There are a lot of people in the world today who misses many great things in life just because they don’t know how to do the first step or rather afraid to do so. These are people who are bound because of their lack of courage. People who are sleepless because they don’t know what to do and their ignorance always fall into deep misery just because of their fear.

Queen Elizabeth I, the greatest queen and the first lady ruler of England. Imagine if she didn’t accept the throne, because of the people who questioned her abilities. Imagine if she didn’t do her first step to accept the responsibilities of a queen regent.

Friend, God has many things in store for you. All you have to do is just do the first step and He will do the rest. There are people today that because of their faith in God they become so tremendous that they really impacted the world. Darlene Zschech of Hillsong Australia considered as one of the most influential worship leader of today. Joel and Victoria Osteen of Lakewood Church, the largest church in United States of America. Another is Rick Warren who authored the Purpose Driven Life. Imagine the inspiration Rick gave to many.  There is Cesar Castellanos of Bogota, Colombia the senior pastor of the largest church in the world. There are actually many other that if I’m going to write them one by one I’m gonna be writing a book already. One thing is sure, try knowing the history of these people and you’ll find out all of them started with just one small step of faith.

All you have to do is just do your first step. What is the first step? Know the one who created you. By doing so you’ll see great things will come upon you. All you have to do is just accept Him as your Lord and Savior. Live for Him, Worship Him. Knowing the hands that created you allows you to know more about what you really are. God is so good that He is actually the one who did the first step for us to be able to live this life to the fullest. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, so that whosoever believe on him will not perish but will have eternal life. He did his part, now it’s your turn to do your part. What are you waiting for? Do your first step now and grab the things God has prepared for you.

He once had a group of friends which he called ‘The Elite Circle’ where only a person from a rich family is allowed to join. They have a common denominator, they don’t care for others, and they think that they are the most important people in the world. That without them this world will perish.

Not until one day, his parents came to him saying, “We are going to declare bankruptcy, we don’t have money now. All we have are endless debts.” These are the words that broke him as a person. It seems that all his dreams are already gone. This changed his view in life. Before, he thought that life is easy and all he has to do is enjoy it.

He thought that money is everything and that it would complete him. He proved himself wrong because after that incident he really felt empty. He started asking himself, “Who am I? Why am I here?” questions that seems so easy to answer but in reality many people find it hard to answer.  That very moment he started remembering things he had done in the past. And in dismay all he can do is cry. That event really changed his life. Before he doesn’t mind things, he’s always busy going out with his friends to have a good time. But now, he has to work to earn a living and buy food for the family.

It was his usual day when someone approached him. An elderly woman dressed in a not so expensive brand of clothes. “What do you need from me?” my friend asked the woman, but was so shocked with the elderly woman’s answer, “I don’t need anything from you, you are the one who’s in need.”

My friend was confused and a bit uncomfortable at first but later on, he found himself telling the elderly woman everything that had happened to him. Afterwards the elderly woman just smiled and told him, “Friend you need Jesus.” Not a single word came out of my friend’s mouth that moment. His mind was just wandering if God can still accept him? He was nothing but a poor guy who doesn’t even know where to go. And the woman continued telling him all the things God did for him. And he can’t help it, tears were running down from his eyes realizing that even he tend to forget about Him during those prosperous days God still loved him, and He still will accept him.

How about you, what’s your story? Maybe you have different situation. But one thing is for sure my friend, you need Jesus. You need His love and His freedom. Don’t worry because you don’t have to be like Mother Theresa for Him to accept you, because He said, “Come as you are.” All He need is your acceptance to His invitation. John 1:12 tells one of His promises to us, “and to us many who believed Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe on His name. He already finished everything for you when He died on the cross. All you have to do is to accept and make Him your Lord and Savior. Live for Him and I can tell and prove He is more than enough.

It was an ordinary day for everyone, even for Zach. He was about to do his business as usual then suddenly the people around him turned really excited. It’s as if they are waiting for someone really famous and important. Zach also wanted to know about this but he’s got one big problem, he was short, and because everyone else around him is taller than him he can’t see or even just take a peep at the passing Man. What he did? He climbed up a nearby tree. Due to his action he caught the Man’s attention. He was called by the Man and together they went into his house. They talk and that conversation led to Zach’s transformation. From that very day Zach was never the same again.

This is the story of Zaccheus found in the book of Luke chapter 19. Zaccheus, the chief tax collector during that time, he abused his power and stole money from his fellow country men. But one encounter changed his life forever. It was the day when he met Jesus, that very day where he climbed up a sycamore tree just to see Him. The Lord called him and they went into his house. There Zaccheus told the Lord that he would give money to the poor and return to them whatever he had taken from them four fold. After this Jesus affirmed Zaccheus’ salvation and his household.

Do you have the same situation with Zaccheus? Cannot see Jesus because of giants blocking your way? Try to look around, maybe there’s a sycamore tree available for you to climb. Remember it is because of that tree why Zaccheus was able to draw near to God. According to studies, it would take 70-80 years just to let a sycamore tree to grow that big. Imagine how God prepared and took care of that tree for that very day.

