Christ Alone

"Without the renewed mind, we will distort the Scriptures to avoid their radical commands for self-denial, and love, and purity, and supreme satisfaction in Christ alone."
~John Piper

Sad but true, we have seen people, including those who appear to be "active" Christians distort the Scriptures to justify their sins, to serve their own agendas, and even to commit crimes. Satan knows the Scriptures. Most atheists know the Scriptures. Pharisees and false teachers know the Scriptures. What do they all have in common? The lack of the renewed mind (and transformed heart)!

"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--His good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:2

Without the renewed mind, the world continues to have a hold on you. Self is still on the throne of your heart. Love is still conditional and selfish. Purity is only for nuns and monks. Supreme satisfaction in Christ alone...no way. However, the Scriptures are clear about denying self (Mark 8:34-36), sacrificial love (1 John 3:16), purity (1 Timothy 4:12), and the spiritual satisfaction which can only be found in Christ alone (John 4:10, 13-14). This quote from St. Augustine comes to mind: "If you believe what you like in the Gospels, and reject what you don't like, it is not the Gospel you believe, but yourself."

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, He is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" 2 Corinthians 5:17
When one is in Christ and becomes a new creation, his/her old way of thinking and living has gone. His/her mind is renewed by God's Word and His Holy Spirit. It all starts with surrendering one's life completely to Christ.

"For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

On a personal note: I received a phone call from my doctor's nurse on Jan. 5th. She said the doctor wanted me to go see him so that he could discuss the ultrasound result with me. No, I'm not pregnant :). I've had intense abdominal pain following my menstrual period for the past few months. Anyway, I didn't know what to expect. I'm thankful that the Lord gave me peace during the waiting days (my doctor appointment was Jan. 9th). I prayed for His will. My life is in His hands and that alone gives me comfort. I, of course, imagined how I would feel/react if I had cancer. By God's grace, I felt ready to face any news. My mind and my heart agree that Christ alone is indeed enough. I hoped and prayed that Christ would always be glorified in me, whether in my sickness or health. When I went to see the doctor, he told me that I have a tumor/fibroid (bigger than a golf ball) in my uterus but it's not cancerous. Praise God! The longer I walk with God in this life journey, the more I find supreme satisfaction in Christ alone!

Christ My All
Christ for sickness, Christ for health,
Christ for poverty, Christ for wealth,
Christ for joy, Christ for sorrow,
Christ today and Christ tomorrow;
Christ my Life, and Christ my Light,
Christ for morning, noon and night,
Christ when all around gives way
Christ my everlasting Stay;
Christ my Strength and Christ my Rest
Christ my Wisdom, Christ wants for me the best
Christ my Well-beloved Friend
Christ my Pleasure without end;
Christ my Savior, Christ my Lord
Christ my Portion, Christ my God,
Christ my Shepherd, I His sheep
Christ Himself my soul to keep;
Christ my Leader, Christ my Peace
Christ hath wrought my soul's release,
Christ my Righteousness divine
Christ for me, for He is mine;
Christ my Advocate and Priest
Christ who never forgets the least;
Christ my Teacher, Christ my Guide,
Christ my Rock, in Christ I hide,
Christ the Ever-living Bread,
Christ His precious blood hath shed;
Christ hath brought me nigh to God,
Christ the everlasting Word
Christ my Master, Christ my Head
Christ who for my sins hath bled;
Christ my Comforter on high,
Christ my Hope, draws ever nigh.

(Source unknown)

Words and Music by Keith Getty & Stuart Townend

This is one of my all-time favorite songs.  In Christ alone, I am who I am today...born again and blessed!

"The great mistake made by most of the Lord's people is in hoping to discover in themselves that which is to be found in Christ alone." A.W. Pink

In Christ we have...
a love that can never be fathomed,
a life that can never die,
a peace that can never be understood,
a rest that can never be disturbed,
a joy that can never be diminished,
a hope that can never be disappointed,
a glory that can never be clouded,
a light that can never be darkened,
and a spiritual resource that can never be exhausted.
~Unknown

You're invited to share your thoughts about the quote above (by John Piper) on your blog and then link up your post here. To learn more about "In Other Words"(what it's about, how it works, and how it originated), visit here.
This post is also linked up with Brag on God Friday @Beholding Glory, Spiritual Sundays, Sharing His Beauty @The Beauty in His Grip, Playdates with God at The Wellspring, and "Hear It, Use It" @Graceful.


