Friday, 21 November 2014

75 Blessings That Happen To A Person After Believing On The Lord Jesus Christ

When a man, woman, boy, or girl, believes on the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Savior, the following 75 blessings are theirs instantly, regardless of their knowledge about them. The new Believer will not be aware of many of these things until gaining some spiritual maturity and growth in the word of God. But as they grow they will “enter in”.
1) Access to God's Grace.....(Ephesians 2:8, 18) For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
 
2) We are adopted by God....(Ephesians 1:5) Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, (Galatians 4:5) To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
 
3) We get an Inheritance....(Ephesians 1:11) In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
 
4) We are elected (saved)...(1 Peter 1:2) Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.
 
5) We become a child of God...(John 1:12) But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
 
6) We get a heavenly citizenship...(2 Timothy 4:18) And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
 
7) We become a servant....(Romans 6:22) But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
 
8) We are heirs of God, joint heirs with Jesus...(Romans 8:17) And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. (Galatians 3:29) And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
 
9) We become a new creature...(2 Corinthians 5:17) Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (Galatians 6:15) For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.
 
10) We become priests… (Revelation 1:6) And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
 
11) We are reconciled to God....(Romans 5:10) For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
 
12) We are Sanctified......(1 Corinthians 6:11) And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
 
13) We are accepted in the Beloved...(Ephesians 1:6) To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
 
14) We are Baptized into the body of Christ.....(1 Corinthians 12:13) For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
 
15) We are buried with him.....(Romans 6:4) Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
 
16) We have put on Christ....(Galatians 3:27) For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
 
17) We have eternal life...(John 10:28) And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
 
18) We have peace with God...(John 14:27) Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
 
19) We became a friend of God....(John 15:15) Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.
 
20) We get in the Lamb's book of life...(Revelation 21:27) And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.
 
21) We receive imputed righteousness....(Romans 4:6) Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,
 
22) Our names are written in heaven.....(Luke 10:20) Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.
 
23) We are given a blessed hope of Christ's returning....(Titus 2:13) Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
 
24) We are seated in heavenly places.....(Ephesians 2:6) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
 
25) We have fellowship with the trinity.....(1 John 1:3) That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. (Philippians 2:1) If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,
 
26) We have a mansion in heaven…..(John 14:2) In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
 
27) We are born again with a spiritual re-birth.....(John 3:3-6) Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
28) We have received an annointing....(1 John 2:27) But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.
 
29) The Holy Spirit will live with us now and forever....(John 14:16) And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
 
30) We've been sealed by the Holy spirit unto the day of redemption. (Ephesians 4:30) And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
 
31) Our bodies become the temple of the Holy Ghost.....(1 Corinthians 6:19) What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
 
32) We are forever forgiven.....(Luke 7:48) And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.(1 John 2:12) I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake.
 
33) We are justified in God's sight.....(Romans 5:1) Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
 
34) We are redeemed....(Revelation 5:9) And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
 
35) Indwelt by the Holy Spirit.....(Rom. 8:9) But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
 
36) We have an advocate with Christ...(1st John 2:1) My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
 
37) We now have the possibility to have victory over sin....(Romans 6:14) For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
 
38) We become Christ's ambassadors.....(2 Cor. 5:20) Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.
 
39) We are blessed with spiritual blessings..... (Ephesians 1:3) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessing in heavenly places in Christ:
 
40) Our every need will be supplied by God....(Philippians 4:19) But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
 
41) Given an inner strength to accomplish necessary things(Philippians 4:13) I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
 
42) A good work has been done in us....(Philippians 1:6) Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
 
43) The Lord becomes our helper instead of our judge..(Hebrews 13:6) So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.
 
44) We get abounding grace...(2 Corinthians 9:8) And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
 
45) We get eternal love....(Romans 8:38-39) For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
 
46) Everthing that happens to us will be for our own good....(Rom.8:28) And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
 
47) A promised faithfulness regardless of our faithlessness....(2 Timothy 2:13) If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself
48) A promise given to be able to resist temptation....(1 Corinthians 10:13) There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
 
49) We are made kings...(Revelation 1:6) And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
 
50) We become saints....(1 Corinthians 1:2) Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:
 
51) We have been delivered from the power of darkness....(Col. 1:12-13) Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
 
52) Our hearts are unblamable....(1 Thess 3:13) To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.
 
