Learn from the past and Embrace new dreams for the future

Great Is Thy Faithfulness. Less than a month passes over the 2011, but it's never late to pause for a moment; wishing all of my families, friends and colleagues a very happy and healthy new year 2012. I do understand, some of us has experienced hard times. In fact, a few consider It as one of difficult economic times in life, but let's take stock of many blessings we have in life. The love of our families, friendship of our colleagues and neighbors, especially our respective great communities.  These are  valuable strengths that will help us manage the current challenges and give us renewed hope for the future.

Nothing more important for me than to praise God for His faithfulness during that time. He never let me walk alone. I saw many good things happened  between the then bad conditions. I acknowledge, O Lord, only by Your mighty hands I could overcome all the obstacles I had in the past and it always does because of Your faithfulness in my life. You'd never let me walk alone. As King David said in Psalm 91:7-11:

7       A thousand may fall at your side,

         And ten thousand at your right hand;

         But it shall not come near you.

 ⁸      Only with your eyes shall you look,

         And see the reward of the wicked.

⁹      Because you have made the LORD, who is my refuge,

         Even the Most High, your dwelling place,

 ¹⁰      No evil shall befall you,

         Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling;

 ¹¹      For He shall give His angels charge over you,

         To keep you in all your ways.

I say AMEN and  always say "AMEN".  I saw and  paid attention of many wicked ways people might plan and put in place, either secretly or smoothly, with or without any whatsoever sweet words they  might say before me, God has always enlightened me to know their real intention. Indeed, HE covered me with HIS wings and lifted me up higher to the level I've never thought the slightest. Because of the blessings of Abraham, HE has poured out upon me, let every people reap their own respective plan for the Lord cannot be deceived (see Gen 12:3)! 

God Is My Shepherd.

I don't know about tomorrow.I just live from day to day ......But I know who holds tomorrow and I know who holds my hands .....This song reminds me of how great our need for God's guidance in life. This 2012, many things may happen, worse or better, nobody knows it. I completely rely on Romans 8:28; "all things work for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose" because He is my Good Shepherd; yea though I walk through the valley of death I fear no evil, for You are with me, Your rod and staff they comfort me" (Psalm 23:4).

I will walk with full confidence in 2012 as this year is a season of favor of God. Grant me O Lord, a humble heart, wisdom and serenity to lead my family and others on how to live righteously and please God in life, daily activities and profession ......I love You Lord.

(NBG's)

God gives you the victory

 Author: Temmy Berhitoe

for the Lord your God is He who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you (Deuteronomy 20:4). Through this God’s Word, there are 4 important points which we must do in order to experience our victory:

1.    Verse 1: Do not be afraid

The enemies could be business, competition of business, pressures, illness, failures, deadlocks.  Isaiah 41:10, “God be with us, He ready to help and give us victories”. 

2.    Verse 2 : Function of the priest in the family should be prioritized.

Priest must act as a leader who gives spirit, strength and motivation for the family then they will not be easily afraid, broken spirit and discouraged.  In addition to that, the priest should raise prayer to God asking power and blessing to his family.

3.    Verse 3: Priest should be strong

In order to overcome every step in the spiritual battle, the priest should be a role model when he is facing the enemy, he won’t be afraid of it.  

4.    Verse 4: Focus on God who gives the victory

Don’t focus on your strength, power, brain, etc. The man who focus on, he is serious, he strives, he endeavors and we must understand the proverb 21:31,” the victory is at the Lord’s hand” (focus on God only).

Zefanya 3:17, ” The Lord your God is in your midst; he is a warrior who can deliver. The victory has been given, becoming my part. For this matter,  is required a  priest  (Hebrew 11:1, Mark 11:22-24).

Important tips to remember:  Romans 8:31-39, What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? We are more than conquerors! Take your steps and get your victory. Jesus bless you.

(quoted from GBI Fatmawati's Bulletin, September 21, 2011)

Call To Serve

Is every Christian called to serving? How to know the call?

“Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose (Romans 8:27-28)”.

