A Few Brilliant Ideas...

Devotions

“Woe to the world for btemptations to sin!2 cFor it is necessary that temptations come, dbut woe to the one by whom the temptation comes!8 eAnd if your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life crippled or lame than with two hands or two feet to be thrown into fthe eternal fire. 9 eAnd if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into the fhell3 of fire."

Today is Matthew 18 again. The passage it fitting, considering that I'm currently reading Tempted and Tried by Russel Moore (a thank you to a sir Nathan Lee for the book). If there's one thing I'm already aware of, twenty pages into the book it is two things.

1. Temptation is dangerous.
2. Temptation is prevalent.

The first may seem like a no-brainer, and indeed, for the most part I think it is. However, just because we "know" something, doesn't mean that we live like it's true. I may be aware temptation is dangerous, but too often I knowingly put myself into situations where I am more likely to be tempted. Jesus says temptation is necessary, not that we should pursue temptation. Even Jesus says fears for those who experience temptation, "woe to the one by whom temptation comes!" Temptation is not to be trifled with. We need to on our toes, prepared to "Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses." (1 Timothy 6:12).

Devotions

"At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 2 And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them 3 and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you uturn and vbecome like children, you wwill never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 xWhoever humbles himself like this child is the wgreatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Guilty. I've used the title of this post more often than I'd like to admit. My mom would often joke with me saying, "You need?" with a sarcastic tone.
"Fine. I mean want, whatever. Same thing." I'd reply, brushing off the verbal slip up. However, it was more than an external mistake. It was much more more internal.

My perceptions have often been flawed, but it's only as that phrase occurred in my head today that I realized how many times I've used that phrase without any additional clarification. That's because it didn't need any clarification to me. It was a standalone statement. "I need a cheese steak right now." And hey, this is kind of silly because we can all agree that I don't actually need a cheese steak. I may want a cheese steak, but I don't actually need one. However, I've begun to realize that in the moment that yes, I believe that I need a cheese steak. I don't really think out the consequences of not having a cheese steak. I just know that I need one. Maybe the statement would be true if I said, "I need a cheese steak or I am going to end up being grumpy for the rest of the day." Sure, that'd be true, but you also begin to realize how silly that is.

So why do I pick at something so insignificant? There's an effect that believing we need something we don't has on us. We can get tired, grumpy, irritated, and even angry when we don't get it. We sin as a result of not taking the time to evaluate the true importance of the object at hand. And when we put matters into the grand scheme of things, we often find the object at hand is pretty insignificant. Friendships, relationships, even marriages have been broken because people don't take the time to evaluate the importance of the thing they're fighting over. Yeah, I want a cheese steak, but that's straight up stupid in comparison to desiring God's glory. I don't need a cheese steak, and I recognize that, now. But hey, in that moment, I think my head associated it as a need.

"Cheese steaks are great and all Stevie, but I mean it is just a cheese steak after all."
Very well, let's look at something all my singletons can identify with.

"I need a girlfriend/boyfriend."
Congratulations, you have just joined the rest of humanity. This "need" can be foolish and is always untrue. I'm not bashing relationships. I think relationships are great! I can't wait to be in one myself some day. However, let's re-evaluate that word "need." By the most basic human definition, can/will you go on living without a girlfriend or boyfriend? Yes, you can, regardless of whether or not you choose to. You don't even need a relationship by these standards. However, these are the world's standards. Let's look at God's standards, my fellow Christians: are your sins paid for without a girlfriend or boyfriend? Yes. Can you go on glorifying God without a girlfriend or boyfriend? Yes. Can you enjoy His presence without a girlfriend or boyfriend? Yes. Yes. Yes. However, I know that we associate the desire for a partner in this life as a need when, in truth, it isn't.

You're not single? Well, think of it this way. You're in an argument with your significant other, but you don't agree on something. Do you need to be right? Yeah, that strikes home, doesn't it?

