Paul-like Song

While driving to work yesterday I heard this new song on the radio. It really captures the wonder and praise which flows out from your lips when you of fall in love with Jesus. . . head over heels, face down in the dust like Paul.

Click here to listen to "You Found Me" by Big Daddy Weave.

Be more like Paul in Christ

This is the Word of the Lord:

Remember your leaders, those who spoke the word of God to you; consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.

Hebrews 13: 7

True leaders are tested and proven to be imitators of Christ.

I have thoughts of Paul.

1. Paul: an apostle.
2. Paul: a father in the faith.
3. Paul: a new testament writer.
4. Paul: an imitator of Christ.

Interesting. . .Invigorating. . .Sobering

Take note of Paul's simple beginnings. Paul began to experience true life while blinded, talking to God and down on his knees (see Acts 9).

It's that simple. Paul began his life praying.

So it really does not matter if you are a religious person, scholar, blind man, persecutor, prisoner, person in need, or one who is beaten-up. . . begin again!

Truth Restorers
are people who pray;
filled with his spirit,
you plead not in vain.

Peter - Are you willing?

Are you willing to obey?

Read John 21: 15 – 23. It is in this passage that Peter was challenged to obey no matter what happens (i.e., no conditions) by the transforming love of God.

21 When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus ,"Lord, what about him? " 22 Jesus said to him, "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? Follow me!" 23 So the rumor spread in the community that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but, "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?"

John 21: 15 - 23

Do you hear the call? God wants YOU.

He's saying, "Don't look to your neighbor. Don't look to your right or to your left. Don't turn off the path . . You, you follow me!"

Are you willing to obey and to forgive?

Peter was faced with the truth of God’s unrelenting love, upon the resurrection of Christ and following his denial of Christ three times over. Even while he was yet a sinner, in grievous sin, Jesus Christ still pursued him. Jesus loved Peter, and still loves him. Jesus went to where he was. Jesus sought to restore him. Jesus forgave him. And Jesus chose him to build his church and bestow kingdom authority upon him.

15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you love me more than these? He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my lambs." 16 A second time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Tend my sheep." 17 He said to him the third time, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, "Do you love me?" And he said to him, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep."

John 21: 15 - 17

In a fresh way:

Peter, are you willing to love me?

Peter, are you willing to love me?

Peter, are you willing to love me?

Yes, Lord. Yes, Lord. Yes, Yes Lord!

Yes, Lord. Yes, Lord. Yes, Yes Lord!

Yes, Lord. Yes, Lord. Yes, Yes Lord! Amen.

Then do as I do. . .

Feed my lambs.

Tend my sheep.

Feed my sheep.

. . .I have forgiven you!

Are You Willing?

This is the Word of the LORD:

"And you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve him with single mind and willing heart; for the LORD searches every mind, and understands every plan and thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will abandon you forever. Take heed now, for the LORD has chosen you to build a house as the sanctuary; be strong, and act."

1 Chronicles 28: 9 – 10

Dear believers, who lift their hearts in a concert of prayer for Christ’s beloved church, do you hear what God is speaking to you? The LORD has chosen you to build his house, his temple, his body of believers, his place of worship as a sanctuary for Him to abide in.

Do you wonder “How? How are we to do it?” Dear Child, do not fear . . . only fear the LORD. For this is the wrong question. It is not a matter of “How?”, nor of intellectual prowess, but "HOW: A House of Worship" the Father says.

For we are to worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The location is in our hearts.

But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such as these to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.

John 4: 23 - 24

The cornerstone is Jesus Christ (not a Peter, Paul or little rock).

So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. In him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the LORD; in whom you also are built together spiritually into a dwelling place for God.

Ephesians 2: 19 - 22

The Holy Spirit will guide you into all truth. . . and, as in times past, this can not be done in our own strength or earthly wisdom.

"Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, says the LORD of Hosts."

Zechariah 4: 6b

Others do not know what they are missing. There is no god like our God! Let’s be faithful to seek Him and his face. And if we continue to walk before the LORD with all our heart he will strengthen us.

These are his promises to those who believe and confess:

O LORD, God of Israel, there is no God like you, in heaven or on earth, keeping covenant in steadfast love with your servants who walk before you with all their heart.