The verse above describes 2 things: 

1. Those who love God are those called according to His purpose.
2. God promises that all things work together for good to those who love God.

In the New Testament, terminology “are called” ('kletos’) and “calling” ('klesis’) appears 22 times. All declares the call of God for His people for divine purposes. This call is not merely the call for being a pastor or missionary, but all churches are called by God for which ‘kletos’ + preposition ‘ek’ = ‘ekklesia’. The terminology ‘ekklesia’appears 115 times, means “the-called-out ones’ and interpreted as “church”.

A church which is established by the grace of God must contain individuals called by God. They are called out of worldliness and entered into Christ. All activities and the way of life do not be “conformed to this world” (Roman 12:2) but to live in a way that is worthy of the calling to which you have been called” (Eph 4:1).

Paul said that He was “called to be apostle and set apart for the Gospel (Roman 1:1). This is special call as a servant of God for the rest of his life (full timer).

By the same terminology Paul said that members in Roman and Corinthian church are called by Christ in their ministry as well (Roman 1:6; I Corinthians 7:22). This is a general ministry to be done by every Christian. Neither any may proclaim that he is not called by God for ministry as all children of God are servants of God.

In practice, many Christians have reasonable ground not to join in the ministry. For example: “ I don’t have any talent, I don’t have high educational background, I’m weak and dumb,; etc. I urge them to read I Corinthian 1:26-28. It is said that:

“When you are called, according to human measurement not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is nonsense in the world to make the wise feel ashamed. God chose what is weak in the world to make the strong feel ashamed. And God chose what is insignificant in the world, what is despised, what is nothing, in order to destroy what is something ……………”

Those verses do not mean that all people used by God is nonsense people, but it shall mean God remains to be able to use us even though we are deemed as “no use”. In fact, God has promised that all things work together for good to us who love Him (Roman 8:28). In modernized society with rapid competition, worldly companies and organizations merely want to use “smart, good looking, strong and noble” people.  However God calls all kind of people who “love Him” (Romans 8:28) and “holy people (saints)” to be perfected (“katartismos”, Eph 4:12), may be interpreted as “equipped by” or armed with”. Praise to the Lord that it is because of the willingness to serve God, then we who are weak and nonsense “enhanced” to be smart and strong people. One of the faith figures,A.W. Tozer, said “God will use people who always rejoice and accept God’s discipline or teaching”.

There are many people serving God temporarily. It means, if  they are “happy, unburden, greatly blessed, praised” then they want to serve God. But if the circumstances deteriorate, then they are no longer interested in serving. This is egoistic humane character. Just remember that “He never regrets his grace and calling (Roman 11:29). God’s call is “permanently”, not temporarily.

The last, how we know God’s call to us respectively:

1. “Strive earnestly” (II Pet 1:10a) to know God’s call. 
2. “If you obey it, you won’t be stumbled” (II Pet 1:10b). 
3. Asking (in pray) .. so the eyes of your hearts enlightened, you will know the hope of His calling (Eph 1:17-18). 
4. The more we love God, the more we believe in God’s call. According to Roman 8:28,”they who love Him” is identical to “they who are called according to God’s plan. Therefore, obedience upon God’s order and encouragement of His love are the foundations of our ministry.

After we understand the God’s call, let us be ready to take the ministry with full heart and thanksgiving. As reflected by a recruitment poster from US government/army saying “Your Country needs YOU,” then the church needs Christians who love Him and are willing to serve Him, “ the Church needs you.

(Quoted and translated from an article “Answers to Contemporary Questions”, P.57-58, Dr. David Pan Purnomor, Seminary Alkitab Asia Tenggara, Malang, 1994).  

Sin's Wages Not Reduced

 (Author: J. Wilbur Chapman)

There is no incident that more forcefully illustrates sin's ruin than that connected with the painting of Leonardo Da Vinci's great masterpiece, "The Last Supper." Long and in vain had the artist sought for a model for his Christ. "I must find a young man of pure life," he declared, "before I can get that look on the face I want." At length, his attention was called to a young man who sang in the choir of one of the old churches of Rome, Pietro Bandinelli by name. He was not only a young man of beautiful countenance, but his life was as beautiful as his face. The moment he looked upon this pure, sweet countenance the artist cried out for joy, "At last I have found the face I wanted !" So Pietro Bandinelli sat as the model for his picture of Christ. 

