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Dear dying Lamb, Thy precious blood shall never lose its power, till all the ransomed church of God be saved to sin no more. The French Philospher Jean Jacque Rousseu said, “Man is born free but everywhere is in chains”. Rousseu was only partially correct. It is true we are not born in physical handcuffs, but we are born locked in the spiritual handcuffs of our sin! It has been like this since we rebelled against God our Creator in the garden of Eden. We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. The apostle Peter writing to churches in Asia Minor in the first century reminded them of our common condition: “ you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot”.  He is saying their lives, and that of all followers of Jesus, before we turned to Jesus was a life of permanent and helpless imprisonme...

This is one of the most disturbing videos I have ever come across. The deep seated embrace of Lady Gaga's satanic practices by the media and society in general is quite shocking. Was also shocked by the shocking Nazi streak in her performances. The fact that Lady Gaga does not hide her Satanism means does help us to pray purposely that God should set her free from the dark web that has engulfed her and also millions of her young disciples. Good Fight Ministries are doing great to expose these deeds of drakness. 

The film The Grey tells the story of a group of oil drillers. One day they are on the way to Alaska when the their plane crashes in the middle of nowhere. Eight people survive only to discover that they have just walked into in a territory full of wolves who hunt down human beings for food. The wolves begin to pick them out one by one until towards the end of the movie, the only person left is our main hero played by Liam Neeson.

I was blaming Satan and the world for my spiritual state of health, Until I checked out flesh in the mirror and spelt “S.E.L.F” as the prime suspect and culprit. Preaching from the highest pulpit but in the prayer room I’m claustrophobic. I know its deep, I know I’m weak, You know me forever gossiping But when its time for witnessing, I’m slow to speak. When its time to pray, I go to sleep. Time to fast, I go and eat. Time to stand and praise, I’d rather hold a seat. Back row, act low, hoping nobody notice me Because it ain’t hard to see I’m not what I’m supposed to be. But I don’t want to hear no lecture

The dying thief rejoiced to see that fountain in his day; and there have I, though vile as he, washed all my sins away. We continue our exploration of William's Cowper's 'Blood Fountain' with a look at this second verse.  This is an unexpected turn. It appears that far from being a place of sorrow, the fountain is in fact a place of joy. Those who come to the blood fountain are not expected to leave as they came, they leave rejoicing because the blood from Immanuel's veins flows with new life!

I am nothing without you I am not ashamed to say But sometimes still I doubt you along my way I am nothing without you An eagle with no wings If I forget about you, I lose everything My heart is an empty stage O let your play begin My life is an empty page for you to colour me with your love It’s such a common feeling to be misunderstood But from you there’s no concealing You know my bad and good So I am not pretending my story never fails But I have already read the ending And your love prevails My heart is an empty stage Let your play begin My life is an empty page for you to colour me with your love The words are from Jonathan Veira’s song Empty Page. One of the tracks off ‘ Rhythms of the Heart’ album. I like his music, and especially this song. Sadly, I couldn’t find the lyrics online, so I had to write them down word for word. I have had this song for many years and it has always spoken me at many lev...

I was recently attending a church service where, as it so often happens, the hymn "O Church Arise" was on the hymnal list. The hymn is generally very lovely, but I always struggle singing this verse : So Spirit, come put strength in every stride, Give grace for every hurdle, That we may run with faith to win the prize Of a servant good and faithful. As saints of old still line the way, Retelling triumphs of His grace, We hear their calls and hunger for the day When with Christ we stand in glory. It is clear that this verse is inspired by Revelation and Hebrews. But unfortunately, the last lines can be easily misunderstood by non-Christians or those new to Christ. In other words the sort of people churches ought to pay special attention to.

The love affair between satanism and famous music stars continue. The only surprise, I suppose it is not a surprise is that these issues get very little coverage among Christians. It is a real danger and one we must keep flagging up!

I am currently working my way through the famous hymn "There is a fountain filled with blood" by William Cowper, as sung to the English tune which has grown on me ever since I learnt it at a local church: There is a fountain filled with blood drawn from Immanuel’s veins; and sinners plunged beneath that flood lose all their guilty stains. In plain english, the first verse says there is a natural spring filled with blood (not water) that is constantly flowing from the Messiah's veins. Any sinners that are bathed in this blood instantly lose their moral guilty before God, without fail. The fountain never stops flowing. It is so overwhelming that it has become a flood where your whole body can be totally immensed. Once the person is plunged totally beneath this flood all guilty stains are removed.

