Not to Rest In Our Blessings But In the Blesser Himself

"When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the Lord your God for the good land he has given you. Be careful that you do not forget the Lord your God, failing to observe his commands, his laws, and his decrees that I am giving you this day. Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied... then your heart will become proud and you will forget the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery” (Psalms 16:2, NIV) #ServeToLead #PreachTheWord #DontForgetTheBlesser #SpiritualBlessingsAndRedemption

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Biblical Manhood #7 Generous Giver

A man must be "hospitable" (1Timothy 3:2). The Greek word philoxenos, where the word hospital comes from, means 'given to hospitality' or 'lover of hospitality.' Or as I put it: to be generous and caring for others. Why is this characteristic or quality is very important especially for a man? Well, watch the video to learn! 😉⚡💪 #ServeToLead

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The Money G.P.S.

I'm not going to teach you how to be rich. I will if I can. What I'm going to share with you are the most basic principles of managing or controlling your money. This is hard for me because I'm not known in the past as being wise with my own money. Yet, I think this is an important message. 

Dave Ramsey advice, "You must gain control over your money or the lack of it will forever control you" #ServeToLead #TheMoneyBasicPrinciples #GivingPayingSaving #GrowingLeader

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Abram Let God Makes the Decision (Genesis 13:5-11)

“Now Lot, who was moving about with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents. But the land could not support them while they stayed together, for their possessions were so great that they were not able to stay together. And quarreling arose between Abram’s herders and Lot’s… So Abram said to Lot, ‘Let’s not have any quarreling between you and me, or between your herders and mine, for we are close relatives. Is not the whole land before you? Let’s part company. If you go to the left, I’ll go to the right; if you go to the right, I’ll go to the left.’ Lot looked around and saw that the whole plain of the Jordan toward Zoar was well watered, like the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt… So Lot chose for himself the whole plain of the Jordan and set out toward the east”
(Genesis 13:5-11, NIV).

When there was a conflict between Abram’s servants and Lot’s, Abram extended a graciousness that was similar to the grace he had received from God. The two households (uncle and nephew) would have to go their separate ways. As the elder relative, Abram had every right to dictate to his nephew the terms of the separation. But he didn’t. He let Lot choose which land to take. Wow!

Why was Abram willing to leave that most important decision to another? Perhaps he understood that neither he nor Lot was making the decision. God was at work, and God was the One who would be giving Abram the land he wanted Abram to have.

As it turned out, Lot’s choice to settle in the “well-watered” plains of the Jordan didn’t make him a great patriarch. Life among the wicked cities of the plains – including Sodom and Gomorrah – wrecked Lot’s family (read Genesis chapter 18 and 19). God rewarded Abram’s act of faith, on the other hand, with a renewal of His promise: “All the land that you see I will give to you and your offspring forever” (Genesis 13:15). That land, by the way, included the Jordan Valley, which Abram had just given to Lot!

I like what Ray Stedman writes, “Everyone dwells in a world exactly like that of Abram and Lot. A world in which material values constantly clamor for us to make a choice. We have only so much time to invest, so much life to spend, and we are pressured to try to grab the best for ourselves while we can. We can say with Lot, ‘I want what the world can offer me now, I want the cities of the plain.’ Or we may wait with Abram, content with our tent and altar, enjoying the blessings of the land by faith now, and waiting for God's fulfillment of all His promises in that wonderful age yet to come. The Christian who is content to let God make his choices finds it easy to fulfill the New Testament word: ‘Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” Amen.

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Jesus Sends the Holy Spirit to Live within Us (1 John 2:26-27)

“I am writing these things to warn you about those who want to lead you astray. But you have received the Holy Spirit, and he lives within you, so you don’t need anyone to teach you what is true. But the Spirit teaches you everything you need to know, and what he teaches is true – it is not a lie. So just as he has taught you, remain in fellowship with Christ”

(1 John 2:26-27, NLT).