Years passed on, and still the great painting, "The Last Supper," was not finished. The eleven faithful apostles had all been sketched on the canvas, and the artist was hunting for a model for his Judas. "I must find a man whose face has hardened and distorted," he said; "a debased man, his features stamped with the ravages only wicked living and a wicked heart can show." Thus he wandered long in search of his Judas, until one day in the streets of Rome he came upon a wretched creature, a beggar in rags, with a face of such hard, villainous stamp that even the artist was repulsed. But he knew that at last he had found his Judas. So it came about that the beggar, with the repulsive countenance, sat as a model for Judas. As he was dismissing him, Da Vinci said, "I have not yet asked your name, but I will now." "Pietro Bandinelli," replied the man, looking at him unflinchingly. "I also sat to you as the model for your Christ !" Astonished, overwhelmed by this startling declaration, 

Da Vinci would not at first believe it, but the proof was at hand, and he had finally to admit that Pietro Bandinell;, he whose fair, sweet face had been the inspiration for his great masterpiece, the face of Christ, had now become so disfigured by the sins of a lifetime that no trace was left of that marvelous beauty which before had been the admiration of men ! "Sin when it is finished bringeth forth death!"—

(published by: NBG's)

PAY IT FORWARD

(collected from sources)

Pay It Forward is a movie about a 12-year-old’s plan to make a difference in the world. Motivated by a teacher at his school, Trevor invites a homeless man to sleep in his garage. Unaware of this arrangement, his mother awakens one evening to find the man working on her truck. Holding him at gunpoint, she asks him to explain himself. He shows her that he has successfully repaired her truck and tells her about Trevor’s kindness. He says, “I’m just paying it forward.”

I think this is what Jesus had in mind in one of His last conversations with His disciples. He wanted to show them the full extent of His love. So before their last meal together, He took off His outer garment, wrapped a towel around His waist, and began to wash His disciples’ feet. This was shocking because only slaves washed feet. It was an act of servanthood and a symbol that pointed to Jesus’ sacrifice, passion, and humiliation on the cross. His request to His disciples was: “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet” (John 13:14). They were to “pay it forward.”

What Goes Around, Comes Around

One of another real famous stories is a story of the Inventor of Penicillin. His name was Fleming, and he was a poor Scottish farmer. One day, while trying to eke out a living for his family, he heard a cry for help coming from a nearby bog. He dropped his tools and ran to the bog. There, mired to his waist in black mulch, was a terrified boy, screaming and struggling to free himself. Farmer Fleming saved the lad from what could have been a slow and terrifying death.

The next day, a fancy carriage pulled up to the Scotsman's sparse surroundings. An elegantly dressed nobleman stepped out and introduced himself as the father of the boy Farmer Fleming had saved. "I want to repay you," said the nobleman. "You saved my son's life."

"No, I can't accept payment for what I did," the Scottish farmer replied, waving off the offer. At that moment, the farmer's own son came to the door of the family hovel. "Is that your son?" the nobleman asked. "Yes," the farmer replied proudly.

"I'll make you a deal. Let me take him and give him a good education. If the lad is anything like his father, he'll grow to a man you can be proud of."

And that he did. In time, Farmer Fleming's son graduated from St. Mary's Hospital Medical School in London, and went on to become known throughout the world as the noted Sir Alexander Fleming, the discoverer of penicillin.

Years afterward, the nobleman's son was stricken with pneumonia. What saved him? Penicillin.

The name of the nobleman? Lord Randolph Churchill. His son's name? Sir Winston Churchill.

Someone once said, "What goes around, comes around."

Alexander Fleming has paid forward the good things to Winston Churchill and that should have been done by all Christians for the rest of their life (Read: John 3:15) as we got so many abundant blessings from the Father God.

