Evening Song - Power In the Blood

1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 

Hebrews 9:22-26 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us: Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. 

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The Thousand Word Project - Bursting Colors of Joy

Daffodils

Evening Song - Take Time to Be Holy

 
1 Peter 1:16-21 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God. 

Mark 6:31 And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat. 

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Note: I do not know where the idea came from that our experiences in this life are making us "fit" to serve God in heaven. I cannot think of any scripture that indicates that, especially in New Testament teaching. Always weigh the words of songs, hymns, and spiritual songs carefully against the word of God. They are not holy scripture and should not be treated as such. If they don't agree with the word of God, they are simply wrong in that instance. In one church my dad pastored years ago, if the words did not agree with scripture, we chose to either change the words to be more biblical, or, in extreme cases, we simply didn't sing those songs any more.

The Thousand Word Project - Pink Forth

Eastern red bud.

Words of Warning - The Idol of Health and Fitness

 

One of the idols that has come into a major role in more recent times has been the idol of health and fitness.

A lot of the chatter and shaming on this subject centers around "honoring your temple," meaning your body. Somehow this flows into the idea that if you are taking care of your body - eating "right," exercising, lifting weights, etc. that God will honor that because you are allegedly "taking better care of His temple."

One of the first I ran across that really got my attention was a Christian vegan page on Facebook years back. The woman who was running it was boasting that being a Christian is hard enough, and being a vegan is hard, but being a Christian vegan was so difficult that apparently it was making them into some kind of super Christians because they were so spiritual in their drive to subdue the flesh.

This is where the problem really settles. The people who deny the flesh by eating and exercising a certain way believe that they are doing fleshly things that will make them "extra spiritual" and super "victorious" Christians. This is the exact wrong thinking that the Apostle Paul was writing about to the church at Colosse: Colossians 2:20-23 Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, (Touch not; taste not; handle not; Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.

Denying the flesh feels very spiritual and tempts people to think more highly of themselves than they ought. There is a show of wisdom - in other words, it looks wise because perhaps there are even benefits on the surface, and it seems humble to subdue your own will and not satisfy the flesh. However, he calls these the commandments and doctrines of men. He asks, "Why are you being subject to these things - don't touch it, don't eat it, don't handle it - when you are supposed to be dead with Christ to the rudiments of the world?" In other words, these carnal things shouldn't be your focus. You're supposed to be dead to them.

We see why as the letter continues: Colossians 3:1-3 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

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Evening Song - He Giveth More Grace

Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. 

James 4:6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. 

2 Corinthians 4:15 For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. 

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He Giveth More Grace

He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength when the labors increase;
To added affliction He addeth His mercy;
To multiplied trials, His multiplied peace.

When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources,
Our Father's full giving is only begun.

Fear not that thy need shall exceed His provision,
Our God ever yearns His resources to share;
Lean hard on the arm everlasting, availing;
The Father both thee and thy load will upbear.

His love has no limit; His grace has no measure.
His pow'r has no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus,
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again!

Annie Johnson Flint

2 Corinthians 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

The Thousand Word Project - Indoor Lovelies

Quiet beauty,

Gentle joys,

Calms the spirit,
Rests the soul.

African violets.
St. Paulia.