As I mentioned at the beginning of this chapter, the Apostle John is presenting two safeguards to help believers keep from being led “astray.” The first safeguard is to keep living according to the Word which has been heard about Jesus Christ from the beginning of the Christian church (1 John 2:24). Use this Word as an anchor or reference point. Now John mentions a second safeguard to help us prevent a disaster as far as our faith is concerned: to remain in a personal, intimate relationship with Jesus Christ because of the work of the Holy Spirit who “lives within us.”

On the second safeguard, John mentions here that we have all “received the Holy Spirit” or translated as “anointing” in the Amplified Bible. He is referring to the fact that, back in the Old Testament times, anointing was only for the privileged few, such as kings or prophets. Since Jesus came, this anointing is for every believer because of what He has done for us. There has been some question regarding what the actual anointing means. Some people think that anointing refers to our baptism. Another interpretation – and the one which seems to make the most sense in this context to me – is that the anointing is the coming of the Holy Spirit into our lives when we become Christians. So it is more a symbolic (of a spiritual) anointing than a literal anointing with oil or water. But it is nevertheless a real anointing.

When Jesus’ disciples were upset and confused about why Jesus had to die, He promised that the Holy Spirit would live in all who believed in Him: “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him because he lives with you now and later will be in you… But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative – that is, the Holy Spirit – he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you” (John 14:16-17, 26). This is what makes the Christian faith so special and different from all other religions. We believe in a God who has personally shown how much He loves us by sending Jesus Christ to die for our sins and be our Saviour – and give us the Holy Spirit to “lives within us.”

But we not only believe in a God “out there” or “upstairs,” we believe in a God who “lives within us”, who moves into our lives once we confess and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. And God then continues to lead and guide us to know what is right and true, as well as what is wrong or false. The more the Holy Spirit teaches us and helps us understand how to live as God’s children, the more we become rooted or stabilized in God. Back in the Gospel, John refers to Jesus as the true vine and to believers as the branches (read John 15:1-11). Without being part of a vine, a branch will quickly wither and die. So we need to continue to be rooted in Christ Himself to keep on growing and receiving the nourishment we need.

Notice, John, ends this section with the same challenge with which he began it – to “abide” or “remain in fellowship with Christ.” In other words, as we are confronted by people seeking to lead us astray, or when we feel discouraged or like giving up, hang in there; stay rooted – remain with Christ. When we feel pressured, unsure, doubted, or knocked down, in those times of growth, we are not alone. The Holy Spirit lives within us. God is with us to guide, direct, and encourage us. So friends, hang in with God. God won’t let you down. Amen.

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Jesus Gives in Abundance even Beyond Our Wildest Expectations

“Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward heaven, and blessed them. Then, breaking the loaves into pieces, he gave the bread to the disciples, who distributed it to the people. They all ate as much as they wanted, and afterward, the disciples picked up twelve baskets of leftovers. About 5,000 men were fed that day, in addition to all the women and children!”
(Matthew 14:19-21, NLT).

Jesus, acting as the host of the soon-to-be banquet, took the loaves and fish, thanked God beforehand for the provision he was about to give, and then broke the loaves – and the miracle occurred in Jesus’ hands. He gave the bread to his disciples to then give “to the people.” He did the same thing with the fish. The disciples acted as waiters (reminds me of doing part-time as waiter at the Hilton and Riverside Hotel), taking the bread and fish, distributing it, and then returning to Jesus to get more. They continued to serve the crowd until everyone had had enough to eat.

What an amazing miracle. Before the eyes of the disciples and the gathered crowd, the small offering of food had somehow multiplied so that everyone had more than enough to eat. Through this miracle, God was authenticating Jesus as his Son and portraying the generous blessings of the Kingdom through the power of the Holy Spirit. Just as God had provided manna to the Israelites in the wilderness (Exodus 16) and had multiplied oil and flour for Elijah and the widow at Zarephath (1 Kings 17:7-16) and oil for Elisha (2 Kings 4:1-7), he was providing bread for the people on this day.

