Life-Changing Choices

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. - Isaiah 41:10

Champion athlete Eric Liddell's decision not to run on Sunday in the 1924 Olympic Games was not difficult because of his deep belief that the Lord's Day was for worship and rest.

A more agonizing dilemma had come a year earlier when Eric was asked to speak about his faith in Christ to a group of coal miners. Liddell said of his struggle: "My whole life had been one of keeping out of public duties but the leading of Christ seemed now to be in the opposite direction, and I shrank from going forward. At this time I finally decided to put it all on Christ - after all if He called me to do it, then He would have to supply the necessary power. In going forward the power was given me."

The day after agreeing to publicly share his faith, Eric received a letter from his sister, Jenny, in China. Written weeks before, it ended with this verse of Scripture: "Fear not for I am with you; be not dismayed for I am your God; I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you; yes, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand".

Every call from God is an opportunity for us to say "Yes," trusting His strength and not our own.

Lord, I'm fearful sometimes when You ask me
to do something out of my comfort zone. 
Help me to remember that as I step out in faith, 
You will provide the power to obey. 

He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it. 

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Isaiah 41:8-14

"But you, Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, You descendants of Abraham my friend, I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you. I sad, 'You are my servant'; I have chosen you and have not rejected you. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. 

"All who rage against you will surely be ashamed and disgraced; those who oppose you will be as nothing and perish. Though you search for your enemies, you will not find them. Those who wage war against you will be as nothing at all. For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. Do not be afraid, you worm Jacob, little Israel, do not fear, for I myself will help you," declares the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel. 

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Thanks Lord, thank you for Holy Spirit you have given to me... Thank you lord... 

it was sad that being too naive, not knowing anything, either things that i suppose to know or not... is that a way putting down others, just to show that they are right, when they are not?

Thank you Lord for letting me to see that it's not my fault, neither is my war... You reminded me that it's yours to revenge, and showing me that I do not need to prove myself to them.. What's the point of proving myself to someone that don't cares or loves me? Even if I should do better, it should be for the sake of those who cares for me, don't disappoint them...

Your words has been a great courage to me, thank you Lord... You are my God... It's good to know that I have the greatest support in the world behind me, a support that will not let me fall... regardless of the situation, I believe God will let me have access to things that I should know of, and close the door to things that I do not need to know of. 

Lord I put everything unto your mighty hand, I am willing to surrender everything to you... Thank you Lord for Your mercy on me, reminds me of what it could be if i follow my fleshy will... I might be successful but i might forget God... tho i want to be richer, but that means i will try to solve everything on my own... which i left no rooms for God to work on... Thank God that actually showing me such dangerous consequences if i make that choice...

Daddy I love you.. once again i'm thankful for everything you had given to me... 

Changing Enemies Into Friends

But I say to you, love your enemies... do good to those who hate you. ~ Matthew 5:44

During the US Civil War, hatred became entrenched between the North and South. In one instance, President Abraham Lincoln was criticized for speaking of benevolent treatment for the Southern rebels. The critic reminded Lincoln that were was a war going on, the Confederates were the enemy, and they should be destroyed. But Lincoln wisely responded, "I destroy my enemies when I make them my friends."

Lincoln's comment is insightful. In many ways it reflects Jesus' teaching in the Sermon on the Mount: "I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven".

We will encounter difficult people in our lives - some on whom we will need to set limits. But to give in to the temptation to undermine or hurt them in any way is not God's way. Instead, we should pray for them, show consideration, look out for their best interests, and emphasize the positive. This may result in changing an enemy into a friend.

Not everyone will respond positively to us, but we can pray and plan for a more harmonious relationship. What difficult person can you start befriending?

Lord, some people in my life are difficult to love. 
I am tempted not even to try to care. 
But You showed love to me even when I was Your enemy. 
Please direct me into ways to love with Your power and grace. 

It's hard to hate someone when  you're doing something good for him. 

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Matthew 5:43-48

"You have heard that it was said, 'Love our neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. 

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well, isn't really that hard to treat other better... is just the willingness and humble myself... 
all i need is just need to humble myself, not to look down at others... 
hmm, lemme start being nice to everyone... :) 

Don't compare with others, if i do better, i will be proud... 
if i do bad, i jealous... so i shouldn't compare, the result isn't please God.. neither it's good for me...

