Pray – Page 4 – All About Becoming

Facing the Giant: One Woman’s Courageous Fight with Cancer

This is my friend, Cheryl, and her two youngest kids. We went to school together. She is the single mother of 5 (youngest 3). She is beautiful, smart, talented and funny. She has been running aa day-care business in her home to generate income since her last divorce. She has no insurance. She was also recently diagnosed with Stage 4 Esophageal Cancer. The Dr told her it wasn’t anything she consumed or did to cause it – it just is. “He didn’t give even a 1% chance just said uncurable- he is a good dr. and has to say what he has to say and is a positive person and does hope for me to beat this.”

So here she is with this young family, facing the end of her life. Or is she?

This last week, Cheryl’s daughter (with the help of her brother and some other family) had a fundraiser dinner/auction called, “Help Save My Mom.” I stopped by to give a donation. I was hoping to see Cheryl. You see, even though we went to school together, I have not seen her for a long while. Facebook brought us together a while back, so I’ve been “in contact” with her that way. (Makes me grateful for Facebook!) So I wasn’t sure how she was feeling and if she’d be to the dinner or not. She’s had surgery and last week was prepped for her Chemo treatments which started today.

Fortunately for me, I chatted with my cousin long enough that Cheryl came walking it. Oh, how good it felt to hug her and tell her how much I loved her and admired her. She looked beautiful. Thin and perhaps a little weak, but amazing considering what her last 3 weeks have been like.

As we were chatting a lady came around the corner, saw her, and burst into tears. I wasn’t sure how to react. Should I have cried at seeing her? Is it better to smile and try to be “normal?” Gosh, I didn’t know what one was supposed to do and if my love for her seemed less because I wasn’t emotional.

But then an amazing thing happened. Cheryl kept visiting with the few of us there. She told us how she was trying to remain positive. She told us about her visit to the radiologist last week (she posted a bit about this on facebook, so I understood somewhat.) She said the radiologist was not nice and kept saying all kinds of stuff to her. For the first time since the diagnosis, she broke down in tears and felt discouraged and lacking hope. Then she said, “But THIS week when I went it for them to check lines and do their tests, I told the radiologist that I was trying to remain as positive as I possibly could and that I planned to beat this thing. So if they had any information, they could just put it in my bag and I would read it later, but not to say anything to her that wasn’t positive.”

Then she added, “It’s really sad that it’s taken something like this to help me find my voice.”

WOW! Amazing! I have pondered and pondered that comment since I left her. I have to agree with her. Isn’t it sad that we wait until we have to truly fight for our life that we stand up to those who try and drag us down, shatter our dreams, and crush our hearts? Why is it then, at that time when our life is in peril that we decide to fight back, stand up, and proclaim that we want light and truth in our life?

Why? Because we are facing the giant! We are looking him square in the eye and like the hero/heroine in any movie or story, we are determined to fight to the bitter end and we expect a victory!

Cheryl is my hero. She knows and believes in miracles. She truly knows that she CAN beat this. She said, “This is what I know: I know that my life is in the Lord’s hands now. He has the power to heal me. And if it is not for me to be healed now, I have peace knowing that He will take care of my family and all will be well with them. You remember that several years ago my dad was diagnosed with lung cancer and given a 6% chance to live. And look at him years later!” (He was actually in the gym where the dinner was set up taking money for the auction items and was laughing and joking with everyone!) This is why Cheryl believes. She has seen miracles. She has seen her own father beat the odds. She knows the Lord’s power.

I found it ironic that one of the items up for auction was a board that read something like this (wish I had written it down exactly):

“Everyone saw Goliath as a giant that no man could beat. David saw a bigger target that could be easily hit.”

Perspective makes all the difference in the world. So does attitude. I do know that as long as Cheryl listens to the “voice of truth,” she will slay every giant that she faces, and if not, she will have peace while in the battle.

I post one of my favorite songs in tribute to her. She is my hero. I love her. I believe in her. I believe in miracles! I pray for her daily. Ironically, we all thought we were going to the dinner to lift her spirits and support her, but in the end, it was she who lifted all of us with her smile and positive attitude. There just aren’t many people like that! I am privileged to know so many, especially to know Cheryl!

