STOP ......, START ......

STOP playing, START praying
STOP feasting, START fasting
STOP complaining, START praising

let's seek GOD more than before


SHARED BY
Al.Kira

Atheist said "GOD IS NOWHERE" But Actually They Want to Say "GOD IS NOW HERE"

An atheist printed a word on his wall:
"God is Nowhere!!"

His 5 years old son spell the word:
"G-O-D = GOD
I-S = IS
N-O-W = NOW
H-E-R-E = HERE"
(GOD IS NOW HERE)

He soon realize something and not a long from then he gave his heart to Jesus.
Matthew 21:16

God bless you and Keep Winning!!!!


SHARED BY
Al.Kira

Jesus will Save His People (Yesus Akan Menyelamatkan Umatnya)

"Al Imran 3:55"

إِذْ قَالَ اللَّهُ يَا عِيسَى إِنِّي مُتَوَفِّيكَ وَرَافِعُكَ إِلَيَّ وَمُطَهِّرُكَ مِنَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا وَجَاعِلُ الَّذِينَ اتَّبَعُوكَ فَوْقَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا إِلَى يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ ثُمَّ إِلَيَّ مَرْجِعُكُمْ فَأَحْكُمُ بَيْنَكُمْ فِيمَا كُنْتُمْ فِيهِ تَخْتَلِفُونَ

(Idz qaalallahu yaa Isa, innii mutawafiika, wa raafi?uka ilayya, wa muthahhiruka minal
ladzinaa kafaruu, wa jaa?ilul ladzina tabauka fauqal ladzina kafaruu ilaa yaumil qiyamati)

Behold! Allah said: "O Jesus! I will take thee and raise thee to Myself and clear thee
(of the falsehoods) of those who blaspheme; I will make those who follow thee superior to
those who reject faith, to the Day of Resurrection: Then shall ye all return unto me, and
I will judge between you of the matters wherein ye dispute.

Ingatlah tatkala Allah berfirman; Hai Isa, sesungguhnya Aku akan mewafatkanMu, dan
mengangkatMu kepadaKu, dan akan menyucikan Engkau dari orang-orang kafir, dan menjadikan
orang-orang yang mengikutiMu di atas mereka yang kafir hingga hari kiamat.


SHARED BY
Al.Kira

The World’s Most Polluted Cities

Emerging nations around the world are often heralded for their fast growth but we don't often hear about the downsides of that rapid development.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recently released a report on air quality in countries around the globe, on which we based a list of the ten most polluted countries. Almost all the worst offenders are either major oil and gas producers, or emerging economies that are growing rapidly.

Click here to see the original slideshow from CNBC.com.

The WHO study looked at air quality in 91 countries, measured by the amount of PM10 particles per cubic meter. PM10 particles are particles of 10 micrometers or less that can cause diseases and infections. According to the WHO, PM10 levels above 20 micrograms per cubic meter can cause health risks. The top ten most polluted countries have PM10 levels from six times to14 times that level.

So, which countries have the world's worst air quality?

10. Kuwait

Pollution level: 123 ug/m3

Kuwait is one of four oil-rich Middle Eastern nations to make the list. It is also the fourth largest exporter of oil among OPEC countries, with the petroleum industry accounting for half of Kuwait's GDP.

Kuwait made headlines during the first Gulf War in 1990 when Iraqi troops set fire to its oil fields, creating massive air pollution and ground contamination. That led to a decades long environmental clean up.

Today, pollution is largely caused by local oil refineries and industrial plants. Last year, 15,000 students protested against pollution but the government has maintained that levels of air pollution are within environmental standards. Some plants though have been temporarily closed to improve air quality.

A 2010 global survey by consulting firm Gallup found that 57 percent of Kuwaitis were dissatisfied with the air quality in the area they lived in. Local residents are reported to suffer from high rates of respiratory diseases such as asthma, cancer and skin conditions.


9. Nigeria

Pollution level: 124 ug/m3

Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa and the eighth most populous in the world with over 155 million people.

Rapid urbanization and economic development have led to haphazard industrial planning in cities like Lagos that are struggling with waste management and high levels of pollution.

The country is also Africa's largest oil producer, accounting for 2.3 million barrels of crude per day, according to the International Energy Agency. The Niger Delta region, where the world's biggest energy companies operate, has experienced some of the worst oil spills in history. In August, a United Nations report said 50 years of oil pollution in the Ogoniland area may require the world's biggest and longest cleanup. The 14-month study showed deeper pollution than previously thought in an area that is home to about one million people. The report said it could take 25 to 30 years to clean up the contaminated drinking water, land and ecosystems.

Pipeline vandalism to feed a black-market in oil is common in the region and often contributes to oil spills. In September, Shell said it would shut production of 25,000 barrels of crude per day in the area due to the recent upsurge of oil thefts.


8. Iran

Pollution level: 124 ug/m3

Iran is home to the world's most polluted city — Ahvaz, which has three-times the average amount of pollution in the country. Ahvaz, known for its oil fields, is a heavily industrialized desert city of 1.3 million people.

Iran has the world's third-largest oil reserves and the second largest natural gas reserves. Locally produced, low-quality gasoline has been blamed for the country's extreme air pollution. The high-octane fuel -- much lauded by the country's leaders -- is manufactured in petrochemical plants rather than refineries.

Iran's capital Tehran made headlines last December, when it was blanketed by smog, forcing the government to declare "pollution holidays" for several days, shuttering offices, businesses and schools. Tehran marked nearly a month of continuously high levels of pollution with hospitals reporting a spike in patients with breathing problems. The state's English language television channel Press TV said more than 80 percent of the city's air pollution was attributed to the 3.5 million vehicles on the roads.


7. United Arab Emirates

Pollution level: 132 ug/m3

The United Arab Emirates is the world's fourth biggest oil exporter and one of the most developed economies in the Middle East.

The country has experienced rapid economic growth over the past 30 years. UAE's oil and gas industries and the transportation sector are the main contributors of air pollution. Dubai, the emirate's most populous city, is among the world's worst traffic polluters. Earlier this year, the city's municipal government said about 42 percent of air pollution in the city comes from vehicles.

