More than a year and a half ago, I wrote about a resolution: less whining, more worship. I've fallen off the wagon a bit on that resolution, so I wanted to write about a song of praise to remind us of our great God.
First of all, we serve a living God!
My heart and my flesh sing for joy to the living God. Psalm 84:2
But the LORD is the true God; He is the living God and the everlasting King. At His wrath the earth quakes, and the nations cannot endure His indignation. Jeremiah 10:10
For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers. I Timothy 4:10
Let everything in us praise our Living God.
Bless the LORD, O my soul,and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Psalm 103:1
This hymn exhorts us that God's favor should claim our highest praise. The Psalmist reminds us that His favor is for a lifetime: that is worthy of praise!
For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for a lifetime; weeping may last for the night, but a shout of joy comes in the morning.
Psalm 30:5
We must not forget His wonders; or let them be lost in silence.
Your way, O God, is holy; what god is great like our God? You are the God who works wonders; You have made known Your strength among the peoples. You have by Your power redeemed Your people, the sons of Jacob and Joseph. Psalm 77:13-15
He has made His wonders to be remembered; the LORD is gracious and compassionate. Psalm 111:4
It was our living God who sent His son to die for the crimes that we committed. He owns the ransoms and forgives the "follies of our lives."
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8
For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many. Mark 10:45
Our living God is a God of power! He heals the vices of the mind, cures pain and redeems our souls from hell.
He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed. I Peter 2:24
At that very time He cured many people of diseases and afflictions and evil spirits; and He gave sight to many who were blind.
Luke 7:21
Our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds. Titus 2:14
You were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ. I Peter 1:18-19
His power is even capable of repairing our decaying youth.
Who satisfies your years with good things,So that your youth is renewed like the eagle. Psalm 103:5
He is righteous and just.
The LORD performs righteous deeds and judgments for all who are oppressed. Psalm 103:6
He loves righteousness and justice. Psalm 33:5
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; lovingkindness and truth go before You. Psalm 89:14
Our living God has been working in His children for a LONG time.
He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the sons of Israel. Psalm 103:7
He gave the Law to Moses, but He sent us truth and mercy in the person of Jesus Christ to us!
For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ. John 1:17
Let the whole earth His power confess! Let the whole earth adore His grace!
Let's stop whining and start worshiping!
The LORD has established His throne in the heavens, and His sovereignty rules over all. Bless the LORD, you His angels, mighty in strength, who perform His word, obeying the voice of His word! Bless the LORD, all you His hosts, you who serve Him, doing His will. Bless the LORD, all you works of His, in all places of His dominion;
Bless the LORD, O my soul! Psalm 103:19-22
Bless, O My Soul, the Living God
Words by Isaac Watts
Bless, O my soul! the living God.
Call home thy thoughts that rove abroad.
Let all the powers within me join
In work and worship so divine,
In work and worship so divine.
Bless, O my soul! the God of grace.
His favors claim thy highest praise.
Why should the wonders He hath wrought
Be lost in silence and forgot,
Be lost in silence and forgot?
’Tis He, my soul, that sent His Son
To die for crimes which thou hast done.
He owns the ransom and forgives
The hourly follies of our lives,
The hourly follies of our lives.
The vices of the mind He heals,
And cures the pains that nature feels;
Redeems the soul from hell, and saves
Our wasting life from threat’ning graves.
Our youth decayed, His power repairs;
His mercy crowns our growing years;
He satisfies our mouth with good,
And fills our hopes with heav’nly food.
He sees th’oppressor and th’oppressed,
And often gives the suff’rers rest;
But will His justice more display
In the last great rewarding day.
His power He showed by Moses’ hands,
And gave to Israel His commands;
But sent His truth and mercy down
To all the nations by His Son.
Let the whole earth His power confess.
Let the whole earth adore His grace.
