5 Facts You Must Know About Yourself

One of the main reasons why people struggle is our own perception of who we are. We often tend to identify and magnify the gifts and talents in others but we’re not so sure about our own abilities.

We get our self-esteem from various sources. It can come from parents, teachers, and other authority figures. Even religious leaders may have taught us not to think too highly of ourselves. We must be humble but if we don’t have God’s perspective on who we are, then we’ll go through life thinking less of ourselves.  Today let’s discuss five important facts you must know about yourself.

#1. You’re magnificent. Of all the breathtaking creations in the world, you’re God’s best! You’re created by design. When we accept that God made us in His own image, it changes everything. You’re stunningly beautiful. You have the smarts. Your personality matches with your purpose. You’re here in this time and space to change the world. Let this truth sink deep down into your heart. Say it with me, “I am magnificent!” Agree with God because that’s what He says about you.

#2. You’ve got what it takes. God has equipped you with the right gifts and talents. You don’t need to be anybody else. The original YOU is more explosive than all the dynamite in the world. Quit comparing yourself to others. Accept who you are. Take some time to discover your own uniqueness – flaws and all. Albert Einstein said, “Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it’s stupid.” Find your mojo and be the best YOU that you can be! You’re a great husband, Dad, brother, and neighbor.

#3. You have the right connections. How many times do we suck up to people thinking they will open doors for us? There’s nothing wrong with trying to meet people and look for opportunities but you’ll have a greater sense of confidence if you accept that God is your source. He’s your strongest link to success. The Scripture puts it this way, “If God is for us, who can be against us!” Let’s stop the frustrating cycle of trying to impress people. Right now, God has just the right people and connections lined up for you to take you to the next level. If you focus on impressing God, He will impress others about you!

#4. You have the favor of God. Your natural talents may not measure up but God’s favor will make up for your deficiency. Never be too lazy to do your best. After that, let God do the rest! That’s what the young shepherd boy David did. He was the anointed (favored) unprofessional and Goliath was the experienced professional. Get up each day and pray out loud, “Thank you Lord for giving me preferential treatment today. I have the favor of God. I expect victory and success in all I do.” My friend, this is the breakfast, lunch, and dinner of Champions!

#5. There’s always hope for you. Once someone told me, “You’ve lost the window of opportunity.” People have a hard time letting go of old memories but God will never write you off. Don’t let the sins of your past rob you of your bright future. No matter how down, defeated, or desperate you feel, you can come out of your misery in a split second. The first person you’ll meet when you decide to turn from your wrongs is Jesus. God is always there for you. His mercy endures forever! He is not mad at you, He is madly in love with you. Why don’t you take a moment now and make it right with God. Say this out loud with me, “Dear God, I made mistakes. I take ownership for my wrongs. I need your forgiveness. I accept the power of the Holy Spirit to fuel me from here on. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

Friend, no matter what you feel, always know these facts about you. You’re fearfully and wonderfully made. You are full of God’s can-do power. You have the right connections working on your behalf. God’s grace is sufficient for you. Nothing you do can separate you from the love of God. Now what are you waiting for? Go with God and make history!

“But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12 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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Don’t Lose Your Brand

Brand is the name, term, design, symbol, or any other feature that identifies one seller's product distinct from those of other sellers. When we think about a brand, it stands out in our mind from the masses. Our brand is our identity.

Airplanes are made to fly. Ships sail and cars drive. No matter how big, fancy and powerful they are its useless unless they perform to do what they’re made for. People spend millions trying to secure their brand. What is your brand? What do people think of when they think about you?

When people think of me I want them to think of two things – inspiration and world missions. I do a lot of things but empowering people with the Word of God and bringing the Gospel to the nations are the focus of my life. Being in the ministry, kind people offer me all sorts of opportunities because they’re trying to help our organization. I appreciate their offer but kindly I have to turn them down. I’ve learnt this principle in life: every opportunity is not for me. I must be true to the vision God gave me and that is inspiration and world missions.

If we’re to be successful in life, we have to find and cultivate our brand. In order to be effective, you cannot be a master of all. You may do many things but don’t let your brand be so broad that people can’t think of one thing that you stand for. People and businesses that thrive are those who understand and cultivate their brand.

