Trip Lee Blog-Can I Brag?
Before beginning his five month internship, Trip Lee prepared some new music and new blogs to put up during his time away. Here is the first of those blogs.
Bragging is Universal
Little kids boast. If they get a new toy, or new shoes, or have the best birthday party, they want everybody to know about it. Other folks boast too. Athletes brag about their performance on the field, students brag about their performance in the classroom, business men brag about their performance in the boardroom. Young women brag about their looks and young men brag about their ability to sweep young women off their feet. Rappers brag about their unmatched skill on the mic and the ridiculous amount of stuff they’ve acquired. To say it simply, people really like to brag.
Every one of us has this urge inside of us to boast, especially when we have something others don’t have. Boasting is usually the result of pride that’s been festering in our hearts until we can no longer contain it- and someone has to know how great we are! We’ve believed the lie that our accomplishments or our abilities make us superior to others. Worst of all, we’ve believed the lie that we deserve glory.
Can We Brag?
The Scriptures speak clearly to how the Lord feels about pride. For example, James 4:6 says, “the Lord opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Pride is a villain that must be defeated in our hearts by gazing at the glory of Christ. Pride can not survive in the presence of God. Therefore, there is no room for prideful boasting and bragging on ourselves. This is especially true for the Christian. God did give special attention to us, but it wasn’t because we were superior to others.
In 1 Corinthians 1, Paul reminds the Corinthian church that God chose them, not because they were wise or strong or loved in the world. Paul says actually “God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are…” And why would God do that? “so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, whom God made our wisdom and our righteousness and sanctification and redemption. Therefore, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”
Brag on Our Lord
There is nothing about me that is worth boasting about. I am one of the lowly Paul talks about. Every good thing I have is a gift from God. Most notably, my salvation from sin and death is a gift from God. I was adopted by God as a sheer act of His grace! I have nothing to boast about before God. I deserve none of the glory, but Jesus deserves all of it. So I want to take every opportunity I can to boast in Him. I want to brag about Him to others. I want them to know that He is holy! I want to sing with Moses that the Lord is “a man of war; the Lord is his name” (Exodus 15:3). I want to sing with David, “Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable.” (Psalm 145:3). I want to proclaim with Paul, “How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!” (Romans 11:33).
Join me in praising the King of Kings. Let’s look away from ourselves and look to the Lord of glory. Let’s brag on our Lord
The “Brag on My Lord” Deluxe Single is available on iTunes today.
All Comments 23
So true T Lee that we should brag on the Lord Jesus! He is so worthy to be praised. If we really humble ourselves and take stock of what's in us we have no choice but to concede that God is our everything and just to bask in His glory! Maintain and Elevate as always!
David W Williams
– Mar 29 2011
hey, i just wanted to say I really apprecieate you guys makin' this music, Im really glad cuz u guys are good role modles for younger kids. thanks! it means a lot
peace.
kingjake
– Mar 29 2011
Props to Reach Records for putting out music that continues exalting Jesus and encouraging others to do so.
Darrell Wright
– Mar 29 2011
Any option available for those of us without iTunes? Like Amazon MP3? Thanks!
Justin
– Mar 29 2011
Man, this checked me real good. I know that we have to fight pride and defer any praise to God! He deserves it. When I start being prideful, I TOTALLY mess things up. Thanks Trip!
Dwayne Lacy
– Mar 29 2011
Amazing, i praise God for such amazing teachers and men of God of todays darkened times, all glory to God! Go annd brag on em Trip!!:)
Adrian Sterling
– Mar 30 2011
I think KB's "I Can't play the background" explains everything
Rotimi Ajayi
– Mar 30 2011
We are always boasting on what we are not. The tiny things we think make us great are actually EXTREMELY SMALL. God not only created us, but saved us by his grace. Amen, we can only 'Brag on our Lord'
Andy
– Mar 31 2011
HEY! Does anyone know what he says from :48 to :52???
RoFlo116
– Mar 31 2011
there is truly no king like christ..amen trip for these songs ..it encourages me alot,
Randall rosa
– Apr 2 2011
Glory to God! Whenever I have the opportunity to preach about how God has delivered me from sin I find that the devil will try to attack me shortly after. The wonderful grace of God and his ways of keeping us humble like a child. "I will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you can bear" Your humility speaks loudly Trip and I thank God for it. I will pray that you and all the boys of 116 can remain humble like children. Keep on the narrow way and God Bless.
