Take

 Take

Humbling, surrendering and trusting God are some of the hardest and most rewarding things a human can do.  Our pride keeps getting in our way.  

If you don’t believe pride gets in your way I’m going to borrow something here from Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson 

“Them that don’t know him won’t like him and them that do sometimes won’t know how to take him he ain’t wrong, he’s just different but his pride won’t let him do things to make you think he’s right.” 

This week Marion and I were in the car listening to this old song by the band Third Day and the lyrics are simple but deep.  

“How many times have I turned away 

The number is the same as the sand on the shore

But every time you’ve taken me back 

And now I pray you do it once more.  

Please take from me my life 

When I don’t have the strength to give it away 

Please take from me my life

When I don’t have the strength to give it away to you Jesus.”

1 Peter 5:6-7

“You younger men, likewise be subject to your elders, and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud but gives grace to the humble.  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.”  

Saw this thing posted online this week that said “Does it bother you that you fall asleep while praying at night?  Have you ever seen a child so comfortable they fall asleep in the arms of their Father trusting that he will take care of any problem? We should relate the same way with our Heavenly Father because he has never stopped being in control.”

If you are breathing you will have trouble in life but you can turn to God don’t let foolish pride get in the way.  

I want to conclude with something from Rich Mullins about God’s love and our stupid pride.  

“And when I thought that I was all alone it was your voice I heard calling me back home and I wonder now, Lord what it was that made me wait too long

And what kept you waiting for me all that time was your love stronger than my foolish pride will you take me back now take me back and let me be your child ‘ cause I’ve been broken now I’ve been saved I’ve learned to cry and I’ve learned how to pray and I’m learning I’m learning even I can be changed.”

Surrender by Lincoln Brewster 

Take my life by Third Day

Humble yourself by Mylon Lefevre

Not to us O, Lord by the Imperials

Growing Young by Rich Mullins 

Brokenness by David Meece

Nothing but the Blood by Kelly Parks

Holy, Holy, Holy by Carried Away

Hidden Gems

 Hidden Gems

Been slowly reading through Psalm 119 the longest chapter in the Bible and it’s also to my knowledge one of the least preached from chapters.  But this chapter is like a mine that holds hidden gems.  This has always been a blog about finding hope in God’s Word.  I want to show you some of that.  

Psalm 119:49-52

“Remember your word to your servant, in which you have made me hope.  This is my comfort in my affliction, that your Word has revived me.  The arrogant utterly deride me, yet I do not turn aside from your law.  I have remembered your ordinances from of old , O Lord, and I comfort myself.”  

Now consider this for a moment because the Psalmist multiple times in that passage references God’s word comforting him and giving him hope.  John 1:1 gives you a whole different perspective on God’s Word.  

John 1:1

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the word was God.”  

Then you get to John 1:14 and find out the Word was Jesus Christ.  So the Psalmist many years before finds hope and comfort in Christ before he even appeared because God’s Word brought to life is Jesus Christ.  

“And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw his glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

If you don’t understand that was talking about Jesus you need to see what he himself said.  

John 14:6 

“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through me.’”

You want hope found in God’s Word well Hope is a person named Jesus and He is the only way to Heaven.

Job 8:13

“So are the paths of all who forget God; and the hope of the godless will perish.”

Hebrews 12:1-2

“Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us , let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  

Romans 15:13

“Now May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” 

Glory be by Cheri Keaggy 

Too small a price by Don Francisco 

Only Jesus/ Calvary’s love by Steve Green 

Hold on by Twila Paris 

Life is hard but God is good by Pam Thum

Highest Hope by RL Worship 

 

Creed by Third Day

God and God alone by Steve Green 

Open My Eyes

Open my eyes

Years ago there was a commercial where a woman stood outside a store window and said “Open! Open! Open!”  There’s a series of verses I want to show you and I want to bring back an example I used years ago in a blog.  See I’ve read a lot of Forgotten Realms novels and there was a concept in one series called the Wayfinder’s Stone where a character strapped a magical stone to their shoes to help them see in the darkness.  See I know a little bit about needing a guide.  What many of you don’t know is my wife Marion has low vision and is considered legally blind.  On our first date she asked to hold my hand so I could guide her safely.  Been married for 8 years as of a July 28th.  I've been holding her hand and guiding her for a while.  God’s word is like that for the Christian his word is what helps us see and navigate that’s why we must spend time in it.  

