How faithful are we?
Is it something for us to say or for someone to credit us?
What is faithfulness? Loyal, Constant, Steadfast, Realiable, Belief
Faithfulness is religious conviction!
Faithfulness is God's Attribute. Taking away that is like God no longer there!
Faithfulness is not how good we are;
Faithfulness is not how much we have accomplished;
Jesus says in Matthew 25:21
"His master replied, "Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!"
Faithfulness is being described as faithful with a few things.
If you are faithful with your few things... not many... you can be found faithful with people's things.
And it is very true, if you are faithful with just a few things, you will be put in charge of many things.
For the younger ones, have you ever wonder why you were given only small amount of money to handle?
When your parents or those above you have found you to be faithful, trustworthy, you would be surprise that you will be entrusted with more.
What if you are faithless?
Well do something about as you have known that you are faithless.
But the good news is in 2 Tim 2:13
If we are faithless, He remain faithful, for He cannot disown Himself.
What a wonderful God and Saviour we serve!
When you are faithless, go to His word!
Hebrews 4:12
For His word is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
Psalms 119:103
How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
Psalms 119:105
Your word is the lamp of my feet and a light for my path.
Jeremiah 15:16
Your words were found, and I ate them, And Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart; For I am called by Your name, O LORD God of hosts.
Romans 10:17
So then Faith comes by hearing and hearing the message of God!
Application:
How can you be faithless if you hear and hear the Word of God?
How can you be faithless if you eat the Word of God?
How can you be faithless if you are faithful with a few things?
Surely not!
Friday, July 23, 2010
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Understand or Understanding
Perceive the intended meaning of words, language or a speaker
Be sympathetically or knowledgeably aware of the character or the nature of
Both Understand and Understanding is important in relationship.
Otherwise it's called Mis-understand or Mis-understood.
Imagine how and what damage it would be when one is misunderstood; especially done with a good intention but the action was wrongly interpreted.
"They don't understand me."
"You won't believe what they have done to me."
"He/she makes me so angry."
"I want to resign."
Those are familiar words of people who are frustrated. We do not know exactly what they have gone through but one portion is they would done something with good intention but not appreciated or really of need at all.
Reacting to what others say and do will render you helpless.
Many find themselves a victim instead of a victor.
I find one way to overcome is to be at a good attitude and be a proactive person.
Be a person who lead people.
Be a person who solve problems before they arise.
Proactive is an adjective : creating or controlling a situation by causing something to happen rather than responding to it after it has happened.
Proactive sees the invisible instead of focusing the visible.
Our cars are make to look forward of what's coming ahead so that we can avoid mishap.
Application :
Are you proactive or reactive?
Do you normally understand or need to be told?
Be sympathetically or knowledgeably aware of the character or the nature of
Both Understand and Understanding is important in relationship.
Otherwise it's called Mis-understand or Mis-understood.
Imagine how and what damage it would be when one is misunderstood; especially done with a good intention but the action was wrongly interpreted.
"They don't understand me."
"You won't believe what they have done to me."
"He/she makes me so angry."
"I want to resign."
Those are familiar words of people who are frustrated. We do not know exactly what they have gone through but one portion is they would done something with good intention but not appreciated or really of need at all.
Reacting to what others say and do will render you helpless.
Many find themselves a victim instead of a victor.
I find one way to overcome is to be at a good attitude and be a proactive person.
Be a person who lead people.
Be a person who solve problems before they arise.
Proactive is an adjective : creating or controlling a situation by causing something to happen rather than responding to it after it has happened.
Proactive sees the invisible instead of focusing the visible.
Our cars are make to look forward of what's coming ahead so that we can avoid mishap.
Application :
Are you proactive or reactive?
Do you normally understand or need to be told?
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Dream or Dreaming
DREAM
it can be...
= a series of thoughts, images and sensations occuring in a person's mind during sleep
= a cherished aspiration, ambition or ideal
= an unrealistic or self-deluding fantasy
= a person on thing perceived as wonderful or perfect
= a state of mind in which someone is or seems to unaware of their immediate surroundings
Dream or Dreaming is amazing!
