It is the time of year again where most people spend a lot of their time thinking about their loved one and what to give them as a show of their love.
Many consider it to be lucky to have someone they can share their joy and love with. Many are waiting for this very special moment all year long.
I guess most people would agree with me if I say that the number one gift you can give to your loved one is time. No other things are as valuable as time.
Are you still unsured about it? We know from history how many of our grand or grand-grand parents when they passed away, they left something called a will, whether it's a house, a trust fund, a car, etc. But, they also left something called a history. This history is the time that you have spent with together.
The word "I miss you", "I love you" can easily be translated to "I want to spend more time with you"
Time is boundless. It can cross land, water, even wall. It exists simultaneously in different places.
Some people get paid for their time spent at the workplace called wages. Some seems to get paid higher for their time than others.
But, regardless, everyone agrees how time is a valuable thing that one can possess.
Do you remember the concept "opportunity cost", which means as we spend our time doing something, we are not doing something at that moment. In other words, time continues and is not replacable.
So far, we have identified how time is valuable and irreplacable. What about this last description of time - it is eternal.
We know how in our society, we have put certain limitation in time with things such as calendar, clock, our aging bodies. But, in actuality, time is eternal. Maybe it's not eternal in this world we're living in right now, but it would be eternal when we leave our earthly bodies.
It is said that Christ has died so we may have eternal life. It may be hard to understand how that Christ, the son of God had spent His time in this earth, with the poor, unwanted, widows, lepers, sinners, tax collectors, ordinary people like us just because He loved us so much.
I just want to ask a simple question, how much time do you spend with your loved one? How much time do you give willingly to help others in needs?
...
I have good news for you ... many may have worried about how little of time they have and have been asking how could they give limited time for others? many wished they had more time so they can earn more money, etc. but looking back to the verse above, Christ has died so we may have eternal life.
It seems that God has given us all the time that we need to live according to His will. We no longer need to worry about not having enough time to help others or to work or to spend with our loved one, because we already have all the time that we need in this world to do what He had asked us to do.
"spend your time with your loved one."
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Friday, November 24, 2006
Thanksgiving '06
Here, we are again presenting another joyful day with the Lord in Elmhurst, Queens. God is faithful in protecting over His church. The day started off with the congregation worshipping and giving thanks to God for all the blessing God has given us. We were dancing and enjoying His presence. If you look at the picture above, you may wonder what happened during our thanksgiving service. Well, in short, there is a wedding ceremony, a birthday celebration, and of course, a free thanksgiving luncheon.
Here are a couple more pictures on your left from the service.Thanksgiving day is a national holiday in US, and this day is a special day, especially for some who could never make it to church on Sunday because of their work schedule.
The pastor shared the message about the Holy Spirit, how as Christians, it is very important to live according to the Spirit. The Holy Spirit will teach us how to pray, what to do, and always keep us align with God's will.
The food were great. There were different stations where you can choose your menu from: spicy (minang asli), not so spicy (forley cafe), hot food (bakwan campur), desert, roast pork (babi guling).
And of course, it didn't end there. I was kindly invited to a church member's house to join their thanksgiving dinner.
And so the blessing continues. Everyone shares their experiences, makes funny comments about "black friday" (the day after thanksgiving where many stores provide massive discounts on their products to mark the beginning of Christmas season), while eating the delicious turkey, mashed potato, sweet yam, crab meat soup, roast chicken...
Before the day ended, all the children posed by the stairwell, and gave their warmest thanksgiving smiles.
God bless.
Thursday, November 09, 2006
Whose Hand?
It's all in God's hands.
Problems, Joy, Friends, Jobs, Lives, Future.
If they are not, then they are in the wrong hands.
Problems, Joy, Friends, Jobs, Lives, Future.
If they are not, then they are in the wrong hands.
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Mistakes
"But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners." (Matthew 9:13)
I wonder how many times, we as human make mistakes. These mistakes will have consequences, whether we commit them to others (cheating, mocking, fighting) or to ourselves (smoking, drinking, drugs).
Think back to the time when you were in kindergarten: if it weren't for you teacher, would you know that hitting somebody on the head is wrong, or cutting someone's hair is bad. You were taught also that if you make a mistake to say sorry to the person whom you wronged.
And as you grow up, you learn more, "do unto others as you would want them do unto you".
I am here not to condemn anyone of their past mistakes, instead, to remind everyone, including myself how we sometimes forget that we also commit mistakes that are invisible to human eyes but not to the eyes of God.
How many times that we have wronged God. Would you say being indifference to God or ignoring God's Spirit is as bad as ignoring your friend? I know that they are not the same. But, think about it.
Remember the story of Zaccheus, a greedy tax collector. Jesus came to his house and dine with him. Everyone else think how could Jesus, a holy man eat with Zaccheus, the sinful collector.
Jesus didn't come to tell about all the bad things that Zaccheus has done. But, Jesus come to offer forgiveness to Zaccheus.
Repent because the kingdom of God is coming.
Just like to Zaccheus, Jesus wants us to acknowledge our mistakes, and learn from it. The Son of God, Jesus Christ has come to the world to sacrifice Himself, so our sins can be forgiven.
Come and ask Him to forgive your sins and to guide the rest of your life.
God bless.
I wonder how many times, we as human make mistakes. These mistakes will have consequences, whether we commit them to others (cheating, mocking, fighting) or to ourselves (smoking, drinking, drugs).
Think back to the time when you were in kindergarten: if it weren't for you teacher, would you know that hitting somebody on the head is wrong, or cutting someone's hair is bad. You were taught also that if you make a mistake to say sorry to the person whom you wronged.
And as you grow up, you learn more, "do unto others as you would want them do unto you".
I am here not to condemn anyone of their past mistakes, instead, to remind everyone, including myself how we sometimes forget that we also commit mistakes that are invisible to human eyes but not to the eyes of God.
How many times that we have wronged God. Would you say being indifference to God or ignoring God's Spirit is as bad as ignoring your friend? I know that they are not the same. But, think about it.
Remember the story of Zaccheus, a greedy tax collector. Jesus came to his house and dine with him. Everyone else think how could Jesus, a holy man eat with Zaccheus, the sinful collector.
Jesus didn't come to tell about all the bad things that Zaccheus has done. But, Jesus come to offer forgiveness to Zaccheus.
Repent because the kingdom of God is coming.
Just like to Zaccheus, Jesus wants us to acknowledge our mistakes, and learn from it. The Son of God, Jesus Christ has come to the world to sacrifice Himself, so our sins can be forgiven.
Come and ask Him to forgive your sins and to guide the rest of your life.
God bless.
Saturday, October 07, 2006
The Call of God
I was listening to the sermon from the 3 day fasting at Times Square Church, Pastor Patrick Pierre delivered a message from God that stresses the importance of being faithfull to the call of God, living our lives guided by the Holy Spirit, and seeking God daily.
On the 1st day, Pastor David Wilkerson the founding Pastor of Times Square Church told the story of Jonah and how Jonah wasn't being faithful to the call of God to preach at the city of Nineveh.
As I was listening to the two sermons, the Holy Spirit began to make connection with some of the things I was struggling in my spiritual walk.
Here's my story:
Many days I have spent wondering where my life is heading, whether I would like the place, career, or lives that God would bring me into.
It worried me so much in terms of what I should have been doing with my time.
Right now, I have two different jobs. I intern with a company in the morning helping out its Human Resource department, and in the afternoon, I work at a school in an after school program.
I don't even know where God is leading me next. And just by the nature of it, my jobs have absorbed a lot of energies and time: and with all this planning in place still I don't know where I am going.
After listening to the sermon, I had realized that a lot of times, I had spent stressing so much about my own plan and forgetting about the plan that God has for me. I can see that my actions are not agreeing with the fact that God's plan is better than mine.
And I also see that the focus for God's plan are totally different than mine. One is more unselfish than the other.
Everytime I pull my life into my own direction, I am slanting it from God's original plan. And overtime, I can miss God's target for my life.
Being faithful to your call is not easy. Sometimes, we don't see the result right away. Sometimes, we don't get anything back. But, we know that we know that God will always help us along the way.
I would just say one more thing: Be faithful to the call that God has for you.
Blessings,
Noel
On the 1st day, Pastor David Wilkerson the founding Pastor of Times Square Church told the story of Jonah and how Jonah wasn't being faithful to the call of God to preach at the city of Nineveh.
As I was listening to the two sermons, the Holy Spirit began to make connection with some of the things I was struggling in my spiritual walk.
Here's my story:
Many days I have spent wondering where my life is heading, whether I would like the place, career, or lives that God would bring me into.
It worried me so much in terms of what I should have been doing with my time.
Right now, I have two different jobs. I intern with a company in the morning helping out its Human Resource department, and in the afternoon, I work at a school in an after school program.
I don't even know where God is leading me next. And just by the nature of it, my jobs have absorbed a lot of energies and time: and with all this planning in place still I don't know where I am going.
After listening to the sermon, I had realized that a lot of times, I had spent stressing so much about my own plan and forgetting about the plan that God has for me. I can see that my actions are not agreeing with the fact that God's plan is better than mine.
And I also see that the focus for God's plan are totally different than mine. One is more unselfish than the other.
Everytime I pull my life into my own direction, I am slanting it from God's original plan. And overtime, I can miss God's target for my life.
Being faithful to your call is not easy. Sometimes, we don't see the result right away. Sometimes, we don't get anything back. But, we know that we know that God will always help us along the way.
I would just say one more thing: Be faithful to the call that God has for you.
Blessings,
Noel
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Walking with Him
Loving God the way you are called to do.
Remember the first time when you were walking down the street. Your parent held you by your hand. Your attention were on your parent's delicate hand and on the street ahead of you. You knew that that day would be your first time walking across the street.
Dragging your feet slowly left and right; you wished your parent just picked you up and carry you across. Why do I have to walk now?
Experience in life can be different between one person and the other, yet they consist of the same basic steps. Some children had to learn how to walk by themselves; some children had to learn walking from their brothers or sisters; some couldn't walk with their legs, etc. Yet, every children had to walk from one point of their lives to another point.
The same way, God teaches us to walk in this life. He gave us direction, on how to walk, what potholes to avoid, and where your focus should be.
Walking for the first time maybe the most exciting thing you have ever learned in your life. Similar to riding a bike, or driving your car, or writing, or reading. You were very proud of your achievement that you tell your parent: that you have master the lesson.
As we have grown older, our walking began to perfect itself. Your legs have grown stronger, you have developed your walking pace, you know how to get across the street safely.