The people, especially those far from the scene, probably couldn’t see Jesus multiply the loaves and fish. On the other hand, they had been watching Jesus perform miracles all day. The disciples had also seen the healings, yet even they wondered about Jesus’ ability to provide food for them and the crowd. Jesus took that small donation and increased it to an incredible amount, plus leftovers! (“…twelve baskets of leftovers”). God can do anything. He can, and will, multiply what we give to him – beyond our wildest expectations. Think about this: God gives in abundance. If we take the first step in making our time, abilities, and other resources available to God, he will show us how greatly we can be used to advance God’s Kingdom.

“If we just give God the little that we have,

We can trust Him to make it go around”
(Gloria Gaither)

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Jesus: the One Who Gave Himself for Us

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16, NKJV).

A twenty-five-word parade of hope: beginning with God, ending with life, and urging us to do the same. Brief enough to write on a napkin or memorize in a moment, yet solid enough to weather two thousand years of storms and questions. If you know nothing of the Bible, start here. If you know everything in the Bible, return here. We all need the reminder. The heart of the human problem is the heart of the human. And God’s treatment is prescribed in John 3:16.

He loves. He gave. We believe. We live.

The words are to Scripture what the Mississippi River to America – an entryway into the heartland. Believe or dismiss them, embrace of reject them, any serious consideration of Christ must include them. Would a British historian dismiss the Magna Carta? Egyptologists overlook the Rosetta stone? Could you ponder the words of Christ and never immerse yourself into John 3:16?

The verse is an alphabet of grace, a table of contents to the Christian hope, each word a safe-deposit box of jewels. Read it again, slowly and aloud, and note the word that snatches your attention. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

“God so loved the world…” We’d expect an anger-fuelled God. One who punishes the world, recycles the world, forsakes the world… but loves the world?

The world? This world? Heartbreakers, hope-snatchers, and dream-dousers prowl this orb. Dictators rage. Abusers inflict. Reverends think they deserve the title. But God loves. And He loves the world so much He gave His:
Declarations? Rules? Dicta? Edicts?

No. the heart-stilling, mind-bending, deal-making-or-breaking claim of John 3:16 is this: God gave His Son… His only Son. No abstract ideas but a flesh-wrapped divinity. Scripture equates Jesus with God. God, then, gave Himself. Why? So that “whoever believes in His should not perish.”

[From 3:16 by Max Lucado]

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Jesus Commissions the Twelve: Announce (Costly Message) and Give Freely (No Cost)

“Jesus called his twelve disciples together and gave them authority to cast out evil spirits and to heal every kind of disease and illness. Here are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (also called Peter), then Andrew (Peter’s brother), James (son of Zebedee), John (James’s brother), Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew (the tax collector), James (son of Alphaeus), Thaddaeus, Simon (the zealot), Judas Iscariot (who later betrayed him). Jesus sent out the twelve apostles with these instructions: ‘Don’t go to the Gentiles or the Samaritans, but only to the people of Israel – God’s lost sheep. Go and announce to them that the Kingdom of Heaven is near. Heal the sick, raise the dead, cure those with leprosy, and cast out demons. Give as freely as you have received!’”
(Matthew 10:1-8, NLT).

Many people followed and listened to Jesus, but the twelve listed above composed the inner circle and received authority and the most intense training. They had authority over the forces of evil, as well as the ability to speak the word to have God’s power to cast out evil spirits. They also had power “to heal every kind of disease and illness.” First verse above says they are “disciples” but verses after that call them “apostles,”* meaning “sent ones” or “the Messenger.” The fact that Jesus limited their ministry “to the people of Israel” doesn’t mean he opposed evangelizing Gentiles and Samaritans. In fact, Jesus himself had already ministered to both groups (for example, Matthew 8:28-34). But the message was to go to “the Jew first” (Romans 1:16). Another factor may be that the disciples weren’t ready to branch out beyond their own people. Eventually Jesus would commission them to go to “all the nations” (Matthew 28:19).

Jesus gave the apostles two tasks: They were to “announce” and to “give.” As Jesus’ representatives, they were to spread his message, announcing that “the Kingdom of Heaven is near,” letting everyone know that the Messiah, Jesus had come. Jesus also told them to “give as freely” as they had received, healing the sick, raising the dead, curing those with leprosy, and casting out demons. These four-fold miracles were exactly the ones Jesus had done and would demonstrate that the disciples had Jesus’ power.

