Love.

I am valuable. You are valuable. 

I can only imagine how many people in your life- whether they be strangers, mere acquaintances or very close friends/family- have told you that you weren’t good enough in some form or fashion. I believe the first time someone says or alludes that we aren’t good enough sends a shock to our system. it’s an alert. It is the very first introduction of a lie that Satan wants planted in our hearts. The second, third, fourth and all the rest of the times become assurance that we, in fact, are not good enough. I find this quite devastating. I know that the Bible tells me that I am worth it, that I am good enough, that I am loved- so why are so many Christians at a loss for who they are? Why do so many of us have insecurities? Why do we feel insignificant? Why is this life never easy? Why is this world so hurtful? Why can’t we all just get along? WHY?

We live in a fallen world. We are NOT only fighting against flesh and blood, but against principalities and authorities in the unseen- we are fighting a spiritual battle against someone who is here to STEAL, KILL, and DESTROY our lives. Let me just say-- if you haven’t already figured this out-- he knows what he is doing!! He has been around for a long time. He has experience. He knows what little thing he can whisper in our ears that will flow to our hearts and set itself up as a truth in our lives. IT IS A LIE. 

So what is the truth? You are a child of the most high God. 

He loves you very much! He loves you so much that He knew you before He created you- and He made you anyway. He knew all of your flaws, how you would sin and hurt Him, how you would rebel against your parents, wound someone else’s walk with Him etc. etc. BUT HE MADE YOU ANYWAY. He loves you despite the crap you have done. He loves you despite the crap you have gone through or ever will go through. He loves you. 

Why do we keep going back to that girlfriend, spouse, friend that keeps hurting us, keeps breaking our heart? Because we love them. Not for any reason we can explain. It doesn’t make sense. A lot of times we should’ve given up and  walked out on them a long time ago, but we stay. Because we love them. God is the same way, only He is perfect and we are not. 

We may never understand why or how He loves us. That is not the point, the point is- HE LOVES YOU! The word says that we are His beloved. He sent His only Son to die a horrifying death where He was beaten almost to death and then hung on a cross for all to stare at and mock. He did that for you and for me. He did not have to stay on that cross. He could have easily gotten down. He could have easily called ten thousand angels. But He didn’t! He hung there. He suffered. He died. For you. Because He loves you. Because He knew that the only way that you would get to spend eternity in His presence was if He took the punishment for your sins. Just before He died he said “It is finished”. I believe that He meant it. He paid our price. He gave the ultimate sacrifice so that we could be saved. He bridged the gap. Praise the Lord! Where would we be without Jesus? Wow. That is breath taking to me. He died for me. HE died for ME. HE DIED FOR ME. Why? Because He loves me. Because He has a plan for my life. Because He cares. Because in His eyes- the only ones that matter- I am good enough. Not on my own- through Him I am good enough. Would you listen to what He is saying?? HE LOVES YOU!!! If you weren’t supposed to be here- YOU WOULDN’T BE. If you weren’t supposed to look the way you do- YOU WOULDN’T. If you weren’t supposed to have a tough/strong personality- YOU WOULDN’T. He is no dummy. He does not make MISTAKES. He does not have ACCIDENTS. He knows what He is doing, and He does it perfectly.

I wanna back up a little.. God is all knowing. Before He created humans He knew that we were going to screw everything up. He knew that Adam and Eve were going to eat that fruit. He knew it. BUT He created them anyway. He gave them the freedom to choose anyway. He could’ve instilled in all of us the longing to only be with Him- which He did- but He could have taken away our ability to choose. Life and death are our choice. Blessings and curses are our choices. Heaven and hell are our choices. Why would He create people with such evil desires and give them the free will to choose whether or not they want to give up this world and cling to Him? Have you ever had a friend that was only your friend because your parents were friends and you had to be nice to one another? Maybe you really couldn’t stand one another at all but your mom gave you that look and  said “Y’all have to get along, her mom is my best friend.” That is not real friendship. Think about having an arranged marriage. Sure, some of them had to be pleasant- maybe a few people actually got paired with the one they loved. But let’s imagine you got someone you didn’t love. Someone you had to be kind to because they were now in a covenant bond with them for the rest of your life. That does not sound like love to me. “We are going to buy a nice house, get some land, have children and grow old together” seems like the nice parody in the back of all of our heads. Unless that fantasy becomes a reality with someone you are not in love with. This is now  a miserable situation. That is not the relationship God wanted with us. He wanted us to see His goodness and His love and grace and run to His arms WILLINGLY- not be forced to love Him because He said so. In saying all of that... God knew that we would often choose evil over good, that we would be consumed with this world, that He would have to lose many of His children, He knew that we would wound His heart- but He created us anyway, and He loves us. 

If the flawless creator of the entire universe loves you unconditionally, does it matter that the bitter and hurt people around you cannot accept you? Show them the love that Christ has given you. That is ultimately why we are here. There are hurting people in this world. They are not hurting because they feel loved, cherished and have no insecurities. They are hurting because at some point in their lives somebody who was missing the love of God influenced them and changed their outlook. Anyone can take a coke can and put a dent into, a dent that will not just go away. It takes a perfect and holy God to fix the dents that others have made in our lives. Are you willing to let Him take a shot at what He does best? He is waiting. His arms are outstretched and He is saying “my beloved child, come and find rest and comfort in me. I love you.” 

