As I sat in church listening to my dad's sermon this past Sunday, one thing stuck out to me in the verses we read. Jesus is to be praised, because He IS great.
I realized I'm constantly writing about my troubles and how God has brought me through them, but I have rarely written blog posts FOR God. So today, I am going outside of my normal writing and going to take an entire post to praise my God and King.
When you read the bible, many verses talk about people who are praising God. Psalms especially. Just about every verse you read says "praise the Lord."
The truth is, if we're really Christians then our heart should belong completely to God. We should be so in love with God that for anyone else to get to our heart they have to draw closer to God.
"Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise Him in the heights!" -Psalm 148:1
"Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands! Serve the LORD with gladness; come before His presence with singing. Know that the LORD, He is God; it is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting,
and His truth endures to all generations." -Psalm 100:1-5
"Oh, sing to the LORD a new song! Sing to the LORD, all the earth. Sing to the LORD, bless His name; proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day.
Declare His glory among the nations, His wonders among all peoples." -Psalm 96:1-3
"Oh come, let us sing to the LORD! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms. For the LORD is the great God, and the great King above all gods. In His hand are the deep places of the earth; the heights of the hills are His also. The sea is His, for He made it; and His hands formed the dry land." -Psalm 95: 1-5
"You have a mighty arm; strong is Your hand, and high is Your right hand.
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; mercy and truth go before Your face. Blessed are the people who know the joyful sound! They walk, O LORD, in the light of Your countenance. In Your name they rejoice all day long, and in Your righteousness they are exalted." -Psalm 89:13-15
"How lovely is Your tabernacle, O LORD of hosts! My soul longs, yes, even faints
for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God." -Psalm 84:1-2
"Oh, give thanks to the LORD! Call upon His name; make known His deeds among the peoples! Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him; talk of all His wondrous works! Glory in His holy name; let the hearts of those rejoice who seek the LORD! Seek the LORD and His strength; seek His face evermore! Remember His marvelous works which He has done, His wonders, and the judgments of His mouth," -1 Chronicles 16:8-12
"Since to the Lord! Praise the Lord! For He has delivered the life of the poor from the hand of the evildoers." -Jeremiah 20:13
"I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies." -2 Samuel 22:4
As you look even more, you see people praising God for the things He did for them, for saving them, winning battles for them, for miracles done.
"And they sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to the Lord: "For He is good, for His mercy endures forever towards Israel." Then all the peoples shouted with a great shout, when they praised the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid." -Ezra 3:11
When you read in Judges 7, it tells the story of Gideon and how God kept telling him the army was too big. You think "What? Wouldn't it be a good thing to have a big army?" But our plans aren't God's plans.
"And the LORD said to Gideon, “The people who are with you are too many for Me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel claim glory for itself against Me, saying, ‘My own hand has saved me.’ "
Eventually, God brought the army of men down to 300 and told Gideon that He would deliver the enemy with those 300. By faith Gideon and his army defeated the enemy, because they obeyed everything God commanded. What God asked them to do seemed a little crazy, but they had faith, and through God they seized the enemies camp and won the battle. "And so it was, when Gideon hear the telling of the dream and it's interpretation, then he worshiped."
I wonder how many times in my life God has won a battle for me and I just sat back and prided myself in how well I handled the situation. I wonder how many miracles God has worked in my life and I just smiled and thought how "lucky" I was that _____ didn't get worse/happen.
Jesus is to be praised in all things, no matter the circumstance. Because He is worthy.
"Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing!" -Revelation 5:12
"I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End," says the Lord, "who is and was and who is to come, the Almighty." -Revelation 1:8
"And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Might God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." -Isaiah 9:6
"The earth is the LORD’S, and all it contains, the world, and those who dwell in it.
For He has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers. Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD? And who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood and has not sworn deceitfully. He shall receive a blessing from the LORD and righteousness from the God of his salvation. This is the generation of those who seek Him,
who seek Your face—even Jacob. Lift up your heads, O gates, and be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in! Who is the King of glory?
