Be Someone Others Want to Be Around

Much of our success comes from being around people. Unless we have something to offer to people we’ll have very few followers. People don’t buy product and services they buy the experience of you.

We’re all attracted to people who are enthusiastic, stimulating and fun to be with. Positive people never have shortage of followers. We all like to be with people who are kind, thoughtful and genuinely interested in others.

Some people are born with natural charisma. Most people are not. However, there are a few principles if practiced over time; you too will become someone others want to be around with.

Last week, I was attending a marriage reception of friends. There were plenty of interesting people in the house the reception was held. I tried to be social. Suddenly I spotted a gentleman in a corner all by himself. I went over to him and started a small talk. He was very polite and open so I probed a little further into his personal life. I could tell he was getting comfortable with me. Finally I asked how I could be praying for him. He opened up even more and asked prayer for direction and clarity over a relationship he was in. We bonded even further and I invited him out to the backyard so I could pray for him in a quieter place. When I was through praying for him, he didn’t want to part from me! Let me share a few tips that may help you build a few followers of your own.

People don’t want to hear about your sorrow. The key to becoming an interesting person is to think outside of yourself. Be genuinely interested in others. Start with a friendly greeting and a firm handshake. If you want to be remembered, look directly into their eye. Repeat their name. Smile. Your smile is the biggest billboard you can send for yourself.

Be Sensitive. Whether you’re with one person or a room full of people; be sensitive to your environment. Every situation commands a different response. Had I not noticed the gentleman in the corner of the room, I’d not have made a great impression on him. Fortunately, I was able to make the connection because I was not only sensitive to reach out to him but I added value to him by offering my sincere prayers. Prayer is a strong bond between people. No matter what you do, you can offer prayers for others.

Make people feel good about who they are. Whether you meet a rocket scientist or a janitor, you have the power to add value to the person you’re with. When we endorse, affirm and accept people just the way they are, we invoke a positive response from them. Most people don’t even have one person cheering them on or telling them that they’re worth anything. People are not mind readers. Until we express our confidence, trust and well-wishes for the person in front of us, they will never know. Make a habit of speaking life-giving words over people. Ask question that are pertaining to their interest. When they speak; listen, and engage in the conversation.

Becoming a person of charisma is easy. Having integrity and character takes time. It is an inside job. When people know, that we genuinely care, they want to be around us. The basis of every good relationship is trust. When we earn people’s trust by living these principles we’ll have more followers in our lives. Jesus was a master at connecting with people. He never talked about His problems. He was sensitive to people’s needs. He made people feel valuable. Two thousand years later, He still has the highest followers in history! We too can be someone others want to be around when we follow these basic tips. This week, try out these principles and I guarantee increased customers in your business and followers in your personal life.

“A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold” (Proverbs 22:1 ESV).

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

Book Sandy Anderson as Speaker: Call 972 800 4346, Email: buildinternational@sbcglobal.net 

Stay Inspired: http://www.facebook.com/pages/BUILD-International-Ministries/113937368637778?ref=hl

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)!

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

Book Sandy Anderson as Speaker: Call 972 800 4346, Email: buildinternational@sbcglobal.net 

Stay Inspired: http://www.facebook.com/pages/BUILD-International-Ministries/113937368637778?ref=hl

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

Book Sandy Anderson as Speaker: Call 972 800 4346, Email: buildinternational@sbcglobal.net 

Stay Inspired: http://www.facebook.com/pages/BUILD-International-Ministries/113937368637778?ref=hl

Promotion Lies Within Your Problem

No matter where you are in life there will be challenges. It’s not so much the problems that beset us but our attitude toward it. When we go through tough times with a positive outlook, it is much more bearable and even cut short.

Challenges are a way of life. When one problem is solved another will arise. If we’re always trying to question God, question people getting all tied up in a knot over our struggles then our strength is small. How we handle a setback will determine how God will set us up.

There is a famous story in the Bible when Jesus was asleep in a boat. In the middle of the sea a great storm arose. The little row boat was about to flip over. The disciples were scared and frantically woke Jesus up from his sleep. They said, “Jesus, how can you be sleeping? Can’t you see we’re about to die? Don’t you care?” Jesus did two things. He challenged them to have more faith in God and then He rebuked the storm. Many Christians today have faith but they forget to rebuke their storm.

