Exposition of 1 Peter 4:1-6

This is todays's teaching at Trinity.

Expositon of 1 Peter 4:1-6

Verse 1-2
Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.
Therefore: Look again what have been told previously
Since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind : Jesus is an example of a true suffering (for doing good) and He was determined that He wouldn't step back from the decision that He made, and thus the bible tells us to arm ourselves with the same mind. Part of Christians' calling is to suffer. (We – servants can't be more than our Master). If our Lord suffered, we should suffer also. MATTHEW 16:24 says that we are to take up our cross, which means once we make a decision for Christ there's no looking back! (Sadrach, Mesach, Abednego) No matter what comes our way, we say I will keep moving forward. There are battles in our lives that force us to stop moving forward but just as Jesus was determined we also must be determined to fight and walk in His victory – our war is now against the wickedness that wrap themselves in pleasures and desires.
He who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin : When we suffered in the flesh we have no interest to sin anymore.

Verse 3-6
For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles; when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries. In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you. They will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. For this reason the gospel was preached also to those who are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.
We have spent enough time with sin : One trick of the devil to get us trapped in the pleasure of sin is by saying in our mind "This will be the last time I do it, after this I quit", because the devil knows "that one last time" that you mean is just another rope you give him to bind you even tighter. But the bible says you have spent enough time. This tells us and reminds us that sin has power to bind us when we keep giving it a rope. One sin is enough to bring us to hell. Stop giving the devil the rope to bind you!
Lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, abominable idolatries (It all deals with pleasure)
They think its strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation : Everyone likes pleasure, but when those pleasures bring us to wickedness and away from God, STOP IT!!! There's many people who can't stand the battle against pleasure of sin, they finally decide to quit the battle. (Personal testimony) But when they see the life of the believers who can enjoy live even without participating in sin, they will be amazed and will have this question in their head "how can this man says no to pleasure?" That is when our lives start becoming a living bible.
Speaking evil of us : When they look at our lives they most likely to say "stupid Christians" because for some of them, we are nothing but religious freaks. But did you know that when they say that , deep in their hearts they want to be free. (Liz and Even's story), that is why we need to shine the light of God in wherever we go and stop becoming secret agents. (Just a matter of time and one day they'll receive the truth)
The gospel is preached to the dead : Those who had been faithful to God in their lives.

i. Peter has already told us that Jesus preached to the spirits in prison, preaching a message of judgment (1 Peter 3:19). Apparently during this same time, Jesus also preached a message of salvation to the faithful dead in Abraham's Bosom (Luke 16:22) who anticipated the work of the Messiah for them.
ii. This preaching to those who are dead was not the offer of a second chance, but the completion of the salvation of those who had been faithful to God under their first chance.
iii. In doing this, Jesus fulfilled the promised that He would lead captivity captive (Psalm 66:18; Ephesians 4:8) and would proclaim liberty to the captives and the opening of the prison to those who are bound (Isaiah 61:1 and Luke 4:18).

God bless you all
-Jack-
Powered by Telkomsel BlackBerry®

KNOW WHAT YOU ARE REDEEMED FOR

"For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:" (1 Peter 3:18).

Today at Trinity I did exposition of 1 Peter 3:16-22 where we talked about suffering from doing good.
I didn't really prepare the message as I was preoccupied (don't imitate that), but as I read through the word of God and looked at the bible commentary I found something that God wanted His people to know. For me personally, the word of God came to me as a reminder.

We learned today about our relationship with God and about our fellowship with Him.
Not many people really understand that God desires a relationship with us.
In the bible God is pictured as a Father and as a Bridegroom. He desires a relationship with us. When Jesus came to this earth, He introduced a new perception of our relationship with God. In Mathew 6, Jesus teaches us to call God as Father. He even used the prodigal son parable to show us the love of the Father.
It is more than enough to assure us again that God desires a relationship.

He created us that He may show His perfect love. He wants to live with us but since Adam and Eve fell into sin we lost that opportunity, because He is holy and cannot compromise with sin. We lost our relationship with Him since then.

Men used to walk with God in the garden of Eden and enjoyed a wonderful fellowship with Him, but its all gone when men fell into sin. Men were separated with God.
But amazingly, God, because of His great love, He had already planned the day when He would send Jesus to redeem us, to sanctify us and to bring us back to Him.

God wants us to be with Him forever. And what a great price He had to pay just to get us back to Him. He sacrificed His only begotten Son just for us.
Because the cost of sin is death, men should die for their sins but the bible says in John 3:16 Because of His great love He sent Jesus so that we won't perish but has eternal life. Jesus took our place that we might be made righteous before God and live with Him forever.

God required the shedding of blood for the remission of sin and because none of the people on earth whose blood is able to cover sins, it takes the blood of Someone who is without sin to be shed for the world and that blood cannot be found in any other men but God Himself through Jesus Christ.

We are made new in Christ, He redeem us and He sanctify us so that we may obtain what we have lost, which was our relationship with God.
He opens the way for us through His life and His righteousness that we may get a direct access to God's presence.

Now, since Jesus suffered to bring us back to our fellowship with God, how wrong it is to not to come to the Father for a fellowship and for relationship.

I personally admit that I've been slacking a lot with my devotional time with Him lately and always get myself busy with things that are not necessary, even things that are not pleasing to Him. I've been disobedient and I learn today that it grieves the Lord.
I decided to start a new beginning with my Dad in heaven and I beg your prayers for that.

I also encourage you to give a special time for Him. Because when we don't fellowship with God, we under estimate Jesus' suffering.

My friend, know that this is what we are redeemed for ; "To have a relationship with God"

I hope you are blessed by this note.

Your brother in Christ,
-Jack Loloin-
Powered by Telkomsel BlackBerry®

One Day in His Return

Hi everyone, thanks for always reading all my posts. Thanks to everyone who always looks forward to read my notes through the group The HOPE (The House Of Prayer), Jesus/Testimonies, FAITHbook and my blog www.jack-online.co.nr . I hope you are blessed with all the articles I've posted so far.

Well, let's jump right in to today's revelation.

I've always asked God to help me making people understand His deity, and to share the gospel in a way that even those who are not believers can accept as truth. I met many people who try hard just to find a way to share Jesus with others, even when it seems impossible.
It has been my prayer that I can reach out to those who are unbelievers and share the gospel in a simpler way that they can understand, but I end up finding that even Christians don't know what and who they believe in and when the unbelievers ask them they just change the topic and embarrassed because they cannot give a good answer and so I always ask God to help me to know Him more and to make Him known.

