Prayer

No one accomplishes so much in so little time as when he or she is praying.

Had it Coming

So this past year I remember telling my mother that I think God was slowly preparing me to speak - my biggest fear. I started getting that sense back when I kept getting called on stage...one being blue man Group performance for 15 minutes, almost having to go up on stage in front of thousands at a christian concert tour, and then having to visit youth groups in another town to give a testimony in hopes to raise support for a homeless ministry I am involved with. This summer I took a summer internship, and after taking the job was suprised to find out I had to speak for 2 sunday services, something i've never done before (or wanted to do)  but I knew full well that the Lord had been slowly trying to get me to that point. I can't say that He didn't warn me. On Tuesday morning I woke up, and out of nowhere I remembered that there was a big chance I was supposed to be born without vocal chords for some reason or another. I thought about how my physical ability to speak was truely a gift from God and how I wasn't taking advantage of that. Instead, it has been a fear of mine, and I tried to avoid speaking in front of groups of people at all costs. So sure enough, that evening, I get a call from someone asking me to be the guest speaker for a Junior High FCA. Again, I had this coming for me. So of course I said yes and am asking the Lord to give me the words and to give me peace. To others this may be such an easy thing to stand in front of a bunch of people and talk for half an hour about your topic of choice, but for me it's not that case. I have never been one who desires to all eyes on me. For example, I leave town to celebrate my birthday because I don't like the attention. But I do know that this isn't about me. It's about planting a seed in the lives of students, sharing my experiences with God and what I know of Him. I do know that God has given me more than I deserve and has always always always been faithful to me. The least I can do is be obedient to the small task He is asking me to do. I have definitly noticed that as we follow the Lord, he brings us our of our comfort zones and builds our character. I've had to face so many fears, and overcome insecurities as I've walked with him. My friend Brandon told me once that he thinks that sometimes God's gifts and callings He places on our lives are the things we are most afraid of. I think that may be true. I don't know what the Lord has up his sleeve but I do know that I must be obedient in this. God won't fail our obedience.

Coach Val

I absolutely loved this message by Coach Val the other morning and wanted to share


http://vimeo.com/49612967

..Thy Victory Singing..

Had to share what I read today. So Beautiful...from Streams in the Desert.

The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit.You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God. (Psalm 51:17)

Those people God uses most to bring glory to Himself are those who are completely broken, for the sacrifice He accepts is a "broken and contrite heart." It was not until Jacob's natural strength was broken, when "his hip was wrenched" (Genesis 32:25) at Peniel, that he came to the point where God could clothe him with spiritual power. And it was not until Moses struck the rock at Horeb, breaking its surface, that cool "water [came] out of it for the people to drink" (Exodus 17:6).

It was not until Gideon's three hundred specially chosen soldiers "broke the jars that were in their hands" (Judges 7:19), which symbolized brokenness in their lives, that the hidden light of the torches shone forth, bringing terror to their enemies. It was once the poor widow broke the seal on her only remaining jar of oil and began to pour it that God miraculously multiplied it to pay her debts and thereby supplied her means of support. (See 2 Kings 4:1-7.)

It was not until Esther risked her life and broke through the strict laws of a heathen king's court that she obtained favor to rescue her people from death. (See Esther 4:16.)

It was once Jesus took "the five loaves . . . and broke them" (Luke 9:16) that the bread was multiplied to feed the five thousand. Through the very process of the loaves being broken, the miracle occurred. It was when Mary broke her beautiful "alabaster jar of very expensive perfume" (Matthew 26:7), destoying its future usefulness and value, that the wonderful fragrance filled the house. And it was when Jesus allowed His precious body to be broken by thorns, nails, and a spear that His inner life was poured out like an ocean of crystal-clear water, for thirsty sinners to drink and then live.

It is not until a beautiful kernal of corn is buried and broken in the earth by DEATH that its inner heart sprouts, producing hundreds of other seeds or kernals. And so it has always been, down through the history of plants, people, and all of spiritual life --- God uses BROKEN THINGS.

