Celebrate You!

I have come to discover that most people are unhappy with who they are or least with some aspect of who they are and we pray prayers that go something like this: "Lord please make me more like...(this or that person)"

Now I am not sure that this is the best way of praying, why? Well, because no one is perfect!

You hang around people long enough and you will quickly discover that every personality (type) has its positives and negatives.

Celebrate how God made you. Rejoice in who you are and rather pray something like this: "Lord make me the best possible version of me"

You might look at Peter (the guy in the Bible)and think what a hot headed fool, so full of himself, never thinking before speaking, he always "reacts" to a situation rather that "respond", not a good leader...etc.

But if I am not mistaken isn't he the guy that Jesus said he will build His church on?

Thank God for creating YOU and that you ARE part of His plan.

The God who calls us..."Come follow me"

I started this blog to record my Ironman 70.3 journey and to share the lessons learnt along the way, but then a very dear friend of mine reminded me that others enjoy my blog and find it meaningful and that I should blog more often - so here goes...


The season of Lent reminds me that God has a plan for his people, humanity, creation and so our God is a God that forever calls us... he calls us out of our places of brokenness, pain and hopelessness,  into his presence, into healing, into life, into purpose, wholeness and hope; “Come follow me...” he called the Israelites from slavery, he called the Essenes, he called Elijah, he called Moses, he called John the Baptist : "Came follow me" and this journey has two key  stops, two key moments that I believe repeat themselves over and over in our lives (perhaps because we slow learners or stubborn) but they are key in reaching our destination which ultimately is eternal life in the presence of God. 


The first is the desert, the desert is so important throughout scripture, we see the desert experience in the lives of all the key figures in the Bible,  because it teaches obedience and devotion which is necessary if we are to progress along this journey. The desert is where I realize that God needs to be part of my life if I am to "survive"

The second key moment along this journey is the cross! Complete surrender to God to the point of dying to self. This is where God doesn’t just have a piece of me but he is at the centre and my whole life revolves around Him. The Cross is where I realize that God shouldn't just be part of my life but that he should be at the center of my life should that I can "live life to its fullest"

Mauritius

Well I had a wonderful weekend in Mauritius and it was an experience that I will never forget, it would have been so much nicer if Catherine came with but at least I got to meet some very interesting people. I met the spokesperson for vodafone, the Dutch ambassador to the Vatican; and last but not least Miss France!

But one thing that just struck me once again was how money changes your world-view and also the way you interact with the people around you.

Matthew and Bethany I pray that you will always remember that it is not what you have or don't have that determines your value in life!  But rather what you become and what God thinks off you.

"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. ^17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him."

(The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 (Jn 3:16-17). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.)

Life...bitter-sweet!

I have just been reminded again this week that life is full of surprises and most of the time it is bitter-sweet. A lady came to see me this morning and asked if I could marry her and her fiancee but the only catch is that the ceremony will be in Mauritius and would I be willing to go to Mauritius (all expenses paid) and do the ceremony for them...mm mm let me think about it....yes!!! What a wonderful surprise, I did not wake up this morning even thinking that I will be going to Mauritius to conduct a wedding. Then in my next meeting of the morning my worship pastor told me he was leaving! Again I did not wake up this morning expecting that.

So, life is and always will be a journey which often surprises us. Some surprises are sweet and others...bitter! Are we open to being surprised? Are open to the journey that God wants to take us on or are we so caught up in our schedules and "to-do-lists" that we miss what God wants to do for us, in us, and through us.

Pace Yourself...

Its a marathon not a sprint. I am learning more and more the importance of consistency (pacing yourself). All to often I encounter people who start something with great enthusiasm, passion and energy but halfway through you can see their enthusiasm waining. It is so important to be balanced and consistent, to pace yourself in order to finish the race marked out for you.

Life is not a sprint!

10 Principles to build your life on...Part 2

VI. EDUCATION Pro3:13-24.

Pillar No. 6 - Take divine wisdom by diligent study of God’s word

Instruction:
Pro 3:21 My son, do not lose sight of these things. Use priceless wisdom and foresight.
Pro 3:22 Then they will mean life for you, and they will grace your neck.

Promise:
Pro 3:23 Then you will go safely on your way, and you will not hurt your foot.
Pro 3:24 When you lie down, you will not be afraid. As you lie there, your sleep will be sweet.


VII. RISK TAKING Pro 3: 25-26

Pillar No. 7 - Do not be afraid to take the step of faith. Take your confidence in the power of God.

Instruction:
Pro 3:25 Do not be afraid of sudden terror or of the destruction of wicked people when it comes.
Promise:
Pro 3:26 The LORD will be your confidence. He will keep your foot from getting caught.

It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotion, and spends himself in a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement; and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.

VIII. OPENHANDEDNESS Pro_3:27-28

Pillar No. 8 - Practice compassion and sympathy with less fortunate people

Instruction:
Pro 3:27 Do not hold back anything good from those who are entitled to it when you have the power to do so.
Pro 3:28 When you have the good thing with you, do not tell your neighbor, "Go away! Come back tomorrow. I’ll give you something then."


IX. UNITY Pro_3:29-30

Pillar No. 9 - Be at peace with all people as much as possible

Pro 3:29 Do not plan to do something wrong to your neighbor while he is sitting there with you and suspecting nothing.
Pro 3:30 Do not quarrel with a person for no reason if he has not harmed you.
In a Peanuts cartoon Lucy demanded that Linus change TV channels, threatening him with her fist if he didn't. "What makes you think you can walk right in here and take over?" asks Linus.

