Battle

There is much more to this life Than we can see with our our eyes. There is a battle going on, question is can you see the battle or Are you to caught up in the things of this world.  The things of this world are temporal and are as dust.  Don't conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the spirit of the living God. Let all who see or hear you an me not hear us, but see and hear the Holy Spirit in us. 

A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God’s mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike. I am in chains now, still preaching this message as God’s ambassador. So pray that I will keep on speaking boldly for him, as I should. (Ephesians 6:10-20 NLT)

This life is a battle. Make sure you have on your armor. 

Storm

This life often resembles walking around in a maze in the dark. Unless we have light we aimlessly wander around feeling the walls in the maze trying to find a way out but often ending up in a dead end.  Unless we have the light that is comes from Christ.  When jesus was dying on the cross the thief  who humbled himself even while dieing found the light. (Luke 23: 26-43) (Luke 11: 33-36)

No matter how dark the skies seem to get, no matter how stormy the sea seems to be (Luke 8: 22-25) the master is always right beside us, call to him and he is there.

grace

(in Christian belief) the free and unmerited favor of God, as manifested in the salvation of sinners and the bestowal of blessings.

• a divinely given talent or blessing.

  plural noun: graces

  "the graces of the Holy Spirit"
• the condition or fact of being favored by someone.

  "he fell from grace because of drug use at the Olympics"

  synonyms:

  favor, approval, approbation, acceptance, esteem, regard, respect; More

  antonyms:

  disfavor

What presence do we carry around with us?  who or what do we belong to?  can those we interact with on a daily basis tell whos we are simply by our walk and how we react to a given situation?  I for one need the grace found only in one place, that is in the cross of christ.  i can see my story aligning with that of the apostile paul (all but the murdering of beleivers).  He condemed unfairly those who were guilty of nothing.  he stood by and watched stephen be stoned to death and did nothing.  i guess what i am trying to say is that we are all prodigals in one way or another.  we all are in need of the redeaming grace found in the cross.

john 3:16 says "for god so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, so that everyone who beleives in him will not perish (die for all eternity) but have eternal life (life without end)".  the good news doesn't stop there, in john 3:17 it gets better. "god sent his son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.


John 3:18-21 NLT

“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.  And the judgment is based on this fact: God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil.  All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed.  But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants. ”

Titus 3:2-7 NLT

They must not slander anyone and must avoid quarreling. Instead, they should be gentle and show true humility to everyone. Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy, and we hated each other. But— When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.  He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. Because of his grace he declared us righteous and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life.

Our righteousness is but filty rags before the one true king.  I humble myself before the one that showed me grace when i didnt deserve it.  He gave his all for me, I must give my all for him no matter what the cost.  i must tell all who will hear of his grace, grace that is more than all we need.

when you lay down your life at the cross you will find it.

Touch The Sky (lyric video) - Hillsong UNITED:

Constant

Since we are surrounded by so many examples ⌊of faith⌋, we must get rid of everything that slows us down, especially sin that distracts us. We must run the race that lies ahead of us and never give up. We must focus on Jesus, the source and goal of our faith. He saw the joy ahead of him, so he endured death on the cross and ignored the disgrace it brought him. Then he received the highest position in heaven, the one next to the throne of God. Think about Jesus, who endured opposition from sinners, so that you don’t become tired and give up. You struggle against sin, but your struggles haven’t killed you. (Hebrews 12:1-4 GW)

We must run the race that lies ahead of us. We all have different paths that take us on different journeys. We must not lose sight of who journeys all those miles with us.   He is constant!  

http://youtu.be/XD0cvWImVjA

Still and rest.

As I stand here watching a robin hunt for bugs to feed to her young I am reminded of how much God cares for us. He would never leave us or forsake us. He wouldn't leave us as orphans. He provides for the birds of the sky surely he will provide for us. His love and grace surround us. Question is do we really take time to notice it?  I mean are we too busy caught up in the daily hustle and bustle of our walk here in this plane to notice the beauty of what is all around us. I pray sometime in the next week  all who read this will take time from being busy to just be still and thank god for all he has blessed us with. 

