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Are You Growing in Your Faith?

5 Lessons from the Grapes

“Are You Growing?”

My late Senior Pastor used to love asking the congregation that question.

Pastor J knew and stressed the importance of growing and maturing in the Lord (and in different areas of our life). He emphasized that God wanted His children to grow and mature just like earthly parents expect their kids to grow and mature and develop.

How do we grow in our faith?

Some key ways are by consistently spending time reading the Bible and praying and worshipping and fellowshipping with other believers.

It’s that simple and yet that challenging …

If you’re one of my faithful Readers, you probably already know that God likes to show me things through nature.

I’m sharing the above pics of grapes because these pics speak volumes to me.

I took the pics on three separate occasions earlier this year to document the growth process.

The grapes show some truths about growth:

  • Growth takes time.
  • Growth happens in stages or seasons.
  • Growth happens as we stay connected to the vine.
  • Growth can be painful, but pruning is a necessary part of the process.
  • Growth happens on God’s timetable. We can’t rush the process.

The grapes didn’t grow overnight.

Neither do we.

Are you growing in your faith?

Or are you feeling stuck or stagnant?

Are you staying connected to the True Vine?

Consider what Jesus says about abiding in Him. These are some of my favorite Bible verses:

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. (John 15:1-8 NIV)

If you’re looking to grow in your faith, here are a few ways I can help:

Empowering Online Class for Ladies: Don’t miss the Abounding Faith: Choosing Faith over Fear course that starts next Tuesday evening on September 13. Learn more here.

Personalized Life Coaching: I’d be delighted to help you grow and go from feeling:

  • frazzled to focused
  • frustrated to fruitful
  • fearful to fierce

Learn more about Christian Life Coaching here.

Inspiring Books Be encouraged and inspired as you walk by faith, prepare for your breakthrough and dare to live your God-given dreams. Abounding Faith FIVE Christian living books empower and equip you to stand firm in your faith.

Uplifting email: Sign up for Abounding Faith’s FREE email list and get a dose of inspiration delivered right to your inbox. When you sign up, you get immediate access to the FREE 5-day Feisty Faith Devotional Sampler PDF. The sampler gives you a taste of the inspiring and empowering 365-day devotional, Feisty Faith: Trusting God Day by Day devotional (available on Amazon). Looking forward to sending you uplifting emails on Monday afternoons with info about my latest encouraging blog posts, upcoming books and other projects or events.

Encouraging Social Media: I’d love for you to be part of Abounding Faith’s online community. Abounding Faith is on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. Be encouraged as you scroll throughout the week.

Edifying Podcast: The uplifting Abounding Faith for Today podcast has 40 short and encouraging episodes that will help bolster your faith. You can listen to the Abounding Faith for Today podcast wherever you listen to podcasts including:

Inspirational YouTube Channel: There are 155 encouraging and uplifting videos on Abounding Faith’s YouTube channel that will inspire you and help spur on your faith. The short videos are shot near and far (including during past short-term missions trips, vacations, around NYC and trips to my bday castle…). Check them out and be sure to subscribe, like, comment and share the site with others.

Let’s grow and flourish together this year!

And may your faith be fueled, your hope ignited and your heart set ablaze with the love of God!

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Did this post encourage you? Get access to the FREE Feisty Faith: Trusting God Day by Day 5-Day Sampler PDF as a gift when you sign up for Abounding Faith’s email list. Get updates on Abounding Faith’s books, blog, podcast, life coaching and more by clicking here or the image below.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.comThe “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

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Happy Book Lovers Day! (8/9/2022)

Happy Early Book Lovers Day to all my Lovely Readers!

These pictures still make me smile because I still remember taking these pics or posing with my fabulous Readers. These pics were taken at at least seven different events and occasions pre-pandemic.

I LOVE how my diverse readers represent different backgrounds, cultures, races, ages and life stages.

Thank you to every Reader who has picked up copies of Waiting on God Well, Abounding Faith, Crossing Your Jordan River, By Faith and Feisty Faith for you and your loved ones!

It’s so sweet when I’ve gotten to see a Reader surprise their unsuspecting friend standing nearby by buying them a signed copy of my books. It’s also so lovely to hear the stories about who the books are being signed for.

Back when I was a journalist writing for The New York Times and Latina magazine and other publications, I had countless readers but I didn’t have much of an opportunity to interact with them.

What a difference it is to author Christian living books and devotionals and to get to connect with YOU on social media and at past in-person events.

