Day 54

Matthew 28:18-20
     And Jesus came and said to them,  "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

Happy New Year to readers of my blog. I pray that you have a very blessed and joyous 2011. Keep living for Christ and Abiding in Him!

Day 53

John 16:33
    "...I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world."

Because Christ has overcome the world so do we when we follow Him! So have faith and peace as a believer and remember that He has overcome the world!


John Mark McMillan - Ten Thousand

Day 52

John 14:1-3
      "Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also."

Day 51

Matthew 11:28   
       Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Lord, You are my strength when I am weak. I want to follow You each day and long to remember this verse when I feel I can't go on. You are my everything!

Day 50

~Matt Papa - Open Hands

To give unselfishly to love the least of these Jesus I'm learning how to live with open hands All these treasures that I own will never satisfy my soul  Jesus I lay them at your throne with open hands

I lift my hands open wide let the whole world see how you love, how you died, how you set me free free at last, I surrender all I am with open hands, with open handsTo finally let go of my plans these earthly kingdoms built of sand Jesus at your cross I stand with open hands

You took the nails, You bore the crown You hung your head, Your love poured outYou took my place, You paid the price so Jesus now I will give my life

Lord, nothing in this world compares to You. Nothing will satisfy my soul as You do. I will lift my hands open wide and show the world how You have changed my life, how you love, died, and set me free! 

Day 49

 ^{Matthew 16:24-28}

Then Jesus told his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done. Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom."

Day 48

Romans 5:2
    Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

"Christ in me, Christ in me, Christ in me, the hope of glory, You are everything. Be my everything, be my everything, be my everything, be my everything." ~Tim Hughes - Everything

Day 47

1 Timothy 1:15
     The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.

Day 46

Proverbs 18:24
    A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Day 45

Luke 2:8-11
    “And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.”

Day 44

Christmas is fast approaching, a time to celebrate Jesus' birth, be with family, exchange gifts and to eat a lot of sweets. When we get all wrapped up in the hustle and bustle do we fail to realize why Jesus was born and how Christmas is really connected to Easter and His death and resurrection? I know I have a hard time thinking that they have to be connected and knowing that He was actually born to die and suffer for our sins. Jesus Christ sent His only Son to take my place.

Isaiah 9:6
    For to us a child is born; to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Luke 1:30-33
    And the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end."

The Son of God was born as a sinless innocent baby. He was born sinless and lived a perfect life so that He could take our sins upon His self so that we might have life.

Mark 8:31
    And he began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again.

Mark 10:45
   "...For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

John 3:16-17
   "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him...."

I know I have a hard time connecting the two, but have joy in the thought that Jesus Christ sent His Son to save me and my sinful soul. I don't deserve His love but take joy in it and strive to serve Him each day!

Flyleaf - Christmas Song

Day 43

Philippians 1:6
     And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Christ Jesus.

Day 42

Galatians 1:10
     "For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ."

Lord, I want to be as Paul as he spoke to the church in Galatia in this verse.I long to be a servant for you and not focus on trying to please man more than you. I love and adore You, and am in awe of all You have done for me!

Day 41

Luke 1:68-71
    "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David, as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old, that we should be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us;

Day 40

Matthew 1:20-21
       But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins."

Day 39

So I've been on this "Abide Journey" for 40 days now. This has become more of just having time with my Savior each and every day then worrying about how long I'm doing it for. There have been many times I start out on quiet times and really on fire for Christ, keep it up for a week or so and then slowly go back in the habit of not having personal time with Him. This Abide Challenge was just what I needed and this blog I'm keeping to keep me accountable. Whatever time I get with my Savior I will cherish and strive for more each day. Might not be what I desire at the time, but I will make the effort more and more so that I may walk daily with Christ and live for Him each and every day. I pray that for those reading my blog on a regular basis don't look at the number of days but to look at what God has been teaching me and long to abide with Him daily as well!

____________________________________________________

Longing for a attitude and heart like Mary in her song of praise when she was chosen to be the mother of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, the Savior to the nations.

Luke 1:46-56
 And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;  for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever."

She was not expecting for any of the events to happen let alone her to be called blessed by many generations. I want to have that same attitude when the Lord places in my life something that I am not expecting. He has a plan for everything and uses the weak to lead the strong and those who aren't able to on their own so that He can have all the glory.

Day 38

Luke 1:30-33
     But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”

Day 37

Luke 1:26-28
      In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, "Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!"

