In Christ Alone

A friend of mine posted a video to this song on facebook and it got me to thinking.  It could not have come at a better time for me in my life. My life has been nothing but an emotional roller coaster. Emotional on so many levels. From still not believing that my brother has a son (I just can't believe it) to actually realizing that he is finally home (I still can't believe this either)!! I honestly thought that it would be smooth sailing from here. It's not. A friend told me that "What does not kill you makes you stronger." To which I replied, "Well, if that is the case then I'm a lot stronger than I was 3 years ago (when Will was diagnosed with CML).

Through God's faithfulness, we will get through this trial!! Please pray for me!! Thanks!!

In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm

What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand

In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless Babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
 

Til on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live, I live

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again

And as He stands in victory
Sins curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From a life's first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny

No power of hell, no scheme of man
Could ever pluck me from His hand

Til He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I stand

Getting Through Trials

(Note: This was written on Sunday. I'm just now getting it corrected)

In church this morning, the sermon was on temptation and how we are supposed to do 3 things.

We are to:
1. Submit ourselves to God during trials
2. Resist the devil/temptation during trials
3. Humble ourselves during trials

The passage of scripture that was read to us today was out of James. I'm going to type it out (even though you may know it) because it will be good for me. :) Here we go:

Profiting from Trials (Verses 2-8)

2. My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into various trials

3. Knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience

4. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing

5. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally, and without reproach and it will be given to him

6. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind

7. For let not that man suppose think that he will receive any thing of the Lord.

8. He is a double minded man, unstable in all his ways

Loving God under trials (verses 12-18)

12. Blessed is the man who endures temptation: for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to those who love Him

13. Let no one say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he himself tempt anyone.

14. But each one is tempted, when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.

15. Then when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and sin when it is full grown brings forth death

16. Do not be deceived my beloved brethren

17. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variation, or shadow of turning

18. Of his own will He brought us forth, by the word of truth, that we may be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures

Qualities needed in trials (verses 19-20)

19. So thenn, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:

20. For the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.