Bahan Saat Teduh 09May2011

“Sebab itu Aku telah turun untuk melepaskan mereka dari tangan orang Mesir dan menuntun mereka keluar dari negeri itu ke negeri yang baik dan luas, suatu negeri yang berlimpah-limpah susu dan madunya. (Keluaran 3:8)

Ada banyak orang Kristen hari-hari ini masih tinggal di “Mesir”. Mesir melambangkan tempat perbudakan (kemiskinan), aniaya, tekanan, tempat berhala (orang Mesir menyembah banyak dewa). Kalau kita masih tinggal di Mesir, berarti hidup kita masih terikat berhala. Orang yang menyembah berhala identik orang yang sedang hidup dalam kutuk.

Sadar atau tidak, kalau kita tidak keluar dari “Mesir” berarti kita masih tinggal dalam kutuk-kutuk yang mengerikan. Kutuk kemiskinaan, penyakit, kegagalan, kemandulan, kebodohan, keterpurukan, perceraian, dan kutuk-kutuk lain.

Selama kita tidak meninggalkan “Mesir”, maka hidup kita tidak akan mengalami terobosan berkat Tuhan. Hidup kita dikuasai oleh kutuk. Kita harus berani melangkah keluar dari “Mesir” yang selama ini membuat hidup kita terpuruk.

Baca dan renungkanlah Keluaran 3:7-10
1. Untuk apa Tuhan mengutus Musa kepada Firaun? (ayat 10)

2. Mengapa Tuhan meminta Musa membawa umat-Nya meninggalkan Mesir? (ayat 9)

3. Apa yang akan Tuhan lakukan bagi umat-Nya? (ayat 8)

4. Apakah kita masih tinggal di “Mesir”? Kalau ya, sekarang tinggalkan dan berjalanlah dalam rencana Tuhan!


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SECRET OF KILLING GIANT - PART 3

......Continue

Secret #2
The Bible tells us that David took up "five smooth stones from the brook" and put them into his pouch - and faced his enemy, Goliath. In the same way, there are 5 Secrets that David knew that were the reason for his victory.

S.T.O.N.E. -- Each letter represents a "Giant-Killing Secret."

Giant-Killing Secret # 1
S - "SPIRITUAL"

Last time we learned the first secret David carried in his pouch -- David was "SPIRITUAL."

After he was anointed by Samuel, "The Spirit of the Lord came upon him mightily from that day forward." David "unzipped" and God jumped inside of him - with all the resources of Heaven at his disposal.

We cannot fight an unseen foe with natural weapons. Unseen enemies require SPIRITUAL help.

Giant-Killing Secret # 2
T - "TRUSTING"

But, David was not only SPIRITUAL, David TRUSTED the Lord.

When Goliath blurted out his challenge on the 41st day, David heard his words and was furious. David asked, "What will be the reward for the one who shuts Goliath's big, fat mouth?" (or, something to that affect)

David was saying, "I'll take him on. No problem."

The words that David spoke were told to the King, and Saul called David before him. David told Saul, "Let no one fear because of the Giant. I will go and fight the Philistine."

Saul reproached David, "You are only a youth, how can you even talk about going up against that monster?"

David didn't give him some mumbo-jumbo answer. He looked directly back into his past to recount what the Lord had already done for him.

"When a lion or bear attacked my father's flock, I chased it down and killed it. Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear, and this uncircumcised Philistine will be just like one of them -- (and get this!) -- BECAUSE he has taunted the armies of the Living God."

Wow! Do you hear the faith in the heart of this guy?
Nobody mocks God while David's around! Regardless of his size!

"The same God that delivered me from the paw of the lion and bear - He WILL deliver me from Goliath."

He didn't say, "I think so, guess so, maybe so, hope so." He said, "I KNOW so."

How could he be so confident? How could he have such an unwavering TRUST in God?

Well, first of all, because he was SPIRITUAL. He knew he was different on the inside - The Lord of (Warrior) Hosts lived in him!

If David had approached the Giant without the Spirit "mightily upon him," the Israelites might have vanished as a nation. The Philistines would certainly have won the battle that day.

When we approach our problems and obstacles the same way the world approaches them, we'll see the same results the world sees - very little.

Secondly, David had seen God work on his behalf in the past. David had a faith-history to base his TRUST on.

God was building David's "faith level" ...

