Here is a great carol compilation in honor of our Savior this Christmas Day. This one is from my favorite pianist, Carlton Forrester, whose CD still brings me chills almost 5 years after I purchased it. This is his medley rendition of What Child Is This & O Holy Night, two of my favorites.
Carlton Forrester's website is http://www.carltonforrester.com/
What Child Is This & O Holy Night https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTlYGBmdddM
Sunday, December 25, 2016
Friday, May 13, 2016
"Jesus Paid It All", While He Was Yet Young
"Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you. Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress." I Timothy 4:12-15
As I read over the words of 1 Timothy 4:11-15, preparing for this week's service, I can't help that two things really stand out to me. First, I remember how many times I've heard the words of I Timothy 4:12 repeated in reference to our "youth". In our youth, we should learn to follow the Lord's precepts. After all, in Proverbs 22:6, Solomon writes "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." (KJV) It is so much easier to live the Christian life having grown up within the church, the body of believers, learning what it means to follow God than to have accepted His salvation later in life. We also have the privilege of not having to look back at our life and regret the opportunities that were lost while we were living for ourselves.
"Give thyself wholly to them - Greek "Be in them" - a phrase similar to that of Horace - "totus in illis." The meaning is plain. He was to devote his life wholly to this work. He was to have no other grand aim of living. His time, attention, talents, were to be absorbed in the proper duties of the work. He was not to make that subordinate and tributary to any other purpose, nor was he to allow any other object to interfere with the appropriate duties of that office. He was not to live for money, fame, or pleasure; not to devote his time to the pursuits of literature or science for their own sakes; not to seek the reputation of an elegant or profound scholar; not to aim to be distinguished merely as an accomplished gentleman, or as a skillful farmer, teacher, or author. Whatever was done in any of these departments, was to be wholly consistent with the direction."
"We have a God who gives, and He gives the greatest gift of all—namely, Himself.
There are seven places in the New Testament where the words “Gave Himself for,” are distinctly associated with Christ’s substitutionary work. In each case the Greek preposition, “Huper,” translated “for,” occurs. “Huper” means to act on behalf of another,as acting in the stead of him, in other words a substitute.
Why did Christ die?
I hear the Savior say,
Thy strength indeed is small;
Child of weakness, watch and pray,
Find in Me thine all in all.
Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.
Lord, now indeed I find
Thy power and Thine alone,
Can change the leper's spots
and melt the heart of stone.
Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.
And when before the throne
I stand in Him complete,
Jesus died my soul to save,
my lips shall still repeat
Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow
O Praise the one who paid my debt
And raised this life up from the dead
O Praise the one who paid my debt
And raised this life up from the dead
As I read over the words of 1 Timothy 4:11-15, preparing for this week's service, I can't help that two things really stand out to me. First, I remember how many times I've heard the words of I Timothy 4:12 repeated in reference to our "youth". In our youth, we should learn to follow the Lord's precepts. After all, in Proverbs 22:6, Solomon writes "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." (KJV) It is so much easier to live the Christian life having grown up within the church, the body of believers, learning what it means to follow God than to have accepted His salvation later in life. We also have the privilege of not having to look back at our life and regret the opportunities that were lost while we were living for ourselves.
Later, Solomon also states in Ecclesiates 11:9-12:1, "You who are young, be happy while you are young, and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth. Follow the ways of your heart and whatever your eyes see, but know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment. So then, banish anxiety from your heart and cast off the troubles of your body, for youth and vigor are meaningless. Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, “I find no pleasure in them”."
So, while we are young, we should learn and apply God's Word to our lives, to not only be an example to those around us, but also because the chief end of man is to glorify God and to enjoy him forever (Westminster Shorter Catechism). What better time is there to serve God than when we have "youth and vigor."
The second thing that really sticks out to me is the phrase "give yourself wholly to them." Now, in this context, Paul is referring to a young paster, specifically Timothy. So, in this sense, pastors must be especially careful to rightly divide the Word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15), because God holds them accountable for the flock to which He has given them. They must learn, study, memorize, and continually train their minds to meditate upon Scripture, because that is their calling or gift (Ephesians 4:11).
