"LORD, remember David, and all his afflictions: How he sware unto the LORD, and vowed unto the mighty God of Jacob; Surely I will not come into the tabernacle of my house, nor go up into my bed; I will not give sleep to mine eyes, or slumber to mine eyelids, Until I find out a place for the LORD, an habitation for the mighty God of Jacob." Psalm 132:1-5
I was in the midst of my reading through the scriptures, wondering when I would get a new blog topic. I hadn't felt the Lord impressing anything upon my heart( my fault for not being as in tuned as I needed to be ) But finally He spoke! It seems like the Lord gives me these topics when I start to stray, of have strayed from His path for me. We, as Christians, all have those moments..some longer than others...where we start doing things our way and before long we find ourselves say "WHOA how did I get way over here?!" That's when we then have to get on our knees and humble ourselves before our Father and let Him bring us back to where He wants us. Well enough of the rabbit chasing!
The above passage, from what I can gather, was probably written by Solomon, David's son. While David was not allowed to build the temple, the Lord did allow him to set the stage for Solomon to. The scripture accounts for how David searched day and night, seeking God's permanent site for the Tabernacle, which God instituted after Israel was released from Egypt and wandered in the wilderness. David searched and worked tirelessly, not sleeping or even entering his own bed until He did as he vowed unto the Lord. Because of that, the Lord blessed Him by allowing Solomon to complete the task.
There is a great message in that for us today! God seeks for a dwelling place. Its not in a building, behind a curtain. Its in our hearts. If you have accepted Christ you have already opened the door, if you have not Christ is waiting!
We must ask ourselves though, if we have accepted Christ, did God become Housed in our hearts? Many Christians have fallen into the trap of thinking they are ok because we have accepted Christ, yet we still have not let God have His home. We have the closets in the house filled with junk that we have collected because of our sin nature as humans. God can not and will not share His home with anything thats not pleasing to Him.
David had that problem to, he sinned mightily against the Lord, yet he was still called "the man after God's own heart"
How can we apply what happened in Davids life with ours? Well we must be tireless! We have to work hard to empty those nasty closets and throw out the trash. The Lord wants his tabernacle clean. He will do it but we must be willing to let Him work in us. We have to spend hour after hour, minute after minute, second after second striving to follow Him. Through scripture, prayer, and meditation. When complete, God will have built a house you found for Him. Like I am sure happened with David, the place was right in front of him, God just have to inspire him to find it. God does that when He calls us to be His child. We find a home that's in need of the GREATEST tenant of all time and when we open up the door things will never be the same!
God Bless!
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Friday, April 30, 2010
You are so GOOD to me!
"Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever." Psalm 106:1
As a believer and follower of Christ, this verse is one we have to ALWAYS remember. God is not just good though, He is GREAT! He deserves all our thanks and praise, in the good and the bad. Personally I have learned through the good and bad I CAN praise Him. With all that I have struggled with over the last 2 years, I could have easily given up like so many do and just turn my life over to do whatever I could to survive. But that's not God's plan for His children. He has something so much more for them. We have to keep pressing on, as the Apostle Paul says, there is a higher mark we have! All the while we are attacked by satan! I have felt that attack. The closer I have striving to get to my Lord, the more darts and evil satan throws at me.
Now back on God being good, He is not going to sit back forever letting satan do that attacking without showing hope to His. Just this week I felt first hand God's greatness. He allowed me to begin a new job closer to home and with the benefits would be making about the same I was at my previous job. THAT DAY, after knowing what I would be getting paid the Lord showed up and the company restructured pay and in just 4 hours "working" I got a "pay raise"! Praise God! Then yesterday started off bad, I checked my bank account and NO PAYCHECK deposited. I panic, but I quickly said a prayer to God to take it and use it to His Glory. Guess what? He did! I was able to workout the issue with my bank and given another day to make my payment to them. The day didn't stop there. I have been struggling mightily financially and KNEW that my check was going to be small. So Yesterday I go to pick up my final check, start walking away and looked down at it and was FLOORED! I had to go back and ask if this was right, and sure enough there is was printed on the check, it was more than DOUBLE what I expected. First thing I could say was GOD, YOU ARE SO GOOD TO ME!
