your labor is not in vain

I was cleaning up my files when I saw this writing, dated September 8, 2008. I don't even remember what prompt me to write this, or where I learned it from (Most likely from truthforlife broadcast, or as a response for the video from nooma). I just know that it bless my heart today. So, as you read it, I pray that you may be blessed too.

Remember when Elijah was on Mount Carmel and the LORD demonstrated His power in the form of fire that fell and burned up the sacrifice? (1 Kings 18:38). The response from the people was totally understandable: they fell prostrate and cried "The Lord-he is God! The Lord-he is God!" (v39). But then when Queen Jezebel heard about the things that had happened on the mount, she had a quite different response: She swore that she would kill Elijah the same way as the 450 prophets of Baal was slaughtered.

Elijah might be wondering, how come after the obvious demonstration of God's power, Jezebel still hardened her heart and refused to acknowledge that the Lord is indeed God. What seemed to be a victorious event turned out to be not enough to lead Jezebel and Ahab into repentance. Then Elijah cried out in frustration and prayed that he might die "I have had enough, Lord," he said. "Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors."

In similar ways, many of us who are involved in God's ministry often times deals with frustration similar to Elijah's. We witnessed the Lord at work and we know there is no other appropriate response than to worship and praise Him and hail Him as Lord and King of our lives. But not everyone responded to God in the same way. And like Elijah, we started to think that probably all the sacrifices we made for God were in vain because people were not drawn to Him.

Over and over again, God keep reminding us that it is the Holy Spirit who is at work to turn people to repentance. It is not what we do or say. Over and over again God also reminds us that He delights in our obedience above anything else.

Focus on God, and He will take care of the people (learned from Nana)

Her name is Joy

It's almost 1st year anniversary of the piano in the house, yet I haven't really properly named her. So, yesterday (2/24) I decided that she would be called Joy, because that's what she brings to the house.

I remember 2 years ago when I started to consider a purchase. I was not sure that it will be a good investment, since that time we started to have this economic crisis and lots of other people started to lose jobs. I prayed for it for a while and I was so excited when it finally came! In fact, I was so grateful to the LORD that I 'promise' Him that I will use it to bring glory to God. Specifically, I even committed myself to train people be musicians in worship session at church.

There is this one specific time when I started to forgot about this commitment and was being reminded again by God. Once he reminded me, I started to pray that God would direct me to the person He wants to train to serve. Out of the blue, one of my smallgroup girls came to me and told me that she wanted to be trained, even before I asked her. (I have an Amazing God!)

Anyways, all these time, the instrument has helped me to worship God more often with songs and to have a quiet moment of prayer and reflection. We hosted more music practice for young adult and English service. And.....Oh! It helps me to keep Max busy whenever he's in the house. =)

Thank You God, for bringing "Joy" to the house. May You use us to bless more people with the gift of music.

prayer

This week, I've been listening to CSN international broadcast (88.1 FM, 8 AM) from Truth for Life by Alistair Begg. This past week he was teaching about prayer from the book of Nehemiah. You can hear the entire message on this link:

http://www.truthforlife.org/resources/message/nehemiah-goes-into-action/

Here are some points I learned from the series:

1. Nehemiah 1:4 --> when he learned that the wall of Jerusalem was broken down, he sat down and wept. His action shows a genuine concern and passion for the people of God.

2. Alistair Begg broke down component of prayer into ACTS (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving and Supplication)

Adoration - Nehemiah 1:5

Confession - Nehemiah 1:6 - he confessed sins committed as a nation

Thanksgiving - I don't remember which part of the prayer he used to explain this point

Supplication - Nehemiah 1:11 --> Before the talked to the king, he prayed before the Lord to give him success by granting him favor in the presence of the king. He KNOWS that God is at work in all situation, therefore he asks God to be at work to grant him favor. When we don't have this concept, we will be constantly at our feet trying to move people around instead of on our knees praying to God to be at work.

3. About 4 months later (chapter 2) he looked sad in front of the king. See verse 1 "I had not been sad in his presence before". Nehemiah does his job Joyfully, Prayerfully, and Thankfully. But that day, his sad face made the king asked him the question.

4. ch2v2b "I was very much afraid". Prayer does not always eliminate fear, but it definitely prepares us to move in the right direction.

5. ch2v3b "May the king love forever!" Before he answered the king's question, he properly addressed the king with respect. Sometimes we just forgot to give respect to whom they are due.

6. ch2v4. Nehemiah again prayed to the Lord before answering the king's question "what is it that you want".

7. ch2v7 Nehemiah also asked the king to write him letters for governors and people in power to ease his journey. His prayers for 4 months had made Nehemiah sensible about the details of the needs, hence made it practical to rebuild Jerusalem. We are more often prayed on the spot and our God of mercy answered and helped us instantaneously. Having spend time in prayer for 4 months, however, had better equipped Nehemiah to make a right respond in front of the King.

I think that's all I learned this week (actually I might have learned more, but it will be too confusing to be listed out in writing). I apologize if my writing is too confusing for you to read. I hope I convinced you enough to go to Truth for Life website and listen to the message on your own.

As for what God is doing in my life this year, He had been reminding me to fall on my knees more often.

