Free S.O. album download

I commend the UK artist S.O., the newest member of Lamp Mode. His lyrics are saturated with Christ-exalting rhymes and wrapped in a smooth hip hop beat, professionally produced by Lamp Mode!

You can get his entire album 'S.O. It Begins' for FREE here ... www.lampmode.com/so-it-begins/

My favorite song so far is Highs and Lows. S.O. describes how in his walk with Christ, he goes through painful lows, then like in the Psalms, he looks to Christ and is lifted up.

(So I ask myself) Why are you downcast my soul, hope in the Lord/See Him hanging there on the pole for the filthest thoughts/The most wicked of hearts, He died for you S know it/This is truth, objective how do you then blow/Repentance and faith, bear fruit man show it/Have that cross up in face endure and know Him/Be strong in the grace that’s found solely in Him/Satan will pray tricks by reminding you of your sin/But He died for them all, remember Calvary again/Never let it leave your brain/and things will never be the same/The Lamb of God was truly slain, rose up from the grave though/And justified in His name up the praise go!/Yeah, and that will never change/This that high up on the ride that I better crave/My help and my God who is centre stage/And His Spirit in I no better way/

Download this album and be blessed by it too!

The Lion of the Tribe of Judah

Daily Readings with Martyn Lloyd-Jones

June 07


The Lion of the Tribe of Judah


Sin ... entered human life from the outside and it attacked even the Son of God. That I am forgiven is glorious, that I have a new nature is wonderful and still better. But still I am left to face this terrible power that is set over against me, and which strives ever to defeat me ... It has defeated the mightiest and the strongest. It has not hesitated to match its strength even with God Himself. Its subtlety and suggestions meet me everywhere. Who am I to confront such a foe? What is man at his best against such an antagonist? ... Man cannot, for all men have failed ... Is all hopeless? Must we continue to strive and strive in vain? No! A David has appeared and smitten this Goliath; a Jonathan has routed the Philistines again. The Man has entered the lists and delivered the enemy a mortal wound from which he can never recover ...

Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of God, has conquered Satan. Tried and tested to the utmost, He not only emerged unscathed, but hath 'cast out the prince of this world' ... He has conquered death and the grave and every power that is inimical to man and his highest interests. The Lion of the tribe of Judah has prevailed — yea, and not only for Himself, but for us. He offers us His own power and promises to clothe us with His own might. Not only need we not be defeated any longer; in Him we can become more than conquerors over any and every power that may raise itself against us.

These are the problems of the world ... They are exposed in the gospel and they are solved by it. Christ satisfies every need and He alone does so. He has 'done all things well'. The message of the gospel is about Him and what He has done. It is not theory. It works, it is a fact as the lives of Christians of all ages testify. Ashamed of Jesus? A thousand times no!

The Plight of Man and the Power of God, pp. 89-91

Christ at Work! Unlocking the "Mystery" of the Bible

In May, Dan Pentimone taught a Bible Study at the BSG in which he gave an overview of the entire Bible in 3 lessons! This was one of our most successful studies to date! Dan was really bringing the Word and the Spirit was pleased to use him! If you can take a listen to these messages and look over the powerpoints and handout, I guarantee you will walk away with a 'big picture' view of this Great Story (of which we are a part!) and a fresh sense of wonder at the God who authored it!

• Part 1 * PPT1 * AUDIO1
  
• Part 2 * PPT2 * AUDIO2
• Part 3 * PPT3 * AUDIO3

Here is the handout that pulls it all together.

God is our Secret Place and Hiding Place

On this theme of God as the believer's Hiding Place/Secret Place, here are two resources:

1) Fantastic sermon called the Secret Place by Fred Juhnke on Psalm 91
2) Download Corrie Ten Boom's The Hiding Place, based on Psalm 119:13-14*

*Hurry on this, I think it is only for April!

Friends don't let friends go to Hell

We see a billboard like this on our way to church. It definitely grabs your attention, right? In fact, I almost wrecked trying to read it the first time I saw it-shocking! The source is the AdCouncil (also known for 'Friends don't let friends drive drunk', and 'A Mind is a Terrible Thing to Waste'.)

The point of this billboard is to speak up if you are in the car with someone driving recklessly ... or else you could end up in a serious accident leaving you paralyzed or dead.

I love the bluntness, the efficiency of words! It is cold-drink-in-a-dessert type of refreshing in our culture of political correctness and tolerance of all things save Christianity!

Speaking of which, I would like to propose that Christians consider the message of the Gospel in these terms. Serious car wrecks are tragic, but isn't eternal judgment and torment infinitely more important?

I am preaching at myself, here trust me. I am far too selfish--too worried about embarrassment or whether so-and-so will like me. Too busy. It is time to get beyond fear of rejection and warn people about the wrath to come. What did Jesus say when He first began his public ministry?

From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 4:17 ESV)

Not exactly a PC message, but like the billboard message it is concise and effective.

