“For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.”
I just can’t believe Where my life was at All that I know is that my heart was broken And I don’t ever wanna go back
Ain’t no explanation How I saw the light He found me and set me free And it brought me back to life
Blame it on the transformation Changed down to the core His love is real And I can’t sit still ‘Cause my name’s not shamed no more
Great God Almighty, gonna change this Great God Almighty, He gonna change me
You gotta shake, shake, shake Like you’re changed, changed, changed Brand new looks so good on you So shake like you’ve been changed
Come on and shake, shake, shake like you changed Shake, shake, shake like you changed
Maybe He came to you When everything seemed fine Or maybe your world was upside down and hit you right between the eyes No matter when it happened At 7 or 95 Move your feet ’cause you are free And you’ve never been more alive
Great God Almighty, gonna change me Great God Almighty, He gonna change me Great God Almighty, gonna change me Great God Almighty, He gonna change me
Matthew 18:3
And He said:
“Truly I tell you,
unless you change and become like little children,
you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven.”
(Photos: Tikaya and Casey at a drama team outreach at True Faith Deliverance Temple)
2 Corinthians 5:17
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ,
the new creation has come:
The old has gone,
the new is here!”
Romans 12:2
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world,
but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—
To believe that wholehearted commitment to Him is more important than any other thing or person in our life.
To know that nothing we do in life will ever matter, unless it is about loving God and loving the people He has made.
True faith means holding nothing back; it bets everything on the hope of eternity.
This whole swimming-upstream, pursuing-Christ, taking-up-your cross, counting-the-cost thing isn’t easy.
The road is narrow and few will actually find it!
We can’t afford to just assume we’re one of the few on the narrow way.
Be totally in love with Christ.
Even Heaven would be a desolate place without Christ.
Don’t just let life happen.
Love and desire Christ, for when we love, we are free!
Let God change us.
We need to let Him in our life.
We need God to help us love God, and if we need His help to love Him, a perfect being, we definitely need His help to love other fault-filled humans.
Don’t hold back, be consumed with Christ.
We need to show a “Love” that is crazy to the world.
True love, a kind found nowhere else, but through Christ.
Don’t be lukewarm, be obsessed with Christ.
People obsessed with Christ…
Love people and are friends to all…
They’re crazy risk takers for Christ…
They’re humble…
They serve…
They give…
They think about eternity…
They’re engrossed and delighted with God’s Word…
They’re passionately in love with God…
They’re unguarded and open with Him…
They meditate, are nourished by, and are rooted in the Word…
They’re dedicated and faithful to Christ.
They know they’re a child and a friend of God.
Let’s evaluate our lives…
Is what we’re doing, what we want to be doing, when Christ returns????
Taken from: Crazy Love by Frances Chan
Lukewarm is completely useless…
Neither like hot water (as in a comfortable bath)…
Nor like cold water (as in a refreshing drink)…
Interpret “hot” and “cold” in light of the historical context of Laodicea…
It had no permanent supply of good water…
Efforts to pipe water to the city from nearby springs were successful…
But, it would arrive lukewarm…
Located close to both natural hot springs by Hierapolis…
Often used for medicinal purposes…
And a cold, pure stream by Colossae…
Both hot and cold water are desirable…
Both are useful for distinct purposes…
All believers can be used of God…
The spiritual state of this church…
More closely resembled the tepid, lukewarm water…
That eventually flowed into Laodicean pipes…
Neither hot nor cold…
It was putrid!
The metaphor condemns Laodicea for not providing…
Spiritual healing (being hot)…
Or, spiritual refreshment (being cold) to those around them…
Revelation 3:15 is a condemnation of their lack of works and lack of witness.
They spread spiritual disease…
What disease?
They believed they were spiritually rich…
When in fact they had gone bankrupt…
They thought they could see…
But they were blind…
They thought they were healthy…
But they were corrupt….
They thought they were fully clothed…
But they were naked…
The difference was in their opinion of themselves…
vs reality…
They thought they were well off…
But they were starving to death…
They were spiritually content and self-satisfied…
Although actually they were wretched and pitiful…
In Revelation 3:17, they had the audacity to say…
“I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing.”
