Suffering with The Savior

“It is clear from Scripture that suffering is a significant thread that runs through the story of God’s people. In Jesus and because of his resurrection, the saints long for the time when ‘there will be no more death or mourning or crying of pain’ and God ‘will wipe away every tear from their eyes’ (Rev. 21:4). But meanwhile, believers suffer as people united to the Savior, who endured suffering prior to his glory.”

- Michael R. Emlet, CrossTalk (Greensboro, NC: New Growth Press, 2009), 77.

Book Review

I read the book "The Gospel for the Real Life" by Jerry Bridges a while back I immensely enjoyed reading it. When I first picked up the book to read I was not so sure about it, coz I had an attitude that, how can the gospel change my daily living. The Spirit convicted me otherwise and by the time I finished the book, I realized that I need the Gospel everyday. The moment I wake up I need to preach the gospel to myself, to keep reminding what Christ has done for me. 

Each day is different, sometimes we are extremely joyful other days a little sober. So how do I practically live out the Gospel everyday? By focusing on Chirst and His character. Thus you will be transformed  more into his likeness. By living a life that that is obedient to God's word, people will see the difference. As regenerated people we have to be a light to the dark world. That light has to be bright, to remove the darkness.(Matt 5:16) Therefore our lives also need to portray Godliness.

As I read the book it was good to dwell on the character of Christ. Jerry Bridges has done a good job at it and I would recommend you to read it and rejoice in the fact that we know Christ.

The Heart

We are studying the book of Mark in church and last Sunday we went through Chapter 7 where Jesus talks about what makes us pure or impure. His main focus was about our heart attitudes. In verses 18-20 Jesus says,

"Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile him, since it enters not his heart but his stomach, and is expelled?” (Thus he declared all foods clean.)

Here context is where the Pharisees were accusing  the disciples that they were not following the traditions that were laid down( the ceremonial washing of the hands). Where as Jesus is addressing the heart issues. He says what goes inside a person body( what he eats) does not make him unclean, as the body in its normal funtioning gets rid of it. But what comes out  of the heart of man (from within)makes  him impure.

(20-23)And he said, “What comes out of a person is what defiles him.For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”

Sometimes we are so caught up in tradition that we forget to see what the Bible has to say about it. Therefore let us guard our heart and keep a close watch of sinful tendencies in our life. And the only way to do it is to go back to the Bible.

You are kept low for your own safety

“God blesses us all up to the full measure and extremity of what it is safe for him to do. If you do not get a blessing, it is because it is not safe for you to have one. If our heavenly Father were to let your unhumbled spirit win a victory in his holy war, you would pilfer the crown for yourself, and meeting with a fresh enemy you would fall a victim; so that you are kept low for your own safety.

When a man is sincerely humble, and never ventures to touch so much as a grain of the praise, there is scarcely any limit to what God will do for him. Humility makes us ready to be blessed by the God of all grace, and fits us to deal efficiently with our fellow men. True humility is a flower which will adorn any garden.”

- Charles Spurgeon, Morning & Evening, April 5

Jesus Draws Near!

Of First Importance

“[Jesus Christ] is the God who, in his holy love, judges humanity but who draws near in so doing, for he will not hold himself aloof from men and women; but he is also the man who in our place draws near to God and so submits himself to the divine judgment, offering himself in sacrifice to God. Jesus Christ combines both acts in himself, within the unity of his own incarnate personal life, so that he is himself propitiation acutely personalized in both its Godward and manward aspects.”

- Thomas F. Torrance, Atonement: The Person and Work of Christ (Downers Grove, Ill.; IVP Academic, 2009), 68-69.

The heart of the matter!

What is one of the toughest thing to do?? For me, it is biting my tongue....Ouch!!Yeah! I'm talking about the taming of our tongues!! My tongue is a dangerous piece of muscle lying in my mouth, capable of extensive activity. This activity brings more disaster than good!

My biggest activity is talking....words, words words!!!!!! And guess what?? My words are a clear and strong indicator of the condition of my heart!! :(

"For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks." Matthew 12:34b.

So, in order to control my tongue, I need to understand the workings of my heart! Ok...The root cause is my heart!! Gotcha...

What does God's word have to say about the human heart?
"The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately sick; who can understand it?" Jeremiah 17:9 (Emphasis mine)
Whoa! That's a terrible verdict, a fairly bad diagnosis. But, take a look what it says further.......
"I the LORD search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways according to the fruit of his deeds." verse 10

Only God knows and completely understands the workings of our sinful hearts!!

