Dear VNC pastors:
Do we have the Bien Ban Hoi Dong 2008 available yet? Is it going to be posted on our website here?
Looking back over the past few Dai Hoi Lien Huu Tin Lanh Giam Ly, I noticed the following themes, Conference dates and locations:
2009 - Serving God Together - Cung Nhau Phuc Vu Chua, at Pomona, CA, June 24-27, 2009.
2008 - Focus on Jesus - Nhin Xem Chua, at Linda Vista, CA, June 26-29, 2008.
2007 - Empowering Lay Ministry -at Living Faith UMC, Lewisville, Dallas area, July 5-8, 2007.
2006 - Equipped to Serve - Trang Bi Phuc Vu, at Good Shepherd UMC, Westminster, CA, June 30 - July 03, 2006.
2005 - Theo Duoi Muc Dich, at Wesley UMC, San Diego, CA, July 13-17, 2005.
Then the Holy Spirit impressed upon my heart to share some of these questions that I have been pondering.
I sense that God's Spirit is getting the Church ready so that He can empower us to be where He wants us to be and to do exactly what He wants us to do; just like Jesus did, has done exactly what He has seen the Father does and said what the Father wants Him to say.
To the beloved church, God's Spirit is saying in my heart to share as we prepare for 2009:
What is God's clear and inspiring vision for the church?
We did many things, but what have we really done or accomplished in the name of Jesus?
Have we put enough emphasis on the ministry to the youth and young adults? Who have been called into the preparation for the ordained ministry? What is the next generation church leaders look like?
What have we been equipping God's church with? How much have we grown in the Word, in our faith with God?
How have we healed the sick in the name of Jesus; How have we cleansed leprosy? How have we been casting out demons? How has our preaching been confirmed with the demonstration of the Holy Spirit and His Power?
Do we have a statistic of how many new souls, believers the Lord has been adding in our midst? Have we fed the hungry, clothed the naked, comforted the distraught, visited the prisoners, set the captive free...? Have we walked humbly before the Lord seeking Him with all of our hearts?
Do we have God's blueprint, or are we following God's strategies to plant or start new churches?
How are our members or churches suffering for the sake of the Gospel?
What are God's goals for the church? We have put a lot of emphasis on church structure, denominational structure, but how has the life of God's Spirit moved freely in His church?
Where are we heading? What will the VNC, the church head toward or be like in 5 years?
What are we willing to give up so that God's Spirit can teach us new things or grant us new vision?
I have shared the things that God's Spirit has impressed upon my heart with respect and humility, speaking the truth in love; fear not for the Lord is with thee.
Pastor Linh
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
More of God ...
Don't we all hunger to be more? Don't we all desire to have more? Don't we all want to impact more? Don't we all want to live a life of significant leaving a legacy behind for the next generations to inherit?
What kind of legacy are you and I preparing to leave behind for the next generation?
I don't know about yours, but I would like to invite you to ponder with me:
"What would your life and mine be when we all hunger to be like Christ more and more everyday?"
"What would happen when we actually surrender ourselves and hunger for more of God in our life?" "What would we be doing differently?"
"What would happen when God's Spirit really take full control of our thoughts, desires, words and deeds?" "What thoughts and desires does the Holy Spirit want us to focus? "Which actions will we take when our lives are directed and led by God?"
"What would our lives be when the Spirit inspires us to imitate Christ daily?" "How is the fruit of the Holy Spirit being developed in us?"
"What would our lives be when we are filled with the Spirit and His power?"
"How would our lives be when we have more joy, more love to share with others?"
"How would our ministries be when we set more time for God daily, not to be 'more' busy doing "God's works" but to get lost in His holy Presence and to hear His voice?"
"With the Holy Spirit filling our lives with His presence and power who will we impact the most for Christ?" "Who will we help reach their full potential?"
Lord, have more control of me every moment of my life. I desire more of You in my life. "More love, more power, more of You in my life."
Pastor Linh
"As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he."
What kind of legacy are you and I preparing to leave behind for the next generation?
I don't know about yours, but I would like to invite you to ponder with me:
"What would your life and mine be when we all hunger to be like Christ more and more everyday?"
"What would happen when we actually surrender ourselves and hunger for more of God in our life?" "What would we be doing differently?"
"What would happen when God's Spirit really take full control of our thoughts, desires, words and deeds?" "What thoughts and desires does the Holy Spirit want us to focus? "Which actions will we take when our lives are directed and led by God?"
"What would our lives be when the Spirit inspires us to imitate Christ daily?" "How is the fruit of the Holy Spirit being developed in us?"
"What would our lives be when we are filled with the Spirit and His power?"
"How would our lives be when we have more joy, more love to share with others?"
"How would our ministries be when we set more time for God daily, not to be 'more' busy doing "God's works" but to get lost in His holy Presence and to hear His voice?"
"With the Holy Spirit filling our lives with His presence and power who will we impact the most for Christ?" "Who will we help reach their full potential?"
Lord, have more control of me every moment of my life. I desire more of You in my life. "More love, more power, more of You in my life."
Pastor Linh
"As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he."
Happy New Year 2009
Wishing you, your family and all our loved ones a very Happy, Prosperous and Successful New Year 2009 full of new learning overcoming challenges and obstacles, growth in the midst of setbacks and unusual circumstances, joy in the midst of suffering for the Gospel, faith in God despite fear and doubt and abundance of love from our Heavenly Father.
Pastor Linh
Pastor Linh
Saturday, December 27, 2008
In the Midst of Despair, Hope Comes
In the Midst of Despair, Hope Comes
In my chaplain ministry, everyday I have talked to people who have been using drugs, cocaine, heroin, marijuana; they have abused alcohol, illegal or controlled substance; either trying to get high or to run away from the problems. In the end, their lives are messed up. They sought help, joined AA group, and indeed got some help but not total deliverance. Something is still in them, controlling them, getting them to go back to do the same thing again. Their habits draw them back; more than that there are unclean spirits that defiled their bodies, troubled their souls, tormented their mind with voices, noises and also made them feel guilty, shame and unworthy; for them whether it’s pleasure seeking or pain-numbing, it is destroying the mind, soul, body and spirit. God seems so far out of reach to some of them. Some have felt like God is punishing them with these sickness and diseases. God is not the author of sickness or diseases. He wants to heal them and set them free.
Other people who have struggled with mental anguish, emotional turmoil, unending pain, are depressed; depression turned to despair when life problems overcame them with unpaid bills, with sickness and diseases, with lay-offs, loved ones in jail, failed marriage, separation and divorce. All these troubles are piling up or coming to them at the same time. When the people are unable to cope or deal with their pains and suffering tried to hurt or kill themselves with drug overdose, it is a matter of life and death; a small window is sometimes not enough to save some of them in time. It’s devastating for families to deal with suicide and death unexpected. Fear of death seems rampant.
Many have come from families of abused victims now becoming the abusers. Children and teenagers now becoming adults have experienced abuses in many physical, emotional, financial, mental, sexual, and spiritual forms. It’s like they are being oppressed by the devil, Satan, and they could not get out of the grip of the evil spirits harassing them, causing so much pain, havoc and destruction in their lives. If something dirty sticks onto you, it’s easy to remove it from the outside. I just can’t imagine the voices, the noisy constantly coming to you, threatening, telling you to hurt yourself or kill and destroy your life or others’. How painful that is! Drugs help easy the pain, lessen the noises, and make the voice temporarily go away. But deliverance is still needed to set the captive free.
It is so sad to hear young children being abused, neglected, molested, and raped by their father, step-father, uncle, cousins; no one really believes them when they broke the news to the parents or to the one they had trusted. Trust is broken; sacred life is being violated causing so much pain and anger and resentment; in severe cases hatred built up. They run away from home, finding love and attention in all the wrong places; they get married to get away from the broken homes. Some joined a church but found no help there. But God is still waiting to deliver the person. Help is on the way.
Others turned out to become prostitutes selling themselves for food, for attention; looking for love in all the wrong places. Others hurt themselves physically by cutting their throat, slashing their wrists or hands causing deformity to the physical bodies. The violence, the abuse and the suffering continue on. How they long to trade the emotional, mental anguish with the physical pain. How they long for the abuse and suffering to stop. A few don’t really care much about life or themselves any more. God is ready to trade all their pain, sorrow, sadness, misery and suffering for His total healing, freedom, peace, joy, eternal life and life abundantly. He’s done that through Calvary, on the cross the Son of God bled and died. By His stripes you are healed. He is ready to forgive you no matter how deep your sin is or how far away you are from Him; he is willing to restore you, to bring you back home, your Heavenly home.
Crap, stuff have been thrown at them; they are thrown from one house or shelter to the next; families seem to disown them, not welcoming them back; for some when the bodies can’t take it any more, these abuses suddenly shut down the system causing them to collapse. Some ended up in ER; other in mental institutions seeking help.
Being in the hospital for the first time can be an overwhelming experience. The doctors will do their parts diagnosing, looking at the symptoms, testing the blood, providing the prognosis and treating them the best they can with their medical knowledge, advance training and new science.
The nurses with their caring hands have administered prescribed medicine from the doctors, and have done their best to help them recovered. Tender loving care is offered at the point of exhaustion sometimes when there are more patients for a nurse to handle.
The CNA, PCA have assisted patients with their daily needs. Listening ear is so much needed. A warm touch, a kind look with understanding and empathy are sometimes wonderful remedies to the sick soul.
The environmental services crews, who tirelessly mop the floor, clean the rooms daily, and also making sure everything is ready for the next patient to come.
The social workers and the case manager deal with the benefits and arrangements for patients’ needs. Other disciplines play important roles as well: from the pharmacy to the lab to billing, ordering, shipping, kitchen staff and more.
The chaplain addresses the spiritual and pastoral needs of the patients, offering them the healing presence, a listening ear; journeying with the patients sometimes in silence, in spoken and unspoken prayers.
There are times when I feel the needs are so great. There are so many patients to care for. Then I remember my God is bigger than my circumstances; I am empowered by His word and to know that He who is in me is greater than the one who is outside gives me strength. Reading His Word daily help me to nurture my relationship with God; He helps me carry on the work. I am encouraged to know that Jesus has come to destroy the works of the devil.
I have found above all, despite life’s circumstances and all of life’s troubles and turmoil, God is the ultimate source of life sustaining us with His presence. Jesus of Nazareth is the Healer. His will is to heal all sickness and diseases and to restore broken lives. He is the Answer they have all longed for. He is the Savior and Deliverer. He has come to set the captive free; he has come to deliver them out of the pit of despair and hopelessness; He has come to give them strength. He heals them and makes them whole again when they reach out to Him in faith trusting Him completely. He is ready to heal you today. Are you willing and ready to come to Him for the help you desperately need? By His stripes you are healed.
Christmas is God’s gift of love to humankind. It’s again reminding us that God is here with us, Emmanuel. He never leaves us nor forsakes us. He will be with us till the end of the earth. He is standing at the door of our hearts and knocks and waits for us to invite Him in to dine. Whoever you are, wherever you are in your stage in life, you can come to Jesus any time and invite Him to be your Savior. You can ask Him to deliver you. He is more than ready to deliver you and to lift you up and to make you whole again. Let’s open our hearts and invite Christ Jesus to come in today.
Pastor Linh Nguyen
In my chaplain ministry, everyday I have talked to people who have been using drugs, cocaine, heroin, marijuana; they have abused alcohol, illegal or controlled substance; either trying to get high or to run away from the problems. In the end, their lives are messed up. They sought help, joined AA group, and indeed got some help but not total deliverance. Something is still in them, controlling them, getting them to go back to do the same thing again. Their habits draw them back; more than that there are unclean spirits that defiled their bodies, troubled their souls, tormented their mind with voices, noises and also made them feel guilty, shame and unworthy; for them whether it’s pleasure seeking or pain-numbing, it is destroying the mind, soul, body and spirit. God seems so far out of reach to some of them. Some have felt like God is punishing them with these sickness and diseases. God is not the author of sickness or diseases. He wants to heal them and set them free.
Other people who have struggled with mental anguish, emotional turmoil, unending pain, are depressed; depression turned to despair when life problems overcame them with unpaid bills, with sickness and diseases, with lay-offs, loved ones in jail, failed marriage, separation and divorce. All these troubles are piling up or coming to them at the same time. When the people are unable to cope or deal with their pains and suffering tried to hurt or kill themselves with drug overdose, it is a matter of life and death; a small window is sometimes not enough to save some of them in time. It’s devastating for families to deal with suicide and death unexpected. Fear of death seems rampant.
Many have come from families of abused victims now becoming the abusers. Children and teenagers now becoming adults have experienced abuses in many physical, emotional, financial, mental, sexual, and spiritual forms. It’s like they are being oppressed by the devil, Satan, and they could not get out of the grip of the evil spirits harassing them, causing so much pain, havoc and destruction in their lives. If something dirty sticks onto you, it’s easy to remove it from the outside. I just can’t imagine the voices, the noisy constantly coming to you, threatening, telling you to hurt yourself or kill and destroy your life or others’. How painful that is! Drugs help easy the pain, lessen the noises, and make the voice temporarily go away. But deliverance is still needed to set the captive free.
It is so sad to hear young children being abused, neglected, molested, and raped by their father, step-father, uncle, cousins; no one really believes them when they broke the news to the parents or to the one they had trusted. Trust is broken; sacred life is being violated causing so much pain and anger and resentment; in severe cases hatred built up. They run away from home, finding love and attention in all the wrong places; they get married to get away from the broken homes. Some joined a church but found no help there. But God is still waiting to deliver the person. Help is on the way.
Others turned out to become prostitutes selling themselves for food, for attention; looking for love in all the wrong places. Others hurt themselves physically by cutting their throat, slashing their wrists or hands causing deformity to the physical bodies. The violence, the abuse and the suffering continue on. How they long to trade the emotional, mental anguish with the physical pain. How they long for the abuse and suffering to stop. A few don’t really care much about life or themselves any more. God is ready to trade all their pain, sorrow, sadness, misery and suffering for His total healing, freedom, peace, joy, eternal life and life abundantly. He’s done that through Calvary, on the cross the Son of God bled and died. By His stripes you are healed. He is ready to forgive you no matter how deep your sin is or how far away you are from Him; he is willing to restore you, to bring you back home, your Heavenly home.
Crap, stuff have been thrown at them; they are thrown from one house or shelter to the next; families seem to disown them, not welcoming them back; for some when the bodies can’t take it any more, these abuses suddenly shut down the system causing them to collapse. Some ended up in ER; other in mental institutions seeking help.
Being in the hospital for the first time can be an overwhelming experience. The doctors will do their parts diagnosing, looking at the symptoms, testing the blood, providing the prognosis and treating them the best they can with their medical knowledge, advance training and new science.
The nurses with their caring hands have administered prescribed medicine from the doctors, and have done their best to help them recovered. Tender loving care is offered at the point of exhaustion sometimes when there are more patients for a nurse to handle.
The CNA, PCA have assisted patients with their daily needs. Listening ear is so much needed. A warm touch, a kind look with understanding and empathy are sometimes wonderful remedies to the sick soul.
The environmental services crews, who tirelessly mop the floor, clean the rooms daily, and also making sure everything is ready for the next patient to come.
The social workers and the case manager deal with the benefits and arrangements for patients’ needs. Other disciplines play important roles as well: from the pharmacy to the lab to billing, ordering, shipping, kitchen staff and more.
The chaplain addresses the spiritual and pastoral needs of the patients, offering them the healing presence, a listening ear; journeying with the patients sometimes in silence, in spoken and unspoken prayers.
There are times when I feel the needs are so great. There are so many patients to care for. Then I remember my God is bigger than my circumstances; I am empowered by His word and to know that He who is in me is greater than the one who is outside gives me strength. Reading His Word daily help me to nurture my relationship with God; He helps me carry on the work. I am encouraged to know that Jesus has come to destroy the works of the devil.
I have found above all, despite life’s circumstances and all of life’s troubles and turmoil, God is the ultimate source of life sustaining us with His presence. Jesus of Nazareth is the Healer. His will is to heal all sickness and diseases and to restore broken lives. He is the Answer they have all longed for. He is the Savior and Deliverer. He has come to set the captive free; he has come to deliver them out of the pit of despair and hopelessness; He has come to give them strength. He heals them and makes them whole again when they reach out to Him in faith trusting Him completely. He is ready to heal you today. Are you willing and ready to come to Him for the help you desperately need? By His stripes you are healed.
Christmas is God’s gift of love to humankind. It’s again reminding us that God is here with us, Emmanuel. He never leaves us nor forsakes us. He will be with us till the end of the earth. He is standing at the door of our hearts and knocks and waits for us to invite Him in to dine. Whoever you are, wherever you are in your stage in life, you can come to Jesus any time and invite Him to be your Savior. You can ask Him to deliver you. He is more than ready to deliver you and to lift you up and to make you whole again. Let’s open our hearts and invite Christ Jesus to come in today.
Pastor Linh Nguyen
Friday, December 26, 2008
Hôn Nhân và Ly Dị
Hôn Nhân & Ly Dị
Một Cặp Đũa & Đũa Một Chiếc
December 27, 2008
Một Cặp Đũa & Đũa Một Chiếc
December 27, 2008
Đàn ông, con trai, thanh niên lớn lên tới tuổi trưởng thành thì bắt đầu ước muốn, mộng mơ và khi bị tiếng sét ái tình đánh vào thì dường như có cái gì đó bên trong lòng thôi thúc muốn lập gia đình; Rồi hoặc nhờ người giới thiệu cho mình một cô, hẹn ngày giờ đi coi mắt, hoặc tự làm quen, để rồi tìm cho mình một người vợ dễ thương, xinh đẹp, đoan trang, thuỳ mị, ngoan, hiền, “Công, dung, ngôn, hạnh”, giỏi làm việc nhà, siêng năng chịu khó, thành công trong con đường học vấn; đối với một số người lớn tuổi thì quan niệm “Môn đăng hộ đối” hai bên phải trai tài gái sắc, xứng đôi vừa lứa vẫn còn ảnh hưởng ít nhiều đến sự lựa chọn vợ chồng của con cái.
Phụ nữ, con gái, thanh nữ chưa tới tuổi cặp kê thì có nhiều người dòm ngó, chọc ghẹo; các anh trai tỏ tình, tán tỉnh, làm quen, tìm hiểu, hẹn hò đi chơi và dần dần tiến tới quyết định đi đến hôn nhân. Nhiều người theo truyền thống văn hóa Việt Nam vẫn còn thích quan niệm để cha mẹ giới thiệu hoặc kén chọn cho mình một người chồng tốt; cha mẹ vui khi chọn được người rể hiền, tốt bụng, tốt tướng, giỏi giang, có bản lĩnh, học hành thành tài cho con gái của mình.
Hôn nhân trong xã hội Hoa Kỳ đang bị khủng hoảng rất nhiều làm cho nhiều người trẻ suy nghĩ đắn đo nhiều hơn và chờ đợi lâu hơn, lo học nhưng vẫn ước mong sẽ gặp được người như ý; Gần đây định nghĩa hôn nhân là gì cũng đang ở vào giai đoạn thách thức; người ta muốn xem lại nó có còn là một sự kết ước hôn nhân giữa hai người nam và nữ hay không?
Dầu con người hay xã hội ở bất cứ quốc gia nào, dù có tân tiến hoặc văn minh đến đâu, dầu có cố gắng dùng chính trị, kinh tế, tài chính hoặc chủ trương tôn giáo thời đại mới thì theo Lời Chúa dạy trong Thánh Kinh thì hôn nhân vẫn là sự kết hiệp giữa hai người nam nữ với nhau.
Hôn nhân là gì?
Vậy hôn nhân là sự kết hiệp giữa hai người nam và nữ trong giao ước hôn nhân trước mặt Đức Chúa Trời chứng giám và có sự đồng ý, ủng hộ, và hậu thuẫn của gia đình và bà con, bạn bè đôi bên. Hai người đầu tiên là A-đam và Ê-va đã được Đức Chúa Trời kết hiệp trong hôn nhân và Ngài ban phước cho họ.
Hôn nhân không phải là một giao kèo có thể được huỷ bất cứ lúc nào; vui thì ở hoặc buồn thì đi; nó cũng không phải là một sự “sắp xếp thuận tiện” dọn vào share phòng ở chung; ban đầu thì share phòng cho nhẹ tiền nhà, tiền ga, điện nước; có người phụ mình cắt cỏ, dọn dẹp nhà cửa; có người chở mình đi đây đó; có người ở chung nhà cho đỡ sợ và bớt cô đơn, nhưng rồi dần dần hai người share tình hồi nào không biết. Nhiều người ngày nay vì nhu cần nên cứ sống chung với nhau tới đâu thì tới; thuận thì ở, không thì đi kiếm người khác share phòng.
Mục đích của hôn nhân là gì?
Trao và tặng tình yêu thương, cảm thông, chia xẻ, giúp đỡ, và hỗ tương cho nhau. Họ sẽ sinh con đẻ cái cho nhiều, cai quản mọi loài trên đất, làm cho đất phục tùng, sinh sản hoa màu.
Mục đích của tính dục trong hôn nhân là gì?
Đem tình yêu thương, cảm thông giữa vợ chồng trao tặng cho nhau và đem hạnh phúc lâu dài đến cho nhau. Ân ái trong hôn nhân bày tỏ sự hiệp một, giúp cả hai tận hưởng khoái cảm vợ chồng. Hai người yêu thương, gắn bó, chia xẻ vui buồn; vui vì có người để yêu và được yêu.
Khi nói đến đũa một chiếc, tôi xin giới hạn đến hai thành phần sau đây:
1. Những em thanh thiếu niên mới lớn chưa lập gia đình nhưng đã mang thai, làm cho người con gái có thai; người có trách nhiệm thì giữ bào thai cho đến ngày sinh nở, rồi hoặc giữ nuôi hoặc cho những gia đình đang xin con nuôi; nhưng cũng có người không có trách nhiệm đã áp lực bạn gái phá thai; có khi cha mẹ vì sợ mất mặt, xấu hổ với họ hàng, bạn bè áp lực con phá thai; có những người con gái can đảm quyết định giữ con, sinh con ra và một mình nuôi con; dù phải ở chung, sống chung với gia đình cha mẹ hoặc ông bà của mình, những người thiếu nữ trẻ này vừa đi học trung học hoặc mới vào đại học, vừa phải đi làm thêm để có tiền nuôi con của mình. Life is hard, but she’s made it.
