This past weekend, I spoke to a youth group in Bonn (former capital city of Germany). It was our first time in the city and we received an awesome reception.

Next, we’re heading to England this week. Remember a guest post I did for Intentional Today, Will You Marry Me?

Two of those young leaders will seal their commitment to pursue each other for the rest of their lives. I’m excited for them and wouldn’t miss their wedding for anything.

The secret to divine favor

Yes, I’m talking forgiveness today. I picked up these words from our church bulletin yesterday:

“Imagine a life in which all things become possible unto you. Think of a life in which all your prayers are answered and every desire leads to satisfactory fulfilment. Consider a life in which no force can overcome you in all you honestly set your heart on while every weakness of your life is turned to strength and you live in constant victory from day to day because you have God’s favor… Divine favour makes all things possible to you. But how does this work in practice? How do we come into God’s favour and remain therein? It begins by receiving God’s forgiveness!”

 

Image courtesy of bigjom FreeDigitalPhotos.net

It’s a two-way journey

Forgiveness frees.

Forgiveness liberates.

Forgiveness lifts. It make you breathe. It changes you, literally.

We are nothing without God’s mercy. Our greatest achievements, our biggest dreams, our magnificent discoveries… they are ultimately nothing if we reject His offer of forgiveness.

Divine favor anchors on accepting His grace to us and basking in its fullness.

But forgiveness is a two-way journey – we receive mercy and must give mercy.

God’s forgiveness to us releases us to experience His love. Our forgiveness to others releases us to give His love.

Why you must give forgiveness

If you’ve received forgiveness, you must give forgiveness. Divine favor abounds to us when we release others into their divine favor, through the power of forgiveness.

Life is too short to hold a grudge or be consumed by bitterness. There’s no better time to live to the fullest than when you’re alive – the dead can’t forgive.

I’m amazed at how God cleansed a wretched sinner like me. It’s an awesome miracle; a miracle that moves me to extend grace to others. It’s a battle sometimes, but a battle that’s eventually won through the help of the Holy Spirit.

Forgiveness is not easy in our own strength. But when we surrender the hurt to the Cross, we find grace to let go and let God.

Who needs your forgiveness today? Go ahead, give it. Make the call. Write the email. Arrange the meeting. Face your giant.

Forgive!

In your experience, how have you been able to grow in forgiveness?

Oh, while you were working…

Isabel-Juda turned 10 months last week! Can you believe that already?

What legacy are you leaving?

I’ve often been asked why I write about my daughter and my response is very simple:

She’s no ordinary child. I want to leave a legacy she can trace and one she grows up to aspire to.

 

I believe children should grow up knowing about their childhood; watching videos of when they ordered their first meal (like this one) or how they chose an iPhone over Blackberry for the first time (like here).

If you’re a parent, what visible legacy are you leaving for your children? If you’re not a parent yet, your choices today will determine much of what happens to your legacy tomorrow.

I want to be like mummy and daddy!

I don’t want my children to grow up and look to others first for identity. I want them to discover that at home. I want them to look at mummy and daddy and say;

This way of life is so cool. I want to be like mummy and daddy.

 

I want them to love Jesus. I want them to change their world positively. I want them to inspire their own generation. I want them to learn forgiveness. I want them to understand the power of generosity.

For that to happen, we are exposing Isabel to people, prayer, worship. She’s on the road with me on speaking engagements. She’s exploring new possibilities of her world within guided boundaries.

I know what you’re thinking now and you’re right; I don’t know how much of today she will remember when she turns 7 but the key is laying a good foundation.

Starting is the best recipe for finishing well. Tweet that

What will your children see?

When my children look at me, I don’t want them to see a perfect man who never missed a step. Far from it! (Surprised?)

Rather, I want my children to see an imperfect man that loves Jesus with a heart made perfect by God’s grace. I want them to see a man that did everything he could to make God known. I want them to see an earthly father that did his best to replicate the Heavenly Father’s love to them.

And I want them to choose same too.

What do you want your children to see in you when they grow up? What specific actions are you taking today to make that a reality? Leave a comment.

