We are One

 

One of the natural phenomenons that make me amazed is the rainbow. After the heavy rain this noon, I saw the rainbow and it gave me an idea to write something. Rainbow is a blend of colors that occur due to dispersion of light when the sun penetrates rain droplets in the air, thus making the light breaks down into the colors of the spectrum. I am thinking what if it’s a blend of rainbow colors separated each other. I do believe that the beauty of the rainbow will be much reduced. The series of color looks so beautiful when it appeared simultaneously in a unity. My mind drifted away to the Christian living and the church. There are many church denominations in this world, each of which has different ordinances that may influenced by their culture, they may have different doctrines, teaching methods, or they may have different vision and mission. I analogize the denominations as the colors in the rainbow and thinking how beautiful if those Christians who have different denomination could be united.
I am reminded of the Jesus’ prayer in Gethsemane a few moments before he was arrested.

 

“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, (John 17:20)

Then let’s see the next. When I ponder the next verses, there is an important message through Jesus’ prayer. What did Jesus ask to God? He did not ask God to always ensure that the believers live without suffering, always happy, never got sick or hurt both physically and mentally. But He pray,

That all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one—I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. (John 17:21-23)

I imagine how beautiful if the diversity of church denominations with their difference could be united. United not only in the form of a specific organization or community, but rather the spiritual unity which is based on life in Christ, to know and experience the Father’s love and the fellowship of Christ. Accept, believe and obedience to the truth of the God’s word (John 17:6-8) parting with the Worldliness (John 17:14-16); sanctification in truth (John 17:17-19), desire to bring salvation to the lost (John 17:21-23).

Sadly, I still found some cases there are several denominations underestimate each other. They argued that their church is the truest church and blessed by God. They are also assuming that their worship ordinance is the most appropriate with God’s will and word. Even worse, there is a presumption that their church is the most blessed church because they have a very large number of congregations. They are forgetting that the Lord Jesus comes not only in thousands of congregations, but with the slightest amount gather in prayer, the Lord Jesus comes among them. As written in Matthew 18:20: “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”

 
In His prayer, Jesus wants us to be united, just as the Father is in Jesus and Jesus in the Father, so are we the believers are in this unity with very obvious purpose. He wants the world knows and believe that Father in Heaven sent Him to redeem the sinner through the death on the Cross, and also the world knows that God loves the world as God loves Him. The problem is how the world can believe in Christ and accept Him as the only Savior who redeemed the sinner if we are the believers instead become a stumbling block to the unbeliever with our behavior which still suspicious of each other, judging, look down on one and another and assume that we are the truest than the other. The God’s truth will be seen from how we live our life, and by our attitudes and reaction in life. If we set a good example, then people will be able to see the truth of the God’s Kingdom.

 
It would be wonderful if all the churches with their congregations based not on differences but on similarities, that all are one in Christ and is part of the body of Christ. Where there is no self-interest or seeking a vain compliment, that there is only one common goal to glorify God, radiate God’s love and brings joy to everyone. As Paul advising the Philippians,

 

Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. (Philippians 2:1-3)

Furthermore, there is no assumption that is the truest, the most important and the best. We are the one body, as Paul said in Corinthians, Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ.(1Corinthians 12:12) and resumed again in the following verses, The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable (1 Corinthians 12:21-22) each of us as a part of the body of Christ has a gift respectively, which if combined would be able to be a tremendous power to show the greatness, the glory and the love of God. We should be more intact in the sameness, do not instead enlarge the discrepancy.

 
Rainbow is a sign of God’s covenant with us. (Genesis 9:13) Rainbow is God’s promise that there will be no more floodwater. (Genesis 9:15). In other words, the rainbow is a sign that there is salvation offered by God to the mankind. How beautiful if we are all united like a beautiful rainbow which has different colors but come together to form beautiful strands in the sky and together we proclaim God’s salvation to those who have not been saved so that they will know and believe that there is a joy, peace, love and beautiful life in God. Let’s unite together, hand in hand appreciating each other, accept each difference, support each other, encourage each other, and help each other regardless of denominational backgrounds where we grow. So the world will see a beautiful rainbow of God who always spreading God’s love to everyone. Let us be one, as Christ is in of God, of God in Christ, where we are therein. Are we willing?
My dear friends, I will end this post with a poem that I have ever written to my beloved blog friend and sister in Christ, Sue Nash. Here it is:

WE ARE ONE
We are apart by thousand miles of distance; we are apart by tunnel of time. We are apart by seasons. We are apart by culture diversity.

But,
We break barriers that divide us along lines of caste, class, gender, race, nation, denomination and age.

We are Community of Christ and we are walking the path together as the one body, called as brother and sister in Christ

We yearn to be united and feel connected by an unbreakable bond, to find a true home.
We also know that we are not alone in Christ

We walk and work together with all those who proclaim the values of Christ.