Always listen to the Voice of Truth! David had faith and courage when he stood before Goliath. My friend does, too! Giants fall easily, Cheryl! You just have to hit them right between the eyes! ;o)

Love you!

Denise

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcJEXRaXEXg&feature=related[/youtube]

The Difference Between Faith & Belief

My son posed an interesting question to us last night in Family Home Evening.He said that they had asked them in seminary what the difference was between Faith and Belief. (As a side note, he said he was the only one who answered the question, so that made me kind of proud that he had thought this through so well.)

So he asked us the question….What is the difference between faith and belief? And an interesting discussion started. I think this struck me because I have been documenting so many concepts from the scriptures as they pertain to Universal Law. One of the main ones I have documented is Ask, Believe, Receive. Between the Bible and LDS scripture, I have documented over 106 scriptures listed on this alone.

One of the greatest lessons I learned was about belief. Several of these scriptures say, “Ask, BELIEVING THAT YE WILL RECEIVE.” I guess this hit me so hard because I have spent the majority of my life praying and asking, but never BELIEVING I would receive what I was asking for. I thought that it was up to the Lord to determine if I was worthy enough, had done enough, if I deserved it, or if it was okay for me to have what I was asking for. I never realized the responsibility was on ME to believe I was going to get it, not to test the LORD to see if it was ok with Him to bless me with.

In James 1:9, it says, “be not a double minded man.” Well, that’s EXACTLY what I was doing– being double-minded. I was asking for what I wanted, but not believing I would get it. How can you give someone something if they don’t know what they want?

So when my son posed this question, I thought I understood BELIEF enough to answer this. But I was still stumped.

Have you figured it out yet? What is the difference?

Really, it seems that faith and belief are the same thing. Faith is BELIEVING in that which is not seen, but is true. So faith involves belief, but it is something just a little more. What is it? What is the difference?

ACTION. Those who have true faith will take the step past belief to take action on what they believe or have faith in. This is a powerful concept.

My son gave the example to us of Joshua trying to take the Children of Israel across the River Jordan and into the promised land. They had to cross this river, but how? It says in Joshua Chapter 3 that the banks were overflowing at this time of year. I assume the waters were very deep. But Joshua was told that if the priests bearing the Ark of the Covenant would just step into the water, they would part, just like they had at the Red Sea. There was an action that they had to take. They had to step into the water. That could have been scary as deep and wide as the water could have been, but because they BELIEVED and took ACTION, a miracle occurred.

I have a quote in my scriptures that says, “A miracle is not the suspension of a natural law, but the operation of a higher law.”

There are many scriptures which talk about miracles and most of them say that faith has to be present in order for miracles to occur. And when you read about miracles ceasing to exist, it is because the people lacked faith– that is a BELIEF plus ACTION.

Here is a scripture from the Book of Mormon that clearly defines this:
Ether 12:12

12 For if there be no faith among the children of men God can do no miracle among them

Another great scripture popped into my mind. Remember when Moses was leading the Children of Israel through the wilderness and they were being bit by poisonous serpents. Mostes was told to have them look to the serpent on his staff and they would live. All they had to do was LOOK– take ACTION. Yet many did not because they did not believe. To us it seems so crazy! Why would they just not LOOK??!! Yet, do we find the same thing in our day where people just don’t believe or have faith, so they just turn away?

Here is a great summary of that from the Book of Mormon:

2 Nephi 25:20

20 And now, my brethren, I have spoken plainly that ye cannot err. And as the Lord God liveth that brought Israel up out of the land of Egypt, and gave unto Moses power that he should heal the nations after they had been bitten by the poisonous serpents, if they would cast their eyes unto the serpent which he did raise up before them, and also gave him power that he should smite the rock and the water should come forth; yea, behold I say unto you, that as these things are true, and as the Lord God liveth, there is none other name given under heaven save it be this Jesus Christ, of which I have spoken, whereby man can be saved.