The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O gates,
and lift them up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in! Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, He is the King of glory." -Psalm 24:1-10
When you hear the song "Jesus, there's something about that name." The words are just from a heart filled with love for God written by Bill and Gloria Gaither.
"Jesus, Jesus, Jesus. There's just something about that name. Master, Savior, Jesus. Like the fragrance after the rain. Jesus, Jesus, Jesus. Let all heaven and earth proclaim. Kings and kingdoms shall all pass away, but there's something about that name."
I should be brought to tears when I think of God's amazing love. Brought to my knees when I think of how He gave me the very breath I'm breathing and life I'm living. My life should be given for Him because He gave His life for me. My life should be lived to glorify Him, because He IS greatly deserving of all my praise.
I pray that today, right now, that my vow to give God the glory for everything that comes my way will be one that I will renew every single day. That no matter what people say to me, do to me, or say about me, that I will give God the glory for everything. That I will shine Him to all of those around me and they would know of God's love and power without me even having to say anything. Because you know what, my life should reflect Christ. I shouldn't have to tell them about Him, because my life should be a mirror image of Him.
Monday, August 8, 2011
Saturday, August 6, 2011
My Papa
After my night last night of nightmares and constant fear being throw at me by satan...trying to fight away the memories...I thought I would write about the hero in my dream. The one who rescued and stood up for me.
Not many of the people I know now know my Papa. You should. A lot of my childhood memories have him in them. He is always so full of life, always there for his family no matter what and a constant reminder of a great man of God and character.
Many people have lost their grandparents, which is very sad. Every minute I'm able to spend with my grandparents I feel blessed. I always learn so much.
My Papa is one of the most amazing men you will ever meet. He works so hard, has amazing creativity, he is quite brilliant, funny, kind, loving and there for us any time we need him. He isn't a man of many "mushy" words or one who will open up to you...but just by one look, you know his heart is one of gold.
I remember as a kid him finding super unique gifts for all of us grand kids at Christmas time; and now that we're all older, he makes gifts for us by hand and hard work (amazing ones if I might add.) I remember get togethers at his house and having some kind of amazing ham always cooked up, I remember his all blue Christmas tree lol, his laugh, the stories we would get to hear from him, my dad and two uncles...I remember the specific candies he always had at his house, and only being allowed one a piece (lol), I remember seeing all of the things he created and thinking "My goodness, my Papa is amazing!" I remember spending days at his house when he worked at a Christian camp...walking around outside in the pine trees, I remember sitting in the back room of the cafeteria eating Trix cereal, I remember getting to swim at the camp then him taking us into the Concession stand and letting us pick out a drink and a treat, I remember him always making homemade ice cream for everyone, the times us kids would sneak behind the fence at the pool and dig up tiles people had picked off of the pool...so many memories. Such sweet memories.
Not many people have amazing grandparents, and certainly not ones as amazing as my Papa. His love for us kids is one that needs not be spoken. I pray God will let me and my family at least attempt to bless him as much as he has us. I pray God will give me a heart like my Papa, and a work ethic as strong as his. I pray God will continue to use him as an example of a man of God to all the young men he comes in contact with...and that I would take the wisdom he's shared over the years to heart and use it in my own life.
These are a few verses that are good examples of my Papa:
Proverbs 17:27- "He who has knowledge spares his words, and a man of understanding is of a calm spirit. "
I think it explains itself. This is what I see in my Papa.
Proverbs 29:23- "A man’s pride will bring him low, but the humble in spirit will retain honor."
Papa is one of the most humble men I've ever known.
Ephesians 6:4- "And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord."
Not being biased at all...I think Papa did a pretty good job bringing his sons up in the Lord.
1 Timothy 5:8- "But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever."
Papa has provided for his family, and has always been willing to help out his family is they ever needed it.
Don't get me wrong, I don't think Papa is faultless or a "perfect" man, but his walk with the Lord is strong, and he has lived his life honorably. To be Christ-like is our goal in this life; we won't ever get there because we are sinful, but we through God's grace we can follow His leading.
Papa, I love you so much, and I thank God for such an amazing example to look up to. I pray I will one day turn out even as half the person you are.
