My Thoughts...

Beside the Cross

2009-08-13T13:50:00.000-07:00

My tongue proclaims my wonders
My deeds for all to see
The glories of my greatness!
Bow down and worship me!
I wander from place to place
Spreading my own fame
Trying to show-up everyone
And leave them all in shame
I hope that they can see me
I want to be recognized
They'll all know how great I am
They'll see I lack any pride!
But, just as I have finished
Proclaiming my own fame,
I come upon an old rugged cross
And see my Savior slain.
My boastful lips are silenced
My glories - not so great.
Falling down upon my knees,
I see pride - my greatest trait.
How could I be bragging
Gathering everyone, so all might see,
When the only reason I'm living
Is this man who died for me?
How can I be arrogant
As I stand beside the cross?
O Lord, my God, please keep me here
For me to leave would be my loss.

Condemned

2009-03-19T13:32:00.000-07:00

I crested the hill on the darkest day
Three trees were standing as though arms spread wide
I heard voices crying in deep sorrow
For this was the day the Son of God died
My eyes were fixed on the centermost tree
The eyes of the man were filled with great pain
He stared at the ground, his breathing was deep
Here is one man like a lamb who is slain
Blood ran from his hands and feet to the ground
My eyes filled with tears as I saw his face
Who was this man, and who said he should die?
Why couldn't this man just be shown some grace?
He glanced up at me - my heart nearly stopped
In his love-struck gaze I saw all my sins
They flashed through my mind causing me great pain
So many things I thought were forgotten
Were these the things that nailed him to the tree?
Suddenly my heart was filled with great grief
I had killed a man just to be happy
I fell to my knees, I could hardly breathe
He continued to look right in my eyes
Everything in me wanting him to stop
Surely his gaze meant that I was guilty
My heart felt like it'd been tied in a knot
I couldn't move, but just looked on in fear
What had I been thinking to bring him here?
I couldn't move; I just wanted to die
Guilty of a death more than I could bear
Suddenly he spoke up - he called my name
Fear gripped my heart, I thought I would be sick
What would he say to the man who killed him?
I froze in silence as I let him speak.

"My blood for your life, my life for your soul.
These things you've done, I will see them no more
My life sacrifice is more than enough
You're free of all charges - freed by your Lord
No longer feel guilty of your old ways
My death saves you, now my Father loves you
I have made a way for you to be saved
More than saved, you will be adopted too
My truth triumphs sin, my grace knows no end
Here's my blood, use it to wash yourself white
All the accusations have been revoked
I am the one who has redeemed your life."

My heart was broken, my spirit contrite
What I thought to be hate was truly love
Tears poured from my eyes, and my heart was won
The Son of God came from his throne above
Here is a love that can never be lost
Here is a love that will not ever change
Here is a love that puts all love to shame
Here is a love with an infinite range
Here is a God who comes not as a Judge
Here is our God - our great Father above
Here is a freedom won by Jesus Christ
He is our Savior with infinite love.

Jesus Knew My Name

2009-02-25T16:52:00.000-08:00

See the King upon the tree - the tears run down His face
See the blood He shed for me - the price I could not pay
In that moment, what were the thoughts that ran across His mind?
How specific was His love as He died to save mankind?
Did He think of countless saved, or did He see each face?
How long did my name dwell within the mind of Saving Grace?
Two thousand years ago as Jesus died, He thought upon my name
He knew His death would save my life and take away my shame.
Though He felt white wrath from the cup of God, He smiled through the pain
My name engraved upon His heart, I know that I am saved.
His love today is just the same as all those years ago
His faithfulness and loving truth He always loves to show.
So now I see that in my God all I have is gain
For on that day when my Lord died, Jesus knew my name.

Forgiveness

2008-08-04T23:03:00.000-07:00

Now I’m backed into a corner
With no choice but to kill my friend
I’m stuck here in this place now
With the fear it’s a dead end

It’s the choices I’ve been making
That have brought me to this place
I ask the Father to slay him
As I look him in the face

I can see the tears in his eyes
And just wish I could say, “don’t worry”
But the only words worth speaking
Are “Lord Jesus, I am sorry.”

Yet once again he manages
To smile and to say,
“I did this many years ago,
In full knowledge of this day.”

My broken heart is beating
As he’s taken to the grave
My sins are gone, my soul is well
Cause Jesus came to save

I know that it is finished
And my sins are off my head
For Jesus Christ has conquered
He has risen from the dead

He died to set me free...

