Gain Praise
(Matthew 6:1-6)
We called her by Tania. She was asked to become a singer in her church because she has talent in singing. Tania really loves to sing and very want to be a servant. From all her desires, finally she can be a singer in her church. Unfortunately, Tania only sings for herself, not for God. She used her beautiful voice in the altar only for getting more praises from people who heard her singing. Then, the motivation for Tania whenever she becomes a singer is how to produce her voice beautifully. She really wants to get praises of her voice. Her behave gradually makes the worship leader feels annoyed, because Tania always make too much improvisation from the original song.
Youthers, each of us has our own talents or uniqueness. But, our services to God are not counted as ‘talents’ that we can show to other people. Our services are the responsibility and task that only can be measured by God Himself. It is false if we looking for any praises from other people, because all praises only belong to God and for the glory of His name. Therefore, if we can make people praise God through our services, God will give the praises from Himself. It will be more valuable and bigger than praises from other people. (JS, translated from Youth, 070811)
Youthers, each of us has our own talents or uniqueness. But, our services to God are not counted as ‘talents’ that we can show to other people. Our services are the responsibility and task that only can be measured by God Himself. It is false if we looking for any praises from other people, because all praises only belong to God and for the glory of His name. Therefore, if we can make people praise God through our services, God will give the praises from Himself. It will be more valuable and bigger than praises from other people. (JS, translated from Youth, 070811)
Popular
(1 Timothy 4: 12-16)
Nowadays, there are so many people on Youtube and become famous instantly. Let’s take Justin Bieber as the example, one of the talented young people from Canada. They become artist in a short time and people looking for their news in media. Besides that, talent contest also produces artist instantly in a short time. So, many young people think, “When will be like them? Famous and have a bright future.”
Youthers, almost every people want to be popular. Popularity is one of the thought or dream of many people. There’s nothing wrong with popularity, as long as it doesn’t come from a polluted action, humiliating ourselves, other people, family or even God. People must know us because of our talents, goodness or any other positive things. We must ignore any instant way that will lead us to a badness or sinful activity. All we have to do is believe on God. We must believe that God have prepared a beautiful way for us in our life.
So, let’s find from ourselves things that can be a blessing for other people. Then, we must use it wisely and maximally. We will get two things, popularity and chance to become a blessing for other people around us. Become the examples in our words, activity and behavior is the way to praise the name of our God. (JS, translated from Youth, 080811)
Youthers, almost every people want to be popular. Popularity is one of the thought or dream of many people. There’s nothing wrong with popularity, as long as it doesn’t come from a polluted action, humiliating ourselves, other people, family or even God. People must know us because of our talents, goodness or any other positive things. We must ignore any instant way that will lead us to a badness or sinful activity. All we have to do is believe on God. We must believe that God have prepared a beautiful way for us in our life.
So, let’s find from ourselves things that can be a blessing for other people. Then, we must use it wisely and maximally. We will get two things, popularity and chance to become a blessing for other people around us. Become the examples in our words, activity and behavior is the way to praise the name of our God. (JS, translated from Youth, 080811)