The UAE is also notorious for being one of the world's biggest producers of waste. Average household waste in its capital city Abu Dhabi and regional hub Dubai is 30 percent higher than the annual average waste produced by countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). The UAE's water usage is also among the world's highest. In 2007, the World Wildlife Fund said the emirate has the world's largest per capita ecological footprint, meaning the country puts the more demand on the environment than any other.

In an effort to curb environmental damage, the government introduced a series of measures in the past decade. In 2008, the government launched the largest solar lighting project in the Middle East and North Africa in Dubai, called the Green Community. It's expected to save 351 tons of carbon dioxide pollution a year. The country is also on track to become free of plastic bags by 2013. It currently consumes 20 billion bags out of a global figure of 500 billion.


6. Egypt

Pollution level: 138 ug/m3

Home to one of the world's oldest civilizations, Egypt is one of four African nations to make the list of the most polluted countries.

Egypt's biggest source of pollution are factories notorious for polluting the air with lead, gases and cement dust. In addition to that, vehicle exhaust fumes are a major problem in big cities like Cairo, which had about 2.1 million vehicles on the roads as of 2007. About 95 percent of Egypt's 730,000 motorbikes are two-stroke models that emit hydrocarbons equivalent to emissions from 10 to 15 gasoline-operated cars. In Greater Cairo alone, about 300,000 motorbikes release 150,000 tons of air pollution a year.

The country's struggles with air pollution were further exacerbated this February when thick clouds of tear gas and toxic fumes filled the sky during an 18-day revolt to overthrow president Hosni Mubarak. Egypt's environmentalists have also been battling to control pollution caused every autumn when farmers burn rice chaff and other crop remnants. The pollution, known as "Black Cloud," occurs after the harvest and is responsible for over 40 percent of the air pollution in Cairo during this period.


5. Saudi Arabia

Pollution level: 143 ug/m3

Saudi Arabia is the world's largest producer and exporter of petroleum. It also the second largest oil producer and holds one-fifth of the world's oil reserves.

Over the past few decades, as Saudi Arabia's oil industry has boomed, environmental pollution along its 2,175-mile coastline has also grown. Oil, power, desalination and other industrial activities near the coast have led to sewage outflows, and oil and chemical plumes. The country also struggles with high levels of vehicle exhausts, which account for 50 percent of hydrocarbon pollution in the air. That, added to its dry desert climate and windstorms has led to widespread outbreaks of respiratory diseases.

The government has stepped up efforts to clean up the country's air. Earlier this month, French engineering group Alstom announced a multi-million dollar deal to supply machinery to reduce carbon emissions from power plants in Saudi Arabia's eastern Ras Tanura city. The country also launched its first solar power plant this month, which is expected to save 28,000 barrels of diesel fuel annually.


4. Senegal

Pollution level: 145 ug/m3

Inadequate urban planning amid rapid economic development over the past few decades has landed Senegal in the top five most polluted countries in the world.

The West African nation's pollution comes from mining, vehicle emissions and combustion of fuels for domestic energy needs. More than a decade ago, the World Bank estimated that children exposed to smoky stoves in Senegal's Gambia region, were six times more likely to develop acute respiratory infections.

Senegal also has high levels of auto pollution because 85 percent of all vehicles in its largest city Dakar are old and imported ones. The average age for cars is 15 years; for buses, 20 years old. About 40 percent of these vehicles have diesel engines. A World Bank transport study of Dakar, showed that health costs associated with air pollution were equivalent to about 5 percent of its GDP. Like most countries in West Africa, Senegal has introduced regulations to try and control air pollution, but a lack of resources makes enforcing emissions standards difficult.

The country has also been struggling to find a solution for the high concentrations of natural fluoride in its ground water, which ranges between five and 15 times the acceptable standard of 0.7 milligrams per liter. High levels of fluoride can lead to tooth and bone decay. The government is piloting a program of solar-powered water filtration systems in some villages to reduce fluoride exposure.


3. Pakistan

Pollution level: 198 ug/m3

Pakistan's air pollution is nearly ten times higher than levels considered dangerous by the WHO.

Political instability, corruption and a lack of government measures to curb carbon emissions have led to a cloak of thick smoke over major cities like Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad. In 2008, a government study revealed that every car in Pakistan, regardless of its age, generates 25 percent more carbon than one in the U.S.

Karachi, Pakistan's biggest city has a capacity for only 700 vehicles per hour, but according to the study, there are more than 11,000 vehicles per hour on the roads. The city, which already has more than half the country's 3.5 million vehicles, adds up to 400 new cars a day.

Water pollution from raw sewage and industrial waste has also become a major problem in the country. In addition, Pakistan's water supply is evaporating so quickly that it will become a "water-famine" country by the end of this decade, according to the country's Centre for Research and Security Studies.


2. Botswana

Pollution level: 216 ug/m3

It might seem strange that a country with a population of only 2 million people, and the largest proportion of land under conservation in the world, is the second most polluted nation in the world. But, that is the case of Botswana, 80 percent of which is covered by the Kalahari Desert.

The country was one of the poorest nations in Africa at the time of its independence from Britain in 1966. Today, Botswana is one of the world's fastest growing economies, and the largest producer of diamonds. The country has transformed itself into a middle-income economy with an annual average growth rate of about 9 percent, according to The World Bank. Mineral revenues account for about 40 percent of government revenues.

With growing wealth, the southern African nation has experienced widespread environmental damage. Wild fires and pollution from the mineral industry are the main sources of the country's poor air quality. Copper smelting for example has been blamed for sulfur dioxide and nickel emissions.


1. Mongolia

Pollution level: 279 ug/m3

Mongolia is the world's most polluted country and also home to one of the world's most polluted cities — Ulaanbaatar.

The city of 1.2 million accounts for about 45 percent of Mongolia's population. During the coldest months of the year -- December to February -- Ulaanbaatar's horizon is completely hidden behind a thick grey-brown smoky haze.

The country's main sources of pollution are its traditional coal-fuelled stoves and boilers used for heating and cooking, as well as congested traffic and old cars. Heating is essential for the survival of its people for about eight months of year. The country uses everything from coal, wood to refuse, such as black tar-dipped bricks and old car tires to fuel stoves and boilers. Ulaanbaatar's dry climate and severe windstorms further worsen its dangerous levels of airborne dust.

