How To Become A People Magnet: 62 Life-Changing Tips To Attract Everyone You Meet (2019) by Marc Reklau, Book Review

 How To Become A People Magnet: 62 Life-Changing Tips To Attract Everyone You Meet (2019) by Marc Reklau

Bad news: I've not become a people magnet after I finished reading it. Good news: This book reminds me to at least try to increase my magnet-ism or be a less annoying person (or don't make it worse! It is hard to be one if one of my heroes of faith is John the Baptist). Hey, these are "tips" not a book of spells, and reading alone will not make any difference in anyone's social lives if not practiced. It is application, not knowledge, that transforms people. For sure, salespeople need to read this book! But it is also good for anyone who wants to improve their social skills and relationships. The author writes, "The most successful people are usually the ones who best get along with people. (Of course, there are always exceptions to the rule). Science tells us that the number one predictor of success and lasting happiness is our social relationships. People with a strong social network even live longer!"

I've observed how tactless young people are today when they try to communicate with others. I've seen how insensitive people are when interacting with those who are younger than them. I've witnessed many awkward communications between students and coworkers. Some people say technologies and gadgets are the enemy, but it's not entirely true. I think it's our personal belief that says (at its core), "People are not important; I am!" Ryan Holiday's book title summed it up well: "Ego is the enemy.” Even if egoistic people seem interested in building relationships, their main goal is not to serve but to use others, not to build but to manipulate others. Thus, these tips can be used for both good and evil, but as the Scripture says, "There is nothing concealed that it will not be revealed, nor so hidden that it will not be made known."

This short book is divided into seven (7) parts. Some tips are very common sense ("Be friendly"), too positive ("Don't criticize"), and probably not suitable for certain types of people ("Praise and praise a lot!"). Most tips are good reminders ("Listen to people actively"), practical ("How to make a good impression"), and humbling ("Talk about your own mistakes first"). There are a few tips that I know I need to practice, but I just can't imagine myself doing them. My excuse is my personality, but in high probability, it's my ego. Lord, help me, a sinner. By the way, on a related topic, I want to recommend these books:

• Winning With People and 25 Ways to Win With People by John C. Maxwell

• How To Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie

• The Rules of People by Richard Templar

• The Laws of Human Nature by Robert Greene

 #ServeToLead #LeadersAreReaders #HowToBecomeAPeopleMagnet #MarcReklau #PeopleSkills #Relationships #LetsMakeReadingCoolAgain

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Don't Give Up, Don't Give In: Lessons from An Extraordinary Life (2014) by Louis Zamperini & David Rensin, Book Review

Have you watched the movie Unbroken (2014) directed by Angelina Jolie? If not, then you should watch it. Now! If yes, then you will know who is the late Louis "Louie" Zamperini (1917 - 2014). A remarkable man. An athlete in the field and life. A survivor. I love to read stories from people who endure hardship and yet do not come out as bitter but inspirational. Read autobiographies of those like Viktor Frankl's Man's Search for Meaning (1946), Elie Wiesel's Night (1956), Richard Wurmbrand's Tortured for Christ (1967), Anne Frank's The Diary of a Young Girl (1947), Zamperini's Devil at My Heels (2003) and see if you still can complain about the little things in life. They show us how we can find hope amid suffering, love amid hatred, and radical forgiveness amid evil acts. They are not perfect, and that's good because we can relate. When a graduate from the school of hard knocks like Zamperini gives advice, I think and take notes.

So many good lessons I've learned from this book. It's not that these lessons are new and revolutionary (self-help books, for example, are saying the same things only with different packages) but because Zamperini's life and integrity back up most of his words, I find that they are refreshing... and real. Everyone can say something profound about forgiveness but when Zamperini - who was captured, tortured, and abused both physically and psychologically by the Japanese soldiers during World War II for more than 2 years - say it, the lesson goes from my head to heart. After his conversion under Billy Graham's preaching, Zamperini writes: "My faith grew. A year later I returned to Japan. I asked to meet my prison guards - now incarcerated as war criminals - determined to forgive them all in person. The hardest thing in life is to forgive. But hate is self-destructive. If you hate somebody you're not hurting the person you hate, you're hurting yourself. Forgiveness is healing." His wife, Cynthia Applewhite, agreed. She said, "Louie truly became a different person, able to forget the bitterness and sincerely forgive."