Learning how to walk maybe not the hardest thing to learn in life, however, guiding your feet to the right place is crucial. This takes more time to develop.
There can be many distractions, signs on the street, but your goal is still to get across the street.
If you can walk today..look at where God wants you to walk, then start walking slowly by faith.
Remember the first time when you were walking down the street. Your parent held you by your hand. Your attention were on your parent's delicate hand and on the street ahead of you. You knew that that day would be your first time walking across the street.
Dragging your feet slowly left and right; you wished your parent just picked you up and carry you across. Why do I have to walk now?
Experience in life can be different between one person and the other, yet they consist of the same basic steps. Some children had to learn how to walk by themselves; some children had to learn walking from their brothers or sisters; some couldn't walk with their legs, etc. Yet, every children had to walk from one point of their lives to another point.
The same way, God teaches us to walk in this life. He gave us direction, on how to walk, what potholes to avoid, and where your focus should be.
Walking for the first time maybe the most exciting thing you have ever learned in your life. Similar to riding a bike, or driving your car, or writing, or reading. You were very proud of your achievement that you tell your parent: that you have master the lesson.
As we have grown older, our walking began to perfect itself. Your legs have grown stronger, you have developed your walking pace, you know how to get across the street safely.
Learning how to walk maybe not the hardest thing to learn in life, however, guiding your feet to the right place is crucial. This takes more time to develop.
There can be many distractions, signs on the street, but your goal is still to get across the street.
If you can walk today..look at where God wants you to walk, then start walking slowly by faith.
Monday, September 11, 2006
I shouldn't worry..why?
What a joy..what a joy...
I was listening to this commentary on the book of Acts. Somehow, God keeps resonating this lesson on my mind beginning on Sunday School lesson on Sunday morning. So, here it goes:
It is written on Acts 2:47, "The Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved."
Sometimes, I wonder, what is it that we, as brothers and sisters in Christ should be focusing on with our life.
Earlier on the chapter, it is written, "They [the first 120 believers] devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders nd miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people..." (Acts 42-47)
I think you would agree with me that God is pleased when He sees unity in His body.
In addition, I read earlier on chapter 1, the apostles asked Jesus, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?", then Jesus replied, "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But, you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." (v. 6-8)
There are many things that often consume our mind, hence, our time and our energy that we shouldn't have worried in the first place. There is a difference between worrying and thinking or planning of course. I would say that there is the seed of doubt in worrying.
There many instances where I found myself facing a dead end. It's just me and the black gigantic hole in front of me. I probably have the same thought as Moses when He faced the Red Sea, "Ok, now there's a big sea in front of me. I have bunch of people, family, and friends complaining to me. And people are running after me from behind; they probably are trying kill me or put me in prison. What should I do now?"
And here you go, there are also many instances where I have witnessed God's amazing work on my life for example in school, work, relationship, or life in general.
Someone says the following: There is a solution to everyone problem. And unfortunately, there are times, when I, myself have taken the wrong solution to my problem, making things worst than they were in the beginning.
But, as we read in the bible or have been shown many times by God, that the solutions lie within Him.
Take a moment in reading the following:
Peter delivered a message to devoted Jews people who were there celebrating Shavuot or Pentecost (50 days after Passover). Jews from every nation were there bewildered listening to their own language spoken by the 'Holy Spirit filled' believers (Acts 2:5-12)
The message was:
"Repent, and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." (Acts 2:38)
The whole bible is about repentance of our sins and trusting in Jesus, the Son of God who died for our sins.
That is what Jesus had taught us from the beginning. And we will hold it fast until He comes. Until then, be His witnesses wherever you are.
"The Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved."
If you'd like to study more about the book of Acts, listen to the following commentary by Bob Davis, a senior pastor of North Country Chapel in Idaho. http://www.blueletterbible.org/audio_video/davis_bob/Act/Acts_template.html
I was listening to this commentary on the book of Acts. Somehow, God keeps resonating this lesson on my mind beginning on Sunday School lesson on Sunday morning. So, here it goes:
It is written on Acts 2:47, "The Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved."
Sometimes, I wonder, what is it that we, as brothers and sisters in Christ should be focusing on with our life.
Earlier on the chapter, it is written, "They [the first 120 believers] devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders nd miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people..." (Acts 42-47)
I think you would agree with me that God is pleased when He sees unity in His body.
In addition, I read earlier on chapter 1, the apostles asked Jesus, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?", then Jesus replied, "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But, you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." (v. 6-8)
There are many things that often consume our mind, hence, our time and our energy that we shouldn't have worried in the first place. There is a difference between worrying and thinking or planning of course. I would say that there is the seed of doubt in worrying.
There many instances where I found myself facing a dead end. It's just me and the black gigantic hole in front of me. I probably have the same thought as Moses when He faced the Red Sea, "Ok, now there's a big sea in front of me. I have bunch of people, family, and friends complaining to me. And people are running after me from behind; they probably are trying kill me or put me in prison. What should I do now?"
And here you go, there are also many instances where I have witnessed God's amazing work on my life for example in school, work, relationship, or life in general.
Someone says the following: There is a solution to everyone problem. And unfortunately, there are times, when I, myself have taken the wrong solution to my problem, making things worst than they were in the beginning.
But, as we read in the bible or have been shown many times by God, that the solutions lie within Him.
Take a moment in reading the following:
Peter delivered a message to devoted Jews people who were there celebrating Shavuot or Pentecost (50 days after Passover). Jews from every nation were there bewildered listening to their own language spoken by the 'Holy Spirit filled' believers (Acts 2:5-12)
The message was:
"Repent, and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." (Acts 2:38)
The whole bible is about repentance of our sins and trusting in Jesus, the Son of God who died for our sins.
That is what Jesus had taught us from the beginning. And we will hold it fast until He comes. Until then, be His witnesses wherever you are.
"The Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved."
If you'd like to study more about the book of Acts, listen to the following commentary by Bob Davis, a senior pastor of North Country Chapel in Idaho. http://www.blueletterbible.org/audio_video/davis_bob/Act/Acts_template.html
Friday, September 08, 2006
Dream Job
The journey of getting to your dream job is a painstaking, unpredictable, frustrating yet is the most rewarding and memorable experience.
Remember the old cliche: what do you want to be when you grow up?
It seems that children have yet to learn to make a better prediction or forecast. How many doctors or astronauts do we have :)
Or better yet, maybe we (adults) ought to learn how to recognize that working is only a segment of one's life.
Just like the weather, or "if I hit a million dollar jackpot" wish, or significant other, or "I am going to live to be a hundred years old man/woman", an occupation is similar to the rest, they affect our lives but we have little say over them.
Here is a list of truth about career that I learn which God has taught over the course of life, which can also be applied to other aspects of life:
- Don't procrastinate: which means don't be lazy. God's timing is perfect, so when He told you to do it, do IT right away.
- Repent while time allows. Human makes mistakes (sinner), yet our God is a forgiving God. Don't let your past mistake burden you. Ask for forgiveness, learn from your mistakes, and move ON.
- The only true source of joy and fulfillment is God Himself: means, doing what God wants for you to do in your life, doing it for the purpose He wants you to do, otherwise you will keep looking and looking and will never find it :)
- Don't be selfish. "It's better to give then to receive." (Acts 20:35) Help your coworkers, volunteer your time.
- Don't be proud. "Apart from me you can do nothing." (John 15:5) All the gifts and talents come from Him. Guess what, He doesn't give it to us, so we misused them or be boastful about it. Remember in the Hebrew (Old) Testament, that God can remove King or Kingdom if He choose to do it.
- Use your talent for His glory. No cheating or beating your coworkers on the head, just to get a promotion :) And of course, be thankful on the skills that have been given to you.
Again remember that our job is only a part of life. It's like when God has made us from dust. Imagine how small we are, compared to the earth we live in. Yet, God numbers our hair and care for our soul.
Do the best on your job. Care about the spouse or families God has placed in your life. "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you." (Matthew 6:33) Don't waste your life and start living for Him. Start simply by inviting Him to your life, develop a relationship with Him, honor Him, and thank Him especially for the Son He gave to die for us.
Feel free to share your thoughts or comments. There are plenty of room to add to the list above.
God bless.
Remember the old cliche: what do you want to be when you grow up?
It seems that children have yet to learn to make a better prediction or forecast. How many doctors or astronauts do we have :)
Or better yet, maybe we (adults) ought to learn how to recognize that working is only a segment of one's life.
Just like the weather, or "if I hit a million dollar jackpot" wish, or significant other, or "I am going to live to be a hundred years old man/woman", an occupation is similar to the rest, they affect our lives but we have little say over them.
Here is a list of truth about career that I learn which God has taught over the course of life, which can also be applied to other aspects of life:
- Don't procrastinate: which means don't be lazy. God's timing is perfect, so when He told you to do it, do IT right away.
- Repent while time allows. Human makes mistakes (sinner), yet our God is a forgiving God. Don't let your past mistake burden you. Ask for forgiveness, learn from your mistakes, and move ON.
- The only true source of joy and fulfillment is God Himself: means, doing what God wants for you to do in your life, doing it for the purpose He wants you to do, otherwise you will keep looking and looking and will never find it :)
- Don't be selfish. "It's better to give then to receive." (Acts 20:35) Help your coworkers, volunteer your time.
- Don't be proud. "Apart from me you can do nothing." (John 15:5) All the gifts and talents come from Him. Guess what, He doesn't give it to us, so we misused them or be boastful about it. Remember in the Hebrew (Old) Testament, that God can remove King or Kingdom if He choose to do it.
- Use your talent for His glory. No cheating or beating your coworkers on the head, just to get a promotion :) And of course, be thankful on the skills that have been given to you.
Again remember that our job is only a part of life. It's like when God has made us from dust. Imagine how small we are, compared to the earth we live in. Yet, God numbers our hair and care for our soul.
Do the best on your job. Care about the spouse or families God has placed in your life. "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you." (Matthew 6:33) Don't waste your life and start living for Him. Start simply by inviting Him to your life, develop a relationship with Him, honor Him, and thank Him especially for the Son He gave to die for us.
Feel free to share your thoughts or comments. There are plenty of room to add to the list above.
God bless.
Sunday, September 03, 2006
Sacred Marriage - by Gary Thomas
I am reading this book "Sacred Marriage" by Gary Thomas. The book talks about about drawing closer to God as we draw closer to our spouse; about loving our God when we are loving our spouse; about serving your spouse in family; and many more. I encourage people to read this book, I guess it is best to be used by married couple or those who are in relationship, but It is definitely a good guide for loving and serving others. Let me know if you are reading the book or are interested in borrowing the book.
