Bersandar Pada Tuhan

WUJUD IMAN (Kejadian 12:4-9)
Dikirim oleh : Evi Sjiane Djiun

Lalu pergilah Abram seperti yang difirmankan Tuhan kepadanya ... Abram berumur tujuh puluh lima tahun, ketika ia berangkat dari Haran (Kejadian 12:4)

Sebuah pepatah mengatakan, "life begins at forty" (hidup dimulai pada usia 40). Salah satu artinya ialah: sebelum umur 40, seseorang masih boleh bereksperimen; berganti-ganti karier dan profesi. Namun setelah umur 40, ia harus sudah mantap di satu tempat, menekuni kariernya. Sebab, jika di usia itu ia masih berpindah tempat tinggal dan berganti profesi, ia akan cenderung tak meraih apa-apa.

Namun, lihatlah keberanian Abram menjawab panggilan Tuhan. Yakni ketika Tuhan memintanya meninggalkan tanah kelahiran, sanak keluarga, dan hidup yang sudah mapan di Haran. Waktu itu Abram berusia 75 tahun. Sudah usia senja. Tapi inilah responsnya: "pergilah Abram seperti yang diperintahkan Tuhan kepadanya". Walau ia belum tahu negeri mana yang dijanjikan Tuhan! Bagaimana ia dapat bersikap demikian? Pertama, Abram sadar benar siapa Tuan atas hidupnya. Kedua, Abram sadar hidupnya milik Tuhan dan ia menghidupi kesadaran ini secara nyata. Ketiga, bila hidupnya milik Tuhan, Abram percaya bahwa masa depan dan hidup matinya ada di tangan Tuhan. Itu sebabnya Abram diberi gelar bapak orang beriman (Galatia 3:7). Iman bukan dogma indah dengan dukungan argumen filsafat yang sulit. Iman itu sederhana dan nyata, yaitu ketaatan melakukan kehendak dan panggilan Bapa.

Dalam hidup kita pribadi; benarkah Yesus menjadi Tuan atas hidup kita? Adakah kita menaati dan meyakini bahwa Dia sanggup menuntun dan memelihara? Beranilah melangkah untuk menjawab panggilan-Nya. Ambillah bagian dalam pelayanan-Nya. Arahkan hidup kepada tanah perjanjian di surga, dan jangan melekat pada harta duniawi. Mari beriman! --SST

BERIMAN ADALAH MENANGGALKAN KEYAKINAN PADA KEMAMPUAN SENDIRI DAN MENYANDARKANNYA KEPADA TUHAN YANG KASIH-NYA TERBUKTI

Sumber : Renungan Harian

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Sikap Hati

BUYUNG AIR RIBKA (Kejadian 24:10-21)
Dikirim oleh : Evi Sjiane Djiun

Segala sesuatu yang dijumpai tanganmu untuk dikerjakan, kerjakanlah itu sekuat tenaga (Pengkhotbah 9:10)

Gadis cantik itu memberi minum seorang asing dari buyung airnya. Tidak berhenti di situ, ia juga memberi minum unta orang itu. Tampaknya tidak terlalu istimewa, ya? Tetapi, marilah kita berhitung. Untuk memuaskan seekor unta yang haus diperlukan air hampir empat buyung. Nah, unta orang itu bukan hanya seekor tetapi sepuluh! Jadi, berapa kali gadis itu harus bolak-balik menimba air? Ah, Anda tentu mulai melihat sesuatu yang istimewa di sini.

Anda tentu tahu, gadis cantik itu bernama Ribka. Tampaknya ia menerapkan hikmat yang dituliskan Pengkhotbah sekian abad kemudian. Apakah ia melakukannya karena membayangkan hendak dipersunting seorang pangeran tampan idaman? Apakah ia melakukannya hanya untuk pamer, hendak memikat hati orang asing itu, siapa tahu ia dapat memperoleh keuntungan dari kebaikannya? Jelas tidak. Ia sama sekali belum mengenal hamba Abraham itu. Justru kemungkinan besar Ribka sudah terbiasa melakukannya, memberi minum orang-orang asing lain. Ia melakukannya karena memang ia pekerja keras dan murah hati. Dan, pada petang yang tak terduga itu, sikap tersebut membuatnya terhisab dalam kisah penebusan agung yang tengah ditenun Tuhan.

Apa pun tugas yang ada di tangan kita, marilah kita menerapkan hikmat Salomo serta meneladani sikap Ribka. Mungkin hasilnya tidak sedramatis yang dialami oleh Ribka. Akan tetapi, sepanjang kita melakukannya dalam penyertaan Tuhan dan bagi kemuliaan-Nya, kita dapat mengambil bagian dalam kreativitas Sang Pencipta dan turut memelihara serta memperindah ciptaan-Nya --ARS

TIDAK TERLALU PENTING TUGAS ATAU PEKERJAAN APA YANG KITA LAKUKAN, YANG TERUTAMA ADALAH SIKAP HATI KITA DALAM MELAKUKANNYA

Sumber : Renungan Harian

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Dua Pilihan

WES MOORE (Ulangan 30:15-20)
Dikirim oleh : Evi Sjiane Djiun

Pilihlah kehidupan, supaya engkau hidup, baik engkau maupun keturunanmu, dengan mengasihi Tuhan, Allahmu, mendengarkan suara-Nya dan berpaut pada-Nya (Ulangan 30:19-20)

Pada Desember 2000, surat kabar Baltimore Sun memuat berita tentang Wes Moore, siswa teladan penerima beasiswa Rhodes. Uniknya, dalam koran yang sama, termuat pula berita lain tentang anak-anak muda yang menjadi buronan karena membunuh polisi. Dan, salah satu pemuda pembunuh itu juga bernama Wes Moore sama namanya, tetapi beda orangnya. Kini Wes Moore yang pertama terus berprestasi di masyarakat dan menjadi pemimpin bisnis yang berhasil. Tragisnya, Wes Moore yang kedua kini menjalani hukuman seumur hidup karena kejahatannya. Nama dua orang ini persis sama; mereka berasal dari kota yang sama, lingkungan yang sama kerasnya, dan sama-sama kehilangan ayah sejak kecil.