Rapid urbanization has also been a major factor behind the country's pollution problem. Ulaanbaatar's population has expanded by 70 percent over the last 20 years with the city's infrastructure unable to keep up with growth. With an air pollution level 14-times higher than the WHO's standard threat level, the number of premature deaths, chronic bronchitis and respiratory related hospital admissions are on a rapid rise. The government has been trying to mitigate the problems by introducing measures such as cleaner coal-based fuel and modern stoves to address its pollution crisis.


SHARED BY
Al.Kira

Source:

The 10 World's Most Polluted Cities

*TRUTH & DARE*

Following God is....

When
u are smart and blossom
U can do all things well
Fast in every task
offered some great jobs!
big salaries are waiting
high prestige are knocking
And the TRUTH is
God wants you to give up all those things
Choose the path, that u don't ever think
Do you even dare?

When
you are handsome enough to be liked
Funny enough to be chased
Girls are waiting..
To choose is not a difficult task
To play on! Is something that bangs your door
And the truth is
God wants you to wait, and say nothing...
Do you even dare?

When
U are rich enough to have fun
To trash your checks is not a problem
U can have lunch and set dinner everywhere
Just name it!
Five stars hotel? World class
restaurant?
U can bill those branded bags
U can drive those latest cars
And the truth is
God wants you to give and give
Do you even dare?

When
U can walk the easy way
Put aside the darkest valleys
Color your day with the sun, and morning sky
Skip the rain, and ask for rainbow
Pause the laughing days,
forget the mourning days
And the truth is
God wants you to
Walking through the storms
Do you even dare?

I know a man
That point on others
Telling God that he might chose a wrong one...
And run

I know a man
That point on himself
Telling God that he might not that strong
And stay

You choose....


SHARED BY

Al.Kira

Front Gate

Psalm 118:19-20 > 19 Open for me the gates of righteousness; I will enter and give thanks to the LORD. 20 This is the gate of the LORD through which the righteous may enter.

The Bible wrote a lot about front gate; the activities and the people. In modern times, front gate can be interpreted as our mind. Filtering what/ who goes in and what/who goes out, this is the main job of our mind/thoughts.

Ezekiel 33:2-3 > 2 “Son of man, speak to your countrymen and say to them: ‘When I bring the sword against a land, and the people of the land choose one of their men and make him their watchman, 3 and he sees the sword coming against the land and blows the trumpet to warn the people,

What are the purposes of front gate?
1) Security Tower
There is always people watching over the front gate from on top of the tower. The tower keeper will    guard and inform the others if there’s something happening on the outside. The front gate will be opened or closed depending on the tower keeper.

It’s the same like our mindset. We have to filter what’s going on outside there, we have to decide whether we ought to let the “saying” to enter or out from our mind.

2) Passageway
Front gate is a passageway where people enter and leave one place. Eyes and ears are the passageway where information enter and leave our mind. However, mind decides whether or not the information is accepted.
e.g. (1)when A sees so much money on the table, his mind will be arguing if he should take the money that clearly doesn’t belong to him or not.
The mind plays an important role here. Good way of thinking will lead to a good life.
e.g. (2) 2 King 5:19-20 told the story about Elisha’s servant, Gehazi, who was greedy and was not honest. He was punished with the disease leprosy for the rest of his life and his descendants forever. All of this happened just because he saw so many treasures that belong to others and he claimed it to be his.

Philippians 4:8 > 8Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

What are the purposes of front gate in Jesus’ time?
1) As a place for business transaction
e.g. Genesis 23:18 > Abraham bought a land at the front gate
Ruth 4:1 > Boaz met someone for business there

2) People with high position usually sit at the front gate
3) Blessings are made at the front gate
What does front gate have to do with our mind?

- Proverbs 31:23 > Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. People who use his mind well will be respected by people.
- If enemy is in front of the gate, we have to win the war. War in this term happens in our mind. Whether we win or lose, it depends on how we control our mind. There’s a saying, when you want to hold a snake, hold its tail, not its head.

It’s the same as our sin, repent our sin from the small one first, which is the argument that happen in our head. The tower of the front gate is like Word of God. If we know WOG well, we will know which ones are bad, which ones are good. When we know it, we cannot allow the bad things to get into our mind. If we lose the argument in our mind, we already lose in life.

However, we have WOG to help us win the war! From our mind and action, only blessings that should come out.

Bible examples of front gate and the war in mind:
1) Both Abraham and Isaac bless their sons saying that they will seize the gates of their enemies.
It means so that they can always control their minds to be clean always.
Genesis 22:17, Genesis 24:60
2) Judges 16:3 > 3But Samson lay there only until the middle of the night. Then he got up and took hold of the doors of the city gate, together with the two posts, and tore them loose, bar and all. He lifted them to his shoulders and carried them to the top of the hill that faces Hebron.
Samson was so strong when he could control his mind and action. But by the time he fell for a girl and his hair was cut off, he lost everything.

Thoughts:In everything we do, action/talking will always appear in our mind first before it is acted out. That’s why the fight in our mind is very important. From a thought only, good or bad things can happen. Everything starts from a simple thought.
e.g. when someone is jobless and he’s very hungry. When he saw money or food, his mind will fight if he should steal it or not. If he doesn’t have a good way of thinking, he will steal it. If he has positive thought, he will struggle to find a job and feed himself.

O Lord, be glorified Your Name. Thank you for guiding us with your Word, so that we will not fall into sins. Remind us always of Your Word so that we can be blessings for others too. Our minds, our bodies and our souls belong to you. Keep us from bad things Lord, so that we can be example for others. Thank You Jesus. In the name of Jesus, we pray and we ask, Amen.


SHARED BY
Ps. Jacob

The Love of God

The passage below tells us of how big the love of Christ for us is. The love of Christ itself is beyond any human’s imagination and once you understand it then you can do what is beyond your expectation. And that is what Paul wants us to know through what he has written, he want us to know how important to understand the love of Christ is.

