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    How to Receive from God

    by MaryAnn Diorio, PhD

    by

    WINNING WITH THE WORD

    “Winning with the Word” is a weekly blog that will help you to be a winner in life by applying God’s principles for living the abundant life as found in the Bible, God’s manual for life.

    AN INVITATION TO YOU:

    To subscribe to this blog, click here. 
    To subscribe to this podcast, If this blog and podcast have blessed you, please encourage your family and friends to subscribe as well. Thank you!

    Be sure to check out our Featured Book of the Week at the end of this post.

    ______________________________________

    Do you prefer listening instead of reading? Then click below to listen to today’s blog post on podcast.

    https://media.blubrry.com/winning_with_the_word/content.blubrry.com/winning_with_the_word/WWW_02_22_21_How_to_Receive_from_God.mp3

     

    ______________________________________

    Hello and Happy Day! This is Dr. MaryAnn Diorio, novelist and life coach, welcoming you to another episode of Winning with the Word. Today is February 22, 2021, and this is Episode #3 of Series 2021. This episode is titled “How to Receive from God”.

    Most of us Christians spend our lives going after something we already have.

    We ask God to do something that He has already done for us ((e.g., heal, deliver, provide) or to give us something that He has already given us.

    We rightly believe that God CAN do anything, but we don’t believe that He HAS ALREADY DONE everything.

    When we study the Book of Ephesians, however, we notice a critically important truth: Everything has already been accomplished in Christ and given to us.

    Ephesians 1: 3: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.”

    This verse tells us that God has blessed us with all spiritual blessings and that those blessings are found in heavenly places in Christ. These heavenly places signify the spiritual realm, So, all of the blessings that God has already given us are located in the spiritual realm.

    Well, where is the spiritual realm? For the born-again believer, the spiritual realm is the realm of his spirit because the Holy Spirit lives in the born-again believer’s spirit. The job of the Christ-Follower is to retrieve the blessings that are in his spirit–in other words, in the supernatural, spiritual part of him–and bring these blessings out into the natural, physical realm. 

    But how do we do that?

    Here are three simple steps that will help you to bring the blessings Jesus died to give you–the blessings that are already in your spirit–out into your daily life. Notice, I said these steps are simple, not easy.

    1. BELIEVE that what God says about you is true.
    2. SPEAK what God says about you. That is, speak His Word.
    3. ACT as though what God says about you is true. 

    Let’s unpack each one of these.

    1__BELIEVE that what God says about you is true.  

    Here are some things God says about you in His Word: 

    __Luke 10: 19 NLT: “Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you.”

    If you are a born-again follower of Jesus Christ, He has given you all authority over the power of Satan. Using the Name of Jesus, you can drive Satan and all of his demons out of your life.  Do you believe this?

    __Romans 8: 37 – “Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.”

    If you are a born-again follower of Jesus Christ, you are more than a conqueror in every situation. This means not only that you have the authority and power to overcome Satan, but you also can take back what he has stolen from you.

    __1 Peter 2: 24 – “By the stripes of Jesus, you were healed.”

    If you are a born-again follower of Jesus Christ, He gave you healing in exchange for your sickness when He took the stripes on His back just before His crucifixion. Do you believe this?

    __Galatians 3: 13 NIV – “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us . . . .”

    If you are a born-again follower of Jesus Christ, He took from you every curse–the curse of sickness, the curse of addiction, the curse of alcoholism, the curse of fear, the curse of mental illness—every single curse.  Do you believe this?

    So, receiving from God requires first that we believe that what He says about us is true–that what He did for us is true.

    2__SPEAK what God says about us.

    Proverbs 18: 21 NIV tells us that “The tongue has the power of life and death.”  What we say controls our future and our destiny. Are you saying about yourself and your circumstances what God says about you and your circumstances? If not, you are missing the boat big time. Repent and start speaking what God says about you.

    When we speak, we create with our words. Given this truth, isn’t it wise for us to be careful what we speak? When we speak what God speaks about us, it will come to pass.

    3__ACT as though what God says about us is true.

    James 2: 26 NIV: “Faith without works is dead.”  Works give life to our faith just as the spirit gives life to the body. A body without a spirit is simply a corpse. It is not alive and functioning. Likewise, faith without action is not alive and functioning.

    We must back up our faith with corresponding actions that prove we have faith. We must act as though we are healed, delivered, provided for, and so forth. We must place more stock in what God says than in what the doctor says, or our body says, or the checkbook says, or our emotions say. This is the way to victory.

    So, to sum up, in order to receive from God we must BELIEVE, SPEAK, and ACT the way God believes, speaks, and acts. We must believe that what God says is true. We must speak in agreement with what God says. And we must act as though what God says is true.

    When we do these three things on a consistent basis, we will begin to experience the abundant life that Jesus Christ paid the ultimate price of His very life to give us.

    NOTE: You may have heard that in every example I gave above, I mentioned that these blessings are for born-again followers of Jesus Christ. In order to receive these blessings, you must be a part of God’s family. 

    How do you become a part of God’s family? By receiving Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord.