When you encounter a problem, always remember that it didn’t come to stay but it came to pass. You may have gone through a series of misfortunes but remember that your setback is a stepping stone to the next level. Maybe you don’t like your boss at work. Don’t complain about it. Just know that your current position will become a stepping stone to take over his job someday. Maybe you’re waiting tables right now. If you have the right attitude, God will promote you to be the manager of that place. You may have gone through a bitter divorce; instead of closing up like a sow bug stay open to be used by God to minister to other couples and marriages that are going through a rough time. Consider this: Without Goliath there won’t be David. Without larva breaking free from its cocoon there will be no butterflies. Without your trials there will be no greater you! When we look at our setback as God-ordained set ups then it’s easier to go through a difficult situation with a positive attitude.

This is what happened to Ruth. She was a young lady, living in a foreign land. Suddenly she got news that her husband had been killed. On her own free will, Ruth decided to follow her mother-in-law Naomi back to Jerusalem. Naomi didn’t have a lot to offer back home but she had a relative by the name of Boaz. Ruth was allowed to pick up the left over grains after the reapers. It was a hand to mouth struggle but Ruth had a stellar attitude. She didn’t complain; she didn’t blame her bad luck. She knew that her setback was going to turn into a setup. Sure enough, Boaz began to like Ruth. They fell in love and got married. Imagine! One day Ruth was working in the field and in the next day she became the owner of the field. Could it be you?

What am I saying? The size of your trouble is an indication of the size of your destiny. Don’t try to pray every uncomfortable situation away from your life. Your promotion lies within your problem. Remember, a kite always rises against the wind. You’re born to soar. The problem you’re facing doesn’t have the power over you. You have the same power that raised Jesus from the dead residing in you. You’ve got what it takes. This setback is a test. On the other side of your test is victory and promotion. Remember, nothing happens to you; everything happens for you!

In the scriptures, Paul taught Timothy and the church to endure hardship. He didn’t pray for all their troubles to go away but He prayed that God will make the people strong. You too my friend, are strong in the Lord. What doesn’t kill you will only make you strong. The Holy Spirit of God that created the majestic universe is lives within you as your Helper. Jesus our Lord is personally interceding for you to the Father. God is staging your comeback! Today, look at your setback as your stepping stone. Where you are is not the end of your story. You have miles to go. Jesus is in the boat to calm your storm. Like Ruth you too will go from working in the field to owning the field. Now Rejoice. For the joy of the Lord is our strength. Can I get a smile now? You look so much better with a smile! I’m praying for you.

“Because you got a double dose of trouble and more than your share of contempt, Your inheritance in the land will be doubled and your joy go on forever” (Isaiah 61:7 The Message).

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

Book Sandy Anderson as Speaker: Call 972 800 4346, Email: buildinternational@sbcglobal.net 

Stay Inspired: http://www.facebook.com/pages/BUILD-International-Ministries/113937368637778?ref=hl

Ride on God's Favor

Life can be hard at times. Things don’t always go the way we want. When we have God’s anointing or favor in our lives, we can go through a hard thing in an easy way. A mature Christian knows how to operate in favor.

The Bible says God has surrounded us with favor for a lifetime. That means we’re to go around looking for favor. The rules and policies may say one thing but when we operate in favor, we can anticipate special privileges.

God’s favor upon our lives is like a well-oiled machine. The task may look hard but because of God’s favor everything becomes easy. I’ve had favor ever since I was born. My mother died when I was one year old but God had already prepared two other ladies who brought me up in an orphanage. I found favor again when I got admitted to a very prestigious college without much of my own merit. Serving God in the ministry has been an ongoing saga of God’s favor upon my life for the last twenty seven years! I expect preferential treatment every day. The more I expect the more I find favor.

