Reach Out

Holidays are charged with emotions. Some are going through the best times of their lives while others are experiencing the opposite. No matter what sadness or joy we’re experiencing, it’s always healthy to reach out to others.

The other day, I was in a business meeting where there were a bunch of new people in the room. I made my rounds and greeted everybody and prayed for a few in the room. When I sat down for lunch, I felt a tug on my heart to reach out to a certain individual.

When I looked at her, she looked poised and full of confidence. I thought to myself, “This woman is alright. She doesn’t need my encouragement.” The more I lingered, the more I could feel the Lord nudging me. I kept debating and reasoning in my heart.

Just before the meeting ended, she left the room. I gave a deep sigh of relief but the Holy Spirit kept bugging me. After a couple of minutes, I had to obey God. I left the room and found the lady in the parking lot about to speed off. I flagged her down and said, “Listen, I know we don’t know each other very well. I don’t want to embarrass you or myself. But I felt God sent me to ask you if everything was alright?”

I had barely spoken and she began to break down. With tears welling up in her eyes, she told me how her young son was sick and she’s worried about him and the upcoming holidays. I encouraged and prayed with her right there in the parking lot. By the time we’re done, she left with a big smile on her face and I knew that God had sparked a renewed hope in her life.

On my way back to my meetings, I asked God to forgive me for debating. I was glad that the Holy Spirit won in spite of my stubbornness.

Today I ask you to be open and willing to reach out to others during this holiday season. People may not look like they need help but some of them are going through terrible times. Let’s be sensitive to the leading of the Spirit to reach out to others. Be kind in traffic, the grocery store, and even to your own family members! When God puts a needy person in front of you, it’s your cue to act. You can’t help everybody but do something for the ones you can. This is the spirit of Christmas!

Once, Jesus was ministering in a remote region and it went late into the evening. There were no grocery stores around so the disciples recommended that the crowds be disburse to their homes. At once, Jesus corrected their thinking and asked them to provide the evening meal.

When the disciples took inventory, they only found five loaves of bread and two fish. They brought them to Jesus. He blessed it and the rest is history. Five thousand men plus women and children were fed and they picked up twelve baskets of leftovers! Friend, you may not have much in your hand as you’d like but if you give God what you have He will bless and multiply it.

I’ve learnt that it’s not so much what we have but whether or not it has God’s blessing that makes all the difference. When you use what you have to reach out to others, God makes it His personal business to supply what you need. Don’t wait for a lightning strike to help others. Don’t ignore the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit.

Friend, this holiday season let’s reach out to others. Invite someone to your party or church. Be hospitable. Ask a single family to join you for dinner. Call and/or visit your aging parents. Check on the poor, lonely, and the destitute. If God puts people to remembrance, call and check on them. Don’t just buy gifts for your kids; pick up something for your struggling neighbors as well. What you do for others, God will make happen for you. If you’re struggling today, remember, Jesus is the reason for the season. He came for you! You’re His fatal attraction. You’re so vital and valuable to Him that He gave His life on the Cross for you. Friend, there’s hope. He will never leave you nor forsake you. God knows what you need and how to get it to you. Let’s rejoice and reach out to others. I’m praying for you!

“Do not say to your neighbor, "Come back tomorrow and I'll give it to you"-- when you already have it with you (Proverbs 3:28 NIV).

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Take Time to Think

Our lives are so automated that we barely have time to think. For the most part, we’re like robots going through the motions of life. Routine is good but if we get too bogged down to living without thinking, we will never live up to our full potential.

One of the enemy’s tactics is to keep us so preoccupied in the present that we don’t have any time to reflect on the future. This is one of the reasons why many people miss heaven. Don’t misunderstand me. Human beings are creatures of habit and if we have good habits, it can work to our advantage. But it will do us all good if we take time to quieten our minds and think on a regular basis, or even daily.

NASA claims that one supernova blasts out more energy in less than the sun is expected to emit over its entire life span. A single explosion can outshine an entire galaxy. Imagine that! God flung the sun and galaxies into place. When we think, we align ourselves with God’s explosive energy. We also allow God’s surpassing creativity to work within us. When we yield to the Holy Spirit, we activate the ultimate supernova of God’s creative power working in, and through, us to change the world.

Back in 1903, women only wore long dresses and they weren’t even allowed to vote. On trips to New York City, Mary Anderson often traveled by streetcar. On one of these trips, Mary noticed that drivers would often get out of their seats to wipe the windshield so they could see better. This put her mind to thinking and searching for a better way.