It is not an accident why you are reading this article right now. Maybe God had really reserved this day for you to read this. This is the right time for you to draw near to God. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, so that anyone who would believe on Him will not perish but will have eternal life.” Jesus did His part for us to be saved, that was when he offered up His life on the cross for the benefit of many. He had already prepared the tree; all you have to do is climb. Just accept Him as your Lord and Savior. Live for Him and give your life to Him. I tell you, you will never be the same again.

– Matthew 5:16

Our world is in a place of full darkness.  Smut movies, drug addiction, corruption, immorality, heinous crimes, etc.  This world is controlled by the rulers of the darkness of this age.  In the midst of this scenario, we have to find and search for the Source of Light, Jesus.  When His light shines upon us, we can also have a light that shines in the midst of darkness.  He will surely deliver us from darkness and bring us into His marvelous light.

Many people are sick and dying.  Some are hopeless, fearful, depressed, seeking for Someone whom they could lean on.   They are like ships that sail in the midst of the dark, on the raging seas which are devoid of light and compass that are unable to lead them to the right path.

This world is looking and depending on our lights.  Let’s keep our lights shining.  What will happen if our lights burn out?  Many people will be sinking deep in sin, with no sense of purpose and direction.  There will be disorder and chaos everywhere. Even the innocent ones will be misled and be doomed to destruction and hopelessness.  Gloom and darkness will direct many to sinfulness and spiritual blindness.  We have to rekindle our fire and carry the lighted lamps to have the emission of badly needed lights to this dark world.

Let us refrain from being slothful by neglecting to put oil in our lamps. By letting our lights shine, we can give out hope to the hopeless, encouragement to the discouraged, spirit of joy and gladness to the weary, healing to the sick and gloomy, restoration and reformation for many lives.

How much do we care for others?  Do not be selfish in hiding our lights.  The oil must always be ready to refill our lamps and fill the lamps of others.  Always draw closer to the Light-Giver. By drawing closer to Him, we can be recharged daily with His power.  Thus, we can be used as His channels of blessings in putting on lights to those who need them most.

Our lights will transcend and reach out many unhappy homes to illumine them with His joy and love. Our lives are like windows that let in light and air to come in or through which to look outside.  Our bodies are His instruments used as windows through which the Holy Spirit shines His light.

Clean windows must be maintained so that His light can easily transcend us with His brightness and righteousness. If many hearts would be filled with heavenly lights, many joyful countenances will attract others to have the hunger and desire to receive the Light.

Jesus is the Light of the world.  He is a generous Giver who likes and plans to spread the Light to all the peoples in this generation and even to the future generation. All the recipients surely benefit and experience fruitful and meaningful lives.  Is your heart thirsty and ready to be filled with heavenly lights? Then receive the Light-Giver into your heart today.

So what’s keeping you from believing that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God? The Gospel of John was written so that we may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing in him, we will have life (John 20:31).

Because right thinking equals right behaviour, what a person believes about Jesus becomes the most important thing about that person. The reverse is also true: wrong thinking equals wrong behaviour.  If you do not believe that Jesus is God, then you will think you do not have to practice His teaching nor obey His commands. But if you believe that Jesus is God, then you will worship Him and will desire to know Him.

If you don’t believe that Jesus is both fully man and fully God as John clearly states, then I encourage you to continue reading this article.

Jesus has no equal. His life, teachings, death and resurrection prove beyond doubt that Jesus is the Son of Man and the Son of God. As proof that He is God, Jesus performed many miracles. In John 2:1-11, Jesus was invited to a wedding. When the wine ran out, His mother told Him about it. Jesus told the servants to fill some water jars with water, and then to take some and to present it to the master of the ceremonies. When the master of ceremonies tasted it, he exclaimed, “A host always serves the best wine first. When everyone has had a lot to drink, he brings out the less expensive wine. But you have kept the best until now!” Friends, Jesus turned the water into wine! This was His first miracle documented in the Gospels.

Do you want to experience God’s miracles in your life? You will notice in the story that Jesus was willing to attend a party. Through this account, the Bible reveals a different Jesus. Most of us think Jesus is always solemn and serious and that to be spiritual is to have nothing to do with laughter and fun. Jesus was in the world but not of the world. Sinners spent time with Jesus because He welcomed them. Yes, He spoke and ate with them, but He did not sin. Jesus made Himself available, even for sinners.

So, invite Jesus. He is always available for you. If Jesus made Himself available to attend a wedding party, He will show up in whatever situation you’re in if you ask Him to. Invite Jesus to be at the center of your life. Keep in mind, though, that just because Jesus is present does not mean you will not experience problems. In the story, the bridegroom ran out of wine. That was a cause of social embarrassment, and Jesus’ presence in the wedding did not prevent such things from occurring. But just like Mary did, we can also come to Him and present our concerns.

