BEHOLD, YOUR GOD!!!

“Behold your God!” Psalm 113:5—Who is like unto the Lord our God, who dwelleth on high, Psalm 46:10—Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! Psalm 73:25,26—Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my hear may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Isaiah 40:9—Get you up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good news; lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good news, lift it up, fear not; say to the cities of Judah, “Behold your God!” “Behold your God!” How awesome is that! The great end to the Christian life is God and we should behold Him in profound ways because he is incredibly profound! For centuries people have been taken aback by His ever-present Glory. Steven Curtis Chapman once wrote: “I am speechless, I’m astonished and amazed I am silenced by your wondrous grace You have saved me, You have raised me from the grave I am speechless in your presence now, I’m astounded as I consider how, You have shown us a love that leaves us Speechless” I love the book of Psalms. There are many reasons but the main reason is because as a songwriter, I tend to get a little more out of songs than most people. But I have found that the prophet Isaiah has spoken some of the strongest words to my heart. “lift it up, fear not:….. ‘Behold you God’”. Isaiah refers to Zion and Jerusalem as “herald of good news”. These words are followed by “behold your God”. The good news is referring to the gospel. Why is the gospel such good news? There is no greater gain in life than Christ. The psalmist asked who is like our God? The answer: no one. Nobody is like our God. That is what puts the “good” in “good news”. There are a lot of benefits of belonging to Christ such as going to heaven, an abundant life, forgiveness of sins, the Holy Spirit, peace that passes understanding, refuge in stormy weather, Godly love, etc… The list goes on and on. But all of these benefits are screaming “BEHOLD YOUR GOD!” There is nothing wrong with finding joy in these things. In fact it is right to find joy in these things. But the key word is “in” these things. In the very center of all things is Christ. (Romans 11:36) That is where you find your joy. I am excited about going to heaven but not because of streets of gold, pearly gates or loved ones that I long to see. Those things will be great but only because God is awesome! Our excitement about heaven should be in being with our father in all of His glory! I love the truth of being forgiven of sin, but not because it rids me of a guilty conscience. I love this truth because it means being restored to God and enjoying Him. It is a very dangerous thing when we begin to love the gifts more than the giver. There was a poor man who once had the invitation to come and fly in a small airplane free of charge. Opportunities like this were not offered everyday so he accepted the invitation with great joy. As he arrived at the airport he was instructed to board the small six-passenger plane. Once inside the pilot fired up the engines and they were off. The poor man was so fascinated by the cockpit that he couldn’t help himself. He read all of the switches and gauges and was quite impressed with all that made this airplane operate. He loved the airplane and began to envision himself never getting out of the plane. But much to his dismay the plane landed and the ride was over. “This is a really nice plane!” he said to the pilot. “Thanks, but how did you like the Grand Canyon?” He responded, “the grand what?” This is a picture of many of us. We get so caught up in the plane that we miss the glorious Grand Canyon. I plead with you to not get caught up in the things that God provides. Get caught up with who He is. Be still and know that he is God. Josh Martin

Who I am Now

Who I am Now 2 Corinthians 5:17----Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come. (NIV) What exactly is this new creation inside of me? Where did it come from and how did it happen? Is there more to my salvation experience than a prayer? Of course there is! Something supernatural has happened in the life of each Christian. And what is really sad is that many times we are not even taught who we are in Christ. Galatians 2:20---I have been crucified with Christ and no longer live, but Christ lives within me. (NIV) Romans 6:6---For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin---because anyone who has died has been freed from sin. (NIV) When the finished work of the cross is applied to our life we must realize something. Part of the finished work was our own death. We were crucified also. Not our physical bodies obviously, but our old man. The sinful spirit within us did not just die on it’s own, it was crucified! Supernatural movement was made to send the old spirit to the cross and there be crucified. This is where our new creation comes into play. You see, Christ does not change us, he ex-changes us. Paul wrote that he no longer lives but that Christ lives within him. This is the new spirit. It is a spirit of love and it is Jesus Christ himself! Your old spirit (the one that was directing your soul straight to hell) has been crucified and a new spirit has come! Praise the Lord!!! This is part of the Gospel that doesn’t always make the Sunday sermon. Your full Christian potential is already inside of you. You can do nothing more to attain more of it. It is already there and sealed with the blood of Jesus. We must allow that new spirit to come forth in our lives. He is there and he is real! No one can take that from you. You are no longer the same. Study the word. Receive revelations. Pray. Talk to God but listen also. You were given two ears and one mouth. No matter what situations arise or how tough life gets, if the new spirit comes forth, Christ will be glorified. To him be all glory, praise and thanksgiving. Will you be the avenue for the new spirit to come forth?

Hello from St. Thomas!

