First Things First

When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember this story about a mayonnaise jar and two cups of coffee. “A professor stood before his philosophy class with several items in front of him. When the class began, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was. The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly and the pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was. The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full and the students responded with a unanimous "yes." The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed. "Now," said the professor, as the laughter subsided, "I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things--God, your family, your children, your health, your friends, and your favorite passions--things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. "The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house, and your car. "The sand is everything else -- the small stuff. "If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued, "there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. "The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you. "Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your partner out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. "Take care of the golf balls first--the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand." One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented. The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend."

Jesus gave us the Scripture to remember that when things in our life seems out of control, this is what we need to do: ”But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. "Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” (Matthew 6:33-34, ESV) This is a very simple command yet many are having a hard time following it. Sadly, this is often the case even with people who has strong belief in God. The logic of living life has been given to us: live each day! When we are preoccupied with what happened in the past and what will occur tomorrow, we miss the blessings of today. And after the day is over, nothing has been done significantly and can never be taken back again.

Keep our focus on what’s ahead for the day but planning for what’s going to happen tomorrow is a valid task. Just remember that every plan should be subject to change. Calendars are for reminders and should not become the map of our life. Also, make sure that our life will be dictated by what God will give us each day not by what we think should do. He only holds the future and nobody knows it better than Him, thus, the anchor of our life must be with Him alone. Everything and everyone else will change but NOT Him.

Jesus lived His life on earth and abided by what He taught. Even though He only lived for 33 ½ years, yet He fulfilled the purpose and the plan of God for His life on earth. No wasted time but fully maximized. In addition, here’s what the Scriptures described King David of Israel: “For when David had served God's purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; he was buried with his fathers and his body decayed.” (Acts 13:36, NIV) Now, would you want to have the same legacy? Then, the decision is yours today to prioritize our life aligned with God’s Will, Way and Word.

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Dealing with Life’s Troubles

“A parable is told of a farmer who owned an old mule. The mule fell into the farmer's well. 
The farmer heard the mule 'braying' -or- whatever mules do when they fall into wells. 
After carefully assessing the situation, the farmer sympathized with the mule, but decided 
that neither the mule nor the well was worth the trouble of saving. Instead, he called his 
neighbors together and told them what had happened ...and enlisted them to help haul dirt 
to bury the old mule in the well and put him out of his misery. Initially, the old mule was hysterical! But as the farmer and his neighbors continued 
shoveling and the dirt hit his back ... a thought struck him. It suddenly dawned on him that 
every time a shovel load of dirt landed on his back ... HE SHOULD SHAKE IT OFF 
AND STEP UP! This he did, blow after blow." Shake it off and step up...shake it off and step up...shake it off and step up!" No matter 
how painful the blows, or how distressing the situation seemed the old mule fought against 
panic and just kept right on SHAKING IT OFF AND STEPPING UP! It wasn't long before the old mule, battered and exhausted, stepped triumphantly out of 
the well.”

The above story illustrates a great truth about dealing with life’s troubles. It is a simple declaration that the mule espoused in order to overcome any trouble successfully: Shake it off and step up...shake it off and step up...shake it off and step up!" No one likes any troubles along the way but unfortunately, life is filled with them. Can anyone stop them from coming or interfering with life? I’m sorry to say, no one can. But somebody said, “What we cannot change, we must learn to manage well!”

Jesus said it in a good way when He spoke about these troubles and tribulations that men will encounter: “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33, ESV) He has a promise that we can hold onto whenever we faced different sorts of problems. But the most important attitude to take on is to have a complete assurance that no one is ever alone in facing any battles. God is with us! Life is similar to the four seasons that we enjoy in Canada: summer, fall, winter and spring. Each has distinct characteristics that we cannot do anything to change or improve about but seems all right as we go on our lives. They have their cycles of arriving right on time. Although unpredictable at times, yet we cope up successfully.

Thus, always remember that life has different seasons as well. No one knows what’s next to come if it will be for us or against us. What matters is not how huge the struggle is ahead of us but how we face them with a firm attitude that nothing shall deter you from conquering it with God’s help. His promise is ever so true that He will never leave us nor forsake us. And if He has been faithful to many bible characters of old in the past, then He will be faithful also to us today and tomorrow. In the same way as one song declares, “There is no problem too big that He cannot solve it and there’s no mountain too tall that He cannot move it.” God has never let anyone down and He will never ever will.

Somebody said, “The important thing about a problem is not its solution, but the strength we gain in finding the solution.” Whatever situation we are facing nowadays, consider it as an adventure to see how God will provide the way out when we fully trust Him to do so. Never forget that we don’t receive anything that is beyond our capabilities. They are all common to us. It only becomes hard when we try to do it on our own especially when we don’t have to do it by ourselves. Even people that are very close to us can never provide the most excellent solution that God alone can offer. He will make a way when there seems to be no way. He always does and He will never fail.

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God’s Promises for You

2 Corinthians 1:20, “For no matter how many promises God has made, they are "Yes" in Christ. And so through him the "Amen" is spoken by us to the glory of God.” NIV

The promise of God is always for you and never against you. It will be for our benefit to know them and to provide a canopy of strength and courage during difficult times. But most especially, let the promises of God become a rock-hard source of everyday power to face all kinds of situation. We only need to glance at the newsprint and hear news media of varying degrees of corruption caused by human nature imprinted with sin to recognize the need for God’s intervention. This is where God’s promises allow us to rise above all of it without being distant to the reality of where we are. People need a better promise that can be fulfilled without being influenced by personal desires. Many have done so but a promise backed-up by God will always prevail.

