Merry Christmas, from Total Life Prosperity!

During this season we often hear ministers reminding us to keep Christ at the center of our Christmas celebrations. But how many of us ignore that suggestion? Whether by ignorance, selfishness, or forgetfulness, most of Christian society fails to recognize the real reason for this and EVERY season...Jesus Christ.

If He was never born, he would've never died, and the world would be lost.

It is as simple as that.

This year Christmas falls on Sunday, the Lord's Day. Maybe we'll be more apt to display appreciation for Jesus' Christ birth. Need some suggestions?

1. Gather up your family and friends and go to church.

2. Before opening up gifts, say a prayer of thanks.

3. Take a moment to explain to your children or grandchildren the meaning of Christmas.

4. Read and meditate on the first and second chapters of Luke.

5. Volunteer for a faith based charity (ie, The Salvation Army) on Christmas Day.

Merry Christmas!

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6 Faith Scriptures Every Christian Should Know

Quick! Name one "faith" scripture. Cite where it is found in the Bible. Can you name two? Three? Unfortunately, most Christians can't name one and cite where it is found. However, our faith is the substratum of our relationship with Jesus Christ.

Please be assured, I'm not referring to a head-knowledge, also referred to as mental assent. Mental assent is a knowledge that so-and-so is in the Bible but I am speaking about the faith that God's Word is true and that as a child of The Most High God, you are entitled to all spiritual blessings: salvation, health, prosperity, etc.

How can you have faith and rest that you will be healed of arthritis? How can you be completely sure that God will provide your need for food and shelter?

It is by faith and acting on God's Word that will lead to an abundant life in Jesus Christ. Notice there is another step to faith, acting. Faith is an action word. If you have arthritis and can barely walk, stand on a healing scripture (click here for scriptures) and set a goal to walk around your house, the block, the neighborhood. If you can't provide food for your family, stand on a scripture about God's provisions for you and make a grocery list, set out plates, etc.

In the Gospels, most of the miracles and healings performed by Jesus Christ were proceeded with an action. For example, the woman with the issue of blood reached out to touch the hem of Jesus Christ's garment (Mat 9:20-22); the man by the pool of Bethesda with the infirmity of 38 years was instructed to take up his bed and walk (John 5:1-8).

Meditate on the verses below, declare aloud what Jesus has already done and act on your faith.

Hebrews 11:6 - And without faith it is impossible to please God.

Hebrews 11:1 - Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Romans 10:17 - So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.

Matthew 17:20 - And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

Romans 1:17 - For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

Matthew 11:22-24 - And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

December 1st is World AIDS Awareness Day

December 1st is Word HIV/AIDS Day. I thought it would be appropriate to provide some startling statistics and resources to further the awareness of this devastating disease. For more information about HIV/AIDS, how you can get involved in this cause, or where to go to be tested, click the widget below.

• 33.4 million are currently living with HIV/AIDS.
• More than 25 million people have died of AIDS worldwide since the first cases were reported in 1981.
• In 2008, 2 million people died due to HIV/AIDS, and another 2.7 million were newly infected.

Quick Tip

Watch your posture. It's good for your spine and your mood/confidence.

Thanksgiving and Christians

 I know most of you are preparing for this Thursday and I appreciate you taking the time out of your bustling schedule to read this article. 

During this season, I petition every reader to take a deeper look into how we as Christians should be celebrating Thanksgiving. We know there is an American History story tied to the Holiday of Thanksgiving (click here for more information) but for Christians we should, like everyday, take this day to really reflect on God's grace and mercy in our lives. We should cloak ourselves in a spirit of gratitude for where we are AND where we aren't. As the old saying goes, there is someone, somewhere you has it worse than you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 reads, "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." 

You are reading this article, so thank God for your sight. You have electricity to power your computer on an internet service you've paid for (or you have access to); thank God for provision to acquire it all. Your current situation may not be ideal or you may feel like you're at the brink of destruction but thank God you are able to be victorious through Christ Jesus.

Psalm 100:4: "Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name."

So how exactly are we supposed to give thanks to God?

• Give thanks to Him in prayer. I like to open my prayer with thanking Him for who He is. I acknowledge that I could do nothing without Him in my life. During prayer time, I also thank Him for sending His only Son to die for my sins that I may be restored in relationship to God the Father. Psalm 138:2, "I will bow down toward your holy temple and will praise your name for your unfailing love and your faithfulness, for you have so exalted your solemn decree that it surpasses your fame."
• Repent of our sins. We should never take God's grace for granted. We can't keep sinning and go on with life as usual. Repent means to turn from whatever the immoral act(s) is/are. Acts 2:38 says Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
• Obey His commandments. I'm not referring to the commandments of the Old Testament. We as New Testament believers are no longer under the curse of the law. However, in Matthew 22:37-40, the Word says, "Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."
• Serve others. While serving God, we can be of service to others. Jesus stated in Matthew 25:40, "And the King shall answer and say unto them, "Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." Another profound scripture is Matthew 5:16 which reads, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." This passage is one of the reasons volunteering and financially supporting charities is so important to me.  

How do you plan to show your thanks to God this season? 

The 'D' word...DIETING. - Simple ways to jump start your diet.

Editor's note, when I use the term 'dieting', I am not referring to not eating food or only eating certain foods. My idea of dieting is eating the right kinds of food in the right amount. Once you understand this concept, a diet will become a way of life for you and will result in lasting effects. This is in no way a comprehensive article on how to begin 'dieting'. Please consult your physician before beginning any new regimen.

 

Before starting a diet, it is imperative to write down your goals. Hopefully, your goal isn't to JUST loose weight. In order for your diet to become a part of your life, the goal should invoke an emotion. For example, I want to lose weight so I can ride a bike with my children or I want to get off of high blood pressure medication.

Start by replacing your 12 inch dinner plate to a 6-8 inch 'salad plate'. You've cut 30%-50% of your caloric intake that easily! Don't think you'll be full? Drink a glass of water before your meal and eat slowly.

Next, commit to exercising at least three times a week. No need to start off heavily. Just take a walk around your neighborhood for 30 minutes. Soon enough, you'll build your endurance to exercise an hour five times a week! Whew!

Lastly, tell someone close to you your diet plans. This person should make you accountable for progressing through your diet and reaching your goals. Besides, its easier to stay faithful to your new lifestyle when someone is watching.

Do you have any dieting tips that has worked for you? Feel free to share and submit your comment below.