Grace Joetama
Hello friends! I have come across this verse again and again, and find this verse very encouraging. so..I thought I'd share it with you! Living in Him DOES NOT make life easier, but He DOES brings you peace.
Just Put away your flesh and your mind on earthly things, don't look back, and "PRESS ON toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."(Philippians 3:14).
Also, take good advantage of the talents and blessings He had given to you. "live up to what we have already attained"(Phillipians 3:16). Take good advantage of the talents and blessings He had given to you.
Philippians 3 (New International Version)
No Confidence in the Flesh
1Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you.
2Watch out for those dogs, those men who do evil, those mutilators of the flesh. 3For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh— 4though I myself have reasons for such confidence.
If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; 6as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless.
7But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. 10I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.
Pressing on Toward the Goal
12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
15All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. 16Only let us live up to what we have already attained.
17Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you. 18For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. 20But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Phillipians 3: Press On!
Monday, September 28, 2009
Saturday, September 26, 2009
BenjaminGen Devotional: Where sin abounds, Grace superabounds!
Introduction
Many of us are aware of our own weaknesses. We know there are areas that we must change but we just don’t believe that we can ever improve on those areas.Friends, without your realization, we have already sinned by doubting!
Sin is not just commiing adultery, cheating and murder, but the Bible says that whatever is not of faith is sin
[Romans 14:23]. But we wonder, how is it that even in the midst of our disbelief, God’s goodness and favor still rains on us? Because God’s economy is:
Where your sin abounds, God’s grace will superabound in that area!
God wants to us be conscious of Him and not sin conscious. He wants us to be aware of His greatness and not of our shortcomings. Friends, in actual fact, the bigger your problem, the easier it is for God to solve! Don’t be- lieve? Let’s look at famous miracle Jesus performed that was mentioned in the Bible.
The Story of the 5 & 7 loaves of Bread
Have you ever heard of the story of Jesus feeding the multitude with 5 loaves of bread (& 2 fish)? Do you also know that He performed the same miracle (for another multitude) with 7 breads (& a few lile fish)?
In Matthew 15 (v.32-39), Jesus fed the multitude of 4,000 men, not counting the women and children, with 7 loaves of bread and a few lile fish, and there were 7 bas- kets full leftover! In Matthew 14 (v.13-21), Jesus fed an- other multitude of 5,000 men, not counting the women and children. But this time, He did it with only 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish,and there were 12 baskets full of lefto- ver!
Do you see that it took Jesus 7 loaves of bread to feed the 4,000, but only 5 loaves of bread to feed the 5,000? Hallelujah! God is saying that, the bigger mess you are in, the easier it is actually for Him to handle!
Friends, no maer how big of a problem or struggle you are in, nothing will beat His greatness! Hallelujah!
Thought of the Week
Don’t look at how big your problem is...instead,
Look at how big our God is! Amen!
Friday, September 25, 2009
video Music Workshop - Uncut version
buat yg gak ikut Music Workshop, see video here - http://cyrgen.com/sermon.html
...
He Counted the Stars, Every Single One
Psalm 19 :1-3
“The heavens declare the glory of God and the skies proclaim the works of his hands. Day after day the pour forth speech and night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. “
Who rules the heavens?
Have you ever been camping and gazed up at the stars as you lay in your sleeping bag on a moonless night? What did you think? Did the number of stars blow your mind? Have you ever tried to count them? I always quit around one hundred because my brain starts hurting.
Did you know that God has each star named and knows the exact number of stars? “He determines the number of stars and calls them each by name.” (Psalm 147:4) Let’s look at how many stars there actually are so you can grasp God’s awesome power. Earth is found in a galaxy called the Milky Way. (No, it’s not a candy bar.) If you look into the sky on a moonless, cloudless night, you can identify the Milky Way. It resembles a blurry, misty, cloud of lights crowded together, kind of milky in appearance. The Milky Way contains millions of galaxies. All of these galaxies together have over trillions of stars. And God has them all named and counted. Wow!