That is testimony to show that through whatever comes, have faith and God will bless it. But YOU must continue in the path of serving Him, even when things are going great. So if you are struggling just know God has a time and place for everything. He will bless you when He deems it is time. I hope through my experience someone will find peace about their problems. I am not out of the woods, but boy it feels nice to know there is some clearing up ahead! God, thank you for being so good to me!
As a believer and follower of Christ, this verse is one we have to ALWAYS remember. God is not just good though, He is GREAT! He deserves all our thanks and praise, in the good and the bad. Personally I have learned through the good and bad I CAN praise Him. With all that I have struggled with over the last 2 years, I could have easily given up like so many do and just turn my life over to do whatever I could to survive. But that's not God's plan for His children. He has something so much more for them. We have to keep pressing on, as the Apostle Paul says, there is a higher mark we have! All the while we are attacked by satan! I have felt that attack. The closer I have striving to get to my Lord, the more darts and evil satan throws at me.
Now back on God being good, He is not going to sit back forever letting satan do that attacking without showing hope to His. Just this week I felt first hand God's greatness. He allowed me to begin a new job closer to home and with the benefits would be making about the same I was at my previous job. THAT DAY, after knowing what I would be getting paid the Lord showed up and the company restructured pay and in just 4 hours "working" I got a "pay raise"! Praise God! Then yesterday started off bad, I checked my bank account and NO PAYCHECK deposited. I panic, but I quickly said a prayer to God to take it and use it to His Glory. Guess what? He did! I was able to workout the issue with my bank and given another day to make my payment to them. The day didn't stop there. I have been struggling mightily financially and KNEW that my check was going to be small. So Yesterday I go to pick up my final check, start walking away and looked down at it and was FLOORED! I had to go back and ask if this was right, and sure enough there is was printed on the check, it was more than DOUBLE what I expected. First thing I could say was GOD, YOU ARE SO GOOD TO ME!
That is testimony to show that through whatever comes, have faith and God will bless it. But YOU must continue in the path of serving Him, even when things are going great. So if you are struggling just know God has a time and place for everything. He will bless you when He deems it is time. I hope through my experience someone will find peace about their problems. I am not out of the woods, but boy it feels nice to know there is some clearing up ahead! God, thank you for being so good to me!
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Keep My Heart
"Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee. Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee. Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil." Proverbs 4:23-27
This morning I sat here a moment trying to get my mind together from sleep and thinking about the past couple days at work. They have been days that SHOULD have been much easier with a new directive with more people added to my "crew". Well, that did not occur. I have 3 different bosses in my ear with seemingly 100 different directions they want me and those I am trying to guide to go. Admittedly, the last 2 days I lost my cool and snapped back at my 2 direct supervisors. Just like anything else bad decisions turn more bad decisions. They made a unwise call in a objective for me to complete and with me in my already "bad" mood made the unwise decision to share my displeasure with the way they were changing plans on me. I say all that to say this morning I realized I must STOP and not lose it.
This morning I did what I have learned to do more and more, I turned to God and His Word, especially in times of trouble(We should also be the same way in times of joy as well!) . I love the book of Proverbs and the passage above quickly jumped out at me. As a child of God I MUST present myself better before EVERYONE. I can't let the troubles of work and life get to me. I have to remember to look ahead at the goal and not all the bad going on around me. God placed me here to honor and serve Him. I can't do that very well when I am angry or disappointed with the people I am around. Scripture above say to "remove thy foot from evil". How do I do that? I will have to go back to the thing I used to do and become the person I used to be somewhat in just taking a breath and biting my tongue. So today being off, I am going to sit back, take a deep breath, pray, and let God take care of these issues. Thats got to be the way we do ANYTHING in life. Mine just happens to involve work. You can apply it to money issues, relationships, or anything thats got you down.
We MUST, as Proverbs 4:23 says "Keep thy heart with all diligence.." Satan is alive an well. I fully believe all the struggles I have been going through with money and NOW work, is Satan. I made an even deeper decision a few month ago to be souled out to God and work harder to know Him more and serve Him better. I have been reading scripture more, have gotten behind but will keep going, been more active with sharing God's word with others. Satan will do anything to slow down those who are drawing closer to God. I have seen it with me and others.