The problem with being lukewarm…
And the case against Laodicea…
Revolves around the idea of self-deception…
They were self-deluded…
The church at Laodicea was made up of Christians…
Who were trusting in themselves and their wealth…
Or, what they thought their wealth could buy them!
Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words, says,
Lukewarm…
Useless and self-deceived…
They thought they were of great value…
But were hypocritical…
Promoting themselves, as those who saw the truth…
When in fact they did not…
Actively covering their sins with a cloak of religious observance!
Lord…
Help us to be obsessed with You…
Show us where we’re lukewarm…
Give us the strength to deal with these areas…
Do whatever it takes…
For us to please You…
We need constant infilling of Your Presence…
A constant love relationship…
Constant prayer…
Constant worship…
Constant renewing of our minds…
With the Word of God…
We don’t want to be lukewarm:
A believer who isn’t a threat to satan’s kingdom,
A person who is unable to accomplish anything for the Lord,
Who no longer brings God glory,
Who no longer accomplishes His will,
Who no longer builds His kingdom.
Refresh!
Rekindle!
Our lukewarm hearts…
Restore!
Us to a heart perfect in its commitment to You!
Amen!!
Lukewarm is not enough…
Try Crazy Love!
Ahhh…
My new non-lukewarm refrigerator!!!!
Cold and Colder!!
To match my repaired non-lukewarm dryer…
Hot and Hotter!!
Forget lukewarm!
If a dryer’s not HOT…
Or, a refrigerator’s not COLD…
They’re useless…
And so are we!!
Amen!
Don’t sing these Top Ten Songs Of The Lukewarm Christian!!!
1. Blest Be The Tie That Doesn’t Cramp My Style
2. Pillow of Ages, Fluffed for Me
3. I Surrender Some
4. I’m Fairly Certain That My Redeemer Lives
5. Sit Up, Sit Up For Jesus
6. What An Acquaintance We Have In Jesus
7. Where He Leads Me, I Will Consider Following
8. He’s Quite a Bit To Me
9. Oh, How I Like Jesus
10. It Is My Secret What God Can Do – See more at: http://diggingtheword.blogspot.com/2010/03/top-ten-songs-of-lukewarm-christian.html#sthash.IJf1kito.h1RhYzKB.dpuf
1. Blest Be The Tie That Doesn’t Cramp My Style
2. Pillow of Ages, Fluffed for Me
3. I Surrender Some
4. I’m Fairly Certain That My Redeemer Lives
5. Sit Up, Sit Up For Jesus
6. What An Acquaintance We Have In Jesus
7. Where He Leads Me, I Will Consider Following
8. He’s Quite a Bit To Me
9. Oh, How I Like Jesus
10. It Is My Secret What God Can Do – See more at: http://diggingtheword.blogspot.com/2010/03/top-ten-songs-of-lukewarm-christian.html#sthash.IJf1kito.h1RhYzKB.dpuf
“Ladies and gentlemen, I have in my hands a copy of today’s top ten list.”
“Today’s list is top ten songs of the lukewarm church.”
1. Blest Be The Tie That Doesn’t Cramp My Style
2. Pillow of Ages, Fluffed for Me
3. I Surrender Some
4. I’m Fairly Certain That My Redeemer Lives
5. Sit Up, Sit Up For Jesus
6. What An Acquaintance We Have In Jesus
7. Where He Leads Me, I Will Consider Following
8. He’s Quite a Bit To Me
9. Oh, How I Like Jesus
10. It Is My Secret What God Can Do
Let’s be fired up this Sunday when we sing. Our Savior was passionate for us and we need to be equally as passionate for him.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I have in my hands a copy of today’s top ten list.”
“Today’s list is top ten songs of the lukewarm church.”
