How good a brand-ambassador are you for Jesus?

Advertisement is big business. From a less than scientific analysis, I could be persuaded to believe that Pepsi is “better” than Coke. Yet, Coke whips Pepsi on the market-share challenge, hands down. The real difference between Coke and Pepsi is advertising and marketing. Coke advertises more and better than Pepsi, full stop.

As Christians we are selling a product. We are in a market-share war that is hotter than Coke vs Pepsi. Ours is God vs Devil. Both sides are interested in expanding their humanity market-share. But unlike Coke vs Pepsi in the beverage market, there are only two choices in the God vs Devil war. A 1% increase in market-share for one means a 1% market-share decrease for the other.

As a result of highly scientific tests, we know that God is the better choice. But yet, the Devil is winning the market-share race. Why? There are a few reasons, but one of them is definitely superior advertising and marketing.

The Devil has an appealing marketing strategy that focuses on short-term pleasures, instant gratification and quick-fixes. After all, sin is pleasant in the short term, and lost humanity has a bias for instant gratification and sensual appeals. The Devil capitalizes on this human weakness and exploits it to the fullest in his advertisements.

What this means is that marketers of the God ‘brand’ have to be strategic. We know that our product is infinitely and eternally superior. But that is not the issue. Marketing has little to do with the intrinsic value of the product. It has everything to do with the perception that is created. The question is what is the market’s perception of our product? That is the issue.

God tells us not to hide our light. Instead, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). We are to strategically advertise our product with the end result of men glorifying God. We know that the way we live, and live with each other, is the best long term advertising. But a marketing strategy needs a mix of long, short and medium term initiatives.

If you feel strongly enough about your product, announce it. If you wear a cap, or a T-shirt, or drive a car, instead of advertising something inferior, advertise the good news of salvation. “Jesus loves you” is a starter Ad. A more advanced ad campaign could feature, “I am justified… Are you?” This kind of Ad is a conversation-starter. Someone will ask, “What do you mean by that?”

There are two problems that could result when we aggressively advertize. First, it will force us to constantly be good brand-ambassadors as we would literally be asking people to evaluate us. A single slip could do major damage to the brand. The second problem is that when people engage us in conversation or in criticism, we must have an answer for our faith and be willing to engage in personal evangelism without notice.

How good a brand-ambassador are you?

Credits : doctor-perspective
Source (Comments Section)

A pratical approach to the Tame the tongue.

You have the power to set the destiny for your life...by what comes out of your mouth.

The Bible tells us in Proverbs 18:21 that life and death are found in the words we speak. No one gets to decide the words that come out of your mouth except for you. 

The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

Proverbs 18:21

You have complete control over what you choose to say.

Your words have the power to set things in motion, good or bad. They’re like little seeds that you plant in life. 

So how to tame this potent weapon of ours...

Below is a simple and practical way to do it. But ofcourse you must pray and ask Jesus Christ to help you in getting this habit to be a part of your life.

In ancient Greece, scholar and philosopher Socrates was reputed to hold knowledge in high esteem.

One day an acquaintance met the great philosopher and said, "Do you know what I just heard about one of your friends?"

"Hold on a minute," Socrates replied. "Before telling me anything, I'd like you to pass a little test. It's called the Triple Filter Test."

 

"Triple filter?" asked the man.

 

"That's right," Socrates continued. "Before you talk to me about my friend, it might be a good idea to take a moment and filter what you're going to say. 

 

That's why I call it the triple filter test. The first filter is Truth. Have you made absolutely sure that what you are about to tell me is true?"

 

"No," the man said, "actually I just heard about it and wanted to tell it to you." 

 

"All right," said Socrates. "So you don't really know if it's true or not. Now let's try the second filter, the filter of Goodness. Is what you are about to tell me about my friend something good?"

 

"No, on the contrary, it is bad."