This and many more. Other of my favorite lessons is commitment and perseverance. Very uplifting! It's a short book, only 238 pages. I bought it cheap only RM19.90 from Popular Bookstore.

#ServeToLead #LeadersAreReaders #LouisZamperini #Unbroken #DontGiveUpDontGiveIn #LetsMakeReadingCoolAgain

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The Corinthian Agenda (1982, 2004) by Michael Green, Summary-Review

 The Corinthian Agenda (1982, 2004) by Michael Green

“The apostle [Paul]’s love for his wayward church at Corinth is very obvious,” concludes the late Dr. Michael Green, an author, evangelist, and theologian. “He had after all found it. He had visited them at considerable inconvenience on numerous occasions. He had poured out his heart in letters to them and sent colleagues to help them. They were very dear to him. And yet, like any good father, he has to correct their failures and weaknesses. I am thankful he did. For what he has to say is of enormous value for the contemporary church, if only we will heed it.” I agree. God’s church in Corinth was very privileged in the early New Testament times. Paul testified: “I always thank my God for you and for the gracious gifts He has given you, now that you belong to Christ Jesus. Through Him, God has enriched your church in every way…” and “you have every spiritual gift you need…” (1 Corinthians 1:4-5, 7).

But with all of these gifts, it doesn’t guarantee that the church is all well. The issues within the church in Corinth were very serious and yet it is a blessing for us today. Why? Because without them, we won’t know how to think theologically and handle practically based on the Scripture the same issues facing the church today! So we should thank God for using Paul to give us these two sacred letters - 1 and 2 Corinthians. These letters (the scholars suggest that perhaps Paul have written at least three or four letters to the Corinthians, two of them completely or partially lost) are a remarkable record of the relations “between the greatest of church planters and one of the most influential communities [Paul] founded and cared for.” In the period of reading this book, I also took time to read 1 & 2 Corinthians in the New Living Translation (NLT) and listened to audio Bible in King James Version (KJV) read by the legendary voice of Alexander Scourby. In this way, I can get the most from the Scripture and the book. I recommend this practice especially if you’re reading Bible commentary!

In this book, Michael Green (1930 - 2019) selected some very important issues or major themes and devoted a short chapter for each. This is not a verse by verse commentary but the author just wants to show how “Paul speaks directly to us over a broad range of issues in the Christian life, and speaks with an incisiveness, clarity, and authority that are rare.” There are 3 parts (The Church, The Members & Authority) and 17 short chapters on Mission, Baptism, The Lord’s Supper, Body Life, Love, Worship, Prophecy, Intellect, Freedom, Giving, Sex, Suffering, Death, Leaders, Women & Apostles. As you can see, some of these themes are still hot issues nowadays and very much debate between and within the Christian denominational circles. Of course, I don’t agree with everything Dr. Green writes but if I only read books that I agree with, what benefits will I get? For sure, he was very passionate for the word of God, always trying to provide a balanced view on difficult issues, making sure that important points have Scripture references, and aim to be as plain and practical as possible so that we can apply these truths or principles in our everyday life. The Corinthian Agenda (first published as To Corinth with Love) is a good overview of these sacred letters. But if you want to study in-depth I suggest getting a set of 1 & 2 Corinthians MacArthur New Testament Commentary and those from The Bible Speaks Today commentary series.

#ServeToLead #LeadersAreReaders #GrowingLeaders #MichaelGreen #TheCorinthianAgenda #GodsChurch #LetsMakeReadingCoolAgain

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Read the Bible But Don't JUST Read the Bible #1Book1Week October 2021

“When people refer to a man as 'a man of one book’, meaning the Bible, he is generally found to be a man of multitudinous books, which simply isolates the one Book to its proper grandeur,” said Oswald Chambers, a preacher, teacher, and writer of a well-known devotion My Utmost for His Highest. “The man who reads only the Bible does not, as a rule, know it or human life.” I agree wholeheartedly! Mr. Oswald loves for books came in part from his sitting at the feet of the Scottish preacher Alexander Whyte, who taught a series of classes that Oswald attended as a young man. Many times Oswald saw Whyte hold up a battered old book, telling the students, “Sell your beds and buy it.”

