bananas4-jesus

2006-09-20T02:32:00.000-07:00

My prayer 9/19/06
Lord of heaven and earth, I am nothing and not worthy to wear Your Name. I am so utterly sinful and useless. God I know that it is only by Your grace that I am not killed simply because of my sin. Please forgive me for my iniquity and depravity. I know this, in You is no sin. I know that You want me to be the same. I am nowhere near where You want me to be. Please God help me, deliver me from this weight of my sin. I try so hard but I know You are my victory and only you can deliver me from these chains. Help me Lord. I don’t want to keep going on like this I feel as though I am on a roller coaster of spiritual ups and downs without end. God help me; Jesus I need You. Forgive me Father, for I do what I would not. Jesus I’m sorry take me Lord take all of me Savior. God help me free me from myself, my nature, my sin.
Ken I know that you love Me. I know you are weak. I have so much for you if you will only let Me take these things from you. I took your sin on Myself and you are free from your sin. I have made you clean and righteous, if only you will realize this. Read My Word, get to know Me. I ask nothing of you that I wont give you, and have given you. You’re not perfect, I AM. Look at Me learn about Me, I am meek and don’t put Myself above you. I have an abundant life for you, with the freedom that you so desire. I love you Ken. Let Me come beside you, I’ve been here all along. If you slow down and listen you will hear My voice, and you will know it is Me. I accept your apology Ken, I’ve forgiven you already. I have better things for you than this. Let Me show you.
Lord I have such a hard time forgiving myself. I live in condemnation for days after I fail.
Ken, it’s gone, in the sea of forgetfulness.
But God I remember.
If I declare it is gone. It is gone!
Lord help me heal me I need You now more than I ever have.
I am here just as I’ve always been, I’ll never leave you or desert you.
God, I know Your Word says this but I still have a hard time forgiving myself.
You need to realize what I have made you. I have called you righteous; you are righteous. A say you are forgiven, you are forgiven. If you can’t see it yourself, let Me show it to you. Let Me help you forgive yourself by putting my forgiveness in your heart. Ken, I love you; I always have and will. I want you to experience Me.
Lord I’m not worthy to even be in Your presence.
Where will you go to get away from Me? I AM everywhere! Just let Me remove the barriers that keep you from seeing who and what I have made you. It is not what you will someday be it is who you are. If you will only understand that is who you are. You are not a depraved sinner; you are my righteous child. Walk as I have made you.

2005-12-19T00:22:00.000-08:00

"It is finished"
No words ever spoken have said more or carried more weight than these, last words of Jesus Christ. He hung on a cross in a horrible, violent, bloody scene. It was not a pretty picture. What He did there has changed the world to this day. We live under grace, God's Riches at Christ's Expense. We don't need to work our way to heaven, we can't. Our sin is finished, dead, paralyzed. Our struggles may still be here but we have a present help in time of need. When Jesus died the power of sin over those who have accepted Christ died with Him. We can live a life that pleases God, but only by the power of His Son. The price has been payed, all it takes is faith that He did it for you. It is finished.

2005-11-19T14:38:00.000-08:00

Nickel Creek The Hand Song Lyrics
The boy only wanted to give mother something
And all of her roses had bloomed
Looking at him as he came rushing in with them
Knowing her roses were doomed
All she could see were some thorns buried deep
And tears that he cried as she tended his wounds

And she knew it was love
It was one she could understand
He was showing his love
And that's how he hurt his hands

He still remembers that night as a child
On his mother's knee
She held him close as she opened her Bible
And quietly started to read
Then seeing a picture of Jesus he cried out
"Mama, he's got some scars like me!"

And he knew it was love
It was one he could understand
He was showing his love
And that's how he hurt his hands

Now the boy's grown and moved out on his own
When Uncle Sam comes along
A foreign affair, but our young men were there
And luck had his number drawn
It wasn't that long till our hero was gone
He gave to a friend what he learned from the cross

But they knew it was love
It was one they could understand
He was showing his love
And that's how he hurt his hands
It was one they could understand
He was showing his love
And that's how he hurt his hands

2005-11-15T09:29:00.000-08:00

Jhn 4:14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.
God's love and grace never ceases to amaze me as I read through the Word and discover the heights and depths thereof. God's love is like a river flowing through our lives, making us to be more like him and less like that sinful person crucified in Christ. This analogy of the well of water shows no end the his love and grace, they are like the rest of God, eternal. His bones were not broken, for in them the blood is continually produced to cleanse the sinner's spot. He will give us the ability to live in the present, without concentrating on the past, and a future of a life with him, eternally.