In the Old Testament, wine represented abundance and joy. Do you want joy and abundance in your life? Do you have situations in your life that you want to be changed into better? How about relationships with difficult people? Is there some sin in your life you have not been quite able to conquer? Has your family become dysfunctional? Do you need a miracle? Invite Jesus. Tell Him your concerns. Trust Him. And finally, obey Him.

So, what do you believe about Jesus? Take another look at that list again. This is the most important thing in your life, my friend. If you have come to believe that Jesus is God, and He is the Savior, invite Him into your life right now. Confess your sinfulness to Him. Trust that He died to take away your sins. By His grace and power, you can begin to live a life of obedience to Him. And ultimately, give all glory to Him: Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God!

Timothy was Paul’s young assistant in Ephesus. He was given the great task of supervising the growing Ephesian Church at such an early age. This would be a daunting responsibility, as there were probably a lot of people in that Church who were older and probably more mature than he was. But Paul saw selflessness in Timothy, a disinterest in youthful lusts, that made him spiritually mature than someone of his physical age.

Timothy’s early life had the perfect ingredients to possibly prevent him from doing his ministry. He was an outcast; a sickly half-Greek boy who lacked a father figure. His mother was a social pariah because she married outside their race. This association with her would have led to a life of prejudice and exclusion for young Timothy. Yet whatever his circumstances were, this did not prevent him from finding his peace in Jesus Christ. He superseded his situation. He refused to fit in to the presumptions that people had of him – from the matter of his upbringing to the issue of his youth.

It is not unheard of that older people tend to underestimate youth with a passion for the Word. Often they are boxed in with expectations, to which they are expected to confirm. Judgment comes from the simple matter of biological age. The youth are perceived as frivolous, chasing after worldly possessions. They are susceptible to mistakes. They do not know any better.

This mindset causes them to overlook the wonderful things that the youth can do in the work of bringing God’s kingdom here on earth. They fail to see the fire that these young people have for Christ Jesus, the many ways in which they can be further cultivated for His glory. The youth can do wonderful things for His kingdom. They have the capacity and creativity to make great things happen.

The apostle Paul saw Timothy’s potential to be a good disciple of Christ. He nurtured this passion and Timothy followed his advice well. Paul treated him as his peer. He was not condescending and did not try to appeal to Timothy’s youth. He seldom referred to his young friend’s age, except to remind him to “flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart” (2 Timothy 2:22).

The task that Paul left to Timothy would be overwhelming to someone of his age. Paul urged Timothy to “…remain in Ephesus that you may charge some that they teach no other doctrine” (1Timothy 1:3, NKJV). This was no easy task but Timothy lived up to his mentor’s expectations. We find out from his story that he was later on incarcerated for his faith and for preaching the Word of Christ.

Timothy’s example should serve as an encouragement to young people who feel like they but a tiny part of God’s work of salvation. Looking around us, we can see what the collective efforts of the youth are capable of. They are doing what they can to change the world. They are growing in their faith and even mentoring others to do the same. The song “Hosanna”, written by Brooke Fraser of Hillsong United, has a line that says “I see a generation rising up to take its place with selfless faith”.

Age and numbers do not matter to God. What matters to Him is your desire to know Him more. Do not fall into the temptations of youth. Do not be discouraged, use your youth as an advantage in your work for His kingdom. Focus on being closer to God. Salvation comes to those who put their faith in Him, regardless of their age.

Who are you refers to many questions about you. It is all about your attributes. But one thing is for sure; all the answers that you’re going to give me are all limited. How about this, who are you when you are with your friends? Who are you when you are with your family? Who are you when you are with someone you love? And most of all, who are you when you are alone?

It is really normal for people to be different in every situation they are into. When they are with their friends, they are different. When they are with their family, they are much more different, and when they are with someone they love they are totally different. But the real you will come out when you are all alone. Only you, your own mind, your own soul and your own inner most being.

I have discovered that the greatest achievement that a man could attain is not to become rich, nor to become famous or powerful. I’ve learned that the greatest achievement in this life is to discover who you are, who you really are.

Many people are deceived by believing that attaining all these superficial things are the greatest thing in this planet. How about you? Do you really know who you are? Do you really know your capabilities? Do you really know your uniqueness?

Friend, I know a way on how to discover the greatest thing that a man could ever get. That is, knowing the One who created you. God created you for a unique purpose. He created you really distinct that no one in this world has the same thumb mark as yours. He created your emotions which really suits you. He knows you! He even knows the number of your hair. He even died in your place for you to be able to discover who you really are. He died so that you can live your life without limitations. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world the He gave His only begotten Son, so that anyone who would believe in Him will not perish but have an everlasting life.”

Do you know Him? Do you know the One I’m referring here? I’m talking about Jesus Christ. We are all living in a world full of uncertainties, but one thing is certain and that’s the love of God. This is a reality which we can’t set aside, a reality which is our only hope. He is the one who can help you discover who you really are. Friend, just live for Him, and I can assure you he won’t let you down.