This was psalmist's genuine heart cry to God who sees it all!
"Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me and lead me in the way everlasting!"Psalm 139:23-24

One of the best ways to keep a diligent watch on our deceptive hearts is by obeying and continuously delighting in God's word alone!!
"Moreover, by them is your servant warned, in keeping them there is great reward." Psalm 19:11

Therefore, we can humbly ask Jesus Our LORD and Savior and seek His divine help in the taming of our vile tongues.
"Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer. " Psalm 19:14

The goodness of God!

I have realized that it is good to pray. It is good to draw near to God. To experience His faithfulness in all things and be reminded that it is He who answers prayers! He is good and all His ways are good. To enjoy the benefits of seeking Him as our all in all. He is the true joy giver!

Jesus truly says in John 10:10b:
"I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."

" God is my helper and the upholder of my life." Psalm 54:4. He is my refuge and my strong deliverer.

"Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!" Psalm 34:8

Yes!! "It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praises to your name, O Most High;" Psalm 92:1

Who are you, O man, to talk back to God?

(Thomas Watson, "Body of Divinity")

"I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion. It does not, therefore, depend on man's desire or effort, but on God's mercy." Romans 9:15-16

God has a sovereign right and authority over man. He can do with His creatures as He pleases. Who shall dispute with God? Who shall ask Him a reason of His doings? "Who are you, O man, to talk back to God? Shall what is formed say to him who formed it—Why did you make me like this?" Romans 9:20

"Our God is in heaven and does whatever He pleases." Psalm 115:3

"The Lord does whatever He pleases in heaven and on earth, in the seas and all the depths." Psalm 135:6

God sits as judge in the highest court, and is not bound to give a reason for His proceedings. "He puts down one, and raises up another." He has salvation and damnation in His power. He has the key of justice in His hand, to lock up whomever He will, in the fiery prison of hell!

And He has the key of mercy in His hand, to open heaven's gate to whomever He pleases! The name engraved upon His vesture is, "King of kings, and Lord of lords!" He sits Lord paramount, and who can call Him to account? The world is God's house, and shall not He do what He desires in His own house?

"My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please!" Isaiah 46:10

"Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns!" Revelation 19:6

You are my beloved child, in whom I delight

“Have you heard God’s blessing in your inmost being? Are the words “You are my beloved child, in whom I delight” an endless source of joy and strength?

Have you sensed, through the Holy Spirit, God speaking them to you? That blessing – the blessing through the Spirit that is ours through Christ – is what Jacob received, and it is the only remedy against idolatry. Only that blessing makes idols unnecessary.

As with Jacob, we usually discover this only after a life of ‘looking for blessing in all the wrong places.’ It often takes an experience of crippling weakness for us to finally discover it. That is why so many of the most God-blessed people limp as they dance for joy.”

- Timothy Keller, Counterfeit Gods (New York, NY: Penguin Group, 2009), 164.

I did it again!! :(

Every time I sin, I make light of God's grace in my life! My actions clearly manifest, lack of trust in the All-Powerful God and reveals the presence of remaining sin in my flesh. What am I thinking when I disobey God?? Is it a sense of over confidence, that quietly seeps into me, when I give in to temptation?? What does God's word say?

"But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire." James 1:14. The sparks are within me to start a fire!!!!

What more does God's word say? "But I say, walk by the Spirit and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh." Galatians 5:16. A simple command to follow and believe!

"Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, 'Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, on the day of testing in the wilderness." Hebrews 3: 7, 8

Yes!! Listen to what God's word says in regard to temptation. Take a close look at this verse!!!!
"No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation He will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. " 1 Corinthians 10:13 (emphasis mine!)

And don't forget what it says in Romans 15:4. "For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures, we might have hope."

Faithfully promised!!

"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you" Isaiah 43:2

God has promised trials for His children. There is no escaping with this fact. Sometimes, it is through deep waters or rivers and sometimes you are called to walk through fire! If you read the verse carefully, it says 'pass' and 'walk'. There is no sense of hurry or impatience; slowly one step at a time!

But, look at what God has to say, "I will be with you". That is His promise. He has promised to be present in our deepest afflictions. And no matter, how hard our trials, God will not give more than we can bear. He is compassionate!!

Look at the verse, "When you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you." (emphasis mine!)

God is faithful in all His words and kind in all His works. (Psalms 145:13)

The Sluggard

A poem by Isaac Watts based on Proverbs 24:30-34.

'Tis the voice of the sluggard;I heard him complain,
"You have waked me too soon,I must slumber again."
As the door on its hinges, so he on his bed,
Turns his sides and his shoulders and his heavy head.

