You Can Impact the World

Most of us cannot comprehend doing anything to change the world. Yet God wants all of us to be a world changer. We may feel insignificant on our own but when we allow God to work in and through us, we can impact the world!

Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “Do the thing and you’ll have the power.” Most of our problems are between our own two eyes. We think we cannot do anything big so we do nothing. The key is to do what you can and then allow God to do what you can’t. The Bible says that God will bless the work of our hands (Deuteronomy 2:7). Today, I want to stir you up to become a world changer.

In order to support the family, my father had to quit school when he was in seventh grade. He was a Christian man but he was very limited in his environment. For generations, his family lived in poverty and lack. When my mother passed away, leaving him with four young boys, all he could do was to pray. He struggled through most of his life until we all came to know Christ.

Many years went by without any sign of my father’s prayers being answered. At one point he lost touch with me and two of my brothers for several years. However, my father never stopped praying for his sons to serve God. Long story short, today not only are all of his sons, but over two dozen other family members are serving the Lord. I say it humbly but together we’ve ministered in over 150 nations, touching millions of lives. What was once an impossible dream of my earthly father was made possible by our Heavenly Father. My Dad is around 85 years old now. Next month, we’re going to celebrate his life while he is still with us. He is a prime example of how you can change the world through prayer!

Today, you may live in a limited environment. You think that everybody else is more talented than you. You look at yourself and think that you have nothing to give. Some of you feel like you’ve wasted your time in the world and now you’re too old to do anything big for God. This may be how you feel but this is not true. God is not finished with you. If God didn’t have a plan and a purpose for your life, you wouldn’t be here. Your greatest days on earth are still out in front of you. He wants you to impact the world with your time, talents, and treasures.

In 2 Kings 5, there’s a story of a man named Naaman who was a commander in the king’s army. He was a valiant man but he had leprosy. Naaman’s wife had a slave girl from Israel to help her around the house. When this young girl heard about Naaman’s plight, she told his wife about Prophet Elijah in Samaria. She suggested that if Naaman would go and meet Elijah, his leprosy will be healed. Through a long string of events, at the instruction of the Prophet, Naaman dipped in the River Jordan and his skin was cured like a young boy. Consider how it all started. God used a slave girl working in the kitchen to perform a mighty miracle. If a slave girl can start a miracle-working power of God, imagine what God can do through you!

On October 23rd, we’re leaving for another mission trip to India. Our goal is to touch 30,000 people in three weeks. It takes only $1 to reach one person! People are waiting in anticipation for the Good News. We’ll lift Jesus in worship in front of thousands. We will encourage, and minister to the poor and persecuted Christians. Like my father, you can impact the world through your prayers. Some of you can support this mission trip. Others of you can share this information with friends and on social media and empower others to action. President Ronald Reagan said, “We can’t help everyone, but everyone can help someone.”

Friend, your influence has a great impact. Today, I urge you to attempt something big for God. It doesn’t have to be anything big but do something. Anita Roddick, the founder of the Body Shop said, “If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito.” Don’t minimize your involvement in world missions. Pray. Give. Go. In the hands of our big God, our small act of service can turn into something great. Together, we can change the world!

“How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent” (Romans 10:14-15 NIV).

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Desire More for God

We are driven by desires. We strive to get to a better place with our lives. We want more comfort, better living conditions, plenty of affluence and influence. While none of this is wrong, our desire for God is more important in this life and beyond.

Yesterday, I met with two young ladies. We’ll call them Becky and Chelsea. They’re smart, beautiful, and full of purpose. They are highly successful in their own careers and they’re modest about their achievements. Both of them have traveled the world and lived overseas extensively, helping people that are less fortunate. Chelsea is a property manager but her real passion is to work with new immigrants giving them job skills and other valuable support; introducing them to our God. Becky has a booming business but she is constantly looking for ways to help others. Her dream is to have a restoration center healing God’s servants from around the world! Their love for God and His people is impeccable! What inspired me about these ladies is that they love life to the fullest but they also love God with their whole heart. As a matter of fact, everything they do is an overflow of their obedient commitment to Christ. My friends are marked for success!

