Tag: Salvation

Are You A Good Communicator???

Author, Nicole L. RossLeave a comment

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Have you ever been talking to someone and after the conversation is over realized that they could have totally taken what you just said the wrong way? Or even had them respond to you in such a way that let you know they took what you said the wrong way?  This has happened to me a few times and I do not like it one bit.  I’ve come to learn that sometimes it’s not so much what you say to people, but how you say it.  This is where personalities come into play.  Some people have a very straightforward personality, others are more quiet and shy.  Whichever personality fits you, it is imperative that you be mindful of how you communicate.

Communication with others consists of more than just talking, it also requires listening.  Listening is important because it will show you the heart of the other person.  The bible declares that out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.  When you are a good listener, you are able to pin point areas you know are important, just based on their conversation.  Sometimes it’s best to be quiet and listen.  Not everyone who talks to you in looking for feedback. Some just want a person who will be kind enough to lend an ear and hear what is on their heart.

Our communication style should fit our personality, yet still do so in a way that is loving and kind to others.  It is one thing to have a strong personality, but if you are too strong you will never be able to have a healthy relationship with others.  Reason being is because of your inability to set your ways to the side for just a moment for the sake of someone else.  We have to get to the point where we can express ourselves in a nonabrasive, yet affirming manner regardless of who we are talking to.  Remembering that whatever we do or say should always be in love.  Words can really hurt and tear someone down.  Sometimes the enemy will try to take your words and use them that very way, when you never intended it to be that way.  I’ve learned to pray prior to, after and sometimes during my conversations with others to cancel the assignment of the enemy to try mix up my words.  I also pray that God will speak through me, so that when I do open my mouth, I am not saying anything to hurt someone or cause them to take my words out of context.  I realize that miscommunication happens, but as with all things, we have to ask God to help us.  Communication is a way of life.  It is the key to any successful relationship, so we have to do our part to make sure we are communicating properly and effectively.  The next time you are in the middle of a conversation and you don’t like how things are going, stop and think for a moment.  Are you a good communicator? #iDeclare #AreYouAGoodCommunicator

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Prayer:

Father God, Please help me to be a good communicator.  My desire is that you will use me and I know that in order to do so, I have to work on my communication skills.  I decree and declare that I will say what I mean and mean what I say. I will be lead by the Holy Spirit in my conversations, and I will not allow the enemy to contort my words to be taken the wrong way.  Thank you Jesus, for teaching me how to be an effective communicator.  In Jesus name, Amen.

 

 

Scripture Reference:

Proverbs 15:1 NLT “A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.”

Psalms 141:3 NLT “Take control of what I say, O LORD, and guard my lips.”

1 Corinthians 15:33 KJV “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.”

 

Be In Health!

Author, Nicole L. RossLeave a comment

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How well do you take care of your belongings? Most people will say they take pretty good care of their car, home and clothes, etc.  When you compare these things, to those that are simply given to us there is a distinct difference.  The items we feel as though we work hard for, we tend to value a little more, therefore prompting us to take better care of those things.  On the other hand, things which are simply given to us or we don’t have to work as hard for we might not take care of them as well.

The bible declares that we are to be good stewards over the things we have, and a lot of times we only think about the tangible things such as what I have listed above.  Another aspect of life we have to be a good steward over is our bodies.  A person’s body, mind and spiritual nature are all mutually dependent upon one another.   It is nearly impossible for one to function at full capacity if the others are not.  I am not a big fan of exercise and I think that is mainly because for a good period of my life, a lot of my everyday regular activities involve exercise already.  That was then and this is now, and my life has changed tremendously.  I realize that taking care of two toddlers keeps me extremely busy, but there is no excuse.  We have to start taking better care of our bodies.  I am talking to myself on this one big time.

As an adult I quickly learned the importance of taking care of what belongs to me, and never once did I even think to include my health in that equation.  Our bodies are just that, ours.  We are responsible for them.  We dictate how well they function.  We are in charge of what goes in them.  We cannot blame anyone else for what we do to our body.  If you abuse your vehicle and do not take care of it by getting regular maintenance and keeping gas in it what will happen?  It will shut down, well the same goes for our body.  If we don’t watch what we eat or what we expose our bodies to they will shut down as well.  Another area that corresponds with staying healthy is sleep.  Bodies need sleep.  Just as you find time in the day to do everything else, you need to make sure you are getting enough sleep.  If you do not rest, your body will make you rest, one way or another.

