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)

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.”

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

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.

A Corporate Revival in KC

A Corporate Revival in KC: a Report
by Robert Ricciardelli www.vision2advance.com

Joyce and I recently had the privilege of being hosted by Steve and Kathy Gray and the World Revival Church in Kansas City. Steve had seen some of our newsletter articles come through regarding Lakeland. Without being critical, Steve notified Lee Grady and myself about what was going on in his church that was powerful and yet God honoring. He invited Lee and I, and our wives to come and see what God has been doing there. Lee could not work it out in his schedule, but Joyce and I were able to go.
For those who do not know, Steve and Kathy Gray were the pastors of the Smithton Revival, more information here. They are now in the Lee’s Summit area of Kansas City. They are not only pastors but are also producers of the Emmy Award winning Steve and Kathy Show. I was able to conduct an interview that is now being edited and I will share with you as it becomes available.
We were treated very well by everyone and we believe Steve and Kathy will be lifetime friends and partners. Here are some highlights of what we saw in our 4 days there.
Humility: Steve and Kathy walk with a limp. There is nothing sweeter in my eyes than humility. I will take humility over anything in the world. These two in the midst of God promoting them, and their ability to influence, are humble and give all glory and honor to the Father. We see this in their leadership team as well. They see God showing up, and yet they do not own it, and they do not think they are exclusive in their experience.
Word: The Word of life is preached. They do not glory in the signs and wonders but glory in Jesus. They are not looking for gold dust, but searching for the character of Jesus. They are not seeking 3rd heaven experiences, but asking the Lord to bring heaven to earth now. Jesus is exalted and unlike recent leaders I have seen, Steve and Kathy do a great job of deflecting any glory from themselves as leaders. Deflecting all glory from self is a sign of humility and another reason why Joyce and I fell in love with them.
Presence: The people of WRC go after God with all that is within them and God is showing up. Joyce and I have been to Lakeland and we did not sense the presence of God in power like we did at WRC. We also witnessed some healings and dozens of lives changed right before our very eyes. I must note that these folks do not hype or embellish what God is doing. They do not use it to say look at us, so this was a far departure from some of what we saw this year at some other notable events.
People: We got to meet most of the pastors there as well as many members and they were genuine in their love and passion for Jesus. Their zeal was real and not pumped up. Many of them had powerful testimonies of radically transformed lifestyles. Joyce and I felt welcomed and loved. This life is also now spilling into their everyday lives and impacting their spheres in the marketplace.

Relationships: They really are a family. A very committed people. When God called them from Smithton to Kansas City, 68 families quit jobs, sold homes and moved to be part of the work God had for them in their new community. They went in faith and God has further brought them together as family, and they really do love each other and it is very evident. I see a very “safe place” for mutually submitted relationships and a community growing together.

Expression: Those who know us know that we value every corporate and organic expression of Christ-like living. We have seen radical Christians in house churches, denominational, combinational, and nominal expressions of faith communities. We believe that any expression that does not breed lives that bring His presence, nature, and character to the outside world, is fruitless religion.

WRC begins their time together on Thursday nights for Intercessory prayer. This is foundational in what God is going to do on Friday and Saturday nights as well as Sunday mornings. 75% of the members at this time are engaged in all four of the gatherings each week.

Order: When God shows up and meets the flesh of mankind, there are sometimes reactions that take place both by the Spirit and the flesh. I believe Steve and his teams have done a great job to make it a safe and refreshing place to be for not only the members, but the guests that come each week. Regardless of your expression, you would most likely appreciate the order during the worship services.

Testimonies: I really appreciate the time they take in every service for testimonies. They usually have at least 5 testify of the manifest power of God that has just changed their lives. One First Nation man who had never been churched felt the fire of God consume Him and began to worship Jesus. A woman, who was on the verge of suicide from lifelong pain, was divinely rescued. Some of these will be on the taped interview that is now being edited.

Summary: We all have out presuppositions of what church looks like, what revival is, how we gather, how we worship, etc. Maybe there is a better word for revival these days. Joyce and I look for Jesus in the midst of many expressions and gatherings. We saw Jesus show up in marvelous ways in the life of the people at WRC. We felt His presence, and we saw transformed lives that were being carried out into the fabric of society. We may need to redefine what revival is at some point, but if changed lives (repentance), changed character, and moving in His power are revival, we saw many rumblings of this at our time at World Revival Church.
If you get a chance to visit the Kansas City area Steve, Kathy and the World Revival Church welcome you to visit them. You can get more information on their website  www.worldrevivalchurch.com