We all think we need something that we don't. Sometimes we verbalize that mistake, and we should be quick to reproach ourselves in that mistake. But, sometimes we don't, so we need to aware of the condition of our hearts, evaluating whether or not we are treating "XYZ" as a need, rather than a want or desire. Wants and desires have their own series of downfalls, which I think I'll write about in my next post. However, if we can at the very least differentiate our needs from our desires, we're one step closer to being able to live to the glory of our God.

If you're not a Christian, you haven't even begun to recognize your greatest need. I'd love to tell you about it. Just leave a comment, and I'll be sure to get in contact with you.

To my brothers and sisters in our Lord Jesus Christ.
Grace to you and peace.
Soli Deo Gloria,
Stevie

Family, friends, and all those that dwell on this fallen earth. I tell you these things because I care for you.

Gospel. You've probably heard that word before, it means "good news." You probably knew that too. If you didn't, welcome to Christianity. It's a weird world we live in filled with muddled, confused people unsure and unable to differentiate the truth of the Word of God from the traditions passed down from the past generations of equally confused believers.

There are a lot of "Christians" who think they have it right because they attend church once a week, or twice a week, or even every day. That's not what makes a Christian. There's a lot of "Christians" who think they have it right because they open that sixty-six love letter every night called the Bible and give air to empty phrases filled with the hollow tones of a man standing before a courtroom, bound to tell the truth on a book he doesn't really care to open up. That's not what Christianity is, and if that's all they think it is, it's honor-bound, Hell-bound duty. I relish in the fact that I get to burst your little bubble by informing good people don't go to heaven. Not in the sense that you think anyway. Why does this give me so deep a pleasure? Simply because it's the beginning of illumination. Just because you worked and slaved doesn't guarantee you anything. Karma isn't any realer, than the synthetic carbohydrates you see on the shelves in the stores.

So what are these Christians? These people that you see walking down the street with the tracks in their hands trying to convince you that this Jesus guy died thousands of years ago and came back to life. After all, last time you checked your great-great-grandma was still in the grave. Why should Jesus be so special? The truth is some of them are fakers, not truly knowing Christ, but proclaiming him anyway. There are others though, people who are genuine believers, with genuine spirit-breathed faith. Where did that come from?

You've probably heard the story of that little baby born in Bethlehem, the city of David. Born, grown, living the perfect life and imparting us with wisdom not our own. Then dying a death he did not deserve on a cross that was his to have from the dawn of time. Why? Why did Jesus die? I hope you're insisting. Here's where things get tricky, it's why the "good news" tends to be a little too "good" to swallow. According to the Bible and its revelations, the reason Jesus died is because you, frankly, suck. Just to be clear, it isn't just you but every single person, with Christians included. The Lord Jesus spoke and told us that if we committed but one sin, that guilt was enough to condemn us of them all. It's not that Christians have some type of diplomatic immunity from the wrath of God because they wear nice clothes every Sunday and sing songs that rhyme quite nicely. No. They've accepted that they can't save themselves, that Jesus died for them and living a perfect life took on all of their sin. They've asked him to work in their hearts, to remove their sin and abide within them. It's not that they're perfect, because heaven knows there are plenty of genuine Christians that make mistakes. But, if you're a Christian, you're being reformed to the image of God. This is the Gospel.

I don't expect you find it easy to accept all of this. If you do, then you're not truly looking yourself in the eyes. Every day I get up, walk into the bathroom, look in the mirror, and see a guy that I think looks pretty good. That's sin at work though, and it's not natural for me to see that I fall short of God's glory. I want to believe that I'm perfect. I earnestly do. It's only by God's grace that He makes me take a second look in the mirror. This time, with Gospel powered lenses, I see my full despicable self: a rotting corpse covered with sin. It's only as God's grace washes over me that I am made clean... Clean in the image of the one who saved me, Jesus of Nazareth.

People confuse the Gospel. It happens. It's the critical struggle of the church throughout the ages, not baptism or communion. You'll meet a lot of people on this side of eternity that say they're Christians. Some of them will be, others won't be. If you're a Christian, keep in mind the truth of God's word. Look for it. Cling to it. Do not let it be confused with rite and ritual, a man made religion. If you don't know God, run to Him, and when you do, run to the truth, run to the Gospel, because when you realize the full weight of your sin and your inability to be flawless, the Bible becomes not only a book, but marvelous, glorious, good news.

