Advertising is a form of yelling. Now through social media, this “yelling” is practically free. Paid ads also show up on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. So you don’t have much option as it shows up even if you don’t want to see it. They hope that by getting their info in your screen again and again, you’ll eventually click on their ad one day. That tactic just irritates people and gets in the way of their productivity.
But what if you were to be generous? No, don’t use generosity as a tactic to get you someplace. Rather allow generosity to be a lifestyle. Jesus said “Give and it shall be given to you, pressed down, shaken together and running over.” He also said “Freely you have received, freely give.” Learn to be a giver rather than a taker. Consistently give more than you take.
Maybe you can give your time, efforts, energy, or knowledge. There are a host of other things that you can give. Whatever it is that you give, strive to be known as a giver. That reputation will be the source of great joy in life. Ultimately, you will begin to reap the benefits. But don’t do it for the benefits. Just do it as a lifestyle of generosity. It’s much better than YELLING.
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This is a wedding invitation by someone very special to you. The bride is chosen. The wedding date is set. The venue is pre-determined. The invitations are sent out. The arrangements for the feast is finalized. All the miscellaneous arrangements are being worked on. Now the bride just needs to make herself ready.

What an awesome picture of the upcoming celebration. The Church is the bride. We are the bride of Christ chosen before the foundations of the earth. Betrothed to the King. Everything is set in order.

Now, the bride has the responsibility of making herself ready for the bridegroom. We, the church, have the responsibility of “adorning” ourselves with good works, or righteous deeds. We do this not to be selected as the bride of Christ, but because we are already selected as the bride. This imagery is beautifully expressed in Revelations.

Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure — for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints (Rev 19:7-8).

We as the Church, the Bride of Christ have the ongoing task of making ourselves ready for the groom with righteous deeds. We do this not out of compulsion but out of love for Jesus, our Groom.

Your Turn

Join the discussion and add your thoughts. What have you learned?

Please share briefly in the comments section on the website barnabas.in

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When expectations are high, stress levels are high. Life simply defies high expectations. Those two just don’t match. The chances for high stress go up significantly.
But if expectations are lowered, the scenario is quite different. Life becomes more peaceful. We become more relaxed. Our environment is more tolerable. Yes the same experiences will have a totally different effect on us when our expectations are altered.
This doesn’t mean that our predicament improves. Life continues to dish out its plate of troubles, and we have no option but to face them. Having a balanced perspective regarding our expectations will certainly reduce stress.
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Rebellion may seem to have a hold on people’s lives. It shows up in all facets of life, but the ultimate expression of rebellion is against God. This rebellion against God began in Genesis 11, where people gathered in one place and began to build a city with a large tower that is as “high as​ the heavens.” They wanted to make a name for themselves. Their aim in doing all these things was to stay together in one place without being dispersed throughout the Earth.
But God’s plan was for them to “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it…” (Gen 1:28). Their plan was entirely contrary to the plan of God for them. Their actions were clearly in rebellion to God’s purpose for their lives and for the entire world.
Such a rebellious attitude against our creator God has been with people throughout human history. Even today, this is a common mentality in people all over the world. There is no regard for God or his purposes for us.
But what about me? What about us? If we are honest, we find ourselves in a similar predicament. We love God, but our actions may not come in alignment with God’s purposes for us.
When Revelations 18 speaks of Babylon the great, it is more than that ancient nation – once great and powerful. It is the attitude of Babel that stands against the purposes of God for us.
Your Turn
Join the discussion and add your thoughts. What have you learned?
Please share briefly in the comments section on the website barnabas.in
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I am a pastor, teacher, and writer, devoted to helping people live their potential.
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* For a list of books that I’ve recently read, here is my Reading List.
 

The visits by the doctor were so brief that it must have been less than a minute. “Hey, how are you feeling? Everything looks good. Great. Get some rest, OK? See you next time.” What? That’s it? These guys get paid well just for this flash visit and a quick chit chat?
Let’s think of the alternative. The doctor walks in with a somber face and begins to explain the complications. As he lists the options for treatment and the chances of survival, your heart begins to sink.

