Jakarta Berdoa

A site for expressing your doubts, faiths, and testimonies on Christ

More Than Asking

Posted by jakartaberdoa on October 6, 2009

More Than Asking
by Pastor Eric Gordon

Have you ever heard someone pray for favor? Have you ever prayed for favor? Asked God to open doors for you and bless you? What else have you done about it?

We often pray to God like He is some magical genie waiting to meet our every need and grant our wishes. We pray for "favor" so we can get what we want in every situation. But what do we do after we pray?

I love to hear people quote the story of Joseph in Genesis. Everywhere Joseph went he had favor. Do you know why he had favor? Yes, it is because God blessed him – but do you know why else? It’s because Joseph worked hard in every situation he was in. He was sold into slavery, and he worked hard there (Genesis 39:1). He was thrown into prison, and he worked hard there too (Genesis 39:20). He was made second in command of all of Egypt, and he worked hard (Genesis 41:40). He did not just ask for blessings, he worked hard, doing what he was able to do while he waited on the Lord.

Asking for favor and blessings while doing nothing with the gifts and abilities God has already given us is like a farmer walking out in a field and shouting for corn to grow without first preparing the soil and planting the seed. Many times we use prayer for "favor" as an excuse to be lazy, when in reality we should be working hard on our situation using what God has already given us, instead of just making excuses and doing nothing while we wait for God to bless us with more.

When we ask God to move the mountains in our lives, He wants us to bring our shovels, not our easy chairs!

Genesis 49:26 (KJV):  The blessings of thy father have prevailed above the blessings of my progenitors unto the utmost bound of the everlasting hills: they shall be on the head of Joseph, and on the crown of the head of him that was separate from his brethren.

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Menjadikan Tuhan Yang Terutama

Posted by jakartaberdoa on September 30, 2009

MENJADIKAN TUHAN YANG TERUTAMA “SEBAGAI TANDA KASIH KITA”

Hukum pertama dan yang terutama di dalam kehidupan orang percaya adalah mengasihi Tuhan dengan segenap hati, jiwa dan kekuatan, dan mengasihi sesama seperti kita mengasihi diri kita sendiri.

Orang yang mengasihi pasti ingin memberi yang terbaik kepada yang dikasihinya, bukan hanya mengharapkan sesuatu dari yang dikasihi. Demikian pula dalam hubungan kita dengan Tuhan. Bahwa Tuhan mengasihi kita seharusnya tidak kita ragukan lagi. Tetapi apakah kita mengasihi Dia? Mungkin perlu dipertanyakan ujud kasih yang kita berikan kepadaNya.

Kita belajar dari Daud yang sudah mengalami kasih Tuhan yang besar sebab Tuhan sudah meluputkan dia dari cengkeraman semua musuhnya, dan dari tangan Saul. Daud menaikkan satu nyanyian pujian kepada Tuhan, seperti yang dia ucapkan dalam

Mzm 18:2,3

“Ia berkata: "Aku mengasihi Engkau, ya TUHAN, kekuatanku!

18:3 Ya TUHAN, bukit batuku, kubu pertahananku dan penyelamatku, Allahku, gunung batuku, tempat aku berlindung, perisaiku, tanduk keselamatanku, kota bentengku!”

Siapa Tuhan untuk Daud?

· Tuhan adalah kekuatannya.

· Tuhan adalah bukit batu baginya.

· Tuhan adalah kubu pertahanannya

· Tuhan adalah penyelamatnya.

· Dia Allahnya.

· Dia gunung batunya.

· Dia tempat untuknya berlindung.

· Tuhan adalah perisai baginya.

· Tuhan adalah tanduk keselamatannya.

· Tuhan kota bentengnya.

Bisakah kita mengungkapkan pengakuan ini seperti Daud mengakui Tuhan bagi dirinya? Mungkin ada di antara kita yang berkata: mana Tuhan sebagai penolong? Hidupku porak-poranda. Berapa lama sudah aku berdoa, tetapi keadaan makin memburuk, aku putus asa. Coba kita pelajari tentang kehidupan Daud dengan segala penderitaan dan pengkhianatan-pengkhianatan yang dia alami dalam hidupnya. Bukankah dia seorang yang dekat dengan Tuhan, yang hatinya mencari Tuhan? Mengapa banyak masalah dan pergumulan yang besar yang harus dihadapi?

Justru tetap melekat kepada Tuhan itulah rahasia kekuatan untuk beroleh kemenangan. Marah kepada Tuhan, kecewa, itu bukan jalan yang benar untuk mendapat perkenan Tuhan, namun sebaliknya akan menyulitkan diri kita sendiri.

· TUHAN KEKUATAN KITA

Bisakah kita seperti Daud mengakui bahwa Tuhan kekuatan kita? Pada saat beban menekan, masalah bertambah, jalan keluar tak kunjung nampak, bisakah kita berkata: “TUHAN, ENGKAU KEKUATANKU.” Apa yang tidak sanggup kulakukan dengan kemampuan sendiri, sanggup kutanggung di dalam Engkau yang memberi kekuatan kepadaku.

