Been thinking much about, and have been encouraged by this truth lately....
I'm not my own
And belong to no one else
But to Christ Jesus
And Him alone
Purchased & ransomed
By His blood
A stray sheep
That He sought & brought
Back into the fold God
My name is engraved
On His nail-scarred hands
And inscribed
On His heart
My life is hidden
In Him
Therefore I'm safe & secure
From accusation & alarm
Who I am
I wrapped up
In the Savior
And when the storms come
On the Him, the Solid Rock
I won't falter or waver
I'm indeed His
Prized possession
For by His death &resurrection
He has made me
His own
So now I can
Live & die confidently
For I'm in Christ
And it's to Him
I'm belong
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
Tuesday, March 4, 2014
Blood Fellowship
This past weekend was College Park Church's (my church) annual theology conference, THINK. We were blessed this time around to have John Piper exposit the book of Philippians with us this year. It indeed was a rich weekend feasting upon the Word of God with the family of God that left my heart full! Full with thanksgiving to God for saving me! Thanksgiving for bringing me into something spectacular and incredible! Bringing me into an eternal fellowship with the Himself, His Son, and everyone else who adopted in by the blood of the Son! So that we can have enjoy and delight in times of fellowship and worship with the saints and the Most High God!
"that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ." ~ 1 John 1:3
Goodness! I submit to you that there is no greater joy, no greater place to be, than to be in the family of God! It's the blood of Jesus that brings us near to God, into His household, into the fellowship with Him and all the other blood-bought children (Eph 2:13-21). Indeed there is no more enmity between God and us, and against each other, for the Blood has also bought a peace we could obtain (Col 1:20 & Eph 2:14). To that we ought to shout...
"Hallelujah for the blood of the Lamb that was slain!" ~Tenth Avenue North
Yes!What joy, what delight; that the we have with each other in the Lord, with our Lord, and heavenly Father! A fellowship of sweet dandyness we've been brought into by the precious blood of the Lamb!
"that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ." ~ 1 John 1:3
Goodness! I submit to you that there is no greater joy, no greater place to be, than to be in the family of God! It's the blood of Jesus that brings us near to God, into His household, into the fellowship with Him and all the other blood-bought children (Eph 2:13-21). Indeed there is no more enmity between God and us, and against each other, for the Blood has also bought a peace we could obtain (Col 1:20 & Eph 2:14). To that we ought to shout...
"Hallelujah for the blood of the Lamb that was slain!" ~Tenth Avenue North
Yes!What joy, what delight; that the we have with each other in the Lord, with our Lord, and heavenly Father! A fellowship of sweet dandyness we've been brought into by the precious blood of the Lamb!
Tuesday, February 18, 2014
When Tempted to Despair
"Oh man, I've done it again. I am such a fool! I'm such a no good wretch!" Ever said these things after you have fallen into sin; whether it be lust, judgemetalism, anger? Ever said them with such an overwhelming spirit of despair and self-condemnation? Goodness, I know I have! Ha, and this is actually something that the Lord has shown me. It would feel like at times that when after I fall into sin, I feel like I need to pray or do something of that sort, because in the back of my mind I feel like I'm no longer under His favor. It's like I'm brought to despair over it.
What lies from Satan that we gravitate towards believing. Trying to make us think that we fallen from the Father's grace, and need to try to do what we can to get back under it. Oh, and how prone we are to fall for those lies, even without realizing it at times.
Yet it's the Gospel that can dispel the doubts and crush the despair. For we ought to have fully in mind that even though we may fall, we always end up landing in the Father's hands; the hands of grace. Indeed it's by His grace that we're saved, and by His grace that we are carried all the way home to Glory! The Scriptures even teach this. Let's take one verse for an example.
"Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died- more than that, who was raised- who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us." ~Romans 8:34
Well folks, there you have it! The Gospel! It's what we need to be reminded of when we are tempted to despair. For the Gospel says there is One who paid the debt we owed to God in full by His death and resurrection, and who is alive, standing as our intercessor and advocate! Indeed, we can take heart because the Gospel also says that we who are in Christ are no longer condemned (Rom. 8:1). Christ Jesus stood condemned in our place, took the curse for us (Gal 3:13), taking the wrath we deserve (Rom 3:25). Therefore we who are in Christ have no hell to fear, because we are under grace (Rom. 6:14)! Indeed we are those who have for shelter from the storm of the judgment of God under the banner of the blood of Christ!
There more that can be said here, but I'll leave it at this:
"When Satan tempts me to despair
And tells me of the guilt within
Upward I look and see Him there
Who put an end to all my sin
Because a sinless Savior died
My sinful soul is counted free
For God the Just is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me!" ~Before the Throne of God Above
What lies from Satan that we gravitate towards believing. Trying to make us think that we fallen from the Father's grace, and need to try to do what we can to get back under it. Oh, and how prone we are to fall for those lies, even without realizing it at times.
Yet it's the Gospel that can dispel the doubts and crush the despair. For we ought to have fully in mind that even though we may fall, we always end up landing in the Father's hands; the hands of grace. Indeed it's by His grace that we're saved, and by His grace that we are carried all the way home to Glory! The Scriptures even teach this. Let's take one verse for an example.
"Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died- more than that, who was raised- who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us." ~Romans 8:34
Well folks, there you have it! The Gospel! It's what we need to be reminded of when we are tempted to despair. For the Gospel says there is One who paid the debt we owed to God in full by His death and resurrection, and who is alive, standing as our intercessor and advocate! Indeed, we can take heart because the Gospel also says that we who are in Christ are no longer condemned (Rom. 8:1). Christ Jesus stood condemned in our place, took the curse for us (Gal 3:13), taking the wrath we deserve (Rom 3:25). Therefore we who are in Christ have no hell to fear, because we are under grace (Rom. 6:14)! Indeed we are those who have for shelter from the storm of the judgment of God under the banner of the blood of Christ!
There more that can be said here, but I'll leave it at this:
"When Satan tempts me to despair
And tells me of the guilt within
Upward I look and see Him there
Who put an end to all my sin
Because a sinless Savior died
My sinful soul is counted free
For God the Just is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me!" ~Before the Throne of God Above
Friday, January 24, 2014
Give Me Jesus
Oh to hunger, thirst, and chase after Christ....
In the morning
When the sun is rising
As I awake & arise
From my slumber
Give me Jesus
As I go on about my day
To work, rest, & play
Give me Jesus
When the sun is setting
The day coming to an end
As I lay down to sleep
Give me Jesus
When the toys & riches
Of this world
Began to distract & dazzle me
Give me Jesus
When sin & the flesh
Call my name
Try lure & entice
Give me Jesus
On my worst days
Of defeat & failure
Give me Jesus
On my best days
Of victory & obedience
Give me Jesus
When graced with good gifts
From above
A family, job, house, good health
And everything inbetween
Give me Jesus
When all is taken & stripped from me
Left alone & abandoned
In the dark
When I'm weak & worn
Tired & sore
Give me Jesus
In my final days
As I breathe my last
Leaving this world
To enter that Eternal rest
Give me Jesus
And when in glory
As I'll walk on streets of gold
Free forever
From sin, sorrow, & suffering
Give me Jesus
Yes, give me Jesus
My Savior & Lord
My Shepherd & the Overseer of my soul
Give me Jesus
My sweetest satisfaction
My soul's one delight
My chief joy
Give me Jesus
My great Comfort & Healer
Give me Jesus
My one defense & righteousness
My redemption & rescue
Give me Jesus
My portion & cup
Reward & prize
Give me Jesus
All of Jesus
Only Jesus
In the morning
When the sun is rising
As I awake & arise
From my slumber
Give me Jesus
As I go on about my day
To work, rest, & play
Give me Jesus
When the sun is setting
The day coming to an end
As I lay down to sleep
Give me Jesus
When the toys & riches
Of this world
Began to distract & dazzle me
Give me Jesus
When sin & the flesh
Call my name
Try lure & entice
Give me Jesus
On my worst days
Of defeat & failure
Give me Jesus
On my best days
Of victory & obedience
Give me Jesus
When graced with good gifts
From above
A family, job, house, good health
And everything inbetween
Give me Jesus
When all is taken & stripped from me
Left alone & abandoned
In the dark
When I'm weak & worn
Tired & sore
Give me Jesus
In my final days
As I breathe my last
Leaving this world
To enter that Eternal rest
Give me Jesus
And when in glory
As I'll walk on streets of gold
Free forever
From sin, sorrow, & suffering
Give me Jesus
Yes, give me Jesus
My Savior & Lord
My Shepherd & the Overseer of my soul
Give me Jesus
My sweetest satisfaction
My soul's one delight
My chief joy
Give me Jesus
My great Comfort & Healer
Give me Jesus
My one defense & righteousness
My redemption & rescue
Give me Jesus
My portion & cup
Reward & prize
Give me Jesus
All of Jesus
Only Jesus
Wednesday, December 25, 2013
Somalia for Christ
This is what I wrote a few weeks back after having a terrifying image of Somalia pop into my mind:
Somalia, oh Somalia!