Dua kehidupan yang sangat mirip ketika muda, tetapi bisa sangat berbeda di masa depan. Ini karena keluarga Wes Moore yang pertama berusaha memilihkan "jalan kehidupan" baginya. Kakek-neneknya merelakan rumah mereka dijual agar Moore dapat disekolahkan di sekolah militer yang mengasah karakter dan kepribadiannya.

Tragedi dalam kehidupan bisa terjadi ketika orang mengabaikan hikmat dari Tuhan tentang bagaimana menjalani hidup. Ketika orang "berpaling dan tidak mau mendengar" Tuhan, bahkan "mau disesatkan" untuk mengikut jalan yang di luar kehendak Tuhan (ayat 17). Sebab di hidup ini ada dua pilihan besar yang harus diputuskan: kehidupan dan keberuntungan atau kematian dan kecelakaan (ayat 15). Orang yang memilih untuk mengasihi Tuhan dan hidup menurut jalan-Nya, sudah jelas masa depannya: "supaya engkau hidup, baik engkau maupun keturunanmu" (ayat 19). Mari memilih jalan kehidupan! --AW

HIDUP MANUSIA BUKAN BERGANTUNG PADA NASIB, TETAPI PADA PILIHANNYA UNTUK BERPAUT KEPADA TUHAN ATAU TIDAK

Sumber : Renungan Harian

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Compassion

The Need For Tears (Luke 19:37-44)

As He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it. —Luke 19:41

Following the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, we were all overwhelmed by the images of devastation and hardship endured by the people of that tiny nation. Of the many heartbreaking pictures, one captured my attention. It showed a woman staring at the massive destruction—and weeping. Her mind could not process the suffering of her people, and as her heart was crushed, tears poured from her eyes. Her reaction was understandable. Sometimes crying is the only appropriate response to the suffering we encounter.

As I examined that picture, I thought of the compassion of our Lord. Jesus understood the need for tears, and He too wept. But He wept over a different kind of devastation—the destruction brought on by sin. As He approached Jerusalem, marked by corruption and injustice and the pain they create, His response was tears. “Now as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it” (Luke 19:41). Jesus wept out of compassion and grief.

As we encounter the inhumanity, suffering, and sin that wreak havoc in our world, how do we respond? If the heart of Christ breaks over the broken condition of our world, shouldn’t ours? And shouldn’t we then do everything we can to make a difference for those in need, both spiritually and physically? —Bill Crowder

Lord, when I learn that someone is hurting,
Help me know what to do and to say;
Speak to my heart and give me compassion,
Let Your great love flow through me today. —K. De Haan

Compassion offers whatever is necessary to heal the hurts of others.

Source : Our Daily Bread

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Distraction

Ant World (2 Timothy 4:9-18)

Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world. —2 Timothy 4:10

One of the highlights of my work as a college president is commencement. One year, while walking to the graduation ceremony, I was excited by the thought that our graduates were ready to go out to engage the world with the transforming power of the kingdom of Christ. On my way, I noticed some industrious ants busily going about their routine. I thought, There are much greater things happening than the building of sand piles!

It’s easy for us to get lost in “ant world”—to be so busy with our routines that we miss the joy of personally embracing the bigger picture of God’s great work around the world. The work of the Spirit is sweeping across South America, thousands in Africa are coming to know Christ daily, persecuted Christians are thriving, and the Asian Rim is throbbing with the pulse of the gospel! Do those thoughts ever capture your heart? Your prayer life? Your checkbook?

Our preoccupation with lesser things reminds me of Paul’s report that “Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world” (2 Tim. 4:10). I wonder if Demas regretted abandoning the gospel for the sand piles of this world?

Let’s get out of “ant world” and engage our hearts and lives in spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ. —Joe Stowell

Lord, I love You and want to be a part of Your work
around the world. Give me an open heart to know which
opportunities You want me to be a part of and wisdom
in knowing how to carry that out. Amen.

Don’t let smaller things distract you from the bigger work of God around the world.

Source : Our Daily Bread

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Mourn

A Lesson In Crying (Revelation 21:1-7)

Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. —Matthew 5:4

Has your heart ever been broken? What broke it? Cruelty? Failure? Unfaithfulness? Loss? Perhaps you’ve crept into the darkness to cry.

It’s good to cry. “Tears are the only cure for weeping,” said Scottish preacher George MacDonald. A little crying does one good.

Jesus wept at His friend Lazarus’ grave (John 11:35), and He weeps with us (v.33). His heart was broken as well. Our tears attract our Lord’s loving kindness and tender care. He knows our troubled, sleepless nights. His heart aches for us when we mourn. He is the “God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation” (2 Cor. 1:3-4). And He uses His people to comfort one another.

But tears and our need for comfort come back all too frequently in this life. Present comfort is not the final answer. There is a future day when there will be no death, no sorrow, no crying, for all these things will “have passed away” (Rev. 21:4). There in heaven God will wipe away every tear. We are so dear to our Father that He will be the one who wipes the tears away from our eyes; He loves us so deeply and personally.

Remember, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted” (Matt. 5:4). —David Roper

Think of a land of no sorrow,
Think of a land of no fears,
Think of no death and no sickness,
Think of a land of no tears. —Anon.

God cares and shares in our sorrow.

