Longing

Hello all

Its finally time for the season





Christmas!!!

What are you longing for this Christmas?

Well, there will be so many that you can expect to get like

1. Presents



2. The Atmosphere

 

3. Holiday 

And will be a lot of things that you are longing

I'm sure how it feels of longing something.

And now, let say if you are in the middle of confusion  and want to find the right direction, will you wait for someone that can direct and lean on?

Thats what Israelites had been longing for!!

From the death of Joshua, God had risen many judges such as Gideon ben Jehoash, Eli, Deborah, and many others, where Israelites betrayed God when the judges died. And after the period of judges, God raised the king for them to lean on!!

King David

God expected the kings to lean more on Him instead of the living people. Otherwise, it can be seen from the case of King Jehoash of Judah.




He was fostered and anointed in 7-year-old by Jehoaida the Priest. Jehoash began his reign and did what is right in the eyes of the Lord when Jehoaida guided him (2 Chronicles 24:2)

Soon after the Jehoaida's death, Jehoash betrayed Lord who anointed him (2 Chronicles 24:17-18).
It was tragic that Jehoash has reigned for 40 years, same as David his predecessor who ended his reign with righteous and full of honors (1 Chronicles 29:28), while Jehoash being killed by his officials (2 Chr 24:25-26)

But, Lord understand that it is hard to lean on Him as He is invisible with physical eyes.

God has promised during the unfortunate period in King Ahaz's  reign, in Isaiah 7:14 where there would be a young woman bear a son, which will be named Immanuel, means God is with us. So the Immanuel will have the same nature like God and His presence will be among the human social life.

Who is the "Immanuel" that has been promised?

Hezekiah, the righteous king who celebrated first Passover since the monarchy period?
Nope, he has fallen into a boastful attitude for his richness (Isaiah 39:1-8)

Josiah, the last righteous king who celebrated biggest Passover in monarchy period?
Nope, he died because of his disobedience of Lord's command (2 Chr 35:22-24)

Then who?

Jesus is the answer!! He has the throne like David of Israel (Isaiah 9:6-7) and has been granted the Lord's authority (Isaiah 53:1-2, Psalms 110:1)

Why did the King of the king came into this world in a usual human form? (Isaiah 53:1-2)

Because, as His title, Immanuel, He wants to always be with us, means feel our joyful and sadness.
Jesus had a usual human lifestyle like attended wedding (John 2:1-11) and mourning (John 11:35).

Israelite were waiting for the messiah from very long time, which has been promised by Him since fallen of Adam and Eve (Gen 3:15). Throughout waiting period, some of them were faithfully waiting while others were desperate and committed to sinful manners, for example worshiping golden calves statue (Ex 32:1-7).

Sadly, after Jesus came, He was rejected and tried to be killed by some of Israelite, while others of them were becoming His faithful follower such as Paul and James.

Paul

And now, we are waiting His second coming, when Jesus will come as a Judge covered with His majesty.

What are we doing during this waiting period? Have we gathered and encouraged each other (Heb 10:24-25) ? Have we love our neighbors, forgiving each other, and working everything with all our heart?

Or even worse, are doing all those things in order to gain reputation instead to glorify His name?

Those are the questions that must be self-answered by me and us.

Jesus, yes it was Him that people are longing for to lean on. He always care of our burden (Matt 11:28-29) and have covered our sinful nature in the eyes of our Father (Rome 3:23-24).

Glory to Christ, the King of all king!!

May you have the meaningful Christmas




Christmas Songs

Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55) - Keith and Kristyn Getty

 

We Are The Reason - Avalon

 

 

Transformers

Hello all, its been very long time since my last post as I was busy for many things

I wanna give thanks to Him as I have been graduated and employed for around 2 months 😁



Well...lets get to the topic




I'm sure that you guys know whats the picture about. Yes, its Bumblebee from Transformers

Transformers is the story of robot which can transform from any electronics (eg. coffee grinder, locker, cars) to robot which is very completely different from appearance and abilities. For example, Bumblebee can transform to Chevrolet Camaro instantly!!

Wait...why am I talking about transformers?

Hmm...first I want to refer to 2 Chronicles 33:1-20

That part of Bible tells us about King Manasseh of Judah, son of Hezekiah the righteous king. However, contrary from his righteous father, he started his reign with did what was evil in the sight of the Lord (v2) by practicing idolatry worship. Even worse, he burned his children as the offering!!!  





Parallel to this reading 2 Kings 21:16 stated that Manasseh shed much of innocent blood in Jerusalem!!! And according to Jewish tradition, he executed Prophet Isaiah!!! From all kings either in Northern and Southern Kingdom of Israel, he was the first king who killed a prophet!! This way would be followed by his heir, Jehoiakim of Judah who executed Uriah the Prophet (Jeremiah 26:23).
Bear in mind that the prophet in Old Testament period has role of Lord's spokesman like Jesus in New Testament (Heb 1:1-2).