U2 is my favorite band in the world. I love their music. I’ve been a fan of this Irish band since they became famous with their hit “I still haven’t found what I’m looking for.” After thirty years, they’re still writing outstanding music and fans like me are following them. If you didn’t know, U2’s front man Bono does a lot of humanitarian work, especially in Africa. He’s also a political activist. He challenges rich nations to forgive foreign debts of the poor countries. They do a lot of inspiring things but their staple is still churning good music. That is the number one reason why they’re still in business and thriving. What’s your brand? What brings out the best in you?

I find people who have great ideas and vision but they never take the time to hone down their trade. They offer multiple services and lack laser focus in their vision. It’s okay to have multiple source of income but don’t juggle two or three businesses until you’re successful at one. You only have a limited energy and resources every day. Everything you do takes your time, effort and energy. If you’re spreading yourself too thin, you won’t have the time to develop anything and you’ll miss out.

When Jesus got started in the ministry, John sent his disciples to check Him out. He wasn’t critical but John wanted to know what Jesus was about? So he replied to the messengers, "Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. (Luke 7:22 NIV). Jesus was saying, “I’m the Savior, Healer and the Deliverer of mankind!”

Friend, what is your brand? Have you strayed from the original vision God gave you? Are your fingers in too many pies? Do the people think of any one thing when they think about you? Are you spread too thin? Every opportunity that comes along your way is NOT for you. Focus on the one thing God has gifted you with. Don’t be a Jack of all trades. Be a master of one thing and all Jacks will gather around you! Whatever you focus on will grow. As you become successful in one thing, you’ll be amazed how every other area of your life will also start to flourish. Stick to your brand. Go back to the basics. Do what you’re best at and you’ll rise to the top. Don’t lose your brand! I’m praying for you.

“I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14 ESV).

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Understanding Your Value

Many people go through life, feeling very little of themselves. I’ve been there myself. They entertain thoughts like, I’m not attractive. I’m not smart. I’m not educated.  I’ll never amount to much in life. The enemy wants to deceive us into believing that there’s nothing good in us. This is the enemy’s biggest lie!

Jesus said, “Love your neighbor like you love yourself.” This is not some ego trip prescription he gave us. He is not suggesting that we become narcissist and obsessed with ourselves. He is telling us to like and love ourselves so that we can love others.  This cannot happen until we understand our true value. The price of a commodity is not determined by the product itself but by what the market is willing to pay for it. God paid the ultimate price for you and me. You’re nothing less than spectacular!

Cynthia Ann was born on February 20, 1966. She was one of four children. Her brother Jeffrey died of leukemia when she was only ten years old. She had turbulent teenage years but astonishingly Cynthia graduated first her class from high school. She left to study engineering but in order to support herself Cynthia had to get a $4 an hour job shucking corn. So she quit college to take up a modeling job in Chicago.

Cindy had the perfect measurement to be a model. At five feet nine inches tall, she had the perfect figure. However, she had one flaw. Cindy had a mole on the left corner of her upper lip. How could this mole ever allow her to be a supermodel? In the beginning of her career, the mole was removed from her earlier modeling pictures. Later, Cindy came to terms with the mole on her face. She decided to go “natural” with her mole. A symbol of imperfection but it brought the greatest fame for Cynthia. It was the imperfect mole that separated her from the masses in the modeling industry.

Today, Cindy Crawford is a household name. She has appeared in more than 400 magazine covers. Cindy is considered one the greatest supermodels of our time. Certainly she’s beautiful all around but mostly she’s recognized all over the world by the mole in the corner of her lips. The one thing that should have disqualified her from stardom is the very thing God used to give her an unprecedented career in modeling. God will do the same for you!

Friend, don’t focus on your weaknesses, focus on your strength. Learn to think good about yourself. Many people mistakenly think that’s not being humble. Humility is not about us. It’s about accepting who God made us to be. It’s about ascribing everything we are and everything we have to our great God. Humility is deflecting the glory to our heavenly Father.