Source : Our Daily Bread

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No Restriction

Unlimited Access (Ephesians 2:11-22)

Through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father. —Ephesians 2:18

Last November, news sources said that a shocking breach of security occurred when a couple brazenly walked into a White House state dinner—even getting close enough to have their picture taken with the President of the United States. Usually, extensive background checks and careful scrutiny of the guest list screens out the uninvited.

It’s a rare day for any of us that our access is not restricted in some way. Signs warn us: Employees Only, Do Not Enter, Authorized Vehicles Only, No Trespassing. None of us want to be told that we are not welcome. But the fact is that there will always be some places from which we will be barred. It makes me grateful that God sets no restriction on who may come to Him.

Those who come to God encounter no “Keep Out” signs. Through prayer, God the Father allows us immediate and unlimited access to Him because His Son Jesus Christ has opened the way to all who receive Him (Eph. 2:18). “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden” (Matt. 11:28). “The one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out” (John 6:37). “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink” (7:37).

Once you come to Christ for salvation, you can enjoy unrestricted fellowship. The door is always open. —Cindy Hess Kasper

Our prayers ascend to heaven’s throne
Regardless of the form we use;
Our Father always hears His own
Regardless of the words we choose. —D. De Haan

God’s throne is always accessible to His children.

Source : Our Daily Bread

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Yusuf & Potifar

BENTENG IMAN (Kejadian 39:8-10)
Dikirim oleh : Evi Sjiane Djiun

Ke mana aku dapat pergi menjauhi roh-Mu, ke mana aku dapat lari dari hadapan-Mu? (Mazmur 139:7)

Sebuah kartun melukiskan dengan menarik adegan Yusuf sedang digoda oleh istri Potifar. Mereka hanya berdialog berdua di sebuah kamar. Di kamar itu tegak berdiri patung dewa sesembahan keluarga Potifar. Sambil melempar busananya ke arah patung itu sehingga menutupi "kepala" si dewa, istri Potifar berkata kepada Yusuf, "Marilah tidur dengan aku. Tak ada seorang pun di sini yang melihat kita, bahkan dewa pun tidak." Namun Yusuf menjawab, "Janganlah Nyonya berbuat begitu! Walau dewamu tidak melihat, tetapi Allahku hidup dan tetap melihat."

Pencobaan terberat bisa terjadi ketika seseorang sedang berada dalam situasi sepi, tersembunyi, tak ada orang yang melihat. Nafsu jahat akan merayu minta dipenuhi. Niat berbuat baik pun diserbu suara yang berkata, "Percuma, tak usah jadi pahlawan. Tak ada yang melihat dan mengganjarmu". Di saat seperti itu, yang tersisa hanya benteng iman.

Syukurlah, Yusuf memiliki benteng itu. Yakni kesadaran dan penghayatan bahwa Tuhan hidup, selalu hadir dan melihat segala sesuatu. Meski tak ada orang di situ selain Nyonya Potifar sendiri Yusuf tetap berkata, "Bagaimanakah mungkin aku melakukan kejahatan yang besar ini dan berbuat dosa terhadap Allah?" (ayat 9b).

"Mata Tuhan melihat, apa yang kita perbuat, buat yang baik, buat yang jahat", begitu sebagian lirik nyanyian anak-anak di Sekolah Minggu. Sederhana, tetapi sampai kapan pun kebenarannya tidak berubah. Berlaku baik bagi anak-anak maupun orang dewasa. Jika kita tergoda untuk berbuat jahat atau terhalang untuk berbuat baik karena ada pikiran bahwa tak ada yang melihat mari segera kuatkan benteng iman kita --PAD

DI MANA PUN DAN KAPAN PUN, SATU HAL YANG HARUS SELALU KITA INGAT: ATAS SEGALA SESUATU, TUHAN MELIHAT

Sumber : Renungan Harian

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Mother’s Sacrifice

Sent by : Mike Ong

This is a true story of Mother’s Sacrifice during the Japan Earthquake.
After the Earthquake had subsided, when the rescuers reached the ruins of a young woman’s house, they saw her dead body through the cracks. But her pose was somehow strange that she knelt on her knees like a person was worshiping; her body was leaning forward, and her two hands were supporting by an object. The collapsed house had crashed her back and her head.

 
With so many difficulties, the leader of the rescuer team put his hand through a narrow gap on the wall to reach the woman’s body. He was hoping that this woman could be still alive. However, the cold and stiff body told him that she had passed away for sure.

He and the rest of the team left this house and were going to search the next collapsed building. For some reasons, the team leader was driven by a compelling force to go back to the ruin house of the dead woman. Again, he knelt down and used his had through the narrow cracks to search the little space under the dead body. Suddenly, he screamed with excitement,” A child! There is a child! “

The whole team worked together; carefully they removed the piles of ruined objects around the dead woman. There was a 3 months old little boy wrapped in a flowery blanket under his mother’s dead body. Obviously, the woman had made an ultimate sacrifice for saving her son. When her house was falling, she used her body to make a cover to protect her son. The little boy was still sleeping peacefully when the team leader picked him up.

The medical doctor came quickly to exam the little boy. After he opened the blanket, he saw a cell phone inside the blanket. There was a text message on the screen. It said,” If you can survive, you must remember that I love you.” This cell phone was passing around from one hand to another. Every body that read the message wept. ” If you can survive, you must remember that I love you.” Such is the mother’s love for her child!!

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Hannah

An Overcoming Faith (1 Samuel 1:1-18)

I cried to the Lord with my voice, and He heard me from His holy hill. —Psalm 3:4

Few things disable new workers on a job like criticism from veterans. Good hiring managers know to protect new employees by surrounding them with mentors willing to shield them from unnecessary barbs.

