I love leading worship for the elementary kids on Sunday mornings! It is such a blessing watching these kids worship, and hearing them sing at the top of their lungs! We sing a song, Our God is Greater, and it is my prayer that each one of them would know that the God who is for them, is greater than all things!
It occurred to me today, as we were singing this, and another song, that I serve a living God! Not a God made by human hands or poured from precious metals. I serve the God who created all these things, He is greater than all things in the earth, and He is greater than the whole earth!
How could He be great if he were part of this world, that is why He is above this all else! He is above all gods!
It also stands to reason that only a great God would require absolute faith in Him alone, and only a great God would save us according to His will. If I believe that my works save me or keep me safe then how can I believe that my God is greater?
Isaiah 40 is a great example of this! Verses 18-22 With whom, then, will you compare God? To what image will you liken him? As for an idol, a metalworker casts it, and a goldsmith overlays it with gold and fashions silver chains for it. A person too poor to present such an offering selects wood that will not rot; they look for a skilled worker to set up an idol that will not topple.
Do you not know? Have you not heard? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood since the earth was founded? He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a canopy, and spreads them out like a tent to live in.
Our God is greater
Our God is stronger
God You are higher than any other
Our God is healer
Awesome in power
Our God, Our God
And if our God is for us, then who could ever stop us,
And if our God is with us, then what can stand against?
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Friday, February 18, 2011
5 Loaves and 2 Fish
Matthew 14:16-17
Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat. "We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered.
@JohnPiper: When I feel empty and unable to give any more, few things encourage me more than the words, "Five loaves and two fish."
I am learning that God is not limited by what I do not have. I am so quick to think that people should go somewhere else to be fed, but God desires that we allow Him to us.
I'm reminded of the servant with just one talent, afraid to do anything with what God had given him. But he says that he knows the master to reap where he did not sow.
God use my 5 loaves and 2 fish. Thank you for blessing me with even that. I pray that I will not be afraid, or allow what I see as meager, to keep me from giving it away for You! Let all of me, my whole life bring you glory, and point others to You!
Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat. "We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered.
@JohnPiper: When I feel empty and unable to give any more, few things encourage me more than the words, "Five loaves and two fish."
I am learning that God is not limited by what I do not have. I am so quick to think that people should go somewhere else to be fed, but God desires that we allow Him to us.
I'm reminded of the servant with just one talent, afraid to do anything with what God had given him. But he says that he knows the master to reap where he did not sow.
God use my 5 loaves and 2 fish. Thank you for blessing me with even that. I pray that I will not be afraid, or allow what I see as meager, to keep me from giving it away for You! Let all of me, my whole life bring you glory, and point others to You!
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Shine like stars
Philippians 2:15b-16a
Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life.
Genesis 1:15
And let them be lights in the expanse of the heavens to give light upon the earth." And it was so.
The purpose of us shining like stars is not for our glory, but to be a light on earth, but not shining our light, but the true light that comes from the word of life.
Just before Paul says to shine like stars, he also says, "Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation". We like stars have to stand out from darkness around us, instead of blending in.
Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life.
Genesis 1:15
And let them be lights in the expanse of the heavens to give light upon the earth." And it was so.
The purpose of us shining like stars is not for our glory, but to be a light on earth, but not shining our light, but the true light that comes from the word of life.
Just before Paul says to shine like stars, he also says, "Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation". We like stars have to stand out from darkness around us, instead of blending in.
Friday, December 17, 2010
Christmas: The Savior
Christmas is my favorite holiday. I love the lights, and songs, and seeing faces bright with joy.
Confession: While it has always been my favorite, I haven't always enjoyed it.
But this year, something is different. My heart is light and every song I hear makes me sing. I have had Christmas music playing at every chance I can get, whether it's Pandora on my phone or 103.7 in the car. We've been out looking at lights, and every time I see a house smothered in red, green, white, blue, and even rainbow colors it makes me smile.
All these things are not the reason for my joy, they are only temporary.
Isaiah 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
I have a Savior! He is my peace, my joy, my hope, and my salvation. This Christmas has been about Him. This year has been about Him. I have tried bringing my own peace, working my own salvation, healing my hurts, only to fail and continue to feel incomplete. In this last year, I was rescued! I was redeemed! My faith in Christ began at the age of 5, but somehow along the way, I lost sight of Jesus. Like Peter walking on water, I began to do it on my own and sink. Jesus reached out His had and caught me, He drew me up and saved me! This joy and peace and that I have is beyond anything I've ever known or understood. I want to share it! I want others to know the peace and joy that can only come when we stop healing ourselves, stop saving ourselves, stop working to be good. That will never happen, it will always only be temporary, like Christmas lights. There is only one Light that is eternal. Jesus came to us, to save us, to redeem us, to heal us, to free us! Faith, which is what Christmas is about, in Him, Jesus - fully man and fully God - is the only way to receive every good and perfect gift.
