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

Special Passover: CRAZY LOVE

Nice to meet you again in this great week. Today's post will tell you how "Crazy" His love to us. Here are some "Crazy" loves God has done:


1. A Woman Who Caught in Adultery (Matthew 8:1-11)
And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.”

2. Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus (Luke 22:51)
But Jesus said, “No more of this!” And he touched his ear and healed him.

3. Jesus Was Crucified (Luke 23:34)
And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”





Then questions come up:
Will you be the one who sells Jesus? (Judas Iscariot)
Will you be the one who disowns Jesus? (Simon Peter)

But, good news is God has risen! God is alive!
He has sacrificed His life for you and me!
What is your proper response to His resurrection?

Love one another: just as God has loved you, you also are to love one another.

Facts of Crucifixion

Inspired by: GKYJGV & CHC

Some recommended songs:
1. We Are The Reason
2. Karya Terbesar
3. Karena SalibMu
4. Anugerah Terbesar
5. All Things New

Have a great Passover!

Brian Bernadi

God Is So Great, Isnt't He?

Hi readers! I hope you are well now. Before you read my blog further, I want to thank you in advance to keep reading my blog. It is my pleasure to share with you guys.

One day, Katie, my 3-years-old grand daughter, said something shocking to her daddy and mummy. They were shocked about her full-theological statement. She said to them, "Daddy and mummy have sisters whom already passed away. Then God brought them to Heaven to live with Him. God is great, isn't he?"

God's power is indeed awful and miraculous, however, that thing is simple enough so it can be understood by children. In Katie's immature thought, she can realize that God can do something miraculous; it means that God is so great indeed. With her simple comprehension, Katie can know that God has done amazing things when He brought her aunties to Heaven.

How frequent we dwell quietly in the midst of this high-technology era, while we are captivated and say: "God is so great." Probably, it is rare nowadays. 

"God's power is miraculous and incomparable, yet it is real for us to realize it.

God's power gives us a reason to worship Him"

(JDB)

"You are God.

    Lord, only you are God.

You made the sky and the highest heavens

    and everything in them.

You made the earth

    and everything on it.

You made the seas

    and everything in them.

You give life to everything.

    All the heavenly angels bow down and worship you."

Nehemiah 9:6 - ERV 

 

"Our God is awesome

He reigns from Heaven

By wisdom, power, and love

Our God is really awesome"

(Mullins)

"God does everything with manifestations of simplicity and power"

(Tertullian)

God is so great, yeah

 

How Great Is Our God (World Edition)

Have a nice day!

God bless you

Source: Allah Itu Hebat Ya!

Cheers,

Brian Bernadi

@brian_bernadi

Grace vs Wage

Antonio Salieri

An opera "Amadeus" is about an 18th-century composer who was trying to comprehend God's will. Antonio Salieri is a virtuous man who has a sincere desire to be able to create a majestic and magnificent music, but he was not awarded any talent to do it. He was resentful because God awarded the "amazing" talent to a delinquent guy named Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

In the opera, a question came up, the same as Job asked oppositely. The writer of Job asked why God punished virtuous people in the whole world; while the writer of Amadeus asked why God gave an unworthy people to receive that gift.

Scandal of grace is discussed on a parable of the workers in the vineyard and unfair wages. 

"About five in the afternoon he (landowner) went out and found still others standing around. “He said to them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard.'" (Matthew 20:6-7-NIV). 

The workers who had worked a whole day grumbled when they knew that they received the same wages. 

"‘These who were hired last worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.'" (Matthew 6:12-NIV)

This story does not make any sense economically. HE gives us the parable of grace which is uncountable as if wages for a work. 

GOD gives us grace, not wages.

God, sometimes I forget that love, blessing, or forgiveness which I received from YOU are not because of my work.

YOU have poured out your blessings to me as a gift, not a wage.

A word of worthy does not prevail in God's grace

A song from Hillsong: Scandal of Grace

God bless you!

Brian Bernadi

Do Not Bother Yourself, God!

One day, I met a man who was in a difficulty brought many books in his hands. Assuming he would need a favor, I offered a help for him. Nevertheless, he said immediately, "Oh, do not bother yourself. I could do it."

"Wow, he was so strong. I wonder I can say so as well." he murmured in his heart. His ability to take up his burdens by himself imprints a strong impression in my life. Personally, "Not will be impressive as well if we uttered to good God, "Do not bother yourself, God! I can handle it?"

It will not. This "politeness" is not necessary in relation with God. When someone states, "Do not bother yourself, God" this means he / she relies or depends on their own power.

