The Biggest Winner

I recently attended a Ladies Retreat in Gatlinburg, TN. The theme was The Biggest Winner and we had about 7 ladies speak. Sarah Terlecki, Miranda Morton, Tiffany Dresser, Jennifer Ellis, Melea Smith, Susan Aragon, and Donna Woodall. While I was there, I learned some very good and important lessons from them.

Just a few of the topics that they spoke on were:

• Adversities
• Bible Study
• Fellowship
• Encouragement
• Exercise in Faith

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Adversities-

At the time, adversities can seen pretty tough. But just remember, God is with us and will help us through our hard times.
Philippians 4:13- I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Bible Study-

Bible study is a great thing. Whether it is once a week with your family, or every day by yourself, it is a good thing in general. It keeps us focused on our goal even during the toughest of days. Also, it brings us closer to God when the world is trying to suck us in. It doesn't take a lot of time necessarily, so try to find at least SOME time once a day or two to study God's word.

Fellowship-

In my opinion, fellowship is a great thing. It encourages us. It helps us not to be so afraid knowing that we have good Christian friends to help us along our journey to Heaven. I think that we should look for any times that we can to have fellowship with our Christian friends. Also, if your church doesn't do a lot of that, be the first one to start a monthly devo, or just some way to encourage others to get together.

Encouragement-

While I was at the Ladies Retreat, we had an activity where we each made a bag with some decor on the outside and whenever others got the chance, they could right encouraging notes to one another and stick it in their bag. I thought this was a great idea. Sometimes people are a little scared to go up to someone and tell them something encouraging. But the truth is, if we can get past the shyness and just open ourselves up to people, it makes us more confident and the person you are talking to, can feel a little better about themselves also.

Exercise in Faith-

This is where "The Biggest Winner" comes in. Here are a few steps on how to become the "Biggest Winner".

• When someone is trying to lose weight, they exercise. Sometimes a lot, and sometimes little steps at a time.

Our journey to Heaven can be like that. Sometimes, we are REALLY trying and might work at it a lot. But sometimes we just take small steps at a time. As long as we are heading in the right direction and staying on the right path, we will reach our final goal.

• Eating Healthy is another big part in losing weight. You are putting things into your body that will help you on your journey through losing weight.

Again, if we are trying hard to go to Heaven, we will try to take in as much information about the bible as we can because, we know that everything we take in and have taken in will help us on our journey to Heaven. But, every once in a while, a brownie will try to tempt you to stop on your journey.

Homework Reading: Philippians 1 and 2. If you want, you can go ahead and read Chapter 3.

Last Lessons From James (Part 2)

This will be the last post about Lessons From James. Thanks for reading!

• "Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver are corroded, and their corrosion will be a witness against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have heaped up treasure in the last days." -James 5:2-3

What I think this means is that it is ok to have money, just don't like and love it more than God. This verse reminds us that if we do love our money more than God, it will count against us on Judgement Day and we will go to hell.

• "........the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.

• " But my above all, brethren, do not swear, either by Heaven or by earth or with any other oath. But let you "Yes" be "Yes" and your "No","No", lest you fall out of judgement."

If you make a promise, try as hard as you can to keep it. Also, if you make a promise that you can't keep you need to tell that person and take back what you said.

Homework Reading: Psalm 23

Thanks for Reading!!!

Last Lessons From James (Part 1)

Finally, here are some more lessons that we can learn from James.

• "..... Yet you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures." -James 1:2-3

God would give if we ask. But a lot of the time, we don't. And when we do, mostly we ask for the wrong things so again, He doesn't give.

• "Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is emnity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God." -James

Sadly, for now, that is all. I very much appreciate all of the viewers, comments, and emails that I have gotten. They mean a lot to me. Also, I would really like some MORE viewers so tell your friends! Thanks!

Homework Reading: Titus 2