I want to do a series of articles based on Norman Vincent Peale’s book, “The Power of Positive Thinking”. This is the book my mother told to read over 45 years ago. My mother understood that I lacked confidence. She believed in the principles that Dr. Peale preached. Dr. Peale is a Christian. I don’t know about my mother. If my mother believed in me, how much more does my Heavenly Father believe me. If GOD BELIEVES IN ME, WHY SHOULDN’T I.

Here are some excerpts from Dr. Peale’s book.

1. Formulate and stamp indelibly on your mind a mental picture of yourself as succeeding. Hold this picture tenaciously. Never permit it to fade. Your mind will seek to develop this picture. Never think of yourself as failing; never doubt the reality of the mental image. That is most dangerous, for the mind always tries to complete what it pictures. So always picture “success” no matter how badly things seem to be going at the moment.

2. Whenever a negative thought concerning your personal powers come to mind, deliberately voice a positive thought to cancel it out.

3. Do not build up obstacles in your imagination. Depreciate every so-called obstacle. Minimize them. Difficulties must be studied and efficiently dealt with to be eliminated, but they must be seen for only what they are. They must not be inflated by fear thoughts.

4. Do not be awestruck by other people and try to copy them. Nobody can be you as efficiently as YOU can. Remember also that most people, despite their confident appearance and demeanor, are often as scared as you are and as doubtful of themselves.

5 Ten times a day repeat these dynamic words, “If God be for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31). (Stop reading and repeat them NOW slowly and confidently.)

6. Get a competent counselor to help you understand why you do what you do. Learn the origin of your inferiority and self-doubt feelings which often being in childhood. Self-knowledge leads to a cure.

7. Ten times each day practice the following affirmation, repeating it out loud if possible. “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). Repeat those words NOW. That magic statement is the most powerful antidote on earth to inferiority thoughts.

8. Make a true estimate of your own ability, then raise it 10 percent. Do not become egotistical, but develop a wholesome self-respect. Believe in your own God-released powers.

9. Put yourself in God’s hands. To do that simply state, “I am in God’s hands.” Then bevel you are NOW receiving all the power you need. Feel it flowing into you. Affirm that “the kingdom of God is within you (Luke 17:21) in the form of adequate power to meet life’s demands.

10. Remind yourself that God is with you and nothing can defeat you. Believe that you are now RECEIVING power from Him.

Please click here if you would like to order this book.

The Power of Positive Thinking by Dr. Norman Vincent Peale pages 12, 13

There is hope for today. God says, “Christ in you the Hope of Glory”. (Colossians 1:27)Michael Oher is an incredible story of hope. His life is proof that everyone has value.
Leigh Anne Tuohy and her family bonded quickly. They saw value and hope in Michael. Leigh Anne acted on her Christian faith and shared that hope with Michael.
There is a lot of hopelessness in this world today. Leigh Anne acted on her faith.

Sean Tuohy, Michael Oher, Leigh Anne Tuohy

It is time that all of us act on our faith. We all can act on our faith. We don’t have to adopt a large African-American teenager, but we can all do something. For us to do nothing is not an option. There are plenty of opportunities for people to serve and help improve the lives of others.
One night the Tuohys saw Michael walking in the cold winter night in a short sleeve shirt and shorts. They picked him up and took him to a bus stop. From that moment their incredible journey started. They eventually took Michael into their home and adopted him. Mrs. Tuohy mentioned how many people had seen Michael walking around on the sheets hopelessly and never stopped to help him.
In the Bible there is a story about the Good Samaritan. A certain man was going from Jerusalem to Jericho when he was jumped beaten and robbed. A priest ignored him and walked across the road. A Levite passed by on the other side of the street. Then a Samaritan found treated his wound and took him to a place to get help. He then offered to pay any additional expenses.
Most of us may not be able to adopt a child, but we can all do something to help others. You might be able to do something around your church. Some of the church members cannot afford to buy toys for their children. There are shelters that need help during the Christmas Season.
It is time for me to start giving again. I am limited in what I can do, but I am going to do what I can. Because of my work I can only attend church on Sundays. Therefore, I assist on the video team working on the cameras. I plan to start helping the needy by volunteering at cityteam.org.
For nearly the past 12 years I have been working a night-graveyard work shift. It has limited ability to be able to serve Christ. It is my desire to do more service for Christ. Until that happens, I must occupy until the Lord returns. I am going to start helping the poor once a month. CityTeam will help me able to fulfill the commission of Jesus Christ.
Help fulfill your God given destiny, give something to help others. There are many organizations that are in need to volunteers and donations. Missionary giving is down 50% in many cases. Reach out and share the Love of Christ by helping someone else.