Hannah is a mentor to us in dealing with criticism and deep desires of the heart (1 Sam. 1:1-18). Surrounded by a husband who didn’t understand, a taunting peer, and an overly judgmental clergyman, Hannah found a way through the fog by confiding in God (v.10). While we now know God answered the prayer of Hannah’s heart by giving her a child, we don’t know for sure if Eli’s blessing was a wish or a promise from God (v.17). I think her no-longer-sad face came most of all because she gained peace from confiding in Him.

We were created to be in relationship with God; and when we take that relationship to an intimate level, it bonds us not only to His presence but also to His strength. Prayers that express our hurts and emotions are most assuredly welcomed by God because they demonstrate our trust in Him. We will often find perspective, and nearly always come away comforted, knowing we’ve entrusted the things that are troubling us—whether criticism or deep desires—to the One who is best able to sort through them. —Randy Kilgore

The kindest Friend I’ve ever had
Is One I cannot see,
Yet One in whom I can confide,
Who loves and blesses me. —Shuler

In prayer, it’s better to have a heart without words than words without heart.

Source : Our Daily Bread

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Courage for Future

Rearview Mirror Reflections (Psalm 111(

For You, Lord, have made me glad . . . ; I will triumph in the works of Your hands. —Psalm 92:4

I’ve always thought that you can see the hand of God best in the rearview mirror. Looking back, it’s easier to understand why He placed us in the home that He did; why He brought certain people and circumstances into and out of our lives; why He permitted difficulties and pain; why He took us to different places and put us in various jobs and careers.

In my own life, I get a lot of clarity (though not perfect clarity—that’s heaven’s joy!) about the wise and loving ways of God as I reflect on the ways He has managed my journey by “the works of [His] hands” (Ps. 92:4). With the psalmist, it makes me glad and strikes a note of joy in my heart to see how often God has assisted, directed, and managed the outcomes so faithfully (Ps. 111).

Looking ahead, though, is not always so clear. Have you ever had that lost feeling when the road ahead seems twisted, foggy, and scary? Before you move into next year, stop and look in the rearview mirror of the year gone by, and joyfully realize that God meant it when He said, “‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ So we may boldly say: ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear’ ” (Heb. 13:5-6).

With the promise of God’s presence and help in mind, you can move ahead into 2011 with utmost confidence. —Joe Stowell

Shall not He who led me safely
Through the footsteps of this day
Lead with equal understanding
All along my future way? —Adams

God’s guidance in the past gives courage for the future.

Source : Our Daily Bread

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Great Physician

Christmas—God’s Cure (John 1:10-18)

Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. —John 1:17

If your physician called you and in a serious voice said, “Please come in as soon as you can. I have something to discuss with you,” you would know he has bad news! Your first response might be, “No, I don’t want to know.” But you go because it is only when you know the diagnosis that you can learn the cure.

God, our Great Physician, also has some bad news—about man’s spiritual condition. When against His expressed warning Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit, God told Adam that all mankind would die spiritually and physically. That’s the bad news.

But He also gave the solution. He promised a Savior (Gen. 3:15). The apostle John tells us, “Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ” (John 1:17). But how does that help? Jesus came that first Christmas to bring God’s grace, something that none of us deserve because like Adam we have all sinned. But Jesus also came to reverse what sin brought. He came to be the truth (John 14:6) that would bring us back to God. He came to “save His people from their sins” (Matt. 1:21).

Listen to what the Great Physician has to say in the Bible about your spiritual condition. Then accept the cure He has provided—the gift of salvation through Christ. —C. P. Hia

Life is uncertain,
Death is sure;
Sin the cause,
Christ the cure. —Anon.

Spiritual blindness can be cured only by the Great Physician.

Source : Our Daily Bread

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Second Chance

Life Is Like Riding A Bicycle (Hebrews 11:32-40)

All these . . . obtained a good testimony through faith. —Hebrews 11:39

In a letter to his son Eduard, Albert Einstein gave this advice: “Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving.” The great physicist’s advice is wise and practical.

This wise counsel can apply to the Christian life. Many believers by faith keep moving ahead through painful and trying circumstances. But when they experience a personal moral failure, they lose their balance and fall. Their regret and feeling of unworthiness of God’s forgiveness may then keep them down and they no longer move ahead in their spiritual life.

The Bible gives us many examples of those who have experienced serious personal failure. Abraham lied to Pharaoh about his wife, Sarah (Gen. 12:11-17). Jacob deceived his father to acquire Esau’s blessing (Gen. 27:18-29). Moses disobeyed God by striking the rock instead of speaking to it (Num. 20:7-12). Despite their failures, we are told: “all these . . . obtained a good testimony through faith” (Heb. 11:39).

These biblical characters are lifted up as examples because after they fell, they turned back to God and began to follow Him again. Have you lost your spiritual balance through a sinful choice, which is keeping you down? Repent and follow the God of second chances once again. —Dennis Fisher

I’ve strayed, O Lord, and turned aside,
I’ve disobeyed Your voice;
But now contrite of heart I turn
And make Your will my choice. —D. De Haan

Our God is a God of second chances.

Source : Our Daily Bread

Technorati Tags: bible,bicycle,christian life,eduard,albert einstein,failure,forgiveness,balance,pharaoh,esau,jacob,moses,repend,second chance,dennis fisher,d. de haan

Teguran

KASIH YANG BERANI (Matius 14:3-12)
Dikirim oleh : Evi Sjiane Djiun

... tidak boleh engkau mengambil Herodias!" Walaupun Herodes ingin membunuhnya ... (Matius 14:4-5)

Yohanes Pembaptis adalah nabi yang unik. Umur dan masa pelayanannya sangat pendek. Khotbahnya juga pendek, tetapi "menyambar" semua golongan tanpa kecuali membuat telinga panas, muka merah, hati gelisah. Orang dunia menganggapnya bodoh karena membuat kesalahan besar yang menyebabkan usia dan pelayanannya pendek. Mengapa? Ia berani menegur Herodes karena merebut Herodias, istri Filipus, saudaranya sendiri. Ah, siapakah ia sehingga berani menegur raja?

