God Is Love
God loves you! You are special to Him. He doesn't love you because you are a good person or do everything right. He loves you because He is love.
Love is not something God does; it is something He is. It is His nature.
He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into this world, that we might live through him.
Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
--- 1 John 4:8-10
My own reflection on this Thought:
* In times of trouble - yes, especially when hard times hit our chapters of life- we find it hard to believe that God loves us. We might even questioning if God ever exist and if He exists why He should give us such a burden that's really hard to handle. But, as His nature: God is love, we should've never wondered about that. He loves us because He is LOVE. It's our duty to receive His love and trust Him with all our heart. (-fon-)
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
TOTD, Feb 28
Followed by Goodness and Mercy
Regret of the past and dread of the future are both " thieves of joy."
Begin right now to say, " I've got a future, and there's hope for me. God is on my side. No matter how many disappointments I have had in the past, this is a new day. Goodness and mercy are following me today.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
--- Psalm 23:6
My own reflection on this Thought:
* For some people, it might be easy to get on with life after facing an incredibly saddened experience in life. But for some people, the memory keeps playing over and and over again in their mind. It makes unfinished story filled their mind and their hearts. For this type of condition, it's really hard to get on with life, receive mercy and goodness from God. But, as the disciples of God, we need to try our best to fight to forget all the past (especially the bad ones) and dread of the future and stay focus to where we are in this present condition. (-fon-)
Regret of the past and dread of the future are both " thieves of joy."
Begin right now to say, " I've got a future, and there's hope for me. God is on my side. No matter how many disappointments I have had in the past, this is a new day. Goodness and mercy are following me today.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
--- Psalm 23:6
My own reflection on this Thought:
* For some people, it might be easy to get on with life after facing an incredibly saddened experience in life. But for some people, the memory keeps playing over and and over again in their mind. It makes unfinished story filled their mind and their hearts. For this type of condition, it's really hard to get on with life, receive mercy and goodness from God. But, as the disciples of God, we need to try our best to fight to forget all the past (especially the bad ones) and dread of the future and stay focus to where we are in this present condition. (-fon-)
Monday, February 26, 2007
TOTD, Feb 27
Patience Inherits the Promises
Trusting God often requires not knowing how God is going to accomplish what needs to be done and not knowing when He will do it.
In order that you may not grow disinterested and become [spiritual] sluggards, but imitators, behaving as do those who through faith (by their learning of the entire personality on God in Christ in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness) and by practice of patient endurance and waiting are [now] inheriting the promise.
--- Hebrews 6:12
My own reflection on this Thought:
* In my own case, trusting God in finding my true love really was a process of not knowing how and when He will do it... But all I can do was just moving on with my life and just keeping myself open to new friendships along the way. And finally, when that special person that He's prepared for me came along, I just didn't expect that's the way He'll brought my husband to my life. God is amazing and full of surprises. Even at times when you feel that something seems impossible, if He wants to, He'll end it beautifully in His time. (-fon-)
Trusting God often requires not knowing how God is going to accomplish what needs to be done and not knowing when He will do it.
In order that you may not grow disinterested and become [spiritual] sluggards, but imitators, behaving as do those who through faith (by their learning of the entire personality on God in Christ in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness) and by practice of patient endurance and waiting are [now] inheriting the promise.
--- Hebrews 6:12
My own reflection on this Thought:
* In my own case, trusting God in finding my true love really was a process of not knowing how and when He will do it... But all I can do was just moving on with my life and just keeping myself open to new friendships along the way. And finally, when that special person that He's prepared for me came along, I just didn't expect that's the way He'll brought my husband to my life. God is amazing and full of surprises. Even at times when you feel that something seems impossible, if He wants to, He'll end it beautifully in His time. (-fon-)
Sunday, February 25, 2007
TOTD, Feb 26
Fountains of Praise
If we will continue to ask God, if we will keep receiving His grace and power, we will be so amazed that we will always have a tale to tell about the marvelous things He is doing for us --- things that we don't deserve. Our mouths will become fountain of overflowing praise in recognition of the good things that the Lord is doing in our lives day by day.
Blessed be the Lord, Who bears our burdens and carries us day by day, even the God Who is our salvation!
--- Psalm 68:19
My own reflection on this Thought:
* Fountains of praise could only happen if we keep our faith to the Lord our God. Because by seeing everything through the eyes of FAITH, we'll find a wonderful and awesome things even in the most ordinary event in our life. On the other hand, without seeing by faith, we'll find even the most extraordinary thing in our life is just nothing special and easily forgotten...
So, keep the faith! (-fon-)
If we will continue to ask God, if we will keep receiving His grace and power, we will be so amazed that we will always have a tale to tell about the marvelous things He is doing for us --- things that we don't deserve. Our mouths will become fountain of overflowing praise in recognition of the good things that the Lord is doing in our lives day by day.
Blessed be the Lord, Who bears our burdens and carries us day by day, even the God Who is our salvation!
--- Psalm 68:19
My own reflection on this Thought:
* Fountains of praise could only happen if we keep our faith to the Lord our God. Because by seeing everything through the eyes of FAITH, we'll find a wonderful and awesome things even in the most ordinary event in our life. On the other hand, without seeing by faith, we'll find even the most extraordinary thing in our life is just nothing special and easily forgotten...
