Friday, September 25, 2009
Matt Lance
If you knew you were about to pass 24 hours from now what would you say to those most close to you, but more importantly what would you do for them. Our words carry enormous significance but our actions all the more. And in those circumstances our actions in fact underline our words. -Matt Lance
Knowing God by J. I. Packer
“Those who know God…
1. have great energy for God.
“Men who know their God are before anything else men who pray, and the first point where their zeal and energy for God’s glory come to expression is in their prayers.” (p.24)
2. have great thoughts of God.
“He knows, and foreknows, all things, and His foreknowledge is foreordination; He, therefore, will have the last word, both in world history and in the destiny of every man; His kingdom and righteousness will triumph in the end, for neither men nor angels shall be able to thwart Him…Is this the view of God which our own praying expresses? Does this tremendous sense of His holy majesty, His moral perfection, and His gracious faithfulness keep us humble and dependent, awed and obedient, as it did Daniel? (p. 25)
3. have great boldness for God.
“Daniel and his friends were men who struck their necks out. This was not foolhardiness. They knew what they were doing. They had counted the cost. They had measured the risk. There were well aware what the outcome of their actions would be unless God miraculously intervened, as he in fact did.” (p. 25-26)
4. have great contentment in God.
“There is no peace like the peace of those whose minds are possessed with full assurance that they have known God, and God has known them, and that this relationship guarantees God’s favour to them in life, through death, and on for ever.” (p. 26)
- J.I. Packer, Knowing God, p. 23-27
1. have great energy for God.
“Men who know their God are before anything else men who pray, and the first point where their zeal and energy for God’s glory come to expression is in their prayers.” (p.24)
2. have great thoughts of God.
“He knows, and foreknows, all things, and His foreknowledge is foreordination; He, therefore, will have the last word, both in world history and in the destiny of every man; His kingdom and righteousness will triumph in the end, for neither men nor angels shall be able to thwart Him…Is this the view of God which our own praying expresses? Does this tremendous sense of His holy majesty, His moral perfection, and His gracious faithfulness keep us humble and dependent, awed and obedient, as it did Daniel? (p. 25)
3. have great boldness for God.
“Daniel and his friends were men who struck their necks out. This was not foolhardiness. They knew what they were doing. They had counted the cost. They had measured the risk. There were well aware what the outcome of their actions would be unless God miraculously intervened, as he in fact did.” (p. 25-26)
4. have great contentment in God.
“There is no peace like the peace of those whose minds are possessed with full assurance that they have known God, and God has known them, and that this relationship guarantees God’s favour to them in life, through death, and on for ever.” (p. 26)
- J.I. Packer, Knowing God, p. 23-27
Monday, August 17, 2009
The wedding ring:
The wedding ring is the outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual gift it signifies to all that this man and this woman join together in holy matrimony through the church of our lord Jesus Christ.
God is so incredibly awesome!
I also saw God’s Providence during the time I was trying to come up with my speech:
Chad told me about the speech Wednesday and I was busy with other stuff all day Thursday, all day Friday, (except for random 15 min breaks where I worked on the speech). So I basically had Saturday to do it and it was completely stressing me out! You can ask Jordan. He asked me Friday night how my speech was going (at the time I had just a bunch of random notes everywhere) and so it wasn’t doing so great. He told me that he would pray for me. But Saturday I literally worked on it all day! I was so discouraged the first one or two hours because I couldn’t seem to get all my thoughts together and that’s when I realized I needed to pray about it! I realized that I needed to give the whole thing up to God and let him control the whole situation! I prayed that God would give me the words to speak and that people would realize that its not me but God working through me to encourage the church. I wanted my speech to be completely focused on God and for everyone to look past me and see him in it! I also prayed that he would pull my thoughts together and give me the right words to say! And that’s exactly what God did! God also sent Chad to me Saturday to give me websites to look up extra material on. I emailed my speech to Chad and this is what he wrote back, “While I think it would be very difficult to explain all of that in 5 minutes, the material is FANTASTIC!! Shorten it up a bit, and that will really be a God-centered blessing of a testimony of God's greatness!” In the end I had too much material instead of too little! God is Incredible! Also, since I worked on my speech all day and stayed up late practicing it; I was exhausted the next morning! I barely could keep my eyes open! I was also loosing my voice from reciting it too much the day before! “This could not be good” was the first thing that came to my mind. But God strengthened me and an hour or so before my speech I didn’t feel tired anymore! Also, my voice had gone back to normal! Praise be to God! Then for the actual speech! Before the speech I was literally freaking out! Chad prayed for the four of us during greeting time which really encouraged me and then during one of the songs Rachel R came over and prayed with Rachel y and I and that was a big blessing! As Grant was up there (he was right before me) I started praying. I prayed that God would give me peace and that he would use me and again that this would be a God-centered speech completely focused on Him! And as I went up I felt this peace suddenly sweep over me! It was an Indescribable feeling and I knew that God was working through this whole situation! I even presented the speech like a professional speaker which amazed me! I had people coming up to me complementing me on the whole speech and how it really encouraged and touched them and also how I presented the speech and how it was perfect and I was able to share with them the amazingness of God through the whole situation! It was an awesome experience!