Ephesians 3:14-19

“For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”

The love of Christ is not a simple thing that you can understand it in an instance. Paul himself must kneel before the Lord and pray so that he can understand the love of Christ. This shows us that to understand the love of Christ it takes time and effort. The love of Christ is so big that you must come and pray before Him to know how big the love of Christ for you is and once you understand the love of Christ then you must grasp it so that you could know how wide and how deep the love of Christ is.

There are two things that He will do when the love of Christ is within us and you understand it well, which are:
1. Strengthen Your Inner Being

When the love of Christ is within you, He will strengthen our inner being because it dwells in our heart. Once your inner being is strengthened then He will lead you to do thing that is beyond your own imagination.
2. Give Impact to Other

By having the love of Christ live in you, you can give an impact to people surround you by sharing the love of Christ with each other. This way you may give an impact to the other party for example, I, myself, used to have a problem with my temper and I was unable to manage it. Once I was angry I would show my anger to whoever that annoyed me but because the love of Christ is living in me now, He enables me to manage my temper and teach me to forgive everyone who annoy me. It is not easy and I admit it. However, if I am able to do this through Christ who leads me, then He will lead you as well.

And how to accomplish this mission? In Ephesians 4:2 “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love”, God told us to be humble, patient and bearing with one another in love. This way you can apply the love of Christ that is within you. But how if you meet the limit of forgiving other people that has been hurting you? As what have been explained above, the love of Christ is not effortless and will need a long time for us to understand it. The time taken to understand it, is for us to learn and grow more in understanding the love of Christ and you will understand that the love of Christ also bring healing for your heart until you will not know the limit of forgiving other.

Thought:

I believe each of us has experienced the love of Christ and it is living in each and every one of us. But let us together learn more to understand the love of Christ and grasp it with everything that we have so that we know how deep and how wide is the love of Christ for us. Without the love of Christ we might end up destroying ourselves and others.

Mighty Father in heaven, here I am Your child comes to You with a humble heart Lord. I want to use this opportunity to ask for an understanding of Your love, Jesus and grasp it with my everything. I want to learn how to be patient and bearing with one another in love. So, Jesus leas me and remind me always of deep and wide of your love. Thank You Lord, in your mighty name I prayed. Amen.


SHARED BY
Ps. Jani Pritam

Book: Keep Winning

This is one of the recommended book. It is written in Indonesia language. This book is really blessed me and can change my life

This book talk about how we fight for our problem and it's 12 points that we have never learn in the school

If you interested, you can by at Indonesia's  Christian book store. The price is around Rp. 40000 (USD 4-5)



SHARED BY
Al.Kira

Introduction to the Gospels

First of all, what all of us need to do right now is to pray. Follow me:
Abba Father in heaven, praised high among all things, good (morning, afternoon, evening, etc.). Thank You for everything You have done for me today. I have received so much from You physically through the food I eat and the air that we breath and spiritually through all the commandments and revelations You have given to me. Thank You Jesus for dying on the cross for me. It’s the best gift I have ever had. Lord, I praise You as my King and Savior. Holy Spirit help me to pray as my words are limited. Lord as I am about to read this bible study, give me wisdom, understanding, and conviction from the Holy Spirit so that through this bible study, these words in Your Bible act as living words that change my life. I will receive new knowledge of You through Your words. I will view the Bible differently and Lord, I will never be the same ever again. Thank You for hearing my prayer Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

Second of all, before we start on discussing the background of the Gospels, we must put in mind that the author of all these gospels is Holy Spirit. Without this in mind, these gospels would just be another book or another novel that explains fictions or just a book of righteousness and not a real history of a God that walked the earth, Jesus, and what He did on this earth.

Now, let’s start.


The Gospels as a Whole

The Gospels are all actually talking about the same Person i.e. Jesus. How they differ is just the perspective which they emphasize on. These emphases will be mentioned later on. There are two ways of approaching these gospels or any other parts of the Bible. First, we must view this as a variety emphasizing on different things. Second, we must consider the similarities between these gospels. If we just do on one of the mentioned, we will not be able to combine the differences and the similarities and make it into a whole picture. Again, the theme is different in each gospels and this doesn’t mean that one gospel is wrong or worse than the other.

The Gospels are the nearest things to explaining Jesus’ entire life on earth. But what is a gospel exactly? The original Greek word of gospel is evangelism which is now used to describe people spreading the gospel. So, in that sense, a gospel really means news. Why? Because the purpose of the Gospels is to spread the news of Jesus!! Why are there four gospels? As mentioned in the beginning, the Bible is God-inspired as in all are written by God through men’s own personal style. As in the Old Testament, the book of Kings and Chronicles are actually picturing the same things and events through different perspective. So, since the life of God’s own Son is very important, He wanted a very clear picture of everything happening. It’s like comparing a 2D movie and a 3D movie (in fact, the Gospels actually picture the life of Jesus in 4D because one of them explains more on the Spiritual world as well).

The concept of Who inspired these gospels must be clear as well. All the Bible is God-inspired. This means that God doesn’t dictate and the people just write it down but He gives them inspiration, in this case the life of Jesus, and the authors put that inspiration down on the paper with their own perspective. Therefore it created different themes.

Matthew and Luke – included far more about what Jesus SAID
Mark – what Jesus DID (actions, miracles, death, and resurrection)
John – WHO Jesus was i.e. Jesus’ identity (Son of God)

Through these themes, we now move to the writer’s insight and intention to help us more in determining how to study the Gospels. Insights:

Mark – the first and shortest Gospel, seeing Jesus as Son of Man
Luke – second gospel, seeing Jesus as Savior of the World
Matthew – third gospel, depicting Jesus as the King of the Jews
John – fourth gospel, with Jesus as the Son of God

Intentions (don’t assume if it’s for new, old believers, or unbelievers then it’s not for you to read!! This article is to help you in knowing the background):

Matthew – concerned for new believers and his book is arranged in a way that we will know how to live a disciples.
John – is written for older believers, encourage them to hold on to their faith in Jesus and to counteract the confusion between John the Baptist and Jesus.
Mark – to excite his readers with the news of Jesus so that they might have faith in Jesus.
Luke – the only Gentile (not Jews or Israelites) author in the Bible therefore more concerned about Gentiles believing in Jesus.