Flp 4:13 – “SEGALA PERKARA DAPAT KUTANGGUNG DI DALAM DIA YANG MEMBERI KEKUATAN KEPADAKU.”

· TUHAN ADALAH BUKIT BATU KITA

KepadaNya kita berkata: Engkau bukit bagtu bagiku, yang kokoh dan kuat berdiri terhadap goncangan apapun.

· TUHAN ADALAH KUBU PERTAHANAN KITA

Engkau adalah kubu pertahananku terhadap musuh apapun juga. Engkau bukit batu yang tak tembus hantaman.

· TUHAN ADALAH PENYELAMAT KITA

Engkau yang menyelamatkan aku dari musuh yang mengejarku bahkan mengepungku.

· TUHAN ADALAH ALLAH KITA

Di dalam keterpurukan kita, kadang-kadang kesalahan dan dosa kita terbayang di depan pelupuk mata kita. Tetapi setelah kita merendahkan diri dan mohon ampun kepadaNya kita bisa berkata, “Engkau Tuhan Allahku yang panjang sabar, rahmani dan rahimi, pengampun dosa, dan Engkau mau menerimaku apa adanya. Engkau tak memperhitungkan dosaku lagi. Walau dosaku merah sekalipun, Kau sanggup menyucikanku seputih salju. Walau dosaku warna kirmizi atau seperti kain jingga sekalipun, Kau dapat membuatku lebih putih dari bulu domba, dan Engkaulah yang sanggup membasuh dan menyucikan, menghapuskan segala bentuk dan jenis dan sifat kejahatan dari dalam batinku, sehingga aku menjadi manusia baru. Aku yang berdosa, Kau beri kebenaranMu sebagai pakaianku.

Terima kasih Tuhan! Engkau Allahku, dan kepadaMu aku mau sujud tersungkur dan menyembah, dengan mempersembahkan seluruh keberadaanku. Roh, jiwa dan tubuhku, semua niat dalam batinku, kuserahkan kepadaMu. Engkau yang berdaulat atas hidupku sepenuhnya.

Betapa indahnya bila hidup ini menjadi milikNya, dan ada dalam kedaulatanNya sepenuhnya. Bisakah? Hanya bisa bila ada penyerahan dan penyangkalan diri, hidup dalam ketaan setiap hari, menyerah total kepadaNya, Tuhan dan Allah kita.

· DIA GUNUNG BATU KITA

Daerah di mana Daud melarikan diri pada waktu dikejar-kejar musuh adalah daerah gunung-gunung batu, bukan gunung yang berbatu, tetapi gunung batu. Gunung itu benar-benar terbuat dari batu, kokoh, kuat, dan mereka membuat goa-goa dalam gunung batu itu, sehingga benar-benar bisa menjadi tempat perlindungan terhadap cuaca, binatang buas dan musuh. Demikianlah Daud mengumpamakan Tuhan.

Bagaimana dengan kita. Walau di luar sana tempat terbuka untuk bahaya, ancaman dan serangan, tetapi gunung batu merupakan tempat yang aman. Tinggi, terjal tak terhampiri. “Tuhan, Engkau Gunung Batuku yang melindungiku. Bagiku, asal aku ada di dalamMu, aku berada di tempat yang aman yang tak terhampiri oleh musuh-musuhku.” Taruh diri kita di sana, dalam lekukan hati atau tangan Gunung Batu Karang Yesus Kristus.

· DIA TEMPAT UNTUK KITA BERLINDUNG

Di surga dan di bumi tiada yang lebih besar, lebih berkuasa, lebih mengasihi, lebih peduli, lebih bisa atau mampu daripada Dia, Tuhan kita. Jadikan Dia tempat pengungsian, tempat berlindung, tempat bernaung, tempat berlari, tempat mengadu dalam keadaan apapun. Pada saat orang tidak peduli, Dia peduli. Pada saat orang lain lelah untuk mendengar atau memahami kita, Dia tetap mau mendengar dan mengerti serta memahami kita. Di saat orang lain terlelap tidur, dan kita sendiri dengan keresahan dan kegelisahan kita, dengan isak tangis atau lelehan air mata kita, Dia tidak terlelap, Dia tidak mengantuk, Dia tidak tertidur, Dia peduli, Dia tidak diam, Dia mau menemani kita, bahkan menolong kita. Dia mau menjadi body guard kita. Luar biasa. Tapi sayang, banyak orang kecewa, marah dengan Tuhan, mengata-ngatai Tuhan pada saat mengalami pergumulan panjang atau pada saat menghadapi keadaan atau mengalami sesuatu tidak seperti yang diharapkan. Kalau kita kecewa atau marah kepada Tuhan, apalagi mengata-ngatai Dia, lalu siapa yang akan kita minta tolong dalam kesulitan kita. Apakah ada yang melebihi Dia? Kita perlu berhati-hati dalam menjaga sikap hati dan perkataan kita terhadap Tuhan.