If you want an anointing of ease upon your life, you too must be favor-minded. Most of the time favor is unmerited. It comes as a gift from God. However, there are principles in the Bible that can bring us favor. Proverbs 18:22 says, “He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor.” Love, respect and honor your wife and it will bring you favor. Proverbs 22:29 says, “Do you see someone skilled in their work? They will serve before kings; they will not serve before officials of low rank.” When we as Christian becomes top producers in our jobs, we add value to the company and it will bring us favor. Mary the mother of Jesus lived a righteous life and that brought Mary favor from God and had a supernatural birth of our Lord. Favor is out there but you have to go after it. When you seek favor, you’ll find it.

When you’ve found favor, be grateful and ride the favor as long as you can. God sends special people in our lives to believe in us, give us strength, support and confidence we need. People we have favor with today may not feel the same way about us tomorrow. Therefore, it is imperative that you ride the favor as long as possible. Recognize and be thankful for God’s favor in your life.

A great mistake we often make is to continue to seek favor when it’s gone. I’ve had many instances when people have shown me great favor and then as suddenly as they came into my life they’re gone. I’d call, invite them to lunch, want to go and visit them but no response. Suddenly they seem to ignore me. Here’s what I’ve learned:  God’s favor is for a lifetime but it’s not always through the same people. When favor is gone don’t keep trying to win that person back. Don’t spend endless hours trying to figure out what you did wrong to fall out of favor. Be grateful and move on.

When a season of favor ends, don’t become sour and bitter toward the person. Instead, remember the favor. Don’t have a chip on your shoulder and develop a negative attitude. Be thankful to God and show gratitude towards the person. Talk about how the person helped you in the past to bring you to your current fortune. Keep a running record of happy memory instead of negative ones. When we meditate on the goodness of God we will draw in the favor of God.

Friend, God has all sorts of favor lined up for you. Release favor upon your life and experience preferential treatment. Call in favor in every day situation. Get up every morning and say, “I’m blessed and highly favored.” Ask for God’s favor in small and big things. Ride the favor as long as you can. Don’t frustrate yourself trying to win people’s favor once it is gone. When one season of favor ends; expect God to bring you to another. Remember the people who have shown you favor in the past. Instead of criticizing, brag on them for their contribution to your current success. Keep looking for favor every day and you’ll find them. Rejoice, you’re highly favored; the Lord is with you!

“For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime” (Psalm 30:5 NIV).

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

Book Sandy Anderson as Speaker: Call 972 800 4346, Email: buildinternational@sbcglobal.net 

Stay Inspired: http://www.facebook.com/pages/BUILD-International-Ministries/113937368637778?ref=hl

Go Again

Successful people have a good follow up system. We’re so bombarded with daily appeals; most people are skeptical to respond at first. When we don’t follow up we close the door on what could have been a very profitable venture.

Much of life’s success is follow up. Once I called a church every week for four months before they became a partner with our ministry. No matter what we do if we don’t learn to follow up we’ll miss out on great opportunities. Most people like to put off making decisions. Following up brings people to a place of making a decision.

I heard that 90% of all first time businesses fail and 90% of all second time businesses succeed, but 80% of all first time business owners never try again? What would that 80% of people have done if they had known they were only one follow up away from success?

The Bible says that Elijah was a man just like you and me. Once he proclaimed that it will not rain for three and a half years and it didn’t. (I Kings 18). After the time of drought had passed Elijah pray again. He prayed the first time and then sent his servant to check the weather. No rain. Second time Elijah sent his servant. No rain. Third… and forth time still no rain. This continued for seven times. Finally, the servant came back saying, “I see a cloud in the size of a man’s hand.” That’s all Elijah needed to act. He sent message to the king, “I hear the sound of an abundance of rain.” What would have happened if Elijah stopped at the first, second or the third time? What if he didn’t follow up to check on the weather?

Many times we pray and stand for something for a long time. When nothing appears to happen, we get discouraged and are tempted to give up. What I want to remind us today is God heard your prayers the very first time you prayed. He is orchestrating your answer but there are oppositions in the heavenly realm (read the book of Daniel). The devil wants to steal from you what the Lord wants to get to you. It is not just by faith but with patience we obtain our rewards. Stand firm on your promise and thank the Lord by faith. I hear the sound of abundance of rain coming upon your life!