So, keep the faith! (-fon-)
Thursday, February 22, 2007
TOTD, Feb 23-25
The Word Is Light and Life
The Word of God is light; it overpowers darkness. The Word of God is life; it overcomes death.
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
... renew and quicken me (give me life), O Lord, according to Your word!
--- Psalm 119: 105, 107
My own reflection on this Thought:
* I remembered there's a song based on this Psalm. Thy Word is the lamp unto my feet and the light unto my path. Sometimes we might feel that our life is in the darkness, it seems that no solution at all within the situation. We must pray and also read the Word of God, so that we remember that God will guide us. He will see us through the darkness as long as we're drawing close to Him... (-fon-)
Authority in the Name
When we pray the will of God, which is the Word, in Jesus' Name, we actually take His place here on the earth. At the same time, He takes our place in the presence of the Father.
When we pray in Jesus' Name, we are not presenting all that we are to the Father, but all that Jesus is. Matthew 28:18 says that Jesus has all authority in heaven and on the earth. When we receive Jesus as our Savior, we have authority in His Name --- authority over demons, sickness, disease, lack, and every form of misery.
And in the day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you. Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it to you.
--- John 16:23
My own reflection on this Thought:
* The Name of Jesus is our shield and our strength. Whenever we find it hard to pray, actually we can keep saying His Name in our heart. While we're concentrating on Him, we'll find that our mind and spirit connected to Him. That's when we'll find peaceful heart and the strength to carry on with this life. (-fon-)
One Day at a Time
Don't waste today's grace to enjoy today by worrying about tomorrow. It is absolutely amazing what we can accomplish in Christ if we live one day at a time.
Therefore do not be anxious for tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
--- Matthew 6:34
My own reflection on this Thought:
* To live one day at a time? Maybe some of us will think that it's true, but almost impossible to do. How can we stay calm and not worry about our family, our job, our future, our financial condition, our debts, and everything about tomorrow onwards? The answer is we can handle it as long as we trust Him fully. Whole-heartedly. Most of the worries doesn't occur anyway. Based on the book that I've read, the worries that we've been thinking all these time, might happen only less than 10%. So, why should we waste our time by kept thinking about it? God is able, that's what we should remember... (-fon-)
The Word of God is light; it overpowers darkness. The Word of God is life; it overcomes death.
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
... renew and quicken me (give me life), O Lord, according to Your word!
--- Psalm 119: 105, 107
My own reflection on this Thought:
* I remembered there's a song based on this Psalm. Thy Word is the lamp unto my feet and the light unto my path. Sometimes we might feel that our life is in the darkness, it seems that no solution at all within the situation. We must pray and also read the Word of God, so that we remember that God will guide us. He will see us through the darkness as long as we're drawing close to Him... (-fon-)
Authority in the Name
When we pray the will of God, which is the Word, in Jesus' Name, we actually take His place here on the earth. At the same time, He takes our place in the presence of the Father.
When we pray in Jesus' Name, we are not presenting all that we are to the Father, but all that Jesus is. Matthew 28:18 says that Jesus has all authority in heaven and on the earth. When we receive Jesus as our Savior, we have authority in His Name --- authority over demons, sickness, disease, lack, and every form of misery.
And in the day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you. Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it to you.
--- John 16:23
My own reflection on this Thought:
* The Name of Jesus is our shield and our strength. Whenever we find it hard to pray, actually we can keep saying His Name in our heart. While we're concentrating on Him, we'll find that our mind and spirit connected to Him. That's when we'll find peaceful heart and the strength to carry on with this life. (-fon-)
One Day at a Time
Don't waste today's grace to enjoy today by worrying about tomorrow. It is absolutely amazing what we can accomplish in Christ if we live one day at a time.
Therefore do not be anxious for tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
--- Matthew 6:34
My own reflection on this Thought:
* To live one day at a time? Maybe some of us will think that it's true, but almost impossible to do. How can we stay calm and not worry about our family, our job, our future, our financial condition, our debts, and everything about tomorrow onwards? The answer is we can handle it as long as we trust Him fully. Whole-heartedly. Most of the worries doesn't occur anyway. Based on the book that I've read, the worries that we've been thinking all these time, might happen only less than 10%. So, why should we waste our time by kept thinking about it? God is able, that's what we should remember... (-fon-)
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
TOTD, Feb 22
The Mind Affects the Mouth
If you want to get over a problem, stop talking about it. Your mind affects your mouth, and your mouth affects your mind. It is difficult to stop speaking a situation until you stop thinking about it.
... For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart.
--- Matthew 12:34
My own reflection on this Thought:
* Mind and mouth affect each other, that's what the TOTD is all about today. It's true that if we're facing a problem, we sometimes need to share it with our friends or members of our family. But today's word of God reminds us: not to talk about it too much or even in the most extreme way: stop talking about it. Or in my opinion, you can share whatever your problem is, even the biggest or the worst one with God and then believe that He'll take over the situation. Nothing is too big for Him...