2008-08-01T10:03:00.000-07:00

Through my thoughts, actions, and desires
My evil heart is shown
Selfish satisfaction and pleasure
The sins I call my own
Rebellious acts to a loving God
I only seek my gain
Then I see a man upon a cross
In agony and pain
He's suffering the full wrath of God
Because He took my place
Yet this is the man that I have scorned
And spit upon His face
By seeking my own pleasure and gain
I nailed him to a tree
Though I had cursed Him in every way
He died to set me free
I put my own pride and selfishness
Before His holy name
And declared through all my selfish deeds
That I deserve His fame
And I said that all my selfishness
Was worth giving His life
In my selfishness I gave my friend
To agony and strife
Yet still somehow He forgives my soul
And promises His peace
As tears fill my eyes, and my heart breaks
I fall down on my knees

He Fights for His People

2008-05-06T14:12:00.000-07:00

Fire in the heavens
A pillar that leads the way
Behold the power of God on high
He stops the Egyptians in a day.
He sees a mighty force is gathered
He hears their cries, chants, and jeers
But the LORD, He fights for His people
And in their hearts, he instills fear

Behold a wall, too great to conquer
It keeps God’s people held at bay
But God will fight for His people
The wall will crumble in seven days
Behold the lion, bear, and giant
All seeking to see David slain
But God will fight for his chosen
And he’ll find victory in His name

See the den of hungry lions
See the fear in Daniel’s eyes
He pleads to Heaven for God to save him
And the LORD answers his every cry
See the man, diseased for years
Crying out in all his pain
He comes across the Son of God
And mercy falls like endless rain

But see the man in the garden crying
Tears and sweat like drops of blood
Surely the LORD will hear his plea
For He is the very Son of God
But the LORD, He fights for His people
Though it pains Him, it must be done
He makes the greatest sacrifice
And forgiveness is shown to everyone

Now see your pain and hear your crying
The times you don’t know what else to do
If the LORD will fight for all His people,
Surely He will fight for you.
He gave His Son to bring you freedom
His grace and mercy have been shown
When your heart’s in turmoil, deep within,
Look to the King upon His throne.

His arms spread wide in greatest love
Make it clear for you to see
He’ll never cease to fight for His people
With holes through hands, and through both feet
The LORD, He fights for His people
Even when you’re too weak to stand
Lift your eyes to behold His mercy
As He extends His loving hand.

The LORD, He fights for His people
This glorious mystery will never end
When Satan comes to tempt and slay us
God holds us in His mighty hand
The LORD, He fights for His people
When our hearts are there just to condemn
He proves to us that He is greater
That forgiveness came with the Son He sent

The LORD, He fights for His people
He’s shown this over ages past
Through every fiery trial and pain
The greatest love will always last
The LORD, He fights for His people
Our King has gone to make a place
Where His people can be free from pain
And gaze upon His wondrous face.

...nor powers...

2008-03-30T21:57:00.001-07:00

The bruises come with painful blows
The sinfulness of my heart shows
I'm torn apart with tearful cries
The crushing weight of many lies
When I look at God, who do I see?
A Father, or a Judge for me?
I feel as though I'm left alone
In my heart, I hear a groan.
All I want is to see some light
To do the things I know are right
Yet sins abound, and I often cry
It seems as though I might just die.
Yet something holds me, it keeps me awake
It's a quiet promise - the bruised reed won't break.
Though my every action tries to wrench away,
God's hand still holds me, and here I stay.
Through the pains of sin, and an awful cry,
The love of God still won't run dry.
For He has promised to forgiveness show
And all my sins are washed white as snow.

Hope

2008-03-02T22:17:00.000-08:00

A teardrop glides from a sober eye
A pain that makes a grown man cry
The memories that feel incomplete
As life was changed in just a beat
We hear the truth, and keep it known
Yet still the tears won't cease to flow
As grief hits us hard once again
The tears we see flow without end
Yet from these thoughts comes hope anew
A quick reminder of what is true
From behind a dark curtain, a shimmer of light
Behind the black cloth, something is bright
It grows in strength, its glory white
Until the curtain is out of sight
And beauty anew behold our eyes
As death no longer holds a prize
For our hope is not in what we see
But rather in who we know God to be.

November 6, 2007

2007-12-03T08:07:00.000-08:00

Reflections on Psalm 84

Here it comes - the trumpet sound
To this earth - no longer bound
The day will come with glorious light
The final day, with hope in sight
The pains and tears will be no more
On the wings of eagles we will soar
The Savior comes with a mighty roar
The King returns; he unsheathes His sword
He stretches His grace toward all His saints
He brings relief for all the faint
The day has come to claim His own
A mighty King, on a mighty throne
.
.
Tear-filled eyes from hearts of joy
My Savior's song, our tongues employ

October 21, 2007

2007-12-03T08:03:00.000-08:00

Proverbs 3:11-12 "My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline or be weary of his reproof, for the LORD reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights."

