WaxNotNeeded - Use Your Tools [Bumper Sticker Ed]

I love automobile ink AKA bumper stickers. The part I regret most about trading in my old car is departing with all the lovely band stickers and the rest I had collected along the way (alas I am still on the look our for another Project 86 [black and white] Rival Factions vampire sticker should anyone come across one). I think they are a great little boost to show something you are a fan of or even as a witnessing tool. However, admittedly every time I see one of those emblems with a Darwin creature eating a Jesus fish I wish I had a monster truck with a metal grate on the front. So far the ones that are affixed to the current car is …

First came “Our sin is great, God’s grace is greater” which I had been eye balling for a while, because of the honest boldness of it (wasn’t sure if I could handle it), yet the truth applies to one and all. This one has come across some quizzically looks for the time it has been present on my car, but I believe the verbiage is interpretive of a few various meanings (or rather) outlooks towards the same central meaning.  

The second “God Rules” came upon a time in which after many conversations had been had with a lot of people in regards to “why God allows this, why God allows that”. As we know good and bad falls on the just and unjust, as sin is present in the world and until that time when it is no longer here, things will continue forth as such, but never fear, because God watches out for His children. The noted verses on there are …  

And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed. Daniel 7:14

This is what the Lord says—Israel’s King and Redeemer, the Lord Almighty:
I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God. Isaiah 44:6

Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. Matthew 24:35

Amen! So what do you have on YOUR car, if anything? I understand stickers are not for everyone, but alas to each their own. On the horizon I would like to get the one mentioned above, the Demon Hunter “True Defiance” cross, as well as, one that references *One Way* and a skulliebow and possibly cupcake.

Dear Heavenly Father – We thank You for giving us a reason to witness, we thank You for giving us the truth to share to all that we meet, in many different fashions, whether by verbal conversation, song, written script, etc. A special thank You Father for allowing One member of *LoveIs* to “come home” again, as did the wayward son. We pray Father for ALL of mankind. May ALL men turn to You and follow Your will, as we do not wish ANYONE to see the destruction that is Hell. We ask these things in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ, Amen.

SiC <3

WaxNotNeeded - Love Love Love

The Beatles had it right when they pinned down the popular track, “Love Is All You Need”, though I am not quite sure they had in mind what I am about to share. Likewise, the way the world denotes that “love” is somehow primarily displayed as an act of the “adult kind”, it is truly misleading. However, let me paint for you the true picture of love, as I see, the trifecta if you will.

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him, should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16

Of course this is the jumping off point of the trifecta, as which it is what applies to us all for the everlasting, however I would be remise of course if I did not likewise mention, we have all been created in love.

Imagine, you have child, you are told that in order to save all of mankind, well imagine even if just for one person, he must die by your hand, could you do it? God did. As we know God is omniscient, which means He knows all, past – present and future. In Genesis it clearly tells us that Jesus (the Son) was already with God (the Father) before the foundation of this world. So even though, He knew what was going to be done, He created us all anyways. We are that special to Him. I mean just think for a moment, He is God, He could have made us without free-will, but alas He didn’t. He sacrificed His Son, for His creation, so that we might in our own hearts chose to serve Him. Powerful.

 But God demonstrated His own love for us, while we were yet sinners Christ died for us. Much more then, being justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. Romans 5:8-9

Next, the Son of God, willing died for His Fathers creation, so that we may be reconciled back into “their family”. Not to mention, that for those that who do accept Him as Lord and Savior, will be spared from certain wrath. He, who could have called down ten thousand angels, He who had NEVER been “separated” from the Father, allowed the Creator of all things, his Dad, Yahweh, to turn His back to allow Him, causing Him so much anguish to the point, where as He had to suffer so much, He cried out, “My God, My God, Why have you forsaken me?” as for that time He was unable to feel the presence of God that He had known forever.

