Don't Let It Beat You | Learning to say No

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In life, we all have those little things that add up that can get us down. But when we think about it, why do we let those things beat us? As children of the King, we have the Holy Spirit living inside us and we can say no. No to the bad thoughts, no to the temptation, no to Satan. We have the power to not give in to temptation and take a higher stand.

So sibling in Christ, Don't let it beat ya. Don't let things get you down, discouraged or make you feel like quitting or get you angry. Quote scripture, sing scripture songs and think on the Lord. Just don't let the devil in. Learn to say No.

James. 1:13, 16

King James Version (KJV) - "Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:"

{16} "Do not err, my beloved brethren."

Philippians. 4:8

King James Version (KJV) - "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."

Philippians. 4:13 

King James Version (KJV)

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."

5 Ways to Help Make your Church Visitors feel Welcome

I was reading in a book today and it inspired me to make this blog 

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post for you.

Every church wants (or should want) visitors! Always be wanting to grow.

So, to help in this area, Here are some tips for the members to remember.

1. Smile at people. 

A smile can change a person's day and make them feel connected. When you don't smile, people can assume you are too arrogant or mean, even though you may be just thinking about something else. So do your best to smile at people you meet, walk past, or look at. 

2. Look them in the eyes.

 Looking people in the eyes is kindness. It says to them, "You count." And it reminds them that we are all part of the same human race. When you avoid looking people in the eyes, you seem cold and unattached, and that doesn't help to spread the love of Christ but hides it!

 3. Offer a hand.

 When someone is struggling with something heavy, offer them a hand. When someone looks lost, ask them if you can help. When you offer to help people, you share kindness with them and lighten their load.

4. Say hello.

In today's busy world it's easy to become isolated from the others, oblivious to the pain and concern of the people around us. But kindness gets involved; it steps into the lives of others, even if only to say hi. It WILL make a difference. Say hi to anyone that looks you in the eyes. Even if they don't look at you, interrupt their isolation and say hello. Remember, People remember Kindness! 

Click 'here' to read my blog post on "Love is an Action". 

5. Go above and beyond the normality. 

Here are 'rituals' visitors usually do at church. 
Go into the building,
find a seat near the back, (they wouldn't dare sit up front!) 
sing,
listen to the preacher,
get up and go. 
Do they ever re-visit? 

Rarely. It depends on a number of factors.

Make your church visitors Experience something different! The church should be Alive! Members, don't go find "your clique"... ...Instead, meet someone new! Get out of your shell yourself. If there's time, show them around the church. Introduce them to your pastor or to someone around their age. I'm not saying that it's wrong to go say hi to your friends, just don't be exclusive to others around you that you may not know.  Make them feel like they are welcome! 
Cause they are... 
Aren't they?

 Be friendly, courteous, kind, happy, (Don't act like a dead-Christian!) Being a Christian is fun so don't make it look boring by your countenance and austere demeanor. 

(Be sure to get their address and go visit them sometime during the week if they're interested. You should want your visitors to return and be glad they were there.) 

Make sure your church is Alive in Christ! Be Joyful in the Service of Your Lord and King. We need each other to do this! We're all important and can be used by God if we let Him. 

Click 'here' to read my blog post on "To the People of the Church". 

May God bless you! I hope this was helpful to you.

Feel free to Re-blog this or share this onto your Social networks or in a email to a friend!

Finish Well for God!

Great Devotion By Paul Chappell - A must read!

This came right from my “Rooted” Devotion Book" I bought in

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California. Written by Paul Chappell. It is really good and I want to share it with you.

The devotion is called, 

"Finishing Kick"

Hebrews 10:24-25

King James Version  (KJV) - "And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. 

In 1954, Roger Bannister became the 1st person in history to run a mile in under 4 minutes, breaking a barrier that had withstood challenges for years. Other runners soon began to match his feat, and an Australian runner named John Landry actually broke Bannister’s new world time later that summer. In August, the two met at the British Empire and Commonwealth Games in Vancouver. Though Landry let for most of the race, Bannister surged ahead on the final turn and passed him with a strong finishing kick to win the race.

  Just as on the track, there is enormous value to finishing well in life. The temptation is to let up and coast as we near the end. Society promotes this concept with the view of retirement as a time to sit back and take it easy. Yet the Bible instructs us to do more. Of course there may be physical limitations as we age that will restrict what we can do, but there is no reason for a believer not to continue to grow and mature in spiritual matters throughout life.

(Here is the last paragraph  I have it bolded because it refers to my age group and to the younger generation. Well said Bro. Chappell!) 

It is a tragedy when people make the decision to cut back on their involvement with church, with witnessing, with giving, or with being a help and encouragement to others so they can “enjoy more leisure time”. This robs the church of what is meant to be a great source of wisdom and godly leadership. Those who have walked with God for many years have learned things which they can and SHOULD pass on to others. Rather then looking forward to the day when We can sit back and do nothing, we should be doing ALL WE CAN TO FINISH WELL.

(End Of Devotion)

     I thought that was so good and true! Wow, Sobering as well. Thinking how 80% of young people leave the church after age 18. We DO need to finish well, Not just because in Heaven we'll be rewarded for the work we've done here on earth for God's Glory but also cause the world is watching us. Wanting to see if we're real or not. Show them we are. Remember, We are a Bible the Lost are reading. 

Please leave a comment or Pass this on by Reblogging, sharing to Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, etc.

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?

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}