Oh Lord
How my heart aches
How it is torn
For her
With years and years
Decades upon decades
Her people have been
Stricken, afflicted, dismayed,
And destitute
Helpless and without hope
Their hearts plagued
With animosity and pride
That have been manifested
Through years
Of conflict and war
Which have resulted in
Famine and drought
Much suffering
Much anguish and death
Oh and even more
To think
To ponder
Even for a sec
Of their spiritual state
Dead, in darkness,
And enemies of the Most High
They are
(As we once were)
Outside of Christ
Before a holy God
And that's a terrifyingly
Dangerous place to be
And they are blind to it
Yet who will warn them
Of the wrath to come?
Who will plead with them
To repent
And turn to Christ
Who will tell them
Of Jesus
Their only hope
Of peace and safety
Restoration and healing?
Whose blood
Can secure for them
A Redemption that's eternal?
I hear the call
Send me, Lord
I'll go!
To go shine
The light of the Gospel
In the darkness of Somalia
Not counting my life
Of any value
Yes, even willing to lose it
So that they may be saved
Willing to die
So that they may live!
Yes!
I claim Somalia for Christ
Somalia, oh Somalia!
Oh Lord
How my heart aches
How it is torn
For her
With years and years
Decades upon decades
Her people have been
Stricken, afflicted, dismayed,
And destitute
Helpless and without hope
Their hearts plagued
With animosity and pride
That have been manifested
Through years
Of conflict and war
Which have resulted in
Famine and drought
Much suffering
Much anguish and death
Oh and even more
To think
To ponder
Even for a sec
Of their spiritual state
Dead, in darkness,
And enemies of the Most High
They are
(As we once were)
Outside of Christ
Before a holy God
And that's a terrifyingly
Dangerous place to be
And they are blind to it
Yet who will warn them
Of the wrath to come?
Who will plead with them
To repent
And turn to Christ
Who will tell them
Of Jesus
Their only hope
Of peace and safety
Restoration and healing?
Whose blood
Can secure for them
A Redemption that's eternal?
I hear the call
Send me, Lord
I'll go!
To go shine
The light of the Gospel
In the darkness of Somalia
Not counting my life
Of any value
Yes, even willing to lose it
So that they may be saved
Willing to die
So that they may live!
Yes!
I claim Somalia for Christ
Thursday, December 19, 2013
The Author of All My Days
I guess I can spill the beans now, about what was, and well....still is in the works for me. Since...September I've been pursuing the opportunity to spend a year over in Ethiopia doing gospel ministry among Somalis there through PIONNERS missions organization. This past Tues I had submitted my application; moving forward I was looking at a week of orientation in January, assuming that would've gone well, I probably would started raising support in February, then by April would've been heading over to the Horn of Africa. It was all going well two days ago, but....
