Grace Methodist Church Jakarta

06/03/2019

A CALL TO RETURN
“‘Even now,’ declares the LORD, ‘return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.’ Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.” Joel‬ ‭2:12-13‬ ‭NIV
One of the many good things of following the church calendar is, it helps us to check and stay in tune with God, to stay in God’s story!
Ash Wednesday is day of repentance, marking the 6 weeks of preparation for Easter, the Resurrection. The Scripture text today serves as God’s call for all His people: “return to me with all your heart ... rend your heart and not your garment...”
It’s not just a fashion to put ashes on foreheads before going to school or work although it’s a good practice to remind us of our mortality, “from ashes we come to ashes we shall return”. The ashes, as symbol, also help to strengthen our desire to repent/return to God.
It’s not merely fasting and restrain ourselves from many worldly luxury... “rend your heart not your garment” (your appearance or outward expressions.)
Ash Wednesday is a heart business, it’s a matter between “me and God” no one else, not even the church. Because when we set our heart aright with God, others (marriage, family, work, social life, and so on) will fall into place.
So, what is there in the heart of our heart? What have I stored in my heart and where do I anchor my heart? Like the loving Father in the story of the prodigal son, God is waiting for us to return to Him, to anchor our hearts in His heart! Joel reminded us “God is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love. Instead of calamity, Today, God is sending out His grace and love to lull us back to Him. Let’s not harden our hearts! Let’s return to God with all our hearts! ~plt060319
https://youtu.be/aAnSmJecnEk

16/11/2018

OUR RESPONSE AND RESPONSIBILITY

“On that day no-one who is on the housetop, with possessions inside, should go down to get them. Likewise, no-one in the field should go back for anything. Remember Lot’s wife! Whoever tries to keep their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life will preserve it.” Luke‬ ‭17:31-33‬ ‭NIV

Zayn Malik, a British-Pakistani singer, like many others millennials declared few days ago that he doesn’t subscribe to any religion, he stills believe in God, but not hell.

I do wish I can deny hell too. I would prefer skip this passage ...

But as I try read the Bible from God’s heart, God’s character... surely God’s desire is to love, not to punish.(John 3:16-17).

Yet to enjoy the full extend of His love, I believe it requires our response and responsibility. At such, the presence of hell is undeniable. In fact, hell has started the moment we turn away from God, when we depart from all His goodness, love and grace ... The Good News is we can always return to God before we are fully swallowed by hell. Let’s be aware that we may be call off from this life anytime ... that’s why Jesus reminds us to be ready always...

Our response: Trust and put God first, not on our material possessions nor our ability. We can’t bring them with us nor we’ll need them in eternity... either in hell or in heaven.

Our responsibility: we can’t live our life as we please. God has designed for us a beautiful life and equips us with His grace so we can live this life to the fullest. Jesus said, “...I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John‬ ‭10:10‬ ‭NIV

What will be your response...?

May we continue to trust God .... and be open (and be responsive ) to Him as He unfold the beauty of life He has in store for us! ~plt161118

16/10/2018

WHAT IS INSIDE YOU ...?

“You foolish people! Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also? But now as for what is inside you – be generous to the poor, and everything will be clean for you.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭11:40-41‬ ‭NIV

What do I care more? The outside or the inside...? If God will to look into my heart and mind now, what will He see...?

I guess the best indicator will be the way we budget our time and our money. How much time and money do we spend making us look good? How much time do I use to tend my soul: my inner life? Do I care how God look at me? And care for others as how Jesus would care for them? Or Do I care more how will people look or think of me?

God will never be impressed by our outward appearance, for “He looks at our heart.” (1 Sam 16:7)

So, whatshall I do to clean and to care for the inside?

Jesus says, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. (‭John‬ ‭15‬:‭1-2‬ NIV)

Help us to abide in You, Lord! May You cleanse and prune us...so we may be fruitful! ~plt161018

01/09/2018

REMEDIES FOR BOASTFUL

“As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil. If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.” James‬ ‭4:16-17‬ ‭NIV

It seems that James was addressing a group of people who may have gained some success according to the standard of this world. They were shrewd (4:13-16) and were treated as the VIP in the church (ch.2). Apparently, success in making money has made them proud and boastful (v16).

The Chassidic names this, “the sin of entitlement”—When success fails us to see God’s grace and provision’ and makes us feel ‘we deserve” and boastful.

The cure is to see life in God’s framework. Life and all in it as the gift from God. What to boast then? May God grant us a humble heart and a grateful spirit. Helping us to be aware that everything in our life is a gift and was inherited and given by God. May we be grateful for the incredible gifts in our life.