Namun benarkah Yohanes mencemarkan nama raja karena telah menegur langsung? Atau, ia mengasihi rajanya dan tak ingin sang raja hidup dalam dosa yang membinasakan? Memang dari sudut pandang duniawi, Yohanes melanggar tata krama. Namun dari sudut pandang kebenaran, keberanian Yohanes patut diacungi jempol, sebab ia mengasihi raja dan rakyatnya. Bukankah dosa raja berdampak buruk bagi bangsanya? Sayangnya, kejujuran dan kebenaran tak dihargai di dunia ini. Suara kenabian dan kejujuran biasanya dijauhkan dari raja. Yang ada di sekitar raja hanya para penjilat dan penggembira hati yang memabukkan. Kalaupun ada orang yang baik dan jujur di sekitar raja, biasanya ia cenderung memilih diam agar selamat.

Saudara, apabila Anda adalah "raja" baik di rumah, di tempat kerja, di gereja, di lembaga pelayanan, atau di masyarakat, waspadalah! Jagalah hati. Peliharalah persekutuan dengan Tuhan. Bukalah pintu hati bagi teguran, sekalipun itu membuat wajah merah dan hati gerah. Jangan tergesa mematikan suara itu. Siapa tahu itu adalah suara Tuhan yang berseru-seru di padang gersang kehidupan, agar jalan Anda yang bengkok diluruskan (Matius 3:3) --SST

SEORANG PENJILAT MEMBUNUH DENGAN PUJIAN, TETAPI SAHABAT SEJATI MENYELAMATKAN DENGAN TEGURAN

Sumber : Renungan Harian

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Make Over

SUNGAI YORDAN (2 Raja-raja 5:9-14)
Dikirim oleh : Evi Sjiane Djiun

... tetapi perhiasanmu ialah manusia batiniah yang tersembunyidengan perhiasan yang tidak binasa yang berasal dari roh yang lemah lembut dan tenteram, yang sangat berharga di mata Allah (1 Petrus 3:4)

Jaringan televisi E! menayangkan reality show berjudul Bridalplasty, di mana 12 wanita calon pengantin memperebutkan hadiah utama berupa multiple plastic surgery (layanan bedah plastik) untuk hari pernikahan mereka. Bridalplasty ialah pengembangan dari acara make over (mendandani seseorang begitu rupa hingga menjadi sangat berbeda dari sebelumnya) yang sejak lama sangat populer; baik di majalah mingguan remaja, tabloid wanita, hingga program televisi. Peminat program ini ternyata tak pernah surut.

Dalam bacaan hari ini, Tuhan pun melakukan "make over" kepada Naaman yang penampilan fisiknya rusak karena kusta. Melalui perantaraan Nabi Elisa, Tuhan meminta Naaman mandi di Sungai Yordan untuk kesembuhannya. Lalu kenapa Naaman mulanya enggan untuk menjalankannya? Yordan adalah lembah yang paling rendah di dunia. Bahkan kata "Yordan" sendiri bermakna "turun ke bawah". Sungainya kotor dan sangat tidak diperhitungkan. Berkebalikan dengan para peserta make over yang biasanya dibawa ke salon para selebriti dan butik paling mewah; Naaman malah diminta Tuhan untuk "turun ke bawah".

Ketika Naaman taat dengan bersedia "turun ke bawah", maka ia menjadi manusia yang lebih baik. Setelah berendam di sungai Yordan, Naaman sembuh dari kustanya, karakternya pun berubah. Terhadap setiap pribadi, Tuhan juga rindu mengadakan "make over" kehidupan, sehingga membuat iman dan karakternya sangat berbeda dari yang dulu. Adakah program make over di dunia yang dapat melakukannya? Hanya Tuhan kita yang dapat. Bersediakah Anda merendahkan diri dan taat agar diubahkan oleh-Nya? --OLV

TUHAN DAPAT MENGUBAH DIRI KITA SAMA SEKALI; LUAR DALAM MENJADI LEBIH BAIK!

Sumber : Renungan Harian

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Chris Spielman

MENGUTAMAKAN KELUARGA (Efesus 5:22-33)
Dikirim oleh : Evi Sjiane Djiun

Kasihilah istrimu seperti dirimu sendiri dan istri hendaklah menghormati suaminya (Efesus 5:33)

Chris Spielman adalah pemain bola kenamaan di Liga Nasional Amerika. Publik selalu menantikan penampilannya. Suatu hari, menjelang dimulainya musim kompetisi, datang berita bahwa istrinya mengidap kanker. Spielman memutuskan untuk berhenti bermain demi bisa merawat istrinya. Banyak pihak kecewa. Namun, kepada wartawan ia berkata: "Aku berjanji pada Stephanie untuk menemaninya selama berobat. Berada di sisinya waktu kesakitan, dan merawat keempat anak kami." Ketika menjalani kemoterapi, rambut istrinya rontok. Lalu Spielman mencukur habis rambutnya sebagai tanda solidaritas. Setahun kemudian istrinya meninggal. Spielman bersyukur, bisa mendampingi istrinya sampai maut memisahkan mereka berdua.

Betapa indah kesaksian hidup pasangan yang bisa menjalankan perannya dengan baik. Dalam Efesus 5 dijelaskan apa peran suami maupun istri. Suami diminta merawat istri "seperti merawat tubuhnya sendiri". Ini tidak mudah. Butuh pengorbanan. Bagi Spielman, merawat istri berarti mengorbankan kariernya; mengorbankan peluang untuk memperoleh lebih banyak uang dan popularitas. Begitu pula, seorang istri perlu "tunduk kepada suaminya seperti kepada Tuhan". Menundukkan diri butuh pengorbanan harga diri. Tunduk bukan berarti rela ditindas, melainkan belajar menghargai kepemimpinan suami.

