One man?!

Romans 5:1-8
New Living Translation (NLT)
Faith Brings Joy

5 Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. 2 Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.

3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. 5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

6 When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. 7 Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. 8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.


What kind of difference can one man make? In this modern world of speed and give me now mentality when was the last time we sat down and really thought about the difference one life can make? One soldier in a company jumping on a grenade can save most of his brothers. One fire fighter running into a burning home can save all those inside. Jesus bleeding dieing on the cross saves us all even when we were still wallowing in our own sin and pity.

Father I pray that I am always willing to throw a life line to those who need it. I have been so blessed, how could I not share it? I pray that all who read this will be willing and ready to throw a life line to those who need it! In Jesus name I pray

Amen

win or lose

Everywhere i look these days it seems there is some sort of battle going on.  Might be an actual battle, or a verbal battle, or a mental battle.  No matter how much you think you might have it under control, we all fight a battle on the inside.  All too often people try to wrestle with the inner demons on our own.  We were never meant to deal with this sort of battle. 

Colossians 1:15-22

GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

¹⁵ He is the image of the invisible God,
    the firstborn of all creation.
¹⁶ He created all things in heaven and on earth,
    visible and invisible.
        Whether they are kings or lords,
            rulers or powers—
                everything has been created through him and for him.
¹⁷ He existed before everything
    and holds everything together.
¹⁸ He is also the head of the church, which is his body.
    He is the beginning,
    the first to come back to life
        so that he would have first place in everything.

¹⁹ God was pleased to have all of himself live in Christ. ²⁰ God was also pleased to bring everything on earth and in heaven back to himself through Christ. He did this by making peace through Christ’s blood sacrificed on the cross.

²¹ Once you were separated from God. The evil things you did showed your hostile attitude. ²² But now Christ has brought you back to God by dying in his physical body. He did this so that you could come into God’s presence without sin, fault, or blame. 


Why do we insist on trying to fight it out on our own?  Jesus already paid the price and provided the answer on calvalry.  It really doesn't matter what battle we fight, Jesus is always the answer! 


Father i know there are people right now who are fighting their own battle, leaving you out of it.  I pray that you would intercede.  I pray that they would truly know that you are able and willing to Totally cleanse them from the inside out, that you will wash them whiter than snow! I pray that we would all remember that when things seem to be going rough...to wave our white flag and surrender it to  you!

rain

John 7 NLT 

³⁷ On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! ³⁸ Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’”


It seems these days like things are falling apart.  fiscal cliff,  greed run amok.  Oh father i pray that there would be a great revival in this land.  rain down your mighty presence on us oh father.    I pray that us as believers would remember that you are an awesome god, and are still on the throne.  i pray that rivers of your living water would flow out of me.  .



Are you thirsty?  tired of running the race the world thinks you should run?  Have you been lied to, cheated on, Hurt by the evil of this world?  tired of walking the tight rope of this world?  Come to Jesus and never thirst again!  I pray that anyone in my circle of influence that has had a tough time in life that needs you would come to you father.  If they need someone to talk to i pray they would seek me out, so i may pray for them.  Your door and mine father are open...question is will anyone knock?


jesus culture - holy

shout

When was the last time we as believers shouted from the roof tops about gods love?  When was the last time we proclaimed we were his?  When was the last time we stood arms wide open as if trying to give god a hug?  There are not words to describe how thankful I am that i am his and he is mine.  when was the last time you stood and held your arms out towards him and asked him to have his way in you?  Some might think they are beyond his saving power....nonsense!  He can save anyone no matter how bad their past was...or how evil they are living now!  All you need to do is ask! 



rooftops jesus culture

creation

How often do we actually sit and relax?  This past weekend i was enjoying lunch with my family.  The girls went to play on the playground.  I sat at the table staring out the window.  I had gotten to thinking about all the different species of plants, animals, and even how different each one of us people are.  I got to thinking about how complex that even one species is.  Not to mention the thousands of species of plants and animals.  I am in awe that god loves me, even with the complexity of his creation, to not only know the exact number of hairs on my head...but that he would send his only son to earth to be brutally beaten, and ultimately die for me.  When was the last time you really sat and thought about what can i do?  or is it more like what can be done for me?  there are many people who will never have the pleasure of a warm home in the winter, or plenty of food to eat.  There is always something we can do.  The family at the corner is making it on one income...couldn't we take them a meal?  a co worker is having problems at home...they really need to talk about it...but they are scared to say anything...can we lend a ear to them and a prayer?

