Lost In the mountains

One day a group of young people went hiking the mountain.

After 3 hours have passed, they have not arrived at the destination post according to the estimated time. But they insisted that their route was correct and continued their journey.

After almost 5 hours, they came to their senses and admitted that they went the wrong way. The situation of the route they took did not match the description mentioned in the guide.

“We will return to basecamp”, they agreed, and immediately went down to basecamp.

Arriving at basecamp, they met the officers there. “Luckily you realized your mistake”, the officer said. “The route just now went to an unstable landslide area. Very dangerous.”

Perhaps, we have a similar experience: Sometime after an action we begin, we see a sign that our action is wrong or about to be wrong, and we immediately “return to basecamp”.

But, there are people who can behave differently. Although he knew that his steps were wrong or would be wrong, he still continued his wrong steps. People know that corruption is wrong. But still, people are corrupt. People know infidelity destroys families, especially children. But still, people play with loyalty.

To harden the heart is to consciously ignore all signs that are seen and understood, and to insist on continuing the step even though it knows the step is wrong. Proverbs 28:14 reminds us, “… He who hardens his heart will fall into a catastrophe.”

Realizing that something is wrong or will go wrong is God’s way of reminding us, to keep us from bad things. To harden our hearts to that awareness, and to insist on going in the direction we know we are wrong, is self-harm, and degrading God’s goodness. We definitely don’t want that.

Be Zealous…Our God Is Great. 

It is undeniable that in these days we are increasingly faced with challenges that are not getting easier, as well as the burden of life that is getting heavier day by day. That is why many people complain and become pessimistic in looking at the future of their lives. Pessimism is an attitude or view of a person towards something that is described by the characteristics of uncertainty, moodiness, sadness, hopelessness, as if in a very bad situation. No matter how difficult the situation is and no matter how heavy the burden of life is, we must remain optimistic and not be pessimistic, let alone give up defeat to the situation. Our lives are lived by believing, not by seeing.

Why should we remain optimistic in life? Because we have a God who has no doubt about His strength and power. Therefore we should not be afraid to face anything. If God is on our side, who will be against us?If God works, nothing is impossible for Him. Even in the midst of suffering, if we continue to walk with God and live in reliance on Him, then we will see restoration manifested in our lives.God does great things not intending to show abilities about His divinity, but He is indeed the Most Great and magical God of all His deeds.

Be zealous in life, because we have a God who guarantees our future with certainty. “Because the future really exists, and your hope will not be lost.” (Proverbs 23:18). Never pin hope on this world, it is in vain. Hope only in the Lord and keep waiting for Him, for those who hope in Him will not be ashamed. Never be afraid in life, because we have a God who never fails all His plans.

In God we have the assurance of a victorious life, for He is a great God who loves us!

Wanna Be Happy?

There is no true happiness in this world. The happiness that the world offers is false. People in the world often measure happiness from the amount of money they have or the abundance of assets, position or position and also popularity. In reality, none of this guarantees someone’s happiness. Don’t we often see in the news that there are quite a few public figures (artists/officials) who are found to be frustrated, run to drugs, have promiscuity, or try to commit suicide because they feel emptiness in their lives even though they already have the material and popularity.

Remember that the source of happiness is God! And it is sin that causes humans to lose happiness. Because of sin/transgression, the first human was expelled from the Garden of Eden so that humans lost happiness. As a result, humans make various efforts to get that happiness back, even though the methods they take are not in accordance with God’s will. The more humans try with their own strength, the more they are trapped in Satan’s tricks which often offer false happiness.

The world with all its glitter becomes easy bait for people who are thirsty for happiness. Many people become complacent and become even further away from the true Source of Happiness.

So, anyone who wants to be happy in their life must have a heart that fears God by doing His word, because His word is the truth that will guide and bring us happiness. And if we put God first, seek the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, then everything adds up to our life.

Why Is Your Heart Restless?

