Good afternoon everyone!
So, today has been a beautiful day in the city of Fargo and it has been a day to help me see God in such amazing ways. I have been able to recount my blessings and I am so joyous. I am happy, but more than that, I want to worship God and thank Him abundantly. Along with that, I have been doing some reading and studying. One of the things I have been studying is the Lord's Prayer.
The Lord's Prayer impresses me. It draws me into the beautiful heart of God and how He longs for us to call on Him. In this prayer, we find God and so strongly. We feel Him and recognize that He is what we need most of all. He surrounds us and excites us! He loves us lavishly!
Along with studying, I have been reading on God's heart for this world. He longs to be worshiped. His desire is to be lifted up - He is jealous for His name and longs to be the devotion of our hearts. John Piper's book, "Let the Nations Be Glad!" says it greatly:
"With all his heart and soul and strength and mind he delights in the glory of his manifold perfections. The most passionate heart for God in all the universe is God's heart...'the chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy him forever.' (Westminster Catechism)" (pg. 39 - 40)
God yearns for us to rejoice in Him. Even though we only glimpse the fringes of His absolute glory, this is what is supposed to draw us in. Just think, He knows this is all we can handle of His glory - and we experience an amazing amount!
My desire to just rest in God's abundance and to recount that abundance to Him has been the cry of my heart today. I am so thankful. That stems out of devotion. God longs for our devotion to be to Him. And with that, I'm putting in another plug (hehe!), but I have been also listening to a cd titled, "The More I Seek You - Songs of Devotion." This cd is what it is all about - singing about God's devotion to us and how that transforms us to love Him. When we see His devotion toward us, that turns us to be devoted to Him. We see Him as He truly is. There is one song in particular that spoke this truth to me today and so I post the chorus. It's beautiful. The name of the song is called "Stay Amazed" by Kirsten Takape.
O Holy God, I stay amazed
You are so much more than words could ever say
O Holy God, I pour out my praise
On the One who never ceases to amaze
What a great God. God's heart is for He to be worshiped! And as we grow in obedience and love toward Him, we see His beautiful heart even more radiantly. And doesn't this world need to see that? Oh you are lying if you say no.
Lord, you teach us how to stand, to walk, to run, all toward You. You call our names and invite us in to see You, to know You, to love You. Lord, how simple and beautiful it is to the soul to say, 'I love You,' and these are the only words my soul wants or desires to echo. Lord, let that devotion to You spill out to this world. Help me not to hoard that but to splash and drench this world with that good news! Jesus, You are the friend who sticks closer than any other human. You have loved me in the most powerful way. You become my joy! Lord, I will rejoice, I will praise, I will glorify You. You are the best thing. I love You Savior. I love You. I want that to be the complete reflection of my entire life. Let that be so. To you be the glory! Amen.
Words and thoughts from a broken and contrite heart that yearns and longs to please a most holy God.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Monday, May 10, 2010
Life in the Spirit
Hey Y'all!
Hope you are all excellent and enjoying life in abundance. It is great to be alive. Every moment we have in this life is on purpose and we can know that God wanted and needed us to have this moment to learn about Him. We are alive in this moment for a purpose. Sometimes, we don't understand that purpose, but we are here on purpose anyway!
Isn't it a huge blessing just to know that every moment of your life has a purpose!?! It is on purpose! Maybe it's just me, but knowing that this moment has purpose and it is not coincidence elates me.
And a tear comes to my face because there are so many that don't see life that way. In fact, at this moment, I know so many young people who are scared because they can't see purpose at all to their life. They can't find hope and choose ways to hurt themselves, or worse, end their lives.
Christians, why have we let this happen? I am guilty as the next person for not speaking the message of hope to all. But why have we sat idle on this issues? These struggles are real, and it disheartens me.
God give us understanding! Holy Spirit, speak to us! Give us the counsel we need to minister to so many people and draw them into the hope we have in your Son! We need your words; please help us to rely on your strength. We need your words and your strength. Guide us Blessed Savior!
For too long, we have relied on ourselves. I include myself in this.
This past week I have taken a good look at my relationship with the Holy Spirit. I need the Holy Spirit and I need to acknowledge His presence in my life. I need to build my relationship with the Holy Spirit and I need to rely on Him. He is the One who allows me to have faith - He gives me the gift of faith! - and He allows me to see Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the Only One who can save, and I would not know that without the Holy Spirit.
He lives inside us. It is a process to know and understand that we walk with Him. It is something we need to voluntarily pursue this relationship and it is something that is not always experiential. It is also a continual act.
