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Senin, 13 Agustus 2012

How to Get Unstuck



Scripture: 
 "Then your light will break through like the dawn, and you will heal quickly. Your righteousness will go ahead of you, and the glory of the Lord will guard you from behind." 
Isaiah 58:8

Yesterday, on the way to church, I saw this car tailing a very slow car. He was obviously in a hurry but refused to get into the open lane next to him! I was so confounded! "Why doesn't he just change lanes?" But then I thought, Wow, I've been doing the same in my own life! There are things I so badly want, but I have been stubbornly trying to do things my own way, unwilling to get in God's lane. It's like I'm tailing a slow car in front of me, so frustrated, when there is a clear lane next to me, if I will just take it. Maybe you feel stuck too-praying for the same things for years, with zero progress.

Jesus understands that we get stuck sometimes, and He gave us the key to getting unstuck here in this story: A desperate man came to Jesus because his son was always trying to kill himself. He had actually come to Jesus' disciples earlier, but they couldn't do anything for him. So Jesus just spoke to what was troubling the boy, and he was immediately cured. But later, Jesus' disciples asked Him why they couldn't heal the boy. And what Jesus said is so interesting :
" Because of the littleness of your faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you. But this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting." (Matthew 17:20-21)
Jesus told His disciples (us) that faith can move mountains, BUT He also said that some things will not change UNLESS you pray AND fast. So what is fasting? In a strictly food sense, fasting is not eating or drinking certain things, or at all. But in a spiritual sense, it's so much more. It's saying NO to something you normally do in order to say YES to something you really need. Fasting is the key that unlocks the doors that you can't seem to open. It's like if you have a can of milk and try to open it with a spoon, a fork, a knife: nothing works. What you need is a can-opener. Fasting is the can-opener to your answered prayer.

God Says Fasting Brings:

  • Salvation
  • Healing
  • Direction
  • Protection
  • Quick Answers to Prayer

My Story

There are a lot of things I want, but all of my efforts to find those things on my own are not working. And believe me, I've tried. So recently, when my pastor invited my church to fast together, I said yes, because quite frankly, I need help! So I have decided to give up shopping. I shop a lot. It might sound ridiculous to you, especially if you are a man; but shopping for me is a band-aid I use to comfort myself when I'm lonely or stressed; and it takes a lot of my free time. So instead, for the next 2 weeks, I am choosing to go without shopping in order to spend time with God instead. I'm going on walks to ask Him for what I need, listen to His thoughts, and tell Him mine. And I'm already feeling a difference.

What Are YOU Desperate For?

Is it healing in your family? Restoration in your marriage? Help in finances? I invite you to fast with me! What do you want to say NO to in order to say YES to what you need? Here's some examples of things you could fast: food, drinks, entertainment, negative thinking/talking, or empty social time to spend time with Him. God doesn't care about what you fast; He cares about you opening your heart to Him. Jesus said, "But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you." Matthew 6:17-18

 


Rabu, 25 Juli 2012

Judgment



Scripture:
"Stop judging, and you will never be judged. Stop condemning, and you will never be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven." Luke 6:37

Don't you hate being judged? I hate it too. You know, judgment is a soul toxin, maybe one of the worst.
But today, Jesus is giving you the remedy to avoid being judged, one you might not have heard. In fact, if you're like me, you might have been doing just the opposite, unknowingly heaping more and more judgment in your life. But today we can start to reverse that.

Answer This
If you were facing a trial and had the option of being either in the defendant's shoes (the one being judged) or the prosecutor's shoes (the one doing the judging), which would you choose? If you were me, you would choose the prosecutor's chair, because that is the one safe from judgment, right? WRONG. Jesus said it's actually the opposite. And I want you to read a story with me to prove it.

"The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught committing adultery. They made her stand in front of everyone and asked Jesus, 'Teacher, we caught this woman in the act of adultery. In his teachings, Moses ordered us to stone women like this to death. What do You say?' They asked this to test Him. They wanted to find a reason to bring charges against Him. Jesus bent down and used His finger to write on the ground. When they persisted in asking Him questions, He straightened up and said, "The person who is sinless should be the first to throw a stone at her." Then He bent down again and continued writing on the ground. One by one, beginning with the older men, the scribes and Pharisees left. Jesus was left alone with the woman. Then Jesus straightened up and asked her, "Where did they go? Has anyone condemned you?" The woman answered, "No one, Sir." Jesus said, "I don't condemn you either. Go! From now on don't sin." (John 8:3-11)

Let It Sink In
Imagine that you're her. Think of your worst sin, the thing you most desperately want to keep from other people. I know I have mine. Now imagine that all the authorities in your life have brought you to face your punishment before God and everyone else. 
How do you feel? Probably like me, terrified! But then instead, Jesus gets down off of the Judge's chair, walks over to your accusers, and says, "Well, which one of you are perfect? You can be the one to cast the judgment." And then one by one, they drop their charges. Then He walks over to you, and He says—and this is actually what He is saying to you now—"I don't condemn you either. Go and be free of your sin."


Judge Not, and You Will Not Be Judged
You see, out of all the people in the story with Jesus, only one received His forgiveness—the one facing judgment, not casting it. As long as you are in the judgment seat, Jesus says you are actually going to receive it the most! "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." Matthew 7:1-2.
It's like you are trying to dig your way out of a ditch, but with every pile of dirt you shovel out, one more is piled in. That's what happens when you judge others. In fact, Jesus goes on to say that the bad you see in others are actually your own flaws: "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye." Matthew 7:3-5.
It's like you were sitting in your house, noticing everyone's flaws out the window, but what you don't realize is that you're not looking at a window, but a mirror. And every judgment you cast on "others" is actually one you're casting on yourself.

