The Price Of Success

This past week the world was saddened by the loss of yet another superstar. As if you didn't know it already, the singer popularly known as Prince passed away last Thursday. He was only 57. While the cause of death is not yet known, fans mourn the star's passing at such an early age. Like Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston and many others, the lament "gone too soon," will be heard over and over. Were illicit drugs involved? We don't know. ABC news said that a full report, including toxicology, will take weeks to be released.

Whatever the cause of the singer's death, we know one thing for sure. Prince was hugely successful on the world stage, but did he pay the ultimate price of success? An early death? A life of pain - physical as well as emotional? Loneliness? Dependency? Elvis Presley, one of the best known performers of all times, died  a very lonely man. Surely, success must have its benefits, otherwise people would not strive for it. So, what is your definition of success? Is it money, fame, possessions, admirers?

Denzel Washington, one of the most successful actors, sums it up this way:  "Success? I don't know what that word means. I'm happy. But success, that goes back to what in somebody's eyes success means. For me, success is inner peace. That's a good day for me."

And Albert Einsten, scientist and philosopher stated, "Try not to become a person of success, but rather try to become a person of value."

And what does the Bible say?

 In everything he did he had great success, because the LORD was with him.1 Samuel 18: 14

As long as he sought the LORD, God gave him success.2 Chronicles 26: 5

He holds success in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, Proverbs 2: 7

 God wants you to be successful, but His success is not the kind that brings pain and misery. God doesn't want us to be dependent on anything, or anyone - not even ourselves - but only on Him.

 His formula for success is written in Joshua 1 : 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. 

Do you desire to be successful? By meditating on God's word and seeking His will for your life you will have good success. 

A Life Well Lived

Ashford with his guitar

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So reads the newspaper headline of a report in the Trinidad Express of my brother-in-law's passing a couple weeks ago. Ashford Joseph lost his battle with prostate cancer at the age of 67. He left to mourn his wife, three daughters, grandchildren, brothers and sisters and thousands of students and fans. Ashford was regarded as a musical icon in his country. In addition to teaching music in several schools, Ashford was founder and principal of Joseph School of the Arts, which spawned many musicians. Ashford trained church choirs, wrote songs (calypsos) for many prominent calypsonians, wrote  books and films and performed the duties of husband, father, and grandfather.

But the amazing thing about Ashford is that he accomplished all this while being blind. He began losing his sight at the tender age of eight, but he did not allow this to stand in the way of his love for the arts. In an interview a few years ago, Ashford stated, "Blindness is not the end, but the beginning of a new life. I have come to terms with the loss of my sight. It does not bother me to the extent of feeling sorry for myself." To achieve his goals, Ashford took classes in Braille, psychology and journalism. From my interactions with him, I know he also had a strong faith in God. 

Ashford's legacy is a rich one. He fulfilled his calling to the best of his ability, and did not allow adversity to stand in his way. There are so many lessons we can learn from his life - his faith, his perseverance, his resilience.

As I think of him, several pieces of scripture come to mind: I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 2 Timothy 4: 7

I can do all this through him who gives me strength.Philippians 4: 13

I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.Philippians 3 : 14.

Read more about Ashford here: http://www.trinidadexpress.com/20160218/features/ashford-joseph-a-life-well-lived

I have come to terms with my loss of sight. It does not bother me to the extent of feeling sorry for myself. - See more at: http://www.guardian.co.tt/archives/features/entertainment/2009/07/06/blind-composer-launches-book-film#sthash.Gj6rCkYf.dpuf

Blindness is not the end but the beginning of a new life; - See more at: http://www.guardian.co.tt/archives/features/entertainment/2009/07/06/blind-composer-launches-book-film#sthash.Gj6rCkYf.dpuf

Blindness is not the end but the beginning of a new life; - See more at: http://www.guardian.co.tt/archives/features/entertainment/2009/07/06/blind-composer-launches-book-film#sthash.Gj6rCkYf.dpuf

Happy Easter!