Afterward, Oswald never went anywhere without a book. Once, while traveling, he wrote to his sister Florence saying: “My box has at last arrived. My books! I cannot tell you what they mean to me – silent, wealthy, loyal lovers. To look at them, to handle them, and to re-read them! I do thank God for my books with every fiber of my being. Why, I could have almost cried to an excess of joy when I got hold of them again. I see them all just at my elbow now – Plato, Wordsworth, Myers, Bradley, Halyburton, St. Augustine, Browning, Tennyson, Amiel, etc. I know them. I wish you could see how they look at me, a quiet, calm look of certain acquaintance" (quote taken from David McCasland's Oswald Chambers: Abandoned to God).

As Christ-followers, the Bible is our one and only chief Book that we all need to read, study and meditate daily. But this doesn’t mean that it is the only book that we need to read. Broaden your mind, enlarge your visions and uplift your spirit by reading other types or genres of books too. If I need to be inspired to walk in the faith, I read biographies like those of William Carrey, John Calvin, Hudson Taylor, Martin Luther, Charles H. Spurgeon, John Sung, etc. If I want to learn about the Scripture and theology, I turn to John McArthur, J.I. Packer, David Pawson, John Stott, etc. If I want to improve my leadership, I read John C. Maxwell and J. Oswald Sanders. To improve my critical thinking skills, I read Tony Buzan and Edward de Bono. So many subjects, so many choices, so little time! Read widely. Read more. Read daily.

#ServeToLead #GrowingLeaders #LeadersAreReaders #LetsMakeReadingCoolAgain

To read my October 2021 #1Book1Week reviews - obviously, my reading theme was on preaching this month - CLICK TITLES below ���

1) The Supremacy of God In Preaching (1990, 2004) by John Piper
2) Preaching & Preachers (1971, 1997) by D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
3) Charles Spurgeon: The Prince of Preachers (1988) by J. C. Carlile,

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How To Think Like Einstein (2015) by Scott Thorpe, Book Review

How To Think Like Einstein: Simple Ways to Break the Rules and Discover Your Hidden Genius (2000, 2015) by Scott Thorpe

Three primary materials sparked my interest in the life of Albert Einstein, namely, Walter Isaacson's Einstein (2007, an extensive volume biography that I didn't get to finished), a TV series Genius: Einstein (2017, based on Isaacson's book), and John Gribbin's Einstein's Masterwork (2015). I also watched lots of documentaries about his life and works. Thus, I can boast about having general knowledge about Albert Einstein. Still, I cannot say the same when it comes to an understanding of how the general theory of relativity really works (Yes, YouTube videos are helpful. Thank you). Although Albert Einstein wasn't the only gifted intellectual during his lifetime, his accomplishments, especially the 1905 papers, make him the poster-child or the symbol of GENIUS. The words Einstein and genius are synonymous. So no wonder many authors who want to write books on being a genius or discovering your hidden genius will go to Einstein for reference or as the chief model. But I think we shouldn't want to be like Einstein or think precisely like Einstein because Einstein is one of a kind. We are created by God (not evolve) wonderfully and uniquely from everyone else. However, we can - and should - learn from others, including Einstein, even if we disagree with them. When I approach this book with this attitude, I get more from it.

The essence of Einstein's secret to think like a genius, according to the author, is that "you've got to break the rules." I know this is not a piece of top-secret information. But I agree with Scott Thorpe when he writes: "Rules are not always bad things. They are like railroad tracks. If you want to go where the track goes, they are perfect. But like destinations without a rail line, some solutions cannot be reached by following our rules. The only way to get there is to leave the tracks. Rules stunt innovative thinking because they seem so right. They hide the numerous superior solutions that exist but are outside our rule ruts. These great solutions will only be found by breaking the rules." As I observe myself and others, I find that most of our rule ruts are in our heads: we are trained to obey the rules mindlessly, we refuse to think differently when we become 'experts', we hold on to our limited perceptions, we don't stop to notice external forces that influence us, we quickly rejecting contrary evidence, we tend to conform to groupthink, the fear of rejections paralyzes us, etc. A world-class problem-solver and master of rule-breaker, Albert Einstein said, "We must recognize what in our accepted tradition is damaging to our fate and dignity - and shape our lives accordingly."

