Week 36: Faith - It cannot move mountain, but He can.

With the advanced of today’s technology; writing and sending letter seems to be an out of date for most of us. Maybe I’m a little bit old fashion man, I still enjoy sending letters to my friends. One universal rule about sending letter in every mailing company around the world is that: Only letter with stamp on it will be delivered. No matter how nicely that letter is packed, without stamp the postman won’t send it. Faith is like a letter with stamp on it. Without faith, our religious is worthless, no matter how nicely ‘packed’ it is.

The Bible said, ‘For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God’ (Ephesians 2:8) Faith is a gift of God. When I read this, I asked, ‘Wait for a minute, if faith is a gift, then why just God doesn’t give it to me so that I could just pray and everything will be done as what I say? Isn’t it simple?’ As I asked this questions I breathe… in and out - Inhale and exhale. Then a thought comes to mind. Air that we breathe is a gift from God. It was everywhere, anyway. But actually, we can choose not to breathe. Stop breathing and dead. Air is a gift from God and so does faith. It’s a matter of either we want to received it or not. Yes, faith is a gift from God but it is our job to ‘breathe’ and received faith from Him.

Faith is more than just believing, it is trusting your very life to what you believe. Before entering the hall for final year examination paper, I asked my classmate because she looked nervous, ‘Are you okay?’ She said, ‘Oh no, I didn’t study well last night. Now I just go for this exam by faith.’ This is not faith. Faith is a confident resting or leaning upon someone or something, not for thing that is not sure. Faith involves believing that something or someone is true.

For Christian, to have faith is to receive the gift of God and to believe in Jesus Christ and His word of promise. His promise is this, ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved.’ (Acts 16:31) Faith in God means that you are willing to trust Him to carry you across the ‘tightrope’ of life. Ronald A. Beers writes, ‘You are even willing to endure ridicule and persecution for your faith because you are so sure that God is who He says He is and will keep His promises of salvation and eternal life in Heaven.’

In his book Introduction to Christian Doctrine 2^nd Edition, Millard J. Erickson writes, ‘The type of faith that is necessary for salvation involves both believing that and believing in, or assenting to facts and trusting in a person.’ A genuine faith requires us to believe in a person- God. I love reading on self-help books and audio program. But if you want to do so, you need to anchor your faith in the Word of God first because often too many speakers and writers misquoted verses from the Scripture especially on Matthew 17:20 that says ‘If you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, Be moved from this place to that; and it will be moved; and nothing will be impossible to you.’

They claimed that if only you have faith in yourself, you can move the ‘mountain’ of your life. Late Dr. Adrian Rogers in his weekly podcast said that faith in faith is positive thinking but faith in God is a faith that can ‘move a mountain’. I’m a big believer in positive thinking, but I’m sure enough to put my trust and my faith in God alone. I hope that after you read this note; you may ask yourself these questions;

Is my faith is real?

Did I put my faith in a right place?

Can I trust my God and willing to let Him carry me across the ‘tightrope’ of my life?

Remember, THINK BIG for God is big, don’t be scare to START SMALL in your faith and GO DEEP in it. God alone can move the ‘mountain’ in your life.

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Extended notes, added one day later:

"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." (Hebrew 11:1)

"Without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and he rewards those who seek him." (Hebrew 11:6)

"Faith never knows where it is being led, but it loves and knows the One Who is leading... the root of faith is the knowledge of a person... the final stage in the life of faith is attainment of character." (J. Osward Sanders)

"Faith is not to have what we want but faith is to received what God gives." (Adrian Rogers)

Be an Optimist Prime, not a Negatron.

'I can's change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.' (Jimmy Dean)

According to Martin Seligman in Psychology Today’s magazine, ‘Optimists (individuals with positive attitudes) are more successful than similarly talented people with pessimistic or negative attitudes.’ In his study, life insurance agents with optimistic attitudes sold more policies than did their pessimistic colleagues. Furthermore, he said that optimists not only sold 37 percent more than the pessimists did, they also remained on the job longer. Being optimist does make a different!

I encourage you to become an optimist person. Being optimist doesn’t mean that we ignore pain, struggle or disaster happening in our life. Being optimist make us see these things in a difference view. For example, when God sends rain to earth, the pessimists will react: ‘Oh my gosh, what the hell!’, ‘stupid rain!’, ‘Bad luck’ but the optimists will respond: ‘Thank you for cooling the earth Lord’, ‘Yes, I don’t need to wash my car’. When I stuck in a building, mine will definitely be, ‘Now I have more time to read my book.’

To keep my attitude in positive perspective, I paste lists of creed below (Source: I don’t remember) in my quotations book. I suggest you to write this down and keep it for yourself.

Optimists’ Club Creed

Promise yourself…

·  To be strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.