It was very encouraging to sing the full traditional seven verses of Amazing Grace on Sunday recently. I have noticed that some modern versions of hymn books try to shorten it. The casualty is usually this verse :  Through many dangers, toils and snares, I have already come; ’Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, And grace will lead me home. I find this verse to be the most encouraging. It is no good holding onto great promises if such promises have no real world validity. Faith is not something that just floats heavenly. True faith comes by hearing God's word which directs us to look around and see how God is already at work. As the Bible, "taste and see that the Lord is good!" And that knowledge of how God is already at work in our lives builds our confidence to trust God more and more. We can be sure that we will see God face to face, not only because the Bible says so, but because we can see God already at work in our olives. God is at work through...

Another tragic celebrity. One wonders how parents can let their children follow someone so blatantly satanic. I can only image that the reason is that Satan has been reduced to a "mythical figure" even among who claim to be followers of Jesus. I suppose it is helpful that Kesha does not hide her satanism. We need to continue to pray for Kesha and her countless followers who are being led into satanism.  Copyright © Chola Mukanga 2014

Above the voices of the world around me, my hopes and dreams, my cares and loves and fears, the long-awaited call of Christ has found me, the voice of Jesus echoes in my ears: ‘I gave my life to break the cords that bind you, I rose from death to set your spirit free; turn from your sins, and put the past behind you, take up your cross and come and follow me.’ TIMOTHY DUDLEY-SMITH It is important to note that the first four lines of this famous hymn effectively says that the voice of Jesus echoes not only above "the voices of the world around me" but includes voices inside of me. The voices of hopes, dreams, cares, loves and fears. The Voice of Jesus is irresistible. It penetrates without opposition and calls us to Him. It is an excellent truth that when God decides to speak he is certainly heard! Without doubt! Copyright © Chola Mukanga 2013

Many a times in my life, the words of this childhood hymn has been a tremendous encouragement. I pray this may encourage you too. Keep looking to Jesus! Jesus never fails, Jesus never fails The man of the world will let you down, but Jesus never fails. Your mother will let you down Your father will let you down The man of the world will let you down, but Jesus never fails. Your husband will let you down Your wife will let you down The man of the world will let you down, but Jesus never fails Your brothers will let you down Your sisters-will let you down The man of the world will let you down, but Jesus never fails Your church will let you down Your work will let you down The man of the world will let you down, but Jesus never fails Your friends will let you down Your country will let you down The man of the world will let you down, but Jesus never fails Your wealth will let you down Your health will let you down The man of the world ...

I recently had an opportunity to discuss music with a group of young people at church. For some unexplained reason I chose Price Tag by Jessie J (2011). The song consists of two verses by Jessie J, a chorus and a  final "rap" by B.o.B that more or less restates Jessie J's  two verses! Jessie J's first verse: Seems like everybody’s got a price / I wonder how they sleep at night / When the sale comes first / And the truth comes second / Just stop for a minute and smile / Why is everybody so serious? / Acting so damn mysterious? / Got shades on your eyes / And your heels so high that you can’t even have a good time The verse is a statement of the main problem under examination. The singer believs that "everybody's got a price”. And though her immediate target may be the music industry, her statement relates to everyone. Everyone is up for sale. In short, we have become "commodified" and for the right price we are easily morally trafficked to th...

Growing up listening to hip hop, I have always been aware that Satanism has held it in its grip. DMX's " Its Dark and Hell Hot" is essentially an "ode" to Satan. Similarly Bone Thugs 'N' Harmony and the Wu Tang Clan all exhibited such deep satanism in their music. I remember once listening to Ras Kass's Interview with the Vampire and I can never forget the deep lasting impression it left on me. As i now look back and go over the relics, it is certainly one of the most devilish track of music I have ever listened.    That the Devil holds much of modern is sadly not in surprisingly. But we can be happily surprised that there are now increasingly Christian ministries which are focusing on identifying this dark side of much of the music.  We must thank God for that. We also need to pray for them and those they are seeking to reach. We also need to love and pray for Beyonce. In particular that God who called light of darkness may speak more powerfully...

