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.

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.

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..

God's Presence

Thursday, 30th April 2009

Scripture
1Chr. 13:3 (NLT) It is time to bring back the Ark of our God, for we neglected it during the reign of Saul.”
1Chr. 13:14 (NLT) The Ark of God remained there with the family of Obed-edom for three months, and the LORD blessed him and his entire household.

Observation
David understand the importance of having the presence of God in his life, in his home and in his nations. As a king, leaders of leaders he realizes that his wisdom is limited; to be able to see his nation advance he can’t just depend on his leadership and his leaders; He knows that if God is with Him and Israel, everything will be alright. wasn’t it God who put him in charge in the first place
Whereever God present, his blessings follow, his favor follows, just like the family of Obed edom who happened to welcome the ark of God, him and his household were blessed.
I still amazed reading the verses that says “so David inquired God (1 Chro 14:10)”... “(1 Chro 14: 14) so David inquired of God again, and God answered Him.”
David consulted God for everything! this is DAVID... that means that also the same thing I need to do. Having His Presence in my live, and ask him what to do, because he knows best.
I like the song in Robin’s wedding “ I need to be next to you.” Yes God, I need to be next to you... because it will be a lie if I can live without you.

Application
Having God’s presence in my life is simply acknowledging the fact that Immanuel God is with me. And not only that, I need to make his statutes and his ways and hold on to it. just like what God said to David in psalm 132 (today’s reading as well) if your sons keep my covenant and the statutes I teach them then their sons will sit on your throne for ever and ever”
I love your words oh God...

Prayer
Help me God not to rely on my on understanding, my own wisdom. Your thoughts and your ways are so high, I can’t conprehend them. I need your wisdom. and more than anything. I NEED YOU in my life. Thank you for living inside me Holy SPirit! I don’t want to ignore you. Just like david, the first thing he did as a king, he bring back the ark of God. I need your presence, You are my everything.

God Was With David

Leadership quote of the day:
"Envision your desired outcomes before you act" - Stephen Covey

Scripture
2 Samuel 5: 10 And he became more and more powerful, because the LORD God Almighty was with him.

Observation
Reading from the previous chapters, it is obvious that David’s only hope for victory was GOD. he said “As surely as the Lord lives, who has delivered me out of all trouble”. Even though many people who were loyal to him tried their best to bring victories for him, they killed saul’s son thinking that David could become king over Israel ASAP; David was so disappointed towards those men who killed Ish Bosheth. This prove that David was a man of integrity, who doesn’t want to take shortcut to arrive to his success. He relies on God’s hands and God’s timing. And when God gave him the victory/success in His timing, GOD rewards David with more and more, and He was WITH HIM

Application
The most important thing in life is to have THE LORD OF HOSTS with me. Like David, I need to be a man of integrity, not taking decision based on what I think is good for the time being, continually inquiring God for wisdom and guidance to do His will, according to His Timing.

Prayer
I need you in my life oh God. that’s all I need. What does success means if you’re not with me. Help me to know your ways. AMEN

Inquiring God

From last weekend i was unable to post my blog because we had church camp at guilderton, and no internet access obviously. so here we go

Scripture:
1Chr. 10:13    Saul died because he was unfaithful to the LORD; he did not keep the word of the LORD and even consulted a medium for guidance, 14 and did not inquire of the LORD. So the LORD put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David son of Jesse.

Observation
The path of the unrighteousness always lead to death. Saul was the chosen king over israel, however towards the end of his ministry He became unfaithful to the Lord. As an appointed servant of God, I must depend on Him who appointed me to do the tasks he’d given to me in the first place. Otherwise God will choose someone else who suits / competence for the very same task to replace me, easily. After all His kingdom must advance.

Application
God has appointed me and entrusted me to be his servant at therocks. I must acknowledge and continue to remind myself that He’s the one who trusted me this (also to be husband to cit, son to my parents, etc); and unlike Saul, I have to be faithful till the end. I must acknowledge him in all of my ways, KEEP his words and inquire Him for guidance. Without Him I can do nothing.

Prayer
Help me Lord to walk in your truth. For your word are the source of wisdom, that enables me to be the person you want me to be. Help me to love you more, to love your words; for what else could be the source of wisdom to help me doing/fulfilling the destiny of my life? only Your WORD!

Understanding Your Mission

Scripture
Matt. 14:22    Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd.
John records that after the miracle of the loaves and fish, the crowds intended to make Jesus King by force (john 6:15)

Observation
Nots from study bible NIV Matt 14:22: This involved a complete understanding of the mission of Jesus. The disciples may have been caught up in the enthusiasm and needed to be removed from the area quickly. Jesus knew really well what His mission in the world was, that’s why he didn’t entertain the thought of the crowds and disciples. He quickly went up to a mountain side by himself to PRAY. Once again here’s the importance of being faithful and love the Word of God. That’s the only source of strength to do your mission here on earth.

Application
Learning from Jesus, I need to know for sure the mission that God has for my life. Be content and secure and be faithful to his calling. According to people’s eyes, being a king is the status that Jesus should have. But Jesus knew his mission. The secret was his solitary, constant fellowship with his Father. The father who gave Jesus the mission in the first place, and Jesus consulted him daily.
If jesus did that consistently, how much more I need to do the same.

Prayer
God, reveal to me the mission of my life, make it clear each day. I can’t find out about that from anywhere else, or anyone else. Show me your way, so I can have a life that pleases You