure.

 

List five things you are grateful for today.Show your gratitude. Who can you thank today, and how will you show your appreciation?When you feel least thankful, you are most in need of what gratitude can give you: perspective. If you're having a bad day, what is the smallest thing you can be grateful for? If you can think of nothing else, think of your breath.

#GetInspired #LifeClass