Where we Shrink to our True Size.

“Every time we look at the cross Christ seems to say to us, ‘I am here because of you. It is your sin I am bearing, your curse I am suffering, your debt I am paying, your death I am dying.’ Nothing in history or in the universe cuts us down to size like the cross. All of us have inflated views of ourselves, especially in self-righteousness, until we have visited a place called Calvary. It is there, at the foot of the cross, that we shrink to our true size.”

—John Stott, The Message of Galatians (London: IVP, 1968), 179

Called to Worship

Something that i personally don't like is the silence that lingers for a while after my pastor has called the congregation to worship God in song, prayer or Scripture. Just a minute back we are all singing as to how great our God is, but why do we fall silent and have no words to say to the same God that we were singing to.

Many people give lame excuses that they are shy or their command over the language is not that great. God looks at the heart and the motive of the worshiper.If we truly love God we will praise Him ALWAYS.If you do not spend much time in prayer, meditating on scripture and worshiping the Lord during the week; you wont be able to worship Him on Sunday morning either.

We can never fall short of reasons to worship God. To streamline your thoughts, meditate on scripture. Psalms are very helpful too, as it helps you to focus on His attributes(Eg:Ps 98,100,138,145 and many more).

So next time when you are hesitant to openly praise God, get the focus off yourself and put it on Christ. The words will flow out quite easily.

Sin

It is always refreshing to read a book again. The one that I am reading is Finally Alive by John Piper where he describes in detail what exactly happens to us when we are regenerated by Christ. As I was reading a section this morning on “Why must we be born again?” he mentions a few points, which convicted and encouraged me at the same time. So  thought I’d put it up on the blog today.

Here are the biblical explanations of our condition apart from the new birth and why it is so necessary.

1. Apart from the new birth, we are dead in trespasses and sins. (Eph 2:1-2)
2. Apart from the new birth, we are by nature children of wrath. (Eph 2:3)
3.  Apart from the new birth, we love darkness and hate the light (John 3:19–20).
4.  Apart from the new birth, our hearts are hard like stone.(Ezek. 36:26; Eph. 4:18).
5.  Apart from the new birth, we are unable to submit to God or please God. (Rom. 8:7–8).
6. Apart from the new birth, we are unable to accept the gospel.(Eph. 4:18; 1 Cor. 2:14).
7. Apart from the new birth, we are unable to come to Christ or embrace him as Lord (John  6:44, 65; 1 Cor. 12:3).
8.  Apart from the new birth, we are slaves to sin (Rom. 6:17).
9.  Apart from the new birth, we are slaves of Satan (Eph. 2:1–2; 2 Tim. 2:24–26).
10. Apart from the new birth, no good thing dwells in us (Rom. 7:18).
    
    
    
    So after reading the above verses, what is your response? Is it of thankfulness unto the lord for His perfect sacrifice or do you still not see the deceitfulness of your own heart…