Posts Tagged ‘ simple man of God ’
But you, O Lord , are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.
Psalm 3:3, ESV
Our Lord is our ultimate protector and source of all joy and hope. Without Him, we have nothing and amount to nothing.
Only when we enter eternity do we fully realize the Prize He is for us and how He has saved us.
We are back at it looking at songs and hymns that made an impact on my spiritual life! I took last week off from posting songs. Part of it was not being able to get access to the songs I wanted to use in a usable format (because the band broke up just as YouTube was becoming a thing, and I currently only have access to ripped copies of the CD’s now stored on the cloud.) Part of it was being Veterans Day. Also, as many of you probably understand all to well, there was stress and issues to deal with in life away from the blog.
But this week’s song is a biggie (you know … to me, at least.) It helped me realize the importance of the historical church. Also, when a modern ascetic Christian who made great music thinks it is important, I think it is good to pay attention!
I believe in god the father
Almighty maker of heaven
and maker of earth
And in Jesus Christ his only begotten son, our Lord
He was conceived by the Holy Spirit
Born of the virgin Mary
Suffered under Pontius Pilate
He was crucified and dead and buried[Chorus]
And I believe what I believe
is what makes me what I am
I did not make it,
no it is making me
It is the very truth of god
and not the invention of any manI believe that he who suffered
was crucified, buried, and dead
He descended into hell and
on the third day, rose again
He ascended into heaven
where he sits at God’s mighty right hand
I believe that he’s returning
To judge the quick and the dead of the sons of men[Chorus]
I believe it, I believe it
I believe it
I believe it, I believe itI believe in god the father
Almighty maker of heaven
and maker of earth
And in Jesus Christ his only
begotten son, our Lord
I believe in the holy spirit
One holy church
The communion of saints
The forgiveness of sin
I believe in the resurrection
I believe in a life that never endsAnd I believe what I believe is what makes me what I am
I did not make it, no it is making me
I did not make it, no it is making me
I said I did not make it, no it is making me
It is the very truth of god and not the invention of any manI believe it, I believe
I believe it, I believe
I believe it, I believe it
I believe it, I believe it
I believe it, I believe it
I believe it
Some do not care for the old creeds. “No creed but Christ,” many of them say. The irony of that credo is … well … as I just said, it is a creed.
What many may fail to realize is that the creeds are not meant to replace Scripture, but they help to clarify what we believe God has revealed to us through Scripture. The creeds help to dispel heresy, false teachings, and misunderstandings.
Rich Mullins based this song off of The Apostles Creed, an ancient, early creed of the Church.
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
You probably see the similarities. This song is a strong reminder not to “move the ancient boundaries.” (Proverbs 23:10) Too many people these days are so quick to forget the past with the intention of focusing on loving people. But to ignore the creeds and 2000 years of church history is not the answer. This leads to various problems, as evidenced by the vast number of individuals, groups, churches, and denominations that are abandoning Scriptural truth for modern, “enlightened” teachings.
Instead, we should focus on the sound doctrines and teachings found in the Bible and illuminated by the Church throughout history. These illuminations and teachings should always be measured by the text of Scripture to ensure it is not being twisted. (This is a great definition of “Sola Scriptura” – Scripture Alone.)
so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.
Hebrews 9:28, ESV
The next time Christ comes, we shall remain with Him forever.
It will not be so nice for everyone else.
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
John 1:14 ESV
To know Jesus is to know truth and find all grace. He came to us, and His life, death, and resurrection prove the truthfulness of the Bible and that God desires loving relationship with us.
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.
James 1:2-3, ESV
Most problems are not strictly attacks from the Devil. Rather, some are testing of our faith, some are discipline to help us grow, and some are merely our own actions.
Learn and grow through all of them (even the devil attacks).
As you do not know the way the spirit comes to the bones in the womb of a woman with child, so you do not know the work of God who makes everything.
Ecclesiastes 11:5, ESV
We cannot explain how or when a soul is made and put into a baby.
We therefore should not presume to understand God’s plans.
Some? Yes. But not all. Not even the Son knows the hour of His return …
We are continuing to look at hymns and songs that impacted my spiritual life – with another reminder to check out the other blog I contribute to, ProverbialThought.com, and the daily thoughts on the Bible (specifically Proverbs).
In the secret,
In the quiet place
in the stillness you are there
In the secret in the quite hour I wait, only for you
Cause i want to know you moreIn the secret
In the quite place
In the stillness you are there
In the secret in the quiet hour I wait
Because i want to know you moreChorus
I want to know you
I want to hear your voice
I want to know you more
I want to touch you
I want to see your face
I want to know you moreI am reaching for the highest goals
That i might receive the prize
Pressing onward
Pushing every hindrance aside
Out of my way
Cause i want to know you moreChorus x2
in the secret in the quite place
in the stillness you are thereChorus x2
When I was a young believer, this song helped me to realize and live out an important truth.
Christ said we regularly should get to a place that is out of sight and quiet and seek God through prayer (Matthew 6:6). We can call this the secret place. Our highest goal is to be like Christ, so we are seeking God asking the Holy Spirit to make us more Christ-like.
To quote Jesus (Luke 10:37), “Go and do likewise.”
Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.
Proverbs 13:20, ESV
Who you spend time with matters. Bad company ruins good morals (1 Corinthians 5:20), but good company encourages the good.
The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life.
Proverbs 22:4, ESV
It is true that God may grant us prosperity in this life, but Jesus revealed that our true riches are found in eternal life in God’s Kingdom (Matthew 6:19-24).
Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.
Psalm 42:11, ESV
Praising God is the best way to get out of a funk of depression, worry/anxiety, confusion, and fear.
Hope in God, your salvation.
a simple man of God 