Sometimes people ask me about so many things dealing with my faith, they ask about The Godhead, about resurection, Holy Spirit, rapture and of course about Jesus. "How can He becomes God and man?, How can He redeem all the sins of the mankind? How can He died and rose again and will come back again in the end times?" All these things are beyond human knowledge and so these will be the things that make people cannot receive Jesus, especially the non-christian.

I live in one of the largest moeslim countries in the world and you know, those who don't believe will question your faith everyday, so I always ask God how can I tell them about Jesus and how can I make them understand? But one day in my devotion, Jesus revealed the truth which for me is a great promise. Here we go :

"WE CAN NEVER UNDERSTAND GOD UNLESS HE REVEALS HIMSLEF TO US".

One greatest revelation of God is His word. That's why the only possible way to understand Him is by reading and studying it.
Not even pastors can understand God, nor apostles nor prophets.

"Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it."
(Psalm 139:6).

In the book of Colossians, the apostle Paul said that there is a mystery that not everyone can understand, the mystery of Jesus.
Someone told me one day; in sharing your faith with others, your job is simply to share, the Holy Spirit will make them understand. You're not responsible for their response. They will believe it or not, its not your business. God will take care of everything. Sometimes we will be mocked for our faith, even killed, sometimes people call us freak, they might despise our faith in Jesus but its ok, because at the end in His return, we will appear with Him in glory. Check it out,

"When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory." (Colossians 3:4).

What a promise! :) Can you see the promise inside that verse? What does it mean "shall ye also appear with him in glory"? Christ will bring you and I (His witness on earth) and have us standing side by side with Him when He comes back and guess what, everyone will see that we are not liars, we are not mis-leaders. I believe Jesus will declare that day "These are My servants whom you despised, the ones you called liars, the ones you called mis-leaders, the ones you called freak, the ones you killed. I set them forth before you as a prove that their faith is real. Here I am, Jesus, the One they spoke about, the Savior they preached about. Now you see that their faith is evident and is as real as I am real"

And then, the scripture will be fulfilled ;

"That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:10-11).

How I'm looking forward to that day.. God is fair, isn't He? :)
Today we become His witnesses, but there'll come a day when He returns, He will become our witness to the whole world that what we believe is true.

One day in His return, we all will share in His glory forever.

So I encourage you, not to grow weary in sharing the gospel. Know the truth that Jesus is right there by your side.
And when you think you can't understand Him, HAVE FAITH IN HIM!

In sharing Jesus with others, use your faith, not your brain!

May God bless you all.

-Jack Loloin-
Powered by Telkomsel BlackBerry®

sharing from 1 Peter 2: 11-17

I’m gonna lead the sharing tomorrow and this time we’ve been already in the chapter 2 of 1 peter.

I still remember some points in the first chapter of this letter written by apostle peter. This letter was mainly addressed to the gentiles (non-Jews Christian). It is precisely mentioned in 1 peter 2:9-10 “2:9 But you [are] a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for possession, so that you might speak of the praises of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

2:10 [you] who then were not a people, but now the people of God, those not pitied [then], but now pitied.”

The expressions “called out of darkness into His (Jesus) marvelous light (the last part of verse 9) and “not people but now the people of God” have established that the reason to be the chosen generation is mainly based on Christ, our faith to Jesus that’s why we--who are not Jews-- can still be the heirs and heiress of God’s promise as it is written in Galatians “3:29 And if you [are] Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed and heirs according to the promise.” So though we are not the seeds of Abraham genetically, we are spiritually his seeds through Jesus Christ.

Peter knew that the gentiles were struggling hard to keep their faith in Christ as this world is totally contradicted to the way we should live as the chosen one. That’s why in the second chapter verse 11-17 he gave the way to live as the heirs of God’s promise or in the other words, peter wanted to tell the church “How those who have come to Jesus are to live.”

These are the four important points on how to live as the chosen one from 1 Peter 2:11-17;

1.     Avoid fleshly lusts by thinking that we are sojourners

2:11 Dearly beloved, I exhort [you] as [temporary] residents and pilgrims to abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul,

in this verse Peter highlighted on changing our mind focus. If we live as we are from this world we would of course can stand to avoid fleshy lusts. All the wicked things come from our heart. When our heart belongs to this world we will think all world’s stuff and the bible says that the friendship with the world is the rebel against God  (James 4:4 Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that the friendship of the world is enmity [with] God? Therefore whoever desires to be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.”). if you’re still confused with the term “fleshly lust”, i can simplify it as Peter said previously in chapter 2:1 that it’s all about - malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy and all evil speaking- and also about fornication and adultery, and so on. Those things refer to “fleshly lust”.

I know you may find it difficult to avoid as we live in the world that see all those things as the common things. So, Here’s the point, our heart and mind should be set to think that we are heavenly citizenship so this world is just our temporary residence. When we think like this, we wont deal our live much to all things related to this world. Somebody ever told me that our mind guides all our deeds. When you think you’re looser, you will act as looser but when you think (put in your mind) that you are the conqueror, you will live as a conqueror. It’s all about our mind focus.

2.     Be an example in good deeds among the gentiles and unbelievers

2:12 having your conduct honest among the nations, in that which they speak against you as evildoers, they may glorify God in a day of [His] visitation, seeing [your] good works.

This evening we discussed about the effective things to do in teaching our kids  and one of them is about giving example through our lives. Why is it so important? People don't pay much attention on listening but seeing. When they listen to your good speaking but find it absolutely different with your deed, all good things you’ve shared through words will be in vain. That’s why Peter advised the church to be the example among the nations so that by seeing our good works other people who do not know Christ will glorify Him. watch out your deed..make sure that your speaking synchronizes with your deed.

3.     Submit to the government

2:13 Then be in obedience to every ordinance of men, because of the Lord, whether to a king as supreme,

2:14 or to governors as sent by Him for vengeance [on] evildoers, but for praise [on] well-doers.

2:15 For such is the will of God, doing good to silence the ignorance of foolish men;

Most of the time we as Christians ignore this. I used to think that rules are made to be broken but God says different thing. God says that rules made by government is controlled by Him. that’s why in the other verse of the bible, we are asked to pray for our governors, presidents, all the nation leaders and also our nation’s prosperity. Don't only judge our government but we have to pray that they will do their roles in the fear of the LORD.

Submit the government means we obey the rules made by government. if we ignore it and get the punishment just realize that God still loves you that’s why He chastens you through your governors. :)

Thus, w.

4.     Do not misuse the freedom

2:16 as free, and not having freedom as a cover of evil, but as servants of God.

2:17 Honor all. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.

Guzik said in his commentary dealing with these verses that we are warned against taking the liberty we have in Jesus as an excuse for sin.  Instead, we use our liberty in Jesus to show the kind of love and respect that Peter calls for.