 

"So," Socrates continued, "you want to tell me something bad about him, but you're not certain it's true. You may still pass the test though, because there's one filter left - the filter of Usefulness. Is what you want to tell me about my friend going to be useful to me?"

 

"No, not really," replied the man, now more than a little embarrassed.

 

"Well," concluded Socrates, if what you want to tell me is neither true, nor good, and nor even useful to me, why tell it to me at all?"

 

Practical and simple ways of overcomng sin

 ^{The important thing mentioned in the Bible is to put Gods instruction to practice.} 

⁴⁷ As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. ⁴⁸ They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. ⁴⁹ But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.”

 Luke 6:47-49

 This is easier said and done. Once you have committed to following Gods instructions satan will try to do anything in his power just to prevent you doing just that. 

So in this modern world how to follow instructions. I too was held in the grip of sin for many years until God showed me the way to win it. Here i shall give you a few simple techniques to quit your sinful life.

What is sin and how it dominates you...???

Sin is the opposite of Gods Law...

No one is born a sinner. Every sin to which you are a slave too... didnt become your master in one day. 

For example if you are addicted to smoking you could not have started smoking this much cigarettes in the first day right.As day passes you gradually learn and it invades your inner self strongly so that it becomes harder and harder to let go.

The same way applies for all the sins.

Sin enters you through your sensory organs. This is how satan tempts. (eyes, ears,)

you see bad things and want to do or you look a women lustfully through your eyes.

you feel jealous, angry or fret because you hear about something.

The decision to do good or bad rest with your soul.

The more you see bad things and people doing that eventually leads you to follow that. Just like a goat to the slaughter house.

Remember  satan only tempted eve. He didnt pluck the fruit and give to eve neither did he feed her. He just fed doubts into her mind.

( When Seith was born Adam was 130 years old and if we assume that Cain and Abel were teenagers then rougly Adam was 100 years in the Garden. In other words it took satan 100 years to defeat Gods strongest creation)

You see a women and your mind thinks bad things of her. Imagine how you started thinking or looking  this way first. Imagine. There would have been a couple of people having fun or there would have been a source through which you started doing this stuff.

Gradually now you have to a point where you cannot see a women normally.

So how to overcome sin??? 

So to summarize the above discussed... you have made a habit of sinning. Now the same can be reversed if you start a habit of doing good things.

So if you have a habit of looking lustfully at women or drinking or any bad habits the next time you try not doing it. It would be difficult but if you keep on trying eventually you will overcome.

This easier said than done as i said. so to do it follow these steps

First you have identify your sins. For this write down the sins and good qualities that you have from the below list

 

While reading Galatians 5 to the end of that chapter, i came across a  list that indicates what are evil things you should not do so that the holy spirit will dwell in you.(Galatians 5:19-21)

evil desire
unclean things
wrong use of the senses
worship of images
use of strange powers,
hates,
fighting
desire for what another has
angry feelings
attempts to get the better of others
divisons
false teachings
envy
uncontrolled drinking and feasting

And also it tells what are the characteristics in us that tells that if the holy spirit is in us (Galatians 5:22-23)

love
joy
peace
a quiet mind
kind acts
well-doing faith
gentle bahaviour
control over desires

There are 14 bad things and 8 things that will be there in you if you do not have those 14 bad things.

Most of the 14 bad things come either the result of seeing or hearing.

Now after marking it done. You can see that you are not so bad. The reason is simple. Satan needs you to be addicted to anyone sin so that he can take you to hell. So thats his aim. 

Now that you have identified your sin. First get down on your knees. Confess to God these sins. Now ask him strength to overcome these sins. For the bible says

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

James 4:7

Without the power of the Holy spirit and without Gods help its nearly impossible to overcome.

And he will help only if you have confessed. 

The one and only power above satan and everything else is God Almighty. And as we know Jesus Christ defeated sin and only through his power we can win.

