Tonight I went to get coffee with my buddy Nathaniel, as is usual for a Wednesday night after church. We sat and talked about nothing important and left just before the store was closing. We continued talking outside his car and out of the corner of my eye I saw a homeless man and knew instantly that he was going to come over to us. So I said to God as the man was walking over, "Ok God, use me." Simple. He asked us if we had any money and I did so I gave him a couple bucks. I asked him what he needed it for because I don't like to just give money away, and sure he could lie to me and say anything, but that's not so important. We talked to him for a little while and found his name was Roger. He camps out in Central Point, he's got a bad knee from surgery, and he has a few screws in there he said.
After talking with him for a bit I asked if we could prayer for him. He said, "Sure. A tall fella with blond hair just prayed for me." The "tall fella" was my buddy Tory who was at the Dairy Queen just down the block. So we prayed. We started declaring the goodness of God over his life. That he would feel the love of God all around him and he would experience the blessings that God had for him. We prayed that he would feel the Father's embrace and that his finances would be blessed. We also prayed for healing over his leg. Then I asked him if he believed in God and in Jesus, His son? And he said he did. He even had one of those classic pictures of Jesus in his wallet. Then we blessed him and me and Nathaniel went our separate ways home.
On my way home I found out that Tory had prayed many of the same things that we had prayed over Roger. As I continued home I began to worship over Roger's life and did more praying and prophesying and contending for this man.
What's important about this story is not that I gave this man a few bucks and did a "good deed", it's that he heard the kingdom of God spoken over his life. Giving to the poor is great, and we should do it, but it's not the only thing they need. What they need is the truth of Jesus and the destiny He has for them. They need to know the worth they have in God's kingdom. Roger heard the heart of God tonight, what he chooses to do with it is his business. But I believe that God was trying to get a hold of him tonight. The fact that he ran into me and Tory is no coincidence. Roger could of walked off in any which way but he ran into me and Nathaniel. It's also no coincidence that our prayers were very much the same. We're a couple of guys who hear God's heart and and speak it.
In the busyness of life, and sometimes self-centerness, it's easy to pass by the Roger's of the world and pay no attention to them. But God is looking for people who are willing to lay down their lives and simply say, "Use me God." What happened tonight was simple, but powerful! Sometimes we're looking for the big things when all God wants us to do is pause and take a moment to value a life that the world would say doesn't have much value at all. The glory of God is spread with the simple act of obedience and the willingness to lay down our lives.
So when you have time pray for Roger. If you've never meet him or seen his face it's ok because God knows him. Lives are changed because of prayer! Make yourself available to God in your day to day life. We don't always have to be the headliner. Sometimes we're just asked to do the simple thing that has a powerful impact for the kingdom of God.
Be blessed!
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Monday, June 13, 2011
Peace With The Father
Though the wind may howl and the waves crash down
There is peace in Your love
When the lightning flashes and the thunder roars
I am at peace in the arms of my Yahweh
Though the hail pours down & the earth does shake
I will rest in the presence of our King
When the crowd yells curses and beat my body down
I will not grow weary because of the strength of Jehovah
My body may break my heart stop ticking
But I will dwell in the house of my Father
This world is against me but it cannot beat me
It is not eternal like my soul
My God He loves me
My God He saves me
He sees me when I'm lost on the street
He hears me when I'm stuck in the muck
Like a lion to her babe He protects me and keeps me close
I will not be afraid
I will fear no evil
I will not be subject to sin and death
I will rise above my fear
I will vanquish the evil
Sin is broken and death is beaten
What can I fear? The battle is won!
He has done it. He has done it!
I will bask forever in the glory of our King
The wind may howl and the waves crash down
The lightning may flash but this storm will pass
The hail may pour and the thunder roar
The earth may shake and the earth may break
But I will rest in the presence of Jehovah
I will rest by the throne of our King
I will rest in the arms of my Father
There is peace in Your love
When the lightning flashes and the thunder roars
I am at peace in the arms of my Yahweh
Though the hail pours down & the earth does shake
I will rest in the presence of our King
When the crowd yells curses and beat my body down
I will not grow weary because of the strength of Jehovah
My body may break my heart stop ticking
But I will dwell in the house of my Father
This world is against me but it cannot beat me
It is not eternal like my soul
My God He loves me
My God He saves me
He sees me when I'm lost on the street
He hears me when I'm stuck in the muck
Like a lion to her babe He protects me and keeps me close
I will not be afraid
I will fear no evil
I will not be subject to sin and death
I will rise above my fear
I will vanquish the evil
Sin is broken and death is beaten
What can I fear? The battle is won!
