Oh God, has love for Thee waxed cold?
Has troubles cause my being to wane and turn from Thee?
Why Lord, why?
How long wilt I remain in this state without realising the importance of Thee in my life?
Oh turn me from my ways,
Give me love, to You and all around.
Been really confused lately. No idea why, but maybe this period is for me to reflect. Ever since I've stepped into JC, it's been a whole new kinda thing for me. Less play, more work, new friends. Well, some of you may know that I don't really like change, but as the Lord wills, so will I follow.
It's been tough and all lately, and I admit sometimes I get caught up so much in work that I find myself having studies as my god, and always thinking that "Oh, I shouldn't trouble God with that. I can do it myself". I believe God is teaching me a lesson:
"Without Him, Ye can do nothing"
Sigh, it's just too much for me to bear, and I think I'm about to reach my limit of confusion, anger and weariness. But when I think of these, I think of Psalm 34: 6, "This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles."
Read through Isiah 26 yesterday out of the blue, and verse 3 and 4 spoke to me in a special but meaningful way. "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:"
Brethren, be thou encouraged. Our Father is always there to help lead and guide us, and nothing happens to us without His prior knowledge and consentment. Trust that He will keep thee in perfect peace! But be warned, this will only occur when thou trusteth in Him.
May our hope always be in Him, the eternal Potentate of time.
In the love of Christ,
Timo
Monday, May 18, 2009
Monday, January 5, 2009
2009's 1st Post
It's been so long since I've last blogged, and I don't know what compels me to now, but whatever it is, I shall do a short one.
Brethren, recently I've been confronted with many problems, some of my own, some of friends, and some of just needless worries. But one thing have I gleaned from all these, that the Lord is in control of all.
"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28
That is one comforting verse that I hold dear to my heart as well. Although simple, it shows how the Lord uses circumstances in our lives to shape and mould us, and that ultimately everything will be for our benefit. How oft we have blamed the Lord and murmured against Him because we feel dissatisfied with some situation! Repent, and realise that our God chooses these trials for our edification, and sometimes even to make us realise our helplessness without Him.
O for a closer walk with Thee.
That I may know Jesus, that's my plea.
May our prayer for this new year be that we will learn to accept trials and problems as one of God's methods of teaching us, and that being tried by this fire, we shall "come forth as gold". (Job 23:10)
In Christ,
Timo
Brethren, recently I've been confronted with many problems, some of my own, some of friends, and some of just needless worries. But one thing have I gleaned from all these, that the Lord is in control of all.
"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28
That is one comforting verse that I hold dear to my heart as well. Although simple, it shows how the Lord uses circumstances in our lives to shape and mould us, and that ultimately everything will be for our benefit. How oft we have blamed the Lord and murmured against Him because we feel dissatisfied with some situation! Repent, and realise that our God chooses these trials for our edification, and sometimes even to make us realise our helplessness without Him.
O for a closer walk with Thee.
That I may know Jesus, that's my plea.
May our prayer for this new year be that we will learn to accept trials and problems as one of God's methods of teaching us, and that being tried by this fire, we shall "come forth as gold". (Job 23:10)
In Christ,
Timo
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
01102008
We have heard dying men singing themselves into the bottomless pit with this lullaby, “Yes, sir, I am a sinner, but God is merciful; God is good.” Ah! dear friends, let such remember that God is just as well as good, and that he will by no means spare the guilty, except through the great atonement of his Son Jesus Christ. The doctrine of election, in a most blessedly honest manner does come in, and breaks the neck, once for all, of all this false and groundless confidence in the uncovenanted mercy of God. Sinner, you have no right to trust to the goodness of God out of Christ. There is no word in the whole Book of Inspiration, which gives the shadow of a hope to the man who will not believe in Jesus Christ. It says of him, “He that believeth not shall be damned.” It declares of you, who are resting upon such a poor confidence as the unpromised favor of heaven, “Other foundation can no man lay than that which is laid, Jesus Christ the righteous.”
From a sermon by Charles Spurgeon entitled "Election No Discouragement To Seeking Souls," delivered February 7, 1864.
This is credited to http://www.thedailyspurgeon.com/ a good site to visit and read short passages from spurgeon's sermons. May you be encouraged, and may the lost find Christ even whilst there is still time.
