Minggu, 28 Desember 2008

Seperti Yesus atau Yudas?


SEPERTI YESUS ATAU YUDAS?

Yudas adalah:
- Salah satu murid Yesus (Luk 6:13-16)
- Ia tetap bersama Yesus saat mayoritas murid meninggalkan Dia (Yoh 6:66). Orang bisa tetap ikut Tuhan namun dengan alasan atau motivasi yang salah.
- Ia menerima kuasa dari Yesus untuk mengusir setan dan menyembuhkan (Luk 9:1-2). Seseorang dapat beroperasi dalam karunia Roh Kudus namun lemah di dalam karakter.
- Motivasi yang tidak murni (dikuasai mammon) (Mat 26:15)
- Suka berbohong dan menipu untuk dapat keuntungan (Mat 26:25)
- Suka “korupsi” uang pelayanan bagi keperluan pribadi (Yoh 12:4-6)
- Ia tidak pernah “ginosko” (mengenal secara intim) Tuhan Yesus.

Bagaimana agar kita menjadi seperti Yesus ?

a. Prioritaskan Tuhan (Mrk 1:35):
1. Doa bukan sebagai aktivitas agamawi tetapi sebagai saat kita berkomunikasi dengan BAPA hingga kita tahu apa isi hati BAPA, apa yang sedang BAPA kerjakan, apa yang BAPA mau kita sampaikan, dstnya (Yoh 10:14-15, 5:19-20)
2. Membaca Firman Tuhan bukan sebagai aktivitas agama tetapi menyadari Firman Tuhan akan memberi hikmat dan tuntunan untuk pertumbuhan rohani bila kita menerapkannya (2 Tim 3:15-17)
3. Menjadi teladan kehidupan dalam “keluarga”, karakter yang teruji dalam rumahtangga (Ef 5:21-6:4, 1 Tim 3:2-5, Tit 1:6-9, 1 Ptr 3:1-7)
4. Memiliki belas kasihan Kristus terhadap sesama (Mat 9:36, Luk 10:25-37). Belaskasihan sebagai landasan melayani sesama, bukan karena pujian sesama atau tugas.
Kita dapat melayani Tuhan tanpa mengasihiNya, namun siapa yang mengasihi Tuhan pasti melayani.

b. Kenali tanda murid Kristus:
1. Pikul salib setiap hari (Luk 9:23)
2. Miliki motivasi murni/karakter Kristus/integritas yang teruji (1 Ptr 1:14-16, Mat 5:48, Yoh 14:15)
3. Kuasa otoritas (Mrk 16:15-18)
4. Menjadi saksi (martur=martir) (Kis 1:8)
5. Menghasilkan murid secara natural (Mat 28:18-20)

Saat anda diubah dan berubah, kesan orang lain terhadap anda berubah (Mat 7:28-29)

c. Iblis akan berupaya menghancurkan anda, oleh sebab itu ingat ini:
1. Anda ciptaan baru (2 Kor 5:17, 15, Yoh 1:12). Anda tercipta dengan kesanggupan untuk taat padaNya.
2. Anda perlu memperbaharui pikiran (jiwa) dengan mengenakan pikiran Kristus (kebenaran Firman Tuhan) (2 Kor 10:3-5, Rm 12:2)

Jumat, 26 Desember 2008

TOP SCHOLARS AND EXPERTS CONFIRM THE TRUTH OF CHRISTIANITY

Top Scholars and Experts Confirm the Truth of Christianity

For Immediate Release
HOLLYWOOD, CA (ANS) -- A new survey recently showed that 70% of people in Great Britain doubted the biblical account of the birth of Jesus Christ but they are "gravely mistaken," says Dr. Ted Baehr, a professional scholar and theologian who founded The Christian Film & Television Commission® ministry in 1985.

Christianity is true as well as historical, factual and "intellectually sound," Dr. Baehr asserted.

"Top scholars, historians and experts have confirmed that the Bible is the most historically and intellectually reliable ancient text in the whole world, including the Bible's account of the life and teachings of Jesus Christ and the apostles and disciples who wrote the New Testament documents," Dr. Baehr said.