I dare each and every one of you to really seek the Father’s heart and know that He loves you. 

You are valuable. 

Ready or not, here He comes!

                                

 About a week ago some of my good friends came down and we had a worship service for several hours on Saturday. It was amazing. While they were here, they gave me a Misty Edwards CD. I must say it is quite an amazing CD! Misty Edwards undoubtedly has an anointed voice and sings songs that have power. When we were worshipping and listening to the CD, we skipped track number 7 because it sounded “creepy”. However, when I took the CD home something inside me continually hounded me to listen to that song and see where such an anointed lady was going with the melody and lyrics. So I did, and it is an AMAZING song! This weekend I participated in a 48 hour prayer battle. I don’t say battle to sound cool, that is literally what we did all weekend. We fought against the powers that are ruling over our area. It was tiring and hard to fight through, but it was necessary. In the midst of battling we had worship time, we shared with others, and we read the Word. One of the songs that we played on the first night was “People get Ready” by Misty Edwards because I wanted all of my fellows to hear the “creepy” song that has moved my Spirit so much. This song is now our battle cry, and I would now like to share it with you. 

The song starts off by simply saying “He’s coming” over and over again. 

This is a simple and strong reminder that our Savior, Jesus Christ, is not gone forever... He is coming back to get us, to rescue us from this fallen world and take us to paradise with Him. Or, if you happen to be someone who does not have a relationship with Him, He is coming back to claim His people and you will be taken to your eternal dwelling place-- Hell. I pray that everyone reading this blog is on the first end of the stick and that the words “He’s coming” are a joyful reminder that there are better things than this broken and hurting world rather than a harsh warning that you are living wrong and you will pay the price for what you have done. Now that does not by any means imply that the ones who are going to Heaven are perfect, holy, or by any means deserving of the mansions we will receive. It simply means that we have accepted the beautifully wrapped gift of salvation, redemption and grace that our Lord died on a cross to give us. He still wants you to accept it-- if you have yet to do so, it is not too late. 

This is followed with “awake, awake O sleeper”. I find these lines very powerful. This phrase is implying that the church needs to wake up from our slumber and do what we were sent here to accomplish-- spread the Good News. We, as a collective church body, have got to stop sitting back and watching young children be hurt, families be ripped apart and people all over kill themselves because they feel like there is no point in continuing in this life. We have to stand up. Wake up from our comfortable position of “it’s easier to sit back and watch and say ‘amen’ to the good word the preacher gives” than to stand up, step out of our comfort zone and be the Christ followers we are called to be. I am just as guilty as anyone else. It is not always easy to follow what God has for us, but He assures us through the Word that He will never leave us nor forsake us, He will not put us through anything that is too difficult for us to make it through and He will ALWAYS be there for us. So, lets stand up. “People get ready!!” 

We are only at the beginning of the story as Misty Edwards points out. There is so much more to come. If you have read the Bible all the way through than you will know the end of the story too. I will let you in on a secret, it has to do with the harvesting of the good and bad people. With God bringing His followers into eternal fellowship with Him. With streets of gold and mansions made from fine jewels. It is called the coming of Jesus-- whether we are ready or not, He will be coming back and He will lay claim to everything on this earth. 

After this, the song slowly begins to rise in tempo. It gets more intense and Misty Edwards slowly begins chanting “I can hear the rhythm of the Lion of the tribe of Judah”. All I can say is that gives me chills! Can you hear the rhythm? Can you hear His voice? I can say that there are times when I hear His voice plainly, and other times when it takes me a while to listen. We have to tune our hearts and ears to what He is telling us. 

My chills do not leave until the song is completely over and probably a little while after that as well. The next part is filled with power. “He is not a baby in a manger anymore! He is not a broken man on a cross! He did not stay in the grave! And He is not staying in Heaven forever!” WOW. We cannot be like Ricky Bobby and pray to a little baby Jesus when we bless our meal. He grew up. He was pierced for our transgressions and buried in a grave. BUT-- He is not in that grave anymore! On the third day, He rose and He ascended to Heaven! The story does not end there either! He is going to descend and claim us! He is coming back for you and for me! That should move something inside of you! The king of all creation loves me enough that He died on a cross for me and is going to leave His throne in Heaven to come back and take me home with Him! AMEN! Are you ready? If He showed up today would you be ready? Would you be able to recognize Him when He walked up to you? Would you recognize His voice? Would you be able to look into His eyes and say “My Jesus, I love you, and I have lived my life in a way that is honoring to you.” If not, maybe you should evaluate what needs to change in your life. I sure have and that list is definitely full.

God bless you and keep you! 

Orphans

Who here among us has not been broken
Who here among us is without guilt or pain
So oft’ abandoned by our transgressions
If such a thing as grace exists
Then grace was made for lives like this

There are no strangers
There are no outcasts
There are no orphans of God
So many fallen, but hallelujah
There are no orphans of God

Come ye unwanted and find affection
Come all ye weary, come and lay down your head
Come ye unworthy, you are my brother
If such a thing as grace exists
Then grace was made for lives like this

O blessed Father, look down upon us
We are Your children, we need Your love
We run before Your throne of mercy
And seek Your face to rise above

I remember when I first listened to this song. A good friend of mine put a bunch of music on my iPod and as I was going through I came across Orphans of God by Avalon. At that point in my life, I felt useless and unloved-- majorly. This song put my soul to ease. It gave me hope. I am no orphan. I am no outcast. I am no stranger to my Father. Thankfully I have people in my life who helped me realize all of that. In the mean time, I played this song quite often and sang at the top of my lungs. The words are medicinal and reassuring. 

