faith – Renew Inspiration Mind Body Spirit

Unwavering Faith

LaPorterJanuary 22, 20232 Replies

Your faith can move mountains and your doubt can create them. – Unknown Author

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Thought to Ponder – Your mind will always believe everything you tell it. Feed it faith. Feed it truth. Feed it with love.

Welcome back to Renew Inspiration! As you venture through your life on Earth, do you ever wonder if you have unwavering faith? I have always been taught to have faith in God, to read my Bible, to attend church services, and to say my faith-based prayers, but deep down inside I have always wondered how strong my faith really was in a God that I could not see. When my mother passed away in December 2015, my faith in God and everything that I knew God to be was tested to the fullest! Despite being overcome with grief and sadness, I continued to read my Bible, pray, meditate, and write in my journal consistently until I received my breakthrough.

My breakthrough consisted of coming out of a deep depression after seeing a licensed therapist and starting a journey of writing. Since 2018, I …

Created my Renew Inspiration Blog https://renewinspiraton.com
Created my Journey from Grief to Healing Facebook Group facebook.com/groups/grieftohealing
Wrote and self-published my first journal called Journal to Overcome Grief – A Personal Journey to Healing amazon.com/dp/B09XHDSC64
Wrote and self-published my second journal called Renew Inspiration Journal amazon.com/dp/B0BNH11ZXS

Unwavering faith will come with time, but you have to do the work which includes following God’s plan for your life, changing your thought patterns, and making time for self-reflection.

DEFINITION – Faith

God is still writing your story. Don’t let go of your faith because of what you have to see. – Unknown Author

Faith can be defined as:

Complete trust or confidence in someone or something.
Strong belief in God or in the doctrines of a religion, based on spiritual apprehension rather than proof.

WAYS TO INCREASE FAITH

Faith is building on what you know is here so you can reach what you know is there. – Cullen Hightower

When you are broken in pieces and experiencing so much pain, God can seem distant and even uncaring while you are in this vulnerable, yet lonely place. But before you throw in the towel or choose to give up on living life to the fullest, know that God promises in His Word to be with you always and to give you comfort in the midst of your storm, so whatever your feelings are suggesting to you in this very dark moment, know that God is with you always.

For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death. Psalm 48:14 (KJV)

You must believe in your heart and mind that you will receive whatever it is that you are praying for throughout your journey. No mountain is too big for our God. I always think of a mountain as any obstacle, problem, or situation that happens in our lives. Despite the challenges and constant struggles in life, throughout this process, it’s important to find effective ways to increase your faith.

Here’s a few suggestions and scriptures to help you get started with your spiritual transformation:

Read and Study God’s Word. God’s Word should be read and hidden in your heart so that you can fully understand the promises that God made to you. This process will allow God’s Word to guide, instruct, and protect you. Along with your Bible, you can also read spiritual devotions or faith-based inspirational books.

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 (KJV)

Make Time for Daily Prayer and Meditation. Schedule quiet time for prayer and meditation inviting God to come into your presence. Remove distractions, quiet your mind, and talk to God regularly while listening with your spiritual ear for the necessary guidance that’s needed throughout your day.

Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints. Ephesians 6:18 (ESV)

Practice Praise and Worship. Set aside time each day to usher in God’s presence through praise and worship. This can be done through speaking words of affirmations over your life or through singing worship songs in the presence of God.

By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. Hebrews 13:15-16 (KJV)

Be Transparent and Live Out God’s Word. It’s important to not just read and study God’s Word, but you must be transparent and apply God’s Word to your life each and every day. Make a commitment today and watch God work miracles in your life.

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV)

Trust in God. As believers in Christ, it’s important to intentionally focus on God’s plans for you and not get in the way with your own personal views and interpretations of how you think your life should be. Remove any doubt or fear from your heart. Instead replace it with belief and trust in God.

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. Proverbs 3:5 (KJV)

Along this journey called life, we have to open our hearts and minds to a true understanding of life’s many challenges and faith, of what it is and what it is not, in our lives and abroad. It’s important to know that faith is something to be experienced and exercised, not defined, categorized, and neatly packaged on a shelf. Faith rests on a solid foundation. The evidence is everywhere before our eyes. Begin to create a safe space for God to work wonders in your spiritual life by reading God’s Word, praying often, and submitting to God’s healing. God wants your heart, gratitude, and honesty which will bring you to His everlasting peace. Remember, every positive change in life must first begin with a commitment to work towards that change. Then, you will be on your way to live a life that’s full of happiness, spirit filled, and with unwavering faith.

FAITH AFFIRMATIONS

Don’t dig up in doubt what you planted in faith. – Elisabeth Elliot

Reciting affirmations are a great way to boost confidence, mood, and self-esteem. Through the incredible power of repetition, you’re able to reconstruct your thought patterns, beliefs, and ideals in your subconscious mind. Begin to set yourself up for a more productive and successful life that you desire by reciting these powerful faith-based affirmations.

All that I seek I can find within me.
I trust that my faith in the universe will reveal all opportunities for me.
I focus on what I can control and make peace with what I can’t.
I trust my inner knowing in the face of uncertainty.
I choose faith over fear and peace over perfection.
I am ready to move ahead and explore the purpose of my existence.
I trust and believe that everything is always working out for my highest good.
I am at peace with my whole being.
I see my faith, presence and passion being the most beautiful things there are in my life.

JOURNAL PROMPTS

Let your faith be bigger than your fear. – Unknown Author

What is the best way to increase your faith?
List five ways you’ve become stronger and more faithful this month.
How can you strengthen your faith in God?
The area where I need to put more trust in God is …
I feel God’s presence most when …
God is leading me to make the following changes …
Sometimes I get angry with God about …
I feel most distant from God when …

Let’s talk. How do you plan to increase your faith in 2023? Please share your thoughts in the comments section. I look forward to reading your feedback!