What about the Apostle Paul? Did he worry about hurting feelings? He was often beaten, some times to the point of near death, all to bring the Gospel to people who didn't want to hear it.

We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you. (2 Corinthians 4:8-12 ESV)

I love Tim Challies' article about the false perception of God's 'unconditional love' for all mankind. We do an injustice to our non-Christian friends when we allow them to stay comfortable with a life not lived in obedience to God.

Mankind's greatest need is not tolerance but Truth. Let's go tell them--in love--that God is not happy with sin and a judgment is coming.

So speak up and share Christ with someone who is driving recklessly down the highway of life.

Jesus is the Lion King

Regardless of your preference/style of music, these lyrics are POWERFUL! They paint a picture of Jesus Christ as THE Lion King, in all His majesty! Scripture often refers to the Lord as the lion of the tribe of Judah. Narnia has it right, Jesus is a LION! (See video here)

Here are the lyrics (about as close as I can get) ...

Gentle Jesus, meek and mild
That's how they see Him now Jesus of your convenience
Never heated thumbs up when He smiles
That’s so mistaken--like He can't incinerate
A whole city, wrath more 'dread'-ful (dredlocks) then all Jamaica
And any attitude, anything less than gratitude
Is rebellion, idolatry, or proportionate magnitude
How can you figure you're gonna get with the dude you're attracted to
While the God of the universe is specifically mad at you?
I'm talkin holiness, holier than the holiest
Angels who are beholding Him, cover eyes or they won't exist
Knees are folded when they get close to His awesomeness
His presence 'ill send em repentance or their lives will be over with
Behold the Lamb Christ Jesus, the substitute for the heathen
Only One that can stand the wrath of God and keep on breathin'
Righteous, resurrected Ruler, redeemin' these rebel bein's
This lion's also a lamb for mercy for those who believe it

We all know-oh-oh, this world is a jungle
We only got one hope, oh Zion,
Our God is a king, He's a lion
Woah-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh, oh Zion
Woah-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh , oh Zion
Woah-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh ,
Oh Zion
Our God is a king, He's a lion

I know this world is a jungle, baby this life is a forest
And we surrounded by beasts, they seek to kill and destroy us
They say we better take cover, and run for it like Forest
And while they prey on the weak, we just gon keep prayin for em
And fear can't be afforded, the God of Jacob's my fortress
And yeah I'm walkin' in pride baby the Lion is roarin
Persecution n sufferin, they raidin' our villages
They wanna push our wig back like the Indians
We got a King who hears the prayers of the indigent
Ending the fears and in the affairs of the invalid
??? and death was the instrument
So we can see His glory in a clearer lense
No drummer here but we're aware of the snares
Snakes on our heel but He was crushing his head
Took the stripes of a tiger He went out up on a limb
I got a lion king, so this jungle’s just a gym

We all know-oh-oh, this world is a jungle
We only got one hope, oh Zion,
Our God is a king, He's a lion
Woah-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh, oh Zion
Woah-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh , oh Zion
Woah-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh ,
Oh Zion
Our God is a king, He's a lion

You can get this song on a free album download here. There are several other terrific songs on this album!

Celebrate the Creator and Sustainer of the Earth!

Thought it would be fun since tomorrow is 'Earth Day' to list a sample of passages in the Psalms that include the word 'earth'. I am thankful that Jesus Christ created the earth, and further that He came to it in order to give me life and a future when I die!

Enjoy!

Psalm 24:1
The EARTH is the LORD’s and the fullness thereof,
the world and those who dwell therein,

Psalm 33:8
Let all the EARTH fear the LORD;
let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him!

Psalm 33:8
Let all the EARTH fear the LORD;
let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him!


Psalm 65:9
You visit the EARTH and water it;
you greatly enrich it;
the river of God is full of water;
you provide their grain,
for so you have prepared it.

Psalm 72:19
Blessed be his glorious name forever;
may the whole EARTH be filled with his glory!

Amen and Amen!

Psalm 74:17
You have fixed all the boundaries of the EARTH;
you have made summer and winter.

Psalm 77:18
The crash of your thunder was in the whirlwind;
your lightnings lighted up the world;
the EARTH trembled and shook.

Psalm 83:18
that they may know that you alone,
whose name is the LORD,
are the Most High over all the EARTH.

Psalm 89:11
The heavens are yours; the EARTH also is yours;
the world and all that is in it, you have founded them.

Psalm 90:2
Before the mountains were brought forth,
or ever you had formed the EARTH and the world,
from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

Psalm 104:14
You cause the grass to grow for the livestock
and plants for man to cultivate,
that he may bring forth food from the EARTH


Psalm 119:90
Your faithfulness endures to all generations;
you have established the EARTH, and it stands fast.

Psalm 124:8
Our help is in the name of the LORD,
who made heaven and EARTH.


Psalm 135:6
Whatever the LORD pleases, he does,
in heaven and on EARTH,
in the seas and all deeps.