But LORD did not give up on rebuking Manasseh. So He let Manasseh to be captured by Assyrians armies and chained to be imprisoned in Babylonians. Well, I am not quite sure how long he was being imprisoned. This fate would be soon experienced by his heirs, Jehoahaz, Jeconiah, and Zedekiah of Judah.

Can you imagine a king,  living in the beautiful palace that has been built by Solomon with all his prosperous wealth and facilities that he could enjoy anytime he want, suddenly captured and imprisoned in a dark room with his hands being chained? That was Manasseh's condition!!
Frustration, despair and willing to commit suicide probably came to his mind.

Illustration of him being captured

However, in v.12 he chose the very wise option, which was humbling himself greatly before God that he knew that his father, Hezekiah, worshiped. Moreover, Manasseh also confessed that the Lord was God after being re-throned in Jerusalem by Him (v.13).






This is not the first case that a bad king sought for His mercy in distress and He helped. The first case was Jehoahaz of Israel when the kingdom was invaded by Syrian. However,the difference is Jehoahaz ben Jehu did not repent afterwards (2 Kings 13:4-6).

Back to Manasseh, after seated back on his throne, he remove and threw away all the idolatry worship instrument from Jerusalem. In addition, he restored the altar of the Lord and gave offerings on it, and he commanded Judah to serve the faithful Lord, the God who granted freedom for Israel from Egypt (v15-16).



Yes, God has transformed him to become the righteous king!!! And he died peacefully like his righteous predecessors. He was the only king that begun bloody and sinful reign, finished his reign with what is righteous in sight of the Lord, contrary with Jehoash and Amaziah of Judah.

Lovely Heavenly Father also applied this transformation in New Testament, to Saul of Tarsus that later changed to be Apostle of Paul. Prior to the transformation, Saul had been so vicious and so enthusiast to persecuted Christ followers (Acts 8:1-3, 22:4-5, 26:9-11). After being transformed, he became the radical apostle to encourage people for following Christ and wrote 14 books in New Testament, that contains many essentials doctrine and teachings in Christianity. He faithfully serve the Lord until he decapitated by Roman Empire (Christian Tradition).


Our Lord is the God that full of anger to the sin and eventually will make the sinners pay for price of their committed sins. Like someone whom you have welcomed to your private house and then he or she create the mess in your personal bedroom, how do you feel?
But He is also the lovely God, he has sent Jesus Christ so that our relationship with Him restored (Rome 6:23-24). Lord has specifically done that to Manasseh and Paul. And through the death and resurrection of Jesus, everyone who believe in that shall not perish.

Lets get back to us...

Manasseh removed all the idols statue and altars from Jerusalem and House of God. 
How about we, the redeemed and living House of God? Our idol may not statue or altars like the ancient times.

What are our idols?



1. Money

 

"For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs" - 1 Tim 6:10 (NIV)


2.  Tasks




"not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching" - Heb. 10:25

If you are asked to go to Church or finishing your to-do-list, what will you choose?

 3. Love




The picture above illustrates Solomon, the righteous king who turned into worshiping idolatry, followed the belief of his wive. Why? Because he loved his unGodly wive more than Lord that he had worshiped and built the temple for!!


How many of us have been slaved by love?
Love is the gift of God. If we don't use it wise, it will become the curse.

(Don't talk about BGR please...😥)

Well there will be a lot of "idols" if you want to list out!!!

We may not completely remove our idols. But, give thanks to Him as He let His Only Son, Jesus to sanctify us by His blood. So that we, sinners, are precious in Lord's eyes.

For me, I am also the one that has been transformed by Him. Well, it is hard to completely leave our "idolatry worship" as we live in this fallen world, where sin is the nature. But remember, as brothers and sisters in Christ, our identity is from Heaven, not world (John 17:16).

So let us ask the guidance of Holy Spirit to lead us walk away from "idolatry worship"

And let us reserve our truest praise and worship to God and God alone.

Amen

P.S. Hopefully I can create the new post about Christmas. Ho..ho..ho..ho

Who?

Hello my friends



Time flies so fast and finally we reach December again. Since my last post, I have so many thoughts and things to do until no time to write the new post

December always identical with two things, winter and Christmas day! Yes, Christmas is coming if you read this post before 25 Dec :P. What is Christmas? Of course people will think like:

1. Present



2. Santa Claus



3. Christmas Decorations



4. Jesus' birthday



And surely...still many thoughts from different perspectives. Besides of Churches and fellowships, celebrations are everywhere and here in Singapore, every shopping centre has their own Christmas decoration and event. Moreover, most of the company has their own Christmas celebration!



