Do Not Let Your Heart be Troubled!

Fire authorities in California found a corpse in a burned out section of a forest while assessing the damage done by a forest fire. The deceased male was dressed in a full wet suit, complete with scuba tanks on his back,  flippers, and a facemask. A post-mortem revealed that the person died, not from burns but, from massive internal injuries.

Investigators then set about to determine how a fully clad diver ended up in the middle of a forest fire. It was revealed that on the day of the fire, the person went for a diving trip off the coast some 20 miles from the forest. The firefighters, seeking to control the fire as quickly as possible, called in a fleet of helicopters with very large dip buckets. Water was dipped from the ocean and then flown to the forest fire and emptied.

You guessed it. One minute our diver was swimming in the Pacific, the next he was doing the breaststroke in a fire dip bucket 300 feet in the air. Apparently he extinguished exactly 5'10" of the fire. Some days it just doesn't pay to get out of bed.
[This article was taken from the California Examiner, March 20, 1998.]

Are you having a bad day? Do not worry! Disciples of Jesus shouldn’t allow worry to creep into their lives. Followers of Jesus must deal with worry differently. Do not fret, do not fear! There is only one fear that ought to exist in our lives; the fear of God. Guilt and shame are not from God. So instead of worrying, we ought to find our greatest joy and confidence in moments of despair in Jesus!

The word ‘worry’ stems from an Old English word ‘wrygan’, which means to ‘strangle someone to death.' Worry literally does that to our souls. Like a silent killer, it kills us slowly but surely! Worry rips our dreams and hopes into pieces. While you worry, your character starts to lose focus and our dreams and hope start to get diluted and muddied; and you lose the capacity to function!

What causes worry? Worry stems from our desire to control. We worry because our plans, our strategies, our hopes and dreams are not taking shape as we expect them to.  But you and I know, there are only a few things that are truly within our control. When we think deeply and hard, we realize that, in fact, nothing is in our control! So we must make the decision to stop the insanity of worrying. Life is not in our control. Nothing is resolved by worrying!

As followers of Jesus, let’s look at worry with a different lens. When we worry, we ought to remember that it is an opportunity for us to take the first step towards change, towards a better future and towards a greater dream. Worry is like a dark cloud that signals an imminent rain. Worry should be a reminder for us that there is an opportunity to be had, a door to open for us to step into! This is the first step. We must realize, when we think we have failed in something, there is a  God who is turning all things for His glory!

The story of Jacob comes to my mind as I think about failure and worry. Jacob loved Rachael. So he worked for 7 years in order to have her as his wife. When the seventh year was over, Laban, Rachael’s father, gave to Jacob Leah instead of Rachael. Laban lied and ‘forced’ Jacob to marry Leah! Jacob ended up marrying someone he was never attracted to. This was outside of his plans! Was this a failure? To him, perhaps.  But the Bible says it was through Leah that Judah is born. And it was through Judah, the Messiah, Jesus Christ, would bring forth a new hope in the world!

Did you want gold but all you have in your hands are rocks? Don’t despair. 

Job declared in times of his trouble: Job:23:10 | But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.

David living in the brink of ‘shadow of death’, proclaimed: Psalm 57:2 | I cry out to God Most High, to God, who vindicates me.

Paul, who did nothing wrong, was thrown in a dungeon, beaten and humiliated! Paul wrote: Romans 8:28 | And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Jesus who was betrayed by his closest friends said: John 14:1 | “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.

Disciple Church, as we approach 2013, do not worry. Instead of worrying about the future, give the future and your worry to the Lord! Enter the new world with new hope and a new dream to be used by God for His glory as we continue to carve our future together here at Disciple Church. May 2013 bring much blessing from God in you and your family! I am stoked to see what God will do through us in the coming year! Blessings!

My Grace is Sufficient!

People shy away from sharing their weaknesses; instead they like to highlight their strengths. But true strength is revealed in the midst of our weaknesses. Everyone has at least one or two weaknesses. And weaknesses can be anything. Having too much money can be a weakness; yet, having too little money can be a weakness as well. Having a diseased body can be a weakness; but a healthy body can be a weakness as well. Character can become a major area of weakness if we allow our lives to grow into thistles and brushes without any discipline. Television can be a weakness. It is safe to say, everyone struggles with at least one weakness in their lives.

