The Bible was inspired by God. The Bible has checks in it that prove it's a book outside of time, supernaturally inspired. Abraham probably wasn't aware at the time that his sacrifice of Isaac was to be a picture of God the Father offering his son. The Israelites leaving Egypt didn't know that their passover, killing an innocent lamb for their protection was a picture of Christ's atoning sacrifice that covers their sins and spares them from death. Nor did they probably realize that the bronze snake lifted up in the wilderness, where whoever looked at it in faith would be saved from death was also a picture of us being saved from death by our faith in Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. No one at the time of Daniel probably realized that he being an innocent man, betrayed, unjustly executed, sealed in his tomb, and raised alive because he was "innocent in God's sight", was to be a picture of Jesus' execution and resurrection. We know they didn't realize it because the Jews still deny it. But obviously those things happened and were written down and disseminated before Jesus' life, death, and resurrection. No one went in after the fact and changed those stories to fit Jesus' life. And I only gave you a sampling. How can all those poignant moments in the Old Testament coincidentally refer to what actually happened to Jesus? God has been directing time and history to prove to those looking after the fact that he knew what was going on all along.
No doubt Jesus explained all these things to his disciples when he said "And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself." Luke 24:27. You see Jesus was well aware that the OT was about him, painting a picture of him.
You see God's got it all figured out. He knew he had to include such things because people wouldn't otherwise believe. He proved that he knew "the end from the beginning". But now that you see the Bible can predict things no human could have known, you should give Jesus another look.
Perhaps you are offended by Christianity because of Christians or what you think they stand for. But it's time to break away from stereotypes and media fabrications and get to know Jesus for who he really is.
In response to Shane- so you're saying that the story of Abraham was added in later to fit the story of Jesus? Was it really added in later? You're going to have to investigate. Just ask any Jewish person.
Hey Todd, so you're saying the story of Jesus was made up to fit Old Testament stories that no Jewish person ever believed were prophetic? Then why wasn't that foreshadowing taught by early Christians? Jesus died on a cross so that he could hopefully possibly one day make people think that OT stories about innocents dying for salvation could be alluded to him if his disciples could make up that he rose from the dead and tell Jewish people that Abraham, the passover, and the prophets were trying to say he would rise from the dead, so that they could....
live lavishly? Remember, all the disciples save one were martyred. They wouldn't do that for something they knew was a "lie". They couldn't have been in on the "lie". So if Jesus was the one deceiving them, how could he do that from hanging on the cross?
Was it made up centuries later? Then how did the faith proliferate? Investigate.
I tell you the truth, Jesus really did live, was prophesied by the prophets long before people knew what a cross was, he died on the cross and he rose again. His followers disseminated the truth at the cost of their lives. Jesus is alive today and is coming back as he promised (and again, there are OT proofs).
My faith in God is an extension of logic. God is logical. I have great reasons to believe in God, unencumbered by human pressure or loyalties, and so do you. If everyone really sought God, looked at the proof of God and the Bible earnestly and humbly, thinking critically, and not married to their biases, they would see that he is true and real.
He is giving you a choice, ignore him, reject God as foolish and go your way, or check him out, believe, and be saved from eternity without God (which is really all hell is. Flames aren't really the problem. Being without God is the real scary part, but that's too abstract for most people). No one forced the Israelites to look at the snake on the pole and no one is forcing you to look to Jesus for salvation. Then again, the Israelites knew they had a problem.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Friday, December 5, 2008
Everything I ever wanted in life I found in Jesus (Part 2)
The continuation:
You know, I've been thinking about this some more. I think that back then I would have affirmed that I believed all those things, but it was merely a theological assent. It was a brain thing, not a heart thing. If you would have asked me if I believed Jesus rose from the dead, I would have said, "of course I do!" and I convinced myself that I did. I mean I didn't NOT believe it. But when I was honest with myself I had to admit that its reality hadn't really gripped my heart to the point where I know that I know that I know it's true!
I'm talking about real faith!
The funny/sad thing is that at the time (I'm talkin about until late 2005) I was in Christian leadership. I was zealous for obedience to God, good Theology; I was interested in Apologetics, I shared my faith... and yet when I think about it, I don't even know if I was saved. I'm so serious! I go back and forth on this. Perhaps I was just a Christian with a lot of doubts. But when I look at the quality of my faith and walk and compare it to back then it's so qualitatively better now that I have to wonder whether I was ever saved.
