a way out of your rut

Be Unstoppable

I wonder why Jesus asked him that silly question.

Here’s the story. One day, Jesus saw a paralyzed man lying near the pool of Bethesda. The guy has been paralyzed for 38 years. Jesus asked him, “Would you like to get well?” (Read the full story in John 5:1-9)

       I find that…uh, rather strange. 

Why ask that question?

       The paralyzed man could have answered, “Helloooo… Is the sun hot? Is the Pope Catholic? Is Bo Sanchez handsome? Of course I want to get well. Goodness, are you blind, Jesus? Isn’t it pretty obvious? When you were a kid, I was already lying here. Before you were born, I was already lying here. I’ve been stuck here for 38 years. My gosh, why wouldn’t I want to get well?”

       But Jesus asked that question because he knew human nature. 

Let me shock you: Suffering people are ambivalent. Torn. Confused. Conflicted. Two-minded. 

Many sick people aren’t sure if they want to get well. Many poor people aren’t sure that they want to get rich. Many problematic people aren’t sure that they want all their problems to be solved. Many abused wives aren’t sure if they want to get rid of their abusive husbands.

       It’s crazy, but true. 

       How do you know if someone is ambivalent? If he gives excuses for not doing what he’s supposed to be doing.

       That’s what the paralyzed guy did. He said, “I can’t, sir, for I have no one to put me into the pool when the water bubbles up. Someone else always gets there ahead of me.” (The people there believed that the pool was miraculous.)

Believe me, I’ve heard the line, “I can’t…” a million times already. I hear it from suffering people who seemingly want to get out of their suffering—but don’t. After saying “I can’t…” they’ll give their excuses.

       Let me give you one example…

 “I Can’t Because…”

I’ve talked to a number of jobless people. Here are the actual statements I heard from them…

o   “I can’t find a job because there are so many others looking for a job.”

o   “I can’t find a job because I don’t know anyone…”

o   “I can’t find a job because I don’t know how to make a bio-data.”

o   “I can’t find a job because I have no one to accompany me.”

o   “I can’t find a job because it’s so hot these days and I’m allergic to the heat.”

o   “I can’t find a job because I lost my cellphone.”

o   “I can’t find a job because I don’t have anything nice to wear.”

       I repeat—Excuses are simply signs that they’re ambivalent. Bottomline, they don’t want a job. At least, they don’t want a job bad enough.

Here’s what I learned in life: If you want something bad enough, nothing much can stop you. Not a million other job applicants. Not the heat. Not the lack of a companion. Not the lack of a cellphone. Not the lack of nice clothes.

       Why are people ambivalent?

Two reasons…

Two Reasons For Ambivalence

       This seems insane—when a suffering person is not sure if he really wants to get out of his suffering or not.

       But there are 2 real reasons for this ambivalence…

1. Suffering Has Become Your Identity

       The paralyzed man had been paralyzed for 38 years. That’s a pretty long time. He saw himself as paralyzed. I bet he couldn’t see himself in any other way—until Jesus came along.

       For many people, their suffering becomes their Safe Zone. They’ve gotten used to the pain. And what is familiar is safe—no matter how painful that situation is.

       Listen to this statement from author Robin Sharma. The most dangerous place is your safe zone. If you want growth in your life, you have to get out of your safe zone. Because your safe zone is the place for dead people.

       At the root of all ambivalence is Fear. What kind of fear? The fear of the unknown.

       No matter how painful suffering is, at least we’re familiar with it. That suffering has become our identity. And once there’s an opportunity to get out of suffering, fear of the unknown grips our heart. Result? We become ambivalent.

       When I converse with the poor in slum areas, I cannot count the number of times I’ll hear these words, “I’m poor”; “We’re poor”; “My family is poor”… It’s a common refrain you’ll hear again and again.

Poverty has become their identity.

Many of them have gotten so used to it, if you give them an opportunity to leave poverty, they’ll not take it. Because they’re afraid at what will happen to them if they lose their identity of poverty.