If you’re seeking a relationship, follow up. If you’re trying to close a business deal, follow up. If you’re trusting God to heal you or for the salvation of a family member don’t give up now. Go again! Call on your previous client and ask for the business. Ask that special someone out to connect. Bring up the big question about salvation to your loved one. Just because people have said no to you in the past, doesn’t mean it was a no forever. In fact, no simply means not right now. People change their minds all the time due to various life circumstances. If you approach the right person at the right time the same people who have denied you in the past will be more than willing to assist you. Go again!

Last week one of my friends was lamenting how she doesn’t get to see her brother very often. Even after repeated phone calls they’ve not been able to get together much. I told her what I’m telling you. Gently follow up with reminders and ask when a good time in the other person’s calendar is? She wrote back to me the next day saying, “Thank you Sandy. I applied your idea. My brother and I are having lunch together next Monday!”

Some of the great ways we can follow up with people is by sending a text. Send a gentle email reminder. Text and emails are non-intrusive ways to remind people because they can look at their calendar at their own time and not have to make an instant decision on the phone. Send a letter by mail or a picture of the great time you had together. In appropriate situation, you can also send flowers, a box of chocolate or cookies. If you’re “in front of people” when you don’t need them, they’ll respond to you more positively when you do need them.

Friend, go again! I hear the sound of abundance of rain in your life. God has more in store in your future. He has the right connection, the right business deal, the right idea and the right resources. Like Elijah and my friend will you follow up with the people the Holy Spirit brings to your attention today? When you do, you’ll see doors of opportunity open wide and your life blossom like never before. I’m praying for you!

“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you” (Matthew 7:7 NLT).

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

Book Sandy Anderson as Speaker: Call 972 800 4346, Email: buildinternational@sbcglobal.net 

Stay Inspired: http://www.facebook.com/pages/BUILD-International-Ministries/113937368637778?ref=hl

Loving God through Our Giving

Giving is always associated with love. We can give without loving but we cannot love without giving. When two people fall in love, one the compelling characteristic in the relationship is giving. For God so loved the world that He gave… We too are most like God when we give.

When we give of our time, talent and treasure, we’re not just saying but showing our love for God. In my opinion, giving is very selfish because it benefits the giver the most. God gave His best to demonstrate His love for us. When we open our hearts and hands to help others, God Himself will make sure that we have everything we need.

One of the most important things we can give to God is our worship. No matter what we’re going through when we chose to worship God, we have a direct line to God’s Throne of Grace. Sure God loves everybody and there’s no partiality in Him. But when we stand up in praise and worship to God, we’re standing out among the masses. Giving always causes you to be noticed. Today and every day of your life, set aside a little time to thank, praise and worship God for the things He has already done in your life. When we worship God, we create an environment for miracles to happen.

Another way we can give is by volunteering our time and talent. When we offer our services in the church, ministries and other ways to serve people, we’re piling up God’s favor. Our motive is not to get anything but it’s a universal law. We cannot give without getting back. Invest your time to teach a Sunday school class, work in the parking lot, be a door greeter or design website – expect God’s blessing on whatever you can give.

A powerful way we can give is by extending our hospitality. Opening up our homes is another way of bringing God’s Hand of blessing straight to our doorsteps. The widow in the Bible had plenty of supply when she decided to take care of God’s servant Elijah. Jesus was a regular at Mary and Martha’s house. They were hospitable to Jesus’ tired body, mind, spirit and soul.

My friends Ravi and Leona were ordinary couple living in the high Himalayas. Ravi worked as a tour guide and Leona was a stay at home mom. They didn’t have a great ministry or a huge name for themselves. However, they’re both very hospitable. When I lived in Nepal, after church they’d often invite us to their home and feed us delicious food. Leona’s house was a place of refuge, rest and relaxation – not only for me and my brothers but for many others. Fast forward twenty five years, today Ravi and Leona are serving God with their lives. Their children are excelling in collages of their choice around the world. Ravi and Leona have plenty for themselves. I believe part of their good fortune is because of their willingness to be hospitable. Today their home is still buzzing with people of all nations. When we extend our hospitality to friends and neighbors, we invite God’s blessing on our family and home.

