Romans Ten Fifteen: Beautiful Feet

Are We Foreigners?

2012-02-01T16:08:00.002-05:00

Let's pray together with the Psalmist these simple but profound words:

I am a foreigner in this world.
Do not hide Your commandments from me.
-- Psalm 119:19 (GWT)

Deo Volente -- Whatever God Wants!
Grateful

Sin... Willful Transgression

2012-01-31T16:45:00.005-05:00

Sin, as an act, is defined by John Wesley as "A willful transgression against a known law of God."

Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it,
sins. -- James 4:17 (NIV)

Dr. Stephen Manley as described sin as shaking my fist of rebellion in God's face.

Lord, give us a holy hunger to turn from all rebellion and to prefer a right relationship with You. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Holiness Unto The Lord!
Grateful

Be Patient... The Lord Is On His Way!

2012-01-30T11:26:00.003-05:00

(7) Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord's coming. See how the
farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. (8) You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near.
-- James 5:7-8 (NIV)

(7) My friends, be patient until the Lord returns. Think of farmers who wait patiently for the spring and summer rains to make their valuable crops grow. (8) Be patient like those farmers and don't give up. The Lord will soon be here!
-- James 5:7-8 (CEV)

Lord, I want to be found waiting for you and resting in Your Word.
In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!
Grateful

The Present

2012-01-29T23:09:00.001-05:00

This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
-- Psalm 118:24 (NIV)

Let's take some time to thank the Lord for the gift of today. Afterall, it is called "THE PRESENT!"

Deo Volente -- Whatever God Wants!
Grateful

The Noblest Revenge. The Sweetest Words.

2012-01-28T00:16:00.012-05:00

The noblest revenge is to forgive.
-- Thomas Fuller

The sweetest words He ever said were "I forgive".
-- Joel Hemphill

“The Spirit of the Lord is with Me. He has anointed Me to tell the Good News to the poor. He has sent Me to announce forgiveness to the prisoners of sin and the restoring of sight to the blind, to forgive those who have been shattered by sin, to announce the year of the Lord’s favor.”
-- Jesus of Nazareth Spoken in Nazareth, Luke 4:18-19 (GWT)

Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them. They don’t know what they’re doing.”
-- Words of Jesus While On The Cross, Luke 23:34a (GWT)

Click here: The Sweetest Words He Ever Said - Joel Hemphill and J.D. Sumner - YouTube

Forgiven and...
Grateful

The Light Came. People Loved The Dark.

2012-01-27T00:03:00.014-05:00

On Friday the 13th of January, 2012, the cruise ship Costa Concordia sunk at night right next to Italy's coastline. Lives were lost. (As of this post 16 people are dead of drowning and 16 are still missing.)

The captain of the modern day luxury liner was accused of being a coward for abandoning his ship while his passengers were still trying to get into lifeboats. Many eyewitnesses testify that the tragedy was totally preventable. Seems the captain and his piloting crew seriously lost focus. Concentration was somehow compromised.

I didn't fully understand the sadness of what happened until I went online searching for photos of the disaster. The cruise ship ran onto the rocks right in the very beam of a lighthouse. Heart-wrenching, indeed!

(See a photo of the sinking ship and lighthouse > ).

Seeing the photo of the ship sinking in the glow of the lighthouse gave me a spiritual parallel immediately. Sadly, many drowning souls today are in the vicinity of Jesus, The Lighthouse, but they have lost focus. Yes tragically concentration has somehow been compromised by the seduction of sin, and the payoff of sin is death.

Could anything be sadder than to drown in the beam of a beacon of hope? God forbid!

Click here: The Lighthouse by Clinton Nelson - YouTube

This is why people are condemned: The light came into the world. Yet, people loved the dark rather than the light because their actions were evil. -- John 3:19 (GWT)

Let's Live in the Light, Not Die In The Light!
Grateful

Receiving Forgiveness

2012-01-26T00:03:00.001-05:00

There are two sides to forgiveness: giving and receiving. Although at first sight giving seems to be harder, it often appears that we are not able to offer forgiveness to others because we have not been able fully to receive it. Only as people who have accepted forgiveness can we find the inner freedom to give it.
-- Henri Nouwen

Lord, if You can forgive us, You can help us to receive forgiveness.
Grateful

Choosing Friends

2012-01-25T09:09:00.008-05:00

You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.
-- James 4:4 (NIV)

(14) You are My friends if you obey My commandments. (15) I don’t call you servants anymore, because a servant doesn’t know what his master is doing. But I’ve called you friends because I’ve made known to you everything that I’ve heard from my Father. (16) You didn’t choose Me, but I chose you.
-- John 15:14-16 (GWT)

Click: Michael W. Smith & Amy Grant - Friends are Friends Forever

Lord, You have called us friends. Now, let us also call You, Friend!
For Forever And Today! Amen!

Deo Volente -- Whatever God Wants!
Grateful

Wealth And Arrogance

2012-01-24T05:53:00.002-05:00

You're a clever businessman and are extremely wealthy, but your wealth has led to arrogance!
-- God's Word in Ezekiel 28:5 to the King of Tyre (CEV)

God Forgive. God Forbid.
Deo Volente -- Whatever God Wants!
Grateful

Inspire A Soul. Ignite The World.

2012-01-23T01:14:00.004-05:00

This question is on my mind today:

As individuals, if we will inspire one-soul-at-a-time could it be that we just might ignite the whole world and make it delightfully different?

Click here: This Little Light Of Mine - Addison Road - YouTube

Be Light! Go Shine!
Grateful

Even Demons Believe There Is Only One God!

2012-01-22T13:26:00.004-05:00

(18) Suppose someone disagrees and says, "It is possible to have faith without doing kind deeds."I would answer, "Prove that you have faith without doing kind deeds, and I will prove that I have faith by doing them." (19) You surely believe there is only one God. That's fine. Even demons believe this, and it makes them shake with fear. (20) Does some stupid person want proof that faith without deeds is useless? (21) Well, our ancestor Abraham pleased God by putting his son Isaac on the altar to sacrifice him. (22) Now you see how Abraham's faith and deeds worked together. He proved that his faith was real by what he did. (23) This is what the Scriptures mean by saying, "Abraham had faith in God, and God was pleased with him." That's how Abraham became God's friend. (24) You can now see that we please God by what we do and not only by what we believe. (25) For example, Rahab had been a prostitute. But she pleased God when she welcomed the spies and sent them home by another way. (26) Anyone who doesn't breathe is dead, and faith that doesn't do anything is just as dead! "

-- James 2:18- 26 (CEV)

By Faith! In Faith! (Hebrews 11)

Grateful

Victory In the Camp

2012-01-21T08:02:00.006-05:00

(14) My power and my strength come from the LORD, and He has saved me. (15) From the tents of God's people come shouts of victory: "The LORD is powerful! (16) With His mighty arm the LORD wins victories! The LORD is powerful!"
-- Psalm 118:14-16 (CEV)

Click here: Paul Wilbur - The Shout of El-Shaddai - YouTube

By Faith! In Faith! (Hebrews 11)
Grateful

I Am Crucified With Christ! My Story, My Song!

2012-01-20T05:41:00.003-05:00

This is my story. This is my song:

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
-- Galatians 2:20 (KJV)

Click here: Embrace The Cross by Steve Green - YouTube

Deo Volente -- Whatever God Wants!
Grateful

Don't Let Me Make A Mess Of Things

2012-01-19T09:16:00.006-05:00

Let’s PRAY TOGETHER from Psalm 119:31-38 (TLB):
(31) i cling to YOUR commands and follow them as closely as i can. LORD, don’t let me make a mess of things. (32) If YOU will only help me to want YOUR will, then i will follow YOUR desires even more closely. (33-34) Just tell me what to do and i will do it, LORD. As long as i live i’ll wholeheartedly obey. (35) Make me walk along the right paths, for i know how delightful they really are. (36) Help me to prefer obedience to making money! (37) Turn me away from wanting any other plan than YOURS. Revive my heart toward YOU. (38) Reassure me that YOUR promises are for me, for i trust and revere YOU. Amen!

Deo Volente -- Whatever God Wants!
Grateful

Too Much Work For You... Alone.

