Lost the wonder

Lost the wonder

Romans 3:23

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”

Romans 6:23 

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord”

Romans 5:8

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

Ephesians 2:4-9

“But God, being rich in mercy, because of his great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ ( by grace you have been saved)and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the Heavenly Places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 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.”

At some point in all of our lives God will allow you to see and feel the weight of your own sinful nature. He does this to give us a chance to turn to him or forsake him. It can be staggering.  For those who choose Christ’s offer of salvation and believe that Jesus died on the cross for their sins, died and was raised to life they are changed and that’s the beginning of a new relationship with God.  At some point though I fear we have lost the wonder of that great love. Years ago Pastor Micah did a series called Life Verses that are verses of scripture we base our lives on.  If you’ve ever gotten an email from me you have seen my life verses on my signature.  Romans 5:8 and Psalm 18:19.  If you ever ask me why those verses it’s because I never want to lose the wonder and amazement caused by by God’s love.  It’s hard enough to believe another human could love me but even more amazing to think of this.  When you look at all that God has made in creation and realize nothing is out of his control and then think He made you and me and sin separated us but He made a way for us to have salvation and it was because of LOVE.  That is a love that drops you to your knees and thank you is simply not a good enough response and I don’t want you and I to lose that wonder.  

“The mercy of the Father cost his son his life.  His love is deep, his love is wide.  There’s a cross to bridge  the great divide”

How great is the love by Meredith Andrews 

Arms wide open by Misty Edwards

God so loved by Jaci Velasquez 

No need to explain by Geoff Moore and the Distance

 

We are the reason by David Meece

Too small a price by Don Francisco 

Great Divide by Point of Grace 

Keep at it

1 Thessalonians 5:11

“Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.”

Ephesians 5:15-20

“Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil.  So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.  And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms, and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord.”

A lot of people are using technology lately to reach people with their thoughts.  God has called us as Christians to encourage and I must ask are you helping?  Like the old tv show said “Your mission should you choose to accept it..”. We may be disconnected by a pandemic but just about all of us connect online somehow and we all connect to others lives.   Encourage others its the Christian’s calling and one of our gifts.  I will let you in on a secret.  I am nervous every time I share the blog as a video.  I’m not an on camera or speech making person.  I think of it a lot like a wrestling promo.  You have your points you want to make you get to it and you’re done.  The written blog I treat the same way.  Not everyone is a preacher, or teacher but God calls us to share his truth to a dying world.  Blogging was something I never set out to do.  The Apostle Paul was a tentmaker by trade.  He became a writer of half the New Testament.  God has given Christians gifts to use the question is are you?  If you’re not imagine Bill Goldberg looking you in the eyes and saying “You’re next!”  Get off the bench and get active God can use if you let him.  

You can encourage those around you and leverage technology to share the hope found in God alone.  It’s not rocket science it really isn’t.  

The Mission by Steve Green 

Face the Nation by 4Him

Go light your world by Kathy Troccoli

Sleeping Giant by Petra  

The Reactions

The Reactions 

I don’t know how long this Corona Virus pandemic will last.  When you log in to Facebook you see an odd array of reactions. Some people are mad, depressed or bored.  One of my friends Angela said there needed to be a page of encouragement and cheerful things. I’m one of those people trying to spread hope.  But it has to be the right hope.  That can only be found in God’s Word. Chicken soup for the soul just won’t do. Can’t get it with Egg Drop, Wonton or Hot and Sour soup either.  I love soup I will become like Bubba on Forest Gump if we talk about soup but this is not that blog.   You need to turn to God, pour out your heart and trust Him.  So I’m taking you to the book of Psalms because King David knew where to turn.  

Psalm 61:1-5

“Hear my cry, O God; give heed to my prayer.  From the ends of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint; lead me to the Rock that is higher than I. For you have been a refuge for me, a tower of strength against the enemy.  Let me dwell in your tent forever; let me take refuge in the shelter of your wings.  For you have heard my vows, O God; you have given me the inheritance of those who fear your name.”   

Psalm 62:5-8

“My soul, wait in silence for God only, for my hope is from Him.  He only is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold: I shall not be shaken. On God my salvation and my glory rest; the rock of my strength, my refuge is in God.  Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us.”  

2 Peter 5:6-8

“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because he cares for you.  Be of sober spirit, be on the alert, your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”

“The stage is bare, the crowds are gone

Lord, Now’s the time I need your song

To give me joy and certainty 

When no one else is watching me

I need you more than words can say

Tomorrow’s such a daily day 

And so I need to feel you then

Holding my hand, please hold me then.  

I need you, Lord

I need thee every hour, Most gracious Lord 

No tender voice like thine can peace afford 

I need thee O, I need thee

Every hour I need thee.”

Some of us have been isolated in this pandemic and our reactions aren’t right we need Hope that is found in God alone and we need to humble ourselves and seek Him.  He’s provided every reason to do so.  

Shadow of your wings by Darlene Zschech 

Glory be by Cheri Keaggy 

Hope Now by Addison Road 

I am on the Rock by Petra 

When life gets broken by Sandi Patty and Heather Payne

The Anchor Holds by Ray Boltz 

I need thee every hour/Hurricane by Natalie Grant 

In your arms by Meredith Andrews

The Stage is bare/ I need thee every hour by Sandi Patty 

But as for me

But as for me

Psalm 59:16-17

“But as for me , I shall sing of your strength; Yes, I shall joyfully sing of your loving kindness in the morning.  For you have been my stronghold and a refuge in the day of my distress.  O my strength, I will sing praises to you; for God is my stronghold, the God who shows me loving kindness.”

“Strong and mighty, strong to save us

Like a fortress never failing

Strong in battle, strong in kindness 

When we stray Lord you’re strong to find us.

When the winds come hard against us

You are steadfast you are true

When the ground beneath us trembles 

Your foundation never moves. “

“Lord you are my light and my salvation 

Whom shall I fear if you are near

Lord you are my peace when there is war all around me

And even here inside me I will have no fear

O Lord, you’re my protection from my enemies 

You set me high upon a rock you defend my soul

And when their ways advance against me

I am confident that they cannot make me less

For you have made me whole

O Lord you are my stronghold 

You are my stronghold.”

I started working on this on Friday not knowing that Saturday around noon Marion and I would have to go to the vet and have our dog Sofie put to sleep due to tumors on and in her abdomen.  We find ourselves crying and praying a lot.  Each day with a dog or a person is a gift from God.  We’ve got a pandemic going on creating panic.  There’s plenty to be stressed and worried about.  But like Kerrie Roberts said in her song Keep Breathing.  “With every breath you bring in hope.”  God is our stronghold we can run to.  Trust Him and seek Him.  

You are my stronghold by Watermark 

Strong Tower by Newsboys 

Keep Breathing by Kerrie Roberts 

Hold me Jesus by Rich Mullins 

Your great name by Natalie Grant 

Let the wind blow by the Imperials

It is well by Bethel Music