TOTD, November 01 – May the Eyes of Our Heart Be Enlightened

May The Eyes of Our Heart Be Enlightened

Sometimes, the eyes of our heart are being covered by our egoism or materialism. Our vision becomes blurred, that’s why we need God’s help to enlighten the eyes of our heart, so that we can see others with the perspective of love rather than hatred. Forgiveness will be the winner rather than the thought of revenge. May the eyes of heart be enlightened, today onwards with God’s guidance. (-fon-)

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.

--- Ephesians 1: 18-19

Semoga Mata Hati Kita Menjadi Terang

Sesekali, mata hati kita tertutupi oleh egoisme ataupun materialisme. Pandangan kita menjadi kabur, maka dari itulah kita membutuhkan bantuan Tuhan untuk menerangi mata hati kita, sehingga kita bisa melihat orang lain dengan perspektif penuh cinta tinimbang penuh kebencian. Biarkan pengampunan menjadi pemenang dan bukan pikiran untuk balas dendam. Semoga mata hati kita menjadi terang, hari ini dan selanjutnya dengan bimbingan Tuhan. (-fon-)

Dan supaya Ia menjadikan mata hatimu terang, agar kamu mengerti pengharapan apakah yang terkandung dalam panggilan-Nya: betapa kayanya kemuliaan bagian yang ditentukan-Nya bagi orang-orang kudus, dan betapa hebat kuasa-Nya bagi kita yang percaya, sesuai dengan kekuatan kuasa-Nya.

--- Efesus 1:18-19

TOTD, October 31 – He Will not Grow Tired

He Will not Grow Tired

Every now and then, in this life, we’ll feel tired. At that time, we sometimes feel that we don’t know what to do, all we need is just a rest. God will not grow weary or tired. In Him, we’ll find rest and the strength to move on in this life. Draw ourselves near to Him.

(-fon-)

Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.

--- Isaiah 40:28

Ia Takkan Menjadi Lelah

Sesekali dalam hidup ini, kita akan merasa lelah luar biasa. Di saat itu, terkadang kita merasa tidak tahu apa yang harus dilakukan, yang kita butuhkan hanya kelegaan. Tuhan tidak akan menjadi lelah dan tidak menjadi lesu. Di dalam Dia, kita akan dapatkan kelegaan dan kekuatan untuk melangkah dalam hidup ini. Mendekatlah pada-Nya! (-fon-)

Tidakkah kautahu, dan tidakkah kaudengar? TUHAN ialah Allah kekal yang menciptakan bumi dari ujung ke ujung; Ia tidak menjadi lelah dan tidak menjadi lesu, tidak terduga pengertian-Nya.

--- Isaiah 40:28

TOTD, October 30 – The Humble Will Be Exalted

The Humble Will Be Exalted

Money, wealth, power, or fame, will sometimes make people too arrogant and forget that all of them has their own limitation. Somehow, the turning upside down experience, will remind us that God is the source of everything we have in this world.

So, if at this moment we’re so blessed, just stay thankful. Because we know that everything is given from the Lord. Stay humble in Him. For those who humble themselves will be exalted. (-fon-)

For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

--- Luke 14:11

Yang Rendah Hati akan Ditinggikan

Uang, kekayaan, kekuasaan, atau ketenaran terkadang membuat manusia menjadi terlalu sombong dan lupa bahwa semuanya itu ada batasnya. Terkadang, pengalaman diputar-balikkan dalam roda kehidupan mengingatkan kita, Tuhanlah sumber segala sesuatu yang kita miliki di dunia ini.

Jadi, apabila saat ini kita sedang sangat diberkati, bersyukurlah. Karena kita tahu semuanya adalah anugerah Yang Kuasa. Tetaplah rendah hati di dalam Dia. Karena mereka yang rendah hati akan ditinggikan. (-fon-)

Sebab barangsiapa meninggikan diri, ia akan direndahkan dan barangsiapa merendahkan diri, ia akan ditinggikan.

--- Lukas 14:11

TOTD, October 29-Endures Forever

Endures Forever

All people are like grass and their glory is like the flowers of the field. We’re reminded by this verse that life has its limitation. As long as we live, can we do our best to glorify God’s name? Does our act show that we’re Christ’s believers? Or it’s the other way around?

Hope that we can make Him proud. And let God’s love that endures forever be with us always. Amen. (-fon-)

For,“All people are like grass,
and all their glory is like the flowers of the field;
the grass withers and the flowers fall,
but the word of the Lord endures forever.”

