The necessity of a humble heart

In my wallet I have four verses written on the back of some old receipt, as some of the biggest reminders of the way I want/need to live my life. It's been in there for probably a year with those four written on it. But recently I wrote down two more that are so perfectly aligned with them. And what they all have to do with?? -- Humility.

They tell of a GOD in heaven who is lofty and exalted above all of existence, whose throne all of creation bows down flat on their faces to, contrasted with the one He chooses to give attention to. The assumption might be that this massive, incredible and holy God would want people who are 'well qualified' and have 'arrived' and are 'spiritual giants' and what not. But have a listen (or, read..) and listen good because these are awesome and sobering truths of the way things really are. He does not look to the proud, arrogant, self confident, self righteous or the haughty. No, rather, he just looks to the humble. The one who is lowly and comes to Him in humility knowing that God is great and he is far from it.

I myself am so quickly puffed up with pride; so prone to put confidence in this or that about myself or what I've done- thinking I have something to offer this holy God. But what can I offer Him?? That I've read a certain amount today or memorized a verse? Played music with a certain person? That I didn't cuss? That's crazy talk... Those all could be good things- but not if my confidence is in them. Here's what the Word says. Feel free to write em on something and put them in your wallet...!

----------------------------------------------
-"For thus says the high and exalted One Who lives forever, whose name is Holy, 'I dwell on a high and holy place, and also with the contrite and lowly of spirit in order to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite'" Isaiah 57:15

-"He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" Micah 6:8 (read from v.6)

-"Thus says the Lord, 'Heaven is My throne, and the earth is My footstool. Where then is a house you could build for Me? And where is a place that I may rest? For My hand made all these things, thus all these things came into being,' declares the Lord. 'But to this one I will look, to him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at My word.'" Isaiah 66:1-2

-"Thus says the Lord, 'Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord who exercises lovingkindness, justice, and righteousness on the earth; for I delight in these things,' declares the Lord." Jeremiah 9:23-24

-"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, you will not despise." Psalm 51:17

-"For great is the glory of the Lord. For though the Lord is exalted, yet He regards the lowly; but the haughty He knows from afar." Psalm 138:5(b)-6

----------------------------------------------

He just desires humility... We have nothing to offer Him in the first place; but with a humble heart He is able to use us as empty vessels. But why would He use the proud? So that they could glorify themselves? Nope, He'll use the humble. So let's remain humble, that He might use us- and that He might receive ALL the glory!


"But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing greatness of the power may be of God and not from ourselves..." 2 Corinthians 4:7

Home in Encinitas, CA. 4-27-09.

Q: Cowman

"In the pathway of faith we come to learn that the Lord's thoughts are not our thoughts, nor His ways our ways. Both in the physical and spiritual realm, great pressure means great power! Although circumstances may bring us into the place of death, that need not spell disaster-- for if we trust in the Lord and wait patiently, that simply provides the occasion for the display of His almighty power. 'Remember His marvelous works that He has done; His wonders, and the judgments of His mouth' (PS. 105:5)"

-L. B. Cowman

Pleasing God

Our duty, calling, ambition and great pleasure is to please God. What else is there? Pleasing ourselves. And that is vain, worthless and will amount to nothing.... We must strive and give our lives only to please Jesus, or our work will prove worthless in His sight!

"Now if any man builds upon the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each man's work will become evident; for the day will show it, because it is to be revealed with fire; and the fire itself will test the quality of each man's work. If any man's work which he has built upon remains, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work is burned up, he shall suffer loss; but he himself shall be saved, yet so as through fire." 1 Corinthians 3:12-15

Here are some massive truths of our faith to live by and walk the talk. Lord Jesus give us grace to please you...

--------------------------------

-'Therefore also we have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him.' 2 Corinthians 5:9

-'..we have not ceased to pray for you[...] that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects..' Colossians 1:9-10

-'..walk as children of light[...] trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.' Ephesians 5:8-10

-'..we speak, not as pleasing men but God, who examines our hearts.' 1 Thessalonians 2:4

-'..we request and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received instruction from us as to how you ought to walk and please God [...], that you excel still more.' 1 Thessalonians 4:1

-'Now may the God of peace[...] equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.' Hebrews 13:20-21

-'May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.' Psalm 19:14
--------------------------------

Read Acts 4... But specifically, the scribes and the rulers were threatening the believers to no longer speak in the name of Jesus, to which Johnny and Pete replied, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge, for we cannot stop speaking what we have seen and heard." v.17-20.