Remembering The Reason

For even the Son of man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many. - Mark 10:45

Joe Morris flavors his ice cream with ingredients ranging from chocolate and strawberries to green tea and dried chipotle peppers. He's one of three ice-cream makers for a successful Texas company known for its quality, creativity, and innovation. But Joe hasn't forgotten why he does it.

He told reporter Ricardo Gandara that one of the longtime employees always reminded them, "Why are we making ice cream? It's a happy food. We're here to make people happy." And that's why Joe Morris makes ice cream.

We know that it's extremely important to remember the reason for what we do as followers of Jesus. If we forget, we become like the disciples when a dispute over who was most important created anger and division among the. Jesus reminded them that "even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."

If our goal is to share the good news of God's love with others, we won't become impersonal or harsh if someone resists or ridicules our appeal. As we follow our Lord's path of loving service and sacrifice, we are reminded that He came to serve and save.

That's the reason for everything we do.

He whose right was heaven's glory
Chose to serve on earth below,
Leaving us a clear example
Of the love He'd have us show.

Keep your eyes on the Lord, and you won't lose sight of life's purpose.

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The reason, i with him, was because he asked for a present...
and now he no longer need this present, he had enough life experience from this...
he's prepared for the right person... as he deserve better... 
be his present, makes him happy... it's time to end this, when i fail...


maybe, this is just a lesson for his life.. 
and now it's time to move on...
without me...  


i came to serve, and it's over..

Planted In The House Of The Lord

They shall still bear fruit in old age; they shall be fresh and flourishing. - Psalm 92:14

After conducting a series of interviews with elderly people, author Don Gold published the book Until the Singing Stops: A Celebration of Life and Old Age in America.

Gold loved and admired his grandmother, and it was the memory of her that moved him to meet and learn from other elderly people. He recalls that on the way to one of his interviews, he got lost on a dusty country in Missouri. When he pulled into a farm to ask for directions, a teenager came up, listened, shrugged his shoulders, and then replied, "Don't know." So he drove on. A few miles farther down the road, he stopped again at a farmhouse. The farmer, who was an old man, graciously gave him flawless directions.

Perhaps, Gold mused, that experience sums up what he was searching for when the memory of his grandmother sent him out to find people like her. He was looking for someone to guide him in his life journey.

If you're "young," seek out older people who have been drinking deeply from God's love and goodness throughout their life. They have wisdom to share that will help you so that you also might flourish and grow in your faith.


Dear Jesus, take my heart and hand, 
and grant me this, I pray:
That I through Your sweet love may grow
More like You day by day. - Garrison


Fellowship with Christ is the secret of fruitfulness for Him. 

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suppose, i have to listen to those experienced people, to learn...
but, it really hurts when all i have from him was stupidity of me... 
i want to grow too.. with more wisdom, like someone he admires... 
but it takes time.... i don't know how long will this takes, but i'm trying...
can't he be nice to me? phrase it some other way... i would listen and follow..
why it has to end this way?


i thought, we are strong, have firm foundation...
but why all this collapse just because of my ignorant? naive? stubborn and stupidity?


maybe, it's time to let it go?
continue to live with someone that he can't be sure,
be sure to be his firm support,
must has struggled him severely all this while...
I should let him go...
get someone that can promise a future for him?
he deserve better, i should let him go...
if i love him enough, i won't let him suffer all this..


it's enough... i had enough happiness from him,
and he suffered enough from me...
it's done... the end...


the fruit of this relationship, i guess...
i got my happy memories with him...
and i had no idea what he got, other and suffers...

Troubled Times

In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. ~ John 16:33

If you've never heard of Murphy's Law, you've probably experienced it: "If anything can go wrong, it will."

Murphy's maxim reminds me of the principle Jesus shared with His disciples when He told them, "In this world you will have trouble". In other words, we can count on it - sooner or later we will hit troubled times. It's not the way God originally intended life to be, but when the human race first succumbed to Satan's seduction in the garden, everything on this planet fell into the grip of sin. And the result has been disorder and dysfunction ever since.

The reality of trouble in life is obvious. It's the reality of peace that often eludes us. Interestingly, when Jesus warned His followers about trouble, in the same breath He also promised peace. He even told them to "be of good cheer, I have overcome the world". The word overcome indicates a past event that has a continuing effect. Not only did Jesus conquer the fallen world through His death and resurrection, but He continues to provide victory, no matter how much trouble we may face.

