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.

Spiritual Growth, Episode 4: Love

In this Bible study, we first recognise God's plan for Christians to grow up spiritually, even when experiencing suffering. Then, we look at 1 John 4:7-11 and 1 Thessalonians 3:12-13 and consider how important Christian love is in the life of a believer: "...and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love..."

Just Another Melodic Monday: Your Will be Done

Here is the latest song from CityAlight, called "Your Will be Done", encouraging us to trust in the Lord during this pandemic.  In their own words from their YouTube channel: 

"There is a God who is still ruling on the throne, and He is our good and loving Father.  If there is anything in which you can put your trust at this uncertain time, let it be the will of your loving Father.  Church, in the chaos - in bedrooms, living rooms, hospital rooms, and virtual rooms - let us lift our voices in prayer and sing, 'Father, not my will but yours be done!' "

A Midweek Message: God's Mysterious Ways (Ruth 1)

In the Book of Ruth, we see the different ways God works to save His people.  In chapter one, we consider the mysterious ways of God.  In the wake of great loss, Ruth puts her trust in God and begins an unexpected journey from sorrow into joy.

A Midweek Message: My soul will be satisfied (Psalm 63)

In Psalm 63, David describes his search for God during a time of trouble.  In this sermon, we look at how David finds God, and how we can apply David's experience to our own lives today.

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.

A Midweek Message - The Armour of God (Ephesians 6)

We're approaching the end of the letter to the Christians in Ephesus, and the Apostle Paul encourages them to rely on the Lord's strength in order to stand against spiritual opposition to the gospel. Where do we find this strength? Paul describes it as God's armour and tells us how to wear each part.

Just Another Melodic Monday - Abide With Me

Having taught about "the armour of God" from Ephesians 6 on Remembrance Sunday, it seems right to share a hymn today that reminds us of the faithfulness of the Lord and the security we find only in Him.  "Abide with me" was written in 1847 by Henry Francis Lyte but this version, performed by Ross Martin and David Niemi, features the updated tune by Indelible Grace.

1. I need Thy presence every passing hour;
   What but Thy grace can foil the tempter’s power?
   Who, like Thyself, my guide and stay can be?
   Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me.

The Midweek Message - An Apostolic Prayer (Ephesians 1:15-23)

We continue our series exploring Paul's letter to the Christians in Ephesus.  In his prayer for these believers, he is grateful for the evidence of grace; he wants their relationship with God to deepen; and he proclaims the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

Just Another Melodic Monday - O Praise The Name

We recently gathered together as a church for a "song evening", when we learned new songs together.  One of those was "O Praise the Name" by Hillsong.  Here is a version of the song performed by This Hope, from their album "Stay".

The Midweek Message: Grace and Peace (Ephesians 1)

We're beginning to explore the Apostle Paul's letter to the Ephesians.  Why is this letter important?  It gives us foundational teaching for the New Testament church, and describes the spiritual blessings provided through the witnessed death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The Midweek Message - Taste and See (Psalm 34)

In Psalm 34, David writes about a time when he was a desperate man and in serious trouble.  He recognises that God helped him and turned his life around, and so he invites others to trust God - to "taste and see that the Lord is good!"

The Midweek Message: The Voice of the Lord (Psalm 29)

On the Sunday morning when I'd planned to preach from Psalm 29 - a psalm about storms and floods - we experienced a tremendous storm and flooding!  We still managed to meet together as a church, but were unable to make a recording of the message.  Here, then, is a recording I made later at home, so the sound quality and atmosphere will be different to usual.

In this psalm, David recognises the character of God's voice witnessed in the natural world.  The Lord speaks with authority, and thus He is able to give us guidance we can trust.

Just Another Melodic Monday - Holy Father, Rich in Mercy

We recently had what we call a "song evening", a time when we gather together as a church to learn new songs.  As it was a sunny day, we all sat outside in the garden, singing along to the accompanying guitar, ukelele and banjolele!  

One of the songs we learned was "Holy Father, Rich in Mercy" by Phil Moore and Colin Webster.  It's a trinitarian song, giving praise to and seeking help from God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

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)

The Midweek Message: Different Sides Of The Same Bus (Matthew 13)

In Matthew 13:44-46, we learn that although there is only one way to enter the kingdom of heaven, each person experiences it differently.  Jesus contrasts the surprise of a man discovering treasure with the searching merchant who finds a valuable pearl.  However, although their experience is different, the outcome is the same for both of them.

The Midweek Message: From Seed to Flour (Matthew 13)

We continue to learn about the kingdom of heaven as Jesus shares two more parables in Matthew 13:31-33.  Although the kingdom appears small to start with, it will grow and spread its branches across the globe.

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!

The Midweek Message: A Statement of Faith Pt.1 God

As a church plant, we've been supported by the FIEC and anticipate adopting their statement of faith when we become independent.  We're therefore going through the 9 points of that statement during our Sunday evening services.  Here is part one, where we consider some of what the Bible teaches about God.  Although we look at a lot of passages in the Bible, I mainly focus on Psalm 90.

Just Another Melodic Monday - What Mercy Did For Me

This is a new song to me, performed by Crystal Yates, Micah Tyler and Joshua Sherman. "What Mercy Did For Me" describes the transforming work of God that happens through Jesus Christ, taking us from "death and darkness" to being "called... from the grave", and then "living day by day by His grace".