As you can see, Jesus had quite a diverse collection of disciples, especially the Twelve – fishermen, tax collector, zealot (freedom fighter), and so on. Yet, he entrusted his message and mission to them. Through this small band, the word would go forth, the Kingdom of Heaven would be introduced, and the world would be changed. Imagine what those men must have thought as Jesus gave his final instructions, especially considering their specific tasks. This was a significant and intimidating assignment, but Jesus had confidence in the apostles as he sent them out.

Think about this: Jesus told the apostles to announce a specific message of hope and salvation. He also told them to act with mercy. And the principle guiding their actions should be “Give as freely as you have received.” The disciples had received salvation (fully revealed in the Cross of Christ) and the Kingdom without cost; they were to give their lives under the same principle. Because God has showered us with his blessings, we can give generously to others of our time, love and possessions. Maybe each of us should ask ourselves this question: What can I do to give more “freely” of what I have received from God?

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

*What is an apostle? www.gotquestions.org responded: “This specific type of apostle is not present in the church today. The qualifications of this type of apostle were: 1) to have been an witness of the resurrected Christ (1 Corinthians 9:1); 2) to have been explicitly chosen by the Holy Spirit (Acts 9:15); and 3) to have the ability to perform signs and wonders (Acts 2:43; 2 Corinthians 12:12). The role of the twelve apostles, laying the foundation of the church, would also argue for their uniqueness. Two thousand years later, we are not still working on the foundation” (Read more at: http://www.gotquestions.org/what-is-an-apostle.html). 

Softening a Heart

Refer to previous post. Here is the continuation of another story on how Jewish rabbis (or teachers) were always encouraging people to be charitable. They felt that charity improved the life of whoever received it, and it also improved the spirit of however gave it. Here is a tale of a Jewish rabbi who have found a way to softening a heart…

A rabbi asked a wealthy man to give charity. The man scornfully tossed him a penny. As the rabbi picked up the penny, he praised and thanked the wealthy man.

The rabbi’s assistant asked,

“How can you be so kind to such an unkind person?”

The rabbi answered,

“That man has never given even a penny before now. I must encourage him ever if he only gives a little. He needs to be taught how to be generous.”

And so it happened. Each time the rabbi returned, the man gave a little bit more. Each time the rabbi praised and thanked him.

On the fourth visit, the man burst into tears, and to everyone’s surprise, he gave the rabbi a tremendous sum. The rabbi was about to praise and thank him, but the man shook his head and said,

“You deserve my praise and thanks, Rabbi, because you kept believing in me. You have taught me how to be generous.”

We can force people to give,

Or we can teach people how to give.

Forceful will harden a heart; praise, thanksgiving and encouragement will soften a heart.

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Changing a Mind

Throughout the centuries, almost all governments did not take care of the poor or the sick justly. Instead, families and communities had to take care of their own. As it is difficult for the poor and needy in Malaysia (maybe not that worst) it was especially difficult for the Jews of Eastern Europe. I read the Jewish history, many were poor and few were rich. So Rabbis (or teachers) were always encouraging people to be charitable. They felt that charity improved the life of whoever received it, and it also improved the spirit of however gave it. Here is a tale of a Jewish rabbi who have found a way to changing a mind…

A wealthy miser refused to help anyone in the village (Miser means a stingy, money-hoarder person). The rabbi came to visit and told the miser,

“Look out your window.”

The man saw a street full of people. The rabbi then said,

“Look at your mirror.” The miser saw only himself.

The rabbi asked, “Your window and your mirror are both made of glass. What makes them different?”

The miser said, “The window glass is clear, so I can see outside. The mirror glass has a silver coating behind it. The silver stops me from seeing through. It reflects back so I see myself.”

The rabbi said,

“Your love for sliver has changed your soul. Once, your soul was a clear as the glass of a window. You could look out at the world and see everyone. But you have coated your soul with silver. You no longer see anyone but yourself.”

The miser understood. He was overcome with shame and changed his ways.

Look at your soul, what do you see?

A window glass or a mirror?

