This Sunday, we will be singing many hymns and songs that focus on Jesus and His sacrifice for us on the cross. We will also be observing the Lord's Supper, in remembrance of Him. Little did I know, the Lord would open my eyes to two new websites that focus on returning the church to its roots - THE CROSS. Both of the following blogs offered ways to turn your eyes back to the Lord. Both are written by experienced worship leaders that reveal the best way to lead music is to simply "Lead Me to the Cross."
The first is written by Bob Kauflin, director of Sovereign Grace Music, one of my newer favorite groups. I find their music refreshing because it offers great, focused, and biblically-based lyrics. (And I love the "modern day hymn writer" style of it.) I listed their website below, as well, with a link for a song I just listened to this evening entitled "Jesus Died for Me." Sovereign Grace's newest release is entitled "Grace Has Come: Songs from the Book of Romans." In Bob's post entitled "Idolatry on Sunday Mornings", he addresses different forms of idolatry we can have in our lives that even pervade our Sunday Morning services. He points out that our music can become an idol to us, leading us away from Christ instead of toward Him. Many more good posts can be found on his site www.worshipmatters.com.
The other blog is written by a veteran worship leader named Jim, who serves in the American Evangelical Church. He offers the challenge that many of today's churches have lost their focus on the cross, instead focusing on bringing in people with things exterior to the Gospel message. I find his thoughts on coffee interesting...
WARNING! These blogs will challenge you to think about your faith! I know they challenged me!
"Whatever happened to the message of the cross?" - http://notforitchingears.com/2010/11/09/the-cross-versus-coffee-and-the-winner-is/
"Idolatry on Sunday Mornings" - http://www.worshipmatters.com/2005/11/29/worship-service-idolatry-on-sunday-mornings/
Also, check out http://www.sovereigngracemusic.org/. There is even free music to download. I definitely look forward to getting my new CD sometime in the next week or so, entitled "Before the Throne" by Steve and Vikki Cook, Sovereign Grace songwriters. Their song "Jesus Died for Me" I also learned about from the Worship Matters website (I had a terrible time finding a CD with it, as they are no longer on Sovereign Grace's website. Thank you Amazon!) Listen to it and follow the lyrics at http://www.worshipmatters.com/2008/01/29/new-song-%E2%80%94-jesus-died-for-me/.
That's all for now. Thanks be to God for the Cross!
Saturday, August 31, 2013
Friday, August 23, 2013
What "Who Am I" says about "Who I Am"
It has been a while since Casting Crowns released their song "Who Am I", but we will be singing it this Sunday morning for the first time during our service.
The words to the chorus tell the whole story behind the meaning of the song:
Not because of who I am
But because of what You've done.
Not because of what I've done
But because of who You are.
To further answer the question of who we are, the closing to the chorus states, "You've told me who I am. I am yours."
Ephesians 2:8-9 reads, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast."
John 1:12 states, "Yet to all who receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God."
And finally, Galations 3:26 states, "So in Christ you are all children of God, by faith."
It is not who we are or what we have done that causes God to love us. In fact, it is in spite of ourselves that God loves us. Romans 5:8 says Christ gave himself for us while we were yet sinners. It was His action that caused us to become who we now are. We are no longer sinful creatures by birth, through Adam. We are saved in Christ, and through Him we can be made righteous (Romans 5:19). Taking that thought further, our new identity in Christ is now so much more than we ever were when we counted on our own devices. Our own glory and faithfulness is fading (I Peter 1:24 and Isaiah 40:6-8) and our time here is earth is but a vapor - gone quickly (James 4:14). However, through God and His Word, which endures forever (Isaiah 40:8), we can become His own, His sons and daughters, children of God, heirs to His kingdom. First, however, we must receive Him, and actively believe, though faith, that He is our saving grace. It is then and only then that we can finally say, "I am Yours."
The words to the chorus tell the whole story behind the meaning of the song:
Not because of who I am
But because of what You've done.
Not because of what I've done
But because of who You are.
To further answer the question of who we are, the closing to the chorus states, "You've told me who I am. I am yours."
Ephesians 2:8-9 reads, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast."
John 1:12 states, "Yet to all who receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God."
And finally, Galations 3:26 states, "So in Christ you are all children of God, by faith."
