"Keep On Sharing"

I wish you are doing great today. In Indonesia, the weather is not friendly currently. The weather keeps changing inconsistently from hot to cold and vice versa. For my Indonesia pals, please please be more careful with your condition and stay healthy :)

"Healthy citizens are the greatest asset any country can have"
Winston S. Churchill

Today's post will mostly tell some of my closest friends' experiences on how to keep on sharing Words of God to others. However, I would like to associate it with Paul's story in Corinth. If you open Acts 18:1-22, you will see how Apostle Paul kept sharing God's Words in the midst of many challenges.

Corinth is a quite strategic place for trading. It is flanked by two seas, Sea of Adria and Mediterranean Sea,
Nevertheless, Corinth is knows as a place of worshipping idols. In addition, the Jews did not like Paul's teachings.

As an ordinary person, Paul felt worry and afraid due to those challenging situations. One night, Jesus spoke to him in a vision, says 

"Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent." (v.9)

Nowadays, Paul's feeling seems to be very true. What I know so far, some of missionaries or my acquaintances are facing the same things, both internal and external challenges. But, I found some interesting sayings of my friends about why they keep sharing the Gospel to others, despite those challenges. I am sorry I cannot show you their pictures due to privacy issues.

1. Villyana Rosadi (Sunday School Teacher partner, Indonesia)

"I keep on sharing the Gospel because I have a passion on it. I feel like I owe His goodness, so I want to keep on sharing His amazing story."

2. Christopher Wijaya (Christian brother, Indonesia)

"I keep on sharing the Gospel because I love God. By knowing Him, we will know His goodness, and we will love God for sure."

3. Ridwan Kurniawan (Christian friend, Indonesia)

"I keep on sharing God's words because it is a light that will guide you. His words are alive."

4. Andrew Francis G. (Christian friend in a community, Indonesia)

"I keep on sharing God's words because I want the world to know that I have been saved by His grace, and it's not just for me, but for them too. So, I will keep on telling the Gospel to all nations with everything I have."

5. Ms. Evi (English teacher, Indonesia)

She told me her evangelical journeys. She experienced ignorance from her "disciples" to joyfulness because her "disciples" repent and serve God. I do apologize I just quote some of her essential words, due to space limitation, "Don't let those around us perished because of ignorance and deceitfulness. Let us "work" while we still have the opportunity."

6. Caroline (Cousin, Indonesia)

She told me her ups and downs during her evangelical journeys. Again, I do apologize I just quote some of her essential words. "I keep on sharing Words of God because I am blessed and their (negative) comments are not my business. I just want to be a pleasing God's instrument through sharing His words."

The last two stories come from my friends in Thailand. I met and knew them when I did my exchange program. As you may know, it is very difficult to find Christian fellows there, however, I was lucky to met them there.

5. Mind (Christian friend, Thailand)

"It is like a delicious apple I found in the desert. What would keep me away from sharing a great fruit with my beloved people?" God has mercy on me, as well as everyone out there in the world, so I want them to at least notice that there is still Someone who loves them."

6. Gale (Christian friend, Thailand)

"I personally think that if you have infinite amount of free candy like God's love. Why do you not want to share it with others when you see that they have none and have never tasted the sweetness."

"Personally, I will keep on sharing God's words because it is like a delicious food (you can name it). For me, I will tell my friends or closest one (you can name it as well) to try or taste how delicious the food (the Gospel) is. I do believe if it is a truly delicious food, your friends will love it and share it to another friend automatically."

(Brian Bernadi)

Have a great day!

God bless you :)

Brian Bernadi

brian.bernadi@yahoo.com

The First Christian

I hope this post will find you well. 

Before I share His words, please allow me to share my scary story beforehand. Currently, I am doing internship in a company in Jakarta. To reach the company, I usually ride my faithful motorbike and park it at Joseph Wibowo Center (JWC) campus. After that, I need to take Transjakarta bus in order to arrive at the company. Suddenly, while I was walking across the street carefully to the bus station, I was hit by a careless motorbike driver. Miraculously, I am still alive. Haha. It merely caused some small wounds around my ankle and sprain at my left thigh.