Let's live to please Him. Bless ya...

"MAUI goodness!", Kihei, Hawaii. 6-12-08

Video

No explanation needed...

Who we are

Children of God 1 John 3:1

Slaves of righteousness Romans 6:19

Slaves of God Romans 6:22

Slaves of all Mark 10:44

Heirs of God Romans 8:17

Debtors to love all Romans 13:8

Ambassadors for Christ 2 Corinthians 5:20


....And these are few of hundreds of descriptions of believers!

"I'll eat you, tuna!" Monterey, California. 7-31-08

The names of Jesus

'And He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood; and His name is called The Word Of God.' Revelation 19:13

'And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, "KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS."' Revelation 19:16

'The next day John saw Jesus coming to him, and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!"' John 1:29

'For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.' Isaiah 9:6



These are just a handful of literally hundreds of names for Jesus in the Bible!!!

God the Savior

Cool verses testifying that Jesus is GOD, and that God is the Savior.


--------------------------------------------

God the Savior
'I, even I, am the Lord; and there is no savior besides Me.' Isaiah 43:11

'...you were not to know any god except Me, for there is no savior besides Me.' Hosea 13:4



Jesus the Savior
'For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly await for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ' Philippians 3:20

'..but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.' 2 Peter 3:18a

'..God, who has saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity, but now has been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death, and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel..' 2 Timothy 1:8-10



Jesus is God
'For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus; who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.' Titus 2:11-14

'..to those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ' 2 Peter 1:1

--------------------------------------------


'To Him (Jesus our Lord and Savior) be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.'
2 Peter 3:18b

A friend. Rose Valley, Washington. 7-29-08

The obedience of faith

Obedience... I cannot tell you how sobering this has been to look into. Initially there were a couple of verses that I was going to write about having to do with obedience, but I was curious about where else in the Bible that obedience was talked about. So I looked it up and found account after account of how awesome and perfect it is to obey the Lord, contrasted with the consequences of disobedience.

No doubt that at first look at these verses, you will have to examine your life for yourself and ask if you are fully being obedient. I sure have been, and am very sobered. Those who are saved do in fact, obey the Lord. So I write this to others just as much as I write it to myself.

So first of all, we are 'chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, that you may obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood' 1 Peter 1:2
God chose you, sanctified you (set you apart as a result of your salvation), that you may obey Jesus Christ and be cleansed by His blood. Not merely that you could go to Heaven or have your needs met, but for obedience to His name.

'...Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith...' Romans 1:5
Here we see that it is by His grace that we are even able to obey, since there is no good that dwells in our flesh (Rom 7:18). Isn't that crazy... He prepares the good work for us to do in advance (Eph 2:10), and provides the means for us to do them. We also see that the result of faith is obedience.

'Do you not know that when you present yourselves to someone as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness?' Romans 6:16.
We are slaves to whom we obey. We cannot merely say that we are followers of God and live in sin. If we're not obeying Jesus, we're presenting ourselves to slaves of sin, resulting in death.

'"Has the Lord as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed better than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and insubordination is as iniquity and idolatry." 1 Samuel 15:22-23
This is one of the most sobering verses to me. Disobedience is as witchcraft in the eyes of God. We must not overlook rebellion and think that it's "ok" to do our own thing, even for a minute.

'to one who knows the right thing to do, and does not do it, to him it is sin.' James 4:17
Umm. Yeah. Don't not do that right thing...

'O Israel, you should listen and be careful to do it [obey His commands], that it may be well with you...' Deuteronomy 6:3
Awesome that His heart in all of this is for our good. It will do us well to heed His words, because He knows that our best possible interest is found in following Him closely. It is not as His commands were a 'cage' to trap us, but they are freedom to us. "His commandments are not burdensome" (1 John 5:3).

Anywho, I hope you are encouraged and 'spurred on' to follow the Lord, obey His voice- as this is truly what is best for us. We must choose to obey Him at all costs and to tune our ear to His voice, that we would "please Him in all respects" (Col 1:10), that He would have His way in us to be most glorified and exalted in our lives!

