How we think

“If constructive thoughts are planted positive outcomes will be the result. Plant the seeds of failure and failure will follow.”

                             - Sidney Madwed (self-help-and-self-development.com)

          Thoughts, we all have them, and whether we know it or not they define who we are, and where we are going in life. Thoughts discern our directions because they are what lead us. Subconsciously they determine our actions as a direct response to what we believe will happen given the determining set of factors that make up an event. If we believe we fail every time a certain set of events take place, then our minds will gladly direct us to make sure that what we believe will come true. However, if we believe we will win given those same set of circumstances, our minds develop and ascertain directions to take us in the route of winning.

          This is really not all that complicated, even the bible points out how important what and how we think is. Philippians 4:8 says…

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

          How we think is so important to our actions and responses that great men in history studied and reprogrammed themselves for years just to change small parts of themselves to how they wanted individual aspects of their lives to be. It was said that before Benjamin Franklin decided to change his thinking that men would rather cross the dirt street and clean their shoes than talk with him. This is the same man that the founding fathers looked to for his opinion on framing the constitution. (Woodward, 2011)

“All that we are is a result of what we have thought” Buddha

“I will not say I have failed one thousand times, I will say that I discovered there are one thousand ways that can cause failure” Thomas Edison

          Some may think this a new concept, but for centuries God has tried to persuade men to renew their minds, their thoughts, into a more directed understanding that surpasses the limits that we set for ourselves. We are so unlimited in our potential that we have to be bridled by moral guidelines to protect us, well… from us. It is not through the lack of ability that we fail, but through our own self limitation based on lies told to us by others or the wrongly interpreted events in our past.

          We as individuals need to rise up to the knowledge of who we truly are in Christ, and the unlimited potential in each and every one of us. Only then will we break the chains that we have truly placed upon ourselves.

Debunking Evolution

Debunking Evolution

Long read, but fantastic article. Uses scientists own reports to prove their lack of scientific method.

A LIFE OF FAITH

“Talk what we will of faith, if we do not trust and rely upon Him, we do not believe in Him." Antony Farindon

          There are plenty of books out on faith, and what it means to have faith; however I have yet seen any examples of any books that specifically outline what faith must be, and cannot be. This is where we start today.

          For many of us we have trod our way through life attaching the commonly known practices of what was and has been considered by the modern church as a life of faith. In this endless marching, little teaching has actually been done on the subject or in how intensely important having true faith really is. We have come to believe that faith is just knowing about God, or in some cases simply believing that God can do things; this is not faith. Faith is so much more than belief, it is so much more than what we in modern times try to wrap it around or limit it to.

          What does it mean to completely trust and rely upon God? What does it mean when Paul wrote “for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.” (Romans 14:23) These are some of the questions we will be answering. Getting to an understanding of faith is an absolute necessity in operating in faith. If we really want to get into the deep things of God, and be prepared to receive His promises, then we must move into the deeper realms of faith and the true understanding of what it means to believe God.

          Billy Cole wrote in the beginning of his book “The Teachings of Billy Cole” “Many have been greatly anointed of the Lord and suddenly come tumbling down because they lack personal experience. There is a difference between power and spirituality. You can be powerful and not be spiritual. You can be spiritual and not be powerful. What you really want is to be both spiritual and powerful.” (Cole, 2006) What Billy Cole understood, and many others, is that it is not enough to just pass through life operating on limitations. If we truly want to tap into what God gives us access to, then we are going to have to step outside of our personal comfort zone and move into the deeper understandings and ways of God.

          Comfort is one of the last things that we will gain access to as we gain deeper knowledge and deeper callings into the work of God in our lives. Brother J. Mark Jordan said it this way “It is not only what you believe but how strongly you believe it that draws the ire of the world around you.” (Jordan, 2007) You will not gain the praise of those around you, you will even be attacked by those closest to you, but rest assured that when you follow the will and work of God operating in true faith, the reward is always worth the sacrifice.

50 Power Questions

These 50 Power Questions are examples of questions I may ask clients to clearly define what they desire when setting goals.

They identify what you would like to achieve, what actions need to be put in place and how you can build on each outcome to ensure positive momentum is maintained.

