START FROM OUR FAMILY

For a son dishonors his father, a daughter rises up against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law—a man's enemies are the members of his own household. (Mic. 7:6)

Reading the above verse it feels like it's hard to believe. A son versus his father, a daughter versus her mother, a daughter in law versus her mother in law... ended by a closing that someone's enemies are the members of his own household. Is it really happening? Is it true that the enemies are our own family? It might be difficult to believe, but it does happen, and ironically it happens among some Christian families.

"Christian family? Really???" Well, it might be arising another question, how come such thing like this happens in Christian family? Even though it is unbelievable, but we, Christians, especially we who experience a lot of fights in our family, should think of it: "Is it natural to have a family like this? When we learn about love and loving each other among God's body, why we even have fights among our own family members? Is it what God wants from us?"

We who have lived for years with our family, know exactly each member character, and sometimes, seeing their characters makes us hard to accept them. But as Christians, we are demanded to put love before any other feelings or perceptions or prejudices upon others. God knows that the closer the relationship, the bigger the challenge for every one in it to adjust himself to another. But He also promises that blessing is started from family. Once we know how to be a witness, how to love each other in our family, we will be able to love and bless more people outside our family. Pray and start a change in our family, now!

Dear God, thank you for every one You've given to me, thank you for my family, friends, and relatives. Grow Your love among us, God, a let us feel Your grace and mercy from our family first. Start a change, God, and Your name will be glorified in us and through us. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.

1 Pet. 4:8

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BE HIS WITNESS

Most of the time we are afraid of witnessing about Jesus. Even though we are Christians and we know exactly that witnessing about Christ is one of our main responsibilities, we are hesitant or afraid of doing so. We often think that witnessing about Jesus is a hard thing to do; we are not that fluent to speak in front other people, we feel that we haven't known enough about Jesus, we are afraid that we will be rejected or hated, we already think/make prejudice that witnessing to certain people will only useless. The truth is, we have too much consideration before witnessing.

Well, witnessing isn't all about producing perfect and convincing sentences, or making some miracles before men so that our message will be easier to receive. But, it also about telling God's goodness in our lives with our own way. Perhaps we can't talk, but we can still show it through deeds. Perhaps we can't practice it before people, but we speak a little about God's help in our lives. Perhaps we can't do both, but we can still show them our lives having been changed by God.

We also don't need to afraid about what will happen next. Whether it is questions, objections, or rejections, God will draw anyone who belongs to Him with His own way. Our business is to share, to witness. God's business is to draw and change those people heart to Him. Also, never think that our testimony will be useless, for we never know what will happen after witnessing. I think Jonah ever expected that people of Nineveh will turn their way to God. So, keep witnessing according to our calling as His children.

Dear God, thank you for Your goodness in my life. Forgive me if all this time I don't want to testify about You. Give me strength and Your Holy Spirit in order to do it, God, for I want to speak about what You've done to change my life. I believe that my testimony will bless people. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

Mat. 28:19-20

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TOGETHER MEANS STRONGER

I've read an article about togetherness. It said that being alone will not be considered a threat for someone else, especially for the enemy. When I think about it, I think the quote is very true. When we are alone, we will be easily destroyed, but if we are many, we will be difficult to defeat.

Bible also talks about friendlessness, that being alone will be weaken someone, and how poor that person is, for no one will able to help him. Sometimes some people live too independent, they do not have a good relationship with other people because they think it is not necessary. They are too independent and consider themselves able of doing everything alone. "Why should I ask for others' help if I can do it by myself?" Well, perhaps they can do things by themselves, but I believe that there are times when they do need someone else.

Bible says that someone with friend(s) will be able to rise because he has someone who'll help him when he falls. Bible says that someone who prays with partner(s), the prayer will be heard and granted. Bible also says that our couple will be our helper in life. So, why should we stand with a condition of being alone?

God creates us as individual and social creation. He does create us as thinking, meditating, dreaming, daydreaming person, but He also create us as loving, caring, helping, chatting, playing, working creature. For some reasons we can live by ourselves, but for some others we will not be able to survive without other people. Let's see they who are around us, our family, friends, best friends, they are people we can count on. When we fall, they can lift us. When we are sad, they will console us. God presents them around us so that we experience the beauty of togetherness. Don't live by yourself!

