Good Start, Bad End

A few days ago I was struck by news about a businessman who was arrested for committing a law offense. He was proven to commit various frauds and he also did tax evasion. I know him very well. He was a good Christian man, actually. He started his business three years ago. He had brilliant business ideas, had a good business strategy, had a good marketing plan, etc. Actually he could be a successful young entrepreneur but unfortunately he had a bad trait. He wants his business grows fast so he did any ways both legally and illegally just for the sake of his business. Too bad!  Just because of his impatience then he became disobeyed to God and finally God punishes him.  Besides arrested, another consequence was all of his personal and company’s assets were confiscated! It was unfortunate. Everything that had started well ended very badly. Good start, bad end!

This businessman reminded me to the one of Bible figure named Saul in the book of Samuel. Saul and the businessman have similar story. Let’s take a glance to Saul’s figure. Saul was a chosen people, handsome and taller than any people. (1Samuel 9:2) He also was known as a humble man (1 Samuel 9:20-21) and He filled with the Holy Spirit like a prophet. (1 Samuel 10: 10-13) Saul became a first King of Israel. See, Saul actually started his step very well. He had higher quality than others. I imagine, with the high quality he had at the time, actually he could achieve resounding success. He supposed could be a great king in his era and remembered all the time. But unfortunately, the reality was different. Saul was stringing his life story very ironic or even tragic. My dear readers, when I said to my husband that I want to write about Saul, He asked me, “in fact, what is Saul’s fault?” I know my husband was testing me with that question but to be honest it makes me ponder deeper. Well, let’s see what Saul’s fault really is. Let’s pay attention seriously to the Saul’s answer when Samuel asked him after offered a burnt offering, “What have you done?”  Saul replied,

 “When I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that you did not come within the days appointed, and that the Philistines gathered together at Michmash, then I said, ‘The Philistines will now come down on me at Gilgal, and I have not made supplication to the Lord.’ Therefore I felt compelled, and offered a burnt offering.” (1 Samuel 13:11-12)

 Dear readers, I invite you for a moment to go backwards to the days of Saul and imagine we’re close with Saul, also imagine the situation. People scattered from Saul (six hundred men left), Samuel didn’t come, and worse the Philistines will come. Well, what do you think? Wouldn’t it very sensible if Saul took action while the situation at the time was quite dangerous, right? So, where is Saul’s mistake? Did not Saul take precaution and rescue for the Israelites? Many people discuss that Saul’s mistake was about offered up the burnt offering. Saul was a king and offered up the burnt offering is a priest’s authority. Yes that is right! But…Saul’s impudence to ordered bring the burnt offering was just an effect and if we remain want to say it was a mistake, it wasn’t become a fatal mistake. There’s one big and fatal mistake that causes Saul fall. Let’s see… Actually, there was dealing between Saul and Samuel. Saul had to wait the time that set by Samuel. Seven days! (1 Samuel 13:8) But because after seventh day Samuel didn’t come while Saul’s men began to scatter, then Saul took an initiative to offered burnt offering. My dear friend, you know what, this’s all a matter of time. Saul cannot wait a little longer until Samuel comes. Actually the seventh day hasn’t finished yet and in fact, Samuel arrived a few moments after Saul finish offered the burnt offering. So actually, Saul’s impatience in waiting for Samuel became the root of Saul’s fall.

Impatience was the biggest Saul’s fault. His impatience produces disbelief and disobedience, and the result of his disbelief and disobedience, he took over Samuel position as a priest, and worst, there was a consequence. Saul lost his kingdom because he less of two or three hours patience.

Besides, this’s just my personal opinion (I’m sorry if I’m wrong). Saul had a personal interest. Saul tried to be sole ruler by concentrating political and religion power in his hand. He wants to be a hero, but he forgot that his act has been violate Samuel’s authority as a priest and it wasn’t pleasing God.

