Earth shake, mountains tremble... Everything that stands in your way...
God what is it /really/ that can stand in your way? Only the hearts of men? Humbled and shaken, dried and pressed, endured of much, still we can find the gall to stand pride above all.
We choose to bow, we choose to humble ourselves and to raise your name above all. Over the nations, over the governments, over the people. Let your love shine out over them, into the hearts of everyone to change the hurts and the torments and the slaveries. Open the doors for us to bear your freedom both to the captives as well as the captors. Change hearts and lives on all sides of suffering. And reveal your love to the tormented who struggle within themselves because of their past, their present, or their dreams or hopes. Comfort the pains and the losses, dry their tears with our hands and be magnified in their eyes. Be glorified in their soul's redemption and peace. Their turmoil take, and blow gently into the sails of their lives. Give them yourself for peace, and your peace for their rest.
20110328
Don't Wait || 2011.03.26
Don't wait, Lord
surround us with yourself
wall around a wall, strong on our behalf
Set peace within us even though life sets against us
Like a storm on a raging sea
you are the keel holding strong
No fear, life is in your hands
You hold all mysteries safe
and reveal them in perfect time
It is you alone who fills the gaps in who i am
You bring me life
there is no other need
All my burdens remind me not to wait
to seek in earnest
whether at an end or not
To find you, to live
in the light of your face
To know love, and to learn love
~JLB
___________
From Psalm 40, then experiences throughout the rest of the day.
surround us with yourself
wall around a wall, strong on our behalf
Set peace within us even though life sets against us
Like a storm on a raging sea
you are the keel holding strong
No fear, life is in your hands
You hold all mysteries safe
and reveal them in perfect time
It is you alone who fills the gaps in who i am
You bring me life
there is no other need
All my burdens remind me not to wait
to seek in earnest
whether at an end or not
To find you, to live
in the light of your face
To know love, and to learn love
~JLB
___________
From Psalm 40, then experiences throughout the rest of the day.
20110312
|| 2011.03.08
I know love
that knows death from the other side
and gives me strength to rise.
This power conveys me.
Hand that has broken hell's rights,
and wrongs,
and hosts the quiet which Death opposes -
to let me trust.
Though my life may slay me, Lord,
carve from me any death
that gives its way over to decay…
Let silver, let gold; let corrupt-able
be replaced by Jesus blood,
that I may obey Truth:
unfeigned Love,
from a purely earnest heart.
Regenerated, not by what had to die,
but by what must live alive,
always and still-
The word of God - Jesus.
This flesh is as grass and glory as its flower.
Grass dries, and flowers fall out.
Let us live as the living word,
this Gospel remaining forever.
When we plant a seed, we expect it to grow.
But why don't they all?
Are some seeds supposed to grow,
and others destined for feed, for fuel, even for burning?
Some to never live, others to flourish?
Behold God!
Who has directed His breath?
Or taught what He did not understand?
By Him kings rule, in His allowance all things are decreed.
And still He leads like a shepherd,
carrying the youths and leading those with young.
He delivers power to the fainting and weary:
to rise like eagles.
He hands newness to those without strength,
to run, to walk - to not stumble and not collapse.
Let the righteous rise
the earth fears -
let love flow.
Without corruption
let the love of God be known.
~JLB
-----
q: I have a hard time understanding the first stanza/paragraph. Are the punctuation or separations in the best places or ?
a: Edits are applied. Commentary:
I know love that knows death from the other side and gives me strength to rise.
-- Jesus died, and overcame death. The Father cares for us with the same power, and this same power is in me. No matter how often i fall, in God's righteousness i can rise again.
This power conveys me [.]
-- Not only can I stand up when i am tired, fallen or otherwise need to rise, the Power of God moves me, compels me and goes with me.
Hand that has broken hell's rights, and wrongs, and hosts the quiet [which] Death opposes - to let me trust.
-- In the defeat Jesus championed, hell has been defeated, its claims demolished, and the chaos turmoil and fear that Death's role in the fallen world brings to us has been mitigated. I am free to totally and absolutely trust completely and without reservation in God, Salvation, and the relationship that is now open to me.