What is “the particular good” James have in mind in this verse then? No boasting?

https://youtu.be/K44trVhtZX4

“I will give thanks to you, LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.” Psalm‬ ‭9:1‬ ‭NIV

~plt010918

30/08/2018

REMEDIES FOR SLANDER AND EVIL SPEAKING

“Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it.” James‬ ‭4:11‬ ‭NIV

“Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies.” Psalm‬ ‭34:13‬ ‭NIV

The gift of speech which distinguishes humanity from all other living creatures is the most vital instrument in civilization. At the same time, it’s also the most formidable weapon for the destruction of society. This is one of the main point in James letter—to control our tongue.

Slandering each other has its in inception in the garden of eden. Adam accused his wife... Eve blamed it to the serpent. How to find the cure?

Jesus offers God’s love for the cure: first, love God. Second, love people as yourself (Mat 22.36-40). ... “A new commandment... love one another” (John 13:34). His disciples captured this truth and tried to pass down to us. 1 Peter 4:8, “Love each other deeply. Love covers multitudes of sins... (1Pet4:8). 1 John 4:7-8 “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.”

Love doesn’t gossip about sin. Love overlooks minor offenses, recognizes our emotions but is not easily angered. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. (1 Cor 13)

Love enables us to see the glimpse of God’s image in others (James 3:9). This should stop us from slandering others with our deeds and words and our thoughts.

I have failed many times, in many ways. I need God’s mercy. To again and again return to His love—I can’t give what I don’t have. The only cure is: _“Remain in God. God is love. Whoever lives in love, lives in God, and God in them”_ (1 John 4:16b)

~plt300719

https://youtu.be/-ULXGQxb10E

18/08/2018

HOW IS IT WITH YOUR SOUL?

“What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God.”
‭‭James‬ ‭4:1-2‬ ‭NIV

Leadership starts with self-leadership! Self-leading starts with self-knowledge. Self knowledge need to be accompanied by self awareness. Some questions which may be helpful to increase our self awareness: How is it with my soul? What is there in my heart/emotion? In my thought? Why I do what I do? Why I fight and quarrel with others? What do I covet? We need the Spirit to help us—to see our self in the light of God’s love and truth!

St Ignatius introduced the Spiritual Examen and required the Jesuit to do it twice daily—at noon and at the end of the day. The purpose of this reflection was to see God's presence and to discern God’s direction for us. Ignatius believed that the key to a healthy spirituality is to find God in all things and to work constantly to cooperate with God’s will. Today, many other Christian also practice this exercise.

In the Wesleyan tradition, the Founder, John Wesley, also asked the Methodist to do Examen twice a day—morning and evening. He also formed Class meetings and Bands that met weekly. The purpose was the members could support each other and hold each other accountable in their walked with Christ. The main question to be answered was: How is it with your soul? Followed by 22 other questions can be found in the link.

Will that be other way that can help us to grow our awareness of self and of God?

“Test me, LORD, and try me, examine my heart and my mind;” Psalm‬ ‭26:2‬ ‭NIV

~plt180818



https://youtu.be/QNqCvx_T46c

http://restorationchurchonline.com/media/uploads/Resources/Daily%20Examen.pdf

17/08/2018

MAY GOD’S WISDOM RULE IN INDONESIA

“For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.” James‬ ‭3:16-18‬ ‭NIV

Which wisdom is domineering your life: earthly unspiritual or wisdom that comes from heaven?

As we celebrate 73th Independence of Indonesia may we be set free also from earthly wisdom that leads to disorder. May the wisdom of Christ lead our life, our church and our country! Let the peace of God reign!

Lord, we thank and praise You for the many blessings You have bestowed on our nation - blessings that we don’t deserve but which You have showered on us in Your grace and mercy.

Lord God, we desperately need your wisdom. For You promise, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” (James 1:5)

May You continue to have your hand on this nation! May You provide our leaders and all who are in authority with the wisdom to guide us in the right direction. Even if they are not believers, Lord, may You speak to them in different ways so that they make decisions that honor You to promote peace, prosperity and justice in this nation and make our lives better.

May Your peace stay with us as we are approaching the general and presidential elections early in 2019!

Happy Independence Day for all Indonesians! Merdeka! 🇮🇩

~plt170818

https://youtu.be/Xyj4aq-PDgo

16/08/2018

KNOWING GOD AND PERSONAL BRANDING

“If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your heart, don’t cover up the truth with boasting and lying.”
‭‭James‬ ‭3:13-14‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“Don’t tell anyone about this...” said Jesus (Mark 1:44). Jesus didn’t need a self promotion nor personal branding, even when the disciples found out that He was The Christ, the Saviour (Mat 16:18:20).

While on earth, He walked from village to village, town to town faithfully teaching people about God and doing many good deeds—“the blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.” Matt.‬ ‭11:5‬; Cf. Mat 10-11). In those days, good news spred fast. Though bad news, I also dispersed in a competitive rate. Not so sure about today... bad news go viral faster than good news? Therefore people need to shout out and advertise every single good work they have done?