"Long lay the world, in sin and error pining, Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth."
Saturday, November 27, 2010
I Will Be Back
Okay, I'm taking a break from blogging. Just till the new year though. I'm not liking the direction I've been going in. Not that there is anything wrong with it, it just doesn't really feel like I'm writing what I want to, just trying to fill space. After looking over my blog for the last few months, I feel it is wanting. So, I'm going to take a break, and be back with some really good stuff in January!
Something that has been on my heart...writing some devotions.
Before I go, I want to talk about a few things God has been doing in me.
Stacy and I began visiting Providence Church earlier this year. We both felt that God was calling us somewhere else, but we weren't sure where, till we went here. And from the beginning, I have felt God working in my life in such a way that I am in awe everyday of it!
I was 5 when I first confessed my faith in Jesus. It was Baptist church in a small west Texas town, in a sunday school class taught my mother. I remember that we were learning about the fruits of the spirit, and that having Jesus in our lives meant that we would have those fruits. When we were ending class there was of course an opportunity for us to "accept Jesus into our hearts". And I knew that I wanted Jesus, I wanted those fruits, I wanted Jesus to help me.
I know beyond a shadow of a doubt, that when I was 5 years old, God called me. He put in my heart to believe in Jesus. I was drawn by the spirit to accept the salvation of my soul. I didn't know it then like it know it now. I knew like a 5 year old. Jesus was in my heart, and I was saved.
That is my conversion story. But, since God has led us to Providence Church, I have been given a revelation of God's grace. My life had been working, proving to everyone that I was truely righteous, making sure that people knew I was walking in the path of righteousness. Talk about getting tired!!
Matthew 11:28-30
But really all of Romans is good, there's a reason the baptist call it the Roman Road to salvation.
One of my favorites, and one that has become the cornerstone of my faith
Ephesians 2:8-9
For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.
I have found freedom in Christ. In the revelation that nothing I do can make me righteous, that my works are not what saves me or causes me to stay in a state of salvation, I have found freedom. I have found rest, I have found peace! Because of God's grace, I am changed. I am being changed. From glory to glory, till Christ's return when I will be made complete in Him.
People always want to know what your testimony is, and I have always struggled. I didn't know how to explain what Christ has done for me. I think it is because I was so consumed with working things out. Sunday, it hit me. No matter what your life was like, before God, you were dead in sin. My testimony is this, that I was dead in sin and transgressions, but Jesus Christ has saved me. He broke my chains and paid my debt and now I am set free.
I pray you all have amazing Christmas, celebrating the greatest gift given to men.
Luke 2:11-14
11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger." 13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14 "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!"
Something that has been on my heart...writing some devotions.
Before I go, I want to talk about a few things God has been doing in me.
Stacy and I began visiting Providence Church earlier this year. We both felt that God was calling us somewhere else, but we weren't sure where, till we went here. And from the beginning, I have felt God working in my life in such a way that I am in awe everyday of it!
I was 5 when I first confessed my faith in Jesus. It was Baptist church in a small west Texas town, in a sunday school class taught my mother. I remember that we were learning about the fruits of the spirit, and that having Jesus in our lives meant that we would have those fruits. When we were ending class there was of course an opportunity for us to "accept Jesus into our hearts". And I knew that I wanted Jesus, I wanted those fruits, I wanted Jesus to help me.
I know beyond a shadow of a doubt, that when I was 5 years old, God called me. He put in my heart to believe in Jesus. I was drawn by the spirit to accept the salvation of my soul. I didn't know it then like it know it now. I knew like a 5 year old. Jesus was in my heart, and I was saved.
That is my conversion story. But, since God has led us to Providence Church, I have been given a revelation of God's grace. My life had been working, proving to everyone that I was truely righteous, making sure that people knew I was walking in the path of righteousness. Talk about getting tired!!
Matthew 11:28-30
28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
If I was really walking in God's truth, why was I always so tired? God brought us to rest at Providence Church! And while I have been resting, I am awake! I more awake to the light of Christ than ever before.
I want to list all the verses that talk about the grace of God, and His work in our lives, and being built up into His holy temple.
But really all of Romans is good, there's a reason the baptist call it the Roman Road to salvation.
One of my favorites, and one that has become the cornerstone of my faith
Ephesians 2:8-9
For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.
I have found freedom in Christ. In the revelation that nothing I do can make me righteous, that my works are not what saves me or causes me to stay in a state of salvation, I have found freedom. I have found rest, I have found peace! Because of God's grace, I am changed. I am being changed. From glory to glory, till Christ's return when I will be made complete in Him.
People always want to know what your testimony is, and I have always struggled. I didn't know how to explain what Christ has done for me. I think it is because I was so consumed with working things out. Sunday, it hit me. No matter what your life was like, before God, you were dead in sin. My testimony is this, that I was dead in sin and transgressions, but Jesus Christ has saved me. He broke my chains and paid my debt and now I am set free.
