#Day 233: 21 August 2016, Sunday

ADAPTABILITY

By: Ps. Eddy Chang

Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves - Matthew 10:16 KJV

This verse speaks about being sent for a mission. About how God is sending us to where we are in this world, in the middle of all "wolves" of the world and at the sametime be wise and harmless to them.

WISE AS WOLVES

It is interesting how we are sent as sheep, an animal that has no defense mechanism. No claws, no sharp teeth and not even a poisonous arsenal.

While wolves, seems like they have everything! Claws, sharp teeth, well organized when they attack and deadly. "Wolves" sometimes represents devil, the bad people, false prohets, other means of authorities and even during the era as the Roman Empire. In short, it represents the world, the place where we are placed.

• Adaptability means able to change or be changed in order to fit or work better in some situation or for some purpose. Adaptability also means flexibility, adjustability, modify and change.

One thing interesting is that God wants to learn from a "Serpents". Even though we know a serpents is like a wolves, representing the bad and the ugly. But God wants us to learn the wise and smart nature (cerdik) of a serpents: patience and quick in action.

God wants us to continuously improve, continuous to learn even from a "serpents". There is always be something that we can learn even from a "serpents".

• Remember, God calling has nothing to do with our personality, has nothing to do with our background. It is about our willingness and commitment.

HARMLESS AS DOVE

A dove represents Holy Spirit. And it also represents purity and honesty.

A dove does not have a gall bladder in their body, they dont have a place to keep all negative "poison" in their body.

Like a dove, we need to stop keeping all the "poison" in our life, all the hurt, enviousness and everything that pulling us down in life, that stopping us to continuously learning, to be uplift.

Talking about leaving behind the "poison", we also need to have a high expectation in life while  at the same time having an excellent spirit to always get up when we fall, to allow ourselves to be continuously uplifted.

• "Successful people are successful because they form the HABITS of  doing those things that failures don't like to do" - Albert L Gray

In the end, It is not about the wolves, not about the doves but it is about us, the sheep. Are we fit to the place we sent? Are we making a change?

Are we adaptable?? Are we looking at God grace, at Him who sent us??

God bless.

#fgccmalaysia #uplifting #Adaptability

#Day 232: 20 August 2016, Saturday

LEE CHONG WEI

2 Timothy 4:7 ESV - I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

It is finished. Olympic Men's Single final is completed. Chong Wei, the last Malaysia hope on getting the Gold Medal fought the race, unfortunately he lost to Cheng Long, the next golden boy of China

Although he lost, he have stolen a lot of Malaysian hearts and even Indonesian like me.

He fought and finished his race and he kept his faith. He remain as a champion to many people in the world.

As for us, have we fought our fight? Our good fight? Flourish whenever you are planted, once said. Have we? Have we fought our fight whenever God puts us?

At our office? Our local church? Our home? Have we giving our best and spread the good news of love?

I hope one day I can be a Lee Chong Wei, fighting my food fight and living as a true servants of God.

Fight our good fight and keep the faith!

Proud of you Lee Chong Wei

#fgccmalaysia #uplifting #LeeChongWei

#Day 231: 19 August 2016, Friday

RIGHT FOCUS
  
When men tell you to consult mediums and spiritists, who whisper and mutter, should not a people inquire of their God? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living?
—Isaiah 8:19

I was told by my colleagues that September is the hungry ghost month. A believe where the gate of hell is open and the hungry souls will be walking on the earth.

While I respect the believe and tradition, what disturbing for me is the focus of mind. Suddenly everyone is thinking about the dead instead of their God.

Isaiah told us long ago about the same situation (Isaiah 8:19). He asked us to focus on God!

Jesus have freed us from all other false Gods! From other spiritual rulers and authorities.

You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross - Colossians 2:13-15 NLT

Let us focus on God and God alone. Let us set our mind on a right focus. On Him, one true God, Jesus Christ!

#fgccmalaysia #uplifting #rightfocus

#Day 230: 18 August 2016, Thursday

IT IS WORTH IT

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us—Romans 8:18

I was reminded today that everything that we do in life, we need to make sure they are worth it!