In simple way, we are asked not to waste the grace we’ve got through Jesus as an excuse for doing things that we want though they are not according to God’s will. Being forgiven and having the grace should be the main reason we live in obedience. Submit to God and the government is the right way to use the liberty from God.

So, keep shining in this dark world by living in purity, give good examples in deed, and obey the rules made by the governors.

Stay blessed,

Haniva (you can also read this post in Jedidiah)

Martha and Mary (Wednesday Sharing)

This evening we discussed a great topic in Sunday school servant's fellowship. it's about the two famous sisters; Martha and Mary, the sisters of Lazarus. this story is quite popular for our Sunday school kids coz it has a song about this story and the kids love singing the song. I'm not going to teach you its song but wanna share what i and my friends learn from the story in Luke 10: 38-42.

10:38 Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him as a guest.
10:39 She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he said.
10:40 But Martha was distracted with all the preparations she had to make, so she came up to him and said, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do all the work alone? Tell her to help me.”
10:41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things,
10:42 but one thing is needed. Mary has chosen the best part; it will not be taken away from her.”

it happened when Jesus and his disciples entered into a certain village namely Bethany. there Martha received Him into her house. Martha had a sister called Mary. when Jesus taught, Mary sat at Jesus feet and listened to His Word while Martha chose to be busy with serving. seeing that Mary was only sitting and listening to Jesus and was not caring about serving, Martha came to Jesus and asked Him to tell Mary help her. but Jesus answered her that she had been careful and troubled about many things but one thing is needful and Mary had chosen that good part which shall not be taken away from her.

many people tend to judge that Mary's choice is the best coz she chose to be by the Lord's presence while Martha was busy serving, dealing with all stuff of the world and did not take her part in God's presence. we were asked to choose who we're going to be if we were there in Bethany, being Mary or Martha. each one gave his/her answer with his reason and it was a nice sharing. all the answers related to our personalities. some said that they would be busy in the kitchen, preparing the meal for Jesus coz they knew Jesus must have been tired for a long travel while the other said that they wouldn't miss Jesus's Word that's why they'd rather choose to take Mary's position. Man assumed that Martha had taken a wise decision too coz a woman she has to serve (in patrilineal  culture woman's place is in the kitchen preparing meal while man's part is in the living room welcoming the guest). i agree with all their opinion coz nothing's wrong with serving. so why Jesus said that Mary had chosen the best way? the following are my points from this story, summarized from all my friends' thoughts and ideas. 

• serving is not wrong. each person holds his/her own responsibility in a ministry. some people have to be on the stage, while the other are working behind the stage supporting the ministry. what may become wrong when our focus on serving has switched. we don't know whom we serve that's why we spend much time on serving while forgetting our time to be with God. many of us will be so exhausted serving till we forget to spend time with God, having our daily devotion, listening to the Word of God. in this case we only focus our serving on our own perspective that's why it's switched. serving God is not about what we think we can do for God but it's all about what God wants us to do. our focus is not on our own self but must be on God Himself. what does He want us to do... i believe God also wants us to spend time with Him and not to be so mindful of serving, working for Him. when we keep serving but forget to seek God's presence we might probably have stolen the glory of God coz our focus is only on ourselves not God Himself. so the formula is the more responsibility you have, the more time you've got to spend with God so that you know what He wants you to do.

• Martha would have also chosen a good decision serving Jesus if she did not complain to Him about Mary. Martha's portion is working behind the stage but she was not satisfied or maybe got envious seeing Mary not working but sitting and listening. the bible says "whatever you do, do it heartily as it is for God and not for man" meaning that no matter you're serving on the stage or behind the stage, you're working it all for God so you don't have to complain or gurgle. everyone has his/her own capacity so don not be jealous with others but mind your own business, do whatever God has trusted you to do so do not see others and compare your work with them. great or small, as long as you do it wholeheartedly for God it will please Him as God seeks your heart.  

that's all i can share today.. hope it may bless you all..

keep serving God, do your portion wholeheartedly.. :)

Immanuel,

Haniva (you can also read this post in "Jedidiah")

Say before its too late (Must Read)

A friend sent me a short story through BlackBerry messenger. I wasn't in a good mood to read back then but how I was so touched when I read it. This story was in Indonesian language so I translated it so you can enjoy it as well.I give names to the characters and give a title cos it was sent to me with no title so I give a little touch to it.
I don't know if its a true story or not, however it shakes my heart.
Hope you are blessed just as I was.




06.00 pm
JENNIFER : Sweetheart, let's meet up at where we first met. Do you think its possible for us to meet tonight? Hope you won't be busy.

JAMES : Alright, but let me get my works done here first.

JENNIFER : You rather choose your work than me?

JAMES : Don't worry, I'll be there as soon as I'm done here, ok!

JENNIFER : Okay then, I'll be waiting for you :) Hours and hours went by and James was busy with his friends who kept coming to his office that he forgot his appointment with his wife Jennifer. He looked at his cell phone and there were 4 text messages and 10 missed calls. He turned off his phone just as if he ran out of battery.

01.00 am
Being so tired and pale he went home right away thinking that his wife won't wait and so she might have been home earlier. How it came to his surprise when he saw his mother was crying in front of the house waiting for him to come home to tell him to go to the hospital soon.

MOTHER : (Crying) Sheriff just came and I just got a call from the hospital. Your wife was robbed, she tried to defend herself that one of the robbers stabbed her with a knife, beat her and killed her.

JAMES : Don't be kidding mom! She just called me. He turned on his phone and looked at the text messages from his wife.

09.00 pm
Sweetheart, where are you?

09.30 pm Sweetheart, why is your phone turned off?

11.45 pm Sweetheart, there are some guys following me. I'm scared, where are you? : '(

12.00 am
Happy Anniversary sweetheart, I love you. I wanted to say it to you directly but seems like I'm not going to see you tonight. Goodnight love, hope you won't get cold out there and won't be sick when you're home.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________
Friends, you don't know when you're gonna lose your loved ones. Show them each day that you love them so much, cos you don't know the time when you won't be able to say it again.. :(

God bless you all,

-Jack Loloin-

To have more article like this, visit my blog at :
www.jack-online.co.nr

Early Motivation

Last Wednesday we discussed our motivation, particularly our early motivation to be Sunday school servants. It was funny, embarrassing, but touching when i look back on the long journey i’ve been walking in. Sometimes i examine my heart just to get back my pure motivation and many times i’ve found my self too proud with my long journey. That’s the most harmful threat in walking with God..." pride attack"; up and down, falling and raising are the colours of my ministry.