Psalm 119:105 

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path..”

We should want to read the Bible!  

Psalm 119:17-20

“Deal bountifully with your servant, that I may live and keep your word.  Open my eyes that I may behold wonderful things from your law.  I am a stranger in the earth; do not hide your commandments from me.  My soul is crushed with longing after your ordinances at all times. “

Do we approach the Bible with longing and a desire for God to open our eyes and show us wonderful things?  Do we want to obey his commands because we should.

Like the scarecrow sang “Oh the thoughts I’d be thinking if I only had a brain.”  Well pay attention because you do have one.  Seek God so he can open your eyes to his wonders found in his word.  

Mine eyes have seen by Whiteheart Going to let the reader's in on a secret.  My hearing aids have a music mode and it focuses on voices and instruments. This song is so much better on music mode to hear the blending of everything. 

Thy Word by Amy Grant and Michael W Smith

Heart of hearts by Paige

Light up the sky by the Afters

Plans have fallen through

Plans have fallen through

When commenting on wrestling matches John Bradshaw Layfield would often say “Everyone has a plan till they get punched in the mouth.”  Life is unrelenting.  

For those who have followed the blog for a while I make it no secret that my favorite Sandi Patty song is In the Name of the Lord.  Been giving a lot of thought to this part of the song the past two days.  

“When my plans have fallen through 

And when my strength is nearly gone

When there’s nothing left to do but just depend on you

And the power of your Name

And as we call upon your Name 

Your strength through weakness to show

We can know the Master’s plan extend the Master’s hand

When we come in the Name of the Lord

There is strength in the Name of the Lord 

There is power in the Name of the Lord 

There is hope in the Name of the Lord”

Proverbs 18:10

“The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous runs to it and is safe.”

Psalm 118:5-9

“From my distress I called upon the Lord, the Lord answered me and set me in a large place.  The Lord is for me; I will not fear; what can man do to me?  The Lord is for me among those who help me; therefore I will look with satisfaction on those who hate me.  It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man.  It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes.  

2 Corinthians 12:9-10

“And he has said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.’  Most gladly therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.  Therefore, I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake, for when I am weak then I am strong.”

I’ve had a week of a lot of stress I have made mistakes.  Like the DC heroine Power Girl asked “Why do I always have to fight the giant spider?”  The Batcave blog is about finding hope in God’s Word and I need this as much as you.  Like JBL said “Everyone has a plan till they get hit in the mouth.”  So we run to God.  It should be our first choice and not our last!  

“So be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might.  Put on all his armor and fight the good fight.  In all of our weakness He becomes so strong when he gives us the power and the strength to carry on.”

In the Name of the Lord by Sandi Patty 

More power to ya by Petra 

Strong God by Meredith Andrews 

We Believe by Newsboys 

In the end by Natalie Grant 

Path of Wisdom

Path of wisdom 

Do you want to be wise?  Here’s the path to wisdom most people ignore.  

Psalm 107:43 “Who is wise? Let them give heed to these things, and consider the loving kindnesses of the Lord.”  

Salvation is the perfect example of God’s love.  

 

Psalm 14:1 

“The fool has said in their heart, ‘There is no God.’ They are corrupt, they have committed abominable deeds; there is no one who does good. “

Both of these passages in Psalms were written many years before Christ came and died for our sins.  Remember it said the path to wisdom is considering God’s loving Kindness.  

Romans 5:8

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

Now connect that with this part in the New Testament because God has connected scripture.  Here’s the crazy part because God planned what was said in Psalm 107 in 1010-970 BC and the next passage was written around 53-54 AD so many years later.  

1 Corinthians 1:18-24

“For the Word of the Cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written, ‘I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the cleverness of the clever I will set aside’. Where is the wise man?  Where is the scribe?  Where is the debater of this age?  Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?  For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.  For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and wisdom of God.”

2 Peter 3:9

“The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.”