But even Einstein is not immune to rule ruts. Imagine this: Einstein's intelligence was consistently high throughout his life, and as he grew older, his vast knowledge of mathematics and science increased steadily. At the beginning of 1905, the young Einstein made significant discoveries in physics in his spare time, especially when he developed his special and general theories of relativity (and don't forget the formula, E = MC²). One of the rules that he broke was Isaac Newton's 'time is absolute' rule. When most scientists think that time is absolute, as decreed by Newton, Einstein believes otherwise, saying that time is relative. His productivity and problem-solving skills are in the beast mode. But as he gained reputation and acquired more knowledge, the old professor's spark was diminishing (Ronald William Clark's remarked in his book, Einstein: The Life and Times, another book that I didn't finish, "…later years, he moved his interest from science to politics"). He was still brilliant, but he didn't solve any more critical scientific problems after that. Why? Thorpe explains, "If rule-breaking was the secret to Einstein's genius, then we should expect his problem-solving decline when he didn't break the rules - and that is exactly what happened." Isn't this is sad but true? When you first enter the Christian ministry, you're so full of revolutionary ideas, but after few years of service, you are settling for the old-unchristian rules? When you were appointed leader, you wanted to make a difference, but now it seems like you're stuck in the same situation as before? Perhaps it's time to rethink and examine your current physical and mental rules and start to break the rules! Read this book is an excellent way to know-how.

#ServeToLead #LeadersAreReaders #GrowingLeaders #ThinkLikeAlbertEinstein #BreakTheRules #LetsMakeReadingCoolAgain

To read my previous #1Book1Week book reviews, CLICK HERE  

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The Blind Evangelist Who Sees! (China: Chang Shen) #PersecutedChurch

Before his conversion, Chang Shen had been known as a gambler, womanizer, and thief. When he was stricken blind in midlife, neighbors said it was the judgment of the gods for his evil doings. But everything changed when he heard about Christ for the first time. What happened next?

The story is taken from The Voice of the Martyrs Extreme Devotion Apps.

To watch other stories from this series, CLICK HERE https://bit.ly/LegasiPersecutedChurch

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Romans 1:26-27 The Reason for Homosexual Behaviour (#LetterToTheRomans)

"For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature," writes Paul the Apostle in Romans 1:26-27 and, "the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men..." These are the consequences of something MORE important ⚡What is the reason for homosexual behavior? What is the context of these verses? Where it should lead them - and every one of us - to? #ServeToLead #PreachTheWord #SinIsSin #ThePowerOfTheGospel

To watch previous short studies of #LetterToTheRomans CLICK HERE http://bit.ly/LegasiRomans 


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Children Are Watching YOU!

I was sitting with a group of mothers in the kitchen during my cousin's wedding. I got to get away from the heavy noises and went for a coffee. I overheard one of the mothers said, "I don't know how to tell my daughter to stop playing with her phone and study for the exam." And then I observe, she always holding her phone while complaining about her daughter. It's like an alcoholic father telling his son to be a good man. How irony.

"There is nothing more influential in a child's life than the moral power of a quiet example," reminds William J. Bennett. "For children to take morality seriously, they must see adults who take morality seriously" ���⚡��� #ServeToLead #LeadingByExample #ChildrenDoWhatChildrenSee

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Why Does God Let Us Get Old and Weak?

A woman who was facing the difficulties of aging asked Bible teacher J. Robertson McQuilkin, "Why does God let us get old and weak?" He replied:

“I think God has planned the strength and beauty of youth to be physical. But the strength and beauty of old age are spiritual. We gradually lose the strength and beauty that is temporary, so we’ll be sure to concentrate on the strength and beauty which is forever. And so we'll be eager to leave the temporary, deteriorating part of us and be truly homesick for our eternal home. If we stayed young and strong and beautiful, we might never want to leave."

