Just Another Melodic Monday - Come, Lord Jesus

With the Sovereign Grace UK Leader's Conference coming up in less than 3 weeks, "Come, Lord Jesus" is a simple song from their album "Prayers of the Saints" expressing the prayer of Christians that Jesus Christ would return and take all of his people to be with him in the glory of heaven.  One of the passages that the song is based on is Romans 8:18-23:

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.  For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God.  For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 

Just Another Melodic Monday - All Creatures of our God and King

I had planned to meet with Nathan Smith last week, Lead Pastor of Grace Church Bristol, but we had to postpone.  I first met Nathan at a Sovereign Grace Conference several years ago, and we've continued to meet up a couple of times a year to share news and encourage each other - while having a nice meal, of course!  You can visit their church website at gracechurchbristol.org.

Here is a song from Sovereign Grace Music that we sing regularly, combining words from the sixteenth and twenty first centuries!

Just Another Melodic Monday: He is our God

I had a great time last week at the Sovereign Grace UK Conference in Christ Church, Mayfair.  As well as some awesome teaching, we sang a couple of their new songs, which unfortunately have yet to make their way to Youtube.  Here, however, is another new song called "He is Our God", which is on the forthcoming live album, "Prayers of the Saints".

Just Another Melodic Monday - Show Us Christ

This song, from Sovereign Grace Music and called "Show Us Christ", recognises that God reveals His glory through the preaching of His Word.

Just Another Melodic Monday - There Is A Day

The song "There is a day" encourages us to live now in the light of the future that is secured by Jesus Christ for all of his people. 

"For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen." (2 Corinthians 4v17-18) 

Just Another Melodic Monday - It Is Well With My Soul

An acoustic version of an uplifting hymn, with a different chorus to the usual one.  The hymn reminds us of the eternal faithfulness of God; that, whatever my lot, "it is well with my soul".

The song is taken from the album "Draw me nearer" by Amy, Alisa and Mark Rasmussen.

Just Another Melodic Monday - The Cause of Christ

"The Cause of Christ" is a song from Kari Jobe's latest album, "The Garden", which we started to learn at our last song evening.  

Just Another Melodic Monday - Creation Sings The Father's Song

We sang this together recently.  Although the timing can be a little tricky to learn, the words are a great reminder that Christ came to redeem and renew the whole Creation.

Just Another Melodic Monday - Joy Has Dawned

We recently had a song evening, where we shared and learned new songs together.  "Joy has dawned" is one example, which we began learning in preparation for the Christmas season.

Just Another Melodic Monday - In Christ Alone

I love hearing this well-known song being given a fresh sound because of the character of the church it's being sung in.

Just Another Melodic Monday - Loved with Everlasting Love

When George Wade Robinson wrote this hymn about 100 years ago, he hadn't heard of Pokemon Go.  However, he did know something about augmented reality - seeing something that others could not.  In the second verse, he wrote:

Heaven above is softer blue,

Earth below is sweeter green;

Something lives in every hue

Christless eyes have never seen.

Birds with gladder songs o'erflow,

Flow'rs with deeper beauties shine,

Since I know, as now I know,

I am His, and He is mine.

Just Another Melodic Monday - Do Not Be Anxious

Seeds Family Worship simply take bible verses and add music!  Their aim is to provide spiritual songs that children can enjoy with their parents while simultaneously learning God's Word.  Here's an example from the "Seeds of Courage" album: "Do not be anxious" (Philippians 4:6-7).

Just Another Melodic Monday - Come Praise and Glorify

We recently were sent some Sovereign Grace Music samplers by Nathan Smith, lead pastor of Grace Church, Bristol.  We regularly sing songs from Sovereign Grace, and asked for samplers so we could give them to people in the church who weren't familiar with their songs.  This week, "Come Praise and Glorify" is our "homework", as we'll be singing it together next Sunday.

Just Another Melodic Monday - I have decided to follow Jesus

Sometimes all you need is a chair, a guitar and some simple words to make a profound declaration.  

The hymn is based on the words spoken by a believer in India prior to being executed for his faith in the late nineteenth century.

Just Another Melodic Monday - Speak, O Lord

The song "Speak, O Lord" (by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend) seems appropriate for sharing while we continue our series in James and are challenged to have a faith that is visible. 

Just Another Melodic Monday - Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)

I thought I would have a look at the CCLI top 100 today.  This can be a useful way of discovering/remembering new or updated songs for the church you're a part of.  

Here's an example of a classic hymn that has been given a modern bridge: "Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)".  It's performed by Dave's Highway, and I could listen to those harmonies all day!

Just Another Melodic Monday - I Will Say of The Lord

The song "I will say of the Lord" by Lou Fellingham reminds us to seek our strength from the Lord, and trust in His limitless resources.

Just Another Melodic Monday - Nothing But The Blood

When you're part of a small church plant team, it's important to do things as simply as possible.  That may be why I'm so drawn at the moment to simple, acoustic performances of Christian hymns and songs.

Here's an example, providing a simple answer to a profound question: "What can wash away my sin?"

Just Another Melodic Monday - For God so loved the world

Here is a children's song that we sang for the first time together yesterday.  Next week, we'll be singing it again and introducing a round!

Just Another Melodic Monday - Grace to Grace

If love endured that ancient cross,

How precious is my Saviour's blood!

The beauty of heaven

Wrapped in my shame

The glory of Jesus shines more brightly when we try to understand how far he descended to save us.  We are humbled because we feel dwarfed by his glory, yet at the same time we are lifted up because the love revealed by his sacrifice is equally beyond comprehension.

We know that we cannot demand or earn this love that never lets us go.  We can only receive and then live in it by God's grace - a mercy that unceasingly provides all that we need to be His people and live in His love. 

Here is a song produced by Hillsong that draws our attention to the glory of Christ revealed at the cross, and encourages us to respond to God's grace with praise.   

(Click on the subtitle symbol to get the lyric to appear on screen.)