· TUHAN ADALAH PERISAI BAGI KITA

Perisai adalah tameng untuk menangkis dan melindungi terhadap senjata yang dibidikkan atau diluncurkan musuh terhadap kita. Tuhan pribadi yang hidup dan bukan benda yang mati. Apabila seseorang berada di dalam medan pertempuran, dia memegang perisai itu untuk menangkis dan melindungi dirinya terhadap anak-anak panah. Tetapi karena Tuhan hidup, Dia yang aktif memposisikan diri sebagai tameng atau perisai kita, dengan demikian kita benar-benar terproteksi. Bagaimana musuh bisa mengenai kita? Tak mungkin, sebab tak ada yang lebih mahir daripada Tuhan. Dia maha segalanya.

· TUHAN ADALAH TANDUK KESELAMATAN KITA

Di dalam PL, seseorang yang berbuat salah dan harus dihukum mati, pada waktu dia berlari ke mezbah dan memegang tanduk pada sudut-sudut mezbah, maka ia tidak boleh dibunuh (1 Raj 1:50-53). Namun harus bertobat dan berlaku setia serta tidak berkhianat.

Demikian pula dengan kita. Tak ada di antara kita yang luput dari dosa dan kesalahan, namun demikian, pada saat kita berlari kepada Tuhan untuk memperoleh keselamatan, Dia bermurah hati untuk memberi keselamatan itu. Namun kita harus bertobat dan berlaku setia dan tidak mengkhianati Tuhan.

Tanduk juga bisa berarti otoritas, kuasa, kedaulatan, kedudukan, posisi, wewenang. Tuhan mempunyai wewenang yang tertinggi untuk membebaskan kita dari dosa dan kesalahan kita, dan menganugerahkan keselamatan bagi kita. Luar biasa kasih dan pengampunan serta pertolonganNya terhadap orang yang membutuhkanNya. Halleluya.

· TUHAN ADALAH KOTA BENTENG KITA

Daud mengalami kesulitan yang besar pada waktu berperang melawan orang-orang Filistin. Ia mengalami keletihan, sehingga Alkitab mengatakan ia letih lesu. Ia menghadapi raksasa yang tombaknya berat-berat sampai ratusan syikal terbuat dari tembaga dan menyandang pedang baru, mengira dapat menewaskan Daud. (1 syikal = 11,4 gram). Datang Abisai menolong Daud merobohkan dan membunuh orang-orang Filistin itu. Daud dilindungi oleh orang-orangnya dan diamankan.

Empat raksasa total dikalahkan dan tewas di tangan Daud dan orang-orangnya, raksasa-raksasa itu ada yang gagang tombaknya seperti pesa tukang tenun, ada yang tinggi perawakannya dan jari kaki dan tangannya semua masing-masing jumlah jari seluruhnya 24. Semua keturunan raksasa (2 Sam 21:15-22).

Betapa beratnya pertempuran tersebut di daerah pegunungan-pegunungan dan padang-padang gurun tandus. Tetapi Tuhan membela, mendatangkan pertolongan, melindungi, menewaskan musuh, dan memberi kemenangan.

Mungkin kita juga dalam peperangan atau pergumulan dalam kehidupan. Kita sedang melakukan perlawanan yang sengit terhadap raksasa-raksasa yang menyerang kehidupan kita:

- Raksasa hutang piutang yang menggunung, kemiskinan, perhambaan, dll.

- Raksasa sakit-penyakit yang menahun, HIV, stroke, diabet, gagal ginjal, dll.

- Raksasa perselingkuhan dan godaan seks yang berat, pusing, pening, patah semangat, dll.

- Raksasa keputusasaan menghadapi masa depan, kekerasan dalam rumah tangga, dll.

Seperti Daud, kita letih, lelah, terpojok, jadi incaran. Tetapi Tuhan sebagai kota benteng kita akan melindungi kita dari semua arah, asal kita tetap percaya berharap dan berserah kepadaNya, sehingga kita tidak murtad, tetapi tetap beriman.

Kapan, dan bagaimana caranya Dia menolong, kita tidak tahu. Tetapi bertahan, jangan menyerah, jangan putus asa. Dia tidak akan membiarkan kita terkapar diinjak lawan kita, asal kita punya ketetapan hati untuk menang. Utamakan Tuhan. Nomor satukan Dia. Kasihi dan puji Dia. Kita menang saat kita tetap percaya dan bisa bersyukur kepadaNya. Amin.

Oleh : Ibu Pdt. Mary Hartanti

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My Next 40 Years

Posted by jakartaberdoa on September 11, 2009

MY NEXT 40 YEARS

I was looking at the calendar the other day and noticed that my 40th
birthday is just a few months off now. I did a quick peek over each
shoulder to see if that dreaded mid-life crisis was trying to sneak up on
me. I didn’t see a sight of him anywhere, and I doubt that he will show up
at all. Yes, I have made more than my share of mistakes in my past that I
am sorry for. My past, though, got me to where I am today. It made me who
I am now. I can’t change it. I can only learn from it and use it to better
live the time I have left.

