Are you satisfied where you are?

Are you satisfied where you are or do you want More of his presence?

¹⁵  “How much will you pay me to betray Jesus to you?” And they gave him thirty pieces of silver.

matthew 26:15

Thirty pieces of silver, according to the commentary i use, was the price of a slave.  A slave is defined as one bound in servitude as the property of a person or household.  Jesus came to this world as a baby, grew into a man who was betrayed, beaten, crucified died, buried, and rose again.  

some might find this strange.  why would god send his only son into the world for him to be treated worse than a slave in the end?  There is onlt one word to explain this...love!  as a parent i would do anything for my children.  i love them to no end.  I know as much as i love them god loves them more.  This is the reason Jesus was sent.  We all fall short...but Jesus stood in the gap on calvalry.  now we have a bridge to god!

that being said, i often wonder why people would choose the silver, rather than the savior?!  

Matthew 26:69-75

New Living Translation (NLT)

Peter Denies Jesus

⁶⁹ Meanwhile, Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. A servant girl came over and said to him, “You were one of those with Jesus the Galilean.”

⁷⁰ But Peter denied it in front of everyone. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said.

⁷¹ Later, out by the gate, another servant girl noticed him and said to those standing around, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.^[a]”

⁷² Again Peter denied it, this time with an oath. “I don’t even know the man,” he said.

⁷³ A little later some of the other bystanders came over to Peter and said, “You must be one of them; we can tell by your Galilean accent.”

⁷⁴ Peter swore, “A curse on me if I’m lying—I don’t know the man!” And immediately the rooster crowed.

⁷⁵ Suddenly, Jesus’ words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows, you will deny three times that you even know me.” And he went away, weeping bitterly.

I wonder why people would deny him.  Peter did it...we are still doing it today.  That person in the grocery line in front of you may need someone to be Jesus to them.  That person walking down the street may need someone to be Jesus to them.  How we treat others is a direct reflection of Jesus in us.  How we love others says a lot about if he is alive in us.  Seems like most would rather choose this world over serving him.  some would rather drink the sand, than living water!  Question is what are you drinking, water or sand?

John 4:9-14

New Living Translation (NLT)

⁹ The woman was surprised, for Jews refuse to have anything to do with Samaritans.^[a] She said to Jesus, “You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman. Why are you asking me for a drink?”

¹⁰ Jesus replied, “If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water.”

¹¹ “But sir, you don’t have a rope or a bucket,” she said, “and this well is very deep. Where would you get this living water?¹² And besides, do you think you’re greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us this well? How can you offer better water than he and his sons and his animals enjoyed?”

¹³ Jesus replied, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. ¹⁴ But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.”

I implore  you to not drink the sand...you'll only stay dry and thirsty.  The devil comes with all his tricks...Rob the devil of his prize and drink from the living water and never thirst again!!  




Jesus culture - show me your glory

pursuit

In this life there are many things we pursue.  Some of them are of god...most are not.  Search me oh god.  If there are things i am in pursuit of that aren't of you, guide me away from them.  i will pursue you, and only you father.  i want only your presence.  I don't want to be where you are not.

Psalm 88

A song; a psalm by Korah’s descendants; for the choir director; according to mahalath leannoth;^[a] a maskil by Heman the Ezrahite.

¹ O Lord God, my savior,
    I cry out to you during the day and at night.
        
            Turn your ear to hear my cries.
³ My soul is filled with troubles,
    and my life comes closer to the grave.
        
        I am like a man without any strength—
            
            like those who have been killed and lie in graves,
            like those whom you no longer remember,
                who are cut off from your power.
⁶ You have put me in the bottom of the pit—in deep, dark places.
⁷ Your rage lies heavily on me.
    You make all your waves pound on me. Selah
⁸ You have taken my friends far away from me.
    You made me disgusting to them.
    I’m shut in, and I can’t get out.
        