My prayer is that you’re encouraged, inspired and empowered by my books and other work. If so, I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Please feel free to leave a comment here or on Instagram.

If you want to help other book lovers discover Abounding Faith’s inspiring and empowering books, please leave a kind Amazon review and rating.

Your reviews are greatly appreciated and make such a difference in the book publishing world. Gracias!

Here’s a glimpse of a recent review. So sweet!

Which book lover can you bless with copies of Abounding Faith’s books?

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Did this post encourage you? Get access to the FREE Feisty Faith: Trusting God Day by Day 5-Day Sampler PDF as a gift when you sign up for Abounding Faith’s email list. Get updates on Abounding Faith’s books, blog, podcast, life coaching and more by clicking here or the image below.

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Reflecting on that Spectacular September in Sydney

God knows what’s on the other side of our YES!

The gal smiling in these pics had no idea what God had in store when He chased her down during one amazing week in Sydney …

So much transpired during that one week and in all the years that have followed.

My life has never been the same.

You can read about how I’ve seen God’s fingerprints on SIX continents in By Faith: Adventures and Reflections on Walking With God Here and Abroad. There’s also discussion questions you can answer in your journal or with your small group and a chapter on how to live your God-given dreams.

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Did this post encourage you? Get access to the FREE Feisty Faith: Trusting God Day by Day 5-Day Sampler PDF as a gift when you sign up for Abounding Faith’s email list. Get updates on Abounding Faith’s books, blog, podcast, life coaching and more by clicking here or the image below.

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Book 5 Update

“You did a stellar job with uplifting, encouraging, and inspiring the reader.” – Book 5 Editor

I’m thrilled to share that Book 5 has entered the editing phase. The quote above is just part of the lovely feedback my editor recently sent me.

God is Good!

I’m so looking forward to sharing more details with you about my upcoming book.

God willing, Book 5 will be released in the fall. Please stay tuned!

And please pray as Book 5 goes through the editing and production phases. Even now, please pray for all the readers who will be touched and encouraged by Book 5.

If you’ve been blessed by any of Abounding Faith’s books, I’d love to know. Please feel free to leave a short and kind review on Amazon or to email me at info@aboundingfaith.com.

If you haven’t had the chance to read any of Abounding Faith’s books, now is a great time to pick up copies of Waiting on God Well, Abounding Faith, Crossing Your Jordan River and By Faith for you and your friends. The books are available in print and on Kindle on Amazon.

Abounding Faith’s uplifting books will encourage, inspire and empower you as you walk by faith, hope and love and live your God-given dreams. Blessings!

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Want to know what’s happening at Abounding Faith? Join the mailing list and get updates about Abounding Faith’s books, online training, podcast and more. As a thank you, you’ll get access to the free “7 Journal Writing Prompts to Fuel Your Faith” PDF.

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7 Bible Verses to Help You Abound in Love

During these trying times and days of civil unrest, let’s continue to look to the Bible for direction and guidance on how to treat each other. The Bible, God’s love letter to us,  admonishes us over and over again to love one another.

God is the epitome of love. And love is one of the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).

This passage from 1 John 4:7-12 spells things out so clearly and so profoundly:  

“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.”

God’s love for us is Miraculous and Lovely. May we allow God’s love and grace to flow through us.

Here are 7 Bible verses to help you as you grow and abound in God’s love for others:

  1. Love is the mark of a true disciple – “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35)
  2. Love means caring for others – “Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.’” (Matthew 22:37-40)
  3. Love brings unity  – “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.  (John 17:20-21)
  4. Love is crucial among God’s children – “So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” (Galatians 3:26-29)
  5. Love is to be shared generously  – “Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.” (Romans 13:8)
  6. Love should extend even to your enemies – “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matthew 5:43-48)
  7. Loving God means loving others – “Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.” (1 John 4:20)

If all this loving others seems hard and overwhelming, fret not. Ask God to fill you with His love, grace, mercy and compassion for others. 

If you’re grieved and appalled by all the sin and injustice going on, remember that we live in a fallen world where hate and violence and sin run rampant. But where sin abounds, grace much more abounds (Romans 5:20).

We’re called to love one another and overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21). 

Blessings to you as you walk in abounding faith, hope and love!

“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” (1 Corinthians 13:13)

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.comThe “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

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Want to know what’s happening at Abounding Faith? Join the mailing list and get updates about Abounding Faith’s books, online training, podcast and more. As a thank you, you’ll get access to the free “7 Journal Writing Prompts to Fuel Your Faith” PDF.

