Alētheia: Truth

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  • Foundations – Back to Basics – The 7 Essential Christian Principles of Christian Doctrine


    The Sovereignty of God

    I apologize to my readers for not have posted anything in the last few days. But, I am back on track so here we go with the third principle – “The Sovereignty of God.”

    With so much going on in the world today, many people wonder where God is or, they ask the question, “why would a loving God allow bad things to happen to good people.”

    It’s amazing how people tend to equate bad circumstances to God but when good things happen, He rarely gets the credit. The truth is God is sovereign over every thing. Psalms 24:1 tell us that “the earth and the fullness thereof belong to the Lord. He is Lord over all. Why things happen is in His sovereign will to bring Him glory. Even the bad things. “All things work together for the good of those who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose” Romans 8:28. There is purpose even in the bad stuff.

    God is sovereign over all. He sets the leaders of the world and puts every thing in its order according to His purpose. Daniel 4:17 says, “This decision is by the decree of the watchers, and the sentence by the word of the holy ones, in order that the living may know  that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, gives it to whomever He will, and sets over it the lowest of men.”

    The beauty of God’s sovereignty is that He loved us enough to send His son Jesus to die on the cross paying the penalty for our transgressions so that we could come back to Him in all His glory. Who can fathom God’s ways? Not I, but at least I know His love for me through the blood of Christ. Now the Holy Spirit helps me to grow in the understand of His sovereign will.

    Isaiah 40 (ESV)

    Comfort for God’s People

    1Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. 2 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,
    and cry to her
    that her warfare is ended,
    that her iniquity is pardoned,
    that she has received from the LORD’s hand
    double for all her sins.

    3 A voice cries: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD;
    make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
    4 Every valley shall be lifted up,
    and every mountain and hill be made low;
    the uneven ground shall become level,
    and the rough places a plain.
    5And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed,
    and all flesh shall see it together,
    for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.”

    The Word of God Stands Forever

    6A voice says, “Cry!”
    And I said, “What shall I cry?”
    All flesh is grass,
    and all its beauty is like the flower of the field.
    7The grass withers, the flower fades
    when the breath of the LORD blows on it;
    surely the people are grass.
    8 The grass withers, the flower fades,
    but the word of our God will stand forever.

    The Greatness of God

    9Get you up to a high mountain,
    O Zion, herald of good news;
    lift up your voice with strength,
    O Jerusalem, herald of good news;
    lift it up, fear not;
    say to the cities of Judah,
    “Behold your God!”
    10 Behold, the Lord GOD comes with might,
    and his arm rules for him;
    behold, his reward is with him,
    and his recompense before him.
    11 He will tend his flock like a shepherd;
    he will gather the lambs in his arms;
    he will carry them in his bosom,
    and gently lead those that are with young.

    12 Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand
    and marked off the heavens with a span,
    enclosed the dust of the earth in a measure
    and weighed the mountains in scales
    and the hills in a balance?
    13 Who has measured the Spirit of the LORD,
    or what man shows him his counsel?
    14Whom did he consult,
    and who made him understand?
    Who taught him the path of justice,
    and taught him knowledge,
    and showed him the way of understanding?
    15Behold, the nations are like a drop from a bucket,
    and are accounted as the dust on the scales;
    behold, he takes up the coastlands like fine dust.
    16Lebanon would not suffice for fuel,
    nor are its beasts enough for a burnt offering.
    17 All the nations are as nothing before him,
    they are accounted by him as less than nothing and emptiness.

    18 To whom then will you liken God,
    or what likeness compare with him?
    19An idol! A craftsman casts it,
    and a goldsmith overlays it with gold
    and casts for it silver chains.
    20 He who is too impoverished for an offering
    chooses wood that will not rot;
    he seeks out a skillful craftsman
    to set up an idol that will not move.

    21 Do you not know? Do you not hear?
    Has it not been told you from the beginning?
    Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth?
    22It is he who sits above the circle of the earth,
    and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers;
    who stretches out the heavens like a curtain,
    and spreads them like a tent to dwell in;
    23 who brings princes to nothing,
    and makes the rulers of the earth as emptiness.