Though my life may slay me, Lord, carve from me any death that gives its way over to decay…
--Mortality and its reminders are to frequently a haunt - distracting from what really matters. As a tree needs pruning, so does life. Sometimes this is physical baggage, feelings, a habit, or something else we need to be rid of because it is enough of an idol that it threatens or contains our steps from being decidedly and dedicatedly Godly. These things I need to be rid of, and stay rid of. Like a scratch on the paint of a car, left unchecked it will turn to a decay which eats away value of moments. Redeeming the time is one of the things God told us to do- not wasting any of it.
~JLB
that knows death from the other side
and gives me strength to rise.
This power conveys me.
Hand that has broken hell's rights,
and wrongs,
and hosts the quiet which Death opposes -
to let me trust.
Though my life may slay me, Lord,
carve from me any death
that gives its way over to decay…
Let silver, let gold; let corrupt-able
be replaced by Jesus blood,
that I may obey Truth:
unfeigned Love,
from a purely earnest heart.
Regenerated, not by what had to die,
but by what must live alive,
always and still-
The word of God - Jesus.
This flesh is as grass and glory as its flower.
Grass dries, and flowers fall out.
Let us live as the living word,
this Gospel remaining forever.
When we plant a seed, we expect it to grow.
But why don't they all?
Are some seeds supposed to grow,
and others destined for feed, for fuel, even for burning?
Some to never live, others to flourish?
Behold God!
Who has directed His breath?
Or taught what He did not understand?
By Him kings rule, in His allowance all things are decreed.
And still He leads like a shepherd,
carrying the youths and leading those with young.
He delivers power to the fainting and weary:
to rise like eagles.
He hands newness to those without strength,
to run, to walk - to not stumble and not collapse.
Let the righteous rise
the earth fears -
let love flow.
Without corruption
let the love of God be known.
~JLB
-----
q: I have a hard time understanding the first stanza/paragraph. Are the punctuation or separations in the best places or ?
a: Edits are applied. Commentary:
I know love that knows death from the other side and gives me strength to rise.
-- Jesus died, and overcame death. The Father cares for us with the same power, and this same power is in me. No matter how often i fall, in God's righteousness i can rise again.
This power conveys me [.]
-- Not only can I stand up when i am tired, fallen or otherwise need to rise, the Power of God moves me, compels me and goes with me.
Hand that has broken hell's rights, and wrongs, and hosts the quiet [which] Death opposes - to let me trust.
-- In the defeat Jesus championed, hell has been defeated, its claims demolished, and the chaos turmoil and fear that Death's role in the fallen world brings to us has been mitigated. I am free to totally and absolutely trust completely and without reservation in God, Salvation, and the relationship that is now open to me.
Though my life may slay me, Lord, carve from me any death that gives its way over to decay…
--Mortality and its reminders are to frequently a haunt - distracting from what really matters. As a tree needs pruning, so does life. Sometimes this is physical baggage, feelings, a habit, or something else we need to be rid of because it is enough of an idol that it threatens or contains our steps from being decidedly and dedicatedly Godly. These things I need to be rid of, and stay rid of. Like a scratch on the paint of a car, left unchecked it will turn to a decay which eats away value of moments. Redeeming the time is one of the things God told us to do- not wasting any of it.