I believe every human being is born with a God-shaped void in their hearts. We try to fill it up with busyness, relationships, building ourselves a name, fame, and a fortune. Climbing the corporate ladder is great but make sure it’s not leaning against the wrong wall. How we get there, and what we do when we arrive, make all the difference. The same is true in raising a family, growing a business, or even serving God in the ministry. Martha was busy ministering for Jesus. Mary ministered to Jesus. Mary was preferred! Nothing can fill the void in your life that only God can. He has reserved all the right to our love and affection. He laid His life down to express His love for us. Do you desire more for God as you do for material things in life?

My kids have three cats! I was out of my mind to allow them three kittens (they grow)! Seriously, they’re cute and they add a lot of joy. Fang is always getting into mischief. I have to get on to her more than the other two. However, it is Fang who jumps onto my couch every morning and cuddles with me while I’m having my tea and reading my Bible. She likes to do that throughout the day. I like all of our cats but Fang gets preferred treatment because of her affection for me. Many Christians go to God only when they have a need. There’s nothing wrong with asking God for stuff. But if our relationship is based on getting and not giving, then we’re living too shallow.

In the Bible, we find David always having a desire for more of God. He rose early in the morning to seek after Him. He took time to recall the blessings He received from God. He magnified God while he was surrounded by his enemies. David made God’s name famous. In return, in spite of his humble background, God made him the king of Israel and called David a man after His own heart. What about you? Do you have any conversation with God that does not involve your benefit? Do you ever ask God, “What you can do for you?” Do you actively seek for ways that will make His name great? Do you have a bucket list of what you want to do for God? You have goals for your own family and personal career but do you have a goal for your spiritual development? These questions are not to make you feel bad but if we don’t have a desire to live more for God, we’re not living life to our highest potential.

Let’s become lovers of God. He owns it all except our hearts. The Holy Spirit is a Gentleman. He will not occupy what you don’t surrender. It’s great to have goals and dreams and accumulate stuff but I’ve never seen a U-Haul behind a hearse! Nothing wrong in making a name or having fame but there’s nothing right doing it without God. Talk to Him regularly. Read His love letters, the Bible, to you. Know Him and make His name known to the world. Let’s be like my friends Becky and Chelsea and desire more for God. King David always made time for God, so can we. Like our cat if we get cozy with God, our lives will go better for us. Friends, I challenge you to desire more for God. When we live a God-pleasing life, everything else will automatically fall in place. God wants you. How much of God do you desire?

“As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God” (Psalm 42:1 NIV).

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Become a Miracle

Many people today are waiting for a miracle. They need a healing in their body, a job, or a relationship rescue. While we all need a miracle for ourselves, we can reach out and touch somebody who God has placed in our path.

Human nature is to be self-focused. We’re all going about our day like a busy bee trying to gather for ourselves. While it’s not wrong to provide for your own family, it is not healthy to be so self-absorbed. God has made you a miracle! You’re a miracle waiting to happen.

You may be thinking, “Sandy, that is good but I need a miracle for myself.” Here’s the key. When you become a miracle for others, God will become a miracle for you. Most people don’t realize that the greatest miracles are the smallest things in life. God touches people when you do. He provides for the poor through you. He shows His love when we embrace the crying, sighing, and dying humanity. One touch of God can change people’s lives. People experience God by experiencing you!

Years ago, I worked at a computer company. By the grace of God, I was their top producer. One day a total stranger walked into the store. I got to talking to him and realized that he’d come looking for a job. After probing a little, I found out that he was in a bad situation but he was ready and willing to work hard to amend his life. After escorting him to the hiring manager, I gave him the highest recommendation and the young man was hired. The rest is history. That young man got his life back together and went on to become one of the best employees for the company. What was that? It wasn’t hard or big but that was becoming a miracle for someone else.