All of our sins and shortcomings he already nailed to the cross.  We all have our ways that are opposite of what god wants for us...all we need is to make sure they stay nailed to the cross...and that we don't try to rip them down again. 

As a parent our children will follow our example, godly or not.  We can't both be the hand...key is for us to be the glove and allow the holy spirit to be the hand!



jesus you have already taken the punishment for my sin and shortcoming,  i pray that i forever leave my way nailed to your cross, and forever live in your way!  Father this christmas season i pray that i become more like the glove, and less like the hand.  I want you to guide me totally, for i want what you want. 

I surrender
I surrender
I want to know You more
I want to know You more

Like a rushing wind
Jesus breathe within
Lord have Your way
Lord have Your way in me

Like a mighty storm
Stir within my soul
Lord have Your way
Lord have Your way in me

amen

John 3:16-18

New Living Translation (NLT)

¹⁶ “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁷ God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.
¹⁸ “There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son.


hillsong - i surrender

Being stil in this stormy world

my thoughts tonight go to those lost today in Connecticut.  words fail me at times like this.  I know how i feel about my own children, i can only imagine how those parents feel.  Further more i can only imagine the sadness that our heavenly father must feel. The only verse i could think of is the first 3 versus of psalm 46.  He is here weeping amongst us.  If those of you who read this blog pray, then get on your knees and pray!  If those of you who read this blog don't pray...this might be a good time to start.  As for me...in constant prayer for not only those who went to be with my lord and savior, but those who were left behind.  May they find peace that can only come from one place!

psalm 46
¹ God is our refuge and strength,
    always ready to help in times of trouble.
² So we will not fear when earthquakes come
    and the mountains crumble into the sea.
³ Let the oceans roar and foam.
    Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge! 


Father as the storm clouds circle around new england tonight.  May you give all those affected by this tragedy inner peace.  I can't fathom the loss that those families are faceing.  On my knees i pray that you would give them the peace that only you could.

amen

 I hope we can all take a moment and be still and silent in remembrance of those lost this day.
casting crowns - praise you in this storm 

Thirst

About a week ago i was in a restaurant in northern Virginia.  I noticed a family in there at the bar.  The mother and father were at the bar drinking, the mother was tore up, to the point she could hardly stand.  Meanwhile their son was sitting alone in the booth behind them, watching them drink.  There aren't words enough for what i felt.  Most of all i was hurt for their son who had to watch his parents live a poor example.  I could almost see Jesus standing behind them crying.  

John 4:14 but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life."

Isaiah 44:3 For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants.


Have  you ever been really thirsty?  So thirsty that you think you could drink a gallon or 2 of water all at once?  we live in a dry and thirsty land.  Some people seem to want to drink the sand.  This kinda confuses me when Jesus came and died on the cross to give us living water.  To give us the kind of water where we would never thirst again.  Father revive us.  reign down your holy presence on us.  I pray for the lost of this world that are drinking the sand.  May I as a beleiver be a light so bright that they would find the living water that Jesus provided for us!  All we need is to as him to fill us with his water, and we will never thirst again!    Revive us oh father!


you revive me - passion 2012

what is your strength?