2. Những thanh niên nam nữ lập gia đình với nhau nhưng chỉ sau một thời gian ngắn ly dị; xã hội gọi hôn nhân với thời gian ngắn này là “7 year or 3 year itch”. Tức là mới cưới về trong một thời gian ngắn hoặc vài tháng, đôi ba năm, năm bảy năm là đã phải chia tay, ly dị, và đường ai nấy đi. Con cái bị kẹt vào vòng chiến của cha mẹ, phải bị giằng co tinh thần, và tình cảm không biết theo bên phe nào. Thật là khó khăn và đau khổ cho con cái.
Thách thức của hôn nhân ngày nay là gì?
Cách đây vài chục năm thì một trong ba cặp lập gia đình đi đến chia tay, đỗ vỡ hoặc ly dị. Những thống kê mới cho thấy nhiều khi một trong hai cặp lập gia đình đi đến chỗ chia tay.
Những điều gì đã khiến cho hôn nhân đi đến chỗ khủng hoảng trầm trọng như vậy? Có rất nhiều lý do, nhưng vì phạm vi giới hạn nên tôi chỉ đưa ra một vài lý do chính là những yếu tố cơ bản gây ra sự khó khăn cho hôn nhân và khủng hoảng trong gia đình:
1. Hai người không dành đủ thì giờ tìm hiểu nhau đã vội đi đến hôn nhân. Vỡ mộng vì nghĩ rằng tình yêu là một cảm xúc lãng mạn nhiều hơn là hành động thực tế. Ích kỷ nghĩ cho mình, chú trọng về mình quá nhiều nhưng thiếu quan tâm đến người vợ hoặc chồng của mình.
2. Hai người không tránh được sự cám dỗ, bị xác dục lôi cuốn, hoặc bị áp lực ăn ở trước hôn nhân, rồi vội vàng lập gia đình để con sinh ra có cha hoặc có mẹ. Vài người bị áp lực của gia đình: “Con đã ăn ở với cô ấy có thai rồi thì phải có trách nhiệm lập gia đình với người ta.”
3. Sau khi lập gia đình nếu không vun xới tình yêu thì sẽ có nhiều lý do làm cho tình yêu dần dần phai lạt, tình cảm thay đổi, thái độ lạnh lùng, thờ ơ không còn khắn khít như lúc ban đầu. Chiến tranh lạnh xảy ra! Kinh khủng khi nằm gần bên “kẻ thù”! Hai người cần dành thì giờ trở lại, học tập bài học tha thứ, cảm thông, và xích lại gần nhau thay vì nghỉ chơi, cho đi luôn.
a. Vợ chồng khi bị tổn thương, biện minh, viện lý lẽ, cãi nhau về nhiều việc, nhiều chuyện nhỏ thành lớn. Ban đầu thì cãi trong phòng hai người nghe. Lớn hơn chút thì con cái, cha mẹ trong gia đình nghe. Trầm trọng hơn là khi hàng xóm nghe, dĩa bay, chén bay, tường lủng lỗ, xe bị móp méo; cảnh sát được gọi đến làm biên bản đôi ba lần.
b. Vợ chồng có cái nhìn, quan niệm khác nhau, đôi khi không thực tế hay có những sự trông đợi khác (expectations) nhau về hôn nhân; vì mái ấm gia đình không còn như trước nữa, không khí ngột ngạt nên việc làm tại sở dần dần là lý do biện minh để đi sớm, về trễ.
c. Khi vợ chồng có những xung đột chưa giải quyết được thì những đối tác bên ngoài, cô thư ký hoặc ông boss ở sở làm trở nên người để cho vợ hoặc chồng trút đổ tâm sự; khi có người lắng nghe, cảm thông, dẫn đi ăn trưa, ăn tối khiến cho sự nghi ngờ, ghen tương, cay đắng, giận dữ, trả thù và cuối cùng là hết chịu nỗi đi đến chỗ ly dị, đường ai nấy đi.
d. Vấn đề ân ái giữa vợ chồng không như ý muốn, không thỏa mãn, không đem hạnh phúc đến cho nhau; thay vì tìm cách gây dựng thì lại buông xuôi hoặc phá đổ hay dùng tình dục để khống chế nhau. Một khi vợ chồng thiếu sự cảm thông trong lãnh vực ân ái dễ đi đến sự khủng hoảng trong hôn nhân. Dễ hướng ra ngoài và khi có cơ hội thì ông ăn chả bà ăn nem là điều khó có thể tránh được.
e. Vợ chồng tiền bạc chi tiêu trong gia đình bị lấn cấn; ý chồng thế này, ý vợ thế kia; nhiều nhu cầu và trách nhiệm; nhiều chi tiêu không cần thiết khiến cho ngân khoản gia đình trồi sụt, thiếu cân bằng. Một người làm việc nhiều còn người kia thì làm biếng ở nhà; tiền lương thì cố định nhưng chi tiêu thì tăng vọt thường làm cho nhiều căng thẳng.
f. Cách dạy dỗ con cái không được đôi bên thuận phục, đồng ý; Đánh hoặc không đánh con; chìu con quá đáng, để nó leo lên đầu ngồi; không discipline để dạy con hiệu quả.
Ly dị là gì?
Ly dị là sự thất bại trong hôn nhân giữa hai người vợ chồng không còn muốn đối diện vấn đề và tìm cách để giải quyết vấn đề xung khắc nữa nhưng muốn được yên, đường ai nấy đi.
Tại sao lại ly dị?
1. Hết chịu nỗi nhau: Có thể vì được nuông chìu từ khi còn trẻ tuổi, bây giờ vào trong hôn nhân vẫn còn chưa trưởng thành; không biết trách nhiệm trong hôn nhân là gì; ngược lại muốn mọi sự dễ dàng, có người phục vụ, hầu hạ; cơm canh phải nóng, phải ngon, vừa miệng, ăn xong để vợ dọn dẹp luôn còn mình thì cứ tiếp tục coi báo, xem TV hoặc ngược lại thì vợ nói chuyện hoặc đi shopping, tiêu pha. Vợ chồng cần có tinh thần trưởng thành gánh lấy trách nhiệm, lo lắng, chăm sóc lẫn nhau, phục vụ cho nhau. Không nên có tinh thần chồng chúa vợ tôi. Hay là để ông nhà làm hết còn mình không động đến một ngón tay.
2. Mất lòng tin cậy của nhau: gian dâm, tư tình riêng. Có bạn trai, có bồ nhí, vợ bé.
3. Không thể đáp ứng nhu cầu của nhau: Có thể vì coi thường chuyện chăn gối, sự ân ái giữa vợ chồng hời hợt; có thể vì quá tin người bạn của chồng hoặc của vợ nên để người ngoài thừa cơ hội lẻn vào phá vỡ hạnh phúc hôn nhân, cướp chồng, hoặc giựt vợ người ta.
Thái độ và sự hứa nguyện quyết tâm nào cần phải có để xây dựng một hôn nhân bền vững?
1. Vợ chồng cần hiểu rõ rằng:
Đức Chúa Trời muốn ban phước cho hôn nhân. Cả hai cần tìm hiểu rõ mục đích, ý định của Chúa cho hôn nhân; nhìn thấy vợ chồng là món quà Chúa ban tặng cho mình, hỗ tương nhau.
Đức Chúa Trời ghét sự ly dị (Ma-la-chi 2:14-16). Ngài không muốn hai vợ chồng ly dị. Nhưng vì con người có những sự dâm loạn, bất khiết, vì thế Lời Chúa có cho phép: “Ngoại trừ một trong hai người ngoại tình (adultery) và vì sự cứng lòng của họ nên Môi-se đã cho phép họ ly dị. Ý định của Chúa lúc ban đầu thì không có như vậy” (Ma-thi-ơ 19:8-9). Ngài không bắt buộc ly dị, nhưng Chúa cho phép.
2. Nhìn nhận mình có vấn đề cần giải quyết. Ngồi xuống nói ra vấn đề trong không khí cảm thông.
3. Đừng đổ lỗi cho nhau, nhưng biết nhận lỗi, biết xin lỗi và biết tha thứ cho nhau, nhận sự chữa lành từ nơi Chúa để đi tới, xây dựng lại hôn nhân. Loại bỏ sự cay đắng, hận thù, ghen ghét ra khỏi đời sống của mình với sức của Chúa ban cho.
4. Tìm sự giúp đỡ, cố vấn, tư vấn gia đình. Sự giải quyết thoả đáng và tương lai tràn đầy hy vọng vẫn chờ đợi hai người cùng nhau có một tâm tình xây dựng, vun xới làm cho hôn nhân tốt đẹp, con cái, mọi người khác được hạnh phúc lây.
Mến chúc bạn quyết định đúng cho mình, cùng nhau xây dựng, mang hạnh phúc, niềm vui trong hôn nhân đến cho nhau và được hạnh phúc trong đời sống.
Mục sư Nguyễn Vũ Ngọc Linh
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Y Nghia Tin Chua
Một người tin Chúa Giê-xu thật sự, với tất cả lòng thành cầu nguyện tin nhận Chúa Cứu Thế Giê-xu và trở nên con cái Đức Chúa Trời thì có đánh mất sự cứu rỗi không? Đây là câu hỏi rất quan trọng Bạn phải biết chắc chắn câu trả lời.
Làm sao để Bạn biết chắc chắn linh hồn mình đã được cứu, tội đã được tha và bảo đảm có được sự sống đời đời?
Trước nhất tin Chúa Giê-xu thật sự không có nghĩa là Bạn chỉ tin có Chúa bằng lý trí. Ma quỷ cũng tin có “một Đức Chúa Trời và run sợ!” (Gia-cơ 2:19). Tin Chúa không có nghĩa là ai Bạn cũng tin; Chúa cũng tin, mà Phật cũng tin, hoặc thần nào cũng tin. Bạn không thể tin theo kiểu uống thuốc bổ vì nghĩ rằng uống thuốc bổ vào không bổ bề dọc cũng bổ bề ngang; vì nhiều người nghĩ, “Thần nào cũng muốn cứu giúp người phàm cho nên ai tôi cũng tin hết! Không vị này cứu tôi thì cũng có vị kia độ cho đâu có thiệt thòi đâu!” Bạn cũng không thể tin theo suy nghĩ thông thường là đạo nào cũng tốt, đạo nào cũng dạy làm lành lánh dữ. Đạo nào cũng dạy làm lành lánh dữ nhưng đâu phải đạo nào cũng cứu rỗi được linh hồn Bạn sau khi Bạn qua đời.
Tin Chúa cũng không có nghĩa là Bạn phải nhìn thấy Chúa rồi mới tin hoặc chỉ tin khi chính mắt thấy được phép lạ nào đó rồi tin vào phép lạ. Ma quỷ cũng làm được một số phép lạ và nó cũng giả làm thiên sứ sáng láng để lừa gạt lòng người tin theo bất cứ những gì khác ngoài ra tin Chúa Giê-xu. Cảm xúc và tâm trí Bạn có thể bị đánh lừa! Lòng thành đến đâu nhưng nếu đức tin đặt sai đối tượng vào những thần hư không, lừa dối thì cũng bị hư mất. Tin Chúa cũng không có nghĩa là tin cho có tin hoặc tin để cầu may hay là để được phước đời này, khi hết phước, hết may mắn thì hết tin.
Vậy tin Chúa Giê-xu thật sự là gì?
Tin Chúa nghĩa là trước nhất Bạn nhận mình là người có tội trước mặt Đức Chúa Trời thánh khiết; Bạn nhận mình là người đáng chết mất, không hy vọng gì tự mình cứu lấy mình bằng những công đức hay việc lành từ thiện, bố thí, làm phước, hoặc cậy sức tu riêng nhưng ngửa trông vào ân sủng và tình yêu của Chúa giang tay cứu vớt linh hồn Bạn ra khỏi chốn tuyệt vọng, chết mất đời đời. Thánh Kinh chép, “Vả, ấy là nhờ ân điển, bởi đức tin, mà anh em được cứu, điều đó không phải đến từ anh em, bèn là sự ban cho của Đức Chúa Trời. Ấy chẳng phải bởi việc làm đâu, hầu cho không ai khoe mình.” (Ê-phê-sô 2:8-9).
Tin Chúa thật sự nghĩa là hôm nay Bạn vui lòng quyết định công khai tin và nhận Chúa Giê-xu vào lòng làm Cứu Chúa và Chủ đời sống (Rô-ma 10:9-10). Bạn tin Chúa hy sinh chết trên thập tự giá để chuộc tội cho Bạn. Vì “Chính Con Ngài đã dùng máu mình cứu chuộc chúng ta và tha thứ tội lỗi chúng ta.” (Cô-lô-se 1:14).
Điều gì xảy ra ngay sau khi Bạn tin nhận Chúa? Sau khi tin nhận Chúa Giê-xu, Bạn được tái sinh; được Đức Chúa Trời xưng công chính; được kể là vô tội vì Ngài nhìn thấy Bạn qua Chúa Giê-xu. Bạn được sinh ra trong nhà của Chúa, được trở nên con cái của Chúa và là công dân thánh của Nước Trời (Giăng 1:12; I Phi-e-rơ 2:9-10).
Bạn được Chúa tha thứ hết mọi tội lỗi và ban cho Bạn sức sống mới mãnh liệt, sự quyết tâm vâng lời Chúa và quyền năng Đức Thánh Linh để đắc thắng tội lỗi và bản ngã (Ga-la-ti 5:24-25). Bạn biết sống yêu thương anh chị em trong Chúa và thương yêu linh hồn những tội nhân đang hư mất cần được Chúa cứu rỗi.
Đức Chúa Trời xưng nghĩa tức là Ngài xóa đi bản án tội lỗi Bạn mang bấy lâu nay, nhưng Ngài không cất đi bản tánh xác thịt trong mình Bạn. Là con người mới trong Chúa Giê-xu, Bạn vẫn còn ý chí tự do lựa chọn giữa đòi hỏi của xác thịt và bản tánh thiêng liêng vì thế Bạn sẽ còn phạm tội với Chúa, còn có thể trở lại nếp sống cũ. Vì thế Bạn phải mỗi ngày nhờ cậy sức Chúa và quyền năng của Đức Thánh Linh để chiến đấu và đắc thắng con người xác thịt cũ còn trong Bạn cho đến khi nào chết mới thôi.
Khi tin Chúa thái độ của Bạn đối với tội lỗi được thay đổi. Bạn ghét tội và không còn vui sống trong tội lỗi! Khi lỡ phạm tội với Chúa lòng của Bạn bị ray rứt, khó chịu vô cùng, và Bạn được cáo trách, quay trở lại với Chúa, ăn năn tội lỗi và cam kết dứt khoát không phạm tội đó nữa.
Sau khi tin nhận Chúa, Đức Thánh Linh ngự trong lòng sẽ biến đổi đời sống Bạn mỗi ngày và quá trình thánh hóa này sẽ liên tục mãi từ khi tin Chúa cho đến ngày Bạn gặp Chúa (Phi-líp 1:6).
Để đời sống đức tin ngày càng lớn lên Bạn phải được đầy dẫy Đức Thánh Linh, nhờ Chúa giúp hết lòng sống mỗi ngày đẹp lòng Chúa. Chúa sẽ vùa giúp Bạn dành thì giờ đọc Thánh Kinh, học hỏi, nghiên cứu và suy gẫm Lời Ngài; nhờ Đức Thánh Linh dạy dỗ Bạn hiểu rõ Lời Chúa; nhờ liên tục giấu Lời Ngài trong lòng, Bạn có Lời Ngài và năng quyền của Ngài để chống lại cám dỗ của ma quỷ và quyền lực tội lỗi đang tấn công từ bên ngoài và làm chết đi bản ngã cũ còn sống bên trong.
Khi Lời Chúa được giấu bên trong lòng và Ngài chiếm hữu trọn vẹn tất cả con người Bạn chắc chắn sẽ sống đời sống vui mừng, đắc thắng, và làm đẹp lòng Chúa (Thi Thiên 119:9-10). Hãy nhớ Bạn thuộc về Chúa, luôn ở trong Ngài thì Ngài sẽ luôn ở trong Bạn. Càng sống gần Ngài thì quyền năng Chúa càng tuôn tràn qua đời sống Bạn và Bạn chắc sẽ kết nhiều quả tốt lành cho Ngài (Giăng 15:4-8). Khi Bạn hiểu được Đức Chúa Trời muốn mình hết lòng tin cậy Chúa và để Ngài làm Chủ hoàn toàn, Bạn điều chỉnh và sắp xếp lại ưu tiên thứ tự trong cuộc sống để Chúa trên hết thì Ngài vui lòng sống và tự do hành động trong đời sống Bạn, biến đổi lòng và ý tưởng Bạn trở nên thánh khiết, và xứng đáng cho Chúa xử dụng (Ga-la-ti 2:20).
Có Chúa, Bạn không còn lo lắng về cuộc sống hôm nay, lo sợ về tương lai mù mịt, kinh hãi khi sự chết đe dọa nữa. Mọi sự được giao thác cho Chúa, nằm trong tay Ngài, và mọi suy nghĩ, hành động đều đặt ở dưới sự điều khiển, dẫn dắt của Ngài (Rô-ma 14:8).
Tin Chúa thật nghĩa là tin cậy và phó thác cả cuộc sống hiện tại và tương lai trong tay Chúa. Từ nay Bạn cam kết hết lòng dấn thân theo Chúa, sống với Chúa, làm theo Lời Ngài dạy trong Thánh Kinh, và giữ sự tương giao mật thiết với Chúa. Từ nay Bạn hết tâm, trí, sức lực học tập vâng phục Chúa trong mọi sự và nhờ cậy Chúa giúp Bạn lớn lên mỗi ngày để Bạn càng ngày càng trở nên giống Chúa Giê-xu càng hơn. Chính Ngài là Đấng ban cho Bạn sự cứu rỗi, sự sống đời đời ngay trong hiện tại, và Ngài sẽ tiếp tục thánh hóa và gìn giữ linh hồn Bạn trong tình yêu của Ngài cho đến đời đời.
Dầu vậy, trong cuộc sống theo Chúa đôi lúc yếu đuối, bị cám dỗ phạm tội, buồn chán, ngã lòng, Bạn thỉnh thoảng nghi ngờ về sự cứu rỗi linh hồn của mình. Dĩ nhiên, sau khi tin Chúa, Bạn vẫn còn những vấp phạm trong tư tưởng, trong lời nói, trong hành động và vẫn còn làm buồn lòng Đức Thánh Linh; bản tánh xác thịt vẫn còn ẩn núp bên trong làm cho Bạn có lúc tưởng mình đứng thì bị vấp ngã, nằm dài tưởng chừng như không thể đứng dậy nổi (Rô-ma 7:15- 24).
Người con của Chúa có kinh nghiệm của những lần buồn rầu, lương tâm ray rứt, hối hận vì cứ phạm đi phạm lại một tội, ăn năn xưng tội, cầu nguyện khóc lóc với Chúa, và xin Chúa tha thứ những lỗi lầm mình đã vấp phạm làm buồn lòng Thánh Linh Ngài. Nhưng nhiều khi đã cầu nguyện, ăn năn xưng tội, suy nghĩ lại thấy lòng không chắc chắn về sự cứu rỗi, nên nghi ngờ sự cứu rỗi Chúa ban. Nghi ngờ dẫn đến lo sợ và càng nghĩ sai càng thêm lo sợ; sợ tội ghê gớm này chắc Chúa sẽ không tha và hoang mang cho rằng mình sẽ đánh mất sự sống đời đời Chúa ban.
Có lẽ Bạn từng tin Chúa sốt sắng, trung tín hầu việc Chúa trong mọi công tác trước đây nhưng bị vật chất đời này cám dỗ làm cho nghẹt ngòi, không kết quả, hoặc bị cám dỗ phạm tội tà dâm, giết người như Đa Vít, hoặc ham tiền bán Chúa như Giu-đa Ích-ca-ri-ốt vấp ngã đi vào con đường hủy diệt, như A-na-nia và Sa-phi-ra nói dối Chúa Thánh Linh, hoặc bị vấp phạm vì nếp sống của người làm chứng cho mình tin Chúa nhưng có nếp sống như người thế gian, hoặc bị thử thách mà không đứng vững được, chối Chúa như Phi-e-rơ. Dù tội Bạn lớn thế nào đi nữa Chúa sẵn sàng tha thứ tất cả khi Bạn ăn năn xưng tội và trở lại với Ngài.
Có lẽ sau khi phạm tội với Chúa, Bạn được Đức Thánh Linh cáo trách, nhắc nhở nhiều lần để Bạn quay đầu trở lại, nhưng Bạn cứ khước từ. Chúa thương yêu tiếp tục cáo trách, cảnh tỉnh, răn dạy và sửa phạt. Sống với mặc cảm tội lỗi dày vò Bạn thiếu bình an, vui mừng.
Nếu Bạn vẫn không sợ sự răn dạy của Chúa nhưng lại càng cứng lòng hơn, càng chìm đắm trong tội lỗi, trong đam mê, trong thú vui tạm thời, và không chịu chạy đến với Chúa để xin Ngài thương xót, tha thứ. Bạn trở nên như A-đam và Ê-va trốn Chúa trong vườn Ê-đen sau khi họ bất tuân không vâng lời Chúa. Nếu Bạn cứ tiếp tục không lắng nghe lời Chúa nhắc nhở và lời Đức Thánh Linh cáo trách và cứ sống trong tội lỗi, lòng Bạn sẽ từ từ chai cứng.
Nếu tiếng của Chúa Thánh Linh bị dập tắt và không còn cáo trách lòng Bạn được nữa cho dù bao lần Ngài đã mời gọi Bạn trở lại với Ngài thì Bạn giống như một người đã nhận biết lẽ thật, đã một lần nếm biết sự cứu rỗi của Chúa nhưng cố ý khước từ, không nhận. Bạn khinh lờn ơn Đức Thánh Linh ban cho mình, khước từ Chúa Cứu Thế Giê-xu là Đấng duy nhất có thể cứu Bạn. Trong lòng và trí Bạn đã thối lui không theo Chúa nữa, không muốn có những liên hệ gì với Hội Thánh, với anh chị em trong Chúa. Bạn công khai chối bỏ đức tin nơi Chúa, chối bỏ sự cứu rỗi Bạn nghĩ mình đã nhận, và lối sống, suy nghĩ, lời nói, hành động của Bạn giống y hệt người chưa biết Chúa. Đến cuối cùng của cuộc đời trước khi nhắm mắt đi vào cõi đời đời, lòng Bạn vẫn cứng cõi, vẫn không trở lại với Chúa, không tin Chúa thì trước ngưỡng cửa đời đời linh hồn Bạn sẽ hư mất vì không còn hy vọng gì nữa cho Bạn!