In the Bible, Jesus told a parable of the Good Samaritan. A man was traveling from Jericho to Jerusalem and on the way he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him, and left him half dead. Isn’t this what the devil still tries to do to God’s people today? People commit a sin and make a bad choice and their lives go into a tailspin. The first two people who encountered the wounded man were a priest and a Levite. They were on their way to worship God in Jerusalem. They were in a hurry to meet God but they didn’t have time for His creation. They failed to recognize that true religion is to care for people. They passed him by but a Samaritan outcast stopped and helped the man recover from his wound and payed for his restoration. I wonder how the world would look at us Christians if we stopped long enough to become a miracle!

It’s pretty to sing, “Jesus I love you!” in the church but you can’t love God without loving people. When we reach out and become their miracle, we’re storing up treasures for ourselves. You cannot outgive God!

 

One of the greatest things we can give to people is our encouragement. I’ve found most people know what to do to get out of their misery. What many people don’t have is someone to believe in them. One of the most powerful phrases in the world is to say to a struggling person, “I believe in you!” When a series of negative things happen, people get discouraged and depressed. These people are not failures. They’ve been on the top before and they can do it again. What they need is someone to believe in them. When we look into their eyes and point them to God, they find a new source of strength within themselves. It’s easy to find faults in others but it’s divine to become a miracle!

Today, I challenge you to go about your day looking to become a miracle. Speak a kind word to a stranger. Endorse someone. Give a referral. Call a friend who is going through a difficult situation. Pray with someone about their problems. Give someone a hug. Be generous. When we do these little things for others, God will make sure to do the big things for you. Become a miracle and God will become a miracle for you!

“Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” (Luke 10:36-37).

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Health is Wealth

God created us in different shape, size and form. We’re not supposed to look like Barbie doll but we’re all supposed to live healthy. Our body is not only where we live but it is also where God lives. We’re responsible to take care of our health.

We’re all made up of body, mind, spirit and soul. Therefore, it is not just enough to focus on physical exercise we need to also pay attention to our mental and spiritual health. Today, let’s discuss some of the major areas we can improve our health.

Get active. There’s a tremendous awareness in our society about the benefit of staying fit. Many of you my friends are shining example of staying fit. Facebook is full of entries of exercise triumphs. I love it! Some of my friends are exercising both for them and me. Most of us however need to make an effort for it. I’m not greatly motivated to exercise but I’ve realized this, if I don’t do what’s needed now, I’ll live shorter and unproductive life. Here’s the simple key. Exercise! No matter what you do, how long and how often – get active. Anything you do is better than nothing.

Don’t worry! Worry and stress will send you early to grave. We’re all tempted to worry about something every day. When we worry, we change nothing. A Nepalese proverb says, “The tiger in our mind is bigger than the tiger in the jungle.” We often worry about things that have no basis for it.

Yesterday, I had lunch with an old friend. I had brought my laptop with me to show him some pictures of what God was doing on the mission field. I had put my computer down by my chair and when we got done visiting, I completely forgot about my laptop. I drove almost fifteen minutes before I remembered my laptop. I start to worry. I took a sharp U-turn but I was distraught. I had all my important documents in my laptop. Negative stories of my friends loosing stuff began to flood my mind. The tigers in my mind were becoming bigger and bigger. Finally, I remembered what I often advise people to do – prayer! I prayed briefly and asked God to protect my laptop. When I returned to the restaurant, I looked under my table and there was no computer. I panicked! When I asked the staff at the counter, she said, “What color is your computer?” I said, “It’s an HP, gray color.” Immediately, she handed me my computer. I was so relieved! I thanked God and walked away happy. The point of this story is: we can worry or we can pray. Prayer brings results worry destroys our health.