Here’s my big question to you: What problem has become your identity? The man’s paralysis was his identity. So much so that his mat became his master. His problem ruled his life. His mat controlled him, not the other way around.

What is your Mat?

Jesus said, “Stand up and pick up your mat.” Don’t let that problem control you. Take control of your problem! Take charge of that sickness. Take charge of that debt. Take charge of that situation. Stand up!

       Here’s the second reason for ambivalence…

2. Suffering Has Become Your Income

       Problems have side benefits. Always.

       For the paralyzed man, his paralysis was the reason why he could earn a living as a BEGGAR. For 38 years, his paralysis put food on the table. No wonder Jesus asked him, “Do you want to get well?” In other words, Jesus was asking, “Hey Buddy, if you get well, you’re going to lose your income. You’ll have to change your career. Are you sure you want this?”

       This is a fact. We derive all sorts of income from our problems, not necessarily financial.

       I met a woman who was sick with hypertension, diabetes, allergies, and heart disease. And every year, she’d have a new sickness. She was going to different doctors almost every week, sometimes two or three times a week, for 12 long years. 

       After talking to her, I realized she was such a lonely person. She had no real family around her. And here’s my suspicion: She likes getting sick. The only time someone talks to her, or listens to her, or holds her hand, or touches her arm, is when she is sick. Her 6 doctors, all the nurses, and the clinics’ receptionists have become her small community. 

       Believe me, she’ll never get well. Unless she finds an “income-replacement”. (I invited her to join me at the Feast each week. So she’ll find a new community there!)

       Here’s my question to you: What income do you get from your suffering? Identify your income. And identity your “income-replacement”. If you don’t, you’ll always have ambivalence. Fear of the unknown will always hold you back.

       Today, I’d want to give you the three steps to get out of your paralysis, three steps to get out of your suffering…

3 Things To Do To Get Out Of Suffering

Are you paralyzed by your problem now?

There’s hope. You can get of your paralysis. You can pick up your mat and walk.

Here’s how…

1. Remove Ambivalence

       Every week at our Feast, I ask people to lift up their list of dreams written in their Novena to God’s Love. (We give this Novena to all first timers for free.)

       Why do I encourage people to pray for their dreams daily?

       Here’s why: Because Abundance is attracted to Clarity. 

Not Ambivalence.

       You need to be very clear with what you want. Let the question of Jesus reverberate in your heart.  He asks you, “Do you really want to get well? Do you really want to get out of your suffering? What do you really, really, REALLY want?”

Abundance Will Give Her Heart To

Someone Who Really Wants Her

Abundance is like a beautiful woman, waiting for the right suitor to win her heart.

Mister Ambivalence shows up at her doorstep, but looks terrible. He’s wearing an old pair of shorts and an ugly shirt. And he smells. He hasn’t taken a bath for a week. It’s clear he hasn’t come to court her. 

When Lady Abundance opens the door, he looks at her and says, “Miss, you look interesting.  I think I like you. But I really don’t know. You see, I’m in a complicated relationship with another girl right now. Her name is Poverty and she’s a real pain in the neck.  But I’m not ready to give her up just yet.”

What will Lady Abundance do? She’ll tell him, “Bye!” and shut the door. She’ll drive him away.

And then Mr. Clarity arrives. He looks dashing in a tie. He smells fresh. And he has a red rose in his hand. He says to her, “People told me you were lovely, but gosh, you take my breath away.   This might be too fast, but I have to tell you what’s in my heart. No, I don’t expect you to answer me today, or tomorrow, or next week, or next month. It doesn’t matter. I will wait. But I need to tell you that I will pursue you with all my heart until the ends of the earth. And I have to ask this question in Tagalog… Bangin ka ba?” (Are you a pit?)

Miss Abundance asks, “Why?”

“Nahuhulog ako sa iyo.” (I’m falling for you.)

What do you think will Miss Abundance do? You can bet she’ll be more attracted to Mr. Clarity than Mr. Ambivalence.