P.S. I would like to invite you all to join my page, "Christ Alone" on Facebook. Please feel free to post there anything that is Christ-honoring and feel free to invite your friends to check it out. I dedicate that page to Christ and for His glory alone.

Zer0 Is G00d

Yesterday, I attended the Women's Conference at my church.  The theme was "Create in Me a Clean Heart, O God".  The speaker was Georgene Rice.  She beautifully shared what a pure heart looks like according to God's Word.  She talked about repentance, humility, an eternal perspective, faithfulness, obedience, Biblical worldview, unity, surrender to the Lordship of Jesus, total devotion, contentment, faith, and more.

I'd like to share what I wrote awhile ago about this same theme with a twist :).
 
Usually, when we think of "zero," we think of something negative such as zero points on a score board, zero on a test, zero dollars in our checkbook, etc. But "zero" can be good, very good!

Do you know what’s in your water? It’s not easy to find water that’s just water.  We bought "ZeroWater," a water filtration system that completely removes organic contaminants and metals. The kit included an electronic water tester TDS. This TDS meter is a very cool gadget! It’s the same testing tool used in labs to check for the presence of contaminants. We had lots of fun testing water from different sources. Our tap water showed 031 (parts per million), our filtered water that we had been using (Pur) showed 020, and bottled water showed 038. But when we tested the water that was filtered by our new system, the meter showed 000 (hence the name "ZeroWater"). As pure as it gets, folks! The reading 000 indicates that the tester detects no traces of dissolved solids and chemicals that are usually found in your tap and bottled water. We joked about taking this meter with us when we go eat out at restaurants and using it to test their water. We the Water Inspectors :)!!!

Now…wouldn’t it be interesting to have a heart tester that could detect if there are any contaminants (jealousy, envy, bitterness,….sins)? We all would hope/desire to get the reading 000 which reflects a "pure" heart! I told you, "Zer0 is g00d!"

The test: "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." Psalm 139:23-24

The result: "Who can say, ‘I have kept my heart pure; I am clean and without sin’?" Proverbs 20:9

The solutions:
1. Pray and ask God to cleanse our heart. "Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me." Psalm 51:10

2. Confess our sins and repent.  "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." 1John1:9

3. Live our life according to God’s Word. "How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to Your Word." Psalm 119:9

The benefits:
"Who may ascend the hill of the Lord? Who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false. He will receive blessing from the Lord and vindication from God his Savior." Psalm 24:3-5

"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God." Matthew 5:8

"The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith." 1Timothy1:5

Just as water needs a water filtration system to remove contaminants, our heart needs God to remove our sins/our desire to sin and purify it.
"Come now, let us reason together," says the Lord. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool." Isaiah 1:18
"God, who knows the heart, showed that He accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as He did to us. He made no distinction between us and them, for He purified their hearts by faith." Acts 15:8-9
"For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say 'No' to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and Godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope--the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for Himself a people that are His very own, eager to do what is good." Titus 2:11-14


~Please visit here for the links to other Spiritual Sundays posts. Thanks so much to Charlotte and Ginger for hosting Spiritual Sundays every week. Have a blessed day in the Lord, everyone!

What Has Been On My Mind?

This week, I'm doing something different :).  I copied and pasted what I've been sharing on my Facebook and Twitter.  In the box asking, "What's on your mind?" (on FB) and "What's happening?" (on Twitter), I usually share Bible verses, inspirational quotes, and my thoughts.  Here are some random things that have been on my mind:

"My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions are few, my Guide is reliable, my mission is clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded, or delayed...I am a disciple of Jesus. I must go 'til He comes, give 'til I drop, preach 'til all know, and work 'til He stops me." ~Anne Graham Lotz

"The most important part of our task will be to tell everyone who will listen that Jesus is the only answer to the problems that are disturbing the hearts of men and nations." ~Betsie ten Boom

Life is short; the need to share the Gospel with the lost is urgent. Death is not the worst thing; being separated from God for eternity is.

"There may be days of darkness and distress, when sin has power to tempt, and care to press. Yet in the darkest day I will not fear, for 'midst the shadows, You will still be near. Thank You, Lord Jesus." ~Corrie ten Boom

"How we respond to difficulties will determine whether we are a winner or a whiner. One of Satan’s first temptations when our life appears to be on hold is to tempt us to live by feelings instead of faith." ~Michael Youssef

"Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." (Hebrews 4:16) Let us rest in God's grace and mercy each day...come what may!

