The Grace of God

Love Is

Grace and peace family it has been a very long time. I am just checking in here to tell you about a song I have called “Love Is”. Now I understand that the world thinks of many images when the word love springs forth in their mind. But, as believers we know that TRUE LOVE is found in the Gospel. That glorious message of Jesus dying, in that whilst we were yet sinners, God shows his live for us and dies on the cross.

Be encouraged.

Call For The Wailing Women by Nancy Leigh DeMoss

Here is Nancy Leigh DeMoss breaking down some core biblical truth. I just love it when older women fulfil Titus 2.

more about “Call For The Wailing Women by Nancy L…“, posted with vodpod

Perfect Peace

Isaiah 26:3-4 says,

3 You keep him in perfect peace
whose mind is stayed on you,
because he trusts in you.
4 Trust in the Lord forever,
for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.

Maybe I should have written this earlier on before exams started, but as I woke up this morning I began to dwell on the peace of God. That completeness, soundness, and well-being that the Lord brings. A peace which surpasses all understanding. God’s shalom is awesome, as Matthew Henry says its, “inward peace, outward peace, peace with God, peace of conscience, peace at all times, under all events”. This is a peace which Christians experience when they put their trust in the Lord (end of verse 3). I like the way the 3rd verse works backwards. So, because we trust in the Lord our minds are on Him, therefore, we are kept in perfect peace.

“Those that trust in God must have their minds stayed upon him, must trust him at all times, under all events, must firmly and faithfully adhere to him, with an entire satisfaction in him; and such as do so God will keep in perpetual peace, and that peace shall keep them.” That is how one commentator puts it. God’s peace keeps us, sustains us and maintains us. My prayer is simple. That you not only trust the Lord in the exam season, but you trust Him forever and always. Why trust Him? Well verse 4 simply states, the Lord is an everlasting rock. A firm foundation, He is the rock, the everlasting rock. Our God is awesome, keep your trust in Him and Him alone. Man must not be put in this position, meaning that you cannot trust yourself, you must trust the Lord for He is an everlasting rock and this Lord will keep you in perfect peace.

Ten Reasons Why EVERY Christian Should Study Theology

Took this from my brother Alan’s blog. Very, very interesting.

1. You’re a theologian already…
Why do you need to study theology? Because theology isn’t something only a Professor of Theology has–we all believe something about God and therefore are theologians in our own right. However, what needs to be asked is whether what you believe is correct, and the study of theology can help answer that question.

2. Your love for Jesus is intrinsically linked with your knowledge of His Word…
Why do you need to study theology? Because Jesus said, “If you love me, you will obey what I command.” (John 14:15) I heard someone remark that a certain Christian may not have been that great theologically, but that was okay because they really loved Jesus. However, Jesus says that if we love Him, we will obey what He commands. How can we obey Him if we don’t go to His Word to rightly know His commands?

3. Your doctrine will determine how you live…
Why do you need to study theology? Because what you believe (your doctrine) will determine how you live (your practice). This can be seen in everyday life. If you believe something to be poisonous, you simply won’t drink it. Similarly, your beliefs about God and His Word determine how you live day to day. For example if you believe God only speaks through His Word then you will study it diligently, however if you believe God speaks through impressions and the like, then you’ll listen for that still small voice. The aforementioned example drastically changes how a person goes about determining God’s will for their lives, and illustrates why you need to study theology.

4. Your affections will determine what you study…
Why do you need to study theology? Because what your affections are placed upon will determine what you spend your time studying. If your hobby is photography you will want to study the subject to know how to improve your photographs and to increase your love and appreciation for that pass-time. Likewise, if you’re a Christian and your primary affection is upon God, why would you not want to study His Word to increase your love and appreciation for Him and His gospel?

5. Your humility depends on it…
Why do you need to study theology? Because without studying theology it is possible that you will think too highly of yourself, and not high enough of God. It is true that knowledge puffs up (1 Corinthians 8:1), however the Scriptures rightly understood and applied, will give you, for example, the knowledge of man’s utter depravity and wretchedness before God, and also of God’s magnificence, holiness, sovereignty and grace, which can only serve to send a true convert to his knees in humility.

