Why do the right thing if there's mercy and grace?

Beloveds,

Do you know someone who's casual with God's mercy and grace. They may rationalize it, saying God loves them and wants them to be happy. A "good" and "loving" God would never let them suffer stress and difficulty.

To do the right thing is just too hard. They would rather sin, ask forgiveness, and move on. They're convinced God loves them so much He would never want them to feel the full weight of their sins.

The beautiful and ugly thing is, I don't think they're wrong! Case in point, the man who died next to Jesus on the cross. (Luke 23:32-33, Luke 23:39-43)

If, before it's all over, they've excepted God into their heart, they will be forgiven. There's NO sin, so big or intentional, it can't be covered by the blood of Jesus.

So why do the right thing?

Great Article by Tim Challies... Amazing Grace

Hi Beloveds...

"Pleasing Grief and Mournful Joy"

I thought this was a great article from Tim Challies over at Challies.com.  I really like the way he writes anyway, but this post struck me as being particularly well done.

Beyond the beautiful story, there are two things that stick out to me...

1)  I love the whole, we love Him because He first loved us, that is it's underlying truth.  He never uses those words, but it's there.

2)  I agree with the idea something promising freedom can ultimately enslave.  I believe this goes beyond abortion and into many other areas of life.  Drugs, Sex, Divorce, etc...

Worn - Tenth Avenue North, LIVE at K-LOVE.

Love this song!  Strength from God when we're weak.  Life from death when the "devourer"(1Peter 5:8) has done his worst.  Forgiveness and redemption for the times we've let him.  Hope this blesses someone!

Worn-Tenth Avenue North...

"Worn"

I’m Tired I’m worn
My heart is heavy
From the work it takes
To keep on breathing
I’ve made mistakes
I’ve let my hope fail
My soul feels crushed
By the weight of this world

And I know that you can give me rest
So I cry out with all that I have left

Let me see redemption win
Let me know the struggle ends
That you can mend a heart
That’s frail and torn

My Experience Buying A New Book Today (God Loves Broken People: And Those Who Pretend They're Not by Shelia Walsh)

Hi Beloveds...

I love the way God works.  I was asking God to minister to me this morning and He told me to "go to the book store to get a book".  I said "ok, but I have no book in mind so You need to show me the book when I get there".  With that I got ready and was on my way.


Now I don't know about you, but I'm a bit of a Bible addict.  So the first thing I do when I walk into any christian bookstore is go to the Bibles and spend a minimum of 10-15 minutes browsing.  Has anything new come in?  If there's nothing new, I look over the ones I've already seen, just to make sure nothings changed since the last time I looked them over.

It was not more than 3 minutes after I had completed this obligatory ritual, and was walking around, when God lead me straight to the book I was called there to get.  My heart dropped in my chest.  Oh how well our God knows just what we need and when.  It was the perfect book in so many ways.

So I started to think about whether I should buy the book from the bookstore or on amazon.  I mean, I'm on a budget here, right?!  I took out my phone and did a price check.  No joke, the book was about a tenth of the price on amazon.  But then I heard God say "Buy the book here, they need the money".

Ummm, ok God.  I was obedient and went to the register to pay full price for my book.

Now I believe blessing falls on those who get their eyes off themselves and onto others.  If you are looking to have a prayer answered, ask God, but then find someone who is facing the same situation and pray for them.  Serve them in some way.  God will lead you there, if you humble yourself and ask Him to show you.  We are called to love.  (Matthew 22:37-40)

I start by asking the lady behind the counter if she had heard anything about the book.  "Have you read this?  Have you heard if it's good?"  She told me that she had not, but she really liked the author and was confident it would be good.  With that she checked me out.  As she was finishing she started to ask me if I wanted to buy a $5 Bible to donate for....  My knee jerk reaction was to say no.  Guy on a budget remember.  Silly me!  Then the rest of what she had said settled in...  for the crisis pregnancy center.