Dear God, thank you for my family and friends, and forgive me if I used to be selfish and arrogant, and think that I can do everything by myself. Help me to see why I am created and why people around me are created. For one more time, thank you for my family and friends. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves.

A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
Ecc. 4:12

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HONORING OTHERS' RIGHT

We live in a quite dense area. We can almost always hear what our next door neighbors say. The benefit of living in such area is the good relationship between neighbors. You know your 400 meters-neighbors' names. People will give you help if you need one. But, the weakness is people will know what you do, what you've been through. They'll talk about you in "groups" chat. They'll think negatively if you are a more individual person and don't know how to adjust yourselves to them.

Another weakness of living in such area is that some people sometimes do not understand about privacy. They'll turn on radio or television very loud. They'll make noise with their vehicles around your house. The fact is other people almost have no time to live in "peacefulness". They know that they have right to do so, but they don't know that other people also have right to live in peacefulness.

We often speak about right. We demand it so bad, especially if we think that another person has taken it from us. We speak about freedom for every human. But, sometimes we forget that we live with limitation, that our freedom is still inside of a "room with walls around", that our right is limited by others' right.

Let us learn from Paul. He had the right to take advantage from his ministry, but he didn't do it. Let us learn from Jesus. He had the right not to take the cross, but He preferred to obey His Father and died for us. Let us learn from God. He has right to create us as His robots, but no, He prefers to create us with free will, even if we don't use it to choose Him.

Let us be a Christian who knows how to put ourselves among so many people. One way to bless they who don't know about Christ is to live by honoring their right. We might not be comfortable with that because we have to put others' interest before us, but don't worry, He loves those who love their neighbors. And, remember that one way to honor right is by understanding that our right is limited by others' right.

Dear Father in heaven, give me Your wisdom to live in the world, among they know know You, especially among they who haven't known You. Teach me to put others' interest before mine and help me to see the wage You've prepared for they who obey. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Php. 2:4

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FOCUS ON THE RELATIONSHIP

We're used to be confused about the difference between a ministry and a job. Some people might say, "I think it is not that difficult to differ them. It's very simple, anyway. When you work you get a salary, but in a ministry, you'll not get it." Well, this answer is one of the common replies, some people do differ them in the matter of salary. But the fact is, some churches also "pay" those (full timer and part timer) who work for the church, even though they're not pastors. Besides that, according to Luke 10:7 a worker has a right to receive his wages. It means that salary or wage for church ministers isn't a wrong thing. But still, the question had been in my head for years. "What is the difference, then?"

One day, my mentor answered it for me. He told me that a worker (an employee) works for experience, but a minister ministers only to please God. What is the meaning of his sentence?

A worker will focus on his job, do the best for his company. A great achievement will be appreciated through bonus, and greater achievement will be appreciated through bigger bonus. His experiences are how to adjust himself with the company, and how to show great performances in the "company". Once he gets his experience, he will resign and make his own or join another "company".

But, a minister will no longer focus on experience. He can be a leader for other ministers, he can occupy important position in the ministry, he can perform his excellence before thousands of people, but his main purpose is only to please God. When he doesn't get all conditions I've been mentioned, he'll stay humble and keep ministering.

It doesn't matter whether we are the workers or ministers of a church. As long as we still focus to serve God, even if we have no fans at church, even if we do not minister millions of people, even if we don't have a gift of healing, even if we are unskilled ministers, we're still His workers and ministers. Our mind no longer focuses on experiences (leading, massive ministry, miraculous deeds), but on our relationship with God. Remember this! Focus on the relationship.

Dear, God, thank you for choosing me as your worker and minister. Show me things that will please Your heart. I live only for You. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

My sons, do not be negligent now, for the LORD has chosen you to stand before him and serve him, to minister before him and to burn incense.

2 Cor. 29:11

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BLESSING UPDATES

One day my cousin told me about how she used to update her status on Facebook. She used to write things such as "Oww... hungry!", "I wanna go home", or "Getting stuck in a traffic jam!", until one day her mother asked her not to write such statuses again. Why? Because she believes that such status isn't important to share to the public.

Her opinion might be too old fashioned for most people, especially the young, for updating status is now like another "need" for them; a need of expressing themselves, a need of attention, a need of appreciation, a need of "like", etc. Who doesn't like if their statuses are seen by thousands, liked by hundreds, and commented by tens of people? But I think my aunt's opinion isn't wrong. If we always write sad, complaining, even cursing status, what is the benefit of that?