The Remedy
So what's the remedy? The antidote to judgment is actually mercy.
That's what Jesus showed with the adulterous woman. Actually I shouldn't call her that; I should more rightly call her the forgiven woman. Because when she was at her lowest, Jesus showed her mercy, and it gave her forgiveness. The Bible says, "Mercy triumphs over judgment." James 2:13 
In a fighting match, mercy is stronger than judgment. So if you are feeling clogged up with judgment-for yourself and for others-God wants you to take a mercy pill. He wants you to first accept the mercy He is offering you, and then start to give it to others. He wants you to put yourself in the position of the adulterous woman and not in the position of her judges. Because as you give mercy, you will receive it in return.
 
Take a Mercy Pill
Take God's mercy pill today...and start to take it everyday. 
Every time you start to judge someone, just pause and take a dose of God's mercy instead. Think of how many of your flaws Jesus has forgiven. Let it flow through your soul and touch others in return. 
For example, today I was at the grocery store, and started to judge the woman in front of me. But then I started to think instead of all the good things about her, and I started to feel mercy for myself too! It's the same for you: you can start to live a life of mercy for yourself and others.








Source : ichristianlife by email


Senin, 23 Juli 2012

Penurutan






"Ketika jiwaku letih lesu di dalam aku, 
teringatlah aku kepada Tuhan,
dan sampailah doaku kepadaMu,
ke dalam baitMu yang kudus"
~Yunus 2:7

Cerita tentang Yunus ini sudah kita kenal semenjak kecil. Sekolah minggu sering mengajarkan cerita ini. Cerita yang terkenal karena Nabi Yunus lari dari suruhan Tuhan dan akhirnya tinggal di perut ikan besar sesuai dengan penentuan Tuhan (Yunus 1:17).

Latar belakangnya karena, Tuhan berfirman kepada Yunus untuk pergi memperingatkan kota Niniwe akan segala kesalahan mereka yang sudah terlampau besar di mata Tuhan.

Siapakah kota Niniwe ini?
Kota Niniwe ini adalah suatu kota yang besar, berpenduduk lebih dari 120.000 orang dan kaya akan ternak, tapi mereka semua tidak tahu membedakan tangan kanan dan kiri. Dalam artian, mereka tidak bisa membedakan mana yang baik dan mana yang tidak baik (Yunus 4:11).

Itulah sebabnya Tuhan menyuruh Nabi Yunus untuk memperingatkan mereka, supaya mereka bertobat sebagai tanda Tuhan mengasihi mereka dan tidak mau mereka binasa.

Tapi apa yang terjadi? Nabi Yunus ini lari dari tugasnya (Yunus 1:2). Tetapi Tuhan mengejarnya dengan mendatangkan angin ribut ke laut.
Hal ini menjadi gambaran dalam kehidupan kita.
Kita diutus Tuhan untuk menyampaikan Firman kepada orang lain, kepada keluarga kita, teman-teman, tetangga atau siapapun yang kita merasa terbeban untuk dilayani. Itu adalah tugas yang disuruhkan Tuhan.
Seringkali kita berontak, tetapi apapun itu kalau Tuhan sudah menetukan apa yang menjadi perkataanNya, kemanapun kita lari Tuhan akan mengejar kehidupan kita.

Tapi biarlah kita menyadari dan kembali. Ketika kita berada di titik keterbatasan kita. Ingatlah pada Tuhan.
Ayat Firman Tuhan ini mengajak kita untuk selalu mengingat Tuhan dan menyadari setiap keterbatasan kita.

Kalau Yunus di perhadapkan dengan ikan besar, maka kita diperhadapkan dengan masalah-masalah besar (itu kalau kita mencoba lari dari tugas yang sudah Tuhan berikan kepada kita).

Kita mengambil contoh kota Niniwe ini. Mereka menerima Firman, dan langsung bertobat, kembali kepada Tuhan, setelah mendengarkan Firman Tuhan. Sehingga mereka di jauhkan Tuhan dari murka.

Intinya sederhana, lebih baik kita menurut semua perkataan Tuhan daripada kita keras kepala dan akhirnya Tuhan mengejar kehidupan kita.

Pengkhotbah 4:17 "... Menghampiri untuk mendengar adalah lebih baik 
daripada mempersembahkan korban..."

Kembali ke Nabi Yunus, ketika Tuhan mengejar kehidupannya, dia menyadari dan tidak menyangkali, sehingga ketika di tanya oleh para awak kapal tempat dia menumpang untuk lari ke Tarsis, dia tidak menyangkalinya. 
Begitu pula ketika dia di dalam perut ikan selama tiga hari tiga malam, Nabi Yunus tidak tinggal diam saja, tapi kemudian menyadari dan berdoa mencari pertolongan kepada Tuhan.

Jadi, mari kita belajar untuk menjadi orang-orang yang menurut setiap perkataan Tuhan. Karena, sama seperti kota Niniwe, meskipun dosa mereka terlampau besar hingga sampai kepada Tuhan, Tuhan masih memberi pengasihan kepada mereka, dan karena mereka mendengar dan menurut setiap perkataan Tuhan, maka berkat Tuhan turun atas mereka. Begitu pula kita, tidak susah untuk menurut, hanya perlu ketulusan hati, karena ingatlah, meskipun kita terkadang sering tidak setia kepada Tuhan, tetapi Tuhan selalu setia dengan kehidupan kita.


Selasa, 17 Juli 2012

Kisah Akhir Para Rasul

"Kalau kamu tetap bertahan, kamu akan memperoleh hidupmu."
 -Lukas 21:19

Buat yang sering merasa hidupnya tak berguna dan terlalu banyak menderita dengan segala keadaannya, sehingga memilih jalan pintas meninggalkan Tuhan, atau memilih kesenangan semu dengan meninggalkan Tuhan karena popularitas, jabatan dan harta duniawi. Coba lihat kisah akhir para Rasul, sepanjang hidup mereka sampai dengan kematian datang.
Tidak ada rasa mengeluh meski mungkin dalam hati mereka ingin berontak, tapi demi kebenaran Injil dari Tuhan, terus setia mempertahankan panggilan Tuhan sampai nafas terakhir mereka.

