Are you a TRUE Friend? Pt. 2

Be a true friend. Here are some more tips.      

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"12 characteristics or things that a True friend has and does."

1. Don't talk bad about Anyone! Period.
2. Stand up for someone who is being talked bad about,
3. Share,
4. Don't get jealous and Never assume,
5. Stay confident and uplift others by doing so,
6. Always have a good attitude. Just because you’re having a bad day doesn't mean people should be able to tell by how you act…
7. Laugh and having a happy time with whoever you're with. Don’t be dull or boring.
8. Keep that friends secrets. They’re putting their confidence in you. Never take that for granted.
   
    (Of course if they’re having thoughts about committing suicide or something bad that they’re going to do. Don’t hide it! Being a true friend is also doing the right thing for the other person. Think about if what they’re doing is wrong or bad… )
   
9. Don’t be negative towards what others like. Show some interest and phrase how you feel in a kind manner.
10. Think before you speak. 
    Is it True?
    Is it helpful?
    Is it inspiring?
    Is it necessary?
    Is it kind?
11. Be there for your friends no matter what. No one wants a friend that is always in a shell or seems to be like you’re ignoring them all the time.
12. Be honest yet Kind. I mean, Just say what you mean, but don’t say it mean. 
    
    And then here is one more for good measure.
13. Always smile. Don’t look down. Your smile boosts your scale of attractiveness and gives other people a signal that you’re not a “Down person” cause no one likes a down, dreary person. The main people that people love are the funny, kind, helpful, happy spirited kinds. I mean don’t go all hiper on us (hehe) but be happy. Don’t be a dud.

I hope these tips were some eye-openers on whether or not you're a true friend. We all need a true friend. Are you one to somebody else?

Love is an Action

...not a feeling. 

How can we be sure that love isn't a feeling? 

It's Simple.

God commands you to love. 

1, John. 4:7
King James Version (KJV) - "Beloved, let us love one another: ..."

And because feelings can not be commanded, Love can not be a feeling. See, I can't order you to be giddy right now, it's not possible to force those kind of feelings. But actions can be commanded. I can command you to stand on one foot, and you could easily do it. At least I hope. 

So, if God is commanding us to love, He isn't talking about how you FEEL about someone but what you DO for them. Love is an action. not a feeling. 

Little things can be done to let someone know you care and love for someone. 

How to Show your Love for Someone

For family you can say I love you and show them by hugs or making a family member's bed for them. Something unexpected is a joyous surprise that proves your love instead of "Just saying It".

For friends you can say I love you, also, or when you see them, Say hello, offer a smile, Give 'em a hug, or a nod recognizing their presence.... Just something to show you're their friend and you care and love them. You could get them an unexpected gift, too.

Acts of kindness for a friend shows your love for  them.

For the Christian, Everything you do reflects God. You're a Bible the Lost are reading. For God's children, God shining through you is never more evident than when you are with Strangers especially, because it is in those moments when your kindness and concern for people who can do nothing for you can be seen based on what you do. 

It's easy to say that he is nice to his friends because his friends

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know him and he knows them or to his family because they're family... But when he is loving a stranger something magical happens. Those who are watching are intrigued and those whom he loves, become encouraged. Loving people we don't know reminds us that we are all part of the same human race. It gives hope to the lost and offers a small glimpse of the love of God. Remember that You're a Bible the Lost are reading. See not a stranger, but a Valuable Soul that's going somewhere. 

Don't ignore the people around you as if they're just "extras" in a Movie and You're the Star! I mean we don't like it when people aren't nice or kind or they ignore you...  So don't do it to others. 

Luke 6:31 

King James Version (KJV) - "And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise."

Everyone has feelings and you only get one chance to make a First Impression. Connect with them somehow...

For strangers, with eye-contact and a friendly smile. You can show love and kindness. Because see not a stranger but a Valuable soul!

When you get onto an elevator, make small talk. When you sit down next to someone in a Waiting Room, say hello. When being waited on by a server, talk to them like a person, not like a servant. People remember kindness. Make genuine interest in the souls around you. Whether they are beautiful or not. And in doing that you can be the sweet aroma of God to the souls you encounter throughout your week.

