Jason Mraz - I Won't Give Up

2 Corinthians 4:1

Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

4 Therefore, since we have this ministry because we were shown mercy, we do not give up.

Quitting is not an option.

I know their are days that you feel like throwing in the towel; but you must press on.

God has given you much to be thankful for.

Cloudy days can lead you to believe that you among all people...are most miserable. But do not succumb to doubt. This is not the time to quit. 

In your deepest valley you must realize that this is where God is working the hardest to do something extraordinary in your life.

He loves you and He will never abandon His children.

Check out this video

Jason Mraz - I Won't Give Up - Z100

Coldplay - Twisted Logic

1 Timothy 1:3-4     Holman Christian Standard Bible

3 As I urged you when I went to Macedonia, remain in Ephesus so that you may instruct certain people not to teach different doctrine 4 or to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies. These promote empty speculations rather than God's plan, which operates by faith.

Gods plan...I like that. 

Faith has no need of rules, regulations, or legalism. It requires no science, nothing visible, nor light. It operates like a bat in total darkness but with pinpoint accuracy; honed by a spiritual radar within. 

Many so called religious movements and exercises are not about faith. Some are nothing more than inventions of mankind designed to enslave one to religion. Twisted Logic huh.

Liberating faith is about a relationship with God through Jesus Christ...and His work in our lives through the spirit. He guides us into all things spiritual and meaningful. 

Walk in faith and the spirit.
Don't allow yourself to get tangled up in law & obligation.  Enjoy your liberty in Christ. 

Check out this video on YouTube:

http://youtu.be/wa7kOlRvUPA

     

Prospekt's March - Coldplay

Hebrews 11:36-39

Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

³⁶ and others experienced mockings and scourgings, as well as bonds and imprisonment. ³⁷ They were stoned,^[a] they were sawed in two, they died by the sword, they wandered about in sheepskins, in goatskins, destitute, afflicted, and mistreated. ³⁸ The world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and on mountains, hiding in caves and holes in the ground.
³⁹ All these were approved through their faith, but they did not receive what was promised...

The lyrics of Prospekt's March speak of perseverance in a time of great oppression; reminiscent of what the saints of old endured.

The faith hall of fame listed in Hebrews 11 is astounding. All of those listed endured unimaginable oppression and persecution. The endurance they found in light of great trial was a testament to their faith.

Many were rescued; many were not. But...they all remained faithful.

The most compelling line in this verses is..."but, these did not receive what was promised."

We live WITH the promise, blessing, and grace of the Lord Jesus. Practically every luxury we enjoy has come by way of His grace. 

We are so blessed...more than we deserve.

These endured so much...and received so little. 

Most of us have received so much...and endured so little.

Lord teach us to be humble...and grateful.

Check out this video on YouTube:

http://youtu.be/EUoh0n7os_E

Warning Sign - Coldplay

Galatians 5

The Message (MSG)

^16-18 My counsel is this: Live freely, animated and motivated by God’s Spirit. Then you won’t feed the compulsions of selfishness. For there is a root of sinful self-interest in us that is at odds with a free spirit, just as the free spirit is incompatible with selfishness. These two ways of life are antithetical, so that you cannot live at times one way and at times another way according to how you feel on any given day. Why don’t you choose to be led by the Spirit and so escape the erratic compulsions of a law-dominated existence?

If you approach a sign that reads: "WARNING Bridge Is Out"
Their would have to be only 2 reasons why you don't stop and turn around.

1. Either you didn't see it.  Or.....   2. You have a death wish.

Spiritually, as we walk in the Spirit, we experience these type signs...as it relates to other people, parenthood, moral dilemmas, stress, our vocabulary, to name only a few.

Our mind is attune to Gods "whisper" to what is prudent, right, true, and glorifying to Him.

To NOT see or hear Gods warning sign would mean that either we're not looking for His will, immature in our spiritual walk, or we've chosen already to ignore it.

Stated in this fashion makes ignoring Gods path for your life sound very very foolish doesn't it?

