Monday, 23 June 2014

Why the Poor are Blessed?

Posted by Admin GoodNews2Us | Posts under : Alkitab, Allah, berita baik, iman petrus agung, Isa Almasih, Jesus, mujizat tuhan, petrus agung, YESUS KRISTUS

Why the Poor are Blessed?

Why the Poor are Blessed?
Teach with Your Life
Leadership in the Church
John MacArthur on Discipleship (not Spectatorship)
Hymn to a Good Wife

Posted: 19 Jun 2014 09:41 PM PDT

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven"
(Matthew 5:3, ESV)

Matthew chapter 5:1-12 is called the Beatitudes. If I'm not mistaken the word derives from 'beauty' and 'attitude' which mean 'beautiful attitude' as described by Lord Jesus Himself. As we read the Beatitudes, we must understand that it was addressed basically to Jesus' disciples (therefore, this part of the Bible verses is not suitable for the nonbelievers. Not that they can't understand, but that it doesn't make sense to them). The Beatitudes describe the attitudes and characteristics of a true disciple, not a code or set of rules to be followed legalistically. This is how Jesus' followers ought to live.

"Blessed" is a happy word. It describes someone who is to be congratulated because his or her place in life is a fortunate and happy one. But then we read the recipients: "are the poor in spirit" – not so happy words. Why "the poor" are "blessed"? Go to the city of Kuala Lumpur, can we say that the poor are blessed? Walk around any Sarawak marketplaces, do we say that 'Wow, look at the poor, they are so blessed!'? Surely, there were many poor people during Jesus' time. I bet they will roll their eyes if this is what Jesus meant by "the poor."

"The poor" that Lord Jesus referring here is to the poor "in spirit" not to the poor in pocket! There are two words for "poor" in Jesus' contemporary language: first, one who has nothing superfluous; second, one who has nothing at all – totally bankrupt and has no resources. Lord Jesus used the second meaning here. Therefore, to be "poor in spirit" is not to be poor-spirited in the sense of timid or cowardly or materially poor but to acknowledge (very important word, acknowledge) one's spiritual bankruptcy before God.

Do you "poor in spirit" by recognize and confess your unworthiness and unrighteousness in the sight of God? Do you "poor in spirit" by not being proud and self-sufficient? Do you "poor in spirit" that you call out to God for mercy because in reality you're bankrupt and have nothing except Him? In summary: "Blessed" are those who acknowledge that in the presence of God, they are nothing, bankrupt spiritually because to them belongs "the kingdom of heaven." Not a reward for good works, but the "poor in spirit" depend on God. Not to be earned, but a gift of grace. Happy! Happy! Blessed!

Jesus painted the picture of blessedness in reverse of what the men of the world

considered fortunate and happy. He is different; we're different, my friends.

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Teach with Your Life

Posted: 16 Jun 2014 07:36 AM PDT

The Spirit makes it clear that as time goes on, some are going to give up on the faith and chase after demonic illusions put forth by professional liars. These liars have lied so well and for so long that they've lost their capacity for truth. They will tell you not to get married. They'll tell you not to eat this or that food—perfectly good food God created to be eaten heartily and with thanksgiving by believers who know better! Everything God created is good, and to be received with thanks. Nothing is to be sneered at and thrown out. God's Word and our prayers make every item in creation holy.

You've been raised on the Message of the faith and have followed sound teaching. Now pass on this counsel to the [followers of Jesus], and you'll be a good servant of Jesus. Stay clear of silly stories that get dressed up as religion. Exercise daily in God—no spiritual flabbiness, please! Workouts in the gymnasium are useful, but a disciplined life in God is far more so, making you fit both today and forever. You can count on this. Take it to heart. This is why we've thrown ourselves into this venture so totally. We're banking on the living God, Savior of all men and women, especially believers.

Get the word out. Teach all these things. And don't let anyone put you down because you're young. Teach believers with your life: by word, by demeanor, by love, by faith, by integrity. Stay at your post reading Scripture, giving counsel, teaching. And that special gift of ministry you were given when the leaders of the church laid hands on you and prayed—keep that dusted off and in use.

Cultivate these things. Immerse yourself in them. The people will all see you mature right before their eyes! Keep a firm grasp on both your character and your teaching. Don't be diverted. Just keep at it. Both you and those who hear you will experience salvation.