Those who took action were saved. They received a miracle. I thought it interesting that in the story of Adam and Eve, the Serpent represents Satan. It made me wonder….Is the “poisonous bite” of the serpent (Satan) that is striking at our heels trying to get us to sin “killing us” spiritually? If so, we need only to look to the Savior and live. We need to take action. We need to Look to Him! Many people SAY they believe in Jesus, but their words and actions don’t show that. We need to take ACTION and live like Him– keep His commandments, that is action! When we have faith in Christ in healing our souls or creating the miracles that we need, we can take ACTION– complete faith– and BELIEVE that He WANTS to send a miracle our way. It just takes faith!

Helaman 8:15

15 And as many as should look upon that serpent should live, even so as many as should look upon the Son of God with faith, having a contrite spirit, might live, even unto that life which is eternal.

My mind has been reeling with all kinds of thoughts on this. So, I will be posting a little more. =)

Write The Vision–You, Me, and Habakkuk

I’ve been writing a lot recently about vision, goals, writing, and lifevision. I suppose it is because while I was doing my Lifevision certification, I read these different scriptures in my reading each morning and Lifevision was forefront on my radar.

Lifevision is a powerful tool in changing subconscious thinking and super charging your goals, giving you true clarity and focus.

Imagine how excited I was to come across this scripture in Habakkuk.

Habakkuk 2:2-3

2 And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.

3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.

Let me break this down so you can see why I was so excited.

Write the vision and make it plain…

One of the biggest reasons for having a coach while writing your lifevision statement is to get clear on what your want or “make it plain.” Wording is very important so that your subconscious mind will absorb and take in what you have written.

…”that he may run that readeth it….”

It is interesting because when coaching others in writing lifevision, they can have a statemtn written that they REALLY want to accomplish, but if it isn’t written to resonate and feel comfortable, then you will resist it subconsciously. When it is written correctly, you truly feel like running! You are excited and invigorated and truly ready to RUN!

For the vision is yet for an appointed time,

Most goals we have will have a time for completion or a target date set for them.

but at the end it shall speak, and not lie:

The results we get/see are what speak and not lie. Aren’t actions really truth? ;o)

though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.

Sometimes we have to be patient in waiting for our goals. Some have a gestation time. (check out the Universal Laws for more on that.) But results DO come. We reap the fruits of what we so (Another universal Law here– Cause & Effect/Law of the Harvest). We either get what we want or we don’t. Both are results and both are fruits of our labors.

When you write your lifevision and record it in your own words and set it to the correct music, you have a much better chance of reaping the fruits of what you truly want because you are changing subconscious on a deep level. It works.

I’d love to be your Lifevision Coach. Read about Lifevision HERE:

Journals, goals, and Lifevisions

A year or so ago, I had a powerful aha about writing, journaling and goals. I was reading in the scriptures in Revelation 20:12 where it says, “And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.”

I was struck by the phrase “judged out of those things which were written in the books.” I began wondering if my journaling and the things I am writing down are those things that I will truly be judged by. I thought, that if that was the case, I was going to write some GOOD STUFF!! Of course, the remainder of the sentence says that judgment will also come from our works. I believe that both of these are true.

As a teacher and life coach, I understand on a huge level the subconscious mind and how it works. I also remember when I started Leslie Householder’s Family Time and Money Freedom home study course. The first thing we were told was that we were to keep a journal and that there were rules to this journal. The rules were that we had to keep things as positive as possible. If we were having a struggle that we were documenting, then we had to make sure that at the end, we showed the upside or resolution to our problem. The reason for this is really in the basic law of attraction—you get what you think about and ask for and when you put something on paper, it commits you on a deeper level to “getting what you want.” This is why the guru’s out there always tell you that you HAVE to WRITE your goals down. What you write down, comes to pass.

So if you are journaling and writing the “book of your life,” wouldn’t you want it to be a GOOD, uplifting book? And if you know that what you write down leads to actions or “works,” then you really should be writing good things down and taking a positive spin.

If you’ve written it down, and your works follow suit, then your judgment will be a sweet occasion. I liked that. I thought, “Man, I’m gonna write some GOOD THINGS down! I’m going to have a great life to be judged by!” And the truth is that most of us journal what has already happened—we are writing down what “works” we have already done. So document all the good stuff you ARE doing and the good stuff you WANT to do. I think it will have some great eternal consequences, based on this scripture.

When I learned about Lifevision, I realized how much more powerful this scripture is. We truly can create the life we vision—the life we dream about! For more info on Lifevision, you can click HERE.

