Renungan Kehidupan

Dive Into Me

2012-02-09T19:47:00.000-08:00

Dive Into Me

If you watch children you see their fearlessness. They have no fear to run and jump into a swimming pool. All that is on their minds is the fun that they want to have. They do not think about any dangers and they do not think about the bad things that could happen. They simply run and jump with all joy.

My child, when was the last time you ran and jumped into my presence with all joy? Today I call you to come to me with praise and with the joy of a child. To put aside your fears and your thoughts

This is not something that you need to think through. This is not something that you need to analyze. No, my anointing is free and it is vast. There is enough for you and everyone who wants to come.

So come my child! Run to me. Come and dive into my presence. Come and revel in my anointing and in my joy. Let my joy bubble up from inside of you and wash away the cares and the problems in your life. For it is in this joy that you will find what you are looking for. Your problems will make sense. The struggles will fall away and all you will feel is the coolness of my presence as it washes over you.

So come child. Put away your worries for a moment. Put aside the loads and burdens for a moment and run. Run away from them and run into my presence.

Be like a child today who seeks only the thrill of the moment. Come seek the thrill of experiencing me. Then in me, everything else will make sense and what you do not know will become known, says the Lord.

Removing Your Mountain

2012-02-05T19:05:00.000-08:00

Removing Your Mountain

As a mountain stands before you, it appears so immovable. You wonder how you will be able to move past it or get it out of your way. So often you have walked up to the mountain and tried to move it.

You have tried to push it with all of your strength. But my child, I never told you to move the mountain with your hands. I told you that if you speak to the mountain and believed in your heart, that it would move out of your path.

For when you speak, you give me license to move on your behalf. Yet so often, you struggle with your own strength and even with your own spiritual authority instead of mine. So stand back now and look at the mountain that stands in your path.

Then look up and see that I am greater than your mountain. For I am seated on high and I hold the world in my hands. When you see how magnificent I am, the size of the mountain does not seem so significant any longer.

Your failure has not been in looking at the mountain, but your failure has been in not seeing that I am greater than any mountain in your life. So look at your mountain and then look at me. Can you see that I am greater? Can you see that I want to bless you?

For on the other side of this mountain lies a new road for you to walk. So step back and do not try to move this mountain with your own works and strength any longer.

Instead look at it and speak to it. Tell it to leave. Tell it to be plucked up and to be cast into the sea, knowing that as you speak that I will move on your behalf. For I have not forsaken you. I have not left you to face this mountain alone.

Instead I have been here all along, waiting for you to lean not on your own understanding, but on my strength. Stand now and speak child and watch this mountain be removed!

Beauty Not Ashes

2012-01-26T17:27:00.000-08:00

Beauty Not Ashes

Look around you and see all of the beautiful things I have created. There is not a single thing that I made that is not perfect my child. In the same way, I desire beauty for you and not ashes. I desire the good things that will bring joy to your heart. For as you look at the flowers in the fields and the complexity of the creation around you, you see my nature there.

There is nothing that I forgot. Each detail has been perfected right to the smallest molecule. Even before you understood any of this, I still created it, for you. I did not create the garden of Eden simply for the sake of creating. I created it for a purpose. I created it for Adam. My child, I created it for you. I did not give restriction, other than to obey me. I did not hold anything back.

Today my message is the same. I do not withhold anything from you my child, but I give all that I have to you. I do not withhold my blessings or my perfection in your life. I do not withhold the beauty or the good things.

My hand is outstretched and all that you need to do is take it from me. For I am moved by faith and if you would only reach out and take hold of my hand, you would find the abundance that you are looking for in it.

So take hold of my hand and know that I am a good God. I desire good things for you and I desire beauty for you and not ashes. Then your heart will rejoice and you will revel in the good things that I have.

Then you will see that even though you could not see or did not know, that I was working in the silence. You will see that while you slept, that I was creating something wonderful. Have faith in me once again my child and take my hand, for I have many good things in store for you, says the Lord. Amen.

Cool of the Day

2012-01-25T18:23:00.001-08:00

Cool of the Day

When a mist descends on the earth you cannot see far ahead of you. Yet in the garden of Eden, it was during this time that I watered the land. It was during this time that I came, in the cool of the day, to visit with Adam and Eve.

So do not be discouraged then child if suddenly things grow quiet for a season. For this season is of me. How else would I be able to draw you into my presence?

So often there are noises and things around you that cause you to look here and there. They make you run in many directions and often they even drown out the silence of my voice. So do not despair child if there is a mist around you.

Rather realize that it is in this very mist that I have chosen to reveal myself to you. It is in the cool of this day, that you will begin to sense my presence and hear my voice. It is in this time that you will understand me and experience me in a way that you never have before.

So do not be afraid child to take this time to rest in me. Enjoy the cool of this day. Enjoy the soaking mist that will sink deep into your heart and refresh you. For there have been times in your life when I have watered you with a mighty waterfall.

However these moments were fleeting. Instead I desire to water you with a mist. I desire to feed you and to let my presence soak deep into your heart. This takes time and it takes coming to me in the cool of the day.

So rest in me. Let me water you. Let my presence soak into your heart, mind and soul. Then just as quickly as the mist came it will leave and this small season will be over. Then it will be time for you to take everything you received from me during this time and to pour it out to others, says the Lord.

A Changing Season

2012-01-19T00:51:00.000-08:00

A Changing Season

Smell the freshness of the air my child. For just as the rain washes away the dirt and grime, so also has this season that has past washed away those things from you that have held you back.

For the rain is not always pleasant. It can be cold and at times it can cause discomfort. Yet when the sun breaks through and the water sinks deep into the soil, you begin to realize that a good season has come.

In the same way, no matter how difficult the season is that you have been through, it has been used to cause you to grow. The lessons are like the water that sink deep into the soil and cause the seeds to grow.

So do not look at the past and regret the things you did not do. Do not regret the difficult or the challenging times, for each of these have brought you to the place that you are now in me.

Instead stand and enjoy the freshness of this new day. Look forward to a new season, knowing that the one that has past had its purpose. For you are in the palm of my hand and I can cause even the bad things to be turned around for my good.

So hand to me all the negative things and uncomfortable things. Then watch as I turn a seemingly difficult season into a good thing. For I am God and I can do what you cannot.

Stand now in my presence and enjoy this moment. For this is a changing moment. This is a moment where you will step into the new season that I have for you, says the Lord. Amen.

The Perfect Plan

2011-12-19T22:21:00.000-08:00

The Perfect Plan

There were many routes that I could have taken the Children of Israel to the Promised Land, but not any others that would drown their enemies behind them. In the same way I have made the perfect plan for your life my child. I have not left a single thing untouched. For even though I promised Israel that I would lead them to the land, I did a complete work. I overcame their enemies in the process.

Not only did I promise Solomon the throne, but I added to that position wisdom, wealth and knowledge. In the same way, I have a full promise waiting for you. I will not complete just one part or two parts. Rather I will accomplish all that I have said and then add the things you did not think of my child.

My child know that I love you and that I will not let you down. I am here to do above and beyond what you could imagine. I am here to do a complete work in your life. I am not forgetful. I have not left you to fend for yourself. Rather I am involved with every step that you take and I have already planned for it.

I have gone ahead of you and ordered your path, so that everything will come together into a perfect picture. Even though Israel failed me many times and made many mistakes, I even worked these into my plan. In the same way my child, do not be afraid of missing my plan in your life. Do not be afraid of your mistakes, for I am greater than even these. Instead stand up and walk in faith. Stand up and run to my arms in love.

Then build a good picture for the future and do not stop until you reach your goal. Together we will accomplish great things. Together we will bring every plan that I have for your life to pass says the Lord.

Let The Rain Fall

2011-12-14T19:00:00.001-08:00

Let The Rain Fall

Can you see the clouds gathering up ahead in the spirit? They are indeed a promise of my rain that is coming. Just as you can smell the freshness in the air, so also is my presence all around you. For you do not need to go far to reach my presence.

When the rain begins to fall, does the thirsty ground rise up and try to catch it all? No, it simply waits and soaks the rain in when it comes. In the same way you do not need to strive to reach me my child. For I surround you. I am around you all of the time. All that you need to do is stand in my presence and let it water you.

However when you are so busy running around, you miss out on the blessing that I have for you. You do not need to run to find me child. You do not need to try so hard to come into my presence. You only need to stand and to know through faith that I am there.

You do not need to struggle or to strive. Simply rest and let the rain fall. For when you rest and let my rain fall on your head, you will be refreshed. You will be washed clean and the things you did not understand before will suddenly make sense. So rest this day. Rest in my rain. You will see that I have not forsaken you, but have waited for you instead. I have been waiting for you to come to rest and to simply open up your arms to me.

So do that now. Open your arms to the heavens and soak in the rain as it falls and you will see that I pour forth with abundance says the Lord.

What is Your Request?

2011-12-08T19:08:00.000-08:00

What is Your Request?

I am life and I am living water. Come and drink of me today my child. What is your need? I have the answers. What is your desire? I am here to meet it.

For everything about me is life and love and light. Everything about me is good. I withhold none of my blessings from you and even now my living water is right inside of you. So come and take time today to drink of me.

For it is dry in the world and you can run out of water so quickly. But I have given you a well of living water that is deep inside of your spirit. It is a well that will never run dry. It will never run dry of peace and rest. It will never run dry of provision. It will never run dry of anointing.

So what is your request my child? What is your need this day? Come to me, knowing that I am your loving Father and that I seek to meet your needs. Come to me knowing that I have the answer to everything you could need. Come to me in childlike faith and hold your cup out to me.

Then surely I will fill you up again to overflowing. For I do not just want to meet your own need today, but I desire to use you as a vessel to fill others also. However until you can feed others, you must be filled first. So come. Come if you are weary and heave. Come if you are thirsty. Come with all your needs and fears.

Hold them up to me and I will fill you until you are full. For I am a God of abundance and I am here to meet with you. Come and meet with me and be refreshed this day says the Lord. Amen

The Lord Will Break Through

2011-12-06T23:28:00.000-08:00

The Lord Will Break Through

As you walk through life there are many voices talking to you and many noises that surround you. In these moments it is hard to hear my voice and you might even feel confusion in the way that you should go. Do not be afraid though my child, because if you only put your trust in me, I am able to cut through the noise.

I know that at times you strain to hear me and the voices on the outside are so strong that they drown out what I am trying to say. So come to me then and trust me to break through the noise. When you can let go of your own striving and struggling and simply trust me to get through to you, a big load will lift from your shoulders and you will suddenly realize that it is for me to get through to you.

All I require of you is faith my child. I do not require you to perform or to listen harder. Rather just trust in me. My servant Abraham trusted in me and even when he went the wrong way, I could step in and lead him once again in the right direction. In the same way, put your trust completely in me. Surrender to me. Allow me to get through to you.

When you throw yourself at my mercy, I will not let you fall. Instead I will pick you up, speak into your ear and then show you the way that you need to go. So reach out, not with your efforts, but with simple faith and I will not disappoint you, says the Lord.

I Am Your Shelter

2011-12-04T23:54:00.000-08:00

I Am Your Shelter

When you are faced with the storms of life, and everything seems to be coming against you, you seem to lose yourself in the wind and the rain. My child, instead of letting the rain soak you and letting the wind toss you around, just come and find shelter in my arms.

I have given you everything that you need to face these storms. You have inside of you my living waters and my spirit. You have my wisdom inside of you.

My child, tap into that well that I have given you and run to me. Do not let the wind and the rain control you. Do not choose to just submit to that storm but do something about it, says the Lord.

Come to me. I love you. I would never leave you nor forsake you. I will never just leave you stranded. I am always ready to help you and to give you the wisdom that you need in every situation you face.

I am not a forceful God though. I will not try to push my ways on you. You have to make a choice. You can either let life overwhelm you or you can come to me and let me give you the strength you need to choose the right way.

My child, just let go for a moment and come to me. As you take that time, the storm will cease and you will see clearly again. Before you know it, the fog will lighten up and the sun will break through once again, says the Lord.

I Long to be Part of You

2011-11-25T20:38:00.000-08:00

I Long to be Part of You

Just like a tent will collapse if the center beam is missing, so will your life lack the quality I intend if you do not put me into the center of everything that you do my child. I love you so much and I long for you.

You sometimes get so busy that you run away from me though. Come back to me and let me be the center of every part of your life. Let me be in control of everything.

I want to be involved with the things that go on in your life. I want to be part of your social life, I want to be part of your spiritual life and part of every other natural area. I want to give you the wisdom you need to tackle every situation that you are faced with. I love you my child and I long for nothing more than your heart.

Come back to me and let me touch you. Do not be afraid to touch me and to give me everything. You are my beloved and I am jealous of you. You are my precious child.

I have bought you at a high price and I will not let you go so easily. I am right here waiting for you to just jump and trust in me, says the Lord.

TO KNOW HIM

2011-11-07T02:37:00.000-08:00

"That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me." PHILIPPIANS 3:10-12

Many years after having first put on the Lord Jesus, Paul declares that he is still trying to apprehend the One Who has already apprehended him. The height, width, breadth, length, and depth of this New Man, this Heavenly Man, is quite beyond what we can measure apart from Spirit-revelation. We are more familiar with and have more confidence in the old man than we do in the New Man. By the grace of God, this has to change. When we truly see the New Man we transcend the old man. And this, in a nutshell, is how God accomplishes the work of decreasing us and increasing Christ.

Soar Through The Clouds

2011-10-29T00:24:00.000-07:00

Soar Through The Clouds

Look forward with expectation, says the Lord for a new day is on the horizon and with it comes my blessing and my joy. For although you have had your time of night and of mourning, I am coming with a new thing and with a new blessing.

For just as the sun rises and chases away the darkness of the night, so also will I chase away those things that have weighed heavily upon you my child. The lightness of the day will lift the burden from your shoulders and you will be able to stand once again.

However, I do not want you to stop there my child. I want you to go further and begin to fly. For as low as you have been and as much as the enemy has oppressed you, I will lift the weights from you and cause you to soar above the clouds.

For even though the enemy sought to bring you down, my eye was not blind and my arm was not weak. I will use even those things that he tried to discourage you with and I will turn them around into a reason for rejoicing.

So look up! Look up and see that a new day is at hand. Put aside now the weights and cares and run towards me. Then together we will soar through the clouds, says the Lord.

Brick by Brick

2011-10-12T00:01:00.000-07:00

Brick by Brick

When the walls of a house are built, they are not set up all at once. No, the builders begin with the first brick and then add to it a piece at a time. As they continue with diligence, the building suddenly starts to take shape. So also am I building something new in your life my child.

However so often you expect to look up and see the building complete. You are frustrated when things do not suddenly come right or if you cannot see the full picture. However my child, if you continued a step at a time, you will soon see that I have not stopped working. So whether you see the full picture or you do not, do not give up my child!

No master builder stops half way through building a house because he cannot see the full picture. No, instead he keeps working because he knows that if he is diligent that soon the project will be complete. In the same way know that I continue to work in you and in your life a brick at a time. A piece at a time. So press on and hold my hand. Continue to trust in me and to worship me.

Continue to see how I am doing what you cannot. For I have heard the cry of your heart and I have seen the struggles that come up deep inside of you. And so I am working diligently to give you the answers that you have asked for. Press on through my child. Do not give up hope and do not let go of my hand. Continue to have faith in me. Continue to hold onto me with love and adoration.

Then when your eyes are full of me and your heart is full of my hope you will look up and see suddenly that I have completed everything in your life that I have promised you says the Lord.

Pushing Through the Snow

2011-09-20T22:40:00.000-07:00

Pushing Through the Snow

Although the cold of winter is not comfortable, the wealth of snow gives nutrients to the soil. In the same way, although you have faced pressures and situations that are not comfortable, you need to see them as an opportunity to flourish my child.

For the things that the enemy would try to use to get you down, I will surely use for my own good. If you look at all the pressures and inconvenient moments, you would see that you have a choice to make.

You could allow yourself to get discouraged or you could use them as an opportunity to rise up once again. Even though the enemy would like to trip you up, it is time to use his own weapon against him.

No matter how cold it has become or how uncomfortable, use this situation to pass through the testing time correctly. Use this season as an opportunity to grow.

Then just like in the natural how springtime brings a new bud out of the ground, you will also see new fruit in your life! You will see that as you embrace the snow and the season of winter, that you grew through the experience. You will see that I had my hand on you all along. You will see that I never forsook you.

So rise up now child. Use every situation that you face today as an opportunity for growth. Then it does not matter what the enemy throws at you. You will be equipped to handle it and to use it to rise up higher than before.

A Special Invitation

2011-09-18T23:00:00.000-07:00

A Special Invitation

Consider a hot air balloon that has the potential to fly high above the ground. It is so simple, yet it carries the passenger to amazing heights. It does not propel itself but relies on the heat in the balloon and the direction of the wind.

When you are aboard, you have no control. You cannot try to steer it. When this happens, you have a choice to make. You can either fear that you will be swept away, or you can take a deep breath and enjoy the ride.

In the same way I am inviting you on a journey with me today my child. I invite you to climb aboard and to trust the wind and the direction that I want to send you.

It is not a direction where you will be in control. For you will be the passenger and I will be the pilot. I will lift this balloon into the air and then I will blow my wind to guide it.

I invite you to walk in faith my child and to take my hand. To climb aboard not because of what you see around you, but simply because you believe my word.

I ask you to trust me! So take my hand and have faith in me. Do not fear that I will let you down. Do not fear that you will fall out of the sky and be hurt.

For I will never leave nor forsake you! I will not allow your foot to be dashed. When you trust completely in me, I have the power to bring about events and circumstances.

Just as I have power over the winds and waves, so also can I have power over your circumstances. However, I can only use this power if you let me!

I can only move on your behalf when you put your trust in me. So climb aboard child. Take the hand that I have stretched out to you. Lean on me. Trust me. For when you do that, you will see yourself being lifted high above your circumstance.

Then all you need to do is enjoy the journey that is ahead. Do not fear for where I will lead you, but know that I will never let you down. Enjoy this time in me.

Enjoy this moment of drifting with the wind, for soon enough your circumstances will change again and new ones will be in front of you. Come child. Climb aboard and let our new journey begin, says the Lord. Amen.

My Tender Embrace

2011-09-15T20:55:00.000-07:00

My Tender Embrace

Just like a mother embraces her child, so also are my arms always open to you my child. They are never closed. Does a mother stop loving her child, when that child has failed or done something wrong?

Then why do you expect me to turn my back on you my child? No matter what you have done and no matter how much you feel guilty or afraid, I will never turn my back on you.

If a natural mother can embrace her child how much Me - your Heavenly Father? It is a love that you do not need to earn. For I drew you to me and I continue to hold you in the palm of my hand.

So often you think that you must strive to stay in the palm of my hand. So often you think that you must earn the right to stay in my hand.

But my child, I already won the prize for you. I did everything that needed to be done to ensure that you would stay in my hand. So why do you still strive so much?

Come rest in me instead, because while you strive, you take away precious time that we could be having together.

Rest in my finished work. Rest in the fact that nothing can snatch you away from me. Be as a baby in its mother's arms. Rest without struggling.

Rest without feeling that you have to prove yourself. When you do this, you will feel my love flowing over you and you will know that I have been there for you all along.

Take a Breath

2011-09-14T23:03:00.000-07:00

Take a Breath

For indeed a new day has dawned, says the Lord and there is freshness in the air. For just as you can smell the fresh morning air and it wakes up your body, so also is my presence like the air that wakes up your spirit.