Have you heard of the Bear, the Pleiades and the Orion in Greek mythology? Well, the Bible talks about God making the Orion. (Job 9:7-9) To this day, astronomers study and talk about these stars. What a pity that so many of them don’t know the God who created them!
Hold on to you seatbelt, because there’s more mind -boggling information coming! Billions of other galaxies exist. The light from many of those galaxies takes millions of years to get to earth. And each galaxy contains trillions of stars. Again, God has them all named and counted. Wouldn’t you think God would run out of names?
There’s an important fact about God contained in all these numbers. If God is meticulous enough to count and name each star, then surely things on earth must be a piece of cake to Him, especially your life. The intelligence, wisdom and power demonstrated by God’s care of the stars should give you great hope and peace. He knew about you before the foundation of the world. God is not a weak, pathetic, gutless God. He is all-powerful, awesome, almighty, all-knowing, everlasting, compassionate, and His love never ends.
Think about this verse: Psalm 108:4 “For great is your love, higher than the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens.”
Today’s Prayer:
Dear Father, help me to look at the stars and be amazed by your handiwork. I praise you for your awesome power, and for providing such incredible proof of your greatness in the heavens. Thank you for proclaiming your love to me through the stars. Amen.
Written by Anne Parker, Flagstaff Arizona.
source : www.newwineskin.com
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Thursday, September 24, 2009
BenjaminGen Devotional: If Only...,What If...?
The Road Of Life
Don't know if any of you have ever read this ^^ but hopefully it can bless each one of you.
______________________________________________________________________________
At first, I saw God as my observer, my judge, keeping track of the things I did wrong; so as to know whether I merited heaven or hell when I die. He was there sort of like a picture of a president. I recognized His picture when I saw it, but I really didn't know Him.
Later on when I met Christ, it seemed as though life was like a bike ride, on a tandem bike, and I noticed that Christ was in the back helping me pedal. I don't recall when he suggested we change places, but life has not been the same since.
When I had control, it was rather boring, and predictable . . . It was the shortest distance between two points. But when He took the lead, He knew the exciting paths to take, up mountains, and through rocky places at breakneck speeds -- it was all I could do to just hang on! At times it seemed like madness. He said: "Pedal!"
And by faith I did, although I worried and was anxious. "Where are you taking me?" He laughed, but no answer, and I started to learn to trust. I forgot my boring life and entered into the adventure.
When I'd say, "I'm scared," He'd lean back and touch my hand. He took me to people that had gifts that I needed. Gifts of healing, acceptance, love, and joy. So many priceless gifts to take on my journey -- my Lord's and mine. Then we were off again. He said, "Give the gifts away -- they're extra baggage now -- there'll be more gifts to come." So I did, I gave them to people we met, and found that in giving I also received, and my burden was lighter.
I didn't trust him at first to be in control of my life. I thought He'd wreck it -- but I discovered he knows how to handle even the roughest roads in my life. Now I'm learning to be quiet and pedal in the strangest places. I'm beginning to enjoy the view, the challenge of the ride, as well as the cool breeze on my face with my delightful constant companion -- Jesus Christ.
When it seems I just can't take anymore, I keep my eyes and faith on Him. He looks at me, with a big smile, and says: ". . . Keep on Pedaling."
Addendum -- Isaiah 41:10 "Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed, for I am Your God. I will strengthen you. I will help you. I will uphold you with my victorious hand."
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
[ jokes ] Your Yearly Dementia Test
It's that time of year to take our annual senior citizen test.
Exercise of the brain is as important as exercise of the muscles. As we grow older, it's important to keep mentally alert. If you don't use it, you lose it! Below is a very private way to gauge your
loss or non-loss of intelligence.
Take the test presented here to determine if you're losing it or not. The spaces below are so you don't see the answers until you've made your answer.
OK, relax, clear your mind and begin.
1. What do you put in a toaster?
Answer: "bread."
If you said "toast," give up now and do something else.
Try not to hurt yourself. If you said, bread, go to Question 2.