What we need to do is just share it with Him and trust Him. Of course this needs process and practice. As long as we determined to change, He will help us. (-fon-)
If you want to get over a problem, stop talking about it. Your mind affects your mouth, and your mouth affects your mind. It is difficult to stop speaking a situation until you stop thinking about it.
... For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart.
--- Matthew 12:34
My own reflection on this Thought:
* Mind and mouth affect each other, that's what the TOTD is all about today. It's true that if we're facing a problem, we sometimes need to share it with our friends or members of our family. But today's word of God reminds us: not to talk about it too much or even in the most extreme way: stop talking about it. Or in my opinion, you can share whatever your problem is, even the biggest or the worst one with God and then believe that He'll take over the situation. Nothing is too big for Him...
What we need to do is just share it with Him and trust Him. Of course this needs process and practice. As long as we determined to change, He will help us. (-fon-)
TOTD, Feb 21
Joy in Believing
Believing is much simpler than doubting. Doubt brings in confusion and often depression. It causes us to speak doubtful and negative things out of our mouths.
Believing, on the other hand, releases joy and leaves us free to enjoy life while God is taking care of our circumstances and situations.
Jesus replied, This is the work (service) that God asks of you: that you believe in the One Whom He has sent [that you cleave to, trust, rely on, and have faith in His Messenger].
--- John 6:29
My own reflection on this Thought:
* Believing is an act of trusting Him as the PILOT of our airplane of life. While doubting is an act of trusting the Pilot half-heartedly while wanting to be our own pilot on that plane. Many times we fail to believe HIM whole-heartedly. But today, we gotta try our best with His guidance to trust Him and believe in Him, our pilot of life... (-fon-)
Believing is much simpler than doubting. Doubt brings in confusion and often depression. It causes us to speak doubtful and negative things out of our mouths.
Believing, on the other hand, releases joy and leaves us free to enjoy life while God is taking care of our circumstances and situations.
Jesus replied, This is the work (service) that God asks of you: that you believe in the One Whom He has sent [that you cleave to, trust, rely on, and have faith in His Messenger].
--- John 6:29
My own reflection on this Thought:
* Believing is an act of trusting Him as the PILOT of our airplane of life. While doubting is an act of trusting the Pilot half-heartedly while wanting to be our own pilot on that plane. Many times we fail to believe HIM whole-heartedly. But today, we gotta try our best with His guidance to trust Him and believe in Him, our pilot of life... (-fon-)
Monday, February 19, 2007
TOTD, Feb 20
God Loves You
When you get up in the morning, spend some time thinking about how much God loves you, how you are surrounded and soaked in His love. Then begin to say, " Oh Father, I thank You that You love me so much, I thank You that everywhere I go today I'm a blessing because of Your love for me."
Knowing that God loves you gives you confidence in Him and trust in His faithfulness.
But God shows and clearly proves His [own] love for us by the fact that while we were still sinners, Christ [the Messiah, the Anointed One] died for us.
--- Romans 5:8
My own reflection on this Thought:
* It's His love that enables us to do lots of things. Including to do the most difficult thing, to love the people you hate, to love the people who has been gossiping about you, to love the people who has already hurt you deeply.
Try to cling on to His Love and find a new strength to love things or people that you hate... (-fon-)
When you get up in the morning, spend some time thinking about how much God loves you, how you are surrounded and soaked in His love. Then begin to say, " Oh Father, I thank You that You love me so much, I thank You that everywhere I go today I'm a blessing because of Your love for me."
Knowing that God loves you gives you confidence in Him and trust in His faithfulness.
But God shows and clearly proves His [own] love for us by the fact that while we were still sinners, Christ [the Messiah, the Anointed One] died for us.
--- Romans 5:8
My own reflection on this Thought:
* It's His love that enables us to do lots of things. Including to do the most difficult thing, to love the people you hate, to love the people who has been gossiping about you, to love the people who has already hurt you deeply.
Try to cling on to His Love and find a new strength to love things or people that you hate... (-fon-)
TOTD, Feb 19
Timing and Trust Are Twins
Timing plays an important part in learning to trust God. If He did everything we asked for immediately, we would never grow and develop. Timing and trust are twins. They work side by side.
But I trust in you, O LORD;
I say, " You are my God."
My times are in your hands...
--- Psalm 31:14,15
My own reflection on this Thought:
* We know that timing plays an important role in our life. Not to mention, we also realize that God has His own timing in everything we do. But how many times we fail to trust Him even though we know that He got everything planned according to His Will? Today, we're reminded once more that even we know He got His own timing, all we need is to trust Him as well... (-fon-)
Timing plays an important part in learning to trust God. If He did everything we asked for immediately, we would never grow and develop. Timing and trust are twins. They work side by side.
But I trust in you, O LORD;
I say, " You are my God."
My times are in your hands...
--- Psalm 31:14,15
My own reflection on this Thought:
* We know that timing plays an important role in our life. Not to mention, we also realize that God has His own timing in everything we do. But how many times we fail to trust Him even though we know that He got everything planned according to His Will? Today, we're reminded once more that even we know He got His own timing, all we need is to trust Him as well... (-fon-)
Thursday, February 15, 2007
TOTD, Feb 16-18
No Confusion
When God makes a thing plain, you have no confusion or doubt, but if you try to reason and figure it out, you may go in circles and never really know the truth.
