Philippians 4:8-9 (NIV)
8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me--put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
For those of you who don’t know…music moves Nancy and I both. Our #1 source of worship is singing to our God. Recently there have been many songs that have been on my heart. The verses in Philippians above have stuck out to me and as always the story of Peter walking on water. The song that comes to mind that brings both the verse above and the story of Peter is by Newsboys called ‘I want to live with abandon’.
Living with Abandon-
Now, I am not much of a preacher but I have to say that a life in which you completely die to yourself and surrender to the life God has for you is true freedom. I have a beautiful wife…two wonderful kids…a family that loves Jesus and would take a bullet for me without thinking…my life is good right?…yes! …BUT (there is always a ‘but) being held captive by the so called ‘American/Worldly dream’ isn’t why God has us here. God calls us for bigger things and greater things then we could ever imagine. Imagine if everyone stopped playing it safe. Imagine if everyone died to themselves. Imagine if you were NOT the one in control of your life. Imagine if we all started living for Jesus. Yes, it is scary...no it probably will not be comfortable...no it is not safe...yes there will be hardships…BUT (there is that word again) since when did we decide we know better for ourselves than our Creator? I am telling this all to myself and I have to tell myself daily…it isn’t easy. Joshua 1:9 gives us all we need to live with abandon - "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." THAT is all we need!
Mark Batterson writes, ‘When did we start believing that the gospel is an insurance plan? It’s a daring plan. Jesus did not die just to keep us safe. He died to make us dangerous.’
Stop playing it safe Dustin…I WILL tell myself this daily. I pray that I face hardships for Jesus. I pray satan sees me as dangerous. I pray I live with abandon.
8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me--put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
For those of you who don’t know…music moves Nancy and I both. Our #1 source of worship is singing to our God. Recently there have been many songs that have been on my heart. The verses in Philippians above have stuck out to me and as always the story of Peter walking on water. The song that comes to mind that brings both the verse above and the story of Peter is by Newsboys called ‘I want to live with abandon’.
Living with Abandon-
Now, I am not much of a preacher but I have to say that a life in which you completely die to yourself and surrender to the life God has for you is true freedom. I have a beautiful wife…two wonderful kids…a family that loves Jesus and would take a bullet for me without thinking…my life is good right?…yes! …BUT (there is always a ‘but) being held captive by the so called ‘American/Worldly dream’ isn’t why God has us here. God calls us for bigger things and greater things then we could ever imagine. Imagine if everyone stopped playing it safe. Imagine if everyone died to themselves. Imagine if you were NOT the one in control of your life. Imagine if we all started living for Jesus. Yes, it is scary...no it probably will not be comfortable...no it is not safe...yes there will be hardships…BUT (there is that word again) since when did we decide we know better for ourselves than our Creator? I am telling this all to myself and I have to tell myself daily…it isn’t easy. Joshua 1:9 gives us all we need to live with abandon - "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." THAT is all we need!
Mark Batterson writes, ‘When did we start believing that the gospel is an insurance plan? It’s a daring plan. Jesus did not die just to keep us safe. He died to make us dangerous.’
Stop playing it safe Dustin…I WILL tell myself this daily. I pray that I face hardships for Jesus. I pray satan sees me as dangerous. I pray I live with abandon.