·  To make all friends feel that there is something of value in them.

·  To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true.

·  To think the best, to work only for the best, and to expect the best.

·  To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.

·  To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.

·  To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile.

·  To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others.

·  To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit presence trouble.

·  To pray, study His Word and remember that God always have the best interest in you. (Added mine) 

Therefore, THINK BIG, START SMALL, GO DEEP… be optimist! (P.s: If you’re a Christian, we ought to be more optimists about our present, future and afterlife. God be with you.)

Leader, check your Motives

“The sacrifice of an evil person is detestable, especially when it is offered with wrong motives.” (Proverbs 21:27)

Everyone who is in the position of leadership should ask this question: What is my motive? (If you don’t know if you’re a leader, click HERE to find out) It’s a crucial question that we need to ask ourselves before we’re doing anything for a worthy cause. For example, when someone donates a large sum of money to charity they might do it - to earn a tax break, win political favor or is it because of a deep compassion for the poor.

As a leader, you need to examine your motives. Is it to gain popularity or to serve others? Is it motivated by personal interest or motivated by love? While it is impossible to have a genuine motive to serve God without influence by our own human motivations, it is important for us to identify this deadly cancer early before it produce selfish, sinful and self-centered leadership.

When I’m preparing to write notes in my blog, I always asking myself this question; Richard, what is your motive? Whenever I get the feeling that I want to impress others or write just for the sake of writing with no purpose at all, I would stop and examine my heart. Remember this leader, sometime we might be tempted to find excuse for doing almost anything for the cause, but God looks behind the excuses to the motives of the heart.

To lead well and gain the respect of those you lead, check your motives before you act. King David praised the Lord, saying,

‘I know my God that you examine our hearts and rejoice when you find integrity there. You know I have done all this with good motives.’ (1 Chronicles 29:17)

Life is short, Wake up early!

There is something about my bed. It’s warm and inviting. If I want to read my book, this place is totally forbidden. I have two soft and comfort pillows hunger for my hug every night. If you’re like me, I get my maximum sleep mode by turning on my side either to the left or right, it doesn’t matter I can just… zzz… zzz… zzz…

I love a great night sleep, in fact, everyone does. When I ask people about what is their hobby, I get almost 70% answers is sleep. (Does sleep consider as a hobby???) One of our basic needs is sleeping. I don’t need to emphasis on the important of sleeping to our health, most of us know about it. The problem sometime is not that we don’t have enough sleep but we are sleeping too much. One of the major causes that stopping us from breaking this negative habit is not that we don’t want or we doesn’t realize about this time consuming ‘hobby’, but simply put it as a I-hate-to-get-out-of-bed disease.

Let’s see if you’re familiar with this: The night before I went to bed, I set up my alarm clock in my cell phone to 7.50am. The next morning when the alarm snoozed, I would quickly reach it out and set the alarm to snooze again in 15 minutes. I’d repeat this ritual another two or three times. After 3 to 4 wake up called, I was shocked to realize that the time was already 8.30am. My morning had become a rush hour and I was late to work.

Now I wake up at 7.30am in the morning, some suggest that wake up at 5.30am is much better so that you can have time to exercise, have a breakfast and reading or praying. (I don’t have to wake up that early because my office as for now is just 10 minutes walk.) When you wake up early in the morning, you can control your day before chaos hit. 

In a short term, your might feel uncomfortable at the first few days. But in the long term, you’ll discover that you can accomplish much more work without rushing your day out. Robin Sharma in his leadership podcast said, ‘Wake up early will make your brain alert… after all we have plenty of time to sleep when we’re in the grave.’ We all gonna die soon, so why sleep too much? Live is short, wake up early!

When it comes to being discipline in your life, you are never going to feel like doing what you need to do. ‘Getting out of bed can feel downright radical simply because you don’t want to. But you have to. Do it, even though it feels radical in a moment. That’s the skill you need to master: taking radical action’, said Mel Robbins.

To cure the I-hate-to-get-out-of-bed disease, you have to do the opposite way. When your alarm snoozing tomorrow morning, put your feet on the floor, stand up, get out of bed. No delay. No hesitation. Pray and start your day!

I wish you a good night sleep tonight. If it hard to wake up - push, force or do whatever it takes to move your body out of bed tomorrow morning. If you have my number, sms me, ‘Richard, I decided to wake up early every morning!’ I may reply: Good morning, now brush your teeth.

Seriously, LIFE IS SHORT, WAKE UP EARLY!
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Related link: Week 34: Time – Busy doing Nothing? Click HERE

Small changes, Big result.

One of my concerns is, I wonder many Christians have their belief system towards success, financial freedom, peace, joy and you name it, are more towards unbiblical foundation. There are millions of books, audios; trainings, coaching guides now are based on “man’s mind mapping”.