    If you have not yet accepted Christ as your Savior and Lord, pray this simple prayer with me now:

    Lord Jesus, I want to experience the abundant life You died to give me. But I know that I must first join Your family by receiving You as my Savior and Lord. So, I choose to do so now. I choose to receive You as my personal Savior and the Lord of my life. Forgive me of my sins. Cleanse me of all unrighteousness. Give me Your grace to follow you all the days of my life. I ask and receive in Your Precious Name. Amen.

    If you prayed this prayer sincerely, please write to me at drmaryann@maryanndiorio.com. I would like to send you a free e-booklet that will help you get started in your walk with Christ. I also encourage you to get yourself a Bible and read it every single day. The Bible is God’s love letter to you, His manual for your life. In the Bible, God reveals Who He is, and He instructs you how to live.

    Finally, ask the Lord to lead you to the church of His choice for you where you can learn about Him and have fellowship and encouragement with other Christ-Followers. It is critically important in these last days to fellowship with other believers who are mature in Christ and can guide you as you grow in Him.

    If you are not yet a subscriber to the Winning with the Word blog and podcast, I urge you to click on the link below to subscribe now so you won’t miss a single weekly episode. For those who are listening, the link is  

    https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/w4q0z

    Now it’s your turn: Has this week’s post revealed anything new to you about receiving from God? If so, what? Please leave your comment in the Comment Box below. Thank you.

    ___________________________________________

    Please tell your family and friends about “Winning with the Word,” and please pass this post on to them. Thank you!

    For those of you who may not know, I write fiction about many of the issues I deal with in this blog and podcast. I encourage you to visit my website bookstore at maryanndiorio.com/book-table . 

    This podcast is funded by listeners. If you have been blessed by Winning with the Word, I invite you to become one of my special patrons on Patreon.com. For only $1.00, $3.00, or $5.00 a month, you can help me proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the world. Winning with the Word now reaches 36 countries because of your faithful support. So please help me to keep Winning with the Word on the air by becoming one of my patrons. Patrons receive special benefits, including free books, short stories, podcasts, and videos. So, join my wonderful team of Patrons and be part of something great!

    To join, go to https://www.patreon.com/winningwiththeword 

    This podcast is being sponsored by patron Karon Bekebrede. Thank you, Karon, for being a valued patron and for choosing to be a part of something great!

    I would like to thank all of my patrons who are making this podcast possible. I could not do this without you!

    To become one of my special patrons, go to https://www.patreon.com/winningwiththeword 

    Until next time, remember that God loves you just as you are and just where you are and that He will help you to keep on winning with the Word! 

    PLEASE TWEET: “How to Receive from God” by Dr. MaryAnn Diorio (CLICK TO TWEET)

    To subscribe to “Winning with the Word”, click here.

    To receive my monthly newsletter, click here.

    To become a patron of Winning with the Word, click here.

    Photo Source: Michael Schwarzenberger, Pixabay

    ________________________________________________________________________

    Featured Book of the Week:  THE IRON SAINT by MaryAnn Diorio, PhD

    The Church in America is on the verge of a tremendous spiritual awakening, an awakening that will first be fueled by persecution unlike anything we have ever seen before in this land. Indeed, a prophetic word given in my home church during the month of November gave this warning to the Church: “Prepare for the fire of persecution!”

    But the Church is not ready for this persecution. For the most part, the Church in America has been weak and lukewarm. Flabby and lazy. Consumed with the world and not with the things of God. As a result, the Church has been deceived and has subverted the divine order of things.

    In THE IRON SAINT, Dr. MaryAnn Diorio seeks to help equip the saints for the work of true, integritous, and effective ministry. As a teacher in the Body of Christ, it is her burning desire to help correct this devastating error.

    In THE IRON SAINT, Dr. Diorio has outlined a plan of action for strengthening the Church through uncompromising obedience to the Word of God. This plan of action is based on her own 50 years of walking with the Lord and being led by His Holy Spirit.

    If you are a born-again believer and member of the Body of Christ, make this book a top reading priority.

    PRINT FORMAT

    E-BOOK FORMAT

    _________________________________
    Check out these three popular Winning with the Word podcasts below. You may also search for a particular topic in the search box at the top of the sidebar on this page. 

    __How to Think like a Winner

    __7 Signs That the Tribulation Is at Hand

    __The Dangers of Generation Separation

    __Are You Thinking Straight?

    __How to Deal with the “New Normal”

    __What to Do When Your Child Goes Astray

    ___Are You a Perfectionist?

    __Is the World Coming to an End?

    __The Coming Global Cataclysm

     Are you new to this blog? If so, what is the “Winning with the Word” blog and why will it bless you to read it?

    “Winning with the Word” is a weekly blog that helps you to deal with the daily problems of life by using the Bible as your guide to solving them. The Word of God will make you a success in life!

    AN INVITATION TO YOU: To subscribe to Winning with the Word, click here.

    _____________________________________________________________

    Copyright 2000-2021 by Dr. MaryAnn Diorio. All Rights Reserved. This article may not be published or printed in any form whatsoever without the written permission of Dr. MaryAnn Diorio. You may contact her at info@maryanndiorio.com to request permission.