There were main two reasons why my walk was so much worse back then:
1)Unbelief. Simply unbelief! Hebrews 11:6 says that "without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." Why do we think that God is cool with us not taking him at his word? I was comfortable with my level of faith. I thought I had good faith. I dabbled in unbelief. I invited things into my mind and eye that promoted unbelief, all in the name of entertainment. You're free in Christ to do whatever you want with good judgment. You're free to watch TV and see movies. But have you ever thought about how they attack the faith? How they like to trivialize God's truth? What do you think that kind of exposure does to you? And you're just inviting that stuff into your mind, allowing the enemy to freely attack your faith. I always laughed that kind of stuff off. I can control myself. I'm not that easily influenced. Nice try, Matt. Don't fool yourself. Colossians 3:1-2: "Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things."
No wonder I was getting my tail whooped by sin!
2)The second reason my walk was so weak was ignorance. I didn't realize how much more there was more for the believer! I didn't realize that the victorious Christian life was available to me. I didn't realize how much I was missing and missing out on. I knew I wasn't like those super holy people, but I never thought I could be anyway. That was somebody else's dream.
I didn't realize that this was fun! I didn't realize that God was meant to be enjoyed! My Christian life was just filled with empty rituals and a sense of religious duty. If I did my duty, I felt good about myself. I didn't treat God as if he's real. He was so abstract. There was no interaction, no relationship, just ritual. That's how you treat someone who's not real: empty ritual. If God is real, don't you want to talk to him? Shouldn't there be some interaction? I would hope so. This is one of the sticking points as to why I doubt I was saved. I treated God like he's not real. What did I believe in? I had some abstract faith, not true faith in the true and living God. I had no relationship.
I could go on, but I need to go to sleep.
I hope that those who were living a life like mine can be encouraged and awakened to how much more there is. Like I said, everything I ever wanted in life I found in Christ! I hope that people who don't believe would see for themselves. God is not afraid of your questions. A lot of my learning came through asking tough questions. I wouldn't be satisfied until I knew that God had an answer for my tough questions. I asked them, I examined the answers carefully and objectively and then I believed. I think the reason why so many people falter and stumble in their faith is that they
1)don't ask the questions
2)don't expect an answer
3)don't give God a chance to let him explain himself
4)think they've found a question that stumps God and don't give him a chance. Ahh, there I go again, I need to stop. Y'all get the picture. Comment or message me, I'd love to hear your thoughts!!!
You know, I've been thinking about this some more. I think that back then I would have affirmed that I believed all those things, but it was merely a theological assent. It was a brain thing, not a heart thing. If you would have asked me if I believed Jesus rose from the dead, I would have said, "of course I do!" and I convinced myself that I did. I mean I didn't NOT believe it. But when I was honest with myself I had to admit that its reality hadn't really gripped my heart to the point where I know that I know that I know it's true!
I'm talking about real faith!
The funny/sad thing is that at the time (I'm talkin about until late 2005) I was in Christian leadership. I was zealous for obedience to God, good Theology; I was interested in Apologetics, I shared my faith... and yet when I think about it, I don't even know if I was saved. I'm so serious! I go back and forth on this. Perhaps I was just a Christian with a lot of doubts. But when I look at the quality of my faith and walk and compare it to back then it's so qualitatively better now that I have to wonder whether I was ever saved.
There were main two reasons why my walk was so much worse back then:
1)Unbelief. Simply unbelief! Hebrews 11:6 says that "without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." Why do we think that God is cool with us not taking him at his word? I was comfortable with my level of faith. I thought I had good faith. I dabbled in unbelief. I invited things into my mind and eye that promoted unbelief, all in the name of entertainment. You're free in Christ to do whatever you want with good judgment. You're free to watch TV and see movies. But have you ever thought about how they attack the faith? How they like to trivialize God's truth? What do you think that kind of exposure does to you? And you're just inviting that stuff into your mind, allowing the enemy to freely attack your faith. I always laughed that kind of stuff off. I can control myself. I'm not that easily influenced. Nice try, Matt. Don't fool yourself. Colossians 3:1-2: "Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things."
No wonder I was getting my tail whooped by sin!
2)The second reason my walk was so weak was ignorance. I didn't realize how much more there was more for the believer! I didn't realize that the victorious Christian life was available to me. I didn't realize how much I was missing and missing out on. I knew I wasn't like those super holy people, but I never thought I could be anyway. That was somebody else's dream.