 ^{Psalm 46}

¹ God is our refuge and strength,
    always ready to help in times of trouble.
² So we will not fear when earthquakes come
    and the mountains crumble into the sea.
³ Let the oceans roar and foam.
    Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge! Interlude

⁴ A river brings joy to the city of our God,
    the sacred home of the Most High.
⁵ God dwells in that city; it cannot be destroyed.
    From the very break of day, God will protect it.
⁶ The nations are in chaos,
    and their kingdoms crumble!
God’s voice thunders,
    and the earth melts!
⁷ The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us;
    the God of Israel^[b] is our fortress. Interlude

⁸ Come, see the glorious works of the Lord:
    See how he brings destruction upon the world.
⁹ He causes wars to end throughout the earth.
    He breaks the bow and snaps the spear;
    he burns the shields with fire.

¹⁰ “Be still, and know that I am God!
    I will be honored by every nation.
    I will be honored throughout the world.”

¹¹ The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us;
    the God of Israel is our fortress. Interlude

what is your strength based on?  do you base your strength of what you know from the world?  do  you base your strength on what you yourself  can do?  We as humans seem to want to beleive we are self sufficient.  we seem to beleive that we are in control of all around us.  We are not, nor never have been in control!  I for one am glad that jesus assumed control of all in this world.  I can do nothing by myself...but with him in my corner there is nothing i can't do!  I pray that i never start to think that I am in control.  Jesus is in my drivers seat...who is in yours?

white flag - chris tomlin

children

while in northern virginia this week i saw one of the sadest sights i have seen in a long time.  a family was at the same resturant where i was having dinner.  sad part was the mother and father were drinking at the bar, the mother was plastered, and the father didnt seem to care that he and his wife were totally ignoring their son.  i had to stop and pray for them, i have been since i saw this.  i pray that the holy spirit would reveal himself in a mighty way to this family.  children deserve all we can give them, not to ignore them.

this world

Do Not Love This World

¹⁵ Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. ¹⁶ For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. ¹⁷ And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.

I see lots of people on a daily basis craving things of this world...never enough clothes, never a big enough house, never enough stuff.  I feel so blessed.  I have a warm house, plenty of clothes, plenty to eat.  There are so many around the world, even right here in this community that don't know where their next meal will some from.  there are many more that all they want is a warm coat to wear, or a warm place to sleep.

There are many in the community that could really make a difference, but think not me, maybe when the economy gets a little better, or after I get the new car i want, or after i get...or after i get...   there will always be an excuse, because so many are caught up in craving things of this world, that they will never see that they could be jesus to the homeless man of the corner, or to the family that has so steady income and can't even afford to get the simplest things.  

I pray that this season, instead of buying that extra gift that none of us need, we all will give, either time to a shelter, or food to a food bank, a coat to someone that couldn't afford it for themselves. 

‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters,^[a] you were doing it to me!’

father i pray that this season that we will all stop wallowing in our excess, and do what we can for those around us that could use a hand.  My we shine your light to them, so that they know that there is such a thing as hope.  Hope has a name, and his name is Jesus!

amen 

hillsong - came to my rescue 

short?

^{isiah 53:4-6}

⁴ Yet it was our weaknesses he carried;
    it was our sorrows^[a] that weighed him down.
And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God,
    a punishment for his own sins!
⁵ But he was pierced for our rebellion,
    crushed for our sins.
He was beaten so we could be whole.
    He was whipped so we could be healed.
⁶ All of us, like sheep, have strayed away.
    We have left God’s paths to follow our own.
Yet the Lord laid on him
    the sins of us all.

^{At this time of year when everyone is running around trying to grab bargains as fast as they appear, maybe we should stop and think, what kinds of gifts are we giving?  As a man i often think of what kinds of gifts am i leaving for my children.  am i perfect?  NO!  I fall short of Gods wonderful example in so many ways.  we have all wondered off on our own paths, Jesus is there with us just wanting us to hold out a hand for him to lead us back to his path.} 

^{Father I fall short of your glory in so many ways.  Father i raise my white flag May your presence and love so envelop me that others can't help but want the same for their lives.  My all, all i am, all i will be, all i have is yours!  I pray that my path is so deep and wide in your will father, that my children can't help but follow!} 

^amen

^{Not Ashamed - Passion featuring Kristian Stanfill} 

^{white flag - chris tomlin}