Almost to Santa Rosa, California. 9-11-08

PLEASE watch.

I would honestly BEG you to watch this video if you are a Christian. It is so unbelievably challenging and to the core of the faith. You will be rocked. If you only have 10 mins, then just watch 10 minutes of it... I mean, really- you need to watch this!

Footmen and horses

"If you have run with the footmen and they have tired you out, then how can you compete with the horses?"
Jeremiah 12:5


This is a gnarly verse- it can apply to any aspect of your life where you think you've "made it" or you've accomplished a lot, or a little, for that matter. The reality is that we need to strive with everything in us to stay in 'spiritual shape' because we will be tested beyond what we will ask or what we would want. We should never let the mindset set in where we think we've 'arrived', because the moment we do, we start coasting and dumbing down. After all, we could be merely 'running with the footmen' when we think we've got it tough.

Awesome thing to remember is that God has only good in His mind for those who love Him (Rom 8:28) and that we've been PREDESTINED to be conformed into His Image (Rom 8:29). It's all for our good, for His glory. He is also faithful, and will not let you go through anything you can't bear (1Cor 10:13). So gnarly and awesome, yet so challenging.

'The Gorge', George, Washington 7-26-08

The Word of God

I'm so excited about writing this. I just took a shower and was thinking about the Word, and all these verses popped in my head about the Word. Here they are. Was trying so hard not to forget em all at once.


---------------------------------------------
-'For the Word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.' Hebrews 4:12

-'Faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.' Romans 10:17

-'The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.' John 6:63b

-'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.' Matthew 4:4 / Deuteronomy 8:3

-'If you abide in My Word, then you are truly disciples of mine; and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.' John 8:31-32

-'All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.' 2 Timothy 3:16-17

-'But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.' 2 Peter 1:20-21

-'For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there without watering the earth, and making it bear and sprout, and furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater; So shall My word be which goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.' Isaiah 55: 10-11

-'Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth.' 2 Timothy 2:15

'Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another....' Colossians 3:16

'How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Thy Word.' Psalm 119:9
---------------------------------------------


Ok well that was much more than I was trying to remember in the shower, a bunch of em just came to mind while writing. Oh- side note, I thought about Peter in the garden of Gethsemane, trying to 'defend' Jesus, just swinging his sword and chopping off that dude's ear (MT 26:51). Contrasted with the verse from Hebrews about it dividing soul and spirit... A friend told me that the use of the original language in Hebrews 4:12 was that of a precision knife like one used for surgery- a specific tool designed for precision cutting. So we are to bear our Sword of the Spirit (the WORD of God [Eph 6:17]) and use it precisely and accurately.

Apparently, Peter learned later on in his walk to use the sword accurately, as the crowds who would later hear his words would be "pierced to the heart" (Acts 2:37).

We NEED to stay in the Word, my friends. It is a worthy investment of our time, and is so essential, vital, CRITICAL to us not drifting or falling away or.. just being dull. We would do ourselves good to study it, know it and build our lives upon it.


'Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine, and acts upon them, may be compared to a wise man, who built his house upn the rock.' Matthew 7:24

Word.

Dallas, Texas 10-2-09

The heart of God

Some passages from Scripture regarding the heart of God toward the one who is lost (doesn't know God).


------------------------------------

-'The Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.' Luke 19:10

-'..God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.' 1 Timothy 2:3-4

-'He Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.' 2 Peter 3:9

-'"Do I have any pleasure in the death of the wicked," declares the Lord God, "rather than that he should turn from his ways and live?"' Ezekiel 18:23

-'For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through Him' John 3:16-17

-'And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, so that they should seek the Lord, in hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us...' Acts 17:26-27

-'..Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.' Hebrews 7:25

------------------------------------


So that's a bunch there to chew on. I am so encouraged even to put all of those down on paper (...um, or my screen) and think on them for a minute while writing this. We should never forget that the heart of the Lord is always for the lost. FOR them, devoted to them, compassionate toward them, desiring that they turn from they ways and LIVE. He LOVES the world (mankind) so passionately that He gave everything in order that He could save us, that we could know Him, walk with Him, love Him, serve Him and worship Him forever. Oh mannnnn, too stinking good. Thank you Jesus!