There are a few similarities in the Gospels especially the first three Matthew, Mark, and Luke. These three are called synoptic Gospels which means a common view of Jesus. John writes much more independently compared to the other three. These synoptic sometimes overlap but all is based on Mark which is the oldest and earliest gospels. Matthew and Luke expanded their writings based on Mark. This is also the reason why the forum is first filled in the Mark category to get the basic right. This is the basic introduction to all the Gospels and a more detailed one for each gospel will be added later on.


SHARED BY

Vincent Najoan

Strengthen yourself through Holy Bible

Why in this world there are still so many Christians who are afraid and worried of doing a task? The answer is because we are still not fully dependent on Christ and His Word. We have faith in Christ but this faith is weakened by the challenges we faced while doing tasks and by the constant questioning of our abilities when problems occur. In addition, it also makes the faith powerless. This power is the ability to stand by faith in Christ and the power to struggle to face the challenge. If we do not have this power, we become Christians without the ability to do something, in other words, a loser Christian. Do you want to become the loser Christian or the Christian with the power to do something?

If you want to become the Christian who is capable of performing a task, proceed to the next paragraph.

If you want to become a loser Christian, close and delete this. Do whatever you want. However, if you continue to be a loser Christian, you will be leading a meaningless life.

To those who want to be Christians, who are capable of doing tasks, refer to Ephesians 6:10. In this verse it writes “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.”


The verse above is one of the messages from God ultimatums through Apostles Paul. This is not only for the Ephesians church at that time, but also for all of us that live till the time of the end.

Who can help us to be strong in Christ? Is it our friends, our parents or maybe our neighbors? No. The answer is ourselves; we are the ones who can choose to become strong in Christ or no. Our friends, parents or neighbors can only give us support. In His words, they are filled with all the spiritual power of God. If we choose to make us strong through Him, we can overcome every challenge we face in life.

We all know who always make us stray away God. We do not have to mention it since everyone knows about it. The answer is obviously Satan. He keeps on trying to make us stay away from God by poisoning our minds using sly methods. Do you still remember how Satan tries to tempt Jesus and make Him fall into the sin? If you forget, open your bible and read Luke 4:1-13

In those verses, Jesus rebuked all the Satan’s ideas and opinions. Jesus always says “there is written”. It means that all the power Jesus has for all God’s children have already been written. It is important to have Word of God in a Christian life. Other than Word of God, we can also obtain the power of Jesus Christ which is only after the Holy Spirit come upon us and fill our lives (Acts 1:8)

Do you know what we, as the God Children, can do to rebuke all Satan’s sly methods? It can be found in the Ephesians 6:11 “Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.”


When Apostles Paul wrote this verse, he imagined of one powerful Romans soldier wearing full war armors. This means that our defense is the entire God’s armor and not only some or half of the armor. We can’t say: “I just wear the shield only” or “I already have all the Holy Spirit power and that’s enough for me”; this is what a loser Christian will think of. When we are in the army, we must obey commands from our leader, Lord Jesus Christ. Do you think it is possible for a soldier to go to the war without any war armor? The answer is that it is impossible because the soldier will be attacked and killed. Likewise, if we as Children of God do not use any God’s armor, we will be easily attacked by Satan.

In reality, Satan does not have any power because nobody is more powerful than God. Thus, Satan can only try to influence us and once we open our life to welcome in Satan, our life will be complicated by him and till then, do not be baffled by your life. Satan is a faker, a liar and a father of the liars who makes us think that our relationship with God is good but at the same time, we are experiencing failures and nearing death.

Thus, it is important for us to surrender 100% of our lives to God, and together with Holy Spirit Guidance and Word of God which is used to guide our lives. We can then become Christ soldiers armed with full God armor who has a fear for God and also become powerful people in God’s authority. To face this life, we must have powerful faiths to make us strong and to end the battle with Satan. Also, because of the Christ in us, we are able to succeed in the tasks and things we do in life.

Nb: Become strong in God’s authority power.


SHARED BY

Al.Kira

Luke 10:27Lord Jesus Christ answered: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'

God Never Leave you alone

God never ever leave us even though we always far from God and leave God alone. But He still be faithful waiting for us to back for Him

God bless you


SHARED BY
Al.Kira

See How Holy Spirit Work So Wonderful.....

On Sunday (07 August 2011) at GBI(Gereja Bethel Indonesia) - Daan Mogot Estate Block LA 20, Cengkareng - West Jakarta

God work so awesome, They feel the Holy Spirit work so strong, awesome and wonderful. All people speak in tongue, speak other language. Got people who can't speak english, suddenly can speak english.

All of u can see how awesome the Holy Spirit work from them


God bless u


SHARED BY
Al.Kira

How do you think about this awesome person?

IN A nursing home in Johor Baru, a 90-year-old woman waits patiently for a visit from her family. Her memory isn't the sharpest.

When asked if she has had visitors in the year since she moved into City Heart Care nursing home, she was silent.

The assistant admin manager of the home, known only as Ms Abi, shook her head in response to this reporter's question.

Madam Kong A W is one of 14 Singaporeans who live at the nursing home, said the owner of the home, Mr Jeremy Yeo.

Most enjoy visits from their families who live across the Causeway. The nursing home is a 30-minute drive from the Woodlands Checkpoint.

A typical nursing home in Singapore charges about $1,000 a month for each patient.

A check with four JB nursing homes indicated monthly fees ranging between $610 and $800 for a month's stay.

Mr Yeo, a Malaysian in his late fifties, claimed that Madam Kong's family stopped paying for her nursing home bills after her son died.

Said Ms Abi: "She (Madam Kong) has not asked about her family, and we have not told her. To her, we (the nurses and caregivers) are her family."

When The New Paper on Sunday visited the nursing home two weeks ago, Madam Kong was chattering incoherently to nurses in a mixture of Malay and Hokkien.


SHARED BY
Al.Kira

Source:
Old and alone in Johor Baru nursing home

AFRAID TO BE FAIL?

