Key to Success

I found this video on a friend’s timeline that talks about “Keys to Success” in life.  It was interesting because what she shared were actually what Jesus taught us in the Holy Book.

Angela Lee Duckworth reiterates that successful people have “grit”, described as one with passion and perseverance for very long term goal….working really hard to make that future a reality….living life like it’s a marathon and not a sprint.  Grit is never giving up…and the acceptance of failure.

God invented “GRIT” and is taught to us as evidenced in the following scriptures:

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”  James 1:2-4

“All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.” Prov.14:23.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us” Heb 12:1

“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” Gal 6:9

“"Even if good people fall seven times, they will get back up.: Prov. 24:16a

In Angela’s studies, some questions were raised, and to quote:

“How do I build “grit” and how do I get people motivated for the long run?”

“I don’t know!” was her honest answer.

But I know the answer to that.

Jesus. Our knowledge and faith on our Lord Jesus, our Saviour.

Jesus Himself is the main motivation to keep running.  The main way to “run with endurance the race that is set  before us” is, “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart” (12:2-3)

You have to remember though that you can’t run the race if you’ve never entered it.  If you’ve never put your faith in Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord, you aren’t even in the race.  If you don’t enter the race and run with endurance, you wont’ get the prize.

Getting the prize is freedom! Finishing the race is success!

It's Called Integrity

from the word integer, which means ONE..

I have integrity when who I am at home is ONE with who I am outside of my home.. When it is not ONE (inside and outside the home) then I am living in pretense... Jesus calls it "hypocrisy".

I could have deep respect for people outside my home, but if I am unkind to my own family, that is hypocrisy.. It is not ONE.. It is not integrity... it is called hypocrisy. (Celebrate Recovery)

"If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen." 1 Jn 4:20

Photo by CJ

God 
Will
Redeem, Restore, Rebuild!

My heart cries out to see the devastation in areas greatly affected in my home country, the Philippines. So far, 10000 deaths found in Tacloban alone. The whole province is wiped out. I am grieving for my fellow countrymen. I thank God for Australia, my adopted country, for extending help financially. Filipinos here in Perth are pulling resources together to send relief goods to be shipped to the remote areas.

Countless have lost their homes and the humble possessions have been wiped out by the merciless, “Yolanda”. So many little children lost their parents, their families! Being so far away, I can only gather and put together as much resources as possible to send home.

Bim and I were contemplating about the turn of events last night. God allow these circumstances in our lives for a reason– just like the life experience of Job in the Bible. He lost everything that he had. When Job made a sacrifice in faith, at the end, the Lord turned Job’s captivity and gave him twice as much as he had before. Suffering had been an expansive, faith-demonstrating opportunity for Job. God had grown much bigger; Job had become smaller in his own eyes.

The Filipinos will come out of this with greater faith, to see God as much bigger than all the struggle and suffering!

My brothers and sisters in Christ, please continue to pray for those people in the Philippines greatly affected. Our ultimate help is in the name of the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth!

God will redeem, God will restore, God will rebuild! God save the Philippines!
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Shot taken at Silay, Negros Occidental, July 2013
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http://jensnursingchronicles.blogspot.com.au/2013/02/thank-god-i-am-filipino.html

Fearfully
And
Wonderfully!

Beautiful Sunday morning, whilst driving back home after church service:

Bim: “That was an awesome message, wasn’t it kids? I am fearfully and wonderfully made! Listen, what does ‘fearfully’ mean to you?”

We were all silent. I couldn’t think of anything to say.

Jed: “Hhhmm… I know the answer but I just can’t express it!”

CJ: “Yeah right, Jed!”

Bim: “Sure, we all know what ‘wonderfully’ means – it means unique, beautiful, different, striking, remarkable—outside of the power of human comprehension! But what about ‘fearfully’? It wasn’t explained very well at preaching today?”

Still and silence dominated the atmosphere.

Then Bim continued on, “Fearfully means: to stand in awe, deep reverence, respect, honor! God created us with awe, with reverence, with respect and with honor! And the best part is, God ‘fearfully and wonderfully’ created us in His image! Imagine that! Isn’t that amazing?” Then he continued on to explain further. I found myself taking notes!

May we be enthralled by this thought and encourage us that we were remarkably and uniquely created by the Creator in awe and reverence in His own image!

Wouldn't that blow your mind away? Praise be to God!

“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” Psalm 139:14

'Tis 
Beyond
Measure!

Immediately after the night shift was a side trip to the hardware store to buy some lights, a few more potted plants and a short picket fence to install around my herb garden. 

Just when I was about to pay at the cashier, this lady said, “You’re a nurse, aren’t you?”

I quickly replied, “Yes?”

And then she continued, “And you just got out from work. How was the night shift?”

I said, “It was very busy. And how did you know I’m a nurse?”

She pointed to my ID. And just when I was about to say something, she interrupted by saying, “You nurses are a gem! You guys are beyond measure! You work very hard, oftentimes unappreciated. You save lives and you always wear a smile. Just like you now. Your eyes show you’re tired but the smile never left your face.”

I was left bewildered.

And then she said, “Because of that, this, this and this (pointing to some plants, the lights and other little things that I bought) is on me!”

I was shocked! She offered to pay half of my bill!

Wow, totally unexpected. I had so much joy in my heart way beyond measure! What a treat. Indeed, the joy of the Lord is my strength!

Thank you amazing God!