Power of Compassionate Love

Many of us notice successful people, rich people, celebrities, powerful people, and people on top of the world. We notice them for their fame, their victories, their achievements, their earnings, and their popularity. They are always on the front pages of everywhere. They have crowded companions, luxurious mansions, hi-tech security systems, and everything. But there are many unnoticed people on the other side of these front-page people. Many men and women including children who do not have shelters and live under the trees, who went sleep without food and drinks, who do not have warm cloths and companions. They are unnoticed by people, but there is one master who is watching them with compassionate love, who is Jesus.

There are many lonely people with tears and broken hearts, there are many people who are social outcast because of their sins and diseases, there are countless people who are crying for help because of oppression and bondage. Our Lord Jesus came on earth to save these people, to be friend with them, and to bring them to paradise. He paid His life to save these people. He is a compassionate master.

When we see victims of storms, fire, earthquake, battles, and natural disaster, we have to remember that we are called by Jesus to be His hands and feet to continue His compassionate love ministries around the world. Let us notice unnoticed people with the eyes of Jesus, let us love them with His compassionate love, and let us help them with His powerful healing hands.

"The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of harvest, that he will send forth labourers into His harvest." (Matthew 9:37-38). "Verily I say to you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." (Matthew 25:40).

Power of Total Commitment

Leila Naylor Morris wrote 1000 of gospel songs and it is amazing gift for such a lady. One of her hymns gives me inspiration for this New Year, it says, “Sweeter as the years go by, sweeter as the years go by, Richer, fuller, deeper, Jesus’ love is sweeter, Sweeter as the years go by.”

To be a sweeter year, we need total commitment or serious resolutions for New Year. We need to know there is power on total commitment. It will totally change our lives, our attitudes, our minds, and our practices. The Bible says, “If you make a vow to the LORD your God, do not be slow to pay it, for the LORD your God will certainly demand it of you and you will be guilty of sin.” (Deuteronomy 23:21)

A story of, “A Promise Is A Promise To Lincoln” by Martin M. Hyzer inspired me a lot to magnify the power of total commitment, here is the story: “One day, President Abraham Lincoln was riding in a coach with a colonel from Kentucky. The colonel took a bottle of whiskey out of his pocket. He offered Mr. Lincoln a drink. Mr. Lincoln said, “No thank you, Colonel. I never drink whiskey.” In a little while, the colonel took some cigars out of his pocket and offered one to Mr. Lincoln. Again Mr. Lincoln said, “No, thank you, Colonel.” Then Mr. Lincoln said, “I want to tell you a story.”

“One day, when I was about nine years old, my mother called me to her bed. She was very sick. She said, ’Abe, the doctor tells me that I am not going to get well. I want you to be a good boy. I want you to promise me before I go that you will never use whiskey or tobacco as long as you live. ’ I promised my mother that I never would, and up to this hour, I kept this promise! Would you advise me to break that promise?”

The colonel put his hand on Mr. Lincoln’s shoulder and said, “Mr. Lincoln, I would not have you break that promise for the world! It is one of the best promises you ever made. I would give a thousand dollars today if I had made my mother a promise like that and had kept it like you have done. I would be a much better man than I am!”

I encourage you to make serious New Year resolutions and make total commitment to keep it and practice it throughout the year so that it will be a sweeter year for you and us.I encourage you also to take a listen my sermon of four biblical New Year resolutions which will suggest or inspire you for this new year. Audio file was a little corrupt but the message is fine. Its New Year gift for you.

Forget not to Celebrate Christmas

“And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:10-16)