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Christmas: What Christ Done for Us and What We Done for Christ Matters

“There is a blessed kind of giving, which,

though it makes the purse lighter, makes the crown heavier” (Thomas Watson)

Good movie to watch on Christmas Eve. The film Schindler’s List chronicled the heroic efforts of a German industrialist named Oskar Schindler. Through his unselfish activities, over a thousand Jews on the trains to Auschwitz were saved. Although the film, even on television, has some very graphic and disturbing scenes, the message itself is profound.

After Schindler found out what was happening at Auschwitz (one of German Nazi’s concentration camps), he began a systematic effort to save as many Jews as he could. For money, he would buy Jews to work in his factory which was supposed to be a part of the military machine of Germany. On one hand he was buying as many Jews as he could, and on the other hand he was deliberately sabotaging the ammunition produced in his factory. He entered the war a wealthy industrialist; by the end of the war, he was basically bankrupt.

When the Germans surrendered, Schindler met with his workers and declared that at midnight they were all free to go. The most emotional scene of the film was when Schindler said good-bye to the financial manager of the plant, a Jew and his good and trusted friend. As he embraced his friend, Schindler sobbed and said, “I could have done more.” He looked at his automobile and asked, “Why did I save this? I could have bought 10 Jews with this.” Taking another small possession he cried, “This would have saved another one. Why didn’t I do more?”

Friends, one day Jesus is going to split the eastern sky and come for his own. It will not matter then how much money we have in mutual fund or how many bedrooms we have in our homes. The temporary satisfaction we have in vacations and nice cars will be gone. Only what we have done for the cause of Christ will matter. “Only what’s done for Christ, will last.” This is the message of Christmas I learned strongly this year. Give. Give. Give.

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Kuchingnites, You Can Make a Difference this Christmas: Give Gifts to the Needy

God has given us two hands – one with which to receive and the other with which to give. What if this Christmas instead of waiting for people to give you gifts, why don’t you give? What if you take initiative and start giving with what you already have instead of making excuses and delay your action? What if you be the change rather than asking for things to change and be the worship song that you sing and be the answer to your prayer to make a different in someone else’s life? What if – regardless of your race and religion – you embrace the spirit of Christmas that is the spirit of giving for the good of your community? What if your gift can make those who are less fortunate smile this Christmas, would you like to do that?

Here is (one of) your opportunity to do so. BB Love Box, a community project by the Boys’ Brigade (BB) in Malaysia (2^nd Kuching Company) is organizing a project that is design to collect and distribute gifts to the less fortunate people during Christmas Season, irrespective of their races and religions. BB mission is to share LOVE and JOY with the needy. The Boys are passionate to promote the spirit of CARING and SHARING among the people of Kuching. The recipients are identified with the help of welfare and social organizations/groups, religious and voluntary bodies. It consists of children (from infant to 17 years old), families and elderly folks from various villages around Kuching area, old folk’s homes and ophanages.*

There are three categories of recipients in this project:

1)    Children. Their wish list range from toys, school stationary, school bag, exercise books, colouring books and story books.

2)    Elderly folks. Biscuits (in tin), beverage (min. 500g/ in packet or tin), milk powder and bath towel.

3)    Families. Rice (10kg), canned food (halal) and instant noodle.

WHEN, WHERE and HOW can you fulfil the recipients’ wishes?

BB Love Box gifts collection booth and wish trees will be set up from 1^st November to 7^th December 2014, 10.00am to 8.00pm at Crown Square and Plaza Merdeka, Kuching. Go there and pick up a Wish List (or more) with the recipient’s name and wish item from the wish trees provided. Shop for the gift stated in the list(s) that you choose. Then, wrap and return the gift(s) to the booth where you pick up that list(s) together with the Wish List(s) securely attached to it. Easy, right? You can do this.

What are you waiting Kuchingnites? Come and fill BB Love Box booth with gifts, joy and love! John Bunyan writes, “You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who cannot pay you back.” Calvin Coolidge once said, “No person was ever honoured for what he received. Honour is the reward of what one gives.” “We make a living by what we get,” remind Winston Churchill, “but we make a life by what we give.” Kuchingnites, we can give without loving, but we cannot love without giving. Blessed are those who give with love! Amen.