So take time to rejoice in me today and to praise me for all that I am doing in your life. For many mornings can come and go and if you do not take the time to enjoy the beauty of the morning, the day will quickly come upon you and you would have missed your moment.

In the same way, do not miss your moment with me today my child. Take time to breathe in my presence and to feel my peace around you.

Just as the morning is constant, so also am I constant. Just as the morning brings a freshness to your mind, so also will I bring a freshness to your spirit.

So take time right now to simply sit in my presence. When you enjoy the morning air, you do not need to do anything to enjoy it. In fact, the greatest way to enjoy it is to simply sit in it and revel in it. My child this is all I am asking of you.

I do not need you to run around or to do anything to enjoy me today. Simply sit with me and talk with me. Rest in me. I do not need you to prove yourself.

In fact, whether you rest or whether you run, my presence will not change. My feelings will not change towards you. So why not rest rather?

Take your moment with me and the life that you receive will give you all the strength you need for the day ahead, says the Lord. Amen.

Pick up Your Sword

2011-09-11T02:08:00.000-07:00

Pick up Your Sword

Just as a dust storm brings with it sand and disarray, so also have the pressures of life swirled around you, says the Lord. In the confusion you dropped your sword and now you stand, feeling ill-equipped for the road that is ahead of you.

But my child, just because you cannot see your sword, does not mean that you have lost it. All that has happened is that the sand has covered it over.

If you would only reach down and lift it up from the dust, you would see that I have not forsaken you. You have not lost your ability to stand up in my name. You have not lost your place of favor in me. You have not lost my grace.

The enemy would love to keep you confused and running here and there trying to make up for lost time. But stop now and simply pick up your sword once again.

Come back to the realization that it is in me alone that you overcome. Come back to the simple truth that it is not by your own strength and power that you will overcome, but by my spirit alone!

As you pick up your sword once again, put my Word into your mouth. Let my pictures flood your mind and then as you stand up in a new conviction, the enemy will flee from you.

The wind will die down and the dust will start to disappear. Then you will see that I never left your side. For it is indeed time to pick up your sword again. Not in your own strength, but in my name alone, says the Lord. Amen

Getting on the Bicycle Again

2011-09-08T22:43:00.000-07:00

Getting on the Bicycle Again

A child finds it easy to ride a bicycle. They have no fear and their naiveté carries them through. However, as you get older it gets harder to get back on the bicycle again.

It takes a lot more effort than you remember and it hurts in ways that you do not remember either. In the same way child, it is time to return back to the fire that I placed inside of you such a long time ago.

As you look at it, you are like the adult who has not climbed on the bicycle in a very long time. What was so easy before seems like an effort now.

What was so comfortable before, seems so uncomfortable now. The discouragements and the failures hold you back and it is because of this that you are not moving forward as you should.

So it is time now my child to face the fears. To face the weakness and disappointment. It is time to get back on the bicycle again. To embrace once again the fire that is inside of you.

To have childlike naiveté once again and to trust me unashamedly. It is time to put aside your questions and your fears and to throw yourself into my arms. To trust that I will catch and lead you in the way that you go.

As you step forward now and you get riding again, my own hand will lead you. You will find the fire that you had before increase and get stronger. I will lead you on roads you never travelled before!

Then you will see that I was with you all along. Although there were many times when the enemy sent rocks into your road, I always made a new way. Even though he has tried to stifle that fire, I am here to bring it to life once again.

So move forward now child. Put aside the disappointments of the past and you will see that a new future waits for you.

Let The Night Fall

2011-09-03T22:50:00.000-07:00

Let The Night Fall

When the sun has set and the world grows quiet, it is in these times that you notice sounds that you did not hear before. It is in these moments that your mind becomes still and you can come to peace.

My child you have been working and pushing hard through the day, but it is time now to come and rest. It is time for the night to fall and for your hands to drop.

For you cannot always work and push on. You cannot always sow and reap. There must come a time when you must rest and allow the rain to fall. There comes a time when you must step back and allow me to do my part. For I will do my part when you come to rest.

For you have worked hard as you have put your hand to the plough. You have pushed through and done all that you could.

However, now is the time for you to rest a while and to allow me to do my part. For I will take the mustard seed that you planted and I will cause it to grow bigger than any other tree!

I will take your small portion and increase it with my own power. You cannot do this. For you will come to see that the greatest progress that you will make, is not while you are striving and working, but rather when you rest and I begin to work.

So allow this season of rest to come into your life. Take this small moment to rest in me and allow me to work now on your behalf, says the Lord.

A Shower of Blessing

2011-08-28T22:16:00.000-07:00

A Shower of Blessing

My child I love you so much. I have so much blessing in store for you. I want you to come to me and approach my throne boldly. I want you to expect my abundant blessing in every area of your life. So often do you come to me only hoping that I hear your cry.

You do not come in faith and in childlike trust. But I want to let you know that you can come boldly, my child.

I am the maker of the heavens and the earth. I hold the treasures of this world in my hands and I can make anything happen. Do not forget who I am and do not forget who you are. I love you so dearly and it is my greatest passion to provide everything you need in much abundance.

I have not called you to walk in lack and I have not called you to walk in depression. You are a child of the king of kings and in me you have access to everything.

I love you dearly. So come to me, boldly and unafraid because I delight in showering you with my blessing, says the Lord.

Shalom,
Blog ini merupakan bagian dari pelayanan dunia maya (e-ministry) dari Eagles Nest Ministries dan pelayanan pastoral (e-church) Eagles Nest Fellowship. Pelayanan kami memiliki visi untuk “Memberitakan Kabar Baik, memuridkan dan mengutus setiap anak Tuhan untuk ‘menjadi gereja’ dimanapun mereka berada”.
Pelayanan kami fokus pada penginjilan, missi penanaman gereja, pemuridan dan memperlengkapi tubuh Kristus. Kerinduan kami dapat mengutus setiap anak Tuhan untuk dapat menjadi terang dan garam dimanapun mereka berada sebagai saksi Kristus hingga Kerajaan Tuhan ditegakkan dan diperluas.
Pelayanan kami berada di bawah naungan Tuhan Yesus Kristus, di dunia kami merupakan utusan Injil dari lembaga United Christian Faith Ministries.
Bagi saudara seiman yang mau konseling, turut terlibat pelayanan, mendoakan, bersahabat dengan kami atau menyalurkan dana untuk perluasan Kerajaan Tuhan dapat menghubungi kami di 081330135643 atau email: davebroos@yahoo.co.uk atau melalui Facebook (Dave Broos). Sedangkan bagi mereka yang mau mendukung pelayanan ini melalui dana dapat menyalurkannya melalui Bank BCA no rek 0081824788 atas nama Dave Broos.
God bless you all,
Salam dan doa,
Ps. Dave Broos

Take a Moment

2011-08-24T22:03:00.000-07:00

Take a Moment

After a race it feels like you have spent all of your resources. Your mouth is dry and your hands are shaky. You are much like Samson when he slayed the thousand with the jawbone of a donkey. He had pushed through and at the end of it all, he felt so weak.

The anointing had lifted and suddenly he realized how human he was. Even as he lowered his arm, I did not forsake him, says the Lord, and even now I do not forsake you. As you have pushed through and even done the things I asked of you, I know that you are weary.

Yet my child, now is not the time to try and find the strength that you need from external sources. Samson cried out to me and I gave him water from the rock. In the same way, I am telling you to cry out to me so that I can lead you to water.

For when you reach out your hand to me in your weakness, you will realize that there are rivers of living water bubbling up from deep inside of you. A well of life that never runs dry. No matter how thirsty you are or how weak you feel, there is an abundance there to give you life once again.

So reach out to me now and let the water that is inside of you begin to bubble out. Take a moment to stand still and to feed on my Spirit. Take a moment to hear my voice. Stand in silence for only a moment, so that you can get direction for the rest of the journey ahead.

When you take this time to hear from me, not only will your spirit be fed, but you will also hear my voice and receive the direction you need. When you do it this way, then I go with you and I will not let you down. When you do it this way, you will never run out of resources.

Take a moment to reach out to me, and let my strength fill you once again. Amen.

Shalom,
Blog ini merupakan bagian dari pelayanan dunia maya (e-ministry) dari Eagles Nest Ministries dan pelayanan pastoral (e-church) Eagles Nest Fellowship. Pelayanan kami memiliki visi untuk “Memberitakan Kabar Baik, memuridkan dan mengutus setiap anak Tuhan untuk ‘menjadi gereja’ dimanapun mereka berada”.
Pelayanan kami fokus pada penginjilan, missi penanaman gereja, pemuridan dan memperlengkapi tubuh Kristus. Kerinduan kami dapat mengutus setiap anak Tuhan untuk dapat menjadi terang dan garam dimanapun mereka berada sebagai saksi Kristus hingga Kerajaan Tuhan ditegakkan dan diperluas.
Pelayanan kami berada di bawah naungan Tuhan Yesus Kristus, di dunia kami merupakan utusan Injil dari lembaga United Christian Faith Ministries.
Bagi saudara seiman yang mau konseling, turut terlibat pelayanan, mendoakan, bersahabat dengan kami atau menyalurkan dana untuk perluasan Kerajaan Tuhan dapat menghubungi kami di 081330135643 atau email: davebroos@yahoo.co.uk atau melalui Facebook (Dave Broos). Sedangkan bagi mereka yang mau mendukung pelayanan ini melalui dana dapat menyalurkannya melalui Bank BCA no rek 0081824788 atas nama Dave Broos.
God bless you all,
Salam dan doa,
Ps. Dave Broos

Look Up!

2011-08-17T02:03:00.000-07:00

Look Up!

Look up and see that the sun is breaking through the clouds. Just as the sunflower follows the sun, so also am I calling you to follow me my child. When you look up into my face and look at the promises that I have given to you, then you do not see the darkness around you. You no longer see the lack or the problems.

You no longer see the impossibility of a situation, but only the possibility. So look up to me child! Look into my eyes and as you do that, the rest will fade away. Soon you will begin to see like me and understand like me.

Your problems will fade and what you thought to be a mountain in your life will suddenly become a molehill. What seemed so impossible before, will suddenly be possible.

If you are trying with your own strength, you will always come short, but my power is limitless. And so as you begin to follow me and listen to my voice, you will feel a load lift off your shoulders.

You will see that you can run this race and win it. You will see that you can cast any mountain into the sea. It only begins as you lift your face up to follow me. Look up now child and follow me and everything else in your life will make sense once again.

An Opening Coming Soon

2011-08-16T05:03:00.000-07:00

An Opening Coming Soon

Do not be afraid to walk the road ahead that I have prepared for you says the Lord, for my hand is over you. Even though you might not understand the way that I have set and you cannot see clearly now, know that I will never forsake you.

There will be times when dark clouds will come and there will be other times when the enemy might put rocks in your road, but never forget that I am there for you. I am there walking the road with you and I will point the rocks out to you.

I will be there to move the dark clouds from you. So do not rely on yourself any longer or on what you can see with your own eyes, but rely on what I can see and on what I can do. My child, do not be afraid, for I will never forsake you. Look forward to the way that is ahead, for soon you will see it open up to a wide field and a broad way.

Then you will see that the way I have led you is for a purpose. You will see that the road you have walked has not been in vain. Rise up and walk the road once again and soon the way will open up, says the Lord.

Promotion

2011-08-09T01:59:00.000-07:00

Promotion

What might seem like an obstacle is an opportunity for promotion my child. So do not look at the thing that is standing in front of you as something that is there to get you down. Rather see it as an opportunity to overcome.

For only when you face the pressures and you overcome can you see that with my power you can do all things. The reason why you failed in the past is because you tried to do things in your own strength. This led to disappointment and you wonder now if you can face what is ahead of you.

It is I that has led you to this new mountain and it is not to discourage you child. Rather it is to give you an opportunity for promotion. To overcome now what you could not in the past. To rise up now where you could not before. Together we will rise up.

With my help you will be able to do what you could not before. So take my hand and face what is ahead of you. Face it with faith and with determination.

Then you will surely rise up and when you stand on the top of this mountain your hope will soar. You will know that I am your God and that I have prepared the way ahead of you my child.

Time to be Refreshed

2011-08-08T03:25:00.000-07:00

Time to be Refreshed

There is much that you have learned and much that you have done, but now is a time to rest in me, says the Lord. For this is a day of refreshing and I am calling you to come and rest again in my presence. For you have run hard and accomplished much, but you must get rest for the remainder of your journey.

For there is much I still want to do in your life and blessings that are way beyond your imagination. All of this begins though in my presence. As you rest in me, it will be as if you are sitting in the middle of a gentle river.

The dirt that you are covered with will be washed away. The heat of the day will start to melt and all the stress that you have carried with you will be swept away with the stream.

When you are refreshed, you will have strength to stand and run the race again. For now though drink of me and know that I am good. Revel in my presence and let me refresh you my child.

Let Go of your Own Ideas

2011-08-04T00:18:00.000-07:00

Let Go of your Own Ideas

You have sought me for a long season my child and you have asked me to bring renewal and restoration into your life. You have sought me and you have cried out. Circumstances have once again taken over and you are discouraged. You are on your face and you are saying to me WHY....

My child don't you see that I am right here for you? I have never left you and I never will. I am right there by your side and I have been working on your behalf all along. I never stop. I care for you and long for you 24 hours a day.

My child you have closed your heart because you have not received exactly what you wanted from me. I desire to bless you abundantly and beyond anything you can imagine. I have more for you than what you see right now. I want to give you far more.

So let go of your little ideas! Let go of your imaginations that tell you to have a result to your situation a certain way. I am the Lord your God and I know what is best for you. Trust me afresh. Come to me afresh and hand me control.

I have everything you could ever need and I have the perfect plan already laid out for you. But if you keep on running on your own track, reaching out for the things you think need to happen, you will remain in this frustration and Satan will only be to happy to keep you there.

Just break out now and see the bigger picture. Open your heart once again to see through my eyes, because you have stopped doing that. Sure you came to me and you cried to me, but your heart was not open to see what I truly have for you.

I love you dearly my child and I want nothing more than to see you blessed. Wake up out of your slumber and see my love. Wake up and see that I have not left you.

Just open your heart and let go of your control. As you do this, you will feel my touch come upon you like never before. As you do this you will feel a freedom enter your heart like never before.

As you do this you will truly rise up out of the mud and climb the mountains you have desired to see, says the Lord!

I Have Not Moved

2011-08-03T03:26:00.000-07:00

I Have Not Moved

Before you were formed in your mother's womb, I knew you. I chose you and I brought you into this earth. I have held you in the palm of my hands from the beginning of time, and I have never let you go.

If you feel frustrated and feel that I am miles away from you, my child it is not I who moved. I have been there all along and I have watched over you from the beginning. You have moved! If you desire to feel my closeness, all you have to do is reach out.

Let go of everything that is stressing you out and drawing you away from me and just reach out and touch my hand yet again.

As you come to me in faith, I will meet you. As you reach out to me in hunger, I will fill your mouth with every good thing. You are so very precious to me.

I have planned your path every step of the way and even if you take a wrong turn sometimes, my grace is bigger than any failure. I love you and I delight in being there for you. Even if you have sinned and you are full of the flesh, my arms stand wide open to you.

I want to help you break free and I want to put you on a new path. A path that will lead you to victory and blessing. I do not intend for you to crawl along in life and just make it! I want you to live in abundance.

So grab my hand afresh and open your heart to me so that I can do what I desire to do. I want to bring healing. I want to set you free from bondage and I want to meet the desires of your heart.

I love you dearly, child. Move back into my presence now and I will begin a work that will result in a vessel more beautiful than the world has seen before, says the Lord.

Command the Waters to Part

2011-07-26T21:18:00.000-07:00

Command the Waters to Part

You are standing in front of a river and you know you need to get across. The promised land you have been waiting for lays beyond that river, says the Lord. My child, do not look to the left or to the right to find some means of transportation that would get you across.

You cannot rely on the natural but you need to rely on my strength and my power. Just as even Moses had to rely on me alone in the days of old, so am I calling you to put your trust completely in me.

My child raise your rod! Use your authority and command the waters to pass. As you take what I have given you and stand in faith on my promises, the waters will indeed part and you will indeed walk into the promised land victoriously.

So my child, rise up. Speak to the waters and they will part, says the Lord!

My Cool, Gentle Breeze

2011-07-26T04:03:00.000-07:00

My Cool, Gentle Breeze

Just like a cool breeze refreshes you on a hot summer's day so does the wind of my spirit refresh your whole being. If you feel like you have been exposed to the hot sun and have had to push through for a long time, come into my presence so that my spirit can blow upon you and refresh every part of your being.

You do not have to push beyond what you are capable of. Come to me and tap into my strength. Come to me and let me refresh you. When the pressures of life are upon you, you often forget this one very simple thing.

So get back to that simplicity. Get back to the basics and just drop what you are doing to be renewed and refreshed in my presence, says the Lord.

I Heard your Cry

2011-07-25T20:22:00.000-07:00

I Heard your Cry

You have cried out to me for a long season and have persevered. You have given me your desires and have trusted in me. My child, today I simply want to assure you that I have heard your cry. I have heard you and my angels are busy even now to bring about the desires and requests you have brought before me.

It is not long now and you will see all that you have reached out to me for come to manifestation. So do not give up but press on in faith, hope and love. For this day I want to let you know that I have heard you and that your desire is on its way.

Do not listen to the lies of the enemy who wants you to believe that I didn't care after all. He wants you to give in to despair and just give up on the desires you have carried in your heart for so long. Do not listen to him.

He only comes to destroy and to get you discouraged and off the track of blessing I have you on. Give him the boot and do not listen to his negative words any longer.

Instead rest assured that my promises are valid and true. My word will not return void but will accomplish that which it was sent for. Just press on forward now my child. I have heard your cry and I am with you even now, says the Lord.

In the Hands of the Potter

2011-07-23T22:04:00.001-07:00

In the Hands of the Potter

I have you in the palm of my hands my child and I am busy making you into a magnificent vessel. So do not be afraid of the pressures that you are faced with, for it is my hand that is coming upon you gently to mold and shape you to hold my glory.

Embrace the pressures you feel and surrender to me completely. For I am making you into something beautiful. I am shaping you into a unique vessel that would be ready to contain what I want to pour into it for my people.

Trust in me my child for the work I am doing in your life is a good work. I have wonderful plans for you. All I need you to do is to stop struggling and to just surrender. Just give up all the striving. Give up trying so hard.

Have you ever seen a lump of clay that lay in the potter's work shop and that somehow managed to form itself into a vessel? It doesn't work in the natural and so it also won't happen with you in the spiritual.

Just as a potter grabs that lump of clay and starts to press on it and pull on it to shape it, so am I at work in your life, says the Lord. Trust in me and give your all to me. Just be as that lump of clay that is shaped into something beautiful in the hands of the potter.

I am making you into a vessel of glory. Trust in me, says the Lord.

Bask in My Presence and Anointing

2011-07-23T04:30:00.000-07:00

Bask in My Presence and Anointing

Just as much as the wild flowers in the field rely on the sun to give them life and on the rain to provide them with the nourishment they need, so do you rely on my touch my child.

My presence is as the sun to the flowers in the fields. It gives you the joy and life you need to accomplish that which I have called you to do. The wind of my Holy Spirit and my anointing is as the rain to those flowers. It gives you the refreshement you need and the nourishement you require to grow strong and beautiful in me.