Watch your intake. A great emphasis has been put on our eating intake. It’s important that we eat and drink healthy. A lot more sinister enemy is what we feed our minds. When we watch negative news reports over and over, when we indulge in trash TV and internet we damage ourselves much greater than bad choices of food. It’s ok to stay current with news and world affairs but don’t get addicted to negative media or attitude. Keep a positive picture of yourself and the world. Protect your mental health by guarding what you read, listen and watch. The movies that play in your mind most frequently will be the reality you’ll live in life. Turn off the negative feeds.

Serve others. One of the most selfish things you can do for yourself is to serve others. When you help others, you release a happy hormone called endorphin. A sense of purpose, self-worth and significance will rejuvenate your body, mind and soul. Reach out to at least one person every day. When you’re a blessing to others, God Himself will bless you. Friends, let’s take care of our body. Our health is our wealth!

“Worship the LORD your God, and his blessing will be on your food and water. I will take away sickness from among you” (Exodus 23:25 NIV).

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Doing Business in Deep Waters

Inside each of us is a desire to do great things in life. When we experience a few setbacks, we tend to tone down our dreams and settle for a mediocre life. If we want to accomplish great things we have to nurture a big vision.

The Bible talks about doing business in great waters. It talks about experiencing God’s miracles in the deep waters. When we’re splashing around in the shallow it is safe.  When you’re in the deep waters, out in the middle of the sea, you have to trust and depend on God for your very survival. You have to take risks but the payback is the great treasures in the depth of the ocean floor.

I want to talk to primarily business owners today. However, these things are applicable to anyone who wants to make a big impact for God. Your dreams and purposes are not there by chance. The Creator of the universe put those desires in you. You’re born for such a time like this. The wealth of the world is stored up for you. God knows your heart is not just to provide for your family but also to touch the world with your influence and resources. Today, let’s talk about a few principles that will propel you to your ultimate destiny.

Believe in the dream God placed in your life. When you set out to do great things for God, you’ll have many opportunities to abort your dream. God will always give you some people who will believe in you but most of the time you have to be your biggest cheerleader. Protecting your dream will be one of your greatest challenges. Very few Christians believe that God wants them to become wealthy and change the world. There’s a small-mindedness that keep most people limited in the shallow waters. It will require all your faith and determination to do business in deep waters. Protect your dream. God is with you in the deep!

There will be oppositions. Great visions will have great oppositions. It comes with the territory. When Joseph had a dream, his own family was the first to laugh at him and tried to steal his dream. He went to the pit, then to the prison but ultimately to the palace to become second in command in the country. Moses faced a similar fate when he struggled for his own survival. But God’s grace led him to the very heart of Pharos’s house floating in a basket. He became the deliverer of the great nation of Israel. David would still be known as a shepherd boy had he not faced his Goliath. Daniel faced the lion’s den. Jesus had to flee to another country as a child to escape the great slaughter. His whole life was marked with challenges but He championed all of life’s trials when He rose again from the dead. You too my friend possess the same potential as the great men of faith before us. You can’t please every person and God at the same time. You will have oppositions but God has prepared a banquet table in front of your enemies. Those who oppose you now will see your success and marvel at God’s goodness in your life. Embrace challenges; it will help you rise higher.

Have some determination. If you build it, they’ll come! Most people give up without finishing the goals and visions God placed in their hearts. What they don’t realize is how close they were to accomplishing their dream! You’re closer than you think. You have come too far to go back now. Great treasures of the sea are in the deep. Give up the low life. Stretch towards heaven. It takes the same faith of a mustard seed to believe God for a $250,000 or a $5,000,000 business. With the later, you can have more influence to win our world for Jesus. You’ve got what it takes. God has the right people lined up for you. Your breakthrough is just in the horizon. Don’t give up until you see God’s miracles in the deep.

Friend, no matter what you do, dream big. Expect great things from God. Don’t let the enemy steal the seeds of greatness from your heart. Embrace challenges. The magnitude of your problem is an indication to the size of your destiny. Don’t be surprised if your dream is taking longer than you anticipated. Get out of the shallow waters. The wealth of the world is yours but you have to launch out into the deep! God is with you and I’m praying for you.

