What Is It Going Take?

Tragedy is a part of life,
So is the pain and the strife.
We can't let those things hold us down,
And cause us to be consumed and drown.

For the storms of life may come strong,
And we may be hurt and feel wronged.
Christ felt the hurt and the pain,
And He died our eternal life to gain.

Your hurt may be deep and lasting,
And the rain pours and the winds blasting.
He sees the hurt and know your need,
Because He endured the pain and did bleed.

I am calling out to the hurting and lost,
I proclaim a message and a gift at no cost.
He loved the sinners and knew their need,
So I ask in earnest and pray that you heed.

Is It Well With You?

Is it well with high and crashing swell?
Is He there when you are down and fail?
The pain so deep and seems to have no cure,
Is the place you are standing sure?

For life has many storms and pains,
But with life in Christ, your soul gains.
Lay the burdens down at the cross,
To gain what by sin was lost.

My soul sings the praise of my Savior,
For a new life and a new behavior.
Let the things of this mortal life go,
And have eternal life. I know.

My heart hurts for those in pain,
I want them to know of what I have gained.
For Christ has died our souls to save,
And rise above the power of the grave.

What Will You Do?

Will you stand by and not speak up?
Will you let those that are corrupt,
Let their wickedness in this world errupt,
But not let our message be shut up.

Pray for the land, that they will come back to Your hand,
That we will proclaim Christ as we stand.
For the rulers of this earth cannot find peace,
Until You return, the fighting and wars will not cease.

Pray for the home, where our life is the center,
May Your presence and Spirit enter.
For where You make Your place,
We experience Your love and Your grace.

Shattered

Shattered, broken, and bruised,
Taken for granted and abused.
We cannot fall apart now,
With what we have been endowed.

He was shattered, broken, and bruised,
Christ was guilty in our eyes and accused.
He took our sin and our shame,
Instead of us, He took the blame.

He can take the pieces of our hearts,
He can put together those broken parts.
So gather the pieces and lay them down,
He knows how the pieces can rebound.

Brokenness is not for long,
Because Christ alone can make us strong.
The pieces can only glorify,
When in the hands of God they lie.
 

Trading Temporal For Eternal

Temporal things pass and fade,
But I have chosen a far better trade.
Eternal things will be there when all is gone,
And all that is unknown will be known.

When I let go of all that is dust,
In my heart, my God will I trust.
My eternal state far greater,
Saved from the eternal devastator.

I will show you what He gave to me,
I will show you how He set me free.
I am covered by the blood of my Savior,
I have a new attitude and a new behavior.

Leave all the temporal things behind,
And in Christ, true joy and peace you will find.
When all has passed through the flame,
Will you only be left with your name?

Bring people to the One, Who can save,
So they will not be to sin a slave.
People are dying and lost,
Will you save them at any cost?

Reflection

You are far brighter than the sun,
Knowing that You are the only One.
You give the light to lead the way,
You guide me day by day.

You are the bringer of  this great light,
And You can bring the blind to sight.
Without Your light, we are in darkness,
And Your brightness is matchless.

We reflect the glory to the world abroad,
And we do so until Christ removes us from this sod.
We reflect what God has done through His Son,
And none can come close to what He has done.

The brighter, our lamps remain,
The more souls for Christ, we can regain.
For we are a city on hill,
Ours is the great commission to fulfill.

Finding Him

Finding myself in deep thought,
Never thinking, that my Savior sought,
That He would with His blood, my soul bought,
That He would catch me, and I, in His arms be caught.

Finding myself in deep despair,
Thinking that nobody would care,
When Christ said that every burden, He would share,
Even the midst of the times, when life is not fair.

Finding myself drowning deep in sin,
Knowing not the condition I was in,
For He showed that I could be changed within,
That I could be a fisher of men.

Finding myself in the deepest need,
That from sin's grip, my soul could be freed,
He within my heart planted a seed,
And He for my soul does plead.

Finding myself coming to the end,
Knowing that God would my soul to Heaven send,
In my passing, shall they know Jesus, my friend,
That on His cross, my sins were pinned.

Why Does God Allow Suffering?