"Jesus answered, "I am the Way and the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." (John 14:6) "Too often we want a roadmap to the future rather than a relationship with the Way." (~Henry Blackaby) Apart from Christ, this life journey is meaningless and hopeless! Make sure you know the Way!

“It is better to be divided by truth than to be united in error. It is better to speak the truth that hurts and then heals, than falsehood that comforts and then kills. It is not LOVE and it is not friendship if we fail to declare the whole counsel of God...It’s better to stand alone with the truth than to be wrong with a multitude.” (~Adrian Rogers)  Let's speak the truth in LOVE ♥ !

"If Christianity seems to you to be having rather less than a remarkable impact on the earth, it is because too many Christians have this idea that we are in a waiting game, that we are basically killing time until Jesus comes back and we all get to go to heaven. We are sitting around like people waiting to catch a flight.... That is not what Jesus told us to do; He didn't say, 'Now hold tight in those pews and twiddle your holy thumbs, I'll be back soon as I can.'" (from Love & War by John and Stasi Eldredge, page 111) Jesus gave us a mission: the Great Commission! Let's be active in serving the King of kings and furthering His kingdom!

"God is not glorified when we kept for ourselves (no matter how thankfully) what we ought to be using to alleviate the misery of unevangelized, uneducated, unmedicated, and unfed millions." ~John Piper

"Sympathy is no substitute for action."(David Livingstone, missionary to Africa) "No one would remember the Good Samaritan if he had only had good intentions."(Margaret Thatcher) Faith without action is dead. Love without action is hypocrisy.What are we doing to reach the lost, to help the needy, to give hope to the hopeless, to save the unborn, to feed the hungry, etc.? Sympathy and good intentions just don't cut it!

"Farewell, vain world; my soul bids you adieu. My Savior taught me to abandon you. Your charms may gratify a sensual mind, but cannot please a soul for God designed." ~David Brainerd

You know that you truly love someone when you still love that person even when he/she is unloveable. How thankful I am that God loves me so!

"But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8) "Love sent my Lord to the cross of shame, Love found a way, O praise His holy name!" Unknown

Disappointment & discontent occur when we assume we know how life should be and what God should do, instead of trusting God who knows what's best.

Strive to be like Christ, but never glorify our Christlikeness, in place of Christ.


~Please visit here for the links to other Spiritual Sundays posts. Have a blessed day in the Lord, everyone!

Brainwashed?

When I heard people accuse us Christians of being brainwashed, my first reaction was that we have been heartwashed, not brainwashed :). But then my next reaction was: maybe I want to be...maybe I am brainwashed because I want to have the mind of Christ! "The Lord knows the thoughts of man; He knows that they are futile." Psalm 94:11 I don't want to think as the world thinks. I don't want to think as I (sinner living in the flesh) used to think. I am now a new creation. "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" 2 Corinthians 5:17 My old way of thinking and living has gone, being replaced with the new way of thinking and living according to God's standard.

I believe being heartwashed (repenting, asking Jesus to wash away all our sins, giving our heart to Him, being filled with His love and the Holy Spirit) is/should be followed by being brainwashed (having the mind and the attitudes of Christ, being filled with Philippians 4:8 kind of thoughts, knowing God as the Creator of the universe, meditating day and night on God's Word, choosing/protecting human life no matter how small or how old, putting others above ourselves, etc.) The ways of God are mostly opposite of the ways of this world. The world thinks:- earth came into existence out of the Big Bang, men evolved from apes, killing unborn babies is a matter of choice (exercising women's rights), looking out for ourselves is the wisest thing to do, a white lie is okay, sleeping around is acceptable, young people don't need to obey or listen to their parents because their peers' opinions are more important, the goal in life should be getting rich, successful, and/or famous, women can dress as seductively as they want because they own their body and nothing's wrong with enjoying their "power" over men (playing with their lust and their visual-sensitive mind), couples should get a divorce when they no longer love each other or they fall in love with someone else, or they discover that they are not compatible, etc. From now on, if I were to be accused of having been brainwashed, I would gladly take it as a compliment :)!

"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--His good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:2

"For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

P.S. "Brainwashing" can be a very bad thing. Here I'm talking about the kind that is washed by only God's Word and His Holy Spirit. Being brainwashed by man-made religions, cults, false teachings, or anything that goes against God's Word is detrimental. You need to be aware of that and be like the Bereans (comparing everything to the Scriptures) so that you may be able to detect any lies immediately and won't be brainwashed the wrong way.

Please visit here for the links to other Spiritual Sundays posts. Have a blessed day in the Lord, everyone!