How not to be taken for granted Biblically

The Bible says in Leviticus 25:17(NIV)
Do not take advantage of each other,
but fear your God, I am the Lord your God.

We as Christians are to follow Christ's example by serving and
having compassion for those in need.

But sometimes we as Christians get treated as pushovers and
taken advantage of by the people we are trying to help.

Jesus was not a pushover, he did not let others take advantage of
him. Jesus modeled Godly service and set healthy boundaries.

So if we follow his example, and seek guidance from the Holy Spirit,
we can do the same, and not be taken advantage of.

First we should pray and ask the Holy Spirit, so we will know when
and how to help.

Second we offer them our service as a hand up, not a hand out. We
are not to support someone who isn't willing to help themselves, they
have to learn responsibility.

Third we should offer resources and encourage them to break the cycle of
dependency, so they will be able to give back and help others. We want to
help them in the long run, not just a today fix.

Fourth share the gospel, the person is only going to experience authentic
and lasting change through a relationship with Christ. If they are willing
to listen and try, and reverse this dependency on others

Fifth don't neglect your own responsibilities. We should manage our own 
household first, our finances, our time, so that we can take care of our bills
and care for the ones in our household. 

Even Jesus took time to rest and be alone to pray. He knew that he had to
take care of himself so that he could serve others effectively.

Follow the model Jesus set for us, the main focus is helping them find
a relationship with God, transforming their hearts and renewing their minds.

The bottom line is we should help out in crisis or in need, but if they
are constantly coming to you for help, that is taking advantage of your
kindness, and that is not OK. Let them know, it's a one time deal, and 
give them resources to help them and most importantly tell them about
Jesus, and help them build a long lasting relationship with the one who
can guide them and teach them on how to live a Godly life. We need to
have wise discernment.

When the Bible tells us we are to help, we are not to do this to a point
where it's detrimental, some people live an irresponsible lifestyle with
no accountability. So there has to be limits, help someone, but if it
becomes a chronic life pattern, it is wrong for us to continue to help.
It is actually harmful to contribute to their lack of effort or change.
We need to encourage them to make an effort to change.

If someone is not willing to take any steps towards a solution, it's a
hopeless cause, and they are taking advantage of you, because it's
easier to get someone else to do the work than for them to change.

The Lord provides for us, so we must be wise, and give back to him.
We are to provide for the needs of our families, that means your own
household, not your entire family line, each household is responsible for
their own household.

Let's use discernment and wisdom so we can make wise decisions!

God Bless and for daily motivation go and follow My Facebook Page

How not to be a doormat Biblically

Doormat- is a term used to describe someone who allows others to
walk all over them, figuratively speaking.

Jesus did not teach his disciples to be doormats, he taught them to
glorify God and teach others. So we need to take this example and do the
same.

This might sound harsh, but sometimes we are doormats because we have a 
selfish motive behind it. We might allow it because we have insecurities and 
low self worth, we might fear rejection, and allow our personal boundaries to
be crossed.

We might do this to be appreciated, loved, and for validation, instead of
relying on God to do that. It rarely works, and then we end of feeling worse.
We need to find validation and our self worth through God, not people, if not
we will always be disappointed.

We can avoid being a doormat by understanding our true worth. We
are created in the image of God. God wants what is best for us. 

Psalm 139:14(NIV) I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully
made, your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

We are no one's doormat, we are Sons and Daughters of the Most High
King.

We need to set healthy boundaries. Healthy Boundaries make Healthy
Relationships.

The word NO is a powerful word and statement, which we can say with
love.

We need to learn that enabling someone's sin or irresponsibility is not
love, it's self-indulgent, selfish fear. It is our own desire so that others will
love, appreciate, or need us, instead of letting them experience their own
consequences.

When we set Healthy Boundaries, it frees them to reap the consequences
they have earned and hopefully learn from it. 

When they ask us to violate our Boundary, we simply say NO politely. 

Look at it this way, God loves us, he is not afraid to say no, when he
needs to.

We become doormats because we are afraid to say no, when we need to. 
Sometimes it comes from childhood trauma, or witnessing our parents
being a doormat. Christian Counseling can help. 

We can take a stand and learn to reject the lies Satan has embedded in us 
and renew our minds with God's truth, we are not doormats, we represent
Christ. We are to be a great example and be a bright light in the world.