Now let’s see what Samuel reaction is. Saul might have a thought that he already acted right and wisely.  It turns out, Saul action wasn’t reaping a compliment from Samuel but he got the opposite. Let’s take a look what Samuel says in 1 Samuel 13:13.Samuel said, “You have done foolishly” Samuel’s reaction was clearly implies rebuke to Saul. My beloved readers, in this part we’ll see Saul’s faith quality. If we look carefully, from the beginning Saul used dangerous condition as an excuse to do something that turn out totally wrong, even Samuel said, ” You have not kept the commandment of the Lord your God” Saul didn’t realize that precisely the danger situation put his faith and obedience to a test. He didn’t realize that indeed God is testing his faith. At that time, Saul was controlled by condition not by faith. As a man who chosen by God and filled with the Holy Spirit, in the danger condition Saul should be by faith completely trust , obey and rely on God, not using the danger situation as a reason to did foolish thing. Samuel said that God will have established Saul’s kingdom over Israel forever. It means God will also control the dangerous situation at the time; God will do something for Saul and his kingdom. But unfortunately, Saul’s faith fails and loses by the condition. Saul didn’t do what has commanded by God, he already doubts God’s power, and he prefers to act according his own understanding.

Every action is always having consequence. Like that businessman, Saul also got consequence. Because of his disobedience, Saul’s kingdom will not continue and God has sought and appointed someone else to be a king. (1 Samuel 13: 14) Because of his impatience and disbelief to God Saul should accept a bitter and tragic reality. His shining early career wrecked in an instant and because of Saul’s another fault at the later time, Saul had to end his story life tragically killed himself with a sword and the Philistines cut off his head. (1 Samuel 31:4, 8)

My dear friends, this evening allow me to use the story of Saul and the businessman as an example and reminder for all of us.  Make it as our reminder to always keep and maintain our obedience and faith to God.  When for the first time we take a decision to repent and accept Jesus as our Savior, we’ve already begun the beginning of our lives very well. We begin with a very good start. We receive God’s promises of protection, care and salvation as a form of His grace. But we’ve to know that not only stop there; we still have one important duty. Our duty is keep our repentance and salvation to the finish line by remains obedient to God’s command. When we’re in difficult situation, in the depressed state, or surround by hard problems, we’ve to believe wholeheartedly that God has power beyond anything. If God seems silent and do nothing, let’s be patience. Actually God is always able to free us from our hard time but not according our time but in His perfect time. So, let’s be patient! I strongly believe if Saul could a bit be patient waiting for Samuel come his story will be totally different.

My dear readers, what about us now? Let’s take time for a moment for self-reflection. Have we been faithful and obedient to the God’s word no matter in the hard times or not? Could we be patient waiting for fulfillment of God’s promises? Are we still able to hold our faith strong even in the most critical conditions? This evening, allow me to encourage all of us to learn from Saul’s fault.  Don’t do the same thing like Saul did so make us loss of God’s blessing just because of impatience we do the foolish thing and it takes us into the sin. Don’t make God regret like He regret made Saul to be a king.  We’ve to always totally aware that difficult and danger situation in our lives often become a powerful weapon used by Satan to tempt us and make us down, or sometime God want to test us to know how strong our faith quality, how obedient we are to do God’s command, and how much we patient await for the fulfillment of God’s promises.

Therefore, my beloved friends, it’s very important to keep our heart and mind always close to God so there’s no gap at all for Satan enter to tempt us. Praying that God always give us strength of faith, remain faithful and obedient to His Command, and has infinite patience.  Don’t make our repentance and the salvation that God has given to us become in vain just because we tempted to do thing seemingly good and wise but actually a foolish thing, bring us into the sin, and finally we will get very bitter and tragic consequences like Saul and the businessman. Don’t make a good start but with the bad end. Let’s make a good start till the finish line like Paul said,” I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (2 Timothy 4:7) Amen

 

Karina – Living by faith

 

 

 

HOLDING THE ANGER (guest post)

Anger is one form of expression of human emotions. Everyone can feel angry, including a child who has not been able to express the feelings through words. Many things can trigger our anger, from big things to trivial issues. Angry with the particular situation, people around us, ourselves, even against God. People can also feel angry though not know angry to no one or anything. Even some people can hide anger in their hearts although from the outside they look fine. And in the some situations, one can get angry for no reason then vent their anger on others just because of a bad mood. As a Christian, is it wrong to have anger in our hearts? The answer depends on what causes the anger and how we handle it.

 

ANGER KILLS

Anger has dangerous potential if not resolved soon. People who are ruled by anger will tend to vent their emotions in the wrong way and excessive. The Bible had written many stories about the adverse effects of anger, such as Cain and Haman.