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This Easter Sunday morning millions of people all over the world will gather to celebrate the astounding event that took place over two thousand years ago when a Man called Jesus raised up from the dead, folded His grave clothes neatly and got out of the tomb! My hair grows just thinking about it! The crowd saw the soldiers nail His hands and feet to the cross, suspend Him between earth and heaven, heard His ragged cries and saw Him breathe His last. Yet, three days later, "He had risen, just as He said" (Matthew 28 : 6).

A time of miracles

So what does Easter mean to those of us who believe? It means a time of miracles. By His resurrection, Jesus performed His greatest miracle ever, bringing down the curtain on His extraordinary performance here on earth. If Jesus could raise Himself from the dead, He can raise you up from death to life. I'm not speaking of physical death, although He can do that too, but spiritual death - the one that separates you from God and keeps you from being all that you were created to be.

A new beginning

As He drew the curtain on His life here on earth, Jesus was preparing for a new chapter with His Father in heaven. God "exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth" (Philippians 2: 9-10).  Jesus' work was by no means finished. He would now ascend to heaven to be once more with His Father, interceding for us until the time comes for Him to return to earth.

A time of triumph

Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday was nothing compared to His triumph on Easter Sunday morning. By His resurrection, Jesus "destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel" (2 Timothy 1: 10). Not only did he destroy death, but by "His death he might destroy him who holds the power of death--that is, the devil--" (Hebrews 2 : 14). Jesus also overcame hell. "I am he that liveth , and was dead; and, behold , I am alive for evermore , Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death" (Revelation 1 : 18). 

So what does all this mean to us? It means because of Easter we have hope, victory and newness of life. We know that He who was crucified is now alive and well, and He is seated at the right hand of God the Father, making intercession for us. We know that we do not have to fear death, or the devil, because Jesus has overcome them both, and in Him we have eternal life. In Him everything has been made new. "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away ; behold , all things are become new" (2 Corinthians 5 : 17). Have a blessed Easter.

Related articles

• Celebrating Easter (pumabydesign001.wordpress.com)
• Jesus is Real to Me - A Reflection on the Gospel For Easter Sunday (adw.org)

He Is Life

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He is Life! There’s no better way to describe the Son of God. He came down from heaven that “we might have life and have it more abundantly”(John 10: 10). Death and life are completely opposed to each other and therefore, whenever Jesus (Life) is present, Death has to flee. The Bible gives many references of Jesus as being 1) the Author of life, 2) Life, 3) the Giver of life and 4) the Restorer of life.

The Author Of Life

Peter said, “You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this” (Acts 3:15). Jesus Himself spoke a lot about life. He said "I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life” v 24.

He is Life
Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty” (John 6:35) Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me (14:6). The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us” (1 John 1:2)

He gives life

When Jesus walked the face of this earth, He gave life to all who came across His path. “For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it” (John 5: 21) "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16). For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world (John 6:33). I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. (John 10 : 28). For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him (John 17 : 2). So it is written: "The first man Adam became a living being"; the last Adam, a life-giving spirit (1 Corinthians 15: 45).

He restores life

Remember Jairus’ daughter? (Mark 5: 35- 43). And Lazarus? (John 11 : 17-43) And the centurion’s servant? (Luke 7 : 9 – 10). And the widow’s son at Nain? What did they all have in common? Jesus brought them back to life. Why? Because He is Life, the Giver of life, the Restorer of life. Death is no match for Him. He said to Martha, Lazarus’ sister, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies, and whoever lives and believes in me will never die” (John 11:25). Even while He was on the cross He restored lives. “The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life” (Matthew 27: 52).

Do you need life today? You may well ask why do I need life when I’m alive? Well, Jesus came that we should all have eternal life. Not the temporary, mortal kind of life we now have, but eternal life with Him in heaven, where we shall never hunger or thirst or mourn or shed tears. Do you want that kind of life? I’m sure your answer is yes. But Jesus can also bring life to your circumstances. To your marriage, your finances, your home, your dreams, everything that concerns you. Give Him your life today and He’ll give you His - eternal life.