2005-11-11T18:01:00.000-08:00

Ga 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
Ga 5:17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
2co 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
I'm gonna go out on a limb and say this is the most important aspect of our Christian walk. If we walk in the Spirit He will direct us where we should, and shouldn't go. If we obey His prodding and that sweet, still, small voice God will lead His way. As we follow Him it will be easier to crucify our old man, to not be selfish, cranky, or easily offended. God will make us to be more like Him as we follow the Spirit's leading. Allowing God's Spirit to govern our actions will lead us from glory to glory.

2005-10-27T08:56:00.000-07:00

1Jo 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

1Jo 4:19 We love him, because he first loved us.

1Jo 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

Ever been afraid? I have. From time to time I have feared that I am not doing enough for God, or that I am not good enough. Sometimes my fear is almost overwhelming and I fear He doesn't love me anymore. In this scripture John is telling us that fear is not of God. If God is love, and perfect love casts out fear, than God's love is fear-free. He will never bring anything out of a spirit of fear. Only out of love does He call us. His love is perfected in this, He loved us when we hated Him. If He loved us then, He loves us now. He will lead us as a shepherd, not drive us from behind. He wants us to trust in Him, and let Him relieve us of our fears. He is after all our Prince of Peace.

2005-10-26T13:38:00.000-07:00

Jhn 13:34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

Jhn 13:35 By this shall all [men] know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

Col 2:16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath [days]:

Often on my spiritual journey I have wondered if those around me, who don't know me, can tell if I'm a Christian. Have you ever wondered this? Here Jesus is telling us exactly how our faith is to be demonstrated. It is by loving each other, not by any awesome works that we can do. If we love each other, we won't get caught up on unimportant details. When someone's heart is focused on God He works out the specifics. We are not our fellow followers' judge. We must be their servant. There is enough fighting already. If we only focus on our differences how are we different from the world? If all they see is our disagreements, how are we loving one another as Christ loved us?

2005-10-25T08:53:00.000-07:00

2Cr 12:9 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.
2Cr 12:10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
Phl 3:13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but [this] one thing [I do], forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
Phl 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Often as Christians we think we must be seriously doing something for the church, for others, for somebody in order to earn Christ. Here Paul is saying, forgetting all the good he has done, he is striving to be like Jesus. He's not resting on his laurels, on what he has done. Paul knows if he is caught up in this his pride may cause him to lose out. Its not about what we do for Christ, it is about what He does in, through, and with us. In order to be acceptable to God we must humble ourselves, and let Him work in us. Our self-percieved strenghts can only stand in the way of what He would do in us. More gladly than take pleasure in weakness that He might be shown to be strong.

2005-10-10T23:25:00.000-07:00

1Th 5:23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and [I pray God] your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1Th 5:24 Faithful [is] he that calleth you, who also will do [it].

There are few worse times than when we feel like we've let God down. We may feel like walking away, like we are worthless. Perhaps we should remember we are "under construction". He will finish the work he starts in us, one of the greatest words used to describe Him is faithful. Don't be overcome with your faults, let Him help you overcome your faults.

2005-10-09T21:30:00.000-07:00

2Th 3:1
Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have [free] course, and be glorified, even as [it is] with you:

Mar 16:15
And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

As lovers of God, we should pray that His word is spread to everyone. More than this, we need to be the instrument by which His love is shown to all the world. We need to pray that the Lord will provide both the opportunity and the boldness to complete His final command.

2005-10-08T07:22:00.000-07:00

1Ti 4:12
Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
God's requirement for service doesn't have an age limit. He wants us to be Christ-like in all that we do. God wants to be glorified in all we say. He wants us to conduct ourselves in a godly manner. He wishes our love to be without limitations. Our spirit must remian in tune with his. Our faith allowing us to see God. Our purity showing a distinct difference with the world. If we do this, the world will see that God is real, and at work in our lives.

