Custom made!!!

The last few months have been busy moments for me – my daily 24 hours time slot are filled with work/projects, ICI course, family emergency, wedding functions, funeral services, hospital visitation and etc on top of all the otherl routines. You will notice the number of articles published in myblog reduce dramatically. Trying my best to keep it alive – at lease live up to the blog name: ViveAlive :-)

As I walk through this journey of life, I realize life is not made of “out of the shelf items”. Each one of us are customized and crafted beautifully by the Master Craftsman with a plan that is well crafted and executed. Psalm 139: 16 says “You saw me before I was born and scheduled each day of my life before I began to breathe. Every day was recorded in your book! “ Jeremiah 1:5 says “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you. Before you were born I set you apart!” God has a plan for each one of us.

We were born in response to the determined plan of God, not as an afterthought. Definitely we are not an accident!!!! Before we took even one breath, every day, every step and every circumstance in our plan was recorded. God’s plan uses our strengths as well as our weaknesses. We all have strengths – they are part of the plan. We all have limitations – they too are part of the plan. We all have seasons of life that are essential to the plan as well.

Sometimes we tend to think that God designed a sinister life plan laced with pain and defeat for us. Let me assure you that there is no truth in that statement. This train of thought contradicts the very nature of God and misunderstands His heart – the heart of a loving Father who wants the absolute highest and best plan for His child. He has good plan for us. Jeremiah 29:11 says “For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Be Blessed.

Show Some End Time Love!

Matthew 24:12-13 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

The Bible speaks of a great falling away in the last days (2 Thessalonians 2) before the end of the age arrives, and it seems that we’re seeing it on a grand scale all around us. Virtually everywhere we look we’re watching the decline of morality and ethics — in government, entertainment, and social culture. It seems hard to deny that we’re living in the final days of abounding iniquity which Jesus foretold.

This is not an easy time for true believers. The evil around us can be so discouraging and the darkness so oppressive that it really threatens our ability to walk in love. Yet the reality of the gospel is brighter and more relevant than ever in this world. And the inner light of Messiah burning in us will be all the more intense and warm in this gloomy landscape, if — and only if, we fill our lamps with His holy oil and burn with His last days love. Anti-Christ culture is permeating our society. But we respond with the enduring culture of Messiah, a culture of supernatural love that will not die.

Take heart and don’t be deceived or discouraged, or allow your love to grow cold. These signs of the end are simply proof that God is on His throne and His sovereign Word is being fulfilled exactly as He spoke it. Continue in His love. Radiate His light. Wherever you are, wherever you go, bring His love. Love will endure, even forever.




This article was provided by Worthy Devotions

Choose Life!!!!

I have been preparing for my New Testament Survey examination and along the way I come across some interesting fact on the Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea. There are a lot of lesson that we can learn from nature and a good example is from these two large lakes. Yes it is a lake!! Let me clarify that the Sea of Galilee is not a sea that we know or familiar with. It is a fresh water lake about thirteen miles long and seven miles wide. It is Israel. It is the largest fresh water lake. The Dead Sea, on the other hand, is a much different story. At 1,400 feet below sea level, its shores are the lowest dry land on earth. Its water is about ten times saltier that the some of the famous ocean. Depending on the season, the water of the Dead Sea is 35% salt.

Now here is something I learned recently. Both of these bodies of water are fed by the Jordan River. The Jordan River flows into the Sea of Galilee and then through the Sea of Galilee. It continues south and flows into the Dead Sea. The same water, and yet one lake filled with life and the other is dead. Here’s the difference. The Dead Sea is so far below sea level that it has no outlet streams. The water flows in, but it does not flow out. Daily, they say, 7 million tons of water evaporates from the Dead Sea, but the minerals remain, causing the salt content to be super concentrated.

Well, here is what nature can teach us about life. The Sea of Galilee takes water from the Jordan River, and then it gives water. The water simply passes through. As a result, the Sea of Galilee filled with life and beauty. The Dead Sea, on the other hand, only takes water. It gives nothing back, and as a result it sustains no life.