Imagine how different our world would look if we gave the kind of love to others that God has given us through Jesus.

Christ’s example teaches us
That we should follow Him each day,
Meeting one another’s needs,
Though humble service be the way. —Hess

To know love, open your heart to Jesus. To show love, open your heart to others.

ABRAM: A MAN OF INTEGRITY

 (Genesis 14:1-24)

By: Alan Carr, Pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Lenoir, NC.

Intro: There is a word in the English language that we hear used from time to time. Yet, this is a word that we rarely see modeled in our day. That word is the word "Integrity." It means the following: "possession of firm principles: the quality of possessing and steadfastly adhering to high moral principles or professional standards".I. V. 1-16.
 
When a person is said to have integrity, we mean that they have high moral standards. We mean that they operate in a way that causes them to seek the right way first. This is the behavior that God would have all His children exhibit all the time. One of the greatest things that can be said about your life is that you are a person of integrity.

This is the behavior that is modeled by Abram in this passage. Genesis 14 is a glimpse inside the life of this great man of God. There are three areas of his life that are dealt with in this passage. In each of these, Abram demonstrates the fact that he is a man of integrity. Let's examine these areas this evening so that we too may become people of integrity for the glory of the Lord.

ABRAM'S INTEGRITY IN WARFARE


A. V. 1-12 The Setting For His Warfare - This chapter tells us about a brutal invasion by a confederation of powerful kings who occupied the region that corresponds to Iraq and Iran in our day.

1. V. 1-11 Involved A Vicious Retaliation - Evidently, Sodom had been a tributary of king Chedorlaomer for some 12 years, verse 4. After 12 years, they refused to pay their tribute money and revolted. Chedorlaomer, along with his confederates, invaded Canaan to deal with these rebellious people. This invasion resulted in the sacking of Sodom and the capturing of Lot, along with all his possessions. (Note: There is always some evil tyrant like Chedorlaomer who wants to put you in bondage. If you leave the things of the Lord like Lot did and walk off into the world, you can count on forming evil habit and lusts that are difficult to break, 1 Cor. 10:23; 1 Cor. 6:12. In fact, like Lot, you won't get free unless the Lord intervenes!) 
2. V. 12 Involved A Valid Reason - When Abram heard that Lot was in trouble, he went to war. I gather that Abram is a man of peace. This is the only time we see him at war in his life. However, when there was a need, he went to battle! (Note: I just want to remind you that we are all engaged in warfare this evening, Eph. 6:12; 2 Cor. 10:3-5. Our battle is spiritual in nature.)

B. V. 14-15 The Success Of His Warfare - These verses tell us that Abram waged war and won a decisive victory.

1. V. 14 Involved His Preparations For The Enemy - Abram armed his men and prepared for the battle. (Note: God's children need to be ready at all times for spiritual battle, Eph. 6:10-18. Our success in the spiritual battles of life hinges on how well we prepare ourselves for the battles we face.) 
2. V. 15 Involved His Pursuit Of The Enemy - We are at war all the time, but there are times when we need to take the fight to the enemy. When it is time to stand against evil. When it is time to defend or rescue a brother. When it is time to stand in the gap for another. Let us fight the good fight, 2 Tim. 4:7.)

(Note: May we always demonstrate great integrity in the battles we fight. We do so by facing the enemy with out faith in the Lord and His power. We do so by always being found on the side of right. We do so by not shrinking from the battle for fear of the enemy. We do so by standing when others run away!)

II. V. 18-20 ABRAM'S INTEGRITY IN WORSHIP 

A. V. 18 The Facilitator Of His Worship - Abram had faith to make war and he encounter a facilitator to help him in his worship of the Lord. Notice some truths about this mysterious man named Melchizedec. 