Oh God!  Beloveds, if you knew my life right now you would understand how this effected me.

Let's just say I quickly changed my mind about the donation!

We serve an amazing God who loves us so deeply.  He loves those we love more than we ever could.  He is always with us.  If we turn to Him, He will answer!  Let Him love you.  Let Him lead you to where He intends to heal you.  Let Him love and heal others through you.  You CAN trust Him!

I'm excited about my new book.  I know it's just what I need.

I will let you know how it is.  :)


I love You so much God!

K-LOVE - Jason Castro "Hallelujah" LIVE

I thought this would be a perfect song to go along with my last post!  :)

Scars

Hi Beloveds...

So I was talking to a good friend last night.  He's an amazing man in Christ.

I'm blessed to have many friends in my life.  I've learned, for me personally, there are only a handful though who can handle the full weight of who I am in a moment of desperate need.  They've been tested by the fires of hell and refined.  Through the process they've been strengthened. There is nothing I can say or do that will break them or make them give up on me.  If I need to verbally vomit, I can.  If I need to cry, I can.

Though two of them are very much "men's men",  I feel safe and know they will never judge.

They've gotten to be where they are by walking some of the very same steps I walk today.  They offer no expectations,  just a love that prompts the desire to pay it forward or return the favor after I've made it through the fire myself.

So I had called this particular friend looking for some advice.  We got to talking about sin, judgment, and the scars that are left behind.  Here is a snip-it of thought that came out of that conversation...

I've had the verse about King David fasting for the life of his son on my heart.

¹⁶ David therefore inquired of God for the child; and David fasted and went and lay all night on the ground. ¹⁷ The elders of his household stood beside him in order to raise him up from the ground, but he was unwilling and would not eat food with them. ¹⁸ Then it happened on the seventh day that the child died. And the servants of David were afraid to tell him that the child was dead, for they said, “Behold, while the child was still alive, we spoke to him and he did not listen to our voice. How then can we tell him that the child is dead, since he might do himself harm!” ¹⁹ But when David saw that his servants were whispering together, David perceived that the child was dead; so David said to his servants, “Is the child dead?” And they said, “He is dead.”
~2 Samuel 12:16-19

Over the past 3-4 years I've had some similar experiences.  For me it was not the life of a child but my wife and marriage.  I was grappling with how a servant of God could offer such a costly and heartfelt plea for forgiveness, I mean real blood and tears, yet in the end death still comes.  It was to the point David's servants thought he might kill himself.

Loving God?......  I say yes!

We sin.  We must ultimately face the judgment for that sin.  The Bible teaches us Christ came to forgive our sin and wash them away.  As far as the east to the west, right? (Psalm 103:12)  But I can think of no place where it says there will not be consequences for our actions.  Christ took the ultimate cost of our sin, eternal death.  Not all consequences here and in this dispensation.  Walk in life and be blessed.  Walk in death and be cursed. (Deuteronomy 30:19)  Decisions have consequences.  If there were no consequences, what would the purpose of free will be?

When you can see this operating in your life it provides comfort and stability.  Yeah, I can sin, but I know what is going to happen.  If I walk in His will for me, I know what's going to happen then too.  I will be blessed.  A bit Pavlovian?  Maybe.  But my point is this, we don't have to go through life in fear wondering what will happen next.  When we understand this, we can begin to let it shape our decision making.  We ultimately can start to let Him lead us.

Where does He lead us?......  Back to Him where we are loved, protected, and provided for. 

A relationship with Him!

What is more loving than that?!!!

Free will can leave scars, but scars are the remembrances of wounds healed.

