Dice - Not a matter of luck

The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD. Proverbs 16:33 (New International Version)

In Jesus plan for us, there is no such thing as "luck". Even a higher probabilistic result of throwing of dice is subjected to the Lord's control.

That's speaks a lot about our situations.

Satan has to ask God for permission to test Job, and even so clear guidelines are given to Satan. Satan has to play by God's rules!

Take heart, our troubles are all in the good hands of God.

Renew your mind today, focus on God, not the problem.

God bless your day!

Mission

Your ministry is your service to believers and your mission is your service to unbelievers.

What is you mission?

Pondering over this question has made me realised one thing. The desire to reach out has slowed over the years compared to the times when I was just a new covert more than 10 years ago.

What has changed?

I am older now, more responsibilities, becoming more socially aware of human emotions, human pride or looking good has sometimes become more important than looking foolish for Jesus. Social achievement becomes far more important than just talking about Jesus and I believe one of the most damaging lies is that it is absolutely mandatory to become successful to be able to talk to others about Jesus. People don’t listen to “unsuccessful” people.

By successful, I meant “a certain social status” in financial terms.

Indeed, my mindset has been clouded dramatically.

While Jesus did not say that it is wrong to be successful, it is important that we remain focused on the “mission” of reaching out even in our successes.

Addressing the earlier issue of needing to be “successful” prior to reaching out, a mindset change is required to know that it is by genuine love and concern; a heart can be changed, regardless of social status. Without the equivalent of a social status, the initial might be difficult but as time goes by (as it is still true that being successful has certain leverage), these surfaces can be chiselled away by the sincere heart.

Also, we need to be aware that the biblical model of prosperity can be in many forms, not just financial. You can be poor and still prospering in your Spirit or you can be so rich financially but still feel empty inside.

Rick Warren’s dad lifetime mission was to “got to save one more for Jesus”; I believe that this should be our primary mission in life too.

Thorn

“To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.” 2 Corinthians 12:7-9 (New International Version)

I used to read this verse with clouded eyes thinking that Paul being a great man of God is often a victim of sin. True, he has a great calling as an Apostle but like many greats in the bible, they have their fair share of problems.

In my reading of the “Purpose Driven Life” Devotion, I was corrected of my understanding of this verse. The thorn is not referring to a sin or vice or character defect, but rather, it is referring to a weakness; something that you have inherited or have no power to change. It can be physical, emotional or an intellectual limitation.

From the above verse, we know that God has given Paul great revelations, but God has also allowed a thorn in Paul’s life to keep him aware of his limitations. God uses weak people, so that the glory is not theirs but rather God. If man can already glory in themselves then in reality there is then no need for a God.

In this current journey that I am walking, I often share with my wife that in just short 2 years, how much of our lives have changed. Many things have changed for the better but we do get tired of the times that we are concern of the finances. In learning to trust God this season, we have come to a stage where we know we do not have control. We often caught ourselves thinking, if we have chose to stick to our jobs; things would definitely be financially rosier. However, we are also aware of the many other blessing (Family, friends, gifts that are within us etc) that God has placed in our life, or we have come to be aware of when we are in need and we are determined to carry on this journey.

I guess at this juncture, the key thing is to be totally honest of our situation and not seem to be showing that “We have got it all together”. A work of tapering away my self-dependence has taken place and for God to use me in His plans ahead, some of my weaknesses have to be dealt with early on. Definitely, one of the most important lessons to learn is to know that His grace is sufficient for me and His power can only be made perfect in my weakness.

A lesson to be learnt experientially.

Colossians 3:23

(New International Version)
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men,

(The Message)
Servants, do what you're told by your earthly masters. And don't just do the minimum that will get you by. Do your best. Work from the heart for your real Master, for God, confident that you'll get paid in full when you come into your inheritance. Keep in mind always that the ultimate Master you're serving is Christ. The sullen servant who does shoddy work will be held responsible. Being a follower of Jesus doesn't cover up bad work.

(Amplified Bible)
Whatever may be your task, work at it heartily (from the soul), as [something done] for the Lord and not for men,

(New Living Translation)
Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.

(King James Version)
And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;

(New King James Version)
And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men,

(Holman Christian Standard Bible)
Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically, as something done for the Lord and not for men,

(New International Reader's Version)
Work at everything you do with all your heart. Work as if you were working for the Lord, not for human masters.