Rasul Petrus,
Semasa hidupnya Rasul Petrus berkhotbah Injil di Pontus, Galatia, Kapadokia, Betania, Italia, dan Asia.
Rasul yang dikenal karena pernah menyangkal Tuhan Yesus Kristus. Akhir hidupnya disalib dengan kepala kebawah di kayu salib yang berbentuk huruf X sesuai permintaan Petrus sendiri di Roma, Itali. 
Ia merasa tidak layak untuk mati dan disalib sperti Tuhan Yesus.

Rasul Andreas,
Rasul Andreas ini berkhotbah di Scythians dan Thracia. Saudara Simon Petrus ini sebelumnya didera dan diikat di kayu salib berbentuk huruf X dan tergantung selama dua hari di Patrae, Yunani dan di sana juga ia dikuburkan.
Sebelum meninggal, Andreas di siksa dengan hukum cambuk oleh tujuh tentara dan diikat di salib. Dengan cara ini mereka bisa memperpanjang masa sakit dan masa siksaan nya. Seorang pengikut Andreas yg turut menyaksikan hukuman Andreas menceritakan perkataan yang telah di ucapkan oleh Andreas sebelum meninggal dunia :
"Ternyata keinginan dan cita-cita saya bisa terkabul, dimana saya bisa turut merasakan saat bahagia dengan di siksa dan disalib seperti Yesus".
Bahkan pada saat ia disiksa pun tiada hentinya terus berkhotbah, dua hari sebelum ajalnya tiba. Berkhotbah sambil di hukum cambuk.

Rasul Yakobus anak Zebedeus,
Rasul Yakobus ini adalah Rasul yang sesuai cerita Alkitab merupakan Rasul yang pertama kali di panggil Tuhan Yesus bersama-sama dengan Rasul Petrus, Andreas dan Yohanes saudaranya (Matius 4:18-22).
Di akhir hidupnya sesuai dengan Kitab Kisah Para Rasul 12:2 dibunuh dengan pedang sesuai dengan perintah raja Herodes Agripa I di Yerusalem sebelum hari raya roti tidak beragi.
Meski mengalami masa-masa sulit dan detik-detik terakhir dalam hidupnya ia tidak pernah menyangkal Tuhan Yesus, bahkan ia berusaha untuk berkhotbah terus, bukan hanya kepada para tawanan lainnya saja, bahkan kepada orang yang menghukum dan menyiksa dia dengan kejamnya.
Sehingga akhirnya orang Romawi yang menjadi penjaga dan penyiksa dia, bisa turut bertobat. Penjaga Romawi itu mendampingi Yakobus pada saat ia dihukum penggal, bukannya sekedar hanya untuk turut menyaksikannya saja, melainkan juga untuk turut dihukum dan dipenggal bersama dengan Yakobus.

Rasul Yohanes saudara Yakobus,
Rasul Yohanes ini mencapai usia lanjut dan satu-satunya rasul yang meninggal dengan tenang di Efesus, Turki.
Tapi walaupun demikian ia juga pernah merasakan digoreng di dalam bak minyak mendidih di Roma namun keajaiban terjadi. sehingga walaupun ia telah di goreng hidup-hidup, ia bisa hidup terus. Tetapi akhir nya ia dibuang dah diasingkan ke pulau PATMOS untuk kerja paksa di tambang batubara. Pada saat ia berada di sana, ia mendapatkan wahyu sehingga ia bisa menulis kitab WAHYU.

Rasul Filipus,
Akhir hidup Rasul Filipus disesah, dipenjarakan, dan kemudian disalibkan di Heliopolis, Frigia karena menginjil dan dikuburkan disitu.

Rasul Bartolomeus,
Rasul Bartolomeus adalah Rasul yang pertama kali yang mengaku bahwa Kristus itu adalah Anak Allah (Yohanes 1:49). Rasul Bartolomeus menjadi pekabar Injil di tanah Asia, antara lain ia memberikan kesaksian di Turki.
Akhir hidupnya dipukuli / dicambuk sampai kulitnya terlepas (dikuliti), dan disalibkan dengan kepala ke bawah di India atau Armenia.

Rasul Thomas,
Meski dalam cerita Alkitab diceritakan kalau Thomas adalah murid Tuhan Yesus yang paling meragukan kebangkitan Kristus. Namun, setelah itu Kristus juga muncul kepadanya dan Thomas percaya sampai mati. Thomas kemudian disegel segala kesaksiannya dan akhir hidup Rasul Thomas dorong dan dengan pinus ditombak, disiksa, dibakar hidup-hidup.

Matius pemungut cukai,
Rasul Matius akhir hidupnya mati disiksa dan dibunuh dengan pedang di Nadabah, Etiopia.

Yakobus anak Alfeus,
Rasul Yakobus adalah pemimpin Gereja Yerusalem. Pada akhir hidupnya saat sedang berkhotbah dia dipukul, dilempari batu dan dijatuhkan dari atas bubungan Bait Allah tempat Tuhan Yesus dicobai di Yerusalem, dan dikuburkan di situ di samping Bait Allah.

Tadeus atau Yudas (bukan Iskariot),
Yudas saudara nya dari Tuhan Yesus di hukum mati dengan panah, karena ia tidak bersedia untuk mengingkari Yesus.
Ada juga yang menceritakan bahwa dia disalibkan di Edessa, Yunani.

Simon orang Zelot,
Simon adalah seorang fanatik Yahudi yang berusaha untuk mengatur rakyatnya bebas dari penindasan Romawi. Setelah dia melihat dengan mata sendiri bahwa Kristus telah bangkit, ia menjadi fanatik Injil.
Para sejarawan menceritakan tentang berbagai tempat Rasul Simon menyatakan kabar baik tentang Kristus di Mesir, Kirene, Afrika, Mauritania, Inggris, Libya, dan Persia.
Akhir hidupnya diceritakan disalibkan oleh gubernur di Suriah (di Britania, Eropa)

Yudas Iskariot,
Rasul yang dikenal karena menjual Tuhan Yesus ini akhir hidupnya mati gantung diri di luar Yerusalem.

