#water – Serambi Jeffry Sudirgo

MY SOUL THIRST FOR GOD

Emeritus Professor Everett Worthington from Commonwealth University working together with researchers from Harvard University, Everett examined the impact of hope on nearly 13,000 people with an average age of 66. The study will be published at Global Epidemiology Journal with the title, “The Role of Hope in Subsequent health and well being for older adults: An Outcome wide longitudinal approach”. They found those with more hope throughout their lives had better physical health, better health behavior, better social support and a longer life. Hope also led to fewer chronic health problems, less depression, less anxiety and a lower risk of cancer.

If we pause for a while and take a look from the Bible, especially Psalm 42, we will realize that the research actually confirms what the Bible said about the need of having true hope in life. Hope from God is powerful beyond what we can think and understand about the future. Hope in Christ is a belief that God who is sovereign in the past, present and future will always lead us in better way.

Just as the deer pants for streams of water, the writer is longing to come to God’s temple at Jerusalem, but he can’t. At that time, Saul the King of Israel wanted to kill David. So, David ran away from Jerusalem where Saul lived. David found himself in very bad situations from time to time, but he always got his hope from God. David desires to come to God by remembering God’s goodness. David put his hope in God alone.

Why did the writer of Psalm 42 find unceasing encouragement in God? The author finds hope in God because God can change any situation to save him. God could refresh the Psalmist’s terrible life from depression to a peaceful and contented life. God can refresh our lives and give us hope just as He did for David and countless other Christians down through the years. God’s reason for creating us is for fellowship with Him. That is why God has placed a thirst within our hearts – a desire that only God can satisfy. Let’s be content with what we have and not live our lives constantly longing for what we don’t have. Put your hope in Christ and you will receive salvation, peace and joy. Amen.

HOPE FROM GOD IS POWERFUL BEYOND WHAT WE CAN THINK AND UNDERSTAND ABOUT THE FUTURE
Jeffry Sudirgo

FAITH IN ACTION

(Read: James 2: 14-26)

The other day, my children were playing lego and watching children’s television. When we called them for dinner, they only said, “ok” but they didn’t come. Finally we shouted, “dinner time!!!” and in a seconds they were seated around the dinner table. Parents have a good purpose when they call their children to gather for dinner time. But, sometimes children are just to busy with their toys and forget to listen to the parents.

The relationship between God and believers can be describe like the relationship between parents and their children. Many believers just too busy to their life and did not pay any attention of what God wants in their life.

Listening to the Word of God, and even saying, “Amen” but then not doing what the Bible says is just like what James describes as a dead faith. A type of Faith which does not lead us to do good deeds is all alone and dead! Good will is one thing, but without doing good deeds, good will is nothing but dreaming.

James remind the believers in their sojourn in the world that faith without action is nonsense. Abraham believed in God and bravely left his comfort zone for the Promise Land. He dared to make a sacrificial altar for Isaac and believed beyond his understanding that God knew what was best. Rahab believed in Joshua’s God and helped save the life of Israel’s spies in Jericho. They believed in God and showed their faith through their actions.

Faith in Jesus Christ is not only for Sunday mornings at church, but must be part of our everyday lives as we share with our family, friends and neighbors. Healthy fresh water coming down from a mountain is pure and drinkable, but standing water in a dungeon is contaminated with bacteria and is unhealthy and undrinkable. A Christian life, which is created in Christ Jesus to do good works by blessing others, is like healthy fresh water from heaven. But when Christians are hindered because their faith is just in theory and isn’t a reality in their lives, this will drain their spiritual life and nullify their purpose in life. May God help us to not just believe and trust in Jesus Christ, but to nurture our faith by doing good deeds. Amen.

FATIH WITHOUT ACTIONS IS DEAD,

FAITH WITH ACTIONS IS TRUE LIFE

Serambi Jeffry Sudirgo

Tag: #water

Do You Want Happier and Healthier Life?

FAITH IN ACTION