If you are reading this and do not know the love of God in your life, today can be the day you can know it. Send me a message to josephlawson81_00@yahoo.com and I will be more than happy to share how to become a follower of Christ and be a Child of God!
This morning I sat here a moment trying to get my mind together from sleep and thinking about the past couple days at work. They have been days that SHOULD have been much easier with a new directive with more people added to my "crew". Well, that did not occur. I have 3 different bosses in my ear with seemingly 100 different directions they want me and those I am trying to guide to go. Admittedly, the last 2 days I lost my cool and snapped back at my 2 direct supervisors. Just like anything else bad decisions turn more bad decisions. They made a unwise call in a objective for me to complete and with me in my already "bad" mood made the unwise decision to share my displeasure with the way they were changing plans on me. I say all that to say this morning I realized I must STOP and not lose it.
This morning I did what I have learned to do more and more, I turned to God and His Word, especially in times of trouble(We should also be the same way in times of joy as well!) . I love the book of Proverbs and the passage above quickly jumped out at me. As a child of God I MUST present myself better before EVERYONE. I can't let the troubles of work and life get to me. I have to remember to look ahead at the goal and not all the bad going on around me. God placed me here to honor and serve Him. I can't do that very well when I am angry or disappointed with the people I am around. Scripture above say to "remove thy foot from evil". How do I do that? I will have to go back to the thing I used to do and become the person I used to be somewhat in just taking a breath and biting my tongue. So today being off, I am going to sit back, take a deep breath, pray, and let God take care of these issues. Thats got to be the way we do ANYTHING in life. Mine just happens to involve work. You can apply it to money issues, relationships, or anything thats got you down.
We MUST, as Proverbs 4:23 says "Keep thy heart with all diligence.." Satan is alive an well. I fully believe all the struggles I have been going through with money and NOW work, is Satan. I made an even deeper decision a few month ago to be souled out to God and work harder to know Him more and serve Him better. I have been reading scripture more, have gotten behind but will keep going, been more active with sharing God's word with others. Satan will do anything to slow down those who are drawing closer to God. I have seen it with me and others.
If you are reading this and do not know the love of God in your life, today can be the day you can know it. Send me a message to josephlawson81_00@yahoo.com and I will be more than happy to share how to become a follower of Christ and be a Child of God!
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
WHY?
"For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding." Proverbs 2:6
Sometimes it hard to figure out why things go the way they do. Why do jobs have to be difficult? Why does the money always seem to run out? Why am I sick? Why does my vehicle break down? Why why why?? And while we don't know, the scriptures points to the one who does. The Lord will, if you humbly come as a believer and follower of Christ, give you the knowledge and understanding you need to get through the hard times.
"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding." Proverbs 3:5
Sometimes it hard to figure out why things go the way they do. Why do jobs have to be difficult? Why does the money always seem to run out? Why am I sick? Why does my vehicle break down? Why why why?? And while we don't know, the scriptures points to the one who does. The Lord will, if you humbly come as a believer and follower of Christ, give you the knowledge and understanding you need to get through the hard times.
"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding." Proverbs 3:5
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Singing
God has really worked on me. I have always liked to sing, never thought I had much a voice for it, but I never intended to sing a lot in front of others. Sure I sang in youth choir and now adult choir, but that's about it because my voice could hide. Since the end of January God has had other plans! He has been opening doors to use the hidden voice HE gave me. After doing a few specials at church over the weeks, tonight I sang at another church. It was FUN! I love praising the Lord and its much sweeter in company of people who love Him as well!
I just say this to bring up a point that God gives everyone talents and abilities that He wants us to use. We have blessings waiting on the other side just for using them. So if you have a hidden talent, USE IT!
P.S. During the writing of this, God opened a door for me to sing at a Revival in Junction City, LA. I pray God continues to use this surrendered vessel to honor and glorify HIM!
I just say this to bring up a point that God gives everyone talents and abilities that He wants us to use. We have blessings waiting on the other side just for using them. So if you have a hidden talent, USE IT!
P.S. During the writing of this, God opened a door for me to sing at a Revival in Junction City, LA. I pray God continues to use this surrendered vessel to honor and glorify HIM!
