There is upheaval in my life again. It seems that just as I am gaining ground and enjoying peace, the battle begins again. I can run from the battle or fight. I fight not alone, but with God as my victorious warrior and my friends in Christ as fellow warriors. I am weary at the moment. I need to rest while the battle rages on. I hope to return soon with renewed strength. For now, I am resting with my battle gear on and ready to fight. The helmet of Salvation dims the sound of the artillery from the enemy's attacks.
October 20, 2015:
Worship: Lord I Want to Be Like Jesus as sung by Fernando Ortega
Lord, I want to be like Jesus in my heart, in my heart,
Lord, I want to be like Jesus in my heart, in my heart.
In my heart, in my heart,
Lord, I want to be like Jesus in my heart, in my heart.
Lord, I want to be more holy in my heart, in my heart,
Lord, I want to be more holy in my heart, in my heart.
In my heart, in my heart,
Lord, I want to be more holy in my heart, in my heart.
Oh I want to be like Jesus, Oh I want to be more Holy
In my heart, in my heart, in my heart,
I want to be like Jesus.
Lord, I want to be like Jesus in my heart, in my heart,
Lord, I want to be like Jesus in my heart, in my heart.
In my heart, in my heart,
Lord, I want to be like Jesus in my heart, in my heart.
Witness:
Today I sat down to worship with a particular song in mind. That is, it was on the tip of my tongue, but I could not find it on YouTube. I had it on my phone, but that was tied up for the moment with an update to my phone. So what should I sing? Earlier as I ate dinner I was reading September 13th’s entry and the worship song was by Fernando Ortega. The title of the song was Sing for Jesus. It is a beautiful ballad and I decided to sing along with the video link I leave at the end of each song lyric. When it came time to look for a song, and after failing to find the song I wanted to sing, I happened to look at what song was coming up on YouTube. It was a song I sang as a child in VBS. I also remember my mom singing it sometimes as well. It is a simple lyric, a prayer if you will, a desire to be like Jesus. Simple? Yes, but powerful, and one the Father honors faithfully and completely. How do I know this? Romans 8:29!
“For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to
the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren”.
NIV
We also read in 2Corinthians 3:18:
“And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being
transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes
from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”
NIV
And 1 John 3:1-3 has this to say:
“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called
children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know
us is that it did not know him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and
what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears,
we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Everyone who has this hope in
him purifies himself, just as he is pure.” NIV
Therefore, pray to be like Jesus daily and follow verse three of 1 John.
WORD:
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2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. |
2He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
4Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,a
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
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Wiersbe makes this observation in verse four:
“This is the central verse of the psalm and the personal pronoun changes
from he to you. David is not speaking about the shepherd but speaking to
the shepherd. In the dark valley, He is not before us but beside us, leading
the way and calming our fears.
(from The Bible Exposition Commentary: Old Testament © 2001-2004 by Warren W. Wiersbe. All rights reserved.)
If you look at the psalm closely you will see that this is the second of three declarations David makes in the first person. We see them in the beginning, the middle, and the end. I believe this was written purposely this way. David realizes that our great Shepherd gives us:
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1. Security of Provision
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v. 1 "I shall not be in want"NIV
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2.Security of Protection
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v. 4 "I will fear no evil" NIV
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3. Security of a Place to dwell eternally
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v.6 "I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever" NIV
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Lord help me never forget that whenever I declare “I shall” or “I will” it’s because You are!
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