iHeart Jesus ♥

Saturday, May 18, 2013

Happy Birthday to Me!
10:36 AM 2 Comments


Happy Birthday to my beloved self, Ok it's sound like I'm forever alone. But seriously I'm not, or probably a little :( Well, I have a spiritual family to celebrated with they are Father, Holy Spirit, and Jesus! Yeay! My real family might sleeping right now, only me who wait for 12 o'clock. I know~ my dad needs to prepare for the sermon tomorrow, my mom and my siblings can't awake late night. 

And now *drumroll* I'm turning 18! Somehow for me, 18 years old its like a portal of maturity. Why I'm getting old so fast, I just feel yesterday I still on the Junior High. 


I asked God for this birthday to bring me some light to walk with into my Finish Strong, and the wisdom from God (Just like Solomon asked to, but I need wisdom from God, not worldly wisdom). But somehow I want a complete Narnia novel series. 

Ahh I'm exhausted, I'm gonna sleep.. I need to go to church tomorrow, hope I get enough rest..

God Bless!
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Friday, May 17, 2013

Instapray
11:32 AM0 Comments

I just download this app and I think it's very cool. Instapray is a free mobile application that connects people around the world through prayers. Request, share your prayers, pray for someone and get connected! I have tried it, and the people also pray for my prayer.

Download it at the AppStore and Google Play.




Follow my Instapray: claudiawibawa
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Monday, April 1, 2013

What Should Christian Women Wear?
4:19 AM0 Comments

I am not acquainted with any woman who truly does not care what she looks like. Even those of us who are relegated to sweat pants and scrunchies until noon wish that we had more time to take care of ourselves. All women want to look beautiful and attractive. It is important for us as Christian women to dress in a way that makes us feel good and also pleases God. Though it may sound archaic in today's "Anything Goes" society, modesty and femininity are still important principles for women to follow. Here are a few principles from the Bible about our appearance and what we should wear:


1. Strive to please the Lord with what you wear. I Corinthians 10:31 says, "Whatsoever you do, do all to the glory of God." You and your spouse are not the only people who care what you look like, God cares too.
2. Dress in taste and style that will bring honor to the Lord. As a Christian person, you represent Christ. II Corinthians 5:20 says that "...we are ambassadors for Christ."
3. Be pleasing to the Lord. I Thessalonians 2:4 says, "Not as pleasing men, but God."
4. Avoid clothing that focuses attention on self and dims the beauty of the Lord as seen through you. Galatians 2:20 says that Christ lives in you. Can people see past what you are wearing to the One Who is inside of you?
5. Clothing should be attractive, not shabby or drab. Proverbs 31:22 indicates that if you are a Christian woman, you are a daughter of the King. Don't spend a fortune on your wardrobe, but do make sure what you wear is clean and in good taste.
6. Don't lower your standards in dress to conform to the "style" of the moment. Fads come and go, but our appearance should not be based on what is popular in the world. Romans 12:2 says, "And be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind..."
7. Flaunting clothing for pride or appearances sends the wrong message. When you meet someone, his or her focus should be on the person you are, not what you put on your person. Philippians 2:3 says, "Let nothing be done through strive or vain glory..."
8. Select clothing that is nice and appropriate for the occasion, "In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel..." I Timothy 2:9-10.
9. Dressing revealingly cheapens our testimony for God. "For we are bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body..." I Corinthians 6:20.
10. Following the fashion whims occurring in the world consumes time, finances and energy, don't give in! I Corinthians 2:31 says, "...for the fashion of this world passeth away."
Many times we are so busy that we don't take time to consider what we are wearing. I know sometimes I tend to throw on whatever is on top in my drawer! However, by using these principles as a filter, we can be sure that what we wear speaks well of us and of our God.

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UPSIDE
2:09 AM1 Comments

I just bought this DVD, although I know it has been released about 2 years ago. But, it seems a good movie and then I bought it anyway.

The synopsis:

High school senior Solomon White seemingly has everything going for him: great athlete, good-looking girlfriend, nice car, scholarship offers-a bright future. But a devastating hit on the lacrosse field leaves his world literally turned upside down.
Upside provides a fresh look at life through the eyes of Soli as he struggles to discover where he’s headed, both figuratively and literally. His is a challenge few will ever face … or is it?
Soli has trouble with his mom, he’s trying to end his relationship with his girlfriend, and he has to come to grips with a teacher that challenges him to apply himself.
Add in Wren, an unlikely love interest, who is blind and has a strong faith in God, and Soli must take a new look at everything.
When you’re facing life’s twists and turns, it’s important to know what you believe. This fresh story of faith is an inspiring reminder that when life gets you down, there’s always an Upside.

