Handling Criticism

        Never ever compare yourself to others. You don’t need to copy someone. You are unique , one of a kind and special in our Lord’s eyes. when it comes to this topic I would remember Charles Spurgeon. A key to his perseverance in preaching through adversity was that he had settled who he was and would not be paralyzed with external criticism or internal second-guessing.

“You are not defeated when you lose. You are defeated when you quit.” says P.Coelho

One of the great perils of living under continual criticism is that this is a constant call for you to be other than what you are. And, in fact, a humble saint always wants to be a better person than he is. Learn to love who God made you to be.But there is a great danger here of losing your bearings in a sea of self-doubt. Not knowing who you are. Not being able to say with Paul, “By the grace of God I am what I am” (1 Cor. 15:10 ). You have to know who you are in God’s eyes. (speaking to myself too).

Be yourself, dear brother, for, if you are not yourself, you cannot be anybody else; and so, you see, you must be nobody … Do not be a mere copyist, a borrower, a spoiler of other men’s notes. Say what God has said to you, and say it in your own way; and when it is so said, plead personally for the Lord’s blessing upon it”. – C. Spurgeon.

I’m grateful to God for my fiancée, she would always remind me not to compare myself to another. It’s either I’ll look down on someone being proud or Go the opposite road of self-pity or false humility. Stop living your life to please somebody. Live to please God.

Don’t just listen to anyone’s criticism. Choose people whom you could trust to speak truth into your life. You can be sure their criticism is out of their genuine concern for you. They will hugely affect and better your character, performance and the skills you need to work on. I’m sure you surround yourself with people like that. I so grateful that God has blessed us with great friends and mentors whom we can ask for help and wisdom especially during times of making tough or big decisions.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. (Ps.139:14) Grace of God liberates us from performing and trying to please others.

Clear the Stage

“Worship is more than a song“…… sharing this nice song “Clear the stage” by Jimmy Needham

Clear the stage and set the sound and lights ablaze
If that’s the measure you must take to crush the idols

Jerk the pews & all the decorations, too
Until the congregations few, then have revival

Tell your friends that this is where the party ends
Until you’re broken for your sins, you can’t be social

Then seek the Lord and wait for what He has in store
And know that great is your reward so just be hopeful

‘Cause you can sing all you want to
Yes, you can sing all you want to
You can sing all you want to
And still get it wrong;
worship is more than a song

Take a break from all the plans that you have made
And sit at home alone and wait for God to whisper

Beg Him please to open up His mouth and speak
And pray for real upon your knees until they blister

Shine the light on every corner of your life
Until the pride and lust and lies are in the open

Then read the Word and put to test the things you’ve heard
Until your heart and soul are stirred and rocked and broken

‘Cause you can sing all you want to
Yes, you can sing all you want to
You can sing all you want to
And still get it wrong; worship is more than a song

We must not worship something that’s not even worth it
Clear the stage, make some space for the One who deserves it

Anything I put before my God, is an idol
Anything I want with all my heart, is an idol
Anything can’t stop thinking of, is an idol
Anything that I give all my love, is an idol

‘Cause I can sing all I want to
Yes, I can sing all I want to
I can sing all I want to
And still get it wrong
And you can sing all you want to
Yes, you can, you can sing all you want to
You can sing all you want to
And still get it wrong; worship is more than a song
Worship is more than a song

Clear the stage and set the sound and lights ablaze
If that’s the measure you must take to crush the idols

7 Tips for Better Bible Study

by: Pastor Mark Driscoll
       When tempted by the devil to turn stones into bread after a 40-day fast in the wilderness, Jesus responded by saying simply and profoundly, “Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4).

Paul, when writing to his protégé, Timothy, writes that, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16–17).

David writes, “I will lift up my hands toward your commandments, which I love, and I will meditate on your statutes” (Psalm 119:48).

The implications are clear: life and growth come from the study of God’s words through Scripture. We are not to read and study the Bible begrudgingly but rather view it as the source of life and, like David, love God’s word.

But the reality is that we all struggle at times to study faithfully or joyfully. So, it’s nice to have a few principles to help us refocus our love and study of Scripture. Below are seven principles that I’ve found beneficial.

1. Actively serve and participate in a local church to learn with and from other Christians.

Colossians 3:16 (NIV): “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.”

2. Be under the authority of Scripture to be interpreted by it, not over the Scripture to be interpreted by you.

Hebrews 4:12–13 (NIV): “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-­edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.”

3. Pick up the Bible for life transformation, not just mental information.

John 5:39–40 (NIV): “You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.”

4. Pick up the Bible for relational purposes—not functional ones—so that you will love God and not just know or use him.

Matthew 7:21–23 (NIV): “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’“

5. Don’t just get into the Word; get the Word into you.

Memorization, Psalm 119:11: “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.”

