The Faithfulness of God

Though we often break covenant with God, He is always faithful, and will never fail to keep His promises.

Below is the sermon which I preached last Sabbath. Please feel free to download it if you'd like.

I pray you'll be blessed. Remember, God is faithful!

It is Still My Cry

Written July 4, 2014

Open my eyes. Make me see
the path that You have laid for me
Guide my steps. Place my feet
firm along the way. To be
my light and guide. My all in all
surrendered to You, I cannot fall
And when I cannot hear Your call
I'll trust You, in the silence.

For You are never truly silent
You said You would not hold Your peace
Until my righteousness shines forth
So bright that it will never cease
But all I have are filthy rags
These garments shining bright, not mine--
An undeserved gift of grace
Until I see You face to face

The Mysterious Farewell

I read this this morning. I had no words. I read it over and over. I let it sink in and I let the tears flow. This is God.

Jesus pronounces woes on the Pharisees to expose their hypocrisy before the people. Then, in Desire of Ages pg 620, it reads...

“Divine pity marked the countenance of the Son of God as He cast one lingering look upon the temple and then upon His hearers. In a voice choked by deep anguish of heart and bitter tears He exclaimed, ‘O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!’ This is the separation struggle. In the lamentation of Christ the very heart of God is pouring itself forth. It is the mysterious farewell of the long-suffering love of the Deity.”

“What wonderous love...” can only lead to... 

what wondrous pain.

the separation struggle...

the mysterious farewell...
long-suffering love...

...the very heart of God.

“O, Jerusalem, Jerusalem...”

He of Whom Prophets Had Spoken

The Father cried tears
The Son's heart was broken
Yes, this was He
Of whom prophets had spoken

The Lamb on a cross
The God on a tree
The King crowned with thorns
In shame and glory

What love there displayed!
What justice was done
When God, in pain
Gave His only Son

Darkness surrounds Him
Bruised, bloody, naked
He cries in the silence
"Why have You forsaken?"

His question resounds
In my quivering heart
Breathless, I listen
Then it pierces the dark:

"It is finished!" His voice
Shakes me, and the earth
Convulses and mourns
As He suffers the curse

We fall to the ground
In terror and wonder
I tremble to watch
The Trinity sundered

Who is this God?
This God on a tree
It should have been me
It should have been me

For I slapped Him and scorned Him
I mocked Him that day
Yet, "Father, forgive them"
Was all He would say

The tears of the Father
Break into my soul
I look to my Savior
Shattered, made whole

He saved me by grace
Conquered death by His love
He is risen, and now
Interceding above

Forget not this story
It cost God His life
Remember His love
Remember the price

The Father cried tears
The Son's heart was broken
Yes, this was He
Of whom prophets had spoken.

July 5, 2014

8 Years Old

Yesterday I turned 8 years old. 

I think back to that day, 8 years ago. It's a moment to remember -- plunging down into that watery grave, coming up in newness of life. It's not I who live, but Christ who lives in me. 

Young and unafraid, I declared to the universe whose soldier I was. My Commander had my heart and my life, and I was willing to enter the thick of battle for Him. It was solemn, yet I was full of joy. With childlike faith I surrendered all to Jesus. 

A lot can happen in 8 years. It's only by the grace of God that I am still His. Along with growing up comes the cares of this life -- first teenage temptations and now more “mature” adult stuff. But though it all my God has remained faithful and unchanging. 

I want to have the love, faith, and fire of that moment when I took my first breath as a newborn in the family of God. I want to once again be like that child of 8 years ago, trusting simply in my Heavenly Father. 

He is calling me, and He is calling you. 

Live like a little child.

Rays of His Love

Standing outside, soaking up the little bit of Scandinavian sun that I can. It's 9:16 am. Crows and other more pleasant twitterpated birds accompany this still moment. The occasional car drives by and disrupts the otherwise serene Skåne countryside (if you can call it serene with scores of crows making their presence all too known).

In a few minutes, I will be in a car, off to church. But I just wanted to share this moment with you.

Remember, the clouds may come and the sky may not always be blue, but the sun is still there.

God never changes. His faithfulness remains. So soak up every ray of His love.

I can assure you, His love is much more abundant than the Scandinavian sun.

(This beautiful place is not Skåne, but Norway)

Morning Cry

In Your mercy, O Lord, hear my cry. You alone search the mind and test the heart. I'm coming to You because I have nothing—no wisdom, no strength, no righteousness, no love—nothing of my own. I realize my utter dependence on You. You know the turmoil in my mind, the battle with my thoughts, the weakness of my heart. Deliver me from myself. I give You permission to save me at any cost. 

I'm casting myself—broken, bruised, battered—at the foot of the cross. 

I'm tired of fighting, Lord. 

Yet when I behold the Lamb of God—broken, bruised, battered—I'm reminded that the battle is the Lord's. The victory is won. 

But at no small price.

God hung on a tree. God was sundered,

                                                                                   torn      apart,

                                                                                                                 forsaken. 

God died…and paid the eternal consequence

for me.

I'm letting it sink in.

Love has won the victory                            

…in my heart.

"I will go in the strength of the Lord GOD; I will make mention of Your righteousness, of Yours only"

(Psalm 71:16 NKJV)

Thank You, Father.

In the precious name of Your Son, Jesus.

Amen

Humble Prayer

Father hear me now when I am humbled 

I fear that I will soon forget 

Now I have no strength to stand and stumble 

I have no wish to leave You yet 

O Holy Father hear me now 

When flesh is strong and spirit weak 

Please break my back if I won't bow 

Won't You have Your way with me? 

Father hear me now when I am humbled 

When I am bent with holy shame 

All the lies that I believed have crumbled 

The blood of Christ my only claim 

I cannot my trust my own designs 

My heart is prone to disobey 

So listen Lord while there is time 

Chain me fast if I won't stay 

Take my life and have Your way 

Please hear me Lord this blessed hour 

When sin has loosed it's hold on me 

Thy mercy is a mighty tower 

So why should I not trust in Thee? 

Father, have Your way with me

- Andrew Peterson

http://youtu.be/-ACFLwISQ90