A few excerpts from the book :
" In the same way, some of us ask too much of marriage. We want to get the largest portion of our life's fulfillment from our relationship with our spouse. That's asking too much. Yes, without a doubt there should be moments of happiness, meaning, and a general sense of fulfillment. But, my wife can't be God, and I was created with a spirit that craves God. Anything less than God, and I'll feel an ache." (p.26)
"We can never love somebody too much...love must be acquired" (40) - to me this sentence meant that God commanded us to love Him with all our heart, soul, and mind and to love others (this includes people that you don't like or people that are "different" than you). We are called to sacrifice daily, to be broken and used by God. Whenever we heard the word break, sacrifice, it involves pain, hurt, etc. And that is love, and what you will encounter when you are called to love brother, sister, boss, homeless person, other Indonesians, Mexicans, Americans, the list can go on. But, Paul also reminded us in his letter, that love is patient, love is kind, it does not boast,...
"God doesn't command us to get married..." (42) - yet He commanded us to love others. The author also mentions that marriage is a choice in life that God has entrusted us to make. This means we have to take on all the luggages that comes with it: listening, "understanding, sympathize" (48)
I haven't finished the book, so I close with a verse from the bible I found on page 49 in the book: "If anyone says, 'I love God,' yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother" (1 John 4:20-12).
A few excerpts from the book :
" In the same way, some of us ask too much of marriage. We want to get the largest portion of our life's fulfillment from our relationship with our spouse. That's asking too much. Yes, without a doubt there should be moments of happiness, meaning, and a general sense of fulfillment. But, my wife can't be God, and I was created with a spirit that craves God. Anything less than God, and I'll feel an ache." (p.26)
"We can never love somebody too much...love must be acquired" (40) - to me this sentence meant that God commanded us to love Him with all our heart, soul, and mind and to love others (this includes people that you don't like or people that are "different" than you). We are called to sacrifice daily, to be broken and used by God. Whenever we heard the word break, sacrifice, it involves pain, hurt, etc. And that is love, and what you will encounter when you are called to love brother, sister, boss, homeless person, other Indonesians, Mexicans, Americans, the list can go on. But, Paul also reminded us in his letter, that love is patient, love is kind, it does not boast,...
"God doesn't command us to get married..." (42) - yet He commanded us to love others. The author also mentions that marriage is a choice in life that God has entrusted us to make. This means we have to take on all the luggages that comes with it: listening, "understanding, sympathize" (48)
I haven't finished the book, so I close with a verse from the bible I found on page 49 in the book: "If anyone says, 'I love God,' yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother" (1 John 4:20-12).
Monday, August 21, 2006
Praying for other people?
What to pray about?
One example, we can see from a letter that Paul wrote to the Colossians church (Colossians 1:9-14), "For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
How do we pray?
One way Jesus taught His disciples (Matthew 6:6), "But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."
Do I have to pray?
Well, yes. Because Jesus, Himself prays. His disciples also prays. Jesus commanded us to love God with all our heart, mind, and soul as well as to love one another.
Why do we pray?
Praying is like talking with someone, plus focusing all your time, energy, and mind into the person you are talking with about something. (Remember when Jesus prays in the garden, "his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground" (Luke 22:44)
Just like talking, praying can be in a form of giving thanks, asking, sharing your thoughts, ...
The more you spend time talking with someone, the more you know about that person :)
When can we pray?
Now :P, 24-7....
One example, we can see from a letter that Paul wrote to the Colossians church (Colossians 1:9-14), "For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
How do we pray?
One way Jesus taught His disciples (Matthew 6:6), "But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."
Do I have to pray?
Well, yes. Because Jesus, Himself prays. His disciples also prays. Jesus commanded us to love God with all our heart, mind, and soul as well as to love one another.
Why do we pray?
Praying is like talking with someone, plus focusing all your time, energy, and mind into the person you are talking with about something. (Remember when Jesus prays in the garden, "his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground" (Luke 22:44)
Just like talking, praying can be in a form of giving thanks, asking, sharing your thoughts, ...
The more you spend time talking with someone, the more you know about that person :)
When can we pray?
Now :P, 24-7....
Saturday, August 19, 2006
"Do not test Me", says the Lord
In the morning, when I woke up, God reminded of one thing: Do not test God.
Have you been in a position, where you don't know where you are going or not knowing what to do?
It seems that everything is fine. You are in a comfortable spot. You have everything in your life being taken care of.
Sometimes, you wonder, "If God wants my attention, won't He budge me from my seat? Or start an earth quake?"
Or sometimes, you wonder, "If what I am doing is wrong, wouldn't God stop me from doing it."
God is patient, and generous. But, I know that He is a loving God too. Wouldn't He come and rescue me?
"Why is he letting me to do this?," you may ask.
It says somewhere in the bible, that His commandments is written in our heart. We know somehow, that what we are doing is right or wrong.
But, we still lean toward making the bad decision anyway. "It feels good to me," you may say. "It's temporary though," some may add.
"So, what am I suppose to do now?" you may ask.
It says in the Bible that God will reward those who dilligently seeks Him. And all the commandments can be summed up to two: love your God with all your heart and soul, and love your neighbor.
You may not see the result right away. You may see yourself making a decision that is different than what you used to.
But, He or She who is in Christ is a new creation.
God loves you. He wants you to change the way you make your decision. It is no longer about our selfish desires anymore. Trust in the Lord always. He always keeps His promise.
Don't worry, you will see it at the end, when God says, "Well done, my faithful servant. Welcome Home."
Jesus loves you.
Have you been in a position, where you don't know where you are going or not knowing what to do?
It seems that everything is fine. You are in a comfortable spot. You have everything in your life being taken care of.
Sometimes, you wonder, "If God wants my attention, won't He budge me from my seat? Or start an earth quake?"
Or sometimes, you wonder, "If what I am doing is wrong, wouldn't God stop me from doing it."
God is patient, and generous. But, I know that He is a loving God too. Wouldn't He come and rescue me?
"Why is he letting me to do this?," you may ask.
It says somewhere in the bible, that His commandments is written in our heart. We know somehow, that what we are doing is right or wrong.
But, we still lean toward making the bad decision anyway. "It feels good to me," you may say. "It's temporary though," some may add.
"So, what am I suppose to do now?" you may ask.
It says in the Bible that God will reward those who dilligently seeks Him. And all the commandments can be summed up to two: love your God with all your heart and soul, and love your neighbor.
You may not see the result right away. You may see yourself making a decision that is different than what you used to.
But, He or She who is in Christ is a new creation.
God loves you. He wants you to change the way you make your decision. It is no longer about our selfish desires anymore. Trust in the Lord always. He always keeps His promise.
Don't worry, you will see it at the end, when God says, "Well done, my faithful servant. Welcome Home."
Jesus loves you.
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
Mortify The Desire of The Flesh!
Read the following excerpt from Colossians chapter 3 verse 5 -10:
5Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
6For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:
7In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.
8But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
9Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;
10And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
A couple words I'd like to elaborate of their meanings:
inordinate = Exceeding reasonable limits; immoderate, excessive
concupiscence = A strong desire, especially sexual desire; lust.
I was listening to a daily devotion for children. It mentions about the consequences of sin.
As human, we tend to make excuses for our mistakes (just like Adam or Eve). However, "these excuses won't change the fact that we have disobeyed." And of course, this can lead to God's wrath.
Well, Paul have clearly said that we have to mortify our fleshly desire. And the word "mortify" means 'to discipline (one's body and physical appetites) by self-denial or self-inflicted privation'. Paul didn't stop there, but he also continues to explain how we can mortify the deeds of our flesh, which is to put off the 'old man' and put on the 'new man' in us.
Our mind has to be renewed and transformed to the likeness of Christ. We should no longer live our lives the old ways when we didn't know Christ. But, we should strive to please God with our body, soul, and mind.
We should listen to what the Spirit have to say.
To break the chain off of addiction whether it is to drugs, smoking, alcohol, anger, etc. will be almost as impossible if we do it with our own strength.
I am battling a type of addiction myself. However, I remember that day when I invited Jesus Christ into my life. The addiction went gradually disappearing.
At times, the temptation might come to us again. No one say that it takes only one Knocked Out punch.
Christ is on our side now. He is our faithful trainer. He is our faithful medicine man. He will care for us until we finish the game. However, our trainer won't let us just stand there in the middle of the ring acting like a punching bag.
Jesus, our trainer wants us to fight back. He wants us to evade. He wants us to run around. He wants us to punch back and knock the enemy out.
As Ephesians 4:27 says, "Do not give the devil a foothold." It continues on to Ephesians 5:15-21, "15Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. 18Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. 19Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, 20always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
21Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ."
Remember be filled with the Spirit.
Jesus loves you.
5Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
6For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:
7In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.
8But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
9Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;
10And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
A couple words I'd like to elaborate of their meanings:
inordinate = Exceeding reasonable limits; immoderate, excessive
concupiscence = A strong desire, especially sexual desire; lust.
I was listening to a daily devotion for children. It mentions about the consequences of sin.
As human, we tend to make excuses for our mistakes (just like Adam or Eve). However, "these excuses won't change the fact that we have disobeyed." And of course, this can lead to God's wrath.
Well, Paul have clearly said that we have to mortify our fleshly desire. And the word "mortify" means 'to discipline (one's body and physical appetites) by self-denial or self-inflicted privation'. Paul didn't stop there, but he also continues to explain how we can mortify the deeds of our flesh, which is to put off the 'old man' and put on the 'new man' in us.
Our mind has to be renewed and transformed to the likeness of Christ. We should no longer live our lives the old ways when we didn't know Christ. But, we should strive to please God with our body, soul, and mind.
We should listen to what the Spirit have to say.
To break the chain off of addiction whether it is to drugs, smoking, alcohol, anger, etc. will be almost as impossible if we do it with our own strength.
I am battling a type of addiction myself. However, I remember that day when I invited Jesus Christ into my life. The addiction went gradually disappearing.
At times, the temptation might come to us again. No one say that it takes only one Knocked Out punch.
Christ is on our side now. He is our faithful trainer. He is our faithful medicine man. He will care for us until we finish the game. However, our trainer won't let us just stand there in the middle of the ring acting like a punching bag.
Jesus, our trainer wants us to fight back. He wants us to evade. He wants us to run around. He wants us to punch back and knock the enemy out.
As Ephesians 4:27 says, "Do not give the devil a foothold." It continues on to Ephesians 5:15-21, "15Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. 18Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. 19Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, 20always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
21Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ."
Remember be filled with the Spirit.
Jesus loves you.
