Sunday, October 26, 2008
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Friday, October 17, 2008
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Lord You're So Good To Me
Last night at my home group we sang a very familiar Sovereign Grace Song, “You’re So Good to Me” As with everything else this week, this song came at the PERFECT timing (you can read more about that on my blog), in particular the chorus. Last night, through this song, I was so ministered to that I took some time this morning and broke down the different lines of the chorus and applied some Scripture verses to them. I do this with a lot of songs because it helps me apply the glorious gospel truths that are proclaimed through so many worship songs. As I sing about God and all that He has accomplished for me, may I remember that I am no longer bound to sin, but AM NOW ALLIVE IN CHRIST!!!
For You have crowned my days
I need to remember that every day I go through the Lord is at hand, He is my Shepherd and I have NOTHING to worry about!
James 1:12- “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trail, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.”
Revelation 2:10- “Do not fear what you are about to suffer….Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.”
With overwhelming grace
Day to day when I sin and fail to recognize God’s hand upon my life His grace is there to forgive me for my failures. His mercies are new and His love NEVER fails.
2 Corinthians 12:9- “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.”
Ephesians 1:6-7- “To the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace.”
Ephesians 2:4-5- “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ- by grace you have been saved.”
Titus 2:11-12- “For the grace of God has appeased, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age.”
Lord You’re so good to me
Though going through difficult times right now, I can still say that God has been so GOOD to me. My family is extremely BLESSED and His grace continues to pour out on us.
Romans 8:28- “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
Though troubles fall like rain
Though day to day I face difficult circumstances, I need to trust God! I need to rely on His goodness and strength to get me through my days.
1 Peter 1:6- “In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials
James 1:2- “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.
This precious truth remains
The precious truth remains that Christ has redeemed me from His wrath! Day to day when I fail to recognize His goodness, He still remains faithful to me. Christ sent His Son to pay for my sins and has already ordained ALL of my days. What refreshment this brings to my soul and oh the JOY it brings!
John 3:16- “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
Psalm 25:10- “All the paths of the Lord are steadfast, love, and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.”
Lamentations 3:22-23- “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
Lord You’re so good to me
Yes you’re so good to me!
-Candace
For You have crowned my days
I need to remember that every day I go through the Lord is at hand, He is my Shepherd and I have NOTHING to worry about!
James 1:12- “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trail, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.”
Revelation 2:10- “Do not fear what you are about to suffer….Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.”
With overwhelming grace
Day to day when I sin and fail to recognize God’s hand upon my life His grace is there to forgive me for my failures. His mercies are new and His love NEVER fails.
2 Corinthians 12:9- “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.”
Ephesians 1:6-7- “To the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace.”
Ephesians 2:4-5- “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ- by grace you have been saved.”
Titus 2:11-12- “For the grace of God has appeased, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age.”
Lord You’re so good to me
Though going through difficult times right now, I can still say that God has been so GOOD to me. My family is extremely BLESSED and His grace continues to pour out on us.
Romans 8:28- “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
Though troubles fall like rain
Though day to day I face difficult circumstances, I need to trust God! I need to rely on His goodness and strength to get me through my days.
1 Peter 1:6- “In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials
James 1:2- “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.
This precious truth remains
The precious truth remains that Christ has redeemed me from His wrath! Day to day when I fail to recognize His goodness, He still remains faithful to me. Christ sent His Son to pay for my sins and has already ordained ALL of my days. What refreshment this brings to my soul and oh the JOY it brings!
John 3:16- “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
Psalm 25:10- “All the paths of the Lord are steadfast, love, and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.”
Lamentations 3:22-23- “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
Lord You’re so good to me
Yes you’re so good to me!
-Candace
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Don't Waste Your Sports
What will keep us from turning sports... into something ugly rather than beautiful?I was sent this link from my home group leader a few weeks ago, in which it immediately caught my attention because sports are an interest of mine, and have been a big part of my life growing up. I typed out my notes below but you can listen to C.J. Mahaney give the sermon at this link:
We must not allow our participation in sports or the viewing of sports to become idolatry, to become a false and functional God, to become a substitute for God, to become something we love in place of God, worship in place of God, and serve in place of God. Sports, is a gift from God, but when you add the human heart to the game itself, its all to easy for the gift to become an idol.
Principal 1
Participation in sports must be informed by the knowledge of God. We have a tendency, when considering the topic of glorifying God in sports, to proceed immediately to practical application and to prematurely consider specific ways we are called to glorify God in sports. But any practical consideration must first proceed from a theologically informed understanding of the character of God as revealed in Scripture and the person and work of Christ. We must begin our consideration of this topic, as well as of every topic, with God. Until we behold the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ we cannot accurately or authentically glorify God (2 Corinthians 4:6). Before we play sports for the glory of God we must behold the glory of God.
Principal 2
Participation in sports must be done as worship to God. Before we step onto the field or court, the Christian must realize this isn't just simply or solely a field or court but, a context for worship. Scripture is clear in that we are to worship and glorify God in all in life, which obviously includes sports. This perspective transforms the playing field into a context to worship and to glorify God, not impress others or draw attention to myself. This perspective transforms the game into an opportunity to honor God, express ones love for God, reflect the character of God, and to bring glory to God.
Practice 1
We glorify God in sports, by giving thanks to God for sports. If we fail to give thanks to God, we do not glorify God, and instead we cultivate a God ignoring, man centered, idolatress heart and attitude.
Practice 2
We glorify God in sports, by displaying Godly character in sports. We glorify God when we play sports, with humility. The humble athlete is modest when he wins and gracious in defeat.
