Scenario 1:
A friend asked a gentleman how it is that he never married ?
Replied the gentleman, "Well, I guess I just never met the right woman ... I guess I've been looking for the perfect girl."
"Oh, come on now," said the friend, "Surely you have met at least one girl that you wanted to marry."
"Yes, there was one girl .. once. I guess she was the one perfect girl .. the only perfect girl I really ever met. She was just the right everything .. I really mean that she was the perfect girl for me."
"Well, why didn't you marry her," asked the friend.
"She was looking for the perfect man," he said.
Scenario 2:
While learning to use a new computer, I was troubled by a faint clicking sound that indicated it was working even though nothing was happening on the screen. The manufacturer's representative on the help hotline said, "No problem. The computer is probably running an application you can't see and is working in the background."
As I thought about the phrase "working in the background," I began to realize how visually oriented I am in my relationship with God. If I can't see something, I assume it's not happening. But that's not the way God operates. I see a striking example of God's "behind the scenes" work in the conversion of Saul. While Christians were suffering under his ruthless persecution (Acts 8:1-3), God was preparing to transform him into a dynamic representative of Christ (9:15).
Is there a situation in your life today where you cannot see God working? It may be that your circumstances are resisting every attempt at change. Perhaps someone you love is obstinately refusing to respond to God. Even though it may appear that nothing is happening, God is at work--behind the scenes, in the background, accomplishing His purpose.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
A Relationship Worth Redirected
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Friday, March 13, 2009
Besyukur Kepada Tuhan
Teman2,
I would like to share my experience this week. Lately, a lot of changes have been going on in my life- both internally and externally. Although these changes were mandatory, I could not help but blame God for my current state. But I remembered what I was told two months ago while waiting for the bus: "bersyukurlah kepada Tuhan di dalam situasi yang susah!" Thus, I decided not to give up and began reading the book of John. Instantly, God, through the book of John, answered several questions that have been bothering me for months.
For one, how do I reign in life? Do I need guts, bravery or principles? Do I need a group of people to back me up in order to succeed? What if I want to reach out to strangers in my campus? Do I need to be eloquent? The book of John gave examples of how Jesus won the support of his people. Sure, he performed miracles and convinced several Jews but that was not the most fundamental factor. In John 8:50 "I am not seeking glory for myself; but there is one who seeks it, and he is the judge." Upon reading this verse, I realized my previous mistakes. In order to reign in life, we have to act so as to ONLY glorify His name.
Momentarily, I was estatic over this new vision. However, this did nothing except concealing the troubles in my heart. Just an hour ago, my emotions turned really horrible. Perhaps it was the excessive pressure for next week's finals. Perhaps it was my family issues. Perhaps... ... ... In any case, I blamed God again! Knowing that I've sinned again, I started my iTunes and listened to two of my favorite worship songs. By the time the second song began, I started crying and venting all my frustrations on God. Imagine a grown man crying in the middle of the night; not a pretty scene isn't it.
After the song ended, I decided to go to Kidung.com to listen to other songs. At that point, I prayed to God to speak to me. Then, I closed my eyes, blindly scroll up and down the website and randomly clicked my mouse. When I open up my eyes- the song began.
That song was Aku Mau Bersyukur
That merely 3 seconds lifted my mood. It's awesome how God can remove all your frustrations and negative energy. I know at the end of the day, I have to face the challenges he posed but I believe that in the name of God, I can surpass any obstacles, for He does not gives us tests that exceed our ability.
Still listening to the song, I am writing this note. Tears of depressions are replaced by tears of Joy. I will pray for a brighter tomorrow for everyone.
Kenji
"I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ dies for nothing" -Galatians 2:21-
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Monday, March 9, 2009
Don't be condemned!
Hello my beloved friends, I'd just like to remind all of you...that because of Jesus' blood, we have been made eternally righteous! Not because of our own doing, but because of Him!
Jesus's gift for you, beloved
Romans 6:10-12 says that when Jesus redeemed us, He redeemed our sins once and for all! Our Father in heaven knows the sins that you've committed, both past and future (and present). But, He wants you to know that because of His love that He sacrificed His Son, your sins have been redeemed forever! Hallelujah!
No condemnation
Our Father knows we are not perfect and there will be times that we would fall. So friends, should you fall into sin or do wrong again, remember this: that because of Jesus righteousness, you are seen righteous by our Father! He will not condemn you but will always love you. Do not let guilt overwhelm you, for it is this guilt that will keep you from a close relationship with our heavenly Papa. If the Father Himself doesn't condemn you, neither should you condemn yourself! Instead, should you fall, give thanks to the Lord because of His GIFT of grace and righteousness, you are able to stand in His presence righteous and holy, in Jesus.
Ex-Christians
More often than not, you will find that ex-Christians gave up on the Christian life not because they are weak, but because they are really sincere to God.
Whenever they commit the same sin over and over again, they keep thinking, "oh, I'm such a hypocrite. I'm a Christian yet I commit the same sin over and over again. I have displeased God and am not worthy of His blessings. Might as well give up than being called a hypocrite."
Rely on God's grace and not self-righteousness
Friends, if only they knew the truth! But now, you know the truth about Jesus sacrifice, and the gift that accompanies it. And John 8:32 says that the truth shall SET YOU FREE!! AMEN!!!!
Whenever you fall, don't think that you have to do this and that to gain access into a close relationship with Papa. Beloved, that is self-righteousness and God hates self-righteousness! That was why the Ten Commandments were given! Instead, our Father wants you to rely on His grace and His gift of righteousness for you!! Hallelujah! Know that the door to the Father has been and will always be open for you, regardless of what you do or do not do! Amen!!
Beloved friends, I pray that you will be blessed by the love of our Father! Amen!
