Wisdom of God

Wisdom of God – The wisdom of His Word

The wisdom of God has been evident since our beginning—in the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve had free reign of the Garden and everything they would ever need was provided. But the tree in the middle of the Garden was the only thing forbidden. God warned Adam and Eve against eating from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. They disregarded God’s words. Had they listened to Him and not succumbed to temptation by the serpent, they would never have known evil. This was the fall, the failing, of mankind passed onto every generation.

We wonder about all the suffering in life, why bad things happen, and the evil in the world; but because of Adam’s and Eve’s sin of disobedience in the Garden, we are all subject to those things. You might view it as an inheritance left by our ancestors. There has not been a person since who has not sinned against God—it’s genetic. 

Wisdom of God – His wisdom at work
The wisdom of God is demonstrated again in Genesis 6 with the story of Noah. Verses 5-8 say, “God saw how great man’s wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time. The Lord was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain. So the Lord said, ‘I will wipe mankind whom I have created, from the face of the earth—men and animals’….but Noah found favor in the eyes of God.” Only Noah and his family were saved when God sent the flood. It was by God’s wisdom the earth was replenished with a righteous generation.

Paul writes in Ephesians 3 about the mystery of the Gospel to the Gentiles. Speaking of God he says in verse 10, “His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Wisdom of God – Having the Wisdom of God
Can mankind be given the wisdom of God? There are many verses revealing that God does indeed gift us with His wisdom. None is perhaps as well known for wisdom as King Solomon. “God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore” (1 Kings 4:29). Other examples are found in 1 Kings 5:12, 10:24; Exodus 31:3 (Moses); Deuteronomy 34:9 (Joshua) and Ephesians 1:17 (Paul’s prayer in Ephesus).

After discussing life’s trials, James 1:5 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.”

Without wisdom, life can be thorny. Our human wisdom can lead us into more trouble, life can seem very unfair. If life contained perfect justice, every one of us would suffer eternally for every shortcoming in our imperfect lives. It is better than fair that a righteous Savior bridges the gap between imperfect man and a perfect God with infinite wisdom. Seeking the wisdom of God is the answer to each and every individual. If we can turn our heart to Him and allow His Word to guide us, we will live a life totally embraced with God’s love and wisdom.

Source:
  http://www.allaboutgod.com/wisdom-of-god.htm

Simple Words, Part 25

Relationship with God

Relationship with God - A Failed Relationship
Do you have a relationship with God? If so, what is that relationship based upon? In an attempt to explain his relationship with God, man often relies on religion to define his degree of spirituality. Emotions, traditions, and logic play integral parts in formulating his religion. Definitions of morality and immortality based on popular beliefs entangle themselves into the tapestry of his religious cloak.

Religion leans heavily upon man’s righteous efforts. It often requires diligent service and works, in expectation of earning an eternal reward. Through each person’s power of self-motivation, self-control, and self-determination, salvation is hoped for. Inevitably, any shortcomings on the part of the individual result in disappointment, chronic guilt, and ultimately an unfulfilled relationship with God.

“Lots of religious people hold firmly to all kinds of religious ideas—whether right or wrong—for all kinds of weak and apparently unfounded, or at least unexamined reasons.”¹

Unlike religion, a relationship with God comes from His amazing love and grace reaching out to us. It’s always been God’s desire to reveal Himself to us since creation (Romans 1:20). Adam and Eve “heard the sound of the Lord God as he [God] was walking in the garden [of Eden] in the cool of the day” (Genesis 3:8). In the beginning, God desired an everlasting, loving relationship with man. Adam was made in God’s image then chosen to wisely manage “everything that [had] the breath of life in it.” We were designed for relationships. Therefore, God provided Eve as a companion so Adam could experience an intimate union. But Adam chose to reject and disobey God’s command, producing sin which separated mankind from God (Romans 5:12). Sin brought the breakdown of a relationship with God, resulting in shame and judgment.

Relationship with God - A Restored Relationship
Religion cannot restore our relationship with God again. No human ritual, deed, or sacrifice can provide payment or absolution for our sins. Not a single human being by his own efforts is able to measure up to the glory of God. God’s glory is His splendor, the outward display of His attributes. God desires that we share that splendor, yet our sin prohibits us from experiencing the richness of such a relationship. We might ask, “Why does an omnipotent and supreme God long for a relationship with imperfect, fallen human beings?”

