5 Principles to Succeed in Life

Leadership is about inspiring the next generation to succeed in life. 

Here’s my message to the new Senior High Graduates of my Alma Mater

(RG HECHANOVA MEMORIAL NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL) delivered on April 5, 2018. 

Theme: MAG AARAL NG K12 : HANDA SA HAMON NG BUHAY

To our beloved Principal, to our committed teachers, to our hard working parents, guests, relatives, friends, and most importantly, to the graduating K-12 Class of 2018, good afternoon!

It is a great honour and privilege to be here with you this afternoon. My family is here with me too.  I would like to take this opportunity to introduce them to you. We flew straight from Manila in order to witness this special occasion in your life and to personally share some life’s lessons I have learned along the way in my journey from childhood up to the present.

Your Graduation’s Theme is: Mag-aaral ng K-12: Handa sa Hamon ng Buhay.

Ano nga ba ang mga hamon na ating hinaharap sa buhay at gaano tayo ka handa sa pagsalubong nito?

Kung sa aton pa nga linguahe, ang iban sa aton kung indi maka agwanta sa mga pagtilaw, ang ginahambal nalang naton: patay kung patay ah, total law-ay!

Gusto mo nga mag give up nalang sa mga challenges sa kabuhi? How do we prepare ourselves to persevere and get through the challenges of life?

Ang iban sa aton ginapaagi nalang sa mga joke. Parehos sini oh:

Langga, kandila ka ba?

Bakit? Lumiliwanag ba ang buhay mo dahil sa akin?

Hindi! Gusto na sana kitang hipan para mawala ka na sa buhay ko.

Here’s another one:

Shabu ka ba?

Bakit, honey, nakaka addict ba ako sayo?

Hindi! Panira ka sa buhay ko!

During reunions, you would meet your High School classmates.

Hambalon mo sila: Ano work mo subong?

Ah, Chemist ah!

Ha? Daw wala ka man naka eskwela sa college?

Oo gani, amo na nga Chemist! Ke-Misis umaasa. 🙂

Joking aside, life is full of challenges and the real challenge is: how we choose to fight our daily battle.

The choice is ours.

You know guys? I grew up in the farm right at the back of Iloilo Memorial Park. Life was so simple, filled with green lush of nature. When the rain comes, we play with clear flowing waters in the pond and in the ricefield. Yes, it was a perfect picture of a simple life, with the abundance of nature. Yet, I grew up unsatisfied with what I saw and experienced.

For me, life is more than that. I thought we were poor. To be rich is living in the urban city - same with those that I saw on the television. I had a wrong perspective about life. My parents never educate us about this. What can I expect? They didn't finish Elementary. But guys, believe me, I love them. They were not aware of what I was going through.

So I had this poor-me perspective that I kept inside. I became insecure of others and about my future. On the other hand, this experience became my driving force to strive hard, to educate myself about life and to aspire for excellence in order to succeed. That’s what I believed.

In my travels to Southeast Asia, I once met a Cambodian who said this:

Chinese come over here in Cambodia to do business. Koreans come here to build churches. But, Filipinos come here to build people.

Do you know why? Most Filipinos in Cambodia are Educators 😉

See...education makes a difference. A big round of applause to our teachers here.

Knowing your purpose in life is the most important basis of every decision you make. No matter how hard it is to face those challenges around, having a purpose clears the pathway that would lead you to where you wanted to go.

According to Mark Zuckerberg, founder and CEO of Facebook:

“Purpose is that sense that we are part of something bigger than ourselves, that we are needed, that we have something better ahead to work for. Purpose is what creates true happiness.”

So this afternoon, I would like to share with you 5 principles to know your life’s purpose and stay on track with it (your life’s purpose) in order to succeed in life.

Principle #1

Dream Big Dreams

What do you really like to see happen in your life? What do you envision about yourself and family 10 years from now? Don’t settle for less. Most prople who achieve in life are those who have big dreams. Those people who, early on in their lives, started to paint a picture of what they wanted their future to look like, succeeded in reaching for it.