Many people see their weaknesses as something that hinder them from finding their life’s success. They think to themselves, “I can’t be successful because of this or that. I am miserable because of this or that.” But the reality is that most successful people are people who have learned to use their weaknesses as an opportunity to move forward and challenge themselves to grow!

Napoleon Bonaparte, a French military and political leader who rose to prominence during the latter parts of the French Revolution, was known as one of the greatest military commanders. He led his army in impossible wars but with his military genius, he always found ways to victory. His military strategies are still studied by military academies to this day.

Yet, Napoleon was a short man who suffered from epilepsy for all his life. While in the military academy, he consistently found himself in 42nd place out of 51 students. Napoleon was teased by other students! He never learned to spell properly. But this lead him to become a voracious reader; he became a life time learner due to his weakness.

Russian novelist, Tolstoy suffered from STDs throughout his life due to his immoral living before accepting Jesus as his Lord! But out of his sufferings and regrets for the life he lived and sicknesses he dealt with, emerges his masterpiece, Crime and Punishment!

Abraham, lied twice to save his own life by ‘selling’ his wife to Pharaoh. He lacked ‘manly’ disposition to protect his beloved wife. But God used this man’s weakness in order to lift him up to become the father of faith! 

Moses had anger management issues. He had fits of rage now and then. One day he saw a fellow Hebrew man arguing with an Egyptian man. Moses went over and killed the Egyptian man because of his uncontrolled anger. After receiving the Ten Commandments on top of Mt. Sinai, Moses came down the mountain and saw the Israelites dancing and worshipping an idol. Moses burned with anger and he shattered the plates of rock on which the Ten Commandments were written! On a different occasion, God told Moses to speak to a rock so water would gush out of it. But again, Moses was so angry at the complaining attitude of the Israelites, he ended up striking the rock instead. Nevertheless, God used him and at the end, called him the ‘meekest man on earth.’

Should we try one more? Let us consider King David who was a “man after God’s heart’. He forcefully took Bathsheba, wife of one of his most royal subjects, Uriah. And when he could not hide his sin of adultery, he asked another commander to put Uriah in the frontline of a fierce battle to deliberately kill him. David would carry this sin with him to his bed. Imagine the countless sleepless nights as he cried over his own wickedness! But out of his defeat and weaknesses of life, emerged a life of repentance and humility; his heart and soul healed by God, from which erupts songs and poems of praise and worship unto the Lord.

Our weaknesses should not deter us from moving forward! When we give our weaknesses to the Lord, God can turn them into jewels! Our weaknesses are what God uses to empower us to make a difference in others. God uses people who are not haughty or prideful, rather he enables those who are humble and acknowledge their need of God. 

Paul says in 2 Corinthians 2:9 | But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

As we close 2012, let us acknowledge our weaknesses before the Lord and declare, “God, your grace is enough! May your power rest upon me!” Perhaps Christmas is God’s way of saying, “My grace is sufficient for you.” Perhaps Christmas is God’s way of saying, that’s why Jesus came so that grace can be poured over you! Do not worry about your weaknesses, focus on Jesus and let his power rest over you this season!

Rejoice In All Circumstances...

On February 1, 1831, in a small town in the Vogtland region of Saxony, a little boy was birthed. At age 22, with $80 dollars given to him by his uncle, he boarded a ship in Bremen and docked in Hoboken, New Jersey. He arrived penniless and with no knowledge of English. His first job at a small grocery store in Ohio paid him four dollars a week. Soon, he decided to move to Cincinnati, where he became part of the city’s large German immigrant population. His first job in Cincinnati was as a door-to-door salesman. The owner of the store allowed him to sleep in a packing crate on the premises, and allowed him to save a dollar a week. His next job was at Heidelbach & Seasongood Bank in Cincinnati. He earned about eight dollars a week. Here he slept in a loft over the bank office and continued to save all he could.

One day he saw some musical instruments that were for sale which reminded him of how he and his friends back in Germany used to make such instruments. So, he sent his life's savings of $700 to his friends in Germany and had them ship a supply of their instruments. The first shipment sold very quickly. He sent for more and was on his way to becoming a successful businessman.

The business this boy eventually started manufacturing pianos, organs, music boxes, and player pianos. It became a multimillion dollar business. The boy's name? Rudolph Wurlitzer.

If Rudolph Wurlitzer did not start out lonely and penniless, chance are, he would not have done what he did. His harsh circumstances generated the motivation that moved him to become successful businessman. 

