Lately I have had this hunger, desire, this.....longing for God. To hear his voice, see his face, to be near His presence, and dig into His Word and devour it! No such feeling is better!
This song from Remedy Drive comes to mind (boy do I love my music): Get To Know You.
I heard so much of You I wrote a book
Thick with facts of You that I heard were true
The critic read my work and they reviewed
"He wrote of things he heard but never really knew."
I say its time that I get to know You
More than just what I've been told
I say its time that I get to know You
I wanna know from my soul
This is just the first verse and chorus. Yet from what you can see, it's easy to understand what the writer is trying to say. I feel the same way right now! I want to know God more than what I've been told, I wanna know Him from my soul!
Here's the phenomenal thing to ponder. The finite mind of man cannot grasp how GREAT and PHENOMENAL infinite nature and character of God! Even when we get to heaven we still won't be able to grasp it! Yet God being rich in His love and compassion, gives us just teeny bit of crumbs of Himself to us,. And when we receive these crumbs, and devour them, it satisfies us in a way that we have never been satisfied before! Yet we haven't even come anywhere near close of scratching the surface of Him. How insane is that?
I want You, Father
I need You, Father
My heart long for You, Father
All of You Father
Only You Father
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Thursday, October 8, 2009
'Never Be Ready' pt 2 (This Road That Is Narrow Is The One We Should Follow)
Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter it are MANY. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are FEW.--Matthew 7:13-14
The last phrase in the 2nd verse of Mat Kearney's song 'Never Be Ready' hits home to me as well. this is how it goes: "This road that is narrow is the one we should follow". How true is that? It's oh so relevant to Matthew 7:14. There's two roads in this life; and everybody will take one or the other.
Those who enter by the wide gate want to take the easy way out. Living life however they wish. Selfishly chasing after their own dreams and desires. Though what they don't know is that the end of the easy, smooth road will lead to their destruction as it say in Matthew 7:13. Also notice that there are MANY who chose to enter the wide gate and go down that easy road. It's like a crowd of people walking across a smooth desert ground heading towards a cliff. Many enter this wide gate unaware, or ignoring the fact that the way they chose to go will lead to their death.
Then there are those who enter by the narrow gate, who know that the way is hard, but it leads to life (Matthew 7:14). Yet note what it says at the end of the verse: "and those who find it are FEW". Yes it is sad that too few, way to few enter the narrow gate. It also says that the way is hard; yes those who chose to follow this road know that there will be much sacrifice, toil, hardships, and tears. In Matthew 10, Jesus is instructing and warning his disciples before He sends them out by 2. He tells them how they will be persecuted (Matthew 10:16-25), and also not to fear what man could do to them (Matthew 10:28). This also means that we must die to ourselves, our own fleshly desires every day, take up our cross, and follow Christ (Matthew 16: 24). Letting go of the life you once lived, and embracing the life that He set out front of you to live. Losing your life for the sake of Christ to find true life (Matthew 16:25). This is what happens when you enter the narrow gate. At the end on this hard road is life. Dead to yourself, but alive in Christ.
You're ok here with me
Here in the silence
With all of the violence crashing around
Saying we can't go
Saying we don't know
This road that is narrow
Is the one we should follow
Those who enter by the wide gate want to take the easy way out. Living life however they wish. Selfishly chasing after their own dreams and desires. Though what they don't know is that the end of the easy, smooth road will lead to their destruction as it say in Matthew 7:13. Also notice that there are MANY who chose to enter the wide gate and go down that easy road. It's like a crowd of people walking across a smooth desert ground heading towards a cliff. Many enter this wide gate unaware, or ignoring the fact that the way they chose to go will lead to their death.
Then there are those who enter by the narrow gate, who know that the way is hard, but it leads to life (Matthew 7:14). Yet note what it says at the end of the verse: "and those who find it are FEW". Yes it is sad that too few, way to few enter the narrow gate. It also says that the way is hard; yes those who chose to follow this road know that there will be much sacrifice, toil, hardships, and tears. In Matthew 10, Jesus is instructing and warning his disciples before He sends them out by 2. He tells them how they will be persecuted (Matthew 10:16-25), and also not to fear what man could do to them (Matthew 10:28). This also means that we must die to ourselves, our own fleshly desires every day, take up our cross, and follow Christ (Matthew 16: 24). Letting go of the life you once lived, and embracing the life that He set out front of you to live. Losing your life for the sake of Christ to find true life (Matthew 16:25). This is what happens when you enter the narrow gate. At the end on this hard road is life. Dead to yourself, but alive in Christ.
