Don't Say No To A Miracle

There are times when I will read a Bible passage that I've read countless times before, and something is brought to my attention that I never noticed before. I read such a story recently.

The story is in Matthew 9 about two blind men who asked Jesus to bring them sight. As soon as they see Jesus, they immediately cry out to Him for the miracle of sight. Jesus acknowledges them, but delays in His response. In fact, He even leaves them to go to someone else's house.

At this point the blind mind realize that Jesus has left them. They have a choice. They can believe that Jesus has passed them by and they are forever doomed to their current situation. Or they can pursue it further. These men were bold. They continued to chase down Jesus, and were even bold enough to enter the home where Jesus was. Their attitude seemed to be, "excuse me Jesus. We asked for your help, and we're not going to stop until we are healed." Was Jesus upset or angry that these men chased Him down? Absolutely not. In fact, his response was the opposite. He commended these men for their faith, and immediately healed them. It is from this story that a popular verse is located. Matthew 9:29 says "according to your faith it will be done for you".

I believe we need to have the same persistence as these men did if we want to see miracles in our own lives. If we do, we will be rewarded for our faith. One key thought is this...don't be discouraged if you don't see an answer right away. Jesus delayed with these men to test their faith. They passed with flying colors. In some cases we may see a miracle right away. However, we may be asked to wait as well. If so, keep persisting as these men did, and know that your faith will be rewarded at the right time.

Remember that Jesus will not be offended when you ask for His mighty works in your life. Just like He did with these blind men, He will commend your for your faith and reward you accordingly. Enjoy the blessings : )

Is It Really Good To Be Generous?

We all admire people who are generous. Generosity is an admirable quality because it is in indication of a person putting others ahead of themselves. However, does it get us anywhere? Does it really make a difference? After all, it is not easy to sacrifice our own needs to focus on the needs of others. And sometimes there is a price to pay.

This information may answer the question. 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 says: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not relunctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

This verse sums it up well. The more willing we are to be generous, the more we will see it in our own lives. However, if we read on, we will see that there are further benefits. Verses 10-11 say...Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

What does this mean? It tells me that the more generous one is, the more God will provide. God is already able to trust us with what He gives us, and will give us more because He knows we will be generous with that as well. The best part of this whole concept to me is that, by being generous, we glorify God. We bring attention to Him and potentially attract others to Him because our generosity is noticed!

If you are looking to make your Father proud and have positive impacts on His kingdom, then share as much as you can with others. And it doesn't always have to be money. It can be your time, talents, and smile. Anything that you give to others makes a difference. Either way, it's a win-win situation. The people in your life benefit from your generosity, and your own life is showered with blessings.

Knowing this, see what kind of a difference you can make today. Enjoy the blessings : )

Faithful Thoughts

There is much information available about how our thoughts can impact our lives and help us realize our goals and desires. Some people are very successful in doing so, while others say they try to use their thoughts for good things in life, but they still don't see the results. What's the missing ingredient?

In many cases, it is faith. I know because I have struggled in this area sometimes. My question then is, how does one develop their faith? After all, God Himself says He who lacks faith should not expect to receive anything from the Lord (James 1:7). I have found that prayer is one good way. God has responded when I have gone to Him admitting my lack of faith and asking for help in that area. Another way to increase faith is to focus on some of the inspirational verses in the Bible.

Another great technique I have seen recently is actually using our thoughts to develop our faith. Faith is described in the Bible as the substance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things unseen (Hebrews 11:1). When we focus on a thought, we are actually creating a substance of something hoped for. And when we see something in our imagination, it can be considered as evidence of something unseen. Put this together, and you have faith!

How do we use this to empower our lives? First of all, I read more and more how our subconscious mind cannot tell the difference between a real or imagined experience. The more it sees something happening, even if it's just in the imagination, the more you believe it to be true. By doing this consistently, and remaining focused on those positive thoughts, you will eventually live accordingly, and eventually receive what you are seeking. When we do this consistently, we are not only thinking good, positive thoughts, but we are also adding that faith element to it. With this combination, only great things can happen.