Yesterday morning woke up around 4:40ish had breakfast, went to work at 6. About 45 minutes in my stomach started to ache, but ignored it and worked through it. A few minutes later though, it got worse added nausea to it. Well....to jump ahead a bit, one of my coworkers came into the break room laying on the floor, but not passed out....but it seemed like I was going to at any moment. One of my managers came in to ask if I wanted my parents to pick me or wanted to go the hospital (even offering to get an ambulance). Knowing my condition, I agreed to be taken to the ER, even though I didn't want it. The choice had to be made. Happy side of the ending is that the blood test, and urine sample, came back good and clear. The not so happy side is that I'll be getting medical bills as a result of this ER visit, and to add, I'm not covered under insurance. This means, that there is a good chance that I won't be able to go over to Ethiopia till 2015. My heart is discouraged for sure.
"I as on a good track, and not I'm postponed, why?", "Certainly the Lord knows that my heart aches for the Somalis, why would he delay me?", "I just don't understand God? Why would allow this?" These are honest heart felt questions that I've asked myself, and the Lord yesterday, and earlier today, but I know His answers, and His answers are found in "Who" He is, not in "Why" He has done what He has done....or better yet, what he has "allowed' to happen yesterday morning. I'm reminded, as if the Lord is saying to me, "I am God, there is no other", "I am good, and do good", "I am faithful and true", "I am the sovereign Lord of all". Ha! I know full well that it's foolish to blame God for the incident yesterday morning, even regardless of the fact that He allowed it. What happened...happened.
So Being reminded of who He is, and the promises that are found in His Word to His people. Promises like:
"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
And
"...who works all things according to the counsel of his will." ~Ephesians 1:11b
Among many others.
Then my mind goes back now to the character of God. More specifically to His sovereignty over all things. He's sovereign over all nature, all nations, all events that happen in the world (whether triumphant or tragic). He's even sovereign of my life; my life as a whole and every single intricate detail. These things take me to Psalm 139, where we find in verse 16...
"Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them." ~Psalm 139:11
Yes! Even in this moment my heart is glad and rejoices at this awesome truth! The Lord most high is the Author of all my days, every single one. The one who knows the beginning of my days to the end in this life, orchestrates every one of them for His glory, from the best of my days to the worst. That includes yesterday; Dec. 18 2013, it's events was orchestrated for my good and His glory. So that is why I'm not distraught or am in despair, because I look to Him, cling to Him, knowing full well that He is good and does good!
On another note. Just because my trip to the ER yesterday may postpone my going to Ethiopia to do gospel ministry doesn't mean I'm gonna stop pursuing it. Nope, because my heart still aches for the Somalis! I still aim on going, I just have to have patience, and be faithful with the Gospel in the here & now. When will it be when I go? The fall or winter of next year? Sometime in 2015? Not sure, but the Sovereign Lord knows!
Yesterday morning woke up around 4:40ish had breakfast, went to work at 6. About 45 minutes in my stomach started to ache, but ignored it and worked through it. A few minutes later though, it got worse added nausea to it. Well....to jump ahead a bit, one of my coworkers came into the break room laying on the floor, but not passed out....but it seemed like I was going to at any moment. One of my managers came in to ask if I wanted my parents to pick me or wanted to go the hospital (even offering to get an ambulance). Knowing my condition, I agreed to be taken to the ER, even though I didn't want it. The choice had to be made. Happy side of the ending is that the blood test, and urine sample, came back good and clear. The not so happy side is that I'll be getting medical bills as a result of this ER visit, and to add, I'm not covered under insurance. This means, that there is a good chance that I won't be able to go over to Ethiopia till 2015. My heart is discouraged for sure.
"I as on a good track, and not I'm postponed, why?", "Certainly the Lord knows that my heart aches for the Somalis, why would he delay me?", "I just don't understand God? Why would allow this?" These are honest heart felt questions that I've asked myself, and the Lord yesterday, and earlier today, but I know His answers, and His answers are found in "Who" He is, not in "Why" He has done what He has done....or better yet, what he has "allowed' to happen yesterday morning. I'm reminded, as if the Lord is saying to me, "I am God, there is no other", "I am good, and do good", "I am faithful and true", "I am the sovereign Lord of all". Ha! I know full well that it's foolish to blame God for the incident yesterday morning, even regardless of the fact that He allowed it. What happened...happened.