“Upside is an inspiring film about faith and love. Its message challenges us to follow the unique path God has for us.” – Mark Hall, youth pastor and lead singer of Casting Crown

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Sunday, March 31, 2013

The Gospel, Change Your Lives
5:07 AM0 Comments
HAPPY EASTER to you all!
Please take the time to watch this video,
it's really change the lives!

The Gospel:



May we be unashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Romans 1:16) Please note that this is a metaphorical take on the Gospel. It presumes a knowledge of the historic framework of the Cross, Burial, Resurrection, and Ascension of Jesus Christ. Though certain elements of the Cross-work are not fully explained herein (i.e. - Jesus's fulfillment of all righteousness, His perfect match with all the Old Testament Messianic prophecy, and His bearing of the outpoured wrath of God in our stead), we in no way wish to diminish their significance and importance in the Gospel landscape. 
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Saturday, March 30, 2013

Inspirational Video
2:43 AM0 Comments
I found this on Vimeo, it's about Rev Camp 2011 Baptisms by Revolution Movement. Yeah, it's 2 years ago video, but I'm really touching with this video. How's the young people found God, especially Jesus that changed their life. Even the boy on the wheel chair! PRAISE JESUS!

Here is the link:

Visit Revelation Movement's Home Page:







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Monday, December 24, 2012

Christmas, God's Party or Your Party?
11:30 PM0 Comments


♡ Selamat Hari Natal• Merry Christmas• メリークリスマス• Feliz Navidad• 메리 크리스마스• Joyeux Noël• 圣诞节快乐• Buon Natale• Frohe Weihnach ♡


The Christmas moment was so extraordinary, I celebrated Christmas with my mom's family who didn't know about Christ. So my mom tried to spread the good news to them.

There is one important message from God on Christmas, this message obtained by my spiritual brother.
Bottom line, don't let the God himself displaced by humans and especially sparkling party.
Christmas also not talking about Santa Claus, but talking about JESUS CHRIST. That's why it calling CHRISTmas, not Clausemas.

Which the God taught to not make debauchery outside HIS party. The party was definitely the party of the sacred, but human habits celebrating Christmas party outside the God's will, concerned with pleasing their excitement and feelings regardless of the God. Especially include things that had nothing to do with Christianity.

That's what God doesn't want us to do. Make it a party for HIM, at least between us and our KING. Interpret the real Christmas, HIS goal came into this world.
As Esther did the Monarch, not as Queen Vashti the king's own party as a party.

Not only is the actual Christmas, Easter and other celebrations as well as it should be.

PS: This applies to a true Christian
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Thursday, September 20, 2012

Should Christian Read The Holy Bible?
1:42 AM0 Comments




2 Timothy 3:16

New International Version (NIV)
16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching,rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,

Christians need to pray, to read the Bible. Praying is like breathing, reading the Bible is like eating. Both are two things that should be done by every Christian.
Every Christian should read the Bible. Since the Bible is the breath of God that are useful for teaching, rebuking, to improve behavior, and for training in righteousness. The Bible shows us, how many things God has done in the past for us, also shows us how the ancient people of God leads. If we want to know how much abundance that God has for us, how vast and wide, we could not have read the Bible, and if we want to know how God leads people step by step, we inevitably have to read the Bible.


What did God say to people today, all based on the word which he has spoken. It was hard to say to someone with God's words in the Bible is saying never. Even a spiritual journey spiritual has far enough, and God sometimes gives her a full revelation of the word, that word still remains a word which I have spoken in the Bible. Therefore, if today God speaks, it is a repetition of what He has said. If someone does not know that God has spoken, it is difficult to get a revelation from God, because he lacked the conditions for God speaking to him.


If God wants to speak through us to others, also based on what He has said. If we do not know that God has spoken, God can not speak through us to others, and we are in the presence of God becomes for those that are not useful.