Believe in yourself today, tomorrow, and forever!

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Journaling to Stay Grounded

LaPorterMay 7, 20214 Replies

Don’t be ashamed of your story. It just might inspire someone. – Unknown Author

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Welcome back to Renew Inspiration! I hope you have your journal and something to write with. I don’t know about you, but I love to write in my journal because it is a safe place for me to put my feelings and emotions into words. Remember, journal writing is your very own personal journey throughout life, your ups and downs, your successes and failures.

Today let’s focus on the concept of journaling to stay grounded. Open your journal and write down the following questions:

Why do I write in my journal?
What do I want to learn about myself?
How do I shine from day to day?
Do I have any talents or special skills?
How do I stand out in a crowd?

Begin to write your answers out so you can reflect on them in the future. Now, let’s take this exercise a little bit further. What’s the first thing you think about when you see the words “stay grounded”? Take a moment to write this question and your answer. For me, I think about being grounded in the Word of God so that I can have a solid and secure foundation. I think about having the ability to be guided on the right path throughout life.

Next, we’re going to discuss five ways you can use journaling to stay grounded in your life.

SPIRITUAL FOUNDATION

Stand your ground, it’s sacred. – Unknown Author

#1 – You must have a spiritual foundation that includes the Word of God and having some level of faith. Without a strong spiritual foundation, you cannot withstand the storms of life. In my opinion, staying grounded in the Word of God increases your faith and renews your hope for the future. Staying grounded takes a strength from within like no other. For some, reading God’s Word is enough. For others, reading God’s Word, praying to God, practicing meditation, and living Christ-like satisfies their spiritual endeavors. Write these tips in your journal and refer to them as you read God’s Word:

Tip #1 – Always ask yourself – How does this word apply to me?
Tip #2 – Receive every word as true. Rest upon the promises that God has given you.
Tip #3 – Be prepared to put what you read into action in your life.

AMAZON RESOURCE #1 – Present, Not Perfect Journal

HOPE FOR THE FUTURE

I am grounded. I am safe. I am divinely protected at all times. – Unknown Author

#2 – You must have hope for the future. Hope is another one of those words that can be defined on a personal level and may change from situation to situation; or person to person. According to the Webster Dictionary, hope is defined as a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen; a feeling of trust.

But what does hope mean to you? Do you hope for anything great on today or in the near future? When I think of hope, I think of beauty and positive vibes. Hope is like a beautiful flower that thrives on sunlight and water. In a spiritual sense, hope relies on your daily commitment to God’s Word, meditation, and prayer.

Here’s a few questions to write in your journal that will help you better understand hope:

How do you define hope?
What do you hope for each day?
Why do you feel hopeful/hopeless?

ON TRACK TO REACH YOUR GOALS

Make it your goal to stay physically strong, mentally sound, emotionally stable, and spiritually grounded. – Unknown Author

#3 – You must stay on track to reach your goals. Goal setting is important in every aspect of your life. To pursue new ideas or strive to reach your dreams, you must have a plan to do so. There has to be a fire within you in order for you to strive to reach your goals that you set. You have to think positive and plan for success. Well, how do you start?

Here’s my recommendations:

Identify what you want and name your specific goal(s).
Write your goal(s) down and write the steps needed to facilitate the goal(s).
Take each of the steps you wrote down and incorporate them into your current lifestyle.
Begin to visualize yourself after your goals are achieved.
Evaluate your progress as you move through the steps you’ve identified.

AMAZON RESOURCE #2 – ACT Daily Journal

BUILDING SELF-CONFIDENCE

Confidence is not they will like me. Confidence is I’ll be fine if they don’t. – Unknown Author

#4 – You must continue building your self-confidence each day. Self-confidence is extremely important in almost every aspect of our lives, but if we are honest with ourselves, we sometimes struggle to find it throughout our everyday lives. Did you know that gaining the confidence of others is one of the key ways in which a self-confident person finds success in life? Unfortunately, people who lack self-confidence find it difficult to become successful.

Here’s some ways for you to build self-confidence:

Prepare for your journey. Look at what you’ve already achieved, think about your strengths, think about what’s important to you, and where you want to go in life.
Set out on your journey. Build the knowledge you need to succeed, focus on the basics, set small goals and achieve them.
Accelerate towards success. By this point, you should feel your self-confidence building from within. Keep yourself grounded and always aware of how you feel throughout this process.

FIND TIME FOR SELF-REFLECTION

Time spent in self-reflection is never wasted, it is an intimate date with yourself. – Unknown Author

#5 – You must find time for self-reflection. Self-reflection is a process of examining one’s own thoughts, feelings, and sensations to gain better insight of one’s life. Self-reflection allows you to:

Notice negative patterns in your life.
Keeps you focused on the bigger picture.
Prevents you from worrying about things out of your control.
Helps you face your fears.
Allows you to make decisions based on your conscience.

My prayer for you today is that you will begin to use journaling to help you stay grounded in your own life. Believe in yourself. Be brave and take risks. After all, nothing can substitute an experience, whether it is positive or negative. Allow your journal to be your safe haven. Every word that you write down, will offer you hope for tomorrow and give you strength for today.

BLUE HOST RESOURCE

JOURNAL PROMPTS

Where there is hope, there is faith. Where there is faith, miracles happen. – Unknown Author

What are my short-term goals and long-term goals?
What matters most to me right now in this very moment?
What am I ashamed of and/or what do I fear?
What brings me the most joy and how can I make time for it?
As of today, what is my vision for my life in one year, two years, three years?
What stresses me out? What can I do to reduce the stress?
What is overwhelming in my life right now?

SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS & COMMENTS

Do you spend time writing in your journal? Would you commit some time to use these journal prompts? Why or why not? Please share your thoughts in the comment section.

Believe in yourself today, tomorrow and forever!

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Less Worry More Faith

LaPorterApril 12, 20206 Replies

Renew Inspiration, Happy Easter, Worry, Faith, Anxiety, Easter Lily, Journal Prompt — pixabay

Worrying is a waste of time. It doesn’t change anything it just clouds your mind and steals your happiness. – Unknown Author

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Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)

Welcome back to Renew Inspiration! Happy Easter to you and your families. Despite what you have experienced throughout the week, be thankful that you are here today to speak about it and read my inspirational blog. Now, I don’t know about you, but lately, I have found it very difficult to shake off worry and anxiety. If you live your life constantly worrying about things that are out of your control or have anxiety that cause you to stray away from things you love to do, then it’s time to strive for less worry and more faith.

AMAZON RESOURCE #1

DEFINITIONS – Worry & Faith

God is still writing your story. Don’t let go of your faith because of what you have to see. – Unknown Author

Worry can be defined as:

• To allow one’s mind to dwell on difficulty or troubles surrounding one’s life.

• Worries are a chain of thoughts based in words. For example, “What will happen if” … “It will be terrible when” … “What if I can’t”.

Faith can be defined as:

• Complete trust or confidence in someone or something.

• Strong belief in God or in the doctrines of a religion, based on spiritual apprehension rather than proof.

AMAZON RESOURCE #2

WORRY TRIGGERS

Stop worrying about what can go wrong, and get excited about what can go right. – Unknown Author

Let’s face it, we all have issues that we worry about, right? Sometimes we’re not even aware of why we’re worrying, when we’re doing it or what we tend to worry about the most. We just know that we often feel anxious and we find ourselves stuck in a vicious cycle of worry. One of the ways to break this vicious cycle is to be aware of which things trigger our anxiety.

• Is it when we’re in certain places?

• Particular times of the day?

• When we’re around certain people?

• Is there certain thoughts, emotions or feelings?

AMAZON RESOURCE #3

FINDING WHAT WORKS FOR YOU

Smile, breathe, and go slowly. – Thich Nhat Hahn

It’s impossible for you to completely eliminate worry from your life, but you can significantly lessen its hold over your life. Part of this process is learning when it might show up (triggers) and coming up with a plan to deal with it when it does (solutions).

• Understand your specific symptoms. What are your thoughts when your worry escalates? In what situations do your symptoms intensify? Lessen?

• Know what works for you. Which strategies are helpful in moments of high worry? Examples could be deep breathing exercises, mindfulness exercises, meditation, journaling or talking with a support person.

• Schedule therapy sessions with a mental health professional. Be open and honest.

• Find a support group in your area or online to help you gain another perspective on your worrying. Don’t be afraid to share your experiences, listen to others and give/receive feedback.

• Visit your local library and check out some books on worry and anxiety.

• Spend some time regularly doing meditation, mindfulness exercises or yoga along with deep breathing exercises.

• Write down your thoughts and feelings in your journal or notebook. Then, reflect on them throughout your journey.

• Find ways to cope with worry and anxiety by purchasing The Ultimate Anxiety Workbook.

AMAZON RESOURCE #4

WAYS TO INCREASE FAITH

Faith is building on what you know is here so you can reach what you know is there. – Cullen Hightower

While most communities are still sheltered in place, take this very sensitive time to build a true relationship with God so you can increase your faith. Believe it or not, your faith can move mountains and your doubt can create them. You must believe in your heart and mind that you will receive whatever it is that you are praying for throughout your journey. No mountain is too big for our God. I always think of a mountain as any obstacle, problem, or situation that happens in our lives throughout the journey.

Here’s some ways to increase your faith:

• Read and study God’s Word.

• Pray to God throughout your day.

• Listen to positive and uplifting gospel music.

• Read a devotional to strengthen your faith.

• Practice praise and worship ushering in God’s presence.

• Meditate on God’s Word and spend time journaling.

Begin to create a safe space for God to work wonders in your spiritual life by reading God’s Word, praying often, and submitting to God’s healing. God wants your heart, gratitude, and honesty which will bring you to His everlasting peace. Remember, less worry, more faith should be your living roadmap.

JOURNAL PROMPTS

I love journaling because it is a safe place for me to put my feelings and emotions into words, then put my words into action. Remember, journaling is your very own personal journey throughout life, your ups and downs, your successes and failures. In addition, journaling is a powerful way to process events in your life, build self-awareness, get more clarity, and keep yourself on track. Journaling also allows for past reflection, future insight, and present surrender. Keep in mind that this is a journey. Everyone takes their own path. Ready, set, write!

• What positive things will begin to take the place of worry?

• What are your biggest challenges that prevent you from overcoming worry?

• What are some of your worry triggers?

• When do you find yourself worrying about these triggers?

• What makes your worry or anxiety worse? What makes it better?

• What is the best way to increase my faith?

• List five ways you’ve become stronger and more faithful this month.

• How can I strengthen my faith in God?

Believe in yourself today, tomorrow and forever!

