Monday, July 28, 2014
Saturday, July 19, 2014
MAXIMISING YOUR GOD-GIVEN ABILITY by Kong Hee
[Source: City Harvest Church bulletin dated 19 & 20 July 2014. This article is adapted from Daily Living With Kong Hee. To subscribe to Kong's Daily Email Devotionals, log on to konghee.com]
God wants to raise each one of us as a person of great ability and action in His kingdom. "By this My Father is glorified, that your bear much fruit: so you will be My disciples." - John 15:8
Christianity is not a superstitious, magical faith where we as believers just sit back and wait for blessings to fall from heaven. Our success and productivity in life depends on our conscious decision to BE successful, productive, and able for God.
I want to share with you some thoughts on how to increase your ability and productivity for God's glory. As you choose to deliberately "skill up" and work hard, may you find more purpose, meaning, and success in everything you put your hand to accomplish.
1: The Impact Of Maximized Ability
What you have and where you are today are directly connected to your ability. That may or may not be an encouragement to you, depending on where you are in life right now, but the beautiful thing is this: Your abilities and skills can be stretched! And it is God's desire to help you achieve maximized levels of productivity and success in your life!
Read about the parable of the talents in Matt.25:15. The man with the five talents produced five more by reason of his effective use. Similarly, the effective use of your abilities and skills will lead to an increase in them. The more you use the abilities you've been given today, the more responsibility you'll be able to handle tomorrow. So make the most of what you have been given by God.
2: The Impact Of A Bad Attitude
Sometimes, what seems to be inability or a lack of productivity simply boils down to a bad attitude.
In Matthew 25, the man with the one talent didn't want to apply himself. So he masqueraded and covered up his laziness by blaming his boss for being unfair. But really, it was the man's bad attitude that caused his unfruitfulness.
We all need to surrender our attitudes to God; take responsibility for the abilities and opportunities He has given you and maximize them effectively. Greater responsibility will always be given when you have greater ability.
It doesn't matter whether He has given you much or just a little. It's your attitude toward it that counts. Apply your whole heart and soul into what you are doing and I guarantee you that you will see it flourish.
3: The Impact Of The Company You Keep
When it comes to friendships, I love this old saying that states rather succinctly: You can't soar like an eagle if you hang around turkeys. The truth is, your abilities, productivity and success in life will either be hindered or enhanced by the friends you have and the company you keep.
Many people have great abilities and amazing talents, but because they hang with the wrong crowd, they can never rise to their highest potential and be as successful as God intended! The Bible says in 1 Cor. 15:33, "Do not be deceived:"Evil company corrupts good habits."
If you're not making the most of your abilities because of the negative influence of others, then I encourage you to evaluate your relationships today. It is absolutely crucial that you align yourself with the right friendships -- those who will encourage you to make the most of all God has given you!
The more you make use of your God-given abilities and talents, the greater the opportunities you will be given by God to put them to use in even greater ways!
And with more given, you will be able to become even more fruitful in your life, to the glory of God!
Preaching the gospel of Christ in a way that's both progressive and heartfelt, Dr. Kong Hee is a highly sought-after conference speaker worldwide, and his messages minister to millions of people around the world who are inspired to become true ambassadors for Christ wherever God has placed them. Kong is also the founder and senior pastor of City Harvest Church -- a thriving, contemporary congregation in the heart of Singapore. His international TV program, Alive! with Kong, encourages millions around the world each week. for more information on Kong's ministry and materials, please visit konghee.com.
Saturday, July 5, 2014
Follow JESUS the Good Shepherd
"Jesus said to him, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.” John 21:22 (NKJV)"
After having breakfast by the Sea of Tiberias, Jesus asked Peter three times whether he loves Him just as Peter had denied Him three times. In so doing, Jesus restored Peter and charged him to "Feed My lambs", "Tend My sheep" and "Feed My sheep". Then Jesus prophesied the manner of Peter's death to the glory of God and exhorted Peter to follow Him.
That said and done with, Peter ventured to ask Jesus what would happen to John -- is he going to die for being a follower of Jesus, too? Jesus did not answer Peter's question. Instead Jesus reminded Peter to follow Him; to focus on his life's mission to be a follower of Christ.
For sure, Jesus, who knows all things, would know what will happen to John. Perhaps it was not the time to reveal the matter. In any case, it was His prerogative to keep what needs to be hidden for the moment.
We. too, can be like Peter by wanting to know what will happen to other believers in their walk of faith. Following from Jesus's discourse with Peter, we can surmise that our walk of faith is personal to us and we are to keep following the steps and the path He leads us.
When we follow and serve Jesus: He will make us "fishers of men" (Mark 1:17); we deny ourselves and take up our cross daily (Luke 9:23); we shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life (John 8:12); we will be with Him and His Father will honour (John 12:26); and experience the fullness of Psalms 23.
To be approved by God the Father, we need to follow Jesus and do whatever He tells us to do. When they ran out of wine during a wedding at Cana of Galilee, Mary told the servants, " Whatever He says to you, do it.” (John 2:5) Lo and behold, after those servants have filled the six waterpots, containing twenty or thirty gallons apiece, with water just as Jesus said to do, the water was turned into wine of exquisite quality.
Would we hear His voice as a servant and follow Him? Can we be like those servants who filled the waterpots to the brim? Can we be like servant Caleb? "But My servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit in him and has followed Me fully, I will bring into the land where he went, and his descendants shall inherit it. Numbers 14:24 (NKJV)"
As we trust and obey the Good Shepherd, our walk will be pleasing to Him. We will then know who we are and whose we are. Remember the words of Jesus, "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. John 10:27 (NKJV)"
It is crucial for us to obey what the LORD has told us to do specifically. The account of the prophet in 1 Kings 13 is a sombre reminder. The LORD's instruction to him was: "You shall not eat bread, nor drink water, nor return by the same way you came."