However, in a larger sense, we are all called to ministers of the Gospel. After all, in 1 Peter 2:9, it says, "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." (NIV) And, in Revelation 1:5b-6, it says, "To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen." (NIV) Also, in Revelation 5:9-10, the angels recognize that our Savior has given us this responsibility. "And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.” (NIV)
So, what does this mean for us as followers of Christ? what does it mean to "give yourself wholly to them."? I like what Albert Barnes writes, in his compilation, Barnes' Notes on the Bible:
"Give thyself wholly to them - Greek "Be in them" - a phrase similar to that of Horace - "totus in illis." The meaning is plain. He was to devote his life wholly to this work. He was to have no other grand aim of living. His time, attention, talents, were to be absorbed in the proper duties of the work. He was not to make that subordinate and tributary to any other purpose, nor was he to allow any other object to interfere with the appropriate duties of that office. He was not to live for money, fame, or pleasure; not to devote his time to the pursuits of literature or science for their own sakes; not to seek the reputation of an elegant or profound scholar; not to aim to be distinguished merely as an accomplished gentleman, or as a skillful farmer, teacher, or author. Whatever was done in any of these departments, was to be wholly consistent with the direction."
In other words, we are to make seeking and honoring God and learning to follow the Scriptures, the very "Word of God", the primary focus of our Christian walk. And we are to make them more important than any other pursuit in life. In this, unfortunately, we all fail. We all get trapped by the world and its pleasures. But there was one man who unfailingly fulfilled this mission to "give yourself wholly". But why did Christ offer himself? And for whom did He give himself?
Chris Poblete examines this on his blog entry entitled "Jesus Gave Himself For...":
There are seven places in the New Testament where the words “Gave Himself for,” are distinctly associated with Christ’s substitutionary work. In each case the Greek preposition, “Huper,” translated “for,” occurs. “Huper” means to act on behalf of another,as acting in the stead of him, in other words a substitute.
Why did Christ die?
- To pay the ransom price. “…gave himself a ransom for all” (1 Timothy 2:6).
- To bear our sins. “gave himself for our sins” (Galatians 1:4).
- To stand in our place. “gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).
- To have us for Himself. “gave himself up for her” (Ephesians 5:25).
- To make us acceptable to God. “gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God” (Ephesians 5:2).
- To redeem us from all lawlessness. “who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness…” (Titus 2:14).
- To remind us of our obligation to Him. “This is my body, which is given for you” (Luke 22:19-20)."
Jesus gave it all, and He did it for us. And, he did it all at a young age, giving himself on the cross for us at the age of 33. So, in light of all Jesus gave us, I leave as a final thought the words of the song, "Jesus Paid It All (O Praise the One)", written by Kristian Stanfill, based upon the great hymn of the faith by Elvina Hall:
I hear the Savior say,
Thy strength indeed is small;
Child of weakness, watch and pray,
Find in Me thine all in all.
Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.
Lord, now indeed I find
Thy power and Thine alone,
Can change the leper's spots
and melt the heart of stone.
Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.
And when before the throne
I stand in Him complete,
Jesus died my soul to save,
my lips shall still repeat
Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow
O Praise the one who paid my debt
And raised this life up from the dead
O Praise the one who paid my debt
And raised this life up from the dead
Jesus Paid All (O Praise the One) by Kristian Stanfill
Sunday, March 27, 2016
God's Thought on Integrity - Today's Proverb
"A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold."
Proverbs 22:1
Are We Pleasing Man or God?
"Is it my master ambition to please Him and be acceptable to Him or is it something less, no matter how noble?"
- Oswald Chambers
- Oswald Chambers
"So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the
body or away from it. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of
Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things
done while in the body, whether good or bad."
2 Corinthians 5:9-10
2 Corinthians 5:9-10
Hope and Victory in the His Great Name, the Name of Jesus
This Easter season, desire to look to our conquering King for our hope.
