Psalm 139 – Nothing to hide

"There’s no place like home" they say. When you’re at home, you don’t need to act or talk certain way, you can be just who you are and you will still be accepted because it’s your home—your family, where you belong. When I’m at home with my family, I could do certain things that I would not be able to do when I’m with my friends. And that’s because I know that my family knows me very well, I grow up with them, and I AM a PART of them. If our family is that close to us and we can be so real and carefree with them, how do you think we should be when we are with our Creator?

A lot of times, we don’t realize that God is our CREATOR, He designed and created us. He knows us inside out; He knows us better that we know ourselves. And still, we often act like Adam and Eve when they fallen into sin, we like to hide from God, hide behind our rituals, hide behind our worship and not get REAL with Him and let Him DEAL with us. When I read Psalm 139:1-6, I felt foolish when I’m reminded of how I try to cover things in front of God. When I felt ashamed of my sins and try to run away from Him because I felt not worthy and condemned, He still reached out to me and never left me.

Friends, know that once you accepted Him in your heart, He will hold you tight and never leave you. No matter how far you try to hide, no matter how dirty you become to push Him away from you, He will always reach out to you, maybe through a friend, a prayer, a word, a revelation, a memory, God has million ways to call you back but again, it’s always up to us to respond to Him or to keep running away.

Know that when we’re with God, we don’t need to hide anything because he knows what’s in your heart before you said it or even before it is in your heart. He even knows if you’re going to reject Him but still, He loves you the same and He has said it all on the Cross. So, please don’t be foolish by trying to hide from Him J

Putri Dariani

Psalm 138:1-8 – Praising in Times of Trouble

Do you remember when you first got saved? Remember the pure joy and bliss? It was like wearing rose-tinted glasses. You saw the same people and places, but everything was different. Life was good. Everything was celebrated. Then suddenly it came. It was as if somebody smashed your new glasses with a 10 pound hammer. You faced your first adversity. Maybe this was criticism by your parents or teachers. Maybe it was the loss of a job and financial trouble. For me, trouble came in the form of rejection by some of my closest friends. It is as if the happiness and joy flee and are replaced by concern and fear.

David, the psalmist and king, acknowledges troubled times. He dealt with it a good part of his life. From battling Goliath the giant to running away from King Saul’s army, David was well aware that following God can be tough. But he also got to see the hand of God deliver him time and time again. So he learned to give God praise even in the midst of trouble.

We are not immune to trials. In fact, we often have more trouble once we become saved. The reason is that before we were under the dominion of Satan, the ruler of this world. Now we are under the kingdom of God. The devil would like nothing more than to confuse and distract God’s people from fulfilling the purposes in their lives. Although we must be prepared, we don’t have to be worried. God is greater than the enemy, and promises to sustain us. He will stretch out His hand against the anger of our enemies. We can praise him even in the middle of our troubles, knowing that at the other end of our test is a testimony!

Matthew White

Psalm 137:1-9

The psalm spoke about the times the Jews were in captivity in Babylon and the treatment they received there.

As I ponder and reflect of the times then, I began to realize the kind of oppression these people received back then. The last verse talks about infants being taken from their mother, and smashed onto rocks.

It is a cruel world!

However, in times oppression, people return back to God. They lifted up cries and tears, in hope to be comforted by God and God is faithful always.

Yes, God is faithful always… no matter what!

Keith S. Muljadi

Psalm 136:1-26 – His Love Endures Forever

"Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His love endures forever" (Psalm 136:1).

Exactly one week from now, it will be Christmas Eve, a time for celebration, family gathering, and gifts and toys. Some people will be hoping to receive a gift they would like. Some may be preparing for the New Year, planning out the year and writing resolutions. And some may look back at 2007 to count their victories and perhaps failures.

In all the planning and holiday activities, let us remember God, draw near, renew our commitment, and lift up our needs and wishes to Him, our loving Father God who provides and gives His blessings generously. And through it all, let us always remember to "Give thanks to the God of heaven. His love endures forever" (Psalm 136:26).

Hansel Ong

I am reminded that the Word of God is flawless. Nothing that is written in the Word of God contains any falsehood or error. We serve the God of truth who cannot lie, and thus His Words are full of integrity. Every single teaching is pure, free from the philosophy of men.

Slowly we learn to trust in God. He will become a shield and a place of refuge. During times of oppression, every arrows of the devil will be nullified by the Word, and those restless, will be able to find refuge in Him.

Thus, we ought to take joy, and treasure the Word of God. Always be discerning of the ones that have altered the Word itself.

Let’s go deep and learn straight from His Words!

Keith S. Muljadi

Micah 3:5-12

In the book of Micah, the prophets and leaders were rebuked. What is the reason for that?

"Micah 3:5-7 – This is what the Lord says: As for the prophets who lead my people astray, if one feeds them, they proclaim ‘peace’, if he does not, they prepare to wage war against him"

Leading people astray is the reason why they received such a rebuke from God. It is their office and their character that have causes people to worship and walk in God the wrong way.

What was to be done? They were to feed the people.

Essentially, reading further, I realized that feeding or proclaiming peace is not to proclaim things that are good to be heard, but it is to feed the people with the truth; the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Two things: 1) The choices we make to walk, and the character we have causes others to either be built or fall. 2) The proclamation of peace is really speaking truth to correct and impart something that is of the Word.

It is not a choice whether our lives will impact others. How we will impact people, is the real choice we each have to make. What’s your choice?

Keith S. Muljadi

Jonah 1-2 – In the bottom of the Big Fish’s Belly

Jonah 1:17 -- But the LORD provided a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was inside the fish three days and three nights.

Picture what it’s really like in there, inside the Big Fish’s belly. The humidity, the total darkness, the terrible heat, the struggle just to breath above the water line, swimming against all the slimiest creatures that the big whale has swallowed, not to mention the rotten smell of dead microorganisms! Eugh! The picture’s quite depressing isn’t it? Even Jonah depicted it as a living hell!!!

Imagine that Jonah has to endure such situation for three days and three nights, all alone, no one to hold on to. He did not know what’s going to happen next, even whether he’s going to come out of the fish alive. In the middle of a deep desperation and struggle, he had no other choice but to cry out to God; the God he has been running away from, the God that at that time- seems so far away.

There are going to be some times in our lives where we hit rock bottom. There are times in our lives, when our world seems so dark, we don’t know what is going to happen next. Our future seems to be nothing but a big blur, the heats of problems keeps pouring down on us, and burying us alive. I often call it, The Bottom of Big Fish’s Belly Experience. This situation’s enough to make us distracted, distressed, restless, worried, and alone (The last one is the most dreadful for us social creatures).

Pay attention to what Jonah did, that catches God’s attention right away! It brings him out of the situation FAST! (Read the whole Jonah 2, Jonah’s prayer was AWESOMELY POWERFUL)!!!

In the end, God heard Jonah’s prayer: "So the Lord spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto the dry land. A BREAKTHROUGH IS WAITING IN THE END OF THE DARK TUNNEL! Just press on! Don’t give up! J Finally, let you come out of the "Big Fish’s Belly" changed, empowered, and stronger than ever before to do THE PERFECT WILL OF GOD!!!! You might even change a nation, just like Jonah did.

Just never give up. Never.

Joy Holyzia

Proverbs 29:26 – Many seek the ruler's favor; But a man's judgment cometh from the Lord.

Often times, injustice happens in our lives. Many times, we seek to find ‘justice’ with our own understanding and ways.

I remembered the TV show Judge Judy. There is many other TV show Judges that have appeared in our TV screen over the years. The one thing that I always remember is that whenever there are lawsuits between two parties, usually one side wins and the other side is not happy, or the case is dismissed and one party would be happy and the other is not happy or both will be unhappy. However, justice is served – a justice that points one party as right and another as wrong, however, deep inside, one might still be in bondage of hatred and revenge.