Learn to see...hear...and expect Gods directional wisdom.
This is one of the great ministries of His Holy Spirit......To lead and guide us in the path of His will and righteousness

Check out this video on YouTube:

http://youtu.be/4svm2Hlkac4

A Rush Of Blood To The Head - Coldplay (Live 2003)

Mark 12:30

The Message (MSG)

Jesus said, “The first in importance is, ‘Listen, Israel: The Lord your God is one; so love the Lord God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence and energy.’

Psalm 63:1

O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.

Passion can come in all kinds of forms.
Passions that are destructive and constructive lie deep within us all.

Have you ever heard of.."a crime of passion"
     How about..."the passion of the Christ"
          Or perhaps..."a passionate romance"

With all this passion...what does it mean? Passion is,  an intense feeling, emotion, enthusiasm, or desire.
Now the question for you today is this:  Are You Passionate For God ?

As King David would say' "just as the doe pants for the fresh water of the spring....even so my soul is athirst for God."

The difference in.....having passion vs. being in agreement

Can be the difference between...Zeal & Apathy...Because

To know something; or to believe in something;  doesn't do........ANYTHING!

World changers (that's your world around you) are those that have PASSION.
A PASSION for God...is one that envelopes your entire being.....heart, mind, soul, and strength.
It becomes everything you are...and do.
Passion....its more than just a Rush Of Blood To The Head

Check out this video on YouTube:

http://youtu.be/wb_7C1vMpRQ

Coldplay - A Message (Acoustic Session)

Romans 10:15-17

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

¹⁵ And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”^[a]
16 But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?”^[b] 17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.

I recently discovered a long lost friend. I haven't seen or heard from him in a couple of decades. Now through social media I've been able to track him down. The last time we talked, he was deep into conspiracy theories and governmental corruption. Well...guess what he's still up too? Yep...conspiracy theories & corruption. He's a real trip and I thank God for his friendship.

Everyone has a message.

What is yours?

Think about the gospel message; 

the good news that Jesus Christ died for our sins,

was buried in the grave,

and rose again on the third day; 

the message that saves us, 

redeems us, 

and gives us eternal life.

For every person that is a child of God; all believers that know Him as their Lord and Savior;

EACH....HAD TO HEAR....THE MESSAGE

For each one that heard the message;

someone had to share it;

and for each one that shares the message...had to be sent, (another words...intentional)

The good news of Jesus Christ is not a "Public Service Announcement"

It is a message we are to carry...personally to a lost world.

Romans 10:15

And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

Check out this video on YouTube:

http://youtu.be/2ASVI2jgMWU

Coldplay - A Whisper

Psalm 55:1-3

The Message (MSG)

^1-3 Open your ears, God, to my prayer;
    don’t pretend you don’t hear me knocking.
Come close and whisper your answer.
    I really need you.
I shudder at the mean voice,
    quail before the evil eye,
As they pile on the guilt,
    stockpile angry slander.

The leadership & companionship that believers enjoy with God our heavenly Father is unique. Scripture tells us that God is spirit. True believers fellowship and commune with Him in a spiritual fashion.

Describing this supernatural relationship is like trying to describe...the wind. You hear it approaching...but you're unsure of its direction. You see the effects of the wind but you can't see it nor can you tell where it goes. However, you can feel it and undoubtedly have assurance that it exist.

God speaks to us in a spiritual...whisper. He moves our lives in the direction of His will and purpose. You can't see Him...but you have assurance of Him...and see the effects of His work; in you and others. You can hear His whisper...but you can't define to others how it happens. Their is no foolishness in faith...but to those outside of Gods family...these things are unacceptable and considered ignorance.

God is about faith...faith in His voice calling you; faith in His work in your life; faith in His existence...by what is seen and unseen.

Hebrews 11:1&6

English Standard Version (ESV)

1. Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.   6.  And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

Check out this video on YouTube:

http://youtu.be/f2HoyiSq0KE