I didn't realize that this was fun! I didn't realize that God was meant to be enjoyed! My Christian life was just filled with empty rituals and a sense of religious duty. If I did my duty, I felt good about myself. I didn't treat God as if he's real. He was so abstract. There was no interaction, no relationship, just ritual. That's how you treat someone who's not real: empty ritual. If God is real, don't you want to talk to him? Shouldn't there be some interaction? I would hope so. This is one of the sticking points as to why I doubt I was saved. I treated God like he's not real. What did I believe in? I had some abstract faith, not true faith in the true and living God. I had no relationship.
I could go on, but I need to go to sleep.
I hope that those who were living a life like mine can be encouraged and awakened to how much more there is. Like I said, everything I ever wanted in life I found in Christ! I hope that people who don't believe would see for themselves. God is not afraid of your questions. A lot of my learning came through asking tough questions. I wouldn't be satisfied until I knew that God had an answer for my tough questions. I asked them, I examined the answers carefully and objectively and then I believed. I think the reason why so many people falter and stumble in their faith is that they
1)don't ask the questions
2)don't expect an answer
3)don't give God a chance to let him explain himself
4)think they've found a question that stumps God and don't give him a chance. Ahh, there I go again, I need to stop. Y'all get the picture. Comment or message me, I'd love to hear your thoughts!!!
Everything I ever wanted in life I found in Jesus (Part 1)
A few years ago the cynic in me would have cringed at that statement, like, "how can you say he's EVERYTHING? Surely you can't mean that." But I've come to realize that it was unbelief that kept me from realizing that. I just didn't believe all those wonderful things the Bible said he is and would be. or I was just ignorant to what the Bible said and promised to me.
I've learned that he is everything the Bible promises and more than I could have ever imagined. Everything I searched for before has become irrelevant to me. I used to think I'd be fulfilled with a girl, with popularity, with acceptance from others, but it was just a black hole. It really is true, only our creator can fill that void. Again, the cynic would have brushed that off or said, "yeah, yeah, I've heard that before", but the cynic is now dead. I've come to see reality for what it is and I can't wait to go to heaven and be with Jesus! Take that, cynic! I know the old Matt couldn't stomach a statement like that, but why not? It's because he didn't believe. I assumed it couldn't be real, which was a really baseless assumption. I believed that God is real, but he couldn't do all those other things like raise the dead, suspend and supersede the laws of nature, and change my personality and my ingrained habits. But that doesn't make any sense! Which is the greater challenge? Is there anything he can't do?
Praise be to Jesus forever and ever, thank you for rescuing me from ignorance and hopelessness and giving me your joy! And let's not forget salvation from hell! Again, the old cynic wouldn't have liked that, but now I can say it with confidence! Thank you for saving me from eternal torment in hell!! Serious, guys!! This is real for everyone! In order to be perfect and just he must punish evil, which is you and me!...
But thank God he doesn't want that to happen to anyone which is why forgiveness is available to all who accept it. John 3:16
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
(I love how the old cynic Matt cringes at open proclamation of the Gospel, as if it's not real or something. As if people don't need to hear this. I love how I've changed.)
I've learned that he is everything the Bible promises and more than I could have ever imagined. Everything I searched for before has become irrelevant to me. I used to think I'd be fulfilled with a girl, with popularity, with acceptance from others, but it was just a black hole. It really is true, only our creator can fill that void. Again, the cynic would have brushed that off or said, "yeah, yeah, I've heard that before", but the cynic is now dead. I've come to see reality for what it is and I can't wait to go to heaven and be with Jesus! Take that, cynic! I know the old Matt couldn't stomach a statement like that, but why not? It's because he didn't believe. I assumed it couldn't be real, which was a really baseless assumption. I believed that God is real, but he couldn't do all those other things like raise the dead, suspend and supersede the laws of nature, and change my personality and my ingrained habits. But that doesn't make any sense! Which is the greater challenge? Is there anything he can't do?
Praise be to Jesus forever and ever, thank you for rescuing me from ignorance and hopelessness and giving me your joy! And let's not forget salvation from hell! Again, the old cynic wouldn't have liked that, but now I can say it with confidence! Thank you for saving me from eternal torment in hell!! Serious, guys!! This is real for everyone! In order to be perfect and just he must punish evil, which is you and me!...
But thank God he doesn't want that to happen to anyone which is why forgiveness is available to all who accept it. John 3:16
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
(I love how the old cynic Matt cringes at open proclamation of the Gospel, as if it's not real or something. As if people don't need to hear this. I love how I've changed.)