I am not sure how long I will have left on this world. None of us ever know
when our time here will end. Some of us get a century and some of us get
only a day. One thing I do know, however, is that if I get them: my next
40 years are going to be my best 40 years. I am going to love more, give
more, and live more. I am going to sing more, laugh more, and dance more.
I am going to smile more, hug more, and listen more. I am going to take in
more sunsets, pet more dogs, and thank God more for my life. I am going to
take more walks, watch more fireflies, and smell more flowers. I am going
to choose more love, more joy, and more oneness with God all day long,
everyday I am given. I am going to share it all with the whole world and
show everyone everywhere that they can do the same. I am going to spend
everyday I have left here bringing a little more Heaven to Earth before I
leave Earth for Heaven.

It doesn’t matter if you have 60 years, 40 years, 20 years, or 6 months
left. You can still make it the best, most glorious, and most loving time
of your life. The longest life here is still very short indeed. Do all you
can then to live it in laughter, love, happiness, joy, goodness, and
oneness with God. Then when you die and get to see God’s smiling face, you
will know that your next billion years will be your best billion years.

By Joseph J. Mazzella

Read and meditate on these scriptures:
Psalm 103:2-5 “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits:
Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who
redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness
and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy
youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”

Psalm 118:4-6 “Let them now that fear the LORD say, that His mercy endureth
for ever. I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and
set me in a large place. The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can
man do unto me?”

1 Peter 3:8-11 “Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of
another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: Not rendering evil for
evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye
are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. For he that will
love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his
lips that they speak no guile: Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him
seek peace, and ensue it.”

All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible.

In Christ’s Service,
Dwayne Savaya
God’s Work Ministry

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Yoder

Posted by jakartaberdoa on September 1, 2009

Yoder the Amish Beagle
By Kenneth L. Pierpont

Beagles are great dogs.  They are bred to chase rabbits.  But if there aren’t any rabbits around they will chase cats, cars, and boys.  And if they are really bored Beagles have even been known to chase girls.  Now the nice thing about beagles is that they are short and they stay short all their lives so they are just the right size for little boys.  They are brown and black and white and they have long ears that flop when they run.

We wanted one.  One day, driving the back roads in the Amish country of Ohio, we found one.  We bought him from a nice Amish farmer so we named him Yoder. Yoder loved to romp with the kids.  We took him with us on our full-moon walks and we even took him fishing once.  We had a day of it.  He ran and tumbled and hiked and played all day and then on the way home he fell asleep in the car on Kyle’s lap, spent from his exploits.

The sad fact is, days like that were rare for Yoder.  Soon after the little dog came into our family, we moved to town and Yoder had to live on a chain in the back yard.  We didn’t like the arrangement.  It was a beautiful house in a very nice part of town and the neighbors were delightful people, but we longed for the country.

We were grateful for our home but we began to pray regularly for a place in the country.  We recorded the request in a prayer journal we were keeping.  In a few weeks our prayer was answered in a wonderful way.  We were able to lease a nice old two-story farmhouse on a dead end road.  The house rested in a valley.  

Traffic was sparse.  Unless someone was lost or coming for a visit, we had only two cars a day on our road.  We had a daily visit from the mailman, which was an event.  And every day or two a man from the gas company would check the well.  

We let Yoder off his chain and let him run.  He climbed hills, chased rabbits, swam in the creek and followed the kids on their explorations.  He was in Beagle heaven.  If you had any imagination at all you could see the joy on his face.  But his happy days would be few.

One rainy Saturday morning I was working at the study in town and I got a sad call from home.  I came home right away.  When I got out to the house the entire family was still in tears.  Between sobs they told me what happened.  
The man had come as usual to check the gas well.  As he was leaving he looked over toward where the children were playing.  I assume he was checking to see where they were and when he was satisfied all was clear he gunned the engine of his truck toward his next stop and drove away fast. But Yoder was still in the lane.  The little dog was not visible over the hood of his truck.
He ran right over him in full view of the children.  Kyle who was about eleven at the time ran to the lane, fell to his knees and gathered his little dog to his chest.  Yoder looked up at Kyle, let out a weak yelp and died in his arms.  Kyle carried him over and laid him down in the straw of the corncrib where he usually slept.

When I got home I wrapped him in a blanked and gathered him up and we all walked back to the creek and buried him there.  The mint grows there and it smells sweet in the spring.  Yonder liked to roll in it.  

We all held hands and we each prayed and thanked God for bringing Yoder into our lives.  Before we left we made up our mind that from now on no matter what other people called the creek, we were going to call it Yoder Creek.  Then we walked back home.

We all sat in the house and hurt and remembered our little pet.  His life was so short.  It still hurts a little to think that Yoder lived most of his life confined to a little circle defined by the length of his chain and he really had only a few weeks of freedom his whole life.

This sad world is full of people running in circles.  Their ability to experience the joys of life is limited by the chains of their own sin.  I remember a man like that.  He had four beautiful children and a loyal wife who would have opened her heart to him. But he never tossed a ball with his son.  He never walked on the beach with one of his beautiful daughters on his arm.  He never held his grandchildren in his arms or watch them play ball or took them fishing because he was confined by the chains of drunkenness and pride. On the day of his funeral I looked at his body and thought he seemed weary from straining toward life on the end of a chain but never really living.

