Success in God's Eyes

If you make dean list every semesters, received the Best Achievement award, crowned Miss World, voted Sexiest Man Alive, get elected Student Council President, or having your own multimillion business – would you called your life is a success? In the World’s eyes – yes; at some point, I would agree. In God’s eyes – no, it’s doesn’t impressed Him at all. God says you would be a failure if you do all the above (I’m referring to the ‘self-made’ successes) apart from Him.

Jesus says in Matthew 16:26 to all of us, “What do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?” Failure in God’s eyes happens when you and I fail to live the way he created us to be. But we’re not what we’re supposed to be because of our sins… “It’s your sins that have cut you off from God. Because of your sins, he has turned away and will not listen anymore.” (Isaiah 59:2) Sins cause failure in God’s eyes because it is contrary to God’s plan. God’s plan is in the business of saving lost souls back to Christ, to Himself. He want to wash all your sins, He wants to forgives all your iniquities, He wants to restore your life from the prison guilt, He wants to redeem you to Himself – Jesus loves you – He wants to have a relationship with you.

You got to understand that God’s plan is always best for you and me. Your greatest victory is when you receive the gift, free gift of life from Him, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son [Jesus Christ], that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) Your greatest failure is when you reject God by wanting to work your own salvation apart from Christ “It’s your sins that have cut you off from God.” Don’t become a failure by neglecting or ignoring what God had offer.

Some people however are successful both in the world’s eyes and in God’s eyes, and there is nothing wrong with that. But as for the eternal matter, the true success in God’s eyes as how the Scriptures define it is by living the God’s plan. Received, believe and be blessed. Amen.

THINK BIG “Is anything worth more than your soul?”

START SMALL by “believeth in him”

GO DEEP Success in God’s eyes is when you “…have everlasting life.”

Reality Show: “Priorities finally Revealed”

“Desires dictate our priorities, priorities shape our choices,
and choices determine our actions.” (Dallin H. Oaks)

A.W. Tozer pinpointed 7 areas of self-examination that readily reveal the priorities of our lives:

1.     What we want most

2.     What we think about most

3.     How we use our money

4.     What we do with our leisure time

5.     The company we enjoy

6.     Whom and what we admire

7.     What we laugh at

Try those seven questions and I can assure you what’s your priorities are. ‘How we use our money’ for example, will reveal what’s really matter in our life. Is handbag, even if you have few of it already, are much important than helping a poor kid to buy his school bag? Is that new iPod, even if you don’t need one, is more important that helping to support your parents to buy their basic needs for living? Is that branded clothes, even if you don’t use it often, is more important that helping the Church outreach in financial support through your love-giving and tithe? Remember, the way you treat your money is the most revealing test of your character – how you spends it reveals your priorities. [But that is just one example, try the other six.]

The Bible however, desire us to narrow down our hundreds of ‘small’ priorities into one ‘big’, most important priority – namely, GOD. “In everything you do, put God first...” (Proverbs 3:6); “Honor the Lord by giving him the first part of all your income…” (Proverbs 3:9); “Seek ye first the kingdom of God…” (Matthew 6:33) Our foremost priority is supposed to be: GOD. Our uppermost desire should be: GOD  Putting God first in your life helps put all of your other priorities in order. If you make God your first priority, He will give you the proper perspective on the rest of the activities in your day. Put God first. Honor God first. Seek God first.

THINK BIG Ask God in prayer to show you what is worth being concerned about.

START SMALL No greater priority than to love and obey God.

GO DEEP ‘Jesus is Lord’ (Romans 10:9).
Thus, place your priority on someOne who affects your eternal future so significantly.

Joy is More than a Smiling Face

"Let the godly rejoice. Let them be glad in God's presence.
Let them be filled with joy." (Psalm 68:3NLT)

“Joy is the sheer evidence of God” (Pierre Chardin)

We are an emotional being because God created you to have feelings. The Book of Ecclesiastes told us (Chapter 3) that there is time for everything; a time to cry and a time to laugh, a time to grieve and a time to dance, a time to love and a time to hate etc. By experience, I bet that there is a high percentage that you will agree with me if I say that – it is not unusual or abnormal to experience emotional or (even) spiritual ups and downs within short period of time. Feeling may come and go. Feelings are good, very good but not great – feelings can be deceiving. External source of happiness expired quickly. Our feeling is but a fragile ocean of emotional sea; ups and downs, highs and lows – unpredictable.

However, God have something more to offer. He offers joy. “Joy”, write G.K. Chesterton, “is the gigantic secret of Christian.” Lasting joy and contentment run much deeper than the emotions of the moment. Joy doesn't denied trouble or sorrow, it acknowledge the presence of God in it. Joy is not the absence of suffering but the acknowledgement of the sustaining power of Christ in our life. Joy is not measured by your smiling face (though most of the time it is expressed in that way) but by your personal walk with God. Joy is different because it flows deep beneath the stormy surface of your feelings.