At times we find ourselves thrown into a difficult situations; and we must make decisions. Often these circumstances are so impossible, it is easy to give up!

One of the oldest books in the Bible is the book of Job. The Bible says Job was loved by people due to his righteous acts before men and God. He helped the poor, widows and the down cast whenever he had the opportunity. He had wealth and integrity. He had a great family. But one day, he lost all that he had. All his riches disappeared like the morning dew. Immediately after, a great wind killed his 7 sons and 3 daughters. Furthermore, his body was covered with boils and blisters as yellow puss oozed out of his body.

Perhaps, even worse than losing his wealth and health was his beloved wife coming to him and saying, “Just curse God and die!” She was literally saying, “Give up! What is the point of living in this condition? Just die! This God is not trustworthy. All your life, you gave and did good deeds, is this how he repays you? Curse God!” Is there a more painful moment than to have your beloved backstab you in this way? This was such a painful experience for Job he utters words of pain and grief!

Job 3:11-12, 24 | “Why did I not die at birth, come out from the womb and expire? Why did the knees receive me? Or why the breasts, that I should nurse? ... For my sighing comes instead of my bread, and my groanings are poured out like water.”

But this was not the end for Job. Job ends in chapter 42!

Job 42:5 | I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you;

Job 42:10 | And the Lord restored the fortunes of Job, when he had prayed for his friends. And the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.

I am told, that the Chinese have two characters for the word "crisis". One means danger; the other, opportunity. How right they are! In every crisis there is a danger of being defeated or the opportunity for growth.

Life's like that. Difficult times, economic hardships, business setbacks, sicknesses, sorrows, and heartbreaks rush in on our lives unexpectedly. When they do, we often feel like we've struck out and have failed. However, the only real failure in life is when we fail to pick ourselves up. During this Christmas, undoubtedly, life will come in from all angles. And in 2013, life will come from all angles. Remember who your God is and how he has redeemed you! Will he not continue to cover you with his grace and love? So trust in him and place your hope in him! 

In the book of Philippians, Paul writes one of the most encouraging words in the Bible. He encouraged the disciples of Jesus to not give up! He encouraged them to live in joy and to rejoice in the Lord always! He did not write to them from the comforts of his home. No, he wrote the encouraging words from the dark and damp dungeons of a Roman prison. He was imprisoned, not for a crime of murder or stealing, but for sharing the good news of Jesus! He could have complained about his life but rather, he makes an intentional choice to trust in the Lord; and he begins to worship God with Silas, his ministry partner. 

He writes, “10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.” Philippians 4

And he caps the statement with: "I can do all things through him who strengthens me."

Amen! Friends, may we find our greatest joy and pleasure in God! So that, whether we have much or little, we may bring glory and honor to him who died upon the cross for us. May our year end in such confidence in God. May our 2013 start with such confidence in Him who gave his only Son for us! Blessings!

Greatest Victory!

"For a man to conquer himself is the first and noblest of all victories"~ Plato

D. L. Moody was one of the greatest evangelists during the 19th century. Hundreds of people were impacted and transformed through his ministry. One day, a person came to Moody and asked, “Who has been your biggest obstacle in the ministry? Let me know, and I’ll take care of him."

Moody replied, “The biggest obstacle in my ministry has been D. L. Moody.”

In life, you will always have obstacles, preventing you from reaching your dream and vision. But one of the biggest obstacles is not ‘something’ but it’s often nothing other than yourself. A follower of Jesus will always seek to conquer oneself before trying to impact others.

In the 80s, one of the great preachers of the time was a televangelist named Jimmy Swaggart. His sermons on TV reached millions people around the world. Some thought he would take the place of Billy Graham. Jimmy Swaggart’s fame and popularity reached the heavens; but in a single moment, all of the fame and influence collapsed into rubbles. He had been a part of a sex scandal. Who destroyed him? Who sabotaged his life? It was none other than himself.

One of my favorite writers is Gordon MacDonald, who wrote a wonderful book called Ordering Your Private Life. Gordon MacDonald was a rising star among the biblical teachers and writers, yet his life was ruined. He could not conquer his own devils inside of him and eventually yielded to disobedience. With God’s grace and forgiveness, he turned his failure into an opportunity to make his life right the second time around; and today he has gained greater fame and influence than before. He encourages and pleads with people to bring order to their private life!