God Bless and for daily motivation go and follow My Facebook Page

How to live a Christian Life

In order to live a Christian Life-First You must be saved!!
(Read my blog post on how to be saved)

Once saved You are a new creation in Christ!
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new
creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
(2 Corinthians 5:17)
All true Christians have the Holy Spirit
living inside of them, to help guide them, teach them and
keep them throughout their lives. 

Everyone needs a bible to read and study and meditate on.
This is our daily spiritual food, everything we need is in there. 
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for
doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.
(2 Timothy 3:16)

You need to renew your mind daily.
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world,
but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you
will be able to test and approve what God's
will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will.
(Romans 12:2)

You need to rely on Jesus, we can't live a Godly life
without Him.
Without me you can do nothing. (John 15:5)
On our own we can do nothing, but with Him we can do
everything.
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
(Philippians 4:13)

Pray about everything and anything! Give it to God!
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and
supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made
known to God. (Philippians 4:6)

Tell others about Jesus! And He said to them, Go into
all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.
(Mark 16:15)
Tell everyone the good news about what Jesus has done and
how to make it to heaven and have eternal life with Him.

Our lives should compliment what we share.
We are known by the fruits we bare.
(Galatians 5:16) But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will
not gratify the desires of the flesh.
(Galatians 5:18) But if you are led by the Spirit,
you are not under the law.
(Galatians 5:22) the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,
patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-
control.
(Galation 5:25) If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in 
step with the Spirit.

We should forgive, love and show mercy to each other.
(Ephesians 4:32) Be kind to one another, tenderhearted,
forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
(John 13:34) A new commandment I give to you, that
you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are
to love one another.
(Matthew 5:7) Blessed are the merciful, for they shall
receive mercy.

We should avoid temptations! They will come, we must be
careful not to go down that path. When they arise God has
promised us a way of escape. (1 Corinthians 10:13) 
No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to
mankind. And God is faithful;  he will not let you be tempted
beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will 
also provide a way out so that you can endure it. 
.

Avoid the things of the world(materialism) make your
relationship with God the priority of your life.
(1 John 2:15) Do not love the world or the things in the
world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not
in him." This means it's important to focus on God's values,
rather than the things the world says are important, like lust,
beauty, and material objects. 
(1 John 2:16) For all that is in the world—the desires of
the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in
possessions— is not from the Father but is from the world.  

We are not perfect, sometimes we fail. We have flesh in us.
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our 
sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
(1 John 1:9)
We also have an enemy(satan) who loves to remind
us of our past sins. We need to look at the cross and
realize that Jesus took care of our sins(past, present
and future). We can never  lose our salvation. He wants
us to come to Him and confess and thank Him.

Be careful the company you keep. Do not be deceived: evil
company corrupts good habits. (1 Corinthians 15:33)
These are people who could cause us to stumble.
Have Christian Friends, like minded individuals.  
(Hebrews 10:25) We can encourage each other,
help each other, worship together, teach each other and learn.

Living the Christian life doesn't mean we will never have
problems.
(1 Peter 5:8) says that there is an enemy who wishes to
destroy us: Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the
devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone
to devour. But we also read that Jesus has overcome the
world! And if Jesus has overcome the world and we have
the Holy Spirit living in us, we can overcome our  problems
through Him.

But no matter what you might face in this world, living a life
for Christ is worth it, knowing you will have eternal life with
Him in Heaven.

As a Christian we are not perfect-we strive to be-We know
we need Christ!!

God Bless and for daily motivation go and follow 
My Facebook Page 

Lets get fit-The Easy 30 day Walk Challenge-Anyone can do!

 

Tips on how to get started!

1. Drink plenty of water

2. Wear comfy clothes and comfy shoes

3. Have a walking buddy

4. Keep it fun

5. Set a schedule

6. Plan your route

7. Get motivated and put in the effort

Let's do this!

Day 1-3 walk 5 minutes

Day 4 rest

Day 5-7 walk 5 minutes

Day 8 rest

Day 9-11 walk 10 minutes

Day 12 rest

Day 13-15 walk 10 minutes

Day 16 rest

Day 17-19 walk 20 minutes

Day 20 rest

Day 21-23 walk 20 minutes

Day 24 rest

By now you got this, keep going!

