Through the desert…

Recently, I spoke to a Christian who said he felt God was taking him through the wilderness. The desert is an interesting place that appears quite a lot in the Bible. I remember a while back I was told a story -

A man was in a desert for days, the scorching sun was shining down on him. He’s tired, hungry and thirsty. Someone approaches him and offers him a bag full of gold, but he refused to take it. Next, someone offers him the most beautiful woman in the world, but he refused that too. Finally, someone approaches him and simply offers a glass of clean ice water – and he glady accepts. The point to that I guess is, unless we are really put into the wilderness, we won’t really know that God (Living Waters) is all we need. Through the desert, God sanctifies us and change our desires to be in line with his will.

This song never get’s old. Even though we go through the desert, the Bible says, “no weapon formed against us shall remain”:

A few years ago, a lady from my church had died of cancer. Her husband was devastated, but even during the times of the desert, God was still there. Jesus never said it was gonna be easy, all he said was it was gonna be worth it. Our God is not a God of easy comfort, but a God who takes us through the storm, through the fire to the arms of comfort. This song really helped to encourage him through the desert -

You Never Let Go – Matt Redman

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
Your perfect love is casting out fear
And even when I’m caught in the middle of the storms of this life
I won’t turn back
I know you are near

And I will fear no evil
For my God is with me
And if my God is with me
Whom then shall I fear?
Whom then shall I fear?

Oh no, You never let go
Through the calm and through the storm
Oh no, You never let go
In every high and every low
Oh no, You never let go
Lord, You never let go of me

And I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
A glorious light beyond all compare
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
We’ll live to know You here on the earth

Yes, I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
Still I will praise You, still I will praise You

NEWSONG: GOD IS ABLE

Ephesians 3:20

“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us”

“Troubles come, but God is Able. Sorrow rips at the soul, but God is Able. Hope appears lost, but God is still – always and forever – Able” - Reuben Morgan

“Lifted up, he defeated the grave, raised to life, our God is Able

In his name, we overcome, for the Lord, our God is Able”

GOD IS ABLE – WORK TAPE (ACOUSTIC)

Eternally Heard

The song below is a song I heard shortly after I was saved. When I first became a Christian everything became new to me. Although I have been exposed to Christian songs as kid, this time when I heard this song, it became “alive”. This line still echoes to me:

“And all the powers of darkness trembled at what they just heard; cause all the powers of darkness can’t drown out a single word”

This line became so real in that sweet hour when I first believed – and will be eternally heard. Jesus became more than just a man from the Bible that was written long ago. But rather, he became my Saviour who is revealed in the word of God. Satan, demons and all of hell trembles at the sound of the Gospel message proclaimed to me that night; and they tremble at the news of me coming to Christ and of every children of God chosen before the foundation of the world coming back to Jesus…And they can’t drown out a word – the salvation song sings on.

“As long as people are getting saved, there will always be a new song” – Reuben Morgan

A thought for today…

The Church of the Dropouts

“The Church of the dropouts.

The losers, the sinners, the failures and the fools. Oh what a beautiful letdown”

- (Switchfoot) -

I don’t know if you guys ever heard of someone saying “Get a life” as a insult. If you have, think about it, it’s used as a insult to people whom the “insulter” thinks have a rubbish life. I’ve heard this used lightly a few times, and everyone seems to be okay with it

However, recently, I had someone throw the insult of “your life sucks” at me. For some reason that got me mad and it kind a hurt a bit.

And I was thinking of why I got angry and why it hurts. And after analysing it my conclusion was could it be because my life actually sucks…

During my thinking process about this, it reawakened a painful childhood memory. Most of us when we were kids we had would of have had a good childhood friend that we are friends till this very day. My one ended badly. I remember when I was a kid I was playing a card game with this other kid and I thought that him bending the rules was really unfair but he didn’t wanna admit failure so instead he threw insults of “LOSER LOSER LOSER” at me. And yeah, I can’t remember how old I was, I’m guessing 7 or 8 – and yeah, at that time, it hurt.

“Get a life”, “Your life sucks”, “Loser”.

The truth is Christians…

This is why Jesus came.

Yes, you suck and your life sucks, but Jesus did not come to call the people whose life are okay or cool. He came to lift the life of the people who suck. The Church of Christ, are full of losers, failures, sinners and people whose life suck. Jesus came so that your life that sucks could go so that you do have a life…In fact, NEW LIFE. A life that doesn’t suck.

Galatians 2:22

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me

John 10:10

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

Remember, Jesus said, “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners”. He calls the broken, the hurting and brings new life out of them.