Every year, I encouraged young people to sing lots of Christmas song during December because Christmas season will be over very quick and have to wait another year to sing joyful Christmas songs. It is also very meaningful for everyone to celebrate Christmas with fellow believers at church instead of secular Christmas parties without Christ. If you miss Jesus, you miss everything. I read a story of an old shepherd which gave inspiration not to miss to adore and worship Jesus: “The story is about shepherd who was a youth on that first Christmas night. And now he is old and as his grandson sits on his knee he recalls that night, "A long, long time ago, when I was a little more than a boy, I was out on the Judean hills one night with some other shepherds, keeping watch over the flock. And an angel of the Lord came upon us and the glory of the Lord shone roundabout us. And we were very afraid. But the angel said, "fear not... for unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord... you shall find the baby in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger." When he had said this the old man’s lips quivered and ceased to move and there was silence. Then the grandson turns and looks with wide, puzzled eyes into his grandfathers face and says, " But, grandfather is that all? What did you do when you heard the good news? Was what the angel said really true? Was the Christ child ever really born?" The old shepherd sadly shakes his white head and answers, "I never knew. I never went to see. Some say that it is all a myth. Others say they found in Him, the light of God and the power for life. But for me I could never be quite sure. Because I never did go to see."

Go to your church to lead Christmas Celebrations, dedicate your time to be volunteer to help out to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, bring your family to go to Church to worship our Savior Jesus Christ. Also with the love of Jesus Christ, help the poor, feed the hungers, cloth the naked, and witness the good news. We have received the good tidings of great joy, and it is our time to spread this greatest news to the world. May you all have a very Merry Christmas!

Words from hero of Faith

Story of hero of faith, Polycarp (2nd Century), inspired us to stand strong in the midst of hardship and storms. The words he spoke in front of thousands of bloodthirsty people came out of his blood and commitment. I hope that you will be inspired by reading this history.

Can you imagine what it was like for the church in Smyrna as they watched their beloved and aged pastor burn at the stake? Polycarp was his name. he was a disciple of Jesus’ disciple, the Apostle John. One could tell it immediately because he possessed the same tenderness and compassion as his mentor. Polycarp was Bishop of the church at Smyrna (present day Turkey). Persecution broke out in Smyrna and many Christians were fed to the wild beasts in the arena. The godless and bloodthirsty crowd called for the carcass of the leader – Polycarp.

The authorities sent a search party to find him. He had been taken into hiding for some Christians but the Romans tortured two young believers until they finally disclosed his location. When the authorities arrival was announced there was still time to whisk Polycarp away but he refused to go saying, “God’s will be done.” In one of the most touching instances of Christian grace imaginable Polycarp welcome his captors as if they were friends. He talked with them and insisted they eat a meal. Ha made only one request before being taken away – he asked for one hour to pray. The Roman soldiers listened to his prayer. Their hearts melted and they gave him 2 hours to pray. They had second thoughts as well and were overheard asking each other why they were sent to arrest him? Other authorities also experienced a warmed heart when Polycarp arrived.

The Proconsul tried to find a way to release him too. “Curse God and I will let you go!” he pleaded. Polycarp’s reply was: “For eighty-six years I have served him. He has never done me wrong. How then can I blaspheme my King was has saved me?” The Proconsul again looked for a way out. “The do this old man, just swear by the spirit of the emperor and that will be sufficient.’ Polycarp’s reply was: “If you imagine for a moment that I would do that, then I think you pretend that you don’t know who I am. Hear it plainly. I am a Christian.” More entreaties by the Proconsul Polycarp stood firm. The proconsul threatened with the wild beasts. Polycarp’s reply was: “Bring them forth. I would change my mind if it meant going from worst to best, but not to change from right to wrong.” The Proconsul threatened, “I will burn you alive!” Polycarp’s reply was: “You threaten with fire that burns for an hour and is over but the judgment on the ungodly is forever.” The fires engulfed him.

The witnesses noticed his faith and joy. He was finished off with a dagger. He was buried for the cause of Christ on February 22, 155 A.D. It was as much a day of victory as it was a day of tragedy. Polycarp illustrated the power of knowing Jesus intimately. Intimately enough to follow Him into the flames. As Jesus said, “What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?” (Matthew 16:26).

Renewal of Commitment

Commitment is the key to successful life. It is a driving force to achieve any goals we are targeting on. It is also the power to accomplish our dreams. When we started with commitments of new years’ resolutions, we have plenty of energies and enthusiasm to do our church activities. We have accomplished many tasks in the beginning of the year because of the freshness of our commitments. If we know it well and make continual commitment, we will definitely win many souls for Christ.