You're ok here with me
Here in the silence
With all of the violence crashing around
Saying we can't go
Saying we don't know
This road that is narrow
Is the one we should follow
Thursday, September 17, 2009
'Never Be Ready' pt 1 (We Aren't Promised Tomorrow)
Mat Kearney has to be my favorite music artists right now. His first CD 'Nothing Left To Lose' is simply unique and phenomenal. His recent release 'City Of Black & White' is a bit different musically, but certainly not a disappointment.
My favorite song on 'City Of Black & White' has got me thinking. The last phrase in the First verse goes like this "We aren't promised tomorrow".
Yes, there are quite a few verses in the Bible that talk about how our lives here on this earth are short. Yet, this phrase in Mat Kearney's "Never Be Ready" really hit me hard, and got me thinking about how this applies to Christians and non-believers alike. Whether you are a Christian, atheist, muslim, agnostic, a Jehovah's witness........or whatever. Young, old, german, canadian, Scottish, Korean, Peruvian, Ethiopian etc. Regardless of how and where you grew up. This phrase applies to every human. on this earth.
So this appiles to Christians, in 2 ways. The first is that we don't know if when we're leaving this place to go home, so this phrase 'We Aren't Proimised Tomorrow' should remind and encourage us not to waste our lives. To live every day to the fullest, givng God our all, glorifying Him in everything we do, and not going through the motions. Read "Don't Waste Your Life" by John Piper. It's such a phenomenal book that has also encouraged me to get down on my hands and and knees and dig in the dirt every day.
The second way the phrase 'We Aren't Promised tomorrow' applies to Christians is by our calling to embrace and obey the Great Commission. The phrase applies to the lost & unsaved. Millions of people die everyday who haven't heard of the gospel. I say this phrase every time I leave to go out somewhere like, running an errand for my mom, work, or out witnessing, so I can be reminded that there are many people out there who haven't heard of the Gospel, and today could be their last day. Also the the importance and cruciality of the Great Commission.
Not all Christians are called to be evangelists, but all Christians are called to evangelize--Paul Washer
This Phrase applies to all non-believers out there too. I can't wait to see or hear the puzzled or confused reaction of a non-believer when I would ask them. "Hey did you know that we aren't promised tomorrow?" I think that it would get them thinking about life after death, and what they are living for, and ultimately draw them to repentance and trusting God with their lives. I wonder......
We Got our feet on the wire
Talking bout flying
Maybe we're diving in over our heads
Scared of what I'm feeling staring at the ceiling here tonight
Come on and lay down these arms
All our best defenses
We're taking our chnaces here on the run
If fear is an anchor
Then time is a stranger
If love isn't borrowed
We aren't promised tomorrow
My favorite song on 'City Of Black & White' has got me thinking. The last phrase in the First verse goes like this "We aren't promised tomorrow".
Yes, there are quite a few verses in the Bible that talk about how our lives here on this earth are short. Yet, this phrase in Mat Kearney's "Never Be Ready" really hit me hard, and got me thinking about how this applies to Christians and non-believers alike. Whether you are a Christian, atheist, muslim, agnostic, a Jehovah's witness........or whatever. Young, old, german, canadian, Scottish, Korean, Peruvian, Ethiopian etc. Regardless of how and where you grew up. This phrase applies to every human. on this earth.
So this appiles to Christians, in 2 ways. The first is that we don't know if when we're leaving this place to go home, so this phrase 'We Aren't Proimised Tomorrow' should remind and encourage us not to waste our lives. To live every day to the fullest, givng God our all, glorifying Him in everything we do, and not going through the motions. Read "Don't Waste Your Life" by John Piper. It's such a phenomenal book that has also encouraged me to get down on my hands and and knees and dig in the dirt every day.
The second way the phrase 'We Aren't Promised tomorrow' applies to Christians is by our calling to embrace and obey the Great Commission. The phrase applies to the lost & unsaved. Millions of people die everyday who haven't heard of the gospel. I say this phrase every time I leave to go out somewhere like, running an errand for my mom, work, or out witnessing, so I can be reminded that there are many people out there who haven't heard of the Gospel, and today could be their last day. Also the the importance and cruciality of the Great Commission.