Cơ hội tin Chúa, ăn năn trở lại với Chúa đã đến nhưng bị bỏ lỡ. Ngài đã kiên nhẫn chờ đợi Bạn quyết định nhận sự cứu rỗi đời đời Chúa ban cho với điều kiện Bạn tin và tiếp nhận Chúa vào lòng. Nhưng Bạn đã đánh mất cơ hội, đánh mất đức tin Chúa gieo vào lòng Bạn, đánh mất sự cứu rỗi Chúa muốn trao tặng Bạn vì Bạn đã để cho lòng mình chai lì cứng cõi đến nỗi Chúa Thánh Linh không thể làm gì được nữa vì Ngài muốn tôn trọng quyền tự do của Bạn. Nếu ngay từ đầu Bạn đã không thật lòng tin Chúa, không có sự cứu rỗi thì Bạn có sự cứu rỗi đâu mà đánh mất!
Ngay hôm nay, Bạn đang đứng ở đâu trong mối liên hệ giữa Bạn với Chúa? Ngài có đang là Cứu Chúa và Chủ của lòng Bạn không? Bạn vẫn còn đang đứng xa Ngài, đang cố tình khước từ sự cứu rỗi duy nhất Chúa muốn ban cho Bạn sao?
Hãy trở lại với Chúa Giê-xu hôm nay đừng chạy trốn tình yêu của Chúa nữa! Nếu không tin nhận Chúa hôm nay thì sự kinh khiếp của số phận đời đời của Bạn sống không có Chúa, đời đời xa cách Ngài sẽ đáng sợ biết bao!
Nhưng nếu hôm nay Bạn nhận biết mình yếu đuối, dễ vấp ngã, đôi lúc phạm tội với Chúa, thường được Đức Thánh Linh cáo trách, làm cho lòng Bạn buồn rầu, ray rứt, và đau khổ vì tội lỗi để Bạn biết chạy đến với Chúa, sấp mình xuống trước mặt Ngài để ăn năn, nhận được sự tha thứ và tiếp tục bước đi trong đời sống thánh khiết, Bạn chưa đánh mất sự cứu rỗi đâu!
Lời Chúa hứa trong Thánh Kinh, “Còn nếu chúng ta xưng tội mình, thì Ngài là thành tín công bình để tha tội cho chúng ta, và làm cho chúng ta sạch mọi điều gian ác.” (I Giăng 1:9). Không có tội nào lớn đến nỗi Chúa không tha thứ được (Ê-sai 1:18). Không có tội nào quá nhỏ Chúa sẽ bỏ qua vì Ngài là Đấng Thánh khiết, Công bình và Chúa đang nhìn thấy lòng của Bạn!
Chúa là Đấng nhìn thấy bên trong tấm lòng của con người biết Bạn có thật sự ăn năn tin nhận Chúa ngay lúc Bạn quỳ gối cầu nguyện tiếp nhận Chúa hay chỉ giả vờ, bị cảm xúc lừa dối, để rồi Bạn đóng kịch tự lừa dối chính mình và người khác. Giu-đa Ích-ca-ri-ốt theo Chúa Giê-xu ba năm, nghe nhiều Lời Chúa dạy khuyên, nếm biết ân sủng của Chúa nhưng cuối cùng Ngài đã nói ông là quỷ (Giăng 6:70). Giu-đa Ích-ca-ri-ốt tin Chúa bằng môi miệng hay theo Chúa bằng hình thức bên ngoài nhưng trong lòng không hề có Chúa ngự thì chưa bao giờ có sự cứu rỗi.
Khi nói đến sự cứu rỗi của Cơ Đốc Nhân là những người thật lòng đặt niềm tin cậy nơi Chúa thì Thánh Kinh cho biết rõ ràng rằng Cơ Đốc Nhân đã được Chúa Giê-xu cứu thì sẽ không bao giờ bị mất sự cứu rỗi. Chúa Giê-xu đảm bảo chắc chắn điều này qua Phúc Âm Giăng 10:28, “Ta ban cho nó sự sống đời đời; nó chẳng chết mất bao giờ, và chẳng ai cướp nó khỏi tay ta.” Chúa Giê-xu tuyên bố hễ ai đã nhận sự sống đời đời Ngài ban cho sẽ không bao giờ mất nó. Bởi sự chết của Chúa Giê-xu, Ngài đã cứu Bạn khỏi sự chết đời đời. Bởi sự sống lại vinh hiển, Chúa sẽ giữ Bạn trong cánh tay toàn năng của Ngài và không có một quyền lực nào trên thế gian có thể cướp Bạn ra khỏi bàn tay yêu thương của Chúa. Ngài đang ngồi bên hữu Đức Chúa Cha hằng cầu thay cho Bạn vì thế không thể nào sau khi tin Chúa, Ngài biết rõ rằng Bạn vẫn còn phạm tội, còn nhiều vấp phạm mà Chúa sẽ thay đổi ý định và lấy lại sự cứu rỗi Chúa đã ban cho Bạn.
Hơn nữa, trong thư II Cô-rinh-tô 1:22 Phao-lô cho biết, “Ngài cũng lấy ấn mình mà đóng cho chúng tôi và ban của tin Đức Thánh Linh trong lòng chúng tôi.” Ê-phê-sô 1:13-14 chép, “Ấy lại cũng trong Ngài mà anh em sau khi đã nghe đạo chơn thật, là đạo Tin Lành về sự cứu rỗi anh em, và được ấn chứng bằng Đức Thánh Linh là Đấng Chúa đã hứa. Đấng ấy làm của cầm về cơ nghiệp chúng ta, cho đến kỳ chuộc lấy những kẻ mà Ngài đã được để khen ngợi sự vinh hiển Ngài.” Sứ đồ Phao-lô chỉ cho con cái Đức Chúa Trời thấy rõ Đức Thánh Linh đã ấn chứng cho chúng ta và chúng ta thuộc về Ngài. Cơ nghiệp chúng ta trong Chúa Cứu Thế Giê-xu là sự sống đời đời, phần chúng ta đã, đang và sẽ nhận lãnh (Giăng 5:24; I Giăng 5:13). Khi miêu tả đến cơ nghiệp đời đời nầy thì thánh Phi-e-rơ đã dùng những từ như “Cơ nghiệp không hư đi, không ô uế, không suy tàn”để nhấn mạnh sự đảm bảo chắc chắc đời đời về sự cứu rỗi của Cơ Đốc Nhân trong Chúa Giê-xu (I Phi-e-rơ 1:4).
Thánh Kinh khẳng định rõ ràng tình yêu Chúa luôn giữ gìn chúng ta và không để chúng ta bị phân rẽ khỏi tình yêu thương Chúa đã dành ban cho chúng ta trong Chúa Giê-xu. Rô-ma 8:38-39 chép, “Vì tôi chắc rằng bất kỳ sự chết, sự sống, các thiên sứ, các kẻ cầm quyền, việc bây giờ, việc hầu đến, quyền phép, bề cao, hay là bề sâu, hoặc một vật nào chẳng có thể phân rẽ chúng ta khỏi sự yêu thương mà Đức Chúa Trời đã chứng cho chúng ta trong Đức Chúa Giê-xu Christ, là Chúa chúng ta.” I Giăng 5:13 viết rõ ràng như sau, “Ta đã viết những điều này cho các con, hầu cho các con biết mình có sự sống đời đời, là kẻ nào tin đến danh Con Đức Chúa Trời.”
Sự sống đời đời Chúa ban đến bởi lòng tin Bạn chân thành đặt nơi Chúa Giê-xu. Sự sống đời đời bắt đầu ngay giây phút Bạn tin nhận Chúa Giê-xu và mời Ngài vào lòng, và sự sống đó là quá trình liên tục và tiếp tục cho đến đời đời khi Bạn gặp lại Cứu Chúa Giê-xu yêu dấu là Đấng đã yêu thương, hy sinh để Bạn được sống mãi với Ngài. Đức Thánh Linh đang sống trong lòng, hướng dẫn, vùa giúp để Bạn sống trung tín theo Chúa cho đến cuối cùng. Những lúc vấp ngã phạm tội có Ngài cáo trách giúp Bạn ăn năn quay trở lại với Chúa liền thì làm sao Bạn có thể chạy ra khỏi tình yêu của Chúa được. Không gì ngăn cách Bạn với Chúa Giê-xu và tình yêu đời đời của Ngài (Rô-ma 8:39). Làm sao Bạn có thể đánh mất sự sống đời đời Chúa đã ban cho được trừ khi Bạn chối bỏ Ngài?
Bạn hỏi, “Còn những người trước đây tin Chúa, đi theo Chúa một thời gian nhưng bây giờ chối bỏ hoàn toàn đức tin mình nơi Chúa Giê-xu thì sao?” Hãy để Chúa đoán xét họ vì Ngài biết lòng họ đối với Ngài. Lời Chúa dạy có những người làm nhiều việc trong danh Chúa tưởng mình được cứu nhưng cuối cùng thì khác hẳn, vì “Những người đó sẽ nói với Chúa rằng: Lạy Chúa, lạy Chúa, chúng tôi chẳng từng nhơn danh Chúa mà nói tiên tri sao? Và lại nhơn danh Chúa mà làm nhiều phép lạ sao? Khi ấy Chúa sẽ phán rõ ràng cùng họ rằng: Hỡi kẻ làm gian ác, ta chẳng biết các ngươi bao giờ, hãy lui ra khỏi ta!” (Ma-thi-ơ 7:21-23).
Bạn hãy tin cậy Lời Chúa hứa chắc chắn trong Thánh Kinh Giăng 3:16 “Vì Đức Chúa Trời yêu thương thế gian đến nỗi đã ban Con Một của Ngài, hầu cho hễ ai tin Con ấy, không bị hư mất mà được sự sống đời đời.”
Khi Bạn thật lòng tin nhận Chúa Giê-xu, Bạn có sự sống đời đời Chúa ban. Ngài sẽ giữ gìn linh hồn của Bạn đời đời, không ai có thể cướp Bạn ra khỏi bàn tay của Chúa (Giăng 5:24). Giu-đe 24 chép, “Đấng có thể gìn giữ anh em khỏi vấp phạm và khiến anh em đứng trước mặt vinh hiển mình các rất vui mừng, không chỗ trách được.” Quyền năng, ân sủng và chính Đức Thánh Linh Ngài sẽ giữ cho Bạn khỏi vấp phạm và khiến Bạn đứng vững trước mặt Ngài cách vui mừng, không chỗ trách được trong ngày Chúa Giê-xu tái lâm. Chúa Giê-xu là nguồn hy vọng duy nhất để chúng ta có được sự đảm bảo chắc chắn về sự cứu rỗi đời đời.
Tóm lại, Bạn sẽ còn những vấp ngã, lầm lỗi và phạm tội với Chúa trong quá trình được Ngài thánh hóa, nhưng điều đó không có nghĩa là Bạn vừa đánh mất sự sống đời đời. Hãy thật sự ăn năn, từ bỏ tội lỗi và quay trở lại với Đức Chúa Trời vì Ngài là Đấng giàu lòng thương xót, chậm nóng giận, và đầy sự nhân từ. Hãy xin Đức Thánh Linh đầy dẫy chính Ngài trong đời sống, vùa giúp Bạn bền đỗ trong đức tin nơi Chúa Giê-xu, nhờ cậy Ngài trong mọi sự để sống đẹp lòng Chúa từ nay cho đến ngày Bạn gặp lại Ngài.
Con người nhìn nhau bằng bề ngoài và thấy người này tin Chúa, người kia hầu việc Chúa và tưởng rằng họ đã và đang tin Chúa thật và được Chúa cứu rồi cho đến khi thấy họ sống như người thế gian, không vâng lời Chúa, chối bỏ Chúa thì chúng ta mới bật ngữa, thắc mắc, nghi ngờ. Hãy cầu nguyện cho họ và tin rằng ân sủng của Chúa sẽ tiếp tục kéo họ trở lại với Ngài. Chúa biết ai được cứu rỗi và thuộc trọn vẹn về Ngài!
Bạn hãy bền đỗ theo Chúa, tiếp tục tin cậy Chúa, bước đi với Chúa mỗi ngày, đọc, học, suy gẫm, vâng giữ và áp dụng Lời Chúa để được vững vàng trong niềm tin nơi Chúa Cứu Thế Giê-xu. Hãy giấu Lời Chúa trong lòng để Bạn sẽ không phạm tội cùng Chúa.
Hãy nhớ rằng Bạn không nhờ bất cứ một việc làm nào để được cứu rỗi thì không thể vì việc làm mà Bạn đánh mất sự cứu rỗi. Chúa yêu thương đã cứu Bạn vì ân sủng kỳ diệu của Ngài thì Ngài sẽ tiếp tục cứu với ân sủng và quyền năng vĩ đại của Ngài. Hãy vui sống vâng theo Lời Chúa dạy mỗi ngày để Bạn càng ngày càng gần Chúa hơn, càng trở nên giống Chúa Giê-xu nhiều hơn trong mọi cách ăn nết ở của mình.
Nếu Bạn biết chắc mình đang có sự sống đời đời Chúa ban tại sao cứ lo lắng vô ích mình sẽ đánh mất nó. Hãy sống trung tín với Chúa mỗi ngày và để Chúa làm việc của Ngài trong đời sống của Bạn. Ngài đang dẫn dắt đời sống Bạn từng giây phút, ánh mắt yêu thương của Ngài đang trông nom từng bước chân của Bạn, và vùa giúp Bạn để đi không sai trật đường lối Ngài. Hãy an tâm hầu việc Chúa cách mạnh mẽ, với lòng nhiệt thành, và sự tận tâm. Cơ hội hầu việc Chúa là hôm nay!
Vì vậy câu hỏi cần đặt ra không phải là “Cơ Đốc Nhân sẽ bị mất sự cứu rỗi không?” mà là “Bạn đã có sự cứu rỗi của Chúa Giê-xu chưa?”
Bạn đã tin nhận Chúa chưa? Nếu chưa, mời Bạn hãy mở lòng ra tiếp nhận Chúa Cứu Thế Giê-xu vào lòng làm Cứu Chúa và Chủ cuộc đời Bạn. Ngài hứa ban sự sống đời đời cho những ai tin nhận Ngài. Bạn hãy tin Lời Chúa hứa. Ngài không bao giờ thất hứa. “Đức Chúa Giê-xu Christ hôm qua, ngày nay, và cho đến đời đời không hề thay đổi.” (Hê-bơ-rơ 13:8).
Bạn đã tin Chúa, hãy tiếp tục bền đỗ trong đức tin, sống vâng phục, làm theo Lời Ngài dạy dỗ, hướng dẫn Bạn. Hãy trung tín phục vụ Ngài, dành tâm trí năng lực, và thì giờ để hầu việc Chúa thay vì lo lắng vô ích rằng mình sẽ đánh mất sự sống đời đời. Hãy hướng dẫn người khác đến với Chúa, tin nhận Ngài để được Ngài ban cho sự cứu rỗi và sự sống đời đời. A-men.
Mục sư Nguyễn Vũ Ngọc Linh
Làm sao để Bạn biết chắc chắn linh hồn mình đã được cứu, tội đã được tha và bảo đảm có được sự sống đời đời?
Trước nhất tin Chúa Giê-xu thật sự không có nghĩa là Bạn chỉ tin có Chúa bằng lý trí. Ma quỷ cũng tin có “một Đức Chúa Trời và run sợ!” (Gia-cơ 2:19). Tin Chúa không có nghĩa là ai Bạn cũng tin; Chúa cũng tin, mà Phật cũng tin, hoặc thần nào cũng tin. Bạn không thể tin theo kiểu uống thuốc bổ vì nghĩ rằng uống thuốc bổ vào không bổ bề dọc cũng bổ bề ngang; vì nhiều người nghĩ, “Thần nào cũng muốn cứu giúp người phàm cho nên ai tôi cũng tin hết! Không vị này cứu tôi thì cũng có vị kia độ cho đâu có thiệt thòi đâu!” Bạn cũng không thể tin theo suy nghĩ thông thường là đạo nào cũng tốt, đạo nào cũng dạy làm lành lánh dữ. Đạo nào cũng dạy làm lành lánh dữ nhưng đâu phải đạo nào cũng cứu rỗi được linh hồn Bạn sau khi Bạn qua đời.
Tin Chúa cũng không có nghĩa là Bạn phải nhìn thấy Chúa rồi mới tin hoặc chỉ tin khi chính mắt thấy được phép lạ nào đó rồi tin vào phép lạ. Ma quỷ cũng làm được một số phép lạ và nó cũng giả làm thiên sứ sáng láng để lừa gạt lòng người tin theo bất cứ những gì khác ngoài ra tin Chúa Giê-xu. Cảm xúc và tâm trí Bạn có thể bị đánh lừa! Lòng thành đến đâu nhưng nếu đức tin đặt sai đối tượng vào những thần hư không, lừa dối thì cũng bị hư mất. Tin Chúa cũng không có nghĩa là tin cho có tin hoặc tin để cầu may hay là để được phước đời này, khi hết phước, hết may mắn thì hết tin.
Vậy tin Chúa Giê-xu thật sự là gì?
Tin Chúa nghĩa là trước nhất Bạn nhận mình là người có tội trước mặt Đức Chúa Trời thánh khiết; Bạn nhận mình là người đáng chết mất, không hy vọng gì tự mình cứu lấy mình bằng những công đức hay việc lành từ thiện, bố thí, làm phước, hoặc cậy sức tu riêng nhưng ngửa trông vào ân sủng và tình yêu của Chúa giang tay cứu vớt linh hồn Bạn ra khỏi chốn tuyệt vọng, chết mất đời đời. Thánh Kinh chép, “Vả, ấy là nhờ ân điển, bởi đức tin, mà anh em được cứu, điều đó không phải đến từ anh em, bèn là sự ban cho của Đức Chúa Trời. Ấy chẳng phải bởi việc làm đâu, hầu cho không ai khoe mình.” (Ê-phê-sô 2:8-9).
Tin Chúa thật sự nghĩa là hôm nay Bạn vui lòng quyết định công khai tin và nhận Chúa Giê-xu vào lòng làm Cứu Chúa và Chủ đời sống (Rô-ma 10:9-10). Bạn tin Chúa hy sinh chết trên thập tự giá để chuộc tội cho Bạn. Vì “Chính Con Ngài đã dùng máu mình cứu chuộc chúng ta và tha thứ tội lỗi chúng ta.” (Cô-lô-se 1:14).
Điều gì xảy ra ngay sau khi Bạn tin nhận Chúa? Sau khi tin nhận Chúa Giê-xu, Bạn được tái sinh; được Đức Chúa Trời xưng công chính; được kể là vô tội vì Ngài nhìn thấy Bạn qua Chúa Giê-xu. Bạn được sinh ra trong nhà của Chúa, được trở nên con cái của Chúa và là công dân thánh của Nước Trời (Giăng 1:12; I Phi-e-rơ 2:9-10).
Bạn được Chúa tha thứ hết mọi tội lỗi và ban cho Bạn sức sống mới mãnh liệt, sự quyết tâm vâng lời Chúa và quyền năng Đức Thánh Linh để đắc thắng tội lỗi và bản ngã (Ga-la-ti 5:24-25). Bạn biết sống yêu thương anh chị em trong Chúa và thương yêu linh hồn những tội nhân đang hư mất cần được Chúa cứu rỗi.
Đức Chúa Trời xưng nghĩa tức là Ngài xóa đi bản án tội lỗi Bạn mang bấy lâu nay, nhưng Ngài không cất đi bản tánh xác thịt trong mình Bạn. Là con người mới trong Chúa Giê-xu, Bạn vẫn còn ý chí tự do lựa chọn giữa đòi hỏi của xác thịt và bản tánh thiêng liêng vì thế Bạn sẽ còn phạm tội với Chúa, còn có thể trở lại nếp sống cũ. Vì thế Bạn phải mỗi ngày nhờ cậy sức Chúa và quyền năng của Đức Thánh Linh để chiến đấu và đắc thắng con người xác thịt cũ còn trong Bạn cho đến khi nào chết mới thôi.
Khi tin Chúa thái độ của Bạn đối với tội lỗi được thay đổi. Bạn ghét tội và không còn vui sống trong tội lỗi! Khi lỡ phạm tội với Chúa lòng của Bạn bị ray rứt, khó chịu vô cùng, và Bạn được cáo trách, quay trở lại với Chúa, ăn năn tội lỗi và cam kết dứt khoát không phạm tội đó nữa.
Sau khi tin nhận Chúa, Đức Thánh Linh ngự trong lòng sẽ biến đổi đời sống Bạn mỗi ngày và quá trình thánh hóa này sẽ liên tục mãi từ khi tin Chúa cho đến ngày Bạn gặp Chúa (Phi-líp 1:6).
Để đời sống đức tin ngày càng lớn lên Bạn phải được đầy dẫy Đức Thánh Linh, nhờ Chúa giúp hết lòng sống mỗi ngày đẹp lòng Chúa. Chúa sẽ vùa giúp Bạn dành thì giờ đọc Thánh Kinh, học hỏi, nghiên cứu và suy gẫm Lời Ngài; nhờ Đức Thánh Linh dạy dỗ Bạn hiểu rõ Lời Chúa; nhờ liên tục giấu Lời Ngài trong lòng, Bạn có Lời Ngài và năng quyền của Ngài để chống lại cám dỗ của ma quỷ và quyền lực tội lỗi đang tấn công từ bên ngoài và làm chết đi bản ngã cũ còn sống bên trong.