Takut gagal adalah raksasa pertama yg hrs dikalahkan utk menuju keberhasilan.
Tdk pernah mencoba, tdk akan pernah berhasil.
Meski akhirnya tenggelam minimal Petrus berani keluar dari Perahu dan merasakan berjalan di atas air.
Tapi, hei... Dia tetap survive tuh...
Ayo keluar dari perahu!
Keep Believing, Keep Trying, Keep Winning!!!

ENGLISH TRANSLATOR:Scare of failing is the first giant that we need to fight to get the success
Never Try, never get the success
Although in the end Simon Peter drown, but at least he got chance out from the boat and feel how to walk on the water
But, Hey... He still survive
Let's we out from out boat!!
Keep Believing, Keep Trying and Keep Winning !!!


CREATED BY
Leo Immanuel

Fasting in Christianity

Some people got ask "do Christian need to fast like the muslim do?"

The answer is yes... Christian also do fasting. Fasting in Christianity is a time honored Christian ritual. Sometimes they voluntary sacrifice of food and sometimes they do both food and drink. The different between the Christianity fasting and muslim fasting is Christian can fast by sacrificing the things that make the flesh comfort, maybe facebook, game etc.

But is there any purpose for the Christianity to do fasting and how do the Christianity make a decision to fast?

There are many reasons given in the Bible for fasting. The fasting itself is an act of sacrifice and when we fast and experience hunger, we are reminded of God and His sacrifice for us. While fasting denies the flesh comfort, it feeds the spirit strength. Fasts are voluntary, part of religious tradition or done in obedience to God. When you decide to fast, be clear with yourself and with God about why you are fasting, how long you will fast and use the time normally spent preparing and eating food to deepen your relationship with God. The fast should serve a purpose; there should be a significant reason for it.

Bereavement was once a common reason for fasting, though it is not so much anymore. The fasting may have been incidental in some cases but was often a way to feel closer to God during a particularly difficult time. "And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven" (Nehemiah 1:4)

Distressing or difficult times are reasons for fasting. Fasting is a way of communicating feelings of fear, anxiety, distress or grief to God. Self-denial is one way of expressing genuineness or sincerity. It's also a way of making a spiritual contribution to relieving the situation, a way of showing God a willingness to do our part and asking Him to make up the difference. (See Esther 4:3) Fasting is sometimes used as a sacrifice when asking God to intervene in a situation. "But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into mine own bosom." (Psalms 35:13)

Fasting can also be a way of expressing sorrow or regret for sin. God doesn't ask us for this sacrifice but He is pleased by it. "And they gathered together to Mizpeh, and drew water, and poured it out before the LORD, and fasted on that day, and said there, we have sinned against the LORD"¦"(1 Samuel 7:6) When this kind of sacrifice is made as a sincere gesture of sorrow or penitence, it is accepted by God.

When Christians seek guidance from God fasting may be an action that is helpful. The idea is to use the time we spend on food to spend with God instead. It provides extra time to spend in prayer, worship and listening. It is also a way of preparing for a spiritual event or change. It's an act of submission, a way to get our desire out of the way in order to allow the spirit to work. (Acts 13:1-3)

Fasting can be a form of worship. "And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fasting and prayers night and day." (Luke 2:37) Surrendering comfort as an act of worship is not necessary but it is pleasing to God if it is sincere. It is much like saying, "Thank you God for giving Your Son for me. Let me be a little uncomfortable for Your sake." Here again fasting is an act of sacrifice.

Fasting is a way of communicating emotion to God; it's a sacrifice that can be made for the sake of restoring a right relationship with God, or can be made coupled with a request for help. Fasting is a way to subdue our flesh for the sake of our spirit. Fasting must be done sincerely to be a pleasing sacrifice to God. It should be kept private; there is no need to reveal our sacrifice to anyone else unless a group is fasting together for a particular reason. Revealing an act of sacrifice is like saying, "Look how holy I am." It's spiritual arrogance.

Fasting can be used for a variety of reasons but it must be done sincerely. Choosing to fast can be a way to communicate feelings like sorrow, grief, and regret but it can also be a way of worshipping God. Fasts can be a sacrifice when we ask God for help or guidance and they can be acts of obedience when God asks us to fast. Fasts are time limited and are done for a reason; be clear about how long you will fast and why you are fasting. Whatever your reason for fasting, use the extra time to grow closer to God. He will honor your sacrifice.

So how long should the Christian need to fast?

Typically, fasts are one day in length. (Judges 20:26) Sometimes, they are three days (Esther 4:16), or even seven days; "And they took their bones, and buried them under a tree at Jabesh, and fasted seven days. (1 Samuel 31:13)

On three occasions in the Bible, people fasted for forty days. This is not a prescribed practice; these were very unusual circumstances. The first occasion was when Moses received the Ten Commandments. (Exodus 34:28) The next occasion was when Elijah encountered God before the anointing of Elisha. (1 Kings 19:8) The third occasion for such a fast was when Jesus was in the wilderness and tempted by Satan. (Matthew 4:2)

SHARED BY
Al.Kira

How to pray to GOD

Before i explain about that, do you know what is “PRAYING”?
Most of people think praying is only the activities asking God for something and some of them think praying is the routine activities that must do every Sunday or maybe every religion event.

I tell you if you think praying is like that, then you are really wrong. Not all we pray is a effective prayer, because in the bible points out that many prayers are wasted. Why is it wasted? The answer is because we do not follow the conditions that God sets forth in His Word and it is written in the James 4:3 and John 14:13-14

Prayer is about the communication interaction between God with us and it is very important for us to be growth in our spiritual by God's guiding. In Indonesia language, Praying is called “DOA”. “DOA” can be stand for “Dengar Omongan Allah” (Listen what God speaking). Ya in the prayer or in the Christian, it is called “quiet time”, we must listen more to God speaking than we talked.

Why we must listen more than we talk to God? the answer is because God know everything, He know your life and He know what in the future. If we talk more than we listen, means we are God's god, but in the real, we are God's servant, so we must listen more than we talk.

