30 October 2013

To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” -John 8:31-32

These Jews were being self-conscious and judged themselves righteous according to what they have done. Jesus then rebuked them and told them the evidence of being a true believer: holding fast to Christ's teaching (eg. Sermon on the Mount, Great Commission, etc)

This is another evidence, NOT SOURCE, of a true believer: that he holds to Christ's teachings. If we see ourselves lacking in this area, the antidote is not to try to do good. The antidote is to ask God to show us which areas we can repent (change our mind) from, and to trust that He who began a good work in us will carry it to completion until He returns (Philippians 1:6)

29 October 2013

Nicodemus, who had gone to Jesus earlier and who was one of their own number, asked, “Does our law condemn a man without first hearing him to find out what he has been doing?” They replied, “Are you from Galilee, too? Look into it, and you will find that a prophet does not come out of Galilee.” -John 7:50-52

Galileans in 30 AD to the religious Jews are like the untouchables to the religious folk in India. They are the rejected group who no one cares about.

The amazing thing is that God always glorifies the humble. God calls the first, on their own effort, last, and the last, the ones who give up on themselves and see themselves wholly in Christ, first. It's always the lost, last and least who seems to receive God's divine favor.

You may see yourself in an extremely pathetic state or a helpless being. My advice is this: give up. Give up on yourself and trust Jesus to do the work for you, through you. Get ready to see God's abundant favor on your life, because Christ has become your everything.

28 October 2013

Whoever believes in me (Jesus), as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them. -John 7:38

One of the evidences that we have truly accepted Christ as Lord and Savior is that we bring life to people around us. We see that people become happier when they hang out with us; and this is effortless!

It is effortless because we are not the ones trying to bless others, but that Christ blesses others through us! Christ is our life and we can't help it pass it on to the people whom we love and cherish. It's second-nature attribute is an evidence of a true Christian.

27 October 2013

And His disciples asked Him, saying, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" Jesus answered, "Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him..." -John 9:2-3

Recently, I've been confused with one thing: God's will in my studies. My question was this: why aren't other Bible-believing, on-fire-for-God Christians seeing God's prosperity in results while I am. For a long time, I struggled with this: maybe God DOESN'T want us to prosper.

Then, I believe it was the Lord who led me to this passage. The content is pretty self-explanatory, but here's the revelation: if you are questioning God, "Why aren't You prospering me like so-and-so?" or something like that, God's answer is that it's because He wants to work in you for your breakthrough.

If you're feeling trapped in merely superficial friendships, tensions with parent(s), rebellion with authority, undesirable grades and basically a terrible life, get ready to see God's breakthrough for you!

26 October 2013

"...Now if a boy can be circumcised on the Sabbath so that the law of Moses may not be broken, why are you angry with me (Jesus) for healing a man’s whole body on the Sabbath? Stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly." -John 7:23-24

If you ever feel like you've been unfairly judged, that someone have judged you but spared his friend despite doing the exact same thing as you, then let me say this: your Lord, Jesus, have been through the exact same injustice!

How did Jesus react to further attack from His challengers? He remembers His identity in God, that He is the Father's and the Father is His

What I'm saying is this: when people wrong you (when, not if, because people WILL wrong you), run to the arms of your Father. He will never wrong you at all. You are His, and when God is for you, who can ever stop you? (Romans 8:31)

23 October 2013

Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. -2 Corinthians 3:17

This morning, my encouragement is that if you feel bound by the circumstances, it's time to declare your freedom. Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. Freedom from depression, hatred, jealousy, sin, anger, confusion. Cherish your freedom in Christ!

21 October 2013

Hi this may be long for a morning, but hear me out :)

Before our exams

Worried about studies?

[Philippians 4:6-7] Do not be anxious about anything but in everything, in prayer and petition, with thanksgiving; present your request to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding. will guard your heart.

Cannot concentrate?

[Isaiah 26:3] You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trust in You.

Cannot sleep?

[Psalms 3:5] I lie down and I sleep, I wake up again because the Lord sustains me and all night long the Lord protects me.

Physically/mentally tired?

[Isaiah 40:31] But those whose hope is in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary and they will walk and not be faint.

I'm far too behind to catch up...

[Psalms 43:5] Why are you so downcast my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God; for I will yet praise Him; my Savior and my God.

During exams:

I don't understand what this question is all about...

[Proverbs 3:5-6] Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all of your ways acknowledge Him; and He will make your path straight.

I am too nervous to think properly!

[John 14:27] Peace I leave within you; my peace I give to you, I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your heart be afraid.

I don't have the wisdom to answer this question!

[James 1:15] If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

This question is impossible for me to answer!!

[Mark 9:23] Everything is possible for him who believes.

After exams: What will my results be?

[Psalms 37:4] Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.

You Are Loved!

I believe that it's the Holy Spirit typing this through me. I need to put this message across.

You are loved by God Almighty.

You may have been hurt by the other person in a boy-girl relationship.
You may have been betrayed by a friend you considered to be the most precious.
You may have been used by your peers.
You may be treated unfairly by your parents.
You may have failed terribly on your exams.
You may feel like giving up on yourself.
You may feel like the world's greatest sinner.

But despite showing your hurt, because you hate feeling vulnerable, you harden your heart.
You say, "Meh. Does it really matter?"
You take a deep sigh but refuse to release a teardrop.
You try your best to contain your feelings and think of better thoughts on your own.
You try to stay okay.

No.

In the Bible, the Canaanite Woman called Jesus, "Son of David," but Jesus completely ignored her request. (Matthew 15:21-28) However, later when she called Jesus "Lord," Jesus commended her with great faith. Why? This is because she is NOT a Jew. Only Jews are reserved the title 'Son of David'. Previously, the Canaanite woman tried to fake her identity by being one of higher social status (Jew) and went to Jesus in her pluses. Only when she was in weakness, as a non-Jew at that point in time, then Jesus could love her.

Jesus doesn't want to love us in our pluses. When He does, we will always try to earn His love. No. Jesus wants to love us when we are in the pits, at the worst of ourselves to the point we give up and say, "CANNOT ALREADY LAH. JESUS, TAKE CONTROL!" That's the time Jesus will work.

But most importantly, Jesus wants to love us especially when we fail, when we lost it. That is the true us - failures. But it is in the failures when God can pick us up. That's the time we need God's grace, His unearned, unmerited favor, the most!

Don't be afraid to be vulnerable. Only when you feel vulnerable when God can be your strength.
Cry your heart out. God wants to be your comforter.
Scream your troubles. God is your counselor.

Stop trying to pretend it's all okay. It's not. Acknowledge that it is not, then throw the matter to God. Stop acting strong. Only in your weakness can God be your strength.

God loves you and accepts you because 2,000 years ago, He hated Jesus and forsook Jesus.

Jesus took your sin that you may become His righteousness.
Jesus took your sickness that you may be in health
Jesus took your failures that God can empower you to succeed.
Jesus became your weakness that you become His strength.

That's why you are loved by God Almighty.

God is working:
For you
In you
Through you

...if you let Him.

You are loved by God Almighty.

Now, live a live of joy, not in self, but in Christ.

-Joel Kindiak