“Those who sail on the sea in ships, who do business on the high seas, have seen what the LORD can do, the miracles he performed in the depths of the sea” (Psalm 107:23-24 God’s Word).

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Pay It Forward

Most of the time we’re so focused with our own lives that we don’t have the time to think about others. Life is a cycle. What we do for others God will make sure to do for us. When we help those in need, we’re depositing into our own future.

Today, my friend Tyler is hosting his second Pay It Forward event. It will benefit several charities including Build International Ministries. For those of you who know Tyler, you know about his Texas-size heart. He is an exceptional chef but his real mission in life is to help people and expand God’s Kingdom on earth. Every time I talk to him, he’s got a people project on his mind. He’s an outward focused young man of God. Today he’s making history by paying it forward by hosting this fundraiser event. Everybody say, “God bless Tyler!”

One of the greatest hindrances to helping people is to think we don’t have what others need. We look at our time, talent and treasure and nod our heads in despair. I’ve learnt, instead of looking at what we don’t have and giving up, a better approach is to look to God and let him orchestrate our means to help others. First the decision and then comes the provision.

This is what happened to my friend Tyler. He had been sharing with some mutual friends of ours to become the title sponsor for today’s Pay It Forward event. When he approached our friends they were very open and willing to help. They’re some of the most generous people. But they have their limits too. The lady said they’ll help if God brought some extra funds into their hands. As Tyler was sitting in her office a white envelop slipped out of her drawer. She had been looking for that envelop for a long time but she couldn’t find it. She had prayed, “Lord, if you help me find it, I’ll bless someone with it.”  Inside was the exact amount Tyler had requested for them to be the title sponsor! God made sure to provide for Tyler and our friends when they made a decision to help those in need.

I heard a story about strangers paying it forward to buy coffee and pastries at Starbucks. It started with just one customer paying for the person behind him. The next customer was so impressed and thankful that he wanted to do the same. The next customer did the same thing. An unbroken chain of forty seven customers paid it forward for the person coming after them. One customer paid for six drinks in the van after him! Helping people is inspiring and contagious. This is why I’ve dedicated my life to helping others. For the last twenty seven years, thousands of people have given their time, talent and treasure to impact eternity. I’m so grateful to YOU and the lives we’re able to change.

When you become outward focus, God becomes laser focused on you and your own need. It doesn’t have to be money. One of the best things we can give to people is our words of encouragement. Bill Gates (Microsoft) and Steve Jobs (Apple) were frenemies. In the dying days of Jobs, he received a letter from Gates. Despite their business battles over the years, they had mutual respect for one another. Jobs cherished Gates’ letter so much that he kept it by his bedside until he passed away. Friend, you may not have a lot of resources right now but can you write a letter of encouragement? I have an “encouragement” file where I keep all the heart-warming letters and cards I’ve received by mail and emails. When I feel discouraged I just read three or four of those letters and I get back my joy and purpose and spring right back to action. Pay It Forward – someday it will come back to you.

Friend, nothing is more satisfying than living a life of giving. God loved us so much that He gave… You can give without loving but you can’t love without giving. Be a part of making an impact in someone's life. God will provide if you make a decision. You don’t have to do anything big. Like the Starbucks customers, buy someone a cup of coffee. Like Gates, take time out of your busy schedule and write a heart-warming letter to someone who needs hope. A small act of giving beats greatest good intentions. The only Jesus many will see and experience is YOU. Pay It Forwards – it ALWAYS comes back to you!

“In the morning sow your seed, and at evening withhold not your hand, for you do not know which will prosper, this or that, or whether both alike will be good” (Ecclesiastes 11:6 ESV).

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

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Be a History Maker

Inside each of us there is a desire to do great things in life. God put that dream in there so that we can change history. Our lives are not to be like a leaves floating through life but to make an eternal impact. We’re born to make history.