No one can actually tell how true can it be when on is Dreaming or having a Dream!
The most recent movie INCEPTION really amazed me.
Not because of the effects... but the one who thought of this in his mind or dream!
Bible has many examples of those who dream:
=Joseph in the book of Genesis
=the Butler's future was revealed in a dream
=the Baker's furture too was revealed in a dream
=the Pharoah's dream of the famine
=Abimelech was warned in a dream
=Jacob's dream
=Daniel has all understanding of dreams and visions
=Joel's prophesy that old men shall dream dreams
= etc
What is your dream?
What if you don't dream?
if you dream, why dream small? Dream Big?
It costs nothing to Dream Big!
Many times our Dream is just too small!
Tell me a dream that goes far beyond one could think of... it is still the smallest if we refer it to God, Himself.
it can be...
= a series of thoughts, images and sensations occuring in a person's mind during sleep
= a cherished aspiration, ambition or ideal
= an unrealistic or self-deluding fantasy
= a person on thing perceived as wonderful or perfect
= a state of mind in which someone is or seems to unaware of their immediate surroundings
Dream or Dreaming is amazing!
No one can actually tell how true can it be when on is Dreaming or having a Dream!
The most recent movie INCEPTION really amazed me.
Not because of the effects... but the one who thought of this in his mind or dream!
Bible has many examples of those who dream:
=Joseph in the book of Genesis
=the Butler's future was revealed in a dream
=the Baker's furture too was revealed in a dream
=the Pharoah's dream of the famine
=Abimelech was warned in a dream
=Jacob's dream
=Daniel has all understanding of dreams and visions
=Joel's prophesy that old men shall dream dreams
= etc
What is your dream?
What if you don't dream?
if you dream, why dream small? Dream Big?
It costs nothing to Dream Big!
Many times our Dream is just too small!
Tell me a dream that goes far beyond one could think of... it is still the smallest if we refer it to God, Himself.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Hurts and Needs
Hurts and needs seem to be everywhere, seem to be around for a long time.
What do we do when there's hurts and needs?
Can a minister be tired of hurts and needs where the ministry is to find hurts an heals them and to find needs and meets them?
Hurts continue to be overwhelm and needs continue to pile up.
More hospitals; more jobs for doctors, psychiatric, nurses, counsellors....
I believe the church of Jesus Christ must prevail and rise to this calling... it is a hard saying though.
It requires burden, care, heart, passion...
God's Promises to the sick, hurts and needy.
Matt 4:23
And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people.
Matt 9:35
Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.
Matt 14:14
And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick.
Luke 4:18
“ The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, Because He has anointed MeTo preach the gospel to the poor;He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captivesAnd recovery of sight to the blind,To set at liberty those who are oppressed;
Luke 4:40
When the sun was setting, all those who had any that were sick with various diseases brought them to Him; and He laid His hands on every one of them and healed them.
Luke 5:23
Jesus answered and said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.
Luke 9:2
He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.
Acts 10:38
how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.
James 5:16
Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
I Peter 2:24
who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.
3 John 1:2
Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.
Application :
When meeting Real needs and healing Real hurts, it brings people to encounter with the REAL Savior.
Will find one need to meet and one hurt to heal?
What do we do when there's hurts and needs?
Can a minister be tired of hurts and needs where the ministry is to find hurts an heals them and to find needs and meets them?
Hurts continue to be overwhelm and needs continue to pile up.
More hospitals; more jobs for doctors, psychiatric, nurses, counsellors....
I believe the church of Jesus Christ must prevail and rise to this calling... it is a hard saying though.
It requires burden, care, heart, passion...
God's Promises to the sick, hurts and needy.
Matt 4:23
And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people.
Matt 9:35
Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.
Matt 14:14
And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick.