2012-01-18T00:09:00.003-05:00

(17b) “What you’re doing is not good.
(18) You and your people will wear yourselves out. This is too much work for you. You can’t do it alone!
-- Exodus 18:17b-18 (GWT)

We really do need each other.
-- Reuben Welch

Deo Volente -- Whatever God Wants!
Grateful

God's Son In The Old Testament

2012-01-17T05:50:00.008-05:00

Did you know that The Son of God is not just a New Testament reality, it is clearly referenced in the Old Testament? Hear two of the passages:

(11) Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. (12) Kiss the Son, or He will become angry and you will die on your way because His anger will burst into flames. Blessed is everyone who takes refuge in Him.
Psalm 2:11-12 (GWT)

(3) I haven’t learned wisdom.
I don’t have knowledge of the Holy One.
(4) “Who has gone up to heaven and come down?
Who has gathered the wind in the palm of His hand?
Who has wrapped water in a garment?
Who has set up the earth from one end to the other?
What is His name or the name of His son?
Certainly, you must know!"
-- Proverbs 30:3-4 (GWT)

Deo Volente -- Whatever God Wants!
Grateful

Dont Fool Yourselves

2012-01-16T09:19:00.006-05:00

(19) My dear friends, you should be quick to listen and slow to speak or to get angry. (20) If you are angry, you cannot do any of the good things that God wants done. (21) You must stop doing anything immoral or evil. Instead be humble and accept the message that is planted in you to save you. (22) Obey God's message! Don't fool yourselves by just listening to it. (23) If you hear the message and don't obey it, you are like people who stare at themselves in a mirror (24) and forget what they look like as soon as they leave. (25) But you must never stop looking at the perfect law that sets you free. God will bless you in everything you do, if you listen and obey, and don't just hear and forget. (26) If you think you are being religious, but can't control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and everything you do is useless. (27) Religion that pleases God the Father must be pure and spotless. You must help needy orphans and widows and not let this world make you evil.
-- James 1:19-27 (CEV)

Deo Volente -- Whatever God Wants!
Grateful

Stop Sinning And Live!

2012-01-15T16:46:00.005-05:00

(21) Suppose wicked people stop sinning and start obeying my laws and doing right. They won't be put to death. (22) All their sins will be forgiven, and they will live because they did right. (23) I, the LORD God, don't like to see wicked people die. I enjoy seeing them turn from their sins and live.

(24) But when good people start sinning and doing disgusting things, will they live? No! All their good deeds will be forgotten, and they will be put to death because of their sins.

(25) You people of Israel accuse me of being unfair! But listen--I'm not unfair; you are! (26) If good people start doing evil, they must be put to death, because they have sinned. (27) And if wicked people start doing right, they will save themselves from punishment. (28) They will think about what they've done and stop sinning, and so they won't be put to death. (29) But you still say that I am unfair. You are the ones who have done wrong and are unfair!

(30) I will judge each of you for what you've done. So stop sinning, or else you will certainly be punished. (31) Give up your evil ways and start thinking pure thoughts. And be faithful to me! Do you really want to be put to death for your sins? (32) I, the LORD God, don't want to see that happen to anyone. So stop sinning and live!
-- Ezekiel 18:21-32 (CEV)

Deo Volente -- Whatever God Wants!
Grateful

Don't Fall In Love With Money

2012-01-14T07:40:00.002-05:00

(5) Don't fall in love with money. Be satisfied with what you have. The Lord has promised that He will not leave us or desert us. (6)That should make you feel like saying, "The Lord helps me! Why should I be afraid of what people can do to me?"
-- Hebrews 13:5-6 (CEV)

Click here: More Precious Than Silver - YouTube

Deo Volente -- Whatever God Wants!
Grateful

The First Step To Wisdom...

2012-01-13T08:13:00.002-05:00

Respect and obey the LORD! This is the first step to wisdom and good sense. God will always be respected.
-- Psalm 111:10 (CEV)

Deo Volente -- Whatever God Wants!
Grateful

Your Sins Have Deprived You!

2012-01-12T13:07:00.005-05:00

Your sins have deprived you of My bounty.
-- From Jeremiah 5:25 (NET)

Lord forbid that we would choose to embrace our sinful rebellion and in so doing forfeit Your holy blessings. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Click here: It Is Well With My Soul - YouTube

"My sin not in part, but the whole...
is nailed to the cross and I bear it no more!
Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! O, my soul!"

Deo Volente -- Whatever God Wants!
Grateful

If People Are Causing Divisions Among You?

2012-01-11T11:51:00.006-05:00

(10) If people are causing divisions among you, give a first and second warning. After that, have nothing more to do with them. (11) For people like that have turned away from the truth, and their own sins condemn them.
-- Titus 3:10-11 (NLT)

We want to be an answer to the prayer of the Lord -- unity. (John 17)
We do not want to be a victims to the snare of the devil -- divisions.

Click here: PHIL DRISCOLL - MAKE US ONE - YouTube

(Yes, I often repeat the good songs.)

Deo Volente -- Whatever God Wants!
Grateful

Live By Faith! Die In Faith! Hebrews 11

2012-01-10T09:04:00.004-05:00

Hear these powerful words of faith in Hebrews 11 (CEV):

The Great Faith of God's People
(1) Faith makes us sure of what we hope for and gives us proof of what we cannot see. (2) It was their faith that made our ancestors pleasing to God.
(3) Because of our faith, we know that the world was made at God's command. We also know that what can be seen was made out of what cannot be seen.

(4) Because Abel had faith, he offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. God was pleased with him and his gift, and even though Abel is now dead, his faith still speaks for him.

(5) Enoch had faith and did not die. He pleased God, and God took him up to heaven. That's why his body was never found. (6) But without faith no one can please God. We must believe that God is real and that he rewards everyone who searches for him.

(7) Because Noah had faith, he was warned about something that had not yet happened. He obeyed and built a boat that saved him and his family. In this way the people of the world were judged, and Noah was given the blessings that come to everyone who pleases God.

(8) Abraham had faith and obeyed God. He was told to go to the land that God had said would be his, and he left for a country he had never seen. (9) Because Abraham had faith, he lived as a stranger in the promised land. He lived there in a tent, and so did Isaac and Jacob, who were later given the same promise. (10) Abraham did this, because he was waiting for the eternal city that God had planned and built.

(11) Even when Sarah was too old to have children, she had faith that God would do what he had promised, and she had a son. (12) Her husband Abraham was almost dead, but he became the ancestor of many people. In fact, there are as many of them as there are stars in the sky or grains of sand along the beach.

(13) Every one of those people died. But they still had faith, even though they had not received what they had been promised. They were glad just to see these things from far away, and they agreed that they were only strangers and foreigners on this earth. (14) When people talk this way, it is clear that they are looking for a place to call their own. (15) If they had been talking about the land where they had once lived, they could have gone back at any time. (16) But they were looking forward to a better home in heaven. That's why God wasn't ashamed for them to call him their God. He even built a city for them.

(17-18) Abraham had been promised that Isaac, his only son,would continue his family. But when Abraham was tested, he had faith and was willing to sacrifice Isaac, (19) because he was sure that God could raise people to life. This was just like getting Isaac back from death. (20) Isaac had faith, and he promised blessings to Jacob and Esau. (21) Later, when Jacob was about to die, he leaned on his walking stick and worshiped. Then because of his faith he blessed each of Joseph's sons. (22) And right before Joseph died, he had faith that God would lead the people of Israel out of Egypt. So he told them to take his bones with them.

(23) Because Moses' parents had faith, they kept him hidden until he was three months old. They saw that he was a beautiful child, and they were not afraid to disobey the king's orders. (24) Then after Moses grew up, his faith made him refuse to be called Pharaoh's grandson. (25) He chose to be mistreated with God's people instead of having the good time that sin could bring for a little while. (26) Moses knew that the treasures of Egypt were not as wonderful as what he would receive from suffering for the Messiah, and he looked forward to his reward. (27) Because of his faith, Moses left Egypt. Moses had seen the invisible God and wasn't afraid of the king's anger. (28) His faith also made him celebrate Passover. He sprinkled the blood of animals on the doorposts, so that the first-born sons of the people of Israel would not be killed by the destroying angel.

(29) Because of their faith, the people walked through the Red Sea on dry land. But when the Egyptians tried to do it, they were drowned. (30) God's people had faith, and when they had walked around the city of Jericho for seven days, its walls fell down.

(31) Rahab had been a prostitute, but she had faith and welcomed the spies. So she wasn't killed with the people who disobeyed.

(32) What else can I say? There isn't enough time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets. (33) Their faith helped them conquer kingdoms, and because they did right, God made promises to them. They closed the jaws of lions (34) and put out raging fires and escaped from the swords of their enemies. Although they were weak, they were given the strength and power to chase foreign armies away.

