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