Kneeling at the Cross is Out Today!

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Hi Friends!

Today is the release day for my new song,

Kneeling at the Cross

On January 7th, one of the hardest days of my life, my dad wrote something— just a raw, heartfelt poem in the middle of the pain. I couldn’t have known then, but he was going through struggles of his own.  I remember him reading it and feeling so seen, so covered, so reminded that we’re never alone.

I couldn’t shake it.

So a couple months later, I turned his words into a song.

Within hours of creating it (with a little help bringing the music to life, thanks AI), something I can’t even explain started happening… it began spreading. People were listening. People were hurting. People were being touched.

And 72 hours later… I was on a stage, singing it live for an audience for the very first time.

There’s no strategy for that. No formula.

That could only be God.

And now, as this song is being released on Easter weekend… I can’t ignore the parallel.

This isn’t just my song.

This is something the Lord wanted to share.

If you’re in a hard place right now—please know:

God is faithful. He sees you. And He will not leave you there. When all we see is the cross, He sees the empty tomb. 

Kneeling at the Cross is available now— on iTunes, Apple Music, Spotify, Youtube, wherever you get your music. Have a listen, add it to your playlists, and share with the people you love. Thanks for always supporting my music and writing!

Why Does it Sometimes Feel Like God is Ignoring Us?

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Why does it sometimes feel like God is ignoring us?

Why does it sometimes feel like God is ignoring us? How is it that we can pray for something over and over again with seemingly no answer?

It is written, “But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, for he has been good to me.” (Psalm 13:5-6)

Just because I’m not answering a prayer of yours, doesn’t mean I don’t hear it. Do you trust in My unfailing love? In My perfect timing?

Perhaps there’s a reason I am waiting to answer you. There’s more for you to learn in this challenge. More ways for you to grow.

As you have seen, I use all things for good for those who are called according to My purpose. I know how much you can handle and I’ve already told you, I won’t give you more than you can handle.

So don’t focus on that one prayer that I haven’t yet answered. You can’t understand My ways!

Instead, wait on me! Trust in me! Rejoice in me! Rejoice in all that I have done for you and all that I am doing. This brings us closer together. When we are close, your anxious mind can rest. Your heart can sing My praises. You can be the salt of the Earth as I’ve called you to be. And you can trust that I will handle the rest.

An Attitude of Gratitude

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A grateful heart and an attitude of gratitude

Want to know the quickest way to turn a bad day around? An attitude of gratitude.

It is written, “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.” (Psalm 100:4)

Over and over again, I tell you to be grateful. This is for your own benefit, and for mine too. I am your Creator. All of your blessings flow through me.

An attitude of gratitude opens the windows of heaven and allows my blessings to rain down upon you.

How often do you pause throughout your day to give me thanks? Even a simple, “Thank you, Jesus” can do wonders. Try repeating this phrase throughout your day and watch as your day is transformed.

I’ve told you to give thanks in all circumstances. This is because I can, and do, use all things for good for those who are called according to my purpose. Not some things. Not the good things. But ALL things.

So next time you find yourself in a slump, try praising me. Worship the One who made you. The Author and Finisher of your faith. Give thanks to me and take notice of all the more for which you have to be thankful.

A grateful heart, who knows Jesus, is indeed the best medicine.

Check out this post https://vehicleofwisdom.com/2022/11/23/give-thanks-in-all-circumstances/ to read more on what the Bible says about gratitude and the importance of thankfulness.

Why Do We Feel the Need to Earn God’s Grace?

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Why do we feel the need to earn God's grace?

Why do we feel the need to earn God’s grace? Why is it so easy for us to forget God’s sovereignty? Every time I’m feeling out of sync and life seems to be going all wrong, I realize it’s because I’m not trusting God. I’ve forgotten that He’s trustworthy. Even after all He’s done.

It’s like He’s standing there, waiting for me to notice as He whispers, “Hello? Don’t you remember Me?”

When I’m truly and fully trusting God and His sovereignty, all my worries and concerns go out the window. My life flows like a gentle river, carrying only what’s necessary along with it. This is how God wants us to live. In collaboration with Him. In complete and total surrender to Him. And this is how I want to live, too. So why do I keep falling back to my old ways?

