18. Come to Jesus
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Quotes from J. C. Ryle.
It costs something to be a true Christian. Let that never be forgotten. To be a mere nominal Christian, and go to church, is cheap and easy work. But to HEAR Christ’s voice, FOLLOW Christ, BELIEVE in Christ, and CONFESS Christ, requires much SELF-DENIAL. It will cost us our sins, our self-righteousness, our ease, and our worldliness. ALL must be given up. We must fight an enemy who comes against us with thousands of followers. Our Lord Jesus Christ would have us thoroughly understand this. He bids us COUNT THE COST.
Let us remember that the eye of our loving Savior is upon us morning, noon, and night. He will never suffer us to be tempted above that we are able to bear. He can be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, for He suffered himself being tempted. He knows what battles and conflicts are, for He Himself was assaulted by the prince of this world. Having such a High Priest, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
When I survey the wondrous cross - Issac Watts
1. When I survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of Glory died; my richest gain I count but loss, and pour contempt on all my pride. 2. Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast, save in the death of Christ, my God; all the vain things that charm me most, I sacrifice them to his blood. 3. See, from his head, his hands, his feet, sorrow and love flow mingled down. Did e'er such love and sorrow meet, or thorns compose so rich a crown. 4. Were the whole realm of nature mine, that were an offering far too small; love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.
Quotes from J. C. Ryle.
It costs something to be a real Christian, according to the standard of the Bible. There are enemies to be overcome, battles to be fought, sacrifices to be made, an Egypt to be forsaken, a wilderness to be passed through, a cross to be carried, a race to be run. Conversion is not putting a person in an arm-chair and taking them easily to heaven. It is the beginning of a mighty conflict, in which it costs much to win the victory. ~ J.C. Ryle
Monday, February 13, 2012
Does God tell someone to be unequally yoked?
I was in India last year, for a couple of months, and heard a woman give her testimony in church on how God saved her and her husband. It also included her story of how God showed her a Hindu guy and told her that she was going to marry him. Perplexed she asked God how it could be. Long story short, she ended up marrying the guy even though he was still a Hindu. But by Gods grace he later came to know Christ as savior and was saved. This was her story. The pastor thanked her for her testimony and all was well.
But one thing that bugged me ever since was Did God really tell her that? To marry an unbeliever? How did she know that it was truly from Him? Scripture is replete with commands admonishing us not to yoke oneself with unbelievers, not to marry them. We also have plenty of examples of the pain and heartbreak that all those who decided to cross that line had to face. And yet here was this woman giving her testimony as though God approved of her. As though what she did was right because God told her. And how did she know that it came from above? Because her husband later became a christian? Because everything turned out right? Did she ever think of cross checking with scripture. I did it because God told me to do it and it wasn't wrong because it all worked out seemed to be the message she was giving. What nonsense! Never for once did she acknowledge her sin. What about all those young Christians in church? Wonder what kind of message they heard. People hearing voices, telling them what they want to hear, and it has to be from God. And this is not one isolated case. My aunt was telling me of some girls she knew who would marry someone only if they saw them in some sort of "visions". And most of these belong to the pentacostal/charismatic churches that allow for such nonsense.
The woman who shared her testimony should be grateful that in-spite of her ignorance and wrong doing, God in his mercy overturned her sin for His glory by saving her husband. To think that a person would become a believer after marriage (to a believer) is a mistake. Those kind of things rarely happen. And God specifically commands us not to marry an unbeliever. So why even set your heart on one and allow yourself to be tempted to break Gods law? Better to avoid the temptation in the first place. For all those who think that it is okay to disobey God because He might set everything right, just remember that to obey is always better than sacrifice and to heed better than the fat of bulls and rams. If you are really Gods child and you strayed from His path, He will definitely bring you back. No doubt about it. But it is going to involve a lot of pain and suffering which could have been avoided if you had just obeyed Him in the first place. He always has our good in mind. So what excuse have we to disobey Him?, especially in matters of finding a spouse. None. And if you have strayed the sooner you repent the better. Unless you want God to come and get you back which I'm sure you don't.
I didn't intend to post this because of valentines day but the message seems appropriate. If you are a believer, read Gods word, hide it in your heart, meditate on it and let His word guide you in choosing your spouse wisely.
Hymn: Rejoice in the Lord
Title:Rejoice in the Lord
God never moves without purpose or plan
When trying His servant and molding a man.
Give thanks to the LORD though your testing seems long;
In darkness He giveth a song.
I could not see through the shadows ahead;
So I looked at the cross of my Savior instead.
I bowed to the will of the Master that day;
Then peace came and tears fled away.
Now I can see testing comes from above;
God strengthens His children and purges in love.
My Father knows best, and I trust in His care;
Through purging more fruit I will bear.
O Rejoice in the LORD
He makes no mistake,
He knoweth the end of each path that I take,
For when I am tried
And purified,
I shall come forth as gold.
-Ron Hamilton
My pastor sang this hymn last Sunday. Thought I would post it here.
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Misc. thoughts at the beginning of 2012.
Haven't posted in a while. So there...:-).
Gods riches at Christs expense (G.R.A.C.E)
Last year has been good. Not everything panned out as planned but as long as God is in control there is nothing to worry. It has been quite a challenge trusting God last couple of years but as always He has proved Himself faithful and will continue to do so. He promised to help me and never to forsake me. And that is enough for me. Every time I feel inclined to murmur and complain, (which I do sometimes (many times?(many many times?(many many many times?(...)))) :-( ) I keep looking at that great man Job and marvel at how he could keep his faith in God even after all he has been through.
Given how the years seem to fly nowadays, one thing that has been on my mind is, how I haven't done anything for my Savior Jesus Christ after all that He has done for me. Would be nice to know that I haven't wasted my life on the trifles that this world has to offer in exchange for the eternal rewards Christ is ready to give if only we are willing to trust and obey Him.
Have to read my bible properly. Haven't done that in a while.
All silver tea cups:
My math education is going on. Not as fast as I had hoped. But I want finish at least 4 books this year. One on inequalites ( I really enjoy this one and the reason I am halfway through), linear algebra, combinatorics & concrete mathematics. After that, analysis, probability and statistics, stochastic processes, harmonic analysis, algebraic geometry...I would also like to learn some DSP and statistical methods in machine learning as applied to speech recognition.
WYSIWYG:
Might have to buy a mac, mini or book, not sure which one yet. But I would like to learn some app development for the iPad. Improve my C# and coding skills in general. Software engineering->boring!
Every good boy does fine:
My piano playing has improved and I am getting better at sight reading. Time to learn some music theory and music composition. but given everything else I am doing I don't have much time. I was of the opinion that Chopin was the best (piano) composer ever. I have changed my mind and Beethoven takes first place now with Chopin coming a close second. His sonatas and symphonies. I want to know how he could construct such beautiful melodies out of thin air. How? How? I guess that's the difference between ordinary people like me and geniuses like him.
You cannot be serious:
Preparing for the upcoming tennis season. Once summer starts, my piano playing will have to take second priority. So much to learn and so little time.
Ending with a doxology I love.
Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Thats all folks!
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
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