Kapan suami istri bisa berkorban? Saat masing-masing mementingkan pasangannya lebih dari diri sendiri. Lebih dari yang lain. Relasi antara orangtua dan anak pun demikian. Saling berkorban hanya mungkin terjadi jika keluarga diutamakan. Diprioritaskan. Sudahkah Anda mengutamakan keluarga? --JTI

JIKA BANYAK HAL LAIN DIJADIKAN YANG UTAMA, ANDA TAK AKAN RELA BERKORBAN BAGI KELUARGA

Sumber : Renungan Harian

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Doa Apa?

KEHABISAN BAHAN DOA (Filipi 4:6-9)
Dikirim oleh : Evi Sjiane Djiun

Janganlah hendaknya kamu khawatir tentang apa pun juga, tetapi nyatakanlah dalam segala hal keinginanmu kepada Allah dalam doa dan permohonan dengan ucapan syukur (Filipi 4:6)

Doa adalah napas hidup orang kristiani." Saya setuju dengan pernyataan ini, tetapi sekaligus merasa bersalah karenanya. Bernapas mengacu pada aktivitas yang terus-menerus; dan tanpanya kita mati. Lantas bagaimana kehidupan doa saya? Jangankan terus-menerus, tak jarang ada hari-hari yang saya lewatkan tanpa berdoa. Saya jenuh dan merasa "kehabisan bahan". Tampaknya, ada yang salah dengan kehidupan doa saya. Atau, mungkin ada yang salah dengan konsep doa saya.

Surat Paulus kepada jemaat di Filipi menawarkan jawaban. Dalam pasal 4, Paulus memaparkan "persediaan sumber daya" Kristus yang memadai bagi pelayanan kita. Kristus menyediakan damai sejahtera sebagai penangkis kecenderungan kita untuk khawatir (ayat 6-7). Ketika membacanya, kata "segala hal" berkata-kata dengan kuat kepada saya. Segala keinginan bahkan kekhawatiran tidak lain adalah bahan doa. Dalam keadaan apa pun, kita dapat menyatakannya kepada Tuhan, tanpa harus berlari ke kamar doa dulu. Bagaimana dengan keinginan yang egois? Ketika menyatakannya kepada Tuhan, kita merendahkan diri dan mempersilakan Dia memperbaiki dan mengarahkannya. Bagaimana dengan kekhawatiran?

Ketika kita menyerahkannya, Dia akan mengambilnya dan memberi kita damai sejahtera sebagai gantinya (ayat 7). Wah, kalau seperti ini, saya tak bakal kehabisan bahan doa: tiap hari saya punya segudang keinginan dan kekhawatiran!

Anda mungkin, mirip dengan saya, bergumul dalam kehidupan doa. Ungkapkan segala keinginan dan kekhawatiran Anda sebagai doa kepada Tuhan. Anda pun tak akan kehabisan bahan doa --ARS

BERDOA IALAH MENCURAHKAN ISI HATI KEPADA BAPA DAN SOBAT TERBAIK, MUNGKINKAH KITA KEHABISAN BAHAN DOA?

Sumber : Renungan Harian

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Kasih Tuhan

SENIMAN CAHAYA (Yohanes 1:1-9)
Dikirim oleh : Evi Sjiane Djiun

Terang yang sesungguhnya, yang menerangi setiap orang, sedang datang ke dalam dunia (Yohanes 1:9)

Glen Wessels, seorang pelukis tua, kehilangan asa. Istrinya telah tiada. Ia sendiri mengidap penyakit Parkinson sehingga susah beraktivitas, apalagi melukis. Di sebuah malam Natal, ketika Glen terpekur sedih di biliknya, muridnya datang membawa sebatang lilin bersinar yang diterimanya di kebaktian Natal. Karena sedih tak dapat memberi apa-apa-selain lilin itu-si murid memeluk Glen dengan linangan air mata seraya berucap "Selamat Natal". Selepas murid itu pergi, Glen seolah-olah mendapat kekuatan baru. Ia mendekati kanvas dan melukis lagi-sebuah lukisan cahaya berkilau dari balik dedaunan.

Lukisan itu dihadiahkannya kepada si murid, sambil berpesan agar ia terus melukis cahaya. Sebab menurutnya, itulah sumber keindahan hidup ini. Khususnya, cahaya kasih Tuhan yang memancar kepada diri kita dan menerangi jiwa sesama, seperti yang ia rasakan. Murid itu adalah Thomas Kinkade. Yakni pelukis Amerika ternama, seorang kristiani saleh yang bersaksi tentang Tuhan melalui karya-karyanya yang kental bernuansa cahaya, di tengah keindahan panorama alam yang tenang dan damai.

Laksana seniman, Yohanes pun memberi nuansa cahaya pada Injilnya. Ia menulis tentang Yesus Kristus, yang adalah "Terang dunia" (Yohanes 1:9; 8:12). Jiwa manusia, bisa menjadi gelap akibat duka dan derita. Tidak sedikit orang seperti Glen Wessels, yang kehilangan arah dan putus asa, serta membutuhkan percikan cahaya kasih Allah. Setiap kita yang mengenal Allah pasti memiliki Cahaya itu. Mari bagikan cahaya itu kepada mereka. Sebab, hanya Cahaya itu yang dapat memupus kegelapan di relung jiwa mereka --PAD

BAGIKANLAH CAHAYA KASIH TUHAN BAGI JIWA-JIWA YANG DICEKAM OLEH GELAPNYA DUKA DAN DERITA

Sumber : Renungan Harian

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Trials

Little Things(2 Corinthians 1:3-7)

The Father of mercies and God of all comfort . . . comforts us in all our tribulation. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

A medical school program in New York gives students who are training for geriatric medicine a unique opportunity. They experience life as nursing home residents for 10 days. They learn some of the struggles of maneuvering a wheelchair and being raised out of bed with a lift, as well as reaching the shower bar from a seated position. One student learned how little things counted for a lot—like lowering nameplates on doors so that patients can find their rooms more easily, or putting the TV remote in a reachable location.