In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord. And Abel also brought an offering….. The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So CAIN WAS VERY ANGRY, and his face was downcast. Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, SIN IS CROUCHING AT YOUR DOOR…..; it desires to have you, but YOU MUST RULE OVER IT.” (Genesis 4:3-7)

At the time Cain became angry, God didn’t say that Cain had sinned at that moment, but God warned that “SIN IS CROUCHING AT THE DOOR” and Cain MUST RULE OVER IT. Unfortunately Cain didn’t obey God. He allowed the anger to manipulate and control himself. Then the first murder occurred in the history of mankind: Brother killed his brother! All started with an anger!

IN YOUR ANGER DO NOT SIN: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and DO NOT GIVE THE DEVIL A FOOTHOLD. (Ephesians 4:26-27)

Do not let the sun goes down while we are still angry. The anger that “momentarily arises in the heart” if not immediately resolved is the same with open up the opportunity for the devil to bring us into the sin: vilification, slander, hatred, resentment, bitterness, murder, and other evil acts. In his anger Cain killed one man, but Haman designed the massacre of one nation simply because he was angry with one man!

And all the king’s servants who were at the king’s gate bowed down and did reverence to Haman, for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai did not bow down or do him reverence……. And when Haman saw that Mordecai did not bow down or do him reverence, HE WAS VERY ANGRY. But he scorned laying hands only on Mordecai.……Haman sought to destroy all the Jews, the people of Mordecai, throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus. (Esther 3:2-6 AMP)

Furthermore, we knew that God thwart the evil design of Haman, even it turned destroy himself!!

Unresolved anger can be a snare to ourselves. Maybe we don’t physically kill others, but anger kills our own soul and spirituality, also destroys our relationship with God and our neighbor. Venting anger blindly will not solve the problem, it just makes the situation and communication worse.

There are many other examples in the Bible about the ravages and deaths caused by anger. Therefore the Lord said that we should stop anger immediately before the anger drags us into evil.

CEASE FROM ANGER, AND FORSAKE WRATH; Do not fret–it only causes harm. (Psalms 37:8 NKJV)

Then to what extent we are allowed to get angry? The answer is back to what is the motivation of our anger, and whether our anger leads to destruction or generates goodness and restoration.

 

THE RIGHT ANGER

The right anger is to be angry for the right reasons with the right sayings and actions, just as Jesus did: Now the Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. And He found in the temple those who sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers doing business. When He had made a whip of cords, He drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen, and poured out the changers’ money and overturned the tables. And He said to those who sold doves, “Take these things away! Do not make My Father’s house a house of merchandise!” (John 2:13-16 NKJV)

Jesus was angry for the right reason: NOT COMPROMISING WITH SIN. Jesus immediately acted decisively by removing what was wrong. But notice that Jesus didn’t burst His anger blindly or cursed them. Instead, He told them what their fault is, and taught them what is the right so that they don’t continue to live in their sins.

And as HE TAUGHT THEM, he said, “Is it not written: “‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.'” The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill him, for they feared him, because THE WHOLE CROWD WAS AMAZED AT HIS TEACHING. (Mark 11:17-18 NIV)

Right anger must be accompanied by a right guidance and action. The guidance and action must be delivered in love and in harmony with our authority. Wise communication is needed so as not to cause misunderstandings, although the risk is still possible. When Jesus was angry and declared what was their fault, some of them didn’t like it. But on the other hand, many people were amazed at His teaching. They must have experienced a paradigm shift in their lives, as long as they didn’t harden their hearts.

Anger based on true motivation that delivered in the right way with the right guidance and action in love, sooner or later will build people and become a blessing. On the contrary, we will be guilty before God if we don’t angry at the moment we should be angry, like Eli who did nothing and not rebuked his children even though he knew that they have sinned.

I’m bringing judgment on his family for good. He knew what was going on, that his sons were desecrating God’s name and God’s place, and HE DID NOTHING TO STOP THEM. (1 Samuel 3:13 MSG)

I’ve told him that I’m about to judge his family forever because of the iniquity that he knew about. His sons committed blasphemyg and HE DID NOT REBUKE THEM. (1 Samuel 3:13 ISV)

There is a moment we must be angry, that is when we see unrighteousness and various forms of sinful deeds. But again, the anger must be controlled and delivered with love.