2. Say "silk" five times. Now spell "silk."
What do cows drink?
Answer: Cows drink water.
If you said "milk," don't attempt the next question. Your brain is over-stressed and may even
overheat. Content yourself with reading a more appropriate literature such as Auto World.
However, if you said "water", proceed to question 3.
3. If a red house is made from red bricks and a blue house is made from blue bricks and a pink house is made from pink bricks and a black house is made from black bricks, what is a green house made from?
Answer: Greenhouses are made from glass.
If you said "green bricks," why are you still reading these???
If you said "glass," go on to Question 4..
4. It's twenty years ago, and a plane is flying at 20,000 feet over Germany (If you will recall, Germany at the time was politically divided into West Germany and East Germany .) Anyway, during the flight, two engines fail. The pilot, realizing that the last remaining engine is also failing, decides on a crash landing procedure. Unfortunately the engine fails before he can do so and the plane fatally crashes smack in the middle of "no man's land" between East Germany and
West Germany . Where would you bury the survivors? East Germany , West Germany , or no man's land"?
Answer: You don't bury survivors...
If you said ANYTHING else, you're a dunce and you must stop. :D
If you said, "You don't bury survivors", proceed to the next question.
5. Without using a calculator - You are driving a bus from London to Milford Haven in Wales .
In London , 17 people get on the bus.
In Reading , six people get off the bus and nine people get on.
In Swindon , two people get off and four get on.
In Cardiff , 11 people get off and 16 people get on.
In Swansea , three people get off and five people get on.
In Carmathen, six people get off and three get on.
You then arrive at Milford Haven. What was the name of the bus driver?
Answer: Oh, for crying out loud!
Don't you remember your own name? It was YOU!!
Now pass this along to all your friends and pray they do better than you.
PS: 95% of people fail most of the questions!!
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Monday, September 21, 2009
Namaku Lucifer...
Namaku Lucifer.
Kau boleh memanggilku Penguasa kerajaan Angkasa (Efesus 2:2),
Penghulu-penghulu (penguasa) dunia yang gelap (Efesus 6:12), Penguasa dunia
(Yohanes 12:31), Penghulu setan (Matius 12:24), Ilah zaman ini (II Korintus
4:4), Malaikat terang (II Korintus 11:14), Ular tua (Wahyu 12:9), Lawan /
musuh (I Petrus 5:8), Pendakwa (Zakharia 3:1), Pencoba (Matius 4:3),
Pembunuh (Yohanes 8:44), Pencuri (Yohanes 10:10).
Tadinya aku diciptakan sebagai malaikat Tuhan yang paaa..aling indah. Mikael
dan Gabriel, dua malaikat tertinggi temanku itu? Lewaaaat!
Dulu aku tinggal di surga dan pekerjaanku membosankan: memuji dan melayani
Yang Mahatinggi. Buat apa? Kenapa bukan aku aja yang dipuji? Aku bosen jadi
pelayan! Aku bisa menyamaiNya! Aku Son of the Morning, Bintang Fajar,
“...Aku hendak naik ke langit, aku hendak mendirikan takhtaku mengatasi
bintang-bintang Allah, dan aku hendak duduk di atas bukit pertemuan, jauh di
sebelah utara. Aku hendak naik mengatasi ketinggian awan-awan, hendak
menyamai Yang Mahatinggi!” (Yesaya 14:13-15)
Dan apa yang kudapat? Tuhan membuangku ke bumi! “How art thou fallen from
heaven, O Lucifer, Son of the Morning! How art thou cut down to the ground,
which didst weaken the nations!” (Yesaya 14:12 KJV), itu kata Tuhan. “...ke
dalam dunia orang mati engkau diturunkan, ke tempat yang paling dalam di
liang kubur. Orang-orang yang melihat engkau akan memperhatikan dan
mengamat-amati engkau, katanya: Inikah dia yang telah membuat bumi gemetar,
dan yang telah membuat kerajaan-kerajaan bergoncang,..” (Yesaya 14:14-16).