The preaching of Christ being crucified and raised from the dead for the redemption of sin makes no sense to a lost and dying world but God calls us to do so because through it He changes lives.  God has had a plan before Creation because he is not bound by time.  By considering God’s loving kindness and salvation it brings wisdom that leads to redemption.  

You are the answer by Point of Grace 

Only a fool by Geoff Moore and the Distance

 

In the Name of the Lord by Sandi Patty 

You are God alone by Phillips, Craig and Dean

You are God by Twila Paris

Country Church Style

Country church style 

So some of you may not be aware my dad is the pastor of a small church called Lakeview Baptist Church so named because it is on a hill and you can see Lake Mathis for miles from the top of this hill.  There’s a man who stands up each week and simply reads a passage of scripture.  No explanation on the chapter just simply reads it.  There’s never been a real guide to tell me how to do a online Bible study blog.  Sometimes simplicity is all you need.  So I give you Psalm 103.  I don’t know if I can read as well as the man at my dad’s church but I’m going to try my best.  If you get this via email you might want to read it out loud for emphasis.  We all need this chapter.  

Psalm 103

1Bless the LORD, O my soul, And all that is within me, bless His holy name.

      2Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget none of His benefits

 3Who pardons all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases;

      4Who redeems your life from the pit, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion;

      5Who satisfies your years with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle.

      6The LORD performs righteous deeds, And judgments for all who are oppressed.

      7He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the sons of Israel.

      8The LORD is compassionate and gracious, Slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness.

      9He will not always strive with us, Nor will He keep His anger forever.

      10He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.

      11For as high as the heavens are above the earth, So great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him.

      12As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.

      13Just as a father has compassion on his children, So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.

      14For He Himself knows our frame; He is mindful that we are but dust.

      15As for man, his days are like grass, As a flower of the field, so he flourishes.

      16When the wind has passed over it, it is no more, And its place acknowledges it no longer.

      17But the lovingkindness of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, And His righteousness to children’s children,

      18To those who keep His covenant, And remember His precepts to do them.

      19The LORD has established His throne in the heavens, And His sovereignty rules over all.

      20Bless the LORD, you His angels,
            Mighty in strength, who perform His word, Obeying the voice of His word!

      21Bless the LORD, all you His hosts, You who serve Him, doing His will.

      22Bless the LORD, all you works of His,
            In all places of His dominion; Bless the LORD, O my soul!

10,000 reasons byJesus Culture 

Nothing but the blood by Kelly Parks

Shout to the Lord/ Godof Wonders by Caleb and Kelsey

Amazing Grace by Darlene Zschech 

Simplicity of Calvary's Love

Simplicity of Calvary’s love 

This is a slightly different blog in that I chose the music lyrics first.  You may question my purpose on this but I’m trying to remind us all of the simplicity and wonder of God’s love because we all need to seek Him.  There’s three songs in this blog for those who may watch this as a video I am leaving a link to the physical blog so you can access the music linked.  

“Calvary’s love, Calvary’s love priceless gift Christ makes us worthy of 

The deepest sin can’t rise above 

 Calvary’s Love has never faltered

All it’s wonders still remain

Souls still take eternal passage

Sins atoned and heaven gained 

Sins forgiven and Heaven gained.”

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.”

Acts 4:10-12

“Let it be known to all of you and to all of the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead —by this name this man stands here before you in good health.  He is the Stone which was rejected by you, the builders, but which became the Chief Cornerstone.  And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.”  

“Jesus faithful King, Lord with grateful hearts we sing 

How great is the love 

How great is the love 

Of our savior 

The weight of the cross,The curse of our shame

You carried it all and rose from the grave

How great is the love, how great is the love of our savior.”  

“I don’t care where you’ve been sleeping I don’t care who’s made your bed I already gave my life to set you free there’s no sin you could imagine that is stronger than my love it’s all yours if you come home again to me.” 

We’re in a time of anxiety and sheer Craziness but our world still needs God that is what they need more than anything.  Point people back to the cross because they matter to God so much that even when we were his enemies he still shed precious blood to redeem them.  

Stubborn Love by KathyTroccoli 

How great is the love by MeredithAndrews

Only Jesus/Calvary’s love by SteveGreen 

I don’t care where you’ve beensleeping by Don Francisco 

We need Jesus by Petra