How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
How long must I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day? 
How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?
How long O LORD? This is my prayer,
Living day to day, un-exalting despair.
How long O LORD? My arms feel weak,
I've been praying every day for a matter of weeks.
How long O LORD? Till you reach in my heart,
life is at me, pulling, trying to tear me apart.

How long O LORD... How long?

Time goes by but misery stays.
Will I be walking on a treadmill till the end of my days?
There used to be a time when I saw the light,
at the end of the tunnel, but that light's been smite.
I know you're there, cause I've felt you before,
even now you must be working, but I'm as blind as a door.

I used to live with such a passion for eternity's start,
But now not even that can put a spark in this heart.
Words go in one ear and out of the other,
with not a change in between to make me a better lover.
The moments of relief are brief and dim,
they don't last long, and they're gone with the wind.

I don't know if it is something that I've done wrong,
or if it's just that you are teaching me to sing a different song.
The same old tune, the same old case,
a different politics but the same old face.
If I'm doing something wrong, then God just make it clearer,
don't leave me here to suffer, without your Spirit drawing nearer.

I don't want to wrong you, maybe once I did,
but I'm earnestly seeking you, will you open my eyelids?
Things have been dark for a while now.
I don't feel the opposition, but I know it's around.
I need to hear your word, not just take it through my ears,
but have it strike a chord, in the midst of my tears.

I'm an emotional guy, you made me that too,
and to the people who are reading this, you know it to be true.
I need you to sweep me, make it the whole of my being,
to be enamored with you, that's my spirit-driven pleading.
God, I'm not complacent. It's not who I am.
I need your passion pulling me to shape me like the Lamb.

The nations rage and clash before the hands of the almighty.
The waves crash against one another, in a desperate struggle for land.
The earth itself revolts, natural disasters sweeping far and wide across countries plagued by famine and war.
Laughter is sparse... Laughter is insanity,
for only the fool would laugh in a time so filled with pain and death.

When the mountains turn their grey faces, and blow smokey ash across your house,
when the lava bubbles from their mouths, destroying all that stands between,
when the earth beneath you splits and all you can do is cry out.

Holy is He.
The earth resounds with this call, order sweeping across the chaos, the alive feel weaker than ever before.
Man balls up his fist in anger and waves it at the air, at the God he knows must be there.
He shouts, "God is not real! It was a matter of chance!"
 but after years of holding back the earth, God's justice reigns supreme.
The words of the mocker are swallowed by lava, the hatred of the cynic tossed into the waves,
the blessings of the wicked tossed millions of feet into the air by hurricanes.

He cannot be touched.

Man seeks the cause of the plague but finally even the doubter cannot deny,
"It is God. It cannot be anything else."
Man will flee to the planets, to the moon and to the stars, but even there he will meet his fate.
Where is there that he can find rest from the God that made the stars with his fingers?

Even in the midst of the world unfolding, man will cling to his earth.
Attempting to tape it together like a broken boomerang,
hoping it will come back together for him... Just one more time.
But this time it will be for naught, for the God of creation's wrath will be displayed.
and all will see.

The righteous with the unrighteous.
A sobering thought.

But for now, man is free to shake his fist at God, though he'll do him no harm.
The time will come, not may- it will come, when God's wrath won't be restrained.
In the meantime, we cry; we pray; we plea for the unsaved.
Because they may not know it,
but there's a day coming,
and it's getting closer
and closer
every
single
day.

Tick, tock. Tick, tock.
The man with the hour glass turns the top.
Tick, tock. Tick, tock.
The people pass by along the shop.
Tick, tock. Tick, tock.

Wind, zip. Wind, zip.
The turnkey rotates to the tip.
Wind, zip. Wind, zip.
The handles turn at quite a clip.
Wind, zip. Wind, zip.