- I've been spending a lot of time with Max lately. What a prayer warrior he will become....hahaha.....Max lovessss to pray. As we were dining, there will be occasion where Max would bow down in prayer.

- I had a smallgroup meeting with Ko Chris and Tom this morning, and as we were discussing action plans God put in my heart that I need to be praying more (especially because there are not much us humans can do without God's intervention).

- As I ponder about Nehemiah's concern for Jerusalem, I ponder about my concern and involvement in the church building commitment. I am reminded to pray more diligently for our church.

I know it was not a coincidence that last Friday ci Santi was sharing a message about prayer too. God knows I've been having difficulties in my prayer life and he provided me with resources to get started in a more solid prayer life.

Would you care to join with me and hold me accountable?

in Christ,

Fonda

He must become greater, I must become less

During my quiet time, God highlighted a passage from Gospel of John. The reading began after John the Baptist told the crowd that Jesus it the Lamb of God, the Promised One. A lot people started to follow Jesus and some people started to concern about John the Baptist's fading popularity.

Here's John the Baptist's answer to their concern:

'I am not the Christ but am sent ahead of him.' The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom's voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. He must become greater; I must become less. (John 3:28-30, NIV)

In Indonesian Sunday School, we used to sang a song "He must become greater; I must become less". I did not really grasp the meaning of the song until I came to college and started to fall in love with Jesus all over again. But even then, I thought that the song was talking about denying self, and taking up the cross.

During devotion, God showed me another way to look at the verse. He was talking about leaving footprints in people's life. John the Baptist, with no doubt, was a very charismatic preacher. He attracted people to him, he was well received by the crowd (but not by the Pharisees, of course). But when Jesus came, John said "He must become greater; I must become less." While some people concerned about his fading popularity, John knew what matter the most. It didn't matter that he had a lot of followers, but it mattered that he directed as many people as possible to be connected to Jesus.

Since the first time I came to US, God had given me the privilege to join a small group. Recently, He also invited me to lead small group of college students. I've seen people come and go. One of our friends transferred to another state, several sisters went back to Indo for good. Although sense of loss is unavoidable, what matters most is that everyone keep walking with God faithfully.

The passage was an eye-opener for me, since I tend to be emotionally clingy to people. Would you please pray for me to adopt John the Baptist's humble attitude as I continue the ministry of discipleship in the church?

There is a way

I heard this song not too long ago from KLOVE. Loving it!

Hope it bless your heart.....

December vacation

In December, I am grateful...................

that God gave me a chance to spend quality time with my little bro last Christmas. I did go back to Indo earlier in the year 2009, but I have different enjoyment in taking him around Bay Area and Disneyland with me. The moments I enjoyed the most were times when I can see him awed by what he saw and experienced. I enjoyed seeing him so excited to see seals and hawks at Point Lobos, I enjoyed seeing him wanting wait in line to take a picture with Goofy, or to wave at other Disney characters as we watched Christmas parade; or when we ride roller coaster and I can hear him scream at some parts of the ride.

Bottom line is, it is really fulfilling for me to see him enjoying his stay here.

As I reflect on my feelings, I imagine God is also like me. That He enjoys seeing me exploring His creation in awe and seeing me uncovering His plans and purpose with full excitement. Unfortunately, I am not always showing enthusiasm towards His plan nor His creation. I know sometimes God would stir things up around me to get me to react to Him, but my response does not always please Him.

As we start off this year,

let us actively seek Him at work around us, always on alert, make most of every opportunity and seek to respond in ways that are pleasing to Him and

let us receive God's blessing with a grateful heart and by doing so giving the glory back to God.

Oh, be careful!!!

I learned a lesson when attempting to make singkong goreng last week. I just finished peeling and washing and cutting the singkong into pieces, when I took a second look and decided that the pieces are not small enough. So I took my knife and tried to cut them into smaller pieces. Since my cutting board is already on the sink, mingling with all other dirty dishes, I did not bother to use one.

As I was cutting, in the back of my mind I was thinking that it would be way safer to use a cutting board (but of course I was too lazy to wash another). Guess what? When your laziness triumphs over your better judgement, something BAD usually happens. So there I cut my finger :'(

Think about it, how often does this scenario play in our lives? (i.e: I know I should be studying right now, but let me relax a little bit more; or I know I should take my car for service today/this week but I think it can last a little bit longer; or --this is the scariest one-- I know I should stop doing this sinful habit I've been doing but let me just enjoy it for a little bit longer)

Last Tuesday during our small group meeting, we were given an illustration about old self. Imagine your old self is hanging on the cross, dying, but not quite dead yet. Imagine that old self is first asking for a sip of water, then a cup of water, then it proceeds asking to be fed, and before you know it, your old self goes stronger and start to take charge again. We don't want that to happen, do we?

To me, this week, a cut on my finger reminds me of the importance of ergonomics in kitchen to avoid injury. A cut on my finger also reminds me of the pain that would result from delaying to do the right thing. It also reminds me of the importance of immediate response in obedience to the Holy Spirit's prompting in our hearts to prevent our old self to be in control again.

It also reminds me of the song we sang in nursery:

I'm gonna sing when the Spirit says sing,
I'm gonna sing when the Spirit says sing,
I'm gonna sing when the Spirit says sing,
and obey the Spirit of the Lord.

- Delayed obedience is disobedience (PDL)