Hello Blog World,
It's been awhile. :)
Well, believe it or not, I'm back. My last post was in 2009, which means my absence was much too long. My prayer is that I can post on here once a week. I really hope I can get into the habit.
I am back because I have a lot on my mind. Too much. I had thought about making a new blog, but then decided otherwise, since this has been my blog for so long.
My new blog was going to be named "I Will Not Bow Down". That is my reason for coming back. I believe we need more people, more Christians, to stand up for what is right. To stand on God's Word and not back down. I'm back so that I may encourage other women to stand up for God's Word and to be the woman God needs them to be in their home, and anywhere, frankly.
This is my journey. I am young and don't have all the answers, but I want to share my thoughts and heart with other believing woman, because of the passion God has given me.
Just to start off, my first post is going to be about what's been on my mind lately. I am being bombarded by the "summer look". Everywhere I turn there are ads, magazines, and women themselves, showing off their bodies. It's spring/summer. The time of year where women like to wear the least amount of clothes as possible, not worrying about being on the borderline of naked.
As a young woman, I get several different emotions from this. One thought that comes to mind is modesty. Christians these days don't realize that God hates immodesty. It causes others to sin and it blasphemes the name of God. (This is a subject I will speak of another time).
And two, lately I have been so self-conscious. "Am I pretty enough?" "Why can't I look like that?" "Why can't my hair be that way?" And on and on it goes.
I have been listening to a few John MacArthur sermons lately on womanhood, and the biggest thing that sticks out to me is that "Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised." (Proverbs 31:30)
As a woman, married to a Godly man, I come to realize each and everyday what my husband wants out of me. He sometimes says "Kirsten, when you sin, it's not your body that I get upset at." In other words, your body is not the thing you need to work on. It's your heart. When you sin, your literal body (literal flesh and bones), does not lie or say harsh words. It doesn't do anything. Oh, it may look pretty, but if you have a dirty heart, what does it matter?
A Godly man would much rather have a heart of gold than a woman of fleshly beauty. This is what I always want to remember. I want to be that woman who pursues God with all I have. I want to be that woman who fears the Lord each and everyday. Not for me. Not just for my husband. But mainly for the glory of God. This is the only reason that I am here. To glorify God.
I pray this helps other woman remember to not get caught up in the things of this world. But to continually, everyday, pursue God.
In Christ,
Kirsten
Saturday, May 18, 2013
Thursday, December 10, 2009
It's About the Cross!!
It's that time of year again! :) Christmas is almost here. How are you celebrating Christmas this year? Presents? Stockings? Mistletoe? What's the true meaning of Christmas??
I made a video a few years ago to a song by Go Fish called "It's About the Cross." The song explains the true meaning of Christmas!! Enjoy!! :) And, have a wonderful, merry Christmas!
I made a video a few years ago to a song by Go Fish called "It's About the Cross." The song explains the true meaning of Christmas!! Enjoy!! :) And, have a wonderful, merry Christmas!
Monday, August 31, 2009
Blessed are...
Matthew 5:6 "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied."
When someone is hungering and thirsting for righteousness, they are not seeking their own. Everyone must see their need for righteousness. "But we are all like an unclean thing, And all our righteousness are like filthy rags; We all fade as a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, Have taken us away" (Isaiah 64:6). Our righteous deeds are like filthy rags. Standing before God, they amount to nothing.
God is a just judge and His judgments are right. He cannot acquit the wicked. "The Lord ... will not acquit the wicked" (Nahum 1:3). His perfect holiness cannot put any sin in compromise.
How is our righteous deeds as filthy rags? Well, first off, prier to salvation, everything we ever did was sin. Everything. We never did anything but sin. The reason for this is that, without a proper understanding of the Cross and Christ, we can't possibly, at any time be keeping the First Commandment, which is "You shall have no other gods before Me." In other words, Christ is to be first. If a person has not come to salvation, then even their so called "righteous deeds" are unrighteous because they are not done to the glory and honor of Christ. In most cases, they are done for their own merit.
But, yet I would like to present an earthly scenario that will help you understand the just judgments of God. For example: An angry man ran into a bank and stole $250,000. He was running from the Law for years. After 3 years, they finally found the man and brought him before the Court. The Judge has all the evidence and he is without a doubt guilty of this crime. The Judge then asks, "Do you have anything to say?"
The man replies, "Yes. Judge I know I stole that money, but I've been a good person ever since then. I've participated in helping the homeless. I've helped older ladies get across the road. I even gave some of that money to the poor and to little children without a home. Can you not just forgive me and let me go?"
You see? What is right in this situation? The man has stolen and all the evidence is their, he's guilty. What do you think the judge will say? If he's a good and just judge he will say, "You may have done those things but that still doesn't give you the freedom to be let go. You have a fine to pay. You committed a crime and now there is a penalty to your crime, regardless of what good things you have done.
As the situation above illustrates, a good judge cannot pass over a crime. There is a punishment for the crime regardless of anything else that person has done. Good deeds cannot help a guilty man standing before a court of law. And just like this situation, God cannot and will not let someone go based on a so called "good work." There is still a crime that was committed and therefore there is still a fine to be payed. He is much more just and much more holy than any mere man judge on this earth. He will not only see that thieves and murders get punished, but liars as well.
It's clear our sentence will be "guilty" on judgment day, when we stand before the Just Judge of the universe. That is, unless we see Christ's sacrifice on the Cross as a payment for our crimes (sins) and see that He paid our fine for us. If we see this and it causes us to grieve and mourn (Matt 5:4), which produces repentance unto salvation, then we can be legally dismissed on judgment day. Not because God will look over our sin and not based on any thing "good" we have done, but based on the payment of another, Christ Jesus. Based on Christ's death on the Cross and His Resurrection from the grave, we will be forgiven of our debts. Christ paid them!
We must seek after His righteousness and we will be satisfied only in His! It's only His righteousness that can save. We haven't any. Fling yourself upon the mercies of God! Turn from your sins and put your trust in Him!
In Christ,
Kirsten
hunger and thirst for righteousness. This is the
opposite of the self-righteousness of the Pharisees. It speaks of those who seek
God's righteousness rather than attempting to establish a righteousness of their
own (Ro 10:3; Php 3:9). What they seek will fill them, i.e., it will satisfy
their hunger and thirst for a right relationship with God.
When someone is hungering and thirsting for righteousness, they are not seeking their own. Everyone must see their need for righteousness. "But we are all like an unclean thing, And all our righteousness are like filthy rags; We all fade as a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, Have taken us away" (Isaiah 64:6). Our righteous deeds are like filthy rags. Standing before God, they amount to nothing.
God is a just judge and His judgments are right. He cannot acquit the wicked. "The Lord ... will not acquit the wicked" (Nahum 1:3). His perfect holiness cannot put any sin in compromise.
How is our righteous deeds as filthy rags? Well, first off, prier to salvation, everything we ever did was sin. Everything. We never did anything but sin. The reason for this is that, without a proper understanding of the Cross and Christ, we can't possibly, at any time be keeping the First Commandment, which is "You shall have no other gods before Me." In other words, Christ is to be first. If a person has not come to salvation, then even their so called "righteous deeds" are unrighteous because they are not done to the glory and honor of Christ. In most cases, they are done for their own merit.
But, yet I would like to present an earthly scenario that will help you understand the just judgments of God. For example: An angry man ran into a bank and stole $250,000. He was running from the Law for years. After 3 years, they finally found the man and brought him before the Court. The Judge has all the evidence and he is without a doubt guilty of this crime. The Judge then asks, "Do you have anything to say?"