It is not about how much many we have or safe. But how much joy and happiness we bring to the people around us.

We need to focus on the right things. Things that matters.

For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Mark 8:36 KJV

Thank you Jesus for the reminder. A day full of blessing.

#fgccmalaysia #uplifting #itisworthit

#Day 229: 17 August 2016, Wednesday

INDEPENDENCE

1 Peter 2:16 ESV - "Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God"

MERDEKA! Today is the 71st Indonesia's Independence Day! And what make this special is we managed to get 1 Olympic Gold Medal from Badminton Mixed Doubles!!

What a day, what a celebration.

The couple shown the meaning of freedom, the meaning of independence. They fought their fear, pressure and challenges. They are free from all of that! That makes them a champion.

What about our lives? What independence means to us? By knowing that Jesus have died to wash our sins (John 3:16). By knowing God is our father that we can call him Abba Father. What it independence means to us? To you?

Independence means freedom from outside control or support. I translate this as no influence from external factors. Which also means we are in full relation with Holy Spirit who lives in us.

So indeed, nothing stopping us to live as the servants of God.

There is nothing stopping us to work together with Holy Spirit, to produce this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
Galatians 5:22-23 NLT

There is nothing stopping us! So stop all the excuses and start doing!

#fgccmalaysia #uplifting #independence

#Day 228: 16 August 2016, Tuesday

ATTRIBUTES

1 Peter 3:8-9 NLT - "Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing"

I finished my 1st facilitation of Certified Logistics Professional. One of the key aspect of this training is the CLP attributes which are: Expertise, Right 1st Time, Can Do and Passion

Attributes means  a usually good quality or feature that someone or something has. Indeed the mentioned attributes are what we want to have in each individual in our organization.

At our church, we have FRESH attributes which are: Fellowship, Relevant, Excellence, Simplicity and Humility. Indeed I believe everyone one of us would want these attributes shown by each individual in our church community.

These attributes are the roots and the core strength that makes an organization. These attributes are one of the key for the success ofnthr organization.

The question is, are we living it? Are we showing it? Do we believe in it? Do we have these attributes?

#fgccmalaysia #uplifting #attributes

#Day 227: 15 August 2016, Monday

IT TEACHES YOU

(Taken from one of my facebook friend wall comment)

Something about loss of a voice teaches you a lot. It teaches that you are limited. It teaches that sometimes you feel powerless. It teaches that not everyone will understand, but that's okay.

It teaches that you have to choose your ministry, the one that you can do the most with the least you have. It teaches you to listen more.

But most of all, it teaches that God is not done with you, and what you value may not be what He values and as Paul quotes, My grace is sufficient for you, My strength is made perfect in weaknesses.

Therefore, I can rejoice in my weakness... even that is temporary, the new beak will grow, the new claws will grow, the new feathers will grow and I will soar again.

What a great reminder. What a blessing.

#fgccmalaysia #uplifting #itteachesyou

#Day 226: 14 August 2016, Sunday

FIGHT FOR UNDERSTANDING

By: Shien Chang

• Proverbs 24: 3-4 NLT  "A house is built by wisdom and becomes strong through good sense. Through knowledge its rooms are filled with all sorts of precious riches and valuables"
• Proverbs 4:7 NLT "Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do! And whatever else you do, develop good judgment"

Everyone in this world wants to be understood. But is it easy to understand ones mind? No it is not, it requires a great effort. Human mind is deeper than the deepest well, it requires an effort to build the bridge of understanding.

• Proverbs 20:5 KJV "Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out"

A home is a place of peace, when there is a great understanding there will be peace.

A good understanding brings:

1. Closeness: "The more we know each other, the closer we can help each other, the closer our relationship will be"
2. Good judgement: "Those who judge will never understand and those who understand will never judge"

Assumption, Prejudice  destroys a good understanding. We need to continue focus on creating a positive mindset. We also need to be aware of our surrounding, what we hear, what we read, we need to filter what enters our mind.

Negative information, creates negative assumption and prejudice. We need to be open and create a good understanding hence brings peace.