Life is a unique thing. If you attack or insult someone else’s life because it’s broken or because it sucks, then just be careful, because Jesus just might come and bring new life out of them. Someone with new life, would then see the of this beauty of this new life.

Get a life: WE DO HAVE A LIFE – NEW LIFE – THE LIFE OF CHRIST IN US.

Your life sucks: YES IT DOES, THAT’S WHY I’M A CHRISTIAN, BECAUSE I NEED A NEW LIFE…

NEWSONG: AFTERMATH

“The cross is a paradox. What was a symbol of failure and death is now established forever as a symbol of life and victory. The crucifixion was a gruesome and traumatic event and at the moment of surrender as the storm clouds gathered and the skies went to darkness it would have seemed to all who were witnesses, especially His followers, that all hope was lost – the so called ‘Son of God’ humiliated and tortured, dying as He hung upon a cross. But unlike any historical event that has ever taken place before or after, this moment would change everything – Forever. Because of the cross we no longer have to live entangled in the fallout and the wreckage of our lives, or the worst the world can throw at us. We have been lifted out of the ashes and into the LIGHT of the AFTERMATH. We find hope, peace, freedom, and life, and we can know with assurance that He is with us no matter what comes our way.”

– Joel Houston

The art of blogging.

Ever since I had this blog, I have discovered that I do not posses the art of blogging. I have many great ideas, but for some reason I just don’t put them down on paper or a blog. I don’t know if it’s lazyness or just something hidden in my genes. However, I have been actively reading other blogs and Christian resources out there. In no particular order, here are a few of the blogs I have been actively reading and quite enjoyed:

1 – The Resurgence

2 -The Gospel Coalition

3 – Mars Hill Church blog

4 – A29 Boot camp | Mark Driscoll on Marriage, Ministry & Mistakes

Below is a sermon by Mark Driscoll (Pastor of Mars Hill Church). Recently, I have been getting heavily into a lot of his resources for a particular reason. He has some flaws but I must admit, he does amazing stuff on the topic of Marriage, sex and relationships. In a world filled with sexual immorality, Mark Driscoll is a great inspiring preacher for young reformed Christians. He can certianly teach many to stay pure. He does great stuff on marriage, although I am not married it is a great preparation.

There are so many marriages today with men who do not seek after purity. With loving their wives at number one priority (God first obviously). Husbands should love their wives and stay faithful to them. Adultery or any activities related to it is disgusting and Mark Driscoll faithfully preaches that out there in many creative ways.

Below is a great sermon on marriage and people who seek to be in ministry as well. SERIOUSLY, CHECK IT OUT.

ONE

Below is something I wrote for my facebook note a few days ago.

These past few days, I’ve been getting into the “Calvinism vs Arminianism” debate again. It has made me think about all the division within the Church. After a few debates, it’s just going in circles sometimes and by the end of it, I still think I’m right with my Calvinist theology and Arminians will still think they’re right in their theology. But as I reflect on it, in the midst of all the disagreements, there is ONE message that we can all agree on. And this ONE message that we agree on, is the foundation stone on which everything in our lives (including our theology) is built on.

At the end of the day it doesn’t matter if you’re Calvinist or Arminian. Non-charismatic or charismatic. Baptist or Presbyterian. Lutheran or Methodist. Reformed or Missional.

There is ONE WAY, ONE TRUTH and ONE LIFE that UNITES all these Christians.

“And have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of

every tribe and tongue and people and nation”  -

[Revelation 5:9]

It doesn’t matter what theological standing you take (Unless you stray from the 5 Solas). The point is this -

We all broke God’s law and that is sin. We’ve lied, we’ve stolen, we’ve blasphemed and we’ve looked with lust. Therefore we’re all liars, thieves, blasphemers and adulterers at heart.

“For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.” – [James 2:10]

God is just and good and He has to send those who break His law (the 10 Commandments) to the eternal lake of fire because we offended a perfect eternal God.

He would be a corrupt judge just to forgive us and let us go. Our good works can’t bribe Him. Our good works are sin-touched and seen as filthy rags.

[ONE_WAY//ONE_TRUTH//ONE_LIFE]

In the Old Testament when people broke God’s law all they had to do was bring a lamb to the altar and if the Lamb met the Law’s requirements then by shedding the lamb’s blood there would be forgiveness.

NOTICE THIS; the priest didn’t examine how good or bad the man was but rather he examined the lamb. And it could still work like that. However,

2000 years ago a LEGAL TRANSACTION was made. A once for all time sacrifice. Jesus came as the perfect Lamb of God who met all the requirements and never sinned and died on the Cross as a sacrifice and payment for sin (crimes against God).