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Faith and Growth Mindset

LaPorterMarch 1, 20203 Replies

Renew Inspiration, Faith, Growth Mindset, Yellow Flower, Welcome March, — pixabay

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For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God. Ephesians 2:8

With that said, let’s WELCOME MARCH with a spiritual discussion concerning “FAITH”. Your faith can move mountains and your doubt can create them. Now, what is your understanding of this statement? Well, it’s quite simple. You must believe in your heart and mind that you will receive whatever it is that you are praying for throughout your journey. No mountain is too big for our God. I always think of a mountain as any obstacle, problem, or situation that happens in our lives throughout the journey. Unfortunately, if you’re not careful, some mountains can destroy relationships and break up happy homes.

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TAKE A STEP BACK

Faith is all about believing. You don’t know how it will happen, but you know it will. – Unknown Author

Throughout our journey, it would be nice if we could backtrack and start over from time to time without harming anyone along the way. But how did we get to the point where we want to press the reset button? For some of us, we try to learn from our mistakes which causes us to wonder why we made them in the first place. Retracing our steps helps us remember who we are and where we come from throughout the faith process. This means spending time in meditation and prayer. Then, looking at your current situation to see where we may have taken the wrong turn.

APOLOGIZE

Faith isn’t a feeling. It’s a choice to trust God even when the road ahead seems uncertain. – Dave Willis

Next, it is time to apologize for our mistakes if you have hurt someone along the way. How awful we must feel, right? For some people apologizing and asking for forgiveness is too hard to handle alone. In most cases, our pride stands in the way of apologizing to make someone else feel better. It is important to retrace our steps and learn how we should be honest to not just ourselves, but also to others. We should all strive to learn and grow from our mistakes. This learning and growing experience is not meant to be easy, but it is a necessary step in this learning and faith process.

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MAKE AMENDS

Don’t dig up in doubt what you planted in faith. – Elisabeth Elliot

Then, it is time to make amends with those who we have done wrong. In some cases, amends can be straight forward and in other cases it can be quite messy. But nevertheless, be true and honest to yourself. Put everything you have into this faith process to amend your relationships and receive the much needed forgiveness from the person(s) in question.

MOVE ON

I choose faith over anxiety hope over worry love over fear. – Unknown Author

Then, the final step in this faith process is the time to prepare yourself to move on. Remember, it is good to ponder on your mistakes, but don’t let them shame you or make you think you are alone throughout the faith process. No matter how big our mistakes seem in life, God’s love can help us through those darkest days. Simply put, we shall be well and rise again. Just let go, release, and move on.

CHANGE YOUR MINDSET

A mind troubled by doubt cannot focus on the course to victory. – Arthur Golden

As you set yourself up for success throughout this mindful journey, please keep these things in mind as you begin to increase faith and change your mindset:

• Positive thoughts equal positive outcomes

• Admit that your thinking needs to be adjusted

• Seek positive support from family, friends, support groups

• Immerse yourself in personal growth – Read inspirational books or listen to positive speakers

• Forward thinking will move your focus away from where you don’t want to be to where could be

Finally, improving your life starts with improving your growth mindset.

• Write in your journal every day.

• Write thank you notes to people who help you throughout your journey.

• Read positive affirmations and quotes.

• Write a Wins Checklist based on your best experiences and accomplishments.

• Adopt a healthy lifestyle. Look at how you sleep, what you eat and how much/little you exercise.

JOURNAL PROMPTS

Remember to take care of yourself. You can’t pour from an empty cup. – Unknown Author

Journaling is a powerful way to process events in your life, build self-awareness, get more clarity, and keep yourself on track. Journaling also allows for past reflection, future insight, and present surrender. Keep in mind that this is a journey. Everyone takes their own path. Ready, set, write!

• How can I strengthen my faith in God?

• What feels like a struggle in my life right now?

• What stresses me out? What can I do to reduce this stress?

• How can I support myself more? How can I support others too?

• How can I make more space in my life for the things or people I love?

Take time, be honest and fill in the blank. Reflect on your answers throughout your journey.

• One thing I need to work on is _________________________.

• One thing I need to let go is _______________________.

• One lesson I learned today is _______________________.

• Today I can honor my mind, body and spirit by ______________________.

• I need to improve my spiritual life by _________________________.

Always remember, your mind will always believe everything you tell it. Feed it faith. Feed it truth. Feed it with love. Until next time, believe in yourself today, tomorrow and forever!

Believe in yourself today, tomorrow and forever!

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Spiritual Breakthrough

LaPorterJanuary 5, 20204 Replies

Sometimes it takes an overwhelming breakdown to have an undeniable breakthrough. – Unknown Author

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Special Thought – When you pray, God listens. When you listen, God talks. When you believe, God responds. Amen.

Welcome back to Renew Inspiration! Let’s welcome 2020 in with a spiritual breakthrough! Before I begin, I want to thank you for believing in me and supporting my blogging endeavors. I don’t know about you, but I am putting 2019 behind me and planning to have a much more productive and spiritual year ahead. How about you?

Sometimes I just sit and think about everything that life throws at us from day to day…from hour to hour…from minute to minute! For some of us, this experience can be very difficult to manage throughout this journey called life. We depend on support from family and friends to help us through these challenging times. For me, I pick up a pen and my notebook, then just start writing.

AMAZON RESOURCE # 1

DEFINE SPIRITUAL BREAKTHROUGH

There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you. – Maya Angelou

Spiritual breakthrough can be defined as a process of removing spiritual obstacles to your spiritual walk with God. When someone says, “I need a breakthrough”, they are usually experiencing a time when they feel like heaven is closed and God is not moving.

AMAZON RESOURCE #2

KEYS TO SPIRITUAL BREAKTHROUGH

Stop trying to calm the storm. Calm yourself, the storm will pass. – Unknown Author

Whichever way you choose to release this negative energy is good, the most important thing, is to release it. However, some people are not that fortunate. They have to face these hard times alone. As we move throughout life, it is important to know if we’re on the right course to reach our spiritual breakthrough. Whether you believe in a God or a Higher Power, we all want to make sense of where we are being led and by whom.