Ding, dong. Ding, dong.
The clocks they sing, all sing along.
Ding, dong. Ding, dang.

What's that noise so dissonant?
It doesn't match the others' chants.It looks the same from the outside,
but taken apart, thick rust it hides.

Ding, dang. Ding, dang.
The other clocks have noticed the clang.
They point it out and cry "for shame!"
It seemed quite clean until it changed.

DING! DANG! DING! DANG!
Suddenly, the voices rang!
Off key together as they sang!

The maker inspects them one by one,
and as he does, he checks their lungs.
The speckled red that clings on tight,
Until it covers all that's bright.

The maker goes and sorts them out.
He cleared and sorted without any doubt,
He takes the broken, speckled, worn,
and cast them into the furnace.

He gathers up the rest, and puts them in a bag,
"Why choose us?" they ask, "why do we move on?"
"Because I loved you first, and you believed in me."
"Come along you true, you clear and chosen few."

With that he shut the door, and he closed up the shop,
for the very last time, and completely sealed the lock.
And as he walked away, a gazer saw the words that curled
Across the doortop, its letters read: "The World."

A question that many non-Christians have an issue dealing with is the issue of evil in the world. When something goes wrong, they question the faith of Christians by asking: "If your God is real, where is he now?"

Well, he's still there.

This morning I was reading Psalm 106 which is basically a listing of all the wrongs committed by Israel. We see a cycle of God's chosen people disobeying him, God's wrath is kindled and then a mediator enters to beg for His mercy followed by his forgiveness.

As John Piper said: 'The passing over of sins isn't a problem for sinners... This was the biggest problem in the world for Paul. How could a righteous, good God of perfect justice just pass over sin?... But he's done it millions of times including thousands of times for you.'

How do we explain this God of perfect justice seemingly failing to declare us guilty? The first thing that needs to be clear is that none of us have a clean slate before God. We are all sinners and no man can enter the kingdom of God if he has committed but one sin apart from God's grace in choosing to save us....

But that still doesn't answer how God can be both just and gracious. The answer comes in the form of the savior, Jesus Christ, the ultimate mediator. In Psalm 106 we see Moses acting as the primary mediator, but he is only a shadow in the past representing a future perfect mediator. Jesus Christ is the ultimate mediator, one that, when he died on the cross, paid the price for all of our sins.

It took a perfect man to pay the price; Jesus Christ the son of God was and is that man...

So why doesn't God strike down greedy murderers with lightning? Well, when God looks at us, he doesn't see our sin, he sees his son on the cross, providing the opportunity for man to come to him... But there will come a day when those that have not trusted on Christ to pay for there sins will pay for all that they have done.

If you haven't already... Come to him. He wants you to enter into his presence on that final day.

"This is the record, that God has given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He that has the Son has life; and he that has not the Son of God has not life." (1 John 5:11-12)

Sometimes I find language very simply... inadequate. I wish the heart could paint pictures, because if it could, they would be beautiful things. Frightening, dark, happy, joyful, depressing, angry images. But there is no doubt in my mind they would be beautiful. When you look around during your day, do you see beauty? Do you appreciate what you have been given? Are not the pictures of God beautiful?

I find myself in a time where God can appear distant... I, like Job, need search no further than my sight to find the steadfast love of God. Even when our lives seem empty of the work of God... When working toward the fruit of the spirit is more a chore than a joy... It is during these times that we truly appreciate what God has done for us.

In our weakness we realize just how strong he truly is.

Our hearts conform to thankfulness. We bow our heads and our hearts and worship.
"Be Still and Know I Am God."




It's good to be back.