So, although we can expect some trouble in this fallen world, the good news is that we can count on Jesus for peace in troubled times.


Dear Lord, thank You for always being with us. 
We ask that when troubles invariably come, 
You would renew in us once again the blessed
peace of Your presence. Amen.


In the midst of troubles, peace can be found in Jesus.



John 16:25-33


"Though I have been speaking figuratively, a time is coming when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my Father. In that day you will ask in my name. I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf. No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father."


Then Jesus' disciples said, "Now you are speaking clearly and without figures of speech. Now we can see that you know all things and that you do not even need to have anyone ask you questions. This makes us believe that you came from God."


"Do you now believe?" Jesus replied. "A time is coming and in fact has come when you will be scattered, each to your own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me. 


"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But that heart! I have overcome the world."


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Time in troubles... Troubled times~

When there is misunderstanding, leave room for wrath of God...
When there is miscommunication, be patient for work from God...


I will have no fear to others if my God will fight for me, who will brings justice to me...
I shall have peace when there is hard time, for we have God's promise, who will bless us...


Let all these troubles become our testimonies~
Let all these problems become our promises~
Let all these, good or bad, be the lessons of our life~


Nothing is too hard, or impossible, when we leave it to God....
We learnt, He is the God that do awesome things, who fixed all the problems...

Your love so great, Higher than the stars
Unfailing love, Deeper than the sea
Your love so sure, Stronger than the mountains
Oh Your love, It's everything to me

*Love so high ~ Cornerstone @ Hillsong*

Rising to the Top

Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit. - Philippians 2:3

"Lacks ambition." That is not a phrase you want to see on your performance review. When i comes to work, employees who lack ambition seldom rise to the top of an organization. Without a strong desire to achieve something, nothing is accomplished. Ambition, however, has a dark side. It often has more to do with elevating self than with accomplishing something noble for others.

This was the case with many of the kings of Israel, including the first one. Saul started out with humility, but he gradually came to consider his position as something that belonged to him. He forgot that he had a special assignment from God to lead His chosen people in a way that would show other nations the way to God. When God relieved him of duty, Saul's only concern was for himself.

In a world were ambition often compels people to do whatever it takes to rise to positions of power over others, God calls His people to a new way of living. We are to do nothing out of selfish ambition and to lay aside the weight of sin that ensnares us.

If you want to be someone who truly "rises up", make it your ambition to humbly love and serve God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.

Rise up, O men of God! Have done with lesser things:
Give heart and mind and soul and strength
To serve the King of kings. - Merrill 


Ambition is short-sighted if our focus is not on God.


1 Samuel 15:17-30


Samuel said, "Although you were once small in your own eyes, did you not become the head of tribes of Israel? The Lord anointed you king over Israel. And he sent you on a mission, saying, 'Go and completely destroy those wicked people, the Amalekites; wage was against them until you have wiped them out,' Why did you not obey the Lord? Why did you pounce on the plunder and do evil in the eyes of the Lord?"


"But I did obey the Lord," Saul said. "I went on the mission the Lord assigned me. I completely destroyed the Amalekites and brought back Agag their king. The soldiers took sheep and cattle from the plunder, the best of what was devoted to God, in order to sacrifice them to the Lord your God at Gilgal."


But Samuel replied: "Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has rejected you as king." 


Then Saul said to Samuel, "I have sinned. I violated the Lord's command and your instructions. I was afraid of the men and so I gave in to them. Now I beg you, forgive my sin and come back with me, so that I may worship the Lord." 


But Samuel said to him, "I will not go back with you. You have rejected the word of the Lord, and the Lord has rejected you as king over Israel!"


As Samuel turned to leave, Saul caught hold of the hem of his robe, and it tore. Samuel said to him, "The Lord has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today and has given it to one of your neighbors - to one better than you. He who is the Glory of Israel does not lie or change his mind; for he is not a human being, that he should change his mind." 


Saul replied, "I have sinned. But please honor me before the elders of my people and before Israel; come back with me, so that I may worship the Lord your God."

A Bouquet Of Praise

... that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. - 1 Peter 4:11

Corrie ten Boom (1892-1983) was a World War II concentration camp survivor and Christian who became popular speaker around the world. Thousands attended her meetings as she talked about how she had learned to forgive her captors just as Christ had forgiven her sins.

