"Your grace, God, that brings salvation has appeared to all people, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ; who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all wrongdoing, and purify to Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works."
-Titus 2:11-14
Spirit filled souls are ablaze for God They love with a love that glows They believe with a faith that kindles They serve with a devotion that consumes They hate sin with a fierceness that burns They rejoice with a joy that radiates Love is perfected in the fire of God.
"With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be."
"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy name? and in Thy name have cast out devils? and in Thy name done many wonderful works?
And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye workers of evil"
Matthew 7:21-23
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Here's an old song from last school year that i recorded with my guitar and computer. :)
It's nothing fancy but I truly believe that the words do reach the heavens.
This World is Not My Home This world is not my home, I'm just passing through. My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue. The angels beckon me from Heaven's open door And I can't feel at home in this world anymore...
2nd Verse They're all expecting me and that's one thing I know. My Savior pardoned me and now I onward go. I know He'll take me through, though I am weak and poor. And I can't feel at home in this world anymore... Chorus O Lord you know I have no friend like you If Heaven's not my home, then Lord what will I do? The angels beckon me from Heaven's open door And I can't feel at home in this world anymore.
3rd Verse Just up in Glory Land we'll live eternally. The Saints on every hand are shouting victory. Their song of sweetest praise drifts back from Heaven's shore And I can't feel at home in this world anymore...
God woke me up this morning, before my alarm went off... i think He wanted me to know that i needed to commune with Him.
As i was getting getting up, i took a deep breath, and felt how easy it was to take a breath (the price of air is still free, not like gasoline). Oh how easy it is to just live and get on with life. But no, my life came with a price; a great sacrifice from Someone that died, and His Father that sent Him, who bore it all.
I sent a letter to an old friend in Indonesia this morning. A friend that I grew up in church with. I told him about my worries, i reminded him about the goodness of our Father in Heaven (please strengthen my prayer by remembering him in your prayer). His name is Elkana. A Bible name. I wasn't sure of the meaning (i knew 'El' was for 'God', but wasn't sure on 'kana'). So i googled... El-kana- "God has purchased". What a wonderful name. To bear that name, as a constant reminder... not just for self but for all mankind. Maybe i'll name my son that one day :)
Someone who knows me well, knows well that i'm not a righteous. If you thought i was, get to know me better. =P But God still calls us worthy, He calls us to be righteous...
"For the righteous falls seven times and rises again, but the wicked stumble in times of calamity." Proverbs 24:16
I tell you the truth that trouble times often cause me to retaliate to God. Lord please help me with that part in my life... "The flame shall not hurt thee, I only design, thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine" (How Firm a Foundation).
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"How firm a foundation ye saints of the Lord, Is laid for your faith in his excellent word; What more can he say than to you he hath said? You, who unto Jesus, for refuge have fled.
“Fear not, I am with thee; O be not dismayed! For I am thy God, and will still give thee aid; I'll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand, Upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.
“When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie, My grace all-sufficient shall be thy supply; The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design, Thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.
“The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose, I will not, I cannot, desert to his foes: That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake, I'll never - no, never, no, never forsake!”
