April 28, 2007
The morning was filled with sleepy bugs hovering around my head while I was struggling to pay close attention to the morning lecture. Fortunately, my genius mind can still work out the equations successfully and arrive with correct answers. Muhahaha.. So after talking to my dear during the lesson break, my mind got better. I felt awake. And a little message from her kept me awake and empowered to concentrate fully. Thanks dear. You never know just how much those little things you do actually make my day. You're the best!
Had lunch with my parents after school at noon at a Japanese restaurant. After which, we had an ice-cream feast at Hagan Daz. And the dish: FONDUE!!! Yummy! Melted chocolate with dippers like green apples, bananas, strawberries, cookies, choc sticks, flavored ice-cream cubes and some cakes in cube forms. The fondue is the main ingredient in this dish that you can't do without.. and it definitely tastes heavenly. I'm going back there again someday to try their ice-cream dishes when I'm free. Don't worry darling, once you're recovered from your cough, I'll treat you to Hagan Daz ice-cream. Must recover fast hor! Hehehe... wishing you a speedy recovery dear!
The sermon for this evening's service was VERY encouraging. To those who did not come or couldn't make it for this service, they've missed out a lot! And I mean a lot.
Rev. Dr. Robb Thompson shared 8 keys that one should uphold in order to set great standards for oneself. And the standards one should set, is regarding how one holds his/her principles and values, as well as declaring them publicly while people around them can positively testify. The term described is defined as one's
manifesto.
WHAT IS YOUR MANIFESTO?
Rev. Dr. Thompson shared 8 key points about the standards we should set in our lives.
#1 No matter how difficult life may seem, we must never let our circumstances dictate our decisions. (Ruth 1:1-6)
We need to be firm in upholding our principles and keeping our values. We mustn't compromise them just because of a certain change in circumstances. It's the same thing in romantic relationships. I don't change my decision to love a person just because of certain negative things that are happening around us. Bad things always happen and there will always be bad times. But it is in spite of these bad times that I must tell myself EVEN MORE, that no matter what, my love for this person will not change and I shall not compromise this love because of some downs that are happening to us. Don't let what has happened or is happening to affect our decision as well as our long-term goals.
#2 You will either raise your standards to meet your expectations or lower your standards to match your performance. (Isaiah 59:19, Prov 23:6-8)
Setting high standards is equivalent to having a big dream. It's a good strategy to use in order to excel in the things we do. So, to achieve what we want to achieve in life, we should always aim far, aim high and set attainable, practical yet challenging goals for ourselves according to our passion. Your job is not just another job. Your job is a vocation. In fact every job is a vocation. It's a specialization of certain knowledge or skills. So, in order to excel in what you are doing, it would be better to give your best in the things you do, aim high, think ahead, plan well, and have a positive attitude towards your job, because what you are doing right now has a purpose in it. You'll have to find it out yourself.
#3 Only the irresponsible are willing to sacrifice the future in order to enjoy the present. (Ps11:3, Luke6:46-48)
This happens to politicians as well. Some are willing to sacrifice the future of their children in order to get themselves voted. Others, besides politicians, are willing to give up their relationships and friendships in exchange for positions they are eying on. However, the important thing is still: Do not let anyone sacrifice your future for their present. Initially, I thought this must be a message telling us not to get ourselves taken advantage of by anyone, which is also true. And we should stay away from people who are out to ruin our future plans while they get to enjoy what they have in their present, because of what they received.
#4 The portrait of your life is painted with the brush of your character. (Joseph's example - Gen 39:7-9, 41:37-42) (Judas' example - Matt26:14-16, 27:3-5)
Good character will give you a position in the society.
#5 You can never know a person by what they say; you meet them the moment you're willing to believe what they do. (James 2:14-18)
Again, it requires action in order for others to tell what kind of person we are. Sometimes what we speak have little influence over how people may judge us. Although our words may affect how we are judged, our actions are usually the ones which will either commend us or condemn us.
#6 The productivity of any relationship is dependent upon the standards it celebrates. (John 15:14, Ps119:79)
In short, every relationship has a criteria to fulfill. Here are the criteria we should set in order to let someone into our lives as FRIENDS.
My friends: -
a) Must be committed to a long-term relationship with me.
b) Must be moving towards a productive future.
c) Must be generous.
d) Must qualify to receive my seed.
e) Must celebrate character before friendship.
f) Must be willing to confront my enemies.
#7 There's nothing more dangerous than the moment you become a hostage to yesterday's comfort zone. (Phil 3:13-15, Rev 3:14-19)
Do not ever become comfortable with your past achievements. Complacency is the root of all declination. One shall not live in their past victories or let their past failures overtake them. Instead, I must have a vision and keep that vision. Because without it, I will go back to my past and moan what I've lost or have not done. So, step out in faith and trust in God, for He is willing to give you a vision and dream once you've chosen to walk out of your comfort zone and do what seem to be impossible.
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil 4:13)
.#8 Whatever you refuse to conquer today will be next to impossible to conquer tomorrow. (Matt 5:29-30, 6:19-21, James 5:16)
When i first came across this pointer, one thing slipped into my mind - DO NOT PROCRASTINATE! Well, it does speaks some truth about that. However, this can also apply to overcoming
giants in your life. One example will be Young David in the bible. The philistine
giant was messing with the army Israel. He was big, tall and powerful, and no soldiers, not even King Saul dared to fight it. Each time they ran away, the
giant laughed even louder. As days went by, the
giant became more powerful and confident of his victory. Do not let this happen in your life. Young David, on the contrary, was courageous enough to talk to his enemy and confront the
giant by slaying it with just 5 stones and a sling. This story tells us that we should stand against those who try to take us down in a negative way. Those who have negative influence in our lives, and those who whispers lies and deceptions are people we should stand against, not avoid; not even be afraid of them. Rebuke our enemies before they even speak to us. Do not let the voices in your head talk to you, instead, learn to speak to yourself.
The devil is all out to deceive us into taking the wrong path in our lives. That evil creature will lure us into thinking that what we are doing is good, even though we are sinning unknowingly. Because of our God-given freewill to choose and make decisions, the devil will always be there to mess with our minds and make us conform to the teachings of the world. One simple excuse would be, "I do so, because everyone is doing it." This is a worldly thinking. A believe that doesn't renew the mind but instead, according to Social Psychology, it is the nature of conforming to others and shoving responsibilities to another individual. This is also defined as the "Diffusion of Responsibility". It is also a condition of being superficial or shallow.
The NKJV bible made a powerful statement in Romans 12:2 -
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.To simplify it, the New Living Translation gave a powerful interpretation of this verse:
Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect (Romans 12:2)
.Wonderful.. a sermon filled with great pointers and encouraging words. Yet, it stirs me up with revelations after revelations. It's really good and I thought sharing here would encourage my friends to become successful in life.
God bless!
