A Holy Stubbornness

“Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus. And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done.” — Acts 21:13-14

In this passage, Paul announced he was going to Jerusalem. The brethren pleaded with him to not go. They were looking after his safety, but Paul believed strongly that God wanted him to go, and he would not be persuaded otherwise. After confessing he was willing not just to be bound in Jerusalem, but to die as well, they realized “he would not be persuaded, we ceased.” This is a holy stubbornness. 

There is a time to stand your ground and not move on or give in. Most of the times when one is stubborn, it’s because of pride and selfishness, which is not Biblically correct. The way in which we should be stubborn is to stand on what God teaches, not on personal preferences. Below are a few questions to ask yourself whether or not you should stand your ground: 

  1. Is it your preference, or are you preferring the other person? Is the reason for your good, or the good of another person? Romans 12:10 teaches that we are to prefer one another, not fulfill our own desires. 
  1. Is the reason a Biblical issue? If God’s Word doesn’t clearly make the issue one of importance, you should think twice before making your stand. 
  1. Are you certain God has placed this in your heart? It’s always better to obey God rather than man, but make sure the issue is directed by God and not by personal gain, feelings, or pride. 

Paul believed God wanted him to be a witness for Him, so his eyes, heart, and mind were set on going. May we be like Paul and stand strong when God leads. Be wise enough to examine your motives, and then follow what God wants, even when it doesn’t make sense or others don’t understand. 

Here to Serve, 

Jeffrey Bush

My Books

Jeffrey Bush is currently the President of Vision Baptist Missions. He joined Vision Baptist Missions in May 2012. Prior to this assignment, the Bush family served as missionaries in South America for ten years. Out of those ten years, eight were spent in Argentina. The Lord tremendously blessed the ministry there with five churches established and left firmly planted with national leadership, a Bible college, and a radio ministry. All five churches are presently pastored by graduates of the Bible college, and the ministry in Argentina continues to grow.

You can find all of Bro Jeff’s Book in English and Spanish on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B00MIMZHHO?ingress=0&visitId=69f61f4d-ec9c-46db-8d08-61014dfcae85&ref_=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1

World’s Cheapest Mission Trip

 

The World’s Cheapest Mission Trip is a four-day, all-inclusive event! For only $200, you will:

♦ Interact personally with missionaries from all over the world
♦ Engage with people from many different religions
♦ See mosques, temples, and cathedrals

♦ Get involved in challenges that stretch your faith
♦ Connect with others with a passion for God
♦ Learn practical steps for ministry

This trip is for teenagers, young adults, and sponsors who have a desire to gain a greater burden for evangelism and missions and get involved in sharing the gospel with all people. We will unashamedly promote surrendering your life to get involved in world evangelism through going and sending.https://visionmissions.com/wcmt/

 

Calm, Cool, and Connected Book Review by Jeff Bush

Calm, Cool, and Connected.

by Arlene Pellicane

-It is better to be Wi-Fi poor and soul rich than the opposite way around.

-The smarter your tablet is, the dumber you can be – no need to know how to spell,
learn vocabulary, do math, etc.

-It’s a mediocre meal if you spend more time on the phone than you do with those
sitting around the table. It is a mediocre marriage if you text your spouse more than
you talk to your spouse.
 

-A life dominated by screens is a halfway life

– 71% of Americans sleep with or next to their phone.

-Multitasking does not save time. Multitasking interrupts, not letting you finish
something and reduces the quality of something.

-Look up to God instead of down to your phone, and enjoy the view.

-Three fourths of children in the UK spend less time outside than inmates in prison.

-Most people rarely go outside. It would do everyone good to go outside just to take
a walk or look around.

-Good reasons to go outside:

  1. Get vitamin D – sun and fresh air will do you good.
  2. Feel happier – people usually talk about winter blues (not summer) when they can’t go outside.
  3. Increase your concentration power – more time outside will result in more biking, exercise and activities that do your body good.
  4. Enjoy anti-aging benefits – a study of people that spent time outside every day at age 70 had less aching bones, health issues and sleep problems than those that did not spend outside daily. 

