Personally, I have been into different situations, mingled with different kinds of people from all walks of life from very rich to very poor. One thing I have observed, for those people what they have is all they’ve got, for the rich their money and for the poor only their simple small houses with simple things inside and their principles and dignity. Those are what they’ve got.

Many people thought they were on top because they have money, power, and fame. They live their lives acting like a king not knowing that fate can turn them into nobody. Nothing left them but shame and regrets. “If only, if only, if only”. That was also my line before I met Jesus. Full of regrets, no one to cling to and feels like no one cares, that was the time I have known God. I have known the hands that created and gave life to me and given His life for me. He is all I have and I am not going to let go of Him. Now every time people ask me what have I got? I always answer them, “I have Christ.” Yes! I have Christ. And I realized that having Him makes me complete. It gives me joy, peace and assurance. I am not afraid to face the world even I am alone because of Him. No more, no less.

Right this time I can’t offer you money or anything of monetary value to help you because I don’t have such. All I can offer you is what I have and that is Christ. Maybe you are troubled or anxious about things around you. Or maybe you feel like you don’t belong. He is the only answer to all of your concerns. He is the only one who can give comfort in the midst of your troubles. There is only one way for this, accept Him as your Lord and Savior. John 1:12 says, “For as many as believed Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God to those who believe on His name.”

Being a child of God is one thing that others may don’t have. It cannot be bought by money. After all I realized that the best things in life are free – Joy, peace, love. And because Christ paid the penalty of our sins through His death on the cross, we can enjoy the free gift of salvation in Christ. You don’t have to pay just to have them. The only thing you need is faith.

Friend, accept Him, live for Him and worship Him. The next time people will ask you, “What do you have?” You can now answer them “I have Christ” with heart full of faith.

God bless you!

As a result, she developed inferiority complex but was trying to hide it by being a snob and aloof.

As she grew older, she noticed that she got no many friends. If there’s some, those are people who pity her, and people who are hurting for her or some who have the same experience. She felt envy for those who can laugh freely and enjoy their lives.

At one point, she started to ask herself, “Why am I like this? Why am I always lonely, though successful and being envied for my achievements, still feeling alone in the midst of many?”  She began to look around, searching for answer, trying to find a solution on how to be happy and contented.

Then she decided to come out of her self-build “shell”. She started to make friends, accepted invitations and get along with different kinds of people of her age. At first, she felt a bit awkward, but later on, she began to enjoy the new lifestyle. But somehow, she still feels the emptiness inside her. She felt that something is lacking though not certain what it is.

In one event that she was invited to, one acquaintance gave her a note; it says “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it” (1 Corinthian 10:13).

Then realization came to her senses, that she had many in fact too many problems in the past and she thought she could not bear those things. But as she looks at herself now, she could feel the respect people are giving her as she experience success and fame. She could boldly say that somebody did not allow her to fight alone, that she was not in fact alone. Could that somebody be God?

From her story, I remember the lines from the famous “Footprints in the Sand”

“My precious child, I’d never leave you.
I have carved you on the hollow of My hand.
It’s then I carried you in My arms,
When you see one set of footprints in the sand.”

So many people in this planet are experiencing the same life story even now. Friend, I challenge you to stop battling with your self-learned logic and reasoning. Stop worrying about anything and everything. Be still, there’s somebody helping us whenever we are in need. Somebody is willing to fight life’s battles for us, and victory is in His hands. He is there to carry us every time we may feel weak and lost. There is a living God who is walking with us.

You feel alone? Don’t be coz you’re not. Call in the name of Jesus, He will guide you, walk with you, and fight for you.

Nehemiah said, ‘Go and enjoy choice foods and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared.  This day is sacred to our Lord.  Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength’.

– Nehemiah 8:10

God wants His children to enjoy life.  He wants us to enjoy life to the fullest.  What we need is a positive mindset. It is better to choose joy while living in this world.  Set our minds on the things that are above.  Let us think of our minds that receive deposits of things that are true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, good repute, positive thoughts that will produce wisdom, wealth and wellness in us.

Christ said, “Do not conform any longer to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is- His good, pleasing and perfect will.”  His will is to bestow upon us a positive mindset.

We can always choose to be joyful even in the midst of the cruelest circumstances.

We can begin to face each new day with joyful thoughts and thankful spirit.  Remember all the happy memories and the countless blessings He has bestowed upon us. Consider each day as sacred and dedicate it to the Lord.  Face each new task with a thankful heart and always rejoice in His presence.  In His presence there is fullness of joy.

Put our confidence in Christ and allow His love to overrule us. Thus, we can learn to forgive even our enemies and to love the people who wronged us.  Love God wholeheartedly and dedicate our lives to Him.  Dedicate to Him all that He entrusted: our lives, time, talents, treasures and everything that He has given us.

Love our work. We may wake up early in the morning and finish our daily tasks but without love, we may end up always forlorn and dissatisfied. Like a river, our love needed banks to keep it within its proper boundaries.  Pour out our love on the proper people, in the right time, and in fitted places.

A generous man will always be joyful in giving.  His merry heart does well like a medicine. In contrast with a miser and stingy men who always keep frowning and allow annoyances to creep in when all the solicitors and beggars come around. He who waters himself, will he himself be watered also.  His rivers of joy will abound to those who are willing to give and share His bounty with others.

One of life’s greatest pleasures is meeting godly and joyful people. The secret of joyful living is praising and thanking God always for each new day.  Like the birds that sing amidst the storm and heavy rains, we can also sing with joy in our hearts.  We can be involved in the most serious of earthly tasks, yet maintain a sense of humor, a ready smile, a thankful heart and a contagious joy.

– 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.

1. Recognize the past for what it is – past, over, ended, finished, gone, and done. Forgetting what lies behind is what we need to do. Forgetting does not mean completely being rid of the memory. What it really means is to no longer be influenced or affected by the past. Simply put, forgetting is to break the power of the past by living for the future.
2. Recognize that it’s the devil’s strategy to discourage or defeat us and ultimately rob us of joy. Who among us becomes joyful, peaceful, and productive by continuously living in the past? Truth is, living in the past disrupts our regular schedules and make us unproductive throughout the day. Imagine the negative effects in our present and future lives if we will continue living and dwelling in the past for years!
3. Recognize that although we cannot alter the past, we have the power to change the way we respond to it. Nobody can change the past because it’s already gone. It’s the present that we need to live and examine. Making mistakes in the past such as hurting our love ones or doing wrong to other people around us, then not having anymore chance  to fix the broken relationships after realizing the mistakes done is really a joy and life robber scenario. It could give us negative feelings about ourselves which if not dealt properly could lead to lost opportunities and could even destroy us. The right way to respond is not to dwell with it; instead, let us persevere to live a lifestyle of love. Let us intensify our love for God, love for our family, and love for others.

Remembering people who have hurt us in the past can be considered one thing that locks many of us to the past. Forgiving that hurts and offenses inflicted on us by people will set us free from the past. Let’s take Paul as an example. If Paul never forgave himself for his past as a persecutor of Christians, he probably wouldn’t have known what it’s like to have joy in the company of trials. His writings and exhortations, calling us to rejoice always would not have been written. And he probably wouldn’t have the courage to become a pioneer missionary, preaching the gospel in places where it had never been heard before. His missionary works had sparked a spiritual revival in the early church.

Friends, we can make the same choice Paul made. Our choice to forget the past and move forward will usher us to a victorious life. As we move forward, let us first reach forward to know Christ in a personal way by reading the Bible. It will get us set in the right direction.