The Russian Connection

GOSSIP

The WHOLE Truth & NOTHING but the Truth..

SO HELP ME GOD

Gossip is one of THE MOST dangerous sins in the church.

It is overlooked too often! It can ruin churches, friendships, relationships, and our witness and influence for Jesus Christ.  

P R O V E R B S  21:19

"Gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid a man who talks too much" 

We are ALL guilty of it and engage in gossip much more often than we realize. Sometimes we gossip accidentally, with no intent to harm or embarrass, yet, the words are still damaging. It is important to remember that gossip does not need to be intentional to be hurtful. 

HOW TO STOP GOSSIP:

1. Make a conscious effort to monitor your words: Actively listen to yourself as you carry on conversations. Make sure your conversation is centered around building others up instead of tearing them down.
2. Make a conscious effort to monitor what you hear: Don't quietly sit back while others engage in juicy gossip.  Either, encourage the conversation to move in another direction or remove yourself from the conversation.
3. Assume unflattering stories are false: What if we all assumed that the gossip was false? What if every time someone decided to share information about another person, we gave it no place and instantly wrote it off as false information? Try it! It will really slow down the amount of gossip you engage in or give place too.
   
4. Speak up and stop gossip: Simply let your friends know you want to have no part in gossiping. Maybe it would help if you started by letting your friends know you are trying to break the habit.
5. Let gossip end with you: Every person has the opportunity to allow gossip to live or die. Kill gossip by refusing to repeat it! What is your choice? Make gossip end with you! 

Slowdown

S-L-O-W D-O-W-N

 It is safe to say we live in a busy world

In 2010 approximately 5 billion text messages were sent per day. We think fast, move fast, drive fast and just simply get things done fast. It's our culture and pretty much our way of life. 

BUT sometimes we need to SLOW DOWN and allow ourselves to see the beauty around us. Our God created this world; the flowers, the trees, the grass, the sun and the stars. It's time we start slowing down and enjoying all that He gave us. 

So today, as you are driving home on the interstate allow yourself to enjoy the sunshine, the fresh breeze, stick to the right-hand lane and slow down. Let all those speeding cars race past you as they change lanes and cut people off.

Take your time and enjoy your drive. 

• Allow yourself to slow down  
• Marvel at God's beautiful creation
• Rest in His presence
• Rest in His peace and patience
• Love Him 
• Enjoy Him
• Take time to love others

Busyness is a "Joy Stealer" it causes tension, frustration and stress. These characteristics produce a powerless Christian. Prayer and connecting with God is difficult and almost nonexistent amid the agitation that goes hand and hand with busyness. 

First Step to slowing down: GET RID OF CLUTTER IN YOUR LIFE

Say NO to the things that steal your time and YES to the things of the Lord

Why Do People Not Believe?

WHY DO PEOPLE NOT BELIEVE??

There are three basic and general reasons that summarize why the unbelieving world rejects Biblical Christianity. Unbelievers typically fall into one or more of the following three categories;

INTELLECTUAL:

• Christianity becomes a stumbling block for those who are overly analytical. It is difficult for some to get past the scientific logic, evolution, philosophical and traditional ideologies. Ultimately, pride becomes a barrier in admitting they may of made an error. 

EMOTIONAL:

• Another reason people may reject Christianity is simply based upon a bad emotional experience with a Christian or a "So-Called Christian." Experiences could also occur with churches and even a tragic loss of life.These experiences can occur in childhood. Then as an adult, many will still refuse to accept biblical Christianity. 

BEHAVIORAL:

• The final and most frequent reason a person rejects Christianity is because a life of surrender does not suit their sin-filled lifestyle of living as they please. They do not want to be held to a moral standard of accountability, living a life honoring and pleasing to God. Instead, they would rather be in control of their own life.

It is important to understand where non-believers are coming from and their reasons for not believing and rejecting Biblical Christianity. Through knowing, this we have the opportunity to meet them where they are and address them on their level. It is important to be educated and informed.

One Secret to a Happy Marriage

ONE SECRET TO A HAPPY MARRIAGE 

According to the current divorce statistics in America roughly 45% to 50% of all first marriages end in divorce. Take a moment to think about that; according to those statistics half of your married friends including both christian and non-christian relationships will at some point get a divorce. 

Even though you think people would get better with practice, 67% of second marriages end in divorce and 73% percent of third marriages fail. It is safe to say there are few happy marriages these days.

Why is that? 

One condition that ruins thriving marriages is SELFISHNESS. If a person is disobeying God in their personal attitude and lifestyle, how can they expect God to bless their marriage?