So steal away into my presence to fill up with this life. Come and bask in my anointing to be able to grow into all I have for you. Steal away from the business of life just to come and receive all that you need, to do the things I have entrusted you with.

At the end of the day, this is about me and you need to be in me to succeed. Never forget that the work I have called you to, is my work. To do my work you require my picture. So come to me each day and receive more and more of that picture.

I have so much in store for you and I love you so dearly my child. Come and steal away with me now and let me fill you up, says the Lord!

Don't Worry

2011-07-21T21:18:00.000-07:00

Don't Worry

My child, do not fear the mountains that you see looming ahead. Do not fear what is to come in the future and what awaits you at the horizon but focus on me. Right now, as you look ahead you may think: "Oh no... another set of mountains to climb... I wonder what is going to happen…?"

Child, do not give in to worry. Worry is something designed to get you down. Plus it really is something you don't have to listen to because it wants you to panic about something that is not even here yet. Take a step at a time and trust in me.

Focus on the path that you are on right now. Look into my eyes and let me direct you each step of the way. The only foresight I want you to have is the fact that whatever lies ahead is part of my plan! I want you to stand in hope and trust in me completely.

So give your worries to me now my child. Let the loads go. Do not worry about what is to come because I have promised you a future of hope and of much blessing. Focus on what is important right here and right now and give your whole heart to the task at hand, says the Lord.

Simple Faith

2011-07-20T02:44:00.000-07:00

Simple Faith

Even as Zacchaeus of old was so stirred in his heart to come to me and receive from me that he climbed a tree just to get a glimpse of me, so do I desire for you to come to me, says the Lord.

I don't need you to have it together or to approach me with big words. I don't need you to come to me sinless and righteous. As you come to me just weak and unafraid I will wash over you with my anointing and my power and I will make you righteous.

I am your savior. You cannot deliver yourself from your own sin. This is why I died on the cross and paid the supreme price for you. I have built the bridge between the father and this world so that sin wouldn't stand in the way.

So approach me boldly. All I desire from you is an open heart and the willingness to let me change you. So come to me, innocent like a little child and boldly just like Zacchaeus did.

He knew he had done wrong and he knew he was not worthy. But he also knew that if he would come to me, I could help him and raise him up and give him all that he needed.

It is that simple faith, that simple conviction that I desire you to have in your heart. As you approach me like this, the way before you will open up and the many heavy burdens you have been carrying will fall off.

You do not have to work hard or do the right things. If my gospel were one of works, I really wouldn't have had to die. I love you dearly and I desire to raise you up and bless you beyond your wildest imaginations. Trust in me and open your heart to me now, says the Lord.

I have not left you

2011-07-14T20:04:00.000-07:00

I have not left you

When the storms come and the night starts to descend, suddenly things are not as clear as they once were. Landmarks that you easily understood before become shaded and you cannot make out what you knew to be there. After a while you start to doubt what you know and this is what the enemy is trying to do in your life.

Just because you cannot see me, does not mean I am not here my child. I have remained and you must hold onto what you know and not what you see. For if you look only at what you see, then the enemy can easily lead you astray. However, if you hold onto what you know in my Word and what you know in our personal relationship, you cannot go wrong.

For the night does not last forever and neither will this season in your life. Reach out your hand to me right now and you will find that I never left you but that I am right where I was before. Soon day will break and you will see that I am here ready to take your hand and lead you once again.

Feed on My Word

2011-07-11T00:02:00.000-07:00

Feed on My Word

Even as Joshua of old stood on my word and trusted in me completely, so I am calling you to stand boldly on my promises, says the Lord. Joshua knew the word and he spoke it day and night.

He had such faith in my words, that He was able to go beyond the authority that I had given to man and commanded the sun to stop so that they could win the battle!

My child, you desire to see miracles, you desire to receive more! Then stand as Joshua stood and be grounded in my word. Get back to eating my word as if it were bread. Get back to receiving the living waters right from the promises I have given.

My child I have more for you and I want to increase your anointing. I want to increase my power in you. So step out boldly. Seek me and come to me in faith. As you do so, a new land will open up before you like never before.

As you do so, you will decrease and I will increase so that when people see you, they will no longer see you but will see me in you indeed, says the Lord.

Abide in My Love

2011-07-10T18:57:00.000-07:00

Abide in My Love

I love you so much my child. I love you so much that I gave my only son and sent Him to die on the cross to pave the way ahead of you. I loved you so much that even if you were the only person in this universe that needed to be saved, I would have died for you!

Be reminded this day of my never ending love for you. reminded that in me you have everything you ever need. You can go out there and work hard for me. You can go out there and complete each task I give to you, but if you are not motivated by my love, you may as well count it a loss!

My love and passion for you surpass all understanding. It cannot be grasped with the logic of your mind. It is something that will break through the hardest walls and it is a force that the enemy doesn't understand. If you stand in my love, he wants to take flight.

Come to me anew today and be refreshed and refilled with my love. Let me show you the goal ahead clearly again and let me empower you to take on the next part of your journey, says the Lord.

A Time To Pour Out

2011-07-07T18:23:00.000-07:00

A Time To Pour Out

Do not be afraid my child to step forward and to do what I have called you to do, for it is not in your own strength that you will step out, but in mine. For I have called you and I have separated you.

I have put my hand over you and I have protected you. And so as you have received through the years and you have learned, so is it time to give out those things that I have put inside of you.

For each thing you received of me is like a seed inside of you. It has remained dormant for so long, but I will begin to breathe on it now and bring it to life. For you look at your problems and your daily concerns and you are overwhelmed with these needs. However, it is time to put these things aside and to pour out to others now.

For as long as you look at your own cares and needs, you will continue to be discouraged. However, as you look at others and begin to pour out, something miraculous will happen. You will start to feel life again.

You will start to feel something bubble up from inside of you. Then as you look to the needs of others and pour out in any way that you can, you will turn to see that your own needs are also met.

For this is indeed the hidden secret that you have my child. This is where the true power is of my grace. It is not only in my love that you feel, but the true power lies in pouring out that love to others.

So today put your own needs aside and look at those around you. See how many have such heavy burdens on them. See those that need a word of encouragement or blessing.

Then reach out and as you do, I will give you the anointing and the power you need to bless them. Then feel as your own needs and cares wash away, says the Lord.

In Me you Have victory ALWAYS!

2011-07-05T19:59:00.000-07:00

In Me you Have victory ALWAYS!

Do not be afraid of the mountains and the giants that you see coming your way, says the Lord. For did I not say in my word that if you would speak to this mountain be removed and be cast into the sea, I would move it for you?

Put your faith in me and stand in the authority that I have bestowed upon you in my name and nothing will by any means harm you. Be bold and face each mountain with my power.

Go forward in my love and stand in who you are in me and nothing will keep you from moving on to victory. No matter what ploys the enemy might have planned against you, know that in my name you have the victory.

As you look at things through my eyes, you will know that no matter what the enemy is trying to do, he will not succeed. You are in me and I am in you. If your words abide in me, you will ask whatever you wish from me and I will indeed make it come to pass, says the Lord.

So no longer look at yourself as a victim. Do not look at yourself as a little worm. But rise up as the mighty warrior you are in my name. As you pick up your armor and your sword and put my word on your lips, you will rise up high and fly through the sky instead of crawl on the ground.

I love you dearly and I have called you to be a victor and a conqueror in my name, says the Lord. Go forth now and step into my promises!

SAAT PRESIDEN LEWAT

2011-07-01T20:49:00.000-07:00

SAAT PRESIDEN LEWAT
Kuduslah kamu sebab AKU kudus (1 Petrus 1:16)
Siang itu saya hendak menjemput putra saya dari sekolah. Saat saya berjalan melewati jalan raya menuju sekolah saya melihat ada sesuatu yang berbeda dari biasanya. Jalan itu tampak sangat bersih, steril dari sampah. Ada juga hal yang ganjil, sebab pedagang kaki lima dan tukang becak pun tak tampak. Lebih mengherankan lagi jalan itu sepi dari kendaraan lain, saya pandang sekeliling, yang tampak hanya kendaraan polisi dan tentara bahkan di atas hotel tampak pula sniper (penembak tepat). Setelah tiba di sekolah saya bertanya pada satpam,”Ada apa Pak?” Dia pun menjawab,”OH..itu Bapak Presiden mau lewat jalan ini.” Betul dugaan saya ada pejabat tinggi yang akan melalui jalan ini.
Tiba-tiba saya diingatkan Roh Kudus bahwa Tuhan ada di dalam diri kita. IA yang ada dalam diri kita jauh lebih tinggi kedudukannya daripada pejabat mana pun di muka bumi ini. Tetapi mengapa sering kali kita mengabaikan DIA? Sering kali kita tidak mengindahkan firmanNya yang padahal lebih tinggi dari UU mana pun. Kita pun jarang mengoreksi diri, sudah hidup sesuai kebenaran atau belum. Kita berpikir dengan rajin pergi ke gereja, memberi persembahan sekedarnya, berdoa tiap mau makan dan baca firman Tuhan satu ayat sehari sudah cukup untuk menjadi orang Kristen yang baik. Padahal cara hidup kita sungguh bertentangan dengan DIA yang ada dalam kita. Tuhan mencari anak-anakNya yang mau menjadikan DIA sebagai TUHAN dan RAJA atas hidup mereka. Tuhan mencari mereka yang mengasihiNya dengan segenap hati, pikiran dan kekuatannya.
Mulai hari ini mari kita sungguh-sungguh memberi diri kita sebagai korban yang hidup dengan hidup taat sesuai firman Tuhan.
DOA: Tuhan ampunilah kami yang seringkali mengabaikan Engkau dalam kehidupan kami. Amien.
Firman Tuhan: 1 Petrus 1:13-23

THE PUNISHER

2011-06-29T00:24:00.000-07:00

THE PUNISHER
Pembalasan adalah hakKU, AKUlah yang akan menuntut pembalasan, firman Tuhan (Roma 12:19b)
Roland memiliki hati yang terbeban untuk melayani mantan napi. Ia percaya bahwa Tuhan mengasihi siapa pun dan Tuhan selalu memberikan kesempatan kedua bagi siapa pun termasuk para napi ini. Bertahun-tahun ia habiskan waktunya untuk memuridkan dan berjuang mencukupi kebutuhan sandang, pangan bahkan papan untuk para mantan napi ini. Banyak diantara mereka yang dapat kembali diterima dalam masyarakat karena perubahan dalam kehidupan mereka dan bagaimana mereka menjadi berkat dalam hidup bermasyarakat.
Beberapa di antara mereka membantu Roland dalam pelayanan sepenuh waktu, mereka sudah Roland anggap sebagai keluarga sendiri. Ia membiayai sendiri mereka pendidikan Theologia di STT ternama dan mengajukan diri mereka untuk ditahbiskan sebagai pendeta untuk membantu penggembalaan jemaat. Ia bangga melihat apa yang telah Tuhan kerjakan selama beberapa tahun terakhir ini di tengah jemaat mantan napi yang telah berkembang.
Namun tiba-tiba beberapa bulan terakhir ia merasakan perbedaan sikap beberapa stafnya setelah mereka meraih gelar Master dan pentahbisan dari sinode. Mereka mulai mempengaruhi jemaat untuk memberontak terhadap kepemimpinan Roland. Roland berupaya berbicara baik-baik dengan mereka tetapi mereka berkeras meminta Roland untuk mundur dari jabatan Gembala Sidang. Istri yang tengah mengandung anak pertama mereka pun diteror melalui telpon gelap dan kiriman surat kaleng yang berisi ancaman. Istrinya mengalami tekanan darah tinggi dan tidak kuat menghadapi teror tersebut. Akhirnya istri dan bayi yang masih dalam kandungan meninggal dunia. Roland sangat terpukul dan hendak membalas. Sampai Tuhan mengingatkannya untuk mengampuni sebab pembalasan adalah hak Tuhan.
Mungkin kita mampu membalas kejahatan dengan kejahatan tetapi Tuhan memerintahkan untuk membalas kejahatan dengan kebaikan.
DOA: Tuhan, pada hari ini saya mengampuni setiap orang yang telah melukai hati saya. Amien.
Firman Tuhan: Roma 12:9-21

HMMM…. YUMMI

2011-06-27T20:56:00.000-07:00

HMMM…. YUMMI
Ujilah aku,ya Tuhan, dan cobalah aku; selidikilah batinku dan hatiku (Mazmur 26:2)
Kami saat itu mendapat tugas dari gereja untuk melayani kaum lansia yang sudah tak dapat turut beribadah tiap Minggu. Jadi merupakan tugas kami untuk mengunjungi dan coba untuk menjawab kebutuhan kerohanian mereka.
Hari itu saya dan rekan mengunjungi Oma Beth yang tinggal seorang diri. Saat kami datang beliau sangat senang menyambut kami. Beliau mempersilahkan kami untuk masuk dan lalu berbincang-bincang mengenai banyak hal. Saat saya tengah bercakap-cakap dengan Oma Beth, rekan saya sempat membuat jengkel. Sebab tiba-tiba, ia menyela,”Oma…wah, kacang mente dalam toples ini kelihatan enak sekali. Boleh saya minta?” Oma Beth pun menjawab,”Kalau mau, boleh-boleh saja tapi…..” Belum selesai perkataan Oma Beth, teman saya sudah tancap gas menyantap kacang mente dalam toples itu. “Hmmm..yummi..Bro.” kata teman saya sambil tersenyum. Saya pun kembali berbincang dengan Oma Beth sambil dalam hati kesal melihat kelakuan teman saya yang kurang sopan dan beretika. Beberapa saat kemudian, setelah berbincang cukup lama, tiba-tiba teman saya bertanya lagi,”Oma Beth.. kacang mentenya enak sekali, boleh saya habiskan?” Sambil ia memandang ke arah saya dengan penuh arti dan tersenyum. Dalam hati saya menggerutu,”Dasar anak asrama, engga bisa lihat makanan enak, main sikat aza.” Oma Beth menjawab,”Oh makan saja, Oma sudah ompong, tidak bisa makan kacang mentenya.” Wah, seolah mendapat angin surgawi teman saya langsung tancap gas menghabiskan kacang mente itu. Lalu Oma Beth tersenyum pada saya,”Iya…Oma khan sudah tua dan ompong, jadi setiap kali anak atau cucu bawa coklat Silverqueen (coklat kacang mente)…Oma hanya bisa mengemut coklatnya sedang kacang mentenya Oma tidak bisa makan, jadi Oma kumpulkan dalam toples. Sayang dibuang….eh benar saja ternyata ada yang suka. Puji Tuhan, bisa jadi berkat.” Saya lirik wajah teman saya yang kini tidak karuan wajahnya.
Seringkali kita melayani pekerjaan Tuhan tidak dengan hati yang tulus. Kita melayani dengan hati yang licik, kita berpikir dengan melayani kita akan mendapat pujian, keuntungan materi dan agenda-agenda terselubung. Tuhan menguji hati kita dan pada hari akhir akan tampak pelayanan siapa yang sejati dan mana yang dipenuhi ambisi pribadi. Layanilah Tuhan dalam takut akan Tuhan.
DOA: Tuhan, ampunilah kami yang seringkali melayaniMU dengan hati yang tak tulus. Amien.
Firman Tuhan: Mazmur 26:1-12

Follow the River Within

2011-06-24T20:38:00.000-07:00

Follow the River Within

When Moses led the children of Israel into the desert, they had no clue where they were headed. I directed them and showed them the way with my pillar of fire. They were in the desert where it is so easy to get lost. All they had to do was trust in me.

Just like I wanted them to trust me that I had their journey in my hands and provided for them everywhere they went, so do I want you to trust in me my child.

You have more than the children of Israel had. You have my spirit dwelling inside of you and with that, you have everything you need. You do not have to rely on any external source. I am closer than breathing and I live deep inside of you.

So just stop and tap into the river deep inside. Tap into the wisdom and the truth that you have in me in you. Trust in me afresh and follow my direction each day.

Do not look for any external signs but listen to my still small voice inside of you. As you do that, you will walk in my peace and you will find the direction I have for you right now, says the Lord.

Follow the Road

2011-06-22T20:39:00.000-07:00

Follow the Road

When you travel on a road with a sharp bend, it is difficult to see what lies ahead. All that you can do is to follow the curve of the road until the new stretch of road is opened up before you. Just because you cannot see the road or the landscape ahead, it does not mean it is not there, says the Lord.

In the same way, simply because you do not see your future or your path clearly laid out, it does not mean I have not prepared it my child. For even though you cannot see the landscape right now, I want you to know that I have prepared the way ahead of you. I will open the way before you and I will lead you to the land that I have promised you.

All you need to do right now is to follow the road that I have put you on. At times you will not understand it and at times you will wish you could see further along. However, it is like that bend in the road. If you would only be faithful to keep pressing forward and to keep following my instructions day by day, the way will open up ahead of you.

Then when that time comes your heart will thrill and rejoice. For you will see that I did not leave a single detail out of the picture. You will see that I have prepared this road ahead of you to perfection. So trust me once again my child.

Follow the instructions that I have given to you one step at a time. Follow the road that I have set before you and soon it will open up to reveal the fullness of the view that I have prepared for you.

Forget about the Weeds

2011-06-21T22:27:00.000-07:00

Forget about the Weeds

Even though your cares and responsibilities seem so large in your life, when you look at them seated on my throne, you will see that they are small.

For you allow small things in your heart to overwhelm you my child. You let small annoyances steal your joy. But can you not see that I am greater than all these things?

Take a look at all the things that are bothering you. They are like weeds in a garden. However, you have become so hung up on the weeds, that you have failed to step back and to see the entire flower bed.

You have spent so much time trying to handle the weeds, that you have forgotten to fertilize and to invest your time into the treasures and good things that I have given to you.

So step back today and invest into the good things that I have given to you. Invest into the people and the projects that are good in your life. Then once you have fertilized the good plants and flowers in your life, then you will have the joy and strength to dig out the weeds as well.

As you take a moment to see how much you have grown and flourished, you will no longer feel tired. You will be able to deal with all those little weeds easily. Set your mind today on investing into the good things in your life.

Then watch as I bring the water down to feed those plants and to make everything flourish once again, says the Lord. Amen

A New Day

2011-06-17T22:02:00.000-07:00

A New Day

This is indeed a new day for you my child and you will see that I have some new things in store for you. For the old has now passed away and the new will be manifest in your life.

So look forward to today with great expectation. Look to me with great hope. For I have you in the palm of your hand and the doors that were shut before will now open for you.

The mountains that you could not climb before, you will now climb. For you do not climb these mountains alone, but you have me by your side. Even though it might feel at times that the warfare is intense and that the enemy is on every side - my child you do not fight your battles alone!

I fight on your behalf. Not only that, but I will empower you to be able to overcome all these attacks and to stand your ground. Not only will I take back the land that has belonged to you, but together we shall take new land together. For I desire to bless you beyond your own expectation.

My plans and promises for you are so much greater than you can imagine in your mind. So look forward to this day. Look forward to the good things that I have in store for you.

For I am a Father that delights in the joy of my child. I desire not only to give you the things that you need, but also the things that will delight your heart. For I see your desires and the small things that you do not tell others. It is these I desire to meet. For I see the secrets that you carry and I want to be there to carry them for you.

So open up your heart to me today and let me come in. Let me meet those needs and those desires and then together we can continue taking this land that I have promised you, says the Lord.