If you don't care for your family, friends and the strangers around you like you should, you could miss out on the call of your life - God's call to love others as yourself!

Mark 12:31

King James Version (KJV)  - "...Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these."

Have you been "Christian Cursing?"

Have you been "Christian Cursing"? We all have and sometimes,

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Not even knowing it! We need to try to speak in a "Christ-Like" manner. We are Christians. Read on for the much-needed info. 

Matthew. 12:36 & 37 

King James Version (KJV) - "But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. {37} For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned." 

Titus. 2:7 & 8 

King James Version (KJV) - " In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity," {8} Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you."

According, to the scriptures typed out above, as Christians, (Which  means Christ-Like) We need to be very careful with our mouths because we will one day give an account to God. Most Christians are aware of the fact that God expects them to live holy lives. Likewise, most God-fearing Christians have learned to abstain from swearing and from the use of common profanity. I haven't met many faithful Christians who have a problem with worldly cursing. However, I have met MANY Christians who have stumbled into the Devil's trap and taken up a whole different kind of cursing. Keep reading, friend, because you just might need to "tune up" your vocabulary! Are You Taking God's Name in Vain? You say, "Oh my word. I wouldn't take God's name in vain!" You just did, though. John 1:1 says that "the Word" was GOD! John 1:1  King James Version (KJV) - "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." So It's like you were saying Oh My God. Which is using GOD's name in a slang way.  Satan tricked you, didn't he? We've all done it and we need to stay accountable and try not to do it anymore! "Oh my goodness!" you say. If you are saved then your "goodness" is none other than God Himself.  Psalm. 144:2  King James Version (KJV) - "My goodness, and my fortress; my high tower, and my deliverer; my shield, and he in whom I trust; who subdueth my people under me." The Bible says that All of Our goodness is as Filthy rags.  Isaiah 64:6 King James Version (KJV) - "But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags;..." You just took His name in vain again. We have no goodness of our own. Our lives are given by Christ. He is Good. We are not.  Romans. 3:23 King James Version (KJV) - "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;" Psalm. 39:5 King James Version (KJV) - "Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah." So "my goodness" is a reference to God! "Good grief. I had no idea!" That's actually "Christian Cursing" too... Jesus Christ was a man of sorrows and acquainted with GRIEF. Isaiah. 53:3 King James Version (KJV) - "He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not." His grief was "good" grief because He bore your sins and mine! We together need to show more reverence and respect for our Saviour, brethren and quit throwing God's word around too loosely. Once again, I'm still learning this and I have done some of my own "Christian Cursing" but now that I've learned these things, I want to share them with you too. Together we can learn and try to show more reverence towards God the Almighty.  You could say "For crying out loud! Can't I say anything?"  How about reading your Bible because that's slang as well... Matthew 27:46 King James Version (KJV) - "And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? May I ask, What's your logic in using such speech? Could it be that Satan is just having a good laugh at our ignorance and disrespect of God's word? We have to be careful with our words! "Well, geeeeeeee!"  Hmmmm, Did you say "G", as in "GOD"? You may not have known it, but that is using God's name in a slang manner too. You've probably also said "Gosh" or "Good Golly", You might also have said "Jeepers Creepers" when you really wanted to say "Jesus Christ" (JC!).  When I first realized that I was taking my Lord's name in vain often I was very sad and I have since then tried to work on it so I wouldn't continue saying "Idle Words" as the Bible calls it.... You might have played around with the letters "G" and "D" together. You said "dad gum", "dang gum", "dog gone" or "Dang gummit", when your flesh really wanted to say "God" and then follow with the word "damn". I was unaware of all these "New ways" of taking God's name in vain.. I mean Think about it, Christian... Is God pleased with this kind of speech? Those Four-Letter Words... You probably wouldn't think of using the word "damn" too loosely, but what about "darn" and "dang"? Do they not serve the same purpose? Is Satan not pleased to fill your mouth with such speech? "Why, heck!" -Look out, friend! God knows your heart, and he knows your flesh is using heck in a slang way instead of just saying "hell". Down south folks could say, "Ah, shoot!" This is nothing more than a cheap way of saying the four letter 'S' word... Again I ask, is God pleased with this sort of speech? Is this "sound speech, that cannot be condemned"? I think not. Be careful what you say. Think about what you say before you say it... You might find out that you were about to take God's name in vain. We ALL need to work on it.. No one is perfect. But we can try for perfection like how the Bible talks about. (Matthew. 5:48 KJV) Swear Not. Matthew. 5:34 King James Version (KJV) - "But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: Jesus said "swear not," yet God's people swear very often, and sadly, Sometimes we don't even realize we're doing it. Such expressions as "for Heaven's sake", or "for Pete's sake", and "Heavens to Betsy" are attempts to swear by Bible subjects, which shows disrespect toward God. God's word is PURE and HOLY. We should honor His words, not throw them around. We all need to work on this, friend.  Truth Is All the Authority You Need Why do people curse and swear? There's only one reason: Authority. People want to sound more forceful and authoritative when they speak, so they spice their speech up with all sorts of catchy little "powerful words". Sadly, such words often dishonor God, the Bible, and the Lord Jesus Christ. Friend, Truth is all the authority you need. Just speak the truth as it is revealed in God's word and you'll have no use for "Christian cursing". Remember this verse as you go about your day seeking to please the Savior.  Matthew. 12:36 King James Version (KJV) - "But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.