At this moment, maybe dreaming something big is quite impossible for you as you look at your family situation. Maybe you think that you don’t have the resources that you need. Maybe you’re thinking that success in education and later on in career in life is only for those who have the money.

Guys, you may have no money right now but there are lots of good people who surround you, there are lots of connections and ways to achieve your dreams. I have personally witnessed it myself. The past Valedictorians in this school:

* Lany: now a nurse in UK

* Vilma: an accountant in Manila

* Haris: an Engineer

* Hydie: an Accountant

These are just a few of those I got to know in this school. They’re not wealthy, but they dreamed big dreams.

When I was in grade school, I remember going with my father to the farm. I didn’t like working in the farm but I had no choice but to help my father. It was a good training ground for me to value hardwork and perseverance. Through those times with my father in the farm, I learned priceless lessons from him. I remembered he once said, “If you don’t like to do what I’m doing, you better study hard and get a degree so you can pursue whatever you want in life, unlike us, we have no choice but to keep doing this coz we didn't finish education.” Friends, I am not saying that to become a farmer is of  less value than being an Engineer or whatever profession. My point here is, education is the key for us to pursue our dreams in life. You can still be a farmer but imagine the competency you would have, for example, if you finished agriculture or any course related to farming.

So when I was studying here in our beloved Alma Mater, I did my best to pursue excellence coz I really wanted to excel in my studies and in life.

In order to help both ends meet, I learned to sell some candies and vegetable ulam in the canteen. I would leave my paninda at the canteen and the end of the day I would get some income. So, I would have extra budget for my next items to sell. I felt good about it. I felt fulfilled. There were times that I helped my father sell vegetable in Iloilo Supermarket in the evening on weekends. On one occasion, I was so sleepy I lied down under the table on the sidewalk. But, it rained during that time while I was sleeping and I got soaked!. To warm myself, I sat down beside a charcoal stove. Oh, It’s still fresh in my memory up to this time. I pitied myself and my situation but looking back on that experience now, it somehow helped me to understand that life is not easy, it’s full of challenges. But the question is, how do we cope with these challenges?

Having the right perspective in life is crucial. Having the right perspective would help us respond properly to our situation.

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can help change the world. “- Nelson Mandela, President of South Africa & Political Activist

Im thankful to God that I got what I dreamed of. I graduated with flying colors, not because I’m the best among my batch but for me, I reaped what I sow. I planted sacrifice and hardwork plus perseverance, I reaped the rewards of my effort. It cultivated in me the heart for learning and to keep dreaming and figuring out what my future would possibly be. I dreamed to have a bright future, have my own family and provide for all their needs. I learned later on in life that success is not about earning a lot of money but enjoying life as it should be, having good health, happy family and a real joy of helping others succeed in life too.

So these are very important to succeed in life:

* work hard

* Save more

* Have fun

* Give more

There’s a purpose why you are blessed with lots of resources. Now, the question is, how are you going to invest it? Invest it on something that will help educate the next generation. Look around you, look at the situation of our neighbours, of our society? Are you content with what you are seeing? How can you help improve lives of the members of our family, of our society? Foremost, of ourselves?

Principle #2

Learn to Prioritize

There are many opportunities out there as you pursue your dreams in life. What is it that you really love to do that would contribute to our society. Something you want to do that will help uplift your family and people around you.

Don’t be a jack of all trade. Know your strengths and focus on it. In High School, the love for learning especially in Mathematics and Science was developed in me and so I had a glimpse of what my future would be. When I graduated, I decided to take up Engineering because of the following reasons:

* I think I can thrive with it since I’m good at Math and Science

* I can be a businessman Engineer

* I could build my own company to employ more people thus I could help uplift the economy of our nation by helping provide a job for the unemployed

So I took up Computer Engineering because of the demand of this course during those days. Well, true enough, I excelled and enjoyed this course. But along the way, I found myself on the crossroads. This is the season in my life where I really searched for significance, purpose and meaning in my life.

