The only thing that God asks in return for joy, a new life, stainless and free from sin, is the old life. The broken heart. For us to take it upon ourselves to strive to follow the commandments He laid out for us. The ones there to protect us. For us to take up our cross, condemn ourselves in the world's eyes, and follow Christ.
Mark 8:34 "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 35For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. 36What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? 37Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? 38If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels."
How many times have you denied God? Like Peter, you may say you wouldn't, but you don't have to speak to deny Him. Ignoring what you know is right, in favour of what you want, or what others expect of you. In this 'adulterous and sinful generation', it's easy to feel ashamed for doing the right thing, when others might laugh at you, or reject you. But being ashamed of perfect love is ridiculous.
What good is it to gain the whole world, yet lose your soul?
Why do we cling onto the things that cause us so much pain? We torment ourselves by thinking we can fix it. We keep using sellotape and pritt sticks to piece our lives back together, when God is standing next to us with the blood of Christ, a substance far stronger, to bind us back together. But we dismiss him, because, of course, we know ourselves better than anyone else ever could. Wrong.
'You've known me, and You've loved me, since before the world began.'
Jeremiah 1:5 "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
before you were born I set you apart;
I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."
This piece of scripture isn't just talking to the prophet. It's as relevant today as it was then. As relevant for you as him. God had an amazing plan for your life, whether you know it yet or not. He knew you far better than you know yourself now before you were even born. And nothing you can do can change the fact that He loves you, because He loves you, because He loves you.
It's difficult to trust in someone who you can't see. Without wanting to sound cliched, I'd say that God is like the wind. You can't see Him, but you can see the changes He causes. You can hear Him, and You can, above all things, feel His presence. It's difficult to trust in something without definite proof, I know.
' Its so hard to touch what is out of our hands
To know and to trust what the heart understands'
When you're truly at one with God, your heart will understand things that you can't explain. Peace that passes all understanding, love uncomprehendable and joy unbounded.
' Everyone suffers some loss
Still we have faith in it
Childlike hope
Theres a reason that outweighs the cost'
The reasoning behind this is Jesus. If God didn't love you, why would He sacrifice His own son, a part of Himself, to save you?
Mark 8:34 "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 35For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. 36What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? 37Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? 38If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels."
How many times have you denied God? Like Peter, you may say you wouldn't, but you don't have to speak to deny Him. Ignoring what you know is right, in favour of what you want, or what others expect of you. In this 'adulterous and sinful generation', it's easy to feel ashamed for doing the right thing, when others might laugh at you, or reject you. But being ashamed of perfect love is ridiculous.
What good is it to gain the whole world, yet lose your soul?
Why do we cling onto the things that cause us so much pain? We torment ourselves by thinking we can fix it. We keep using sellotape and pritt sticks to piece our lives back together, when God is standing next to us with the blood of Christ, a substance far stronger, to bind us back together. But we dismiss him, because, of course, we know ourselves better than anyone else ever could. Wrong.
'You've known me, and You've loved me, since before the world began.'
Jeremiah 1:5 "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
before you were born I set you apart;
I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."
This piece of scripture isn't just talking to the prophet. It's as relevant today as it was then. As relevant for you as him. God had an amazing plan for your life, whether you know it yet or not. He knew you far better than you know yourself now before you were even born. And nothing you can do can change the fact that He loves you, because He loves you, because He loves you.
It's difficult to trust in someone who you can't see. Without wanting to sound cliched, I'd say that God is like the wind. You can't see Him, but you can see the changes He causes. You can hear Him, and You can, above all things, feel His presence. It's difficult to trust in something without definite proof, I know.
' Its so hard to touch what is out of our hands
To know and to trust what the heart understands'
When you're truly at one with God, your heart will understand things that you can't explain. Peace that passes all understanding, love uncomprehendable and joy unbounded.
' Everyone suffers some loss
Still we have faith in it
Childlike hope
Theres a reason that outweighs the cost'
The reasoning behind this is Jesus. If God didn't love you, why would He sacrifice His own son, a part of Himself, to save you?
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