As I was reading this, I remembered that the highest of all the judges is God. He is one that is fair and just. Every single one of his decision, makes both side feel at peace, and restored. I remembered when Jesus were with that prostitute that were going to be stoned, and how he handled the situation so well, that those who were condemning and trying to trap Jesus, were rebuked, and the prostitute were given a chance to be restored.

Often times, the justice we seek is impartial and always imperfect. The only perfect judge that would resolve any injustice well is Jesus. Whenever, we are in that state where we felt that injustice were done to us, we need to keep in mind that God will judge equally and justly in due time. All of this, God has done, so that we can do one thing.

So that we can learn and be able to forgive others. The most important for God is to restore us daily, and not let Satan takes away the fullness of life that had been promised to us.

Who do we need to forgive, today?

Keith S. Muljadi

Revelation 3:7-22 – The Key of David

"And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: He who is holy, who is true, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, and who shuts and no one opens, says this:

'I know your deeds. Behold, I have put before you an open door which no one can shut, because you have a little power, and have kept My word, and have not denied My name. – Rev 3:7-8

These two verses are very powerful. The reference of the key of David was made in Isaiah 22. Christ was reflected to hold that master key that opens the Heavenly door and the door of opportunities in our lives.

How many of us are frustrated because doors are being closed in your face? Things do not seem to go according to the desires of your heart. As a student, you started with the ambition of being an Accounting major, but the door to the Accounting department was shut. You tried to apply for the Finance major, and again, this door was shut. Do not be discouraged, Jesus, who is holy, who is true, has the master key of our lives. When a door shut, Jesus will open a door of opportunities for you.

As a professional or entrepreneur, sometimes we too are faced with closed doors in our careers or businesses. For years, I’ve always wanted to start my own café, but somehow the Lord always shut my café business door. However, I did not give up, I tried the second time, it was shut, the third time, it was shut. Finally, after the last attempt in 2006, I finally figured that this is not the door of opportunity that the Lord wanted me to go through. It was so powerful for me to understand how strong the Lord is in our lives. When he opens the door of opportunity for you, no one can shut it. Not the economy, not the government, not the circumstances of our lives, not our family background. IT IS HUGE!!!!

All we need to do is to keep His word close in our hearts, and walk in Christ glorifying lifestyle, and He will set before you an open door. AMEN.

Irwan Ngadisastra

Psalm 130:1-8 - hope for the hopeless

Psalm 130 is David's testimony of trusting in the Lord - for one who knows that even though he is a sinner, the Lord hears his cry out of the depths and forgive his sin.

On verse 3, David was asking who can stand if God keeps account and treat us according to our sins. We cannot justify ourselves before God nor plead not guilty. If God deals with us in strict justice, we are undone. It is because of His mercy that we are not consumed by His wrath. If God were not forgiving, people could only flee from him in terror. There is forgiveness with him, for this is what we need. He has promised to forgive the sins for those who do repent. Thank God that He is not imputing our sins.

Psalm 32:2 "Blessed is the man whose sin the LORD does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit."

Romans 4:6-8 ^{" 6David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works: 7"Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. 8Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him."}

On later verse, David was asking Israel to put hope in the Lord for with the Lord is unveiling love and with him is full redemption. He himself will redeem Israel from all their sins. The same applies to all of us. We are sinful and hopeless people. We need to put our hope in Him. The greatest of all hopes has been fulfilled in Christ.

Lie Tju

Revelation 2:1-17 – What should we do when we lose our “first love”?

Rev. 2:1-17 – (verse 3-5)

 You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.

As I read Revelation 2:1-17, I need to admit that once again I am being reminded of the importance of “First Love” with God. In my opinion, the first love that we are talking here is the intimacy and the close relationships that we should have with God. Today I would like to discuss a little bit on what we should do if we have lost our first love. From these passages, there are 3 keys that we need to remember when we lost our first love. 1) Remember, 2) Repent and 3) Do the things you do at first.

1. Remember – Our brain is one of the most powerful body parts that are given by God. Human minds brought up new inventions; new ideas and it even stored wonderful memories. With our minds we can decide whether we want to be a successful person or not. When we lose our first love, first we really need to remember what kind of person we are before we met God. How sinful we are and how He has saved us. By doing this, we are reminded how our first love started in the beginning and how good God has been to us.

2. Repent – Secondly we need to TAKE ACTIONS. We need to ask for His forgiveness by leaving our first love in the beginning. WHY? Because God does not like us to leave our first love (v4) even though we do good deeds, persevere, endured hardships and other good work (v2&3).

3. Do the things you do at first – Last but not least is to do what God wants us to do. It is to have that relationships and intimacy with God that we used to have when we fall in love with Him at the very first time. It is not a Hello and Bye relationship, but it is more towards friend, lovers and father and son relationships. According to Matthew Henry’s commentary, we must “endeavor to recover our first zeal, tenderness, and seriousness, and must pray as earnestly, and watch as diligently, as when we first set out in the ways of God.”

Today we are being reminded to introspect ourselves. Have we lost our first love with God? If yes, don’t be CONDEMNED. But do the 3 things above which were taken from verse 5 of this chapter. If we don’t come back to our first love, verse 5b told us that God will remove our lampstand from us. In my opinion if we don’t repent, God will take away His spirit from us. Without His spirit, our lives become meaningless. But if we do it, verse 7 shows us that we will be given the right to eat “the tree of life” which is in the paradise of God. According to John Wesley’s commentary, this implies the living with God eternally. I believe living with Him eternally in this earthly world values more than anything that the world can offer.

Rachmat Hartojo

Psalm 128:1-6 – Blessings of those who fear the Lord 

I used to join a student organization whose motto “Work hard, Play hard”.  Everyone there worked very hard and played even harder. They could endure sleepless nights for a week!

When the world starts the day by working hard, we should start the day by worshipping the Lord with spirit of fear God (v.1). The fear of the Lord means to walk in His ways, knowing there is God in heaven who is watching us.

When the world tries to fill empty hearts by partying and drinking, the Lord has given us the gift to enjoy the good of all our labor (Ecclesiates 3: 13). The bible says, “You shall be happy, and it shall be well with you” (v.2).

Moreover, God’s blessing is not only for one day or two days. When we walk in His ways, there is no expiration date. He says, “.. may you see the good of Jerusalem all the days of your life… may you see your children’s children”(v. 5-6).

Marini Yi

Psalm 127:1-2 – “ Stop worrying, start believing”

“Without the help of the LORD it is useless to build a home or to guard a city. 2It is useless to get up early and stay up late in order to earn a living. God takes care of his own, even while they sleep”

We work hard to build our houses and homes. We make ourselves busy obtaining the things that will provide some kind of protection for our lives. We get up early to go to work, work hard all day and then go to bed at night only to toss and turn until we finally fall asleep from exhaustion. We sometimes even work so hard it hurts us. We are driven to do this because we worry that if do not, then we will be left needy, but this is not true.

When we live in Christ’s presence, our lives are well taken care of.

“God takes care of his own, even while they sleep” – isn’t this wonderful?

Then why is it we are straining in living our lives? How do our lives become so distracted and blurry? Well, somehow we become drawn into a false philosophy of life. We are deceived into believing that life is about material things. When we start focusing on material possession, we loose focus of what is true, and our life become out of balance.

Let’s focus our lives back on God, and BELIEVE that in He is well qualified to take care of our lives. Make a point in your life to stop worrying, stop straining, and start believing that He has what’s best for us

Thea Kamadjaja

3 John 1-15 – Don’t be Evil

I remember in 1986 when there were a couple major scandals involving prominent Christian leaders. America was shocked!  Nobody could believe that Christian leaders were capable of deceiving millions of people in the name of God for personal gain or for engaging in adulterous behavior.  Christians and especially leaders are expected to hold the highest standards of ethical behavior.  We are supposed to be model citizens, neighbors, businessmen, and coworkers. 

