Category Archives: breakthrough

Draw Your Sword!

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You do not have to take it!
(This is a post from my Java, Jammies, and Jesus)

This JJJ is a little more aggressive than usual, but I believe I need to issue a call to action.

You see, there has been a recurring pattern that needs to be exposed and once you see it, you may feel the call to rise up, too.

Many people come to my site, read my writings, and some make the decision to invest in and grow my finances using tools available for you if you go to Skrumble.com.  To one degree or another the pattern is the same… initial revelation, enlightenment, the sensation of feeling “lighter than a feather,” and increased hope and courage to do whatever it is the reader or client needs to do.

This is wonderful!  God’s revelation brings elevation and a breath of fresh air.  Several people have used the same phrase to describe their experience, “I feel lighter than a feather!”

And then circumstances come along…. and then more… and now the reader or client is tempted to doubt the new thoughts God had them thinking… is it really God?

Am I really as loved, esteemed, and as favored as I’m learning?

Are my sins REALLY forgiven?

Am I really cut out for this?

Is favor just  momentary feel-good fluff?

Well, let me reinforce this old familiar perspective:  old habits
die hard.

When a mind has been set in a certain direction for a long time, it is like deeply embedded ruts in a road.  Remember the pioneers and the wagon trail?

The explosive quality of revelation can shoot us out of those ruts, making the shifts we need easier.  But our brain, and this is proven scientifically, does not like change, and will do whatever it has to to make our lives reflect what it is used to believing.


The new revelation is perceived almost like an inaccurate, incorrect thought, which the brain sets out to correct.

If anyone wants to read more about this, a good book is, “Who Switched Off My Brain?” by Dr. Caroline Leaf.

So, here is my encouragement and then call to action:


1.  Know that doubts don’t mean the truth isn’t true, and it doesn’t mean there is something wrong with you!  The transformation process takes time and diligence.  In the beginning, a down after an up is normal.

2.  When old thoughts and voices rise up and want to reclaim their place… draw your sword.  Speak OUT LOUD what you know to be true and put your stake in the ground.  If you can’t remember what’s true, it might help to go back through some of my posts, read my book, or better yet… sit in the presence of God and get loved on!

3.  Get angry at the lies, not at people, or even the circumstances.  God promises and provides abundant life.  The enemy
robs, steals, and destroys.  When it comes to lies, get good at spotting them as quickly as possible, and TAKE NO PRISONERS!

4.  If you can, join with people around you who are like-minded and going through similar changes, discovering similar things.       Accountability and encouragement is crucial to success.

There’s so much more to say, but I hope this helps.

Your Perception of God Controls Your Life

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The more people I mentor, the more I am convinced that how a person perceives God controls every aspect of their life, especially how they view themselves.

The interesting thing is – despite this critically pivotal state of mind and heart,  most people have little awareness of how they see God.

And so, one of the first things I listen for is my client’s mindset about who God is to them.  This is often revealed in subtle ways, in the words they casually speak, when they they talk of their past experiences, or what their current struggles are.

Their mindset about who God is to them is formed from a variety of sources from growing up, to what they were told in school, to  what they see in the media, or while they’re out and about in the world.   Even what they are taught in church.   (Yes, I understand, people get nervous when I say those kinds of things.)  Slowly over time conclusions about God and a person’s relationship to Him get solidified to the point that they are never questioned, let alone challenged.

Over my many years of being a Christian, I have hit plenty of walls of frustration and fear. But in each instance, God had given me the opportunity to question and challenge my perception of Him, how He related to me, what He had in store for me, what His promises to me were — yes, you probably noticed a theme… ME.

But contrary to the saying, ‘it NOT about YOU,'”  I believe there are times when it has to be about me… and my mindset about God, which gives me my perception of Him, which will control how I experience what I am going through, and what choices I will make as a result.

Often the Lord has shown me that something definitely needed to be tweaked in my mind… I need the spirit of my mind to be renewed, rejuvenated, and often changed.  And He is faithful to do it.  The more I can see Him as Good, and Good to and for ME, the more I experience His goodness toward me.  This leads to greater peace, clarity, and confidence.  I am able to soar and rise above the difficulties, armed with new spiritual and practical tools and weaponry, all in the safe context of a loving God.

If you are feeling like things are not going so well with you, maybe it’s time to challenge your existing mindset. Ask God to show you what may not be working in your thought life, even in your subconscious.  Tell Him through writing or speaking… not just thinking, that you are ready to hear and see.  He is all about your success, freedom, and fulfillment.

God bless you, my friends.