Promise Me by Aaron and Jeffrey remains one of my favourite songs of inspiration! The song pictures Christ speaking to the believer. He is responding to the unspoken prayer. The tone is deeply human and personal - and yet altogether transcendent and triumphant! It's hard to imagine that I've been there too I've felt the passion burning in you Every temptation, I understand Your Saviour knows what it is to be a man I know what it's like when the nightmare comes true Someone left a cross for me like they left for you Trust me when I say, I've been where you are The strength to live again my child is hidden in the scars For those who stand, for those who fall Strength is found in one place : beneath my Cross crying out for grace Promise me. Promise me before the passion turns to flame, promise me you'll call my name Promise me. Promise me you'll remember these scars of grace and remember I took your place Promise me! ( S...

It’s so easy to cash in these chips on my shoulder   So easy to loose this old tongue like a tiger   It’s easy to let all this bitterness smolder, just to hide it away like a cigarette lighter   It’s easy to curse and to hurt and to hinder   It’s easy to not have the heart to remember   That I am a priest and a prince in the Kingdom of God   I’ve got voices that scream in my head like a siren   Fears that I feel in the night when I sleep   Stupid choices I made when I played in the mire, like a kid in the mud on some dirty blind street / I’ve got sorrow to spare, I’ve got loneliness too   I’ve got blood on these hands that hold on to the truth   That I am a priest and a prince in the Kindgom of God   I swore on the Bible to not tell a lie / But I’ve lied and lied   And I crossed my heart and I hoped to die / And I’ve died and died   But if it’s true that you gathered my sin in your hand, and yo...

Each generation must sing to God with the best music of its generation. For David, it was the tambourine. For us today, it is the carefully crafted sounds of hiphop drumbeats, the sound of the Kalindula drums, and many other such instruments. Here is what Asaph says : Sing aloud to God our strength; shout for joy to the God of Jacob! Raise a song; sound the tambourine, the sweet lyre with the harp. (Psalms 81:1, 2 ESV) I posit that there are five features that must accompany God centred singing: 1. It must be aloud  (1) – he says it twice “aloud” and “shout”. That is both declaratory and resounding! No timidness in singing! Its pathetic singing the word of God with your hands in your pocket when people shout at football games! 2. It must be joyful   (1) – it says shout for joy. Not the glumness that we see in churches. It flows from a deeper joy in Christ that is fully expressed in worship. It is not dullness we see! It is overflowing! 3. It is a so...

There's a Lighthouse on a hillside that overlooks life's sea When I'm tossed He sends out a light that I might see And the light that shines in darkness now will safely lead me on If it wasn't for the Lighthouse my ship would be no more And I thank God for the Lighthouse I owe my life to Him For Jesus is the Lighthouse upon the rocks of sin He has shone a light around me that I could clearly see If it wasn't for the Lighthouse, where would this ship be? Everybody that lives around us says, "tear the Lighthouse down, the big ships they don't sail by this way any more. There's no use of it standing 'round" Then my mind goes back to that stormy night When just in time, I saw the light Yes, the light from that old Lighthouse that stands up there on a hill I thank God for the Lighthouse I owe my life to Him For Jesus is the Lighthouse upon the rocks of sin He has shone a light around me that I could clearly see...

Who is there? That’s the powerful question asked by one of my favourite hip-hop artists Guru from his Jazzmataz - Street Soul  album in the song Who's there? . It is a question forged from a graphic description of two situations. The first verse presents a helpless young woman: These distraught thoughts of a single mother in a homeless shelter / About pain and heartache ain't nothing you can tell her / The case worker says that she should find a job / But does this worker know what kind of jobs that there are? / Degrading things like cleaning up people's vomit / For a little bit of dough and plus your brain gets nothing from it/ I'm smarter than that this girl thinks to herself / I'm worth more than that she thinks to herself / She pours a drink for herself while she stares out the window/ This guy says he got work for her maybe she should go to him yo / The money's good and plus he'll dress her up nice / She left her baby's daddy 'cause he beat...