First Motion; Then Emotion!

Feelings! They are so inconsistent. Some days you feel like this, one day you feel like that. Some days you feel like you can take on the whole world, other days you just want to stay in bed and do nothing, right? 

Feelings are especially inconsistent when it comes to responsibilities. Some things we can’t wait to get stuck in but then after a couple of weeks, that same thing you loved doing you, feel like not doing much anymore or for a random day. However, regardless of whether we feel up to do it or not, we know we got to do e.g. get up for work or lectures, brush your teeth or have a shower, spend some time with family or spend so time with that special someone.

As a man of faith, I know I need to invest in my relationship with God in various way but mainly through talking to Him (prayer). However, sometimes I don’t feel like praying. (SHOCK HORROR) 

But really and truly, It’s normal. Human beings are very fickle. Feelings, If we live by them, we’re doomed.

Thank God there’s an alternative: Doing what we have to do, not what we feel like doing.

When I don’t feel like praying, here’s what I do 9/10: I pray anyway. I find that just like a lot of things in life, once you start doing something, the feeling will follow. First motion; then emotion.

There’s even times when i don’t feel like making new posts, though my mind is telling me, “you have a responsibility, it been a few days now”, then what do I do? I start writing bits of the post and then the rest follows.

You get the idea? FIRST MOTION; THEN EMOTION

The main thing is to settle in your head that you absolutely NEED to pray, get up, work, clean, assume you responsibilities etc… It’s not an option. Sure for a lot of people it is (because they don’t know what they’re missing), but not for you. The consequences would be much worse than the small effort you have to make to do what you need to do.

So! what is it that you have been postponing because you didn’t feel like doing it? Have you not talked to God lately? Have you not you made that phone call yet? Have you not gone to the doctors yet? Have you not started your assignment yet?

You haven’t felt like it. No problem. REMEMBER: FIRST MOTION; THEN EMOTION!

You have the wisdom, NOW USE IT! Or Else…

 

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Check Out My Other Posts: Do A Little Everyday || Do What’s Right Regardless || The Time Is Now || Avoid This Common Mistake || The Power Of Decision || Do Not Assume || The devil Want You To Waste Time

It’s Not By Merits; It’s By Bold & Sincere Faith In God

When you manifest bold faith, there is no room for shyness or any other symptom of fear. There is confidence and even impertinence, because of your conviction. 

Truth is, this faith violates hell, destroys doubts and imposes power. There is no way to resist the power of living faith in the Living God. The fullness of life is established in a unique way.

Feelings of fear, insecurity and weakness are simply neutralized by this bigger force.

Feelings such as: insecurities, unclean conscience or religious arguments such as: my cross, my karma, trials, destiny, penance and purification, being born to suffer, unsolvable problems, and whatever else is contrary to intelligent faith is defeated on account of the rights acquired through faith in the Promises of God.

Ten lepers were healed. Only one returned to say thank you. Even though Jesus already knew beforehand that the other nine were going to be ungrateful, He still healed them all. The other nine did not deserve it. Yet they benefited because they believed in Him as a Prophet. And this was enough.

The parable of the religious man and the sinner is another example that faith can ignore merit:

Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’ And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other… Luke 18.10-14

The religious man used an unintelligent faith. He put his faith in his religious practices. This was his loss.

On the other hand, the sinner manifested his faith in the compassion of God. He was blessed.

God takes into consideration our faith in His Word. If you manifest your faith in Him, the results may even be immediate.

There is no interference or limit to the results of living faith in the Living God. It recovers lost time, causes the old to make plans for the future and the young to be visionaries.  It transforms the illiterate housewife into a successful entrepreneur, able to stand among national corporations. And why not?

Faith ignores man’s abilities and makes the impossible possible. Even death bows down before faith! Because it associates the fervent with God. He becomes a partner of the Almighty God.

THINK ABOUT IT. God Bless

Have A Look At These Blog Posts: For The Proud In Spirit, Self Righteous & Self Wise || Religious Faith vs Intelligent Faith || Trusting With All Your Heart || Every Christian Needs Motivation When Things Are Going Wrong || What Is Sin? || Sin No More || The Twp Types Of Faith ||

How To Be Blessed In The Open?

