Superveniens | Rescued | EN | IN

This man, having been arrested by the Jews, was about to be killed by them. I came upon them with the detachment of soldiers and rescued him, having learned that he is a Roman -Acts 23:27

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Trust in God's Promises

In our lives, we often face difficult situations, even circumstances that threaten our well-being. There is envy and jealously that we frequently encounter, as well as people who do not want us to succeed. Some even attempt to hinder us from achieving our hopes and dreams. 

Human plans are nothing compared to what God has planned. If God wills something to happen, no matter how hard people try to prevent it, they will not succeed. Today's passage clearly illustrates how the Jews conspired to kill Paul. They had devised a strategy and gathered their strength to achieve their goal. However, their plan failed. It was not a coincidence that Paul's nephew overheard the plot to kill him. God used his nephew to report the plan to the commander. God also used the commander to protect Paul, just as He used the governor in Caesarea.  

When God promises to protect Paul, He fulfills His promises at the right time and sends the right people to carry out His works. Dear brothers and sisters, do not worry about the future of your life. If God wills it, no matter the hardships and obstacles we face, he will never abandon His people. 

Hold firmly to God's promises, pray, and may our faith and trust in His almighty power remain steadfast. Amen. 

 

Reflection on Acts 23: 16 – 35 by Meist

(Listen to podcast here)

Indonesian version Diselamatkan

Orang ini ditangkap oleh orang-orang Yahudi dan ketika mereka hendak membunuhnya, aku datang dengan pasukan mencegahnya dan melepaskannya, karena aku dengar, bahwa ia adalah warganegara Roma - Kisah Para Rasul 23 : 27

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Percayalah akan janji Tuhan

 

Dalam segala perkara Tuhan tetap bekerja dengan caraNya yang ajaib. Dalam hidup kita, kita seringkali diperhadapkan dengan keadaan yang sulit bahkan keadaan yang mengancam keamanan jiwa kita. Ada kedengkian dan iri hati yang selalu kita terima, ada juga orang – orang yang tidak mengingikan kita berhasil bahkan mencoba menghalangi kita agar tidak mencapai apa yang kita harapkan atau cita-citakan. 

Rancangan-rancangan manusia tidak sebanding dengan apa yang dirancangkan oleh Tuhan. Jika Tuhan berkehendak, bagaimana pun caranya manusia berusaha menggagalkannya tidak akan berhasil. 

Perikop hari ini jelas menggambarkan bagaimana orang Yahudi merencanakan untuk membunuh Paulus. Mereka telah menyusun strategi dan kekuatan untuk mencapai tujuan mereka. Namun rencana mereka tidak berhasil.

Bukan suatu kebetulan, keponakan Paulus mendengar rencana pembunuhan Paulus. Tuhan memakai keponakannya itu untuk mengabarkan rencana itu kepada kepala pasukan. Tuhan pun memakai kepala pasukan untuk melindungi Paulus demikian halnya Tuhanpun memakai Wali Negeri di Kaisarea. 

Ketika Tuhan berjanji bahwa akan melindungi Paulus, maka Tuhan akan menepati janjiNya pada waktu dan saat yang tepat, dan akan mengirimkan orang-orang yang tepat untuk melakukan pekerjaan-pekerjaan Nya.

Saudara – saudaraku sekalian, jangan khawatir akan masa depan atau hidup kita. Jika Tuhan berkehendak, apapun kesulitan dan rintangan hidup kita, Tuhan tidak akan meninggalkan umatNya. Tetaplah berpegang teguh pada janji Tuhan, berdoalah dan semoga iman dan percaya kita akan kemahakuasaan Tuhan akan selalu ada. Amin. 

 

Refleksi dari Kisah Para Rasul 23: 16-35 oleh Meist

(Dengarkan podcastnya disini)

Light

"and it came to pass, in my going on and coming near to Damascus, about noon, suddenly out of Heaven there shone a great light around me" - Acts 22:6

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In this passage is clear the message the Lord gave us by through Jesus. Our ancestors often prayed and did things in the name of the Lord but almost always these actions were not for satisfying God but for satisfying their inner feelings.