    Amazon.com Required Disclosure: MaryAnn Diorio is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.Disclaimer: This site uses cookies. Your continued use of this site constitutes your consent to our use of cookies. 

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    HELP! I’m Worried about the Future!

    by Dr. MaryAnn Diorio

    by

    WINNING WITH THE WORD

    “Winning with the Word” is a weekly blog that will help you to be a winner in life by applying God’s principles for living the abundant life as found in the Bible, God’s manual for life.

    AN INVITATION TO YOU: To follow this blog, click here. 

    If this blog has blessed you, please encourage your family and friends to subscribe as well. Thank you!

    Be sure to check out our Featured Book of the Week at the end of this post.

    ______________________________________

    Do you prefer listening instead of reading? Then click below to listen to today’s blog post on podcast.

    ______________________________________

    Hello and Happy Day! This is Dr. MaryAnn Diorio, novelist and life coach, welcoming you to another episode of Winning with the Word. Today is February 15, 2021, and this is Episode #3 of Series 2021.

    Do you sense that something scary is going on in the world? That something ominous is about to happen, and you have no control over it? 

    If so, you are not alone. Millions of people throughout the world know that something is drastically wrong in the world, but they don’t know what it is. For this reason, they are afraid.

    Today, I’d like to ease your fear by explaining some of the things that are happening, why they are happening, and what to do about them.

    1. WHAT is happening?
    Did you know that you can learn everything you need to know about what is happening in our world today by reading the Bible? Particularly the following passages:

    1. Matthew 24 (Parallel accounts are found in Mark 13, Luke Luke 21 and Luke 17:20-37)
    2. Revelation 13
    3. 2 Thessalonians 2
    4. Jeremiah 50-51
    5. Ezekiel 38-39 
    6. Book of Isaiah 1-66
    7. Daniel 2, 7-12
    8. Book of Joel 1-3
    9. Book of Zechariah 1-14
    10. Book of Zephaniah 1-3

    Thousands of years ago, Old Testament prophets, writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, predicted the events that are taking place today–events we are reading about in our morning newspapers, hearing about on the daily news, and living out in our daily lives. 

    So what is happening today is the fulfillment of Bible prophecy right before our very eyes. The events the Bible predicted thousands of years ago are now coming to pass in our lifetimes. And they are coming to pass very quickly.

    2. WHY is it happening?
    It’s happening because God said it would happen. In the Book of Numbers, chapter 23, verse 19, the Bible says that “God is not a man, so he does not lie.” Not only does God not lie; He cannot lie because His very nature is Truth. So, when God says something, He says what He means and He means what He says. You can stake your very life on God’s every word. This is the reason the Bible is such an amazing book. Every word in it is the truth!

    Take for example the following passage from Matthew 24: 3-8 NLT:

    Later, Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives. His disciples came to him privately and said, “Tell us, when will all this happen? What sign will signal your return and the end of the world? Jesus told them, “Don’t let anyone mislead you, for many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah.’ They will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won’t follow immediately. Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world. But all this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come.”

    Are we not witnessing the beginning of all of these things now? Indeed, we are. And Jesus warned us that there is more to come.

    What is this “more to come”? It is a seven-year period of the most horrific events the human race has ever suffered. For it will be the period when the AntiChrist, who is Satan personified, will seize power and enforce the tyrannical government of the New World Order. For the last few decades, we have heard this term bantered back and forth by politicians, beginning with former President George Herbert Walker Bush and used by major political leaders since then. 

    This New World Order is already upon us. It is now being called “The Great Reset” and is a system of surveillance, censorship, and suppression of basic human freedoms given to us by God. Make no mistake about it, we are living in the last days before the return of Jesus Christ–first in the Rapture to remove His followers before the Tribulation and then, seven years later, at His Second Coming at the end of the Tribulation to set up His millennial kingdom.

    So, the third question remains . . . 

    3. WHAT can I do about it?
    The most important thing you can do–and must do if you want to be among those whom Jesus will remove from the earth during the cataclysmic event called the Rapture–is to repent of your sins and accept Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord. Only by accepting Christ–an act called “being born again”–can you be counted worthy to be removed from the horrors to come upon the earth. For you see, once Christ-Followers are removed, all hell will literally break loose. God’s wrath will be poured out upon the earth against all those who have rejected Christ.

    While you can still accept Christ during the tribulation, you will be beheaded by the AntiChrist if you do. And the probable means of beheading will be the guillotine.

    So, accept Jesus now, before the Tribulation. If you have not yet accepted Christ as your Savior and Lord, pray this simple prayer with me now:

    Lord Jesus, I do not want to be left behind at the Rapture. I want to be taken up with Your true followers to spend eternity with You. So, I receive You now as my Savior and Lord. Forgive me of my sins. Cleanse me of all unrighteousness and make me clean. Give me Your grace to follow you all the days of my life. I ask and receive in Your Precious Name. Amen.

    If you prayed this prayer sincerely, please write to me at drmaryann@maryanndiorio.com. I would like to send you a free e-booklet that will help you get started in your walk with Christ. I also encourage you to get yourself a Bible and read it every single day. The Bible is God’s love letter to you, His manual for your life. In the Bible, God reveals Who He is, and He instructs you how to live.