Sweet as Honey

2011-06-16T20:21:00.000-07:00

Sweet as Honey

Consider how the taste of honey brings delight to your heart. So also do my blessings and my goodness bring delight to your soul. For my child you have looked at the attacks of the enemy and you have looked at the things that would get you down. And so as a result you have become discouraged. However, it is time now to take your eyes off these things and to taste of my goodness once again.

It is time to remember that I am a father of lights and with me, there is no shadow of turning. I am here to bring you joy and my life in abundance. So look on these things. Look on the promises that I have given to you and look on the good things that I have done in your life.

As you do this, my joy will do for your soul, what honey does to your lips. It will bring a smile and hope to continue walking the road. For I know that sometimes the road is difficult and that you get discouraged. However, it is my life that will give you the strength you need to continue walking.

It is my goodness and my blessings that will give you the hope you need to continue. So look at the good things that I have done in your life this day. Look at the goals and the good plans that I have for you.

As you do this, your discouragement will disappear and the enemy will not have a hold on you any longer. Then your heart will rejoice and you will feel like dancing once again.

Come child and put aside your burdens and cares today. Take my hand and taste my goodness, for I desire you to walk in the fullness of my joy today.

Simple Trust

2011-06-16T01:16:00.000-07:00

Simple Trust

Although you cannot see the way clearly and you are not sure of your direction, it does not mean that I am not in control my child. For just as the night turns into morning, so will you see that I worked in the darkness where you could not see.

For just as a seed is hidden in the soil and takes time to manifest, so also have my blessings taken time to manifest in your life. Just because they did not manifest immediately it does not mean that I was not there, working all of the time.

So rest in me this day my child and trust in me. Trust that I am working where you cannot see. Trust that even when you rest, that I continue to prepare the way for you. Trust that even when you are unfaithful, I continue to be faithful.

For I will accomplish the blessings that I have promised you and I will continue to work in your life. I will continue to work on your path and bring to light the things that are hidden.

So do not look at what you can see with your natural eyes, but look to me alone. Take my hand and put your trust in me once again. Then just as my servant Abraham had this trust in me and so saw everything come to pass that I promised him, so also will you see the same miracles in your life.

This trust and this faith is the key to opening the doors ahead of you even now. So trust me once again, for soon the daylight will come and all my promises will be manifest in your life, says the Lord.

Mountain of Promotion

2011-06-15T18:31:00.000-07:00

Mountain of Promotion

Although the mountains may look so impossible to climb before you, do not forget child that I am here to help you climb them. Do not look at these mountains and get discouraged, but realize that it is I that has placed them in your path for a reason.

For you have asked me to take you higher and to open the way for you. And so I have given to you an opportunity to rise up and to see things from my perspective. On top of the mountain, you will be able to see things that you cannot see now.

In climbing that mountain, you will become a person with strengths that you do not have now.

So look at this mountain again and let a new determination come into your heart. For it represents every good thing that I will bring to pass in your life. As you climb this mountain you will become stronger.

As you get to the top, you will see things that you cannot see right now. When this happens, you will understand my purpose and gain the victory that you have been asking me for.

So gear yourself today to climb and also to overcome. For I have not put you on this road to fail, but to succeed, says the Lord.

APAKAH AKU GAGAL?

2011-06-12T18:33:00.001-07:00

APAKAH AKU GAGAL?
Dari Tuhan datang pertolongan…(Mazmur 3:9a)
Pendeta Yehuda tengah menyusun surat pengunduran dirinya sebagai seorang gembala sidang. Ia bergumul selama dua tahun belakangan ini. Ia merasa telah gagal sebagai pemimpin rohani sebab salah satu anak remajanya kini menjadi seorang anak yang nakal. Putranya bukan saja tidak pernah ikut beribadah lagi tetapi ia kini terlibat geng dan menjadi seorang pecandu putauw.
Sebagai seorang pendeta, Pendeta Yehuda merasa telah kehilangan muka. Pikirannya galau dan ia merasa seolah Tuhan sudah menjauh darinya. Ia merasa tentu Tuhan sangat kecewa padanya. Tiba-tiba ia merasa sebuah dorongan kuat untuk membaca Kejadian pasal 3 mengenai Adam dan Hawa yang jatuh ke dalam dosa. Pada awalnya ia enggan untuk membacanya sebab ia sudah sering membaca bahkan mengkhotbahkannya tetapi Roh Kudus mendorongnya untuk kembali membaca bagian tersebut.
Saat ia membaca bagian tersebut, tiba-tiba ia merasakan seolah Tuhan berbicara dalam hatinya,”Yehuda bukankah AKU yang menciptakan Adam dan Hawa? Namun mereka memilih untuk mengikuti jalan yang mereka anggap baik….mereka telah memberontak terhadapKU. Apakah itu berarti AKU gagal?” Hati Pendeta Yehuda tersentuh, ia meremas surat pengunduran diri yang telah ia print dari komputernya. Ia berdoa,”Tuhan, KAU tak pernah gagal, bila manusia jatuh dalam dosa itu diakibatkan oleh pilihannya yang salah.” Tuhan menyadarkannya bahwa bila kini putranya salah jalan meski sudah diajarkan nilai-nilai kebenaran selama ini, semuanya berpulang pada pilihan anak itu sendiri sebab kini ia bukan anak kecil lagi tapi seorang yang beranjak dewasa. Tugas kita sebagai orangtua adalah mengajarkan kebenaran dan mendoakan anak-anak kita, ingat bahwa apapun yang terjadi God’s in control (Tuhan memegang kendali). Sebab itu serahkan semua anak kita padaNYA saja.
Doa: Tuhan, kuserahkan setiap anakku ke dalam tanganMU. Amien.
Firman Tuhan: Mazmur 37:23-31

My Love Protects You Always

2011-06-09T20:16:00.000-07:00

My Love Protects You Always

You are my precious bride and I am very jealous of you. I love you with all of my being and I will do anything to protect you my beloved, says the Lord.

Do not fear the enemy any longer for my hand and my power is stronger than anything he could ever throw at you. No longer fix your eyes on his destruction but see my life.

I will shield you and protect you always. You might have ten armies come against you but I will avenge each one and protect you in the palm of my hand. My child, just give me your heart and your trust once again so that I can fight on your behalf so that your joy may be restored.

I love you so dearly and I will never ever leave you nor forsake you. Rise up and give me your hand so that I can deliver you from the attacks of the evil one. As you submit wholeheartedly to me and give up your own fighting and trying, the enemy will lose his hold.

I love you dearly. I died for you 2000 years ago and I would do it again and again because my love for you is so strong. You mean so much to me and my love will protect you always.

Come and receive my love. Come to me and understand my love afresh. Trust in me my child and together we will climb many mountains and fight many wars. Together we will conquer this world in my name. So come now child. Come!

LEBAY

2011-06-08T23:33:00.000-07:00

LEBAY
Tuhan, juga setan-setan takluk kepada kami demi namaMU (Lukas 10:17b)
Suatu tengah malam seorang Pendeta seusai ibadah doa malam di gerejanya beranjak pulang. Malam itu udara dingin di desa tersebut, Pendeta itu pun merasa lelah sekali setelah memimpin ibadah. Akhirnya ia memutuskan untuk mengambil jalan pintas melalui pinggir hutan yang terkenal angker di desa tersebut. Pepohonan di hutan itu nampak rapat dan rimbun sekali, selain itu kondisi hutan malam itu sangat sepi.
Tiba-tiba terdengar suara tawa menyeramkan,”Hi..hi..hi..hi..hi..” Ternyata kuntilanak berbaju putih terbang melintas, sangat menakutkan bulu kuduk sang pendeta berdiri dan ia sangat terkejut. Spontan Pendeta itu berteriak,”Dalam nama Tuhan Yesus Kristus, enyahlah kau setan!!!!!”
Terdengar suara benda jatuh..GEDEBUG…ternyata kuntilanak jatuh, dan ia berkata,”Lebaaaaay…dikit-dikit lapor…orang cuman becanda kok.” Kuntilanak pun segera kabur sebab ia takut pada kuasa yang ada pada sang Pendeta.
Anda masih takut setan? Tempat gelap? Otoritas untuk mengusir setan tidak hanya Tuhan berikan pada Pendeta tetapi pada setiap orang percaya. Setan gemetaran mengetahui fakta tersebut, tahukah Anda akan hal itu? Ya, setan gemetar terhadap setiap anak Tuhan yang tahu otoritas atau kuasa yang telah IA berikan bagi setiap anakNYA. Sebab itu jangan takut pada setan lagi, tetapi lawanlah dia dalam otoritas Tuhan Yesus.
Doa: Tuhan, biarlah kiranya kuasaMU nyata dalam hidup saya. Amien.
Firman Tuhan: Lukas 10:17-19

SIAPA YANG MURAHAN?

2011-06-08T22:16:00.000-07:00

SIAPA YANG MURAHAN?
Baru saja ia memandang dirinya, ia sudah pergi atau ia segera lupa bagaimana rupanya (Yakobus 1:24)
Seorang Oma berbincang-bincang dengan saya di sebuah coffee shop, beliau mengeluhkan gaya hidup wanita zaman sekarang. Saat beliau melihat seorang gadis muda yang merokok, beliau mengeluh betapa gadis muda saat ini nampak murahan dengan mengisap rokok. Beliau menceritakan betapa anggunnya wanita muda pada masa mudanya, pada era penjajahan dulu. Setelah berbincang cukup lama mulai meminum kopi, ia pun mengeluarkan sebungkus rokok, mengambilnya satu batang dan mulai menyulutnya.
Saya sempat terheran-heran, bukankah tadi si Oma mengutuk dan berbicara keras betapa wanita perokok nampak seperti wanita murahan?
Saat saya pulang, saya mulai merenungkan kejadian ini dan belajar memang sangatlah mudah bagi kita mengkritisi kehidupan orang lain namun sering kita lupa untuk instropeksi diri. Seringkali kesalahan yang sama pun kita lakukan, entah kita sadar atau tidak.
Sebab itu sangatlah penting bagi kita semua, untuk bukan saja merenungkan firman Tuhan dan lalu menggunakan tolok ukur kebenaran itu untuk menghakimi orang lain. Sepatutnya setelah kita membaca dan merenungkan firman Tuhan maka pertama-tama kita harus menggunakan kebenaran itu untuk mengkoreksi kehidupan kita terlebih dulu. Sebagai murid Kristus kita harus bertumbuh di dalam pengenalan akan Dia dan mengalami transformasi dalam Dia.
Doa: Tuhan tolong kami menjadi pelaku kebenaranMU.
Firman Tuhan: Yakobus 1:19-27

Command the Storm to Cease

2011-06-08T21:27:00.000-07:00

Command the Storm to Cease

The winds are blowing all around you. They are tossing you around. You are running around trying to find shelter so you could escape the storm, but the rain is so hard and the wind is so strong that it seems to penetrate any shelter you find.

My child, don't you see that this storm is not of me? Don't you see that it is not I who is making you run around for shelter? This storm was not sent by me but it was sent by the enemy to disturb you and to get you off track.

But my child, remember, you have my Holy Spirit dwelling deep inside of you. Everything you need is right there. So step out boldly now and rise up in the authority you have in me and speak to this storm. Stand in my love and in my strength and command the rain to stop and the wind to cease.

As you take that step and stand boldly in who you are once again, the enemy will lose his hold and the storm will indeed vanish away. Once again you will stand on top and I will be in control through you. Right now the enemy has the upper hand because you have allowed his storms to overwhelm you.

It is time to rise up now child. You have me dwelling deep inside! Stand in me and speak my word and you will see through my eyes again. You will see things the way I see them and will realize that this really was just a little distraction the enemy wanted to throw at you.

I am with you and I love you! So speak my name now and command the storms to cease and you will indeed stand in the sunlight again, says the Lord.

PAK, TOLONG BUKA CELANA

2011-06-07T22:08:00.000-07:00

PAK, TOLONG BUKA CELANA
Kamu tidak memperoleh apa-apa, karena kamu tidak berdoa (Yakobus 4:2c)
Sahabat saya, Abe adalah seorang misionaris yang tengah belajar bahasa Indonesia. Setelah beberapa bulan di Indonesia maka ia pun mulai coba mempraktekkan kemampuannya berbahasa Indonesia. Siang itu cuaca sangat panas, Abe, ingin membuat guru bahasanya bangga maka ia pun berkata,”Pak Dani, udara hari ini panas sekali….Pak, tolong buka celananya.” Sang guru Pak Dani terheran-heran mendengar permintaan itu. Dengan percaya diri, Abe, sekali lagi meminta,”Pak, tolong buka celananya, cuaca panas dalam kelas.” Lalu meledaklah tawa Pak Dani,”Pak Abe..bukan buka celana tetapi buka jendela.” Kini Abe pun tertawa terbahak-bahak menyadari kesalahannya.
Di dalam doa-doa kita, seringkali kita pun salah memanjatkan doa-doa kita. Mungkin salah dalam perkataan, mungkin salah motivasi, atau hal lainnya. Tetapi Tuhan tahu apa maksudnya dengan sempurna dan IA akan menjawab sesuai rencanaNya bagi kita. IA tahu yang terbaik bagi setiap anakNya.
Keterbatasan kita di dalam doa bukanlah suatu alasan untuk tidak berdoa sama sekali. Mulailah berdoa setiap hari dan coba untuk berkomunikasi dengan Tuhan. Bacalah Alkitab dan mulailah mengenali isi hati Tuhan hingga kita dapat berdoa selaras dengan kehendakNya.
Doa: Tuhan ajarlah kami untuk berdoa dan membina hubungan yang intim denganMu. Amien.
Firman Tuhan: Yakobus 3:13-18

SAAT ANAK MEMBERONTAK

2011-06-06T20:59:00.000-07:00

SAAT ANAK MEMBERONTAK
“bapa-bapa, janganlah bangkitkan amarah di dalam hati anak-anakmu, tetapi didiklah mereka di dalam ajaran dan nasihat Tuhan (Efesus 6:4)
“Dasar anak bodoh….anak tak tahu diri…pemberontak…dstnya” cacian itu setiap hari didengarkan oleh Tuti. Setiap kali sang ayah kesal dan marah akibat rasa frustasinya tak kunjung mendapat pekerjaan, maka Tuti anak satu-satunya menjadi tempat pelampiasannya. Tuti kecil yang beranjak dewasa sudah terluka sejak kecil. Hingga kala ia bertumbuh remaja, ia menjadi seorang yang sering membolos, acuh tak acuh dan suka melawan guru di sekolah. Ia membuat sang ayah bertambah murka hingga tak tahu lagi harus berbuat apa terhadap anak gadisnya, yang tadinya pendiam, penurut dan penuh kasih sayang. Kini Tuti remaja menjadi pemberontak baik di rumah maupun di sekolah.
Seringkali kita tanpa sadar mungkin suka mengumpat, berkata negatif terhadap anak. Kita berpikir hal itu tidak berdampak negatif. Namun sebenarnya setiap perkataan kita entah itu positif maupun negatif merupakan benih yang akan bertumbuh dalam hati dan pikiran anak kita. Bila kita terus menerus menyatakan hal yang negatif mengenai anak kita maka kita harus siap-siap menuai “buah yang negatif”. Begitu pula sebaliknya, bila kita menanam benih positif dalam diri anak kita, maka mereka pun akan bertumbuh menjadi anak yang hangat dan penuh kasih.
Sebab itu kinilah saatnya bagi kita untuk mulai merubah perkataan kita terhadap anak kita. Kita harus mulai memperkatakan hal yang positif, memotivasi mereka dan mendidik mereka dalam kebenaran firman Tuhan terutama melalui teladan hidup kita sendiri.
Doa: Tuhan, tolong kami menjadi orangtua yang baik bagi anak-anak kami. Amien
Firman Tuhan: Efesus 6:1-4

BERBICARA ITU MUDAH

2011-06-05T18:00:00.000-07:00

BERBICARA ITU MUDAH
“Adalah lebih berbahagia memberi daripada menerima” (Kis 20:35b)
Sore itu saya berbicara dengan seorang ibu di lingkungan rumah kami mengenai bagaimana seharusnya seorang Kristen bersikap seorang dengan yang lain. Ibu itu berkata bahwa seharusnya orang Kristen lebih suka memberi daripada menerima. Ia menyatakan bahwa baginya kebenaran itu sudah menjadi bagian kehidupannya. Saya mendengarkan pernyataannya dan mengamini apa yang telah ia katakan sebab itu merupakan kebenaran.
Di hari lain, ada musibah yang menimpa sebuah keluarga di lingkungan kami, sebuah keluarga miskin ditinggal pergi oleh sang kepala keluarga untuk selamanya. Saya pun berinisiatif untuk mengumpulkan dana sumbangan dari saudara seiman. Saya teringat pada si ibu yang pernah berbagi kebenaran firman Tuhan beberapa waktu lalu. Siapa tahu ia mau memberikan donasi bagi keluarga yang tengah berduka.
Saat saya utarakan maksud dan tujuan saya, ia menyatakan bahwa saat ini ia tengah mengalami kesulitan finansial dan usaha kateringnya sedang sepi hingga belum dapat memberikan bantuan. Saya pun meninggalkan rumah ibu itu dan dapat memaklumi alasannya.
Pada saat yang sama, ada sebuah keluarga kaya yang baru saja pindah rumah. Malam itu, saya bersilaturahmi ke rumah tetangga baru ini, tak dinyana si ibu pengusaha katering muncul membawa masakan istimewa untuk tetangga baru. Si Ibu sangat terkejut melihat saya. Saya sendiri tidak berpikir macam-macam, tetapi ia menghampiri saya dan berkata,”Ini murni urusan bisnis, kalau kita memberi pada orang kaya ibarat memancing, kita bisa dapat keuntungan dari pemberian kita itu. Kalau ada untung baru kita memberi pada yang membutuhkan. Kalau kita memberi terus pada yang miskin, kita bisa bangkrut.”
Berbicara firman Tuhan itu memang lebih mudah daripada menjadi pelaku kebenaran. Selama kita berada di dunia, kita semua belajar untuk menjadi pelaku firman Tuhan. Bukan dengan kekuatan kita tetapi oleh kuasa Roh Kudus dalam kita.
Doa: Tuhan, tolong kami agar kami menjadi pelaku firmanMu. Amien
Firman Tuhan: Matius 25:31-46

ST. ANGER

2011-05-27T23:40:00.000-07:00

ST. ANGER
Janganlah kamu kalah terhadap kejahatan, tetapi kalahkan kejahatan dengan kebaikan! (Roma 12:21)
Pendeta Tono telah 20 tahun dengan setia melayani sebagai seorang Gembala Sidang. Ia dikenal sebagai orang yang sangat antusias, bermotivasi tinggi dan memiliki impian melihat setiap anak Tuhan bertumbuh menjadi segambar dengan Yesus Kristus. Pelayanan yang telah ia rintis pun berkembang menjadi besar saat ini, sayangnya terjadi perpecahan di dalamnya dan pada akhirnya Pendeta Tono difitnah dan dilengserkan dari jabatannya.
Pendeta Tono sangat kecewa melihat perilaku stafnya yang memberontak dan bahkan menebarkan fitnah. Ia sangat marah dan bergumul dalam hatinya. Ia sangat ingin membalas perbuatan yang tak menyenangkan itu. Dalam pergumulan batinnya, Tuhan menaruhkan firmanNya,”Janganlah kamu sendiri menuntut pembalasan, tetapi berilah tempat kepada murka Allah, sebab ada tertulis: Pembalasan itu adalah hakKu. Akulah yang akan menuntut pebalasan, firman Tuhan.”
Pada akhirnya Pendeta Tono tidak menuntut pembalasan, ia menyerahkan semuanya ke dalam tangan Tuhan. Ia pun mulai mengampuni mereka yang telah memfitnahnya dan mulai kembali aktif melayani Tuhan.
Siapa pun kita, entah pendeta atau jemaat, kita semua dapat saja kecewa terhadap saudara seiman, rekan sepelayanan, organisasi, tempat kita bekerja atau siapa pun. Kita mungkin marah besar dan ingin sekali untuk balas dendam. Kita mungkin merasa telah diperlakukan dengan tidak adil.
Hari ini saya mau katakan, serahkanlah amarahmu, dendammu pada Tuhan. Lepaskanlah pengampunan pada mereka yang telah melukai dirimu. Biarkan Tuhan yang beperkara baik terhadap diri kita maupun mereka yang telah melukai kita.
Doa: Tuhan lembutkan hati hambaMu ini agar dapat mengampuni mereka yang telah melukai hambaMu ini. Amien
Firman Tuhan: Roma 12:14-21

