It's Not About Me

...O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! would God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son! -2 Samuel 18:33

The love that King David showed for his son was amazing. Absalom had taken his kingdom, shamed David before all of Israel, and was trying to kill David. When Joab, David's servant had killed Absalom in battle, David's only thought was that his son was dead. David overlooked all of the wrongs that Absalom had committed and was committing against him. Similarly, Jesus died on the cross, bore all of our sins that we had committed against him, and faced separation from the Father because in spite of all of the terrible things we have done to him, he still loves us with all of his heart. We are to be the same way. It doesn't matter what a person has done or is doing to you, you are to love them the same, the kind of gritty, willful love that David had for his son, and the love that Jesus has for us.

Now I'm Finally Where I Belong...

Looking for that blessed hope,
and the glorious appearing of the great God,
and our Saviour Jesus Christ. -Titus 2:13

In the midst of whatever life throws at us, It is important to remember where our home is. For those in Christ, we belong to the Father, and someday soon we will be taken up in the clouds to be with him forever. Forever communion with a loving, awesome creator.

It is also important to realize that from the moment that Jesus has come into your heart, He is continually working in you to transform you from glory to glory. You are no longer the same person you were. Some days can be tough, and it can be hard to see the changes that God has made in you. The enemy of our soul wants to dishearten and discourage us. But we walk by faith, not by sight, and we are more than conquerors through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

He Lives In My Heart...

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins,
and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness - 1 John 1:9

Living at college, I see many people trying to fill a void in their life with many different things. People think that a boyfriend or girlfriend, sex, alcohol, drugs, a 4.0 gpa, or whatever is going to fill the void they feel in their life and make them satisfied. But the truth is, while those things may feel good for awhile, the next morning or the next week, or the next month that those things that we have been trying to fill the void have failed. While those things appeal to our flesh, our physical being, the void can only be filled by a spiritual presence. Jesus wants to come and fill that void. He is ready to come into your heart and to cleanse you of those things that you've done, those things that you can't forgive yourself for, he can take that pain away. It is the way we are meant to live, in communion with a holy and righteous and loving God, one who will never abandon us or forsake us, even when we forsake him. He wants you, and He is the only thing that can give you what you are missing. He died for you so that all those things you've done could be brushed aside. It took the blood of Jesus, the blood of innocence, and that blood can cleanse you and bring you to the Father. And He is a perfect father, He loves you and He has a perfect plan for you. Give your life to him, it's time.

Saviour I come, Quiet My Soul...

This has been one of my favorite songs this summer. I guess it is because my soul has needed quieting, my mind comforted. Remembering the cross and drawing close to Jesus brings a perspective that changes the way I look at how I live my life and what is important. It is most precious to me.

Empty Handed But Alive In Your Hand...

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness,
and all these things will be given to you as well. - Mathew 6:33

This is a verse I have tried to focus on in my Christian walk. Lately it has been hard. I am at the period of my life where I seem to spend my time equally between thinking about girls and thinking about cars. More important than these things though, is the Kingdom of God. A search for righteousness and God's presence is what should define life. Focus on His majesty, see where it gets you. I'll try to follow my own advice.

I Wanna Give You Every Moment Every Minute...

And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord,
are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another.

For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. - 2 Cor. 3:18

Growing in God is a continuing process. The great thing is that we have a continuing promise in the bible that God will continue what he started in us as budding Christians. As long as we have a desire, God will meet us where we are and bring us down the road of maturity in faith. He will never get tired of us, forget us, or leave us. He is always there, and he always wants to show us the way. A relationship with God is truly like none other, and it is the only relationship that can satisfy. The only relationship that can bring true peace is a relationship with the Prince of Peace, Jesus.

Song: The More
Artist: Downhere
Album: Wide-Eyed and Mystified

Every Tear We Cry, He Holds In His Hand...

You have kept count of my tossings;
put my tears in your bottle, Are they not in your book?
-Psalm 56:8

Life has a way of hitting hard. It can be hard to walk by faith and not by sight when you are hurting. The comforting thing to know is that God is always there, and that he always loves us and is there for us, even when our emotions are telling us the opposite. God will never leave or abandon us. And he always provides a way; he always has the next step. He can get you out of whatever you are in. He loves you.

