Live to Honor God

Falling in Love with Jesus

I came across this song while surfing around on YouTube.  You never know when you are going to run into something that God can use.  I was touched by the simple truth found in this song and began to think about my love for Jesus.  I have loved Jesus for a long time but there have been times over the years that my love seemed cold as I allowed other things to distract me.  Jesus is worthy of our love.  While watching this video I started to worship and renew my love for Jesus. 

“Falling in love with Jesus is the best thing I’ve ever done.”

Praise the Lord for his goodness and love.  I pray that you fall in love with Jesus all over again.

Blessings

Tim

Passion for Jesus

Last night I was sitting with a group of friends from church talking after our Wednesday night youth worship service. We were discussing a question someone brought up—it was an interesting discussion and there were several of us involved. At one point one of my friends said in a passionate way something like this—"I am tired of only being obedient halfway, I want to be obedient all of the way to what Jesus wants me to do." (Those were not her exact words because my memory is not that good, but something like that is what I remember hearing.)

Since then I have thought about that several times and I wanted to share some thoughts about it.

"When did I lose my passion?" I used to be that passionate about Jesus and being obedient to him. When did my passion begin to fade? I could try to justify and say that maybe I have been a Christian longer and it's only natural that with time passion gives way to maturity and quiet confidence in what I believe about God. Yea, I could say that… but, I know in my heart that is not true. My passionate friend is very mature in her faith and relationship with God and she is very confident in what she believes. In fact, shouldn't a Christian become more passionate the longer they know and love God? Wouldn't a greater passion for Jesus be a sign of greater maturity in Jesus?

I could say that her personality is different than mine and that is why she seems so passionate. It's true, we are different people with different personalities but I used to be that passionate.

No, the truth is not to be found in comparing our personalities or how long we've been Christians. The truth of my fading passion is found in me.

As I prayerfully considered this question, "When did I lose my passion," I concluded a few things:

• I have allowed circumstances and situations in my life to discourage me over the last few years.
• I have lost sight of my sense of vision, purpose, and God's call in my life.
• I have settled into complacency rather than striving with all my heart to love and serve my Lord, Jesus.
• I have started to believe that some recent health issues have made me useless in God's kingdom.

What a liar Satan is. It's true, Satan is a liar—a good one. But, I also have to take credit for being a believer in his lies. Now that my eyes are open to these lies I choose to believe the promises of God rather than the circumstances around me and the lies of Satan.

I praise the Lord for a passionate friend who reminded me of the passion I used to have and the passion I desire again.

"Surely you have granted [me] eternal blessings and made [me] glad with the joy of your presence." Psalm 21:6

Blessings.

Tim

I Sing Praises to Your Name

Last night, I was practicing for this morning’s worship service.  I am going to be playing the song, “I Sing Praises to Your Name” for the offering time on my trumpet.  As I played over this simple song several times I began thinking about the words and my heart’s desire to sing praises to the name of Jesus, my Lord and Savior.  I set my trumpet down and thinking I was finished started to do something else but the tune was in my head and it kept playing over and over till I finally stopped what I was doing and sang the song and worshipped Jesus. 

Sometimes we come to Jesus with agendas and plans and fancy words when all he wants is a heart that truly wants to sing praises to his name. 

Here is a video of this song that I found on YouTube.  Why don’t you just sit back and relax and sing praises to the name of your Lord and Savior as you watch and listen.

May you be blessed as you worship and praise Jesus today.

Tim

God’s Vision in You

In Acts 26:19, Paul is telling his story to King Agrippa and says, "I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven." Paul is speaking of his conversion to Christianity due to the Lord Jesus appearing to him on the Road to Damascus. As a result of this encounter Paul began preaching the Gospel message about Jesus to anyone who would listen and many came to believe in our Lord and Savior as a result. Paul's experience was a dramatic event that convinced him about the truth of Jesus—who he truly is and what he did for us on the cross. The result was a complete and total change in Paul. As you read the Bible account of this it appears that Paul did not even look back at his old life but rather fully embraced his new life which included the vision of being the Apostle to the Gentiles.

You may not have had the Damascus Road experience that Paul had but God places a vision in each of us. God has a purpose and plan for each of us. There are things he wants me to do today. Jeremiah 29:11 tells us, "for I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." God has good things planned for us, "plans to give you hope and a future." I believe a purpose is included in that plan. God has a purpose for you. God has given you skills and abilities and expects you to use them for His glory. God has a vision for you, to order your steps and give you focus.

Like Paul, we have a choice to be obedient to the vision from heaven or to walk our own path. The way along God's path for you will probably not be the path of least resistance You will face trials and temptations and even some of Satan's roadblocks along the way designed to trip you up and make you question God's vision for your life. In the end will you be able to say, like Paul, "I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven."

I encourage you to spend some time today thinking and praying about God's vision in you. Are you living the vision? Are you faithfully following the path? Do you have a good understanding about God's vision in you?

I would love to hear your answers to these questions—take a moment now and leave a comment. Who know how God may use your comment to bless and encourage other believers.

Blessings,

Tim