    Finally, ask the Lord to lead you to the church of His choice for you where you can learn about Him and have fellowship and encouragement with other Christ-Followers. It is critically important in these last days to fellowship with other believers who are mature in Christ and can guide you as you grow in Him.

    If you are not yet a subscriber to the Winning with the Word blog and podcast, I urge you to click on the link below to subscribe now so you won’t miss a single weekly episode. For those who are listening, the URL is 

    https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/w4q0z

    Please tell your family and friends about “Winning with the Word,” and please pass this post on to them. Thank you!

    For those of you who may not know, I write fiction about many of the issues I deal with in this blog and podcast. I encourage you to visit my website bookstore at maryanndiorio.com/book-table . 

    If you have been blessed by this blog and podcast, I encourage you to share them with others. I also invite you to become a Winning with the Word patron on Patreon. As a patron you will enjoy special benefits only for my patrons. Just go to Patreon.com and search for Winning with the Word to join. I would like to thank all of my patrons who are making this podcast possible. We now reach 34 countries all over the world with the message of the Gospel. I could not do this without your help.

    Until next time, remember that God loves you just as you are and just where you are and that He will help you to keep on winning with the Word! 

    PLEASE TWEET: “HELP! I’m Worried about the Future!“” by Dr. MaryAnn Diorio (CLICK TO TWEET)

    To subscribe to “Winning with the Word”, click here.

    To receive my monthly newsletter, click here.

    To become a patron of Winning with the Word, click here.

    Now it’s your turn: How do you control your thoughts? Please leave your comment in the Comment Box below. Thank you.

    ________________________________________________________________________

    Featured Book of the Week:  THE IRON SAINT by MaryAnn Diorio, PhD

    The Church in America is on the verge of a tremendous spiritual awakening, an awakening that will first be fueled by persecution unlike anything we have ever seen before in this land. Indeed, a prophetic word given in my home church during the month of November gave this warning to the Church: “Prepare for the fire of persecution!”

    But the Church is not ready for this persecution. For the most part, the Church in America has been weak and lukewarm. Flabby and lazy. Consumed with the world and not with the things of God. As a result, the Church has been deceived and has subverted the divine order of things.

    In THE IRON SAINT, Dr. MaryAnn Diorio seeks to help equip the saints for the work of true, integritous, and effective ministry. As a teacher in the Body of Christ, it is her burning desire to help correct this devastating error.

    In THE IRON SAINT, Dr. Diorio has outlined a plan of action for strengthening the Church through uncompromising obedience to the Word of God. This plan of action is based on her own 50 years of walking with the Lord and being led by His Holy Spirit.

    If you are a born-again believer and member of the Body of Christ, make this book a top reading priority.

    PRINT FORMAT

    E-BOOK FORMAT

    _________________________________
    Check out these three popular Winning with the Word podcasts below. You may also search for a particular topic in the search box at the top of the sidebar on this page. 

    __How to Think like a Winner

    __7 Signs That the Tribulation Is at Hand

    __The Dangers of Generation Separation

    __Are You Thinking Straight?

    __How to Deal with the “New Normal”

    __What to Do When Your Child Goes Astray

    ___Are You a Perfectionist?

    __Is the World Coming to an End?

    __The Coming Global Cataclysm

     Are you new to this blog? If so, what is the “Winning with the Word” blog and why will it bless you to read it?

    “Winning with the Word” is a weekly blog that helps you to deal with the daily problems of life by using the Bible as your guide to solving them. The Word of God will make you a success in life!

    AN INVITATION TO YOU: To subscribe to Winning with the Word, click here.

    _____________________________________________________________

    Copyright 2000-2021 by Dr. MaryAnn Diorio. All Rights Reserved. This article may not be published or printed in any form whatsoever without the written permission of Dr. MaryAnn Diorio. You may contact her at info@maryanndiorio.com to request permission.

    Amazon.com Required Disclosure: MaryAnn Diorio is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.Disclaimer: This site uses cookies. Your continued use of this site constitutes your consent to our use of cookies. 

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    How to Control Your Thinking

    by Dr. MaryAnn Diorio

    by

    WINNING WITH THE WORD

    “Winning with the Word” is a weekly blog that will help you to be a winner in life by applying God’s principles for living the abundant life as found in the Bible, God’s manual for life.

    AN INVITATION TO YOU: To follow this blog, click here. 

    If this blog has blessed you, please encourage your family and friends to subscribe as well. Thank you!

    Be sure to check out our Featured Book of the Week at the end of this post.

    ______________________________________

    Do you prefer listening instead of reading? Then click below to listen to today’s blog post on podcast.

    ______________________________________

    Hello and Happy Day! This is Dr. MaryAnn Diorio, novelist and life coach, welcoming you to another episode of Winning with the Word. Today is February 8, 2021, and this is Episode #2 of Series 2021.

    In my last blog post and podcast, I talked about how to think like a winner. We explored certain principles from the Bible that, if applied, will help us to win in life. If you did not listen to that podcast, I encourage you to go back and listen to it.

    Today, we’re going to discuss  strategies for thinking in a way that will ensure that our thoughts will lead us to success. By success, I do not mean only financial success. More importantly, I mean peace of mind, good health, and joy in living.

