In Honor of Matthew's Birthday - this is for you!

Three in the morning, and I’m still awake
So I picked up a pen and a page
And I started writing just what I’d say
If we were face to face

I’d tell you just what you mean to me
Tell you these simple truths

CHORUS
Be strong in the Lord
And never give up hope
You’re gonna do great things
I already know
God’s got His hand on You
So don’t live life in fear
Forgive and forget
But don’t forget why you’re here
Take your time and pray
These are the words I would say

Last time we spoke you said you were hurting
And I felt your pain in my heart
I want to tell you that I keep on praying
That love will find you where you are

I know cause I’ve already been there
So please hear these simple truths

CHORUS

Say… from one simple life to another
I will say… come find peace in the Father

Be strong in the Lord
And never give up hope
You’re gonna do great things
I already know
God’s got His hand on You
So don’t live life in fear
Forgive and forget
But don’t forget why you’re here

Take your time and pray
And thank God for each day
His love will find a way
These are the words I would say

The Words I Would Say by Sidewalk Prophets

Great is Your Faithfulness!

Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him." the LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.

It is good for a man to bear the yoke while he is young. Let him sit alone in silence, for the LORD has laid it on him. Let him bury his face in the dust - there may yet be hope. Let him offer his cheek to one who would strike him, and let him be filled with disgrace.

For men are not cast off by the Lord forever. Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to the children of men.

The Law is Fulfilled

When Jesus suffered, died, then rose again, He fulfilled every letter of the law.

What that means for us is that we no longer have to try to keep the law.

Jesus "kept" it for us and now He lives in us. Therefore, we have "kept" the law.

In the Old Testament, God was forever telling the Israelites that if they would keep His law,

this and that blessing would be theirs.

Following my logic yet?

Yes! We have ALL the blessings promised, because Jesus fulfilled the law.

We already posses the "land" through Jesus Christ's fulfillment of the law.

We already walk in every blessing promised to the Israelites through Jesus Christ.

As we discussed at our home group Friday night, we are not antinomian (anti-law).

On the contrary, the law has been fulfilled. The law of the Lord is perfect; it converts the soul.

But what we must remember in the New Covenant is that we are no longer bound to follow the laws, traditions, feasts, etc. of the Old Testament, because for us Jesus Christ IS all those things.

Jesus Christ is our "law"

Jesus Christ is our "tradition"

Jesus Christ is our "feast"

We need no longer celebrate exactly as the Hebrews were commanded to.

We now celebrate the New Covenant that was made alive through Jesus Christ.

We now celebrate Jesus Christ Himself.

I will not boast of anything I have done, but I will boast in the finished work of the cross of Jesus Christ.

In the Old Covenant, the Israelites had certain things they had to do to maintain righteousness.

When Jesus said, "It is finished," He not only meant that His work was finished, but I believe He was also declaring, "You must live no longer under the law I handed down through Moses. That law is finished. I have provided for you a new "law"."

The new law is the law of love through Jesus Christ.

Our new commandment is this -

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength.

Love your neighbor as yourself.

That's it.

This is our new "law"

Love one another as I have loved you!

We are free to do this, because we are now totally free from sin.

Jesus Christ was our final sin-sacrifice.

We are no longer slaves to sin.

Jesus Christ conquered death, hell, and the grave.

We are now slaves to righteousness -

A beautiful righteousness that was bought with His precious blood.

I am so thankful!