Category Archives: Song Reflections

Finding the Right Road

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Have you ever felt confused about your life? Did you reach a point where you didn’t know what step to take next? Maybe every part of your life always made sense and then suddenly everything came crashing to the ground? Perhaps you have had a series of setbacks over the course of your journey, which made you question God’s will for your life? You are not alone.   

“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,
    for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should go,
    for to you I entrust my life.”  

– Psalm 143:8 NIV 

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In Psalm 143:8, the psalmist despite his dire situation, wrote, “Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you.” His words reflect his trust in God’s faithfulness. Perhaps God seemed far away. But, this prayer is bold. He doesn’t just ask God to help him whenever. He writes, “Let the morning bring me word…” He trusts that God will make a way and show him the way he should go. In the same way, we should confidently come to God, our Father, knowing that if we completely surrender our lives to Him, God will show us the way to go.  

Think about the lyrics from the song, “Help me find it,”  by Sidewalk Prophets:

“I don’t know where to go from here
It all used to seem so clear
I’m finding I can’t do this on my own
I don’t know where to go from here
As long as I know that You are near
I’m done fighting
I’m finally letting go
I will trust in You

 If there’s a road I should walk Help me find it…  

I’m giving You fear and You give faith
I giving you doubt
You give me grace
For every step I’ve never been alone
Even when it hurts, You’ll have Your way
Even in the valley I will say
With every breath
You’ve never let me go
I will wait for You
You’ve never failed before
I will wait for You…
I lift my empty hands (come fill me up again)
Have Your way my King (I give my all to You)
I lift my eyes again (Was blind but now I see)
‘Cause You are all I need…”

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for always being there for us even when we feel confused and alone. When we feel lost, please help us confidently trust in You and Your unfailing love. Please help us to find the paths you would have us to walk. Amen.

Semana Santa: Conociendo a Jesucristo

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“ a fin de conocerle, y el poder de su resurrección, y la participación de sus padecimientos, llegando a ser semejante a él en su muerte, si en alguna manera llegase a la resurrección de entre los muertos.”

-Filipenses 3:10-11 RVR 1960

 3CROSSES

Este verso es muy apropiado para esta semana, ya que es la Semana Santa. La gran pregunta aquí es ¿qué significa conocer a Jesucristo (descrito como el “justo santo” en Hechos 3:14)? Si alguien le pregunta: ¿usted conoce a Jesucristo? ¿Cómo respondería a esa pregunta? Con el fin de responder a esta pregunta, debemos hacernos la siguiente pregunta: ¿realmente conocemos a Jesucristo o solo sabemos acerca de Él? Imagine tener una celebridad favorita (que nunca ha conocido) y conocer todos los detalles acerca de él o ella. Y, a continuación, alguien le pregunta si conoces ese famoso(a). ¿Usted estaría dando una respuesta honesta si contesta que sí? Absolutamente no. ¿Por qué? Bueno, si le preguntas a la celebridad si él o ella te conoce, la celebridad diría que no. Él punto es la única manera de conocer a alguien es tener una relación personal con ellos. Por lo tanto, debemos tener una relación personal con Cristo para ser capaz de decir sinceramente que nosotros le conocemos. Cualquier relación requiere una comunicación bidireccional. ¿Realmente estamos comunicando con Jesucristo? Somos no sólo fiel en la oración, sino también diligentes y pacientes en escuchar? Sabemos que Dios siempre nos está escuchando. Sólo tenemos que hablar con Él. No importa qué hora es o dónde estamos. 1 Juan 5:14 RVR 1960 dice, “Y esta es la confianza que tenemos en él, que si pedimos alguna cosa conforme a su voluntad, él nos oye.” Por otra parte, no sólo Él nos escucha, pero Él nos habla. Juan 10:27 RVR 1960 dice: “Mis ovejas oyen mi voz, y yo las conozco, y me siguen,…” Note cómo se dice,‘yo las conozco, ..’ Conocer a Jesúscristo implica no sólo hablando, sino también escuchando.