I did come across some other scriptures that back this one up. They are found in the LDS Scriptures of the Book of Mormon and also in the Doctrine and Covenants. For those interested in more validation, they are listed below:

2 Nephi 29:11

For I command all men, both in the east and in the west, and in the north, and in the south, and in the islands of the sea, that they shall write the words which I speak unto them; for out of the books which shall be written I will judge the world, every man according to their works, according to that which is written.

· 3 Nephi 27:25

For behold, out of the books which have been written, and which shall be written, shall this people be judged, for by them shall their works be known unto men.

· Doctrine and Covenants 128:6

And further, I want you to remember that John the Revelator was contemplating this very subject in relation to the dead, when he declared, as you will find recorded in Revelation 20:12—And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

· Doctrine and Covenants 128:7

You will discover in this quotation that the books were opened; and another book was opened, which was the book of life; but the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works; consequently, the books spoken of must be the books which contained the record of their works, and refer to the records which are kept on the earth. And the book which was the book of life is the record which is kept in heaven; the principle agreeing precisely with the doctrine which is commanded you in the revelation contained in the letter which I wrote to you previous to my leaving my place—that in all your recordings it may be recorded in heaven.

Interesting here that Joseph Smith is actually quoting the scripture from the Book of Revelation as he explains this.

Got Vision?

I have been thinking about having vision (or a dream or a goal) again. I wrote recently about bucket lists and the gal who said that she didn’t dream of “bucket lists” because they had to no money, so there was no reason to think about it. I woke up this morning and had this thought pop into my head, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” Prov 29:18

Isn’t that interesting to think about. When we have no vision or goal, we perish. It’s true and part of what I was trying to describe in the “bucket list” post. Without a goal or direction, we lose hope and become depressed. We don’t look forward. We go through motions, but for what? We must have something to keep us moving forward. If we didn’t want to reach the peak and see the vistas and majesty of beauty, we would never climb the mountain. And climbing the mountain isn’t easy, but getting to the top and reaching the goal is indescribable. If we set our goals low and decide that we can’t go to the top of the mountain, but only part way up, we will never feel the “high” of accomplishment and we will never know the grandeur of the view from the top. How many people do you know that have no vision or dream or goal? Are they perishing? Are they going through the motions? Do they feel hopeless and in despair?

An interesting side note to this that popped into my mind along with the scripture is this: The prophets were considered “visionaries” as well. They would receive visions of what their people should do and also of things to come. When the prophets were rejected and considered “crazy,” the people would not listen and obey and then they would perish. How many times did the children of Israel become captive and taken away or put into bondage? This usually came about because they quit listening to the prophet. They took their sites off Christ.

Did you catch that? They took their sites off Christ. They weren’t looking to Him anymore. They weren’t living the commandments. Their goals and focus were on idols and money and power. They didn’t listen to the prophets. (Listening to the prophet is looking to Christ because they are His mouthpiece.) I have pondered this in my own life. When I just go about wanting “things” but have not set my sites on the Savior and following Him, my life really lacks vision. It becomes greedy and selfish. But when I focus on Christ and how He lived and how I can follow His example, then things seem to change for me. For example, I love to travel because I love to meet people from all over the world. I love learning about new cultures and lives. And what I love most is to see how, no matter where I go in the world, there are really good people who are basically trying to live good lives and love their families. When I want to travel for myself, I don’t get as much out of my trips. So one thing I try to do when I travel is see if there is any good I can do when I go. I always try to find a church to attend if I am traveling on Sunday. Then I try to contact someone in that church and see if there is anything we can do for them when we come. We have been able to bring clothing, scriptures, and do humanitarian projects on some of our trips because of that. It’s a very simple thing, but it brings so much joy AND it helps me to meet the people and get to know them. I have developed some great friendships with many of these people.

So have a vision. Have a dream. Have a goal. But keep Christ as your main goal and focus, then all the others will fall into place. One way to keep Christ in focus is that we live the commandments and laws. When we do this, we can reach our goals, but do it correctly. The last line in Proverbs 29:18 says, “but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.” When we have a vision and we live the commandments, we will truly be happy.

Got vision? You bet!