The way of sin
The path of death
The place I've been
Where I drew my breath
I see it now
Clearer than ever
A burning place
With storming weather
It took a death
And a holy scorn
For this dark blindfold
To this day be torn
He brings correction
He brings reproof
Though it sometimes hurts,
He shows me truth.

What Does God Think About Our Sin?

2007-10-05T09:42:00.000-07:00

Jeremiah 2-6

2:5 Thus says the LORD: "What wrong did your fathers find in me that they went far from me, and went after worthlessness, and became worthless? 9 Therefore I still contend with you, declares the LORD, and with your children's children I will conten. 11 But my people have changed their glory for that which does not profit. 12 Be appalled, O heavens, at this; be shocked, be utterly desolate, declares the LORD, 13 for my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water. 19 Your evil will chastise you, and your apostasy will reprove you. Know and see that it is evil and bitter for you to forsake the LORD your God; the fear of me is not in you, declares the Lord GOD of hosts. 22 the stain of your guilt is still before me, declares the Lord GOD. 29 Why do you contend with me? You have all transgressed against me, declares the LORD. 35 you say, 'I am innocent; surely his anger has turned from me.' Behold, I will bring you to judgment for saying, 'I have not sinned.' 3:20 Surely, as a treacherous wife leaves her husband, so have you been treacherous to me, O house of Israel, declares the LORD." 4:13 'Behold, he comes up like clouds; his chariots like the whirlwind; his horses are swifter than eagles - woe to us, for we are ruined!' 18 "Your ways and your deeds have brought this upon you. This is your doom, and it is bitter; it has reached your very heart. 22 For my people are foolish; they know me not; they are stupid children; they have no understanding. They are 'wise' - in doing evil! But how to do good they know not. 5:7 How can I pardon you? Your children have forsaken me and have sworn by those who are no gods. When I fed them to the full, they committed adultery and trooped to the houses of whores. They were well-fed, lusty stallions, each neighing for his neighbor's wife. Shall I not punish them for these things? declares the LORD; and shall I not avenge myself on a nation such as this? 21 Hear this, O foolish and senseless people, who have eyes, but see not, who have ears, but hear not. 22 Do you not fear me? declares the LORD; Do you not tremble before me? I placed the sand as the boundary for the sea, a perpetual barrier that it cannot pass; though the waves toss, they cannot prevail; though they roar, they cannot pass over it. 23 But this people has a stubborn and rebellious heart; they have turned aside and gone away. 24 They do not say in their hearts, 'Let us fear the LORD our God, who gives the rain in its season, the autumn rain and the spring rain, and keeps for us the weeks appointed for the harvest.' 25 Your iniquities have turned these away, and your sins have kept good from you. 29 Shall I not punish them for these things? declares the LORD, and shall I not avenge myself on a nation such as this? 6:8 Be warned, O Jerusalem, lest I turn from you in disgust, lest I make you a desolation. 10 behold, the word of the LORD is to them an object of scorn; they take no pleasure in it.

11 Therefore I am full of the wrath of the LORD; I am weary of holding it in."

Reflections on Isaiah 53 and Matthew 27

2007-09-26T17:24:00.000-07:00

I see the blood
I see the tears
His voice cries out
Changing future years
He bears a curse
That is not His own
He took it from me
His great love is shown
He cries in agony
He cries in pain
He bears the wrath of God
He is the Lamb who was slain
I can see His eyes
Filled with pain and love
Forsaken by God
By His Father above
He suffers as greatest pain is shown
Because of Him, to me, pain unknown
He spared me from ever knowing such pain
Now a life with Him brings me only gain
What love is this? What love divine?
Christ is a Savior; and He is mine

September 24, 2007

2007-09-26T17:22:00.000-07:00

Your light shines throughout the heavens
You gave each star its name
You cause the sun and moon to shine
Your glory and your fame
You give the oceans their water
You set the earth in place
You sent your only Son to die
How great your saving grace

September 11, 2007

2007-09-26T17:20:00.000-07:00

Why should the King of Glory step off His throne?
Why should the Prince of Power be made to groan?
Why should the One True God pay the greatest price?
Why should the Perfect Lamb be made to sacrifice?
And there He is, His head hung low
From every wound, a great blood flow
From His mouth I can hear Him cry
And I watch my perfect Savior die
-
-
-
I can hear my voice calling out in the crowd...
"Crucify Him!"
What have I done?

Proverbs 17:15

2007-09-10T09:28:00.000-07:00

He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteousare both alike an abomination to the Lord.

