You know. There is only really one thing that can eternally separate us from God and his love of us as his precious children. That one thing in the end is our choice. You see, the actual thing separating us was sin, but God defeated it by sending Jesus, God the Son, to Earth to die in our place. To sinlessly pay the price for sin. To begin the irony and unfairness that is grace.
By his death on the cross and ressurection our sins have been payed for and God has been able to offer this to us. To offer a relationship which was impossible for us when we had sin. It's our choice now as to whether or not we recieve forgiveness. It's our choice as to whether we live in sin or in his love.
'The temptation is too strong' is no excuse. We have his Holy Spirit in us. 1 John 4:4 "You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world." Also 1 Cor 10:13 "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." He gives us the ways out, but it's our choice.
Why do we want to sin? If only we didn't have the freewill to choose sin and death. Why do I keep choosing the moments of sin knowing the guilt that comes with it. Honestly, the separation and emptiness that follows are the worst feeling ever, but I keep going back.
I'm glad that I haven't made any really stupid decisions though. I even had a dream a couple days ago and in it I said no. I never say no to sin in dreams. I mean you can live out whatever you might desire, but be unable to ever do in real life, but I still said no. I felt proud the following morning. lol.
Micah 7:8 "Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness, the LORD will be my light."
Although I have fallen to temptation again, this is not the end. I will choose to remain in his love and fight sin. God help me in this. I can't do it on my own.
Showing posts with label Choice. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Choice. Show all posts
8.3.11
I Wish I Could Always Stay Here.
So. I want this to be quick so I can cram for my Bio midterm. I may be getting into a longish post however. xPP >.>
So, I stumbled upon (no not actually.) this song when I was trying to get a set list for worship one week and I really liked it, but I didn't think it should be in the set list. So I wrote down in a blog post draft titled "Note to Self" that I should blog about this eventually.
Can I Stay Here Forever by Starfield. The lyrics are as follows:
Through forgotten convictions
Misplaced affections
I'm losing the sound of Your voice
I've been chasing after emptiness
Trying to tidy up this mess
I swear I've been down this road before
I want to get back to where it all began
When I would long for only You
Like a child I'll take You at Your word
As these mountains of doubt, they fade away
I'm longing to trust and love You more
So for me this is beautiful
A brand new thought, and a brand new world
Can I stay here forever here with You?
I've lost sight of what first drew me
To the love that pursued me
The joy that inspired my song
The friendship that was all I knew
The arms that I would fall into
Seem miles and years from where I am today
I gotta get back to where it all began
When I would wait for only You
Can I stay here forever
Here with you?
Surrounded by Your mercy
Clothed in Your truth
Always, I'll stay
Always here with You
Can I be here forever
Here with You?
Can I know what it's like
To deeply love You?
Always, Lord, let me stay
Always, here with You
Also, we are playing this song for worship during Getaway and I really like singing it. Rediscover You by Starfield. Lyrics:
I need to just admit
my faith is paper thin
I'm feeling so burned out
On religion
I say an empty prayer
I sing a tired song
I need to just admit that the passion's gone
And I want to get it back
You told me
Look for You and I will find
So I'm here
Like I'm searching for the first time
Revive me, Jesus
Make this cold heart start to move
Help me rediscover You
I want to learn to pray
The way that David prayed
I want my soul to burn when I hear Your name
I want to feel like new
I want to hunger for you
Bring me back to life like only You can do
Cause I don't want to stay the same
You told me
Look for You and I will find
So I'm here
Like I'm searching for the first time
Revive me, Jesus
Make this cold heart start to move
Help me rediscover You
Lord, I want to be Yours today
I want to know the passion of the saints
And how they were changed
You told me
Look for You and I will find
So I'm here
Like I'm searching for the first time
Revive me, Jesus
Make this cold heart start to move
I want to burn for You
Bring me back to life, Jesus
Help me rediscover You
Both songs express how they were passionate for Jesus and just living for God. In the first song, they ended up being drawn away by other things and started losing touch with God. In the second song, it became so much about the traditions, practices and keeping up their appearance while no longer actually connecting with God.
1. How did they ever come to know God?
"I've lost sight of what first drew me, to the love that pursued me." God loves you. God loves every person He has created. He has made each of us with a unique purpose and He loves each of us and wants us to be in a loving relationship with Him.