Rasul Matias,
Rasul yang mengabarkan injil di tanah Ethiopia. Rasul Matias dipilih untuk sebagai pengganti Yudas Iskariot akhir hidupnya mati dengan cara dirajam dan dipenggal kepalanya di Yerusalem.

Rasul Paulus,
Rasul Paulus, dirinya penganiaya iman Kristen (Galatia 1:13), dibawa ke pertobatannya pada saat perjalanan ke Damaskus saat akan pergi menangkap dan membawa para pengikut Tuhan untuk dibawa ke Yerusalem yang kemudian akan disiksa (Kisah Para Rasul 9).
Akhir hidupnya Rasul Paulus di siksa dgn sangat kejam dan akhir nya di penggal kepala nya oleh Kaisar Nero di Roma pd thn 67. Pasul Paulus adalah yang paling lama mengalami masa siksaaan di penjara. Kebanyakan surat-surat dari dia di buat dan di kirim dari penjara.

Nah, ga ada lagi alasan buat ngeluh saat ikut Tuhan.

Memang terkadang jalan terasa berbatu dan terjal, tapi percayalah, siapa yang setia sampai akhir dialah yang akan menerima mahkota keselamatan.
Begitu pula sebaliknya siapa yang meninggalkan mata air hidup, namanya akan tersurat di tanah.

#disadur dari berbagai sumber

Rabu, 11 Juli 2012

Healing for Your Soul


Scripture:
"Come to Me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest."
~Jesus
Matthew 11:28

Is Your Soul Troubled?

I know you've been battling a lot of things in your soul. Worry about your future, regret over mistakes, consuming fear about what others think about you. It can be so overwhelming. God does not want you to live this way. He has a spacious, green, beautiful land for your soul to rest in, and He is inviting you into it. I want you to read the following promise from God to you out loud, and insert your name into it, because it's exactly what God wants to do for you.
The Lord is _______'s shepherd, ________ shall not be in want.
He makes _________ lie down in green pastures,
He leads _________ beside quiet waters,
He restores __________'s soul.
Psalm 23:1-3

Restoration for Your Soul

How is your soul doing? If you were to get a check-up, what would the doctor say? Fearful? Sad? Anxious? Your soul is the place where you really exist-your deepest, truest self. It is where you hold your memories, thoughts about yourself, and perception of the world around you. 
Think of your soul as the soil of your life: its health determines how much can grow in your life. If you have hard, dry soil, even if you plant all the best seeds, they will not be able to grow. Maybe you have been dealing with that kind of dryness in your soul. 
You try to feed yourself with good things, like the Bible or church or good friends, but still you feel empty and dry, and the things you want aren't growing.

God Wants to Prosper Your Soul

God wants to change all that. He actually wants to prosper your soul. 3 John 1:2 says, "Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers." I want you to imagine 2 landscapes: 1 is dry and barren, with trees with tiny, shriveled-up branches, and all around gray; the other is green, lush, with so many different trees and crops, and little streams running throughout it. The latter is His promise to you, and I want you to insert your name again:  
The LORD will comfort _________again and have pity on _________'s ruins.
___________'s desert will blossom like Eden, __________'s barren wilderness like the garden of the LORD.
Joy and gladness will be found there. Songs of thanksgiving will fill the air
. (Isaiah 51:3)

The Problem

There may be things in the soil of your soul that are rocky and dry, making it so that the things you want to grow there can't. 
An example of a rock would be something or someone you've been unable to forgive (maybe even yourself!) or coveting what other people have. These things act as barriers to the beautiful things God wants to plant in your life. Think of them as toxins for your soul. 
It's like if you were trying to eat really healthy but were also ingesting a little bit of poison with every meal. No matter how much water you drink, you're still going to feel awful.
 

Let's Go on a Healing Cleanse

I want us to experience true prosperity of soul by removing the bad things in our life and replacing them with the good things God has for us. Every week, we are going to learn about a new soul toxin and its remedy. 
God has amazing prescriptions for each of the things that are troubling you now (anxiety, anger, depression, etc.), and I believe He wants to lead us into experiencing deep health for our souls. 

Source by email from GodLife

Sabtu, 17 Desember 2011

Keledai Muda



Markus 11 : 2 – 3, “.. Pergilah ke kampung yang di depanmu itu. Pada waktu kamu masuk kesitu, kamu akan segera menemukan seekor keledai muda tertambat, yang belum pernah ditunggangi orang. Lepaskanlah keledai itu dan bawalah kemari. Dan jika ada orang mengatakan kepadamu : Mengapa kamu lakukan itu, jawablah : Tuhan memerlukannya.. “

Dari hal kerajaan sorga dalam Alkitab banyak dikisahkan dengan perumpaan, namun kali ini kita berbicara mengenai proses bagaimana Tuhan memakai anak-anak muda pada waktu akhir zaman.
Sebagian besar orang tidak akan mengerti apa hubungan ayat ini dengan anak-anak muda, atau hubungannya dengan akhir zaman, atau bagaimana bagaimana prosesnya.
Perikop ini diberi judul keledai muda karena sesuai dengan pembacaan Alkitab yaitu tentang ketika Yesus datang ke yerusalem pada kali terakhir sebelum dia ditangkap memakai keledai muda.

Keledai muda ini adalah gambaran anak-anak Tuhan (anak-anak muda).
Pertanyaan yang muncul sekarang, kenapa Tuhan memakai keledai dan bukan kuda atau binatang-binatang gagah lainnya?
Begini, ada beberapa sifat keledai yang pada umumnya kita tahu (kita mendengar dengan telinga rohani, karena segala sesuatu di dalam Alkitab adalah rohani).
1. Bodoh
Memang benar, keledai itu binatang yang bodoh, dan karena kebodohannya itu keledai ini menjadi penurut. Anak muda Tuhan sebaiknya pun punya sifat ini, tapi dalam hal ini tentunya yang dimaksud adalah bodoh dalam dosa. Banyak hal sekarang ditawarkan dunia bagi anak-anak Tuhan, keindahan dunia beserta isinya, hirup pikuk kesenangan yang tidak habis-habisnya. Sebaiknya kita memang bodoh dalam hal itu.