No one wants to be judged negatively, that's why everyone should pay attention how she behave, speak, act. If we want to earn respect from others, try to respect ourselves by keeping our way pure. Mat. 15:18 also writes this: But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man 'unclean' (Mat. 15:18).

Words seem to be easy to manage, but facts show that words can be hurting, heart breaking, frustrating, even destroying. Let us think over every word we want to produce. Don't let words bring us down and make us punished by God.

Dear God, forgive me if I use to produce unpleasing words before You. Teach me to be Your light and salt through everything in me, including my words and my attitude. Help me to be wiser in life. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, ...

Col. 4:6a

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DON'T PLEASE THE FLESH

"Untuk siapa kulit cantikmu?" This question is used in a lotion advertisement in our country. It means, "Whom is your beautiful skin for?" Models in the advertisement give different answers for the question. Some of them say other people's name, while the last model says, "Me." If you receive the same question, what will your answer be?

Some people, especially women, do beauty treatments in order to look whiter, darker, smoother, prettier. Some of them use the common, while the other even use the extreme ones. Why do they do that? For whom do they do that?

There are a lot of reasons why people have painful and expensive beauty treatment; buy expensive and fashionable clothes; consult the doctor about food they can eat, supplement they can consume, sports they should do; but one of the main reasons is because they want to do it for someone, it could be someone else, or even they themselves. But, no matter what the reason is, we need to remember this, do not take care of our body in order to gratify its desire (Rom. 13:14 LAI Translation).

Having a good, clean looking is important, but the most important is to identify the will of flesh. If we take care of this body only to please our flesh, our sinful nature, repent now. Wake up into a real life and realize that this body isn't eternal, one day it will turn into dust and return to the ground it came from. Take care of our body because we want to bless others, for souls we want to win will run before us if we never take a bath.

Dear Father, forgive me if all this time all I want is to please my own desire, forgive me if I only take care of this body for worldly desires. Teach me to see Your purpose over my life God, including this body. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, 

and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.

Rom. 13:14

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HUMBLE AND OBEDIENT

Some people question about why the Highest, the most magnificent God, came to the world in a form of an ordinary child? He even had to be placed in a manger. When I asked my students about where they were born, even the poorest child among them said that he was born in a house, not in a sheep pen.

God wants us to learn a lot from Jesus. He is the Son of God, but He knows that God has a big plan for His creation. He knows that without coming to the world by Himself, human will be perished by their sin. He knows that it takes a living sacrifice for a true and eternal redemption. He knows that only He who can save us. That's why, without considering about His position and His being as God's Son, He chose to obey God and sacrificed Himself.

We, human, the little points in the universe, sometimes try to defend our rights and positions. We're never wiling to give them to other people because we think we deserve them more. But, if Jesus Himself never keeps His position because of His love for us, why should we keep ours? If Jesus Himself thinks that live according to God's will is more important than anything, why should we defend this temporary life for perishable matters?

Learn from Jesus! He is humble and obedient.

Dear Father, forgive me if I am not humble and obedient enough before You. Give me a heart like Jesus'. He is extraordinary humble and obedient before You. Thank you for giving us the perfect example, Jesus. Through His humbleness and obedience, I could live with You in eternity. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature[a] God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature[b] of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!

Php. 2:5-8

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THE INVISIBLE CAMERA

Do you have CCTV at home? Do you study in a school which has CCTV camera? Or, do you work in an office which is provided with CCTV camera? If yes, will you act foolishly or do something stupid in front of it? I believe that everyone who knows that they have been watched over all the time will keep the way they behave. If not, someone behind the CCTV will know their bad habits.

We sometimes hide secrets, bad secrets. We tell lies. We are dishonest. We act as if we were good kids, but we smoke and drink behind our parents, and keep cheating in class. We act as if we were good parents, good employees, good leaders, but we betray our family by having affair or doing nasty job in the office.

These several days we have been surprised by the way of one of our "important people" in the country. When we saw the man's face, we will easily conclude that he has a very nice person look. But, it is very surprising knowing that he had done great corruption, lied to his wife about tens girls and women around her. What a man!