"And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee, for my strength is made perfect in weakness, Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." (2 Corinthians 12:9) We ask why does God allow suffering, but do we know the answer to the question? I think that Paul very well understood what it meant to go through suffering of many kinds, but he was glad to do so for the sake of the cross. We have something to look forward to at the end of this life, at the end of all the immediate suffering. 

The key here is "for my strength is made perfect in weakness." God's strength is perfect, and all of our strength is but weakness. It helps us to see what God is capable in whatever situation we are going through. God has a plan in every situation.

Why do we hurt, why so much pain?
For this is the time to see what we gain.
Without the hurt, without the pain,
Then what do we gain?

For some people they know not why,
Why they hurt, and why they cry?
For God is over all,
And He is here when we call.

Take your pain to Christ, Who took your hurt,
He washed with His blood, the sinful dirt.
When you cannot bear the pain,
And you are feeling like you are drowning in the rain.

Take your burden to the Lord,
That He can pay for what we cannot afford.
He calls us to come like little sheep,
So that in eternity, He, can my soul keep.

Second To None

He is second to none,
He is the Almighty One.
He is first and He is last,
God of the future and God of the past.

He is first in my life,
Amongst the pain and the strife.
He has my heart and my soul,
His voice my heart doth console.

When He returns, my crown He will receive,
All because on Him I did believe.
All is His and He is mine,
And He deserves all glory divine.

Second to none,
He is the King, when all is said and done.
Are you first or last?
Where in eternity is your lot cast?

I am last and Christ is first,
And those roles cannot be reversed.
Remember your place,
And remember His amazing grace.
 

My Heart's Cry

The tears fall heavy on my heart,
To know that something is hurting on the inner part.
The hurts, the pains of the present and the past,
The Lord tells me that only a little while will last.

The tears and the prayers are held close to Your heart,
And You know like a doctor where to start.
I know that the tears fall like a heavy rain,
But I will help you, your strength regain.

The testing and trials that I have been through,
Are nothing compared to what You had to do.
You cried and groaned in the garden,
That this cup would be pardoned.

Tears of blood and of sweat,
These tears You do not regret.
You know my heart and You know my pain,
And You know what I have lost and You know what I can gain.

I cry having nothing worthy of Your pardon,
But You knew what my tears were regarding.
I cry with a groan, so helpless and deep,
But I know that my heart You will keep.

Cry out today, and He will give you a hand,
And He will pull you out of the miry clay and sinking sand.
The burdens you bear, you do not have to alone,
But through salvation, His blood can atone. 

Where He Walked

He came to walk among men of earth,
He came through the virgin birth.
He walked with His earthly mom and dad,
He stayed behind and they were sad.

He was about His Father's business,
And nothing could change this.
He walked among men and called them out,
And grew within them a faith without a doubt.

He walked and fed the thousands,
And they were filled with no need for seconds.
His filling was far greater than the food,
And He knew that this was for their good.

He walked upon the ocean and the waves,
And Peter thought he could make it, but Jesus saves. 
He walked and dined among sinners and thieves,
And He, in His heart for their souls grieves.

He walked and did turn the water into wine,
This was only one of His miracles divine.
He walked and talked with the woman at the well,
And did her sin and wickedness dispel. 


He walked to the garden to pray,
And He hoped that His disciples would awake stay.
He walked and fell to His knees in grief so great,
He asked if God could change His fate.


He walked to the upper room and did with the disciples eat,
After they had drank the cup and break the bread, He did wash their feet.
He knew that among them there was one that would Him betray,
And that it would take place in the garden later that day.

He knew that He must walk this road alone,
Even when Peter said of Him, he had not known.
He would walk before the Romans, and they would take no blame,
For Pilate would wash his hands of this Man, of which there was no sin and shame.


He was chosen both among the Jews and Gentiles to be crucified,
And He would soon walk that hill and there with Him two men died.
He was welcomed Great King of the Jews, 
But soon out of their mouths, Crucify Him, they would spew.


He walked up that hill, battered and bruised,
But He knew that He could by God in this way be used.
He would hang there and take our sin,
So that they would not be remembered against us again.