Apostle Paul, in his attempt to bring order in his inner world writes: “I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave...” [1 Corinthians 9:27]. And he calls the disciples of Jesus to do whatever it takes to bring order to their private life as well.

Friends, as followers of Jesus, we must find ourselves before our Lord each day to reflect and come honestly to take care of our inner private world. Without hesitation let us go to a place of solitude to meet with Jesus who will encounter us to shape and encourage us to keep on keeping on in carving our future in Him. 

Read the first chapter of Mark and see how busy Jesus was every day. He woke up early in the morning and he did not lay his head until late at night. Yet, Jesus always found Himself alone in a solitary place before His Father. He sought a place of solitude to reflect and pray for his vision and purpose in order to continue His journey as the Christ. Nothing could hinder Him from spending moments of solitude with His Father. 

In solitude, He met with His Father. He did the work of self-discipline, self-control, and self conquering in the presence of God as He reflected on His purpose!

Let us find ourselves before the Father each day as we follow Jesus. Jesus is our guide and He will lead our path. Start with a bit of scripture each day and meditate on the voice of God through the Word. Friends, when you prepare yourself in the Lord, God will lay opportunities to set you up for success. It all starts in solitude with Him! As we approach Christmas, as we continue our journey through this month with our service focusing on Worship Fully, Spend Less, Give More, and Love All, let us truly see where God wants us to give materially and relationally! And most importantly, let’s do them as he guides our thoughts and hearts. Blessings.

"But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" ~ I Corinthians 15:57

"In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us!" ~Romans 8:37

** check the following website out to get started: http://www.duranno.com/livinglife/english_su06.asp?mag=f

God Confidence!

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us...” ~ Tale of Two Cities

Israel for many years enjoyed the best of the best through the leadership of the prophet Samuel and King Saul, who defeated enemy after enemy as he rampantly enlarged Israel’s territory over the Middle East. But the war with Goliath marked one of the worst moments for King Saul as he retreated and shuddered with fear because of this godless general from Philistine. But what appeared to be  the worst of times for Saul, would be an opportunity for the son of Jesse to display his confidence in God before all of Israel.

Young David was instructed to take some food to his brothers who were in the frontline getting ready to battle against the Philistines. When Goliath stepped forward from the ranks of the Philistine army, Saul’s army scattered to the mountains to hide in the rocks and caves. When the young shepherd boy, David, witnessed the situation, his blood boiled on behalf of God. Who was this godless Philistine that the army of God would hide like a scared child? David made up his mind, to fight Goliath, not for his own glory but for the glory of God! David’s brothers opposed what seemed to be a foolish decision! King Saul tried to stop the young boy from making this foolish mistake but to no avail. 

Goliath was a seasoned Philistine general; David was a simple shepherd boy from a small town of Bethlehem. Goliath adorned himself with the best armor. He held a powerful spear, 12 feet  long with an 18 pound polished brass point gleaming in the sun. And his shield was made specifically for someone of his size and stature. David came with a sling and a few stones. No armor. No spear. No shield. Who would win? The picture is so silly why would one bother to entertain such question? But the result is unexpected! The mighty Goliath fell before the young shepherd boy.

1 Samuel 17:45-47 | 45 David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. 47 All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.”

Where does he get such confidence? How could he stand before the shadow of this giant and utter such confident words? God! David’s confidence stemmed from his confidence in the God of Israel, the Maker of the universe. David wanted everyone to know that the battle was not won by shields and spears but by God! God gives victory [Deuteronomy 20:4] and David knew it!

Friends, who stands before you today? What does your Goliath look like? Remember, the victory is the Lord’s! Do not be afraid of “Goliaths” that stand before your God-given destiny. Goliath is an annoyance. A small hurdle. Have confidence in God, who gives you victory.  

Goliath was self confident. His confidence was in his body! His confidence came from his experience, spear and shield. But David’s confidence originated from the Lord of the universe! Do not fear. God is your bodyguard! 

Theodore Roosevelt once said, “Far better is it to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure... than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much, because they live in a gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat.” 

My friends in Disciple Church, what have you done this week to show the love of Jesus to the world? How has this world been impacted by your work and life this week? Is our city better because we exist? Is your work place better because you are there? You and I are the dwelling place of God! Have confidence in Him! What has God placed in your heart to accomplish lately? Go and do it, knowing that God is with you; He will lead you to victory! To those who follow Jesus, failure is an opportunity to display the glory of God!  

Isaiah 41:10 | So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.