Why yes, i do have an 8:00am class and a test at 12:00, but since i can't think about anything but the LORD anyways.... i might as well put my thoughts out there.
The LORD was teaching me about compassion tonight. In crazy ways. I thought I was just going to FCA like every other thursday just to fellowship and experience the Lord and learn and worship, which all happened tonight but not in the way i expected. Instead of sitting in Tillman auditorium hearing a message about being the church, I was lying in a hallway physically aching for the presence of God to fall on the eight hundred people just a room away. I have never been so hungry. The Lord just told me that it was time: time for His people to have what they want from Him, time for the lost to be found, time for His love to become a tangible thing in our lives, time for revival, time for freedom, time for no more death, time for only life.
It's time.
So let's get it. After the LORD everyday, resting in His heart, receiving His love and grace, and ministering everything poured out on us. It's not about striving, it's not about recognition, it's not about duty. In fact, it's not even about us at all. Praise the LORD. It's about Him. It's about what has already been done. It's about the things of heaven that He wants to pour out on a thirsty world. It's about the cross that has already provided everything we will ever need. It's about His hunger for his lost sheep to come home. It's about His Name that deserves to be exalted more and more everyday. This is the Kingdom. There is nothing else.
and also...
Compassion is not some far off spiritual idea that we can't understand, and it's not some warm fuzzy thing that makes us feel good when we serve someone. Compassion is nothing more or less than us laying back in the arms of God, lost in His presence and resting in His intimacy. When we become so close to Him that our hearts beat for what His heart beats, we will know compassion.
And compassion like that will ruin us forever.
Ruined in the best way, but unashamedly not the same. Ruined for the pleasures of this world, ruined for the ease of staying in a church and not seeking out the lost, ruined for approval of mere men, ruined for the comfort of saying no to God's seemingly insane promptings, ruined for anything but Him.
I just want to wake up everyday and lay aside my long-engrained dreams of normalcy to pursue my heart's desire of worshipping the One who is worthy.
there is nothing else.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Monday, January 19, 2009
i'm unfaithful. God is mercy.
"You have bound Yourself to man, despite all his unfaithfulness. You pour out mercy, and You open Your heart....
All man's empty promises lie broken at your feet, but You have never broken one. You open Your heart time and time and time again."
~Luke Wood
I was studying in Panera and thinking about the Lord and praying for divine opportunities and then this man came and sat down near me, eating at a table with his wife. He had a sling on his arm and they were talking about the prescriptions that they had just ordered for his arm. And I thought to myself, "the Lord can heal this man." and I prayed "Lord, can i go pray for this man? What are you doing Holy Spirit?" and I really felt like i should pray for this man, and i was kinda apprehensive because I had no idea how this man or his wife felt about the Lord and i was thinking " i hope they don't freak out if i mention prayer" but i was really feeling ok, and i was like ok then, i'm gonna pray for this man. So I was sitting down and waiting... don't know what i was waiting on, i just kinda was like i'm gonna wait a minute cuz i don't want to go right now, but i'll go to them before they leave. And then, this little boy was talking to me and i wasn't paying attention, and the man and his wife left. As soon as i noticed, i went out in the parking lot and looked for them, but they were definitely gone.
Moral of the story: when the Lord gives you an opportunity, be obedient. In hesitation, you might miss out on receiving or being a blessing. Also, Praise the Lord that he gives mercy and continues to open up His heart to us even when we are unfaithful. What grace it is that my unfaithfulness to the Lord's voice today has no impact on the Lord giving me opportunities to serve Him tomorrow.
All man's empty promises lie broken at your feet, but You have never broken one. You open Your heart time and time and time again."
~Luke Wood
I was studying in Panera and thinking about the Lord and praying for divine opportunities and then this man came and sat down near me, eating at a table with his wife. He had a sling on his arm and they were talking about the prescriptions that they had just ordered for his arm. And I thought to myself, "the Lord can heal this man." and I prayed "Lord, can i go pray for this man? What are you doing Holy Spirit?" and I really felt like i should pray for this man, and i was kinda apprehensive because I had no idea how this man or his wife felt about the Lord and i was thinking " i hope they don't freak out if i mention prayer" but i was really feeling ok, and i was like ok then, i'm gonna pray for this man. So I was sitting down and waiting... don't know what i was waiting on, i just kinda was like i'm gonna wait a minute cuz i don't want to go right now, but i'll go to them before they leave. And then, this little boy was talking to me and i wasn't paying attention, and the man and his wife left. As soon as i noticed, i went out in the parking lot and looked for them, but they were definitely gone.
