Being A Sunday School Teacher

Hi everyone! I hope you are in a great and healthy condition!

I would like to share my great experience as a Sunday School Teacher in one of Indonesian churches. I hope this post can enlighten you not only how valuable this ministry but also how important today's generation (Z generation). (All ministries are valuable, don't get me wrong!)

I started this ministry in the middle of 2014 and ended in April 2015 due to my exchange program to Japan. This ministry is very tough and challenging for me because being a Sunday School Teacher is almost the same like being an elementary-student teacher, in which you have to be knowledgeable, patient, loving, fun, and the most important thing is you have to be responsible to God about whatever you have taught.

In addition to those challenges, this verse is a very basic and scary (for me) truth simultaneously as a Sunday School Teacher:

"It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were cast into the sea than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin." 

Luke 17:2 - ESV

Some people mocked me as well, "You are pedophile!" or Be careful! you will be childish like them." And so on...

Despite those mockeries, challenges, and fears, I have two main reasons why I am still so passionate to serve in this ministry:

First, there is a great need in this ministry. There is a need for this young generation. However, you do not have to be a Sunday School Teacher Hopefully, this five-minute video will give you some ideas about today's generation.

Second, this reason may seem silly and exaggerating for you. My second reason to join this ministry is I want to recall and cherish my childhood's memories. Until now, I cannot remember what I had done when I was a kid, therefore this ministry has brought back a glimpse of my childhood. Moreover, God gave me wisdom on how to live as a good child who respect my parent and how to be nurture my child in the future.

These children desperately need YOU!

Last but not least, keep up your ministry! Keep serving God! There are many ministries, but we have one God!

"Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord." 

(Romans 12:11 - ESV)

Have a wonderful day!

God bless you!

Brian Bernadi

brian.bernadi@yahoo.com

Forgiving Over Healing

It has been nearly a month I have not written on my blog again. I am so sorry because I needed to do my thesis or final report, which was killing me softly. Lol...

Anyway, a few days ago, the weather was not so friendly in Jakarta. Flood and immobilization were everywhere. That was really scary, it was like the end of the world. Lol... Thanks God, slowly but sure, the weather seems friendly and better lately.

Today, I am going to share with you a truly "strange" story, if I can say. Lol... I take this story from Luke 5:17-26 with a title "Jesus Heals A Paralytic." For further stories about healing, please take a look at some stories such as "Jesus Heals A Centurion's Servant" on Luke 7:1-10 (this is one of my favorite stories of faith) and "Jesus Cleanses A Leper" on Matthew 8:1-13.

Generally, those healing stories are almost the same in terms of plot; but if you look and study attentively on the story of "Jesus Heals A Paralytic", you will find out something noticeable and different with other healing stories.

And when he saw their faith, he said, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.”

That sentence will be the climax and the strange point of this passage simultaneously. The statement came from Jesus when He saw the paralyzed man lying down right before Him. 

Do you think it is odd with Jesus' saying? Why? Just imagine if you put your shoes on the paralyzed man at that time. He probably mumbled to Jesus, "Are you stupid or crazy? I am asking you to heal my sickness, why do you say my sins are forgiven not my sickness are healed?!"

That is Jesus, friends. As I read and contemplated His Words time to time, I did realize that Jesus' sayings are very unique and deep in meaning. That is why some of my pastors ever said that reading Bible is always interesting if you want to dig in deeper and deeper. Whatttt?!?!

If we observe the context of this passage thoroughly, those people believed that sickness is largely caused by sins. Moreover, those people only knew and believed a faith that Jesus can only heal sick people, not forgive people's sins. It was because the one who can forgive people's sins is God alone, not Jesus.

This passage is trying to disclose that God or Jesus can do both healing and forgiving. Even, Don't be people who merely believe that Jesus can heal us, but let us believe that Jesus can also forgive our sins no matter how sinful and how bad we are. 

Jesus is trying to reveal that healthy spiritual life is much more important that healthy physical life. Our physical health is just a bonus from God, yet the most important things is our soul and our life have been redeemed fully by Jesus on the cross.

Do not get me wrong. We can still put our faith on God's healing, miracles, or in any areas, but salvation matters as well. FAITH to be healed is completely fine, but FAITH to be forgiven by God is needed and required.

Let's ask for His forgiveness and live our lives as a VICTOR not a VICTIM. We are paid and ransomed not by silver or gold, but we are paid and ransomed by His precious blood and His own body. It is so priceless and valuable, isn't it?

In addition, the way we live our salvation matters a lot. Don't be so naive! Sometimes we only desire and expect blessings and good things from God, but we never want to sacrifice and take up our own cross. Let's take up our own cross, walk in faith, and persevere our salvation. It is free, but it does not mean we can take it for granted. We have to pay the price! 

God bless you!

Have a very nice day!

Leave comments if you have something in mind. I would really appreciate it.

Thank you.

Brian Bernadi

brian.bernadi@yahoo.com

New Year Special Edition: Trusting the Lord

Thanks God we are in January 2015. Let us be grateful for His kind guidance and unfailing love in 2014. Whatever challenges and obstacles happened, God was there for you because He is Immanuel. The good news is He will be there for you in 2015 as well because He is the same yesterday, today, tomorrow, and forever.

In 2014, I got a special message from God on how I should fully surrender and totally submit everything to Him. 

I felt that I was so afraid to take my own steps. It is like I am put in a dark place, and I need God to be my light and to direct my steps. I felt like I am so confused and I need Him to show me the way. 