The Gentile with the Jew shall join
In work and worship so divine,
In work and worship so divine.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Monday, September 7, 2009
Thy Way, Not Mine, O Lord
I'm doing a topical study on Satan and spiritual warfare, and today I was studying the beginning of the story of Job. In addition to what I learned about Satan and how he gets his power, I was reminded about Job's faith and his response when faced with tremendous adversity. I think we all have a lot to learn from Job and his attitude in the midst of suffering.
Let's look at what happens in Job's life, as it is reported to him almost simultaneously in the first chapter of this book:
1. The oxen and donkeys were attacked and stolen by the Sabeans.
2. The Sabeans murdered Job's servants who were with the animals.
3. Fire fell from heaven and burned up the sheep and the servants.
4. The Chaldeans stole the camels.
5. The Chaldeans also murdered the servants who were with the camels.
6. All of his children died when a strong wind toppled the house in which they were dining.
Nothing like this has ever happened to me, and probably not to you either. Our struggles pale in comparison. But how does our response to our struggles compare with Job's? Here's what happened next:
Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head, and he fell to the ground and worshiped. He said, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I shall return there. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD." Through all this Job did not sin nor did he blame God. Job 1:20-22
Job has just been told that many of his livestock are gone, his servants were murdered, and ALL of his children are dead. And he fell to the ground and worshiped! He blessed the name of the Lord, and did not sin nor blame God.
I can almost imagine Job singing this hymn (of course it hadn't been written yet!) or something similar as he worshiped. Job fully understood the sovereignty of God. He knew that whether the path would be smooth or rough, it would be the best for him because God had ordained it.
The story gets worse for Job. In the second chapter, Satan smites him with boils from his head to his feet. He is urged by his wife to lay aside his integrity and curse God. But he doesn't.
But he said to her, "You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity?" In all this Job did not sin with his lips. Job 2:10
He knows what happens to him is in God's hands - and he leaves it there. He doesn't choose his lot - he knows that God has a plan for what is happening in his life.
I think there are several key lessons from these two brief chapters in Job.
1. We have a choice about how we respond when faced with adversity. We can choose to grumble to ourselves, complain to others, and blame God, or we can choose to worship God as the sovereign King who has a plan for our lives; He gives, and He takes away.
2. When we grumble, complain and blame God we are sinning. When we worship, we are obeying. We can choose to sin in response to suffering, or we can choose to obey.
3. We can be an example to others of living out faithful lives in the face of adversity. When others see us handling struggles in a way contrary to the world's notion of dealing with adversity, they will see lives consecrated to God's will and purpose.
4. God is worthy of our worship and praise in all circumstances. He is in control and can be trusted as our Faithful Guide.
Whatever you're facing today, large or small, know that the God of the Universe has ordained it for you, to sanctify you and to bring glory to Himself. I encourage you to face your suffering with worship, and to say along with Job, "Blessed be the Name of the Lord!"
Thy Way, Not Mine, O Lord
Words by Horatio Bonar
Thy way, not mine, O Lord,
However dark it be;
Lead me by Thine own hand,
Choose out the path for me.
Smooth let it be or rough,
It will be still the best;
Winding or straight, it leads
Right onward to Thy rest.
I dare not choose my lot;
I would not, if I might;
Choose Thou for me, my God,
So I shall walk aright.
Take Thou my cup, and it
With joy or sorrow fill,
As best to Thee may seem;
Choose Thou my good and ill.
Choose Thou for me my friends,
My sickness or my health;
Choose Thou my cares for me
My poverty or wealth.
The kingdom that I seek
Is Thine: so let the way
That leads to it be Thine,
Else I must surely stray.
Not mine, not mine the choice
In things or great or small;
Be Thou my Guide, my Strength
My Wisdom, and my All.