    The strategies I will discuss always work if we work them, because they originate in God’s Holy Word, the Bible. And the Bible is Truth in written form.

    So, let’s begin.

    Principle #1: Our life is shaped by our thoughts.

    This is a law established by God, a law that we cannot change, just as we cannot change the law of gravity. 

    Because this law cannot change, we can either adapt to it or rebel against it. If we are wise, we will adapt to the law and allow it to work in our favor. 

    Several Scripture verses teach this principle that our thoughts shape our lives. For instance, in my last podcast, we unpacked Proverbs 23: 7: “As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.” We saw that the way we think in our hearts will determine the way our lives turn out. We also learned what the Bible means by the heart.

    The second principle in controlling our thinking is found in Romans 12: 2 NKJV: “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

    In this verse, we learn that in order to prove–or experience–God’s perfect will, we need to be transformed. In order to be transformed, we must renew our minds. Renewing our minds means training them to think in a new way, a way different from the way we have been thinking up until now.

    But the key here is that the new way of thinking we must choose is God’s way of thinking as found in the Bible. Any other way of thinking will not give us the desired result of a successful life.

    So, Principle #2 can be summarized as follows: We experience God’s perfect will for our lives by changing the way we think and aligning our thinking with the Bible.

    So many of us have believed lies all of our lives. We have embraced these lies as truth. Consequently, we have experienced the negative effects of those lies.

    For example, we may have been told as children that we would never amount to much or that we were clumsy or stupid or fat. We may have been told that we were unwanted or an accident or a mistake. Whatever the case may be, we accepted those lies as truth, and those lies have controlled us all of our lives.

    Yet, we may not even be aware that we are being controlled by lies. Instead, we suffer silently the emotional pain of broken relationships, damaged careers, and other failures, totally unaware that all of this suffering is caused by the lies we believe.

    But I have great news for you! Jesus Christ has come to set us free! To give us life and life more abundantly (John 10: 10). We have only to accept that abundant life by inviting Jesus into our broken lives. He is Life! 

    Unless we receive Jesus as our Savior and Lord, we will not experience the fullness of the abundant life that He died to give us. It all starts with accepting Christ–in other words, with being born again. Once we are born again, the Holy Spirit begins the process of cleaning us up and making us like Jesus.

    We don’t come to Christ already cleaned up. No. That would be impossible. We come to Christ in order to get cleaned up. So don’t let your sin and your failures hold you back. Come to Jesus now!

    After we come to Jesus, the Holy Spirit begins the lifelong process of cleaning us up. A huge part of this process is helping us to get rid of the lies we believe.

    When I first became a Christian, my life was controlled by many lies. As a result, I suffered much emotional and physical pain. That pain drove me to Christ Who then began in me the process of demolishing the lies and rebuilding my life on the Truth.  

    So, if you are reading this blog post or listening to this podcast, I understand. I’ve been there. And I can tell you with all sincerity of heart that you can come out of that painful place and know a joy and a peace beyond your wildest dreams.

    That joy and peace are found only in Jesus Christ. And it is He alone who will help you to change your thinking to align with His. Indeed, what the Bible means by renewing the mind is to stop thinking the world’s way and to start thinking God’s way. 

    Well, how do we do that?

    It is a three-step process that involves identifying the lies we believe; repenting of having believed them: and replacing those lies with the truth as found in the Holy Bible.

    So, in three simple words, the three steps are:

    1. Identify.

    2. Renounce (Repent).

    3. Replace.

    So many of us have believed lies all of our lives. We have embraced those lies as truth. Consequently, we have experienced the negative effects of those lies as they destroyed our lives and kept us from experiencing what Jesus died to give us.

    But God wants to set us free! And the way we cooperate with Him in that process is by renewing our minds.

    The final strategy for success that I’d like to discuss with you today is found in the Book of Joshua 1: 8: “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.”

    This verse reveals Principle #3: Obeying God’s Word is the only way truly to succeed in life. Success involves far more than money. It involves peace of mind, physical well-being, and healthful relationships. Obeying the Bible will give us all of these things. 

    But it all happens because we align our thinking with what the Bible teaches. In other words, we obey the Word of God. We do life His way, not our way. His way always works. Our way doesn’t.

    Remember this: How we think determines our destiny!

    Once we recognize the lies we have believed, and once we have repented of them and renounced them, and once we have replaced them with the truth, we still have something else to do. We still must continually monitor our thoughts to determine if they are from God or from the enemy. In short, as the three-year-old little boy of a friend of mine once said, we have to think about what we are thinking about.

    The only way to do this effectively is to know what God says in His Word. When we do, we will instantly recognize a lie. When we recognize a lie, we must then lasso it, take it captive–as the Bible says–and give it to Jesus. We must lay that lie at the foot of the Cross where it was defeated once and for all. And then we must replace that lie with the truth.

    Renewing the mind is a lifelong process. The Bible describes it as the process of sanctification in John 17: 17: “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.”  The encouraging news is that the Holy Spirit helps us in this process. We read this in Philippians 2: 13: ” . . . for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.”