“...Engkau sombong karena kecantikanmu, hikmatmu kaumusnahkan demi
semarakmu. Ke bumi kau Kulempar, kepada raja-raja engkau Kuserahkan menjadi
tontonan bagi matanya.” (Yehezkiel 28:13-17). Aaaarrggh!!
KataNya, aku sombong!? Lihat siapa yang sombong sebenarnya! Kalian, manusia
hina ciptaan Dia sendiri! Hina tapi ingin jadi mulia! Kenapa aku yang cantik
Dia buang sementara manusia lemah seperti kalian dikasihiNya?! Planet yang
nggak Dia sukai Dia hancurkan. Malaikat yang jatuh Dia usir. Tapi kalian?
Apa yang membuat kalian spesial di mataNya? Kenapa ketika kalian jatuh dalam
dosa, Tuhan sendiri yang turun menyelamatkan? (Yohanes 3:16). Kenapa ketika
kalian terhilang, Dia susah payah mencarinya? (Lukas 15:4). Kenapa banyak
dari kalian yang menolakNya dan Dia tetap mengasihi kalian? (2 Timotius
2:13). Kenapa kalian Dia lindungi, emangnya kalian biji mataNya? (Zakharia
2:8). Kenapa kalo kalian mengaku dosa, Dia jadi pelupa, kenapa Dia lupa
dosa-dosa kalian yang bejat itu? (Yesaya 43:25). Kenapa?!
Aku benci kalian! Kalian mengingatkanku pada Yang Mahatinggi! Muka kalian
serupa denganNya. (Roma 8:29). Aku benci. Seumur hidupku aku akan berusaha
melawan dan menipu kalian.
Kalo aku disuruh bersyukur, hanya satu hal yang akan kusyukuri... Bahwa
kalian gak sadar kalo sejak 2000 tahun lalu Yesus udah membinasakan aku (1
Yohanes 3:8), aku sudah kalah dan dilucuti (Kolose 2:14-15), dan kalian
berkuasa mengusirku (Markus 16:17). Hahahaha. Kutipu kalian semua. Aku
mungkin ada di tim yang kalah, ...nggak apa-apa, asalkan aku berhasil
membuat kalian bergabung di timku! Hahahahaha!
Akan kubuat kalian terus menerus menyalibkan Yesus dengan dosa kalian!
(Ibrani 6:6). Akan kusebarkan ajaran-ajaran yang membelokkan kalian dari
ajaranNya (1 Timotius 4:1-2) dan kusesatkan kalian (Wahyu 12:9-10). Pujalah
aku, aku akan kuhadiahi kalian neraka. Bencilah aku dan akan aku hajar
kalian saat kalian lengah. Bertemanlah denganku dan akan kukhianati kalian!
Kalian mau melayani Tuhan? Boleh, tapi layani aku juga! (Lukas 16:13).
Berdoa? Baca Alkitab? Berbuat baik? Rajin ikut persekutuan? Boleh, tapi
jangan lupa untuk mengabaikan keadilan dan kasih Tuhan (Matius 23:23) dan
pastikan semua orang mengetahuinya dan memujimu habis-habisan (Matius 6:5).
Akan kubuat kalian tau berbuat baik tapi tidak melakukannya! (Yakobus 4:17).
Akan kubuat kalian merasa sibuk untuk Tuhan padahal nggak melakukan
kehendakNya! (Matius 7:22).
Ya, aku tau suatu saat aku akan diikat sampe seribu tahun, tapi tunggu saja
kalo saatnya aku dilepaskan, akan kubuat kalian menderita! (Wahyu 20:1-3).
Memang pada akhirnya aku akan tinggal di neraka selamanya (Wahyu 20:10 dan
Matius 25:41), tapi itu justru membuatku semakin ingin membawa kalian
sebanyak-banyaknya! Hahaha, temani aku menderita disana!
