When The Picture Fades ...

It’s very seldom that I wake up in the middle of the night with the motivation to write.  Last night was one of those moments. In my bed, streams of thoughts making its way through my mind and made every effort to remember them. After few hours with an exhausted mind, I fell into a deep sleep.

This past week has been horrific for the nation of the Philippines and for Filipinos around the world. The worst typhoon to make landfall in recorded history slammed in the central region of the country.  It caused damage with over thousand lost their lives and homes obliterated from where they once stood. 

Typhoon Yolanda gushed in to the Philippines on Friday, 8 November 2013. It left a devastated trail that was never seen before. The people in its path had very little or had no chance of survival.  Worst-hit areas of Tacloban and surrounding areas have attested to be an absolute nightmare for the government and NGOs to bring in the humanitarian aid which was very much needed.  Simply the basics - food, water, shelter and medicine has proven to be an enormous mountain to climb.

In our church in Christchurch New Zealand, we have large number of Filipino members. For the past two years I’ve been ministering about 50% of my time in the Philippines - Metro Manila, Alabang, Lipa, San Fernando (Pampanga), Bacolod City and Kabankalan.

Filipinos have certainly captured my heart. It was an instant connection of love and passion to Filipinos. They are grateful, honouring and very respectful.  Going the extra mile is not an option. They will go extra ten miles for you. Filipinos have gone through so much over the years, but they will bounce back with a huge smile and great attitude. They are known as individuals with positive disposition amidst life battles. These battles left distinguishable scars on their lives which serve as their reminder that God has spared them to continue the fight for peace and righteousness.

In Kabankalan

I love the slogan "It's more fun in the Philippines" - from eating rice at every meal to looking at chicken’s feet or “balut”, thinking "oh no, I can't eat this, help!". After eating rice for breakfast on a recent trip to Lipa, one of my friends wrote and said, "Pastor Bernhard you are now a legitimate Filipino". I often confessed to groups of people and whenever I minister that I have Filipino blood flowing through my veins - it's only my skin has a different colour. Filipinos will always be part of my heart and life.

When the picture fades... my prayer is that the world will not forget this amazing nation and beautiful people of the Philippines. Pictures of devastation will no longer be shown within the next few weeks. The world will forget the desolation of lives and loss of properties. There will be no more pictures that offer opportunities to join together and make a difference.

As this journey continues, how far we go in our lives depends on our willingness to extend help and do our part especially to those who may never be able to repay us. 

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Be Available for the Unexpected

I love my own space when I travel especially on long-haul flights, actually on any flight. The main reason for this is my pretty hectic schedule. The moment I board the plane I am already exhausted, need my own space to rest, sleep, zone out and enjoy the flight.

On 25^th of October, my wife (Colleen) and I boarded a flight from Bali, Indonesia to Singapore. I followed my routine by getting comfortable on my seat - blanket over my legs, my head on the headrest and pillow on my lap. It wasn't long, after takeoff, I dropped off peacefully. No, not from alcohol, but from few hours’ sleep I had during the conference due to late nights and early mornings.

After about 30-minute power nap, I was wide awake, ready to enjoy the great on-board cuisine of Singapore Airlines.  As we were about to eat, I noticed the lady on my left bow her head and pray.  I turned to Colleen and said "I think she is a Christian" then wondered if she attended our conference.  I didn't recognise her from the conference of over 300 delegates from the nations of Asia and Oceania.  I turned to her and asked what she was doing in Bali.

Well, the remainder of the flight was truly amazing and very special as Tina (from Singapore) started to share a little about her life, her family and her career.  As she shared her stories - things that she was struggling with and what she is trusting God for in her life, we both realised that this was a ‘God moment’. God's timing is always perfect, in a right place, right time with the right people.  It was truly a divine appointment and a divine connection.  

Colleen and I had wonderful time encouraging and speaking the word of the Lord to Tina. We both know that the Bible says, "The truth of God's word sets people free”.  After speaking and sharing, her countenance begins to change.