Anxiety is a feeling that everyone experiences. It is a natural thing. Anxiety can be interpreted as a sense of unease, a mood that always feels worried, sleep is not calm, impatient in terms of waiting. If you look at the situation these days, it’s not surprising that many people live in anxiety. Natural disasters, crimes, not to mention other problems that seem to come one after another that add to anxiety. It is true that Job said, “Man who is born of a woman is few of days and full of trouble.“Job 14:1

Extreme anxiety was also experienced by the disciples when they heard that their Master was leaving them, even though the Jesus did not say that He would leave and not return, but He would leave and return soon. Seeing this, the Jesus said to them, “Let not your hearts be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me… For I went there to prepare a place for you. And when I have gone there and prepared a place for you, I will come back and take you to My place, so that in the place where I am, you will be too.” (John 14:1-3). Jesus has given us a solution to be free from anxiety, which is to believe in God, believe in Me.

Are you currently in anxiety because of a pressing problem? Immediately come to God and believe in Him because He is the way, the truth, and the life (see John 14:6). When she met the Jesus, a Samaritan woman experienced a restoration of life because she had found answers and a way out of the struggles she had been seeking. And to Lazarus,Jesus proved that He is the Source of life. 

Anxiety will not hit if we truly leave all the problems of life to God and trust Him.


“Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.”
Psalm 43:5

Tribulation Shapes Character, Power Tests Character.

For some, power has always been a tempting seat. They feel they can do anything and are free because of their power. But power becomes a slippery place. Not a few fell derailed. About adversity and power, Abraham Lincoln once said: “Almost anyone can face adversity, but if you want to test a person’s character, give him power.”

Adversity becomes a test so that a person learns to remain resilient in the face of adversity, learn to respect others, and be tested in humility. On the contrary, power will show a person’s character. King Uzziah went through difficult times from a young age so he was recorded as a man who sought God earnestly. But when he felt himself strong and gained power, his heart changed. The real character appears. He turned lofty, committed destructive actions, and no longer respected God’s words. It is a pity that at the end of his life, the king of Uzzia had to end it badly. He died of leprosy. 

Power is not wrong. But when we get it, if our heart is not ready, then we can easily change. Power is indeed the real test of our character. Therefore, it is important for us to always have the awareness that power is only a trust and trust that comes from God. Power is given to make others happy, not oneself. This is where our humility will still be well preserved.

Happy Day

Life is indeed a cycle between hardship and joy, as each day’s life consists of day and night. Not all days are sunny and not all nights are dark.

Humans always strive for hardship to go away and be replaced by pleasure. If only there would be no trouble in this life; Everyone hopes that if they can, then this life will always be filled with pleasure.

It is not what happens that determines the day of life, but it is the heart that determines the circumstances of life in all matters.

People in trouble are those who find it difficult to accept life as happiness in all cases but always see life as difficult.

There is no person who does not experience hardship, difficult times, but those who always see this life as happiness are always able to see that there is an Eternal Arm that guides them. The day of a merry person is a joy (feast) every day.

“All the days of the afflicted [are] evil: but he that is of a merry heart [hath] a continual feast.”Proverbs 1

How To Deal With Criticism

Robert A. Cook, former president of King’s College in New York, recounted his experiences in the early years of his ministry.

He often received a lot of criticism, and so he sought advice from a friend, the Reverend Harry A. Ironside.

Cook poured his whole heart out on his friend and asked what he should do in the face of the harsh criticism that attacked him.

Ironside responded, “Robert, if your criticism is true, accept it generously! But if it’s not true, forget it!”

We may not be able to escape the hurtful ridicule that slides quickly from people who don’t like us. However, when an attack through words is thrown at us, it is good to analyze it. If it is not true, leave it alone. Like the water circle behind a swimming duck, it will gradually disappear. If so, take the necessary steps to remedy the situation.

Are you facing criticism? Or accusations? If all of that is true, fix yourself. But if none of that is true, forget it. That’s how to deal with criticism. Don’t be afraid of criticism if you’re right, and don’t underestimate criticism if you’re wrong.