I, Lucifer
------------
Naskah oleh Fery!
www.kacamata3d.blogspot.com
www.facebook.com/ferygfresh
ADD ME AS YOUR FRIEND:
www.facebook.com/fery10
Pliz kalo copy paste, sertakan sumber atau link penulisnya kayak diatas ya....
Sunday, September 20, 2009
BenjaminGen Devotional: If Only...,What If...?
Introduction
I believe every one of us here have had good and bad experiences in the past. The good ones no doubt leave us with sweet memories; the bad ones, however, are those that we must be cautious of. If we are not careful, whatever is history could change the path of our future.
Many people like to brood over the past, thinking, “if only, ten years ago, I...” or “if only I had...” On the other hand, there are also those with a slightly different but equally detrimental problem; the problem of what if’s. They look to the future challenges ahead and think, “what if it fails?” or “what if it ends in a disappointment?”.They fully know that they are more then able to conquer challenges ahead, yet this insecurity prevents them from fulfilling their potential.
Joseph - Sold & Imprisoned
If there’s one man in the Bible who had cause for distress or depression, that man is Joseph. He was abandoned and sold as a slave by his brothers, and wrongly imprisoned by Potifar for something he did not do. However, he never complained to God by saying, “Lord! Why did this happen to me, Lord? I thought You loved me and yet You allowed this to happen! Why, oh why, Lord? If only You had rained fire and brimstones the second they sold me this wouldn’t have happened, Lord!”
Not only did Joseph not complain but when the time came for him to meet his brothers, he had nothing but love and compassion for them. He said to them, “But now, do not therefore be grieved or angry with yourselves because you
sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life.” [Gen 45:5]There wasn’t a hint of resentment in this man’s words! In fact, he told his brothers not to condemn themselves!
Joseph - Promoted as Governor
After the many years of tribulation, Joseph was finally promoted to be a governor of Egypt. Now, let us imagine for a minute. This man was enslaved, imprisoned and cut off from all forms of social contact for so many years. As a ruler, his job is to manage and oversee the people and resources of his land. This man had no formal training in people man- agement or any form of business education and yet, he was chosen for a post in which both sets of skills are re- quired.
But, Joseph never doubted, nor did he ever have thoughts such as, “Lord, what if these people look down on me? What if I fail terribly and fail this nation?” Instead, he caused Egypt to prosper in times of famine and even provide
food for nations surrounding them [Gen 41:57]! Praise the Lord!
Thought of the Week
Friends, God can turn your bier waters into sweet wine, if you believe.
And who God promotes, no one can demote! Amen!
Monday, September 14, 2009
Let's use this blog!!!
Hi,
Observe the recent activities in our blog and you'll discover the premier of Benjamin Devotional, two testimonies and many other interesting posts. I urge all of you to write in this blog often because I believe this blog will, some day, be a blessing to many people around the world (keep in mind that our blog content can be google searched). You can write almost anything in this blog. For example, your testimonies; your experience in a particular event; your understandings on biblical topics; the upcoming events and etc. All these can not only bless other people's life, it also sharpens your writing and language standard.
Therefore, I challenge all of you to use this blog as a diary (or an archive)- to store your experiences and knowledge. Such that 10 years later, you can go through this blog again and discover the changes God has made in your life!
Below are instructions on how to facilitate blog reading. I have Reign in Life feeds on my email inbox. So I will receive any updates or uploads immediately. For me, reading the blog helps me to know what is going on in LA.
Kenji Kusuma
Info for Mac users:
You can add Reign in Life RSS feed in your "Mail" application.
1) Open "Mail"
2) Go to File --> Add RSS Feeds...
3) Follow the above figure. URL is "Http://fadestiny08.blogspot.com". Click "Add" and wait.
4) You are done!!! To make it a mail inbox, observe the figure below.
5) On the right side of the "Reign in Life" tab, there is an up arrow button. Click on that one to pull it up to your inbox. Now, you will receive RSS feeds like you receive emails!
For Windows users:
You can add RSS feeds on Windows sidebar (that column on the right side).