Sunday, October 19, 2008
To live is Christ!
It is so easy to lose focus and start to think that life is about us. We spend entirely too much time thinking about ourselves and what we want. What is the goal of our lives? What's the point? Is for us to have a good time? For us to be glorified? For us to see our dreams come true?
Derek talked today about people suffering for Christ. The pains and the burdens that Christians bear, especially the persecuted Church. People are going to prison, being mistreated, and even dying because they are believers. But specifically he talked about the apostle Paul and everything he endured- beatings, prison, shipwrecks, hunger, abandonment- all to advance God's mission.
Remember what Paul said:
Philippians 1:21-26
For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me.
Yes, it would be so much better to die and be with Christ than to be in this world. Why are we still here??
...
Seriously, why are we still here?
What are we doing here? What's the point of us being here?
We've received salvation, we love God... why are we still here? Why can't we all just go and be with Jesus?
Essentially Paul was saying that the reason why he's still here is to minister to others. He's here for their sake.
Philippians 1:23-24
I’m torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me. 24 But for your sakes, it is better that I continue to live.
Let me submit to you that like Paul, we are here not for ourselves, but for the world's sake. We are still here because we have do demonstrate and share Christ with others. To live is Christ!
We're not here to live lazy lives and pursue our own wants and dreams, just living for ourselves and only living for others when it's convenient.
I'm saying that the ONLY reason we're still here is to live for others.
You might say, "but what about the maturing process, enjoying God, enjoying God's blessings, isn't there a place for that?
Of course there is. I'm not saying that ministering to others is the only thing in life we can be doing. I'm saying that the only reason why we're doing those other things here and not in heaven is because here there are people who need us.
The Westminster Catechism states that "the chief end of life is to glorify God and to enjoy him forever". This is true, but we could be doing that in heaven. The reason why we're doing it here is so that we can show Christ to others.
We are here for the world's sake!
There have been times in my life where I was so frustrated I begged God to just take me home now. Just kill me and take me home now already. But now I know why he didn't grant my wish. He could take me home and solve all my problems and instantly mature me and glorify me, but he would rather do that down here and have me stay here because here I can be a light to others.
What's the point of your life? Is to live Christ or is to live Self?
[I also just want to quickly mention that I am the most self-absorbed, living for-himself kind of person. I don't want to sound like I've mastered all this and y'know, "hope you can join me at my level" kind of stuff, because I am way off. Paul said that he hasn't attained this stuff either. Never mind being like Christ, I can't even reach Paul's level! Let's press on.]
Derek talked today about people suffering for Christ. The pains and the burdens that Christians bear, especially the persecuted Church. People are going to prison, being mistreated, and even dying because they are believers. But specifically he talked about the apostle Paul and everything he endured- beatings, prison, shipwrecks, hunger, abandonment- all to advance God's mission.
Remember what Paul said:
Philippians 1:21-26
For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me.
Yes, it would be so much better to die and be with Christ than to be in this world. Why are we still here??
...
Seriously, why are we still here?
What are we doing here? What's the point of us being here?
We've received salvation, we love God... why are we still here? Why can't we all just go and be with Jesus?
Essentially Paul was saying that the reason why he's still here is to minister to others. He's here for their sake.
Philippians 1:23-24
I’m torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me. 24 But for your sakes, it is better that I continue to live.
Let me submit to you that like Paul, we are here not for ourselves, but for the world's sake. We are still here because we have do demonstrate and share Christ with others. To live is Christ!
We're not here to live lazy lives and pursue our own wants and dreams, just living for ourselves and only living for others when it's convenient.
I'm saying that the ONLY reason we're still here is to live for others.
You might say, "but what about the maturing process, enjoying God, enjoying God's blessings, isn't there a place for that?
Of course there is. I'm not saying that ministering to others is the only thing in life we can be doing. I'm saying that the only reason why we're doing those other things here and not in heaven is because here there are people who need us.
The Westminster Catechism states that "the chief end of life is to glorify God and to enjoy him forever". This is true, but we could be doing that in heaven. The reason why we're doing it here is so that we can show Christ to others.
We are here for the world's sake!
There have been times in my life where I was so frustrated I begged God to just take me home now. Just kill me and take me home now already. But now I know why he didn't grant my wish. He could take me home and solve all my problems and instantly mature me and glorify me, but he would rather do that down here and have me stay here because here I can be a light to others.
