Humility

 

Fear of the Lord

There is time to give up (Ecclesiastes 3:6b)

Giving up is not always bad. There is time to give up (Ecc 3:6b - NIV). Give up here (lə-’ab-bêḏ, אָבַד, abad) can be translated to ‘to perish’, ‘to lose’, ‘to quit searching’, ‘to give up as lost’, ‘to destroy’, ‘to break’, ‘to die’, ‘put to death’, or ‘to spend’ [1]. Giving up on something can be a beginning of a new fresh start:

Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. (John 12:24 – NIV)

There are things that we should never give up, e.g. our belief in Jesus Christ as our Savior, our trust that God -our Father- loves and cares for us, our belief in the promises of God, our belief in God’s ability, faith, and many others. However, there are things that we should give up, e.g. sin, flesh desires, wrong motive, arrogance, pride, and many others.

Sometimes, even though the vision/work we do is good in the eyes of God, flesh desires sneak in. I would like to illustrate this situation as a tree branch that has a disease on its beautiful leaves. Depending on the condition, the solution can be using medicine/treatment to treat the diseases or to cut the leaves and let new leaves grow out from them. There are times (maybe not so often) that giving up is needed to let something new grow by the grace of God.

The boundary of which to give up and not is different for every situation and people. Therefore, we always need the Holy Spirit to guide us.  

[1] https://biblehub.com/hebrew/6.htm

God is in control

 

Greek terms for Anointing

 

The Fruit of the Spirit

 

Names of God

God Teaches Our Ways

Following my previous writing [1], I learned that God does things to make us acknowledge Him and humble. 

I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that people will fear Him. - Ecclesiastes 3:14 (NIV)

Then, this thought come to my mind: What can I do anyway if God decides anyway on what will happen. I can only trust Him. How do I know His plan and what to do? Then, God directs me to some bible verses:

He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way. - Psalm 25:9 (NIV)

Who, then, are those who fear the LORD? He will instruct them in the ways they should choose. - Psalm 25:12 (NIV)

The LORD is a friend to those who fear him. He teaches them his covenant. - Psalm 25:14 (NLT)

God is not a mute God. He wants us to be humble and to fear Him. But, at the same time, He is ready to make us understand what we should understand to reach His vision in us.

In addition, God is Love (1 John 4:16), and there is no fear (of punishment or condemnation) in love (1 John 4:18). I believe, when God directs you to the ways that we should choose, He will do it in love.

1. http://ivannatimotius.blogspot.com/2021/12/fear-of-god.html

Fear of God

Some time ago, I wrote about how God did many things to make people understand the sovereignty of God [1]. This theme is not only appeared in the book of Ezekiel:

I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that people will fear Him. - Ecclesiastes 3:14

It seems like in life, there are some elements of randomity to build humility, trust, and the fear of God in us. Do not 'give up', but 'surrender' to God.

1. https://ivannatimotius.blogspot.com/2021/07/ezekiel-know-that-i-am-lord.html

'Knowing God' is not equal to 'Glorifying Him as God'

Being able to know God is not always an easy process. However, that is not the end of the journey.

Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship Him as God or even give Him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused. - Roman 1:21 (NLT)

Here we read how important it is to worship and acknowledge God as God. Having enough knowledge about God does not always mean that the person accepts the concept of God. It is important to acknowledge God as God. In addition, it is necessary to come to Jesus after knowing about Him (as mentioned in my previous writing).

In the Wilderness, Desert, or Solitary Place

The Greek word 'ἔρημος (erémos)' [1] is translated in the bible as wilderness, desert, and solitary place. Wilderness [2] is defined as a region uninhabited by human beings. Desert [3] is defined as desolate and sparsely occupied. 

In the bible, some appearances of 'ἔρημος (erémos)' is in:

• Matthew 3; Mark 1; Luke 1 & 3; John 1: John the Baptist is preaching in the wilderness.
• Matthew 4; Mark 1; Luke 4: Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness.
• Luke 4:42; Luke 5:16; John 11:54: Jesus went out to a solitary place; Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.
• Matthew 14; Mark 6; Luke 9: Jesus withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place; Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.
• Luke 15:4: Doesn't he leave the ninety-nine in the open country, ...
• John 6; Act 7; Act 13:18; Hebrew 3: Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, ...
• Act 7:30: An angel appeared to Moses in the flames of a burning bush in the desert near Mount Sinai.

Wilderness, desert, and solitary place mean a place away from the population/public. It seems like many things, including spiritual growth, can happen in the wilderness. Even though being in a community is undeniably important, a place away from other people (together with God) can also bring growth in your spiritual life.

