In Christ Alone

"There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear." 1 John 4:18a

[soluschristus7]

To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you.

Lewis B. Smedes

[soluschristus7]

I can't recall the last time I said "I love you" to my parents and vice versa. It has always been this unsaid thing, but we know the love is there. It's good to hear it once in a while though. Here's to a new challenge.

[soluschristus7]

"Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends." Romans 12:9a said to “Let love be genuine.” This is what genuine and pure love looks like. May we learn to love Christ, our family, our friends, and our significant other in this manner.

[tblaberge]

Moment by moment, heartbreak by heartbreak, God is changing and molding you, equipping you to be the tool He will use to build His kingdom. He is filling you up, so that He might pour you out. It is never an easy thing to be poured out for Christ, often times it is with a call to die to self; but its glory will outshine all that we do here on earth. To be used by God is to be chipped and bent, immersed in fire and hammered out on an anvil, it is the defining thing that will set a course for eternity; the call to holiness starts when we say “Send me.” And when we are in the process of this change, our lips must be quick to praise, for we are being made into something wonderful by a God who is altogether good.

T.B. LaBerge // Go Now (via tblaberge)

[jspark3000]

Sometimes when you hear an awesome testimony, read certain Christian books, or see the way another person sings in worship service, it’s easy to become discouraged. Why can’t I have a faith like that? Am I doing it wrong? Do I really get it? What am I missing?This is a losing game … So much of church relies on emotionalism and “feeling God,” so when we no longer feel God, we think something is wrong with us. The truth is: the Bible never calls us to continually duplicate our highs. We’re called to remember the Most High in our lows.If you tried to have a wedding every day of your marriage, it would get exhausting. Preachers often try to do this to you in church, and this is why we keep hitting a dead end. Churches try to whip up a sacred moment out of thin air, but instead should really be reminding us of the reality that Jesus is present in both our mountaintops and valleys.

J.S. from this post  (via jspark3000)

[soluschristus7]

God works in mysterious ways. Almost a year ago (or even a few months ago) if you ask me about work I'd tell you how much I hate it. Now if you ask me, I would tell you I love it and that's mostly because I've grown to love the people I work with, wholeheartedly. I may not be able tell them in person, but I hope that love is evident through my interaction with them.

Thanks, God, for giving me a glimpse of what it means to love.

[soluschristus7]

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Lamentations 3:22-23

[soluschristus7]

Security, healing, peace, joy, faith, friends, relationships, good grades, steady jobs, love, etc are some examples of our wants that we often become too caught up with. We focus a lot on asking God for this and that, forgetting to thank Him for all that He has already given us. More than that, we already have in mind how we want God to answer our prayers and easily mistake the circumstances He placed us in to mean that God hasn't heard our cries.

Precious children of God, God loves you! He knows our hearts; the circumstances (good and bad) that we encounter are meant to draw us closer to Him and a reminder of our constant need of His saving grace. As we continue to grow in Him and recognize His love, we will begin to see how God has already been answering prayers and fulfilling desires. But first and foremost, pursue Him! 

[soluschristus7]

Standing on this mountaintop Looking at just how we've come Knowing that for every step You were with us Never once did we ever walk alone Never once did you leave us on our own You as re faithful, God, you are faithful

[soluschristus7]

Christianity is hard when we try to serve God in man's way instead of serving God in God's way.

AW Tozer

[jspark3000]

Sometimes the tedious, defeating, robot-routine of life rips the life out of me. I forget good simple truths like: God loves me. God understands me. God knows me. God accepts me as I am. That feels selfish. But it’s more selfish to reject that, as if I could do better. Jesus loves me! Let’s keep it that simple.

J.S. (via jspark3000)

[soluschristus7]

Corporate worship is designed to be a sad celebration - sadness over the tragedy of sin and celebration over the gift of glorious grace.

Paul Tripp

[soluschristus7]

Everything is necessary that God sends our way, nothing can be necessary that He withholds.

John Newton

[soluschristus7]

Our Lord saved us from himself for himself by himself.

[soluschristus7]

Hope is Alive

Trapped by guilt, gripped by fear. Where, O Lord, are you? Are my songs and cries nothing but empty praises? Alone in darkness, alone in light. Where, O Lord, are you? To where shall I run? For how long shall I hide? Lost and afraid, broken and hurt. Where, O Lord, are you? Where is your still, faint whisper? Where are your healing hands? My soul cries out in desperation for your touch.

My heart is weak and filthy, my flesh fails; Filled with doubts and unbelief. Love I chase, faith I seek; Both so far out of reach. Grace, mercy, love, and hope None I can comprehend. My soul cries out in desperation for your touch.

To the cross I look, on my knees I bow; To you my heart cries out, "Blessed be the life-giving, death-defying God! You have caused me to be born again to a living hope Through the resurrection of your Son from the dead at Calvary." Where, then, will I place my hope? Whom, then, will I run to?

"You are a failure, you are worthless," The world screams at me. "You are righteous, you are worthy," The Lord gently whispers. Comfort and peace, faith and trust; You are near, Lord, and hope is alive in You. My soul cries out to you, "May You be glorified."

[soluschristus7]

Freedom

I no longer want to live under the shadow of control, delay, complacency, and fear. Please free me from these bondage, Lord. 

Please free me from the idols in my life - relationship/friendships, status, money, career/future plans, etc - for these are not my primary pursuits. You are/should be the primary pursuit in our lives, so help me to pursue You first.

Please free me from all the fear in my life - uncertainties, failure, relationship/friendships, rejection, abandonment, hardships, risks, mistakes, etc. Help me surrender all these strongholds, coming before you with a submissive heart, Lord.

"He will swallow up death forever; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces, and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the Lord has spoken." - Isaiah 25:8

[soluschristus7]

A Prayer for Holy Week

"O Lord, make me generous. Mary, Lazarus's sister, anointed your feet with very costly ointment and wiped them with her hair. I am still so much like Judas, who considered this a waste and felt that the money could have been better spent by giving it to the poor.

"I am so stingy, Lord--especially with my time. I always want to do useful things, and am afraid to waste my "very costly" time. But you want me to sit at your feet like Mary and just be there, resting with you, listening to your words.

"O Lord, make me generous. How will I ever be able to serve the poor if I cannot be poor with you? How can I ever be close to the poor if I don't want you to be close to me? How will I ever be able to show your love to others if I am not free enough to let you show your love to me?

"Make me generous with my time, Lord. During this Holy Week, let me listen quietly to you as you tell me about your sorrow and fear. O Lord, let me console you with my love for you, and hold you in my arms as a friend who wipes away the tears of a friend. Let me be generous, Lord, and forget myself for once. Amen." -Henri Nouwen