The man replies, "Yes. Judge I know I stole that money, but I've been a good person ever since then. I've participated in helping the homeless. I've helped older ladies get across the road. I even gave some of that money to the poor and to little children without a home. Can you not just forgive me and let me go?"
You see? What is right in this situation? The man has stolen and all the evidence is their, he's guilty. What do you think the judge will say? If he's a good and just judge he will say, "You may have done those things but that still doesn't give you the freedom to be let go. You have a fine to pay. You committed a crime and now there is a penalty to your crime, regardless of what good things you have done.
As the situation above illustrates, a good judge cannot pass over a crime. There is a punishment for the crime regardless of anything else that person has done. Good deeds cannot help a guilty man standing before a court of law. And just like this situation, God cannot and will not let someone go based on a so called "good work." There is still a crime that was committed and therefore there is still a fine to be payed. He is much more just and much more holy than any mere man judge on this earth. He will not only see that thieves and murders get punished, but liars as well.
It's clear our sentence will be "guilty" on judgment day, when we stand before the Just Judge of the universe. That is, unless we see Christ's sacrifice on the Cross as a payment for our crimes (sins) and see that He paid our fine for us. If we see this and it causes us to grieve and mourn (Matt 5:4), which produces repentance unto salvation, then we can be legally dismissed on judgment day. Not because God will look over our sin and not based on any thing "good" we have done, but based on the payment of another, Christ Jesus. Based on Christ's death on the Cross and His Resurrection from the grave, we will be forgiven of our debts. Christ paid them!
We must seek after His righteousness and we will be satisfied only in His! It's only His righteousness that can save. We haven't any. Fling yourself upon the mercies of God! Turn from your sins and put your trust in Him!
In Christ,
Kirsten
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Blessed are...
Matthew 5:5 "Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth."
As we have previously looked at, in order to come to Christ (in order to be saved) you must be "poor in spirit" (Mt 5:3), you must mourn over your sins (Mt 5:4), and now we learn that you must be gentle or humble (Mt 5:5).
We must see our poverty of spirit, that we are wretched sinners and can in no way save ourselves. We must mourn over the fact that we are wretched sinners, deserving of God's wrath. We must humble ourselves before God and cast all of our pride, all of our sin away from us. We have to be humble and say that we are indeed poor in spirit and we need Christ's forgiveness. For a self-righteous, proud, arrogant sinner, this is hard. A spiritually blind man wants in no way to humble himself and admit he is blind and needs a Savior. "... Jesus said to them, 'With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.'"
"Thus says the LORD, 'Heaven is My throne and the earth is My footstool. Where then is a house you could build for Me? And where is a place that I may rest? For My hand made all these things, Thus all these things came into being,' declares the LORD 'But to this one I will look, To him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at My word" (Isaiah 66:1-2). The Lord dwells with him who is humble.
So, humble yourself before God. Cry out to Him today! Repent of your sins and put your trust in Christ if you haven't already. "Surely He scorns the scornful, But gives grace to the humble" (Proverbs 3:34). "... God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble" (1 Peter 5:5).
In Christ,
Kirsten
"But the meek shall inherit the earth, And shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace" (Psalm 37:11). Gentleness is another word for meekness or humility. In the New American Standard, Psalm 37:11 states, "But the humble will inherit the land..."the gentle. Gentleness of meekness is the opposite of being
out of control. It is not weakness, but supreme self-control empowered by the
Spirit (cf. Gal 5:23). The statement that the meek "shall inherit the earth" is
quoted from Ps 37:11.
As we have previously looked at, in order to come to Christ (in order to be saved) you must be "poor in spirit" (Mt 5:3), you must mourn over your sins (Mt 5:4), and now we learn that you must be gentle or humble (Mt 5:5).
We must see our poverty of spirit, that we are wretched sinners and can in no way save ourselves. We must mourn over the fact that we are wretched sinners, deserving of God's wrath. We must humble ourselves before God and cast all of our pride, all of our sin away from us. We have to be humble and say that we are indeed poor in spirit and we need Christ's forgiveness. For a self-righteous, proud, arrogant sinner, this is hard. A spiritually blind man wants in no way to humble himself and admit he is blind and needs a Savior. "... Jesus said to them, 'With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.'"
"Thus says the LORD, 'Heaven is My throne and the earth is My footstool. Where then is a house you could build for Me? And where is a place that I may rest? For My hand made all these things, Thus all these things came into being,' declares the LORD 'But to this one I will look, To him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at My word" (Isaiah 66:1-2). The Lord dwells with him who is humble.
So, humble yourself before God. Cry out to Him today! Repent of your sins and put your trust in Christ if you haven't already. "Surely He scorns the scornful, But gives grace to the humble" (Proverbs 3:34). "... God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble" (1 Peter 5:5).
In Christ,
Kirsten
Friday, August 28, 2009
Blessed are...
Matthew 5:4 "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted."
(MacArthur, John. The MacArthur Study Bible.)
Just as in verse three, verse four speaks of salvation. "Blessed are those who mourn." This doesn't speak of just crying or mourning over anything. This "mourning" is a broken heart before God, a mourning over sin.
We seen yesterday that we must be poor in spirit for "theirs is the kingdom of heaven." This poverty of spirit, or rather, the realization of your poverty of spirit, leads to a mourning over sin. When we realize that we have sinned before a holy God, that we will be punished justly in hell for these sins that we have committed, but that Christ took the punishment for us, we mourn over our wretched souls. It's God's grace that leads us to this mourning. "the kindness of God leads you to repentance" (Romans 2:4).
"For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death" (2 Corinthians 7:10). We turn to the mercies of God through this brokenness. Only through His love and mercy can we be forgiven of our sins. It's by His grace we are saved. "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9).
So, this is how those who mourn "shall be comforted." When a person mourns over their sins and has a true godly sorrow, this leads to repentance. God saves them. Then, once God saves them, He gives them a new heart, with new desires. "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh" (Ezekiel 36:26).
Those saved by God's grace are comforted in the fact that Christ took their punishment on the cross and bore God's wrath. We have comfort that God's wrath is satisfied and we are forgiven! We have comfort that we will one day be with our Savior because He rose from the dead, therefore initiating life. Death has no sting! "But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, 'DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP in victory. O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY? O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING?'" (1 Corinthians 15:54-55).
Have you mourned over your sins? Have you had a true godly sorrow leading to repentance? Do you know the poverty of your spirit? Think about your sins. Think about the many times you have sinned before God. He sees everything, even your thought life. Then look at the Cross, where Christ took your punishment and bore your wrath. Let this break your heart. Repent (turn away from) your sins, put your trust in Christ today! You may not have another day.
In Christ,
Kirsten
"those who mourn. This speaks of mourning over sin,
the godly sorrow that produces repentance leading to salvation without regret
(2Co 7:10). The "comfort" is the comfort of forgiveness and salvation (cf. Is
40:1,2).
(MacArthur, John. The MacArthur Study Bible.)
Just as in verse three, verse four speaks of salvation. "Blessed are those who mourn." This doesn't speak of just crying or mourning over anything. This "mourning" is a broken heart before God, a mourning over sin.
We seen yesterday that we must be poor in spirit for "theirs is the kingdom of heaven." This poverty of spirit, or rather, the realization of your poverty of spirit, leads to a mourning over sin. When we realize that we have sinned before a holy God, that we will be punished justly in hell for these sins that we have committed, but that Christ took the punishment for us, we mourn over our wretched souls. It's God's grace that leads us to this mourning. "the kindness of God leads you to repentance" (Romans 2:4).