~JLB
20110220
In the Wind || 2011.02.16-19
Like trees in the wind
mountains tremble before you
Stones cry out
and water stands up in a heap
I am razed so you may raise
and I acclaim you all of my days
Worship rocks me
I sway with your breath
Melt in your rhythm
teach me your steps
I smell the rain
the cloud coming closer
Enveloped in fog
I feel the mist
Pouring out worship
a hand takes my own
Together bow
the foot of the throne
Strength and honor
a heart that love has won
Steadfast standing
facing storm
I trust
feel your spirit upon my skin
Though sails may tear
water wall right through me
Love still ghosts around me
bear me upright standing
Forged of your breath
my soul now lives
Salvation billows sagaciously deep
love knows not temperantia
Compassion like a river flows
working mercy
Given your name
present faultless before glory
To you be all given
all rule, all strength, and all fame
~JLB
mountains tremble before you
Stones cry out
and water stands up in a heap
I am razed so you may raise
and I acclaim you all of my days
Worship rocks me
I sway with your breath
Melt in your rhythm
teach me your steps
I smell the rain
the cloud coming closer
Enveloped in fog
I feel the mist
Pouring out worship
a hand takes my own
Together bow
the foot of the throne
Strength and honor
a heart that love has won
Steadfast standing
facing storm
I trust
feel your spirit upon my skin
Though sails may tear
water wall right through me
Love still ghosts around me
bear me upright standing
Forged of your breath
my soul now lives
Salvation billows sagaciously deep
love knows not temperantia
Compassion like a river flows
working mercy
Given your name
present faultless before glory
To you be all given
all rule, all strength, and all fame
~JLB
20110210
Worship comes in Waves || 2011.02.09
In the emptiness of eternity love remains
Rapturous joy unspeakable, else bows and melts away
like grain in wind, or a tree - there is love, and responce
I avert my eyes, for who can witness
eternity
Worship comes in waves
deepening over the contrite
welling up the upright
into unwavering experience
no matter what the end
passion comes in waves
deeper on the contrite
overwhelming the upright
into the arms of God
dancing upon the wind
Puzzle of puzzles and so great a mystery
Can eyes see love, or I breathe
aire to feelings when I receive
and hear my Lord call me truly lovely
Who can see through all shrouds and mist
or search on for the one who calls out their name
only one by love made alive
only by love a heart be revived
only by love feel wholeness again
to fill the emptiness
of eternity
~JLB
Rapturous joy unspeakable, else bows and melts away
like grain in wind, or a tree - there is love, and responce
I avert my eyes, for who can witness
eternity
Worship comes in waves
deepening over the contrite
welling up the upright
into unwavering experience
no matter what the end
passion comes in waves
deeper on the contrite
overwhelming the upright
into the arms of God
dancing upon the wind
Puzzle of puzzles and so great a mystery
Can eyes see love, or I breathe
aire to feelings when I receive
and hear my Lord call me truly lovely
Who can see through all shrouds and mist
or search on for the one who calls out their name
only one by love made alive
only by love a heart be revived
only by love feel wholeness again
to fill the emptiness
of eternity
~JLB
Stirred Passion || 2011.02.09
I don't really care if I don't understand passion, with its stirring and confusing waves. I am jealous; I envy the next moment I can steal away for a glimpse, a moment, or a short or long conversation with you. Feelings and emotions are simply a storm, and you are the singular solace. Whether by whim or by calculated want I am set to search, to seek, and as my desire and reward to find you.
And if passion rise as a wind, or freeze like ice
- your hand holds the winds
- your love melts hearts.
The grave has already loosed you,
Death already lost its grasp.
My heart rises silently when choirs sing your name.
I feel like the whole earth trembles when heaven opens,
and worship begins to rain.
Let passion know no bound
and my heart know no content.
Pour oil to embers, desire be not quenched!
I love to love you.
Waste no moment, not a single breath!
Let love rise great and plummet me
through its highest depths.
~JLB
And if passion rise as a wind, or freeze like ice
- your hand holds the winds
- your love melts hearts.
The grave has already loosed you,
Death already lost its grasp.
My heart rises silently when choirs sing your name.
I feel like the whole earth trembles when heaven opens,
and worship begins to rain.
Let passion know no bound
and my heart know no content.
Pour oil to embers, desire be not quenched!
I love to love you.
Waste no moment, not a single breath!
Let love rise great and plummet me
through its highest depths.
~JLB
20110206
Today's Prayer || 2011.02.06
High and lofty One who is inhabiting eternity,
Bridge the boundaries that separate the temporal from the immortal. Pour out anointing - the oil of the fire, and multiply it to your service and to your lamp of light. Upset the secular aspects of life and pour eternity in.
Change our view, our expression. Bind to us love, and move us by compassion to pour out your works. Turn our face to you so the expressions we carry are the shape of your face as we humble ourselves, and I fall to my face in worship.
