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.