It does not matter where you are in your life, everyone to some degree feels like they are unworthy or alone. Like the first line says: who among us has not been broken, who has not had guilt or pain? None of us is perfect. We have all screwed up and failed miserably-- this is the beauty of the cross. No matter how much you or I mess up and soil our lives or the lives of those around us if we repent and turn to Jesus, His blood washes us white as snow. I'm not talking about the yellow snow that got peed on by a dog, I am talking about the perfect, pure snow that just fell from the clouds (I know snow does not literally fall from the clouds but you get the picture) and has yet to be touched by humans who will destroy its beauty. 

As I read the title of this song and listen to the lyrics I contemplate the word "orphan". I think we can all agree that a child who is an orphan is not one by their own choice. They are in that position because their parents didn't want them, weren't able to take care of them, or are no longer living. I picture orphanages as sad, lonely and cold places. I pray that is not entirely the true picture of an orphanage, but that is what I see. On the other hand, a child who has rebelled against his/her parents and is alone in the streets with no where to call home is NOT an orphan. They have a home and a family that love them. Most likely, a child in that kind of situation is one who is not willing to listen to the wisdom that his/her family members have for them. In the same way, a child or an adult who has strayed from God and has chosen to step out into their own plan for their life is NOT an orphan, rather a rebellious person who is not in line with God's will for their life. They are most likely in that place because of some type of hurt in their life, whether it be with God or with the Church or religion in general. As the song repeats over and over, there are no orphans of God! We are never alone. So.. If you feel like you are alone right now and no one cares about you it is a lie. God cares about you and you are never outcast or alone in His presence. It is at this point that you should evaluate whether you are living in His will and seeking His plan for your life or not. My guess (which is not perfect or necessarily correct because I am human) is that you have stepped away from His hands and therefore feel alone. Don't worry, though! He is gracious and mighty to save and He will pick up all of us who are fallen and bring us back into His presence. He does not do this because of something that we have done. Instead He loves us unconditionally through the blood of Jesus He is able to see us through rose colored glasses. 

One day I was reading Facebook and saw that a friend was distressed. I felt a pull to contact her and make sure she was alright. When I did, she laid her heart out for me. She was having a hard time: in college, without her family, working a job and trying to maintain grades. Naturally, she felt alone. As we worked through her situation she explained that she felt like she couldn’t talk to God... My heart dropped. I tried to understand why she felt this way. She explained that she felt like she had messed up too much for him to still love her. She was scared to talk to him (pray). After a long conversation and lots of tears on both sides of the line, she found relief and accepted the truth. The song says that if grace exists it is made for our worst times, not for when we are good and holy. My friend felt unwanted, she was weary and weak, and she needed the Father to look upon her and show her His perfect and unfailing love. She is doing much better now, because she knows that she is not an orphan. That she is not an outcast. And that she is loved. 

God has a plan for each and every one of us! Anything that says we are not good enough, not loved, or not worthy is a lie from the pit of hell and nothing more! When you fell alone, Tell Satan to get under your feet where he belongs. We are not orphans. We are children of the most high God. 

Many reasons. The Only Way.

"10,000 Reasons" 


Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name

The sun comes up, it's a new day dawning
It's time to sing Your song again
Whatever may pass, and whatever lies before me
Let me be singing when the evening comes

[Chorus]
Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name

You're rich in love, and You're slow to anger
Your name is great, and Your heart is kind
For all Your goodness I will keep on singing
Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find

[Chorus]
Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name

And on that day when my strength is failing
The end draws near and my time has come
Still my soul will sing Your praise unending
Ten thousand years and then forevermore

[Chorus x2]
Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name

Jesus, I'll worship Your holy name
Lord, I'll worship Your holy name

Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name
Jesus, I'll worship Your holy name
I'll worship Your holy name




Wow. This song just brings me complete PEACE and JOY. Every time I listen to it, I feel as though I am laying down in the Father's arms. Matt Redman has done an excellent job!! 


We all need to take some time out of our busy schedules and sit down with the Father on a regular basis. It only builds us up. We need to thank Him also, for all that He is continually doing for us. Today, while I was riding in the car, I was listening to 10,000 reasons by Matt Redman and I just sat back and began to thank the Lord for all He has given me. I have been stressing out a lot lately over scholarships, housing, gasoline, and general life expenses for next year. I do not know how I am going to pay for all of it. I guess I should say I do know now. As I was sitting in His presence thanking Him, He gave me the total amount of money I have already received in scholarships compared with the cost of school. I began crying immensely. He has everything in His hand, and He certainly does not miss anything! 


The first verse reminds me of our testimonies and our walks with Him. It is talking about how each day is new, but it is still the same with Him. No matter what we go through, no matter how hard life may seem at the moment-- He is always right there holding our hand. I want to be singing when the evening comes. I want to continue singing His goodness as long as I am able to sing! We are put here to praise his name. Thankfully for us, He has given us MUCH to praise!!


