Thomas Bio’s Post

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF GOING TO CHURCH IN PERSON? Why should we go to church? How important is your attendance? What are the benefits? Do you go to church? The Apostle Paul told the Hebrews: “Let us think about each other and help each other to show love and do good deeds. You should not stay away from the church meetings, as some are doing, but you should meet together and encourage each other. Do this even more as you see the day coming.” (Hebrews‬ ‭10‬:‭24‬-‭25‬ ‭NCV‬) Like a football game or a great concert with thousands of fans cheering with common purpose, it’s exhilarating. You feel part of something. It’s a celebration. It’s fun and exciting. Church has more meaning and benefits than the football game or concert. If you believe “God shows his great love for us in this way: Christ died for us while we were still sinners.” (Romans‬ ‭5‬:‭8‬ ‭NCV‬‬), the songs mean more, the messages are life changing and it leaves us renewed and strengthened. Think of it this way; To have God save us when we don’t even know we need saving - it’s an incredible gift that lasts for eternity. For eternity. When we are weak and need help, Jesus said“My grace is enough for you. When you are weak, my power is made perfect in you.” (‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭12‬:‭9‬ ‭NCV‬‬) This means that in a miraculous way, our emotional tank gets filled - for free. Our hope is restored. Our joy is deepened. And a literal change occurs in our heart and mind. We walk away from church with so much more. And if your church is not doing this for you, it’s either you or maybe your church. One or both may need a change. Yes, online worship is fine, but there is nothing like attending church in person. You are robbing yourself of something valuable by avoiding worshipping in-person. This also applies to meeting with small groups in our homes. “As iron sharpens iron, so people can improve each other.” (Proverbs‬ ‭27‬:‭17‬ ‭NCV‬‬) As we meet in small groups, we pray, we learn, we are supported and we meet new and incredible people. It’s a great place to find someone to date and marry and develop a close friendship. If you want to kill an elephant, where should you go? Go where elephants are. If you want to find a good person to date and marry or find a friend, go where good people are. Church and small groups are full of people that are taking life seriously and have a common purpose. God’s word, His counsel, His strength, the support of others - corporate worship leaves us with far more than a football game or concert. No, there’s nothing wrong with games and concerts, however if you cherish them more than corporate worship, just think about it and consider joining in. LORD, your words heal us, give us hope, encourage us and teach us how to live a full life. And as we celebrate corporately, in small groups and intimately, we are healed and made whole. Thank you for your word. Thank you for Jesus Christ. And thank you for the Holy Spirit to help us. IJNIP amen ♥️

Title: Christmas: The Ultimate Demonstration of God’s Unconditional Love Opening Thought: “God never gives someone a gift they are not capable of receiving. If He gives us the gift of Christmas, it is because we all have the ability to understand and receive it.” – Pope Francis Introduction: Christmas is more than a season of gifts, carols, and celebration; it’s the living testimony of God’s boundless, unconditional love for humanity. The birth of Jesus Christ represents God stepping into history to reconcile humanity to Himself. --- Key Highlights 1. The Gift of Love “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16) Christmas embodies this unmatched act of love and sacrifice, offering salvation to all. 2. A Season of Reconciliation “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” (Luke 2:14) The message of Christmas invites us to reconcile with God and extend peace to one another. 3. Emmanuel: God with Us “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Emmanuel” (which means “God with us”). (Matthew 1:23) God’s unconditional love is expressed in His desire to dwell among His people, bringing hope and restoration. --- Survey Insights Recent global surveys reveal that: 78% of Christians associate Christmas with hope and love. 65% feel inspired to give back to their communities during this season. Non-Christians increasingly view the holiday as a symbol of universal goodwill. --- Practical Application Extend Love to Others: Reflect God’s love through acts of kindness, charity, and forgiveness. Renew Your Faith: Revisit the Christmas story in the Gospels and meditate on its significance. Celebrate Inclusively: Share the joy of Christmas with people from all walks of life. --- Closing Thought: “Love came down at Christmas, Love all lovely, Love Divine.” – Christina Rossetti This Christmas, may we embody and share the unconditional love that God demonstrated in sending His Son. @ Pastor Avinash Singh, New Delhi, India 💕

