What is Faith?

Faith. This is a popular word among the Christians. However, do you really know what it means? What is faith? Christians believe that their faith can save them, that is their faith on Jesus Christ.



According to Oxford Dictionary, faith is "trust in somebody's ability or knowledge, trust that somebody/something will do what has been promised." It sounds about right, doesn't it? Christians believe that God is omnipotent and God is able to do exceedingly. Christians also believe that God will do what He has promised us.



According to American Heritage Dictionary, faith is:
1. Confident belief in the truth, value, or trustworthiness of a person, an idea, or a thing
2. Belief that does not rest on logical proof or material evidence
3. Loyalty to a person or thing
4. The theological virtue defined as secure belief in God and a trusting acceptance of God's will

These definitions are also right. I like the second definition. "Belief that does not rest on logical proof or material evidence." This is the hardest belief that exist. Because of human nature, it is difficult to believe in some thing that we do not see with our own eyes. Yet, this is what faith is. Believing things that we do not see, things we do not feel, things we do not know. Knowing that it is the truth, the reality, even though we do not feel it, because salvation is based on facts and not feelings. This is where faith comes into play, believing the facts.



The bible said, "that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation...So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." Romans 10
You can confess publicly that you believe in Jesus. However, if deep down in your heart, you do not believe it, you are still not saved. I think faith is a very personal thing. No one can really see your faith, because no one can see your heart, except for God. However, just believing inside will not save you if you do not confess it. You have to let people know that you do believe in Jesus, after you first believe in your heart.

"So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." Do you believe every thing that you hear? every thing that people tell you? Will you always believe them? I don't. Therefore, it is also hard to just believe what you read in the bible. From time to time, I will still ask myself, "Are these all things true? Did they really happen long time ago?" Sometimes, they are more like fable/myths to me instead of real stories. If you 100% believe in it, then you have your faith.



So, why is faith very important in Christianity? I think faith is important because without having faith first, you will not do other things wholeheartedly. If you still doubt what you believe in, you will do things hesitantly, without knowing if God will really do what He promised.

One example of faith is through the healing process. Most of you know that there are God's chosen people as healers in this world, for example Benny Hinn. Lots of people come to him to get their healings. If you truly believe that God will heal you, you WILL get your healings. However, most of the time, people doubt the easiness of it. Just believe, and He will give it to you. When people start doubting, they start losing their faith and without faith, you will not receive it. God said, "Ask and it will be given unto thee." If you believe He will, claim it, and it's yours. But if you still hesitant, guess what, God will hesitantly give it to you too.



Last, it is always said that your faith will save you. However, by believing alone but still sin, it will not help you. When you said you believe, but you still do sins or do not change at all, people will question your faith. Or put it in better way, you should start questioning your own faith. Do you really believe in what you believe in the first place? I believe that if you believe in God, believe in Jesus, and that you love Him, you will want to do any thing to make Him please with you. From time to time, we can always fall. Don't let you fall trap you. Ask for His forgiveness and get up. Ask Him to help you the next time you are tempted. Be stronger. Learn from your past mistakes and move on.



So, faith is not only about your belief. But it will also affect your behavior and attitude toward God and other people and just life in general.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not to your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." ~Proverbs 3:5-6



God bless you.

God is The Great Planner

Do you know that God has planned everything that will happen in our lives long before we come to this world? Sometimes, it is hard to believe. Sometimes, it is easier to believe that it is just a coincidence. Sometimes, it feels like we are the ones who have control in our own lives.

However, as much as you want to think that way, God is still in control of our lives. Have you ever been in a situation where you know that have you done something different at one point, you will not be where you are now? Guess what, that's God. You can think that you are lucky or you are smart that you choose that path, but it was all God and God alone.

I know, I have questioned myself lots of time, was it really Him? Does He even know what's going on with me? The fact is He does. He does know who we are inside out. He even knows us better than we know ourselves. I was watching the TV and this lady told the audiences her story that if long time ago her father did not give a reverend from U.S. a bag of oranges, she will not be in U.S right now. She is originally from Jamaica. She said that it's God's plan, God's pathway for her to go to U.S. and do what she is doing right now, minister.