Moral of the story: when the Lord gives you an opportunity, be obedient. In hesitation, you might miss out on receiving or being a blessing. Also, Praise the Lord that he gives mercy and continues to open up His heart to us even when we are unfaithful. What grace it is that my unfaithfulness to the Lord's voice today has no impact on the Lord giving me opportunities to serve Him tomorrow.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
The day of the Lord's mighty love
So today I was in my nursing class this morning (research: ridiculously boring class) and i heard one of my friends say something about how her back has been killing her lately. My first thought was I should totally pray for the Lord to heal her. She knows and loves the Lord and I was like, that would be such a blessing to pray for her. So, I meant to talk to her after class, but she peaced out pretty fast and i couldn't find her. I was like "crap, but oh well. I will just pray for her now and then pray over her whenever i see her again." So then, I had lab this afternoon and she was in my lab group and everything! I was like "Sweet. Thank you Lord I might have a chance to pray over her after lab." So we have lab for three hours and then as we are leaving, I walked out with her and asked where she was going and she was like "I guess i'm going to Hendrix to wait on the bus cuz it won't be here for another 30 minutes." Perfect timing, Thank You LORD! So we went to the student center together and sat down together and I just asked her if I could pray for her back pain, and she was like "Yes, please do, and while you're at it, can you pray about this other situation too?" So she shared with me a lot that has been going on with her in her life and just some things recently that she has been seeking the Lord on that are good, but also really hard for her. I was so blessed that I just got to pray over her and speak truth about the Lord's faithfulness and peace over her. Prayed for her heart and for her back, prayed for her to recieve the Lord's comfort and love and it was so fun! Prayer is so good!! We exchanged phone numbers and we just agreed that we should pray together often and lift each other up and grow in fellowship with the Lord. I told her that I would be continuing to pray over her.
I love it! We have the best Dad in the whole world.
I love it! We have the best Dad in the whole world.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
hope does not disappoint because....
HOPE:
-strong encouragement in the promises of God.
-a confident expectation of coming good from God.
This is what i am beginning to see and want to understand more:
I can take the LORD at His word.
One thing that I have had trouble believing is that revival is really happening. That the Lord is really breakingthrough. That people are really going to respond to the Gospel and turn to the Lord. That the Lord will answer with power when we call upon His name. I don't want to agree with that doubt. So I turn to the Lord and affirm His truth. This is what the Lord says:
Ah. So much truth.
Here's what I've got:
The fields are white. People are ready to receive the Gospel; all that is needed is the laborers (that's us) to go out into the field and reap. We are reaping what we didn't even sow, others have sown and we simply gather. There is a harvest to be had, in clemson, in columbia, in wherever the Lord has placed you. Jesus said it first, there is a harvest to be had.
Jesus is the intercessor forever. He is ALWAYS able to save and redeem anyone and everyone who calls upon His name. My Jesus came into this world to save sinners and that is what He is doing forever. I know that the Redeemer lives.
The Glory of the Lord has risen upon us, His children. We are in His image, and in surrender to Him, We are walking in the fullness of His shining light. Thank You LORD.
The Father has chosen to give us His kingdom. We are heirs and therefore owners of the kingdom of God. Seriously, if I even knew the full implications of this statement I would pass out right now in my chair. This is the extent that we have captured the heart of God, that He has CHOSEN GLADLY to give us all that is His. Let's not minimize the authority that we have but rather receive it in grace. The LORD is ridiculously good.
The Holy Spirit is able and intended to teach us all things. ALL Things. Yep, that's the Holy Spirit. Sent from the Father as our Helper, Teacher, and Reminder. Surely, we can trust the Spirit to do these things. He will teach us everything we need as we listen to His voice.
Shorter version:
-People are ready to come into the Kingdom.
-Jesus can save anyone
-We have the Glory of the Lord upon us
-We have been given authority in the Kingdom of God
-The Holy Spirit is our Teacher and knows everything we need to know
yes. the Lord is bringing revival. yes. I am seeing people awaken to the love of God. yes. the Lord loves to answer with power when we call on His name.
yes. yes. yes.
-strong encouragement in the promises of God.
-a confident expectation of coming good from God.
This is what i am beginning to see and want to understand more:
I can take the LORD at His word.
One thing that I have had trouble believing is that revival is really happening. That the Lord is really breakingthrough. That people are really going to respond to the Gospel and turn to the Lord. That the Lord will answer with power when we call upon His name. I don't want to agree with that doubt. So I turn to the Lord and affirm His truth. This is what the Lord says:
"Lift up your eyes and look on the fields, that they are white for harvest." John 4:35
"Therefore He (Jesus) is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them." Hebrews 7:25
"Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For behold, darkness will cover the earth and deep darkness the peoples; but the LORD will rise upon you and His glory will appear upon you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising." Isaiah 60:1-3
"Do not be afraid, little flock, for the Father has chosen gladly to give you the Kingdom." Luke 12:32
"But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you." John 14:26
Ah. So much truth.