What I want to share with you is, at that time, I automatically reached out the rider's hand to help him to get up. Well, in my opinion, the mistake should go to the rider; however, I just automatically reached out the rider's hand. A classmate of mine said, "Wow, you really apply your faith"

What comes up in your mind when you are called "Hei Christian"?
Are you proud? Are you embarrassed? or Nothing?
Before I continue my story further, I just want to really emphasize that Christian that I shared today is not merely a religion, but it is about an intimate relationship with God.

Today's topic is about Antioch people, who then be called as The First Christian. The passage is quite short, you may read on Acts 11:19-26 thoroughly.There was a terrible persecution on God's followers in Jerusalem after Stephen's death. Stephen is one of many great martyrs at that time because he defended his Christianity before persecutors. He died because of stoning. 

After that, God's followers were scattered, and some of them went to Antioch, speaking God's words to no one except Jews. And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord. The story is very tough, isn't it? What amaze me is the scattered people still share God's words after persecution. What a spirit we see! They still keep their faith.

I also had an experience in this area. When I did my exchange program, I had to pray in the rest room because there is no room available at that time. What a sorrowful story.
The point is wherever I am, even in another city or another country, I want to keep my faith to God. No available room will not hinder me to pray before Him.






My last story comes up when I become a Sunday School teacher. Every Saturday, I have to meditate and prepare my teaching materials on Sunday. While some of friends will enjoy their weekend, I have to "study" very hard on this serious "subject". Again, the point of this story is to keep sharing God's words and my faith. 



No matter how difficult your challenges, keep being a LIGHT of the worlds!
Show your light through your words and deeds!

Have a nice day!
God bless!

Brian Bernadi
brian.bernadi@yahoo.com

A Lifetime Process

Hi friends! I wish you have accomplished great things with God last week :)

On this post, I would like to share about FORGIVENESS. You can read  Do You Forgive Immediately 

about forgiveness as well, but this time I would like to share a little bit deeper on what God means on Matthew 18:21-35.

Forgiveness must issue from the heart (v.35 So also my heavenly Father will do--deliver you to the jailers--to every one of you if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.)

Even in the Lord's Prayer, God says "and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors (Matthew 6:12). "Have forgiven" is in form of Present Perfect Tense, which means "already done or happened at an unspecified time before now."

Forgiveness is a lifetime process. Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times(v.22). Seven is a perfect number. God blessed the seventh day as a Sabbath Day (Genesis 2:2). Moreover, Bible says, "The years of our life are seventy" (Psalms 90:10).

What does it mean?

God longs us to forgive as long as we live on this earth. There is no limitation how many people or how many wrongs we should forgive. If we remember about our transgressions, I do believe we cannot be forgiven, even we have done many good deeds before Him. But God loves us very much by sending His only son, Jesus Christ, to save us. (John 3:16)

I know sometimes we desire to avenge our enemies, but God reminds you and

me  about His ultimate forgiveness on the cross 2000 years ago. No matter how bad people treated Jesus at that time, He said "Forgive them, Father. For they do not know what they are doing."

You can avenge your enemies, but avenge with goodness not evil!

God bless :)

Have a great week ahead!

BB

Importance of Prayer

"A true prayer is about communication with God"

That statement would come across my mind if I were asked what prayer is all about.

There is no exact knowledge or rule on how we should behave while we are praying because prayer is about communication with God. It is about maintaining intimacy. It is about our heart.

Let us see what God says about prayer. There are many verses talking about prayer, for instance, we can see from James 5:13-16 (ESV) under a title of "The Prayer of Faith". 

Then we jump directly to verse 16b, you will see a common verse,

"...The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working." 

Moreover, we can connect this verse with Matthew 11:28 (ESV),

"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." 

Yes, we can come to Him through prayers. God has given us a free-and-easy "tool" to communicate with Him. You can do it everytime and everywhere.

I am not going to tell you what you should say, this time I just want to share what I have experienced before.