Then I thought of myself, how I came to be where I am right now. Let me tell you my story. A year ago, when I was walking to my class, I met a friend that I do not normally hang out with. I was in a choir the previous year, and she was in another choir, but our choir had concerts together. There is a lot of other choirs at university. However, all the choirs will perform together for the carol concert. During that carol concert (this is of course on December), I heard this amazing choir, Black Chorus. I thought to myself that I really wanted to be the part of that choir. However, I was hesitant because first, it is black chorus, I don't know if I can be in it. Second, they sound AMAZING! The audition must be hard. So, I never decided to try to audition for Black Chorus and forgot about it.

Then, on that day (first week of school fall semester - August), when I met this friend randomly in the quad, we were chatting and she told me that she wanted to join Black Chorus. That refreshed my mind again. I actually have registered to the same choir I was in the previous year. However, the first rehearsal was cancelled and I was too lazy to go to the rehearsal again the next time. So, I remembered about Black Chorus and it stayed in my mind. I told my other friend about it and she said, "Oh, the conductor of Black Chorus is my professor. You should email her. Here's her email address..." Then I emailed her that night and she replied saying that Black CHorus is open to all students and please come to the next rehearsal if I am interested. Of course I came, and I fitted right in. I was in love with the choir and the conductor right away. I felt like i was home.

Now, I wasn't a Christian at that time. Black Chorus sings mostly gospel and also spirituals. All (or at least 98%) the members are Christian. The conductor is a pastor's wife. I was okay at the beginning. I was not a Christian but I love the songs. However, during the rehearsal, you just had to feel the spirit. Looking at all other students, looking at the conductor, they had some thing that I did not. It started to intrigue my feeling and my mind.

After our first concert, I decided to send an email to my conductor without any hope that she would reply it - she is very busy, you see. She is also a voice professor. Praise God she replied my email the next day and invited me to lunch to chat. So we emailed back and forward to set a time to meet.

Before our supposedly scheduled meeting, I met her again in a funeral of an ex-Black CHorus' member. We were singing at the funeral. Well, I did not know who she was and I was not sad. Then that was the time when it all happened. We sang this song "Jesus loves me". I was perfectly fine during the beginning. But then when we sang the climax part "Jesus loves me. He loves me. Oh yes, He loves me." ~ The words just hit me. It's like some one punched my heart. The words stayed in my mind and my tears just rolled down uncontrollably. I couldn't finish the song and I was just standing there with my tears rolling down and my mind was blowing. I cried like I never had before.

Three days after, I met my conductor in her office and we talked. We were just chatting about everything until she brought up the topic. So we talked about it and that evening, I left her office born again. She is my spiritual mother and she has such a huge impact on me. You see, God knows how to get to your heart. I went to a Christian school my whole life, but I never thought of becoming one. But He knows my weaknesses. He knows me inside out. He knows how to get my heart. I am so glad the day He said, "Kristy, it's about time for you to come to Me."

Saying all this, my point is, IF i did not meet that friend on that day in such a random place at random time, I will not be who I am right now, a grateful Christian and His child only. He is a Great Planner and He does know us.



God's Perfect Knowledge of Man
~Psalm 139~

O Lord, You have searched me and known me.
You know my sitting down and my rising up;
You understand my thought afar off.
You comprehend my path and my lying down,
And are acquainted with all my ways.
For there is not a word on my tongue,
But behold, O Lord, You know it altogether.
You have hedged me behind and before,
And laid Your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
It is high, I cannot attain it.
Where can I go from Your Spirit?
Or where can I flee from Your presence?
If I ascend into heaven, You are there;
If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.
If I take the wings of the morning,
And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
Even there Your hand shall lead me,
And Your right hand shall hold me.
If I say, "Surely the darkness shall fall on me,"
Even the night shall be light about me;
Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You,
But the night shines as the day;
The darkness and the light are both alike to You.
For You formed my inward parts;
You covered me in my mother's womb.
I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well.
My frame was not hidden from You,
When I was made in secret,
And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.
And in Your book they all were written,
The days fashioned for me,
When as yet there were none of them.
How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!
How great is the sum of them!
If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand;
When I am awake, I am still with You.
Oh, that You would slay the wicked, O God!
Depart from me, therefore, you bloodthirsty men.
For they speak against You wickedly;
Your enemies take Your name in vain.
Do I not hate them, O Lord, who hate You?
And I do not loathe those who rise up against You?
I hate them with perfect hatred;
I count them my enemies.
Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me, and know my anxieties;
And see if there is any wicked way in me,
And lead me in the way everlasting.