No thanks. I think I prefer the flash visits. 

 
Does it ever seem like evil has the upper hand? Those who do evil seem to prosper. Their agenda seems to have prominence in society much more than it deserves.
The Bible is clear that we do not need to fear evil. It may prevail for some time and gain ground in the hearts of the weak. But in the end, God will defeat evil, along with Satan, the author of evil.
    But evil also has the feature of self-destructing. Those who do evil may collaborate and multiply their efforts, but ultimately they will turn on each other. 

    In the book of Revelations chapter 17 we see how, through the Beast, Satan joins forces with the kings of the earth to fight against the Lamb in an unprecedented war of the ages. But “The Lamb will conquer them, for he is the Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful” (Rev 17:14). Along with evil being conquered, we see in the following verses how the forces of evil turn on each other. Ultimately, evil will self-destruct and Jesus will be victorious and we, along with him.

    So don’t fear when you see evil prevailing in society. Just smile knowing that Jesus will be victorious.

Your Turn

Join the discussion and add your thoughts. What have you learned?

Please share briefly in the comments section on the website barnabas.in

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I am a pastor, teacher, and writer, devoted to helping people live their potential.

* If you enjoyed reading this post, please share it with others who may benefit from reading this.

* For a list of books that I’ve recently read, here is my Reading List.

Stay put. Stay focused. Whatever you do, don’t get defensive. Nor should you get haughty seeing how others behave. You may be the next target.
Continue to work hard. Be faithful to your task. 

In the minds of some people, there is considerable doubt about God’s dealings with people in the Old Testament compared with the New Testament. They think God was angry and judgmental in the Old Testament but became loving and kind in the New Testament.
The reality is that God never changes. We clearly see both the wrath of God and the mercy of God displayed in the Old Testament. Both are clear realities. But since the New Testament begins with the ministry of Jesus, it highlights God’s grace in a tremendous way. The love of God is extended to people in quite a vivid way through the life, ministry and death of Jesus.
This huge focus of the New Testament in the early books highlight God’s love. But it is important to understand God’s love in the context of God’s wrath against sin and evil. That wrath of God still exists and is therefore the very reason that God’s grace is so amazing. His love for us is so great that he provides a way for us to escape that wrath.
This is clearly seen in Revelations chapter 16 where God’s wrath against evil is poured out. Several times, the statement is given: “And they did not repent.” God was looking for an opportunity to show mercy to people even in the very last days, in the midst of His wrath against evil.
So in the New as well as the Old Testament, God is exhibiting his wrath against evil and extending his mercy to all his creation.

Your Turn

Join the discussion and add your thoughts. What have you learned?

Please share briefly in the comments section on the website barnabas.in

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I am a pastor, teacher, and writer, devoted to helping people live their potential.

* If you enjoyed reading this post, please share it with others who may benefit from reading this.

* For a list of books that I’ve recently read, here is my Reading List.

They are good people. But they talk constantly. They’re brilliant and knowledgeable about a vast array of matters.
But every conversion I’ve had with them were one way conversations. I listen and they talk. Rarely do I get a chance to speak. They do all the talking.
They get themselves into a mess, and they’re still talking. Talking themselves through the mess, and getting deeper into it. Never listening. They don’t need to listen since they’re brilliant.
One day, I hope they’ll listen to someone. 

When those you lead begin performing tasks with an inner drive, a change has come. Previously they only did what was required and when it was required. But now it is obvious that they have caught the vision. When this begins to happen, you must take some important steps.
Celebrate the fact that they are catching the vision and find unique ways to reward them. Rewards do not have to be monetary. Verbal acknowledgement and affirmation are sometimes the best. Then, continue to focus on the vision. Don’t let off or coast. Keep the vision before them and continue to value it. The momentum toward the vision must be maintained