However, do you realize whom are we celebrating?
Many of people will answer, "Of course Jesus!" and is this end of my post?

Hahaha no...today I try to explain who is Jesus that we always celebrate on 25 December by some of these points

1. Title



"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder,and his name shall be called
 Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
- Isaiah 9:6 (ESV)

This verse is about Isaiah's prophecy about Jesus and explicitly tell His title. He always grant us the wisdom for life (eg. Mat 5-7), has the almighty God power (eg. performing miracles), equal sovereign level with God, our Father in heaven (John 10:30 and Acts 7:55-56), and give the peace which is more peaceful than this world gives! (Luke 1:79)

2. Appearance



"Who has believed what he has heard from us? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him." - Isaiah 53:1-2 (ESV)

He is born as an usual Israelite, follow the tradition as He was circumcised in the eight days prior to His birth (Luke 2:21), presented to the Lord (Luke 2:22-23), celebrated Passover (Luke 2:41-42) and being cared by His parents (Luke 2:48 & 51). Despite of His simplicity in appearance and family life, Lord has confirmed that He is the Son of God (John 1:32-34).

3. Political Power



" Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this." - Isaiah 9:7 (ESV)

Jesus' political power in this verse is illustrated with King David, king of great Israel which remained faithful to God until the end of his life. But, what differ Him from David?
Great Empire of Roman, has gone.
Ancient Greek Kingdom, has gone.
Mongol Empire, has gone.

But, Jesus' kingdom has remained until now and forever!! Its up to us whether you want to admit it or not. Why? Because, Lord has the zeal for human who are tended to commit sins!!!

Hope those 3 points can explain who Jesus is.

How is your Christmas celebration? Well for me, I am just thankful for having a celebration in campus fellowship. Why? Me with 5 friends together hosted His celebration with some deficiencies, but together we felt joy from Him together with the invitees :D

What I have learned from celebrating Christmas in these years,
- no Christmas dinner? Its okay
- no gifts exchange? Its okay
- no Christmas decoration? Its okay

Just be grateful for as He has given the Greatest Gift which surpass all of those 3 matters, yes its Jesus as the Gift (John 3:16) to deliver us from eternal death (Rm 3:23-24)!!!!

Christmas must be focused on Whom we celebrate for instead of what we celebrate for.

Merry Christmas 2015 and may His peace always be with you :D



Let me share some meaningful Christmas songs

We Are the Reason - Avalon

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMhajmOBr0c

Seorang Anak T'lah Lahir - Robert and Lea Sutanto
(in Bahasa: based on Isaiah 9:6)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZi4kIaNnOQ

And pls don't hesitate to leave some inputs or corrections in the comment section below :))

See you in my next post friends ^^

What faith can do?

Hi all...

My holiday has been 100% completed...means I have to prepare face the "real world"

Illustration of me studying...

Well, I still don't know what will happen this term as I have to adapt to new friends. Yeah, most of my inner circles are already graduated........
But, there's nothing to worry, as I have faith that He will always walk with me in every condition....errr wait, faith? What is faith all about?

A brief explanation of faith is

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for, being convinced of what we do not see." - Hebrews 11:1

Well, this explanation leads to many implications.....and some of them can be right..and also can be wrong....

Some of us...and also me...(used to) think that faith can

1. Make Everything Becomes Possible

I would prefer to give an example from Bible than an explanation regarding to this. David, who was in an affair with Bathsheba, keep praying and fasting for many days in order to beseech God for healing his newborn son, who was the result of his affair. His son was cursed by God as he took Bathsheba by killing Uriah, her previous husband. Seven days David was fasting and praying faithfully that God will waive His curse, but He did not. Subsequently, David did not hate God ,that had cursed his son to death, and keep his life faithfully with ups and downs until his death.

So, yeah we must have faith that everything is possible with God. However, the matter is, we must let His will be done, not ours. Why? We must have faith that His will is the best for us.

2. Save us from the Second Death

Well this is a bit theological explanation...but of course faith does not give us 100% assurance that we will go to the heaven!! Why?

"For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God; it is not from works, so that no one can boast." - Ephesians 2:8-9

Read, its by grace and through faith we are saved, not by faith. And also, the grace itself is the gift from God, which He give unconditionally according to His will.

3. Make us Sinless

Lets look at Abraham, father of the faithful people. Did he have sin? Yes.
He had an affair with Hagar, his wife's handmaid, as Sara's despair will of having a child.
Abram wanted to take a shortcut to have his heir although God has promised him the descendants as much as sand on the beach and stars on the sky through Sara.