Developing a Mindset of Favor

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Recently I proposed to you that much of our frustration can be resolved, and dare I say, even eliminated once we have a mindset of FAVOR. (Click here for that post.)

Because the Lord has so thoroughly convinced me of this, it has become my mission to share the power of this transcendent gift.

Getting rooted and established in His favor has caused a huge shift in how I see myself, the world, and why I am even here.

Also, in all my years of counseling and coaching, I have never seen breakthrough in my clients’ lives like I am these days. It’s quite astounding!

Maybe it’s because one very specific reason Jesus came was to restore us all to a favorable relationship with Him!

Look at this verse.  This was not just some doctrinal statement… this is personal, to be taken personally.

2 Corinthians 5:18-20 (Amplified Bible)

18But all things are from God, Who through Jesus Christ reconciled us to Himself [received us into favor, brought us into harmony with Himself] and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation [that by word and deed we might aim to bring others into harmony with Him].

19It was God [personally present] in Christ, reconciling and restoring the world to favor with Himself, not counting up and holding against [men] their trespasses [but cancelling them], and committing to us the message of reconciliation (of the restoration to favor).

20So we are Christ’s ambassadors, God making His appeal as it were through us. We [as Christ’s personal representatives] beg you for His sake to lay hold of the divine favor [now offered you] and be reconciled to God.

A mindset of favor is to trump all other competing mindsets.
Verbally thanking Him will increase your faith!

So today, thank God for His favor.  Thank Him that He favors you!
Thank Him for coming into this world FOR YOU, to cancel out ALL your sin… past, present, and future.
Thank Him that not only do you HAVE His favor, but you ARE highly favored.  Ask Him to grow this seed of truth within you, change your mind as to how you see yourself, and then, expect Him to do it!!

I love you all!

Maryann

Are you made for success?

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When I was 16 I came across some books which helped me deal with all the negative things that were a part of my life at the time… separated parents, distraught siblings, cheating boyfriend, thwarted goals, and normal teen stuff. You get the picture.

Well, these book, now classics, literally “saved my life.” They were, “How to Win Friends and Influence People,” and “The Power of Positive Thinking.” I studied those books, took diligent notes, posted relevant quotes in my locker… I wanted to know what made people successful and what didn’t.

That question has been a theme in my life. I understand today why that is: because we are made for success, and it has become my personal God-given mission to help people discover the “secrets” to success and implement them in their own life.

And though God has made us to succeed, the obstacles are plenty! Indeed, I think I may have encountered every single one of them!

Today, I would like to address just one:

Did God really intend for us to be successful?

Until we are CERTAIN that God intends for us to be successful in our endeavors, our careers, our families, and our faith, we WILL BE double-minded about success. Double-mindedness dilutes our efforts, robs of us peace and joy, and creates confusion. No doubt about that!!

So, here is but one verse that may clear up any double-mindedness from Joshua 1:7-9 (The Message):
Strength! Courage! … Give it everything you have, heart and soul. Make sure you carry out The Revelation that Moses commanded you, every bit of it. Don’t get off track, either left or right, so as to make sure you get to where you’re going. And don’t for a minute let this Book of The Revelation be out of mind. Ponder and meditate on it day and night, making sure you practice everything written in it. Then you’ll get where you’re going; then you’ll succeed. Haven’t I commanded you? Strength! Courage! Don’t be timid; don’t get discouraged. God, your God, is with you every step you take.”

Joshua had a purpose and a mission born out of that purpose. The Lord wanted him to be successful… and He gives Joshua some strong direction as to how to make that happen and the attitude with which he was to approach his mission.

Quite frankly, the word “success” isn’t used often in the Bible. But several passages say things like … “the Lord was with him and gave him success in everything he did.” It is clear that the heart of God is for our success. Jesus came here with success in mind. He was going to accomplish what He set out to do, NO MATTER WHAT.

Being successful was not something He struggled with, and it shouldn’t be for us either.

Next week I will write to you about the meaning of success. Even if we are established in the notion that God desires us to be successful, we can get tripped up in what success is and what it isn’t.

So, if you would.. could you send me YOUR definition of success? What does it mean to you? Do you feel successful?

The other thing I wanted to ask you is…. I am seriously considering making these emails short video emails. Maybe about 3 minutes in length. What do you think of that? Thanks for the feedback!

Have a great day!

Always in YOUR corner,
Maryann

You’re Beautiful… believe it and soar!

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So many people I counsel or coach are stuck because of how they perceive themselves, mostly in their subconscious mind.  Rooting out false beliefs must be done to move forward… here is a song to help!