E.g 

Mr.World: You can be rich and have freedom by only believing in yourself. Riches and respect is in your hand.

 Mr.Truth: Riches and honor are with me, enduring wealth and righteousness. (Pro 8v18) Take hold of my instructions; don't let them go. Guard them, for they are the key to life. (Pro 4v13)

You can see the contrast between Mr. World and Mr. Truth. Trusting and acknowledging the Lord along our journey can be so challenging sometimes. But, it is our duty to make a difference in everything we do so that His name will be glorified. Here is the point, in order to move to the some extending of financial level; it involves transformation. Have you heard about vector? Small changes with the vector, it will produce big effect towards the magnitude and direction. Does it sound weird? You bet. 

Stated clearly in Romans 12 v2, do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. How to understand and know what God’s will is? Even towards financial angle?  Change your thinking. Renew your mind with the Word of God. It changes your belief. It changes your desire. It changes your needs and wants. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. The more you are focusing on things; you will definitely forget the Lord. It is written, but seeks first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. I ever experienced, I was greatly focused with my commission (money), and it really turned me nowhere. It brings me to struggle because I was not focusing to the Provider. 

Perhaps, most of the time  I focused with things. Until one day God made me realized that I should focus with my mission (seeking the Lord, helping people, serving others, practice hospitality...), then, I experienced the peace of God. Focus with our mission first, the commission will come to you beyond your thought. God is full of Justice. 

Most of the time, everything starts from your mind. Sometimes, your mind leads you to limit God. Change your mind; it will change your result. Change your mind and focus, it will change your income.

You may ask, what kind of transformations or changes should I make? Let me ask you, where do you spend your money most? How do you spend most?  Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.

In your financial works or business running, small changes you made will definitely bring big results. It can be good or bad. It can be God’s way or opposite way. You choose. God is present in every area of your life, including your finances.

GOD BLESS!

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About the writer:
Albert R. Macewell work as a Senior Property Executive at Borneo Real Estate in Kuching, Malaysia. Graduate with Degree in Marketing. He is not an expert (yet), but his insight is valuable. His motto: "I DO BELIEVE THAT,EVERYONE CAN SUCCEED.IF ONLY HE/SHE HAVE DECIDED TO COMMIT."

Reflection on Deadly 9.0 Earthquake in Japan

9.0 earthquake devastates Japan. Here are some of the news reports: ‘A mother trying to talk to her daughter who has been isolated for signs of radiation.’ ‘More than hundred thousands of people were evacuated.’ ‘A woman yelling for her missing family member in Soma in Fukushima.’ ‘A woman crying while sitting on a road amid the destroyed city.’ ‘Staying alive, survivors cooking and eating in front of their damaged house.’ ‘A woman grief for a tragic lost after she confirmed it was her mother and her three-year-old son bodies under the rubble of her house.’ ‘Millions going without power or running water.’ ‘4 month old baby girl was rescued.’  

Dead bodies were all over places. Those who are survive starving for foods and water. Even the graveyard was destroyed. The dead thought that they could get away… no, even their dead bodies also been washed away. Misery and desperation. Pain and tears. At this time; advice is not welcome, ‘I told you so’ statements may increase their pain and a words of ‘Everything will be alright’ is definitely not relevant during this time.

When I heard the news in written words, it doesn’t affect me so much. ‘Another disaster happening~’, I said to myself. One morning as I sat at my chair facing my cute mini PC in my solid and well structured room I watched videos from YouTube about the disaster. One particular thing that really bothered me so much up until now is not the visual scenes, though it was a horrible one. It was the cried of children and adults who watched their homeland destroyed by those giants waves. 

I can identify with their cry of confusions and agony of their souls. I do. As His children, I asked my Master not out of disobedient or doubt of His majesty and wisdom but out of my confusion, a honest puzzle that been running through my mind as a human being. I asked,

“Why does You allow disasters to happen?”

I heard people said, ‘they deserve this!’, ‘God bring a judgment upon this ungodly nation.’, ‘it happen to everyone…’ , ‘Oh no, there will be no more sushi, manga (comic), latest gadgets etc.’ , ‘Thanks God for this!’ and many more rubbish comments. The only hope that I can really rely on is the Bible.

Why? I don’t know. If I know, God’s throne should be mine but I’m not Him. Reasons only God knows. But one thing I surely know: he allows disasters to happen, not only to the ungodly but also to godly people. ‘Your Father in heaven… sends rain on the just and the unjust alike.’ (Matthew 5:45) He may allow a disaster to happen in order to get attention and to draw people back to Himself. Isn’t it true? In our personal life, is it during our tough time or challenging moments that we really seeking God for help and comfort? In Job 36: 15, ‘By means of their suffering, he rescues those who suffer. For he gets their attention through adversity.’ Japan and the entire nation of the world will fix their eyes on the Lord. Question: Will you give your attention and draw back to Him again?