From Dear Dad… 

God smacked me with truth today. I was sitting on the couch reading the Bible and opened it to this verse:

1 Thessalonians 5:14, “Encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone.”

 

My footnotes say, “Don’t yell at the timid and weak; encourage and help them.”

At times it can be difficult to distinguish between idleness and timidity. Two people may be doing nothing—one out of laziness and the other out of shyness or fear of doing something wrong.

The key to ministry is sensitivity: sensing the condition of each person and offering the appropriate remedy for each situation. You can’t effectively help until you know the problem. You can’t apply the medicine until you know where the wound is.

Sensitivity. I’m lacking it. I cannot do God’s work if my heart isn’t tuned into other people. I can’t just pretend. It wears me out, and I become judgmental, prideful, arrogant, and bitter. Sensitivity is the key to ministry.

More… 

I remember this moment like it happened yesterday. I recall exactly where I was sitting on that comfy couch as the sun peaked through the windows.

I find it easy to judge those who don’t think like me. If I don’t understand you or your way of thinking, then something must be wrong with you, right? How ridiculous of me!

I was too busy focused on myself to pay attention to the condition of other people and how to approach them. I wasn’t paying attention to their problem because, well, it wasn’t like my problem and I didn’t understand it.

Oh how God has done a mighty work in this area, but I still have a way to go.

Next time you struggle to understand someone or the situation they’re going through, remember that sensitivity is the key to understanding them.

Question: Can you relate? Share your thoughts in the comment box.

About Sundi

Sundi Jo is an author and speaker. Her first book Dear Dad, a memoir of gritty redemption, offering hope to the broken, is available now. You can find her on Twitter and Facebook.

Oh…

Consider reading previous guest posts by Sundi on this blog:

My Interest or God’s?  |  Interview with Sundi Jo

My wife and I made a big decision this week; a decision we have pondered for the past 5 months, a decision that leaves us vulnerable in some ways, a decision that will teach us what it means to trust God, again.

Ever found yourself hanging on a thread of hope? Ever felt vulnerable, despite God’s leading? Ever wondered what God was up to?

Vulnerability is not something that comes natural to us. We loathe inconvenience and demand the world revolve around us. But I have news for you, friend – get over yourself. There’s more to life!

When Awesome Happens

The best times of our lives are NOT the well-planned, smooth moments. Rather, awesome happens when God interrupts our easy lives and reminds us what it means to wholly depend on Him.

Awesome happens when we abandon our selfish plans and commit to the Cause bigger than us – You can share this.

 

This is not easy but needful.

I’m reading START by Jon Acuff and loving it so far. Jon rightly affirms that the secret to living purposefully is to start. There’s a time to dream and a time to work the dream. Awesome happens when you start doing the work that matter, not stalling.

Why Are You Afraid To Commit?

I know you want to be awesome, not average. I know you desperately want your life to make sense and give meaning to others, not otherwise. But here’s the question I have for you:

What’s stopping you NOW. Why are you afraid to commit?

 

What’s God calling you to release? To let go? To free? To abandon? Are you afraid to commit?

I can understand. But as we’re currently learning, until you release what you’re holding so tightly, He can’t unleash on you His treasure house.

There’s purpose in release and we find it when we respond to the call (“Yes Lord, I’ll do it” or “I’ll go.”) and commit ourselves to the cause. 

What big decision have you taken recently that called you to trust God in the unknown? Your story will encourage me, please share it.

Life is like a movie; you are cast to play a part. With many cast on stage, everyone has a script with a unique role to play – including you.

The Director does one thing – He sits and observes. Not for lack of creativity, rather He’s gracious enough to allow us express ourselves on the stage and the script is there to guide us.

You know who the cast are, don’t you? You know too well who the Director is also, don’t you? Yes, you are right. We are the cast, the Director – God.

But too often we lose sight of the One who set the stage and we abandon our script in search of a part we are not called to play. So we cheat, lie, hurt others, fail and ultimately live outside the director’s plan for our lives.

What’s in your script? Are you aligned with His divine plot? Asking you that question prompts me to reflect on mine. I hope you can join me in echoing the words:

Grace has kept me!

 

If you’ve deviated from your God-centered script, I urge you to return and pursue the Director’s goals. His providence and grace will bring beauty out of the rust of your life, and make meaning out of every chaos.

