Saturday, April 11th, 2009
There is a saying that goes: “show respect where respect’s due.” Which makes intuitive sense. If someone does something amazing, we naturally show our respect. However, there is a thought that has been going through my mind for the last few days – which goes along the same lines:
Giving glory, where glory is due.
Friday, April 25th, 2008
Befriended, befriended
by the King above all kings.
Surrendered, surrendered
to the Friend above all friends.
Invited, invited
deep into this mystery.
Delighted, delighted
by the wonders I have seen.
Chorus
This will be my story,
this will be my song.
You’ll always be my Savior,
Jesus, You will always have my heart.
Astounded, astounded
that Your gospel beckoned me.
Surrounded, surrounded,
but I’ve never been so free.
Determined, determined now
to live this life for You.
You’re so worthy; my greatest gift
would be the least You’re due.
I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.
- John 15:15
Befriended, Surrendered, Invited, Delighted, Astounded, Surrounded, Determined.
What did I do to deserve this relationship with God?
Monday, April 21st, 2008
We are each given a gift from God. More like a gift through the Holy Spirit. But we don’t realize it! We don’t realize the passion that we are capable of receiving. We don’t realize that we have each been designed to do great things for God. Each unique, each with a plan in mind.
When we sit back and see others do crazy things for God. And if you can’t help but wonder what God’s plan is for you. Don’t forget to ask! Seriously ask God what He can give you, and what His plans are for you.
When you ask, you will receive.
Sounds easy, and you may be like “but what if I ask and I don’t receive?” .. or “How do I listen to God?”
But know it takes faith to ask! Ask and don’t ask half-heartedly. Ask in complete faith and believe you will receive an answer. Ask and take the time to ask God. Don’t just ask, and forget to listen for the reply. Spend time waiting on the Lord.
Have faith that in waiting you will hear God’s voice. Like any normal relationship, you gotta ask and wait for a reply. The asking and waiting are both in prayer. And just cause you don’t hear a reply right away – doesn’t mean He hasn’t given you one. If your friend takes a day to reply to your question, doesn’t mean he/she has said “no” in the absence of a reply.
If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord;
- James 1:5-7
It takes faith to ask and even more faith to receive what God has given you.
Saturday, April 12th, 2008
it takes faith to know you’re forgiven
Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”
The other guests began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?”
Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”- Luke 7:48-50
No matter where you are in life, no matter how far you’ve fallen – all it takes is faith to know your sins are forgiven. taken away by the grace of God.
Friday, April 11th, 2008
I was reminded yesterday at the Embassy, that if God is not the cornerstone of our life – then everything we achieve and do will be pointless cause God can take it all away just as easily as you have gained it.If I plan out the next seven years of my life, (which has already been done before) laying out a step-by-step plan on how I will get to my final career goal, before asking if this is really what God wants me to do – then it is pointless. I can be trying, trying and trying; but God can take it all away and prevent it from happening.
So the last shall be first, and the first last.
– Matthew 20:16
Following God and putting Him first usually sounds like the most ridiculous thing ever, cause usually it leads you away from what you’ve planned. It usually means you have to give up your material wealth, give up the cushy more high-paying jobs, give up the quicker-faster-more direct route to success. But our plans is not God’s plans, and if we follow Him, I can promise you that it will be that much more rewarding in the end. And we will reach a destination that has been secured to us, by God; and we will stand firm – unwaivering in the midst of this crazy world.
God will refine us, challenge us, and grow us in the right ways. So that when we do reach the end – we can stand victorious and know that God has provided for our every need.
I mean, how much worse would you feel if you finally got to where you wanted to be, and God took it all away the next day? I bet pretty darn awful.
For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world, and forfeit his life?
– Mark 8:36 (Luke 17:33)
So commit to making God your cornerstone in life, and trust that He is faithful. Even if it means throwing away those idols/distractions in your life.
Delight yourself in the LORD; And He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, and He will do it. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light And your judgment as the noonday.
– Psalm 37:3-6