What's the point of your life? Is to live Christ or is to live Self?
[I also just want to quickly mention that I am the most self-absorbed, living for-himself kind of person. I don't want to sound like I've mastered all this and y'know, "hope you can join me at my level" kind of stuff, because I am way off. Paul said that he hasn't attained this stuff either. Never mind being like Christ, I can't even reach Paul's level! Let's press on.]
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Living for myself
Every once in a while I experience a time of spiritual shock, where I realize that the way I've been living isn't good enough; a time when I realize that there is much more for me in my Christian walk than what I've been experiencing. Recently I've been awoken to find how compromising and self-centered I've been. In fact, for the last two weeks all I've been thinking about is what does it mean to hate my life? What does it mean to not cling to my desires? How is that lived? How do I live for others?
A week ago my conversation with the Lord turned to my compromising ways. I had to acknowledge that I've been living a comfortable life. I was comfortable with where I was at. I was comfortable with my life, with how I was treating others, with my devotional life, with my hunger. And in my comfort I failed to realize that I had been slipping. My heart didn't burn the same way for the Lord. I've become lazy. I haven't been concerned with the plight of others.
How do I get out of this funk?
I started to think about what my life would be like if I continued to live the way I've been living. It was a frightening thought. 20 years from now, will I look back and find I never lived for others? Will I find that I just stayed comfortable the whole time and neither risked nor sacrificed anything? What do I hope to gain by clinging to my own life? I begged the Lord to not let that happen! And what was frightening was that I knew that if it was left up to me, all my fears would become reality. I would just live a life for myself.
Lord, I need you to rescue me!! You know my tendencies to fade, to lose passion, to constantly fade towards living for myself, living comfortably. If you leave it up to me, I know I'll end up living a life of compromise! Lord, rescue me from myself! Shake my life up! Do whatever it takes! Shake me from my complacency! Get me out of my comfort zone and keep me out, because I keep trying to get back in.
A week ago my conversation with the Lord turned to my compromising ways. I had to acknowledge that I've been living a comfortable life. I was comfortable with where I was at. I was comfortable with my life, with how I was treating others, with my devotional life, with my hunger. And in my comfort I failed to realize that I had been slipping. My heart didn't burn the same way for the Lord. I've become lazy. I haven't been concerned with the plight of others.
How do I get out of this funk?
I started to think about what my life would be like if I continued to live the way I've been living. It was a frightening thought. 20 years from now, will I look back and find I never lived for others? Will I find that I just stayed comfortable the whole time and neither risked nor sacrificed anything? What do I hope to gain by clinging to my own life? I begged the Lord to not let that happen! And what was frightening was that I knew that if it was left up to me, all my fears would become reality. I would just live a life for myself.
Lord, I need you to rescue me!! You know my tendencies to fade, to lose passion, to constantly fade towards living for myself, living comfortably. If you leave it up to me, I know I'll end up living a life of compromise! Lord, rescue me from myself! Shake my life up! Do whatever it takes! Shake me from my complacency! Get me out of my comfort zone and keep me out, because I keep trying to get back in.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Sick of more me
I'm so sick of me! I'm so self-centered! Everything is always about me! Most of my thoughts and concerns are about me! me me me! It's so hard to be other-centered. I'm tired of the way I am. I don't want to be like this anymore. I'm so selfish. I'm always looking for my own needs before others. It's disgusting. I want to throw up when I think about the way I've been acting/thinking. No longer a self-promoter? Please. I still do that, all the time. There's gotta be a better way. There has to be a way for a guy like me to stop thinking about himself and start pouring out his life like a drink offering.
One of you might say, "oh wow Matt! You're being so humble! Your concern shows that you're really not that consumed with yourself!"
Does it? I think that's ridiculous. I'm being very sincere! The only way you could think that I'm not selfish and self-centered is if you don't really know me. I'm seriously the most self-centered person I know. Haha! Get it? Anyway, my point remains! By any standard I'm a very self-centered person.
A few days ago Derek called me to tell me about a great new song by Flame off his latest album, "Our World Redeemed", called "See More Him" (video posted below)
I keep thinking about that line:
I wanna see more Him
Cause I'm sick of more me
I'mma be like Zacchaeus
in the sycamore tree.
That's me alright. I'm sick of more me. I need to see more Him. I haven't been like Zacchaeus, making an effort to see more of Jesus. Where has my effort been? I've been so slacking lately. I can't believe I've exchanged eternal pleasures for those that pass. Where has my mind been? Where have my affections been? How have I been spending my time? Ughh...
