Tag: songs

July 17, 2023

July 17th, 2023

Monday – Gospels

Reading – Mark 14

Highlight Verse:

“Then they sang a hymn and went out to the Mount of Olives.”
‭‭Mark‬ ‭14‬:‭26‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This is another one of those “I never noticed that before” verses.

But then, as one who has been exposed to the Messianic Jewish culture, I am not surprised.

Song and dance played a prominent part of the culture.

That should explain why the longest book in the Bible is a book of songs (Psalms).

The song they sang to conclude the Passover meal was most likely the second half of the Hallel Psalms 115-118.

Right after those deep words of worship, they went out to Gethsemane where Jesus prayed in anguish as He faced what was about to happen.

Tonight we had a student night at a local park with another church. It was a lot of fun though many of us fairly melted in the heat.

At the end, a group got together in a circle and sang a worship song.

To me that was the best part of the evening.

That simple beautiful act focused my attention on why we were there in the first place.

I can’t help but think that the singing at the end of the Passover meal had the same effect on Jesus and His disciples.

Does the right music help you to focus on God?
Can you imagine what it would have been like to be in the room and listen to that group sing those beautiful Psalms?
What would that have felt like?
July 9, 2023

July 9th, 2023

Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Psalms 83-85

Highlight Verse:

“What joy for those who can live in your house, always singing your praises. Interlude”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭84‬:‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

There’s a reason I chose to read the poetry books on Sundays. So much good praise!

I’m blessed to go to a church that has a really good worship band that does an amazing job of bringing the congregation to the throne of God.

But that’s not the point of this verse.

When this Psalm was written, the faithful came to worship God at the Temple in Jerusalem. This Psalm celebrated those pilgrimages.

But today, God comes to us.

We are His temple.

Therefore we are those who can live in the house of the Lord, always singing His praises.

It’s good to gather with other believers to worship but we would do well to remember that we have the privilege of singing God’s praises every moment of every day.

You might ask, “Wouldn’t other people look at me funny if I did that all the time?”

Of course you shouldn’t ignore those around you just so you can sing constantly. But haven’t you met that person who is constantly whistling, or humming, or quietly singing as they go about their days. Sure, it might be annoying at times, but –

Don’t you want that kind of joy?

I assure you that, for those people, it started with a decision.

“I choose joy.”

It might not come naturally, but if you choose it constantly, it will come!

Do you want to be one of those people who are constantly singing praise?
Are you one of those people? If so, how did you get there?
May 28, 2023

May 28th, 2023

Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Psalms 66-68

Highlight Verses:

“Shout joyful praises to God, all the earth! Sing about the glory of his name! Tell the world how glorious he is.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭66‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Shout, sing, tell. Which is it?

To which you reply “all three”.

If you were to shout joyful praises to God in the church I grew up in, they would probably kindly escort you to the mental health facility of your choice.

At the church I attend now, you could shout and no one would hear you above the sound of the worship band.

Which one is right?

I don’t know about the mental health facility but there is something to be said for quiet contemplative worship.

On the other hand, many find their way to the heart of worship through uninhibited loud praise and worship.

Personally, I like both in their times.

The important thing is to bring God the praise due Him.

Today and this week, as I am away from home, the worship will be different from what I am used to, but I will bring my whole heart to it.

What king of worship do you prefer?
Are you able to worship with your whole heart in styles that you are not used to?
April 22, 2023

April 22nd, 2023

Saturday – Open Topic

Reading – Philippians 4:4

“Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

When ever I read this, I hear Keith Green singing, “Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice.” (Scripture Song Medley, from the album The Ministry Years 1980-1982)

You’ll notice it doesn’t say, “rejoice in the Lord Sunday morning,” or “rejoice in the Lord on payday,” or my favorite, “rejoice in the Lord every Friday at 5.”

It’s “rejoice in the Lord always.”

You might say, “Well, Paul didn’t just have his car break down for the 5th time,” or “Paul wasn’t just laid off,” or Paul doesn’t have to deal with this person every day.”

Actually Paul was in jail. Most scholars believe it was his final jail sentence – not that far from his execution.

Still he said, “rejoice in the Lord always.”

Okay, Paul. I will.

Do you have a hard time rejoicing when things aren’t going well?
Can you share a time when you did rejoice through a hard time and it changed your perspective?
March 12, 2023

March 12th, 2023

Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Psalms 31-32

Highlight Verse:

“So rejoice in the Lord and be glad, all you who obey him! Shout for joy, all you whose hearts are pure!”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭32‬:‭11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

There are at least 185 songs in the Bible.

150 of them are in Psalms alone.

There are times in the Bible when it seems almost like a musical where the characters burst out into spontaneous song.

I think it’s safe to say that God loves music.

There are praise and worship songs. There are dirges. There are victory songs. There are love songs.

I dare say, in their time, there were songs of every style and genre available.

Music is an integral part of my daily life. It lifts my spirit. It encourages and strengthens me. It helps express my feelings. It inspires me.

It helps connect me with God.

If you read this in time today, I encourage you to head to your local church and belt out a song or two with the rest of the congregation.

If it’s Sunday afternoon by the time you read this and you live in the Denver area, joins us at Orchard Church this evening for a night of worship! (March 12, 6:30pm, Orchard Church, 120th Ave. Henderson, CO.)

Is music an integral part of your life?
In what ways does it help connect you with God?

Tag: songs

July 17, 2023

Song and dance played a prominent part of the culture.

Right after those deep words of worship, they went out to Gethsemane where Jesus prayed in anguish as He faced what was about to happen.

That simple beautiful act focused my attention on why we were there in the first place.

July 9, 2023

We are His temple.

Don’t you want that kind of joy?

“I choose joy.”

May 28, 2023

The important thing is to bring God the praise due Him.

April 22, 2023

It’s “rejoice in the Lord always.”

Okay, Paul. I will.

March 12, 2023

I think it’s safe to say that God loves music.

It helps connect me with God.