Luke 4:18
“ The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, Because He has anointed MeTo preach the gospel to the poor;He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captivesAnd recovery of sight to the blind,To set at liberty those who are oppressed;
Luke 4:40
When the sun was setting, all those who had any that were sick with various diseases brought them to Him; and He laid His hands on every one of them and healed them.
Luke 5:23
Jesus answered and said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.
Luke 9:2
He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.
Acts 10:38
how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.
James 5:16
Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
I Peter 2:24
who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.
3 John 1:2
Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.
Application :
When meeting Real needs and healing Real hurts, it brings people to encounter with the REAL Savior.
Will find one need to meet and one hurt to heal?
Friday, July 16, 2010
Goodness or goodness
Goodness is one of the nine precious facet of the fruit of the Holy Spirit
Gal 5:22-23
22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
The root word for Goodness is GOOD!
What is Good?
Good is a state of being Good!
A state of being approved of!
What is the Qualities of Goodness? To understand that we may also ask who do you consider a Good friend.
Kind
Understanding
Caring
Carries my burden
Just
Not manipulative
Loves
No ulterior motives
Generous
Helps me to clean up when everybody leaves after a "makan" gathering
and the list continues...
It is not the "Oh, goodness!" that we normally hear whenever someone is not happy or angry or when something has gone wrong!
Eph 2:10
For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
3 John 11
Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God.
Application:
What is one Good act you would like to do today or this week?
Gal 5:22-23
22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
The root word for Goodness is GOOD!
What is Good?
Good is a state of being Good!
A state of being approved of!
What is the Qualities of Goodness? To understand that we may also ask who do you consider a Good friend.
Kind
Understanding
Caring
Carries my burden
Just
Not manipulative
Loves
No ulterior motives
Generous
Helps me to clean up when everybody leaves after a "makan" gathering
and the list continues...
It is not the "Oh, goodness!" that we normally hear whenever someone is not happy or angry or when something has gone wrong!
Eph 2:10
For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
3 John 11
Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God.
Application:
What is one Good act you would like to do today or this week?
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Integrity or Dishonesty
What is integrity?
Doing the right thing even when nobody's looking.
Steadfast adherence to a strict moral or ethical code.
The state of being unimpaired; soundness.
The quality or condition of being whole or undivided; completeness.
Integrity is a big subject because it speaks of our daily dealings of our lives.
Someone asked me some time ago... what is best to illustrate the word integrity?
Being a math graduate, I said, "For me, the word integrity is the Number INTEGER."
What is an integer? A definite whole number!
A definite whole number is definite, whole!
Not half;
Not with decimal of something....
but a whole number!
Can our lives be an Integer in relating to Integrity?
Meaning no lies, no cheating, no bending, no compromise, no half-hearted, no half tank (as the chinese puts it) ?
Someone says, "Integrity is what you do when you are out of town and nobody's watching."
That's very true!
Integrity...
- speaks honestly
- true to self
- returns the right change
- returns the extra change
- admitting wrong when you are wrong
- do what is right when no one is watching
- keeping the word
- not lying to others
- and not lying to self
- in your thoughts
- in your words
- in your actions
= action + beliefs + values
Prov 10:9
He who walks with integrity walks securely, But he who perverts his ways will become known.
Prov 11:3
The integrity of the upright will guide them, But the perversity of the unfaithful will destroy them.
Prov 19:1
Better is the poor who walks in his integrityThan one who is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.
Prov 20:7
The righteous man walks in his integrity; His children are blessed after him.
Doing the right thing even when nobody's looking.
Steadfast adherence to a strict moral or ethical code.
The state of being unimpaired; soundness.
The quality or condition of being whole or undivided; completeness.
Integrity is a big subject because it speaks of our daily dealings of our lives.
Someone asked me some time ago... what is best to illustrate the word integrity?
Being a math graduate, I said, "For me, the word integrity is the Number INTEGER."
What is an integer? A definite whole number!
A definite whole number is definite, whole!