He cited the work of numerous top scholars, historians and experts, such as C.S. Lewis, Gary Habermas, F.F. Bruce, William Lane Craig, John A.T. Robinson, John Warwick Montgomery, Bruce Metzger, Simon Greenleaf, Stuart C. Hackett, J. Gresham Machen, Ronald Nash, Edwin Yamauchi, Craig Blomberg, John Wenham, Lee Strobel, Paul Maier, and N.T. Wright.

"These people are wonderfully astute thinkers, investigators and writers," Dr. Baehr said. "They have refuted all of the important lies, half-truths and silly comments against Jesus, His apostles, the Bible, and Christianity made by non-Christians and even by some allegedly former Christians."

"Not only can you have complete faith in the New Testament documents and what they say about the virgin birth, divinity, crucifixion, resurrection, and teachings of Jesus Christ," Dr. Baehr said, "but you can also rely on what they say about non-Christian places, people and events, such as the names and titles of Roman government officials.

"Jesus is both God and Man," he added. "He was born of a virgin, never sinned in His life, died for our sins, and rose on the third day. Turn away from your sins and faults, believe in Jesus and His teachings, and be baptized in the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit."

The Christian Film & Television Commission® ministry, a non-profit organization registered with the IRS, and its publication, MOVIEGUIDE®: A Family Guide to Movies, Entertainment and Culture, are dedicated to "redeeming the values of the entertainment industry by influencing industry executives and by informing and equipping the public about the influence of the entertainment media."

For more information, please visit www.movieguide.org, call 1-800-899-6684 or write to info@movieguide.org.

- Source: © Baehr, MOVIEGUIDE®, www.Movieguide.org, 12/25/08.

A Politically Incorrect Christmas in Baghdad

A Politically Incorrect Christmas in Baghdad

By Ken Joseph Jr.
Special to ASSIST News Service
WASHINGTON/BAGHDAD (ANS) -- Walking the streets of Washington DC leading up to Christmas, I have come across a most interesting phenomenon..

Nowhere, and I mean absolutely nowhere, is Jesus to be found!

It is truly amazing!

Extensive Christmas decorations are everywhere, in the stores, on the streets, wherever you turn it is Christmas!

I started to talking to people and asking them the simple question, “Isn't Christmas celebrating the birthday of Jesus?”

The answers I got were quite amazing.

Literally everybody I talked to, paused and said, “You know; you’re right! It is supposed to be His birthday. What happened to Jesus?"

Imagine if you had a birthday. Your friends all came over, they partied, they ate, they exchanged presents and everybody acted if you didn't even exist.

Well, after a few minutes of that, you would stand up and say, “Hey! It's my birthday!”

As I began to talk to people, dozens of them, I started to get angry. No matter what faith, creed, color - and you can find just about anything in Washington - they agreed. It just wasn't right!

Christmas, celebrating the birthday of Jesus and amazingly there appears to be a very studied attempt to completely ignore Him.

Well, contrast that to Baghdad. I am an Assyrian Christian and my family is originally from the Iraqi village of Mahmoudia in Northern Iraq.

I was there during Saddam’s time and remember the sheer terror that reigned 24 hours a day. The constant fear that you could be hauled off by one of his “goons” and never seen again.

Well in Iraq thanks to our failed policies the poor Iraqis have not learned yet that you are supposed to ignore Jesus on Christmas.

Sponsored by the Iraqi Government -- no separation of Church and State here -- there was a special Christmas Celebration in downtown Baghdad.

Guess what was the main attraction? A huge Christmas tree topped by a Star? A massive Santa Claus? Fake snow?

Nope! They had a huge picture of… you got it, Jesus!

There it was! A huge, beautifully painted color painting of Jesus, the center of the Christmas celebration!

Iraqi Government spokesman Abdul Karim Khalaf took it all one step further when he announced on behalf of the Iraqi Government, “All Iraqis are Christians today.”

Did I miss something?

No, I didn't.

After meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Maliki, on behalf of the Assyrian Christians, I paused and said, “Prime Minister, would you mind if I prayed for you?”

He beamed, ordered all his beefy, confused security guards who were surrounding us, to bow their heads and we had a wonderful time of prayer.