Are you just grow old or are you also getting more godly? Is your growing old making you any closer to Christ?

#ServeToLead #PreachTheWord #OldAgeMoreGrace #StillBearFruitInOldAge

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Unplugged: How to Live Mindfully in a Digital World (2014) by Orianna Fielding, Book Review

 
Unplugged: How to Live Mindfully in a Digital World (2014) by Orianna Fielding

I'm very interested in digital psychology and the impact of digital technology on our mental health for many years now (for book and TED Talk recommendations, see lists below). And thus, the research studies and the author's personal experiences, although some of the ways she processes the information are unique, are very familiar to me. But it's good to be reminded over and over again about the dangers of digital addiction and how to overcome it. "Connectivity now permeates every area of our lives," admits Fielding, an internationally recognized designer, and curator, "Technology has enabled us to do things that ten years ago were unthinkable. It has also completely changed many of the elements that historically formed the foundation of how we lived and interacted with each other, increasingly adversely affecting the most essential and fundamental elements of being human."

Granted, every one of us thinks about technology differently and our level of relationship to it is based on our context, purpose, and personality. Let's talk about the most familiar digital technology: social media on the smartphone. For example, I don't see any intrinsic value in Twitter because either the post is too trivial (mean useless to know) or abridge (mean too short to care). But for my friend, Peter, Twitter is just right because he only wanted to know the main headline of the news. I also see Instagram as non-beneficial for me because the Algorithm is specially designed for users to post as frequently as possible and looking at mosaic photos of myself is just weird (plus, I'm not that attractive). But for a businesswoman like Sarah, Instagram is a haven for potential customers, or Jilian, a social media model, Instagram is just the right tool to showcase her beauty and beauty products. However, I love YouTube and Spotify the most because they contain wide treasures of knowledge, information, and entertainment. I spent most of my time here as opposed to any other social media. So you see, the way we choose to connect with our social media is not one-size-fits-all. But do you know what is our similarity? To some degree, all of us are ADDICTED to social media - and generally speaking, to digital technology. Like it or not, "we are living in a culture dominated by digital excess."

At the beginning of the book, Fielding outlines 12 signs of digital overload. Let me share the 6 most frequent signs, in summary: 1) Checking your digital device first thing in the morning, getting up during the night to check for messages, and regularly using some form of digital device in bed; 2) Checking your smartphone while at a meal with others; 3) Spending little time outside and often eating at your desk; 4) Getting distracted easily even when offline and finding it hard to focus fully on one task; 5) Being with family members but spending most of your time at home on a device; and 6) Wanting to stop using your smartphone and finding that you just can't, having tried repeatedly but unsuccessfully to control your internet use. If you can identify with most of these signs, then, this may be a good indicator that it might be the right time for you to unplugged, undertake a digital detox, and reboot your life. I believe it is not about letting go of digital technology altogether - in fact, if we want to progress in life, we must embrace it - but making sure that it doesn't control our lives. Fielding equips: "Unplugging is not so much a disconnection as a fine-tuning of our inner search engine. Practicing moderation by finding a workable balance between our digital connectivity and our real-life connections is the key to establishing a new digital protocol where we can be fully present in our lives while using our digital devices as the tools they were designed to be."

There are lots of tips, suggestions, and very useful digital detox ideas outline in this book. It is never mean to be taken literally but you must try it for yourself first (remember, our context, purpose, and personality are different) and modify your practices along the way. Think big, start small, go deep. Perhaps, you can join me in reading books!  #1Book1Week ��� I know you can if you read this till the end ��� It is possible! ��������� #Unplugged #DigitalDetox #LeadersAreReaders #GrowingLeaders #LetsMakeReadingCoolAgain

 Book and TED Talk recommendations:

 1) Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success In a Distracted World (2016) by Cal Newport. CLICK HERE to read my review. Watch his TED Talk too.

 2) Hyperfocus: How to Be More Productive In a World of Distraction (2018) by Christ Bailey. Watch his TED Talk too. I didn't manage to write a review for this one.