2.Tajam Pendengaran
Keledai itu biasanya punya pendengaran/insting yang tajam, ketika mungkin diperhadapkan dengan bahaya, dia pasti akan menghindar.
Waktu Sekolah Minggu kita pasti pernah mendengar cerita tentang Bileam dan Keledainya. (Bilangan 22:1-35). Keledai Bileam ini adalah satu-satunya binatang di dalam Alkitab yang diceritakan bisa berbicara (ay 28). Tuhan memakai mulut Keledai ini untuk mengingatkan Bileam akan kesalahannya.
Sebagai anak Tuhan, kita perlu juga punya pendengaran tajam terhadap segala maksud Tuhan di dalam kehidupan kita. Ketika diperhadapkan masalah, kadang kita menganggap itu suatu kesalahan, tapi kita pakai firman Tuhan untuk belajar memahami apa maksud Tuhan.
Dalam Kitab Samuel pun diceritakan tentang bagaimana Tuhan memanggil Samuel pada waktu dia masih muda (baca 1 Samuel 3:1-21). Masih banyak juga cerita dalam Alkitab bagaimana Tuhan memakai anak muda untuk berkarya bagi Dia.

3. Dengar-Dengaran/Penurut
Keledai adalah sejenis kuda yang biasa dipakai zaman dahulu sebagai alat transportasi dsb karena keledai ini sangat jinak. Selain jalannya lamban karena harus menanggung beban, keledai ini juga biasanya penurut dan dengar-dengaran terhadap perintah tuannya.
Anak muda Kristen juga sebaiknya menjadi anak yang dengar-dengaran. Terhadap orang tua terlebih terhadap keinginan Tuhan dengan hidupnya. Banyak sekali dijumpai anak muda yang suka sekali melawan/membangkang terhadap orang tua. Hal ini dikarenakan banyak hal, diantaranya karena lingkungan dan pendidikan. Lingkungan yang baik secara otomatis memberikan pengaruh yang baik terhadap anak, begitu pula sebaliknya. Pendidikan juga perlu karena menentukan karakter dan sikap anak terhadap orang sekitarnya, termasuk orang tua. Didikan yang baik membuat anak menjadi penurut dan hormat terhadap orang tua. Terlebih kita hormat kepada Tuhan.

4. Menanggung Beban
Pada zaman dulu, keledai biasanya dipakai orang untuk mengangkut beban ketika melakukan suatu perjalanan jauh.
Kata Tuhan berkata, jikalau kita mau mengikut Dia, kita harus sangkal diri dan pikul salib tiap-tiap hari (Matius 16:24). Bagaimana caranya sangkal diri dan pikul salib? Yaitu dengan cara kita banyak duduk diam di kaki Tuhan, berdoa dan berpuasa.
Banyak orang yang mungkin dulunya sebelum mengikut Tuhan hidupnya berkelimpahan dan sangat diberkati, tetapi ketika mengikut Tuhan kehidupannya berubah. Itulah proses Tuhan, banyak yang mengeluh, tapi itulah cara Tuhan. Maukah kita menanggung beban tiap hari? Itu jawabannya ada pada diri kita masing-masing.

Berkaca dari kehidupan Ayub. Dalam Ayub 1 dijelaskan bahwa Ayub adalah orang terkaya dari semua orang yang ada di timur, orang yang benar dimata Tuhan dan tidak berbuat dosa (Ayub 1:1-3). Dalam keadaan dia diijinkan Tuhan untuk dicobai iblis hidupnya tetap pada Tuhan walaupun dia mengalami kekecewaan karena ditinggal keluarga dan sahabat-sahabatnya.

Ayub 7:1 berkata, “Bukankah manusia harus bergumul di bumi, dan hari-harinya seperti hari-hari orang upahan?”
Kita pun seharusnya memang berhati besar seperti Ayub, segala sesuatu yang baik kita terima dari Tuhan, tetapi segala proses Tuhan pun kita harus hadapi dengan hati bersyukur (Ayub 2:10).

Sekarang ada pertanyaan lagi, kenapa anak muda yang dipilih? Mengapa bukan orang tua? Apakah nanti hanya anak muda yang diselamatkan Tuhan pada waktunya nanti?
Begini, mengapa anak muda yang dipilih Tuhan?
Karena anak muda adalah tulang punggung gereja, orang tua biasanya dalam organisasi gereja disebut dengan tua-tua sidang, dan yang menjalankan segala sesuatu adalah orang muda.
Secara fisik pun, orang muda masih bertenaga dan lebih kuat kemampuan daripada orang tua. Namun dalam hal ini, bukan berarti pekerjaan Tuhan milik orang muda saja, tapi siapa saja, selama kita mampu memberikan waktu dan tenaga untuk mau dipakai Tuhan itulah yang disebut keledai muda. Kita semualah orang-orang muda di dalam Tuhan.
Kisah Para Rasul 2:17-18, sangat jelas kalau Tuhan akan mencurahkan RohNya kepada semua manusia, termasuk orang tua dan anak muda sehingga mereka akan bernubuat, melihat penglihatan-penglihatan dan mendapat karunia mimpi (yang tentu saja mimpi-mimpi yang rohani).

Berikutnya, timbul pertanyaan apa sebenarnya yang menjadi tugas kita? Tuhan memilih kita untuk tugasNya yang mulia, apakah itu yang sebenarnya?
Banyak orang berprinsip, ketika kita mengenal Tuhan memberi diri lahir baru dan beriman, melakukan perbuatan yang baik, kita sudah tentu diselamatkan.
Itu tidak salah, ketika kita mengenal Tuhan hal pertama yang kita lakukan adalah bertobat dan menyesali semua perbuatan kita, member diri lahir baru lewat baptisan itupun benar, karena Tuhan sendiri pun memberi contoh yang demikian (baca Matius 3:13-17) karena lewat baptisan kita menguburkan segala dosa lama dan membebaskan kita dari kutuk dosa. Ingat firman Allah berkata setiap orang yang tidak lahir baru, melihat Kerajaan Allah saja tidak berlayak (Yohanes 3:3), apalagi masuk kedalamnya (Yohanes 3:5).