Not many of the people I know now know my Papa. You should. A lot of my childhood memories have him in them. He is always so full of life, always there for his family no matter what and a constant reminder of a great man of God and character.
Many people have lost their grandparents, which is very sad. Every minute I'm able to spend with my grandparents I feel blessed. I always learn so much.
My Papa is one of the most amazing men you will ever meet. He works so hard, has amazing creativity, he is quite brilliant, funny, kind, loving and there for us any time we need him. He isn't a man of many "mushy" words or one who will open up to you...but just by one look, you know his heart is one of gold.
I remember as a kid him finding super unique gifts for all of us grand kids at Christmas time; and now that we're all older, he makes gifts for us by hand and hard work (amazing ones if I might add.) I remember get togethers at his house and having some kind of amazing ham always cooked up, I remember his all blue Christmas tree lol, his laugh, the stories we would get to hear from him, my dad and two uncles...I remember the specific candies he always had at his house, and only being allowed one a piece (lol), I remember seeing all of the things he created and thinking "My goodness, my Papa is amazing!" I remember spending days at his house when he worked at a Christian camp...walking around outside in the pine trees, I remember sitting in the back room of the cafeteria eating Trix cereal, I remember getting to swim at the camp then him taking us into the Concession stand and letting us pick out a drink and a treat, I remember him always making homemade ice cream for everyone, the times us kids would sneak behind the fence at the pool and dig up tiles people had picked off of the pool...so many memories. Such sweet memories.
Not many people have amazing grandparents, and certainly not ones as amazing as my Papa. His love for us kids is one that needs not be spoken. I pray God will let me and my family at least attempt to bless him as much as he has us. I pray God will give me a heart like my Papa, and a work ethic as strong as his. I pray God will continue to use him as an example of a man of God to all the young men he comes in contact with...and that I would take the wisdom he's shared over the years to heart and use it in my own life.
These are a few verses that are good examples of my Papa:
Proverbs 17:27- "He who has knowledge spares his words, and a man of understanding is of a calm spirit. "
I think it explains itself. This is what I see in my Papa.
Proverbs 29:23- "A man’s pride will bring him low, but the humble in spirit will retain honor."
Papa is one of the most humble men I've ever known.
Ephesians 6:4- "And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord."
Not being biased at all...I think Papa did a pretty good job bringing his sons up in the Lord.
1 Timothy 5:8- "But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever."
Papa has provided for his family, and has always been willing to help out his family is they ever needed it.
Don't get me wrong, I don't think Papa is faultless or a "perfect" man, but his walk with the Lord is strong, and he has lived his life honorably. To be Christ-like is our goal in this life; we won't ever get there because we are sinful, but we through God's grace we can follow His leading.
Papa, I love you so much, and I thank God for such an amazing example to look up to. I pray I will one day turn out even as half the person you are.
Friday, August 5, 2011
A candle burning
If I learned one thing today at the funeral it was this: my light for Christ has been but a candle in the wind, never burning to it's full potential.
I've allowed small amounts of my life to glow with the love of Jesus, but never so much that people talked about it. I kept thinking "I wish I could be like Jimmy." Then I stopped and thought... What was Jimmy's goal in life? To bring other people closer to Christ. He doesn't want me putting his life on a pedestal. He was one of the most amazing examples of a true Christian I've ever seen, but he didn't want me to desire to be like him. He wanted everyone who knew him to draw closer to Christ.
I guess you could say that him being so emptied to Christ that being like Jimmy, would be to be like Christ.
All of the things people had to say about Jimmy were just inspiring. I thought "What would people say about me if I were to die tomorrow?" I honestly don't know. I don't know if my life has touched many people or if I've made such a positive difference in anyone's life. Jimmy could say "I've finished the course, I've kept the faith". His life overflowed with God, and everyone knew it. But have I even made a dent in anyone's life? I may never know until I get to heaven.
The stories of Jimmy's bible having almost whole books highlighted...verses written all over the place so he would always have God's word in front of his eyes. The way he found peace and beauty in things like a field, walking barefoot on the road and looking up at the open sky. He found all of those things amazing, because His God made them; he took the time to enjoy the small things in life that we so often take for granted. His bubbly attitude and his amazingly contagious smile shone God brighter than any I've ever seen.
