Is He REALLY Enough?

If you listen to Christian music, you know who Chris Tomlin is. For those who don't, he wrote How Great is Our God, Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone), Enough, Indescribable, Holy is the Lord...And tons more. But, tonight in worship, we sang Enough. The gist of the song is that God is enough for you. But, during the song, I was thinking, "Is he REALLY enough? Could I live without everything but God? Is he truly all I ever want?" Well, sadly, I can't say that he is all I want in this life. I have my desires, that probably aren't God's. But, sadly enough, people don't think God is enough for them. They look for satisfaction in fame, money, love, recognition, work, food, and many other things. But, these things are all temporary. They don't last. In fact, the only thing that does last is God. God is the only thing that has always been and will always be. He doesn't have a beginning and he doesn't have an end. That, in and of itself, is hard to wrap my mind around. I can't imagine anything that didn't ever begin or end. Everything I've ever known on this earth has a beginning, or has ended. Except God. The same God who will always be is telling you that he wants to be all you want. He wants to be everything you need. He wants you to know that whether you realize it or not, you are completely dependent on him. He is enough. Let's look at a few examples in scripture, to see how God truly provided everything for people.
Abraham: God sent him away from his homeland, yet he never suffered materially. In fact, he depended on God and he didn't let him down.
David: He knew he would be King someday, but he didn't want to push it. He knew that God would put him there in the right time.
Jeremiah: Even though he was thrown in a cistern, he knew God would use him in some way.
Mary: She was just a young teenager, but she knew she could depend on God during her unexpected pregnancy.
Jesus: He never went without prayer, because he knew it was vital. He trusted God.
Paul: Although shipwrecked three times, snakebitten, and thrown in prison numerous times, he knew God wasn't through with him yet.
I could go on and on, but those are just a few. But, my point is this. God was enough for them, in their lives. He is enough for you. You just have to wholly trust on him, and believe.

Sing 'Em...Mean 'Em

I love to sing -though I'm not good at it- but, lately, I've noticed some things. On Sunday mornings I sing in the choir, and I look down at all the people from the choir loft. The expressions are funny- some blank, some asleep, but there are a few who seem to be worshipping and awake. But, most don't seem to mean what they sing. Do you?

It wasn't until lately that I actually started noticing the words, and what they meant. I mean, I sing along with the radio all the time, but I sing and don't pay attention to the words. We need to either mean the words we sing or don't sing at all.

Why? Well, just singing meaningless words doesn't give glory to God. But, if you sing worshipful lyrics, and really mean them, you are glorifying God through your songs. And, you don't have to just sing three hymns in church on Sunday-you can sing all the time. The Bible says, "Let my mouth continually sing your praises." (or something to that effect). We don't have to sing all the time, but when we do, let's sing for God's glory.

Pour Out My Heart

I'm longing to pour out my heart
And say that I love you
Pour out my heart
And say that I need you
Pour out my heart
And say that I'm thankful
Pour out my heart
And say that you're wonderful

Before, I talked about being real. Well, we have to be real with God. Drop the "thee" and "thou" from your prayers, he knows who you really are! I'm not saying don't be respectful, but if you put on a front for God, he'll know it. God knows everything. Just tell him everything that happens in your life, your concerns, your dreams, your hopes, your plans. Everything. Pour out your hurts, your laughs, your joy, and your tears. Give them all to him. If you really want God to be the Lord of your life, you have to tell him about it! Talk to him about your friends, why you like them, or what you think that they should do better. He already knows everything you're going to tell him...But he wants to hear it anyway! He loves you, he cares for you. So, tell him about the real you. The person who laughs or cries inwardly, and has to be strong outwardly. He wants to know you. So pour out your heart to him.

Are You Real?

There is a great song by KJ52. It talks about God asking us if we are "real". Are you real? Are you upfront and candid? Do you put on a front for other people? If you aren't yourself around some people and pretend to be what you're not, you aren't real.

So much stress keeps running through me now
I fell into a mess that I wish I could climb out
I guess I'll hide it so nobody will find out
That way everyone thinks everything is fine now
At home things are messed up with Mom and Dad
And at school all my friends stab me in the back
No one is real anymore I hate the way they act
There is so many things I wish I had
So God if your there do you understand
Don't you care about anything that's happening
It's not fair to put me through all this junk again
You see that I'm scared so help me if you can
So please speak loud and clear cuz I'm listening
I need to know that your real cuz I'm struggling
You need to show that your real cuz I'm stumbling
Show me that you care and this is what I'm saying

Are you real I want to know
Are you real then let it go
Are you real I want to know
Are you real then let it show