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5 Bible Verses to Help You Move Forward By Faith During the Pandemic

As we slowly navigate through this “new normal” and carefully enter different phases of reopening during the pandemic, it’s natural to feel worried, afraid and a mix of other emotions about these uncertain times.

But God doesn’t want you to stay frozen with fear.

God can help you move from fear to faith, worry to worship and panic to praise.

This transition time, that includes the civil unrest and protests going on nationwide, can be an opportunity to  drawer closer to and trust God in a deeper way.

This new season can be a fresh start for you.

May you move forward by faith! And may you be filled with God’s love, joy, peace and boldness.

God is speaking during these trying times. May you take the time to really listen to what He is saying and draw strength and hope from Him.

It’s so important to continue reading the Bible and to keep praying and praising.

May you take courage knowing that as a believer:

1. God’s Holy Spirit Empowers You  – “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7 KJV)

2. God Can Handle All Your Burdens – “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7 NIV)

3. God is Working things out for Your Good – “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28 NIV)

4. God Will Provide for You Day by Day – “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6:33-34 NIV)

5. God is in Control from Beginning to End – “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”

The road may be rocky now, but it won’t stay that way forever. May you take heart and keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of your faith (Hebrews 12:2 NIV).

Stay well. Stay Encouraged. Choose Faith Over Fear and Move Forward By Faith. Blessings!

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.comThe “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

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Want to know what’s happening at Abounding Faith? Join the mailing list and get updates about Abounding Faith’s books, online training, podcast and more. As a thank you, you’ll get access to the free “7 Journal Writing Prompts to Fuel Your Faith” PDF.

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Blessed Start to the Abounding Faith: Choosing Faith Over Fear Online Class

“I love the class.” – Abounding Faith Online Class NYSB Student

“I am so excited to join class, and thanks for your instruction to the class.”  – Abounding Faith Online Class NYSB Student

My classroom may look different from the one I used last June (pictured above), but what joy it is to teach the Abounding Faith: Choosing Faith Over Fear online class through the New York School of the Bible during this unique time in history!

We had a blessed start to the empowering class last Monday, as you can tell by the two students quoted above.

I’m thrilled that we had a student in Taiwan join us. She’s my first truly international student and most likely my first reader in Taiwan. God is Good! We also had a student in North Carolina join us.

Within the first half of the class, one student shared that her faith was already being strengthened. Praise God!

A few students burst out in song after the closing prayer. Beautiful!

Amid the fear and unrest and waves of other emotions sparked by the ongoing pandemic and recent protests, it’s an incredible time to be encouraging students in their faith in God!

These are such trying and turbulent times we’re living in, but God is in Control and He is Greater than anything we will ever face.

I’m so grateful that in these dark days, this class is a ray of sunshine.

Thank You to all who are praying. It’s such an honor to help empower people in their faith! Please continue to pray that God will continue to use me to reach students near and far and that He would continue to meet us in special ways.

Amazingly, my class roster continues to grow.

If you can’t join us for class but would like to bolster your faith, be sure to read your Bible and you can get a copy of the challenging Abounding Faith: 30 Bible Heroes Who Will Inspire You to Believe God for the Impossible in print or on Kindle on Amazon. This powerful devotional is great to read on your own or with a group.

Stay Well. Stay Encouraged. Move Forward By Faith!

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Want to know what’s happening at Abounding Faith? Join the mailing list and get updates about Abounding Faith’s books, events, podcast and more. As a thank you, you’ll get access to the free “7 Journal Writing Prompts to Fuel Your Faith” PDF.

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Abounding Faith: Choosing Faith Over Fear Online Class Starts Next Monday (June 1st)

“How I miss your class, last year was amazing.” – Abounding Faith Class, NYSB Student 

What a lovely note I got just the other day from a student (quoted above) who took the Abounding Faith class at the New York School of the Bible (NYSB) last June. It’s almost a year later and she still has fond memories of the class.

God is Good!

Ladies and Gents, there’s still time to join this year’s online class that starts next Monday night. The Abounding Faith: Choosing Faith Over Fear class will be a powerful time to help build and fortify your faith during this trying season. We’ll delve into God’s Word and discuss God’s awesome track record for coming through for His people. You can take this empowering class from the comfort of your own home, no matter what state you’re in. You can learn more here.

The course description is included below. I hope you’ll join us for this edifying class that starts on June 1st. Blessings!

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Want to know what’s happening at Abounding Faith? Join the mailing list and get updates about Abounding Faith’s books, events, podcast and more. As a thank you, you’ll get access to the free “7 Journal Writing Prompts to Fuel Your Faith” PDF.