To justify the wicked is an abomination to the LORD.
What does it look like to justify the wicked?
-To say that the wicked things done are right, good, or even just okay because of some other reason.
Evil is evil - no matter what the circumstances.
So whenever I see something evil and say it's okay because of this or that, I am making myself an abomination before God.
Wow...what a sobering thought. Every time I try to justify my own sin, or make excuses, I am telling God to hate me, and make me an abomination in His sight.
As if my sin wasn't bad enough, I then try to excuse it?
There is no excuse for sin. And there is no excuse for excusing sin.
So now I must ask the question of myself...what sins am I excusing?

--

August 30, 2007

2007-09-01T13:36:00.000-07:00

The King above every king
The Lord above every lord
Was pierced by nail, spear, and thorn
Stepped down from heaven
Stepped off His throne
So on a cross His love be shown
The God who made all things to be
Died to set His enemy free
In greatest pain
And under Holy wrath
Our wicked, evil, sins were cast
By Christ into the deepest sea
All sinners now can be set free
For Christ, our love, hung on a tree
His blood was spilled to ransom me

This is our Kingdom

2007-08-10T13:48:00.000-07:00

John 14:2-3 "In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also."

This is our Kingdom. The light that shines with a hope of the glory that we can only now glimpse at a distance, yet it shines brighter than the sun in our future as it calls for us to come home. The place of perfect beauty, perfect majesty, perfect perfection. The place where God's glory dwells. The place where the righteous live, free from sin, free from bondage, free from wrath. The place where we belong. The place where joys will be ever anew, and we will sing songs of praise with no distraction, with unwavering hearts of commitment and passion for our King. The place where we will walk with God through the garden once again. The place where He will look upon us with loving eyes and welcome us into His presence. The place where we are declared as His children. The place where angels serve us as we rule over them. The place where sickness, pain, death, and suffering are ended forever. They shall never return, for they have been completely defeated. The place where every moment shall be better than the one before it.

When God, the God who can create the perfect place with just a thought, says that He's going to prepare a place for us, and He spends over two thousand years preparing that place, you can rest assured that it is going to be very good.

Finally Home

2007-07-29T12:01:00.000-07:00

The day is here; I am finally home
He wipes away all tears; I am finally home
The perfect dawn, the perfect light
I can see His face, what a wondrous sight
He has a place built just for me
Out from the curse I've been set free
I never could have imagined the splendors of this place
Nor the depths of love, divine, as I gaze upon His face
And I hear all voices crying, in unison, as one
"Glory to the Father, the Spirit, and the Son!"
And through the crowds all shouting, one man beckons me
I draw a little closer, and see the one who set me free
He welcomes me to Heaven, a smile upon His face
He whispers in my ear, "You've yet to see this place."
He shows me many splendors, and wonders that lie in store
He completely satisfies me, I could never ask for more
Yet every time I'm sure that we've just reached the end,
He surpasses expectations as He leads around the bend
This is the place I was meant to be
This is the place He prepared for me
And now the day has come, and I am finally home
I'm cuddled in His loving arms, and I know that this is home.

--
Josh Tucker - July 25, 2007
In honor of Micah Davis...

2007-06-08T11:53:00.000-07:00

Our God
Vast in Wonder
Amazing in Grace
Perfect in Justice
Mountains will shake
Pours out His wrath
Yet showing us mercy
Perfectly Jealous
For His own praise and Glory
Our Righteous Redeemer
Our Savior
Our King
Perfectly righteous
His Glories I sing
Prince of Power
Lord of Truth and Grace
Our Help in Trouble
I want to see your face

-Josh Tucker

May 23, 2007

2007-05-23T07:54:00.000-07:00

The world turned upside down
Darkness hides the golden crown
The pains and sorrows crush the light
Those in the world have no hope in sight
Troubles pouring down
Darkness all around
But in the distance I see a glimmer of light
I see God's grace, power, and might
Suddenly the darkness all around is washed away
I see the dawn of a brand new day
He will not leave me
He will never forsake me
And when I see the glories of that wondrous place
All the pains here, I will no longer taste
The joys of that new world will fill my soul
And I will sing the songs of you, my Lord
I will sing of your greatness at all times
All the blessings here are not mine
You gave them all and you can take them away
But your name be praised, my lips still say

-Josh Tucker

"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us." Romans 8:18

The Fear of the Lord

2007-05-09T07:30:00.000-07:00

"The Lord is a jealous and avenging God; the Lord is avenging and wrathful; the Lord takes vengeance on his adversaries and keeps wrath for his enemies. The Lord is slow to anger and great in power, and the Lord will by no means clear the guilty. His way is in whirlwind and storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet. The mountains quake before him; the hills melt; the earth heaves before him, the world and all who dwell in it. Who can stand before his indignation? Who can endure the heat of his anger? His wrath is poured out like fire, and the rocks are broken into pieces by him." - Nahum 1:2-6