You say:

“Joseph, you don’t get it. I’ve messed up. I don’t think my situation can be remedied”

 

I used to be you… until the Director made me realize that:

Past mistakes can be forgotten. Yesterday’s hurt can become today’s healing. Yesterday’s loss can become today’s gain. Yesterday’s tears can become today’s smiles. Yesterday’s pain can become today’s power. Yesterday’s sin can become today’s mercy. Yesterday’s rebellion can become today’s obedience. Yesterday’s heartache can become today’s joy. Yesterday’s questions can lead to today’s answers. Yesterday’s weakness can become today’s strength. And today’s strength will become tomorrow’s victory and the future holds no more fears.

 

That’s what happens when you wholly trust God’s grace.

What practical actions help you stay focused on your divine script and what advise do you have for anyone seeking to return to theirs?

“For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.”

 

The Father’s Joy

As a father, it’s a pleasure watching my daughter grow and emerge – it’s an incredible experience. This feeling is no different with God, our heavenly Father. It’s the Father’s joy to see us grow in His grace.

Virtue (excellent character), knowledge, self-control, steadfastness (patience), godliness, brotherly affection (caring for others) and love are all nature of God we are called to add to our lives (and grow in them).

The Christian life is a journey; a marathon, not a sprint. God knows we need these qualities to reach the finish line as winners.

Our faith calls for growth and progress. Growth, however, doesn’t just happen. Spiritual and personal growth is a conscious decision. It’s a personal responsibility – to seek and pursue it.

Two-Step Action to Grow in Grace

• Desire: Change begins with a deep desire. The process of ‘supplementing’ your faith begins with a desire – a holy discontent for more of God. To add virtue to your faith, desire virtue. To grow in the knowledge of God, desire to know Him. Be discontent with average, get uncomfortable with convenience and pursuit can begin.

• Pursue: That’s right – the other end of desire is pursuit. Do the work required for you to grow. When I spoke to my students recently, I challenged them with key steps I took to achieve academic excellence. But what I said would make no difference until they put it to work. Same applies to every area of our lives that needs growth.

It’s OK to dream but until you take action, change will never happen. Click here to share.

 

We make God proud of His investments in us when we pursue the growth necessary to live purposefully.

How are you pursuing personal growth in your life today? What tools do you use and have found to be helpful to your spiritual growth? Please share your thoughts.

I recently came across a video on TED and I’m glad I watched it.

Never Quit Your Dream

Life can seem a mystery – sometimes we get hit so hard we want to give up and quit our dreams. I have been through a lot of hard times in my life.

As long as we breathe, hard times never stop. They may come in varying forms and at different stages of our lives but there are always challenges to deal with. Goliaths surround us everyday. The sight of them make us want to quit.

A decade ago, I decided never to quit my dream. I’m currently writing a new book on this; on the power of your dream. In the book, I get personal about my story, my challenges and struggles. It’s exciting!

If only life offered us the choice to be indifferent, we would choose it. But we don’t have that option. In the end, we either stand or quit. We either choose average or we choose awesome.

No matter how hard you’ve been battered, you can make it through. Never quit your dream. Tweet this encouragement

 

The Power of Collective Encouragement

I believe in the power self encouragement like David did in 1 Samuel 30:6 or like I did in a letter to my soul. But I also know that a network of encouragers is equally powerful, if not more. Indeed, iron sharpens iron.

You can watch this video of Kid President (Robby Novak), a 9-year old from Tennessee, USA. He just might inspire you. When you’re done watching, share this post so others can be encouraged too.

I love what he said:

You’re ‘gooder’ than that! You were made to be awesome!! 

 

I believe that about my myself. Do you? Watch, laugh and be inspired; even my daughter laughed hard watching it.

Question: Are you more of a self-encourager or thrive on collective encouragement? Which works best for you? Leave a comment.

 

“My Dear Soul, this is a letter from me to you…

 

Listen while I preach to you:

Why are you cast down within me?

Why are you in turmoil?

Has your God ever forsaken you?

Has He ever forgotten you?

Why do you think He ever will abandon you?

Listen my dear Soul, let me speak to you:

Never question the presence of your Redeemer.

Many enemies surround you but your God is closer to you than they are.

