Joy and Strength (Christian life and music)

Most believers, when asked who they are in Christ, as part of their answer, will say that they are “sinners saved by grace.”  Perhaps, in their minds, this sounds humble.   When Jesus said He was God, it sounded anything but humble to those listening!  But it was Truth.  And He was the most humble Person ever because He was fully submitted to God, never acting out of His own volition. So, we know that when truth is spoken, it may or may not sound “humble,” but it is truth and that's all that matters. So yes, we were sinners but now, since we are saved by grace (Ephesians 2:8), who does that make us after the saving?  We are new creatures in Christ! (2 Corinthians 5:17) The problem with saying we are still “sinners” is that it leaves a fundamental mark in our souls that says that our identity is still that of a sinner. Don’t let the Catholic definition of a saint (as if we could somehow earn it) mar the truth of the identity that Christ died to give us, that is ours in Him.   Is Chr

Jesus never once kowtowed to the Pharisees.  They were who they were.  And He didn't mince words about who they really were when He spoke to them!   The Pharisees appeared to have it all together.  They knew the law inside and out, and they let everyone know that they did! Only problem for them was that when Jesus came into their sphere, He embodied and fulfilled the very law which they took so much pride in knowing.  But He embodied it in such a way so as to get their goat - with true authority. After all, they were the know-it-alls, so who was this Jesus (from Nazareth, of all places) to tell them  what was what?  How dare He? He dared.  And they hated Him for it. How does this apply to us for our lives today?  There will always be those who are opposed to the Gospel.  Get used to it.   But if you ask me, I would rather go head to head with an atheist any day than a Pharisee.  It is sooooo much harder talking with someone who thinks they know God but is really only a rule-keeper.

"Jesus has a great plan for your life!" How many of you have heard this statement before?  I believe it is a uniquely American perspective.  However, I do not believe that it is God's perspective. Am I saying that God has a miserable plan for your life?  No. I am saying that following Jesus is hard.  His "great plans," if we are truly willing to obey Him fully, include our pruning, refining, the wilderness (at times), and many more trials and tribulations than we bargained for. I have experienced that the "great life" is more an inner job than outer blessings.  The life of Christ, via His Holy Spirit, comes to live inside our hearts when we receive Christ as our personal Savior.  Now, if we pay attention to Him, our interests have changed.   The accomplishments of this world don't matter as much to us, and if they still do, the Lord has ways of changing the course of our lives so that we are not anywhere near accomplishing what the world deems as a

I am an artist.  As an artist, truth is very important to me.  Seeking it, wanting it, finding it, revealing it. I want to get to the heart of the matter in life, in others, in my environment, and just plain everywhere. And therein lies the bane of my existence!  Why?  Because "All the world's a stage and all the men and women merely players," said Shakespeare. Most people live in denial of the truth - about God, about life, about themselves.  So when people like me come along, they get uncomfortable.  "You're rocking the boat!"  "We like the little world we've created for ourselves - even if it is a house of cards!" I am drawn to those who "tell it like it is."  I admire those who are themselves no matter what others think of them.  They won't be kowtowed into the status quo, or bullied into believing the latest ism.  They stay true to themselves, who God made them to be. They don't find it necessary to "play act" t

Everything we need is found in the Word of God. The meaning of life Salvation Hope True love Fulfillment Destiny Past and future events Truth Our relationship with God Who God is Why we were created Where we are going Our reason for living Belonging And so much more If we don't know God, we don't know Life. If we don't know God's Word, we don't know Him. When I think that God bothered to reveal Himself to us at all, it blows my mind.  He didn't have to tell us anything.  He gave us the entire universe as proof of His existence. But He wanted to be known.  He wanted to reassure us that He is there - as God our Father, as the One holding everything together with the power of His might, as the Savior that we all need.  It is a privilege that we can get to know God at all.  So why aren't more people lining up for this awesome journey? People make God into their own image.  He is thus-and-so.  But you wouldn't want anyone defining you as something that you ar

"Until Jesus becomes our Savior, we are enemies of God.  Although we may be quick to deny that we are against Him, there is no neutral ground.  We have either been reconciled to God through His Son, or we are at odds with Him."  Dr. Charles Stanley This pretty much sums up where we stand with God, either as His friend or His foe.  Which are you?  Have you been born again?  Have you received Jesus as your Lord and Savior? If not, why don't you pray right now and ask Him into your heart?  It's about time, no?   He does not require a long, elaborate, or eloquent prayer from you.  Just a heartfelt plea.  Tell Him that you need a Savior - that you need Him.  Ask Him to come and live inside of you through His Holy Spirit.  Tell Him that you are serious about wanting to get right with Him - no more games, lies, or denial. Then be at peace!   And after you pray, don't go by your feelings! You may or may not "feel" any different. Trust, by faith, that it is a don

Did you know that the enemy will distract you from God's will with something totally unrelated to His will?  The enemy is always trying to divert our attention off of the Lord and onto something totally irrelevant to our walk with God. When you obey God's will, you have a huge influence on those around you. You never fully know, this side of heaven how your obedience is influencing others for His Kingdom, but God promises to bless your obedience.  So not only does your obedience bless your life, but is also blesses those in your sphere of influence. Be forewarned: when God tells you to do something, and you obey God and step out in faith, the enemy will try to get your focus on something or someone that doesn't matter in the least to your calling. Our struggle is not against flesh and blood.  So when the enemy brings to mind how someone mistreated you, remember that you are dealing with principalities and strongholds in the spiritual realm, not  the person who harmed you.