1. Blest Be The Tie That Doesn’t Cramp My Style
2. Pillow of Ages, Fluffed for Me
3. I Surrender Some
4. I’m Fairly Certain That My Redeemer Lives
5. Sit Up, Sit Up For Jesus
6. What An Acquaintance We Have In Jesus
7. Where He Leads Me, I Will Consider Following
8. He’s Quite a Bit To Me
9. Oh, How I Like Jesus
10. It Is My Secret What God Can Do
Let’s be fired up this Sunday when we sing. Our Savior was passionate for us and we need to be equally as passionate for him.
Ring Christmas Bells Ring them loud with the message bringing Peace on the earth Tidings of good cheer Come carolers Come and join with the angels singing Joy to the world Christmas Time is here again
Children gather around and listen You’ll hear the sound Of angels filling the sky Telling everyone Christmas Time is here
Ring Christmas Bells Ring them loud with the message bringing Peace on the earth Tidings of good cheer Come carolers Come and join with the angels singing Joy to the world Christmas Time is here again
Loved ones close to our hearts And strangers in lands afar Together share in the joy Emmanuel To tell the world He has come to dwell The time is near With one voice Let the world rejoice
Christmas Time is here
Ring Christmas Bells Ring them loud with the message bringing Peace on the earth Tidings of good cheer Come carolers Come and join with the angels singing Joy to the world Christmas Time is here again
Children gather around and listen You’ll hear the sound Of angels filling the sky It’s Christmas Time is here again
All the lights, sights, and sounds of Christmas Time…
Point to one thing…
That we should…
Rejoice!!
We’re celebrating the birth of our Savior!!
Matthew 1:22-23
“All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:
“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son,
and they will call him Immanuel”(which means “God with us”).
Into darkness, sadness, desperate madness, creation so torn.
We were so lost on earth, no peace, no worth, no way to escape.
In fear, no faith, no hope, no grace, and no light
But that was the night before Christmas.
Warm hay, cold sweat, a mother, not yet.
Praying godspeed the dawn.
She looks to her man, holding her hand. They wonder how long.
And the shepherds, wise men come to find them, and bow to a king.
One star above shining on love, so bright, it lit up the night before Christmas.
And the world didn’t know mercywas meek and so mild.
And the world didn’t know that truth was as pure as a child.
The night before Christmas.
The night before Christmas.
And the world didn’t know, redemption was sweet and so strong.
And the world didn’t know salvation was writing a song.
The night before Christmas.
The night before Christmas.
The night before Christmas.
Empty manger, perfect stranger, about to be born.
I wonder if you’ve heard the story Of little fame and lesser glory The night the keeper of the inn In the little town of Bethlehem Encountered Joseph and his Mary About to birth the Savior of the world.
His wife said, “Go and see who’s knocking.” He ran down to the gate, unlocked it The moment he heard Mary’s cry He couldn’t look them in the eye Denied them in, went back to bed When his wife asked who was there, he said… “I don’t know… Just a girl Just a couple of gypsies begging at the door Told them we don’t have room for anymore And closed the door It was just a girl” He tried to sleep, but wasn’t able He snuck out to the dirty stable Where two had found the covering And later in her suffering The keeper knelt outside the barn And in the light of that great star, he prayed “What have I done? He’s just a babe Just minutes old there trembling in the hay I could’ve found a room for them to stay I’m so ashamed He’s just a babe.”
There was no robe There was no crown The shepherds stood on Royal ground The keeper wept, for what he’d done He turned away, God’s own Son
Just a King Just a million angels crowding in to see Jesus there among humanity
Just a babe Just minutes old there trembling in the hay Staring at His mother in the face She’s just a girl
Just a girl Does she even know that she just changed the world? Does she even know that He will save the world? Does Mary know that He will save the world? She’s just a girl Just a girl Just a girl
If you told me all about your sorrows
I’d tell you about a cure
If you told me you can’t fight the battle
There’s a Baby Boy who won the war
The war was won by a Baby Boy
Alleluia, we can sing it
Alleluia, Heaven’s ringing
Alleluia!
