Mandisa is Quite the Overcomer!

A theme of overcoming has surfaced in this blog which makes the timing right to introduce Mandisa's album, in its modernity, to you.  The album is called "Overcomer" which opens with the song of the same name.  "Overcomer" sets the mood of God's children overcoming the world.  Fearfulness, hopelessness and brokenness result from tribulations in the world.  When God's children rely on their Savior, Jesus, all fearfulness, hopelessness and brokenness fade away.  This is shown in the songs "The Distance", "Face 2 Face" and "Press On."  There are times when the children of God are moved to thank God and praise Him as shown in the songs "Back To You", "At All Times" and "Joy Unspeakable." 

I found the song "Back To You" unique in the sense that it is talking about giving a life to God for His purposes instead of futilely giving a life to earn God's favor for salvation.  "Back To You" is written from the perspective of someone who has already accepted Christ as indicated in the testimony of words from the song:

"I'll testify, testify how You gave Your life for mine"



"Dear John" is a letter in song for you if you have not accepted Christ as your Savior.  You will find your opportunity to choose Jesus' forgiveness by His scars.  If you choose Jesus, the Father is waiting with open arms.  Here is the description from "Dear John" of choosing Jesus' side:

There's freedom

On the other side of

Things that keep us tied up and afraid

There's hope in every situation

No matter what you're facing everyday

But it's up to you

You get to choose

The Father is waiting there with open arms



When the child comes home to the Father, there is a celebration in store.  "Joy Unspeakable" is an awesome celebration of the Lord with all reverence intact!

Endure to Overcome!

The scenario in the previous blog entry is certainly a time of testing for a Christian.  The blog ended with the words "Christians must endure...endure!"  Since the time of this blog post, I came across a related point in a book called The Scandalous Gospel of Jesus: What's So Good about the Good News? by the late Peter J. Gomes.  Gomes said, "It is [God's] love that allows us not simply to endure, but to overcome, when our time of testing comes, and it is the constant assurance that God allows us to be" (p. 102).  Gomes tied this into the sermon given by Billy Graham at Washington's National Cathedral on the National Day of Mourning where George Keith's 'powerful old hymn'--"How Firm a Foundation" was quoted:

Fear not, [H]e is with thee; O be not dismayed!
For [H]e is thy God, and will still give thee aid:
He'll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand
Upheld by [H] is righteous, omnipotent hand.

You Must Endure...Endure!

Why is it that once you have noticed good deeds in someone or an organization, you pay a compliment, where, initially, the compliment is happily accepted, then, before you know it, things tend to work in a direction to steer the deeds away from good?  It is almost as if once the good deeds are brought to light that the thinking turns in another direction like--we should not be doing things the good way.  Clearly, Satan has acted on the situation and tried to turn a good way into a shameful way of doing things.  There is nothing to be ashamed of in doing good.  Satan is attempting to steer things in his direction.  The Christian walk takes much inner and physical strength.  We must endure in the walk to continue in serving the Lord.  Where there is good the Christian can be certain that Satan is nearby with his schemes.  We must continually be on alert because Satan will try to take a hold on things and try to stop the good.  Christians must endure...endure!

Words and Song for the Weary

If you are weary in your Christian walk, continue to find rest in Jesus because Satan seeks to devour you (I Peter 5:8).  Use your faith to "[q]uench not the [H]oly Spirit (I Thessalonians 5:19) but "...to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked" (Ephesians 6:16).  The song "All Your Anxiety" is about casting your cares upon God.  Remember, through the power of Christ, you are strong when you are weak (II Corinthians 12: 9, 10).

Is it Time for a Rest?

Perhaps in your weariness God has drawn you to learn of Jesus through Whom you will find rest for your soul (Matthew 10: 28, 29).  Does this song "Worn" by Tenth Avenue North speak to your condition?

Praying for You

In hopes that you are drawn closer to the Lord and His word, I pray the words of a prayer found in a sermon called "The Bible and the Believer" by the late Peter J. Gomes in his book entitled Sermons: Biblical Wisdom for Daily Living:

"Blessed Lord, who hast caused all holy scriptures to be written for our learning: grant that we may in such wise hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that by patience and comfort of thy holy word we may embrace, and ever hold fast, the blessed hope of everlasting life which thou hast given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ."  Amen.

Are You Offended by Jesus?

If man is offended because of Jesus, it is because the man has not come to the realization of how essential Jesus is to life.  The offended man views Jesus as being in the way instead of being 'the way.'  It is through trying the Word of God that man comes to know how good the Lord is (Psalms 34:8).  How can man be offended by goodness? How can man be offended by Jesus?

True life begins when man lets go of his own plans to follow Jesus without offense.  "And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in [Jesus]" (Matthew 11:6).