    24Scarcely are they planted, scarcely sown,
    scarcely has their stem taken root in the earth,
    when he blows on them, and they wither,
    and the tempest carries them off like stubble.

    25 To whom then will you compare me,
    that I should be like him? says the Holy One.
    26Lift up your eyes on high and see:
    who created these?
    He who brings out their host by number,
    calling them all by name,
    by the greatness of his might,
    and because he is strong in power
    not one is missing.

    27Why do you say, O Jacob,
    and speak, O Israel,
    “My way is hidden from the LORD,
    and my right is disregarded by my God”?
    28Have you not known? Have you not heard?The LORD is the everlasting God,
    the Creator of the ends of the earth.
    He does not faint or grow weary;
    his understanding is unsearchable.
    29He gives power to the faint,
    and to him who has no might he increases strength.
    30Even youths shall faint and be weary,
    and young men shall fall exhausted;
    31but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength;
    they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
    they shall run and not be weary;
    they shall walk and not faint.

  • Foundations – Back to Basics – The 7 Essential Principles of Christian Doctrine


    The Trinity

    The second principle of the 7 Essential Principles of Christian Doctrine,  is the doctrine of the The Trinity – God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.

    In Matthew 28:19, Jesus gives us the command to go into all the nations and to teach and baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. In the first doctrine, we have confirmed the deity of Christ thus giving him the authority to proclaim the trinity – which Jesus is a part of.

    It is hard to comprehend the Trinity. One of the best illustrations to demonstrate the Trinity is the light of 3 candles. Imagine 3  lit candles set on a table about 6 inches apart. Next, turn out the light and you will see the room illuminated by the candles which you can see individually. One candle for God, one for Jesus, and one for the Holy Spirit. Each candle burning separately but producing one light.

    Now place a board between you and the candles. You can no longer see each candle yet the room is still filled with its light. As you look around try to see what part of the light comes from any one of the candles. That’s the Trinity.

    The truth is, the Trinity is far more complex than our feeble minds can conceive. We need to rely on God’s wisdom for any and all understanding. His ways are higher than our ways (Isaiah 58:9).

    Jesus confirms in John 10:30 the he and the Father are one. Jesus also told the disciples in John 14:26 that after his crucifixion,the Father will send a helper – the Holy Spirit. This leads us into the 3rd doctrine…

  • Foundations – Back to Basics – The 7 Essential Principles of Christian Doctrine


    The Deity of Jesus Christ

    There are 7 Essential Principles of Christian Doctrine that we will examine. These 7 are so important that when discussing religious issues both parties must come to agree on these doctrines in order to continue in your discussion. If both parties do not agree on these 7 Principles, then every thing else is irrelevant.

    The first is “The Deity of Jesus Christ.” 1 John 5:20 we read: “And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.” The truth is that Jesus, who is the Son of God, has come in the flesh (John 1:1-3, 14) and is God (John 10:30). This fact is absolute.

    Of course people may say that the Bible is not the word of God – that’s it’s just a book written by man. We will talk more about that principle later. But the fact is this, that even if a person doesn’t believe that the Bible is the revelation of God the Father to his children does not make it false. Any person can believe that gravity does not exist and can prove it by jumping off a very tall building only to find that they were wrong.

    Jesus is who he said he was, that is, He and God are one. Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, the Messiah that has come to gather His sheep together and through the blood that Jesus shed on the cross, we have victory over sin and death and we will spend eternity in Heaven. There is no other way to the Father except through Jesus. The way is very narrow but open to all peoples who will put their faith in Him and call on the Lord to be saved. It’s that simple.

  • Foundations – Back to Basics – Sharing


    One of the foundations of our Christian faith is sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with other people. To many times we gather with other “like-minded” people. That is, other people who are already saved – who know the Lord as their Savior. There is nothing wrong with having a close-knit circle of friends who are Christians, but it just doesn’t follow what Jesus command us to do.