An obvious way we can give is by sharing our treasures. When we sow financial seed into God’s work, we’re setting ourselves up to get God’s attention. There’s a man in the Bible by the name of Cornelius, who wasn’t even a Christian. His prayers and giving stood up to God as memorials – imagine a tall skyscraper! Most of the people I minister to in Asia have very little possession, yet they bring bags of rice, vegetables, cash, jewelries, chickens and goats from the increase God gives them. Jesus talked about the widow’s two mites. It tells me two things. God is watching our giving. And the size of our heart is more important than the size of our gift. The widow’s gift was small but it had a big impact! Two thousand years later, we’re still talking about her sacrificial giving! Giving is not about the size of the gift but the size of our heart.

Today, I challenge you to be a generous person. Give of your time, talent and treasure. Don’t just be generous to the world; give your best to your spouse, children and family. They deserve our best not just our leftovers. When we give back to God, like a magnet we’ll draw in God’s favor and increase in our lives.

“Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full--pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back" (Luke 6:38 NLT).

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

Book Sandy Anderson as Speaker: Call 972 800 4346, Email: buildinternational@sbcglobal.net  

Stay Inspired: http://www.facebook.com/pages/BUILD-International-Ministries/113937368637778?ref=hl

The China Report

 

We’ve just returned from another successful missions trip to China. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your prayers, support and encouragement. Together, with Jesus and you, our team was able to reach thousands of lives.

 

First, we went to Hong Kong where I lived for thirteen years. We caught up with my home church there and were able to minister to the leaders of my growing church of over 1,000 people. We also visited a group of businessmen with FGBMF who were so discouraged that they’re running on fumes. God brought us there to breathe new life, direction and purpose into them. We left knowing that we lifted their spirits on high again. They are doing a phenomenal job to reach the bustling city of Hong Kong.

 

When we flew into Beijing, China, we met a taxi driver from hell. We had communication problem and he was in a grumpy mood. That night at eleven o’ clock, I lost my Christianity for about five minutes. Later, we realized that we’re fighting over $1.25 for lack of communication. Next morning I repented and the rest of the trip was amazing!

 

Did you know there are more than 10,000 house churches in the capital city of Beijing alone? We visited a few in the darkness of the night. People there were extremely open and hungry to receive from us. My team members (11-14 people) shared life’s struggles and victories to encourage the church. We laughed, cried and worshiped the Lord together. The Chinese Church prayed for YOU our partners and for revival in America. We laid hands on the sick and those who needed our ministry (which was often the whole church). After the meetings, we ate a lot of watermelons and fellowshipped together.

 

From Beijing, we took a train to a north-eastern city. It was a remote place, three-hour drive into the mountains. We’re only seventy kilometers away from the North Korean border. Some of my friends mistakenly thought it was a resort place. When we got to our destination, we checked into “the Hilton.” My friend David immediately earned a new merit batch “The Fly Terrorist.” He killed at least fifty flies in less than half an hour. We slept in dormitories and there was hardly any running water. We had outdoor latrines and shower was out of the question. When we tried to move, we’re told it was the safest place for us to hide! We adjusted our attitude quickly and that night the owner gave us a fireworks display we could watch laying in our beds.

 

The ministry time in the “resort” was the best of all. Around 300-400 believers had gathered from different parts of China. We learned that almost 40%-50% of the villagers were Christians. One of the leaders has planted over 30 churches already. We preached and taught and even sang some songs in English. Christopher, a sixteen year-old team member played the piano to amuse the congregation and worship the Lord. Marty and Carolyn taught on family using a skit and it was an instant hit! We also taught on overcoming discouragement, trusting God, Having big dreams and several other topics. Our fellowship with them was like pouring water to a thirsty soul. Most of them had never met a foreigner so we became instant celebrities. Everyone wanted to take pictures with us. We played with the children and tickled them. When we left, people were in tears, weeping, crying and hugging us. We didn’t get the best facilities but we’re able to deposit God’s love, hope and encouragement into hundreds of leaders and believers there.

