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 
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www.russellhylton.com
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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)

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Keep That Bone To Yourself

Ever been guilty of jumping on someone else's bandwagon before you knew the facts and the truth for yourself? I have been guilty of this. 

I've listened to other leaders rant and rave about someone they didn't "agree with" whether it was their theology, personality, leadership style or appearance. They had me sold on the fact that these people were "evil", "off in their thinking" and we all needed to steer away from "the likes" of them. 

I was naive and wanted to please them so I bought into their garbage rather than using my own brain and investigating for myself. 

I now know that if someone comes to you talking about someone else, they'll talk about YOU to someone else. A hard lesson learned. 

Time and experience has taught me that I ONLY have room in my life for COVENANT relationships. 

Never base your opinion of someone based on someone else's opinion.  Do your own due diligence and allow the Holy Spirit to lead you. Never talk ABOUT someone if you haven't talked TO them. 

God taught me that lesson and now, before I say anything critical of anyone I go over these three questions…

#1 DO I REALLY KNOW THIS PERSON?

Honestly, most of the criticism you face in life is from people who really don't KNOW you. It's easy for people to misconstrue something they hear or read and come to a "conclusion" without ever having the courage or courtesy to talk to you FACE to FACE.

Over the years, I've heard people crucify Joel Osteen on his television interview with Larry King.  He's been called a heretic and his faith called into question by people who don't even KNOW him. Friend, unless you KNOW Joel, unless you've talked to him for yourself...then it is idiotic to form an opinion of him based on a 30 second clip from a television show.

The bottom line is, unless you KNOW the person for yourself, have spent time with them and heard them share from their heart...be careful what you believe from other sources.

#2 WOULD I SAY THIS FACE TO FACE?

Probably not.  Most of the boldness you see from people today is on the Internet.  It has become a place for cowards, who do not have the love of Christ or the correct interpretation of Matthew 18:15-17, to hideout and bash anyone from behind their keyboard.  Most cowards think it's OK to send an anonymous email or place a comment on a blog with a fake email address.  You know what you should do with those? DELETE. :)

You may differ with someone's theology or even their methodology...but if you must disagree, do so one-on-one.  In doing so, you'll probably walk away having been stretched and challenged as to what they believe and why they believe it.

It takes GUTS to talk to someone face-to-face...anyone can blog, facebook or tweet.

#3 WILL I CAUSE DISSENSION WITH OTHERS?

According to Proverbs 6:16-19 God HATES it when someone does this.

You may have an opinion...we all do.  But God certainly hasn't released any of us to BLAST people publicly no matter how right we may feel we are.  By doing so, we release a firestorm against them which God hates.

Believe me...what you do to someone else...will eventually be done to you.  The world is watching...and when Christians cause Christians to get mad at other Christians...somehow I just don't believe God is pleased.

These are three questions you need to ask yourself BEFORE you jump on someone else's bandwagon, carry their bone or keep the tail wagging.

I have to be honest.  I've had my own share of attacks and some of them heartbreaking. Yet, in the midst of them, God's love has been so intimate and encouraging.  I know firsthand that you want to react, respond, lash out, vent and defend yourself.  However, just because you know something and could enlighten the world...that doesn't mean you should. (Refer to question 3.) 

Remember, we are all people who have to spend time on the potter's wheel repeatedly. I yearn for God's people to act like God's people...but then I remember that I'm flesh and blood too and am a work in progress.  

Stay focused on your assignment, look to Jesus and pray your way through. 

#YouGotThis

De-sen-si-tize

Hollywood's film makers transport us to a false reality and mesmerize our senses in such a way that the normalcy of everyday life becomes boring and mundane. 

Q: What happens when people are too hyper exposed to Sci-Fi and false reality? 

A: They seek escapism to find relief from the pressures of everyday life by stimulating their senses with another movie or experience that will transport them to a place where they can forget about their problems and pressures, at least for a little while. 

This type of "stimulating escapism" even creeps into the church. People, believers and non-believers alike, come to our services with unfair comparisons to what they're bering offered mentally, emotionally and visually by the world and then expect the church to deliver a mesmerizing experience that will appeal to their flesh driven appetite so that their senses are satisfied and utopia is achieved...even if only for an hour. 

Therefore, the church finds itself competing with the world's marketing gurus to develop gimmicks, teasers and full blown campaigns just to appeal to people who should already have a settled sense of biblical contentment in their soul. 

It's a sad day when the church has to "sell the saints" through marketing and events just to get them to show up to church and be who they confessed at the cross they'd voluntarily be. 

Perhaps a desensitizing spirit has gripped the church to the point that we are no longer content with just the basics. 

