Friday, October 31, 2008

Hold on even when it's tough!

Issac was the son of Abraham and God promised Issac just as He promised Abraham his descendants will be as numerous as the stars in the sky and all the nations will be blessed through him. And God's promise was fulfilled when Jesus came down and died for our sins. Since Issac and Abraham was the ancestor of Jesus, so their descedants include all those who would trust in Jesus. It was a wonderful blessing that God gave to them!


Abraham had the promise of God and Issac inherited the promise because he was the son of Abraham and Sarah and he had his birthright.
Just like this:
Abraham=>Issac


After Abraham died, Issac was married to Rebekah, and they had two sons, the elder one called Esau and the younger one called Jacob. According to the customs and traditions(not from the mouth of God), Esau being the eldest has the birthright, and he is suppose to "inherit" the promise of God when Issac dies. So the chart will be like this:


Abraham=>Issac=>Esau


However, Esay did not inherit the promise. Why? Lets focus on Esau and Jacob's life from here on..


Esau was the eldest son of Issac, He is a cunning hunter and a man of the field. In the original Hebrew text, Esau is known as a wild and undisciplined man,and Jacob is a plain man who dwells in tents, known as a quiet and mature individual who is sensible, diligent, dutiful and peaceful. But Issac favored Esau.


So one day, when Jacob cooked some stew, Esau came back from the field and he was starving and faint. So Esau asked Jacob to feed him. And Jacob asked Esau to sell him his birthright if he wants food. Because of that, Esau sold his birthright to Jacob and he later on became the one who rightfully inherited that wonderful promise, thus changing the arrow chart like this:


Abraham=>Issac=>Jacob


Esau forsaken that wonderful promise because of FOOD! Esau gave up his birthright! And later on he'll be the father of the Edomites instead of the Israelites(the people of God). How sad is that?!


That's history but it still is the same. The natural heart who doesn't have God, like Esau, couldn't not see the value on the things of God, the promises and things of God are vague, powerless, valueless. But the heart that longs for God, like Issac, will be able to see the valueble worth of following God and cherishing His things and will fight for it.
Therefore, hold on to God even when it is tough! Don't be like Esau who has forsaken that wonderful promise because of his immediate "needs". But rather look towards God and depend and trust and hold on to His promises, just like Issac.
HOLD ON EVEN WHEN IT IS TOUGH!









Tuesday, October 28, 2008

The Value of the World.

Today I'm going to introduce you to my very very good friend and brother in Christ. meet ROBERT:



















Just look at his smile you know he's one funny and nice guy. hahaha

However, we won't be focusing on Robert this time, but rather on what he told me.

While we were talking, he told me that he was very nervous about the training that he is going to have on Friday because he needs to explain to 10 people about the programs and stuff, and he is scared because he knows that these people will ask a lot of questions. So I joke with him saying won't Pastor Kenneth be more nervous since he has 10x more people to talk to than him. When Robert replied, it really touched my heart and make me realize the a truth the World is having. He said:
in church no one asked so many questions when the Pastor preaches, but in the office, everybody is concern about their money so they asked a lot.
People get really concerned when it comes to things that are dear to them. The statement above shows people that are really concern about money. When people are concerned about their studies, they read and read and ask and ask alot alot of questions, they work hard to get good results. When people are really concern about their children they want them to report to them what happened and what they did. When people are concerned about somethings, they just can't help themselves but to care for it much more.

and the problem starts here..

How bout our church? Do you see many people discussing about the sermon and ask questions? Do you see them as concern about it? Do you see them as fire up as they would if it is about their money, children and so on?

Many people in the world value materialistic things in the world more than God. They treat as if money, friendship, pleasures are more important than God. Maybe sometimes it is just we don't realize about it.

But I believe it is time to do something about it.

Let our actions show our passions.