Day 25-27 walk 30 minutes

Day 28 rest

Day 29-30 walk 30 minutes

You just completed your 30 day walking challenge!

Don't stop keep going!!

Now start all over again, rotating your days
20 minutes oneday, 30 the next, rest if needed
every 3 days!!

Benefits of walking!
 
Healthy weight and lose body fat

Helps prevent or manage health conditions

Improves cardio fitness

Strengthens your muscles and bones

Increases your energy

Improves your mood

Improves cognition, memory and sleep

Improves your balance and coordination

Strengthens immune system 

Reduces stress and tension

**Add the 30 day water Challenge
(read my blog post on this)
Together this will help achieve your
health and fitness goals**

God Bless and for daily motivation go and follow
My Facebook Page

"Steps on How to be Saved"

 

The most precious gift is FREE!!

What must YOU do to be saved?

This is the most important question, YOU could ever ask, because this
will impact how you live and spend eternity.

The Bible gives us clear instructions on how you can be saved.

 

1. You must realize you are a sinner, in need of being saved
(admit, acknowledge, confess)

There is none righteous, no not one. (Romans 3:10) For the wages of sin
is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
(Romans 6:23)

First you must admit, acknowledge-confess your sins. You must sincerely ask
God to forgive your sins. See your life as God sees it. Confessing your sins
that God already knows you have committed.

Example: God, I see me as you see me, I confess I am a sinner, and I need
your saving grace.

2.  Repent transform and redirect your life
(Repent, Become new)

You are turning away from who you once were, and turning into a
new creation. Turning away from sin and turning your life over to God.

Repent and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for
the remission of sins. (Acts 2:38)

It is more than just going to church or saying a prayer, you become a new
person. 

They are a new creature: old things are passed away, behold all
things are become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17)

3. Receive Jesus as your personal Savior
(Receive, Believe, Trust, Love) 

Receive Jesus, believe and trust, and love him with all your heart.

It is believing with all your heart that Jesus is the one and only Son of the 
living God and that he lived a sinless life, died a sinners death, and rose to life
conquering both sin and death.

The wages of sin  is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus
Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23)

Jesus himself said, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man(or woman)
cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6)

Neither is there salvation in any other, for there is none other name under
heaven given among men(or women), whereby we must be saved. (Acts 4:12)

You must put all your faith, belief and trust in him, you are saved by grace alone.

For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourself, it is the gift
of God, not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

Salvation is by God's grace, through faith in Christ!

4. Be obedient to Christ and be a follower of Christ
(Obedient Christ Follower)

Jesus asked:

And why call me ye, Lord, and do not the things which I say. (Luke 6:46)

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.
(Romans 10:9)

So you are to be an Obedient Christ follower, you now belong to Jesus. You
have  abandoned your old life without him and are now living a new life for him.

You have been set free, you are now in Christ! You no longer live for sin,
you now live for Christ. You no longer love sin, you love Christ! Christ
has set you free from the bondage and penalty of sin.

5. Live for Christ
(Be Faithful)

You joyfully and passionately glorify Jesus with everything you do and say.

Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory
of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31)

Be unmoved, unchanged, and unwavering, hold steadfast and refuse to forsake
God, but be faithful.

Live a life of love, faithfulness, and obedience to God. Be submissive and
pleasing to god in every way. 

**Pray, Read and Study the Word, meditate on it
and tell others about Christ.

Jesus summoned it up here:

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.
He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not
is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the
only begotten Son of God. For God sent not his Son into the world to
condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 
(John 3:16-18)

Jesus can save you from the eternity of your sins. Jesus can transform
your life and make you righteous. Jesus can restore you and grant you
eternal life in heaven with God. Jesus is the Savior and Lord. 

Jesus loved you enough to die for YOUR sins, will you love him enough to
Live for him?

Will you repent and confess Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior?

Admit, Believe and Confess! And Live a life in Christ!

Say this simple prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father,
Please forgive all my sins, and come into my heart as my Lord and
Savior. Take control of my life and help me walk in your footsteps
by the power of the Holy Spirit. Help me be a great example for others
and let my light shine. Thank you lord for saving my soul and for answering
my prayer.
Amen and Amen!!

God Bless and for daily motivation go follow my Facebook Page