6. Your thinking will become less individualistic…
Why do you need to study theology? Because as you do, you will realise that you are not the first ever Christian. Great men of God have gone before you. Great minds, great theologians, men who have considered God to a depth that you will likely never achieve, have all gone before you. You will begin to realise that it isn’t all about ‘you’, nor is it all about the men of God who have gone before you. Ultimately, it’s all about your sovereign God, the One who is building His Church (Matthew 16:18).

7. Your discernment will be sharpened…
Why do you need to study theology? Because as you study theology you will better know the faith that ”was once for all handed down to the saints” (Jude 1:3c) and consequently your discernment will be sharpened. Jude knows all to well that error abounded in his time, and would abound in yours, and the only way to “contend earnestly for the faith” (Jude 1:3b) as he commanded is to return to God’s Word and study. Without it, you won’t be sharp, being able to discern truth from error.

8. Your view of the Bible has changed…
Why do you need to study theology? Because your view of the Bible has changed. The Bible is no longer a book of stories and myths belonging to antiquity. You now see the Bible as the very Word of the living God, who condescended and graciously decided to reveal Himself to man. This understanding alone should be enough to drive you to the Word, to study it so as to know what God has said to the best of your ability.

9. Your defense of the faith depends on it…
Why do you need to study theology? Because we are commanded “to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you…” (1 Peter 3:15) and unbelievers will have questions about what you believe; this is theology. Unfortunately, when Christians answer people’s questions they can give poor answers, confusing answers, or worse still, answers that aren’t Biblical; all because they haven’t taken the time to study theology. God will and does use you despite your frailty, however the gospel is an offense enough without you misrepresenting the One who sent you as an ambassador.

10. Your theology has likely been formed due to ‘where’ you heard the gospel…
Why do you need to study theology? Because most of what you believe has likely been formed due to ‘where’ you heard the gospel. For example, as I examine what I believe now in comparrison to what I did when I was first converted, my beliefs are vastly different! So why is it that you believe what you believe? Is it because that church where you first heard the gospel believed it, or is it because you have studied the Scriptures and studied theology for yourself?

Psalm 111:2

Hazakim-Theophanies

Now, I know most people will be like what? Theophanies? Hazakim? Well, you and me both mate. Na, but in all seriously these two are BANGING. I remember when I heard “The Truth Behind G. Craig Lewis,” and they had me in awe. If you do not know who Hazakim are, here is some info:
Founded in 1997, Hazakim (Hebrew for “strong ones”) consists of emcees/producers, Michael and Anthony, who also happen to be blood brothers. Due to an upbringing in the Messianic Jewish movement, as well as multi-cultural roots that include Jewish ancestry, their sound possesses a trademark Hebrew influence which sets them apart from other hip-hop artists. By applying as their motto the charge of Rav Sha’ul (Paul) in II Timothy 4:2, “preach the Word, be urgent in season and out of season; convince, rebuke, and exhort – be unfailing in patience and in teaching”, using the medium of hip-hop culture and through the scriptures they strive to bring the Good News of Yeshua, uncut and raw!

Their sophomore album “Theophanies” will be releasing on June 23rd on Lampmode Recordings. Learn more about Hazakim by visiting their MySpace. Check out the album teaser!

NEED I SAY MORE!?! JUNE 23RD, GET THAT ALBUM!

Freebies

So I was on the Lamp mode website. As I was perusing through I hit the goodies section and found out about JustWORD. Apparently, JustWORD is a brother that recently moved from Cali to Philly…He produced everything on the album. I do not know how recent this album is, but I must say it is BANGING and really encouraging. My favourite track is “Enduring Tests”.

Download here

The Most Dangerous Man

A lesson from the Psalms

I know it has been a minute. Due to exams and the ALL that that word denotes (revision, library, late nights) I have been unable to do what I love, write. But, for a short while, God has given me the grace to share something with you. Something from the scriptures, but more specifically, something from the Psalms. Psalm 86:11 reads:

Teach me your way, O Lord,that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.