Khi Lời Chúa được giấu bên trong lòng và Ngài chiếm hữu trọn vẹn tất cả con người Bạn chắc chắn sẽ sống đời sống vui mừng, đắc thắng, và làm đẹp lòng Chúa (Thi Thiên 119:9-10). Hãy nhớ Bạn thuộc về Chúa, luôn ở trong Ngài thì Ngài sẽ luôn ở trong Bạn. Càng sống gần Ngài thì quyền năng Chúa càng tuôn tràn qua đời sống Bạn và Bạn chắc sẽ kết nhiều quả tốt lành cho Ngài (Giăng 15:4-8). Khi Bạn hiểu được Đức Chúa Trời muốn mình hết lòng tin cậy Chúa và để Ngài làm Chủ hoàn toàn, Bạn điều chỉnh và sắp xếp lại ưu tiên thứ tự trong cuộc sống để Chúa trên hết thì Ngài vui lòng sống và tự do hành động trong đời sống Bạn, biến đổi lòng và ý tưởng Bạn trở nên thánh khiết, và xứng đáng cho Chúa xử dụng (Ga-la-ti 2:20).
Có Chúa, Bạn không còn lo lắng về cuộc sống hôm nay, lo sợ về tương lai mù mịt, kinh hãi khi sự chết đe dọa nữa. Mọi sự được giao thác cho Chúa, nằm trong tay Ngài, và mọi suy nghĩ, hành động đều đặt ở dưới sự điều khiển, dẫn dắt của Ngài (Rô-ma 14:8).
Tin Chúa thật nghĩa là tin cậy và phó thác cả cuộc sống hiện tại và tương lai trong tay Chúa. Từ nay Bạn cam kết hết lòng dấn thân theo Chúa, sống với Chúa, làm theo Lời Ngài dạy trong Thánh Kinh, và giữ sự tương giao mật thiết với Chúa. Từ nay Bạn hết tâm, trí, sức lực học tập vâng phục Chúa trong mọi sự và nhờ cậy Chúa giúp Bạn lớn lên mỗi ngày để Bạn càng ngày càng trở nên giống Chúa Giê-xu càng hơn. Chính Ngài là Đấng ban cho Bạn sự cứu rỗi, sự sống đời đời ngay trong hiện tại, và Ngài sẽ tiếp tục thánh hóa và gìn giữ linh hồn Bạn trong tình yêu của Ngài cho đến đời đời.
Dầu vậy, trong cuộc sống theo Chúa đôi lúc yếu đuối, bị cám dỗ phạm tội, buồn chán, ngã lòng, Bạn thỉnh thoảng nghi ngờ về sự cứu rỗi linh hồn của mình. Dĩ nhiên, sau khi tin Chúa, Bạn vẫn còn những vấp phạm trong tư tưởng, trong lời nói, trong hành động và vẫn còn làm buồn lòng Đức Thánh Linh; bản tánh xác thịt vẫn còn ẩn núp bên trong làm cho Bạn có lúc tưởng mình đứng thì bị vấp ngã, nằm dài tưởng chừng như không thể đứng dậy nổi (Rô-ma 7:15- 24).
Người con của Chúa có kinh nghiệm của những lần buồn rầu, lương tâm ray rứt, hối hận vì cứ phạm đi phạm lại một tội, ăn năn xưng tội, cầu nguyện khóc lóc với Chúa, và xin Chúa tha thứ những lỗi lầm mình đã vấp phạm làm buồn lòng Thánh Linh Ngài. Nhưng nhiều khi đã cầu nguyện, ăn năn xưng tội, suy nghĩ lại thấy lòng không chắc chắn về sự cứu rỗi, nên nghi ngờ sự cứu rỗi Chúa ban. Nghi ngờ dẫn đến lo sợ và càng nghĩ sai càng thêm lo sợ; sợ tội ghê gớm này chắc Chúa sẽ không tha và hoang mang cho rằng mình sẽ đánh mất sự sống đời đời Chúa ban.
Có lẽ Bạn từng tin Chúa sốt sắng, trung tín hầu việc Chúa trong mọi công tác trước đây nhưng bị vật chất đời này cám dỗ làm cho nghẹt ngòi, không kết quả, hoặc bị cám dỗ phạm tội tà dâm, giết người như Đa Vít, hoặc ham tiền bán Chúa như Giu-đa Ích-ca-ri-ốt vấp ngã đi vào con đường hủy diệt, như A-na-nia và Sa-phi-ra nói dối Chúa Thánh Linh, hoặc bị vấp phạm vì nếp sống của người làm chứng cho mình tin Chúa nhưng có nếp sống như người thế gian, hoặc bị thử thách mà không đứng vững được, chối Chúa như Phi-e-rơ. Dù tội Bạn lớn thế nào đi nữa Chúa sẵn sàng tha thứ tất cả khi Bạn ăn năn xưng tội và trở lại với Ngài.
Có lẽ sau khi phạm tội với Chúa, Bạn được Đức Thánh Linh cáo trách, nhắc nhở nhiều lần để Bạn quay đầu trở lại, nhưng Bạn cứ khước từ. Chúa thương yêu tiếp tục cáo trách, cảnh tỉnh, răn dạy và sửa phạt. Sống với mặc cảm tội lỗi dày vò Bạn thiếu bình an, vui mừng.
Nếu Bạn vẫn không sợ sự răn dạy của Chúa nhưng lại càng cứng lòng hơn, càng chìm đắm trong tội lỗi, trong đam mê, trong thú vui tạm thời, và không chịu chạy đến với Chúa để xin Ngài thương xót, tha thứ. Bạn trở nên như A-đam và Ê-va trốn Chúa trong vườn Ê-đen sau khi họ bất tuân không vâng lời Chúa. Nếu Bạn cứ tiếp tục không lắng nghe lời Chúa nhắc nhở và lời Đức Thánh Linh cáo trách và cứ sống trong tội lỗi, lòng Bạn sẽ từ từ chai cứng.
Nếu tiếng của Chúa Thánh Linh bị dập tắt và không còn cáo trách lòng Bạn được nữa cho dù bao lần Ngài đã mời gọi Bạn trở lại với Ngài thì Bạn giống như một người đã nhận biết lẽ thật, đã một lần nếm biết sự cứu rỗi của Chúa nhưng cố ý khước từ, không nhận. Bạn khinh lờn ơn Đức Thánh Linh ban cho mình, khước từ Chúa Cứu Thế Giê-xu là Đấng duy nhất có thể cứu Bạn. Trong lòng và trí Bạn đã thối lui không theo Chúa nữa, không muốn có những liên hệ gì với Hội Thánh, với anh chị em trong Chúa. Bạn công khai chối bỏ đức tin nơi Chúa, chối bỏ sự cứu rỗi Bạn nghĩ mình đã nhận, và lối sống, suy nghĩ, lời nói, hành động của Bạn giống y hệt người chưa biết Chúa. Đến cuối cùng của cuộc đời trước khi nhắm mắt đi vào cõi đời đời, lòng Bạn vẫn cứng cõi, vẫn không trở lại với Chúa, không tin Chúa thì trước ngưỡng cửa đời đời linh hồn Bạn sẽ hư mất vì không còn hy vọng gì nữa cho Bạn!
Cơ hội tin Chúa, ăn năn trở lại với Chúa đã đến nhưng bị bỏ lỡ. Ngài đã kiên nhẫn chờ đợi Bạn quyết định nhận sự cứu rỗi đời đời Chúa ban cho với điều kiện Bạn tin và tiếp nhận Chúa vào lòng. Nhưng Bạn đã đánh mất cơ hội, đánh mất đức tin Chúa gieo vào lòng Bạn, đánh mất sự cứu rỗi Chúa muốn trao tặng Bạn vì Bạn đã để cho lòng mình chai lì cứng cõi đến nỗi Chúa Thánh Linh không thể làm gì được nữa vì Ngài muốn tôn trọng quyền tự do của Bạn. Nếu ngay từ đầu Bạn đã không thật lòng tin Chúa, không có sự cứu rỗi thì Bạn có sự cứu rỗi đâu mà đánh mất!
Ngay hôm nay, Bạn đang đứng ở đâu trong mối liên hệ giữa Bạn với Chúa? Ngài có đang là Cứu Chúa và Chủ của lòng Bạn không? Bạn vẫn còn đang đứng xa Ngài, đang cố tình khước từ sự cứu rỗi duy nhất Chúa muốn ban cho Bạn sao?
Hãy trở lại với Chúa Giê-xu hôm nay đừng chạy trốn tình yêu của Chúa nữa! Nếu không tin nhận Chúa hôm nay thì sự kinh khiếp của số phận đời đời của Bạn sống không có Chúa, đời đời xa cách Ngài sẽ đáng sợ biết bao!
Nhưng nếu hôm nay Bạn nhận biết mình yếu đuối, dễ vấp ngã, đôi lúc phạm tội với Chúa, thường được Đức Thánh Linh cáo trách, làm cho lòng Bạn buồn rầu, ray rứt, và đau khổ vì tội lỗi để Bạn biết chạy đến với Chúa, sấp mình xuống trước mặt Ngài để ăn năn, nhận được sự tha thứ và tiếp tục bước đi trong đời sống thánh khiết, Bạn chưa đánh mất sự cứu rỗi đâu!
Lời Chúa hứa trong Thánh Kinh, “Còn nếu chúng ta xưng tội mình, thì Ngài là thành tín công bình để tha tội cho chúng ta, và làm cho chúng ta sạch mọi điều gian ác.” (I Giăng 1:9). Không có tội nào lớn đến nỗi Chúa không tha thứ được (Ê-sai 1:18). Không có tội nào quá nhỏ Chúa sẽ bỏ qua vì Ngài là Đấng Thánh khiết, Công bình và Chúa đang nhìn thấy lòng của Bạn!
Chúa là Đấng nhìn thấy bên trong tấm lòng của con người biết Bạn có thật sự ăn năn tin nhận Chúa ngay lúc Bạn quỳ gối cầu nguyện tiếp nhận Chúa hay chỉ giả vờ, bị cảm xúc lừa dối, để rồi Bạn đóng kịch tự lừa dối chính mình và người khác. Giu-đa Ích-ca-ri-ốt theo Chúa Giê-xu ba năm, nghe nhiều Lời Chúa dạy khuyên, nếm biết ân sủng của Chúa nhưng cuối cùng Ngài đã nói ông là quỷ (Giăng 6:70). Giu-đa Ích-ca-ri-ốt tin Chúa bằng môi miệng hay theo Chúa bằng hình thức bên ngoài nhưng trong lòng không hề có Chúa ngự thì chưa bao giờ có sự cứu rỗi.
Khi nói đến sự cứu rỗi của Cơ Đốc Nhân là những người thật lòng đặt niềm tin cậy nơi Chúa thì Thánh Kinh cho biết rõ ràng rằng Cơ Đốc Nhân đã được Chúa Giê-xu cứu thì sẽ không bao giờ bị mất sự cứu rỗi. Chúa Giê-xu đảm bảo chắc chắn điều này qua Phúc Âm Giăng 10:28, “Ta ban cho nó sự sống đời đời; nó chẳng chết mất bao giờ, và chẳng ai cướp nó khỏi tay ta.” Chúa Giê-xu tuyên bố hễ ai đã nhận sự sống đời đời Ngài ban cho sẽ không bao giờ mất nó. Bởi sự chết của Chúa Giê-xu, Ngài đã cứu Bạn khỏi sự chết đời đời. Bởi sự sống lại vinh hiển, Chúa sẽ giữ Bạn trong cánh tay toàn năng của Ngài và không có một quyền lực nào trên thế gian có thể cướp Bạn ra khỏi bàn tay yêu thương của Chúa. Ngài đang ngồi bên hữu Đức Chúa Cha hằng cầu thay cho Bạn vì thế không thể nào sau khi tin Chúa, Ngài biết rõ rằng Bạn vẫn còn phạm tội, còn nhiều vấp phạm mà Chúa sẽ thay đổi ý định và lấy lại sự cứu rỗi Chúa đã ban cho Bạn.
Hơn nữa, trong thư II Cô-rinh-tô 1:22 Phao-lô cho biết, “Ngài cũng lấy ấn mình mà đóng cho chúng tôi và ban của tin Đức Thánh Linh trong lòng chúng tôi.” Ê-phê-sô 1:13-14 chép, “Ấy lại cũng trong Ngài mà anh em sau khi đã nghe đạo chơn thật, là đạo Tin Lành về sự cứu rỗi anh em, và được ấn chứng bằng Đức Thánh Linh là Đấng Chúa đã hứa. Đấng ấy làm của cầm về cơ nghiệp chúng ta, cho đến kỳ chuộc lấy những kẻ mà Ngài đã được để khen ngợi sự vinh hiển Ngài.” Sứ đồ Phao-lô chỉ cho con cái Đức Chúa Trời thấy rõ Đức Thánh Linh đã ấn chứng cho chúng ta và chúng ta thuộc về Ngài. Cơ nghiệp chúng ta trong Chúa Cứu Thế Giê-xu là sự sống đời đời, phần chúng ta đã, đang và sẽ nhận lãnh (Giăng 5:24; I Giăng 5:13). Khi miêu tả đến cơ nghiệp đời đời nầy thì thánh Phi-e-rơ đã dùng những từ như “Cơ nghiệp không hư đi, không ô uế, không suy tàn”để nhấn mạnh sự đảm bảo chắc chắc đời đời về sự cứu rỗi của Cơ Đốc Nhân trong Chúa Giê-xu (I Phi-e-rơ 1:4).
Thánh Kinh khẳng định rõ ràng tình yêu Chúa luôn giữ gìn chúng ta và không để chúng ta bị phân rẽ khỏi tình yêu thương Chúa đã dành ban cho chúng ta trong Chúa Giê-xu. Rô-ma 8:38-39 chép, “Vì tôi chắc rằng bất kỳ sự chết, sự sống, các thiên sứ, các kẻ cầm quyền, việc bây giờ, việc hầu đến, quyền phép, bề cao, hay là bề sâu, hoặc một vật nào chẳng có thể phân rẽ chúng ta khỏi sự yêu thương mà Đức Chúa Trời đã chứng cho chúng ta trong Đức Chúa Giê-xu Christ, là Chúa chúng ta.” I Giăng 5:13 viết rõ ràng như sau, “Ta đã viết những điều này cho các con, hầu cho các con biết mình có sự sống đời đời, là kẻ nào tin đến danh Con Đức Chúa Trời.”
Sự sống đời đời Chúa ban đến bởi lòng tin Bạn chân thành đặt nơi Chúa Giê-xu. Sự sống đời đời bắt đầu ngay giây phút Bạn tin nhận Chúa Giê-xu và mời Ngài vào lòng, và sự sống đó là quá trình liên tục và tiếp tục cho đến đời đời khi Bạn gặp lại Cứu Chúa Giê-xu yêu dấu là Đấng đã yêu thương, hy sinh để Bạn được sống mãi với Ngài. Đức Thánh Linh đang sống trong lòng, hướng dẫn, vùa giúp để Bạn sống trung tín theo Chúa cho đến cuối cùng. Những lúc vấp ngã phạm tội có Ngài cáo trách giúp Bạn ăn năn quay trở lại với Chúa liền thì làm sao Bạn có thể chạy ra khỏi tình yêu của Chúa được. Không gì ngăn cách Bạn với Chúa Giê-xu và tình yêu đời đời của Ngài (Rô-ma 8:39). Làm sao Bạn có thể đánh mất sự sống đời đời Chúa đã ban cho được trừ khi Bạn chối bỏ Ngài?
Bạn hỏi, “Còn những người trước đây tin Chúa, đi theo Chúa một thời gian nhưng bây giờ chối bỏ hoàn toàn đức tin mình nơi Chúa Giê-xu thì sao?” Hãy để Chúa đoán xét họ vì Ngài biết lòng họ đối với Ngài. Lời Chúa dạy có những người làm nhiều việc trong danh Chúa tưởng mình được cứu nhưng cuối cùng thì khác hẳn, vì “Những người đó sẽ nói với Chúa rằng: Lạy Chúa, lạy Chúa, chúng tôi chẳng từng nhơn danh Chúa mà nói tiên tri sao? Và lại nhơn danh Chúa mà làm nhiều phép lạ sao? Khi ấy Chúa sẽ phán rõ ràng cùng họ rằng: Hỡi kẻ làm gian ác, ta chẳng biết các ngươi bao giờ, hãy lui ra khỏi ta!” (Ma-thi-ơ 7:21-23).
Bạn hãy tin cậy Lời Chúa hứa chắc chắn trong Thánh Kinh Giăng 3:16 “Vì Đức Chúa Trời yêu thương thế gian đến nỗi đã ban Con Một của Ngài, hầu cho hễ ai tin Con ấy, không bị hư mất mà được sự sống đời đời.”
Khi Bạn thật lòng tin nhận Chúa Giê-xu, Bạn có sự sống đời đời Chúa ban. Ngài sẽ giữ gìn linh hồn của Bạn đời đời, không ai có thể cướp Bạn ra khỏi bàn tay của Chúa (Giăng 5:24). Giu-đe 24 chép, “Đấng có thể gìn giữ anh em khỏi vấp phạm và khiến anh em đứng trước mặt vinh hiển mình các rất vui mừng, không chỗ trách được.” Quyền năng, ân sủng và chính Đức Thánh Linh Ngài sẽ giữ cho Bạn khỏi vấp phạm và khiến Bạn đứng vững trước mặt Ngài cách vui mừng, không chỗ trách được trong ngày Chúa Giê-xu tái lâm. Chúa Giê-xu là nguồn hy vọng duy nhất để chúng ta có được sự đảm bảo chắc chắn về sự cứu rỗi đời đời.
Tóm lại, Bạn sẽ còn những vấp ngã, lầm lỗi và phạm tội với Chúa trong quá trình được Ngài thánh hóa, nhưng điều đó không có nghĩa là Bạn vừa đánh mất sự sống đời đời. Hãy thật sự ăn năn, từ bỏ tội lỗi và quay trở lại với Đức Chúa Trời vì Ngài là Đấng giàu lòng thương xót, chậm nóng giận, và đầy sự nhân từ. Hãy xin Đức Thánh Linh đầy dẫy chính Ngài trong đời sống, vùa giúp Bạn bền đỗ trong đức tin nơi Chúa Giê-xu, nhờ cậy Ngài trong mọi sự để sống đẹp lòng Chúa từ nay cho đến ngày Bạn gặp lại Ngài.
Con người nhìn nhau bằng bề ngoài và thấy người này tin Chúa, người kia hầu việc Chúa và tưởng rằng họ đã và đang tin Chúa thật và được Chúa cứu rồi cho đến khi thấy họ sống như người thế gian, không vâng lời Chúa, chối bỏ Chúa thì chúng ta mới bật ngữa, thắc mắc, nghi ngờ. Hãy cầu nguyện cho họ và tin rằng ân sủng của Chúa sẽ tiếp tục kéo họ trở lại với Ngài. Chúa biết ai được cứu rỗi và thuộc trọn vẹn về Ngài!
Bạn hãy bền đỗ theo Chúa, tiếp tục tin cậy Chúa, bước đi với Chúa mỗi ngày, đọc, học, suy gẫm, vâng giữ và áp dụng Lời Chúa để được vững vàng trong niềm tin nơi Chúa Cứu Thế Giê-xu. Hãy giấu Lời Chúa trong lòng để Bạn sẽ không phạm tội cùng Chúa.
Hãy nhớ rằng Bạn không nhờ bất cứ một việc làm nào để được cứu rỗi thì không thể vì việc làm mà Bạn đánh mất sự cứu rỗi. Chúa yêu thương đã cứu Bạn vì ân sủng kỳ diệu của Ngài thì Ngài sẽ tiếp tục cứu với ân sủng và quyền năng vĩ đại của Ngài. Hãy vui sống vâng theo Lời Chúa dạy mỗi ngày để Bạn càng ngày càng gần Chúa hơn, càng trở nên giống Chúa Giê-xu nhiều hơn trong mọi cách ăn nết ở của mình.
Nếu Bạn biết chắc mình đang có sự sống đời đời Chúa ban tại sao cứ lo lắng vô ích mình sẽ đánh mất nó. Hãy sống trung tín với Chúa mỗi ngày và để Chúa làm việc của Ngài trong đời sống của Bạn. Ngài đang dẫn dắt đời sống Bạn từng giây phút, ánh mắt yêu thương của Ngài đang trông nom từng bước chân của Bạn, và vùa giúp Bạn để đi không sai trật đường lối Ngài. Hãy an tâm hầu việc Chúa cách mạnh mẽ, với lòng nhiệt thành, và sự tận tâm. Cơ hội hầu việc Chúa là hôm nay!
Vì vậy câu hỏi cần đặt ra không phải là “Cơ Đốc Nhân sẽ bị mất sự cứu rỗi không?” mà là “Bạn đã có sự cứu rỗi của Chúa Giê-xu chưa?”
Bạn đã tin nhận Chúa chưa? Nếu chưa, mời Bạn hãy mở lòng ra tiếp nhận Chúa Cứu Thế Giê-xu vào lòng làm Cứu Chúa và Chủ cuộc đời Bạn. Ngài hứa ban sự sống đời đời cho những ai tin nhận Ngài. Bạn hãy tin Lời Chúa hứa. Ngài không bao giờ thất hứa. “Đức Chúa Giê-xu Christ hôm qua, ngày nay, và cho đến đời đời không hề thay đổi.” (Hê-bơ-rơ 13:8).
Bạn đã tin Chúa, hãy tiếp tục bền đỗ trong đức tin, sống vâng phục, làm theo Lời Ngài dạy dỗ, hướng dẫn Bạn. Hãy trung tín phục vụ Ngài, dành tâm trí năng lực, và thì giờ để hầu việc Chúa thay vì lo lắng vô ích rằng mình sẽ đánh mất sự sống đời đời. Hãy hướng dẫn người khác đến với Chúa, tin nhận Ngài để được Ngài ban cho sự cứu rỗi và sự sống đời đời. A-men.
Mục sư Nguyễn Vũ Ngọc Linh
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Who is Jesus?
Who is Jesus?
In chemistry, he turned water to wine.
In biology, he was born without the normal conception;
in physics, he disapproved gravity’s law when he ascended into heaven;
in economics, he disapproved the law of diminishing return by feeding 5000 men with 2 fish & 5 loaves of bread;
In medicine, he cured the sick and the blind without administering a single dose of drugs,
in history, he is the beginning and the end;
in government, he is called wonderful counselor, prince of peace;
in religion, he said no one comes to the Father except through him;
So...who is he? He is Jesus!