I think often, and unintentionally, we’re caught up in a life of striving. We feel overwhelmed by the demands that are placed on us (even the ones that we put on ourselves). Often this striving is subconscious and masked in the language of, “I’m just trying to do all that God has called me to do.” Or, “I don’t want to miss what God has planned for me.”

In reality, we’re only thwarting the gift of God’s grace. The gift that Jesus gave us, through total suffering and sacrifice.

Why do we feel that we need to earn God’s grace? Can we enjoy a gift if we refuse to accept it? Or if we set it aside until we “have time” to really absorb it? Or if we set a standard of perfection before we allow ourselves to open it? Of course not!

I don’t think we even realize that through our striving, we’re inadvertently trying to remove the title of Savior from Him and put a “Superstar” label on ourselves.

So let’s slow down and make room for the Spirit to lead us. Let’s savor the grace we’ve been freely given. Let’s spend our lives saying, “Thank you” rather than, “Am I worthy?” The more we slow down and actually savor grace, the more wisdom we gain to release the unimportant and steward only what’s necessary. Like a great, flowing river.

It is written, “He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to His own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit.” (Titus 3:5)

Christ Lives in You

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Christ lives in You

Christ lives in you. It is written, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)

Christ lives in you. As you meditate on this miraculous truth, allow your heart to overflow with joy.

You and God cannot be separated. Christ has made our body His home and He’s not a short term tenant. He’s not going to leave simply because we don’t have a clean living space.

Just like when we move into a house, when Christ moves in, He begins to renovate us from the inside out.

As we all know, renovations can often be quite painful. God wants us to cling to Him during times of transformation. Especially when the transformation is painful. God wants us to live in faith in the One who loved us, and gave Himself for us.

As we continue to yield to Christ’s renewal within us, we’re able to transform more fully into the masterpiece that God designed us to be.

For more encouragement and to deepen your faith, I highly recommend reading the Bible daily. http://www.gotquestions.org is one of my favorite sites for questions about the Bible.

Are you content with what you have?

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Are you content with what you have? The Bible tells us that the love of money is the root of all evil.

Are you content with what you have? Do you believe that I will never leave you nor forsake you?

It is written, “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.'” (Hebrews 13:5)

This world is often defined by acquisitions. More, more, more. There is so much pressure to accumulate and build up treasures for yourself on Earth.

But this isn’t how you were made to live. In a state of striving. Feeling less than others. Worried that you don’t or wont have enough. Or even worse, feeling like you yourself are somehow not enough.

Oh, how this breaks My heart.

I am your Creator! And my creations are good. This world is fallen and it will suck you down with it, if you don’t arm yourself with My word. The Truth.

It is written, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal.” (Matthew 6:19) Earthly treasures are temporary and can be destroyed. But heavenly treasures are eternal. This is why I tell you to keep your eyes fixed on me. Don’t be distracted by the glitter and gold of this world. Don’t fall for the pressure of more, more, more. You are enough. I will provide all that you need. Have I not already proven this? Do you trust me?

Behold, I share this with you because I love you. You are my child. Heed My word.

Daily Bible reading is essential to protect ourselves from the lures of this fallen world. http://www.gotquestions.org is a great resource if you have any questions about the Bible.

A Commitment from God

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A commitment from God is unlike our other worldly commitments. This one is for eternity.

Our greatest commitment is with God, our Father. A commitment from God isn’t like our other, worldly commitments.

It is written, “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39)

My beloved, think of your greatest commitments. Your children, your marriage… even the most committed of lovers are eventually separated by death.

But not us. I am the One you can rely on. Now and through all of eternity. Doesn’t that give you such peace of mind? Such confidence? I’m here for you now and always will be.

No other relationship in your life is as sure as ours. So walk confidently on the path before you. Stay in My Word and your paths will be made straight. Always remember, you are never, ever alone. I am committed to you.

To learn more about the love of God, I highly recommend reading His Word. http://www.gotquestions.org is a great resource if you have any questions about the Bible.

Take Those First Steps

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Take those first steps and trust in the Lord, for He is good and His love never fails.

Do you ever feel too uncertain, too afraid, to take those first steps? It is written, “He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.” (Psalm 112:7)

I don’t want you to fear bad news. I want your heart to remain steadfast, trusting in Me and My unfailing love.