Here’s the keys to spiritual breakthrough:

• Call on the Name of Jesus – It is important to note that we cannot experience our spiritual breakthrough until we first receive and believe in Jesus Christ. We do this by calling on His Name to save us. Through His blood we are reconciled to God. (Romans 10:13)

• Prayer and Fasting – Often the spiritual breakthroughs we need are brought about through prayer, not by asking favors of people. Tune out the background noise of life and trust in the power of prayer. Then, start storming the gates of heaven through prayer and fasting. (Ephesians 6:12)

• Faith – Faith is one of the most essential ingredients of healthy daily Christianity. Remember, it is not enough to just pray about something. We need to pray with faith and confidence in our gracious and Heavenly Father who rewards us when we diligently seek Him. (Hebrews 11:6)

• Alignment with God’s Will – We need God to give us new and better desires that are pleasing to Him. Focus on what really matters. Learn how to listen to God by spending quality time in God’s Word. (I John 5:14)

• Patience – Often we do not receive what we are praying for right away. We must pray with persistence and patience while trusting God. (Hebrews 6:12)

• Forgiveness – Forgiveness is not an emotion in life, it is a choice. Sometimes a choice you need to make on a daily basis, to forgive as Christ commanded you. God will strengthen you to be able to forgive, when you don’t feel you can. (Matthew 6:14-15)

• Repent – Surrendering your whole life to Christ in repentance, and giving Him access to be Lord over all of your life will assuredly bring about a powerful personal breakthrough. (Hebrews 12:1)

AMAZON RESOURCE #3

The spiritual breakthrough process allows you to share love, peace, joy, and gratitude with others each and every day. Your spiritual foundation will always be there tucked deep inside just waiting for the right time to assist you, but we have to learn how to get out of the way. No matter how difficult it may be, take a deep breath, close your eyes, and enjoy the spiritual breakthrough experience.

JOURNAL PROMPTS

Maybe you’ve been assigned this mountain to show others it can be moved. -Unknown Author

• What does God’s presence feel like?

• Are you currently living in spiritual bondage?

• How can I be more spiritually engaged in life?

• What is the greatest lesson you’ve learned and how did you learn it?

• Are you praying for a spiritual breakthrough in life?

• How can I hear God’s voice while going through the spiritual breakthrough process?

AMAZON RESOURCE #4

TIME TO SHARE & COMMENT

Her soul is fierce. Her heart is brave. Her mind is strong. – Unknown Author

Let’s talk. What can lead us on the path to spiritual breakthrough?
Share your thoughts in the comments section. I look forward to reading your feedback!

Believe in yourself today, tomorrow and forever!

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Reflections of Autumn and Faith

LaPorterOctober 6, 20192 Replies

Reflections, Autumn, Faith, Flowers, Life Lessons — pixabay

Autumn shows us how beautiful it is to let things go. – Unknown Author

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Welcome back to Renew Inspiration! Well, here’s to another wonderful and blessed autumn day! Would you agree? Today, I want to focus on reflections of autumn and faith. Despite what you have experienced throughout the week, be thankful that you are here today to speak about it, read my inspirational blog, and write in your journal. It’s important to speak positive words into our lives so we can receive the benefit which is a positive outcome to our negative situation.

DEFINITIONS

Every leaf speaks bliss to me, fluttering from the autumn tree. – Emily Bronte

Well, today’s positive words are autumn and faith. In order to move forward, I feel it is important to provide the definitions of autumn and faith as it relates to this blog post.

• Autumn – Autumn, also known as fall, is one of the four temperate seasons. Autumn marks the transition from summer to winter, when the duration of daylight becomes shorter and the temperature cools.

• Faith – Faith is a strong belief in God or in the doctrines of a religion, based on spiritual apprehension rather than proof.

AMAZON RESOURCE # 1

REFLECTIONS OF AUTUMN AND LIFE LESSONS

Autumn is my time. I am most radiant and full of energy when the leaves are falling and there is a ghost of change in the air. – Unknown Author

I have to admit, autumn is my favorite season. I love the coolness in the air and the mental cleansing that I strive for as I experience change all around me. Have you ever just looked at nature (the trees, flowers, animals, grass) during the autumn season? If you take just a moment each day and reflect on the change that you experience as well as life itself, you will learn a lot about your very existence which turns into life lessons.

Here’s a few examples of how reflections of autumn can provide you with life lessons:

• Radiate Beauty – There’s so much beauty outdoors. Take a moment and reflect on the fall colors and textures, then capture your own beauty, creativity and awareness during this time of natural change.

• Let Go – Allow yourself to release anything and anybody from your presence that do not help you to grow and flourish. Once you release, you will naturally enjoy fresh new beginnings in life that will allow you to grow and mature.

• Find Balance – As you go through life, it’s important to reflect on a healthy balance in life so that you can enjoy family, work, and personal time without feeling guilty.

• God’s Blessing – It’s always good to reflect on God’s Blessings, but autumn brings more awareness to change and healthy relationships. Always strive to find healthy ways to improve your life as it relates to family, friendships, guidance, etc.

AMAZON RESOURCE #2

FAITH CAN MOVE MOUNTAINS

God has a purpose for your pain, a reason for your struggle and a reward for your faithfulness. Trust Him and don’t give up. -Dave Willis

With that said, let’s have a spiritual discussion concerning “FAITH”. Your faith can move mountains and your doubt can create them. Now, what is your understanding of this statement? Well, it’s quite simple. You must believe in your heart and mind that you will receive whatever it is that you are praying for throughout your journey. No mountain is too big for our God. I always think of a mountain as any obstacle, problem, or situation that happens in our lives throughout the journey. Unfortunately, some mountains can destroy relationships and break up happy homes.

