Inspirational Quotes for the Day

Inspirational Quotes for the Day:

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we're liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others. (from Marianne Williamson's A Return to Love)

John Eldredge writes about his response to this quote in Waking the Dead (p. 87)

When I first read this quote, I thought, No, that’s not true. We don’t fear our glory. We fear we are not glorious at all. We fear that at bottom, we are going to be revealed as . . . disappointments. But as I thought about it more, I realized we do fear our glory. We fear even heading this direction because, for one thing, it seems prideful. Now pride is a bad thing, to be sure, but it’s not prideful to embrace the truth that you bear the image of God. Paul says it brings glory to God. We walk in humility because we know it is a glory bestowed. It reflects something of the Lord’s glory.

I agree with Eldredge. Although not "powerful beyond measure" (as Williamson states) we human beings, created a little below the angels, are indeed glorious (small g) beings. And that is something for which we can glorify the Father, who is all Glorious (big g).

By the way, Waking the Dead is a good book. I also enjoyed Eldredge's two books on masculinity, Wild at Heart and The Way of the Wild Heart. You can discover more of his writings at Ransomed Heart.

Positive Affirmations

~ Part 6 ~
Some Daily Statements on Developing Persistence

Positive self talk is critical for personal development. This set of daily affirmations originally comes from Harold Sherman, author of How to Turn Failure into Success. This "code of persistence" was copied from another source, however, and I'm not sure where I found it. Great statements to memorize though!

1. I will never give up as long as I know I am right.
2. I will believe that all things will work out for me if I hang on to the end.
3. I will be courageous and undismayed in the face of poor odds.
4. I will not permit anyone to intimidate or deter me from my goals.
5. I will fight to overcome all physical handicaps and setbacks.
6. I will try again and again and yet again to accomplish what I desire.
7. I will take new faith and resolution from the knowledge that all successful men and women have had to fight defeat and adversity.
8. I will never surrender to discouragement or despair no matter what seeming obstacles may confront me.
   

For those who are interested, I have linked solid scriptural principles to each of these statements and turned them into biblical affirmations as well. Email me and I'll send the references to you.

Daily Affirmations, Part 5

Today's affirmations come once again from Think Like a Winner. It is a matter of teaching one's mind on a dialy basis that changes our thinking. That is why...

• Today, I have a positive mental attitude. I have eliminated criticism and impatience from my life, and replaced them with praise and tolerance.
• Today, I totally believe in myself. I believe I am capable and worthy of high achievement.
• Today, I have a big, challenging goal I am working toward. It is adding meaning and momentum to my life.
• Today, I accept full responsibility for all my actions. Whatever results I achieve, I know they are the result of the thinking I am engaged in.
• Today, I manage my time effectively. I know every minute is precious and irreplaceable, and must be used to the best advantage.
• Today, I am pursuing a personal development program. I dedicate at least one hour each day toward improving myself.
• Today, I value my health, physically, mentally, and spiritually. I am taking very good care of myself.
• Today, I am a creative person in setting and attaining my goals. Possibilities abound in all my thoughts and actions.
• Today, I have a service-minded approach toward my employment and fellow human beings. I always to more that what is expected of me, knowing I will receive more of what I want in return.
• Today, I am excellent at what I do. I believe it is through excellence that I will find my true self.
• Today, I am effective in all my interpersonal relationships. I believe people take priority over problems, and that they deserve my total respect and attention.
  
  Go here for more del.icio.us Affirmations!

Daily Affirmations, Part 4

Today's affirmations are from Tom Hopkins, a sales and leadership trainer, who has had a tremendous impact on my thinking about 'failure' and how to re-frame experiences I once thought were negative. Say this three times daily! :-)

I never see failure as failure,
but only as a learning experience.
I never see failure as failure,
but only as the negative feedback I need to change course in my direction.
I never see failure as failure,
but only as the opportunity to develop my sense of humor.
I never see failure as failure,
but only as an opportunity to practice my techniques and perfect my performance.
I never see failure as failure,
but only as the game I must play to win.

I am not judged by the number of times I fail, but by the number of times I succeed; and the number of times I succeed is in direct proportion to the number of times I can fail and keep trying!