Laus deo

http://youtu.be/mq59iE3MhXM

shelter in the storm

It seems to me that we as humans seem to want to always fix things ourselves.  When life throws us a curve ball we try our best to hit it, but always seem to miss the ball.  We keep on swinging trying to make the hit and quell whatever storm is brewing.  

22One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and started out.23As they sailed across, Jesus settled down for a nap. But soon a fierce storm came down on the lake. The boat was filling with water, and they were in real danger.

24The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!”

When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and the raging waves. Suddenly the storm stopped and all was calm. 25Then he asked them, “Where is your faith?”

The disciples were terrified and amazed. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “When he gives a command, even the wind and waves obey him!”

Luke 8:22-25

It seems that when we get in the boat and starting rowing that things are ok and calm, but at the slightest wave or wind we panic.  We loose sight of the direction of shore and our mind takes us places that we don't need to go.  Been there, done that.  More than once in my life have i lost sight of shore and my mind has taken me down dark roads that i didn't need to travel down.  I should have in my panic and fear stopped and Let go and let god.  I know that sounds simple, like easy for you to say you aren't living in my storm.  You're right I'm not...but god is.  He said he wouldn't leave us as orphans.  He said he would never leave us nor forsake us.  He is always right beside us!

1-3God is a safe place to hide,

ready to help when we need him.

We stand fearless at the cliff-edge of doom,

courageous in seastorm and earthquake,

Before the rush and roar of oceans,

the tremors that shift mountains.

Jacob-wrestling God fights for us,

God-of-Angel-Armies protects us.

4-6River fountains splash joy, cooling God’s city,

this sacred haunt of the Most High.

God lives here, the streets are safe,

God at your service from crack of dawn.

Godless nations rant and rave, kings and kingdoms threaten,

but Earth does anything he says.

7Jacob-wrestling God fights for us,

God-of-Angel-Armies protects us.

8-10Attention, all! See the marvels of God!

He plants flowers and trees all over the earth,

Bans war from pole to pole,

breaks all the weapons across his knee.

“Step out of the traffic! Take a long,

loving look at me, your High God,

above politics, above everything.”

11Jacob-wrestling God for us,

God-of-Angel-Armies protects us.

In all things and situations i emplore you, let go and let god.  He can and will break the strongest chains and will bring you through any storm.  Just BE STILL and let him.

leeland - christ be all around me

NeedToBreathe - Brother

who or whom do you serve?

have you ever wondered where our society started slipping down off the edge of morality into the dark places we don't need to go?  who or what is to blame?  Or does the blame lie in us for standing silent in the face of what we know is wrong, or for saying "oh someone else will handle that" or "i don't want to get involved" or "it's not my problem let someone else worry about it."

 While traveling home yesterday from work, i was working 2 1/2 to 3 hours away from home yesterday, i had lots of time to think.  I got to wondering what peoples stories were that were in the cars next to me.  Had they lost loved ones this week, will they lose one this weekend, had they committed adultery or on their way to, are they lost in a dark place and see no way out?  I got to thinking who will be Jesus to them?  Do they have a friend or family member who can go with their lit lantern and shine light into the dark place they find themselves in?

I also got to wondering what would this world be like if everyone who calls themselves a follower and lantern waver for Christ really shined their light for all to see.  It seems to me that for far too long we Christians have remained quiet.  what if we as men and women of Christ BOLDLY proclaimed the love and grace found only in the cross to all we meet regardless of where they are, or what they are going through?  What if we believers bowed at the foot of the cross and really prayed, i'm not talking simply going through the motions, i'm talking weeping at the foot of the cross asking for our savior to use us to proclaim in love his good news and to use us everyday, in every situation?  What if we asked, I mean from every part of our body and soul, to be filled with the holy fire of god?  Filled so full that it ran out of us like water runs out of a glass that is too full?

Lord i pray that you start a revival in this nation, that you will use men and women, who society thinks can't be used.  i pray that you will give them the words and actions to boldly proclaim your message of love and grace.  Send your holy fire to your church that we might change this downward spiral that we find ourselves in.  your grace is enough for whatever is the matter.  Use me oh lord that i might shine brightly your love and grace to all I know and meet.

amen

chris tomlin - lord i need you

hillsong - awakening