Have you ever been given a gift? Not something that someone was obligated to bestow to you for any reason, but something truly heartfelt that they just wanted to do. How did that make you feel? Receiving presents, especially things that we feel we don't deserve is really hard. The more extravagant the gift, the harder it is to accept, am I right? The reason why we don't have any qualms about receiving gifts on holidays is that it has become culturally acceptable. If I bought an iPod for my best friend for Christmas, he might be astonished, but he would probably have very little difficulty accepting it. Imagine tomorrow, your best friend walks up and hands you a wrapped box. You open it up and pull out a brand new iPad. I would be amazed if you didn't start to object to receiving such an expensive gift.
We reflect our creator. It's only our nature. He is the greatest gift giver in the entire world, someone that finds pleasure in bestowing gifts on his children. We're made in the image of God. One of the effects of this is that we find a deep, satisfying pleasure in giving presents. I'm not entirely sure about this, but maybe another of the effects is that we want to receive gifts that we percieve we deserve. Yahweh is "I am who I am," making him deserving of all gifts, praise, and offerings. "The beauty of grace is that it makes life not fair." So many people have trouble accepting grace. We don't want it. We don't think we need it. Everyone else gives us what we deserve, why should God be any different? Right?
If that were true, there would be no savior, there would be no salvation, and there would most likely be no us. God is beautiful because he is different. God gave us the perfect gift. Imagine yourself on the day you get engaged, your beloved offers you the most beautiful ring you have ever seen. It would seem like the perfect gift. Now imagine that ring transforming into eternal life, a chance to commune with God, and adoption.
I don't like undeserved gifts anymore than any of you... But I'm learning to love them.

Listen up kids. You been walking the road of ignorance for too long.

You're not worth his love. You're not worth his time.

...But he loves you anyway. He sent His son to die in your place. That's grace. That's love.


Please stop avoiding freedom.


Believe.

Sometimes, life seems like it would be so much easier if I could just spill out whatever I'm thinking.
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Who is God?
Is He a figment, a deviation of the human imagination?
Is He real, can we trust him and does He feel as we feel?
Who is God?
Is God just a member of the rampant pop culture, are we the kings and He the vulture?
Is God really so strong? If He is as strong he says than why not right wrong?


My heart revolts at this libelous speech, and so I reach,
stopping the questions, and spring in to teach.


Who is God?
God is who He is, he's the lamb, the great I AM.
God is the foundation of the earth, He who brings sorrow and he who brings mirth.
Who is God?
He is not a balancing act. He is not a juggler of fate and of facts.
God is the perfect painter, perfection captured within the strokes that gain in their clarity not become fainter.

He is who He is. We don't deserve any "explanation," we deserve Hell and cessation.
Yet because He is who He is, He gave us the Bible, the word that is his.

Who is God?
Love and truth, kindness and joy, honor and justice, and it is these he employs.
These things are defined by God, that is his character, an infinite ballade.

Have you ever felt empty?
Have you ever felt like there's something more?
Have you ever wondered why we're never content?
Always restless.

Who is God?
He is the one who made our true home, not just this earth that we roam.
We cannot find peace, because we were made... to be deceased, and then brought back to life.

What is the meaning of life?
A question that's asked, yet when I try to tell people what I see as facts
I get ridiculed, and they act like I'm fooled,
"Well that's great for you, but I can't believe what you say is true.
We're not the same, our minds are set in different frames."

Stop making excuses and running away, there's a God that loves you today. TODAY.
You're made to reflect his glory, this is just the beginning of the story.
We have so much to do while we're still on this side, allow me to walk with you in our fight against pride.
So much to do and so little time, I can hardly find time to compose all these rhymes.

Brothers and sisters, how I love those dear words.
I desire to walk with you deep in his Word.
Let's do it together, using God as our tether,
and fight off our sin just so that we may try to glorify him.



A thought just occurred, and now try not to scoff,

God is good. That's why they're only one letter off.

(Vote on the layout to the right->)
Today was Sanctity of Life Sunday. This is the day that people dedicate the raising of their children to God. The message was about abortion, a serious issue in today's culture.


People often argue that this is better a "political issue," rather than a religious one. However, the pastor made the point that "it was a theological issue long before it was a political issue."

God tells us in the Bible that each and every one of us is created in God's image.

Genesis 1:27 "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them."