Like physical check up every year, we should have “Spiritual Check-Up” in our lives. It is important to check our spiritual health frequently in order to have a healthy Christian life. We must be healthy Christians, growing Christians, and serving Christians so that Christ will be magnified and glorified through our living testimonies. If we have diagnosed with any spiritual diseases, we much immediately seek healing from God otherwise we will unknowingly give bad impacts to the community.

The Lord wants us to serve people as His hands and feet in this world. The Lord sends us to the end of the world to preach the Gospel and to teach them to be His disciples. Read Joshua 24 and learn how the people of God renewed their commitments. With the challenge of Joshua, they repented and cut off all their sins, they chose God as their only Savior, and made new commitments together. If you have time, listen my message အသစ္တဖန္ဆက္ ကပ္ျခင္း based on Joshua 24 on this blog. Hope that your commitment will be renewed and come forward for His ministries.

I am sad.....

One of a Christian Bookstores near my place is having a discount sale up to 50% off regular price. It is good for customers but I am so sad that the store is closing at the end of this month. I asked the sale person and he said that more people are buying books on internet and their sale has declined. They have no other way except close the store.

I am so sad that Christian bookstores are closing, shrinking, and vanishing in our communities. When I was in Daly City, California, I used to go to Western Christian Bookstore closed to our house and I really enjoyed reading and buying books there. I was so sad that store closed and vanished. My family moved to Union City and found another huge Christian bookstore at Hayward with all kinds of Christian books and religious supplies. Many times I have purchased books, gifts, and music from there for myself and also for our church. I was so sad that store closed and vanished again.

I am a book lover since I was very young. Bookstores and library at Mogok, my hometown in Myanmar, knew me well as regular customer. My room turned as library with my favorite books. I was so sad that there was no Christian bookstore there. I prayed to God for having Christian bookstores for the hungry readers in the communities. It was like falling into treasurer chests when I came to USA and found Christian bookstores everywhere. I said WOW! And praise the Lord.

Now I am sad, one of another nearest Christian bookstore at Newark is closing on October 30 of this year. I am sad not for myself only, but for Christian community. Christian bookstores should be existed among us as Christian witness. I believe that they are not doing only for business but also doing great ministries to spread the word of God.

Berean Christian bookstore in San Jose, which is about half an hour drive from my home, is the largest Christian bookstore I have ever visited. I used to go there because I get 10% clergy discount. I am sad because the store is shrinking. I am sad to see empty shelves, reduced items, less books, and empty spaces. I also go to LifeWay Christian bookstore at Mills Valley where I get 20% clergy discount.

“Men are what they read,” was one of my favorite wisdom quotes and I am following it by choosing, purchasing and reading good books especially spiritual books It impact a lot on my life and also in my ministries. I am glad that there are many online Christian bookstores, audio books, video books, electronic book, books on applications, and so on. But I do not want Christian bookstores vanish from our communities. I am praying for all Christian bookstores to stand strong and continue to serve effective ministries of Jesus Christ. Remember it in your prayer if you are also a Christian books lover.

God is Working

When God works He goes all the way

Martin asked us to pray for his church congregation as they were looking into the possibility of building a church. Cost was a concern as they have only 40 members. Here is God’s answer to his request:

"When we moved here there was about six to ten people meeting o Sabbath at the Company Leaders house, currently we have about 30 - 40 people attending (Praise the Lord).

This presented us with a dilemma because after we moved out of the elders house even the place where we are now renting is now too small. We started to pray for another place where we could meet. We were looking for a larger place to rent but no luck. One day we found out that there was a local J.W. church for sale for $139,900. Our Church elder said that we should look into it, but with only $15,000 in the bank for a building fund it was impossible.

To make a long story short there was a miracle and we now own a church building DEBT FREE! The price was negotiated to $100,000 and there was a $50,000 donation promised to us if we could raise the other $50,000. Within two days $20,000 was contributed from the conference, $15,000 donation from one of our elderly member, and our $15,000 in the building fund made it there.

We were discussing at the business meeting that we still need to get a Piano. By the end of the meeting one of the members that was not present there called and donated $5,000, so now we will even have a Piano. When God works He goes all the way. " Martin, June 1999.