Tag: Christians

Posted on

How Do I Know if a Person is a False Prophet?

Thanks to those of you who have been subscribing through the RSS feed. It helps us growing on the Google Search Rankings. Help us to continue to grow by signing up today if you haven’t already. Just click o the icon right after the title to do that.

____________________________________________________________

There are new things to look at on the site.

  1. The is a new trailer of the book, “Signs of Hope: Ways to Survive in an Unfriendly World.” It is on the right side under the Amazon icon. Click on it to see what the book is all about.
  2. There is now an Amazon widget for you to order my book. You can see some five star reviews there as well.
  3. In the bookstore there is a very special deal going on. First the book, “Signs of Hope: Ways to Survive in an Unfriendly World,” is on sale for $15.99 compared to $19.99 in the retail stores. We have very good news besides the sale. There is no shipping costs until the end of May. Yes, I said NO SHIPPING COST! That means the book is actually cheaper than if you bought it from amazon right now.
  4. There is a new page forming called, “All About Writing.” That page will talk about publishing; have guest authors share, and discuss writing trends. It is in a baby stage, so bear with me as I slowly develop it to my and your liking.
  5. I have posted two 5 star reviews of my book, “Signs of Hope: Ways to Survive in an Unfriendly World,” on the “All About Writing” page. I will be add others as the days go by. Click on the All About Writing tab to also see all my other places you can connect with me.
  6. There is a new page called, “Publishing News.” This page will bring you news from around the world on trends, latest news on publishing, and any other things that may be interesting. Check it every time you come here. There is a new post there today that is very interesting. Just click on the “publishing,” tab above, to read the latest news on pubishing.

__________________________________________________________

Another shocking announcement! ( That got your attention!) “Signs of Hope: Ways to Survive in an Unfriendly World, ” is now out in eBook form. It came out yesterday and my feet still haven’t hit the ground. You can acquire it at all the eBook outlets. It is only $4.99. Help it climb the www.amazon.com best selling list.

__________________________________________________________-

Thoughts just for you…

In the Bible we are warned about false prophets. I Peter and I John talks about them.

This brings up the question: How do we know if a person is a false prophet?

There are several ways to test a person giving a message to try to sway us.

  • Check to see if their words match what God says in the Bible.
  • What is their commitment to the body of believers, and the fruit of their ministry.
  • The most important test is, what do they believe about Christ? Do they teach that Jesus is God and the only begotten Son who came down to this earth and gave up His life for us?

Our world is full with voices claiming to speak for God. Check them out with these tests to see if they are truly speaking God’s truth.

Verify every message you hear, even if the person who brings says it is from God. If it truly is from God, it will be consistent with Christ’s teachings.

There is even the Antichrist who will be the great deceiver. He will be very popular on this earth, because he will say what people want to hear. He will make them feel good with the evil they are doing.

As Christians what you will say will not win you any popularity contest. People don’t want to hear their sins denounced; they don’t want to listen  demands that they change their behavior. A false teacher will be highly received by non-Christians.

Remember:

You are not alone.

You are not forsaken.

You are not unloved.

And above all…never, ever, give up!

 

Posted on

The Best Teacher is Experiences From Your Own Life

Thank you to those who have been signing up for the RSS feed. It has helped us climb up in the Google Search Rankings. Help us keep climbing by  signing up for the RSS feed today. Just click on the icon right after the title to do that. You will then receive a notices when ever there is a post here.

_________________________________________________________

There will be a huge announcement made about our bookstore in just a few more days. Keep checking back to see what it might be. That is all I am telling you right now. (How is that for a teaser?)

___________________________________________________________

In our bookstore right now is a book that is on a special sale. It is called, “Signs of Hope: Ways to Survive in an Unfriendly World.”

This book reaches out to those who may be suffering from anxiety, fear, depression, addictions, self-doubt, hopelessness, and the many other usual suspects.

Check it out by clicking on the “bookstore,” tab at the top of this page.

____________________________________________________________

I will only have about three more exceprts from the book, “Signs of HOpe: Ways to Survive in an Unfriendly World.”

Today’s excerpt asks, “How do we speak to others about God? What do we say?”

___________________________________________________________ 

Chapter 71

 

The Best Teacher Is Experience

 

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth

 has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations,

baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.

And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Matthew 28:18-20

 

Did you ever have a perfect opportunity to witness to someone and let it pass? Was there a time when you knew there was an opening to share news about God, and you didn’t? I have had that happen to me before. Afterwards I think of things I could have said that I didn’t think of at the time.

What should we as Christians do? Should we carry folders with us at all times? We could have them organized for many different situations like: a death in the family, divorce, a lost job, a serious surgery coming up, or a fear of failure. Then when the person says, “I have a surgery coming up, and I am afraid,” we can pull out our surgery folder, and read it to them.

Not a very practical—or personal—approach, I would think.

I have learned that I have a world of experience. I have “been there and done that.” Unfortunately, I have been through each of the examples I have mentioned, and many others. Just like you have. I had to suffer through them without a person with a folder around. That is the bad news. The real good news is that I had God there to comfort me. I can relate to someone’s hurt. I can share with them how I handled it. I let them know it won’t be easy for them try to make it on their own, but with God there at their side, everything is possible.

I wish I hadn’t had to go through all the trials, but it was God’s way of preparing me to be an ambassador for Him. Trials, by their very nature, are part of our lives so we can understand God and ourselves better and come to the realization of how much we must depend on Him.