Tina told us that when she saw that her seat was next to ours, she felt that there was 'something special' about us.  Maybe it was my 'white hair' or my sleepy look on my face... ha ha. Tina’s colleague came and offered a seat with her; however, she declined as she 'sensed' that she needed to be with us.  I am truly amazed how God orchestrates things. Amazing.

Before the plane landed in Singapore, I asked Tina if I could pray for her. With eyes closed, I began to pray and minister to this special woman of God.  With tears streaming down her face, the Holy Spirit ministered in a powerful and special way, speaking words of encouragement and allowing God to minister prophetically as well.    

As we disembarked, Colleen and I gave Tina a big hug. We felt that this was truly a 'God moment’, a real special moment with an amazing woman.  Thank you Tina, may God richly bless you.

Be available for the unexpected 

There are so many opportunities to make a difference and to add value to people's lives.  #bwlife

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Activate The Gifts In You

Being a very practical person when reading and trying to understand the spiritual truths in the Bible, the following two passages of scripture have become very real, powerful and profound in practical application.
   
Matthew 22:37-39

Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’  This is the first and great commandment.  And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’

Matthew 20:28

"... just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

Three Words - Love, Love and Serve  

 

The second LOVE and SERVE is a result of the first LOVE.  As we love God with our heart, soul and mind, with our entire being, this will result in an overflowing desire to love and serve people, in God's way and only His way.

 

How do we truly love and serve people in God's way?  How can we take that abundance and overwhelming love that God gave us, to practical love and serve people around us? The key is to activate the spiritual gifts that the Holy Spirit has deposited in each one of us. How do we love people?  Activate the spirituals gifts and use them.  How do we serve people?  Activate the spiritual gifts and use them.  The Holy Spirit has given us gifts not only to be used in the church but in everyday life.   

The key is to activate the gifts.  To activate means to put into action.  If you don't use the gifts God has given you, they will lie dormant.  Once activated, you will discover that the gifts will grow, develop and God will keep pouring into your life.

Let me give you one example i.e. the gift of prophecy.  Prophecy means to encourage, to edify or to build someone up. How do we do that?  We do that with words.  We all need to be encouraged every day. Find an opportunity today to activate the gift of prophecy. Encourage your friends, your colleagues or your family with words that are uplifting, that are positive, that builds them up and makes them feel worthy.  

It is one of the most exciting experiences you will ever have when you love and serve someone by activating the spiritual gifts in you.  Last week I had a wonderful opportunity to activate the gift of encouragement and through a young lady. This was her reply a little later on that day, "Talking to you earlier gave me a spiritual boost again. Your aura and your words really made an impact. I know I still need more of that. I hope to see you soon and be able to speak to you again and hear you talk."

Let's make the world a better place by making a difference in people's lives by activating the spiritual gifts that God has entrusted to us.

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You Can Make A Difference

I started this blog yesterday and entitled it with "You can make a difference". Then got caught in meetings for the rest of the day.  It so happened that what I wanted to write about, I had it experienced that gives this blog much more meaning and impact.

If we continue to expose ourselves to events of the world, it can be quite disheartening and somewhat morbid.  Read about what's happening in Egypt, floods in China, school children dying in India because of food poisoning, people being murdered in Syria, North Korea demanding that their ship be released etc.  If we subject ourselves daily to these, it does affects us. Sometimes the effects can be felt in our lives.  Sometimes it manifests as fear, depression and it can immobilise us that we withdraw into our own cave for safety.

But this blog is about 'you can make a difference'.  No matter who you are, you can make a difference. If you are alive today, you can make a difference. If you are breathing, you can make a difference.  It's a choice we make "daily" to make a positive difference in people's lives - by adding value, moving people forward and by the very words we speak. 

Let me share my story about what happened yesterday.