Let's look at what happens in Job's life, as it is reported to him almost simultaneously in the first chapter of this book:
1. The oxen and donkeys were attacked and stolen by the Sabeans.
2. The Sabeans murdered Job's servants who were with the animals.
3. Fire fell from heaven and burned up the sheep and the servants.
4. The Chaldeans stole the camels.
5. The Chaldeans also murdered the servants who were with the camels.
6. All of his children died when a strong wind toppled the house in which they were dining.
Nothing like this has ever happened to me, and probably not to you either. Our struggles pale in comparison. But how does our response to our struggles compare with Job's? Here's what happened next:
Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head, and he fell to the ground and worshiped. He said, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I shall return there. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD." Through all this Job did not sin nor did he blame God. Job 1:20-22
Job has just been told that many of his livestock are gone, his servants were murdered, and ALL of his children are dead. And he fell to the ground and worshiped! He blessed the name of the Lord, and did not sin nor blame God.
I can almost imagine Job singing this hymn (of course it hadn't been written yet!) or something similar as he worshiped. Job fully understood the sovereignty of God. He knew that whether the path would be smooth or rough, it would be the best for him because God had ordained it.
The story gets worse for Job. In the second chapter, Satan smites him with boils from his head to his feet. He is urged by his wife to lay aside his integrity and curse God. But he doesn't.
But he said to her, "You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity?" In all this Job did not sin with his lips. Job 2:10
He knows what happens to him is in God's hands - and he leaves it there. He doesn't choose his lot - he knows that God has a plan for what is happening in his life.
I think there are several key lessons from these two brief chapters in Job.
1. We have a choice about how we respond when faced with adversity. We can choose to grumble to ourselves, complain to others, and blame God, or we can choose to worship God as the sovereign King who has a plan for our lives; He gives, and He takes away.
2. When we grumble, complain and blame God we are sinning. When we worship, we are obeying. We can choose to sin in response to suffering, or we can choose to obey.
3. We can be an example to others of living out faithful lives in the face of adversity. When others see us handling struggles in a way contrary to the world's notion of dealing with adversity, they will see lives consecrated to God's will and purpose.
4. God is worthy of our worship and praise in all circumstances. He is in control and can be trusted as our Faithful Guide.
Whatever you're facing today, large or small, know that the God of the Universe has ordained it for you, to sanctify you and to bring glory to Himself. I encourage you to face your suffering with worship, and to say along with Job, "Blessed be the Name of the Lord!"
Thy Way, Not Mine, O Lord
Words by Horatio Bonar
Thy way, not mine, O Lord,
However dark it be;
Lead me by Thine own hand,
Choose out the path for me.
Smooth let it be or rough,
It will be still the best;
Winding or straight, it leads
Right onward to Thy rest.
I dare not choose my lot;
I would not, if I might;
Choose Thou for me, my God,
So I shall walk aright.
Take Thou my cup, and it
With joy or sorrow fill,
As best to Thee may seem;
Choose Thou my good and ill.
Choose Thou for me my friends,
My sickness or my health;
Choose Thou my cares for me
My poverty or wealth.
The kingdom that I seek
Is Thine: so let the way
That leads to it be Thine,
Else I must surely stray.
Not mine, not mine the choice
In things or great or small;
Be Thou my Guide, my Strength
My Wisdom, and my All.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light
Come, house of Jacob, and let us walk in the light of the LORD.
Isaiah 2:5
As I wrote earlier about Jesus being the light of the world, I was thinking about this hymn and my desire to walk as a child of the light. What does it mean to walk as a child of the light? This hymn tells me it means to follow Jesus. That led me to the Scripture to see what is says about walking as a child of the Light.
Therefore do not be partakers with them [the sons of disobedience]; for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. Ephesians 5:7-12
Paul tells us that we are to walk in all goodness, righteousness and truth as we try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. This theme is repeated in Paul's epistles. One of my favorite passages in Scripture is this prayer that Paul has prayed for the people at Colossae, that they will please the Lord in everything they do.
For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light. Colossians 1:9-12
And look what Proverbs tells us: there is great reward in doing what is pleasing to Him!
