This week’s teaching is inspired by a song I wrote for a friend many years ago. The actual date I received the song was September 5, 2000. You will find the story behind the song along with the lyrics below.
I received an e-mail from a good friend telling me that he wanted me to hear about something from him rather than the rumor mill. Long story made short: my friend had been walking in moral failure (sin) for many years and had been living 2 lives. His letter was to inform me that he had sinned against God, his wife, his family, and the body of Christ.
He proceeded to accept responsibility for his short-comings as well as to understand the consequences of his sin had made it necessary for him to step down from ministry…and that he never expected to minister again. His desire to repent and to be restored to his family and to his friends …to his God…was very evident. The words of this song came as I thought about what such failure must feel like. It flowed out of me as I thought about my friend’s desire to seek God no matter what…that now maybe he could understand true intimacy with God…that now he could walk not by his own strength but by God’s grace. In so many words he was saying “Lord, I can’t live without You…”
One thing I have asked from the LORD, that I shall seek:
That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life,
To behold the beauty of the LORD
And to meditate in His temple.
Psalm 27:4 NASB
God forgives. God redeems. Good restores. God is good.
”But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of God's grace.” Acts 20:24 NASB
The living out of our lives i like running a race - a marathon. When running a race what do you do if you happen to fall? Do you get up and head back to the starting line or do you get up from where you fell and keep running with all your might toward the finish line? We get up and head toward the finish line…and His name is Jesus! Let’s run toward Him today regardless of our failures, regardless of our circumstances, regardless of the lies of the enemy. Let’s live like we need Jesus more than we need the air we breathe. The truth is, I can’t live without Him…and I need to be honest with Him…and with myself about that truth.
“...I have lived so many lies…”
For far too long I pretended everything was all right in my life. Stuffing things inside without any release is a sure way to set one’s self up for an eventual explosion - and undoing! God has given us direct access by virtue of the work of the cross - direct access to HIMSELF! It is through honest confession that we come to realize that our God can handle our confession…and He will love us through it...and love us on the other side of it. Cleansing one’s soul is the best way to open the channels of communication - of life - with Father God. Just step out in honest confession today and be loved.
Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:14-16 NASB
Dennis Jernigan
To hear the song, I Can’t Live Without You, go to https://open.spotify.com/track/7BsVWaSRnaKuXZqlU7kxuL?si=cb7c65e720484a01
Photo courtesy of https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2019/04/09/10/34/loneliness-4114099_1280.jpg
I Can’t Live Without You
Verse One
I have lived so many lies...
So many things I'd love to erase...
So many storms
I would not have survived
Except for Your redeeming grace!
I have known both plenty and lack.
I've known both joy
And deepest despair.
And ev'rytime
I have ever looked back
In joy and sorrow
You have been there!
Chorus
And I can't live without You
Here in my life!
I can't live without You!
How could I survive?
I know life without You
Is just getting by!
I can't live without You in my life!
Verse Two
Life without You is not life
At best, it’s simply futility
Deciding what is right
In my own eyes,
I wind up failing so miserably!
So many times, Lord,
I’ve doubted You
You never stop believing in me
I want my life to be lived
In such a way
The whole world all around me
can see that...
Words & Music: Dennis Jernigan...September 5, 2000...for my friend, Michael T.