After a couple of meetings, I spent the rest of the afternoon at Coffee Bean Greenbelt, wrote my blog and responded to few emails.  Upon entering Coffee Bean, I noticed few young professionals to my left - they smiled at me. Then, I ordered my double chocolate ice coffee and found a seat in the corner to start my blog.  After a few minutes, I noticed that they kept looking at me... not sure if they have ever seen a foreigner before but I tried to focus with what I was doing.

After a while I noticed one of the young ladies making her way over to my table, started a conversation and was asked if I could share my table with her. She wanted to know if I wanted to buy property in Manila. They are Sales Consultants for a company in Manila. After telling her that I wasn't interested in purchasing a property, I got to ask her questions about her life. This was truly a God moment.  She was so inspired by our conversation that she returned to her friends and about 15 minutes later, two friends came over to talk to me. Their opening line was "my friend's life has so changed, we want to talk to you". 

The first young lady emailed me last night and this is what she said "I'm the one you met earlier at Coffee Bean. I would just like to share that just by meeting you and speaking to you for a few minutes really made an impact in my life. You somehow uplifted my spirit again. 

I remember mentioning to you earlier that I've been stuck in a rut for quite some time now and just the other day I really was asking for guidance from the Lord. I asked him to show me any signs or point it out to me that there's more to all the bad things that I've been experiencing lately and I can get through this no matter how hard it gets. You see, I'm used to feeling so low. It happens to me quite often.. I really prayed for guidance this time and its amazing that I met you! What are the odds, right?! Its amazing how it happened. I never expected it. 

Talking to you earlier gave me a spiritual boost again. Your aura and your words really made an impact. I know I still need more of that. I hope to see you soon and be able to speak to you again and hear you talk. You are amazing. I hope to be the same for everyone in the near future. Thank you, Bernhard."

I am looking forward to meeting them next week with their friends. 

We can all make a difference by making ourselves available to people.  Listen, inspire and motivate people in their calling and destiny.  Let the words that leaves your mouth make a positive impact and bring change to the amazing people around us.  My challenge to you today is to make a positive difference to your sphere of influence. Find one person to believe in. Find one person to encourage. Find one person to motivate and inspire.  

You can make a difference!

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enJOYing God

It is time that we start enJOYing God in every aspect of our lives.  I ministered a two-part series on enJOYing God at Every Nation Christchurch.  Sit back with a coffee or tea, relax and enjoy this two-part series and enJOY God.

Click on the following link:  enJOYing God - Series 1

Click on the following link:  enJOYing God - Series 2

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God has a Plan and a Purpose for Your Life

This is my first attempt at a video 'blog'(vlog).  The weather was so magnificent in Christchurch, that I decided to take my ipad to the waters edge in Redcliffs Christchurch, New Zealand and attempt my first video.  Well, here it is.  

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"Is This The Wrath of God?"

On Sunday 19th of  May, I ministered a message entitled "All Weather - The Storms of Life" at Victory Greenhills, Manila Philippines.

Watch video message on "Storms of Life" 

Little did I know that the next day a devastating tornado ripped through Moore Oklahoma that totally devastated anything and everything that was in its path.  Death toll is 24 and that includes 9 or 10 children.

My message on Storms of Life suddenly became a reality in a powerful way. The community of Moore suffered greatly.  Loss of life, loss of their homes plus the memory of sounds, screams, the tornado and the visual sights after this catastrophic event.  

What amazes and concerns me, when well-meaning people in their limited or finite understanding, try and interpret these natural disasters.  I met someone this week and after I mentioned what happened in Moore Oklahoma, the first words to pass his lips to impact my ears were the following, "This is the wrath of God".  

His words stunned me and took me a while to recover and get my facilities to function again. After that brief moment which seemed like eternity, I felt that no person can pass such judgment on a community in that way.  After gathering my thoughts, I felt I need to respond in an appropriate way that would not offend anyone.  

 

This is how I responded.  If this tornado was the wrath of God for Moore Oklahoma, then every city, town, suburb community had been on the lookout for something tragic to happen. Because in every nation of the world, sin abounds in great measures. Terrible things are happening across the world.  True judgment will come to us all when Jesus returns to fetch His bride.  But in the meantime, lets live our lives worth of His coming.