            All day long I call out to you, O Lord.
                I stretch out my hands to you in prayer.

¹⁰ Will you perform miracles for those who are dead?
    Will the spirits of the dead rise and give thanks to you?Selah
¹¹ Will anyone tell about your mercy in Sheol
    or about your faithfulness in Abaddon?
¹² Will anyone know about your miracles in that dark place
    or about your righteousness in the place where forgotten people live?

¹³ I cry out to you for help, O Lord,
    and in the morning my prayer will come into your presence.

¹⁴ Why do you reject my soul, O Lord?
    Why do you hide your face from me?
¹⁵ Ever since I was young, I have been suffering and near death.
    I have endured your terrors, and now I am in despair.^[b]
16 Your burning anger has swept over me.
    Your terrors have destroyed me.
¹⁷ They swirl around me all day long like water.
    They surround me on all sides.
¹⁸ You have taken my loved ones and friends far away from me.
    Darkness is my only friend!^[c]

Father you gave it all on calvalry...all to you i owe!

Psalm 91

GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

Psalm 91

¹ Whoever lives under the shelter of the Most High
    will remain in the shadow of the Almighty.
² I will say to the Lord,
    “You are my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.”

³ He is the one who will rescue you from hunters’ traps
    and from deadly plagues.
⁴ He will cover you with his feathers,
    and under his wings you will find refuge.
        His truth is your shield and armor.

⁵ You do not need to fear
    terrors of the night,
    arrows that fly during the day,
⁶ plagues that roam the dark,
    epidemics that strike at noon.
        
            even though a thousand may fall dead beside you
                or ten thousand at your right side.

⁸ You only have to look with your eyes
    to see the punishment of wicked people.

⁹ You, O Lord, are my refuge!

You have made the Most High your home.
¹⁰ No harm will come to you.
    No sickness will come near your house.
¹¹ He will put his angels in charge of you
    to protect you in all your ways.
¹² They will carry you in their hands
    so that you never hit your foot against a rock.
¹³ You will step on lions and cobras.
    You will trample young lions and snakes.

¹⁴ Because you love me, I will rescue you.
    I will protect you because you know my name.
¹⁵ When you call to me, I will answer you.
    I will be with you when you are in trouble.
    I will save you and honor you.
¹⁶ I will satisfy you with a long life.
    I will show you how I will save you.

The following song has been on my heart for the past few days. I often wonder if all i pursue is of god.  i pray that if there are things that aren't of god...that he would help me see!  If there are things in people who read this post i pray that you would help them see where their pursuits lie.  

kim walker smith - pursuit

what are you pursuing?

calm in the storm

Often our lives seem to mirror the stormy seas in the movie the perfect storm.  The harbor seems calm, but the further out to sea we get the stormier the sea becomes.  There are times where it may appear that our boat may capsize.  There are some that go out to sea...and never find their way back to safe harbor.  How is the sea in your life?  Are you in safe harbor or are you lost at sea?  

The following lyrics are my prayer.  I invite you to click on the link and close your eyes and listen.  The image  i opened this entry with is chaos.  Without christ in our lives the sea of our life often seems like it did in the perfect storm.  the waves won't always be calm with christ in your life...but you will have someone to hold onto when life seems to be out of control.  

  My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest. (Exodus 33:14)
It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed. (Deuteronomy 31:8)
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. (Psalm 46:1-3)


Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders
Let me walk upon the waters
Wherever You would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger
In the presence of my Savior
[x6]

I will call upon Your Name
Keep my eyes above the waves
My soul will rest in Your embrace
I am Yours and You are mine

Have you ever asked him to be your savior?   some will say...i am far beyond gods help.  some will say if he knew the sins i have commited he wouldn't forgive me.  It's never too late, and there is never a sin he can't and won't forgive.  If you are tired of running in circles, tired of fighting the roaring waves alone...I invite you to pray the following prayer:

Dear God in heaven, I come to you in the name of Jesus. I acknowledge to You that I am a sinner, and I am sorry for my sins and the life that I have lived; I need your forgiveness.