The splendors of a glorious King
It makes the mountains shake
It makes the forests sing
His great desire - to see the world made pure
His wrath and anger is the only cure
He will not let the guilty go free
His vengeful wrath the world will see
At His name the mountains will quake,
Creation hides, and the wicked shake
None can escape
None can endure
His wrath poured on them
Their own sin has made sure
Their lack of fear has brought them death
Their cry for mercy is their final breath
In his patience they tested
In their sin they invested
Their cry for mercy has come too late
The wrath of God will no longer wait
The day will come when the world will see
The wrath of God - you cannot flee
Yet there they sit, and wait around
His wrath will thunder with a glorious sound
The things of this world will dissipate
The wicked sinners will meet their fate
Those who fear Him will find pleasures anew
Those who despise Him will see Him as true
But the time will be too late, you see
When His wrath is poured out, not one soul can flee

-Josh Tucker, May 8, 2007

April 27, 2007

2007-05-02T13:46:00.000-07:00

What are the astounding beauties of that place?
The Heavenly Throne, where we will see your face.
After a life of pain, death, and sorrow
Our eyes will see a better tomorrow.
When the light of this world fades away
And darkness seems to win the day
Then we will see with eyes anew
The one true light is only you.
And the light of this world will be put to shame
When compared to the glories of your wondrous name.
At this time, every voice will praise
We'll shout your song for eternal days!

-Josh Tucker

April 14, 2007

2007-04-19T10:11:00.000-07:00

Lord, hear my call. I know I am a wicked man. I am worthless, and unworthy of anything good. Every day I choose to sin against you. I am unclean, unworthy, despicable, corrupt, a rebel; I have sinned against you. I should be cast into hell! I am wicked and evil. I declare with my actions my hatred for you every day, multiple times a day. I should be destroyed. I deserve nothing but your wrath. I am a sick, twisted, corrupt, deceitful, arrogant, proud, lustful, angry, jealous, selfish, bitter, vengeful, worthless, disgusting, useless, filthy, sinful man.

You are a Holy God. Righteous in every way. You maintain the perfections of righteousness and a justice that must punish those like me.

Destroy me, O God! I am not fit to be yours! Why do you delay? Why do you allow me to sin again and again? Destroy me now! I deserve no love! I deserve no mercy! I deserve no grace! I deserve nothing but utter destruction and annihilation. Why wait? Destroy me now.

---
But as I wait, I feel no wrath. I feel no pain. I feel nothing but the face of love shining down on me. Love? Love so sweet it fills my eyes with tears. I see you smiling down on me. I feel you lift me up and tell me that you have already payed the price. You tell me that I am forgiven. Forgiven? How could I be forgiven? After all that I've done? Who am I that you should forgive me? I am worthless. Why? What is this grace that you have shown me? How could you look upon a worthless scum like me, and forgive me for all that I've done against you? What is this?

And as you reach down to raise me up, I see the blood running from your hand. I see the price that you paid because of my sin. You turned your wrath on your own Son. You made Him like I am, and poured the wrath that I deserve on Him. But then you turned to me and called me your son. How could you do this? How could you choose to pay my price? What is this love that runs so deep? What is this rushing river of love that has swept me away? Despite all that I have done, and all that you know I will continue to do, you have forgiven me? You have saved me? You crushed your Son for me? Why? How could you find such a love? There is nothing in me deserving this love. All I ever asked for was wrath and destruction, and all I ever received was love and forgiveness. Who is this God that has chosen to save me? I sit here, blown away. I cannot understand who He is, but I want to know Him more.

---
I want to know you more. Who are you? I owe you my all. I owe you every small thought and action. I owe you my eternal service. I am yours. Take me and use me. You have bought me, and I owe you everything! My soul cost you a price. But you chose to save me. I will follow you all of my days! I need your help. Do not let me go astray. Do not let me sin. Please, I know I have no right to ask you for anything more, but I cannot do this on my own. You have proven to me that you are the only one who can conquer my sin. Destroy it in me. Make me wholly devoted to you! I want to serve you. I want to please you. Make my heart focused on you. Take my eyes off all worthless things. Fix my eyes on you. Soften my hard heart. Show me how to forgive others, just as you have forgiven me. Humble me, make me the lowest on this earth. I want nothing else. Make me to look on all others as above me. They are. I am nothing. Destroy my sin! Destroy my pride! Destroy my lust! Destroy my anger and jealousy! Humble me. Make me completely dependant on you. I need you. Make my life completely given over, and completely devoted to you, and you alone. I pledge my allegiance to you. You are my King. You are my God. Do not let me serve my sinful desires. Soften me. Make me focused on others. Make me focused on you! Keep my eyes fixed on you!