(35) Some women received their loved ones back from death. Many of these people were tortured, but they refused to be released. They were sure that they would get a better reward when the dead are raised to life. (36) Others were made fun of and beaten with whips, and some were chained in jail. (37) Still others were stoned to death or sawed in two or killed with swords. Some had nothing but sheep skins or goat skins to wear. They were poor, mistreated, and tortured. (38) The world did not deserve these good people, who had to wander in deserts and on mountains and had to live in caves and holes in the ground. (39) All of them pleased God because of their faith! But still they died without being given what had been promised. (40) This was because God had something better in store for us. And he did not want them to reach the goal of their faith without us.

Deo Volente -- Whatever God Wants!
Grateful

Hardheaded As A Rock?

2012-01-09T10:26:00.006-05:00

They have become as hardheaded as a rock.
They refuse to change their ways.
-- From Jeremiah 5:3 (NET)

Lord, in my prayer journal this morning I wrote these words with great conviction: "Deo Volente... still!" Yes, "Still in my life, I want whatever You want." God forbid that I should be a human that is hardheaded as a rock. Change me until I completely possess Your mind, Christ Jesus! I want to be tender and devoted to the touch and desires of Your precious Holy Spirit within me. So be it! Amen!

Deo Volente -- Whatever God Wants!
Grateful

Passion Afterglow -- Waiting Passionately

2012-01-08T23:04:00.005-05:00

Lord, find us waiting passionately for You. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

Passion is waiting.
-- Henri Nouwen

Click here: Waiting Here For You (Live Passion) - YouTube

Deo Volente -- Whatever God Wants!
Grateful

Faithful To Finish!

2012-01-07T01:21:00.005-05:00

See to it that you complete the ministry you received in the Lord.
-- From Colossians 4:17 (NET)

Precious Lord, as You completed Your ministry for us on the Cross and cried out "It is finished", let us also be faithful to finish whatever ministry You have entrusted us to complete for You and Your glory. Amen and Amen.

Deo Volente -- Whatever God Wants!
Grateful

PASSION 2012 -- Final Day

2012-01-06T00:47:00.007-05:00

Well, we made it safely back to Virginia from Georgia. The journey was delightful from beginning to end. When the Lord assembles a group, you can know the chemistry will be miraculous. The Passion Gathering was a God-Thing, for sure. I was totally humbled to just serve the Lord and these young believers of Jesus.

Because it's about 1 a.m. as I am making this post and because I was the bus driver and am somewhat wondrously weary, let me just close with a few details about the Final Day of Passion 2012:

(1) Louie Giglio, The Passion Gathering Founder, shared a heartwarming closing message. He basically affirmed a message I share all the time with people. In my own words: "No matter what your age, get over searching for God's will. Just become God's will, and now!"

(2) The NASCAR rookie who won the Daytona 500 in 2011 on his 20th birthday, Trevor Bayne, was introduced as an attendee of the Passion Gathering. Louie told how Trevor gave glory to God after his win and then later when he had to miss races because of Lyme's disease continued to give God glory. The young congregation was reminded that they do not have to wait to speak for the Lord. 20-year-old Trevor Bayne didn't wait! When given the opportunity he was bold as a witness of His Lord.

Click here: 2011 Daytona 500 - Trevor Bayne Wins - YouTube

(3) Also, the 40,000-plus, 18-25-year-olds raised -- drum roll please -- 2 1/2 million dollars in three days to help prevent and to begin to bring an end to human slavery around the world. In addition to that, another giver inspired by the generosity and sacrifice of the Passion attendees gave $500,000. So,yes, your math is correct -- $3 million raised to hopefully bring that 27 million slaves around the world number down, one freed slave at a time! May the Lord be glorified!

(4) The Passion attendees also brought towels and socks for the homeless to Atlanta. Last count I heard there was about 25,000 towels and even more socks, even blankets came in though they were not requested. The stacks of these items in the Georgia Dome foyers were unbelievable to see. Teamwork really does make the dream work!

Please keep praying and thanks for following us along the Passion 2012 journey on my blog. I hope the photos have helped to encourage you as well.

Ephesians 6:19 (GWT) -- Also pray that God will give me the right words to say. Then I will speak boldly when I reveal the mystery of the Good News.

Deo Volente -- Whatever God Wants!
Grateful

PASSION 2012 -- DAY 3 -- Ephesians

2012-01-05T01:44:00.007-05:00

If you want to know the essence of The Passion Gathering on Wednesday, DAY #3, read the Apostle Paul's Letter to the Ephesians -- yes, all of it. In the early session Wednesday, five of the gathering's keynote speakers read in rhythm all six chapters of Ephesians aloud as the morning message. It was a strong rendering of God's Word.

And yes, today the money raised to prevent and abolish human slavery around the world rose from 1/2 million yesterday, to over 1 million this afternoon. The final number will be staggering, no doubt. Our group of only fourteen gave an offering of $1,000. Unbelievable is right! I'm sanctified proud of our 18-25-year-olds. They have also been a joy to be around. ALL JOY!

Our gathering for today ended with a midnight , silent candlelight walk and prayer vigil of 40,000-plus. We all gathered in the International Plaza here in Atlanta. Take it from me. 40,000-plus candles lit with everyone standing in the gap for modern-day slaves to be freed is powerful to participate in. And hearing Amazing Grace sung by so many voices in the dark, night air, is also very inspiring.

One more morning-to-noon session of Passion on Thursday and then we will be on the road home. We pray that upon our return to Virginia, our familes, homes, workplaces and our church will become delightfully different because we have been here seeking His face.

Pray for our young people. They have waved the white flag over their lives this week. Yes, surrender is in the air. Amen.

Deo Volente -- Whatever God Wants!
Kerry Willis

PASSION 2012: DAY 2: ComPASSION

2012-01-04T01:31:00.006-05:00

Well, it's 1:30 a.m. as we call it a day. Yes, Day 2 of Passion 2012 is history. Today, it was reported that the 40,000-plus 18-25-year-olds attending this gathering have given over 1/2 million dollars so far for the purpose of preventing and ultimately ending human slavery in our world. This evening, Francis Chan asked, "How would our passion about ending human slavery in the world be different if it were one of our loved ones who was suffering in slavery?"

Did you know that there is an estimated 27 million people living in our world today who are under the yoke of human slavery? I know, it's staggering. And beyond this staggering statistic, let us not forget that behind each number is an eternal soul in need of the church's help.

Tonight, Hillsong United led in a worship concert. One of their songs speaks directly to the issue of slavery and to many more, too. Yes, indeed, "everyone needs compassion."

Click here: Hillsong - Mighty to Save - With Subtitles/Lyrics - YouTube

When He (Jesus) saw the crowds, He felt sorry for them (He had compassion on them). They were troubled and helpless like sheep without a shepherd.
-- Matthew 9:36 (GWT)

Thanks for praying for our local college-age attendees and for all of the young people in attendance. Pray that the local churches these young souls return to will be willing to embrace their new-found comPASSION for our lost and dying world.

LIVE STREAMING LINK FOR PASSION GATHERING:
Click here: Passion 2012 Live Stream

Deo Volente -- Whatever God Wants!
Grateful

PASSION 2012 -- Wait With Hope For The Lord!

2012-01-03T08:16:00.008-05:00

Yesterday I spent 10 wonder-filled hours behind a mini-bus steering wheel driving young believers to Atlanta, Georgia for The PASSION 2012 event. We made it in time for the opening sessions of worship. From 7 p.m. until 1:30 a.m. I was immersed in the presence of over 40,000 18-25 years-olds seeking the face and favor of God. It was amazing. The evening ended with a concert of worship with The David Crowder Band. What a powerful experience! We left believing more than ever this awesome reality: "HE LOVES US!"

More to report later... but let me encourage you to read Luke 7 and Jesus raising the widow's dead son for some context of the message we heard last evening. Also, here is the key verse of The PASSION movement:

Isaiah 28:6 (GWT):
Certainly, we wait with hope for you, O Lord,
as we follow the path of your guiding principles.
We want to remember you and your name.

Click here: David Crowder*Band - How He Loves - YouTube

Deo Volente -- Whatever God Wants!
Grateful

People Do Not Control Their Own Destiny

2012-01-01T21:38:00.002-05:00

Lord, we know that people do not control their own destiny. It is not in their power to determine what will happen to them.
-- Jeremiah 10:23 (NET)

Lord, it is such a comfort to know that You have already been into this New Year and now You will lovingly lead us to the destiny that You have designed for those who wait for You and rest in Your Word. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Deo Volente -- Whatever God Wants!
Grateful

You Must Get Rid Of The Sin!