I believe that your only begotten Son Jesus Christ shed His precious blood on the cross at Calvary and died for my sins, and I am now willing to turn from my sin.

You said in Your Holy Word, Romans 10:9 that if we confess the Lord our God and believe in our hearts that God raised Jesus from the dead, we shall be saved.

Right now I confess Jesus as the Lord of my soul. With my heart, I believe that God raised Jesus from the dead. This very moment I accept Jesus Christ as my own personal Savior and according to His Word, right now I am saved.

Thank you Jesus for your unlimited grace which has saved me from my sins. I thank you Jesus that your grace never leads to license, but rather it always leads to repentance. Therefore Lord Jesus transform my life so that I may bring glory and honor to you alone and not to myself.

Thank you Jesus for dying for me and giving me eternal life.
Amen.   



hillsong - oceans

dancing

Tuesday of this week my little girls turn 5.  I remember the day they were born like it was yesterday.  7:11pm and 7:12pm they were born.  I love them to no end.  I know god feels the same way, not only about them, but all of us.

watch the following link.  I almost always tear up when i hear it.  To me it represents the love god has poured out on us.  He loves us so much that he sent his one and only son to be torchered and to die on the cross.  To most parents this would be painful to see your child being scourged and beaten.  Most would to anything to make the pain for their child stop.  God loved all of us so much that he couldn't stop the pain and suffering his son was going through for us.

Has your clock struck midnight?  I pray that if you are living away from gods love, that you would pray for him to help you with your danceing.  I pray that all who need to repent would...before the clock strikes midnight.  I pray that the light of the world would shine on all who will read this.

amen


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrWMBC6yoME

all he gave

2 Timothy 1:9

New Living Translation (NLT)

⁹ For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time—to show us his grace through Christ Jesus.

Jesus has provided all we need. He calls us to live holy lives.  some might think that this is not possible in this day and time.  Nonsense!  Everything is possible with Jesus  and the help of the holy spirit. It seems to me that sometimes people take for granted all the love and grace he has given to us.  All i have he has given me.  I am truly thankful for 2 beautiful children, my wife, my family.  Some people take for granted the fact he has given all to us...all to him we owe. 

I am grateful

lost

The word lost can often mean several different things depending of your perspective.  The following is the definition of lost

lost  

/lôst/

Adjective Unable to find one's way; not knowing one's whereabouts: "they got lost in the fog". Unable to be found: "he turned up with my lost golf clubs".

Synonyms missing - stray - gone   1 Peter 5:8 ESV Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.   How often are we lost in the fog?  All too often.  The evil one often tends to make fog appear to proposely wander away from the love and guidance that the holy spirit has layed out in front of us.  He is there beside us no matter what wanting to guide us, even carry us when the way gets a little rough.  If we are lost what are we to do?  Do we wander around in  the fog trying to find our way?  do we stumble around in the Darkness that surrounds us?  all too often yes.  Never be afraid to hold out your hands and ask Jesus to guide you.  He will guide you or even carry you if the situation you are in is too much for you to walk through.    Matthew 6:25-34 ESV “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. ... Father i pray that no matter what the situation i pray that i would always seek your guidance and help first above all.  I want to depend on you not myself.  I stumble and fall when i try to handle things on my own.  All i am, all i have is yours.  for when i was lost you found me, when i was stumbling around in the dark, you were there to shine a lite and help me find the way to daylight.  amen hillsong - from the inside out

life in the light

How many of us know people that claim to be christian, but only open their bible for one hour on sunday?  How many know people who own a bible but don't know where it is?  Still how many more of us see wrongs being done unto others...and yet we sit here and do nothing? 