Meeting later with Iraqi President Talabani on the same subject, I asked the question again. This time he pointed to his chest and said, “I just had surgery on my heart - pray here!”

I thought to myself what kind of a reception I would get on Capitol Hill, at the State Department, or a dozen other Government Agencies, after a meeting, if I asked, “Would you mind if I prayed for you?”

A cold silence? Mass panic? A straight “no” - with a couple exceptions.

Well, Washington, and all of us this Christmas can learn something from the poor, politically incorrect Iraqis.

By the way, if Iraq is doing so bad, why is it that I can’t seem to book my ticket to get back there, as there are no open seats!

As every Iraqi Government says so proudly they have been “liberated”` and now celebrate Christmas the way it should be with a huge picture of Jesus whose birthday Christmas is!

May God bless them all and may He call us back to our senses before it is too late.

Of all times in the middle of an economic crisis it is not the time to make the birthday guest upset!

How stupid can you get!

Christmas is the birthday of Jesus and the Iraqis got it right - put Him up front and center! The Iraqis at least know that much! They need Him and all the blessings they can get!

Ahmadinejad show "causes offence"

Ahmadinejad show ‘causes offence’
Huge row breaks out in Britain over his Channel 4 Alternative Christmas Message

By Dan Wooding
Founder of ASSIST Ministries
LONDON, UK (ANS) -- Allowing Iran's president to deliver Channel 4's Alternative Christmas Message will cause “international offence,” the UK government has said.

The BBC stated in a story that President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was shown telling viewers of the British TV channel “the general will of nations” was for a return to “human values.”

The decision angered some British MPs, who branded him a “dangerous fanatic” with anti-Semitic views.

Channel 4 said it had offered viewers an “alternative world view.”

“The speech, in Farsi with English subtitles, was the channel's 16th alternative message and was shown after a brief introduction to Mr. Ahmadinejad contextualizing his views,” said the BBC story.

“In it, Mr. Ahmadinejad congratulated the people of Britain on the anniversary of the birth of Jesus Christ.

“He said that problems in society were rooted in the rejection of the message of the prophets of God, including Jesus.”

And he criticized the “indifference of some governments and powers” towards the teachings of “the divine prophets.”

However, a British Foreign and Commonwealth Office spokeswoman said: “President Ahmadinejad has during his time in office made a series of appalling anti-Semitic statements.

“The British media are rightly free to make their own editorial choices, but this invitation will cause offence and bemusement not just at home but amongst friendly countries abroad.”

Labour MP Louise Ellman, chairwoman of the Labour Jewish Movement, said: “I condemn Channel 4's decision to give an unchallenged platform to a dangerous fanatic who denies the Holocaust, while preparing for another, and claims homosexuality does not exist while his regime hangs gay young men from cranes in the street.

“Who will deliver next year's alternative Christmas message? Will it be David Irving or Robert Mugabe?”

Conservative MP Mark Pritchard, a member of the Commons all-party media group, said: “Channel 4 has given a platform to a man who wants to annihilate Israel and continues to persecute Christians at Christmas time.

“This raises serious questions about whether Channel 4 should receive an increased public subsidy for their programmes.”

The BBC said that Israeli Ambassador Ron Prosor said: “In Iran, converts to Christianity face the death penalty. It is perverse that this despot is allowed to speculate on the views of Jesus, while his government leads Christ's followers to the gallows.”

He said Channel 4's decision to broadcast the message was a “scandal and a national embarrassment” and in “its search for ratings and shock factor, Channel 4 had lost its ethical way.”

Human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell joined the attack, calling the president a “criminal despot, who ranks with Robert Mugabe, Omar al-Bashir of Sudan and the Burmese military junta as one of the world's most bloody tyrants.”

‘Enormously influential’

But Channel 4 defended its decision to broadcast the message.

Head of news and current affairs Dorothy Byrne said: “As the leader of one of the most powerful states in the Middle East, President Ahmadinejad's views are enormously influential. As we approach a critical time in international relations, we are offering our viewers an insight into an alternative world view.”

A spokesman added: “Channel 4's role is to allow viewers to hear directly from people of world importance with sufficient context to enable them to make up their own minds.”