 

Everywhere we went, we supplied Bibles for the believers. There’s still a huge shortage of the Word of God in China. Many of you supported the Bible project and we’re able to buy over 3,000 Bibles! Your sacrificial gifts are now making an eternal impact in China.

 

Thank you again and again for going with us to China with your prayers and support. We felt your prayers every day. God protected us and our Chinese brothers and sisters. We were honored to represent you. The Bible teaches that nothing we do in the name of our Lord will remain unpaid. God sees your heart to help those in need. God will reward you a hundred fold. Together, we’ve just impacted a whole nation! Please continue to pray and engage with us in world missions. We love you. We need you.

 

“If you help the poor, you are lending to the LORD--and he will repay you” (Proverbs 19:17 NLT)!

 

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

 

Book Sandy Anderson as Speaker: Call 972 800 4346, Email: buildinternational@sbcglobal.net 

 

Stay Inspired: http://www.facebook.com/pages/BUILD-International-Ministries/113937368637778?ref=hl

Be a Person of Excellence

It doesn’t take much effort to be ordinary. Doing the minimum is an easy road to travel. But God didn’t make us to be average. He wants us to be a person of excellence because God is first-class all the way.

What does it mean to be a person of excellence? Let me start by saying excellence is not perfection. Excellence means doing an ordinary thing in an extra-ordinary fashion. How we do one thing is how people perceive us doing everything. A person of excellence will make an extra effort to deliver his best – all the time.

None of us can perform at 100% all the time but it’s our attitude and commitment to do our best in every situation that shows excellence in our lives. A person of excellence will go the extra mile even when it is hard. A person of excellence will come to work early, give his best and not leave early. When you have a spirit of excellence, it will demonstrate in your work and cause you to find favor and rise higher. One of Mother Teresa’s favorite quotes was, “We can do no great things, only small things with great love.”

In the Bible, Joseph had a spirit of excellence. In spite of cruel treatment from his brothers, fellow prisoner and Pharos’s wife, Joseph was a person of integrity and excellence. His rise to the top was characterized by his commitment to excellence. When temptation came Joseph ran the opposite direction. He took a stand for what was right before God. Compromise and mediocrity may give you a temporary advantage but when you’re a person of excellence, you’ll have God’s favor that will cause you to stand out amongst the average.

What are some ways we can have excellence in our lives? At home, take care of what God has given you. Your relationships at home are much more important than your career or the stuff. How we treat our loved ones are an indicator of how high we will fly. How we treat our spouse, our children and even our pets will define if we’re a person of excellence or not. If we’re always taking our family for granted, giving them the leftover time and energy then we’re living a mediocre life. If our home is a mess and dirty dishes pile up all the time, we’re being average. A person of excellence will do his/her best to take best care of what God has given him. When we exhibit excellence at home, we’re raising the bar for our children.

I’d love to claim that I’ve always been a person of excellence but that would be wrong. I remember I had a bad habit of leaving my chewing gum in all sorts of places. It was a small thing. No one really saw what I was doing but deep inside I knew I was being lazy. I didn’t want to put trash where it belonged. Instead of putting it in my pocket, I’d just leave it in the wrapper even in the church pews! I know I was terrible. Another area of struggle I had was to put the shopping cart where it belongs. Then the Holy Spirit began to teach me excellence in these small things and my life became more fruitful.

 

We can demonstrate excellence at our workplace. Our commitment to excellence is a much greater sermon than what we can preach with our words. We as representatives of Christ should be the highest performer. We should have the best attitude. We should uphold the company policy and submit and support the management. When we are top performers at work, we’ll have not only have job security but influence others and commend respect. Nobody can be perfect but there’s a great difference between being perfect and having a spirit of excellence. When we pick up the trash other people have left, we’re being excellent. When we avoid the office gossip, we’re being a person of excellence. When we submit and defend the management’s decision we’re carving our way to the top. Being a person of excellence has its own rewards. Remember, God is ALWAYS watching us. Not so much to see what we’re doing wrong but what we’re doing right so He can promote us.

Friend, let’s do the small things in a big way. When we’re displaying excellence in our work, like Joseph, God will cause us to rise higher and find favor in unusual ways. Today, will you commit yourself to excellence? When we do, we’ll draw in God’s favor like never before. Be a person of excellence and promotion will be the hallmark of your life.