We all start off with great dreams and visions in life. Children go around in the capes trying to be a super-hero. Unfortunately negative experiences and words of people convince us that we’re merely ordinary. We give up our dreams and settle for the average life. At best, we’re satisfied with the American dream – big, house, big car and a big bank balance. None of this is wrong in itself but if that is where our dreams end then we’re dreaming too small.

Last week I was attending a funeral of my dear friend Mr. Tim. He was only in his mid-sixties but his life came to an abrupt end. He’s in the loving arms of Jesus now. Please pray for his family. What I liked about his funeral was that people came forward to attribute greatness to his life by the lives he touched. Some flew in from out of town. The room was packed with people. Every person in the hall was touched by Mr. Tim in one way or other. I myself went to the microphone and shared how his life and partnership continues to change lives in Asia. Apart from his sterling character, Mr. Tim was a history maker. He will meet the people he touched and spend eternity with them worshipping our Lord.

It is easy to get so busy and focused on the natural things of the world that sometimes we have no time left to think about eternity. Yet, what is unseen is much more real than what we busy ourselves with every day. When Jesus walked on this earth, he constantly pointed people to heaven and life after death. Our time on earth is short-lived but eternity is forever. We too must spend our time, effort and energy in the light of eternity. God wants us to make our mark in history.

Often we look in the mirror and think, “What difference can I make?” That is one of the biggest lies of the enemy. God has put gifts and talents in each of us to make a difference in our world. Parhald is a young man in the Himalayas who had to quit school in seventh grade. There was very little opportunity in his village so he joined the revolutionary fight for an independent state in his region. He carried weapons and lived the guerilla lifestyle fighting for their cause. During his short visit home, a family member challenged him to serve God and do something great with his life. Shortly after, Prahlad came to our Mission Training Center and received short training in the Bible. Long story short, for the last sixteen years, Pastor Prahlad is serving the Lord full time with our ministry. He has been instrumental to touch hundreds of thousands of lives in the Himalayas. He is a true example of what God can do with an ordinary person. Pastor Prahlad is a history maker!

I meet people every day who are living an ordinary life but deep inside they have an uncanny desire to do something great for God. Lawyers, business persons, housewives, students, professionals want to be part of Build International Ministries because they know we’re touching thousands of lives with the Gospel every month. No matter what you do, always think of yourself as a history maker. There’s more to you than what you think. You are here on earth to make an eternal impact. Nothing is too small when you do it for our great God.

Friend, don’t settle for a mediocre life or even the American dream. I challenge you to find and live God’s dream for your life. He wants to use you to make history. Like my friend Mr. Tim, Pastor Prahlad and Jesus, we too are born to touch lives for our God. Together, we can make our world a better place to live and make an impact in eternity. You are a history maker!

“If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work” (2 Timothy 2:21 NLT).

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

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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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God’s Thoughts on the Lost

Lately my life has been surrounded by people who are passionate about sharing the Gospel with those who are hurting, crying and dying. What is God’s heart for the lost?

I’ll tell you, the closest and dearest thing to God’s heart is lost souls. He is not sitting up their waiting to punish us but the burning desire of His heart is to reconcile man/women to God. It’s God’s will that none should perish but have eternal life.

Religion is mean and condemning but God is love. In the heart of God is mercy. God hates sin but He’s not repelled by the sinners; He is drawn to redeem us with the blood of Jesus. Yesterday, I met Dr. Pool who is a Cardiac Surgeon. His testimony touched me deeply. He’s the only doctor I know who prays for each of his patients out loud. He’s healing the heart of his patients in more than one ways.

I’m fully convinced that God is speeding up the harvest all over the world. Recently I met a young man who used to be a member of a Satanist Church right here in Dallas. After God saved him miraculously, he began to debate with a young lady about the Gospel. All her life she has been a Mormon. After talking back and forth for about six months, she gave her life to the Lord. Today, they’re happily married and can’t wait to share the love of Jesus with others. I see God is working intensely to reconcile man to God everywhere I go.