Song: Praise You In This Storm
Artist: Casting Crowns
Album: Lifesong

This is What Makes My Head Spin...

As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy." - 1 Peter 1:14-16

God's holiness is truly humbling. When I realize how powerful, awesome, and truly BIG God is, even for the slightest moment, it overwhelms me. The fact that God is so big makes his love for us even bigger. We are so small compared to God and what he sees, yet he cares for us so much. Truly amazing.

Song: Forever Holy
Artist: The Glorious Unseen
Album: Tonight The Stars Speak

Heir of Salvation...

he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. -Titus 3:5-8

This is probably my favorite hymn. I love the first verse especially. It tells us who we are as Christians. No longer heir to sin and this fallen world, we are heirs of salvation, God's children. This has occurred because we have been born again to new life through the Holy Spirit. This is able to happen because of the gift of Jesus' blood that washes away our sins. Just as Hosea bought back his wife, God has bought us back with the blood of his son. Such love...

Song: Blessed Assurance
Artist: Third Day
Album: Chronology Vol. 2

This Race Can Be Won...

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. - 1 John 1:9

Sin can be a powerful barrier between us and God. If we let it, it can keep us from communicating or coming to our father. Shame and guilt can overwhelm us. This can lead to fear and depression. We lose faith in our ability to walk the way Jesus did. The truth is that God loves us. Sin doesn't change that fact. That is why Jesus came. Our ability to run the race that is set before us isn't in our own strength; it is in God's. As Christians, we rely on the redemption of Jesus Christ every moment of every day. We shouldn't be trying to live life on our own strength. We have a Papa who loves us and is there to guide us each step of the way. Leaning on the everlasting arms of Christ is what living a Godly life is about. It makes it possible. Praise God that he sent his son so that we are able to be forgiven, washed clean. No matter what you have done, God's plan is still good. He still loves you. Stay on the path. This race can be won.

Song: Stay Strong
Artist: Newsboys
Album: Houston We Are Go

I Want To Die, And Let You Give...

Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith -Philippians 3:8-9

God has such big plans for each of us. Realizing this is an everyday process. It can be so hard to give ourselves to Jesus each day, trusting that he knows best, and that he is worth all of the things we daily surrender to him. God wants to transform us daily, "from glory to glory." God wants to continually transform the dying or dead things in us, to something filled with his life and glory. Letting go of those things and surrendering to Jesus can be hard. Our doubts and fears can block the way. Surrender is one of the biggest leaps of faith you can take. And you can take it each day. Oh Lord, help me fix my eyes on you, and let go of my silly pride. Change me each day...



Song: Make My Life A Prayer To You
Artist: Keith Green
Album: Keith Green: The Live Experience

Seated Where I Don't Belong...

One thing we can always rely on as Christians is not in our own ability, or our own righteousness or "goodness", but in God's. And not only in God's righteousness, but in his grace through Jesus. One definition of grace is "unmerited favor." Grace is undeserved. It is a gift. Through the gift of Jesus, we can be called sons and daughters of God. The sin of our past selves is washed away. Oh what a gift! The ability to start anew. To be given life, and life more abundant. Just as Jesus was raised from the dead, so we are raised from the debt and death of our sins. Jesus carries us to the table, and seats us where we don't belong. We pass from death to life, once heir to sin, now heir to salvation. It is something only Jesus can do. "All for sin could not atone; Thou must save, and Thou alone." We can't pull ourselves up by our own bootstraps, we can only surrender our lives to Jesus, and then we can truly live.

Song: Carried To The Table
Artist: Leeland
Album: Sound of Melodies

Lifehouse

I first saw this skit in an FCA meeting at my college. It seemed like it was going to be tacky to me at first. At the end of the video the room cleared out quickly. When we walked outside there must have been half a dozen wrestlers scattered throughout the parking lot crying. I will never question whether God can work through a skit again.