He has done it. He has done it!
I will bask forever in the glory of our King
The wind may howl and the waves crash down
The lightning may flash but this storm will pass
The hail may pour and the thunder roar
The earth may shake and the earth may break
But I will rest in the presence of Jehovah
I will rest by the throne of our King
I will rest in the arms of my Father
The Watcher Of The Night
When nighttime comes and sun is gone
There is a man who watches over
Those sleeping hours of sunless slumber
He flies hither and thither
With soundless steps he steps
He comes like lightning and is gone in a flash
He is a shadow of the night
A shining star to the lost
And a beacon of hope to the hopeless
Motherless babes he comforts
That watcher of the night
Let all who are lost all who are broken
There is a man who watches over
Those sleeping hours of sunless slumber
He flies hither and thither
With soundless steps he steps
He comes like lightning and is gone in a flash
He is a shadow of the night
A shining star to the lost
And a beacon of hope to the hopeless
Motherless babes he comforts
That watcher of the night
Let all who are lost all who are broken
Gather to the watcher of the night
He comes in times of need
He answers our desperate calls
So when you are weak call
He comes in times of need
He answers our desperate calls
So when you are weak call
When you cannot stand and all strength has left you
Call for that watcher of the night
Call for that watcher of the night
O How I Am Wicked... But There Is Hope For Me
When I wanted to use my hands for evil
My Lord held them tight never letting go
When I wanted to use my tongue to curse and destroy
He bound my tongue saying, "This isn't for you son of the light."
He kept me from my fleshly desires
He kept me from acting in anger and deathly judgment
God truly knows what is good for me
If it weren't for Him I would be a wicked man
I can't even speak of the things I would do
For they are truly atrocious and dishonor our God
I've been bought with the blood of the lamb
How sweet my freedom is
No longer am I bound to death
I will never experience it
Though my body will break down and die my spirit will live forever
with the Father
I cried out to the Lord in my anger yelling, "Let the wicked fall! Let judgment sweep over them! May they feel my wraith! Let me loose Lord! I want this done now! I cannot wait for your judgment! I am apart from it! Least you act now it will be me! Can you not use me as your right hand? Let me cures the wicked and crush them with anger."
But my Lord denied me.
He would not allow it.
For I was a man acting out of hellish rage
This was not righteousness
It was not holiness
He has called me to greater things
My old self longs to live
He fights constantly to consume my new self
He hates all that I am
He is vigorous in his death
And a shadow upon my face
I will never let him loose again
O how the Lord let's me see my evil ways
I do not wish to see my judgment poured out
For it would be ugly lacking all holiness
I now see that God is the only one who can do so with holiness and righteousness
Lord forgive me for my foolishness
Help me be holy as you are holy
Let all that I am praise the Lord
Praise the Lord!
My Lord held them tight never letting go
When I wanted to use my tongue to curse and destroy
He bound my tongue saying, "This isn't for you son of the light."
He kept me from my fleshly desires
He kept me from acting in anger and deathly judgment
God truly knows what is good for me
If it weren't for Him I would be a wicked man
I can't even speak of the things I would do
For they are truly atrocious and dishonor our God
I've been bought with the blood of the lamb
How sweet my freedom is
No longer am I bound to death
I will never experience it
Though my body will break down and die my spirit will live forever
with the Father
I cried out to the Lord in my anger yelling, "Let the wicked fall! Let judgment sweep over them! May they feel my wraith! Let me loose Lord! I want this done now! I cannot wait for your judgment! I am apart from it! Least you act now it will be me! Can you not use me as your right hand? Let me cures the wicked and crush them with anger."
But my Lord denied me.
He would not allow it.