He does the same with us. There are times in our lives that we trust God for a specific situation. Afterward, our faith is stronger than before. If we continue to TRUST God, our faith is strengthened more, until we have "great faith."

Jesus said, "If you are faithful in little, you'll be faithful in much." David was faithful in the "little" that God gave him (his flock), so God gave him much faith - enough to defeat a Giant!

When the Enemy sent a lion to ravage David's sheep, David grabbed it by the beard and popped it in the head - he killed it. When the Enemy told a bear to go get David's sheep, David struck it and killed it in the same way. He could have run and hid, but he was faithful to his father, Jesse, and he was faithful to his Father, God.

If we are not faithful in the small things, how can we expect God to do "great things" through us? If we run when the Enemy says, "Boo!" we'll never build up our faith.

Third, he specifically referred to God as, "the Living God." God wasn't a Dead or Distant Deity to David. He was close and personal -- and was there to protect him.
Jesus said, "With God all things are possible!" Unless our God is dead! Unless our God is sick! Unless our God is paralyzed! Unless our God is on vacation!

No! We have to TRUST our Living God with our daily problems - our Giants.

How do you know if you are REALLY trusting God? (We'll see next time how to know IF we are trusting God or not)

God wants to fight our battles for us! The Bible is filled with illustrations where God fought and won battles for His people - often without their help at all.

Often we "give up" and walk away in defeat. But that's only half the solution. We need to "give up" our Giants to God! TRUST God to deal with your Giant!

How? Well, sometimes the simplest of prayers is the most powerful...
"Father God, I give you ________. I'm tired of talking about it, wrestling with it, and worrying about it. It's Your problem, so from now on, You deal with it.

"Now, once we give it to God, we can't try to take it back and worry over it. It needs to stay in His capable hands!

will be continued.......


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Bahan Saat Teduh 08May2011

“Karena dari kepenuhan-Nya kita semua telah menerima kasih karunia demi kasih karunia.” (Yohanes 1:16)

Kasih karunia Tuhan disediakan bagi kita selalu baru setiap hari. Jadi setiap hari kita seharusnya mengalami Anugerah Terus Menerus (ATM), bahkan dalam penderitaan sekalipun. Hanya saja, kadang kita tidak sadar bahwa kita ada dalam anugerah dan masih berusaha untuk mendapatkan anugerah.

Sebagai contoh: kita sudah punya tangan tetapi tetap meminta supaya punya tangan. Yang harus kita lakukan adalah menyadari bahwa kita telah memiliki tangan tersebut dan bersyukur atas kedua tangan tersebut.


Kalau Anda masih bisa bernafas hari ini itu karena kasih karunia. Ketika Anda bisa mengampuni orang yang sukar kau ampuni itu karena kasih karunia. Ketika Anda memiliki masalah yang sukar/besar tetapi Anda tetap berharap kepada Allah itu karena kasih karunia. Ketika Anda jatuh dalam dosa dan mampu bangkit kembali itu karena kasih karunia.

Ketika engkau gagal dan mau mencoba kembali itu karena kasih karunia. Ketika doa-doamu belum dijawab namun engkau tetap percaya itu karena kasih karunia. Ketika engkau patah hati dan masih bisa tersenyum itu karena kasih karunia. Ketika engkau sakit tetapi tetap bersukacita itu karena kasih karunia.

Ketika engkau mengalami ……..…, tetapi engkau ..….…, itu karena kasih karunia.
1. Kapan kasih karunia Tuhan akan habis? (Ratapan 3:22-23)
2. Dalam kondisi apakah orang percaya disebut menerima Kasih Karunia Allah? (I Petrus 2:20-21)
3. Apa yang kita terima dari kepenuhan Kristus? (Yohanes 1:16)


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Belajar dari Lebah

Titus 3:14 - Dan biarlah orang-orang kita juga belajar melakukan pekerjaan yang baik untuk dapat memenuhi keperluan hidup yang pokok, supaya hidup mereka jangan tidak berbuah.