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Masquerade
Just recently I was given a case of song tracks to go through, so I could have more selections of songs to sing for specials at church or where ever. I saw the track by Casting Crowns calls "Stained Glass Masquerade" but passed it by. Last Friday night me and Bro. John Paul met at the church to sing a little and see if there were anything we would like to work on. The first track John pulled out was that track I passed over. He played it and wow did it have some great lyrics. It was so true of the church today, even at Victory! (I will post the lyrics at the end)
Now I am not going to name names or say anything that will point out anyone. But the song talks about churches that do not have Jesus in total control of the entire congregation. We walk into a church building on Sunday morning, find our little pew, sing a couple songs out of a hymnal, hear the preach speak some, stand there as "Just as I am" is played, "pray", then go home. Never to think of church, to pick up or Bible, Jesus, or God again til Sunday morning. We come to God's house as Christians to get filled up and built up. But thats not happening. EVERYONE has a problem or knows someone with one, and instead of falling on our faces before God with brothers and sisters in Christ praying for these problems, you just STAND THERE. We are not strong enough to handle anything, God is.
We spend 6 days out of week living how we want, then walk into the house of God like there is not a thing wrong. The fellow members might not know, but God does. As long as we keep holding things back from God, He will not move in the way we would think in our church. God wants our everything inside and outside the church. Victory is not immune to this, I feel that there is a Masquerade going on inside her walls. People claiming to be "souled" out to God, yet they don't live it. Saying they love God, yet don't even attempt to show it. Come on people, we need to get about the Father's business. Attending services 2-3 times a week and doing nothing more will not do it. JUST teaching a class, won't do it. We have to give everything we do to Christ. There are people right here in Hampton, lost and dying, but all we want to do is hide behind a mask a church then walk back out and yank off the mask and get right back to doing nothing for God, well I promise that mask is not fooling God. Why do we do this? Afraid of offending someone? Afraid of not getting to have any fun? Why?
So are you living a masquerade? Are you walking into the Lord's house like there is no problems anywhere in your life and not giving them to God? Do you know people that are lost, yet do not try to share Christ with them? Church, if we would just humble ourselves, give these problems to God and leave them there with Him, there is no telling what will happen inside the walls of the church house! I want to see Victory and all church filled with worship, not afraid of what others will think. Just a place filled with God's presence!
"Stained Glass Masquerade" - Casting Crowns
Is there anyone that fails
Is there anyone that falls
Am I the only one in church today feelin' so small
Cause when I take a look around
Everybody seems so strong
I know they'll soon discover
That I don't belong
So I tuck it all away, like everything's okay
If I make them all believe it, maybe I'll believe it too
So with a painted grin, I play the heart again
So everyone will see me the way that I see them
Are we happy plastic people
Under shiny plastic steeples
With walls around our weakness
And smiles to hide our pain
But if the invitation's open
To every heart that has been broken
Maybe then we close the curtain
On our stained glass masquerade
Is there anyone who's been there
Are there any hands to raise
Am I the only one who's traded
In the altar for a stage
The performance is convincing
And we know every line by heart
Only when no one is watching
Can we really fall apart
But would it set me free
If I dared to let you see
The truth behind the person
That you imagine me to be
Would your arms be open
Or would you walk away
Would the love of Jesus
Be enough to make you stay
Now I am not going to name names or say anything that will point out anyone. But the song talks about churches that do not have Jesus in total control of the entire congregation. We walk into a church building on Sunday morning, find our little pew, sing a couple songs out of a hymnal, hear the preach speak some, stand there as "Just as I am" is played, "pray", then go home. Never to think of church, to pick up or Bible, Jesus, or God again til Sunday morning. We come to God's house as Christians to get filled up and built up. But thats not happening. EVERYONE has a problem or knows someone with one, and instead of falling on our faces before God with brothers and sisters in Christ praying for these problems, you just STAND THERE. We are not strong enough to handle anything, God is.