"For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death" (2 Corinthians 7:10). We turn to the mercies of God through this brokenness. Only through His love and mercy can we be forgiven of our sins. It's by His grace we are saved. "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9).
So, this is how those who mourn "shall be comforted." When a person mourns over their sins and has a true godly sorrow, this leads to repentance. God saves them. Then, once God saves them, He gives them a new heart, with new desires. "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh" (Ezekiel 36:26).
Those saved by God's grace are comforted in the fact that Christ took their punishment on the cross and bore God's wrath. We have comfort that God's wrath is satisfied and we are forgiven! We have comfort that we will one day be with our Savior because He rose from the dead, therefore initiating life. Death has no sting! "But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, 'DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP in victory. O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY? O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING?'" (1 Corinthians 15:54-55).
Have you mourned over your sins? Have you had a true godly sorrow leading to repentance? Do you know the poverty of your spirit? Think about your sins. Think about the many times you have sinned before God. He sees everything, even your thought life. Then look at the Cross, where Christ took your punishment and bore your wrath. Let this break your heart. Repent (turn away from) your sins, put your trust in Christ today! You may not have another day.
In Christ,
Kirsten
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Blessed are...
The next couple of days I'm going to go through the Beatitudes found in Matthew 5. I'm going to go verse by verse and quote John MacArthur's study notes from his study Bible.
Matthew 5:3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
(MacArthur, John. The MacArthur Study Bible.)
"Poor in spirit" is a lacking of self. It's a humility and an understanding that we are, apart from God, utterly helpless and completely lost in sin. We are "poor in spirit." We must come to the realization that we are sinful and that we are not good people. When it says "theirs is the kingdom of God," it is speaking of salvation here. Salvation can only be obtained through the knowledge that we are helpless wretched sinners that deserve to go to hell. We will only flee to the Savior when we see the need to flee to Him.
So, do you see your need? Or, do you consider yourself to be a good person and think you are good enough to make it to heaven? Are you good enough? Let's see. We'll look at God's standard of justice, the Ten Commandments, and see how you measure up.
The ninth commandment is "you shall not lie." Have you ever told a lie before? What does that make you? A liar. The eighth command is "you shall not steal." Have you ever stolen anything before, no matter the value? What does that make you? A thief. The third commandment is "you shall not take God's Name in vain." Have you ever taken God's name in vain? That's called blasphemy. You are taking the name of the God who gave you life and bringing it down to a lower standard and using it as a four letter filth word. "For the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain." (Exodus 20:7; Deuteronomy 5:11) The seventh commandment is "you shall not commit adultery." But, Jesus Christ, in Matthew 5:27-28 takes that a step farther. He says, "but I say to you that everyone who looks at a women with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart." Have you ever looked with lust? If so, God considers that as adultery.
Just by looking at these four commandments God sees you as a lying, thieving, blasphemous, adulterer at heart. And, you have to stand before Him like that on Judgment Day. "And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment" (Hebrews 9:27). What's going to happen to you on judgment day? Will you go to Heaven or Hell? The Bible makes it clear where you will go. Revelation 21:8 "But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone." (emphasis added) 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 "Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God." (emphasis added)
The Bible is clear, Hell is where you are headed. You can't be "good enough" to go to Heaven, because you aren't good. This is where "poor in spirit" comes in. You are completely and totally poor in spirit. You have nothing in you that is going to enable you to get to Heaven. You are poor.
So, how do the "poor in spirit" have any hope. The rest of that Verse says"theirs is the kingdom of God." How is that possible? It's possible because a little over 2000 years ago, God came to this earth and became a man. He was fully God and fully man, the God-man. He was perfect in thought, word, and deed. He died on a cross and paid your fine. Instead of you paying for your sins in hell, Jesus Christ took your sins upon the Cross and bore your wrath and took the punishment. He paid your fine. He paid the fine of a criminal. You.
You can be freed of God's justice based on the grace of another, Christ. Christ paid for your justice. He didn't stay dead though. He rose from the grave, victorious over death, the grave, and hell! He defeated death! He lives! He tells us in His Word that "unless you repent, you will perish" (Luke 13:3,5). "God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent, because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead" (Acts 17:30-31). Repent and put your trust in Christ today! You may not have tomorrow. "Now is the day of salvation" (2 Corinthians 6:2).
So, this is how that Verse can say that "theirs is the kingdom of heaven." When we see that we are "poor in spirit" we see the need of a Savior. He is the only way to salvation!
In Christ,
Kirsten
Matthew 5:3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
"Blessed. The word literally means 'happy fortunate, blissful.'
Here it speaks of more than a surface emotion. Jesus was describing the
divinely-bestowed well-being that belongs only to the faithful. The Beatitudes
demonstrate that the way to heavenly blessedness is antithetical to the worldly
path normally followed in pursuit of happiness. The worldly idea is that
happiness is found in riches, merriment, abundance, leisure, and such things.
The real truth is the very opposite. The Beatitudes give Jesus' description of
the character of true faith. poor in spirit. The opposite of
self-sufficiency. This speaks of the deep humility of recognizing one's utter
spiritual bankruptcy apart from God. It describes those who are acutely
conscious of their own lostness and hopelessness apart from divine grace. (cf.
9:12; Lk 18:13). theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Notice that
the truth of salvation by grace is clearly presupposed in this opening verse of
the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus was teaching that the kingdom is a gracious gift
to those who sense their own poverty of spirit."
(MacArthur, John. The MacArthur Study Bible.)
"Poor in spirit" is a lacking of self. It's a humility and an understanding that we are, apart from God, utterly helpless and completely lost in sin. We are "poor in spirit." We must come to the realization that we are sinful and that we are not good people. When it says "theirs is the kingdom of God," it is speaking of salvation here. Salvation can only be obtained through the knowledge that we are helpless wretched sinners that deserve to go to hell. We will only flee to the Savior when we see the need to flee to Him.
So, do you see your need? Or, do you consider yourself to be a good person and think you are good enough to make it to heaven? Are you good enough? Let's see. We'll look at God's standard of justice, the Ten Commandments, and see how you measure up.
The ninth commandment is "you shall not lie." Have you ever told a lie before? What does that make you? A liar. The eighth command is "you shall not steal." Have you ever stolen anything before, no matter the value? What does that make you? A thief. The third commandment is "you shall not take God's Name in vain." Have you ever taken God's name in vain? That's called blasphemy. You are taking the name of the God who gave you life and bringing it down to a lower standard and using it as a four letter filth word. "For the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain." (Exodus 20:7; Deuteronomy 5:11) The seventh commandment is "you shall not commit adultery." But, Jesus Christ, in Matthew 5:27-28 takes that a step farther. He says, "but I say to you that everyone who looks at a women with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart." Have you ever looked with lust? If so, God considers that as adultery.
Just by looking at these four commandments God sees you as a lying, thieving, blasphemous, adulterer at heart. And, you have to stand before Him like that on Judgment Day. "And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment" (Hebrews 9:27). What's going to happen to you on judgment day? Will you go to Heaven or Hell? The Bible makes it clear where you will go. Revelation 21:8 "But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone." (emphasis added) 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 "Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God." (emphasis added)
The Bible is clear, Hell is where you are headed. You can't be "good enough" to go to Heaven, because you aren't good. This is where "poor in spirit" comes in. You are completely and totally poor in spirit. You have nothing in you that is going to enable you to get to Heaven. You are poor.