Lebah hanyalah seekor binatang yang panjangnya hanya sekitar 2-3 cm. Jelas bahwa lebah tidak memiliki pengetahuan apa pun tentang dunia kesehatan. Tetapi, apa yang dilakukannya yang didasarkan pada naluri binatang yang diberi oleh Tuhan, bisa membuat manusia tercengang. Bisa dikatakan bahwa lebah telah memberikan teladan kepada manusia! Kita bisa belajar beberapa hal dari lebah, yaitu:

Pertama, dalam hal mengkonsumsi sesuatu. Lebah hanya mengkonsumsi yang baik, dia hanya mengisap sari bunga. Sari bunga yang berada didalam bunga tidak tercemar oleh debu dan kotoran lain dan ini menjadi makanan bagi lebah. Bahkan lebah juga tidak sembarangan didalam mengkonsumsi sari bunga, hanya sari bunga tertentu saja yang dia konsumsi. Seandainya letak bunga ada ditempat tinggi, lebah pun tak segan-segan untuk menggapainyaa karena dia ingin makanan yang pas buat dirinya. Sebagai orang percaya, kita juga harus mengkonsumsi makanan yang baik, seperti firman Tuhan, bacaan dan tontonan yang positif dan membangun, makanan dan minuman yang menyehatkan tubuh.

Kedua, dalam hal hidup yang berguna. Apa yang dihasilkan oleh lebah, yaitu madu, merupakan salah satu minuman bergizi. Bahkan madu bisa dijadikan obat. Disamping itu, lebah adalah binatang yang tidak merusak lingkungan, termasuk pohon dimana sarangnya tergantung. Hal seperti itu juga yang seharusnya dihasilkan orang percaya, yaitu perkataan yang membangun dan menghibur, karya-karya yang membangkitkan iman dan semangat. Jangan menjadi biang kerok keributan, tetapi harus memberi solusi; jangan membuat orang lain ”jatuh dan sakit”, tetapi memberi kesembuhan kepada mereka yang terluka hatinya.

Ketiga, dalam hal etos kerja. Lebah merupakan binatang yang bekerja dengan teliti dan cermat. Sarang lebah dibuat dalam bentuk segi enam. Para ahli yang mengadakan penelitian tentang sarang lebah memberi kesimpulan sementara bahwa struktur segi enam adalah bentuk yang paling sesuai untuk memanfaatkan setiap kawasan secara maksimum. Sarang lebah juga memiliki kelembaban dan pertukaran udara yang baik. Ini membuat madu memiliki tingkat keawetan yang tinggi. Disamping itu, lebah adalah binatang yang hidup didalam persaudaraan dan kerja sama. Sarang lebah itu dihasilkan dan dihuni oleh ratusan lebah. Dan tak ketinggalan, sifat lebah yang rajin dan mau bekerja keras. Pagi-pagi benar lebah sudah bangun dan dengan gesit pergi dari taman ke taman, dari pohon ke pohon, dari bunga ke bunga mencari makanan. Lebah mendapat makanan dari bunga yang segar dan harum.

Sebagai makhluk yang lebih mulia, bahkan sebagai bangsa yang terpilih, imamat yang rajani, kita juga harus cermat dan teliti didalam mengerjakan apapun juga, bisa bekerja sama dan rukun dengan sesama, terutama sesama orang percaya, dan mau bekerja keras dan rajin, jangan menjadi pemalas yang hidupnya hanya bergantung pada orang lain.

DOA:
Aku bersyukur karena Engkau telah menciptakan lebah. Mampukan aku untuk bisa belajar hal-hal yang baik daripadanya. Dalam Nama Yesus aku bersyukur dan berdoa. Amin.

KATA-KATA BIJAK:
Sebagaimana lebah bisa menjadi berguna, demikian juga dengan kita harus bisa menjadi berkat bagi sesama.


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SECRET OF KILLING GIANT - PART 2

......Continue
Secret #1

Imagine You are 15 years old and you ride into an Army camp during a campaign of war. It would be exciting, to say the least.

David came into the army camp to visit his brothers and take them a package of "goodies" from their father. He was so proud of his brothers and the whole Army of God!

Just as he came into camp, the Giant came forward with his challenge.

"Send your best man. Winner take all!"

The Israeli soldiers had heard his challenge for 40 days, and were nearly deaf to the giant's ranting. They were paralyzed by fear, so they emotionally tuned him out.

However, on the 41st day, David heard his words!

David heard the challenge for the first time and was furious that anyone would challenge God in such a way.

I'm sure he was waiting for their army to charge the huge Philistine and his men. But the soldiers stood motionless. "Petrified" might be a better word!

They were in the Army of God, but they didn't trust God for victory!

David heard Goliath's challenge and said, "Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that challenges the Army of God."

This nation that enjoyed a covenant with Almighty God was being mocked by a non-covenant heathen ("uncircumcised").