Natural disasters are not new to us around the world. If one looks at the history of the world we have had volcanoes erupting, hurricanes and tornadoes, earthquakes, tsunamis, floods, bush fires etc. and all these natural phenomena have had catastrophic results thousands have lost their lives and will continue to happen until Jesus returns. What about all the wars that have happened, past and current?  Can that be interpreted as the wrath of God?  Come on... lets be real and not interpret everything that happens as the wrath of God.

If anyone from Moore Oklahoma reads my blog, I want to say that we love you all so much. We don't understand why certain things happen to precious people like you.  My family has just been through 7 earthquakes and over 12000 aftershocks where 182 people lost their lives, homes and possessions. We feel your pain and sorrow at a time like this. Just know that only Jesus can see you through. Jesus is our only hope and the anchor of our soul. We know that it's not easy, but keep holding on despite your feelings, thoughts and pain.

When I ministered the message on "Storms", I concluded the message with this scripture. Let me encourage you with this. 

Romans 8:28

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

The word "all" means ... all. Good things, tragic things and bad things. Everything that comes our way.  Every moment of every day.  God is working that into your life for the good. You might not understand the good today BUT hold on, as you press into the future, you will have an amazing testimony because of the tests you have been through.

We will continue to pray for you at this time.  May you know the presence, the love and the power of God at this time.  Kia kaha.  Stay strong.

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Let Go Of Self

I praise God for the ministry opportunities He has entrusted to me, to share the love and the word of God with amazing people in Manila, Philippines.  The topic we have ministered on, is a series called Unpopular.  

Its about leadership.  Everyone wants to be a leader, but very few people are prepared to pay the price for leadership.  The main reason for this is that the natural and sinful bent of mankind is about self and the key words are 'me', 'myself' and 'I'.  BUT, servant leadership is so different, because the focus is on others and not on you.  It's about serving others in there calling, destiny and purpose.  It's about making our homes, communities, towns, cities and nations a better place.  

Jesus modeled servant leadership when He walked and lived here on earth. He made such a difference in people's lives.    He only lived for 33 years of which 3 years was devoted to ministry and that today,  there are over 3 billion people around the world that follow His teachings.   That is truly amazing.   In my opinion, Jesus is the most influential leader that ever lived.

As a leader, Jesus had so many powerful leadership qualities.  He modeled leadership qualities like no other leader in the world today.  Let me just share on one of them.

Humility

Humility means 'to lower oneself' or 'to think less of oneself'.  A wonderful picture to illustrate this is when you bow down in front of someone, you 'lower yourself' and you 'lift the other person up'. In other words, you take your eyes off yourself and make the focus on the other person. 

CS Lewis said the following about humility. 

“True humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less.”  

Jesus gave us a powerful picture of 'humility' when He washed His disciples feet.  Jesus, being King of the Jews.  Jesus being our Saviour and Lord, had every opportunity to lord it over His followers and place demands on them for His personal comfort and enjoyment. But, He displayed something to the contrary.  The Bible says that He removed His robe, girded Himself with the towel and took a basin and water and knelt down before the disciples and washed their dirty feet. 

What a powerful visual picture of humility.  Jesus lowered Himself  in order to elevate His disciples.  Jesus humbled Himself in a practical way.  It wasn't only in thought but also in action. 

Let's make our leadership count by being humble in all that we say and do.  Let's look for opportunity to lift someone up by our words and actions.  Forget the phrase "well whats in it for me?"  Make your life count by serving and assisting others to achieve their goals and dreams.  Let's humble ourselves and make this world a better place.  

Jesus modeled and demonstrated humility.   

Lets imitate and follow His example.

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Whose Way Should I Choose?

One of the tensions and the way I live my life, is the choice I make on a daily basis how I live my life.  Should I do it 'God's' way or should I do it 'my' way.  