Chad told me about the speech Wednesday and I was busy with other stuff all day Thursday, all day Friday, (except for random 15 min breaks where I worked on the speech). So I basically had Saturday to do it and it was completely stressing me out! You can ask Jordan. He asked me Friday night how my speech was going (at the time I had just a bunch of random notes everywhere) and so it wasn’t doing so great. He told me that he would pray for me. But Saturday I literally worked on it all day! I was so discouraged the first one or two hours because I couldn’t seem to get all my thoughts together and that’s when I realized I needed to pray about it! I realized that I needed to give the whole thing up to God and let him control the whole situation! I prayed that God would give me the words to speak and that people would realize that its not me but God working through me to encourage the church. I wanted my speech to be completely focused on God and for everyone to look past me and see him in it! I also prayed that he would pull my thoughts together and give me the right words to say! And that’s exactly what God did! God also sent Chad to me Saturday to give me websites to look up extra material on. I emailed my speech to Chad and this is what he wrote back, “While I think it would be very difficult to explain all of that in 5 minutes, the material is FANTASTIC!! Shorten it up a bit, and that will really be a God-centered blessing of a testimony of God's greatness!” In the end I had too much material instead of too little! God is Incredible! Also, since I worked on my speech all day and stayed up late practicing it; I was exhausted the next morning! I barely could keep my eyes open! I was also loosing my voice from reciting it too much the day before! “This could not be good” was the first thing that came to my mind. But God strengthened me and an hour or so before my speech I didn’t feel tired anymore! Also, my voice had gone back to normal! Praise be to God! Then for the actual speech! Before the speech I was literally freaking out! Chad prayed for the four of us during greeting time which really encouraged me and then during one of the songs Rachel R came over and prayed with Rachel y and I and that was a big blessing! As Grant was up there (he was right before me) I started praying. I prayed that God would give me peace and that he would use me and again that this would be a God-centered speech completely focused on Him! And as I went up I felt this peace suddenly sweep over me! It was an Indescribable feeling and I knew that God was working through this whole situation! I even presented the speech like a professional speaker which amazed me! I had people coming up to me complementing me on the whole speech and how it really encouraged and touched them and also how I presented the speech and how it was perfect and I was able to share with them the amazingness of God through the whole situation! It was an awesome experience!
God's Providence
hey so alot of you know that i made a speech (or in other words gave my tesimony of what i saw God do while i was at student life) but here is my essay that i took notes off of and spoke on:
God’s providence: through teaching, his people, worship, and his timing.
God’s providence meaning: the wisdom, care, and guidance provided by God.
Whenever we first found out that Pastor Matthew was resigning we were pretty upset! We were especially upset that we wouldn’t be there for one last sermon under our beloved teacher! I kept on asking “Why?! Why did God send us all the way out here far from home during this time!” But during the week I saw God miraculously work through the hearts of our youth group! We heard Ben Stuart talk about how everything happens for a purpose and it made me realize that God had planned this whole situation out before time began and that he had us there for a reason!
James 1:2-4 says, “Consider it all joy my brethren when you encounter various trials knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
-Teaching: When Ben Stuart talked about how God saw to it that a king would rise up from Jesse, and how he didn’t just appoint a random king, but that he ordained it before time, it made me realize that God will do the same for us! God has our every situation in his hand and he will rise up a leader for his people, he will not abandon us during this time! Matthew 11:28-30 says, “Come to me all who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” This verse was such comfort to me during this time! It reminds us that we can come to our Abba Father and lay our burdens at his feet which is such an amazing relief!
-His people: Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 says, “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” During the week at student life that verse became real! I saw God work through our youth and minister and speak through them to comfort and encourage each other! I also saw God work through our youth group and bring us together! People who wouldn’t usually talk or hang out with each other began to!
-Worship: The song “Reign in us” by starfield was a perfect prayer that seemed as if it was written for us! “You thought of us before the world began to breathe and you knew our names before we came to be. You saw the very day we'd fall away from you and how desperately we need to be redeemed! Lord Jesus come lead us, we're desperate for your touch! Oh Great and Mighty One, with one desire we come, that you would reign, that you would reign in us! We're offering up our lives, a living sacrifice; that you would reign, that you would reign in us!” Also, the song “healer” by Kari Jobe was a perfect reminder of how we need to rest in God and lay our burdens at his feet. “I believe that You're my healer! I believe that You are all I need! I believe that You're my portion! I believe that You're more than enough for me; Jesus, You're all I need!”
-His timing: Matthew 6:25 & 33 says, “For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” God’s timing is perfect so we shouldn’t worry about what will happen to us when this or that happens! God has everything that we need and he will provide for us! John piper says, “To seek the kingship of God first in every affair and every moment of life is a thrilling way to live. It's full of freedom and peace and joy and adventure—and hardship; and it's worth it all. If you believe in the kingship of your heavenly Father, you do not need to be anxious about anything. If we are anxious about our life then it shows that we are really very much like the world in what makes us happy. And that ought not to be. It's such a foolish thing to insist on carrying anxious burdens which God has promised to carry for us when we put his kingly honor first in everything we do.”
God’s providence: through teaching, his people, worship, and his timing.
God’s providence meaning: the wisdom, care, and guidance provided by God.