I was contemplating.

Then, there’s this group of committed Engineering student leaders on campus who approached me and shared something that had a great impact in their lives. For me, I know I’m good enough. Im a good student and as long as I continue to study hard, I will get what I wanted in life. But you know what, guys, my perspective started to change as they shared this wonderful message that changed my view in life. I learned that in order to succeed in life, i need to personally put my faith in Jesus. Not religiously, but having a real personal relationship with him. So, on that very moment, I asked Jesus to enter my life, be the seated on the drivers seat of my life and be the one to lead me to the right direction. From that time on, God gave me wisdom to set my priorities right.

That my order of priorities in life as a student is:

* God

* Family

* Studies

* Hanging out with friends

So how does it look like now that I am a family man? Here’s the order of my priorities:

* God

* Family

* Job

I make sure that in everything I do, I put God first as I am reminded of Prov 4:5-6: Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.”

The third principle helps explain about it.

Principle #3

Pursue a balanced Life

Have the right priorities means having a balanced life.

Having a balance life means:

* study your lessons well, engage with classmates who can help you with the most challenging topics/lesson for you to learn

* Have fun, take time to have a break, watch movie or help your parents in the farm, house cleaning; or play some sports

* Join in any organizations/clubs with a community development-focused purpose

On one occasion, my classmates in this school and I agreed to go to the beach and skip classes. I know, this is not a good example. But, we had good memories and bonding beyond our academic life. Don’t copy it. Please get the principle: Have fun with friends while pursuing excellence in your studies.

The next principle will tell you more about this.

Principle #4

Be part of a Support Group

In college, I had three organization which helped developed my character and leadership skills.

These are:

1. ACES - Association of Computer Engineering Students. This is where I had much interaction with students in our department that value our academic program.

2. The Guild- the Official Student Publication of WIT. This is where we had good memories of staying late with co-staffers at night doing the lay-outing and proofreading of the articles for our School Paper (Like the Trailblazer)

4. CCC -where I learned to know more and follow Jesus and His direction for my life. This is where I learned about Time Management, Leadership Styles, How To Get Better Grades and Have More Fun, and to travel to different places to learn about life and how to help inspire those who seem to have no hope for their future. This is where I appreciated much about having an impact in the lives of others— to be other-centered.

This one I got from Citibank:

When you graduate in college:

*  leverage on your alumni networks to find jobs, get mentored, and make new professional connections. This will create a support group that will surely help you on your new journey.

Principle #5

Utilize Your Road Map

Road Map contains landmarks, major signs & directions, including the details. Having a roadmap will help you go to the place you wanted to go.

Having a roadmap in life, will help you reach your destination.

In Manila, because I am not familiar of the area, I would always look at the google map. But now, we use an App called Waze. It’s very convenient for me to use it by just typing in the destination. It would lead me to that destination as fast as possible, avoiding the traffic. I need to pay attention to each instruction along the way whether I will make a u-turn, right turn or stay on the left. Once I miss it, it will redirect me to another route so I can still arrive to my destination, as fast as possible.

This is the importance of having a roadmap.

So, what is your roadmap?

In this life, there are lots of troubles, challenges, trials. No one is exempted. But we need a roadmap - The Bible. It contains God’s instructions on how to succeed in life.

Joshua 1:8 New International Version (NIV), says, “

8 Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”

See, God is reminding us to meditate His word, to obey it in order for us to succeed. And to understand His word, we need His wisdom to know, understand and apply it in order for us to succeed in life. God wants us to be successful. God loves us and He has a wonderful plan for our life. He wants us to experience abundant life — a life that is full and meaningful. We can only experience that through Jesus Christ. Last week, we commemorated Holy Week. We are reminded of what Jesus did on the cross for us. He died for you and me. So that we can have salvation from our sins through Him. We are supposed to suffer eternal damnation because of our sins, but because of God’s great love for us, He sent Jesus to die on the cross for you and me, my friend. It is not enough to know that He died on the cross for our sins. We need to accept His gift of forgiveness for you and me so we can have a personal relationship with God. We need to open our hearts to Him and ask Him to come into our life to be the one to lead us and guide us, to be the Lord of our lives. To be our road map.