After making many attempts, Mary designed a manually operated lever inside the streetcar that, when pulled, would swing an arm over the windshield and – swoosh – allow the driver to see again! Her windshield wipers had rubber blades attached to a spring-loaded arm. It solved the problem of a clear windshield in rain and snow. At first, people made fun of her device but when Mary Anderson patented her device in 1905, they stopped laughing. Now computerized, we can adjust windshield wipers to suit our needs. Mary Anderson gave us a great invention because she took the time to think.

One of the global assets America has is innovation. We love to come up with new and better ideas of solving an old problem in a new or more efficient way or to simply create something new. How about you? Are you taking time out to think of creative ways to energize your relationships and give your children a brighter future? What about your business? Are you just manufacturing, selling, installing, and servicing? Or are you taking time to think? If we take time to meet a client’s need in a creative way, we’ll get more out of our business. Remember, the devil drives but God leads. Are you paying attention to His guidance?

Jesus was a creative thinker. He wasn’t trying to be different but He was always in tune with the Holy Spirit. Once, a blind man was brought in front of him. The Bible says, “He spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes” (John 9). It was a good thing that the man was blind or else Jesus may not have had a chance to perform this miracle. Seriously, Jesus said He only did things that His Father told Him to do! Truth is, the Father is still trying to tell us things but maybe we’re too busy to listen? When we hear God’s out of the box solutions, we write it off thinking, “Nobody will buy that.” However, just the opposite is true.

Friend, today I want to challenge you to take time to think. Establish a regular habit to hear from God. Not just early in the morning or at a quiet place by the lake during vacation, but stay open to hearing His voice throughout the day. There’s a better way and God wants to give it to you to propel you to your next level. Stop long enough to think and expect God to give you innovation like Mary Anderson so that you too can transform your marriage, business, and future. I love you and I’m praying for you!

“Be careful what you think, because your thoughts run your life” (Proverbs 4:23 New Century Version).

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Be Ambitious for God

Since the day we were born, most of us are taught to be happy and pursue happiness. It is not wrong to be ambitious. However, if that is the focal point of our existence, then we’re missing the boat. The greatest happiness you’ll ever find is experiencing God on a continual basis.

Being ambitious for God is not about performance. It is having a desire to please God in everything we do and make decisions affect Him. God has given us the freedom to choose. We have entered into a relationship where everything is based on love and trust. When we wake up every morning and ask God for His direction, we’re being ambitious for God. When we leave our homes looking for people to help, we’re being ambitious for our Master. When we’re representing Him with honesty and integrity in the marketplace, we’re standing out for our God. If we’re not intentional about these things, we will have little impact for our Lord and Savior.

William Carey, the great missionary to India, said, “Expect great things from God. Attempt great things from God.” When we set spiritual goals, we’ll have an opportunity to achieve them. If we involve God in our personal lives, homes and at work, we’ll change our world for the betterment of God’s Kingdom.

In our personal lives, we can start with a commitment to connect with God daily. A recent survey in America showed the average household has 4.4 Bibles. Fifty-seven percent of those people only read their Bible four times a year or less. Young people are moving away from the Bible. A majority (57%) of those ages 18-28 read their Bibles less than three times a year. Only twenty-six percent of Americans say they read their Bible on a regular basis (four or more times a week). We all agree that our country is on a moral decline, but what are we going to do about it? I challenge you to read the Bible every day. Start with only a chapter or even a verse. Keep the Bible in your favorite couch. Have a set time (morning is the best) to read the Wisdom Book. When you give God’s Word priority over your life, you’re honoring God, and He will honor you back in everything you do. In communist China, underground Christians share one Bible between dozens of believers. Leaders get arrested and thrown into prison for owning a Bible or conducting a house church. Is there any wonder, China is on course to become ‘world’s most Christian nation’ within 15 years?

The best Christian homes take their families to church. This is a great start but don’t just be a pew-warmer. Yes, we must gather together in the house of God. But we will have little or no impact if we do not honor God in our own homes. J. Edgar Hoover said, “If discipline were practiced in every home, juvenile delinquency would be reduced by 95%.” What children get, they give to society. When kids watch their parents living in harmony, honoring each other, and living a God-fearing life, they will pick up on it. They too will model their lives to be ambitious for God. The greatest investment we can make on our kids is not to leave a great inheritance, or give them a great education in their career, but to help them encounter God and pursue His plans for their lives. The world doesn’t need more professionals; we need more disciples of Christ.