Listen to podcast:Your Way, My Way 

There are so many facets of life that influence and condition us to think or behave in a particular way. These conditionings influence our decision making process and thus has an impact on our behaviour and the outworking of these actions. We are subjected to some of these or all of these conditionings depending on what we have been exposed to. 

Here are a few... Conditionings 

1.  Cultural

There is nothing wrong with culture. Every culture has its strengths and weaknesses. Sometimes the way we live is governed by culture e.g. in some cultures, the parents choose the husband for their daughter.  In my culture, this would be frowned upon.  I can just hear my daughter's comments if she knew that we would choose her husband. 

2.  Generational

The difference between the older and the younger generation.  The following label is often attached to this - the generational gap.  Another example is cooking techniques are passed from generation to generation.  The younger generation have no idea why certain food items are cooked in a particular way.  Only to discover when speaking to great grandmother, that the reason for cutting the fish head and tail off was to fit the fish in the frying pan.  Ha ha.  I found this so funny.  Nobody told them to purchase a larger frying pan! 

3.  Religious or Spiritual

Your religious or spiritual background has conditioned you how to live your life.  For some people, they have had no expose to anything spiritually. This influences and has conditioned you how you live your life.  Growing up in a Christian home, every Sunday morning our family would go to church.  To praise and worship our Lord Jesus Christ and to hear the minister preach from the Bible.  It has become part of my lifestyle.  By the way - "I love it". 

4.  Humanism

Humanism in its simplistic form is removing any reference to a spiritual being from their frame of reference. There is no God or a creator and that man (or woman) himself, defines what truth is.  Scripture references are used and any reference to God or Jesus is removed. For example "I can do all things through I who strengthens I."  Plus, I heard a song on YouTube with the following lines "Its all about me, Its all about me." Life revolves around me, myself and I. 

5.  Fads

A fad is any form of behaviour that develops among a population and is collectively followed with enthusiasm for some period .  A fad will condition and influence the way we live.  e.g. 1950's we saw the hula hoop, 1960's - dyeing T-shirts, 1970's - streaking (cant show any pictures of this ), 1980's - arcade games.  Do you remember the popular game called pacman? 1990's - tattoos, 2000's iPhones and iPads.

When determining the way or the path you want to choose for your life, will you allow your conditioning to be the overriding influence or would you choose what the Word of God says. 

Isaiah 55: 8-9  

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, 

Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord.

“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, 

So are My ways higher than your ways,

And My thoughts than your thoughts. 

Its very clear from this passage of scripture, that our ways are so different to God's ways and our thoughts are so different to God's thoughts. There are so many examples in the Bible that illustrate this.  Let me mention a few.

When Moses delivered the Israelites from Egypt and on the journey they came to the Red Sea.  Problem.  The Red Sea was in front of him and the Egyptians were approaching. Moses in his human understanding could do two things.  They could swim across the Red Sea or fight the Egyptians.  Being a man of God, he decided to go to God in prayer.  This was the reply from God. 

Exodus 14:16    

But lift up your rod, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it.  

 And the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea. 

What a miracle?  They walked across on dry land.  When we don't rely on our own conditioning, and we enquire from God, He gives us His thoughts and His way of solving the problem. Choose His way every time.

There are so many examples in the Bible where God's way is so different to our way e.g. David and Goliath, the Israelites had no food in the wilderness and God provided manna from heaven.  That is truly God's way.  It always supersedes our thinking and expectations.

How can we tap into God's Way on a Daily Basis?  Some practical advice as recorded in the book of Proverbs. 

Proverbs 3:5,6 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

And lean not on your own understanding;

In all your ways acknowledge Him,

And He shall direct your paths. 

One of the great attributes about God is that He NEVER changes. 

Hebrews 13:8

Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever.  

Now that's a promise from God. 

Always choose His ways and His thoughts - EVERY DAY

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The Show Must Go On

I love my Tuesday mornings because this is my time to blog. On my way to the office this morning, the following words kept ringing in my ears "The Show Must Go On."  I googled this phrase and didn't realize that it is a title of a song sung by the band Queen and is the final track on their album Innuendo in 1991. But I will not be writing about this song or this band.