"We must fight for understanding not fight againts each other"

Mark 6:49-50 NLT "...but when they saw him walking on the water, they cried out in terror, thinking he was a ghost. They were all terrified when they saw him. But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage! I am here! ”

• Just like the disciples, a lot of time when we have lack of understanding, we tend to treat others as "ghost".
• We need to take courage and rejoice that Jesus our God is always with us even when we are in the greatest storm of our lives.

Now, how can we fight and find a good understanding:

1. Nonetheless, the one and only: God's words:

• Isaiah 30:15 NLT - This is what the Sovereign Lord , the Holy One of Israel, says: “Only in returning to me and resting in me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength. But you would have none of it.
• In searching of good understanding, stay calm and quite. As in quiteness God builds our strength.
• To find quiteness and confidence, we only need to return to God and rest in Him.

2. Capture and contained all the negative thoughts: 

• 2 Cor 10: 5 KJV - "Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ"

3. Change and think like Jesus:

• Learn and always think positive as Jesus always bring good to all who loves Him.
• Philippians 4:8 KJV - "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things".

#fgccmalaysia #uplifting #fightforunderstanding

#Day 225: 13 August 2016, Saturday

THE SPINNING CHAIR

A short one today.

It's a family day out
No other than a visit to our favorite mall
Damansara 1 Utama
A place where all of us can enjoy our time

Other than Food Republic
And the Hamleys
There is this Spinning Chair
The unique chair at the isle of the mall

I learn about true meaning of simplicity
Simplicity through the spinning chair
Simplicity of my children in seeking happiness
Simplicity that drives positivity

Not a fancy games, nor a fancy meal
Not a branded shoes, nor a expensive toys
It's the Spinning Chair, the unique shape chair
The Spinning Chair is their new place of joy

And you know what, I think I also like the spinning chair. What a blessing.

Matthew 11:25 ESV At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children

#fgccmalaysia #uplifting #spinningchair

#Day 224: 12 August 2016, Friday

OPENNESS

John 1:1 ESV - "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God"

We had an open dialogue session today. A session that me and my team believe can further help and bring our team to a greater level.

We spoke about continuous improvement, active leadership, communication and of course team work. I am happy to say that we believe we are moving into correct direction.

Talking about openness, we all know that there is nothing more open than the openness of our God. Everything that we need to know about Him is written in the living Word.

Let us open ourselves to the Words. Allowing our mind to be filled with the Good News. To be filled by God.

After all, our mind is like a parachute, it does not work unless it's open.

Let build our openness.

#fgccmalaysia #uplifting #openness

#Day 223: 11 August 2016, Thursday

BEING PREPARED

Matthew 24:44 ESV - Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

One of the thing that keeping me busy is the training preparation for next Monday. My colleague and I will be conducting a 1.5 days training.

We know that in order for us to achieve a positive level of confidence, quality and energy, we need to be prepared.

We know that in order for us to be able touch the heart of the audience, to be fully engaged, to be able to lift their spirit, we need to prepared.

We know the importance of being prepared.

What about in our spiritual life? Are we preparing ourselves to touch the heart of others and share about the Good News? Are we fully engaged with our Lord and our neighbor?

Are we prepared for God?

Revelation 3:3 - "So remember what you have received and heard; and keep it, and repent Therefore if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come to you"

#fgccmalaysia #uplifting #beingprepared

#Day 222: 10 August 2016, Wednesday

BURNOUT

(Below is adopted from article found on internet)

Burnout is a state of emotional, physical, social, and spiritual exhaustion. It can lead to diminished health, social withdrawal, depression, and a spiritual malaise. It can happen in our personal life, professional life and even at our life at church, our services.

Burnout is often the result of self-reliance. The self-reliant take upon themselves the role of savior rather than trusting God to accomplish His own will. They begin to see every need as their call, rather than asking for God's wisdom and direction.

Another cause of burnout is a lack of self-care. Those who do not take care of themselves fail to understand how much God values them. They fail to accept His rest and His love for them, instead martyring themselves on the altar of pleasing others.

They may sacrifice sleep, nourish their bodies poorly, over-extend their schedules, or neglect their needs in other ways.