1. Melchizedec's Position - He is called a "king". He is a ruler, a man of great influence, wealth and power. 
2. Melchizedec's Place - He is the "King of Salem". The word "Salem" means "peace". It is an ancient name for the city of Jerusalem. His name means "King of Righteousness". 
3. Melchizedec's Provisions - When he comes, he brings bread and wine. Both are products of the area and are given to the weary patriarch to help him after the battle. 
4. Melchizedec's Priesthood - He is also a priest of God. Abram wasn't the only man around who knew who the Lord was. He prays for Abram and pronounces a blessing on him and his life. 
5.  Melchizedec's Portrait - This mysterious man is one of the earliest and clearest pictures of the Lord Jesus in the Bible. For the sake of reference, let's look at another passage that deals with Melchizedec in detail, Heb. 7:1-4; 15-17. Who was he? There have been many ideas concerning him identity down through the centuries. The most popular are that he was Job, Shem, Enoch returned to earth, and angel or Jesus Himself. (Note: Not Shem - Father known, Heb. 7:3. Although he was still alive at this time. He died some 40 years after Abraham. Not an angel - called a man - Heb. 7:4. Not Jesus, based on Heb. 7:3; 15.) Most likely, Melchizedec was just a godly man who knew the true and living God. He was a man. He was born and he died like a man, but the Old Testament is silent concerning the details of his life. Why? So that he might be seen as a more clear type of Jesus Christ.) (Note: The picture he paints of Jesus. An eternal priest, Heb. 7:3; Heb. 7:25. No beginning or end. Presenting bread and wine. These picture the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus, Who said that the bread represented His broken body and the wine His shed blood, Luke 22:19-20. He was a king, Jesus is a king. He was a priest, Jesus is a priest. He was name king of Righteousness. Jesus is absolutely righteous. He was king of peace. Jesus is the Prince of Peace, Isa. 9:6.) 

B. V. 19-20a The Fruit Of His Worship - He was blessed for his faithfulness to the Lord. Note the phrase "Abram OF the most high God." Abram is known for his relationship to the Lord and is blessed as a result. (Note: There is no greater commentary on your life or mine than for someone to say, "They are a Christian!" When we give our lives to Him in obedience and worship, He is honored, we are blessed and the world is given His light. Such is the fruit of a life of consistent obedience and worship before the Lord.)

C. V. 20b The Faithfulness Of His Worship - Abram the Lord's grace in his life by tithing back to the work of the Lord. You will notice that Abram tithed while he was still a Gentile. He had not yet been circumcised and was not yet a Jew. (Note: The tithe is a means of honoring God for His blessings upon your life. Tithing is an expression of Worship, 2 Cor. 9:7, a test of obedience, 1 Cor. 16:2; Mal. 3:8-9, and an opportunity for the Lord to bless your life further, Luke 6:38; Mal. 3:10; 2 Cor. 9:6. Abram honored the Lord in all things. That is all He asks of us this evening!) 

(Note: Your integrity in the arena of the worship and acknowledgment of the Lord says much about the condition of your heart and life. Those who love Him will worship Him with their time, their tithe and their talents. What are you doing to worship and honor the Lord God?)

III. V. 17, 21-24 ABRAM'S INTEGRITY IN WEALTH
(Ill. When Abram won this great military victory, he also took possession of the spoils of all the defeated cities. This would have represented a tremendous amount of wealth. Let's observe how Abram deals with the money.) 
  
A. V. 21 The Temptation He Endured - The king of Sodom offers to allow Abram to keep all the goods he has won. Surely this must have been a great temptation. (Note: I think we humans are more tempted in the area of money than we are in any other area. We all search for ways to be sure that we come out on top when all the coins are counted. We cheat on taxes. Cut corners everywhere we can. We will drive ten miles to save 2 cents on a gallon of gas. Raise the devil if we are shortchanged, but keep it quiet when we are overpaid. In fact, if you will let me have a look at your checkbook register, I will tell you what is number one in your life! Your stewardship of your money says much about you!)