Am my writing is too poetic for you to understand? Let me puts it this way: - Joy comes from above, that is from God, and runs from within, that is through your renewed Christ-filled heart. It is peace of joy because you know that God had accepted you because of Jesus Christ, and wants you to be with Him forever in eternity. It is the sign that we are really living in God’s wonderful love, and that love satisfies us. That love of God is enough – that’s joy!

L.P. Jacks writes, “Christianity is the most encouraging, the most joyous, the least repressive of all the religions of mankind. While it has its sorrows and stern disciplines, the end of it is a resurrection, not a burial – a festival, not a funeral.”

Joy – I tell you, no emotional ups and downs can shake that kind of strong foundation: joy – Be rejoice!

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

“Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again – rejoice!
Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do.” (Philippians 4:4-5NLT)

Week 76: Witness - Share and Live the Good News!

“How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!” (Romans 10:15)

“O Lord, gives me souls, or takes my soul!” (George Whitefield)

One day, a student mentions in casual conversation that he enjoyed a kolo mee (famous noodle at Sarawak) at a new stall and think that I would like it too. A friend overhears me and another friend discussing whether or not to see movie Journey 2 and tell us that it was great. Both of these people are witnesses. They were witnessing. To witness is to tell about something you have experienced. The Gospel is like that; it is not just about a story to read but a story to experienced – and thus, to witness. The word ‘gospel’ is derived from two Anglo-Saxon words ‘God,’ meaning ‘good,’ and ‘spell,’ meaning ‘tidings’ or ‘history’. The ‘Gospel’ means the ‘good news’. And the Good News, my brothers and sisters, is meant to be share.

Share the Good News!

The very last thing Jesus told his disciples was, “you will be my witnesses” (Acts 1:8). Jesus was talking to His disciples before He went back to His Father. Even though Jesus was talking to His disciples, He was saying these words to us too right now – Personally, as you read this, to you. “You will be my witnesses” is both co-operate and personal privilege & responsibility. You can be a witness by telling others about Jesus and how His love has helped you. Being the receiver of this wonderful Gospel is not about getting into some exclusive-selected few-closed-door group. It is about experiencing something so wonderful (your personal encounter-relationship with the Living God, Jesus Christ – what can be more wonderful than this?) that you can’t wait to invite others to experience it too.

Share the Good News!

Anyone who follows Jesus has a story to tell. You have a story, a ‘redemption story’ about how God has found and rescued you from the bondage of sins. We has been set free, released, redeem, forgiven, made new and inhabited by the Holy Spirit. These stories of God’s work in your life are meant to help others to experience their freedom in Christ too. You should be ready to tell your story of how you come to know and learn to love Jesus. You don’t have to cook-up stories to make it more amazing, just share it from the heart. No story is boring when it begins with the greatest story of all – the Gospel, the Good News.

Sharing this good news requires no strategy or program or steps. The wise thing to do is to ask God to give you opportunities each day to tell about – and to show – God’s love. Be discerning whenever the Spirit prompts you to open your mouth and heart to share the Good News for the sake of others. Who knows? Perhaps after sharing your own story you might win a soul or two for the Kingdom of God. Daniel 12:3 says “Those who are wise will shine as bright as the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever.”May you shine!

Share the Good News!

By the end of the day, it was not up to us to convert anyone. Sharing we must, telling we should, guiding we ought but don’t force anyone to convert. Apostle Paul, the great evangelist, in 1 Corinthians 3:6 writes, “I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow.” Remember, God is the one who draws people to Himself. The most we can do is to ‘planted’ and to ‘watered’ the seed– the last call is God’s.

“Witness to the life-changing Jesus”, writes Adele Ahlberg Calhoun, “happens on the job and in the everyday comings and goings of life. The litmus test for witness is not simply by the ability to explain the good news. It is the way you live the good news.”

Therefore, Share and Live the Good News!

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Is Fat Loveable?



Pic from: http://skinnyemmie.com/



“I’m fat but I’m cute!” said Robson referring to himself. “Fat mean happy,” my cousin self-declared. My girl friend shared, “I don’t mind overweight boy as long as he love, respect and appreciate me.”

Few days ago at the Spring shopping mall I asked my boy friend who is in love with this chubby girl what does he think about his girlfriend, he said, “She kind of overweight, I know. Everyone is teasing me for dating her… but I don’t mind really, she’s the most confident girl I ever know.”

“You’re weird”, I affirmed his statement positively, “but much matured man.”

“Well of course”, he continued as if he didn’t hear my admiration toward his attitude few seconds ago, “she even makes jokes about it. She accepts her self-image… I mean she enjoys being her and that’s the best thing about her. She talks about it freely as if being fat is the best thing in the world.”

“You used words ‘the best’ a lot ya know… yeah, I agree.”

Then after he read my mind, he said, “Are you gonna share all this in your Motivate… what… blog?”

My quick respond was: “Keep updated. See ya.”

 ............................................