And this is the word that was preached to you.

--- 1 Peter 1:24-25

Tetap Untuk Selamanya

Semua yang hidup adalah seperti rumput dan segala kemuliaannya seperti bunga rumput. Kita diingatkan oleh ayat ini bahwa hidup memiliki keterbatasannya. Selama kita hidup, mampukah kita memberikan yang terbaik bagi kemuliaan nama-Nya? Apakah tindakan kita menunjukkan bahwa kita adalah pengikut Kristus? Ataukah sebaliknya?

Semoga kita bisa membuat-Nya bangga. Dan semoga cinta Tuhan yang tetap untuk selamanya selalu beserta kita. Amin. (-fon-)

Sebab: "Semua yang hidup adalah seperti rumput dan segala kemuliaannya seperti bunga rumput, rumput menjadi kering, dan bunga gugur,

tetapi firman Tuhan tetap untuk selama-lamanya." Inilah firman yang disampaikan Injil kepada kamu.

--- 1 Petrus 1:24-25

TOTD, October 28– Eyes Fix on Jesus

Eyes Fix on Jesus

Paul certainly had to deal with more than his fair share of hardships. But no matter what he faced—be it a shipwreck, imprisonment, a mob attack, or a public scourging—he always managed to hold on to his sense of contentment and, at times, even joy. How on earth did he do it?

Not by earthly means, that’s how! Paul was able to remain peaceful because he kept his eyes fixed on Jesus and on his own witness of joy and peace. (Source: Word Among Us)

Like Paul, we need to face a lot of unpredictable things in this life. But, no matter how hard the problem might be, we need to remember that God is with us and He’ll help us to get through every single problem. We need to do our best and let Him guide us as well. Let’s remain in Him, keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and find peace beyond understanding. (-fon-)

If God is for us, who can be against us?--- Rom 8:31b

Mata yang Tertuju Pada Yesus

Paulus harus menghadapi kesulitan melebihi kekuatannya. Tetapi, tak peduli betapa pun sulitnya permasalahan itu-entah kehancuran, dipenjara, kekerasan oleh orang banyak, kemarahan publik- ia selalu menemukan ketenangan bahkan sukacita. Bagaimana ia melakukannya?

Bukan dengan kekuatannya tentu saja. Paulus mampu berada dalam ketenangan karena matanya tertuju pada Yesus yang menjadi kesaksian hidupnya akan sukacita dan rasa damai. (Sumber: Word Among Us).

Seperti Paulus, kita harus menghadapi banyak hal yang tak terduga dalam hidup ini. Tetapi, tak peduli betapa sulit permasalahan yang akan terjadi, yang tetap harus kita ingat adalah Tuhan selalu beserta kita dan Ia akan menolong kita melalui setiap permasalahan yang ada. Kita harus berusaha yang terbaik yang kita bisa dan membiarkan-Nya menuntun kita. Marilah berdiam di dalam-Nya, dengan mata yang tertuju pada-Nya semoga kita menemukan kedamaian yang tak pernah terbayangkan dalam pikiran kita. (-fon-)

Jika Allah di pihak kita, siapakah yang akan melawan kita?

--- Roma 8:31b

TOTD, October 27 – I Will Give You Rest

“I Will Give You Rest.”

I remembered, this was the verse which knocked my heart for the very first time. I opened my heart and then Jesus came into it. Lots of things that troubled me at that time. Felt tired, exhausted, fatigue. All I really need was only a rest. God gave me that rest. The thought that He will be together with me in carrying my burdens made me glad. I wasn’t left alone and I found my true friend in Him.

Today, I still repeat this verse in my life. Whatever challenges, trials, or problems that I face, hopefully I will bring them to God. Knowing that He’ll be there and will give me ‘rest’ help me a lot in getting through this life with a peaceful heart. (-fon-)

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

--- Matthew 11:28

“Aku Akan Memberikan Kelegaan Padamu.”

Aku ingat, ini adalah ayat yang pertama kali mengetuk pintu hatiku. Kubuka hatiku, lalu Yesus masuk ke dalamnya. Banyak hal yang membebani diriku kala itu. Aku merasa lelah, letih luar biasa. Yang kubutuhkan hanyalah kelegaan. Dan Tuhan memberikannya padaku. Ketika kutahu bahwa Dia akan bersama-sama denganku dalam memikul bebanku, itu membuatku bahagia. Aku tidak ditinggal sendiri dan kutemukan sahabat sejatiku di dalam-Nya.