Unfortunately, it seems that we are losing our moral authority in the world.  I often hear Christians loosely referenced as “hypocrites” by unbelieving friends.  This should not be.  We need to take a moral stand.  Christian owned businesses need to have the highest ethical standards.  When I worked at MCI WorldCom, the CEO Bernard Ebbers was known as an outspoken Christian and Sunday school teacher.  He led prayer in the board room, yet was found guilty of the largest corporate fraud in U.S. history ($13 billion).  How can this happen?

The search engine giant, Google, has an informal motto – “Don’t be evil”.  This slogan governs everything they do from management decisions to dealing with customers.  It is a constant reminder that values manage each and every decision.  What would happen if we made that our personal motto?  John reminds us to not imitate what is evil but only what is good.  God wants us to draw a very clear distinction.  Good and evil should never be confused.  Today’s good deed does not give us a free pass to commit an evil deed tomorrow.  If God rewards those for doing good, then we need to prove it to the world.

Matthew White

3 John 1-15

“The apostle that Jesus loved” This is what John the son of Zebedee who is one of Jesus’ disciple called himself in the bible. When I was reading 3 John I was reminded I once heard a sermon about John. John is pretty popular and well known for the guy who leaned on Jesus’ chest to ask who will betray Jesus, he also witnessed Jesus’ transfiguration on the mountain, saw Jairus’ daughter raised from the dead, was with Jesus at the garden of Gethsemane in his final hours, was with Jesus when Jesus was crucified and outran Peter to the tomb of Jesus when Jesus was resurrected. After Jesus resurrected John continued to minister to the people and was eventually banished to the island of Patmos where he eventually wrote the book of Revelation and several other books we have in the bible today. That is a pretty awesome list of experiences right? I suppose sometimes people think Jesus practice favoritism by calling John the apostle he loves and gave him many special experiences and tasks. But upon further studies and from the sermon, John is the one who called himself the apostle Jesus loved. What is John’s message in his epistles? In most of his epistles and the books he wrote, it is always revolving around love. However, the love we know today is not the love John was writing at that time. One of the definitions of love John gave is:

1Jn 4:8 The one who does not love has not known God. For God is love.
1Jn 4:9 In this the love of God was revealed in us, because God sent His only begotten Son into the world that we might live through Him.
1Jn 4:10  In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation (atonement) concerning our sins.
1Jn 4:11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.

If you notice on 1 john 4:11, John is encouraging us to believe we are Jesus’ beloved. John called himself beloved because he believed he is loved by God. Sometimes we fear God because we think God is an angry God who is always waiting behind our back and jump on us to punish us of our sins when we sin. The truth is far than that (John 3:17). Today if you are living in fear because you think God is against you, I urge you to think again. In the bible it said “perfect love cast out fear” 1Jn 4:18, believe that God indeed has come to bring you life (John 3:17) not condemnation! Believe you are indeed the beloved of Jesus!

Robbi Tjeng

Psalm 124:1-8 – Where does our help come from?

“Our help is in the name of the Lord, 
                the Maker of heaven and earth”

Psalm 124 is a psalm of Thanksgiving on God’s Deliverance. As the people of Israel journeyed to Jerusalem, they sang of how God helped them in their troubles, and how God came through for them in the past. They declared that if it weren’t for the Lord’s involvement, they would have been destroyed. At the end of the psalm, they declared that their help is from the Lord alone, the Maker of heaven and earth.

Sometimes we need to remind ourselves on how God intervened in the past. What a mess we would be in if He had not intervened! Personally, I have knowing and following God for along time now. I’ve seen and experienced on how God came through for me in the past. Today, I can conclude that my help is only from the Lord.

I remember one incident when I was small. As I heard the school bell rang, I ran out immediately from my class to outside of the school to meet my daddy. Since I was still new in that environment, I ran out without even knowing which direction to take. I ended up in the middle of the road next to the flee market. Within minutes peoples and cars started to surround me until I couldn’t move anywhere. I began to panic and screamed as loud as I can be calling for my daddy. Immediately I saw a pair of hands reaching for me. He pulled me up from the crowd and held me in his arm.

It’s a similar scenario when we cried out to God. His arms will reach us immediately and deliver us from our troubles.

Friends, I might not know what you’ve been through and what troubles you are facing today, but one thing that I know is you can count on our God for help. There are no problems that He can’t overcome it with you and for you. If God came through for Israel… and God came through for me… then God will come through for you....

Jenny Lim

1 John 4:1-21 – Loving one another

This is a very powerful Word!

It is a reminder that God is love. However, more than that, as we are born of Him, we are born to love God and to know Him. One of the very things that spoke to me is the fact that the one thing that is apparent in any person, whether he/she loves God or not, is whether he/she is able to love his brother/sister too.

v.19-21 We love because he first loved us. 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.

Loving one another is hard, because we are born selfish. However, it is possible, because He first loved us. It means, that the love of God dwells in us, and that is the reason why we often is compelled to love others and embrace them, no matter how different they are with us.

What about you? Do you say you love God but when you look at your actions, they tell you a different story?

It is time that we introspect and search deep within us, who are we actually?

Keith S. Muljadi

1 John 3:7-24 - What do you do with the seed?

v.10 Here's how you tell the difference between God's children and the Devil's children: The one who won't practice righteous ways isn't from God, nor is the one who won't love brother or sister. A simple test.
v.14 The way we know we've been transferred from death to life is that we love our brothers and sisters. Anyone who doesn't love is as good as dead.

I was struck when I read this message. When we received Jesus as our personal Savior, He put a seed of God in us, enabling us to practice righteousness instead of sin and to love our brother/sister. Mind you once again, God has put the seed within us. The seed is as good as dead if we don't cultivate and nurture it. The fruit of the spirit in Galatians 6:22-23 won't be produced if the seed is not carefully grown. 

Let's take a look at the story of Jacqueline Annette Williams below...

"A woman was convicted of killing two children and their pregnant mother and cutting the woman's full-term baby from her womb. The woman, Jacqueline Annette Williams, 31, could get the death penalty. Ms. Williams was convicted in the November 1995 deaths of 28-year-old Debra Evans; her daughter Samantha, 10, and her son Joshua, 7. Ms. Evans was shot in the head in her apartment and her fetus was ripped from her womb. Samantha was stabbed to death. Joshua was abducted, and his body was found in an alley 10 miles away. Ms. Evans's son, Jordan, then 1 1/2 years old, was left unharmed. The boy ripped from the womb survived and is now 2. Prosecutors said Ms. Williams held a baby shower for herself and even had a fake birth certificate made for Ms. Evans's baby.""

This story was documented in a TV show called "I'd kill for a baby". A couple of other stories with women as the main criminals showed a similarity in the crime motives: to gain back love from the spouse and to maintain a relationship. How badly the need for love is!

This is just an example of how the love in this world has drained. Only God's love can touch and fill the need of love, and we are His vessel. Jesus has taken a further measure of love. It's beyond not hating; it's beyond minding our own business and let others do what they'd like to do. It's a real action and in truth (v.19). Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.

Let the seed grow! Love in actions and in truth!

Lilyana Margaretha

Psalm 121:3-8 - God’s Umbrella Protection

Ps 121:3-8

3-4 He won't let you stumble,
      your Guardian God won't fall asleep.
   Not on your life! Israel's
      Guardian will never doze or sleep.
 5-6 God's your Guardian,
      right at your side to protect you—
   Shielding you from sunstroke,
      sheltering you from moonstroke.
 7-8 God guards you from every evil,
      he guards your very life.
   He guards you when you leave and when you return,
      he guards you now, he guards you always.

As I pondered on these verses, I was given a flashback of many parts in my lives where something bad could happen if God did not protect me. I almost got into an accident with a humongous truck, which decided to change lane without looking if there was a car next to it. I almost hit the side of the road when my car passed through a black ice but thank God, it stopped just a few inches from it. I really thanked God for His saving protection during all of these times.

But, there were times when bad things seemed to happen in my life. Was God sleeping at that time? In verse 3 and 4, it was said clearly that Our God “will never doze or sleep”. As I remembered again, some of these times were the times when God allowed tough things to happen so that He could shape my characters and my relationship with Him. On the other hand, some were times when I decided to leave Him; when I decided not to want Him in my life. It was during these times that I have left His umbrella of protection. When I repented, His peace and protection had returned.

