Oh Lord, You're Beautiful

"No Compromise is what the whole Gospel of Jesus is all about... 'For I tell you...no man can serve two masters...' (Matt. 6:24). In a day when believers seem to be trying to please both the world and the Lord (which is an impossible thing), when people are far more concerned about offending their friends than offending God, there is only one answer...Deny yourself, take up your cross and follow Him!" — Keith Green, No Compromise album, 1978.

Wow, I can't believe that this song by Keith Green is now 30 years old. I came across this Jesus Culture cover of it and the words of the bridge just really stuck with me and became one of my prayers of late.

"I want to take Your word and shine it all around

But first help me just to live it Lord

And when I'm doing well

Help me to never seek a crown

For my reward is bringing glory to You."

- Keith Green (1953-1982)

God's Will

I borrowed a book from a friend called "Just Do Something: A Liberating Approach to Finding Gods Will" by Kevin DeYoung. It's a tiny book with about 124 pages and is an easy-read. This year I'm faced with a lot of big decisions and quite a few options open before me. What way or ways are good? There are a lot of friendships, academic experiences, ministry experiences and family factors that make things a bit more complicated than I'd like. A part of me wants to be lazy and just take the easy way out (which is probably the wrong way according to Kevin DeYoung in his book). Anyway, thought I'd toss up a few quotes from the book:

"Obsessing over the future is not how God wants us to live, because showing us the future is not God's way. His way is to speak to us in the Scriptures and transform us by the renewing of our minds. His way is not a crystal ball. His way is wisdom. We should stop looking for God to reveal the future to us and remove all risk from our lives. We should start looking to God - His character and His promises - and thereby have confidence to take risks for His name's sake."

"If God opens the door for you to do something you know is good or necessary, be thankful for the opportunity. But other than that, don't assume that the relative ease or difficulty of a new situation is God's way of telling you to do one thing or the other. Remember, God's will for your life is your sanctification, and God tends to use discomfort and trials more than comfort and ease to make us holy."

"In general, He guides and directs his people by affording them, in answer to prayer, the light of his Holy Spirit, which enables them to understand and to love the Scriptures. The Word of God is not to bve used as a lottery; nor is it designed to instruct us by shreds and scraps, which, detached from their proper places, have no determinative import; but it is to furnish us with just principles, right apprehensions to regulate our judgments and affections, and thereby to influence and direct our conduct." - John Newton (1725-1807)

"Wisdom is what we need to live a godly life...Wisdom is understanding the fear of the Lord and finding the knowledge of God...Wisdom is always moral...Wisdom is knowing God and doing as He commands...For the follower of Christ, wisdom is more precious than silver or gold."

"Pray! Pray for open minds so we can understand the Scriptures and apply them to our lives. Pray for wisdom. Pray for things that we already know are God's will (good motives in decision making; an attitude of trust, faith and obedience; humility and teachability; spread of the gospel)."

In the end, I realized that it doesn't matter if i'm making life or death decisions or just an everyday choice. Our conduct should be the same...

"Live for God. Obey the Scriptures. Think of others before yourself. Be holy. Love Jesus. And as you do these things, do whatever else you like, with whomever you like, wherever you like, and you'll be walking in the will of God."