1) Go to our Blog (Http://fadestiny08.blogspot.com) and on some part of internet explorer, there is an "subscribe RSS feed" button or link. Click on that one and subscribe
2) On the top of the sidebar, click the "+" button and you will open a "gadget gallery"
3) Choose Feed Headlines. Change the settings such that it only shows "reign in life" feeds
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Dunia Saat Ini
We have taller buildings, but shorter tempers.
Wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints.
We spend more, but have less.
We buy more, but enjoy it less.
We have bigger houses and smaller families.
More conveniences, but less time.
We have more degrees, but less sense.
More knowledge, but less judgment.
More experts, but more problems.
More medicine, but less wellness.
We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly,
laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry too quickly,
stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little,
watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.
We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values.
We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.
We've learned how to make a living, but not a life;
We've added years to life, not life to years.
We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet the new neighbor.
We've conquered outer space, but not inner space;
We've done larger things, but not better things.
We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul.
We've split the atom, but not our prejudice.
We write more, but learn less;
We plan more, but accomplish less;
We've learned to rush, but not to wait;
We have higher incomes, but lower morals;
We have more food, but less appeasement;
We build more computers to hold more information to produce more copies than ever, but have less communication.
We've become long on quantity, but short on quality.
These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion; tall men, and short character; steep profits, and shallow relationships.
These are the times of world peace, but domestic warfare; more leisure,but less fun; more kinds of food, but less nutrition.
These are days of two incomes, but more divorce; of fancier houses, but broken homes.
These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throw away morality, one-night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill.
BenjaminGen Devotional (September 11)
Robin Gunawan
Introduction
Everyone here faces challenges of some sorts every day. Some challenges we can conquer easier than others, but there are also some which we struggle with. I believe that what God wants us to know is this:
In areas where we are not able to do much, His superabounding grace will give us strength to conquer.
I am not sure if this is true for some or all of us, but God actually uses us the most in the very area of our weaknesses!
Joseph Prince - A Stutterer Turned into An international
Conference Speaker
Joseph Prince is a pastor used by God mainly to preach the Gospel of Grace.. There has been many occasions where Pastor Prince shared on his high school experience as a stutterer. He said that he was so bad at public speaking, that he “couldn’t begin to stutter!”He shared on how one of his high school teachers would always call him out in class to answer questions, and his face would turn red at those occasions because of the embarrassment of not being able to speak well in front of his classmates.
Now, he is a highly-sought after international conference speaker, where he preaches the Gospel in front of tens of thou- sands of people.If you’ve watched a video or listened to an audio message of his, you wouldn’t be able to tell that this man was once a stutterer!
One day, another teacher from his high school school days came to his church one day and left a note for him at the end of the service. The message say, “this is God.” All glory to God!
Jesus Heals A Man of Infirmity 
In the book of John, there is a story of a man who was bound with infirmity for 38 years. Back in
those days, there was a pool called Bethseda and whoever steps into the pool first whenever the angels stirred the waters, he/she would be healed of any disease. This man was not healed even though he wants to simply because no one was willing to help him, and he was most likely unable to do it himself. After 38 long years of trying to immerse in the pool, Jesus came along, and healed him instantly! The Man of Grace came to Bethseda (Hebrew: House of Grace) and healed the man of infirmity. God’s open hand of grace can help us achieve in an instant what takes ages to achieve in the natural!
Conclusion
No matter how tough or seemingly impossible our situation is, God’s grace will supernaturally turn that circumstance around to our favor, if we are willing to lay that problem down at His feet and let His grace work amazing wonders in our lives!
BenjaminGen Devotional (August 28)
Robin Gunawan
Introduction
I believe everyone of us here face troubles and discouraging situations at some point in time. There are times when we feel like giving up because of the obstacles ahead; however, I believe that every single time we are tempted to do that, the Holy Spirit dwelling in us always prompts us not to. And I believe that the message He has for us today is this:
No matter what difficulty we are in, our victory lies in being able to look beyond the natural and calling the things that don’t exist, as though they did!
