If I talk to you about "Jesus feeding the multitudes of people", what event will you remember? For most people, they will remember about the miracle on the mount where Jesus fed 5,000 people with 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish, leaving 12 baskets of food remains. But how many of you know that Jesus also fed 4,000 people later? I didn't know about this second miracle until I read it in Matthews during my One-Year Bible Reading Plan.

So, there are actually TWO occurences of Jesus feeding the multitudes:

Matthews 14:13-21 - Jesus fed 5,000 with 5 bread and 2 fish. There were 12 baskets of leftovers.

Matthews 15:29-39 - Jesus fed 4,000 with 7 bread and a few little fish. There were 7 baskets of leftovers.

See the meaning behind the comparison? God actually works better with less resources. It means that you should not be afraid and falter if you're facing a condition where it seems that there is no way out. God works better in near-zero condition. It is true when Paul said, "when I am weak, I am strong". Because when you are weak, you will reach out to Him with all your heart, and He will do a great work for you, so your faith will be strengthened.

Let's take another Scripture reading for more example, this time from John 11. It is the story of the resurrection of Lazarus by Jesus Christ. From the earlier verses, we know that Maria and Martha have faith in Jesus, but how great was their faith? They believed that Jesus can heal the sick. That's why they asked Him to come to Bethany to heal the sick Lazarus. So in this earlier state, let's say that they have faith in Jesus as a doctor, but not yet a resurrector. Even as He went on to Lazarus' grave and was about to resurrect him, Martha still shown a sign of unbelief. She said, "LORD, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days". Okay, if Jesus can resurrect Lazarus, I'm sure that He can also deal with the details and some minor stuff, like making sure that Lazarus won't come out like a Resident Evil/Silent Hill walking zombie :p So, there the story went, Lazarus lived, and the faith of Maria, Martha and Lazarus was strengthened even more and evermore. Now they know that the Jesus they believe in is just not a healer of the sick but also a resurrector of the dead. What would be better? Heal the sick Lazarus or resurrect the dead Lazarus? I'm sure that all of you know the answer now.

That's why, despite the bad circumstances that might be surrounding us, we only have to believe in Him. I'm sure that Maria and Martha would have chosen Lazarus not to die, but if he didn't die, they wouldn't have been able to witness such mighty work from the hands of Jesus. Remember, if your life is on a turned-down situation right now, it might mean that God is preparing a glorious miracle and mighty work to be made in your life. Just wait ;)

Oh yeah, one more important thing that you have to remember and carve deeply into your mind:
God works better with less resources, but there's one resource He can't work without:  F A I T H


••• Thursday, January 22, 2004 •••

This Is The Time

When you were 15, she came home from work and wanted to hug you.
But instead, you went to your room and locked up the door.

When you were 16, she taught you how to drive her car.
In return, you used her car everytime you had a chance, without thinking about her needs.

When you were 17, she was waiting for an important phone call.
But instead, you used the phone non-stop for the whole night.

When you were 18, she was touched and she cried when you graduated from High School.
In return, you went on partying with your friends until morning.

When you were 19, she paid your college fee and drove you to campus on your first day.
But instead, you asked her to drop you far from the gate so you won't be embarassed in front of your friends.

When you were 20, she asked you, "Where did you go all day?"
In return, you answered her, "Mom, you are so noisy, always wanting to know other's business!"

When you were 21, she advised you on a good job for your future career.
But instead, you told her, "I don't want to be like Mother".

When you were 22, she hugged you when you graduated from the university.
In return, you asked her when would you be able to go on a holiday to Paris.

When you were 23, she bought you a set of furniture for your new house.
But instead, you told your friends how bad and ugly was the furniture.

When you were 24, she met your fiance and asked about her future plans.
In return, you blamed her, "What were you thinking, Mom? Why did you ask her like that?"

When you were 25, she helped you to pay for your wedding celebrations.
In return, you moved to another city 500 miles away from her.

When you were 30, she gave you some advices on how to raise your baby.
But instead, you told her, "Mom, it's a different age now!"

When you were 40, she called to inform you on a relative's birthday party.
In return, you answered, "Mom, I'm very busy, I have no time for that!"

When you were 50, she was heavily sick so she needed your care.
But instead, you read about the negative influence of parents that stayed on their children's houses.

And one day, she rested in peace.
And suddenly, you remembered all things that you haven't done for her,
because they came back and smacked your heart like a sledgehammer.

If she is still alive, do not forget to give your love more than what you ever gave her before.
If she has passed away, remember her pure love and kindness that she have given for you.

A forwarded e-mail from a friend of mine. Translated and Edited to English Version.


••• Wednesday, January 21, 2004 •••

Worship Is The Key!

Maybe most of us have heard this phrase over and over so many times until we are bored, "worship is the key to build a strong relationship with God". But how many of us have understood the real meaning behind that phrase, and more importantly, do it each and every day? Well, I did not, until yesterday, that is. See, I was having problems lately, I was getting desperate and stressed yesterday, so I chatted with Mee on YM and poured out everything. But before I can get my relief, she said that she wanted to do her "silent time".

I persuaded and asked her not to go, but she said that Father God has called her and asked her to come. So, she left, and before she did, she told me to go find these three verses, because Father God has asked me to do that.

Matthew 18:18 - Whatever you shall bind on earth shall occur, having been bound in Heaven...

Isaiah 30:15 - In returning and rest you shall be saved; and in quietness and hope shall be your strength.

Isaiah 55:6 - Seek Jehovah while He may be found; call on Him while He is near.

Okay, so I went to my prayer room, and prayed for about 20 minutes, and poured everything that I felt right then to God. I don't know what else to do so I just knelt there doing nothing. And suddenly I started singing this song:

Percayalah kepada Tuhan dengan segenap hatimu
Dan janganlah bersandar kepada pengertianmu sendiri
    Berbahagia orang-orang yang memperoleh hikmat-Nya
    Lebih berharga dari emas perak dan permata
    Umur panjang di tangan kanannya
    Kemuliaan hormat di tangan kiri
    Jalan yang penuh damai sejahtera senantiasa....

WHAM! That song was quite a shocking message for me. "Trust the LORD with all your heart", hey for the last few days, I do not depend on God fully, but instead, I ignored the warning that was given in the second sentence, "and do not stand by your own wisdom". For those of you who cannot understand the song, the rest of it maybe goes like this in English: "Blessed are the people who were granted His wisdom, more worthy than gold, silver, and diamond. Long life in His right hand, glory and honor in His left hand. A path full of peace and joy everlasting".

After singing three more songs, I felt an urge to praise and worship together with Mee, so I called her. We spoke for a moment, and then she started laughing by herself. When I asked her what's so funny, she said, "Listen... Father God says that you should hang up your phone, because He wants to hear your songs. He thinks they are beautiful, because they are sang from the heart". WHAM! Thought He'd never listen, because I sang those four songs while weeping so my voice was rather "bland". But He did not hear the voice, instead He saw the heart.

I quickly hung up the phone and started singing again for about another 30 minutes (5 more songs if I'm not mistaken). I was greatly overjoyed and happy, and I couldn't stop smiling as I sang. It was a great happiness for me to be able to please God, and for me to know that my songs of praises are heard by the Father. Ah, I long for more of these moments. I want to have moments like that to share with Him. This morning I was kinda sleepy, so I couldn't sing too much, but tonight I'll sing more for Him, hehehe. I am very happy, my sadness has been wiped.

You should try to do praise and worship too, because it is the Key to the Relationship. Will you? =)


••• Monday, January 19, 2004 •••