Let us give praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! For in
his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the
resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance
that can never perish, spoil or fade. (excerpts from 1 Peter 1:3) No one
is like you, LORD; you are great, and your name is mighty in power.
Among all the wise leaders of the nations and in all their
kingdoms, there is no one like you. (excerpts from Jeremiah 10:6-7) And
because of what Jesus has done, He has been given the name that is
above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in
heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge
that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (excerpts from
Philippians 2:9-11). This morning, let give Him honor and glory as we
praise His Great Name!Your Great Name - Natalie Grant
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zpLPh6LibE
Saturday, March 26, 2016
Reality in Christ
What we perceive as reality in our own lives is really only a shadow of
eternity (2 Chronicles 29:15; Psalm 144:4; Colossians 2:17; James 4:14; 1
John 2:17). What we can see is never the full picture, it is only a
distorted representation. Faith looks to the eternal, to that which we
cannot see (Matthew 6:19-21; Romans 1:20; 2 Corinthians 4:8, 5:7;
Hebrews 11:1). And truth looks to the Author of eternity (Jude 1:25;
Revelation 22:13). So, our true reality can only come from the Creator
himself (Colossians 1:16, 2:17; 1 John 5:20). So let us fix our eyes on
Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). He is the
Way, Truth, and the Life (John 14:6). And he has already claimed the
victory! (1 Corinthians 15:57).
Thursday, March 24, 2016
Looking at the Big Picture: Confessions of a Sinner
"Return to your rest, my soul, for the Lord has been good to you."
Psalm 116:7 NIV
At work, I have really been struggling to see the big picture. I have seen my ethic challenged, but unlike Christ, I rose to defend myself. Each night, I have kept this burden on my mind without releasing it. I have let it affect the way I presented myself at work, when another co-worker even questioned me that something about me was different. I did not turn it over to Christ, instead letting it change even my testimony. And, in this, I have sinned.
"He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth;
he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth." Isaiah 53:7 NIV
"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." I Peter 5:7 NIV
Today, I felt relieved to make it through yet another route evaluation in hopes of somehow earning their mark of approval. It has been about me the entire time. And, again, I failed to realize, I have sinned, in my pride.
"When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly." I Peter 2:23 NIV
Last night, as Nikki read Hope's devotional, we both realized it was not for her. The Holy Spirit instead had us in mind. It was entitled "Big Picture". As children, we accept things so simply. As adults, we strive for the mark, but miss it because we often do not see God in the big picture.
"And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 18:3 NIV
This is an excerpt from the Veggietales "Growing Day by Day" 365 Daily Devos for Girls:
"Remembering all the great things God has done for you can change how you look at the not-so-good things that can happen sometimes. It's what we call "perspective" - a big word that really means looking at the "big picture." Here are a few things to think about today:
#1 God made you and loves you forever
#2 God sent His Son, Jesus, to give you eternal life.
#2 God has a great plan for your life.
#4 God has given you talents and abilities so you can grow and do amazing things.
If you remember God's blessings and keep your eyes on the big picture, it is easy to relax and trust God."
Sin is not just the bad things we do in our lives; it is simply falling short of the mark God has made for us. Falling short of His righteousness, His perfection, His holiness, His Son's example. And that is what I did. And, I pray that even though I missed the mark this past week, that I can take hold of the following promise, then next time, remember to sit back, relax, and trust God.
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." I John 1:9 NIV
Thank you God for forgiveness, and thank you that you gave yourself for us regardless of our shortcomings. Thank you for the cross, and thank you especially this Easter week, for your victory over sin and death.
"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8 NIV
Psalm 116:7 NIV
At work, I have really been struggling to see the big picture. I have seen my ethic challenged, but unlike Christ, I rose to defend myself. Each night, I have kept this burden on my mind without releasing it. I have let it affect the way I presented myself at work, when another co-worker even questioned me that something about me was different. I did not turn it over to Christ, instead letting it change even my testimony. And, in this, I have sinned.