Friday, June 16, 2006
Temptation..temptation.
Do not think that temptation will not come your way as you continue your walk with God. A friend once told me the road to heaven is surrounded by many devils tempting you to turn your way around.
The devils will ask you to stop by one of their booth giving out free gifts to slow your pace down. But, don't get me wrong, don't start thinking that the lies or deceptions of the enemis are funny or games to play with.
I know you've heard of this: if you play with fire, you are going to get yourself burned.
Look at 1 John 4: "This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God...You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world." (v.2-4)
Love God with all your heart, mind, and soul. Know this, that when other things have passed away, but the love of God will always guide your spirit.
His Spirit that lives in us knows who He is. Stop giving in to your temptation. Ask God for boldness and a pure heart. Remember that His Spirit lives in you. Do not be afraid. Do not be confused by the lies of the enemies. God wants us to be purified and free from sin. Do not give in easily, ask God for His help even to the point of drawing your last breath.
The devils will ask you to stop by one of their booth giving out free gifts to slow your pace down. But, don't get me wrong, don't start thinking that the lies or deceptions of the enemis are funny or games to play with.
I know you've heard of this: if you play with fire, you are going to get yourself burned.
Look at 1 John 4: "This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God...You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world." (v.2-4)
Love God with all your heart, mind, and soul. Know this, that when other things have passed away, but the love of God will always guide your spirit.
His Spirit that lives in us knows who He is. Stop giving in to your temptation. Ask God for boldness and a pure heart. Remember that His Spirit lives in you. Do not be afraid. Do not be confused by the lies of the enemies. God wants us to be purified and free from sin. Do not give in easily, ask God for His help even to the point of drawing your last breath.
Monday, June 12, 2006
Which way is God's way?
It says this in Proverbs 19:21, "Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails."
When we are indecisive, confused, battered by many decisions that we have to make in our life, remember that God is still in control of your life.
But, don't stop there. Ask Him, to grant you peace while He brings you out of the valley.
Also, remember that in times of trials like these: the only one you can trust is His promises: nothing else, not even our own understanding.
In Proverbs 3:5-6, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on our own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."
Don't think that the more you dwell on a problem, the closer you are getting to the solutions.
However, if you draw closer to God (which by the way, God actually wants you to bring everything that you have to Him), He will grant you peace and solution to them.
Remember, do not focus on earthly things; do not focus on doing things; do not worry; but instead bring all the yolks to Him: ASAP.
The answer is waiting at the door. He is the Apha & Omega; Beginning & End.
Blessings,
Noel
When we are indecisive, confused, battered by many decisions that we have to make in our life, remember that God is still in control of your life.
But, don't stop there. Ask Him, to grant you peace while He brings you out of the valley.
Also, remember that in times of trials like these: the only one you can trust is His promises: nothing else, not even our own understanding.
In Proverbs 3:5-6, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on our own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."
Don't think that the more you dwell on a problem, the closer you are getting to the solutions.
However, if you draw closer to God (which by the way, God actually wants you to bring everything that you have to Him), He will grant you peace and solution to them.
Remember, do not focus on earthly things; do not focus on doing things; do not worry; but instead bring all the yolks to Him: ASAP.
The answer is waiting at the door. He is the Apha & Omega; Beginning & End.
Blessings,
Noel
Sunday, June 04, 2006
Lord, what should I do now?
Don't worry if you don't have anything to do right now.
Sometimes life can be void, feels like there is no hope and no end.
We wonder sometimes why we were created in the beginning. If there's nothing else besides going to school, going to work, sleeping and eating. There must be something else more than all the above.
But, why sometimes we are standing, or sitting idle. Thinking, how can I waste the next few hours before I go to bed, or until I have enough interest for my homework.
Do you believe that when Christ was on the cross, before He gave His Spirit up, He said, "It is finished." (John 19:30) What do you think He meant by that?
I used to think that if Jesus has finished everything, then what else is there for me to do. Should I just be holding on this tiny rope until the day He comes back, just resisting all these evil desires from within and without.
Well, apparently not, I have some Good News for you guys, all those who believes in Jesus Christ as the Messiah, that He has pardoned our sin, restore our relationship back with the Father. This way, we can go back to heaven where the He and the Father now lives.
So, simple of a questions right, "Does God have anything for me to do in this earth, while I'm waiting for His second return?"
Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." (John 20:21)
Isn't that a good news. God Himself is sending us. What, or where do you ask. Before, we go to that point. Let's see what else He said after that.
"And with that he breathed on them and said, Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven." (John 20:22-23)
From here and other scriptures, we know that God's Holy Spirit is our Comforter. We can do many great things, to pray, to heal the sick, the blind, the mime through His Holy Spirit. We can do all things through Christ whose strengthen me, Paul mentioned on one of his book.
I can go on and on right. :) But, today I just want to share how God has a plan for each and everyone of us, whether to help the poor, to heal the broken hearted, to go minister to a widow, to help the children, or to share His word on the street. No matter what "your calling" is, they are for His glory.
And we do them because we are now partaker of His sufferings and peace. If you're injured now, remember that nothing can separate you from God's eternal love. If you are in peace now, you can rest in Him like Mary. Spend time, knowing Him. It's not about our works, or how much work we are doing for Him.
Obey His simple command: Love Him with all your heart, strength, and mind. Love one another (this includes your enemies). Rely totally on His Holy Spirit. If you are indecisive, whether to do something or not. Pray, and ask for guidance. Remember, it's not about our works. But, it's about leaning and trusting the Lord. Do not lean on your own understanding (Prov 3:5)
God will help you.
I hope this blesses your heart, as it did mine.
Lastly, Jesus said, "Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some." When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.
"Feed my sheep."
God bless,
Noel
Sometimes life can be void, feels like there is no hope and no end.
We wonder sometimes why we were created in the beginning. If there's nothing else besides going to school, going to work, sleeping and eating. There must be something else more than all the above.
But, why sometimes we are standing, or sitting idle. Thinking, how can I waste the next few hours before I go to bed, or until I have enough interest for my homework.
Do you believe that when Christ was on the cross, before He gave His Spirit up, He said, "It is finished." (John 19:30) What do you think He meant by that?
I used to think that if Jesus has finished everything, then what else is there for me to do. Should I just be holding on this tiny rope until the day He comes back, just resisting all these evil desires from within and without.
Well, apparently not, I have some Good News for you guys, all those who believes in Jesus Christ as the Messiah, that He has pardoned our sin, restore our relationship back with the Father. This way, we can go back to heaven where the He and the Father now lives.
So, simple of a questions right, "Does God have anything for me to do in this earth, while I'm waiting for His second return?"
Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." (John 20:21)
Isn't that a good news. God Himself is sending us. What, or where do you ask. Before, we go to that point. Let's see what else He said after that.
"And with that he breathed on them and said, Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven." (John 20:22-23)
From here and other scriptures, we know that God's Holy Spirit is our Comforter. We can do many great things, to pray, to heal the sick, the blind, the mime through His Holy Spirit. We can do all things through Christ whose strengthen me, Paul mentioned on one of his book.
I can go on and on right. :) But, today I just want to share how God has a plan for each and everyone of us, whether to help the poor, to heal the broken hearted, to go minister to a widow, to help the children, or to share His word on the street. No matter what "your calling" is, they are for His glory.
And we do them because we are now partaker of His sufferings and peace. If you're injured now, remember that nothing can separate you from God's eternal love. If you are in peace now, you can rest in Him like Mary. Spend time, knowing Him. It's not about our works, or how much work we are doing for Him.
Obey His simple command: Love Him with all your heart, strength, and mind. Love one another (this includes your enemies). Rely totally on His Holy Spirit. If you are indecisive, whether to do something or not. Pray, and ask for guidance. Remember, it's not about our works. But, it's about leaning and trusting the Lord. Do not lean on your own understanding (Prov 3:5)
God will help you.
I hope this blesses your heart, as it did mine.
Lastly, Jesus said, "Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some." When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.
"Feed my sheep."
God bless,
Noel
Open Heart Surgery
Cry no longer...
Christ has redeemed your soul...
Wonder if there would be hope when you you open up your eyes...
See for yourselves...
Hear for yourselves...
See it...
Beautiful isn't it...
The promises that God has for you and me...
No other Name on this earth compared to His...
Would you please...
Luv u all...
Christ has redeemed your soul...
Wonder if there would be hope when you you open up your eyes...
See for yourselves...
Hear for yourselves...
See it...
Beautiful isn't it...
The promises that God has for you and me...
No other Name on this earth compared to His...
Would you please...
Luv u all...
Friday, June 02, 2006
4 stepping stones and 3 stumbling blocks
"The New Testament was originally written in Greek and that language has four words for "love" - agape, philia, storge and eros." - http://www.cfcindia.com/web/mainpages/book_window.php?book=sex_love_and_marriage
Stepping Stones:
- Christ Love (agape)
- Giving instead of Receiving
- His Will instead of Ours
- Living for Others instead of Self
Stumbling Blocks:
- Vain Imagination
- Jealousy
- Idols / Blindness
Stepping Stones:
- Christ Love (agape)
- Giving instead of Receiving
- His Will instead of Ours
- Living for Others instead of Self
Stumbling Blocks:
- Vain Imagination
- Jealousy
- Idols / Blindness
True Love?
Christ has never intended to make robots.
He had created us in His image (Gen 2:27). Have you ever wondered why God never really push us to do things? You ask, "God, if You really want me to be holy, why can't you just take away my life and just zap me into heaven."
He wanted to show us what it means by True Love.
When God said, "I love the world (us) so much that He gave His only begotten Son, so whoever believes in Him will not perish but have an everlasting life." He truly meant this statement. Jesus came humbly to earth, leaving His "comfort zone" to be with us and redeem us from the bondage of sin.
Well, you would say that He's a creator of the universe right, why can't He just create a new world, and destroy the earth and its content.
But, God wants to show us a bigger thing. He never failed to keep His promise. And I would like to share something I have learned recently: the meaning of True Love.
Let me start by giving a simple illustration:
A wife had learned to develop a trust for his husband after so many years being together. She said, "I didn't lock my husband away in a room for 365 days, 24-7 so he can't go anywhere or go with other woman.
But, my trust for my husband grows everytime I realize the fact that my husband goes out to a city, where there are so many attractive or beautiful women there, yet he still comes home."
Obviously the story didn't end there, the couple needed to share about their feelings to each other in truth.
She continued, "But, my love for my husband would stop growing if I had stopped from drawing from the well (source of my life), which is Jesus Christ."