After reading this, do you remember your stories? your turning points? Do you realize now that it's all Him from the beginning until the end? Do you know how He loves you so? He knows who you are before you were even born. He is our good God. He is our great planner. He is my ALL. Praise Him and thanks Him for ALL that He has done for you, but most importantly, praise Him for who He is.



May God bless you always.

Teach me to Forgive

One day a while back, a man, his heart heavy with grief, was walking in the woods. As he thought about his life this day, he knew many things were not right. He thought about those who had lied about him back when he had a job.

His thoughts turned to those who had stolen his things and cheated him. He remembered family that had passed on. His mind turned to the illness he had that no one could cure. His very soul was filled with anger, resentment and frustration.

Standing there this day, searching for answers he could not find, knowing all else had failed him, he knelt at the base of an old oak tree to seek the one he knew would always be there, and with tears in his eyes, he prayed "Lord - You have done wonderful things for me in this life. You have told me to do many things for you, and I happily obeyed."

"Today, you have told me to forgive. I am sad, Lord, because I cannot. I don't know how. It is not fair, Lord. I didn't deserve these wrongs that were done against me and I shouldn't have to forgive. As perfect as your way is, Lord, this one thing I cannot do, for I don't know how to forgive. My anger is so deep, Lord, I fear I may not hear you, but I pray that you teach me to do this one thing I cannot do - Teach me To Forgive."

As he knelt there in the quiet shade of that old oak tree, he felt something fall onto his shoulder. He opened his eyes. Out of the corner of one eye, he saw something red on his shirt. He could not turn to see what it was because where the oak tree had been was a large square piece of wood in the ground. He raised his head and saw two feet held to the wood with a large spike through them. He raised his head more, and tears came to his eyes as he saw Jesus hanging on a cross. He saw spikes in His hands, a gash in His side, a torn and battered body, deep thorns sunk into His head.

Finally he saw the suffering and pain on His precious face. As their eyes met, the man's tears turned to sobbing, and Jesus began to speak. "Have you ever told a lie," he asked? The man answered - "yes Lord". "Have you ever been given too much change and kept it?" The man answered "yes Lord". And the man sobbed more and more. "Have you ever taken something from work that wasn't yours?" Jesus asked. And the man answered "yes Lord". "Have you ever sworn, using my Father's name in vain?" The man, crying now, answered "yes Lord". As Jesus asked many more times, "Have you ever", the man's crying became uncontrollable, for he could only answer "yes Lord".

Then Jesus turned His head from one side to the other, and the man felt something fall on his other shoulder. He looked and saw that it was the blood of Jesus. When he looked back up, his eyes met those of Jesus, and there was a look of love the man had never seen or known before. Jesus said, "I didn't deserve this either, but I forgive you." It may be hard to see how you're going to get through something, but when you look back in life, you realize how true this statement is. Read the first line slowly and let it sink in.

This is simple, and important. Read on... This first line is deep.

If God brings you to it - He will bring you through it.

Lord I love You and I need You, come into my heart, Today. For without You I can do nothing.

from : Quick Inspirations



Can you let go and forgive now? God bless you.

Happiness

"Facts are what we must completely let go of if we want to be happy. Happiness requires that we give up a worldly attachment to things. We have to surrender all outcomes. We have to live here but appreciate the joke."

~Marianne Williamson~



"Never look to another person to make you happy - happiness is an internal, personal attitude and responsibility."