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

1 Corinthians 10:13

No one knows you better than God. He knows your strength and weakness and he only knows and can make crooked paths straight. So cling to God first and do the rest as follows.

Now that you have Confessed to God your sin and asked the power from God start first by trying not to do the sin again.

The first time it would be though. Satan wont let you go of easily. Keep trying. Eventually you will overcome.

Something in you will prompt you to do that sin. Analyze, pray and God will overcome.

Whatever makes you sin avoid those situations

But constantly meditate and try to win.

Your addiction to sin has a lot of side affects too. If you have observed people subject to sin are the most unpleasant people with whom you can hang out with. The way they talk and move around makes you to avoid them.

Satan does this so that you will be constantly under the influence of bad people.And never with Good People.

Always in society like minded people club together.

To get better in this front follow the golden verse of the Bible.

So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

Matthew 7:12

When others do a wrong we are there to judge. But if we wrong we expect the other to forgive us and leave the matter.

What you expect from God and People do it first to other.

When i started this i didnt receive kindness. But eventually and very quickly i received kindness.

The list above of good things mentions "kind acts". God is kind enough to give us everything even though we do not deserve anything. The air we breath, parents, being Christians, ability to practice faith in church and outside in peace, shelter and the list is endless.

But giving these to others is a essential christian practice. Many including me like talking about Mother Theresa   and admire her but it is much difficult for us to do what see did.

Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

Luke 6:38

Go to the internet and see the list of kind acts by googling and try doing some of it. It would transpire you.

Try Try and Try. Resist the Devil and he will flee... I resisted. He didnt leave me immediately. Nor has he fully left me. But in almost 2 years i have overcome almost 90%. He threw me into confussions, doubts, and heartaches but Without the holy spirit i would have over come him. Put on the Armor of God and fight. With dreams, visions and divine intervention he will lead you and take care of you.

 Armor of God.

¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ¹³ Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, ¹⁵ and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷ Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Ephesians 6:10-18

  

 
Amen!!!

 God Bless you...

 

8 Christian Tips For Dealing With Difficult People

In the book God in the Dock, author C. S. Lewis describes the kind of people we have trouble getting along with. Selfishness, anger, jealousy, or other quirks often sabotage our relationship with them. We sometimes think, Life would be much easier if we didn’t have to contend with such difficult people. So as a christian how can we deal with such people in our life. Listed below are 8 practical tips that would help you get along with such difficult people in your daily life.

 As Christians we should try to get along with the people around us. That does not mean we have to always agree with them, but we also should not intentionally look for opportunities to anger and upset people. Romans 12:18 tells us, “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.” This verse does not say it will always be possible, but we should try.

Speak With Respect

Disagreements and misunderstandings will happen in life, but this is not an excuse to disrespect others. The Bible tells us that we should speak to others with love, even if we have to deal strongly with them. Love and respect should be our guide. Our speech should be kind but firm when necessary.

Ephesians 4:15 “But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:”

Proverbs 15:1 “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.”

Colossians 4:6 “ Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.”

Follow The Pattern in Matthew 18

There is a distinct pattern given in Matthew 18 for dealing with a problem. I believe this is primarily talking about dealing with problems among believers, but it can be applied in many situations. First you go privately to the one with whom the problem is. Secondly, you take a couple of people with you so that you can establish the facts and that it is no longer a “he said, she said” argument. Finally, if you cannot resolve the issue then bring it to the attention of the authorities. Again, these verses are talking about the authority of the church, but it could also be applied to your office situation.

Matthew 18:15-17 “Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.”

Along the lines of this, remember that there is safety in a multitude of counselors. Find people to talk with about the problem. These should be trusted people and not the church gossip. When talking to others about the problem, they may point out to you your own faults in the conflict. Check out Proverbs 11:14; 24:6.

Sometimes You Need To Walk Away

Sometimes it is better to walk away from an argument than to continue to dwell on it. This is not liberty to walk away from everything. There are things worth fighting for. But then there are things that just aren’t worth your time and allowing them to spoil your own relationship with the Lord.