Day 36

Matthew 2:1-6
   Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, "Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him." When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:
  "'And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
   are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
   who will shepherd my people Israel.'"

Day 35

Galatians 4:4-5
    But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.

Day 34

Isaiah 53:4-6
    Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

(Read the whole chapter. Focusing on this chapter today)

Day 33

Isaiah 7:14
     Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Day 32

Isaiah 43:2-3a
    "...When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior."

Day 31

Psalm 19:14
    Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in you sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Day 30

John 11:25-26
    Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?"

Day 29

Reflecting on Isaiah 9:6
     For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Handels Messiah - For Unto Us a Child is Born

Lord, you are the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and the Prince of Peace. You are everything to me! You are the only One that deserve praise! You are my strength! I love you Lord, help me to live for you more and more each day.

Day 28

Psalm 40:2
       He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.

Lord, I want to live my life on the rock. I want to focus on Your word to keep my path straight. Help me to overcome desires of the flesh so I can live for Your glory!

Day 27

Jeremiah 29:11
     For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for wholeness and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Lord, help me to remember that You have good plans for me. Even though I may not see it at the time You always have a good plan for my life.

Day 26

Joshua 1:8
    This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your prosperous, and then you will have good success.

Day 25

1 Peter 2:11
    Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.

Heavenly Father, help me to remember that I am not of this world. It is just my temporary home until you call me home to you. I desire to follow you and keep my mind focused on good things and not sinful pleasures of the flesh. Lord, help me to have strength and fight back the temptations and win this spiritual war.

Philippians 4:8
    Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Day 24

Romans 10:14-15
     But how are they to call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe n him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!"

Never really think of feet as a beautiful thing... You walk on them all day long, they get dirt and bugs etc squished all over them. Yet, when you are preaching and sharing the Word of God and the good news they are a beautiful thing!

Day 23

Revelation 3:15-16
    "I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth."

Lord, I want to be hot, burning with a fire for you!

Day 22

Ever noticed how humbling a feeling it is when God brings you to your knees in prayer and worship? I seriously had 2 songs on repeat and got completely lost in worship on my knees before my Savior. It's amazing to think of what Christ did for me, a sinner, completely undeserving of His love.

John 3:16-21
     For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.

Jeremy Riddle - Sweetly Broken
Jesus Paid It All - Kristian Stanfill

Lord, thank you for Your love for me even when I stray from your ways. Lord, I long to bring glory to Your name and live my life in light of what You've done for me. You washed me white as snow by dying for my sin and raising from the dead. You paid my debt and raised my life from the dead! I praise you Father God, You're the One! I love You Lord, I praise You, I worship You!

1 Corinthians 15:54b-55
     "Death is swallowed up in victory, O death, where is your sting? O death, where is your sting?"

Day 21

Later and shorter post today. Made it through my whole week having at least 10 minutes alone with my Savior, I really wanted to get more time but I'm just happy that I'm challenging myself and starting the habit again.

Philippians 3:8-11
    Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—  that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

Day 20

I seriously love the picture this parable Jesus tells in Matthew.

Matthew 18:10-14
     "See that you not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven. What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish."

Day 19

Well late and short post today for yesterday. Sadly I did not get in a whole hour but I did get some good time with my Savior!

Romans 8:37-39
     No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Day 18

Praising and thanking God for all He's done in my life and all the blessings He pours out. Reminded to not just focus on thanks on Thanksgiving but to thank Him each and every day, every breath for that matter.

Psalm 100
    Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.

Psalm 7:17
    I will give to the Lord the thanks due to his righteousness, and I will sing praise to the name of the Lord, the Most High.

Psalm 106:1
    Praise the Lord! Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.

1 Corinthians 15:57
    But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

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

Revelation 7:12
    "Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen."

Lord, I thank you for everything that You have done for me. You have placed so many blessings in my life and I fail to thank You every day for that. I love you Lord, my God, and I praise You. Saying thank you can never be enough to fully thank You for dying on the cross and saving me and providing for me. Thank you still Lord and I long to live for You to show my appreciation!

Day 17

John 15:1-4
   "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch of mine that does not bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.  Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me."

Lord, I want to abide in You and be a branch that produces fruit for Your glory!

Day 16

2 Timothy 2:1-4
   You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him.


Heavenly Father, strengthen me each day during spiritual battles. We are in a constant battle against sin and evil desires. Lord, help me to be a good soldier and to not get entangled in the civilian pursuits of this world, I want to honor Your name! Help me to be there for fellow "soldiers" when they are pinned down with enemy fire all around them.