It is clear that in v.5-8, God has His best interest and abilities to protect us all the times. The question is whether we want to be in His umbrella of protection. If we do, let us remind ourselves of the things that He has done to protect us. It is definitely not hard to remember the things that He has done for us. As we remember these things, let us give thanks to Him – the living God and our Guardian.

Heru Setiawan

Proverbs 28:25-26 - Trust in the Lord

Often we trust ourselves more than the Lord. This is especially true when things go so smoothly in our life. We feel that all the good things that we have, our good grades in school and our jobs are all because of our hard work and competence. We then no longer honor the Lord and give Him back the glory.

But today's scripture from Proverb really reminds me that we should put our trust in God instead of ourselves. In KJV, verse 26 goes like this:

Proverbs 28:26  He¹⁹³¹ that trusteth⁹⁸² in his own heart³⁸²⁰ is a fool:³⁶⁸⁴ but whoso walketh¹⁹⁸⁰ wisely,²⁴⁵¹ he¹⁹³¹ shall be delivered.⁴⁴²²

So it's clearly said that he who trust in his own heart is a fool. Why can't we trust our own hearts? This is because human hearts are inherently evil (Jer 17:9).

Jeremiah 17:9  The heart³⁸²⁰ is deceitful⁶¹²¹ above all^{4480, 3605} things, and desperately wicked:⁶⁰⁵ who⁴³¹⁰ can know³⁰⁴⁵ it?

Thus, from 17:9, we know that hearts are the most deceitful part of human's bodies. No wonder v.26 says that whoever trusts in his own heart is a fool. Thus, we should not consult ourselves whenever we make decisions, because we can be very misled by our own hearts. So onto whom shall we put our trust? The answer is simply God.

Proverbs 28:25  He that is of a proud⁷³⁴² heart⁵³¹⁵ stirreth up¹⁶²⁴ strife:⁴⁰⁶⁶ but he that putteth his trust⁹⁸² in⁵⁹²¹ the LORD³⁰⁶⁸ shall be made fat.¹⁸⁷⁸

In NIV,  the 2^nd part of v.25 goes like this: "but he who trusts in the Lord will prosper. This means that when we put our trust in God, He would fulfill our needs and we would lack nothing. When we prosper, it means, that God would give us more than what we need. In addition, He would give us the wisdom to walk wisely so that we would be kept safe (v.26).

So I just want to encourage all of us today to always put our trust in the Lord, so that  we would prosper in everything that we do.

Agustinus Foe

1 John 1:1-10 – Living in Truth, though we fall

¹ We proclaim to you the one who existed from the beginning, whom we have heard and seen. We saw him with our own eyes and touched him with our own hands. He is the Word of life. ² This one who is life itself was revealed to us, and we have seen him. And now we testify and proclaim to you that he is the one who is eternal life. He was with the Father, and then he was revealed to us. ³ We proclaim to you what we ourselves have actually seen and heard so that you may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. ⁴ We are writing these things so that you may fully share our joy.

⁵ This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all. ⁶ So we are lying if we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkness; we are not practicing the truth. ⁷ But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.

⁸ If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. ⁹ But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. ¹⁰ If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that his word has no place in our hearts.

Humbling to read, yet it’s true. Though God has purchased us from our sins, we are still a sinner. But as we live in spiritual light of God, we showed that God lives within us even in times of trouble. No matter how far we walk in God, we might still fall into sin if we are not careful. The important thing is to identify our sins and continually CONFESS them to the Lord, so that we receive forgiveness as we ask with a repentant heart. For “He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all wickedness.”  In the end, there will be no darkness for those people who follow the Lord, for “God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all.” When we stumble into sin, we showed our imperfection as human beings. When we are weak, we displayed God’s mercy and grace within us, making us change as we turn a new leaf with a REPENTANT HEART. When we are strong, we displayed God’s power within us, using us powerfully and guiding our every step.  In both ways, we display the TRUTH, and we glorify the Lord.

What an awesome God.

Jono Nicoln

2 Pet 3:1-18 – Pay attention to the warnings!

Recently, a major fire blast hit the Southern California. The fire has devastated more than 753 square miles and caused more than $1 billion in damage. Because the fire is so big, firefighters and fire trucks from other state (including from Washington) were called in to help to put the fire down. It has been a few days from the start of the blast and still the fire in some part is still uncontrollable.

Living in the U.S., we are familiar with a system called Fire Alarm. Using common sense, we all know that its purpose is to alert us and give notice of imminent fire danger. Regardless of whether a real fire situation occurs or a false alarm, we are trained to treat the warnings seriously. In fact, the government provides penalties for anyone who intentionally tampers with the fire alarm system. The system is there to remind us about the fire danger that could cost our life.

The book of 2 Peter talks about the danger and warnings about false teaching before the second coming of Jesus and to encourage Christians to grow in their faith and knowledge of Christ.

In Chapter 3, Paul mentioned about the Day of the Lord. ¹⁰But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.

So, being aware about the Day of the Lord, what are the practical warnings that we must pay attention?

1. Verse 11: Live a holy life. Only the righteousness can see the Lord, since God is holy.
2. Verse 14: Be a godly example to others. Let our life be found spotless and blameless before the Lord and others.
3. Verse 17: Guard your heart and mind from false teaching. The best defense to protect ourselves from false teaching is to know the real truth, i.e. the Bible. But, we can’t know the truth if we don’t read it, do we? So, let us encourage ourselves to grow in the grace and knowledge of God by reading His Word diligently.

Jayadi Ongkohardjo

2 Peter 2:1-2 – Danger to growing Christians

2 Peter 2:1-2

1But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. 2Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute.

This article is basically telling us that we should be careful of the false teaching that might be present among us. These false teachings do not necessarily mean the satanic teaching or whatsoever. It also includes also some of the teaching from the TV commercial that can lead us to sin, ETC.

I am not saying that we need to cast away from those stuffs, but we need to be able to live by our conviction to be able to understand which of the teaching is true or false, good or bad. In this occasion, we need holy spirit to lead us in every way that we want to take.

It is not easy to lead the life that is full of conviction. We still have flesh that sometimes, we need to deal with. I believe that the solution to this is to keep our lives connected to God. It does require perseverance and sacrifice but everything will be worthwhile.

Gunawan Denny

2 Peter 1:1-21 - Growing in the Knowledge of God

I read somewhere in the internet that one of the most popular aquarium fish is the shark. If a small shark is caught and be confined, it will stay a size proportionate to the aquarium its in. Instead of growing to their normal length, in a small space they can be six inches long yet fully matured. But if you turn them loose in the ocean, they have the potential to grow to eight feet long. What a huge difference!

Maybe we can relate to this; while doing ministries in our four wall church building WILL help us to grow, expand our talent, build our character, etc .. perhaps some of us MAY become too comfortable and begin to put limits in ourselves and in God. We're confined in our six inches safe zone and forget that God has called and chosen us to be in the ocean and we may become something great.

I was reminded in this passage that we're called to grow and make progress everyday of our lives.

Our days our numbered and as Christians, we're to make every effort to apply the benefits of God's promises in our lives.

"3 By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence.4 And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world's corruption caused by human desires.

  5 In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God's promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge,6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness,7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone.

  8 The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.9 But those who fail to develop in this way are shortsighted or blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their old sins.

  10 So, dear brothers and sisters,* work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Do these things, and you will never fall away.11 Then God will give you a grand entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."