At first glance this may seem like a simple verse, saying simple truth. But, since all scripture is God-breathed, we know that we are not dealing with anything simple. I will start by saying this: of all verses I have been reading as of late, this verse challenged me. As I was meditating on this verse all I could think of was ‘Do you know what this verse is asking?’ The Bible regularly pictures the moral course of one’s life as a way or a path, and one’s conduct as a walk. However, let us notice that David is speaking of God’s way. Elsewhere in scripture we find this being synonymous with the Law, the Commandments, the Word of God. And if it does not directly say it, it is parallel to them. So, here we have David praying prolific prayer: Lord teach me your ways. I am struck by the humility in these verses. Not only was David well taught in the things of God, but he still knew he was inadequate. Many think that they can do it on their own, as though their strength and knowledge is ‘good’ enough. The Bible demotes that.

David knew what he was asking, and to whom He was asking. The ways of the Lord are unique, special, unlike no other. These ways are perfect, sure, right, pure, clean, true and so on and so forth. But His ways are not just for knowing, we do not get taught the things of God just for head knowledge (something theologians are accused of doing). No, His ways are taught so that we can walk in His truth. You see the path David takes? He goes from a theologically instructive form, to a theologically practical form. This is the true art of theological application, anything other than this is ideological idolatry. Now, at this point I am stricken. We read the scriptures, the verses in them, and are compelled to walk out what we read, if we do not do that then we are reading incorrectly.

So, David goes from the instructive to the practical. And after all that is done, he finalizes his prayer with: unite my heart to fear your name. But why did he finish with that? Surely if he is being taught the way of the Lord and he is walking in it, his heart is united? No, at times it can be the opposite. We can get caught up in all the religiosity of the faith, that we forget about the unification of our hearts with our walk. David is saying make my heart one, undivided and loyal. One of my favorite commentators, Matthew Henry, puts it this way:

Make me sincere in religion. A hypocrite has a double heart; let mine be single and entire for God, not divided between him and the world, not straggling from him. Our hearts are apt to wander and hang loose; their powers and faculties wander after a thousand foreign things; we have therefore need of God’s grace to unite them, that we may serve God with all that is within us, and all little enough to be employed in his service. Let my heart be fixed for God, and firm and faithful to him, and fervent in serving him; that is a united heart.

And only God can do this, Jeremiah 32:39 reads, I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear me forever, for their own good and the good of their children after them. David knew, he knew that it was a supernatural work of God to unite his heart to fear His name. Not his strength, or will, nor the will of another. But the will of the one True God.

In conclusion, let me try and draw simple applications. Firstly, what are your prayers like? This verse struck me because of what David was praying for. It was not about self glorification or gratification, but to walk in the ways of the Lord and to fear His name. Take that, RUN with it. Let your prayers be about God and walking in His ways, progressing in your sanctification. Secondly, let your prayers be challenging. What David prayed for was beyond his power. He could not teach himself the way of the Lord, He could not unite his heart, God had to do those things. And thirdly, ask the Lord to unite your heart. Opt out of the double mindedness, but fix your heart on the Lord and fear His name.

Prayer-The Importance Of It

Someone once said that prayer is the most theological thing a Christian can do. I think, what Albert Mohler meant when he said that was this: through prayer, we finite beings communicate with an infinite God, on a one to one basis. Now, if you do not think that is theologically important, then read the statement again, and think about what it suggests. We fallen, wicked, wretched, sinful people, who are merely saved sinners and dust from the ground, get to communicate with the perfect, holy, righteous God who is Sovereign above all!! Now that is HUGE. See we do not necessarily pray because we want to, but we pray because we get to. We actually get to pray to the God of the Universe, the God who sits in the Heavens and does whatever He pleases, and He hears us.

So, my question is how important is prayer to you? How often do you interact and communicate with the Truine God? This is not deep, it is quite the opposite. “Pray without ceasing.” Most of us know this verse in 1 Thessalonians 5:17, we are also familiar with the narrative in Mark 1:35 when Jesus woke “in the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went to a secluded place and was praying there.” The details in that verse are ought to challenge us. We speak of our prayer life, but look at Jesus prayer life, look at how important it was to Him.

This is a photo I took in the studio yesterday, of one of the artists praying before he even said a verse. That is how importance it was to him.