In my opinion we have to do every daily action focusing in how we can make a difference by helping other people and for spreading love, goodness and faith for God and for our future.

Always keep the carefulness high in order to avoid doing a lot of effort hiking a steep mountain and after reaching the tip to realize that wasn’t the right summit. Every day be active,pray and make good actions helping people.

Don’t forget to keep your heart open and ready to change path following the sweet smell of our Lord. It is never too late to change. When you see the light of GOD everything will not darken as before.

The Lord's light shine into your soul making similar to Him, we have to aim for this. God bless us. Amen

Reflection on Acts 22 1-16 by Ivan

Testimonium | Witness

‘Hurry and go out quickly from Jerusalem, for they will not receive your witness about Me.’ – Acts 22:18

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The setting of Acts 22 is in the city of Jerusalem. This chapter starts with the Apostle Paul standing on the steps of the Roman barracks in Jerusalem about to address the mob of Jews that tried to kill him (from Acts 21). Paul had their attention because he spoke to them in their native language. Paul shared his testimony: his life and background before conversion; his conversion; and his life afterwards.

In this chapter of Acts 22 there is an important lesson we can learn from Paul. It is to bring the message about our Lord Jesus Christ, no matter what the circumstances. In this chapter, Paul is talking to a mob of Jews that wants to kill him. We might think: why even talk to them, or bring them a message? They don’t deserve a message. But Paul thinks differently. He brings the message no matter what the circumstances. He uses every opportunity to speak out and to be a witness for Jesus Christ and witness how the Lord has changed his life.

Another lesson we can learn from the Apostle Paul, is to trust in the Lord's plan. When Paul returned to Jerusalem after his three years in Arabia, he was in the temple praying. Maybe Paul was planning to stay there and do missionary work among the Jews in Jerusalem. But God had other plans for Paul. God wanted Paul to leave Jerusalem immediately because the Jews would not accept his testimony about Christ (Acts 22: 18). At first, Paul was not ready for this, he might even protested. He talked to God and said that the Jews knew about him and what he did. Maybe he thought the Jews will listen to him and that his ministry will be among the Jews. But God instructed him to leave and go far away to be a witness to the Gentiles (Acts 22: 21). Here we see that God’s will for us is not always what we plan for our lives. Paul’s life and ministry after his conversion was probably very different from what he planned.  As we read in Proverbs 19:21: "Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand".

Even if we don’t have such a dramatic story like Paul, we should use every opportunity to tell other people what God has done for us and be a witness. If you trust in Christ as your Lord and Saviour, then you should be His witness.

Reflection on Acts 22:17-30 by Hanne

(Listen to podcast here)

Deus fecisset | God had done

"When we had come to Jerusalem, the brothers received us gladly. On the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present. After greeting them, he related one by one the things that God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. And when they heard it, they glorified God." - Acts 21:17-20

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In this passage Saint Paul is being greeted warmly by the community members in Jerusalem who listen to his story and rejoice with him at God's graces. The attitude of both Paul and the elders can teach us how to respond to God's works.

Paul, when recounting of his ministry among the Gentiles, does not boast about his own achievements or seek personal recognition. Instead, he emphasizes what God has accomplished through him. It is not his—human effort but God's grace that bore the fruits. This reminds us that successes in our lives too are the result of God’s grace and guidance. Our cooperation and effort are necessary but ultimately it is God working through us. We should allow him to do that and remain humble in face of the results it brought.

The response of the elders—glorifying God—also emphasizes the importance of recognizing and celebrating God’s work in the world. The elders do not react with jealousy, envy, or competition against Paul. Instead, they join Paul in praising God for all the fruits that Paul's work brought. Their reaction again shows us the importance of humility in the face of God's work. It also is not important whether it is me or another person that actually did the work; ultimately what matters is the fruit and the glory of God.