For I was a man acting out of hellish rage
This was not righteousness
It was not holiness
He has called me to greater things
My old self longs to live
He fights constantly to consume my new self
He hates all that I am
He is vigorous in his death
And a shadow upon my face
I will never let him loose again
O how the Lord let's me see my evil ways
I do not wish to see my judgment poured out
For it would be ugly lacking all holiness
I now see that God is the only one who can do so with holiness and righteousness
Lord forgive me for my foolishness
Help me be holy as you are holy
Let all that I am praise the Lord
Praise the Lord!
His Great Joy In Us
In my distress I fell down
And who was it who caught me?
It was the Father
His arms so big and comforting
He sang sweet songs over me when I feared evil would overtake me
He stroked my hair and I felt at peace
He laughed with me and the darkness fled
Oh how little the worries of the world are when the Father holds you
Close
Do you know how joyful God is when you choose to come to Him?
It is worth more than all the treasurers of the world
The choir of heaven sings rejoicing over us
Oh how He loves us
We will never know
But we can find rest in the Fathers arms
When I was angry and wanted to fight
He calmed me and told me it was in His hands
When I wanted to do evil He came and saved me from my wickedness
Oh how God is always right
He knows how to comfort my soul
And how to quite my storm
So I say again
Come rest in the Fathers arms
Let Him show you His love for you and His love for the world
And who was it who caught me?
It was the Father
His arms so big and comforting
He sang sweet songs over me when I feared evil would overtake me
He stroked my hair and I felt at peace
He laughed with me and the darkness fled
Oh how little the worries of the world are when the Father holds you
Close
Do you know how joyful God is when you choose to come to Him?
It is worth more than all the treasurers of the world
The choir of heaven sings rejoicing over us
Oh how He loves us
We will never know
But we can find rest in the Fathers arms
When I was angry and wanted to fight
He calmed me and told me it was in His hands
When I wanted to do evil He came and saved me from my wickedness
Oh how God is always right
He knows how to comfort my soul
And how to quite my storm
So I say again
Come rest in the Fathers arms
Let Him show you His love for you and His love for the world
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Jehovah Our Rock
Let the joy of the Lord who is our rock
Pour out on His people to fill the streets
Let hope rise up like the rising sun
Let Your strength fill Your people like the blood in their veins
Jehovah Salome deliver Your peace
Let the children smile with the moon and the stars
Come Lord come Your people are thirsty
Send Your waters that refresh and restore
Your people are hungry please fill them with food
The people cried out for Jehovah and He was there
They asked to be saved and You were there
The enemy threw rocks and stones to beat Your people down
But they only untied under the banner of God
You are our shepherd and You defend Your flock
You accept all stragglers and renew their souls
Jehovah is our rock a mighty warrior
He wars on our behalf we shall not be in want.
Pour out on His people to fill the streets
Let hope rise up like the rising sun
Let Your strength fill Your people like the blood in their veins
Jehovah Salome deliver Your peace
Let the children smile with the moon and the stars
Come Lord come Your people are thirsty
Send Your waters that refresh and restore
Your people are hungry please fill them with food
The people cried out for Jehovah and He was there
They asked to be saved and You were there
The enemy threw rocks and stones to beat Your people down
But they only untied under the banner of God
You are our shepherd and You defend Your flock
You accept all stragglers and renew their souls
Jehovah is our rock a mighty warrior
He wars on our behalf we shall not be in want.
Set The Captives Free
Let the chariots of fire be seen upon the hill
Let the rams horn sound across the fields
Let darkness run from your warriors cry
Look the captives are set free
Look those who were in bondage
Those who where in pain have been set free
Their labors lifted off and their burdens made light
Here comes the King of glory
With trumpets sounding and drums blaring
He comes to comfort those with no hope
He heals the sick and mends the broken
The children gather to feel His love
They come to feel the embrace of the Father
Let the rams horn sound across the fields
Let darkness run from your warriors cry
Look the captives are set free
Look those who were in bondage
Those who where in pain have been set free
Their labors lifted off and their burdens made light
Here comes the King of glory
With trumpets sounding and drums blaring
He comes to comfort those with no hope
He heals the sick and mends the broken
The children gather to feel His love
They come to feel the embrace of the Father
Friday, June 10, 2011
Enter The Courts Of The King
Enter the courts of the King
Let the church bells ring
Enter the courts of the King
Let the whole church sing
The godhead shines with all glory
Come let's worship our King
Who can judge a man but God?