Meditation, Ezra 7:10: “For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the LORD, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel.”

6. Take advantage of godly Bible commentators, your pastor, respected theologians in church history, and wise Christian friends to better understand Scripture.

Romans 12:7 (NIV): “If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach . . .”

7. Don’t think you need more knowledge. Often you need more obedience to the knowledge you already have.

James 1:22 (NIV): “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”

Jesus be the center

Jesus be the center of our lives….

Jesus at the center of it all

Jesus at the center of it all

From beginning to the end, it will always be

It’s always been You Jesus

Jesus

Jesus be the center of my life

Jesus be the center of my life

From beginning to the end, it will always be

It’s always been You Jesus

Jesus

Nothing else matters

Nothing in this world will do

Jesus You’re the center

Everything revolves around You

Jesus You

(At the center of it all, center of it all)

From my heart to the heavens

Jesus be the center

It’s all about You

Yes it’s all about You

Jesus be the center of your church

Jesus be the center of your church

And every knee will bow

And every tongue shall confess you Jesus

Jesus

Our Living GOD Cares for You

My dear Christian reader, will you not try this way? Will you not know for yourself . . .

The preciousness and the happiness of this way of casting all your cares and burdens and necessities upon God? This way is as open to you as to me. . . .

Every one is invited and commanded to trust in the Lord, to trust in Him with all his heart, and to cast his burden upon Him, and to call upon Him in the day of trouble. Will you not do this, my dear brethren in Christ? I long that you may do so.

I desire that you may taste the sweetness of that state of heart, in which, while surrounded by difficulties and necessities, you can yet be at peace, because you know that the living God, your Father in heaven, cares for you.

See that your Soul is Happy

by George Mueller

According to my judgment the most important point to be attended to is this: above all things see to it that your souls are happy in the Lord.

Other things may press upon you, the Lord’s work may even have urgent claims upon your attention, but I deliberately repeat, it is of supreme and paramount importance that you should seek above all things to have your souls truly happy in God Himself!

Day by day seek to make this the most important business of your life. This has been my firm and settled condition for the last five and thirty years. For the first four years after my conversion I knew not its vast importance, but now after much experience I specially commend this point to the notice of my younger brethren and sisters in Christ:

The secret of all true effectual service is joy in God, having experimental acquaintance and fellowship with God Himself.

Why is this “the most important thing”?

Why is daily happiness in God “of supreme and paramount importance”?

One answer he gives is that it glorifies God. After telling about one of his wife’s illnesses when he almost lost her, he says, “I have . . . stated this case so fully, to show the deep importance to be satisfied with the will of God, not only for the sake of glorifying Him, but as the best way, in the end, of having given to us the desire of our hearts.”

Being satisfied in God is “of supreme and paramount importance” because it glorifies God. It shows that God is gloriously satisfying. But there is another answer: namely, that happiness in God is the only source of durable and God-honoring self-denial and sacrifice and love.

If Jesus has a resume….

The Resume of Jesus Christ

Address:     Ephesians 1:20

Phone:        Romans 10:13

Website:      The Bible . Keywords: Christ, Lord, Savior and Jesus

_____________________________________________________

Objective

My name is Jesus -The Christ. Many call me Lord! I’ve sent you my resume because I’m seeking the top management position in your heart. Please consider my accomplishments as set forth in my resume.

_____________________________________________________________________

Qualifications

I founded the earth and established the heavens, (See Proverbs 3:19)

I formed man from the dust of the ground, (See Genesis 2:7)

I breathed into man the breath of life, (See Genesis 2:7)

I redeemed man from the curse of the law, (See Galatians 3:13)

The blessings of the Abrahamic Covenant comes upon your life through me, (See Galatians 3:14)

_____________________________________________________________________

Occupational Background

I’ve only had one employer, (See Luke 2:49 ).

I’ve never been tardy, absent, disobedient, slothful or disrespectful.

My employer has nothing but rave reviews for me, (See Matthew 3:15 -17)

_____________________________________________________________________

Skills Work Experiences

Some of my skills and work experiences include: empowering the poor to be poor no more, healing the brokenhearted, setting the captives free, healing the sick, restoring sight to the blind and setting at liberty them that are bruised, (See Luke 4:18).

I am a Wonderful Counselor, (See Isaiah 9:6). People who listen to me shall dwell safely and shall not fear evil, (See Proverbs 1:33 ).

Most importantly, I have the authority, ability and power to cleanse you of your sins, (See I John 1:7-9)

_____________________________________________________________________

Educational Background

I encompass the entire breadth and length of knowledge, wisdom and understanding, (See Proverbs 2:6).