B. V. 22-24 The Testimony He Exhibited - Abram's response is classic! He refuses to take a dime from the king of Sodom. He would rather trust the Lord to take care of him that to feel like he owed any man anything. He did not want this wicked king to get his kooks into him! (Note: There are some folks who will do anything for a dollar! May we determine that we will not succumb to the temptation to make a dishonest dollar. If we will exercise integrity in our handling of our resources, we can rest assured that the Lord will look after the needs we may have in this life, Phil. 4:14-19. The Philippians had contributed to the work of th Apostle and could rest in the assurance that God would take care of them should a need arise! By the way, verse 19 is not a blanket promise!)

Conc: The three areas of life that we have examined this evening are all vitally important! Can you say with a clear heart that you are walking in absolute integrity in the areas of you Warfare, your Worship and your Wealth. God help us to search our hearts and deal with any problems we may find there.

Jabez - From Shame to Honour

(c) Copyright 2000 Rev. Bill Versteeg

"Pain," it has been said, "is the best teacher." After all, children of every age listen to the instructions of pain when they will listen to no other teacher. That is called the "school of hard knocks." But there are other kinds of pain that do not teach, and every child of God deserves to be free from them. Consider Jabez.

I Chronicles 4:9,10  NIV  Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, "I gave birth to him in pain." Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, "Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain." And God granted his request. (NIV)

Often Bible characters were named prophetically to reflect something of their character and destiny. Jabez' name means "causes pain." Another way to say it would be "child of sorrow," "my grief," or in the more common language, "the loser." And it was his own mother who gave him this name.

With a name like that, it is not hard to imagine childhood dynamics. Imagine when he was 5 years old out playing in the fields with others the same age and his mother's voice called out... "You who have cause me pain, you source of grief, you loser, time for dinner!" The children around him, doing the occasional cruel things they can sometimes do, stop playing and suddenly jeer at him, "Hey, Loser! Mamma's calling." 

Most often parents will call their children their pride and joy, but this guy was their grief, their sorrow. Deserved or undeserved, the shame label sticks with a merciless glue that will not let go, no matter how hard a child tries. Jabez, it seems, was such a child. And the burden of shame drove him to cry out to God so that he would finally be free from pain. 

And we discover that this time the grace of God had no desire to send Jabez through the school of hard knocks - shame teaches us no good thing. The scriptures tell us that among the children we serve, it is the shamed ones that God identifies with - his jubilee mercy is to the broken hearted, he hears the cries of the "losers" - "For he has not despised or disdained the suffering of the afflicted one; he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help." Psalm 22:24 When Jabez cried out to God, God's ready answer was YES! 

In answer to his prayer - though he wore the label of shame all his life, the eternal record of scripture records that Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. So often, the painful labels of shame burden the forming character of a child. In counseling language, we hear today of "adult children of disfunction" - adults whose life and social skills have been shaped by the forces of shame in their youth. How often those who have received pain continue the cycles of pain to others around them. Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. God, in answer to prayer, protected Jabez. God set his character, not in the stone of paralyzed emotions and pain suffered in silence, rather God enabled his character to grow strong, lively, selfless and true even under the burden of shame he carried. 

Not only was Jabez's character different from his label of shame, so to was his destiny. Jabez asked for God's blessing and for the Lord to make him a greater person than he was. In those days, land was marked by unmovable boundaries. Jabez was drawing on that image and asking God to move the boundaries that had been impose upon him by his cruel, sorrowful name - and the Lord of Creation, who sets the boundaries, said "YES!" God moved the limits placed by shame so that Jabez's future was filled with the prosperity of God's blessing. 

In each one of our classes we have a child, or two, who have picked up a label of shame - maybe because of some distinctive physical quality, or maybe because of a special character trait or a disability - a label of shame like freak, geek, loser, liar, failure, fatso. But with prayer - our prayers personally, and prayers with our students, with our love, our love personally and our example of love in the classroom, these labels of shame need not cripple character or determine destiny. God, who will always be close to the broken hearted will hear their cries, our cries and pour out his blessing. 

Jabez was a living testimony to the goodness of God despite his birth and circumstances. God heard the cry of this lone outcast and granted his prayers. His destiny was changed, his heart healed, and he stands as a memorial to the grace and mercy of the God who hears the cries of the brokenhearted.