I never count how many years i’ve been serving Him as Sunday school servant but tonight i recall and realize that i’ve been 7 years holding this “amazing trust” and “precious privilege”. Not a short time, it’s quite long but again i examine my heart “have I truly served HIM for 7 years? Or in the long journey of 7 years i just play around??” 

Before being a Sunday school teacher, i ever told God that i wanted to become a pastor. At that time i thought that being a pastor was the only way to serve God. But life made me change my early desire and i seemed to run away from my childhood dream. I decided not being a pastor but still wanted to serve God. After finishing my faith confirmation (in Indonesian we call this class; “katekisasi sidi”, it’s a kind of class to prepare students who have passed Sunday school before they confess their faith among the church. It takes one year bible study), my spiritual leader came and asked me to serve in Sunday school. At the first time i was not really interested but because of my switched promise, then i told him that i wanted to teach. So, my early motivation was just to find an escape coz i didn’t want to be a pastor. 

Nevertheless, i strongly believe that God never puts anyone in the wrong place. Even though you think that it might be wrong but it’s not. when i decided to teach at Sunday school i thought that i had been lying God but again I believe it was His way to bring me closer to my calling---teaching--- and as the time running swiftly i finally realized that i’ve been in the right place, the place He has set for me. I know there’s no more blame about my past decision.

When Jesus called his first disciples, i always wonder what was their motivation to follow Him. it happened when Jesus walked by the sea of Galilee (Matthew 4:18) and met two brethren were casting their nets into the see for they were fishers. He just asked them “follow me and i’ll make you fishers of man” and they straightway left their nets and followed Him. also the same way occurred with the sons of  Zebedee. They didn’t think for twice. I kept asking my self what’s special inside the call from Jesus “follow me and i’ll make you the fishers of men”. He didn't offer something precious like a settle or money or a better job, it was only two things:

“follow me ” and “I will make you fishers of man”.

 So, what makes them follow Him if nothing better He offered? What was their motivation?

The sentence “follow me” might seem simple for us, yet it can deeply touch our hearts depends on who tells these words. If it is told by a bossy arrogant man to someone i believe the man he calls wont ever follow him. however it was spoken by the ONE who can touch every heart, it was the WORD of The Son of the Living GOD, that’s why it’s so powerful. The bible says that it can root out and pull down, destroy and throw down, build and plant (Jeremiah 1:10). It’s true when Jesus said “follow me” His words directly touched their deepest hearts and impressed them so much that’s why without hesitation they left their nets. The words Follow me actually means  “Receive my doctrines, imitate me in my conduct - in every respect be my disciples” (according to the commentary of Clarke, quoted from theWord-school of Ministry version (www.ccsom.org)). So a calling from GOD doesn't mean just to follow or to walk together with Him but more than it all; fully follow all His ways including His doctrines and His conducts. 

After saying “Follow me” He said “I will make you fishers of man”. I’m sure this new job wont give them more money than their former job but there’s actually something greater inside this job. Their past job was to cast their nets for fish but the new one was Heavenly calling that is to cast nets as wide as possible to reach those who are walking in the darkness. Their nets had turned to be the light they brought to reach people for GOD’s kingdom. To be the fishers of man means to be the partnership of Christ’s ministry. If the former job gains perish things (money, prosperity), the new job retains unperished things (eternal life). By giving the new job for them Jesus wants to switch their focus, from the perished thing to the eternal thing.

No wonder when Jesus said “follow me and i’ll make you the fishers of man” they didn't hesitate leaving all the things they had gained for Jesus though He didn't offer prosperity. All they did is just to purely follow Him. that’s their motivation.

A friend of mine ever reminded me when i was too weary doing ministry. He said “you know it’s such a privilege to serve the King of kings”. If you are asked by Mr. President to serve him as a cook or a  house servant,you may feel so glad and proud. Isn't Jesus much more important than Mr.President? He is the king of kings, the Lord of lords, isnt it a great honor to be “the fishers of man”?

7 years have passed by and a long journey has been waiting in front of me. Many possibilities might come but since i’ve put my eyes on Jesus all i’ll do is to joyfully serve HIM, my King of kings till one day when He comes He’ll say “ you are all fair, my love, and there’s no spot in you” (Song of Solomon 4:7). That’s all i wanna hear from Him when He comes again in HIS glory.

Stay blessed,

Haniva Leo (honey-jedidiah.blogspot.com)

Learning from little kids

I was about to teach when i listened to the kids outside singing happily praising the LORD. Suddenly i miss my childhood. So many beautiful things, sweet memories remain in my brain but i’m not sure i still remember all  :3

One thing i love from those kids singing outside is the way they enjoy life... i am kinda jealous with them. Life seems to change dramatically and makes all men forget to feel the joy of being a child. I do feel the same.  Many activities, life burden, routines, deadlines and so many crazy things fill up our mind and replace our joy. Those crazy things make us forget the way we should feel to be “the beloved of God”.

Jesus said to His disciples that  they learn from the kids.  In Mark 10:15 Jesus said “ Assuredly i say to you, whoever does not receive the Kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.” What does He mean by saying “receive the Kingdom of God as a little kid?”

As i was listening to those kids singing, a question came to my mind, don't they feel afraid of tomorrow? Of course they don't.  A kid never worries about anything in his life. He does not worry about what he’s going to eat, to play, to drink, to wear, in short, he doesn't worry about anything.

Knowing this fact i eventually realize why Jesus says that we need to receive the Kingdom of God as a kid does. Kingdom of God actually talks about peace, a situation where there’s no more weariness, fear, burdens, etc. “receive the kingdom of God” means we receive peace and what a little child does is purely receiving the Kingdom of God. They sing and praise the Lord with pure motive, with a great joy, without worry. That’s what we as adults have forgot. Entering the presence of the LORD with a great joy!

 Recently i have lost the most important thing of my relationship with God that is to trust Him unconditionally. He doesn't only want me to love Him wholeheartedly but also wants me to trust Him with no reason. Why i say “unconditionally? Sometimes we just want to trust God when we see miracles happen in our lives.  Or we say like this “God i trust you if you make a miracle to me coz i really need it..” we offer God a solution, thinking like we know all the best things for ourselves. However, there are also times when we wont see miracles. That’s the time God wants us to trust Him unconditionally. The time when God wanna show us that He is in the complete control of our lives.

If recently you’ve been in the same situation as i have, i’d like to remind you as God reminds me through the kids. “Receive the Kingdom of GOD as a little kid”.. don't worry, don't be afraid of facing the reality in your life coz all God wants us to do is to enjoy walking with HIM..