Whenever we first found out that Pastor Matthew was resigning we were pretty upset! We were especially upset that we wouldn’t be there for one last sermon under our beloved teacher! I kept on asking “Why?! Why did God send us all the way out here far from home during this time!” But during the week I saw God miraculously work through the hearts of our youth group! We heard Ben Stuart talk about how everything happens for a purpose and it made me realize that God had planned this whole situation out before time began and that he had us there for a reason!
James 1:2-4 says, “Consider it all joy my brethren when you encounter various trials knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
-Teaching: When Ben Stuart talked about how God saw to it that a king would rise up from Jesse, and how he didn’t just appoint a random king, but that he ordained it before time, it made me realize that God will do the same for us! God has our every situation in his hand and he will rise up a leader for his people, he will not abandon us during this time! Matthew 11:28-30 says, “Come to me all who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” This verse was such comfort to me during this time! It reminds us that we can come to our Abba Father and lay our burdens at his feet which is such an amazing relief!
-His people: Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 says, “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” During the week at student life that verse became real! I saw God work through our youth and minister and speak through them to comfort and encourage each other! I also saw God work through our youth group and bring us together! People who wouldn’t usually talk or hang out with each other began to!
-Worship: The song “Reign in us” by starfield was a perfect prayer that seemed as if it was written for us! “You thought of us before the world began to breathe and you knew our names before we came to be. You saw the very day we'd fall away from you and how desperately we need to be redeemed! Lord Jesus come lead us, we're desperate for your touch! Oh Great and Mighty One, with one desire we come, that you would reign, that you would reign in us! We're offering up our lives, a living sacrifice; that you would reign, that you would reign in us!” Also, the song “healer” by Kari Jobe was a perfect reminder of how we need to rest in God and lay our burdens at his feet. “I believe that You're my healer! I believe that You are all I need! I believe that You're my portion! I believe that You're more than enough for me; Jesus, You're all I need!”
-His timing: Matthew 6:25 & 33 says, “For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” God’s timing is perfect so we shouldn’t worry about what will happen to us when this or that happens! God has everything that we need and he will provide for us! John piper says, “To seek the kingship of God first in every affair and every moment of life is a thrilling way to live. It's full of freedom and peace and joy and adventure—and hardship; and it's worth it all. If you believe in the kingship of your heavenly Father, you do not need to be anxious about anything. If we are anxious about our life then it shows that we are really very much like the world in what makes us happy. And that ought not to be. It's such a foolish thing to insist on carrying anxious burdens which God has promised to carry for us when we put his kingly honor first in everything we do.”
Friday, July 17, 2009
A life changing experience!
So i posted this on Todd Agnew's blog and i wanted to share with you all some of what i learned at camp!
Dear Todd-
I just wanted to let you know that the way you led worship was amazing! I have never seen someone completely push the focus away from themselves and towards God as you have! Also the songs were meant just for us! The first night we were there we found out that our pastor was resigning! It was a HUGE shock for all of us! We were so upset that we wouldn’t be there for one last sermon under our beloved teacher! I kept on asking “Why?! Why did God send us all the way out here far from home during this time!” But during the week I saw God miraculously work through the hearts of our youth group! We heard Ben Stuart talk about how everything happens for a purpose and it made me realize that God had planned this whole situation out before time began and that he had us there for a reason! The words from the song “reign in us” confirmed that and fit our situation perfectly! “You thought of us before the world began to breathe and you knew our names before we came to be. You saw the very day we'd fall away from you and how desperately we need to be redeemed! Lord Jesus come lead us, we're desperate for your touch! Oh Great and Mighty One, with one desire we come, that you would reign, that you would reign in us! We're offering up our lives, a living sacrifice; that you would reign, that you would reign in us! Spirit of the Living God fall fresh again; come search our hearts and purify our lives! We need your perfect love we need your discipline; we're lost unless you guide us with your light” During this week I saw God work through our youth group and draw us together! Just as he saw to it that a king would rise up from Jesse he will provide a leader for his church! God uses the weak and broken to manifest his glory and he will use our church to do just that! Even if our beloved teacher is stepping down, God will never leave us! We need to recognize that it is God we worship not Pastor Matthew! Matthew would have never wanted us to look at him that way! We need to praise him in every circumstance! Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 says, “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” If our church sticks together during this time we will not be broken by Satan’s attacks!! “You hold every moment, you calm my raging seas! You walk with me through fire, and heal all my disease! I trust in You! I trust in You! I believe You're my healer! I believe You are all I need! I believe You're my portion! I believe You're more than enough for me; Jesus, You're all I need!” We as a church need to rest in that and look to God for guidance! Anyway sorry I wrote all of that I just wanted to let you know that God used you, your band, and Ben Stuart to help lead us through this trial! James 1: 2-4 says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” Trials are used to strengthen us in our faith! To God be the Glory!