What was different about David? Why was he so incensed -- and so certain he could defeat Goliath?

Let's use the word STONE as an acronym for 5 secrets that gave David his courage and faith.

These 5 secrets can transform us into Giant-Killing Heroes as well.

Are you ready to pick up the S.T.O.N.E.?

S = "SPIRITUAL"

Before you roll your eyes, let me explain.

Unfortunately, the term SPIRITUAL is used today for anyone who thinks about non-earthly things.

Watching TV recently, I heard the term "spiritual" used to describe someone who consulted psychics and embraced the occult.

That's not what David understood as SPIRITUAL.

Being SPIRITUAL means that you have an intimate knowledge of and relationship with God Himself. Not know "a god" or a "guru" -- But the same God that created the universe.

Sometimes I'll look up at the sky at night and marvel at the expansive universe. And I'll say, "The God who created all that ... lives in my heart!" What an awesome thought.

God -- as huge as He is -- takes up residence in our hearts (our lives).

Getting back to our story ...

The only true and lasting victory comes when God fights and wins our battles for us. But how can God fight for us?

The most-used name for God in the Old Testament is, "The Lord of Hosts." That phrase describes God as the Commander-in-Chief of all the Warrior Angels in Heaven. He has all the power and resources in the universe at His disposal.

He is called "Almighty God" for a reason!

But how does that help you and me?

We all have a "spiritual zipper" (bear with me here). We have the ability to open up our spiritual hearts and let Almighty God inside. He only comes inside with our permission, though He often works "outside" to protect and watch over us.

Being SPIRITUAL simply means that we "unzip"and let God's Spirit take control of our lives.

When God is allowed on the "inside" of us, He can and will orchestrate our victory!

1 Samuel 16:13 says of David after his anointing, "And the Spirit of the Lord came upon him mightily from that day forward."

Being "spiritual" is not a "warm & fuzzy" term we use to describe our walk with God. It's allowing God to have control over our lives. When His Spirit controls our actions and attitudes, we are "spiritual."

Are you a SPIRITUAL person?

The Bible gives us many illustrations of men and women who conquered their "giants" one by one. The first characteristic was they were SPIRITUAL.

What "giant" do you face today?

Worry? Fear? Doubt? Debt? Addiction? Sickness? Bitterness?

If victory is to come for us, we must be SPIRITUAL men and women.

Has the "Spirit come upon you mightily"? Have you "unzipped" and asked God to live inside your life?

If not, ask Him to!

God desires our victory just as much as he desired victory on that battlefield 3000 years ago. In fact, God desires our victory even MORE than we do!

will be continued.......


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Bahan Saat Teduh 07May2011

“Janganlah ada perkataan kotor keluar dari mulutmu, tetapi pakailah perkataan yang baik untuk membangun, di mana perlu supaya mereka yang mendengarnya, beroleh kasih karunia.” (Efesus 4:29)

Kata-kata kita sangatlah dahsyat, karena ia dapat membangun atau meruntuhkan, menghidupkan atau membunuh, memberi semangat atau memadamkan semangat. Kata-kata kita dapat mendatangkan kasih karunia atau mendatangkan kerusakan dan kehancuran. Kata-kata yang rusak tidak mendatangkan kasih karunia, tapi menghancurkan orang lain. Menurut Larry Crabb, kata-kata yang tidak membangun orang lain adalah:
1. Perkataan basa-basi
Kata-kata yang diucapkan untuk menyenangkan orang lain. Kata-kata yang diucapkan hanya untuk melindungi diri agar terlihat baik dan hebat.

2. Perkataan mematikan
Perkataan yang menghancurkan orang lain adalah kata-kata yang diucapkan dengan keterbukaan total, tanpa mempertimbangkan kesiapan orang lain yang mendengarkannya, atau kata-kata yang tajam yang menyakiti orang lain.

Mari, kita menghindari kata-kata yang tidak membangun. Sebaliknya, biarlah perkataan kita dapat membangun iman orang lain. Hal ini akan membuat mereka yang mendengarnya akan mendapatkan kasih karunia untuk memuliakan Allah, Bapa kita di Surga.

Baca dan renungkanlah Amsal 12:18-19; 18:21
1. Temukan 2 jenis perkataan pada Amsal 12:18!
Dengan apa mereka diibaratkan? Mana yang Anda pilih?

