John Piper- Why Memorize Scripture

Repost of A Little Used Weapon from April 28th, John Piper on Why Memorizing Scripture- so important I knew I had to post it again-



It's so important to memorize scripture. We as a body of believers seem to know the Scriptures, have an idea where something is, or can say part of a verse. Listen to this word from John Piper-




Just a small reminder................

Another Saturday Song- East to West- Casting Crowns

Here I am Lord and I'm drowning
In your sea of forgetfulness
The chains of yesterday surround me
I yearn for peace and rest
I don't want to end up where you found me
And it echoes in my mind
Keeps me awake tonight

I know you've cast my sins as far
As the East is from the West
And I stand before you now
As though I've never sinned but today
I feel like I'm just one mistake away
From you leaving me this way

Jesus can you show me
Just how far the East is from the West
Cause I can't bear to see the man I've been
Come rising up in me again
In the arms of your mercy I find rest
Cause you know just how far the East is from the West
From one scarred hand to the other

I start the day the war begins
Endless reminding of my sin
Time and time again
Your Truth is drowned out by the storm I'm in
Today I feel like I'm just one mistake away
From you leaving me this way

Jesus can you show me
Just how far the East is from the West
Cause I can't bear to see the man I've been
Come rising up in me again
In the arms of your mercy I find rest
Cause you know just how far the East is from the West
From one scarred hand to the other

I know you've washed me white
Turned my darkness into light
I need your peace to get me through
To get me through this night
I can't live by what I feel
But by the truth your word reveals
I'm not holding on to you
But your holding on to me
Your holding on to me

Jesus, you know just how far
The East is from the West
I don't have to see the man I've been
Come rising up in me again
In the arms of your mercy I find rest
(The arms of your mercy I find rest)
Cause you know just how far the East is from the West
From one scarred hand to the other(x2)

(Just how far, the East is from the West) (x3)

Saturday Song- There Will Be A Day- Jeremy Camp

I try to hold on to this world with everything I have
But I feel the weight of what it brings, and the hurt that tries to grab
The many trials that seem to never end, His word declares this truth,
that we will enter in this rest with wonders anew

But I hold on to this hope and the promise that He brings
That there will be a place with no more suffering

(Chorus)
There will be a day with no more tears, no more pain, and no more
fears
There will be a day when the burdens of this place, will be no more,
we'll see Jesus face to face
But until that day, we'll hold on to you always

I know the journey seems so long
You feel you’re walking on your own
But there has never been a step
Where you’ve walked out all alone

Troubled soul don’t lose your heart
Cause joy and peace he brings
And the beauty that’s in store
Outweighs the hurt of life’s sting

But I hold on to this hope and the promise that He brings
That there will be a place with no more suffering

(Chorus)

I can’t wait until that day where the very one I’ve lived for always will
wipe away the sorrow that I’ve faced
To touch the scars that rescued me from a life of shame and misery
this is why this is why I sing

There will be a day with no more tears, no more pain, and no more
fears
There will be a day when the burdens of this place, will be no more,
we'll see Jesus face to face

There will be a day with no more tears, no more pain, and no more
fears
There will be a day when the burdens of this place, will be no more,
we'll see Jesus face to face

There will be a day, he will wipe away the tears,
He will wipe away the tears,
He will wipe away the tears,
There will be a day.

Without Love Again

Do you know any Christians that can answer any biblical or theological question you have, but don't want to get involved with the little kids or the homeless? Long time Christians that that know all about the scriptures regarding love, but don't or can't show love to anyone?

Do you know any resounding gongs or clanging cymbals? (NIV)

It's funny how God works. I had started this post a few days ago and never finished it. On Sunday I didn't go to my church, but another. The young pastor preached on chapters 12 and 13 in 1 Corithinians. He talked about how it's all about love, and that love always wins.

He also shared a point that I had heard before. Look at verses 4 through 8. Every time it says "love" or "it" referencing love, put your name in there. See if it describes you. So it would be..... Sam is patient, Sam is kind.......Linda does not envy, Linda does not boast............... A humbling exercise?

So if we know all about faith, it doesn't matter. Do we know the Word? Doesn't matter. Served God on a missions trip? None of this matters if we don't love. Love others, parents, siblings, neighbors, nobodys, strangers, poor.

And love extravagantly.

Thanks Dad

My dad is something special. He is getting old now, having problems with his back and heart. He's approaching 80, starting to wind down. But he still has that twinkle in his eyes. The twinkle of a boy who was a basketball and baseball star in high school, while the Korean War was starting. The twinkle of a man who gave his all for his growing family, working long hours but always being there for his children and their activities. The twinkle of a man who walked with the Lord, mentoring and leading others to the Lord. The twinkle of a grandpa whose pride was his children and their children.