So, how do the "poor in spirit" have any hope. The rest of that Verse says"theirs is the kingdom of God." How is that possible? It's possible because a little over 2000 years ago, God came to this earth and became a man. He was fully God and fully man, the God-man. He was perfect in thought, word, and deed. He died on a cross and paid your fine. Instead of you paying for your sins in hell, Jesus Christ took your sins upon the Cross and bore your wrath and took the punishment. He paid your fine. He paid the fine of a criminal. You.
You can be freed of God's justice based on the grace of another, Christ. Christ paid for your justice. He didn't stay dead though. He rose from the grave, victorious over death, the grave, and hell! He defeated death! He lives! He tells us in His Word that "unless you repent, you will perish" (Luke 13:3,5). "God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent, because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead" (Acts 17:30-31). Repent and put your trust in Christ today! You may not have tomorrow. "Now is the day of salvation" (2 Corinthians 6:2).
So, this is how that Verse can say that "theirs is the kingdom of heaven." When we see that we are "poor in spirit" we see the need of a Savior. He is the only way to salvation!
In Christ,
Kirsten
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Pursuing God
"Before a sinful man can think right thoughts of God, there must have(Tozer, A.W. The Pursuit of God. [Harrusburg: Christian Pub., Inc., 1948] 11-12.)
been a work of enlightenment done within him; imperfect it may be, but a true work
nonetheless, and the secret cause of all desiring and seeking and praying which
may follow.
We pursue God because, and only because, He has first put an urge
within us that spurs us to the pursuit. 'No man can come to Me,' said our Lord,
'except the Father which hath sent me draw him,' and it is by this [very
prevenient coming before another thing] drawing that God takes from us every
vestige of credit for the act of coming. The impulse to pursue God originates
with God, but the impulse is our following hard after Him; and all the time we
are pursuing Him we are already in His hand: 'Thy right hand upholdeth
me.'
In this divine 'upholding' and human 'following' there is no
contradiction. All is of God, for as von Hugel teaches, God is always
previous. In practice, however, (that is, here God's previous working
meets man's response) man must pursue God."
I've been reading, for school, The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer. It's a really good book. I've thought hard on this quote. Man is utterly helpless and dependant on God. Man cannot come to God, unless God reveals Himself ... "unless the Father draws him." But yet, man must pursue God in order to come to Him. That pursuing comes from God. As stated, "God is always previous," or He is always the reason for the seeking.
Just as a dead man cannot make himself live, so a spiritually dead man cannot make himself live. We must respond to His calling, but even that ability comes from Him. A dead man cannot awaken himself nor can he even wish to waken himself; he's dead. A spiritually dead person is the same. Just as Lazarus had no ability or even a thought of living, because he was dead. But, when Christ said to him, "Lazarus, come forth," Lazarus responded, but only because Christ told him to come forth.
Yes, humanity is helpless without our Savior. No, it doesn't mean we have no responsibility. In fact, Christ calls us to repent. "Unless you repent, you will perish." We have to respond to the Christ's calling, just as Lazarus responded to Him. But, we couldn't respond, just as Lazarus wouldn't have, if Christ had not called us.
This is a reality that boggles my mind. I think about it constantly and start to realize the greatness of our Sovereign God! This truth, taught in Scripture, gives us a literal "no works" salvation. We can't do anything to earn salvation. It's a complete, total free gift from God. If we could do even the slightest thing, then we would get credit or glory. But, God gets all the glory! He gets all the praise and worship for salvation! We are dependant on His grace, and I would want it no other way. In fact, if humanity had even a small part in salvation, then we would be proud and arrogant with no reason for humility. If salvation could be earned by human effort or work, humanity would be lost because they would see no need for Christ at all. Why would Christ have to die and then say "grace alone," or, in other words, "unmerited favor," if we could somehow get salvation through something we do.
No, may it never be! "No man can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him." We are drawn by Him! He is so loving to draw us to Him in our filthy wretched state! May God receive all the glory for His great salvation that cannot be attained by human efforts!
In Christ,
Kirsten
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
The Cup
What does "The Cup" mean in Christian terms. I wrote a poem explaining the meaning of "The Cup" as revealed in Scripture.
The Cup
Written by: Kirsten Bryant
“The cup?” some may ask, “What can you mean by this?”
“It’s such a short title and seems quite amiss.”
But these two small words make me tremble and shake
Just like a leaf blown in the wind, I do quake
You see, I had a cup that I deserved to drink
A cup that was filled, overflowing the brink
But this cup was not filled with water or tea
It was filled with God’s just, holy wrath, for me
“Wrath?” you ask, “Why do you deserve such a thing?”
“What vast sin have you done that fierce wrath would bring?”
My answer to this is every sin is vast,
Yes, immense; whether present, future, or past
To God, lying is an abomination
With this one sin, there’s no hope for salvation
For in Revelation the liar is doomed
God says in this Book that he will be consumed
Yet just this one sin is not all I have done
My test on righteousness has only begun
A thief cannot enter the Kingdom of God
His fierce wrath will strike him like a lightening rod
Guilty you will be if you take His name in vain
He will not hold you guiltless, His justice shall reign
Christ says lust is adultery of the heart
And from the adulterer God will depart
Looking at just these four commandments, I see
Standing before God, my plea will be guilty
So understand, this cup I am worthy of
I’m a vile creature that deserves no love
God, the holy, just One had this cup prepared
My punishment was hell and I was ensnared
Yes, I deserve this fate, for God should be adored
Instead, His name I blasphemed and abhorred
He made the wind, the trees, the sun, and the birds
Out of all creation, men heed not His words
So, I’m standing here now with no hope in sight
Trembling before Him whose justice is right
Wait just a moment, something seems to be wrong
There’s a Man on trial that doesn’t belong
Yes, this Man is also God of creation
This God was here before the world’s foundation
But why is He standing where the guilty pleads?
He’s not ever done any unrighteous deeds
This holy, perfect One, Jesus is His name
He stands before the Father, taking my blame
He was beaten and scorned and hung on a tree
And yet all of this He was doing for me
This spectacle has me falling to my knees
He’s taking my cup, my wrath He will appease
Christ, who was perfect, has justified the vile
Through His blood He’s brought together the hostile
For we were hostile toward God, from our sin
But through His precious blood, new life can begin
He rose from the grave, defeating death and hell
Through His great defeat, now with Him we can dwell
By repentance and faith, salvation can come
Because of theses truth’s, Christ Jesus will save some
Instead of His wrath, I now hold in my hand
A cup of salvation that’s mighty and grand
It was not of me that God’s wrath was dried up
It is all because of Christ, who took the cup!
Written by: Kirsten Bryant
“The cup?” some may ask, “What can you mean by this?”
“It’s such a short title and seems quite amiss.”
But these two small words make me tremble and shake
Just like a leaf blown in the wind, I do quake
You see, I had a cup that I deserved to drink
A cup that was filled, overflowing the brink
But this cup was not filled with water or tea
It was filled with God’s just, holy wrath, for me
“Wrath?” you ask, “Why do you deserve such a thing?”
“What vast sin have you done that fierce wrath would bring?”