Not half;
Not with decimal of something....
but a whole number!
Can our lives be an Integer in relating to Integrity?
Meaning no lies, no cheating, no bending, no compromise, no half-hearted, no half tank (as the chinese puts it) ?
Someone says, "Integrity is what you do when you are out of town and nobody's watching."
That's very true!
Integrity...
- speaks honestly
- true to self
- returns the right change
- returns the extra change
- admitting wrong when you are wrong
- do what is right when no one is watching
- keeping the word
- not lying to others
- and not lying to self
- in your thoughts
- in your words
- in your actions
= action + beliefs + values
Prov 10:9
He who walks with integrity walks securely, But he who perverts his ways will become known.
Prov 11:3
The integrity of the upright will guide them, But the perversity of the unfaithful will destroy them.
Prov 19:1
Better is the poor who walks in his integrityThan one who is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.
Prov 20:7
The righteous man walks in his integrity; His children are blessed after him.
First Love or Second Love
"Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first." Rev 2:4-5a
How many love do you have?
Nowadays people can easily fall in love and fall out of love!
What about our love towards God?
Ever remember the first day you set your heart for the Lord Jesus Christ?
How you were broken and needed Him so much?
Today when we have everything we need and want... things, finance, business, entertainment, and even ministry and other material things have become our first love.
Those stuff which meant to blessed us have now robbed you of your time, of your emotions, of your fervor for your family and God.
Where was once your first love now become the second love?
Where have your first love gone to?
For some years ago, ministry has become God to me. Thank God that i have come to recognize that my only source in life and ministry is God Himself and no other!
What happen in ministry is irrelevant!
Our passion, our desire, our longing must stay focus on the Lord Jesus Christ.
When that happens one will never go wrong.
That speaks of our daily diet too.
Our daily bread : the Word of God
Our drinking water : the Sprit of God
Our daily empowerment : the Prayers
Our faith that overcomes
Our air that we breath : His Presence
He is the SOURCE to the every and the very thing in our lives.
Thank you Lord!
How many love do you have?
Nowadays people can easily fall in love and fall out of love!
What about our love towards God?
Ever remember the first day you set your heart for the Lord Jesus Christ?
How you were broken and needed Him so much?
Today when we have everything we need and want... things, finance, business, entertainment, and even ministry and other material things have become our first love.
Those stuff which meant to blessed us have now robbed you of your time, of your emotions, of your fervor for your family and God.
Where was once your first love now become the second love?
Where have your first love gone to?
For some years ago, ministry has become God to me. Thank God that i have come to recognize that my only source in life and ministry is God Himself and no other!
What happen in ministry is irrelevant!
Our passion, our desire, our longing must stay focus on the Lord Jesus Christ.
When that happens one will never go wrong.
That speaks of our daily diet too.
Our daily bread : the Word of God
Our drinking water : the Sprit of God
Our daily empowerment : the Prayers
Our faith that overcomes
Our air that we breath : His Presence
He is the SOURCE to the every and the very thing in our lives.
Thank you Lord!
Friday, July 2, 2010
Pride vs Humility
Prov 16:18-19 NLT
18 Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall.
19 Better to live humbly with the poor, than to share plunder with the proud.
How many of us like to show-off?
Some how when we are young, most of us like to show-off whenever you have gotten a new thing.
Especially if it is totally different for the rest and probably the most expensive stuff you ever have.
During my secondary school days, i have friends who show-off their branded goods which was hardly obtainable where we used to live in a small town in Perak.
I'm not against those stuff... in fact, i would like to have one too. You know, you feel somehow proud and having a greater dignity while wearing them.
My first most expensive stuff I wore during my school days was my watch my father bought for me... it was a digital CASIO watch.
Oh man! digital man!
You must know it was during the 80s!
The only problem is when those stuff actually owns you!
We can become so materialistic and become proud of them!
And worse is looking down on others who do not have them or able to afford them!
What should be a good Pride? or Is there such a thing called a good Pride?