We are longs to blessed and be blessing, spreading God’s love, joyful and peace to others

We are one in our belief in the worth of every person and the value of every soul in God’s sight

We are called to be a servant of the Lord through the gifts that God given to us

We are one in knowing that we must do, and not only think.

We are one in generosity. We have many ways of giving.

We avoid debates for fear that in winning the argument we will lose each other

We learn to appreciate each other, encourage each other, and strengthen each other through our adversity

We are one, called to tell others about the gospel.

We sing Him. We pray Him. Live, seek, and think Him.

We lift on high the name: Christ Jesus. We testify of Christ Jesus.

We have faith in him. He makes us one.

We are one in Christ

 

So in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. Romans 12:5

Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” – John 13:34-35

Thank you very much to Sister in Christ Nancy for the additional Bible verses.

Karina – Living by faith
Photo credit: hubertsanders.com

I Love you,Dad!

Talk about father, I really love my father. I have learned so many things from him. Learned about life, love, compassion, learned about how to be a good person, and many other things. There was one of the many sayings of him that I always remember and make me touched and moved. He said: “Many people said that I am a rich man. No! They are wrong! I never feel like that. But actually, I am truly feel as a rich man when my single daughter run into me, needs my hugs and in that time my hands are empty. I am rich because I have so precious treasure in my life. She is the greatest treasure that I have and there is nothing in this world can replace her. So do not ever feel annoyed if our children come to us even though they only need a warm embrace from us. Always spend time for them even though we’re busy. As Jesus our Lord said:

 

“Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” (Matthew 19:14)

In this Father’s day I dedicate this following poem to my beloved father:

 

Millions of words “I love you, daddy” still not enough to pay the true love that you gave to me. Millions of words “Thank you, daddy” still not enough to pay the comfort, your shoulder to cry on, for your ear which always listening my annoying grumbling, for the gentle, caring and loving smile when I am feeling bad. Millions of words “I’m sorry, daddy” still cannot pay how big your patience, compassion, understanding, and the second chance that you always provide to me. Even if you’re sad and crying, the word “I forgive you” is always there for every mistake that I have done to you. You always be there for me, with a gentle and loving you wipe every drop of my tears and said: “My dear, I am here for you”. You lovingly repaired my broken spirit, helped me to set a better future and let me freely fly to chase and catch what I dreamed. Your loving hands are always widely opened for each of the words “Dad, I really need you“There is no greater love than our Heavenly Father’s love and yours. I placed you in the deepest of my heart because you are so special and I will always remember you with love. You are the greatest gift from God and it such an honor for me to call you, Dad!

 
Daddy, you know how much I love you as you love me so much. To my daddy and all daddies over the world, Happy Father’s Day!

 

For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.(1Thessalonians 2:11-12)

 

A truly rich man is one whose children run into his arms
when his hands are empty
Unknown

Karina – Living by Faith
Photo credit: eisakouo.com

The Timid Light

We often do not feel worthy or doesn’t have a good ability to tell about God to the world, oftentimes we become a timid to show the God mightiness to other. This post tells and shows us that God can and will use everyone to shows His greatness. No matter how powerful we are to give influence to others, No matter how voluble we speak. God will never look it at all. God can choose and use us no matter whom and how we are. Thing to ponder: With all our weaknesses, are we ready to use by God to spreading God’s word to other?

KrizSummer

Did it ever come a time in your life that you wished you were influential; someone who could convince people to believe what you believe in?

Maybe you might imagine then yourself wearing a first class suit or someone who confidently walks in 5-inch heels. Or maybe you imagine yourself to be someone who can boss around, speak convincing words and talk different languages. Maybe it can be someone who excels in arts and music and even without saying a single word, you are able to influence people.

Whether you are an extrovert on an introvert, I know you have already been at a moment in your life where you wish you are that much powerful to convince people to make your beliefs theirs and do the things you do.

I used to believe that if I have the guts, an influential family background and some money to help me…

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Fear Not, For I AM with You

Once again, I begin this post with my childhood story. I really love swimming. Every day I always spent about 30 minutes to take swim before I go to the office. I was remembering when I was a kid for the first time my daddy taught me to swim. At that time I felt very scared when my daddy carrying me to the pool. “Daddy..! I am scared!” shouted me. But with his gentle smile he said patiently, “My dear little princess, please do not fear. I am with you and will hold you tight. I will not let you drowned. Just trust me, ok. Everything will be fine.” My daddy’s eye gaze and loving smile finally make me trust him. Though I am still afraid but I trust that my daddy will keep me safe.