I will be the first to admit that I fail on a daily basis. I yell at my siblings, I fight with my mom, I resent my father, and I bicker with others. Now, I don't always do all of those on the same day, but I am no where near perfect! Thankfully, my Father is "rich in love" and "slow to anger". I cannot imagine how many times my foolish decisions have disappointed Him. I want to be better. Despite anything I can ever do, He is still mighty and awesome! No matter what happens in my life, I want to keep on singing praises to Him for all that He has given me! If you cannot think of anything to be thankful for, I encourage you to sit down, quiet your mind and be still in His presence. He will show you the things you have to be thankful for. The Word tells us that from our mouths comes the overflow of our hearts.. When I listen to this song, I like to sit back and just thank Him for  the big and little things. The things I often overlook. I hope that as I mature in Him those things will be a natural overflow from my mouth constantly. 


Finally, Redman goes into our end times. When I am laying on my death bed and my body is failing me I hope that my mouth is still singing His praise! I hope that I am at peace, that I have joy, love and praise for His name. When I sit in stillness and begin to thank Him, it is not always words from my brain that come forth, in fact, it is often words from my heart and the depths of my soul. Things that I would never say if someone else were standing there listening. Things that the Spirit is saying to the Father. The line that stands out the most to me is the last one. I want to be sitting in Heaven, on the golden streets singing His praise for eternity! But I do not want to wait until I am there to start singing. I was recently in a store singing to myself when one of the employees walked up to me and said, "You must just really be happy, 'cause you don't have in any head phones and you are just singing away". Hearing her say that touched me. I was singing because of the joy in the depths of my heart. I want that to be how my life is constantly. I want my soul to sing His praise unending. 


Please join me in this. Tame your tongue. Use it to glorify Him. So when your time comes, you can sing His praise unending. 


BLESS THE LORD, O MY SOUL
O MY SOUL
WORSHIP HIS HOLY NAME! 
SING LIKE NEVER BEFORE
O MY SOUL 
I'LL WORSHIP YOUR HOLY NAME!!

Mirrors

"I don't matter", "regrets only", "addict", "illegal", "victim", "they used me", "I am angry", "weak", "refugee", "rejected", "my life doesn't work", "anxious", "betrayed", "empty", "I cheated them too"-- "BELOVED". 


To begin with, I must ask, have you ever felt like any of the words that appeared on those pieces of cardboard during the video? Are you angry? Are you lonely? Has someone done you wrong? Have you done someone else wrong? Is your life just not working? Do you feel like you have let God down? I have felt many of the above listed words before, but how many times do we put the word "beloved" up and claim it as our identity? Not nearly enough times. 


Okay, I am not writing about this song to make us realize how awful we are, rather to help us realize that God sees us through rose colored glasses, or more accurately the blood of Jesus Christ. 


This Monday, right before I left my evening worship service, Omar (the pianist) was asking the Father to let us see ourselves in His mirror. In His blood stained mirror that hides all of our imperfections. As he was speaking I saw the beautiful picture of how God sees us, and I wondered what would happen if the world actually saw ourselves through His eyes. When I turned my truck on and it was talking about looking in a mirror. The words that stuck in my head were "In the mirror all I see/ Is who I don't wanna be/ Remind me who I am". The song was saying the same thing that Omar had, but in a different way. How do we look at ourselves? Most importantly, how does God look at us?


To begin, "When I can't remember what grace is" stands out in my mind. This is sad. I am blessed to have a mother who is full of grace. So much so, that once on a trip with a bunch of friends, one of the teenage guys in the car said, "You have too much grace!" The point behind this is that our perfect Heavenly Father has much more grace than anyone on earth can ever dream of having, and there is no such thing as "too much" in His book. Yet, somehow, we constantly forget that He sent His Son to die for us. We did not deserve that, it was grace. It was certainly grace that caused Him to spare Noah, save His people from Pharaoh and do anything and everything else He has ever done on this earth! 


But, we feel like we are worthless and He hates us. I once talked to a girl who told me that she was scared to pray, because she thought God was angry with her. This is the perfect example of someone who has forgotten who they are to the Most High God. 


Next, "When my heart is like a stone" sticks out. How many of us have let our hearts harden toward a friend, family member, acquaintance, or even toward God? I recently heard someone say that we are not arguing with the person standing next to us, but with the demon that is quarreling within them. Since I heard this, it has opened my eyes. I also know that none of us can be set free until we let go of the hurt that we have and allow peace and grace and joy to replace the hurt. Unfortunately many Christians get hurt at church, and they turn and run from God as though it is His fault. Any time we are running from Him we will not fully be at peace, instead we will be "running far from home" like the prodigal son. 


The final line that stands out is "Afraid I'll never be enough". We will never be enough. However, He is more than enough, and He is on our side. We no longer have to be good enough, because the only one that matters is looking at us in His special mirror that has a layer of blood covering it. It shows us being pure and holy if we have accepted the gift that Jesus has given us. So the next time you question who you are, erase the title that you have for yourself and replace it with "beloved".


When you look in the mirror, ask yourself: am I looking in my mirror, the world's mirror, or my Father's mirror? If you are not looking in God's mirror then run to Him, read His Word, seek His face, because He loves you just the way you are. 