God provides us with clear directions for marriage in EPHESIANS 5:22-33 

"Wives submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, His body of which He is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through The Word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless." 

THE SECRET: 

The secret to a happy, successful marriage is ADJUSTING to one another. Few people actually work at this because of their preconceived notions about marriage. Big adjustments begin immediately after marriage, and lets just say its not always a fairy tale story! Here are some DO's and DON'Ts to help you while you adjust to your life as a married couple. 

DO'S

• Recognize that besides your relationship with the Lord your most important relationship is with your spouse
• The most important person in your house is your spouse! Be sure your entire pattern of activity revolves around him or her
• Prove to your spouse that you have made the right choice concerning him or her; do this through your actions, appearance and display of affection

DON'TS

• Limt your reading of fictional books, watching dramatic television shows and movies about love. These are not true depictions of what love should and will be. 
• Do not ever stop taking personal responsibility for the level of relationship between you and your spouse
• Don't think that complaining and nagging will ever produce the outcomes and love you desire

OTHER RELIGIONS vs. THE WORD OF GOD

WHAT OTHER RELIGIONS TEACH

VS.

THE WORD OF GOD

I recently stumbled upon a list comparing other religions and their teachings directly to the Word of God. It is fascinating that for every false doctrine there is a scripture disproving these doctrines that other religions teach as truths. 

Other religions teach that Jesus' physical body was not raised from the dead

• LUKE 24:37-38  They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. He said to them, "Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have."

    Teachings view Jesus as unnecessary because people must pay for their own sins

• ROMANS 6:23  "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." 
• EPHESIANS 2:8-9  "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-- and this is not from yourselves it is the gift of God." 

Other religions believe Jesus will never come again

• ACTS 1:11  "This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen Him go into Heaven."
• 1 THESSALONIANS 4:16  "For the Lord Himself will come down from Heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first."

Other religions acknowledge three separate gods, not one God in three persons

• DEUTERONOMY 6:4  "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one."
• 1 PETER 1:2  "Who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood."
• MATTHEW 28:19  "... in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."

I welcome your comments and thoughts about these significant differences among religions

MOTHER'S DAY GIFTS TO STAY AWAY FROM

What NOT To Get Your Mother On Mother's Day

 

Disclaimer : If these 5 gifts are a part of your go-to-gifts list for your mom this mothers day, maybe you should reevaluate.

 

 

1.  Weight loss Books or Videos

• We want to say "I love you" not "I love you but think you should get in shape"

2.  Pets

• Simply stated; pets = work

3.  The wrong size clothing

• Too big or too small, lets just not go there

4.  Cleaning, Cooking or Kitchen

• It is probably a good idea to stay away from anything that screams "Household Chores"

5.  Father's Day gifts

• I know you men out there ,including myself, have been eyeing those new golf clubs, power drills or backyard grills. However, if it's something you've got your eye on chances are it's not the best gift for her.

This guide should help you avoid the worst of the worst. But remember, the worst gift is doing nothing at all. Take some time and do something really great this year for your mom, she deserves it!

YOU CAN DO IT

HOROSCOPES

HOROSCOPES

GOOD OR BAD ...

Have you ever picked up your favorite magazine or sat down to read an interesting newspaper column and your eyes slowly glanced over to the next page containing the Daily Horoscopes? You convinced yourself you were just reading them for "fun" or out of "curiosity" and perhaps even thought, "I don't take them seriously." 

• Horoscopes may be marketed in trendy magazines using the latest phrases or popular wording, but this packaging is deceptive.
• If you take reading horoscopes lightly or "just for fun," you are ignorant to the fact that magic, sorcery and occults are forbidden and can possibly be dangerous. 

D E U T E R O N O M Y  18:10-12

"Do not let your people practice fortune-telling, use sorcery, interpret omens, engage in witchcraft, cast spells, function as mediums or psychics, or call forth the spirits of the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord."

 Astrology is rooted in ancient paganism; who worship the plants as gods, which makes astrology a true form of "fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness." This is addressed in Ephesians 5:11

Take God's word to heart and do not consult Horoscopes, even if it's just for fun.

It is easy to get entrapped in the habit of reading them. Especially, if by pure coincidence a Horoscope forecast happened to be correct one day, curiosity and captivation could ensnare you. If you give something an inch it will take a mile. Avoid them entirely and give daily horoscopes no place in your life. 

The Bible's PROOF

THE BIBLE'S PROOF

It's common to encounter those who don't believe like you do...