Being fat is not the biggest crime in the world. Being fat and still fat is not the end of the world. Being fat, still fat and going to be a little fat for your entire life is not a world-size problem. Alan Loy McGinnis suggests, which I’m totally agreed, he writes “The trick is either to change our bodies or to accept them as they are. To fail to do anything to change them and at the same time castigate our looks diminishes our confidence.”

If you are overweight, for example, you have 2 options. Option number one is to get on a diet program and exercise frequently. Control your food intakes, be careful in selecting your choice of meals, go exercise 5 times per day… bla bla bla… which all these information you can get from magazines, books or internet (the only problem is when to start). The other option is (as for now) to accept you the way you are. You’re going to be a little fat, no problem, and still carry on with your life and enjoy them.

As for me, I prefer that you choose the first option but if you like to settle on the second option, let it be so. It’s your body after all, right? But NEVER, NEVEREVER try to settle on the ‘forbidden’ option, that is – to do nothing about it! To change your bodies or to accept them as they are. These are only options that can build up your confident. There is more hope for those who are fat, still fat and remain fat but have accept themselves as they are then to those how choose not to do anything about it.

Question: Is fat is lovable?
Well, when you THINK BIG and START SMALL by choosing one of the options.
You’ll GO DEEP on making yourself loveable.
The answer is: Yes, fat is loveable.  

Be Strong and Courageous

"Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.
Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God..."
(Isaiah 41:10NLT)

Life can be so discouraging at times. There are times when the world seems to be crashing down around you and nothing is going well. Sometime you long for someone to come beside you to encourage and strengthen you. Other time, it wasn’t about the words that they said it’s their presents that we cherish most. It matter less when you compare it with the moment when someone is there for you... Don't you think so?

Honestly speaking (writing, to be exact), your boyfriend or girlfriend or your spouse or your best friend or your love ones most probably cannot be there for you all the time. But there is someone that can be there for you – everyday, everytime, every moment – to encourage and to strengthen you because that someone knows you through and through. He said, "Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God..." He said "I am with you" - what a personal God He is! What an encouraging words to believe! How much better, how great it is when those words of encouragement ever come from God Himself! "I am your God". Amazing! Wonderful! Personal

Encouragement gives you courage to go on. It renews your commitments and gives meaning to your life. Encouragements breathe hope and energize your passion to make a difference. Even encouragements from your fellow men and women can be the oxygen for your soul; what more can God gives to those who are looking for encouragement not from within or by the temporary ‘solution’ materials but by looking up to your Sovereign God who can renew your soul. God once said to Joshua son of Nun after the death of Moses,

“Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged.
For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)

He is also saying to you now: Be strong and courageous! What a comfort, hope and strength you can get from His Word… Be strong and courageous! God is with you.

THINK BIG.START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Only God Can

A banker said to a Christian, “Do you mean to say that, without my paying a cent or making any recompense, I can expect God to have mercy on me? Do you say I can be saved merely by trusting Jesus Christ? How absurd! If I am to be saved, I must accomplish it by my own efforts.”

“Well,” the Christian said, “suppose someone should come to you in great need and want to borrow some money. Who would have the right to make the terms and conditions on which the money would be loaned, you or the borrower?”

 “Why, I would, of course. He would meet my conditions before he could get the money,” said the banker.“

"Exactly, and this is your position. You are the poor, lost sinner and God is the banker. So who has the right to make the terms and conditions on which you can come to Him – you or Him?”

The answer is obvious: it’s up to God to make His own terms and conditions. Many did not agree that because they want to accomplish salvation by their own efforts; accumulate good deeds, pray chanting prayers, practice traditions and religious ceremonies etc. But we must realize that we are the poor and the lost sinner and acknowledge that God is the banker. The only term is to received the gift of God that is, eternal life in Christ Jesus. The only condition is to believe that Christ died (but on the third day He rose again from the dead... He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today!) on behalf of our sins and had saved us from the wrath of God through faith in Him.

God, only God can take a life, sinful and without joy,
wash it in the blood of Christ,
put His Spirit in it,
and make a blessing to humanity.
That’s salvation!

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

 ..........................

How Do I Get to Heaven?:Traveling the Romans Road by Pamela L. McQuade

Seven key verses in the Bible’s book of Romans – together known as ‘the Romans Road’ – clearly lay out the way to eternal life. If you’ve ever wondered about sin (humanity’s problem) and salvation (God’s solution), this little book will answer your questions in a concise, easy-to-read study of Bible truth (I recommend you to read it alongside the Book of Romans as your primary source of truth). Request and read this small but valuable book and see how, by the love and grace of God, you can receive your own ticket to heaven. You’ll be amazed at this incredible gift of God! But let you motive of studying this book is not so much about getting your ticket to heaven, which is surely be given to those who believe, but let it be a personal journey for you to an intimate relationship with God.

I’m giving away ONLY 3 copies for this month free books. You are welcome to get a copy for yourself. Do these 2 things:

1)   1) Comment below “Rich, give me one copy___(Your name). I want to explore the Romans Road.”

2)   2) E-mail me at Motivates4life@hotmail.com or send message to my Facebook your real name, phone no. and your postal address.