When a man's ways are pleasing to the LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. Proverbs 16:7
When I am walking as a child of the Light, when the Star of my life is Jesus, He guides me in His will and doing what He requires.
He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8
Of course, our ultimate reward for walking as children of light comes when we see Jesus face to face! When we have run the race here on Earth and God calls us to our heavenly home, we will live with Jesus for eternity. Let us stay focused on that day as we walk in all righteousness, learning what is pleasing to Him!
"Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end."
Revelation 22:12-13
I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light
Words by Kathleen Thomerson
I want to walk as a child of the Light
I want to follow Jesus
God set the stars To give light to the world
The Star of my life is Jesus.
Refrain
In Him there is no darkness at all
The night and the day are both alike
The lamb is the Light of the city of God
Shine in my heart Lord Jesus.
I want to see the Brightness of God
I want to look at Jesus
Clear Son of righteousness shine on my path
And show me the way to the Father.
I'm looking for the coming of Christ
I want to be with Jesus
When we have run, with patience, the race
We shall know the joy of Jesus.
Isaiah 2:5
As I wrote earlier about Jesus being the light of the world, I was thinking about this hymn and my desire to walk as a child of the light. What does it mean to walk as a child of the light? This hymn tells me it means to follow Jesus. That led me to the Scripture to see what is says about walking as a child of the Light.
Therefore do not be partakers with them [the sons of disobedience]; for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. Ephesians 5:7-12
Paul tells us that we are to walk in all goodness, righteousness and truth as we try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. This theme is repeated in Paul's epistles. One of my favorite passages in Scripture is this prayer that Paul has prayed for the people at Colossae, that they will please the Lord in everything they do.
For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light. Colossians 1:9-12
And look what Proverbs tells us: there is great reward in doing what is pleasing to Him!
When a man's ways are pleasing to the LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. Proverbs 16:7
When I am walking as a child of the Light, when the Star of my life is Jesus, He guides me in His will and doing what He requires.
He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8
Of course, our ultimate reward for walking as children of light comes when we see Jesus face to face! When we have run the race here on Earth and God calls us to our heavenly home, we will live with Jesus for eternity. Let us stay focused on that day as we walk in all righteousness, learning what is pleasing to Him!
"Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end."
Revelation 22:12-13
I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light
Words by Kathleen Thomerson
I want to walk as a child of the Light
I want to follow Jesus
God set the stars To give light to the world
The Star of my life is Jesus.
Refrain
In Him there is no darkness at all
The night and the day are both alike
The lamb is the Light of the city of God
Shine in my heart Lord Jesus.
I want to see the Brightness of God
I want to look at Jesus
Clear Son of righteousness shine on my path
And show me the way to the Father.
I'm looking for the coming of Christ
I want to be with Jesus
When we have run, with patience, the race
We shall know the joy of Jesus.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
The Light of the World is Jesus
In the last few weeks, I've been thinking a lot about the sin in the world, and the antidote to that sin: Jesus. Sometimes I feel like I'm overwhelmed by the sin around me: in the world at large, in my city, in my neighborhood, in my family, in myself. So many people, even those who know the truth and the instruction of Christ, choose to live in a way that is not up to His standard; and that is sin. The whole world truly is lost in the darkness of sin.
"This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God." John 3:19-21
Jesus spoke those words when He came to earth thousands of years ago. And they still ring true today. We have the Light - Jesus - but men love the darkness rather than the Light. Many people can't even understand or comprehend the Light because of the darkness that surrounds them.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. John 1:1-5
Those of us who walk with Jesus have the light of Life, "no darkness have we who in Jesus abide." This is why Jesus came - to get us out of the darkness of sin!
"I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness." John 12:46
We walk in the Light when we follow our guide.
Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, "I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life." John 8:12
Those who dwell in darkness can get out - by trusting in Jesus and putting faith in Him. By following Him and leading a life marked by one who has been saved; a life in the Light. This light and saving from the darkness was prophesied many years before Jesus came, giving hope to those who were waiting for the Messiah.