Piensa en la letra de esta canción: ¿Qué sé de Santo? realizada por Addison Road

“Te hice promesas un millon de veces
traté de escuchar desde el cielo, pero yo hablaba todo el tiempo
creo que te hice demasiado pequeño, no temía Usted en absoluto, no
Si Usted tocó mi cara, podia saber que era usted?
Si mire a Tus ojos, pudia contemplar a usted?

¿Qué sé de usted que me habló en moción?
¿Dónde he incluso de pie, por la orilla a lo largo de su océano?
Usted es fuego? Eres Furia? Usted está sagrado? ¿Eres hermoso?
¿Que sé yo? ¿Qué sé del Santo?

Supongo que pensé que había descubierto a Usted

que yo sabía todas las historias y aprendí a hablar sobre
cómo Tu podrías salvar
Esos eran sólo palabras vacías en una página
Entonces alcancé a ver un vislumbrar de quién eres
el más mínimo insinuación de Usted me llevó hasta las rodillas

 ¿Qué sé de usted que me habló en moción?
¿Dónde he incluso de pie, por la orilla a lo largo de su océano?
Usted es fuego? Eres Furia? Usted está sagrado? ¿Eres hermoso?
¿Que sé yo? ¿Qué sé del Santo?

¿Qué sé yo de Santo?
¿Qué sé de las heridas que cicatrizan mi vergüenza?
Y un Dios que dio vida su nombre?
¿Qué sé de Santo de Aquel que recibe la alabanza de ángeles?
Toda la creación sabe su nombre en la tierra y el cielo arriba
¿Qué sé de este amor?

 ¿Qué sé de usted que me habló en moción?
¿Dónde he incluso de pie, por la orilla a lo largo de su océano?
Usted es fuego? Eres Furia? Usted está sagrado? ¿Eres hermoso?
¿Que sé yo? ¿Qué sé del Santo?

¿Qué sé del Santo?
¿Qué sé de Santo?”

Querido Señor Jesucristo, por favor, ayudanos a no sólo pasar más tiempo hablando contigo, pero también más tiempo escuchando. Amén.

How to Relieve the Stress of the Christmas Season

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Things to do before December 24th

  1. Meet this week’s work deadlines
  2. Go to the Christmas tree lot and buy a tree
  3. Put up the Christmas tree and Christmas decorations
  4. Put up the outdoor Christmas lights
  5. Shop for Christmas gifts
  6. Shop for Christmas gift wrap
  7. Wrap Christmas gifts
  8. Pay the bills
  9. Gather toys for the toy drive
  10. Get a haircut
  11. Shop for food for the Christmas festivities
  12. Shop for an outfit to wear to the Christmas party
  13. Find recipes for Christmas cookies
  14. Write the Christmas blog
  15. Practice piano for the Christmas special
  16. Gather clothes for Christmas donations
  17. Give the dog a bath
  18. Wash the car
  19. Vacuum and dust the guest room
  20. Cook food for the Christmas festivities
  21. Wash and prepare bedding for the Christmas guests

Does this to-do list sound anything like your to-do list?  
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“In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.  (This was the first census that took place while[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.)  And everyone went to their own town to register.  So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.  He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.  While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.”

 – Luke 2:1-7 NIV

Perhaps you are asking yourself: “How does this scripture relate to my busy Christmas to-do list?” To answer this question I will direct your focus to one of the background characters of this story, the Innkeeper. Here are the lyrics to a song called Rest (The Song of the Innkeeper) by Jason Gray.  