When we realize that we live under the supervision of the divine invisible CCTV, we will live wisely and honestly. Nothing to hide before our God. Nothing can be hidden before our God. Even though the CCTV is invisible, live as if it were surrounding you.

Dear Father in heaven, remind me that You and the angels are watching me all the time, so that I know how to act in life, so that I will always choose the right, so that I may live according to Your will, work out Your salvation with fear and trembling. In the name of Jesus Christ, the High Watcher, Amen.

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,

Php. 2:12

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FOR THE LORD ONLY

What kind of present do we want on our happiest days? If it is possible... the most expensive, the biggest, the most useful ones. The point is, we want the best. Am I right?

So does God. He wants the best from us. He wants the best life to offer. He wants the best offering to present. He wants the best heart to give. He wants the best of us before Him.

If we now live, it's time for us to ask ourselves, "Have I lived according to God's will? Have I done the best for Him?" Col. 3:23 tells us to do everything with all our heart, as working for the Lord Himself. What's the meaning of that? It means that if we have lived the best, now try to live the life more for our Lord. If we have done the best, now try to do it more as if we were doing things only for God.

We might use to work best for our boss and ourselves. Now it is time for us to do it more for God, as if He were our boss. We might use to cook for our family, sweep our house, take care of our kids. Now it is time for us to do it better for God, as if He were the one who would eat our cooking, as if He were the one who owns the house, as if He were the one who we take care of. It is time for us to do more than just our usual "best".

Dear God, I don't know what kind of thing do You like from me to do, but I want to try to do everything much much better only for You. Show me how I'm gonna do it. Tell me how I'm gonna make it. And give me a heart to always become the best just for You. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men,

Col. 3:23

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BE WISE AMONG...

My father and my mother came from different small cities. But since the distance of both places are not far, they have almost similar culture, tradition, and dialect. But now we live in another city, where it is more "city" than those two places. I mean it is more crowded, more traffic, more people, more business places, and more national.

When I am home, the way I live is influenced by my surrounding, the city area. But when my parents take me to their birth places, it doesn't take too much time for me to live and behave adjusting to the area. The difference which could be obviously seen is my dialect. I do still speak our national language, but I realize that I've already spoken different dialect. I also notice that compared to the way I speak at the first time we arrive at my parents cities, I feel like I can enjoy our togetherness with my new friends there. I feel like I'm so welcome.

We come from different places but it doesn't close any chance that one day we will go to another place, which is very different with ours. In the new place, we have to adjust ourselves. We can't force our culture, our tradition, our habit to the new place which might have different culture, tradition, and habit with ours. If we want to be welcome, we have to put ourselves in their situation and respect the difference between us.

This attitude should be had by all Christians. We should be able to adjust ourselves to different kinds of surroundings in order to be a blessing. If we force our own nature to other people, we will mostly get refusal. But if we show God's nature through being a friendly visitor, we will earn respect and acceptance, and it will be easier for us to tell about God to others.

Be God's people who know how to place themselves in different situations. Be those who are friendly to the rich, but also very kind to the needy. Be those who are humble among the noble, but also simple among the ordinary. Be those who are smart among the intelligent, but also knowledge-giver among the illiterate. Be God's wise people.

Dear, Father, make me into someone who lives with Your wisdom, who knows how to live among different people. I want to be a blessing wherever I go, Father, just like You and other disciples who have blessed nations. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.

Col. 4:5

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A GOOD TEACHER

Do you believe that a teacher's life can be transferred to his student?

One day my friend told me that she has a problem with her attitude. She's just realized that she is a kind of person who is easy to make a prejudice over people. When people disappoint her, she'll try to make them pay for it, or at least make them feel guilty. Noticing her feeling, she told me that she wanted to be free from it, from always thinking negatively upon others. She also told me a shocking conclusion, that she never gets the way of thinking from her family or friends, but from her teacher who has taught her for almost her lifetime.

Hearing her story, it's difficult for me to believe it at first. Knowing that a teacher could influence the student that way is a little bit surprising me. But, when I rethink it over, I think it is possible. A teacher might never teach the students to be bad, but if the teacher lives in such life, she is able to transfer that kind of life to her students, without noticing it.