Remember, My love isn’t based on your performance. So even when you stumble and fall, I love you all the same. Like new parents with their child, I joyfully applaud and cheer you on, as you learn to take baby steps while trusting in me. And when you reach out for me, I cannot resist coming to your aid.

I want you to trust me in the same way that a child trusts his parents. Unafraid to follow My lead. Trusting that I know and want what’s best for you. Boldly walking forward in the direction that I call you.

You know I am your safety net. And you know I love you even when you stumble. So take those first steps, my precious child. I’ll be right here beside you.

To grow in your walk with Christ, I highly recommend reading the Bible. If you have any questions about the Bible, http://www.gotquestions.org is a great resource.

Do you belong to the world or to God?

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do you belong to the world or to God? The Bible says that we are not of this world.

Do you belong to the World or to God? And how do you even know?

I sit here in my office this morning, reading through John and listening to some incredible worship music. I can’t think of a better way to begin the day. As I was reading through John 7, I came to this verse, verse 7, in which Jesus says to his very own brothers who did not believe in him yet: “The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify that what it does is evil.” 

Thoughts:

  1. The world did not hate Jesus’ brothers yet, because they did not know God, and they were not following Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Therefore, they lived according to the world’s standards. Moreover, they were not sharing the truth of God’s Word with others which would have put them at odds with the world.

Jesus said in John 15:18-19, 21, “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you… They will treat this way because of my name, for they do not know the One who sent me.” 

Do you belong to the world, or to God? If you belong to the world, are you sensing any of its hatred toward your Christian stance?

  1. Why does the world hate Jesus so much? Look at verse 7 again: “But it hates me because I testify that what it does is evil.” Jesus stood against the culture. He spoke the truth in love. This is what He calls each one of us to do. The culture we now live in is anti-God, anti-truth, and anti-anything to do with Jesus and His word, the Bible. The Bible speaks against the evil in this world. Just read Romans 1:18-32. Verse 32 says, “Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things (evil practices mentioned in verses 26-31) deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.”
  2. Warning: The world is going to continue its downward spiral. It will stand more and more in opposition to God and His true followers. Thus, in the coming days, as followers of Christ, we must be prepared to face more and more hatred and persecution. Are you really willing to follow Jesus and pay the cost? Am I really willing to follow Jesus and pay the cost? The answer should be that we, with the Spirit’s power and courage, will say along with Martin Luther, “Here I stand! I can do no other!”

Let’s be praying for each other that we will be true to our calling and follow Jesus wherever He leads us, no matter the cost.

A guest post by Russ Andrews, Founder of Finding Purpose Ministry. You can learn more about his work and mission here: https://findingpurpose.net

Should We Follow Our Hearts?

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should we follow our hearts? The Bible says no, we shouldn't.

We hear over and over again in modern culture, to follow our hearts. But should we really follow our hearts?

It is written, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9)

Our hearts, in their fallen condition, are deceitful above all things. Idol-making comes naturally to all people. Even good things can become idols when they take first place in our hearts.

Rather than trust our own hearts, we are to commit our hearts to God. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6) This Bible verse gives us specific instructions not to trust ourselves and it also gives us a promise of guidance when we instead choose to follow the Lord.

The Bible makes it clear that if we follow our hearts, we follow an untrustworthy guide. It also tells us that our hearts are desperately sick. There’s no way for us to repair our hearts. This is why, when we become Christians, we’re given a new heart.

But that doesn’t mean that we can rely on our hearts once we’ve come to faith in Jesus Christ. Even as believers, we’re encouraged to follow God’s will over our own desires. The Bible teaches us that, “the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.” (Galatians 5:17)

We have an all powerful, all knowing, benevolent Lord who promises to give us wisdom. (James 1:5) And we also have His inspired and inerrant Word written down for us. So why then would we turn our backs on God and His promises in order to pursue the desires of our heart? It is better to align our desires with the promises of our Lord. And we do this through the daily practice of studying the written Word of God. This way, we can properly discern between the desires of our flesh and the desires of the Spirit.

I highly recommend daily Bible reading to deepen your faith. If you have any questions about the Bible, http://www.gotquestions.org is a great resource!