Let His justice pour over the earth
Let The angels sing of His great love
Mercy, grace, and peace from His hand to ours
Our God is a good God
He reigns over the heavens and the earth
There is no greater love than His
Pay attention all you angels!
Do you see the Lords beloved?
The enemy holds them as slaves
He whips their backs with fire
Their bodies are sold on the street
And their spirits are dead
Come forth ye heavenly host!
Let loose the arrows of our Lord
The day has come the night is gone
It is time for a new dawn
There is no place for darkness to hide
Nowhere to run that the light will not consume
God's angels slay the wicked men
And empower those who once were weak
The tormentors of this world are gone
Their power lost and their rule no more
God has redeemed His broken sons
And holds His daughters close to heart
Rise up and sing a new song
For God is good and we are His beloved
Let the church bells ring
Enter the courts of the King
Let the whole church sing
The godhead shines with all glory
Come let's worship our King
Who can judge a man but God?
Let His justice pour over the earth
Let The angels sing of His great love
Mercy, grace, and peace from His hand to ours
Our God is a good God
He reigns over the heavens and the earth
There is no greater love than His
Pay attention all you angels!
Do you see the Lords beloved?
The enemy holds them as slaves
He whips their backs with fire
Their bodies are sold on the street
And their spirits are dead
Come forth ye heavenly host!
Let loose the arrows of our Lord
The day has come the night is gone
It is time for a new dawn
There is no place for darkness to hide
Nowhere to run that the light will not consume
God's angels slay the wicked men
And empower those who once were weak
The tormentors of this world are gone
Their power lost and their rule no more
God has redeemed His broken sons
And holds His daughters close to heart
Rise up and sing a new song
For God is good and we are His beloved
THANK YOU GOD!!!
Thank you God
Thank you for the birds in the trees
The rain in the clouds
And the breeze in the eve
Your majesty painted in the sun set
Your honor in the mighty mountains
Your love in the tender ocean
Your glory in the eagles wings
The eagle sings a tender song, the passion of your heart
My heart cries out to you
Like a young cub to his mother
I call out to you!
Thank you for the birds in the trees
The rain in the clouds
And the breeze in the eve
Your majesty painted in the sun set
Your honor in the mighty mountains
Your love in the tender ocean
Your glory in the eagles wings
The eagle sings a tender song, the passion of your heart
My heart cries out to you
Like a young cub to his mother
I call out to you!
God do you hear me?!?!
Is that your voice I hear in the wind?
The sound of your footsteps in the thunder?
How beautiful your creation is!
Whether in prison or free as the sparrow
Whether by night or by day
I will praise the Lord!
God give me a heart of worship
That I may dance to you in my sorrow
And sing to you in my pain
My heart longs for you
But my body betrays you
The nature of this life wraps around my spirit intent to kill
But You as the master gardener would come and break these vines of death!
Body submit!
This body is a temple
And in it I carry the presence of God!
Who then can come against me?
The Lord is for me
And I will not be denied my God given right!
His promises stretch across time
I am made holy by Him!
Thank you God
You have renewed my life
And my way of thinking
My thoughts dwell on heaven
Where my soul is kept safe
I will enter those gates of eternal glory
I will rest in the arms of my king
Though my body dies
I will forever be God's beloved
Thank you God
Creator of all things good
And lover of my soul.
Is that your voice I hear in the wind?
The sound of your footsteps in the thunder?
How beautiful your creation is!
Whether in prison or free as the sparrow
Whether by night or by day
I will praise the Lord!
God give me a heart of worship
That I may dance to you in my sorrow
And sing to you in my pain
My heart longs for you
But my body betrays you
The nature of this life wraps around my spirit intent to kill
But You as the master gardener would come and break these vines of death!
Body submit!
This body is a temple
And in it I carry the presence of God!
Who then can come against me?
The Lord is for me
And I will not be denied my God given right!
His promises stretch across time
I am made holy by Him!
Thank you God
You have renewed my life
And my way of thinking
My thoughts dwell on heaven
Where my soul is kept safe
I will enter those gates of eternal glory
I will rest in the arms of my king
Though my body dies
I will forever be God's beloved
Thank you God
Creator of all things good
And lover of my soul.
