Set a Fire Down in My Soul

this and "Higher" from Lecrae's new album "Gravity" have been really on my heart this morning. Enjoy!

Truths

Truths that I've been reminded of this last week:

Conviction is from God; guilt is from the devil.

When it comes to the workings of God in our lives, don't be expecting, be expectant.
And come to think of it... isn't everything a working of God in our lives?

Your sanctification is ultimately a matter of:
* what God has done (past tense) and not what you are doing. When God looks at you, the fundamental thing is not how you have lived your life this last week, but that Christ's blood has already sanctified you.
*identity and not behavior. You first have to have an understanding of what Christ has done for you... then you start acting like it!
*God's will and not your worth. You are not here because you are such a wonderful or deserving person. Don't forget it! Don't get it twisted! You have not disappointed God; He chose you.
*belonging and not isolation. You have a Father, you are a part of a family. Quit feeling like you are out on the periphery with no way to get an in with God or His people because you aren't good enough. You are in.
*boasting in Christ and not yourself. Its all about Christ and nothing to do with you. Are you feeling not good enough? Well, duh! You aren't good enough! If you were there would be no reason for Christ and the cross would be emptied of its power! You need as Savior because you are not good enough.

God uses the weak things of this world to shame the strong. He uses the foolish things of this world to shame the wise. He uses even me, believe it or not!

I've Seen (You sustain)

(i've been reading ecclesiates. obviously.)

Under the sun I've seen
More than once...

A lovely young lady be taken too soon
Perhaps preventable
Leaving helpless lives behind,
A precious young life snuffed out
Before it was given a chance
No first breath ever came,
Beloved Godly grandparents die
Vanishing into thin veils of the people they were
Their bodies ravished by disease,
Relationships hit rough waters
Though both parties knew You
Still hearts were hurt,

I've seen faithful servants suffer

With no way to put food on the table
Their prayers never faltering.

Yet I know what the great king never knew...

And somehow the assurance
"God would not inflict pain thus on all His children,
He knows whom He may trust,"
Is both enough to know and too little
Balm for the ache in my heart
For those whose lives touch mine
No matter in how little ways.
Yet I know You are faithful, You are still good.
Your strength is more than enough for me.
Your grace is sufficient.

No matter what I've seen
I know You've seen worse
And You'll sustain me like You have them.
There is nothing and no one else.
Basically You are the be all and end all.
I need not know how or why
I need only know that You love me

And that Love makes all the difference.
Because of it I might swim rivers
Though I fear their depths
And my very core panics at the thought
As my toes slip from their shaky hold
In a mighty rush into the stream's current
I know You hold me afloat
Nothing may hold me under
The pressure thrusting air
From already weakened lungs
I find You become my breath in those times.

I've seen, under the sun
More than once...

A beautiful weathered face walk
Gracefully to the shores of death
Pause not for a looking back
At this Sodom and Gomorrah that earth becomes
And that look of peace as they see their Savior;
And I've seen God heal and restore
Relationships that, reasonably,
No one would have given hope
Love lives once more
Where only desolation had set up home;
I've seen You come through
Needs met in the nick of time
And daily bread never lacking
As Your saints hit their knees
Growing stronger with their testimonies;
And the joy of that cry
As for the first time
The contented infant sits in her arms
Cradled in a mother's love
And she knows more of Your love for her's.

And I've seen You
More than once...
Over and over
In fact
Prove Yourself faithful
Show Yourself powerful
Love perfectly
Strengthen completely
Be sufficient
Just enough.

I've seen You sustain.