Lest We forget…

Lest I forget Gethsemane,
Lest I forget thine agony,
Lest I forget thy love for me,
Lead me to Calvary.

It’s only through the cross that we have life. Only because Jesus lived and died for us! He gave His every breath, His every word and deed for us. His every step, His every thought, every miracle and teaching was for us! When he ate it was for us, when he drank it was for us! He does not live for possessions, He does not live for wealth, He does not live for health!!! He died for us!!! He rose for us!!! He lives for me!!! He lives for us!!! Everything Jesus Christ, the son of God, did was for us!!! EVERYTHING!!! What do we give?

He expects and deserves no less from us!!! He commands EVERY PART OF US!!!

Romans 12
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

It’s all or nothing. We either lose our lives for His sake, deny our earthly pleasures and live our lives to seek Him only, and in so doing find life abundant!! Glorious, all satisfying, joyous life!! or… We don’t, we enjoy this life here on earth, comfortable, achieving success, knowledge, acceptance… and miss the mark and die in our own self-righteousness.

Luke 9
23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.

Luke 14
33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.

We all have to die.

In short… Christ died to give life. We must die to receive it!

We breathe because of the grace of a loving creator God.
He wants every breath.
He wants every word.
He wants your shopping list, your social events, your spare time, your relationships, your ambition, your dreams….

Everything within you will rebel at what this really means. Your flesh is born in sin and hates truth. It will do anything to conceal it, to soften it, to make it palatable. Consider this…

Matthew 16
23 thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.
24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.

There are many other scriptures and the theme is consistent from cover to cover in God’s word. He will not tolerate anything less than a heart seeking to know Him and obey His word. Understand that your desire to please yourself MUST DIE! The two greatest commandments. Listen to what the bible says…. The two greatest COMMANDMENTS! They are not optional!!!

1 – Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
2 – Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

With all!! That is every single part of your being should love His word, His presence and pleasing Him. Every part of your life…. sigh, Oh friends, why is it that Jesus Christ and His word is not the highlight of our conversation? Why is it that being righteous is not the pleasure of our day? Why is it that loving unconditionally is so alien to us? When we consider the gift of life, the work of redemption, the saving power of the blood of Jesus… HOW CAN THAT EVER SHAME US??!!

Oh may the Holy Spirit lead us to repentance, open our eyes to truth and lead us ever closer to Jesus. Only for His name to be glorified and for His testimony to be seen in our lives! Praise Jesus! Thank you Jesus. I have Salvation! Jesus loves me!! I have life!!!!!! I have a life of hope and peace and joy everlasting!!!! HALLELUJAH!!

Life.

In Christ we are offered life. A wonderful life. A life of peace, a life of assurance, a life of hope, joy and satisfaction. A life of love. The holy, almighty, creator God loves me. He loves me more than words could describe. God himself loves me and cares for me. He has ransomed me and pardoned me. He has washed me whiter than snow and put a song in my heart. We never need to worry and never need to fear so long as our eyes and feet are towards Jesus. HE IS LIFE!!! JESUS IS LIFE!! Continue reading “Life.” →

God’s Word!

I can now say that I’ve read the whole bible!

I have not found joy, excitement or life in anything else!! It is the most terrifying and uplifting book. All of life’s answers are in there. What a gift! Thank you Jesus for the words that create, the words that condemn, the words that convict, the words that restore, the words of life and the words that save to the uttermost! Thank you Jesus! :)

13/01/10 – Life Just Now.

Happy New Year Folks!! :)

I’m just back from spending the start of the Year visiting my younger sister, Leah, and the fellowship at New Testament Church in Ballynahinch, NI. It was a great way to start the year! Whilst we were over there my mum, Ruth, turned 50! A milestone in life and so the NTC fellowship held a lovely party. She was very happy! Leah is doing well too and her car has just passed its M.O.T. which we are very grateful for. Praise Jesus for His every provision. You can find out a little more about Leah at her own blog which you can get to from my ‘links’ page.

NOW! I’m living at home with my parents for now, which is nice, but I do hope to get my own place soon. At the moment I am self employed and working as a landscape gardener. I thoroughly enjoy it and I am learning a lot! I love working outdoors and it’s great to have so much variety.

FUTURE? My flesh is saying, I wish there was something more to my life. I feel like I am slowly trudging up a hill and looking for an easy way out of a problem or two. But the flesh always wants more and God has been constantly and consistently showing me through His word that He is all that I need. Jesus satisfies every need! He is all my hope and strength. He is life, He is truth and He is the way! I can trust the creator God to deliver me and protect me from every problem. (Matthew 6:25-34)

I live knowing that Jesus may come before I finish writing this. I know that I don’t need to worry about a single thing. I have been given life and life more abundantly! A life that is stress free! Free from worry, free from doubt, free from pain! Just as Peter walked on the stormy sea, if I keep my eyes on Jesus and learn to love Him, this life cannot touch me! What a gift!! What a promise!! What a Saviour!! One day at a time… and may Christ come soon!

Much, much love in Jesus and only by His grace and mercy,
Matthew