Use these Power Questions to start progressing towards any goal you wish to achieve NOW.

20 Questions to Define your Goals:

• If you were to FULLY live your life, what is the first change you would start to make?
• What areas of your life could be upgraded/tweaked?
• What could you work on now that would make the biggest difference to your life?
• How would you feel about doubling that goal?
• What are you tolerating/putting up with?
• What do you want MORE of in your life? (Make a list)
• What do you want LESS of in your life? (Make a list)
• What are three things you are doing regularly that don't serve or support you?
• How could you make this goal more specific or measurable?
• What would be the biggest impact from achieving your goal(s)?
• What would you try now if you knew you could not fail?
• How can we make this something you're aiming towards, rather than something you're trying to move away from?
• What do you love?
• What do you hate?
• What's one thing you would love to do before you die?
• Is now the right time for you to make a commitment to achieving these goals?
• What could you work on right now that would really put a smile on your face?
• For your life to be perfect, what would have to change?
• What do you really, really want?
• What's one change you could make to your lifestyle that would give you more peace?

Once you are completely clear on which goals you would like to achieve, what are you going to do?

10 Power Questions to Initiate Action

• What's the first/next step?
• What research could you do to help you find the first (or next) step?
• Who could you talk to who would illuminate this issue?
• Who should you be hanging out with - so that achieving this goal becomes natural (ie. who's already doing it?)
• How can you get the knowledge/information you need?
• What are three actions you could take that would make sense this week?
• On a scale of 1 to 10, how excited do you feel about taking these actions?
• What would increase that score? (eg. handle fear, clearer steps, more support, more fun)
• What would Tony Robbins do in this situation? What would "massive action" look like?
• What will happen (what is the cost) of you NOT doing anything about this?

When setting goals and taking action, it is important to analyze the results of those actions and any feedback that you have received. By doing this you are able to develop the next steps to empower you to maintain the positive changes required to achieve your goals.

10 Questions to Gain a New Perspective

• What can you learn from this?
• In what way is the current situation absolutely perfect?
• How could you turn this around immediately, and enjoy the process?
• What in this situation can you find to be grateful for?
• What are you doing well? What can you do better?
• What's one way you could have more fun in your life?
• If you were your own coach, what coaching would you give yourself right now?
• What is the value of your current attitude?
• What's your favourite way of sabotaging yourself, and your goals?
• What should I say to you if I spot you doing this?

10 General Power Questions

• What are three of your greatest strengths?
• What are you most excited about now? What are you looking forward to?
• What's one way to get more energy into your life?
• If your relationship was IDEAL, what's one thing that would be different?
• What would be your ideal career - if you could do anything?
• What's one thing that you could do to give yourself more peace financially?
• What is your life really about? What is your purpose?
• If you had to guess your life purpose (from looking at your life to date), what would it be?
• What would you like most to be achknowledged for so far in your life?
• Who in your life should be acknowleged more? Would you acknowledge them for something today?

I hope these Power Questions inspire you when setting your goals and help you identify specific actions you need to take to achieve them.

If you would like to contact me I would welcome the opportunity to discuss how you can develop your action plans further.

32 Biblical Business priciples

Romans 12  “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”

God has to be at the center of our lives and our businesses

1. Seek God’s direction on how to handle your business

2. God wants you running an honest business

3. Offer a quality product and service

4. Plan ahead

5. Treat everybody fairly

6. God will give you revelation and insight

7. Money alone will not bring you happiness….need to enjoy your work/effort/business

8. Seek God’s direction on how to handle your business

9. With God’s help you can take on even established businesses

10. When you’re honest in your dealings…you will be rewarded for your service

11. If you don’t keep your word in business, you suffer the consequences

12. Inspect what you expect to prevent defects

13. Diligent in business will bring you before great people

14. You want good, profitable business

15. Expand your borders with other locations/businesses

16. Maximum effort brings business insight

17. Value Your Long Time Employees

18. Go where the customers are….do your research

19. Be careful of your competitors

20. Keep a proper perspective about your business and your first loyalty

21. Don’t rush into business, plan properly so it will prosper

22. Plan your work and work your plan

23. Work Your Business to support the gospel

24. Good business owner teaches everything he knows

25. Ask God to bring you the right kind of employees

26. Educate yourself on your business and its proper conduct

27. Be faithful in your business

28. Be fair in all your business dealings

29. Do not be unequally yoked

30. God will protect your business even in tough times

31. Take care of your business today

32. Always set aside time for rest and reflection…

How to take dominion through business

How to take dominion through business

Then God blessed them, and God said to them.  Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth (Genesis 1:28).