Endless hope and relentless joy started with a Baby Boy
Oh, before that silent night
No Savior and no Jesus Christ
The world cried out so desperately
And the Baby Boy was the reply,
Yes, Heaven’s reply was a baby boy
Alleluia, we can sing it
Alleluia, Heaven’s ringing
Alleluia!
Endless hope and endless joy started with a Baby Boy
See, the King is coming down
And He’s here without a crown
The Baby Boy without a bed
Giving life back to the dead
And hear the angels shout it out
As the people are coming down
Unexpected majesty
Alleluia, what a King
Alleluia, we can sing it
Alleluia, Heaven’s ringing
Alleluia!
Endless hope and relentless joy started with a Baby Boy
Alleluia, we can sing it!
Alleluia, yeah, Heaven’s ringing!
Alleluia!
Endless hope and relentless joy started with a Baby Boy!
out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David,
which is called Bethlehem;
(because he was of the house and lineage of David.)
To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
And so it was, that, while they were there,
the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
And she brought forth her firstborn son,
and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger;
because there was no room for them in the inn.”
I’ve made the same mistake before Too many malls, too many stores December traffic, Christmas rush It breaks me ’til I push and shove
Children are crying while mothers are trying To photograph Santa and sleigh The shopping and buying and standing forever in line What can I say?
I need a Silent Night, a Holy Night To hear an angel voice through the chaos and the noise I need a midnight clear, a little peace right here To end this crazy day with a Silent Night
December comes then disappears Faster and faster every year Did my own mother keep this pace Or was the world a different place?
Where people stayed home wishing for snow Watching three channels on their TV Look at us now rushing around Trying to buy Christmas peace
I need a Silent night, a Holy Night To hear an angel voice through the chaos and the noise I need a midnight clear, a little peace right here To end this crazy day with a Silent Night
What was it like back there in Bethlehem With Peace on earth, good will toward men?
“There were shepherds out in the field Keeping watch over their flock by night And the glory of the Lord shone around them And they were so afraid
And the angels said, ‘Fear not, for behold I bring you Good News of a great joy that shall be for all people For unto you is born this day, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.’
…And His Name shall be called, Wonderful Counselor, Prince of Peace.”
(Luke 2:8-11, Isaiah 9:6)
I need a Silent Night, a Holy Night To hear an angel voice through the chaos and the noise I need a midnight clear, a little peace right here To end this crazy day with a Silent Night To end this crazy day with a Silent Night
“Silent Night”
Silent night, holy night,
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon virgin mother and Child. Holy Infant so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace,
Sleep in heavenly peace.
“Silent Night” was written by a Catholic priest, Joseph Mohr, pastor in the Austrian Alps in a little town of Oberndorf.
It was Christmas Eve, 1815, when he meditated on the wonderful story of the birth of Christ and wrote the sweet, simple verses of this song.
The next day he took them to the village schoolmaster, an organist, Franz Gruber, who prayerfully put them to music that fits them so quietly and so well.
And that night they had the choir sing it for the first time with only guitar accompaniment, since the organ had broken down .
Through the years this sweet song drifted out to the world and now millions of people rejoice as they sing.
With my cup of coffee on a bright sunny day last week…
Reading through some old Pentecostal Evangel magazines…
I have ready outside for just such an opportunity to sit and relax!
I came across an article about “Dave and Robin Kidd, who pastor True North Church (Assemblies of God) in Minerva, Ohio, and offer marriage seminars through their Binding Hearts Marriage and Family Ministries. The Kidd family suffered the destruction of their home to a fire on the night of April 27, 2013. Their son, Justin, 20, was unable to get out of his basement bedroom, and perished in the fire. The Kidds have continued in ministry during the months following Justin’s death, and reflect this Thanksgiving on the blessing of his life.”
To read the entire interview with
Scott Harrup, Pentecostal Evangel managing editor…
And Justin had posted the same topic to his youth group!
It caught my attention, because…
I had just counseled one of our young adults on the same subject!
God gives us more than we can handle…
God asks us to do difficult things…
But, we aren’t expected to do them alone…
We’re expected to depend on Him and not on our own understanding!!