Immanuel,

Haniva (honey-jedidiah.blogspot.com)

Pasangan dari Tuhan

Tiap orang berharap memberikan diri untuk seseorang, hubungan cinta satu dengan yang lain, untuk dicintai dan mencintai secara langsung maupun spesial...
 
Tetapi Allah berkata untuk anak-anakNya, "Tidak, sampai engkau dipuaskan, diteguhkan, dan penuh dengan cinta yang daripadaKu sendiri, dengan memberikan hidupmu sepenuhnya hanya kepadaKu."
 
Aku mengasihi engkau anakKu dan sampai engkau menemukan bahwa hanya di dalam Aku sajalah kepuasan dapat ditemukan. Engkau tidak akan dapat menemukan orang yang sempurna bagi kehidupanmu yang Aku rencanakan bagimu!
 
Engkau tidak akan pernah dapat beserta dengan orang lain sampai engkau bersatu denganKu. Aku ingin engkau berhenti merencanakan, berhenti berharap, dan membiarkan Aku yang akan membawanya kepadamu!
 
Tetaplah matamu tertuju kepadaKu, haraplah pada hal-hal yang terbesar terjadi. Tetaplah alami dan kepuasanmu hanya ada padaKu. Tetaplah belajar dan mendengarkan akan segala hal yang Aku katakan kepadamu.........jangan bimbang, jangan ragu........dan jangan melihat orang lain yang sudah mendapatkan pasangan hidupnya ataupun yang telah Aku berikan. Jangan melihat seseorang engkau pikir engkau menginginkannya. Tetaplah melihat kepadaKu, atau engkau akan kehilangan hal-hal besar yang akan Aku perlihatkan kepadamu.
 
Pada saatnya nanti engkau akan siap, Aku akan mengejutkan engkau dengan cinta yang jauh lebih indah dari apa yang pernah engkau bayangkan sebelumnya.
 
Engkau lihat, sampai engkau siap dan sampai orang yang Aku persiapkan juga telah siap. Aku bekerja bahkan dalam saat ini untuk mempertemukan engkau berdua siap pada waktunya nanti..............
Sampai engkau berdua dipuaskan secara penuh hanya denganKu dalam kasih dan hidup yang telah Aku persiapkan untukmu. Ketahuilah, Aku mengasihi engkau selama-lamanya...............
 
AKULAH ALLAH YANG BERKUASA!!! Percayalah dan puaslah.............
 
"Allahku akan memenuhi segala keperluanku............" (Filipi 4:19)
"............JANGAN KAMU MEMBENGKITKAN DAN MENGERAKKAN CINTA SEBELUM DIINGININYA!!!"
(KDG 3:5)
 
semoga menjadi berkat^^
GBu aL

(Diambil dari catatan seorang teman di Facebook)
Powered by Telkomsel BlackBerry®

Worship-What does God feel?

Worship has always been the thing that excites me ever since I was born again. Everytime I went to church I would find the seat that is near the band cause I love music as well. I love the atmosphere when we're worshiping cause that's when I feel God's presence so strong.
I would always come earlier to church to enjoy the worship time when we sang and dance and jump. Sometimes people would cry as they were worshiping. There are so many expressions and impressions in worship that I've seen.

As I was growing as a new believer,
I've always wanted to have those kind of experiences and impressions in worship. So I strived that I might feel like what others feel and yes I got it. I grew up in worship just like anybody else, I even get myself involved in ministry as a church musician. Unfortunately, as I'm growing as christian God opened my eyes to see that this is not the worship that He expects.
Slowly I learned what is meant by worship and the more I learn the more I found how much we've lost the real essence of worship.
I still remember one day after sunday service somebody came to me and said "I felt nothing, I felt empty"
I thought for a moment, something must going wrong but what is it? Why does the man say he couldn't enjoy the worship. And honestly, as a musician sometimes I find it difficult to enjoy the worship when the music sounds 'bad' in my ear for example like too much distortion or the song is too slow or too oldies. I've always wanted to present the best that we can as musicians not realizing that not everyone has the same sense of music.

I also remember one day when Hillsong held a concert in my town. Someone came and asked me "did you feel it? I really enjoyed it. The atmosphere was so strong"
I've seen many times people would always relate worship to music so that when the music is played in a genre that they don't like they would feel nothing, or when the music is too loud for them then they would complain.
Last week I attended a church meeting and just like any other churches, they started with worship. While we were singing a worship song the worship leader said, "keep worshiping until you feel His presence". The question is what if they strive so hard but they still can't feel God's presence? Would it mean God isn't there? In fact, God's presence does not depend on our feeling or emotion. The presence of God is not about emotional experience. Many people seek emotional experiences in worship not realizing God seeks their heart.

There's a lady at my church who always complained about the way I play my keyboard. She always complained also about the drum which she thought was too loud. She wanted the worship to flow the way she expected that when we play differently she would get mad. I found it more than once that she STARED at me everytime I played my keyboard. Looking at her staring at me really screwed up my focus in worship, but my pastor said "your responsibility is to lead the people into God's presence. You are not responsible to their response so just keep going!"
The lady kept complaining and it turned out that she left the church and moved to another church.

Sometimes I pray that I could feel the atmosphere of worship the way I used to feel. Many people that I met in church or bible studies would pray the same prayer. But one day God spoke to me "Worship is about ME, not you"
So true! Its all about Him, not us. I now see the mistake that I've / we've been doing so far, that is to base our worship on our feelings.
A couple days ago I had a talk with a friend about worship at church where the people are now losing the 'feel' in worship. Many would feel nothing in worship. Suddenly God spoke in my heart very clearly "If worship is about what you feel, then what do I feel???"
It was an eye opener.

"Worship is not about us, its about God. Worship is not about what we feel, its about what God feels"

Here are some questions,
How far have our worships touch the heart of the Father?
We've seen many would smile or even laugh when worshiping, but how far have our worships put a smile and laughter on God's face?
How many times have you heard the worship leader would ask at the end of worship "how many are you blessed and satisfied?" But how many of us ask God "God,are You satisfied with my worship?"
Worship is when we put God as the subject. He should be the one who enjoys worship. Letting God smile on us should be the purpose of our worship.

Let's take a few moment to ask God whether He smiles when we worship Him. Cause the bible says , many come to God with their lips only but their hearts are far from Him.

"This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. " (Matthew 15:8).

God wants to feel you.. He wants to enjoy your worship the way you enjoy His presence. Let Him feel you before you feel Him. Remember when we worship we are to give and not to ask. Worship is ALL ABOUT HIM, not about us. Until we really understand this truth, we will keep asking for feeling instead of letting Him to feel us.
I'm not saying that we may not feel anything in worship, just don't focus on it (emotional feeling) coz the time you focus on emotional feeling, you'll end up worshiping yourself.