It is clear by the reading of scripture that God gave man dominion over the works of His hands.  This dominion is not just limited to Christians, but given to all men.  Christians however have a unique opportunity based on the fact that they have a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ to exercise that dominion as an act of obedience to God and in a manner that glorifies Him.  What is dominion?  Dominion is a divine legal right and power given to man over the works of God’s hands (Psalm 8:6).   There are three institutions that God has ordained through which man can exercise dominion in the earthly realm:

1      Family
2.     Business
3.     Government

Business is a tool to exercise dominion in the marketplace.   Unfortunately, many kingdom entrepreneurs struggle to exercise dominion in the market place – therefore they are not able to have the type of influence that God desires for them to have in society.   As Christians, we are called to be salt and light but our influence is limited if we are not walking in dominion through our businesses.   There are four stages of growth that is essential for us to have dominion through our businesses. However, these stages cannot be accomplished if we are not walking in divine blessings.  This is the reason that BEFORE God instructed man to have dominion, He blessed man.  Divine blessing is walking in the favor of God.  It is a release of power, protection and grace from heaven to enable us to accomplish our earthly assignment.  Without it, nothing you do will be successful, nor will it bring glory and honor to God.

How to take dominion through your business?

1.     Be fruitful – dominion begins with fruitfulness, which is the ability for the business to be profitable.  You will never take dominion through business if your business is not   profitable since profitability enables you to not only remain in business but to generate the necessary resources to expand the business.

2.     Multiply – to multiply means to expand.  Once you are profitable then you must find ways to expand the business to serve more people.  Serving more people provides you with the opportunity to increase your profitability which enables you to generate more resources for greater impact and influence.

3.     Fill the earth – to fill the earth means to have a global vision.  Do not limit yourself only to the community where you started your business but consider other cities, states and even countries.  Remember that as Great Commission companies you are called to “go into all the earth.”

4.     Subdue – this is final stage of dominion which means to conquer.  Establish your business as a clear leader in your industry or in the places where you are doing business.  Without this last phase your influence will be short lived and have limited impact.

There are many examples of kingdom companies that have clearly taken dominion in the marketplace – though we do not have nearly enough. Many are striving such as Chick Fil-A, Auntie Anne’s Pretzels, Cyrus Hall McCormick Sr., Timothy Plan, CMC Group, GA Repple and Company and others.

New Fitness Challenge Program

About Us

Rising 2 Excel is a Life Coaching ministry based business designed to help in four areas of a person's life; Faith, Family, Finances, and Fitness. By working with individuals, families, or groups, we discover each persons gift and abilities, while developing interpersonal and relationship skills. We are not satisfied with creating a segmented individual, but in a whole person that can confront and win against any circumstances that come their way.

Russia warns Israel, or is it a threat?

Thought of the day

• A strict set of God centered moral guidelines is like a strong nation with uniting customs and freedom giving laws. You may have to leave some things behind to enter in, and change the way you think, but the opportunities and protection associated with it are worth more than the entirety of the wealth outside of its borders.

Spiritual Identity

The priesthood of all believers

It is a foundational concept of Protestantism. While Martin Luther did not use the exact phrase "priesthood of all believers," he introduces a general priesthood in Christendom in his 1520 To the Christian Nobility of the German Nation in order to dismiss the medieval view that Christians in the present life were to be divided into two classes: "spiritual" and "temporal." He put forward the doctrine that all baptized Christians are "priests" and "spiritual" in the sight of God:

Two months later Luther would write in his On the Babylonian Captivity of the Church (1520): “How then if they are forced to admit that we are all equally priests, as many of us as are baptized, and by this way we truly are; while to them is committed only the Ministry (ministerium Predigtamt) and consented to by us (nostro consensu)? If they recognize this they would know that they have no right to exercise power over us (ius imperii, in what has not been committed to them) except insofar as we may have granted it to them, for thus it says in 1 Peter 2, "You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a priestly kingdom." In this way we are all priests, as many of us as are Christians. There are indeed priests whom we call ministers. They are chosen from among us, and who do everything in our name. That is a priesthood which is nothing else than the Ministry. Thus 1 Corinthians 4:1: "No one should regard us as anything else than ministers of Christ and dispensers of the mysteries of God."