He showed me so much. He gave me his love of sports, and his love of land and animals. The hours that I spent in the barn or on horseback or in the garden or at ballfield with him. I never ran a track meet or played a football game in high school without knowing he was there.

He wasn't perfect. But he showed me how to love your wife. And I learned how to be a father. He did have the luxury of learning from his father, who he lost at 14. He thought more with his actions and spirit than with words. He taught me to be a man.

He gave me roots to be grounded, and wings to fly.

And being the father he was and is, he showed me an earthly glimpse of what the Father's love is like.

Thank you Dad.

Another Saturday Song- You Are- Todd Agnew

What we say back to God.........


You Are , by Todd Agnew

I need some substance in this relativistic world
I need some truth in the middle of all these lies
I need some comfort to wipe away these tears
I need someone to tell me there's more to this life

You are the Truth, You are the Life
You are more than I ever dreamed, and
You are the Door through which I find
You are all that I'll ever need You are God

I need some wisdom to choose which way to walk
I need some strength to take this very step
I need some faith to help these blinded eyes to see
I need something more than everything inside of me

You are the Truth, You are the Life You are the Way
You are more than I ever dreamed, and
You are the Door through which I find You are the Vine
You are all that I'll ever need You are God

Saturday Song- I Am- Mark Schultz

This is what God says...............

I Am by Mark Schultz

I am the maker of the Heavens
I am the bright and morning star
I am the breath of all Creation
Who always was
And is to come

I am the One who walked on water
I am the One who calmed the seas
I am the miracles and wonders
So come and see
And follow me
You will know

Chorus:
I am the fount of living water
The risen Son of man
The healer of the broken
And when you cry
I am your savior and redeemer
Who bore the sins of man
The author and perfecter
Beginning and the end
I am

I am the spirit deep inside you
I am the word upon your heart
I am the One who even knew you
Before your birth
Before you were

Chorus:

Before the Earth (I am)
The universe (I am)
In every heart (I am)
Oh, where you are (I am)
The Lord of love (I am)
The King of Kings (I am)
The Holy lamb (I am)
Above all things

Chorus:

Yes, I am almighty God your father
The risen son of man
The healer of the broken
And when you cry
I am your savior and redeemer
Who bore the sins of man
The author and perfecter
Beginning and the end
I am

The Success You Covet- God Calling

June 19 - The Success You Covet

Follow the path of obedience. It leads to the Throne of God. Your treasure, be it success necessary on the material plane, which will further the work of My Kingdom, or the hidden spiritual wonders revealed by Me to those only who diligently seek, this treasure lies at the end of the track.

From one point (a promise of Mine or a Command) to the next, you have to follow, till finally you reach the success you covet.

All your work for the moment is in the material plane and the spiritual is only to help the material. When your material goal is reached then the material will serve only to attain the spiritual.

For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. Romans 16:19

Bound to Come Some Trouble

As Rich Mullins so eloquently sang, there is bound to come some trouble in your life. Don't we know it. This life we have is not perfect, and God never said it would be. We each have our own trials to bear and obstacles to overcome.

James says in Chapter 1 that trials and testing develop, and perseverance leads to maturity and completion. Paul talked about boasting to the other churches about the Thessalonians faith in the persecutions they were facing. But we don't like to stay the course for too long, we want relief and answers now.

The fathers of our faith, from Abraham and Moses all through the Old Testament, faced trials of great odds. The disciples were jailed, beaten and all died martyr's deaths except John. Our Christ and King was beaten, persecuted and hung on a cross to wash away the terrible sins we have today. Shouldn't we expect valleys and disease and deaths?

Our trials can be heavy and hard, ripping at your heart and spirit. Know that God knows, and is there for you. I don't understand how people can go through some of life's situations without the Lord. Many would say we only need God because we're weak. I say right on to that; His power is made perfect in our weakness. When he's walked you through it, you will be more mature for it if you've leaned on Him. When you are on the other side of it, if you've trusted Him, you will be closer to what He wants you to be.

repost

Saturday Song- God With Us- Mercy Me

God With Us – Mercy Me

Who are we, that You would be mindful of us?
What do You see, that's worth looking our way?
We are free, in ways that we never should be.
Sweet release, from the grip of these chains.
Like hinges straining from the weight, my heart no longer can keep from singing.

[chorus]
All that is within me cries.
For You alone be glorified Emmanuel, God with us.
My heart sings a brand new song.
The debt is paid these chains are gone.
Emmanuel, God with us.