"These five fingers," says Lucy. "Individually they're nothing but when I curl them together like this into a single unit, they form a weapon that is terrible to behold."

"Which channel do you want?" asks Linus. Turning away, he looks at his fingers and says, "Why can't you guys get organized like that?"

X. SATISFACTION Pro_3:31-32

Pillar No. 10 - Be satisfied with what you have and practice the spirit of thankfulness

Pro 3:31 Do not envy a violent person. Do not choose any of his ways.
Pro 3:32 The devious person is disgusting to the LORD. The LORD’S intimate advice is with decent people.

DO YOU WANT TO BE PROSPEROUS AND SUCCESSFUL THIS YEAR?

Jos 1:8 Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.

10 Principles to build your life on...Part 1

10 PILLARS OF A PROSPEROUS LIFE - Proverbs 3:1-3:35


King Solomon, who ruled in the golden days of prosperity of Israel from 971 BC to 931 BC, wrote the book of Proverbs under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. In Proverb Chapter 3, he recorded the secrets of living in good health, success and peace. Let us study these biblical principles and discover that it is also relevant to our lives today.

I. PRIORITY: Prov 3:1-4


Pillar No. 1 - Set your priority according to God’s word.

Instruction toward God:
Pro 3:1 My son, do not forget my teachings, and keep my commands in mind,

Promise if you will obey:
Pro 3:2 because they will bring you long life, good years, and peace.

Instruction toward others:
Pro 3:3 Do not let mercy and truth leave you. Fasten them around your neck. Write them on the tablet of your heart.

Promise if you will obey:
Pro 3:4 Then you will find favour and much success in the sight of God and humanity.

The arrangement or your priorities today will determine the product of your future.


Clovis Chappell, a minister from a century back, used to tell the story of two paddleboats. They left Memphis about the same time, traveling down the Mississippi River to New Orleans. As they traveled side by side, sailors from one vessel made a few remarks about the snail's pace of the other.

Words were exchanged. Challenges were made. And the race began. Competition became vicious as the two boats roared through the Deep South.

One boat began falling behind. Not enough fuel. There had been plenty of coal for the trip, but not enough for a race. As the boat dropped back, an enterprising young sailor took some of the ship's cargo and tossed it into the ovens. When the sailors saw that the supplies burned as well as the coal, they fuelled their boat with the material they had been assigned to transport. They ended up winning the race, but burned their cargo.

God has entrusted cargo to us, too: children, spouses, friends. Our job is to do our part in seeing that this cargo reaches its destination. How much cargo do we sacrifice in order to achieve the promotion, the win, the finances,...?


Priority Check...is there room in your life for...
1) Worship – Love
2) Fellowship – Compassion
3) Discipleship – Growth
4) Ministry – Service
5) Mission – Mission

II. RELIANCE: Prov 3:5-6


Pillar No. 2 - Rely on the wisdom and power of God and not of your own understanding only.
Instruction:
Pro 3:5 Trust the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding.

Promise:
Pro 3:6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths smooth.

You can never rely on God if your perception is limited only on what you can see. The Bible said: We do not look at the things that can be seen. We look at the things that cannot be seen. The things that can be seen will come to an end. But the things that cannot be seen will last forever. (2Cor 4:18 NLV)

Relying and trusting God required the activation of our 6th sense which is the eyes of faith. The bible said: Faith assures us of things we expect and convinces us of the existence of things we cannot see. Heb 11:1 GW


III. OBEDIENCE: Prov 3:7-8

Pillar No. 3 - Obey God’s word and not your own will and desires
Instruction:
Pro 3:7 Do not consider yourself wise. Fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.

Promise:
Pro 3:8 Then your body will be healed, and your bones will have nourishment.

Though God has a wonderful plan for our future but we can only come to the fullness of God’s plan into our lives by the walk of faith. Faith is the ability to see our future based on the promises and guidance of the word of God. You have to choose to believe on the word of God even if it is opposite with our feelings and human understanding. The eyes of God can see not only our past and present but God can see our future.

Our faith is what allows us to enter the future -- not with a question mark -- but with an exclamation point!

IV. SOWING Pro_3:9-10

Pillar No. 4 – Acknowledge God’s ownership of everything by giving back what is due to Him and be generous also with other people

Instruction:
Pro 3:9 Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the first and best part of all your income.

Promise:
Pro 3:10 Then your barns will be full, and your vats will overflow with fresh wine.

Sowing is part of natural and universal law and giving to the Lord is compare to it. God measures the allocation of our blessings by our generosity. You can never have a time of harvest in the future unless you start sowing today.

2Co 9:6 Remember this-a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop.
2Co 9:7 You must each make up your own mind as to how much you should give. Don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. For God loves the person who gives cheerfully.
2Co 9:8 And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.

V. PLIABILITY Pro_3:11-12

Pillar No. 5 - Be teachable! Brokenness and pliability of the heart is the beginning of maturity
Instruction:
Pro 3:11 Do not reject the discipline of the LORD, my son, and do not resent his warning,

Profit:
Pro 3:12 because the LORD warns the one he loves, even as a father warns a son with whom he is pleased.

Blessing can be a disaster if we are not ready when it comes. That is the same reason that God wants to shape us first to fit in for the blessing that God is going to pour on us.

The preparation time plus the process of shaping maybe hard and painful, but the outcome is surely for our own benefit.