#Day 214: 02 August 2016, Tuesday

QUALITY LIVING

Hebrews 13:5 ESV - Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

It is our DHL ITS Fair 2016 day, a numerous information booth were built, games were prepared and gifts! From a laptop bag to a several interesting door prices!

The theme of this year fair is "QUALITY", covering all aspects from quality services, quality innovation, success projects learning, quality of working areas, quality of social responsibility and quality door price. Most importantly is quality passion, the event is arranged and contributed by our very own colleagues, volunteering in making it a quality event.

I was thinking, what quality means when comes to our living? What is Quality Living?

And this verse says it all, Acts 20:35 ESV - In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive."

Giving rather than receiving, that's for me a quality living. What else?

Hebrews 13:5 ESV - Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Another strong point for quality living, be content and free from love of money!

A finally, for me to have a great quality living means I have to: Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. - Colossians 3:12-14

I asked the man in the mirror, what about you? Do you have quality living?

What a great blessing!

#fgccmalaysia #uplifting #qualityliving

#Day 213: 01 August 2016, Monday

AUGUST - GIVE THANKS

On this day, it is the 213 days of my devotion. Sometimes I failed to keep ot and have to catch up few days later. But I know in all times, God is with me and kept reminding me and pushed me to keep moving, step by step, day by day, allowing me to continue my journey.

Some may say, it is not about how many devotion that you wrote, it is about your action.

I do appreciate their point of view, but for me, these sharing have been one of my source of energy to continue moving on.

I may not be as religious or pious as them but I really appreciate the companion of Holy Spirit in all my weaknesses and still allowing me to share.

All I know is, I will continue to share and write. As a form of my love, my commitment, even it is not as precious as what others do. I will continue.

I pray "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God" - Colossians 3:16

It is August, the 8th month of the year, the 213 days. I give you thanks God for all the things that you have done.

Amen.

#fgccmalaysia #uplifting #givethanks

#Day 212: 31 July 2016, Sunday

WE ARE THE CHURCH

By: Epi

Church, a lot of time we are clouded by the word church, where we always visual it with a building. But at the same time, we, deeply, in our heart, realize and know that church is not merely about the four walls, not merely about the building, church is about the people.

It is the people that matters. The people, including us, is the representative of God's love.

It is the people that makes a church. It is us that makes the church.

Church as our identities not as consumer events:

• As the representative of God's love and at the same time being a human, we are limited by our own strength, our own view.
• Rick Warren said "Christian life is not about imitation, it is a matter about inhabitation. It is about Christ in me".
• It is about our relationship with Jesus. We need God to live in us. His power works best in our weaknesses.
• 2 Corinthians 12:9 - Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.

As we are the Church, we are responsible of the atmosphere of the church:

• When we are at church, we need to know if we act as participant or merely spectators.
• Our biggest enemies in uplifting ourselves as participant is familiarities and labelling, when we think that we know enough since we have been part of the church for years.
• If we want to be a great church, we must change ourselves! We need to become participant! We need to act and change our mindset in the church.
• We are the one responsible because we are the church. FGCC is not about Ps. Eddy Chang, it is about us, we are responsible about FGCC.
• We need to focus on the best out of the church, out of us, each one of us, that's when we will change and uplift the church.
• We need to keep ourselves "young" where we strive for learning. While at the same time remind ourselves to be submissive to our leaders, respectful and only then, we will get the best out of the church, out of each participants.

What a blessing.

#fgccmalaysia #uplifting #wearechurch

#Day 211: 30 July 2016, Saturday

ANGRY BIRD

Ephesians 4:26-27 ESV - Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil

It was our family movie night. The whole family sleep on our small living room and we selected Angry Bird movie as this month movie night.

The story speaks about Red, a bird with a bad temper. Any simple small thing happened not according to his way will trigger a wave of anger, for no reason.

Because of his anger he has no friend and is not accepted in his town. His only friends are the people in the anger management class that he attended.

But in the end of the movie, Red saves his flocks eggs from the Pigs. He managed to channeled his anger to a right purpose. He became a hero and finally accepted by the town.

There are loads of messages in the bible warning us about anger. From Proverbs to Psalms to the book of Matthew and John. All in sending the same message, a message for us to control our anger.