You can pray this prayer:

Lord Jesus, I need You. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. Thank you for forgiving my sins and for giving me eternal life. Take control of the throne of my life. Make me the kind of person you want me to be. Amen!

If you prayed this prayer sincerely, you can be sure that He is now in your life. He is the Lord & Savior of your life, you have just started a personal relationship with Him. You can come to Him every moment, share your heart, your dreams, your aspirations. He Has a wonderful plan for your life, my friend.

It was October 2, 1996 when I surrendered my life, my plans, my dreams and my ambitions to God. I never thought that God will bring me this far. An insecure boy who grew in the farm, now a secure family man boldly proclaiming God’s inspiring messages among the college students across Southeast Asia.

When I was a boy, I was curious how do the other parts of the world look like. Now, I experience and witness with my very eyes, how beautiful indeed God’s wonderful creation is as I travel to different places and continents.

Education is the key. Pursue it. Don’t give up!

May you have the courage and the vision to pursue education as the key to succeed in life.

* Know your purpose

* Dream big dreams

* Learn to prioritize

* Be part of a Support Group

* Pursue a balanced life

* Utilize your Roadmap

Let your dreams set sail!

Mabuhay!

Driven to Achieve

by Arnaldo J. Ganaba

Imagine with me a life in the farm...the wide green rice field... Where the cool breeze of the morning embraces you. Where the sound of the chirping birds fill the air of a quiet afternoon break and put you to a good sleep. Where the sound of the wind dances with the trees. What a beautiful life! Perfect Vacation spot. Isn't it?  This was my life. In the farm. 35 years ago. 

Was it beautiful. Or, should I say, perfect? 

But NO! It wasn't in my early childhood perspective. Living in the farm was living like a poor man deprived of a beautiful city life. So as early as 7 years old, I always dreamed to be rich & to achieve something to please myself. I laid out my dream house and imagined to have my own family. So I thought, I need to strive so hard in order to reach my dreams. 

When I was in grade school, my teacher would always give us a challenge to compete on our addition and subtraction speed skills. I would normally win the challenge. So, I believed I was the best in the class. This experience motivated me to excel, to be well-known and to achieve something so I can reach my dream - to be rich! 

In High School, I studied well with the aim to be on top of the batch. I became a consistent 1^st honors from 1^st year to 3^rd year and graduated Valedictorian of the class. I was also elected president of several clubs and organizations, including the High School Student Council. I pushed my way to the Student Publication and eventually became the Editor-in-Chief. I felt good that I got what I wanted. Because of those achievements, I was granted with a scholarship in college. I was so determined in my studies to make sure that I will not be left out being in the star section class. The same pursuit to achieve, to excel, to be well-known and to feel good for myself kept growing in my inner being. I would go to the library during my free time to study. I would plot my weekly schedule and ensure that everything is purposely done. My routine was, school, church, house, farm – I was helping my father then in planting and selling vegetables and even farming though I didn’t like it. I would always say to myself, "When I get rich, I will never do this!"

One day, that was October 2, 1996, as I was studying beside the church across my campus, somebody approached me and asked if he can have a few minutes to share with me about the booklet that has been meaningful to him. So I agreed and took time to listen. I knew deep within me that I’m religious, I got almost everything that I wanted to feel good, I’m a good student, etc. but I realized that I haven’t really made a commitment to have Jesus as my Lord and Savior and allow Him to be the One to direct my whole life. Knowing myself as a practical person who would try to find out what or who could help me get what I wanted, after listening about what are the claims of Jesus, I sincerely made a commitment to receive Him into my life. 

That’s the turning point. 