• God chooses us for a special purpose before creation (Ephesians 1:4-5). What God began in the past, He will accomplish and complete in the future. It is His purpose, through His Son Jesus Christ, to make us blameless, without a single blemish.
• God considers us children of a Heavenly Father (2 Corinthians 6:18). When redeemed, we are again sealed into a special relationship with God. While sin can enslave us to the point of fear, believers in Jesus are adopted, receiving the same privileges as natural-born. Christians can approach God through an intimate relationship, even calling Him Father (Romans 8:16).
• God values us as precious treasures, capable of honoring Him with our bodies and spirits. We were bought with a special price—“the precious blood of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:19).

It is God’s will to save us, establishing an everlasting relationship with Him. Jesus Christ’s voluntary death on the cross provided delivering power, redeeming us. The divine purpose for Christ’s sacrificial death and resurrection from the grave was man’s restoration and reconciliation, bringing life through the Holy Spirit (1 Peter 3:18).

A Personal Relationship with God
Picture the relationship that Jesus shared with His Heavenly Father. Jesus was the only begotten Son of the Father. The relationship the two shared while Jesus was on earth was unparalleled (John 1:14; 6:46; 1 John 4:9). Through Jesus Christ, we experience God’s presence, strengthening our relationship:

• Love – “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).
• Sacrifice – “. . . But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world” (1 John 2:1–2).
• Faithfulness – “God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful” (1 Corinthians 1:9).
• Mercy – “. . . For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Jesus Christ” (Romans 3:23–24).
• Peace – “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7).
• Joy – “. . . We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ . . . and we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God” (Romans 5:1–2).
• Eternity – “I [Jesus] give them eternal life, and they shall never perish . . . My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one” (John 10:28–30).

A personal relationship with God begins with knowing His Son Jesus Christ. Our earthly relationships change. You and I are destined for change. But Jesus is changeless. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. When you draw near to Jesus Christ, you will be changed.

Source :
 http://www.allaboutgod.com/relationship-with-god.htm

Immanuel - Songs Of Praise

A sign shall be given
A virgin will conceive
A human baby bearing
Undiminished deity
The glory of the nations
A light for all to see
That hope for all who will embrace
His warm reality

Immanuel

Our God is with us
And if God is with us
Who could stand against us
Our God is with us

Immanuel

For all those who live in the shadow of death
A glorious light has dawned
For all those who stumble in the darkness
Behold your light has come

Immanuel

Our God
is with us

And if God is with us
Who could stand against us
Our God is with us

Immanuel

So what will be your answer?
Will you hear the call?
Of Him who did not spare His son
But gave him for us all
On earth there is no power
There is no depth or height
That could ever separate us
From the love of God in Christ

Immanuel

Our God is with us
And if God is with us
Who could stand against us
Our God is with us

Immanuel
Immanuel

Our God is with us
And if God is with us
Who could stand against us
Our God is with us

Immanuel

Simple Words, Part 24

Time For A Change / Waktunya Berubah

 There he built an altar to the Lord and called on the name of the Lord. —Genesis 12:8

Many believers long to spend daily time with God, praying and reading His Word. Ironically, they are often distracted by a busy schedule. Frustrations mount as busyness seems to crowd out an opening in their schedule.

Oswald Chambers has wisely commented on the transforming power of even 5 minutes in the presence of the Lord. Indeed, even a short time spent in intercession and the Word still has great value: “It is not the thing on which we spend the most time that moulds us, but the thing that exerts the greatest power. Five minutes with God and His Word is worth more than all the rest of the day.” Now, it may sound like Chambers has made an overstatement. Yet powerful results can come from even a short time of prayer, because God is powerful.

Sometimes our days are filled with busy demands that crowd out time spent in listening to and responding to God. But no matter where we are, any time taken to build our own spiritual “altar” to the Lord as Abram did (Gen. 12:8) opens the door to His transforming power. If you are having trouble establishing a time with God, you could start with just 5 minutes and see where it leads. Our God longs to meet with us and show His power in our lives.

Lord, it’s amazing to me that You, Almighty God,
would want to spend time with me! Thank You.
I stumble with my words at times but am in awe of
You. Thank You that You want to hear from me.