I think to myself questions like "Why would God take Jimmy home, when there aren't a whole lot of young men here on this earth that are that passionate for God, and loving to everyone around him." God stops me, and reminds me that HIS timing is perfect; always. Through Jimmy being brought home, he might inspire thousands of other young men to turn their lives around and they will inspire even more young men (and women).
To be more like Christ...that is my point. I hunger to be more like my Savior and Creator.
"Lead me to the cross where Your love poured out. Bring me to my knees
Lord I lay me down. Rid me of myself I belong to You. Lead me, lead me
to the cross." ("Lead Me To The Cross" by Chris and Conrad)
Oh dear God, why have I given so much of my life to myself? To be so in love with You, Lord, is something I've always wanted, but never given all the time I had into making it happen. To empty myself completely of "me" and ask You to fill my heart up with You. To be filled with the Holy Spirit and overflowing with love for everyone I come in contact with; Lord that is what I want. I pray today, God, that you would tear out and chisel away everything in my life that is not of You. That what breaks Your heart would break mine. That I would love as You loved and still love...not judging other people by their looks, but doing all I can to win their heart to You. That I would remember what I say and how I say it matters, Lord I pray that You would watch over my tongue and not let me speak words unless You would speak them. I pray that I would glow with Your love, forgiveness, peace and mercy to all I come in contact with. Amen.
I've allowed small amounts of my life to glow with the love of Jesus, but never so much that people talked about it. I kept thinking "I wish I could be like Jimmy." Then I stopped and thought... What was Jimmy's goal in life? To bring other people closer to Christ. He doesn't want me putting his life on a pedestal. He was one of the most amazing examples of a true Christian I've ever seen, but he didn't want me to desire to be like him. He wanted everyone who knew him to draw closer to Christ.
I guess you could say that him being so emptied to Christ that being like Jimmy, would be to be like Christ.
All of the things people had to say about Jimmy were just inspiring. I thought "What would people say about me if I were to die tomorrow?" I honestly don't know. I don't know if my life has touched many people or if I've made such a positive difference in anyone's life. Jimmy could say "I've finished the course, I've kept the faith". His life overflowed with God, and everyone knew it. But have I even made a dent in anyone's life? I may never know until I get to heaven.
The stories of Jimmy's bible having almost whole books highlighted...verses written all over the place so he would always have God's word in front of his eyes. The way he found peace and beauty in things like a field, walking barefoot on the road and looking up at the open sky. He found all of those things amazing, because His God made them; he took the time to enjoy the small things in life that we so often take for granted. His bubbly attitude and his amazingly contagious smile shone God brighter than any I've ever seen.
I think to myself questions like "Why would God take Jimmy home, when there aren't a whole lot of young men here on this earth that are that passionate for God, and loving to everyone around him." God stops me, and reminds me that HIS timing is perfect; always. Through Jimmy being brought home, he might inspire thousands of other young men to turn their lives around and they will inspire even more young men (and women).
To be more like Christ...that is my point. I hunger to be more like my Savior and Creator.
"Lead me to the cross where Your love poured out. Bring me to my knees
Lord I lay me down. Rid me of myself I belong to You. Lead me, lead me
to the cross." ("Lead Me To The Cross" by Chris and Conrad)
Oh dear God, why have I given so much of my life to myself? To be so in love with You, Lord, is something I've always wanted, but never given all the time I had into making it happen. To empty myself completely of "me" and ask You to fill my heart up with You. To be filled with the Holy Spirit and overflowing with love for everyone I come in contact with; Lord that is what I want. I pray today, God, that you would tear out and chisel away everything in my life that is not of You. That what breaks Your heart would break mine. That I would love as You loved and still love...not judging other people by their looks, but doing all I can to win their heart to You. That I would remember what I say and how I say it matters, Lord I pray that You would watch over my tongue and not let me speak words unless You would speak them. I pray that I would glow with Your love, forgiveness, peace and mercy to all I come in contact with. Amen.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)