Just Another Melodic Monday - Church (Take Me Back)

In Ephesians 2:11-22, the Apostle Paul describes how, through the reconciling work of Jesus Christ, we are able to find a solid foundation and a spiritual family in the church.

But later, in Revelation chapter 2, we find a letter written to the church in Ephesus where Christ warns them (verse 4): "But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first."

"Church (Take me back)" is a testimony song by Cochran & Co. about a person who had drifted away from church and from the cross.  The words of the second verse of the song struck me:

Tried to walk on my own but I wound up lost

Now I'm making my way to the foot of the cross

It's not a trophy for the winners

It's a shelter for the sinners

And it's right where I belong

Let's pray that, with so many church worship services now being made available to watch online, there will be many coming back to Jesus Christ and the love they had at first.

Just Another Melodic Monday - Worthy, Worthy

It's interesting that, in response to lockdown restrictions, so many churches are now recording songs of worship and putting them on YouTube.  It's an opportunity to hear Christian hymns and songs that are new to us.  "Worthy, Worthy" is a song I've not heard before which draws us to praise an infinite and awesome God who has made himself known to us.

Just Another Melodic Monday: Before the Throne of God Above

This version of "Before the Throne of God Above", performed by Joseph Bradshaw and Sandra McCracken, provides us with a soothing sound and encouraging words for the start the week.  

The song reminds us of the greatness and glory of Jesus Christ; that he is the "sinless Saviour" who "made an end of all my sin"; and he is also the "risen Lamb" and my "great High Priest... who ever lives and pleads for me".  He truly is "the King of glory and of grace"!

Just Another Melodic Monday - Who is like the Lord?

CCLI (Christian Copyright Licensing International) provides the pathway and resources for churches to legally use Christian songs and videos for church worship.  They regularly update their Youtube channel with live performances of worship songs, and here is one example - "Who is like the Lord?" by Highlands Worship.

Just Another Melodic Monday - His Mercy is More

"His Mercy is More" is a song that we learned as a church last year, written by Matt Boswell and Matt Papa.  The words remind us of the mercy and forgiveness that we find when we come to God through Jesus Christ, for "in him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our sins, according to the riches of his grace..." (Ephesians 1:7).

Just Another Melodic Monday - Jesus, Strong and Kind

I was planning to restart Melodic Mondays at the beginning of next year, but decided to do it at the end of this year, instead!  

This song, called "Jesus, Strong and Kind", is from Cityalight and features Colin Buchanan.  The words are simple enough to be understood by children, but deep enough to be meaningful to adults.

Just A Final Melodic Monday - How Deep The Father's Love

Having posted Melodic Monday songs regularly for the last three years, I've decided to take a break for a while.  This is partly because the days I work are changing from next week, but also because my responsibilities in the church have changed as the church has grown, and I feel I need to focus my attention elsewhere for now.

As I wondered what song to finish with, I found this post in my "draft" folder, and it seemed an appropriate choice of song and song-writer.

"How deep the Father's love for us" is written by Stuart Townend, and helps us to focus our minds on what it meant for Jesus Christ to be obedient to his Father "even unto death" (Philippians 2:8) and how much God must love us if He gave His only Son to save us.

Just Another Melodic Monday - Before the throne of God above

It's funny - I was just looking back over the Melodic Monday blog posts since I began them in October 2015, looking for inspiration for a song for this week, and I realised that there is a classic hymn that we haven't featured but one that has become popular over the last couple of decades.

"Before the throne of God above" was written by Charitie Lees Smith in 1863.  It's original title was "The Advocate" as the song expresses the role of Jesus Christ "who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us" (Romans 8:34).  It was given a new melody in 1997 by Vikki Cook from Sovereign Grace Music, and this acoustic version is performed by Mark Rasmussen and friend.