Philly, Pennsylvania. 9-5-09

Who Jesus said He was

A handful from the book of John- pretty awesome... Jesus is clearly the fulfillment of our deepest needs and desires.


Jesus said,

"I who speak to you am He [the Messiah/Christ]" John 4:26
"I am the Bread of life" John 6:48
"If any man is thirsty, let him come to me and drink [the living water]" John 7:37
"I am the Light of the world" John 8:12
"I am the Door" John 10:7
"I am the good Shepherd" John 10:11
"I am the Resurrection and the Life" John 11:25
"I am Teacher and Lord" John 13:13
"I am the Way the Truth and the Life" John 14:6
"I am the true vine" John 15:1

Clouds en route to SD, 9-13-09

Stay on the road

"And now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming."
1 John 2:28


"I was at ease, but He shattered me, and He has grasped me by the neck and shaken me to pieces..."
Job 16:12

God needs our attention, and if we're at ease He'll do whatever He can to wake us up! I encourage you my friends to stay on the road, stay alert and remain focused. Hold firmly to the faithful Word that was implanted, which is able to save your souls (James 1:21).

Northwest Germany, 12-7-08

He is able.

Recently noticed three different spots where I read "Now to Him who is able to..." (Rom 16:25-27, Eph 3:20-21, Jude 24-25)

So. What is God able to do?
God IS ABLE to:
-Establish you according to the gospel (Romans 16:25)
-Keep you from stumbling (Jude 24)
-Do exceedingly abundantly beyond all that we ask or think (Eph 3:20)


And what is "to Him"?
To HIM be:
-The glory forever (Rom 16:27)
-Glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. (Jude 25)
-The glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. (Eph 3:21)

Stinkin unreal. It's all His. Forever. He will not give His glory to another (Isa 42:8) because He alone is worthy (Rev 5:12).

"And to Him (The Son of Man) was given dominion,
Glory and a kingdom,
That all the peoples, nations and men of every language
Might serve Him
His dominion is an everlasting dominion
Which will not pass away;
And His kingdom is one
Which will not be destroyed."

Daniel 7:14

Mid-nowhere, Texas 2-26-09

The Word & the road.

I've been journaling more lately, mainly for the sake of having on paper the things that I'm learning in my walk with the Lord and what He's teaching me. It's been an incredible thing to get to know Jesus, the LIVING God over the past handful of years- and I thought that if these things being written in a blog might encourage some people or cause others to think, or hey, even come to know Jesus for themselves- that it would be a great thing. I get bored with so much of what I used to journal about (went to eat pizza.... this dude was there... went to work..) or regret ever writing about it (Soozy broke my heart... I did this or that [something regretful]). But the stuff I've consistently been stoked that I've written about has been stuff about the Lord and work that He's up to in my lives and others.... "Write all the words which I have spoken to you in a book.."Jer 30:2

This blog name has been in my head for a while now, and I thought I'd just start it (with some hesisation)... Honestly, the thought of being a 'blogger' sounds kinda geeky to me, people reading my thoughts sounds kinda weird, and a big part of me doesn't even want to have a blog- I'd rather just read someone else's. Too much attention (or maybe no one will read it?). Sounds scary and like too much accountability or something.. However, I gave in...

Anyway the name came from "the Word"- the Word of God (the Bible), which is the most awesome book ever in the world. It rocks my world. Strengthens my heart, comforts me, encourages me, protects me, gives me faith, feeds my soul, blows my mind, gives me wisdom and clarity and direction, is a light for my feet and a light to my path, it is perfect. It is the best. It is shaping my life the more I read it and I feel like I am just scratching the surface of knowing how good it is. And best of all, I get to know Jesus more through it. He is 'the WORD become flesh'. The whole thing is about Jesus. And Jesus is awesome. That's why I want to write about it.

The second part is "the road" - my travels with music, fam, friends or a combination. I'm so grateful to get to travel, I love seeing the country and other parts of the globe. I trip out at cultural differences, language barriers, and just culture in general. Like accents in New Jersey or the food in the South or culture back in So-cal. It's amazing and weird. Don't know how much I'll write about travels, but maybe some photos...

Somewhere, South Carolina 9-11-09