    So, be encouraged that you are not in the mind-renewing process all by yourself. The Holy Spirit is with you, leading you and guiding you into all truth.

    But perhaps you do not know the Holy Spirit. Perhaps you do not have Him in your life to help you to renew your mind. If this describes you, then let me urge you to accept Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord. When you do, the Holy Spirit of Jesus will come into your life. He will give you a new spirit and make you a new creation on the inside.

    If you have not yet accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord, pray this simple prayer with me now:

    Lord Jesus, I want to know You. I receive You now as my Savior and Lord. Forgive me of my sin. Cleanse me of all unrighteousness. Give me Your grace to follow you all the days of my life. Thank You for satisfying my need for You. I ask and receive in Your precious Name. Amen.

    If you prayed this prayer sincerely, please write to me at drm@maryanndiorio.com. I would like to send you a free e-booklet that will help you get started in your walk with Christ. I also encourage you to get yourself a Bible and read it every single day. The Bible is God’s love letter to you, His manual for your life. In the Bible, God reveals Who He is, and He instructs you how to live.

    Finally, ask the Lord to lead you to the church of His choice for you where you can learn about Him and have fellowship and encouragement with other Christ-Followers.

    If you are not yet a subscriber to the Winning with the Word blog and podcast, I urge you to click on the link below to subscribe now so you won’t miss a single weekly episode. For those who are listening, the URL is 

    https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/w4q0z

    For those of you who may not know, I write fiction about many of the issues I deal with in this blog and podcast. I encourage you to visit my website bookstore at maryanndiorio.com/book-table . 

    If you have been blessed by this blog and podcast, I encourage you to share them with others. I also invite you to become a Winning with the Word patron on Patreon. As a patron you will enjoy special benefits only for my patrons. Just go to Patreon.com and search for Winning with the Word to join. I would like to thank all of my patrons who are making this podcast possible. We now reach 34 countries all over the world. I could not do this without your help.

    Until next time, remember that God loves you just as you are and just where you are and that He will help you to keep on winning with the Word! 

    PLEASE TWEET:“How to Control Your Thinking” by Dr. MaryAnn Diorio (CLICK TO TWEET)

    Please tell your family and friends about “Winning with the Word,” and please pass this post on to them. Thank you!

    To subscribe to “Winning with the Word”, click here.

    To receive my monthly newsletter, click here.

    Now it’s your turn: How do you control your thoughts? Please leave your comment in the Comment Box below. Thank you.

    ______________________________________________________
    Photo Source:  Pixabay
    ________________________________________________________________________

    Featured Book of the Week:  THE IRON SAINT by MaryAnn Diorio, PhD

    The Church in America is on the verge of a tremendous spiritual awakening, an awakening that will first be fueled by persecution unlike anything we have ever seen before in this land. Indeed, a prophetic word given in my home church during the month of November gave this warning to the Church: “Prepare for the fire of persecution!”

    But the Church is not ready for this persecution. For the most part, the Church in America has been weak and lukewarm. Flabby and lazy. Consumed with the world and not with the things of God. As a result, the Church has been deceived and has subverted the divine order of things.

    In THE IRON SAINT, Dr. MaryAnn Diorio seeks to help equip the saints for the work of true, integritous, and effective ministry. As a teacher in the Body of Christ, it is her burning desire to help correct this devastating error.

    In THE IRON SAINT, Dr. Diorio has outlined a plan of action for strengthening the Church through uncompromising obedience to the Word of God. This plan of action is based on her own 50 years of walking with the Lord and being led by His Holy Spirit.

    If you are a born-again believer and member of the Body of Christ, make this book a top reading priority.

    PRINT FORMAT

    E-BOOK FORMAT

    _________________________________
    Check out these three popular Winning with the Word podcasts below. You may also search for a particular topic in the search box at the top of the sidebar on this page. 

    __How to Think like a Winner

    __7 Signs That the Tribulation Is at Hand

    __The Dangers of Generation Separation

    __Are You Thinking Straight?

    __How to Deal with the “New Normal”

    __What to Do When Your Child Goes Astray

    ___Are You a Perfectionist?

    __Is the World Coming to an End?

    __The Coming Global Cataclysm

     Are you new to this blog? If so, what is the “Winning with the Word” blog and why will it bless you to read it?

    “Winning with the Word” is a weekly blog that helps you to deal with the daily problems of life by using the Bible as your guide to solving them. The Word of God will make you a success in life!

    AN INVITATION TO YOU: To subscribe to Winning with the Word, click here.

    _____________________________________________________________

    Copyright 2000-2021 by Dr. MaryAnn Diorio. All Rights Reserved. This article may not be published or printed in any form whatsoever without the written permission of Dr. MaryAnn Diorio. You may contact her at info@maryanndiorio.com to request permission.

    Amazon.com Required Disclosure: MaryAnn Diorio is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.Disclaimer: This site uses cookies. Your continued use of this site constitutes your consent to our use of cookies. 

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    How to Think Like a Winner

    by Dr. MaryAnn Diorio

    by

    WINNING WITH THE WORD

    “Winning with the Word” is a weekly blog that will help you to be a winner in life by applying God’s principles for living the abundant life as found in the Bible, God’s manual for life.