My answer to this is every sin is vast,
Yes, immense; whether present, future, or past
To God, lying is an abomination
With this one sin, there’s no hope for salvation
For in Revelation the liar is doomed
God says in this Book that he will be consumed
Yet just this one sin is not all I have done
My test on righteousness has only begun
A thief cannot enter the Kingdom of God
His fierce wrath will strike him like a lightening rod
Guilty you will be if you take His name in vain
He will not hold you guiltless, His justice shall reign
Christ says lust is adultery of the heart
And from the adulterer God will depart
Looking at just these four commandments, I see
Standing before God, my plea will be guilty
So understand, this cup I am worthy of
I’m a vile creature that deserves no love
God, the holy, just One had this cup prepared
My punishment was hell and I was ensnared
Yes, I deserve this fate, for God should be adored
Instead, His name I blasphemed and abhorred
He made the wind, the trees, the sun, and the birds
Out of all creation, men heed not His words
So, I’m standing here now with no hope in sight
Trembling before Him whose justice is right
Wait just a moment, something seems to be wrong
There’s a Man on trial that doesn’t belong
Yes, this Man is also God of creation
This God was here before the world’s foundation
But why is He standing where the guilty pleads?
He’s not ever done any unrighteous deeds
This holy, perfect One, Jesus is His name
He stands before the Father, taking my blame
He was beaten and scorned and hung on a tree
And yet all of this He was doing for me
This spectacle has me falling to my knees
He’s taking my cup, my wrath He will appease
Christ, who was perfect, has justified the vile
Through His blood He’s brought together the hostile
For we were hostile toward God, from our sin
But through His precious blood, new life can begin
He rose from the grave, defeating death and hell
Through His great defeat, now with Him we can dwell
By repentance and faith, salvation can come
Because of theses truth’s, Christ Jesus will save some
Instead of His wrath, I now hold in my hand
A cup of salvation that’s mighty and grand
It was not of me that God’s wrath was dried up
It is all because of Christ, who took the cup!
Monday, August 24, 2009
Love is Selfess
Wow, what a long drought. I think I'm going to try as hard as I can to start posting on this again. I'm sure that there hasn't been many to check my blog, since it's been such a long time since I wrote. But, I want to start up again. I want to talk about my walk with Christ and the great things He's doing in my life!
First off, umm... there's soo much to say! So, I think I will write about what's happening in my life later. I want to post an atricle I wrote for a school essay that I did. I chose the subject I wanted to write about. The article is called "Love is Selfless". Enjoy!
“Love”, it’s such a strong word with a deep meaning. But what’s true love? Love, as revealed in Scripture, is a complete self denial and a selfless attitude and heart. Yet, in today’s cultural world, it’s the absolute opposite. It’s a selfish, “I want this now” attitude. Love today means when you’re satisfied or when your needs are met. Love’s true meaning is found in Scripture, where “Love” is revealed as selfless and devoid of your own desires and wants.
Selfishness is condoned in the Bible and does not lead to love. In fact, selfishness leads to wrong, ungodly attitudes. It leads to a neglect of the poor. “But whoever has the world's goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him?” (New American Standard Version 1 John 3:17). It also leads to greediness and no satisfaction. “And the dogs are greedy, they are not satisfied … they have all turned to their own way, each one to his unjust gain…” (Isaiah 56:11). Selfishness is inconsistent with Christian love. “…They who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf” (2 Corinthians 5:15). “[Love] … does not seek its own” (1 Corinthians 13:5). So, if selfishness is inconsistent with Christian love, it’s not love at all. “For where … selfish ambition exists, there is disorder and every evil thing” (James 3:16). We are told to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39). A selfish person can’t do that.
Since we know that love is not selfish, then we can come to the conclusion that love is selfless and finds joy in others instead of themselves. “Let no one seek his own good, but that of his neighbor” (1 Corinthians 10:24). Love looks after the interests of others. “Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others” (Philippians 2:4). Therefore, caring for others interests, needs, or feelings is selfless love. “It is good not… to do anything by which your brother stumbles” (Romans 14:21). “The man who has two tunics is to share with him who has none; and he who has food is to do likewise" (Luke 3:11). This is the kind of love that a Christian is called to, a self denying love for people and mostly for God. Jesus says, “None of you can be My disciple who does not give up all his own possessions” (Luke 14:33). He says in another passage of Scripture, calling us to deny ourselves, “He who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.” (Matthew 10:38). Given that we are called to selflessness, we should be willing to obey this calling.
We know that true love is selfless from the example that Christ, love incarnate, gave us of His selflessness and self denial. He came to this earth not seeking His own desires or will, but His Father’s. “Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work” (John 4:34). Again, He says, “For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me” (John 6:38). Christ did not seek to please Himself. “… Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, ‘THE REPROACHES OF THOSE WHO REPROACHED YOU FELL ON ME’” (Romans 15:3). In fact, He didn’t seek His own, but gave Himself for His people. “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9). The love that Christ has for His Father and the love that He has for sinful humans shows His selfless nature and the greatness of His love. “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many" (Matthew 20:28). “Although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men” (Philippians 2:6-7).
Our love should be selfless, like that of Christ’s love for us. Our love is to be selfless in all situations; in friendships, family, marriage, and in our relationship with Christ. Our love is to be characterized by a selfless denial. Love truly is selfless and we need to not follow today’s “trend” of love and follow Christ’s perfect example of what love truly is. “Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves. Each of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to his edification. For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, ‘THE REPROACHES OF THOSE WHO REPROACHED YOU FELL ON ME’” (Romans 15:1-3).
First off, umm... there's soo much to say! So, I think I will write about what's happening in my life later. I want to post an atricle I wrote for a school essay that I did. I chose the subject I wanted to write about. The article is called "Love is Selfless". Enjoy!
In Christ, Kirsten
“Love”, it’s such a strong word with a deep meaning. But what’s true love? Love, as revealed in Scripture, is a complete self denial and a selfless attitude and heart. Yet, in today’s cultural world, it’s the absolute opposite. It’s a selfish, “I want this now” attitude. Love today means when you’re satisfied or when your needs are met. Love’s true meaning is found in Scripture, where “Love” is revealed as selfless and devoid of your own desires and wants.
Selfishness is condoned in the Bible and does not lead to love. In fact, selfishness leads to wrong, ungodly attitudes. It leads to a neglect of the poor. “But whoever has the world's goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him?” (New American Standard Version 1 John 3:17). It also leads to greediness and no satisfaction. “And the dogs are greedy, they are not satisfied … they have all turned to their own way, each one to his unjust gain…” (Isaiah 56:11). Selfishness is inconsistent with Christian love. “…They who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf” (2 Corinthians 5:15). “[Love] … does not seek its own” (1 Corinthians 13:5). So, if selfishness is inconsistent with Christian love, it’s not love at all. “For where … selfish ambition exists, there is disorder and every evil thing” (James 3:16). We are told to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39). A selfish person can’t do that.
Since we know that love is not selfish, then we can come to the conclusion that love is selfless and finds joy in others instead of themselves. “Let no one seek his own good, but that of his neighbor” (1 Corinthians 10:24). Love looks after the interests of others. “Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others” (Philippians 2:4). Therefore, caring for others interests, needs, or feelings is selfless love. “It is good not… to do anything by which your brother stumbles” (Romans 14:21). “The man who has two tunics is to share with him who has none; and he who has food is to do likewise" (Luke 3:11). This is the kind of love that a Christian is called to, a self denying love for people and mostly for God. Jesus says, “None of you can be My disciple who does not give up all his own possessions” (Luke 14:33). He says in another passage of Scripture, calling us to deny ourselves, “He who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.” (Matthew 10:38). Given that we are called to selflessness, we should be willing to obey this calling.