Let's celebrate him; he is worthy.
May the eyes beholding this message shall not behold evil,
The hands that send this message to everybody shall not labor in vain,
and the mouth saying amen to this prayer shall smile forever.
Remain in God and seek his face always.
Amen.
In God I've found everything!
The greatest man in history, the Lord and Savior.
Jesus had no servants, yet they called him master.
Had no degree, yet they called him teacher.
Had no medicines, yet they called him healer.
He had no army, yet kings feared him.
He won no military battles, yet he conquered the world.
He committed no crime, yet they crucified him.
He was buried in a tomb, yet he lives today.
I feel honored to serve Him who loves us!
If you believe in God and in Jesus Christ, his Son...
You’ll know what to do.
Jesus said, "If you deny me before man,
I will deny you before my Father in heaven.
Author Unknown
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Don't Give Up
DON’T GIVE UP
By Rick Goad
It seems in life when you have dream
Some may laugh and call it extreme.
But all I know is keep moving on.
Make good decisions and answer your call.
I know that you can make it.
Just believe it in your heart.
Don’t give up! Don’t give in.
And I know it’s time you win.
There’s nothing greater than living your life
With people you love right by your side.
Everyday I pray that you will always find the way.
Don’t give up! Don’t give in.
You can win. You can win.
All disappointments, talking your dream,
Holding you back from what you can be.
Today is the first day of the rest of your life
Believe in your dream and hold on tight.
I know that you can make it.
Just believe it in your heart.
Don’t give up! Don’t give in.
And I know it’s time you win.
There’s nothing greater than living your life
With people you love right by your side.
Everyday I pray that you will always find the way.
Don’t give up! Don’t give in.
You can win. You can win.
Don’t give up! Don’t give in.
And I know it’s time you win.
There’s nothing greater than living your life
With people you love right by your side.
Everyday I pray that you will always find the way.
Don’t give up! Don’t give in.
You can win. You can win.
*
Christmas is the most exciting time; celebrations are everywhere. Joyous music, wonderful sounds of laughter fill the cold and chilly air. The different kinds of smell of food, chocolate and sweets are so inviting. The lovely cards, the unexpected phone calls, emails are still coming putting a smile on our face knowing someone are thinking about us.
Yet, Christmas is also a time when memories of sadness are so real about a deceased loved one no longer present with us; it's a time full of stress to meet year's end needs, with lots of things to finish before the the new year starts. It's a time when all of your energy levels could be drained up to meet high demands from families, jobs or just life in general.
Whatever it is don't ever give up; no matter how low the fund is God will meet your needs; no matter how bad the economy is you will survive; no matter how sad your life may be due to unforseen circumstances beyond your control you will not lose your mind; no matter how extremely cold the weather or how hot it may be, it will be right again; no matter how hard life may be for you without your loved ones beside you, a right person will be just along the way; no matter how many times you may have thoughts about giving it up or that you are tired and don't want to try to work things out anymore, give it one more try. God never give up on you.
Don't ever give up. Life is very precious. God is still very present beside you because He said He will never leave you. He won't forsake you. He will open a way of escape for you. The storm may be passing by, but it soon will be over, and the sun will shine again. There is always hope in the midst of despair; there is still love, plenty of God's love around us.
Just look around you. Look at the flowers of the field. Look at the birds in the air. Look at the hairs on your head. Look up and look beyond your present circumstances and see hope, God's rays of hope are burning through the clouds of doubt and fear and despair. Look into the future and take that step of faith into the unknown, God will meet you there always. He never fails you. Trust Him today and tomorrow. Trust Him now and you will never be the same again.
God loves you. Remember you are so dear to Him.
Pastor Linh
By Rick Goad
It seems in life when you have dream
Some may laugh and call it extreme.
But all I know is keep moving on.
Make good decisions and answer your call.
I know that you can make it.
Just believe it in your heart.
Don’t give up! Don’t give in.
And I know it’s time you win.
There’s nothing greater than living your life
With people you love right by your side.
Everyday I pray that you will always find the way.
Don’t give up! Don’t give in.
You can win. You can win.
All disappointments, talking your dream,
Holding you back from what you can be.
Today is the first day of the rest of your life
Believe in your dream and hold on tight.
I know that you can make it.
Just believe it in your heart.
Don’t give up! Don’t give in.
And I know it’s time you win.
There’s nothing greater than living your life
With people you love right by your side.
Everyday I pray that you will always find the way.
Don’t give up! Don’t give in.
You can win. You can win.
Don’t give up! Don’t give in.
And I know it’s time you win.
There’s nothing greater than living your life
With people you love right by your side.
Everyday I pray that you will always find the way.
Don’t give up! Don’t give in.
You can win. You can win.
*
Christmas is the most exciting time; celebrations are everywhere. Joyous music, wonderful sounds of laughter fill the cold and chilly air. The different kinds of smell of food, chocolate and sweets are so inviting. The lovely cards, the unexpected phone calls, emails are still coming putting a smile on our face knowing someone are thinking about us.
Yet, Christmas is also a time when memories of sadness are so real about a deceased loved one no longer present with us; it's a time full of stress to meet year's end needs, with lots of things to finish before the the new year starts. It's a time when all of your energy levels could be drained up to meet high demands from families, jobs or just life in general.
Whatever it is don't ever give up; no matter how low the fund is God will meet your needs; no matter how bad the economy is you will survive; no matter how sad your life may be due to unforseen circumstances beyond your control you will not lose your mind; no matter how extremely cold the weather or how hot it may be, it will be right again; no matter how hard life may be for you without your loved ones beside you, a right person will be just along the way; no matter how many times you may have thoughts about giving it up or that you are tired and don't want to try to work things out anymore, give it one more try. God never give up on you.
Don't ever give up. Life is very precious. God is still very present beside you because He said He will never leave you. He won't forsake you. He will open a way of escape for you. The storm may be passing by, but it soon will be over, and the sun will shine again. There is always hope in the midst of despair; there is still love, plenty of God's love around us.
Just look around you. Look at the flowers of the field. Look at the birds in the air. Look at the hairs on your head. Look up and look beyond your present circumstances and see hope, God's rays of hope are burning through the clouds of doubt and fear and despair. Look into the future and take that step of faith into the unknown, God will meet you there always. He never fails you. Trust Him today and tomorrow. Trust Him now and you will never be the same again.
God loves you. Remember you are so dear to Him.
Pastor Linh
Christmas Letter
Christmas Letter
Dear Loved Ones:
As you well know, we are getting closer to My birthday. Every year there is a celebration in My honor and I think that this year the celebration will be repeated. During this time there are many people shopping for gifts, there are many radio announcements, TV commercials, and in every part of the world everyone is talking that My birthday is getting closer and closer.
It is really very nice to know, that at least once a year, some people think of Me. As you know, the celebration of My birthday began many years ago. At first people seemed to understand and be thankful of all that I did for them, but in these times, no one seems to know the reason for the celebration. Family and friends get together and have a lot of fun, but they don't know the meaning of the celebration.
I remember that last year there was a great feast in My honor. The dinner table was full of delicious foods, pastries, fruits, assorted nuts and chocolates. The decorations were exquisite and there were many, many beautifully wrapped gifts. But, do you want to know something? I wasn't invited. I was the guest of honor and they didn't remember to send Me an invitation. The party was for Me, but when that great day came, I was left outside, they closed the door in My face...and I wanted to be with them and share their table.
In truth, that didn't surprise Me because in the last few years many close their doors to Me. Since I wasn't invited, I decided to enter the party without making any noise. I went in and stood in a corner. They were all drinking; there were some who were drunk and telling jokes and laughing at everything. Then this large man dressed in red wearing a long white beard entered the room with a loud Ho-Ho-Ho! All the children ran to him, saying: "Santa Claus, Santa Claus". as if the party was in his honor! Why did they all know this man, but had no idea who I was?
At 12 Midnight all the people began to hug each other; I extended My arms waiting for someone to hug me and do you know no one hugged me. Suddenly they all began to share lavish gifts. They opened them one by one with great expectation. When all had been opened, I looked to see if, maybe, there was one for Me. What would you feel if on your birthday everybody shared gifts and you did not get one? I then understood that I was unwanted at that party and quietly left.
Every year it gets worse. People only remember to eat and drink, the gifts, the parties and nobody remembers Me. I would like this Christmas that you allow Me to enter into your life. I would like that you recognize the fact that almost two thousand years ago I came to this world
to give My life for you, on the cross, to save you. Today, I only want that you believe this with all your heart.
I want to share something with you. Though many didn't invite Me to their party, I am planning My own celebration, a grandiose party that no one has ever imagined, and a spectacular party. I'm still making the final arrangements. Today I am sending out many invitations and there is an invitation for you. I want to know if you wish to attend and if you do, I will make a reservation for you and write your name with golden letters in My great guest book.
Only those on who respond will be admitted to the party. Those who don't answer the invitation...or answer no, will be left outside.
Be prepared because when all is ready, you will be part of My great party. It will be ready before you know it.
Love, Jesus
Dear Loved Ones:
As you well know, we are getting closer to My birthday. Every year there is a celebration in My honor and I think that this year the celebration will be repeated. During this time there are many people shopping for gifts, there are many radio announcements, TV commercials, and in every part of the world everyone is talking that My birthday is getting closer and closer.
It is really very nice to know, that at least once a year, some people think of Me. As you know, the celebration of My birthday began many years ago. At first people seemed to understand and be thankful of all that I did for them, but in these times, no one seems to know the reason for the celebration. Family and friends get together and have a lot of fun, but they don't know the meaning of the celebration.
I remember that last year there was a great feast in My honor. The dinner table was full of delicious foods, pastries, fruits, assorted nuts and chocolates. The decorations were exquisite and there were many, many beautifully wrapped gifts. But, do you want to know something? I wasn't invited. I was the guest of honor and they didn't remember to send Me an invitation. The party was for Me, but when that great day came, I was left outside, they closed the door in My face...and I wanted to be with them and share their table.
In truth, that didn't surprise Me because in the last few years many close their doors to Me. Since I wasn't invited, I decided to enter the party without making any noise. I went in and stood in a corner. They were all drinking; there were some who were drunk and telling jokes and laughing at everything. Then this large man dressed in red wearing a long white beard entered the room with a loud Ho-Ho-Ho! All the children ran to him, saying: "Santa Claus, Santa Claus". as if the party was in his honor! Why did they all know this man, but had no idea who I was?
At 12 Midnight all the people began to hug each other; I extended My arms waiting for someone to hug me and do you know no one hugged me. Suddenly they all began to share lavish gifts. They opened them one by one with great expectation. When all had been opened, I looked to see if, maybe, there was one for Me. What would you feel if on your birthday everybody shared gifts and you did not get one? I then understood that I was unwanted at that party and quietly left.
Every year it gets worse. People only remember to eat and drink, the gifts, the parties and nobody remembers Me. I would like this Christmas that you allow Me to enter into your life. I would like that you recognize the fact that almost two thousand years ago I came to this world
to give My life for you, on the cross, to save you. Today, I only want that you believe this with all your heart.
I want to share something with you. Though many didn't invite Me to their party, I am planning My own celebration, a grandiose party that no one has ever imagined, and a spectacular party. I'm still making the final arrangements. Today I am sending out many invitations and there is an invitation for you. I want to know if you wish to attend and if you do, I will make a reservation for you and write your name with golden letters in My great guest book.
Only those on who respond will be admitted to the party. Those who don't answer the invitation...or answer no, will be left outside.
Be prepared because when all is ready, you will be part of My great party. It will be ready before you know it.
Love, Jesus
2008 Malaysia Trip Report
2008 Malaysia Trip Report
Rev. Linh Nguyen
This report is a reflection of many accounts told and given by the Vietnamese workers in Malaysia. The stories told just reflected a little bit of how they have experienced life there. This report is an education tool used to raise the awareness in the mind of many people who are not aware that human trafficking or such suffering is even existed in the 21st century.
What does one do about this human problem in order to bring fair and just treatments to the foreign workers, safe and sound working environment and love and acceptance and understanding to the displaced workers is up to each individual who hears and responds to God’s call in his or her life.
Who are these workers?
They are Vietnamese labor workers coming to Malaysia a few years ago on a three-year contract to work for a factory or company in Malaysia all across the country. They are mostly young people ranging from 18-39 years of age. A few are older. Most come from a poor family background; many are illiterate, did not finish high school. They want to have a better chance to make it in life, to send a few extra dollars home to help support the family in Vietnam.
How did they know about the labor workers program?
The middleman companies spread the news. Flyers were sent out or given to them, recruiting them to go to work. Other times, local officers came to their houses to suggest that they go to work. Many come from the same town telling their friends about the work program.
Who are the middleman companies?
These are companies supported by the government with their own agreement of paying the government a certain amount of money to have these workers going oversea to work for foreign companies. The people know nothing much about these companies except what they have told them.
These middleman people appear to be very loving, sweet and gentle that their talks are smooth even the little tiny ants will crawl out of their holes to listen to them painting the beautiful heaven in Malaysia when they sign the paperwork to go their working.
They are promised so many things that the world is waiting for them to come. In reality, it is not as promised and their hearts are broken.
Who are the workers and where do they come from?
They are the Tay people; Nung, Thai, Hmong, La Chi, Man, Meo, Muong in the North Vietnam. There are the Kinh people coming from Nghe An and other places as well; some come from the South as far as Dong Thap Muoi province.
What contracts do they have to sign to get to work in Malaysia?
They have to sign a three-year contract in Vietnam with the middleman companies. Then they have to sign a one year contract to have their visa and work permit with the companies they have signed to work.
Many said sometimes it is so close to leaving the country getting on the airplane that they were given contract to sign “here” without having enough time to read what they signed for.
What happened when they first landed in Malaysia?
Their passport or visa was seized or kept by the companies with the intention to keep them stay put. Without any proper paperwork or contract they cannot leave the factory which they have signed the contract with. They cannot leave the country without proper approval from the company and the middleman companies as well. They are stuck there. Some escaped or left the companies and went out searching for other work on their own. Illegally wandering the street they are subject to being caught and put in jail. They have to stay in jail until they pay the fine or penalty.
How do they go to work?
Some live within the factory boundary. The owner set aside a corner of the factory and built some temporary, mostly unbearable living quarter like “boxes” for the labor workers to live, eat and sleep.
Some go to work by bicycles. Some walk a mile to go to work. And walk the same distance to go home after very dark. It is dangerous after dark to walk home by oneself; especially on payday. Even a group of men can still be a target of robbery and attack. The word “Tran Lot” is used a lot in some crime infested towns.
How many days and hours do they have to work?
Most of them have to work seven days a week. Most of them work from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. shift; 12 hours average a day. Some work longer hours like 14-15 hours, and many have claimed to have no breaks in between. One and a half hour to an hour of lunch is the most they can have. Some have to wake up as early as five a.m. to cook for a group of 40-50 people in one company; one has to cook for more than 100 people.
How is their working environment?
There was a company where the supervisor has been warned many times about his anger. He took it out on the Vietnamese workers and often beat them for no reason at all. They don’t fight back but try to brace and protect themselves from further harm. The owner promised one of our workers there that he would fire this unkind supervisor. A social worker has been contacted; the owner promised the social worker to make improvement that no more hitting or beating of workers.
At one factory one person recalled saying he has worked with hot aluminum, and when the hot aluminum splashed or exploded it burned their back; other got burned in the stomach. The heat and fire burned through their gloves. No safety goggles given to the workers. No protective clothes given, just their regular garments wearing to work.
One guy said in the wood factory that he has been working; it is very dusty that he could not even see clearly the guy standing next to him.
Even when they are sick, they are forced not to take a day off. No sick day.
One worker said at one time, there was a period of four months he received no pay at all.
They have been asked to pick up cigarette butts. They have been searched through their bodies in and out of the factory.
No worker compensation! Some workers got job related injuries and were taken to the hospital for a quick fix, but no further follow-up, and they have to be back to work or else they would have to face the consequences of skipping work. One guy is with his wound on his left hand still very fresh for us to see.
How are the living conditions?
Harsh living conditions are visibly seen. Some reported having no water for two days and nights. Wet and damp condition and the humidity really affected them.
In one town, we met a group of about 38 people; we found out that small place of six rooms hold about 75 Vietnamese workers there. Just imagine having 14-15 people in a room, filled with heat, humidity and lots of cigarette smoke filled the room as well.
All of these rooms do not have air conditioning; they have to buy electric fans to cool themselves. Most wear just a short. All stay bare back to cool their body temperature.
After coming home from a long day at work, they have to cook the meal for themselves; some hurry to take a bath to cool themselves; other hang around smoking a cigarette to try to forget whatever happens during the day.
How much are they making a day or a month?
They are making an average of 18 RM a day. It is less than $6.00 US Dollars a day. it is about 600 RM a month. Out of the 600 RM a month, they have to pay for rent; an average of 45RM for rent; 200 RM for food;
Some workers the owners force them to pay 65 RM for the company “wear and tear” on tools and machine they used to produce products for these owners’ companies.
This subtraction for the “wear and tear of machinery” is an outrageous charge against their labor. They are being squeezed of every ounce of energy and taken advantage of.
In some companies, the workers have to work even when they are sick; or else they can be beaten with sticks.
Are they able to contact their families at home in Vietnam?
Yes. They are able to contact their families in Vietnam through cell phones. Most of them spend lots of money on cell phones. It is about 30-40 RM a month on cell phone expense. Some have to pay for airfares to go back to Vietnam to visit and to come back to work again within the contracted time.
What are their social, emotional and spiritual needs?
They learn to live in a new community of guys or girls. Many of them through their ordeal and suffering due to unjust treatment and the working environment have developed a strong need to have their spiritual needs met by God. Many found the love of God and the salvation through Jesus Christ and the love and community of the local churches in the areas.
Many workers wish to go home NOW if they can. They have to finish their contract or else whatever they sign in the contract will come back to haunt them. They will lose a lot more if they don't fulfill their contracts. We have to remember they have already borrowed lots of money from the bank in their town to complete the paperwork to go oversea to work. They have to borrow an average of 15-20 millions VN Dong. Some have to pay more to the middleman; all depending on the special circumstances so that they can come to work.
In a few instances, when the machine broke down, they could not work; even so they were beaten by the foreman or supervisors. Six of them reported that they were beaten when they stopped working due to broken machinery.
What do the churches there do for them?
The Christian workers at local churches play a role of a mother/father to them. They cook for them many meals a week when they come to the church services. The soft drinks, juices and water are provided as well. The church volunteers served them with the humility and love of Christ. They invested money in renting buses to bus them in on Sundays. They have volunteers who drive the vans to pick them up and to return them after church services. They have prayed and witnessed to them the love of God and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They have worked with abroad church workers to help speak and care for these workers in Vietnamese. Quite a few Christian workers have responded to God’s call to come and minister God’s love to these workers.
The churches in Malaysia have exemplified the love of Jesus Christ toward these workers and in return they have seen many responded to God’s love and accepted His salvation offered freely to them. Only God knows how many will be won over into the Kingdom of God and eternity is spent with God or without God is up to them to choose.
Many workers have found out that the time that the church buses, vans or cars which come to pick them up are the very special time; a time where they feel free to leave their workplace to find solace and comfort and love and fellowship from other fellow human beings. In their search for a little love here and there, they have found God’s love.
A question often asked is: If they don’t pay me, should I strike and stay home not going to work? Yes. One still has to go to work. Many feel that they have been cheated out of their labor all the way from the middleman in their country to the very owners and people at work. What can they do? The strategy offered to them is to do well, learn as much as they can about doing the best job, pray for the owners and supervisors and ask God to bless them; God will bless you in return. They have learned the secret of prayer. God answers prayers.
How do they handle with the stress of life and work there?
Many found some temporary relief through smoking, drinking beer or alcohol; others got involved with sex. Many have found love in all the wrong places. The ladies dated men from other countries. Homosexuality is becoming a big problem. A lot of broken trust existed. Pregnancy, forced abortion or run-away pregnant mothers who have become illegal. They are not allowed to marry or to have kids there. Kids born there have to be given to adoption.
Others who have responded to the invitation and outreach of the local churches have come by van or bus transportation to local churches and there they have found love, God’s love and genuine love of people who care about them. They have found salvation in Jesus, forgiveness from sins by God and the love of the brothers and sisters.
What did the middleman do for them in K.L?
Nothing much at all is done for them. Many said that the middleman have offices in K.L. did not really care about them. The workers said they have tried to call them many times to intervene or help them but they ignore their calls and said “we never receive any call from anyone for help.”
What happened to those who have no paperwork to work in other places?
They cannot work legally. If found out, they may be arrested and put in jail. Until they pay the fine or penalty and taxes, they could not leave the jail or Malaysia. There are about 10,000-11,000 Vietnamese labor workers in Malaysia prisons or jails. What can be done about this? Is there anyone representing them? What are their crimes? What do you do about it?
What do I do about all that I have heard or seen?
You could have chosen to do nothing. Absolutely nothing about it.
You could have chosen to do something about it. Pray for them is something you can do. Invest your time or money to come there on one trip to see first hand for yourself how they have lived and worked each day. Maybe you will be touched by what you see there. You may choose to give money to a church organization which is providing assistance or service to these labor workers.
You may have decided to set aside a certain amount of time or money to go there and work alongside with an organization to help serve the needs of these workers. Time may be running out soon. They may be returning to Vietnam pretty soon and the opportunity for you to serve will be less. Who knows what impact you will have in the life of these workers?
Maybe through your love and service and testimony you may see them give their hearts to God and see you in Heaven someday. See you on the mission field.
Rev. Linh Nguyen
This report is a reflection of many accounts told and given by the Vietnamese workers in Malaysia. The stories told just reflected a little bit of how they have experienced life there. This report is an education tool used to raise the awareness in the mind of many people who are not aware that human trafficking or such suffering is even existed in the 21st century.
What does one do about this human problem in order to bring fair and just treatments to the foreign workers, safe and sound working environment and love and acceptance and understanding to the displaced workers is up to each individual who hears and responds to God’s call in his or her life.
Who are these workers?