If you look up the above verse, you will notice that the person who calls those things that don’t exist as though they did, is not any normal human being, but he is our Father! [Romans 4:17b] If our earthly dads only want the best for us, how much more our heavenly Father! [Matthew 7:11] And because he loves us so much, He wants us to reign in life by learning His methods of doing things!
Peter - From Wavering Reed to Solid Rock
In the Greek language, “Simon” means a “reed”, and “Peter” means a “rock”. Whenever Jesus met Simon, He always calls him “Peter”. In other words, He always calls the wavering reed, a rock!
Although Peter had his name changed by Jesus, he didn’t have his act altogether in an instant. For a long time, he continued acting like a reed that wavers the way the wind blows.
When Peter saw Jesus walking in the water, he said,”Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” However, as he walked on the water, he noticed the boiste
r- ous wind, got scared and when he started sinking, cried out, “Lord, save me!” [Matthew 14: 28-30] On another occasion, he told Jesus, “Lord, I am ready to go with You, both to prison and to death”. However, a few hours later, he denied knowing Jesus not only once, but three times!
Notice how even through all of Peter’s failures, Jesus never called him “Simon”? Jesus kept on proclaiming him as a “rock”, and His faith paid off finally, when Peter got 3,000 people saved on the Day of Pentecost through his preaching! Peter became the pillar (rock) of the early church, just as Jesus had prophesied.[Matthew 16:18]
Conclusion
Friends, calling those things that already exist as though they exist has no power because...they exist! We have a big God and He wants us to look beyond our cur- rent situations and see our victory right now! Granted, not all situations will turn around instantaneously but let us learn to be like Jesus, whose prophesy of Peter came true because He called those things that don’t exist, as though they did!
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
We the citizens of God's vineyard.. pledge ourselves as the new wine :)
Hello everyone..
I think God brought me to this blog today after my extremely long period of dormancy from our fa blog. Why, you may ask? The first thing I read was the post right below mine (Kenji's post). Then I thought "Hmm.. stepping out of our comfort zone.. oh-kay.. that's something really relevant for me this summer."
As most of you have already known, I went to Korea for an education abroad program from June-August. Well, it was frightening at first because I'm not familiar with the language and I've always been around the comfort of my Indonesian friends. So, the thought of having to start a new chapter with non-Indonesian friends in a foreign country was a scare. However, I can tell you right now that my experience in Korea was amaaaaaazing :) God never leaves us alone. Never. There's a verse that says "I will never leave you, nor forsake you" and I can tell you from my experience, that His word is more alive than anyone could ever imagine. Hehe. He gave me an indonesian friend to begin with, Ko Tedy, who took me to this Indonesian church in Seoul. I was definitely the youngest there because everyone was either working or married already. But God gave me the things I needed to bond well with them :) So, when you're willing to step out of your comfort zone, that doesn't mean letting God's hands go. In fact, He will all the more hold our hands and enable us to do things we never thought we could. Remember, He is our Provider. Amen.
And plus, God rewarded me with an opportunity to be the worship leader during one of the Sunday services. Although I am lacking in much, He still uses me. Now, this reminds me about something else God taught me over the summer. After I completed my summer classes in Seoul and flew back to Jakarta, there was one Saturday when I went to a GBI Youth Service called "Friends." To be honest, I was a little conscious about coming "friendless" to that place. However, a friend urged me to accompany her there. So I did. And God spoke relevantly (and, powerfully) to me that night. He gave me a new perspective about the miracle that Jesus did in John 2:1-13.
Right before he turned the water into wine, he specifically asked the servants of the party to bring him empty vessels that served the purpose of washing the guests' feet (as the custom of the Jews at that time). Then he ordered for those dirty vessels to be filled with tap water and then he turned that water into wine, which tasted better than the wine before. Friends, God could have used perfectly beautiful & clean vessels to be filled with water, but He chose the dirty vessels that were used to wash feet instead. This message really strengthens me. Often times, I feel that people underestimate me in life... however now I know how much I mean to God. As long as one is willing to give his/her life to Jesus, He will fill our lives with His water and do his miracles, so that we are transformed 180 degree into new wine, which tasted waaaaay better than the wine that was served in the party earlier on. So folks, no matter what you're lacking in, as long as you give your life to God, He will be responsible till the end to transform you from just dirty water to new wine. Amen!