LIKE FATHER LIKE SON

2011-05-27T23:17:00.000-07:00

LIKE FATHER LIKE SON
“Karena itu haruslah kamu sempurna, sama seperti Bapamu yang di sorga adalah sempurna” (Matius 5:48)
Suatu hari saya tengah berjalan dan saya perhatikan sebuah keluarga keluar dari restoran cepat saji. Pertama-tama saya melihat sang ayah keluar tubuhnya yang berukuran “lebar”, lalu di susul oleh sang istri dan dua orang anaknya. Ternyata ukuran tubuh keluarga ini termasuk big size (ukuran besar). Bukan saja ukurannya besar postur tubuh keluarga ini, tetapi saat saya perhatikan cara berjalan, juga berbicaranya maupun tawa mereka mirip seorang dengan yang lain.
Di hari yang lain saya berjalan bersama-sama dengan kedua anak saya dan bertemu teman lama. Ia pun memandangi kami dan segera berkomentar,”Wah anak-anakmu persis Bapaknya, tinggi, langsing dan murah senyum.”
Setiap keluarga memiliki kekhasannya masing-masing, hingga orang dapat segera mengenalinya.
Apakah kita anak Tuhan atau bukan, akan tercermin dalam kehidupan kita sehari-hari. Bukan masalah seberapa rajin kita pergi dan aktif di gereja. Ini berbicara mengenai bagaimana kita mengaplikasikan kebenaran firman Tuhan dalam kehidupan kita sehari-hari. Semakin sering kita berdoa membina hubungan dengan Tuhan dan menerapkan kebenaranNya dalam hidup kita maka pribadi dan sifatNya akan tercermin dalam kehidupan kita sehari-hari. Hingga orang-orang dapat berkata,”Saya melihat pribadi Kristus di dalammu”. Orang dapat segera melihat bahwa kita memang anak Tuhan dan anggota keluarga Tuhan.
Tidak cukup hanya sekedar menjadi orang Kristen yang rajin ke gereja sebab Tuhan ingin kita terus bertumbuh di dalam Dia hingga pribadiNya makin nyata dalam kita.
Doa: Tuhan, tolong kami untuk terus bertumbuh di dalam Engkau hingga setiap orang dapat melihat pribadiMu dalam kami. Amien.
Firman Tuhan: 1 Yohanes 2:3-6

JANGAN MENGHAKIMI SAUDARAMU

2011-05-10T20:45:00.000-07:00

JANGAN MENGHAKIMI SAUDARAMU
Jangan kamu menghakimi, supaya kamu tidak dihakimi (Matius 7:1)
Sebuah gosip tersebar bahwa seorang Pendeta ternama telah berselingkuh dengan sekretarisnya. Beberapa gereja yang telah mengundang Pendeta tersebut pun segera membatalkan undangan pelayanan tersebut tanpa melakukan kroscek kebenaran pemberitaan tersebut.
Bagaimanakah sikap kita dalam menanggapi suatu gosip sebagai anak Tuhan? Apakah kita segera menanggapi pemberitaan itu dengan reaksi yang benar? Seringkali kita menanggapi suatu gosip secara berlebihan seolah kita sudah tahu bahwa itu merupakan fakta yang sebenarnya. Hingga kita pun asyik menceritakannya pada orang lain dan memakai alasan rohani,” Ini bukan gosip tetapi beban doa”.
Saat kita mendengar suatu gosip, yang kebenarannya pun masih diragukan. Lebih baik kita mendoakan gosip tersebut di dalam Tuhan. Jangan kita menyebarkannya lagi hingga membuat lebih banyak orang lain jatuh dalam dosa. Tuhan yang tahu semua kejadian dan duduk masalahnya, dan IA dapat mengubah keadaan seburuk apa pun itu. Sebab itu biarlah kita berdoa agar Tuhan yang menguji setiap anakNya. Tuhan adalah hakim yang adil sebab itu kita harus berhenti untuk menjadi hakim bagi saudara seiman kita. Bila ada saudara kita yang jatuh doakan agar ia segera bangkit kembali, jangan buat dia semakin jatuh dan jauh akibat gosip yang kita sebarkan.
Doa: Tuhan tolonglah kami untuk menjadi pendoa bagi saudara kami dan berhenti menghakimi sesama kami. Amien.
Firman Tuhan: Matius 7:1-5

BERBICARA ITU MUDAH

2011-03-22T05:11:00.000-07:00

Keep on going!

2011-02-22T19:03:00.000-08:00

Keep on going!

The ground you have been working on has been dry. You have felt like your work is in vain and that you are not getting anywhere. You feel like you have been working the same spot over and over and still you do not see a change. My child know that I am right there with you and know that none of your work has been in vain.

I have been there all along and as you have put your hand to the task faithfully. I have been working behind the scenes. I have been loosening the ground from deep down within.

Just keep on working and keep on trusting in me knowing that the rains are near and that the many seeds you have planted will blossom. All the hard work of pulling out those weeds and loosening up the dry ground will pay off. Just keep on pushing on. Keep on trusting me and just put your hand to the task.

My blessing is upon you. Never forget that I am the one who makes everything come together. I am the one who causes the seeds to sprout and the ground to carry enough nutrients for them to survive. I am the one who brings about the rain.

Nothing you do can change that. Just keep on pushing forward in my love and keep on trusting in my power. Before you know it you will look up and see a beautiful land blossoming with all sorts of flowers and precious things. I have you in my hand and I want you to know that nothing has been in vain, says the Lord.

BELAJAR BERSYUKUR DALAM KEKURANGAN

2011-02-15T00:36:00.000-08:00

BELAJAR BERSYUKUR DALAM KEKURANGAN
Mengucap syukurlah dalam segala hal, sebab itulah yang dikehendaki Allah di dalam Kristus Yesus bagi kamu (1 Tesalonika 5:18)
Melayani kaum marginal tidaklah mudah, kadang saya merasa kesepian dan di salah mengerti bahkan oleh sesama rekan sepelayanan. Kami sangat jarang mendapatkan dukungan donasi hingga akhirnya kami memutuskan untuk membentuk usaha bersama dengan saudara seiman untuk mencukupi kebutuhan hidup maupun misi pelayanan kami.
Beberapa bulan pertama semua berjalan dengan baik, sayangnya lalu rekan usaha kami yang notabene saudara seiman menghilang dengan semua modal kami. Kami merasa amat terpukul, kecewa, marah dan frustasi. Kami bertanya-tanya,”Mengapa Tuhan izinkan hal ini terjadi bagi kami? Setelah kami meninggalkan “zona nyaman” dan menanggapi panggilan tersebut, mengapa kami harus menghadapi kesulitan yang mendera?”
Semua seolah berjalan lambat, pertolongan Tuhan seperti tak kunjung tiba. Hingga satu persatu barang berharga pun terpaksa dijual. Apakah yang tengah Tuhan hendak ajarkan pada kami? Saat perang berkecamuk di batin dan pikiran, tiba-tiba Roh Kudus mengingatkan firman Tuhan,”Mengucap syukurlah dalam segala hal.”
Sangat mudah mengucap syukur akan kebaikan Tuhan di saat semua berjalan dengan baik, tetapi bagaimana ketika keadaan sulit masihkah kita dapat mengucap syukur pada Tuhan?
Doa: Tuhan tolong kami untuk dapat melihat kebaikanMU di saat yang sulit sekalipun. Amien.
Firman Tuhan: 1 Tesalonika 5:16-18, 22-24.

Riding High

2011-02-10T19:37:00.000-08:00

Riding High

Consider the surfer that rides the waves. He is able to be lifted up so high and be carried along with the speed of the wind and the water. However it is not by his own strength that he does these things. All he needs to do is to get himself in a position where he can catch the wave.

He cannot make the wave and he cannot blow the wind. He cannot even dictate how high or fast the wave will carry him. All that he can do is catch that wave and see where it takes him to. This is part of the joy and thrill of the ride. It is not knowing where it will carry you, but still enjoying the journey.

My child I desire your life to be this kind of journey in my presence. All that you need to do is come into my presence and get yourself in a position to catch my wave. Stop trying to make the wave or to create the right circumstances. Simply trust me. You cannot dictate where I will carry you or where you will end up. All you can do, is get yourself into position and to surrender.

I know what your future holds and I know the rocks that lurk under the surface of the water. I also know the tides and the seasons and I hold them all in my hand. So trust me. Trust me to carry you to the place that you need to go. For I know your needs better than you know them yourself. Do not try to control this journey or to dictate to me where you should go. Trust me.

Trust that I know exactly where you must go. You will find that often the direction that the wave carries you is not where you intended to go. Let go of your control child. Let me surprise you. For I delight to give you good things. I delight to show you wonders. You will not see these wonders if you plot your own course or decide for yourself where you will go.

Rather put that control into my hand. Then as you wait on me and as you throw your hands up and finally give up to me, I will lift you high and carry you. I will raise you high above your circumstances and where before you felt as if your feet were in mud, you will suddenly soar above the ground.

I will lift you high and you will feel the wind in your face and a new thrill in your spirit. You will be free from restrictions and the things that tie you down. So come child. Start to enter deep into my presence and then watch as the wave begins to swell and as I carry you away.

Calling You out of Hiding

2011-02-10T03:26:00.000-08:00

Calling You out of Hiding

The whistle is blowing even now to signal a new start of a new journey. The trumpet call is going out into the earth even now, to call you to step onto a new road with me, says the Lord. Can you hear the sound? Can you feel the ground shake as the mighty call is going out?

My child, that call is going out for you! It is time for you to rise up and to take a step forward. You have been hidden away for a long time. You have wandered around in the desert for a long season walking in circles, never sure when the train would stop by again to pick you up.

Never sure if you would ever find a way again to reach new land and to step onto a new road. You were never sure if you would ever make it out of this drought. You thought that you are the only one who believes in more, that you are the only one who believes that there is a greater purpose.

But my child, you are not alone. The time in the desert is over now, says the Lord. The call is going out and the train is approaching. Get ready to jump aboard and get ready for the journey of a lifetime. You have cried out to me for change.

You have cried out to me for such a time as this where you could go and pick up your armor once more and go into the new land that you knew was there. It is time now. It is time.

So heed the call my child. I know you have gotten comfortable in the desert and have somehow given up on any train every stopping by. This season was for a purpose and it was good. I prepared you in the hiding place and did more in your heart and life than you realize.

But I need you to get ready to run now. I need you to get on that train and move forward so that I can bring the pieces together and that the new land, the land that I have promised you, that I have promised my church, can be taken.

Come now child and get ready for a race, says the Lord. You are my warrior and I want to raise you up and want to show you the way. I want to equip you so that you can fulfill the plan that I have for you which in turn will fulfill the greater vision I have for my body, says the Lord.

Rest From The Marathon

2011-01-25T03:23:00.000-08:00

Rest From The Marathon

You have been running a long race my child and you have come to the point where you have forgotten why it is that you started the race. You started out with great hope and expectation, but then the pressures of life came and what was a joy, turned into something that has begun to drain and discourage you.

My child is it not I that have set the track? And am I not the one that set you on this road? Then you must see that just as I put the road before you, that I am the one that will take you to the finish line.

For you started in my grace and then took things into your own hands. You began to push through and the enemy has used this to discourage you. Turn back to me now and let me take you the rest of the way. I do not need you to strive for me. I only need you to rest in me and to give me the place of honor in your life.

For this is not meant to be a hard race. This is not meant to be a difficult journey. This is meant to be a season of joy and rest for you. I desire for you to accomplish and to enjoy the fruits of your labor. However the enemy has come and stolen this joy away from you. He has stolen the fruits and instead of peace and rest, you are left with striving instead.

This pushing is not of me child, but it is intended to take away the things that are precious to you. So come to me and rest a while. Remember again that those that labor without me, labor in vain. That unless I build or unless I set the road, you run the race in vain. So wait with me for a little season. Come and sit with me and receive. Let the cares go and the struggles go.

Let the striving go and let go of trying to do everything in your own flesh. As you rest in me and settle in the palm of my hand, you will see why it is you were put on this road again. Your joy will be returned and then you will be ready to run again with new strength.

For this season though, rest a while. Let me remind you of why you are precious to me. Let me remind you of the good things that I have for you. Then you will have the strength you need for the rest of your journey says the Lord.

Lepas Tanggungjawab

2011-01-24T03:00:00.000-08:00

Lepas Tanggungjawab
Kamu harus mengajarkannya kepada anak-anakmu dengan membicarakannya…(Ulangan 11:19a)
Di hari Minggu pagi itu, saya mendengar suara tinggi dari arah ruang pelayanan Sekolah Minggu. Sebagai Ketua departemen Anak dan Remaja, saya segera bergegas mendekati tempat kejadian. Saya melihat salah seorang guru Sekolah Minggu dimarahi dan dibentak-bentak oleh salah seorang orangtua murid. Saya mengajak Ibu itu ke ruang lain dan berbicara, apakah duduk masalahnya.
Ibu itu segera angkat bicara,”Pak, bagaimana ini, guru Sekolah minggu di gereja ini, tidak berkompeten.” Saya pun bertanya,”Mengapa Ibu beranggapan seperti itu?” “Oh, jelas tidak berkualitas sebab anak saya sekarang merokok. Itu berarti kalian sebagai pengajar Sekolah Minggu gagal mendidik anak saya dalam takut akan Tuhan.” Lalu saya coba memberikan pengertian bahwa tanggungjawab kami adalah mengajarkan anak-anak kebenaran firman Tuhan seminggu sekali di gereja, setelah itu tentunya orngtualah yang bertanggungjawab dalam penerapan kebenaran firman Tuhan dalam kehidupan sehari-hari. Wajah Ibu itu nampak merah padam karena marah dan lalu pergi meninggalkan saya.
Ada banyak orangtua melepaskan tanggungjawabnya dalam membina anak-anak mereka mengenal Tuhan dan menyerahkan tanggungjawab tersebut pada guru Sekolah Minggu, Ketua Pemuda atau Pendeta. Kalau terjadi sesuatu yang salah dalam kehidupan rohani anaknya, dengan mudah yang dijadikan kambing hitam dalah pelayan Tuhan di gereja.
Alkitab mengajarkan bahwa orangtua bertanggungjawab sepenuhnya terhadap pendidikan anak-anak mereka. Guru Sekolah Minggu, Ketua Pemuda atau Pendeta hanyalah orang-orang yang dipakai Tuhan untuk memperlengkapi jemaat. Orangtua diharapkan tidak sekedar “hanya” aktif di gereja tetapi menjadi teladan dan pelaku firman Tuhan hingga anak-anak pun hidup dalam takut akan Tuhan.
Doa: Tuhan, ajar kami sebagai orangtua agar dapat menjadi teladan hidup bagi anak-anak kami. Amien.
Firman Tuhan: Ulangan 11:18-21

CRASH (TABRAKAN)

2011-01-23T01:12:00.000-08:00

CRASH (TABRAKAN)
Kamu tidak dapat mengabdi kepada Allah dan kepada Mamon (Matius 6:24c)
Suatu hari kami mengadakan perjalanan pelayanan, salah seorang rekan Pendeta membawa mobil barunya. Kami semua pun pergi pelayanan keliling menggunakan mobil tersebut. Hingga di hari kami hendak kembali pulang ke kota kami. Kami mengalami kecelakaan lalu lintas, mobil yang kami kendarai hancur berantakan tetapi Tuhan melakukan mujizat sebab tak ada satu pun dari kami yang mengalami luka-luka serius.
Akhirnya setelah mendapatkan perawatan, polisi memberikan tumpangan dan mengantar kami pulang. Karena rumah saya berdekatan dengan teman pendeta yang mobilnya hancur, maka saya pun turun di rumahnya. Ia pun mengajak saya mampir dulu untuk minum teh, saat kami memasuki halaman rumahnya. Tampaklah istrinya bergegas keluar rumah, menyambut suaminya. “Papi, tabrakan ya, tadi ada telpon dari polantas.” Sobat saya itu pun menjawab,”Puji Tuhan, Mami kami semua selamat.” Istrinya pun lalu bertanya dengan gelisah,”Lalu mana mobilnya?” Teman saya menjawab,”Mobilnya sudah ringsek, Mam.” Mengetahui mobil barunya rusak berat, istri teman saya itu pun pingsan. Sebab itu mobil idamannya. Teman saya memandang saya sambil menggelengkan kepalanya,”Bukan bersyukur suaminya selamat malah pingsan karena mobil baru rusak.”
Seringkali kita berdoa untuk mendapatkan sesuatu, kita memohon pada Tuhan. Kita berjanji pada Tuhan bila Tuhan mengabulkan doa kita maka kita akan mempermuliakan DIA. Tetapi saat doa kita dijawab kita seringkali melupakan Tuhan. Tuhan Yesus tidak menghendaki kita memiliki ilah lain dalam kehidupan kita. Kadang kita tidak menyadari bahwa tokoh idola, barang kesayangan, koleksi kita dan hal lainnya telah menggantikan posisi Tuhan. Kita tidak menyadarinya hingga saatnya Tuhan mengambil hal atau benda tersebut dari diri kita.
Doa: Tuhan, tolong kami agar tidak ada ilah lain dalam hidup kami.
Firman Tuhan: Matius 6:19-24

IDE BAIKMU BELUM TENTU IDE TUHAN

2011-01-22T03:44:00.000-08:00

IDE BAIKMU BELUM TENTU IDE TUHAN
AKU…memberikan kepadamu hari depan yang penuh harapan (Yeremia 29:11)
George putra kedua saya, tengah belajar berjalan dan suatu pagi ia tengah berpegangan pada meja makan. Saat ia memegang taplak meja, ia senang sekali sebab ternyata ia dapat menarik taplak itu sedikit demi sedikit. Ia pun tertawa kegirangan, ia pun tambah bersemangat menarik taplak itu. Mendengar derai tawa dari ruang makan, timbul rasa ingin tahu saya, apa yang membuat dia tertawa. Saat saya melihat ke ruang makan, saya sangat terkejut dan bergegas mengambil George dan melepaskan genggaman tangannya dari taplak meja.
Ia menangis sebab keasyikannya menarik taplak meja terganggu. George tidak sadar bahwa di saat ia menarik taplak meja, ia pun menarik toples-toples kaca di atas meja ke arahnya. Sedikit saja saya terlambat maka toples kaca itu akan menimpa dan mencelakakannya.
Pernahkah Anda mengalami saat tengah asyik merencanakan sesuatu untuk masa depan Anda, tiba-tiba terjadi suatu peristiwa dimana apa yang telah Anda impikan itu gagal total dan Anda harus memulai kembali semuanya dari awal? Anda sedih dan mempertanyakan Tuhan, mengapa semuanya bisa gagal padahal sudah dibawa dalam doa. Tidak selamanya rencana atau ide baik kita sejalan dengan rencana Tuhan yang sempurna. Kalau pun rencana kita tidak sebagaimana yang kita impikan, ingatlah selalu bahwa Tuhan merupakan Bapa Yang penuh Kasih. IA tahu apa yang akan terjadi bila IA tahu itu akan membahayakan kita sebagai anakNYA maka IA akan segera turun tangan menyelamatkan kita dari mara bahaya.
Doa: Tuhan, di hari yang baru ini kuserahkan hidupku dalam tanganMU. Amien
Firman Tuhan: Yeremia 29:11-13