    In Matthew 28, Jesus said, “go teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.” In this verse, we are commanded to go. That means beyond our circle of influence – our friends. We are to go across the street to a neighbor’s house; or to the cubicle next to us at work. It means sharing with all those we come in contact with where ever we go. I realize that we don’t always have the perfect moment to share with some one because of the circumstances. For example, you may be in line to check out at the grocery store and you won’t be able to carry on a full conversation with the cashier because they are working, but a quick word and maybe leave a gospel track with plant the seed that God will cause to grow. I think you get the idea.

    The fact is, that we should be living our lives in a way that when people see us they see the gospel. There may be times that the only bible other people see is us. It’s like when we tell our children that when they are away from home, they represent the family – how they act in public is a reflection on the family and their values. So it is with Christians. We are to be like Christ, a reflection of who He is to all those around us. We are to be the fragrance of Christ. Most of the time, it not what we say about salvation and Jesus that counts, but how we live it out before the world. Most people go by what they see more than what they hear.

    “Therefore go…”

    “And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’”    Matthew 28:18-20

  • Foundations – Back to Basics – Prayer


    Prayer is a very important part of our fellowship with God. With it, we communicate to God, without it, we deprive ourselves in of one of the most important aspects of God – His desire for His children to come to Him in glorious communion. God making this way possible through the precious blood of our Savior – Jesus christ.

    Prayer isn’t just asking God for the things in our lives, it’s taking great joy in fellowship and praising Him for all that He is for us in Christ Jesus.

    There is an acronym for prayer  – “ACTS.”

    A – for adoration – spending time praising and worship God.

    C – Confession – getting our hearts right to continue in fellowship with God.

    T – Thanksgiving – giving thanks for all the things we have been given – the good and the bad.

    S – Supplication – praying for the needs of others and for ourselves.

    This is a good start for your prayer life though prayer doesn’t always have to be so structured. Paul tells us to prey without ceasing. Our first response should always be to talk with God first and often.

    “Rejoice always,  pray without ceasing,  in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

    1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

  • Foundations – Back to Basic – The Bible


    2 Timothy 3:16 tells us that the bible is the inspired word of God. It is the revelation of who God is and what His will for our life is to be.

    It is profitable for Doctrine –  to gain the knowledge of God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ and His commandments.

    For reproof – stern disapproval – the bible shows us God’s disapproval of sin.

    For correction – the Greek word for correction is: “epanorthõsis” and is found only in 2 Timothy 3:16 and is one of the God ordained purposes of Holy Scripture.

    For instruction in righteousness – how to live  a Holy life for the glory of Jesus Christ.

    In 2 Timothy 3:17 we find the reason for scripture – to be made complete and equipped for every good work. The bible is the absolute authority of God and has stood the test of time. For centuries people have tried to discredit the bible and can’t. In fact, there have been many people who set out to prove the bible wrong and have come to a saving knowledge of our Lord and become born again. When you study scripture, you will find the one true God and His Son Jesus Christ and come to the realization no one is good – no not one, and we are in need of a Savior.

    In getting back to basics, we need not only to study God’s word but also to hide it in our hearts. Memorizing the bible is paramount in our daily walk with Jesus and for finding that great joy that only exists in our desire to fellowship with Him. Knowing God’s word and having it over flow from our hearts is key to living victorious. By memorizing the scriptures, we grow in our faith in knowing that God’s promises-His word-will not return to Him void, and that it will come to pass. We can count on God to fulfil His word more than life itself.

  • Foundations – Back to Basics – Jesus, the only way!


    In light of a recent conversation I had with a friend, I believe that it’s time to get back to basics in our faith in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It seems today that many people are no longer trusting the truth of how you get to heaven.

    Jesus said in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth and the life, no one comes unto the father except through me.” Now the question each person must answer is, who is Jesus to you? C.S. Lewis once said that “Jesus is either who he said he was, or a lunatic or a liar.”

    If Jesus is a liar or a lunatic, than Christianity is just another false religion. Since neither one of these characteristics is true about Jesus, then Jesus is who he said he was – that is, He is the Son of God who came to this earth, lived a perfect life and was slain for the sins of the world. Jesus rose from the dead and now sits at the right hand of God the Father. No one comes to God except through Jesus.