I pour out my heart, the box of my existence: I want it full only of you. Teach my labors to magnify your name, teach my talents to multiply and my lamp to never go out. Remind my heart daily to delight in you. Sustain me through the darkness of my insufficiencies by the light of your face. I lay my face upon your feet - to worship as close as I can get. When you stand me up write your name up on my face. Stir in me your mysteries and set your glory on my back. Be magnified for your name's sake, and raised high in the earth. Be exalted, my Lord and King, over all the earth and shine out like the sun's dawning.
~JLB
Bridge the boundaries that separate the temporal from the immortal. Pour out anointing - the oil of the fire, and multiply it to your service and to your lamp of light. Upset the secular aspects of life and pour eternity in.
Change our view, our expression. Bind to us love, and move us by compassion to pour out your works. Turn our face to you so the expressions we carry are the shape of your face as we humble ourselves, and I fall to my face in worship.
I pour out my heart, the box of my existence: I want it full only of you. Teach my labors to magnify your name, teach my talents to multiply and my lamp to never go out. Remind my heart daily to delight in you. Sustain me through the darkness of my insufficiencies by the light of your face. I lay my face upon your feet - to worship as close as I can get. When you stand me up write your name up on my face. Stir in me your mysteries and set your glory on my back. Be magnified for your name's sake, and raised high in the earth. Be exalted, my Lord and King, over all the earth and shine out like the sun's dawning.
~JLB
20110128
Each Face as Lovely || 2011.01.24
God, turn up your anointing,
your presence.
Forge in us the justice of your love
and your love's judgment.
Rain from our deepest heart
the decision and recompense of your love.
The Lord Himself be our safety and shield;
let the world see and draw close to your anointed
and be given you alone. Let them see you in truth
let them stand in awe at your outpouring touch
that we none deserve but your love demands.
Stand us monuments to the demands of your love
and the finality and fullness of it.
Let us hear the cry of your love's demand
call out to you, but move us.
Let us hear love and declare each lovely.
Love judge each one lovely.
Fill justice with compassion
for each face you see as lovely.
~JLB
After a later discussion regarding the role of forgiveness and love and other related topics, this seems more a prayer of/for outpouring rather than a theological dogma. It is theologically incomplete but not wrong. Even if every soul from now until the end rejects Truth, let me see them through the eyes of Jesus, who even hanging on the cross was asking forgiveness for those around him. Forgiveness seems that it may be a bridge by which love can cross, and even cross both ways (for what is love that is not reciprocal: only beauty?) and change that which can be changed, reconcile all that was made for mending, and bring an end to sin itself. (Sin [in part or portion] as separation of man from God. Jesus was the sinless man, and lived in fellowship with God; Jesus was the "mark" whose righteous death on our behalf bore forgiveness to our hand and redemption to the hearts of all who will turn, accept the adoption ordained [romans 8v.15] and toward the end of this futility and corruption [romans 8v.19-23] learn, draw nearer the father, and rest in His inheritance for us [heires, even the heires of God, and heires annexed with Christ (sorry the olde-English)]. We are accustomed to inheritance being the riches of the deceased, but that doesn't work so well in the setting of an immortal God. What is to inherit? Not land, not holdings, not anything temporal: we are appointed to the companionship of God. And yet some are not? it hurts me somewhere deep down to realize this, to know that the way is, but somehow a blindness is there and no illumination is followed home. I realize that God must sovereignly ordain however this can work, but the power of darkness is unfathomable when we stand in any light at all, as can be attested to by anyone who has been deprived of light while visiting some deep subterranean fissure or cavern. God move us, let none escape the chance at light, the chance of truth, the chance to touch and be touched by your love. And God, if you ever thought someone was unlovely, thank you for forgiving them, and for giving them sun and rain, and sustaining them ... for each and every face that you created you see as lovely. Each, and every.
your presence.
Forge in us the justice of your love
and your love's judgment.
Rain from our deepest heart
the decision and recompense of your love.
