It's all started with the fear of the Lord

Just something that came up to me recently about the word 'fear'. Sometime we afraid to stand up and say the correct things because our fear of being rejected/unaccepted. In the other word, we fear human beings... I'm not talking about crazy shooter that just barge in and start shooting people..that's different.

But, fear is pretty uncommon these days, because generally we don't fear anything, everything is okay and we can do everything as long as we believe.. so no need to fear anything.. we do self-talk, we convince our reality is otherwise, and we amuse ourselves with what we did..

But the word fear always come again and again repeatedly in the Bible, and it only talks about one thing that we should fear, the Lord your God. 

Proverbs 29:25
Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.

Ecclesiastes 12:13
Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.

1 Chronicles 16:25
For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods.

Proverbs 1, 9, 10, 14
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge

The fear of the Lord adds length to life
The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life

Acts 9:31
Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.

And then I was thinking, what so important about this? 

Fear is not an option. It's so loving of our God to command us to fear Him.. when we fear Him, we fear Him for the right reason. Because He is worthy and it's our duty. When we know who He is, all-powerful and all-loving God, we live in accordance to His will and His leadership. We submit and trust Him.  And the rest are easy.. we just walk following Jesus and enjoying the moments. 

The dying part is the hard one. To go up in life, the world teach us that it's like a linear line, straight line to the top, a ladder, maybe even lie/cheat here and there.. But in Christ, to go up, you have to go down and die of yourself, and only then Christ can work in you and He will rise you up.

Oh, what joy it is to live for and with God, and like Jesus said on John 15, His joy will be in us, and it will be complete.

Aren't we all looking for that full, complete, perfect joy? Yet we are looking in the wrong direction. 

It's all started with the fear of the Lord

Advent week 2 - accepting the gift

This week discussion will be taken from Luke 1:26-38.

As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain.  For he says,

“In the time of my favor I heard you,
    and in the day of salvation I helped you.”

I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.

2 Corinthians 6: 1-2 (Isaiah 49:8)

Have you received any gift lately? What came up to your mind the first thing when someone handed it to you?   
For me, it's FREE! woohoo! who doesn't like free stuff right?  and then see what's the content..
And then I would feel grateful and think, do I deserve this? What would I do with it?

Now, how about the gift of salvation? the gift that last a lifetime, even after our death?

Last Sunday sermon was so practical and comforting.. Ps. Ery talked about 3 things that we are ought to do with the gift of salvation:

First, we need to be responsible with it.  I can imagine how it makes our parents grief  when we abuse their gifts to us.. either it's love, protection, care, Christmas, or whatever gift that they give.

Second, we need to accept it as a whole. Jesus is all or nothing, you can't have half of Him and half of your own selfishness. When Jesus asked the rich man to sell everything and follow Him, it means a totality. Of course it doesn't mean that we literally sell everything and down our banking account to $0.. but we have to renew our mind and re-focus our goal toward Jesus and His salvation, instead of building our own wealth.

Lastly, we need to accept reality and reality of Jesus Christ. It means not denying problem/life struggles.. it doesn't mean we are never sick and poor.. but how can we find strength in those condition and hope in spite of difficult times.  After accepting the reality, we need to response by accepting the reality of Jesus Christ.
Man, how I always love the love letter from our Father in heaven. Someone summed up beautifully here: http://www.fathersloveletter.com/text.html

Christmas is not about gift and festivity.. it's about Son of God that came down and giving us all the gift of salvation. (Luk 1:77 ;  Acts 4:12)

So, would you accept the gift of salvation? would you make Jesus as your Lord and Saviour?

Anggur Baru

Roh Kudus tercurah di tempat ini
UrapanNya yang ajaib memulihkan umatNya

Bapa Engkau Sungguh Baik

Bapa, Engkau sungguh baik, kasihMu melimpah di hidupku
Bapa, ku berterima kasih, berkatMu hari ini yang Kau sediakan bagiku

Advent week 1 - waiting in expectation

Hi everyone, as you know we're entering an advent season for the next 4 weeks, and I thought it'd be good to discuss the topics here. If you don't have the booklet, you can get it from the ushers next week.

The 1st week reading is taken from Isaiah 52:7-10

From the passage, it talks about how God has delivered His people and apparently they've been waiting for a long time! Pastor Sonny gave a little bit of background in his sermon last week, the history of the Israelites, and the pressure, the oppression, and how they all lost God's favor.. Thus, when the God's word came forward through the prophet about God's salvation and deliverance, His promises to restore Jerusalem and redeem them.. nothing except bursting shouts of joy!

I don't know about you, but waiting is not something that we like to do, especially in this world of instantaneous! Everything feels like in the palm of your hand and it makes us anxious, impatient, and we go through our life just like that, ignoring what God has in store for us, ignoring His words. No wonder we don't feel God's presence, we don't experience His miracles and healing..

It also mentioned in that passage:

How beautiful on the mountains
    are the feet of those who bring good news,
who proclaim peace,
    who bring good tidings,
    who proclaim salvation,

How beautiful are those who bring good news! why? because our message brings deliverance! our testimony brings salvation! We proclaim good news to those who are broken-hearted, lost, poor..