Well I am posting this blog from the Island of St. Thomas! The weather is perfect here. We just got off the boat a little while ago and of course as soon as we got off, we are bombarded by the taxi drivers wanting to take us around on a tour. No just isn't a good answer for these guys lol. So far everything has been pretty good. New York City was very rainy and COLD!, but still the scenery was overwhelming compared to Lexington. Once we left port and got out into the ocean the wind was pretty strong at a little over 70 mph at times. There were a few glasses rocked off the tables at dinner and my wife and father in law got a little sick. It's quite funny to watch the people trying to walk straight though. When we awoke the next morning everything was calm and hot! We spent two days at sea before arriving at San Juan where we took a tour with taxi driver Frank who was quite a character! We then left port at midnight and headed over here to St. Thomas which brings me to now. As I said in my last post the views are just incredible and it is amazing to think that it was done in only six days, just imagine if he would have taken two weeks!!!!!! Anyhow, I am sitting in this little internet shop where they charge by the minute, so my time is limited. I can't say I am very anxious to get back, but I am looking forward seeing everyone and getting back with the guys and jamming again. We will hit the island of Tortola tomorrow and then two days back at sea to New York and then home. Oh by the way, we did meet one of the musicians on the boat who just happens to be from Belleview, KY which is nothern KY, only about an hour from my house. I found it pretty interesting and nice to talk to someone with the same accent. Ericcia has just informed me that I am running out of time, so until next time. God Bless!! Kelly

Is it time yet?

I'm not sure about the rest of the guys, but my time spent between gigs usually involves anxiously awaiting the next gig. Sure, there's this whole "life" thing I got going on, but nothing beats being on stage, hitting things and making noise, all for God. We had a really busy September, but October & November are a little slower with only a few gigs on the schedule. I think we're taking December off, but we'll be back at it again come 2006. I'm also looking forward to our next studio project. We've started making plans, but I can't tell you too much right now. We gotta keep you guessing. We've tossed around a few ideas for the next album - rock opera? Acapella punk music? Songs of the Romantic era performed with rock band instrumentation and Christian lyrics? We can't make up our minds. Over and out... - Andrew

The Plan

Alright alright- Check this out. I was editing my profile and it propositioned me with this situation: "You're trapped in a well with a goat and a slinky. Describe how you will escape." Well, I got really pumped and started a massive brainstorming session that ended with one of my best plans ever. But, as I wrote it out it seemed that I had a few too many words and it wouldn't allow me to post it. SOOOO.... Here is my plan- unrated, uncut, and unbowdlerized. "Ok... First off I would give the goat a proper name. If he is going to be helping me in my escape it would benefit me to be able to call him by name. I believe that the best possible name for this goat would be Constantine. Our next task would be to stretch out the slinky. I am positive that no well in this universe is deeper than the length of that coil of metal and fun. After that I would train Constantine to throw my body as far as he could and with enough practice he would be able to get me over the top. Next, Constantine would help me tie the stretched out slinky around my waste and then proceed to hurl me over the top. Using my weight as leverage, Constantine could then easily climb up the slinky and meet me on solid ground. Our final task would involve me to mounting my faithful steed and cohort and riding off into the brave new world." Thank you for all of your time and imagination as you read my plan and visualized it in your mind's eye. Now, on a more serious note- I got back just a short while ago from two college visits. I spent a few hours this morning at the University of Louisville and then sped over to Boyce Bible College. I could definitely feel God working through these meetings and I happy to say that God is slowly revealing his will for my life more each day. At this moment I hesitate to make any big statements about my plans for college because decisions such as these deserve much more prayer and thought but I will keep you all updated as time travels on.

The Hatred of Sound Teaching

The Hatred of Sound Teaching 2 Timothy 4:3-4---For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. Who are these people that Paul is talking about? Is he talking about the world or professing Christians? Although there are arguments for both sides, I believe he is talking about professing Christians. J. I. Packer once said that God honors the needle of truth in the haystack of lies. By that, I believe, that he means Christians can have bad theology and still be a Christian. I know this personally. There was a time in my Christian life when I rejected the truths of scripture, believed and taught doctrines with no scriptural base, and was still a Christian. The blood of Jesus set me free and gave me life. But my thinking and reasoning was determined by my pride and not by scripture. Can you think of any myths that you believe that the church has bought into? Can you think of any myths that you have bought into? I cannot stress the importance of bible study and prayer. You will not know what’s in your bible unless you study your bible. If you are a Christian, the bible is what you believe. I have discussed doctrinal issues with many people who disagree with the bible yet believe they do not. They give a defense of their beliefs that are based upon opinion and human reasoning, not biblical reasoning. They have not scripture to back up what they believe, and the scripture they do know, is taken out of context. We do not make God. He makes us. God is God and we are not. Secondly, the Holy Spirit must reveal the meaning of Scripture to you. You can’t get it on your own. No matter how much you study and memorize, revelation must take place for you to gain the knowledge of the truth. (Proverbs 2:1-6,Matthew 16:15-17). Some of the myths are things such as losing your salvation, universalism (everybody goes to heaven), the sovereignty of man (total free from God will), modernism, post-modernism, truth is perception, no truth is absolute, there are exceptions for everything. The list goes on and on. People who love these teachings hate scripture or are totally ignorant of it. When the deep truths that I once opposed where revealed to me, my initial response was to twist scripture to fit my beliefs. There is nothing worse than to make a God out of your beliefs. Guard your heart. Be good Bereans. Study your bible and pray for God to teach you. Do not base your faith on opinions or reasoning that will not match up with scripture. The knowledge of God is unsearchable. (Romans 11:33) You will never understand everything about God or his ways. But that truth is not meant to stop us from seeking or studying. Psalm 119:105 stands true. “Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” You will not see any truth about God that is not found in Scripture. I urge you to search your beliefs and reckon them with scripture. Remember, the bible is one book with many truths. Scripture does not contradict itself. It all fits together and says the same thing. Do not hate sound teaching. Instead, repent of your pride and fall on the grace of God. I did not make it No it is making me It is the very truth of God Not the invention of any man—Rich Mullins Josh Martin