2011-12-31T10:00:00.003-05:00

...you must get rid of the sin that is ruining your lives.
-- Jeremiah 4:3 (NET)

Lord, as this old year gives way to the new one, help us to know that the best example of "out with the old and in with the new" is when we choose to rid ourselves of our sin that ruins our lives and to clothe ourselves with Your righteousness that renews our souls. In Jesus' name. Amen.

What can wash away my sin? NOTHING..... but the Blood of Jesus!

Deo Volente -- Whatever God Wants!
Grateful

Don't Be Discouraged By The Way Things Appear

2011-12-30T02:07:00.010-05:00

Lord, help me to trust in you and in what you are doing and can do and not be discouraged by the way things can appear.
-- A Young Believer named Jessica from Bulgaria

Indeed, our lives are guided by faith, not by sight.
-- 2 Corinthians 5:7 (GWT)

Click here: We Still Believe/Kathryn Scott/Hard To Watch Faith Video

Live By Faith! Die In Faith! (Hebrews 11)
Grateful

Beer & Wine Are For Those Who Have Lost All Hope.

2011-12-29T03:20:00.012-05:00

With the New Year approaching and all of the so-called "celebrations" on the horizon just ahead of us, I thought I would take a moment and just wave the warning lantern in hopes of helping some who read this post to minimize future regrets. Straight from the Bible, these are the words I share about the dangers of promiscuity and alcohol consumption:

What King Lemuel's Mother Taught Him

(1) These are the sayings that King Lemuel of Massa was taught by his mother. (2) My son Lemuel, you were born in answer to my prayers, so listen carefully.(3) Don't waste your life chasing after women! This has ruined many kings.(4) Kings and leaders should not get drunk or even want to drink.(5) Drinking makes you forget your responsibilities, and you mistreat the poor.(6) Beer and wine are only for the dying or for those who have lost all hope.(7) Let them drink and forget how poor and miserable they feel.
-- Proverbs 31:1-7 (CEV)

Deo Volente -- Whatever God Wants!
Grateful

Come Back To Me For Sin's Cure

2011-12-28T09:05:00.008-05:00

Come back to Me, you wayward people. I want to cure your waywardness. Say, "Here we are. We come to You because You are the Lord our God."
-- Jeremiah 3:22 (NET)

But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, cleanses us from all sin.
-- 1 John 1:7 (NLT)

Lord, I give thanks because You not only sent Your Son to forgive me of my sins, yes to wash away my sinful deeds and evil actions, but You also gave Your Son to cure me of my Sin. Yes, by His Blood, Jesus also came to cleanse me of my sinful disposition and egotistical attitude. Let me never forget that Your amazing grace is not only a covering for my sins, but also a power that cures me of Sin. Thanks for being willing to give Your precious life's Blood to cleanse me of what was killing me, Sin. Yes, You in essence became Sin, Who knew no Sin, so I could become Your righteousness. You gave Your wonderful life to cure me of my waywardness. In the Name of Jesus, I accept Your cure and I am forever grateful. Amen.

Click here: Nothing But The Blood - Matt Redman - YouTube

Holiness Unto The LORD!
Grateful

Turn To Me Before You Are In Trouble

2011-12-27T08:40:00.006-05:00

Yes, they have turned away from Me instead of turning to Me.
Yet when they are in trouble, they say, ‘Come and save us!’
-- From Jeremiah 2:27 (NET)

Lord, help us to turn to You everyday all-the-time. Yes, not just when the days grow dim, but also during the days of delight give us a desire to look to You. Give us a hunger to know You intimately in every instance, not just when we are in trouble. In the Name of Jesus. Amen.

Deo Volente -- Whatever God Wants!
Grateful

The Saddest Day Of The Year? December 26.

2011-12-26T10:50:00.013-05:00

In C.S Lewis' Land of Narnia language, one line is so very sad:
It was always winter, but Christmas never came.

If you know me, you know that I really love Christmas. In many ways, as I look ahead, Christmas is that most wonderful time of the year that helps get me through each winter, and even through each day on the calendar for that matter. Yes, day-after-day and year-after-year, I personally look forward to the whole Christmas Advent season. In fact, from Thanksgiving Day to Christmas at midnight, I feel most alive as a human being. And, so, it's obvious, I'm sure, that Christmas Day is my most favorite day on the calendar.

In this same way, my daughter is surely her daddy's child. Last night, Christmas Night, I sent my daughter a message after she had arrived back at her home having spent Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with us. I said, "Merry Christmas. Only 55 minutes of Christmas 2011 left." Her message back to me was, "The day after Christmas is the saddest day of the year." I agree. I know you can get-all-spiritual on me and tell me "why the day after Christmas should not be the saddest day of the year". Still, I agree with my daughter, in that, emotionally speaking, because after awaking on the day after Christmas we are the very farthest we can be from the next Christmas Day, December 26 has to be, hands down, the saddest day of the year. So, for my daughter and her daddy, the case is closed. We just accept the fact and begin focusing forward to, you got it, December 25 again.

Still, on this morning after Christmas Day, I have been thanking God that, for us, "it is not always winter" and especially I am most grateful that "Christmas always comes where we live". So, my emotions are encouraged because in *364 more days, Lord willing, that most wonderful day of the year will come again. (* Actually 365 more days since 2012 is a leap year and has 366 days. Oh, well.)

Some say, "Christmas? It's just another day". To which I totally disagree, because Christmas Day is not just another day. Christmas is "The Day" that we celebrate The Birth of Hope. Yes, on Christmas Day, Hope was born in Bethlehem so we could get through all of the other days on planet earth, until someday we see the face of our King Jesus. Then He will take us to His Heavenly Home, where I have absolutely no doubt that it will be like CHRISTMAS ALL-THE-TIME, YES CHRISTMAS DAY EVERYDAY!

As Christmas 2011 is becoming an evaporating memory in our rear view mirrors, I think it would be good to share together in one more upbeat Christmas Carol. Click below and give thanks for Christmas Day and especially for The Christ Child.

Click here: Mary's Boy Child / Oh My Lord - Boney M - YouTube

ALL JOY TO YOUR WORLD!
Grateful

The Bethlehem Boy Brings Beautiful Joy!

2011-12-25T08:48:00.007-05:00

BE BEAUTIFULLY BLESSED AT CHRISTMASTIME & BEYOND!

Shepherds watching… Night falling…

Angel appearing… Glory glowing…

Shepherds shaking… Good News given…

Great Joy promised… Bethlehem honored…

Shepherds humbled… Angels announcing…

Glory heightened… Peace resting…

Shepherds excited… Angels exiting…

Baby entering… Mary treasuring…

Shepherds returning… Shepherds glorifying…

Shepherds praising… Shepherds telling,

Dark ages are history! Light years are here!

THE BETHLEHEM BOY BRINGS BEAUTIFUL JOY!

Click here: Sarah McLachlan "O Little Town Of Bethlehem" - YouTube

MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Grateful

Silver And Gold

2011-12-24T20:56:00.004-05:00

The silver is mine, and the gold is Mine, declares the LORD of hosts.
-- Haggai 2:8 (ESV)

Click here: Silver & Gold - YouTube -- Burl Ives

MERRY CHRISTMAS.... Deo Volente (Whatever God Wants)!
Grateful

Whose Are You?

2011-12-23T00:09:00.003-05:00

Finally, my dear friends, be glad that you belong to the Lord.
-- From Philippians 3:1 (CEV)

Click here: Larnelle Harris Live - I Can Be Glad - YouTube

These seven words from 2 Timothy 2:19. encourage my soul:
The Lord knows those who are His...

I am not my own. I belong to Christ!
Grateful

Who Can Be Trusted?

2011-12-22T07:03:00.004-05:00

I alone am the God Who can be trusted.
-- From Isaiah 65:16 (CEV)

Today, Lord, we know as we place all of our trust in You, that Your mercies are renewed towards us. As new challenges arise on the horizons of our lives, encourage our hearts in knowing that Your compassions are also replenishing on our behalf. It's true, on Christ The Solid Rock we stand, all other ground is sinking sand. Amen.

Click here: On Christ the Solid Rock - YouTube

Holiness Unto The LORD!
Grateful

The Only God -- There Is None Like You

2011-12-21T00:06:00.007-05:00

You are the only God ever seen or heard of who works miracles for His followers.
-- Isaiah 64:4 (CEV)

Click here: I Worship You, Almighty God (There is none like you)- Sondra Corbett - YouTube

My Dad and I are in the waiting room at the hospital. Not a favorite place to be at Christmastime, but we sense God's favor anyway.