They are Vietnamese labor workers coming to Malaysia a few years ago on a three-year contract to work for a factory or company in Malaysia all across the country. They are mostly young people ranging from 18-39 years of age. A few are older. Most come from a poor family background; many are illiterate, did not finish high school. They want to have a better chance to make it in life, to send a few extra dollars home to help support the family in Vietnam.
How did they know about the labor workers program?
The middleman companies spread the news. Flyers were sent out or given to them, recruiting them to go to work. Other times, local officers came to their houses to suggest that they go to work. Many come from the same town telling their friends about the work program.
Who are the middleman companies?
These are companies supported by the government with their own agreement of paying the government a certain amount of money to have these workers going oversea to work for foreign companies. The people know nothing much about these companies except what they have told them.
These middleman people appear to be very loving, sweet and gentle that their talks are smooth even the little tiny ants will crawl out of their holes to listen to them painting the beautiful heaven in Malaysia when they sign the paperwork to go their working.
They are promised so many things that the world is waiting for them to come. In reality, it is not as promised and their hearts are broken.
Who are the workers and where do they come from?
They are the Tay people; Nung, Thai, Hmong, La Chi, Man, Meo, Muong in the North Vietnam. There are the Kinh people coming from Nghe An and other places as well; some come from the South as far as Dong Thap Muoi province.
What contracts do they have to sign to get to work in Malaysia?
They have to sign a three-year contract in Vietnam with the middleman companies. Then they have to sign a one year contract to have their visa and work permit with the companies they have signed to work.
Many said sometimes it is so close to leaving the country getting on the airplane that they were given contract to sign “here” without having enough time to read what they signed for.
What happened when they first landed in Malaysia?
Their passport or visa was seized or kept by the companies with the intention to keep them stay put. Without any proper paperwork or contract they cannot leave the factory which they have signed the contract with. They cannot leave the country without proper approval from the company and the middleman companies as well. They are stuck there. Some escaped or left the companies and went out searching for other work on their own. Illegally wandering the street they are subject to being caught and put in jail. They have to stay in jail until they pay the fine or penalty.
How do they go to work?
Some live within the factory boundary. The owner set aside a corner of the factory and built some temporary, mostly unbearable living quarter like “boxes” for the labor workers to live, eat and sleep.
Some go to work by bicycles. Some walk a mile to go to work. And walk the same distance to go home after very dark. It is dangerous after dark to walk home by oneself; especially on payday. Even a group of men can still be a target of robbery and attack. The word “Tran Lot” is used a lot in some crime infested towns.
How many days and hours do they have to work?
Most of them have to work seven days a week. Most of them work from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. shift; 12 hours average a day. Some work longer hours like 14-15 hours, and many have claimed to have no breaks in between. One and a half hour to an hour of lunch is the most they can have. Some have to wake up as early as five a.m. to cook for a group of 40-50 people in one company; one has to cook for more than 100 people.
How is their working environment?
There was a company where the supervisor has been warned many times about his anger. He took it out on the Vietnamese workers and often beat them for no reason at all. They don’t fight back but try to brace and protect themselves from further harm. The owner promised one of our workers there that he would fire this unkind supervisor. A social worker has been contacted; the owner promised the social worker to make improvement that no more hitting or beating of workers.
At one factory one person recalled saying he has worked with hot aluminum, and when the hot aluminum splashed or exploded it burned their back; other got burned in the stomach. The heat and fire burned through their gloves. No safety goggles given to the workers. No protective clothes given, just their regular garments wearing to work.
One guy said in the wood factory that he has been working; it is very dusty that he could not even see clearly the guy standing next to him.
Even when they are sick, they are forced not to take a day off. No sick day.
One worker said at one time, there was a period of four months he received no pay at all.
They have been asked to pick up cigarette butts. They have been searched through their bodies in and out of the factory.
No worker compensation! Some workers got job related injuries and were taken to the hospital for a quick fix, but no further follow-up, and they have to be back to work or else they would have to face the consequences of skipping work. One guy is with his wound on his left hand still very fresh for us to see.
How are the living conditions?
Harsh living conditions are visibly seen. Some reported having no water for two days and nights. Wet and damp condition and the humidity really affected them.
In one town, we met a group of about 38 people; we found out that small place of six rooms hold about 75 Vietnamese workers there. Just imagine having 14-15 people in a room, filled with heat, humidity and lots of cigarette smoke filled the room as well.
All of these rooms do not have air conditioning; they have to buy electric fans to cool themselves. Most wear just a short. All stay bare back to cool their body temperature.
After coming home from a long day at work, they have to cook the meal for themselves; some hurry to take a bath to cool themselves; other hang around smoking a cigarette to try to forget whatever happens during the day.
How much are they making a day or a month?
They are making an average of 18 RM a day. It is less than $6.00 US Dollars a day. it is about 600 RM a month. Out of the 600 RM a month, they have to pay for rent; an average of 45RM for rent; 200 RM for food;
Some workers the owners force them to pay 65 RM for the company “wear and tear” on tools and machine they used to produce products for these owners’ companies.
This subtraction for the “wear and tear of machinery” is an outrageous charge against their labor. They are being squeezed of every ounce of energy and taken advantage of.
In some companies, the workers have to work even when they are sick; or else they can be beaten with sticks.
Are they able to contact their families at home in Vietnam?
Yes. They are able to contact their families in Vietnam through cell phones. Most of them spend lots of money on cell phones. It is about 30-40 RM a month on cell phone expense. Some have to pay for airfares to go back to Vietnam to visit and to come back to work again within the contracted time.
What are their social, emotional and spiritual needs?
They learn to live in a new community of guys or girls. Many of them through their ordeal and suffering due to unjust treatment and the working environment have developed a strong need to have their spiritual needs met by God. Many found the love of God and the salvation through Jesus Christ and the love and community of the local churches in the areas.
Many workers wish to go home NOW if they can. They have to finish their contract or else whatever they sign in the contract will come back to haunt them. They will lose a lot more if they don't fulfill their contracts. We have to remember they have already borrowed lots of money from the bank in their town to complete the paperwork to go oversea to work. They have to borrow an average of 15-20 millions VN Dong. Some have to pay more to the middleman; all depending on the special circumstances so that they can come to work.
In a few instances, when the machine broke down, they could not work; even so they were beaten by the foreman or supervisors. Six of them reported that they were beaten when they stopped working due to broken machinery.
What do the churches there do for them?
The Christian workers at local churches play a role of a mother/father to them. They cook for them many meals a week when they come to the church services. The soft drinks, juices and water are provided as well. The church volunteers served them with the humility and love of Christ. They invested money in renting buses to bus them in on Sundays. They have volunteers who drive the vans to pick them up and to return them after church services. They have prayed and witnessed to them the love of God and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They have worked with abroad church workers to help speak and care for these workers in Vietnamese. Quite a few Christian workers have responded to God’s call to come and minister God’s love to these workers.
The churches in Malaysia have exemplified the love of Jesus Christ toward these workers and in return they have seen many responded to God’s love and accepted His salvation offered freely to them. Only God knows how many will be won over into the Kingdom of God and eternity is spent with God or without God is up to them to choose.
Many workers have found out that the time that the church buses, vans or cars which come to pick them up are the very special time; a time where they feel free to leave their workplace to find solace and comfort and love and fellowship from other fellow human beings. In their search for a little love here and there, they have found God’s love.
A question often asked is: If they don’t pay me, should I strike and stay home not going to work? Yes. One still has to go to work. Many feel that they have been cheated out of their labor all the way from the middleman in their country to the very owners and people at work. What can they do? The strategy offered to them is to do well, learn as much as they can about doing the best job, pray for the owners and supervisors and ask God to bless them; God will bless you in return. They have learned the secret of prayer. God answers prayers.
How do they handle with the stress of life and work there?
Many found some temporary relief through smoking, drinking beer or alcohol; others got involved with sex. Many have found love in all the wrong places. The ladies dated men from other countries. Homosexuality is becoming a big problem. A lot of broken trust existed. Pregnancy, forced abortion or run-away pregnant mothers who have become illegal. They are not allowed to marry or to have kids there. Kids born there have to be given to adoption.
Others who have responded to the invitation and outreach of the local churches have come by van or bus transportation to local churches and there they have found love, God’s love and genuine love of people who care about them. They have found salvation in Jesus, forgiveness from sins by God and the love of the brothers and sisters.
What did the middleman do for them in K.L?
Nothing much at all is done for them. Many said that the middleman have offices in K.L. did not really care about them. The workers said they have tried to call them many times to intervene or help them but they ignore their calls and said “we never receive any call from anyone for help.”
What happened to those who have no paperwork to work in other places?
They cannot work legally. If found out, they may be arrested and put in jail. Until they pay the fine or penalty and taxes, they could not leave the jail or Malaysia. There are about 10,000-11,000 Vietnamese labor workers in Malaysia prisons or jails. What can be done about this? Is there anyone representing them? What are their crimes? What do you do about it?
What do I do about all that I have heard or seen?
You could have chosen to do nothing. Absolutely nothing about it.
You could have chosen to do something about it. Pray for them is something you can do. Invest your time or money to come there on one trip to see first hand for yourself how they have lived and worked each day. Maybe you will be touched by what you see there. You may choose to give money to a church organization which is providing assistance or service to these labor workers.
You may have decided to set aside a certain amount of time or money to go there and work alongside with an organization to help serve the needs of these workers. Time may be running out soon. They may be returning to Vietnam pretty soon and the opportunity for you to serve will be less. Who knows what impact you will have in the life of these workers?
Maybe through your love and service and testimony you may see them give their hearts to God and see you in Heaven someday. See you on the mission field.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
10 Steps to Freedom
Ten Steps to Freedom
By Pablo Deiros and Pablo Bottari
+
Excerpt from Chapter 9 – Deliverance From Dark Strongholds
Power, Holiness, and Evangelism, compiled by Randy Clark
Inner healing and deliverance ministry is so needed today more than ever. The Church needs to learn how to minister to those troubled with demonic oppression. When demons manifest through shaking, falling, screaming, or some other very observable way, the minister can rebuke Satan. A powerful electricity goes through the people is simply an incredible work of the Holy Spirit. When a constant stream of people comes for deliverance, practically all of them come out with a substantial degree of healing and deliverance.
With the help of the Holy Spirit, this 10-step model of deliverance is developed. It is quiet, loving, dignified, and very effective. It is pastoral and teachable. It is not spectacular. However, it goes to the root of a problem rather than dealing only with the symptom; and you can see, right on the spot, the freedom, joy, and peace on the face of the person ministered to.
The need for inner healing and deliverance is so prevalent. Church members need to be trained to minister to people effectively. It needs to be a normal part of our church life.
In one region, more than 75% of the pastors and pastors’ wives carrying heavy burdens require inner healing and deliverance because of just one problem-traumatic sexual experiences as children. Pastors and leaders need help too. They too can be liberated through clinics. Pastors and leaders who receive training and go through deliverance themselves can help those people who manifest. A healed leader, a freed leader, will bring freedom, deliverance, peace, and health to the rest of the congregation.
Are there something hurting you, binding you, and preventing you from serving the church the way God wants you to serve? We must begin to take the devil seriously, rebuke him, and denounce him by name.
The demonic oppression gained entrance through an “open door,” such as hurtful relationship, a traumatic event, a prolonged illness, or a habitual sin. If all open doors are not “closed,” a deliverance is often difficult, sometimes humiliating, and may be only temporary. On the other hand, if all open doors are closed, the actual deliverance is usually easy, quick, not humiliating, and more likely to be permanent.
This model is appropriate for crusade settings, and also for local church or private settings. The minister needs to remember these principles for deliverance.
1. Deliverance ministry should be guided by God’s love and by a dependence on the Holy Spirit every step of the way. Remember, your main job is not to cast out a demon; it is to help a soul whom the Lord loves and does not want to hurt. Behind this entire ministry there must be the heart of God for a suffering soul whom the devil is oppressing. Don’t ever treat the person being ministered to like a demon!
2. Lovingly pray in general for the prayee or hurt person for the healing of his wounds and hurts.
3. The power to heal and to deliver is in the Name of Jesus. You cannot use His name too much!
Step 1: Give the individual priority.
Be loving, not militant. Firmness is necessary in bringing a demon under Christ’s authority, but the prayee himself needs to feel loved, accepted, and encouraged. The prayee may have been in bondage for years and has perhaps received prayers that did more harm than good. Encourage him; he is on his way to freedom.
Step 2: If a spirit manifests, bring it under submission, in the name of Jesus.
Take authority over any spirit that manifests and make it be quiet. Simply say something like, “Submit, in the name of Jesus!” or “Be quiet, in Jesus’ name! I want to talk to (Bruce or Helen).” Keep repeating such commands until the spirit is quiet. Don’t be surprised if this takes time. Be persistent. It is helpful to tell the prayee you are talking to the demon that is manifesting and not to him.
Ask others not to touch or speak to the prayee or pray loudly while you are quieting a demon. Spirits are very quick to sense divided authority. If others impinge on your authority, it is more difficult to quiet the demon.
Step 3: Establish and maintain communication with the prayee.
The prayee’s cooperation is essential for deliverance and inner healing. He must help you find the “open doors” and get them closed. This means that you must be able to talk with him. You can’t do this if a spirit is manifesting.
Maintaining communication during ministry may require additional commands to spirits to submit. The prayee perhaps cannot hold his head up, look at you, or sit still. If necessary, order the spirits again to submit. This may take time, but it is absolutely necessary. Don’t speak to any spirit except to give it orders, in the name of Jesus.
Step 4: Ask the prayee what he wants to be freed from and try to make sure he really does
want to get free.
Unless God sovereignly intervenes, it is probably impossible to permanently liberate a person unless he genuinely wants to be free. Successful deliverance requires unqualified forgiveness, sincere repentance, and renunciation of wrong conduct and attitudes. It requires willingness to change any lifestyle that gave entrance to the demon in the first place. If the prayee seeks deliverance without these, he is likely to soon again be in bondage, even if a deliverance is “successful.”
If you find that the prayee is not a candidate for deliverance for any reason, don’t be offended. Pray for him and bless him, but don’t pray for his deliverance. Encourage him to come back later for deliverance if he really wishes to become free.
Step 5: Make sure that the prayee has accepted Jesus as his Savior and Lord.
The prayee will need the help of the Holy Spirit to stay free. This should be explained to him. If he is not a believer, perhaps you can lead him to Christ. If you cannot, pray for him; pray for his healing; but do not pray for liberation. Encourage him to take the step of making Jesus his Lord and then return for deliverance and healing.
Go on to the following steps only if the prayee really wants to get free and only if he has received Jesus as the Lord of his life.
Step 6: Interview the prayee to discover the event or events, the conduct, or the
relationship situations that have led to his bondage or bondages.
The purpose of the interview is to expose the places where forgiveness is required, where healing is needed, and where repentance and breaking of bondages is needed. These places are the open doors.
If there is a specific bondage the person wants to be free from, start there. If there is no obvious other place to start, begin with his relationship with his father and with his mother. Then continue on through other relationships and then through other areas. Look for places where the prayee has been mistreated or hurt and for ways that the prayee himself has sinned. The more thorough the interview and the more detailed the forgiveness and repentance are, the better.
Interviewing by “areas” is a convenient way to make sure the interview is thorough. The minister should cover one area fully, then go on to another.
Areas include the following: relationships (father, mother, etc.), drugs, the occult, sex outside of marriage, trauma, curses, habitual sins, as well as miscellaneous items such as pride, greed, or controlling others. In the relationship area, the interviewer is looking for mistreatment of the prayee and resulting hurts and wrong attitudes. In other areas, he is looking for participation, for persons who may have induced participation (who thus need to be forgiven), and for ways the prayee has hurt others.
Step 7: Lead the prayee in “closing” these “doors” to the admission of spirits.
“Leading,” in this case, means having the prayee repeat sentences after you, at least in the beginning. After some repetitions, he probably can take the steps on his own.
“Closing a door” involves three or four steps, depending on the situation. Steps B, C, and D below are always included. If another person is involved, step A is also needed.
Step A: Forgive
The prayee must unequivocally forgive the one who has caused hurt or led him into the wrong conduct, item by item, for each act, each hurtful comment, etc., that the Holy Spirit brings to his mind. After forgiving, he should tell God that he will not try to change the person but will with God’s help love that person as he is. Then the prayee should ask God to bless the other person in every way. Releasing and blessing tend to firm up forgiveness.
Sometimes the prayee has been hurt so deeply that he simply cannot forgive the person who hurt him. Explain to him that forgiveness is a decision he makes and is not necessarily a feeling. Explain that if he does not forgive, he will not be forgiven.
If he still cannot forgive, ask him if you can pray for him. If he says yes, quietly but firmly bind the spirit of unforgiveness in him and command it to leave him in the name of Jesus. Then see if he can forgive. That may break the logjam. However, if the prayee will not come to the place of forgiveness, you should gently and lovingly bring the ministry to a close. His unforgiveness would just be an open door for expelled demons to return.
The interview and door closing processes can be extremely painful as the prayee relives deep hurts. You may see some of much weeping. You can lovingly stop and ask God to heal his hurts and his broken heart. Do not hurry this prayer. Pray with your eyes open to note any unspoken responses to parts of your prayers.
Step B: Repent and ask forgiveness
The prayee must repent of his own attitudes, feelings, and acts that are not of God. This repentance includes the conduct itself, such as unforgiveness, resentment, anger, anxiety, pride, taking in rejection, self-pity, or depression. His attitudes and feelings may be very understandable, but if they are not from God, they are from the enemy and should be repented of. Then the prayee should ask God’s forgiveness for them. Here too the repentance should be specific, item-by-item. .
Step C: Renounce all sins or spirits involved in the name of Jesus
The prayee should audibly and firmly renounce his own sin, the effect on him of other’s sins, and any bondages. Some examples include the following:
* “In the name of Jesus, I renounce the fear that came upon me when…”
* “In the name of Jesus, I renounce having shared my body with (naming each person) and every unclean sexual spirit I picked up from them. In the name of Jesus, I renounce pornography, fantasy, fornication, and every spirit connected with them.”
* “In the name of Jesus, I renounce having put myself under the authority of that (witch, fortune-teller, hypnotist, etc.).”
* “In the name of Jesus, I renounce rejection, loneliness, self-pity, depression, hopelessness, despair, confusion…, etc.”
Step D: The minister should break the yoke of bondage and the power of any spirit
Establish eye contact with the prayee and break, in the name of Jesus, the power of the renounced spirits and the yoke of any bondage over the prayee. You could pray like this: “In Jesus’ name I break the yoke of fear, hate, unclean sex, resentment, anger (whatever is involved) over “John, Mary” so that when they are cast out, they will not come back.”
Do not cast out any demons until all “doors” have been closed, or at least all doors in a particular area. If not all doors are closed, expelling spirits is sometimes more difficult, and those that remain when some are expelled may manifest.
Step 8: When all doors are closed, cast out the unclean spirit or spirits.
Simply cast them out-always in the name of Jesus. It is not necessary to send them somewhere; if the doors have been effectively closed, the spirits will leave quietly and quickly with one or two commands.
If they don’t, it is a signal that not all doors have been closed. Go back to the interview stage! Find and close the unclosed doors.
The prayee may or may not display some manifestation of the spirit leaving (a sigh, cough, yawn, jerk, etc.). However, he usually will feel free, lighter, like laughing, or deeply peaceful.
When you think you have finished steps 6 through 8, ask the Holy Spirit to show one of you (you, the intercessor, the prayee, and any friend, spouse, or parent who is present) whether there are additional spirits to be exposed and expelled. Wait some moments to see if the Holy Spirit does show someone something. If He does, ask the prayee, gently, whether there is a need in the area that the Holy Spirit has identified. Remember that you might hear incorrectly, so be careful not to speak too strongly and not to be accusatory. If something comes to light, deal with it as per steps 6 through 8.
Step 9: Lead the prayee in a prayer of praise and thanksgiving to Jesus for his deliverance.
Suggest, as a starter, “Thank You, Jesus, for setting me free!…”
Step 10: Have the prayee ask the Holy Spirit to fill him, to fill up every space formally
occupied by an evil spirit. You and your supporters can add similar prayers for him at steps 9 and 10.
If the prayee cannot thank Jesus, if he cannot ask the Holy Spirit to fill him, or if there is further demonic manifestation when he does, it is a signal that there are more doors to be closed and more spirits to be expelled.
Ask the Holy Spirit for His help. Go back to step 6 or 7 as indicated.
By Pablo Deiros and Pablo Bottari
+
Excerpt from Chapter 9 – Deliverance From Dark Strongholds
Power, Holiness, and Evangelism, compiled by Randy Clark
Inner healing and deliverance ministry is so needed today more than ever. The Church needs to learn how to minister to those troubled with demonic oppression. When demons manifest through shaking, falling, screaming, or some other very observable way, the minister can rebuke Satan. A powerful electricity goes through the people is simply an incredible work of the Holy Spirit. When a constant stream of people comes for deliverance, practically all of them come out with a substantial degree of healing and deliverance.
With the help of the Holy Spirit, this 10-step model of deliverance is developed. It is quiet, loving, dignified, and very effective. It is pastoral and teachable. It is not spectacular. However, it goes to the root of a problem rather than dealing only with the symptom; and you can see, right on the spot, the freedom, joy, and peace on the face of the person ministered to.
The need for inner healing and deliverance is so prevalent. Church members need to be trained to minister to people effectively. It needs to be a normal part of our church life.
In one region, more than 75% of the pastors and pastors’ wives carrying heavy burdens require inner healing and deliverance because of just one problem-traumatic sexual experiences as children. Pastors and leaders need help too. They too can be liberated through clinics. Pastors and leaders who receive training and go through deliverance themselves can help those people who manifest. A healed leader, a freed leader, will bring freedom, deliverance, peace, and health to the rest of the congregation.
Are there something hurting you, binding you, and preventing you from serving the church the way God wants you to serve? We must begin to take the devil seriously, rebuke him, and denounce him by name.
The demonic oppression gained entrance through an “open door,” such as hurtful relationship, a traumatic event, a prolonged illness, or a habitual sin. If all open doors are not “closed,” a deliverance is often difficult, sometimes humiliating, and may be only temporary. On the other hand, if all open doors are closed, the actual deliverance is usually easy, quick, not humiliating, and more likely to be permanent.
This model is appropriate for crusade settings, and also for local church or private settings. The minister needs to remember these principles for deliverance.