Irma Soraya

1 Peter 4:7-11 (Read all of chapter 4 & 5) – The end of all things is near

7The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. 8Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. 11If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Today I would like to share a bit from 1 Peter 4 and 5. If we read these two chapters, we can see that Peter was trying to encourage the people in Asia, Galatia and other places (chpt 1) to live for God. If we read verse seven, we realized that the end of the world is near. Peter encouraged us to be clear-minded and self-controlled so that we can pray. As I read this verse, I pondered and asked myself whether is it true that if I am not clear minded and self controlled, I would not be able to pray? Later than I realized that everything that was said in this verse have happened to me. My main thesis for today is:  “We need to be clear minded and self-controlled so that we can pray”

Clear minded in very important because without a clear mind one cannot make a good decision, it can create worries, some cannot even sleep and many other disadvantage results. If you type “mind” in the bible gateway search box, and look at Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and other books, you will understand why a clear mind is very important for each one of us. Many times before I pray, my mind would be running around. Thinking about food, ministries, Teh Kotak and many other unimportant and important stuff. It creates many silent moments (not between me and God) but between me and my imagination. So I decided to pray in tongue and asked God to give me a focus mind and heart to pray.

Self-controlled is also very important in our life and in our prayer life. 1 Peter 5:8 - Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. If we don’t have self control in our life, we will lose to the devil. AMEN? Salomon also said in Proverbs 25:28 - Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control. What does self control have to do with prayer then? Last time when I used to play PlayStation a lot, I used to skip many bible reading and daily devotions. Sometimes I shortened my devotion bible reading and prayer just to play my game. This is the example of self-control. I cannot control myself to read the bible and pray, giving priority to God first instead I am drawn away to my lovely games. Thank God that He is merciful and helped me at the end. I managed to discipline myself by setting up time for God and pray for his help so that I can control what I want to do.

In conclusion we as young people need to learn how to pray. Why? Because prayer is the weapon that we have to fight against the devil and pray is the only way we communicate with God. So, let us ask God to help us to clear our minds and teach us to control our flesh before we pray. So that we know what God wants to say to each one of us. AMEN!!!!!

Cong Ta

1 Peter 3:8-4:6 – Do YOU need a heart transplant? 

It is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing…1pet.3:8-9

As I was refreshing my mind, thinking of any good examples to illustrate what I get from this verse, one particular incident stirred my heart. It was not a good experience; in fact, it’s something that I feel embarrassed of. 

This incident occurred at the end of a class session. Two classmates approach me to team up with them for the big project. My mind could only think of the previous experiences that I have gotten while working with them. I blurted out (without thinking, literally without even thinking!!!>_<”)  “No way! I’m probably gonna do the most work again while you guys are lazing around.”

I was dumbfounded when I realized what I have said (I have a bad habit of saying things out without thinking *Grrrrr). Feeling bad, and stupefied, I took my bag and ran away from the super-embarrassing moment >.<”. I could not even remember how they responded to that mean statement that I made. I feel so guilty, and I could not stop thinking about it for a few days. I have hurt their feelings and pride by the blunt rejection. I feel like a total hypocrite. Who am I to judge others?

Matt 7:3-5 "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.”

Therefore, reading this verse just takes me back and reflects upon where my heart is leading me. How is my little heart doing? It’s not about washing my mouth; it’s about cleaning the black spots in my heart. It does not matter if you are careful about what you say or what you do, but the heart is saying the other thing.

Let’s ask ourselves, is there any certain time schedule to love one another (e.g only do it on Sundays or during care group)? Are we just compassionate towards our friends, co-workers, or the people we like in the church? 

When we look again into what Jesus has been doing in his ministries, it is not just about doing good according to a certain standards. But it is HIS HEART.

“Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin. As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God.”1 peter 4:1-2

An author wrote this: “A church is not a school where u learns disciplinary; it is a hospital where you get a heart transplant.” Let’s go back to HIS WORDS and check out WHY are/should we doing exactly the things that Jesus does.

Find out His heart, and you will find yours. For now, I still have to find mine.    

Carolyn Djuniar

1 Peter 2:13-3:2 – Submission

We all heard a lot about “submission” from the sermon, care group, etc. Most of the time, I think majority of people will only submit to those who are good but ignore or being rebellious to those who seems harsh. For us, it seems that this is the right way to be. But in Romans 13:1, it says,

“Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is NO authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.”

By all means, this authority comprises those who are good and considerate, as well as those who are harsh. (1 Pet. 2:18) We don’t get a choice to choose which authority to submit. “But why should we submit ourselves to them, Lord? Even to those who don’t believe in You?” You might ask. Remember, God doesn’t ask us to do it because He just wants to make things harder for us. While building our character to be more like Christ through submission, God is working on the other side as well. Through our submission, He wants to silence the ignorant talk of foolish men and win over them by our behavior. Regardless where we are, either in school, workplace, community, or church, we should learn to submit to the authority above us despite how the things they command us to do sometimes seem ridiculous, doesn’t make sense or even make us look embarrass. As long as all these do not act contrary to the word of God, we are call to submit. Submission is a WINNING behavior. In the end, all these good deeds are just to glorify God.

Melanie

1 Pet 1:13-2:10 – Our value!

When I read this passage, it reminds me that God is like Hallmark Cards, He cares enough to send His very best.

The value of the human being can be inferred from the price paid to redeem man (John 3:16, 1 Cor 6:20). 1 Pet 1:18-19, 23 says that we are not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot; and we have been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever.  Definitely God is like VO-5 Hair Spray, He holds through all kinds of weather.

If indeed we have tasted that the Lord is gracious (1 Pet 2:3), what are our action plans?

-         Be holy, for the holy nature of God is the motivation for our holiness (1:15,16)

-         Love one another fervently with a pure heart (1:22)

-         Laying aside all hatred, all dishonesty, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking (2:1)

All in all, bros & sis, we are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that we may proclaim the praises of Him who call us out of darkness into His marvelous light (1 Pet 2: 9).

God is like Dial Soap, Aren’t you glad you have Him? Don’t you wish everybody did?

Marini Yi

Psalm 119:17-32 – How do you choose to live your life?

There are many ways, passages, intersections that we have passed, and that we will face in our lives and some of them might be the decisions that have and will determine the rest of our lives. For students, you might be hanging between two different concentrations of study, and you don’t know which one to pursue. For jobseekers, you might be contemplating about what to do next right after graduation. For families, you might be at the brink of what investments to choose for future generations to come.

In today’s reading, David asked for God to really guide his life through sorrows and joy. At the same time, David held his heart being faithful with the Lord, no matter how hard it is and how impossible it is to defend himself against barriers in front of him. Though he defeated giants of the world and became king in his life, he held close to God with a heart that is longing for God’s teaching and explanation upon his life.

Similar to David, how do you choose to live your life? Do you involve God through the way you live daily?

Raoul Tedjasukmana

Psalms 119: 1-16 – Walking in His way 

This is really a hectic moment for me; I forgot that this article is due today! Well, all in all I don’t really know what to write and was reading the verses but I don’t know what the Lord is trying to say, then I calm myself and pray to God, silently.  I prayed for His wisdom, then it comes to me that not by my own power, my wisdom that I will be able to do all things or walk in His way.

Often times, when we think of our walk, walking in His way, we often use our own strength. Doing this means we are not walking in His way but instead is walking in our way but following His ‘concept’ yet using our own strength.

What God wants is that we walk in His way by His strength and wisdom.  In Psalms 119 verse 1-16, it reveals to us what we should do and what are the standards, but again it is only by His strength and wisdom that we would be able to really walk in it. Let’s surrender to God and let Him be the one that is directing, and driving us to move forward.

Rudy Kusnadi

James 4:1-17 – Lord, I am Sorry...

When I was small, I often got smacked by my mom on various part of my body. It might sounds cruel to some of you, but that is pretty usual back then and I’ve seen worse. The reason for the smacking varies, but usually it’s because of my attitude, grades, etc. And during the smacking, it is so important for me to show regrets, sad face and basically be sorry for what I have done. And if I am genuine in showing how sorry I am, the punishment will be lightened. Sometimes, I would feel not wrong at all and when she scolded me, I tried to fake it and show that I’m wrong just to get away from the yelling ASAP but I guess because she’s a mom, she knows when I’m being stubborn and usually if this happens, I would be transferred to the more advanced scolder….my dad! So, I eventually show my regret. However, it’s not because of my mistakes but because I didn’t admit my wrong and having to go to my dad.