Revelation 3:17 said: You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.

Yes it may contradict to what we see in our daily live, especially in here in Vancouver.. people are happy, they're fine, they don't need God, they are wealthy and very healthy.. but of course they are from the outside! overall, they need to look good in front of other people right?
No, I was talking their deep down inside needs.. do you know how many depressed people out there.. how many suicide cases, fighting, broken family, marriage, relationship.. they all need God, they all need what Jesus has come and die for.. they need God.

It's a calling for all of us. Think about those lives that you could've touched, could've changed.. and they are not, because we don't obey.

Will you bring the good news to your friends and family? Will you accept and receive what God has called and commanded you to do?

Through it all - Hillsong (G)

Intro: G-D/F#-Emsus--C9--D (2x)

Verse: 

 1     5/7      6 

You are forever in my life 

 4              5 

You see me through the season 

 1          5/4           6
Cover me with Your hands 

 4                     5
And Lead me in Your righteousness 

 3            4 

And I look to You 

 3           4 - 5
And I wait on You 

 Chorus: 

 1                   4 

 I'll sing to You, Lord a hymn of love

 5         6         4         5

 For Your faithfulness to me 

 1               4

 I'm carried in everlasting arms

 3          6            2 

You'll never let me go

 5           1

 Through It all 

 Exit:

 1  6    4      5

 Hallelujah....(4x)

How's your prayer life ?

Yesterday's discussion was about prayer life.

Prayers are the core being of our Christian life. It's the communication part in a relationship. Imagine a relationship without communications.. that'd be living a Christian life without prayers.
I'm talking about those that have received Jesus as their Lord and Saviour. If you have not, have someone to talk to :)

Undoubtedly it's expressed many ways in the bible, from Abraham, David, Job, Daniel, Nehemiah, all the prophets ever written, and even Jesus Himself prays! They all have their own traits and personalities when it comes to prayer. I love how David danced as his acts of praying (2 Sam 6:13-14)
Matthew 6 pictured how we should pray. I'm not going to talk about that here, but it's good to read and learn that again and again.   

It's amazing sometimes we forgot to pray or delayed or don't have time because of our tiny little own business, or busyness.. without realizing how it hugely impacted our life!   We focused so much on our own stuff and forgetting that God cares for you and He wants to help you.. overall He loves you! Probably He was thinking, oh my son, why did you do that, why didn't you consult with me, and sometimes He just so loving of a father, he let us wander ourself, out of His care and protection, let us far enough, fall on our own maybe... and all that just to know that there is a God, a Father that cares for us, and always open His arms to welcome us back.

Think about what if.. What if I talk to God first.. what if I let Him in be in control.. what if we don't have to wander around? Think about God's plan that He has for you, and what if God has a bigger and better purposes for us? Might not what we want or like, but He has a purpose for you!

In the music prayer yesterday I shared about how sometimes my prayer doesn't always get answered, at least in the way I want, or when I want.. but one thing I do find true, that God always listen, and every time I finish praying, I always feel that my burden is so light and peace just rest in me.. man, it's awesome. And when He answers.. wow, you just stand in awe, giving back all the glory.. when He answered, Job became speechless.. when He spoke, raging storm calmed down.. when He spoke, fire came down...  
man, who said Christian life is boring?  You're being backed up by a living God, the creator of heaven and earth.. God that created you and yet we can't comprehend His greatness in our little brain (we tried to)... but I just know that I'm on His side! If God is for us then who can be against! You witness His glory and His work everyday...  It's a life that filled with purpose, full of God's grace and empowerment! Walking everyday with faith, seeing God's work in every person you meet, life-changing experience.. it's just amazing. Don't you want that? 

So, how's your prayer life? 

You alone can rescue - Matt Redman

Key B - Capo 4

Verse 1:
G                     C       G
Who, oh Lord, could save themselves,
  C        G         D
Their own sin could heal?
    Em         G      C       G
Our shame was deeper than the sea
      C       D      G
Your love is deeper still

Chorus:
                C      D           Em
You alone can rescue, You alone can save
               C       D        Em7
You alone can lift us from the grave
                  C        D             Em
You came down to find us, led us out of death
                C         D       G       C  G  C
To You alone belongs the highest praise

Verse 2:
G                   C      G
You, oh Lord, have made a way
     C       G        D
The great divide You heal
     Em       G           C   G
For when our hearts were far away
      C         D       G
Your love went further still
            C        D       G
Yes, your love goes further still

Chorus:
                C      D           Em
You alone can rescue, You alone can save
               C       D        Em7
You alone can lift us from the grave
                  C        D             Em
You came down to find us, led us out of death
                C         D       Em
To You alone belongs the highest praise
                C         D       Em
To You alone belongs the highest praise
                C         D       G
To You alone belongs the highest praise

Tag:
     G
We lift up our eyes, lift up our eyes
             C
You’re the Giver of Life
    Em
We lift up our eyes, lift up our eyes
            C
You’re the Giver of Life