Here is a song that I wrote about the hopelessness and dissatisfaction I experienced before I became a Christian.
Face down on the floor
I've been this way so many times before
They all think I'm fine
But I can't say no to whiskey and wine
Who's that girl I kissed?
I was sad to leave but I don't think I'll be missed
I can't go on this way
It only brings destruction and dismay
I need someone to save me, save me
From this life of cheerless vanity I know that I am lost
I know that I am lost
The pain it never ends
The same routine is happening again
I need an escape
From this life of which I truly hate
I need someone to save me, save me
From this life of cheerless vanity
I know that I am lost
I know that I am lost
Take me far away from here
Won't you take me far away?
I need someone to save me, save me
From this life of cheerless vanity
I know that I am lost
I know that I am lost
Friday 8 July 2011
Thursday 2 June 2011
God does not want what we can give Him; He wants us! (Matthew 22:15-22)
Matthew 22:15-22
Here we go again...
Sometimes I cringe whenever I read and think about how the Pharisees reacted to Jesus. He heals a man's withered hand on the Sabbath and instead of marvelling or rejoicing, they accuse Him of breaking the Law and then plot to 'destroy' Him (Mark 3:1-6). In this passage, however, they think that they have trapped Him. The common Jewish thought at that time was that the Messiah would deliver them from Roman rule, so how would Jesus respond to this question? In paying taxes, is He effectively supporting the Roman Empire? In common Jesus-style, however, he responded in a way which was marvellously unexpected.
"Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s."
BOOM! Another triumph for the Son of God :)
Jesus, in this passage, does not only answer the Pharisees' question but teaches us another Kingdom principle; "Render to God the things that are God's"
For a long time I thought that Jesus was teaching about sacrificing or tithing the gifts that God has given us - "God has blessed me with finances, so I shall 'render' part of my income back to Him". However, I don't think this is the message that Jesus is teaching us here. It is much more amazing than that...
God does not want what we can give Him. He wants us!
In Genesis 2, God says "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness". So just as the people are to pay taxes to Caesar because the coin bears his likeness, we also are to offer ourselves completely to God because we bear His likeness. How amazing is that?
Paul writes in Romans 12:1 'I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.'
But what do we get in return? In paying taxes we don't really get any direct benefits, but the amazing thing is that in 'rendering to God the things that are God's' we get the greatest thing in return - "I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand" (John 10:28)
God wants you because He loves you. Whatever you have done, wherever you have been - it does not matter to God because He's your Father. He does not love a future you; He loves you just as you are!
Then the Pharisees went and plotted how to entangle him in his words. And they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, "Teacher, we know that you are true and teach the way of God truthfully, and you do not care about anyone’s opinion, for you are not swayed by appearances. Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?" But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, "Why put me to the test, you hypocrites? Show me the coin for the tax." And they brought him a denarius. And Jesus said to them, "Whose likeness and inscription is this?" They said, "Caesar’s." Then he said to them, "Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s." When they heard it, they marveled. And they left him and went away
 |
| The inscription reads “Caesar Augustus Tiberius, son of the Divine Augustus” |
Sometimes I cringe whenever I read and think about how the Pharisees reacted to Jesus. He heals a man's withered hand on the Sabbath and instead of marvelling or rejoicing, they accuse Him of breaking the Law and then plot to 'destroy' Him (Mark 3:1-6). In this passage, however, they think that they have trapped Him. The common Jewish thought at that time was that the Messiah would deliver them from Roman rule, so how would Jesus respond to this question? In paying taxes, is He effectively supporting the Roman Empire? In common Jesus-style, however, he responded in a way which was marvellously unexpected.
"Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s."
BOOM! Another triumph for the Son of God :)
Jesus, in this passage, does not only answer the Pharisees' question but teaches us another Kingdom principle; "Render to God the things that are God's"
For a long time I thought that Jesus was teaching about sacrificing or tithing the gifts that God has given us - "God has blessed me with finances, so I shall 'render' part of my income back to Him". However, I don't think this is the message that Jesus is teaching us here. It is much more amazing than that...
God does not want what we can give Him. He wants us!
In Genesis 2, God says "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness". So just as the people are to pay taxes to Caesar because the coin bears his likeness, we also are to offer ourselves completely to God because we bear His likeness. How amazing is that?
Paul writes in Romans 12:1 'I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.'
But what do we get in return? In paying taxes we don't really get any direct benefits, but the amazing thing is that in 'rendering to God the things that are God's' we get the greatest thing in return - "I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand" (John 10:28)
God wants you because He loves you. Whatever you have done, wherever you have been - it does not matter to God because He's your Father. He does not love a future you; He loves you just as you are!
Tuesday 5 April 2011
New Song: God-Shaped
God has taught me many lessons over the past year or two. One of the main lessons He has taught me is that I cannot sort out all of my problems by myself and that He is more than happy to sort them out for me. :)
Matthew 11:28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest"
John 15:5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
VERSE 1
There was a hole in my heart
There was a gap in my soul
There was a hole in my heart it was God-shaped
I was left on my own
It got harder to bear
All my failures and all of my mistakes
CHORUS
He said "Come to me
With all of your worries and all of your pain
Just come to me and I will restore you and give you the strength
To carry on, to carry on
VERSE 2
Many lessons I've learned
On this road with my King
Many lessons I've learned about Jesus
I've learned about true love
And how nothing can compare
How nothing can compare to Jesus
BRIDGE
How many times have I disobeyed?
How many times have I walked away from You?
And how many times have you taught me that I cannot do this alone?
So I'll live for You, I'll live for You
Matthew 11:28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest"
John 15:5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
VERSE 1
There was a hole in my heart
There was a gap in my soul
There was a hole in my heart it was God-shaped
I was left on my own
It got harder to bear
All my failures and all of my mistakes
CHORUS
He said "Come to me
With all of your worries and all of your pain
Just come to me and I will restore you and give you the strength
To carry on, to carry on
VERSE 2
Many lessons I've learned
On this road with my King
Many lessons I've learned about Jesus
I've learned about true love
And how nothing can compare
How nothing can compare to Jesus
BRIDGE
How many times have I disobeyed?
How many times have I walked away from You?
And how many times have you taught me that I cannot do this alone?
So I'll live for You, I'll live for You
Monday 4 April 2011
New Song: Fullness of Joy (Psalm 16)
Here is a song I wrote based upon Psalm 16. I hope you like it :)
VERSE 1
In You I take refuge
Lord, You are my strength
There is no good apart from You, there's only You
Your love never fails
I'll never let go, I'll never let go
CHORUS
My heart is glad, my whole life rejoices
In you I stand, I lift up my voice
Your love and grace are all that I need
In your presence there's fullness of joy
In your presence there's fullness of joy
VERSE 2
You're my chosen portion
Lord, You hold my lot
Your pleasures are for evermore, there's always more
I'll never give up
You're the pathway to life, You're the pathway to life
BRIDGE
You're always before me
You're at my right hand
I cannot be shaken
In Your presence I stand
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