I guess I’ve been that way myself more than I like to admit.  Limited to a small circle defined by the length of my chain.  That’s the way our adversary the Devil wants it. He delights in seeing us continually defeated by sin and burdened with guilt.  Jesus said he is a thief who came to steal, kill, and destroy.  He wants to limit us by the chains of our un-forgiveness, lust, greed, gluttony, impure speech or other sins and he is looking forward to our company in hell when we die.  

But Jesus came to set the captives free.  I don’t know about you but I intend to enjoy my freedom.  Jesus paid for it with his life and I like to imagine He smiles when he sees me running free.

Ken Pierpont may be reached via email at ken@kenpierpont.com or you may visit his web page at http://kenpierpont.com.

“A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.” – Proverbs 12:10 

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Watch Out For The Signs!

Posted by jakartaberdoa on August 29, 2009

Watch Out For The Signs!
By Steve Popoola

The road was smooth and straight. Ben relaxed and pushed up the speed of the car a little. He was so engrossed in his driving that he did not notice the sign by the side of the road as it swept past. The sign indicated a diversion ahead but Ben was unaware of this.

Suddenly Ben saw a roadblock ahead. He instinctively slammed his foot on the breaks and the car skidded crazily across the road turning 180 degrees. Finally, the car stopped. Ben could feel his heart thumping as if it were going to burst right through his chest. He was still shaking all over when a man pulled up beside him. 

“Are you alright?” the stranger asked. Ben could not trust himself to speak, He just nodded his head in the affirmative.

“You didn’t see the sign as you drove past”? Ben tried to speak this time and said “No” in a very weak and shaky voice.

“You were really lucky there, someone crashed here a few days ago, he wasn’t as fortunate as you are. Sure you are okay?”

Ben answered that he was okay and thanked the man for taking time to check on him.  The stranger gave an understanding smile and walked towards his car. He looked back towards Ben and said, “Son, you watch those signs, okay?” Ben gave a weak smile and nodded.

Many of us are like Ben. We cruise through the Christian way without looking out for the signs God puts along the way to warn us of impending danger. Christ never said the road traveled by the believer will be smooth and uneventful rather, He said, “But the narrow gate and the road that lead to life are full of trouble. Only a few people find the narrow gate” (Matthew 7:14).  It is not a road for the faint-hearted. It is a road traveled by those who know their God, who are strong and do exploits.

It is so easy to make wrong turnings in life. The wide way is so easy to follow. It is smooth, attractive and full of enticing things. Do you notice how advertisements draw our attention? Sometimes you wonder whether person on television is talking about the same detergent you are using or the same toothpaste you have used all your life. The enemy of our soul has one agenda in mind and that is to distract us away from our God-given purpose in life. 

God on the other hand, has given us His word, which is like a billboard that you can hardly miss. He also set up road signs for us through the workings of the Holy Spirit. These road signs could be seen through discussion with other people, books, teachings and the promptings of the Holy Spirit within us. To ignore these signs could mean disaster and sometimes death.

You may have taken a couple of wrong turnings in your Christian journey up till now. I have Good news for you, you can get back on track. The psalmist tells us, “The Lord guides us in the way we should go and protects those who please Him. If they fall, they will not stay down because the Lord will help them up” (Psalm 37:23-24) All you need to do is make a u-turn by repenting from your sin and heading back in the direction where you veered off the road leading to life.

As we continue this journey through life to our eternal home, let us be sensitive and watchful. Let us not allow the things of this world which are temporary, to dull our spiritual senses. Let us remember that we have an enemy who will continue to put diversionary tactics along our way. We are however assured that the Lord will continue to guide us and lead us in the path that He has chosen for us since the beginning of creation.

(c) 2004, Biblepraise Fellowship Online

Steve Popoola was born in London but currently reside in Lagos, Nigeria with wife Maris and their two children, Praise and Stephanie. He works in the IT dept of a bank. Formerly an active singer, he still sings occasionally and speaks at invited forums. He is moderator of the Biblpraise Fellowship Online and editor of Biblepraise Newsletter, a weekly Christian e-zine.

To subscribe, send blank email to biblepraise-subscribe@yahoogroups.com. He can be reached through His email address, stpopoola@yahoo.com, or visit his website at http://www.biblepraise.org

“Because strait [is] the gate, and narrow [is] the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” –Matthew 7:14

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Best Friends

Posted by jakartaberdoa on August 27, 2009

Best Friends

Author: Unknown

Once in a small farming town in Oklahoma, there lived a poor fourth grade boy named Andy who would follow this route to school everyday: He had to cross the rugged plains and a dangerous highway where vehicles recklessly drove to and fro. Once past this highway, the boy would take a short cut by passing by the Church every morning just to say hi to Jesus, and faithfully say his morning prayers. He was being watched by the pastor who always found the boy’s sincerity and innocence so uplifting in the morning.