Be Forgiven, and Spread Forgiveness.

Thirty days ago, I sat in the high school auditorium and listened to two convicted felons who are under the care of the State of Texas give their testimonies. Now, they did not call them “testimonies” they simply called them stories, and I am only positive that one of them was giving a testimony. This particular man was in his 30s I believe, thin, tall and handsome. He spoke and carried himself well. The only thing that was not “normal” about him was his clothing. He was wearing the white baggy uniform that all wards of the state wear. However, he looked like someone who should be wearing some jeans and a shirt just like the rest of us. 

As he began his story, I prayed that the kids around me would receive his words with open hearts. I now pray the same for you.  

He explained that he had been to the pen before for something in relation to drinking, drugs, and possibly drinking and driving. He had gotten out in August-- I believe. He was doing good, no alcohol or drugs since he had been out. For Christmas his entire family was going to come down since they had not seen him in several years. A few days before Christmas some of his friends were throwing a party for him, to celebrate him being home. Unfortunately, while he was at the party he consumed alcohol and the addiction flared its ugly head. Things went down hill from there. I cannot explain the story exactly, because I only heard it once and the human memory fades things. 

He told us with much agony in his voice that he had gotten high and wasted, and got a hotel room because he was too ashamed to go home to his family. It was now Christmas Eve. His family texted and called, texted and called but guilt would not allow him to answer them. They were telling him that they loved him, to come home, that everything would be okay. He felt as though he had let them down once again, so he ignored their calls. The next thing he did was drive across the street to the liquor store where he bought several more jugs of alcohol-- he intended to use these to make himself pass out so he could wake up the next morning and deal with everything. I believe that by now it was Christmas day. He took his new liquor back to the hotel room and downed two of the bottles (I believe it was two, it may not have been though). Instead of passing out though, he got back into his truck. When he said this my heart dropped!

He explained that he would drive, and then black out and he would wake up in a new place not knowing how or when he got there. Apparently this happened many times. Each time he woke up and started driving again. Finally, the inevitable happened. He woke up and saw a police officer in his side view mirror. As he examined his surroundings, he saw that the officer had already gone through his pockets and everything in his truck. He also noticed that there was blood streaked down the side of his truck. He said he did not know what had happened but he knew it must have been bad. 

His father was the sheriff of the town at that time. It was Christmas morning. He had hit an elderly woman who he knew as she was walking across the street. She was life flighted to the hospital, but she did not make it. 

His dad and brother showed up while he was cuffed on the tail gate of his truck. At this point he blacked out again, and apparently tried to run away. His father and brother had to tackle him to the ground. He says he still remembers the way that his dad looked when he turned him over. He saw fear and love at the same time. His dad loved him because he was his son who was so dear to him. But he was also afraid because he was unable to recognize him. 

After he got to jail, he said he would black out and when he would wake up someone was always there asking about the woman he had killed. It baffled him, he could not figure out what happened. Every time he would get close to putting the pieces together he would black out again. They transferred him a few times, and finally he got to a cell with a tv. When he woke up, he turned the news channel on. His picture and the whole story was there. It was at this point that he found out he had killed an elderly woman who used to walk every where in the community. It was a lady he had known. From the way he explained the story, it is evident that his heart was and is broken over what happened that morning. 

Thankfully, some ministers from his town went to visit him. He found Jesus. He has a strong support group on the outside. His family still loves him. He has a hope and a future.

I believe with all of my heart that he was sincere. That he sincerely loves the Lord, and that he is sincerely seeking His face. However, as a I walked through school and sat through classes I heard many different views of this man. A lot of the kids said they doubted that he will make it when he gets out of prison. I pray that he will! Many of them said he will just go right back to the drugs and alcohol. I pray that he will be set free from ALL addictions and strongholds! Unfortunately, our society is now based highly on being critical, negative and pessimistic. THIS IS SAD. Now don’t get me wrong, there were kids who were touched by his story. Who believe that he can and will make it. And are rooting for him. And I am sure that there are some who examined their own lives and decisions because of what he told us. The Bible says that ALL have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). Who are we to think that just because we didn’t drive drunk and end up taking someone’s life that we are better than a man who did? I have news for you, you are no better than he is! None of us can ever accomplish anything by ourselves! It is through Christ’s blood that we are made righteous. Thank God that His Son died for our sins! 

James 2 verse 10 says:

For whoever keeps the entire law, yet fails in one point is guilty of [breaking it] all.

This means that if I lie, I have sinned the same amount in God’s eyes as committing adultery, murder, or anything else that we often view as much worse than lying. By God’s grace, we are all set free from the law. This is done through Christ’s sacrifice for us. We are all free, not one of us is more free than the other. Romans explains that where sin is there grace abounds much more. However, in chapter 6 it states:

1What should we say then? Should we continue in sin so that grace may multiply? 2Absolutely not! How can we who died to sin still live in it?

Please go and read the rest of these verses. They are good. So what we now know is, we are all sinners. We are all equal sinners. But through Christ we are all sanctified. We also know that if we truly die to ourselves and live through Christ that we will not continue to walk in our repetitive sins. 

