Trust God in Every Detail of Your Life

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.

Jeremiah 17:7 - "Blessed is the man who trust in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord."

Romans 8:28 - And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

I Peter 2:9 - But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 

Dear God, thank You for drawing me up out of the miry bog and setting my feet upon the rock so I can stand. Thank You for working things together for my good even when I may not understand what. You are doing. In Jesus' Name, Amen!

Your Love Never Fails by Newsboys (YouTube)

Nothing can separate 

Even if I run away

Your love never fails

I know I still make mistakes

You have new mercy for me every day

'Cause Your love never fails

You stay the same through the ages

Your love never changes

There may pain in the night 

But joy comes in the morning

The wind is strong and the water's deep

I'm not alone here in these open seas

'Cause Your love never fails 

The chasm is far too wide

I never though I'd reach the other side

But Your live never fails

You stay the same through the ages

Your love never changes

There may be pain in the night

But joy comes in the morning

And when the oceans rage

I don't have to be afraid

Because I know that You love me

Your love never fails

You make all things work together for my good

You make all things work together for my good

You stay the same through the ages 

Your love never changes

There may be pain in the night

But joy comes in the morning

And when the oceans rage

I don't have to be afraid

Because I know that You live me

Your live never fails

Oh oh oh, oh oh oh, oh oh

'Cause your love never fails

God Is with You and for You

Genesis 28:15 - "Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you."

Romans 8:31 - What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 

Hebrews 13:8 - Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Dear God, forgive me when I stray and forget about Your presence in my life. Sometimes it does feel like You are far away, especially when I see so many who disparage the poor and the disabled with their remarks. Other times, I feel You all the time. Thank You for always being there. In Jesus' Name, Amen!

Our God by Chris Tomlin (YouTube)

Water You turned into wine, 

Opened the eyes of the blind

There's no one like You

None like You!

Into the darkness You shine

Out of the ashes we rise

There's no one like You

None like You!

Our God is greater, our God is stronger

God You are higher than any other

Our God is Healer, awesome in power

Our God, our God!

Into the darkness You shine

Out of the ashes we rise

No one like You

None like You

Our God is greater, our God is stronger

God You are higher than any other

Our God is Healer, awesome in power

Our God, our God

Our God is greater, our God is stronger

God You are higher than any other

Our God is Healer, awesome in power

Our God, our God

And if our God is for us, then who could ever stop us?

And if our God is with us, then what can stand against?

And if our God is for us, then who could ever stop us?

And if our God is with us, then what can stand against?

Then what can stand against?

Our God is greater, our God is stronger

God You are higher than any other

Our God is Healer, awesome in power

Our God, our God

Our God is greater, our God is stronger

God You are higher than any other

Our God is Healer, awesome in power

Our God, our God

And if our God is for us, then who could ever stop us?

And if our God is with us, then what can stand against?

And if our God is for us, them who could ever stop us?

And if our God is with us, then what can stand against?

Then what can stand against?

Then what can stand against?

Window in the Skies by U2 Homework

I said I was going to take the pastor up on his holy week challenge as soon as I was well enough. So here I am typing as I am working on the assignment. His challenge was to listen (or view) "Window in the Skies" by U2 and see how much of the gospel message is interwoven through it. The video is available through VEVO on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cK_q7tEOPA0. I would recommend following the lyrics as you listen or watch and those are available at: http://www.metrolyrics.com/window-in-the-skies-lyrics-u2.html.

Frankly, I feel it is not one of their better songs and I have a limited exposure to the group, so of the few songs I have actually sat through the entirety of, this is not high on my list.

It sounds like another one of those "mushy" love songs almost on the verge of break up.

It does have some unique musical qualities and riffs.

Where I could see the gospel message is with the stone moved and all debts removed.

I can honestly say though that one part that might bother me some is the line: "I know I hurt you and I made you cry/Did everything but murder you and I." Why? Because when you hurt someone, whether intentionally or unintentionally, whether through words or deeds, you basically do murder them. And if that hurting continues, it can get to a point where you practically kill their soul and their spirit. That eventually starts coming through to the outside, the physical being.

And reflecting on that line brings tears to my eyes as I face both the receiving and giving end of hurt that has been murderous and that I long to see a restoration through.

I have a lot to learn.

One of my reflections this past weekend was on Titus 2:11-3:8, a passage that most of the people I know from church could either recall from memory or recall the gist of considering we only spent about a half a year in that passage. But I can kind of see how that passage was reflected in this song.

I still do not quite understand how the gospel message rings through a lot of U2 songs, but I am teachable and open to debate on it.

Let's just say, this song has a much different tone than their songs from their earlier years.