Imagine the children’s smiles

Picture the elder’s gladness

Don’t you want to see a family having a dinner together this Christmas?

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

10 Clues that a Church is Living

What are the clues that a church is living, vital and active? These ideas may help:

1)    Live churches have many people who bring their Bibles and use them; dead churches do not.

2)    Live churches are filled with praise and sounds of joy and thanksgiving; dead churches are apathetic and lifeless.

3)    Live churches usually have parking problems; dead churches never have to worry about parking.

4)    Live churches are moving out by “faith”; dead churches creep along by sight.

5)    Live churches have lots of children and young people and “noise”; dead churches are quiet as tombs.

6)    Live churches center on serving people; dead churches focus mainly on problems.

7)    Live churches are filled with a spirit of love for each other; dead churches are filled with suspicious, critical, and bickering people.

8)    Live churches are always emphasizing evangelism, discipleship, and involvement; dead churches ask for little and get it.

9)    Live churches have many sacrificial givers; dead churches have people who only “tip” the Lord.

10) Live churches are always growing; dead churches are plateaued or declining.

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

The Most Difficult is the Easiest

In his classic book Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis writes,

“Teachers will tell you that the laziest boy in the class is the one who works hardest in the end. They mean this. If you give two boys, say, a proposition in geometry to do, the one who is prepared to take trouble will try to understand it. The lazy boy will try to learn it by heart because, for the moment, that needs less effort. But six months later, when they are preparing for an exam, the lazy boy is doing hours and hours of miserable drudgery over things the other boy understands, and positively enjoys, in a few minutes. Laziness means more work in the long run.

Or look at it this way. In a battle, or in mountain climbing, there is often one thing which it takes a lot of pluck to do; but it is also, in the long run, the safest thing to do. If you funk it, you will find yourself, hours later, in far worse danger. The cowardly thing is also the most dangerous thing.

It is like that here. The terrible thing, the most impossible thing, is to hand over your whole self – all your wishes and precautions – to (Jesus) Christ. But it is far easier than what we are all trying to do instead. For what we are trying to do is to remain what we call ‘ourselves’, to keep personal happiness as our great aim in life, and yet at the same time be ‘good.’ We are all trying to let our mind and heart go their own way – centered on money or pleasure or ambition – and hoping, in spite of this, to behave honestly and chastely and humbly. And that is exactly what Christ warned us you could not do. As He said, a thistle cannot produce figs. If I am a field that contains nothing but grass-seed, I cannot produce wheat. Cutting the grass may keep it short: but I shall still produce grass and no wheat. If I want to produce wheat, the change must go deeper that the surface. I must be ploughed up and re-sown.

Indeed, the most difficult (giving and surrender our life to Jesus) is the easiest.

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

The Giving Tree

Picture title: 'The Giving Trees' by Unknown

Jesus Christ said, “Give as freely as you have received” (Matthew 10:8, NLT). Paul quoted Jesus as saying, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). The principle of generous-giving here, as I understand it, is that we never lose by giving – we can only gain. To cynics that may sound strange, but it works. As we give of ourselves to others, we produce a giving-attitude and model for others. Giving also produce better relationships. Giving makes the Golden Rules – “Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you” (Matthew 7:12) – a practical way of life.

I understand, by nature, however, most of us would prefer not to give. Deep inside my heart and mind, I’m reluctant and never desire to give. But the Holy Spirit that works in me gives me joy and the desire to “freely give.” That joy is the first blessing that one will receive in return. Now realize this, we usually learn generosity because someone has (first) shown us by example. Jesus Himself has shown us first what the generosity of God means is on the cross and in His divine providence. Now He asks us to do the same. It always works like this: we have been helped by a benefactor, a friend, a teacher, coworker, or boss, – and want to do likewise for another.

Do you want to be the example of giving for others to follow?

Do you want to be - for God - the giving tree?

Go for it-lah!