But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. Matthew 6.6 NKJV

Spirituality is not a show to be broadcast in search of applause. Evidently, in public meetings where the goal is prayer and devotion to God, our acts will inevitably be seen. That is not the issue. The issue is when our acts of faith become nothing but a theatrical performance to impress others.

God is not looking for actors.  He looks for sincere people.

Your bedroom is a place of incredible power. There, or in any other place away from the eyes of others, you can have a conversation with God. Pour out your anxieties and fears upon Him, ask for guidance, cry, smile, present to Him your dreams and plans for the future, repent from your mistakes and seek strength to keep up the fight and overcome.

Unfortunately, not everyone uses this power. They think that God already knows what they need, that is why there’s no need for prayer. They say they do not have the time or do not feel like it. They do not know what they are missing.

An old Christian saying states that, “He who walks on his knees does not stumble.” According to this Thought of Jesus, besides not stumbling, he is openly rewarded.

Maybe your public shame is because of your pride of not bowing down and praying when you are alone.

Application: Experiment praying in secret every day. Jesus did it multiple times, how much more us!

Renato Cardoso

Check out his official blog for more thought provoking posts: www.renatocardoso.com

Have a look at these posts: Do A Little Everyday || Sin No More || The Prayer That Strengthens || Shhhh! The Beauty Of Silence || A Successful Christian vs A Defeated Believer || Protect Your Faith || The Power Of Decision

The Bible || The Treasure On Your Desk

I would like to share with you some passages that can really change your way of thinking and living. I was thinking about what the first book should be. Last year, I received a comment on a blog that I wrote about Nehemiah, asking me to write about other books of the Bible. This is a very strong book and it broadened my horizons about meditating on God, myself and the work of God.

Unfortunately, few Christians read the books in the Old Testament. This is because many churches preach that Jesus cancelled everything that came before Him. They couldn’t be more wrong.

When Paul says to Timothy:

But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3.14-17 NKJV

What Scripture was he talking about? The “Holy Scriptures” that he spoke of were the only part of the sacred text that existed at the time, which happens to be the part of the Bible that many Christians neglect: the Old Testament.

Sadly many think the Old Testament is “old” and what really matters is the New Testament. Thus, forming weak believers, who do not know the God they claim to serve. The Old Testament reveals the character of God, His plan for mankind, and it is as Alive, Effective and current as the New Testament.

Here, “Old” and “New” do not mean “outdated” and “up-to-date”; instead, it refers to God’s covenant with men. The first covenant was made with the blood of animals, the second covenant was with the blood of Jesus. However, the second set of books does not cancel out the first set, nor does this make them outdated. On the contrary, it confirms, completes and revives them.

“you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus…”

Paul tells Timothy that the Word he learned by reading the books that are so often neglected by Christians today, have power to make us wise about salvation through faith in Jesus! Of course, if faith comes by hearing the Word of God, without access to this Word, how would you keep the faith of salvation? If you do not have an intimate relationship with the Spirit of this Word, how will you be saved and remain saved until the end?

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

Here, he states that this same Word is fully inspired by God and used to teach, to rebuke, to correct and to guide in righteousness. This is so the man of God may be complete! And you may say: “But nobody is perfect!” God said to Abraham, “Walk before me and be blameless.” Therefore, when we walk in the presence of God, we become complete in His eyes, because He is complete. So the Word of God is fully inspired by Him and can be used to make us complete, this is, to allow us to walk in His presence. This is the fullness that interests us.

The only way to keep ourselves in His presence is to be obedient to His teachings, humble to accept rebuke, disciplined to correct ourselves when corrected, and remain in constant learning of righteousness, which requires righteousness to be practiced.

However, the reason for achieving all these things through the Word of God is not only to make us walk in the presence of God. It is also to make the man of God (and the woman of God) be thoroughly equipped for every good work. Because this is what walking in God’s presence does to us: equips us for every good work.  So, just think about the treasure you have in your hands!

And Paul was just speaking about the Old Testament… imagine today, we have the complete Bible at our disposal! Put everything in this package: All Scripture is inspired by God and useful to completely transform a person’s life, inside and out. Knowing the power that comes with this Word, the devil tried to prevent it to fall into the hands of common and sincere people, who had a thirst for God.