Lord You know, our hearts don't deserve Your glory.
Still You show, a love we cannot afford.
Like hinges straining from the weight, my heart no longer can keep from singing.

[chorus]
All that is within me cries.
For You alone be glorified Emmanuel, God with us.
My heart sings a brand new song.
The debt is paid these chains are gone.
Emmanuel, God with us.

Such a tiny offering, compared to Calvary, nevertheless we lay it at your feet.
Such a tiny offering, compared to Calvary, nevertheless we lay this at your feet.

[chorus]
All that is within me cries.
For You alone be glorified Emmanuel, God with us.
My heart sings a brand new song.
My debt is paid these chains are gone.
Emmanuel, God with us.

Saturday Song- Heart of Worship- Matt Redman

When the music fades
And all is stripped away
And I simply come
Longing just to bring
Something that's of worth
That will bless your heart

I'll bring You more than a song
For a song in itself
Is not what You have required
You search much deeper within
Through the ways things appear
You're looking into my heart

I'm coming back to the heart of worship
And it's all about You
All about You, Jesus
I'm sorry Lord for the thing I've made it
When it's all about You
It's all about You Jesus

King of endless worth
No one could express
How much You deserve
Though I'm weak and poor
All I have is Yours
Every single breath

I'll bring You more than just a song
For a song in itself
Is not what You have required
You search much deeper within
Through the way things appear
You're looking into my heart

I'm coming back to the heart of worship
And it's all about You
All about You, Jesus
I'm sorry Lord for the thing I've made it
When it's all about You
It's all about You Jesus

Its all about you
Jesus

Book Review: Unquenchable Worshipper- Matt Redman

This review is of an older book(2001) I've just read again. The Unquenchable Worshipper is a book by Matt Redman, one of today's most respected worship leaders and songwriters. Some of Matt's most popular songs include "The Heart of Worship", "Better is One Day", and "Facedown".This is one of those small hardcover offerings that has become popular as of late.

The book is subtitled Coming Back to the Heart of Worship, a phrase from Matt's song Heart of Worship. The book is 122 pages, and the ten chapters each name different types of worshippers. Unquenchable. Undone. Undignified. Unpredictable. Unveiled. Unstoppable. Unnoticed. Undivided. Unsatisfied. Unending. I don't know about you, but each word speaks to my spirit without even reading the chapters.

Matt shares about how we should enter into God's presence for worship. He also talks about attitude in worship.

He shares stories about results from worship. One I really enjoyed was about a ministry trip to Norway. In the middle of worship he felt that he was supposed to sing Michael Jackson's pop hit "You are not Alone". He tells of fighting with himself as to whether he should sing a pop song in the middle of worship. After the concert, that pop song let him be able to share with a group of young people. they weren't Christians, but he says that Michael Jackson song was an entry point to them. As they were leaving, a girl came up in tears. She had come to the service in a terrible state, crying and asking God all the way why He had left her. She told Him he needed to show her that she was not alone. When Matt began singing, "You are not alone, I am here with you", she knew that was from God.

In the chapter Unstoppable Worhipper, Matt teaches on several famous martyrs. Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Rachel Scott from Columbine and the stoning of Stephen are shown as examples of unstoppable worshippers. In Unveiled Worshipper, he talks about our countenance reflecting our worship.

Several endorsements are made on the cover, including those by Jack Hayford, Louie Giglio, and Darlene Zschech. I highly recommend this book as a way to look at each of our relationships with God, and how we truly worship.

They Never Saw It Coming

What's going on? Pick up a paper, turn on the TV or surf the Net. Unspeakable murders never imagined seem commonplace today. The Christian worldview is not accepted, and is even vilified and banned, in our schools and universities. The liberal view won the election in the US. Christians are killed for being Christians in many parts of the world(and many in the church seem to care less). Perverse lifestyles are being accepted as the norm, and are now even protected classes. Abortion rates climb. There is a moral decline and even depravity that is permeating our society. Why is this happening? We seem surprised.

I have many Christians I talk with asking this. Why are we surprised? If you believe that we are living in the last days of this world, like I do, you should know that these things are inevitable. The Bible is very clear that in the last days things will get worse(read 2 Peter 3 and 1 Timothy 3). But we seem to be surprised by it. We are not looking as if at a fig tree. We are not recognizing birth pains. We need to realize we are in a war. Our enemy is going all out surge, and half our army doesn't even know we are in a war.

Do I think we can stop it? It doesn't matter what I think, the Bible says it will happen. I know we can win spiritual battles, and we need to continue to fight those battles until the Lord returns. We need to use our weapons, not the worlds. God is still sovereign. Know that this is happening, and know we must stand firm and persevere until He comes back.

We do have battles to win. The war is already won.