"Jesus paid it ALL, all to Him I owe, sin had left a crimson stain, but He washed it white as snow." My wife says I complain too much about how hot it is in the Summer and then I complain about all the snow in the Winter...I'll admit...she is right. But I love the fact that my sins have been washed as white as SNOW and I will not complain about that...I will rejoice in the fact that I have a wonderful loving Savior Jesus Christ who loved, not only me, but the whole world that He willingly gave His life and paid the price for my sin and I am now free from sin's bondage and penalty! Can I get an AMEN?!?!
See, I am just an ordinary guy. There is nothing special about me. I am a sinner saved by grace. I still sin...I don't claim to be perfect...I just claim to have a Redeemer and all I am now and all I have inherited is because of Jesus! Many Christian's think THEY are extraordinary, THEY are special, THEY do great things, which turns many people off and away from Jesus...and at one point in the past and sometimes even still I think I am something special...but I'm not. I have turned many away from God because I thought I was something and thought they should be like me. I do not want that to ever happen again. I want to hide behind the cross. I want people not to see me but to see Jesus. He is my hope...He is the hope of the world...I want him to be your hope!
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever, (let me repeat that WHOEVER), believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16. Look to Jesus and just accept His perfect gift of salvation! Experience this Extraordinary God!
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Sunday, September 11, 2011
The Lifter of My Head- Psa. 3
Recently God has been taking me through some trials. It has not been easy. I have been reminded though, that God takes ever Christian through the "Refiners fire" to purify them and mould them into what He wants them to be. Others have been and many continue to struggle through circumstances much great than what I am going through and by the grace of God even through my struggles I need to continue to pray for them. Many people, songs and scripture verses are supporting and encouraging me through my difficult circumstances.
The Psalms have been a real source of strength and peace and I think is was PSA 3:1-3 that really hit me the hardest and helped to bring me back to a closer relationship and walk with God through my trail. If we are honest all of us as Christians have experienced times of difficultly where it got to the point where we couldn't even pray...and it was at that time I said to God "just listen to the groanings of the Holy Spirit as he prays for me because this is too hard for me handle." David sets an example, he displays a constant pattern of prayer where he pours his heart out to God, tells God how he feels and what he is going through and finishes by praising God. And the praising of God comes no matter what...whether God has answered his prayer and given David victory over the trial or just assurance that he will make it through when God is done refining him.
Psalm 3 is written during a time when David is being chased by an army led by Absalom, is own son. It is a time of fear and sorrow for David. Fear for his family, future and his own life. Sorrow that some how he failed in the relationship with his own son, sorrow for his son who has rejected God. David runs to God and cries out to Him. David talks about "these foes", the people against him, his own son and the even the nations around him witnessing his dysfunctional family and divided nation. They are mocking by saying, "There is no help for him in God"...but that doesn't stop David from praying. Amidst the running, doubting and sorrow he cries out to God. Why?... Because he knows God is his "shield, his glory and the lifter of his head!"
It was David's testimony and particularly verse three that were some what of a turning point for me. I prayed, "God be the lifter of my head through these trying times. Help me to realize that I'm not holding on to You but You're holding on to me!" I want God to lift my head and be my strength and shield!...And why not...He is THE One and Only Extraordinary God!
The Psalms have been a real source of strength and peace and I think is was PSA 3:1-3 that really hit me the hardest and helped to bring me back to a closer relationship and walk with God through my trail. If we are honest all of us as Christians have experienced times of difficultly where it got to the point where we couldn't even pray...and it was at that time I said to God "just listen to the groanings of the Holy Spirit as he prays for me because this is too hard for me handle." David sets an example, he displays a constant pattern of prayer where he pours his heart out to God, tells God how he feels and what he is going through and finishes by praising God. And the praising of God comes no matter what...whether God has answered his prayer and given David victory over the trial or just assurance that he will make it through when God is done refining him.
Psalm 3 is written during a time when David is being chased by an army led by Absalom, is own son. It is a time of fear and sorrow for David. Fear for his family, future and his own life. Sorrow that some how he failed in the relationship with his own son, sorrow for his son who has rejected God. David runs to God and cries out to Him. David talks about "these foes", the people against him, his own son and the even the nations around him witnessing his dysfunctional family and divided nation. They are mocking by saying, "There is no help for him in God"...but that doesn't stop David from praying. Amidst the running, doubting and sorrow he cries out to God. Why?... Because he knows God is his "shield, his glory and the lifter of his head!"
It was David's testimony and particularly verse three that were some what of a turning point for me. I prayed, "God be the lifter of my head through these trying times. Help me to realize that I'm not holding on to You but You're holding on to me!" I want God to lift my head and be my strength and shield!...And why not...He is THE One and Only Extraordinary God!
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
I am Really so Ordinary but He is so Very Extraordinary
God has done some amazing things in my life. When I consider that, then my life doesn't seem ordinary but once again I must admit, it doesn't make me any different than anyone else...I am still ordinary for God sends His rain to bless the just as well as the unjust. The amazing things done in my life are a testament to this amazing and extraordinary God; this extraordinary God who cares about and loves, with all His heart, all of mankind.
I don't count my blessings near enough...as a matter of fact those who know me all too well would say that too often I see the glass as half empty but from time to time, (and I am trying to make it more of a habit, yesterday was a good day... but the water in the basement today got to me..."forgive me Lord"), I count my blessings and I stand, or should I say bow, in amazement and I am filled with appreciation! The emotions become uncontrollable at times and I will literally cry my eyes out in joy because I do not deserve any of the wonderful things God has done and brought into my life. Listing some of those blessings will be left for another blog.
Jesus said, "I am come that they might have life and that they might have it more abundantly." I fully anticipate and look forward to the abundance of eternal life but I have already experienced abundance in this present life because of my personal relationship with Jesus Christ...he has blessed me beyond measure and I deserve none of it. God is a God of promise and He has given me abundant life just as He said He would! I'm so ordinary but He is so very Extraordinary!! You too can experience this abundant life.."come to Jesus, come to Jesus, come to Jesus and LIVE!!!!
I don't count my blessings near enough...as a matter of fact those who know me all too well would say that too often I see the glass as half empty but from time to time, (and I am trying to make it more of a habit, yesterday was a good day... but the water in the basement today got to me..."forgive me Lord"), I count my blessings and I stand, or should I say bow, in amazement and I am filled with appreciation! The emotions become uncontrollable at times and I will literally cry my eyes out in joy because I do not deserve any of the wonderful things God has done and brought into my life. Listing some of those blessings will be left for another blog.
Jesus said, "I am come that they might have life and that they might have it more abundantly." I fully anticipate and look forward to the abundance of eternal life but I have already experienced abundance in this present life because of my personal relationship with Jesus Christ...he has blessed me beyond measure and I deserve none of it. God is a God of promise and He has given me abundant life just as He said He would! I'm so ordinary but He is so very Extraordinary!! You too can experience this abundant life.."come to Jesus, come to Jesus, come to Jesus and LIVE!!!!
Monday, September 5, 2011
What is Ordinary
If I speak in humble terms than "ordinary" says I am no different than anyone else. Is that what I want or desire? I guess it depends what the subject matter is. I'm just starting to blog and if I continue to keep at it I can discuss that in more detail as time goes on.
No matter how ordinary I am, my greatest desire is for everyone to know the Extraordinary God that I love and serve and desire to know more.
So that is where I will start for now. We will see how this progresses...
No matter how ordinary I am, my greatest desire is for everyone to know the Extraordinary God that I love and serve and desire to know more.
So that is where I will start for now. We will see how this progresses...
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