Whether it's a lack of self-care or an insistence on self-reliance, burnout stems from a lack of understanding of the character of God and His expectations for our lives.

The prevention plan for burnout is to rest in Jesus and follow His direction for life.

Matthew 11:28-30 KJV - "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.   Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.   For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light"

The author of Hebrews wrote, "And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart" (Hebrews 12:1b-3). To persevere—to continue in our calling without burning out—we must remain focused on Jesus. Or, to use another metaphor, we must stay connected to the Vine (John 15:1-17)

What a day, what a great reminder.

#fgccmalaysia #uplifting #burnout

#Day 221: 09 August 2016, Tuesday

A HIDDEN LOVE

Romans 13:10 ESV - Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

Short one today.

Saw a beautiful situation where a man who were engaged in serious discussion, express himself openly tonight. With the risk of being perceive as rude and bad manners, or having a bad intention or perceive as stubborn and faithless.

But the truth is, he is showing his love to the community. In his own unique way. In his own way of loving.

Beautiful. It does not matter what you say or do, what matters is whether it is sincere and bring development to others.

Blessed day.

Proverbs 27:5-6 NIV - Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.

#fgccmalaysia #uplifting #ahiddenlove

#Day 220: 08 August 2016, Monday

VISA

Matthew 25:35 ESV - For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me,

I went to Czech Embassy this morning for the submission of my visa application. According to google, Visa is an endorsement on a passport indicating that the holder is allowed to enter, leave, or stay for a specified period of time in a country.

It is an act of welcoming a foreign citizen by the destination country though driven by law.

I remember a message written on the book to the Hebrews 13:2 ESV - Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

In life, we need to continue showing our hospitality to the others. Do not only welcome the people you have known for years, nor only the people of your community, your close circle. But we were asked to show hospitality to strangers!

With or without visa, let us show our care and attention to others. After all, who are we without others?

Day full of blessing. I hope I can get my visa next week

#fgccmalaysia #uplifting #visa

#Day 219: 07 August 2016, Sunday

HOW DO YOU SEE

By: Ps. Eddy Chang

Numbers 13 - Exploring Canaan

In general, people always have their own paradigm. The paradigm or unconcious bias that created throughout their up bringing and life experiences.

A lot of time these paradigm may cause slow down or limiting the growth of the owner of the paradigm.

In the story of exploring Canaan, we can learn several important points on uplifting our paradigm, our way of seeing things:

1. See and Be Observant:

• "See what the land is like, and find out whether the people living there are strong or weak, few or many. See what kind of land they live in. Is it good or bad? Do their towns have walls, or are they unprotected like open camps?" Numbers 13:18-19 NLT.
• It is clear that the leaders that were sent to observed are an expert in their areas. Where they can summarize and make judgment based on their knowledge.

2. Have a Winning Mental Strength:

• But being an expert does not means we have a proper mindset or mental strength. This is seen at how the leaders reacted, being pesimistic and only see the negativity when they report what they have seen
• "We even saw giants there, the descendants of Anak. Next to them we felt like grasshoppers, and that’s what they thought, too!” Numbers 13:33 NLT
• Only Joshua and Caleb showed the strong winning mental strength.
• We need to have a proper mindset and paradigm.

3. Murmured

• And all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron: and the whole congregation said unto them, Would God that we had died in the land of Egypt! or would God we had died in this wilderness -  Numbers 14:2 KJV
• This again shows their limited mental strength.
• Are we like the 8 leaders or are we like Joshua and Caleb?

It is important to be aware on "How do we see" a situation:

• Positive or Negative
• Pesimist or Optimist
• Fear or Faith

"The difficulties of life are not intended to make us bitter but BETTER"

We need to be faithful in small things before we can handle a bigger things - it's just common sense.

Hebrews 5:14 KJV - But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong. And then do what is right. - Hebrews 5:14 NLT 

#fgccmalaysia #uplifting #howdoyousee

#Day 218: 06 August 2016, Saturday

BEING NEWS READER

2 Timothy 1:7 ESV - For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

We had the sunday service news reader meeting today. Thanks to Brother Franklin and Sister Chintia for their advice, tips as well as the do's and don't's about being a news reader.