 Going outside increases health and decreases stress.

How to Talk to Anyone, Anytime, Anywhere

How To Talk To Anyone, Anytime, Anywhere | JaoMall.com

How to Talk to Anyone, Anytime, Anywhere

By Larry King

  • You have to love what you are doing. You can’t fake that, people will see right through it.
  • The right attitude is a basic ingredient to becoming a better conversationalist.
  • To be a good conversationalist, you have to have a sincere interest in the other person and an openness to others about yourself.
  • Respect everyone in the audience, look them in the eye and think about their interests.
  • Everyone is ignorant in some area, so you can help them if that arena.
  • People can always tell if you respect them. Others will listen to you better if they know you are interested in them.
  • The golden rule, doing to others as you want them to do to you, is essential in speaking to others.
  • Remind yourself that the people in the room are probably just as shy as you are.
  • You should know that nothing you say will teach you anything, so ask questions and listen. Most people don’t listen. 
  • To be a good talker, you have to be a good listener.
  • Good follow-up questions are the mark of a good conversationalist.
  • Don’t just listen to the answers of the questions, listen to what the person is really saying.
  • Making eye contact with the person before, during, and after they talk, goes along way and make you a good conversationalist.
  • Staying informed to what is going on in the world will help you as you work at being a good conversationalist.
  • Find a common ground with the person you’re speaking to and hone in on that.
  • Don’t try to be the life of the conversation when people are trying to get down to business.
  • Some people, when asked what time it is, go on to explain how a watch works – don’t be that person.
  • All of us are salesman trying to sell something. Know what you are selling and don’t quit until you close the deal.
  • Show people what you can do for them. Show them what is unique. 
  • Be prepared.
  • Don’t wing it. If you do, you will run the risk of going too long, use words like “uh,” or lose the interest and respect of others listening.
  • Don’t be afraid to use humor. 
  • Know your subject and speak from experience, it will be much easier to continue talking and keep attention if you speak on what you know well.
  • If you are using notes to teach from, underline or highlight so you know where the emphasis should be placed.
  • Stand up straight, do not slouch over or lean on the lectern.
  • Abraham Lincoln‘s Gettysburg Address lasted less than five minutes. Another speaker that day spoke for two hours. Only one of the speeches are remembered today— you don’t have to go long. 
  • Brevity is important. 
  • A good rule of thumb is KISS — Keep It Simple Stupid. 
  • Stay positive. Negativity will not get you anywhere. 
  • Dress and look sharp. 
  • Keep it simple. 

 

How To Instantly Connect With Anyone

How to Instantly Connect with Anyone: 96 All-New Little Tricks for Big  Success in Relationships by Leil Lowndes