"A little more sleep, and a little more slumber;"
Thus he wastes half his days, and his hours without number,
And when he gets up, he sits folding his hands,
Or walks about sauntering, or trifling he stands.

I pass'd by his garden, and saw the wild brier,
The thorn and the thistle grow broader and higher;
The clothes that hang on him are turning to rags;
And his money still wastes till he starves or he begs.

I made him a visit, still hoping to find
That he took better care for improving his mind:
He told me his dreams, talked of eating and drinking;
But scarce reads his Bible, and never loves thinking.

Said I then to my heart, "Here's a lesson for me,"
This man's but a picture of what I might be:
But thanks to my friends for their care in my breeding,
Who taught me betimes to love working and reading.

by Isaac Watts

“Father” is the Christian name for God

“If you want to judge how well a person understands Christianity, find out how much he makes of the thought of being God’s child, and having God as his Father. If this is not the thought that prompts and controls his worship and prayers and his whole outlook on life, it means that he does not understand Christianity very well at all.

For everything that Christ taught, everything that makes the New Testament new, and better than the Old, everything that is distinctively Christian as opposed to merely Jewish, is summed up in the knowledge of the Fatherhood of God. “Father” is the Christian name for God. Our understanding of Christianity cannot be better than our grasp of adoption.”

—J.I. Packer, Knowing God (Downers Grove, IL: 1993), 201-202

(HT: Between Two Worlds)

A Decade Old Letter that Encouraged Me

My sister was rummaging through our cupboard the other day in pursuit of some diary or book. Instead she found a bunch of letters that I had written to her ten years ago. It was the time back when I was in High School and my sister was doing her college in another city. It was fun to read all the letters I had written to her. To read about the things that go on in a 15 year old's head:) But there was this particular letter that I had written to her after I had attended a Vacation Bible Camp. One of the speakers had shared the gospel in the camp. It was in May of 1999 that God worked in my heart and revealed to me my sinfulness. The realization that I cannot get to heaven based on my righteousness (which are like filthy rags). The truth that Christ died for my sins and that I can enter Heaven only though Him. God sees me Holy through Jesus Christ. What a joy!!!!

Just to read that letter was so encouraging to my soul. To see how the Spirit works and that there is nothing that I can boast in, because I was dead in my sins and Christ regenerated me. Even as i was reading that letter, to see how the Lord has worked in me patiently, faithfully teaching me through His word. The journey so far has been beautiful, those filled with sweet fellowship with God and fellow believers , various trials( given by God to make me more like Him) and wisdom from the Bible. I praise God for who He is and His faithfulness, through this journey. He has been with me every single day. He is my Father, Saviour, Redeemer and Friend.

Even as I end this post, the song that is playing on my computer is"The Glory of The Cross". How apt:) So here are the words:


What wisdom once devised the plan
Where all our sin and pride
Was placed upon the perfect Lamb
Who suffered, bled, and died?
The wisdom of a Sovereign God
Whose greatness will be shown
When those who crucified Your Son
Rejoice around Your throne

And, oh, the glory of the cross
That You would send Your Son for us
I gladly count my life as loss
That I might come to know
The glory of, the glory of the cross

What righteousness was there revealed
That sets the guilty free
That justifies ungodly men
And calls the filthy clean?
A righteousness that proved to all
Your justice has been
And holy wrath is satisfied
Through one atoning death

What mercy now has been proclaimed
For those who would believe
A love incomprehensible
Our minds could not conceive?
A mercy that forgives my sin
Then makes me like Your Son
And now I’m loved forevermore
Because of what You’ve done

Words and music by Bob Kauflin
As recorded on Songs for the Cross Centered Life
© 2000 Sovereign Grace Praise (BMI).

Wonderful Savior

I have been singing this song and I love the words, so here are the lyrics:

Wonderful Savior

How can we not sing out to the One who saved us
And covered us with Your blood
Casting all our sin into Your sea of mercy
Crowning us with Your love?

Wonderful Savior, beautiful Jesus
Bending down to lift us up
Out of our darkness, into Your brightness
Calling us Your own
Wonderful Savior, beautiful Jesus
We will always love You
Wonderful Savior, beautiful Jesus

How can we not sing out to the One who changed us
And gave us eternal hope
Capturing our hearts, flooding us with gladness
That someday we’ll see Your face?

Words and music by Mark Altrogge
As recorded on Songs for the Cross Centered Life

You can also listen to the song here

© 2003 Sovereign Grace Praise (BMI).