    Jesus is the only way. No exceptions. The only way to get into Heaven is to confess your sins and receive Jesus into your heart as your Lord and Savior. As narrow as this way seems to be, it is open to every man, woman and child regardless of race – the only thing anyone needs to do to receive this free gift of God is believe and receive Jesus into your heart.

    The Gospel is just that simple. It’s a free gift and you can do nothing to earn the saving grace of Jesus Christ. Jesus is who he said he was – He and the Father are one.

  • Now What?


    The next theme for my blog is “Foundations.”  Having a solid foundation is key to having a life that desires God and brings Him glory. A wise person will build his life on solid ground so that when the storms come, he can withstand the fury that life sometimes brings.

    It’s my continued prayer that Jesus is glorified through these blog posts.

  • Day 40 “My soul longs…”


    It has been a wonderful journey in the first 40 days of the rest of my life in desiring God. God has shown himself to me in marvelous ways and Satan has tried to discourage me but I stand victorious in the precious blood and grace of Jesus Christ.

    The one thing I have learned is how much God loves me and no matter what the circumstance, I have great joy and satisfaction in all that God is for me in Christ Jesus.

    I highly recommend reading “Desiring God” by John Piper. It’s the kind of book that you will refer to often. It was the inspiration for this blog and the change in my way of worship. It is my prayer that anyone reading this blog will grow beyond where I have and that you to will find this great joy in our Lord and Saviour Jesus.

    “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.” — John Piper

    God’s word sums up my experience and may it never die…

    Psalm 84

    1 How lovely is Your tabernacle,
    O LORD of hosts!
    2 My soul longs, yes, even faints
    For the courts of the LORD;
    My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.

    3 Even the sparrow has found a home,
    And the swallow a nest for herself,
    Where she may lay her young—
    Even Your altars, O LORD of hosts,
    My King and my God.
    4 Blessed are those who dwell in Your house;
    They will still be praising You.  Selah

    5 Blessed is the man whose strength is in You,
    Whose heart is set on pilgrimage.
    6 As they pass through the Valley of Baca,
    They make it a spring;
    The rain also covers it with pools.
    7 They go from strength to strength;
    Each one appears before God in Zion.

    8 O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer;
    Give ear, O God of Jacob!  Selah
    9 O God, behold our shield,
    And look upon the face of Your anointed.

    10 For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand.
    I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
    Than dwell in the tents of wickedness.
    11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield;
    The LORD will give grace and glory;
    No good thing will He withhold
    From those who walk uprightly.

    12 O LORD of hosts,
    Blessed is the man who trusts in You!

  • Day 39 “Gifts”


    I was blessed to perform several routines from my Illusion show in a Southern Gospel concert last night. Though I have been performing for over 25 years, I was a bit apprehensive. Performing in the concert were several groups and the daughter of the minister of music at Meadow Baptist Church in Lawrenceville, GA. All of the performers were not only very talented with musical instruments, but each person had an incredible voice. And Dominique, well, she was simply adorable.

    I offered something very different in its presentation. The message was the same for the singing groups and for myself –  that is in sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I perform magical illusions and I was a bit nervous, though not from being in front of a large group, but doing my routine and not singing. Southern Gospel was not my favorite style of worship music in my early years as a Christian, but each song really seems to bring it home to the heart of praising God and Jesus Christ, and as I have grown in taking great joy in my King, I have grown to like this style of music.

    Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 12, that we are each gifted differently but we have the same spirit and that we are empowered by the same God. It’s through this glorious blessing from the Lord that I have been gifted in what I do, and not as singer, but as a Illusionist. That’s the beauty of God. To bring glory to His name through different methods but with the same message – the Gospel.

    I am very humbled to know that God would allow to me share in His work. To help others see who Jesus is and to help direct them to the Cross. No words can accurately describe the depth of His love for us in Christ Jesus. But with the words I have been given, I will praise His Holy name and worship my Lord and Savior – Jesus.