I remember growing up in a church that lacked the sounds, sights, lights, technology and efficiency that we have  available to us today.  Yet, because of the hearty desire we possessed for an authentic moment in Jesus' presence, we were undeterred or hindered by the lack of polish, performance or professionalism in our organic environment. A hymnal, piano, window air conditioner and radio shack microphone was more than sufficient to aid us in our quest for God's presence. 

I am an advocate for excellence, technology and forward thinking. However, let us never become desensitized to the authentic, raw, simplicity of simply standing in serene silence...without the aid of anything electronic to usher us into God's presence. 

Let us never forget the power of the CROSS, the BLOOD that was shed or the magnitude of GRACE and MERCY. Let it be enough to satisfy our senses without the aid of haze, lights, timed intros, outros or seamless transitions. Let our craving for more of His presence captivate our senses with utter satisfaction "till the things of this world grow strangely dim in the light of His glory & grace."

Longing for the less is more,

@RussellHylton

www.bfwc.net

Refuse To Ration Your Passion!

It is important to find the areas you are passionate about & stay focused on them.

John Wesley said, “When you set yourself on fire, people love to come & watch you burn.” This is what happens when a leader has passion. The leader starts gaining more influence with others & people want to be a part of what’s going on. If you want to raise your influence, then you need to be passionate in your pursuits.

When you're passionate about your dreams & vision you'll have little time, if any, to be focused on squabbles, drama or other people's business. You'll be so utterly consumed with today & tomorrow that you won't have extra energy or desire to look back, look around or look down.

For the Lord God will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I SET MY FACE LIKE A FLINT, and I know that I shall not be ashamed. (Isaiah 50:7 KJV)

Where there is no VISION....people, programs, passions & purposes PERISH!  

Maintaining status quo is a sure indicator of a visionless leader whose myopic vision can only see five feet ahead.

Keep your eyes on the horizon & run forward with unbridled energy! That energy will catapult you over every hurdle & hindrance you encounter!

Choose to run passionately after your God size dreams! God gave them to you because He believes in you!

@RussellHylton

www.bfwc.net

#YouGotThis

My Friend...The BIBLE.

Do you remember your first BIBLE?  I sure do.  I won it in a Sunday School contest when I was eight years old.  It was a pocket New Testament.  I still have it. 

I couldn't wait to carry it to church every week.  Eventually, that little New Testament was replaced with a bigger BIBLE.  I remember feeling a sense of pride with being able to find our pastor's text with the rest of the congregation. It took a while to remember which books were in the Old Testament and New Testament. (Sometimes, I still get a brain freeze when looking for "Amos.")

I can still see my pastor holding up his big leather BIBLE in the air - with his name embossed in shiny letter - and preaching up a storm!  He told us that the BIBLE was and is the LIVING WORD of GOD!

• Question: Do you believe the BIBLE is the LIVING WORD OF GOD?
• Question: Do you believe the BIBLE has the answers to all of our questions?

Honestly, the BIBLE was a book that I found full of mystery.  I knew it contained God's principles but somehow it wasn't something that I fell in love with until later in life. For a long time, it was more of a source to help me with the problems I was dealing with at the time.  I later came to realize that the community of people I was raised with USED the BIBLE more than they LOVED it. So did I.

I don't think I just speak for myself when I say that we are guilty of handling the BIBLE like an OBJECT, depending on our situation.  We treat it like either a sword or a piece of fine china. But do we treat it as if it's ALIVE?  (Read Hebrews 4:12)

I'm not trying to find fault with how I was raised or the way the people I grew up with treated the BIBLE. I will say this...they DUG DEEP into the Word of God...sometimes just to find supportive Scriptures to reinforce certain standards...but nonetheless they stayed in the Word!

Time has brought a chance in the way I perceive the Word of God.  Time has also brought me in contact with various Christians who all have their own perspective about the BIBLE. Some people approach the BIBLE with fear or intimidation. Others analyze it like a textbook or they read it like a novel. Still others speak of it with great admiration...with or without actually spending time with it. I remember one time watching a person be nearly afraid to even touch their BIBLE for fear that it was going to burn them and they had to tip-toe around it like they were afraid of offending it. :)

No matter how you view the BIBLE...the real question is...DO YOU HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH IT?  Not a relationship with an object...but a relationship with something that is LIVING!

YES...LIVING!  I believe the BIBLE is ALIVE!

The BIBLE is more than just another book on a shelf. It is alive and desires to be KNOWN! The best way for me to describe it is to say that you have to view the BIBLE as having a PERSONALITY!

Before you stop reading this blog, please understand what I'm saying. I believe the BIBLE desires to be known. It dares us to chase after it, pursue it and immerse ourselves within it! The more you read it, the more of a craving you have to read it more and more!  You find yourself desiring to spend time with it, getting to know it with all of it's mystery!

