Praise and Worship to the Lord

Most times I only post a Bible verse. Today, I feel moved by this whole chapter:

From Isaiah 12 (NIV)

Songs of Praise

In that day you will say: "I will praise you, Lord. although you were angry with me, your anger has turned away and you have comforted me. Surely God is  my salvation; I will trust and  not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation." With joy you will draw water form the wells of salvation.

In that day you will say: "Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name;  make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted. Sing to the Lord, for he has done glorious things;  let this be known to all the world. Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel among you."

Encounter God at The Shack

I would like to recommend the reading of 'The Shack' by William Young.

It is based on the true life experience of Mackenzie Allen Phillips who was invited to meet with God at a secluded, run-down mountain shack.

The only thing I will offer about the story is what my preconceived idea about what the story would be about. A friend of mine had emailed me mentioning that this would be a good story to read. Being a person, who enjoys reading AND enjoys learning even more about God, I went to the nearest book store and purchased it. Looking at the cover and reading the small inkling of the plot of the book on the back cover, I expected that the book would be about the anguish of the main character and torment that he had gone through. I invisioned a dark sinister account of his brush with death. I WAS SOOOOOO WRONG.

The book reveals the most beautiful and real aspect of death AND life [mostly life]. It examplifies what our relationship with God's Trinity is really about. Mr. Phillips' [as written by William Young] sharing of the story opened my heart to desire God even more. It touched me in the most secluded area of my heart...my pride. I have carried such misconception about who God really is and my small role of being a child of God. The story expresses the real wonder of life...a personal relationship with God through the acceptance of Jesus as Savior.

There is so much wonder and beauty within the story despite the tragedy that surrounds it. Much like our lives. It is difficult to share how the book has reached out to me without hindering the story. I do not wish to intrude upon God's great story by placing any of my thoughts in the way. I wish only to ask you to read it. You can learn more about the author at: http://www.theshackbook.com/

Salvation Prayer

When you come to your choice, by trusting in Christ and accepting His payment for your sins, the first step is making a prayer similar to the one below:

Father God, I thank You for who You are and all that You are. I humbly submit my life to You. I confess with my mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord, and I believe in my heart that You have raised Jesus from the dead [Romans 10:9]. I believe that Jesus is now seated with You in Heavenly places and will intercede on my behalf [Ephesians 1:20 & Romans 8:34]. Please forgive me of all of my sins and cleanse me of all unrighteousness.
I thank you Lord that I am now a new creation in Christ Jesus [2 Corinthians 5:17]. Thank You for creating in me a clean heart and renewing a right spirit within me [Psalm 51:10]. I thank You that I am now Your child and as such am entitled to all the blessings and benefits that accompany salvation [Psalm 103].

Thank You my Father God for the healing, wholeness and restoration in every area in my life. In Jesus' Mighty Name, Amen

How Do I Accept Christ?

God created us to enjoy friendship with him. Though we were citizens of the kingdom of darkness, he pursued us with his unconditional love. Even though we chose to sin against God and against others, Jesus chose to pay the debt for our rebellion. He had each one of us in mind when he went to the cross. And he pursued each one of us specifically until through faith we recognized that he died and rose again for us.

Perhaps you are unsure of your relationship with God and need to deal conclusively with this choice now. We cannot pay for our sins. Christ has already done this for us as a gift [Ephesians 2:8-9]. Christ died on the cross to save us from our sins. He took our place.
If there is any question about whether you have fully accepted Christ's substitutionary death to pay for the wrath you deserve for your sins, take some time to reflect on His love and forgiveness.

He longs for us to come to Him with our own 'free will'. He knows all about us from before we were ever born and knows what our path in life will consist of:

“For You did form my inward parts; You did knit me together in my mother's womb. I will confess and praise You for You are fearful and wonderful and for the awful wonder of my birth! Wonderful are Your works, and that my inner self knows right well. My frame was not hidden from You when I was being formed in secret [and] intricately and curiously wrought [as if embroidered with various colors] in the depths of the earth [a region of darkness and mystery]. Your eyes saw my unformed substance, and in Your book all the days [of my life] were written before ever they took shape, when as yet there was none of them.” ~Psalm 139:13-16 (Amplified Bible)