"So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised." ~ Hebrews 10:35-36

- - -

"The Light"
Lyrics by Brandon Heath
Choreography by Chara Christian Dance Company

[link]

Verse 1:
The hand that feeds the fire
The lips that taste the smoke
All together once again
The moon that hangs so pale
The dark that makes you choke
Comes to cover you again

Verse 2:
The will that knows no end
The eyes that see your heart
Come to look on you once more
The word that shakes the ground
The voice that clams the sea
Stands knocking at your door

Chorus:
Stay close you people with your broken hearts
I stand before you as a witness
Hold tight to the man that stands in front of you
As we move toward the light

- - -

I am constantly amazed by how faithful God is through our times of doubt and weakness. His love, the love of Jesus Christ that was displayed before all men on the cross of Calvary never quits, never tires, never weakens, and never fails. The perfect love of Jesus drives out all fear indeed, for his love, his passion, is the purest water we can ever drink from... 1 Corinthians has it better than anything I could ever come up with:

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails." ~ 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Over the past few weeks I have noticed a severe increase in the spiritual warfare in my own personal life, as well as the lives of those around me, and it's often disconcerting to me. As I observe my life and ask the Spirit to reveal the faults of my life, he is never slow or late to hold up the mirror showing me who it is I really am... and sometimes I buckle under the weight of what I see. The demons who stand by and watch then seize their opportunity to shove my face in my shame and guilt till I'm absolutely immobile and useless for the Kingdom of God. Idols, impurity, bitterness, hatred, greed, resentment, thievery, infidelity, gossip, slander, pride... the list continues to grow...

But in spite of my failings, God has been calling me home like he has always been faithful to do. For I am a stupid, hard-headed, and hard-hearted sheep who has wandered away from the narrow path, and he as my Good Shepherd, has come for me... Praise be to the God on High! Despite my tragedy, the glory of the Lord continues to shine through, and I wish to give him the praise that he deserves! I desire to be made clean again... I'm saddened when my flesh cries out with anguish, to the world which the Spirit so longs to distance itself from, yet my Spirit longs to draw near to God and his glorious presence. I'm torn... broken... God, my Abba Father, make me whole.

I know, and I believe he's quick to answer...

- - -

"Warfare"
by Ingredients Christian Dance Company

[link]

Scriptures:
"For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that creation will be liberated from it's bondage (to the King) and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God! In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! For I have overcome the world. In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will. What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? Put on the full armor of God. For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power, of love, and of sound mind. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God!

The kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force.

Death, confusion, fear, division, insecurity, sickness, fallacy, incidents, belief, religion, loneliness, discouragement, hurting nations, views of perfection, oppression, pride, chaos, uncertainty, jealousy, divorce, gluttony, greed, lust, envy, unforgiveness, hatred, generational curses, defeat...

Things of this world."

- - -

“Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God.”- John 3:20-21

- - -

For every believer, their life is their ministry, and my page here on dA is very much included and a large part of my personal calling... Because of this, I have a responsibility to be open, real, and transparent with all who come in contact with it. When my relationship with God is not right, Gods Holy Spirit cannot work the way it can as when I am right with him... and I'm trying to make things right before him, but before my brothers and sisters as well.

Jesus and his Gospel is the most valuable thing we have. For a while, I've lost sight of the goal... but I hope to refocus my everything on Jesus Christ who is my rock.

- - -

If you are a follower of Christ Jesus, and are struggling, be encouraged! You are not alone in your walk, your struggle, to God's Kingdom. I know that Jesus is alive and well, and he is continuing to fight for your heart... and my heart. If he was bold enough to die for us, it's the least that we can do to be bold for him.

If you are not, this is the great news! Jesus was bold enough to die on the cross, alone, abandoned, broken, betrayed, and without cause, so that you may have life and have it to the full! He took your sin, took it upon himself, and defeated death so that we can have fellowship with the One True God! Even if you never accept it, he still died for you, and he wants to know you.