~Caroline Myss ~



"The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes along their way."

~Unknown~



"Usually we figure out what we think would make us happy, and then try to make those things happen. But happiness isn't circumstance-dependent. There are people who have every reason in the world to be happy who aren't. There are people with genuine problems who are. The key to happiness is the decision to be happy."

~Marianne WIlliamson~



"Most people are searching for happiness. They're looking for it. They're trying to find it in someone or something outside of themselves. That's a fundamental mistake. Happiness is something that you are, and it comes from the way that you think."

~Wayne Dyer~



"Realise that true happiness lies within you. Waste no time and effort searching for peace and contentment and joy in the world outside. Remember that there is no happiness in having or in getting, but only in giving. Reach out. Share. Smile. Hug. Happiness is a perfume you cannot pour on others without getting a few drops on yourself."

~Og Mandino~



"Five simple rules to be happy:
1. Free your heart from hatred.
2. Free your mind from worries.
3. Live simply.
4. Give more.
5. Expect less."

~Unknown~



"What, then, is happiness? The answer is not complex. Happiness is simply a state of inner freedom. Freedom from what? With a bit of self-insight, every individual can answer that question for himself. It is freedom from the secret angers and anxieties we tell no one about. It is freedom from fear of being unappreciated and ignored, from muddled thinking that drives us to compulsive actions, and later, to regrets. It is freedom from painful cravings that deceive us into thinking that our attainment of this person or of that circumstance will make everything right. Happiness is liberty from everything that makes us unhappy."

~The Daily Guru~



"When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us."

~Helen Keller~



"The ingredients of happiness are so simple that they can be counted on one hand. First of all, happiness must be shared. Selfishness is its enemy; to make another happy is to be happy one's self. It is quiet, seldom found for long in crowds, most easily won in moments of solitude and reflection. It comes from within, and rests most securely on simple goodness and clear conscience. It cannot be bought; indeed money, strange as it may seem, has very little to do with it. People are not happy unless they are reasonably well satisfied with themselves."

~William D.Ogden~



"In the course of living, many people are disappointed when others do not live up (or down) to their expectations. In order to be happy, some expectations must be dropped. These unrealistic and unhealthy expectations are three of the main culprits.
1. Do not EXPECT appreciation. When others say, "Thank you," or in any way show their gratitude, be happy. It is a gift!
2. Do not EXPECT others to make you happy. They simply cannot do that. Make yourself happy and share your joy with others.
3. Do not expect NOT to be let down. At times, people will simply not come through for you in the way you need. Forgive them and move on.
Get rid of these three expectations and you will be getting rid of daily disappointment!"

~Steve Goodier~



"JUST BE HAPPY? I know it's seem to be easier said than done, this happy thing. It is hard to be happy, at first. Some of us have been taught to think wrongly and we don't even know it. Our thoughts are creating our suffering. Yet with practice, with aware, awake, conscience thoughts we can learn to focus on the good that life has to offer. There is so much good. Look at the space you are living in, look at the gifts you've been given, think of the love that family and friends have for you. Think of the love that you have for them. The more thoughts of good you practice into your daily moment to moment living, the more good thoughts you will have when you are sad, when things don't seem fair, when you are hurting or even when you are in pain. Think Love Thoughts. Think about your health, your body, your eyes, your nose, the insides of your body, the veins and the blood, the heart, the lungs, what a miracle. Amazing, the human body. Think about your favourite things to think about and it will bring you back to your happiness. Then the harder stuff is easier to handle."

~Ms. Rosie~



May God's peace, love, and blessings always be with you.

Friendship

"The glory of friendship is not the outstretched hand, nor the kindly smile nor the joy of companionship; it is the spiritual inspiration that comes to one when he discovers that someone else believes in him and is willing to trust him."

~Ralph Waldo Emerson~

Do You Judge Others?

"Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things." ~ Romans 2:1



I read this verse last night and somehow it just strucked me how we tend to judge other people ALL the time. Why do we have this habit? I think it is human nature to judge the others. We often forget that it is not in our place to judge others. It is God's ONLY privilege.



