I guess the best way is to start from zero?
Back to fundamentals... learn the basics...
Just as the height of a tree is proportional to the depth of its roots, so does this principle manifest in so many other issues...
Monday, August 31, 2009
Sunday, August 30, 2009
6No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him.
7Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. He who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. 8He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work. 9No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God. 10This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother.
1 John 3: 6-10
1 John 1:8: “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves,
and the truth is not in us.” We! We born-again Christians.
In other words, don’t let the deception of these false teachers
work its way into your own self-deception. There are no sinless
Christians
1 John 2:1: “My little children, I am writing these
things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we
have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” In
other words, John does not assume that if you sin, you are not
born again. He assumes that if you sin, you have an Advocate.
And only those who are born again have this Advocate.
1 John 5:16-17: “If anyone sees his brother committing
a sin not leading to death, he shall ask, and God will
give him life—to those who commit sins that do not lead to
death. There is sin that leads to death; I do not say that one
should pray for that. All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin
that does not lead to death.”
Notice that last clause: “There is sin that does not lead to death.”
This is why you can see your brother committing sin. He is your
brother. He is born again. And he is sinning. How can this be?
Because there is sin that does not lead to death. I don’t think
John has particular kinds of sins in view, but rather degrees of
rootedness and habitual persistence. There is a point of confirmed
sinning which may take you over the line of no return and you
will be like Esau who sought repentance with tears and could
not find it (Heb. 12:16–17). He could not repent. If he could have,
there would have been forgiveness. But the heart can become so
hardened by sin that even its desires to repent are counterfeit
Adapted from "Finally Alive" by John Piper
7Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. He who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. 8He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work. 9No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God. 10This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother.
1 John 3: 6-10
1 John 1:8: “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves,
and the truth is not in us.” We! We born-again Christians.
In other words, don’t let the deception of these false teachers
work its way into your own self-deception. There are no sinless
Christians
1 John 2:1: “My little children, I am writing these
things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we
have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” In
other words, John does not assume that if you sin, you are not
born again. He assumes that if you sin, you have an Advocate.
And only those who are born again have this Advocate.
1 John 5:16-17: “If anyone sees his brother committing
a sin not leading to death, he shall ask, and God will
give him life—to those who commit sins that do not lead to
death. There is sin that leads to death; I do not say that one
should pray for that. All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin
that does not lead to death.”
Notice that last clause: “There is sin that does not lead to death.”
This is why you can see your brother committing sin. He is your
brother. He is born again. And he is sinning. How can this be?
Because there is sin that does not lead to death. I don’t think
John has particular kinds of sins in view, but rather degrees of
rootedness and habitual persistence. There is a point of confirmed
sinning which may take you over the line of no return and you
will be like Esau who sought repentance with tears and could
not find it (Heb. 12:16–17). He could not repent. If he could have,
there would have been forgiveness. But the heart can become so
hardened by sin that even its desires to repent are counterfeit
Adapted from "Finally Alive" by John Piper
Ride of Life
The wheels of life are turnin’
I feel like I’m rollin’ down this track
And I know down deep inside my heart
I can’t look back
And though it’s hard discerning all of the fiction from the fact
You led me to this truth and we have made a pact
So as we go through highs and lows
And all those in between
It’s good to know I’m not alone
On this big scream machine...
'Cause it’s a rollercoaster ride of life
Lifts you up and lets you down
It’s a rollercoaster ride of life
Spins you ’round and ’round and ’round
Heaven knows wherever you go,
I’ll be right by your side,
On this rollercoaster, rollercoaster ride of life
Rollercoaster ride of life
So when I hear you callin’
’Cause you have hit your all-time low,
I will hold you to my side and I won’t let you go
And when it seems you’ve fallen
’Cause life has got you on a road
I will take the wheel and hit the brakes,
We’ll take it slow
And as we go through highs and lows
And all though in between
The Lord alone is in control
Of this big scream machine
The Lord is faithful,
He’ll be right by your side on this...