"Behold, now is the accepted time, behold, now is the day of salvation." 2 Corinthians 6:2
In Christ,
Timo
From a sermon by Charles Spurgeon entitled "Election No Discouragement To Seeking Souls," delivered February 7, 1864.
This is credited to http://www.thedailyspurgeon.com/ a good site to visit and read short passages from spurgeon's sermons. May you be encouraged, and may the lost find Christ even whilst there is still time.
"Behold, now is the accepted time, behold, now is the day of salvation." 2 Corinthians 6:2
In Christ,
Timo
Monday, September 22, 2008
Monday, 220908
Greetings to all, and peace be unto you.
Hope everyone has been doing fine lately. How's studies? O's are coming up real soon and it's really time to hit the books. However, for us, we must be mindful that we are doing this to glorify God!
"I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, bessech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called." Ephesians 4:1
As the Lord has therefore called us to be His children, but at the same time to be students at this point in time, so we must do all to the best of our capabilities. Afterall, we are to do like what is commanded in 1 Corinthians 10:31, "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God."
What this basically means is that whatever we do, be it eating, drinking, studying, or even talking, we should do it with the motive of wanting to gloryify God through that action.
I urge you therefore to keep close to the Lord. Only by constantly communing with Him and keeping close to Him will you find it easier to have Christ as the centre of your life. Thank God in everything, for He giveth and He taketh away. Blessed be the name of the Lord!
May you strive to glorify God in all that you do, and remember to keep close to Him despite the constant building-up of pressure as the O's/A's approach. To God be the glory!
In Christ,
Timo
Hope everyone has been doing fine lately. How's studies? O's are coming up real soon and it's really time to hit the books. However, for us, we must be mindful that we are doing this to glorify God!
"I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, bessech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called." Ephesians 4:1
As the Lord has therefore called us to be His children, but at the same time to be students at this point in time, so we must do all to the best of our capabilities. Afterall, we are to do like what is commanded in 1 Corinthians 10:31, "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God."
What this basically means is that whatever we do, be it eating, drinking, studying, or even talking, we should do it with the motive of wanting to gloryify God through that action.
I urge you therefore to keep close to the Lord. Only by constantly communing with Him and keeping close to Him will you find it easier to have Christ as the centre of your life. Thank God in everything, for He giveth and He taketh away. Blessed be the name of the Lord!
May you strive to glorify God in all that you do, and remember to keep close to Him despite the constant building-up of pressure as the O's/A's approach. To God be the glory!
In Christ,
Timo
Sunday, June 29, 2008
A Purple Robe
Hi all. Here's just a little song for you to ponder over what Christ has done for us on the cross at Calvary. For Christian brethren, take time to reflect and remember His death on the cross, and for those outside the kingdom of God, this is what Christ has done for you.
A purple robe, a crown of thorns,
A reed in His right hand;
Before the soldiers' spite and scorn
I see my Saviour stand.
He bears between the Roman guards
The weight of all our woe;
A stumbling figure bowed and scarred
I see my Saviour go.
Fast to the cross' spreading span,
High in the sunlit air,
All the unnumbered sins of man
I see my Saviour bear.
He hangs, by whom the world was made,
Beneath the darkened sky;
The everlasting ransom paid,
I see my Saviour die.
He shares on high His Father's throne,
Who once in mercy came;
For all His love to sinners shown,
I sing my Saviour's name.
In Christ,
Timo
A purple robe, a crown of thorns,
A reed in His right hand;
Before the soldiers' spite and scorn
I see my Saviour stand.
He bears between the Roman guards
The weight of all our woe;
A stumbling figure bowed and scarred
I see my Saviour go.
Fast to the cross' spreading span,
High in the sunlit air,
All the unnumbered sins of man
I see my Saviour bear.
He hangs, by whom the world was made,
Beneath the darkened sky;
The everlasting ransom paid,
I see my Saviour die.
He shares on high His Father's throne,
Who once in mercy came;
For all His love to sinners shown,
I sing my Saviour's name.
In Christ,
Timo
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
27th May 2008
Just to leave your guys with a verse for today:
"For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:9
Well, the simple truth to some may be difficult to accept, but we must always recognise that God's ways are higher than ours, so we will never be able to fully comprehend what He has install for us.
Sometimes we may ask "Why do so many trials befall me?" or "Why are some people elected to be saved while others aren't?". These are all, granted, tough questions that the Bible may or may not have answers to. Those that the Bible has answers to, the Lord has allowed us to gain an insight to. However, those answers not stated in the Bible, we must know that it is not for us to know.