Banyak orang akan menentang hal ini, tapi Firman Tuhan itu Ya dan Amin. Berbuat baik, itu sudah kewajiban. Semua orang benar beriman pasti berbuat baik, tapi tidak semua orang baik itu beriman. Titus 3 :5 menjelaskan bahwa kita diselamatkan Dia bukan karena perbuatan baik yang telah kita lakukan. Jadi berbuat baik saja tidak cukup. Ingat itu.

Jadi apa tugas utama kita ?
Keseluruhan Kitab mengajarkan apa yang yang menjadi tugas dan tanggung jawab kita terhadap pelayanan kita terhadap Tuhan. Memang mengikut Tuhan tidak selalu dalam keadaan senang, tapi lihat dan peganglah terus janji Tuhan, dalam masa muda kita ada baiknya kita member dir untuk pelayanan, kita bersaksi dimana saja kita bias bersaksi bagikan Firman, Tuhan sudah memberikan kita talenta kita masing-masing. Mungkin ada yang merasa malu dan canggung karena tidak pintar berkata-kata atau takut di dera karena memberitakan injil.
Satu hal yang selalu menjadi pegangan kita Rasul Paulus berkata dalam 2 Timotius 1:7-8 “Sebab Allah memberikan kepada kita bukan roh ketakutan, melainkan roh yang membangkitkan kekuatan, kasih dan ketertiban. Jadi janganlah malu bersaksi tentang Tuhan kita..”

Masih kurang? Lukas 21:17-19, kita akan dibenci banyak orang karena Tuhan, tapi biarpun demikian asalkan kita tetap bertahan, sehelai rambut dari kepala kita pun tidak akan jatuh kalau tidak diijinkan Tuhan. Dalam artian kita mendapat full perlindungan dari Tuhan.

Jadi, sudah siapkah kita jadi keledai muda akhir zaman? Jika iya persiapkan dirimu untuk itu.
Jangan biarkan hidup kita berlalu dengan percuma. Ingat selalu pesan untuk orang muda dalam Pengkhotbah 11:9 hidup dalam kesenangan dunia yg berakhir pada kesia-siaan. Jangan pula kita menjadi seperti anak muda kaya yang bodoh (Matius 19:16-26). Jangan pula kita menjadi seperti 5 anak gadis yang bodoh (Matius 25:1-13). Tetapi kita siapkan diri kita untuk masuk dalam pekerjaanNya yang besar nanti, yaitu masa penuaian akhir dan kita akan memperoleh setiap upah kita masing-masing untuk itu.

Matius 5 :11-12 “Berbahagialah kamu, jika karena Aku kamu dicela dan dianiaya dan kepadamu difitnahkan segala yang jahat. Bersukacitalah karena upahmu besar di sorga…”

Senin, 17 Oktober 2011

What Beats Cause and Effect?

source by email

“But God showed His great love for us
by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners”
(Romans 5:8)

They say “What comes around goes around.”
That describes the law of Cause and Effect. The Bible says it another way: “A man reaps what he sows” (Galatians 6:7). What have you been sowing? Peace, love, and kindness—all of the time? If so, you’re in luck.
But if not, what fate awaits you? This is a tricky one, for the biblical principle of sowing and reaping still stands. However, there is a higher law

Forgiveness trumps Cause and Effect—every time.
When Jesus was hanging on the cross—mid-crucifixion—He said to God on your behalf, “Father, forgive them. They don’t know what they’re doing” (Luke 23:34).
Can you believe it? It’s hard enough for me to forgive someone after they’ve hurt me, let alone while they are doing it. But in the middle of crucifixion, being tortured and killed as the Son of God for coming to save His own people, Jesus stands in the gap and tells God: I’m asking you not to hold it against them; they don’t know what they’re doing.

If you’re banking on your deeds to save you or condemn you, think again:
The fact is, you have not done more good than bad: quite the opposite. And if you’re hoping your good deeds are going to set you up for a good afterlife, guess again. Concerning Cause and Effect, we all deserve
Hell. That is the proper application of “What comes around goes around.” But there’s a higher law—Jesus’ law of love and forgiveness. The Bible says, “Love covers a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8). When He died for you, His sacrifice stretched over your sins and covered them completely, like a thick blanket.

Jesus completely absorbed your punishment. In doing so He wasn’t saying, “Oh, no more sowing and reaping; that rule is getting tossed out.” Instead, He said, “I’m going to take their punishment.
They’re going to get the positive consequences for my perfect actions (Heaven) and I’m going to take the dreadful consequences for their actions (crucifixion).” He took your Cause and Effect and gave you His instead.

Now, who do you need to forgive? Jesus said it plainly, “But if you do not forgive, your Father in heaven will not forgive your sins” (Mark 11:26). By holding on to a grudge, you’re disqualifying yourself from Jesus’ forgiveness. Instead of holding a grudge, let someone have the grace Jesus gave you. Say, “Father forgive them; they don’t know what they’re doing, just as I don’t. Thank you so much for forgiving me.”

Forgiveness is the greatest need in the world. Today, receive God’s gift of forgiveness to you and give it to someone else.

So, let’s pray together that:
  • We would truly understand how forgiven we are

  • We would truly forgive others from the heart

  • Global Media Outreach would help many others experience Jesus’ forgiveness

Rabu, 12 Oktober 2011

What's your Worst-case Scenario?

source by email

“Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.
Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done.
Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand.
His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus”
(Philippians 4:6,7).

Today I want you to think about the worst thing that could happen in your life. Is it sickness? Bankruptcy? Loneliness? Normally I like to talk about nice things, but I want to share with you how God has been helping me with my worry. You see, I worry a lot. And most of my worries never come true.