Mom had hip surgery on Monday after she missed the bottom step coming down the stairs Sunday morning at 6 a.m. She thought her pain was only her arthritis, but later in the day after an ambulance ride to the Emergency Room, we learned her hip was indeed fractured. Recovery and rehabilitation are underway now. Her pain has been intense.

Dad and I are interceding in quiet prayer as the nurses are attempting to get Mom on her feet in her room. When I sat down, I plugged in my computer to listen to God's Word through my ear phones. I glanced over at Dad and he had the Gideon's Holy Bible open in his hand. Like his Mother, my Granny Margery, Dad whispers audibly when he reads "silently". Seeing my Dad whispering God's Word as I listen to God's Word warms my heart. We have no one else to turn to but God. And, we need no one else.

Our God, You are The Only God. There is None Like You! In Jesus' Name. Amen.

ALL JOY TO YOUR WORLD!

Grateful

Our Hero Has Won The Battle

2011-12-20T10:34:00.003-05:00

Who is this Hero marching in His glorious uniform? "It's Mme, the LORD! I have won the battle, and I can save you!"
-- From Isaiah 63:1 (CEV)

Holiness unto The LORD!
Grateful

Mind-Reader

2011-12-19T06:45:00.001-05:00

God can read your mind. He watches each of us and knows our thoughts.
-- From Proverbs 24:12 (CEV)

Holiness Unto The LORD!
Grateful

Days of Sorrow Will End

2011-12-18T07:08:00.002-05:00

I, the LORD, will be your everlasting light, and your days of sorrow will come to an end.
-- Isaiah 60:20b (CEV)

By Faith! In Faith! (Hebrews 11)
Grateful

It's Still The Greatest Story Ever Told

2011-12-17T07:12:00.007-05:00

I must have inherited my love for Christmas music from my mother, Melba. I can still remember when I was a boy growing up in her presence and hearing her sing as she went about her housework. It's a wonderful heart-warming memory, especially hearing her sing Christmas music.

Last night Mom and Dad came to spend a few days with us. They are in their seventies now. I am humbled that they would drive 400-plus miles to spend time with us during this season of the year. As we talked last evening, eventually, the topic turned to, you guessed it, Christmas music.

Mom asked if I had ever heard the Christmas Song titled, "It's Still the Greatest Story Ever Told?" I had not heard it, but after searching on YouTube, I found it and played it for all of us to hear. It's a beautiful Christmas Song, indeed. And yes, Christmas, the story of Christ coming from Heaven to earth to save us from our sins, is still the greatest story ever told.

Listen for yourself:
Click here: Gaither Vocal Band - It's Still The Greatest Story Ever Told

Here are the written lyrics:

A woman and an angel, a promise and a song.
A word too grand for any mind to hold.
A tax law and a journey, a stable and some straw.
These tell the greatest story ever told.

Oh sing glory in the highest, He is come our great Messiah.
Come bow before this awesome mystery.
Mighty God and fragile baby, here a lowly manger holds.
And it's still the greatest story ever told.

A hillside and some shepherds, a blaze of blinding light.
Angels singing carols in the cold.
Eternal revelation to men as dull as stone.
The glorious, greatest story ever told.

Oh sing glory in the highest, He is come our great Messiah.
Come bow before this awesome mystery.
Mighty God and fragile baby, here a lowly manger holds.
And it's still the greatest story ever told.

Oh sing glory in the highest, He is come our great Messiah.
Come bow before this awesome mystery.
Mighty God and fragile baby, here a lowly manger holds.
And it's still the greatest story ever told.

Holiness Unto The LORD!
Grateful

What It Really Means To Worship The Lord

2011-12-16T09:59:00.005-05:00

(6)I'll tell you what it really means to worship the LORD. Remove the chains of prisoners who are chained unjustly. Free those who are abused! (7) Share your food with everyone who is hungry; share your home with the poor and homeless. Give clothes to those in need; don't turn away your relatives. (8) Then your light will shine like the dawning sun, and you will quickly be healed. Your honesty will protect you as you advance, and the glory of the LORD will defend you from behind. (9) When you beg the LORD for help, He will answer, "Here I am!"
-- Isaiah 58:6-9 (CEV)

Holiness Unto The LORD!
Grateful

"I Am Here to Help!" -- Our Holy God

2011-12-15T08:35:00.007-05:00

(15) Our Holy God lives forever in the highest heavens, and this is what He says: Though I live high above in the holy place, I am here to help those who are humble and depend only on me."
-- Isaiah 57:15 (CEV)

Click here: He is Here - Gaither Vocal Band - YouTube

Holiness unto the LORD!
Grateful

God Is Near. Breathe.

2011-12-14T00:16:00.004-05:00

(6) Turn to the LORD! He can still be found. Call out to God! He is near. (7) Give up your crooked ways and your evil thoughts. Return to the LORD our God. He will be merciful and forgive your sins.
-- Isaiah 55:6-7 (CEV)

Click here: Michael W Smith - Breathe w/lyrics - YouTube

Holiness Unto The LORD!
Grateful

Greedy, Indecent, Immoral.

2011-12-13T05:57:00.002-05:00

Being greedy, indecent, or immoral is just another way of worshiping idols. You can be sure that people who behave in this way will never be part of the kingdom that belongs to Christ and to God.
-- Ephesians 5:5 (CEV)

Lord, I want to be generous, not greedy.
I want my life to be sacred, not indecent.
And please make me holy, lest I be immoral.
In Jesus' name.
Amen.

Holiness Unto The LORD!
Grateful

Who Are You Counting On And Longing For?

2011-12-12T07:30:00.005-05:00

(5) I am counting on the Lord;
yes, I am counting on Him.
I have put my hope in His word.
(6) I long for the Lord
more than sentries long for the dawn,
yes, more than sentries long for the dawn.
-- Psalm 130:5-6 (NLT)

Click here: O Come, O Come Emmanuel - Daves Highway 2011

Lord, Your Presence is the Promise that demands my desires.
I love You, Lord, because You first loved me.
In Jesus' name. Amen

Lord, I want to know You more and more and more...
Grateful

When Others Insult You?

2011-12-11T00:07:00.001-05:00

Don't be discouraged when others insult you and say hurtful things.

-- Isaiah 51:7 (CEV)

Holiness Unto The Lord!
Grateful

The Way Things Can Appear

2011-12-10T02:31:00.005-05:00

It's 2:30 a.m. or so where I live and these thoughts I've heard and read are wondrously keeping me awake:

Lord, help me to trust in you and in what you are doing and can do and not be discouraged by the way things can appear.
-- Jessica, Bulgaria

For we walk by faith, not by sight...
-- 2 Corinthians 5;7 (KJV)

Click here: Rich Mullins: The just shall live - YouTube

By Faith! In Faith! (Hebrews 11)
Grateful

P.S. Good Night! Indeed!

You Made God's Love Disappear.

2011-12-09T01:17:00.006-05:00

I have never heard a more direct-to-the-heart and power-packed question and answer than when I recently heard this question and answer recorded in God's Word:

If you see some brother or sister in need and have the means to do something about it but turn a cold shoulder and do nothing, what happens to God's love? It disappears. And you made it disappear.
-- 1 John 3:17 (MSG)

Lord, don't let me allow Your Love to disappear in my circles of influence.
Grateful

Humbled. Overwhelmed. At Peace.

2011-12-08T00:01:00.005-05:00

Tonight, as I was entering our local church sanctuary to be joyously blessed by The Annie Moses Band as they performed almost two hours of Christmas music during this glorious Advent Season, I found myself praying this rest-filled prayer:

Lord, I am humbled because of Your new mercy.
I am overwhelmed because of Your amazing grace.
I am at peace because of Your abiding presence.
Amen. Amen. Amen.

Click here: God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen - Annie Moses Band

A Mighty and Merry Christmas To You!
Grateful

Stop Living Stupid. Be Truly Holy.

2011-12-07T00:27:00.005-05:00

(17) As a follower of the Lord, I order you to stop living like stupid, godless people. (18) Their minds are in the dark, and they are stubborn and ignorant and have missed out on the life that comes from God. They no longer have any feelings about what is right, (19) and they are so greedy that they do all kinds of indecent things. (20-21) But that isn't what you were taught about Jesus Christ. He is the truth, and you heard about Him and learned about Him. (22) You were told that your foolish desires will destroy you and that you must give up your old way of life with all its bad habits. (23) Let the Spirit change your way of thinking (24) and make you into a new person. You were created to be like God, and so you must please Him and be truly holy.
-- Ephesians 4:17-24 (CEV)

Holiness Unto The LORD!
Grateful

You Won't Be Disappointed If...