53) We get the power of a sound mind....(2 Timothy 1:7) For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
 
54) We no longer have a spirit of fear  ....(2 Timothy 1:7) For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
 
55) We are joined unto the Lord…  1 Cor 6:17  But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.
 
56) We have been bought with a price and our life is not ours anymore…..1 Cor 6:19  What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 1 Cor 6:20  For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
 
57) I am a saint now (set apart for God) Eph 1:1  Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus: Rom 16:2  That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also.
 
58) I am a personal witness of and for the Lord Jesus Christ….. Acts 1:8  But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
 
59) I am now a member of the body of Jesus Christ….1 Corinthians  12:27  Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
 
60) I am complete in Christ and have need of nothing save him….Collosians 2:10  And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:
 
61) I am god’s temple and he dwells in me…1 Cor 3:16  Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
 
62) I am God’s building…1 Cor 3:9  For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building..
 
63) I am a labourer with God himself…1 Corinthians 3:9  For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.
 
64) I am also a worker with God…2 Corinthians 6:1  We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.
 
65) I am called OUT OF DARKNESS…1 Peter 2:9  But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
 
66) I am dead but my life is hid in Jesus Christ…Collosians 3:3  For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
 
67)  I am a branch of the TRUE VINE…John 15:1  I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
John 15:2  Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
John 15:3  Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
John 15:4  Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
John 15:5  I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
 
68) I am anointed by God…2 Corinthians 1:21  Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God;
 
69) I have been given POWER to witness not an EXCUSE NOT to….Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
 
70)  I am part of a royal priesthood…1 Peter 2:9  But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
 
71) I am a part of a holy nation…. 1 Peter 2:9  But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
 
72) I am peculiar…Titus 2:14  Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.1 Peter 2:9  But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
 
73) I am part of a chosen generation…1 Peter 2:9  But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
 
74) I have been called into God’s marvelous light….1 Peter 2:9  But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
 
75) I am God’s workmanship…Ephesians 2:10  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Original Article

Who Are The Blessed People? : The Biblical Signs Of God's Blessings






1.CHOSEN

2.COMMITTED

3.CONFIDENT

4.COMPASSIONATE

5.CHASTENED

6.CHALLENGED

7.CROWNED



THE MESSAGE

WHO ARE THE BLESSED PEOPLE ? : IDENTIFYING THE BIBLICAL SIGNS OF GOD’S BLESSINGS

1.CHOSEN

Those who are chosen by God are blessed people. They are drawn by God unto Himself. This is a greater blessing than all the wealth and riches and honor of this world. We should realise this and be grateful to God because He has chosen us and drawn us unto Himself.

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES
 
 Blessed are those you choose and bring near to live in your courts! We are filled with the good things of your house, of your holy temple. - PSALM 65:4


You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.  - JOHN 15:16

The LORD did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. -DEUTERONOMY 7:7-8

But it was because the LORD loved you and kept the oath he swore to your forefathers that he brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the land of slavery, from the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt.

2.COMMITTED

Those who are committed to Christ are blessed people . They do not have any doubt or suspicion about Him . They are not offended in Him . Sometimes we allow circumstances that are painful to us to make us offended at God .We begin to doubt and question God’s love and wisdom. This is a dangerous path that would lead us into misery and confusion. The blessed people are those who are not offended at God even when they face situations which they do not understand. They continue to trust the goodness and faithfulness of God. The apostle Paul was committed to the love of Christ and would not allow any suffering to separate him from the love of Christ. The Lord Jesus was committed to the will of God even if God did not remove the cup of suffering from Him. He knew God had the power to send legions of angels to deliver Him. But even if God did not deliver Him , He was committed to obey God. Shadrach ,Meschach and Abednego had the same commitment to obey even if the Lord did not deliver them from the fiery furnace.