    AN INVITATION TO YOU: To follow this blog, click here. 

    If this blog has blessed you, please encourage your family and friends to subscribe as well. Thank you!

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    Do you prefer listening instead of reading? Then click below to listen to today’s blog post on podcast.

     

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    Have you ever wondered why some people are more successful in life than others? Is it a question of so-called “luck”? Or is there something more to this thing called success?

    The answer, as always, is found in the Bible. In this best-selling book of all time, God has clearly outlined the principles of success. The problem is that, sad-to-say, most people don’t read the Bible.

    Or they read it after the fact. After the problem has arisen and nearly devastated their lives.

    Yet, the Bible contains the answer to every single situation you will ever face in life. In fact, the Bible is God’s Manual for Life. It is the book He gave us to navigate our time on this earth successfully. Isn’t it a tragedy that most of the world neglects it?

    The Bible is all about winning. Not only winning in this life, but, far more importantly, about winning in the life after this one. The life that will last forever. 

    In the Bible, God has set in place certain principles, or laws, that govern success. If we live according to these principles, we will experience a wonderful, blessed life. But if we don’t, we won’t. It’s as simple as that.

    So, what are these principles of success? And how can we apply them to our lives?

    One of the fundamental principles is found in Proverbs 23: 7: This verse reads as follows: “As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.”

    Let’s unpack this verse to discover what it means and how it can affect the entire course of our lives. 

    First of all, this verse clearly connects the way we think in our hearts with the way we are: “As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.” Note the phrase in his heart. The verse does not simply say as a man thinks, but as he thinks in his heart.

    Well, what is meant by the heart? 

    The word heart as used here does not refer to the physical heart, the organ that pumps blood throughout our bodies. No, the word heart as used in this verse implies that intangible entity within us that we all recognize but cannot adequately define.

    Yet, the Bible gives us a picture of what this intangible entity called the heart really is.

    The heart is that part of us that connects our soul with our spirit. We are made in the image of God, and we have a spirit, a soul, and a body.  Each of these three parts is also made up of three parts. The spirit is made up of the conscience, the intuition, and the imagination. The soul is comprised of the mind, the will, and the emotions. The body is made up of bone, fluid, and soft tissue. 

    The heart is the bridge between the spirit and the soul. In other words, the heart is connected simultaneously to the spirit and to the soul. On the one hand, the heart is connected to the conscience part of the spirit. On the other hand, the heart is connected to the emotions, the will, and the mind parts of the soul.

    The Bible makes many references to the heart. Each of these references gives us a partial definition of the heart.

    For example, in the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 9, verse 4, we read this: “And Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, ‘Why are you thinking evil things in your hearts?’”

    The act of thinking occurs in the mind. But in this verse, Jesus connected thinking with the heart as well. “Why are you thinking evil things in your hearts?” (Underlining mine). So, from Jesus’ comment, we see, then, that the heart is also involved in our thinking process. In other words, the heart is connected to the mind.

    In the Book of Acts, chapter 11, verse 23, we learn that the heart is also connected to the will: “Who, when he arrived and saw the grace of God, rejoiced and encouraged them all to remain with the Lord with purpose of heart.” To purpose means to decide. To decide is a function of the will. When we purpose to do something, we are willing to do something. So this verse shows that the heart is also connected to the will.

    In the Gospel of John, chapter 16, verse 22, we read this: “Therefore you also now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and no one takes your joy away from you.” Rejoicing is a function of the emotions, so this verse reveals that the heart is also connected to the emotions. 

    Finally, two verses make clear that the heart is connected to the conscience, which is part of the spirit:

    Hebrews, chapter 10, verse 22  says this: “Let us come forward to the Holy of Holies with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.”

    1 John, chapter 3, verse 20, says this: – “For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things.”

    Condemnation is a function of the conscience. When we do wrong, our conscience condemns or convicts us. In saying that our heart condemns us, this verse makes it clear that our heart is connected to our conscience which is part of the spirit.

    In light of all of the above, we see, then, that our heart is that part of us that is connected simultaneously to our mind, our will, our emotions, and our conscience. Our heart thinks; our heart decides; our heart feels; and our heart determines right from wrong.

    Our heart is also the door to our entire being. Our heart is the portal whereby we allow God and people into our lives or we shut them out.

    So, what does all of this have to do with our original verse: “As a man thinks in his heart, so is he?” On a very basic level, this verse means that what we allow into our hearts through our thoughts, our emotions, our will, or our conscience will affect the course of our lives. Indeed, there is another Scripture verse in the Book of Proverbs, chapter 4, verse 23, that warns us to guard our hearts with all diligence, for out of it come the issues of life. The Good News version translates this verse like this: “Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts.”

    Bottomline, then, whether or not we win at life depends on how we think. If we think according to God’s way of thinking, as found in the Bible, then we will be successful. We will be thinking like a winner and we will win. But if we think contrary to God’s way of thinking as found in the Bible–in other words, if we think the way the world thinks–we will be thinking like a loser and we will lose.

    God is the Supreme Winner. If we want to think like a winner and live like a winner, we must learn and put into practice the principles of winning that God has written down for us in His Holy Word. 