AKIBAT MENGANTUK

2011-01-17T03:06:00.000-08:00

AKIBAT MENGANTUK
Sadarlah dan berjaga-jagalah! (1 Petrus 5:8)
Toni baru saja pulang lembur malam itu. Teman-temannya menasehatinya,”Ton, kalau ngantuk sebaiknya jangan mengendarai sepeda motor, naik angkot atau taxi saja.” Tapi Toni menjawab,”Ah, engga apa-apa kok aku masih kuat.” Padahal sebenarnya Toni sadar ia sudah sangat mengantuk.
Akhirnya ia pun berangkat pulang mengendarai sepeda motor, tiupan angin berhembus menerpa wajahnya membuat Toni tambah mengantuk. Ia pun memacu motornya lebih kencang lagi agar lebih cepat sampai di rumah. Tanpa ia sadari matanya rasanya sulit diajak berkompromi, ia merasa baik-baik saja untuk menutup matanya untuk sekejap. Lalu ia mendengar teriakan,”Awas!!!!” Segera ia membuka mata, ternyata sebuah mobil ada dihadapannya namun jarak sudah sangat dekat dan…braaaaak!!!!! Semuanya sudah terlambat, Toni mengendarai motornya dengan kecepatan tinggi, saat ia terlelap sejenak tanpa sadar ia mengarah ke sebuah mobil yang terparkir di pinggir jalan. Toni meninggal seketika itu juga.
Dalam kehidupan kita di dunia ini, ada saat dan masanya dimana kita mungkin letih secara kerohanian dan perlu penyegaran baru. Kita mungkin mulai kembali kepada kebiasaan-kebiasaan lama atau tabiat kedagingan kita. Bila kita ada pada fase tersebut,maka hari ini sebaiknya kita segera kembali ke kaki Tuhan agar segera dipulihkan dan disegarkan. Bila ada godaan dosa datang muncul, saya mau katakan,”Sadarlah dan berjaga-jagalah! Sebab musuhmu si Iblis….tengah mengincarmu.” Sadar dan berjagalah, jangan biarkan musuh menjatuhkanmu…..cepat mendekat pada Tuhan sebab IA-lah kota benteng perlindungan kita.
Doa: Tuhan, tolong kuatkan kaki kami yang mulai goyah. Amien
Firman Tuhan: 1 Petrus 5:8-11

Belajar Mengucap Syukur

2011-01-14T03:37:00.000-08:00

Belajar Mengucap Syukur
Hendaklah hatimu melimpah dengan syukur (Kolose 2:7)
“Wah, sepeda motor baru?” saya bertanya pada salah satu teman sepelayanan. Ia pun menjawab,”Iya nih, baru beli tapi motor bekas….” “Lho, biar bekas juga yang penting khan masih layak untuk digunakan,”sambung saya. Lalu sobat saya itu pun mulai mengeluh,”Tapi katanya kita khan anak dari Raja di atas segala raja…masa sih sebagai anak Raja, kita pakai motor bekas…padahal saya khan sudah setia melayani Tuhan, masa cuman pake motor bekas…”
Kebanyakan manusia tidak pernah cepat puas dengan apa yang telah ia miliki. Seringkali tanpa sadar kita memanipulasi ayat untuk memuaskan ego dan keserakahan kita. Kita berpikir bila kita membaca Alkitab dan mengutip beberapa ayat lalu menaikkannya berulangkali di dalam doa maka Tuhan “akan” mengabulkannya. Dalam doa-doa kita menuntut agar Tuhan mengabulkannya dan kita coba “mengingatkan” Dia akan janji firmanNya. Kadang Tuhan tidak mengabulkan doa kita bukan karena Ia lupa akan firmanNya tetapi karena Ia sayang pada kita. Kita tidak tahu apa yang akan terjadi di masa yang akan datang tetapi Ia adalah Tuhan yang mengetahui apa yang akan terjadi di kemudian hari. Ia tidak ingin sesuatu yang buruk terjadi atas kita.
Tuhan telah mengajarkan agar kita setia dalam perkara kecil, begitu pula saat Tuhan berkati kita dengan sesuatu yang mungkin nampaknya kecil. Ia menghendaki kita untuk belajar mengucap syukur atas apa yang telah Ia berikan pada kita. Saat kita setia maka Ia akan memberkati kita suatu kepercayaan yang jauh lebih besar lagi. Sebab itu biarlah hati kita melimpah dengan ucapan syukur atas apa yang telah Ia berikan pada kita.
Doa: Tuhan, ajar kami untuk selalu bersyukur. Amien.
Firman Tuhan: Kolose 2:6-7

SUATU HARI SAAT BERBAGI

2011-01-09T03:24:00.000-08:00

SUATU HARI SAAT BERBAGI
“…BAPAmu yang disorga yang menerbitkan matahari bagi orang yang jahat dan orang yang baik..” (Matius 5:45)
Keluarga Andi baru saja menuai pisang hasil panenan kebun mereka. Mereka baru saja mendengarkan khotbah Bapak Pendeta mengenai umat yang diberkati Tuhan untuk memberkati pada hari Minggu yang lalu. Kini mereka ingin memberkati orang-orang melalui hasil panenan mereka. Mulia sekali apa yang mereka lakukan.
Bapak dan Ibu Andi mulai memotong pisang dan menggorengnya, mereka ingin membagikan pisang goreng secara cuma-cuma pada orang di sekitar perumahan mereka. Saat mereka membagikannya mereka dapat melihat ekspresi wajah atau reaksi berbeda-beda. Ada yang sangat terharu atas apa yang mereka perbuat, ada yang acuh setelah menerima pisang goreng namun ada juga yang bereaksi berlebihan dengan marah-marah sebab merasa dilecehkan harga dirinya. Bapak dan Ibu Andi belajar ternyata ketika berbagi berkat respons orang berbeda-beda, ada yang bersyukur tetapi ada juga yang tidak peduli atau merespons secara negatif. Mudah untuk menanggapi reaksi yang positif tetapi bagaimana menanggapi reaksi yang negatif? Tuhan mengingatkan pada mereka bahwa Bapa Yang Di Sorga menerbitkan matahari dan menurunkan hujan baik bagi yang jahat maupun yang baik.
Dalam kehidupan ini kita perlu menyadari bahwa Tuhan telah memberkati kita dan IA ingin kita menjadi saluran berkat. Berkatilah setiap orang entah mereka meresponi dengan baik atau tidak uluran tangan kita. Peliharalah hati yang tulus dan murni dihadapan Tuhan dan sesama. Kasih Allah merupakan kasih yang konsisten dan IA menghendaki kita meneladani kasihNya itu.
Doa: Tuhan tolonglah saya agar senantiasa menjadi saluran berkat dimanapun saya berada tanpa memandang muka. Amien.
Firman Tuhan: Matius 5:43-48

SAAT JALAN MACET

2011-01-07T03:28:00.000-08:00

SAAT JALAN MACET
“…jalanmu bukanlah jalanKU, demikianlah firman Tuhan.” (Yesaya 55:8b)
Letih sudah tubuh ini sepulang kerja, ingin secepatnya pulang ke rumah. Membayangkan sampai di rumah langsung mandi hingga segar lalu menikmati minuman dingin dan bercengkerama dengan keluarga sambil menonton TV sudah terbayang dalam angan-angan. Sampai semua angan itu lenyap seketika saat memandang jalan akses satu-satunya menuju perumahan dimana saya tinggal macet sore itu.
Terdengar keluhan dari sesama pengguna jalan bahkan makian. Ada yang berusaha menerobos dan melawan arus, hasilnya dapat ditebak jalanan semakin macet. Dalam hati saya pun ingin bergegas sampai rumah tetapi saya coba belajar untuk sabar menanti giliran. Meski terasa lambat tetapi akhirnya saya dapat sampai di rumah. Rasa penat dan kesal akibat macet sirna seketika itu juga melihat wajah keluarga di rumah.
Dalam kehidupan kita mengiring Tuhan, tidak selamanya semua berjalan mulus dan mudah. Kadang kala Tuhan mengizinkan ketidaknyaman terjadi dalam kehidupan kita. Semuanya itu bukan karena Dia benci atau marah pada kita tetapi seizinNya untuk medewasakan kita dan membawa kita masuk dalam rencanaNya yang mulia. Sebab jalan Tuhan bukanlah jalan kita, bukan kita yang mengatur Tuhan tetapi kitalah yang membutuhkan tuntunan Tuhan untuk mengatur kehidupan kita menjadi jauh lebih baik.
Sore itu saya bersyukur sebab Tuhan mengizinkan saya melalui jalanan yang macet hingga saya dapat mengenali isi hati saya yang terdalam. Saya dapat belajar bahwa bersabar dalam rencana Tuhan itu tidak mudah, selalu ada saja godaan untuk melanggar aturan untuk mencari jalan pintas menuju tujuan. Sore itu saya belajar untuk taat dan sabar mengikuti aturan baik aturan pemerintah maupun Tuhan.
Doa: Tuhan ajarlah kami untuk bersabar dalam jalan kehidupan ini, tunjukkanlah jalan yang harus kami tempuh bersamaMu hari ini. Amien
Firman Tuhan: Yesaya 55:6-11

NENEK LINCAH

2011-01-05T03:58:00.000-08:00

NENEK LINCAH
Semua orang yang menerimaNya diberiNya kuasa supaya menjadi anak-anak Allah (Yohanes 1:12)
Setelah ibadah saya mendengar beberapa ibu tengah membicarakan tingkah laku dan dandanan seorang ibu yang lainnya. Saya berbicara dalam hati,”Ya ampun baru pulang gereja sudah mulai menggossip..” Namun saat saya memandang pada wanita tua yang tengah mereka bicarakan, saya pun terkejut. “Wouw, seorang nenek dengan dandanan menor dan bertingkah seperti seorang anak ABG” . Gembala setempat menceritakan pada saya bahwa nenek itu sudah berulangkali kawin cerai dan sangat mudah jatuh cinta meskipun beliau sudah sepuh.
Tiba-tiba nenek tersebut menghampiri saya dan mengajak berbincang akhirnya mengertilah saya mengapa tingkah laku nenek tersebut aneh. Ternyata sejak kecil ia telah ditinggalkan ayahnya hingga ia sangat haus akan kasih sayang dan perhatian dari figur seorang ayah. Ketika suaminya sudah tidak memberikan perhatian dan kasih sayang yang ia harapkan maka ia memilih untuk bercerai. Sang nenek sendiri sebenarnya frustasi dan ingin berubah sebab itu ia rajin ke gereja. Tetapi ternyata ia pun belum berubah juga. Saat saya bertanya apakah ia telah menrima Tuhan Yesus sebagai Tuhan dan Juruselamat pribadinya, ia mengatakan belum pernah. Siang itu akhirnya ia menerima Yesus sebagai Tuhannya, saat ia berdoa Tuhan melawatnya secara pribadi dan menemukan figur Bapa yang sempurna dari Bapa Surgawi.
Mungkin hari ini kita merasa frustasi dengan hidup kita, mengapa kita tak berubah juga padahal sudah rajin ke gereja. Yang menjadi pertanyaan sudahkah kita menjadikan Yesus sebagai Tuhan atas hidup kita? Saat mengakui dosa maka IA akan mengampuni kita dan menjadikan kita ciptaan yang baru. Kita diberi kuasa untuk berubah dan meninggalkan kuasa dosa melalui Roh Kudus yang tinggal dalam kita. Bukan karena kita mampu tetapi kita dimampukan oleh RohNya yang ada dalam kita.
Doa: Tuhan Yesus jadilah Tuhan dan Juruselamat diri saya, ubahkanlah manusia lama saya jadi ciptaan yang baru di dalamMu.
Firman Tuhan: 2 Korintus 5:15-17

MESKI PUN FALS

2011-01-02T03:36:00.000-08:00

MESKI PUN FALS
….sebab kasih menutupi banyak sekali dosa.”(1 Petrus 4:8b)
Dua orang anak muda yang tengah menjalin hubungan di gereja terlibat dalam vocal grup gereja. Tono terkenal karena suara tenornya yang khas, ia sangat dikagumi oleh anggota jemaat yang lain. Banyak yang berpendapat bahwa Tono seharusnya memiliki pasangan yang juga memiliki suara merdu hingga dapat mempersembahkan lagu pujian di gereja berduet. Santi kekasih Tono merupakan anggota kaum muda yang sangat cinta Tuhan tetapi suaranya tidak merdu alias fals. Meski pun ada jemaat yang merendahkan Santi karena suaranya fals tetapi kasih Tono jauh lebih besar. Ia mengasihi Santi karena pribadinya dan bukan karena hal lain termasuk suaranya. Tono telah menerima Santi apa adanya, meski suaranya fals bila bernyanyi tetapi calon istrinya itu memiliki kualitas sebagai pengajar anak Sekolah Minggu.
Begitu pula dalam hubungan kita dengan sesama anggota tubuh Kristus mungkin kita berbeda-beda dari cara kita menyembah Tuhan, talenta kita dan lainnya. Tetapi kita semua satu di dalam Dia dan daripada kita saling menjelekkan atau merendahkan jauh lebih baik bila kita saling membangun dan menghargai keunikan masing-masing. Ketika kasih kita terhadap sesama benar maka kita tak akan menjelekkan saudara kita sendiri.
Rasul Petrus menyatakan bahwa bila kasih memenuhi hati kita maka kita tidak akan membicarakan kelemahan orang lain tetapi menolong orang tersebut untuk dapat mengatasi kelemahannya tersebut. Sudah bukan waktunya lagi bagi kita untuk saling hujat tetapi marilah dengan kasih Allah yang melimpah kita saling membangun seorang dengan yang lain.
Doa: Tuhan penuhi hati kami dengan kasihMu yang tulus dan penuh belaskasihan.
Firman Tuhan: 1 Petrus 4:7-11

What Makes God Angry?

2010-12-28T02:40:00.000-08:00

Matthew 23:13 (NKJV)
“But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in.”
***

What Makes God Angry?
As we examine righteous anger in Christ, we see that it only surfaces when He confronts those who defile God, not those who deny God. When He is personally beaten, insulted and attacked, there is no anger or retribution. Christ does not lash out. He is a man of integrity who is willing to take a stand for God’s kingdom and His truth while sacrificing His personal pride for the greater glory of the kingdom of God.

As opposed to the very mild reactions to personal attacks, Jesus becomes very angry when He encounters those who represent themselves as God’s people behaving in a way that is against His desires. These people who defile God are set aside for the harshest treatment. Our God hates hypocrisy.

In our daily lives this translates to holding ourselves, who call ourselves sons of the King, to God-inspired ideals. Just as Christ, we need to be men of integrity who are willing to take a stand for God’s kingdom and His truth while sacrificing our personal pride for the greater glory of the kingdom of God. Since true righteousness is the perfection of living this way without fail, we know that, in and of ourselves, it cannot be achieved. It is only possible for us to strive every day to this ideal through our relationship with Christ. If you call yourself a Christian man then you have been commanded to do just this.

Pray
Ask for the strength to pursue righteousness in yourself while being compassionate towards others and not condemning of their faults.

Ask Yourself
How do your actions stand up to the light? Do you back up your talk with proper action or do you present to the world an image that you don’t live up to when doors are closed? Do those who observe you get pointed towards Christ or does hypocrisy “shut up the kingdom of heaven” to them?

Take Action
Examine your public behavior this week. Take care to be holy without acting holy. Do not make a show of your obedience to God, simply be obedient.
©2010 Out of the Wild | 8127 Camella Lane | Tampa, FL | 33647

The Treasure is in the Journey!

2010-12-27T02:25:00.000-08:00

The Treasure is in the Journey!

Look out and see a winding road ahead of you, says the Lord. Some parts of it you can see and other parts you cannot see. Only when you travel the road, will the hidden things be clear. In the same way, do not get frustrated when you cannot see all the details of your road ahead.

For some things are best discovered along the journey. Do not become frustrated because I have not mapped out all the details for you, but rather look forward to the new journey with anticipation. Think of it as a treasure map where you will discover many exciting things along the way.

For My hand is on this road and I have paved it. I have hidden many good things for you to discover along the way. As you reach each point in this road and see the next stretch ahead of you, you will understand my wisdom in this. You will come to discover that with each portion of the road that you travel, that it changes you.

It will mature you and cause you to become stronger. Then when you reach the next part of the road, you will be ready for it. I have many good things in store for you my child, so start walking out now in faith. Look forward to this time and realize that it is a matter of time and things will become clear to you once again.

In Me Your Needs are Met

2010-12-21T05:00:00.000-08:00

In Me Your Needs are Met

My beloved child, today I want to simply remind you that in me you have everything you could ever need. In my presence you find everything you are so desperately seeking.

You know in your head that you can find everything in my presence, but in your heart you are still looking everywhere else.

You do not come to me long enough to just receive. You often come to me and you are so rushed. You often come and sit and then you run off to the next thing.

But my child today I want to usher you to come and sit and just receive. For when you do that you will receive what you so desperately seek.

You will receive the acceptance that you crave in your heart and you will receive the recognition that you desire to receive out there from those who are above you. I have those things for you. I am your Father and I want to give you all these things.

I have the peace and rest you seek, I have the joy and the love you need. This world can be a cruel place and things that are happening out there often seem unfair.

But when you come into my presence, you will receive peace beyond all understanding so that you can go out there, your head held high, shining as an example.

As you come to me and receive from me, you will go out there and make a difference. You will find people suddenly flock around you because you have such a lovely fragrance about you.

You will find that you will have success in areas that you have struggled in before. So just come to me and receive all the things that you have cried out for in your heart for I am indeed the answer to every single one of those cries.

Let this truth touch you deep down in your heart and take my hand now and steal away with me for a moment. Let me show you the secret place that I have reserved just for you and I.

Let me reveal to you the secrets that you have been wondering about and let me pour into you all that you need.

I love you so dearly my child and I am awaiting you in the secret place. Run to me now. Shake off the loads you are carrying.

Shake off the pressures you are facing. Leave the world behind you and come to me to have all your needs met and to be filled up once again, says the Lord.