 3) Six Books on the Effect of Technology & Social Media. CLICK HERE to see my recommendations.

4) TEDx Talk: What You Are Missing While Being a Digital Zombie by Patrik Wincent https://youtu.be/TAIxb42FjwE  

5) TED Talk: Connected, But Alone? by Sherry Turkle https://youtu.be/t7Xr3AsBEK4 

6) How about documentaries? Let me suggest two - Disconnected (2017) directed by Salem Habbous https://youtu.be/MkIiMP--1h8 & The Social Dilemma (2020) directed by Jeff Orlowski on Netflix

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Goodbye, things (2015) by Fumio Sasaki & Minimalism (2017) by K.L. Hammond

 

Goodbye, things: on Minimalist Living (2015) by Fumio Sasaki &

Minimalism for Living, Family, and Budgeting (2017) by K.L. Hammond

Finished listening to these two audiobooks this week as a follow-up with the previous one by Kiku Katana's Minimalism (to read my general view and opinion on minimalism philosophy, CLICK HERE). I find that these two authors are very interesting. Like I said in the review, the philosophy of minimalism is simple (true to its meaning), but the implementation is different based on context, culture, and preferences.

Fumio (read the book a few years ago borrowed from the state library) writes from the Eastern - or Japanese, to be exact - background. Meanwhile, Hammond, I presume based on his examples and contents, from the Western background. Fumio is well-known (next after Marie Kondo) in the minimalist world, but, Hammond, although has written other books on different subjects, is not that popular. I can relate to Fumio's experience more than Hammond's because Fumio is a single man but Hammond is a family man. Yet, I'm more inclined to Hammond's ideal of things because Fumio can be a little bit extreme (oh yes, Hammond too in some points). Which one is better? Well, it depends. If I have to suggest one between the two, I say, read Fumio's goodbye, things, especially if you're still single. But the holistic view that Hammond adopts in this book like family and budgeting (i.e. financing) is very much needed for both singles and married couples in a difficult time nowadays. By the way, consider their ideas and suggestions but don't take them too literally. Follow it if it's good. Tweak it until you're comfortable. Toss it if it's impractical. This is a philosophy, not an orthodox religion.

Let me suggest some FREE resources for you to get to know what is minimalism and probably you can apply some of the ideas in your lives ��� P.s: Just be careful not to be too obsessed with it. I find that the philosophy is harmless but the movement(s) have the potential to become a cult ��� #1Book1Week #LeadersAreReaders #GrowingLeaders #Minimalism #Philosophy #LetsMakeReadingCoolAgain

1) DOCUMENTARY. Minimalism: A Documentary About the Important Things (2016) by The Minimalists, click here ��� https://youtu.be/27So9GlE87w 

2) SERMON. Less: A Biblical Guide for Living Joyfully with Less Stuff by Spencer Bernand, click here ��� https://youtu.be/-YzZijLr-bo 

3) BLOG & PODCAST. Becoming Minimalist by Joshua Becker, click here ��� https://www.becomingminimalist.com/

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Timothy, Keep A Close Watch on Yourself and on the Doctrine (1 Timothy 4:16)

 

“Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by doing so you will save both yourself and your hearers” (1 Timothy 4:16, ESV)

This last verse of chapter 4 is a very powerful reminder for us today – preachers and teachers, especially and all Christians, generally. Previously, the apostle Paul tells Timothy to “devote [himself] to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching” (v.13, bracket mine) and do “not neglect the gift” (v.14) that God has given to him. And now, Paul wants him to “keep a close watch” or “take heed” (NKJV) these two things:

1) His Life, and
2) His Teaching or Doctrine

Nowadays, people are so fearful of the word ‘doctrine.’ Currently, I’m reading Charles C. Ryrie’s A Survey of Bible Doctrine, and one of my friends who saw the book asked me during our coffee hang out if I’m thinking of applying for a pastoral position. I said no and he replied, “Then why are you reading on Bible doctrine?” Once I heard a preacher said to the congregations that he just wants to share ‘practical’ lessons from the Bible and not about ‘theology’ or ‘doctrine.’ Again, during Bible Study, a student shared in the big group that she doesn’t like to study Bible doctrine because “I’m just a regular Christian, not a preacher.” You can find these examples everywhere in Christendom. To most people, the word ‘doctrine’ conjures up visions of technicality, difficulty, and dogmatism. Maybe it’s our fault – preachers and teachers – that give people bad or negative impressions about the word in the pulpit, writings, or social media.