Not all Christians are called to be evangelists, but all Christians are called to evangelize--Paul Washer
This Phrase applies to all non-believers out there too. I can't wait to see or hear the puzzled or confused reaction of a non-believer when I would ask them. "Hey did you know that we aren't promised tomorrow?" I think that it would get them thinking about life after death, and what they are living for, and ultimately draw them to repentance and trusting God with their lives. I wonder......
We Got our feet on the wire
Talking bout flying
Maybe we're diving in over our heads
Scared of what I'm feeling staring at the ceiling here tonight
Come on and lay down these arms
All our best defenses
We're taking our chnaces here on the run
If fear is an anchor
Then time is a stranger
If love isn't borrowed
We aren't promised tomorrow
Sunday, August 23, 2009
So Much So Fast!
It sure has been awhile since I posted a blog, and since my last blog so much has happened! To really summarize all that has happened over the summer to now is this: God is oh so worthy, and I am oh so unworthy.
God has given me oppurtunities to serve in couple places. Like for instance me, my friend, his brother, his dad, and a friend of our form a band to help lead worship at a inner city kids church every other Saturday morning (started yesterday). It's so awesome to be able to serve that way, and my prayer is that me and the other band members will get to know these kids that we will be ministering to through worship so well and point them to Christ. Another oppurtunity is that I am co-leading a small group for the 6th grade Sunday school at the church! I'm loving it, cause first off I will able to help these kids learn and point them towards Christ, plus these kids will be learning about apologetics, worldview, and doctrine this year, and I can even learn along with them. Haha, and well the truth is when I was in 6th grade, I never learned about this stuff so, I'm jealous for these 6th graders :)
Witnessing to the lost and unsaved has become a part of my life. Back in my senior year of highschool God has given me a heart for the lost and unsaved that they may embrace Christ's redemption, and have a relationship with the One True living God. Jesus had compassion for the lost and unsaved
When He saw the crowds, He had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd--Matthew 9:36
Then throughout this summer I've been awakened to how important and crucial it is for Christians to witness, share the Gospel with the lost and unsaved. These three quotes helped me see the importance.
Most Christians are like a person enjoying themselves in a lifeboat oblivious that there are other people in the surrounding water drowning--Ray Comfort
I know it's sad that gift we have we keep it for ourselves most of the time--Wake Up by Leeland
Not all Christians are called to be evangelists, but all Christians are called to evangelize--Paul Washer
Those first 2 quotes made me realize that American Christianity has become selfish thinking that why we have evangelists and missionaries. Yet the last quote is one of many things that helped me realize that all Christians are called to evangelize, not just the evangelists. So with these things, and actively witnessing every week, has drastically changed my Christian walk.
As far as college goes, well, things are coming together. In Sring of 2010, I will be taking classes at a local community college (and my awesome aunt is paying for those classes!). Just a couple basic class like english and algebra. Then next Fall I plan on going to the same college to study nursing. This is what God laid on my heart: Be a nurse in southern Africa. Like an amazing friend of mine told me "How would they hear if they're dying physically?" That is oh so true. Also, unlike my early years in highschool, I would just sit around and wait for God to make that idea or plan to happen. Though I learned that if God has laid something on my heart, I have to pursue it!
So that is what has happened over the summer and my senior year. I'm now starting to make my own choices with some wisdom from my parents. Basically I'm an adult now, but I'm still relying on God for guidance, strength, and wisdom in my life, and I always will. I am unworthy of His boundless love, but is worthy of my unashamed love.
God has given me oppurtunities to serve in couple places. Like for instance me, my friend, his brother, his dad, and a friend of our form a band to help lead worship at a inner city kids church every other Saturday morning (started yesterday). It's so awesome to be able to serve that way, and my prayer is that me and the other band members will get to know these kids that we will be ministering to through worship so well and point them to Christ. Another oppurtunity is that I am co-leading a small group for the 6th grade Sunday school at the church! I'm loving it, cause first off I will able to help these kids learn and point them towards Christ, plus these kids will be learning about apologetics, worldview, and doctrine this year, and I can even learn along with them. Haha, and well the truth is when I was in 6th grade, I never learned about this stuff so, I'm jealous for these 6th graders :)
Witnessing to the lost and unsaved has become a part of my life. Back in my senior year of highschool God has given me a heart for the lost and unsaved that they may embrace Christ's redemption, and have a relationship with the One True living God. Jesus had compassion for the lost and unsaved
When He saw the crowds, He had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd--Matthew 9:36
Then throughout this summer I've been awakened to how important and crucial it is for Christians to witness, share the Gospel with the lost and unsaved. These three quotes helped me see the importance.