Thus this passage challenges us to reflect on our attitudes toward own and others' successes. Do we just boast at our achievements, forgetting about God's blessings in our life? And further, do we respond with jealousy or competition, or do we join in glorifying God for what He has done in and through others? 

Let's not forget the stories of God’s work in our lives and share them with others—not for self-promotion, but to thank God and to inspire others to recognize God’s presence in their lives too.

Reflection on Acts 21: 17-40 by Agata

(Listen to podcast here)

Kuatkan orang lain

"Setelah keributan itu berakhir, Paulus memanggil murid-murid dan setelah memberi semangat kepada mereka, ia berpamitan dan berangkat ke Makedonia." (Kisah Para Rasul 20: 1, NIV).

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Dalam bagian ini kita membaca beberapa kali bagaimana Rasul Paulus menyemangati murid-muridnya dan orang lain bahkan selama pelayanannya yang sulit dan penuh tantangan. Kita juga dapat membaca dalam Kisah Para Rasul 16, di mana Paulus dan Silas berdoa dan menyanyikan pujian kepada Tuhan di penjara di mana semua tahanan dapat mendengar mereka.

Saya belajar bagaimana Paulus hidup di atas segala keadaan dan memuliakan Tuhan dengan tindakan dan perkataannya. Setiap orang mengalami masalah, kesulitan, dan pencobaan mereka sendiri. Terkadang kita tidak punya waktu untuk mempertimbangkan sisi baik dari masalah tersebut, apalagi meluangkan waktu untuk menyemangati orang lain.

Rasul Petrus berkata, "Serahkanlah segala kekhawatiranmu kepada Tuhan, sebab Ia yang memelihara kamu." (1 Petrus 5:7). Namun kita, manusia, cenderung lebih mengandalkan diri sendiri daripada Tuhan. Kita mengesampingkan Firman Tuhan karena kita pikir itu akan terlalu lama untuk terwujud, jadi lebih baik kita melakukannya dengan cara kita sendiri. Sampai keadaan menjadi lebih buruk dan kemudian kita berteriak, "Tuhan tolong aku!"

Tuhan berkata, "Terkutuklah orang yang mengandalkan manusia, yang mengandalkan kekuatannya sendiri, dan yang hatinya menjauh dari Tuhan." Karena akhir dari upaya ini adalah kegagalan dan penderitaan. Bandingkan dengan orang-orang yang mengandalkan Tuhan dan yang keyakinannya adalah kepada-Nya. Mereka tidak akan pernah berhenti menghasilkan buah bahkan di tahun kekeringan (Yeremia 17:5-8).

Saya yakin kepercayaan yang dimiliki Rasul Paulus kepada Tuhan begitu besar. Itu memungkinkannya untuk menyemangati orang lain bahkan ketika dia sendiri menghadapi tantangan dan ancaman. 

Mari kita belajar dari Paulus dan yakin akan kasih Tuhan. Itu akan menenangkan kita dan mengalihkan fokus kita dari diri kita sendiri kepada orang lain sehingga kita dapat menguatkan mereka dan memuliakan Tuhan seperti yang dilakukan Paulus.

Renungan Kisah Para Rasul 20: 1-6 oleh Desire Litaay

Exhortatus | Encourage | EN | IN

"When the uproar had ended, Paul sent for the disciples and, after encouraging them, said goodbye and set out for Macedonia."  - Acts 20: 1 (NIV)

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Encourage others

In this passage we read several times how Apostle Paul encouraged his disciples and other people even during his difficult and challenged ministries. We also can read in Acts 16,  where Paul and Silas prayed and sang praises unto God in the prison where all the prisoners could hear them.

I learn how Paul lived above any circumstances and glorified God with his acts and words. Every body is going through their own problems, hardships, and trials. Sometimes we don't have time to consider the bright side of the issue, let alone spare time encouraging other people.