After each meeting, people surrounded her and heaped accolades on her for her godly qualities and thanked her for encouraging them in their walk with the Lord. Corrie said she would hen return to her hotel room, get down on her knees, and present those compliments in thanks to God. She called it giving God "a bouquet of praise."

The Lord has given each of us gifts to use to minister to one another (1 Peter 4:10) so that "in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever". We have nothing to offer others that we have not first received from the Lord, so the glory does belong to Him.

To learn humility, perhaps we could follow Corrie's example. If we receive a compliment for something we've said or done, let's privately give a bouquet of praise to God for the glory He alone deserves.

Immortal, invisible, God only wise,

In light inaccessible hid from our eyes,

Most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,

Almighty, victorious - Thy great name we praise. - Smith

Praise is the fairest blossom which springs from the soul.

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1 Peter 4:7-11

The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love cover a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.

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

If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God.

If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.

To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

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I watch Your wonders fill the sky... Over the mountains reaching high...

The same majesty floods my life... i stand in awe...

As long as i live, i'll praise You Lord...

Name above all, be lifted high...

All of my days, i worship You... i worship You...

Lovely, You are lovely...

There is no one, there is no one more worthy... You are worthy...

i try to find the words, there is no one lovelier...

~...Christ Tomlin...~

Praise the Lord... for giving me my Adam... the one that i had long awaited...

Thanks to the Lord... for helping us get through all the obstacles...

Worship Lord alone... for You are worthy and there is none like You...

after months, popping here and there... it's time to decide...

settled with shelter, study, living... and now, which actually should be the first, a church...

feel like, a man can't serves 2 masters... where to serve, is my question now...

going to a church which I don't feel like a home?

or another one which welcome me with warm smile?

I see the needs... but, I also wish to get a place that could feed my spiritual life...

both nothing wrong with teaching... again... i should choose a church based on feeling? or just stay with what i had committed?... which actually don't have much chances for me to choose at first...

Stay at the church and try to help them with what is given me?

knowing there is no such perfect church... cos we are the one who make it a better church...

but, just feel like going somewhere i feel comfortable with...

is it time to serve but not to be served?... anyway, let's skip this headache question first...

Paul... thank God for him... few times, that i thought i'm going to lose him...

when he is angry, unhappy, and frustrated... when i do mistakes, sick, and blur...

thank God that he could calm down eventually and be there still...

Daddy, I loves You... cos You loves me first... and now, let me use the love given, to love this man i chose @ given... he knew that only you can help him with his temper... from your servant i heard that, someone with bad temper is someone lack of love... is that apply to him? if so, please, use me as a way to deliver Your most precious love to him... i really hope that he can stay in beloved condition all the time... not only through me, but by God Yourself... let him feel Your presence and Your love all the time... with love, lots of sins can be covered, lots of problem could just be small little matter... or doesn't matter at all... Daddy, help him to stay in Your love whole day long, until the end of his day...

and also Your little daughter here... give me wisdom please... i can feel that his cousin is someone full of wisdom... bit of admire, little jealousy... knowing that everyone is unique and no way to compare... but still, i wish to have the wisdom she has... therefore i could do less mistake and less blur... by Your mighty, i can become a light for the rest too... please, give me wisdom, so that i can solve the problem well, serve other properly, build your church with wisdom too...

PS:- Paul, i know you may come to my blog and read this, here is my prayer, for you and for me... obstacles we face, not meant to be only one of us, but we both will need to face it together... let's pray that we could have enough strength from God to overcome all these... no one is perfect, sometime you can't control your anger, and i'm so blur for things... let's move forward with His strength, power, and blessing... we can learn to be someone glorify His name...

I think you must be very clear that we are surround by non-Christian... mostly... our relationship is a life testimony for them... they are observing us, as a Christian... they might become Christian, because we gave them good impression of a Christian... we do our part, let God do the rest...

Dear, try to love your family with action... try not to reject their requests... you might think those little things doesn't matter, but that's what counted after day and days... do some small little thing for them, and I'm sure they will appreciate it...

:) ... well, couldn't sleep tho after telling you i want go to bed... and this is something that I worked on from around 2am?? XP well, feel sleepy now... i think i can sleep now...