There is a difference in meditating on something long enough to see if you get understanding and trying so hard to figure it out that you get genuinely confused.
When you feel confused, let that be a warning signal to you that you are handling something the wrong way.
Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding.
In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths.
--- Proverbs 3:5,6
My own reflection on this Thought:
* To trust God means that we should let go all our own thinking when we're facing some problems. In our perspective of thought, things might turn bad or disappointed, but if God wants to He can do things according to His Will and it might be the other way around or contrarian with our thinking...
Anyway, this is not an easy task, but we could keep trying to fight for it, especially when the thoughts in our mind brought us to more miseries and worries... (-fon-)
Do Your Part --- Only!
Get the most out of every day. Do your part, but do not try to do God's part.
... work out (cultivate, carry out to the goal, and fully complete) your own salvation with reverence and awe and trembling...
[Not in your own strength] for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you [ energizing and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight.
--- Philippians 2:12,13
My own reflection on this Thought:
* In office, we are familiar with job description. Actually, we also have our own job description in fulfillment of God's plan. We only have to give our best effort in everything we do, and then let God do the rest. Actually it's as simple as that...
(-fon-)
" I'm OK, and I'm on My Way!"
Change in our lives does not come through struggle, human effort without God, frustration, self-hatred, self-rejection, guilt, or works of the flesh.
Change in our lives comes as a result of having our minds renewed by the Word of God. As we agree with God and really believe that what He says is in His Word is true, it gradually begins to manifest itself in us. We begin to think differently; then we begin to talk differently; and finally we begin to act differently. This is a process that develops in stages, and we must always remember that while it is taking place we can still have the attitude: " I am not where I need to be, but, thank God, I am not where I used to be; I'm OK, and I'm on my way!"
And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ [right up to the time of His return], developing [that good work] and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you.
--- Philippians 1:6
My own reflection on this Thought:
* Real change only comes from God. Not from the negativity that we're facing either internally or externally. Ask Him, what should I do to change myself so that I could be closer to Your IMAGE oh GOD? (-fon-)
When God makes a thing plain, you have no confusion or doubt, but if you try to reason and figure it out, you may go in circles and never really know the truth.
There is a difference in meditating on something long enough to see if you get understanding and trying so hard to figure it out that you get genuinely confused.
When you feel confused, let that be a warning signal to you that you are handling something the wrong way.
Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding.
In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths.
--- Proverbs 3:5,6
My own reflection on this Thought:
* To trust God means that we should let go all our own thinking when we're facing some problems. In our perspective of thought, things might turn bad or disappointed, but if God wants to He can do things according to His Will and it might be the other way around or contrarian with our thinking...
Anyway, this is not an easy task, but we could keep trying to fight for it, especially when the thoughts in our mind brought us to more miseries and worries... (-fon-)
Do Your Part --- Only!
Get the most out of every day. Do your part, but do not try to do God's part.
... work out (cultivate, carry out to the goal, and fully complete) your own salvation with reverence and awe and trembling...
[Not in your own strength] for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you [ energizing and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight.
--- Philippians 2:12,13
My own reflection on this Thought:
* In office, we are familiar with job description. Actually, we also have our own job description in fulfillment of God's plan. We only have to give our best effort in everything we do, and then let God do the rest. Actually it's as simple as that...
(-fon-)
" I'm OK, and I'm on My Way!"
Change in our lives does not come through struggle, human effort without God, frustration, self-hatred, self-rejection, guilt, or works of the flesh.
Change in our lives comes as a result of having our minds renewed by the Word of God. As we agree with God and really believe that what He says is in His Word is true, it gradually begins to manifest itself in us. We begin to think differently; then we begin to talk differently; and finally we begin to act differently. This is a process that develops in stages, and we must always remember that while it is taking place we can still have the attitude: " I am not where I need to be, but, thank God, I am not where I used to be; I'm OK, and I'm on my way!"
And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ [right up to the time of His return], developing [that good work] and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you.
--- Philippians 1:6
My own reflection on this Thought:
* Real change only comes from God. Not from the negativity that we're facing either internally or externally. Ask Him, what should I do to change myself so that I could be closer to Your IMAGE oh GOD? (-fon-)
TOTD, Feb 15
Realistic Expectations
Unrealistic expectations concerning our life and circumstances can be a tool used by our enemy, Satan, to bring us into discouragement and despair.
As long as you live in the deception of unrealistic expectations, you will never succeed at being yourself. Expect God to meet your needs rather than people.
My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.
--- Psalm 62:5
My own reflection on this Thought:
* Watching Hollywood movies, makes us get used to dream and dream. And sometimes in reality, we also keep dreaming, not realizing how important it is to stay realistic. Dreaming is ok in some ways, as long as we can be a realistic person at the same time. Unrealistic expectations makes us live in deception. Trust God to meet our needs and be realistic. When it's ours and it's from God, nothing or nobody will take it away from us... (-fon-)
Unrealistic expectations concerning our life and circumstances can be a tool used by our enemy, Satan, to bring us into discouragement and despair.
As long as you live in the deception of unrealistic expectations, you will never succeed at being yourself. Expect God to meet your needs rather than people.
My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.