Being a teacher is not easy. It takes more than just knowledge to present to the students. It needs a good heart and spirit. The Bible even told us to rethink it again of becoming a teacher, for it will be judge more strictly. Let us see Jesus' disciples, they didn't only know about the law, but also took their teacher's path, they lived like Him (except Judas). He is definitely the perfect teacher which has ever existed. But, being a good teacher like Jesus is definitely not easy. We need Holy Spirit to lead us. If not, we will be categorized as false teachers.

If you are a teacher, ask God to fill you more with His character. You could be genius and your students love you. But if your life isn't filled with divine character and you still live in sinful life (anger, hatred, pornography, lies, adultery, jealousy, etc), don't be surprised if you find your students live like you. It is not fully their fault, but it is also yours. Keep your heart and life holy when you teach your students, because their life is depending on you.

Dear God, I want to be a good teacher like You. Forgive me who lives in unholy life, who lives in anger and hatred, who lives in lies, etc. Purify me, God, for I don't want my students become like me. Help me to be a teacher like You. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.

Jas. 3:1

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THE HELPER

Once my friends and I talked about something "great" we wanted to do in the future. Unfortunately, at the end of the conversation three of us realized a thing, we wouldn't be able to do it for each of us considered ourselves a good follower and helper, not a good leader or pioneer. Noticing this fact, I was truly a little bit upset. I know that I'm a good helper, if someone needs a hand, I'll try to do my best to help him, especially if he is someone who has my respect. But, at that moment, I did really want to be a leader, even if it is just for once in a life time.

Holy Spirit is the best helper we could ever have. He will help those who accept Him. He will faithfully guide them and tell them everything God wants them to do, as long as they want to listen to Him. As a helper, I do want to be like Him. A good and helpful helper. But I've just realized that He could help me to be, not only a helper for others, but also a leader. I might haven't realized what kind of leader I will be, but one thing I know that He could help me to be whatever I want in this life, as long as I still live according to God's plan.

Holy Spirit can be your helper too. He will willingly help us to be anything we want to be, again, as long as it is according to God's plan. He can certainly help us to be God's people, they who live for Him, they who please Him, they who have a blessing life or others, they who are His witness on earth. Yes, Holy Spirit can do these things in a single life, our lives. We can be truly a great person before God, only if we have Holy Spirit in us.

Happy Pentecost Day, for this day, the same day two thousands years ago, the disciples were filled with Holy Spirit and their life is totally changed.

Dear God in heaven, I thank You for giving the best in life, the Helper. Thank you for giving me Holy Spirit. I know my life will be totally changed into a life that will please You. In the name of Jesus Christ, thank you, again, for giving me the most precious Helper in the world. Amen.

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

Act. 1:8

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STRONGER CHRISTIAN

When we were little, our parents gave us milk, porridge, and any kind of soft food. When we grow up, we learn to eat solid food. Both soft and solid foods are given according to our readiness. No parents will force their 3 months old child to eat peanut, it even has no teeth yet.

The same thing happens with our spiritual life. They who are very young in theirs spiritual life will face test and task according to their spiritual maturity. They who are maturer will get "heavier" test and task, of course. God will not let us be tempted more then we can bear, for He knows the strength of everyone of us.

When things seem so difficult, believe that they are not that difficult. God trust you for the test. He knows more that you know that you are able to solve it. Just, remember His words. But on the other hand, don't boast that you can't be defeated by troubles, for the end of arrogance is failure and humiliation. God has purpose behind every problem, to make us stronger and maturer Christians.

Dear God, thank you for everything happening in my life. I know that You will never leave me alone for will always stand and strengthen me. Teach me to see Your good purpose, God. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
1 Cor. 10:13

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BE CAREFUL WITH YOUR WORD

When I was a child, my parents used to call me, "tuyul." Well, for those who haven't heard about it, it is a spirit that obtains wealth for its human master. It takes form of a small child, that's why they called me that way, because my body was small compared to other children. I knew that they never meant me to be like one of it, a thief, they just thought that it's a "nickname," "the little." But, honestly I hated to be called that way, because I knew that "tuyul" likes to steal things, and it is not "cute", it is little evil spirit, and I never want to be like it. Since that day, I always correct my parents each time they call that nickname again.

Perhaps, we do have certain nicknames for others. We think that it is a cute name, and it is fine as long as it's just a calling. But, remember the power of our tongue. Some people believe that repeated ideas spoken by tongue are prayers. So, we might never take serious about how do we call or say things to people, but be careful, those words can be considered as prayers, including the bad meaning ones. All of us, of course, want good prayers to be happened, and not the bad ones, right?