Therefore, we need to keep saying the rich abundance of God in us, so we just know God's way past, just to hear the word of God today, just to let God use us to speak to others.
The Bible is a great book, it also is a great book. Even if we risked our life, we can only touch and understand part of it. If someone does not want to expend the time but can understand the Bible, it is impossible. So the pious youth must quickly put his time to the word of God, so that in time the middle-aged and even older at the time, could have the words of the affluent, who can supply can supply themselves and others. Any person who wants to know God, must be carefully read God's word. Every person who believes in God, so start, should recognize the importance of reading the word of God.


BIBLE CONTENT:

The contents contained in the Bible is very deep and wide. mainly there are two things, namely truth (John 17:17) and life(Acts 5:20). Truth makes us get a revelation, to know the reality of the universe, for example: the reality of God, the reality of man, the reality of the universe, the reality of all kinds of things, whether present, nor things to come, and forevermore, in particular about the reality of Christ and the church. Life is God being our life, that we are born again, grow up, change, and formed into the likeness of Christ, to be an expression of God.




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Thursday, August 23, 2012

Tenth Avenue North - The Struggle
9:49 PM0 Comments

Video: 


Actually this band already exist since 2000, but I just know them from GodTube.com because I interested with their name, So I clicked into their name and listened this song. I'm totally fallin in love with this song, with the lovely voice of the singer and music arrangement is totally awesome. This song is just newly released.

With a bright and sunny modern pop sound, Tenth Avenue North (the group took its name from a major road in the West Palm Beach, FL area where the band was originally formed) have become one of the brightest lights on the contemporary Christian music scene. 


Here's the Lyrics:


Artist: Tenth Avenue North

Album: The Struggle


There's a wreckage, there's a fire
There's a weakness in my love
There's a hunger I can't control
Lord I falter and I fall down
Then I hold on to the chains you broke
When You came down and saved my soul
Save my soul

Hallelujah
We are free to struggle
We're not struggling to be free
Your blood bought and makes us children
So children drop your chains and sing

So I look, do I still fail
Do I withhold, do I still give into temptation
On my own I am bankrupt
I will trust You, I'll take you at your word
You promise

Hallelujah
We are free to struggle
We're not struggling to be free
Your blood bought and makes us children
So children drop your chains and sing

Hallelujah, death is overcome
and we are breathing
Hallelujah our stone hearts become flesh
a flesh that's beating
Hallelujah chains have been undone
and we are singing
Hallelujah the fire has begun
can you feel it?

Hallelujah, death is overcome
and we are breathing
Hallelujah our stone hearts become flesh
a flesh that's beating
Hallelujah chains have been undone
and we are singing
Hallelujah the fire has begun
can you feel it?

Hallelujah
We are free to struggle
We're not struggling to be free
Your blood bought and makes us children
So children drop your chains and sing
(Ooh's)


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Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Christian Music
11:05 PM0 Comments

We all Christians have a lot of cool songs! 
But, still praise and worship HIM.
You should discover more!


Here's the link: 
godtube.com

GodTube (formerly Tangle.com and GodTube.com) is an online video sharing platform which strives to have Christian content. 

There is a lot of Christian Artist,
*click their name and the songs + video will appear.


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Monday, August 13, 2012

Bible Emergency Numbers
2:48 AM0 Comments



- When in sorrow, call on John 14:1-4

- When men fail you, call on Psalm 27:1

- If you want to be fruitful, call on John 15:1-27

- When you have sinned, call on Psalm 51:1-10

- When you worry,call on Matthew 6:25-34

- When you are in danger, call on Psalm 91:1-16

- When God seems far away, call on Psalm 139:1-18
- When your faith needs stirring, call on Hebrews 11:1-14

- When you are lonely and fearful, call on Psalm 23:1-6

- When you grow bitter and critical, call on 1 Cor. 13:1-13

- For Paul’s secret to happiness, call on Col.3:15

- When you feel down and out, call on Romans 8:1

- When you want peace and rest, call on Matt.11:28

- When the world seems bigger than God, call on Psalm 90:1-2

- When you leave home for labor or travel, call on Psalm 121:1-8

- Your prayers growth narrow and selfish, call on Psalm 67:1-7

- For a great invention/opportunity, call on Isaiah 55:1

- When you want courage for a task, call on Joshua 1:7

- How to get along with fellow men,call on Romans 12:1

- When you think of investments/returns, call on Mark 10:17-27
- If you are depressed, call on  Psalm 27:1