Do you want to get out of your suffering? Do you want to get out of your paralysis?

Remove ambivalence. Be unstoppable.

And you’ll get out of your suffering.

Here’s the second step…

2. Restore Authority

       The paralyzed man thought that healing came from the pool. The superstition was that the first person to jump into the water when it starts moving would be healed. 

       So far, for 38 years, he’s not been healed. Why? First of all, no one offers to carry him to the pool. Second, he’s never the first guy to dive in when the water bubbles up.

But Jesus told him, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk!” In other words, Jesus said, “Forget the pool. Forget about waiting for someone to carry you to the pool. You don’t need the pool. Stop waiting. The power isn’t in the pool. The power is in you.”

       Let me say that again: The power is in you!

       So many people look for power elsewhere. They believe that the solution to their problems depends on someone else. 

They wait for the government to help them. They wait for Mommy and Daddy to solve their problems. They wait for a friend to rescue them. They wait for their boss to promote them.

But unless you understand that the location of the power is within you—you won’t get out of your suffering.

       Jesus said, I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. (Mark 11:23)

       You can change the topography of your situation. God has given you the Authority to command the mountain of your problems to move!

       When you believe that the power is within you, you become unstoppable.

And finally, the third step to get out of suffering…

3. Repeat Action

       Psalms 23 says, Even though I walk through the valley of darkness, I fear no evil, for you are with me. (Psalms 23:4)

       Face it. There are many valleys in our lives.  Many places of suffering.

But I love this Psalm because it says that we don’t stay in the valley. We don’t sit in the valley. We don’t stand in the valley. We don’t sulk in the valley…

We walk through the valley.

       I love the illustration of walking because walking is a repeated action. Walking is putting one foot in front of the other foot. If you want to get out of suffering, you have to keep on doing the right thing again and again until you walk out of the valley.

          Jesus told the paralyzed man, “Walk.”

For 38 years, this guy has never walked. He was rusty. I can imagine how clumsy it must have been at the start.

His toothpick legs were wobbly.  Shaky. Unbalanced.  People probably held him up so that he wouldn’t fall. But he took that first wobbly step. And he took another step. And another… Until he walked out of his suffering.

To walk out of your suffering, you have to keep on doing the right thing again and again.

Are you jobless right now? Do the right thing again and again until you walk out of the valley. Keep developing yourself. Keep training yourself. Keep applying. 10 companies, 20 if necessary.   Don’t stop. Soon, you’ll walk out of the valley.

Are you buried in debt? Do the right thing again and again until you walk out of the valley. Don’t borrow again. Keep paying your debts. Keep living simply. Don’t stop. Soon, you’ll walk out of the valley.

Be Unstoppable

Let me repeat my big question to you: Are you unstoppable?

       The reason why you don’t have what you say you want is because you don’t want it bad enough.

       You say you want a strong relationship with your kids. But do you want it bad enough, you’ll do anything to make it happen? Like spending more time with them? Like giving up golf, TV, computers, games—so you could hang out more with your kids? Do you want it bad enough that you’re willing to humble yourself before your kids to ask forgiveness from them?

       You say you want to become wealthy.   But do you want it bad enough? Will you live simply so you can invest every month? Will you be willing to sell and be rejected? Will you get training? Will you read the right books, attend the right seminars, and seek out the right mentors?

       You say you want to be healthy. But do you want it bad enough? Will you do anything to achieve it? For example, will you eat the best nutritious food? Will you walk everyday?

       Remove ambivalence.

       Be clear with what you want.

       Be unstoppable.

       And walk out of the valley.

       May your dreams come true,

       Bo Sanchez

PS. Do You Want To Build Multiple Income Streams?  Join Me At My TrulyRich Financial Coaching Program on May 25 and 26 at Pasig, Metro Manila. Don’t be ambivalent. Be unstoppable. I want to teach more people to gain financial freedom. For more information, click on at the link below…

Tell me more about the TrulyRich Financial Coaching Program

On May 25-26, 2012

PS2. Learn about the Power of Intercession. Experience the Power of God in your life.  Discover your power to stand in the gap between God and your loved ones. Vita Monforte will give this Seminar on May 26, at 8am to 6pm, in Pasig. Learning Fee is supposed to be P700 per person, but because of generous sponsors who subsidize this seminar, it’s now only P200/person for the first 9 seats and P250/person for the remaining seats. To register, email beaconlightevents+seminar@gmail.com now.