Use me as you please. I am Yours.

-Josh Tucker

"Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer." - Psalm 19:14

.

In a Crumbling World...

2007-03-25T14:25:00.000-07:00

Sightless of the future

Rolling in the ashes that just might be

Remembering the days of brighter hope

Calling in the darkness

Dreaming of an answer

Hoping for a chance for all to change

Questioning my struggle

Transferring my trust

Seeing all the beauty

Searching for the opportunity

When will this struggle end?

The answer is there; it's just not for me.

-Josh Tucker

Psalm 9:20

2007-03-08T12:43:00.000-08:00

"Put them in fear, O LORD! Let the nations know that they are but men!"

Behold, the wonders of our God
Our God, our God, the Living God.
The one who was before time began.
The one who is, the Great I AM.
With a voice He spoke, and made the sky.
With his thought, all men on earth may die.
See His hand, which holds your life
And He allows both joy and strife.
See your choices and the things you do.
Know that this God is just to hate you.
He holds His hand over the pit
In His palm, your life does sit.
All you do tells Him to let you fall,
Yet a quiet voice, you hear your name is called.
Christ has died to set you free,
And His one command is, "Follow me."

-Josh Tucker

Premarital Kissing?

2007-02-13T08:51:00.000-08:00

I wrote this today for a friend who has friends at college who are confessing Christians, but believe that there is nothing wrong with kissing before marriage. I'm not here to get in there face, but here are my thoughts, and what I believe Scripture has to say about it...

We were created with the purpose of glorifying God in everything we do.
(1 Corinthians 10:31, 1 Corinthians 6:20, 1 Peter 2:12, Jeremiah 13:16, Acts 12:23, Romans 4:20, Romans 16:27, Philippians 4:20, 1 Thessalonians 2:12, 1 Timothy 1:17, Jude 1:25, Revelation 7:12, Revelation 14:7) This means that we are called to do everything for Him, not for ourselves, or our own pleasures. He has called us to give Him glory, and live for Him alone. In everything we do, our first question should be, "Will this glorify God?" and "How?". Anything we do that we cannot clearly see as God-glorifying is sin. Kissing before marriage is something that is done to please self, and to bring satisfaction to yourself. I highly doubt there are many people who do it for the purpose of bringing God glory.

God has commanded us to flee temptation.
(1 Corinthians 6:18, 1 Corinthians 10:14, 1 Timothy 6:11, 2 Timothy 2:22, Matthew 26:41, 1 Corinthians 10:13, 1 Peter 3:10-12 etc...) We are not to do anything that would lead us into temptation. We are to avoid sin, not "flirt" with it. Sin is wicked and evil in the eyes of the Lord. It is the enemy of God. We should not see how close we can get to it without actually going into it, we should stay as far away as possible. We shouldn't be trying to see how close we can get to the line without crossing over it, we should be trying to stay as far away from the line as possible. The more you open yourself up to temptation, the easier it will be to go just one step closer. Sin is subtle in its workings, you don't just suddenly sin in some huge way. It works into your heart slowly, over time. Kissing before marriage could easily lead to greater sins of sexual immorality. Don't put yourself in a position that allows sin to take hold of your heart. Even if there is nothing wrong with kissing in and of itself, it allows temptation to creep in, and takes your heart off of God.

We are to reserve ourselves for our future spouse
(Proverbs 2:16-19, Proverbs 5:8, Proverbs 5:15-23, Malachi 2:15, Luke 16:18, 1 Corinthians 7:10-11, 1 Peter 3:1-7) God has called us to remain pure. (Matthew 5:8, Ephesians 5:5, Philippians 1:10, 2 Timothy 2:22, Titus 1:15-16, James 1:27, James 3:17, 1 Peter 1:22, 1 John 3:3, Galatians 5:16-25) Kissing is meant to be between a husband and a wife. If you were married, you wouldn't go kissing somebody you weren't married to. That would obviously be sin. Why is it different before marriage? You don't know for sure who you will marry someday. Reserve yourself for your future husband/wife. And even if you are absolutely sure that you will one day get married, you are also called to patience and self-control. (Job 6:11, Ecclesiastes 7:8. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, 1 Corinthians 13:4, Hebrews 6:15, Revelation 2:3, Proverbs 25:28, 1 Corinthians 7:9, 1 Corinthians 9:25, Galatians 5:22-23, 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8, 2 Timothy 1:7, Titus 1:8, Titus 2:6, Titus 2:12, 1 Peter 4:7, 2 Peter 1:5-11 etc..) This is the way to walk in the Lord. He calls you to patience.

