God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. - The Serenity Prayer

Do you have an attitude of gratitude?

In the last installment I talked of faith and ended by saying that faith is active. Faith is expressed by an attitude that develops in the person as soon as they decide to believe that what they expect is coming their way. People with faith have an attitude of gratitude. Gratitude is another essential ingredient that one can not do without if they are to consciously manifest their breakthrough. In his book entitled The Science of Getting Rich, Wallace Wattles discussed the subject of gratitude intensively. He mentions, “And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude.” This is perfectly biblical also as you will find out it says, “But we know that to the ones loving God all things work together for good, to the ones being called according to [His] purpose.” – Romans 8:28 (Analytical Literal Translation). What I know is that “all” means “ALL!” Everything is working together for my good. I also know that most people interpret this scripture to mean that whether they be good things or bad things that happen in your life, God always makes them work together to produce good in our lives. I somehow like the first interpretation though, which tells me that all things (the wind, heat, stars, trees, sun, moon, and everything else!) are busy working together for my good! It makes me realize that I am at an advantage because all of nature is on my side to make sure that I manifest my breakthrough. I don’t know about you but that’s reason enough for me to be grateful to the source of all these things, God. It also says in Philippians 4:6, “Stop being anxious about anything, _but_ in every [thing] by prayer and by petition, with thanksgiving, be letting your* requests be made known to God.” And again in Colossians 4:2, “Be continuing earnestly in prayer; be staying alert in it with thanksgiving.” I do not think it is mere coincidence that the apostle Paul kept mentioning thanksgiving (gratitude) to be made a part of prayer. A grateful person thinks positive. He knows that he receives what he believes for. He has faith and he is absolutely sure that it’s just a matter of time before his breakthrough manifests. Being grateful for a breakthrough that you have not seen yet in the natural is an act of faith. Remember the scripture for this blog, Hebrew 11:1 says, “Now faith is [the] assurance [or, substance] of [things] being hoped for [or, being confidently expected], [the] confident assurance [or, proof] of things not seen.” – ALT. How do you behave when the lawyer reading your dead billionaire relative’s will says, “And to Tinei I leave the sum of ten million dollars (US to all you Zimbos)…” I would suddenly be filled with a lot of excitement and jump to celebrate this new fortune with joy, gratitude and all kinds of positive vibrations because I have faith in what this lawyer has just spoken. Remember at this point I have not seen the money, nor have I touched it. Now God advises us to have the same positive vibrations such as joy and gratitude as evidence of our faith.

Affirmation: All things are working together for my good. I am grateful for all these things that have produced my breakthrough. I count my blessings and I am filled with gratitude.

A man is a success if he wakes up in the morning and goes to bed at night and in between does what he wants to do. - Bob Dylan

Do you believe you can do it?

Faith, belief, positive mental attitude, call it what you want, is one essential ingredient you can’t do without if you are going to see your breakthrough. “But without faith [it is] impossible to please [Him], for it is necessary [for] the one approaching God to believe that He is and [that] He becomes a rewarder to the ones diligently seeking Him.” Hebrews 11:6. Faith is what makes things begin to move in the unseen realm. Even the Masters of the Secret teach that when you have made your request from the universe believe that the universe is already re-arranging itself to bring forth the things you are thinking. I believe in the God who created the universe and His Son, Jesus. Mark 11:22-24 says, “And answering, Jesus says to them, "Be having faith in God! For positively, I say to you*, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be taken up and be cast into the sea' and does not doubt in his heart, _but_ believes [or, has faith] that what he says is going to happen, it will be [granted] to him whatever he says. For this reason I say to you*, all [things], as many as while praying you* shall be asking [for], be believing [or, be having faith] that you* are receiving, and it will be [granted] to you*. (Analytical Literal Translation)
Notice that Jesus didn’t even say “…Christians that say to this mountain…”, but He said “…whoever says to this mountain…”! The principles of faith that God has set in motion are applicable to anyone. Faith is a powerful force. “But now these three remain: faith, hope [or, confident expectation], love-but [the] greatest of these [is] love.” – 1 Corinthians 13:13 ALT. Love is only the greatest, but they all endure.
Now faith is active. Faith is expressed by an attitude that develops in the person as soon as they decide to believe that what they expect is coming their way. People with faith have an attitude of gratitude.

Affirmation: My faith is increasing. I believe I receive everything I ask for. All things are possible to me because I believe. Thank you Lord for granting me this breakthrough!

The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack of will.

Vince Lombardi

Do you deserve what you want?
Many people really don’t feel they deserve the very things they want to happen in their lives. Everyone has a different kind of breakthrough that they are waiting for in life. The first key I find is to decide that you deserve it. Do you feel you deserve to be rich, wealthy, happy, CEO, manager, top of the class, the best…? Until you come to believe that you deserve it, its not likely that you will see your breakthrough. Instead, you will sabotage all possibilities and opportunities that will lead you to your breakthrough at a subconscious level.

Decide today that you deserve the best there is. You are just as special as that person who already has what you want. You are as special as every other person who has achieved great things in life.

Affirmation: I deserve to be ………. I am ecstatic about being ……… I can see myself having achieved my breakthrough.