Easter Holy Week: Holy Thursday

(Source: www.moonasaul.blogspot.com)

Widely known for the Last Supper, it was the night before Jesus was crucified and right before He was arrested. During the Last Supper, Jesus even washed the disciples feet. Again He showed us humility.

After the Last Supper, Jesus and His disciples went into Gethsemane to pray. Remember how Jesus struggles with God, knowing that He will be crucified (Mark 14 : 35 - 36).

If we knew we were going to go through some pain, imagine the struggle we will have. I can't imagine how He felt back then. Crucifixion is already bad, plus the pain He has to go through, and humiliation. This is all just too big for any man. But Jesus, He took them all.

Have you humbled yourself? Knowing there was (and is) a Man who have (and still) humbled Himself just to save you?

Humble Beginning

She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them. - Luke 2 : 7

(Source: www.themasterstable.wordpress.com)

This is the part of the story that have caused countless of arguments among Believer and even scholars.

It has always been portrayed in every drama within Christmas season, in every Christmas celebration by the Church.

Born in a manger, not very fitting for the King. Yet there's a purpose for everything done under the Heaven.

It is meant to show us that God has a plan for everyone of us, that He sacrificed His Son, humbled Him. Jesus was and is here for everyone. The very first lesson that was taught to us is Humility. Being humble; if you want to succeed in life, stay humble; if you want to make it big, stay humble. A person who keep on boasting how good he / she is; how good do you think he / she will be?

But if we stay humble and complete every single task given to us, no matter how small they are; our chances will come. And by that time, you will be on top, but remember stay humble!

Legacy: A Tribute to Steve Jobs

Today the world shocked at the news of Steve Jobs passed away. The man behind the success of Apple & Pixar, that's what everybody say and that's so true.

Here are few lessons from this great man, and how he created his legacy:

1. Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower

We are created to be creative. If you have any idea, why don't you pursue it!

2. Be a yard stick of quality. Some people aren't used to an environment where excellent is expected.

To make excellent your priority is the same as having success knocking at your front door. It just requires patient and perseverance.

3. The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it.

When you love what you do, you will do it with passion, and undoubtedly, you will be successful in what you do.

4. You know, we don't grow most of the food we eat. We wear clothes other people make. We speak a language that other people developed. We use a mathematics that other people evolved... I mean, we're constantly taking things. It's a wonderful, ecstatic feeling to create something that puts it back in the pool of human experience and knowledge.

Be someone with contribution, instead of complaining.

5. It's wonderful to have a beginner's mind.

Humility is a trait of every successful person. When you are humble, you learn more!

6. I'm the only person I know that lost a quarter of a billion dollars in one year ...  It's very character building.

Successful person do fail, it's their ability to bounce back that makes them successful.

7. We're here to put a dent in the universe. Otherwise why else even be here?

Remember, for dent to appear, there must be smaller and continuous impact. Don't expect to become successful overnight. It requires hard work and unyielding sacrifice.

8. Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by the dogma - which is living with the result of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of other's opinion drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.

Why live a life that people want us to? Be what we want, go and catch our own dreams!

A tribute to Steve Jobs.

Pride Kills

... A warrior putting on his sword for battle should not boast like a warrior who has already won. - 1 Kings 20 : 11

Pride! What a dangerous thing that is. And how often in life that we show how prideful we are? Well, might be unconsciously or even consciously. It will happens at some points in our lives. Let's take a look at what happen to the prideful.

He humbles the proud and brings down the arrogant city. He brings it down to the dust. - Isaiah 26 : 5

Surely we wouldn't want that to happen in our lives, humbled and brought down by God Himself. So, what must we do? Take a look at few verses below.

Lord, you will grant us peace; all we have accomplished is really from You. - Isaiah 26 : 12

Yes, the answer is simple: Always realize that everything we accomplished are from God.

Learn to be humble to be exact. I've always learn and still learning to live by this mindset: "Not a single achievement in life that doesn't come from God." If it's something that pleases God, surely God will see you through it. But remember, it always work in the timing of God.

Here is a brief story on 1 Kings 20:
King Ben Hadad of Aram besiege Samaria, demanded gold and silver, wife and children from King Ahab of Israel. King of Israel being unable to opposed King of Aram vast army, agreed to it. But King of Aram asked for more, he asked for everything valuable.

Why would he do that? He must have gotten too prideful thinking he can do anything with his army. And thus at the end of the day, he loses every battles against Israel.

Remember! Don't be too prideful of your achievement today, for tomorrow you might lose everything. But learn to be humble, knowing that every achievements are from God, through us and for others.

Humble, Pray and Seek

If My people, who are called by My Name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. ~ 2 Chronicles 7 : 14

A lot of time, Christian will feel that they are more righteous compared to others. The truth is this, they tend to get hypocritical. We need to change! Remember the second greatest commandment, "Love your neighbor as yourself." Not putting yourself above others, but treat them equal. Therefore, why do we need to feel more righteous.

If we do not change, then the devil will comes and plant a seed called "PRIDE' in us. Pride will separates us from God and from people who loved us. When you have pride in your life, you will be drifted away from God. Divine blessings and protection will not be around you anymore. I can't imagine it!

Another thing; Ministry is given by God to us. Therefore do not be proud if you are serving in any ministry given to you. For it is given to you, and it will be taken away. As long as you serve, remain humble! Remember, the point of a ministry is to show your love for God and people.

Look at what the verse tells us:
> IF My people, who are called by My Name
   It means us, the Christians. This verse is for us, so pay attention.
> WILL humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turned away from their wicked ways
   Just as what the verse tells us; be humble, start praying and seek the face of God, and more importantly, walked away from sins.
> THEN I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
   That's the promise of  God for us, for our land, our country.

If you want to see revival in your place, in your nation; then start changing! Don't expect others to start, let every changes start from you, be a history maker, a planet shaker!

~ Being humble is the start of a great work ~