So Being reminded of who He is, and the promises that are found in His Word to His people. Promises like:
"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
And
"...who works all things according to the counsel of his will." ~Ephesians 1:11b
Among many others.
Then my mind goes back now to the character of God. More specifically to His sovereignty over all things. He's sovereign over all nature, all nations, all events that happen in the world (whether triumphant or tragic). He's even sovereign of my life; my life as a whole and every single intricate detail. These things take me to Psalm 139, where we find in verse 16...
"Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them." ~Psalm 139:11
Yes! Even in this moment my heart is glad and rejoices at this awesome truth! The Lord most high is the Author of all my days, every single one. The one who knows the beginning of my days to the end in this life, orchestrates every one of them for His glory, from the best of my days to the worst. That includes yesterday; Dec. 18 2013, it's events was orchestrated for my good and His glory. So that is why I'm not distraught or am in despair, because I look to Him, cling to Him, knowing full well that He is good and does good!
On another note. Just because my trip to the ER yesterday may postpone my going to Ethiopia to do gospel ministry doesn't mean I'm gonna stop pursuing it. Nope, because my heart still aches for the Somalis! I still aim on going, I just have to have patience, and be faithful with the Gospel in the here & now. When will it be when I go? The fall or winter of next year? Sometime in 2015? Not sure, but the Sovereign Lord knows!
Monday, December 16, 2013
In Christ, With Christ
I know that this little writing will fall terribly short of the glory, beauty, loveliness, and dandyness of this stellar doctrine.....yet I can say that I've done my best to paint it.
I'm in Christ
And Christ is in me
He is the vine
I'm am a branch
I abide in Him
He abides in me
It's in Christ Jesus
That I have salvation
And have redemption
It's in Him
That I'm no longer
Under condemnation
And stand forgiven
In Christ
I'm a new creation
The old is gone
And the new has come
It's in Him
That I'm no longer God's enemy
But now His son
It's in Christ
I'm no longer in the domain of darkness
But now in the kingdom of light
And it's in the Savior
That I who was once blind
Now have sight
For it's with Christ
I've been crucified
And have died
That I've been buried
And have risen
To walk in newness of life
With Him my life hidden
And it's with Him
That I'll appear in glory
With Christ
I'm a fellow heir
And when comes again
With Him
I'll be caught up in the air
For with I share
In His death
His resurrection
The riches of His glory
His inheritance
And the fellowship
That He has with the Father
Oh the beauty
The wonder & loveliness
And the mystery & dandyness
Of the reality
Of being
In Christ & with Christ
Again I feel, or rather....I know there's more that can be said here, but may what is written encourage you, and compel you to live in light of this glorious gospel truth.
I'm in Christ
And Christ is in me
He is the vine
I'm am a branch
I abide in Him
He abides in me
It's in Christ Jesus
That I have salvation
And have redemption
It's in Him
That I'm no longer
Under condemnation
And stand forgiven
In Christ
I'm a new creation
The old is gone
And the new has come
It's in Him
That I'm no longer God's enemy
But now His son
It's in Christ
I'm no longer in the domain of darkness
But now in the kingdom of light
And it's in the Savior
That I who was once blind
Now have sight
For it's with Christ
I've been crucified
And have died
That I've been buried
And have risen
To walk in newness of life
With Him my life hidden
And it's with Him
That I'll appear in glory
With Christ
I'm a fellow heir
And when comes again
With Him
I'll be caught up in the air
For with I share
In His death
His resurrection
The riches of His glory
His inheritance
And the fellowship
That He has with the Father
Oh the beauty
The wonder & loveliness
And the mystery & dandyness
Of the reality
Of being
In Christ & with Christ
Again I feel, or rather....I know there's more that can be said here, but may what is written encourage you, and compel you to live in light of this glorious gospel truth.
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