"The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit," Pro. 18:21. These verse clearly tell us to beware of our tongue. We are allowed to say things, but we are reminded about the consequences from them. They deal with life and death, see. "Oh please, it can't be that serious, right?" Well, it is that serious. My student always said, "I can't do it," each time she received a task. She had not tried it, but she would always say, "I can't do it." Do you know what did happen? She really couldn't do it while her friends could do it. I decided to tell her about the power of her tongue, that each time she said negative thing, it would really happen. I told her to say, "I can do it," "I'll try," for the next tasks, and she did it. What happen then? She can do the tasks, may be not the best ones, but at least she tries. And obviously her mark is improving.

What kind of word will come out of your tongue? I personally want to pray for good things, I want to say good things, for me and others.

Dear God, I'm sorry if I've used my tongue to say bad things. Help me to control it, God. Help me to say good things, over myself, my family (father, mother, children), my friends, my enemy. I want only good prayers coming out of my tongue. In the name of Jesus Christ, make me Your heavenly speaker, God. Amen

The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

Pro. 18:21.

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PURE HEART

Being a pure heart person is not an easy option. Those who have been contaminated by the world will find it difficult to be one of that person. You might want to ask this to me, "What are you talking about?"

When a fierce-look man approaches us, what will come into our minds? Most of us will be a little bit afraid, and think, "Oh no... why is he coming at me? What does he want from me." "What is he trying to do? Is he trying to steal thing from me? Or maybe he wants to kidnap me?" "Who is this man, anyway? He scares me. I think he is an ex-criminal. Just look at his look." These minds come just like that as we see the man. We haven't heard his real intention, we haven't known that he actually wants to ask about the time. We just do it, think negatively about the man.

We heard a lot of news about crimes, murders, kidnapping, robbery, corruption, deception, and all negative stuffs about the world. It forms our mind and builds us into a negative-thinking person. Forget about the fierce-look man, we can even think negatively about people around us, about people we know. We know that criminality can happen anywhere and can be done by anyone. We know that anyone can hurt us, including our friends. So we make a step, build a protection wall, by making a prejudice. Even we ourselves sometimes have bad intention in our heart over someone.

Elisha had a pure heart. If not, God would not grant him his wish. God knew that Elisha will use Elijah's anointing for good purpose. Elijah also knew that he'll be a good successor. All because his pure heart. Our God is God who knows. He could see what's in his heart. But Elijah might not able to see it. He perhaps knew Elisha's sincerity from God who spoke to him, or through his faithfulness in following Elijah, or Elisha's face (for the Bible tells us that what's inside appears outside). All we know is that Elisha did do great things in his life for God.

Let us learn from Elisha, be a pure-heart person, a person who is like Elisha. God will fill us with good things, and also lead us to good things, for it is promised to those who have pure heart.

Father in heaven, give me a pure heart. Teach me to love without a prejudice and wrong intention. I have to deal a lot with my heart, God. Help me to get a new one. I believe that You can renew my life. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

He who loves a pure heart and whose speech is gracious will have the king for his friend.

Pro. 22:11

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SEE IT WITH ...

 

It's very difficult for some people to believe that a prophet could pray for rain to fall or rain to stop. They might think that it was impossible. It's very difficult for scientists to believe that there are ghosts, except they can prove it with scientific explanation. Whether it is praying for rain or ghost, both of them are just two examples of unresolved mysteries in the world.

Faith is also a mystery of life. No one know exactly how to explain the way it works. Surprisingly, all of us can run it only with trust, belief. As long as someone believe that God is more than capable of doing a great thing, it will happen, it will be real. So, suppose we hope for health, God will give it freely to us when we believe. But, unfortunately, it is not that easy to activate a faith. Seeing thing we haven't seen sounds ridiculous. How would someone do that?

Certain things in God can not be integrated into our mind. It might be difficult for us to believe that Jesus could heal the sick with dirt or just by saying a word. It might also be difficult for us to believe that He could raise the dead or brought Himself alive after three days of death. But, that is Christianity about. We have to believe that God, the Great we can't see, is real and alive and capable of doing great things in the past, at present, and in the future. He teaches us live with our heart and spirit, not with our body or physical eyes. So now, let us just believe! Whatever comes in our way to reach our dreams, just believe!