We know that true love is selfless from the example that Christ, love incarnate, gave us of His selflessness and self denial. He came to this earth not seeking His own desires or will, but His Father’s. “Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work” (John 4:34). Again, He says, “For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me” (John 6:38). Christ did not seek to please Himself. “… Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, ‘THE REPROACHES OF THOSE WHO REPROACHED YOU FELL ON ME’” (Romans 15:3). In fact, He didn’t seek His own, but gave Himself for His people. “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9). The love that Christ has for His Father and the love that He has for sinful humans shows His selfless nature and the greatness of His love. “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many" (Matthew 20:28). “Although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men” (Philippians 2:6-7).
Our love should be selfless, like that of Christ’s love for us. Our love is to be selfless in all situations; in friendships, family, marriage, and in our relationship with Christ. Our love is to be characterized by a selfless denial. Love truly is selfless and we need to not follow today’s “trend” of love and follow Christ’s perfect example of what love truly is. “Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves. Each of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to his edification. For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, ‘THE REPROACHES OF THOSE WHO REPROACHED YOU FELL ON ME’” (Romans 15:1-3).
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Great God!
Well, I think that it's about time for an update...lol. :) I haven't been on forever. Sorry! I recently had a surgery and then school and the Holidays was hectic.
But, I'm posting now! I recently wrote another poem. This time it's different from all my other poems. I had a school project that I had to complete on a form of poetry called a sonnet. So, here is my sonnet in iambic pentameter (poetry word, I'm smarter than you think...) form.
But, I'm posting now! I recently wrote another poem. This time it's different from all my other poems. I had a school project that I had to complete on a form of poetry called a sonnet. So, here is my sonnet in iambic pentameter (poetry word, I'm smarter than you think...) form.
Great God
The sounding of a great thunder I heard
Trembling and full of fear I became
For there was great majesty in His name
Yet it was me to whom He had referred
In His presence I could not say a word
At this site I could never be the same
It is true that “this Lion can’t be tame”
Still He is kind, for my heart He had stirred
This One that I speak of, His name is Lord
He was the Great King, yet became a man
To bear the sins of His people wholly
He shed His blood so we could be restored
This God was here before the world began
To glorify His name through the lowly
The sounding of a great thunder I heard
Trembling and full of fear I became
For there was great majesty in His name
Yet it was me to whom He had referred
In His presence I could not say a word
At this site I could never be the same
It is true that “this Lion can’t be tame”
Still He is kind, for my heart He had stirred
This One that I speak of, His name is Lord
He was the Great King, yet became a man
To bear the sins of His people wholly
He shed His blood so we could be restored
This God was here before the world began
To glorify His name through the lowly
Saturday, June 21, 2008
This Fathomless Love!
There is a song by Sovereign Grace Ministries that I enjoy called, This Fathomless Love. It's probably one of my favorite songs, although, that's hard to say with Sovereign Grace music. I recently made a video to this song. It's my 5th video that I have made, and I think it's my favorite. I will post the video and the lyrics to the song. The words are so beautiful!
This Fathomless Love
Lord, what moved Your heart to love lowly man
before any star could herald Your praise?
And why did You come, abasing Yourself,
veiled in a robe of frail human clay?
Why would You the pure give Your life fore the vile,
the innocent seeking the guilty to be reconciled?
I can't comprehend this fathomless love.
I'm gripped and amazed at what You have done.
Why would the adored become the despised
to bear all the furious wrath that was mine?
How awesome this mystery
of Your fathomless love for me.
Why would You adopt and take as Your own
those who had crushed Your one precious Son?
Why mercy and grace towards Your enemies?
Your name they have cursed and Your throne they have shunned.
Oh how could You choose to show kindness to these?
The ones who would mock You and hate You,
the ones just like me?
This Fathomless Love
Lord, what moved Your heart to love lowly man
before any star could herald Your praise?
And why did You come, abasing Yourself,
veiled in a robe of frail human clay?
Why would You the pure give Your life fore the vile,
the innocent seeking the guilty to be reconciled?
I can't comprehend this fathomless love.
I'm gripped and amazed at what You have done.
Why would the adored become the despised
to bear all the furious wrath that was mine?
How awesome this mystery
of Your fathomless love for me.
Why would You adopt and take as Your own
those who had crushed Your one precious Son?
Why mercy and grace towards Your enemies?
Your name they have cursed and Your throne they have shunned.
Oh how could You choose to show kindness to these?
The ones who would mock You and hate You,
the ones just like me?
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
The Glory of the Cross
I finished up yet another video yesterday. It's different than the rest of my video's, but it's still very powerful! Enjoy and praise God for His love for us.
In His marvelous and beautiful love,
~Kirsten~
In His marvelous and beautiful love,
~Kirsten~
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Shelter in the Storm
Well, I just finished up another video!! The song is called Shelter in the Storm by Sovereign Grace Ministries. Enjoy and praise God for His wonderous love and mercy!
Saturday, April 19, 2008
My Sweet Sixteen
Hello all my readers! Today is my sweet sixteen! I just wanted to post a poem that I wrote for my birthday today.
My Sweet Sixteen
My life is a vapor soon ready to pass
My days are fleeting just like the withering grass
The Lord has given me another year to celebrate what He has done
Of how He’s given His wondrous grace when I deserved none
This day is very special, but yet just like everyday
God has been longsuffering and kind in every way
I can recall what He showed me to flee
I will always remember what love He has shown to me
That day He took me and showed me my sin
My filthiness and wretchedness He showed to me then
“There is none that does good” I read in God’s Word
But that was something I had not even heard
I thought I was good enough to please a God so holy
But I didn’t know He required every deed that I thought was so lowly
From every lie to every thought was seen before Him
There was nothing before His eyes that was even dim
I’ve broken every commandment and now I see my fate
I was headed to hell where my judgment awaits
But look, it’s the cross where my Savior was bruised
Jesus hung on a cross where He was accused
He was accused by God for my sins and unrighteous deeds
Yet He had not broken God’s Laws nor one of His creeds
He was perfect and holy in every way
But was crushed for my sins and my fine He did pay
The wrath of God that was due to no one but me
Was put on God’s Son for everyone to see
He cried, “It is finished” with His final breath
That cry was a testament to what can happen to me after death
He then rose from the grave victorious on the third day
Christ defeated death and hell and made the Only Way
Next He showed me what I must do to me saved
I must turn from my sins and trust solely in Him, from whom salvation was paved
So repent and trust Him is what I did do
I was then given a new heart and new desires too
Now I’m forgiven and can go to heaven because of what Jesus did
My filthy unrighteous deeds from before Him He rid
I now praise Him and thank Him for His beautiful love
That is why I celebrate another year given from above
Jesus is the only reason I celebrate another day
Oh, how I love Him for paying my penalty and making a way
A question I will leave to end this at last
Where will you spend eternity when your time on earth has passed?