It was right then when everything it began to change
I started looking at these things
In a different way I saw life through God's eyes and it wasn't the same
That was right at the time I called on your name
And then I saw all the lies that was thrown my way
I recognized that I need you and on that day
I cried out and seeked you that was when you came
Now that I see you I've been through a major change
I believe you are real cuz it's so plain
Finally I feel that I can make it through anything
It don't matter what they speak or if they hate
They can't keep me down no more cuz I've seen your face
And from now never will I be ashamed cuz I'm a stand strong
I won't bend or sway now that I know that you are real it's gonna be okay
I hear you speaking in my ear and this is what you say

Are you real I want to know
Are you real then let it go
Are you real I want to know
Are you real then let it show

See there is a war that's going on outside
You can try and ignore it and just run and hide
But everyday more and more people die
See the battle is for souls and we are on the front lines
So many soldiers are too scared to fight
They're too worried about what people thinking of their life
How can you fight if you won't lay down ya pride
And how will anyone see if you won't shine your light
So many of your friends just walking around blind
And you've got the source that can open up their eyes
It's y'alls choice what you'll do with your lives
But I'm gonna go to war cuz I've made up my mind
Jesus gave his life when he went and died
So the least I can do is just give him all of mine
So how many of y'all are ready to fight by my side
Cuz this is what he's saying here tonight

Are you real I want to know
Are you real then let it go
Are you real I want to know
Are you real then let it show

If you are wondering why such words as "ya" and "cuz" were in there, yes, I did notice them. That's just how people spell things in rap.
But, I want you to notice the second verse. How many of us are to scared to lay down our pride and fight the good fight? God knows if we're real or not, but he wants us to show him anyway. I have to admit that this is hard for me. It's so easy to seem all spiritual and all that on here. I know sometimes I'm not real. I wish I were more. But, I know, I can make myself be more real with everyone I know. Are you real? Maybe the best way to answer this question is to ask God. He will show you. You can fight beside me. But, you have to be real with people, and you have to be real with God. Will you be real?

Okay..So Why?

There is a Ginny Owens song "This Road." I really like it. The song deals with asking God why we have to go (live) the way we are. I have asked God "Why?" so many times that this song really touched a part of me.
A million miles away from anything familiar
A thousand places I would rather be
So I choke back the tears and try to find the bright side
Though I find it hard to see beyond my suffering
In my heart I know your plan is so much bigger
But this small part is all that I can see
And I believe you haven't left me here to wander
Still I can't help but ponder where you're leading me

(Chorus)
And I ask why this road
Why this way and this load
Tell me how far must I go till I see
Till I know why this road

A million miles away from anything familiar
What was it like to be so far from home
Though you came in love
The world misunderstood you
There must have been some days when you felt so alone
But you endured, cause there was joy before you
Joy that came because you sacrificed
Since you gave yourself just to spend forever with me
Surely I can trust you'll lead me through my darkest times
When I ask why....

(Chorus)
And I ask why this road
Why this way and this load
Tell me how far must I go Till I see
Till I know why this road

From here I can not see
Why you'd choose this path for me
But I don't have to understand to believe
That you know whyYou know why this road
Why this way and this load
You know how far I must go till I see
Till I know why this road

It's okay to ask God why. In fact, some of the strongest Christians I know, do it every day. Ask why, but believe and trust that God knows, even if he doesn't tell you clearly.

This Man

Last time I posted I told how Jesus suffered on the cross for us. This is a song by Jeremy Camp that I think really illustrates it.

Jeremy Camp - This Man

From the album Restored

In only a moment truth was seen, revealed this mystery
The crown that showed no dignity, He wore
And the king was placed for all the world to show disgrace
But only beauty flowed from this place

Chorus:

Would you take the place of this Man
Would you take the nails from His hands
Would you take the place of this Man
Would you take the nails from His hands

He held the weight of impurity
The father would not see the reasons had finally come to be to show
The depth of His grace flowed with every sin erased
He knew that this was why He came

Chorus:

And we just don’t know
The blood and water flowed
And in it all He showed just how much He cared
And the veil was torn so we could have this open door
And all these things have finally been complete

Chorus


I think that this song is really cool. The first time I ever heard it was at church camp. They had taken this song and put clips from Passion of the Christ to it. I don't think that there was a dry eye in the place. But, the thing that really struck me was the chorus. Seeing clips of that movie, and asking "Would you take his place?" really hit home. I wondered if I really would take his place. I know that he did it for me, but would I do it for him? I have to ask myself this question every day. I could say that I say yes every day, but I don't. I should, but I don't. Do you? Would you take his place?