Although the students still can’t fully relate, they will be better able to serve the elderly in their future work.

Sometimes God gives us the opportunity to use the lessons we’ve learned and the comfort He’s given us during difficult times to help others in special ways. Paul indicated this when he wrote: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble” (2 Cor. 1:3-4).

Are you using the lessons you’ve learned in your trials to touch the lives of others? Remember—even little things can mean a lot. —Anne Cetas

The comfort God has given us
He wants us now to share
With others who are suffering
So they will sense His care. —Sper

God doesn’t comfort us to make us comfortable; He comforts us to make us comforters.

Source : Our Daily Bread

Technorati Tags: hospital,medical school,wheelchair,lift,geriatric medicine,tribulation,comfort,sper,anne cetas,conforters,difficult times

Light In Darkness

Cross The Divide (Mark 2:13-17)

As [Jesus] was dining in Levi’s house, . . . many tax collectors and sinners also sat together with Jesus. —Mark 2:15

Two young men with mischief on their minds approached a missionary’s outreach bus parked in a downtown area of a German city.

The missionaries were there to offer refreshments as a way to open up conversations about Christ. The two visitors, wearing skull-and-crossbones bandannas, were there to offer trouble.

But the missionaries didn’t respond to the ruffians as they expected. The Christians welcomed them warmly and engaged them in discussion. Surprised, the guys hung around long enough to hear the gospel. One trusted Jesus that day. The other, the next day.

Those two young men and the missionaries who reached them were light-years apart culturally. The guys were German; the missionaries, American. The guys were involved in a culture of darkness and death; the missionaries were shining the light. The cultural divide was crossed with cookies and nonjudgmental love.

Look at the people around you. How can you show those on the other side of the cultural fence unconditional, unquestioning love? How can you cross the divide and help them see that Jesus’ love knows no boundaries?

Cross the divide. Take Christ to the culture—even if it doesn’t look anything like yours. —Dave Branon

To cross a cultural divide
Takes love that shows we really care;
And once the door is open wide,
Christ’s saving gospel we can share. —Sper

Our witness for Christ is a light for a world in darkness.

Source : Our Daily Bread

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Practice

Daily Diligence (2 Timothy 2:3-16)

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth. —2 Timothy 2:15

Internationally acclaimed violinist Midori believes that focused, diligent practice is the key to performance. While playing a rigorous schedule of 90 concerts a year, she still practices an average of 5 or 6 hours a day. Jane Ammeson, in NWA WorldTraveler magazine, quoted Midori as saying: “I have to practice for my job and I practice every day. . . . It’s not really the hours, but the quality of the work that needs to be done. I see with students, that they play and they call it practice, but they are not listening and not watching. If you have your textbook open, it doesn’t mean that you are studying.”

That same principle applies to our walk of faith. Paul wrote to Timothy, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15). Diligence implies constant, earnest effort, and is the opposite of a careless, inattentive approach. It embraces every aspect of our relationship with God.

Just as a musician strives for excellence, we should want to serve God with confidence, seek His approval, and skillfully share His Word with others.

Am I diligently studying, praying, and listening to the Lord today? —David McCasland

When we live with expectancy,
Awaiting Christ’s return,
Our diligent obedience
Becomes our main concern. —Sper

God speaks to those who take time to listen, and He listens to those who take time to pray.

Source : Our Daily Bread

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Death

Ernie’s Farewell (2 Corinthians 5:6-8; Philippians 1:21-23)

Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. —2 Corinthians 6:2

On September 30, 2009, columnist Mitch Albom sat on stage at the Fox Theater in Detroit, Michigan, to interview Ernie Harwell, one of the most beloved men in American sports. Harwell spent more than 50 years as a radio play-by-play announcer, mostly for the Detroit Tigers baseball team. His kindness, humility, and warmth as a broadcaster left an indelible impression on all who met him.

When Albom interviewed him, Ernie was 91 years old and had just announced that he had incurable cancer. But as Ernie talked, he wasn’t about to let people feel sorry for him. Instead, he wanted to talk about the night in 1961 when he trusted Jesus Christ as Savior. And, during one of the final times this Hall of Fame announcer would be able to speak publicly, he concluded, “I don’t know how many days I’ve got left . . . [but] I can really know . . . whose arms I’m going to end up in, and what a great, great thing heaven is going to be.”

Ernie was anticipating something special! He knew that God had a glorious eternal home prepared for him (John 14:2-3; Phil. 1:21-23), so he could look death in the face and praise God. Is that your confidence? Do you know that His arms are waiting to welcome you home? At the end, that’s really all that matters. —Dave Branon

Lord, when I take my final breath
And see You face to face in death,
Then shall my heart forever sing
The heavenly praises of my King. —Raniville

For the Christian, death means heaven, happiness, and Him.

Source : Our Daily Bread

Technorati Tags: announcer,columnist,mitch albom,fox theatre,detroit,michigan,detroit tigers,broadcaster,cancer,jesus christ,dave branon,baniville,hapiness

Talenta

BRUCE BOWEN (Matius 25:14-30)
Dikirim oleh : Evi Sjiane Djiun

Karena itu, seharusnya uangku itu kauberikan ke bank, supaya pada waktu aku kembali, aku menerimanya serta dengan bunganya (Matius 25:27)

Bruce Bowen bukanlah atlet basket luar biasa seperti Michael Jordan atau Kobe Bryant. Kemampuannya "terbatas" pada menjaga lawan dan membuat tembakan tiga angka dari pinggir lapangan. Akan tetapi, dengan maksimal ia melakukan kedua hal tersebut, tanpa harus merasa bersalah karena tak dapat melakukan hal hal lain, apalagi yang di luar kemampuannya. Hasilnya, ia dikenal sebagai seorang anggota terpenting dari tim San Antonio Spurs yang berhasil memenangkan 3 gelar juara liga bola basket Amerika Serikat (NBA) dalam jangka waktu 5 tahun (2002-2007).