1/14/12

Bucket Lists

I have a couple of “groups” that I am a part of. In one of the groups, the topic of “Bucket Lists” came up. This comment came up from one lady and I was wondering how you would answer this.

“I don’t [have a list]- I guess I just figure that we can’t afford to do what I would like to do, so no reason to really have a bucket list.”

Here’s my response to that:

“As a lifecoach and teacher of Lifevision, it truly saddens me when people lose their dreams or goals because of money. I know. I’ve been there and done that. Now I know how much life can open up– in spite of all the turmoil going on around us. I guess that’s why I teach and coach now, because I know that whatever we truly set our minds to, we will accomplish. And if we don’t have the money, but we have a goal (written), then it can start moving towards us and the means and ways will come. I have many goals that don’t need money and many that do. I have found that sometimes we think we need money to accomplish them, when really, we only need resources. I have a friend who wins stuff all the time. She figures, “why buy it when I can win it?” And she does. What I love most is helping people tap into their own “resources.” It is amazing to watch the change and growth. Now I don’t have a “bucket list” or a “20 goal” list, but I do have a lifevision. A long term one and a short term one. Never give up hope, ladies. And NEVER EVER quit dreaming. Dreams are little puffs of faith and if we wipe them out, we are left with despair, depression and hopelessness.”

I often think about Lot’s wife. She turned back, and when she turned back she lost her future. It’s and interesting concept to think about. We should always be looking forward. Having hopes and dreams is what keeps us going. When we lose those, we are left with hopelessness, despair, depression and drudgery. Those are tools of Satan. He is constantly trying to beat us down and make us feel like we aren’t worth it. The Lord works just the opposite. There is abundance out there. There is enough for all. He wants us to look forward, look up, and look to Him. With Him ALL things are possible.

So keep dreaming!!

PS. That picture of Jerusalem is one of my big dreams and goals– to take my whole family tovisit the Holy Land! =)

Parable of the 10 Virgins and Oil in OUR lamp

The parable of the 10 Virgins has always been intriguing to me. I have known there was a deep message in that parable just for me, yet for years I have not discovered what it was until just recently.

In Sunday school, we were talking about the parable of the 10 Virgins and how it relates to us. I’ve heard it said that the oil in our lamps is our testimonies, and that is why we cannot “share” our oil with others. During the lesson, our teacher mentioned olive oil was used to light the lamps and how much effort went in to producing the olive oil. In my mind, I thought of the process of making olive oil. We have heard it used in symbolism with Gethsemane. Here is the piece written by David Ridges in his “The New Testament Made Easier” book that popped into my mind and got me thinking on a deeper level:

Gethsemane
The word “Gethsemane” means “oil press.” There is significant symbolism here. The Jews put olives into bags made of mesh fabric and placed them in a press to squeeze olive oil out of them. The first pressings yielded pure olive oil which was prized for many uses, including healing and giving light in lanterns. In fact, we consecrate it and use it to administer to the sick. The last pressing of the olives, under the tremendous pressure of additional weights added to the press, yielded a bitter, red liquid which can remind us of the “bitter cup” which the Savior partook of. Symbolically, the Savior is going into the “oil press” (Gethsemane) to submit to the “pressure” of all our sins which will “squeeze” His blood out in order that we might have the healing “oil” of the Atonement to heal us from our sins.

When the teacher mentioned the process of getting olive oil, I thought, “it is the intense pressure that extracts the oil and gives us the purest oil. If we think of this symbolically in our life, then is it the pressure (the struggles and challenges) that we go through that extract the best in us—that makes us pure and creates our oil? If that is the case, it is our challenges and pressures that create our oil and make us pure enough to see Christ. THIS is the reason we cannot “share” our oil. Our trials are our own. It is through overcoming them and becoming pure that we have ‘oil’ and we cannot share that. Each person must go through this individually.” This was such a profound AHA for me—an epiphany, a lesson. It hit me so powerfully. The trials and challenges we go through are truly blessings. It is the Lord’s way of purging the impurities from our souls and creating a pureness so that we will be able to stand in His presence and live with Him again. When I see someone going through a trial, in my mind I think they must be special because the Lord is giving them a gift and helping them create oil for their lamps.