Hari ini, aku masih mengulangi ayat ini dalam hidupku. Tantangan, pencobaan, atau permasalahan apa pun yang kuhadapi… Semoga aku selalu membawanya kepada Tuhan. Mengetahui bahwa Dia selalu ada, akan memberikan kelegaan bagiku dan menolongku dalam menjalani hidup ini dengan hati yang damai. (-fon-)

Marilah kepada-Ku, semua yang letih lesu dan berbeban berat, Aku akan memberi kelegaan kepadamu.

--- Matius 11:28

TOTD, October 26-With All Our Soul

With All Our Soul

When David did the Psalm, we can see his emotions. Sometimes he’s sad, while at other times he’s so joyful like this verse from Psalm 108. Like David, we also have our ups and downs in facing this life. But as long as we live, let’s try to sing a joyful song to the Lord. Make music with all our soul only to glorify His Name-our God. (-fon-)

My heart, O God, is steadfast;
I will sing and make music with all my soul.

--- Psalm 108:1

Sepenuh Hati Kita

Ketika Daud bermazmur, kita dapat melihat perasaannya. Terkadang dia sedih, sedangkan di kali lainnya dia begitu sukacita sebagaimana terlihat dari Mazmur 108. Seperti Daud, kita juga menghadapi naik-turunnya kehidupan ini. Tetapi, selama kita hidup, marilah berusaha untuk selalu menyanyikan lagu sukacita bagi Tuhan. Bermazmur sepenuh hati kita hanya bagi kemuliaan nama-Nya – Allah kita. (-fon-)

Hatiku siap, ya Allah, aku mau menyanyi, aku mau bermazmur. Bangunlah, hai jiwaku.

--- Mazmur 108:1

TOTD, October 25-The Lord Has Done Great Things

The Lord Has Done Great Things

In our life, we sometimes forget how great the Lord is.

For those who are sick, the ability of breathing is a gift…

How breath is a treasure for them.

For healthy person, we sometimes take it as a granted.

There are many things in simplicity that we need to thank Him for.

For the breath, health, sun, wind, rain, rainbow, trees, flowers…

Things that we forget easily because we’re too overwhelmed by our problems…

God is good. God is great.

He has done great things for us…

Let our heart be filled with joy. Amen. (-fon-)

When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion,
we were like those who dreamed.
² Our mouths were filled with laughter,
our tongues with songs of joy.
Then it was said among the nations,
“The LORD has done great things for them.”
³ The LORD has done great things for us,
and we are filled with joy.

--- Psalm 126:1-3

Tuhan Sudah Melakukan Perkara Besar

Dalam hidup kita, terkadang kita lupa betapa luar biasanya Tuhan itu.

Bagi mereka yang sakit, bernafas adalah sebuah anugerah.

Betapa nafas adalah sesuatu yang berharga bagi mereka.

Untuk orang yang sehat, terkadang kita menganggap remeh nafas itu sendiri.

Begitu banyak hal dalam kesederhanaan yang perlu kita ucapkan syukur kepada-Nya.

Untuk setiap tarikan nafas, kesehatan, matahari, angin, hujan, pelangi, pohon, atau bunga…

Hal-hal yang sering terlupakan mungkin karena kita terlalu sibuk dengan permasalahan kita.

Tuhan itu baik. Tuhan itu luar biasa.

Dia sudah melakukan banyak hal bagi kita.

Biarlah hati kita dipenuhi sukacita. Amin. (-fon-)

Ketika TUHAN memulihkan keadaan Sion, keadaan kita seperti orang-orang yang bermimpi. Pada waktu itu mulut kita penuh dengan tertawa, dan lidah kita dengan sorak-sorai. Pada waktu itu berkatalah orang di antara bangsa-bangsa: "TUHAN telah melakukan perkara besar kepada orang-orang ini!"

