Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Trip to Thailand

Today we (I, Ps Daniel and few pastors from Churches of Christ: Glyn Jenkins, Ps Larry, Mark and Katherine from Koolgarie, and Neil (larry’s brother)) left perth for KL then to Bangkok where we are going to spend a night there, and off to pattaya in the morning for pastors’ conference. this pastors are quite extraordinary though, they are pastors and leaders who minister in Leprocy colonies through out all thailand. I don’t know what to expect from the mission experience this week, but I’m so excited for what God is going to do for me personally, and for what he is going to do through me in this trip.
This is my first mission trip outside indonesia and Australia. and i’m pretty sure that this will be the first of many mission trip. I’m asking God to open my eyes and expose me to things that I’ve never seen before. My determination is to impact as many people as I can, and be opened to Holy Spirit’s prompting.

I’m writing this entry on a flight to Bangkok. We are going to have a chance to go around Bangkok city tonight and i’m looking forward for a nice Thai dinner. Since this is my first time visit to Thailand, i’m kinda excited! Tomorrow morning after breakfast at 7 AM, We will drive in a van for 2.5 hours to the conference venue in pattaya. we will stay there until thursday. and on thursday we will visit 2 leprocy colonies about 2 hours drive away from pattaya, then go back to Bangkok and spend a night there.

God, take me to a deeper understanding about you, about the harvest field and compassion. I’m open. I’m ready to learn. Teach me, and give me a God-listening heart. I need you holy spirit to guide me.

Saturday, May 02, 2009

Discipleship is not Spoon-Feeding


In Acts 2, 3000 people were converted to faith in Christ and numbered with the believers.
Acts 2:42 begins the description of the strategy for discipling this throng (funny word) of new Christians:
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

Did you catch it? They devoted themselves. Who devoted themselves? The new believers! Nobody devoted them to the teaching. They had to do it for themselves. The apostles taught with authority, clarity, and consistency. But the burden of discipleship rested primarily on the new believers, not the leaders of the church.

As church leaders, it is our job to create and sustain processes and systems that responsibly enable people to grow in their faith after receiving Christ.
But if a new Christian is not willing to devote himself to teaching, community, and service, it doesn’t mean we failed in discipling him. It might mean he’s not a truly regenerated born again believer after all. A new nature produces an insatiable appetite for the things of God. And that’s an appetite only God can create.

Fast growing churches catch a lot of flack for failure to disciple new converts.
But Biblical discipleship isn’t about spoon feeding.
According to Acts 2:42, it’s an all you can eat self-service buffet.
Get your own plate. Refill your own drinks. And clean up after yourself, man.

Devote yourself!

Only By Grace


Scripture
Matt. 19:23 (NLT)   Then Jesus said to his disciples, “I tell you the truth, it is very hard for a rich person to get into the Kingdom of Heaven. 24 I say it again—it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!” 25   The disciples were astounded. “Then who in the world can be saved?” they asked. 26   Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.”

Observation
A young man who observe almost all the law came to Jesus and ask about eternal life. in the context of this passage, this man seems that he’s an obedient student of the law. But of course like everyone else He’s not perfect. When Jesus asked him to give up his belongings and give it to the poor, he couldn’t do it. The point of this event is, it’s impossible to gain eternal life with our own effort. No matter how we strife to be perfect to obey God’s law, the one who can save us is God.
The camel was the largest animal found in Palestine. The vivid contrast between the largest animal and the smallest opening represents what, humanly speaking is impossible. Salvation is totally the work of God. Every attempt to enter the kingdom on the basis of achievement or merit is futile. Apart from the grace of God, no one can be saved.

Application
I need to live with constantly reminding myself that only by grace I am saved. not by my might, my will or my good deeds. God is the one who made it possible through Jesus Christ for me to receive the gift of eternal life. In the passage, it specifically mention an example of someone who has greater love for his possession than for eternal life. Money is not everything, it’s only temporary. I don’t live to serve money, i’m here only to serve God who gave me eternal life. Money has to serve me; as I’m holding on to his promise that If I seek HIM FIRST, everything else shall be added.

Prayer
Thank you for your grace oh God. Only by your faithfulness I am saved. Don’t allow me to be blinded by what the world offer, by what wonders of this world, possession and wealth. Help me to seek you first in everything I do. Help me to love your word more and more each day.

Friday, May 01, 2009

Power of Agreement



Scripture
Matt. 18:19    “Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.”

Observation
When I read this verse the word marriage pops up into my head. Maybe because that’s the next stage where I will enter. this verse is so powerful, it’s so important for husband and wife to come to agreement in whatever decisions, about every request to God, agree both in mind and in prayer; wow the consequence will be POWERFUL, God is pleased with our agreement, when we come to him in His name... It will be done for us.

Application
I realize more and more the importance of having prayer time together with Citra, walking with God not only as an individual, but as a couple, also as a family. Just like joshua says, as for me in my house we will serve the Lord. I want to start my family right. Verbal communication is essential in marriage (thx ps Wayne and Mel for stating that again and again in “before I say I do” class), because God blesses PRAYER in AGREEMENT.

Prayer
Help me and my wife (to be) to understand and being reminded again and again the importance of agreement; both in communication between two of us, and communication with you. I thank you Lord, that whenever we come together in your name, YOU ARE WITH US, just like you were with David. You’re so COOL, God..