I found that interesting as read about the second pressing creates a bitter red oil. I thought about how when we continue to press and press on our own problems and struggles, like calling friends or family and hashing and discussing and complaining and continually talking about your problem/issue, then you can create bitterness in your own life. I’ve done this, so I know. I usually can talk myself through a problem, but when I call someone or somebody asks me, then I can get heated up, worked up, and re-wrapped up in an issue. The secret is to not keep pressing and create bitterness, but to use the struggle or trial to create purity, and then let it fill our lamp and move on.

I now know that this was part of the deeper message I was to get from this scripture. I know there is more—something about the virgins themselves that I have not uncovered yet, but I do know that one day I will and the deeper meaning will become clear to me then, too.

Good things in the Last Days: Scriptures of Encouragement

Letter to my Son:

I finished the New Testament today. Wish I could share some great insights, but I don’t have a whole lot of understanding of that book (Revelation). I wish I did. I guess I need to ask Heavenly Father for more insight, seeing’s as it does have all the last day’s prophecies. ;o) There were a few verses here and there that have such a positive note for us and how we will be blessed even in the difficulty of the last days if we keep and live the commandments . Here’s one verse I liked:

Rev 21:7 “He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.”

I just thought that was cool—that if we overcome all these difficulties and challenges and struggles, then we can inherit ALL things. LOVE IT!! And isn’t the last part tender? I love the line, “and he shall be my son (daughter).” Just brings comfort and peace. And knowledge that we truly are His!

Overcoming Temptation: Scriptures of Encouragment

Letter to my Son:

Read some great scriptures this morning. I sure LOVE the New Testament. I read James today. Love the first verses on Ask, Believe, Receive. Thought this verse was cool: 1:12 “Blessed is the man that endures temptation, for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love Him.” Isn’t that a powerful promise on overcoming temptation. It made me think of the time you said you had been praying for the temptation to be removed. Interesting that when we endure it and move through it, then great blessings await us. He can’t take them away, but He can help us through them and help us OVERCOME them, making weak things strong. I whole heartedly believe this!

I also love the verses on being a doer of the word and not a hearer only. Taking action is key to change, huh? Faith without works is dead…..

Such great messages and maps for life in the scriptures. How I love them!!

I Can Do All Things Through Christ

Letters to my son:

I read some great stuff in Phillippians this morning. In Phill 4:6-13, it has some powerful messages.

First in vs 6 I had noted to “ask correctly.” Then I realized that asking correctly, in part, meant to always show gratitude in our prayers and supplication.

I love this verse (7), “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Jesus Christ.” First, the peace of God passeth all understanding—isn’t it true that when we have truly found that deep peace in Christ, it is beyond our comprehension. And when we feel that peace, we understand life on a whole new level and do not want to return back to our old state.

“Shall keep your hearts and minds through Jesus Christ–” If you remember the stickman, then you remember that the subconscious mind is the heart. Our subconscious is what moves us to action. Our “mind” is our conscious mind that accepts and rejects what we hear. If we are giving thanks in our prayers and feeling that powerful peace that takes us beyond our own understanding, then we will have Christ in our hearts (subconscious) and mind (conscious) so that we will be thinking of Him and acting like Him because it is in our subconscious (heart) to do so. And what we think about and have in our heart, we DO– take action on. LOVE this!!

In verse 9 I have circled the word DO. This is a great verse for us to understand. It says, “These things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do, and the God of peace shall be with you.” Isn’t it true that when we DO what we have learned, then we have PEACE and the spirit. It requires action like being baptized and living the principles or commandments, We need to DO those things we are taught.

Verse 11 tells us to learn to be content. I like that. We can be content no matter our circumstances. Contentment is really peace, I think.

Then verse 12 and 13 caught me today. “I know both how to be abased and abound.” Abased means humble. Abound seemed to me like abundant. We need to be humble and abundant at the same time. It’s like the law of polarity (opposition) a little, but in a positive way. If we want to be abundant and prosperous, we must first be humble by giving thanks in all things.

And the last verse is just powerful no matter what….”I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” This is just TRUE!! There truly is nothing we can’t do through Christ. It is HIS work. We are HIS children. There is nothing we cannot do in this life if we do it with our eye single to Him and with His help.