God loves His children so much. Sometimes, in times of trouble or when we are angry or confused we tend to say, "God, I don't believe you" or "I don't think you care for me."
God simply respond, "My son or my daughter, I'm here with you. You may not see me now, but I'm here with you all the way, until the end. I hear you when you cry and when you pray."
God loves His children as is. "He wants them to grow from image to image, from glory to glory to be more like Him everyday." (2 Cor 3:18) "Be Holy because I am holy." (1 Peter 1:16)
We know that we have all the temptation in the world coming against us. But, we don't have to follow our fleshly desire, fall into sin and die (James 1:15). I know that all of us have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Rom 3:23) with no exception. But, remember God's promise for us is to bring us back to be with the Father and have fellowship with Him.
We have to make choices daily. One thing I would like to encourage us today: Ask God to reveal His love for you, and start loving Him with all of your heart and mind, believing God that He always keep His promise, "Ask, and it will be given you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and it will be opened for you." (Matthew 7:7)
God Bless,
Noel
He had created us in His image (Gen 2:27). Have you ever wondered why God never really push us to do things? You ask, "God, if You really want me to be holy, why can't you just take away my life and just zap me into heaven."
He wanted to show us what it means by True Love.
When God said, "I love the world (us) so much that He gave His only begotten Son, so whoever believes in Him will not perish but have an everlasting life." He truly meant this statement. Jesus came humbly to earth, leaving His "comfort zone" to be with us and redeem us from the bondage of sin.
Well, you would say that He's a creator of the universe right, why can't He just create a new world, and destroy the earth and its content.
But, God wants to show us a bigger thing. He never failed to keep His promise. And I would like to share something I have learned recently: the meaning of True Love.
Let me start by giving a simple illustration:
A wife had learned to develop a trust for his husband after so many years being together. She said, "I didn't lock my husband away in a room for 365 days, 24-7 so he can't go anywhere or go with other woman.
But, my trust for my husband grows everytime I realize the fact that my husband goes out to a city, where there are so many attractive or beautiful women there, yet he still comes home."
Obviously the story didn't end there, the couple needed to share about their feelings to each other in truth.
She continued, "But, my love for my husband would stop growing if I had stopped from drawing from the well (source of my life), which is Jesus Christ."
God loves His children so much. Sometimes, in times of trouble or when we are angry or confused we tend to say, "God, I don't believe you" or "I don't think you care for me."
God simply respond, "My son or my daughter, I'm here with you. You may not see me now, but I'm here with you all the way, until the end. I hear you when you cry and when you pray."
God loves His children as is. "He wants them to grow from image to image, from glory to glory to be more like Him everyday." (2 Cor 3:18) "Be Holy because I am holy." (1 Peter 1:16)
We know that we have all the temptation in the world coming against us. But, we don't have to follow our fleshly desire, fall into sin and die (James 1:15). I know that all of us have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Rom 3:23) with no exception. But, remember God's promise for us is to bring us back to be with the Father and have fellowship with Him.
We have to make choices daily. One thing I would like to encourage us today: Ask God to reveal His love for you, and start loving Him with all of your heart and mind, believing God that He always keep His promise, "Ask, and it will be given you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and it will be opened for you." (Matthew 7:7)
God Bless,
Noel
Monday, May 29, 2006
Sin can be deceiving!
Sometimes to know whether we are doing things, right or wrong, we look at how we feel. Then, we keep a score resulted from our trials and errors.
I wonder what is your score looking like right now. Are you still feeling confused? Because your method is not foul-proof.
Well, that's because we shouldn't be basing our decision on our feeling.
God doesn't want us to be lead by our feelings or emotions. However, He wants us to seek the truth which is in Him.
Don't trust on your own feeling or understanding, however, rely heavily on Him and His Word.
There will be many false doctrine or interpretation. That is why in this last day and age, we have to seek the truth and hold on tightly to God, our Maker, for decision that we make.
You would think that sin is like fire or brimstone that will burn your finger as you touch them, yet it is just exactly the opposite.
Satan had deceived the first mankind by using something that is pleasing to the eyes. You wouldn't think that disobeying God can cause such huge separation between God and mankind.
I urge you. When you are to make a sound judgment, please pray to God first for direction and to guide you through His Word. And stop relying on own logic or understanding.
Know that with God, there is nothing that is impossible for Him to do.
Rely on God's wise decision.
Your brethern,
Noel
I wonder what is your score looking like right now. Are you still feeling confused? Because your method is not foul-proof.
Well, that's because we shouldn't be basing our decision on our feeling.
God doesn't want us to be lead by our feelings or emotions. However, He wants us to seek the truth which is in Him.
Don't trust on your own feeling or understanding, however, rely heavily on Him and His Word.
There will be many false doctrine or interpretation. That is why in this last day and age, we have to seek the truth and hold on tightly to God, our Maker, for decision that we make.
You would think that sin is like fire or brimstone that will burn your finger as you touch them, yet it is just exactly the opposite.
Satan had deceived the first mankind by using something that is pleasing to the eyes. You wouldn't think that disobeying God can cause such huge separation between God and mankind.
I urge you. When you are to make a sound judgment, please pray to God first for direction and to guide you through His Word. And stop relying on own logic or understanding.
Know that with God, there is nothing that is impossible for Him to do.
Rely on God's wise decision.
Your brethern,
Noel
Sunday, May 21, 2006
Knowing who He is?
Listen to His voice...
Still can't hear Him...
Wait for another second...
Wait for another minute...
Wait for another hour...
Still can't hear Him...
Then say, "God, I want to hear your voice"
God promises that He will answer our prayer, when we knock His door. But, make sure that you are there at the door when He opens the door.
Knock once...knock twice...knock thrice...
Come back the next day...the day after tomorrow...again...again...
Come boldly to the throne of grace. He is there by your side listening to every single beat from your heart.
Do you remember His promise that He will not let a single of your hair touch the ground without His acknowledgment?
This is another promise of His:
"Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what [is] the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to [the will of] God. "
Romans 8:26-27
His Spirit makes intercession for us to God as the Lord searches our heart for that faith of a mustard seed.
Do you believe that promise? God notices our cries for His help, even a cry that comes from that tiny cry of faith of a mustard seed.
Where is it now? Well, He also says:
"For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?
But if we hope for that we see not, [then] do we with patience wait for [it]."
Romans 8:24-25
God wants us to have our trust in Him. God wants us to hope and not despair.
"Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost"
Romans 15:13
Would you trust Him, the God of hope who has sent His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ to deliver those who were in bondage but had placed their trusts in Him?
God, we welcome you in our heart at this hour by your Spirit of truth, set us free and may we honor You through the redemption of Your Son, Jesus Christ.
Still can't hear Him...
Wait for another second...
Wait for another minute...
Wait for another hour...
Still can't hear Him...
Then say, "God, I want to hear your voice"
God promises that He will answer our prayer, when we knock His door. But, make sure that you are there at the door when He opens the door.
Knock once...knock twice...knock thrice...
Come back the next day...the day after tomorrow...again...again...
Come boldly to the throne of grace. He is there by your side listening to every single beat from your heart.
Do you remember His promise that He will not let a single of your hair touch the ground without His acknowledgment?
This is another promise of His:
"Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what [is] the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to [the will of] God. "
Romans 8:26-27
His Spirit makes intercession for us to God as the Lord searches our heart for that faith of a mustard seed.
Do you believe that promise? God notices our cries for His help, even a cry that comes from that tiny cry of faith of a mustard seed.
Where is it now? Well, He also says:
"For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?
But if we hope for that we see not, [then] do we with patience wait for [it]."
Romans 8:24-25
God wants us to have our trust in Him. God wants us to hope and not despair.
"Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost"
Romans 15:13
Would you trust Him, the God of hope who has sent His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ to deliver those who were in bondage but had placed their trusts in Him?
God, we welcome you in our heart at this hour by your Spirit of truth, set us free and may we honor You through the redemption of Your Son, Jesus Christ.
Sunday, April 23, 2006
Friday, March 24, 2006
Your calling?
"God has a plan for your life!"
I'm sure you have heard this many times in your life. Maybe long before you accept Christ as your Lord and Savior, one came up to you and gave you this message. Or maybe, after a couple of years you have your walk with Christ.
Jesus had called His disciples to follow Him, a very simple call. And at that moment, you began a very trusting relationship with your Savior. You don't know where you are going, but you know for sure that you are with Christ, the only way, truth, and life.
Whether you are tall, skinny, grew beard, have long hair, dark, or simply the opposites, God has a plan for you.
But first, we have to believe that God has a call for your life. Some people don't care about knowing God's plan in their life, they are too consumed with their own planning. However, for those who believe with all their heart, soul, and mind that God is their life focus, God will call your name like he did to Samuel, or Cephas.
John the baptist introduced his disciples to Christ, "Behold the Lamb of God!" (Jn 1:36). And the disciples followed Him.
Paul encourages the believers in his letter of Roman:
"If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit"(Galatians 5:25)
I'm sure you have heard this many times in your life. Maybe long before you accept Christ as your Lord and Savior, one came up to you and gave you this message. Or maybe, after a couple of years you have your walk with Christ.
Jesus had called His disciples to follow Him, a very simple call. And at that moment, you began a very trusting relationship with your Savior. You don't know where you are going, but you know for sure that you are with Christ, the only way, truth, and life.
Whether you are tall, skinny, grew beard, have long hair, dark, or simply the opposites, God has a plan for you.
But first, we have to believe that God has a call for your life. Some people don't care about knowing God's plan in their life, they are too consumed with their own planning. However, for those who believe with all their heart, soul, and mind that God is their life focus, God will call your name like he did to Samuel, or Cephas.
John the baptist introduced his disciples to Christ, "Behold the Lamb of God!" (Jn 1:36). And the disciples followed Him.
Paul encourages the believers in his letter of Roman:
"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."
(Romans 12:1-2)
He is saying to the believers that God has plan for their lives, and the only way to know or prove that is by setting your mind to Christ, and less on your own goals or achievements.
God has laid everything out through Christ, and when Christ has said, "It is finished." It truly means that it is finished. The whole plan has been laid out, John in the last chapter of revelation clearly describes howGod is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last (v.13) He is our plan from the beginning until the end. And in verse 14, the angel ministered to John saying, "Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city."
To conclude this message, I believe that to know God's plan for our lives, is to simply obey Him, and follow Him (action) in the Spirit. Whether it means to read and meditate on His words day and night, or to be obedience to His words even when it means to be outside of our comfort zone.
It is very encouraging to see our brothers and sisters in Christ who have gone before us into the ministry of Christ. One example is Nicky Cruz, from his book "One Holy Fire", Nicky Cruz mentions about the importance of seeing people as God sees them. He quoted from 1 John 3:17:
"But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?"