Try spending some quiet time each day reflecting on the ideal life. However, you want your life to be, imagine the experience as it is already happening. Feel the feelings of joy as if you were actually receiving the money you need, the job you are seeking, the ideal relationship, or the perfect weight. It's all you have to do. Keep seeing it every day until it actually occurs. Create that substance of what you hope for, and the evidence of your realized desire. This, besides prayer and any necessary action is you playing your part. When you pray, you are asking God to do His part, which He will gladly do according to His will. Before long, your goals will be manifested. If it's not exactly as you imagined, or as fast as you would like that's ok. It usually means God has something better, or some things need to fall in place first. Either way, you can't lose.

This method has worked for me, especially lately. I recommend you try this formula and use it in your own life if you are not already. Then...enjoy the blessings : )

He's On Our Side

I find it interesting when old, obscure songs just pop into my head. This happened today. I was reminded of a spunky little rocker from the 80s named Fiona. I played her on my college radio station, and she received mild airplay on some other stations. I would put a sample here, except she is so obsure that I could not even find her on YouTube.

Anyway, she had a song called "He's On My Side". It may or may not have been intended as a Christian song. Regardless, I was reminded of it today by a Bible verse I read today in Psalms 84:11...the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does He withhold from he whose walk is upright. This verse tells me that He is on our side. It tells us that, as long we are walking with Him and being obedient (even doing our best to be obedient because none of us are completely obedient) we have His blessing.

Remember this when you pray, and as you go about your day. I know that when I consciously focus on His presence, and know that I have His favor, I feel a strong confidence which affects my life in all areas. My relationships are better. I perform better at my job. I am at peace with myself. I feel stronger and healthier. The list can go on. The same is true for anyone else. Keep in mind today that God is on you side and wants to bless you today. Then live in that confidence and peace. Enjoy the blessings : )

He's Already Working On It

I read an excellent article from Guideposts magazine today. It described a woman who was having severe financial difficulties. In fact, she could not even wash her kids' clothes because she ran out of laundry detergent, and had to wait several days before she would be able to buy more.

What did she do? The only thing she could think of was to pray. As she was praying, she heard a noise at the door. It startled her, so she went to check on it. It was just the mail carrier bringing the mail. Or was it? As she retrieved the mail, she saw that she had received, at random, a free sample of a new laundry detergent. It was just enough to do the laundry she had that day.

Even though she randomly received the free detergent, I will say with certainty that it was not a random act. The Bible verse the story provided was Isaiah 65:24. It says, Before they call, I will answer. While they are still speaking I will hear.

This detergent was on the way, well before this woman said this prayer. In fact, it arrived as she was praying. This tells me that God knows are desires before we even know them. He wants to answer our prayers, and is immediately at work in doing so. Let us take this confidence with us today. Whatever you are praying for today, know that God has it under control and is already at work in answering it. Enjoy the blessings!

How to Quench Spiritual Thirst

God helped me in a major way today. I was feeling down. I felt useless, faithless, and frustrated that some things in my life weren't going my way.

You may be saying..wait a minute, Joe. This is supposed to be a positive blog. What's with the negative feelings? To answer that, I will say that even the best of us optimists have days like this every once in a while. What did I do? I went to the only one that could help me in a situation like this...God Himself.

It's amazing how God works. Earlier in the day, during my devotion time, I read Isaiah 55:1. It says, Come all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come buy and eat! Come buy wine and milk without money and without cost. While praying to God, I realized my problem. I have spent so much time figuring out how to accomplish things in my own power that I have not focused enough on God and His power. The reason that I was feeling as I was is because I was spiritually thirsty.

The greatness of God is shown in this verse. He says all we have to do in order to quench this spiritual thirst is come to Him. Acknowledge His love and power and just draw to it. And notice what He says about the cost of coming to Him at the end of the verse. There is none!

Are you experiencing a spiritual thirst? Are you feeling an incompleteness in your life? You can begin solving the problem by just going to Him. Let God handle your difficult situations. He is ready for you to ask for His help, and He provides for you freely and willingly.

My day was turned around instantly. As I focused on the power and love of God throughout the rest of my day, I felt a powerful peace around me and inside of me. I was spiritually full, and the light in me that had been dimmed was shining brightly once again.

It's a simple invitation to come to God and see what He can do for you. Will you take it? If you do, your thirst will be gone. Enjoy the blessings : )