He would walk amongst them again,
After three days, He would again be risen.
He walked with men on the road to Emmaus,
Once they saw the bread that He broke, in their hearts were amazed by this.


He came to see the one that doubted that He had risen,
And he was able touch the nail scars and the wounds in His side that He had been given.
He walked amongst the disciples one last time,
And reassured them of their salvation sublime.


His presence walks among His people,
And it cannot be confined to a church with a steeple.
He will not let you walk alone,
But He will guide you by His light shown.

Who Is at the Forefront? (Cont'd)

We will continue to talk about who is at the forefront of your life.

I had a dream that I was captain of my soul.
(If we think that we are in control, we are sadly mistaken. I know 
that we want to have control of things in our life, but no matter
how hard we try, God controls everything.)
I was master of my fate, lost control, and then I sank.
(When we keep hold of the reins of our life, we steer ourselves 
in the wrong direction.)
So I don't want to take the lead Cause I'm prone to make mistakes. 
(A perfect God needs to have the leadership in our lives because
we are a sinful people and prone to make mistakes.)
All these folks that follow me gon' end up in the wrong place. 
(We need to follow after God, because He knows the only way
to get to Heaven and that is through Jesus Christ, His Son.)
So, just let me shadow You, and just let me trace Your lines. 
Matter of fact just take my pen. Here, You create my rhymes.
(He has given us the words to speak, and we are responsible to
speak words of edification. We need to speak His words to
guide people to Him.) 
Cause if I do this by myself I'm scared that I'll succeed.  
And no longer trust in You, cause I only trust in me. 
And see, that's how you end up headed to destruction. 
Paving a road to nowhere. Pour your life out for nothing. 
You pulled my card, I'm bluffing You know what's in my hand. 
Me, I just roll to trust You, You cause the dice to land.
(Anything we have done is known by God. It is all under God's
control.)   

I'm in control of nothing. Follow You at any cost. 
Some call it sovereign will, all I know is You the boss.  
And man I'm so at ease. I'm so content. 
I play the background like it's an instrument.
http://www.metrolyrics.com/background-lyrics-lecrae.html#ixzz1xaw9mNCW
Let yourself be used of God, even though it may be the background part. He deserves to be at the forefront of your life.

Who Is At the Forefront?

I have heard this song by Lecrae, "Background", and it reminds me that I need to step out of the spotlight and let Christ be the main event. I have been given a gift and I need to share it. I am not the one that saves people, but I can direct them to the One that died for my salvation. Are you the one in the spotlight, or is Christ speaking through you to others?
Lets us take a look at verse one of Lecrae's song, 'Background'.
 
It's evident You run the show, so let me back down.
You take the leading role, and I'll play the background. 
(A life given to Christ has changed the roles on the stage.) 

I know I miss my cues, know I forget my lines I'm sticking to Your script, 
And I'm reading all Your signs. 
(We are not perfect, and so we do make mistakes. God gave us His Word to live by, 
and that is the only way to live.)
I don't need my name in lights. 
I don't need a starring role. 
(The world has the wrong idea of popularity.)
And why gain the whole wide world, if I'm just gon' loose my soul. 
And my ways ain't purified, I'll live according to Your Word.
(Nothing compares to knowing that you have God's Word and His salvation.) 
 I can't endure this life without Your wisdom being heard. 
So word to every dancer for a pop star,  
Cause we all play the background, but mine's a Rock Star. Yeah.
(He deserves every word of praise, and He leads me everyday.)
So if you need me I'll be stage right. 
Prayin' the whole world will start embracing stage fright. 
(Christ, You are the Leader of my life.)
So let me fall back and stop giving my suggestions 
Cause when I follow my obsessions I end up confessing.  
That I'm not that impressive, matter of fact I'm who I are.  
A trail of star dust leading to the Superstar. 
(It makes you feel miniscule when you think about it. I am thankful
that God considered me to be used of Him.)
 http://www.metrolyrics.com/background-lyrics-lecrae.html#ixzz1xRgrQXwa
In the next of couple of days I will talk about the other verses of this song and what they mean to me.

