Category "scripture"
Leeland
2 Corinthians 5:17 "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
Hey ya'll! So excited to announce that our new single, New Creation, has been officially released to radio! This song actually came as a last minute idea in the studio and now it's one of my favorites on the record. Our last single, Follow You, talked about God's heart for the poor and hurting, and that our response MUST be love & action.
New Creation, just like Follow You, is based on the same foundation of the gospel. That when we receive Jesus's salvation, we die to sin and are born again, a new creation into Jesus. A clean slate! Before Jesus, our idenity wavered from one passion to the next. We staked who we were into what we did. If you played baseball you were a "Baseball player". If you played guitar you were a "Guitar player". If you were a popular then you were "Star". If you were good at plumbing, then you're a "Plumber".
In the old life, that view of thinking seemed right. But what if the baseball player was injured so badly that he could never play baseball again? What if new famous singer came along and replaced the old one? What if the plumber lost his job? If we place our identity in what we do it's like building our house on shifting sand!
Now if we believe in Jesus and that he is the way, truth and the life, then no one can take that hope and assurance away from us.
Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. Now that we're are a new creation in Jesus, no matter what season of life we're in, who we are remains the same because we are new creations IN Christ Jesus! Jesus is above every name and every thing, He is the same yesterday today and forever!
Now that we are IN Jesus, we don't rely on our own righteousness, because HE is our righteousness. We don't rely on our love, because God is Love! We don't rely on our peace, because Jesus said "My peace I give you." We don't rely on our strength because Jesus said "In your weakness I am made strong!" It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me!
What would you do if you got to start all over again? Well, this is your chance. You're a new creation.
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PS. Is all of this Jesus stuff new to you? Well that's ok. You can know him like a friend. He can be the answer to the hurt in your life. Pray this prayer from your heart, just like you are talking to a friend. Comment, and let us know if you made this decision today and we'll send you some resources to help you in your new life!
"God, I know that I've made a lot of mistakes and I'm not perfect. But, Jesus lived a perfect life and died on the cross for all the things I did wrong. Because of that I can be forgiven right now. I repent of my sins right now, and receive your forgiveness. I believe that Jesus is the son of God, and is living in me and walking with me right now. Help me to serve you and share your love with the world!"
Jack
"I lay down my life, and pick up my cross. What a joy it is to give my life away to you. All that I need, all that I seek, is you here with me. Holy Spirit have your way in me."
This is one of the most transformational prayers you'll ever pray. Simply giving your life away to God. What does that mean practically?
First, we have to realize that God cares about our dreams and aspirations, because He's the one who gave them to us. The most content people in the world are those who've given everything they have to God with no questions asked. Total surrender. These people end up seeing their dreams come true because they've stopped trying to please people, and they live to please God. Can you imagine living that way? Well, you can!
Secondly, think about the fact that Jesus gave His life on the cross and then rose again three days later. Why? So we could go to heaven? Yes, but that's not all. He rose again, so we could be sure that we don't serve a dead God. He's living inside of you if you've made Him your Lord. That means that He's given you the ability to surrender just like he did! (Lk 22:42) We can do the things Jesus did, and more. (Jn 14:12-13)
What are your dreams? What are your ambitions? I can assure you, the second you just sacrifice them and give them back to God you'll see them come true in due time. Stop striving, and surrender just like Jesus did. His plan is the best and His timing is impeccable. (Pr. 19:21)
Holy Spirit have YOUR way!
Leeland Band
Leeland and Jack recently contributed to a new interactive audio devotional for teens called Devo2Go. Leeland and Jack are the guides during Week 4, but you can try the first week of the series for free at Devo2Go.com.
Jack
As a member of Christian band, you end up talking about things that are pretty lofty and sacred sometimes. For example, you'll hear us shouting from the rooftops about our great God, and asking our generation to step out and serve Him by loving the world. When we're talking about this all of the time it makes us aware of how easily we ourselves miss the mark every day. The first part of today I had a hard time sharing love & kindness and it's easy to let the cares of life nag at you. But we MUST not let this happen. As we boarded our last flight today I felt God tugging on my heart. So I immediately dropped every distraction and began to seek God with all my heart. There was such peace and rest in this time with God and it broke down the walls in my heart. Colosians 4:2-6 jumped out at me and nourished my heart and it felt like every word MEANT something to me in that moment. God totally knows what we need, and WHEN we need it.
We are God's children and we CAN walk this out. We can be who God has called us to be! If we'll just keep our eyes fixed and set on Jesus... we'll win this war, and celebrate the victory that Jesus bought with His very life. He's alive. And so are we! Let's change this world and bring heaven to earth through the power & authority of our saviour Jesus Christ.
Don't you feel something peculiar in the air? Something's going on and I want to be a part of it.
love is on the move.
jack