PERSONAL REFLECTIONS AND FAITH

Faith is all about believing. You don’t know how it will happen, but you know it will. – Unknown Author

Take a Step Back
Throughout our journey, it would be nice if we could backtrack and start over from time to time without harming anyone along the way. But how did we get to the point where we want to press the reset button? For some of us, we try to learn from our mistakes which causes us to wonder why we made them in the first place. Retracing our steps helps us remember who we are and where we come from throughout the faith process. This means spending time in meditation and prayer. Then, looking at your current situation to see where we may have taken the wrong turn.

Apologize
Then, it is time to apologize for our mistakes if you have hurt someone along the way. How awful we must feel, right? For some people apologizing and asking for forgiveness is too hard to bare alone. In most cases, our pride stands in the way of apologizing to make someone else feel better. It is important to retrace our steps and learn how we should be honest to not just ourselves, but also to others. We should all strive to learn and grow from our mistakes. This learning and growing experience is not meant to be easy, but it is a necessary step in this learning and faith process.

Make Amends
Then, it is time to make amends with those who we have done wrong. In some cases, amends can be straight forward and in other cases it can be quite messy. But nevertheless, be true and honest to yourself. Put everything you have into this faith process to amend your relationships and receive the much needed forgiveness from the person(s) in question.

Move On
Then, the final step in this faith process is the time to prepare yourself to move on. Remember, it is good to ponder on your mistakes, but don’t let them shame you or make you think you are alone throughout the faith process. No matter how big our mistakes seem in life, God’s love can help us through those darkest days. Simply put, we shall be well and rise again. Just let go, release, and move on.

AMAZON RESOURCE #3

SELF-REFLECTION & JOURNAL PROMPTS

Don’t dig up in doubt what you planted in faith. -Elisabeth Elliot

Journaling is a powerful way to process events in your life, build self-awareness, get more clarity, and keep yourself on track. Journaling also allows for past reflection, future insight, and present surrender. Upon entering the journaling process, you will find that you are able to reflect freely without judgement. Now, close your eyes and clear your mind. Grab your pen/pencil. Open your journal or notebook. Ready, set, write!

• How can you strengthen your faith in God?

• What is going well in your life right now?

• What could be improved?

• What are 3 things that you are believing God for?

• What fears do you have in life?

• What would you do if you were not afraid?

• What advice should you give yourself right now?

• What are your priorities in life?

AMAZON RESOURCES #4

TIME TO SHARE & COMMENT

Your faith can move mountains and your doubt can create them. – Unknown Author

Let’s talk. Your mind will always believe everything you tell it. Feed it faith. Feed it truth. Feed it with love. What is on your mind right now? How strong is your faith? Do you believe in miracles? How often do you spend time reflecting on your life? Please share your thoughts in the comments section. I look forward to reading your feedback!

Believe in yourself today, tomorrow and forever!

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God’s Favor

LaPorterNovember 20, 20186 Replies

Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being?” declares the Lord. “There are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word. (Isaiah 66:2 NIV)

Something to Think About – A flood of favor is coming your way – Do your best, God will do the rest.

Welcome back to Renew Inspiration! Today, I want to talk about God’s favor. Take a moment and think about this question – Do you recognize God’s favor in your life? God’s favor can be described as “tangible evidence that a person has the approval of the Lord.” In other words, God’s favor is the undeserved kindness of God. Nothing you have is because of luck or chance. It’s all due to God’s grace and favor. You receive God’s favor in your life when your heart, words, and actions line up with the Word of God. God shows favor to the people who delight in, connect with, and give honor to Him. God seeks out those who love Him and love His commandments so that He can bless, guide, and protect them at all times. Whether you realize it or not, God’s favor is on your life.

Here’s the truths about God’s favor:

• God’s favor is God’s grace. God’s favor is the reason you and I are saved. We are saved by God’s favor and His grace.

• God’s favor affects every area of life. Every part of your life is impacted by the grace and favor of God. This means you are delivered, protected, preserved, healed and made whole.

• God began showing you His favor even before you were born again. Salvation is the greatest expression of God’s favor in our lives. God continues to pour out grace and more favor to us every moment of our lives, if we only receive it.

• God’s favor surrounds you continually. As a born again Christian, you have been made righteous by Jesus and that righteousness came with God’s favor which surrounds you continually.

• You must realize and accept God’s favor to experience it fully. Before you can receive the benefits from God’s favor, you must know that they are yours to begin with. Just as with every other spiritual benefit, you must receive them by faith.

In addition, you can identify God’s favor when we see three spiritual things happening:

• God has sovereignly chosen a recipient of His grace.

• God has blessed that recipient in one way or another.

• God has intentions that His blessing be shared with others.

God’s gracious kindness is His to give, and He gives it when, to whom, and how he chooses. However, the Word of God invites all of us to come by faith and receive the gift of Jesus Christ, freely offered for all of us.

God's Favor, Reflection, Thank You — pexels

TIME FOR REFLECTION – JOURNAL PROMPTS

Today be thankful and think how rich you are. Your family is priceless. Your health is wealth. Your time is gold. – Zig Ziglar

MIND

• What takes your mind away from God, thus robbing you from God’s favor?
• What is your biggest dream and/or goal?
• What has prevented you from going after your dream and/or goal?