- If your pocketbook is empty, call on Psalm 37:1-4

- If you’re losing confidence in people, call on 1 Cor. 13:4-8

- If people seem unkind, call on John 15:12-13

- If discouraged about your work,call on Psalm 126:3-6

- If you find the world growing small and yourself great, call on Psalm 19:1-3

- When you are sad, call on  John 14:1
- When you are facing danger, call on  Psalm 91:1-2

- When people have failed you, call on  Psalm 27:1-2

- When God feel far from you, call on  Psalm 130:1-3

- When your faith needs encouraging, call on  Hebrews 11:17-40

- When you are hated because of your faith, call on  John 15:18-24

- When you feel you’re failing, call on  Psalm 121:3-4

- When you are scared, call on  Psalm 23:4

- When you want to do good works, call on  John 15:5

- When you need courage, call on  Joshua 1:7

- When you don’t feel loved, call on  Romans 8:38-39

- When you have sinned, call on  1 John 1:8-9

- When you are worried, call on  Matthew 6:25-34

- When you are hurt, call on Colossians 3:12-17

- When you feel no one is on your side, call on  Romans 8:31-39
- When you are seeking rest, call on  Matthew 11:25-30

- When you are suffering, call on  Romans 8:18-30

- When you pray, call on  Matthew 6:9-13

- When you are in need, call on Philippians 4:19

- When you are losing hope, call on 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

- When you are seeking peace, call on  John 14:27

- When you want to live a happy life, call on  Colossians 3:12-17

- When you don’t understand what God is doing, call on Isaiah 55:8-9

- When you want to get along with others, call on  Romans 12:9-21
NOTE: EMERGENCY NUMBERS may be DIALED DIRECT. No operator assistance is necessary. ALL LINES ARE OPEN TO HEAVEN 24 HOURS A DAY!


These are the quick links for the bible verses above. I used NIV from Bible Gateway.


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Monday, July 30, 2012

Bible Verses about Inner Beauty
4:10 AM0 Comments


1 Peter 3:3-4 ESV
Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious.

Proverbs 31:30 ESV
Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

Song of Solomon 4:7 ESV
You are altogether beautiful, my love; there is no flaw in you.

Psalm 139:14 ESV
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.

1 Samuel 16:7 ESV
But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”

1 Peter 3:4 ESV
But let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious.


Proverbs 3:15 ESV
She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her.

2 Corinthians 4:16 ESV
So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 ESV
Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away.

Proverbs 3:15-18 ESV
She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called blessed.

1 Peter 3:1-6 ESV
Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, when they see your respectful and pure conduct. Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious. For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, ...

Psalm 34:5 ESV 
Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.

Proverbs 31:10-31 ESV
An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life. She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands. She is like the ships of the merchant; she brings her food from afar. ...


Matthew 6:28 ESV
And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin,


Ecclesiastes 3:11 ESV
He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.

1 Peter 3:3 ESV
Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear—


Psalm 45:11 ESV
And the king will desire your beauty. Since he is your lord, bow to him.

Matthew 5:8 ESV
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

Song of Solomon 4:9 ESV
You have captivated my heart, my sister, my bride; you have captivated my heart with one glance of your eyes, with one jewel of your necklace.

Galatians 5:25 ESV
If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.

1 Corinthians 13:1-13 ESV
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; ...

Romans 8:6 ESV
For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.

John 13:35 ESV
By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Ephesians 6:11 ESV
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.


Song of Solomon 2:2 ESV
As a lily among brambles, so is my love among the young women.

Song of Solomon 1:5-6 ESV
I am very dark, but lovely, O daughters of Jerusalem, like the tents of Kedar, like the curtains of Solomon. Do not gaze at me because I am dark, because the sun has looked upon me. My mother's sons were angry with me; they made me keeper of the vineyards, but my own vineyard I have not kept!

Ezekiel 16:14 ESV
And your renown went forth among the nations because of your beauty, for it was perfect through the splendor that I had bestowed on you, declares the Lord God.

Psalm 1:1-6 ESV
Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; ...

Ephesians 2:10 ESV
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.


Matthew 26:8-10 ESV
And when the disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste? For this could have been sold for a large sum and given to the poor.” But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a beautiful thing to me.


Galatians 5:6 ESV
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.