(Contemporary English Version)
Do your work willingly, as though you were serving the Lord himself, and not just your earthly master.

Seek

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33 (New International Version)

Matthew 6:33 has always been an encouragement and a verse that I claim knowing that as I give my priority to Godly things, He will take care of my every need. However, there is one thing that I cannot understand concerning balancing the reality of meeting the needs of everyday life versus taking the step of putting God first. I am referring specifically to financial provisions. I need to see the connection between financial provision and daily needs being met more clearly.

Most of are engaged in the rat race and this comment about not liking the job that they are doing but having to do it to pay the bills is common. So how do we still have the energy to serve God if all our time is mainly engaged in allowing us to just survive? How does Matthew 6:33 make any sense? Does it also then mean that on top of our daily slog to make ends meet, we need to make time for God’s ministry so that we qualify for Matthew 6:33? Where then is time left for the family which holds a higher priority than ministry? Is Matthew 6:33 a possibility or is it just something that is reserved for Pastors given that they are in the act of service ALL the time?

Going through the “Purpose Driven Devotion”, I came across this chapter on “Understanding your shape”. As in my earlier post on Shape, it is stated that humans have approximately 700 skills and that means that we can achievers by nature and not called just to survive. It also goes on to say that one key purpose is to sieve out that one skill (out of 700 skills) that is defined by God to achieve His Godly assignment for you on earth in a given season. In the book, the steps to finding that out are discussed.

With the above, Matthew 6:33 takes on a new meaning. Devote your energy in knowing what God want you to do for your Godly assignment on earth to fulfil His purpose. Everyone is unique and there is only one that can do it the way that you can do it resulting in a different favour from the rest of the world. It is for this very reason that you are skilled SPECIFICALLY by God to achieve His purpose, success is only a natural result. You might go through tough times but it is always for the purpose of moulding for something greater! When you get good at something, you naturally provide value in that realm and as a result finances will naturally come. This revelation has come to bring a new light and therefore relief to what I need to do for life going forward. That is to do less, and achieve more! You are in the ministry of God when you are acting in His calling. (Yes, that means working in the marketplace also)

To put it simply, find your purpose, find LIFE!

To end off, the “Message” bible translates it very well… I leave you to ponder

"If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Matthew 6:30-33 (The Message)

Shapes

This season I am reading “Purpose Driven Life” for devotion.

Ever wondered why when someone raved about a “must-read” book and when you got hold of it, you find it “so-so”. Well, that happens to me lots and the only reason for that is that books only appeal if they speak to your season in your life at that point in time.

For me, I have tried countless times to read through the”Purpose Driven Life” and in all attempts, failed miserably. This is in spite of all the accolades awarded on this book. Well, the fault isn’t really with Pastor Rick Warren, it’s just that when all things are rosy, things in the book were taken as a given…in short, not hungry enough.

Many years later, the book has turned yellow from the permanent position given on the book shelve and now in all its “glory”, the book has turned out to be a great devotion, a defining read in my life.

One of the facts stated is this:

“Many studies have revealed that the average person possesses from 500 to 700 different skills and ability – far more than you realise… You are a bundle of incredible abilities, an amazing creation of God. Part of the church’s responsibility is to identify and release your abilities for serving God”

Come to think of it, AMAZING is an understatement. However, reality only has it that we are to sieve through the many skills that we have and find out that which God has given for eternal purposes. I think we tend to miss this step and in the bustle of everyday life, or rather in the quest to make ends meet, this essential quality of life has been downplayed, many terming it as the idealistic lifestyle that do not exist.

However, we have also seen many successes that result from people that have discovered their skills and they are put into good use in seasons that God has prepared. (Without Bill Gates, the world of software would be a different place, Warren Buffet and his ability to read markets in a contrarian manner)

So what is more important? Finding THAT skill or just carry on chasing the rat race and trying to survive it? The key is always balance, finding THE skill takes many trial and error, we have so many and we need to try them out to see which is so natural and it almost don’t feel like work when you are doing it. Motivation is still present in different times.

It’s worth the effort to take time to discover, because when you find that, you find life. Life that God has ordained for you.

Determine your shape today..start now.

The Better Life

How do you define "A Better Life?"

A life without worries, a life with financial prosperity, a life that is smooth flowing, a life lived out avoiding all possible conflicts or things that are difficult?