All you have to do is accept by faith what Jesus has done, if you accept it by faith then it means that when Jesus cried on the Cross – “IT IS FINISHED”…God wrote: “PAID IN FULL” on all your criminal record of sin. And by His blood he has paid for all the crimes you have done.

“IT IS FINISHED”…”PAID IN FULL”.

You don’t have to do anything just accept it by faith. Why faith? Because no more shall be required or no less shall be accepted. And let repentance flow out of your faith. Repentance is just an old fashioned word meaning “turn from sin and turn to God”.

“Why faith? Because no more shall be required or no less shall be accepted.”

If you have repented (turned from sin) and accepted it by faith it means you are forgiven and your record of sin has been cleared because of what Jesus has done on the Cross. And 3 days later Jesus rose from the grave and defeated death as a sign that God has accepted Jesus’ sacrifice.

“Jesus told him, “I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one can come to the Father except through me.”

[John 14:6]

Songs. Songs. Songs.

In my other post called Books. Books. Books I mentioned that, “Reading books is not really my area of expertise. I’m not much of a “read-everything” reader, it’s not that I can’t read it’s because I’m not built that way. I find a lot of books not interesting. There are very few books that interest me. I’m more of a music guy than a reader, I’d rather sit and listen and write my own songs than read.”. Songwriting is sometimes really fun and fustrating but there’s just something in songs that are so inspiring and touches me.

Below are a few of my top favourite songs. I couldn’t put them in order of preference cause I love them all. These are all songs that I really love and are theologically correct (well mostly, I think).

Our God is Love – Hillsong Live

“THIS IS LOVE…Jesus came and died and gave His life for us. Let our voices rise and sing for all He’s done. Our fear is overcome…Our God is LOVE”

Your Name High – Hillsong Live

“We are living to make Your Name High. Jesus, living to make Your Name High. Jesus you, gave what the world couldn’t offer us. Say what they want, say what they want. We are FREE.”

Desert Song – Hillsong United

I absolutely love the lyrics to this song.

“This is my prayer in the battle, When triumph is still on its way, I am a conqueror and co-heir with Christ, So firm on His promise I’ll stand”

“I will bring praise, I will bring praise, not weapons formed against me shall remain. I will rejoice, I will declare, God is my victory and He is here.”"

Run – Hillsong Live

“We will run, altogether our hearts aflame, with a fire that can’t be tamed. Our God, All Glory to Your Name – JESUS”

Solution – Hillsong United

“Hey now, fill our hearts with Your compassion. Hey now, as we hold to our confession…GOD BE THE SOLUTION, We will be Your hands and feet”

With Everything – Hillsong Live

An epic end to a song. This is probably one of those songs where you have to listen to it for a few times to really love it.

“Right to believe”

This year the Organisation of the Islamic Conference, linking 57 countries with majority or significant Muslim populations, will once again introduce the Defamation of Religions Resolution in the United Nations.

It allows governments the power to determine which religious views can and can’t be expressed in their country, and it gives the state the right to punish those who express ‘unacceptable’ reli…gious views as they see fit. So in effect, it makes persecution legal. This year the Resolution could be defeated, with your help.

Add your signature to Open Doors’ global petition which we’ll deliver to the UN in New York in December. Add your voice and stand up for the Right to Believe

http://advocacy.oduk.org/ea-campaign/clientcampaign.do?ea.client.id=77&ea.campaign.id=7285

You can download the petition and other resources here.

http://www.opendoorsuk.org/resources/RTB/

Check out this video -

Seriously guys, the video is right. Never mind what denomination you’re in, Christianity itself is threatened by the move of Islam. I strongly believe God’s providence and sovereignty is still over all, however in the midts of it the least we can do is sign this petition to the United Nations to show we are against the resolution introduced by the muslims.

From the outside it looks good but it’s in fact legalising muslims to kill Christians. It’s happening already. Check out “Open Doors ministry”. It’s untold news, everyday in muslim countries Christians are being persecuted, Christian men killed, christian women raped, christian kids trained in the way of Islam and Churches are being burned.

So please sign this petition – http://advocacy.oduk.org/ea-campaign/clientcampaign.do?ea.client.id=77&ea.campaign.id=7285

Surprise !

Do any of you remember the news of the muslim Imam agreeing to meet with crazy pastor Terry Jones? A meeting was arranged to discuss plans of moving the mosque so that the burning of the Qur’an won’t go ahead, but later on the Imam denied what he said.

Do any of you know why the Imam denied it? Well, the video below explains why he denied it. After watching it, I’m not surprised Obama is a muslim.