Those who have been gripped by the power of the Holy Spirit and are used for God's glory are those who have been broken in their finances, broken in their self-will, broken in their ambitions, broken in their lofty ideals, broken in their worldly reputation, broken in their desires, and often broken in their health. Yes, He uses those who are despised by the world and who seem totally hopeless and helpless, just as Isaiah said: "The lame will carry off plunder" (Isaiah 33:23).

 

 

O break my heart; but break it as a field
Is by the plough up-broken for the corn;
O break it as the buds, by green leaf seated,
Are, to unloose the golden blossom, torn;
Love would I offer unto Love's great Master,
Set free the odor, break the alabaster.

O break my heart; break it victorious God,
That life's eternal well may flash abroad;
O let it break as when the captive trees,
Breaking cold bonds, regain their liberties;
And as thought's sacred grove to life is springing,
Be joys, like birds, their hope, Thy victory singing.

--Thomas Toke Bunch

 

Han

You are I am

Jesus is..

My Forever Faithful

 

"Who Jesus Is" by Mother Teresa and Me

 

 

Jesus is the Word made Flesh.

Jesus is the Bread of Life.

Jesus is the Victim offered for our sins on the Cross.

Jesus is the Sacrifice offered

For the sins of the world and mine.

Jesus is the Word – to be spoken.

Jesus is the Truth – to be made know.

Jesus is the Way – to be walked.

Jesus is the Light – to be a guide.

Jesus is the Life – to be fully lived.

Jesus is the Hopeless - to be given a Hope and Future.

Jesus is the Love – to be loved.

Jesus is the Joy – to be shared.

Jesus is the Sacrifice – to be offered.

Jesus is the Peace – to be given.

Jesus is the Bread of Life – to be eaten.

Jesus is the Hungry – to be fed.

Jesus is the Thirsty – to be satisfied.

Jesus is the Naked – to be clothed.

Jesus is the Homeless – to be taken in.

Jesus is the Sick – to be healed.

Jesus is the Lonely – to be embraced.

Jesus is the Unwanted – to be cherished.

Jesus is the Feet – to be washed.

Jesus is the Beggar – to give him a smile.

Jesus is the Drunkard – to listen to him.

Jesus is the Little One – to have child-like faith.

Jesus is the Blind – to lead him.

Jesus is the Dumb – to speak for him.

Jesus is the Crippled – to walk with him.

Jesus is the Drug addict – to befriend him.

Jesus is the Prostitute – to rescued from harm.

Jesus is the Prisoner – to be visited.

Jesus is the Old – to be served.
Jesus is the Broken -- to be Restored.

 

 

To me –

Jesus is my Comfort.

Jesus is my Healer.

Jesus is my Life.

Jesus is my Forever Faithful.

Jesus is my Peace.
Jesus in my Guide.

Jesus is my All in All.
Jesus is my Everything.

Jesus is Where I Belong.

I am His.

Who He Says We Are...