 

SLOW TO BECOME ANGRY

Anger is a normal psychological reaction and doesn’t necessarily make us become sinners in the time we feel angry, but it doesn’t mean we free to be angry. Angry isn’t the same as irritability. Everyone has many reasons to get angry if always follow ego and feelings. It will form our personality and characters become irritable person if we don’t handle it.

My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and SLOW TO BECOME ANGRY, (James 1:19 NIV)

God not only asks us to slowly become angry, but also teaches us not to associate with one easily angry:

DO NOT MAKE FRIENDS WITH A HOT-TEMPERED MAN, DO NOT ASSOCIATE WITH ONE EASILY ANGERED, or you may learn his ways and get yourself ensnared. (Proverbs 22:24-25 NIV)

This shows how anger is so bad and harmful to our lives. Why? “for MAN’S ANGER does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.” (James 1:20 NIV)

Man’s anger is all anger that comes from human flesh: offended, feeling belittled, hurt, disappointed, dissatisfied, and everything from human ego. Man’s anger is always self-centered: what bothers me, what I don’t like, what I want, what I think is good, and everything that is centered on “me”. The benchmark is always “me”, regardless of the other person. Cain and Haman are examples. Cain was angry because envy of his brother and felt rejected by God. Haman was angry because he felt unappreciated. The Bible tells clearly how the bad consequences of man’s anger.

 

SILENT AND MEDITATE

As human beings who are still living in blood and flesh, we can’t escape completely from egocentricity because we all still proceed to perfection. Then how if our hearts hit by anger??

BE ANGRY, AND DO NOT SIN. MEDITATE WITHIN YOUR HEART on your bed, and be still. Selah (Psalms 4:4 NKJV)

Be angry  and sin not; COMMUNE WITH YOUR OWN HEARTS upon your beds and be silent (SORRY FOR THE THINGS YOU SAY IN YOUR HEARTS). Selah ! (Psalms 4:4 AMP)

If we angry, don’t hurry to vent! Silence for a moment and take time to meditate deeply: why are we angry, should we be angry, what is our motivation, right or wrong, and so on. When our anger subsides and our heart starts to calm down, we will be able to see the situation and problems more clearly so we can express our hearts wisely, take the right steps, and not fall into sin in our anger.

If we angry for the right reason, the Holy Spirit will anoint and guide us to do what we must do in love and according to His will. If we find ourselves angry for the wrong reasons, the best way is to straighten our hearts and learn to put our flesh under God’s will. What if the anger has brought us into sin? The forgiveness is always available to everyone who confesses sin: If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9 NKJV)

 

WALK AND LIVE IN THE SPIRIT

We can’t be a meek, patient, loving, and not grumpy person just by relying on our own strength. All it requires CHANGES FROM WITHIN. There is an ego that must be eroded, the flesh that must be subjugated to Christ’s will, the character to be processed, and the heart formed by God. We can indeed control anger with our own understanding and strength, but only God can do divine things with eternal fruits in our lives. The key is to live in communion with the Holy Spirit.

But I say, walk and live  in the  Spirit ; then you will certainly not gratify the cravings and desires of the flesh (of human nature without God). For the desires of the flesh are opposed to the  Spirit, and the  Spirit are opposed to the flesh (godless human nature); for these are antagonistic to each other , so that you are not free but are prevented from doing what you desire to do. (Galatians 5:16-17 AMP)

If we always walk and live in the Holy Spirit then our lives will bear the fruit of the Spirit: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23a NKJV)

If we have love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, then we will not be easily angry. Let’s depend on and obey the Holy Spirit so that we mature in spirituality and character and become wise person who can control our emotions, even able to assuage the anger of others.

A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control. (Proverbs 29:11 NIV)

Amen.