The people who walk in darkness will see a great light; those who live in a dark land, the light will shine on them. Isaiah 9:2
Those of us who have trusted Christ as our Savior and walk in the light look forward to the day when we will join with other believers in heaven. The last stanza of this hymn encourages us about that day: we will not need sunlight because the Lamb is the Light in the City of Gold! The Lord God will illumine us!
And there will no longer be any night; and they will not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God will illumine them; and they will reign forever and ever.
Revelation 22:5
Coming soon...more thoughts on Light and living in the Light.
The Light of the World is Jesus
Words by Philip Bliss
The whole world was lost in the darkness of sin,
The Light of the world is Jesus!
Like sunshine at noonday His glory shone in.
The Light of the world is Jesus!
Refrain
Come to the light, ’tis shining for thee;
Sweetly the light has dawned upon me.
Once I was blind, but now I can see:
The Light of the world is Jesus!
No darkness have we who in Jesus abide;
The Light of the world is Jesus!
We walk in the light when we follow our Guide!
The Light of the world is Jesus!
Ye dwellers in darkness with sin blinded eyes,
The Light of the world is Jesus!
Go, wash, at His bidding,and light will arise.
The Light of the world is Jesus!
No need of the sunlight in Heaven we’re told;
The Light of the world is Jesus!
The Lamb is the Light in the city of gold,
The Light of the world is Jesus!
"This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God." John 3:19-21
Jesus spoke those words when He came to earth thousands of years ago. And they still ring true today. We have the Light - Jesus - but men love the darkness rather than the Light. Many people can't even understand or comprehend the Light because of the darkness that surrounds them.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. John 1:1-5
Those of us who walk with Jesus have the light of Life, "no darkness have we who in Jesus abide." This is why Jesus came - to get us out of the darkness of sin!
"I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness." John 12:46
We walk in the Light when we follow our guide.
Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, "I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life." John 8:12
Those who dwell in darkness can get out - by trusting in Jesus and putting faith in Him. By following Him and leading a life marked by one who has been saved; a life in the Light. This light and saving from the darkness was prophesied many years before Jesus came, giving hope to those who were waiting for the Messiah.
The people who walk in darkness will see a great light; those who live in a dark land, the light will shine on them. Isaiah 9:2
Those of us who have trusted Christ as our Savior and walk in the light look forward to the day when we will join with other believers in heaven. The last stanza of this hymn encourages us about that day: we will not need sunlight because the Lamb is the Light in the City of Gold! The Lord God will illumine us!
And there will no longer be any night; and they will not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God will illumine them; and they will reign forever and ever.
Revelation 22:5
Coming soon...more thoughts on Light and living in the Light.
The Light of the World is Jesus
Words by Philip Bliss
The whole world was lost in the darkness of sin,
The Light of the world is Jesus!
Like sunshine at noonday His glory shone in.
The Light of the world is Jesus!
Refrain
Come to the light, ’tis shining for thee;
Sweetly the light has dawned upon me.
Once I was blind, but now I can see:
The Light of the world is Jesus!
No darkness have we who in Jesus abide;
The Light of the world is Jesus!
We walk in the light when we follow our Guide!
The Light of the world is Jesus!
Ye dwellers in darkness with sin blinded eyes,
The Light of the world is Jesus!
Go, wash, at His bidding,and light will arise.
The Light of the world is Jesus!
No need of the sunlight in Heaven we’re told;
The Light of the world is Jesus!
The Lamb is the Light in the city of gold,
The Light of the world is Jesus!
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Jesus Loves Me
For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:14-18
I've been singing this song lately with my 2 year old nephew. It does my heart good to hear him sing these words, and I especially love the stress he places on Yes. It's like he's brimming with confirmation and confidence as he sings, "YEEESSSSS! Jesus loves me!"
This was written as a children's song, but the words are really quite profound. I encourage you to really stop and think about these words the next time you sing this song.