I believe when God is our focus, we won't be bothered by annoying music or by song genre, or even by emotional feelings.
Just be sincere in worship.

There are only two possibilities in worship, you worship God OR you worship yourself.

To end this, I wanna say :
"DECIDE WHO DO YOU WANT TO WORSHIP!!!"

God bless you
Your brother in Christ,

-Jack Loloin-
Powered by Telkomsel BlackBerry®

Hero

What is a hero? A hero is someone who does something worthy for someone else, often at great cost or sacrifice to themselves.

Jesus Christ is the greatest hero of all times. He came to this earth and sacrificed Himself for the sins of the world. He gave the greatest gift His own life. He took on Himself the punishment for your sins and mine when He hung on the cross and died. He was ridiculed, and humiliated, and beaten all for us.

Sometimes for a family member, someone might give their life, or even for a very good person. But who would give their life for a criminal for one condemned to death? Yet God in His great love sent His own Son Jesus Christ to die for us, who are worthy of death because of our sins. How great is the love of God!

There is a story of a judge who was sitting in court, and one day his own son was brought before him on a charge of stealing; and his son was guilty. The judge pronounced him guilty, but then came off the bench and paid the fine himself. Jesus Christ paid our penalty for sin all we need to do is turn from our sins and receive Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord and we receive the gift of eternal life. Praise God for His great love!

-From Global Media Prayer Team-
Powered by Telkomsel BlackBerry®

Do you trust ME?

How does it feel when people look down on you and think like you can do nothing.
How does it feel when you are not given any chance to show what you can do?
I've been there many times. How would you respond to those kind of attitude?
I am not someone who likes to show off things that I can do or have. It doesn't mean I am ignorant with the situations around me and don't wanna help, I just respect and totally appreciate when people really come to me and give me chance to help them coz many time I offer my helps, thoughts and ideas but people seemed to not to count it matter. I'm ok with that and would just sit around and see what they can do.
Well sometimes looking at me acting like that people would be like "Can't you do something instead of sitting around?" Everytime they told me that, everytime I would say : "did you ever ask me, or even if you did, did you really trust me? You've always acted as though you can handle everything, now go ahead"

Have you ever feel that? Being in a position where you are not given a chance to explore yourself and what you can do to help the people around you, where actually you really want to do something but all your efforts and ideas are considered 'not good, not exactly right or whatever'. Frustrating, isn't it?

I hated being in that position but one day as I was thinking about it, God said to me : "did you know, that's how you treat me?"
I took a few moment to really think what God meant and I realized its true. Do you know that we sometimes put God in a position where He can't be Himslef. We treat Him as though He can't do anything, instead, we acted as though we can handle everything and when things turn out bad we would come to God not to ask for help but to blame Him thinking He does nothing about us.
Did you know that we've always been unfair with God? He's always got the blame, we've always put Him in a position as though He's the one who's responsible when things go wrong where actually we never gave Him chance to help. We are too busy looking for solutions and ideas to help ourselves not knowing that God is right there waiting that we would call on Him.

Let me tell you this "GOD NEVER INSISTS TO HELP YOU"

I am nobody, just a person who feel bad when people don't trust me but did you know that God is a person too? If I as a man can feel bad with that attitude, how about God? He grieves! Who grieves Him? US!!!

Until you really surrender and ask Him to help you, you'll never see Him acting!
God wants you to really trust in Him wholeheartedly, not with 50% or even 99% of your heart. Only when you surrender to Him and lean on Him that you will see He performs miracles. He even says, blessed are those who put their trust in God.

If you feel like you've been doing this to God, its time to treat Him the way we should.

May God bless you all.

Jack L
Powered by Telkomsel BlackBerry®

WARNING !!!

Reading this note might have you think I'm a religious freak or a fanatic one. Its ok, I just one to remind you that Jesus is coming back real soon. Everything He said two thousand years ago are coming to pass. According to the bible prophecy we are living in Church age where grace and salvation are given to all who believe in Jesus as the Son of God.
The wedding feast of the Lamb is at hand, only those who believe will be there.

If you are not christian, this note might come to you as foolishness. You have the right to believe in what I say or to just take it as religious freak's writing. I just want to let you know, as long as God still gives you time, make Jesus your Lord and Savior. He's coming back soon, and before His return there will be a 7 year tribulation where the earth will be reigned by someone who will claim himself to be God. But before that happens, you will see in the headline news many people are missing and most of them are christians. You'll find them everywhere but they're nowhere to be found because they will be raptured (taken up to heavens). After that mystery, the world system will change. There will be the use of money no more, instead, people will use an implant chip as a substitute of money. Those who don't have the chip will by no means allowed to do any economic transaction.
This 7 year will be the last time of men to rule the earth. After that 7 year, there will be a thousand years of peace where Jesus and His chosen people will reign over the earth.
You might won't believe, but don't say I didn't warn you.

If you receive Christ today, I bet you'll never regret. Make today the day of your salvation..

Say this little prayer:
Father God, I come to you in Jesus name. Thanks for taking care of us. Thank you for dying on the cross for our sins..
I confess to You that am a sinner. Please come into my heart and be my lord and savior. I give You my life and I proclaim that Jesus is

If you prayed that prayer, know and be assured that God forgives you already.

God bless you
-Jack Loloin-
Powered by Telkomsel BlackBerry®

I am in the same boat (Jesus)

Have you ever feel despair, hopeless,broken heart,failure and disappointment?
I wanna share something with you.

On march last year I applied for Youth Exchange and I got accepted in SSEAYP (Ship for Southeast Asian Youth Program), a leadership training for Japan and Southeast Asian Youth.
After got the call from local committee I was asked to prepare everything needed for the program. Nevertheless, since there was no official letter from the central government about the program that I was supposed to join, I was told to wait till they get further information. So I waited and waited. The ex-participant of the program from the previous year helped me to get the contacts of some other participants of the year so that we could share information. I tried to get all the documents ready, did net conference with other participants to get the updates of the program. I did my best for the preparation as it is my childhood dream to be able to join exchange.
It turned out a disappointment however.
Been waited for a couple months without further information from the local committee,I started to doubt about my departure and so I decided to contact the committee at the central government to ask about my departure but the answer I got was so shocking and disappointing, "Sorry, there's no quota for your province this year. Aren't you informed already? Just pray, if you are lucky then maybe next year"

I put my phone down and said "thanks Jesus, you still have everything under control" eventhough deep inside my heart I felt great disappointment. I knew God must have another plan for me by allowing me to pass the test.
I was ssoooo disappointed back then, but suddenly God spoke to me through a friend in Texas, saying : The wind might be strong, the wave might strike you down, but don't be discouraged
"I AM IN THE SAME BOAT WITH YOU"

I remembered the story of Jesus and the disciples when Jesus calmed the storm. He said "where's your faith???"