At work, we can be ambitious for our God as well. In certain religions, they take time out in the middle of their work hours to worship God. Why are we afraid to bring our faith to work? Allow me let you in on a secret. If you’re the best producer and hardest worker at your job, management doesn’t care what religion you practice. I’m not telling you to be obnoxious, but to gently, quietly, and deliberately live your faith at work. If you do not compromise your character or your faith, you’ll be working for God at your job and make the devil pay for it!

Friend, set some impossible goals for the extension of His Kingdom. Don’t just settle for giving 10% of your income to God. How about joining a neighborhood evangelism team? Serve at a local food bank. Visit the elderly, homeless and the prisons. Go on a missions team with Build International. The possibilities are endless. If you have a desire to attempt great things for God, He will make is possible for you to experience great things for Him.

“Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us” (1 Peter 2:12 NIV).

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What Would Jesus Think of Church Today

Going to church on Sunday has become a Christian tradition all over the world. For some, Sunday is the holy-day when we rest and honor God. For others, church is becoming less relevant to their busy lifestyle.

What would Jesus think if He walked into our church service today?

While a part of being a Christian is to connect with other believers, wanting to be social for personal gain should never be the reason for going to church. When our motive is to get close to the pastor, leader or other believers for personal advancement, then we’re jeopardizing our faith. WHY we do what we do is far more important than what we do. Remember, God still looks at the intent of our hearts!

A major emphasis is placed on what we’re going to “get” when we go to church. We use phrases like, “What did you get from church today?” For a New Testament believer, it should be just the opposite. We don’t go to church to “get” but to GIVE our praise, worship and adoration to God from whom all blessings flow. We also should bring hope, encouragement and practical help to one another while we’re in church. Sure God will give us what we need for our daily life but our goal should be to GIVE rather than to get – an attitude of gratitude.

What would Jesus think of our leaders in the church today? Jesus looked at Peter and commissioned him to “feed my sheep.” Yet, many pastors today are using the pulpit to “beat the sheep.” Often congregations are put through guilt trips for not coming to church often enough or not giving more of their money to church. Other pastors are obsessed with their theology and doctrines. Their ego is bigger than life! Church leaders, here’s what Jesus would remind us, “Feed my sheep and lead them to green pastures where My presence is.” As leaders our main job is to create an environment for people to encounter God. Sinners need hope, the sick need healing and the oppressed needs to be set free. Saints need to be empowered into action; not just to come to church on Sunday and coerced into giving 10% of their income to the church (by the way, why are we obsessed with the 10% when 100% belongs to God in the first place?) but also to live the rest of the week being salt and light to the world.

I wonder what Jesus would think about “bodyguards” in the church today! Jesus made Himself vulnerable even to His enemies who came to kill Him. He willingly gave Himself up for us. Why is it that leaders have to surround themselves with secret-service-looking body guards? Do you know how a church leader and his church get recognized by the government in communist Laos? In my recent trip to the country, I was told that every pastor of a new church is arrested and put in prison for 6-12 months. If they survive the persecution and torture without giving out the names, protecting his members, they come out free to conduct services and recognized by the government. This test of commitment is the same in majority of the world including communist China, where Christianity is exploding! In return, believers remain committed to the church for the rest of their lives.

Brothers and sisters, going to church should not be an obligation. We should go there to worship God. We should congregate to lift, encourage and help one another. We should go to church to be saved and healed from our hurts and pain. A church should be a hospital to heal the broken, hurting, sighing and dying people not a showcase to display perfect people. Pastors should be more concerned about delivering people than delivering sermons. When we allow the Holy Spirit to move among us, we will see the power of the church restored to her original glory. Heathens will be drawn to church when they see our love for one another. God is far more interested in our lifestyle rest of the week than the weekly two hours we spend in the church. Jesus said, “My house will be called a house or prayer.” Let’s pray. Let’s worship. Let’s learn and become Disciples of Christ. When we reflect God’s love and light to our lost world we will encounter His glory again!

“He said to them, "The Scriptures declare, 'My Temple will be called a house of prayer,' but you have turned it into a den of thieves!" (Matthew 21:13 NLT).

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You Are Awesome

Many people struggle with who they are. They do not like the way they look. They think they have nothing to offer to the world. They have given up on life. The truth is we are made in the image of God. You are awesome!