We spend 6 days out of week living how we want, then walk into the house of God like there is not a thing wrong. The fellow members might not know, but God does. As long as we keep holding things back from God, He will not move in the way we would think in our church. God wants our everything inside and outside the church. Victory is not immune to this, I feel that there is a Masquerade going on inside her walls. People claiming to be "souled" out to God, yet they don't live it. Saying they love God, yet don't even attempt to show it. Come on people, we need to get about the Father's business. Attending services 2-3 times a week and doing nothing more will not do it. JUST teaching a class, won't do it. We have to give everything we do to Christ. There are people right here in Hampton, lost and dying, but all we want to do is hide behind a mask a church then walk back out and yank off the mask and get right back to doing nothing for God, well I promise that mask is not fooling God. Why do we do this? Afraid of offending someone? Afraid of not getting to have any fun? Why?
So are you living a masquerade? Are you walking into the Lord's house like there is no problems anywhere in your life and not giving them to God? Do you know people that are lost, yet do not try to share Christ with them? Church, if we would just humble ourselves, give these problems to God and leave them there with Him, there is no telling what will happen inside the walls of the church house! I want to see Victory and all church filled with worship, not afraid of what others will think. Just a place filled with God's presence!
"Stained Glass Masquerade" - Casting Crowns
Is there anyone that fails
Is there anyone that falls
Am I the only one in church today feelin' so small
Cause when I take a look around
Everybody seems so strong
I know they'll soon discover
That I don't belong
So I tuck it all away, like everything's okay
If I make them all believe it, maybe I'll believe it too
So with a painted grin, I play the heart again
So everyone will see me the way that I see them
Are we happy plastic people
Under shiny plastic steeples
With walls around our weakness
And smiles to hide our pain
But if the invitation's open
To every heart that has been broken
Maybe then we close the curtain
On our stained glass masquerade
Is there anyone who's been there
Are there any hands to raise
Am I the only one who's traded
In the altar for a stage
The performance is convincing
And we know every line by heart
Only when no one is watching
Can we really fall apart
But would it set me free
If I dared to let you see
The truth behind the person
That you imagine me to be
Would your arms be open
Or would you walk away
Would the love of Jesus
Be enough to make you stay
Monday, March 8, 2010
Follow You
Lately I have heard some great songs being released, the best ones have been mission themed. It has put me in a mission mind lately. I went on 2 mission trips while in college. The BCM made trips to Southern Illinois University and Western Illinois University. I enjoyed those but one day would love to do a mission trip to another country! The people outside of the states that have not heard the gospel like we have here and from hearing stories are hungry to hear about Christ. That would be an awesome mission trip!
Anyways here is the song I REALLY like!
Follow You- Leeland feat. Brandon Heath
You lived among the least of these
The weary and the weak
And it would be a tragedy for me to turn away.
All my needs you have supplied.
When I was dead you gave me life.
How could I not give it away so freely?
And I'll follow you into the homes that are broken.
Follow you into the world.
Meet the needs for the poor and the needy God.
Follow you into the World.
Use my hands, use my feet
To make your kingdom come
Through the corners of the earth
Until your work is done
'Cause Faith without works is dead
And on the cross your blood was she'd
So how could I not give it away so freely?
And I'll follow you into the homes that are broken.
Follow you into the world.
Meet the needs for the poor and the needy God.
Follow you into the World.
(X2)
I give all myself.
I give all myself
I give all myself... to you.
And I give all myself.
Yes, I give all myself.
And I give all myself... to you.
And I'll follow you into the homes that are broken
Follow you into the world.
Meet the needs for the poor and the needy God.
Follow you into the World.
(X2)
Anyways here is the song I REALLY like!
Follow You- Leeland feat. Brandon Heath
You lived among the least of these
The weary and the weak
And it would be a tragedy for me to turn away.
All my needs you have supplied.
When I was dead you gave me life.
How could I not give it away so freely?
And I'll follow you into the homes that are broken.
Follow you into the world.
Meet the needs for the poor and the needy God.
Follow you into the World.
Use my hands, use my feet
To make your kingdom come
Through the corners of the earth
Until your work is done
'Cause Faith without works is dead
And on the cross your blood was she'd
So how could I not give it away so freely?
And I'll follow you into the homes that are broken.
Follow you into the world.
Meet the needs for the poor and the needy God.
Follow you into the World.
(X2)
I give all myself.
I give all myself
I give all myself... to you.
And I give all myself.
Yes, I give all myself.
And I give all myself... to you.
And I'll follow you into the homes that are broken
Follow you into the world.
Meet the needs for the poor and the needy God.
Follow you into the World.
(X2)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)