Saturday, August 29, 2009

Does God Really Want Me to Enjoy Life?

"Does God really want me to enjoy life?"

This may be a very common question you frequently hear or at least feel someone is asking.

Maybe your friend just broke up with her boyfriend because he keeps on hurting her emotionally and you feel that she is silently asking God whether He truly cares to give her a good partner.

Maybe your husband just got retrenched because of the recession we are into and worse, you need to pay monthly amortizations for your car and house loans and you yourself have asked God this question.

Maybe you closed your business because orders stopped coming in and what's worse is that you are a single parent with no family to go to.

I have actually asked this question to myself years back when I went through a series of 'very difficult' situations. I just lost my girlfriend of two years at a time when I also wanted to quit my job at a government bank as an environmental specialist because I wasn't happy of what I was doing.

While I was meditating on God's word, I was reminded of God's answer to this very common question. Read what Jesus Himself said in the Book of John.

"...I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." - John 10:10 (NIV)

I like how the Amplified Bible says it (emphasis added).

"...I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows)" - John 10:10 (AMP)

That's Jesus' own words telling you that the key to enjoying life is to trust in Him. To put your faith in Him. I believe that God wants us to enjoy life to the fullest. He wants us to experience His blessings everyday. He wants us to benefit from the gifts He has placed in us when He formed us in our mother's womb.

Does this mean that we will never experience difficulties and challenges in life? Do you fret and curse God (you don't have to say the words to curse Him) when you experience a painful situation like losing a loved one from a freak accident? I believe that everyone in the world will experience very difficult trials and terrible uncontrollable situations in their lives. And so the question is, "If God wants me to have a full life, why am I in this situation?"

We will not be spared from difficult situations. Seemingly bad things will happen to everyone, whether he is an atheist or a believer. I believe difficult situations and painful experiences are allowed by God primarily to change our heart. To change our perspective. To prepare us for an overflowing life. Let me explain.


I had wished, in fact prayed, to marry my first girlfriend. It would be my trophy because I dreamed of marrying the first woman I would love. I felt it was something that God would really bless because I had the best intentions for her. I was terribly wrong!

God took her away from me and did it in a very painful way. I was utterly devastated. There were many sleepless nights when it seemed I had no more tears to shed. This was when I asked God, "Do You really want me to have a happy life?" And, he answered.

Today, I am married to a very wonderful woman. A woman of God. Not perfect in many ways but definitely perfect for me. Besides, I am worse than her. Ask her about how many times I hurt her feelings...and you won't get an answer. That's how much she loves me. Haha.

Today, my first girlfriend is happily married to a very intelligent scientist in the US and they have a wonderful son. She and I are still good friends. In fact, her family and my family are good friends. Her parents are our ninong and ninang (godparents) in the wedding. Now tell me, how can that happen?

I'll tell you. Only God can make that happen. It's because God wants us to have a full life. He wants us to enjoy life. He knew my good friend and I were not compatible with each other in delivering our purpose in life together and so God had to take us out of that relationship even if it was painful and seemingly perfect.

Whatever it is you are facing right now, whether you lost a job or closed your business, or going through the pain of the death of a loved one, let me tell you that God wants you to enjoy life, until it overflows. He wants you to receive His blessings. But he wants you to let go of your "bad" situation and put your faith in Him. As I have read somewhere, if you ask for rain on a summer night, make sure you bring an umbrella because it will surely rain. That's an act of faith.

May you achieve true success!

Bryan

PS. God want's you to enjoy an overflowing life. Receive it today. Breathe in His blessing and enjoy life!

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Secrets for Thriving in Challenging Times

One of the greatest man of God today who has inspired me greatly (even naming one of my companies Kingdom Concepts Enterprises) is Dr. Myles Munroe. I have heard him speak several times in the Philippines as he talked about God's Kingdom and Righteousness. The same message that Jesus taught...

"But, seek first His kingdom and His righteousness..." - Matthew 6:33 (NIV)


But, have you ever wondered why you still face terrible crises day-in and day-out? Why does God allow us to struggle? Why does God bring difficult times in our lives, up to the point of giving up?

Dr. Myles Munroe simply puts it this way: It is through crisis that God's Name is glorified. And, consequently, the man whom God was glorified becomes renowned altogether. Think about such names as Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Edison, Martin Luther King and biblical greats such as Joseph, Daniel, Abraham, Job and Jesus. What was common to them was the word CRISIS. And, ultimately, there battle and victory over their crisis was exactly why many people around the world continue to speak about them until today.

If you are experiencing a crisis today, welcome it with gladness. Whether its in the area of your finance, job, family, marriage, ministry or health, God wants you to glorify Him through your crisis. Think about it! The Book of James says,

‘2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.’ – James 1:2-3 (NIV)

Are you ready to say, "Crisis, I welcome you. Let God's Name be lifted up today!"?

God bless!

PS1. Here's a short video (Just 9 clips. Haha) where Dr. Myles Munroe talks about how crisis can be a blessing in your life! Check it now.





PS2. Here's the link if you want to watch it in youtube: Beyond Profit talks about crisis

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Give Your 101% Percent to Be Successful in Life

The Bible says that “Love never fails.” (1 Corinthians 13:8a). But do you also know that the Bible tells us that “God is love.” (1 John 4:8b)? This is our assurance from God to be successful in life because love never fails.