“Hello Andy, How are you today”, he would say greeting the child. “I’m fine Pastor Thompson, How are you” …he would say flashing his innocent grin.

Seeing the way that Andy went to school the pastor was so concerned one day he talked to him. “From school…”, he advised “do not cross the highway alone, you can pass through the Church and then I will accompany you to the other side of the road that way I can see that you get home safe….”

“Thank you Pastor…”

“Why don’t you go straight home … why do you stay in this church right after school?”

Andy replied, “I just want to say “Hi” to my friend, Jesus,” so the pastor would leave the boy to spend time praying by himself beside the altar, but one day out of curiosity he hid behind the altar to listen to what this boy had to say.

“You know my math exam was pretty bad today, but I did not cheat-although my seat mate was bullying me for notes … you know, Dad’s had a bad farming season so far this year so we don’t have much food but I ate some bread and drank my water. Thank you for this! I saw a poor kitten who was hungry and I know how he feels so I gave some of my bread to him… funny but I am not that hungry… Look, this is my last pair of shoes… I may have to walk barefoot next week… you see this is about to be broken… but it is okay… at least I am still able to go to school… some say we will have a hard season this month, and some of my classmates have had to stop going to school to help with the farms … please help them get to school again, please Jesus?… Oh, you know, Dad hit me again, it is painful, but I know this pain will pass away, at least I still have a Dad … you want to see my bruises? I know you can heal them … here… here and….oh …blood. I guess you knew about this one, huh? Please don’t be mad at Dad, he is just tired and worries about putting food on our table and my schooling that is why he hits me… Oh, I think I am in love… there’s this pretty girl in my class, her name is Anita… do you think she will like me? Anyway, at least I know you will always like me, I don’t have to be anybody just to please you, you are my very best friend! Hey your birthday is just one week from now!!! Aren’t you excited? I am! Wait till you see, I have a gift for you…. but it is a surprise! I hope you will like it! Oooops, I have to go…”

Then he stood up and calls out, “Pastor, I am finished talking to my friend… can you accompany me to the other side of the road now”?

This routine happened everyday. Andy never failed to visit the church. Pastor Thompson shared this every Sunday to the people in his church because he had never before seen such pure faith and trust in God, and such a very positive outlook in such negative circumstances.

The day before Christmas, Pastor Thompson became very ill and was sent to the hospital. The Church was left to a substitute Pastor who had little patience for children or for any interruptions in his work. He would not smile and could always find fault in what other people were doing. On Christmas Day he was in the Pastor’s Study when Andy, coming from his Christmas party, playfully dashed into the church calling, “Hi Jesus!!!!!”

“Who are you child and what are you doing in here”, the pastor yelled out angrily. Poor Andy was so terrified.

“Where’s Pastor Thompson? He always helps me cross the street…. and not only that, I have to greet Jesus–it’s His birthday, I have a gift right here….” Just as he was about to get the gift out of his shirt, the pastor grabbed Andy by the shoulder and pushed him out the door of the church. “I cannot be bothered right now I am preparing my sermon for the Christmas service tonight. Also, next time be more reverent when you come into the church”, the man yelled as he closed the door behind Andy.

So the boy had no choice but to cross the dangerous side of the road in front of the church by himself. As he crossed a fast moving bus came in. There was a blind curve. The boy was protecting his gift inside his shirt, so he was not looking. There was so little time.

Andy died on the spot. As people crowded around the body of the poor, lifeless, young boy… Suddenly, out of nowhere a tall man appeared in a pure white shirt and pants, a face so mild and gentle, but with eyes full of tears… He came and carried the boy in His arms, He was crying.

Curious bystanders nudged the man in white, and asked, “Excuse me sir, are you related to the child? Do you know him?”

The man in white, His face mourning and in agony, answered, “He was my best friend …” was all he said. He took the badly wrapped gift from the shirt of the lifeless boy, and placed it near his heart. He stood up and carried the boy away and they both disappeared from sight. The crowd was curious… On New Years Eve, when Pastor Thompson returned home from the hospital he learned of the shocking news. He went to visit Andy’s parents, and to ask them about the man in white he had been told about. He consulted the parents of Andy.

“How did you first learn of your son’s death?”

“A man in white brought him here,” sobbed the mother.

“What did he say?”

The father answered, “He did not say anything. He was mourning. We do not know him and yet he was very lonely at our son’s death, as if he knew our son very well. But there was something peaceful and unexplainable about him. He gave me my son, and then he smiled peacefully. He rubbed my son’s hair away from his face and kissed him on his forehead, and then he whispered something…”

“What did he say?”

“He said to my boy…” the father began, “Thank you for the gift… I will see you soon… you will be with me…” and the father of the boy continued, “and you know for a while, it felt so wonderful… I cried, but I do not know why…. all I know is I cried tears of joy… I could not explain it, but when that man left, something peaceful came over me, I felt a deep sense of love inside… I could not explain the joy in my heart, I know my boy is in heaven now.. but… tell me, who was this man that my son talked to everyday in your church, you should know because you are always there… except at the time of his death…”

Pastor Thompson suddenly felt the tears welling in his eyes, with trembling knees, he murmured, “He was talking to Jesus….”