For these reasons, we cannot judge others and say “he won’t make it”, “he isn’t really saved” or anything else about their being. For who knows our hearts except the Father? I do not even know my own heart. Merely what is spewed from my mouth, since my mouth is an overflow of my heart-- Lord help me! Rather than judge one another, why not lift each other up in prayer. I hope that one day, our world will truly see the King in all of His glory! That we may know His face, and shine His light to the rest of the world.

I challenge you today-- go and pray for anyone who you think is on a bad path, who is struggling with something, or who you think is lost and hopeless. God chooses the most unworthy people to be his Disciples. Just look at Paul. God turned his life around. I believe He can and will do the same for any man who seeks His face. 

Lets pray that our nation sees His true beauty and follows Him for a change. Obviously our ways are only leading to hurt and destruction.  

Crae's Message for You

I like this song by the raper Lecrae because of the truth that he  reveals. He says that the reason he is writing this song is so that other people will hear the truth-- he did it for you.

In the first verse Lecrae sets up a scene. He describes a poor single mother, who has a son that is headed in the wrong direction. The boy is drinking by the age of 10, he has seen many people die. In fact, by the age of 25, only 15 years from where he is, everyone he has known and looks up to is either in prison or in the ground. What a SAD picture. He explains from this child's perspective how at all of the funerals people are asking why God did not help them. And then he clarifies that these people who are angry with God for "taking" someone away from them have NEVER come to God before. "Every other day they concerned with the world and consumed in sin." How many of us are concerned with ourselves, are living in our own selfish sin, and then when something bad happens we run to God and say "WHY DID YOU LET THIS HAPPEN TO ME?" I pray that we see what we are doing to ourselves. Lecrae explains that we are "all dirty/ That's why we need a Holy God to wash us." AMEN!

During the chorus, Lecrae again emphasizes that he is singing and writing this song for you, and for me. So that we can see that we are all dirty, we are all messed up, we have all sinned and fallen short, but we can all be cleansed if we accept the One that we need-- Christ. He is showing us the pain he has gone through so that we can understand that we all need to change. He then tells that he has accepted that change, and he will "never be the same again".

Now he is directly talking about himself. He says he would talk under his bed so that his mom would not be able to "hear some of the things" he said. Next he gives credit to her, she was doing everything she could, working and being a single mother. But he was a "latchkey home alone for hours". We all know that when we are alone, Satan really tempts us. Our flesh desires things and it is when no one else is watching that we can satisfy that. My favorite lines are "I was a drug baby big momma dragged me to church/ Hated ever minute of it but she prayed it would work". Praise the Lord! Obviously it did work, he now knows Christ and is spreading the good news. He goes on to explain that he did not know his dad, and this got him down-- something that many people can identify with. His mom beat him in order "to keep [him] alive" because of "legalistic lies". He was agnostic. But he was not satisfied. He was searching for truth. Then, someone told him that God had a bigger plan for his life. He names a few famous people who are "Christian", and he does not question whether or not they are. He simply prays that they are really listening-- perhaps to what God has for them. In the wrap up, Lecrae explains that it is hard to grow up without an example of a Godly man-- how true! Then he shares the joyful part of his testimony. A single man shared the good news, told him that he was living in sin and that Christ had died so that he could be set free, and he was indeed.

Out of all the Lecrae songs, this is definitely one of my favorites. I love his heart. I love that he is spreading his testimony in a way that youth can relate to him. I hope that he is able to touch their lives. That he may be that James White to someone else. I praise and thank God that He has anointed men like Lecrae to be Godly and testify for him!

PRAISE THE LORD!

Warfare

Carman is one of my all time favorite Christian singers. I must say that until today I did not know his last name- that is how recognized he is. He holds the record for highest attendance in Texas Stadium. Most people have probably never heard of him though, because he sang in the late 80's. I remember one year for my birthday my mom bought me one of his double CD albums- that was my favorite birthday present ever. My family listened to him as we cleaned, as we visited, had friends over, or basically any time we were awake. Just a few years ago, my mom bought me the exact same album for my 16th birthday. It brought back amazing memories and have kept up with it since then. Off the record I must say, he is Italian, mighty good looking, and a phenomenal man of God-- major brownie points! Anyway, all of his songs are powerful, in some way or another, they all have the gospel truth written into them, and they all catch your attention-- at least all of the ones that I have ever listened to. 




One of my favorite songs by Carman is Revival in the Land. The song starts with a narration about the story to come. Carman explains that a "scaly creature", which can be seen as a demon, interrupts Satan to tell him something which is of importance. ("Code red problem") The song then moves into a dialog between Satan and the demon. The demon has terror in his voice as he announces that there is an awful problem. Satan immediately interrupts him with questioning of what could be wrong. He starts with the abortion clinics. The demon assures him that everything is fine there, 4,000 babies are being killed in a single day. In the song this seems like  a large number, but I mentioned earlier that Carman is from the 80's. Guess what, the number has gone up. According to the Center for Bio-Ethical Reform, there are 115 thousand abortions each day and 42 million a year. If that is not sad, I do not know what is. Next Satan asks about his "pet project, television violence". The demon's response is shocking and horrifying to me. Statistics now say that by the time a child is 18 they have seen 200,000 acts of violence-- does not seem like this project has begun to decline. The next target that the enemy has against us is false religion. The large amount of people in false religions is quite alarming. I cannot find an updated number to use here for comparison, but I can say that America alone has decreased in Christianity, and we are a "Christian Nation". 