Here some question that people always ask “how can i pray to God effectively?” I will give some guide to make you know more about the effective prayer and i make it become word “ACTS”
In the book of “ACTS”, we know the Apostles pray together in the roof and 3000 people come and become believer. That's why i make the guide become “ACTS”

    A – Adoration
    C – Confession
    T – Thanksgiving
    S – Supplication

Now i will explain one by one from all the point above

Adoration
Adoration is the one that God want and it pleases God. Heart of praise and worship to God is equivalent of sacrifice and it is significant act of worship (Hebrews 13:15). In fact, one of the reasons why God want to save sinners in this world, it is because all sinners that saved by God can praise, adore and worship Him (Psalm 22:22-23). Adoration will be a major part and very important of our service to God throughout eternity (Revelation 5:13). Adoration is simply praising God for who He is and what He has done. We have already done this with people, don't we?

Bu why we need to adoring God? The answer is because to get to know Him more. The more you learn about God and what He has done for you, the more natural it becomes to praise Him. God has given us His Word as a guiding to help us appreciate Him more so that we can please Him with our lives and praise Him with our lips.

The Psalms are excellent for helping you to learn about God's awesomeness and how to express yourself when you want to adore Him. For example, you can read “Psalm 103”

Adoration naturally leads to...

Confession
Confession is one of the way to ask the forgiveness from God. it is what God wants you to do instead of making excuses or blame shifting (because of the sins of others against you – Proverbs 28:13). It is the mark of a growing Christian (1 John 1:8-9)

Confession involves:

• A growing understanding of the seriousness of sin (Psalm 5:4; Habakkuk 1:13a)
• A growing sensitivity toward your own sinfulness and your continual dependence on Christ's righteousness as the basis of your acceptance with God (1 Timothy 1:15-16)
• Daily acknowledging your sin to God (1 John 1:9). The verb tense in this verse indicate a continuous, regular action.

As you experience God's forgiveness, you can't help but be filled with an attitude of...

Thanksgiving
You have so much for which to be thankful (Psalm 103)

• God's forgiveness of all your sin (v.3)
• God's provision for your needs and even many of your desires (v.5)
• God's great compassion toward you (v.13)

God is worthy of your thanksgiving

Finally, you need to bring to God your...

Supplication (Praying for your needs and the needs of others)
Pray specifically (Avoid praying in generalities like "God bless so and so.” It would be difficult to see that sort of pray answered in a clear way). get to know people in Christ's body. Pray expectfully (Matthew 7:7-11). Pray submissively (Realize that God ultimately knows what is best - Matthew 26:39)

Now let's put this into practice (James 1:22)

As you evaluate your own prayer life, what key elements of prayer (ACTS) are a regular part of your prayers? What parts are not there?

Study the prayer of King Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles 20.

• What sort of problems was he up against?
• How did he begin his prayer?
• How did the beginning of his prayer affect the "supplication" part of his prayer?
• How did it affect those who heard the prayer?
• How might this kind of praying affect your prayer life?

Ask God this week to help you ACTivate your prayer life -- then go for it. Set simple, realistic goals:
Try taking a day or two and spending a few minutes in praise. Don't forget to get help from God's inspired praise book -- the Psalms 150). Get into the habit of confessing sin to God and others when you need to -- A.S.A.P! and remembet to thank God for all his benefits -- you can do this anytime! You might even try to do this occasionally at the dinner table. A good jump start would be to imagine what life would be like minus some of the things we daily take for granted--like electricity, food, car, clothes, house (not to mention eternal life, forgiveness of sins) etc.

It is helpful to make lists. Make one list of things for which to praise and thank God. Make a second list of people and things for which to ask God's help.

Do not bite off more than you can chew. If you can only think of one request, that is enough to start. As you grow in your faith in Christ, your list will get longer!

If you want to know more how to pray, you can read Collossians 1:9-14 and see how Apostles Paul pray


"God Bless you and start to pray by today"

Hope this article can bless you all


SHARED BY
Al.Kira

Do People Need to Be Cared?

Do you think that people need to be cared?
The answer is Yes, people need the caring of other people, not only from their family, but also from their friend and their community such as at school or maybe at office

People are created by God as social beings. So they need:
1. Attention
2. Acceptance
3. Self-Respect
4. Security
5. Happiness

But how to be a caring person?
1. Treat people with Kindness and generosity
2. Help people in Need
3. Be sensitive to people's feelings
4. Never be mean or hurtful
5. Think About how actions will affect others
6. Always remember - we become caring people by doing caring things!!!

Keep Winning and Keep Caring to other people!!!!


Written by:
Ps Daniel Ong
(Founder and Senior Pastor of Oikos Church)

SHARED BY
Al.Kira

God's Love

God doesn't love us because we are good

but we are good because He love us

Keep Winning!!!

God bless you

SHARED BY
Al.Kira

Why Jesus Died?

Most effective people, and all great leaders, have a clear life purpose, and pay a price to achieve it. The suffering of Jesus takes our breath away. Why did He undergo so much pain?

The author of Hebrews wrote that Jesus ignored the pain, and disregarded the shame, "for the joy that was set before him." In Isaiah's prophecy of his Passion we read, "He shall see the trouble of his soul, and be satisfied." To Jesus, all the pain was worth it. Why?

Now that the suffering is over, what great joys does Jesus look forward to?

We are Bible-believing Christians, who have much love for and fellowship with Evangelicals of many denominations.

We firmly believe and strongly acknowledge the truth of the basic message that all true Christians believe -- that Jesus died "to save sinners"; that "whosever believes in him may not perish, but have everlasting life". And we are firmly in the Christian camp, agreeing with Peter in the book of Acts that aside from Jesus, "there is no other name given among men, whereby we must be saved."

We also, however, acknowledge that many thinking Christians, and many people who are now re-visiting the person of Jesus because of the Mel Gibson movie , have questions. Curiosities and doubts that will not go away, that keep cropping up in spite of all the best explanations of many church leaders.

We must ask questions like, "Why did the angels sing about Good Tidings of Great Joy which shall be to All people?" All people have great Sorrow, and most people in the world have never experienced any Great Joy. Most never meet Jesus, either. Our fellow-Christians call this "The problem of evil", but they never really point to a solution -- they just remind us that God is Sovereign, God is good, God knows.