Sure, we could study it and analyze it but the BIBLE, like a person, is not something that you can analyze and comprehend fully. In the same way that a person isn't their Facebook profile or their resume, the BIBLE isn't merely an object.  When it comes to knowing a living person, it can take years, if not a lifetime, to truly know and understand someone. It takes dedication and loyalty - and even conflict. And even if we're willing, the best of intentions can still push people away from us. 

Every try getting to know someone, but come off as too eager? It can often lead to relationships that are lopsided or off balance.  Getting to know someone's true self takes mutual respect and trust.

Knowing a LIVING BEING is not a science. KNOWING is not merely data-gathering. Truly knowing a living being takes TIME and PURPOSE and RELATIONSHIP. Becoming familiar with the life inside of someone is a complex process! And while the idea of approaching the BIBLE as a living thing might seem like a strange concept, there is something sacred available to us when we give the Scriptures room to be ALIVE!

• When we encounter beautiful passages, we can LOVE them back—knowing that God is in them and SPEAKING through them.
• When we wrestle with confusing texts, we can let ourselves feel uncomfortable, yet still TRUSTING.
• When we encounter hope, we can CELEBRATE alongside our Scriptures.
• When we read of acts of justice, we can be INSPIRED to IMITATE our BIBLE.
• When the words pour out like tears, we can sit alongside of them and offer comfort.
• When we read the red letters, the words of Jesus, we can FEEL gratitude to each page and recognize each letter as a gift from God.

Your Bible is not just a book. It is your friend. 

It is the kind of friend who will be waiting there no matter how much time passes. 

• Do not use your friend. 
• Do not manipulate your friend’s words. 
• Do not label or treat your friend like an object.
• This friend has seen lifetimes come and go. 
• It has seen God step into and through reality. 
• It has seen blood spilt and blood sacrificed for thousands of years.
• Our friend is wise. 
• Our friend speaks in whispers through the One who authored it. 
• Our friend has emotions and layers.
• Like most living things, it wants deeply to be known. 

When we read God's Word, what is taking place is more than just a one-way "study" from PERSON to OBJECT. Instead, God's Word is indeed living as God moves it to work in our life—and makes us more like Him.

Waking Up With a Smile

God added one more day in your life today, not necessarily because you need it, but because the world still needs you to let your light shine.

So, starting today, FALL IN LOVE. Not necessarily with a person, but with an AIM, an AMBITION, a PASSION.

What would be your reason to wake up every morning with a smile? That’s what you need to start working on today!

"Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is
beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back." (Philippians 3:13-14 MSG)

@RussellHylton
www.bfwc.net

Every Day is BORROWED...Why Are You Waiting For TOMORROW?

Take time to work on YOU today!  Taken an extra 10 minutes to REFLECT & RESPOND to God by...

• THINKING about God's Word, Love, Grace and Mercy!
• DISCIPLING your choices. (i.e., food, habits, exercise, entertainment, relationships, conversation, etc.)
• PUTTING your best foot forward and giving 100% of your energy and enthusiasm to whatever is before you today!

"Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out; you formed me in my mother’s womb. I thank you, High God—you’re breathtaking! Body and soul, I am marvelously made! I worship in adoration—what a creation! You know me inside and out, you know every bone in my body; You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit, how I was sculpted from nothing into something. Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth; all the stages of my life were spread out before you, The days of my life all prepared before I’d even lived one day." (‭Psalm‬ ‭139‬:‭13-16‬ MSG)

#YouGotThis

@RussellHylton
www.bfwc.net

So, You Want To Be Used In Ministry?

Realize that God has called us all to be His hands & feet to the world. He has given us gifts, skills & talents that are unique to our personality. 

Learn to be comfortable in your own skin & don't force yourself into it or onto anyone. If you struggle with insecurity, you'll constantly be trying to make things happen for you rather than letting them happen for you. Truly, your gift will make room for you at the right time & in the right place if you'll just wait on The Lord. 

Don't be consumed with trying to find more to do...believe me, ministry will find you. Just stay focused on Jesus. Be loyal, humble, maturing, serving & patient. When you try to make things happen instead of letting them happen you end up frustrating yourself and others. 

Marinating takes time. 

Pottery takes time. 

Construction takes time. 

Ultimately you want the strength of an oak not the weakness of a weed to define your tenure. Oak trees take time to mature. 

Remember, if your Father affirms you, you won't lack security or be fearful of rejection. It's unnatural to be intimidated by rejection when you're so used to His acceptance. 

Be you. 

Be still. 

Be content. 

Let God bring you more when you can handle more. He knows when you're ready for the next level. Until you can pass all the tests at your current level, you're not ready for the next level. 

So, abide. Follow instructions. Bloom where you're planted. Serve with excellence. Shoulder your responsibility. Get up under your leaders arms. Put your best foot forward. Learn all you can. Refuse to be offended. Don't pout. Enjoy the process. 

Then...watch God bring His promised provision to pass. :) 

@RussellHylton

www.bfwc.net