• James 1:19-20 ESV - Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.
• Proverbs 19:11 ESV - Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.
• Ecclesiastes 7:9 ESV - Be not quick in your spirit to become angry, for anger lodges in the bosom of fools
• And many more!!

Bruce Lee once said "A quick temper will make a fool of you soon enough"

Like Red the bird, I hope I can channel my temper to a correct channel. To brave myself and serve the town, serve my community, to stand firm on my values while committing to the duty and tasks assigned to me.

I pray that all these many messages can be a rhema in my life. Slow to anger, fast to love.

Thank you Holy Spirit.

I want to be the uplift angry bird :)

#fgccmalaysia #uplifting #angrybird

#Day 210: 29 July 2016, Friday

STORYLINING

I was wondering, what makes Jesus teaching attractive? In a form of man, with a normal looks like any other human at that time, Jesus, the son of Joseph, able to amaze a lot of people with his paradigm and teaching. A lot of people are hooked by his communication skills.

Well, I am referring to the human aspect of Jesus. He seems to be a very skilled motivator and communicator.

One thing that I notice is his storylining approach. Most of his teaching has a clear goals and designed specifically to draw people to a journey towards a particular solution or answer of a situation.

Colossians 4:6 ESV - Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

What an example that Jesus have set for us. For me as a leader in my organization, as a volunteer at my community.

I pray that I can learn and improve my storylining  skill, filling my words with positive words and plot. Helping others to grow and pushing myself to learn.

Psalm 19:14 ESV - Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

God bless. Let's build our storylining skills.

#fgccmalaysia #uplifting #storylining

#Day 209: 28 July 2016, Thursday

LEFT GROUP

Philippians 2:4 ESV - "Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others"

Today, one of my friend decided to left our chat group. But what bothering me is not about why he left the group, but on the fact that only a very small amount of our group members know the reason. Only the after effect then people are trying to show that they actually care.

I am writing this not to show that I am any better. I am sharing this because I feel that we, including myself, are getting further away in understanding the love of God, the commandment to love others.

I do see how we care about the people within our circle, our close community, our group. But very ignorance of others that is not fitting our preferences, our interest.

I do see how we shows enthusiasm about our interests without putting tolerance towards others limitation or interests. Be it hobbies, or holidays or even grooming. And no, I am not saying hobbies, holidays or grooming are bad, but I am talking in the context of tolerance.

Somehow I asked myself, are we falling into favoritsm? (Read: #Day 207)

Whatever it is, this is not the first time I felt a need of an uplift among us. This is not the first time for us to learn about:

• The importance of simple gentle smile and chat with others outside our circle, the new comers
• The importance of selflessly keep in contact eith our friends who seems have left or reduced their attendances at the community due to their life challenges or anything
• The importance to focus on whats important. The real people and not merely just the appearances (No make up will cover the true love and care that we have for others)

I pray that I, with the grace of God, can share more of my personal time to walk the John 13:34-35 message: "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

I pray for no more friend will left the group.

(Disclaimer: today's sharing is purely my own perception with my own experiences. Should there be a similarity of events, it is merely a coincidence)

#fgccmalaysia #uplifting #leftgroup

#Day 208: 27 July 2016, Wednesday

PREPARATION

Proverbs 24:27 ESV - "Prepare your work outside; get everything ready for yourself in the field, and after that build your house"

We had our Fresh Camp preparation meeting today. With the limited team members we would like to ensure that we can give the best, with His blessing, to all of our FGCC Volunteers and hope all of us will be fueled and filled with a new energy during & after the camp.

Credit to the energy and focus of the young members, Cris, Franklin, Riel, Evi and Chintia, the details activities and ground work looks very promising.

I can clearly see the commitment and willingness covered with their humility has became the base pillars of the plan. Painted with their attention to details and creativity, it drives an improvement on the plan which finally empowered by their team work.

I am excited to take part on this preparation. And may God bless each one of us in giving our best for the camp.

I believe, with God on our side, the preparation will be transform into a success and His name will be glorified. At Fresh Camp 2016, we will be fueled and filled by His love.

Amen.