Many Christians look at our society and gasp at where our culture is heading. It is easy to throw up our hands in the air and give up in despair. This is what happened to Paul in the Bible. Once He was in a city that was so filled with idols that he was filled with righteous indignation. Yet, before he left that city Paul’s heart was filled with compassion; he preached the Gospel to them and many came to know the Lord. Friend, let’s not gripe about what’s going on in our culture instead take the time to share Christ with those who are lost. Love – conquers all!

In the heart of God is mercy. We too must not condemn people but show them God’s mercy. Once, the religious leaders caught a woman in the adulterous act. They dragged that woman to Jesus wanting his approval to stone her. I always wonder why they didn’t condemn the man! Jesus loved the sinner and He still does. He said those that are without sin cast the first stone. Everyone left. He was the only one without sin qualified to cast the first stone. But He didn’t. He showed mercy, forgave her and said, “Go and sin no more.” Friend, if you want to be like Jesus, quit stoning people!

What is the value of one soul? The Bible says that Jesus crossed the sea to reach one man who was filled with demon spirits. Today people are in all sorts of troubles, some are filled with demon sprits and they cannot help themselves. Yesterday, I met a young man. His marriage is falling apart. He told me that nobody would counsel them for more than two times. They want them to go to the “professionals.” Sadly, people don’t want to help unless they’re paid! Where is the heart of compassion? Jesus crossed the sea to set one man free. We should have compassion for our fellowmen.

What is God’s thought about the world? Millions in Asia are racing towards eternity without hearing the name of Jesus. They’re into idolatry but they don’t know any better. We just came back from China touching over 3,000 lives. The communist government says we cannot preach the Gospel but God is working in China, India and other parts of Asia where the world’s most unreached people live. Should we live in the luxury of America and forget about the crying, sighing and dying world? God forbid! Let us have the heart of love and compassion like Jesus. The closest thing to the heart of God is the salvation of mankind. You and I are called to be ambassadors. We have the Gospel of reconciliation. Like my friend Dr. Pool, let us also share Christ with as many we can. For God so loved the world… We too must love people!

“We have the mind of Christ (the Messiah) and do hold the thoughts (feelings and purposes) of His heart” (I Corinthians 2:16 AMP).

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

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Don’t Seek the Glory

We live in a culture and society where instant gratification is the code of conduct. Our attention span is getting shorter. We don’t like to wait for anything and certainly if we do an act of service, we want the spotlight.

This is very contradictory to the teachings of Jesus. His life was filled with miracles yet He told people He touched “Don’t tell anybody.” How different it is from the mindset of today. You hardly can do anything without getting acknowledged for it. Not that it is wrong to be recognized and thanked for what we do but when we seek the glory for what we do, we’ve missed the heart of it.

Couple of weeks ago, I was traveling in Oklahoma. We stopped for lunch at a local restaurant because I really wanted to try some country food. While we waited for our order I spotted three young soldiers in their uniform eating and having a good time. The sacrifice of the servicemen always touches my heart. I called the waitress to the side and asked her to put their tab under my name and not to tell them anything. When they came to pay their bill I was sitting right next to the counter. Trying to be anonymous I kept talking to my kids. I thought they’d just leave but the waitress had told them. They came by our table to thank me for buying them lunch. I didn’t want to be recognized but it just played out that way. No harm was done that day although I’d have preferred to have been anonymous.

One of the great lessons I learned early in life is to help others without seeking glory for it. There’s nothing wrong when people acknowledge our goodness but when we’re doing something to impress people rather than God then we’re doing it for the wrong motive. A far greater attitude is to help people because it is the right thing to do. What we do for others in secret will be rewarded by God openly.

In December 1938, a 29-year-old London stockbroker by the name of Nicholas Winton was about leave for a Skiing holiday in Switzerland. Just as he was about to leave he got a call from a friend in Prague, Czechoslovakia asking him to come and help him with the most interesting assignment. When Winton got there he found thousands of Jewish refugees living in camps under appalling conditions.