Yes, we agree with that, but we still have the questions, and we believe that Jesus taught us to keep asking, keep seeking -- until we all find the adequate answers to valid questions.

Questions like: "Does God really expect all people to come to Christ in this life?" "Does God really expect humans to pay for crucifying Christ, or for not accepting Him?" "Does God really intend to send most human beings into an eternally painful experience, without hope of repentance?" "Does God blame us for Adam's fall? How fair is that?" "Did Jesus expect his followers to be so hypocritical and materialistic?" "Did Jesus expect Christians to kill Aztecs for their gold, sell 100 million Africans into slavery, and tempt the rest with rum? Did Jesus expect his followers to forcibly sell opium to the Chinese, or kill the Jews of Europe?" "Why is American Christianity, as one observer put it, 'A mile wide and half an inch deep'?"

Our hope in this web site is to confront our Christian brethren with the verses and chapters and philosophical foundations of God's Word that they are squeamish about listening to. And we also hope to convince new Christians that they need to drink deeply of the joy and hope contained in Scripture. And we hope to help some skeptics find some really encouraging food for thought -- while allowing them space to think on their own without fear that "time is running out" for them.

Jesus died to pay the price for sinners. We will examine only what the Bible says, and look for the harmony that only the Bible can give.

We're really glad that no one has to try and pay the price for the mess they were born into. Jesus paid it, and we all have a bright future as a result. Everyone, whether Chinese, Japanese, African, Arab, Jew, Russian, or Norwegian. It's time to take God at His word. He is better, kinder, wiser, and more powerful than any of our denominations admit.


SHARED BY
Al.Kira

SECRET OF KILLING GIANT - PART 6

......Continue

Secret #5

Have you brought any Giants down yet?

Maybe you're just stalking your Giant in anticipation of the battle?

Well, get ready ... your Giant is coming down!

S - SPIRITUAL

We've suited up with God's power on the inside of us. We "unzipped" and let the awesome power of Heaven invade our personal lives. We've let God take control of our hearts and minds.

We've allowed God's Spirit and power to fit us for battle.

T - TRUSTING

We've realized that trusting our own abilities and talents will NEVER result in a defeated Giant.

We've learned that TRUST in God is built layer upon layer, step by step. David started with "baby steps." He killed the lion, then the bear. Only then was he ready for Goliath.

O - OUTSPOKEN

David could not hold inside what he knew would happen. Neither can we. Our mouths WILL speak whatever fills our hearts (good or bad; faith or failure). We WILL communicate what we believe!

Have you found a faith-filled friend you can share your future victory with?

N - NATURAL

David would not use Saul's armor because it was not his NATURAL way of fighting. He would lose dressed up in someone else's armor. We will, too!

God has a battle-plan for each of us. It may be completely unique to our situation. If we sit before Him and learn, He'll show us His strategy for our Giant!

Has He revealed His strategy to you yet?

Now for the final "Secret"

E - EXCITED

David was not shy about his victory. We've seen that in his announcement to his brother, to the army, to Saul, and even to Goliath. He never stopped repeating ... "I am going to win!"

So it makes sense that, when he approached the Giant for close combat, he would be EXCITED about his imminent victory!

He was much more than "optimistic" about winning. He was EXCITED -- Not giddy or silly - EXCITED! David knew there was danger ahead. But he also knew WHO would protect him and WHO would give the Giant into his hands.

David "approached the Giant" (1 Samuel 17:40 filled with faith and EXCITEment. Actually "excitement" is part of "faith."

Faith anticipates as FACT what has not yet happened. (Example: If you knew for a FACT that you would be a millionaire next week, would you be excited today?)

David has already made his announcement to Goliath that he would soon be bird-food (1 Samuel 17:45-46). He was thrilled at what God was about to do.

Then David reveals WHY he was so excited.

Was it because he would be a national hero? He was, you know.

Was it because Saul's daughter would become his wife, making him part of the "royal family?" It happened, you know.

No .... David was EXCITED at the results his victory would bring :

RESULT # 1 - "The whole earth will know that there is a God in Israel" (1 Sam 17:46c)

If the "world" was looking at Israel, there was no way they could see God at work in them.

Israel wanted to be "just like the other nations," so they chose an earthly King, Saul. (1 Sam. 8:5)

The Israelite army suited up for battle, but were afraid to attack the enemy. (1 Sam. 17:20-21)

In Bible days, it was very simple -- the "god" who was the strongest was the "god" who WON the battle. "If you win, your god is better than my god. If you lose, my god is better than your god." Do you get the picture?

David was excited -- he was about to SHOW THE WORLD whose God was the strongest!

RESULT # 2 - "...and that this assembly may know" (v 47)

Now this is sad. Not only did the "world" not know that "there was a God in Israel" - Israel didn't even know it!

The Army of Israel had no idea that God was leading them into battle to WIN. There was no faith. There was no excitement ... until a young, humble shepherd boy came along with a heart full of God!

RESULT # 3 - "(Israel would know) ...that the battle is the Lord's" (v 47)

David knew it wasn't his skill that would accomplish this great victory. It wasn't his military polish and ability. It was "the Lord" who would bring about his triumph.

If you don't understand this, read again the different methods God used to defeat Israel's foes in various battles she fought. (see Giant-Killing Secret # 4)

It's God who fought for David, and it's God who fights for us - when we get out of the way and let Him.

It's amazing how an Old Testament story can paint such a modern picture. (Actually, the Bible tells us the Old Testament was written, in part, as examples for us and for our instruction.-- 1 Corinthians 10:6, 11)

Does "the world" know that there is a God in the church today? Or do they see the same sort of stuff that goes on in any other "organization?"

Do we know there is a "God" in the church? (The word "assembly" in v 47 can be interpreted "church") Do we actively seek and use His abilities to overcome the evil one - and the Giants he sends our way?

If not, there's no wonder we're not EXCITED!

When we pass from this life and stand on the other side, we'll be amazed at the Heavenly resources that were available but unused by us.

That can change ... for us today.

The awesome power of God sits in a Heavenly storage room -- waiting for someone who will reach through the invisible portal (through prayer) and grab hold of God's promises through faith!

Are you EXCITED yet?

The End


SHARED BY

Al.Kira