[1] https://biblehub.com/greek/2048.htm
[2] https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wilderness
[3] https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/desert

Ezekiel: Know that I am the LORD

As I read the book of Ezekiel, I found 59 sentences saying:

"Then they (or you or ...) will know that I am the (Sovereign) LORD."

These sentences come after mentioning both good and bad things. Seeing how many times these sentences appear in the bible and how big the events God did/allowed to happen for this aim, I can imagine how important is this matter to God. Acknowledging - that God is the LORD in every detail and every time - is not always easy to practice. However, I pray that the Holy Spirit will keep reminding you about this.

Understanding God's work (Job 38:4)

"Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation? Tell me, if you understand." (Job 38:4, NIV)

This sentence was spoken by God Himself to Job out of a storm. In no part in the bible, has God ever explain the details on how did He lay the earth's foundation or other questions asked to Job. So, this question together with many other questions meant to open Job's (and our) mind that he (and we) can not understand every detail of what God is doing (except He specifically open it to us).

God's works are beyond our understanding. Job mentioned in Job 42:3b "Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know." In some matter of life, we only need to trust Him and put our hope in Him.

Even though Job can not understand God's works or plans, he said that his eyes had seen God. Unable to understand Him does not mean that it is useless to get hungry to know Him more. Trying to know God is trying to make a relationship with God, trying to understand what God wants in my life, and trying to see God.

Who do you say Jesus is?

This question was raised by Jesus to his disciples (Luke 9:20) and maybe also to us. In the four gospel books, some people addressed Jesus as:

• Lord and/or God: John 9:38 (healed man) John 11:12 (Jesus's disciples) John 11:21-33 (Martha & Mary), John 13:6,9; John 13:36-37, John 21:15-17 (Peter), John 14:22 (Judas, but not Judas Iscariot), John 20:18 (Mary Magdalene), John 20:28 (Thomas), John 21:7 (John & Peter). 
• Teacher or Rabbi: Matthew 22:16 (Pharisees' disciples), Mark 10:35 (James & John), Luke 9:38 (A man with a sick son), John 1:38; John 9:1; John 11:8 (Jesus's disciples), John 3:1 (Nicodemus), John 20:16 (Mary Magdalene).
• Prophet (a person who receives and tells a message from God): John 7:40 (some people), John 9:17 (healed man), John 21:11 (crowd).
• Messiah (the anointed one, Christ): Luke 9:20 (Peter), John 1:41 (Andrew), John 4:25 (woman near the well), John 7:41 (some people).

Note that I do not list every bible verse on how people addressed Jesus above.

I learned that in this world, there are several religions, believes, and people that acknowledge the role of Jesus. Some acknowledge Jesus as a prophet (but not as God), some want to learn from his teaching/philosophy (but not acknowledge Him as the God). Do you see Jesus as your Lord, God, teacher, and Savior?

Even though we do not know what exactly is in Judas Iscariot's heart, but, interestingly, that he used the word 'Rabbi' during the last supper (Matthew 26:25) and in the Gethsemane (Matthew 26:49, Mark 14:45). He did not use the word 'Lord' in that situation.

Who is Jesus for you? Is He your Lord and God?

Where are you? (Genesis 3:9)

 I would like to write here a story I heard from Reinhard Bonnke [1].

When Adam and Eve sin in the garden of Eden, they hid. The Lord did not say: "This is My sabbath. I've worked six days. This is My day of rest". God broke His sabbath and arose. For God, it is impossible to do nothing as long as one soul is lost. He arose and he called: "Where are you?". God knew where they were hiding. But, He asked the question because He needed an answer.

Today wherever you are, give Him your position. He wants to get closer to you and work in you.

[1] https://youtu.be/Vyqwu09sxUc?t=2684 

When Jesus seems to come late (John 11)

Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days. (John 11:5-6)

From another bible verse, this family (especially Mary) has shown much love to Jesus. Additionally, John 11 states that Jesus loves this family. But, still, at the time of difficulty, Jesus does not come to them immediately. Loving God and being loved by God does not always mean that you will be free from problems or that all your requests will be immediately fulfilled.

From the story, Jesus is on purpose in postponing His help (John 11:14-15). We can learn that Jesus is still in control, Jesus has a better plan, Jesus wants to change our heart 'so that we may believe'.

There might be many questions in our life. Maybe at this point, we are struggling to continuously believe that God is in control, God has a better plan, or He is currently working with our heart. Sometimes our problems/questions affect us so much and we can not understand things. Like Mary and Martha, why don't we just come to Him and pour out your heart to Him?