2. Why did they ever leave this relationship if they had come into relationship with Him?
Everyone has fallen short of the glory of God. The original reason and most of the reasons since then is that we get so focused on ourselves and satisfying our own desires by our own means that we lose sight of the fact that God provides for us and instead go our own way. The thing is, God created us with free will. This is amazing. He could have forced us to follow Him, but if we so desire, he will let us do as we wish. However, disobeying Him and seeking to fulfill our desires separates us from Him. "I've been chasing after emptiness / Trying to tidy up this mess" Things like lusting over women, or seeking to be popular to try and substitute for the hole where God was in our hearts doesn't work. We were built to have Him in our lives.
3. Can we get back to a relationship with God on our own?
The answer is no. Nothing we can do can reconnect us. There are a few main ways that people try to get back to God by becoming 'more holy' in various ways, such as doing good works, religion or philosophies. As it says in the second song he confesses about how empty religion is "I'm feeling so burned out on religion, I say an empty prayer, I sing a tired song" but it's not the same, it's not a real relationship with God.
4. So how do we get back into a relationship with God?
In the songs they sing of getting back to where they were or rediscovering Him, so it must be possible. The answer is in God's love for us. While we were still going our own way separated by our own decision, God took it on Himself to come to us and even then He was rejected. God gave His only son on the cross so that we can have a relationship with Him. The effect of going our own way, the payment for that is death. Only through Jesus' death have our past actions been erased so that we can enter a relationship with God again if we so desire.
5. Jesus died, so I'm good now, right?
Well, yes and no. Yes, He did die, but you can't just know this and then BAM! without doing anything your life is fine. Jesus also came back to life and that has to be reflected in what we do as well. We were dead in our sins, but alive in Jesus. We can't continue living separated from God, that's what got us where we were. You have to put your trust in the fact that He did this for you and ask Him to be a part of your life. This isn't a one time thing. Every Christian ends up going back to the way they were at some point. It's a challenge sometimes, why else would there be so many songs about it? But the thing is, when you turn away again, you turn right back and continue to trust God for what He does in your life.
6. So, how do I ask Jesus to come into my life, and what does that mean?
The way we talk to God is in prayer. But just praying without your heart in it means nothing. The words don't matter as long as you truly mean them. The amazing thing is that God always listens to us when we pray to Him. The following is a sample prayer that you can pray, but you can say whatever you think you need to.
Part two of the question: What it means is that Jesus will be in your life and with you always. You will be filled with the Holy Spirit and will be able to live an empowered life to live the way God intended.
Sample Prayer:
Lord Jesus, I want to know you personally. I'm sorry for going my own way and trying to find my own path. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door to my life and ask you to be my Saviour and Lord. Thank you for forgiving me of my sins and giving me eternal life. Take control of my life. Make me the kind of person you want me to be. Amen.
7. Now what?
Now you are filled with the Holy Spirit and are in a relationship with Jesus. All your past sins have been forgiven and you have just started a long journey. "As these mountains of doubt, they fade away, I'm longing to trust and love You more". There will be times when you doubt, but if you truly seek, you will find God's truth and love for you wipe away the doubts. There's always room to grow closer to God, it's not an instant process. I still have a long way to go. The best way to start growing in your relationship is by exploring God's word, the Bible, and see what He has done for you. I advise starting in the book of John. You should also pray regularly. No relationship grows if only one person is doing the talking. You should also get to know some other people who trust in God by joining a Bible study or going to a church.
Also, if you have just accepted Christ into your life, please message me. =D I'm super excited about this. Leave a comment, or you can email me: dylan.dfa@gmail.com
Ya. xP I hope you come to know God more closely and I will try to help answer any questions or help you in any way I can.
Ttyl.
D.Fa
PS. There is a lot more I could tell you about God and Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
PPS. Starfield is pretty cool.
So, I stumbled upon (no not actually.) this song when I was trying to get a set list for worship one week and I really liked it, but I didn't think it should be in the set list. So I wrote down in a blog post draft titled "Note to Self" that I should blog about this eventually.
Can I Stay Here Forever by Starfield. The lyrics are as follows:
Through forgotten convictions
Misplaced affections
I'm losing the sound of Your voice
I've been chasing after emptiness
Trying to tidy up this mess
I swear I've been down this road before
I want to get back to where it all began
When I would long for only You
Like a child I'll take You at Your word
As these mountains of doubt, they fade away
I'm longing to trust and love You more
So for me this is beautiful
A brand new thought, and a brand new world
Can I stay here forever here with You?
I've lost sight of what first drew me
To the love that pursued me
The joy that inspired my song
The friendship that was all I knew
The arms that I would fall into
Seem miles and years from where I am today
I gotta get back to where it all began
When I would wait for only You
Can I stay here forever
Here with you?