Rollercoaster ride
The wheels of life are turnin’
I feel like I’m rollin’ down this track
And I know down deep inside my heart
I can’t look back
And though it’s hard discerning all of the fiction from the fact
You led me to this truth and we have made a pact
So as we go through highs and lows
And all those in between
It’s good to know I’m not alone
On this big scream machine...
'Cause it’s a rollercoaster ride of life
Lifts you up and lets you down
It’s a rollercoaster ride of life
Spins you ’round and ’round and ’round
Heaven knows wherever you go,
I’ll be right by your side,
On this rollercoaster, rollercoaster ride of life
Rollercoaster ride of life
So when I hear you callin’
’Cause you have hit your all-time low,
I will hold you to my side and I won’t let you go
And when it seems you’ve fallen
’Cause life has got you on a road
I will take the wheel and hit the brakes,
We’ll take it slow
And as we go through highs and lows
And all though in between
The Lord alone is in control
Of this big scream machine
The Lord is faithful,
He’ll be right by your side on this...
Rollercoaster ride
Saturday, August 29, 2009
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back from captivity. [b] I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile." Jeremiah 29:11-14
17 The LORD your God is with you,
he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
he will quiet you with his love,
he will rejoice over you with singing."
18 "The sorrows for the appointed feasts
I will remove from you;
they are a burden and a reproach to you. [a]
19 At that time I will deal
with all who oppressed you;
I will rescue the lame
and gather those who have been scattered.
I will give them praise and honor
in every land where they were put to shame.
Zephaniah 3:17-19
There is no sin too great,
God cannot forgive it.
There is no loss,
He cannot restore.
There is no scar,
He cannot heal.
There is no distance you can go,
His grace cannot reach.
There is nothing—absolutely nothing—
to stop His love and mercy for you.
If there is breath in your being,
there is hope.
There is hope.
God cannot forgive it.
There is no loss,
He cannot restore.
There is no scar,
He cannot heal.
There is no distance you can go,
His grace cannot reach.
There is nothing—absolutely nothing—
to stop His love and mercy for you.
If there is breath in your being,
there is hope.
There is hope.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Lord... help me with the things that I don't know I don't know....
The Great Error That Must Be Exploded (John Piper, 1988)
The great error that I am trying to explode in these messages is the error that says, faith in God is one thing and the fight for holiness is another thing. Faith gets you to heaven and holiness gets you rewards. You get your justification by faith, and you get your sanctification by works. You start the Christian life in the power of the Spirit, you press on in the efforts of the flesh. This is the great evangelical error of our day. The battle for obedience is optional, they say, because only faith is necessary for salvation.
Our response: the battle for obedience is absolutely necessary for salvation because it IS the fight of faith.
adapted from desiringgod.org
The Great Error That Must Be Exploded (John Piper, 1988)
The great error that I am trying to explode in these messages is the error that says, faith in God is one thing and the fight for holiness is another thing. Faith gets you to heaven and holiness gets you rewards. You get your justification by faith, and you get your sanctification by works. You start the Christian life in the power of the Spirit, you press on in the efforts of the flesh. This is the great evangelical error of our day. The battle for obedience is optional, they say, because only faith is necessary for salvation.
Our response: the battle for obedience is absolutely necessary for salvation because it IS the fight of faith.
adapted from desiringgod.org
Monday, August 10, 2009
Back from Cambodia...
Wow... amazing how time flies at Cambodia...
I am still quite tired even after a good night's rest, thus I shall not elaborate too much on my OCIP trip to Cambodia.
In general, I have had many good memories in Cambodia, and forged a few good friends over there. I miss the children, and I will definitely be back to UNACAS, the orphanage, to visit the children. I realised I was not very prepared, and I will bring some gifts that can meet the needs of the children when I go back.
UNACAS is a christian orphanage, and I have gained some spiritual lessons as well. They are a very hospitable bunch, very friendly, and make complete strangers feel very welcomed in a matter of minutes. And their passion in singing songs of praise to God, as well as their desire to learn more Christian songs is inspiring. Through them I got to know this song by Casting Crowns - Who am I. I would like to share this song to many others, as I feel the lyrics are really beautiful and meanginful.
Who am I
Who am I?