Though I felt good that day, I was reminded in the booklet that…”don’t depend on feelings,” so I kept thinking about what took place that afternoon. The following day, I shared the same booklet to my 10 friends. I had mixed motives -  I wanted to let them know about what I have heard and at the same time, I liked teaching/sharing to a group to feel good being a leader.  Soon I got involved with CCC, I was discipled, and I had attended a lot of LTI’s (local and national levels). Through this involvement, I got to know a lot of real persons, real Christians whom I learned to be vulnerable and to trust with. I learned to be myself. I also learned that I don’t need to do something to get their attention and be accepted as I am. 

Through our weekly small group bible studies, my conviction for His word grew which helped me to love my family and people around me. I kept sharing my faith, I kept motivating them for further involvement, I kept following up new believers, I kept on doing the basics of the ministry that I learned over and over again. I was so loyal to these basics and I experienced good results of students going back for my follow up/discipleship groups. I enjoyed meeting new friends and I really loved leading & managing people – arranging difficult schedule to meet, who will be integrated in certain groups, identifying the key leaders from among them, making discipleship plans, keeping records about their interests, skills, and many more ministry stuff. God’s word consistently spoke to me and dealt my character. I was reminded of the parable of the talents (to me it made sense to invest my time, treasure and talent wisely), the cost of Following Jesus, Paul’s discipleship ministry and spiritual Multiplication through win, build, and send strategies. With these experiences, I had a clearer picture of God’s love for me.

Besides having been actively involved in helping fulfill God’s Great Commission through CCC, I was gradually climbing the ladder of influence in my campus through our School’s Official Student Publication. I became a Managing Editor in my 2^nd year, Associate Editor in my 3^rd year and had the privilege of becoming the Editor-in-Chief in my 4^th year wherein I had a lot of opportunities to write pre- evangelistic articles. I was aware then of my tendencies to boast or hide in the shadow of false humility. God provided CCC people to really help journey with me – to grow in Christ like character and excel for His glory. There was an instance that I had a self-evaluation. “Why am I doing what I am doing?” Then I made a commitment before God to continue pursuing excellence not to feel good about myself, brag about it, or to prove something about myself but give Him the highest honor and glory in whatever that I do, specifically with the gifts, talents and interests that He gave me. God also blessed me with a continued scholarship until 5^th year and I graduated With High Distinction with the Degree in Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering. 

After graduation, the pressure started to sink in me because I was expected to work and help my family. I struggled and wrestled with God for almost 6 months. I applied to my Alma Mater as a Teacher in Computer Subjects or Mathematics but my supposedly demo was cancelled and I never had a chance to reapply. Doors of opportunities in the workplace were seemingly unfavorable to me. Besides, I found myself keep going back to my Alma Mater, meeting my disciples and still generating more contacts. There were days that I never had an allowance because my father can’t support me anymore. My disciples generously shared their allowance with me. The battle inside of me was between the need of my family and a strong desire in my heart to keep doing evangelism and discipleship. The reason that I wanted to teach in my Alma Mater was to continue my ministry alongside my job but it didn’t work out as I planned.. On bended knees, I kept seeking God’s will for me. On one particular personal devotion, God led me to 1 Peter 5:2 ,”..to be shepherds of the flock that God gave you and to take care of it willingly. Do your work, not mere for pay, but from a real desire to serve.” I kept meditating His word and had my “pros-and-cons” to asses where would I be – to be with CCC as full-time staff or in the marketplace. After days of praying and seeking God, He gave me peace as I decided to join CCC with a specific commitment of joining the volunteer program for about 2 years and afterwards, apply for full-time staff. My issue that time surfaced that I was afraid of MPD though I was able to raise support for my LTIs and other CCC functions.