In Christ,
~Kirsten~
My Sweet Sixteen
My life is a vapor soon ready to pass
My days are fleeting just like the withering grass
The Lord has given me another year to celebrate what He has done
Of how He’s given His wondrous grace when I deserved none
This day is very special, but yet just like everyday
God has been longsuffering and kind in every way
I can recall what He showed me to flee
I will always remember what love He has shown to me
That day He took me and showed me my sin
My filthiness and wretchedness He showed to me then
“There is none that does good” I read in God’s Word
But that was something I had not even heard
I thought I was good enough to please a God so holy
But I didn’t know He required every deed that I thought was so lowly
From every lie to every thought was seen before Him
There was nothing before His eyes that was even dim
I’ve broken every commandment and now I see my fate
I was headed to hell where my judgment awaits
But look, it’s the cross where my Savior was bruised
Jesus hung on a cross where He was accused
He was accused by God for my sins and unrighteous deeds
Yet He had not broken God’s Laws nor one of His creeds
He was perfect and holy in every way
But was crushed for my sins and my fine He did pay
The wrath of God that was due to no one but me
Was put on God’s Son for everyone to see
He cried, “It is finished” with His final breath
That cry was a testament to what can happen to me after death
He then rose from the grave victorious on the third day
Christ defeated death and hell and made the Only Way
Next He showed me what I must do to me saved
I must turn from my sins and trust solely in Him, from whom salvation was paved
So repent and trust Him is what I did do
I was then given a new heart and new desires too
Now I’m forgiven and can go to heaven because of what Jesus did
My filthy unrighteous deeds from before Him He rid
I now praise Him and thank Him for His beautiful love
That is why I celebrate another year given from above
Jesus is the only reason I celebrate another day
Oh, how I love Him for paying my penalty and making a way
A question I will leave to end this at last
Where will you spend eternity when your time on earth has passed?
In Christ,
~Kirsten~
Saturday, April 12, 2008
I got to see a Harlem Globetrotter!
^ My million dollar bill, signed by Seth Franco!Hello my fellow blog readers! Well, the title says it all! So, some may be saying "What is a Harlem Globetrotter?" Wait a minute, you don't know what a Harlem Globetrotter is??!!! huuuuh, I'm speechless! 
Good! At least I'm not alone...lol. A Harlem Globetrotter is a basketball player who does all kinds of tricks while he plays basketball. For example, spinning a ball on your finger for a long amount of time.
So anyway, my mom and dad decided, two weeks in advance, that they we're going to surprise us and take us to see a former Harlem Globetrotter. This man had actually became a Christian and goes around sharing the Gospel with people. So on the way up, me, my brothers, and sister were trying to figure out what the surprise was. You know how it is when you don't know where you're going. So, we get there and mom says, "We're going to see a former Harlem Globetrotter, guys!" And my brothers go "Cool! Wow!".
So, my response is like my brothers, right? Wrong! My response is like, "What is a Harlem Globetrotter?" Yep, that's me!
So, my response is like my brothers, right? Wrong! My response is like, "What is a Harlem Globetrotter?" Yep, that's me!
So, anywho, we watched Seth Franco, the former Globetrotter, do the coolest tricks EVAH! It was like so totally awesome! But...that's not the best part! The best part was all the Gospel tracts given out and how it happened.
Before Seth went up to do his tricks and talk, a friend of ours handed him a million dollar bill tract, which you can find at the Way of the Master website (don't worry, I'm not a radio host...lol). So Seth puts the million in his pocket and walks up to the stage. After awhile, he asks the audience to guess how old he is. He then states that he has CASH to give away for the person who guesses the right answer! Yep, you guessed it, he gives the million to a little boy who guessed the right answer.
That opened the door for the Gospel! Then everyone wanted one of those millions that the Harlem Globetrotter had. We were handing out millions left and right when it was over. AND, not only that, but everyone wanted their million dollar bill SIGNED by Seth Franco. That was sooooooooo awesome! God is absolutely amazing! That means that the millions will be kept and possibly read over and over again! WHAT A GOD!!!! Oh, and I even got a million signed!
Seth, after he did his basketball tricks, told people about Christ. But, as Todd Friel says, it was a total dog's breakfast. He led people in the "sinners prayer". It broke my heart to pieces! BUT, another amazing thing happened! My mom gave him "True and False Conversions", which you can also find at the Way of the Master website
, and he also got a Paul Washer sermon!!!!
So, please pray for Seth, that his message will be changed so that sinners will understand their sin before a holy God. You can find him at his website here: http://www.sethfranco.com/.
In Christ,
~Kirsten~
Before Seth went up to do his tricks and talk, a friend of ours handed him a million dollar bill tract, which you can find at the Way of the Master website (don't worry, I'm not a radio host...lol). So Seth puts the million in his pocket and walks up to the stage. After awhile, he asks the audience to guess how old he is. He then states that he has CASH to give away for the person who guesses the right answer! Yep, you guessed it, he gives the million to a little boy who guessed the right answer.
That opened the door for the Gospel! Then everyone wanted one of those millions that the Harlem Globetrotter had. We were handing out millions left and right when it was over. AND, not only that, but everyone wanted their million dollar bill SIGNED by Seth Franco. That was sooooooooo awesome! God is absolutely amazing! That means that the millions will be kept and possibly read over and over again! WHAT A GOD!!!! Oh, and I even got a million signed!
Seth, after he did his basketball tricks, told people about Christ. But, as Todd Friel says, it was a total dog's breakfast. He led people in the "sinners prayer". It broke my heart to pieces! BUT, another amazing thing happened! My mom gave him "True and False Conversions", which you can also find at the Way of the Master website
, and he also got a Paul Washer sermon!!!!So, please pray for Seth, that his message will be changed so that sinners will understand their sin before a holy God. You can find him at his website here: http://www.sethfranco.com/.
In Christ,
~Kirsten~
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Count the Cost
Charles Haddon Spurgeon-
This quote caught my eye yesterday while reading a book called "Ashamed of the Gospel" by John MacArthur. The book speaks about how the modern churches of today are using new methods to draw in crowds instead of preaching the Gospel. They'd rather have mans approval of things than God's word being preached.
Sometimes we can get caught up in the world. We want the worlds approval of so many things. Do I have the latest fashion? Am I listening to the same music my friend is listening to? "My friend has the latest cell phone, I just HAVE to get it"! ...and so on and so forth...
We are suppose to be different from the world. Isn't that what the Bible says, that we're "foreignors" or "pilgrims", or "strangers" of this world. We are the "called out ones". What is going to happen if those who call them selves Christians begin to act and do things like the world? Who exactly would the world look to?
As I was reading this book by John MacArthur, I began to realize why Christian are to be seperate from the world. No, I'm not saying that you can't have an ipod or a new cell phone. But merely, we can't try to blend into the world. We're suppose to be "lights to those in darkness" -Romans 2:19. How well will our lights shine if we try to "blend" our lights into the darkness. "Oh, is this light too bright for you. I'll dim it alittle so that you will feel better. I don't want you to feel too uncomfortable". That's pretty much the motto of "todays" Christians.
We don't want to offend anyone. Yet, isn't that what the Bible says that the cross will be to some? It says that the cross is "foolishness to those who are perishing". A sinner doesn't exactly want to be told to lay down the love of his life, sin. He'd rather have his "ears tickled" as the Bible says in 2 Timothy 4:1-5. He doesn't want to be told that what he loves the most will send him to hell for eternity. So, that's what the church is giving him!?
So, this would be how the world views us if we are relavent..."Why do I need to become a Christian. They're really not any different than us. We even dress the same way and talk the same way." Some " Christians" say "We want to make people feel better. We want to meet their needs." But, salvation is a NEED for everyone. What does it make a difference if you give people cars and ipods but they're headed straight to hell. Your just buttering them up for eternity in hell. Giving them a little of this and that on earth, but what about their ETERNITY?
Martyn Lloyd Jones stated,
We need to be telling people of their real need, a Savior! They need to see that they've sinned against a holy God and that His justice demands someone pay. Show them the Ten Commandments, God's holy law. That every lie and every thought will be judged. They need righteousness not a new car. Tell them of the Savior who took their punishment on the cross and paid for their fine in full. He cried "It is finished" or "Paid in full". God crushed His Son under YOUR wrath. Now, to those who repent and place their faith in Jesus Christ, they can be made right with God and can be set free from sins punishment.