2011-12-06T21:53:00.003-05:00

I am the LORD. You won't be disappointed if you trust Me.
-- Isaiah 49:23b (CEV)

By Faith! In Faith! (Hebrews 11)
Graterful

He Was Here Before Time Began! He Is!

2011-12-05T00:01:00.004-05:00

Come closer and listen! I have never kept secret the things I have said, and I was here before time began.
-- God's Claim in Isaiah 48:16 (CEV)

Click here: Aaron Jeoffrey--"He Is" - YouTube

Holiness Unto The LORD!
Grateful

Hearts United

2011-12-04T21:04:00.003-05:00

(2b) Patiently put up with each other and love each other. (3) Try your best to let God's Spirit keep your hearts united. Do this by living at peace.
-- Ephesians 4:2b-3 (CEV)

Holiness Unto The LORD!
Grateful

You Felt... You... Were In Control?

2011-12-03T13:58:00.001-05:00

(10) You hid behind evil like a shield and said, "No one can see me!" You were fooled by your wisdom and your knowledge; you felt sure that you alone were in full control.
-- Isaiah 47:10 (CEV)

Holiness Unto The LORD!
Grateful

When You Are Old And Gray

2011-12-02T16:43:00.005-05:00

(3) You survivors in Israel, listen to Me, the LORD. Since the day you were born, I have carried you along. (4) I will still be the same when you are old and gray, and I will take care of you. I created you. I will carry you and always keep you safe. (5) Can anyone compare with Me? Is anyone My equal?
-- Isaiah 46:3-5 (CEV)

Holiness Unto The LORD!
Grateful

The Messiah May Dwell In Your Hearts

2011-12-01T00:41:00.007-05:00

(16) I pray that He may grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, (17) and that the Messiah may dwell in your hearts through faith. I pray that you, being rooted and firmly established in love...
-- Ephesians 3:16-17 (HCS)

Cast out our sin and enter in. Be born in us today.
-- O Little Town of Bethlehem

Click here: Sarah McLachlan "O Little Town Of Bethlehem" - YouTube

Holiness Unto The LORD!
Grateful

O What A Savior! YOUR SAVIOR!

2011-11-30T08:25:00.009-05:00

I have swept away your transgressions like a cloud, and your sins like a mist. Return to Me, for I have redeemed (saved) you.
-- Isaiah 44:22 (HCS)
(10) The angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid! I have good news for you, a message that will fill everyone with joy. (11) Today YOUR SAVIOR, Christ the Lord, was born in David’s city. (12) This is how you will recognize him: You will find an infant wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a manger.”
-- Luke 2:10-12 (GWT)

Last night as Pastor James Spruill and I were leaving the church parking lot following one of our Christmas Advent Season Revival services, gratitude for God's faithfulness was overflowing from both of our hearts. Pastor James exclaimed, "If I was a singer, I would have broken out loudly at the end of the altar time with the old hymn 'O What A Savior!"

Click here: Brian Free & Assurance-Oh What a Savior - YouTube

Here are the lyrics to that beloved hymn written by Marvin Dalton:

Once I was straying in sin's dark valley,
No hope within could I see,
But up in Heaven there is a Savior,
who saved a poor lost soul like me,

O what a Savior, O hallelujah!
His heart was broken on Calvary,
His hands were nail scarred,
His side was riven,
He gave His life-blood for even me.

He left the Father with all His riches,
With calmness sweet and serene,
Came down from Heaven and gave His life-blood,
To make the vilest sinner clean.

O what a Savior, O hallelujah!
His heart was broken on Calvary,
His hands were nail scarred,
His side was riven,
He gave His life-blood for even me.

Death's chilly waters I'll soon be crossing,
His hand will lead me safe o'er,
I'll join the chorus in that great city,
And sing up there forever more.

O what a Savior, O hallelujah!
His heart was broken on Calvary,
His hands were nail scarred,
His side was riven,
He gave His life-blood for even me.

Holiness Unto The LORD!
Grateful

You Have Burdened Me With Your Sins

2011-11-28T23:21:00.008-05:00

But you have burdened Me with your sins;
you have wearied Me with your iniquities.
-- God's Cry in Isaiah 43:24b (HCS)

Lord forgive! Lord forbid! Lord, give us a holy hunger to live lives apart from sinning against You and give us hearts aflame with holy fire to worship only You. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, because they will be filled.
-- Matthew 5:6 (HCS)

Click here: Hungry (Falling On My Knees) - Kathryn Scott - YouTube

Holiness Unto The LORD!
Grateful

"I Am Your King!" Yes, You Are My King!

2011-11-28T08:26:00.008-05:00

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.
-- Matthew 2:2 (HCS)

I am the LORD, your Holy One,
the Creator of Israel, your King.
-- Isaiah 43:15 (HCS)

Lord, it seems in this verse You are crying out to me personally:
"I am your Lord, your Holy One, your King.
Worship Me. Know Me. Serve Me."

Click here: You Are My King (worship video w/ lyrics) - YouTube

Yes, You Are My King!
Grateful

Go Through

2011-11-27T08:04:00.003-05:00

Many things in life you cannot go around, you just have to go through them.
-- James Spruill

Through many dangers, toil, and snares
I have already come...
-- The Hymn, Amazing Grace

Grateful

Access. No Longer Foreigners. Sanctuary.

2011-11-26T09:20:00.010-05:00

(17) When Christ came, He proclaimed the good news of peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. (18) For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father. (19) So then you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with the saints, and members of God's household, (20) built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone. (21) The whole building is being fitted together in Him and is growing into a holy sanctuary in the Lord, (22) in whom you also are being built together for God's dwelling in the Spirit.
-- Ephesians 2:17-22 (HCS)

Click here: Sanctuary - Worship Video w/ lyrics Randy Rothwell

Holiness Unto The LORD!
Grateful

You Were Dead. You Are Saved.

2011-11-25T00:00:00.004-05:00

(1) And you were dead in your trespasses and sins (2) in which you previously walked according to this worldly age, according to the ruler of the atmospheric domain, the spirit now working in the disobedient. (3) We too all previously lived among them in our fleshly desires, carrying out the inclinations of our flesh and thoughts, and by nature we were children under wrath, as the others were also. (4) But God, who is abundant in mercy, because of His great love that He had for us, (5) made us alive with the Messiah even though we were dead in trespasses. By grace you are saved!
-- Ephesians 2:1-5 (HCS)

Holiness Unto The LORD!
Grateful

Thankful That I Have & Need No Other Savior

2011-11-24T08:56:00.009-05:00

(10) No god was formed before Me,
and there will be none after Me.
(11) I, I am the LORD,
and there is no other Savior but Me.
-- Isaiah 43:10-11 (HCS)

Lord, I am so thankful that I have no other Savior and I need no other Savior but YOU!

Click here: Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart - YouTube

Because of my Lord, it is truly a Happy Thanksgiving!
I have a Grateful heart, Indeed!

P.S. May favorite Thanksgiving Story at link below:

Click here: Are You Ready For The King's Thanksgiving?

Seeing Many Things, Surrendering Everything

2011-11-23T10:55:00.006-05:00

Though seeing many things, you do not obey.
-- Isaiah 42:20 (HCS)

Lord, I want my eyes to have Your perspective and my heart to also be willing to totally obey Your desires. I know that seeing what You want is not enough. I must surrender to what You want. In Your Holy Name, make it so in my never-dying soul. Amen.

Click here: Michael W Smith/Coalo Zamorano/I Surrender All

Seeing Many Things, I Surrender Everything... to You, My LORD!
Grateful

Hear. See. Obey.

2011-11-22T05:55:00.005-05:00

Though seeing many things, you do not obey.
-- Isaiah 42:20 (HCS)

Lord, give to me at all times ears to hear Your voice, eyes to see Your vision, and a hunger to obey Your desires, totally. Make it difficult for me to disobey Your desires. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Holiness Unto The LORD!
Grateful

In The Bleak Midwinter (Warmth For The Soul)

2011-11-21T10:01:00.008-05:00

On a late night ride home from the airport, I replayed this song on my car stereo at least a dozen times. Though winter is approaching, it was a tender season of warmth for my soul, yes a real joy ride for sure. I pray the lyrics will also now warm your heart:

Click here: In The Bleak Midwinter - James Taylor - YouTube

"In the Bleak MidWinter"
(Original words written as a poem: Christina Rosetti)

In the bleak midwinter,
frosty wind made moan,
Earth stood hard as iron,
water like a stone;
Snow had fallen, snow on snow,
snow on snow,
In the bleak midwinter, long ago.