Talk with God—He wants to hear your heart.

 Lalu ia mendirikan di situ mezbah bagi Tuhan dan memanggil nama Tuhan. 

—Kejadian 12:8

 Banyak orang percaya yang rindu untuk menyediakan waktu bersama Allah setiap hari dengan cara berdoa dan membaca firman-Nya. Ironisnya, mereka sering teralihkan oleh jadwal yang padat. Rasa frustrasi memuncak ketika kesibukan sepertinya memenuhi setiap celah waktu dalam jadwal mereka.

Dengan bijak, Oswald Chambers menerangkan tentang kuasa yang sanggup mengubah hidup seseorang dari keberadaan-nya dalam hadirat Tuhan, sekalipun itu hanya dilakukan selama 5 menit. Memang, sekalipun singkat, waktu yang digunakan untuk berdoa dan merenungkan firman-Nya tetap bernilai besar: “Kita tidak dibentuk oleh sesuatu yang menyita sebagian besar waktu kita. Kita justru dibentuk oleh sesuatu yang memberikan pengaruh terbesar atas kita. Lima menit bersama Allah dan firman-Nya jauh lebih bernilai daripada semua hal yang kita lakukan sepanjang hari.” Chambers seakan membuat pernyataan yang berlebihan. Namun hasil yang luar biasa dapat kita alami, bahkan dari doa yang singkat, karena Allah memang Mahakuasa.

Terkadang dari hari ke hari kita disibukkan oleh beragam tuntutan dan kesibukan yang menggeser waktu kita untuk mendengarkan dan menanggapi Allah. Namun di mana pun kita berada, setiap waktu yang digunakan untuk membangun “mezbah” rohani kita bagi Tuhan seperti yang dilakukan Abram (Kej. 12:8) akan menjadi jalan bagi kuasa-Nya untuk mengubah hidup kita. Jika Anda menemui kesulitan untuk menyediakan waktu bersama Allah, Anda dapat memulainya dengan memberikan waktu 5 menit saja dan rasakan pengaruhnya. Allah kita rindu untuk menemui kita dan menunjukkan kuasa-Nya dalam hidup kita.

Tuhan, sungguh menakjubkan bagiku bahwa Engkau, Allah yang Mahakuasa, ingin memiliki waktu bersamaku! Terima kasih. Terkadang perkataanku tidak keluar dengan fasih, tetapi aku kagum kepada-Mu. Terima kasih karena Engkau mau mendengarkan aku.

Berbicaralah kepada Allah— Dia mau mendengarkan isi hatimu.

I See Grace - New Creation Church

Jesus My help
I call out Your name
I cast my cares on You
 Jesus my hope
my tower of strength
my faith has found in You
 I see You pierced
wounded for me
when I look to the cross I see

I see grace
sealed by your sacrifice
I see love
reaching for me
Precious blood
washes and sanctifies
Healing flows
setting me free
I see grace

Bearer of sin
Afflicted and tried
You paid redemption's price
Bearing my curse
You set me on high
Your death has brought me life

I see You pierced
wounded for me
when I look to the cross I see

I see grace
sealed by Your sacrifice
I see love
reaching for me

Precious blood
washes and sanctifies
Healing flows
setting me free
I see grace

Ramada Bintang Bali Resort (4*), DPS Bali-Indonesia

Jl. Kartika Plaza, Kuta. P.O. Box 1068 Tuban Bali 80361, Indonesia
T: (62-361) 753292
F: (62-361) 753288

Simple Words, Part 23

Lemontea Htl (3*), BKK-Thailand

Lemontea Hotel
55 Soi Petchaburi 15,
Petchaburi Road, Ratchathewi, Pratunam,
Bangkok, Thailand

Blessing - Laura Story

We pray for blessings
We pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering
All the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things

'Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You're near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

We pray for wisdom
Your voice to hear
And we cry in anger when we cannot feel You near
We doubt Your goodness, we doubt Your love
As if every promise from Your Word is not enough
All the while, You hear each desperate plea
And long that we have faith to believe

'Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You're near
And what if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

When friends betray us
When darkness seems to win
We know that pain reminds this heart
That this is not, this is not our home
It's not our home

'Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
And what if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You're near
What if my greatest disappointments
Or the achings of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can't satisfy
And what if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are Your mercies in disguise

