I have been thinking a lot lately about holiness...holiness of the mind, holiness of the actions, holiness of the heart. Using terms that other Christians have used, it is easy to be a "good" Christian, but what about a godly Christian? A "good" Christian will only strive so far to please their Lord (stopping at a point where it becomes too uncomfortable), but a godly Christian not only strives towards Christ but is constantly looking for anything that might get in the way of their goal and will not allow ANYTHING to get in the way of that...no matter what the cost. The cost of not pleasing yourself, fitting in, not being "funny" or "fun to be around", and being lonely. There are too many jokes, offensive words, attitudes coming from Christians that are not honoring Jesus; and they are all done under excuses.

Whatever happened to simply loving Jesus with all of your heart...is that not what we were created to do? Is that not the only thing worth living for? Should that not be the basis of everything that we do, say and think?

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Colossians 3:17

Either you are a Christian who has an open heart towards Christ (to have an open heart means to let God have control in every aspect of your life) or you are a Christian who makes excuses for your conduct. There is no in-between.

I am coming to the point in my heart more and more how much I appreciate the buoys in my life. More and more I see a distinct difference between the godly Christians and the worldly Christians...the more I realize it, the more my heart aches.

I just hope that I live a life worthy of my Lord, I just hope I live a life worthy of His calling. He is the only One worth living for...the only One truly worth dying for (dying to self every day).

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Colossians 3:1-4

I want to go to a deeper place in You.

What have I to offer to a world in need?
Yet, for some unknown reason, You have chosen me.
Lord, Youve set my journey, Youve prepared the way.
Still, Im desperate for the words to say, and
all I am is willing; all I have is in Your hands.

Speak for me; this my plea.
Say the words I cant express.
Sing for me a heavenly melody
That the people will be blessed.
Speak for me.

Evry brief encounter that You send my way
Is a chance to show the love You gave me.
I see their troubled faces, a hunger deep inside
But I depend on You to touch their lives.
Light what burns within me, let Your truth shine through my life.

Speak for me; this my plea.
Say the words I cant express.
Sing for me a heavenly melody
That the people will be blessed.
Speak for me.

Sing for me, set me free,
They will see Your holiness.
Speak for me.
cause Your love will lead them on to heavens gate
Where they can look upon Your face.
Light what burns within me, let Your truth shine through my life.

Youre all I have to offer to a world in need.

This season gives us great opportunities to reach out those in need....

I have the God that hears me....

Spiritual warfare has kicked to an all-time high the last few months, and will continue to increase. It seems like once you get over something, satan throws something else right into your face. His main goal is for us to take our eyes off of Jesus...that is all he wants. He wants to take away our joy, our peace, our focus off of Christ.

"BUT I know that my Redeemer lives....For what god is so great as our God? He is the God who performs miracles, He displays His power among the peoples."

I believe what satan is trying to use for evil against us will be used for good. What satan is trying to throw at us to take our eyes off of Jesus will only make us stronger...will only make us more passionate. We have the victory, we have the hope to know that God is going to move in such a mighty way in our church. That is what we hold on to when it gets tough! God is going to make the rough places smooth. Now is the time to step out; God is calling us. He is calling all of us, He's calling you. Now is the time, guys...now is the time.

He has given us His very great and precious promises...and every promise He makes is "Yes, and amen!" in Christ.

Thank you, Jesus, that You make a way where we can not see. You will make a way for us.

"If I have not compassion on my fellowservant, even as my Lord had pity on me, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I can easily discuss the shortcomings and the sins of any; if I can speak in a casual way even of a child's misdoings, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I can enjoy a joke at the expense of another; if I can in any way slight another in conversation, or even in thought, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I can write an unkind letter, speak an unkind word, think an unkind thought without grief and shame, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I am afraid to speak the truth, lest I lose affection, or lest the one concerned should say, "You do not understand," or because I fear to lose my reputation for kindness; if I put my own good name before the other's highest good, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I myself dominate myself, if my thoughts revolve around myself, if I am so occupied with myself I rarely have "a heart at leisure from itself," then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I cannot in honest happiness take the second place (or twentieth); if I cannot take the first without making a fuss about my unworthiness, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I do not give a friend "the benefit of the doubt," but put the worst construction instead of the best on what is said or done, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If I take offense easily; if I am content to continue in a cool unfriendliness, though friendship be possible, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If a sudden jar can cause me to speak an impatient, unloving word, then I know nothing of Calvary love. For a cup brimful of sweet water cannot spill even one drop of bitter water, however suddenly jolted.

If I say, "Yes, I forgive, but I cannot forget," as though the God, who twice a day washes all the sands on all the shores of all the world, could not wash such memories from my mind, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If the praise of man elates me and his blame depresses me; if I cannot rest under misunderstanding without defending myself; if I love to be loved more than to love, to be served more than to serve, then I know nothing of Calvary love.


That which I know not, teach Thou me, O Lord, my God. "

That was from the book "If" by Amy Carmichael...a woman who was a Historymaker because she loved Jesus with all of her heart, soul, mind and everything she had. How can anyone read that and not have their heart stirred by what it says? How I desire to learn to love with His precious Calvary love with all of my being. It's why we live and are free.

"Faith never knows where it is being led, but it loves and knows the One Who is leading."

What a great quote! Let that be our heartcry...He truly always knows best. We only know in part, we only know what today and the past has brought...He knows fully, He sees the big picture and has ordained all the days of our life. What peace we have in Him:).

 "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for...

All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them." Hebrews 11:1-2,13-16

Let us not look back, let's not settle for the ordinary, let's step out and believe in all that God-the One Who is leading- has for us!