For centuries, many were persecuted and even killed by the Catholic Church simply for translating Bible passages, trying to fulfill the dream of making the Word of God available to all people. Today, since the Bible is now available to everyone, the strategy is to make them lazy to read it or not give it its due attention.

We all have this treasure before us, a book that is more than a compilation of 66 books. Every verse of every chapter of each of these books unfolds into thousands, giving us valuable guidance for absolutely every area of our lives. A treasure, which can enable us to do the work of God like we’ve never imagined we could. Written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. When we drink of this Spirit, read the Bible under His guidance, we achieve much more than mere knowledge and wisdom. We have access to the mind of God, His wisdom and His character. And we begin to multiply on earth.

For this reason, from today forth, let’s look at the Bible differently. It is a book, but the Spirit inspired it, it is the voice of God.

Let me just add one more thing: stop thinking that it is difficult to read the Bible. Everything you think is difficult becomes difficult. Everything you believe you are able to understand, you will be able to understand. Do not limit yourself and do not limit the Holy Spirit.

God Bless

Check out these posts: Protect Your Faith || Shhhhhh! The Beauty Of Silence || The Bridge That Connects Us To The God Of The Bible || Are You A Slave Or A Servant? || I Hate him; he Is Such A Liar – Part 1 || Every Christian Needs Motivation When Things Are Going Wrong || Why Do They Come To Us For Advice?

How To Know If God Has Forgiven You?

Turbulence? Uneasiness? Anxiety? Anguish? Yes, there is a clear sign, which shows that God has forgiven you, however, it is none of the those stated

Yes, God sends you an undeniable sign that He forgave your sins. But, what is this sign exactly?

The sign is PEACE! Yes, when God forgives you, you have and you are at Peace, but with whom? Firstly, with yourself! It’s as if your conscience becomes calm and your hearts is free, because there is no longer anything left to accuse or imprison you.

Therefore, do not forget that both your life, as well as mine and any other human being, even those who do not believe in God, depend upon Faith. And for us who know the truth, even more! This is the reason we are tempted by the devil, and everything is more difficult for us than for others.

Therefore, the devil and his demons, will try to generate all sorts of problems, raising persecution, injustice, discrimination, bad examples within the Church etc… but that’s not an excuse for us to fall into temptation but rather for us to stand firm!

God allows us to be tempted in order for us to be approved, resisting all temptations so that He may be glorified through your fear and obedience to Him. He does not allow us to be tempted beyond our strength to resist temptation.

Whenever you are troubled, tempted or persecuted, see it as an opportunity to prove to God that your faith has quality. Yes, YOUR FAITH HAS QUALITY! AND FAITH HAS QUALITY WHEN IT IS HUMBLE, OBEDIENT AND SINCERE! In reality, Faith has a twin brother and his name is, without a doubt, OBEDIENCE!

Julio Freitas – Check out his official blog: Julio Freitas Official Blog

How about reading these posts next: Get It Off Quick || Stop Blocking Yourself From God || Keep Clean Or You’ll Stink || It’s OK To Sin Because God Will Forgive Me, Right? || Avoid This Common Mistake || Religious Faith vs Intelligent Faith || Are You Standing

Two Legs

Follow Me. John 1.43

It is hard to imagine how people would leave behind their houses, business, friends, family members, fears, doubts and personal goals at the sound of two simple words from the mouth of Jesus: “Follow Me.”

What did He have that, just by listening to these words and looking at Him, people would see something much greater, more important and valuable than whatever they knew and owned up to that time? How could they, so suddenly, without giving it much thought, leave everything behind and follow Him, without further information?

It is quite true that not everyone accepted the invitation. Some trusted more in what they already had and knew. They doubted His words. Their unbelief was bigger than their faith.

What they did not understand is that if Jesus were to give further explanation and riches of details about what would happen to them if they left everything to follow Him, these people would not need faith. If He had explained and told them, “Follow Me because then you will have guidance for your life. Together with Me, you will always be safe because I am the Son of God. I will never leave you in need of anything; you will be infinitely happier and better than you are today…” — in this case, the appeal starts to look like a good deal. No need for faith, just intelligence.

