Liberation Theology

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness overcometh it not.

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world.
He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
John bore witness of Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me is preferred before me, for He was before me.’”
And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace.

John 1:1-16

who will?

He cries in the corner where nobody sees
He’s the kid with the story no one would believe
He prays every night, “Dear God won’t you please
Could you send someone here who will love me?”

Who will love me for me?
Not for what I have done or what I will become
Who will love me for me
‘Cause nobody has shown me what love
What love really means

Her office is shrinking a little each day
She’s the woman whose husband has run away
She’ll go to the gym after working today
Maybe if she was thinner
Then he would’ve stayed
And she says…

Who will love me for me?
Not for what I have done or what I will become
Who will love me for me?
‘Cause nobody has shown me what love, what love really means

He’s waiting to die as he sits all alone
He’s a man in a cell who regrets what he’s done
He utters a cry from the depths of his soul
“Oh Lord, forgive me, I want to go home”

Then he heard a voice somewhere deep inside
And it said
“I know you’ve murdered and I know you’ve lied
I have watched you suffer all of your life
And now that you’ll listen, I’ll tell you that I...”

I will love you for you
Not for what you have done or what you will become
I will love you for you
I will give you the love
The love that you never knew

only love remains

Scenes of You come rushing through, You are breaking me down.
So break me into pieces that will grow in the ground.
I know that I deserve to die for the murder in my heart,
So be gentle with me, Jesus, as You tear me apart...

Kill the liar, kill the thief in me. You know that I am tired of their cruelty. Breathe into my spirit, breathe into my veins,
Until only love remains.

Burn away the ropes that bind and hold me to the earth.
The fire only leaves behind whatever is of worth.
I begin to see reality for the first time in my life.
I know that I'm a shadow, but I'm dancing in Your light.

Teach me to be humble, call me from the grace. Show me how to walk with You upon the waves.
Breathe into my spirit, breathe into my veins,
Until only love remains.

Breathe into me until only love remains.

what life would be like

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdbPynNI9Xo

No Turning Back

The decision has been made: I am a disciple of Jesus.

My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future is secure. I am finished and done with low living. I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotion, or popularity. I don't have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded.

I now live by Presence, learn by faith, love by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by power. My face is set, my gate is fast, my way is rough, my companions few, my Guide reliable, and my misson clear.

I cannot be bought, compromised, or lured away. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity...

I won't give up, shut up, let up, or burn up 'til I've preached up, prayed up, paid up, stored up, and stayed up for the cause of Jesus Christ.

I am a disciple of Jesus.

I MUST go 'til he comes, GIVE 'til I drop, PREACH 'til all know, and WORK 'til He stops.

And when He comes to get His own, He'll have no problem recognizing me, because I have dedicated my life to be a part of the body committed to do whatever it takes.

Fought, Finished, Kept.

Rev. Jerry Jones - Calvary Tabernacle 75th Anniversary Celebration:

2 Timothy 4:7
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."


FIGHT:

When you take a stand for anything in this world today, you have to fight... But when you take a stand for the highest calling of all - Jesus Christ - all forces of evil will be after you.

We are fighting a "good fight", as Paul says. And a good fight is a fight in which you win! We are victorious!

FINISHED:

Never give up! There are people that quit, lay down their burden, and decide the price is too high. But we must make the decision - make it certain - that we complete the job God has given us.

It's easy to start. But it's not the same at the finish line. There's many who start, but much less that finish. And it doesn't matter how you cross the finish - what matters is that you GET across the finish! Paul didn't mention the race, he only said that he finished it! Make up your mind to finish!

KEPT:

There are many reasons to quit, and the devil will give us thousands of excuses, but God gives us ONE reason to keep going - His true Word; the gospel of Jesus Christ!

Matthew 10:22
"And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved."

Keeping the faith is the most important - it is the reason for it all! Never lose sight of what we're fighting for - never let go!

2 Timothy 1:12-14
"For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.
Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us."

Our reason is One God! In Jesus' name! One doctrine! After two thousand years, we're still praising Him today! We're still separate saints! We've got a hold of something good!

Job 2:3
"Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil. And still he holds fast to his integrity!"

Hold fast! Hold on to the Truth. We should love God until the last breath we take. We are anointed - and we have something that is sacred and beautiful - never lose it!

Paul kept THE faith. Not just any faith, but THE faith. Not a faith that is acceptable to the world, but the ONE TRUE faith. Repent of our sins, be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ and we will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Live life with a pure heart - a purity and holiness that manifests itself both inwardly and outwardly. This is the only faith worth living for! And the only faith worth dying for! The only faith worth sacrificing our lives for... so that on that glorious day we may hear the Lord say, "Well done, my good and faithful servant."

I have made my decision
I have state my claim
I have drawn a line in the sand
And I'll not be ashamed
With the world behind me
And the cross before
By the grace of God
I will serve the Lord

I Know Who I Am

Despite the discouragement, when the world breaks me, when I burden for the lost, when I am sick, when there is death, when there disbelief, when there is waiting on the Lord, when there is pain and suffering... I know who I am! The world will hate me, because they hated Him first. But I hold on to the Truth. Because it's REAL, it's RIGHT, it's the ONE true faith and I am not ashamed.

Encouragement from Israel Houghton:

I know who I am

And I am Yours, I am Yours

And You are mine,

Jesus You are mine

I was running and You found me
I was blinded and you gave me sight
You put a song of praise in me
I was broken and You healed me
I was dying and You gave me life
Lord, You are my identity
Now I know

I know who I am
I know who I am
I know who I am
I am Yours
I am Yours

I am forgiven, I am Your friend
I am accepted, I know who I am
I am secure
I’m confident that I am loved
I know who I am
I am alive, I am set free!
I belong to You
And You belong to me

Though many slay me, though many forsake me, YET I will praise Him! I am His.