Apostle Peter said,  "Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you." (1Peter 5:7). However we, human beings, we tend to rely on ourselves more than God. We set the Word of God aside as we think it will be too long to manifest so we'd better do it our ways. Until things get worse and then we shout, "God help me!"

God says, "Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the Lord." Because the end of this effort is failure and sufferings. Compare it to the ones who trust in the Lord and their confidence in Him. They will never cease to bear fruit even in a year of drought. (Jeremiah 17:5-8).

I believe the trust that Apostle Paul had for God was so ultimate. It enabled him to encourage others even when he was facing challenges and threats.

Let's learn from Paul and be confident in the love of the Lord. It will calm us and shift our focus from ourselves to other people so we are able to encourage others and glorify God as Paul did.

Reflection on Acts 20: 1-6 by Desire Litaay

(Listen to podcast here)

Sedatus | Calm

Be calm and do not act hastily -Acts 19:36

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We often hear the sentence above when there is chaos, whether mass chaos involving many people or chaos involving our own inner struggles when facing difficult situations.  In facing life's difficulties, we are faced with several alternative solutions to problems, including drinking alcohol, karaoke and dancing happily in the pub, being alone, etc.  Today through the acts of the apostles, as Christians or followers of Christ we are reminded to always be calm and not to rush into action. Calmness can bring us inner peace and enlightenment if we truly follow our inner voice or conscience.  Conscience can only be heard when we are calm and quiet.

There is a time for everything, and there is also a time for suffering, for struggle, time for serenity and peace, for sorrow and happiness that we are experiencing.  Therefore, we should always be grateful to God, the Giver of life and the Determinant of human destiny.  In several incidents, many people died in very tragic conditions due to the brutal actions of their fellow men because of revenge, anger, jealousy and so on.  We cannot control ourselves completely when worldly things dominate us and we move away from God.  Satan takes full advantage of this opportunity to destroy human life. 

Let us try to call on God's name, seek God in all situations of life before going too far. Calm with God will bring goodness, blessings and graces.  Remember, never rush away again from God.

Reflection on Acts 19:28-41  by Sr Yanti Purnawati SFSC

(Listen to podcast here)

Nomen Domini Iesu | The Lord Jesus

"The name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor” (Acts 19:17).

At Christmas, we beheld the Child Jesus in the Bethlehem manger, alongside the Blessed Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph. Annually, we contemplate the profound mystery of our faith, the Incarnation of the Son of God. Although we meditate on these Gospel passages for so many years, Jesus Christ still remains a mystery to us. We understand Him all the more, the more strongly we believe in His holy name.

The Apostle Paul performed mighty miracles in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ. But those who tried to misuse this name were met with failure. For only those who possess true faith in the Son of God can penetrate the mysteries of the Lord's Holy Name. "In this way the word of the Lord spreads widely and grows in power” (v. 20). Does the name of Jesus permeate your whole being? Do you grow in strength thanks to the power of the name of Jesus? Do you become like Jesus Christ for your sisters and brothers? 

In the contemporary world, as in antiquity, much confusion surrounds the Christian faith. Some people seem to play with the name of the Jesus Christ. There are also people who only call themselves Christians. Sometimes, like Apostle Paul, we have to leave such environment. Sometimes you have to go to another place so as not to perish spiritually. Some people are constantly caught up in the pursuit of material goods. Even we often succumb to the illusion of wealth and prosperity. 

The mentality of this world will always be in conflict with the mentality of Christians who decide to follow in the footsteps of the Master from Nazareth. The gods of this world are no gods for us who believe in the Lord Jesus, who is the begotten Son of God. The vanity of this world and worldly glitz are illusions that lead to disaster and misfortune. Only people who live in the name of Jesus Christ, like the Apostle Paul, can oppose these dangerous temptations.

Therefore, let us not be afraid of those who shout in the name of their idols. We, in the name of our Lord and God, Jesus Christ, pray: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on us. Amen.

Reflection by Józef Trzebuniak on Acts 19:11-27.

(Listen to podcast here)