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Showing posts from August, 2022

#217: Hymn Review - My Hope is built on Nothing Less

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We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, 20 where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek. Heb 6:19-20 One of the most important things to have as a believer while you live your life on earth is hope. Paul in his letter to the Romans makes it clear that hope does not disappoint us because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit whom he has given us (Rom 5:5). Still within his letter to the Romans, he said: Rom 8:22-25 (NIV) We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? 25 But if we

#216: HYMN REVIEW: God Moves in a Mysterious Way

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He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, He has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. Eccl 3:11 One of the biggest mysteries to overwhelm mankind is the ways of God. We spend our whole life playing catch-up to what God's plan and will is. For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8&9 ...His understanding is unsearchable. Isaiah 40:28 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgements and how inscrutable His ways. Romans 11:33 This was the case with William Cowper throughout his Christian walk as he frequently reflected on God's sovereignty and how his life featured in it. Remember William Cowper? Exactly. He and John Newton (the author of Amazing Grace ) were friends. T

#215: HYMN REVIEW: Where Art Thou?

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  "...For the Son of Man came to seek and save the lost" Luke 19:10 The Almighty God likes to gist. He enjoys talking and laughing, especially with men. It gives Him satisfaction and deep contentment. Communion with men gives Him so much pleasure that He would leave His house in heaven and travel unmeasurable kilometres to fellowship with man. He started this beautiful relationship with our great grandfather Adam and his wife Eve. They would walk and talk in the evening when the day was over.   Furthermore, there are top-level details about this admirable koinonia God had with Adam and Eve. The Bible reveals that "God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and truth." John 4:24. God cannot meddle with sin . God is holy and dwells in holiness, separate from everything that defiles. God's only begotten Son cried out in Psalm 22:1, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me? Why are You so far from helping Me, And from the words of M

#214: HYMN REVIEW: Amazing Grace

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"...Who am I, O LORD God, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far?" I Chron 17;16 In response to Paul's admonition to the church at Colossae, this month is dedicated to the review of selected hymns in the church library for the purpose of edifying ourselves through their lyrics: Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Col 3:16 Today's hymn is Amazing Grace, written by John Newton (1725 - 1807). Amazing Grace is arguably the most famous hymn today. Within the lines of this beautifully written poem is a rich message relevant to Christians of all generations. In order to understand the message of the hymn, the review will be divided into 2 sections; the first will tell the inspiration of the hymn and the second will exegete the verses of the hymn. 1 The story behind the hymn: The story behind the hymn is essentiall