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Blessed
Hi Teman2,
It's been slightly over a month since I last spent time with you all. I still often think of everyone and honestly, I miss all of you in LA! Jakarta is awesome; there are many things to do and many topics to learn. After all, a new environment requires a whole new set of knowledge and survival techniques. During the past 1 month, God really blesses my life with new friends and understandings. He guides my every action and gives me new revelation every day. Thus, in this post, I hope to share an experience.
We often hear pastor ranting about getting out of your comfort zone. Often, Roy and Veli reminded us of the necessity to get out of your usual routine and win more souls for Jesus. With God's grace, we've witnessed some miraculous transformation. Most of us grew from an inactive church member, to a radical revolutioners and transformers. We did things we have never done before; we create new team philosophy every time we organize an event; we improved our skills and multiplied our talent. Doing new things, daring to climb up the next step towards His standard is indeed getting out of our comfort zone.
None of us were comfortable when we had to approach strangers and preach the gospel to them but it is that discomfort that developed our strength, our resilience. When I arrived to Jakarta, I had many options. I could stay at home and play computer games; I could go to my dad's office and read newspapers or I could go out, make friends and do something that enrich myself. Choosing the latter will definitely make me uncomfortable. After all I know almost no one from Indonesia and I have no friends at all. But I prayed for strength and favor. I prayed to God that I will have favor everywhere I go.
I was brought to a 'FA' session where I have to face 40 strangers (Yes... 40). There, the FA leader was pushing his friends to get out of their comfort zone at all times. He instructed us not to seek comfort, for God will send comforter (Holy Spirit) to comfort you. Instead, we should seek out of comfort and ask God to process our lives! That FA leader's message sounded almost cruel to me but at the same time, it was a huge blessing to me. I now know He wanted me to get out of my comfort zone. It was very difficult at first because I was new to everything. But when I see something that is difficult, God reminded me of the things I've done in LA. If I can go to Venice Blvd and pray with strangers, there is absolutely no reason for me to be scared of just chatting with strangers! True, there were several awkward moments during the process but I believe the discomfort will prepare me for bigger things tomorrow or next week.
Soon, I was getting quite comfortable with my situation. However, God did not want me to stop. He wants to show me what His favor can do in my life. Two weeks ago, I began my fasting session for Bring it On event. During the same time, I had to assist my parents in settling some administrative matters in Singapore. Naturally, I know I will have to listen to many uncomfortable comments regarding fasting. Being a non-believer, my parents scoffed at my decision to fast for the church. Really, it was a moment of total discomfort. But I've shown them that when I fast for my God, I work three times as effectively. I completed the tasks that required three days in just one single day. They were impressed with my performance and soon dropped their comments regarding fasting. That, my friend- is God's favor!
Just recently, I attended a session where Pst Tommy Tenney preached about Esther. Tommy T informed us that, presently, the Muslims and other anti-jewish people often visits Esther's grave (in middle east) and give their respect to Esther! Esther was a Jews and she was supposedly hated among the Muslim population. But when God favor is with you, even your enemies respect you! We shouldn't worry about being uncomfortable because GOD knows you are uncomfortable. He knows it and inspects your faith in Him. He favors Esther because of her faith. Likewise, He only favors people with faith!
My friends, I believe everyone is at the point where things start to get comfortable again. I hope when you read this message, you will be reminded of Veli's preaching sessions. Pray to God that He will process your life and equip you with everything you need. Then get out and prepare the field for his rain! Ask for favor, remove that comfortable blanket from your body and wait for God to show His mighty power. When things get too difficult, remember, you are the one that went out and preached the gospel to strangers.
