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This song, "I Do Not Belong," reminded me that this world is not all there, because I believe in Jesus Christ. This world is not my home. This world of broken pieces is not all there is for anyone who receives Jesus as Lord and Savior of their life.
In Paul's testimony from Philippians 1:20-24 he says: "I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 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."
What Paul was saying is that "to live," meant to develop eternal values and to tell others about Christ. Paul's whole purpose in life was to speak boldly for Christ and to become more like Him. Paul was able to say with confidence, that dying would be even better than living because death would remove him from worldly troubles and he would see Christ face to face.
Below are the lyrics of "I Do Not Belong," by Kutless plus the audio/video of it.
I Do Not Belong
I look around
and feel like
things change
and I don't know why
Every day that passes by
I feel so far away
I can see in the distance
You have the rest of me
I put my trust in You
as I look beyond today
It's all becoming clear
CHORUS
I do not belong
in a world of broken pieces
I was meant to be
in the arms of Your redemption
I am moving on
to the place of your perfection
cuz I do not belong
When the world
is behind me
on the day
that I breath my last
In the face of eternity
there is hope
because I believe
When I look to the heavens
In the future
that you hold
It makes it easier
to see beyond today
Now I'm looking to the sky
CHORUS
This world is not
my home
I'm a stranger in this land
but I'm not alone
CHORUS
Lord Jesus, I thank you for this eternal perspective today, that my life is not my own; that this world is not my home. In this valley, I must be honest, there have been days, when I've been torn between the desire of seeing You face to face or remaining here on earth. This I know, while I am here on this earth, my purpose is to glorify You and make You known to others. Give this ordinary woman courage and confidence in who You are in my life to make that so. I adore you Lord, Jesus.
John 15:19 - ...As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
A New Song in My Heart
Today I am reaping a blessing from the Lord, from Psalm 40:3 where it says, He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord.
The song He has put in my heart today, I heard for the first time on the radio this morning after dropping my daughter off at school. It's titled, "Can't Take Away," by a new Christian Rock group, Mikeschair. Below are the lyrics to it -
Can't Take Away
All around
All of us
Fear has come
and so we must
Ask ourselves
in who we trust
What we have here
is not enough
So let it ring
in freedom sing
CHORUS
You can take away
Everything that I've been holdin'
You can take away the sun
You can take away
the very air that I've been breathin'
But you CAN'T take away MY GOD!
Rains will come
Winds will blow
But it's not here
I found my hope
My bleeding heart
My weary soul
Is held by One
Who won't let go
So I'll cling
to you my King
CHORUS
A hope that can't be lost
A love that can't be bought
YOU CAN'T TAKE AWAY MY GOD!
Nothin high or low
Nothin you can control
YOU CAN'T TAKE AWAY MY GOD!
CHORUS
As I listen to this song, I'm reminded of the story of Job and his suffering. Yet in his suffering he did not forsake God. Job's testimony displays love for God - for who He is, NOT what he gives.
Job 1:20-22..."The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised." In all of this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.
Lord, Jesus, thank you for putting this new song in my heart today. No matter what may be taken away, NOTHING can take You away from me. My security is in You alone.
The song He has put in my heart today, I heard for the first time on the radio this morning after dropping my daughter off at school. It's titled, "Can't Take Away," by a new Christian Rock group, Mikeschair. Below are the lyrics to it -
Can't Take Away
All around
All of us
Fear has come
and so we must
Ask ourselves
in who we trust
What we have here
is not enough
So let it ring
in freedom sing
CHORUS
You can take away
Everything that I've been holdin'
You can take away the sun
You can take away
the very air that I've been breathin'
But you CAN'T take away MY GOD!
Rains will come
Winds will blow
But it's not here
I found my hope
My bleeding heart
My weary soul
Is held by One
Who won't let go
So I'll cling
to you my King
CHORUS
A hope that can't be lost
A love that can't be bought
YOU CAN'T TAKE AWAY MY GOD!
Nothin high or low
Nothin you can control
YOU CAN'T TAKE AWAY MY GOD!
CHORUS
As I listen to this song, I'm reminded of the story of Job and his suffering. Yet in his suffering he did not forsake God. Job's testimony displays love for God - for who He is, NOT what he gives.
Job 1:20-22..."The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised." In all of this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.
Lord, Jesus, thank you for putting this new song in my heart today. No matter what may be taken away, NOTHING can take You away from me. My security is in You alone.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Definitions of Faith
Excerpts from Streams in the Desert by Mrs. Charles E. Cowman
Each of three boys gave a definition of faith which is an illustration of the tenacity of faith. The first boy said, "It is taking hold of Christ"; the second, "Keeping hold"; and the third, "Not letting go."
Faith says not, "I see it is good for me, so God must have sent it," but, "God sent it, and so it must be good for me."
Faith, walking in the dark with God, only prays Him to clasp its hand more closely.
The Shepherd does not ask of thee
Faith in thy faith, but only faith in Him;
And this He meant in saying, "Come to me."
In light or darkness seek to do His will,
And leave the work of faith to Jesus still.
Faith is...the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1
True faith drops its letter in the post office box, and lets it go. It hands its case over to God, and then He works.
Each of three boys gave a definition of faith which is an illustration of the tenacity of faith. The first boy said, "It is taking hold of Christ"; the second, "Keeping hold"; and the third, "Not letting go."
Faith says not, "I see it is good for me, so God must have sent it," but, "God sent it, and so it must be good for me."
Faith, walking in the dark with God, only prays Him to clasp its hand more closely.
The Shepherd does not ask of thee
Faith in thy faith, but only faith in Him;
And this He meant in saying, "Come to me."
In light or darkness seek to do His will,
And leave the work of faith to Jesus still.
Faith is...the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1
True faith drops its letter in the post office box, and lets it go. It hands its case over to God, and then He works.
Waiting Patiently
A dear sister in Christ recommended I read Psalm 40:1-3 today. It says:
I waited patiently for the Lord;
he turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.
He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear
and put their trust in the Lord.
Waiting for God to help us is not easy, but as I read this today I noticed what God promises He will do if we obediently wait upon Him. In verse one, He promises to turn to me and hear my cry. In verse two, He promises to lift me out of the pit and set my feet on a firm place to stand. In verse three, He promises to put a new song in my mouth, one that praises Him so that many will put their trust in Him.
I especially noticed my "job" is to wait - then He acts on my behalf in ways I can not possibly do without Him. Isn't that a beautiful thing? As I wait, that gives me an increased hope in Him plus anticipation of the blessings that will follow. Lord help me to wait patiently.
I waited patiently for the Lord;
he turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.
He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear
and put their trust in the Lord.
Waiting for God to help us is not easy, but as I read this today I noticed what God promises He will do if we obediently wait upon Him. In verse one, He promises to turn to me and hear my cry. In verse two, He promises to lift me out of the pit and set my feet on a firm place to stand. In verse three, He promises to put a new song in my mouth, one that praises Him so that many will put their trust in Him.
I especially noticed my "job" is to wait - then He acts on my behalf in ways I can not possibly do without Him. Isn't that a beautiful thing? As I wait, that gives me an increased hope in Him plus anticipation of the blessings that will follow. Lord help me to wait patiently.
Standing Still
"Stand still" - keep the posture of an upright man, ready for action, expecting further orders, cheerfully and patiently awaiting the directing voice; and it will not be long and God shall say to you, as distinctly as Moses said it to the people of Isreal, "Go forward."
C.H. Spurgeon
C.H. Spurgeon
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