Day 15

Psalm 119:105
   Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

Psalm 119:1
   Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord!

Psalm 119:9
   How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.

Trying to read and study Psalm 119 several times over this week. Really focusing on God's holy word and meditating on His scripture since it is my sword in spiritual battle.

Ephesians 6:17b (Armor of God verses 10-20)
    ...and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Lord, Your word is what guides me, help me to meditate on it daily and study what You have to tell me.

Day 14

Hebrews 4:12
    For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of the soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

In Charles Spurgeon's sermon entitled The Sword of The Spirit there is this quote: " A spear will not do, nor bow and arrow; the enemy is too near for anything but hand-to-hand fighting. Brethren, our foes are not only of our house, but of our heart. I find an enemy within which is always near, and I cannot get away from him. I find that my antagonist will get his hand on my throat if he can. If our foes were far away, and we could play upon them with artillery which would kill at six or seven miles' distance, we might lead a pretty easy life. But no; they are here! At our doors! Yea, within us; nearer than hands and feet. Now for the short sword: the claymore of Holy Scripture, to stab and cut, near and now."

The enemy is close at hand ready to kill and destroy, they aren't shooting arrows at us from a distance they are getting right in our face. We need to arm ourselves for battle with God's Holy Word, sharper than any double-edges sword and be ready to protect ourselves from evil forces.

Having that picture really embeds the idea in my head of how important it is.

Lord, Your word is my sword in spiritual battles, help me to remember that and draw closer to You and study Your word in order so that I am ready when the enemy attacks.

Day 13

Lost in worship today while listening to Revelation Song. Ended up trying to find all the verses in Revelation that relate to the song, blasted the music and worshiped God and prayed through the song.

Revelation 1:8
    "I am the Alpha and Omega," says the Lord God, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty."

Revelation 4:8b
     "Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come."

Revelation 4:11
     "Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created."

Revelation 5:12
     "...Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!"

Revelation 5:13b
     "...To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!"

Revelation 7:12
    "...Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen."

Revelation 11:19b
    ...There were flashes of lighting, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake, and heavy hail.
 __________________________________________________________
Worthy is the,
Lamb who was slain
Holy, Holy, is He
Sing a new song, to Him who sits on
Heaven's Mercy Seat
[Repeat 2x]

(Chorus)
Holy, Holy, Holy
Is the Lord God Almighty
Who was, and is, and is to come
With all creation I sing:
Praise to the King of Kings!
You are my everything,
And I will adore You!
Yeah!

Clothed in rainbows, of living color
Flashes of lightning, rolls of thunder
Blessing and honor, strength and
Glory and power be
To You the Only Wise King,
Yeah

(Chorus)

Filled with wonder,
Awestruck wonder
At the mention of Your Name
Jesus, Your Name is Power
Breath, and Living Water
Such a marvelous mystery
Yeah...

(Chorus)

Holy, Holy, Holy
Is the Lord God Almighty
Who was, and is, and is to come,
With all creation I sing:
Praise to the King of Kings!
You are my everything,
And I - will - adore You!

(Chorus)

____________________________________________________
Dear Lord, You are Holy, You are worthy and You're my everything! You deserve all my praise and so much more. I long to bring glory to Your name at all times, I long for my walk to be closer to You and reflect Your ways. I will adore You Lord God Almighty! You are the Alpha and Omega and know all things, help me to remember that each day.

Day 12

Matthew 6:25-34

What do we gain by worrying what will happen tomorrow? Tomorrow will come and go and there is nothing that we can do to change it. Our Heavenly Father will provide for us each day if we trust in him.

Lord, help me to remember this and to live each day as if its my last. You will provide all I need in life if I lean on you.

Day 11

Philippians 4:8
     Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Dear Lord, forgive me when I sway from this verse, I long to thing about pure things in order that I can focus on You.

Day 10

 In Matthew 17:14-21 there is the story of Jesus healing the demon-possessed boy. The Father first took them to Jesus' disciples and when they could not heal him, the father took him to Jesus, after the boy was healed the disciples came up to Jesus and asked why they couldn't cast the demon out. He replied:

Matthew 17:20
     He said to them, "Because of your little faith. For truly I say to you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you."

Have you ever realized how small a mustard seed is? Usually 1 to 2 mm in diameter. Now that is a tiny seed!

In Matthew 21:21 Jesus speaks to his disciples again about faith after He cursed the fig tree that didn't have any fruit. "Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain,'Be taken up and thrown into the sea,' it will happen."