Surrounded by Your mercy
Clothed in Your truth
Always, I'll stay
Always here with You
Can I be here forever
Here with You?
Can I know what it's like
To deeply love You?
Always, Lord, let me stay
Always, here with You
Also, we are playing this song for worship during Getaway and I really like singing it. Rediscover You by Starfield. Lyrics:
I need to just admit
my faith is paper thin
I'm feeling so burned out
On religion
I say an empty prayer
I sing a tired song
I need to just admit that the passion's gone
And I want to get it back
You told me
Look for You and I will find
So I'm here
Like I'm searching for the first time
Revive me, Jesus
Make this cold heart start to move
Help me rediscover You
I want to learn to pray
The way that David prayed
I want my soul to burn when I hear Your name
I want to feel like new
I want to hunger for you
Bring me back to life like only You can do
Cause I don't want to stay the same
You told me
Look for You and I will find
So I'm here
Like I'm searching for the first time
Revive me, Jesus
Make this cold heart start to move
Help me rediscover You
Lord, I want to be Yours today
I want to know the passion of the saints
And how they were changed
You told me
Look for You and I will find
So I'm here
Like I'm searching for the first time
Revive me, Jesus
Make this cold heart start to move
I want to burn for You
Bring me back to life, Jesus
Help me rediscover You
Both songs express how they were passionate for Jesus and just living for God. In the first song, they ended up being drawn away by other things and started losing touch with God. In the second song, it became so much about the traditions, practices and keeping up their appearance while no longer actually connecting with God.
1. How did they ever come to know God?
"I've lost sight of what first drew me, to the love that pursued me." God loves you. God loves every person He has created. He has made each of us with a unique purpose and He loves each of us and wants us to be in a loving relationship with Him.
2. Why did they ever leave this relationship if they had come into relationship with Him?
Everyone has fallen short of the glory of God. The original reason and most of the reasons since then is that we get so focused on ourselves and satisfying our own desires by our own means that we lose sight of the fact that God provides for us and instead go our own way. The thing is, God created us with free will. This is amazing. He could have forced us to follow Him, but if we so desire, he will let us do as we wish. However, disobeying Him and seeking to fulfill our desires separates us from Him. "I've been chasing after emptiness / Trying to tidy up this mess" Things like lusting over women, or seeking to be popular to try and substitute for the hole where God was in our hearts doesn't work. We were built to have Him in our lives.
3. Can we get back to a relationship with God on our own?
The answer is no. Nothing we can do can reconnect us. There are a few main ways that people try to get back to God by becoming 'more holy' in various ways, such as doing good works, religion or philosophies. As it says in the second song he confesses about how empty religion is "I'm feeling so burned out on religion, I say an empty prayer, I sing a tired song" but it's not the same, it's not a real relationship with God.
4. So how do we get back into a relationship with God?
In the songs they sing of getting back to where they were or rediscovering Him, so it must be possible. The answer is in God's love for us. While we were still going our own way separated by our own decision, God took it on Himself to come to us and even then He was rejected. God gave His only son on the cross so that we can have a relationship with Him. The effect of going our own way, the payment for that is death. Only through Jesus' death have our past actions been erased so that we can enter a relationship with God again if we so desire.
5. Jesus died, so I'm good now, right?
Well, yes and no. Yes, He did die, but you can't just know this and then BAM! without doing anything your life is fine. Jesus also came back to life and that has to be reflected in what we do as well. We were dead in our sins, but alive in Jesus. We can't continue living separated from God, that's what got us where we were. You have to put your trust in the fact that He did this for you and ask Him to be a part of your life. This isn't a one time thing. Every Christian ends up going back to the way they were at some point. It's a challenge sometimes, why else would there be so many songs about it? But the thing is, when you turn away again, you turn right back and continue to trust God for what He does in your life.
6. So, how do I ask Jesus to come into my life, and what does that mean?
The way we talk to God is in prayer. But just praying without your heart in it means nothing. The words don't matter as long as you truly mean them. The amazing thing is that God always listens to us when we pray to Him. The following is a sample prayer that you can pray, but you can say whatever you think you need to.
Part two of the question: What it means is that Jesus will be in your life and with you always. You will be filled with the Holy Spirit and will be able to live an empowered life to live the way God intended.