If we are made in God's image, not only is it murder, but it is destroying God's own image to kill another human being. Argue over whether the child is actually alive, it's still killing human life when you abort an unborn child. This is sin, this offends a holy and righteous God... Of course there is forgiveness for sin, and that is the good news of the Gospel.

However, while the message was being taught I thought of other areas that relate to sanctity of human life. Suicide is wrong for the very same reasons. We are made in God's images, we are called to be stewards of our lives to serve God's purpose and to glorify him. While listening to the message the song "How to Save a Life" by the Fray was playing in my head, which relates more specifically to suicide. However, I liked how it could be applied to both.

"And I would have stayed up with you all night, Had I known how to save a life." Well, there is something we can do to save human life. We can take a stand against abortion, taking every opportunity to discourage it. This isn't a woman's choice. You are making the woman God by saying that she should be able to choose who lives and who dies. Our constitution realized it and outlawed murder. And yet, "60% of African American woman in New York abort their unborn children." That's SHOCKING! We need to find ways to stand against abortion and against the destruction of human life.

So, without further adieu, my cover of How to Save a Life.

(If you found my post on dating interesting, check out Grant's new blog.)
I'm so psyched. God is so good. I was over at Isaac's blog when I stumbled across this post. This video is incredible, it's what they call a "spoken word." It's like a rap, but not. I love them. Another thing that I've been doing is stumbling on John Piper's teaching. This man is literally incredible.

These series of videos are probably about 20 minutes in length, but if you watch them, you'll walk away knowing more about God. I was incredibly impacted by his book, and these pieces from a sermon continue to blow my mind.

...Destroy by Worth Dying For... Please. PLEASE. Watch this.


We stand, we rise, we give our lives.
We stand, we rise, we give our lives.
The pledge of man giving his life to Jesus Christ in a debt of servitude.
[Spoken]
It began long ago, when darkness, through its deceit captured the hearts of the sons and daughters of light. 
Genesis tells us that in the beginning Adam and Eve lived in the Garden of Eden, where the Serpent(Satan, darkness) tricked Adam into eating the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil. We were once "sons and daughters of light" but we are fallen now.


We looked for light but we found only darkness. We searched for bright skies but walked in gloom. 
We cannot hope to achieve to know God, without the help of God. We searched for the light we had once had, but it was gone, and there was nothing we could do to re-achieve it.


We fumbled like the blind along the wall, feeling our way like people without eyes. We were destined to fall, even in the brightest days. 
It doesn't matter how smart we are, how good you are, how talented you are. The only way that we can hope to find salvation is through God's intervention, we fumbled along the "wall" that was our only hope for finding our way. No matter how hard we tried, no matter how well life seemed to be going, we were destined to fail and lose.


We stumbled as if it were dark. Among the living, we were like the dead. 
This is taken from Ephesians 2:1-2 "And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—" We stumbled because it was dark because we were dead. Once you are dead, nothing can bring back, except for, as seen in the Bible, God. Christians were once "the living dead," once we hated God and scorned him. 


We looked for justice, but it never came. We looked for rescue but it was far from us. 
We look around in the world, and we see a country that attempts to uphold justice. But it can't. There's too much corruption within humanity for anyone to take of except an all-knowing, all-powerful being. We've tried to escape from injustice, people lay in bed and sometimes wonder about questions like: "Why am I here?" There was no rescue from this world. All the petty things were all that we had.


So He, Himself, stepped in to save us with his strong arm and justice to sustain Him. 
Jesus Christ, our savior, came and placed himself as the Champion of the human race. God sent his own son as a sacrifice. He who was perfect, with perfect justice, and miracles falling from his fingertips.


He put on righteousness as armor, salvation His helmet. He clothed Himself with the robe of vengeance and wrapped Himself in a cloak of divine passion. 
Ephesians 6:10-17 relates the Armor of God. It commands us to wear the "breastplate of righteousness," and "the helmet of salvation." The other two, the robe and the cloak are not biblical paraphrases, but are still beautiful illustrations of who he is. This robe is the vengeance of the Father, who demands that debts be payed, he cannot even come in contact with sin and therefore must have the debt payed. The cloak, God's divine passion for his people.








