Kingdom Discussion 10 Perseverance to Mission & Values

Perseverance means sticking it out and not quitting. But it does not mean not making changes. We must always stick to the Biblical Values (e.g. the commandments) and our God given calling (e.g. Our Great Commission). But our methods may, and at times should change, so that we can achieve our mission. To persevere, we need to put our faith to work as our servant. Our faith should be on the unchanging words and promises of our God. Faith gives us hope to work in the meantime until we succeed. Waiting is not waiting idly but be busy. During this period of working, we may encounter complains and even sabotages. The pressures against us may grow as we get close the destination. We shall see failures as the necessary and good parts of exploration - discovering the ways that work. Don't condemn ourselves because of failures but to learn from them. We must celebrate successes along the way. Joy gives us strength to carry on. Always remember that the Lord is with us throughout this journey of life.

Continued from Kingdom Principles Discussion 09: Servant Leadership - Law of Greatness, we discuss about Perseverance. We cover this topic in greater depth than in Kingdom Law and Principles - Law of Perseverance.

The Table of Content:

What is Perseverance?

It is about being persistence and not quitting but sticking to your objective until they are accomplished. Jesus told us two parables about this. They are:
  Luke 18:1–8 The Importune Window
  Luke 11:5-8,10 The Friend at Night

Here is the mind-map about the parables and the lessons learned.

The lessons to be learned are:

1. Persistence brings result with people. How much more will it do with God who loves you.  
2. Their asking (the widow and the friend) are expressed in their actions and not just mere talking. 
3. Someone may ask how many times should one pray about a request. Our answer is pray until your faith rises up and that you could live expectantly with hope. There is no sin in repeated asking. Asking a few times may help you to understand your requests better.
4. God answers speedily. His answer could be Yes, No, or Wait and in His way that is good for us. We sometimes miss His answer because we insist that He should answer us in the way we think He should!

We Should Be Persistence In What?

We should never change in Godly Values, our calling or mission. Our vision may get enlarged with time as we grow in maturity and as God extends our influence and territory. Other things can and should be changed if they do not work out. We can change our methods, the resources we use, etc. Values and Mission change not, but we can be flexible and adaptable in other areas, 

Here is the mind-map that show it:

How Can We Persevere?

What to Do in the Mean Time - The Waiting and the Process?

Most people think that waiting means waiting idly. That is not what Jesus taught us. Jesus told us to be watching for His return (Matt 25:13) and to keep busy doing His work until He comes (Luke 19:13). There will be time that we should rest and there will be time that we should work. We discussed this in Kingdom Principles Discussion 07 Law of Seasons. The enemy will not rest but will tempt and trouble us as well. In my study of Ancient Chinese Classics, I found a teaching that is very close to our Biblical Teaching. It help shed lights on this need of waiting for the right time and opportunity and what to do in the mean time. I shared it below in mind-map.  I also share related posts in my blog on this time of waiting. 

Failures and Don't Beat Yourself Up

Bible is filled with stories of the failures of many people, even Moses, Paul, Peter, etc. Life is about growth, discovery and creating. Trying and exploring means we will fail or find a dead-ends. Failures are parts of the process of discovery or experiments. Don't condemn or beat yourself up because of failures. We just need to learn from them. In fact, it is good to fail fast and often that we may learn more and make progress faster. 

If we have moral failures, i.e. sins, then remember to go to God for forgiveness and receive the mercy and grace(Heb 4:16) to make the right restitution.

Conclusions- Perseverance Faith:

Hold fast to 

1. Faith in the promises of Most High God which gives us Hope.
2. The Biblical Values & Doing the right things -Kingdom Principles Discussion 03 The Golden Rule

Questions for Reflections:

1. What is Perseverance?
2. In perseverance, what should not be changed and what could and should ?
3. What could we hold on to so that we can persevere?
4. How can one build up his perseverance?

Next Discussion: Kingdom Discussion 11 Law of Amplification - Growth with Care for Details.

Lim Liat (C) 31 Jan 2012

Kingdom Principles Discussion 09: Servant Leadership - Law of Greatness

This lesson tells us about leadership. How to become great leader. Greatness is not measured by our rank or possessions but by influence we have on others to become better through our serving them. We don't lead just by giving commands. We lead by serving them to show them the way, give them the motivation and help them to do and become better in their calling of lives or roles in the organization. Serving is a more effective way of leading than just commanding, or by incentives and punishment. 

Continued from Kingdom Principles Discussion 08 Law of Reciprocation, we discuss about the Law of Greatness - Servant Leadership. Unlike the worldly system when those in higher positions are served by those in lower positions, in the Kingdom of God, the leader serves his followers. Greatness is measured by the influence one has through one's serving of others.

Worldly system tells us to give commands, have an incentives and a punishment system. The Bible tells us a better way to lead. It is by serving them to show them the right way to do things. It is clearer than just giving commands. It is more engaging and motivating than incentives/punishments because it is about intrinsic motivations rather than extrinsic.

Jesus as God set the Example - To Die for Man
The example is set by Jesus as in Phi 2:1-11 Though Jesus is God yet he became a man just to suffer and die on the cross that men may be saved and become children of God.