MY THOUGHTS

I am so overwhelmed by what I read, I think I just stopped thinking.  I don't know what I'm thinking.  I can't think  of what I want to think.

But I know how I feel.  

I feel guilty. I know there's so much more I can do.  But I stopped moving because I feel comfortable already.  I have stopped being unstoppable.

I feel like a fraud.  I tell people, train people, on how to "manage yourself".  And yet, I have forgotten the very principles I ask people to espouse.

I feel motivated.  Bo Sanchez always does that to me.  From the time we had lunch with him as Shangri-la to the time he facilitated our retreat in Bangkok, he never fails to encourage me through his newsletters.

I feel blessed - to have read this article - and read it on a lazy Sunday afternoon when I have time to munch and mull over every word Bo has printed. 

I have created my own mat.  And I'm picking it up, this very minute.

 

 

the secret of becoming a champion

The Secret Of Becoming A Champion

Today, I’d like to teach you how to become a Champion.

I’d like to teach you how to get Big Returns in your life.

Now if you want small returns, skip this piece.

It won’t interest you.

If you want to live a mediocre life, content with mediocre harvests, mediocre results, mediocre rewards, mediocre marriage, a mediocre job, mediocre relationships, mediocre happiness, I repeat: this stuff isn’t for you.

But if you want big returns, big miracles, big blessings, big healing, big happiness—then continue reading.

This is for you!

Look around you.

The Secret of Big Returns is known by champions of the world.

Why are they champions?

Because they practice the secret.

How Many Sit-Ups Can You Make?

Why is Manny Pacquiao the best pound-for-pound boxing champion in the world?

You and I only see what Manny does on the ring.

We don’t see what he does outside the ring.

For example, I can do 10 sit-ups comfortably.

One day, to impress my wife, I tried doing 30 sit-ups. I only reached 25. After that, she had to carry me to bed.

Do you know how many sit-ups does Manny Pacquiao make in a day? 100? 200? 500? 1000?

Nope.

He does 3000. Every single day.

No wonder he’s a champ.

No wonder his abs are like steel.

When he’s training before a fight, from Monday to Saturday, he starts at 5:30am and ends at 4:00pm. That’s more than ten hours of rigorous, grueling, hardcore, violent training. Everyday!

In fact, Coach Freddie Roach says that Manny has one weakness: “Manny has a tendency to over-train, I have to stop him.” That’s dedication.

Why is Manny a champion in boxing?

Because he knows the secret of big returns: He gives his all.

The Guy Couldn’t Miss A Shot

Larry Bird was one of the best basketball players in the history of the game.

He was known for his shooting magic.

But it was no magic. It was practice.

After every team practice, he’d be the last player to leave the gym. While everyone else was taking a shower in the lockers, Larry would close the lights in the court and practice shooting in semi-darkness. Many times, he’d practice three-point shots while closing his eyes. He’d do that everyday.

One day, Larry Bird was making a commercial. The Director instructed him to miss a shot. That was what the scene required. Because his muscle memory was so strong, Larry had to take 10 shots before he missed it!

Why was Larry a champion in basketball?

Because he knew the secret of big returns: He gave his all.

Diabetes Couldn’t Stop The Dancing

Gary Valenciano is “Mr. Pure Energy”.

He’s the only entertainer that has won the Awit Award for Best Male Performer 11 times!

Yet this man has had Type 1 Juvenile Diabetes since he was 14 years old. So far, he’s had 90,000 insulin injections in his body. Yet his sickness has not stopped him giving his all every single time he’s on stage.

Why is Gary a champion in entertainment?

