Every time I hear the song Awe – it reminds me of what my posture should be when I pray, read, think about/to GOD – flat…out…AWE. To be completely honest, it isn’t always that way (forgive me Lord).  I think sometimes it is easy to get too comfortable with Him being my friend or my “Abba, Father” that I forget He is at the same time Holy, Sovereign, and unlike any other person with whom I have a relationship. It is the challenge of balancing intimacy with reverence – something that, in most of our lives, is unique to God.  We can respect, even fear people; but, when you boil it down, no man or woman is holy, sovereign, or worthy of awe when compared with God.

I am thankful for His grace, mercy, and kindness – even my unfocused, stumbling effort to have an AWE of Him is made perfect through HIM.  In the words of David from Psalm 145 (who, BTW stumbled himself):

¹I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever.

² Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever.

³ Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.

. . .

¹³ Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The LORD is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made.

¹⁴ The LORD upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down

I heard this quote sometime ago and jotted it down – although I can’t recall where or by whom:

My we not become so “FAMILIAR” with God that he becomes COMMON to us.  Are we in awe of God and does that impact our life on a day-to-day, moment-by-moment basis?

I know I undeservingly enjoy intimacy with God (through no effort or action on my part…solely at the price of Jesus’ death on the cross).  I pray that the gift of that intimacy would not overshadow the awe that is deserved for that same God and Savior.

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AWE

Daylight breaks I’m back again
There are no secrets here
Take Your place
Here I stand In perfect fear

I will be holding out my hands
I will be holding out my hands

Surrounding, the weight of Your name
So astounding, the strength of Your arms
Spirit falling
Speaking again, I am listening

I stand in awe
I stand in awe
The Spirit in this place
Your presence so amazing
I stand in awe

Surrounding, the weight of Your name
So astounding, the strength of Your arms
Spirit falling
Move me again, I am listening

I stand in awe, I stand in awe

Music- Phil Joel, Phillip LaRue / Lyrics- Phil Joel,Heather Joel

HE NEVER CHANGES! HE IS THE SAME
YESTERDAY, TODAY, AND FOREVER!

While I can’t recall a specific example right now, I’m sure there were times growing up when I was afraid to do something, but my dad said “Dennis, trust me.” When I remained afraid, I’m sure he was frustrated, but he still assured me that it was OK – “Dennis, trust ME.” I’m sure in my heart I knew that he had my safety and security in mind, but still…“Dad, I’m afraid!”

So, after much prodding, I probably begrudgingly did it and I’m sure I got hurt or it didn’t “go right” a time or two – but my dad’s love and care never ceased…even when I may have thought, “Wait a second!”

How much more is our Heavenly Father
trustworthy, caring, and constantly on our side!

HOW MUCH MORE…

“If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” Matthew 7:11

I understand that many may not have good memories of their earthly father…hurtful, neglecting, absent, abusive…the list goes on. Memories which can often mar and distort the view of our Heavenly Father. That is sadly the reality of the fallen world we live in.

However, our Heavenly Father is Perfect, the embodiment of a kind of LOVE that is far beyond our comprehension, and worthy of our trust.  His Word assures us of this:

“…For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:10-11

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6

So, is God trying to get you to do something?  Is the “stuff” in life clouding or causing you to doubt His providence, care or protection?

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith…” Hebrews 12:2

I love the lyrics of this Phil Joel song (from his The New Normal CD) and how they communicate Perfect Assurance…from our Perfecter.

As His child, God is saying to you:

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You Belong To Me
Phil Joel

I am yours, you are Mine
This is what you need to know in these uneasy times
Talk to Me. You don’t need to hide
The atmosphere is changing but you are still My child.
Listen:

you belong to Me
you belong to Me
you belong to Me
you belong to Me

I see the rain on your face
Though the stars may rage around
You are safe in My embrace
You are strong, it may be hard to see
There is more than meets the eye here behind the scenes
Do not fear. Let faith arise.

you belong to Me
you belong to Me
you belong to Me
you belong to Me

Let Me whisper to your heart
Into your heart
Lift your hands and I know that you are breathing
Lift your head let Me know that you’re alive

you belong to Me
you belong to Me

Longer post today, but it’s on my heart…

Our pastor’s message on Easter was titled, “What Does it Take to Believe? Finding Real Faith in the Risen Jesus” – from John 20:1-9. He spoke about how it takes Hearing, Seeing and Action to believe. GREAT MESSAGE!  Just thought I would share some of my take-aways/scribbles on my message notes page/random thoughts as I pondered the message and wrote this post:

Hearing: True belief in Jesus is not faith in faith…it is faith in the truth of God’s word! Knowing that our beliefs are based on actual events and people who God used (both perfect (Jesus) and imperfect (everyone else)) is key to real faith. Our Youth Pastor Pat calls it “Owning your faith.” I know some would say that the word “doctrine” is scary or too “heady” for “today’s believers”, but one must have some understanding of the truth of God’s word.  It’s the blocking and tackling of being a Christ follower.  Check this out.