I believe my parents are trying to teach me to know my manner. I could not always have my own ways and as a child, I need to respect my parents by admitting my mistakes and listen to their advise. I often find myself in similar situation when I did something that’s not pleasing to God and having to come to Him with a humble heart. The difference is God never smacks me of course; instead, He gives me grace and even more grace each time I failed Him and repented. It is so difficult to admit that I am wrong. I could have millions of excuses and blame others or even situations but all that does not matter because the one, who have disappointed Him is me. And when I actually confessed and repented, the mercy and grace that He gave me afterwards is nothing compare to my pride.

But REMEMBER we should never take His grace for granted but also remember that He will never condemn us. We might feel afraid sometimes to approach His throne when we have done so many unpleasing things before Him but if we come with a humble heart by grieving and mourning over our sins (James 4:9), He will lift us up from our mistakes and give us second chance to start over again and PLUS He will equip us with His grace to overcome the temptation from the devil (v.7-10).

Putri Dariani

James 2:18-3:18 – Tame Your Tongue

They say that the average person spends about 20% of his life talking, and if you are like most people, you talk enough in a week to fill a 400 page book.  That’s a lot of words!  The content of these words describes the person.  As the tongue is used by a nurse to take a patient’s temperature, so it can also be used to gauge a person’s spiritual temperature. 

James compares the tongue to a rudder on a ship.  I recently purchased a large inflatable kayak.  It came without a rudder-like control which had to be purchased separately.  Without that rudder, my kayak was out of control and kept going in circles.  It eventually got where I wanted it to, but in circular motions.  Everyone on the lake was staring as I tried to steer my kayak back to shore while I was spinning in circles.  How embarrassing!  I was surprised at how one little thing could make such a difference.

Likewise, many of us find our lives going in circles.  We are going in the right direction, but in circular motions of making mistakes, offending people, and struggling with sin.  We would be embarrassed if someone ever wrote down every word we said.  We must learn to control our words.  It’s not an easy task, but it is possible.  Thinking twice before an emotional outburst and choosing our words carefully will help us control the direction of our lives.  There’s a reason why the Bible places gossip and slander in the same category as murder and adultery.  Words have power and we must learn to harness the power and not to be consumed by it.

Matthew White

James 1:22-25 – Slow, Listen and Do: The Key to a Blessed Life

James 1:22-25

"19.My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20. for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. 21. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.22. Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

23. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror 24. and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does"

If you have been living in the Seattle for quiet a while, you would know the drill in case of an earthquake. It's an easy to remember three steps: duck, cover, and hold.

In this sharing, I want to share another easy to remember three steps of how to have a blessed life. It's Slow, Listen, and Do !

1. Slow

The author of James gives a huge warning of what we need to watch out in our life, it's our mouth and our anger. How many time in our life we have that kind of regret "Man, I wish I hadn't have said that to (put someone's name here)" or maybe "If only I haven't been that angry with (put someone's name here)". Anger and mouth just don't mix well. Slow to anger and slow to speak will take you further in life.

2. Listen

Listen to what? In v 23, it says listen to the word. The author does not just say listen to words (any word), but THE word, which he refers to the words of God. If you see, there is a huge contradiction between the v 22 and v. 19. In the v. 19, it says  slow, slow, slow in speaking, but in v. 22, it mention says, says and says. The difference is the subject. The verse 19, the subject is us, but on the v. 22 the subject is the Word of God. Thus, the word of God must supersede our word. We have to let the Word speak into our life.

3. Do

After you listen the word, the last thing you need is DO ! It is very awesome analogy that was given by the author. He refers to the people who don't do the word, as someone who just look into the mirror and immediately forget what he/she look like. Most likely when you see into the mirror, you want to know what is good and what is not good in your appearance. If it is good you keep it, and if it is not, then you fix it. So, when you forget your appearance right away, it means you forgot also what to keep and what to fix. Chances are you will fix things that you should keep and keep things you should fix. Result is messed up and confused life. So when the word convict you, do it right away !

If you practicing the easy steps above, what would be your reward ? Check v. 25 – you would be blessed in what you do.

So, remember the 3 steps: Slow, Listen and Do !

Erwin Analau

James 1:1-18 – Trials and Perseverance

 “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:2-4).

I honestly can’t remember when the last time I regard facing “trials of many kinds” as “pure joy.”  I understand that as we overcome challenges we become stronger.  But growing up with a pragmatic mindset of “do whatever works,” I often find myself praying and asking God to come through on something (e.g. relationship issues, salvation, career growth, healing, etc.) and sometime later praying to God saying “When, Lord?  How much longer must I wait?  I’m tempted to just give it up at this point and settle for something less but more certain.”

It’s not that I doubt God can give me what I ask of Him.  In fact, I believe that God often has something better in mind than what I am asking for.  It’s more of a: “I have prayed, fasted, worked, and followed what You want me to do for so long – how much longer must I wait?  Should I continue or should I give up?”

It is today as I’m writing this that I come to this point again.  And again, God answers and reminds me to persevere and not give up, having faith that He hears me, sees my deeds, and has a plan for me (recall Jeremiah 29:11).

Today, what is it that you have been asking for?  What have you pursued?  Have you been tempted to give up?  To settle for less than the very best that God has in mind for you?  If you haven’t been tempted to give up, good job!  If you have, let’s remember together to rely on God’s strength and trust in His promises written for us in the Bible.

“Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him” (James 1:12).

“Don't be deceived, my dear brothers. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” (James 1:16-17).

Hansel Ong

Proverbs 27:21-22 – Receiving praise

²¹   Fire tests silver. Heat tests gold.
      But a man is tested by the praise he receives.
 ²² You can grind a foolish person in a mill.
      You can grind him as you would grind grain with a tool.
      But you can't remove his foolishness from him.

(Proverbs 27:21-22, New International Reader’s Version)

The world thinks that the worth of a person is based on reputation. In the business world, brand recognition is important; if people do not associate your product with positive things, your product is essentially worthless. Similarly, people constantly seek validation and acceptance from others in order to feel self-worth (most valuable player, employee of the month, most likely to succeed, best singing voice, most romantic couple, etc.)

The Bible tells us that praise does not prove our worth; it tests our worth instead (Prov 27:21). How does praise test our worth? Just as fire and heat reveal impurities in silver and gold, praise shows our true worth by revealing the manner in which we receive praise. 

Consider your reaction to praise. Do you deflect it with false modesty? Do you downplay your achievements because of low self-esteem? Do you accept praise as your due? Even though we should not seek praise from others, we should learn to accept praise graciously.

Lydia Ratna

Hebrews 12:14-16 – Reminders from God

In this article, I would like to share five main points that God reminded me on how to live my life; in other words, how should Christians live their lives.

1)       Live in peace with all men (v.14)

Are you currently in a fight with someone? Or may be that you are giving someone a silent treatment? If you have, call that person and make peace with him/her as the Lord reminds us that we should be living in peace with ALL men.

2)       Live in the holiness of God (v.14)

Are you in an inconsistent devotional life? If you have, I want to encourage you to OVERCOME the spirit of laziness in you and start devoting your life to God once again. You can start reading the bible or even worship God wherever you go and whatever you are facing now.

3)       Live in the grace of God (v.15)

Have you been condemning yourself about something bad that you cannot forget? Condemn yourself NO MORE for we are living in the grace of God.

4)       Live in a bitter-free life (v.15)

Is there any hatred inside your heart? Remember this, we often disappoint God, even I lost count on how many times I have disappoint Him. But, you know something? He has never forsaken me. NEVER once in my life! Therefore, if God can forgive all of us, we can do it too by getting rid of the hatred that we sometimes keep in our hearts.

5)       Live in the life of sexual purity (v.16)

Are you living in the world of lust? If you have, let’s GET OUT of that world and be in the world of God. Remember this song? Better is one day in Your house, than thousands elsewhere.