Romans 12:1 ESV 
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

Song of Solomon 3:1-11 ESV
On my bed by night I sought him whom my soul loves; I sought him, but found him not. I will rise now and go about the city, in the streets and in the squares; I will seek him whom my soul loves. I sought him, but found him not. The watchmen found me as they went about in the city. “Have you seen him whom my soul loves?” Scarcely had I passed them when I found him whom my soul loves. I held him, and would not let him go until I had brought him into my mother's house, and into the chamber of her who conceived me. I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, by the gazelles or the does of the field, that you not stir up or awaken love until it pleases. ...

Isaiah 61:3 ESV
To grant to those who mourn in Zion— to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified.

Psalm 139:13 ESV
For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb.


2 Samuel 6:22 ESV
I will make myself yet more contemptible than this, and I will be abased in your eyes. But by the female servants of whom you have spoken, by them I shall be held in honor.”

2 Samuel 6:20 ESV
And David returned to bless his household. But Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David and said, “How the king of Israel honored himself today, uncovering himself today before the eyes of his servants' female servants, as one of the vulgar fellows shamelessly uncovers himself!”

Genesis 1:26 ESV
Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”


Matthew 24:1-51 ESV 
Jesus left the temple and was going away, when his disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple. But he answered them, “You see all these, do you not? Truly, I say to you, there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.” As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the close of the age?” And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. ...

Isaiah 41:1-29 ESV
Listen to me in silence, O coastlands; let the peoples renew their strength; let them approach, then let them speak; let us together draw near for judgment. Who stirred up one from the east whom victory meets at every step? He gives up nations before him, so that he tramples kings underfoot; he makes them like dust with his sword, like driven stubble with his bow. He pursues them and passes on safely, by paths his feet have not trod. Who has performed and done this, calling the generations from the beginning? I, the Lord, the first, and with the last; I am he. The coastlands have seen and are afraid; the ends of the earth tremble; they have drawn near and come. ...


Job 16:1-18:21 ESV 
Then Job answered and said: “I have heard many such things; miserable comforters are you all. Shall windy words have an end? Or what provokes you that you answer? I also could speak as you do, if you were in my place; I could join words together against you and shake my head at you. I could strengthen you with my mouth, and the solace of my lips would assuage your pain. ...

1 Samuel 1:1-28 ESV
There was a certain man of Ramathaim-zophim of the hill country of Ephraim whose name was Elkanah the son of Jeroham, son of Elihu, son of Tohu, son of Zuph, an Ephrathite. He had two wives. The name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other, Peninnah. And Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children. Now this man used to go up year by year from his city to worship and to sacrifice to the Lord of hosts at Shiloh, where the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were priests of the Lord. On the day when Elkanah sacrificed, he would give portions to Peninnah his wife and to all her sons and daughters. But to Hannah he gave a double portion, because he loved her, though the Lord had closed her womb. ...


Job 1:1-22 ESV
There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job, and that man was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil. There were born to him seven sons and three daughters. He possessed 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, and 500 female donkeys, and very many servants, so that this man was the greatest of all the people of the east. His sons used to go and hold a feast in the house of each one on his day, and they would send and invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. And when the days of the feast had run their course, Job would send and consecrate them, and he would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, “It may be that my children have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts.” Thus Job did continually. ...



source:
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Outer Beauty atau Inner Beauty?
4:09 AM0 Comments


Kemarin, tanggal 29 Juli 2012 aku mengikuti lomba Wanita Kristiani di kotaku. Aku dan para ibu-ibu (aku yang termuda) mengikuti lomba Grup Vokal mewakili gereja kami. Lomba tersebut bertemakan tentang wanita dan ada bazaar segala benda wanita. Diadakan dua lomba yaitu Grup Vokal dan Fashion Show.

Sebenarnya bukan itu intinya, sewaktu itu aku sedang berada di dalam ruang yang dijadikan ruang make-up para model yang sedang bersiap-siap untuk tampil. PS: Ini bukan perlombaan model resmi, hanya untuk menunjukkan keanggunan wanita-wanita yang berusia 25 tahun keatas. Sebenarnya mereka berpakaian cukup anggun dan tidak terlalu mencolok, namun rupanya beberapa dari mereka panas hatinya karena melihat model lain yang berdandan sangat mencolok (sepertinya ia model profesional). 