Seeing: True belief in Jesus is more than basic, visual sight of God’s awesome power in His creation or of the changed lives and answered prayer of His followers. We must truly SEE or understand those things with God’s vision (through the lens of His Word) and illumination of the Holy Spirit (John 14:26 & 16:13.)  It’s the difference between the Greek words used for “saw” in John 20:5 and 20:8 – in English, they appear the same, but they are not. In 20:5, John saw Jesus’ empty burial clothes only with his physical sight (Greek word: blepo). In 20:8, John truly understood and perceived what the scene meant: HE IS RISEN – just as He said (Greek word: horao). Basically, a biblical “ah, ha” moment – I can just see three years of dots connecting for John in an instant!

[Ok, I'm no Greek geek, but I was challenged/intrigued enough to spend some time on the differing "saws" in John 20...it was fun! Check this out (clicking on the different words will let you see the various and different uses).  There are contrasting "saws" with Mary, Peter, and the Disciples in the same chapter.]

Action: Hearing and Seeing are only part of the equation for real faith in Jesus – without action, it’s just head knowledge or a warm and fuzzy feeling. Sadly, many miss (or even avoid) this step – its the “rubber meets the road” or surrendered heart & life part. The basic action in finding real faith is through submitting ourselves – our lives to Christ. That is the base action for belief – we must confess our sin and receive God’s forgiveness (actions). Without that part of the equation…well, it’s not Real Faith in Jesus (just as belief is not real faith if you have action but hearing and/or seeing are missing.) It the complimentary passages of Ephesians 2:8-10 and James 2:14-26!

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If you are reading this and are not a follower of Christ, God loves you and has a incredible plan for your life. Take a few minutes and look at this video and know that the Creator of the universe loves YOU! Seek out someone you know is a Christ follower and ask them questions.  I pray that you hear, see, and take action – your life will never be the same!

If you are reading this and are a follower of Christ – one more action…OK, two:

First, I encourage you to do a heart check.  Read the notes above and make sure you’ve heard, seen, and acted.  Our pastor has mentioned a story of how a mainstream pastor was speaking at a seminary chapel meeting and gave an alter call.  Seems odd, but he said he didn’t want to assume that someone was committed to Christ just by their presence at seminary…hands went up and people were saved.  Prayerfully do a heart check…

Second, I have been a Christian most of my life; but a few years ago, I found myself at times “auto-piloting” my way through my Christian walk (scary). I can say without a doubt that I was firm in my faith (had heard, seen, and acted) – but, was just at times…well, on auto-pilot – just cruising.  As I was challenged – I challenge you: Live a changed and sold out life! Live a Rom 12:1 / 2 Tim 2:15 / Col 3:17-kinda life! I’m still learning…but, let’s stumble forward together!

Since music is HUGE in my life – I share the Phil Joel song below in the spirit of Hebrews 10:24-25 (“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together [even if virtually at times], as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”)

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Changed
Lyrics – Phil Joel, Dale Evrist

I wrote a letter today
And what I wrote was my own obituary
‘Cause from the graveyard of self you have resurrected me

Jesus, You have changed the way I do everything
You have changed the way I see everything

With You I begin every day the same
And I’m gonna drink deep that is why I came
The truth is a river flowing renewal for your mind
Let it set your heart free the way that it did mine

I sing Jesus, You have changed the way I do everything
You have changed the way I see everything

Looked in the mirror today
And what I saw was not the same as yesterday
Cause more and more you’re transforming and rearranging me

I sing Jesus
You have changed the way I do everything
You have changed the way I see everything
You have changed the way I wear my wedding ring
You have changed the way I treat my family
You have changed the way I see all my friends
You have changed the way that I spend my time
You have changed the way that I use my mind
You have changed the things that I spend my money on
You have changed everything I ever thought was mine
You have changed my emotions
You have steadied me
You have changed my eyes and what I let them see
You have changed the course of my history
Thank God You’re still changing me!

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