Our God, heaven cannot hold Him,
nor earth sustain;
Heaven and earth shall flee away
when He comes to reign.
In the bleak midwinter
a stable place sufficed
The Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ.

Angels and archangels
may have gathered there,
Cherubim and seraphim
thronged the air;
But His mother only,
in her maiden bliss,
Worshiped the beloved with a kiss.

What can I give Him,
poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd,
I would bring a lamb;
If I were a Wise Man,
I would do my part;
Yet what I can give Him: give my heart.

ALL JOY TO YOUR WORLD!
Grateful

I Will Hold You. I Will Keep You.

2011-11-20T00:11:00.003-05:00

(6) "I, the LORD, have called you
for a righteous purpose,
and I will hold you by your hand.
I will keep you, and I make you
a covenant for the people
and a light to the nations,
(7) in order to open blind eyes,
to bring out prisoners from the dungeon,
and those sitting in darkness from the prison house.
(8) I am Yahweh, that is My name;
I will not give My glory to another,
or my praise to idols.
(9) The past events have indeed happened.
Now I declare new events;
I announce them to you before they occur."
-- Isaiah 42:6-9 (HCS)

Holiness Unto The LORD!
Grateful

Stay Away From Deep Pits And Narrow Wells

2011-11-19T08:07:00.001-05:00

(25) Let your father and mother have joy,
and let her who gave birth to you rejoice.
(26) My son, give me your heart,
and let your eyes observe my ways.
(27) For a prostitute is a deep pit,
and a forbidden woman is a narrow well;
(28) indeed, she sets an ambush like a robber
and increases those among men who are unfaithful.
-- Proverbs 23:25-28 (HCS)

Holiness Unto the LORD!
Grateful

Those Who Have An Anxious Heart

2011-11-18T03:44:00.001-05:00

(3A) Strengthen the weak hands,
and make firm the feeble knees.
(4) Say to those who have an anxious heart,
"Be strong; fear not!
Behold, your God
will come with vengeance,
with the recompense of God.
He will come and save you."
-- Isaiah 35:3-4(ESV)

Holiness Unto The LORD!
Grateful

Walk By The Spirit

2011-11-17T00:24:00.002-05:00

I say then, walk by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.
-- Galatians 5:16 (HCS)

...if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live.
-- Romans 8:13b (NLT)

Holiness Unto The LORD!
Grateful

The Lord is Rising Up. Wait For Him.

2011-11-16T10:42:00.003-05:00

(18) Therefore the LORD is waiting to show you mercy,
and is rising up to show you compassion,
for the LORD is a just God.
Happy are all who wait patiently for Him.
-- Isaiah 30:18 (HCS)

Holiness Unto The LORD!
Grateful

The One Who Believes? Unshakable!

2011-11-15T05:56:00.004-05:00

Therefore the Lord GOD said:
"Look, I have laid a stone in Zion,
a tested stone,
a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation;
the one who believes will be unshakable."
-- Isaiah 28:16 (HCS)

Click here: On Christ the Solid Rock - YouTube

On Christ The Solid Rock I Stand!
Grateful

Quiet Confidence or Fast Horses?

2011-11-14T09:29:00.005-05:00

(15) For the Lord GOD , the Holy One of Israel, has said:
"You will be delivered by returning and resting;
your strength will lie in quiet confidence.
But you are not willing."
(16) You say, "No!
We will escape on horses"—
therefore you will escape!—
and, "We will ride on fast horses"—
but those who pursue you will be faster.
(17) One thousand will flee at the threat of one,
at the threat of five you will flee,
until you alone remain
like a solitary pole on a mountaintop
or a banner on a hill.
-- Isaiah 30:15-17 (HCS)

Lord, we want to be found always entering into Your quiet confidence rather than ever attempting to escape Your Presence on fast horses.
Grateful

Your Life Is Like A Morning Fog...

2011-11-13T12:22:00.007-05:00

Hear these sobering words from James 4:14-17 (NLT):

(14) How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog — it’s here a little while, then it’s gone.
(15) What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.”
(16) Otherwise you are boasting about your own plans, and all such boasting is evil.
(17) Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.

Only one life will soon be past,
and only what's done for Christ will last.
-- Message on wall at my Granny and Granddaddy's homeplace

By Faith! In Faith! (Hebrews 11)
Grateful

Skidboot, One The Most Amazing And Obedient Of Men's Best Friends Ever

2011-11-12T02:24:00.011-05:00

Lord willing, I will be preaching on obedience this coming Sunday at our local church. In doing the research for the message, I came across two of my favorite Youtube videos of all-time. Yes, watch these Youtubes of David Hartwig from Texas and his blue heeler dog named Skidboot. Skidboot is surely one of the most amazing and obedient of men's best friends ever.

Click here: The Amazing Skidboot - YouTube

Click here: Skidboot the Amazing Dog - YouTube

Oh yeah, and Luke 5:1-11 might encourage you and me towards obedience as well, so that Jesus can call us His "obedient friends" too:

(1) One day as Jesus was preaching on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, great crowds pressed in on Him to listen to the word of God. (2) He noticed two empty boats at the water’s edge, for the fishermen had left them and were washing their nets. (3) Stepping into one of the boats, Jesus asked Simon, its owner, to push it out into the water. So He sat in the boat and taught the crowds from there. (4) When He had finished speaking, He said to Simon, “Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish.” (5) “Master,” Simon replied, “we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing. But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again.” (6) And this time their nets were so full of fish they began to tear! (7) A shout for help brought their partners in the other boat, and soon both boats were filled with fish and on the verge of sinking. (8) When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, “Oh, Lord, please leave me—I’m too much of a sinner to be around you.” (9) For he was awestruck by the number of fish they had caught, as were the others with him. (10) His partners, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were also amazed. Jesus replied to Simon, “Don’t be afraid! From now on you’ll be fishing for people!” (11) And as soon as they landed, they left everything and followed Jesus. (NLT)

Let's Trust and Obey Jesus Totally!
Grateful

God Will Wipe Away Tears...

2011-11-11T14:29:00.011-05:00

This morning my phone rang early with heart-wrenching news that a beloved husband and father in our local fellowship had passed away in the night. He was two years younger than me. As I made my way to the home to cry with his family, I needed God's Word to cling to. This passage continues to give me some measure of perspective and peace in the midst of the pain:

(8) He will swallow up death forever;
and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from all faces,
and the reproach of His people He will take away from all the earth,
for the LORD has spoken.
(9) It will be said on that day,
"Behold, this is our God; we have waited for Him,
that He might save us.
This is the LORD; we have waited for Him;
let us be glad and rejoice in His salvation."
-- Isaiah 25:8-9 (ESV)

Click here: Matt Maher - Hold Us Together - YouTube

Please pray for the precious wife and the dear sons that this beloved husband and father left behind. Pray that they will sense that God is holding them together with His Love and that the Hope of a Glad Reunion Day will begin to appear clearly before them.

Your Love Will Hold Us Together, Lord Jesus!
Grateful

Really Live!

2011-11-10T00:12:00.001-05:00

Did it ever occur to you, that life was/is meant to be... LIVED!?

I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
-- Words of Jesus in John 10:10b (NIV)

For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return.
-- Philippians 1:10 (NLT)

May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.
-- Ephesians 3:19 (NLT)

Let's Look to Jesus and Really Live!
Grateful

What Sorrow

2011-11-09T09:15:00.003-05:00

(11) What sorrow for those who get up early in the morning
looking for a drink of alcohol
and spend long evenings drinking wine
to make themselves flaming drunk.
(12) They furnish wine and lovely music at their grand parties—
lyre and harp, tambourine and flute—
but they never think about the Lord
or notice what he is doing.
-- Isaiah 5:11-12 (NLT)

Lord, I never want to be so numb that I never think about You or notice what You are doing.
Grateful

In The Night...