Hannah Middleton
Sylvania Church
“God will by your side whenever you fall, in the dead of night whenever you call, so please don’t fight these hands that are holding you! His hands are holding you!” –“by your side” by Tenth Avenue North
Dear Todd-
I just wanted to let you know that the way you led worship was amazing! I have never seen someone completely push the focus away from themselves and towards God as you have! Also the songs were meant just for us! The first night we were there we found out that our pastor was resigning! It was a HUGE shock for all of us! We were so upset that we wouldn’t be there for one last sermon under our beloved teacher! I kept on asking “Why?! Why did God send us all the way out here far from home during this time!” But during the week I saw God miraculously work through the hearts of our youth group! We heard Ben Stuart talk about how everything happens for a purpose and it made me realize that God had planned this whole situation out before time began and that he had us there for a reason! The words from the song “reign in us” confirmed that and fit our situation perfectly! “You thought of us before the world began to breathe and you knew our names before we came to be. You saw the very day we'd fall away from you and how desperately we need to be redeemed! Lord Jesus come lead us, we're desperate for your touch! Oh Great and Mighty One, with one desire we come, that you would reign, that you would reign in us! We're offering up our lives, a living sacrifice; that you would reign, that you would reign in us! Spirit of the Living God fall fresh again; come search our hearts and purify our lives! We need your perfect love we need your discipline; we're lost unless you guide us with your light” During this week I saw God work through our youth group and draw us together! Just as he saw to it that a king would rise up from Jesse he will provide a leader for his church! God uses the weak and broken to manifest his glory and he will use our church to do just that! Even if our beloved teacher is stepping down, God will never leave us! We need to recognize that it is God we worship not Pastor Matthew! Matthew would have never wanted us to look at him that way! We need to praise him in every circumstance! Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 says, “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” If our church sticks together during this time we will not be broken by Satan’s attacks!! “You hold every moment, you calm my raging seas! You walk with me through fire, and heal all my disease! I trust in You! I trust in You! I believe You're my healer! I believe You are all I need! I believe You're my portion! I believe You're more than enough for me; Jesus, You're all I need!” We as a church need to rest in that and look to God for guidance! Anyway sorry I wrote all of that I just wanted to let you know that God used you, your band, and Ben Stuart to help lead us through this trial! James 1: 2-4 says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” Trials are used to strengthen us in our faith! To God be the Glory!
Hannah Middleton
Sylvania Church
“God will by your side whenever you fall, in the dead of night whenever you call, so please don’t fight these hands that are holding you! His hands are holding you!” –“by your side” by Tenth Avenue North
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
We are sinful when He is holy
i LOVE the song “hold my heart”!! and my next favorite is “beloved” (besides “by your side” which is my favorite song of theirs) this is kinda random, but i really like the song “what do i know of holy” by addison road!! its an amazing song!! and also “i can only imagine” by mercy me. ive recently been listening to those songs alot! they really make me think of who God is and how awesome and incredible he is!!! its overwhelming!! everytime i think about it i want to fall on my knees and cry out to God!! and confess how sinful i am and how unworthy of his love!! i’m also reading the book “crazy love” by Francis Chan. and that also really makes you think and realized who your God is and who you have been demanding things from all these years!! like “i want this! i want that!” i can’t understand how i can be so selfish when my God gave up everything for me!! He yielded up his life so that i could know and love him more and have a chance to have a personal relationship with him!! Its incredibly crazy!!!
and i will try and be still and know that He is God even through all my stress! it is good to recognize that God is in control!!
and i will try and be still and know that He is God even through all my stress! it is good to recognize that God is in control!!
Friday, February 20, 2009
Francis Chan: Who is God?
So I just went to a conference in Dallas and I learned a lot so I thought I would share with you. The speaker was Francis Chan. The first night, he talked about how awesome and amazing God is and how we should fall on our knees in honor and worship to Him. He read the passage from Revelation 4:
1. After this I had a vision of an open door to heaven, and I heard the trumpet like voice that had spoken to me before, saying, "Come up here and I will show you what must happen afterwards."
2. At once I was caught up in spirit. A throne was there in heaven, and on the throne sat
3. one whose appearance sparkled like jasper and carnelian. Around the throne was a halo as brilliant as an emerald.
4. Surrounding the throne I saw twenty-four other thrones on which twenty-four elders. sat, dressed in white garments and with gold crowns on their heads.
5. From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings, and peals of thunder. Seven flaming torches burned in front of the throne, which are the seven spirits of God.
6. In front of the throne was something that resembled a sea of glass like crystal. In the center and around the throne, there were four living creatures covered with eyes in front and in back.
7. The first creature resembled a lion, the second was like a calf, the third had a face like that of a human being, and the fourth looked like an eagle in flight.
8. The four living creatures, each of them with six wings, were covered with eyes inside and out. Day and night they do not stop exclaiming: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God almighty, who was, and who is, and who is to come."
9. Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to the one who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever,
10. the twenty-four elders fall down before the one who sits on the throne and worship him, who lives forever and ever. They throw down their crowns before the throne, exclaiming:
11. "Worthy are you, Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things; because of your will they came to be and were created."
Verses 2-3 explain the majesty of God. He was as the stones jasper and carnelian which were bright red, and had a halo “as brilliant as emerald.” Verse 5 tells of the thunder all around God’s throne. And around the throne were creatures we would have never imagined. They were amazing creatures full of eyes so they could look upon God for eternity and continually say, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God almighty, who was, and who is, and who is to come.” These creatures were so great compared to us. If one of us met one of them face to face we would be terrified, but these creatures are nothing compared to God’s glory. They were terrified in the presence of God. They were so ashamed of their sinfulness and never ceased to praise God and try and hide themselves from God’s glory. This should show us that God is the God of the universe not just this boring person we pray to every once in a while when we need something out of him. Francis Chan said that if we would think about this aspect of God before we prayed then our prayers would be greatly changed. We would realize who we are praying to.