Do you know, really know, YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL??  I think you  are… but if God thinks you are, shouldn’t you?

Accept Your Greatness!

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I have a verse to encourage you.  Remember when I wrote to you
about God making you great?

http://www.haveievertoldyou.com/you-are-destined-for-greatness

Read from Psalm 18:35  “…. Your gentleness and condescension have
made me great.” (Amp)

I hope you all know me well enough by now to know that I never
think our greatness is elevated above God’s!!  But we are the work
of His hands, and He has made us great.

Through His gentle, lovingkindness, mercy and favor…. He makes us great.  He has condescended Himself, meaning come from Heaven to earth on our behalf… to put His greatness in us.  Meditate on that today!

You have a significant part to play in His Master Plan! All you
have gone through, all you are blessed with, all your gifts,
strengths, and talents, are all jewels to fulfill your purpose.
God has made you great, and He desires you to accept that, embrace it, and walk in it!

Thank Him for it today and when life makes you
feel small and low, yell at the devil, “I am fearfully and
wonderfully made… I am marvelous… I am great…. by the power
and work of God Himself!”

God Has Breakthrough For You!

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Recently I had an experience I’d like to encourage you with.

Several of us went to a prophetic meeting at another church and had
a wonderful time of worship, teaching, and receiving some exciting
prophetic words.

After the service, on the way out, one of the participants came up
to me and complimented me on a shawl I was wearing. I loved the
shawl too, not just because it was hand woven cashmere, hand
embroidered, and gorgeous, but I bought it from a missionary pastor
after one of his trips to Nepal. I had never worn it before that
night because the weather had been too warm. I was very excited
that this night I could. To me, it felt like an anointed and
special shawl.

Well, it must have been, because without hesitation, I took the
shawl off and placed it on the shoulders of the woman saying,
“Here. It’s yours.”

It happened so quickly and naturally that giving it to her didn’t
even phase me. Except for feeling a blast of cold air once I went
outside, I almost didn’t even notice what had happened and gave it
no thought… until the next morning.

Now, I can’t say I know exactly why giving this shawl would be so
significant, but I think it is. I will share what’s been revealed
so far.

1. God’s nature is to give. Throughout scripture and in our own
experience, we know that God is a Giver. 2 Peter 1: 2-3 say that
God has given us everything pertaining to life and godliness, and
through His precious promises, we share in His divine nature.

And what is that nature? To be a giver.

Now, this is not startling news to any of you, I’m sure, as it
wasn’t to me. Which leads me to point 2.

2. For me, as much as I have known that it is God’s nature to
give, and thus it is my nature, too, I have not always been a very
giving person, at least of some things. I have had an easy time
giving my time, energy, heart, and money…. but, don’t ask me why,
giving away personal possession that I love, well that is not
something I do.

Ok, so maybe even that is not such a big deal. And so, what is?

3. For me, here it is:  Without my working at it, I had a
breakthrough! The natural giving away of my shawl was just a
manifestation of a breakthrough that had occurred a while ago. The
breakthrough allowed the free flow of God’s giving nature to flow
through me to bless this woman. And because I share in His divine
nature, I experienced no lack when I gave the shawl away.

Breakthrough takes down any barrier erected that inhibits the flow
of God’s powerful provisions and our true nature. I love and need
breakthroughs of all kinds.

4. How did the breakthrough occur? Well, it was part and parcel
of the revelation of favor. A revelation of favor produces
breakthroughs...not grind-it-out breakthroughs, but effortless
breakthroughs, breakthroughs that occur when you aren’t even
looking.

And, I guess this is the essence of my encouragement to you. Take
the favor of God seriously. It causes profound and life altering
changes.

Please, I couldn’t be more urgent about this…. seek God and ask
for a huge revelation of His favor. It is only in revelation that
you will feel its impact.

If you are not excited about favor, then you need a deeper
revelation about it. 2 Cor 5: 18-20 (AMP) tells
us God sent His Son to restore the world to favor! That is a big
deal! Paul urges us to lay hold of this favor! We are to be
releasers of His favor!

To help you lay hold as we are encouraged to do, I have written a
book. Many of you already have it. That’s wonderful, and if you
do, I would also ask you to do the exercises in it. God will take
you to the next step.

If you don’t have it, please don’t let a wimpy bit of money keep you
from experiencing more of all God has for you. I don’t say this to
make a buck, believe me! I just want you to experience how real
favor is. It is profound. It produces major transformational
breakthroughs. It also produces jobs, new housing arrangements,
connections, and lots, lots, more.

Who knows what your life would look like with an increased
revelation of favor?!