1. Deliverance ministry should be guided by God’s love and by a dependence on the Holy Spirit every step of the way. Remember, your main job is not to cast out a demon; it is to help a soul whom the Lord loves and does not want to hurt. Behind this entire ministry there must be the heart of God for a suffering soul whom the devil is oppressing. Don’t ever treat the person being ministered to like a demon!
2. Lovingly pray in general for the prayee or hurt person for the healing of his wounds and hurts.
3. The power to heal and to deliver is in the Name of Jesus. You cannot use His name too much!
Step 1: Give the individual priority.
Be loving, not militant. Firmness is necessary in bringing a demon under Christ’s authority, but the prayee himself needs to feel loved, accepted, and encouraged. The prayee may have been in bondage for years and has perhaps received prayers that did more harm than good. Encourage him; he is on his way to freedom.
Step 2: If a spirit manifests, bring it under submission, in the name of Jesus.
Take authority over any spirit that manifests and make it be quiet. Simply say something like, “Submit, in the name of Jesus!” or “Be quiet, in Jesus’ name! I want to talk to (Bruce or Helen).” Keep repeating such commands until the spirit is quiet. Don’t be surprised if this takes time. Be persistent. It is helpful to tell the prayee you are talking to the demon that is manifesting and not to him.
Ask others not to touch or speak to the prayee or pray loudly while you are quieting a demon. Spirits are very quick to sense divided authority. If others impinge on your authority, it is more difficult to quiet the demon.
Step 3: Establish and maintain communication with the prayee.
The prayee’s cooperation is essential for deliverance and inner healing. He must help you find the “open doors” and get them closed. This means that you must be able to talk with him. You can’t do this if a spirit is manifesting.
Maintaining communication during ministry may require additional commands to spirits to submit. The prayee perhaps cannot hold his head up, look at you, or sit still. If necessary, order the spirits again to submit. This may take time, but it is absolutely necessary. Don’t speak to any spirit except to give it orders, in the name of Jesus.
Step 4: Ask the prayee what he wants to be freed from and try to make sure he really does
want to get free.
Unless God sovereignly intervenes, it is probably impossible to permanently liberate a person unless he genuinely wants to be free. Successful deliverance requires unqualified forgiveness, sincere repentance, and renunciation of wrong conduct and attitudes. It requires willingness to change any lifestyle that gave entrance to the demon in the first place. If the prayee seeks deliverance without these, he is likely to soon again be in bondage, even if a deliverance is “successful.”
If you find that the prayee is not a candidate for deliverance for any reason, don’t be offended. Pray for him and bless him, but don’t pray for his deliverance. Encourage him to come back later for deliverance if he really wishes to become free.
Step 5: Make sure that the prayee has accepted Jesus as his Savior and Lord.
The prayee will need the help of the Holy Spirit to stay free. This should be explained to him. If he is not a believer, perhaps you can lead him to Christ. If you cannot, pray for him; pray for his healing; but do not pray for liberation. Encourage him to take the step of making Jesus his Lord and then return for deliverance and healing.
Go on to the following steps only if the prayee really wants to get free and only if he has received Jesus as the Lord of his life.
Step 6: Interview the prayee to discover the event or events, the conduct, or the
relationship situations that have led to his bondage or bondages.
The purpose of the interview is to expose the places where forgiveness is required, where healing is needed, and where repentance and breaking of bondages is needed. These places are the open doors.
If there is a specific bondage the person wants to be free from, start there. If there is no obvious other place to start, begin with his relationship with his father and with his mother. Then continue on through other relationships and then through other areas. Look for places where the prayee has been mistreated or hurt and for ways that the prayee himself has sinned. The more thorough the interview and the more detailed the forgiveness and repentance are, the better.
Interviewing by “areas” is a convenient way to make sure the interview is thorough. The minister should cover one area fully, then go on to another.
Areas include the following: relationships (father, mother, etc.), drugs, the occult, sex outside of marriage, trauma, curses, habitual sins, as well as miscellaneous items such as pride, greed, or controlling others. In the relationship area, the interviewer is looking for mistreatment of the prayee and resulting hurts and wrong attitudes. In other areas, he is looking for participation, for persons who may have induced participation (who thus need to be forgiven), and for ways the prayee has hurt others.
Step 7: Lead the prayee in “closing” these “doors” to the admission of spirits.
“Leading,” in this case, means having the prayee repeat sentences after you, at least in the beginning. After some repetitions, he probably can take the steps on his own.
“Closing a door” involves three or four steps, depending on the situation. Steps B, C, and D below are always included. If another person is involved, step A is also needed.
Step A: Forgive
The prayee must unequivocally forgive the one who has caused hurt or led him into the wrong conduct, item by item, for each act, each hurtful comment, etc., that the Holy Spirit brings to his mind. After forgiving, he should tell God that he will not try to change the person but will with God’s help love that person as he is. Then the prayee should ask God to bless the other person in every way. Releasing and blessing tend to firm up forgiveness.
Sometimes the prayee has been hurt so deeply that he simply cannot forgive the person who hurt him. Explain to him that forgiveness is a decision he makes and is not necessarily a feeling. Explain that if he does not forgive, he will not be forgiven.
If he still cannot forgive, ask him if you can pray for him. If he says yes, quietly but firmly bind the spirit of unforgiveness in him and command it to leave him in the name of Jesus. Then see if he can forgive. That may break the logjam. However, if the prayee will not come to the place of forgiveness, you should gently and lovingly bring the ministry to a close. His unforgiveness would just be an open door for expelled demons to return.
The interview and door closing processes can be extremely painful as the prayee relives deep hurts. You may see some of much weeping. You can lovingly stop and ask God to heal his hurts and his broken heart. Do not hurry this prayer. Pray with your eyes open to note any unspoken responses to parts of your prayers.
Step B: Repent and ask forgiveness
The prayee must repent of his own attitudes, feelings, and acts that are not of God. This repentance includes the conduct itself, such as unforgiveness, resentment, anger, anxiety, pride, taking in rejection, self-pity, or depression. His attitudes and feelings may be very understandable, but if they are not from God, they are from the enemy and should be repented of. Then the prayee should ask God’s forgiveness for them. Here too the repentance should be specific, item-by-item. .
Step C: Renounce all sins or spirits involved in the name of Jesus
The prayee should audibly and firmly renounce his own sin, the effect on him of other’s sins, and any bondages. Some examples include the following:
* “In the name of Jesus, I renounce the fear that came upon me when…”
* “In the name of Jesus, I renounce having shared my body with (naming each person) and every unclean sexual spirit I picked up from them. In the name of Jesus, I renounce pornography, fantasy, fornication, and every spirit connected with them.”
* “In the name of Jesus, I renounce having put myself under the authority of that (witch, fortune-teller, hypnotist, etc.).”
* “In the name of Jesus, I renounce rejection, loneliness, self-pity, depression, hopelessness, despair, confusion…, etc.”
Step D: The minister should break the yoke of bondage and the power of any spirit
Establish eye contact with the prayee and break, in the name of Jesus, the power of the renounced spirits and the yoke of any bondage over the prayee. You could pray like this: “In Jesus’ name I break the yoke of fear, hate, unclean sex, resentment, anger (whatever is involved) over “John, Mary” so that when they are cast out, they will not come back.”
Do not cast out any demons until all “doors” have been closed, or at least all doors in a particular area. If not all doors are closed, expelling spirits is sometimes more difficult, and those that remain when some are expelled may manifest.
Step 8: When all doors are closed, cast out the unclean spirit or spirits.
Simply cast them out-always in the name of Jesus. It is not necessary to send them somewhere; if the doors have been effectively closed, the spirits will leave quietly and quickly with one or two commands.
If they don’t, it is a signal that not all doors have been closed. Go back to the interview stage! Find and close the unclosed doors.
The prayee may or may not display some manifestation of the spirit leaving (a sigh, cough, yawn, jerk, etc.). However, he usually will feel free, lighter, like laughing, or deeply peaceful.
When you think you have finished steps 6 through 8, ask the Holy Spirit to show one of you (you, the intercessor, the prayee, and any friend, spouse, or parent who is present) whether there are additional spirits to be exposed and expelled. Wait some moments to see if the Holy Spirit does show someone something. If He does, ask the prayee, gently, whether there is a need in the area that the Holy Spirit has identified. Remember that you might hear incorrectly, so be careful not to speak too strongly and not to be accusatory. If something comes to light, deal with it as per steps 6 through 8.
Step 9: Lead the prayee in a prayer of praise and thanksgiving to Jesus for his deliverance.
Suggest, as a starter, “Thank You, Jesus, for setting me free!…”
Step 10: Have the prayee ask the Holy Spirit to fill him, to fill up every space formally
occupied by an evil spirit. You and your supporters can add similar prayers for him at steps 9 and 10.
If the prayee cannot thank Jesus, if he cannot ask the Holy Spirit to fill him, or if there is further demonic manifestation when he does, it is a signal that there are more doors to be closed and more spirits to be expelled.
Ask the Holy Spirit for His help. Go back to step 6 or 7 as indicated.
Prayers for the church
Prayers for the Church
Please join us as we pray the prayer requests from now until we meet again.
Sunday – Passionate Worship – Lord, we pray that the Churches across the globe would have an awesome encounter of worshipping You in Spirit and in truth today (John 4:24).
Monday – Calling Young People into Ministry – Lord, we pray that You would raise up laborers for the harvest (Matthew 9:37-39). And, specifically, we ask You to raise up young clergy in America and call them into the ministry.
Tuesday – New Churches – Lord, we pray that You would raise up new Churches in America in places where there is no vibrant witness for the Gospel right now (Romans 15:20).
Wednesday – Ministry to the Poor – Lord, we pray that You would use your churches to alleviate poverty, stamp out malaria and HIV/AIDS, and minister to the less fortunate and overlooked in the name of Jesus (Matthew 25:40).
Thursday – Renewed Vitality of the Church – Lord, we pray that You would bring renewed vitality to the Church (Ezekiel 37) and that You would daily add to Your church through professions of faith (Acts 2:47).
Friday – Unity – Lord, we pray for a healthy unity across the Church such that the unbelieving world may see and believe in You (John 17:20-21).
Saturday – The Word – Lord, we pray that as the Word of God is preached in Your church tomorrow that You would bear fruit that will last forever (Isaiah 55:10-11). “Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain” – Psalm 127:1
“I am the Vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.” – John 15:5
What Could Happen If…
1. What could happen if tens of thousands of believers all prayed the same things for 7 days? The Bible says that there is great power in prayer that is prayed according to God’s will (I John 5:14-15) and that is prayed with multiple people in agreement (Matthew 18:19-20).
2. Would you join us praying for our Beloved Church? Please place this card on your bathroom mirror and pray for one request each day. Or put this card at your dinner table and pray for each day’s request before you eat dinner.
Twelve Famous Quotes on Prayer
1. E.M. Bounds - “What the church needs today is not more machinery or better, not new organizations or more and novel methods, but men and women whom the Holy Spirit can use--men and women of prayer, men and women mighty in prayer!”
2. Jesus- “My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations.”
3. John Wesley - “God will do nothing on earth except in answer to believing prayer.”
4. William Temple - “When I pray, coincidences happen.”
5. E.M. Bounds - “Prayer can do anything God can do.”
6. A.T. Pierson - “There has never been a spiritual awakening in any country or locality that did not begin in united prayer.”
7. Terry Teykl - “Any attempts to solve the issues of the United Methodist Church short of a major movement of prayer is like rearranging the chairs on the deck of the Titanic.”
8. Paul Billheimer - “Prayer is where the action is. Any church without a well-organized and systematic prayer program is simply operating a religious treadmill.”
9. Terry Teykl - “This year’s level of church growth cannot be sustained on last year’s level of prayer.”
10. Bill Bright - “In the providence of God, I believe the power of fasting as it relates to prayer is the spiritual atomic bomb of our moment in history to bring down the strongholds of evil, bring a great revival and spiritual awakening to America, and accelerate the fulfillment of the Great Commission.”
11. Anonymous – “When we work, we work; when we pray, God works.”
12. Dan Hayes - “God never revives proud people…. He only brings revival to those of us who say, ‘Lord, we can’t; but You can.’”
Please join us as we pray the prayer requests from now until we meet again.
Sunday – Passionate Worship – Lord, we pray that the Churches across the globe would have an awesome encounter of worshipping You in Spirit and in truth today (John 4:24).
Monday – Calling Young People into Ministry – Lord, we pray that You would raise up laborers for the harvest (Matthew 9:37-39). And, specifically, we ask You to raise up young clergy in America and call them into the ministry.
Tuesday – New Churches – Lord, we pray that You would raise up new Churches in America in places where there is no vibrant witness for the Gospel right now (Romans 15:20).
Wednesday – Ministry to the Poor – Lord, we pray that You would use your churches to alleviate poverty, stamp out malaria and HIV/AIDS, and minister to the less fortunate and overlooked in the name of Jesus (Matthew 25:40).
Thursday – Renewed Vitality of the Church – Lord, we pray that You would bring renewed vitality to the Church (Ezekiel 37) and that You would daily add to Your church through professions of faith (Acts 2:47).
Friday – Unity – Lord, we pray for a healthy unity across the Church such that the unbelieving world may see and believe in You (John 17:20-21).
Saturday – The Word – Lord, we pray that as the Word of God is preached in Your church tomorrow that You would bear fruit that will last forever (Isaiah 55:10-11). “Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain” – Psalm 127:1
“I am the Vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.” – John 15:5
What Could Happen If…
1. What could happen if tens of thousands of believers all prayed the same things for 7 days? The Bible says that there is great power in prayer that is prayed according to God’s will (I John 5:14-15) and that is prayed with multiple people in agreement (Matthew 18:19-20).
2. Would you join us praying for our Beloved Church? Please place this card on your bathroom mirror and pray for one request each day. Or put this card at your dinner table and pray for each day’s request before you eat dinner.
Twelve Famous Quotes on Prayer
1. E.M. Bounds - “What the church needs today is not more machinery or better, not new organizations or more and novel methods, but men and women whom the Holy Spirit can use--men and women of prayer, men and women mighty in prayer!”
2. Jesus- “My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations.”
3. John Wesley - “God will do nothing on earth except in answer to believing prayer.”
4. William Temple - “When I pray, coincidences happen.”
5. E.M. Bounds - “Prayer can do anything God can do.”
6. A.T. Pierson - “There has never been a spiritual awakening in any country or locality that did not begin in united prayer.”
7. Terry Teykl - “Any attempts to solve the issues of the United Methodist Church short of a major movement of prayer is like rearranging the chairs on the deck of the Titanic.”
8. Paul Billheimer - “Prayer is where the action is. Any church without a well-organized and systematic prayer program is simply operating a religious treadmill.”
9. Terry Teykl - “This year’s level of church growth cannot be sustained on last year’s level of prayer.”
10. Bill Bright - “In the providence of God, I believe the power of fasting as it relates to prayer is the spiritual atomic bomb of our moment in history to bring down the strongholds of evil, bring a great revival and spiritual awakening to America, and accelerate the fulfillment of the Great Commission.”
11. Anonymous – “When we work, we work; when we pray, God works.”
12. Dan Hayes - “God never revives proud people…. He only brings revival to those of us who say, ‘Lord, we can’t; but You can.’”
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Loi Cau Nguyen cua John Wesley
Lời Cầu Nguyện Của John Wesley
Con không thuộc về con nữa,
nhưng con thuộc về Ngài.
Để con làm gì tùy ý Ngài,
đặt con vào hàng ngũ ai theo ý Ngài.
Để con phải làm việc, để con chịu khổ.
Để con được sử dụng bởi Ngài
hay tránh ra một bên cho Ngài,
được tôn cao cho Ngài
hay bị hạ xuống cho Ngài.
Để con được đầy đủ, để con bị trống không.
Để con có mọi sự, để con chẳng có gì cả.
Con hoàn toàn tự nguyện và
hết lòng nhường mọi sự
để Ngài vui lòng và để Ngài sử dụng.
Và bây giờ, lạy Đức Chúa Trời
Vinh hiển và phước hạnh,
Đức Chúa Cha, Đức Chúa Con, và Đức Thánh Linh,
Ngài thuộc về con, và con thuộc về Ngài.
Nguyện mong sẽ được như thế.
Giao ước nầy con lập dưới đất,
nguyện nó được phê chuẩn trên Thiên đàng.
A-men
Trích từ Đặc San Linh Lực số 147, phát hành tháng 10/2007
Uoc ao, mong muon, hua nguyen, quyet tam, tron ven hien dang, dau phuc de Chua lam chu cuoc doi la nhung chuoi ngay, chang duong thuoc linh quan trong tren duong theo Chua va hau viec Ngai.
Cho den khi nao Duc Thanh Linh tu do, toan quyen lam chu, dan dat cuoc doi cua chung ta tin cay Chua hoan toan;
cho den khi nao chung ta khao khat, nguyen uoc, cau xin, tin va nhan su xuc dau cua Thanh Linh Ngai tren doi song va chuc vu cua minh;
cho den khi nao chung ta nho cay Chua nhieu hon va nho cay vao su khon ngoan, tai nang, kien thuc cua con nguoi dan dan it hon;
cho den khi nao Lua Thanh Linh bung chay trong tam hon, xua tan so hai, day lui su nghi ngo Loi Chua;
cho den khi nao chung ta de Ngai dung cham den chinh minh thi bong trai Thanh Linh ket bong trai va an tu Thanh Linh day day tren moi nguoi tuy theo y Ngai ban cho
thi su vinh hien cua Chua se chieu roi khap noi, su hien dien cua Chua day tran, nang quyen cua Chua hien lo, nhieu toi nhan duoc tha, nhieu linh hon duoc cuu, nhieu binh tat duoc chua lanh, nhieu cuoc doi duoc bien doi tro nen con Duc Chua Troi...
Nguyen xin Chua chiem huu chung ta nhieu hon moi ngay va ban phuoc cho tat ca chung ta va nhung ai dang khao khat biet va kinh nghiem Chua sau dam va khan khit hon moi ngay.
MS Linh
Con không thuộc về con nữa,
nhưng con thuộc về Ngài.
Để con làm gì tùy ý Ngài,
đặt con vào hàng ngũ ai theo ý Ngài.
Để con phải làm việc, để con chịu khổ.
Để con được sử dụng bởi Ngài
hay tránh ra một bên cho Ngài,
được tôn cao cho Ngài
hay bị hạ xuống cho Ngài.
Để con được đầy đủ, để con bị trống không.
Để con có mọi sự, để con chẳng có gì cả.
Con hoàn toàn tự nguyện và
hết lòng nhường mọi sự
để Ngài vui lòng và để Ngài sử dụng.
Và bây giờ, lạy Đức Chúa Trời
Vinh hiển và phước hạnh,
Đức Chúa Cha, Đức Chúa Con, và Đức Thánh Linh,
Ngài thuộc về con, và con thuộc về Ngài.
Nguyện mong sẽ được như thế.
Giao ước nầy con lập dưới đất,
nguyện nó được phê chuẩn trên Thiên đàng.
A-men
Trích từ Đặc San Linh Lực số 147, phát hành tháng 10/2007
Uoc ao, mong muon, hua nguyen, quyet tam, tron ven hien dang, dau phuc de Chua lam chu cuoc doi la nhung chuoi ngay, chang duong thuoc linh quan trong tren duong theo Chua va hau viec Ngai.
Cho den khi nao Duc Thanh Linh tu do, toan quyen lam chu, dan dat cuoc doi cua chung ta tin cay Chua hoan toan;
cho den khi nao chung ta khao khat, nguyen uoc, cau xin, tin va nhan su xuc dau cua Thanh Linh Ngai tren doi song va chuc vu cua minh;
cho den khi nao chung ta nho cay Chua nhieu hon va nho cay vao su khon ngoan, tai nang, kien thuc cua con nguoi dan dan it hon;
cho den khi nao Lua Thanh Linh bung chay trong tam hon, xua tan so hai, day lui su nghi ngo Loi Chua;
cho den khi nao chung ta de Ngai dung cham den chinh minh thi bong trai Thanh Linh ket bong trai va an tu Thanh Linh day day tren moi nguoi tuy theo y Ngai ban cho
thi su vinh hien cua Chua se chieu roi khap noi, su hien dien cua Chua day tran, nang quyen cua Chua hien lo, nhieu toi nhan duoc tha, nhieu linh hon duoc cuu, nhieu binh tat duoc chua lanh, nhieu cuoc doi duoc bien doi tro nen con Duc Chua Troi...
Nguyen xin Chua chiem huu chung ta nhieu hon moi ngay va ban phuoc cho tat ca chung ta va nhung ai dang khao khat biet va kinh nghiem Chua sau dam va khan khit hon moi ngay.
MS Linh
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Who packed your parachute?
WHO PACKED YOUR PARACHUTE?
Sometimes in the daily challenges that life gives us, we miss what is really important. We may fail to say hello, please, or thank you, congratulation someone on something wonderful that has happened to them, give a compliment, or just do something nice for no reason.
Charles Plumb, a US Naval Academy graduate, was a jet pilot in Vietnam. After 75 combat missions, his plane was shot down by a surface-to-surface missile. Plumb ejected and parachuted into enemy hands. He was captured and spent six years in a communist Vietnamese prison. He survived the ordeal and now lectures on lessons learned from that experience.
One day, when Plumb and his wife were sitting in a restaurant, a man at another table came up and said, “You’re Plumb! You flew jet fighters in Vietnam from the aircraft carrier Kitty Hawk. You were shot down!”
“How in the world did you know that?” asked Plumb.
“I packed your parachute,” the man replied.
Plumb gasped in surprise and gratitude.
The man pumped his hand and said, “I guess it worked.”
Plumb assured him, “It sure did. If your chute hadn’t worked, I wouldn’t be here today.”
Plumb couldn’t sleep that night, thinking about that man. Plumb says, “I kept wondering what he might have looked like in a Navy uniform: A white hat, a bib in the back, and bell bottom trousers. I wonder how many times I might have seen him and not even said good morning, how are you, or anything. You see, I was a fighter pilot and he was just a sailor.”
Plumb thought of the many hours the sailor had spent on a long wooden table in the bowels of the ship, carefully weaving the shrouds and folks the silks of each chute, holding in his hands each time the fate of someone he didn’t know.