Just Another Melodic Monday - Over Jordan, Across the Sea

CCLI (Christian Copyright Licensing Inc.) helps churches by providing copyright licenses for the songs that are sung during church services and meetings.  They also provide many other helpful resources and other types of licenses, making it simpler for churches to use copyrighted material in accordance with copyright laws.

CCLI also regularly shares new songs on its Youtube channel and here is the latest upload, called "Over Jordan, Across the Sea" and performed by Kaden Slay, Melanie Tierce-Slay and Ryan Kennedy.

Just Another Christmas Melodic Monday - Noel

Christmas Day is almost here!  So, here's another song that draws our attention to the birth of Christ and its meaning.  "Noel" is written by Chris Tomlin and performed here by Mark Rasmussen and family.  Here are the words from the second verse:

Son of God and Son of man

There before the world began

Born to suffer, born to save

Born to raise us from the grave

Christ the everlasting Lord 

He shall reign forevermore

Just Another Melodic Christmas Monday - God Made Low

Christmas is coming!  So, I thought it was time to share some Christmas songs and hymns on the Melodic Monday blog post, not only for you to enjoy listening to but also to consider sharing with your church if the song is new to you.

"God made low" is written Jason Hansen and Bob Kauflin from Sovereign Grace Music.  It focuses our attention on Jesus Christ being the Immanuel, "God with us", which was the theme of the message preached last Sunday morning (which will be posted on the blog on Wednesday).

Just Another Melodic Monday - This is Amazing Grace

Written by Phil Wickham, Josh Farro and Jeremy Riddle, "This is Amazing Grace" is a song of praise to Jesus Christ for his life-giving grace and is sung here by Lauren Daigle.  

Who brings our chaos back into order?

Who makes the orphan a son and daughter?

The King of glory!  The King of glory!

Who rules the nations with truth and justice?

Shines like the sun in all its brilliance?

The King of glory, the King above all kings!

Just Another Melodic Monday - Matchless One

There's something about the simplicity of this song and its performance that I find really engaging.  "Matchless One" is by Family Church Worship and leads us from our sin to the Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Hope is here, there's mercy for the taking

Trust His cross, your sins have been erased

Welcome home, be seated at the table

Look upon His face

Just Another Melodic Monday - God So Loved

"God so loved" by Matt Crocker and Marty Sampson reminds us of the promise of eternal life found only in Jesus Christ.

Jesus said: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16)

Just Another Melodic Monday - More Than Anything

CCLI (Christian Copyright Licensing International) provides the pathway and resources for churches to legally use Christian songs and videos for church worship.  Here's a song they shared this month through their newsletter - "More Than Anything" by Natalie Grant.

Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.  (Philippians 3:8)

Just Another Melodic Monday - Wonderful, Merciful Saviour

Selah perform a more modern hymn called "Wonderful, Merciful Saviour" which reminds us of the incredible God - Father, Son and Spirit - whom we encounter when we believe the gospel.

Just Another Melodic Monday - My God Fights For Me

Wow - here's a song to set you off for the week!  "My God fights for me" relates some of the experiences of God's people in the Bible as they discover His blessing when they respond to Him in faith.  The song is performed by Charity Gayle, Jeff Mathena and Micah Tyler.

"For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory." (Deuteronomy 20:4)

Just Another Melodic Monday - Revelation Song

"Revelation Song" draws our attention to the day of Christ and the endless praise that will be given to "the Lamb that was slain".  The song is performed by Mark Rasmussen with David Quimba, Joelle Pererz, and Alyssa Carino.

Just Another Melodic Monday - Great is thy faithfulness

The hymn "Great is thy faithfulness" was written by Thomas Chisholm, and here is performed by Jimmy Needham.  The hymn recognises that, even though the world around us changes, we always have "strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow" because of the unchanging faithfulness of our God.

Just Another Melodic Monday - How Deep The Father's Love For us

How deep the Father's love for us!  How vast beyond all measure!

An encouraging reminder of God's love with an acoustic version of the hymn, "How deep the Father's love for us".