I stood up and decided to not to feel bad coz I know God must have another plan. I chose to believe in His plan.

Even if they said I wasn't going back then, but I felt God spoke in my heart very clearly "I open the door that nobody can shut!"
I was compelled to prepare all the documents, I knew it was the Holy Spirit speaking in my heart. I didn't lose hope. The voice kept speaking in my heart "when God says you're going, men can't say you're staying". So I just waited for what God wanted to do. It wasn't easy though, waited for around 5 months with no information at all. My faith was really tested to trust God's promise even when the situation show the other way around. But you know what, after done the ministry with a team from America, I got a call from Jakarta said "Jack, you're going"
Wwoooaahh!!! What a surprise.
Long story short, I joined the program which later I knew is the most expensive exchange program in Asia. What a blessing!

See, God is good. I really learned a lot. Sometimes when things go wrong and when the situations are so overwhelming, we are so easily discouraged, not knowing that Jesus is right there with us. Yes, HE IS IN THE SAME BOAT!

Glory to the King,

Bless you all,
JACK LOLOIN.
Powered by Telkomsel BlackBerry®

Cool Quotes (Part 1)

-Morality may keep you out of jail, but it takes the blood of Jesus to keep you out of hell
-just remember I always answer my knee-mails (God)
-Your soul can ache, your heart can break, your confidence shake, your smile can be fake, but your life is never a mistake
-Faith is not what the future holds, but knowing who holds the future
-BIBLE : Booster In Believers life Leading to Eternity
-Let your test be a testimony and your mess be your message

#Good-God =0
#God's love is like newspaper, it is new morning
#Sin will take you farther than you wanted to go, keep you longer than you wanted to stay, and take more than you were willing to give
#God is the only doctor that will never send you a bill
#GAP : God Answers Prayer
#Life is maybe. Death is for sure, Sin the cause but Christ is the cure
#I'm one of a kind
#The power of prayer is not in the one who prays but in the one who hears it!
#You may be the only bible someone will ever read
#No matter what your problem is, don't nurse it, don't curse it, don't rehearse it! Just call on God, He'll reverse it
#Storms are temporary, the SON always shines after all

*You'll never know Christ is all you need until Christ is all you got
*Happy easter to our christian friends, happy passover to our jewish friends, to our atheist friends.. Good luck
*Adam blamed Eve, Eve blame the snake and the snake didn't have a leg to stand on
*As you pass a little church, be sure to plan a visit, so when at last you're carried in, God won't ask.. "Who is it?"
*Cant sleep? Don't count sheep, talk to the shepherd!
*Speak well of your enemies, after all you made them
*Aspire to inspire before you expire
*You are not too bad to come in (church), you are not too good to stay out!
*Our faith should be our steering wheel, not our spare tire
*FAITH : Fantastic Adventure In Trusting Him

COOL
*Body piercing saved my life
*Jesus donated blood to keep me alive
*If its not worth dying for, its not worth living for
*Seven days without God makes one weak
*If you don't fellowship you are not among fellow sheep
*Our world revolves around the Son
*When God calls TIME, the game is over. Which exit will you take?
*3 nails+1 cross=4given
*Today's heaven forecast : Reign forever
*God doesn't need great men, great men need God
*Atheism is a Non-Prophet Organization
*I couldn't repair your brake so I made your horn louder.
Powered by Telkomsel BlackBerry®