Sample Prayer:
Lord Jesus, I want to know you personally. I'm sorry for going my own way and trying to find my own path. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door to my life and ask you to be my Saviour and Lord. Thank you for forgiving me of my sins and giving me eternal life. Take control of my life. Make me the kind of person you want me to be. Amen.
7. Now what?
Now you are filled with the Holy Spirit and are in a relationship with Jesus. All your past sins have been forgiven and you have just started a long journey. "As these mountains of doubt, they fade away, I'm longing to trust and love You more". There will be times when you doubt, but if you truly seek, you will find God's truth and love for you wipe away the doubts. There's always room to grow closer to God, it's not an instant process. I still have a long way to go. The best way to start growing in your relationship is by exploring God's word, the Bible, and see what He has done for you. I advise starting in the book of John. You should also pray regularly. No relationship grows if only one person is doing the talking. You should also get to know some other people who trust in God by joining a Bible study or going to a church.
Also, if you have just accepted Christ into your life, please message me. =D I'm super excited about this. Leave a comment, or you can email me: dylan.dfa@gmail.com
Ya. xP I hope you come to know God more closely and I will try to help answer any questions or help you in any way I can.
Ttyl.
D.Fa
PS. There is a lot more I could tell you about God and Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
PPS. Starfield is pretty cool.
6.2.11
'I think that was the most asian thing you've done in a while.'
So, ya.
It is Sunday, I was on the worship team today, we played some neato upbeat positive songs, but no trainwreck endings. Today's call to worship was the song 'I Surrender All' to which AL explained a few thoughts on the subject. Saying that the usual way it is interpreted is that we surrender all to Jesus, ie even when the going gets tough, too bad Jesus helps us win the battle! This is true, but there is also the very importnat part in which you admit defeat and surrender. If you don't admit defeat, do you really need Jesus..? Yes, you need Jesus, but will you believe that you need Him..?
Yesterday I was thinking of the idea that we have been freed from our slavery to sin by Jesus. Before Jesus had set us free, we had no choice but to live in the consequences of our sin. But now we have the choice. The choice to continue sinning or follow Jesus. Often we will think why didn't He just destroy all sin? It would be way easier for us. But then it wouldn't be true free will He gave us when He created us. Free will is one of the very basic yet important things that God gave us when we were created. He will not force you to love Him, He will not force you to follow Him, He will not force you to go to heaven if you would rather live apart from Him, He gives you the choice. We had no choice before. We were born inheriting the sins of our parents and so right from the start we had no choice. But since Jesus has died on the cross and risen again to set us free, he gives us the choice. (lol. I think I used the word choice too much in this paragraph. Almost as much as that other time. lol) 'Can't make my own decisions, or make any with precision. Well maybe you should tie me up, so I don't go where you don't want me.'
Well, ya. I finished all my work around 6 so I had a lot of free time. I have a lot of food in my house now. Half leftovers from my parents and half stuff I bought because it was on sale. xP
So, ya.
Ttyl.
D.Fa
It is Sunday, I was on the worship team today, we played some neato upbeat positive songs, but no trainwreck endings. Today's call to worship was the song 'I Surrender All' to which AL explained a few thoughts on the subject. Saying that the usual way it is interpreted is that we surrender all to Jesus, ie even when the going gets tough, too bad Jesus helps us win the battle! This is true, but there is also the very importnat part in which you admit defeat and surrender. If you don't admit defeat, do you really need Jesus..? Yes, you need Jesus, but will you believe that you need Him..?
Yesterday I was thinking of the idea that we have been freed from our slavery to sin by Jesus. Before Jesus had set us free, we had no choice but to live in the consequences of our sin. But now we have the choice. The choice to continue sinning or follow Jesus. Often we will think why didn't He just destroy all sin? It would be way easier for us. But then it wouldn't be true free will He gave us when He created us. Free will is one of the very basic yet important things that God gave us when we were created. He will not force you to love Him, He will not force you to follow Him, He will not force you to go to heaven if you would rather live apart from Him, He gives you the choice. We had no choice before. We were born inheriting the sins of our parents and so right from the start we had no choice. But since Jesus has died on the cross and risen again to set us free, he gives us the choice. (lol. I think I used the word choice too much in this paragraph. Almost as much as that other time. lol) 'Can't make my own decisions, or make any with precision. Well maybe you should tie me up, so I don't go where you don't want me.'
Well, ya. I finished all my work around 6 so I had a lot of free time. I have a lot of food in my house now. Half leftovers from my parents and half stuff I bought because it was on sale. xP
So, ya.
Ttyl.
D.Fa
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