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NEW Forward By Faith Resource Page

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7 KJV)

As we slowly try to navigate our way through this “new normal” during the pandemic, it’s understandable to feel worried, nervous, afraid and a mix of other emotions about these uncertain times. But you don’t have to be frozen in fear or paralyzed by panic.

This transition time can be a great opportunity to choose faith over fear and trust God every step of the way.

It’s an honor and privilege to help build and deepen your faith in God.  I’m delighted to invite you to check out the NEW Forward By Faith Resource Page at AboundingFaith.com.

My prayer is that the tools and resources listed on the Forward By Faith page will help spur you on as you continue to walk by faith and live your God-given dreams! May this new season be a fresh start for you and filled with God’s love, joy, peace, courage and boldness!

Be sure to share the link with others who may need an extra dose of faith, hope and love.

Stay well. Choose faith over fear. Move Forward By Faith. Blessings 🙏

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Want to know what’s happening at Abounding Faith? Join the mailing list and get updates about Abounding Faith’s books, events, podcast and more. As a thank you, you’ll get access to the free “7 Journal Writing Prompts to Fuel Your Faith” PDF.

 

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Be Encouraged, Empowered & Inspired as You Walk by Abounding Faith, Hope and Love

As you may recall, my “One Word” for this year is SHINE. Oh my, what a time for all of us to SHINE for Christ!

God has been preparing us and has called us for such a time as this!

How are you holding up? Need a boost in your faith? Need an extra dose of hope?

Abounding Faith is dedicated to encouraging and inspiring you as you walk by faith, hope and love and live your God-given dreams.  Abounding Faith empowers and equips men and women, young and older and those of diverse backgrounds to grow in their faith and love for God through uplifting books, online training, videos, podcast episodes and more,

As we approach the middle of 2020, here are a few updates from the first part of this challenging year:

  • The Fuel Your Faith page is filled with encouraging videos, articles, podcast episodes and images created especially to help spur you on during this pandemic.  You can check out the inspiring page packed with free and uplifting content here.
  • The Abounding Faith: Choosing Faith Over Fear course I’m teaching through the New York School of the Bible (NYSB) this June will be a powerful time to help build and fortify your faith. We’ll delve into God’s Word and discuss God’s awesome track record for coming through for His people. You can take this edifying class from the comfort of your own home, no matter what state you’re in. You can learn more here.
  • The NEW “Discovering Your God-Given Purpose” online course is perfect for you if you’re yearning to live with passion and purpose and desiring to make a difference in this world and in your generation,  God has designed you for a specific purpose and for this time in history.  You can learn more and sign up for this empowering course here.
  • Book 5 – Stay tuned for an upcoming update.

God is Good! I’m so grateful that I can help bring hope and encouragement to hurting hearts and can help empower and equip those seeking God’s purpose for their lives and help build their faith.

I’m also grateful for your continued prayers and encouragement as I live out God’s call on my life in this season!

If you’re being blessed by Abounding Faith’s work and looking for ways to show your support, here are a few ideas to prayerfully consider:

Dream Team –  Let’s join forces and SHINE together ✨ You can learn more here.

Abounding Faith’s Books – By Faith, Crossing Your Jordan River, Abounding Faith and Waiting on God Well will inspire you as you journey from your wilderness to your Promised Land. Order these uplifting books on Amazon for yourself or to help bolster someone else’s faith.

Online Store – Shop for unique and lovely mugs, journals, tote bags and other gift items exclusively at Abounding Faith’s online store.

Social media likes, shares and comments on Abounding Faith’s pages and kind Amazon book reviews are also always welcome.

Your faithful support of Abounding Faith’s work helps to continue spreading God’s love to those near and far and helps to ensure the production of future faith-fueling projects.

In these challenging times, my prayer is that we all draw closer to God and that our faith in Him will be strengthened. That’s at the core of all that Abounding Faith does.

Let’s not just go through this trying time, but grow through it.

Things may be rocky now, but take heart. God promises to work all things together for our good (Romans 8:28) and to turn our tears into dancing (Psalm 30:11).

God is seeing us through one day at a time.

Stay well. Stay encouraged. Choose faith over fear. Blessings to you and yours!

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Want to know what’s happening at Abounding Faith? Join the mailing list and get updates about Abounding Faith’s books, events, podcast and more. As a thank you, you’ll get access to the free “7 Journal Writing Prompts to Fuel Your Faith” PDF.

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