James reminds us: True knowledge of God gives us wisdom that cones security and humility. God knows us before He calls us—this should put our hearts at rest. We don’t need to impress Him nor gain His heart with our performances. We don’t need to see how others are doing and make room for jealousy. The challenge perhaps, we easily shifted the focus from God to our-“self” carried away by personal ambition. Therefore we need others to prove how good we’re doing to the point of boasting, lying and other kinds of evil practices.

Heavenly Father, I pray that I may live this day in your presence and please you more and more.

Lord Jesus, I pray that this day I may take up my cross and follow you.

Holy Spirit, I pray that this day you will fill me with yourself and cause your fruit to ripen in my life: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Holy, blessed and glorious Trinity, three persons in one God, have mercy upon me. Amen. (John Stott’s prayer)

~plt160818

https://youtu.be/LmBcZeUPmSw

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God: this is your spiritual act of ...

14/08/2018

FAITH AND GOOD DEEDS

“Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do? So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.” James‬ ‭2:15-17‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I accepted Jesus to be my Lord and Saviour when I was at Primary 4. I was put to make a decision after reading a Muslim comic about hell. And I knew to escape hell, I need Jesus, the only way to heaven.

One thing that troubled me that time, “what will happen to grandma?” She had died possibly without ever heard about Jesus. To me she was an angel, the kindest person I had known. Without fail, she would feed two crippled brothers who came her house every day. They were unable to make their own living, poliomyelitis since they were infants. In those days, the crippled and the poor were despised. Perhaps the same in the 1st century as well as in today’s 21st civilisation. Grandma didn’t give them the leftovers, but she prepared enough food to feed the family and these two crippled men, as if they, too, were her responsibilities.

Wasn’t hers a living faith? Unreservedly helping the needy, the outcast?

Surely no one will ever have enough good deeds to earn heaven, not even my angel-grandma. Salvation is only by God’s grace. (Later as I grew more mature in faith, I believe somewhere, somehow grandma must have had a divine appointment with Jesus, in her lifetime or in the other realm believing God is all just, all powerful and all loving.)

How about we who claim to know and believe in Jesus, and have been given the eternal life? As the Spirit of Christ lives in us: Do we feel what Jesus felt when He saw the poor and the helpless? Do we do what He did?

When seeing the poor and the destitute, Jesus was moved with compassion because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd (Mat 9:36). When seeing the 5000 hungry followers, He fed them before sending them back to their villages.

John reminded us, “whoever claims to live in Him must live as Jesus did.” 1 John‬ ‭2:6‬ ‭NIV

~plt140818

Prayer of St. Francis with lyrics or Make Me a Channel of Your Peace with lyrics

13/08/2018

THE SIN OF FAVOURITISM

“My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others?

If you give special attention and a good seat to the rich person, but you say to the poor one, “You can stand over there, or else sit on the floor”—well, doesn’t this discrimination show that your judgments are guided by evil motives?”
‭‭James‬ ‭2:1, 3-4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

How well are we handling this tension: To be aware of the charm of the rich and all what their money can do? To be sensitive and compassionate towards the poor and needy without being overwhelmed by their needs?

How can we love both the Haves and the Have-Nots as how Jesus would love them? To relate with them as how Jesus would relate to them? Jesus remained the same when dealing with the Rich Young Ruler and with the poor and the destitute people around Him! He might minister and love each of them differently according to their needs and situation, but He loved them equally for Jesus has no partiality! He came to save all, the rich and the poor!

“Love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you favor some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking the law.” James‬ ‭2:8-9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Lord have mercy! Help us to free from sin of favouritism!

~plt130818

https://youtu.be/NuXsk_mV5ls

Michael W Smith en Amy Grant: Lord, have mercy

09/08/2018

TONGUE AND RELIGION

“Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.” James‬ ‭1:26‬ ‭NIV

He was ridiculed
He was slandered
He was mocked
He suffered physical, verbal, emotional and spiritual abuses!
Yet He remained silent!

He was Jesus! Silence clears the space for the sacred .... Peter testified, “NO ANY DECEIT FOUND IN HIS MOUTH; and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats,” (1 Peter 2:22-23)

If you were in Jesus’ position what would you do? Will your situation worse than Jesus? How good are we in controlling our tongue? In good time? Or when under-pressure?

The same tongue that we use to glorify God should not be used for evil! (That’s include all words or utterances that come out from us in spoken, written, graphics forms etc...

“But no man can tame the tongue — Of another; no, nor his own, without peculiar help from God.” (John Wesley)

May God have mercy! May you Cleanse our hearts and tame our tongues! Help us to be good inwardly and outwardly at all time, in all things and all situations! Especially in using our tongue for good, for God’s glory! ~plt090818

https://youtu.be/mD2PJ0xbAdY