He said the channel had not asked for increased public funding, rather an indirect subsidy to overcome a funding shortfall caused by the digital switchover.

“Channel 4's first alternative message was delivered by gay icon Quentin Crisp in 1993,” said the BBC. “Others to have given the broadcast include French actress Brigitte Bardot, former X Factor judge Sharon Osbourne and TV chef Jamie Oliver.

“Last year's message was given by Sergeant Major Andrew Stockton, a British soldier who lost an arm fighting in Afghanistan.

“Unlike previous years, the president's message was broadcast at night and not at the same time as the Queen's speech.”

Selasa, 23 Desember 2008

Merry Christmas and a happy new year 2009

Merry Christmas and a happy new Year 2009. Harapan kami di malam Natal kita sekali lagi berjumpa secara pribadi dengan KRISTUS. Doa kami sekeluarga ada penghiburan dan kekuatan yang baru di malam Natal ini.

We that love and care for you,

Dave and Novie

Selasa, 02 Desember 2008

What happend to Demas?

What Happened to Demas?
by J.D. King www.worldrevivalnetwork.com
________________________________________
Have you wondered what it was like to participate in a great move of God? In the first century there were a handful of men who had this privilege. Reflecting on them, the Apostle Paul wrote the following:

"Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. And so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, my fellow workers. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit." (Philemon 1:22-25)

Paul names several men in this overlooked passage; calling them "fellow workers." Just visualize for a moment what it must have been like? What miracles you would have experienced as you stood beside the apostle?

However, as you consider the opportunities afforded these men, you cannot overlook their spiritual character. On the pages of another epistle, Paul makes reference to this.

"Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured. I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis. Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas send greetings."(Colossians 4:12-14)

These men – described by Paul as "dear friends" – wrestled in prayer. They stood in the gap so others could find spiritual strength and maturity. They were great warriors for God. I certainly would not be shocked if many unrecorded exploits were accomplished through their ministries.

However, when reading about these men, it is easy to forget that they were moving through the opening stages of revival. We are listening in as everything is new and exciting. It is not difficult to grab hold of the purposes of God when everything is fresh and easy. It is an entirely different manner when things become hard and a difficult battle ensues.

In these quiet early passages, the great challenges of ministry are not yet manifest. Yes, hints of danger are on the horizon, but mounting persecution has not yet raised its head. In these triumphant moments, Paul and friends are conquering every obstruction before them.

It is easy to run as long as light remains, but what happens when the shadows lengthen.

As warm winds shifted and the seasons changed, this mighty apostolic team began to face difficult opposition. No longer was it painless to minister the gospel. The new crowds they were encountering were not as open to the message as the earlier ones. Paul and his workers were not only being publicly denounced by the Greeks, they were experiencing violence from prominent Jews.

In the closing years of Paul's life, many who once stood beside him dishonorably abandoned him. Anointed men with promising futures were convinced that they could not handle the pressure. It is easy to stand up for righteous when things are good, but who will remain in the face of mounting difficulty.

One can almost hear the deep sadness in Paul's voice as he appealed to Timothy - one of the few men who remained faithful.

"Do your best to come to me quickly, for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me." (2 Timothy 4:9-11)

In this tragic epistolary exchange, Paul digresses about Demas; a man once referenced in the same breath as Luke (Colossians 4:14). Who was this troubled man and what became of him? When reading about Demas, many write him off as a pretender; a charlatan who was never really in the faith. For others, Demas' story is little more than a distracting sideline in Paul's overarching theological discourse. They believe these verses are interesting but inapplicable; something passed over on the way to more important passages. This is a wrong outlook. Mistaken assumptions cause us to miss the greater lesson of this scripture.

We have forgotten not only who we are, but where we have come from and where we are going. Churchgoers are blinded to the fact that we are becoming like Demas. Sure we started out in the right direction; moving in the glory and power of the Lord. We loved Jesus with all our heart and were prepared to serve Him all the days of our life.

Somewhere along the way things got harder. Troubles of this world came and started choking the purposes of God. You had everything you needed to fight, but somehow lost heart. Passionate people of the Kingdom are in danger of losing their way. What happened to Demas? Whatever it was you cannot let it happen to you.