“Far from being dry and abstract,” explains Millard J. Erickson in his well-known book Introduction to Christian Doctrine, “Christian doctrine deals with the most fundamental issues of life: who am I, what is the ultimate meaning of the universe, where am I going?” As such, good doctrine is very essential, critical, and important because it will influence how we answer these fundamental questions. Christian doctrine “deals with general or timeless truths about God and the rest of reality” added Millard. Where to get a sound, healthy and life-giving doctrine? Only in one chief place: The Holy Scripture, the perfect written Word of God. It is God’s special revelation of Himself and the reality of everything in life. Elsewhere Paul wrote: “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16). What happened if we don’t “keep a close watch” on the doctrine? It may cause us and our hearers to “depart from the faith” (4:1a). Instead of devoting ourselves to reading and teaching the Scripture (4:13), we may unintentionally devote ourselves to “deceitful spirits and teachings (or doctrines) of demons” (4:1b).

But don’t forget this: “Keep a close watch on yourself” too. If Timothy only keeps a close watch on the doctrine and not himself, he is a hypocrite. And there were a lot of religious hypocrites during Paul’s time… not to mention ours’ too. Our doctrine can be God-centred, Christ-exalted, and Spirit-filled but if it doesn’t match with our actions, we are deceiving ourselves, being deceived and a stumbling block to others. Preacher’s Homiletical Commentary puts it this way: “1. Actions are more intelligible than words; 2. The language of life is more convincing than the language of the lip; 3. The teaching of the life is available in many cases in which the teaching of the lip cannot or ought not to be attempted.” So, take heed of these two things, don’t separate the two, “persist” or “continue in them” (KJV), for “by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.” It’s not just about you.

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Angelus' Quote: A Teacher Affects Eternity

 

2 Bible studies and 4 challenging talks this week. I'm always careful when using the word "busy" (busyness is an overrated word nowadays), but this week - it's true 😊. I'm not complaining, I love what I do. The hard work now will be paid someday. Have a long-term perspective. "A teacher affects eternity," said Henry Brooks Adams, "he can never tell where his influence ends."

Dear teachers, if you do what you do with integrity and passion, and this is your calling, don't give up and be encouraged! Continue to invest in people's lives 😉🔥🙏 #ServeToLead #Influence

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Don't Forget To Make A Life

 

Rabbi Harold Kushner, in his inspiring book, When Bad Things Happen to Good People, wrote: "I've never heard someone on their deathbed say, 'I wish I'd gone to the office more!' They all say something like, 'I wish I'd cared more. I wish I'd loved more. I wish I'd reached out to others more.'" Think of your priorities 😊🙏⚡ #ServeToLead #WhatMattersMost

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You Only Live Once

 

The psychologist William Moulton Marston asked 3,000 persons, "What do you have to live for?" He was shocked to find that 94% were simply enduring the present while they waited for the future.

Waited for "something" to happen; waited for children to grow up and leave home; waited for next year; waited another time to take a long dreamed-about trip; waited for COVID-19 to be over; waited for tomorrow without realizing that all anyone ever has is TODAY because yesterday is gone and tomorrow never comes ⚡💪⏰ #ServeToLead #IfTomorrowNeverComes

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Spend Your Life for Something that Will Outlast It

Toward the end of his long and productive life, a wise man was once asked what advice he had for young men just starting out on life's journey. This was his answer:

> Belong to something bigger than yourself

> Work with others toward a common goal

> Do your part

> Take pride in doing your job well

> Work hard to make your ideas take shape in reality

> Help build something of lasting value

Which one speaks to you today? What good advice(s) that you have received that you would like to share here? Share it #ServeToLead #DontWasteYourLife

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