 “I found them standing in my door
In the clumsy silence of the poor
I’ve got no time for precious things
But at least they won’t be wandering
If they’re sleeping on my stable floor

There were no rooms to rent tonight
The only empty bed is mine
‘Cause I’m overbooked and overrun
With so many things that must be done
Until I’m numb and running blind

I need rest, I need rest
Lost inside a forest of a million trees
Trying to find my way back to me
I need rest

As a boy I heard the old men sing
About a Kingdom and a coming King
But keeping books and changing beds
Put a different song inside my head
And the melody is deafening

I need rest, I need rest
Like a drowning man in the open sea
I need somebody to rescue me
I need rest

To Rome we’re only names and numbers
Not souls in search of signs and wonders
But we’re waiting for the day of our salvation
The messiah who will be our liberation
We’re waiting, I’m waiting

I need rest, I need rest
Oh come oh come Emmanuel
With a sword deliver Israel
I need rest

Tonight I can’t get any sleep
With those shepherds shouting in the streets
A star is shining much too bright
Somewhere I hear a baby cry
And all I want is a little peace”

Do you feel like the innkeeper? Do you feel “overbooked and overrun” this Christmas season? Do you feel overwhelmed? Matthew 11:28-30 NIV says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for coming down from heaven to earth to make the ultimate sacrifice for us on Calvary so that we might have the everlasting gift of Salvation in You. Please help us not to become so overwhelmed with things to do this Christmas that we lose sight of the meaning of Christmas. Please help us to find our rest in You this Christmas. Amen.

¿Estás Preocupado por Algo?

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“Así que, no os afanéis por el día de mañana, porque el día de mañana traerá su afán. Basta a cada día su propio mal.”

-Mateo 6:34 RVR 1960

 sparrow-bird-animal-nature-86591

Parece casi imposible que no se preocupe de nada. Hay tanto que consume nuestras mentes sobre una base diaria e incluso cada hora. Peor aún, toda esta preocupación puede afectarnos en un nivel más profundo: nos impacta emocionalmente, espiritualmente, psicológicamente, socialmente y físicamente. Esto nos hace pobres mayordomos de lo que Dios nos ha dado. ¿Cómo podemos pedir más, si no cuidamos de lo que tenemos? Si no podemos confiar en Dios en poco, sin duda tendremos un tiempo más difícil confiando en Dios con mucho. Sin embargo, la idea de estar fuera de control (cuando se trata de la mayor parte de las cosas que suceden a nuestro alrededor) puede ser increíblemente desalentador e incluso frustrante para nosotros simples humanos. Sin embargo, Dios no tenía la intención de que seia de esa manera para sus hijos. 1 Pedro 5:7 RVR 1960 dice: “echando toda vuestra ansiedad sobre él, porque él tiene cuidado de vosotros.” No tenemos que preocuparse de nada. La canción, Gorriones escrito por Jason Gray nos recuerda: “Si es capaz de sostener el mundo que Él puede sostener este momento … el gorrión sabe que Él  sostene mañana” Mateo 10:29-30 RVR 1960 dice: “¿No se venden dos pajarillos por un cuarto? Con todo, ni uno de ellos cae a tierra sin vuestro Padre. Pues aun vuestros cabellos están todos contados.”  

 Piense en la letra de la canción, gorriones por Jason Gray:

“No se puede añadir

un solo día, por ansioso que

usted tendrá que preocuparse hasta echar su vida

Oh, no se preocupe hasta echar su

Usted no puede cambiar una sola cosa por flipando

apenas va cerca que en

Oh no deje que el problema gana

puede sentirse solo,

pero no está en su propia

si es capaz de sostener el mundo que  

Él puede sostener este momento

no es un campo o flor escapa de su notificación

Oh aun el gorrión

sabe que tiene mañana

apoyarse y es difícil no ver

todo puede cambiar

cuando lo hace Suyo

Oh quiere llevarlo

tranquilamente bajo el cuidado de Dios

Cuando lo dejas ir

encontrará que Él es suficiente

Oh nunca salir de su amor

no camina solo …

no hay una sola estrella que está fuera de lugar

no hay nada roto no puede rehacer

Si andas buscando esperanza cuando tienes miedo mira

Oh, ante la gorrión

mirada en el gorrión

Si es capaz de sostener el mundo que

 Él puede sostener este momento

No es un campo o una flor se escapa de su notificación

Oh aun el gorrión

sabe que  Él sostiene mañana…”

Estimado Señor Jesucristo, por favor ayudenos a poner toda nuestra confianza en Ti, sabiendo que lo que sucede es para nuestro bien, de acuerdo con Su propósito y planes. Amén. 

