Reflection #5

I was a little bit surprised in this time of Theodosius' reign that christian themselves persecuted the pagans. Because as I've knew that only christian was being persecuted by other religion. But through the life of Theodosius my mind was being opened that, that could really be happened even before, during ancient times.

As a Christian, I am trying to live with confidence knowing that I have this Christ in me. Knowing and trying to be aware of every day living that persecution as Christian would really be happen. But because of this emperor my mind was being widen that Christian also could persecute the pagans even at this time. And the more I am being aware of how I live because I might act or live as a persecutor to other people.

Being sensitive the more to others as minister is what really matters the most in me. Knowing that I am an agent of transformation I must live just like a spy in each of the lives of those who are still lost and not to live as a persecutor. Because as what I've said that I thought before only Christians are being persecuted but in the other hand Christians also could be a persecutor in the eyes of other people if Christian themselves are not sensitive enough the way they live.

Reflection #4

I like how Polycarp as a strong man in the Lord on how he fight and stand firm in times of testing in his life as christian. “I must be burned alive “ was his statement and as an evidence that no matter what for him he will not really deny Jesus as Lord and Savior. Because for him there is no reason to deny Jesus as God and as Lord. That Jesus had done no wrong in him and why deny. I could say that this is really the life of a christian who truly be a man of God that really be tested of how true and sincere you are as the one who claim as Christians. Polycarp's difficulties as Christians is not new to many people especially today because since the very beginning God had already recognized different testimonies of the lives of different people in order for these generation to be aware with and of how they fight the good fight as God's soldiers.

Me as a weak person, had already faced different hardships in life. I even almost came to the point of giving up to be a bible school student because since then the enemy is trying to distract me from saying yes to God's conviction of His call in me to be in BTC. Though it is an old story about me but it keeps on reminding me those testimonies of how God worked in me, and to proved to myself that God is really working 24 hours in me. God never sleeps, he never rest, he never felt tired, he never even give up on me, God is a very patient God to me. And by this life of Polycarp when he says that 'God had done me no wrong, and why would I deny him as my God' is a challenge for me to keep going on. That even to this point God is still allowing the enemy to challenge me.

There are a lot of reasons for me to say keep going on and fight the good fight. Since God will fight for his children and there is no reason to let the enemy defeat us since our God is the master of all!I always heard and saw in media that Christians are being beheaded because of Christ and I ask myself if ever I will face this in reality could I really be stand like Polycarp did? I am being moved that whatever may happen I'll do my best just the as I could to really stand in the truth.

Reflection #3

“When the time had fully come” is the quoted word of Good that says that Christ came into a prepared situation at a particular point in time chosen by God. And it also includes here the existence of every person that whoever you are, whatever kind of person you are, either you are disable or not Good knows it and God has a purpose to it. That even a child, an adult, men or women or whatever creatures exist is part of God's plan. Or how imperfect you are, how violent you are and how wicked the person is, that can't still be condemned because God as a perfect creator created it with a purpose. And that's the beauty of God's design for his people that he created.

Me having a very low esteem were being comforted at the very time when this being mentioned in class. Though prior to this God already send me a comforting message but this add to my confidence of being who am I. Because I am used not to be appreciated even in the family during my childhood. But at this time that doesn't matter to me. I even choose not to be recognized by the crowds, I just don't like it. But I didn't stay there but instead I grow.

At this moment I find myself that I have less giving attention to those judgment that I've heard

And to be content of who I am in God's eyes as one of the precious child in him. I am not looking after to those people who will appreciate me but to those people who could accept me of being an imperfect physically, mentally, socially and others. Because knowing that I am also one of God's chosen to exist in this imperfect world to be used for his ministry.

Reflection #2

 The important area that some Christians are just passive in dealing with is to know the history of the church. Christians, as God's people are all accountable to have knowledge from the past in bible times. And having this subject I have two things that seems surprised and at the same time reminds me as I've studied this second sessions we have in class. First is that, of how the kings converted into Christianity and second is of how strong or tough they are as convert Christians. Just like what the king did, as a strong man before he was a Christian and even the way he rule or hold the authority that he had as a non-convert. Then by just one great move of God, he change. And as a man of God and as the king who ruled his city he was able to lead them in a godly way as what pleases God.

And as I am looking back of myself, before I met Christ, I was just like a person for nothing. Though I am not a king, or the leader in my family but I possess an attitude that was just like I am comfortable with in which I think I was right which of how the king comfortably lead his people. As I go back to the days that God change me I am not as strong as of how the persecutor before did. Like Paul when he was a new convert he was a very strong man standing his obedient faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Because some people say that once the most wicked in the world will be converted into.Christianity then they are also the powerful and effective minister and leader in the church for Christ Jesus. And while reflecting it to myself I was being rebuked that I must not be a passive Christians but instead to aim high not for self but to aim high for Christ, to be more effective light of this dark world.

In putting this to myself to be applied, I feel something push in me to pray that someday I could be a good minister first to myself. It is one of my goal to be a well self-oriented in order for me to be a good leader, first to myself and then to the other people who surrounds me. To be a spirit filled Christian I must take every move to be a world class. Because I believe that I am one of those called by God to greatness for His glory.!

Reflection #1

Having this subject of Church history as a Christian is a very big privilege for me to take. Because since I received Christ in my heart and as I started to grow as a baby Christian I have many doubts in me that I long for an answer and that is the Bible. Especially, behind of each story of what had happened during bible times. Was it real? Was those stories really happened? These were just some of my questions before. I thought it was just a story that made by an expert man. But now that I know how inspired and authoritative it is as the word of the living God, I feel very excited as I've known that I am going to study the history of the church and how Christianity started and how they survived up to this generation.

The two things that I've learned and surprised me in this subject is that to know the history of the church could make you aware of what was really happening in ancient times compared to this generation. And at the same time could help Christians to be ready all the time as they are preaching the word of God, to be prepared for those who will ask. Because it is been in the word of God to be ready to those who will ask questions and to answer them accurately and in exact words from God, because we are all accountable to what we speak and of what we've shown to other people who look at us.

And through this, I would now be more encouraged to learn more. Through reading other materials about the history could much more helpful for me. And through it I could gain more knowledge and learn from others and from different persons who are expert of the history of the church.