God has called us to live according to the Spirit, not according to the flesh
(Titus 2:12, Romans 7:5, Romans 7:18, Romans 7:25, Romans 8:1-17, Romans 12:2, Romans 13:14, 1 Corinthians 3:3, 2 Corinthians 10:3, Galatians 5:13, Galatians 5:16-25, Galatians 6:8, Ephesians 2:3, etc...) God has called us to live by His Spirit. Kissing outside of marriage may be something regularly done in the world today. However, God calls us to forsake the things of this world and live solely for Him. 1 John 2:15-17 says, "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever."

God calls us to be witnesses in the world
(1 Thessalonians 2:9-12, Acts 1:8, Acts 5:32, Matthew 5:13) God asks us to be salt and light in the earth. How can we be salt and light, standing out in the darkness, if we practice the very same things? The people in the world hear Christians talking about how holy marriage is, but then they see those same Christians kissing outside marriage, and living in ways that are no different than the world.

A few more verses you should take into consideration...

1 Corinthians 10:23 - "All things are lawful," but not all things are helpful. "All things are lawful," but not all things build up.

1 Corinthians 6:12-15 - "All things are lawful for me," but not all things are helpful. "All things are lawful for me," but I will not be enslaved by anything. "Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food"—and God will destroy both one and the other. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. And God raised the Lord and will also raise us up by his power. Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ?

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 - Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

Proverbs 6:27-28 - Can a man carry fire next to his chest and his clothes not be burned? Or can one walk on hot coals and his feet not be scorched?

There may not be a specific biblical command not to kiss before marriage, but not everything is helpful, and not everything builds up. We are members of Christ, and we are called to glorify God with our bodies. We belong to Him now. We must devote our entire lives to Him, and not "flirt" with sin and temptation. The more we "flirt" with sin, the closer we become to being "scorched".

2007-01-05T10:38:00.002-08:00

The Flood of Trials
1/4/07

“Help!” I cry. The words have just barely escaped the crest of my sun-scorched lips when the clouds roll in, the darkness covers the land, and I feel left alone. Soon an unknown number of seemingly endless troubles and pains pour profusely down upon my head. I plead for help, but I don’t hear any response. I cry for mercy as the flood of trial rises toward my head. And just when I feel it is about to consume me, a hand reaches down, grips my shirt and pulls me up. I hear a voice saying softly, “I am here for you.” He pulls me above to higher ground and shows me that this flood of trials has turned the dry and barren desert wasteland into an amazing garden of beauty.

2007-01-05T10:38:00.001-08:00

When Temptation Comes
12/23/06

Temptation comes
And this I see
It comes to kill both you and me
And now the choice:
To flee or fight
Either way, to choose the light
And darkness spreads its evil hand
Without God’s grace, how can I stand?
But He has provided for me a way
“My grace is sufficient,” my God does say
His power in weakness
I come in all meekness
His help I need
His Word to feed
My Soul to live
His death does give
My hope has been found
My King has been crowned
Eternal life is now mine to live

Because his life, my King did give

2007-01-05T10:09:00.000-08:00

All By My King
12/22/06

There I go
I just did it again
I’m stupid
I’m crazy
I can’t beat my sin
But what will I do when my Savior comes, and the skies are parted, and I hear his voice?
What will I say when I’m asked about the torrential deluge of all my iniquities?
How can I answer when I know that I’ve failed? When I know that I’m wicked?
The only way I can enter His presence is by the sacrifice He made, and the blood He spilt
It’s all by His Grace
It’s all by His Love
It’s all by His obedience
It’s all by my Lord
It’s all by my King
I’m Saved
I’m Forgiven
I’m washed
By His death
For my sins
All my sins
Washed away
And my soul
Shines with
The
Righteousness
Of Christ.

I Give it All to Him
12/22/06

As I look into the eternal bliss awaiting me
I see the love of Christ poured out for me
It was by his death, my sins were paid for me
It was by his obedience, life was given to me
It’s for His Kingdom – the very joy of me
Everything now that is defining me
I give Him now every last bit of me
I pour out my life, all that I have of me
And I give it to Him

2007-01-05T10:02:00.000-08:00

Falling
12/19/06

I’m falling. I’m tired. I’m catching my breath.
I’m trying to remember that I’m saved by your death.
But the wind is blowing, the trees are swaying,and trials are coming from every which way.
They’re pressing down on me; they seem to be crushing me,
My hope in your love is where I must stay.
Help me to remain in you, my Lord.
A life without you I cannot afford.
I want to live in your Word; I want to breathe it,
I want it to be my very sustenance.
My sin is evil; my ways are wicked,
On my own, I live in insolence.
Send your Spirit; let it come upon me,
I want to know you; I want to be free.
Thank you, Lord, for the death you gave,
The life you lived, and my life you saved!
Henceforth my life will be all for you,
My Lord, my Love, my Savior too.