Jesus loves me. He loves me so much that He gave up His own life.
...walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.
Ephesians 5:2
He obeyed His Father, and humbled Himself, even to the point of death on a cross, so that our sins would be covered and our future would be secure.
Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Philippians 2:8
...to Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood... Revelation 1:5
And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. I John 5:11
What is our response to this love? To live for Him.
For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf. II Corinthians 5:14-15
I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. Galatians 2:20
Jesus Loves Me
Words by Anna Warner and David McGuire
Jesus loves me! This I know,
For the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to Him belong;
They are weak, but He is strong.
Refrain
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
The Bible tells me so.
Jesus loves me! This I know,
As He loved so long ago,
Taking children on His knee,
Saying, “Let them come to Me.”
Jesus loves me still today,
Walking with me on my way,
Wanting as a friend to give
Light and love to all who live.
Jesus loves me! He who died
Heaven’s gate to open wide;
He will wash away my sin,
Let His little child come in.
Jesus loves me! He will stay
Close beside me all the way;
Thou hast bled and died for me,
I will henceforth live for Thee.
I've been singing this song lately with my 2 year old nephew. It does my heart good to hear him sing these words, and I especially love the stress he places on Yes. It's like he's brimming with confirmation and confidence as he sings, "YEEESSSSS! Jesus loves me!"
This was written as a children's song, but the words are really quite profound. I encourage you to really stop and think about these words the next time you sing this song.
Jesus loves me. He loves me so much that He gave up His own life.
...walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.
Ephesians 5:2
He obeyed His Father, and humbled Himself, even to the point of death on a cross, so that our sins would be covered and our future would be secure.
Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Philippians 2:8
...to Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood... Revelation 1:5
And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. I John 5:11
What is our response to this love? To live for Him.
For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf. II Corinthians 5:14-15
I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. Galatians 2:20
Jesus Loves Me
Words by Anna Warner and David McGuire
Jesus loves me! This I know,
For the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to Him belong;
They are weak, but He is strong.
Refrain
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
The Bible tells me so.
Jesus loves me! This I know,
As He loved so long ago,
Taking children on His knee,
Saying, “Let them come to Me.”
Jesus loves me still today,
Walking with me on my way,
Wanting as a friend to give
Light and love to all who live.
Jesus loves me! He who died
Heaven’s gate to open wide;
He will wash away my sin,
Let His little child come in.
Jesus loves me! He will stay
Close beside me all the way;
Thou hast bled and died for me,
I will henceforth live for Thee.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Yes, God is Good
For the LORD is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting, and His faithfulness to all generations. Psalm 100:5
Creation sings the goodness of God! I've said it before, but it bears repeating. I notice it in every season, but this summer has me thinking about it more than usual. Even as I was sitting in a meeting this morning, looking out the window at all the beautiful plants and flowers raising their heads to the sun, I couldn't help but think "Creation just seems to shout 'to God be the glory!'"
O taste and see that the LORD is good... Psalm 34:8
When I think about the science behind what we take for granted every day, that the sun will keep its trackless way - it doesn't fall or even move! - that rain pours on the earth, that the stars shine in the night to light up the sky - it is amazing!
Think of what it takes for rain to fall: water has to evaporate from some large source (like an ocean or a big lake), move across the sky, condense into water, and then be released to fall to the earth again. And it can't condense into one gigantic drop or that would annihilate or at the very least flood the population - it condenses into lots of tiny little drops that provide nourishment to the plants and the food that we eat! My explanation is not scientific in the least but I hope you can see my point - God working in creation shows us His goodness. Rain itself is a miraculous event. Balmy air and falling rain are pictures of God's goodness to us.
For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. Romans 1:20
This hymn was written for children, so the truths are relatively simple, but also profound when you think about them more carefully. The rushing breeze, the hills that have forever stood, the roaring seas, they all say "God is good."
