#YouGotThis

My dear friends, tomorrow is the last day of the year. If you're serious about making healthy changes in your lifestyle in 2015...I want to tell you that you CAN do whatever you set your mind too! Eight months ago I purposed to make some changes...it's been a long journey but to date I've lost approximately 45 lbs. and went from a size 44 waist to a size 34 waist! Friends, if I can do it...ANYONE can do it!
 ‪#‎YouGotThis‬ ‪#‎Scriptures‬ ‪#‎Prayer‬‪#‎StartExercising‬ ‪#‎PortionControl‬ ‪#‎Faith‬ ‪#‎Determination‬‪#‎TheLordWillGiveYouStrength‬

Five Things For Monday

Life’s biggest limitations are the ones you make in your mind.  Life’s biggest causes of unhappiness are the false beliefs you refuse to let go of. You are capable of far more than you are presently thinking, imagining, doing or being.  But you will ultimately become what you habitually contemplate; so clear your mind & let your hopes, not your hurts, shape your future.

@RussellHylton (Twitter & Instagram)
@bevhylton (Twitter)
Russell Beverly Hylton (Facebook)
www.russellhylton.com
@bfwcindy (Twitter & Instagram)
Bfwc Indianapolis (Facebook)
www.bfwc.net

I'll Be Home For Christmas

Merry Christmas from The Hyltons

Secure In God's Love

First John 4:18 says, “There is no fear in love…but full-grown (complete, perfect) love turns fear out of doors and expels every trace of terror!”

Getting a revelation of God’s unconditional love will help you understand that your worth and value are based on the fact that you're a child of God, not on what you do. This is so important because if we believe God loves us based on what we do or how well we perform, we will never be truly secure and stable in our relationship with Him.

No matter what you do for a living, whether you’re single or married, have children or not, you’re well educated, rich or poor, you are just as important to God as everyone else. We are all equally valuable to God.

God is love. And He really loves YOU! I pray that you will experience God’s love for yourself every day of your life. Then you can have the life of peace, joy and true security that He’s planned for you.

@RussellHylton (Twitter & Instagram)
@bevhylton 
Russell Beverly Hylton (Facebook)
www.russellhylton.com
@bfwcindy (Twitter & Instagram)
Bfwc Indianapolis (Facebook)
www.bfwc.net

What's Your Plan For The Holidays?

Are you ready for the Holidays?  Ready or not...it's that time of the year when we gather with our loved ones and give thanks for the blessings in our lives, overeat, exchange gifts and make memories!

It can also be a time of year when people stress over finances, family drama and the chaos of travel.  Sometimes it can steal your joy and make you wish you could time travel past it all.

I don't know what it will be like around your table and Christmas tree, but I hope it's a wonderful time for you and your family.  After all, it should be "The most wonderful time of the year!"

Consider sticking to this plan...

1. DRAMA FREE - No matter how many crazy relatives try to "pull you" into gossip and family drama...refuse to participate. Choose to rise above. Diffuse it with laughter and joy. A healthy family should always have more comedy than drama.

2. PEACEMAKER - When we come together, it should be to celebrate the birth of "The Prince of Peace!"  Jesus is our example. Seek to promote peace at your family gatherings. Offer love and respect to people even if they don't deserve it. Don't treat your family the way they treat you. Treat them the way God treats you.

3. STAY ON BUDGET - Financial stress is the last thing you need during the Holidays. Sometimes you can feel pressure to "overdue" it on your kids and relatives...however, they really don't need more gadgets and clothes as much as they need you.  Give thoughtful gifts; not expensive gifts. 

4. MAKE MEMORIES - You'll probably want to see everyone, but realistically you'll only be able to spend quality time with a few.  Don't make your schedule based on trying to make everyone happy (which is impossible). Schedule based on maximizing the moments you have with your loved ones. Take pictures and remember the moment.

5. EAT SMART - I love to eat as much as anyone but when ignore myself on cookies and biscuits for a week, I pay the price.  A lack of exercise and a ton of calories ends up making you grumpy and sleepy.  Enjoy the good food, but don't go crazy. Find time to exercise.

6. LAUGH ALOT - Humor is infectious. The sound of people laughing is definitely more contagious than any cough, sniffle or sneeze.  When laughter is shared, it brings people together and increases happiness. Scientifically, laughter can trigger healthy physical changes in your body. Humor and laughter can strengthen your immune system, boost your energy and shield you from the negative effects of stress.  Best of all...it's FREE!

7. FOCUS ON FAITH - The presents and food are awesome, but don't forget to honor God who makes it all possible.  Keeping your focus on Him has a way of bringing everything else into it's proper place. Jesus is the reason for the season.

@RussellHylton (Twitter & Instagram)
@bevhylton 
Russell Beverly Hylton (Facebook)
www.russellhylton.com
@bfwcindy (Twitter & Instagram)
Bfwc Indianapolis (Facebook)
www.bfwc.net

Grandpa - The Hyltons

You Know You!

Only you know what you’re capable of! UNLESS someone can look into the core of your heart, & see the degree of your PASSION, or look into the depths of your soul & see the extent of your WILL, then they have no business telling you what you can or cannot achieve.  Because while they may know the odds, they do not know YOU, & what you’re capable of.  That’s something only you know!