Let family know you love them!

When was the last time you told a family member you loved them? For me it was this morning. 

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I pretty much tell everyone in my family "I love you" everytime I see them. ♥

Why you say? Cause anything could happen honestly... They could drop down and have a heart-attack or end up getting cancer and next thing I know they might not remember me, They could die in a car-wreck the next time they go out to run errands, they could end up getting really ill and unstable and have to be put in a nursing home near or far away...  You NEVER EVER KNOW WHAT WILL HAPPEN. Some things could just "Not be the same" at any given time. As my Grandfather says, "Life as you now know it could change in an instant." Sobering actually...

So......

 ...hug them while you can, love them all the time, laugh with them, hear them out, stand up for them and encourage them and their dreams and aspirations!! ♥

Why? Life is short. Too short. But we can make it sweet.  ♥ Be kind cause you'd want others to be kind to you. Love them because you deep down want someone to really, I mean really love you. You should take time to care for your family. You never really know how much longer you have with them. You never really know. Never know. 

I have not seen my family consistently for 6 and a half years before this last fall when we moved here. I love them so much and I know what it's like to not have family in your church, and to not have a hug from a family member every church service. So I hug them while I can when I can cause you never know what Life has in store.  I have missed seeing family. ♥♥♥

 I mean when your friends leave you or "they're just not your friends anymore" what do you got? Your family. They will always love you and care for you and they're just awesome.♥ You can talk to them about anything, they're there for you... I love my Grandparents, my amazing Aunt and Uncle who are encouraging... I don't want to take Christian Family for granted. And I have THE BEST cousins Ever! They're best friends of mine. You really don't have to ask. It's inevitable that we're friends and will ALWAYS Be.  I NEVER want to take a moment with them for granted. 

  So I say I love you to my family, I hug them,  I smile and laugh and crack jokes and share stuff and I know their likes and dislikes and it's good all through to have close family. It really is. You never ever wanna drift in YOUR family. 

Keep them close always to your heart. ♥

Who has your heart?

Are you following "One Direction" or the Right Direction? Are you

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a Belieber or a Believer? Are you Always watching YouTube videos but have you ever thought about what God wants You-To-Be? Ever tweet about what God's done for you instead of just saying 'How you feel'? Get your Face in the book before you check Facebook. 

Exodus. 20:3
King James Version (KJV) - "Thou shalt have no other gods before me."

A god isn't necessarily worshipping a statue every morning. An idol is anything you put before the One True God. It can be music, Social networks, sports, toys, friends, possessions, even food. Now those things aren't bad unless you use them in the wrong way or they're an idol in your life. Prioritize. 
Anything you Love more then God. It's/they're/that's an idol. 

Who has your heart? What has your heart? Is it God? It should be. 

{My morning thoughts}

What are you doing for God?

We need to always be busy doing the Lord's work helping others

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see Christ and leading them to HIM. Don't be idle saints. We need to get up and Shine for God! 