But say the worst of the worst happened, whatever that is for you. There are a few things you can know will never be affected, no matter what goes wrong:

  • God will still be glorified: “’As surely as I live,' says the LORD, ‘every knee will bend to Me, and every tongue will confess and give praise to God'" (Romans 14:11)

  • God will never leave you: “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5)

  • Jesus will never stop loving you: “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:39)

So I’d like you to do this exercise with me. Fill in the blank with your worst worry and say out loud: “If God wants to glorify Himself through _______________, then so be it. He will never leave me, abandon me, or take His love away from me. And I will arrive at the End of Days with Jesus in Heaven.”

Because that is the ultimate worst-case scenario: that you would arrive at the Day of Judgment and not be admitted into Heaven. But Jesus has promised you: “My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from Me” (John 10:27,28).

What are you worrying about today? Give it to God. This is how I do it: I imagine my worry as a ball that I throw to God for Him to deal with. I Peter 5:7 says, “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” Sometimes I have to throw my worry ball to Him just once; sometimes once an hour. But He always gives me His peace in exchange. And He will do the same for you.

So, let’s pray together that:

  • We would completely give all our worries over to God and receive His peace

  • We would rest in the knowledge that He will ultimately be glorified

  • We would completely give God all our worries

Every time you worry this week, throw your worry ball to God.
Thank Him that He will never leave you, and ask for His peace.

Selasa, 04 Oktober 2011

God Wants to Renew His Vows‏

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“’For the mountains may move and the hills disappear,
but even then my faithful love for you will remain.
My covenant of blessing will never be broken,’
says the LORD, who has mercy on you”
(Isaiah 54:10).

Have you ever seen a married couple renew their vows? It’s so beautiful. After years of hardships, things not going the way they thought, and weird traits they didn’t know about, they still say: I’d do it all over again. I’d marry you a million times over.

That’s what God says to you today. He knows all the sins you’ve committed—and all the ones you’re going to commit. He knows all the things you didn’t do just how He wanted and how you will resent and misunderstand Him at times. And He still says to you: I love you today like I did yesterday. And I’d die for you all over again. I don’t regret it one bit. “I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love; with unfailing love I have drawn you to Myself” (Jeremiah 31:3).

I was the person Jesus was talking to when He said, “You say, 'I am rich. I have everything I want. I don't need a thing!' And you don't realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. So I advise you to buy gold from me--gold that has been purified by fire. Then you will be rich. Also buy white garments from me so you will not be shamed by your nakedness, and ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see” (Revelation 3:17,18).

And now He wants to hear it from you. Think how much a person wants to hear “I love you too” when they confess their own love. Would you tell Him that you would do it all over again—even though things haven’t gone the way you planned, and maybe He hasn’t answered your every prayer just how you wanted? Maybe even God is different than you imagined Him…would you still commit your whole life to Him again today? In fact, will you do it today?

Renew your Vows with God today. Maybe circumstances have caused you to drift from God. It’s not to late to return. He says, “Return to Me, and I will return to you” (Malachi 3:7). No matter what has happened in your past, God has a wonderful plan for your future. Right after He said, “I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love; with unfailing love I have drawn you to Myself”, He said, “I will rebuild you, My virgin Israel. You will again be happy and dance merrily with your tambourines” (Jeremiah 31:4).

God wants to rebuild you and your relationship with Him. He renews His vows with you today and is waiting for you to do the same. He longs to hear from you, “God, I’d do it all over again. I love you today and I will never take back my commitment to you.”

So, let us pray that:

  • We would understand and feel God’s great love for us

  • We would get a fresh love and passion for God

  • We would hear what God wants us to do

Selasa, 27 September 2011

If your House was Robbed Today...‏

“For it is by grace you have been saved,
through faith; and this is the gift of God,
not by works, that no one should boast”
(Ephesians 2:8,9)

I want you to imagine that your house is being robbed, but you put your most valuable asset in a safe. What is that asset? It might be expensive jewelry, family photos, or the deed to your land. You can rest assured that even if you are robbed, your most valuable asset will stay safe.

Think about it spiritually now. What is your most valuable spiritual asset? For a while, I had everything backwards. I thought my prayer life, Bible reading, and church attendance gave me my value as a Christian. But I thought very little about Jesus’ sacrifice for me and how He gave me righteousness I could never get otherwise. It was as if I was appraising my home and put high value on all of the insignificant items like vases and pictures and minimal value on the important things like the walls and foundation.

I was the person Jesus was talking to when He said, “You say, 'I am rich. I have everything I want. I don't need a thing!' And you don't realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. So I advise you to buy gold from me--gold that has been purified by fire. Then you will be rich. Also buy white garments from me so you will not be shamed by your nakedness, and ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see” (Revelation 3:17,18).

Jesus’ righteousness is the most valuable item I have. And it’s the most valuable item you have. He paid for it with His life and gave it to you free of charge. And God has locked it in your spiritual safe; He will never take it away. Jesus said, “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me” (John 10:28). Your Bible knowledge, service at church, or your good deeds can fade away; but no one can take Jesus’ righteousness from you. And it is the only thing you need. It will carry you through this life and into Heaven.

Paul said, “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord” (I Corinthians 1:31). Do this with me right now: Close your eyes and imagine a bar of gold (representing Jesus’ righteousness) locked in your safe. Pray aloud, “Thank you Jesus that all I have is Your righteousness, and no one can take it from me.

Minggu, 18 September 2011

How Qualified are You?‏

source by email

“But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong” (1 Corinthians 1:27).

Have you ever been to a job interview where they ask you, “What qualifies you for this position?”
You might go on and on about what makes you the best employee they could ever have, desperately hoping for the position.

However, we often do the opposite with God. He comes to you and says, “I have a great plan for your life. I want you to reach many people with My love and display My glory.” And you say, “Not me, God. I can’t do that. I have too much sin, too many weaknesses. You have the wrong person. Pick him over there…he never makes the mistakes I do.”