Ouch, see the word He used? Doubt. You can have that tiny amount of faith but one thought of doubt and it is no good.

Lord, help me not to doubt what you can do and walk by faith!

Day 9

Started playing some worship music today and Glory To God Forever by Fee came on. Spent most of my time lost in worship during this song on repeat and searching the scripture for some verses that talk about giving God glory. A couple really stuck out to me.

1 Chronicles 16:29
      Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering and come before him! Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness.

Psalm 19:1
    The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.

Psalm 29:1
     Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.

Psalm 66:2
 ...Sing the glory of his name; give to him glorious praise!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h64opCwLZCw

Heavenly Father, may every breath I have be used to bring glory to Your name. Take my life and let it be all for You and for Your glory, take my life and let it be Yours. I long to praise you all my days Lord! You deserve all the glory and praise and honor!

Day 8

Spent most of my time blasting John Mark McMillan in my headphones, such powerful worship lyrics that make you think carefully. One in particular God used to speak to me today.

John Mark McMillan - Death In His Grave

Though the Earth Cried out for blood
Satisfied her hunger was
Her billows calmed on raging seas
for the souls on men she craved

Sun and moon from balcony
Turned their head in disbelief
Their precious Love would taste the sting
disfigured and disdained

On Friday a thief
On Sunday a King
Laid down in grief
But awoke with keys
Of Hell on that day
The first born of the slain
The Man Jesus Christ
Laid death in his grave

So three days in darkness slept
The Morning Sun of righteousness
But rose to shame the throes of death
And over turn his rule

Now daughters and the sons of men
Would pay not their dues again
The debt of blood they owed was rent
When the day rolled a new

On Friday a thief
On Sunday a King
Laid down in grief
But awoke holding keys
To Hell on that day
The first born of the slain
The Man Jesus Christ
Laid death in his grave

On Friday a thief
On Sunday a King
Laid down in grief
But awoke with keys
Of Hell on that day
The first born of the slain
The Man Jesus Christ
Laid death in his grave

He has cheated
Hell and seated
Us above the fall
In desperate places
He paid our wages
One time once and for all
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJDguHJ34SE

Mark 8:31
     And he began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again.

He paid the price and took all our sins on Himself so that we might be saved. He laid death in His grave on that day. What are we doing to live for Him and give the glory due His holy name?

Day 7

A little late on posting here, but I got day 7 completed anyways. Short post here, but just a good verse to remember.

Psalms 1:1-2
     Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.

Meditate day and night on God's law.

Day 6

Completely amazed at God's unending grace and "gentle" reminders when going through a rough patch. First week of my Abide Journey is almost done, but am I going to stop at the end of the week? I don't think so, I'm committed to follow my Savior each day and I desire to draw closer to Him. I am not going to accomplish that by going back into my "old" habits.

Revelation 1:8
     "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty."

Revelation 22:13
  ..."I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end."

Isn't it an amazing image knowing that Jesus Christ always has been, Alpha and Omega, the Almighty? When we are just a vapor in the wind, one grain of sand on a huge beach... Here on Earth for such a small amount of time compared to the Eternal life that is awaiting in Heaven...

What are we doing each day to God up and bring glory to His holy name? Who knows if we are granted tomorrow or the next breath we take?

Heavenly Father, I thank you for each breath that you give me. Help me to use each breath for Your glory and Your glory alone. I am so unworthy of your love!

Day 5

Spent most of my time lost in worship, one thing God placed on my heart is this passage.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7
       Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Carefully reading this passage makes me evaluate my life and my heart. I want to be able to live out these verses.

Lord, help me to have a true loving heart and live for your glory, not boasting for my own glory, but for Yours. You deserve all glory, praise and honor!

Day 4

So while reading some scripture today, my eyes fell on Mark 8:38 - "For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels."

What I notice a lot in my own life is that I can be so on fire for God while I'm in the shelter of my home, and once I step out of that bubble I think of myself and how I look to others. During my time with Jesus today it brought a whole new light to this passage and my life.

I want people to look at me and wonder why I'm different and see Christ in me. I want to be a "JesusFreak"! I want to be bold for Christ outside of my bubble. Lord, this is my desire. Use me for your glory!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpVsF4W8V2Y

Day 3

Let me first say that today was a real tough to get my hour with God. Satan doesn't like this change in my life and is trying to distract me from quiet time and tempting me to go back to old habits again. I am going to push through though and I'm going to win this spiritual battle with my Savior by my side!