BODY

• List 5 ways you’ve become stronger and more courageous this week.
• Lord, please strengthen my heart when it comes to ________________.
• When I’m in pain, physical and emotional, I find strength in ________________.

SPIRIT

• Where do you see the unmistakable mark of the creator? Thank and praise God for it.
• When have you seen God use something small to produce a big outcome?
• What can I do to nurture my spirit more throughout the week?

God's Favor, Butterflies, Thoughts, Comments — pexels

SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS/COMMENTS

One touch of God’s favor can change everything in your life. Stay faithful and trust in His timing. God’s favor is yours now and forever. Have you experienced God’s favor in your life lately? Do you sometimes block God’s favor in your life? What are you thankful for during this holiday season?

Believe in yourself today, tomorrow and forever!

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Power in the Name of Jesus

LaPorterOctober 7, 20182 Replies

Jesus, Christ, Savior, Salvation, Power — pixabay

Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved (Acts 4:12)

Something to Think About – There has never been, and there will never be, another human who will be more successful than the humble Teacher, Jesus Christ. – Monica Johnson, doublequotes.net

Welcome back to Renew Inspiration! Do you believe there is power in the name of Jesus? Whether you are spiritual or not, you have to agree that God carefully chose the name Jesus which means savior. Jesus’ name was given to reflect His purpose while living on earth and after resurrection. However, to experience salvation to its fullest it is important to understand there is no deliverance from sin and its consequences nor preservation or deliverance from harm, ruin or loss except through the powerful name of Jesus.

Holy, Bible, Scriptures, God, Jesus, Salvation — pixabay

Here’s some important information and scriptures concerning how powerful the name of Jesus is in our lives:

• Jesus’ name gives us our identity (Acts 11:26) – As a Christian, you are identified with God because you believe in the name of Jesus and are expected to live like Him.
• Jesus’ name is above every other name (Philippians 2:9-11) – The name of Jesus is above the name of any sickness, disease or challenging situation.
• Everything Jesus carries is in His name (Mark 16:17-18) – We exercise our God-given authority only in the name of Jesus.
• Jesus’ name is at work all of the time (Matthew 28:20) (Revelations 1:18) – Jesus is always available to help us. Look for Jesus or call His powerful name anytime or anywhere.
• The name of Jesus is a strong refuge (Proverbs 18:10) – The power in the name of Jesus provides protection, covering for them from all evil that believe in it.
• The power in the name of Jesus is invoked through faith (Acts 3:16) – Remember, to call on the name of Jesus in faith understanding of the power that lies in His powerful name.
• The enemy knows and understands the powerful name of Jesus (Matthew 8:29) – Command healing or deliverance over your life or loved one in the name of Jesus and the spirit of infirmity will leave immediately.
• Jesus’ name commands instant delivery (Acts 9:34) – When you call on the name of Jesus in faith, your answer is dispatched immediately from the heavens. Sometimes you may receive an instant manifestation but other times you may have to walk in obedience to God’s Word.

I have no doubt, there is power in the name of Jesus. Read God’s Word and hide the scriptures in your hearts. Reflect on God’s Word often and exercise authority over that illness, disease or challenging situation in the mighty name of Jesus. Remember, do not call Jesus’ name in vain because it is not acceptable unto God. After all, despite what life may be throwing at you right now, it’s never too late to make a fresh start with God. So, what are you waiting for?

Time for Reflection – Journal Prompts – Spiritual Improvements

Journal prompts are given to help you write about tough topics or situations in your life. Be honest and true to yourself when journaling. Journal writing is a self-reflection exercise to help you improve every aspect of your life. Now, grab your journal, Bible and begin to pray asking God to guide your every thought and step.

• How has journaling helped your spiritual formation?

• What is one thing you can do today that would promote a gentle and quiet spirit?

• What is one thing you could do this week or month to improve your spiritual walk?

• What is the one area in your life where you need to put more trust in God?

• When do you feel God’s presence most in your life?

• What changes should you make in your life to get closer to God?

• Find at least two scriptures that mean a lot to you right now in this very moment. Read the scriptures, then read them again. Then, write the scriptures down in your journal and reflect on them often.

lightbulb, thought, thinking, mind — pixabay

Share Your Thoughts in the Comment Section

As I was doing my research to write this blog, I saw so many scriptures related to Jesus name, but I chose the scriptures that were dear to my heart. What are your favorite scriptures and why? Have you called on Jesus’ name when you were going through something in your life? What was His response? Do you use journaling to improve your spiritual life?

Believe in yourself today, tomorrow and forever!

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Moving Forward in Faith

LaPorterMay 19, 20182 Replies

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God. Ephesians 2:8

Welcome back to Renew Inspiration! Well, here’s to another wonderful and blessed week! Would you agree? Despite what you have experienced throughout the week, be thankful that you are here today to speak about it, read my inspirational blog, or write in your journal. It’s important to speak positive words into our lives so we can receive the benefit which is a positive outcome to our negative situation. I always think of it as moving forward in faith.

Don’t dig up in doubt what you planted in faith. -Elisabeth Elliot

Faith is all about believing. You don’t know how it will happen, but you know it will. -Unknown

Take a Step Back
Throughout our journey, it would be nice if we could backtrack and start over from time to time without harming anyone along the way. But how did we get to the point where we want to press the reset button? For some of us, we try to learn from our mistakes which causes us to wonder why we made them in the first place. Retracing our steps helps us remember who we are and where we come from throughout the faith process. This means spending time in meditation and prayer. Then, looking at your current situation to see where we may have taken the wrong turn.