--- Mazmur 126:1-3

TOTD, October 24 – Finish the Race

Finish the Race

Italian MotoGP rider Marco Simoncelli has died after a horrific crash at the Malaysian Grand Prix in Sepang on Sunday. Simoncelli, 24, crashed on the second lap and was hit by the bikes of Colin Edwards and Valentino Rossi as he slid across the track on his Honda. (Source: Reuters)

Deepest sympathy for Marco Simoncelli who died at such a young age. He’s only 24 years old when he passed away. Life is short, we’ll never know when our time comes. It might be 60 years from now or it might be sooner. Nobody knows exactly when or how one person might go back to the Almighty. But, it doesn’t matter, as long as we live our life to the fullest in Him. Finish the race that He has already prepared for us with all our heart, give our very best in every task we’ve got and never give up in facing the challenges of life. In faith, we’re eager to finish whatever He has started in our life. Hopefully we can complete the tasks well for Him. Let our life glorify His name. (-fon-)

However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.

--- Acts 20:24

TOTD, October 21-23: From James 1

Trials as Pure Joy

Whenever we face trials-many kinds of them- it’s not easy to see them as a pure joy. Maybe we think that they’re punishment or something else, but very seldom we might see it from different perspective-as a joy.

Today’s verses from James 1, remind us to stay rejoicing. Even if we face trials or problems, because the testing of our faith will produce perseverance. Let’s try to see from a different perspective. Problems will make us grow stronger in faith and closer to God.

(-fon-)

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.

--- James 1:2-3

Perseverance and Crown of Life

Still from the book of James, we’re reminded to stay persevere under any trial in this life. Because by having stood the test, the person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised.

(-fon-)

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

--- James 1:12

Quick to Listen, Slow to Speak

When I read these verses, I just being reminded that many of us do the other way around. We’re slow when it comes to listening to others, quick to speak and super fast to become angry. We need to control ourselves, especially when we need to get angry. Anger is normal, but how we react when we’re angry, then how we control our action when we’re angry are important things as well. Let’s try to get better and better each day. (-fon-)

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.

--- James 1:19-20

TOTD, October 20 – God Make a Fresh Start in Me

God, Make a Fresh Start in Me

Today, let it be a brand new start for me

To stay loving, hoping, and keep on praying

For I believe in You, God

You will turn the mourning into dancing

The sorrow into joy

I know that whatever happens,

You will never leave me

Only by trusting You, while doing my very best

Let this day and the days onwards

Be the blessed days in You always…(-fon-)

Soak me in your laundry and I'll come out clean,
scrub me and I'll have a snow-white life.
Tune me in to foot-tapping songs,
set these once-broken bones to dancing.
Don't look too close for blemishes,
give me a clean bill of health.
God, make a fresh start in me,
shape a Genesis week from the chaos of my life.
Don't throw me out with the trash,
or fail to breathe holiness in me.
Bring me back from gray exile,
put a fresh wind in my sails!

(Part of Psalm 51:7-15, The Message)

TOTD, October 19-He Cares for Us

He Cares for Us

Maybe you don’t want to trouble God with your hurts. After all, he’s got famines and pestilence and wars; he won’t care about my little struggles, you think.

Why don’t you let him decide that? He cared enough about a wedding to provide the wine. He cared enough about Peter’s tax payment to give him a coin. He cared enough about the woman at the well to give her answers. (Max Lucado).

God is never too busy to hear us. Sometimes we think that He’s having so many things around, maybe He’ll forget us. But, God will never leave us. Give all worries to Him. He really cares. (-fon-)

Give all your worries to him, because he cares about you.

---I Peter 5:7

TOTD, October 18-Mourning Into Dancing

Mourning Into Dancing

God can turn our mourning into dancing. In Him we’ll find not only happiness but also joy. Even in the middle of hardships or troubles, with Him we’ll find peace at heart. (-fon-)

You have turned for me my mourning into dancing;
You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness,

--- Psalm 30:11

TOTD, October 17 – Use God’s Gifts to Serve Others

Use God’s Gifts to Serve Others

Whatever God has given us-they’re gifts in our life. They could be some talents, some financial wealth, or anything…

They’re just God’s given. Let’s use them wisely to glorify the Lord. If possible, do our best in serving others through them all. (-fon-)

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.

--- 1 Peter 4:10

TOTD, October 16- Facing Fear with God

Facing Fears with God

Again, from Bo Sanchez inspiring blog, I found these sentences are so true and inspirational:

Read carefully: Your fears can either be a Wall and a Way. For many people, fear is a Wall. When they smell fear, they run away. They give up their dreams.

For some people, fear is a Way. It’s a door to a whole new world of abundance and blessing. When they smell fear, they know that abundance is near. All they need to do is walk through the door of their fear. (Bo Sanchez)

With God in our life, hope that we can face fear as a way, not as a wall which blocks our dreams. Instead, it’s a way to reach our dreams. We need to walk through the door of fear with God’s guidance. In Him all things are possible.