James 4:7-8
    Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

Lord, give me strength to draw closer to you and not back off when this battle gets tough. You are my desire, my life, my all. You are my world, and I want the peace that only you can give when I draw close to you!

Day 2

 Day 2 done!

Started reading and reflecting on some passages in Revelation today. Two really popped out at me today, and I read and prayed to God over them.

Revelation 7:15-17
     "Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to the springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."

Revelation 21:4
     "...He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away."

Oh, Lord. How I long for that day where there will be no more suffering, pain, stress, hate, tears and sadness. I long for the day where I can worship you with the angels in Heaven. Help me to keeps my eyes on You and remember that this world will not last, and the things of this world don't matter in light of You!

 ____________________________________________________
 Jeremy Camp - There Will Be a Day

I try to hold on to this world with everything I have
But I feel the weight of what it brings, and the hurt that tries to grab
The many trials that seem to never end, His word declares this truth
That we will enter in this rest with wonders anew

But I hold on to this hope and the promise that He brings
That there will be a place with no more suffering

There will be a day with no more tears
No more pain, and no more fears
There will be a day when the burdens of this place
Will be no more, we'll see Jesus face to face
But until that day, we'll hold on to you always

I know the journey seems so long
You feel you're walking on your own
But there has never been a step
Where you've walked out all alone

Troubled soul don't lose your heart
Cause joy and peace he brings
And the beauty that's in store
Outweighs the hurt of life's sting

But I hold on to this hope and the promise that He brings
That there will be a place with no more suffering

There will be a day with no more tears
No more pain, and no more fears
There will be a day when the burdens of this place
Will be no more, we'll see Jesus face to face
But until that day, we'll hold on to you always

I can't wait until that day where the very one
I've lived for always will wipe away the sorrow that I've faced
To touch the scars that rescued me from a life of shame and misery
O, this is why, this is why I sing

There will be a day with no more tears
No more pain, and no more fears
There will be a day when the burdens of this place
Will be no more, we'll see Jesus face to face

There will be a day with no more tears
No more pain, and no more fears
There will be a day when the burdens of this place
Will be no more, we'll see Jesus face to face

There will be a day he will wipe away the tears
He will wipe away the tears
He will wipe away the tears
There will be a day

Day 1

Well day 1 is almost over.... did I get the one hour in?

I read some Bible passages and prayed in a quiet spot between classes this morning for about a half hour, and have been worshiping God while listening to some Chris Tomlin, praying and looking up passages for about a half hour or so now. So day one complete. What did God reveal to me today?

I started looking at a few of Bible passages that talked about God's strength and how He can strengthen us.

Isaiah 41:10
     .... fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous hand.

Psalm 73:26
     My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.


So does that mean that God is your strength some of the time and just lets you fend for yourself the rest of the time? No! He is with you always, holding you up even when you don't see Him.

Psalm 18:1-2
    I love you, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

When you thing of a rock, do you thing of a small rinky dink pebble? O course not, the picture that probably pops in your head is of a big boulder that is super hard to break. How bout a fortress? Do you think of a small shack on a beach with crooked wood walls? No, you probably think of a big castle with walls around it and a big army inside ready to protect the fortress from all intruders.

I have to say my favorite verse that I found today was 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 where Paul was writing. "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weakness, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weakness, insults, hardships, persecutions and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

I an so weak without Christ's love and power, yet made strong in my weakness. He is glorified in my weakness, and chooses the weak to do mighty things so that all glory would go to Him who is worthy of the praise and adoration.

I'll end Day 1 with some lyrics to a song by Christ Tomlin. "Our God is greater, our God is stronger. Our God is higher then any other. Out God is healer, awesome in power our God...And if our God is for us then who could ever stop us? And is our God is with us then what can stand against?"

An Introduction to My Journey

 I have been a Christian for about 14 years right now. I have always loved my Savior Jesus Christ, but recently have been lacking in my quiet times, and prayer time alone with God. Believe me, I have felt the change in my life recently.

 My Pastor has issued the Abide Challenge. For 7 days, spend an hour with God, reading the Bible, worshiping Him, and praying. I am going to take you on my journey through this for days, and beyond. (Hence, "Abide Journey"). I will be trying to do different things each day, and will blog about what God has shown me each day.

Go to the following link for more information and to take the challenge yourself!
http://abideradio.blogspot.com/2010/11/take-abide-challenge.html