Sometimes a disaster can be the result of sin. It can be the result of your own sin or the ripple effect of someone else’s disobedience to God. ‘As surely as the Lord your God has given you the good things he promised, he will also bring disaster on you if you disobey him.’ (Joshua 23:15) A word of warning: Do not judge Japan by saying ‘this is what happen to a sinful nation’. Who are we to condemn people?! If you really believe that every sin need to be punish and say that ‘Japan deserve such a disaster!’ may I ask, “How about your sins?” or much better in a words of my friend, Lee Chun Chung, “Do you think that you are more righteous than those people in Japan?” Question: What are you gonna do about your own sin? Would you receive His forgiveness by believing that Jesus Christ died on the cross on behalf of your sinful punishment?  

Sometimes disaster is man-made, like war happening at Middle East and some parts of the world. Example, a young man decided to kill himself by committing suicide. Would you say God made him decided to die? Of course not! Question: Ask yourself; is it because of my own foolishness or God influence my free will to choose that I end up with this disaster that you are in right now?

This verse really brings comfort to my soul, ‘We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.’ (Romans 8:28) I heard a very wise insight by one of the student at INTI Nilai College today. She said, ‘In the midst of this disaster, in our human point of view there is nothing good can come out from this… But I know that good thing will happen soon or later… people in Japan will return back to God, everyone will rise up helping one another.’ What seems like a disaster for us, God may use it as His way to bring out ‘the good of those who love Him’

With all this, I’m amazed by His Word. I never fully get a satisfy answer to my ‘whys’ maybe because He knows that I haven’t got the capacity to understand the answer. In learning to depend on God, we must accept that we may not know all the answers, but we know WHO knows the answers. Remember this that God himself is always with you in the midst of disaster.

Final question: It’s not wise to ask, ‘Okay, I get it… but of all the nations in the world, why God allows this disaster happens to Japan?’ rather ask yourself, why it doesn’t happen to me?

God have a purpose in your life: maybe it’s a second chance for you to follow Him, a wake-up call from your slumberness and lukewarm faith, a change for you to witness about the Good News to your friends, family and others or perhaps He wants you to be His witness for His second coming. The words of God through prophet Zephaniah give us the assurance about our coming future,

“The Lord Himself, the King of Israel, will live among you! At last your troubles will be over, and you will never again fear disaster.”

[Reference books: The Inspirational Study Bible: life lessons from the inspired word of God/Max Lucado, general editor and Divine Moments: Everyday Inspiration from God’s Word, Tyndale House Publishers.]

Christian Love = Reaching Out

No man can be friend of Jesus Christ who is not a friend to his neighbor. (Robert H. Benson)

After attending a conference, I was all fired up. The speaker was very energetic. His level of enthusiasm was higher than KLCC tower. His talks was really encouraging and if anyone sleeping by that time, they either very tired or not feeling well but never because of boring. I take notes which I’ll never read it again. I was convince that if only I could talk with him and asked him for insight about reaching out to other people; I would have valuable lessons to bring back home. But when I had a change to meet him, I was so disappointed that he was never even trying to ask about my name. With little eyes contact and zero handshakes, he left the ‘conversation’ with an excuse to answer his call.

It was a sad moment… the talk doesn’t match the walk.

This was not the first time it happens before, I have met people who can inspire from a pulpit or a stage but cannot talk with or relate to people as friend. Real love involves having a relationship with people. Christian love is not only what you do when the crowds are watching but also what you do when you are alone with people – just you, God, and the person you are talking to.

The living God calls us to love and relate to people as real persons. Someone approached me and said, ‘I’m a failure. I cannot share the Gospel to my friends. They don’t want to believe me even if I ask them to read the Bible every time I met them.” Come on! People are not OBJECTS to be evangelized or ‘souls’ to be saved.(It’s His job not ours) Our job is to love people and befriend them as Jesus did. ‘God wants to reach people with souls, not just as souls.’ (Quote unknown)

By treating people as who they are, as real persons; they may take a consideration to inquire the source of our genuine love towards them: Jesus. Stop using, manipulating or convert people to Christianity. Real Christianity doesn’t force people to believe, it's a volunteer decision. Reaching out is not that hard or troublesome as we thought it would be. All this talk about the Holy Spirit, miracles, signs and wonders, and faith is meaningless without real love.

Christian love means reaching out!

The reason why God’s servants love creatures so much is that they see how much Christ loves them, and it is one of the properties of love to love what is loved by the person we love. (St. Catherine of Siena)