2 Chronicles 6: 14

For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the entire earth, to strengthen those whose heart is true to him.

2 Chronicles 16: 9a

Keep His Commandments and Live!!

Proverbs 4: 10 - 27

Hear, my child, and accept my words,

that the years of your life may be many.

I have taught you the way of wisdom;
I have led you in the paths of uprightness.

When you walk, your step will not be hampered;
and if you run, you will not stumble.

Keep hold of instruction; do not let go;
guard her, for she is your life.

Do not enter the path of the wicked,
and do not walk in the way of evildoers.

Avoid it; do not go on it;
turn away from it and pass on.

For they cannot sleep unless they have done wrong;
they are robbed of sleep unless they have made someone stumble.

For they eat the bread of wickedness
and drink the wine of violence.

But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn,
which shines brighter and brighter until full day.

The way of the wicked is like deep darkness;
they do not know what they stumble over.

My child, be attentive tomy words;
incline your ear to my sayings.

Do not let them escape from your sight;
keep them within your heart.

For they are life to those who find them,
and healing to all their flesh.

Keep your heart with all vigilance,
for from it flow the springs of life.

Put away from you crooked speech,
and put devious talk far from you.

Let your eyes look directly forward,
and your gaze be straight before you.

Keep straight the path of your feet,
and all your ways will be sure.

Do not swerve to the right or to the left;
turn your foot away from evil.

In the days of Noah the earth was filled with violence (Genesis 6). And similar to today, the people's hearts were continually inclined toward evil (e.g., read the news, examine video games, and walk through the bookstore).

Noah, in stark contrast, was found blameless. Even though he was surrounded by the deep darkness of the times he chose to walk with God. Even before the cross, he chose to be Christ-like. He laid down his plans and picked up God's perfect plans (the Ark-iTech of LOVE). As a kind of forerunner, he daily chose to suffer public humiliation in order to build a vessel through which God would save the world from the coming flood.

In writing this, I must interrupt with sounding trumpet:

Jesus

Jesus Christ is to recieve all glory and honor and power. Jesus Christ is pure. He is the righteous and blameless Son of God. It is through Jesus Christ, and no other, that salvation is found. Jesus Christ is God's perfect and chosen vessel to save us from sin and death (which is our last enemy we're told, not flood nor famine nor blame).

So how should we live? Listen to God's commands. Trust and Obey. This is exactly what Noah did in his day. . . and please take note: God kept his covenant with Noah. Noah was saved. He did not succumb to the waters of destruction.

God is faithful.
God was faithful.
God will continue to be faithful to you and your family.

His Words of Instruction:

• "Let your heart hold fast my words; keep my commandments, and live."
  Proverbs 4:4

• "You must therefore be careful to do as the LORD your God has commanded you; you shall not turn to the right or to the left. You must follow exactly the path that the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live, and that it may go well with you, and that you may live long in the land that you are to possess."
  Deuteronomy 5: 32 - 33

Morning Watch

O' Lord we thank you for awaking our hearts to your love; for making us afresh and anew; for strength, forgiveness and receiving untold blessings according to your Word. It's true, your wisdom speaks a better word offering life and compassion, and giving provision for a living covenant of peace through Christ Jesus, our LORD.

With a high calling from above, we gladly choose to set aside our concerns; turning our attention to others and those places where your affections remain. We specifically pray for your church and your people worldwide. Grant them greater wisdom and discernment in this hour of history, we plead. It is clear that we need to know right from wrong and to discern truth from untruth.

So, at this very moment, we come together as one collective body of believers boldly asking for an immediate and keen awareness of your direction. We desire that all your children may not miss the mark, stumble, fall astray, or lie down bleeding. Give us Jesus!

(the heartfelt prayer of a servant girl)

Proverbs 9: 1 - 6

Wake up and Sing!

Speak, child of mine, tell of His Glory
Speak, child of mine, tell of His Story
Speak, child of mine, for the Kingdom of God has come to you
Speak, child of mine, He is Faithful and True

Faithful and True, you belong to Him
Faithful and True, His Word never ends
Faithful and True, Jesus the Mighty King
Jesus, my Savior, God, and King