As Deuteronomy 29:29 states: "The secret things belong unto the Lord our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law."
In Christ,
Timo
"For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:9
Well, the simple truth to some may be difficult to accept, but we must always recognise that God's ways are higher than ours, so we will never be able to fully comprehend what He has install for us.
Sometimes we may ask "Why do so many trials befall me?" or "Why are some people elected to be saved while others aren't?". These are all, granted, tough questions that the Bible may or may not have answers to. Those that the Bible has answers to, the Lord has allowed us to gain an insight to. However, those answers not stated in the Bible, we must know that it is not for us to know.
As Deuteronomy 29:29 states: "The secret things belong unto the Lord our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law."
In Christ,
Timo
Monday, May 5, 2008
Hey guys! Long time no blog. Been kinda busy at the moment, struggling with studies a little as well as VBS preparations. Also have to think of a theme for the LTF camp. Hope I'll be able to cope with all this by the grace of God.
Anyway, just wanted to share a verse I shared with lucas on saturday.
Romans 6:13
Neither yield ye your members as instrements of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of the rightousness unto God.
Basically what this verse is talking about is that we as Christians should constantly be reminding ourselves that our bodies are for the Lord's use, and not to carry out our own unrighteous deeds. As verse 12 of the same book states: "Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof."
Sometimes we may be struggling with very pertinent sins, sins which are hard to quit no matter how hard we try. However, we must realise that to refuse it and resist it by our own strength is not enough. We must present ourselves a living sacrifice to God with our whole heart, and then, only then, will we be delivered from sin itself. Ofcourse from time to time we will still face temptation because we are all imperfect, but by yielding your life to Him, we will be constantly reminded how He is able to provide a way to deliver us.
Been struggling with a problem lately too, and it's something maybe a few of us face often. However, I am constantly reminded how I should not yield to temptation. I always remind myself that if I do, I would be going against the Word of God, and that this action of mine will be judged when I see Him again. Song Of Solomon 12:14 states: "For God shall bring every work into judgement, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil." Should not be afraid?
But rest assure that "where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:" Our Lord will not forsake us and leave us alone in our greatest time of need. We sometimes wonder why we have to go through so many trials and temptations, but all these are to purge us, that "when I'm tried, I shall come forth as gold".
May those who have not believe quickly come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, according to the perfect will of God. To God be the glory!
In Christ,
Timo
Anyway, just wanted to share a verse I shared with lucas on saturday.
Romans 6:13
Neither yield ye your members as instrements of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of the rightousness unto God.
Basically what this verse is talking about is that we as Christians should constantly be reminding ourselves that our bodies are for the Lord's use, and not to carry out our own unrighteous deeds. As verse 12 of the same book states: "Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof."
Sometimes we may be struggling with very pertinent sins, sins which are hard to quit no matter how hard we try. However, we must realise that to refuse it and resist it by our own strength is not enough. We must present ourselves a living sacrifice to God with our whole heart, and then, only then, will we be delivered from sin itself. Ofcourse from time to time we will still face temptation because we are all imperfect, but by yielding your life to Him, we will be constantly reminded how He is able to provide a way to deliver us.
Been struggling with a problem lately too, and it's something maybe a few of us face often. However, I am constantly reminded how I should not yield to temptation. I always remind myself that if I do, I would be going against the Word of God, and that this action of mine will be judged when I see Him again. Song Of Solomon 12:14 states: "For God shall bring every work into judgement, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil." Should not be afraid?
But rest assure that "where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:" Our Lord will not forsake us and leave us alone in our greatest time of need. We sometimes wonder why we have to go through so many trials and temptations, but all these are to purge us, that "when I'm tried, I shall come forth as gold".
May those who have not believe quickly come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, according to the perfect will of God. To God be the glory!
In Christ,
Timo
Monday, April 7, 2008
Sorry
Alright guys, I'm sorry I couldn't post yesterday... Brought a friend to church and sent her home after that, resulting in me returning back late... However, I would like to thank God for the opportunity to share with her the gospel... Just pray that the Holy Spirit will work in her...
In Christ,
Timo
In Christ,
Timo
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Why Was The Resurrection Necessary
Side Note: All notes and articles found in this post is credited as Rev Dr Steve Reynolds who spoke at Life BP Church on Sunday, 30th March 2008.