(-fon-)

I sought the LORD, and he answered me;
he delivered me from all my fears.

--- Psalm 34:4

TOTD, October 14 - Deeply from the Heart

Deeply from the Heart

I have found the paradox that if I love until it hurts, then there is no hurt, but only more love. (Mother Theresa)

That is a very nice saying from Mother Theresa. But if we ask ourselves, are we able to do that right here- right now? Maybe the answer is: No or Not Yet. Many times, if we’re hurt, then we decide to stop loving. For example: a father and a son, fighting-arguing, and then not acknowledging one another anymore. We’ve heard this kind of story in this life, haven’t we? Or best friends turn into enemies because of betrayal, is also something that’s quite common in this life.

As Christ’s followers, we need to try our best to love one another. Deeply from the heart. Even though it might be so hard, even though it might be painful and hurt… We need to try our best to love one another. Don’t take revenge, try to forgive others. Because by forgiving, we’re the ones who accept the peace within. And nobody is perfect. All of us are sinners who have been loved so much by Jesus. (-fon-)

Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart.

--- 1 Peter 1:22

TOTD, October 15 - Be Courageous

Be Courageous

Today, I was so impressed with Bo Sanchez’s article. Btw, he’s one of my favourite Catholic Writers. And I’m sure, he has great fans all over the world. His article is: Do It Afraid. And there’s something so impressive that I would love to share in this Thought of The Day (TOTD):

Courage is not the absence of fear. Courage is doing the right thing in the midst of fear. When your heart is pounding. When your knees are shaking. When your sweat is dripping. And you do the right thing anyway. That’s courage. (Bo Sanchez’s Blog).

I think each of us has somehow experience this quite frequently in our life. We thought that we lost our courage and overwhelmed by fear. But Bo has given a very nice saying: courage is not the absence of fear. But, keep doing the right thing even though we’re facing the fear.

Face our fear. Do it anyway with our best efforts. With God’s guidance, we’ll find new courage. Be strong and courageous in Him. He will never leave us.

(-fon-)

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

TOTD, October 13 – The Wonders that You’ve Done

The Wonders that You’ve Done

God, You’re the author of my life,

You’ve written each chapter of it

from beginning until the end.

How marvellous Your Work and Love, o Lord!

That’s why I want to thank You

For great wonders or even small ones

In simplicity, they also can be found

Let me share Your love story to the world

As a gratitude because You’re so good.

(-fon-)

Many, LORD my God,
are the wonders you have done,
the things you planned for us.
None can compare with you;
were I to speak and tell of your deeds,
they would be too many to declare.

--- Psalm 40:5

TOTD, October 12: His Love Endures Forever

His Love Endures Forever

I remembered a song that reminds us how good and great our God is. This is a part of the song as follows:

He’s so good to you,

He’s so good to me

Jesus, He’s so good to you and me

Yes, the Lord is so good to us. More importantly His love endures forever and ever. We need to thank Him with all our heart and never take His love as a granted. Let’s make Him proud to have children like us. (-fon-)

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good.
His love endures forever.

Give thanks to the God of gods.
His love endures forever.

Give thanks to the Lord of lords:
His love endures forever.

--- Psalm 136:1-3

TOTD, October 11-God’s Discipline

God’s Discipline

As God’s children, every now and then, we’ll face some types of discipline in this life. Discipline of God is for our good in order that we may share in His Holiness (Hebrews 12:10b). No discipline is pleasant at the time, but painful. However, it will produce a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it (verse 11).

In faith, we believe that He disciplines us for our own good. God knows what’s best for us. (-fon-)

but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may

share in his holiness. ¹¹ No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

--- Hebrews 12: 10b-11

TOTD, October 08-10: No Worries, Stay Thankful

Do not be Anxious about Anything

There are anxious thoughts inside our mind every now and then. Well, it’s actually normal and understandable. But in faith, we need to believe that God knows our heart and He also knows the best for us. And the verse from Philippians 4 said that don’t be anxious about anything. In prayer-with thanksgiving-present our requests to the Lord. He knows what we need, not merely what we want. And He will provide according to His Plans for us. All we need to do is just never give up in giving our best. (-fon-)

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

--- Philippians 4:6

Know My Heart, Know My Thoughts

As our God, He knows whatever we think. We need to surrender our thoughts to Him, especially the bad ones. The ones which full of anxiety and worries, only to find that many times they never come true. Negative thoughts will bring us nowhere, only drowning us deeper filled with insecure feeling and somehow, it’s contagious to the people surround us.