How to Instantly Connect with Anyone

By: Leil Lowndes

  • You never have a second chance to make a first impression. 
  • A firm handshake is important when you meet someone. 
  • When introducing someone, say their name before their position.
  • You can turn strangers into acquaintances by talking about what they love to talk about – themselves. By talking about them, you can turn that silent stranger into a friendly gabber.
  • Ask someone about their day, specifically the last five or six hours. Each conversation has a shelf-life, so talk to them about what is fresh on their mind.
  • Customize your conversation or speech to the person(s) you are talking to. if you want to connect with them, tailor your vocabulary for them. 
  • Never talk or brag about luxurious things you have with people that cannot or do not have them.
  • Keep your differences a secret and your similarities the topic of conversation.
  • Immediately conceal someone’s blunders with a quick comment. You will become a friend and hero.
  • When you want to change subjects, first repeat something they just said and then link it to the conversation or topic you want to talk about.
  • Be unfashionably early to a party or gathering. It is surprisingly much better than arriving late.
  • Preserve someone’s self-esteem.
  • Do talk about people behind their back, but only if it’s something nice you’re going to say.
  • Choose your seating wisely. Let the other person have the better seat and do not sit in a position that makes it hard for them to turn their neck and look at you.
  • Read someone’s lips when they are not talking. People are their real selves when no one else is around, so watch them before you start talking to them and you will know what they are feeling.
  • When you are writing an email, do not start all of your sentences with the letter “I.” Remove it (letter “I”) from your email — remove it from your conversations as well. 
  • Sign your email using the other person’s name. The best word in any language is someone’s name, so use their name at the end of your email or letter.
  • When you are meeting with someone and receive a phone call, look at your phone and silence it. This shows that the person you are talking to is more important than anything else at that time.
  • Remember an important date or event in someone’s life, and send a letter congratulating them at that time.
  • A second thank you is always remembered and greatly appreciate it. Someone expects you to say thank you when they give you something, but say it a second time at another date and you will make their day.
  • Elongate your praise for someone. Most people focus on criticism and do not stop with one sentence, yet the praise is very short – switch this around and you will make someone feel very good.

How to Make People Like You in 90 Seconds or Less

How To Make People Like You In 90 Seconds or Less Audiobook by Nicholas  Boothman - 9781593163204 | Rakuten Kobo United States

How to Make People Like You in 90 Seconds or Less

By: Nicholas Boothman

  • The average person’s span before judgement is only about 30 seconds. 
  • Three key elements to make people like you: your presence (how you look), your attitude and how you make people feel. 
  • When people like you, they see the best in you.
  • When people like you, they feel natural and comfortable around you. 
  • Although a handshake only lasts a couple of seconds, you’ll send a strong and friendly message to the other person, if you will do it while looking in someone’s eyes and having a smile. 
  • Find a common interest — people talk to people that they like, so if you like or are interested in what they like and are interested in, they will like you.
  • There must be a time when you stop talking and just listen.
  • Conversation is a way to open another person up and see what is inside.
  • Learn to ask open-ended questions, instead of questions that only require a yes or no. 
  • What people see is about three times more impactful than what they hear.
  • When someone says, “I like you,” they’re really saying, “I am like you.”
  • We must learn to connect with other people because life is better when other people are in your life.

Grit

Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance: Duckworth, Angela:  9781501111105: Amazon.com: Books

Grit

By: Angela Duckworth

  • People that don’t give up have a don’t-quit, hang-in-there attitude.
  • Those who follow through and finish something are those that have determination and direction.
  • Whether a cadet continued or dropped out of West Point was not because of their SAT scores or talent, but because of their grit.
  • Future green berets and seals also stick because of their grit.
  • Our potential is one thing, but what we do with it is a whole other thing.
  • Talent is not destiny.
  • Zeal and hard work ultimately beat intellect.
  • We love naturals, but effort will go further than talent.
  • As much as talent counts for something, effort counts twice as much.
  • Greatness is made of many small feats, and all of them are doable!
  • Effort builds skill.
  • Talent x effort = skill. Skill x effort = achievement.
  • 80% of life is showing up — Allen
  • How many people start something new and then give up. Grit keeps you going.
  • Talent comes naturally, but skill comes from doing something over and over until you get it.
  • Grit is more about stamina than intensity.
  • There are no shortcuts to excellency.
  • Grit isn’t just falling in love but staying in love.
  • Grit has two components: passion and perseverance.
  • On any long journey, detours are to be expected.
  • Grit, talent, and other psychological traits are genetically influenced, but not determined.
  • Grit gets back up and continues going when knocked down.
  • Passion for your work comes from a lot of discovery, followed by a bunch of development and a lifetime of deepening.
  • Just because you love something does not mean you’ll be great at it, it takes a lot of work.
  • Deliberate practice separates those that do have and do not have grit.
  • Do not let setback become excuses.
  • You can grow and obtain grit by starting from within yourself. 
  • To be gritty is to fall down seven times and raise eight.