What a God we serve! I never cease to be amazed at what He has done.
"May I never lose the wonder
The wonder of the cross
May I see it like the first time
Standing as a sinner lost
Undone by mercy and left speechless
Watching wide-eyed at the cost
May I never lose the wonder
The wonder of the cross" -Vicky Beeching
In Christ,
~Kirst~
"Doth that man love his Lord who would be willing to see Jesus wearing a crown
of thorns, while for himself he craves a chaplet of laurel? Shall Jesus ascend
to His throne by the cross, and do we expect to be carried there on the
shoulders of the applauding crowds? Be not so vain in your imagination. Count
you the cost, and if you are not willing to bear Christ's cross, go away to your
farm and to your merchandise, and make the most of them; only let me whisper
this in your ear, 'What shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world and
lose his own soul?'"
This quote caught my eye yesterday while reading a book called "Ashamed of the Gospel" by John MacArthur. The book speaks about how the modern churches of today are using new methods to draw in crowds instead of preaching the Gospel. They'd rather have mans approval of things than God's word being preached.
Sometimes we can get caught up in the world. We want the worlds approval of so many things. Do I have the latest fashion? Am I listening to the same music my friend is listening to? "My friend has the latest cell phone, I just HAVE to get it"! ...and so on and so forth...
We are suppose to be different from the world. Isn't that what the Bible says, that we're "foreignors" or "pilgrims", or "strangers" of this world. We are the "called out ones". What is going to happen if those who call them selves Christians begin to act and do things like the world? Who exactly would the world look to?
As I was reading this book by John MacArthur, I began to realize why Christian are to be seperate from the world. No, I'm not saying that you can't have an ipod or a new cell phone. But merely, we can't try to blend into the world. We're suppose to be "lights to those in darkness" -Romans 2:19. How well will our lights shine if we try to "blend" our lights into the darkness. "Oh, is this light too bright for you. I'll dim it alittle so that you will feel better. I don't want you to feel too uncomfortable". That's pretty much the motto of "todays" Christians.
We don't want to offend anyone. Yet, isn't that what the Bible says that the cross will be to some? It says that the cross is "foolishness to those who are perishing". A sinner doesn't exactly want to be told to lay down the love of his life, sin. He'd rather have his "ears tickled" as the Bible says in 2 Timothy 4:1-5. He doesn't want to be told that what he loves the most will send him to hell for eternity. So, that's what the church is giving him!?
So, this would be how the world views us if we are relavent..."Why do I need to become a Christian. They're really not any different than us. We even dress the same way and talk the same way." Some " Christians" say "We want to make people feel better. We want to meet their needs." But, salvation is a NEED for everyone. What does it make a difference if you give people cars and ipods but they're headed straight to hell. Your just buttering them up for eternity in hell. Giving them a little of this and that on earth, but what about their ETERNITY?
Martyn Lloyd Jones stated,
"Our Lord attracted sinners bacause He was different. They drew near to Him
because they felt there was something different about Him...And the world always
expects us to be different. This idea that you are going to win people to the
Christian faith by showing them that after all you are remarkably like them, is
theologically and phychologically a profound blunder."
We need to be telling people of their real need, a Savior! They need to see that they've sinned against a holy God and that His justice demands someone pay. Show them the Ten Commandments, God's holy law. That every lie and every thought will be judged. They need righteousness not a new car. Tell them of the Savior who took their punishment on the cross and paid for their fine in full. He cried "It is finished" or "Paid in full". God crushed His Son under YOUR wrath. Now, to those who repent and place their faith in Jesus Christ, they can be made right with God and can be set free from sins punishment.
What a God we serve! I never cease to be amazed at what He has done.
"May I never lose the wonder
The wonder of the cross
May I see it like the first time
Standing as a sinner lost
Undone by mercy and left speechless
Watching wide-eyed at the cost
May I never lose the wonder
The wonder of the cross" -Vicky Beeching
In Christ,
~Kirst~
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Oh, What Love!
(Picture was taken at the Creation Museum)Happy Resurrection Day everyone! I think I'm starting to get tired of saying "Easter". The world seems to have changed the meaning of it all together, just like every other wondrous Christian day. Although, there is nothing wrong with saying "Happy Easter", I'd rather let the whole world know what I celebrate on this day. So, instead it's "Resurrection Day", after all, that's what it's all about!
I was just thinking on the death, burial, and resurection of our Savior. It's SOO amazing! I'm reminded of this verse "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."-Romans 5:8. Oh, what a love!
The whole story is amazing. Jesus Christ, God, became flesh and lived a perfect life. He then died on the cross, taking our wrath upon Himself. The wrath that we deserved was laid upon the Sinless Savior! We deserve Hell, but Jesus made a way for us to be forgiven. He took our sins upon Himself. He then rose again the third day and defeated death and hell! What wonder! Without His resurection we would have no hope. Oh, how I love my Jesus, my Savior, my Redeemer!
This is a song that I really enjoy by Vicky Beeching, it's beautiful. I hope you enjoy the words just as much as I have. It's called
"Great is Your Glory".
God came down and gave His life for me
Amen, Amen
Through flesh and blood He fought for victory
Amen, Amen
Crucified brought back to life
Amen, Amen
Seated at the Father's hand again
Amen, Amen
(Chorus)
Great is the glory of the Lord Almighty
Great is the glory of the Lord
I will sing with all my heart unto the Lord Almighty
Great is Your glory Lord
Crimson covered over sinless hands
Amen, Amen
But nails could never hold the Son of Man
Amen, Amen
Now the Father's love flows down on us
Amen, Amen
Hallelujah He will come again
Amen, Amen
(Chorus)
(Bridge)
You are the one who was
You are the one who is
You are the one who is
You are the one who is to come
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Paul Washer's Secret!
Hey all! This is a wonderful video of parts of a Paul Washer sermon. It is very beautiful. Definitely a "must see". And it's only 4 min and 30 secs long!
Have a wonderful day in His precious love!
~Kirsten~
Have a wonderful day in His precious love!
~Kirsten~
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
It's About the CROSS!!
Hello all! Just wanted to wish everyone happy holidays.....lol...just kidding, just kidding, please don't have a heart attack. It's CHRISTmas for goodness sakes!! aaahhhhh! When will they ever figure it out?!
Anywho, this is a wonderful Christmas video that was put together last year by David! It's absolutely amazing, and you might want to grab some tissues, cuz you get the sniffles. The song is by a band called Go Fish. Well, here it is: It's About the Cross Christmas Video!!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!
Anywho, this is a wonderful Christmas video that was put together last year by David! It's absolutely amazing, and you might want to grab some tissues, cuz you get the sniffles. The song is by a band called Go Fish. Well, here it is: It's About the Cross Christmas Video!!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!
Saturday, November 24, 2007
A visit to a friend!
Sunday my family and some friends went to visit a family that we have been blessed to come in touch with. We had such fun! We had such wonderful fellowship as well. I'm posting three pics that my mom took. It was a great time! The pics are actually of us finishing an oreo cheescake...what fun we had...lol. We we're quite messy. Praise the Lord for the Allen family! :)
We smashed em all right!
Gotta like those oreos
Oreo mush all over our fingers :)
Thanks for reading and lookin'...lol
In His love,
~Kirsten~
