Tag Archives: #spirituality

#inspiration, #spirituality

It’s Overwhelming. But Together We Can Make A Difference

Our world is facing many challenges. They are really overwhelming when you consider the scale of our problems. Hunger, mental health, illness, homelessness and many other societal issues are everywhere. What can we do?

It would be easy to just give up before even starting to tackle the problems. But giving up is not inside of us. We aren’t quitters. We have an inner desire to move the bar in the right direction.

When we combine our efforts we are making a difference. Together we are a force to be reckoned with. Even if it feels like the floodgates are open and we are swimming against the current, we keep going forward. People need us, and we must continue to meet the challenge.

We are serving more than just society. Jesus told us that “what we do for the least among us, we do for him.”

Let’s get started…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Strongholds

A stronghold is defined as “a place that has been fortified so as to protect it against attack.” Strongholds have spiritual significance, too.

Strongholds are mentioned dozens of times in the Bible. For this short blog, let’s look at our ways of thinking. If there is any area of your life that you need to rethink, please consider the following.

Paul encourages us to “be transformed by the renewing of our minds.” In other words, change our thought patterns. Any self-destructive behavior begins in the mind. When we act on our thoughts, a stronghold is established or fortified. Satan wants us to believe we can’t change our ways, but he is wrong. Way wrong. We aren’t able to break strongholds on our own. We need the power of the Holy Spirit which is inside of us to take over. Nothing can stand up to the Spirit.

We can change. I’ve seen alcoholics return to sanity. Miracles happen. Lives are restored. The power of God is unlimited and unstoppable when we align ourselves with Him. Jesus can break any stronghold in our lives. There is hope.

Light wins. Darkness ends…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

If I Had A Superpower

When I was a child, I loved Superman comic books. I thought, how cool it would be to fly, have x-ray vision, and to be faster than a speeding bullet. Let’s not forget that Superman was built like a bodybuilder and he got all the girls!

Humans don’t get to have superpowers, but if we did, I would want mine to be the ability to take away people’s pain. It troubles me when I see people struggle or in deep pain and despair.

Fortunately, I don’t have that superpower. Pain is a tool which can bring growth and resilience. If I could take away pain, I would be denying others the ability to grow through the pain and become who they are.

Pain is part of everyone’s life. Don’t waste it by wishing it away. By getting through it, fighting through it, you are being prepared for something greater.

Keep going…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Live Before Dying

I see so many people living empty, unfulfilled lives. They are chasing something. It could be a mate, a more prestigious job, or perhaps they want greater influence. In the final analysis, it appears most people are chasing their tails.

We are meant for more than getting an education, a career, saving some money and then retiring to die. No, we are built for greatness. The Creator of the Universe doesn’t want us to live just for ourselves.

Strive for significance in your life. Significance goes beyond success. Significance means you are making a difference.

If you are one of the people who are chasing the stuff I described in the first paragraph, I encourage you to aim higher. Those things won’t fill your emptiness. Significance will…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Why?

When the world doesn’t make sense, and that’s much of the time, we oftentimes ask “why God, why? The truth is, usually we won’t get the answer on this side of eternity. I’m okay with that because in my heart I know God is good.

I want you to know it’s okay to ask why, and it’s okay to wonder if God really knows what He’s doing. You won’t be the first to question Him. Faith and trust are built when we realize that God really does work things out for good. Good is God’s nature.

Questions are good things. They put us on the path to learning. Keep asking…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

The Most Dangerous Prayer

In the Bible we are encouraged to “pray continuously.” Admittedly I forget to do this sometimes. Most days I’m just talking to God throughout my day. Perhaps that is prayer, but I just consider it talking to a trustworthy friend.

Do you want to activate your prayer life? If your answer to this question is yes, and you mean it, here’s how: pray the most dangerous prayer you can. And it’s short. Use me. That’s it. And believe me when I say that God will answer quickly.

God is looking for people He can use to accomplish His will on earth. When we become willing, He will use us.

Here is my daily prayer. Feel free to use it for yourself. “Use me. Work through me. Through my writings and through my words. Through my actions and through my deeds. Let me be a light in this dark world.”

Be a light…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Where To?

People are struggling now more than I ever remember in my lifetime. Mental health was shredded from isolation during the pandemic, it’s expensive to live, and people are at each other’s throats over politics. Where do you turn to?

I want to encourage you to be the calm in the storm. Be the one others turn to for a kind word, some encouragement, or maybe just a smile. You are needed now more than you might realize.

I know that everyone faces challenges in their lives. No challenge is insurmountable. Have faith and believe in yourself.

Take care of yourself first. If you don’t take care of yourself, you won’t show up with your best. Self care is not selfish. It prepares you to be a light in the darkness.

And remember this: God is in control. None of this shit surprises Him. Find some peace in knowing that…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Ask

What do you really want from life? Have you asked God for it?

This is everywhere in the Bible. Jesus himself told us that “whatever we ask for in prayer, believe you have already received it.” Faith is ignited by our belief. But remember, our motives must be pure, not selfish.

In The Book of James, the author reminds us that when we ask and don’t receive, it’s because we asked with the wrong motives.

There’s no ambiguity here. Proper motives aligned under God’s will have power. We just need to ask and keep asking. Does God need a reminder? Of course not. He wants to see how badly we want what we are asking for.

And if you are unsure, ask God to align your request under His will. He will take care of the rest…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Influences

Who do you admire, and why do you admire them? You can learn a lot about yourself by answering this simple question. This is because what we see in others exists in us. We find our role models both inspiring and relatable.

This can work both ways. The two shooters at Columbine were infatuated with Adolph Hitler. They believed Hitler “got it right.” We know the aftermath of their warped admiration.

Set big goals and see yourself succeeding. Choose positive influences that will keep you inspired. You were born for greatness, not to live, work, retire and die.

Make an impact on the lives of others. Start now…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Aligned Properly

Recently, I replaced all four tires on my car. The dealership then aligned them so they would wear evenly. By having proper alignment, my tires will perform at optimum levels.

In life, how well we are aligned under God’s instructions will determine how effectively we live. God has given us a rule book for life on this side of eternity. It’s up to us to follow it. None of us are capable of living a sinless life, but we can sin less when we make the choice to follow God’s perfect advice.

Admittedly, it’s a struggle because as humans, we are selfish. We want our own way. If our way doesn’t align with God’s, chaos begins. And the chaos can be generational unless we choose to change.

If you are experiencing an area of life that’s causing you stress, I encourage you to study what God says about it. Rest in His advice. It’s good…

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