Yes, you can trust your best friends or your closest people; apparently only some of them care and have sympathy to you. Most likely, they neglect your story.

Right now, I always try to let God intervene in my whole life, even the smallest aspects. I realize that I am weak and nothing, so I often communicate with God in every moment of my life through prayer. I truly believe through prayers alone, God helps and keeps His promises to me that I can have His eternal peace that comforts me like never before (Philippians 4:7)

Let us pray, and pray, and pray!
Make it your habit! Build your intimacy with God.
Lastly, Enjoy your quiet time with God!

This is a great 50-minutes-sermon from Ps. Philip Mantofa. This sermon will tell you how to pray correctly and biblically. It is in Bahasa anyway, and I got this from a friend of mine. Check it out!

Doa Yang Didengar 

Have a joyful day friends!

God bless you!

BB

Do You Forgive Immediately?

Hi! Hi! Hi!

How are you? I hope you are doing great.

It has been a long time I have not written on my blog again. Well, it is my excuses actually. Never mind about it :)

In this special opportunity, I would like to share to you about "Forgiveness". Yes, it is a classic phrase, yet it is still difficult to do in reality, isn't it? I got this inspiration from my pre-dedication when I will be becoming a Sunday school teacher later, but I revised it a little bit without omitting the essence.

I would not share the whole story of Matthew 18:21-35 to you, but I highly suggest you to read the whole passage; so you can have a bigger and clearer picture. This passage will tell you how God teachers us about "Forgiveness.

"Forgive, so you will be forgiven." 

Above-statement does not mean we receive forgiveness from God by forgiving others for their sins to us. This will make our salvation is conditional. 

Apparently, It is the other way around! Above-statement shows that spirit of forgiveness is a characteristic of forgiven people--you and me.

I know it is not easy to forgive someone. Forgiveness is a process of lifetime. I found myself in bitterness and hatred many times.

By sharing this story, I am not saying that I can easily forgive my enemies. I am also still learning how to forgive wholly and sincerely. The very reason I want to share this because I realized God has forgiven me before. We are sinners. We do not deserve God's mercy. We are not worthy to be saved. But.... God showed His mercy and forgive us anyway. It is still questionable indeed, yet that is God's unconditional love for you and me. 

Here is a great song about "Forgiveness". Do check it out. It really inspires me a lot. Every time I cannot forgive my enemies, I always listen to this song. I also add a background why Matthew West wrote this amazing song.

Forgiveness by Matthew West

Behind The Scene of Forgiveness Song

To end my story, I would give you the same questions I asked to myself before:

1. How deep and meaningful God's forgiveness to our life?

2. How would you react to this truth? What will you do next?

"To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you"

Lewis B. Smedes*

*more quotes from Lewis about "Forgiveness" 

Have a great day!

God bless you.

Cheers,

BB 

A "Special" Day

How are you readers?

I hope you are well :)

It has been a long time, almost two weeks, I have not written a post on my blog. To be honest, I got a lot of projects this semester, even I got migraine (again) as a "side effect" of those time-consuming projects.  Lol. I also struggled with my spiritual walk with God lately. Hopefully, the upcoming blog will be telling you about my struggles.

Today's story or topic is about Sabbath Day. Sabbath or Sunday (Saturday at that time) is a unique day because it is fixed holiday for almost all people, isn't it? But, do you know exactly the truth behind this unique or special day? If no, let us see the great mystery God wants you to know clearly.

First of all, you may wonder why I chose this unique topic. Well, I got this topic when I had my practical exam as a Sunday school teacher in my church. I found this topic is so interesting to me. I do hope and believe that this topic will also be interesting, and it can enhance your understanding about the true meaning of Sabbath Day.

Sabbath simply means "rest". Do you think that Sabbath or Sunday is a rest day? Do think that Sunday is a day to sleep or do nothing?

However, if you look carefully on the original translation (Hebrew language); the verb shâbath denotes ‘rest,’ not in the positive sense of relaxation or refreshment, which is nûaḥ, but in the negative sense of cessation from work or activity.