Christmas Day is more than just exchanging gifts. It is a day deeply rooted in tradition, symbolizing love, generosity, and togetherness. Historically, Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ in Christian traditions, a day that has been observed for over two millennia. However, it has also evolved into a global cultural event enjoyed by many, regardless of religious beliefs.    The tradition of gift-giving traces back to the Three Wise Men, who brought gifts to baby Jesus. Over time, this practice grew into the festive exchanges we see today, with family gatherings, special meals, and an emphasis on compassion and goodwill toward others.    For families experiencing the complexities of separation or co-parenting, the holidays can be particularly challenging. At G. Best Husband Law, we understand how important it is to keep the focus on family and your children’s happiness. Our team is here to help you navigate these times with understanding and support.     Wishing you and your loved ones a Merry Christmas filled with peace, joy, and connection.    #ChristmasDay2025 #GBestHusbandLaw #ConscientiousAndCommitted #FamilyLawyerNearMe #FamilyLaw #FamilyLawyer #DivorceLawyer #AttorneyGabrielleABestHusband 

A "Friendly" Church or a Church of Friends? Leading church consultants advocate that for churches to grow, being “friendly” is mandatory. Even beyond modern facilities, engaging programs, and deep community thumbprints, if a church is cold and unwelcoming, it will struggle to even maintain its membership, and growth is out of the picture. This profound discovery certainly doesn’t qualify as rocket science. Churches are in the “People Business,” and if churches aren’t good with people, their “business” will crater. But churches can distort the portrait of a “friendly” church. To be a “friendly” church, it requires more than being outgoing or bubbly. In fact, being friendly really isn’t that rare. You know who else is friendly? -        A Chick-Fil-A Worker -        A Salesman (When he thinks you’re going to buy…. anything) -        A Wal-Mart Greeter (Most of the time) -        A School Crossing Guard -        My Neighbor’s Dog Oh, they’re all very friendly—warm, gregarious, thoughtful—the whole nine yards, but unsurprisingly, I don’t have any plans to make Chick-Fil-A, a retail store, Wal-Mart, school zones, or my neighbor’s backyard, my spiritual community. I doubt that you do either. There must be more to a friendly church than smiley extroverts. I recently heard a very wise minister and a great friend offer this insightful wisdom— “PEOPLE AREN'T LOOKING FOR A FRIENDLY CHURCH. PEOPLE ARE LOOKING FOR A FRIEND." “Friendly” requires a smile or a handshake. “Friend” demands commitment and loyalty. “Friendly” can be taught. “Friend” can only be learned. And a friend is what people want. Even more so, a friend is what people need. We’ve likely attended or visited churches that diagnosed themselves as “friendly” when no one spoke to us. They may not have even noticed us. Before we lay down the judgment gauntlet, it’s healthy to confess that if we’ve been in a church or Bible class for decades, it’s easy to focus on our habitual spheres of influence. We can all improve in this area. But even if we speak to every person and shake every hand, that’s not enough. People don’t want a “friendly” church, they want a friend. They want someone who is willing to say with their words, and prove with their actions, “I care.”   “I’m here.”   “I’m not going anywhere.”   “And whatever challenges come, whatever baggage you bring, we will walk through the mess together, step by step.” Who can you be a friend to this Sunday? And next Sunday? And every Sunday? Churches that focus more on being friends than being friendly will grow faster than they can ever imagine. After all, it was once said of Jesus Christ, the head of the church, “A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24, NIV). Is your church “friendly” or full of friends? Jacob Hawk, Ph.D.

hello everyone, here I could share about Christmas celebration, Decorations: People decorate their homes with lights, trees, and ornaments. Gifts: Families and friends exchange gifts. Meals: Families enjoy special meals and treats. Carols: People sing Christmas carols. Santa Claus: Children believe in Santa Claus, who brings gifts to those who have been good all year. Kindness: Christmas is a time to give, share, and spread kindness to others. Churches: Churches hold prayers to spread the message of peace and love. Helping others: People help the people living on the streets by giving them food, clothes, blankets, etc. Religious significance: For Christians, Christmas signifies the birth of Jesus Christ. Family time: Christmas is a time to reconnect with family and friends. #article #snscop #snsdesignthinking #designthinkers