I read a devotional by Chris Tiegreen, and today's devotional spoke on how the Holy Spirit lives inside us, and this is what we need to guard. We need to treasure the Holy Spirit and when we do, we won't even look for things to distract us from God. We won't pursue sin. He writes, "Treasuring the wellspring that God has birthed in your heart will leave little room for the corruptions you once obsessed over." (C. Tiegreen, Walking with God, pg. 130, 2004)
Christians, we need to stop living like God is not existent or a part of our lives. He must be displayed. We must actively pursue this - ME included! We need to turn and start treasuring the Holy Spirit that lives in us and in turn live a life of love that glorifies the only God who can give life!
Join with in reforming this world! Pray for the change and the revelation of the Holy Spirit!
Jesus, you are my Savior - and you have given me such hope! Everlasting hope! I am so happy to be called your child. But I want to live a life that honors you so fully! I want to walk in the Spirit always and live a life in the Spirit! Guide me to the Holy Spirit.
Holy Spirit, pour out yourself on my life. Let me eyes see you so clearly. I know your presence and have felt that so wonderfully. But I am greedy - I want more of you in my life! Guide me in all wisdom and speak so powerfully through me to the honor of the GLORIOUS KING! Holy Spirit, I want more of you overflowing so exuberantly out of me. Glorify the Holy Name of Jesus in my life! To you be all honor, power, and glory!
Everlasting Father, you draw me into your arms. Transform this world! Continue to sanctify your children. And let us know that you are doing it! We want to play a role! Show us how you may be magnified - made huge!!! Show us Lord, take our hand, and teach us to call you Father! We need you. To you be praise always! The honor and glory all belong to you! In the powerful name of Jesus I lift this pray to you. Amen.
Brandon
Hope you are all excellent and enjoying life in abundance. It is great to be alive. Every moment we have in this life is on purpose and we can know that God wanted and needed us to have this moment to learn about Him. We are alive in this moment for a purpose. Sometimes, we don't understand that purpose, but we are here on purpose anyway!
Isn't it a huge blessing just to know that every moment of your life has a purpose!?! It is on purpose! Maybe it's just me, but knowing that this moment has purpose and it is not coincidence elates me.
And a tear comes to my face because there are so many that don't see life that way. In fact, at this moment, I know so many young people who are scared because they can't see purpose at all to their life. They can't find hope and choose ways to hurt themselves, or worse, end their lives.
Christians, why have we let this happen? I am guilty as the next person for not speaking the message of hope to all. But why have we sat idle on this issues? These struggles are real, and it disheartens me.
God give us understanding! Holy Spirit, speak to us! Give us the counsel we need to minister to so many people and draw them into the hope we have in your Son! We need your words; please help us to rely on your strength. We need your words and your strength. Guide us Blessed Savior!
For too long, we have relied on ourselves. I include myself in this.
This past week I have taken a good look at my relationship with the Holy Spirit. I need the Holy Spirit and I need to acknowledge His presence in my life. I need to build my relationship with the Holy Spirit and I need to rely on Him. He is the One who allows me to have faith - He gives me the gift of faith! - and He allows me to see Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the Only One who can save, and I would not know that without the Holy Spirit.
He lives inside us. It is a process to know and understand that we walk with Him. It is something we need to voluntarily pursue this relationship and it is something that is not always experiential. It is also a continual act.
I read a devotional by Chris Tiegreen, and today's devotional spoke on how the Holy Spirit lives inside us, and this is what we need to guard. We need to treasure the Holy Spirit and when we do, we won't even look for things to distract us from God. We won't pursue sin. He writes, "Treasuring the wellspring that God has birthed in your heart will leave little room for the corruptions you once obsessed over." (C. Tiegreen, Walking with God, pg. 130, 2004)
Christians, we need to stop living like God is not existent or a part of our lives. He must be displayed. We must actively pursue this - ME included! We need to turn and start treasuring the Holy Spirit that lives in us and in turn live a life of love that glorifies the only God who can give life!
Join with in reforming this world! Pray for the change and the revelation of the Holy Spirit!
Jesus, you are my Savior - and you have given me such hope! Everlasting hope! I am so happy to be called your child. But I want to live a life that honors you so fully! I want to walk in the Spirit always and live a life in the Spirit! Guide me to the Holy Spirit.
Holy Spirit, pour out yourself on my life. Let me eyes see you so clearly. I know your presence and have felt that so wonderfully. But I am greedy - I want more of you in my life! Guide me in all wisdom and speak so powerfully through me to the honor of the GLORIOUS KING! Holy Spirit, I want more of you overflowing so exuberantly out of me. Glorify the Holy Name of Jesus in my life! To you be all honor, power, and glory!
Everlasting Father, you draw me into your arms. Transform this world! Continue to sanctify your children. And let us know that you are doing it! We want to play a role! Show us how you may be magnified - made huge!!! Show us Lord, take our hand, and teach us to call you Father! We need you. To you be praise always! The honor and glory all belong to you! In the powerful name of Jesus I lift this pray to you. Amen.
Brandon
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