When we think of the majestic Himalayas, it is easy to marvel at God’s creation. When we look that the vast oceans and the creature in there, we can only marvel! We watch a documentary about space and spectacular creation we cannot but acknowledge God’s greatness. But did you know God’s greatest creation is you?

The Bible teaches us that we are made little lower than the angels but at the end of the day, we will judge the angels! The Word says, before we were born God knew us. He put a blessing on us before anyone could curse us. The blessing always overrides the curse. Many people look at themselves less than what God made them to be. If we are to make the most of life, we have to see ourselves as God does.

People go through life thinking very little about themselves. They think they are not good enough. I am here to remind you that God never makes anything inferior. The color of your skin, your height, and the country you were born were all part of God’s divine plan. Where you are today may not be where God wants you to be but everything about you is part of God’s original design.

Sometimes we blame our parents or background for the way we are – not too much of this or a little too much of that. Fact is God chose our parents. He doesn’t make mistake. If you do not like the way you were born you can be born again! When we accept Christ, God becomes our DNA. We are not God but His character, strength and power become readily available in and through us. This is the great exchange – sinners become heirs of God. Accept your royalty in God and take your position with Christ in heavenly places. Your seat has been vacant for too long. You are fearfully and wonderfully made!

Often we allow other people to dictate our lives. Parents, teachers, spouse or people in authority may have told us we will never amount to anything. We believe that lie and sit on the sidelines for years. Helen Keller, Mother Teresa, Gandhi, Winston Churchill, Jesse Owens, Walt Disney, Paul Yonggi Cho all came from a humble beginning but what history they made in the world! Today as you stand at the commencement of this year, remember that the seeds of greatness are in you. God is no respecter of people. His eyes are fixed on you and His Hands are stretched to help you claim your stake in history. He has given you another 365 blank pages to write your story. It is up to you to decide how the story will read. Do not limit God. Silence the voice of the enemy and embrace what God has for you this year.

 

One mistake people often make is that they are led by their emotions. Feelings are fickle. Do not be led by your feelings. Our feelings are like waves crashing on the beach. You cannot stop the waves from coming but you can choose which wave you want to ride on. Friend, be led by the Holy Spirit. God will speak to you loudest about your life than through any other person. God is in speaking terms with you. If you stop long enough to listen, He will tell you what you should do. Jesus said, "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. Let’s stick with Him so we can bear much fruit this year.

Friend, God is not through with you. Instead, He has an amazing future waiting for you. He has crowned you with goodness and favor. Don’t condemn yourself. Don’t commit suicide. Your name is written in His Book and your picture is engraved on His Hand. He loves you more than you’d ever know. You’re created in His image. You belong to His royal family. You will surpass anything your parents ever achieved. You and God together are a majority. You are loved, celebrated and I am praying for you.

 

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10 ESV).

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Be a Friend of God

Many of us know God as our Creator, Savior, Judge, Father and so on. It is good to give him due respect and reverence for all that He is. One of the greatest ways we can know God is as a friend. This is an incredible privilege!

Recently in my home, we’re learning about being a friend of God. My children and I are having a lot of great discussions. Today, I’ll share a few thoughts about knowing God as our friend.

Friendship with God brings us to the even field. When we’re friend with someone, we’re blind to their social, economic or spiritual status. We relate to them just the way they are. We accept their good, bad and the ugly. Good friends don't keep track of each other’s wrongs. Neither does God. It should give us great confidence to know that God loves and accepts us just the way we are. He’s not expecting us to come up to His “standards” before He can be our friend. We have to just accept His friendship.

Friendship with God means we can talk about anything. Friendship between two people breaks down every barrier. We feel safe talking to friends about our deepest secrets and desires. We don’t have to worry about being misunderstood. We can have real conversations. When we’re friends with God, we can talk to Him when life is easy, and we can talk to him when life is hard. He understands our deepest emotions. He feels for our sadness, despair, dreams and hopes. He can handle when we’re upset and angry. We must also take time to hear and understand God’s heart.

Friendship with God is a two way street. Best friendships are those that are based on giving and receiving. If we’re the ones always asking, requesting and getting stuff from God then our friendship is warped. You cannot expect to have a healthy friendship if you’re always on the receiving end. When we love God as a friend, we take interest in the things that touches His heart. In the center of God’s heart is to bring the Good News to the poor. He wants to heal the broken hearted. He wants to set the captives free. He wants to bring liberty to the oppressed. Luke 4:18. When we get involved in these activities, we’re strengthening our friendship with God.

