There was a young Indonesian man who was 14 years old with no job. An Australian man took him under his wing and taught him how to work a saw mill. That young boy always said “one day I will pay back the Australians for what they have given me.” 50 years later, he is now a millionaire and has given a large amount of resource to Ronnie Heybour, who is the founder an manager of a great ministry in Borneo, working at an orphanage looking after close to 600 orphans. God put things in place years earlier to bless Ronnie in what he is doing now.
I looked at this story and began to wonder. This young man worked with an attitude of setting things up for the future. He was making a lot of money and I’m sure would have benefited from the blessing in his life, but he was also saving and setting himself up so that he could be a blessing to others in years to come, it was always at the forefront of his mind. That’s a wise man putting into practices the wisdom of God.
Then I looked at Ronnie Heybour’s situation. Ronnie is working in a ministry in Borneo where he is setting up the next generation too. He has the opportunity to be a faithful and good steward with what God has given him because what he is using the funds for. Though it may be a blessing to him right now it is also, through the wisdom of God, something that is about to bless the next generation.
What is happening in my life that is setting the next generation up for success? The person I am becoming, the ventures that I am looking into? Although I will be blessed through those endeavours, I should fix my mind “not on what is seen but what is unseen,” and through faith be setting up a great inheritance for the next generation. A platform for them to stand on so one day I can step to the side and say, “There you go son, do something great for the kingdom.”
Friday, August 28, 2009
Monday, August 17, 2009
Your Shop Front
The shop front would be the most important part of getting people into your shop. It doesn't really matter what is on the inside for most shoppers, if the outside is attractive, inviting, intruiging, and with people everywhere it sparks the interest of passers by to see what is going on inside. Once inside, people always make up their own mind on wether they want what you are offering or not, but at least they walked in.
Our shop front isn't just an issue of appearence. Character, Charisma, Integrity, Happiness are all aspects of a life which spark interest of others.
"Why are you always so happy and smiling?"
"How come you don't do drugs?"
"Daddy, why do you brush your teeth?"
They are all questions based on your shop front. The part of you that everyone see's. The bible tells us that Jesus changes us from the inside out. He looks at the issues of the heart and helps us to "become right" before we "do right."
The front of a shop will always show what it's selling on the inside. Even if at first it tricks you with better looking products on the outside than on the inside, it doesn't take people long to realise the ploy.
The bible says "out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks." Make sure you delivery truck is Jesus, bringing you heaven's best for your life. A daily delivery will give you the best looking shop on the inside and the outside, with plenty of great things for all those who walk through your door.
Our shop front isn't just an issue of appearence. Character, Charisma, Integrity, Happiness are all aspects of a life which spark interest of others.
"Why are you always so happy and smiling?"
"How come you don't do drugs?"
"Daddy, why do you brush your teeth?"
They are all questions based on your shop front. The part of you that everyone see's. The bible tells us that Jesus changes us from the inside out. He looks at the issues of the heart and helps us to "become right" before we "do right."
The front of a shop will always show what it's selling on the inside. Even if at first it tricks you with better looking products on the outside than on the inside, it doesn't take people long to realise the ploy.
The bible says "out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks." Make sure you delivery truck is Jesus, bringing you heaven's best for your life. A daily delivery will give you the best looking shop on the inside and the outside, with plenty of great things for all those who walk through your door.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Monday, August 3, 2009
How can you encourage others to 'get wisdom'?
John C Maxwell points out 3 great factors in Navigating well by drawing on past experiences, listening to others, counting the cost for themselves and others and while doing this we should weigh up fact and faith.
Firstly, James 1:5 encourages us to ask God for wisdom if we lack, so we should seek God for it. To ask with faith, believing God gives good gifts to those who seek Him.
Secondly, would be to start small; be wise with decisions that only effect yourself. David slew lions before giants and Matt 25:21 encourages us to be faithful with the little we have been given. By starting small we gain positive experiences, risk less as the cost will not be as great and build up faith and trust in both God and others. When we establish good methods in our lives we provide a positive breeding ground for wisdom making it easier to choose wisely in larger, more costly circumstances.
Firstly, James 1:5 encourages us to ask God for wisdom if we lack, so we should seek God for it. To ask with faith, believing God gives good gifts to those who seek Him.
Secondly, would be to start small; be wise with decisions that only effect yourself. David slew lions before giants and Matt 25:21 encourages us to be faithful with the little we have been given. By starting small we gain positive experiences, risk less as the cost will not be as great and build up faith and trust in both God and others. When we establish good methods in our lives we provide a positive breeding ground for wisdom making it easier to choose wisely in larger, more costly circumstances.
Penny for a thought
From Steve Penny on Being Generous
"Recently we went out to dinner with friends and enjoyed a great night together. However when the meals were served they had forgotten one of the meals which the was served later than the others. One of our guests then started to demand some free extras to make up for the tardiness of the young waitress. It became embarrassing because her english language skills were not perfect. At this point I had to step in and stop the proceedings as it goes against my grain to be a beggar in life. I guess I then embarrassed my friends as I put a stop to the bartering. I believe a generous spirit person overlooks the lack in others. In this case the lack of service byhe young waitress. I sure don’t want them to remember me as the group who screwed them for freebies because they got our order wrong. Frustrating – yes. Opportunity to show grace – yes. Be the bigger person – yes. Give a word of encouragement – yes. But not leave a young woman feeling like she has paid a high price for a simple oversight in life."
"Recently we went out to dinner with friends and enjoyed a great night together. However when the meals were served they had forgotten one of the meals which the was served later than the others. One of our guests then started to demand some free extras to make up for the tardiness of the young waitress. It became embarrassing because her english language skills were not perfect. At this point I had to step in and stop the proceedings as it goes against my grain to be a beggar in life. I guess I then embarrassed my friends as I put a stop to the bartering. I believe a generous spirit person overlooks the lack in others. In this case the lack of service byhe young waitress. I sure don’t want them to remember me as the group who screwed them for freebies because they got our order wrong. Frustrating – yes. Opportunity to show grace – yes. Be the bigger person – yes. Give a word of encouragement – yes. But not leave a young woman feeling like she has paid a high price for a simple oversight in life."
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