The Lord Himself be our safety and shield;
let the world see and draw close to your anointed
and be given you alone. Let them see you in truth
let them stand in awe at your outpouring touch
that we none deserve but your love demands.
Stand us monuments to the demands of your love
and the finality and fullness of it.
Let us hear the cry of your love's demand
call out to you, but move us.
Let us hear love and declare each lovely.
Love judge each one lovely.
Fill justice with compassion
for each face you see as lovely.
~JLB
After a later discussion regarding the role of forgiveness and love and other related topics, this seems more a prayer of/for outpouring rather than a theological dogma. It is theologically incomplete but not wrong. Even if every soul from now until the end rejects Truth, let me see them through the eyes of Jesus, who even hanging on the cross was asking forgiveness for those around him. Forgiveness seems that it may be a bridge by which love can cross, and even cross both ways (for what is love that is not reciprocal: only beauty?) and change that which can be changed, reconcile all that was made for mending, and bring an end to sin itself. (Sin [in part or portion] as separation of man from God. Jesus was the sinless man, and lived in fellowship with God; Jesus was the "mark" whose righteous death on our behalf bore forgiveness to our hand and redemption to the hearts of all who will turn, accept the adoption ordained [romans 8v.15] and toward the end of this futility and corruption [romans 8v.19-23] learn, draw nearer the father, and rest in His inheritance for us [heires, even the heires of God, and heires annexed with Christ (sorry the olde-English)]. We are accustomed to inheritance being the riches of the deceased, but that doesn't work so well in the setting of an immortal God. What is to inherit? Not land, not holdings, not anything temporal: we are appointed to the companionship of God. And yet some are not? it hurts me somewhere deep down to realize this, to know that the way is, but somehow a blindness is there and no illumination is followed home. I realize that God must sovereignly ordain however this can work, but the power of darkness is unfathomable when we stand in any light at all, as can be attested to by anyone who has been deprived of light while visiting some deep subterranean fissure or cavern. God move us, let none escape the chance at light, the chance of truth, the chance to touch and be touched by your love. And God, if you ever thought someone was unlovely, thank you for forgiving them, and for giving them sun and rain, and sustaining them ... for each and every face that you created you see as lovely. Each, and every.
20110122
Be Glorified Here || 2011.01.21
Let us see your glory, let the unknowing say,
"The Glory is here, the Glory is apparent."
Be magnified as your servants lift you up.
Be glorified as your people hear your voice.
Be lifted up, mighty before the people.
Show your love above your power -
that our hearts would burn,
harboring boldness driven by unquenchable love.
Show us your spirit and let the vision
be understood and boldly move us.
Let the impossible crumble at your voice:
even the blind to see your face.
Wear your heart upon our heart
and let us beat as one.
Make all our edges salvation and our doors praise,
and glorify your glory
so everyone can see. Rise up your glory,
stir your people. Raise our voices to call out
those who do not know your. Light them with your light
until the darkness falls away. All creation praise your name,
may your house be glorified.
~JLB
"The Glory is here, the Glory is apparent."
Be magnified as your servants lift you up.
Be glorified as your people hear your voice.
Be lifted up, mighty before the people.
Show your love above your power -
that our hearts would burn,
harboring boldness driven by unquenchable love.
Show us your spirit and let the vision
be understood and boldly move us.
Let the impossible crumble at your voice:
even the blind to see your face.
Wear your heart upon our heart
and let us beat as one.
Make all our edges salvation and our doors praise,
and glorify your glory
so everyone can see. Rise up your glory,
stir your people. Raise our voices to call out
those who do not know your. Light them with your light
until the darkness falls away. All creation praise your name,
may your house be glorified.