The second day he brought out his little girl who was hugging his neck. Then he asked us if our relationship with Christ looked like this. He told us that our relationship with God is to be like a Father and his child. He talked about God’s amazing love for us. He sent his ONLY son to die on the cross for us. He told us to picture the person we love most about to be killed, up in front of all these people who hated him and who were crying out, “Crucify him, Crucify him!” Just think of how that would feel. God loved us that much! He would give up his only son to take the place of us sinners. Francis Chan said that we should also come to God in prayer with this aspect of God in mind. We need to remember that God is both the God of the universe who is all powerful and is so magnificent and also our Father who loves us with an infinite amount of love. If we come to God with both of these views of him, our prayer life should be radically changed.
1. After this I had a vision of an open door to heaven, and I heard the trumpet like voice that had spoken to me before, saying, "Come up here and I will show you what must happen afterwards."
2. At once I was caught up in spirit. A throne was there in heaven, and on the throne sat
3. one whose appearance sparkled like jasper and carnelian. Around the throne was a halo as brilliant as an emerald.
4. Surrounding the throne I saw twenty-four other thrones on which twenty-four elders. sat, dressed in white garments and with gold crowns on their heads.
5. From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings, and peals of thunder. Seven flaming torches burned in front of the throne, which are the seven spirits of God.
6. In front of the throne was something that resembled a sea of glass like crystal. In the center and around the throne, there were four living creatures covered with eyes in front and in back.
7. The first creature resembled a lion, the second was like a calf, the third had a face like that of a human being, and the fourth looked like an eagle in flight.
8. The four living creatures, each of them with six wings, were covered with eyes inside and out. Day and night they do not stop exclaiming: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God almighty, who was, and who is, and who is to come."
9. Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to the one who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever,
10. the twenty-four elders fall down before the one who sits on the throne and worship him, who lives forever and ever. They throw down their crowns before the throne, exclaiming:
11. "Worthy are you, Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things; because of your will they came to be and were created."
Verses 2-3 explain the majesty of God. He was as the stones jasper and carnelian which were bright red, and had a halo “as brilliant as emerald.” Verse 5 tells of the thunder all around God’s throne. And around the throne were creatures we would have never imagined. They were amazing creatures full of eyes so they could look upon God for eternity and continually say, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God almighty, who was, and who is, and who is to come.” These creatures were so great compared to us. If one of us met one of them face to face we would be terrified, but these creatures are nothing compared to God’s glory. They were terrified in the presence of God. They were so ashamed of their sinfulness and never ceased to praise God and try and hide themselves from God’s glory. This should show us that God is the God of the universe not just this boring person we pray to every once in a while when we need something out of him. Francis Chan said that if we would think about this aspect of God before we prayed then our prayers would be greatly changed. We would realize who we are praying to.
The second day he brought out his little girl who was hugging his neck. Then he asked us if our relationship with Christ looked like this. He told us that our relationship with God is to be like a Father and his child. He talked about God’s amazing love for us. He sent his ONLY son to die on the cross for us. He told us to picture the person we love most about to be killed, up in front of all these people who hated him and who were crying out, “Crucify him, Crucify him!” Just think of how that would feel. God loved us that much! He would give up his only son to take the place of us sinners. Francis Chan said that we should also come to God in prayer with this aspect of God in mind. We need to remember that God is both the God of the universe who is all powerful and is so magnificent and also our Father who loves us with an infinite amount of love. If we come to God with both of these views of him, our prayer life should be radically changed.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
God's sovereignty
hey guys. A small miracle just happened today. Well actually two. First my mom had a baby girl which is common, but we don’t realize what a miracle each and every baby is. How God knits every single baby up in it’s mother’s womb and carefully creates them. you know how babies can die from the umbilical cord getting wrapped around their neck? well i just found out that when Sophie’s (my new baby sister) was born her umbilical cord was wrapped around her neck. but the doctor just pulled it off. if she had somehow pulled it tight when she was in the womb, she would have died. it just goes to show that God was in control and its just a great reminder of God’s sovereignty
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Songs that Help you realize who God is
Before the Throne
Before the throne of God above I have a strong and perfect plea. A great high Priest whose Name is Love Who ever lives and pleads for me. My name is graven on His hands, My name is written in His heart. I know that while in heaven He stands No tongue can bid me thence depart.No tongue can bid me thence depart.When Satan tempts me to despair And tells me of the guilt within, Upward I look and see Him there Who made an end to all my sin. Because the sinless Savior died My sinful soul is counted free.For God the just is satisfiedTo look on Him and pardon meTo look on Him and pardon me. Behold Him there the risen Lamb, My perfect spotless righteousness, The great unchangeable I AM, The King of glory and of grace,One with Himself I cannot die.My soul is purchased by His blood, My life is hid with Christ on high, With Christ my Savior and my God! With Christ my Savior and my God!