It is in receiving and then giving back that life and hope are sustained. The Sea that is alive is the one that gives. The more of yourself, of your life, of your love, that you pour out, the more alive, filled up, and refreshed you will become.

Someone once said: Give and you will live. Love, and you will be filled with God’s love. Hold back, and even that which you have will vanish away.

Let’s be givers. Let’s be lovers. Empty ourselves into His Kingdom, into His work, and be constantly refilled with His love, power and peace.

What is your choice today? Sea of Galilee or Dead Sea?

Determine to Make the Commitment!

Luke 9:23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

When missionary Dr. David Livingstone was working in Africa, a group of friends wrote him: “We would like to send other men to you. Have you found a good road into your area yet?” Dr. Livingstone sent this message in reply: “If you have men who will only come if they know there is a good road, I don’t want them. I want men who will come if there is no road at all.”

There’s a big difference between just being interested in doing something and actually making a commitment to doing it! Just being interested allows us the freedom do a thing only when our circumstances permit. But making a commitment to do that thing means accepting no excuses and no reservations — it means putting aside our fears and reservations moving forward till we see the end result! Dr. Livingstone was looking for results, and this required men of commitment!

Let’s make some commitments! Our Lord, our families, our jobs and our congregations are awaiting us!



This article was provided by Worthy Devotions

Interesting Fact: Candy Cane

ViveAlive has been in “hibernation” mode for couple of weeks now. The main reasons are due to lack inspiration and ever increasing workload. Nevertheless, I determine to write something today especially after receiving some good feedback from the readers. Thank you so much for spending time to read my articles and also for commenting. Your comment means a lot to me. Anyway, here is something interesting that I learn recently about Candy Cane. It all started when a Candymaker in Indiana, USA wanted to make a candy that would help people remember who Christmas is really about. So he made a Christmas Candy Cane. He incorporated several symbols for the birth, ministry, and death of Jesus Christ.

He began with a stick of pure white, hard candy. White to symbolize the virgin birth and sinless nature of Jesus. Hard candy to symbolize the solid rock, the foundation of the Church, and firmness of the promises of God. The candymaker made the candy in the form of a "J" to represent the name of Jesus. It also represented the staff of the "Good Shepherd". The candymaker then included red stripes. He used three small stripes and a large red stripe to represent the suffering Christ endured at the end of his life. The candy became known as a Candy Cane -- a decoration seen at Christmas time. The meaning has faded, but still gives joy to children young and old, whom Jesus loves and treasures.

Next time when you get hold of a Candy Cane, hope you will remember the story behind it.

Be Blessed.

Holiday !!!! Holiday !!! Holiday !!!

Taking Credit !!!!

Isaiah 10:15 Shall the ax boast itself against him who chops with it? Or shall the saw exalt itself against him who saws with it? As if a rod could wield itself against those who lift it up, Or as if a staff could lift up, as if it were not wood!

One constant pitfall we must watch for is taking credit for something that God does in or through us, or using the gifts and callings of God for self-exaltation. In that light it may be easier to handle poverty, weakness, or insignificance, than wealth, ability, power or authority, since poverty and frailty are not normally things we boast about, and they cause us to recognize our need for God. Prosperity, gifting, and anointing, on the other hand can be powerful temptations, leading to pride, covetousness, and self-sufficiency.

Saul, who came from a humble background, was anointed king of Israel, yet his heart was revealed when the Lord exalted him, but he exulted in his own position, eventually coveting it so severely he became a fierce enemy of God. The Lord then removed His spirit from Saul and the true condition of the man became apparent to everyone.

Even the great Solomon whose gifting, anointing, and prosperity were unsurpassed in some ways, seems to have taken for granted his abilities and wealth, and, somehow, rationalizing his blatant disobedience to God’s law, he fell into idolatry and brought disaster to the Kingdom of Israel. This seems amazing, given the fact that Solomon’s most precious gift was his wisdom. (Those with this gift should take note).

Be careful how you handle the gifts and successes that God gives you! Enjoy His blessings as you serve in your family, business, or ministry – but never forget where it all comes from, and to whom the glory belongs, cause if you do, He will be sure to remind you.