You’ve heard of the phrase, “Always give your 100%.” Lately, this phrase has been extended to, “Give your 101% to be successful” and has given a new meaning to the word “perfect” by emphasizing on giving more than what “you think” you can give. Now what does it really mean to give 101% when this is not mathematically correct?

Today, let’s take things lightly and make a quasi-mathematical hypothesis, one that you’ve probably already received in your emails.

Let’s say that the English alphabet and numbers have a one-on-one relationship which goes this way: A=1, B=2, C=3...X=24, Y=25 and Z=26. What would be the results of knowledge, hard work and attitude in relation to success?

The sum of KNOWLEDGE is 96%.
The sum or result of HARD WORK is 98%.
The sum of ATTITUDE is 100%.

This tells us that knowledge can give you 96% success, while hard work can achieve 98% success but attitude can really get you there. This means, attitude is the most important key to achieving success in this world.

But wait! How can one go beyond this and give 101%? Let’s look at what “love of God” can do.

The sum of LOVE OF GOD equals 101%!

If attitude can get you there, only the love of God (firstly, God towards you and then you towards Him) can push you to greater heights and achieve what man thinks is impossible. Now that’s true success!


May you achieve true success!

Bryan

PS. No go out there and give your 101%! How? Remember the Love of God!

Monday, June 15, 2009

Success or Failure: Where is Love in the Equation?

If you ask any person what his or her ambition in life is, he or she will always start with, “To be successful in...” or “To be a successful...” or something about achieving his goals in life...which is how this world defines success.

So, what is the opposite of success? It’s the word “failure”. No one wants to fail in life. No one wants to be a loser. On the contrary, every single person on earth (yes, even children), want to get what he wants... because once he has this, he equates this with success. What does someone who recently got promoted in his company say? Does he feel bad and say “I’m sorry I have climbed up the ladder of success.” Or does he say, “Finally, I have achieved my goal!”? However, many times, in my experience as well as in what we read and see every day, success can never be achieved by worldly wealth and pleasures.

How can one truly be successful in life? I believe that excellence can achieve you success but satisfaction and contentment in what the Lord has given you are two of the most important attitudes of true success. The apostle Paul tells us about something that can guarantee success. He says that it is “...the most excellent way” (1 Corinthians 12:31b NIV), that it “...never fails” and “...knowledge...will pass away” in its presence (1 Corinthians 13:8). So what was Paul talking about in these verses from the Bible? It is the word LOVE!

If you want to have true success in areas of your life, then there is only one key: LOVE.

May you achieve true success!

Bryan

PS. Show your love to everyone around. Start with your spouse, kids, siblings, relatives, church, community, work and your emnemies, too!

Monday, June 8, 2009

Are You Building a Righteous Family?


Matthew 1:17 says, ‘Thus there were fourteen generations in all from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the exile to Babylon and fourteen from the exile to the Christ.’ 

Jesus, the Christ, came from a family of righteous men.

His ancestors included Abraham whose faith in God was credited to him as righteousness, David, who was a man after God’s own heart, Solomon, the wisest king who ever lived and King Jehoshaphat, one of the greatest kings of Judah who ordered his people to sing praises to the Lord which resulted in a great victory. 

The success of Jesus’ forefathers came from their trust and faith in God Almighty. These people were not without sin. King David was a murderer and adulterer. King Solomon was devoured by excessive sensualities and King Jehoshaphat formed alliances with wicked kings. But through it all, these men expressed their utmost love to their one true King! 

Are you building a family line of righteous men by living a righteous life today? The Name above all names, Jesus, and many other great names of today and of old, comes from a lineage of righteous men. Let righteousness reign in your life. This is your legacy to your long line of descendants. 

Now, what does this have to do with godly wealth? Well, have you noticed that all of these men are wealthy? Makes you think again, doesn’t it?

Sunday, May 31, 2009

Trials are Life Lessons! Do You Want to Pass the Test?

Are you facing trials of many kinds today? The Bible says..


‘2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.’ – James 1:2-3 (NIV)


I can compare trials that we face in life to the lessons in our formal education. Before you can move on to the next level (say from Grade 1 to Grade 2), you have to learn the lessons and pass the examinations given by your teachers. In life, we face these “lessons” and before we can proceed to new lessons, we have to learn from our current lessons. Are you facing a difficult situation with your finances, your spouse, parenting, your boss or employees, your health, sick loved ones and even your mother-in-law? These are lessons for us...not to escape from but to learn from. Once we’ve learned our lessons, we are ready for the next one. “What? You mean this will not end?”, you might say. Yes, life is full of lessons, whether you are a 3-year old child playing in the living room or a 90-year old great grandfather sitting on a rocking chair. Life will throw lessons at you until you breathe your final breath.


So how can I learn from these lessons? Go back and read James 1:2-3 again,


‘2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.’ – James 1:2-3 (NIV)


In short, the Bible says that you should have the time of your life when you face your problems because you know that you will become a life champion...an over-comer!


So what’s your trial today? Embrace it! Learn from it! Then move on to the next lesson!


Trials of many kinds are lessons meant to develop our inner (and outer) strengths so that we can become complete.


‘4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.’ – James 1:4 (NIV)


May you achieve true success!


Bryan



PS. Do you want to be complete? Face those trials and learn your lessons today!