Simple Words, Part 22

You are My Hiding Place - Maranatha Singers

You are my hiding place

You always fill my heart
With songs of deliverance
Whenever I am afraid
I will trust in You
I will trust in You

Let the weak say I am strong
In the strength of the Lord
You are my hiding place
You always fill my heart
With songs of deliverance
Whenever I am afraid
I will trust in You
I will trust in You
Let the weak say I am strong
In the strength of the Lord
I will trust in You

You are my hiding place
You always fill my heart
With songs of deliverance
Whenever I am afraid
I will trust in You
I will trust in You
Let the weak say I am strong
In the strength of the Lord
I will trust in You

You are my hiding place
(I will trust in You)
You always fill my heart
(Let the weak say I am strong)
With songs of deliverance
(In the strength of the Lord)
Whenever I am afraid
I will trust in You
You always fill my heart
With songs of deliverance

Bagaimanakah Nasibku?

1. Rencana Allah

Allah mengasihi saudara dan menginginkan saudara memiliki kehidupan yang penuh damai sejahtera, berkelimpahn dan kekal.

“…. kita hidup dalam damai sejahtera dengan Allah oleh karena Tuhan kita, Yesus Kristus.”  Roma 5:1

“Karena begitu besar kasih Allah akan dunia ini, sehingga Ia telah mengaruniakan Anak-Nya yang tunggal, supaya setiap orang yang percaya kepada-Nya tidak binasa, melainkan beroleh hidup yang kekal.” Yohanes 3:16

“…. Aku datang, supaya mereka mempunyai hidup, dan mempunyainya dalam segala kelimpahan.” Yohanes 10:10b

Mengapa banyak orang tidak mengalami kehidupan

sebagaimana yang direncanakan Allah itu?

2. Dosa memisahkan manusia dari Allah

Allah menciptakan kita untuk hidup di dalam rencanaNya, yaitu hidup yang berkelimpahan dan penuh kebahagiaan. Namun kita lebih memilih bebas dari Allah dan menjalankan kehendak kita sendiri. Inilah yang dibebut sebagai dosa. Dosa mengakibatkan hubungan dan persekutuan kita terpisah dari Allah.

“Karena semua orang telah berbuat dosa dan telah kehilangan kemuliaan Allah.”     

Roma 3:23

“Sebab upah dosa ialah maut; tetapi karunia Allah ialah hidup yang kekal dalam Kristus Yesus, Tuhan kita.” Roma 6:23

Lalu, apakah yang diupayakan manusia  untuk mengatasi kesulitan ini?

Manusia di sepanjang abad dan tempat berusaha untuk menjembatani keterpisahan ini dengan berbagai upaya seperti kehidupan moral dan etika yang baik, melakukan kebaikan, menjalankan disiplin agama yang ketat, serta filsafat. Namun semuanya hanya mengadapkan manusia kepada keputusasaan karena usaha ini tidak membuahkan hasil sedikitpun.

“Ada jalan yang disangka orang lurus, tetapi ujungnya menuju maut.” Amsal 14:12

“Tetapi yang merupakan pemisah antara kamu dan Allahmu ialah segala kejahatanmu, dan yang membuat Dia menyembunyikan diri terhadap kamu, sehingga Ia tidak mendengar, ialah segala dosamu.” Yesaya 59:2

Hanya ada satu jalan keluar untuk mengatasi masalah ini.

3. Yesus Kristus adalah satu-satunya jalan keluar untuk masalah ini. Kematiannya di kayu salib dan kebangkitannya dari antara orang mati telah membayar hukuman atas dosa dan menjadi pengantara antara Allah dan manusia.