I pray you all have amazing Christmas, celebrating the greatest gift given to men.
Luke 2:11-14
11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger." 13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14 "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!"
Thursday, November 11, 2010
This and That....Thursday?: You Can Get With This or You Can Get With That
I missed my regular This and That Tuesday! So, by now I'm sure you have noticed two recurring themes, Worship Sundays and This and That Tuesdays (or in this case, Thursdays). I think if I have a format I will be more likely to keep up with blogging!
Without further ado...
The year before the Kia Soul came onto the scene, I had stumbled across a website with pictures of it, and thought to myself, this is a pretty cool car, I like it.
In anticipation, I waited for the arrival of the Soul.
And then, I saw the commercials....
I'm sure you have to.
No commercial has made me dislike a car, more than these...
Really? Like rapping rats are supposed to make me want a vehicle? Why would I want a car that only a rat can seem to enjoy?
IMHO,
This was a lame marketing tool, but everywhere I look, I see the new Kia Soul. Maybe everyone else wants to join the rat race...
Without further ado...
The year before the Kia Soul came onto the scene, I had stumbled across a website with pictures of it, and thought to myself, this is a pretty cool car, I like it.
In anticipation, I waited for the arrival of the Soul.
And then, I saw the commercials....
I'm sure you have to.
No commercial has made me dislike a car, more than these...
Really? Like rapping rats are supposed to make me want a vehicle? Why would I want a car that only a rat can seem to enjoy?
IMHO,
This was a lame marketing tool, but everywhere I look, I see the new Kia Soul. Maybe everyone else wants to join the rat race...
Sunday, November 07, 2010
Worship Sunday: If God is For Us
This was one of the songs for worship this morning at church, and God was really hitting me hard.
Last month was a test for me. Stacy (my husband - for those who may have stumbled on to here), is a car salesman. Which in a nutshell, is by God's design. I may blog about that someday, but it's a long story!
So, as most of us know, it is mostly commission, and if he doesn't sale cars, he doesn't make money. From the very beginning, I have struggled with and against his job, nagging and complaining every time things don't go my way, i.e. working late, no days off, and the list could on.
So, October was one of those months.
It started slow, so slow I was beginning to wonder if it was ever going to get started. And about middle of the month, things were still at a stand still. I began to think of our finances, our bills, our lease payment, our car payment, I thought till all these things began to look larger than Mount Everest! I started looking for work from home jobs, other jobs for Stacy, loans, and credit cards.
I was going to solve this!
What did God show me?
The last week and half of the month, the sales came in! And they weren't just car sales, they were sales that made the money and then some!!!
Is God faithful or what?
Did I deserve His faithfulness?
NO!
I was so much like the Hebrew children in the wilderness;
"God brought us here to let us die",
"Let's go back to Egypt (credit cards and debt)".
Needless to say, I spent some time repenting for this. But He loves me so much, His reminder this morning was a blessing. I can't worry about jobs or money or tomorrow, I have to have faith that God is on my side, He is for me. If God is for me, what stand against me? Slow sales, poor management, and picky customers don't stand a chance against what God has for me.
2Kings 6:16
16 “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”
Psalm 118:6
6 The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid.
What can mere mortals do to me?
1 John 4:4
4 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.
Romans 8:31
31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
Last month was a test for me. Stacy (my husband - for those who may have stumbled on to here), is a car salesman. Which in a nutshell, is by God's design. I may blog about that someday, but it's a long story!
So, as most of us know, it is mostly commission, and if he doesn't sale cars, he doesn't make money. From the very beginning, I have struggled with and against his job, nagging and complaining every time things don't go my way, i.e. working late, no days off, and the list could on.
So, October was one of those months.
It started slow, so slow I was beginning to wonder if it was ever going to get started. And about middle of the month, things were still at a stand still. I began to think of our finances, our bills, our lease payment, our car payment, I thought till all these things began to look larger than Mount Everest! I started looking for work from home jobs, other jobs for Stacy, loans, and credit cards.
I was going to solve this!
What did God show me?
The last week and half of the month, the sales came in! And they weren't just car sales, they were sales that made the money and then some!!!
Is God faithful or what?
Did I deserve His faithfulness?
NO!
I was so much like the Hebrew children in the wilderness;
"God brought us here to let us die",
"Let's go back to Egypt (credit cards and debt)".
Needless to say, I spent some time repenting for this. But He loves me so much, His reminder this morning was a blessing. I can't worry about jobs or money or tomorrow, I have to have faith that God is on my side, He is for me. If God is for me, what stand against me? Slow sales, poor management, and picky customers don't stand a chance against what God has for me.
2Kings 6:16
16 “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”
Psalm 118:6
6 The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid.
What can mere mortals do to me?
1 John 4:4
4 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.
Romans 8:31
31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
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