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES
 
 And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.”  - MATTHEW 11:6



Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?  As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,  neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. - ROMANS 8:35-39

Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will." Jesus replied, "Friend, do what you came for." Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him.  With that, one of Jesus’ companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. "Put your sword back in its place," Jesus said to him, "for all who draw the sword will die by the sword.  Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?  But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?" -MATTHEW 26:39 , 50-54

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up." - DANIEL 3:16-18

3.CONFIDENT

The blessed people are those who trust in the promises of God and they will experience the fulfillment of the promises of God in their lives. They do not get discouraged and lose their faith even if it takes a long time for the promises of God to be fulfilled. In the Old Testament Joseph dreamt a dream when he was seventeen years old .But it took nearly 22 years before the dream was fulfilled. During the intervening period the word of the Lord tried him. He faced many difficult situations but at the appointed time God fulfilled the dream.

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES

Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!" -LUKE 1:45

and he sent a man before them— Joseph, sold as a slave. They bruised his feet with shackles,his neck was put in irons, till what he foretold came to pass, till the word of the LORD proved him true.
The king sent and released him, the ruler of peoples set him free. He made him master of his household, ruler over all he possessed, to instruct his princes as he pleased and teach his elders wisdom. -PSALM 105:17-22

So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.  For in just a very little while, "He who is coming will come and will not delay.  But my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him." But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved. - HEBREWS 10:35-39

We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised. When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself,  saying, "I will surely bless you and give you many descendants." And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised. - HEBREWS 6:12-15

4.COMPASSIONATE

The blessed people are those who have compassion on the poor and needy . They reach out to help those in need . As a result they receive many blessings in their own lives. The Lord will deliver them in time of trouble. He will preserve them and keep them alive and they will be blessed upon the earth. The Lord will not deliver them over to the will of their enemies . He will help them when they are sick and heal them. They will also be richly rewarded in heaven for all their compassionate deeds towards those in suffering.

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES

Blessed is he who has regard for the weak; the LORD delivers him in times of trouble. The LORD will protect him and preserve his life; he will bless him in the land and not surrender him to the desire of his foes. The LORD will sustain him on his sickbed and restore him from his bed of illness. -PSALM 41:1-3

"Then the King will say to those on his right, ’Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ "Then the righteous will answer him, ’Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ "The King will reply, ’I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’ - MATTHEW 25:34-40

5.CHASTENED

The blessed people are those who are chastened and disciplined by the Lord. It is a blessing to be corrected and disciplined by the Lord and it will protect us from many dangers and destructions in our lives . The Lord disciplines those whom He loves and makes them go in the path of righteousness so that their future is safe and prosperous. The wicked continue in their evil path until the time of their destruction.

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES

Blessed is the man you discipline, O LORD, the man you teach from your law; you grant him relief from days of trouble,till a pit is dug for the wicked. - PSALM 94:12-13

And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: "My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,  because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son." Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons.  Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness.  No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. - HEBREWS 12:5-11

6.CHALLENGED

The blessed people are those whose strength is in God . They take the trials of life as a challenge and come out victoriously. When they pass through the valley of tears they turn it into a well . They go from strength to strength and stand before God.They do not allow the valley of tears to destroy their lives . Even when they go through tears and sorrows they draw their strength from God and turn their painful experiences into a learning experience which can be a blessing to others. They depend entirely on the Lord for their strength. They do not trust in their own wisdom or might or wealth to deliver them.

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES


Blessed are those whose strength is in you, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Baca, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools.
They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion. -PSALM 84:5-7

His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, nor his delight in the legs of a man; the LORD delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love. -PSALM 147:10-11

This is what the LORD says: "Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight," declares the LORD. -JEREMIAH 9:23-24

7.CROWNED

The blessed people are those who endure temptation and trials and testings and come out victoriously. The Lord will give them the crown of life . It is not a blessing to be free of all testings . There is no crown to those who never faced any trials and testings in their lives . Every testing leads us into a higher level of growth and maturity and brings greater reward for us.

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES
 
 Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. -JAMES 1:12

"To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open.  I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars—I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you.  Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth. I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.  Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will he leave it. I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on him my new name.  He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. - REVELATION 3:7-13

Saturday, 16 August 2014

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
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Wednesday, 13 August 2014

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?"