Intelligence is essential, but it is not everything. Faith transcends intelligence. That is why these two things, when combined, turn us into invincible people. Never despise one to use only the other. Use them both equally.

He who has intelligence and faith does not hesitate in following Jesus. In Him, we find the guidance for life and safety for tomorrow. He who follows Him, won’t be mistaken.

Application: Use your faith coupled with your intelligence, always. Just like your two legs, take a step with one, then another with the other. Don’t be hopping around like you’re playing hopscotch.

Renato Cardoso

Check out his official blog: www.renatocardoso.com

Have a look at these related posts: The Meaning Of Intelligence || God Forbids Us From Having Fear || The Two Types Of Faith || A Successful Christian vs A Defeated Believer || Do What’s Right Regardless || Religious Faith vs Intelligent Faith || Be Courageous

Every Christian Needs Motivation When Things Are Going Wrong

Perhaps these words will cheer you up, if cheering up is what you need.

There are good reasons to renew your hopes and be confident that better days are coming. Here are five of them:

1) Everything passes. Life goes on. If there is one thing in life that is certain, it is that everything is certain to change. Find strength by reminding yourself that the difficult situation you are facing will not last forever. Nothing stays the same.

“Because you would forget your misery, and remember it as waters that have passed away” Job 11:16 NKJV

2) What does not kill you makes you stronger. Every time I go through difficulties, I come out the other side stronger. Good teachers often come disguised as problems.

“As for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good” Genesis 50:20 NKJV

3) What kills you does you a favor. Ok, there is a caveat. This applies only if you are sure of where your soul is going after you die. As sure as Paul, who said:

“For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain” Philippians 1:21 NKJV

4) God promised and He cannot lie: it’ll never be more than you can bear.Maybe you think or feel you can’t, but the truth is that you can handle it. You can overcome it. Your problems will never be bigger than you.

“God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able” 1 Corinthians 10:13 NKJV

5) Focus on what you can do, not on what you cannot. So much energy and life is wasted when you worry about things you can’t do or change. Do what you can, and forget what you cannot! Instead of being anxious, use all your energy to do what is possible. Then, lay your head on your pillow and leave the rest—the impossible—to God.

“Do not fret—it only causes harm” Psalm 37:8 NKJV

Do you need more motivation? Then, read these five points again, but this time read them aloud. Don’t ask why, but it works.

Renato Cardoso

Check out his official blog: www.renatocardoso.com

Here are some more motivation posts: Work Hard, Be Patient & Trust In God ||Why Is God Taking So Long? || Trusting With All Your Heart || The Cost Of Spiritual Maturity || The Prayer That Strengthens || 3 Steps To Success || A Lesson For Life, Struggles & Success

A Bit Of Motivation #11

FOR THE FITNESS FREAKS:

FOR THE NATURAL BODYBUILDERS/BODYBUILDERS:

FOR THE CHRISTIANS AND ENTHUSIASTS:

In the mist of the storm, FOCUS on your goal.

REMEMBER: IF YOU CAN DREAM IT; YOU CAN ACHIEVE IT

PLEASE FOLLOW AND SHARE MY BLOG. THANKS =]

Check out the other posts: A Bit Of Motivation #4 || A Bit Of Motivation #5 || A Bit Of Motivation #6 || A Bit Of Motivation #7 || A Bit Of Motivation #8 || A Bit Of Motivation #9 || A Bit Of Motivation #10

Dreams, Faith & Imagination

When Abraham complained to God, saying: “Eternal and Sovereign Lord, what can You give me, seeing that I go childless?” immediately God removed him from the tent and told him to look toward heaven and count the stars.

Abraham reacted immediately. He had faith in God. He proved this by being obedient for nearly 25 years. He believed in His infinite power.

He had trouble seeing the invisible and believing in the impossible. But, after having this vision, “the coin dropped” and he realized the Greatness of the Almighty Lord. In other words, Abraham believed in God, but he couldn’t imagine the extent of His Power to Create, His Greatness.

You cannot separate faith from imagination. Those who believe need to imagine what they want to achieve. 

