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Nothing but the Blood!

Your blood speaks a better word
Than all the empty claims I’ve heard upon this earth
Speaks righteousness for me
And stands in my defense
Jesus it’s Your blood

[Chorus]
What can wash away our sins?
What can make us whole again?
Nothing but the blood
Nothing but the blood of Jesus
What can wash us pure as snow?
Welcomed as the friends of God
Nothing but Your blood
Nothing but Your blood King Jesus

Your cross testifies in grace
Tells of the Father’s heart to make a way for us
Now boldly we approach
Not by earthly confidence
It’s only Your blood

[Chorus]

We thank You for the blood
We thank You for the blood

We praise You for the blood
We praise You for the blood

Nothing but Your blood
Nothing but Your blood King Jesus

From the Inside Out!

A thousand times I've failed
Still your mercy remains
And should I stumble again
Still I'm caught in your grace

Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending, Your glory goes beyond all fame
In my heart, in my soul, Lord I give you control
Consume me from the inside out Lord
Let justice and praise become my embrace
To love You from the inside out

Your will above all else, my purpose remains
The art of losing myself in bringing you praise

Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending, Your glory goes beyond all fame
In my heart, in my soul, Lord I give you control
Consume me from the inside out Lord
Let justice and praise become my embrace
To love You from the inside out

Chorus 2x
Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending, Your glory goes beyond all fame
And the cry of my heart is to bring You praise
From the inside out Lord, my soul cries out
___________________________________________________________________

It seems a lot of Christian songs have been touching me lately in my heart. Last night while at young adults that the worship team belted out two songs that really hit home with me. "Nothing but the Blood" and "From the Inside Out" These two songs seemed to open my eyes to several things:

1. That no matter what sin I have committed God WILL and does forgive me because He sent his son who died on the cross on Calvary to save me from all my sins; that's all my past, present and future sins. (That's a lot of mistakes that will be forgiven)

2. In the song "From the Inside Out" by Hillsong it opened my eyes to the fact that I need to give ALL of myself to God. I need to be able to surrender and submit to God's will and his plan for my life. Though it is not an easy task to be sure. With me I find it really difficult to hand ALL of me over to God. It's like I am holding back a little piece of me. In this song there are several lines that I love that teach me several important things:

"In my heart, in my soul, Lord I give you control
Consume me from the inside out Lord
Let justice and praise become my embrace
To love You from the inside out

Your will above all else, my purpose remains
The art of losing myself in bringing you praise"

In those lines it brings me as a believer to a place where I can submit and surrender to my creator. It also shows what my purpose is as a believer.
I must as Pastor Dave said on Monday "die to self, take up my cross (life) and follow Jesus. In order to do that I must live me life as an example and as a true disciple of God. In Greek the word disciple is Mathetes and it means:
-pupil/learner
- one who believes in Jesus and who witnesses for Him
During that sermon Pastor Dave preached about being a disciple of God from:

"Mark 8:31-35 (The Message)

30-32Jesus warned them to keep it quiet, not to breathe a word of it to anyone. He then began explaining things to them: "It is necessary that the Son of Man proceed to an ordeal of suffering, be tried and found guilty by the elders, high priests, and religion scholars, be killed, and after three days rise up alive." He said this simply and clearly so they couldn't miss it.

32-33But Peter grabbed him in protest. Turning and seeing his disciples wavering, wondering what to believe, Jesus confronted Peter. "Peter, get out of my way! Satan, get lost! You have no idea how God works."

34-37Calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, "Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat; I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to saving yourself, your true self. What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you? What could you ever trade your soul for?"

He also enlighten me about several things:
1. This world is very self absorbed and we as believers are called to live for God and others.
2. Being a true disciple has its costs (ex. losing your friend, family, and even your life for your faith in God)
3.Christians think that when you die to self that they are getting a very crappy deal when it truth when you die to self it leads to life everlasting and an adventure of a life time.

He also gave us 8 things that we can do as Christians to be better disciples:
1.Silence and meditation - spend 5-10 minutes a day just praying and talking to God
2. Fasting - replying diet with prayer with God
3. Chastity - abstaining from sexual intercourse outside of marriage; avoid sexual sins
4. Secrecy of good deeds - when you do an AOK (act of kindness) don't go about and boast about it. The Bible says that if you keep it to yourself than your reward will be in Heaven and not of earthly value.
5. Worship - Spend time in worship whether that be on your own or at church, youth groups, young adults, cell groups or whatever.
6. Confession of sins - hold yourself account for your sins. Even though God knows about them before you confess them he still wants you to come to the foot of the cross and confess them
7. Witnessing - take the time to tell others about your faith. The Word of God says to "go into the world and preach the good news."
8. Church Affiliation - be faithful in your attendance of church, young adults, youth functions, and cell groups. "Do not be neglectful of the gathering of the saints."

So through that sermon and the songs chosen I was able to get the tools needed to improve my relationship with God. Yes its not easy being a disciple of Jesus but in all honesty if He can die for me than I will live me life to serve Him.