And Isaiah 58:6-7,9-10:"Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?
Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?
Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity;
And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noon day:"
So, to me, God's plan for our lives does not have to be that complicated as to what country, what ministry, or what age. Many probably would agree with me that as we simply obey His Spirit, we are already in His plan, and soon or later, we found ourselves working along side with our brothers and sisters in Christ ministering to the Lost, the Blind, or the Lame."If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit"(Galatians 5:25)
Thursday, March 23, 2006
Best day of my life?
I just can't describe how I'm feeling today, but obviously it's not about my feeling anymore. But, it's all about God's grace to us, His creation.
Have you tasted His love and seen His love? Indescribable.
I wonder why God loves us so much that He gave His only begotten Son to save us the lost generation.
Now, I kind of get a small glimpse of what His grace means.
We don't deserve them...It's like we're a young baby, and being carried to our moms' bossom. All we could do is to rest, snuggle, cry...
We can only cry...babies sometimes want to say to their parents, "I love you dad, mom, so much for taking care of me" but they couldn't as they haven't mastered our language yet. Babies don't have the thought of stealing, murder, adultery as they haven't been influenced by our dismal culture. They can only cry...
We are always His children...it's weird, being a child of someone means that you will always that person's child. In other words, unlike divorce, your parents can't divorce you and say that you're not their children because you have their blood in you. The same case with us, being God's creation. No one can say that we are not His creation.
14
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
15
For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
16
The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
Have you tasted His love and seen His love? Indescribable.
I wonder why God loves us so much that He gave His only begotten Son to save us the lost generation.
Now, I kind of get a small glimpse of what His grace means.
We don't deserve them...It's like we're a young baby, and being carried to our moms' bossom. All we could do is to rest, snuggle, cry...
We can only cry...babies sometimes want to say to their parents, "I love you dad, mom, so much for taking care of me" but they couldn't as they haven't mastered our language yet. Babies don't have the thought of stealing, murder, adultery as they haven't been influenced by our dismal culture. They can only cry...
We are always His children...it's weird, being a child of someone means that you will always that person's child. In other words, unlike divorce, your parents can't divorce you and say that you're not their children because you have their blood in you. The same case with us, being God's creation. No one can say that we are not His creation.
14
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
15
For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
16
The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
Saturday, March 18, 2006
Lyrics II
Tuhan Gembalaku / The Lord is my shepherd
Tuhan gembalaku
Ku ikut selalu
Di padang rumput hijau
Ku ikut selalu
S'lalu, s'lalu
Ku ikut selalu
(2x)
The Lord is my Shepherd
I'll walk with Him always
He leads through green pastures
I'll walk with Him always
Always, always
I'll walk with Him always
(2x)
Jesus loves me/ Yesus sayang padaku
Jesus loves me this I know
For the Bible tells me so
Little ones to Him belong
They are weak, but He is strong
Yes Jesus loves me (3x)
The Bible tells me so
Yesus sayang padaku
Alkitab mengajarku
Walau'ku kecil lemah
Aku ini milikNya
Yesus Tuhanku, Sayang padaku
Itu firmanNya, di dalam Alkitab
Yesus di dalam rumahku
Yesus di dalam rumahku,
Senang-senanglah (3x)
Yesus di dalam rumahku,
Senang-senanglah (2x)
When Jesus in the family.
Happy=happy home
Cu Yesu cai wo cia ding cung.
Kwai lo kwai lo ya
Jap Yesu mere garmen he,
kusy-kusy he
God is so good
God is so good (3x)
He's so good to me
He answers prayer (3x)
He's so good to me
I love Him so (3x)
He's so good to me
I praise His name (3x)
He's so good to me
Kambing embe-embe
Kambing embe-embe
Kucing meong-meong
Katak teot teblung, teot teblung
Tetapi anak Tuhan, selalu bergembira
Pujilah Haleluya.
Naik kereta
Sungguh senangnya naik kereta
Kereta besar buatan Tuhan
Supirnya Yesus, Jalannya lurus
Siapa mau ikut pergi ke surga
Aduh celeka naik kereta
Kereta kecil buatan iblis
Supirnya ngantuk tak bisa duduk
Jalannya nubruk-nubruk
Menuju ke neraka
Aku bahagia
Aku bahagia, bahagia, bahagia, bahagia
Aku bahagia, bahagia karena Tuhan Yesus
Angkat
(bebanku/cengengku/takutku/dosaku)
Yesus angkat
(bebanku/cengengku/takutku/dosaku)
dan buang ke laut
byuur..buang ke laut byuur..
Buang ke laut.
Aduh senangnya
Aduh-aduh senangnya
Aduh-aduh indahnya jadi anak Tuhan
Tuhan datang. Tuhan datang
Tersenyum padaku u..u..u..
Aku disayang m..m..m..
Aduh senangnya
Pasukan berjalan
Saya bukan pasukan berjalan
Pasukan berkuda, pasukan menembak
Saya tidak menembaki musuh
Tapi saya laskar Kristus
Saya laskar Kristus (Siap gerak) 2x.
Hati-hati gunakan tanganmu
Hati-hati gunakan [tanganmu/kakimu/mulutmu)
Hati-hati gunakan [tanganmu/kakimu/mulutmu)
Kar'na Bapa di surga
Melihat ke bawah
Hati-hati gunakan [tanganmu/kakimu/mulutmu)
Dengar dia panggil nama saya
Dengar Dia panggil nama saya
Dengar Dia panggil namamu
Dengar Dia panggil nama saya
Juga Dia panggil namamu
O..giranglah
O..giranglah
Yesus amat cinta pada saya
O..giranglah
Happy ya, ya, ya
Happy ya, ya, ya
Happy ye, ye, ye
Aku senang jadi anak Tuhan
Siang jadi kenangan
Malam jadi impian
Cintaku semakin mendalam
Jesus loves the Little children / Tuhan cinta semua anak
Jesus loves the little children
All the children of the world
Red and yellow
Black and white
They are precious in His sight
Jesus lvoes the little children of the world
Tuhan cinta semua [anak/bangsa]
Semua [anak/bangsa] di dunia
Kuning, putih dan hitam,
Semua dicinta Tuhan
Tuhan cinta semua [anak/bangsa] di dunia
Yesus itulah satu-satunya
Yesus itulah satu-satunya
Penolongku yang sungguh
Ia berjanji akan kembali
Ia berjanji akan kembali
Angkat kita semua
Oh..Oh..Oh..
Haleluya puji Tuhan
Upahmu besar di surga
Tuahn Kau gembala kami
Tuhan, Kau gembala kami
Tuntun kami domba-Mu
B'rilah kami menikmati
Hikmat pengorbanan-Mu
Tuhan Yesus Juru s'lamat
Kami ini milik-Mu
Tuhan Yesus Juru s'lamat
Kami ini milik-Mu
Baca Kitab Suci
Baca kitab suci, doa tiap hari
Doa tiap hari, doa tiap hari
Baca kitab suci, doa tiap hari
kalau mau tumbuh. Kalau mau tumbuh,
kalau mau tumbuh, glori Haleluya
Baca kitab suci, doa tiap hari
Kalau mau tumbuh
Hari ini harinya Tuhan
Hari ini, hari ini
Harinya Tuhan, harinya Tuhan
Mari kita, mari kita
Bersuka ria, bersuka ria
Hari ini, harinya Tuhan
Mari kita bersuka ria
Hari ini, hari ini, harinya Tuhan
Ditarik-tarik
Ditarik-tarik mengapa tak mau datang
Didorong-dorong mengapa tak mau maju
Tuhan Yesus telah lama menunggu
Janganlah nanti ketinggalan
Katanya [kata Tuhan Yesus]
Majulah [ayo maju terus]
Tangan Tuhan terbuka bagimu
Katanya [kata Tuhan Yesus]
Majulah [ayo maju terus]
Janganlah nanti engkau ketinggalan
Yesus sayang semua
Yesus sayang semua,
Semua, semua
Yesus sayang semua,
Sayang semua
Sayang Papa, sayang Mama
Sayang kakak, sayang adik,
Sayang kamu, dan saya,
Sayang semua
Kingkong
Kingkong badannya besar
tapi aneh kakinya pendek
Lebih aneh binatang bebek
Lehernya panjang kakinya pendek
Haleluya Tuhan Maha Kuasa
2x
Tuhan gembalaku
Ku ikut selalu
Di padang rumput hijau
Ku ikut selalu
S'lalu, s'lalu
Ku ikut selalu
(2x)
The Lord is my Shepherd
I'll walk with Him always
He leads through green pastures
I'll walk with Him always
Always, always
I'll walk with Him always
(2x)
Jesus loves me/ Yesus sayang padaku
Jesus loves me this I know
For the Bible tells me so
Little ones to Him belong
They are weak, but He is strong
Yes Jesus loves me (3x)
The Bible tells me so
Yesus sayang padaku
Alkitab mengajarku
Walau'ku kecil lemah
Aku ini milikNya
Yesus Tuhanku, Sayang padaku
Itu firmanNya, di dalam Alkitab
Yesus di dalam rumahku
Yesus di dalam rumahku,
Senang-senanglah (3x)
Yesus di dalam rumahku,
Senang-senanglah (2x)
When Jesus in the family.
Happy=happy home
Cu Yesu cai wo cia ding cung.
Kwai lo kwai lo ya
Jap Yesu mere garmen he,
kusy-kusy he
God is so good
God is so good (3x)
He's so good to me
He answers prayer (3x)
He's so good to me
I love Him so (3x)
He's so good to me
I praise His name (3x)
He's so good to me
Kambing embe-embe
Kambing embe-embe
Kucing meong-meong
Katak teot teblung, teot teblung
Tetapi anak Tuhan, selalu bergembira
Pujilah Haleluya.
Naik kereta
Sungguh senangnya naik kereta
Kereta besar buatan Tuhan
Supirnya Yesus, Jalannya lurus
Siapa mau ikut pergi ke surga
Aduh celeka naik kereta
Kereta kecil buatan iblis
Supirnya ngantuk tak bisa duduk
Jalannya nubruk-nubruk
Menuju ke neraka
Aku bahagia
Aku bahagia, bahagia, bahagia, bahagia
Aku bahagia, bahagia karena Tuhan Yesus
Angkat
(bebanku/cengengku/takutku/dosaku)
Yesus angkat
(bebanku/cengengku/takutku/dosaku)
dan buang ke laut
byuur..buang ke laut byuur..