You have to allow the Lord to give you direction on how to deal with different problems. After David was anointed king, but before he took the throne, he had to deal with Saul. God had already rejected Saul from being king over Israel. David realized that was a fight between Saul and God.

David allowed God to fight on his behalf. This is the same man who years before stood up for God and fought on behalf of God when facing Goliath. David had wisdom on knowing when it was time to fight and when it was time to walk away and allow God to handle the problem.

1 Samuel 24:10 “Behold, this day thine eyes have seen how that the Lord had delivered thee to day into mine hand in the cave: and some bade me kill thee: but mine eye spared thee; and I said, I will not put forth mine hand against my lord; for he is the Lord’s anointed.”

Their Argument May Not Be With You

Sometimes a person will take out their frustration and anger on you when you aren’t really the problem. It doesn’t make you feel any better, but it may keep you from carrying a burden that isn’t really yours to carry. You may represent something (Christianity, God, authority) that they don’t like. Try not to take the argument and conflict personally.

The Hebrew people said to Samuel that he was too old to be their leader. They wanted a king who could go out to war and fight with them. Samuel felt pretty bad about the situation. He went to God depressed and complaining. God replied that the people were not angry with Samuel but they were angry with God. They were just taking out their frustrations on the prophet.

1 Samuel 8:7 “And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them.”

Examine Yourself

Before we can effectively deal with the problems in others, we must take care of ourselves. Matthew 7 gives an illustration that may seem silly, but it talks about human nature. The idea is that someone with a large piece of wood sticking out of their eye is criticizing another person who has a speck of dust in theirs. The one with the large piece of wood tries to ignore their own problem while dealing with the problems of others. Don’t be that person. Go to God and deal with your own faults before you try to correct others. When you humble yourself before God in confession then you will more gently handle the situation that you are in with the other person.

Matthew 7:3-5 “And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.”

Remember You Are Accountable To God

You are accountable to God for your own actions. You cannot control what the other person does, but you can control how you respond. They too will be accountable for their actions, but not to you. They are accountable to God. God will hold you responsible for the way you act towards them. Paul admonishes us in Romans to realize that we are individually responsible for our actions and to not intentionally cause others to stumble and fall before the Lord.

Proverbs 28:13 “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.”

Romans 14:10-13 “But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.”

Pray For Them

The book of 1 Corinthians is a book of conflict. Paul was having to deal with problems in the church. But he starts the book by saying he is praying for them. He certainly gave them the correction they needed, but he began with prayer. He then closes the book by asking for God’s grace on the Corinthian believers.

1 Corinthians 1:3, 4 “ Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ;”

1 Corinthians 16:23, 24 “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.”

Matthew 5:44, 45 “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.”

Sometimes You Must Agree To Disagree

Realize that ignoring a problem does not make it go away. One of the greatest missionary evangelists of all time, the Apostle Paul, had a disagreement with his mentor Barnabas. These two great men could not avoid a conflict. It is unlikely that we can too. However, they were able to deal with their conflict by agreeing to disagree on the issue. The Bible does not say who was right or wrong in the argument it just says that they split up.

As a side note, Paul later wrote that he wanted the young man John Mark (the cause of the conflict) to join him in the work because Paul could see he was profitable.

Acts 15:37-40 “And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark. But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work. And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus: And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.”

Summary: Treat People With Love

Maybe the best way to sum this all up is to deal with people in love. Love the unsaved in such a way that they will want to know more about your God. Love them so that their arguments will melt away. Love your Christian brother in a manner that will help him see how petty his arguments with you are. Your love may bring conviction to the saved or unsaved to help them turn to God for forgiveness.

 

Sources

http://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/8-christian-tips-for-dealing-with-difficult-people/

 

Also Read

http://odb.org/2014/08/07/difficult-people-2/