Proverbs 2:7-8
He holds victory in store for the upright, He is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of His faithful ones.
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This verse means so much more now that I know that "blameless" doesn't mean I have to live my life like some kind of perfect robot. I have discovered, that "blameless" in God's eyes means to be forgiven- to be covered by the sacrifice of the only one who ever lived a perfect, blameless life- our savior, Jesus Christ.
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Does this mean that I can continue consciously sinning? If I submit my will to the Father and accept His perfect, unending grace, eventually my bent toward sin becomes a distant thought. The key is realizing that our God is an intimate friend... not a distant judge. When we fail or fall, need to acknowledge to Him that we are weak, and He is 100% faithful to forgive us. He is not only the God of a second chance- He's the God of another chance... and another chance... and another chance... a perfectly patient, forgiving, loving, POWERFUL God!
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Jesus, You are the Life, the Way, and the Truth. Thank You for being patient with me- continue to forgive me for my lack of faith, and my wandering heart. I know that You came to give me more abundant life. Help me to lay down the things that I think are important, and lift up Your name. Thank You in advance for the work that You are completing in me! AMEN.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Perfect Fear
Proverbs 1:7
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.
Joshua 24:14
"So now: Fear God. Worship Him in total commitment. Get rid of the Gods your ancestors worshiped on the far side of the river and in egypt. You, worship God."
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Fear that the World offers imprisons us. Perfect fear that God offers sets us free.
The natural instinct of fear was built into our chemistry as a survival mechanism. God designed our bodies this way to protect the ones He loves from danger. He also gave us this instinct to help us worship Him.
True fear=awesome reverence. If you don't feel awesome reverence toward our Creator, just look at His creation and the power within. Extreme environmentalists who don't acknowledge God, understand this power, and they feel reverence toward the product, not the producer. We can stand in awe of the amazing mountains and the mighty oceans... but can we grasp the might of the one who formed them? Can we fathom the fact that the one who made all of this is waiting to bless us with an abundant existance? That understanding, that feeling, that fear is the beginning of wisdom!
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Father, who created the universe and dwells in me; thank you for giving us such an amazing world to exist in. Thank you for Your mighty hand that reaches out to us- thank you for Your tender spirit that changes us from the inside out! Continue to increase in me- strengthen me for the road ahead. In Jesus' name, Amen
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.
Joshua 24:14
"So now: Fear God. Worship Him in total commitment. Get rid of the Gods your ancestors worshiped on the far side of the river and in egypt. You, worship God."
---
Fear that the World offers imprisons us. Perfect fear that God offers sets us free.
The natural instinct of fear was built into our chemistry as a survival mechanism. God designed our bodies this way to protect the ones He loves from danger. He also gave us this instinct to help us worship Him.
True fear=awesome reverence. If you don't feel awesome reverence toward our Creator, just look at His creation and the power within. Extreme environmentalists who don't acknowledge God, understand this power, and they feel reverence toward the product, not the producer. We can stand in awe of the amazing mountains and the mighty oceans... but can we grasp the might of the one who formed them? Can we fathom the fact that the one who made all of this is waiting to bless us with an abundant existance? That understanding, that feeling, that fear is the beginning of wisdom!
---
Father, who created the universe and dwells in me; thank you for giving us such an amazing world to exist in. Thank you for Your mighty hand that reaches out to us- thank you for Your tender spirit that changes us from the inside out! Continue to increase in me- strengthen me for the road ahead. In Jesus' name, Amen
Friday, December 12, 2008
What an honor!
Yesterday, I had the great honor of joining the Seattle-area pastor's coalition for their monthly meeting. They allowed me to come and play a couple of songs for them. It was so humbling and cool to sit with so many powerful soldiers in God's army.
Through Altered ministries, Brad Herman put a CD in the hands of each Pastor who was in attendance. This was the absolute coolest way to release the Album for the first time.
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Lord, I pray that the music that You created through me would be an encouragement to these men and women of God. Bless them and keep them strong for Your work and Your will.
I ask that You would increase their influence in their communities, and that souls would be won! Deeply bless their churches and their ministries in Jesus' name, Amen.
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THANK YOUR PASTOR TODAY!
Through Altered ministries, Brad Herman put a CD in the hands of each Pastor who was in attendance. This was the absolute coolest way to release the Album for the first time.
---------
Lord, I pray that the music that You created through me would be an encouragement to these men and women of God. Bless them and keep them strong for Your work and Your will.
I ask that You would increase their influence in their communities, and that souls would be won! Deeply bless their churches and their ministries in Jesus' name, Amen.
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THANK YOUR PASTOR TODAY!
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
my first entry
As my first entry, I wanted to give a sample of a way to spend time with God each day, and a method for doing so. This is the "SOAP" method, which I learned from Pastor Wayne Cordeiro.
Read a scripture, write your observation, write the application to YOUR life, and write a prayer that applies. Get a notebook, give it a try, and watch your life change!
(scripture)
Romans 10:17
Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.
(observation)
The words of Jesus cut to the heart. You cannot read them and not be affected.
Through His Words, I have been changed. I have been transformed.
God gives each of us a measure of faith- sometimes as small as a mustard seed. It is our responsibility to grow it. Read His words with an open heart, and it's like putting your faith in a nice, clean clay pot with potting soil and miracle grow. Do it every day, and you will end up with faith that can move mountains!
(application)
I will give Him the first fruits of each day. The part of my day when I'm at my best. I will read His words with an open heart and an open mind, and allow my faith to increase!
(prayer)
Father, give me strength and courage to continue to spend quiet time with You. You are so faithful to me; help me to be more faithful to You, in Jesus' name, Amen.
Read a scripture, write your observation, write the application to YOUR life, and write a prayer that applies. Get a notebook, give it a try, and watch your life change!
(scripture)
Romans 10:17
Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.
(observation)
The words of Jesus cut to the heart. You cannot read them and not be affected.
Through His Words, I have been changed. I have been transformed.
God gives each of us a measure of faith- sometimes as small as a mustard seed. It is our responsibility to grow it. Read His words with an open heart, and it's like putting your faith in a nice, clean clay pot with potting soil and miracle grow. Do it every day, and you will end up with faith that can move mountains!
(application)
I will give Him the first fruits of each day. The part of my day when I'm at my best. I will read His words with an open heart and an open mind, and allow my faith to increase!
(prayer)
Father, give me strength and courage to continue to spend quiet time with You. You are so faithful to me; help me to be more faithful to You, in Jesus' name, Amen.
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