Bible warns us to neglect that attitude;

"Then they will leave like the wind and go on to fight against other places. The only thing the Babylonians worship is their own strength.”

 (Habakkuk 1:11-ERV)

Probably, nowadays, our Father in Heaven is standing in front of your door's heart. Because of His great compassion, He knocks it. Listening to His knocking, we realize that there are still messes inside our heart and we panicked, "Oh my God, He has come. He will see this mess and think that I am not responsible over my life!" Then, we are busy to set up here and there with an effort to rearrange our life. We ask God to hold on and say "Yes God, wait a minute, I need to set up some things first."

However, amazingly, we are not obliged to do that!

God is omnipresent. He already knows our mess, even before He came in and set up our life. He wants us to embroil Him in every detail of our life, even in every small decision.

So, the prayer will be, "Come in God, you see, ehm, I have made a mess here and there. I am sorry, God. Come in and please set up everything."

At that moment, we rely on His power, not our own power and strength.

God Bless You!
Brian Bernadi

"I will never leave nor forsake you"

"On July 7, 2011, I fled from my home because my father wanted to kill me, my brother, and my mother by burning our home. At 11 p.m, we fled to a sister of mother's home nearby. We did not bring anything. We only had a shirt that we wore, cellphone, and wallet respectively. We only had 200,000 Rupiah. We were desperate and resentful. It seemed this life was so painful.

Albeit God still showed his participation and compassion. In the midst of nothing and inability, God sent His blessings through surrounding people. A lot of people shared shirts, bags, books, and many more. We, who only brought a shirt and 200,000 Rupiah, now we had laptop, guitar, TV, fridge, AC, and many more at our "new home". Moreover, there were many shirts in a single wardrobe. Although my mother was merely an ordinary private teacher and my father that supported us back then, but we realized God cares to us.

Where did the supports come? God's blessings.

For everyone who read this story, Don't fear and worry. God can transform impossibility into possibility. If you are struggling with finance, family, school, friend, or whatever it is...

Pray, lean, and hope to God. An ordinary man will always cause disappointment and can not be hoped, but God is the ONLY source of your HOPE. Be strong! God will never let you walk alone, He holds your hands..."

(edited) Source: Hanna Rumawan

http://www.warungsatekamu.org/2012/07/penyertaan-tuhan/

Additional song: PenyertaanMu Sempurna

God bless you :D

Brian Bernadi

God Says No?

" I ask God to get rid of my agony...

God says NO. It is not meant to removed, but you have to conquer it...

I ask God to give me patience...

God says NO. Patience is a result of hardship. It is not given, it is learnt...

I ask God to give me delight...

God says NO. I give you blessings. Happiness depends on you...

I ask God to put me away from suffering...

God says NO. Suffering brings you far away from worldly things and brings you closer to Me...

I ask God for everything, so I can enjoy my life...

God says NO. I will give you a life, so you can enjoy everything...

I ask God to love people as God loves me...

God says, Finally.. you get it..."

Psalms 37:1-4 (AMP)

Fret not yourself because of evildoers, neither be envious against those who work unrighteousness (that which is not upright or in right standing with God).

 

For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.

Trust (lean on, rely on, and be confident) in the Lord and do good; so shall you dwell in the land and feed surely on His faithfulness, and truly you shall be fed.

Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He will give you the desires and secret petitions of your heart.

Have a wonderful day guys.

Godspeed

Brian Bernadi 

Life Is About Choosing

There is a touching poem, as follows:

"When I do not understand God's will, I choose to BELIEVE in God...
When I am depressed by disappointment, I choose to THANK God...
When my plans fall apart, I choose to SURRENDER to God...

When I am about to give up or quit, I choose to STRIVE with God"

(Lifelatos-edited)

Basically, Life is about CHOOSING..

Jeremiah, a writer of Lamentation book, experienced tremendous pressures--to the extent that he said,
"I thought I would never have peace again. I forgot about good things. I said to myself, “I no longer have any hope that the Lord will help me.” (17-18 - ERV)

 




  

He could not change or avoid those pressures.. Whereas he can choose to be HOPEFUL in God. He focused himself to God's faithfulness, as on verses 21-23 below:
"But then I think about this (His faithfulness) and I have hope: We are still alive because the Lord’s faithful love never ends. Every morning he shows it in new ways! You are so very true and loyal!"



As long as you want to disclose your conscience and look your life with clearer thoughts; you will find a way to thank God.

Have a good day!
God bless :D

Brian Bernadi