Seeing that none of his major plans are failing satan proceeds to ask about "business in general". The demon quotes many disgusting numbers about suicide, runaway youth and so on. I can only imagine what the statistics on all of those things are today. Eventually, there is a loud rumble, which alarms Satan. The demon explains that the loud noise is what their problem has been all along. Then, we discover that this disturbance is sanctified, spirit filled, saints of God on their knees praying for revival. The sound effects and noise volume that Carman uses sends chills through my body every time it comes to this part of the song. What if we all prayed like that every day? Satan would not be able to come in like a flood, raise standards against us, form weapons against us or anything else that he has to try and destroy our lives. My absolute favorite part of this song is when Satan says, "It's time to launch my final, most vicious attack. I'll remind the saints of their past- how they were liars, cheaters, manipulators and moochers," with a reply from the demon stating, "But sir, you know what will happen if you remind the saints of their past." The angry and frustration in Satan's voice explains it all as he says, "And what is that?"
At this point, I find my peace and solitude, "Sir, they'll just remind you of your future." WE ARE REDEEMED AND SET FREE FROM ANY LIE SATAN CAN EVER TELL US! He may remind us of our past a million times, but our future greatly outweighs his!! Praise the Lord! 

Where's the Truth about Religion?

             


            Jefferson Bethke posted a poem entitled “Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus” onto his youtube account on January the 12^th. Today is January the 17^th, only five days after this video was posted; however, the video has “gone viral,” according to Kevin DeYoung of The Gospel Coalition. In just five days the video has received almost 9,000 views. The topic of Bethke’s poem can be inferred, perhaps the reason so many people have viewed the link is because he has done an excellent job in capturing his audiences attention with the title. Bethke argues that “Jesus came to abolish religion.” He does a good job of backing up his claim throughout the entire poem; however, because he is speaking on religion he leaves lots of room for other people’s opinions’ and criticisms’.

What if I told you Jesus came to abolish religion
What if I told you voting republican really wasn’t his mission
What if I told you republican doesn’t automatically mean Christian
And just because you call some people blind
Doesn’t automatically give you vision

            Bethke gives many vivid accounts of why it is better to have a relationship with Jesus, rather than simply be a part of religion. In the first verse, he establishes that Jesus did not come to the earth to “vot[e] republican”, and that just because you are politically a Republican does not mean that you are a Christian. To many people this is a good point. On the other hand, this is also a stab at the Christians who are, in fact, Republicans. In the last two lines of this verse, Bethke says that calling someone else blind does not mean you can see. I find this statement to be very true. It reminds me of the verse in the Bible that says we must remove the log from our eyes before we can think about helping anyone else. How can I say someone else cannot see if I myself cannot see? He could be touching on the hypocriticalness of the church or of religion.

I mean if religion is so great, why has it started so many wars
Why does it build huge churches, but fails to feed the poor
Tells single moms God doesn’t love them if they’ve ever had a divorce
But in the old testament God actually calls religious people whores

In the next verse Bethke completely puts religion and the religious spirit of our world down. He shows the flaws it has by talking about the extravagant churches that we are constantly building, while hundreds of people (who we could be using that money to help feed and shelter and show the love of God) live cold, hungry and alone. He takes issue with the way single mothers are treated in some churches. Since my mom is single, I can testify that many people have looked at her and said “how do you think you are following God’s will if you divorced?” Thankfully, my mom is a very strong Christian who was following God’s plan for her life when she divorced my father. I am even more grateful that despite criticism, my mom did what she was told by the spirit to do and she was not discouraged or pushed away from God by the comments of church members. I do believe that God does not like religion. When I say religion, I do not mean the church. I mean the spirit of religion that compels people to think they are better than others just because they go to church on Sundays and Wednesdays. As Bethke is trying to convey throughout the poem, knowing God personally is not about religion. It is about a relationship with the most High King.

Religion might preach grace, but another thing they practice
Tend to ridicule God’s people, they did it to John The Baptist
They can’t fix their problems, and so they just mask it
Not realizing religions like spraying perfume on a casket
See the problem with religion, is it never gets to the core
It’s just behavior modification, like a long list of chores
Like lets dress up the outside make look nice and neat
But it’s funny that’s what they use to do to mummies
While the corpse rots underneath

            Bethke uses two comparisons that hit home hard. He first talks about how religious people (not all people who go to church are religious) preach about grace but they do not live their lives that way. That is evident everywhere, sadly, even in my high school. Bethke then compares religion to spraying a sweet smell onto a dead body lying in a casket. He follows this by comparing it to making everything look good on the outside while the heart of the person on the inside is eaten away. He gets his point across by saying its “what they use to do to mummies/while the corpse rots underneath”. I do not believe there is a better way to talk about the majority of the church today. They put on a show, a farce when they are really dying on the inside.  