"He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth;
he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth." Isaiah 53:7 NIV
"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." I Peter 5:7 NIV
Today, I felt relieved to make it through yet another route evaluation in hopes of somehow earning their mark of approval. It has been about me the entire time. And, again, I failed to realize, I have sinned, in my pride.
"When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly." I Peter 2:23 NIV
Last night, as Nikki read Hope's devotional, we both realized it was not for her. The Holy Spirit instead had us in mind. It was entitled "Big Picture". As children, we accept things so simply. As adults, we strive for the mark, but miss it because we often do not see God in the big picture.
"And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 18:3 NIV
This is an excerpt from the Veggietales "Growing Day by Day" 365 Daily Devos for Girls:
"Remembering all the great things God has done for you can change how you look at the not-so-good things that can happen sometimes. It's what we call "perspective" - a big word that really means looking at the "big picture." Here are a few things to think about today:
#1 God made you and loves you forever
#2 God sent His Son, Jesus, to give you eternal life.
#2 God has a great plan for your life.
#4 God has given you talents and abilities so you can grow and do amazing things.
If you remember God's blessings and keep your eyes on the big picture, it is easy to relax and trust God."
Sin is not just the bad things we do in our lives; it is simply falling short of the mark God has made for us. Falling short of His righteousness, His perfection, His holiness, His Son's example. And that is what I did. And, I pray that even though I missed the mark this past week, that I can take hold of the following promise, then next time, remember to sit back, relax, and trust God.
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." I John 1:9 NIV
Thank you God for forgiveness, and thank you that you gave yourself for us regardless of our shortcomings. Thank you for the cross, and thank you especially this Easter week, for your victory over sin and death.
"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8 NIV
Monday, March 14, 2016
Thought of the Day from Oswald Chambers
From today's reading in My Utmost from His Highest
"Yielding to Jesus will break every form of slavery in any human life."
Oswald Chambers
"Yielding to Jesus will break every form of slavery in any human life."
Oswald Chambers
Monday, March 7, 2016
Thought of the Day from Oswald Chambers
From today's reading in My Utmost for His Highest
"The bedrock of our Christian faith is the unmerited fathomless marvel of the love of God exhibited on the cross of Calvary, a love we never can and never shall merit."
- Oswald Chambers
"The bedrock of our Christian faith is the unmerited fathomless marvel of the love of God exhibited on the cross of Calvary, a love we never can and never shall merit."
- Oswald Chambers
Sunday, February 21, 2016
No More by Josh Wilson
"He (Jesus) was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification."
Romans 4:25
"For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing."
Romans 7:19
"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit."
Romans 8:1-4
"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
Galatians 2:20
I recently discovered this song by Josh Wilson. I may have heard it many times before, but recently, the Lord has helped me realize that this needs to be more of a heart issue.
No More by Josh Wilson
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0oPPaG28Dk&feature=share
Romans 4:25
"For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing."
Romans 7:19
"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit."
Romans 8:1-4
"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
Galatians 2:20
I recently discovered this song by Josh Wilson. I may have heard it many times before, but recently, the Lord has helped me realize that this needs to be more of a heart issue.
No More by Josh Wilson
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0oPPaG28Dk&feature=share
Thursday, February 11, 2016
Confession: An Act of Worship
This series of verses has been on my mind today:
"This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us" 1 John 1:5-10
"Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies." 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
"Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God." 2 Corinthians 6:14-15a
"Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”" 1 Peter 1:13-16
God, help me to rid those things in my life that are sin in your sight. Help me keep your temple clean, first because you gave your life for it, and second, so I can enjoy fellowship with You. Further, help us all to seek to be holy as You are holy, and to see sin and wickedness for what they really are, a separation from You. Thank you, Father. Amen
"This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us" 1 John 1:5-10
"Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies." 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
"Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God." 2 Corinthians 6:14-15a
"Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”" 1 Peter 1:13-16
God, help me to rid those things in my life that are sin in your sight. Help me keep your temple clean, first because you gave your life for it, and second, so I can enjoy fellowship with You. Further, help us all to seek to be holy as You are holy, and to see sin and wickedness for what they really are, a separation from You. Thank you, Father. Amen
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