The origins of the doctrine within Protestantism are somewhat obscure. The idea was found in a radical form in Lollard thought. Martin Luther adduced it in his writings for the purpose of reforming the Christian Church, and it became a central tenet of Protestantism.

The doctrine is strongly asserted within Methodism and the Plymouth Brethren movement. Within Methodism it can plausibly be linked to the strong emphasis on social action and political involvement within that denomination. Within the Plymouth Brethren, the concept is most usually evidenced in the lack of distinction between "clergy" and "laity," the refusal to adopt formal titles such as Reverend or Bishop, the denial of formal ordination, and in some cases the refusal to hire any professional staff or paid Christian workers at all. Baptist movements, which generally operate on a form of congregational polity, also lean heavily on this concept.

Within this radical evangelicalism, expressed most strongly in the holiness and higher life movements, themes of restorationism, premillennialism, faith healing, and greater attention on the person and work of the Holy Spirit were central to emerging Pentecostalism. Evangelicals felt that modern Christianity was missing the power and authority of the New Testament church. Believing that the second coming of Christ was imminent, many evangelicals expected an end time revival that would bring many people to Christ. Many leaders began to speak of an experience available to all Christians which would empower believers to evangelize the world, often termed baptism with the Holy Spirit.

Fundamentalist Christianity, also known as Christian fundamentalism or fundamentalist evangelicalism is defined as anti-modernist Protestant evangelicalism was militantly opposed to both modernism in theology and the cultural changes that modernism endorsed. The name is taken from the title of a series of essays published by the Bible Institute of Los Angeles, “The Fundamentals: A Testimony to the Truth.”

For example, American evangelist Billy Graham came from a fundamentalist background, but parted company with the movement because of his choice, early in his ministry (1950s), to cooperate with other faiths and teaching all Christians to reach out to non-believers. He represents a movement that arose within fundamentalism, but has increasingly become distinct from it, known as neo-evangelicalism or New Evangelicalism

There was no one founder of modern Pentecostalism. Instead, isolated Christian groups were experiencing charismatic phenomenon such as speaking in tongues. The Wesleyan holiness movement provided a theological explanation for what was happening to these Christians. The earliest date given for the beginning of the Pentecostal movement is January 1, 1901; the date Charles Parham began teaching that speaking in tongues was the biblical sign of the Holy Spirit's baptism at his Bethel Bible College in Topeka, Kansas. Charles Parham later moved to Houston, Texas. In spite of racial segregation in Houston, William J. Seymour, a one-eyed African-American preacher, was allowed to attend Parham's Bible classes there. Seymour traveled to Los Angeles, where his preaching sparked the Azusa Street Revival in 1906. Despite the work of various Wesleyan groups such as Parham's and D. L. Moody's revivals, the beginning of the widespread Pentecostal movement in the United States is generally considered to have begun with Seymour's Azusa Street Revival.

The Azusa revival was the first Pentecostal revival to receive significant attention, and many people from around the world became drawn to it. The Los Angeles Press gave close attention to Seymour's revival, which helped fuel its growth. A number of new, smaller, groups started up, inspired by the events of this revival. International visitors and Pentecostal missionaries would eventually bring these teachings to other nations, so that practically all classic Pentecostal denominations today trace their historical roots to the Azusa Street Revival. By 1908, the Apostolic Faith Mission of South Africa had formed, and there were Pentecostal groups in Australia by 1909.

The unconventionally intense and emotional environment generated in Pentecostal meetings dually promoted, and was itself created by, other forms of participation such as personal testimony and spontaneous prayer and singing. Women did not shy away from engaging in this forum, and in the early movement the majority of converts and church-goers were female.