Beauty for Ashes
beauty for ashes a garment of praise for my heavinessbeauty for ashestake this heart of stone and make it Yours, Yoursi delight myself in the Richest of Fairtrading all that i've had for all that is bettera garment of praise for my heavinessYou are the greatest tasteYou're the richest of fair
I Can only Imagine
I can only imagine what it will be like When I walk by your side I can only imagine what my eyes will see When your face is before me I can only imagine I can only imagine Surrounded by your glory What will my heart feel? Will I dance for you Jesus, Or in awe of you be still? Will I stand in your presence, Or to my knees will I fall? Will I sing Halelluja, Will I be able to speak at all? I can only imagine I can only imagine I can only imagine when that day comes And I find myself standing in the Son I can only imagine when all I will do Is forever, forever worship you I can only imagine I can only imagine
God of Wonders
Lord of all creation,
of water, earth and sky.
The heavens are your Tabernacle.
Glory to the Lord on high!
God of wonders beyond our galaxy,
you are holy, holy.
The universe declares your majesty,
you are holy, holy.
Lord of heaven and earth
Lord of heaven and earth
Early in the morning,I will celebrate the light. When i stumble in the darkness, I will call your name by night God of wonders beyond our galaxy,you are holy, holy.The universe declares your majesty,you are holy, holy.Lord of heaven and earthLord of heaven and earthGod of wonders beyond our galaxy,you are holy, holy.Precious Lord, reveal your heart to me,you are holy, holy.The universe declares your majesty,you are holy, holy.
Indescribable
From the highest of heights to the depths of the seaCreation's revealing Your majestyFrom the colors of fall to the fragrance of springEvery creature unique in the song that it singsAll exclaiming Indescribable, uncontainable,You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name. You are amazing GodAll powerful, untamable, Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaimYou are amazing God Who has told every lightning bolt where it should goOr seen heavenly storehouses laden with snow Who imagined the sun and gives source to its light Yet conceals it to bring us the coolness of night None can fathomIndescribable, uncontainable, You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name You are amazing God All powerful, untamable, Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim You are amazing God You are amazing God Indescribable, uncontainable,You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.You are amazing God All powerful, untamable, Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim You are amazing God Indescribable, uncontainable, You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name. You are amazing God Incomparable, unchangeable You see the depths of my heart and You love me the sameYou are amazing God You are amazing God
Before the throne of God above I have a strong and perfect plea. A great high Priest whose Name is Love Who ever lives and pleads for me. My name is graven on His hands, My name is written in His heart. I know that while in heaven He stands No tongue can bid me thence depart.No tongue can bid me thence depart.When Satan tempts me to despair And tells me of the guilt within, Upward I look and see Him there Who made an end to all my sin. Because the sinless Savior died My sinful soul is counted free.For God the just is satisfiedTo look on Him and pardon meTo look on Him and pardon me. Behold Him there the risen Lamb, My perfect spotless righteousness, The great unchangeable I AM, The King of glory and of grace,One with Himself I cannot die.My soul is purchased by His blood, My life is hid with Christ on high, With Christ my Savior and my God! With Christ my Savior and my God!
Beauty for Ashes
beauty for ashes a garment of praise for my heavinessbeauty for ashestake this heart of stone and make it Yours, Yoursi delight myself in the Richest of Fairtrading all that i've had for all that is bettera garment of praise for my heavinessYou are the greatest tasteYou're the richest of fair
I Can only Imagine
I can only imagine what it will be like When I walk by your side I can only imagine what my eyes will see When your face is before me I can only imagine I can only imagine Surrounded by your glory What will my heart feel? Will I dance for you Jesus, Or in awe of you be still? Will I stand in your presence, Or to my knees will I fall? Will I sing Halelluja, Will I be able to speak at all? I can only imagine I can only imagine I can only imagine when that day comes And I find myself standing in the Son I can only imagine when all I will do Is forever, forever worship you I can only imagine I can only imagine
God of Wonders
Lord of all creation,
of water, earth and sky.
The heavens are your Tabernacle.
Glory to the Lord on high!
God of wonders beyond our galaxy,
you are holy, holy.
The universe declares your majesty,
you are holy, holy.
Lord of heaven and earth
Lord of heaven and earth
Early in the morning,I will celebrate the light. When i stumble in the darkness, I will call your name by night God of wonders beyond our galaxy,you are holy, holy.The universe declares your majesty,you are holy, holy.Lord of heaven and earthLord of heaven and earthGod of wonders beyond our galaxy,you are holy, holy.Precious Lord, reveal your heart to me,you are holy, holy.The universe declares your majesty,you are holy, holy.
Indescribable
From the highest of heights to the depths of the seaCreation's revealing Your majestyFrom the colors of fall to the fragrance of springEvery creature unique in the song that it singsAll exclaiming Indescribable, uncontainable,You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name. You are amazing GodAll powerful, untamable, Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaimYou are amazing God Who has told every lightning bolt where it should goOr seen heavenly storehouses laden with snow Who imagined the sun and gives source to its light Yet conceals it to bring us the coolness of night None can fathomIndescribable, uncontainable, You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name You are amazing God All powerful, untamable, Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim You are amazing God You are amazing God Indescribable, uncontainable,You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.You are amazing God All powerful, untamable, Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim You are amazing God Indescribable, uncontainable, You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name. You are amazing God Incomparable, unchangeable You see the depths of my heart and You love me the sameYou are amazing God You are amazing God
Random quotes
What God does is not just an abstract thought.
-Pastor Matthew
Most people are worried about others thinking to little of them. We should be worried about others thinking too much of us.
-Pastor Matthew
Taking credit for what God has done is cosmic plagiarism.