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Serve 'the Poor' among Us Freely

“For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.” (Jesus Christ, in Matthew 25:35-36 NLT)

“Feeding the hungry Christ. Clothing the naked Christ. Visiting the sick Christ. Giving shelter to the homeless Christ, Teaching the ignorant Christ.”(Mother Teresa)

Over the world people are saying that Mother Teresa is spoiling the poor by giving them things free. At a seminary in Bangalore, once a nun said to her,
“Mother Teresa, you are spoiling the poor people by giving them things free. They are losing their human dignity.”

When everyone was quiet, she said calmly,

“No one spoils as much as God Himself. See the wonderful gifts He has given us freely. All of you here have no glasses, yet you all can see. If God were to take money for your sight, what would happen? Continually we are breathing and living on oxygen that we do not pay for. What would happen if God were to say, ‘If you work four hours, you will get sunshine for two hours?’ How many of us would then survive?”

Then she also told them, “There are many congregations who spoil the rich; it is good to have one congregation in the name of the poor, to spoil the poor”

There was profound silence; nobody said a word after that.

Though I have many disagreements about her theology and doctrines (I simply can’t ignore that), I find that reading the writings and stories of Mother Teresa is very inspiring. She was really an example of faith translate into actions. From the Word to head to heart to hand. Her story above is so significant for me.  We must serve people with love and freely – as God love us gracefully. Freely we are given, freely we shall give. See and serve ‘the poor’ both spiritually and materially as if we are serving Christ. Oh yes, Father help me to obey your Word joyfully! Amen.

“I tell you the truth,
when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters,
you were doing it to me!”
(Jesus Christ, Matthew 25:40, NLT)

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Experience less hoarding and more sharing

[I wrote this article at Starbuck, The Curve. With my NLT Bible... :)] 

“Jesus sat down near the collection box in the Temple and watched as the crowds dropped in their money. Many rich people put in large amounts. Then a poor widow came and dropped in two small coins” (Mark 12:41-42NLT).

Do you want to know the truth about your stocks, cash, coin and whatever you think you own? They’re not really yours. Imaginarily, it’s yours for you ‘work’ for it (‘You earn it!’ said my ex-boss). But in reality, they’re really not yours. Short-term it’s yours’; long-term and forevermore God’s.

The evangelist John Mark tells a story of a poor widow went to the temple and dropped in two small coins as an offering – and Jesus saw it. She gave everything she had to live on, not to buy bread but to give it back to God. If she lived in the 21^st century, I bet she didn’t read books by self-help financial gurus. I assume she never went to seminars on ‘How to have Financial Breakthrough’ by our local motivational-pastors. Her acts, if ever recorded in You Tube will get hundreds of ‘dislike’ and discourage comments such as: “Stupid woman! No wonder you’re still poor!”… I think most of the people who saw what she did have a similar attitude as such. They would discourage the generosity of the woman… well, only if Jesus wasn’t there.

Jesus, a God-Man teacher who knows everyone’s hearts through-and-through did the opposite. He said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has given more than all the others who are making contributions. For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she had to live on” (Mark 12:43-44NLT). Jesus used the widow’s action as an example for His disciples to learned Godward-generosity. He teaches them that show-off religion is no generosity at all because it desire men’s applause. He teaches them that giving out of love for God is God-reflect-heart-of-generosity because it shows how much God own us rather than how much money or things owns us.

Max Lucado writes, “God owns everything and gives us all things to enjoy. Let’s move from the fear of scarcity to the comfort of provision.  Experience less hoarding and more sharing.” As followers of Jesus, we are told to be “rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share” (1 Timothy 6:18). Don’t keep what is not yours; save some for you to live by, but give it away as much as you can. Share it.

If you really love God, you'll want to share.THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Pemberian Roh Kudus

“Sekarang aku hendak membincangkan kurnia-kurnia yang diberikan oleh Roh Allah. Aku mahu kamu mengetahui yang sebenarnya tentang hal itu” (1 Korintus 12:1).