Know my heart, know my thoughts, Lord. Especially my anxious thoughts. Today, I will surrender them to You, My God. And lead me to Your everlasting way. I put my trust in You. (-fon-)

Search me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.

--- Psalm 139:23-24

In Every Second of Our Life: Worrying or Thanksgiving?

A very sharp question from the book of Luke: who of us by worrying can add a single hour to our life? Nobody is able to do so. Everyday is going to be 24 hours. Whether we like it or not, whether we’re worried or thankful.

It’s back to our own decision to choose: in every second of our life, are we going to stay in anxiety or full of thanksgiving? Hopefully, we’ll be wise enough to choose to rejoice in the Lord always... (-fon-)

Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life?

--- Luke 12:25

TOTD, October 07-The Rock Eternal

The Rock Eternal

Things might come and go in our life.

The good ones, they make us smile.

The bad ones, they make us cry.

But with God, even in the stormy day, we shouldn’t be afraid… Because He’s the Rock eternal.

In Him, we can put our trust forever. (-fon-)

Trust in the LORD forever,
for the LORD, the LORD himself, is the Rock eternal.

--- Isaiah 26:4

TOTD, October 06 – God Will Not Forget Us

God Will Not Forget Us

As a mother of two children, I find that these verses from Isaiah 49:15-16 are very interesting. Of course, a mother will never forget her babies. But there are some cases, though, some mothers abandon them. With many excuses they choose to run away from their responsibility…

God gives us the assurance that He will never do that. He will never forget us! He has even engraved us on the palms of His hands… Isn’t it amazing?

So today, if we feel that God is so far away. If we feel that maybe He has forgotten us or abandoned us. Or maybe we thought that He’s too busy for us and neglects us… Let all of us be reminded that: He’s here. Right here, right now. He loves us. He will never leave us. He will never forget us.

(-fon-)

“Can a mother forget the baby at her breast
and have no compassion on the child she has borne?
Though she may forget,
I will not forget you!
¹⁶ See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands;
your walls are ever before me.

--- Isaiah 49:15-16

TOTD, October 05-For When I’m Weak, then I’m Strong

For When I’m Weak, then I’m Strong

All of these seem contrarian. How can we be strong when we’re weak? Strong is strong, weak is weak. Period.

Maybe that’s what we think. But, today’s verses from 2 Corinthians 12, remind us that God’s power is made perfect in our weaknesses. In insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties… All of them are supposed to bring us closer to God, because usually by that time we will experience: we’re nothing without Him. Our strength has its limitation. One day when we’re old, when we’re sick, when we’re helpless, we know that we’re not that strong anymore. Only God alone has the real strength and by His Strength we’ll be able to face whatever happens in our life. Not by our might, not by our strength, but by the power of the Lord. When I’m weak, I know that I’m strong in the Lord. He will come and rescue me. (-fon-)

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. ¹⁰ That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

--- 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

TOTD, October 04-Martha and Mary

Martha and Mary

According to the passage below, there are two types of person. The first one is Martha-who’s busy with all the preparation to welcome Jesus and His disciples. While the second one, Mary, sat on the Lord’s feet listening what He said.

In this life, we might act like Martha. So busy with whatever occupied us at this moment. Job, family, friends, etc. And there’s a tendency that we might forget to listen to God, while it’s actually something that’s important.

Let’s commit ourselves to pray and listen to Him. Commit whatever we can with our condition. Maybe it’s just 15 minutes a day. Or it could be 1 hour a day. Let’s sit on the Lord’s feet and listen to Him. (-fon-)

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

--- Luke 10:38-42

TOTD, October 02- Less Judgmental

Less Judgmental

It’s very hard not to judge. Because, it’s kind of some kind of nature inside of us. Maybe that’s what we think when we read about the title.

But, the verses from James 2 below will show us that we should reduce our discrimination and judgement towards others. Try our best to love them, even their appearance seemed doubtful. It’s not easy, all of us know it. But, we need to put this into practice every day. So that neither gold, diamonds, nor designer labels can make us value one person is less precious than the others. All of them are precious not because what they’re wearing, not because of their appearance… But, all are God’s creation that He creates carefully with His love. (-fon-)

My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?

Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court?

--- James 2:1-6