 

Publicado en Inglés el 2 de diciembre, 2016

¿Cómo ser Ambicioso sin Caer en una Trampa?

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 “Entonces Jesús dijo a sus discípulos: Si alguno quiere venir en pos de mí, niéguese a sí mismo, y tome su cruz, y sígame. Porque todo el que quiera salvar su vida, la perderá; y todo el que pierda su vida por causa de mí, la hallará. Porque ¿qué aprovechará al hombre, si ganare todo el mundo, y perdiere su alma? ¿O qué recompensa dará el hombre por su alma?”

-Mateo 16:24-26 RVR 1960 

 tightrope

¿Qué significa negarse a sí mismo? Creo que negarse a sí mismo significa estar dispuesto a renunciar a sus deseos y ambiciones de la vida. ¿Cuáles son las ambiciones que no son buenos? 1 Tesalonicenses 4: 9-11 NVI dice: “Pero acerca del amor fraternal no tenéis necesidad de que os escriba, porque vosotros mismos habéis aprendido de Dios que os améis unos a otros… Pero os rogamos, hermanos, que abundéis en ello más y más; y que procuréis tener tranquilidad…” Esta es una imagen muy diferente de la ambición de la que el mundo nos pinta. El ambición del mundo es persiguer agresivamente las riquezas, el poder, y el reconocimiento. El mundo casi se justifica persiguiendo ambiciones terrenales sin descanso: a no detenerse hasta que tenga el mejor trabajo, la mejor casa, el mejor coche, lo mejor de todo, y toda la fama y la admiración de los que nos rodean. Sin embargo, Dios no tenía la intención de que nuestras vidas sean de esa manera. Dios nos dio dones y talentos para darle gloria por complacer a Él y servir a los demás. 2 Corintios 5: 9 NVI nos dice: “Por tanto procuramos también, o ausentes o presentes, serle agradables.” Dios nos dio la pasión para utilizar nuestros talentos para su gloria y no sólo para nuestro propio beneficio . Por supuesto que tenemos que trabajar para proveer para nosotros y nuestras familias, pero él no quiere que seamos tan atrapados en nuestros talentos y nuestras capacidades, que no somos capaces de recordar de dónde vienen nuestros bendiciones. Usar el ambicion para bien es como caminar sobre una cuerda floja. Tenemos que ser ambiciosos, pero no tan ambicioso que nuestros objetivos, puestos de trabajo, logros, y la fama se vuelvan más importantes para nosotros que servir a Dios y a los demás. Sin embargo, entendemos que a veces los seres humanos caen en la trampa de utilizar sus dones y talentos para obtener el reconocimiento, aprobación y / o atención de los demás. Y en estos casos, si los demás dejan de darnos esa atención, terminamos con la sensación de vacío, poco apreciados, insatisfecho, inseguros, y / o enojados. Sin embargo, nunca deberíamos haber estado dependiendo de la aprobación de otras personas en el primer lugar (en este caso, estábamos equivocados en buscar la aprobación humana sobre la aprobación de Dios).

“Pues, ¿busco ahora el favor de los hombres, o el de Dios? ¿O trato de agradar a los hombres? Pues si todavía agradara a los hombres, no sería siervo de Cristo.”  

– Gálatas 1:10  RVR 1960

Por otra parte, Filipenses 2: 3 NVI  nos dice “Nada hagáis por contienda o por vanagloria; antes bien con humildad, estimando cada uno a los demás como superiores a él mismo;” Hay que esforzarse por utilizar nuestro trabajo y ministerios como una oportunidad para dar gloria a Dios y mejorar el bienestar de las vidas de otros.