When King Jeroboam entreated the prophet to eat and drink, he remained steadfast to the the Word of the LORD. But, an older prophet came to the prophet and said: "I too am a prophet as you are, and an angel spoke to me by the word of the Lord, saying, ‘Bring him back with you to your house, that he may eat bread and drink water.’” (He was lying to him.)"
Because of his disobedience to the Word of the LORD, the prophet was consequently killed by a lion. Click here to read the full account in 1 Kings 13.
God still speaks today. Just yesterday, while browsing over some books in City Harvest Church before the service, I saw Pastor Edmund and felt prompted to approach him to ask for his blog address which I had heard of months ago during one of his sharing in a prayer meeting.
However, I disobeyed the voice of God and missed the golden opportunity for an aspiring writing like me. God is gracious. He confirmed His prompting when Pastor Kong Hee called Pastor Edmund during the service to give a testimony. Pastor Edmund shared on how the LORD has blessed him through his blog and writings for honouring (obeying) Him in tithing and givings.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. His call for us today is still, "Follow Me".
P/s: I am reading "Surprised By The Voice of God" by Jack Deere and you may find it helpful in your desire to hear the voice of God. Click here to view.
Jack Deere (Th.D). formerly an associate professor of Old Testament at Dallas Theological Seminary, is a writer and lecturer who speaks throughout the world on the gifts of the Holy Spirit. He is the author of the best-selling book, Surprised by the Power of the Spirit. Deere lives with his wife and three children in Whitefish, Montana.
After having breakfast by the Sea of Tiberias, Jesus asked Peter three times whether he loves Him just as Peter had denied Him three times. In so doing, Jesus restored Peter and charged him to "Feed My lambs", "Tend My sheep" and "Feed My sheep". Then Jesus prophesied the manner of Peter's death to the glory of God and exhorted Peter to follow Him.
That said and done with, Peter ventured to ask Jesus what would happen to John -- is he going to die for being a follower of Jesus, too? Jesus did not answer Peter's question. Instead Jesus reminded Peter to follow Him; to focus on his life's mission to be a follower of Christ.
For sure, Jesus, who knows all things, would know what will happen to John. Perhaps it was not the time to reveal the matter. In any case, it was His prerogative to keep what needs to be hidden for the moment.
We. too, can be like Peter by wanting to know what will happen to other believers in their walk of faith. Following from Jesus's discourse with Peter, we can surmise that our walk of faith is personal to us and we are to keep following the steps and the path He leads us.
When we follow and serve Jesus: He will make us "fishers of men" (Mark 1:17); we deny ourselves and take up our cross daily (Luke 9:23); we shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life (John 8:12); we will be with Him and His Father will honour (John 12:26); and experience the fullness of Psalms 23.
To be approved by God the Father, we need to follow Jesus and do whatever He tells us to do. When they ran out of wine during a wedding at Cana of Galilee, Mary told the servants, " Whatever He says to you, do it.” (John 2:5) Lo and behold, after those servants have filled the six waterpots, containing twenty or thirty gallons apiece, with water just as Jesus said to do, the water was turned into wine of exquisite quality.
Would we hear His voice as a servant and follow Him? Can we be like those servants who filled the waterpots to the brim? Can we be like servant Caleb? "But My servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit in him and has followed Me fully, I will bring into the land where he went, and his descendants shall inherit it. Numbers 14:24 (NKJV)"
As we trust and obey the Good Shepherd, our walk will be pleasing to Him. We will then know who we are and whose we are. Remember the words of Jesus, "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. John 10:27 (NKJV)"
It is crucial for us to obey what the LORD has told us to do specifically. The account of the prophet in 1 Kings 13 is a sombre reminder. The LORD's instruction to him was: "You shall not eat bread, nor drink water, nor return by the same way you came."
When King Jeroboam entreated the prophet to eat and drink, he remained steadfast to the the Word of the LORD. But, an older prophet came to the prophet and said: "I too am a prophet as you are, and an angel spoke to me by the word of the Lord, saying, ‘Bring him back with you to your house, that he may eat bread and drink water.’” (He was lying to him.)"
Because of his disobedience to the Word of the LORD, the prophet was consequently killed by a lion. Click here to read the full account in 1 Kings 13.
God still speaks today. Just yesterday, while browsing over some books in City Harvest Church before the service, I saw Pastor Edmund and felt prompted to approach him to ask for his blog address which I had heard of months ago during one of his sharing in a prayer meeting.
However, I disobeyed the voice of God and missed the golden opportunity for an aspiring writing like me. God is gracious. He confirmed His prompting when Pastor Kong Hee called Pastor Edmund during the service to give a testimony. Pastor Edmund shared on how the LORD has blessed him through his blog and writings for honouring (obeying) Him in tithing and givings.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. His call for us today is still, "Follow Me".
P/s: I am reading "Surprised By The Voice of God" by Jack Deere and you may find it helpful in your desire to hear the voice of God. Click here to view.
Jack Deere (Th.D). formerly an associate professor of Old Testament at Dallas Theological Seminary, is a writer and lecturer who speaks throughout the world on the gifts of the Holy Spirit. He is the author of the best-selling book, Surprised by the Power of the Spirit. Deere lives with his wife and three children in Whitefish, Montana.
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