Now I ain’t judgin, I’m just saying quit putting on a fake look
Cause there’s a problem
If people only know you’re a Christian by your Facebook
I mean in every other aspect of life, you know that logic’s unworthy
It’s like saying you play for the Lakers just because you bought a jersey
You see this was me too, but no one seemed to be on to me
Acting like a church kid, while addicted to pornography
See on Sunday I’d go to church, but Saturday getting faded
Acting if I was simply created just to have sex and get wasted
See I spent my whole life building this facade of neatness
But now that I know Jesus, I boast in my weakness

            To further address the point of Christians being fake Bethke says there is a problem if people only know you believe because of what you post on Facebook. As Christians we should portray God’s love and grace in our everyday lives, we should live out the amazing quotes and scriptures we post on Facebook. He then tells about how he is not perfect. He explains that he used to be a fake as well, but he now has a relationship with Jesus. That is not to say that he is perfectly and blameless now. The Bible says that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. We fall short on a daily basis. It is our human nature to be sinners; he is simply saying that he has found the One who set him free. I believe the reason he is writing and producing this poem and ones similar to it is so he can show others the One who has the power to set them free.

Because if grace is water, then the church should be an ocean
It’s not a museum for good people, it’s a hospital for the broken
Which means I don’t have to hide my failure, I don’t have to hide my sin
Because it doesn’t depend on me it depends on him
See because when I was God’s enemy and certainly not a fan
He looked down and said I want, that, man
Which is why Jesus hated religion, and for it he called them fools
Don’t you see so much better than just following some
See remember he was called a glutton, and a drunkard by religious men
But the Son of God never supports self righteousness not now, not then

             Jefferson Bethke then talks about how the church should be full of grace, which eludes that it is not already full of grace. He says the church should not be a place for “good” people to gather, rather a place for hurting and broken people to come and be healed. He goes on saying that people should not ever have to hide the real them, their failures and sins, when they come to the church, rather they should be accepted. He believes we should be able to be real at church not because of anything we do but because of what Jesus did for us. He displays a wonderful image of God saying “I want that man” by using pauses. He says that Jesus while he was on the earth hated religion and called the religious leaders (Pharisees) fools. He also explains that religious men called Him a “glutton and a drunkard” to show the distaste between religion and God.

Now back to the point, one thing is vital to mention
How Jesus and religion are on opposite spectrums
See one’s the work of God, but one’s a man made invention
See one is the cure, but the other’s the infection
See because religion says do, Jesus says done
Religion says slave, Jesus says son
Religion puts you in bondage, while Jesus sets you free
Religion makes you blind, but Jesus makes you see
And that’s why religion and Jesus are two different clans

            To reaffirm the point that religion and Jesus are not in the same hand he says they are completely opposite ends of the spectrum, one being God’s and the other man’s. He then uses several different comparisons to make his point in this situation.

Religion is man searching for God, Christianity is God searching for man
Which is why salvation is freely mine, and forgiveness is my own
Not based on my merits but Jesus’s obedience alone
Because he took the crown of thorns, and the blood dripped down his face
He took what we all deserved, I guess that’s why you call it grace
And while being murdered he yelled
“Father forgive them they know not what they do.”
Because when he was dangling on that cross, he was thinking of you
And he absorbed all of your sin, and buried it in the tomb
Which is why I’m kneeling at the cross, saying come on there’s room
So for religion, no I hate it, in fact I literally resent it
Because when Jesus said it is finished, I believe he meant it

            In conclusion of the poem, Bethke portrays the forgiveness, love and grace that God freely gives all of us. He vividly describes my Savior being nailed to a cross with blood on His face selflessly saying “Father forgive them they know not what they do.” If that is not beautiful, I do not know what is: a man dying because He loves worthless me enough to take MY place and pay for MY sins so that I can spend eternity in Heaven instead of in torturous Hell. Bethke then extends his hand and says if you do not know God as your Savior, then I am “kneeling at the cross, saying come on there’s room.” He finishes by saying he hates religion and loves Jesus.

            Overall, I think Bethke’s poem is pretty well constructed. I personally agree with most of what he says. Many people have a problem with the way he takes issue with “religion”. I believe he is referring to the spirit of religion that compels some Christians to act as though they are better than others, whether it be other Christians or non-believers. I believe it is the same spirit that causes division in churches, and pushes people away from the church and away from God. If you do not agree with me that is fine, I am entitled to hold my own opinion. However, I would enjoy discussing it with you. Kevin DeYoung wrote an article criticizing this poem. I can see some of the truth in what Mr. DeYoung is saying; howevver, I can also see truth in what Bethke has written. I feel that our world is fed by parts of the truth, the Baptists, Methodists, Catholics, Pentacostals, Church of Christ people, everyone has a part of the truth, but we do not have all of it. I cannot wait until the day when the churches can unite and work as one. I am glad to say that after DeYoung criticized the poem he did extend grace and love toward Bethke and they have conversed since then. Bethke thanks DeYoung for the criticisms made in his article and admits that he does not believe the poem is perfect.

            Having said all of this, I would like to say that I do not believe I am perfect. By no means am I anywhere near being righteous. I do love the Lord, and I do strive to grow closer in my relationship with him so that I may hear his voice. I pray that the church would love others the way Christ loved others. I want that with all of my heart. I pray that I will love others the way that Christ did, that is my goal: to be more like Christ. I believe Christians should keep an eye on one another’s work, just as DeYoung did with Bethke, so that we can represent Christ to the best of our earthly abilities. Thank you for your time, and God bless.



DeYoung's article

DeYoung's follow up article