#fgccmalaysia #uplifting #preparation

#Day 207: 26 July 2016, Tuesday

FAVORITISM

For God does not show favoritism - Romans 2:11 NLT

Being partial means to give preference to one person over others with equal claims. It is similar to discrimination and may be based on conditions such as social class, wealth, clothing, actions, etc. It is also called as favoritsm or an unconcious bias.

A lot of time in our life we saw and witness the act of being partial, people giving preference based on financial contribution, by religion, by skin colors, by the way someone appearance, etc.

I came accross below writings from some blog and I would like to share it here. What does our faith says about this subject, about being partial:

The Bible is clear that favoritism is not God’s will for our lives. 

1. First, favoritism is incongruent with God’s character: “God does not show favoritism” (Romans 2:11).

• All are equal before Him. Ephesians 6:9 says, “There is no favoritism with him.”
• Colossians 3:25 teaches God’s fairness in judgment: “Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism.”

2. Second, the Bible teaches Christians are not to show favoritism: “My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favoritism” (James 2:1).

• The context concerns the treatment of rich and poor in the church. James points out that treating someone differently based on his financial status or how he is dressed is wrong.
• The Old Testament provides similar instruction regarding favoritism. Leviticus 19:15 teaches, “Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly.”
• Exodus 23:3 likewise commands, “Do not show favoritism to a poor man in his lawsuit.” Justice should be blind, and both rich and poor should be treated equally before the law.

3. Third, the Bible calls favoritism sin: “If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself,’ you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers” (James 2:8-9). Favoritism is a serious offense against God’s call to love one’s neighbor as oneself.

4. Fourth, church leaders are especially charged not to show favoritism. Paul commanded Timothy, a young church leader, “I charge you, in the sight of God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, to keep these instructions without partiality, and to do nothing out of favoritism” (1 Timothy 5:21).

5. Fifth, it is difficult to avoid showing favoritism.

• Even Christ’s closest followers struggled with bias against people different from them. When the apostle Peter was first called to minister to non-Jewish people, he was reluctant.
• He later admitted, “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right” (Acts 10:34). The fact that James specifically addresses the sin of favoritism implies that this was a common problem within the early church.

Favoritism is a problem we still deal with. Favoritism and partiality are not from God, and Christians are called to love.

As humans, we tend to form judgments based on selfish, personal criteria rather than seeing others as God sees them.

May we grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and follow His example of treating every person with God’s love (John 3:16).

Amen.

#fgccmalaysia #uplifting #favoritism

#Day 206: 25 July 2016, Monday

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

Romans 12:13-17 ESV - Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.

We had a visitor from Perkeso Malaysia, giving a briefing and information about Social Security contribution made by our Malaysian colleagues, the types of controbution and the necessary process of retrieving the rightful cash.

The word social security makes me wonder about how much our contribution in making our surrounding secure? Or what actually our social responsibility.

Paul wrote to the Romans about this, it is our responsibility to:

• Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality
• Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.
• Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.
• Live in harmony with one another.
• Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly.
• Never be wise in your own sight.
• Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.

Simple, clear and straight forward.

The question now is, are we? Are we doing our part? Our we responding to our social responsibility?

Great reminder, great blessing

#fgccmalaysia #uplifting #socialresponsibility

#Day 205: 24 July 2016, Sunday

BEYOND BORDERS - MINDSET

By: Robert & Lea

All God wanted is to provide us with His blessing. The only time God's blessing stops His plan, His blessing for us is when we passed away, when we die.

And sometimes there's blockage or borders that stopping us to received that blessing.

My mom, she is 88 years old and she is very active, she is still working. She just went through the knee exchange. In two months she is back to normal, she is so energize, and she always said, I still have a responsibility in this world. A very strong mindset.

We need to believe that God has a big plan for us! So in this journey let us ensure we do our part! We need a right mindset!

Isaiah 26:15 NLT - "O Lord, you have made our nation great; yes, you have made us great. You have extended our borders, and we give you glory!"

A lot of us still living in the old years, living in memories, be it a successful memories or dark memories. Don't we know this can stop or delayed the great plan that  God has for us? A lot of God's plan are not fulfilled in our life because of this kind of mindset.