Buang ke laut.
Aduh senangnya
Aduh-aduh senangnya
Aduh-aduh indahnya jadi anak Tuhan
Tuhan datang. Tuhan datang
Tersenyum padaku u..u..u..
Aku disayang m..m..m..
Aduh senangnya
Pasukan berjalan
Saya bukan pasukan berjalan
Pasukan berkuda, pasukan menembak
Saya tidak menembaki musuh
Tapi saya laskar Kristus
Saya laskar Kristus (Siap gerak) 2x.
Hati-hati gunakan tanganmu
Hati-hati gunakan [tanganmu/kakimu/mulutmu)
Hati-hati gunakan [tanganmu/kakimu/mulutmu)
Kar'na Bapa di surga
Melihat ke bawah
Hati-hati gunakan [tanganmu/kakimu/mulutmu)
Dengar dia panggil nama saya
Dengar Dia panggil nama saya
Dengar Dia panggil namamu
Dengar Dia panggil nama saya
Juga Dia panggil namamu
O..giranglah
O..giranglah
Yesus amat cinta pada saya
O..giranglah
Happy ya, ya, ya
Happy ya, ya, ya
Happy ye, ye, ye
Aku senang jadi anak Tuhan
Siang jadi kenangan
Malam jadi impian
Cintaku semakin mendalam
Jesus loves the Little children / Tuhan cinta semua anak
Jesus loves the little children
All the children of the world
Red and yellow
Black and white
They are precious in His sight
Jesus lvoes the little children of the world
Tuhan cinta semua [anak/bangsa]
Semua [anak/bangsa] di dunia
Kuning, putih dan hitam,
Semua dicinta Tuhan
Tuhan cinta semua [anak/bangsa] di dunia
Yesus itulah satu-satunya
Yesus itulah satu-satunya
Penolongku yang sungguh
Ia berjanji akan kembali
Ia berjanji akan kembali
Angkat kita semua
Oh..Oh..Oh..
Haleluya puji Tuhan
Upahmu besar di surga
Tuahn Kau gembala kami
Tuhan, Kau gembala kami
Tuntun kami domba-Mu
B'rilah kami menikmati
Hikmat pengorbanan-Mu
Tuhan Yesus Juru s'lamat
Kami ini milik-Mu
Tuhan Yesus Juru s'lamat
Kami ini milik-Mu
Baca Kitab Suci
Baca kitab suci, doa tiap hari
Doa tiap hari, doa tiap hari
Baca kitab suci, doa tiap hari
kalau mau tumbuh. Kalau mau tumbuh,
kalau mau tumbuh, glori Haleluya
Baca kitab suci, doa tiap hari
Kalau mau tumbuh
Hari ini harinya Tuhan
Hari ini, hari ini
Harinya Tuhan, harinya Tuhan
Mari kita, mari kita
Bersuka ria, bersuka ria
Hari ini, harinya Tuhan
Mari kita bersuka ria
Hari ini, hari ini, harinya Tuhan
Ditarik-tarik
Ditarik-tarik mengapa tak mau datang
Didorong-dorong mengapa tak mau maju
Tuhan Yesus telah lama menunggu
Janganlah nanti ketinggalan
Katanya [kata Tuhan Yesus]
Majulah [ayo maju terus]
Tangan Tuhan terbuka bagimu
Katanya [kata Tuhan Yesus]
Majulah [ayo maju terus]
Janganlah nanti engkau ketinggalan
Yesus sayang semua
Yesus sayang semua,
Semua, semua
Yesus sayang semua,
Sayang semua
Sayang Papa, sayang Mama
Sayang kakak, sayang adik,
Sayang kamu, dan saya,
Sayang semua
Kingkong
Kingkong badannya besar
tapi aneh kakinya pendek
Lebih aneh binatang bebek
Lehernya panjang kakinya pendek
Haleluya Tuhan Maha Kuasa
2x
Lyrics I
He has made me glad
by Leona Von Brethorst
I will enter His gates with thanksgiving in my heart,
I will enter His courts with praise.
I will say, "This is the day that the Lord has made!"
I will rejoice, for He has made me glad.
He has made me glad, He has made me glad.
I will rejoice, for He has made me glad.
(2x)
I will sing of the mercies (of the Lord)
based on Psalm 89:1
I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever, I will sing, I will sing.
I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever, I will sing of the mercies of the Lord.
With my mouth will I make known Thy faithfullness, Thy faithfullness.
With my mouth will I make known Thy faithfulness to all generations.
I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever, I will sing of the mercies of the Lord.
He's got the whole world in His hands
He's got the whole world in His hands,
He's got the whole wide world in His hands,
He's got the whole world in His hands,
He's got the whole world in His hands.
[He's got the little tiny baby in His hands] (3x)
[He's got you and me, brother in His hands] (3x)
[He's got everybody here in His hands] (3x)
He's got the whole world in His hands.
If you're happy and you know it
If you're happy and you know it,
[clap your hands]
[tap your toe]
[nod your head]
[say Amen]
(2x)
If you're happy and you know it, then your face will surely show it.
If you're happy and you know it,
[clap your hands]
[tap your toe]
[nod your head]
[say Amen]
Deep down in my heart
I love you Jesus, deep down in my heart (2x)
Think about ... deep ... deep ... down ... down ... deep down in my heart (2x)
by Leona Von Brethorst
I will enter His gates with thanksgiving in my heart,
I will enter His courts with praise.
I will say, "This is the day that the Lord has made!"
I will rejoice, for He has made me glad.
He has made me glad, He has made me glad.
I will rejoice, for He has made me glad.
(2x)
I will sing of the mercies (of the Lord)
based on Psalm 89:1
I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever, I will sing, I will sing.
I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever, I will sing of the mercies of the Lord.
With my mouth will I make known Thy faithfullness, Thy faithfullness.
With my mouth will I make known Thy faithfulness to all generations.
I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever, I will sing of the mercies of the Lord.
He's got the whole world in His hands
He's got the whole world in His hands,
He's got the whole wide world in His hands,
He's got the whole world in His hands,
He's got the whole world in His hands.
[He's got the little tiny baby in His hands] (3x)
[He's got you and me, brother in His hands] (3x)
[He's got everybody here in His hands] (3x)
He's got the whole world in His hands.
If you're happy and you know it
If you're happy and you know it,
[clap your hands]
[tap your toe]
[nod your head]
[say Amen]
(2x)
If you're happy and you know it, then your face will surely show it.
If you're happy and you know it,
[clap your hands]
[tap your toe]
[nod your head]
[say Amen]
Deep down in my heart
I love you Jesus, deep down in my heart (2x)
Think about ... deep ... deep ... down ... down ... deep down in my heart (2x)
Monday, March 06, 2006
Winning Souls for Christ!
Christ has called us to be a light in this generation. A light that fills the empty room with widespread radiance. We brings Christ's love to wherever we go. Christ in the morning, Christ in the noon time, Christ in the evening.
Christ came to save us. Christ came not to judge, or to condemn, but simply to bring back the Lost Soul to be with Him again eternally.
Many souls out there that are strickens in the cold, in deep poverty, in deep troubles, hopeless, waiting for the next meal to come, closing their eyes hoping that everything will go away.
Guess what, they are not the only one. We were once just like them in one way or another. Without Christ, our life is completely meaningless. We had only temporal hope of money, fame, or food which will diminish over time.
God has no preference over men or women. We are all the same in His eyes.
Christ has died for our sins, and the only way out is to believe in Him, and follow Him out of the darkness into His light.
Are you still living in the dark? Do you not know where your life is heading?
Living your life in your own strength would be too hard. I can't imagine, a baby that had grown without any real person nourishing him or her. But, still God cares for the slightest drop of tears from that baby.
God feeds the birds, the ravens, the ducklings, the oxens. Wouldn't He care more for that baby, A living soul.
Are you procrastinating your love towards your baby, your children, the living soul?
Are you not feeding that baby, the love of Christ, which can fulfill the hunger?
"For me to live is Christ, and to died is gain," as Paul had said to the church in Phillipi.
Living for Christ just like a baby. Paul lives for Christ, and to him, dying is coming back home to where the Father dwells.
"The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit." (John 3:8)
We go where the Spirit leads us. At times, we need to ransack through heap of rubbish to find that baby, the Lost Soul.
God will help us to find Lost Soul. Are we willing to be used by Him to go through pile of waste? Are we willing to have dirts on our face. We crawl, we sometimes would be mocked, spit, embarassed. But you know, that we are crawling with His light in us.
"No weapon that is formed against us shall prosper" (Isaiah 54:17)
The enemy can taunt us. The dark can produce fear inside of us. But, no matter what, every time we look at Christ, the Light within us, we will able to press on forward.
Let the Spirit brings you to where God desires. Keep holding on to Jesus, the power source for your light. Be a light to a darken place, out of our comfort zone. Bring the children to Christ. Show them, which way to go to the Father.
Amen.
Christ came to save us. Christ came not to judge, or to condemn, but simply to bring back the Lost Soul to be with Him again eternally.
Many souls out there that are strickens in the cold, in deep poverty, in deep troubles, hopeless, waiting for the next meal to come, closing their eyes hoping that everything will go away.
Guess what, they are not the only one. We were once just like them in one way or another. Without Christ, our life is completely meaningless. We had only temporal hope of money, fame, or food which will diminish over time.
God has no preference over men or women. We are all the same in His eyes.
Christ has died for our sins, and the only way out is to believe in Him, and follow Him out of the darkness into His light.
Are you still living in the dark? Do you not know where your life is heading?
Living your life in your own strength would be too hard. I can't imagine, a baby that had grown without any real person nourishing him or her. But, still God cares for the slightest drop of tears from that baby.
God feeds the birds, the ravens, the ducklings, the oxens. Wouldn't He care more for that baby, A living soul.
Are you procrastinating your love towards your baby, your children, the living soul?
Are you not feeding that baby, the love of Christ, which can fulfill the hunger?
"For me to live is Christ, and to died is gain," as Paul had said to the church in Phillipi.
Living for Christ just like a baby. Paul lives for Christ, and to him, dying is coming back home to where the Father dwells.
"The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit." (John 3:8)
We go where the Spirit leads us. At times, we need to ransack through heap of rubbish to find that baby, the Lost Soul.
God will help us to find Lost Soul. Are we willing to be used by Him to go through pile of waste? Are we willing to have dirts on our face. We crawl, we sometimes would be mocked, spit, embarassed. But you know, that we are crawling with His light in us.