SINCE I AM IN CHRIST, BY THE GRACE OF GOD …

Excerpts from
Victory Over The Darkness by Neil T. Anderson

I have been justified-completely forgiven and made righteous. (Romans 5:1)
I am free forever from condemnation. (Romans 8:1) 
I have been placed into Christ by Godʼs doing. (1 Corinthians 1:30)
 I have received the Spirit of God into my life that I might know the things freely given to me by God. (1 Corinthians 2:12)
I have been given the mind of Christ. (1 Corinthians 2:16)
 I have been bought with a price; I am not my own; I belong to God. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
 I have been established, anointed and sealed by God in Christ, and I have been given the Holy Spirit as a pledge guaranteeing my inheritance to come.
(2 Corinthians 1:21; Ephesians 1:13-14)
 Since I have died, I no longer live for myself, but for Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:14-15)
I have been made righteous. (2 Corinthians 5:21)
 I have been crucified with Christ and it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. The life I am now living is Christʼs life. (Galatians 2:20)
  I have been blessed with every spiritual blessing. (Ephesians 1:3)
I was chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and am without blame before Him. (Ephesians 1:4)
 I was predestined to be adopted as Godʼs son. (Ephesians 1:5)
 I have been redeemed and forgiven, and I am a recipient of His lavish grace. I have been made alive together with Christ. (Ephesians 1:6-8)
 I have been raised up and seated with Christ in heaven. (Ephesians 2:6)
 I have direct access to God through the Spirit. (Ephesians 2:18)
 I may approach God with boldness, freedom and confidence. Ephesians 3:12)
 I have been rescued from the domain of Satanʼs rule and transferred to the kingdom of Christ. (Colossians 1:13)
 I have been redeemed and forgiven of all my sins. The debt against me has been canceled. (Colossians 1:14)
 Christ Himself is in me. (Colossians 1:27)
 I am firmly rooted in Christ and am now being built in Him. (Colossians 2:7)
I have been spiritually circumcised. My old unregenerate nature has been removed. (Colossians 2:11)
 I have been made complete in Christ. (Colossians 2:10)
 I have been buried, raised and made alive with Christ. (Colossians 2:12-13)
 I died with Christ and I have been raised up with Christ. My life is now hidden with Christ in God. Christ is now my life. (Colossians 3:1-4)
I have been given a spirit of power, love and self-discipline. (2 Timothy 1:7)
 I have been saved and set apart according to Godʼs doing. (2 Timothy 1:9; Titus 3:5)
 Because I am sanctified and am one with the Sanctifier, He is not ashamed to call me brother. (Hebrews 2:11)
 I have the right to come boldly before the throne of God to find mercy and grace in the time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)
 I have been given exceedingly great and precious promises by God, by which I am a partaker of Godʼs divine nature. (2 Peter 1:4)

.

But you, Lord my God,
brought my life up from the pit.

 

 

In Jonah 2, Jonah's prayer when He was in the depths of this whale is such a good reminder for us. It says:

 

⁴ I said, ‘I have been banished
from your sight;
yet I will look againtoward your holy temple.’
⁵ The engulfing waters threatened me,^[b]
the deep surrounded me;
seaweed was wrapped around my head.
⁶ To the roots of the mountains I sank down;
the earth beneath barred me in forever.
But you, Lord my God,
brought my life up from the pit.

⁷ “When my life was ebbing away,
I remembered you, Lord,
and my prayer rose to you,
to your holy temple.

⁸ “Those who cling to worthless idols
turn away from God’s love for them.
⁹ But I, with shouts of grateful praise,
will sacrifice to you.
What I have vowed I will make good.
I will say, ‘Salvation comes from the Lord.’”

¹⁰ And the Lord commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.

 

 

 My prayer is that we flee from those worthless idols and cling to God, the author and perfector of our faith. I am always reminded that God truely does hear our prayers in those mountain tops moments and also when we feel like we are in the dark depths that seem to last an eternity. As we pray they rise up to Him and his holy temple, and He hears us. When we feel this way, we always have to look back to Him who makes all things good, peaceful, joyous, and worth-while in this life. He will sustain you in your time of trouble and lift you out of it. He is who he says He is.


Micah 7:7
But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.

 

"Impossible"

o·be·di·ence

o·be·di·ence

/ōˈbēdēəns/

"The Biblical word for “obey” comes from the Greek “hupakou”which means to listen attentively; by implication to heed or conform to a command or authority. This word conveys the idea of actively following a command."


John 15:14 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” (Jesus)

Galatians 5:13-14 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

 

2 John 1:6 And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it.

Proverbs 13:13 Whoever despises the word brings destruction on himself, but he who reveres the commandment will be rewarded.


“I find the doing of the will of God leaves me no time for disputing about His plans.” ~ George Macdonald

Read more: http://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/bible-verses-about-obedience-20-powerful-scriptures-quotes/#ixzz261GShXOh

Psalm 46

Streams in the Desert - September 7

 

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Ps. 46:1).

