Overcome the world

 

In a world of negativities and hardships, it is hard to stay calm and focus on things that matters most. How can we find peace in such a destitute environment?

We can always choose peace, love and joy in our hearts. We only need to connect to our living God. In John 16:33, Jesus says: "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble, but take heart!"

Happiness is a choice. We can always choose to look at the good side of everything. Neglect the negative things surrounding you. Positivity should overpower the negativities in our thoughts, feelings and actions. How do we do this?

The solution is Jesus Christ!!! We can always dwell in the house of the Lord. He is always in our midst. He is always ready to listen, to comfort us and guide us in our decisions. It is never too late, we can always change to be a better version of ourselves everyday.

Together, let us overcome the world! Take heart!

Turn weakness into strength

Do you feel that you are not good enough? Do you compare yourself to others? How can you turn weaknesses into strengths? 

I remember myself when I am not confident to speak in front of a lot of people. I am insecure and not fluent enough to render impromptu speeches. Aside from that, I am not a good writer, and I cannot organize my thoughts. However, it did not stop me. I want to enhance my speaking skills and join the Toastmasters club in June 2019. Surprisingly, I gain confidence in speaking. I learn the proper ways to communicate with the audience. I have turned my weakness into a strength. For I believe that if your desire for success is greater than your fear of failure, then everything is possible. 

All things are possible through Him who gives us strength. In Ephesians 2:8-9 it says, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast." Salvation is free; we just need to accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. We do not need to always seek good works because we are not working for God; God is working on us. 

In 2 Corinthians 12:9, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses so that Christ's power may rest on me. This verse clearly reminds us that if we think we do not have the ability or talent, God's grace is enough. Even if you think you are weak in this aspect, you can turn it into strength. Just like how I honed my speaking skills and practiced it regularly. I was able to transform my weakness into strength. 

Good imitation

 

Kids often mimic what adults say or do. We are their role models. Whatever they see and hear, they tend to imitate it unconsciously.  However, not all things that we do as adults are worth-imitating for. We do things that are not good. Seldom do we model good deeds to our children. How can we plant good seeds and bear good fruits?

If we plant seeds on good soil, it will sprout and grow relentlessly  and eventually bear good fruits. Just like seeds in the garden, our time with God, by reading his words from the bible, serves as our investment to the kingdom of heaven. If we are connected with God's words, we are always reminded to do good things and embody His character. We can imitate easily what is good and resist evil doings.

In 3 John 1:11 (NIV), it says:

"Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God."

John clearly reminded us that the good things we do is from God and the evil ones are not from God. As we walk in the path of righteousness,  let us always embody the life of Jesus Christ and accept Him as our Lord and Savior. Let us resist temptation and control ourselves to always do the good things. 

Be a good imitator of God!

L.O.V.E. Love One another and Value Each other.....

Who do you run to when you have problems? Do you have a friend who is always there in times of need?

A true friend is there when you are at the lowest point of your life. A true friend is honest to give you real feedback even if it hurts. A real friend will never leave you. A real friend will love and accept you on who you are.

Proverbs 17:17 NIV

[17] A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.

https://bible.com/bible/111/pro.17.17.NIV

As what the verse says, a friend will love you and when you face problems a friend will step up for you. Value your friendships and nourish it. Spend time with your friends regularly. Talk about your success, failures and other problems. Be emphatic when listening to their problems. Give advice and pray for them. Always check them if they are okay. Your only gift to them is spending genuine time with them.

Lets value one another! Keep your friendships alive!  Remember to L.O.V.E.

Love

One another and

Value

Each other

REST... Restore your Energy to Serve The Lord!

Are you busy? Do you have time with the Lord? How can you set aside time for yourself?

I've been working on my dissertation for months. I will finish late and eventually woke up late the next morning. I arrived at the office late in the afternoon and go home at dawn. I also worked everyday until Sunday. I felt that I will be bored during Sundays anyways and I want to spend it the office. This habit has been going for months. And I told myself, is this the routine that I want for the rest of my life? How can I have proper discipline with my time and enjoy God's rest?

Today's verse at Hebrews 4:10,  says:

"Anyone who enters God's rest also rests from their works, just as God did from His."

In this verse, I am reminded of  God's rest when He created the world and us in six days, and rested at the seventh day. Stephen Covey's 7th habit is to "Sharpen the Saw", which means we need to take a rest to restore our energy and be ready for the work the next day. 

Rest is very important to renew our mind, heart, body and soul. Just like cars that needs fuel to work and will not move and the oil tank is empty, we as humans also need to rest to gain energy again to work for the whole week. Let us set aside time to rest in God's arms and cradle us to his divine kingdom forever.

Remember to take a REST... Restore your Energy to Serve The Lord!