Believing that the second coming of Christ was imminent, many evangelicals expected an end time revival that would bring many people to Christ. Many leaders began to speak of an experience available to all Christians which would empower believers to evangelize the world, often termed baptism with the Holy Spirit.

Of all the groups, pentecostalists use the priesthood to its most effectiveness. The authority to evangelize is placed on all believers whether they have any standing or not. Women as well are encouraged to lead and partake in the service. Pentecostals need no writ or individual directive to “spread the gospel”. Each one gains the right once converted and feels led to do so. This idea and openness may be the reason for the large growth that is being seen in the pentecostal movement around the world.

Bradley S Higgins

The Battle

The Battle

          There is a battle fought inside every man and woman that decides to turn their life to Christ. This is like no other battle you have faced before. Why? Because before we changed our direction; our enemy and us were on the same side.

It is the battle with the flesh

“My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.”              Psalms 73:26 KJV

“Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.”     Mark 14:38 KJV

“For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.                         Romans 7:18 KJV

“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:                                                         2 Corinthians 10:3 KJV

          Many who come by this way are under a false impression that as soon as the Holy Ghost comes in, your flesh jumps in the back seat of the vehicle all tied up. They believe that it will not bother you again unless by some conscious action on your own, you free it again. Well my friends that is not how it works. Your flesh has had control for most of your life, and it likes control.

          “I beseech you therefore brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”                        Romans 12: 1-2 KJV

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”                                                             Galatians 2:20   KJV 

“Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?”                           Galatians 3:3 KJV

“For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.”                                                          Galatians 5:13 KJV

          You are not instantly transformed into the most holy person that you can be. We have simply been removed from our past direction, and changed to a new creature which no longer needs to live according to past influences. Where we go from that point is determined by the mercy God shows us, or in the decisions we make. It is also determined by when we make mistakes, if we turn back to God, or if we dwell in those mistakes. Everything that we do must be held up to the light of the word, so that we can make the changes necessary.

Letter to Fellow Ministries

Dedicated to reaching souls at home and abroad

Friends,

            There comes a time in every life where we all need someone. For many it is simply a helping hand, for some it is a desperate cry. Whatever the circumstances, we cannot turn a blind eye to those in need. Some will say, and rightly so, that we must make sure of the need before we open our purse strings. However there are a great many legitimate needs, not only by private citizens, but ministries themselves. These are often overlooked or ignored because no one wants to go out of their way to find needs in great works around our nation and the world.

            This is where we come in; our family has been in the ministry now for 16 years, dedicated to local church works and projects. My wife and I have led many programs in areas ranging from outreach to youth, as well as signing programs. We are now being led to take our ministry to the next level by seeking to help ministries all over the country, and in different parts of the world. However, as you know, most churches and ministries are in need of help, but cannot carry a greater load of support. This is why we are seeking support from as many as will, so that our ministry will be fully funded, and we will be fully a blessing to these many works, and not an added financial burden.

            What we would like is to have 1000 monthly supporters at $10. In this way, the load of support can be carried at an easier level by many people, instead of being heavy to a few. We would like to come to your church and show you our vision and possibly receive commitments. And all who give will receive our newsletter, and emails every couple months allowing them to know where we are, and what the ministry is doing for the many in need around the world.

            We know that finances are tight, and we know that many struggle everyday with bills and everything else life throws at you. This is what makes what we are doing that much more important. Many ministries are trying to maintain what they have been doing, and continuing service, on much less than they did before. They need help, but they cannot afford to pay for that help.

            Seek in your heart what is right, and know that you can make a difference in lives everywhere, if you will just help share the burden. The Bible says that one can put a thousand to flight, but two can put ten thousand. Just imagine what a thousand of us could do if we would just support one another, put away our differences, and love as Christ loved.

            May God bless every one of you, and I hope to be sending you letters in the near future.

                                                                                                   In His Service,

                                                                                                   Bro. Bradley Higgins

P.S. Please do not assume that someone else is going to step up to the plate. Besides, the blessings of God go to those that bless His work, so don’t let someone else take your blessing.

Bradley Higgins and Family

3131 Mt Vernon Rd

Newark, Ohio 43055

740-403-7132