    In my next post and podcast, I will be talking about how we can control our thinking. There are certain measures we can take to make sure that our thoughts will always lead us to success. So, you won’t want to miss my next post and podcast.

    But before I close, I want to tell you that the starting point of winning in life is to know Jesus Christ. 

    If you have not yet accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord, pray this simple prayer with me now:

    Lord Jesus, I want to know You. I receive You now as my Savior and Lord. Forgive me of my sin. Cleanse me of all unrighteousness. Give me Your grace to follow you all the days of my life. Thank You for satisfying my need for You. I ask and receive in Your precious Name. Amen.

    If you prayed this prayer sincerely, please write to me at drm@maryanndiorio.com. I would like to send you a free e-booklet that will help you get started in your walk with Christ. I also encourage you to get yourself a Bible and read it every single day. The Bible is God’s love letter to you, His manual for your life. In the Bible, God reveals Who He is, and He instructs you how to live.

    Finally, ask the Lord to lead you to the church of His choice for you where you can learn about Him and have fellowship and encouragement with other Christ-Followers.

    If you are not yet a subscriber to the Winning with the Word blog and podcast, I urge you to click on the link below to subscribe now so you won’t miss a single weekly episode. For those who are listening, the URL is 

    https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/w4q0z

    For those of you who may not know, I write fiction about many of the issues I deal with in this blog and podcast. I encourage you to visit my website bookstore at maryanndiorio.com/book-table . 

    If you have been blessed by this blog and podcast, I encourage you to share them with others. I also invite you to become a Winning with the Word patron on Patreon. As a patron you will enjoy special benefits only for my patrons. Just go to Patreon.com and search for Winning with the Word to join. I would like to thank all of my patrons who are making this podcast possible. We now reach 26 countries all over the world. I could not do this without your help.

    Until next time, remember that God loves you just as you are and just where you are and that He will help you to keep on winning with the Word! 

    PLEASE TWEET:“How to Think like a Winner” by Dr. MaryAnn Diorio (CLICK TO TWEET)

    Please tell your family and friends about “Winning with the Word,” and please pass this post on to them. Thank you!

    To subscribe to “Winning with the Word”, click here.

    To receive my monthly newsletter, click here.

    Now it’s your turn: Do you have additional thoughts on how to think like a winner? Please leave your comment in the Comment Box below. Thank you.

    ______________________________________________________
    Photo Source: Image by Arek Socha  from  Pixabay
    Reference: https://blog.biblesforamerica.org/what-is-the-heart-in-the-bible/

    ________________________________________________________________________

    Check out these three popular Winning with the Word podcasts below. You may also search for a particular topic in the search box at the top of the sidebar on this page. 

    __7 Signs That the Tribulation Is at Hand

    __The Dangers of Generation Separation

    __Are You Thinking Straight?

    __How to Deal with the “New Normal”

    __What to Do When Your Child Goes Astray

    ___Are You a Perfectionist?

    __Is the World Coming to an End?

    __The Coming Global Cataclysm

     Are you new to this blog? If so, what is the “Winning with the Word” blog and why will it bless you to read it?

    “Winning with the Word” is a weekly blog that helps you to deal with the daily problems of life by using the Bible as your guide to solving them. The Word of God will make you a success in life!

    AN INVITATION TO YOU: To subscribe to Winning with the Word, click here.

    _____________________________________________________________

    Copyright 2000-2021 by Dr. MaryAnn Diorio. All Rights Reserved. This article may not be published or printed in any form whatsoever without the written permission of Dr. MaryAnn Diorio. You may contact her at info@maryanndiorio.com to request permission.

    Amazon.com Required Disclosure: MaryAnn Diorio is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.Disclaimer: This site uses cookies. Your continued use of this site constitutes your consent to our use of cookies. 

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    NEW RELEASE! The Iron Saint by MaryAnn Diorio, PhD

    A book for our times!

    by

    Dear Fellow Believer in Jesus Christ,

    The Church in America is on the verge of a tremendous spiritual awakening, an awakening that will first be fueled by persecution unlike anything we have ever seen before in this land. Indeed, a prophetic word given in my home church during the month of November gave this warning to the Church: “Prepare for the fire of persecution!”

    But the Church is not ready for this persecution. For the most part, the Church in America has been weak and lukewarm. Flabby and lazy. Consumed with the world and not with the things of God. As a result, the Church has been deceived and has subverted the divine order of things.

    In THE IRON SAINT, Dr. MaryAnn Diorio seeks to help equip the saints for the work of true, integritous, and effective ministry. As a teacher in the Body of Christ, it is her burning desire to help correct this devastating error.

    In THE IRON SAINT, Dr. Diorio has outlined a plan of action for strengthening the Church through uncompromising obedience to the Word of God. This plan of action is based on her own 50 years of walking with the Lord and being led by His Holy Spirit.

    If you are a born-again believer and member of the Body of Christ, make this book a top reading priority.

    The Iron Saint is available in both print and ebook formats. To purchase your copy, please click on a link below. Also, please consider giving a copy to your pastor and to the elders in your church. Please tell others about this book for our times!

    Thank you!

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