I believe this is a very simple message and yet powerful as most of the time Christians often do not know on how to carry out their lives. Therefore, I pray that you reflect upon these five points and apply them to your life.

Michael H. Wijaya

Hebrews 12:1-2 – The rabbit vs. the turtle, which one are you?

A 15-years-old boy was standing at the starting line of a marathon championship race in Philadelphia for the first time. His opponent in his side was an experienced runner who has just broken the American record for the fastest 100 meter dash runner. He was fast…and boastful. “Let the best man win”, he said sarcastically to the boy, “I will be waiting for you in the finish line”. It was just a trash talk, but it was really intimidating to the skinny first-timer boy.

When the gun sounded, the record-breaking man seemed to disappear out of his blocks, as fast as a lightning, leaving the rest of the runner miles behind. The boy remained steady and ran in the same pace, focusing on the $10,000 prize in cash. Then, when they entered the second lap, the boy saw the “Flash Man”. He was no longer running like a lightning, rather he was slowing down like a jog, hands on his hips, groaning with frustration and exhaustion, he was quitting the race completely. THE BOY WON THE RACE! Steady, but with the same endurance he started, and he finished well.

How many of us agree that our life is just like that race. Our life is not a just a 100 meter sprint. It’s a lifetime marathon, long, and somewhat exhausting. Sometimes we are surrounded by a lot of people who seem to be running really fast in the start, but somewhere in the middle, they started to slow down, they got tired, exhausted, and when problems come, they give up. That’s why a lot of dreams vanished, relationship collapsed, and a lot of faith grew cold.

Remember the story about the rabbit and the turtle? How the rabbit started really fast, but slow down in the middle, thinking he is already wayyy ahead of the turtle. He got distracted, and he stopped. Finally the turtle wins, not because of his speed, but his endurance and perseverance. How many of us is like that rabbit sometimes, knowing that we are way ahead of the others, we slow down, we let our guards down, and we slack off. It is not the first half of the race that determines whether you will reach the finish line, but it is the second half of the race.

Today, the word of God really encourages us to run with endurance. It doesn’t say: run as fast as you can, but it says: ENDURE! To endure means to keep on running steadily despite of hardships and problems. To endure means to focus and persevere. It’s a commitment not to give up in the middle, no matter how impossible it seems to win. (Just like the boy or the turtle). They keep running with endurance no matter what’s in front of them. We don’t want to be like the “FLASH MAN” athlete, or the rabbit. They were FAST but they did not endure. In the end, we want to run the second half of the race faster, better than the first half. Of course, focusing on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, for He will give us the strength to achieve victory.  :-)

Joy Holyzia

Hebrews 11:17-31 – By Faith

“Faith comes by hearing and hearing of the Word of God”

Reading Hebrews 11:17-31 have certainly boosted up our faith. How can it not?

I am sure if you read each of the stories that happened on each of these people lives, you will find how these people did experience the supernatural even when things doesn’t necessarily make sense for them.

How many times in our live were we face with challenges, tribulations, or uncertainties?

All we need to do to experience this supernatural just like Abaraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, and even the Israelites, is to have faith.

Is it hard to do? Well of course! But the key is one, and that is never given up until the end. Look at Abraham, his miracle happen when he starts believing that he will not loose his one and only son and with all of his heart, mind, and soul. He just trusts!

Look at how the bible describe how Abraham reasoned and believe that even if he were to killed Isaac, God will revive his son again. It takes guts to even take the chances for obeying God. Come on now, I know that we always reason with ourselves “what if”

But I would like to propose that what ever is the outcome in order for us to fulfill God’s plan in our life, we have to take that bold step of trusting whole heartedly and never give up until we see the outcome.

Stephanie Hardjanto

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for.

Today, faith is something that is becoming a rare commodity. The people around are becoming more skeptic in their mindset, demanding prove before taking action, whereas faith demands action before you see.

I am reminded by John the Baptist, of how he was preaching a message of Christ, before he even sees Christ Himself. He was told that he will meet the Messiah before he died on earth, and he walked on this, leaving not disappointed as God fulfilled this promise.

Faith is something that draws people towards you. However, we can have faith in many different things, but else we put our faith in the truth that we might find ourselves disappointed. We preach the good news of salvation, and of the living God! Isn’t about time that we walk in faith in this truth that we serve a living God that have redeemed us, and made us more than conqueror?

Why then do we see defeated Christian? Defeated by relationship, pleasures, career aspirations, circumstances and many more?

It should not be so. The reality of the living God changes people! However, when we see and reflect upon our life, do we truly believe that our God is alive? If you do, what would you have done differently in going forward from here?

Keith S. Muljadi

Hebrews 10:18-39 – FULL Freedom, Boldness and Confidence

“¹⁸Now where there is ABSOLUTE REMISSION (forgiveness and cancellation of the penalty) of these [sins and lawbreaking], there is no longer any offering made to atone for sin. ¹⁹Therefore, brethren, since we have FULL freedom and confidence to enter into the [Holy of] Holies [by the power and virtue] in the blood of Jesus, ²⁰By this fresh (new) and living way which He initiated and dedicated and opened for us through the separating curtain (veil of the Holy of Holies), that is, through His flesh, ²¹And since we have [such] a great and wonderful and noble Priest [Who rules] over the house of God, ²²Let us all come forward and draw near with true (honest and sincere) hearts in unqualified assurance and absolute conviction engendered by faith (by ^[b]that leaning of the entire human personality on God in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness), having our hearts sprinkled and purified from a guilty (evil) conscience and our bodies cleansed with pure water.”

During my early Christian walk, I used to think that after I sin repeatedly I wouldn’t be able to come and enter His presence. I thought that if I sin once or twice God would still forgive me, but when I sin 50 times would God still be able to forgive me??? Every time I sin, I made a promise to myself not to sin again. But every time I try not to sin, I fail. So I felt that I’m not worthy anymore to come to Him. I felt that I’m not going to be able to feel and enjoy His presence anymore. I felt that I have failed God. I felt sad, heartbroken, stupid and so many negative thoughts on my mind. I felt but maybe that was the consequence that I have to take for my actions. 

But thank God I was wrong!! I was really set free by these verses. When we accept Jesus Christ, not only He forgives us, but He removes all our sin. Jesus’ blood has paid it all!! How PRECIOUS that is! No matter how much you sin, Jesus’ blood covers it. All we have to do is believe that we are made right through our faith in Jesus Christ. When you understand that even though you have sin a lot but Jesus has already forgiven you and cleansed you, then you will have full freedom and confidence to come to His presence.

Have you ever wondered if you were truly welcome in God’s presence no matter what state you are in? Through His blood, Jesus made a new and living way for you to draw near to God with freedom and confidence. 

After I know this truth, I still sin. But I believe that I am righteous in God’s eyes because of Jesus’ blood. I am able to really enjoy His presence freely. At the same time I’m also asking Him to help me with my weaknesses. I am set free now not because of my strength but because of Jesus’ help. Right believing produces right living!

Lie Tju

Hebrews 10:1-17 – A boy and the broken vase

One fine day, a young boy was running around the house playing with his toy plane. As he was enjoying flying his Boeing 737, he accidentally knocked into his dad’s Ming Dynasty’s vase and the handle of the vase was broken. In an instant, fear came and wrapped him like a winter coat. He knew that this vase cost a fortune and his dad would be real mad if he knows about the broken handle. Quickly he took super glue and tried to glue the handle back to the body. At the same time, his maid saw everything that just happened. After the handle was glued back, the maid came to him and threatened him to tell his dad on what just happened. Hearing that threat, the boy cried and begged her not to tell his dad and he is willing to do anything the maid asked. For the next few months the boy mopped the floor and washed the dishes when his dad and mom went to work. The boy lost his time to play, his time with his friends and more importantly his joy. His parents also realized something is wrong with the boy, since he looked tired all the time. After the third month, the boy could not take it any longer; he came to his dad crying and confessed on what happened to his vase.  After listening to him, he hugged the boy and told him that since the beginning he already knows that the vase handle was broken, but he kept quiet because he wanted the boy to confess to him. At the same time, the dad fired the maid from the house and the boy got his normal life back.