I always have this thought that a better life is one that is mainly about financial abundance. I always think that only by having lots of money is the key to happiness. I am also okay to work in a job that I might not really like but it gives me the comfort of getting by every day, wife and kids have no problems with spending, food on the table is a non-issue and probably once a year, we head for a holiday.

However, if I am to be totally honest, there is a sense of loss inside.

Well, then on the flip side, does it mean that I need to be totally poor to enjoy the better life? Without money, how can I get food on the table for my family. Doesn't that then result in stress and discontentment in the family. After all, it is biblical that one of the calling of men is to bring home the dough. What about all the luxuries in life? Does in mean that I have to forsake them all for the sake of the better life..a life without distraction so that I can serve God better and money does not become a key distraction in my life?

To be frank, I have experienced both ends of the spectrum in financial capability. There was a time where money was not an issue and then there was a time when everyday you are wondering if there is money to put food on the table. Interestingly, there is a greater sense of joy within the family when we were in times of need. 2 words are key when going through times of need:

1. Dependence - totally honest with God and family about current situation and not giving up on the Hope which God has called you to.
2. Attitude - it is interesting that with the right attitude we seemed to be much happier when we were in need as a family.

Well, I am not advocating that we should all live a life of poverty to be happy. There are seasons in life where we need to go through moulding to gain character, and that character is required for us to accomplish something higher and better. It is like a stretching and growing of character. The bible did say in Matthew 6:33 "Seek Him first and ALL things shall be added unto you".

In times of lack or trouble, trust God and out of learning to trust God to bring you into the promised land and joy will still result whether in want or in plenty.

To end off, 2 useful quotes from Purpose Driven Life:

1. Meaning is far more important than money.
2. "A simple life in the fear-of-God is better than a rich life with a ton of headaches" -- by richest man in the world at time of writing book.

Appointed From

I was appointed from eternity, from the beginning, before the world began. When there were no oceans, I was given birth, when there were no springs abounding with water; Proverbs 8:23-24

There is a huge difference between the use of the word “from” and “for”.

In the use of the word “for” means that I was created to live for eternity which sounds great, meaning to say that I know that things on earth is largely temporal and thus, certain things in life takes a lower priority in the light of planning for eternity.

When the word “from” is used, it tells me that I am planned with the end in mind. A plan already laid out for me to run. Now that makes perfect sense as it would then tell me not only to align my priorities for eternity but also means that I have a specific purpose / mission to fulfil on this earth.

Why is this important?

Ever caught yourself “silently” telling yourself that “Life is meaningless” or parents saying things like “You are an accident, not planned”. Well, society adds on by telling you that you are not good enough and you cannot get things right. All these negativity seems to point us to the fact that we are created to be miserable and thus life on earth is just a learning to survive in a “Dog-eat-dog world”

However, it doesn’t have to be that way! God made you for a specific purpose. A reason that you can run through the race of life in a fashion that you feel empowered, because it is made just for you!

Even when we go through trials when operating in our purpose, it is meant to bring us to the next level, strengthen our character so that we can take on more.
So remember, take time finding out the most important aspect of your life, find God, find Life!

Just how powerful is God?

I often pondered upon this question “How powerful is God exactly?” One of my mission this year is to experience Matthew 19:28 “ With God, All things are possible..”

In the Bible, I have often read about miracles of God delivering God’s people from dire situations. Moses at the Red sea when chased by the Egyptians, Daniel rescued from the Lion’s den, Elijah fed by ravens when on the run, God’s many alternative (not too say the most unconventional warfare techniques) methods of winning a war (Joshua, Gideon, just to name a few) and the list goes on.. There is definitely one that tells us of the providing nature of God, the provision of food to multitudes just by 5 loafs of bread and 2 fishes belonging to that of a young boy!

Perhaps the most evident show of Power is found right at the beginning .. at Genesis 1.

6 days… this is all the time required by God to create a universe with life forms. Talk about effective time planning and maximum productivity! Not bad for an average work week for God and to top it off, he manages to get one off day..wow!

God took 6 days to form a universe and in that context of a show of power, Genesis 1:26 begin to take a new meaning.

Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground." Genesis 1:26

We need to awaken to the fact that we were created with the same power that has allowed Creator God to make the universe in just 6 days. Some say that we only utilise a small fraction of what the power of the mind can achieve and it is evident that a focused mind can do wonders.

Armed with this knowledge, it’s time to arise and tap on that power that God has created you with and above all, showed us many examples of how that power can be utilised to fulfil his purposes in this temporal assignment on earth.