Dear Father in heaven, thank you for coming into my life. Although I can't see You, I have tasted Your greatness, Your goodness. Help me to live not by might, not by power, but by the Spirit of God, by faith. Help to see You with my spiritual eyes. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

Heb. 11:1

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GOD'S PARENTS

Most of us who have sons or daughters must have great expectations for our children. We want them to be successful in life; have a good academic performance; have a great achievement outside of school; become a doctor, a pilot, an engineer, a great musician, etc. All these wishes are okay and acceptable for what we want is the best for them. But in order to make these dreams a reality, some parents "force" their children to give the best, to be the best. They put their children in expensive schools, they sign up their children to several private classes or courses, they demand their children to stay at home and spend their time only to study, study, and study. Some of them even teach their children like an army, yelling and beating their children when they can't answer questions.

I've met several children who have been treated that way. I saw that they did make great performance inside or outside school, but I also could see that they were under pressure. They could not enjoy life just like other children. They live according to the demand of their parents, to do the best, to be the best. They live only to please their parents. Seeing such condition, a question comes to my mind. "Is it the child who is embarrassed when they fail or can't be number one, or the parent?"

No parents want their children fail, but we do not live to force our children to be like what we want, we should be the protectors, advisors, and guides for them. We can have dreams for our children, but we have to appreciate them for their effort. We might plan great things for them according to our imagination for we think that they are the best plans for them. But, never forget that our dreams might not be God's dreams. What we have prepared for our children might be very different with their interests. God makes us parents in order to bring our children to His ways, to His dreams, to his wills.

Dear God, forgive me for having great demands for my children. I have imposed my will to them and forced them to be like what I want them to be. Give me a heart of a parent, a heart of a father, a heart of a mother. All I always want is the best for them, but sometimes I forgot what kind of "best" is the best for them. Help me to see Your plans in their lives, God, and help to be Your hands for them. Bless them, God, for I love them, and I know that You love them, too. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Fathers, do not exasperate your children; 

instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.
Eph. 6:4

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ON GOD'S SIDE

My friend is not a Sunday school teacher, but she often helps us to share about the Bible with the children in our project. One day when I joined her class, she told the kids the story about David and Goliath. She told them that it was awesome that David the young shepherd boy could defeat Goliath the giant, not with sword, spear, or javelin, but with a sling and a stone.

I might have heard the story tens time, but that moment is somehow rather difficult to forget. The point that size is not matter overwhelms me, build my faith that God is more than just able to do things, that He is God of all possible things. The moment also keeps reminding me that even though we are small, young, not good looking, not rich, as long as we stand on God's side, He can make us win over all situation.

Whose side are you leaning on?

Leaning on the Lord's side

Whose side are you leaning on?

Leaning on the Lord's side

I lean, I lean, I lean, I lean

Leaning on the Lord's side

I lean, I lean, I lean, I lean

Leaning on the Lord's side

Dear Father, I come before You as Your child. I want to make a commitment that I will lean on You for my whole life. I will always stand on Your side for I know that victory is Yours. Teach me to be like David who loved You with all his heart. I want to be loved just like the way You loved him. In the name of Jesus, Amen.

David said to the Philistine, "You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, 

whom you have defied.

1 Sam. 17:45

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OFFERING OF FAITH

Do we realize that our offering to God has something to do with faith? And it is not just a faith faith, we are talking about the right faith.

When Cain and Abel learned from their parents, Adam and Eve, about giving an offering to God, I believe that both of them did try to give the best from whatever they have; Cain with his agricultural products, and Abel from his cattle. Unfortunately, Cain didn't understand that God loves to receive living sacrifice which was only given by Abel. And unfortunately again, Cain didn't realize his lack or try to understand God's will. In contrary, he became jealous and angry to Abel, and finally killed him. Here we read that Abel's blood cried out to God because of his faith.

Don't you think our God is the God of appreciation? I believe so. I believe that no matter how small our offering to Him, He will appreciate it. I also believe that God was actually happy when he saw Cain came before him with the best offering he could give from his land. But, God also wants us to know the right one.

When the best meets the right, this is a faith before God.

Dear Father in heaven, thank you for giving me another chance to give to You. I want to learn about giving with faith, giving the best and the right offering. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead.

Heb 11:4

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