Immediately Winton began a rescue operation for the children. After he returned to England, Winton worked as a stockbroker by the day and labored late into the night to bring Jewish children out of the danger zone. After the war Winton didn’t tell anyone, not even his wife Grete about his wartime heroic effort. Half a century later Grete discovered a scrapbook in their attic with all the children’s photos, a complete list of names, letters from the parents to Winton and other documents. Winton had rescued 669 children from the sure death of the Nazi regime. Half a century later Winton was recognized by various groups, and the nation of Israel. Today Sir Nicholas Winton is 104 years old. He still wears the ring given to him by some of the children he saved. On the ring is inscribed: “Save one life, save the world.”

 

Friend, very few of us can do great things but all of us can do a small thing in a great way. You may not be able to save hundreds of lives like Sir Winton but can you buy lunch for a serviceman? Jesus healed people without getting recognition from the religious institution of His days. Can you reach out and touch a broken heart? Modesty is a lost art today. But God never forgets anything we do in His name. When we help others without seeking glory for it, God Himself will pay us back.

Don’t say to yourself I cannot do anything great. Don’t seek greatness; have a heart to help. Don’t focus on what you cannot do. Do what you can. When we save one life with the Gospel of Christ, we give them eternal passage. Save one life, save the world!

His master replied, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness” (Matthew 25:21 NIV)!

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Partnership in Winning Souls

Winning lost souls to Christ is a spiritual responsibility for every Christian. Almost three billion people live in India and China - most of them have had little or no exposure to the Gospel. Every day, 86,000 people die in Asia without hearing the Good News of Jesus Christ.

With the rise of nationalism, today 80% of Asian countries do not allow traditional missionary work. We'll never be able to "import" enough foreign missionaries to reach a whole nation. But God has not abandoned his dream to save the world. Therefore He is raising an army of dedicated, committed and able national workers to reach their own people. Full-time missionaries in the West are declining while more young people in Asia are risking their lives for an opportunity to serve as a Gospel worker.

The new shift in missions has been a blessing in disguise. In India alone there are more than 1,600 languages spoken by millions of people. Native missionaries have no language or cultural barrier. They can travel freely to any part of their own country. They have a living testimony of the power of the Gospel in their own community. It is not considered a western religion when they hear it from a native missionary. They’re used to simple lifestyle without running water, air condition and electricity. It costs only $120-250 per month compared to thousands for a foreign missionary.Top of Form

Native missionaries in Asia have been extremely effective.  Every day, 20,000 are accepting Christ in India. In Communist China, 25,000 people are finding the Lord through the hardship, dedication of our brothers and sisters.

What Can You Do to Win Souls?

Most Christians in the West tell me that they’ve never led a person to Christ. They want to win souls but they lack opportunity at home. One of the best ways to credit souls to our heavenly account is to work in partnership with a native missionary. You may think of it as outsourcing bulk of your soul-winning venture. While native missionaries risk everything even their very own lives to proclaim the Gospel, without financial support, their fruitfulness is limited. When you partner with a native missionary, they win souls on your behalf.  Here's what you can do:

1.  Pray.  More has been changed through prayers on our knees than any other method in the world. When you pray for your missionary, he/she will have supernatural protection to spread the Gospel in hostile, anti-Christian territory.

2.  Support.  Depending on the size and location of the family, it cost between $120 and $250 per month to sponsor a native missionary through Build International Ministries. You can partially support one worker for only $1 a day. Your support allows your missionary to rent a room, buy simple food and clothes for the family.

When you become a sponsor, we'll send you a picture and a short life testimony of your missionary so you can pray. You'll also receive periodical updates about your missionary's family, struggles, victories and prayer needs.

Friend, will you consider sponsoring a Native Missionary today? You can also pull resources together with your friends and family to support a missionary. You can send multiple missionaries as a group, business or a church to win souls for you. They in turn will be committed to pray for you daily. Together, we can make eternal impact. Please let us hear from you.

“You will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:9 NLT).

Click Here to Adopt a Missionary: http://www.buildinternational.org/nativemissionary.html

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