If you can read this blog, He is not yet finished with you. He lives. Happy Easter.

Note: Part of this writing is inspired by a sermon by Fuji Harsono (GMS Jabodetabek).

Worshiping by Anointing Jesus

The act of worshiping by anointing Jesus appears in every gospel in the bible. The stories come with some differences in details, which make the discussion if it is the same occasion or some separate occasions.

	Matthew  26:6-13 Mark 14:3-9	Luke 7:36-50	John 12:1-8
Where?	Bethany, home of Simon the Leper	Pharisee’s house	Bethany
By whom?	a woman	a sinful woman	Mary
How?	using very expensive perfume, pure nard	wet with tears, wiped with hair, kissed, and poured perfume.	using a pint (0.5 l) of pure nard, poured on feet, and wiped with her hair.
On what?	head	feet	feet
Criticized by	disciples	The Pharisee: Simon	disciples

If these are separate occasions, I am impressed by the number of intimate worship acts that take place in public. If this is just a one time action, I am impressed by how deeply this act touched people, that every storyteller remembered different details.

Isn't that an intimate worship to God so beautiful? It brings to a place very near to God, where everything feels so different. Additionally, it changes and touches hearts.

Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere

- Psalm 84:10a (NIV) -

Come to Jesus after Knowing (John 3:1-2)

"Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him." (John 3:1-2, NIV)

Not only Nicodemus know that Jesus has come from God. However, that night only he came to Jesus. He eventually learned directly from Jesus about the principle of being born again.

Only knowing about Jesus is not enough. It is important to come to Him. Let Him speak to your heart directly.

What hinder you to come to Jesus?

Fighting the Feeling of Unbelonging

Did you ever feel that you do not belong in a certain (or in any) community? Maybe you tried in a very long term to do many things (eat what they eat, learn their language, reach the standard that has been told to you, change your behavior/appearance) up to your maximum energy and ability. Maybe it did happen because of some form of disabilities, underprivileged, rejection, or jealousy.

The issue of not belonging also appeared in some kids movies. In the movie of Cars 3, Cruz said, "I did not belong. The others look nothing like me." She even mentions that her surrounding tried to convince her to dream small or not at all. In the movie of Kungfu Panda, Tigress said to Poo, "You do not belong here." In the movie of Mulan, Shang said to Mulan, "You don't belong here, Mulan. Go home."

The feeling of not belonging can have a great effect in life, such as low confidence, giving up (even though there is great potential), and depression.

Regardless of how other people think and behave to you, if the Spirit of God lives in you, you belong to God (Roman 8:9). Psalm 100:3 (NIV) said:

Know that the Lord is God. It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people, the sheep of His pasture.

Additionally, we do not only belong to God, but we are also very precious to Him as we are the apple of His eye (Zechariah 2:8).

Do not give up your calling/potential in God. Trust in Him.

Kingdom of God

The following bible verse caught my attention:

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power (1 Cor 4:20, NIV)

It makes me think: what is the meaning of power here? For me, power can relate to the energy flow (energy/sec) or it can also relate to authority and sovereign state.

The bible verse makes me wonder: what is actually the kingdom of God? The kingdom of God (or kingdom of heaven as mentioned in the book of Matthew) is sometimes interpreted as a kingdom in the future or a kingdom now on earth. However, it always means the state of God being in power/authority (over our life, problem, circumstances).

The kingdom of God here on earth are often linked together with the financial or security situation. It seems that some situations make us easier to allow God ruling in our heart. (However, it never said that prosperity makes it impossible to make God our king)

Blessed are you who are poor (in spirit), for yours is the kingdom of God (Luke 6:20, Mat 5:3*, NIV)

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Mat 5:10, NIV) 

It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God (Mark 10:25, NIV)

The kingdom of God can be asked (Mat 6:10a), seek (Mat 6:33), taken (Mat 21:43), and received (Mark 10:15). When someone finds the kingdom of God, it seems natural to "give" everything for it (Mat 13:44-46).

Your kingdom come ... (Mat 6:10a, NIV)

But seek first His kingdom ... (Mat 6:33a, NIV)

Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit. (Mat 21:43, NIV)

Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it. (Mark 10:15, NIV)

The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. (Mat 13:44)

The kingdom of God has different "law" compared with any human kingdom. It is also not an easy topic to be understood by our brain. Therefore, Jesus (Act 1:3) and the apostles (Acts 8:12, Acts 19:9) took time in teaching about the kingdom of God. Still, there might be a misunderstanding (Act 6:6-8). The best way to understand the kingdom of God is by experiencing God/Jesus/Holy Spirit to be the King in your heart and life.