"Remember and Keep the Sabbath Holy"

Exodus 20:8

As you can see, God includes this commandment as one of "Ten Commandments". It simply means that this commandment is very crucial and important.

Moreover, if you see the place or the order of this commandment (fourth commandment); God did not put it unintentionally on the fourth. Clearly, it is in the middle of "Ten Commandments", whereby God wants His people to prioritize Him by coming to church (God), worshipping Him, and so on, and concurrently God wants His people love their neighbours by doing good things (Man).

God also sets an example how we should behave towards Sabbath Day. On Matthew 12, God shows that doing good things on Sabbath is very allowed. At that time, Pharisees created many rules to limit the true meaning of Sabbath Day; while Jesus justifies and clarifies it.

There are plenty of stories about what God implies on Sabbath Day from Old Testament (Creation Day), Prophets, and all the way to New Testament. I will not share all the stories, but you can check it as your references.

The main of today's message  will refer back again to what has been told on Exodus 20:8

"Remember and Keep The Sabbath Holy"

Sabbath is indeed a special day. God gives you a "independent" day  to take a "rest". As what God has exemplified, God wants you to love Him and to love your neighbours (Golden Rule).

Let us have a brand new perspective of Sabbath Day.

Let us response this "free" day by worshipping Him, having  a great fellowship with congregation, and know Him deeper. It  is only one day out of seven days. It is only 24 or less hours out of 168 hours.

Let us be joyful and grateful for this "freely-given" day.

God created Sabbath for you and me to refresh your soul and mind with His fresh anointings. 

These are some songs about God's special day:

1. Today Is The Day - Lincoln Brewster (English)

2. Hari Ini Harinya Tuhan (It's a Sunday school song)

Have a nice day!

God bless!

Brian Bernadi

Do What The Word Says

Howdy! How are you this week?

I do hope you did amazing things with God. Through this opportunity, I would like to say 'Happy Ascension Day of Jesus Christ'. I am not going to discuss this topic further, but you can recall to Acts 2 about Ascension Day and The Fellowship of The Believers. This great opportunity, I would like to share with you how to be doers of God's words than to be only hearers. Check this out! 

For some people, reading the Bible is an unpleasant chore because their perception of the Bible's message is "Do this; do that; do this other. And do more of this and more of that and more of the other." The effect is only a building of stress and guilt. On the other hand, some people find Scripture to be indeed the perfect law that gives freedom.

22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 

25 But whoever (1) looks intently into the perfect law (Scriptures) that gives freedom, and (2) continues in it—(3) not forgetting what they have heard, but (4) doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. 

(James 1:22-25--NIV)

The better alternative of being "doers" (RSV) is introduced in 1:22 (22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.) and then described further in 1:25 (25 But he who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer that forgets but a doer that acts, he shall be blessed in his doing.). 

The initial imperative in 1:22, Do not merely listen to the word. . . . Do what it says, probably again recalls parts of Jesus' own sermons, such as

Matthew 7:21-27 (21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.)

and

Luke 6:46-49 (47 As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like.48 They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built.)

The chief fact which James emphasizes about doers of the word is that they will be blessed.

These are the steps to take first with Scripture, so that Scripture can then reorder the rest of one's life.

1. Looks intently. We will search the Scriptures. We can go beyond a superficial devotional reading. We will bother to learn sound principles of inductive study so that we can dig deeply into the word and feed ourselves from Scripture.
2. Continues. We will stay in Scripture. We can learn to be regular and habitual, rather than occasional, in our Bible study.
3. Not forgetting. We will learn Scripture. We can study it so as to know its content and to remember it in our daily lives. Memorizing Scripture passages is an excellent discipline for the practice of this third step.
4. But doing. We will apply Scripture. We can afford to leave our mirrors behind because our reflections are useless. But Scripture is another matter. We need it in our daily lives. We will take Scripture into our thinking, submit our minds to it and formulate our beliefs by what it says. 

We will make decisions by Scripture--about how we will respond to trials, what goals we will pursue, how we will spend time and money, how we will use our tongues. We will dare to live by the word of God.