-Pastor Matthew
"And what tremendously good news it is that the way to be forgiven our sin and escape God’s wrath is just to rest in his free mercy. What terrible news it would be if John came preaching: Jews can be saved, but not Gentiles. Or: well-to-do people can be saved, but not poor folk. Or: white people can be saved, but not Indians or black people. Or: you can be saved if on the judgment day your good works outweigh your bad works. All that would be bad news. But for John the way is open for “all flesh” to have the salvation of God (3:6), because no human distinctive whatsoever is a precondition of God’s mercy. His mercy runs ahead of all our efforts and seizes us before we know it. And the good news is: just rest in this mercy and you will be saved."
-John Piper
"You can't commend what you don't cherish."
-Unknown
"The wisdom of God made a way for the love of God to satisfy the wrath of God without compromising the justice of God."
-John Piper
Press on, shine bright, and serve wholeheartedly.
-Taylor Ivester
“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he can never loose.”
-Jim Elliott
“If you pray Scripture, you are sure to pray the will of God.”
-Mrs. Zandstra
“You made us for yourself and our hearts find no peace until they rest in you.”
-St. Augustine
“The steps that follow afterward have less courage than the first.”
-Esther Shephard
“Beauty from ashes is more captivating than the unspoiled and untouched celestial bodies, for God uses the broken to manifest his glory.”
-Esther Shephard
“Our greatest fear is not that we are inadequate its that we are powerful beyond measure. We ask ourselves, ‘Who am I to be talented, gorgeous, and successful?’ The real question should be, ‘Who am I not to be?’
-quote from Akeelah and the Bee
“Glory be to the for the Glory I have not tasted yet.”
-Charles Spurgeon
“Satan’s only attack is to undermine God’s priorities.”
-Pastor Matthew
“A true child of God, yet he might fall foully, yet could never finally fall.”
--George Whitefield
“Lord I want you to be what you reveal yourself to be.”
-Pastor Matthew
“When the clay was on the wheel, the father saw it all.”
-Charles Spurgeon
“I believe the reason many worship songs ring true I worshipers is because God has put songs in us already. When you hear a song that makes you say, ‘that is what I want to say,’ that was a song already in your heart from God. God has interjected songs in the hearts of his people and He’s working to draw those songs and expressions out of His people.”
-Steve Fee
“His strength is perfect when our strength is gone; he’ll carry us when we can’t carry on.”
-unknown
“A heart that trembles at God’s word is very precious in God’s eyes.”
-Pastor Matthew
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but the moments that take our breath away.”
-unknown
“Some say He hates what is unholy, but he loves us and we are unholy. Instead we should say: he hates sin.”
Hannah Middleton
“When we cry out to God, He hears us, but not always when or how we want it.”
-Pastor Matthew
“Biblical worship is centering our hearts affection and our minds attention.”
-Pastor Mathew
“Satan can only make people who aren’t cleaned by God sin. He does this by placing in their hearts a desire to do something that they already want to do.”
-Chad Barnes
“The Lord gives and the Lord takes away-it is his sovereign right-blessed be his name.”
-Pastor Matthew
“Prayer is not asking for what I want but for what God wants in my life.”
-Pastor Matthew
“It’s hard to stumble when you’re on your knees.”
-unknown
Intelligence is the ability to learn facts and skills and apply them. Wisdom is the ability to make sensible decisions and judgments based on personal knowledge and experience. Few men are intelligent, but fewer men are truly wise and still fewer have both wisdom and intelligence.
-Hannah Middleton
-Pastor Matthew
Most people are worried about others thinking to little of them. We should be worried about others thinking too much of us.
-Pastor Matthew
Taking credit for what God has done is cosmic plagiarism.
-Pastor Matthew
"And what tremendously good news it is that the way to be forgiven our sin and escape God’s wrath is just to rest in his free mercy. What terrible news it would be if John came preaching: Jews can be saved, but not Gentiles. Or: well-to-do people can be saved, but not poor folk. Or: white people can be saved, but not Indians or black people. Or: you can be saved if on the judgment day your good works outweigh your bad works. All that would be bad news. But for John the way is open for “all flesh” to have the salvation of God (3:6), because no human distinctive whatsoever is a precondition of God’s mercy. His mercy runs ahead of all our efforts and seizes us before we know it. And the good news is: just rest in this mercy and you will be saved."
-John Piper
"You can't commend what you don't cherish."
-Unknown
"The wisdom of God made a way for the love of God to satisfy the wrath of God without compromising the justice of God."
-John Piper
Press on, shine bright, and serve wholeheartedly.
-Taylor Ivester
“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he can never loose.”
-Jim Elliott
“If you pray Scripture, you are sure to pray the will of God.”
-Mrs. Zandstra
“You made us for yourself and our hearts find no peace until they rest in you.”
-St. Augustine
“The steps that follow afterward have less courage than the first.”
-Esther Shephard
“Beauty from ashes is more captivating than the unspoiled and untouched celestial bodies, for God uses the broken to manifest his glory.”
-Esther Shephard
“Our greatest fear is not that we are inadequate its that we are powerful beyond measure. We ask ourselves, ‘Who am I to be talented, gorgeous, and successful?’ The real question should be, ‘Who am I not to be?’
-quote from Akeelah and the Bee
“Glory be to the for the Glory I have not tasted yet.”