Today's passage is taken from 1 Corinthians 15: 1-11.
The passage today recounts the death as well as resurrection of Christ. It is mentioned that "Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;" in v3. It then further goes on to tells us how "He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the scriptures:" in v4. One point we can take note of here, is that Jesus fulfilled the prophecies as mentioned in the Bible! No other religion in the world has had someone to truly fulfill prophecies, if any, stated in their "holy book".
From v5-8, it is accounted that Jesus was seen by many people after His resurrection. Firstly Cephas, then the twelve disciples to name a few. How is it possible, that after having so many witnesses, people still refuse to believe that the Lord is risen? Well, one common reason given, is that people do not believe what they do not see.
Moving alongto the main topic, why was the resurrection necessary? The answer is simple. Death.
Every human being here on earth is subjected to death, you and I alike. Why resurrection then? This is because when Christ rose from the dead, he conquered death itself! Hence, those who have believed in Him are saved from eternal death and suffering. Have you ever seen a bad pattern in your life? Or a bad problem? If your answer is no, that is a lie.
When our forefathers, Adam and Eve, sinned, we likewise were born into this world of sin, having "inherited" their sinful nature. "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23. Hence, it is needful for someone to come rescue us from death itself. This person is the Lord Jesus.
By Christ's death on the cross, we can see His infinitely love for us, and that He loved us so much as to pay the price for our sin. It wasn't even His own! But He paid the penalty for us by dying on that cruel tree. Will you still not come to Him? The blameless one who bore our iniquity and died for us? This was the rescue plan that God had planned out from eternity past. Through His resurrection, we can see His omnipotentcy, and that He is powerful enough to break the bonds of death. Oh how great the sacrifice our Saviour paid, but through that purchase, He saved the elect.
And so, rescue for the lost is attempted. Just like someone who is drowning in the pool, we are helpless to save ourselves. Christ, on the other hand, is the life guard, who throws the life buoy toward us. However, through all our struggling to save ourselves, we sometimes push the life buoy aside and refuse to grab hold of the buoy. In the end, the life guard stands there, shaking his head, because although a life could have been saved, the drowning person refused to be saved by someone else.
So the question is, are we willing to give up our own plans for rescue, to trust in the Lord's offer of rescue? Search the scriptures, and any other "holy book" or religion. But if you are really finding the antidote to death, Christ is the only way.
"I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:" John 11:25
May this short devotion bring the lost others to Christ, as well as rekindle the first love of those believers who have lost it.
God Bless.
Timo
Today's passage is taken from 1 Corinthians 15: 1-11.
The passage today recounts the death as well as resurrection of Christ. It is mentioned that "Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;" in v3. It then further goes on to tells us how "He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the scriptures:" in v4. One point we can take note of here, is that Jesus fulfilled the prophecies as mentioned in the Bible! No other religion in the world has had someone to truly fulfill prophecies, if any, stated in their "holy book".
From v5-8, it is accounted that Jesus was seen by many people after His resurrection. Firstly Cephas, then the twelve disciples to name a few. How is it possible, that after having so many witnesses, people still refuse to believe that the Lord is risen? Well, one common reason given, is that people do not believe what they do not see.
Moving alongto the main topic, why was the resurrection necessary? The answer is simple. Death.
Every human being here on earth is subjected to death, you and I alike. Why resurrection then? This is because when Christ rose from the dead, he conquered death itself! Hence, those who have believed in Him are saved from eternal death and suffering. Have you ever seen a bad pattern in your life? Or a bad problem? If your answer is no, that is a lie.
When our forefathers, Adam and Eve, sinned, we likewise were born into this world of sin, having "inherited" their sinful nature. "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23. Hence, it is needful for someone to come rescue us from death itself. This person is the Lord Jesus.
By Christ's death on the cross, we can see His infinitely love for us, and that He loved us so much as to pay the price for our sin. It wasn't even His own! But He paid the penalty for us by dying on that cruel tree. Will you still not come to Him? The blameless one who bore our iniquity and died for us? This was the rescue plan that God had planned out from eternity past. Through His resurrection, we can see His omnipotentcy, and that He is powerful enough to break the bonds of death. Oh how great the sacrifice our Saviour paid, but through that purchase, He saved the elect.