~JLB
20110119
Gave the Broken Parts Back || 2011.01.19
When I seem empty, Lord, and poured completely out
Break me further if need be to truly empty myself of me
Leave nothing left to my own chance
Nothing left but sovereign dance
Turn fire upon this selected vessel
Pour oil in so I am covered completely
Pour oil in so it runs out the cracks,
the thin spots, and especially the holes
And ignite it, let it burn clear
Clothe me with light
Like the beacons that draw people
let me draw people to you
Humble me. Lord. I don't care what your cost
To raise you higher, everything is worth it
To shine with your name is worth it all the way
I want to see your love, and want to know your love
but more than that, I need to show your love
Let it pour out the holes in my life
that you don't heal, you don't take away
It's like I laid my life at your feet
and you gave the broken parts back
along with the rest
I was hoping you would take them, fix them
but you gave them back
So I'll stand as close as i can, and always again
put it all at your feet
When you pick me up and send me I'll go,
but stand yourself above me
Tower over me in love
Stand tall upon my shoulders
- it's why you've given me strength
Go strong upon my voice
- my breath is for nothing else
Burn bright upon my head
fill this place with your glory, your love
Consume me Lord, again and again
Perfect your inheritance
in the hearts of your sons and your daughters
Come burn in me
~JLB
Break me further if need be to truly empty myself of me
Leave nothing left to my own chance
Nothing left but sovereign dance
Turn fire upon this selected vessel
Pour oil in so I am covered completely
Pour oil in so it runs out the cracks,
the thin spots, and especially the holes
And ignite it, let it burn clear
Clothe me with light
Like the beacons that draw people
let me draw people to you
Humble me. Lord. I don't care what your cost
To raise you higher, everything is worth it
To shine with your name is worth it all the way
I want to see your love, and want to know your love
but more than that, I need to show your love
Let it pour out the holes in my life
that you don't heal, you don't take away
It's like I laid my life at your feet
and you gave the broken parts back
along with the rest
I was hoping you would take them, fix them
but you gave them back
So I'll stand as close as i can, and always again
put it all at your feet
When you pick me up and send me I'll go,
but stand yourself above me
Tower over me in love
Stand tall upon my shoulders
- it's why you've given me strength
Go strong upon my voice
- my breath is for nothing else
Burn bright upon my head
fill this place with your glory, your love
Consume me Lord, again and again
Perfect your inheritance
in the hearts of your sons and your daughters
Come burn in me
~JLB
Prepare the Way || 2011.01.15
I want to know you more, Lord. Hear your whisper and feel every breath. Send me even out before you, to prepare the way. When mountains and valleys are moved, let it be nothing still compared to you. Let the excitement never fade from my heart at any opportunity to meet with you. Let my heart strain always for your whisper, even in crowded noise. Let your hand reach through me at moments of Death to reclaim life, and sustain your living. Let creation cry to you and let me prepare your way.
~JLB
~JLB
20110113
Sermon || 2011.01.08
Sermon, Taught at Lighthouse Mission 2011 Jan 08
--note: I didn't start 1John, but continued from where we went over last week--
Started reviewing from Romans 8 about Boldness, and freedom from fear,and God's real purpose.
Went over Romans 8:15: adoption and joint heirs, and how both adoption and making said adoptee a joint heir are 2 things that must be conscious decisions. Adoption is not accidental, there are many steps and they all are decision points where each one has to be decided and the process either ends there or goes to the next choice. Pregnancy can be an accident, adoption is on purpose, on purpose, on purpose, and then some. And then after adoption, to make someone an heir is also a process and joint heir makes the expression a deliberate one of full acceptance. We are not loved as God's step-children, but we have been selected long before we were His, and at every turn leading up to our lives He decided He wanted us. And then after we reached Him, our inheritance is equal with His own son.
So what do we inherit from an immortal God. How does that work. Most inheritance is payable on death, which would work if we were inheriting only what jesus had to give away. God, immortal and infinite, creating and sustaining, offers Himself: Love.
Our adoption is an expression of the "Father", which was spoken of the previous week. Joint inheritance is an expression of "Abba"/"Daddy". But what is love? Where does that fit? Relationship is the only relevant expression of love. Chocolate, money, gifts, even provision (by itself) is temporal (as is suffering, which Paul mentions). That means it is immortally non-existent. Relationship is what matters.
This relationship - this love - is inseparable from us. [Romans 37-39]
The rest of the chapter talks about how the result of our adoption and the realization of the inheritance of love will free creation itself from the futility/emptiness/uselessness/vanity that it groans to be free of. The purpose of all creation itself is that we would come to the inheritance we jointly are promised with Jesus.