Many times we are just like this boy. When we do sins, we will be condemned by the devils. Because of that, we feel that we are not worthy to come to God anymore, and we drift ourselves away from HIM. As we drift ourselves from HIM, the Joy, Blessings and Love of God are gone from our lives. Not because God took it away, but we were the one who ran away from them. In Hebrew 10:1-10 – “And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” From this verse. We realized that we have been made holy and there should be no condemnation and fear to come to God. Today if you are far away from the Lord, don’t wait any longer. Let us get down on our knees, asked for His forgiveness and Stop sinning but come back to HIM. Let us ask Him to give us strength and his law in our heart so that we would have the power to fight against sins and love Him more. (Verse 15-17) AMEN!!!

Rachmat Hartojo

Hebrews 9:11-39 – The blood of Jesus

We are redeemed by the blood of Jesus because He made Himself the ultimate sacrifice beyond all things that man had offered an unblemished sacrifice!

I am fulfilled with the grace of God whenever I ponder on this truth.

Hebrew 9:14

How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God.

In my daily walk, I noticed that there are many who are yet to find out about this truth. The significant of what Jesus had done for them and the kind of freedom that they are called to live in. Only if the truth is revealed to all…

Even those who have received Christ into their lives. Are we living a life that is WORTHY of what God had given us? When I say worthy, is simply to live a life that we were not able to live if it was not for what Jesus had done for us.

The word of God says that the blood of Jesus had enabled us to purge our conscience from dead works, to stop living a life that is without faith and love that are fulfilled with sin and pollution, guilt and immoralities. The blood of Jesus have purged all of those completely and for once and for all, given us the choice to walk a different walk!

It is but reasonable service of his people, to present their souls and bodies as a living sacrifice to Him, and live our life worthy of serving the living and true God.

True freedom is being able to live without sin.

The blood of Jesus says, you are to live in freedom!

Keith S. Muljadi

Hebrews 9:1-13 - "Freedom is not cheap, Freedom is Fragile"

I was watching a show about the life of immigrants in the United States during the mis-1940s a few nights ago, during that time America is at war with Japan and life as Japanese Americans is filled with discriminations. The show went to talk about all the privileges that are available now, and how it was really a struggle to make things the way they are right now.

This makes me think about the passage that we're reading today… it's about the Temple of God, the way it was set-up in the Olden days. It gives a detailed description about the rules of worship and tent for worship on earth.

Priest can go into the Holy of holy inside the tent only once a year, in verse 7 "Each time he carried blood to offer for his sins and for any sins that the people had committed without meaning to." (CEV). When the priests enter that place, he needs to cleanse himself; if he's not clean the outcome will be death. In those days the Israelites are only allowed to be outside of the tent, no privileges, and they can't worship God. You might ask what's that got to do with me… all that are no longer valid since Jesus already died on the cross for our sins.

There are 2 things that I want us to ask ourselves today:

"This also has a meaning for today. It shows that we cannot make our consciences clear by offering gifts and sacrifices" (v.9, CEV).
It's true that we can all worship God freely now, however it's very interesting point that the Hebrew author points out. Think about it for a moment, when we are worshipping, ministering, doing all the busyness that we do in the church… is it to CLEAR our conscience? To not have a guilty feeling? Or do we do it out of our love to God?

"According to the Law of Moses, those people who become unclean are not fit to worship God. Yet they will be considered clean" (v.13, CEV).
All of us are now free to enter into the presence of God, to enter the Holy of Holy and to worship the God almighty. Are we worshipping God with reverent and honor, or are we just worshipping because we're used to it?

Today, let's think about that Freedom that Jesus has given to us. Freedom of worship, freedom of expression of love towards God. How have we used that Freedom?

Thea M. Kamadjaja

Proverbs 27:9 Perfume and incense brings joy to the heart and the pleasantness of one’s friend springs from his earnest counsel.

The word of God says that as we lift offerings and thanksgiving, it does bring a joy into our heart. How many times have we gone through instances in our lives where we felt there is nothing to give thanks for because it is all negative and bad? I believe there are times in our lives that we gone through period of this, and the Word of God encourages us to lift up praises and thanksgiving and to let that joy filled your heart!

Secondly, every single one of us has friends! The Word of God says the pleasantness of having a friend comes from the times when they give us counsel that is sincere and honest. A counsel that would give us guidance and direction that is aligning with the Word of God regardless of how hurtfully true it sometimes might be. Have we asked ourselves whether we have been these way?

Keith S. Muljadi

Psalms 106:1 Praise Jehovah. O give thanks to Jehovah; for He is good; for His mercy endures forever. 

Give thanks to the Lord for he is good for his mercy endures forever. Have we sang this song or sang about it before? I’m sure in some time of our life we heard about this phrase before. Nowadays when I listen to a song, I don’t listen closely to the verse of what the song is about especially rap song (no offence rap fans). Some songs even in the secular world hold a lot of meanings. So what is so special about this verse?  

If we remember in 2 Chronicles 20 King Jehoshaphat was attacked by three different nations. Things don’t look too good at that time as Judah at that time was just a tiny nation made up of only 2 tribes of Israel: Judah and Benjamin. In modern vernacular just imagine Singapore being attacked by Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand simultaneously. It’s a gone case Singaporeans call it. 

In our everyday we have situations like that such as king Jehoshaphat was facing at that time. Lets say, 3 finals in that same week with 3 50 pages report due, or when you are working, you have 3 huge projects on your plate and your boss is yelling at your ear to get them done on the same week.  

I call them crisis or in bible terms bad day. Now as a human being I imagined if I was king Jehoshaphat, What would I do? If I wanted God to help me, I would ask for lets say a legion of angels fully armed for war. Or maybe re enact what God did to Sodom and Gomorrah by raining hail and brimstones to destroy the enemies. But again I’m only human.  

What is God’s solution? Some preachers preach that by singing you can sing away your troubles! Now is that wrong? I don’t think so as there are some truths in it. But we should always go to the root of the meaning of the verse. I believe the verse is saying no matter what the situation is, you should trust in God’s mercy: “Praise Jehovah. O give thanks to Jehovah; for He is good; for His mercy endures forever.” God could have asked them to sing another song if really singing is the main clause for victory. But no God chose these certain verse for that song for a purpose, to remind us of His goodness.  

I said before about “bad day”, and I give thanks for bad day. Note that in the bible God describes bad day as “day” not days, but good days he says good “days”. Isn’t our God good? He shortened the days of Jacob when he was tricked from Laban into working another 7 years. The bible said:” Gen 29:27-28  Fulfill her week, and we will give you this one also for the service which you shall serve with me still another seven years. And Jacob did so, and fulfilled her week. And he gave him Rachel his daughter to wife also. In the bible 7 years is like weeks to Jacob! Working for a stingy father in law is bad enough. But God is able to strengthen His children and go through all those “bad day”. How? Remember His goodness and mercy.  

P.S if you notice, God always describes his mercy enduring forever. What about His wrath (anger)? Never forever but for a moment, our God is a merciful and good. God is not an angry God. Rejoice!

Robbi Tjeng

Psalm 105:37-45 – God is our Provider

“He spread out a cloud as a covering, and a fire to give light at night.”

As you may know, Seattle’s weather has not been too friendly lately. Strong winds accompany with pouring rain is never pleasant. After experiencing it for a while, at the end I caught a bad flu. It took me two days to stay at home and not be able to work. On the third day, I felt better and I went to work. The morning was fine, cloudy but no rain. Towards the end of the day the sky started to clear out. I was praying in my heart asking God to keep the sky clear so I could at least go home without getting wet and not worsened the flu. Five minutes towards 5.00 pm, rain started to pour out. In my heart I still believed God will provide a clear sky for me. As I walked out, it was still raining. I thought… maybe my request was too selfish. Let it rain. Five minutes past by as I waited for my bus to come. I looked up and there was rainbow in front of me