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Leadership in the Church

Posted: 16 Jun 2014 06:48 AM PDT

If anyone wants to provide leadership in the church, good! But there are preconditions: A leader must be well-thought-of, committed to his wife, cool and collected, accessible, and hospitable. He must know what he's talking about, not be overfond of wine, not pushy but gentle, not thin-skinned, not money-hungry. He must handle his own affairs well, attentive to his own children and having their respect. For if someone is unable to handle his own affairs, how can he take care of God's church? He must not be a new believer, lest the position go to his head and the Devil trip him up. Outsiders must think well of him, or else the Devil will figure out a way to lure him into his trap.

The same goes for those who want to be servants in the church: serious, not deceitful, not too free with the bottle, not in it for what they can get out of it. They must be reverent before the mystery of the faith, not using their position to try to run things. Let them prove themselves first. If they show they can do it, take them on. No exceptions are to be made for women—same qualifications: serious, dependable, not sharp-tongued, not overfond of wine. Servants in the church are to be committed to their spouses, attentive to their own children, and diligent in looking after their own affairs. Those who do this servant work will come to be highly respected, a real credit to this Jesus-faith.

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

John MacArthur on Discipleship (not Spectatorship)

Posted: 13 Jun 2014 08:17 AM PDT

"Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets,
the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is
to equip God's people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ." (Ephesians 4:11-12, NLT)

What are the marks of an effective church? Here are few essential marks of an effective church by John MacArthur which consists of godly leadership, biblical goals, discipleship, outreach, concern for one another, a commitment to the family, biblical teaching & preaching, a willingness to change and worship. Under discipleship, John writes,

"The church is not an arena where a professional preacher/minister is cheered on by laypeople who are nothing more than spectators. The church should be discipling and training Christians for ministry. Church members, not just staff, are supposed to be ministering. That is the point of Ephesians 4:11-12. Apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastor-teachers are given to equip the saints to do the work of ministry.

All of this results from discipleship. Discipleship is the ministry of developing deeply spiritual friendships focusing on the teaching biblical truth, applying Scripture to life, and thus learning to solve problems biblically. It must be reinforced by a godly example, not just delivered as a set of academic precepts. Therefore, discipleship involves time and personal involvement with people. Jesus' earthly ministry to His own disciples is the biblical model. The church must provide an environment that encourages that kind of discipleship at every level, from the pastor to the newest convert."

[Quote from John MacArthur, Ashamed of the Gospel: When the Church becomes like the World (Wheaton, Illinois: Crossway Books, 2010), pg. 193]

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Hymn to a Good Wife

Posted: 09 Jun 2014 10:12 AM PDT

Pic taken from: confessionsofacollegestu.blogspot.com

A good woman is hard to find,
    and worth far more than diamonds.
Her husband trusts her without reserve,
    and never has reason to regret it.
Never spiteful, she treats him generously
    all her life long.
She shops around for the best yarns and cottons,
    and enjoys knitting and sewing.
She's like a trading ship that sails to faraway places
    and brings back exotic surprises.
She's up before dawn, preparing breakfast
    for her family and organizing her day.
She looks over a field and buys it,
    then, with money she's put aside, plants a garden.
First thing in the morning, she dresses for work,
    rolls up her sleeves, eager to get started.
She senses the worth of her work,
    is in no hurry to call it quits for the day.
She's skilled in the crafts of home and hearth,
    diligent in homemaking.
She's quick to assist anyone in need,
    reaches out to help the poor.
She doesn't worry about her family when it snows;
    their winter clothes are all mended and ready to wear.
She makes her own clothing,
    and dresses in colorful linens and silks.
Her husband is greatly respected
    when he deliberates with the city fathers.
She designs gowns and sells them,
    brings the sweaters she knits to the dress shops.
Her clothes are well-made and elegant,
    and she always faces tomorrow with a smile.
When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say,
    and she always says it kindly.
She keeps an eye on everyone in her household,
    and keeps them all busy and productive.
Her children respect and bless her;
    her husband joins in with words of praise:
"Many women have done wonderful things,
    but you've outclassed them all!"
Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades.
    The woman to be admired and praised
    is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-God.
Give her everything she deserves!
    Festoon her life with praises!