You’re not alone. Moses did the same thing. God gave him the awesome privilege of delivering His people from slavery. But Moses pleaded with the Lord, "O Lord, I'm not very good with words. I never have been, and I'm not now, even though you have spoken to me. I get tongue-tied, and my words get tangled" (Exodus 4:10). But it wasn’t like God didn’t know about Moses’ inadequacies. He knew exactly who He was dealing with—and He chose him anyway.

And God has chosen you anyway. He knows your weakness, that sin that always trips you up, every sin you’ve committed so far, and every reason why you shouldn’t get the job. If it were really a matter of qualifications, you’re right: you’re not qualified! But God looks past all of those things and says, “I’ve called you anyways. I love you. I know your weaknesses and I’m going to help you overcome them. I’m not giving up on you. And I have great things for you to do.”

That’s God’s beauty. He chooses the foolish things to confuse the smart, and the humble things to bring down the proud. What is a foolish thing in your life? Your past? Lack of education? Fear of people? God can turn it into a strength. Think about it—what story shows the greatness of a coach more: a strong, talented kid who the coach helped to make a great player? Or a short, fumbling kid who the coach turned into a star? You may feel like the runt of the team, but God plans to turn you into a success story in His kingdom.

What has He called you to? You’re not disqualified for the job just because of your past failings or current weaknesses. God says to you today, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9). God made fearful Moses into a national deliverer. And He can make you into whatever He wants.

Selasa, 13 September 2011

Prepare to be Surprised‏

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“In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps” (Proverbs 16:9).

Do you have a great plan for your life?
So does God. However the two probably aren’t the same. God promises, “’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’” (Jeremiah 29:11). However, He also says, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways” (Isaiah 55:8). My mom says it this way: Come up with 20 ways God will do something—and He’ll do it number 21.

Perfect Example.
When the Israelites were escaping Egypt, the fastest way out was through Philistine country. Fastest is best, right? Not to God. The Bible tells us, “God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, ‘If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.’ So God led the people around by the desert road toward the Red Sea” (Exodus 13:17,18). Instead of taking them the fastest route, God led them to an impassible body of water. But He knew what He was doing.

And He knows what He is doing in your life. You may have a chosen destination that you feel God is leading you to: ministry, family, health, career. But maybe the route there isn’t quite what you had in mind. Do not fear: God has not abandoned you. Countless men and women in the Bible went on unexpected routes to get to their promise. David went through years in the wilderness before he became king. Sarah was barren for years before having the promised child. And Jesus Himself went through crucifixion before seeing the salvation of the nations.

What circumstances in your life don’t match up to your dreams?
Just because things don’t look exactly like you wanted doesn’t mean God is not at work. God often chooses a more challenging route to His great destination to build our character and show His glory. Think about it: If you were able to accomplish everything on your own, would you really depend on Him? But no matter what, His promise still stands: “’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’” (Jeremiah 29:11).

God is not finished with you yet. Keep trusting Him.

Senin, 05 September 2011

The Gift You Might Not Know About‏

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A lot of Christians are sitting on the greatest gift of all time and don’t know it. It is the gift of the Holy Spirit. Peter, one of Jesus’ followers, said to a huge group of unbelievers, "Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). Do you ever feel like being a Christian is hard or like you just can’t do it? That’s a sign that you are missing out on the full benefits of Holy Spirit.

I was just like that when I first became a Christian. I thought that I had to do all of these good things to please God; the problem is I couldn’t find the strength to do them! Then someone told me that the Holy Spirit gives you the power to do the things God wants you to do. After praying for God to fill me with His Spirit, my whole life changed. Suddenly I wanted to read the Bible; wanted to pray; and wanted to tell people about Jesus. I felt connected to God in a whole new way.

I was just like that when I first became a Christian. I thought that I had to do all of these good things to please God; the problem is I couldn’t find the strength to do them! Then someone told me that the Holy Spirit gives you the power to do the things God wants you to do. After praying for God to fill me with His Spirit, my whole life changed. Suddenly I wanted to read the Bible; wanted to pray; and wanted to tell people about Jesus. I felt connected to God in a whole new way.

Have you ever seen an old, dried up piece of leather? Once you put a few drops of oil on it, the leather becomes supple and beautiful again. That’s a picture of what the Holy Spirit does for you as a Christian. Read this verse slowly and insert your name in it: “To ­­­­________ who mourn in Israel, He will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, _________ will be like great oaks that the LORD has planted for his own glory” (Isaiah 61:3). This is what God wants to do for your life through filling you with His Spirit. He wants to take the dried up, old things of your past and replace them with beautiful, healthy things of His Spirit, like love, joy, and peace.

You just need to ask Him. Jesus said, “How much more will your Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those that ask Him!” (Luke 11:13). Jesus wouldn’t have said that if He didn’t mean it. Take a minute right now and ask God to fill you with His Spirit. Ask Him to make you the Christian He wants you to be. You will never regret being filled with His Spirit. It’s the greatest gift of all time.

Kamis, 01 September 2011

Powerful Bible Verses to Defeat Negative Thoughts

source : JesusDaily

Here are eight Bible quotes to inspire you and encourage you to fight depressive thoughts dragging you down today :
Peace
Philippians 4:7

“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”


Do Not Worry

Psalm 37:1-40

"Fret not yourself because of evildoers; be not envious of wrongdoers!

For they will soon fade like the grass and wither like the green herb.

Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.

Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. ... "


A Sword

Hebrews 4:12

"For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart."


No Condemnation

Romans 8:1

"There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."


Refocus

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances;
for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

Find Strength

Nehemiah 8:10

“Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord.
And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”


You Are a Conqueror

Psalm 34:1-22

“When he [David] changed his behavior before Abimelech, so that he drove him out, and he went away.

I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.

My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad.

Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together!

I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.

Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.”


Be Strong and Courageous

Joshua 1:9

“Have I not commanded you?

Be strong and courageous.

Do not be frightened,

and do not be dismayed,

for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”


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