What Is Your End?

You think you know your end,
Where your eternity you will spend.
Don't bet your life on the unknown,
Let me tell you what is set in stone.

My end has been secured by God,
He sent His Son to walk on this sod.
He came as a small child,
He is sinless and undefiled.

He spoke to the wise of the day,
But when He spoke they had nothing to say.
His words did confound,
And His power does astound.

He fed the many and they were filled,
He knew that someday His blood would be spilled.
His life made my life worth living,
And that is why my life I am giving.

Do not leave your soul alone,
Let Christ's blood for it atone.
Do you want to die and burn,
Or do you want to live and learn?

-Wade Jinright

Walking in the Footsteps

I walked alone for a long while,
I walked with a frown, not a smile.
I walked the barren wasteland,
I walked alone and did not understand.

I walked till I found,
A pathway that took me to higher ground.
I am walking in the footsteps of the Savior,
I am walking with a new attitude and new behavior.

I am walking hand in hand with my Savior,
And with salvation has given me favor.
If I had traveled on my own,
Who knows where I could have gone?

So don't walk alone life's road,
And don't carry sin's heavy load.
Walk the road ahead with the Savior,
And know that He can change your behavior.


-Wade Jinright

Footsteps of Faith

Men of the Word have walked the line,
And know that it was all possible because of the Divine.
We walk by faith and not by sight,
And in His law we do delight.

Christ walked the road ahead,
And He is alive and not dead.
For where we tread, we do not tread alone,
For He is the Cornerstone, not a stumbling stone.

Though dark be the way,
He is my hope and stay.
Guide me through this weary land,
And help me the attacks to withstand.

What Can I Do?

Have we come to make ourselves known?
Have we come to be seen or to be shown?
My life is not my own, but Yours to lead,
And I know that You for my life, did bleed.

What can I do that turns their eyes to You?
Do everything and know that You are never through.
The power by which I live is not my own,
But what is ordered from Your Throne.

Live my life and never turn aside,
And when the world comes on strong,
I will not cower, I will not hide,
Because You are the right amongst the wrong.

Life has been given to me,
And through Christ, I have been set free.
For I once was lost in sin,
And through Christ, I have been born again.

-Wade Jinright

Flesh You Must Die

Flesh you must die,
And I must forget the word "I".
Forget the things that please me,
And focus on the things that please Thee.

I have been made to please my Creator,
And I stand before man in life's theater.
I act in love for all I see,
Even though it is difficult for me.

I bid goodbye to my flesh,
And in Christ, my soul refresh.
For if I hold tight to my wants,
When the day is done, it haunts.

If you give what you have away,
You can know Christ today.
Christ spoke to the rich man,
And he said that he would have no part in His plan.

Your life will be more full,
When Christ has been given the rule.
Lay to rest this fleshly container,
He alone can be your Sustainer.

-Wade Jinright

He is there

Walking down what seems a lonely road,
He sees that we are carrying a heavy load.
He does not turn away and cower,
He knows His blood's saving power.

We do not have to imagine Him by our side,
He by His Word our paths does guide.
Even when do not have the strength,
He will go with us to any length.

He did not leave us all alone,
But Christ came from His throne.
For God saw the need,
And His only Son on the cross did bleed.

He is waiting there for you,
And if you call upon Him, 
He will make all things new,
And from Him all good does stem.

He was there before we were created,
And that we by Satan would be hated.
For the love of God knows no bounds,
But it being unconditional, astounds.


-Wade Jinright

 

When Will It Cease

I ask this question, because it is concerning what happens all the time. The subject is sin. We all do it, and sometimes we do it all too often. We even see it on the news. This is a world full of sinners. It will only cease when Christ returns. I want to offer a solution to sin, and that is salvation. It does not completely remove the sin, but Christ died for all our sins. There is forgiveness for sin; you need to decide to ask for forgiveness. There are many things that are wrong about the world that we live in, but we need to decide to change the world we live in. We are not changing the world by being more green, politically-minded, or whatever else you can think of that might change this world outside of Jesus Christ. Go out into the world and preach the Gospel.