I have been in pre-op getting ready to have quadruple bypass surgery. Some people may have been frightened beyond control, but I had a peace about me that was reassuring, not only to me, but to those family members who were there with me.

A friend asked a couple of weeks after my surgery, “How were you able to be so calm?” Bingo! I was able to share my belief in God, and the calmness He had provided for me.

I have had the fear of failure, but God helped me to the point where I am writing this book. I have been divorced, but God taught me how to fight depression so that it won’t happen again. I have lost jobs, but God let me know He had a better plan for me. I have lost several relatives, close friends and my father through death, but God reassured me that I would see them again some day.

I am a walking, talking, experienced machine! You are too. You have been through the death of a loved one or a friend. You have lost a job. You may have been through a divorce. You probably have faced failure. Many have been through a serious surgery.

Use those experiences to help others who are going through the same things. You have the memories of the things you’ve faced right up in your memory banks. Use them to let the person know that God loves them, and that He will help them through the storm. He doesn’t always take us out of a tough situation, but He is there to guide us and show us the way through the situation.

 

The spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach

 good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom

for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the

Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn.

Isaiah 61:1-2

 

Further Adventures

I can truly say I’ve had about every surgery known to man. (I know, I shouldn’t say that!) I can also tell you that I wasn’t always positive and cheerful. There have been times when I’ve told God, “TIME OUT! This is more than I can take.” However the witnessing that I have been able to do because of the many surgeries I’ve had trumps all the pain and agony I’ve gone through.

Don’t let an illness break you down. Use it to comfort your own family and others.

 

Something to Ponder

Isn’t it funny that we always fear the unknown, but we know who to turn to?

Posted on

Why do I Need to Go to Church? I am a Good person.

Thanks to those of you who have been signing up for the RSS feed to www.dougbolton.com. It has helped us move up the Google Search Rankings, which is important for growth. If you haven’t already signed up, please do it today. Just click on the icon right after the title.

_________________________________________________________

The year 2011 was a good year for me in selling my book. I sold over 300. In 2012 I will be digging in and trying to top that, plus hopefully have another book published. Stay tuned for updates on my first book, “Signs of Hope: Ways to Survive in an Unfriendly World,” and all future books.

________________________________________________________________

The book “Signs of Hope: Ways to Survive in an Unfriendly World,” reaches out to those who may be suffering from anxiety, fear, depression, addictions, self-doubt, or hopelessness.

The book is on sale right now in the sites bookstore. It is normally $19.99 in the bookstores, but on this site it is only $15.99. The shipping has been cut in half as well. A total savings of over $6.00. Just click on the “Bookstore,” tab at the top of this page.

________________________________________________________

I have another excerpt from the book, “Signs of Hope: Ways to Survive in an Unfriendly World.” It answers the question as to do we need to go to church to be a Christian? Many people feel they can be good Christians and never step into a church. Others feel they have to have the fellowship each week to remain strong.

________________________________________________________

 

Chapter 26

 

Are You Wrinkled with Burden?

Come to Church and Get a Faith-Lift

 

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.

Romans 12:10

 

Do we need to go to church to be Christians? Not in the thinking of a many people. Do we need to go to church to grow and be strong Christians? In my thinking, yes—it is a must.

I find this second thought important in my own life. Where else can I sit and share my beliefs in God more than in God’s house. Those people who think the same way need me there to support them—and I need them to support me.

There are many times when we face sickness, sorrow or tragedy. People will pray for us, and we will pray for them. Jesus calls His children to a community where they gather and share together.

We know that we need to be with brothers and sisters in Christ if we are to grow in the Spirit. When we are with other Christians, we begin to feel more like loving one another, and feel free to share without fear. Christians who gather together learn that each member is a special present from God—someone with whom we can share and grow spiritually.

As the bumper sticker suggests: We can get a faith lift every time we come to church and share with our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. Spending each Sunday with people who love us and want to help us grow is one way to have many close encounters with God.

I have developed some close friendships with Christians from my home church and we keep in touch during the week. It helps me to stay on level with God and to be strong.

We can stay strong another way—as part of a Bible study during the week. Most churches have study groups that are a comfortable place to share and grow.

There is also an international Bible study group (Bible Study Fellowship—BSF) that I attend during the week. There are groups for just men and groups for just women. Some women’s groups meet during the day. Many meet on the same weeknight evening so both spouses can attend at the same time while their children are part of program geared to their age group.

There is a different study in each term of the seven-year cycle and you eventually get a great overview of the entire Bible. I have been blessed each year I’ve gone and have developed close friendships there. After the lecture over the passage we study during the week on our own, my small group of ten to twelve men meets. We share our hurts and needs at the end of each session. Some men would not open up in other settings, but they feel safe at BSF.

 

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must

believe that he exists and then he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

Hebrews 11:6

 

Further Adventures

  1. Visit your neighbors and talk to them about coming to church. I realize this may be a difficult assignment. It may be uncomfortable to speak up for the Lord, but just think if everyone in your neighborhood was a strong Christian. What if they all went to churches where they were growing in the Lord? What a glorious place to live. What a boost that would be. Isn’t it worth trying to tell your neighbors about your church, and more importantly about your Savior?
  2. Call a fellow Christian from your church and thank him or her for being there for you. Although they may not understand what you mean, they will be grateful for your thoughtfulness and glad they have contributed to your life. Your friendship may even grow stronger.

 

Something to Ponder

Isn’t it funny that even every hair on your head is counted?