Remember His past faithfulness and let that give you peace,

Remember how He commands His steadfast love in the day,

And at night His song is ever with you.

The waters seem to break over you now,

And it appears He’s forgotten you,

The oppression of your foes seem to grow stronger,

But remember the miracles of yesterday – the victories, the unexpected provisions, the unexplainable grace.

Remember the unmerited favors.

Remember the narrow escape from death, the massive debts paid off, the illness that vanished.

Remember and rest in Him.

Oh my dear soul, remember and have hope!

Let the billows come as they wish,

Let the enemies rage as much as they can,

Let the mountains fall if they so desire,

Let them ask you “Where is your God?”

For all their taunts, only still yourself and say (to yourself);

“Hope in God, I will praise Him again, and again and again… for He is my God and Salvation”

Hope, I say, hope in your GOD.

Yours in spirit and body,

Joseph”

Further reading: Read Psalms 42.

What do you do when you’re feeling overwhelmed with life’s challenges? I invite you to leave a comment.

This weekend, I’m going ‘back to school’!  Well not really, so excitement mode toned down

One of the awesome things about living intentionally is the opportunity to learn and share your story with others along the way. I don’t take for granted the platform God has blessed me with to do this.

And that’s exactly what I will be doing this weekend (Saturday) when I host our next Student Forum in Essen. The theme?

Effective Study Skills

 

Image courtesy of nuttakit FreeDigitalPhotos.net

So you see why I feel like I’m going back to school?

This is important to me. I want my students to do well in life. I want them to have the chance some of their parents (like mine) probably never had. I want them to succeed in life and become leaders in their field. I want them to hold their heads high.

We’ve talked purpose and finding God (or the other way round) but this weekend, it’s about the connection between their academic success, future outlook and how God connects both.

I will be sharing my experiences and how a near-dropout student ended up a first class graduate and winner of several academic awards. Maybe I know a thing or two they need to know… maybe.

As always, will you join in praying for us – that God inspires hope and the belief to succeed in my students? I’m counting on you.

What’s one thing you plan to do this weekend that could inspire others?

When I talk to young leaders, there is one question that always gets them to pause:

How would you like your story to be read in 20 years?

 

It’s a question that should make you pause too. It changed the course of my life. I got to a point I decided I would live meaningfully; I wanted to make impact, influence lives and live a great story. I resolved not to waste my life.

How would you like to be remembered?

The Pain of Lost Years Can Be Very Deep

Don’t bluff this away – I know some who did and are telling a rather different, unpleasant story today. They ignored the signs that they were living a false story. They believed a lie.

The result of not living a purposeful, God-intended life can be damaging. The pain of lost years can be very deep.

 

But you don’t have to experience that kind of unnecessary pain. You have an opportunity to change course today so you can live the story worth talking about after you’re gone.

5 Tools You Need To Live A Great Story

These five tools have worked for me and I believe they can for you too. If you are serious about living (and leaving) a lasting legacy, you need to:

• Realize: This is where you need to start. Where are you now? Are you living a great story? What is your destination? Have you deviated off course? Nothing changes until there’s a personal realization of your state.

• Resolve: I recently completed the second chapter of my new book. In it, I write passionately and personally about resolve. Realization of a need is not enough; you need a deep resolve to change, not a mere list of resolutions. And it begins in the mind – when you change your mindset, you are more likely to act on the need for change. See Romans 12:2.

• Commit: All resolve is wasted without commitment to the change process. What have you resolved would help you live more purposefully? Spend less time on social media? Don’t hesitate! Get a new job? See it through!! Serve in your local church or commit to a community cause? Do it!!! Commitment breeds confidence; when you commit, you get better at living your story.

• Serve: Solitude will kill your story – so connect! Serve others with your story, your passion and your talent. Connect with people who will help you grow on your journey.

• Trust: The road ahead will be tough and painful. Living a great story comes with pain. But you need to trust the One who is the Author of the Greatest Story ever lived. Trust God with your story and let Him make ‘awesome’ out of yours.

Your story 20 years from now begins with the decision(s) you make today. Don’t waste your life.

Which of these five tools have you struggled most with in the pursuit of your life purpose? What other tool(s) would you add to the list?