What I love about this hymn is it acknowledges that creation sings God's praises and goodness, but then it exhorts US to sing His praises even louder!
Praise the LORD, for the LORD is good; Sing praises to His name, for it is lovely. Psalm 135:3
Praise the LORD! For it is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant and praise is becoming. Psalm 147:1
I encourage you to take special note today of how creation is singing God's praise, and then join in the song yourself, acknowledging God's goodness and thanking Him for it.
Yes, God is Good
Words by John H. Gurney
Yes, God is good; in earth and sky,
From ocean depths and spreading wood,
Ten thousand voices seem to cry,
“God made us all, and God is good.”
The sun that keeps his trackless way
And downward pours his golden flood,
Night’s sparkling hosts, all seem to say,
In accents clear, that God is good.
The merry birds prolong the strain,
Their song with every spring renewed;
And balmy air, and falling rain,
Each softly whispers, “God is good.”
I hear it in the rushing breeze;
The hills that have for ages stood,
The echoing sky and roaring seas,
All swell the chorus, God is good.
Yes, God is good, all nature says,
By God’s own hand with speech endued;
And man, in louder notes of praise,
Should sing for joy that God is good.
For all Thy gifts we bless Thee, Lord,
But chiefly for our heavenly food;
Thy pardoning grace, Thy quickening word,
These prompt our song, that God is good.
Creation sings the goodness of God! I've said it before, but it bears repeating. I notice it in every season, but this summer has me thinking about it more than usual. Even as I was sitting in a meeting this morning, looking out the window at all the beautiful plants and flowers raising their heads to the sun, I couldn't help but think "Creation just seems to shout 'to God be the glory!'"
O taste and see that the LORD is good... Psalm 34:8
When I think about the science behind what we take for granted every day, that the sun will keep its trackless way - it doesn't fall or even move! - that rain pours on the earth, that the stars shine in the night to light up the sky - it is amazing!
Think of what it takes for rain to fall: water has to evaporate from some large source (like an ocean or a big lake), move across the sky, condense into water, and then be released to fall to the earth again. And it can't condense into one gigantic drop or that would annihilate or at the very least flood the population - it condenses into lots of tiny little drops that provide nourishment to the plants and the food that we eat! My explanation is not scientific in the least but I hope you can see my point - God working in creation shows us His goodness. Rain itself is a miraculous event. Balmy air and falling rain are pictures of God's goodness to us.
For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. Romans 1:20
This hymn was written for children, so the truths are relatively simple, but also profound when you think about them more carefully. The rushing breeze, the hills that have forever stood, the roaring seas, they all say "God is good."
What I love about this hymn is it acknowledges that creation sings God's praises and goodness, but then it exhorts US to sing His praises even louder!
Praise the LORD, for the LORD is good; Sing praises to His name, for it is lovely. Psalm 135:3
Praise the LORD! For it is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant and praise is becoming. Psalm 147:1
I encourage you to take special note today of how creation is singing God's praise, and then join in the song yourself, acknowledging God's goodness and thanking Him for it.
Yes, God is Good
Words by John H. Gurney
Yes, God is good; in earth and sky,
From ocean depths and spreading wood,
Ten thousand voices seem to cry,
“God made us all, and God is good.”
The sun that keeps his trackless way
And downward pours his golden flood,
Night’s sparkling hosts, all seem to say,
In accents clear, that God is good.
The merry birds prolong the strain,
Their song with every spring renewed;
And balmy air, and falling rain,
Each softly whispers, “God is good.”
I hear it in the rushing breeze;
The hills that have for ages stood,
The echoing sky and roaring seas,
All swell the chorus, God is good.
Yes, God is good, all nature says,
By God’s own hand with speech endued;
And man, in louder notes of praise,
Should sing for joy that God is good.