The Lesson from Washing Feet John 13
When none of His disciples were willing to wash one another feet (a task for the servant) , Jesus set the example by washing his disciples feet and giving the teaching of John 13:14 "If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet" an powerful object lesson. When He came to Peter, Peter refused Jesus. Peter did not understand the principle that Jesus was trying to teach. Peter was still stuck in his own worldly standard for the low shall serve the higher. Jesus was very clear that if Peter did not accept His Kingdom Laws of leading by serving, then Peter should have no part in His Kingdom. Peter then went overboard by asking Jesus to wash him totally. He still seemed to miss the point. It is not about washing per se, but about serving others to ensure the shared mission is accomplished. Task has no ranks, only good and evil. If there be a needful task, then anyone able should do it irrespective of one's rank (King or slave).

Here is the mind-map that summarize the meaning of Servant Leadership:

Lessons Learned

Questions for Review & Application

Index of Kingdom Principles at Kingdom Laws & Principles

Next :Kingdom Discussion 10 Perseverance to Mission & Values

God is Our Peace in Betrayals - Psalms 4

May God be your peace in your times of restlessness, difficulties and even betrayals. A wrong cannot be corrected by another wrong. Trust and commit to God. Do it His way. God will surely give you the joy, favor and the peace.

It is so easy to loose our perspective and peace.

I was much encouraged by what I felt was God's message for us from Ps 65 and Kenneth Copeland's prophecy for 2012 that I wrote the post Start the New Year 2012 with Confidence in a Good God.

Yesterday I was attacked by a spirit of depression and condemnation. I woke up early not because I wanted to but because I lost my peace. I was unable to sit down quietly even to pray. I prayed in tongues while walking about. I part took the Holy Communion (see Christianity Rediscovered: The Meaning & Power of Holy Communion) reminding myself of Jesus' brokenness is for my healing and His shed blood is for my adoption as son. I turned on my Galaxy Tab to get to hear an encouraging message by Joel Osteen (Joel Osteeen - God make miracles out of our mistakes). I went for a long walk around my estate while listening to the message and at time commanding in Jesus name to reject and cast out the attack of the evil spirit of condemnation and receiving the Spirit of Joy, Love, Boldness and Sound mind (2Tim 1:7). I came back and prayed with my wife who gave me much support and understanding and wisdom all these years. After the joint prayer, I was able to quiet my spirit. I went about to clean the air-conditions in my house.

Today reading is on Psalm 4, since today is 4th day of year 2012. It is God's answer to my dis-quietness of yesterday. I have done a mind-map of Ps 4 before (see Handling Betrayals) and today reading again allow me to update the mind-map with additional thoughts. Today's emphasis is on the Joy, Peace and Favors that God give. The last verse, I will lie down and sleep in peace is just the right answer for my waking up and inability to sleep of yesterday's morning.

It is a great answer from God to restore my spirit and fill me be joy and confidence for this coming year of His blessings.

Hope you find this post an encouragement and comfort. I felt led to share my weakness and show how God can answer us in our time of needs. May God bless and comfort you as well.

Start the New Year 2012 with Confidence in a Good God

For the past week, reflecting on 2011 and looking forward to 2012, the Lord impressed me with Ps 65. It was an extra confirmation to Kenneth Copeland prophecy on 2012. 2012 will be a year of surprises, joy and miracles if we choose well - to listen to and to follow the Words of God. God has already provided more than what we have dared to ask for.

If you look at the forecast for 2012, they will tell you that it will be a difficult year, considering the Europe Crisis, the slowing down of the BRIC countries, etc etc. But we have insider news. Our God is still in charge. He is a good God and His news for you in 2012 is a different one. Would you care to listen?

Here is my reflections on Psalm 65 in mind-map format:

1. Our praise to God is not with our mouths. In fact, silence praise, praise by keeping our promises to God is much more meaningful.  1 Sam 15:22 tells us that God loves our obedience more than our sacrifices. 
2. We all come to God because we know God hear and answer our prayer. Coming to God is a sign of our trust in God. But do not confuse God with Santa Claus. God will not spoil us by heeding to any of our request. He can only answer us according to His righteous and loving character. He will not violate His own words to us. He will give us those things that are good for us according His wisdom. Do we trust Him enough to let Him answer our prayer according to His ways and timing? Will you still praise God when you don't see any changes yet in your situation?
3. When we fail God, or even ourselves, know that God is greater than our our heart 1 John 3:20 and He know. He has given us His Son Jesus Christ to redeem us and cleanse us. Come to Christ and know that we are re-birthed in His righteousness. Henceforth, go in peace and sin no more. Act from our new righteous selves.
4. We are the chosen ones of God that He bring us into His temple. His Holy Spirit dwell in us and us in Him. We must remember to come into His presence to draw and enjoy His goodness. To draw the power in Christ to live out His righteousness as in point 3.
5. Spread the Good News --- Jesus is the Savior of All and not just for a few. If anyone would only call upon the Name of Jesus and he shall be saved.
6. God is a Savior with POWER. The power that created the whole universe. The power to silence the roar of the oceans, the bad news of the economy, the uproar of the people. 
7. God gives joy. He created the morning and ended the evening with Joy (v8). 
8. God provides in Abundance v9-13. He provides the water, tills the land, cause the growth, and give the abundances (pastures clothed with flocks (i.e. so dense that looks a cloth), valleys covered with grains). 
9. God crowns the year 2012 with goodness v11.
10. Our response: rejoice and be glad for we have a Good God that bless us. Have an optimism and confidence in our God of goodness and work towards a good year of abundance of goodness.

What about 2012? 

It shall be a year of goodness and joy when we put our faith and work with our God of goodness.