“Mi objetivo sigue siendo  

el arte de perder a mí mismo

en traerte Alabanzas-Eternos

Tu luz brillará cuando todo lo demás desvanece

nunca se terminara

Tu gloria va más allá de toda la fama”

-Hillsong United

Estimado Señor Jesucristo, por favor nos ayude a usar sus dones y talentos para llevar usted gloria. Por favor ayúdenos a no utilizar sus regalos exclusivamente para recibir el dinero, reconocimiento, alabanza y aprobación de los demás. Ayúdanos a recordar, que Usted nos dio dones y talentos para servirle, y no sólo para nuestro propio beneficio únicas. Amén.

Publicado en en inglés el 19 de agosto de, el año 2016

Chosen?

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“If God is pleased with me, why I am I so terrified?”

 starry-night-pexels-photo

Have you ever been chosen to do something, that seemed impossible? You know that you have been living your life to please God in every way. Yet, this circumstance seems unplanned and difficult, even if it is something good.  How did you feel? Perhaps, you felt uncertain or even “terrified”?

“The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 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.” “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called[a] the Son of God.” 

-Luke 1:28-35 NIV

The song, Be Born In Me by Francesca Battistelli, expresses some the emotions Mary may have felt, when she found out she would be the mother of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour. Can you even imagine how she felt? Luke 1: 29 says, “she was greatly troubled.” Initially, she must have felt terrified to see an angel appear and speak to her. The angel told her things, that seemed impossible. She must have also felt frightened. She must have thought about the severe punishment of those days for a woman who conceived a child without being married. Here she was: a girl engaged to be married. And, now all of these plans might change. But, at the same time she must have felt beyond honored and incredibly blessed to be chosen to be the mother the Son of God. At the same time, imagine the great responsibility she must have felt.  In Luke 1:46-50 NIV, “… Mary said, “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed,for the Mighty One has done great things for me holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. “ – Luke 1:46-50 NIV

She must have wondered why God would choose her of all of the other women in the world. In a similar way, we wonder why God would choose to love us. We don’t deserve  His great love. Yet, God sent a King, His only Son, Jesus Christ to earth to pay the ransom for our sins, so that we could spend eternity with Him in heaven. And, all that God ask of us are willing hearts. Will you let the love of Jesus Christ be born in you?

Think about the lyrics to the song, Be Born In Me by Francesca Battistelli:

  “Everything inside me cries for order
Everything inside me wants to hide
Is this shadow an angel or a warrior?
If God is pleased with me, why am I so terrified?
Someone tell me I am only dreaming
Somehow help me see with Heaven’s eyes
And before my head agrees, my heart is on it’s knees
Holy is He. Blessed am I…

All this time we’ve waited for the promise
All this time You’ve waited for my arms
Did You wrap yourself inside the unexpected
So we might know that Love would go that far?…

I am not brave
I’ll never be
The only thing my heart can offer is a vacancy
I’m just a girl
Nothing more
But I am willing, I am Yours

Be born in me, be born in me
I’ll hold you in the beginning, You will hold me in the end
Every moment in the middle, make my heart your Bethlehem
Be born in me”

Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for loving us (while we were still sinners) so much that you were willing to humble Yourself by coming down from your throne in heaven to be born in a stable and to make the ultimate sacrifice for us. Please give us willing hearts. Make our hearts Your Bethlehem. May your love be born in us. Amen.

 

How to be Ambitious Without Falling into a Trap

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“Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life[f] will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?”  