Acts. 17:11 
King James Version (KJV) - "...they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily,..."

That verse is telling how some Christians in the Bible received the preaching with a "Ready" attitude and they searched the scriptures! They had their devotions. God can use someone who wants to be used. Do something for the Lord today!

Saved or Lost?

Saved or Lost? In the Light or in the Dark? Can you see or are you

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blind? Convicted or converted? A sinner saved by grace or a sinner? 

That's the difference. We're ALL Sinners. Great sinners can be transformed into exceptional Christians when they turn their passionate appetites towards Christ. The difference between God's children and others in the world is that God's children asked Jesus to come into their heart, to save them from their sins and they believed that He would. After you get saved you are God's child. He adopts you into the Royal Family. 

John. 1:12
King James Version (KJV) - "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:"

That verse is saying that if we receive Christ, and believe on Him to save us from our sins and we ask God for forgiveness then we are then a Child Of God.  

Romans. 8:16
King James Version (KJV) - "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:"

We are not all children of God because not everyone has been saved.  Those who have gotten saved, ARE saved. Salvation isn't inherited. 

Matthew 7:21-23
King James Version (KJV) - "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven."

God wants everyone to be saved, That's His will. But not everyone will accept Christ.

     So God's Children are sinners saved by Grace and the rest of the world are sinners. We still sin after we're saved because being saved doesn't mean that you're all of a sudden perfect, we still have to "Fight the Flesh" and stay away from sin the best we can!
Christians have to.....

1, Peter. 5:8 

King James Version (KJV) - "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:"

I have explained how to get saved a couple times in this very blog post already but if you didn't catch it, here is how. 

It's simple.

Very Simple. 

God didn't make it hard. 

Romans 10:9

King James Version (KJV) "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved."

That simple. 

Just confess to God. He will hear you. ♥

I broke the verse up into 3 easy steps.

A - Admit you ARE a Sinner. (We ALL Are) 

Romans. 3:23

King James Version (KJV) - "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;"

B - Believe that Jesus died for YOU and that He was raised from the dead by God. 

Romans. 5:8 

King James Version (KJV) - "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."

Mark. 16:6

King James Version (KJV) - "And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him."

John. 3:16

King James Version (KJV) - "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

C - Confess your sins... Apologize for your sins. 

John. 1:9

King James Version (KJV) - "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

And God will save you. You will then be saved!! And you CAN know that you WILL go to heaven one day! 

John. 3:16

King James Version (KJV) - "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

Titus. 3:5

King James Version (KJV) - "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;"

You CAN'T Get to Heaven by Good Works!!

Ephesians. 2:8 & 9

King James Version (KJV) - "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

{9}  Not of works, lest any man should boast."

God loves everyone! (John. 3:16) He wants you to go to Heaven one day to be with Him. He even died for your sins. You just have to accept Him. I hope you do. 

I got saved on August 24th 2006. 7 years ago today. I remember getting convicted and wanting to get converted!! I was in the basement of our home in Fargo, ND. And my Mom grabbed a KJV Bible and showed me the verses I typed out in this Blog Post. I remember I was sitting on a little blue stool. hehe 

She explained the verses to me as I explained them to you and I then I Admitted that I was a sinner, believed that Jesus died for me and that He rose again and then I confessed my sins and asked Jesus to come into my heart to save me. And He did!!! And I thank God for all His goodness, grace, love, and mercy He has bestowed upon me. ♥ 

I hope one day I'll see YOU up in Heaven. 

Comment below when you got saved. 

And if you are saved, 

Don't be afraid to tell others about it!!!!

Your testimony could help lead others to the Lord! And that would

be awesome! How will they hear if we don't go and tell them?

Romans. 10:14

King James Version (KJV) - " How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard?..." 

May God bless you!