Victory over Chocolate, money, gifts, provision, addiction, suffering, and everything which Paul mentions (which includes everything) is Love. Its what we can't be separated from.
Nave's topical bible does not contain an entry for "Victory". (Dunno how they missed this one, it seems like a kind of central theme to the scripture.) There is a few verses for "Victory [in battle]", but nothing for victory: so i took a while thinking of a cross-reference that would include victory. I came up with "Overcoming". (Sounds reasonable, nu?) Entry says "see Perseverance".
First scripture in the list is from 1 Chronicles 16. Where we find a psalm of David (Which i always thought were exclusive to the book of Psalms, but i learned something).
Verses 8-11 are basically a set of instructions for successful perseverance:
Give thanks > [about Him, to other people]
Call Him > [to Him]
Make Him known > [about Him, to other people]
sing songs to Him > [to Him]
say His wonders > [about Him, to other people, to ourselves]
let your heart rejoice > [from Him, to us]
Seek God and His Strength > [together this indicates relationship: looking, and strength is only visible in demonstration]
Seek Him continually > overcome, He is eternal - why would you stop?
The following verses (12-13) are basically doing those steps a time or 2 through.
So we need to spend time with God, seeking Him, praying, singing songs, lifting Him up.
we need to spend time with God like a friend we like. Get to know Him, and as we do we become like Him. And we begin to make Him more visible in our acquired likeness. Its what we really need.
~JLB
--note: I didn't start 1John, but continued from where we went over last week--
Started reviewing from Romans 8 about Boldness, and freedom from fear,and God's real purpose.
Went over Romans 8:15: adoption and joint heirs, and how both adoption and making said adoptee a joint heir are 2 things that must be conscious decisions. Adoption is not accidental, there are many steps and they all are decision points where each one has to be decided and the process either ends there or goes to the next choice. Pregnancy can be an accident, adoption is on purpose, on purpose, on purpose, and then some. And then after adoption, to make someone an heir is also a process and joint heir makes the expression a deliberate one of full acceptance. We are not loved as God's step-children, but we have been selected long before we were His, and at every turn leading up to our lives He decided He wanted us. And then after we reached Him, our inheritance is equal with His own son.
So what do we inherit from an immortal God. How does that work. Most inheritance is payable on death, which would work if we were inheriting only what jesus had to give away. God, immortal and infinite, creating and sustaining, offers Himself: Love.
Our adoption is an expression of the "Father", which was spoken of the previous week. Joint inheritance is an expression of "Abba"/"Daddy". But what is love? Where does that fit? Relationship is the only relevant expression of love. Chocolate, money, gifts, even provision (by itself) is temporal (as is suffering, which Paul mentions). That means it is immortally non-existent. Relationship is what matters.
This relationship - this love - is inseparable from us. [Romans 37-39]
The rest of the chapter talks about how the result of our adoption and the realization of the inheritance of love will free creation itself from the futility/emptiness/uselessness/vanity that it groans to be free of. The purpose of all creation itself is that we would come to the inheritance we jointly are promised with Jesus.
Victory over Chocolate, money, gifts, provision, addiction, suffering, and everything which Paul mentions (which includes everything) is Love. Its what we can't be separated from.
Nave's topical bible does not contain an entry for "Victory". (Dunno how they missed this one, it seems like a kind of central theme to the scripture.) There is a few verses for "Victory [in battle]", but nothing for victory: so i took a while thinking of a cross-reference that would include victory. I came up with "Overcoming". (Sounds reasonable, nu?) Entry says "see Perseverance".
First scripture in the list is from 1 Chronicles 16. Where we find a psalm of David (Which i always thought were exclusive to the book of Psalms, but i learned something).
Verses 8-11 are basically a set of instructions for successful perseverance:
Give thanks > [about Him, to other people]
Call Him > [to Him]
Make Him known > [about Him, to other people]
sing songs to Him > [to Him]
say His wonders > [about Him, to other people, to ourselves]
let your heart rejoice > [from Him, to us]
Seek God and His Strength > [together this indicates relationship: looking, and strength is only visible in demonstration]
Seek Him continually > overcome, He is eternal - why would you stop?