 

By: Sella Irene – Beautiful Words

Photo Credit: Google Images  (edited with pixlr app)

 

He Unfold the Rose

 

I am very happy in the midst of my busyness take care my baby boy and did the company tasks, this weekend I could back to gardening. With my husband I walked around the garden and enjoying each flower there. In the rose section, I found a beautiful red rosebud. I am so excited and amazed then I touched it softly and said to my husband, “I cannot wait to see this beautiful rose blooming. What happens if with my hand I open its petals so the rose will be unfolded?” “I don’t think so my dear princess. You cannot unfold the rosebud “My husband replied gently.”There is a time to the rose will unfold beautifully. If we force it the rose will be dead. My dear, Let God unfold this rosebud according His time. Not our time. When? We even do not know. So just be patient to wait, sweetheart”

My husband’s last words made me ponder something. Waiting and be patient. Two things that are often become serious problems in our life. These two things are closely related. When we must be waiting, it means we have to be patient. Whatever we wait, there must be an element of patience. For simple examples, when we were waiting for the queue to meet our doctor, we have to be patient. When we had to queue up buying cinema tickets, we also have to be patient. Or things that more important and serious in life such as a marriage couple waiting for their baby or we are waiting for the God’s help of our problems. It all needs patience. The problem is we often so hard to be patient in waiting. Moreover when we faced very big problems and hard time, it will be so difficult to waiting with full of patience.

At the one time, David once prayed like this, “Hasten, O God, to save me; come quickly, Lord, to help me.” (Psalm 70:1) Was not we often prayed like this too? We said, “God, please don’t let me waiting too long, help me quickly, I could not stand it anymore. Please let me free now!” I really realized that there is no one who wants to endure too long facing with the problems. However, we often feel that God’s answer and help is too long, even sometimes too late. Because impatience, we tend to trapped to the alternatives that promising help quickly though its options are contrary with God’s will. Actually, God’s plan is never bad for us. His plans are always beautiful. But one thing that we have to know is, Beautiful in His time. Not in our time. As it is written:

He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. (Ecclesiastes 3:11)

But once again, the limitations of our ability to know and understand what God designed for us, make us cannot understand why God’s time is often not in line with our time. We even pushed God to work according to our time. We did not realize and forget that our time is not the same as God’s time. Apostle Paul said about this,

But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.(2 Peter 3:8)

Let’s pay attention to an emphasis on the beginning of the verse above. “But do not forget this one thing” Why there should be this sentences? Because even though we are Christians we often failed to understand this thing. Impatience oftentimes becomes a stumble block to our faith. Tendency to impose God’s time in accordance with count of our time make us disappointed, grouchy, think that God does not care, does not remember or negligent. Then Peter reminds us again:

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)

Yes! Actually God never neglect. He never forgets to fulfill His promises. Yet we have to realize and really comprehend that God’s time is not the same as our time. I really know that it is not easy to be patient in the midst of hard pressure. But if God has been promise the best for us, we supposed to do not worry and fully trust that God will fulfill His promises. In the time of waiting we actually could experience the process of establishing ourselves in order to become a stronger person, more resilient, more mature and in the difficult time we can train ourselves to learn to rely on and fully trust to God.

My dear friends, what about us now? Whether we are waiting for something? Are we waiting for God’s healing our illness? Whether we are in a tussle of our unsolved problems and waiting for God’s help? Or we have been praying for many years to win the soul of our friend but there is no sign of the answer to our prayer? Whether we already have a great patience whatever we waiting for? Or otherwise, we are impatient waiting for God’s answer and help, and trying to look the alternative way that seemingly could help us quickly as I cannot wait to see my rose blooming and trying to unfold the rose with my own hand?  My beloved readers, this time allow me to encourage all of us to once again remember these:

God’s plan is always good and beautiful for us. As it said in Jeremiah 29:11:

For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

What will be happen in our lives is already in God’s plan list. We could make any plan but if it is not accordance to His plan, then our plan will would not work . And if so, it is not because our plan is not good but as we all know that,

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, “declares the Lord.

(Isaiah 55:8)

 God has another better plan for us and as I have mentioned before, God’s plan is always good and beautiful more than our plan.

Remain be patient. Sometimes the desires of our heart need time. They do not happen overnight. Please  do not treat God such as a vending machine when once we insert the coin, choose what we want, and then we can get what we want very soon. For how long we should be patient in waiting? 25 years like abraham was waiting for his child? More than 40 years like the Israelistes entering the promised land? More than 2 years like I was praying for my husband accept God as his personal savior?  Same with my husband answer, we even do not know for how long. The timing of God’s answer is a mystery. Only God knows when the time our prayer would be answered. We do not have the ability to unveil the secrets of the Divine like the secret of unfolding my rose flowers. God’s timetable is not our timetable but He promises that everything will be beautiful in His time.

Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised. (Hebrews 10:36)

Keep trust to God. We have to trust that God will answer all of our requests, and we will not be waiting n vain. We have to trust that God is almighty who can do things seemingly impossible for us but all things are possible before God.

“With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26)

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. (Proverb 3:5-6)

 We have to trust in God for His leading and guidance in every of our step. As the rose flower, when the time comes, He will unfold the rose. And it will be holds true with our life, when the time comes  He will fulfill His promises , will  answer every of  our prayers, and finally our long waiting and patience will be not in vain. Amen.

He Unfold the Rose

 

It is only a tiny rosebud,

A flower of God’s design;

But I cannot unfold the petals

With these clumsy hands of mine.

The secret of unfolding flowers

Is not known to such as I.

GOD opens this flower so sweetly,

When in my hands they fade and die.

If I cannot unfold a rosebud,

This flower of God’s design,

Then how can I think I have wisdom

To unfold this life of mine?

So I’ll trust in Him for His leading

each moment of every day.

I will look to him for His guidance

each step of the pilgrim way.

The pathway that lies before me,

Only my Heavenly Father knows.

I’ll trust Him to unfold the moments,

Just as He unfolds the rose.

 Poem author: Colleen Douglas

Karina – Living by faith

Photo by http://photopaulm.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

Waiting for His Answer

There is an old story of faithful mother who had been praying for 28 years for her son to come to faith in Christ. Year after year her son was rebellious. He abused drugs, was in and out of jail, and showed no sign of ever knowing Christ. The days and years dragged on with absolutely no indication that there was anything different in the man’s life. Then one day, 28 years after his mother first prayed for him, this man, and this man came to saving faith in Christ. Today this man, Terry Williams, uses his testimony to help other prison inmates find their way to a relationship with the only one who can save:  Jesus Christ! What if this mother had given up? What if she decided it was not important enough to keep praying each and every day? What a difference this mother made in hear steadfast prayer due to her undying love for her son. Today her son is making an external difference for other in prison. This was all due to prayer, even though she had to wait.

This story shows how persistent a mother praying for her son. Not just persistence in prayer but also illustrates patience in waiting the answer from God. This evening I would like to talk about waiting for God’s answer of our prayer. This is often becomes a problem when we pray and waiting for the answer from God.  When we talk about waiting for God’s answer it mean we talk about God’s timing. When we talk about God’s timing, we will be faced by something which is seemingly not clear and uncertain, will make us impatient, raised doubts in our heart, and finally we will draw conclusion that God not hear and answer our prayer.

Actually, God expect us to wait patiently on his perfect timing. Let we dive into the some scriptures in the Bible. Let we see what they said. First, we look in Hebrews 10:36, “For you has need of patience, after you have done the will of God, you might receive the promise” This verse clearly said that if we have to patient and doing God’s will we will receive His promise.  Next, let’s take a look to Psalm 37.  This chapter is a great Psalm to read when we are seeking the desires of our heart with realization that it may take some time.

“Rest before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not worry when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes” (Verse 7)

“I was young and now I am old. Yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread” (Verse 25)

“Wait for the Lord and keep his way. He will exalt you to inherit the land; when the wicked are cut off, you will see it” (Verse 34)

Sometimes the desires of our heart need time. They do not happen overnight.  We tend to treat God like a vending machine when once we insert the coin, choose what we desire, and then we can got what we want very soon.  God is most often at work when He appears to be the most silent. Let’s take a look for awhile to the book of Daniel. Even though Daniel had to wait for 24 days before his prayer was answered, God had actually answered his prayer that very day that he prayed. Don’t think that since God does not immediately reveal to us His answer, that He has not answered it and has not answered it right way. Daniel had his prayer answered the very same day of his request but it took time for God’s sovereign timing for it to reach him and it did at exactly the right time, “Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them.” (Daniel 10:12)

My dear readers, maybe this time we’re struggling with severe problems and had been praying for so long but there is no answer from God and we begin to falter. Based on many story in the Bible and based on a bit my experience, this evening I encourage all of us  to remember one thing that God actually hear any prayers we say even He already knows what we are going to pray before we pray. Every prayer with strong faith, humility, with a pure heart, according to His will and not oppose with God’s commandments will answered by God and whatever His answer, it is the best for us. Like the story of mother above, we just need persistence and patience. Remember our timetable is not God’s timetable. God will answer our prayer in His time.