Because he knows the secret of big returns: He gives his all.

Broken Bones Come With His Job

Jackie Chan is one of the most successful action movie stars in the world today. He’s big both in Hongkong and Hollywood.

Jackie appears twice in the Guiness Book of World Records.

First, he holds the record for “most stunts by a living actor”. In fact, no insurance company is willing to insure him.

Because of his movies, he has fractured his skull, dislocated his pelvis, broken his fingers, toes, nose, both cheekbones, hips, sternum, neck, ankle, and ribs many times.

Second, he holds the world record for the most number of takes for a single shot in a movie. To make one scene perfect, Jackie had to shoot 2900 retakes. Of one scene!

Talk about dedication to his craft.

That’s Jackie Chan.

Why is Jackie a champion in action movies?

Because he knows the secret of big returns: He gives his all.

The Most Admired Person

In The 20th Century

Mother Teresa was called a living saint.

According to Gallop polls, survey after survey shows that even while she was still alive, Mother Teresa was already the single most admired person in the 20th century.

She served the poorest of the poor for 45 years. When she passed away, she left the world with 4000 nuns that ran 610 centers in 123 countries.

Why has she inspired millions of people?

Because she gave her all.

The Bible says, Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. (2 Corinthians 9:6)

It’s really the Law of the Harvest.

What you plant, you harvest.

If you plant small, you harvest small.

If you plant big, you harvest big.

And if you plant all, you harvest all!

Let me now tell you a fascinating story.

Jack, Ken, Poy

There were three brothers named Jack, Ken, and Poy.

One day, they were walking on the road. Each was carrying a bayong (native basket). They had just come from the field and harvested some potatoes.

Soon, they met an old poor man on the road, pulling a rickety cart behind him. He was dressed in rags and was walking barefoot.

“What happened to you?” the brothers asked him.

The old man said, “My whole town has been flooded! Hundreds of people are now homeless, without food or water. They are very hungry. Can you give your sweet potatoes so I could feed my poor townspeople?”

Jack, Ken, and Poy looked at each other and nodded their heads.

I’m telling you this story because Jack, Ken, and Poy represent the three kinds of givers in the world today. I want you to find out what kind of giver you are.

Jack, The Token Giver

Jack reached down his basket, pulled out 3 potatoes, and placed them onto the cart of the old man.

And the beggar said, “Thank you so much, my son.”

Jack represents the first type of giver: The Token Giver.

All Jack does is give tokens of himself whenever he can.

In his family, he gives tokens of his time and energy to his kids and his wife—just enough so his wife won’t leave him.

In his job, he does the barest minimum possible—so he won’t get fired.

And in Church, whenever the love offering basket is passed, he doesn’t tithe—he gives tokens. Just to say that he gave.

Because of his habit of giving tokens, his returns are tiny.

He has a job but his career is stagnant.

His family lives in one house but relationships are shallow.

He goes to Church but hasn’t grown spiritually.

Others however are like Ken…

Ken, The Tentative Giver

Ken did something different.

He brought his bayong near the cart, tilted itand poured half of its contents.

The old beggar said, “Thank you very much, my son.”

Ken represents the second type of giver in the world: The Tentative Giver.

He gives more than just tokens, but he still holds back.

In his family, he gives himself to them tentatively.

He has a 50/50 approach to relationships. Because of this, his relationships are average. Not great.

Let me tell you why.

I’ve been married for 12 years and here’s one very important principle I’ve learned: Marriages don’t work if the husband gives 50% and the wife gives 50%. A marriage works only if the husband and the wife each give 100% to each other.

When it comes to relationships, you don’t measure what you give. You don’t count. You throw away the ruler.

You don’t say, “I rubbed your back, you should rub my back.” That’s not love, that’s business. That’s not love, that’s legal contracts.

When you love a person, and you feel like you’re giving more than he’s giving you—don’t be bitter. Because you know that even if you don’t count, God is counting. And the Law of the universe will be the one who will reward you.