"Our action is driven by our mind. Hence, if we are to change our actions, we need to change our mindset"

Few examples of great beyond borders mindset:

1. Story of Jabez

• 1 Taw 4: 9,10 - story about Jabez mindset
• Even when he was labelled as the sick, Yabes act beyond the given borders. We have the correct mindset!
  • He pray, he shout to God
  • He ask God to bring him out beyond borders
  • He knows God is with him and protect him

2. Story of Walt Disney

• Was told he was lack of imagination ans having no original ideas.
• His office is was in a garage and his friends are rats which he transformed into the everlasting friend of us: Mickey Mouse

3. Story of Steve Jobs

• Fired by the board of his own company, he keep his innovative mind and create Pixar
• And now, Apple. Who does not know apple.

And many more!! The example of beyond borders mindset.

Let us pray that we can uplift our mindset, beyond the given situation, beyond the given stigma, beyond borders!

Let us release and claim the rewards from the great plan that God always has for us.

What a great blessing.

#fgccmalaysia #uplifting #beyondborders

#Day 204: 23 July 2016, Saturday

BROTHERS & SISTER

1 John 4:20 ESV - "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"

I arrived at Jakarta last night. A short planned trip to visit my siblings, my briothers and sister. A gathering of siblings-hood with a mission.

It is interesting to see that as a matter of facts we love & care about each other though we seldom speaks or meet, well, at least with me. All of them live in jakarta.

It is interesting to see that as a matter of facts the bloodties does gives the commitment to love and care. I mean, even though we seldom met, not seeing each other regularly, there is no hate nor lies, just love.

We spent a long hours together and working out the plan and potential solution for the challenges that we are facing. It was a great gathering though it was a short one.

I thank God that I experienced it. A lot of time we make excuses when it comes to serve, share, reach out to our own family members. We said we are busy and so on.

This is the same with our community, we tend to be busy with our own things and desire rather than making an effort to serve others and spend time caring about others.

"...for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen."

I thank God for my siblings. A great blessing.

#fgccmalaysia #uplifting #brothers&sister

#Day 203: 22 July 2016, Friday

HEALTHY FOOD FAIR

Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”
John 6:35 | NIV

Today is a fun day. It is our "Healthy Food fair" day which is part of our Health & Wellness Program created for our colleagues.

Around 8 companies participated in the event with several of our very own "DHL Healthy Food MasterChef" who kindly help and shared their secret top healthy recipe.

It was fun and we had a great crowd. Hopefully we are able to raise the awareness if healthy eating.

The message of healthy food reminds me of 1 Corinthians 6:19 - "Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? "

We conciously care about what we eat because we want to keep fit and healthy. Paul shared the same message saying we need to always remember that our body is a place for Holy Spirit. That we also need to consciously taking care of our healthy spiritual good.

And He is the bread of life. He is the healthy food for our soul. His words is the bread of our lives.

As we focus on providing our body with healthy food, let us also fill our soul with the healthy food from heaven.

Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.
John 6:27 | NIV

What a day full of blessing.

#fgccmalaysia #uplifting #healthyfoodfair

#Day 202: 21 July 2016, Thursday

DRESS CODE

1 Timothy 2:9 ESV - "Likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire"

After the "casual smart" sharing on 14 July, finally we released the announcement of new dress code. "Friday Everyday", thats what I called the new dress code.

Several positive messages and feedback were received, be it verbally, in writings, even via social media posting in facebook.

One thing that attracts me the most is the concern on the non compliance side of the new dress code. Feedback surrounding the concern if some people will be "too relax" and went overboard with their attire.

I believe this is where maturity came to picture. I dont think there will be any policy nor guidelines that can ensure the 100% compliance. I think this is when we test ourselves or put our trust on our colleagues. That everyone will put their respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control.

And I believe there are (still) some people that will fail to comply with the new dress code. But it does not mean the new dress code is not positive.

I guess this is the same at Church, at our family, in our community. A lot of good guidance and direction as well as values which are there for a good reason but due to one or two family members behaviour are not presented properly.

We have to always remember that it does not mean the community, nor the church and nor the vision are not good but merely an invalid unfortunate presentation of some people.

God bless. As for now, I hope my colleagues will enjoy thr new dress code policy.