How long? Three weeks like Daniel? More than two years as I pray for my fiancé to open his heart to receive God as his personal savior? 25 years like Abraham waited to have a child? Or 28 years like that mother?   We just don’t know. What we know is only continue to persevere and be patient, always rely on the God’s power and wisdom. Keep faith and do not waver. Truly understand God’s will and purpose. Always live in the Divine righteousness. Submit all control of our lives to God through the Holy Spirit and His Word.  The answer of a prayer is a mystery that only God knows when that prayer would be answered. We do not have the ability to unveil the secrets of the Divine. We just know that:” He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.” (Ecclesiastes 3:11) Amen.

Karina – Living by Faith

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Keep Endure Within Suffering

Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him; I will surely defend my ways to his face. Job 13:15

Beside Jesus, perhaps there is only Job is a man in history who has great suffering in his life. Job’s afflictions came from because of his obedience to God, yet he seemed to be utterly forsaken by God while afflicted by men and Satan.

He is completely lost his wealth, family, and his health as well. His flocks were stolen, his children were killed, and his wife turned against him, and worse, his body was ravaged by disease. If we were to look at him, after Satan was given free rein to afflict him, we would see boils from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head. So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord and afflicted Job with painful sores from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head. (Job 2:7) the pus of which he had to scrape off his body. He sat among ashes- probably to dry up the sweating of his boils. So he was caked with white dust from head to toe.

What actually happened? What is behind all of Job’s suffering? Why God gives him so heavy suffering? As we know Job is a blameless and upright person. In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job. This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil. (Job 1:1) This shows that Job was a man whose life is true and blameless before God.  Rightly the wicked and sinful people who deserve to got suffering like job.

Though it is very difficult to applied, as a believer we should learn to comprehend God’s will because God has a different perspective. God is never go wrong and failed. All of Job’s suffering is because Satan wants to his faith fall. But we can see although experience the great suffering, Job still endure, even he can said: “Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” In all this, Job did not sin in what he said. (Job 2:10b) lost a lot of things did not make his faith wavered and did not make him weak and desperate. He keep endure within his suffering.

As long we living in this world, we could not running away from problems and suffering. The important thing that we should always to remember is we have God’s promise which can give us strength and give us the Holy Spirit as our savior. That is why in the midst of suffering let us stay endure because there is always God’s purpose and plan behind our suffering.

we should to realize as Job realize as well that God knows his way and when God tested him, he will come forth as Gold. But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold. (Job 23:10)

My dear reader, what kind of suffering that we face today? Lost someone we love?  Lost our wealth, we are suffering because of the disease? Job’s life can be our example of great patience and faith. No matter what suffering we got, we can learn from Job’s life testimony. Our beloved God was faithful. He never leaves and forsakes us. “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6)

Job’s trust and faithfulness to God can inspire us to always obey, be patient, hoping in God when we are in the darkness situation. We may feel that God seems slaying our happiness, Remember it all is only so that we will find our greatest joy in God.  As has been done by Job, let us keep endure within our suffering. Ask for strength to God so that we have always had a strong faith. Fill our lives with the Holy Spirit so that we can continue to endure in any circumstances. Amen

Karina – Living by Faith

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Patience

Patience is about doing the right things while you are waiting.

When God says ” No ! “

 

I asked God to take away my pride.
And God said “No”.
He said it was not for him to take away,
but for me to give it up

I asked God to make my handicapped child whole.
And God said “No”.
He said her spirit was whole,
her body was only temporary.

I asked God to grant me patience.
And God said “No”.
He said patience is a by-product of tribulations.
It isn’t granted, it is earned.

I asked God to give me happiness.
And God said “No”.
He said he gives me blessings,
happiness is up to me.

I asked God to spare me pain.
And God said “No”.
He said suffering draws you apart from worldly
cares and brings you closer to me.

I asked God to make my spirit grow.
And God said “No”.
He said I must grow on my own.
But he will prune me to make me fruitful.
I asked for all things that I might enjoy life.

And God said “No”.
He said I will give you life,
that you may enjoy all things.

I ask God to help me LOVE others,
as much as he loves me.
And God said, “Ah, finally you have the idea”.

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