At that time, I always try to invite Him and let He takes control everything. In every prayer, I always ask Him, "God, please open my eyes, my ears, and my hearts. Help me to see from Your perspectives. Help me to hear Your whispers. Help me to feel with Your heart. I need you Lord."

My message will be very simple, "Trust the Lord!" Trust His perfect plans! No one knows their future, even what will happen tomorrow.

Today is a brand new day in 2015. Let us start with our Almighty God. It may not be easy, but God promises He will be there for you and me.

When we raise our hands up to the Heaven, God will reach His hands down to us. He loves us!

When everything seems impossible, He can turn it around. Nothing is impossible with God. He is the creator of universe.

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."

Jeremiah 29:11 - ESV

God bless you!

Brian Bernadi

brian.bernadi@yahoo.com

@brian_bernadi

Ig: brian_bernadi

FB: Brian Bernadi

Christmas Special Edition: Why Should He Come to The World?

Time flies so fast, doesn't it? I believe some of us may say, "Oh my God, it is already December." In addition to that, we will step into a brand new beginning and a brand new "chapter of life" in 2015. Are you ready for that?

How are you? I hope you are great today!

Yeeeaaayyy! Christmas is coming... Christmas is coming...

It is always my great joy to celebrate Christmas. Why? I do not know. I just fall in love with this sweet atmosphere. Beautiful decorations, lovely songs, splendid Christmas tree, and joyful Christmas service enliven this amazing moment.

I would like to share with you about a story of why God should come to the world as an ordinary human.

There was a man who did not believe Christmas. He was a kind-hearted and faithful man to his family. He ever questioned to his wife,

"I do not understand why extraordinary God wants to be an ordinary human. That does not make any sense for me."

At Christmas eve, his wife and his children attended a Christmas service. The man rejected to accompany them. When his family was in the point of leaving the house, snow started to fall down. A few minutes later, he was shocked by a knock on a window. When he checked it out, he found out a flock of birds fell down helplessly in the midst of cold snow. They were trapped in blizzard and stroke the window when they wanted to find a shelter. 

"I cannot not let them in coldness", the man thought. "But, how can I help them out?" After that, he remembered a stable of his child's pony. "The stable must be able to give warm protection. 
He opened the door widely and turned on the light. However, the birds did not come into the stable. 




"Food may be able to direct them", he assumed. So, he ran into his house, took breadcrumbs, and spread them to the snow in order to make trails to the stable. However, he was very shocked because the birds neglected the breadcrumbs and kept jumping in coldness. 
The man tried to herd them as a dog herds a flock of sheep, yet they spread here and there and went away from the stable.
"They consider me as a strange and frightening man", uttered the man under his breath. "And I cannot come up with any other ways to tell them that they can fully trust me. If I had been a bird just for a few minutes, I might have brought them to a safer place." 
At the same time, a church bell rang and the man knelt down and cried out "Now, I know why extraordinary God wants to become an ordinary human."

This message shows us clearly about the importance of Christmas. God shows up himself through Jesus Christ. Jesus came to this world and became human, so He can help us, sinners. He understands our needs, your feeling, and everything. HE COMES FOR YOU AND ME!
What is our response to His birth? 

Merry Christmas! Have a great holiday!

Jesus Bless You!

Brian Bernadi

brian.bernadi@yahoo.com

"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

Pray Fervently: Daniel In The Lion's Den

How are you my loyal readers? Lol.. For those who are new readers, I welcome all of you to my spiritual, nor religious blog. Today's post is created when I taught Sunday School children at my local church on October 19, 2014.

To be honest, I do not study deeply on The Book of Old Testament, especially The Prophets parts. You may agree that Old Testament is truly boring and difficult-to-digest book. However, as I read attentively and try to fully comprehend the book of Daniel--especially chapter 6:1-29 about "Daniel In The Lion's Den, I begin to understand the power of Faith and Prayer. It is a life-changing God's instrument.

If you read thoroughly from the first chapter, you will find that Daniel is a strong prayer man. He loves God and comes before Him regularly (three times a day). In chapter 6:1-29, you will find more about his unfailing faith and his amazing prayer life.

Please read this exciting passage because I will only emphasize on some important things. In this chapter, you will find Daniel still prays to God, eventhough he hears the bad news stated "whoever does not obey King Darius's commands, he or she will be thrown into the lion's den." He prayed even harder and put his faith to God alone. What a total submission we see.

In climax, Daniel was thrown into the lion's den. There, he did not feel afraid at all, instead he prayed fervently to God for protection. As you may guess, Daniel was totally saved by God's angel and came out from the lion's den flawlessly.

The passage tells us that God is able and willing to set His people free from fear. Daniel's way of life will hardly be found in today's world where people are getting busier and busier, however, God will empower and strengthen to do so. Daniel showed his loyalty to God despite in the midst of problems and challenges.





The crucial point of today is we can learn together that Daniel kept praying faithfully although he did not know what would lay ahead in his future. He did not know that he would be safe and sound in the lion's den. He did not know how God can save him from those roaring lions. He did not know anything about God's divine plans, yet one thing to be true is that he knew exactly that God would never leave him nor forsake him. He knew that God is there and is fighting for him.

Here is a great song that God is as far as a prayer, yet it is in Bahasa.

Questions to you now are:

1. Do you pray regularly (day and night)?

2. Do you pray because you long to communicate with God?

3. Do you pray by faith and trust His perfect plan?

4. Do you pray at night and say Amen in the next morning?

"Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!
    Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!"

(Psalms 34:8 - ESV)

Have a nice day!

God bless you!

Brian Bernadi

brian.bernadi@yahoo.com