November 21, 2010

What Matters Most

Life is all about love. God is  love, the most important lesson he wants you to learn on earth is how to love. Love is the foundation of every command that God has given us. Learning to love unselfishly is not an easy thing to do. God wants us to be in a regular, close relationship with other believers so you can develop the skill of loving. Love cannot be learned in isolation. You have to be around people- irritating, imperfect, frustrating people. Through fellowship we learn three important truths.

The best use of life is love. Why relationships must have priority in your life above everything else?  
1.       Life without love is really worthless
Jesus summarized what matters most to God in two statement: love God and love people. Busyness is a great enemy of relationships. We become preoccupied with Making a living, doing our work, and accomplishing goals as if this task are the point of life. They are not. The point of life is learning to love God and people.
2.       Love will last forever
Love leaves a legacy. How you treated other people, not your wealth or accomplishments, is the most enduring impact you can leave on earth. Love is the secret of a lasting heritage. Wisdom is learning that truth sooner rather than later. Don’t wait until you are on your deathbed to figure out that nothing matters more.

The best expression of love is time. Time is the most precious gift because you only have a set amount of it. You can make more money, but you cannot make more time. When you give someone your time, you are giving them a portion of your life that you will never get back. Whenever you give your time, you are making a sacrifice, and sacrifice is the essence of love. Love means giving up- yielding my preferences, comfort, goals, security, money, energy, or time for the benefit of someone else.

November 16, 2010

Sun of Righteousness with Healing in Its Wings

"But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings."
Malachi 4: 2

FROM THE FATHER'S HEART
My child, in this life you will experience injustice, illness, rejection, misunderstanding, and death. But the time is coming when I, the sun of righteousness, will both rise and descend to call My children home. Heaven's healing waits for those who have known and revered Me and a special place in My Kingdom. Don't be weary doing things in My name, because you have acknowledge My name, I will acknowledge yours.

A GRATEFUL RESPONSE
One day I'll discard all my worn bandages and frayed Band aids and receive no more doctor bills. You are the sun of righteousness, Lord. Like an eagle soaring in the sky, You'll rise with ultimate healing in Your wings. I'm waiting for that day, Lord.

SIMPLE TRUTH
The Lord delights in those who delight in Him.

When God Seems Distant

           God is real no matter how you feel. When God seems distant, you may feel that he is angry with you or is disciplining you for some sin. In fact, sin does disconnect you from intimate fellowship with God. But sometimes this feeling of abandonment from God has nothing to do with sin. It is a test of faith which all of you must face. Will we continue to love, trust, obey, and worship God, even when you have no sense of his presence or visible evidence of his work in your life?                                             
        God’s omnipresence and the manifestation of his presence are two different things. One is a fact; the other is often a feeling. God is always present, even when you are unaware of him, and his presence is too profound to be measured by mere emotion. He wants you to sense his presence, but he’s more concerned that you trust him than that you feel him. Faith, not feelings, pleases God.                          
         How do you praise God when you don’t understand what’s happening in your life and God is silent? How do you stay connected in a crisis without communication? How do you keep your eyes on Jesus when they are full of tears? You do what Job did: “Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: ‘Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart.’ The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised.’”                                                                                 
         Pour out your heart to God. Unload every emotion you are feeling. Did you know that admitting your hopelessness to God can be a statement of faith? Trusting God but feeling despair at the same time. Regardless of circumstances and how you feel, hang on to God’s unchanging character. Never doubt in the dark what God told you in the light. Don’t be troubled by trouble, because circumstances can’t change the character of God.                 
         When you feel abandoned by God yet continue to trust him; keep worshiping him with sincere heart. Jesus gave up everything so you could have everything.  He died so you could live forever. That alone is worthy of your continual thanks and praise. Never again should you wonder what you have to be thankful for.

November 07, 2010

Kekuatan Dalam Kuasa-NYA

"Segala perkara dapat kutanggung di dalam Dia yang memberi kekuatan kepadaku."
 Filipi 4: 13

Butuh kekuatan? Berpalinglah kepada Tuhan untuk semua yang Anda butuhkan! Mengapa Anda menanggung beban hidup seorang diri, ketika Dia menawarkan semua yang Anda butuhkan? Sering kali, sebagai orang Kristen yang taat, kita membuat usaha yang besar dengan otot rohani kita yang lemah. Namun akhirnya, dengan kekuatan kita sendiri, kita akan gagal. Ketika Roh Kudus bekerja melalui kita, kehidupan Kristen kita pun mengalir lancar; dalam kekuatan-Nya, kita mencapai tujuan-Nya. 
Hari ini, apakah Kristus yang menanggung beban itu, atau kita sedirikah? Hanya Dia yang memiliki segala sesuatu yang kita butuhkan dalam hidup ini.

November 06, 2010

TINGGALKANLAH LEBIH BANYAK DARI SEKADAR WARISAN

“Sebab pada waktu matinya semuanya itu tidak akan dibawanya serta, kemuliannya tidak akan turun mengikuti dia”.  Mazmur 49 : 18

Allah mendorong kita untuk memusatkan mata pada hal-hal yang kekal.  Dalam terang kekekalan, para pemimpin tidak dapat disibukkan dengan hal-hal yang sementara.  Hanya visilah yang melampauinya, sebuah visi yang berhubungan dengan kekekalan, akan memenuhi kebutuhan seorang pemimpin yang saleh. Dengan kata lain, kita harus membangun warisan.

Sebuah perbedaan besar ada diantara sebuah pusaka dan sebuah warisan.  Siapapun dapat meninggalkan sebuah warisan.  Sebuah warisan adalh sesuatu yang Andantinggalkan bagi keluarga Anda atau orang-orang yang anda kasihi. (Warisan itu juga lenyap.)  Sebuah pusaka adalah sesuatu yang Amda tinggalkan dalam diri keluarga dan orang-orang yang Anda kasihi.  
Renungkanlah perbedaan-perbedaan ini :

  WARISAN
1. Sesuatu yang Anda berikan kepada orang lain
2. Sementara waktu memberikan  kebahagiaan kepada mereka 
3. Akhirnya lenyap sementara digunakan       
4. Kegiatan Anda mungkin atau mungkin tidak menguntungkan

PUSAKA
1. Sesuatu yang anda letakkan pada diri orang lain
2. Mengubah mereka secara tetap
3. Terus hidup jauh setelah anda mati
4. Kegiatan anda menjadi keberhasilan