-Charles Spurgeon
“Satan’s only attack is to undermine God’s priorities.”
-Pastor Matthew
“A true child of God, yet he might fall foully, yet could never finally fall.”
--George Whitefield
“Lord I want you to be what you reveal yourself to be.”
-Pastor Matthew
“When the clay was on the wheel, the father saw it all.”
-Charles Spurgeon
“I believe the reason many worship songs ring true I worshipers is because God has put songs in us already. When you hear a song that makes you say, ‘that is what I want to say,’ that was a song already in your heart from God. God has interjected songs in the hearts of his people and He’s working to draw those songs and expressions out of His people.”
-Steve Fee
“His strength is perfect when our strength is gone; he’ll carry us when we can’t carry on.”
-unknown
“A heart that trembles at God’s word is very precious in God’s eyes.”
-Pastor Matthew
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but the moments that take our breath away.”
-unknown
“Some say He hates what is unholy, but he loves us and we are unholy. Instead we should say: he hates sin.”
Hannah Middleton
“When we cry out to God, He hears us, but not always when or how we want it.”
-Pastor Matthew
“Biblical worship is centering our hearts affection and our minds attention.”
-Pastor Mathew
“Satan can only make people who aren’t cleaned by God sin. He does this by placing in their hearts a desire to do something that they already want to do.”
-Chad Barnes
“The Lord gives and the Lord takes away-it is his sovereign right-blessed be his name.”
-Pastor Matthew
“Prayer is not asking for what I want but for what God wants in my life.”
-Pastor Matthew
“It’s hard to stumble when you’re on your knees.”
-unknown
Intelligence is the ability to learn facts and skills and apply them. Wisdom is the ability to make sensible decisions and judgments based on personal knowledge and experience. Few men are intelligent, but fewer men are truly wise and still fewer have both wisdom and intelligence.
-Hannah Middleton
Friday, January 23, 2009
What "I love Jesus means"
I admire Jesus Christ more than any other human or angelic being.
I enjoy his ways and his words more than I enjoy the ways and words of anyone else.
I want his approval more than I want the approval of anyone else.
I want to be with him more than I want to be with anyone else.
I feel more grateful to him for what he has done for me than I do to anyone else.
I trust his words more fully than I trust what anyone else says.
I am more glad in his exaltation than in the exaltation of anyone else, including me.
-John Piper
I enjoy his ways and his words more than I enjoy the ways and words of anyone else.
I want his approval more than I want the approval of anyone else.
I want to be with him more than I want to be with anyone else.
I feel more grateful to him for what he has done for me than I do to anyone else.
I trust his words more fully than I trust what anyone else says.
I am more glad in his exaltation than in the exaltation of anyone else, including me.
-John Piper
C.S. Lewis quotes that greatly encourage me.
“You will never know how much you believe something until it is a matter of life and death.” “If you think of this world as a place intended simply for our happiness, you find it quite intolerable: think of it as a place of training and correction and it’s not so bad.”
I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: 'I'm ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don't accept His claim to be God.' That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic -- on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg -- or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God: or else a madman or something worse. You can shut Him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon; or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God. But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen. Not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.
“What you see and hear depends a good deal on where you are standing; it also depends on what kind of a person you are.”
“Miracles are a retelling in small letters of the very same story which is written across the whole world in letters too large for some of us to see.”
“Love is not affectionate feeling, but a steady wish for the loved person's ultimate good as far as it can be obtained”
God, who foresaw your tribulation, has specially armed you to go through it, not without pain but without stain”
“We all want progress, but if you're on the wrong road, progress means doing an about-turn and walking back to the right road; in that case, the man who turns back soonest is the most progressive.”
“There is no neutral ground in the universe; every square inch, every split second, is claimed by God and counter-claimed by Satan”
“Has this world been so kind to you that you should leave with regret? There are better things ahead than any we leave behind”
Affection is responsible for nine-tenths of whatever solid and durable happiness there is in our lives.
There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, 'Thy will be done,' and those to whom God says, in the end, 'Thy will be done.'
Can a mortal ask questions which God finds unanswerable? Quite easily, I should think. All nonsense questions are unanswerable.
Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point.
I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: 'I'm ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don't accept His claim to be God.' That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic -- on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg -- or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God: or else a madman or something worse. You can shut Him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon; or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God. But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen. Not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.
“What you see and hear depends a good deal on where you are standing; it also depends on what kind of a person you are.”
“Miracles are a retelling in small letters of the very same story which is written across the whole world in letters too large for some of us to see.”
“Love is not affectionate feeling, but a steady wish for the loved person's ultimate good as far as it can be obtained”
God, who foresaw your tribulation, has specially armed you to go through it, not without pain but without stain”
“We all want progress, but if you're on the wrong road, progress means doing an about-turn and walking back to the right road; in that case, the man who turns back soonest is the most progressive.”
“There is no neutral ground in the universe; every square inch, every split second, is claimed by God and counter-claimed by Satan”
“Has this world been so kind to you that you should leave with regret? There are better things ahead than any we leave behind”
Affection is responsible for nine-tenths of whatever solid and durable happiness there is in our lives.
There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, 'Thy will be done,' and those to whom God says, in the end, 'Thy will be done.'
Can a mortal ask questions which God finds unanswerable? Quite easily, I should think. All nonsense questions are unanswerable.
Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point.
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