God's Glory through our Suffering and Why

Sometimes God has to break our Pride and our "Tough Stuff

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Christian" attitude in able to do what God really wants to do through us - for His Glory! That process of God trying to "Get to us" can be hard and often thought of as a trial or that WE Are suffering when really all along God's heart was suffering because he could not work through us because of our rotten pride. Many times God gets the greatest glory from our greatest sufferings, because it is THEN in those dreary hours that we wave that "White flag of Surrender" realizing that we can not do it by ourselves! Surrendering is a sign of humility that ushers in HIS GRACE. When we are humble to God, and have a "It's Not me, It's God" attitude, we are willing to let God work through us and in our lives where that character trait, Being Humble, through God's Amazing and awesome power, can fully impact others spiritually, helping others come to know HIM and the Glory will go to God. God likes a humble child who fully depends on Him, who is willing to let the Lord work in their life and who trusts in Him at all times.

Proverbs. 3:5 & 6
King James Version (KJV) - "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thy own understanding. {6} In all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy paths. "

What a lesson us Mortals go thru. Crash at God's feet and don't be embarrassed of asking God, Our Creator, For help. We truly CAN'T "do it all on our own." 

Picture Credit : Holly Doss | Photographer and Graphic Designer

Are you a TRUE friend? Pt.1

A true friend is someone who is there for you no matter what. They don't talk about you behind your back

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and they stick up for you if others talk bad about you and they are just Real. They got your back no matter what and you can always enjoy being with them. They're there for you through the ups and downs. They like you for who you are! They love you at all times and they're the most precious gifts from God. And if you don't have a "Bestie" here on this earth, know that God is a True friend. You can tell Him anything at any time and He's always listening and he doesn't tell anyone what you tell Him. 

Proverbs. 17:17a
King James Version (KJV)  - "A friend loveth at all times..."

Are you a True Friend?

Don't get to feelin'....

sad, down, depressed, or discouraged or feel like you wanna die.

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  Trials are tough but God's Children weren't made to go through them alone! God is there for you. And He is right there beside you walking with you through this journey. God brings trials and tests into our lives for a variety of reasons. One of His purposes is so that we can experience His comfort in a powerful and amazing way. Instead of allowing our difficulties to draw us away from God, they should encourage us to run to Him, like a child running to his parent for love and reassurance. God put you on this earth for a reason and as my Mom has said,  Life itself is not perfect, and neither are you nor I: but, God is perfect! His way is perfect, and YOU are perfectly equipped with just the right talents to fullfill His perfect will for YOUR life.  No one else can do so quite like you can.  No one else can fill His plan for you like you can.  Only you can do what He has for you to do.  It is so important for you to realize that and to fully comprehend just how imperative it is for you to do so. Don't let circumstances determine for you whether or not you will do right and trust in the Almighty. Accept each day just as it comes to you; Do not waste your time and energy wishing for a different set of circumstances. Instead, trust God enough to yield to His design and purposes for you and your life.  You are not alone today. Rest in the comfort and strength of God Almighty!

1, Thessalonians. 2:16 & 17 
King James Version (KJV) - "Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, {17} Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.

Romans. 8:5 & 6 
King James Version (KJV) - "For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.

{6} For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace."

Choose to Trust God today. Don't try to live a life trusting God, Try to Live One minute trusting God fully; Then do the next minute, and then the next. No need to get over-whelmed. 

1, Peter. 5:7 
King James Version (KJV) - "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you."

I hope you'll have a blessed day. Seek to shine for Christ! 

Many Blessings,
 ~Holly
Matthew. 5:16

Why do God's Saints fear...

...when we know that God is right there with us???

A lot of people give the illustration and point that when you're going through a hard trial & test God is right on the other side encouraging you to Keep going and to not give up.
Question. How can that be true since in God's word in Deuteronomy 31:6, He says that He will never leave you nor forsake you?

I love resting and knowing the fact that God never leaves me in a trial and He's right there carrying me through it.

Be strong Brother and Sister in Christ and rest in the assurance that God never will leave you or forsake you!

Deuteronomy 31:6

King James Version (KJV) - "Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee."

May you have a blessed Day in the Lord. Seek to shine for Christ!

Many Blessings,
 ~Holly
Matthew. 5:16

Hello Everyone!

I just started this blog today, August 14th ’13 and it’ll be used to encourage others to be Godly and have fun doing it! I hope you’ll follow my blog and will enjoy reading the upcoming posts. Stay tuned for more fun ahead!