“But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.” -Psalm 3:3

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Faith in Dad

Posted by jakartaberdoa on August 26, 2009

Faith in Dad

Author: The Rev. Leonard Negrin, Houston

In 1965, when my son Robert was 4 years old, I was a traveling evangelist, conducting revivals all over Oklahoma, Texas and farther away, so a weekend at home was a rare treat.

We had a small house in a small town called Yukon, Okla. There was a sidewalk sale and an auction going on at the small business square. I needed something from the hardware store and took Rob, and we went downtown. We stopped to listen to the auctioneer, and as he auctioned off various items from the local merchants, he came to something called a “varoom motor.” It was something you could attach to the fender of a tricycle, and when the little metal stem was touched by the spokes of the wheel, it sounded like your tricycle was motorized.

I stood there as the bids were coming in — 50 cents, a dollar, $1.25. “Who will give me $2?” You can imagine how I felt when I looked down and there was my 4-year-old son with his hand up, bidding on the motor. I don’t remember now what the final bid was, but I knew I had to buy it, for my son had raised his hand in faith, knowing whatever the outcome was, his dad could meet the price.

For some years after that incident, I used that little story in sermons when I spoke about faith that we have in our heavenly father.

Young Robert has grown up to be a fine young man and is a practicing attorney here in Houston. The other evening, he had taken us out to show us his new car. As we were stepping away, he looked at his mother and me and said how much he appreciated both of us and his upbringing. I thought of the little boy with his hand raised saying, “Daddy, I believe in you.”

“But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.” – James 1:6 

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A Friend On The Line

Posted by jakartaberdoa on August 26, 2009

A Friend On The Line

Written Down By: Jennings Michael Burch

Even before I finished dialing, I somehow knew I’d made a mistake. The phone rang once, twice – then someone picked it up.

"You got the wrong number!" a husky male voice snapped before the line went dead.  Mystified, I dialed again.

"I said you got the wrong number!" came the voice.  Once more the phone clicked in my ear. How could he possibly know I had a wrong number?

At that time, I worked for the New York City Police Department. A cop is trained to be curious – and concerned.  So I dialed a third time.

"Hey, c’mon," the man said.  "Is this you again?"

"Yeah, it’s me," I answered.  "I was wondering how you knew I had the wrong number before I even said anything."

"You figure it out!"  The phone slammed down.

I sat there awhile, the receiver hanging loosely in my fingers. I called the man back.

"Did you figure it out yet?" he asked.

"The only thing I can think of is…nobody ever calls you."

"You got it!"  The phone went dead for the fourth time. Chuckling, I dialed the man back.

"What do you want now?" he asked.

"I thought I’d call…just to say hello."

"Hello?  Why?"

"Well, if nobody ever calls you, I thought maybe I should."

"Okay.  Hello. Who is this?"

At last I had gotten through. Now he was curious. I told him who I was and asked who he was.

"My name’s Adolf Meth.  I’m 88 years old, and I haven’t had this many wrong numbers in one day in 20 years!"  We both laughed.

We talked for 10 minutes. Adolf had no family, no friends. Everyone he had been close to had died. Then we discovered we had something in common: he’d worked for the New York City Police Department for nearly 40 years. Telling me about his days there as an elevator operator, he seemed interesting, even friendly. I asked if I could call him again.

"Why would you wanta do that?" he asked, surprised.

"Well, maybe we could be phone friends. You know, like pen pals."

He hesitated.  "I wouldn’t mind…having a friend again."  His voice sounded a little tentative.

I called Adolf the following afternoon and several days after that. Easy to talk with, he related his memories of World Wars I and II, the Hindenburg disaster and other historic events. He was fascinating. I gave him my home and office numbers so he could call me. He did – almost every day.

I was not just being kind to a lonely old man. Talking with Adolf was important to me, because I, too, had a big gap in my life. Raised in orphanages and foster homes, I never had a father. Gradually, Adolf took on a kind of fatherly importance to me.

I talked about my job and college courses, which I attended at night. Adolf warmed to the role of counselor. While discussing a disagreement I’d had with a supervisor, I told my new friend, "I think I ought to have it out with him."

"What’s the rush?" Adolf cautioned.  "Let things cool down. When you get as old as I am, you find out that time takes care of a lot.  If things get worse, then you can talk to him."

There was a long silence.  "You know," he said softly, "I’m talking to you just the way I’d talk to a boy of my own. I always wanted a family – and children.  You’re too young to know how that feels."

No, I wasn’t. I’d always wanted a family – and a father. But I didn’t say anything; afraid I wouldn’t be able to hold back the hurt I’d felt for so long.

One evening Adolf mentioned his 89th birthday was coming up. After buying a piece of fiberboard, I designed a 2′ x 5′ greeting card with a cake and 89 candles on it. I asked all the cops in my office and even the police commissioner to sign it. I gathered nearly a hundred signatures. Adolf would get a kick out of this, I knew.