Setiap orang dilahirkan dengan kebolehan dan bakat tersendiri. Ada yang begitu nyata sekali dan ada yang lebih practikal. Kita selalunya memanggil bakat semulajadi sebagai ‘Bakat yang diberikan oleh Tuhan’, terutama sekali jika seseorang itu pandai bermain musik, kebolehan dalam seni, atau dalam matematik. Tetapi ini semua tidak sama dengan ‘kurnia-kurnia yang diberikan oleh Roh Kudus’, iaitu kurnia-kurnia yang diberikan kepada kita selepas kita menerima Yesus dalam hidup kita. Apabila Roh Kudus hadir ke dalam diri kita, Dia akan memberikan kita satu kurnia (atau lebih lagi) yang baru, yang tidak pernah kita sedari sebelum ini.

Rasul Paulus menulis bahawa Roh Kudus yang sama telah memberikan pelbagai kurnia kepada orang yang percaya. Di dalam surat 1 Korintius 12:8-10 dia telah menyenaraikan sebahagian daripada pemberian ini: kebolehan untuk menyampaikan perkhabaran yang penuh dengan kebijaksanaan, kebolehan untuk menyampai pengetahuan tentang Allah, kepercayaan yang luar biasa kepada Kristus, kuasa untuk menyembuhkan orang sakit, kuasa untuk melakukan mukjizat, kebolehan untuk menyampaikan perkhabaran daripada Allah, kebolehan untuk membeza-bezakan kurnia, kebolehan untuk bertutur dalam pelbagai bahasa yang ajaib, dan kebolehan untuk menerangkan erti bahasa-bahasa itu.

[Banyak orang Kristian percaya bahawa pemberian-pembrian ini masih lagi diberikan kepada umat-Nya. Namun, ada juga yang berpendapat bahawa kurnia-kurnia ini hanya diberikan kepada Gereja pertama (semasa Kisah Rasul-Rasul) untuk membuktikan bahawa Roh Kudus sudah diturunkan kepada mereka – dan semua ini sudah tidak perlu lagi. Pendapat yang berbeza ini tidak langsung mempengaruhi iman saya kepada Yesus.]

Mungkin kurnia-kurnia seperti kebolehan untuk bertutur dalam pelbagai bahasa yang ajaib (gift of tongues) dan kebolehan untuk menyampaikan perkhabaran daripada Allah (prophecy) masih lagi disoalkan [saya, secara peribadi percaya bahawa kebolehan ini sudah tidak perlu lagi kerana adanya Firman Allah yang lengkap sudah kita miliki]; namun tidak boleh disangkalkan bahawa Tuhan masih lagi memberikan kebolehan untuk menyampaikan perkhabaran yang penuh dengan kebijaksanaan (wisdom), kebolehan untuk menyampai pengetahuan tentang Allah (knowledge), dan kepercayaan yang luar biasa kepada Kristus kepada kita (faith).

Semua kebolehan ini bukannya diberikan kepada orang percaya supaya kita dapat menunjuk-nunjuk kepada orang lain, menjadi sombong dan merasa diri lebih rohani daripada orang lain. Tidak! Pemberian kurnia-kurnia Roh Kudus ini adalah untuk kebaikan kita bersama. Ia diberikan kepada kita “bagi kebaikan kita semua” untuk membuktikan bahawa, “Roh-Nya ada pada setiap orang” (1 Korintus 12:7).

Jika kamu merasakan bahawa kamu masih belum lagi menerima pemberian Roh Kudus, berdoa dan mintalah kepada Tuhan Bapa. Perhatikanlah kehidupan kamu dan bagaimana Tuhan telah mengunakan hidup kamu untuk melakukan kebaikan kepada orang lain.... Hei, keinginan kamu untuk membantu dan mendorong orang lain ialah salah satu pemberian Roh Kudus kepada kamu.

Ini definasi kurnia Roh Kudus bagi saya: “Selepas kamu menerima Yesus - apa sahaja yang kamu lakukan kepada orang lain, contohnya; menulis blog, menangkap gambar, menjaga anak, berkebun, membina rumah, berniaga, memasak, terlibat dalam hal politik dan sebagainya kerana kasih kamu kepada mereka yang kamu layani, ini ialah kurnia Roh Kudus kepada kamu.”

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.