Your body is a temple. Remember that when you think about taking care of the stuff that means the most to you.  You should be on the top of that list.  I’ve always said that if it’s important to you then you will find a way to do it.  I challenge each of you to be in health.  Get out there and find a way to take better care of yourself.  If you already have a good exercise routine down, make sure you get enough rest at night.  If you already do both, then make your eating habits healthier.  We must never lose sight of the requirement to take care of this body that God has given us. #iDeclare #BeInHealth

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Prayer:

Father God in the name of Jesus, please help me to take better care of this body that you have given me.  Just as I aim to be a good steward over my tangible possessions, help me also be a good steward over my physical body as well.  I decree and declare that I will take better care of my body.  I will be more responsible and accountable for this body that you have blessed me with so that my mind, body and spirit can all function at full capacity.  In Jesus name, Amen.

 

Scripture Reference:

3 John 1:2 KJV “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.”

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NIV “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;  you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.”

I’m Saved and I’m Proud!

Author, Nicole L. RossLeave a comment

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While conducting a little research, I noticed there are a few definitions for the word bold, but the one I want to talk about today is the ability to take risks.  When I think of bold, I think of someone who is confident and courageous.  That being said, the opposite of bold is to be weak or cowardly.  A person who is bold may be willing to risk shame or rejection if it means that they will stand up for what they believe in.  I said all of that to say this, one thing I have never quite understood about the Body of Christ is their sense of weakness.  I have seen Muslims literally on the street corner selling newspapers and bean pies, all while proclaiming their faith.  Jehovah’s Witnesses come around to people’s home every day, literally all over the world (thought they only did it in the States until I moved to Germany) telling them what they believe.  And I mean they are bold with it too.  They will look through windows, ring doorbells, walk in garages, do whatever it takes to talk to you.  I remember a childhood friend who’s family was Jehovah’s witness and he explained a lot of their beliefs to me.  I did not agree with what he said, and we agreed to disagree.  The most important thing was that we knew where we stood spiritually, and neither one of us tried to hide it.

When it comes to the Body of Christ, it seems as though we are afraid to stand up for what we believe in.  We scream and shout Jesus in church on Sunday, but when we leave the four walls, if someone talks about Jesus Christ or God we are afraid to make our beliefs known.  Why is that?  Why are we not on the street corners proclaiming the gospel of Jesus to all who will hear?  Why are we not knocking on doors, looking through windows and walking in garages to tell people about salvation?  Is it because we are closet Christians?  We only want certain people to know what we believe in so we don’t hurt anyone’s feelings?  Or are we afraid to defend our faith?  Atheist will tell you in a heartbeat that they don’t believe in God.  Why not tell others that you do believe in God?  It’s time for the body of Christ to stand up!  Stand for what you believe in.  I’m not just talking about abortion rights, sexuality or other big issues.  I am talking everyday, normal conversations letting people know that God loves them and teaching them how to be saved.  Providing the tools necessary to help them in their walk.  Overall, doing the work that Jesus Christ commanded us to do before He ascended back into heaven.

It’s time for true believers to be bold in our faith.  We have to let the enemy know that he is not the only one who does not mind taking risks.  We have to show him that we are courageous and confident about the things of the Kingdom.  Not within our self, but the Holy Spirit that is within us.  My prayer has been that the spirit of God would rise within me whenever I am in a situation that I may be uncomfortable or a bit anxious to do the work that I know God has called me to do.  I want to be bold for Christ.  And you should too.  Don’t be a closet believer, only professing your faith when you go to church on Sunday’s.  Step out of the closet and let the world know that the body of Christ is strong.  We have to be committed to being about our Father’s Business.  Right now more than ever, people need to know what it means to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.  They need to understand the difference between religion and having an actual relationship with God.  My brothers and sister in Christ, it’s time to get to work!  Say it loud, I’m saved and I’m proud! #iDeclare #ImSavedAndImProud

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Prayer:

Father God in the name of Jesus, I thank you for this spirit of boldness that you have given me.  I decree and declare on this day that I will be about your business at all times.  I will be bold and I will profess my faith to all who will hear.  I will take risks because I will trust the Holy Spirit that is within me to rise up at all times and give me what I need to do the work that You have called me to.  In Jesus name, Amen.

Scripture Reading:

Acts 1:8 NLT “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere–in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Deuteronomy 31:6 ESV “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”