For me it will be...
1. counting the number of souls brought into the Kingdom of God;
2. Jesus increases, ministry decreases
3. God's glory shine, self-glory re-directed to God Himself
Application :
How humble can you be when your ministry is flourishing?
All that we have, we are and going to be have and be is all by the Grace of God.
Eph 2:8-9 NLT
8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.
9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.
18 Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall.
19 Better to live humbly with the poor, than to share plunder with the proud.
How many of us like to show-off?
Some how when we are young, most of us like to show-off whenever you have gotten a new thing.
Especially if it is totally different for the rest and probably the most expensive stuff you ever have.
During my secondary school days, i have friends who show-off their branded goods which was hardly obtainable where we used to live in a small town in Perak.
I'm not against those stuff... in fact, i would like to have one too. You know, you feel somehow proud and having a greater dignity while wearing them.
My first most expensive stuff I wore during my school days was my watch my father bought for me... it was a digital CASIO watch.
Oh man! digital man!
You must know it was during the 80s!
The only problem is when those stuff actually owns you!
We can become so materialistic and become proud of them!
And worse is looking down on others who do not have them or able to afford them!
What should be a good Pride? or Is there such a thing called a good Pride?
For me it will be...
1. counting the number of souls brought into the Kingdom of God;
2. Jesus increases, ministry decreases
3. God's glory shine, self-glory re-directed to God Himself
Application :
How humble can you be when your ministry is flourishing?
All that we have, we are and going to be have and be is all by the Grace of God.
Eph 2:8-9 NLT
8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.
9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Broke or Brokenness
Psalms 51:17
The sacrifices of God are broken spirit, A broken and contrite heart - these, O God, You will not despise.
Doing ministry is never easy and never tough.
On the other hand, ministry could be easy and could be very tough too.
Which angle are you looking from?
Back in the Bible school, you will not be taught how tough ministry can be? Choosing a Bible school that prepares you for REAL life ministry is a vital decision!
No matter how much you pay to attend a Bible school or a seminary or a college, the REAL cost of ministry is paid after your graduation.
You learned the most in REAL life ministry... you learned the most when you make REAL mistake! Not so much of writing the wrong or right answers during your Bible school exam.
So many have been discouraged in ministry.
Ministry chews people up and then spits them out.
There are more stress than ever.
Problems in relationship including family.
Financial lack.
What about mean and stubborn church folks.
The result will be that you will be either really Broke (worn out) or you will reach a place of Brokenness!
A place of Brokenness is the place of God re-shaping us into His image!
Our pride
Our tears
Our strength
Our mind
Our heart
Our soul
Our spirit
God will heal us, He will pour His anointing oil upon us!
Psalms 126:5
Those who sow in tears, Shall reap in joy.
Application :
What stage are you now?
The sacrifices of God are broken spirit, A broken and contrite heart - these, O God, You will not despise.
Doing ministry is never easy and never tough.
On the other hand, ministry could be easy and could be very tough too.
Which angle are you looking from?
Back in the Bible school, you will not be taught how tough ministry can be? Choosing a Bible school that prepares you for REAL life ministry is a vital decision!
No matter how much you pay to attend a Bible school or a seminary or a college, the REAL cost of ministry is paid after your graduation.
You learned the most in REAL life ministry... you learned the most when you make REAL mistake! Not so much of writing the wrong or right answers during your Bible school exam.
So many have been discouraged in ministry.
Ministry chews people up and then spits them out.
There are more stress than ever.
Problems in relationship including family.
Financial lack.
What about mean and stubborn church folks.
The result will be that you will be either really Broke (worn out) or you will reach a place of Brokenness!
A place of Brokenness is the place of God re-shaping us into His image!
Our pride
Our tears
Our strength
Our mind
Our heart
Our soul
Our spirit
God will heal us, He will pour His anointing oil upon us!
Psalms 126:5
Those who sow in tears, Shall reap in joy.
Application :
What stage are you now?
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