Pleased and Satisfied.

I have to say, I think I've become a sucker for lyrics now. Usually for me, it's all about intense melodies, especially how the electric guitar tears up a track, but lyrics have grown on me. I was listening to a song and the bridge goes likes this

But the harder I try the more clearly can I feel

The depth of our fall and the weight of it all

And so this might could be the most impossible thing

Your grandness in me making me clean.

When I look back into my past life, I felt like a hamster and his wheel. Staying completely in one position, never getting anywhere. Trust me, I've tried hard. Trying to pay off my debt of life by trying to please God not only made me feel worst about my debt, but literally at times I felt I was doomed. The bridge of this song sums up my life. The most impossible thing, making me clean was finally attainable. not by my works but His. He lives in me. And when God sees me he sees a completely debt, sin, problem free Jesus. 

Galatians 2:20

²⁰ I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Hebrews 10:17

 ¹⁷ Then he adds:
   “Their sins and lawless acts 
   I will remember no more.”

Now, I'd rather live by faith instead of trying to live a life of faithfulness. Because a life of faithfulness is me. I fail. But to live by faith, He does it all. He leads me.

I have a God that is completely pleased and satisfied with me. Why? Cause He did it all and thank God it's not based on my merit then surely I am doomed.

Believe.

untitled.

It's interesting to me how i'm more thankful after thanksgiving. It's almost Christmas time but I have this inclination to be thankful rather than to give. I got to experience a person's prayer getting answered where I played a part in. We live in a world that destroys hope, but the hope in Christ truly perseveres. Just thoughts in my head that I wanted to jot down.

Where there is pain
Let us bring grace
Where there is suffering
Bring serenity
For those afraid
Let us be brave
Where there is misery
Let us bring them relief
And surely we can change
Surely we can change
Oh surely we can change
Something

Thanks

I am thankful for:

1. The pure unapologetic enjoyment of Jesus.
2. My amazing family.
3. My amazing e3 family.
4. Guitars
5. My friends.
6. My new friend.
7. The list goes on........

It's the season of thankfulness. It's a pretty awesome season. I am reminded of how much I'm blessed by those around me.

Keepin it simple today.

Thanks.

Simplicity

It's the simple things in life that make life that much more enjoyable.

A warm bowl of soup on a cold day
A hot cup of tea
A simple poem
A simple sigh
An empty park bench under the shade
The presence of a loved one
Your pastor saying I'm so blessed by you
Simply letting go
The list goes on...

Why make something simple complicated? I've struggled with simplicity cause I guess I like to make things complicated. Jesus makes my life simpler. Yes I do run into complications all throughout my life, but simply trusting in Him, life becomes more enjoyable as I wait upon His blessings.

Sometimes the most simplest of things are the most complicated. It's easier to do things our way rather than trusting Him, but immediately when He takes over, the ride smoothes out.

We need to let go.
Let Him take over.

I wish to simply be and receive.
As I receive His perfect love.
May I return with joyful gratification.

He is the vine.
I am a simple branch.
Apart from Him I can do nothing.
Literally.

I wish to live simply.

Beauty

I can't describe it
The beauty of it all consumes my heart
It's striking how You would lose it all
To have me
You have this heart
It's forever Yours

Your affections
Your infatuation
Completely arouse my senses
Knowing
I'm fully loved
I'm fully enjoyed
I'm changed

Dead

Faith without deeds is dead right? It's written in the bible.
I think what's even more scary for me is works without faith.

Pastors stress faith without deeds is dead but never read Romans 14:23.

Romans 14:23

²³But the man who has doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin.

The main point of this Pastor's sermon was to "fight sin". How do you fight sin? He said "I'm not telling you guys not to sin." but he contradicted himself by telling us to "fight sin" without actually telling us how. Initially, when any person hear's the saying "fight sin" their psyche immediately tells them to stay away from it. It's bad.

How is it to possible to stay away from sin or even, not sin? It's impossible. I've tried and failed miserably. It's like a constant battle with yourself. You beat yourself and no one wins. It's always a loss. How is it possible to live a victorious, joyful life if the battle is always against yourself? 

Like I said. No one wins a battle with themselves.

Sin is the problem. There has to be a solution. 

His name is Jesus. 

His death and resurrection paid for every single sin, past, present and future. 

Because of Love we have now been declared righteous by what we believe. 

Hebrews 10:17

¹⁷Then he adds:
   "Their sins and lawless acts
     I will remember no more."

Understanding who God is and His character develops a deeper love for God. We continue to receive His love and we end up loving Him back. We fight sin by keeping our eyes on Jesus. He is the solution.

Think of a relationship with your significant other. Let's say your girlfriend hates something that you do. Would you the guy, keep doing it? I hope to my guy readers it's a no. I love my girlfriend enough that if she didn't like something I did, no matter how small or stupid it is, I would fulfill her request. 

Because Jesus Loves me so much, I hate the one thing that keeps me away from Him. I desire to be with Him, that despite my short-comings, I know that I've been forgiven completely. When I fall, I look to Him. And He says, Andrew, I love you. 

Don't focus on the problem.

Focus on the solution.

Jesus.

Infatuation

How can someone be upset at the same time be completely infatuated with someone?
I was reading Hosea, and one chapter talks about punishment for the Israelites and the next is all of the sudden about God's love for them.


Hosea 11

God's Love for Israel

 ¹ "When Israel was a child, I loved him,
       and out of Egypt I called my son. ² But the more I ^[a] called Israel,
       the further they went from me. ^[b]
       They sacrificed to the Baals
       and they burned incense to images.
 ³ It was I who taught Ephraim to walk,
       taking them by the arms;
       but they did not realize
       it was I who healed them.
 ⁴ I led them with cords of human kindness,
       with ties of love;
       I lifted the yoke from their neck
       and bent down to feed them.
 ⁵ "Will they not return to Egypt
       and will not Assyria rule over them
       because they refuse to repent?
 ⁶ Swords will flash in their cities,
       will destroy the bars of their gates
       and put an end to their plans.
 ⁷ My people are determined to turn from me.
       Even if they call to the Most High,
       he will by no means exalt them.
 ⁸ "How can I give you up, Ephraim?
       How can I hand you over, Israel?
       How can I treat you like Admah?
       How can I make you like Zeboiim?
       My heart is changed within me;
       all my compassion is aroused.
 ⁹ I will not carry out my fierce anger,
       nor will I turn and devastate Ephraim.
       For I am God, and not man—
       the Holy One among you.
       I will not come in wrath. ^[c]
 10 They will follow the LORD;
       he will roar like a lion.
       When he roars,
       his children will come trembling from the west.
 ¹¹ They will come trembling
       like birds from Egypt,
       like doves from Assyria.
       I will settle them in their homes,"
       declares the LORD.

If you look at verse 8 the tone of God's voice is literally an obsessive one. He's so infatuated and obsessed with His people that despite their disobedience His response is not wrath, but Love. 

He Wants Us.

Believe.