Aku memahami mereka, sewaktu aku ada kesempatan aku berbicara pada mereka. Berusaha mendinginkan hati mereka. Aku memuji mereka dengan mengatakan mereka semua cantik dengan dandanan natural mereka. Berusaha akrab dengan mereka walaupun mereka berbeda sekitar 8 tahun lebih denganku. Aku berkata pada mereka, sekalipun juri melihat penampilan fisik, tetapi Tuhan melihat hati kita. Sekalipun memiliki fisik yang sempurna namun jika hatinya buruk itu sama saja. Mereka semua tersenyum akan perkataanku, mereka sangat setuju. Aku senang berhasil mendinginkan hati mereka, membuat mereka percaya diri bahwa kecantikan dari dalamlah yang penting. Salah seorang jemaat di gerejaku yang juga berada disitu menyindirku, pintar sekali dalam berkotbah. LOL.

Well, sebagian orang merasa dirinya tidak berharga. Mereka berusaha menutupi kekurangan mereka dengan make-up, baju yang sedang tren dan sangat minim untuk memperlihatkan tubuhnya, bahkan operasi plastik, sedot lemak, menggunakan pemutih badan, minum obat pelangsing dan hal-hal semacam itu. Apapun rela dilakukan demi menjadi cantik. Padahal efek samping dari hal tersebut banyak sekali. 

Mereka merasa demikian karena mereka selalu mendengarkan perkataan orang lain dan mengikuti standar dunia. Merasa dirinya tidak sempurna dan tidak terima diciptakan seperti itu. Pernahkah kamu berpikir bagaimanakah standar Tuhan? 

Tuhan tidak fokus pada penampilan luar kita. Apa yang ada di bagian dalam adalah yang paling penting bagi-Nya. Alkitab mengatakan kepada kita bahwa Tuhan fokus pada inner beauty kita, sehingga dapat tercermin  dari apa yang kita lakukan.


1 Samuel 16:7 - "Tuhan tidak melihat seperti manusia menilai manusia melihat apa yang di depan mata, tetapi TUHAN melihat hati.." (NIV)

Yakobus 1:23 - "Siapapun yang mendengarkan kata tetapi tidak melakukan apa yang dikatakannya adalah seperti orang yang melihat wajahnya di cermin." (NIV)

Penampilan luar bukan cara terbaik untuk menilai seberapa "baik" seseorang. Salah satu contoh adalah Ted Bundy. Dia adalah orang yang sangat tampan yang, pada 1970-an, seorang wanita dibunuh setelah seorang wanita sebelum dia tertangkap. Dia adalah seorang pembunuh berantai yang efektif, karena dia sangat menawan dan tampan. Orang-orang seperti Ted Bundy berfungsi untuk mengingatkan kita bahwa apa yang ada di luar tidak selalu cocok dalam. PS: Inner Beauty tidak harus untuk perempuan, kalau aku menyebutnya Inner Handsome sepertinya sangat aneh!

Lebih penting lagi, melihat Yesus. Ia adalah Anak Allah datang ke bumi sebagai seorang manusia. Apakah orang-orang mengenali penampilan luar-Nya sebagai apa pun kecuali seorang manusia? Tidak! Sebaliknya, ia digantung di kayu salib dan mati. Rakyatnya sendiri tidak melihat melampaui penampilan luar untuk melihat inner beauty-Nya dan kekudusan.

Matius 23:28 - "Dengan cara yang sama, di luar Anda tampaknya orang sebagai orang benar, tetapi di dalam kamu penuh kemunafikan dan kefasikan." (NIV)

Matius 7:20 - "Jadi, dari buahnyalah kamu akan mengenal mereka." (NIV)

Sayangnya kita hidup di dunia yang dangkal di mana orang menghakimi pada penampilan. Kita semua akan senang untuk mengatakan bahwa kita tidak dalam mayoritas, dan bahwa kita semua melihat melampaui apa yang ada di luar, tapi hampir semua dari kita dipengaruhi oleh penampilan.

