July 17, 2011

The Shepherd's Corner

One of my favorite movies is “As Good As It Gets.”  The story revolves around this middle-aged man (Jack Nicholson) who not only suffers from a mental disorder (obsessive-compulsive) but also has character problems—rude, selfish, and inconsiderate of others.  (Tidak ada terjemahan dalam bahasa Indonesia)

One of my favorite movies is “As Good As It Gets.”  The story revolves around this middle-aged man (Jack Nicholson) who not only suffers from a mental disorder (obsessive-compulsive) but also has character problems—rude, selfish, and inconsiderate of others.  

To make the long story short he finally meets this nice woman (Helen Hunt) and falls in love with her.  In one of the episodes, she asks him what makes him so sure that he is truly in love with her.  His (paraphrased) answer is so simple yet profound, “Since I met you, I have wanted to take my medication again.  Since I met you, I have wanted to live and to be better.”

Last Wednesday our brother Po Yung said something similar to that.  In his always-awaited testimony, he made a remark that ever since he met Jesus he has wanted to live a better life.  Ever since he met Jesus he has wanted to commit no more sin.  I was deeply touched.

I am sure you all can identify with Brother Po Yung.  I know you, too, have wanted to live a better life ever since you met Jesus.  You, too, have wanted to commit no more sin, ever since you met Jesus.  Ever since we met Jesus, life has not been the same.

The truth is, it is actually the Holy Spirit of God who brings out the best out of us.  You see, we are sort of like a laundry basket—full of soiled linen.  Then God comes and washes us clean.  He brings the best out of us.

But, that is not the end of it.  Now Jesus wants us to do the same to others.  He wants us to bring out the best out of others as well.  We do that when we begin seeing and treating people like Jesus does.

Pastor Paul

To make the long story short he finally meets this nice woman (Helen Hunt) and falls in love with her.  In one of the episodes, she asks him what makes him so sure that he is truly in love with her.  His (paraphrased) answer is so simple yet profound, “Since I met you, I have wanted to take my medication again.  Since I met you, I have wanted to live and to be better.”

Last Wednesday our brother Po Yung said something similar to that.  In his always-awaited testimony, he made a remark that ever since he met Jesus he has wanted to live a better life.  Ever since he met Jesus he has wanted to commit no more sin.  I was deeply touched.

I am sure you all can identify with Brother Po Yung.  I know you, too, have wanted to live a better life ever since you met Jesus.  You, too, have wanted to commit no more sin, ever since you met Jesus.  Ever since we met Jesus, life has not been the same.

The truth is, it is actually the Holy Spirit of God who brings out the best out of us.  You see, we are sort of like a laundry basket—full of soiled linen.  Then God comes and washes us clean.  He brings the best out of us.

But, that is not the end of it.  Now Jesus wants us to do the same to others.  He wants us to bring out the best out of others as well.  We do that when we begin seeing and treating people like Jesus does.

Pastor Paul

More Shepherd's Corner Articles

The Shepherd's Corner - July 23, 2023
Many of you have shopped at J. C. Penny; in fact, one of our sisters, Peggy, works there.  But perhaps a few know the life of J. C. Penny, the man who founded this chain of department stores.  In 1929, on his way to a successful career, he suffered a setback during one of the […]...
Read More
The Shepherd's Corner - October 29, 2017
THE SHEPHERD’S CORNER Before I left for Indonesia, I talked to Oom Djaja over the phone; he told me he was feeling better....
Read More
The Shepherd's Corner - May 03, 2015
THE SHEPHERD’S CORNER May 2 and May 4 have always had a special meaning for me. May 2 was the day I left Indonesia and May 4 was the day I set foot on American soil for the first time. The year was 1978. It was the beginning of the second chapter of my life—the […]...
Read More