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters” (Colossians 3:23 NIV).

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

Book Sandy Anderson as Speaker: Call 972 800 4346, Email: buildinternational@sbcglobal.net 

Stay Inspired: http://www.facebook.com/pages/BUILD-International-Ministries/113937368637778?ref=hl

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

Book Sandy Anderson as Speaker: Call 972 800 4346, Email: buildinternational@sbcglobal.net 

Stay Inspired: http://www.facebook.com/pages/BUILD-International-Ministries/113937368637778?ref=hl

Spend Time with the Right People

Much of life is defined by our friendships. People we hang around will determine the quality of our lives. If we seek out wise counsel by Godly people, we’ll rise to a whole new level. Our relationships are indication of what our future holds.

In a very simple definition, there are two kinds of people. One is a fire starter and the other is a fire extinguisher. If we want to be successful in life, we have to spend bulk of our time with fire starters. These are people who pray for you, provoke you and inspire you to rise higher. Typically, they don’t come waltzing into your life but you have to make a lifelong effort to seek them out. It is easy to find mediocre, complacent people who have little or no input in your personal growth. However, what will really change your life is to hang around with high flyers that are already there where you want to go. When we chose our friends carefully we will discover a better way of life.

Recently I was traveling in a high speed train in China going to our next destination to minister. I had a seat next to my friend who has raised their three children well to serve God and be productive in life. My children are still young and about to choose their career path. I have many questions how to lead them in the right path. Wisdom taught me that I don’t have all the answers to life. When our train got started, I bombarded my friend with many questions. He gave me some valuable tips that I can now apply with my own kids. Not all friendships offer the same benefits. My friend on the train in China shared with me lessons in life that are priceless. After all I can’t afford to make all the mistakes by myself!

In the Bible, Saul started out with a bad reputation. He got gloriously saved when the Lord intercepted his plans and changed Saul into Paul. However, a reputation is hard to change. The people in the Jerusalem Council weren’t so sure of Paul’s new found faith. They were not very friendly towards Paul. After all just a few days ago, he was dragging people to jail and getting them killed. By this time Barnabas was an established minister. He believed in Paul. He spoke up for Paul. He vouched for Paul. Soon the senior ministers accepted Paul as one of their peers and the rest is history. What is interesting is that you won’t read much about Barnabas after Paul burst into the scene. Barnabas found a disciple in Paul and together, they went on to achieve more than what Barnabas and Paul could have done on their own. My friend, choose your friend carefully. You’ll become like the people you hang around with. Together, you can accomplish more.

Over the years, I’ve had scores of friends who believed in me, encouraged me and have contributed to my success. I will be nowhere close to where I am today had it not been for the quality friendships God brought into my life. I’m eternally grateful to my friends!

Jesus himself was very careful to choose His disciples. He picked ordinary people but every one of them had potential beyond their imagination. Jesus chose busy people not lazy people. He knew spreading the Gospel around the world will take a team of hard-working men. Today He’s calling you to be a disciple and fulfill God’s plan on earth. You’re born for such a time as this. There’s a mission that has your name written on it. The mission is to love and honor your spouse, raise Godly children, serve your neighbor and love God with all your heart. Make an impact in your work place with integrity and Kingdom values. You’re born to do great things.

Friend, you cannot do it alone. Henry Ford and Thomas Edison duo went on change the course of history because of their friendship; you too can change your world with the people you chose to hang around with. God has the right people already lined up for you. Reach out to those who know more than you. Ask for help. No one friend knows everything. Seek out friends with strength in different areas of life. They will help you climb the top of your mountains. Most of all, invite the Holy Spirit into your life. One of the names of the Holy Spirit is our Helper. He will lead you into all Truth, wisdom and life. Together, you too will go on to make history.

“The righteous choose their friends carefully” (Proverbs 12:26 NIV).

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

Book Sandy Anderson as Speaker: Call 972 800 4346, Email: buildinternational@sbcglobal.net 

Stay Inspired: http://www.facebook.com/pages/BUILD-International-Ministries/113937368637778?ref=hl