August 2017 – Godinterest

August 29, 2017January 15, 2024

It Doesn’t Matter How People See You, It Matters How God Sees You

In life, some may walk, others may run, but remember the Lord gave the tortoise and the horse the same days to reach Noah’s ark. No matter what obstacles lie in your path just continue to take steps forward and you will reach your destination.

Jacob looked at Joseph and saw a good son. The ten brothers looked at Joseph and saw a useless dreamer. The travellers looked at Joseph and saw a slave. Potiphar looked at Joseph and saw a fine servant. Potiphar’s wife looked at Joseph and saw a potential boyfriend. The prison officers saw in Joseph a prisoner. However, God looked at Joseph and saw a Prime Minister of Egypt in waiting.

Don’t be discouraged by what people see in you. Be encouraged by what God sees in you. Never underrate the person next to you because you never know what the Lord has deposited in that person. Your maid may be a Chief Executive Officer in waiting for a company which shall employ your child. Your garden-boy may be a president in waiting.

Remember David got the anointing of becoming a King while he was a simple child herding sheep. Esther was a simple orphaned girl yet she was a Queen in waiting.

“It Doesn’t Matter How People See You, It Matters How God Sees You”.

God is God
He doesn’t care about *age*, no wonder he blessed Abraham.
He doesn’t care about *experience*, no wonder he chose David.
He doesn’t care about *gender,* no wonder he lifted Esther.
He doesn’t care about *your past*, no wonder he called Paul.
He doesn’t care about *your physical appearance*, no wonder he chose Zacchaeus
(the shortest one).
He doesn’t care about *fluency in speech* , no wonder he chose Moses.
He doesn’t care about *your career*, no wonder he chose Mary Magdalene; a prostitute.
All I know is that my God never changes
He never made *a promise he wouldn’t keep*
He never saw *a person he wouldn’t help*
He never heard *a prayer he wouldn’t answer*
He never found *a soul he wouldn’t love*
He never found *a sinner he wouldn’t forgive*

Let’s share God’s love and make the world a better place to live. Show that love by sharing this message with those you love.

August 18, 2017January 15, 2024

Transform the World by Telling People About Jesus

Sharing our faith can be daunting at first, but it becomes so much easier once we realise that it’s simply sharing the love that God has already shown us. Whether we realise it or not, we’re on a mission field and (Matt. 28:19) is a reminder that, as Christians, we’re called to share the gospel with those who don’t know the truth wherever they may be. There is no secret formula, but we’ve put together a few quick tips that can help you if you’re not sure where to start.

Pray often.

…this is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us…

God regularly gives us opportunities to share the good news, however, don’t limit what He can do through by relying on you – Pray, ask for courage, and believe that the Holy Spirit will give you the words to speak. Jesus tells his disciples not to worry what to say, “for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you” (Matthew 10:20).

Be ready.

…Peter 3:15 – But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear…

When your friend asks you what you believe, don’t hold back! Trust that God has given you the ability to share His life-changing truth. If it’s on a public comment or something, continue the conversation in private by messaging them. Say you’re happy to talk about it with them, then”¦ talk about it!

You can start by saying you believe that God is our creator, but that our choice to sin separated us from Him. Explain that, because of His great love for us, God the Father sent Jesus His only son to take the punishment that we deserved. Talk about how we can be in perfect relationship with God our Father again if we accept Jesus as our saviour, and explain how the Holy Spirit comes to live within us as our personal guide through prayer study and worship.

Ask questions.

Remember – not to talk at your friend the whole time. Instead, respect where they are on their own personal journey. They could have a very distorted image of God. It’s good to ask questions to better understand and discern what to share.

Share your story.

Your testimony is far more powerful than you think, so share it with your friend. Why? Because it automatically shows them who Jesus is in a very real and personal way! Sharing how God has changed your life can be super encouraging. Be vulnerable by sharing your own struggles or difficult circumstances you have gone through, and explain how God used those times to bring about good things. Your testimony reflects God’s glory.

…every single person has a unique, inherent worth’… Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in…

Be a good friend.

You can’t expect to gain permission to talk about tougher topics in life unless you’re first willing to develop friendships with those you want to influence for Christ. One thing I will always stand by – Actions speak greater than words. Your friends will remember how you’ve treated them. We should be friends with non-believers, investing in their lives and loving them wherever they’re at. If your friend is going through a really difficult time, be the first to comfort and encourage them and have a willing heart to help in any way needed. Those can be some of the best ways to share Jesus.

This blog was inspired by an article by Richard Hillier, RELEVANT. You can read it here.

When Internet and mobile technology exploded in the 2000s, so did the social side of the web, opening up new opportunities for billions of people to connect.

Let go and let God at Godinterest

August 2, 2017January 2, 2018

When God Doesn’t Heal

Why do some people get healed immediately after prayer, but others never get healed, even after praying for a long time?

The short answer is, we don’t know why God chooses to heal some, but not others—at least not for each individual case. Therefore, I’m hesitant to ever answer the question beyond this.

Kingdom Come

While there are many possible answers, the most helpful answer I have found is that the kingdom of God has not fully come yet. On the one hand, the kingdom of God is coming and near.

Matthew 10:7-8~ “As you go, preach this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven is near.’ Heal the sick”¦”

But on the other hand, the kingdom is still something future (Matt 7:21) and, therefore, we continue to await the redemption of our bodies.

Romans 8:23~ “We ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.”

Future Redemption

We must remember that all of our bodies fail. Even those who are healed now eventually have their bodies fail when they die. But, all believers will eventually be healed at the resurrection with the “redemption of our bodies” (Rom 8:23).

This doesn’t explain why one specific person is healed now instead of another person, but it does temper the expectation that some people have that everyone should be healed today.

Please notice that I have not said anything about faith. God does respond to faith (Matt 9:22), but the amount of faith a person has does not have anything to do with whether or not the person is healed, as least not for Christians. No level of faith assures healing. And one can always pray, “I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24).

God in Suffering

Christians are sometimes too prone to look for God only in the victory of Christ’s resurrection, and by analogy in the victory of our present healings. However, we need to remember that God was also present in the suffering of the cross of Christ, and by analogy in our present sufferings.

In the midst of suffering, we can affirm with Paul that God’s “grace is sufficient” (2 Cor 12:9). Hence, just as we pray (and should pray!) for God to heal people, we can also pray for God’s grace to endure suffering, even though to some that mistakenly seems like a capitulation to our suffering.