--- Psalm 62:5
My own reflection on this Thought:
* Watching Hollywood movies, makes us get used to dream and dream. And sometimes in reality, we also keep dreaming, not realizing how important it is to stay realistic. Dreaming is ok in some ways, as long as we can be a realistic person at the same time. Unrealistic expectations makes us live in deception. Trust God to meet our needs and be realistic. When it's ours and it's from God, nothing or nobody will take it away from us... (-fon-)
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
TOTD, Feb 14
Wait and Receive
Be relaxed and at ease in God's presence. You come into His presence by spending time alone with Him in prayer and reading the Word. God loves you and wants you to have His best. Wait on Him quietly and believe you are receiving. Do not be led by your feelings; be led by God's promises.
Wait for the LORD, and keep His way,
And He will exalt you to inherit the land...
--- Psalm 37:34
My own reflection on this Thought:
* If your relationship with God is like a very good friends' relationship, I'm more than sure that you can be relax in front of Him. You needn't feel scared or afraid of Him.
But when you come into a deeper relationship, you will know that the feeling will soon fade away. I mean that your relationship with God doesn't depend on your feeling anymore. Whether you're in a good mood or not, you still can realize that He is good. He loves us all and gives sunshine to each and every one of us.
Trust Him and Him only in this journey of life... (-fon-)
Be relaxed and at ease in God's presence. You come into His presence by spending time alone with Him in prayer and reading the Word. God loves you and wants you to have His best. Wait on Him quietly and believe you are receiving. Do not be led by your feelings; be led by God's promises.
Wait for the LORD, and keep His way,
And He will exalt you to inherit the land...
--- Psalm 37:34
My own reflection on this Thought:
* If your relationship with God is like a very good friends' relationship, I'm more than sure that you can be relax in front of Him. You needn't feel scared or afraid of Him.
But when you come into a deeper relationship, you will know that the feeling will soon fade away. I mean that your relationship with God doesn't depend on your feeling anymore. Whether you're in a good mood or not, you still can realize that He is good. He loves us all and gives sunshine to each and every one of us.
Trust Him and Him only in this journey of life... (-fon-)
TOTD, Feb 13
God's " Suddenlys"
When you find a description in the Bible of people who were waiting on God in the midst of horrible circumstances, suddenly God broke through. Those circumstances can't stand for one second before the power of God. When God moves, your circumstances don't have a chance.
You ought to draw a circle around all of the 'suddenlys' in your Bible because this is a word from God for you.
But about midnight, as Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the [other] prisoners were listening to them,
Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the very foundations of the prison were shaken; and at once all the doors were opened and everyone's shackles were unfastened.
--- Acts 16:25,26
My own reflection on this Thought:
* Sometimes we're just so frustrated with the situation that we're facing. And that's the time when we forget about God's ability to change the situation.
The Bible told us that God has HIS SUDDENLYS that could change the situation and turning it upside down.
What we have to do is just stay faithful to Him. We'll do our portion at our best, let God do the rest... (-fon-)
When you find a description in the Bible of people who were waiting on God in the midst of horrible circumstances, suddenly God broke through. Those circumstances can't stand for one second before the power of God. When God moves, your circumstances don't have a chance.
You ought to draw a circle around all of the 'suddenlys' in your Bible because this is a word from God for you.
But about midnight, as Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the [other] prisoners were listening to them,
Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the very foundations of the prison were shaken; and at once all the doors were opened and everyone's shackles were unfastened.
--- Acts 16:25,26
My own reflection on this Thought:
* Sometimes we're just so frustrated with the situation that we're facing. And that's the time when we forget about God's ability to change the situation.
The Bible told us that God has HIS SUDDENLYS that could change the situation and turning it upside down.
What we have to do is just stay faithful to Him. We'll do our portion at our best, let God do the rest... (-fon-)
Monday, February 12, 2007
TOTD, Feb 12
Mature and Prosper
The release of God's prosperity in our lives depends upon our maturity. Maturity is a process that takes time. How much time it takes is dependent upon God's plan and how well we cooperate with that plan --- upon how fast we allow Him to bring our mind, will and emotions into line with His will, which is His Word. He loves us too much to give us prosperity that we are not mature enough to handle properly.
And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
--- Galatians 6:9
My own reflection on this Thought:
* Realizing that all prosperity comes from God, we might feel more secure. Why? Because we know He's the source of everything we have. Nowadays, people tend to become more and more materialistic. It's not that we don't need money and stay away of it, that's not what I meant. But don't let money and the materialism make us put everything else behind. Don't let money and materialism be the 1st priority... Because we know God is the source of everything, and those things come from God, we also realize that they're not eternal thing...
If you happen to be so money oriented, today's the time to sit back, relax and knowing that God will take care of you coz' He's the source of everything... (-fon-)
The release of God's prosperity in our lives depends upon our maturity. Maturity is a process that takes time. How much time it takes is dependent upon God's plan and how well we cooperate with that plan --- upon how fast we allow Him to bring our mind, will and emotions into line with His will, which is His Word. He loves us too much to give us prosperity that we are not mature enough to handle properly.