Here’s a story to illustrate God’s wisdom: Once there was a man who asked God for a flower and a butterfly. But instead God gave him a cactus and a caterpillar. The man was sad. He didn't understand why his prayer was not answered. Then he thought, "Oh well, God has too many people to care for," and he decided not to question. After some time, the man went to check up on the cactus and the caterpillar. To his surprise, from the thorny and ugly cactus, a beautiful flower had grown. And the unsightly caterpillar had been transformed into the most beautiful butterfly. What is the lesson that we all can learn from this simple story? It is that God always does things right. His way is always the best way, even if it seems all wrong to us. If you asked God for one thing and received another, trust Him. He will give you what you need at the appropriate time. What you want is not always what you need. Today's thorn is tomorrow's flower.

Remember that the enemy will always cause us to doubt God’s promises both in good times and bad times. Therefore, never give him a chance to do so. How do we do it? Keep hearing the promise of God and receive them with faith. When we do, our perspective of life will change significantly with a great impact in all aspects of our life. Try it and you will never be the same again. God’s promise yields a tremendous blessing in all season. Furthermore, it speaks to all levels of our concerns. The greatest about it is this: that it is given for all generations to come and for all eternity. And living life with a sense of awareness of God’s promise provides a great source of hope and inspiration. Though we are faced with challenges that may overwhelm us, yet holding on to God’s promises will propel us to soar higher that we can ever be. I, too live daily with constant reminder of God’s promises. Somebody counted that there are at least 7, 700 promises written in the Scriptures. How many do you know? Having such a memory for all of these promises might take a lifetime but to remember what we need in every situation is handy. Actually, one is enough to release a ray of hope and joy to a weary soul.

One promise that I have always treasured and find solace is Matthew 11:28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (NIV) There is so much truth in this and there is no other place in this planet that can really grant rest like what Jesus can offer. This is always available to those that will desire it and will never be denied. Remember that we have promises from God that do not expire and they work best at the direst situations of life. C’mon, it is always available and easily accessible whenever we open the Scriptures. Men’s promises fail us but God’s promises will not and will never fail. Guaranteed!

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THE FOCUS OF OUR GRATITUDE

How important it is to develop a sense of gratitude in one’s life? In his book Folk Psalms of Faith, Ray Stedman tells of an experience H.A. Ironside had in a crowded restaurant. Just as Ironside was about to begin his meal, a man approached and asked if he could join him. Ironside invited his to have a seat. Then, as was his custom, Ironside bowed his head in prayer. When he opened his eyes, the other man asked, "Do you have a headache?" Ironside replied, "No, I don't." The other man asked, "Well, is there something wrong with your food?" Ironside replied, "No, I was simply thanking God as I always do before I eat." The man said, "Oh, you're one of those, are you? Well, I want you to know I never give thanks. I earn my money by the sweat of my brow and I don't have to give thanks to anybody when I eat. I just start right in!" Ironside said, "Yes, you're just like my dog. That's what he does too!"

Cicero, a Roman philosopher stated, “Gratitude is not only the greatest of the virtues but the parent of all others.” Moreover, the book of Ephesians provided us a significant viewpoint to whom should we ascribe all gratitude and thanksgiving, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places” (1:3). The Apostle Paul described in detail the principal role of God in blessing His people with all kinds of blessing from Heaven. What we enjoy today in our lives was made before man was created. God in His infinite wisdom provided what we need to exist with ease and security. It was only spoiled when sin entered the world of humanity. Thus, the call to every believer to express gratitude to God is a must and the most important focus of our gratitude is God the Father as the major source of every unimaginable heavenly blessing including His only Son Jesus with the guidance of the Holy Spirit in us. William Faulkner, a Nobel Prize-winning American novelist and short story writer stated, “Gratitude is a quality similar to electricity: it must be produced and discharged and used up in order to exist at all.”

To be grateful is an exertion of the will from the perspective of being a recipient of all good gifts and numerous blessings towards the giver. Looking closely, it is an attitude of the heart spoken with a deep sense of acknowledgement to what was received with a sense of deep humility. And this my friends is a true picture of what an honorable person looks like; the one that knows where he/she stands in uttering gratitude even in the most odd situation. Here is a classic illustration this outlook: Scottish minister Alexander Whyte was known for his uplifting prayers in the pulpit. He always found something for which to be grateful. One Sunday morning the weather was so gloomy that one church member thought to himself, "Certainly the preacher won't think of anything for which to thank the Lord on a wretched day like this." Much to his surprise, however, Whyte began by praying, "We thank Thee, O God, that it is not always like this." (Daily Bread, August 26, 1989)

This month, we enjoin the nation of Canada in celebration of Thanksgiving Day. Having such an occasion provides all Canadian citizens and its immigrants a great opportunity to extol the virtues of God’s blessing of the harvest. Thus, in this event, God is the focus being the source of such abundant blessing. In this occasion, one can clearly observe the main reason that made this country great. When God is honored, as everyone should do, I believe that He will respond with the same honor as He was given. As long as we will not lose sight of this simple fact and the basis of celebrating Thanksgiving Day, it will always become a national event that will raise one voice to honor God in recognition of His mighty blessings towards a grateful people. God never forget to remember those that give thanks to His blessings and He would even pour out more. It is His promise so let us continue to do so.

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It is time to reach the 4-14 years old generation today!