Most Christians are like a person enjoying themselves in a lifeboat oblivious that there are other people in the surrounding water drowning--Ray Comfort
I know it's sad that gift we have we keep it for ourselves most of the time--Wake Up by Leeland
Not all Christians are called to be evangelists, but all Christians are called to evangelize--Paul Washer
Those first 2 quotes made me realize that American Christianity has become selfish thinking that why we have evangelists and missionaries. Yet the last quote is one of many things that helped me realize that all Christians are called to evangelize, not just the evangelists. So with these things, and actively witnessing every week, has drastically changed my Christian walk.
As far as college goes, well, things are coming together. In Sring of 2010, I will be taking classes at a local community college (and my awesome aunt is paying for those classes!). Just a couple basic class like english and algebra. Then next Fall I plan on going to the same college to study nursing. This is what God laid on my heart: Be a nurse in southern Africa. Like an amazing friend of mine told me "How would they hear if they're dying physically?" That is oh so true. Also, unlike my early years in highschool, I would just sit around and wait for God to make that idea or plan to happen. Though I learned that if God has laid something on my heart, I have to pursue it!
So that is what has happened over the summer and my senior year. I'm now starting to make my own choices with some wisdom from my parents. Basically I'm an adult now, but I'm still relying on God for guidance, strength, and wisdom in my life, and I always will. I am unworthy of His boundless love, but is worthy of my unashamed love.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Done Asking "Why.?"
I used to worry and freak out about things that happened to me, about why I God put me in certain situations, and other questions like those. These were questions that I asked God; questions that began with the word "why". I should know better than to ask God "Why?", cause He is in complete control of my life.
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose--Romans 8:28
This verse (in particular) has helped me to stop asking God "why?", and trust Him with every area and detail of my life. Cause I know that He is with me always, and that nothing separate me from Him!
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose--Romans 8:28
This verse (in particular) has helped me to stop asking God "why?", and trust Him with every area and detail of my life. Cause I know that He is with me always, and that nothing separate me from Him!
Monday, June 22, 2009
Prayer ( Acts)
I was at Twin Lakes Camp for my 4th and final time as a camper this past week. I had an awesome time making new friends, meeting new people, enjoying myself there. The theme of the this year is "Cowboy Up"........or to put it in more clear term, overcoming the challenges of the Christian life. The oh familiar Don Helton was the speaker of the week, and he spoke on the different spiritual disciplines (sweet stuff!!), like, devotion to God's word, generosity, evangelizing, thanksgiving, and prayer (not all in that order). It was awesome, to learn more about these spiritual disciplines that we touched on.
Out of these 5 though, only one is something that struck me in a certain degree. Prayer. Yes!
pray without ceasing--1 Thessalonians 5:17
I read this short verse before, and ended up with a partial understanding of what it meant. Though after last week at camp, I now have a complete understanding of what it means.
A-adoration
C-confession
T-thanksgiving
S-supplication
This is something that Don presented in the message of prayer one night. I thoughts that it was so useful that I had to write it down. Each of these are types of prayers that can be offered to God any time throughout the day. Not just before bed, during personal devotions, or at Church/youth group/Bible study.........but whenever!
Adoration--this a much another word for praise. It can come in many different situations, like safety in a storm, gazing at the stars in the summer night sky, or anytime God displays His power, love, mercy, etc. So there are many oppurtunities to lift up prayers of adoration to the God of the universe.
Confession--this is confessing your sin, which is like "duh", but here's the thing, this is a prayer that we lift up to God every now & then. Think about this for a minute or two: every time you sin, come before God to confess to Him of that sin and ask Him for forgiveness. This is also known as keeping a short account with God. We sin just about everyday, so this act of confession should be a daily thing.