And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
--- Galatians 6:9
My own reflection on this Thought:
* Realizing that all prosperity comes from God, we might feel more secure. Why? Because we know He's the source of everything we have. Nowadays, people tend to become more and more materialistic. It's not that we don't need money and stay away of it, that's not what I meant. But don't let money and the materialism make us put everything else behind. Don't let money and materialism be the 1st priority... Because we know God is the source of everything, and those things come from God, we also realize that they're not eternal thing...
If you happen to be so money oriented, today's the time to sit back, relax and knowing that God will take care of you coz' He's the source of everything... (-fon-)
Thursday, February 8, 2007
TOTD, Feb 09-11
Renew Your Mind
God has a good plan already laid out for each of us, but we will never enjoy it unless our mind is renewed with the Word, which is His thoughts and ideas about things.
Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].
--- Romans 12:2
My own reflection on this Thought:
* It's all in the mind... Good or bad it's all in our mind. Even something bad can turn out to be something good, if He wants to...
Something different from our plan is happening all the time and we might feel unsatisfied about this. But then, as the children of God, what should we do? We have to see it through the eyes of faith. Ask God to open the eyes of our heart, so that we could see His bigger picture in our life... (-fon-)
Positive Results
We will not see positive results in our daily lives if we constantly speak negative things.
A man's [moral] self shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth; and with the consequence of his words he must be satisfied [whether good or evil].
--- Proverbs 18:20
My own reflection on this Thought:
* In this kind of flood situation in Jakarta, I don't think it's an easy think to speak positive things about it. I myself, even though not living there for the time being, still find it hard to accept the stories that I've heard about what happened to my friends there. Then the negative thoughts about the looting and the spreading of diseases afterwards kept filling my mind...
But God's words today challenge us to make a difference... How can we speak positive things despite all the unfavorable situation, how can we stay positive in our faith to the LORD even the reality is leading to a different path?
It's the challenge today onwards... (-fon-)
Power in Prayer
Prayer is not of the mouth, it is of the spirit, the spiritual mind, and the heart. And where there is sincere prayer, there is power!
... The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working].
--- James 5:16
My own reflection on this Thought:
* We can pray all the time. We can build our relationship stronger with God by keep communicating with Him. All the time, not only at the church or in a special prayers.
We can even pray while working, while driving, while cooking, while studying... We can tell our feelings to God, the situation and the worries that we're facing, the concerns that we feel... Because He's our true friend that would never leave us alone even in the darkest part of our life... Keep praying, since it will make our hearts more sincere... (-fon-)
God has a good plan already laid out for each of us, but we will never enjoy it unless our mind is renewed with the Word, which is His thoughts and ideas about things.
Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].
--- Romans 12:2
My own reflection on this Thought:
* It's all in the mind... Good or bad it's all in our mind. Even something bad can turn out to be something good, if He wants to...
Something different from our plan is happening all the time and we might feel unsatisfied about this. But then, as the children of God, what should we do? We have to see it through the eyes of faith. Ask God to open the eyes of our heart, so that we could see His bigger picture in our life... (-fon-)
Positive Results
We will not see positive results in our daily lives if we constantly speak negative things.
A man's [moral] self shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth; and with the consequence of his words he must be satisfied [whether good or evil].
--- Proverbs 18:20
My own reflection on this Thought:
* In this kind of flood situation in Jakarta, I don't think it's an easy think to speak positive things about it. I myself, even though not living there for the time being, still find it hard to accept the stories that I've heard about what happened to my friends there. Then the negative thoughts about the looting and the spreading of diseases afterwards kept filling my mind...
But God's words today challenge us to make a difference... How can we speak positive things despite all the unfavorable situation, how can we stay positive in our faith to the LORD even the reality is leading to a different path?
It's the challenge today onwards... (-fon-)
Power in Prayer
Prayer is not of the mouth, it is of the spirit, the spiritual mind, and the heart. And where there is sincere prayer, there is power!
... The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working].
--- James 5:16
My own reflection on this Thought:
* We can pray all the time. We can build our relationship stronger with God by keep communicating with Him. All the time, not only at the church or in a special prayers.
We can even pray while working, while driving, while cooking, while studying... We can tell our feelings to God, the situation and the worries that we're facing, the concerns that we feel... Because He's our true friend that would never leave us alone even in the darkest part of our life... Keep praying, since it will make our hearts more sincere... (-fon-)
Wednesday, February 7, 2007
TOTD, Feb 08
A Key to Victory
Whatever God directs you to do, whether His direction comes in the form of an inner knowing in your heart or through reading His Word, you must make the commitment to obey. Whatever God tells you to be committed, that's where you must committed. Commitment is one of the keys to Victory.
If you will listen diligently to the voice of the Lord your God, being watchful to do all His commandments which I command you this day, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come upon you...
--- Deuteronomy 28:1,2
My own reflection on this Thought:
* Commitment is not an easy thing, especially when you look surround you, how many married couples break their vows which they made in front of the altar, just for the sake of other women or other men...