Vacation has arrived!!!!!

My wife and I have only hours before we are waking up to head to the airport to fly to New York City and get on the cruise boat. Our plane is leaving Lexington at 7:40am on Wednesday morning, please keep us and my in-laws in your prayers as we embark on our journey. This will be my third cruise in the last six years and I must say that I am amazed each time we set off into the ocean, then I realize that the picturesk sunrise and sunsets over the sea do not even compare to the beauty that is waiting for us in heaven. However, I am reminded of the sermon Josh gave this past Sunday at my church when he spoke of not even noticing the streets of gold and the walls of jasper due to the fact that the presence of our Lord will outshine it all. What a feeling that is going to be! I pray that everyone is doing well and I will miss being at home.......well, maybe not, but I will at least think of you while I'm laid out on the deck and eating all that food!!!! If at all possible, I will try to give an update while I'm gone. Until then, God bless and take care. Kelly

Fall Break

Here I go again on my own... walking down the only road I've ever known... like a drifter, I was born to walk alone... well you know the rest. So I'm back- it took me a little while to figure out how to post another blog (I'm not exactly what you would call "computer savvy") but I will try to remember what I did so next time it won't take so long. Well, I am currently sitting at home because school is out for FALL BREAK which is quite possibly one of the best ideas to ever hit the department of education since recess. I have got a couple different college visits lined up for this week (Georgetown college tomorrow, Boyce and Louisville on Thursday). I am really pumped about getting out of high school and going to college... but I am not excited in the least bit about filling out applications and scholarship papers. I want to stick around pretty close to home (Frankfort) during my college years because I don't want to give up my home church (Buck Run Baptist) or musical groups (such as The Josh Martin Band) so that has narrowed down my search quite a bit. I would love to study church music and then go to Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and study to become a music minister- I really feel that God is leading me in that direction (I'm just not sure where He wants me to start!). Oh, since my last post The Josh Martin Band lead worship at the first ever Crossings for Kids at Cedarmore. (Actually I suppose the first ever was the previous weekend at Jonathan Creek but this was the first to take place in my neck of the woods). It was a really awesome experience and it is always amazing to see God working in the hearts of younger children. Well, that's all I have at the moment. Go sign up for the message boards and post stuff!!!

Where your treasure is

Where Your Treasure Is Matthew 6:19-21—Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where they can be eaten by moths and get rusty, and where thieves break in and steal. 20Store your treasures in heaven, where they will never become moth-eaten or rusty and where they will be safe from thieves. 21Wherever your treasure is, there your heart and thoughts will also be. (NLT) I believe that no other verses in the bible will bring a man to examine himself more than these particular verses. This small passage of scripture crashes on our soul like the waves of a hurricane, consuming every aspect of our life and if taken to heart, will allow Christ to cleanse us from our own selfish desires. Where is your treasure? With whom or what do we spend countless hours? If we take a look at the words and actions of Jesus, we find one common denominator and are able to see the treasure of His life. Everything that Jesus did or said portrayed His love for the Father. The Father was Jesus’ treasure and his heart remained with the Father. Jesus was not looking for approval in the eyes of man nor was he looking to astonish them. He simply loved His father and because of His love for Him, He loved us. If you remember, the Sadducees and the Pharisees questioned Jesus about which commandment was the greatest. Jesus replied “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind.” Jesus was not in love with serving the Father. Jesus was not in love with the attention that followed Him as He served the Father. He simply was in love with the Father. It is not our responsibility to determine the treasures of others but to only decipher our own. Only one thing will last throughout eternity. Will this be your treasure or will your treasure fade and rust away with time? Take a look at your heart and what it stands for. Where are your thoughts? There is your treasure. It’s that simple. No amount of reasoning can change that. This morning as you pray, give God praise for who He is, not just for what He does. Ask the Lord to help you determine what the treasure of your life is right now. By the way, this is an everyday battle. You will fight this the rest of your life. Pray for strength and discernment. Today God wants to be glorified in you and in all you do. If He is your treasure, His glory will flow from you like streams of living water. God is most glorified in us, when we are most satisfied in Him—John Piper Josh Martin