When Your Eye Is Good,Your  Body Is Good

There was a man who bought a dove at a very high price because the bird won the game (the voice was very melodious). The man then bought an iron cage and placed the bird in an iron cage and placed the cage in a high place to be safe.

At night when the man was sleeping soundly, a neighbor’s cat approached the birdhouse. When the bird saw the cat, he was frightened that the cat would pounce on him. Because of fear, he flew to and fro in the iron cage. The more the bird flies, the more interested the cat becomes. The cat got closer and closer by climbing onto the table, the bird was getting scared again, it kept flying to and fro and hoping to avoid the cat.

In the morning the man wanted to hear the chirping of the dove. But what happened? The bird died from hitting the cage too much. The man regretted that the dove bought at such a great price died.

The dove died of fright; He was afraid to see the look in the cat’s eyes. The cat can never pounce because the dove is in a strong iron cage; The cage is stronger than the cat’s teeth. But just because of the look in the cat’s eyes, the bird was gripped with fear. Frightened and panicked, the bird flies to and fro, hitting the cage many times to death.

From the illustration we can learn that the eyes affect the heart, the heart gripped by fear will affect actions (behavior) and ultimately actions affect life.

Actually, if the bird does not see the cat but sees its strong cage, it will calm down. The cat may be there, but if the bird doesn’t care and doesn’t look into the cat’s eyes, the problem is solved.

The bird is scared even to death because he focuses on the cat (gadfly). When he focuses on his strong cage protecting him, he can rest assured.

Likewise, everything we often see will affect the heart and will radiate in life, both in our word and deed. The eyes are like windows and doors to our hearts.

Your eye is a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is good, your whole body is filled with light. But when it is bad, your body is filled with darkness.

Are You Developing Good Habits Or Bad Habits?

A man in a village known for his prowess could hold a pot of boiling water with his bare hands without feeling any pain.

A young man who was curious about the man’s abilities came to see him. 

“How can you hold a pot of boiling water without feeling pain?” asked the young man.

The man calmly replied, “There’s nothing special. I just habituated my hands to holding the hot pot. At first my hands were blistered. But the more I do it, my hands seem to be immune to heat and can hold that hot pot without any problems.”

The human body does have a mechanism of remembering something that is done repeatedly and considering it as something normal. When we get used to doing a good habit, over time we will get used to doing it. The same goes for bad habits. At first maybe we didn’t mean to do it. But because of getting used to doing it, day by day, it finally became a matter of course and considered natural.

Every habit starts from one repeated action. Starting a habit (good or bad) certainly takes time and effort. But when it is ingrained then we feel the benefits or disadvantages. Therefore determine what habits we will develop in ourselves today. Are they good habits or bad habits?

Delay 5 Minutes

Marion Lois Jones, also known as Marion Jones-Thompson, is a former world track champion and professional basketball player who played in the Tulsa Shock in the WNBA.

History records her name in two ways. First, her extraordinary achievements in athletics. She was the world champion in the women’s 100 meter dash in 1997 and 1999 with a best time of 10.70 seconds. At the 2000 Sydney Olympics, she won three gold medals in the women’s 100 m, 200 m and long jump events. In that event she also donated two bronze medals in the team event.

Second, her lies to the public regarding the doping problem he used during the Sydney Olympics. Jones served a six-month prison sentence in Texas and had her Sydney Olympic medal revoked.

In an interview after her release from prison, Jones said her biggest regret was that when questioned by investigators, she didn’t delay five minutes. Had she not hastily decided to lie and taken five minutes to think, seeing the lawyer and her family waiting outside the investigation room would not have ended that way.

Making decisions emotionally and without thinking, can indeed be fatal as a result. “…and whoever makes haste with his feet misses his way.”(Proverb 19:2b)

Let’s, before deciding on something, “delay five minutes”. Think of the good and the bad; for yourself or others. Don’t follow momentary emotions. So as not to regret it later.