Here's what I've got:
The fields are white. People are ready to receive the Gospel; all that is needed is the laborers (that's us) to go out into the field and reap. We are reaping what we didn't even sow, others have sown and we simply gather. There is a harvest to be had, in clemson, in columbia, in wherever the Lord has placed you. Jesus said it first, there is a harvest to be had.
Jesus is the intercessor forever. He is ALWAYS able to save and redeem anyone and everyone who calls upon His name. My Jesus came into this world to save sinners and that is what He is doing forever. I know that the Redeemer lives.
The Glory of the Lord has risen upon us, His children. We are in His image, and in surrender to Him, We are walking in the fullness of His shining light. Thank You LORD.
The Father has chosen to give us His kingdom. We are heirs and therefore owners of the kingdom of God. Seriously, if I even knew the full implications of this statement I would pass out right now in my chair. This is the extent that we have captured the heart of God, that He has CHOSEN GLADLY to give us all that is His. Let's not minimize the authority that we have but rather receive it in grace. The LORD is ridiculously good.
The Holy Spirit is able and intended to teach us all things. ALL Things. Yep, that's the Holy Spirit. Sent from the Father as our Helper, Teacher, and Reminder. Surely, we can trust the Spirit to do these things. He will teach us everything we need as we listen to His voice.
Shorter version:
-People are ready to come into the Kingdom.
-Jesus can save anyone
-We have the Glory of the Lord upon us
-We have been given authority in the Kingdom of God
-The Holy Spirit is our Teacher and knows everything we need to know
yes. the Lord is bringing revival. yes. I am seeing people awaken to the love of God. yes. the Lord loves to answer with power when we call on His name.
yes. yes. yes.
Monday, January 5, 2009
this is what i want to learn.
"for you were called to FREEDOM, brethen, only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. " Galatians 5:13
This is the call of Christ, to follow in His path: walking out divine servanthood with all boldness, freedom, and authority, knowing that we are co-heirs with the King of kings. We are set free from the bondage of sin, so that we may then enter in to the fellowship of God as His dearly beloved children. This fellowship is so beautiful and we are invited to live out of this place, a place of freedom, healing, grace, forgiveness, bold confidence, humility, love, compassion, and joy. I don't know a lot, but I know this. This is what we were created for and surely this is also what we were redeemed for. God wants freedom for His children. Freedom from sin, freedom from unbelief, freedom from religion, from dead works, freedom from affliction, freedom from self-condemnation, freedom from expectations. It is for freedom that we have been set free. IT IS for freedom that we have been set free. God does not offer what He cannot deliver. He promised freedom, know that it is coming if you put your hope in Him. Freedom is His desire for us and if we are willing to receive what Jesus died for us to have, it's available. It's not far away, it's not untouchable. It's in the hands of God who is waiting and longing to give it to us when we ask for it in His name. God doesn't play games, and God doesn't go halfway. If God promised us something- He will give it to us, and we can have it in fullness. He cannot not be faithful to His word. We can cling to promises. We can bank on them. God does not lie. This is what He has for us.
So in this freedom (full freedom that throws off every burden) we are enabled to serve each other and love each other with the Love that Christ taught us. Seriously, when we are not walking out freedom, we are living as enslaved people. We're either just trying to make it through the day, broken down by condemnation and sin; or we are striving to prove ourselves good and earn the approval of God by our actions, which are worthless in our own strength. Either way ends up leaving us walking in defeat, and yet the spirit of defeat is the very opposite of what we were created in and for. Christ died on the cross for victory, and we receive that victory through His grace in the simple faith that we have, it's ours. So we have victory. We don't have to try to earn anything, and we don't have to live wallowing in our sin. (I feel like i'm being redundant but this is really good news, so I don't really care) In this release, we are enabled to serve. Because i'm not trying to prove myself, I am released to love the people around me freely, without expectations or hidden motives. Jesus is always the perfect example. Being free from the Law, Jesus didn't use His freedom to indulge Himself, but rather to show greater love. In freedom from the Law, He healed on the Sabbath. In freedom from the Law, He ate with the tax collectors. In freedom from the Law, He forgave a prostitute. Is this not the same way that we should also walk out our freedom? Jesus gave his disciples directions to do the same things that He did:
"How much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the Living God?"