Faith isn’t a feeling. It’s a choice to trust God even when the road ahead seems uncertain. -Dave Willis

God has a purpose for your pain, a reason for your struggle and a reward for your faithfulness. Trust Him and don’t give up. -Dave Willis

Your faith can move mountains and your doubt can create them. -Unknown

I choose faith over anxiety hope over worry love over fear. -Unknown

Journal Prompts
• How can I strengthen my faith in God?
• What feels like a struggle in my life right now?
• What stresses me out? What can I do to reduce this stress?
• How can I support myself more? How can I support others too?
• How can I make more space in my life for the things or people I love?

Your mind will always believe everything you tell it. Feed it faith. Feed it truth. Feed it with love. Until next time, believe in yourself today, tomorrow and forever!

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Staying Grounded

LaPorterMay 13, 20187 Replies

The Lord will fight for you. You need only to be still. Exodus 14:14

Welcome back to Renew Inspiration and Happy Mother’s Day to all of you beautiful mothers that read my blogs every week! Today let’s focus on the concept of “Staying Grounded”. What’s the first thing you think about when you see the words “Staying Grounded”? I think about being grounded in the Word of God, staying focused from day to day, being on track to reach goals, and hope for the future.

Don’t be ashamed of your story. It just might inspire someone. -Unknown

Word of God
Stand your ground, it’s sacred. -Unknown

In my opinion, staying grounded in the Word of God increases your faith and renews your hope for the future. Staying grounded takes a strength from within like no other. For some, reading God’s Word is enough. For others, reading God’s Word, praying to God, practicing meditation, and living Christ-like satisfies their spiritual endeavors. As you read God’s Word, keep these tips in mind:
• Always ask yourself – How does this word apply to me?
• Receive every word as true. Rest upon the promises that God has given you.
• Be prepared to put what you read into action in your life.

Staying Focused
Don’t fear change. When its winds come blowing stay grounded, don’t let it knock you down. -Unknown

Staying focused from day to day is not as easy as it sounds. It seems to be easier when you have a daily To-Do List. Your list may include your daily agenda or you may want to include items that will build your faith and bless others along the way. For example, you may want to include:
• Count my blessings
• Practice kindness
• Let go of what I can’t control
• Listen to my heart
• Be productive yet calm
• Just breathe

On Track to Reach Goals
Make it your goal to stay physically strong, mentally sound, emotionally stable, and spiritually grounded. -Unknown
There has to be a fire within you in order for you to strive to reach your goals. You have to think positive and plan for success. Well, how do you start? First, you should set some personal goals for yourself. However, not just any kind of goals, make sure you set SMART goals for yourself. Second, you need to write down your goals to clarify and strengthen your daily intentions. Third, break down your goals into small and manageable steps to overcome any anxiety you may have. Fourth, hold yourself accountable by maintaining focus and discipline throughout your weight loss process. Fifth, rewarding yourself will help reinforce the positive actions you’ve taken so you can continue doing it every day. Remember, effective systems and habits make it easier for you to accomplish your goals on a regular basis.

• S – Specific – Well defined so that anyone can understand the goal
• M – Measurable – Needs to have parameters in order to know if the goal was achieved
• A – Attainable – Must be a realistic goal that challenges you
• R – Relevant – Make sure the goal is consistent with your other goals and will aid you in achieving your long-term goal
• T – Time Oriented – Create a time frame for when you want to accomplish your goal

Hope for the Future
I am grounded. I am safe. I am divinely protected at all times. -Unknown
is another one of those words that can be defined on a personal level and may change from situation to situation; or person to person. According to the Webster Dictionary, hope is defined as a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen; a feeling of trust.
But what does hope mean to you? Do you hope for anything great on today or in the near future? When I think of hope, I think of beauty and positive vibes. Hope is like a beautiful flower that thrives on sunlight and water. In a spiritual sense, hope relies on your daily commitment to God’s Word, meditation, and prayer.

• How do you define hope?
• What do you hope for each day?
• I feel hopeful/hopeless because…
• Name at least 5 things you are hopeful for. Then, take a moment and reflect upon each thing listed.

Wings to show you what you can become. Roots to remind you where you’re from.

I am present within myself. I can center myself with the ease of my breath. I feel grounded, confident, worthy & whole. -Unknown

As always, I look forward to hearing your feedback and reading your comments. Remember, sharing our thoughts and experiences teaches others a life lesson. In addition, please invite others to subscribe to my blog as well and share my blog on your social media platforms. Finally, I have added some items from www.amazon.com that may interest you so I would appreciate your support if you make a purchase. Until next time…

Believe in yourself today, tomorrow, and forever!

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Tag: faith

Unwavering Faith

DEFINITION – Faith

WAYS TO INCREASE FAITH

FAITH AFFIRMATIONS

JOURNAL PROMPTS

Journaling to Stay Grounded

SPIRITUAL FOUNDATION

HOPE FOR THE FUTURE

ON TRACK TO REACH YOUR GOALS

BUILDING SELF-CONFIDENCE

FIND TIME FOR SELF-REFLECTION

JOURNAL PROMPTS

SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS & COMMENTS

Less Worry More Faith

DEFINITIONS – Worry & Faith

WORRY TRIGGERS

FINDING WHAT WORKS FOR YOU

WAYS TO INCREASE FAITH

JOURNAL PROMPTS

Faith and Growth Mindset

TAKE A STEP BACK

APOLOGIZE

MAKE AMENDS

MOVE ON

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JOURNAL PROMPTS

God’s Favor

TIME FOR REFLECTION – JOURNAL PROMPTS

SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS/COMMENTS

Power in the Name of Jesus

Time for Reflection – Journal Prompts – Spiritual Improvements

Share Your Thoughts in the Comment Section

Moving Forward in Faith

Staying Grounded