The following verses (12-13) are basically doing those steps a time or 2 through.
So we need to spend time with God, seeking Him, praying, singing songs, lifting Him up.
we need to spend time with God like a friend we like. Get to know Him, and as we do we become like Him. And we begin to make Him more visible in our acquired likeness. Its what we really need.
~JLB
20110109
My Hands and Feet || 2011.01.08
I bow my hands and my feet
before you in worship
Open now, giving up all they hold
full surrender
Fill them with your face
fill them with your strength
To you always
Let my hands and feet resound
with your worship
to your heart seek -
that you may pour out from them
Descend upon your servants
name your chosen ones
Empty us of complication
show us how to abandon all
which seeks to sink us away from you
Throw it to the storm, calm the motion
so all that is left is real
As You ride the heavens
stand before us and rise up over us
Cover us like a tidal wave
that puts the boats in the trees
with the force of the sea
Raise your right arm in strength amazingly
~JLB
before you in worship
Open now, giving up all they hold
full surrender
Fill them with your face
fill them with your strength
To you always
Let my hands and feet resound
with your worship
to your heart seek -
that you may pour out from them
Descend upon your servants
name your chosen ones
Empty us of complication
show us how to abandon all
which seeks to sink us away from you
Throw it to the storm, calm the motion
so all that is left is real
As You ride the heavens
stand before us and rise up over us
Cover us like a tidal wave
that puts the boats in the trees
with the force of the sea
Raise your right arm in strength amazingly
~JLB
20110107
Time with Him || 2011.01.04
Rejoice in God; Praise Him
Set His sign upon your face
that anyone who looks at you can see
and their way is pointed to Him
Let multitudes be turned to God
and all the hungry taste His salvation
Let His love restore each heart
and this light shine from each face
Glory to the God of gods
Magnify the King of kings
Make my life to be a pouring vessel
to bring honor to His name
He is great above all of this earth
He is great even above the heavens He rides
May my hands show His majesty
My face declare His Glory
May my heart burn with His love
and all my being bow to Him alone
May I stumble through the shadows
to find the latch of His door
where He waits for me, and
sings softly my name
Let me sit up all night long
conversing, holding joy in His presence
spending time with Him.
~JLB
Set His sign upon your face
that anyone who looks at you can see
and their way is pointed to Him
Let multitudes be turned to God
and all the hungry taste His salvation
Let His love restore each heart
and this light shine from each face
Glory to the God of gods
Magnify the King of kings
Make my life to be a pouring vessel
to bring honor to His name
He is great above all of this earth
He is great even above the heavens He rides
May my hands show His majesty
My face declare His Glory
May my heart burn with His love
and all my being bow to Him alone
May I stumble through the shadows
to find the latch of His door
where He waits for me, and
sings softly my name
Let me sit up all night long
conversing, holding joy in His presence
spending time with Him.
~JLB
Futility || 2011.01.01
Futility.
Creation full in empty longing
the rocks cry without effect.
Hope rocks all things
as the creation anxiously awaits revelation,
for in the exchange of our adoption
is the reason of all creation.
Abba - Father!
In destiny was earnest given
adopted sons, set creation free.
Let the spirit cry and let creation rejoice:
Love is the purpose,
to pour out glory.
There is victory
and this is love.
Predestined adoption
though life, death, messages and news, powers or laws
we wade or walk through...
Love is our victory.
~JLB
Creation full in empty longing
the rocks cry without effect.
Hope rocks all things
as the creation anxiously awaits revelation,
for in the exchange of our adoption
is the reason of all creation.
Abba - Father!
In destiny was earnest given
adopted sons, set creation free.
Let the spirit cry and let creation rejoice:
Love is the purpose,
to pour out glory.
There is victory
and this is love.
Predestined adoption
though life, death, messages and news, powers or laws
we wade or walk through...
Love is our victory.
~JLB
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