 
My dear readers, this is about fear. In human life fear is not become a new thing. Fear always be there in every side of our life. Starting from the fear of darkness and other forms of phobias such as heights, enclosed spaces, fear as haunted by the past, even fear facing the future. In the one side, fear could give the positive impact to remind us to not be careless and cautious in making decisions or doing something. But in the other side, if the level of our fear too excessive, it can turn off our spirit and brings us to other losses. Not only makes us cannot grow and evolve, but it can also bring other problems such as health problems, unstable emotion and so on. Even worse, for us a Christians, fears also potentially make us no longer able to hear God’s voice or feel His presence. As we talk with someone, the more we move away from that person, the more difficult we hear his voice. It will be going like that if fear allowed undermining our feelings and minds. Satan will use our fear as a powerful weapon to destroy us. Fear will be widen the distance between us and God and ironically we begin to think that God leaves us alone and even more we dare to accuse God is not loves us.

 
Now, I would like to take you to look at the one bible story. We take a look when Jesus was in the boat with His disciples in the storm. The Bible wrote that after Jesus was in the boat He slept in the stern. Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake and makes the disciples panic and fear. (Matthew 8:24) Then the disciples went to woke Him and said, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” (Matthew 8:25) What was Jesus’ reaction at that time? When Jesus woke up, he did not say, “Sorry I fall asleep” or “Sorry, I am careless” but please pay attention what Jesus said, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” (Matthew 8:26) Then Jesus got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. What is the point of this story? The point is faith and trust! This event occurred after Jesus fed 5000 people. The disciples supposed do not need to be afraid because they already knew that Jesus be able to make a miracle. If Jesus can fed 5000 people by only 5 loaves and 2 fishes, He also can be able to overcome the storm. If only the disciples have a strong faith and fully trust to Jesus, they will not be shackled by fear.

 
The disciples’ attitude was also a picture of our attitudes in our lives. Our heart and mind more dominated and controlled by fear so our faith and trust to God getting waver. We forgot that we have God almighty who always be with us and can do anything to help us. At the time, the disciples should not have to be afraid because they are with Jesus the Lord that always preserves them. That’s why Jesus rebuked the disciples because they have so little faith and trust to Him. This is also a rebuke to all of us that we must have faith and trust which greater than our fear.

 
Let’s take a look to another story when the disciples saw Jesus walks on the water. They were frightened and thought Jesus was a ghost. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. don’t be afraid.” (Matthew 14:27) Then Peter said, “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” (Matthew 14:28) Jesus said, “Come” (Matthew 14:29). What happens next? Peter was successfully walked on the water. But, when the wind hit him, he was feared and begins to sink. What makes Peter failed to walk on water? Once again, beside he doubts, Peter was afraid! But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” (Matthew 14:30) And for the umpteenth time Jesus rebuked, “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:31) Jesus’ rebuke is also addressed to us today. Fear can make us fail to achieve success. Even when the level of our fear is greater than our faith it can obstruct our progress and even our dreams. We could not move on and trapped in the grip of fear.

 
From the two stories above, there is a causal relationship between being afraid and trust. When we talk about trust, we talk about faith. The lack of trust and fait will cause fear in our life. Because of fear, there is no more joy, victory, and peace. My dear lovely friends, what about us now? How big the fear haunts our life? How deep we trust in God? Fear will never disappear from our lives. But if we believe and surrender our lives wholly into the God’s hand that created everything perfectly, why we should be afraid? If God is powerful than anything else promised to continue to accompany, encourage, help and hold us to achieve victory, why should we falter and allow ourselves to continue gripped by fear? I ask you to remember one of God’s promises,

 

 

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10)

If we ponder this verse wholeheartedly then we will realize a wonderful promise as an answer of what we face today. If I completely trust to my father who really loves me will keep me safe and not let me drown when taught me to swim, much less to Heavenly Father who created me. I strongly believe that our Heavenly Father really loves us and will keep us safe too in facing any problem and difficulties in life without fear. There is no father who would harm his beloved child. So it is with our Heavenly Father. When God said to us, “Come” We should to be confident and brave to walk and our eyes keep focus only to God. We should totally trust that He will always be with us, and even if during we walk our lives buffeted by the severe storm, He will not let us fall. As was written in Psalm,

 

The LORD makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand. (Psalm 37:23-24)

My lovely friends, I don’t know what kind of fear you face now, but allow me to encourage you, immediately tried to get out and rid out from the shadows of fear. How? Continuously grow and strengthen our faith and trust in God. Keep walk with God and submit all of our worries to Him, wholly trust in His mightiness. Maintain our intimacy with Him through prayer and ponder God’s word day by day. Always embed “Fear not, for I am with you” in the deepest of our heart and mind, make it as our guidance. Always Living in God’s love and feel His perfect love in every step of our life, for there is no fear in love. Amen.

 

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. (1John 4:18)

Further reading:  http://dbethandrews.wordpress.com/2014/06/02/in-my-prison-of-fear/

 

Karina – Living by Faith
Photo credit: Backhuysen, Rudolf, commons. Wikimedia.org