It is not who we are or what we have done that causes God to love us. In fact, it is in spite of ourselves that God loves us. Romans 5:8 says Christ gave himself for us while we were yet sinners. It was His action that caused us to become who we now are. We are no longer sinful creatures by birth, through Adam. We are saved in Christ, and through Him we can be made righteous (Romans 5:19). Taking that thought further, our new identity in Christ is now so much more than we ever were when we counted on our own devices. Our own glory and faithfulness is fading (I Peter 1:24 and Isaiah 40:6-8) and our time here is earth is but a vapor - gone quickly (James 4:14). However, through God and His Word, which endures forever (Isaiah 40:8), we can become His own, His sons and daughters, children of God, heirs to His kingdom. First, however, we must receive Him, and actively believe, though faith, that He is our saving grace. It is then and only then that we can finally say, "I am Yours."
Saturday, June 29, 2013
Building on the Rock
"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."
Matthew 7:24-27
I enjoy weather.com, and for more than just weather. My job preparation as a mail carrier depends greatly on the weather, but many times I visit the site just to read interesting stories. I find their stories and pictures fascinating (albeit non-weather related most times).
This past week, I read about "9 Desolate Ghost Towns." It was interesting to see areas once full of prosperity brought down to earth for one reason or another. One intriguing example was Holland Island, formerly found in the Chesapeake Bay. That's right, in the bay. I'm sure we have all thought about owning or own little island at some time or another (even if as a child, when our imagination runs wild.) What I found interesting about this former community is that the residents built their houses on eroding sand. There was no rock on this island on which to build foundations, so the community of fisherman made due with clay. The article states, quoting the Washington Post ""like other Chesapeake islands, [Holland Island] was made of silt and clay, not rock, so its land eroded readily." The last house, it states, collapsed in 2010, bringing to end a community which at one time housed more than 360 people in 1910. (See http://www.weather.com/travel/desolate-ghost-towns-20130618?pageno=9 for the full story and pictures.)
Now this story is more than fascinating because it has a direct parallel to our spiritual lives. When I find myself depressed, angry or sad, many times I can directly correlate this to trying to do things in my life through my own efforts, and not through God's strength and power. It is difficult, as we Christians do experience the same heartaches that those who do not believe do, to show and live Christ's example even through our troubles. I get discouraged sometimes at the simplest things. It is in these times that I find myself building on this sand and silt. And sometimes, God needs to send the storm to bring us back to the realization that He and He alone should be our foundation.
God never promised we would be given a trouble-free life. But we can lean on Him in times of trouble; He is our Rock.
Matthew 7:24-27
I enjoy weather.com, and for more than just weather. My job preparation as a mail carrier depends greatly on the weather, but many times I visit the site just to read interesting stories. I find their stories and pictures fascinating (albeit non-weather related most times).
This past week, I read about "9 Desolate Ghost Towns." It was interesting to see areas once full of prosperity brought down to earth for one reason or another. One intriguing example was Holland Island, formerly found in the Chesapeake Bay. That's right, in the bay. I'm sure we have all thought about owning or own little island at some time or another (even if as a child, when our imagination runs wild.) What I found interesting about this former community is that the residents built their houses on eroding sand. There was no rock on this island on which to build foundations, so the community of fisherman made due with clay. The article states, quoting the Washington Post ""like other Chesapeake islands, [Holland Island] was made of silt and clay, not rock, so its land eroded readily." The last house, it states, collapsed in 2010, bringing to end a community which at one time housed more than 360 people in 1910. (See http://www.weather.com/travel/desolate-ghost-towns-20130618?pageno=9 for the full story and pictures.)
Now this story is more than fascinating because it has a direct parallel to our spiritual lives. When I find myself depressed, angry or sad, many times I can directly correlate this to trying to do things in my life through my own efforts, and not through God's strength and power. It is difficult, as we Christians do experience the same heartaches that those who do not believe do, to show and live Christ's example even through our troubles. I get discouraged sometimes at the simplest things. It is in these times that I find myself building on this sand and silt. And sometimes, God needs to send the storm to bring us back to the realization that He and He alone should be our foundation.
God never promised we would be given a trouble-free life. But we can lean on Him in times of trouble; He is our Rock.
Thoughts on Matt Redmand and "Jesus, Only Jesus"
"Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we MUST be saved." Acts 4:12
As a prelude to this week's service, I chose the song "Jesus, Only Jesus" sung by Matt Redman as part of the Passion 2013 lineup. A newer song of Matt's, 10,000 Reasons, I hope to sing at a future service. One of my favorite worship songs, The Heart of Worship, is also a Matt Redman song. I like his combination of powerful lyrics, simple tunes, and his easy-to-lead worship style. Many worship leaders are great song writers, but I find their songs great for personal listening, but not ideal for congregational singing. Matt Redman's songs are definitely a break from this mold.
I also like that the great worship songs nowadays have more than one contributor. This song has 6 total contributors. Many times, we cannot fully express our own Christian faith until we work with and fellowship with others. Christian songwriting is no exception.