Belajar Dari Jepang

Pagi ini saya membaca sebuah catatan dari seorang teman Indonesia yang study di Jepang. Tulisannya sangat menginspirasi saya secara pribadi dan akhirnya mendorong saya untuk menulis juga penglaman saya.
Beberapa waktu yang lalu Jepang dihantam gempa dan gelombang tsunami yang meluluh lantahkan negeri itu. Negeri matahari terbit. Dulunya saya tidak begitu tertarik belajar tentang Jepang. Bagi saya Jepang tidak ada bedanya dengan negara-negara maju lainnya yang kental dengan kehidupan mewah dan serba canggih. Bagi saya orang Jepang tidak lebih dari orang-orang gila kerja yang memaksa diri dalam mencapai sesuatu dan ketika hal itu tak dapat dicapai, maka mereka mengakhiri hidup dengan bunuh diri. Tetapi begitu saya menginjakkan kaki di sana semua gambaran itu berubah menjadi inspirasi bagi saya. Sungguh!
Keteguhan hati dan kedisiplinan orang Jepang sudah sering saya dengar sejak saya masih duduk di bangku SD, tapi baru tahun lalu sampai sekarang saya mengerti.
Kita perlu belajar dari Jepang mengenai keteguhan/ketetapan hati dan kedisiplinan. Ada satu istilah Jepang yang begitu terkenal dan juga menjadi falsafah hidup orang Jepang, yakni "Gambaru/Gambate" yang artinya berjuang mati-matian. Pertama kali saya mendengar istilah itu, saya tidak mengerti apa artinya, lalu saya tahu dari teman saya kalau itu artinya selamat berjuang. Bagi saya yang waktu itu belum begitu mengenal Jepang, saya menganggap artinya tidak lebih dari sekedar mengucapkan "good luck", namun begitu saya mencoba masuk dalam lingkungan orang Jepang dan belajar hidup seperti orang Jepang baru saya mengerti apa arti sebenarnya dari "gambate dan gambaru".
"Gambaru" Berjuang mati-matian bagi orang Jepang bukan sekedar berjuang dan ketika tak dilihat adanya hasil lalu berhenti.
Saya melihat adanya suatu semangat yang berkobar tak peduli apapun keadaannya.
Satu contoh kecil, saya heran waktu berada di Jepang beberapa waktu yang lalu, ketika melihat para wanita karir yang walaupun dengan cuaca yang dingin tetap merasa nyaman dengan pakaian yang biasanya dipakai di cuaca normal bahkan terkadang mini. "Apakah mereka tidak merasa dingin?" Pikir saya. Baru kemudian saya tahu ternyata sejak di bangku SD, anak-anak sekolah di Jepang diajarkan prinsip "gambaru", dimana mereka diwajibkan datang ke sekolah tidak peduli betapa dinginnya cuaca. Dari kecil mereka tak dibiasakan hidup manja. Bahkan menurut saya, mungkin saja kata manja tak ada dalam kamus Jepang.
Tak heran Jepang bisa bangkit lagi setelah sempat dijadikan abu oleh bom atom Amerika. Ya, mereka bangkit lagi dari abu alias mulai dari NOL. Namun, dengan prinsip GAMBARU yg sudah melekat di kepala mereka, orang Jepang berhasil membawa negeri mereka menjadi negara tangguh bukan cuma dalam hal ekonomi, namun juga militer, pendidikan dan teknologi.
Saya ada di Jepang beberapa waktu yang lalu untuk mengikuti suatu program pertukaran pemuda. Kebetulan Jepang menjadi sponsor program ini yang katanya merupakan program pertukaran termahal di Asia dimana pemerintah Jepang mengeluarkan sekitar Rp.800 juta/orang. Kontingen Indonesia sendiri berjumlah 28 orang dan Indonesia merupakan salah satu dari 11 negara peserta. Bisa anda bayangkan berapa juta dollar yang dihabiskan untuk program itu? Awalnya saya merasa bersalah mengikuti program itu karena banyak orang yang bisa dibantu dengan dana sebesar itu.
Saya sempat bertanya, kenapa dana sebesar itu tidak digunakan saja untuk kegiatan social? Bayangkan berapa sekolah yang sudah bisa dibangun dengan dana untuk satu kontingen. Berapa jembatan dan fasilitas umum lainnya yang bisa dibangun dengan jumlah dana itu apalagi kegiatan ini bersifat tahunan.
Namun anda tahu apa jawab mereka dari pemerintah Jepang? Simak jawaban mereka: "Kami sadar besarnya biaya yang kami keluarkan setiap tahunnya untuk program ini. Dan kami sadar sepenuhnya berapa banyak fasilitas yang bisa kami bangun dengan uang sebanyak itu, tapi kami tidak investasi untuk benda mati tapi untuk yang hidup. Kalau kami membangun jembatan, sekolah, dll, apa yang dapat dihasilkan dari semua itu? Bukankah semua itu akan hancur seiring dengan waktu? Bagaimana jika terjadi bencana? 800 juta x 28 = 0 (NOL). Katakanlah 800 juta mungkin dipakai untuk membangun satu gedung sekolah, tapi ketika gedung itu hancur apalah artinya? Sebaliknya ketika 800 juta itu diinvestasikan untuk SATU ORANG MANUSIA, satu orang itu bisa membangun seribu jembatan dan seribu sekolah. Kami percaya pada kemampuan manusia dalam menghasilkan sesuatu maka dari itu kami tidak merasa rugi dalam hal pembiayaan karena satu orang itu dapat menghasilkan lebih dari apa yang telah
kami investasikan". Karena itu, saya percaya, dengan seijin Tuhan Jepang pasti akan bangkit lagi.
Dengan prinsip gambaru, Jepang pasti akan membangun istana kemakmuran mereka kembali dari sisa puing-puing kehancuran ini, karena mereka telah belajar untuk tidak menyerah pada keadaan dan tidak manja.
Kalau anda punya sahabat atau kenalan di Jepang, coba tanya apakah ada berita di media lokal yang memajang wajah menyerah atau tangisan dari orang Jepang? Tidak ada! Atau coba anda cari lagu-lagu ala Ebiet G Ade yang biasa diputar di saat bencana, tidak akan anda temukan. ATAU coba anda cari program amal bencana seperti Peduli Sesama atau Dompet Peduli di Jepang, tidak akan anda temui!
Benar kita harus bercermin pada Jepang.
Dalam bencana yang hebat inipun, bantuan Jepang untuk pembangunan MRT di Jakarta tidak dihentikan, malah kemaren saya mendapat email dari KEMENPORA bahwa program pertukaran yang saya ikuti tahun lalu akan dibuka lagi pendaftarannya. Sungguh saya salut pada Jepang.
Satu hal lagi yang saya belajar selama di Jepang adalah kedisiplinan mereka. Sungguh saya malu dengan kebiasaan jam karet yang begitu melekat dengan bangsa kita. Saya teringat ketika mengikuti "morning assembly" dan upacara bendera di atas kapal pesiar Fuji Maru-Tokyo. Kami diwajibkan sudah hadir di tempat upacara pada pukul 7.30 karena upacara harus dimulai tepat waktu. Saya ingat yang sering terjadi bukanlah keterlambatan melainkan kami menunggu kapan upacara dimulai. Waktu itu kami sudah hadir setengah jam sebelum upacara dimulai namun upacara tidak dimajukan namun tetap komit pada waktu yang ditetapkan. Bisa anda bayangkan betapa pegalnya kaki kami waktu itu. Namun disiplin seperti itu telah membawa Jepang ke titik puncak kejayaan mereka.

Watashi wa, tōsō no genri nitsuite Nippon kara manabu koto ga dekimasu. Demo, watashi wa tatakai tsuzukeruga okoru! Anata wa Nippon ni kansha shimasu.

Biarlah Jepang menjadi inspirasi bagi kita semua.
Gambate Nihon!!! Ayo bejuang Jepang!!!

-Jack Loloin-

"What if...?"

This time i wanna share about a question that many people tend to avoid, or they inquire but give a negative statement into this question "what if...?"

I received a mail on my fb account about that topic last week "What if..?" and it really encouraged me to change the statement of my question.

 Many people have dreams, their life dreams but prone to be afraid to make a step forward because thier focus only on answering this question “what if i fail..?”

Very little people who have dream would challange themselves to answer “what if i am successful?”

None ever thought that by inquiring negative thing to themselves, they have directly killed so many possible steps that might come. Some of us dont want to ask positive thing because we dont want to get hurt by our high expectation. Or some say that just stay on the earth, dont fly too high unless you fall.

Yes, falling down from the highest place is too hurt but (again) what if that assumption was wrong..what if you didnt fall? what if the wind makes your wings bring you higher and higher till you you reach the highest point? Doest it mean you would never expreience the highest point because of the fear of having the highest expectation.

I watched a talk show on metro tv. They were discussing about having an expectation. They interviewed some handicapped men who had been very succesful regardless of their shortcomings. One question came to the handicaaped man regarding of his decision to enter public school not “Sekolah Luar Biasa” which is intended for them. He said “the greater problem or challenge, the greater my expectation for reaching my dream.”.

I believe this man must have put possitive statement in his “What if”, if not he might have given up at all. None knows what will follow.. success and failure are the parts of life but they cannot be the reason for you to stop having a greater expectation.

Having the greater one by asking “what if i am succesful?”, what if i pass the fist step?

There’s always a possibility in everything. So stop killing your dream by asking ‘what if i fail?” because God who holds your future in His hands says

 “FOR SURELY THERE’S A HEREAFTER, AND YOUR HOPE WILL NOT BE CUT OFF.” Proverb 23:18

Stay blessed,

Haniva Leo
see also MoLaNiTa