²⁰ So David arose from the ground, washed, anointed himself, and changed his clothes; and he came into the house of the Lord and worshiped. Then he came to his own house, and when he requested, they set food before him and he ate.
²¹ Then his servants said to him, “What is this thing that you have done? While the child was alive, you fasted and wept; but when the child died, you arose and ate food.” ²² He said, “While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept; for I said, ‘Who knows, the Lord may be gracious to me, that the child may live.’ ²³ But now he has died; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me.”
²⁴ Then David comforted his wife Bathsheba, and went in to her and lay with her; and she gave birth to a son, and he named him Solomon. Now the Lord loved him ²⁵ and sent word through Nathan the prophet, and he named him Jedidiah for the Lord’s sake.~2 Samuel 12:20-25

Love

Would you like to read through The Bible in 2013?

Hi Beloveds...

With the new year approaching and resolutions on the way, I thought this was a great article from Justin Taylor at Between Two Worlds.

I think it's most important to get out of The Word what God has for us.  Explore, study, and go where He takes us.  Even if this means spending days, weeks, or months reading and researching the same scripture.

With that being said, at 10-15 minutes a day and countless mediums at our disposal, I believe it's possible to do this and still get through the Bible in a year.

Plus, for those who need a little structure, reading plans like this can be just what the doctor ordered to stay in the Word!

I hope you find it helpful.  Be blessed!

The Christmas Story In Scripture

Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the descendants of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And coming in, he said to her, "Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you." But she was very perplexed at this statement, and kept pondering what kind of salutation this was. The angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end." Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I am a virgin?" The angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God. And behold, even your relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age; and she who was called barren is now in her sixth month. For nothing will be impossible with God." And Mary said, "Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her. (Luke 1:26-38 NASB)

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit. And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly. But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins." (Matthew 1:18-21 NASB)

Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child. While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. (Luke 2:1-7 NASB)

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him." When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. After hearing the king, they went their way; and the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them until it came and stood over the place where the Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. (Matthew 2:1-3, 9-11 NASB)

In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased." (Luke 2:8-14 NASB)

Merry Christmas Beloveds

O Come, O Come Emmanuel

Hi Beloveds,

One of my favorite Christmas carols has always been "O Come, O Come Emmanuel". When I listen to it I'm reminded of all Israel has been through and God's unending love for her. It's beautiful!

2012 has been a particularly difficult year for Israel.  November saw Hamas militants in Gaza fire hundreds of rockets into her boarders.  Among the targets, for the first time in decades, were Israel's two most populated cities... Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.  Were it not for the grace of God and Iron Domes the damage could have been exponentially worse.

My heart cries for her.  I believe author of "O Come Emmanuel" felt the same way.

A funny thing happened this year though when I took time to actually study the lyrics.  I realized the author was most likely not Jewish but Christian.  I guess I'd just never thought about it before.  In an attempt to confirm my suspicions I did a little research.  To my surprise I found an article that picked up on some of the same things I was seeing, though I don't agree with everything in it.

To me the idea of a Christian "empathizing" with Israel makes the song even more attractive.

Here is a great version from Selah...

If you're a classical music fan this version is amazing!!!!

The Bible is clear when it comes to Israel...

Now the Lord said to Abram,

“Go forth from your country,

And from your relatives

And from your father’s house,

To the land which I will show you;

And I will make you a great nation,

And I will bless you,

And make your name great;

And so you shall be a blessing;

And I will bless those who bless you,

And the one who curses you I will curse.

And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.”

~Genesis 12:1-3(NASB) 

Please take time to bless her this Christmas!

Break Every Chain

There is power in the name of Jesus!

I love this song!  So simple, yet so powerful!

We all have those things which attempt to bind us.  For some it's addiction.  For others it's a past that haunts them.  Decisions made by us...  Decisions made by someone else that have effected us.  Physical giftings or lack there of.

Chains come in all different shapes, sizes, and strengths.

These chains are often accompanied by emotions...  Pain. Fear. Condemnation.  Regret.

The very picture of a chain brings thoughts of captivity, and I know this...  Jesus came to set the captive free.  We are His and His alone.  To be captive is to allow someone or something else to have us.  If you concede we serve a God and Savior Who is jealously in love with us then you know He will battle for us incessantly.

Let Him set you free!