Di dunia ini memang ada orang-orang yang sangat berbakat yang diberi lima talenta oleh Tuhan. Kepada mereka, Tuhan berharap mereka melipatgandakan talentanya secara sepadan. Sementara itu ada orang-orang lain yang dianugerahi kemampuan yang lebih terbatas, yang hanya menerima dua atau satu talenta saja. Harapan Tuhan atas mereka pun sebenarnya sama; mengelolanya sebertanggung jawab mungkin agar setiap pribadi memberi yang terbaik dari dirinya.

Sebab itu, berapa saja talenta yang Tuhan anugerahkan kepada kita, tidak menjadi soal. Yang penting kita tidak hanya berpuas diri karena memilikinya, tetapi bersedia memberi diri untuk mengelolanya dengan tekun. Mengerjakannya dengan setia sehingga meneguhkan karya Allah di hidup kita serta memuliakan kebesaran-Nya. Bahkan sekalipun kita hanya memiliki satu talenta, tetapi apabila dikelola dengan kerajinan dan kesungguhan hati, akan mendatangkan berkat besar bagi diri sendiri maupun sesama. Dan, menyenangkan hati Tuhan --ALS

TUHAN TIDAK MEMINTA KITA MELAKUKAN APA YANG TIDAK KITA BISA, TETAPI MELAKUKAN APA YANG KITA BISA DENGAN SETIA

Sumber : Renungan Harian

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Eternal Treasures

A Collector’s Heaven(Matthew 6:19-21)

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth . . . but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven. —Matthew 6:19-20

People love to collect things—from baseball cards to stamps to coins. And while collecting can be a fun hobby, it is sobering to think that once we leave this earth, everything we own becomes part of someone else’s collection. What value would it be to have collected much on earth but little or nothing for eternity?

Jesus had something to say about this. Speaking to His disciples, He said: “Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal” (Matt. 6:20).

Eternal treasures never lose their worth. They can never be spoiled or stolen. And just think—we can actually stockpile them! How? Through acts of service. Through leading others to Jesus. By being compassionate to those in need. By living according to the will and ways of Jesus. In the gospel of Mark, we read that the Lord tested the rich young ruler’s heart when He asked him to sell all that he had, give it to the poor, and follow Him. The ruler’s response revealed what he really valued (10:21-22).

It’s easy to become enamored with earthside stuff, but when you make the choice to follow Jesus, He’ll show you the joy of collecting eternal treasures. Nothing on earth can compare! —Joe Stowell

The treasures of earth do not last,
But God has prepared us a place
Where someday with Him we will dwell,
Enjoying the riches of grace. —Branon

Hold tightly to what is eternal and loosely to what is temporal.

Source : Our Daily Bread

Technorati Tags: earth,heaven,treasure,lay up,eternal,temporal,rich,real value,collection,joe stowell,branon

Differences

God’s Signature (Genesis 1:27-31)

God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good. —Genesis 1:31

Displayed on the wall of my friends’ lake house is a collection of pictures. Each one of the photos is of a sunset, taken from their deck during various seasons. While each is strikingly beautiful—no two are identical. When I look at them, it reminds me of what another friend once called a sunset—“God’s beautiful signature at the end of a day.”

God writes His signature on each sunset and on each of His unique children as well. I never grow tired of discovering how every person I meet is so delightfully different. God is infinitely creative, and the variety in our personalities, senses of humor, abilities, and preferences in music and sports are all handcrafted by Him.

In the body of Christ, we see how a diversity of spiritual gifts still have a common bond and can work together for God’s purposes to bring Him glory. In 1 Corinthians 12:4-6, we read, “There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all.”

God’s signature that is so evident in nature is also present in His people. Let’s celebrate the differences that make each of His children unique. —Cindy Hess Kasper

In Jesus Christ we all are equal,
For God’s Spirit makes us one;
As we give each other honor,
We give glory to His Son. —Fitzhugh

The signature of God is seen on His creation.

Source : Our Daily Bread

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Humility

A Modest Proposal (Philippians 2:1-11)

[Jesus] humbled Himself . . . to the point of death, even the death of the cross. —Philippians 2:8

As a college student, I heard count- less engagement stories. My starry-eyed friends told about glitzy restaurants, mountaintop sunsets, and rides in horse-drawn carriages. I also recall one story about a young man who simply washed his girlfriend’s feet. His “modest proposal” proved he understood that humility is vital for a lifelong commitment.

The apostle Paul also understood the significance of humility and how it holds us together. This is especially important in marriage. Paul said to reject “me-first” urges: “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition” (Phil. 2:3). Instead, we should value our spouses more than ourselves, and look out for their interests.

Humility in action means serving our spouse, and no act of service is too small or too great. After all, Jesus “humbled Himself . . . to the point of death, even the death of the cross” (v.8). His selflessness showed His love for us.

What can you do today to humbly serve the one you love? Maybe it’s as simple as leaving brussels sprouts off the dinner menu or as difficult as helping him or her through a long illness. Whatever it is, placing our spouse’s needs before our own confirms our commitment to each other through Christlike humility. —Jennifer Benson Schuldt

In marriage, we will honor Christ
By following His lead
Of sacrificial love and care
To meet the other’s need. —Sper

If you think it’s possible to love your spouse too much, you probably haven’t loved enough.

Source : Our Daily Bread

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