Often time, we judged people based on our first impression or based on what we heard. Too often we forget, someone's appearance in the outside most often is not the same as who he/she is in the inside. There is a lot of stereotype in the society that worsen the situation. Sometimes people associate the person with the group he/she belongs. We are all different individuals. There are no two people who behave exactly the same way, not even twins. Saying this, we should get to know the person before we make up our mind.



"but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God." ~Romans 2:29
So you see, in order to really know someone, you have to dig deep inside and not only touching the surface. You might be surprised when you find out that what's on the surface is different from what's inside.



Back to the word 'judge', truly, even though someone does something wrong, we should not judge him/her. Instead, think about yourself, have you ever done or almost did the same thing? Maybe you almost did, and you were lucky that God reminded you and you changed your mind. Sometimes, people fell. And I believe that all people have fell, at least once in their lives. Therefore, what right do you have to judge another person?



Whenever you are about to judge others, stop a second and think again, have you ever done or wanted to do the same thing? Have you ever been tempted to do the same thing? Maybe you are strong, but not everyone is. Let God does all things that He is the only One who has the rights to do.

Create Your Own Dreams

Always Create Your Own Dreams
and Live Life to the Fullest
Dreams can come true
if you take the time to
think about what you want in life
Get to know yourself
Find out who you are
Choose your goals carefully
Be honest with yourself
Always believe in yourself
Find many interests and pursue them
Find out what is important to you
Find out what you are good at
Don't be afraid to make mistakes
Work hard to achieve successes
When things are not going right
don't give up - just try harder
Give yourself freedom to try out new things
Laugh and have a good time
Open yourself up to love
Take part in the beauty of nature
Be appreciative of all that you have
Help those less fortunate than you
Work towards peace in the world
Live life to the fullest
Create your own dreams and
follow them until they are a reality

~ Susan Polis Schutz ~

from: Quick Inspirations

What Will You Do?

Have you ever been in a situation where if you can choose, you rather not be there? If you are a student, have you ever been in a class that really, will be your last choice, but it is a required class? What will you do in this situation? Most people will just dread going to class and keep hoping that the class will be over SOON. At the end, you will be glad the class is over and not getting anything out of it.



Well, there is a better way to handle this situation. An advice from someone who is very dear to my heart, "Make the best out of situation. Act like you want to be in that class. How you act in that situation, will determine the result. Everything starts from your mind." If you focus your mind and try to enjoy the class instead of complaining about it, you might enjoy the class. It is your choice and your decision. You can choose to enjoy the class. You make your own decision. Once you have made that decision, you will get something good out of it. Of course, this can be applied to any situations, not only for your classes.



So, have you made up your mind yet?
May God bless you and keep you safe always.

Thank God for You

"The memory of the righteous will be a blessing." ~ Proverbs 10:7



God wants you to be the kind of person others enjoy thinking about. Through the example of your life and the testimony of your faith, thoughts of you will bring a smile to the hearts of others.



He will bless your life in such a way that a sweet remembrance of you will remain with others even after you are gone.



How great is the prayer, how rich is the meaning. How full is the gratefulness of those who say, "I thank God for you!"

~Roy Lessin~



I thank God for my spiritual mother. I thank God that He sends her as my angel, to guide my way through the darkness. I thank God for my family and most importantly, my friends.

Unconditional

To God alone, be all the glory



You came to me, even though I didn't call You
You spoke to me, even though I didn't know You
You cared for me, even though I ignored You
You were faithful to me, even though I disregarded You
So great is Your love, I have been changed
But You remain the same



For now,
Whenever I call you, You come to me
Whatever I ask you, You answer my prayers
Whenever I am down, You care for me
Sometimes I am faithless, You remain faithful
I love You because You first love me
I am grateful for Your unconditional love



~Kristy Kusuma~

Inspirational Quote

"Challenges come so we can grow and be prepared for things we are not equipped to handle now. When we face our challenges with faith, prepared to learn, willing to make changes, and if necessary, to let go, we are demanding our power be turned on."

~ Iyanla Vanzant