And so, rescue for the lost is attempted. Just like someone who is drowning in the pool, we are helpless to save ourselves. Christ, on the other hand, is the life guard, who throws the life buoy toward us. However, through all our struggling to save ourselves, we sometimes push the life buoy aside and refuse to grab hold of the buoy. In the end, the life guard stands there, shaking his head, because although a life could have been saved, the drowning person refused to be saved by someone else.
So the question is, are we willing to give up our own plans for rescue, to trust in the Lord's offer of rescue? Search the scriptures, and any other "holy book" or religion. But if you are really finding the antidote to death, Christ is the only way.
"I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:" John 11:25
May this short devotion bring the lost others to Christ, as well as rekindle the first love of those believers who have lost it.
God Bless.
Timo
Sunday, March 16, 2008
For Ye Are All One In Christ Jesus
Today's devotional passage will be from Galatians 3:26-29. Do in your own free time read through the whole chapter to get a deeper view into the topic. Also remember that this is just a short devotion which is aimed at encouraging Christian brothers/sisters as well as to serve to minister to the unsaved. =)
v26: For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
> All those who believe in Jesus are children of God.
> How we believe is by faith, that Jesus came down from Heaven to die for our sins on the cross.
> What is faith? Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1).
v27: For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
> "baptized into Christ" basically means to acknowledge Christ as your personal Saviour.
> However, baptism does not save. Only by accepting Christ as you personal Saviour and believing that He came down to Earth to die for us and take away our sins, and is risen can you be saved.
> All of us who have believed in Christ are saved, and we are reminded that we have to put on the new man.
> Eph 4:24 describes the new man as "after God is created in righteousness and true holiness". In other words, when we put on the new man, we are putting on righteousness and holiness, attributes which can only describe God.
> How this is possible is because when we are saved, we are being sanctified, or being transformed to be more Christ-like.
v28: There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ya are all one in Christ Jesus.
> See the contrasting words used in the verse: 1) Jew | Greek
2) bond | free
3) male | female
> These words are used in order to show that no matter how different we may be, be it racially, status wise, or physically, all who are saved are ONE in Christ.
> This shows the unity and harmony that should exist in the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:27)
v29: And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
> The promise in this verse speaks of the promise God gave to Abraham, which can be found in Genesis 17:4, which reads "As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations."
> So when we are children of God, we are, actually, the fulfilment of God's promise to Abraham, which was that he was to "be a father of many nations"!
Conclusion: > Whenever we think that there is no one who can relate to us and when we seem to be searching for our identity, our Heavenly Father knows us the best, and we can be known as the sons of God.
> As for those out of the kingdom of Christ, hasten now as the day of atonement draws nigh.
If you have any queries, do not hesitate to contact me. Thx..
In Christ,
Timo
v26: For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
> All those who believe in Jesus are children of God.
> How we believe is by faith, that Jesus came down from Heaven to die for our sins on the cross.
> What is faith? Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1).
v27: For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
> "baptized into Christ" basically means to acknowledge Christ as your personal Saviour.
> However, baptism does not save. Only by accepting Christ as you personal Saviour and believing that He came down to Earth to die for us and take away our sins, and is risen can you be saved.
> All of us who have believed in Christ are saved, and we are reminded that we have to put on the new man.
> Eph 4:24 describes the new man as "after God is created in righteousness and true holiness". In other words, when we put on the new man, we are putting on righteousness and holiness, attributes which can only describe God.
> How this is possible is because when we are saved, we are being sanctified, or being transformed to be more Christ-like.
v28: There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ya are all one in Christ Jesus.
> See the contrasting words used in the verse: 1) Jew | Greek
2) bond | free
3) male | female
> These words are used in order to show that no matter how different we may be, be it racially, status wise, or physically, all who are saved are ONE in Christ.
> This shows the unity and harmony that should exist in the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:27)
v29: And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
> The promise in this verse speaks of the promise God gave to Abraham, which can be found in Genesis 17:4, which reads "As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations."
> So when we are children of God, we are, actually, the fulfilment of God's promise to Abraham, which was that he was to "be a father of many nations"!
Conclusion: > Whenever we think that there is no one who can relate to us and when we seem to be searching for our identity, our Heavenly Father knows us the best, and we can be known as the sons of God.
> As for those out of the kingdom of Christ, hasten now as the day of atonement draws nigh.
If you have any queries, do not hesitate to contact me. Thx..
In Christ,
Timo
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)