2011-11-08T05:56:00.003-05:00

(8) In the path of your judgments,
O LORD, we wait for you;
Your name and remembrance
are the desire of our soul.
(9) My soul yearns for You in the night;
my spirit within me earnestly seeks You.
-- Isaiah 26:8-9 (ESV)

Holiness Unto The LORD!
Grateful

Grace Rain Down

2011-11-07T08:53:00.004-05:00

I was truly blessed in October of 2011 to be invited to an overseas gathering for about 650 church leaders from Europe, Asia, and The Middle East. It was such a humbling and glorious experience for me. The worship leader, Dave, from Hamburg, Germany, wrote a theme song for the worship services. He was kind enough to share the song with me and our local church has now been singing it in our own worship gatherings. I share the lyrics with you now. Be blessed:

GRACE RAIN DOWN

1. We have come together, long to see You now
Nothing here is hidden, move Your Word in power
Jesus, breathe from heaven, fill Your Church with life
Grant us new beginnings, beautify Your Bride
With one voice we sing, sing to You, our King

Chorus:
Let Your grace rain down
On every city, every town
Fill the earth with Your renown
Let salvation come
To every tribe and every tongue
For the victory is won

2. We, the still and idle, humbly now repent
We need to be awakened by the One who sends
Re-ignite compassion, let the visions grow
Lead us to the margins, gladly we will go
So, our lives we bring, all to You, our King

Bridge:
May the love be shown and the seed be sown
May the bread be shared, broken lives repaired
May the rich ones give so the poor ones live
May the sick be healed, Christ the King revealed

Coda:
Let Your Kingdom come, Lord
Let it come in us
Let Your Kingdom come, Lord
Let it come through us

Written and Copyrighted by David Schnitter, 2011

His Grace is Enough!
Grateful

The Lord Will Make Himself Known

2011-11-06T15:27:00.005-05:00

...He will send them a Savior and Defender, and deliver them (those who swear allegiance to the Lord of hosts). And the LORD will make Himself known...
-- From Isaiah 19:20-21 (ESV)

Holiness Unto The LORD!
Grateful

Words Left Unsaid. Deeds Left Undone.

2011-11-05T00:09:00.004-04:00

The bitterest tears shed over graves are for words left unsaid and deeds left undone.
--Harriet Beecher Stowe

Click here: If I Had Only Known - Reba McEntire

Lord, help us to live lives that minimize future regrets in our relationships.
Grateful

Do You Not Realize?

2011-11-04T09:18:00.002-04:00

(5) Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? — unless indeed you fail to meet the test! (6) I hope you will find out that we have not failed the test.
-- 2 Corinthians 14:5-6 (ESV)

Christ in you, the hope of glory! (Col. 1:27b)
Grateful

In God I Trust

2011-11-03T09:41:00.001-04:00

(3) When I am afraid,
I put my trust in you.
(4) In God, whose word I praise,
in God I trust; I shall not be afraid.
What can flesh do to me?
(11) ...In God I trust; I shall not be afraid.
What can man do to me?
-- Psalm 56:3-4, 11 (ESV)

Holiness Unto The LORD!
Grateful

Is Your All On The Altar?

2011-11-02T07:27:00.001-04:00

In a precious conversation with my dear Christlike Mom, she reminded me of this old hymn. The lyrics are so searching:

You have longed for sweet peace,
And for faith to increase,
And have earnestly, fervently prayed;
But you cannot have rest,
Or be perfectly blest,
Until all on the altar is laid.

Refrain:
Is your all on the altar of sacrifice laid?
Your heart does the Spirit control?
You can only be blest,
And have peace and sweet rest,
As you yield Him your body and soul.

Would you walk with the Lord,
In the light of His word,
And have peace and contentment alway?
You must do His sweet will,
To be free from all ill,
On the altar your all you must lay.

Oh, we never can know
What the Lord will bestow
Of the blessings for which we have prayed,
Till our body and soul
He doth fully control,
And our all on the altar is laid.

Who can tell all the love
He will send from above,
And how happy our hearts will be made;
Of the fellowship sweet
We shall share at His feet,
When our all on the altar is laid.

Holiness unto The LORD!
Grateful

His Resting Place

2011-11-01T05:52:00.005-04:00

My prayer today is that you will know glorious rest
in the Lord Almighty's presence.
In Jesus' name. Amen.

...and His resting place shall be glorious.
-- From Isaiah 11:10 (ESV)

Holiness unto the LORD!
Grateful

He Will Sustain You

2011-10-31T09:10:00.004-04:00

Cast your burden on the LORD, and He will sustain you; He will never permit the righteous to be moved.
-- Psalm 55:22 (ESV)

Click here: Hold Me Jesus - Rich Mullins with lyrics. - YouTube

"Sustain" = "to bear up under"

Lord, unless You sustain me, all hope is gone.
You are my Rock. Hold me Jesus!
Grateful

If You Will Live For Him?

2011-10-30T12:49:00.003-04:00

After an 18-day overseas trip and spending time with God's people across Europe, Asia, and The Middle East, this passage was strong on my mind this morning so I shared it with our local church at offering time. I hope it speaks to you God's peace that surpasses all understanding:

(31) So don't worry about having enough food or clothing. (32) Why be like the pagans who are so deeply concerned about these things? Your Heavenly Father already knows all your needs. (33) and He will give you all you need from day to day if you will live for Him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern.
-- Matthew 6:31-33 (NLT)

Holiness Unto The LORD!
Grateful

To Keep Me From Becoming Conceited

2011-10-29T05:27:00.003-04:00

(7) So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. (8) Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. (9) But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (10) For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
-- 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 (ESV)

By Faith! in Faith! (Hebrews 11)
Grateful

Hearts Aflame Discipleship Journey

2011-10-24T14:28:00.006-04:00

Today, I, along with one of my partners in ministry, Pastor Vic, baptized 20 people in the Jordan River. Tonight, I am lost in wonder, love, and praise.

One of the ladies on this discipleship journey, Dara, read these words from Mark, Chapter 1, from God's Holy Word just before the sacred moments of baptism began:

(9) One day Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee, and John baptized Him in the Jordan River. (10) As Jesus came up out of the water, He saw the heavens splitting apart and the Holy Spirit descending on Him like a dove. (11) And a voice from heaven said, “You are my dearly loved Son, and You bring me great joy.” (12) The Spirit then compelled Jesus to go into the wilderness, (13) where He was tempted by Satan for forty days. He was out among the wild animals, and angels took care of Him. (14) Later on, after John was arrested, Jesus went into Galilee, where He preached God’s Good News. (15) “The time promised by God has come at last!” He announced. “The Kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!”

It was a powerful day to say the least.

Now, as I post this blog content, I can hear the waves of The Sea of Galilee lapping along the seashore about 20 feet outside my hotel room window. In the morning we, like Jesus, will steadfastly set our faces to go to Jerusalem (Luke 9:51).

Our guide in The Holy Land, Johnny, said this to us earlier in the week: "Every believer should desire to visit the Holy Land of our Lord Jesus at least once in their lifetime." Indeed, being here lives up to the reputation that comes along with journeying through the Holy Land -- Yes, it most surely is like living within what has been called The 5th Gospel of The Bible.

I pray that wherever you are, the presence of the Man from Galilee will speak "Peace be still to your soul" and that your heart will be aflame with the beauty of His Holiness.

Holiness Unto The LORD!
Grateful

Wait For The Lord

2011-10-23T16:13:00.003-04:00

I will wait for the LORD,
Who is hiding his face...
and I will hope in him.
-- Isaiah 8:17 (ESV)

Holiness Unto The LORD!
Grateful

Consider Others More Important Than Yourselves

2011-10-22T15:32:00.005-04:00

(3) Don't be jealous or proud, but be humble and consider others more important than yourselves. (4) Care about them as much as you care about yourselves (5) and think the same way that Christ Jesus thought. -- Philippians 2:3-5 (CEV)

Holiness Unto The LORD!
Grateful

I Will Not Forget You!

2011-10-20T17:11:00.002-04:00

(14) But Zion said, “The Lord has abandoned me. My Lord has forgotten me.” (15) Can a woman forget her nursing child? Will she have no compassion on the child from her womb? Although mothers may forget, I will not forget you. (16) I have engraved you on the palms of my hands. Your walls are always in my presence.
-- Isaiah 49:14-16

Remember Me. I Will Remember You! -- God
Grateful

If You Want To Boast?

2011-10-17T16:31:00.001-04:00

(17) As the Scriptures say, “If you want to boast, boast only about the Lord.” (18) When people commend themselves, it doesn’t count for much. The important thing is for the Lord to commend them.
-- 2 Corinthians 10:17-18 (NLT)

Lord, I am not my own. I belong to You!
Grateful