My volunteer years were, for me, just a continuation of my ministry in my campus. But this time, I worked with a team. I had a lot of exposure to the lives of my Ates and Kuyas in the team – how they managed finances, raised support, modeled ministry (I also heard a lot of stories from them which helped me figure out how can I apply it in my context). I observed their lifestyle. During that time, I have seen growth in my leadership and relationship with people I worked closely with. Coordinating events like Movement Getaway surfaced my attitude how I would relate to my teammates. I was confronted with the reality that I wanted to do things my way, without considering what really can be more beneficial for everyone. I also enjoyed leading a ministry in my Alma Mater (WIT) as well as in CPU. I felt trusted with a limited capacity that I had and it helped me envision for stronger movements in these campuses through Spiritual Multiplication alone. In WIT, I had 89 disciples down the chain and in CPU I reached 70 in two years. It's all by His grace. Being a Volunteer was filled with much learning and a sharpening stage in my missionary life. It better prepared me for something bigger and a more challenging phase of being a full-time staff. 

In 2004, I joined the GCTC and was assigned in PUP as my field ministry assignment. The same perspective was carried along – I’m just assigned in a new Target Audience, I’m just continuing the ministry God has called me to do. So, I enjoyed the sessions, re-evaluated my actions in light of the biblical principles taught. I envisioned and prayed to see a strong spiritual movement in this campus. I learned to grow more in my relational life and connecting with my new target audience. God blessed me with 35 disciples down the chain with 6 movers in my 9 months on training. On my second year in PUP, God blessed be with about 80. I have nothing to boast about these numbers but I’m thankful to the Lord for the privilege of investing in the lives of these people whom I learned to love, people whom God used for me understand more about His love.

In 2006, I was reassigned in MIT. Even during my college life, I looked up to this campus as one of the key influential sectors in our society through the Engineers they produce who can be movement builders for life. This is where I experienced more of what it meant to love by faith. I experienced to work with a team of 17 full-time staff and volunteers. This is where I kept on learning how to develop leaders for movement building, joggling different roles as a trainer, team leader, discipler, husband, father, etc. What a joy to see about 374 disciples involved in the movement in this campus. What a joy seeing our students step out in faith and make a difference in the lives of others despite academic pressures of having a quarter system. 

God also stretched my faith as I developed my personal ministry while training a new staff in Ateneo de Manila University for almost a year. 

At present, God placed me in a role to serve student-led movements across Southeast Asia. It's a joy and truly a privilege to journey with Indonesians, Malaysians, Burmese, Vietnamese, Lao, Thai, Cambodians  & even my fellow Filipinos to see what does it take to have movements of multiplying disciples in different target audience and context but with the same Jesus who gave us the Great Commission. As I travel to these countries, I am encouraged meeting some of my disciples from Iloilo who are not just serving as teachers and engineers in some of these countries but as Christ's Ambassadors so that many more lost souls will come to life in Jesus. All by His grace, I got to know new persons & led a lot of them to follow Jesus wherever they are. 

Let me share with you one of my witnessing experiences in Indochina as I trained a fellow staff there:

I shared the gospel to the 6 students of the top university in Indochina. All of them prayed to receive Jesus. (Note: I chose not to question that decision). I motivated them for further involvement. All agreed to meet with me on the following day for our follow up Bible Study.

The following day, Bee (one of the 6) came back with two friends. I learned from him that the rest went back to their towns. I asked these friends what did Bee tell them. They said, "Bee told us that he met a new friend from the Philippines. He also told us that he invited Jesus in his heart."

Right there and then, I asked Bee to share with his friends, Taimoah and Seng how he received Jesus by simply reading the booklet to them. I saw the eagerness in them to know about Jesus. One booklet being shared by three and they took turns in reading. Another friend, Chai, joined them.  A day prior to this meeting, I did not give the booklets to Bee's group. I was sharing the Four Spiritual Laws (4SL) from memory, wrote the 4 principles on paper & draw the diagram too. I simply shared the 4SL without further explanation). Anyway, when Bee reached the section on the two circles, he asked his friends, Which circle best represents your life?" There response was "left" (self-directed). Then he asked them the second question "Which Circle would you like to represent your life?" and their answer was "right" (Christ-directed) except for Chai who then left the group because of an appointment. These two guys prayed to receive Jesus. I then asked clarifying questions to help them be assured of their salvation, but we did not finish the discussion. Seng had to leave for their event's practice while Taimoa stayed. Bee, Taimoah & I had our lunch together. Since they were free for about two hours, we continued the discussion on the remaining pages of the 4SL. When we reached the last page of the booklet and asked them, "To whom would you like to share this message?", they mentioned their friends' names. I asked them to write these names in the box at the back page. Taimoah asked, "how about to my parents?" I was surprised by this response because our staff were saying that the students are afraid to go back to their towns and tell their parents about this.  So I simply replied, " wow, that 's great! Why don't you write their names too and we will pray for them one by one." I also asked them , "When will you share the gospel with them? Will you write down the dates?" And they did ! We prayed for the names.