Three key things that I remember as the art of being a news reader:

1. Be confident, which also means having a feeling or belief that you can do something well or succeed at something:

• For me, confident also means the low existence of fear. 1 John 4:18 says "There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love"
• I translate this as being news reader, being confident means performing an act of love and not merely sharing of information. Only then we can create low existence of fear and having a belief that we will do well.

2. Be comfortable, which also means allowing you to be relaxed : causing no worries, difficulty, or uncertainty:

• How and what can makes us relax? No other than when we know God is with us.
• 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 ESV - Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
• I translate this as being a news reader, being comfortable means continue to give thanks and praise our God in all situation as only God can provide comforts.

3. Be yourself, which also means being your normal or healthy self:

• How to be myself when I am standing in front of the congregation? How should I behave? Oh no, do I dress well? Will I say anything wrong?
• All these are not the most important point!!
• 1 Samuel 16:7 ESV - But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”
• I translate this as being a news reader, being yourself means to know your heart. To be your normal self with the healthy heart, To be able to look at the mirror and say I am giving the best I can.

What a blessing! I am proud to be a news reader.

#fgccmalaysia #uplifting #beingnewsreader

#Day 217: 05 August 2016, Friday

PART OF THE PUZZLE

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” — Proverbs 3:5

I always believe that God continously work for all good things to them who love Him, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28 KJV

And God is always making our path straight according to His time.

I am sharing my testimony on this. Two separate event, FGCC Building project and my personal family matters came together for the benefit of each other.

In short, God works in mysterious way and time.

I am in need of IDR curency in Indonesia and the transfer fee to transfer MYR to Indonesia is considerably high because I need to convert MYR to USD and then USD to IDR!

While FGCC needs to move the building fund  contribution from Indonesia to Malaysia. The same high fee from converting IDR to USD and then to MYR.

It is true that sometimes life feels like that puzzle and we are part of the puzzle where God is the person in charge in combining all the pieces into one big great picture.

The beauty of this is, He knows the best time, He knows the right avenue, He knows the best way.

Thank you God for helping me in the right time and a great way. I am blessed and highly favored.

What a blessing.

#fgccmalaysia #uplifting #partofthepuzzle

#Day 216: 04 August 2016, Thursday

TEA SESSION

Colossians 4:5-6 ESV - Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

Part of our induction process is to close the program with a tea session with the Management Team. The part that I really like where we, as Management Team, can sit with our new colleagues and allowing them to ask questions surrounding the company or about us as individual.

I like it because we can share our testimony and experience about ourselves and the great company that we are working for.

In fact I believe I should not wait for the tea session to share about the company, I should be making use the best of the time, any time, in any opportunity.

This is the same as our duty as Christ followers.

We should not wait for the "tea session" to share about the blessing that we have received from God. We should be making use the best of the time, any time, in any opportunity.

The question is, have we? Make the best of the time or are we only waiting for the "tea session"

2 Timothy 1:8 ESV - Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God,

God bless.

#fgccmalaysia #uplifting #teasession

#Day 215: 03 August 2016, Wednesday

MEET ALEX

Titus 2:7 ESV - Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity.

Our MD, Alex Pilar is in town for a quick visit and using this opportunity I asked for his time for a catch up with my team. With the objective to allow the team to meet him, have a chat and conversation.

As usual, I can see a sense of respect from the team when he entered the room. And what's nice to see is how he showed his respect to the team by asking if we can introduce ourselves individually.

We shared several information and he showed a full interests and asked several questions. He gets my high respect on the way he engaged with the team.

As Titus said in his book, Titus 2:7 ESV - Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity

Indeed I agree with Titus! Respect, be a role model. That's what we must do.

Philippians 2:3 ESV - "Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves."

Be it when you are a manager, team lead, ministry leader, a managing director even a pastor; humility and respect shall always be part of everything that we do.

And that's what I learned from the Meet Alex session.

God bless.

#fgccmalaysia #uplifting #meetAlex