That Day
12/19/06

The dawn is rising, spreading its golden wings
One day closer to seeing the King of Kings
I follow the river; I ride the current
My hope is to hear
“Well done, my good and faithful servant.”
The beautiful, outstretched arms of grace
That one day I’ll see Him face to face.
And what a beautiful day it will be,
Brighter than the sun, and greater than the sea.
And what that will be is just the beginning
Eternity we’ll go on, and without sinning.
For by His death, we’ve been set free
That day I cannot wait to see.

God crushed His Son for His enemies...wow

2006-08-16T23:20:00.000-07:00

Alright, so with help from Sean, I've been thinking about a few verses....

John 3:16-18

16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God."

What does this mean? Think about it with me...

God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son....

Wow. God sent his Son to die. Think about what that means... A father, sending his Son to die. This isn't JUST "God died". That alone would be huge, but this is Him sending His Son. Think of it this way: If you had to save someone, which would be easier?... to choose to die for them; or to choose to send someone ELSE to die for them, especially if that person is someone you truly love. It is easier to choose to die for someone; it is much more difficult to choose for someone else, someone you love, to die. Basically, if I were to save someone, choosing for myself to die would be hard, but not nearly as hard as saying, "You, go die for them.", knowing full well that He would actually go and do it.

And this Son isn't just one of many sons...this is God's ONLY Son. If on earth, this would be the son whom you have raised, and you have loved; this is the son who is going to take your inheritance, he is your heir. This isn't like you've got five sons, and you look around and say, "Hey George! You're going. I don't like you all that much anyway." NO! You love this son, you fellowship with this son, he is everything to you! He is your ONLY son, and you love him more than anyone or anything else! This is the same with God, only so much more so. This is the Son of God! God chose to send Him; God chose to send the One He truly loves, the One with whom He has spent an eternity of fellowship with! God sent Him; God gave Him for us.

Isaiah 53:3-6

3 He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
4 Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.5 But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed.6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Wow. God didn't only send his Son, but He chose to CRUSH His Son. CJ gave an outstanding message on this at the last Celebration ('04). I highly suggest you listen to it again.

So, this isn't even just saying, "God sent his Son", or even "the Son was crushed". This is saying that God told His Son, "I want you to go and die, and I am going to be the one to crush you."
God crushed His one and only Son...to save us...

Romans 5:6-11
6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— 8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. 11 More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

That completely changes things up...God crushed His one and only Son, whom He loved more than anything else, to save His enemies?

Now think about the whole picture...
God so loved the world, that He crushed His one and only Son to save the ungodly, sinful, enemies of God. Not only did God choose to crush His Son, whom He has had fellowship with for eternity, but He chose to crush Him in order to save His enemies. He crushed Him so that those who cursed and blasphemed His name might live.

Now, put yourself back into those shoes... You have a son. You have had fellowship with him for his entire life. He always obeys you. He is going to be your heir. He will represent your family name. You love him more than anyone else in the world. He is your ONLY son, and you look forward to years spent with him. The time you spend together is precious to you. You have grown to respect him as one who obeys your every word. You love him with your whole heart. Keep thinking on that thought...get the mindset... .....got it? Good. Now here's a twist.... ...You've got these enemies, they've cursed your name, and hate your guts. They despise you, and completely hate you. They mock you, and live in complete rebellion from you. They are headed straight for eternal death, and destruction. They are full deserving of your wrath, and you are fully capable of pouring it out on them. But they aren't even asking for your help, and these guys are your enemies who hate you, why would you want to help them? ..........What do you do? Would you sacrifice, and crush your son? It wouldn't be an easy death either. He would be receiving your full wrath. Or would you allow them to continue in their foolish ways? They'd only be getting what they fully deserve, and you would be perfectly just in allowing them to die. But, what would you do? I personally would choose to save my son....But...that's not what God did!

God chose to save His enemies, and crush His Son, and pour out the fullness of His wrath upon His very own Son, whom He loved! He chose to reject His Son, and turn His face away from His Son.

And, although it does show His love, you have to realize that this wasn't to show how valuable we are to Him, no...it shows what the cost of our rebellion was. He had to crush His Son, because there was no other way. But, rather than allow us to receive our just punishment, He gave His Son, whom He loved! He crushed His one and only Son, whom He loved. He did it to save His enemies who weren't even asking to be saved.

Isn't God good?

Ephesians 2:1-9

2006-04-09T22:18:00.000-07:00

" And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."