This is what our Master had to do for Himself. In Luke chapter seven, John the Baptist, sent his disciples to ask Jesus who He was!  Interestingly, Jesus did not say He was the son of a carpenter with no education and no sophisticated manners.  He didn’t say he was from a little town of Bethlehem.  He boldly said, “Go and tell John the things you have seen and heard; that the blind see the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the gospel preached to them.”  Jesus knew who He was. He knew His value and purpose on earth.  He was humble but He didn’t look at Himself as less or inferior. He gave full credit to His heavenly Father.

We must learn to do the same with our lives. When Jesus died for us on the cross, His blood made us worthy. We were sinners but His mercy bought us with a great price and now we are sons and daughters of God. It will be offensive if we did not accept God’s value on our lives. In God’s eyes, we’re priceless created in His own image. We don’t have to brag about ourselves but we can brag on God. We belong to the Royal class we belong to God’s own family. Shake off the insecurity. Like Cindy, overlook the mole and accept who you are. You may not be on magazine cover but you’re tattooed on God’s Hands!

In case you haven’t heard it lately, you’re beautiful, your future is bright and you’re extremely valuable. I’m grateful that you’re in my life. I’m praying for you!

“I have engraved you on the palms of my hands” (Isaiah 49:16 NIV).

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Accept the Way God Made You

Too many people today are comparing themselves with others. We don’t always realize it but a lot of our social, emotional and physical problems stem from lack of healthy self-esteem. Instead of embracing who God made them to be they’re always trying to be like someone else.

Don’t misunderstand me. There’s nothing wrong trying to better yourself, get a different style of hair or wanting to lose some weight. But if we’re constantly trying to please others by trying to be different person than who we are, then we’re wasting our time, resources and energy.

I remember growing up in high school, I was very skinny. I didn’t like that. I wanted to be like some of my friends with strong muscles and big body. I thought of changing the way I looked. So I started to exercise, lift some weight, do pushups and even eat certain food to gain weight. Instead of putting on weight I became more lean and thin. It took me years to get comfortable in my own skin. Later when I came to America, I found out that people spend thousands of dollars in medical procedures, vitamin supplements and hundreds of hours at the gym and trying to look skinny. Then I realized God was setting me up even from my young age!

People of all ages think, “If I just look like she looks…” “If I had his job…” If I had their lifestyle...” People forget that we’re custom made by God. We’re created in the image of God. You have the right size nose, perfect height and matching personality. Sure we can all act a little more like Jesus but our outward appearance has nothing to do with the value God put in us. In God’s eyes, you’re a perfect ten! You must feel the same way about yourself.

When we’re constantly struggling to fit in unconsciously we’re devaluing what God made us to be. When we’re always trying to get the approval of others, we’re degrading God’s masterpiece. Wanting to live the life of another is an endless pit. The best representation of you is to be an original.

Many people go through life never accepting the gifts and qualities God put in them. You may not look or have a body of a movie star but you’re a kind person. You may not be the best cook but you keep up with your house. You may not be a very romantic person but you provide for your family faithfully. The secret of happiness is to dwell on the gifts and talents God put in you and not put so much of your focus on what others have. You may not realize it but you’re in high demand just the way you are. Somebody out there is waiting to celebrate everything about you.

It’s ok to be you! God approved you before anyone could put a curse on you. You’re created for His glory. There’s nobody like you and never will be. Your purpose and destiny on earth is more than how you look. As soon as you realize who you are in Christ, you’ll never have to struggle another day. You don’t need to be told how good looking and smart you are. You’re all that by design because God never makes junk. You belong to the royal class. You’re so valuable that God died to make you His own!

Certainly, we all can develop our skills, habits and personalities but never do so thinking it will increase your value. You’re a good stock. Your price is going up by the day. You don’t have any business what other people think of you. What is important is you know what God thinks about you.

Let’s say this together. I’m the apple of God’s eye. I’m smart. I’m beautiful. I’m creative. I’m disciplined. I’m full of God’s favor. I’ve got what it takes. I can do all things through Christ. I’m a Victor and not a victim. I have the mind of Christ. I’m born to do great things. Friend, focus on your own gifts and talents. Seek God’s approval rather than men and you’ll be the King (or Queen) the rest of your life. Accept the way God made you. You’re the best you the world will ever know!

“For if, by the trespass of the one, death reigned through the one; much more shall they that receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one, even Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:7 ASV).

Click Here to Spread the Message of Hope: www.buildinternational.org

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