Last night I worshiped God with passion, because I praised Him from prison. The prison band led us in a stirring rendition of Chris Tomlin’s anthem, “I will rise, when He calls my name. No more sorrow, no more pain. I will rise on eagle’s wings, before my God, fall on my knees.” I had sung the chorus in church that morning, but not like this. As I looked around at the 75 prisoners—clapping, raising their hands, praising God with all their might—I realized that they sang those words as if their lives depended on them.
When I had sung those words in church from my comfortable chair, I’d thought how meaningful those lyrics would be at my funeral. A soloist would defiantly tell the world that “I will rise.” The difference between me and the prisoners was that the words meant the world to them now. They knew sorrow and pain—some of it self-inflicted—and they needed to believe now, right this very minute, that they would rise from the wreckage they had made of their lives.
Truth is, so did I. Sure, I may not have robbed or murdered anyone, but I too am a rebellious sinner who needs the medicine of the gospel as much as any convict. Left to myself, I always resist the Lord, and I don’t give up until I hit bottom. Like Jonah, I pray best from the belly of the deep, “as my life [is] slipping away” (Jonah 2:7).
Do you know anyone who’s running from God? Pray for them, that they will come to the end of themselves and turn to the Lord. But also identify with them. If not for God’s amazing grace that “saved a wretch like me,” we would be where they are. The only difference between us and them is God.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: John 17:1-26
More:
Read Matthew 5:1-12 to learn how best to receive the blessing of God.
Next:
Why is it difficult to admit that we’re sinners, and why is this an obstacle to receiving the grace of God? In what way do you need to come to an end of yourself?
jobert on September 19, 2012 at 5:19 am
Some Christian say that Jesus is the same to Allah, is that true? pls. reply, ty. 😀
Tom Kopper on September 19, 2012 at 12:17 pm
No, way! Jesus, Himself both God and ‘the Son-of-God’, 2nd Person of the Trinity.
Allah, is a man-made-god, a (false-god).
Islam is claimed to be a large religion, when I fact it is simply a “cult’, which denies several important points describing the Lord God of the Bible.
Islam denies, the Trinity, one God (three Persons).
Islam denies, Jesus Christ, himself being the Son-of-God, both God & man.
Islam denies, that Jesus, died, was buried and rose from the dead, and is seated (in-authority), at the Right-Hand-of-God. Islam said that he only died on that cross.
Islam claims, that Jesus was a ‘prophet’, Where Christianity say’s that Jesus is the “Prophet”!
Again, Islam is a “cult”, a man-made-reliligion.
Christianity, is a “RELATIONSHIP” with God.
jayplay17 on September 19, 2012 at 6:12 am
If I’m not wrong, Allah means God which is the word that is in the Holy Bible for the Indonesians. It is translated that way.
Note that ‘Allah’ used by Muslims are not referring to our God. They’re different.
lovingeveryone on September 19, 2012 at 11:08 am
I believe we as human put confusion in the name. It can only be one God. I’m a spiritual person not a religious person, which allows me to love everyone. We have different religions as we have different nationalities. In 2 timothy, It says “read to show thyself approved” I’m an inquisitive person I choose to gain understanding for myself not from someone else’s perspective. So I read the Quran. I was shocked the read the stories I read in the bible. So how can it be different God? I was not converted to Muslim by reading to understand. It gave a better love for my fellow man. Through loving everyone you get closer to God, in my opinion. To love you have to first understand.
I’m sure most will not agree with me, but that’s ok. I know the God I serve love everyone as I do.
mike wittmer on September 19, 2012 at 11:59 am
lovingeveryone:
I applaud your desire to love everyone, for Jesus said the greatest command is to love God and neighbor. I’m sure you’ll agree that we can’t love others unless we are first loved by God, since it’s His love that we’re passing on. So the most important question is who is this God who loves us, and where does He show this love? Christians believe this love appeared as Jesus, God’s only Son, and because we have received this love we want to share it with everyone. I invite you to read the gospel of John, and see if you don’t also feel this love that we have found. May God bless you as you read His Word.
Adetunji Adeyemi Michael on September 19, 2012 at 6:33 am
Amazin Grace, how sweet thou sound that saved a wretch like me, I was once lost but now I’m found,
once blind but now I see.
Oh God! its all to be praised.
It’s more than just Mercy it’s GRACE!
Adetunji Adeyemi Michael on September 19, 2012 at 7:07 am
@ jobert from ancient language Allah is a word which mean the god (moon god, it is believed that its goddess is the sun). That’s why in each muslim country’s flag a moon crescent and a star which they call its dog & also when they pray they always face the east where the sun comes out. I might not put it clearly you can google it deeply you’ll find a better answer.
mike wittmer on September 19, 2012 at 9:58 am
jobert:
If by “Allah” is meant only the generic name for God, then it would be correct to say that Jesus is “Allah.” However, the term “Allah” is typically understood to mean the Muslim God, and so we must be very careful here. The Christian God is the triune Father, Son, and Spirit, which is entirely different from the Muslim understanding of Allah. It’s true that Christians and Muslims both worship one God, but that one God is entirely different.
Tom Kopper on September 19, 2012 at 12:24 pm
satan uses many ways to decieve people, for which Islam have decieved an innumerable people.
winn collier on September 20, 2012 at 7:49 pm
joy seems to rise highest from the broken places. thanks.
jobert on September 21, 2012 at 5:59 am
Thank you for all your answer. Yes, I agree that Allah is not the same w/ Jesus. I just ask this question because I want to know all your answer. 😀
jobert on September 21, 2012 at 6:04 am
lovingeveryon:
Jesus is the only GOD and beside Him their is no other GOD. Allah does not exist. So be careful.
Now i ask you, who is your GOD? pls. reply, ty. 😀