-Matthew 16:24-26 NIV

tightrope

What does it mean to deny yourself? I think denying yourself means being willing to give up your life desires and ambitions. What are ambitions and aren’t they good? 1 Thessalonians 4: 9-11 NIV says, “Now about your love for one another we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other…. Yet we urge you, brothers and sisters, to do so more and more, and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life…” This is a very different picture of ambition than what the world paints for us. The world portrays ambition as aggressively pursuing riches, power, and recognition. It almost justifies chasing after earthly ambitions or relentlessly climbing the corporate latter: not stopping until you have the best job, the best house, the best car, the best of everything, and all of the fame and admiration from the those around us. But, God didn’t intend it to be that way. God gave us gifts and talents to bring Him glory by pleasing Him and serving others. 2 Corinthians 5:9 NASB says, “Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him.” God gave us passion and drive to use our talents for His glory, not just for our own gain. Of course we need to work to provide for ourselves and our families, but He doesn’t want us to become so caught up in our talents and our abilities, that we fail to remember where they came from. This reminds me of walking on a tightrope. We need to be ambitious, but not so ambitious that our goals, jobs, accomplishments, and fame become more important to us than serving God and others. But, I do understand that sometimes humans fall into the trap of using their gifts and talents to gain recognition, approval, and/or attention from others. And in these cases, if others cease to give us that attention, we end up feeling empty, unappreciated, unsatisfied, insecure, and/or angry. But, we never should have been relying on other people’s approval in the first place (we were mistaken into seeking human approval over God’s approval).

“Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.”- Galatians 1:10 NIV

Furthermore, Philippians 2:3 NIV says, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” We must strive to use our work and ministries as an opportunity to bring glory to God and improve the well being of other’s lives.

“My purpose remains
The art of losing myself
In bringing You praise—Everlasting
Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending
Your glory goes beyond all fame”

-Hillsong United

Dear Lord Jesus, please help us to use Your gifts and talents to bring You glory. Please help us not to use your gifts solely to receive recognition, praise, and approval from others. Help us to remember, that You gave us unique gifts and talents to serve You, and not solely for our own gain. Amen.

 

 

Song Reflection: Flawless by MercyMe

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white lilly

Flawless, by Mercy Me, is a really awesome song, that I was introduced to at Spirit West Coast. The lead singer gave a talk about how sometimes Christian leaders give us “guilt” messages. But, as Christians we  aren’t supposed to walk around feeling guilty. God’s grace is bigger than that. It would be foolish to think that we aren’t going to sin, make mistakes, or have problems after we accept Jesus Christ as our personal Saviour. We are still human. Sometimes as Christians, especially those of us with more years in the faith, we place impossibly hard expectations on ourselves. One school of thought is: I am a Christian and if I sin, make mistakes, let people down, or unintentionally hurt them; something must be terribly wrong with us. I must be a “bad” Christian. I must be a disappointment to God and a bad testimony to those around us. We let guilt and shame consume us. But, God doesn’t want us to do that. He doesn’t want us to walk around with our heads hanging down and frowns on our faces. He doesn’t want us to feel like we are worse Christians than other Christians. See, the reality is that we ALL mess up. This is pointed out in the line: “Come on get in line right behind me You along with everybody.” This truth is made clear in the Bible. “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:” –Romans 3:10 KJV In the official music video to this song, which is also worth checking out, the people struggle with a number flaws: illnesses, weaknesses (ie. “prone to selfishness”), physical flaws, workaholic tendencies, “spiritual leadership” inabilities, doubt, and fear. Without Christ, we are imperfect, wretched human beings. We all struggle with something or another. But, we can’t let our struggles, guilt, or past haunt us. Because, “No matter the bumps No matter the bruises No matter the scars… No matter the hurt Or how deep the wound is
No matter the pain Still the truth is…The cross has made you flawless.”

It is by God’s grace alone that we are made righteous.
“For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.” –Romans 5:19 KJV

If you haven’t heard the song, you might want to check it out.