(Note: When I talk this way, I’m not talking about tolerating abusive, or drunkard, or philandering husbands. That’s a totally different issue. I’m talking about healthy marriages here!)

In his job, it’s the same: Ken gives satisfactory work. But not great work. He never goes beyond average. He never exceeds expectations.

How many of you know this: Promotions doesn’t go to performance. Promotions go to superior performance.

Ken hasn’t been promoted. Because he doesn’t take initiative or develops himself. He doesn’t look for ways to become better, or get trained, or look for mentors.

In his spiritual life, it’s the same story.

He tries to follow God but doesn’t trust Him with his entire life. He holds back.

Not like Poy.

Poy, The Total Giver

It was Poy’s turn.

Poy brought his bayong to the cart, inverted it and unloaded everything. He now carried an empty bayong.

The old man said, “Thank you very much, my son.”

Poy represents the third kind of giver: The Total Giver.

Manny Pacquaio is a Poy in boxing.

Larry Bird is a Poy in basketball.

Gary V is a Poy in entertainment.

Jacky Chan is a Poy in making action movies.

Haven’t you noticed? If you want to be successful, you’ve got to be a little bit crazy. Insane. Illogical. Unreasonable. Fanatical.

Can you imagine doing 3000 sit-ups every day?

Or shooting 3-point shots while closing your eyes?

Or doing 2900 retakes for one scene?

They’re nuts.

But that’s Poy.

Poy knows the magic of giving his all.

Note: You also realize that there are two types of successful people in the world. First are those who are successful in one field only—but are dismal failures in other areas. The second are those who are successful in the most important areas of their lives. And you find these people living among us. And that’s what God wants for you!

Let me go back to Poy.

Poy gives his entire heart to his family. He doesn’t want an okay marriage. He’s committed to a great marriage. He doesn’t want to have an average relationship with his kids. Each day, he works to build deep bonds with them that will last forever.

In his job or business, Poy also works with passion. He loves what he does. And he loves his customers. For him, work is play. Because of this, he’s pro-active, takes initiative, gets training, hones his craft, and has a lifelong commitment to grow .

And in his relationship with God, Poy completely surrenders himself to Him. He trusts God. He follows God all the way. He gives his time, his talent, and his treasure to God.

I repeat my question: Who are you?

The Law Of The Universe

My story isn’t over.

As Poy stepped back with his empty bayong, lo and behold, the old beggar transformed and became a Wizard!

Instead of tattered rags, he now wore a golden robe.

He had a long beard and his face seemed shining.

The three brothers were so shocked, they could hardly speak or move.

The Wizard said, “The Law of the Universe says that whatever you give, you shall receive. It’s the Law of Reciprocity. So be ready to receive. How much will you receive? The measure that you used in giving will be the same measure used for rewarding you.”

And in a flash, POOF, the Wizard was gone.

The three brothers rubbed their eyes, wondering if it was all a dream. They walked home in a daze.

Because they were still in shock, none of them noticed that their bayongs were getting heavier with every step they took.

It was only when they reached home did they realize that something miraculous happened.

All their bayongs were filled to the brim!

Jack opened his bayong and shouted, “Ken, Poy, look! The 3 potatoesthat I gave the old man were now replaced by 3 bars of gold.”

Ken opened his bayong and said, “Half of my bayong filled with gold bars!”

And Poy opened his bayong, and saw all of it filled with gold bars!

Once again, tell me, who are you: Jack, Ken, or Poy?



Create A Bigger Vacuum

Once upon a time, I asked this question: Why is God so demanding?

Just look at the greatest commandment. Why does God want you to love Him with all your heart, with all your mind, and with all your strength. (Matthew 22:37)

Shouldn’t He be satisfied if you loved Him with half your heart, ¾ of your mind, and 58% of your strength?

Why does God want you to give your all?

Helloooooow.

God doesn’t need your time.

He’s the owner of eternity. He invented time.

God doesn’t need your talents, definitely.

He can just snap his finger and ten thousand battalions of angels kneel before him to serve.