Namun, kita perlu menjaga penampilan dalam perspektif. Alkitab mengatakan kepada kita bahwa penting untuk menampilkan diri sebaik mungkin, tetapi Tuhan tidak menyuruh kita untuk berpenampilan ekstrim. Yang penting bahwa kita tetap menyadari mengapa kita melakukan hal yang kita lakukan untuk menjadi berkat untuk orang lain. Tanyakan kepada diri sendiri dua pertanyaan:

Apakah fokus Anda pada penampilan Anda mengambil mata Anda dari Tuhan?
Apakah Anda lebih fokus pada berat badan, pakaian, atau makeup daripada Anda pada Tuhan?
Jika Anda menjawab, "Ya," untuk salah satu pertanyaan maka Anda mungkin perlu untuk melihat lebih dekat pada prioritas Anda. Alkitab mengatakan kepada kita untuk melihat lebih dekat pada hati kita dan tindakan daripada presentasi dan penampilan.

Kolose 3:17 - "Dan apapun yang Anda lakukan, baik dalam kata atau perbuatan, lakukanlah semuanya itu dalam nama Tuhan Yesus, sambil bersyukur kepada Allah Bapa melalui dia." (NIV)

Amsal 31:30 - "Charm adalah menipu, dan keindahan cepat berlalu, tetapi seorang wanita yang takut akan Tuhan akan dipuji." (NIV)


Untuk contoh inner beauty lainnya, Ibuku bisa dibilang cukup cantik (aku jujur), namun bukan itu yang membuat orang-orang senang berada di dekatnya. Ia sangat ramah dan selalu tersenyum pada orang lain sehingga membuat orang-orang merasa hangat ketika berada di dekatnya, begitu pula aku yang selalu nyaman ketika aku sedang sedih, senyum Ibuku membuatku damai. Mungkin juga karena,  ia selalu dekat dan intim dengan Tuhan jadi seperti Roh Kudus terpancar dalam dirinya. 

Oh ya, mementingakan inner beauty bukan berarti tidak peduli pada penampilan. Biarlah kita bisa menjadi berkat untuk orang lain dengan merawat diri kita, tidak perlu yang ekstrim. Intinya, kita tetap menjaga diri kita. Agar menjadi berkat, kecantikan alami dan kecantikan hati harus seimbang. 

-Keberhagaanmu dinilai berdasarkan apa kata Tuhan bukan orang lain-

Lihat, apa yang alkitab katakan soal Inner Beauty:

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references:

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Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Are You Having A Bad Day?
4:17 AM0 Comments



By: By: Ted Camp, Silent Word Ministries


I heard Dr. Chuck Swindol say, “Each day is different. Some days you wake up and ‘Good morning, Lord. Then some mornings you say, ‘Good Lord, morning!” 
The following is a revised thought I recently read.


Me: “God, can I ask you something?” 
GOD: Sure!


Me: “God please promise you won’t get mad?” 
GOD: I promise. 


Me: “God why did you let so much bad stuff happen to me today?”
GOD: What do you mean? 


Me: “Well this morning I woke up late. It ruined my day.” 
GOD: I know!


Me: “My car took forever to start.” 
GOD: I noticed! 


Me: “At lunch, they made my sandwich wrong and I had to wait.” 
GOD: Hmmmm! 


Me: “On the way home, my cell phone went dead.”
GOD: Yes it did! 


Me: “And when I got home, I just wanted to massage my feet and relax, but the cord broke. Nothing went  
right today! Lord, why did you do that?”


GOD: Well, let me respond. This morning the death angel was at your bed. I had to send 
an angel to battle him for your life. I let you sleep through it.” 
Me: Oh! 


GOD: “I didn’t let your car start because at the time, there was a drunk driver on the road.”
Me: Really! 


GOD: “The first person who made your sandwich today was sick and I didn’t want you to catch what they had.”  
Me: Wow! 


GOD: “Your phone went dead because the person calling was stirring up strife in the church. You did not need to be involved.” 
Me: Thank you God! 


GOD: “Oh, by the way, the electrical foot massager had a short that would have electrocuted you. 
Me: I’m so very sorry God! 


GOD: “Don’t be sorry, just learn to trust me in all things, the good and the bad. I know what is best for you.”  
Me:  I have learned my lesson! Thank you God for a wonderful day! 


GOD: “You’re welcome! Just remember that tomorrow I will again be handling all your problems. I will not need your help. So, have a good day.”


Every day, the we should be able to say, 
This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it(Psalms 118:24)
So as we say in Trenton, “Have a good-un y’all!"
These are Words of Wisdom.
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