Truly, God caused my dream to come true. I am indeed rich in Jesus. It's beyond material riches. 

In my missionary life, I dream to see more lives know Christ and make Him known through Spiritual Multiplication by winning building and sending.  I pray that I will continue to put God as my highest priority in life. 

“I do not claim that I have already succeeded or have already become perfect. I keep striving to win the prize for which Christ Jesus has already for me to himself. Of course my friends, I really do not think that I have already won it; the one thing I do, however, is to forget what is behind me and do my best to reach what is ahead. So run straight toward the goal in order to win the prize, which is God’s call through Christ Jesus to the life above.” – Philippians 3:12-14. 

If my heart before was filled with dreams and ambitions to achieve, to feel good for my self, to be known & to get rich, my heart this time continues to desire to achieve anything or something that would cause to give glory and honor to our Lord & King Eternal, Jesus Christ. Above all, my ultimate goal to achieve is to face with God someday and hear Him say, “Well done my good and faithful servant.”

Walking Where He Walked - Surprise. Lesson. Highlight.

What surprised me in this trip?

Jesus' model of Building Multiplying Disciples. More than the places I went to (which brought me to a 4D Bible Reading), yes, it's Jesus' Pathway of Spiritual Multiplication. From the time He was born, went through the preparation period of His life for 30 years to another phase of His life where He was baptized by John, had His first followers, performed miracles, was rejected in His own town Nazareth to the Calling of Four Disciples, to His interactions and teachings in the Synagogues, to Peter's House, with Pharisees, to Matthew's House, to the Appointment & Sending of the Twelve who launched movements not just in Jerusalem but also to Judea, to Samaria and to the ends of the Earth. There are so much to learn from Jesus. And my heart is overjoyed for the many lessons and principles from His life. I can summarize them into 9 Foundational Priorities that I desire to live out by the power of the Holy Spirit:

1. Holy Spirit Dependence

2. Prayer

3. Obedience to Kingdom Agenda

4. Word

5. Exalting the Father

6. Relationships

7. Identifying and Equipping disciples as ministry team

8. Helping disciples become fishers of men

9. Appointing and sending leaders

One lesson that I learned?

Jesus' intentionality in making disciples - His high relational skills, modeling life on life discipleship in preparing and selecting them to complete the task of helping fulfill the Great Commission.  

    

One highlight in this trip?

Seeing and walking on where Jesus walked and spent His time with disciples - in Nazareth, in Galilee, in the Temple Mount, in the Mount of Olive, etc.  Jesus began His public ministry with his baptism in the Jordan River by his cousin John the Baptist. The Holy Spirit then led Him into this very wilderness region where He was tempted by the devil for 40 days and nights (Matt 4:1-11). When I had my walk here, I was imagining how Jesus was thinking, feeling and experiencing in this solitary environment. 

During these 40 days and nights, Jesus was getting ready to launch his public ministry. This was the culmination of his first 30 years preparation time, where He learned the Father's Agenda. Jesus had a clear sense of purpose and priorities as he began His ministry. This reminds me of Christ's mission for my life: to make disciples of all nations! 

So I settled on regularly asking myself:

1. Am I living my life as an authentic (not perfect) disciple of Christ?

2. Am I leading others to become disciples of Christ?

3. Am I leveraging my influence to help build a movement of multiplying disciples?