The question often comes, “Why didn’t He help me sooner?” It is not His order. He must first adjust you to the trouble and cause you to learn your lesson from it. His promise is, “I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honour him.” He must be with you in the trouble first all day and all night. Then He will take you out of it. This will not come till you have stopped being restless and fretful about it and become calm and quiet. Then He will say, “It is enough.”

 

God uses trouble to teach His children precious lessons. They are intended to educate us. When their good work is done, a glorious recompense will come to us through them. There is a sweet joy and a real value in them. He does not regard them as difficulties but as opportunities.

–Selected.

 

Not always OUT of our troublous times,

And the struggles fierce and grim,

But IN–deeper IN–to our one sure rest,

The place of our peace, in Him.

–Annie Johnson Flint

 

We once heard a simple old coloured man say something that we have never forgotten: “When God tests you, it is a good time for you to test Him by putting His promises to the proof, and claiming from Him just as much as your trials have rendered necessary.”

There are two ways of getting out of a trial. One is to simply try to get rid of the trial, and be thankful when it is over. The other is to recognize the trial as a challenge from God to claim a larger blessing than we have ever had, and to hail it with delight as an opportunity of obtaining a larger measure of Divine grace. Thus even the adversary becomes an auxiliary, and the things that seem to be against us turn out to be for the furtherance of our way. Surely, this is to be more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

–A. B. Simpson

Find a Penny, Pick it Up

From Grandma..... You always hear the usual stories of pennies on the sidewalk being good luck, gifts from angels, etc. This is the first time I've ever heard this twist on the story. Gives you something to think about. Several years ago, a friend of mine and her husband were invited to spend the weekend at the home of her husband's employer. My friend, Arlene, was nervous about the weekend. The boss was very wealthy, with a fine home on the waterway, and cars costing more than her house. The first day and evening went well, and Arlene was delighted to have this rare glimpse into how the very wealthy live. Her husband's employer was quite generous as a host, and took them to the finest restaurants. Arlene knew she would never have the opportunity to indulge in this kind of extravagance again, so was enjoying herself immensely. As the three of them were about to enter an exclusive restaurant one evening, the boss was walking slightly ahead of Arlene and her husband. He stopped suddenly, looking down on the pavement for a long, silent moment. Arlene wondered if she was supposed to pass him. There was nothing on the ground except a single darkened penny that someone had dropped, and a few cigarette butts. Still silent, the man reached down and picked up the penny. He held it up and smiled, then put it in his pocket as if he had found a great treasure. How absurd! What need did this man have for a single penny? Why would he even take the time to stop and pick it up? Throughout dinner, the entire scene nagged at her. Finally, she could stand it no longer. She casually mentioned that her daughter once had a coin collection, and asked if the penny he had found had been of some value. A smile crept across the man's face as he reached into his pocket for the penny and held it out for her to see. She had seen many pennies before! What was the point of this? "Look at it," he said. "Read what it says." She read the words, " United States of America ." "No, not that. Read further." "One cent?" "No, keep reading." "In God we Trust?" "Yes!" "And?. . ." "And if I trust in God, the name of God is holy, even on a coin. Whenever I find a coin, I see that inscription. It is written on every single United States coin, but we never seem to notice it! God drops a message right in front of me telling me to trust Him. Who am I to pass it by? When I see a coin, I pray. I stop to see if my trust IS in God at that moment. I pick the coin up as a response to God; that I do trust in Him. For a short time, at least, I cherish it as if it were gold. I think it is God's way of starting a conversation with me. Lucky for me, God is patient and pennies are plentiful!" When I was out shopping today, I found a penny on the sidewalk. I stopped and picked it up, and realized that I had been worrying and fretting in my mind about things I cannot change. I read the words, "In God We Trust," and had to laugh. "Yes, God, I get the message!" It seems that I have been finding an inordinate number of pennies in the last few months, but then, pennies are plentiful! And, God is patient.

Spring Up Oh Well