I'll never forget what God did for me in Brazil. I had really high expectations when we were on the plane headed there, but when we played the first night, it was far greater than what I expected. It wasn't the big lights...it wasn't the awesome sound system...or the cool media videos they played, but it was people's hunger for the glory of God that literally drew me into an encounter with Jesus. They didn't care what we sang, they just wanted to touch Jesus. As a matter of a fact, the power went out for a couple minutes the 2nd night and I just started singing the hymn "Alleluia". As soon as they caught on, the entire room filled with worship that could've gone on for hours and I wouldn't have cared. I was encountering Jesus without even playing one note. Those three days were not only fun and exiting but I was reminded that God doesn't care about how cool I sound or look, He just cares about how desperate I am for His love. I left Brazil not just with goose bumps but I left with a radical desperation for the love of Jesus that I've never felt before. Thanks Brazil!
Have a hard time reading the Bible? Try finding a translation that's in modern language like the NLT or even The Message. You can also find great audio bibles to put on your MP3 player if reading isn't your thing. Even if you spent 10 to 15 minutes a day in God's word, it doesn't take long for it to really get in your heart and your life will change!
2 Corinthians 5:17 "Therefore, if anyone isin Christ, he isa new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
Hey ya'll! So excited to announce that our new single, New Creation, has been officially released to radio! This song actually came as a last minute idea in the studio and now it's one of my favorites on the record. Our last single, Follow You, talked about God's heart for the poor and hurting, and that our response MUST be love & action.
New Creation, just like Follow You, is based on the same foundation of the gospel.That when we receive Jesus's salvation, we die to sin and are born again, a new creation into Jesus. A clean slate! Before Jesus, our idenity wavered from one passion to the next. We staked who we were into what we did. If you played baseball you were a "Baseball player". If you played guitar you were a "Guitar player". If you were a popular then you were "Star". If you were good at plumbing, then you're a "Plumber".
In the old life, that view of thinking seemed right. But what if the baseball player was injured so badly that he could never play baseball again? What if new famous singer came along and replaced the old one? What if the plumber lost his job? If we place our identity in what we do it's like building our house on shifting sand!
Now if we believe in Jesus and that he is the way, truth and the life, then no one can take that hope and assurance away from us.
Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. Now that we're are a new creation in Jesus, no matter what season of life we're in, who we are remains the same because we are new creations IN Christ Jesus! Jesus is above every name and every thing, He is the same yesterday today and forever!
Now that we are IN Jesus, we don't rely on our own righteousness, because HE is our righteousness. We don't rely on our love, because God is Love! We don't rely on our peace, because Jesus said "My peace I give you." We don't rely on our strength because Jesus said "In your weakness I am made strong!" It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me!
What would you do if you got to start all over again? Well, this is your chance. You're a new creation.
PS. Is all of this Jesus stuff new to you? Well that's ok. You can know him like a friend. He can be the answer to the hurt in your life. Pray this prayer from your heart, just like you are talking to a friend. Comment, and let us know if you made this decision today and we'll send you some resources to help you in your new life!
"God, I know that I've made a lot of mistakes and I'm not perfect. But, Jesus lived a perfect life and died on the cross for all the things I did wrong. Because of that I can be forgiven right now. I repent of my sins right now, and receive your forgiveness. I believe that Jesus is the son of God, and is living in me and walking with me right now. Help me to serve you and share your love with the world!"
Here's some video of me and Jack singing with our cousin Lana Holtz. She's a singer/songwriter from Texas, and this is one of her originals, "Willow Tree"!