Now Plumb asks his audiences, “Who’s packing your parachute? Everyone has someone who provides what they need to make it through the day.” Plumb also points out that he needed many kinds of parachutes when his plane was shot down over enemy territory. He needed his physical parachute, his mental parachute, his emotional parachute, and his spiritual parachute. He called on all of these supports before reaching safety.
His experience reminds us all to prepare ourselves to weather whatever storms lie ahead. As you go through this week, this month, this year --- recognize the people who pack your parachute!
Sometimes in the daily challenges that life gives us, we miss what is really important. We may fail to say hello, please, or thank you, congratulation someone on something wonderful that has happened to them, give a compliment, or just do something nice for no reason.
Charles Plumb, a US Naval Academy graduate, was a jet pilot in Vietnam. After 75 combat missions, his plane was shot down by a surface-to-surface missile. Plumb ejected and parachuted into enemy hands. He was captured and spent six years in a communist Vietnamese prison. He survived the ordeal and now lectures on lessons learned from that experience.
One day, when Plumb and his wife were sitting in a restaurant, a man at another table came up and said, “You’re Plumb! You flew jet fighters in Vietnam from the aircraft carrier Kitty Hawk. You were shot down!”
“How in the world did you know that?” asked Plumb.
“I packed your parachute,” the man replied.
Plumb gasped in surprise and gratitude.
The man pumped his hand and said, “I guess it worked.”
Plumb assured him, “It sure did. If your chute hadn’t worked, I wouldn’t be here today.”
Plumb couldn’t sleep that night, thinking about that man. Plumb says, “I kept wondering what he might have looked like in a Navy uniform: A white hat, a bib in the back, and bell bottom trousers. I wonder how many times I might have seen him and not even said good morning, how are you, or anything. You see, I was a fighter pilot and he was just a sailor.”
Plumb thought of the many hours the sailor had spent on a long wooden table in the bowels of the ship, carefully weaving the shrouds and folks the silks of each chute, holding in his hands each time the fate of someone he didn’t know.
Now Plumb asks his audiences, “Who’s packing your parachute? Everyone has someone who provides what they need to make it through the day.” Plumb also points out that he needed many kinds of parachutes when his plane was shot down over enemy territory. He needed his physical parachute, his mental parachute, his emotional parachute, and his spiritual parachute. He called on all of these supports before reaching safety.
His experience reminds us all to prepare ourselves to weather whatever storms lie ahead. As you go through this week, this month, this year --- recognize the people who pack your parachute!
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Spiritual Checkup
You are a child of God. You are a believer of Jesus Christ. You are a servant of the most High God. You love the Lord, and you want to serve Him effectively.
But have you felt lately that you may have hit the plateau in your Christian walk with God? Are you feeling stuck or in a rut, wanting to grow but something seems to block you from moving forward?
Have you felt like you are going backward, drifting away from your focus on God and the things God wants to accomplish in your life?
It’s time for a check up from the neck up. It's time to have a heart check!
What is the Holy Spirit telling you when you are in the closet praying? How is God’s Spirit revealing to you concerning the condition of your heart and your walk with God? Are you in excellent conditions? Are there any adjustments that need to be made? What is the Great Physician’s diagnosis and prognosis regarding you?
I have found these questions helpful for me, and I would like to share them with you. Maybe we can reflect them together and grow.
Are you busy running your own life, having no time for God? No quiet time where you are able to sit down to read the Word and to reflect and to let God speak to you. Not for idea for your next message or Sunday sermon, but to hear the Lord speaking to your soul and spirit.
Are you just managing to get by with enough programs to keep the church members busy and happy or comfortable enough so you can still keep your “job”?
Have you had time to read books? Leaders are readers. Have you consistently feeding your mind with great and positive thoughts or are you letting the negative things or stuff polluted your mind? Because whatever the man thinks so is he. Garbage in, garbage out. Whatever a man sows he shall reaps.
How is your relationship with your spouse and your children? Is she blessed to be married to you? Are you blessed because you have been their positive role model reflecting the Christ-like presence in your life? Are there any hurt, resentment, bitterness and prolonged pain in your life that block or prevent your relationship from growing strong? When was the last time that you said “I am sorry.” to your spouse or children. When was the last time that you asked someone to forgive you or you have forgiven them?
I hope these are a few intake or check-up questions that can help you get a reality check of your current condition of your heart and the well-being of the spiritual life. I encourage you to listen to the Great Physician and accept His remedy as the answers that you have been looking for. Return to the First Love with Him.
“Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, just as it is well with your soul.”
Pastor Linh
But have you felt lately that you may have hit the plateau in your Christian walk with God? Are you feeling stuck or in a rut, wanting to grow but something seems to block you from moving forward?
Have you felt like you are going backward, drifting away from your focus on God and the things God wants to accomplish in your life?
It’s time for a check up from the neck up. It's time to have a heart check!
What is the Holy Spirit telling you when you are in the closet praying? How is God’s Spirit revealing to you concerning the condition of your heart and your walk with God? Are you in excellent conditions? Are there any adjustments that need to be made? What is the Great Physician’s diagnosis and prognosis regarding you?
I have found these questions helpful for me, and I would like to share them with you. Maybe we can reflect them together and grow.
Are you busy running your own life, having no time for God? No quiet time where you are able to sit down to read the Word and to reflect and to let God speak to you. Not for idea for your next message or Sunday sermon, but to hear the Lord speaking to your soul and spirit.
Are you just managing to get by with enough programs to keep the church members busy and happy or comfortable enough so you can still keep your “job”?
Have you had time to read books? Leaders are readers. Have you consistently feeding your mind with great and positive thoughts or are you letting the negative things or stuff polluted your mind? Because whatever the man thinks so is he. Garbage in, garbage out. Whatever a man sows he shall reaps.
How is your relationship with your spouse and your children? Is she blessed to be married to you? Are you blessed because you have been their positive role model reflecting the Christ-like presence in your life? Are there any hurt, resentment, bitterness and prolonged pain in your life that block or prevent your relationship from growing strong? When was the last time that you said “I am sorry.” to your spouse or children. When was the last time that you asked someone to forgive you or you have forgiven them?
I hope these are a few intake or check-up questions that can help you get a reality check of your current condition of your heart and the well-being of the spiritual life. I encourage you to listen to the Great Physician and accept His remedy as the answers that you have been looking for. Return to the First Love with Him.
“Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, just as it is well with your soul.”
Pastor Linh
10 Curses that block the blessing
Larry Huch is the author of the book, "10 Curses that block the Blessing."
1. The creative power of the tongue
2. Loshon Hora
3. The high cost of anger
4. Breaking the curse that's on your money
5. Witchcraft-It's more common than you think
6. Harming the Innocent
7. The curse of unforgiveness
8. The curse of racism
9. Legalism vs the Law
10. Honor your Father and Mother
It's a very enriching book that helps me know more how to deal with spiritual warfare and to help those in needs.
Check it out and read it for yourself. It may help you.
Pastor Linh
1. The creative power of the tongue
2. Loshon Hora
3. The high cost of anger
4. Breaking the curse that's on your money
5. Witchcraft-It's more common than you think
6. Harming the Innocent
7. The curse of unforgiveness
8. The curse of racism
9. Legalism vs the Law
10. Honor your Father and Mother
It's a very enriching book that helps me know more how to deal with spiritual warfare and to help those in needs.
Check it out and read it for yourself. It may help you.
Pastor Linh
Praying for field workers
Dear pastors:
Our missionaries in Houston are looking for pastors or leaders to come and pastor the new ministries and missions here. The field is ripe. Let's ask the Lord of the harvest to send in workers.
I encourage us to pray diligently for those who may respond to God's call to come. Houston needs Godly, Spirit-filled leaders to tend the sheep, to lead the church forward, to work with other pastors, to preach the Gospel...
Pastor Linh
Our missionaries in Houston are looking for pastors or leaders to come and pastor the new ministries and missions here. The field is ripe. Let's ask the Lord of the harvest to send in workers.
I encourage us to pray diligently for those who may respond to God's call to come. Houston needs Godly, Spirit-filled leaders to tend the sheep, to lead the church forward, to work with other pastors, to preach the Gospel...
Pastor Linh
Monday, December 15, 2008
A call from God's Spirit
Dear pastors:
I appreciate the reminder of the Means of Grace by the founder of Methodism, John Wesley.
In my spirit, I am expecting more from the VNC, from the present and future leadership; I am longing and expecting to see God moves mightily and freely among the VNC leaders, pastors and churches. I am praying that the Great Revival will come upon the Church of Jesus Christ in our lifetime.
I am looking forward to hearing an authentic, prophetic voice calling out in the wilderness preparing the way of the Lord; The Baptizer of the Holy Spirit and of fire.
I am looking forward to hearing the Good News that Jesus is alive and well in the VNC churches and in the lives of the people; that the Spirit is able to move freely among His children and empower them to do God's will.
I am looking forward to not doing church as usual any longer. We can't afford to have our members just coming and going to church, but nothing really happens in their' lives. The Holy Spirit is there; the power is available but no one is activating faith to allow the Spirit to work. We can't be living defeated life, forgetting that in Christ we are more than conquerors.
I am looking forward to hearing afresh God's calling us to preach the Gospel to the poor, the downcast, outcast, and the lost with faithfulness with passion, conviction, with power and the anointing of God's Spirit, not just mere human words and worldly wisdom and seminary knowledge. Doctoral degrees can't save souls; church programs can't deliver a sick and haunted soul and spirit from the oppression of the enemy, Satan; and committee meetings can't set the captive free.
I am looking forward to hearing the powerful truth declared: "Silver and Gold I have none, but what I have I shall give you. In the name of Jesus, rise and walk..."
I am looking forward to receiving afresh God's Word for us today.
I am reminded to ask myself: Are we serious about preaching these means of grace like John Wesley did? Are we living it? Are we in prison visiting Jesus? Are we welcoming strangers to dwell with us? Are we caring for the poor, the orphans and the widows?
Are we healing the sick in the name of Jesus? Are we casting out demons and unclean spirits? Are we raising the dead? Are we still moved with compassion for those who are hurting and able to help those who are oppressed by the devil? How do we help those who are bound by addictions or oppressed by the devil? Jesus is telling us that we will do greater works...
Are we still teaching faithfully the Word of God helping people know how to receive the Holy Spirit's baptism and how to walk closely with God and to walk in His power? Are we still believing that God will use signs and wonders to confirm our preaching and teaching?
Are we raising up the next generation of Joshua and Calep who will tread on the territory of the enemy to fight for the lost souls of the young generation? How are we raising up new and young pastors like Timothy to take over the pastoral works and the ministries of the church?
Are we depending too much on church programs and human teachings or are we truly relying on the power of the Holy Spirit and His divine wisdom?
Yes, I am expecting a fresh movement, an outpouring of the Holy Spirit in His Church and His indwelling presence.
The Holy Spirit is calling us back to Himself, to repentance from our dependency on self, on the human resources back to depending on God, His Holy Spirit and heavenly resources; to obedience on His Word and to glorify the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ.
Let all of us hearing the Spirit's voice calling today to respond: Here I am Lord, speak, your servants are listening.
Pastor Linh
I appreciate the reminder of the Means of Grace by the founder of Methodism, John Wesley.
In my spirit, I am expecting more from the VNC, from the present and future leadership; I am longing and expecting to see God moves mightily and freely among the VNC leaders, pastors and churches. I am praying that the Great Revival will come upon the Church of Jesus Christ in our lifetime.
I am looking forward to hearing an authentic, prophetic voice calling out in the wilderness preparing the way of the Lord; The Baptizer of the Holy Spirit and of fire.
I am looking forward to hearing the Good News that Jesus is alive and well in the VNC churches and in the lives of the people; that the Spirit is able to move freely among His children and empower them to do God's will.
I am looking forward to not doing church as usual any longer. We can't afford to have our members just coming and going to church, but nothing really happens in their' lives. The Holy Spirit is there; the power is available but no one is activating faith to allow the Spirit to work. We can't be living defeated life, forgetting that in Christ we are more than conquerors.
I am looking forward to hearing afresh God's calling us to preach the Gospel to the poor, the downcast, outcast, and the lost with faithfulness with passion, conviction, with power and the anointing of God's Spirit, not just mere human words and worldly wisdom and seminary knowledge. Doctoral degrees can't save souls; church programs can't deliver a sick and haunted soul and spirit from the oppression of the enemy, Satan; and committee meetings can't set the captive free.
I am looking forward to hearing the powerful truth declared: "Silver and Gold I have none, but what I have I shall give you. In the name of Jesus, rise and walk..."
I am looking forward to receiving afresh God's Word for us today.
I am reminded to ask myself: Are we serious about preaching these means of grace like John Wesley did? Are we living it? Are we in prison visiting Jesus? Are we welcoming strangers to dwell with us? Are we caring for the poor, the orphans and the widows?
Are we healing the sick in the name of Jesus? Are we casting out demons and unclean spirits? Are we raising the dead? Are we still moved with compassion for those who are hurting and able to help those who are oppressed by the devil? How do we help those who are bound by addictions or oppressed by the devil? Jesus is telling us that we will do greater works...
Are we still teaching faithfully the Word of God helping people know how to receive the Holy Spirit's baptism and how to walk closely with God and to walk in His power? Are we still believing that God will use signs and wonders to confirm our preaching and teaching?
Are we raising up the next generation of Joshua and Calep who will tread on the territory of the enemy to fight for the lost souls of the young generation? How are we raising up new and young pastors like Timothy to take over the pastoral works and the ministries of the church?
Are we depending too much on church programs and human teachings or are we truly relying on the power of the Holy Spirit and His divine wisdom?
Yes, I am expecting a fresh movement, an outpouring of the Holy Spirit in His Church and His indwelling presence.
The Holy Spirit is calling us back to Himself, to repentance from our dependency on self, on the human resources back to depending on God, His Holy Spirit and heavenly resources; to obedience on His Word and to glorify the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ.
Let all of us hearing the Spirit's voice calling today to respond: Here I am Lord, speak, your servants are listening.
Pastor Linh
Joining a church or a denomination
Dear pastors:
It is always challenging for the body of Christ when the church leaders have to face the sensitive challenge, a member is leaving one church to join another, or a pastor left one denomination to join another one.
Why should a member of another Christian group, or a pastor look forward to joining another denomination?
I have asked myself:
What if someone comes and asks to join us, what do we have to offer them that they did not or could not find elsewhere?
For a church member, it may be he/she is having some conflicts with the pastor or with other church members. It may be his/her pastor is no longer feeding him/her with the Word. Or it is no longer a warm and loving place. There could be so many reasons. A strong relationship and good communication with the other pastor are keys to having a proper transition.
For a pastor, there are many other reasons too. It may be a better building. It may be a more comprehensive package with insurance, good housing, pension benefits and a good salary guaranteed for life. It may be more money to run the programs or agendas. It may be the brand name. It may be a longing to be with a highly educated group of leaders. It may be a more organized, centralized and pragmatized church that he/she is looking for. It may be a past hurt. Or maybe it is the authentic teaching and preaching of the Word of God, anointing of God's Holy Spirit, the presence of God and the power of God so evidently shown and manifested among us that people are seeking.
If taking, receiving, or getting someone, some leaders, church members from another group who are dissatisfied with their own denomination or having their own church split or having their own agenda to grow a denomination then what would happen to the body of Jesus Christ as one?
It is why the church is not growing healthily. The church of Jesus Christ cannot grow healthily by splitting. It should be multiplying with new believers. There is only one Church, one body of Christ.
We need to develop our own leaders from within. We must impact our youth and young adults who will rise up to lead the church now with our mentorship and later when we are gone.
We must follow the strategy from the Bible, the way Jesus started His ministry, like waiting upon and receiving the Holy Spirit, before beginning His ministry.
I believe if a pastor left one for another denomination for any reason, he or she cannot take any member with him/her. Whatever belongs to the church stays there. If the church members decided to leave and follow the pastor, that is another issue. Integrity is the key.
When a church community has gone through many splits, the hurt is felt deeply; it will need time and repentance and understanding and grace for it to be healed properly.
I sincerely pray for the church as a whole and especially our leaders that we will wholehearted seek the will of God and to grow the Church God's way. There was time when I may have put a cart before the horse and then ask God to please bless it. Discernment, wisdom and the prompting of the Holy Spirit are needed I pray.
Also, we are glad to see two new ministries established recently by our Methodist missionary couple here. Blessings come with challenges. We need to pray hard for our missionary couple and also for the pastors who will be invited or appointed to become pastors or associate pastors to care for the new congregations. We've got to have quality Godly leaders in place of leadership pastoring our churches.
I have come to a point in my life where I realize that in order to serve God effectively we must be filled with the Holy Spirit, be anointed and endowed with His power; and I am learning to serve God with all my brothers and sisters, who genuinely love God, do His will and follow Jesus and serve Him with a right heart in the power of the Holy Spirit.
The Spirit has shown me that I don't have to have a doctor degree to serve God; proper advance training and higher degree are needed and good to have; knowledge is good, but puffed up knowledge without the power and presence and love of God, it's all nothing;
I don't even need to have a package guaranteed before I can serve God; money is needed, but I believe when we do God's work, God's way, He shall provide.
I don't need to seek to become a chair or serving in a board or committee in order to serve God; How true it is; the first shall be last and the last shall be first; I can be just who I am, a regular person, a pastor, a chaplain meeting someone in prison showing him the way; praying with someone at the bedside dying; talking to a stranger on the street or couseling a troubled person or youth in a marketplace or sharing with them about Jesus.
However, I do need God's Word, God's power, God's anointing, God's gifts, God's love and compassion and wisdom to serve God effectively, to advance God's kingdom not mine. I need a genuine Christian fellowship where I can grow, an authentic association of leaders who I can proudly associate with and learn from and be in ministry with.
Whatever God wants me to be or to do and wherever He wants me to go or to be, they are what and where I want to be and to do. I believe it's all about our right relationship with Jesus, our love for God and for one another that matter.
I understand that when God calls us to pastor a church or to serve in a mission field, we will say to God "here I am", send me instead of asking Him to show us the money first then we will go.
I thank God for the opportunity to share some thoughts, feelings and perspectives with you.
Pastor Linh
It is always challenging for the body of Christ when the church leaders have to face the sensitive challenge, a member is leaving one church to join another, or a pastor left one denomination to join another one.
Why should a member of another Christian group, or a pastor look forward to joining another denomination?
I have asked myself:
What if someone comes and asks to join us, what do we have to offer them that they did not or could not find elsewhere?
For a church member, it may be he/she is having some conflicts with the pastor or with other church members. It may be his/her pastor is no longer feeding him/her with the Word. Or it is no longer a warm and loving place. There could be so many reasons. A strong relationship and good communication with the other pastor are keys to having a proper transition.
For a pastor, there are many other reasons too. It may be a better building. It may be a more comprehensive package with insurance, good housing, pension benefits and a good salary guaranteed for life. It may be more money to run the programs or agendas. It may be the brand name. It may be a longing to be with a highly educated group of leaders. It may be a more organized, centralized and pragmatized church that he/she is looking for. It may be a past hurt. Or maybe it is the authentic teaching and preaching of the Word of God, anointing of God's Holy Spirit, the presence of God and the power of God so evidently shown and manifested among us that people are seeking.
If taking, receiving, or getting someone, some leaders, church members from another group who are dissatisfied with their own denomination or having their own church split or having their own agenda to grow a denomination then what would happen to the body of Jesus Christ as one?
It is why the church is not growing healthily. The church of Jesus Christ cannot grow healthily by splitting. It should be multiplying with new believers. There is only one Church, one body of Christ.
We need to develop our own leaders from within. We must impact our youth and young adults who will rise up to lead the church now with our mentorship and later when we are gone.
We must follow the strategy from the Bible, the way Jesus started His ministry, like waiting upon and receiving the Holy Spirit, before beginning His ministry.
I believe if a pastor left one for another denomination for any reason, he or she cannot take any member with him/her. Whatever belongs to the church stays there. If the church members decided to leave and follow the pastor, that is another issue. Integrity is the key.
When a church community has gone through many splits, the hurt is felt deeply; it will need time and repentance and understanding and grace for it to be healed properly.
I sincerely pray for the church as a whole and especially our leaders that we will wholehearted seek the will of God and to grow the Church God's way. There was time when I may have put a cart before the horse and then ask God to please bless it. Discernment, wisdom and the prompting of the Holy Spirit are needed I pray.
Also, we are glad to see two new ministries established recently by our Methodist missionary couple here. Blessings come with challenges. We need to pray hard for our missionary couple and also for the pastors who will be invited or appointed to become pastors or associate pastors to care for the new congregations. We've got to have quality Godly leaders in place of leadership pastoring our churches.
I have come to a point in my life where I realize that in order to serve God effectively we must be filled with the Holy Spirit, be anointed and endowed with His power; and I am learning to serve God with all my brothers and sisters, who genuinely love God, do His will and follow Jesus and serve Him with a right heart in the power of the Holy Spirit.
The Spirit has shown me that I don't have to have a doctor degree to serve God; proper advance training and higher degree are needed and good to have; knowledge is good, but puffed up knowledge without the power and presence and love of God, it's all nothing;
I don't even need to have a package guaranteed before I can serve God; money is needed, but I believe when we do God's work, God's way, He shall provide.
I don't need to seek to become a chair or serving in a board or committee in order to serve God; How true it is; the first shall be last and the last shall be first; I can be just who I am, a regular person, a pastor, a chaplain meeting someone in prison showing him the way; praying with someone at the bedside dying; talking to a stranger on the street or couseling a troubled person or youth in a marketplace or sharing with them about Jesus.
However, I do need God's Word, God's power, God's anointing, God's gifts, God's love and compassion and wisdom to serve God effectively, to advance God's kingdom not mine. I need a genuine Christian fellowship where I can grow, an authentic association of leaders who I can proudly associate with and learn from and be in ministry with.
Whatever God wants me to be or to do and wherever He wants me to go or to be, they are what and where I want to be and to do. I believe it's all about our right relationship with Jesus, our love for God and for one another that matter.
I understand that when God calls us to pastor a church or to serve in a mission field, we will say to God "here I am", send me instead of asking Him to show us the money first then we will go.
I thank God for the opportunity to share some thoughts, feelings and perspectives with you.
Pastor Linh
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