DIGIGIT ANJING

2010-12-17T01:14:00.000-08:00

DIGIGIT ANJING
“….sama seperti Tuhan telah mengampuni kamu, kamu perbuat jugalah demikian.”(Kolose 3:13b)
Sore itu saya melihat seekor anjing dekat rumah saya nampak berjalan terpincang-pincang. Saat saya dekati ternyata ada duri di salah satu kakinya. Tergerak oleh belas kasihan maka saya memberanikan diri untuk mendekati anjing itu untuk menolongnya. Dengan sedikit bujukan akhirnya anjing itu mau didekati tetapi saat saya tengah mencabut durinya, ia berbalik dan menggigit. Seketika itu juga tangan saya terasa sakit dan berdarah. Anjing itu berlari menjauhi saya. Ternyata durinya telah lepas, sayangnya kini tangan saya yang terluka.
Saat saya tengah mengobati luka gigitan anjing itu, saya diingatkan Tuhan bahwa seringkali kita ingin menolong sesama tetapi lalu kita dikecewakan oleh sikap mereka yang ibarat membalas air susu dengan air tuba. Kita sudah dengan tulus menolong tetapi lalu kita disakiti. Mengapa hal itu bisa terjadi? Tuhan memberikan hikmat sebab orang yang kita tolong kondisi hatinya pun masih terluka dan luka itu belum dibereskan sampai kini. Hingga tanpa sadar entah sikap atau perkataannya menjadi “kutuk” bagi orang lain.
Kita perlu mendoakan dan tetap berbuat baik terhadap orang-orang yang sulit untuk dilayani ini. Bila saat ini kita mengenal Tuhan maka kita juga perlu menyadari bahwa Ia ingin agar kita pun memiliki belas kasihan, kemurahan, kerendahan hati, kelemahlembutan dan kesabaran terhadap sesama. Bila saat ini kita tengah terluka akibat melayani sesama kita, datanglah padaNya sebab hanya di dalam Dia ada kesembuhan, pemulihan dan kelegaan. Jangan berhenti melayani sesama sebab apa yang kita kerjakan tidak sia-sia.
Doa: Tuhan saya sempat terluka kala tengah melayani sesama saya. Pulihkan saya Tuhan di hari yang baru ini.
Firman Tuhan: Kolose 3:12-17

There's a Fire Burning Just for You!

2010-12-06T04:27:00.001-08:00

There's a Fire Burning Just for You!

Just like a fire brings warmth and peace as you gaze upon it while the storm is raging outside, so do I bring peace to your heart when your circumstances seem to swing out of control. My child, just trust in me. That is all I require of you. I just need you to trust me and to come to me.

You are trying so hard to fix things and you are running around trying to calm the storm. You run out there into the rain and try to find ways of making it stop. You are running around and you are completely wet and drenched.

You are exhausting yourself. You do not realize that there is a warm fire burning inside the house, just for you; where you can go and sit and rejuvenate and fill up, while I take care of that storm out there.

I am God. I have created this world; don't you think I can take care of the storm raging in your life also? Don't you think that my promises are true even now for you? I have taken care of every single thing already and my angels are busy working on your behalf.

But you are interfering with them all the time by running out there and trying to fix things on your own.

You think you need to help me. But child, all I need you to do is to love me. All I need you to do is to trust me and to surrender your all unto me. Then I will be able to do what I do best and that is bless you abundantly. This is my greatest desire and my greatest joy. I just want to love you and bless you.

Just like a husband's heart is moved when His wife lets go and runs into His arms to receive strength and comfort, so is my heart moved when you just give up and surrender everything to me.

When you come weak and foolish as you are and run into my arms and give me all your trust, my heart is moved.

So just stop running around out there in the rain. It is cold and you are not meant to go and try to make the storm stop. Just run inside. Sit by the hearth and enjoy the warmth. Sit in my arms and let me fill you up with my love and peace.

I love you dearly my child. Know that I am even now calpming that storm and that I am working on your behalf to align all the circumstances again that have gotten out of control.

As you just come to me and trust me, things will fall into line one by one. I love you dearly. So just trust me afresh and run into my strong arms, says the Lord.

I Love You!

2010-12-03T00:50:00.000-08:00

I Love You!

My child do you realize how much I love you? It is not a love that you can strive towards or earn. It is a love that you can only receive. I loved you before you even knew me. When you were sinning and failing, I still loved you.

My love is not conditional and no matter how you feel or what you have done, my arms are always open to you. Yet the enemy comes with his lies and convinces you that you must earn my love. He points out your failures and where you could have tried harder. And so instead of just running to my arms, you try to perform and do well.

You do not need to perform for my love, because it is freely yours. All you need to do is to open your arms and to receive it. When you receive it, you will find that it is a powerful force that will heal and bring the peace that you have been looking for.

It will be like a rich ointment sinking deep into the hurts in your life. It will be a river of blessing that will fill you to overflowing.

When you can realize how much I love you, you will not fear any longer. You will not feel that you need to strive. For when you work for me, I want you to do it out of love also. When love is your motivation then everything will be clear.

So come now child and take my hand. Remember my love for you. Remember that you did not need to earn it for your salvation and that you do not need to earn it now. Come and receive and when you do, the way will be made clear ahead of you again.

What does not make sense now, will suddenly make sense. For it is in my presence where you will find the answer to every need and my love in abundance, says the Lord.

An Invitation

2010-11-27T03:45:00.000-08:00

An Invitation

My presence is like an open meadow littered with flowers and grass. It is full of life and it has in it every good thing. It is not limited and it does not demand anything of you. It is a place of rest and of comfort. My child, I invite you to come into this meadow.

Come and rest in me a while. I do not have any demands for you. I do not expect anything from you, only that you come and spend some time with me. For you are my beloved and what blesses me the most, is to have your time and your attention.

I do not need you to work hard for me. I do not need you to strive for me either. I simply desire to be with you. I desire to share in your fears and in your joys and to be a part of your life and to have the place of honor that I deserve.

My blessing and this meadow of rest is not limited and you can come to me at any time. You do not need to wait and you do not need to earn this place. It is available to you when you need it. So run to me daily. Come and simply fellowship with me.

My servants Adam and Eve came to me daily to fellowship. It was during these times I could give them direction and I could also fill their need for company. So do the same with me. Come to me daily and let us talk about your life and the directions you want to take.

You will see that I am very interested in you and in all that you do. I want to be a part of your decisions and of the roads you are walking. Come and learn that I am more than just your heavenly Father. I am also your friend and I am also there to get involved in the smallest parts of your life.

So come away to the meadow with me now. Rest and look up at the sky. Let your cares and fears leave you and you will realize that it is here in my presence that you will find what you have been looking for, says the Lord.

Taking Baby Steps

2010-11-26T03:40:00.000-08:00

Taking Baby Steps

Consider a toddler who is still learning how to walk and how to do the simple things that you find so easy. You would not give that small child the keys to a car and tell them to drive. They would not know what to do! In the same way child, you do not need to be afraid that I will call of you to do things that you are not capable of doing.

You look around you at so many in my Kingdom who can do great things and you compare yourself. You look at so many who have great skill and ability and you always fall short. Yet my child even they started off as that toddler. I will not demand you to rise up to that level of perfection until you are ready for it yet.

I do not expect you to be able to do those great things just yet. However if you will start where you are, I can teach you by my own hand and I can begin to grow you up. So look at where you are now. Look at the skills that you have now and let me develop these. Let me bring out your uniqueness and your own abilities. As you do this, you will grow strong and you will grow quickly.

The time will come when you will be ready for the great tasks, but I do not demand them of you now. You will find that each step I take you, you will be able to handle. You will find each stage of growth natural and easy to follow. Do not allow others to try and push you beyond what you are ready for or beyond what I intend.

For I am like a loving mother that would take the toddler by the hand and show him how to walk. And just as a mother would be proud of those simple steps, so also am I proud of you child. You do not need to do the great tasks for me to be proud of you and for me to love you. You just need to take the simple steps that I have put in front of you.

You will never need to take those steps alone, for I will be there to show you the way. Rest again in my presence and take my hand. Let go of the great expectations and the obligations that are coming at you from everyone else. Focus on my voice and on my hand and walk only the steps that you are able to walk and the steps that I put in front of you.

As you do this, you will find how comfortable you are and how easy you find this road to walk. Then you will sense joy and before you know it, you will be running and then dancing says the Lord.

Come to Me!

2010-11-18T23:38:00.000-08:00

Come to Me!

As you have reached out and worked hard, you have reached a point of burnout my child. You have come to a place of feeling drained emotionally, physically and spiritually. You have given me your all, you have believed with everything in you, and you have done everything you could, but now is the time to come and rest in me child.

To come into my presence and let me fill you again with My love and with My grace. It is not by pressing in that you will win this race, but by letting go, by coming into My presence and allowing Me to do it for you.

All I require from you is to love Me, not to work harder or press in harder, but to come and sit with Me, to come and talk with Me, to come and allow Me to help you.

How can I help you when you are so capable of doing everything on your own? You don't need to prove yourself to Me child! I know you, inside and out.

I don't want your works, I want your love, your nearness! So come even now. Just come and sit with Me, let Me love you, let Me help you. Let go of your striving and your trying. Let go of trying so hard to do the right thing. Let go of trying to please everyone.

Just come and be with Me. Let Me give you what you need for this road. Let Me fill you up once again and empower you with whatever it is you need this day!

Then you will go forth and once again you will prosper. Then you will be able to stand up and be successful. Don't you realize child, that it is in rest that your real strength lies?

It is not in striving or trying. So come into My rest today, come into My love and allow Me to fight for you, says the Lord!

Take a Break!

2010-11-07T17:30:00.000-08:00

Take a Break!

You have been pushing on forward. You have been climbing up this mountain and have been struggling. You have collected many tools and many tricks along the way in your backpack and you are struggling up this mountain. You are pushing hard and are exhausted.

My child for a season I needed you to push up that mountain. For a season you needed to push through the fire and the struggles so that you could be prepared and equipped for greater things.

But right now my child, I want you to stop. Stop struggling, stop travailing, stop pushing. Stop relying on your tools and on your experience, but instead look up. Drop your backpack and look up.

I am waiting there to lift you up out of this arduous road up the mountain and I want to take you by the hand and lift you up to the mountain top. All you have to do is grab my hand and trust in me.

You have struggled for a long season and I just want to give you a break now. Yes you have heard right! I want you to take a break with me. Drop everything, stop everything and just mount my wings and escape with me.

Perhaps you are not sure if you should do that because you think you should push on and keep on acquiring tools and learning the lessons. My child, trust me, if you just stop and mount my wings, you will learn more than you could by pushing on harder.

You will gain a greater victory and a greater peace inside. You will rise up higher than before. Because you see, it is I who trains you. It is I who molds you.

Your circumstances can be a tool in the molding process, but at the end of the day it is I who does the work in you. So trust me and stop for a moment and just escape with me.

Let me fill you up afresh and let me lift you up. Let me show you lands and seas you have never seen before. Let me show you views that will make your heart jump for joy. Let me show you what only I can show you. Trust in me my child and mount my wings now, says the Lord.

Saat Menolong Orang lain

2010-10-29T17:14:00.000-07:00

Saat Menolong Orang lain
Jika engkau memberi sedekah, janganlah diketahui tangan kirimu apa yang diperbuat tangan kananmu (Mat 6:3)
Sebuah keluarga muda baru saja pindah rumah ke sebuah kota yang baru. Mereka sangat senang dapat tinggal di lingkungan yang baik dan nyaman. Pada hari Minggu mereka mencari tempat ibadah dan akhirnya bergabung pada sebuah gereja di dekat rumah mereka. Seusai ibadah keluarga ini pun segera berkenalan dengan anggota jemaat lain, keluarga A yang terpandang dan kaya di antara jemaat lokal tersebut.
Dalam perbincangan tersebut keluarga muda tersebut menanyakan tempat penjualan perabotan rumahtangga murah. Sebab mereka belum memiliki perabotan di rumah. Keluarga A yang baru mereka kenal itu pun menawarkan kebaikan mereka,”Bapak dan Ibu tidak perlu membeli perabotan, kami kebetulan baru saja membeli perabotan baru dan tengah bingung hendak menaruh dimana perabotan kami yang lama. Bapak dan Ibu ambil saja ke rumah, tidak perlu dibeli ambil saja, kita khan saudara seiman harus saling menolong.” Keluarga muda ini hendak membayar perabotan itu, tetapi keluarga A tersebut meyakinkan mereka bahwa ini merupakan tindakan kasih antar saudara seiman. Akhirnya keluarga muda ini mengambil perabotan itu dengan sukacita dan mereka sangat bersyukur akan kebaikan keluarga A.
Tibalah hari Minggu, ibadah mereka jalani dengan khidmat dan penuh ucapan syukur. Saat ibadah usai dan mereka beramahtamah dengan jemaat yang lain. Tiba-tiba seorang ibu bertanya,”Wah baru dapat berkat perabotan dari keluarga A, ya?”Seorang Ibu yang lain juga menimpali,”Keluarga A memang sangat murah hati, baru kenal sudah langsung memberi perabotan bekas mereka.” Ibu A bergabung dengan mereka,”Nah, ini keluarga muda yang ikke bantu…kasian mereka baru pindah dan engga ada perabotan.” Hati keluarga muda ini menjadi tidak karuan akibat peristiwa itu.
Pelajaran yang dapat kita timba hari ini, bila kita mau menolong orang lain. Tolonglah ia dengan tulus hati dan jangan mengharapkan pujian. Biarlah Tuhan saja yang menilai dan memberkati kita kembali.
Doa: Tuhan, tolong kami agar saat kami mnolong sesama, kami melakukannya dengan tulus. Amien.
Firman Tuhan: Matius 6:1-4

SAAT BERJALAN DI ATAS AIR

2010-10-28T05:17:00.000-07:00

SAAT BERJALAN DI ATAS AIR
“…ketika dirasanya tiupan angin takutlah ia dan mulai tenggelam lalu berteriak,”Tuhan tolonglah aku.” (Mat 14:30)
Seringkali saya mendengar khotbah mengenai Petrus kala ia berjalan di atas air. Bagaimana dengan heroiknya ia berjalan di atas Danau Galilea tetapi saat angin bertiup menerpa wajahnya dan melihat gelombang yang datang, kecemasan mulai meliputinya. Ia ketakutan dan mulai memikirkan hal yang negatif. Saat ia tidak memfokuskan pandangannya pada Tuhan Yesus yang memanggilnya ia pun mulai tenggelam. Puji Tuhan, Yesus tak membiarkannya tenggelam, saat ia berseru disaat itu pula Tuhan mengulurkan tanganNya. Tuhan Yesus lalu berkata,”Hai orang yang kurang percaya, mengapa engkau bimbang?”
Dulu setelah saya mendengar kisah tersebut, seringkali saya menghakimi Petrus dan mengatakan ia kurang iman sampai ditegur oleh Tuhan. Hingga suatu hari saya diperhadapkan dalam masalah kehidupan yang berat. Kala usia makin tua tetapi keadaan ekonomi keluarga kami tak kunjung membaik. Saya mencoba untuk tetap setia melayani kaum marginal di perkotaan meski pun tidak ada banyak dukungan. Saya pun belajar untuk “berjalan di atas air”, coba tetap fokus dengan panggilan pelayanan yang Tuhan percayakan. Meski kadang himpitan ekonomi membuat saya takut, kadang saya pun tenggelam dalam kecemasan. Di saat seperti itulah saya berseru padaNya dan IA lalu mengangkat saya kembali. Saya tersadar lebih mudah menghakimi Petrus daripada menyadari bagaimana rasanya bila kita berada dalam posisi itu.
Hari ini kita dapat belajar untuk tetap fokus dengan memperkatakan firman Tuhan. Kita perlu bukan saja untuk membaca Alkitab tetapi juga perlu untuk menghafalkan dan merenungkannya. Menjadikan firman itu bagian kehidupan kita sehari-hari. Hingga kita fokus dan percaya sepenuhnya pada DIA.
Doa: Tuhan tolong kami yang sering kurang percaya. Amien
Firman Tuhan: Yosua 1:5-9

JANGAN BERMAIN API

2010-10-27T19:54:00.000-07:00

JANGAN BERMAIN API
Allah menentang orang yang congkak, tetapi mengasihani orang yang rendah hati (1 Ptr 5:5b)
Suatu hari seorang gadis yang baru saja putus cinta datang ke tempat pelayanan kami. Ia menjelaskan maksud dan tujuannya agar dapat dilayani konseling untuk pemulihan batinnya. Rekan saya yang senior mengatakan bahwa ia yang akan menangani kasus tersebut. Kami saling memandang, lalu menyatakan,”Pak, bukankah kebijakan pelayanan ini, kita harus melayani sesama jenis kecuali dalam kasus “khusus”?” Ia memandang kami dengan sinis,”Apa kalian tidak percaya pada saya? Tuhan ada serta saya, tak mungkin saya jatuh dalam dosa. Saya ini sudah berumahtangga belasan tahun dan memiliki tiga orang anak. Tak mungkin saya mengkhianati keluarga dan Tuhan.”
Pada akhirnya rekan senior kami melayani gadis tersebut, meski pada akhirnya ditegur oleh pimpinan pelayanan, ia tetap berkeras melayani gadis ini diam-diam di luar lingkup pelayanan kami. Hingga suatu hari kami mendapatkan pengaduan dari sang istri bahwa suaminya telah berselingkuh dengan konseli tersebut. Sangat disayangkan, rekan senior kami merupakan panutan kami konselor-konselor yang muda. Hanya akibat merasa diri kuat, mampu dan sudah berpengalaman, rekan kami tercinta jatuh dalam pencobaan. Saya segera teringat pepatah, jangan main api nanti terbakar.
Hal ini dapat terjadi pada siapa saja, termasuk diri saya sendiri. Kita semua harus waspada sebab saat kita lengah maka Iblis akan mengambil kesempatan untuk menjatuhkan kita dalam dosa. Jangan kita menjadi sombong dan merasa diri hebat karena memiliki pengetahuan akan kebenaran (Alkitab). Jadilah teladan melalui hidup kita dan saling melayani dan menasehati menjelang hari akhir ini.
Doa: Tuhan tolong jagai hati kami agar kami tidak menjadi sombong. Amien.
Firman Tuhan: 1 Petrus 5:5-11

Rise up in My Name!

2010-10-21T04:54:00.000-07:00

Rise up in My Name!

My child I have taken you on into my family the day you committed your life to me. You carry my name in your name. My name carries so much authority and power and so you have that available to you as well.

Yes, you have authority in my name. You are me in this earth. You are my child, my agent. You have forgotten the inheritance you have in me and have not realized the authority you stand in.

You have gotten boggled down by the attacks of the enemy and have let Him win many times. You have backed down and have said ah, I must just simply endure this because I have a great calling.

To put it clearly, this is a lie! You do not have to take anything from the enemy. In fact, you shouldn't even need to battle with him. I have given you the power to tread on serpents and on scorpions and over all the power of the enemy and you shall not be harmed in doing it. That is what I have given you. This is who you are and what you have in me.

So my child, shake off those dirty clothes of defeat. Shake them off. Rise up now, take that sword that I have given you and rise up. Stand in my name and in my power and take your stand.

Tell the enemy where he belongs and rise up onto your throne of glory and blessing in me. I have called you to be seated in heavenly places with me. I have called you to rule and reign with me.

When you speak my name, the enemy trembles. When you stand in the blood that I have shed for you, he flees. But you haven't stepped into that and have just accepted his lies and have just accepted defeat. My child rise up.

This is not where I have called you to be. I have not called you to be a little nothing just trying to get by in life and trying to win the battle. No, you have already won the battle because you are my child. You have already defeated the enemy because I died for you and you are in me now.

My child just wake up and take your stand. I love you so dearly and I have given you so much. You are called to live a life of blessing. You are called to be a king and a queen. You are called to flow in abundance in every area of your life.