4. Let us Do Anything



"Hey dude, you have faith right. Let us do buggy jumping with only a rope"
Thats one of the extreme example.
What I want to tell you is that sometimes people act carelessly (eating, driving, etc) and use their faith as a protection from the side effect.

Well, this is what the devil tested to Jesus in Matthew 4:5-6. He asked Him to throw Himself from the highest point of temple. Moreover, devil used God's word from Psalm 91;11-12 to assure Jesus in fulfilling His desire.

However Jesus answered in Matt 4:7, "Do not put the Lord your God to the test", as it has written in Deuteronomy 6:16. 
Nowadays, devil may use every word in the scripture to make us put God to the test. So, be watchful and must remember that everything we do must reflect the glory of God.


So now, how to keep us in the right track of faith? 

1. Engage in the growing fellowship which has His vision (Heb 10:24-25)
2. Use your knowledge, power, and heart in practicing faith ( Luke 10:27)
3. Confess that only Jesus Christ is our savior from sin (Rome 6:23-24)
4. Done some sin? Confess to Him! (1 John 1:9)
5. Engage in conversation with God every day even in an adverse situation (1 Thes 5:17)

And finally guys, keep your faith in the right way and be grateful for everything He give through our faith. 

See you in my next post :D

Friendship (Personal Experience)

Hi friends...its been a long time and finally, I get an idea what to write here

at Keraton Surakarta

Yeah I went on trip to Solo and Jogja from 16-25 June 2015 with my beloved friends. And for me, this trip paints a good color to my summer holiday. And obviously, this is really fun although tiring because of the good place and of course, friends :D :D

Beautiful places

One kind of LOL situation (white mark = baby powder + water)

And I still have more pictures which can describe how I feel the importance of friendship...

But first, let me give a question, what kind of image that you perceive about friendship?
Do you always perceive that situation on those photos? 

For me, I thought that friendship is always having fun together for example playing games, hanging out, and do everything together joyfully. And then, I realized that I was wrong.
Yeah I was wrong that I thought friendship will be strengthen only through sweet moments. 

Now, I've realized that it could be stronger by problems. In the Bible, friendship between David and Jonathan, who is the son of King Saul, is getting stronger through the problem where Saul want to kill David as he feels that his position as the king has been threatened by him. Well, you may read the full story in the Bible (1 Samuel).

Well, lemme share what I've (been) experienc(ed)/(ing):

1. Conflict




For me, conflicts are often come from:
- Disagreement
- Misunderstanding
- Intimidation

I often encounter the disagreement with my friend. And well, I does not take so long to deal with as then I realize that not good to enforce other to agree with my opinion. However, the second point is a bit hard to deal with. Why? Because prior to realize that "it was only a misunderstanding", I often hard to find source of the problem. Moreover, finding the source really cost me so much time and mind, which will slowly disturb my daily activities. So how? I need to relax and pray to Him for calming myself (Matt 11:28). And also, I don't hesitate to share what I feel to my entrusted friends, who are eager to give any advises or at least want to listen :D

Hmmm.....for the last point, I felt that during high school. I was the object of insinuation and sometimes physical cruelty which were done by some schoolmates. Frankly speaking, hard for me to make peace to some of them. Wish I could meet them so it would be easier for me to do so.




2. Bitter Moments


Have you ever made an organizational event together with your friend and actually on the D-day of the event, no one attends it? Yes, I have. I feel so disappointed and even cannot think properly for many days. Then? Again I pray to let it flow as His will, because I remember that everything I do is not for my satisfaction, but for the Glory of His name (Col 3:23). And I also grateful with my organization team which were cooperative and encouraging when facing that problem.

So many bitter moments like stress because exam preparation, loss of the beloved one, feel offended and many others that I can't explain...


What have I learned?

The most important thing, problems are impossible to be avoided. 
When trying to prevent one problem, there will be an expense of the other things which may arise another problem(s). Hence for me, maintaining friendship is not about evading every single problem but how to overcome them wisely.

Subsequently, I also learn how to be wise in the adverse situation. Yes, but how? Do not rush to resolve a problem as it may either worsen situation or arise another problem!! Instead of rushing, try to calm and think for any further action. And don't hesitate to discuss the problem with anyone whom you can trust like parents and bestfriend. 

Afterwards, encounter a problem wisely will lead to the mature mindset, which is ready to face bigger problem, more than friendship matter. 

Lemme share this verse:

"Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much" -
Luke 16:10 (NIV)

I believe that problems which I have encountered in friendship, are lessons from God to face the greater things which He will entrust them to me. Moreover, He is faithful and will never leave us alone to face all of the problems!

Well thats all what can I share about friendship. 

I am grateful because of these moments