My commandment is this: Love one another as I have loved you. John 15:12

So we come to the third piece, which has all to do with us. Jesus commanded that we, His brothers and sisters, love each other as He had loved us. How did He love? He gave His very self, so that we may live in the Spirit now and one day (one glorious day) for all eternity, be a part of a place of so much splendor. I am even tempted to say that our ideas of what it will be like, does not even come close.

Yet where do we all stand in this? For I know I could be better … As you may know, this is the verse that *LoveIs* is founded upon, but alas from times I have a slip of the tongue and may say something negative about someone to another person or may have a short temper with someone where as it is unjustified. Yet, if I am commanded to love as Jesus loved, does this fit the line? No, He rarely got upset and when He did He had concrete means, and we are told straight up in several places not to “slander”, so if it says not to do it, I am 100% certain that Jesus didn’t do it.  Yet, we are all works in progress, and honestly these are two things that God is definitely working to rid me of completely (its been a lifelong process, I’d say I’m up about a 95% success rate now). ;)

So yes dear Beatles, love is all you need, because all that is love is God, and God is all anyone needs.

Dear Heavenly Father, We thank You for Your love, that which is immeasurable. May we yearn to love like You do Father, without cause or concern, but freely, true love. A love that cares, shares, promotes lifts up and countless encourages everyone (not just our friends and family) that we meet. May we show You to a world that so desperately needs to understand what LOVE is. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray, amen.

SiC <3 

WaxNotNeeded - Everything Is Good

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (NIV)

The truth is, if you are saved … you are saved … and being saved is everything and everything is good.

As we study all of Paul’s writings we see him encompass the above, time and time again. Though he is imprisoned many times, on the run and truly hated by his peers, He did not let that slow him down. The life he lived was one for God, regardless of outside circumstances.

 It is something that I earnestly pray to one day be able to achieve in full, before this all comes to an end. You see, I have a nasty habit of sometimes complain first, pray later; when it should be pray first and leave it with God (for all my troubles). My conviction is that it makes me seem ungrateful for that which I have been given, as there are many more with less. Even more so heartbreaking that there are people who do not know the Trinity! Yet I know of the truth, I know that all of this is temporary, yet and still I allow it to put a block between the Father and I.

As it is written in Philippians 4::6-7 (NIV), “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

So, in effect if you are not following the word, you are living apart from the word, so you knowingly (or unknowingly) laying blocks down.

It is little things like this, that are the foundation for a wall to replace the open space that God has with His children. Yet, when you truly seek an open door (per say) between the creator and yourself, you should call upon the Holy Spirit and ask Him to show to you and remove all the hindrances (negative traits) that you possess.  As Romans 12:2 (NIV) tells us, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will”.

I pray we all in this age and future cling to this, as so easily the true word of God being manipulated and miscommunicated to our very ears.

Dear Heavenly Father, We thank You for given to us the Holy Bible, Your love letter to Your children. May we be apt to us it, so that we may know Your commandments, Your will for our lives in all areas and be aware of that which is to come. May You search our hearts Father, and remove the areas that You find displeasing. May we be but vessels for You to use, for that is our purpose, You so graciously gave us life, and we willingly give it back to You. In the name of Your Son Jesus Christ we pray, Amen.

SiC ♥

Guest Post - 180 Movie

An extremely powerful video ...

WaxNotNeed : Free Verse Blast

Old school verse blast below, you all don't need a devotional - you need a collection of the awesome scripture that talks about being free right?! ;)

Hope everyone had a great 4th! 

So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” They answered him, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?” Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:31-36

But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man's trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many. And the free gift is not like the result of that one man's sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brought justification. For if, because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ. Romans 5:15-17

We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin. Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. Romans 6:6-8

But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”— these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual. 1 Corinthians 2:9-13

Dear Heavenly Father - Thank You for making us free through YOUR SON, Jesus Christ, which whom without we would have NO HOPE, in Jesus's name we pray, ><>

SiC <3