We’d been talking on the phone for four months now, and I thought this would be a good time to meet face to face. So I decided to deliver the card by hand. I didn’t tell Adolf I was coming; I just drove to his address one morning and parked the car up the street from his apartment house.

A postman was sorting mail in the hallway when I entered the building.  He nodded as I checked the mailboxes for Adolf’s name. There it was. Apartment 1H, some 20 feet from where I stood.

My heart pounded with excitement.  Would we have the same chemistry in person that we had on the phone?  I felt the first stab of doubt.  Maybe he would reject me the way my father rejected me when he went out of my life.

I tapped on Adolf’s door. When there was no answer, I knocked harder. The postman looked up from his sorting.  "No one’s there," he said.

"Yeah," I said, feeling a little foolish.  "If he answers his door the way he answers his phone, this may take all day."

"You a relative or something?"

"No.  Just a friend."

"I’m really sorry," he said quietly, "but Mr. Meth died day before yesterday."

Died?  Adolf?  For a moment, I couldn’t answer. I stood there in shock and disbelief. Then, pulling myself together, I thanked the postman and stepped into the late-morning sun.

I walked toward the car, misty-eyed. Then, rounding a corner, I saw a church, and a line from the Old Testament leaped to mind: A friend loveth at all times.  And especially in death, I realized. This brought a moment of recognition.

Often it takes some sudden and sad turn of events to awaken us to the beauty of a special presence in our lives. Now, for the first time, I sensed how very close Adolf and I had become. It had been easy, and I knew this would make it even easier the next time, with my next close friend.

Slowly, I felt warmth surging through me. I heard Adolf’s growly voice shouting, "Wrong number!"  Then I heard him asking why I wanted to call again.

"Because you mattered, Adolf," I said aloud to no one.  "Because I was your friend."

I placed the unopened birthday card on the back seat of my car and got behind the wheel. Before starting the engine, I looked over my shoulder. "Adolf," I whispered, "I didn’t get the wrong number at all.  I got you."

Today’s message comes from THE STORY OF ENCOURAGEMENT.

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Parable Of The Pencil

Posted by jakartaberdoa on August 26, 2009

Parable Of The Pencil

Author Unknown

The Pencil Maker took the pencil aside, just before putting him into the box. There are 5 things you need to know, he told the pencil, before I send you out into the world. Always remember them and never forget, and you will become the best pencil you can be.

One: You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in Someone’s hand.

Two: You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, but you’ll need it to become a better pencil.

Three: You will be able to correct any mistakes you might make.

Four: The most important part of you will always be what’s inside.

And Five: On every surface you are used on, you must leave your mark. No matter what the condition, you must continue to write.

The pencil understood and promised to remember, and went into the box with purpose in its heart.

Now replacing the place of the pencil with you; always remember them and never forget, and you will become the best person you can be.

One: You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in God’s hand. And allow other human beings to access you for the many gifts you possess.

Two: You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, by going through various problems, but you’ll need it to become a stronger person.

Three: You will be able to correct any mistakes you might make.

Four: The most important part of you will always be what’s on the inside.

And Five: On every surface you walk through, you must leave your mark. No matter what the situation, you must continue to do your duties.

By understanding and remembering, let us proceed with our life on this earth having a meaningful purpose in our heart.

“Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.” – Proverbs 27:17 

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Maybe

Posted by jakartaberdoa on August 22, 2009

MAYBE

Maybe…God wanted us to meet the wrong people before meeting the right
one so that, when we finally meet the right person, we will know how to be
grateful for that gift.

Maybe…when the door of happiness closes, another opens; but, often
times, we look so long at the closed door that we don’t even see the new
one which has been opened for us.

Maybe…it is true that we don’t know what we have until we lose it, but
it is also true that we don’t know what we have been missing until it
arrives & Maybe…the happiest of people don’t necessarily have the best
of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes along
their way.

Maybe…you should dream what you want to dream; go where you want to go;
be what you want to be, because you have only one life and one chance to
do all the things you dream of and want to do.

Maybe…there are moments in life when you miss someone-a parent, a spouse,
a friend, a child-so much that you just want to pick them from your dreams
and hug them for real.

Maybe…the best kind of friend is the kind you can sit on a porch and
swing with, never say a word, and then walk away feeling like it was the
best conversation you’ve ever had.

Maybe…you should always try to put yourself in others’ shoes. If you feel
that something could hurt you, it probably will hurt the other person too.

Maybe…giving someone all your love is never an assurance that they will
love you back. Don’t expect love in return; just wait for it to grow in
their heart; but, if it doesn’t, be content that it grew in yours.

Maybe…you shouldn’t go for looks; they can deceive; Don’t go for wealth;
even that fades away. Go for someone who makes you smile, because it takes
only a smile to make a dark day seem bright. Find the one that makes your
heart smile.

Author Unknown

Read and meditate on these scriptures:
1 Peter 2:9 “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy
nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of Him
who hath called you out of darkness into His marvellous light.”

http://www.Godswork.org

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