Who Is It?
Who is it that removes the winter frost from the trees?
Who is it that breathes the breath of life in a man?
Is it not the Lord your God?
Who is it that softens the hearts of men and closes the jaws of lions?
Who knows the waves of the ocean and the hairs on your head?
No one but the God of Abraham, of Issac, and Israel.
He knew you before you were formed in your mother's womb.
Great are the plans of the Lord your God.
Trust in Him.
He sets even the man in the greatest bondage free.
Can He not free you?
Can He not free you?
Is your trouble so great that the creator of all the animals, of all the seas, and all the stars cannot free you?
The answer is no!
The answer is no!
There is nothing so great, nothing to big for the Lord to overcome!
Nothing is greater than God!
He is the alpha and omega.
The beginning and the end.
He sets the captives free.
He saves me from the hands of evil men.
He heals my brokenness, and brings comfort to my hurting heart.
I do not belong in this earth but in heaven.
I praise the lamb who has redeemed me.
I praise the God of this green earth, the one who has snatched me from the fires of hell.
Praise Him!
Praise Him!
I will not live a life of damnation and bondage.
But a life of freedom, truth, and love.
I live in the greatest peace because He has given it to me in my darkest storm.
I praise you God.
God of heaven and of earth.
You reign over all things.
I will not be shaken because my identity is hidden in Christ Jesus.
In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
Amen!
In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
Amen!
Psalm 102
A prayer of one overwhelmed with trouble, pouring out problems before the Lord.
1 Lord, hear my prayer!
Listen to my plea!
2 Don’t turn away from me
in my time of distress.
Bend down to listen,
and answer me quickly when I call to you.
3 For my days disappear like smoke,
and my bones burn like red-hot coals.
4 My heart is sick, withered like grass,
and I have lost my appetite.
5 Because of my groaning,
I am reduced to skin and bones.
6 I am like an owl in the desert,
like a little owl in a far-off wilderness.
7 I lie awake,
lonely as a solitary bird on the roof.
8 My enemies taunt me day after day.
They mock and curse me.
9 I eat ashes for food.
My tears run down into my drink
10 because of your anger and wrath.
For you have picked me up and thrown me out.
11 My life passes as swiftly as the evening shadows.
I am withering away like grass.
Listen to my plea!
2 Don’t turn away from me
in my time of distress.
Bend down to listen,
and answer me quickly when I call to you.
3 For my days disappear like smoke,
and my bones burn like red-hot coals.
4 My heart is sick, withered like grass,
and I have lost my appetite.
5 Because of my groaning,
I am reduced to skin and bones.
6 I am like an owl in the desert,
like a little owl in a far-off wilderness.
7 I lie awake,
lonely as a solitary bird on the roof.
8 My enemies taunt me day after day.
They mock and curse me.
9 I eat ashes for food.
My tears run down into my drink
10 because of your anger and wrath.
For you have picked me up and thrown me out.
11 My life passes as swiftly as the evening shadows.
I am withering away like grass.
12 But you, O Lord, will sit on your throne forever.
Your fame will endure to every generation.
13 You will arise and have mercy on Jerusalem
and now is the time to pity her,
now is the time you promised to help.
14 For your people love every stone in her walls
and cherish even the dust in her streets.
15 Then the nations will tremble before the Lord.
The kings of the earth will tremble before his glory.
16 For the Lord will rebuild Jerusalem.
He will appear in his glory.
17 He will listen to the prayers of the destitute.
He will not reject their pleas.
Your fame will endure to every generation.
13 You will arise and have mercy on Jerusalem
and now is the time to pity her,
now is the time you promised to help.
14 For your people love every stone in her walls
and cherish even the dust in her streets.
15 Then the nations will tremble before the Lord.
The kings of the earth will tremble before his glory.
16 For the Lord will rebuild Jerusalem.
He will appear in his glory.
17 He will listen to the prayers of the destitute.
He will not reject their pleas.
18 Let this be recorded for future generations,
so that a people not yet born will praise the Lord.
19 Tell them the Lord looked down
from his heavenly sanctuary.
He looked down to earth from heaven
20 to hear the groans of the prisoners,
to release those condemned to die.