More del.icio.us Affirmations!

Daily Affirmations, Part 3

God has given us the ability to create wealth.

Trouble is, many of us grew up with - and still have - a "poverty" mindset. That is, we haven't been taught that it is a virtue to create wealth for the benefit of our family and others. So we have to teach ourselves the validity of this belief. Change our thinking, change our beliefs and ultimately change our lives.

One way to change our thinking is through daily affirmations. Repetition, we know from experience, is the mother of learning. We develop new thought-patterns when we repeatedly affirm something. (An extreme example is that of brainwashing.)

Now it's important to realize that that "something" could be a statement of truth or falsehood. Like gravity, the Principle of Affirmation doesn't care how you use it, it works regardless of our motives. That is why it is imperative to base our affirmations on the truth of scripture.

And a scriptural truth is that God has given us the ability to create wealth (Deuteronomy 8.18).

So one set of daily affirmations that I use to help transform my "poverty" thinking into "abundance" thinking - which thus changes my beliefs about earning money (among other things) - is as follows:

I have decided to use the talents God has given me and create wealth for my family and those around me.

• Think of my family and friends who will benefit.
• Think of the ministries we can fund and the saints we will serve.
• Think of our future friends we'll greet in the Kingdom.
• Think of the tens of thousands of lives we can touch.
• Think of the taxes we'll pay.
• Think of the business we'll generate and the people employed because of it.
• Think of my parents and the positive impact they've had as successful business owners.
• Think of the legacy we'll leave.

I also have a scriptural text for each of these bullet points, so if that's important to you, email me and I will send you the passages that are foundational to thinking biblically about wealth. Also, let me know what daily affirmations you are using to change your thinking and beliefs so that you can experience the life of abundance that God intends.

More del.icio.us Affirmations!

Daily Affirmations, Part 2

Today's Affirmation is based on Zig Ziglar's 30 Day Confidence Builder. First thing in the morning and last thing at night, by yourself, in front of a mirror, stand up straight, square your shoulders, look yourself in the eye and quietly, firmly say in the first-person, present-tense:

I, __________, am a person of integrity with a good attitude and specific goals. I have a high energy level, am enthusiastic, and take pride in my appearance and what I do. I have a sense of humor, lots of faith, wisdom, and the vision, empathy and courage to use my talents effectively. I have character and am knowledgeable. My convictions are strong and I have a healthy self-image, a passion for what is right, and a solid hope for the future.

I am an honest, sincere, hard-working person. I am tough but fair and sensitive. I'm disciplined, motivated, and focused. I am a good listener and patient, but take decisive action. I am bold, authoritative and confident, yet humble. I am an encourager, a good-finder, an excellent communicator and am developing winning habits.

I am a student, a teacher, and a self-starter. I am obedient, loyal, responsible, dependable and prompt. I have a servant's heart, am ambitious and a team-player. I am personable, optimistic and organized. I am consistent, considerate and resourceful. I am intelligent, competent, persistent and creative. I am health-conscious, balanced and sober. I am flexible, punctual and thrifty.

I am an honorable person who is truly grateful for the opportunity God has given me. These are the qualities of the winner I was born to be and I am fully committed to develop these marvelous qualities with which I have been entrusted. Today is the first day of my life, and it's wonderful!

Before bed, add: Tonight I'm going to sleep wonderfully well. I will dream powerful, positive dreams. I will awaken energized and refreshed, and tomorrow's going to be magnificent!

More del.icio.us Affirmations!

Today's Affirmations

Daily Affirmations, Part 1
Today's Truths are from the Scriptures

• The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. (Deuteronomy 31.8)
• Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go. (Joshua 1.9)
• Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. (1 Peter 5.7)
• The Lord knows how to rescue godly men and women from trials. (2 Peter 2.9)
• There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (Romans 8.1)
• If God is for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8.31)
• Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world. (1 John 4.4)
• I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4.13)
• And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4.19)
• Put [your] hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. (1 Timothy 6.17)
• For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer. (1 Timothy 4.4-5)
• Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. (James 1.17)
• Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (Hebrews 4.16)