“…  Allah itu esa dan esa pula Dia yang menjadi pengantara antara Allah dan manusia, yaitu manusia Kristus Yesus”  1 Timotius 2:5

“…  Kristus telah mati karena dosa-dosa kita, sesuai dengan Kitab Suci, bahwa Ia telah dikuburkan, dan bahwa Ia telah dibangkitkan, pada hari yang ketiga, sesuai dengan Kitab Suci;”   1 Korintus 15:3b-4

“Akan tetapi Allah menunjukkan kasih-Nya kepada kita, oleh karena Kristus telah mati untuk kita, ketika kita masih berdosa.”  Roma 5:8

4. Kita harus menerima Kristus sehingga dapat mengalami kehidupan sebagaimana yang direncanakan Allah itu.

“Tetapi semua orang yang menerima-Nya diberi-Nya kuasa supaya menjadi anak-anak Allah, yaitu mereka yang percaya dalam nama-Nya” Yohanes 1:12

“Sebab jika kamu mengaku dengan mulutmu, bahwa Yesus adalah Tuhan, dan percaya dalam hatimu, bahwa Allah telah membangkitkan Dia dari antara orang mati, maka kamu akan diselamatkan.”  Roma 10:9

Kita menerima Kristus dengan cara mengundangNya masuk ke dalam hati kita menjadi Tuhan dan Juruselamat kita secara pribadi melalui doa yang dinaikkan dengan iman. Allah berjanji di dalam firmanNya bahwa  jikalau kita berdoa menurut kehendakNya, maka kita akan menerimanya.

“Dan inilah keberanian percaya kita kepada-Nya, yaitu bahwa Ia mengabulkan doa kita, jikalau kita meminta sesuatu kepada-Nya menurut kehendak-Nya.”  

 1 Yohanes 5:14

Menerima Kristus bearti menyerahkan seluruh totalitas hidup kita untuk dikuasai oleh Kristus, baik pikiran, perasaan maupun kemauan kita dan menerima anigrah pengampunan dosa serta kehidupan yang kekal sebagaimana yang telah dijanjikanNya.

Berikut ini sebuah saran Doa :

Tuhan Yesus, saya sadar bahwa saya seorang berdosa. Saya membutuhkan anugerah pengampunanMu. Saya bersyukur oleh karena Engkau telah mati bagi dosa-dosaku dan telah bangkit untuk memberikan kehidupan kekal kepada orang yang percaya kepadaMu. Saat ini saya mengundangMu masuk ke dalam hati saya menjadi Juruselamat dan Tuhanku, Kuasailah hidupku sepenuhnya dan bentuklah aku menjadi seorang yang berkenan kepadaMu. Amin

Apakah doa ini menyatakan keinginan hati Saudara? Jika demikian, ucapkanlah doa ini dengam iman. Percayalah bahwa Kristus telah masuk ke dalam hidup saudara ketika saudara berdoa.

Apakah saudara telah berdoa mengundang Yesus Kristus masuk ke dalam hidup saudara tadi? Jika “Ya”, di manakah Dia saat ini dalam hubungannya dengan saudara?

Semenjak saudara mengundang Yesus Kristus masuk ke dalam kehidipan saudara, ada banyak hal yang terjadi.

1.       Dosa-dosa saudara telah diampuni.

2.       Kehidupan kekal telah diberikan kepada saudara.

3.       Saudara telah menjadi anak-anak Allah.

4.       Kehidupan saudara telah berada di dalam rencana Allah.

Saudara diselamatkan hanya karena anugrah Allah semata.

“Sebab karena kasih karunia kamu diselamatkan oleh iman; itu bukan hasil usahamu, tetapi pemberian Allah, ini bukan hasil pekerjaanmu, jangan ada orang yang memegahkan diri.” Efesus 2:8-9

Dengan menerima Kristus, saudara dilahirkan kembali ke dalam keluarga Allah melalui pekerjaan Roh Kudus bukan karena jasa atau pekerjaan saudara. Semua ini terjadi karena Allah mengasihi saudara. Oleh karena itu menerima Kristus merupakan pengalaman yang paling indah dari pengalaman lainnya di dalam hidup saudara. Maukah saudara bersyukur atas karuniaNyayang besar ini?

Saudara baru memulai sesuatu kehidupan baru yang indah di dalam Kristus. Untuk pertumbuhan rohani  selanjutnya, kiranya Saudara melakukan hal-hal tersebut di bawah ini:

1.   Membaca Alkitab saudara setiap hari sehingga makin mengenal Kristus di dalam   kehidupan Saudara.

2.    Berbicara kepada Allah dalam doa setiap hari.

3.    Bersaksi kepada orang lain tentang Kristus yang telah menyelamatkan saudara.

4.    Berbakti bersama orang percaya lainya di dalam gereja.

Souce : Gereja Refromed Injili Indonesia, Booklet