2. Siapakah yang menguasai hidup dan mati menurut Amsal 18:21?


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SECRET OF KILLING GIANT - PART 1

When an army engages its enemy, there are 5 options or responses they can have: (can you guess the best option?)

a) Defect -- Go over and join the enemy's side
b) Desert -- Leave the battle and run away
c) Detentes -- Compromise with the enemy over a bargaining table
d) Defend -- Stand their ground only, with no offensive "push" forward
e) Defeat -- Use both offensive and defensive tactics and strategies to overwhelm and overcome the enemy.

If you were taking the test, the correct answer is: e) Defeat

God is raising up an ARMY!

It's not a group of followers who will DESERT when times are bad. Or DEFECT and become a tool of the Enemy. He certainly doesn't want to compromise in some sort of DETENTE. Unfortunately, most Christians merely "hold their ground" and DEFEND what they already have.

Jesus taught us to DEFEAT the Enemy. "The gates of Hell will not prevail (be able to hold back) the church." We are to move forward and take the fight to the Enemy.

1 Samuel 17 introduces us to the Army of God in the Old Testament. The Army of God stood against one of their greatest foes -- The Philistines! And frankly, they were not sure which of the above "options" they wanted to exercise.

There was one Giant Obstacle standing in the way of their victory -- Goliath!


Historical Background

Saul had been chosen as King over Israel - against the wishes of Samuel, Rather than being ruled by God, Israel wanted to be ruled by an earthly King - someone they could see, hear and touch.

God picked Saul as Israel's first King. Saul was about 6 feet 6 inches tall - much taller than anyone else - and was the obvious choice for King!

Proud of their new King, Israel followed Saul into battle against the Philistines. But the enemy had a "weapon of mass destruction" - Goliath.

For 40 days, morning and evening, Goliath came out to challenge the army of God. Goliath taunted them, "Send out a man - your best warrior! We will fight to the death. Winner take all. If your man wins, we will become your slaves. If I win, you will become our slaves."

Fair enough, right? Not really. Goliath was nearly 10 feet tall and had armor weighing hundreds of pounds. He was a huge "fighting machine" - a warrior from his youth! He had NEVER LOST A BATTLE, and he wasn't about to start now.

Israel's soldiers turned to Saul. After all, he was their biggest and best warrior. He was the logical choice to battle the giant.

But Saul had no intention of fighting Goliath. 40 days, twice a day - The challenge came forth from Goliath. "Winner take all!" 40 days, twice a day - the army of Israel suited up in their armor and ran to the battle line to listen to the challenge. (40 days x 2 = 80 Times!)
They never intended to actually FIGHT ... they just ACTED LIKE they were going to fight. All dressed up in battle array, but going nowhere!

I wonder how closely we resemble that army today? We suit up weekly, and go to church. We sing the battle songs. We shout to the enemy, "We're gonna get you, Devil!"

BUT we never really intend to engage the enemy at all. 3000 years separate us, but we're not so different from Israel's army.We all face GIANTS ... every day!

There are MENTAL Giants -- Fears, self-doubt, insecurities...There are EMOTIONAL Giants -- Worry, anger, depression... There are SPIRITUAL Giants -- Unbelief, doubt, misunderstanding the Word ...There are PHYSICAL Giants -- Sickness, injury, handicaps ...Need we go on?

Here's a great TRUTH There is usually one major issue in our lives -- one BIG GIANT that looms in our path. The truth is, if we can defeat the one, BIG Giant, the lesser "soldiers of Hell" will fall away as well.

That is exactly what happened in our story. It is a perfect picture of today's battle.

Every day, the enemy rears up on his hind legs and shouts a challenge to us! "Winner take all! Give me your best shot!"

Jesus said, "The Thief (satan), comes (continually, daily), only (for no other purpose but) to kill, steal and destroy (every believer, Jesus' sheep)." But, Jesus announced that He came to give us LIFE and a life that is abundant.

How do you answer the Enemy's challenge Friends?

David's father asked him to go to his brothers and take them a 'care package' from home. They were "brave soldiers" in the army of Israel, and were encamped near the enemy.

For 40 days, Goliath mocked and challenged God's people - and no one did anything to stop him. For 40 days, God's people were silent...

David came into the army camp as the giant issued his 81st challenge...


A BIG Change is coming!

We all know that David used a sling and a stone to topple the too-tall giant.

We'll use the acronym - S.T.O.N.E. -- to discover the qualities David had, and that we can have to bring our "giants" to their knees.

will be continue......

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