Study this Book of Instruction continually . Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. This is my command - be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is withyou wherever you go. - Joshua 1:8-9

This is a great verse. It just illustrates what we can have if we choose a relationship with God. God wants you to know what He wants for you and for all His people, so that you can help Him achieve that - He knows that ultimately it is each individual's choice whether to follow Him or not, but He chooses each of us who love Him, and gives each of us an exciting mission to help others become closer to Him. He promises us joy for doing this. Imagine you are running a race (read Hebrews 12:1-3). This is the race you are running for God. It may not always be easy - in fact, sometimes it's hard to share Jesus, and the outcome may not be the desired one at first. But you are glorifying God in all you share to do with Him. Every time you step out in faith, God sees. Every time He prompts you to do something, do it.

If you give your whole life for God's plan, He can then totally fulfill what He wants you to do. If you find yourself sitting at home doing nothing, but thinking "God has no plan for me," then think again. Read His word, take hold of your instructions and get out there and meet people who you can share your joy with in your every day life. This will lead to eternal life, joy, and an everlasting relationship with the Father in Heaven. Isn't that such an exciting thought? Why is it so hard to comprehend? Because it's beyond belief how amazing it is! We don't deserve it, yet because He loves us and we chose to love Him, we get to be with Him forever. Forget broken relationships - this one lasts forever and it's perfect!

Be strong and brave, step out and do God's will. This could be anywhere, anything, at any time. But it's all God, and God is good! This verse does suggest you will have to step of your comfort zone. Then God sees your willingness to serve, your faith in Him, and how much you love Him. Do not be scared, doubtful or discouraged. It may not be the most appealing situation to put yourself in, but use your judgment which, if you keep the Word in your heart, will also be God's heart towards the situation, which means you should do it anyway. He has a plan, and he is your peace and comforter. (I like to sing "I Will Exalt You" and "Made Me Glad" by Hillsong when I'm afraid) The Lord is with you. In the good times and the bad. Ask for a hug from Him when you need one - trust me, you will feel a change in your heart! God is amazing! And the Lord will guide you where He wants you to be. He knows what's in your heart and knows what choices you are going to make. So let Him influence you to be something in your life, make a difference and bring yourself and others closer to the Father. Let His love rule your heart! Amen? :)

Thank You For The Music

God gave us talented musicians. But music without praise is just noise. So praise the Lord through some amazing songs! I'm recommending:

Jesus Culture

Hillsong

Israel & New Breed

Delirious?

Nichole Nordeman

Bluetree

Casting Crowns

Tim Hughes

Matt Redman

YFriday

Planetshakers

Avalon

Natalie Grant

Joy Williams

CeCe Winans

Kutless

Parachute Band

Tenth Avenue North

Amy Grant

Chris Tomlin

Michael W Smith

Jars Of Clay
Rush Of Fools

Sonicflood

Rebecca St. James

Amy Grant

LZ7

look around, listen around :)

John 3:16
For God loved the world so much that He gave His one and only son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16. Everyone hears that and goes "I've heard it before." It's the most well-known verse in the whole Bible. However, who has actually continued to read to the next verse: "God sent His Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him." And who has understood the depth and meaning to these verses?
What does it all mean?
God loves us. He gave up His only Son. If we just believe that, accept that, let God enter our hearts, we are saved. Death is separation from God. Eternal life being with our Heavenly Father, our comforter, protector, mighty, powerful and amazing God anf friend forever in Heaven. God sent Jesus for this purpose - so we could be with Him and be made whole and our sins forgiven. He does not judge the world, he saves the world through Him. Through Him in us many miracles have happened and continue to happen today. We are told to preach the good news because it is that: good news. Not bad news. Jesus died for you. God loves you and wants to spend eternity with you.
But how can you earn eternal life and salvation?
You can't. You don't deserve it. You sin. Jesus never once sinned. However, Jesus died for you. He took your place. Because the love of the Father is so amazing. Although we are all undeserving, Jesus makes us pure through him. On the other hand, we do need to be focusing our lives on God, devoting them to His plans for each and every one of us. Take a look at John 5:39: "You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me!" Who inspired the Bible? Who's Word is written? God's. Don't just "follow all the rules" because the Bible is not a rule book. I like to refer to the BIBLE as: Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth. The first command is love the Lord with all your heart. The second is to love your neighbour as yourself. You want to be with Jesus; God set eternity in your heart. But He also set eternity in the hearts of others. So spread the Word - it's for everyone!
You can achieve only through the Father

What Jesus really did for You

Isaiah 53 really puts into perspective the suffering Jesus took upon Himself to save each and every one of us, purely because His love is so amazing. Here is Isaiah 53 in my own words.

Who believes? Who has encountered God?

Jesus came as a humble servant and grew up as a human, a breath of fresh air to the people. He was not made to look beautiful or important in any way, and he was not particularly eye-catching.

He became hated, rejected, made to feel sad and upset and alone, beyond belief or imagination.

We ignored Him and turned away from Him, everyone hated Him but we didn't even care one bit.

Even so, He carried our weaknesses, He look all our sadness upon Himself too. But we still were blind and thought God must have been punishing Him for His own sin. Yet He never once did anything wrong. He was innocent.

He was cut, whipped, beaten, pierced - all for our sins. He was totally crushed. He was beaten so we could be made perfect in God's eyes, His very own Father's beautiful eyes. He was whipped so we could receive healing in His holy name. For He bore all our wounds and sickness.

Each and every one of us have walked away and rejected Him, like sheep. We took the road we wanted, the dark road, instead of the lit path, full of Jesus' dynamite power and God's brilliant light. But even though we knowingly took chose the wrong path, the Lord laid on His only (precious) Son every single sin of every one of us.

He was treated unfairly, oppressed, abused - but He never once complained or resisted. He did not utter or whisper. He was led willingly to His death, and once again His mouth stayed shut.

Unfairly put to death, He was stolen by those whose sins He was taking upon Himself. Nobody even cared - that He would have no children, that He was to die young. But He was killed on a cross because we closed our eyes and chose not to hear the truth.

He had done nothing at all wrong and had never even had a bad thought about anyone. He was full of love, compassion and mercy towards the very people that put Him to death. He was buried like a criminal, and in a rich man's grave He was laid.

But it was His Father's plan to cause Jesus this torture and destruction. When Jesus took our place and died with our sin upon Himself as the ultimate sacrifice, He will have many descendants. And enjoy long life, and the Lord's plan will not go to waste.

When Jesus sees that His suffering and shame was instead of ours, He will be contented. Because of His terrible experience, His righteousness makes way for salvation of all us people who choose Him - He took all our sins away, brought them upon Himself.

God will place Jesus on high and be thankful to Him (as shall we) because He died for us, each and every one of us. He was looked on as a sinner, a rebel, but instead He took our sin, cleansed us and made us pure, clean, whole. He saved even the worst sinner from destruction by sacrificing His life, being hated yet never stopping loving us with a deep, never-ending, never failnig, agape love.

That love is still available to us today. Just allow Jesus into your heart and you will be made whole again.