This week I saw a student of mine use every idle minute to study for his test. Even when we took a small break he started looking over his flashcards. I was so impressed! I thought, "wow! I never do anything like that! I'm terrible at getting the most out of every minute. If only I could be as dedicated to the Lord and my responsibilities as much as he's dedicated to his test."
I'm really sorry to everyone for being so self-centered. I'm sure there have been many bad consequences as a result of my sin, in fact I know it. I'm in need of your forgiveness. I'm need of God's forgiveness. I hate where I am. I'm sick of more me. I'm sure you are too. I wanna see more Him.
One of you might say, "oh wow Matt! You're being so humble! Your concern shows that you're really not that consumed with yourself!"
Does it? I think that's ridiculous. I'm being very sincere! The only way you could think that I'm not selfish and self-centered is if you don't really know me. I'm seriously the most self-centered person I know. Haha! Get it? Anyway, my point remains! By any standard I'm a very self-centered person.
A few days ago Derek called me to tell me about a great new song by Flame off his latest album, "Our World Redeemed", called "See More Him" (video posted below)
I keep thinking about that line:
I wanna see more Him
Cause I'm sick of more me
I'mma be like Zacchaeus
in the sycamore tree.
That's me alright. I'm sick of more me. I need to see more Him. I haven't been like Zacchaeus, making an effort to see more of Jesus. Where has my effort been? I've been so slacking lately. I can't believe I've exchanged eternal pleasures for those that pass. Where has my mind been? Where have my affections been? How have I been spending my time? Ughh...
This week I saw a student of mine use every idle minute to study for his test. Even when we took a small break he started looking over his flashcards. I was so impressed! I thought, "wow! I never do anything like that! I'm terrible at getting the most out of every minute. If only I could be as dedicated to the Lord and my responsibilities as much as he's dedicated to his test."
I'm really sorry to everyone for being so self-centered. I'm sure there have been many bad consequences as a result of my sin, in fact I know it. I'm in need of your forgiveness. I'm need of God's forgiveness. I hate where I am. I'm sick of more me. I'm sure you are too. I wanna see more Him.
He loves to hear your voice! (Jesus is Reality)
After class in Pomona I'm always the last person in the building as far as I know. There's a great silence in the room once everyone has left. So I started praying last Monday after class. I prayed out loud as I would speaking to another person, you know, actually loud! I realized that I never pray much out loud when I'm alone, certainly not as loud as normal speech.
It was very intimate. It was very tangible. It was very real.
It was sweet.
On my way home I listened to Pastor Britt Merrick from Carpinteria Calvary Chapel on 107.9 (KWAVE). He has indisputably the best song of all the radio shows on the station. I uploaded it at the end of this post for your convenience and listening pleasure. Britt was talking about how he loves to hear the voice of his son! One time he was playing with him and was asking him all these questions just to get a response! After he remained silent after all those questions he finally asked him what sound a doggie makes, just so he could hear his voice. He continued on about how God loves to hear our voice and how he bends his ear just to listen to us and how much pleasure it brings him.
Dude!!!!! That was totally just for me right there!!!!! Only a few minutes earlier I had been praying out loud and then I hear this message from God about how he loves hearing my voice?? Wow!!!! Isn't that so sweet??? and amazing!!! He loves to hear my voice!
And he also loves to hear yours! This is reality. This is the truth. The truth is sweet and better than I ever imagined. Jesus is reality!
It was very intimate. It was very tangible. It was very real.
It was sweet.
On my way home I listened to Pastor Britt Merrick from Carpinteria Calvary Chapel on 107.9 (KWAVE). He has indisputably the best song of all the radio shows on the station. I uploaded it at the end of this post for your convenience and listening pleasure. Britt was talking about how he loves to hear the voice of his son! One time he was playing with him and was asking him all these questions just to get a response! After he remained silent after all those questions he finally asked him what sound a doggie makes, just so he could hear his voice. He continued on about how God loves to hear our voice and how he bends his ear just to listen to us and how much pleasure it brings him.
Dude!!!!! That was totally just for me right there!!!!! Only a few minutes earlier I had been praying out loud and then I hear this message from God about how he loves hearing my voice?? Wow!!!! Isn't that so sweet??? and amazing!!! He loves to hear my voice!
And he also loves to hear yours! This is reality. This is the truth. The truth is sweet and better than I ever imagined. Jesus is reality!
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