Thanksgiving--this a prayer that should be the most common in the Christian life......or so that's what I believe. God gives blesses us with so much, and puts us in many different situations. So thanking God for rain, sun, shelter, food, family, friends, finding a lost wallet, the chance to hang out with friends, and many more things like these are easy to give God thanks for. Yet it does say in God's word, that we should give thanks to God for the hard, painful, rough, and trialing situations like the death a close friend or family member, being bullied everyday at school, losing your job, just to name among the few of many rough and painful times in one's life. 1Thessalonians 5:18 states--give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Also note that in Romans 8 Paul tells us that everything that God lets happen to us (good or bad), happens for our good. So when bad things happen, instead of pointing your finger at God blaming him, remember Paul's word's in Romans 8 and the words in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 and thanks God.
Supplication--this is where you lift up specific requests you have to God. For example, an uncle who has cancer, a friend who isn't a christian, finding a good mother's day gift for you mom, a big chemistry test, pretty much whatever comes your way. As these needs come, we shouldn't hesitate to lift them up to God.
So yes! Now I have a complete understanding of 1 Thessalonians 5 :17. I thank God, that through Don Helton's message that one night last week, that my prayer life has improved greatly!!
Out of these 5 though, only one is something that struck me in a certain degree. Prayer. Yes!
pray without ceasing--1 Thessalonians 5:17
I read this short verse before, and ended up with a partial understanding of what it meant. Though after last week at camp, I now have a complete understanding of what it means.
A-adoration
C-confession
T-thanksgiving
S-supplication
This is something that Don presented in the message of prayer one night. I thoughts that it was so useful that I had to write it down. Each of these are types of prayers that can be offered to God any time throughout the day. Not just before bed, during personal devotions, or at Church/youth group/Bible study.........but whenever!
Adoration--this a much another word for praise. It can come in many different situations, like safety in a storm, gazing at the stars in the summer night sky, or anytime God displays His power, love, mercy, etc. So there are many oppurtunities to lift up prayers of adoration to the God of the universe.
Confession--this is confessing your sin, which is like "duh", but here's the thing, this is a prayer that we lift up to God every now & then. Think about this for a minute or two: every time you sin, come before God to confess to Him of that sin and ask Him for forgiveness. This is also known as keeping a short account with God. We sin just about everyday, so this act of confession should be a daily thing.
Thanksgiving--this a prayer that should be the most common in the Christian life......or so that's what I believe. God gives blesses us with so much, and puts us in many different situations. So thanking God for rain, sun, shelter, food, family, friends, finding a lost wallet, the chance to hang out with friends, and many more things like these are easy to give God thanks for. Yet it does say in God's word, that we should give thanks to God for the hard, painful, rough, and trialing situations like the death a close friend or family member, being bullied everyday at school, losing your job, just to name among the few of many rough and painful times in one's life. 1Thessalonians 5:18 states--give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Also note that in Romans 8 Paul tells us that everything that God lets happen to us (good or bad), happens for our good. So when bad things happen, instead of pointing your finger at God blaming him, remember Paul's word's in Romans 8 and the words in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 and thanks God.
Supplication--this is where you lift up specific requests you have to God. For example, an uncle who has cancer, a friend who isn't a christian, finding a good mother's day gift for you mom, a big chemistry test, pretty much whatever comes your way. As these needs come, we shouldn't hesitate to lift them up to God.
So yes! Now I have a complete understanding of 1 Thessalonians 5 :17. I thank God, that through Don Helton's message that one night last week, that my prayer life has improved greatly!!
Monday, June 8, 2009
He Has Me Where He Wants Me
Yes, it's true that I didn't take the SAT or ACT. Yes, it's true that I'll be spending most of my summer trying to finish my school. Yes, I'm taking a year off, then next fall plan or attending Crossroads to major in Theology or missions & evangelism. Yes, God is calling me to become a missionary, not even caring if I get shot up, hanged, or burned alive for sharing my faith. I don't care what others say and think to be honest with ya. Call me stupid, call me insane. I listen to the words of my Father, and walk in the footsteps of my Savior. I myself can choose to quetion Him or freak out about where I'm at in this life right now, but I choose not to. "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28) "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for wholeness and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope" (Jeremiah 29:11) "But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak in the world to shame the strong" (1 Corinthians 1:27)
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