That the Lord of all the earth,
Would care to know my name,
Would care to feel my hurt.
Who am I?
That the bright and morning star,
Would choose to light the way,
For my ever wondering heart.
Not because of who I am.
But because of what you've done.
Not because of what I've done.
But because of who you are.
Chorus:
I am a flower quickly fading,
Here today and gone tomorrow.
A wave tossed in the ocean,
A vapor in the wind.
Still you hear me when I'm calling,
Lord you catch me when I'm falling,
And you told me who I am.
I am yours.
I am yours.
Who am I?
That the eyes that see my sin
Would look on me with love
And watch me rise again
Who am I?
That the voice that calm the sea,
Would call out through the rain,
And calm the storm in me.
Not because of who I am.
But because what of youve done.
Not because of what I've done.
But because of who you are.
Chorus:
I am a flower quickly fading,
Here today and gone tomorrow.
A wave tossed in the ocean,
A vapor in the wind.
Still you hear me when I'm calling,
Lord you catch me when I'm falling,
And you told me who I am.
I am yours.
Not because of who I am.
But because of what you've done.
Not because of what I've done.
But because of who you are.
Chorus:
I am a flower quickly fading,
Here today and gone tomorrow.
A wave tossed in the ocean,
A vapor in the wind.
Still you hear me when I'm calling,
Lord you catch me when I'm falling,
You told me who I am.
I am yours.
I am yours.
Whom shall I fear?
Whom shall I fear?
'Cuz I am yours.
I am yours.
I shall blog about the rest of my trip another day, I hope. And I will try to post some photos as well...
Well, school's starting... and I don't think I'm ready for it yet... shall take the next few days to prepare my mood for school...
I am still quite tired even after a good night's rest, thus I shall not elaborate too much on my OCIP trip to Cambodia.
In general, I have had many good memories in Cambodia, and forged a few good friends over there. I miss the children, and I will definitely be back to UNACAS, the orphanage, to visit the children. I realised I was not very prepared, and I will bring some gifts that can meet the needs of the children when I go back.
UNACAS is a christian orphanage, and I have gained some spiritual lessons as well. They are a very hospitable bunch, very friendly, and make complete strangers feel very welcomed in a matter of minutes. And their passion in singing songs of praise to God, as well as their desire to learn more Christian songs is inspiring. Through them I got to know this song by Casting Crowns - Who am I. I would like to share this song to many others, as I feel the lyrics are really beautiful and meanginful.
Who am I
Who am I?
That the Lord of all the earth,
Would care to know my name,
Would care to feel my hurt.
Who am I?
That the bright and morning star,
Would choose to light the way,
For my ever wondering heart.
Not because of who I am.
But because of what you've done.
Not because of what I've done.
But because of who you are.
Chorus:
I am a flower quickly fading,
Here today and gone tomorrow.
A wave tossed in the ocean,
A vapor in the wind.
Still you hear me when I'm calling,
Lord you catch me when I'm falling,
And you told me who I am.
I am yours.
I am yours.
Who am I?
That the eyes that see my sin
Would look on me with love
And watch me rise again
Who am I?
That the voice that calm the sea,
Would call out through the rain,
And calm the storm in me.
Not because of who I am.
But because what of youve done.
Not because of what I've done.
But because of who you are.
Chorus:
I am a flower quickly fading,
Here today and gone tomorrow.
A wave tossed in the ocean,
A vapor in the wind.
Still you hear me when I'm calling,
Lord you catch me when I'm falling,
And you told me who I am.
I am yours.
Not because of who I am.
But because of what you've done.
Not because of what I've done.
But because of who you are.
Chorus:
I am a flower quickly fading,
Here today and gone tomorrow.
A wave tossed in the ocean,
A vapor in the wind.
Still you hear me when I'm calling,
Lord you catch me when I'm falling,
You told me who I am.
I am yours.
I am yours.
Whom shall I fear?
Whom shall I fear?
'Cuz I am yours.
I am yours.
I shall blog about the rest of my trip another day, I hope. And I will try to post some photos as well...
Well, school's starting... and I don't think I'm ready for it yet... shall take the next few days to prepare my mood for school...
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