Source: Commentaries on James 1:22-25

Have a great day!

Jah Bless!

Cheers,

Brian Bernadi

In His Perfect Time

Howdy lovely readers! I hope you are well :D

Perhaps, some of you already know and hear this phrase (In His Perfect Time) a hundred times. Included me as well.

Through this opportunity, I just want to emphasize or remind you more and more. Indeed, God's time is mysterious; yet it will beautiful in the end.

If we are talking about His perfect time, we need to retrieve God's sayings on Ecclesiastes 3. Moreover, God put a stress on verse 11 below,

"He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end." 

Here is some commentaries on Ecclesiastes 3, Commentaries.

Today, will you fear God? Will you entrust yourself to Him? Will you depend upon Him for everything? Will you acknowledge that His timing is everything to you?

These are some superb songs which show how beautiful God's time is:

1. In His Time (lyrics)

"In His time, in His time
He makes all things beautiful in His time
Lord, please show me everyday
As You're teaching me Your way
And I'll do just what You say (what a great faith it is)
In Your time"

2. Beautiful (lyrics)

"Maybe it’s not my place to understand

the workings of God, His divine and mysterious perfect plan

All I know is that He’ll work things out for good somehow

He’ll make it good somehow"

Best regards,

Brian Bernadi

Mother's Day Special Edition: Don't say it, Prove it!

How are you? I hope you are in your very best! If you love your mother, please read thoroughly my brief share today.

Today is the second Sunday of May, which means it is International Mother's Day! Yes, it is a big celebration in some countries founded by Anna Jarvis, but personally we have to celebrate Mother's Day everyday. Agree?

Who is mother for you? A teacher? A protector? A hero? A role model? She is everything, isn't it? 

I do believe your mother must be great, eventhough you do not consider so. 

"Let your father and mother be glad;

    let her who bore you rejoice."

(Prove 23:25- ESV)

Probably, you have heard about Mother's Day messages a hundred times or even a thousand times, yet it is not easy to apply it into a real life, is it? Moreover, I do hope you do not do as the picture above; especially age 14 and 18.

My share today would be very simple, just PROVE your LOVE genuinely. You still have time to say "I love you" and prove it. Otherwise, you will regret and cannot say anything when she is already gone.
Inquire yourself now, Do I already make her happy? Do I already make her proud of me? Am I there when she needs me?

Happy Mother's Day! 

For those who do not have mother, I do believe your mother loves you much more you could possibly imagine.

Here is a video from Keith and Kristin Getty about A Mother's Prayer and the lyric! It is so touching!

Even some international artists composed a song to show their dedication to every mother in the world:

1. Ting Mama De Hua / Listen To Mother's Words (Eng Sub) by Jay Chou

"List to Mother's words

Do not let her get hurt

Want to quickly grow up then I can protect her"

2. A Song For Mama (With Lyrics) by Boyz II Men

"Mama, mama you know I love you.

Mama you're the queen of my heart

Your love is like tears from the stars"

Brian Bernadi

God bless you!

Another Helper

Nice to have you again.. Hope you are great!

It has been a week from Jesus resurrection. What the greatest news for those who believe in Him.

Jesus loves us so much, hence He does not want to leave nor forsake us. He promised us "another helper" to be with us. 

He will be your

• Helper (ESV),
• Friend (The Message),
• Advocate (NIV),
• Comforter-Intercessor-Counsellor-Strengthener-Standby (Amplified Bible).

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you." (ESV)

As you are a new creation in God, you are not a slave of sins anymore. God has set you free from sins.

"Therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.

"If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you."

"For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”

What are you going through right now? Health problem, financial crisis, marriage problems, study problems, or...

Let the Holy Spirit set you free! Soften you heart, let the Holy Spirit leads you.

While waiting, expect the best of it to happen soon and just get ready to get it.

Let this video to walk in Spirit of Living God daily! The Spirit and Holy Spirit You Are Welcome Here

God bless you!
Have a nice day!
Brian Bernadi