"No weapon that is formed against us shall prosper" (Isaiah 54:17)
The enemy can taunt us. The dark can produce fear inside of us. But, no matter what, every time we look at Christ, the Light within us, we will able to press on forward.
Let the Spirit brings you to where God desires. Keep holding on to Jesus, the power source for your light. Be a light to a darken place, out of our comfort zone. Bring the children to Christ. Show them, which way to go to the Father.
Amen.
Sunday, February 05, 2006
Be a blessing to generations!
How to be a blessing to others?
It seems to be a very easy question to answer; however, how would you know if you are actually blessing or cursing the recipients by your generous act.
"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder," a greek proverb says. So, what you think is good, may not be the best, or as good as what others may think.
If you stop for a moment and look around you, and see if they are "good".
Some would probably say, "Well, it's raining now in my area, so it's not good." or "No, no, it's fine right here, the weather is warm." or "In my neighborhood, there are some illegal activities going on every night, so I can't say it's going great." or "There's someone in my apartment building who gives Christmas cookies every year for all the tenants."
Paul says in the book of Acts chapter 20, verse 35 recalling what Jesus have had said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive."
So, it's definitely good to give. But, what to give, or better yet, out of what heart are you doing it, is what I would say the very heart of the message.
What if I say to you that the four comments above were being spoken by one individual, would you be surprised?
I wonder what the Christmas cookies person are thinking, going out every year door to door in that apartment giving out cookies to strangers. What if that person comes into a room while an illegal transaction is being held?
I guess, it's not enough to just look at whether it's a sunny day, or it's a rainy day to get you started with your day, or be a blessing to others.
In Genesis 12, verse 2, God says, "And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing."
Hmm...
So, our life are to be a blessing to others. Not necessarily, by our own effort or striving, but, by holding to God's promise that He will bless us, and He will use us to be a blessing to other nations.
What if I chose not to be a blessing? Can I do that instead, and keep all the blessing to myself?
Well, based on an English grammar online book that looked at, the word "shall" is used:
- only when I or we is the subject.
- however, we can use shall with a subject in the second or third person to express determination, promise, obligation, or permission, depending on the context.
(http://www.bartleby.com/64/C001/056.html)
This means that God has given us (Galatians 3:26, "For you are all children of God by faith in Christ Jesus) a "promise, determination, obligation, permission" to be a blessing. So, it's a covenant that He signed.
We as the co-signer, do we have to sign the deal? Well, it's up to us whether we want to sign it. God has already shown all His part of the agreement, and the covenant is not bind unless we signed it. And so far, after seeing the agreement, we are asked only for a very basic and simple thing, one of them is to "have faith in Jesus Christ"
Think when you are buying a house. Do you sign the agreement right away and read the agreement after you sign it, or do you look at the agreement first then you sign it? Every individual is different. Some will be just happy if they can get a house (like me :)), some just want a nice location, some look at the inside of the house, some actually have to spend some time in the house to make the decision.
At the end, one thing that matter is the contract. What is very crucial is that a lot of people may not have reached to this point of buying the house. They are still searching for the house they like and can rest.
I would like to compare a house to a blessing for now. To say "colloquially", Most people would agree that for someone to have a house, he must be blessed, especially when they got it as an inheritance.
I don't know, if you have witnessed or seen of what God has done in your life. Wouldn't you say that they are a blessing? Yes, I agree :)
So, with your permission, I'm asking you to come to an agreement that just to live is a blessing. But, obviously we don't stop there. Remember, earlier that God wants us to be a blessing to others. If we live our life just like there's no end tomorrow, or we say, "Thank God for this life, and now I live it my own way, see You later in life.." we are breaking the covenant.
Maybe to some of you, you haven't witnessed which "house" I'm talking about. Some grew up in a broken family, or all they heard as a child were cursing, shouting, fighting. Maybe they grew up in that apartment I talked earlier where there are illegal activities going on all day.
As you grew up, your doors have probably been knocked by a person who handed you Christmas cookies, which your parents or older brothers or sisters just said that it's just a waste of money and time. And you realized that this is the "house" or a "blessing". Now I see.
Do you want to be a blessing to others?
It is a deal waiting to be signed by you. Just sign your name at the bottom.
I'm going to share with you, what I did when I signed my contract.
I was with my aunt over the phone after a church service, (after almost 10 years absent in church) she asked me, if I have received Jesus as my Lord and Savior." I said, "No."
Then, she went over my part of the "contract" with me, I said, "Father God, I give You all my life. I'm sorry, if all this time I am living my life in my own way. Please, forgive my sins. I believe that Jesus Christ, Your son have died for me in the cross, so that I can be forgiven and can spend eternity with You. In Jesus Name,...Amen.
(paraphrase of Romans 10:9-10)
Right there and then, something rose up in my heart, mind, and conscious a strong assurance that when I died I will see Him and not go to hell.
This happens more than 2 years ago. I didn't get a physical house at that moment, but I believe that I have received something that is bigger and much more than just a regular house.
Right now, 2 years later, I still don't have a house :) But, God has kept His promises ever since, that His blessings are just so abundant.
Now, I learn now from His words, the bible, Jesus said, "In my Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you to myself; that where I am, there you may be also." (John 14:2-3)
I laughed to myself when I saw that it'll be more than just a regular house but it's a mansion :)
Ok, so now, we still haven't answered the question of how can our life can be a blessing to others, nations, and to generations to come.
Well, once you've signed the contract, God will reveal His plan with your life.
He has million ways for you to be a blessing to others. But, first I just want to say congratulations and say Welcome to God's family for those who have signed the agreement. We are now brothers and sisters in Christ.
(to be cont.)
It seems to be a very easy question to answer; however, how would you know if you are actually blessing or cursing the recipients by your generous act.
"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder," a greek proverb says. So, what you think is good, may not be the best, or as good as what others may think.
If you stop for a moment and look around you, and see if they are "good".
Some would probably say, "Well, it's raining now in my area, so it's not good." or "No, no, it's fine right here, the weather is warm." or "In my neighborhood, there are some illegal activities going on every night, so I can't say it's going great." or "There's someone in my apartment building who gives Christmas cookies every year for all the tenants."
Paul says in the book of Acts chapter 20, verse 35 recalling what Jesus have had said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive."
So, it's definitely good to give. But, what to give, or better yet, out of what heart are you doing it, is what I would say the very heart of the message.
What if I say to you that the four comments above were being spoken by one individual, would you be surprised?
I wonder what the Christmas cookies person are thinking, going out every year door to door in that apartment giving out cookies to strangers. What if that person comes into a room while an illegal transaction is being held?
I guess, it's not enough to just look at whether it's a sunny day, or it's a rainy day to get you started with your day, or be a blessing to others.
In Genesis 12, verse 2, God says, "And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing."
Hmm...
So, our life are to be a blessing to others. Not necessarily, by our own effort or striving, but, by holding to God's promise that He will bless us, and He will use us to be a blessing to other nations.
What if I chose not to be a blessing? Can I do that instead, and keep all the blessing to myself?
Well, based on an English grammar online book that looked at, the word "shall" is used:
- only when I or we is the subject.
- however, we can use shall with a subject in the second or third person to express determination, promise, obligation, or permission, depending on the context.
(http://www.bartleby.com/64/C001/056.html)
This means that God has given us (Galatians 3:26, "For you are all children of God by faith in Christ Jesus) a "promise, determination, obligation, permission" to be a blessing. So, it's a covenant that He signed.
We as the co-signer, do we have to sign the deal? Well, it's up to us whether we want to sign it. God has already shown all His part of the agreement, and the covenant is not bind unless we signed it. And so far, after seeing the agreement, we are asked only for a very basic and simple thing, one of them is to "have faith in Jesus Christ"
Think when you are buying a house. Do you sign the agreement right away and read the agreement after you sign it, or do you look at the agreement first then you sign it? Every individual is different. Some will be just happy if they can get a house (like me :)), some just want a nice location, some look at the inside of the house, some actually have to spend some time in the house to make the decision.
At the end, one thing that matter is the contract. What is very crucial is that a lot of people may not have reached to this point of buying the house. They are still searching for the house they like and can rest.
I would like to compare a house to a blessing for now. To say "colloquially", Most people would agree that for someone to have a house, he must be blessed, especially when they got it as an inheritance.
I don't know, if you have witnessed or seen of what God has done in your life. Wouldn't you say that they are a blessing? Yes, I agree :)
So, with your permission, I'm asking you to come to an agreement that just to live is a blessing. But, obviously we don't stop there. Remember, earlier that God wants us to be a blessing to others. If we live our life just like there's no end tomorrow, or we say, "Thank God for this life, and now I live it my own way, see You later in life.." we are breaking the covenant.
Maybe to some of you, you haven't witnessed which "house" I'm talking about. Some grew up in a broken family, or all they heard as a child were cursing, shouting, fighting. Maybe they grew up in that apartment I talked earlier where there are illegal activities going on all day.
As you grew up, your doors have probably been knocked by a person who handed you Christmas cookies, which your parents or older brothers or sisters just said that it's just a waste of money and time. And you realized that this is the "house" or a "blessing". Now I see.
Do you want to be a blessing to others?
It is a deal waiting to be signed by you. Just sign your name at the bottom.
I'm going to share with you, what I did when I signed my contract.
I was with my aunt over the phone after a church service, (after almost 10 years absent in church) she asked me, if I have received Jesus as my Lord and Savior." I said, "No."
Then, she went over my part of the "contract" with me, I said, "Father God, I give You all my life. I'm sorry, if all this time I am living my life in my own way. Please, forgive my sins. I believe that Jesus Christ, Your son have died for me in the cross, so that I can be forgiven and can spend eternity with You. In Jesus Name,...Amen.
(paraphrase of Romans 10:9-10)
Right there and then, something rose up in my heart, mind, and conscious a strong assurance that when I died I will see Him and not go to hell.
This happens more than 2 years ago. I didn't get a physical house at that moment, but I believe that I have received something that is bigger and much more than just a regular house.
Right now, 2 years later, I still don't have a house :) But, God has kept His promises ever since, that His blessings are just so abundant.
Now, I learn now from His words, the bible, Jesus said, "In my Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you to myself; that where I am, there you may be also." (John 14:2-3)
I laughed to myself when I saw that it'll be more than just a regular house but it's a mansion :)
Ok, so now, we still haven't answered the question of how can our life can be a blessing to others, nations, and to generations to come.
Well, once you've signed the contract, God will reveal His plan with your life.
He has million ways for you to be a blessing to others. But, first I just want to say congratulations and say Welcome to God's family for those who have signed the agreement. We are now brothers and sisters in Christ.
(to be cont.)
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