And obviously, God doesn’t need your money.

He’s owns the universe.

So why does He want you to give your all?

Here’s why:

When you give, you create a vacuum.

An empty space.

When I was a kid, my Grade 6 science teacher said, “Nature abhors a vacuum.” Nature wants to automatically fill vacuums.

That’s why vacuums are powerful magnets.

That vacuum—that empty space—attracts blessings. What blessings? The stuff that you gave away will be returned to you, only of far better quality and greater quantity.

Listen carefully. The more you give, the bigger the vacuum you create. The bigger the vacuum, the stronger the magnet—and the more blessings you’ll attract into your life.

That’s why giving your all is the secret of big returns.

There’s magic when you give your All.

Because you also attract All that God wants to give to you.

This reminds me of a poor widow in the Bible.

The Secret of Big Returns

In Luke 21:1, it says…

Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. ”I tell you the truth,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”

How much are two small copper coins?

Scholars argue a lot here. These coins are called Lenta in Greek. Many scholars believe that those two small copper coins are equal to around P25 in our money today.

Here’s something that you need to know: To be a poor old widow in biblical times was Hell on earth.

I’m serious. By law, she couldn’t inherit the property of her husband. For this particular widow, her kids probably were very poor or didn’t care for her—that’s why she was poor.

Let me be honest with you.

If I were Jesus, and saw what she was about to do, I would have stopped her. I would have ran to the widow and said, “Lady, please. Be practical. You don’t have to give those two copper coins. How will you go home? Do you have something to eat tonight? Tomorrow? Hey, if you really want to give something, just give one. Because that’s all you’ve got.”

But Jesus didn’t do that.

He did something very disturbing: He praised her.

He honored her to the high heavens. He put her on a pedestal for the entire world to imitate. He really thought she did a great thing.

To Jesus, there’s magic in “Giving your all”.

And that’s what I want to share with you today.

Giving Your All has incredible magic.

It’s really the secret of big returns.

My Life

I’ve given my all to God.

Very imperfectly.

One of the things I gave to God was my youth. I started serving God when I was 12 years old.

People ask me all the time, “Bo, don’t you regret giving your life to God so early in life? You never tasted the world.”

I laugh.

And I tell them, “I’ve preached in 16 countries, visited 14 more nations, and preached in 38 cities in North America alone. I’ve written 18 bestselling books, performed in concerts, lived in slum areas, built non-profit organizations, started 12 businesses, and talked to presidents, judges, and cardinals. The world has become my playground.”

When I gave my all to God, He has given it back to me a hundredfold.

Friend, I urge you: Give your all to God.

Nothing Is Too Small For God

And don’t look down on how small your all is.

Nothing is too small for God.

Take a look at the Bible and see for yourself:

Moses used a simple walking stick to part the Red Sea and save an entire nation.

Gideon used a little trumpet to defeat the Midianite army.

Samson used a donkey’s jawbone to slay a thousand Philistines.

David used a stone picked up from a river to knock down the giant Goliath—and win back the honor of Israel.

Elisha used a piece of cloth to divide the Jordan River.

Peter used his shadow to heal the sick in Jerusalem.

And Jesus used five pieces of bread to feed the multitudes.

All Is Never Small



Perhaps you feel that you’re insignificant.

That you don’t amount to anything.

You feel like you’re that walking stick.

Or that little trumpet.

Or that jawbone.

Or that small stone.

Or that piece of cloth.

But I’ve got news for you: No matter how small you think you are, God has big plans for your life.

Really big!

I want you to believe that God has a big plan for your life.

Today, I urge you to give your all to God, so that you can receive all the blessings He wants for your life.

May your dreams come true,

Bo Sanchez

MY THOUGHTS

talk of going the extra mile. these champions seemed to have done more than that. "All is never small". I like that. lik that very much. sometimes we do our all. and nothing happens. worse, your "all" just brought you 5 paces back. my faith tells me, that;s how God planned it. it's like those pull back cars. you have to really pull back. hard. for the car to go speeding forward.