2005-10-07T07:02:00.000-07:00

1Jo 3:1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
As Christians God's love should be readily visable in our lives. Our love for one another is the hallmark of our faith. Our love for those who abuse, hate, and misunderstand us is one of the signs of a forgiven heart. It doesn't make sense why we would love our enemies, but that's okay if we have been forgiven, it is easy to to forgive.

2005-10-06T18:19:00.000-07:00

Rom 12:1
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, [which is] your reasonable service.

Rom 12:2
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Wow, for us humans who rely mostly on pain or pleasure to make our decisions, it takes a camplete change of heart soul and mind to draw close to God. This requires immersion in His word, an attitude of constant prayer, and a unquenchable desire know Him and be like Him.

2005-10-01T11:06:00.000-07:00

For us to understand God's holiness, is like a mesquito understanding the vastness of the universe. Even the concept of His holiness is beyond our meager comprehension. He is pure holiness incarnate, when described in the Bible this adjective (Holy) is most often used, e.g. Hos. 11:9, Rev. 4:8. Thus it stands to reason that in order for us to possess a relationship with God we must also be holy. How is this possible knowing that we as humans are imperfect beings? Paul wrote that in order to win Christ, "And be found in Him, not having mine own righteouness, which is of the law,but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith", Phil. 3:9 Does this mean that in order to have a relationship with a Holy God we must assume the Holyness of His Son Jesus Christ. Does this also mean that without this we cannot hope to possess any righteousness of our own. I believe this to be so, we as weak humans cannot hope to live the blameless sin-free life required to approach God. It requires Christ's presence in our lives. However, if we have believed Christ and followed His commands firstly to love God Mat. 22:37 andJohn 13:34 to love one another, than can we know that the holiness of Christ will cover us. I John 3:23,24 "And this is His commandment, That we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. And he that keeps His Commandments dwells in Him, and He in him." God's holiness is so great that the grace of Jesus must be beyond our comprehension.

2005-10-01T08:37:00.000-07:00

How many times have we felt like we were in love with someone? We get short of breath our heartbeat quikens every time that person crosses our field of vision. We would never dream of doing anything to scare that person away, our desires take a back seat to pleasing another. Oh, that we might feel that way about our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. The one who saved us from our own self destructive tendencies. He, in turn is so in love with us, that he died for our sins. Not only for our little sins of no consequence, but for the most vile sins anyone and everyone has and continues to commit. He died for those who spat in his face, and screamed, "Crucify Him". He died for Adolf Hitler, Ho Chi Min, Osama bin Laden... and Ken Monk. To think the creator of the Universe looked down over time, saw ALL my sin, and thought to himself "I'll cover that". Even now, after six years of mediocre service to Him I realize as Romans 7:18 states, "in me dwells no good thing". Even now, when my heart's desire is to serve Him, I know I am nowhere near perfect and yet he saw my failures, and my weakness and still says "I got that covered". Now many of us have thought we were in love with someone who, by words and actions OBVIOUSLY didn't love us back. Those feelings of rejection cut deep. Now the giddy, hypertensive shortness of breath is replaced by a sick to the stomach emptiness. Knowing these feelings, and how they effect me, how than can I allow myself not to be in love with my Lord. Knowing His sacrifice and how He has made Himself real to me, I feel I must endevor to fall in love with Jesus Christ. Keith Green once sayed, "Going to church doesn't make you a Christian anymore than going to McDonalds makes you a hamburger... a Christian is someone who is bananas for Jesus". If we ever truly desire to serve God to His, not our, fullest potential, we must endevor to put him a distant first in our lives. We must ask Him to remove our own selfish desires, for He knows what is best for us. It is imperative that we give Him Lordship of our lives, and seek to see His face, not His hand. We must talk to Him, comunication is key to any relationship. II Corinthians 11:2 says we have been married to Christ. Any marriage in which one member is not entirely in love with the other, is doomed. If we seek to know Him and His Perfect will for our lives, He will create in us something much more than we can imagine. If we endevor to be in love with our Lord, and to love others with His love, He will bless our lives and lead us into Him.