- Nick
My Blog
Friday, September 19, 2008
Worst Poem Ever...
Down, straight down to the dark murky depths
To avoid the eye that never sleeps
I sit and wait, watch and listen
Hoping, wishing 'please don't find me'
Stupid, dumb, obtuse, thick-witted
Didn't you read the second line?
-Kyle
Monday, September 15, 2008
The Ladder: Part IV
This ladder was like no other.
Its facade extended upwards, eventually fading from sight. All the others had a top. An end. you climbed up only to fall short and crawl back down... down.
But not this one.
Anticipation and excitement welled up within him as he realized what this ladder brought with it. Access.
It was the ladder to heaven.
Laughing and weeping uncontrollably, he placed his foot upon the first rung and began to ascend...
(Genesis 28:12, John 1: 43-51)
These verses gave me the idea for this story. I absolutely love it how the New Testament fulfills the Old!
-Kyle-
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Where Is Your Boast?
Jeremiah 9:23-24-“Thus says the Lord: ‘Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I DELIGHT, declares the Lord.’”
Recently I was reading the passage of scripture above and was convicted. There have been many occasions in my life that I haven’t boasted in the Lord with all my might, especially when talking to others. I loved Him very much so but, there have been times I let my circumstances rule more than the Lord in my life. How kind of Him to show me this! I should be so excited to tell others about what the Lord has accomplished for me, not what I have accomplished. The passage says that I am to boast in the Lord! I need to realize that more than anyone else in the world, He “understands and knows ME”, that “the Lord is a God who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the ALL the earth.” You know what else? It says that “He delights in doing this!” As John Piper says, “our call in life is to glorify God by enjoying Him FOREVER.” How foolish of me not to do this at ALL times! Christ sent His son to die for me so that I can enjoy this everlasting freedom in Him!
Jeremiah 10:6, 10-"There is NONE like You, O Lord; You are GREAT, and Your name is GREAT in might. But the Lord is the TRUE God; He is the living God and the EVERLASTING King."
There is nothing in this world that I should be boasting in besides our glorious and mighty Father who is in Heaven. The One who sent His son to die showing us His never ending steadfast love. Oh what hope this brings!
The words from the hymn below, “How Deep the Father’s Love” help to remind me of what it is that I should be boasting in:
I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection
Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom
Here are some questions that I needed to ask myself…maybe they apply to your life as well:
1. Is there a thing or situation in my life that I’m more focused on than glorifying God?
2. If someone were to look into my life right now would they see a person that boasts in the ways of the Lord? Or someone that boasts in the ways of the world?
3. If the answers to questions one and two where yes, than what am I going to do to change this?
-Candace
Recently I was reading the passage of scripture above and was convicted. There have been many occasions in my life that I haven’t boasted in the Lord with all my might, especially when talking to others. I loved Him very much so but, there have been times I let my circumstances rule more than the Lord in my life. How kind of Him to show me this! I should be so excited to tell others about what the Lord has accomplished for me, not what I have accomplished. The passage says that I am to boast in the Lord! I need to realize that more than anyone else in the world, He “understands and knows ME”, that “the Lord is a God who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the ALL the earth.” You know what else? It says that “He delights in doing this!” As John Piper says, “our call in life is to glorify God by enjoying Him FOREVER.” How foolish of me not to do this at ALL times! Christ sent His son to die for me so that I can enjoy this everlasting freedom in Him!
Jeremiah 10:6, 10-"There is NONE like You, O Lord; You are GREAT, and Your name is GREAT in might. But the Lord is the TRUE God; He is the living God and the EVERLASTING King."
There is nothing in this world that I should be boasting in besides our glorious and mighty Father who is in Heaven. The One who sent His son to die showing us His never ending steadfast love. Oh what hope this brings!
The words from the hymn below, “How Deep the Father’s Love” help to remind me of what it is that I should be boasting in:
I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection
Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom
Here are some questions that I needed to ask myself…maybe they apply to your life as well:
1. Is there a thing or situation in my life that I’m more focused on than glorifying God?
2. If someone were to look into my life right now would they see a person that boasts in the ways of the Lord? Or someone that boasts in the ways of the world?
3. If the answers to questions one and two where yes, than what am I going to do to change this?
-Candace
The Ladder: Part III
He was close enough to touch it now.
Reaching out, he allowed his hand to lightly brush its frame.
Sturdy.
Suppressing small waves of anticipation, this time he placed his hand on a rung and let it remain there a moment. The singing earlier had not been his imagination... he could hear it clearly now.
Could this be it? Had he finally found it? Or, more accurately, had it found him?
He felt a small smile creep onto his lips as he placed both hands on the ladder and peered upward. His breath caught in his throat as his eyes adjusted to the dim light and took in what he saw...
-Kyle-
Friday, September 12, 2008
The Ladder: Part II
He stopped.
His own breathing echoed in his ears along with the memories of his past... He had spent much of his life looking for this ladder and now to find it in such an unremarkable place it seemed, well... dissapointing.
But they had told him him "come and see", and he had followed. After all, he had not waited this long to turn back now.
Once agian he began to carefully pick his way through the room drawing closer and closer to the ladder... Was that singing he heard?...
-Kyle-
His own breathing echoed in his ears along with the memories of his past... He had spent much of his life looking for this ladder and now to find it in such an unremarkable place it seemed, well... dissapointing.
But they had told him him "come and see", and he had followed. After all, he had not waited this long to turn back now.
Once agian he began to carefully pick his way through the room drawing closer and closer to the ladder... Was that singing he heard?...
-Kyle-
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