 In some cases, it is difficult to find the right words to convey and convince non-believers that our God is Real, He is Almighty and All Knowing, He is Infallible and His Word is Truth

The following 5 reasons provide undeniable evidence to prove that the Word of God is true

1. The unique construction of the Bible proves it is truly the Word of God

The Bible was written by 40 different authors who lived during a period of approximately 1,600 years, which is roughly 50 different generations. The product of all 40 different authors results in ONE BOOK that fits together seamlessly and contains no contradictions or errors. Coincidence?? I think NOT!

2. The Resurrection of Christ proves that the Bible is the Word of God

The Resurrection of Christ was witnessed by hundreds of people. Do you really think that they were all lying and all made up the exact same story? Before the Resurrection the apostles were fearful and lived life hiding from the authorities. This powerful event brought about boldness, fearlessness and the willingness for some people to lay down their lives for Christ.

3. Fulfilled prophecy proves the Bible to be the Word of God

The Bible contains a significant amount of precise and detailed prophecy. The fulfillment of these prophecy's has been exact. Take Jesus Christ's life which was prophesied entirely before he was born and the numerous prophecies involving Israel into consideration; both of these were prophesied throughout the Bible and the fulfillment of them has been an exact replication of the prophecy found in scriptures.

4. The Bible's indestructibility proves that it is the Word of God 

In 304 A.D. the Greek writer Porphyry, tried to destroy the credibility of the Bible through writing 15 books against the Bible and Christianity. Obviously, he didn't succeed considering, the Bible is still around which is more to say for any of his 15 books. 

5. The Bible's factualness proves that it is the Word of God

Everything written on each and every page of the Bible is factual and true. For example, the Bible says man is a sinner, therefore it's not difficult to conform to our natural sinful nature. If you don't think that statement is true just take a look at the world we are living in. 

What Are You Afraid Of?

... What Are You Afraid Of ?? ...

One morning a professor of a Psychology class with 500 people asked his students what they were afraid of. He gave the students a moment to write down their fears and then return them to him. With the assistance of his graduate associates, he began counting and discovered that the 500 students listed over 7,000 fears! 

Christ came to deliver us from FEAR, we DO NOT have to FEAR

Fear has T R A G I C effects on our lives

FEAR...

• Makes life UNBEARABLE, in addition to, altering and warping our personality
• Is one thing that can SOLELY prevent you from doing the plan of God for your life
• Renders a person useless, there is NO place in the Kingdom of God for the fearful
• Brings on the EXACT thing we are fearing

Research has shown that 85% of both emotional and physical ills are brought on by fear

OVERCOMING FEAR

1. Fear is strictly prohibited

"Fear not" and "be not afraid" are found 180 times throughout the Bible

2. Put your trust and faith in God

I S A I A H  26:3

"You will keep in perfect peace, those who's minds are steadfast, because they trust in YOU"

 3. Never take counsel, advice or direction from your fears

Despite all of your fears remember that YOU can do all things through Christ who strengthens YOU!

TODAY:

"Fear not, for I am with you" 

ISAIAH 41:10

How to Increase Your Quality of Conversation

How to Increase Your Quality of Conversation

5 Tips for Better Conversations

Have you ever heard the saying?... "No man is an island unto himself"

We live in a world where interaction with people occurs thoughout your entire day, every day.

In order to create a positive and beneficial interaction, conversation skills are a must. 

• Pay attention to what they're saying. When starting a conversation use follow up phrases to allow the person to understand they have your attention. For instance, if they say they're "awesome" ask why and how they got to be so awesome. If they say they're "tired" follow up on it, ask what they were doing that made them so tired. 
• Ask open-ended questions that require an explanation. Replace you're typical, "How are you?" with "Whatever happened with _____ ?" Fill in the blank with any previous subject or topic that was discussed during another conversation, such as family, friendships, job opportunities, school or church. 
• Ask what movies or book they've seen or read recently. This a great way to try a new kind of conversation topic in addition to possibly finding some common ground. Maybe you share a few favorite movies or just so happen to be reading the same book. 
• Relax. Enjoy yourself! People are interesting! If you have a sincere interest for other people, you'll embark on a fascinating ride of conversation!
• Let it go. If the conversation feels like it's dragging on and on it may be time to move on. You can't connect with everyone and some conversations simply refuse to take life! Having good conversation skills involves knowing when it's time to move on. 

Let's take this one step further and consider Social Media for a moment. Obviously, people join Social Media outlets with the intentions and purpose of being "Social."

Now, just combine all five conversation tips listed above and apply them to these outlets of a different kind of communication, the growing world of Social Media and Online commucation.

Prepare to reap the benefits of conversation skills within this world also. 

Today:

Make an effort to put these conversation skills to use five times today!