The Show Must Go On

No matter who you are... what social status you have or educational qualifications you have achieved or not achieved, or what position you hold in a company or organisation, we all have a past. Our past, be it good or bad, has shaped, influenced and defined who we are today. The important question to ask is, "do you want all the negative, shameful and regretful things in your past to continue to define you or hold you back in all the dreams and visions you have for your life?".

Make a decision today to be free from your past that has negatively influenced you. It is a choice you have to make. Choose today to walk away and not let the claws of your past define, influence or hold you back in who you are today and the future you desire.  

The following passages of scripture will help you move forward. 

1 John 1:9 

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

Come before Jesus and confess your sins. His promise as written in this passage of scripture is that He is faithful and just, to forgive you and to cleanse you.  Jesus makes you 'clean' in every area of your life.

This is an exciting promise of God! This is for you. 

Psalm 51:7 

"Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow."

Wow, 'whiter than snow'? How can that be? Snow is so white. Lets take a look at how snowflakes are formed. A snowflake begins to form when an extremely cold water droplet freezes onto a pollen or dust particle in the sky. When Jesus washes us 'whiter than snow', He actually removes even the pollen or dust particle from the snowflake. Jesus truly cleanses, forgives and makes us righteous in His sight. 

The Show Must Go On....

Accept and believe the promise of God. Now let go of your past and don't let it define and influence your future. You are forgiven, set free and Jesus has washed you whiter than snow. Start living... start enjoying... start pressing into your God-given purpose and destiny upon your life. Have fun and enjoy every minute of every day. Start living life to the full. It is a decision you have to make. Make it today. Your life will change. 

Philippians 3:13,14

"But one thing I do, forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."

The Show Must Go On.... start living and enjoying life again.

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I Was Here

One of the television programmes I love to watch is American Idol.  Last Friday's performance by Angie Miller, who is 18 years of age blew me away.  I have included the link below so that you can enjoy her rendition of Beyonce song entitled "I was here".

 Angie Miller "I was here"

                                                            I Was Here                                     I wanna leave my footprints on the sands of time  Know there was something that, and something that I left behindWhen I leave this world, I'll leave no regrets, toLeave something to remember, so they won't forgetI was hereI lived, I lovedI was hereI did, I've done, everything that I wantedAnd it was more than I thought it would beI will leave my mark so everyone will knowI was here.I want to say I lived each day, until I dieAnd know that I meant something in, somebody's lifeThe hearts I have touched, will be the proof that I leaveThat I made a difference, and this world will see.

This young 18-year old singer from Beverly USA, sang this with such passion and purpose that I believed every word she sang. Her inner conviction was displayed in her outward expression as she delivered this song that stirred something in me and everyone who listened to her around the world. It was truly a wow moment. Well done Angie. Awesome. 

I love the words of this song.  It was the first time I have ever heard the song.  Ha ha. This dates me a bit!  I don't normally listen to Beyonce's music. This is the prayer for my life that I want to leave footprints on the sand of time.  My passion is to leave a positive Godly impact on people's lives and that at the end of my life on earth that I can truly say 'I have no regrets'.  I want to leave my mark on people's lives not because of who I am but because of Jesus in my life.

Jesus is the one who gives me the capacity to leave His mark on the lives of people.  I want to be able to live each day to the fullest as God has blessed us with life and life has to be enjoyed.  My prayer is that I can truly make a difference and add value to people's lives wherever doors open for me in the nations of the world.  Living life this way is a choice.  I choose to live and make a difference in people's lives.

Angie, thanks for singing with passion and conviction. Such an example for the next generation of young people.

Matthew 5:13  "You are the salt of the earth ..."

Matthew 5:14  "You are the light of the world ... a city set on a hill..."
 One day,  will you be able to say  "I was here, I have left footprints on the sand of time.  I have left my mark on people lives and have made a difference"

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