For all Thy gifts we bless Thee, Lord,
But chiefly for our heavenly food;
Thy pardoning grace, Thy quickening word,
These prompt our song, that God is good.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
He Set Me Free
It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1
I've been thinking a lot about freedom as we approach the holiday this weekend when Americans celebrate being set free from the rule of England. Galatians 5:1 keeps resounding in my head: It was for freedom that Christ set us free. Have you ever thought about this? Freedom.
Because of Christ's atoning work on the cross of Calvary, we are set free from sin. Jesus became a man made of flesh and blood so that He could be slain, ridding the devil of his power over death. Jesus' sacrifice set us free from the slavery of sin.
Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives. Hebrews 2:14-15
Sin leads to death and eternal separation from God. But there is life in Jesus Christ!
For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. Romans 8:2
When Paul wrote to the Galatians, reminding them that it was for freedom that they were set free, he was exhorting them not to fall back into their usual pattern of trying to live by the Law. We know, by studying the Scriptures, that no person could live up to the requirements of the Law. (I know just by looking at myself!) That's why God sent His son Jesus to redeem us - we could never earn or be "good enough" to merit His favor. Through Jesus, we are freed from death and sin, things that we could never be free from under the Law.
Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through Him forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and through Him everyone who believes is freed from all things, from which you could not be freed through the Law of Moses. Acts 13:38-39
Being free from sin has a great reward - our benefit is sanctification (being made holy) and eternal life!
But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life. Romans 6:22
Remember that it was for freedom that you were set free! When you celebrate our national holiday this weekend, praise God that you are free from sin because of His great love for you!
He Set Me Free
Words by Haldor Lillenas
My soul is filled with joy and gladness
Since Jesus came to me.
His love has banished all my sadness,
From sin I am set free.
Refrain
He set me free, He set me free,
I was blind, but hallelujah, now I see!
I shall ne’er forget the day
When He washed my sins away,
And He set, He set me free.
The Comforter divine is dwelling
Within my soul today;
His love to others I am telling
Since Jesus came to stay.
The grace of Jesus hath abounded
For all my sins I see,
Salvation walls have me surrounded,
From sin I am set free.
I've been thinking a lot about freedom as we approach the holiday this weekend when Americans celebrate being set free from the rule of England. Galatians 5:1 keeps resounding in my head: It was for freedom that Christ set us free. Have you ever thought about this? Freedom.
Because of Christ's atoning work on the cross of Calvary, we are set free from sin. Jesus became a man made of flesh and blood so that He could be slain, ridding the devil of his power over death. Jesus' sacrifice set us free from the slavery of sin.
Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives. Hebrews 2:14-15
Sin leads to death and eternal separation from God. But there is life in Jesus Christ!
For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. Romans 8:2
When Paul wrote to the Galatians, reminding them that it was for freedom that they were set free, he was exhorting them not to fall back into their usual pattern of trying to live by the Law. We know, by studying the Scriptures, that no person could live up to the requirements of the Law. (I know just by looking at myself!) That's why God sent His son Jesus to redeem us - we could never earn or be "good enough" to merit His favor. Through Jesus, we are freed from death and sin, things that we could never be free from under the Law.
Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through Him forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and through Him everyone who believes is freed from all things, from which you could not be freed through the Law of Moses. Acts 13:38-39
Being free from sin has a great reward - our benefit is sanctification (being made holy) and eternal life!
But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life. Romans 6:22
Remember that it was for freedom that you were set free! When you celebrate our national holiday this weekend, praise God that you are free from sin because of His great love for you!
He Set Me Free
Words by Haldor Lillenas
My soul is filled with joy and gladness
Since Jesus came to me.
His love has banished all my sadness,
From sin I am set free.
Refrain
He set me free, He set me free,
I was blind, but hallelujah, now I see!
I shall ne’er forget the day
When He washed my sins away,
And He set, He set me free.
The Comforter divine is dwelling
Within my soul today;
His love to others I am telling
Since Jesus came to stay.
The grace of Jesus hath abounded
For all my sins I see,
Salvation walls have me surrounded,
From sin I am set free.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)