Hebrews 9:14
This is the call of Christ, to follow in His path: walking out divine servanthood with all boldness, freedom, and authority, knowing that we are co-heirs with the King of kings. We are set free from the bondage of sin, so that we may then enter in to the fellowship of God as His dearly beloved children. This fellowship is so beautiful and we are invited to live out of this place, a place of freedom, healing, grace, forgiveness, bold confidence, humility, love, compassion, and joy. I don't know a lot, but I know this. This is what we were created for and surely this is also what we were redeemed for. God wants freedom for His children. Freedom from sin, freedom from unbelief, freedom from religion, from dead works, freedom from affliction, freedom from self-condemnation, freedom from expectations. It is for freedom that we have been set free. IT IS for freedom that we have been set free. God does not offer what He cannot deliver. He promised freedom, know that it is coming if you put your hope in Him. Freedom is His desire for us and if we are willing to receive what Jesus died for us to have, it's available. It's not far away, it's not untouchable. It's in the hands of God who is waiting and longing to give it to us when we ask for it in His name. God doesn't play games, and God doesn't go halfway. If God promised us something- He will give it to us, and we can have it in fullness. He cannot not be faithful to His word. We can cling to promises. We can bank on them. God does not lie. This is what He has for us.
So in this freedom (full freedom that throws off every burden) we are enabled to serve each other and love each other with the Love that Christ taught us. Seriously, when we are not walking out freedom, we are living as enslaved people. We're either just trying to make it through the day, broken down by condemnation and sin; or we are striving to prove ourselves good and earn the approval of God by our actions, which are worthless in our own strength. Either way ends up leaving us walking in defeat, and yet the spirit of defeat is the very opposite of what we were created in and for. Christ died on the cross for victory, and we receive that victory through His grace in the simple faith that we have, it's ours. So we have victory. We don't have to try to earn anything, and we don't have to live wallowing in our sin. (I feel like i'm being redundant but this is really good news, so I don't really care) In this release, we are enabled to serve. Because i'm not trying to prove myself, I am released to love the people around me freely, without expectations or hidden motives. Jesus is always the perfect example. Being free from the Law, Jesus didn't use His freedom to indulge Himself, but rather to show greater love. In freedom from the Law, He healed on the Sabbath. In freedom from the Law, He ate with the tax collectors. In freedom from the Law, He forgave a prostitute. Is this not the same way that we should also walk out our freedom? Jesus gave his disciples directions to do the same things that He did:
"Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give" matthew 10:8All we can do in this life is to follow the example of Christ who has gone before us and shown us the way to bring glory to the Father. It's freedom and servanthood, boldness and humility, compassion and rejoicing. The seemingly paradoxical things of the Kingdom are the best parts. These are the riches of God: That it is about now what it's always been about, the blood of Christ poured out for us.
"How much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the Living God?"
Hebrews 9:14
Friday, December 26, 2008
i've never seen good intentions set a man free
No one is good not even one
The front pages of papers of children raped by rapist
Iraqi torture chambers and we the blame claim we're blameless
Wrong all
And swelling up inside of us there's this pride in us this arrogance
And our only line of defense is the sense that
I'm not as half as bad as this friend of mine so I must be fine
We mean well don't we
Yet I've never seen good intentions set a man free from
Hurt all
This poor unfortunate soul
Filling a single void with toy after toy with girl after boy
How boring this wasn't this meant to be Humanity's life story
Warring with God saying what have you done for me
Bought all
Hanging out for six hours marred beyond recognition
In complete submission to His Father's will still
A proclamation was made louder than the loudest temptation
With more beauty than all his creation
More eternal than eternity more angelic than the heavenlies
It is done for you and bought with blood
Accept
Rejoice
For freedom has come
~Jimmy Needham
Accept. Rejoice. Receive. All good things (ALL good things) are gifts from the throne of a loving Father. He delights to pour out on His children. He delights in freedom, in rejoicing, in glory, in love. He is a good Father! Seek His heart. Delight in His presence. Praise Him for His grace. Thank You Lord.
The front pages of papers of children raped by rapist
Iraqi torture chambers and we the blame claim we're blameless
Wrong all
And swelling up inside of us there's this pride in us this arrogance
And our only line of defense is the sense that
I'm not as half as bad as this friend of mine so I must be fine
We mean well don't we
Yet I've never seen good intentions set a man free from
Hurt all
This poor unfortunate soul
Filling a single void with toy after toy with girl after boy
How boring this wasn't this meant to be Humanity's life story
Warring with God saying what have you done for me
Bought all
Hanging out for six hours marred beyond recognition
In complete submission to His Father's will still
A proclamation was made louder than the loudest temptation
With more beauty than all his creation
More eternal than eternity more angelic than the heavenlies
It is done for you and bought with blood
Accept
Rejoice
For freedom has come
~Jimmy Needham
Accept. Rejoice. Receive. All good things (ALL good things) are gifts from the throne of a loving Father. He delights to pour out on His children. He delights in freedom, in rejoicing, in glory, in love. He is a good Father! Seek His heart. Delight in His presence. Praise Him for His grace. Thank You Lord.
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