@RussellHylton (Twitter & Instagram)
@bevhylton 
Russell Beverly Hylton (Facebook)
www.russellhylton.com
@bfwcindy (Twitter & Instagram)
Bfwc Indianapolis (Facebook)
www.bfwc.net

Can You Be Saluted For Being Faithful?

In my opinion, one of the greatest compliments that could be paid a person is that they are faithful Christians and servants of the Lord. The Bible says of Moses in Hebrews 3:5 that he “verily was faithful in all his house.” That is a great testimony for any Christian. 

Paul spoke of himself as a faithful servant in 1 Timothy 1:12: “And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry.” 

One of the expectations of Christians and servants of God is that they be faithful. The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 4:2, “Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.” One of the goals of our spiritual life ought to be that one day we will hear the Lord say, “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:23). 

The title or testimony of faithfulness cannot be purchased. It is a testimony that is earned and achieved by the kind of life and service you give to the Lord. Again, it ought to be our goal to be found faithful.

FAITHFUL MEMBERS

Paul says in Titus 3:14, “And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.” The “ours” speaks of the members of the Church. Paul speaks of members as being:

Faithful Workers

Members are to “maintain good works.” Maintaining has the idea of faithfulness. Christians are to be workers and they are to be faithful workers.

When Paul speaks of learning to maintain good works, he is talking about how Christians are to learn and come to the understanding that serving God and being a Christian worker is part of the Christian life. Some have the idea that the pastor and church staff are to do the work. They have a work, but they are not the only ones that are to be working. Every Christian is to be a worker.

In fact, Paul speaks of “necessary uses.” He is talking about pressing needs that exist and how Christians are to learn to assist in these pressing needs. The idea is that the needs are so great it is beyond the pastor’s ability to meet those needs. Therefore, members assist and are involved in the meeting of these needs.

When it comes to the work of God EVERYONE is needed. The work is so great that it is impossible for one person (pastor) to meet those needs. Every Christian is to use their spiritual gifts and abilities in God’s work so such needs are met.

Are you a WORKER? Paul’s words to Titus indicate that every Christian is come to the understanding they are to be workers. I am to work, you are to work and we are to be faithful workers.

Someone has written, “Last Sunday, I voted to close the church. Not intentionally, not maliciously, perhaps, but carelessly, thoughtlessly, lazily, indifferently, I voted. I voted to close its doors that its witness and its testimony might be stopped. I voted to close the open Bible on its pulpit—the Bible that has been given to us by years of struggle, and by the blood of martyrs who died that we might have it to read. For, you see, I could have gone and I should have gone, but I didn't. I stayed away from church last Sunday.”

You could say that if you do not work, you are also casting a vote to close the Church. There are faithful workers, but also Paul speaks of:

Fruitful Workers

In verse 14 he speaks of members “that they be not unfruitful.” Faithfulness leads to fruitfulness. Jesus said in John 15:8, “Herein is my Father glorifed, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.” Fruitfulness is to characterize the life of the Christian.

I once came across what is called the Christian’s Garden: First, plant five rows of peas:Preparedness, Promptness, Perseverance, Politeness, and Prayer. Next to them plant three rows of squash: Squash Gossip, Squash Criticism, and Squash Indifference. Then five rows of lettuce: Let us be Faithful, Let us be Unselfish, Let us be Loyal, Let us be Truthful, Let us Love One Another. And no garden is complete without turnips: Turn up for Church, Turn up with a Smile, Turn up with Determination.

Some Christian lives are more like a desert than a garden. As Christians we are to live fruitful lives and produce spiritual fruit. The spiritual fruit Paul primarily had in mind is the lives of others. Winning people to Jesus is bearing fruit. Ministering to others and helping them is bearing fruit. Being used of God to help others grow in the Lord is bearing spiritual fruit. 

Are you faithful? 

Are you faithful to God’s work?

Are you fruitful? 

Is your Christian life bearing spiritual fruit?

Paul closes his letter with verse 15, “All that are with me salute thee. Greet them that love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.” He is saying, everyone that is with me, we salute you that are faithful.

Can you be saluted for being faithful?

Adding Value is Valuable!

Successful people have one thing in common. It really doesn't matter what field they're in...they all do one specific thing on a consistent basis.  They are busy ADDING VALUE to other people's lives in some way.  By doing this, they also create success for themselves.  This doesn't happen by accident...it is 100% INTENTIONAL! Creating greater VALUE for others is always received!  I've never met a person yet who got angry because someone made them feel good about themselves.

Be Intentional today! Create VALUE for someone else and you'll create SUCCESS for yourself.

I’m sure you know by now that everyone in the province of Asia deserted me, even Phygelus and Hermogenes. But God bless Onesiphorus and his family! Many’s the time I’ve been refreshed in that house. And he wasn’t embarrassed a bit that I was in jail. The first thing he did when he got to Rome was look me up. May God on the Last Day treat him as well as he treated me. And then there was all the help he provided in Ephesus—but you know that better than I.  2 Timothy 1:15-18 (MSG)

Follow me on the following social media sites:

@RussellHylton (Twitter & Instagram)
@bevhylton 
Russell Beverly Hylton (Facebook)
www.russellhylton.com
@bfwcindy (Twitter & Instagram)
Bfwc Indianapolis (Facebook)
www.bfwc.net