Because commitment needs more than just a feeling of love. Commitment means whether like or dislike, good or bad, happy or sad, you have to stick together. In this sense, we have to stick together with the Lord even though lots of unhappy moments are happening in our life. It's easy to commit to Him when things are easy and running smoothly according to our plan. But, what if it's on the other way around? Will you still commit yourself to God and trust Him? That's the question...(-fon-)
Whatever God directs you to do, whether His direction comes in the form of an inner knowing in your heart or through reading His Word, you must make the commitment to obey. Whatever God tells you to be committed, that's where you must committed. Commitment is one of the keys to Victory.
If you will listen diligently to the voice of the Lord your God, being watchful to do all His commandments which I command you this day, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come upon you...
--- Deuteronomy 28:1,2
My own reflection on this Thought:
* Commitment is not an easy thing, especially when you look surround you, how many married couples break their vows which they made in front of the altar, just for the sake of other women or other men...
Because commitment needs more than just a feeling of love. Commitment means whether like or dislike, good or bad, happy or sad, you have to stick together. In this sense, we have to stick together with the Lord even though lots of unhappy moments are happening in our life. It's easy to commit to Him when things are easy and running smoothly according to our plan. But, what if it's on the other way around? Will you still commit yourself to God and trust Him? That's the question...(-fon-)
Tuesday, February 6, 2007
TOTD, Feb 07
Love Is a Choice
Don't wait to feel loving; choose to be loving. Make a decision to walk in love today and everyday.
Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your soul for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart.
--- 1 Peter 1:22
My own reflection on this Thought:
* What's the first thing that's pop up on your mind when the word LOVE is mentioned? Is it a feeling for someone that makes your adrenaline runs so high, a feeling that makes your heart's beating hundred times faster, or you just can't get that person out of your head-keep thinking about him/her all the time?
To tell you the truth, those feelings won't last long, won't last forever...
Love is a decision, love is a choice... Even though it's hard, but these words from Mother Teresa could describe the word of love in a better perspective. She said," To love until it hurts..." True love is more than just a feeling, true love will endure even though the curve of the relationship is sliding down... Only the love of God can make us have this kind of true love... (-fon-)
Don't wait to feel loving; choose to be loving. Make a decision to walk in love today and everyday.
Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your soul for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart.
--- 1 Peter 1:22
My own reflection on this Thought:
* What's the first thing that's pop up on your mind when the word LOVE is mentioned? Is it a feeling for someone that makes your adrenaline runs so high, a feeling that makes your heart's beating hundred times faster, or you just can't get that person out of your head-keep thinking about him/her all the time?
To tell you the truth, those feelings won't last long, won't last forever...
Love is a decision, love is a choice... Even though it's hard, but these words from Mother Teresa could describe the word of love in a better perspective. She said," To love until it hurts..." True love is more than just a feeling, true love will endure even though the curve of the relationship is sliding down... Only the love of God can make us have this kind of true love... (-fon-)
Monday, February 5, 2007
TOTD, Feb 06
The Gentle, Powerful Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is gentle, tender, considerate, kind, loving, and patient. Yet He is also powerful and mighty and able to do what man can never do on his own.
... " Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit," says the LORD Almighty.
--- Zechariah 4:6
My own reflection on this Thought:
* Have you ever met this kind of personality: gentle, tender, loving and patient, but also powerful and mighty...?
Maybe you'll find it rare, or never met such a person, because the character is very contrarian...
But you might find it in HOLY SPIRIT. If you search and search and search and of course you ask God's guidance, you'll find that this Holy Spirit is very powerful and can help us to do the impossible things. As long as God wants it, we can achieve it... Communicate with Him through Holy Spirit, you might find a difference! (-fon-)
The Holy Spirit is gentle, tender, considerate, kind, loving, and patient. Yet He is also powerful and mighty and able to do what man can never do on his own.
... " Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit," says the LORD Almighty.
--- Zechariah 4:6
My own reflection on this Thought:
* Have you ever met this kind of personality: gentle, tender, loving and patient, but also powerful and mighty...?
Maybe you'll find it rare, or never met such a person, because the character is very contrarian...
But you might find it in HOLY SPIRIT. If you search and search and search and of course you ask God's guidance, you'll find that this Holy Spirit is very powerful and can help us to do the impossible things. As long as God wants it, we can achieve it... Communicate with Him through Holy Spirit, you might find a difference! (-fon-)
Sunday, February 4, 2007
TOTD, Feb 05
Live Now!
In the researching toward what lies ahead in the future, we must not lose sight of now! Don't lose today being concerned about tomorrow.
This is the day which the LORD has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
--- Psalm 118:24
My own reflection on this Thought:
* We often forget the essence of today since we're worried so much about the future and can't let go of the past. Actually it's tiring to live between the past and the future. What we really need is an awareness to live NOW, to live in this present situation. Trusting God about our future and ask God to help us let go of our past will make us live more rejoicefully in each of our days... (-fon-)
In the researching toward what lies ahead in the future, we must not lose sight of now! Don't lose today being concerned about tomorrow.
This is the day which the LORD has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
--- Psalm 118:24
My own reflection on this Thought:
* We often forget the essence of today since we're worried so much about the future and can't let go of the past. Actually it's tiring to live between the past and the future. What we really need is an awareness to live NOW, to live in this present situation. Trusting God about our future and ask God to help us let go of our past will make us live more rejoicefully in each of our days... (-fon-)
Thursday, February 1, 2007
TOTD, Feb 02-04
Satisfy Your Thirst
God alone can water a thirsty soul. Don't be deceived into thinking that anything else can satisfy you fully and completely. Chasing after the wrong thing will always leave you disappointed. Only the Lord can cause you to feel satisfied.