21 And so the Lord’s fame will be celebrated in Zion,
his praises in Jerusalem,
22 when multitudes gather together
and kingdoms come to worship the Lord.
so that a people not yet born will praise the Lord.
19 Tell them the Lord looked down
from his heavenly sanctuary.
He looked down to earth from heaven
20 to hear the groans of the prisoners,
to release those condemned to die.
21 And so the Lord’s fame will be celebrated in Zion,
his praises in Jerusalem,
22 when multitudes gather together
and kingdoms come to worship the Lord.
23 He broke my strength in midlife,
cutting short my days.
24 But I cried to him, “O my God, who lives forever,
don’t take my life while I am so young!
25 Long ago you laid the foundation of the earth
and made the heavens with your hands.
26 They will perish, but you remain forever;
they will wear out like old clothing.
You will change them like a garment
and discard them.
27 But you are always the same;
you will live forever.
28 The children of your people
will live in security.
Their children’s children
will thrive in your presence.”
cutting short my days.
24 But I cried to him, “O my God, who lives forever,
don’t take my life while I am so young!
25 Long ago you laid the foundation of the earth
and made the heavens with your hands.
26 They will perish, but you remain forever;
they will wear out like old clothing.
You will change them like a garment
and discard them.
27 But you are always the same;
you will live forever.
28 The children of your people
will live in security.
Their children’s children
will thrive in your presence.”
Psalm 103
A psalm of David.
1 Let all that I am praise the Lord;
with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name.
2 Let all that I am praise the Lord;
may I never forget the good things he does for me.
3 He forgives all my sins
and heals all my diseases.
4 He redeems me from death
and crowns me with love and tender mercies.
5 He fills my life with good things.
My youth is renewed like the eagle’s!
with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name.
2 Let all that I am praise the Lord;
may I never forget the good things he does for me.
3 He forgives all my sins
and heals all my diseases.
4 He redeems me from death
and crowns me with love and tender mercies.
5 He fills my life with good things.
My youth is renewed like the eagle’s!
6 The Lord gives righteousness
and justice to all who are treated unfairly.
and justice to all who are treated unfairly.
7 He revealed his character to Moses
and his deeds to the people of Israel.
8 The Lord is compassionate and merciful,
slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.
9 He will not constantly accuse us,
nor remain angry forever.
10 He does not punish us for all our sins;
he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve.
11 For his unfailing love toward those who fear him
is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth.
12 He has removed our sins as far from us
as the east is from the west.
13 The Lord is like a father to his children,
tender and compassionate to those who fear him.
14 For he knows how weak we are;
he remembers we are only dust.
15 Our days on earth are like grass;
like wildflowers, we bloom and die.
16 The wind blows, and we are gone—
as though we had never been here.
17 But the love of the Lord remains forever
with those who fear him.
His salvation extends to the children’s children
18 of those who are faithful to his covenant,
of those who obey his commandments!
and his deeds to the people of Israel.
8 The Lord is compassionate and merciful,
slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.
9 He will not constantly accuse us,
nor remain angry forever.
10 He does not punish us for all our sins;
he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve.
11 For his unfailing love toward those who fear him
is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth.
12 He has removed our sins as far from us
as the east is from the west.
13 The Lord is like a father to his children,
tender and compassionate to those who fear him.
14 For he knows how weak we are;
he remembers we are only dust.
15 Our days on earth are like grass;
like wildflowers, we bloom and die.
16 The wind blows, and we are gone—
as though we had never been here.
17 But the love of the Lord remains forever
with those who fear him.
His salvation extends to the children’s children
18 of those who are faithful to his covenant,
of those who obey his commandments!
19 The Lord has made the heavens his throne;
from there he rules over everything.
from there he rules over everything.
20 Praise the Lord, you angels,
you mighty ones who carry out his plans,
listening for each of his commands.
21 Yes, praise the Lord, you armies of angels
who serve him and do his will!
22 Praise the Lord, everything he has created,
everything in all his kingdom.
you mighty ones who carry out his plans,
listening for each of his commands.
21 Yes, praise the Lord, you armies of angels
who serve him and do his will!
22 Praise the Lord, everything he has created,
everything in all his kingdom.
Let all that I am praise the Lord.
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