In me are hid all of the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, (See Colossians 2:3).

My Word is so powerful; it has been described as being a lamp unto your feet and a light unto your path, (See Psalms 119:105).

I can even tell you all of the secrets of your heart, (See Psalms 44:21).

_____________________________________________________________________

Major Accomplishments

I was an active participant in the greatest Summit Meeting of all times, (See Genesis 1:26 ).

I laid down my life so that you may live, (See II Corinthians 5:15 ).

I defeated the arch enemy of God and mankind and made a show of them openly, (See Colossians 2:15 ).

I’ve miraculously fed the poor, healed the sick and raised the dead!

There are many more major accomplishments, too many to mention here. You can read them on my website, which is located at: www dot – the BIBLE. You don’t need an Internet connection or computer to access my website.

_____________________________________________________________________

References

Believers and followers worldwide will testify to my divine healing, salvation, deliverance, miracles, restoration and supernatural guidance.

_____________________________________________________________________

In Summation

Now that you’ve read my resume, I’m confident that I’m the only candidate uniquely qualified to fill this vital position in your heart. In summation, I will properly direct your paths, (See Proverbs 3:5-6), and lead you into everlasting life, (See John 6:47 ). When can I start? Time is of the essence, (See Hebrews 3:15 ).

 

Here I am send me.

I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: ’Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?’

Then I said, ’Here am I! Send me’ —Isaiah 6:8

 

God did not direct His call to Isaiah— Isaiah overheard God saying, “. . . who will go for Us?” The call of God is not just for a select few but for everyone. Whether I hear God’s call or not depends on the condition of my ears, and exactly what I hear depends upon my spiritual attitude. “Many are called, but few are chosen” (Matthew 22:14).

That is, few prove that they are the chosen ones. The chosen ones are those who have come into a relationship with God through Jesus Christ and have had their spiritual condition changed and their ears opened.

Then they hear “the voice of the Lord” continually asking, “. . . who will go for Us?” However, God doesn’t single out someone and say, “Now, you go.” He did not force His will on Isaiah. Isaiah was in the presence of God, and he overheard the call. His response, performed in complete freedom, could only be to say, “Here am I! Send me.”

Remove the thought from your mind of expecting God to come to force you or to plead with you. When our Lord called His disciples, He did it without irresistible pressure from the outside. The quiet, yet passionate, insistence of His “Follow Me” was spoken to men whose every sense was receptive (Matthew 4:19).

If we will allow the Holy Spirit to bring us face to face with God, we too will hear what Isaiah heard-”the voice of the Lord.” In perfect freedom we too will say, “Here am I! Send me.”

Happy New You! Happy New Me!

Happy New Year and Happy New You and Me!

This is the time when a lot of people start writing plans, goals, dreams, resolutions, faith goals and stuff. I would like to share my personal prayer and devotion to you through this blog post for the this first day of this year.

This new year I pray for a new me, May the lord will keep on making me new in every areas of my life.

Bible says ” Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:The old has gone, the new is here! “- 2 Corinthians 5:17

He doesn’t mend, repair, fix or patch us up. He completely remakes us New on the inside.

And once we let go and let God be the Lord of our lives, the one who seats on throne of our hearts. We are actually letting him do his process of sanctification in our lives.

And don’t be surprised to see how God will cause your confidence in your own strength, will power, capabilities virtues and power wither away. You’ll find out how small and weak you really are apart from him. You’ll realize how lifeless our “old lives” was when we don’t have him yet. That apart from from Him we are really nothing.

Sad thing is that a lot of us still miss this, they still adhere to their old selves. and settle for less. They are already satisfied with their lives.

Let me quote  Oswald Chambers when he said, “We want to cling to our natural virtues while all the time God is trying to get us in contact with the life of Jesus Christ.”

This means its not just our character, quality, attribute, virtue, morality or some part of us that the Lord changes in us, God promised us not half nor partial, It is our WHOLE being which He promised to change as we allow him.

Ephesians 4:24 says “to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. “

He doesn’t just upgrade us nor transforms us to be better but rather, God changes us and makes us anew.

Because our natural virtues, could never even come close to what Jesus Christ wants. No natural love, no natural patience, no natural purity can ever come up to His demands. Apart from him, our efforts are really like filthy rags ….but nothing in his sight.

But as we bring every part of our lives into harmony with the new life that God has placed within us. Yes, it may not be instantaneously or overnight but as we keep allowing His hands to mold us, he will start showing the characteristics, the image and virtues of His son, our Lord and savior Jesus Christ.

May they see Jesus IN and through our lives.

Lord this is my prayer, this is our prayer, that every hour, day, week , month, and year you keep making us new. In Jesus name we pray, Amen!