Here are the lyrics to the song:

“Flawless”

There’s got to be more
Than going back and forth
From doing right to doing wrong
‘Cause we were taught that’s who we are
Come on get in line right behind me
You along with everybody
Thinking there’s worth in what you doThen Like a hero who takes the stage when
We’re on the edge of our seats saying it’s too late
Well let me introduce you to amazing grace
 No matter the bumps
No matter the bruises
No matter the scars
Still the truth is
The cross has made
The cross has made you flawless
No matter the hurt
Or how deep the wound is
No matter the pain
Still the truth is
The cross has made
The cross has made you flawlessCould it possibly be
That we simply can’t believe
That this unconditional
Kind of love would be enough
To take a filthy wretch like this
And wrap him up in righteousness
But that’s exactly what He did…Take a breath smile and say
Right here right now I’m ok
Because the cross was enoughThen Like a hero who takes the stage when
We’re on the edge of our seats saying it’s too late
Well let me introduce you to grace grace
God’s grace

No matter the bumps
No matter the bruises
No matter the scars
Still the truth is
The cross has made
The cross has made you flawless
No matter the hurt
Or how deep the wound is
No matter the pain
Still the truth is
The cross has made
The cross has made you flawless…”

 

 

Song Reflections: Sunrise by Nichole Nordeman

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Sunrise

I love this song, because I can relate to the songwriter. Sometimes, we look back on our past and think: What if I would have taken a different road? What if I would have chosen to take the easier path? I like the line that says, “I would walk away with my yesterdays.” The truth is we wouldn’t be able to truly comprehend or appreciate the beautiful moments in our lives, if we hadn’t been through challenging and tragic parts of our lives. We wouldn’t be able to experience the glory of God in it’s fullest, if we had not known the loneliness and pain of the darkest and longest of nights. God is our “sunrise!” We wouldn’t know morning, if we hadn’t experienced midnight. Yet, sometimes we try to take different roads… easier roads, because maybe we are lacking courage or faith. Or, maybe we try to takes these easier paths, because we are lazy or just don’t believe in ourselves and God’s predestined potential for us. “How often we turn to level ground and try to avoid the hills. Yet it’s the hard path that strengthens us. Through our difficult times, God draws near and takes us by our arm. He becomes our guide and companion – and strength.”(Nortker, 3-Minute Devotionals For Women, p.134) But, we need to be willing to walk the most challenging path… the steep, windy path with thorn bushes and gravely sand. It is on this path, that God strengthens us. It is here, that He allows us to build the resistance and stamina to accomplish everything, which He has planned for our futures. In Daniel 3, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, choose to obey God in faith and to take the path that seemed that it would lead to eminent death in the fiery furnaces of King Nebuchadnezzar. This was a very dark moment for them, but God used these three young men’s obedience and faith to reveal Himself and His glory to not only them, but also the Babylonians. Like Shadrack, Meshach, and Abednego; we also are permitted to go through fire. God not only spares us, but comes to walk with us in the fire like He did with Shadrack, Meshach, and Abednego. The fire not only brings us closer to God, but it also purifies us and refines us like gold. Isaiah 48:10 says, “See, I have tested you, but not as silver. I have tested you in the fire of suffering.” But, we must be willing to take the path God has for us, even if it is the most difficult path. 1 Peter 5:10-11 says, “And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.” -1Peter 5:10-11

If you haven’t heard the song, you might want to check it out.

Here the lyrics to the song:

“If I had the chance to go back again
Take a different road, bear a lighter load
Tell an easy story
I would walk away with my yesterdays
And I would not trade what is broken
For beauty onlyEvery valley, every bitter chill
Made me ready to climb back
Up the hill and find thatYou are sunrise
You are blue skies
How would I know the morning
If I knew not midnight?You’re my horizon
You’re the light of a new dawn
So thank you, thank you
That after the long night, you are sunriseThere’s a moment when faith caves in
There’s a time when every soul is certain
God is goneBut every shadow is evidence of sun
And every tomorrow holds out hope for us
For every one of usYou are sunrise
You are blue skies
How would I know the morning
If I knew not midnight?You alone will shine
You alone can resurrect
This heart of mine

You are sunrise
You are blue skies
How would I know the morning
If I knew not midnight?

You are sunrise”