By faith, many poor people have conquered a life of wealth. Though, this does not happen in everyone’s life. Why is this? Because some people are brought up subject to a life of poverty. Twenty, thirty, fifty years of living in poverty, has caused these people to put a limit on themselves and God, because they think it’s a sin to have an abundant life.

On the other hand, those who once had the best of this Earth and fell from grace, losing everything, including their dignity and come to know God’s Promises, immediately put their faith into practice through sacrifice and redeem everything they lost, and much more. This happens because they once had access to riches. This is, even in poverty, they kept their dream of an abundant life. This visualization is what makes a difference.

Abraham must have seen those same stars numerous times, but he never imagined that his descendants would be as innumerable as them.

In other words, it is not enough to just believe in God Almighty. You need to imagine Him doing impossible and powerful things in your life.

The LORD of hosts has sworn, saying, “Surely, as I have thought, so it shall come to pass, and as I have purposed, so it shall stand”. Isaiah 14.24 NKJV

As I have thought; this is, how I imagined, so it will HAPPEN; As I have purposed; this is, how I believed (faith), so it will BE REALIZED.

To materialize our faith, we have to imagine what we want. Never stop dreaming.

God Bless

PLEASE FOLLOW AND SHARE MY BLOG. THANKS =]

Have you read my other posts?: Dreaming Or Living The Dream? || A Bit Of Motivation #8 || Dreaming Starts With Believing In Yourself || God Made You; God Made Your Dreams || A Successful Christian vs A Defeated Believer || Trying To Convince Those Who Don’t Believe || Work Hard, Be Patient & Trust In God

I Invite You To The Love School Event 2014

Read this short story:

There was a blind girl who hated the fact that she had been born blind. She also hated everyone, except her boyfriend.

One day, she said that if she could see the world, she would marry her boyfriend. One lucky day, someone donated a pair of corneas to her, then her boyfriend asked, “Now that you can see me, will you marry me?”

The girl was shocked when she saw that her boyfriend was blind. She said, “I’m terribly sorry but I cannot marry you because you’re… blind.”

Her boyfriend stepped back, and with tears in his eyes said, “Please, just take good care of my eyes. They were the best that I had.”

As soon as I read this, I thought to myself I must put this on my blog. How many people are ungrateful and not understanding like the girl in this story. I don’t know how long they were together but you would think that it had to be long enough for them to start considering marriage. You would think that she LOVED her boyfriend, right?

The girl is so immature, ungrateful and selfish. How many people in this world do we all know who have such an attitude? The world is full of people like this and if we’re not strong minded, you and me could end up having this type of selfish and uncaring attitude. Where is the love? Where is the appreciation? That’s the question.

The Lord Jesus said that a sign of the end times is: And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. Matthew 24:12 NKJV

It’s mad how real this is verse is & how much it relates to nowadays. Many people who once were so caring, positive and giving, have become victims of people’s bitterness, lack of appreciation & bad attitude towards them & from those experiences have now decided to become bitter and uncaring as well, Yes or No?

We should never reject those who love us. Those who prove they love us by their actions. Sometimes, people sacrifice for us and we don’t even show consideration for them.

Jesus gave His life for us, yet MANY disregard it and reject Him daily. YES or NO?

It’s a shame… Let’s decide to not be one of them. If you read this and wasn’t disgusted by the girl’s attitude, you must be ungrateful and selfish like her.

If you want to learn how to love with actions and not only words, just like the Lord Jesus did, I invite you to The Love School event on the 28th September at The SSE Arena in Wembley. The event last year was great, it was packed out and Renato & Cristiane  Cardoso are here again with another lesson on LOVE.

Click the link to the official website and buy your ticket: The Love School Event 2014

Learn to LOVE INTELLIGENTLY. God Bless

PLEASE FOLLOW AND SHARE MY BLOG. THANKS =]

Check out my other blog posts: Ignorance – It Blinds Us || Are You Honest? || Diamond, Pearl & Gold || A Covenant || Are Searching For The Right Person? || Appreciate What He Did, No Matter Your Faith, Religion, Belief or Attitude || I Thank God For The UCKG