Thoughts On Pastoring A Legacy Church 1. A Deep Well One of the best things about pastoring a 100-year-old church is its rich history. Imagine stepping into a building that has witnessed countless weddings, baptisms, communion and Sunday services. It's like holding a living history book in your hands. This history gives the pastor a deep well of stories and traditions to draw from. For instance, if the church has always been known for its strong community outreach, the pastor can build on that legacy, encouraging members to continue that proud tradition. History can also serve as a guide, showing what has worked well in the past and what hasn’t, helping the pastor make informed decisions for the future. 2. Community Legacy Older churches often have a tight-knit community. Many members might have grown up attending the same church as their parents and grandparents. This creates a family-like atmosphere where everyone looks out for each other. For a pastor, this means a supportive environment where people are deeply committed to the church and each other. When the pastor introduces new ideas or programs, they can rely on this strong sense of community to rally behind them. This unity can make the church a powerful force for good in the wider community, working together to help those in need. 3. Hidden Treasure Preaching this year is fantastic because the pastor’s vision is framed tightly and reverberates off the walls where hymns have been sung and prayers have been prayed. In a 100-year-old church, you’ll find people with decades of life and faith stories. These members can offer valuable insights and guidance. They’ve seen the church through good times and bad, and their wisdom can be a tremendous asset to the pastor. Imagine having a team of wise advisors who can help navigate challenges and celebrate successes. The older members can also mentor younger ones, passing down their knowledge and strengthening the church family. This intergenerational bond not only enriches the church’s present but also secures its future. Pastoring a century-old church is like being at the helm of a ship with a rich history, a dedicated crew, and experienced navigators. It’s a unique and rewarding journey, filled with opportunities to honor the past while steering towards a bright future.

5 Meaningful Christmas Gifts Your Church Members Will Love Christmas is approaching fast! And that means that it’s time to spread love and thanksgiving through gifts. Look no further if you’ve been wondering what kinds of Christmas gifts to get your fellow church members! Here are 5 meaningful Christmas gifts you can get for the big day… - Devotionals are always a great gift for a believer. You can go with a 365 daily devotional like Jesus Calling or a seasonal one like Come, Let Us Adore Him. There are also tons of great options specific to men and women! - Games are great for families who want to have fun and grow in their Bible skills. You can go for trivia games like Get ChurchED or hilarious party games like Cards Christians Like. - Bible Verse Calendars are thoughtful gifts that remind someone of God’s love and grace. There are plenty of beautiful ones to choose from like A Prayer a Day or the Our Daily Bread Calendar. - Bible Covers are unique gifts you can personalize and make special for your loved ones. You can find Embroidered Bible Covers or Leather Covers in tons of places! - Pen and Highlighter Sets are perfect for that Christian in your life who loves to mark up their Bibles and take notes in their journals. There are plenty of affordable options you can find in craft stores or online. What are you getting your loved ones for Christmas? Let us know in the comments!

Ways to show HONOR to others... HONOR in your Response Prov 1:8-9 Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. 9 They are a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck. HONOR BY ENCOURAGING: Prov 16:24 "Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones." HONOR BY being SLOW TO SPEAK, QUICK TO LISTEN AND SLOW TO BECOME ANGERY: JAMES 1:19 "My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry." HONOR IN THE WORDS YOU SPEAK ABOUT SOMEONE ELSE EPH 4:29 "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." HONOR IN CHOSING FAITH OVER EMOTION: Jer 17:9 "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?" HONOR IN FORGIVING Paul said in Col 3:13-14 "Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." #dearbrother #honor #prov1 #takenote #buildothers #donot #beslow #bequick #behelpful #someoneelse #brothersandsisters #brotherandsisters #tothebones

Wolfpack, LISTEN UP —the Church isn’t supposed to be some exclusive club for people who have it all together. 🐺 It’s meant to be a COMMUNITY where the messed-up are WELCOME, the outcasts are LOVED, and the underdogs find a CHAMPION. The Church is where the hopeless should FIND HOPE, and the friendless FIND A FRIEND. That’s what FOLLOWING Jesus is all about. ✝️ It’s not about having it all together or PRETENDING to be perfect—it’s about showing up, LOVING PEOPLE where they’re at, and LIFTING THEM up. THIS IS WHERE people should walk in broken and leave knowing they’re loved, supported, and valued. Jesus didn’t come for the perfect—He came for THE LOST, the STRUGGLING, the ones who NEED HEALING. And that’s the kind of community WE NEED to build. 👨👩👧👧✝️👨👩👦👦♥️👪 In this Game of LIFE, following Jesus means EMBRACING EVERYONE where they’re at and lifting them higher. That’s what real Church looks like, Wolfpack. It’s time we LEAD WITH LOVE, not judgment, and create spaces where EVERYONE feels they belong. Let’s build that kind of Church—one that reflects Jesus, one that CHANGES LIVES. ☦️ The world has ENOUGH judgment and rejection. Let’s make the Church a place of RADICAL LOVE, where people feel SEEN, HEARD, and ACCEPTED. That’s HOW we change lives. 🙏🫶 #FeedTheGoodWolf #YOUvsYOU #BeTheChurch #RadicalLove #CommunityMatters