Bennysfire
– Apr 2 2011
You guys music is an insperation to the young & older generation,i grew up on hip hop in the 80's & 90's. This music would have been nice to have during my years in high school, BUT I GOT IT NOW!! GRACE & PEACE TO THE WHOLE 116 CLIQUE! P.S.What does 116 stand for?
Duprice Tillman
– Apr 4 2011
Hey Duprice T, 116 refers to the book of Romans 1:16 that talks about being unashamed of the Gospel of Jesus.
Chezarie Thames
– Apr 5 2011
This is so true! Wonderful. I'm from Germany and so thankful that you produce this music and really live this, it is amazing to have this combination of this style of music (and it's not just the style, of course it must also be of good quality and that's the case!) and this message. It really lifts me up. You English native speakers can be so happy to have this! But don't be proud, it's "just" a blessing.
Here in Germany we don't have any great preachers like John Piper etc. and the church I'm in I don't think much are saved. Most don't live it. It's quite gloomy...
JD
– Apr 10 2011
Thank god for u guys. I love the music and the fact thAt it is truly spirit breathed. Keep it up! nd to JD, I just wNt to say that god is with u my brother. Galatians 6 says not to grow weary in well doing , and in due time u shall receive a great reward. Much love guys. Love the lord and seek him and to know him as ur friend!
Jpeep
– Apr 10 2011
You are so right Trip, theres nothing about me that is to brag about, Im bragging about my Lord 24/7, it doesnt matter what other people think or say im grinding for our God. Keep spreading the word brother and repping Christ. Love u brother. Warrior 4 Christ
Jordan Moore
– Apr 12 2011
So True Trip Lee, I"m from Trinidad And Tobago! love Your Music! In Our World Today, As Young Believers We Need to Brag On Our
Lord!!! Love and Grace To The 11six.
ST Matthew
– Apr 15 2011
Agree wit u.if der is anything 4 me 2 brag of den it is d cross on which ma saviour died,d blood d@ has broughr me redemption,d word d@ gives me hope n d name d@ terrifies all ma enemies,sickness n infirmity.i boast of d man who luvs me so much d@ he laid his lyp down 4 me.w@ manner of luv is dis!
Indeed if der is any bragn 2 do i brag of ma redeemer.
Love derby
– Apr 25 2011
I agree with you as well,as Christians we should brag about our King and shout about it from roof tops.I love your work am a big holly hip hop head,keep the good work up.
eddah
– May 9 2011
yo trip, may GOD continue to use you to as a blessing to bring him glory. you have been used in a magnificent way to bring the light of GOD to the darkness encompassing most of hip hop today. the gospel they preach is immoral sex,lasciviousness,material idolatry, money,and perceived power. the ruler of this world is diligently pursued by this type of rappers and djs, and he has been using them to preach his message by constant bombardment over the airwaves,mp3s,and music videos. I applaud you brother for stepping up and taking a stand for whats righteous. GOD has truly used you and I praise HIM while speaking and singing the lyrics of the songs written with HOLY SPIRIT and GODLY conviction and faith. All praise and glory goes to our LORD and Savior, but also, I would like to say "thank you". Trip, keep up the GOOD fight, we all need to hear your testimony, especially the younger generation being misled by a false message. May GOD continue to bless your proclamation of the true gospel of JESUS CHRIST. Forever is HIS glory.
seekingHISface
– Jun 10 2011
praise the lord.all the glory to our god.
denise
– Jul 12 2011
Praise the lord for these words. We so quickly boast about ourselves and not about the glory of God and all that is of him. Each and everyday, I shall challenge myself to boast about our Father and his grace. God bless his Son Jesus and all of his creations.
Lamarris Williams
– Jul 18 2011
I dont know if you'll actually get to read this Trip Lee... but I'm going to write it anyways.
I dont know if you realize how many people you are touching with your music.
I found one of your songs on YouTube as a suggestion and now I cant believe how much its changed me.
The lyrics to almost all you songs made me cry, because I can seriously realate to them.
Your passion for Christ has really showed me alot of things.
Awhile ago I didnt even know Christian rap existed and now I cant imagine what I'd listen to without it!
It's hard if not impossible to find rap thats clean and wholesome these days... you brought clean and wholesome back!
I can say that since I have been listening to your music, which I do ALL the time now, its made a HUGE impact on me.
I feel like I have a stronger faith... and no matter what circumstances I am in I can always count on one of your songs having amessage that relates to the situation, that points to to whats right.
Thanks so much for being the best role model for me! It means alot!
Sabrina W
– Sep 4 2011