Here are the words to Jesus, Only Jesus:
Who has the power to raise the dead?
Who can save us from our sin?
He is our hope, our righteousness
Jesus, only Jesus
Who can make the blind to see?
Who holds the keys that set us free?
He paid it all to bring us peace
Jesus, only Jesus
Holy, King almighty Lord
Saints and angels all adore
I join with them and bow before
Jesus, only Jesus
Who can command the highest praise?
Who has the name above all names?
You stand alone, I stand amazed
Jesus, only Jesus
You will command the highest praise!
Yours is the name above all names!
You stand alone, I stand amazed
Jesus, only Jesus!
Jesus, only Jesus!
Copyright A Thousand Generations, worshiptogether.com songs
As a prelude to this week's service, I chose the song "Jesus, Only Jesus" sung by Matt Redman as part of the Passion 2013 lineup. A newer song of Matt's, 10,000 Reasons, I hope to sing at a future service. One of my favorite worship songs, The Heart of Worship, is also a Matt Redman song. I like his combination of powerful lyrics, simple tunes, and his easy-to-lead worship style. Many worship leaders are great song writers, but I find their songs great for personal listening, but not ideal for congregational singing. Matt Redman's songs are definitely a break from this mold.
I also like that the great worship songs nowadays have more than one contributor. This song has 6 total contributors. Many times, we cannot fully express our own Christian faith until we work with and fellowship with others. Christian songwriting is no exception.
Here are the words to Jesus, Only Jesus:
Who has the power to raise the dead?
Who can save us from our sin?
He is our hope, our righteousness
Jesus, only Jesus
Who can make the blind to see?
Who holds the keys that set us free?
He paid it all to bring us peace
Jesus, only Jesus
Holy, King almighty Lord
Saints and angels all adore
I join with them and bow before
Jesus, only Jesus
Who can command the highest praise?
Who has the name above all names?
You stand alone, I stand amazed
Jesus, only Jesus
You will command the highest praise!
Yours is the name above all names!
You stand alone, I stand amazed
Jesus, only Jesus!
Jesus, only Jesus!
Copyright A Thousand Generations, worshiptogether.com songs
Friday, June 28, 2013
Sunday, June 16th Order of Worship at Zion Bible Church
This posting is a little late, but here was our order of worship from Father's Day Sunday, June 16th:
Opening Hymns:
Tis to Sweet to Trust in Jesus # 198
Leaning on the Everlasting Arms # 145
Worship Set:
Here I Am to Worship
Shout to the Lord
He Knows My Name
Closing Song:
How Deep the Father’s Love for Us
Our theme was based on I John 1:4 -
"I have no greater joy than to hear my children are walking in the truth."
As fathers, we should set the example of walking with the Lord and trusting him through faith. And what better example we have to follow than that of God himself, who chose to give Jesus for us. The song "He Knows My Name" lets us know that our Father in heaven was, is, and will continue to think of us, and hope we come to him through the knowledge of His saving grace, through His Son, Jesus, His gift to us.
I have a Maker
He formed my heart
Before even time began
My life was in his hands
I have a Father
He calls me His own
He'll never leave me
No matter where I go
He knows my name
He knows my every thought
He sees each tear that falls
And He hears me when I call
He formed my heart
Before even time began
My life was in his hands
I have a Father
He calls me His own
He'll never leave me
No matter where I go
He knows my name
He knows my every thought
He sees each tear that falls
And He hears me when I call
Copyright 1996 Tommy Walker
Friday, May 31, 2013
In This World We Will Have Troubles...
But He has overcome the world! See John 16:33
Here is a page with encouraging scriptures to help you through any of life's truly difficult times.
http://www.persevering.org/scriptures.html
Here is a page with encouraging scriptures to help you through any of life's truly difficult times.
http://www.persevering.org/scriptures.html
Hope and Heaven
This week’s Theme is Hope and Heaven. There are a lot of hymns focused on
heaven, so it was difficult to choose. And, of course, I Can Only Imagine, one of my favorite Mercy Me songs goes very well. The Bible has quite a bit to say about heaven, however there is a lot we still will not know until we get there. We know we will be surrounded by His glory, as the song goes, but do we really have a true idea how we will respond to being before a holy God? The only way to truly find out is to accept His salvation here on this earth, and look forward to what is to come! Let us live worthy for Him, so one day we can sing Worthy Is the Lamb to our Savior!
"Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord's coming."
James 5:7
"Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure."
1 John 3:2-3
"For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words."
I Thessalonians 4:16-18
"Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
Revelation 21:1-4
Kiwi
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