Matthew 25:31-46

New International Version (NIV)

The Sheep and the Goats

³¹ “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. ³² All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. ³³ He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
³⁴ “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. ³⁵ For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, ³⁶ I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
³⁷ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? ³⁸ When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? ³⁹ When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
⁴⁰ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
⁴¹ “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. ⁴² For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, ⁴³ I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’
⁴⁴ “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’
⁴⁵ “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’
⁴⁶ “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”


He has called us do do what we can.  But will we...it's time us as Christians rose up stopped sitting on our laurels and did what we could.  If you have been blessed financially, give.  if you have been blessed with the ability to cook...cook for those you know who either can't or are unable to.  We can all make a difference to someone...question is will we?

I pray that God will fill us to over flowing.  May we that can shine his love to those who need it.

jesus culture - fill me up 

are you full?

It seems that a lot of the time we hunger and thirst for things.  It may be different for each of us.  There are so many around this world that would give anything for the scraps of food we throw away.  We are so blessed as a people that most of us really don't see it.  Most are caught up in the turmoil of the way society is.  We are too worried about stuff that doesn't matter.  All i want is for jesus to fill me with his holy spirit.  i want Him to come into this shack, and renovate it.  i want him to so fill me with his spirit and truth that i overflow.

the following are some items i have found on other websites.  The prayer below is my prayer for this new year, for not only me and my family, but everyone i know!  If anyone who reads this wants me to pray for them, leave a comment. 

jesus culture - fill me up

"If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!"

Luke 11:13

Heavenly Father!You know the thirst in me! Yes! Lord I have come to ask You to fill me with Your Holy Spirit.Lord! We have come to the last days and You have promised to pour out Your Spirit upon all flesh! I claim in Your promise and plead for Your Holy Spirit Lord! Your Word says whoever asks shall receive! Let Your Holy Spirit step into my heart Lord and let His mighty presence engulf me even now!Lord cleanse me of all my sins and short comings so that Your Holy Spirit can dwell in me. Lord! Unless He comes into my life, I can never lead a flawless life before You! So I need Your Spirit. I open my heart to You, come in and take control of my whole being and quench my thirst Lord!I thank You Lord right now for granting me this precious gift. Let Him be my sweet companion for ever and let Him direct my steps. I know You have answered this prayer because I ask this in the most precious name of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.Amen.

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

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 

least

³⁵ For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, ³⁶ I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

⁴⁰ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

^{matthew 25 :35, 36, and 40 NIV}

whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.  I can't quite get over this verse.  Most might not think twice about how they treat others.  They might look at a homeless person on the street and think...well  they must be homeless because of something they did, or payments to a mortgage they didn't make.  Reality might be that their home burned to the ground and they couldn't afford to rebuild.  could be that they were thrown out onto the street by someone who just didn't want them around.  there could be a million reasons. 

some people might think less of a man that asks for help, or can't help himself.  whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.  everytime i see one of these situations i am almost immediatly reminded of this verse.  There are so many that can't help themselves.  there are so many that are in our circle of influence just wanting...needing a hand.  It could be as simple as an ear to listen, could be a sholder to cry on, could be someone to prepare meals for them.  We each could do so much to help our fellow brothers and sisters, all we need to do is take off the blinders that have been placed over our eyes.  whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.

Father i pray that you remove the blinders from my eyes.  break my heart for what breaks yours.  You came to fix our broken lives.  I can be your hands and feet lord just by helping someone that needs your touch.  My hands and feet are yours use them as you need!

in jesus name,
amen


hillsong - fire fall down

Passion - you revive me

Thankful

even though things seem bleek, we have so much here in this country to be thankful for.  most of us have a home, or warm place to sleep.  most of us have plenty of good food to eat.  it sometimes bothers me to see people pushing, shoving acting like total animals just to save a few dollars!

Jesus died a brutilly painful death so we could be thankful!  I pray that we all take time this holiday season and really thank god for what he has blessed us all with!

grateful for all he has provided for me!

billy