He slipped out of his royal garments, left eternity to enter time, divinity to wrap himself in humanity. 
Christ gave up divinity, all powerful, all knowing the entire universe to come as a human child in weakness and vulnerability. This is the ultimate act of humility. He left his royal garments, all his power and majesty, he let eternity and entered our finite "time."




The sea of glass, for the ocean of separation. He left peace, and for the first time felt pain. 
Christ left eternity, and entered into a simple human existence where he was no longer invulnerable to the cares of mankind. A comforting thought when we ask him for things. He understands.


Because the very hands that held the stars were now sentenced to wear my scars. 
The story of the Gospel is the greatest in the entirety of human existence. God came down in human form, took on our sin, and payed the debt that we could not pay. He who once held stars, was now going to take the pain in my place.


It was love that purchased this traitor’s heart. 
The only reason I would even begin to type this is because of God's love. He chose me, for whatever reason that may be. His love... His humility... and His grace...


It's what the prophets spoke about when they envisioned light living in men once again. 
For centuries and centuries mankind has been looking forward to the birth of the Messiah. The prophets made prophecies about who he would be and what he would do. Jesus fulfilled over 400 prophecies in his life on earth. 
Isaiah 61:1-2 [1] The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, [2] to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn,
Jesus fulfilled the promise of a redeemer, a savior, a person who could restore a broken light within each and every on one of us.




For this reason, I AM LEGEND, predestined for greatness, built for the final hour. 
Christians! Arise! We are legend! We are His church, His people! We are called to live like Him and to witness to the rest of the world! Ephesians also says that each and every one of us was predestined to be saved, to glorify God on high. We exist to give him glory and to share His Gospel.


I was born for this with weapons in hand, armor in place. I now march to the beat of a different drum. 
Once we have installed the armor of God we step away from all the corruption, the misleading culture, and everything that can prevent us from worshiping him. We must be in the world but not of it.


I will break through battle lines that have been drawn by discouragement and despair. What more is left to be said? 
So many people have suffered either because of their sin or because it was within God's plan to do so. We cannot quantify God's actions. All that they have experienced, all that they have lost... It is our mission to show them his love and his care in their sorrow. They must see the path of the Lord, they cannot be left to live their lives. What more is left to be said?


Time has met its end. It's now or never. Collision with me, myself, and I. 
We cannot wait any longer to share his name. Where were once living in shame, we must now live in righteousness and proclaim the grace of the Lord Almighty. We must fight ourselves in our discouragement, in our fear of man, and in our apathy. It's time to fight, starting with ourselves.


You see my mission today is clear: to wake the dead. So let freedom's song rage. 
I have only two missions in this life, to witness to non-Christians and to become more like Christ. Everything else is meaningless. God makes it clear in word that our God is to wake those who do not know his name, do not their personal savior, do not know the creator of the universe! So we share the good news, the song of freedom, and we do not withhold.


You’re not abandoned. You're not alone. Last day warriors arise from yesterday's ash and raise your fist with us.
God has not neglected you, he is aware of your struggles, he cares for you unbelievers. HE LOVES YOU. You are not alone in the sense of God's omnipresence, but neither are you alone in the fight to glorify God. All who have the word and received it will join you in the battle. Rise from the ashes, 
"Rise from the ashes, stand before the masses proclaim the victory is ours and so we never give
up, even though times get hard to understand, its never enough for us to sit back and hope he
has a plan. We gotta stand up and face the cold with a boldness that is focused on the fact we
have the keys so just believe there's nothing closed." Keys to the Kingdom-Group 1 Crew


 We are the army that is charging upon the land. Defeat is no longer and option! IT IS VICTORY.
The army of God is his church, and his church is his army. We have a mission to charge upon the land. We must charge, we must not forget. "Defeat is no longer an option." It's a matter of life or death, we must win. It is victory.


We stand, we rise, we give our lives.
We give ourselves to Christ. We give in to his love. We commit ourselves to God.