Here’s
Justin’s Post of Apr. 18, 2013
Can You Handle?
One of the most common things you will hear people say is simply this: “God Will Not Give You More Than You Can Handle.” Seriously…I have lost count of how many times I have heard this said. Not only have I heard it numerous times, I am also guilty of saying this myself over the years…But here is the thing..It actually is another one of the lies that we buy..Before I started studying the word of god, and actually getting to know him better over the last year I have learned that this is actually in fact false.
This Statement, is actually misquoted scripture coming from 1 Corinthians 10:13 which says simply this:
“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be TEMPTED beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”
Saying that God will not give you more than you can handle, and saying he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear, IS NOT THE SAME! Temptation is not circumstances..they are separate. You will be tempted and Tested in life, but as it says with the temptation will come a way out so you can endure the temptation, but he didn’t say he wouldn’t give us problems we couldn’t handle. This is why so many people misquote this scripture.
I in fact now believe the opposite. God does in fact give us more than we can handle. This is for the sole purpose of our need for his divine intervention. We alone can not handle..but with his help we can. That is why he allows test/trials.
Yes the saying God won’t give you more than you can handle sounds good..but here is the catch…just because something sounds good…doesn’t mean its true or biblical. There are plenty of things out there in the world that people will tell you that sounds great, but as I said, that doesn’t mean it is true.
I in fact now believe the opposite. God does in fact give us more than we can handle. This is for the sole purpose of our need for his divine intervention. We alone can not handle..but with his help we can. That is why he allows test/trials.
So what is my challenge to my readers this week?
Before believing anything you hear, go to gods word first. As I already said, just because it sounds good, that doesn’t mean it is true. CHECK IT!
This is a new thing that is new to my youth, since this is what I preached last night, but I have been doubting myself and this message since last night, and just now my Aunt turned on a movie, and it just had a scene that I caught and in the scene this message was just taught by the pastor in the movie, so to me this was a confirmation that this is what was to be shared. And for that I thank god for. I needed that myself.
I just loved his passion for God…
For God’s Word…
And for the youth he worked with!
Here’s another one of his posts…
Perfectly Broken
An excerpt from Justin’s post on March 28th, 2013:
1.) If we think we are perfect, we simply are not real and we are empty.
2.) We are perfect at one thing…..being broken!
3.) We are imperfect and broken people being brought back together by the Perfect God!
4.) The sooner we stop trying to achieve the perfect life, the sooner we can start focusing on things that matter more, and do greater and better things!
(Sunset photo taken at Ponce de Leon Park by my friend Marian!)
Isaiah 41:10
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Psalm 37:5
“Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun.”
Foes are many…
Rise against you…
Hold your ground!
Don’t fear the wars or storms…
Your help is on the way!!
Our God will not delay…
He’s our refuge and strength…
Always!!!
His promise is true!
Our God will come through…
Always!!!
Trouble surrounds us…
Chaos abounds…
My soul will rest in You!!
Lift your eyes up…
Your help comes from the Lord!!
Always from You Lord…
Always!!
Psalm 124:8
“Our help is in the Name of the Lord, the Maker of Heaven and earth.”
Psalm 121
“I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of Heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot slip— He who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord watches over you— the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.
The Lord will keep you from all harm— He will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.”
Where does your help come from???
Look to the Lord…
He’s always right here!!
With His Love…
His Promises…
His Strength…
His Help!!
Always!!
Exodus 15:2
“The Lord is my strength and my defense; He has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise Him, my father’s God, and I will exalt Him.”
Joshua 1:9
“Have I not commanded you?
Be strong and courageous.
Do not be afraid;
do not be discouraged,
for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Psalm 28:7
“The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and He helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise Him.”
Psalm 73:26
“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
Psalm 9:9
“The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.”
Ephesians 6:10
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.”
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A text & video blog striving to honor Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ through Bible lessons, devotionals, Sunday School studies and small group studies.
(Photos: Tikaya and Casey at a drama team outreach at True Faith Deliverance Temple)
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