9 Aug 2014 by Kim Yung CM-
For every level of breakthrough in life, there will be times of challenge. Many factors conspire to prevent us from reaching our true potential.
“As Christians, when we are not careful, we get a bit lazy when it comes to Jesus. But if we are to see our world changed and in turn be world changers, moving beyond mediocrity, then we must come to terms with the battle which always accompanies breakthrough. Don’t be afraid to go out on a limb… that’s where fruit is,” said Pr Dr John Andrews at City Harvest Church Kuala Lumpur on the 26th of July 2014.
While Jesus was growing up, He was ready to grow because He grew in the backend of nowhere and yet He was determined to be the best that God wanted Him to be.
“Because of that when he gets his moment, He is ready to go! And I think that if He can do that, I can do that!” shared Pr John .
Most of us lead very predictable lives, because though many would love their lives to be adventurous and exciting all the times, many love the routines and the comfort of the familiar.
“I challenge you to open yourself up to try new experiences even in the ordinary aspects of your life. If you love drinking tea, try coffee and if your favourite ice cream is strawberry, try chocolate. Don’t just stick to what you know but rather train your life for new experiences by seeking them out and embracing them when they come. Moving to new levels and breaking through life beyond the shakes will inevitably involve experiences, opportunities, and demands beyond the normal routine of what has gone before,” he said.
There are even times when we allow the pain and bitterness in our lives to get ahead of us and prevent us from moving forward.
“When we experience some pain and we are not careful, we enjoy wearing it like a plaster for the whole world to see,” said Pr John.
The trick is to have a hold of your mind is to continuously think positively, even when you do not feel like doing so. But it will eventually become a habit that will help obscure the pain your life. If it’s the past that is holding you back, learn to trust God and make it a habit of leaving your worries to Him. Know that you do not have to have the weight of the whole world on your shoulders, but God can and will carry them for you and lead you to the brightest unimaginable future, if only you allow Him to. Your history does not determine your destiny!
but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, (2 Corinthians 6:4)
as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything. (2 Corinthians 6:10)
And David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because all the people were bitter in soul, each for his sons and daughters. But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God. (1 Samuel 30:6)
Just like what God said to Joshua in the Bible, God is also telling us to be a leader, to be a law-keeper, and to be a learner!
Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go.8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:6-9)
“If our focus is only temporal, any cost we are asked to pay for the eternal will be viewed as a sacrifice. However, if our focus is on the eternal, any cost we are asked to pay in the temporal, will be viewed as an investment,” shared Pr John .
As we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:18)
When you need strength, get into God’s presence and get back into His promise and His purpose for your life; it is so important to pray for His presence! A story according to 2 Kings 4 is one of encouragement; it tells of a woman in desperation after she had lost her husband and was in debt. She and her family faced a life of slavery and the future suddenly seemed dark.
“She turns to the prophet Elisha for help and he offers her a way out through a miracle of enlargement. God would take her little and increase it! She had to break the mould of limitation and raise the bar of expectation,” said Pr John .
Elisha said, “Go around and ask all your neighbors for empty jars. Don’t ask for just a few. 4 Then go inside and shut the door behind you and your sons. Pour oil into all the jars, and as each is filled, put it to one side.” (2 Kings 4:3-4)
Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us (Ephesians 3:20)
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