#fgccmalaysia #uplifting #dresscode

#Day 201: 20 July 2016, Wednesday

NEED vs WANT

Philippians 4:19 ESV - "And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus."

Need: Circumstances in which something is necessary, or that require some course of action; necessity.

Want: a desire for something.

I like the message. It says "need" not "want". It does not say that wanting is bad while at the same time it says God will supply every "need". God will supply the necessity.

A lot of time we are blinded with our desire for something, blinded by "wanting". And a lot of people blame God for not able to fulfill their desire for something, instead of grateful that God took an action, to supply, our every needs!

"We buy what we need, not what we want" , the words that I regularly used for my children.

I guess this will be a lifetime lesson of life. A struggle to really understand the differences between Want versus Need.

May Holy Spirit guide us and filled us with wisdom. God bless.

#fgccmalaysia #uplifting #wantvsneed

#Day 200: 19 July 2016, Tuesday

ABOUT SMILE

Ephesians 6: 7 MSG - "And work with a smile on your face, always keeping in mind that no matter who happens to be giving the orders, you're really serving God"

As written on my facebook page, My best kind of "Lesson from Others" is ...

Meli (may you rest in peace). It was November 2003, back in Singapore, the super strong 19 years young lady who lost her battle with Lupus disease. She taught me a lesson about GRATITUDE and the importance of a SMILE, even in the worst period of her life.

I never forget how to smile since ...

Indeed, the young lady echoed what I learned from Mother Teresa saying, "Peace begins with a smile". Although everyone was sad but we find peace that very night.

What a blessing. After all, A smile is the preetiest thing that you can wear. And for the economics, it is free!!

#fgccmalaysia #uplifting #smile

#Day199: 18 July 2016, Monday

FRESH

"But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.”
  John 4:14 NLT

We had a meeting for our Fresh Camp event tonight and I have been thinking about the word "Fresh" since.

According to the Merriam-Web ster's dictionary, the word fresh means:

• newly produced, made, gathered, etc. : not preserved by being frozen, canned, etc
• not old, spoiled, etc.
• clean and pure

I like these definitions, it gave a simpler way to translate what I believe as the objective of doing the Fresh-Camp or being fresh.

It will help me to be: not frozen in whenever I am planted, not canned in the small horizon or paradigm, not spoiled! Not old!

Instead, I will be made new, clean and pure. Be it mentally or spiritually.

W.o.w! Who does not want that? I want it. I am going, are you??

What a blessing.

#fgccmalaysia #uplifting #freshcamp

#Day198: 17 July 2016, Sunday

RESTORE (Renew and refresh your strength)

By: Ps. Eddy Chang

It is common that when we are tired, we tend to lose our focus, our attention. When we travel, we can find several R & R corner for our Rest & Relaxation along the highway in Malaysia. We use these places to stop and rest before we continue our journey.

And sometimes,  even we took sufficient time to rest or sleep, we still feel the same, tired, emotionally.

Indeed, we do need to take care of our physical. And also, our emotional strength (and spiritual):

1. Find the correct place:

God knows this, Psalm 23:3 says "He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake".

And He promised that He will restore our soul. He is our one true shepherd.

Psalms 23:1-2 KJV - The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.  He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

One interesting facts that we need to remind ourselves is that Growth or Uplifting or Enhancement, is hand in hand with Renew and Restore. There is no improvement or growth without renewal or restoration.

"We cannot fight today challenge with yesterday energy". Tomorrow challenges eats yesterday success as breakfast.

We need to be restored with new energy!! We need God to restoreth our soul.

And again, He promised that He will give us rest as written in Matthew 11:28 KJV - "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest".

This invitation, is our ace card for renewal and restoration. We need to come to the correct source, where we find a correct place for an ultimate rest. We need to come to God.

2. Find the correct time, BE STILL:

Psalm 46:10 KJV - "Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth"

This message remind us that we are not God and we need Him. We also reminded that a lot of time we are focusing on wrong things, not doing what God wants us to do.

Let us continue to restore and renew our mind, our strength, our intention, our soul for the joy of the Lord. Be still and make Him happy.

After all, in everything that we do, it is always about you and Him (and not merely about you and others).

God bless.

#fgccmalaysia #uplifting #restore