O God, You are my God, earnestly will I seek You; my inner self thrists for You, my flesh longs and is faint for You, in a dry and weary land where no water is.
My whole being shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips.
--- Psalm 63:1,5
My own reflection on this Thought:
* What things can satisfy you in your opinion? Money, fame, luxurious cars and apartments, secured jobs in prestigious company, friends, cozy hang out places? What's your feeling when you wanted something so bad and finally got it? Did you feel satisfy? Or the hunger of bigger and more wonderful thing starting to fill in your mind?
Only God Himself can satisfy yourself, you may search and search and search but eventually will realize the emptiness is still there. God alone can fill the empty hole in our hearts... (-fon-)
Wait on the Lord
God has a perfect timing for everything. Learn to wait on God. This brings Him honor, and it brings you peace.
Wait on the LORD;
Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart;
Wait , I say, on the LORD!
--- Psalm 27:14
My own reflection on this Thought:
* Waiting might be the hardest thing to do, especially in the midst of uncertainties... But in God's process, lots of time involved a series of waiting.
Wait patiently and grow within the stage of waiting, trust Him coz' His the Almighty God. (-fon-)
Love Is the Foundation
God's love for you is the foundation for your faith, for your freedom from sin, and for your ability to step out in ministry to others without fear.
So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love,
may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth,
and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fulness of God.
--- Ephesians 3:17-19
My own reflection on this Thought:
* It's impossible in my opinion to minister others if you haven't experienced God's love. It's His Love that enables us to do so. Only the experience of tasting and seeing the beauty of God's love makes us stronger, and make us become a blessing to the people surround us... (-fon-)
God alone can water a thirsty soul. Don't be deceived into thinking that anything else can satisfy you fully and completely. Chasing after the wrong thing will always leave you disappointed. Only the Lord can cause you to feel satisfied.
O God, You are my God, earnestly will I seek You; my inner self thrists for You, my flesh longs and is faint for You, in a dry and weary land where no water is.
My whole being shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips.
--- Psalm 63:1,5
My own reflection on this Thought:
* What things can satisfy you in your opinion? Money, fame, luxurious cars and apartments, secured jobs in prestigious company, friends, cozy hang out places? What's your feeling when you wanted something so bad and finally got it? Did you feel satisfy? Or the hunger of bigger and more wonderful thing starting to fill in your mind?
Only God Himself can satisfy yourself, you may search and search and search but eventually will realize the emptiness is still there. God alone can fill the empty hole in our hearts... (-fon-)
Wait on the Lord
God has a perfect timing for everything. Learn to wait on God. This brings Him honor, and it brings you peace.
Wait on the LORD;
Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart;
Wait , I say, on the LORD!
--- Psalm 27:14
My own reflection on this Thought:
* Waiting might be the hardest thing to do, especially in the midst of uncertainties... But in God's process, lots of time involved a series of waiting.
Wait patiently and grow within the stage of waiting, trust Him coz' His the Almighty God. (-fon-)
Love Is the Foundation
God's love for you is the foundation for your faith, for your freedom from sin, and for your ability to step out in ministry to others without fear.
So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love,
may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth,
and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fulness of God.
--- Ephesians 3:17-19
My own reflection on this Thought:
* It's impossible in my opinion to minister others if you haven't experienced God's love. It's His Love that enables us to do so. Only the experience of tasting and seeing the beauty of God's love makes us stronger, and make us become a blessing to the people surround us... (-fon-)
TOTD, Feb 01
Get to Know the Lord
Spend your time getting to know God instead of trying to figure out what He is doing.
And this is eternal life: [ it means] to know (to perceive, recognize, become acquainted with, and understand) You, the only true and real God, and [likewise] to know Him, Jesus [as the] Christ (the Anointed One, the Messiah), Whom You have sent.
--- John 17:3
My own reflection on this Thought:
* Getting to know the Almighty God, even though it seems that it's impossible for knowing 100% of HIM since He's the Omnipotent God, it's a really good thing to do. Because by knowing Him better, spending more time with Him, either by praying, talking to Him, or just spending some time to read His Words, we'll find more strength in Him. We'll also have a purer and more sincere heart, because our heart is filled with God's love... We need that to face this lack-of-love world...
(-fon-)
Spend your time getting to know God instead of trying to figure out what He is doing.
And this is eternal life: [ it means] to know (to perceive, recognize, become acquainted with, and understand) You, the only true and real God, and [likewise] to know Him, Jesus [as the] Christ (the Anointed One, the Messiah), Whom You have sent.
--- John 17:3
My own reflection on this Thought:
* Getting to know the Almighty God, even though it seems that it's impossible for knowing 100% of HIM since He's the Omnipotent God, it's a really good thing to do. Because by knowing Him better, spending more time with Him, either by praying, talking to Him, or just spending some time to read His Words, we'll find more strength in Him. We'll also have a purer and more sincere heart, because our heart is filled with God's love... We need that to face this lack-of-love world...
(-fon-)
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