So be bold my child. Take up the sword I have given you, take up the armor I have for you and stand tall. Stand in my name. Go out there and represent me. You are my child, you are my warrior.

You fight for me and my name is above every other name. At my name every knee has to bow and ever tongue has to confess that I am Lord. So rise up! No longer accept the things the enemy is throwing at you and take your stand in me.

I love you so dearly my child and I desire only the best for you. I want to raise you up and I want to give you only the best. But I need you to take your stand in me.

When you rise up and step into all that I have given you, I will be able to move my hand mightily once more in your life, and you will see all the puzzle pieces coming together. You will see solutions to problems that seemed to have been going on forever. You will find resolve in conflicts that have weighed you down. Just rise up now my child! I love you, says the Lord!

MENGAPA BISA TERJADI?

2010-10-21T04:05:00.000-07:00

MENGAPA BISA TERJADI?
Janganlah ia seorang yang baru bertobat, agar jangan ia menjadi sombong….(1 Tim 3:6a)
Anita seorang anak Tuhan yang luar biasa bersemangat, setelah ia lahir baru. Ia sangat aktif dalam berbagai kegiatan gereja dan terlibat di dalamnya. Ia memberi diri untuk melayani secara sukarela. Hampir setiap minggu ia membawa jiwa baru ke gereja. Tentu saja semua orang senang, terutama para hamba Tuhan yang ada. Hingga akhirnya mereka memutuskan untuk memanggil Anita dan mengangkat dia menjadi salah satu staf gereja.
Beberapa saat setelah pengangkatan tersebut, sikap Anita berubah. Anita yang hangat dan berapi-api untuk Tuhan tiba-tiba berubah. Ia menjadi sulit didekati dan meminta jemaat untuk “menghormati” dirinya bahkan ia menuntut pengakuan dari rekan sekerjanya. Ia merasa tanpa dirinya gereja tersebut tidak akan mengalami pertumbuhan, sebab dirinyalah yang dipakai Tuhan untuk “membawa jiwa baru”. Ia merasa dirinya sangat istimewa melebihi yang lain.
Mengapa hal ini bisa terjadi? Sang pendeta berdoa dan lalu menemukan peringatan Rasul Paulus terhadap anak rohaninya, Timotius, agar tidak terburu-buru mengangkat seorang petobat baru menduduki suatu jabatan. Sang pendeta menyadari seharusnya ia memuridkan terlebih dulu Anita hingga karakternya diubahkan firman Tuhan.
Apa yang dapat kita pelajari dari pengalaman tersebut? Dalam hidup kita yang terpenting bukan pelayanan di gereja, tetapi melayani Tuhan dengan hidup taat sesuai firmanNya. Bila karakter kita diubahkan Tuhan, kita akan makin segambar dengan diriNya maka pelayanan yang sejati itu akan mengalir melalui diri kita. Hingga kita akan jadi berkat dimana saja, baik di gereja maupun masyarakat.
Doa: Tuhan, tolong saya hari ini untuk terus bertumbuh dalam Engkau hingga setiap orang dapat melihat pribadiMu dalam diri saya. Amien.
Firman Tuhan: 1 Timotius 3:1-7

Rise Up and Look Ahead!

2010-10-18T19:39:00.000-07:00

Rise Up and Look Ahead!

For just as the sunset consists of many colors, your life consists of many areas. Areas of blessing and areas of lack, areas of strength and areas of weakness.

Many times you wonder why you're not moving forward, why things are not happening, but child have you considered that perhaps you have lost your momentum? That perhaps you have grown weary and let go?

It is in consistency that lies your answer, not in a quick fix, and as you press on and allow my spirit to work in and through you, the change you so desire will come.

As you allow me to change and shape you, new doors will open up before you, but you have become weary child, you have let your expectations go. You have let the battle to survival rob you of your joy. Now is not the time to lie down in defeat, but the time to rise up in victory once again.

Fix your eyes on the future. Do you see the horizon up ahead? See how the sun rises up and brings a palette of color that brightens the sky. As you allow yourself to dream again, to become positive, My Spirit will rise up within you and give you what you need.

So rise up now child, be like that sun bringing a radiance of color to a grey world and soon you will once again move forward with purpose and power, says the Lord.

JAGA HATIMU

2010-10-09T01:18:00.000-07:00

JAGA HATIMU
Aku hendak menyamai Yang Mahatinggi! (Yes 14:14)
Herman merupakan seorang lulusan sebuah STT yang baru saja diangkat menjadi pemimpin pujian di sebuah gereja lokal. Ia seorang yang sungguh-sungguh mengiring Tuhan sebelum pelayanan ia selalu mengambil waktu untuk berdoa dan puasa agar Tuhan benar-benar bekerja di tengah umatNya. Walhasil setiap kali ia dipercayakan memimpin pujian, jemaat dapat merasakan jamahan dan lawatan Tuhan. Setiap kali ibadah usai maka ada saja jemaat yang datang dan memberikan pujian bahkan ada beberapa gadis yang menjadikan ia idola baru.
Pertama-tama, ia dapat meresponi setiap pujian dari jemaat dan menanggapi para gadis di gereja dengan sikap yang benar. Sayangnya, ketika ia merasa dirinya “lebih istimewa” dari yang lain, ia tidak menjaga hatinya. Kesombongan memenuhi dirinya dan menyatakan bahwa “tanpa” dirinya maka ibadah dalam gereja akan “kering”. Ia mengklaim dirinya paling mengerti kehendak Tuhan dalam gereja. Ia mulai mempengaruhi jemaat bahwa sebenarnya Tuhan telah memilih dirinya untuk menggantikan pendeta setempat.
Bapak Pendeta sangat mengasihi Herman, beberapa kali ia ditegur tetapi ia berkeras hingga akhirnya dengan berat hati Bapak Pendeta harus mendisiplinnya dan melepaskannya dari jabatan tersebut.
Kita semua sebagai anak Tuhan harus berhati-hati terhadap yang namanya kesombongan. Kita semua perlu mendapatkan pujian, kita perlu saling memuji satu dengan yang lain sebab itu meningkatkan kepercayaan diri kita. Tetapi kita harus tetap menjaga hati kita agar jangan jadi sombong. Iblis dapat hancurkan kita saat kita tidak menjaga hati.
Doa: Tuhan tolong kami agar tidak takabur saat kami mulai berhasil. Jaga diri kami agar tetap ada dalam jalanMU. Amien
Firman Tuhan: Yakobus 4: 5-10

DEMI BUAH HATI

2010-10-08T17:05:00.000-07:00

DEMI BUAH HATI
Janganlah kita jemu-jemu berbuat baik…..(Gal 6:9a)
Seorang ibu yang baru saja melahirkan putri bungsunya menangis bahagia bercampur sedih. Sebab ia tak dapat melahirkan secara normal dan harus melalui operasi cesar. Suaminya hanyalah seorang kuli angkut pasir, untuk biaya persalinan normal saja mereka sudah kesulitan mengumpulkan biayanya apalagi kini mereka harus membayar biaya operasi. Mereka senang atas kehadiran putri mereka tapi di sisi lain bingung masalah biaya. Mereka sudah mengurus semua surat untuk mendapatkan keringanan tetapi tetap mereka harus membayar pihak rumah sakit sebesar 1,5 juta Rupiah.
Di tengah keputusasaan itulah sang ibu menuliskan sebuah surat untuk dimuat pada sebuah surat kabar dan akhirnya menggegerkan kota dimana kami tinggal. Sebab ia berniat menawarkan dua kornea matanya kepada orang yang memerlukan asal utangnya bisa dilunasi.
Hati saya tersentuh membaca berita tersebut, demi sang buah hati, si ibu siap mengorbankan apa yang ia miliki. Setelah berita tersebut dimuat media, barulah semua orang berduyun-duyun membantu termasuk petinggi negeri. Akhirnya ibu dan anak itu dapat berkumpul kembali dengan keluarganya tanpa perlu kehilangan kornea matanya. Luar biasa ada orang-orang yang pada akhirnya mau turun tangan membantu keluarga yang tak mampu ini.
Tuhan mengajar saya suatu hal, bahwa kita sebagai anak-anakNya seharusnya jauh lebih peka dan mudah untuk membantu mereka yang dirundung kemalangan apalagi bila kita sudah diberkati secara materi. Berkat materi Tuhan percayakan pada kita agar kita dapat jadi berkat bagi orang lain dan bukannya kita nikimati sendiri untuk kepuasan pribadi.
Doa: Tuhan tolong kami agar kami memiliki hati yang penuh belas kasih terhadap sesama yang tengah menghadapi masalah melalui tindakan kami. Amien
Firman Tuhan: Galatia 6:2-10

The Storm has Ceased!

2010-10-08T04:43:00.000-07:00

The Storm has Ceased!

The sun is rising even now in the spiritual realm to declare a new day, a new start in your life. The time of winter is over and the time of rain and storm is coming to an end as this new day dawns, says the Lord.

You have cried out to me for new life, you have cried out to me for a new way. You have sought me for a long season and at times wondered if I was there and if I heard you. All you saw was the clouds and the lightning and all you heard was the wind and the thunder. You wondered if I had forgotten about you.

My child, no matter how hard the storm rages in your life, I never ever forget you or put you to the side. I never leave you nor forsake you. I have heard every single one of your cries and I have been working behind the scenes to make your desires come to pass.

You see, what you didn't realize while the storm was raging, what you didn't see because you were so focused on the storm, was that I was preparing things for you. Many things grew in you just like the flowers grew on the field and the trees started to bloom again even when the storm was blowing hard.

Many things have been put into place and now as my sun shines once again and a new season starts, all these things will come into the foreground. All the hard times you pushed through while you were in the middle of the storm, will now turn into such blessing.

You will look back and say wow, the Lord has been there all along. It was just me who didn't realize what was happening. It was just me who was too focused on the trouble. You will say: the Lord has done so much and He has given me so much. You will receive a new joy as the sun rises and shines its light onto all these hidden treasures and makes all these seeds that were planted during the storm sprout.

My child I love you and I have never left you. Look up and rejoice now, for resurrection is at hand. The storm has passed and a new day has come. Give me your heart afresh and run off into the fields with much joy, says the Lord.

SNOOPY KEMBALILAH

2010-10-08T04:00:00.000-07:00

SNOOPY KEMBALILAH
Karena begitu besar kasih Allah akan dunia ini, sehingga IA telah mengaruniakan AnakNya yang tunggal, supaya setiap orang yang percaya kepadaNya tidak binasa, melainkan beroleh hidup yang kekal (Yoh 3:16)
Sore itu saya tengah berjalan-jalan di keramaian kota Bandung hendak berbelanja pakaian. Arus kendaraan sore itu cukup padat, maklum waktu bubaran kantor. Tiba-tiba saya melihat seekor anjing Peking berlari keluar dari sebuah toko pakaian jeans menuju keramaian jalan. Sebagai seorang pecinta anjing, saya terkejut dan merasa ngeri membayangkan bila anjing itu masuk di tengah hiruk pikuk kendaraan pada jalan tersebut. Imajinasi saya membayangkan hal yang terburuk dapat saja terjadi pada anjing lucu itu.
Saat anjing itu mendekati jalan raya, tiba-tiba terdengar suara sang tuan memanggil,”Snoopy, kembali sini…masuk.” Anjing itu nampak terdiam, antara hendak terus berlari menuju hiruk pikuk jalan atau kembali pada sang tuan. Akhirnya Snoopy, sang anjing, memilih untuk kembali ke pangkuan tuannya. Meski saya bukan pemilik anjing itu, tetapi hati saya ikut lega sebab anjing itu tidak mengalami kecelakaan.
Seketika itu juga saya merasakan jamahan kasih Tuhan, betapa IA sangat mengasihi dunia ini. IA tak ingin ada seorang pun binasa sebab itu IA datang ke dunia untuk menebus dosa umat manusia agar kita semua dapat berkumpul bersamaNya selamanya.
Dulu saya pun berada dalam jalan menuju kebinasaan, sampai suatu hari saya mendengar suara Tuhan memanggil saya kembali. Anda pun mungkin pernah mengalami pengalaman yang sama dengan saya. Tapi bila Anda belum pernah mendengar panggilan Tuhan itu, saya mau katakan hari ini adalah hari keselamatan Anda. Tuhan memanggilmu juga dan IA tak ingin Anda binasa.
Doa: Tuhan terimakasih karena pada hari ini Engkau memanggil saya kembali agar tak binasa tapi beroleh hidup yang kekal. Amien.
Firman Tuhan: Yohanes 3:14-21

CINTA AKAN UANG

2010-10-07T02:52:00.000-07:00

CINTA AKAN UANG
Karena akar segala kejahatan ialah cinta uang (1 Tim 6:10)
Seorang pendeta ternama membeli dua buah mobil mewah, Porsche dan Bentley. Rekan-rekan sesama pelayan Tuhan terkagum-kagum sebab pendeta tersebut dapat mengendarai kendaraan mewah itu. Saya sendiri di satu sisi kagum dengan mobil mewah tersebut, tentu rasanya seperti bermimpi bila seorang pelayan Tuhan dapat memiliki mobil tersebut.
Saya berpikir saat itu tentunya semua anggota jemaat yang ia gembalakan konglomerat semua, sebab ia sanggup untuk membeli mobil “wah” tersebut. Ternyata masih banyak juga anggota jemaat yang hidup berkekurangan. Dalam benak saya segera tersirat, apakah tidak cukup dan jauh lebih baik menggunakan mobil yang baru dan baik meski mungkin tidak tergolong mobil mewah? Dan menggunakan kelebihan uangnya untuk menolong jemaat yang masih miskin?
Apakah Tuhan menghendaki anak-anakNya hidup berkelimpahan? Tentu saja, Tuhan ingin memberkati kita secara materi agar kita dapat menjadi saluran berkat bagi saudara seiman yang kurang beruntung dan mereka yang membutuhkan. Harta benda yang dipercayakan oleh Tuhan pada kita, bukan hanya untuk kita nikmati tetapi agar kita dapat menggunakannya untuk membangun tubuh Kristus dan sebagai alat untuk menerangi dan menggarami dunia.
Kita sebagai anak Tuhan, entah pendeta atau pun anggota jemaat biasa, kita semua perlu menyadari bila Tuhan berkati kita secara materi itu berarti Tuhan punya tujuan sebagaimana ketika IA memberikan kita talenta untuk bermain musik, menyanyi, mengajar, berkhotbah, mengajar dll semuanya itu untuk kemuliaan namaNYA. Hati-hati agar kita jangan sampai mencintai uang melebihi Tuhan sendiri. Tuhan memberkati kita agar jadi berkat, jangan sampai berkat berubah menjadi kutuk.
Doa: Tuhan tolong kami agar kami lebih mencintai diriMU daripada harta benda yang kami miliki. Amien.
Firman Tuhan: Matius 6:19-24

Tikus Dalam Celana

2010-10-02T20:31:00.000-07:00

Tikus Dalam Celana
“Bangunlah hai kamu yang tidur dan bangkitlah dari antara orang mati dan Kristus akan bercahaya atas kamu.” (Efesus 5:14)
Suatu malam saat kami tengah asyik menonton televisi di pastori gereja, tiba-tiba seekor tikus kecil masuk ke dalam ruangan keluarga. Beberapa orang berteriak, yang lain melompat dan yang lain bergegas mencari pemukul. Segera kami mencari si tikus yang membuat heboh tersebut, tetapi setelah dicari-cari ternyata ia menghilang.
Di tengah hiruk pikuk ada seorang anak kecil yang tertidur pulas dan tidak sadar akan kejadian tersebut. Ia tidur di muka TV. Saat semua hendak menonton TV kembali, tiba-tiba kusadari ternyata tikus kecil itu bersembunyi di dalam celana sang bocah. Bocah itu baru saja terbangun dan memandang wajah kami dengan keheranan. Mungkin ia bertanya-tanya kenapa semua orang dalam ruangan memandangi dirinya. Hingga lalu ia tersadar bahwa ada seekor tikus dalam celananya, ia segera bangkit membuka celananya agar si tikus segera enyah dari tubuhnya.
Peristiwa itu mengingatkanku akan dosa. Terkadang kita tidak sadar bahwa dosa akan mencelakakan diri kita. Kadang kita menyembunyikan dosa itu dengan begitu rapat agar tidak ada seorang pun tahu. Tetapi sepandai-pandainya kita menyembunyikan dosa, ada Tuhan yang tahu segala dosa dan kesalahan kita. Tuhan sangat mengasihi kita dan Ia ingin agar kita bertobat. Bila kita telah sadar bahwa apa yang kita minati atau sukai merupakan dosa dihadapan Tuhan, ayo segeralah bangkit dari kubangan itu. Saat kita mengakui kesalahan kita dihadapan Tuhan maka Ia bukan saja mengampuni kita tetapi juga memberikan kekuatan bagi kita untuk mengalahkan dosa.
Doa: Tuhan Yesus, saya mengakui bahwa di dalam diri saya masih ada dosa “favorit” dan pada hari ini saya menyatakan bahwa saya muak hidup dalam keterikatan dosa, lepaskanlah saya ya Tuhan. Amien
FT: Efesus 5:1-17

TIDAK MAU KALAH

2010-10-02T19:25:00.000-07:00

TIDAK MAU KALAH
Si pemarah menimbulkan pertengkaran, dan orang yang lekas gusar, banyak pelanggarannya (Ams 29:22)
Sekelompok ibu arisan tengah asyik berbincang. Mereka tengah membicarakan kelulusan putra putri mereka dari bangku SMA dan akan melanjutkan ke perguruan tinggi favorit baik di dalam maupun luar negeri. Ibu Tati ada diantara kumpulan ibu lainnya, ia terkenal seorang wanita yang tak pernah mau kalah dan senangnya beradu argumentasi. Mendengar para ibu lainnya bercerita tentang putra putri mereka, Ibu Tati pun tak mau kalah,”Oh, kalau putra saya dia akan masuk fakultas kedokteran ternama di kota Bandung.” Seorang rekan arisannya bertanya,” Di universitas apa, Bu Tati?” Dengan wajah yang sangat yakin, Ibu Tati menjawab,”Dia akan masuk di ITB (Institut Teknologi Bandung).” Beberapa rekannya terbengong-bengong, dan lalu bertanya,”Bu Tati, ITB khan engga ada jurusan kedokteran?” Dengan sengit Ibu Tati menjawab,”Oh sekarang sudah ada jurusan kedokteran.” Ibu-ibu yang lain tidak memperpanjang pembicaraan sebab mereka tahu bila mereka terus bertanya maka perbincangan tersebut akan berujung pada hal yang negatif. Terlebih wajah Ibu Tati sudah nampak merah padam, seolah siap menelan siapa saja yang menentangnya.
Dalam kehidupan kita perlu menyadari bahwa kita semua memiliki kelemahan dan Tuhan mengajarkan kita sebagai satu keluarga di dalam Dia. Tuhan menghendaki agar kita hidup saling mengasihi, memperhatikan dan belajar dari satu dengan yang lainnya. Kita harus belajar rendah hati saat ada saudara kita yang lain menegur saat kita melakukan kesalahan dan juga belajar dari mereka yang lebih dewasa secara kerohanian. Barangsiapa memiliki hubungan yang intim dengan Tuhan maka ia akan memiliki a teachable heart (hati yang mudah diajar).
Doa: Tuhan Yesus, lembutkan dan ajar saya agar mudah diajar akan kebenaranMu. Amien.
FT: Amsal 10:11-21