Friendship with God requires that we spend time with Him. When we value a friendship, we make time for that relationship. We spend at least eight hours a day because we value our job and business. What about our relationship with God? How much effort do we make to connect with him throughout the day? I can’t sit still in one place for too long. I don’t pray two hours every day. I pray to God frequently. They are normally short interactions. I don’t always ask for stuff from God. Most of my personal time with God is spent on expressing my worship to Him. I’m thankful for our friendship. I verbalize my gratitude to God out loud all the time. You too can strengthen your friendship with God by simply spending time with Him.

Friendship with God means we make sacrifices and give gifts. How many times has a friend called us in the most inconvenient time, and we still make ourselves available to him? If we’re to be close friends with God, we have to make some sacrifices. We have to say no to our flesh. We have to be proactive in doing what’s right in things that please God. Giving a gift of our loyalty to God will enhance our friendship. When we trust God in the darkest situation, our friendship is concrete. Let’s not just ask what God can do for us; let’s also focus on what we can do for Him.

It is an awesome privilege to be a friend of God. Let’s not take our friendship for granted. Let’s invest in the most important friendships of our lives by reaching out to God. His friendship is always motivated by love. He accepts us just the way we are but He loves us too much to leave us the way we are. Let’s be better friends with God. He calls us friend!

“I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn't confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me” (John 15:15 NLT).

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How to Hear God's Voice

Does God speak to us today? Some think it is impossible. Others would love to hear God’s voice but they never have. Then there are others who hear God’s voice regularly. Is there really a secret to hearing God’s voice? Does God talk to humans?

God does and wants to speak to us. In fact God wants to speak to us more than we want to hear. God often speaks to us in unexpected time, place and circumstances. God spoke to Moses in the burning bush when he wasn’t expecting it but he was receptive. Instead of blowing it off, Moses took time to stop, think and look into it. He was in sync with God. Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice.”

One of the greatest hindrances to hearing God’s voice today is our busy-ness. When we are running around like a chicken with its head cut off, we cannot hear God. If our lives are full of “noises” it will hinder us from hearing God. In order to hear God we have to have a quite spirit. Let’s discuss a few common ways God speaks to us today.

The most common ways God speaks to us is through His Word. The Bible contains God’s thoughts inspired by the Holy Spirit. If you want to hear God’s voice, just read your Bible. As you read the Word of God (logos) suddenly a particular word, phrase or sentence will jump out at you. It will grab your attention. This is your “aha” moment and instruction that you need. That’s called the “rhema” Word of God. It means this Word is now custom made for your specific situation.

God speaks to us through other people. We all have heard about God using prophets to speak to His people. He still does. But God also speaks to us through common men and women. The Bible says that in the multitude of counselors there’s safety. In other words, when we allow people to speak into our lives, we’re hearing God. One word of caution here! God will speak to you the loudest about your life than any other person. Don’t be deceived into believing that you need a personal prophet in your back pocket who will dictate the course of your life. God is in speaking terms with you. God will confirm through other people what He has already spoken to your heart first.

God speaks to us in unusual ways. This can include dreams, visions, audible voices and or any other uncommon circumstances. This is prevalent in Arab nations where it is a huge offense to share the Gospel. People are having dreams and visions of Jesus and coming to know the Lord. There have been reports of whole mosque filled with believers where Jesus has revealed Himself to the people. Like Moses’ encounter with God, these are usually initiated by God.

God speaks to us through everyday life. Next to the Bible, this is the most common way God speaks to me. He doesn’t usually give me an essay but He gives me a word, a phrase or an idea that relates to my circumstances. I like to say, “God twits” to me. You may laugh but I hear God through TV commercials, billboards, books, casual conversations and oh yea – when I’m taking a shower. I know it’s weird! Normally this happens through a quite impression on my heart. When God speaks, I always try to write down the thought. I keep notepad by my bed, in my car, and I write down thoughts on my phone also. Often the Holy Spirit suddenly reminds me about a specific friend while I’m driving or doing whatever. That’s when I call to check on them and pray for them.

Friend, God wants to speak to you more than you want to hear Him. Get the mind of Christ by putting God’s Word in your spirit. God will speak to you through people you know and trust. Stay open to hearing God’s voice in unusual ways. Be sensitive throughout the day to hear God speak to you in a small voice down in your spirit. The more you practice hearing His voice the better you’ll become at it. He loves you and He wants to talk to you.

“Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known” (Jeremiah 33:3 ESV).

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